Binder1234567890 monday, january 12, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

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Vol. 1 No. 327

Monday, January 12, 2015

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Kalu to PDP, APC: Elections not do-or-die

Jonathan warns Buhari

lCall your supporters to order, flays burning of campaign bus Onyekachi Eze and Temitope Ogunbanke

ondemnations yesterday trailed weekend attack on campaign buses of President

Goodluck Jonathan in Jos with the president calling on the All Progressives Congress (APC) presiden-

tial candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, to call his supporters to orCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

N150

NEW TELEG

RAPH MONDA Y, JANUAR Y 12, 2015

Money Line

Naira walks knocks CBN tight rope as ICAN

Stock Wat ch

Afromedia: Incap adverse regula acitated by tion

Insuranc

Claims: Policy holder’s confli Leadway ct with deepens

Business What's neW s

Customs miss 2014 revenue target by N223bn

The Nigeri a Customs (NCS) revenu Servic e has fallen e billion or by N223 19 one year. per cent in the last

Bodo spil l: N16 billio Group faults Shel l’s n compen sation DEGRADAT ION

Communitie s in the Niger Delta have been drast ically affected by activities of oil companies

p.22

Food pric drops in e index December

Interview

Okonjo Iweala , a mism economy, says Enwe atch for Nigerian gbara

Dayo Ayey emi

Director mo Basse of HOMEF, Nnimcould noty, said the fisher fisher man men hope to fishing pittance was better than retur n in the Bodo that to the comm creeks becau rivers and fered to pay Shell initially . of- ters unities with hydrocarbo se of the depth “This to fish. Sadly cleaner wan pollu ing from a good can hardly Bodo tion resulof , altho the oil spills t- ment fishing boat purchase the pollution also ugh the He and equip . Goi comm neces damaged - maki amount expressed that the fishin sary to retur unity wate ng the being offer the n g busin rs comm ess that to tinue to ed each people know languish unity conthey choos best – that the glect witho in is if e to move ut reme abject nedy,” he said. to other

Civil right tion, the s organisaHealth CONTI NUED Mother of Earth Foun ON PAGE 22 describeddation (HOMEF), agreement as ‘inadequat has by oil giant e’ the to pay , Shell, a million penalty of abou Pounds t 55 Sterli N16 billio n) to 15,600 ng (about ermen and Bodo fishcomm extensive unity for 2008/2009. crude oil spills the of Although, p.36 the grou scribed p a welco the developme deme news nt as Year, it, however, for the New the comp argued be comp ensation could that ared with not damage to their the level of The group environme spokespers nt. Cadmus comparedAtake, said that on, companiesto what pollu when The Business ting their ecolo paid elsewhere oil Desk ayodele aminu for gical crim amount es, the L-R: Manager, Deputy Editor brought Inspections inadequate (Busine by Shell Bank Plc, and Monito Bayo akomo ss) Janet Nnabu for the damage ring, Nation severity is Monitoring, lafe ko, done Asst. Editor al Lotter of Madieb Consumer Executive Directo (Maritime) y Regula He Protection r, Lagos said: “HOM tory Comm o at the 5th sunday Ojeme & South Council, the comp ission, Afam draw of the West Bank, Ifeyinwa EF Asst. Editor Ojeh, Head, Fidelity Save4 Fidelit Nwam amount ensation whic sees (Insuran Savings, Scholarship uo and Divisional y Bank Plc., Ikemef h will to abou Godson Ikoro ce) Fidelity Head, Retail each of una t savings Asst. Editor promo in the plain N600,000 for Bank, Fidelit Mbagwu, Manag (Money Market) Lagos. balance er, tiffs with y Bank Plc., going for the Dele alao Richard projects Industry & – schoo community Agric Editor health centr l block Dayo ayeyem es – as inade s and for the quate sever Property Editor i ity of done.” damage adeola Yusuf Atake Kunle Azee Energy Editor ment of maintained that z Wole shadar building compensation payawfully promised e igeria’s missed Aviation Editor in early ics woul of schools and and Domain its 2014 New Teleg would incre 2014 System d Nam clintarge not Chris Ugwu that raph by any (DNS) space e reduce The misse has learnt. t, domain namease uptake of it means the fered Capital Market .ng gent clean demand for d targe as the regul setback last suf- the auspi end of that s to 250,000 an abdulwahabEditor year, cious numb t was on by the ator of year. vironment-up of the Ogon ur- try code doma Isa This mean er of .ng i en- (ccTL . Finance Editor Top Leve the coun- regis in names l Dom D), tered by planned to be had a targe s that the count Kunle azeez istration Nigeria Inter net ain names plannt of 190,000 doma ry NiRA has the end of 2014. Senior Corresp Association Regin ed ondent (NiRA), about 60,000 reportedly sold by individual to be registered Chuks Onuan domain s, as at the yin INFLATION names gover nment corporate and end of Energy agencies RATE 2013 and November nnamdi amadi had both 2014.. Rates October 2014.. ......................7.9% LENDING Dashbo CONTI NUED Reporter RATE InterBank a ON PAGE r Johnson adebay d September ..........................8.1 Rate............. 22 % 2014............ o .......12 Prime Lendin Asst Product EXCHANGE .........8.3% ion Editor RATE g Rate...........17 .57% (Parallel Maximum As at Jan. Lending Rate... .93% USD . . . . 08) EXCHANGE . 26.83% RATE Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N182 (Official As . Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Jan. 08) USD . . . . l Foreign N390 ......... . Reserves . . . . . N205. Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . – $46.5b N168 . 50 n as at 8/01/2 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N253. 015 Source ......... . . . . . .N197.709 : CBN 0 The Food and Organisatio Agriculture Food Price n (FAO)’s month ly December Index declined in stability. after three month s of

42-43

Page 21

12 pages of incisive Business

FG makes N19 per litre profit from petrol DNS: NiR A misses 2014 target names N ...registers only 18,8 70 domain

Telegraph investigation

lPPPRA evades daily price template's review for 13 days

Front row: L-R: European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker; Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu; former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy; Mali's President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita; French President, Francois Hollande; Germany's Chancellor, Angela Merkel; Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas and Italy's Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, at a solidarity march against terrorism in Paris...yesterday. PHOTO: Reuters

Travel Advisory Your guide to local and international flights 4

Feb 14: APC blows hot lDSS' story on hacking senseless, says Lai Mohammed Temitope Ogunbanke

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday faulted the re-

port of the Department of State Services (DSS) that it planned to inflate its membership data as well as hack into the Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC) database through the creation of party membership forms and cards to match INEC's

voters register across the country. Addressing a press conference yesterday in Lagos, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Quick Read

Editorial

Managing a depressing economy }19 Female suicide bombers kill five in Yobe }7

News

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG makes N19 per litre profit from petrol Adeola Yusuf

mid growing clamour for the Federal Government to reduce the pump price of petrol in view of the low price regime of crude oil in the global market, investigations by New Telegraph have shown that the price rout has wiped off fuel subsidy. Based on the price of Brent crude oil at $50 per barrel yesterday, which is the equivalent of the Bonny Light, the Nigerian variant, the Federal Government will be making a profit of about N19 from each litre of petrol sold. This is because with all additional expenses factored into the importation, the fuel should cost N78.09k per litre. Fuel produced by the local refineries will cost less with current crude price. Investigations showed that the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulating Agency (PPPRA), which regularly gives update on how much subsidy government is forking out to maintain the official price regime of petrol at N97 per litre, has left its daily price template for petrol unchanged since December 29, 2014. The oil price rout rocking the global crude market has, therefore, dipped the fuel price below the N97 pump price based on budgetary estimation of $60 given by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Okonjo-Iweala, in her budget speech, on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, had said that “preliminary estimates show that the break even crude oil price at which the landed cost of PMS (petrol) will equal our current pump price of N97 per litre so that there will no longer be subsidy is about $60 per barrel.” “It is only when crude oil price (Bonny Light) falls below this level that the pump price of PMS (which includes N15.49 per litre distribution and Petroleum Equalisation Fund cost) can begin to come down. "The break-even price of crude oil would have been higher were it not for the N15.49 per litre distribution margin,” the minister added. Crude oil, however, traded at $50 per barrel at the weekend, a differential of about $10 from the $60 mark mentioned by the minister. Checks by New Telegraph showed that the current N97/litre of pet-

rol on the PPPRA's template was calculated based on the price of crude at $69 per barrel. The template is designed to accommodate under or over recovery. "For over recovery, government is expected to cushion this by paying subsidy in the future, the under recovery cannot necessary result into cut in the pump price because there is yet to be a guarantee that the crude price will not come up soon," the source said. But when New Telegraph visited the PPPRA's website yesterday, it was discovered that the template prepared based on

$67 per barrel price of December 29, 2014 was yet to be reviewed. "Approved prices as at 29th December, 2014 for PMS (Naira/Litre) shows that the Expected Open Market Price (EOMP) is N97.90; Landing Cost is N82.41; Ex-Depot Price is N81.51; Regulated Price (RP) is N97.00 while the subsidy (EOMP - RP) is N0.90," the website showed. Spokesperson for the PPPRA, Mr. Lanre Oladele did not pick his calls when his official comment was sought, he could not also reply a text message sent to his phone as at the time of filing this report.

Global oil markets resumed their slide on Friday, with Brent and U.S. crude hitting April 2009 lows and ending down for a seventh straight week, although prices recovered from their lows after a sharp drop in the U.S. oil rig count. Benchmark Brent crude broke below $49 a barrel, but closed above the $50 support level it had clung to this week after oil services firm, Baker Hughes, reported the largest drop in 24 years in the number of U.S. oil drilling rigs. Crude prices had barely moved in the past two sessions after tumbling 10

per cent the first two days of the week. In Friday's early trade in New York, prices drifted about 50 cents lower as robust U.S. jobs data for December helped limit losses. The selling gained force about an hour to noon, pushing both Brent and U.S. crude to an April 2009 trough. Prices retraced their losses after the rig count issued by Baker Hughes. "In my opinion we have not stabilised out yet," said Tariq Zahir, managing member at Tyche Capital Advisors in Laurel Hollow in New York. "I do think that after

seven weeks of losses, you will see a bounce back at some point, and people are waiting for that to short into. I am." Brent settled down 85 cents at $50.11 a barrel, after falling earlier to $48.90. U.S. crude settled down 43 cents at $48.36, having hit $47.16 earlier. For the week, Brent lost 11 percent and U.S. crude 8 percent. Brent's premium to U.S. crude, meanwhile, fell to a near three-month low of $1.70 a barrel. In June, before the market tumble that erased more than 50 percent off oil prices, Brent traded nearly $10 higher to U.S. crude

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze; the state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, at the signing into law of the 2015 budget in Lagos... yesterday.

DSS' story on hacking senseless, says Lai Mohammed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the DSS report on the invasion of the party’s data centre as bunkum, garbage, saying it does not worth the paper on which it is written. The DSS at a press conference in Abuja last Wednesday, had accused the APC of an elaborate plot to hack into the voters' registration data base of the INEC, multiple registration of members and registration of Armed Forces/Paramilitary personnel and babies. But the party said the DSS 'findings' could not stand a serious scrutiny by independent investigators because it worked backwards, from answer to question, in an effort to reach a pre-determined conclusion. APC also has accused the Jonathan administration of planning to post-

pone the February general election. “We will like to tell all Nigerians that the crap called 'findings' is part of the ongoing efforts by the Jonathan administration to postpone next month's general election. Having seen the handwriting on the wall vis-a-vis the growing rejection of the PDP by Nigerians, the Jonathan administration has gone into a panic mode, while embarking on a plan to postpone the elections. “Apparently, the thinking at the DSS, which is working in cahoots with the PDP, is that its report that the APC plans to hack into the voters' registration data base of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will raise doubts about the integrity of the voter's register to be used for the forthcoming polls, and subsequently force a postponement of the elections since the existing register can-

not be used for the polls. “Unfortunately for DSS and the PDP, this thinking was based on a wrong premise, as we will show shortly, and it has backfired. “Before you say our claim is outlandish, remember that some prominent Nigerians have publicly called for the postponement of the election which can only benefit the Jonathan administration and delay its impending waterloo at the polls. Place the calls side by side with the apparently doctored outcome of the DSS investigations and the timing of the report's release, and you will understand where they are coming from,” the party said. It added that the reason the DSS came to vandalise the APC data centre was because the Service is working hand-in-hand with the PDP. “As we have said, the overall motive of the raid

of our offices and the socalled findings is to give the impression that the INEC voter's register has been corrupted; hence cannot be used for next month's elections. Now, a more specific question: Why did the DSS break into the APC data centre at the time it did? “It is no coincidence that the DSS raided the APC Data Centre on November 22, 2014, exactly one week before the start of the PVC distribution exercise on November 28. “The reason the DSS came to vandalise our data centre is because the Service is working hand-inhand with the PDP. They carried out the raids to know our party's strength in terms of membership. Please note that after the raids, many of our registered members could not find their names on the list when they went to collect their PVCs. This is not a mere coincidence,”

it stated. Debunking the allegation of DSS claims of hacking of INEC’s database by the APC, Mohammed said the allegation WAS false, saying that the fact that the DSS made the claim at all shows that the agency does not understand the concept of hacking. On allegation of multiple registrations of APC members, the party spokesman said that after the first visit of the DSS, it was clear to all Nigerians that the Service's claim that the party was cloning PVCs could not be sustained and that explain why they could not display a single cloned PVC. Mohammed also faulted the alleged confessions by workers arrested from the data centre, saying that the DSS resorted to the use of torture to obtain forced confessions from the workers who were arrested during the first raid on the building.

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

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Travel Advisory

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE FIRST NATION AIRWAYS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06.50; 09:30; 11:45; 16:00 (SAT) 06:50; 11:45 (SUN) 11:45; 16:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 11:30; 13:40;18:30 (SAT) 09:00; 13:40 (SUN) 13:40; 18:30 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 14:45 (SAT) 16:15 (SUN) 14:45 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:50 (SAT) 18:20 (SUN) 16:50 AEROCONTRACTORS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30 MEDVIEW AIRLINES LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30 OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00 ARIK AIR LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:00; 09:00; 11:00 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00; 20:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 09:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI)07:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 (SAT) 07:00; 11:00; 15:00 (SUN) 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 (SAT) 07:30; 11:30; 09:00; 13:00; 17:00 (SUN) 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 ABUJA-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30; 16:50 (SAT/SUN) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30 PORT-HARCOURT-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10; 18:30 (SAT/SUN) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10 AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE WEEKLY SCHEDULE Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 12:40pm Lagos-Abuja/Kano 4:00pm Abuja-Kano 5:45pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kan 10:10am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 12:40pm Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm WEEKEND SCHEDULE SATURDAY Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Sunday Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 10:30am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 1:20pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm

Air France

Destination Abuja- Paris Paris-Lagos Paris-PHC PHC-Paris Paris –Abuja Lagos –Paris

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

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

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

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

W3 101 W3 102 W3 107 (Mon, Wed & Fri) W3 108 (Tues,Thurs & Fri) W3 103 W3 104 - (Tues, Wed &Thur) - (Tues, Wed &Thur) -

12:00hrs 21:30hrs 23:50hrs

18:30hrs 05:15hrs 05:30hrs

12:30hrs

16:00hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

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

10:45hrs 09:35hrs 11:10hrs 13:25hrs 07:20hrs 17:00hrs -(Tue,Thur,Sat,Sun) 08:05hrs -(Mon,Wed,Fri) 13:35hrs 18:00hrs -(Daily) 17:00hrs 06:00hrs - (Wed,Fri,Sun) 08:00hrs 17:00hrs -(Wed,Fri,Sun) 08:00hrs -(Wed,Fri,Sun) 15:20hrs -(Wed,Fri,Sun) 21:00hrs -(Mon,Tue,Thur, Fri,Sat) -(Tue,Wed, 01:00hrs Fri,Sat,Sun)

hrs 14:44hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

London-Lagos Lagos-London Abuja-London Abuja-London

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

17:55hrs 00:00hrs 09:00hrs 22:40hrs

11:55hrs 5:50hrs 14:35hrs 06:00hrs

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

MEA 571 MEA 572

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

Lagos-Dubai Lagos-Dubai Dubai-Lagos Dubai-Lagos Abuja-Dubai

EK 7821 (Sun-Sat) EK 7822 EK 7831 EK 7811 EK 761

21:30hrs 14:40hrs 07:35hrs 14:20hrs 23:55hrs

07:40hrs 01:05hrs 12:50hrs 19:45hrs 10:30hrs

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

Accra-Lagos Abuja-Accra Accra-Abuja Lagos-Freetown Freetown-Lagos Lagos-Banjul Banjul-Lagos Lagos-Dakar Dakar-Lagos

BRITISH AIRWAYS

hrs

Middle East Airlines (Two flights weekly (Tues & Friday) to Lagos) EMIRATES AIRLINES

QATAR AIRWAYS DELTA AIRLINES

UNITED AIRLINES

ASKY AIRLINES

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

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

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

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

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

Lagos to Addis Ababa Addis Ababa to Lagos Abuja to Addis Ababa Addis Ababa to Abuja Enugu to Addis Ababa Addis Ababa to Enugu Kano to Addis Ababa Addis Ababa to Kano

ET900 ET901 ET910 ET911 ET930 ET931 ET930 ET931

13:15hrs 09:00hrs 13:40hrs 09:40hrs 12:00hrs 09:20hrs 14:05hrs 09:20hrs

20:25hrs 12:15hr 20:10hrs 12:20hrs 20:50hrs 11:15hrs 20:50hrs 13:20hrs

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

05:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

Lagos-London London-Lagos

VS 652 VS 651

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

EY 0672 (Sunday) (Monday) (Saturday) EY 955

20.45hrs 09:50hrs 09.20 hrs 06:30hrs

07:00hrs 20:05hrs 20:10hrs 11:45hrs

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

KQ 533 KQ 534

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

Lagos-Kigali

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

16:45hrs

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

Lagos to Abidjan

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

10:50hrs

IBERIA

air maroc

VIRGIN ATLANTIC ETIHAD AIRWAYS

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines Air Côte d'Ivoire

Abidjan to Lagos

17:30hrs

21.50hrs

ASKY Airlines international travel tips Earning Miles on ASKY Airlines ASKY is a Lome -Togo based airline that provides an extensive route network within West Africa. The airline provides excellent connections with Ethiopian Airlines flights serving cities in West Africa. Ethiopian Airlines and ASKY provide an end-toend service for frequent flyers enrolled in ShebaMiles. The airlines jointly provide full coverage of Africa providing full mile earning opportunity for a frequent flyer.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

PDP senators disagree on Jonathan's re-election Chukwu David Abuja

head of the February 14 presidential election, some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators have expressed divergent views on the chances of President Goodluck Jonathan to emerge victorious in the contest. Some senators told New Telegraph that President Jonathan might lose the election to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari. However, some waved

the fear aside, maintaining that Jonathan would still win the presidential election. In his comments, a serving senator and chieftain of the ruling party, who pleaded not to be named, said that going by the escalating crisis in the PDP, which led to the defection of many of its prominent members to the opposition party, it would be very difficult for the party to win the presidential election. The senator, a vocal and vibrant member of the Upper Chamber who lost his return ticket, blamed the present precarious position of the party on some of the key stakeholders,

whom he said were desperate to achieve their selfish interests. The legislator particularly mentioned the role played by the state governors in using undemocratic measures in the last party primaries to stop many serving members of the National Assembly from returning in 2015, a situation he said had compelled some of the lawmakers to dump the party for the opposition, where they have been given tickets to contest against the PDP in the forthcoming elections. The visibly worried lawmaker wondered why President Jonathan folded his arms and watched re-

sourceful senators like Senate Leader Victor NdomaEgba (Cross River Central), Ita Enang (Akwa-Ibom North-East) and Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa-West), and Barnabas Gemade (Benue North-East) amongst others, to be eased out of the Senate by their overzealous governors. "I am not sure that the PDP will win the presidential election going by what is happening in the party. Those who are managing the party are destroying it, and I am afraid that this is going to affect the success of the party in the general election. Even if the PDP manages to win the presidential election, I don't

think that it will have majority membership in the Senate. "I am pained that some persons who are privileged to occupy positions of authority in the PDP are doing everything to bring this great party down. Look at the way they are frustrating resourceful senators, including those who have put their lives on line in defence of President Jonathan. "Governors are just all out to destroy the party because of their selfish interest. What I have seen so far in the party has shown me that most of the governors don't care for the future of the PDP; they are not both-

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, at the Jama'atut Tajdidil Islam special convention in Sokoto …yesterday. PHOTO-NAN

ered about the survival of the party as long as they can achieve their selfish agenda, the source state," the senator stated. But Senator Emannuel Bwacha (PDP, Taraba South) expressed confidence that President Jonathan would overwhelmingly win the election amidst all odds in February. While acknowledging that viable opposition was welcome and very good for constructive engagement of the ruling party in governance, he claimed that the fear of Jonathan losing to the opposition party in the February election was unfounded. The legislator, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture also observed that it was not only the PDP members that were defecting to opposition, pointing out that defection had been taking place in both parties. His words: "How will I have such feeling that President Jonathan will lose the presidential election to the opposition party? My place for instance, is predominantly PDP; so there is no such fear. "Opposition is normal for constructive criticism but not to the extent of winning election in the forthcoming presidential contest. So, I am confident that President Jonathan will win. If you are talking of many people defecting from the PDP to the APC, I can tell you that defections are both sides. Some are moving from the PDP to APC and vice versa," he stated.

Jonathan: Nigeria passing Call your supporters to order through wilderness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday likened the current challenges being faced by Nigeria to the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness, stressing that the country would soon get over it. The president stated this at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Gwarinpa in Abuja when he attended the thanksgiving service of the wedding between his foster daughter, Inebharapu and Simeon. President Jonathan said the entire world not only Nigeria was facing security problems. He said: "This is a period in which the whole world is being challenged, just like some of the passages we read. Whenever I think about all these happenings in

Nigeria, I remember the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. "When God promised they were going to be given a land full of milk and honey, ordinarily one would have expected them to walk in and get the milk and honey. But they had to cross the Red Sea. That was a challenge. They had to meet people like Annas and others. That was a big challenge. But because God wanted them to be there they were able to get there. "Surely, we will get to where we want to go as a nation. We may have the road bumps, we may have the obstacles but we will crush them and pass them. All what we request is your continued support and your prayers, and we promise we will continue to do our best.”

He told the congregation that the event of the thanksgiving was however not a political one. "I’m not here to make a political statement but only to thank you my brothers and sisters and to continue to pray for our great country," the president stated. In his sermon titled "Times of stress and the second coming of Christ" taken from II Timothy 3:1-5, the officiating pastor and the church's Sub Dean, Ven. Emmanuel Adekola, reminded the congregation at a time like this when men have turned away from all that is good, the word of God remains the standard for the judgement of all standards. He recalled that deviation from the scriptures and corruption of the word of God as currently being witnessed had been in existence before now.

der and ensure a violencefree election. Jonathan, through the Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, warned Buhari and the APC not to prepare the ground for the re-enactment of the postelection violence of 2011. But APC and Buhari denied any involvement in the attack, which the party attributed to the fallout of the internal wrangling in the ruling party. According to the president, “It is on record that General Buhari’s utterances since 2011 have fuelled violence, especially the post-election violence in parts of the North which claimed the lives of many youth corps members who were deployed as ad hoc staff members for that year’s election. It is sad that up till now General Buhari has refused to apologise to the Nigerian

people for that barbaric and shameful incident or show any remorse for the actions of his supporters. He could not even bring himself to tender an apology to the families of those young corps members that were hacked to death and murdered in cold blood by his agents. “The Jos attack on the campaign buses of President Jonathan would appear to be a pointer to what the opposition APC presidential candidate is planning before and after the February 14 presidential election. “We therefore call on well-meaning Nigerians and members of the international community to speak forcefully against this development, which threatens our elections and democracy and which falls way below the standard of best international practices.” Also, Special Adviser to the president on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, said the burning of

the vehicles had further demonstrated the level of the desperation of the opposition and its plot to intimidate Nigerians out of the political space. But he said the incident would not deter the determination of Jonathan to ensure free and fair elections are conducted nationwide next month. “We have observed a dangerous trend of politically-motivated violence unleashed on innocent Nigerians by supporters of those who have shown desperation to assume political power at all costs. “While we are not surprised by acts of desperation already shown by these people who have no articulate agenda for nation building, we are amazed at how quickly they are willing to manifest their evil intentions on our dear country. “The incident in Jos, Plateau State where our campaign vehicles were torched by irate supporters CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

News

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oteh bows out as SEC Director-General Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh, will formally quit office today, after a turbulent fiveyear tenure characterised with controversies and modest innovations. The management of SEC yesterday announced Oteh’s exit as the commission's Director-General. She is expected to handover to one of the three SEC Commissioners, to be nominated by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who will act pending the appointment of a substantive DG. A senior staff of SEC, who confided in New Telegraph’s correspondent, said that Oteh was not sure who to handover to among the SEC Commissioners because the three of them assumed duties same day. The source said OkonjoIweala or her representative is expected to be at the handing over ceremony. Oteh was appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2009 but resumed in January 2010.

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She left African Development Bank (AfDB) to join SEC as DG in January 2010. A statement issued yesterday by SEC management said the outgoing SEC DG "will be remembered for her passion, purpose, articulation and faithful implementation of a therapy of reform measures driven by the vision to transform the Nigerian market into world class market." The statement added that Oteh “was in a hurry to see Nigeria achieve a world class capital market that will drive development and make Nigeria one of the most attractive investment destination." Some of her accomplishments, according to the statement, include restoration of investors’ confidence through strong enforcement actions and improvement of rules and regulations and investor education. It said that SEC established the National Investor Protection Fund and strengthened its Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) to deepen and broaden the market. “The market witnessed significant product innovation, improved listing rules, landmark bond market reforms widening of participation in the markets through licensing and coming on stream of other capital trade points.

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the NSE and the London Stock Exchange in April 2014, as well as the development of an alternative securities market. It said she would certainly be remembered for rescuing the capital market from the doldrums in which it was mired as a result of sharp practices that were rife and the global financial crisis soon

after she assumed office in January 2010. Oteh also had brushes with the National Assembly and Labour union at SEC. In 2013, during a public hearing conducted by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Capital Market, Oteh accused lawmakers of collecting N44 million from the commis-

sion for a conference they did not attend. Hence, the House mounted pressures on President Goodluck Jonathan to drop Oteh, but the president refused to accede to the lawmakers’ request. Consequently, the National Assembly has failed to approve budget allocation to SEC under Oteh's watch for two fiscal years.

L-R: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Senate President David Mark and President Goodluck Jonathan at the inter-denominational church service for the Nigeria Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja…yesterday

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

APC condemns attack, tells PDP to look inward CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

ABUJA

“Under her leadership, the SEC also championed reforms at the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) that witnessed a more robust output and delivery in its operator/oversight role,” the statement said. The initiative to revamp NSE listing rules, it said, led to landmark transactions in dual listing of SEPLAT Petroleum on

of the APC, underscores the need for vigilance as we progress towards the general election. This criminal behaviour, which is meant to intimidate others and deny them their freedom of choice, stands condemned. “The leaders whose utterances and conduct have encouraged this kind of behaviour must bear full responsibility for this. With the way things are going, it seems the ultimate agenda of making Nigeria ungovernable as prophesied by these politicians is underway," the statement added. PDP said in carrying out the attack, the plan was to discredit the electoral process and set the stage for an orgy of violence, if the opposition loses the election. “Nigerians are well aware of these antics and are fully prepared to protect their rights to freedom of choice. We condemn the acts of violence in Jos, Plateau State and also condemn the threats to violence in every other part of the country," the statement

noted. Alkali reiterated that the Federal Government was determined that no Nigerian would be prevented from campaigning in any part of the country. “We declare unequivocally that no Nigerian citizen should be prevented from campaigning in any part of the country. We therefore call on the law enforcement agencies to protect and guarantee the safety of every Nigerian legitimately canvassing for votes all over Nigeria. “We invite law enforcement agencies to note the pronouncements of desperate politicians who are bent on fanning the embers of hate and threaten the peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections. “We once more wish to reiterate the commitment of President Jonathan to a peaceful and rancourfree electoral process. He has said times without number that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. “We therefore call on members of the PDP and supporters of the president to exercise restraint

and show maturity even in the face of extreme provocations. We must show a difference in our conduct and prove to agent provocateurs that we have the temperament and composure to tolerate dissent without decent to mob action. “Finally, we wish to sound a note of warning to politicians to desist from this vicious circle of lies, rumours, intimidation and violence,” he stated. The PDP also decried the unprovoked attack on Jonathan’s campaign vehicles in Jos, describing it as a barbaric act that should be condemned by all lovers of democracy. PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the agenda of the sponsors of the attacks was to provoke revenge and counter attacks and called for restrain from the people. According to him, the nation cannot afford tension at this stage of its political development. The party reiterated its commitment to peace and as such directed all its members not to retaliate

despite the provocations. “The PDP is totally committed to the unity and peace of our dear nation. This is paramount and must not be compromised. Those who seek to use violence to truncate the electoral process and destabilise our nation will be utterly disappointed. Our country will continue to be and the 2015 general election will come and go peacefully," the party said. PDP, however, called on the law enforcement agencies to rise up to the challenge and bring to book all those behind the condemnable act so as to serve as deterrent to violent prone youths and their sponsors. “Our prayer is that God should keep Nigeria from being ruined by the over flowing troubles of greedy and corrupt politicians; and our future being marred on account of personal or sectional interest. We urge every Nigerian therefore to include the peaceful conduct of the 2015 general election in their prayers for 30 days, beginning from January 15," PDP added.

But the APC said it had no hand in the attack. National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in an interview with New Telegraph, told the PDP to put its house in order rather than blaming the opposition for its problems. "PDP should put its house in order. The attack was carried out by members of the PDP because of the crisis in the party. It was the internal wrangling between the PDP members that cause the attack. We of the APC are not into violence," he said. Buhari has also condemned the violence in Jos “I have received news of violence in Jos on Saturday, I condemn this violence in its entirety. I reject any supporter who resorts to violence. Like I said after the attack on our supporters in Rivers this week, elections are not war. “Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and I stand in total condemnation of this incident. I call on the PDP to join this call for peace. Every Nigerian life is sacred.”

News

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Fashola signs N489.69bn budget into law Muritala Ayinla

overnor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday signed the Lagos State’s 2015 Budget into law.

The 2015 budget is N489.69 billion. Fashola said the budget would be used to complete some of the ongoing projects in the state. The 2015 budget was

Female suicide bombers kill five in Yobe Hassan Jirgi and Emmanuel Onani

wo female suicide bombers, suspected to be Boko Haram members, yesterday detonated bombs wired on their bodies that led to the death of five people in Potiskum, Yobe State. The twin bomb blasts, which also left with 45 others injured, were targeted at sellers of second-hand telephone handsets at GSM Village (Kasuwar Tsaye). A businessman, Audu Hassan, who escaped from the bomb blasts, said that he counted five bodies. "I was inside the GSM Village market when I had the first blast around 3:12pm; so I tried to run and minutes later, there was a second blast. The first blast was near GSM Village that leads to Muhammed Idriss Way while the second occurred by road side," he said. Another witness, Bashir Isa, told New Telegraph in a telephone interview that he saw several corpses shortly after many others had been evacuated to a nearby hospital. Auwal Bukar, a resident, also said many victims had been taken to the General Hospital, Potiskum. "We were at the General Hospital to see a patient when we saw many ambulances bringing in victims of the blast. Over 20 people were brought, some dead, 43 injured," he said. A source from the Potiskum Division Police said policemen and some soldiers were still busy conveying victims from the scene and had not been able to ascertain the number of casualties yet. Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said troops are intensifying operation at reclaiming Baga, a town in Borno State, which was overran by suspected Boko Haram insurgents last week. While vowing to defeat Boko Haram, which it described as "barbarians", the DHQ sought the cooperation and understanding of all Nigerians. Baga, a town close to Lake Chad, was overrun last week after suspected insurgents launched a daring attack on the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

In separate posts on the DHQ's twitter handle, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, vowed that the insurgents will be taken down. This is as he regretted that soldiers were also being lost in the battle to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

the first to be signed by the governor at his official residence during weekend. Fashola explained that he chose to sign the budget on Sunday to enable him attend the national meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) taking place in Abuja today, adding that the decision would enable the state's ministries and parastatals to commence the implementation of the budget from today. The governor said: "When we presented the budget, there were financial challenges but as you know our revenue has been based largely on our common contribution that is how we build our com-

monwealth here. We need to be innovative, inventive and hard-working. That is what we have given in the last eight years and we won't give anything less." He called on Lagosians to ensure that only the experienced person is voted as his successor in the next month's election in order to consolidate on his achievements. Fashola said Lagos is too important to be left in the hands of those who, according to him, will only experiment governance with power. He noted that only the experienced hands are needed to take the state to the next level. The governor said: "We will continue to ren-

der services. The truth is that the service demands don't stop. They continue on an incremental basis. That is why also we need experience hands to continue this work. This is why it is important not to attempt to experiment with the administration and governance of this very important state." Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze, said the overall budget remains at N489.69 billion, saying N248 billion would be spent on capital expenditure while N241 billion on recurrent expenditure. He assured that the fall in the global oil price might not likely affect the

state government and the performance of its budget, saying that the pace of the ongoing projects would be intensified with the signing of the budget into law. "The projected fall in the oil price has already been factored into the budget. The truth of the matter is that oil prices are always difficult to forecast. Since I started following those forecasts, everybody who has forecast oil prices over the years has failed. They haven't got it right. For us, thankfully over 70 per cent of our budget is financed through our own internally generated revenue (IGR)," Akabueze said.

L-R: Chairman, Mikano International Limited, Mr. Mofid Karameh; Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Personal Assistant to Mikano Chairman, Alhaji Basheer Hamza and Managing Director, Mikano International Limited, Mr. Christian Farine, during the minister's visit to Mikano Head Office in Lagos…at the weekend.

PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA.

Kalu to PDP, APC: Elections not do-or-die Mojeed Alabi

ormer Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has urged politicians across political divides to refrain from heating up the polity with provocative statements ahead of the February general election. Kalu advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to see politics as call to service not a do-or-die. The former governor, who stated this yesterday while appearing on a programme on the African Independent Television (AIT), O&M Sunday show, said there was no point for politicians to engage in war of words “if their

motive was to serve the populace and not for personal interests.” Kalu, who predicted a win for President Goodluck Jonathan in the February 14 presidential election, also stated that the opposition will control the National Assembly. He said that President Jonathan has performed remarkably that he deserved re-election. He specifically applauded the Jonathan administration for its respect for the rule of law, massive investment in infrastructure, improved agricultural sector, among several others. He said: “President Jonathan has done extremely well for Nigeria in all facets of life. The only

challenge is that he is not being marketed very well. Talking about the rule of law, this administration encourages due process and if not for that what Mallam Nasir El-rufai was saying here if it were to be in another country, he would have been arrested the moment he is leaving the TV studio. “We could recall in the past when my airline’s licence was revoked basically for expressing dissenting views but in the case of Jonathan he has been fair to everyone. Let me be honest; nobody talks about the software, they only talk about the hardware. The president has been clear stating what he would do for the nation. The marketers have not marketed

him very well. The major software the president has done is the rule of law but we must note that Rome was not built in a day.” The former governor also took a swipe at Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, saying the former President was wrong to have continued what he described as the unnecessary criticisms against the president. “Obasanjo has never seen anything good in what anyone else does. To me, he is an elder statesman, and I want him to settle with the president. As we speak, they are making peace and I want to see the peace germinate to the success of the PDP. Sometimes, you don’t need to write a book and

call yourself a saint and other people idiots; it is not right. You don’t have to come here and insult any elder of the PDP. When my memo comes out Obasanjo will have a place in it,” he stated. Kalu said he is committed to making Nigeria works by ensuring that peace reigns and that businesses grow. “That is the focus of my Foundation which has dedicated very much to the campaign for successful election through massive mobilisation for sensitisation campaigns and through sponsorship of paid advertorials to ensure that every nook and cranny of the country take the message of peace,” he said.

News

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL

Budget, PIB top agenda as Reps reconvene tomorrow Philip Nyam ABUJA

he House of Representatives is expected to commence simultaneous consideration of the 2015 appropriation bill and the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) when it resume plenary on tomorrow. Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon.Zakari Mohammed, confirmed that copies of the proposed budget have been circulated to members to study ahead of tomorrow's resumption.

L-R: IT Data Support Official, All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Onuchukwu Chika Augustine; IT Data Supervisor, Miss Ebun Ilori; APC Publicity Secretary, Lagos, Mr. Joe Igbokwe; National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; IT Data Official, Mr. Chinedu Atuche and Head of Data Centre, Mrs Bisoye Coker, at the party’s press briefing denying the cloning allegation by officials of the DSS in Lagos…yesterday

Transition govt: I’m not acting Jonathan’s script, says Bakare Wale Elegbede and Juliana Francis

equel to reactions that trailed his call for the postponement of the 2015 election and the creation of a transitional government to be headed by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senior Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, said he was not hold-

ing forte for the president or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said that his proposal was in the interest of Nigeria. Addressing newsmen yesterday in Lagos in a state of the nation's address with the theme, The Gathering Storm and Avoidable Shipwreck: How to Avoid Catastrophic Euroclydon (2), Bakare said his message was a prophetic directive devoid of any

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human influence, adding, however, that he is seeking the face of God for a peaceful conduct of the election. “Since last Sunday, social, print and electronic media have been awash with our state of the nation broadcast. I thank everyone for their feedbackthose who deemed our analysis and propositions reasonable, those who lumped us with so-called supporters of President Jonathan and the PDP, those who vehemently opposed or simply disagreed with our contributions, and those who are torn between opinions.” While noting that his call for a transitional government was only a proposal to prevent the country from entering a looming chaos, stressing that, “I gave a prophetic message and I'm not running away from. I'm talking from the perspective of the scripture. I didn't say in

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Ibraheem Musa KADUNA

ice President Namadi Sambo has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has never complained of interference from the Federal Government or resources to carry out its operations. He also said that the commission has never complained of in-

any part of the speech that you must, but that this is an alternative and if you don't take care of it, I pray that there is still a country to preside over.” Bakare, who is the convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), also affirmed his loyalty to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), but added, however, that his primary concern was to remain a conscientious servant of God. “The mischief makers know where my loyalty lie and this broadcast is not about political endorsements; it is about alerting the nation of the storms ahead. If you must know, my political loyalty lies with General Buhari and I cannot claim not to know the issues surrounding the APC Primary and the processes that led to the selection of his current running mate."

Before the House proceeded on the Christmas and New Year break, it received the 2015 budget estimate of N4.3trillion presented by Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Since the 2015 general elections are just a month away, the lawmakers are expected to expedite work on the budget. New Telegraph gathered that the Petroleum Industry Bill, which has been in the House in the last three years, will also be in the front burner.

Ekiti: APC raises the alarm over Buhari's visit Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said it has uncovered a plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to disrupt the campaign rally for its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, slated for Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti. In a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, yesterday, the party said it had incontrovertible evidence that PDP had mapped out plans to unleash terror on APC members and supporters

by using fake soldiers imported from neighbouring countries to be mixed with local miscreants to cause mayhem. "The local miscreants are to help identify APC and their supporters to be attacked at check points and so prevent them from entering the state. The Plan B is to deck PDP thugs in APC uniforms to shoot APC members coming to the rally as PDP did in Rivers State," Olatubosun explained. "Governor Ayo Fayose has been boasting around that like PDP did in Akure, he will also not allow APC to hold its campaign and 'Walk for Change' rally in Ekiti State."

APC inaugurates presidential campaign council Johnchuks Onuanyim ABUJA

he All Progressives Congress will today inaugurate its presidential campaign council in Abuja. The party had last week released a comprehensive list of those that would drive the presidential campaign of the party.

The list, which has the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi as the Director General, include the governors on the platform of the party. Also, on the list are former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; former Lagos State governor, Sen. Bola Tinubu and former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

FG doesn't starve INEC of funds — VP adequate resources. The vice president, who made this known at the commissioning of the Jonathan/Sambo campaign office in Kaduna yesterday, also said that elections were now conducted in a free and fair manner and that the present administration respects ‘’the principles of democracy and the rule of law.’’ “We have never interfered with the operations or the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). By equipping the body with all the necessary requirements for

the conduct of free and fair elections, we have enhanced its independence,’’ he added. Sambo pointed out that “most of those elected under the opposition parties today would have been singing a different tune if the elections were not free and fair.’’ He added that the Jonathan administration upholds “the right of every eligible voter to vote and be voted for.’’ According to him, “our ability to ensure that we keep faith with our promise of ensuring that every vote counts is responsible for the mass distribution

of the PVC cards across the federation. This was not possible in the past when results were announced even before the ballot papers reached the electorate.’’ The Vice president also listed the war on corruption as some of the achievements of the administration. “We have also repositioned, strengthened and equipped our Anti-graft institutions to fight corruption in all its ramifications. They have made several arrests and initiated the prosecutions of several cases in the country of recent,’’ he added.

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

News

NATIONAL

2015: NDF asks Buhari to reject MEND’s endorsement Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he National Democratic Front (NDF) has decried the recent endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari by the Niger Delta militants’ group in the name of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND). NDF, in a statement, is-

sued in Abuja yesterday by its National President, Comrade Philip Agbese, said such an endorsement by an outlawed group sends a bad signal about Nigeria to the international community, noting that it was capable of destroying the moral fabrics of true African spirit of honour. The group also said that the endorsements, coming at a time when the whole world is united in condemning and fighting terror groups, has the potential of painting

Nigeria as a country that engages in wholesale sponsorship of terrorism. “MEND and Boko Haram are two of a kind, with no good agenda for the wellbeing of the masses of this country and should not be contemplated in any discourse regarding our democracy and national development at any point in time. “It is worrisome that the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) came out to openly endorse

Buhari and he did not distance himself from them within minutes. Even if he wants to claim not to give any credence to the action of the group, which ordinarily should not be in existence anymore, the stridency with which MEND continues to market the said endorsement is enough incentive for the APC candidate to repudiate their offer of support.” It continued, “This is a group whose existing members, who did not

embrace the Federal Government’s offer of amnesty, should be on trial for crimes against the country. “Buhari’s refusal to disown MEND thus became more puzzling as he continues to maintain silence, which strongly suggests acquiescence, even in the face of denouncements from genuine stakeholders in the Niger Delta, including President Goodluck Jonathan, who advised him not to set stock on the endorsement from

the murderous group. “This silence must have perhaps emboldened other hideous groups like Boko Haram that have been reported to have also endorsed Buhari’s candidacy. “This is yet another source for worries given the fact that Buhari’s previous utterances like ‘baboons bathing in their own blood’ are suspected to have been a launchpad for the ferocious intensity that the Boko Haram insurgency has taken on.” NDF said.

PDP policies not youth-friendly, says BSO Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

L-R: Head, Proprietary Trading, Cardinal Stone Partners, Mr. Michael Nzewi, Managing Director/CEO, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae and Chairman, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Felix Ohiwerei, at the completion meeting for Fidson Healthcare Plc on N2bn bond issue in Lagos…at the weekend

ADC presidential candidate slams INEC on PVC Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he Presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the forthcoming February 14 election, Dr. Ibrahim Mani, has expressed reservations about the distribution of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the electorate. Mani, who told New Telegraph in an inter-

view that he was not satisfied with the distribution of PVC so far, lamented that millions of the electorate are yet to get the voters’ card. That, according to him, was sending wrong signals to the electorate, even as he said that the process of distributing the PVC is frustrating and making things difficult. He cautioned the Commission to up its game by making sure that all that are needed to be done to ensure free, fair and

credible elections next month were done. The ADC candidate noted that Nigerians would not accept anything that is short of free, fair and credible election from the Commission next month. His words: “I’m not satisfied that till date there are still millions out there that have not collected their permanent voters card. This is not because the people have not made any efforts but because there are problems here and there. It is

frustrating and making it extremely difficult. This is not a good sign. We are hoping that the electoral commission would up its activities and understand that Nigerians would definitely not take any excuse from them and then we would not accept a situation where the next election is short of anything free, fair and credible.” Speaking on his chances at the poll, Dr. Mani said a lot of Nigerians are yet to decide on who to cast their

votes for in the February 14 election, arguing that those considered as the biggest contenders are only pushing personal and mediocre issues to Nigeria. “There is nothing new that anybody is presenting among those that seemed to be favoured now. As you can see, the issues that are being pushed by the two large parties are issues that are a bit personal and mediocre. People must look the other way now; do we really want change, do we really want genuine change now.

he support group of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, yesterday alleged that the policies of the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party were not youth-friendly. Rather, the group claimed that such policies impoverished youths. The group, Buhari Support Organizations (BSO) buttressed its allegation with a World Bank Statistics that revealed that 70 per cent of Nigerian youth population live below $1 per day. The group, therefore, in statement from the Director of Media, Publicity and ICT, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, stated that the Buhari/Osinbajo presidency would focus critically on investment and human capital development agenda for the youth population. Maduekwe said, “It is very disheartening that just in 2013, the world bank announced that an estimated 100 Million Nigerians mainly in the youth group have been tied into the vicious grip of poverty. Meanwhile, China at about same time following institutionalization of stringent economic policies pulled about 600million of her population out of the misery of poverty.

How Jonathan has repositioned health sector –PDP Why Ogun West must back Isiaka for gov, says Rep Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has praised President Goodluck Jonathan for repositioning the health sector, which it said has resulted in better healthcare and a record increase in life expectancy in the country. The PDP, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa

Meuth said the administration of President Jonathan has given the health sector a priority place in line with its manifesto. This, it said, was done through the rehabilitation and re-equipping of federal medical institutions including all teaching hospitals, transforming them from consulting clinics, to comprehensive secondary and referral life saving institutions.

“We recall that President Goodluck Jonathan had in 2010 launched the National Strategic Health Development Plan (2010-2015) which clearly spelt out government’s plans in that very important sector. Four years down the line, the project has been pursued with vigour and unquestionable commitment and the results are palpable.

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, has endorsed the governorship bid of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer in Ogun State, Prince Gboyega Isiaka. He declared that the ambition of Isiaka represents

the best opportunity for Ogun West Senatorial District to produce the governor for the first time since the creation of the state. Akinlade, representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, aspired for the PDP governorship ticket, but lost to Isiaka. The party, however, picked him as its candidate to contest for the House of Representatives seat for the fourth time. But, in his statement

titled “Time to set forth,” Akinlade said he had put all the politics that attended the PDP gubernatorial primaries behind him and resolved to back the aspiration of the party’s candidate in the 2015 elections. He noted that the time was ripe for Ogun West Senatorial District, comprising the Yewa-Awori people to produce the governor by supporting the actualisation of Isiaka’s ticket.

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro

Car crushes boy, grandmother to death

Taiwo Jimoh

boy and his grandmother have been crushed to death at Ikeja in Lagos. The accident occurred about 6am on Saturday on Oriyomi Street while the deceased were returning from a vigil at a Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) located on Unity Street. The driver of the Toyota Camry car, who witnesses claimed was drunk, was said to be coming from a night club also in Ikeja. Also involved in the accident was a pregnant woman said to be the mother of the boy. It was gathered that the car hit the victims at a junction but smashed them on a transformer near the road. They were said to have been rushed to a private hospital where the boy and his grandmother were confirmed dead on arrival. It was learnt that the pregnant woman, whose leg was reportedly broken, is responding to treatment at a private

hospital in Ikeja. A witness, who identified himself as Sunday Etim, said the driver took to his heels after the accident. He said: “The car hit the pregnant woman in the leg and thereafter hit her son and the grandmother who had walked a bit ahead. The car slammed them against the transformer near the road. “There were about three persons inside the car but it was only the owner who did not run away. The driver was drunk. The owner of the car has been arrested by the police.” However, when our correspondent visited the church, the leaders were not willing to speak. But a man, who identified himself simply as Prophet Segun, said: “They were our members but they were not in the church that fateful day. Actually, they came to church on Thursday and Friday. The accident did not happen here so it has nothing to do with the name of the church. The husband did not come to the

The accident scene

church today (Sunday) and we do not have anything to say.” When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kenneth Nwosu, said

the police were making efforts to arrest the fleeing driver. He said: “The owner of the car has been arrested and he is helping us to track down the

LUTH raises panel to probe patient’s death Appolonia Adeyemi

ne month after Mrs Folake Oduyoye died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, the management of the health facility has set up a panel to investigate circumstances surrounding her death. Oduyoye died while she was allegedly being detained by the hospital over inability to pay the remaining N1 million of her bill. The husband of the deceased, Mr Adeyemi Oduyoye, now saddled with the responsibility of caring for the four children his wife left behind, has been invited to face that panel. This is part of effort to pave way for the tertiary hospital to release the body to her family for burial.

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

When contacted, the widower said he had briefed his lawyer over the invitation. He said: “I have since authorised my lawyer to take up the issue. I will not be able to attend without my lawyers and they informed me that the date is short.” On her part, the Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, who Oduyoye’s lawyer, said his client received a text message from LUTH inviting him to appear before the panel. She said: “The text message was sent to him (Oduyoye) a day before the panel was to sit.” According to her, Oduyoye’s sad case is only one out of thousands of patients who hospitals detain over inability to pay their bills. “In civilised societies, such a practice is unacceptable. It is an abuse of human rights,” she added. The LUTH Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Chris Bode, described Oduoye’s death as regrettable. He said: “We are very

Prophet G. O. Fakeye dies at 78 Muritala Ayinla

Late Oduyoye

proud of how well we worked to keep this lady alive. She had come into LUTH moribund and at the point of death from a surgical misadventure elsewhere. “She brought lifethreatening complications to us and we in LUTH did all that should have been done, without asking for money from her, although the family was kept abreast of her financial indebtedness.”

Following complications from a caesarean operation carried out at a private hospital, Midas Touch, in Aguda, SuruLere, the late Oduyoye was admitted at LUTH’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The family was, according to the husband, billed N1.3 million. The money was for drugs, blood, laboratory tests and other items. But the family was able to pay only N300,000.

driver. The pregnant woman is alive and responding to treatment. It is unfortunate that the son and the grandmother died.”

he spiritual leader of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Ayo Ni O, Prophet Gabriel Olubunmi Fakeye, is died. It was gathered that the popular televangelist died yesterday morning at a hospital in the United States during a brief illness. He was 78. Born in 1937, Fakeye, an engineer, started preaching the gospel at a tender age. He was popularly called ‘Bro Aladura’ in his youthful days and remained a preacher until his death. Even though he was advanced in age, he continued to administer the Movement (Ayo Ni O), which he founded. The late Fakeye was a visionary leader with profound knowledge, grasp and appreciation of history. He was renowned for his conviction and faith in the unity and greatness of Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Nigeria and the entire world.

The deceased was also a believer in the unity of Christianity worldwide. Until his death, he ran both television and radio programmes on many broadcast stations, including the G. O. Fakeye television programmes featuring the secrets of psalms and healing as a result of which he became a target of government scrutiny for these claims. Fakeye is survived by his wife, a son, six daughters and grandchildren. Though his family could not be reached at press time, a close source in his church said that burial arrangement would soon be made public.

The late Fakeye

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Muritala Ayinla

hree persons have reportedly lost their lives in a boat accident and a fire incident in Lagos State. Two of the victims died in a boat accident at Tin Can Island. The South-West spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, said the accident occurred around Coconut near Tin Can Island when a passenger boat rammed into a stationary dredging boat used for sand dredging. Farinloye added that two persons died instantly while other passengers were rescued alive. He said: “There was a boat mishap involving a passenger boat that ran into a stationary sand dredging boat on Friday evening. Two of the passengers died on the spot while others were rescued alive.” Also, a 32-year-old man, whose identity could not be ascertained at press time, died in a fire outbreak which occurred at 15, Alabi Crescent, Ojokoro, Ijaiye area of the metropolis. The Lagos State Director of Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, confirmed the incident. He said it was one of the many fire incidents recorded

Three die in Lagos boat mishap, fire in the state over the weekend. This came as safety professionals in the state have warned the residents to be safety conscious always. According to them, fire outbreaks can be minimised if people adhere to safety tips at homes and offices. Speaking during the monthly Safety Walk, the National Coordinator of the Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (SAEF), Mr Kadiri Shamsideen, called on the residents to adapt to safety rules always in order to avert fire disasters. Shamsideen commended the state government for improving the response time of the Lagos State Fire Service to emergency with the provision of world-class fire equipment. He, however, urged the government to step up inspection of buildings under construction to ensure safety issues were well adhered to. The coordinator explained that the safety walk was meant to sensitise the populace to what they needed to do at home to prevent fire outbreaks and other safety risks. He said: “We covered about

File picture of scene of a boat mishap

6.5km which is about 10,000 steps taken by each person and we have burnt about 850 calories based on the statistics we gathered electronically. “The walk is not only for us but to sensitise the public to safety issues to avert avoidable disasters like fire and other risks. “We are happy with the collaboration of other agencies such as the Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Commission, America Society of Safety En-

gineers and Institute of Safety Professionals in Nigeria. “As for construction industry, there is no regulation as at today to regulate the building construction, everyone one is doing what he likes. This is not too good for us as a nation. Also, the National Health and Safety Bill is yet to be passed.” Also, Executive Director, SAEF, Mr Jamiu Badmus (an engineer), said fire disaster was avoidable during the season if certain safety rules

Many injured as tanker explodes in Ondo Babatope Okeowo Akure

any people were injured at the weekend when fire gutted a petrol station and burnt a vehicle at Okitipupa in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. The incident, which came barely a month after a gas station and over 42 shops were burnt in Akure, the state capital. The weekend incident was caused by the explosion of a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of petrol on the premises of Emordoc Filling Station on Ikoya Road, Okitipupa. A witness said the fire broke out from the tanker with registration number FSB 382 XB, as a result of an electric spark inside it. Those injured, the witness said, were those trying to rescue the driver of the tanker and his assistant trapped in the vehicle. The witness, who refused

to give his name, said others were those trying to help put out the fire. According to him, if not for the efforts of the driver who quickly drove the vehicle out of the petrol station, more casualties would have been recorded. He said: “I was at the filling station when the tanker arrived about 9pm. They were trying to offload the product when a spark occurred from the tanker. “The driver took courage to drive the vehicle out of the filling station or else the station would have been razed down completely and several casualties would have been recorded.” According to him, no life was lost, but the driver was injured and was rushed to an undisclosed private hospital in the town. It was gathered that throughout the time of the fire outbreak, no official of the State Fire Service was around despite several distress calls

File picture of a burning tanker

put across to them. However, the residents of the area were said to have made spirited efforts to put out the fire. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Wole Ogodo, who confirmed the incident, said the tanker

exploded while discharging fuel inside the petrol station. He also said no life was lost. The PPRO also confirmed that the driver was receiving treatment at a hospital, while the burnt vehicle had been removed from the main road.

Ajimobi promises to assist Ibadan market fire victims

President of the market, Chief Gade Orogade (right) showing Gov. Ajimobi the affected parts of the market which was gutted during the governor’s visit.

yo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has promised to assist the victims of the fire which gutted Araromi Iron

PHOTO: OYO GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Rod Market on Friday. The governor gave the pledge on Saturday during an assessment tour of the market

at Agodi Gate, Ibadan. Although the source of the fire incident has not been established, Ajimobi said his government would give some amount to the affected iron road dealers to cushion the effect of the disaster. The governor, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo, also advised the dealers in the market to imbibe safety culture and fire precautionary measures by ensuring that all electrical appliances were switched off after the close of work. While expressing sadness over the devastating fire inci-

dent, Ajimobi enjoined traders in all the markets across the state to seek the services of insurance firms so that they could promptly come to their aid in cases like this. The fire disaster destroyed several iron rod shops, gas cylinder shop as well as a mosque located within the market. Some of the leaders of the market, while showing the damaged properties to the governor, described the incident as unfortunate. However, they expressed appreciation to Ajimobi for his prompt visit to identify and sympathise with them during their moment of grief.

were adhered to. He said: “This season is harmattan period; it is easy for fire to spread very fast. At our various homes, we need to first implement certain rules. For instance, how do we station our gas cylinders? “Most Nigerians still put their cylinders in the kitchen. This practice is unsafe because when there is an explosion it will affect us. It is always advisable that we put them outside the kitchen.

Madam Oke for burial adam Lucia Omolayo Oke M (nee Amogbon), a native of Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti State, is dead.

She died on the December 19, 2014 during a brief illness. The 86-year-old Madam Oke, popularly called Iya Mary, was a devote Christian and a community leader. She was also a member of several socio-cultural and Christian organisations. According to the family, her body will leave the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti on January 16, for lying-instate at her residence, 32, OkeEyio Street, Okebedo, IlaweEkiti, Ekiti State. The Christian Wake comes up at 5pm on the same day and venue. The burial and Thanksgiving Service come up at 10am the following day at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Afunremu, Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Interment follows immediately. Thereafter, there will be entertainment of guests at the St. John’s Catholic Primary School, Ado Road, Ilawe-Ekiti.

The late Madam Oke

News

BE BOLD

Prelate asks FG to deal with noisy politicians Anule Emmanuel

he Prelate of the of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Reverend Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche has challenged the Federal Government to move swiftly and jail some group of Nigerians threatening to form parallel government. He insisted that their actions amounted to treason. Chukwuemeka stated this yesterday at the Church Service in Abuja to mark this year's Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration. He lamented a situation where high profile citizens have resort to making unguarded utterances for cheap political gains rather than partner with government to tackle the current insecurity faced by the country. According to him: "Those saying they will form a parallel government or inviting the military are committing felony. They should be in prison because they are committing treason. Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and other chiefs of the All Progressives Congress have been quoted at some points of threat-

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL

Methodist Prelate wants parallel government advocates jailed ening to form a parallel government after the 2015 general election is rigged in favour of incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. "Some shameless individuals and groups make such utterances and use grievous situation as a tool for politicking, blam-

l Says 95% Boko Haram Fulanis, Kanuris

ing the government in power as doing nothing to solve the problem of insurgency. Who is deceiving who? The Head of the Methodist Church also disclosed that available information before him

shows clearly that 95 per cent of persons fighting Nigeria in the guise of Boko Haram were of the Fulani and Kanuri origin. The clergy, who wondered why citizens would take arms against the own country, also re-

vealed that machineries were being hired from Chad, Libya and Somalia to support the insurgency in the North. "But why should people wage war against their country? Let me reveal to you this evening

L-R: Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najim Yasin; Kogi State APC governorship candidate, Prince Rotimi Obadofin; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and Vice-President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu, during a courtesy visit to Governor Ahmed in Ilorin.

and at this important service, at this juncture, that some of our soldiers, because you know we Bishops, we have impact in the society, we relate with soldiers and all manner of people. And some of the people in warfront have confided in us that apart from some machineries from Chad, Libya as well as Somalia, 95 per cent of those fighting our country are Fulani and Kanuri origin. And this takes me to the critical question. Why are they aggrieved? Two, who are their sponsors? He cautioned that any attempt group of people to Christianise or Islamise Nigeria was tantamount to futility and frivolity because this can never be possible unless we want to suffer annihilation. "Only group of vipers will like Nigeria to fall and cease to be in existence. The Prelate, who commended the effort of the military in containing the insecurity in the North, urged the Federal Government to continue with effecting funding of the Armed Forces, who are making sacrifices daily to keep the country.

Fear of violence: Aliyu begs APC warns UNIBEN against insulting Benin throne throne in the ongoing which fence was demol- personality in the state,’ Mmuta southerners not to flee Niger Cajetan contest of ownership of ished by Edo State gov- adding that “by these acBENIN

Dan Atori MINNA

s the February general elections draws closer, the Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu has appealed to Nigerians from the South and non indigenes in the state not to run away from their homes because of threat of pre and post election violence as predicted in some quarters. He made the remark on Sunday at the 25th anniversary of the Redeemed Church, Living Faith Parish, Minna, where he was also honoured for the good services he rendered to the state. The governor assured the people of the state that government would do everything possible to protect lives and property. According to him: "I appeal to all of us especially non indigenes not to leave Niger State because of the fear of election violence. By the grace of God, we will do whatever is necessary to protect the lives and property of the people. "Do not in the process of

trying to run away from a particular place and go and cause more problem for yourself on the way or in the area you are running to". He noted that there was a national issue in the country at a time where people tried to escape what they considered dangerous and died in accident on their way. Accordingly, he said "please do not runaway out of fear because when you runaway, wherever you run to, you are going to cause tension there. The people of your communities will believe that there is insecurity where you are coming from and then retaliation may commence". Aliyu said that the politicking of the 2015 general elections has created more tension than any other elections held in the country. "The election period is becoming more tensed than other elections we have had in the country. We must therefore be very careful not to allow the young boys drag us into problems that we may not be able to get away from."

he leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday advised authorities of the University of Benin to desist from further desecration of sanctity of the throne of the Benin traditional council. It urged the institution to properly guide their agents and hirelings against further attempt to cast aspersions on the royalty of the

staff quarters which the court has since affirmed as property of Edo State Government. The APC, in a statement, issued by the Publicity Secretary, Comrade Godwin Erhahon, in Benin, the state capital, condemned in very strong terms, “the sarcastic reference made by UNIBEN ASUU President, Dr Anthony Emina-Monye, that his team met a vehicle of Benin Traditional Council in one of the quarters,

Okunbor emerges third Nigerian Shell country chair, MD Adeola Yusuf

hell at the weekend announced the appointment of Mr. Osagie Okunbor as the new Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria and the Managing Director of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC). Okunbor takes over from Mutiu Sunmonu, who is retiring after 36 years of service. A statement by the SPDC spokesperson, Precious Okolobo, said

that Okunbor has also been named the Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, combining the two positions as his predecessor did. “Mr. Okunbor is the third Nigerian to hold both posts,” the statement read. Mr. Basil Omiyi assumed office as the Managing Director of SPDC in 2004, and also became Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria in 2008, the first Nigerian to hold both positions.

ernment last week.” Erhahon noted that “Dr Emina-Monye added that ASUU was aware that Edo State Government has given some of the houses to a foremost traditional personality in the state.” He also pointed out that “UNIBEN's lawyer, Mr Kola Okeaya-Inneh re-echoed that when he said subsequently that some of the houses in issue have been taken over by a foremost royal

cusations on the royalty, UNIBEN authorities betrayed the truth which they wanted to hide: which is that it is the Benin Royalty that they are fighting through their ongoing attack on Edo State Government.” The party reminded that, “All concerned should realize that UNIBEN was established with the support of the Benin Monarch and has continued to enjoy the royal support.”

Ambode: I’m in this race to serve

he governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, has reiterated the core reason for putting himself forward for the highest job in Lagos State – service to humanity. Ambode, in a statement issued yesterday by the Director of Media and Communications of the Ambode Campaign Organisation, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said Lagos has witnessed a record of excellent service in the past 15 years and the more

than 17 million people living and working in this Africa’s largest city-state “deserves a tested hand who will continue in that tradition of excellence. “The governor that Lagos State deserves at this period of our continued growth and development is a man with a track record of performance and excellence; a man who is tested, who understands governance and is an experienced administrator, who will not experiment with the resources and growth template of this state.

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

State of the nation

Jonathan’s re-election

Nigeria about to become a failed state – Agbakoba

Echoes from PCO’s inauguration

14, 15

Politics Former Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 14 election, Major General Muhammadu Buhari had never had it rosy when it comes to campaigns due to paucity of funds. The table has suddenly turned ahead of the poll given the manner his campaign train is criss-crossing the country, soliciting for votes. Felix Nwaneri reports

Changing times of Buhari’s campaign

he February 14 presidential election is living up to its billing as one to be hotly contested given the rate at which the candidates of the two leading political parties – President Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) are carrying on with their respective campaigns. No doubt, Buhari has suffered three consecutive defeats in the hands of PDP presidential candidates in the last three general elections including President Jonathan (2011), but analysts and observers say the forthcoming poll is a different ball game and one to watch on the premise that for the first time since the 1999 elections, two parties would be going into a presidential election on an equal strength. The PDP had before now boasted that it will rule the country for 60 years before any party can dislodge it, but the APC, a 2013 merger of major opposition parties – Ac-

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

L-R: APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; the party’s presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari and Akwa Ibom governorship candidate, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, at the party’s presidential campaign rally in Uyo

tion Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) has vowed that May 29 is the terminal date for the ruling party. This resolve, perhaps explains the dynamism that Buhari, his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, and their party leadership have introduced to the presidential campaign. The former Head of State is not new to the presidential race, having contested in 2003, 2007 and 2011, but for the first time, he is extending his campaign beyond the northern part of the country where he hails from. In the previous polls, the Katsina State-born army General rarely campaigned outside his North-West home zone, apparently due to paucity of funds unlike his PDP counterparts, whose party has been in power since 1999 with structures across the country and enormous financial resources to campaign round the nation’s 36 states. However, the coming together of the various opposition parties and defection of some members of the ruling party, particularly five of its

We deserve a better Nigeria. We accompanied Buhari to the rally because we believe he is the right person to take Nigeria to a greater height

governors to the APC has offered Buhari, not only a broader platform but resources to campaign across the country. Little wonder his campaign train which took off in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on January 6, has so far criss-crossed across states in the South-South and South-East geo-political zones, and unlike in the past, the mobilisation has been something to behold with the usual pomp associated with such rallies not lacking. On his part, Buhari has equally added colour to the rallies. He has appeared in the traditional attires of the respective states so far visited apparently to prove that he is at home with the locals. Colourful flag-off in Rivers The flag-off of the APC presidential campaign, which took place at the Adokie Amasiemeka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, witnessed a massive turnout of party members from across the country as well as Buhari’s supporters who defied the dry harmattan wind and trooped to the 40,000 capacity stadium as early as 6.am for the rally. The event was attended by Gov-

ernors Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Chief Audu Ogbeh; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; Senator Chris Ngige; former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai; former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chief Tony Momoh; Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Hon. Dakuku Peterside among other national leaders. Addressing the crowd, Buhari, who wore the traditional SouthSouth flowing gown attire with a round hat, commended Governor Amaechi for his ability to mobilise the people. He said the crowd at the stadium was an indication that the party made the right choice by appointing Amaechi as the director general of his campaign organisation. Decrying that the corruption index is alarming in Nigeria, Buhari described the unemployment situation in the country as “intolerable” adding that “insecurity and CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Nigeria about to become a failed state – Agbakoba Leading human rights crusader and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), speaks on the state of the nation, lack of issues in campaigns of political parties, calls for the postponement of the February general election and the preparation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the polls, among others. WALE ELEGBEDE reports Are there silver linings in the political developments of the country? The only great development is the fact that we now have a strong multi-coloured party structure in the shape of All Progressives Congress (APC). That is the only thing new that one is happy to report. It does seem as if what we are seeing is a personal clash from the politicians rather than an issue clash. It doesn’t seem as if what we are seeing is a contest of personalities. I found one amusing, when the former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, resigned to contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nassarawa, lost and became a member of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). That tells me that the only consideration that politicians have in this election is political power and that is not going to help Nigeria. The issues are very critical; Nigeria is in low-grade civil war. There are eight conditions you review in describing how a state can be described as failed. Nigeria is exhibiting three, yet, our politicians have failed to address the fundamentals. The big issue is the one that late Bola Ige raised; if we don’t address our political arrangement, how we live together or we don’t have a national order, because everyone will agree that Nigeria at this present stage is in disorder. There is no way 2015 will be successful for Nigerians, it may be successful for the politicians, either the APC or PDP, but not Nigerians because there will be no national order which is the vital ingredient and element necessary to promote peace and stability. And with peace and stability, you can have development. I was watching a film, Half of a Yellow Sun, and in the part where Biafra refugees were fleeing, the

Agbakoba

last thing on their mind was for a politician to come and talk to them about power, roads, job. Or if you go to Somalia and there is a war going on, you don’t want to talk about job creation. So, if Nigeria is unable to reverse the impending doom that Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi mentioned, then the issues our politicians think are issues are non- issues. The issue that we have to confront and what is causing all the problems is how the politicians envisage how they can pocket the loot. That is what is causing all the problems. The politicians are interested in how much they can make. That is why they are jumping from party to party. In fact, I’m finding it difficult to know who is in which party because they are just jumping up and down. I think it’s important to call their attentions that those are not the real issues. If we don’t ask ourselves how we want to live together, we are going nowhere. If Nigeria is unable to understand its own fault lines, the ethnic, linguistic and religious fault lines, and create the political arrangement to accommodate it, 2015 will go to either PDP or APC and we will carry the baggage forward to 2019. So, what is the way out? Nigeria is a very wealthy country but the problem is that we don’t have the peace and stability to develop her resources. It is crucial

Nigeria is in lowgrade civil war. There are eight conditions you review in describing how a state can be described as failed. Nigeria is exhibiting three...

that the politicians be made to understand that key discussions that we will like to hear is; if they come to power, how do they intend to address the issue that has eluded the colonial powers who did not give us a good constitution, the military powers which did not give a good constitution and civil powers that have not given us a good constitution. We will like to hear what the presidential candidates think: should Nigeria be a loose federal system, should we collapse the states and how can we be a viable political entity? Those are the pressing questions which I think form the fundamental framework upon which a new, transformed Nigeria can build upon. Right now, transformation is not our problem, restoration is our problem. Restoring Nigeria in order to transform is the problem. What happened in Japan in the 1600 is happening here now. They had political shoguns and warlords that took over the country and they used their troops to pervert the national treasuries, until a leader who understood statecraft came and led Japan to where it is today. So, do we have a statesman? We will like to hear what the parties have to say? Do they have statesmen in their presidential candidates? If so, we are not hearing the message? The two political parties must tell us why we have to vote

for them. What is your take on calls for the postponement of the election and the proposal for a transitional government? The call for postponement is clearly unconstitutional because the constitution provides for a term of four years. If this proposal is to be accepted, it will require an amendment to the constitution. And if the constitution is amended and Nigerians agree, then we do it. But to the extent that it is not even an issue, only Tunde Bakare had mentioned it, we haven’t heard the politicians speak on it. That is part of what I am saying, they haven’t said anything because they are consumed with power. From what I can see, the politicians are not interested in what type of Nigeria we will find in 2015. The question you asked me, politicians are not asking themselves those questions. The reason why that call has come up is because both the PDP and APC are travelling on one track from opposite ends and when they meet at the centre, there will be a collision, a blowout. To avert that collision, some Nigerians are calling for a postponement, which I don’t support except it has relevant constitutional backing. President Goodluck Jonathan recently urged Nigerians to vote PDP

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lawmakers who in-turn will pass the recommendations of the National Conference into the constitution. Are you satisfied as a member of the National Conference? That is a good idea, but don’t forget that the president is not the first to call a confab. So, don’t focus on these two presidential candidates. That is why I said statecraft. We have to go back and see that in the last 60 years, Olusegun Obasanjo, who is talking rubbish now, was a good statesman, he would not have converted the national conference he convened into a third term agenda. So, the challenge has been the lack of statesmen. The question being posed to the political contenders is: do we see elements in either the PDP or APC that when Nigerians reflect on the failures of the country, which cannot be doubted, whether we can then say this man or this man stands out, I think that is the broader question. I don’t want to get into the issue of who is a better person, but my discussion is to say in 60 years Nigeria has not progressed and there is a reason for that. First is that the way we live, we haven’t agreed. We need that abc agreement on how we want to live. What is your perception of the way we are approaching the general election? The way we are going to this election, we are going to fail. We have been doing it the same way and failing. Obasanjo told us all kinds of things that he was going to give us NIPP, the funds were diverted elsewhere. It has been a catalogue of woes and destruction stretching back, but the problem with this particular election is that it seems to be the most volatile. That is the problem and the competition for political powers has been very personalised and the impact it would have is what I think Braithwaite, Bakare and others have spoken about. So, we need to be very careful about not sliding into the abyss. What type of political arrangement will you recommend for a heterogeneous nation as Nigeria? Confederalism is best suited for Nigeria. Only two have gotten it right in our history, Obafemi Awolowo and Emeka Ojukwu, the system conflated and collapsed in 1966. It has been managed from 1960 but by 1966 the contradictions of Nigeria made it to collapse and it led to a civil war. Before the civil war, the political leaders at the time went to Aburi in Ghana at a time to sit down and discuss how to move forward and the agreement was a confederation. On return, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who is now leading a national prayer, failed to implement the agreement of a confederal system because the super permanent secretaries of the time interested in political powers told him that a pyramid federation was the best, which is power at the centre. That has been the problem and that is what Ojukwu and Awolowo said. But if you have six sub-pyramids in the six geo-political zones, we won’t have these problems. The contest will not be as fired up as this. A statesman uses the opportunity of power to bind a country. Our leaders, whether Azikwe, Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida or Obasanjo, have failed to rise to the level where they use statecraft to

create a Nigeria. So, we are at a position where the danger of Nigeria facing catastrophe stares us in the face. Don’t you think the happenings in the country may be giving credence to the prediction that Nigeria will break in 2015? I don’t think Nigeria will break in 2015. I saw the US Ambassador on TV denying such prediction. Nigeria is too strong a country to break up. That is out of the question. The challenge, however, is that Nigeria would not be able to harness its full potential in seemingly little things like lack of a national carrier before we even move to the big things. For example, if you want to be a big country, you have to show yourself to the world through whether sports or other endeavours. Apart from Blessing Okagbare and a few others, Nigeria is gone, we have no potential in anything. The one that always strikes me because I travel around the world is that I see Air Gambia, Air Mauritius, Air Zambia, but I have never seen Air Nigeria. I say what a shame. What they have done in the Middle East is to create enabling environment that attracts you. They have their Emirates, Etihad that is how a country is great because they are showing their flags. One of the most ridiculous things I have seen is that if 10 containers come to Central Africa which contains about 18 countries, eight belong to Nigeria. Out of that eight, five go to other ports because they find your ports inefficient. How can you say you are a great country? The reason for that sometimes is simply the fact that the Federal Government being too big, owns all the ports, whereas Lagos State should own the port. So, unless a statesman is prepared to say I want to reconfigure Nigeria by a redistribution of political power. You can see as Apapa is; Apapa produces almost the equal of our oil wealth but because it is not tapped and nobody cares, it has stayed like this. Federal Government is too far and the Lagos State government is completely incapacitated to do anything. Resources from shipping by the way is twice the national budget; it’s about N7 trillion, the national budget is about N4.7 trillion but because it is nobody’s business, it goes and then you have foreign ship owners, foreign terminal operators operating. Unless, we find statesmen to deal with this Abuja problem, take the power from Abuja and spread it down, Nigeria is not going anywhere. Do you think INEC is ready for the February polls? I don’t think so. INEC is not in that readiness mode to conduct the election because 75 per cent of the voters do not have the PVCs. If INEC is insisting that you have to present your voters’ cards before voting and 75 per cent of those to vote in four weeks’ time don’t have it, then it calls for concern. On today’s information, INEC lacks the fundamental to conduct elections, let alone free and fair on the grounds that the logistical framework to conduct it is not there. The politicians don’t think that our votes count, because if they thought so, I am unable to understand why two major political parties will launch their campaigns

four weeks to the election when typically the campaign should have been launched two years ago. The politicians are not interested in your votes, they are interested in power. Sometimes people talk about the followers, but the followers are very hungry Nigerians and therefore they are not in position to make informed decisions. So, I don’t blame them when they take a loaf of bread with N20 inside it. There are 40 million unemployed youths and poverty levels are at about 90 per cent. The wealth income distribution is so bad that only about 500 Nigerians own 90 per cent of the wealth. With that type of challenge and bondage, it only takes a statesman who will say to himself that this will not continue to make a change. Some people have argued that the fault lines are as a result of our defective constitution. Whose responsibility is it to sort out these fault lines? It is a mixed bag of issues. Who does what, who is that statesman in the traffic who will step out and direct the traffic when everybody is fighting. The best example of how society is ordered is what Durkhem, the founder of social organisation said: people who are called upon to exercise political power have a special duty to carry out and when they fail to do their work people begin to resent them and it leads to social revolution. The first way out of our predicament is the people’s revolution where they absolutely overthrow the system, that has its challenge. The second is civil society doing it on behalf of the people. Civil society does not mean human rights group as people keep thinking, they mean those critical elements of the society that represents the people and there are two most important ones; the church and the traditional rulers. Not one traditional ruler has said anything meaningful about the way the country is going. Most religious leaders speak to

Agbakoba

Both the PDP and APC are travelling on one track from opposite ends and when they meet at the centre, there will be a collision

their personal interest. Can you imagine if we are able to have a Christian-Muslim handshake of our leaders, politicians will shake and be terrified. The relevant components of the civil societies are incapacitated. I have not heard Labour speak in a long time because you have to look at the people who lead the masses. That is the challenge; it is the challenge of a long traffic jam and people have been sitting there for four hours and no one is prepared to give a space. There is no leader prepares to say I am going to shrink my powers in order to establish a strong democratic institution. Nigeria is in intensive care unit and as political doctor alongside other doctors, we are looking at and exploring different types of treatment. I have suggested one, people’s revolution and I have looked at the pros and cons with my other political doctors and we found out that it is very hard to organize because you need the relevant component of the civil society to act. But it was IBB that perfected the system of perverting civil society even to the point where he got the NBA down. What you do as political dictator is to dismantle the strong structures of civil society. As a political doctor, I doubt that the present crop of leadership I see are able to set aside their personal interest to treat the patient. So, I go to the third one, which is the new one. Can we ask the political parties whether they are prepare to pledge that if their man wins, he will be a statesman and if he fails to do so, in the next four years, the party will not get another opportunity? Those are the options, which will work, I don’t know. Having been in this politics stuff for a while, I doubt if the civil society is strong enough because the compromise of civil society is very deep and you see that they are all dismantled. Let us find somebody who will go in there and represent us, but we can only do that by asking the questions now from these two parties.

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the poor economy, have been made worse by corruption.” He said on assumption of office as president, he would fight corruption, transform Nigeria’s ailing economy, provide jobs for the masses and tackle insecurity in the North-East caused by the Boko Haram sect. His words: “The fundamental issues facing this country are insecurity and the problem of economy which is being made worse by corruption. We have lined up programme on how to tackle unemployment. We are going to assemble a team of professionals for wealth creation and employment for our teeming youths. We will put mechanism in place to fight insecurity, improve on the economy and fight corruption. “I am appealing to you; the damage that has been done to this country is great. The level of unemployment, the level of insecurity is intolerable. The damage has been done, it will take time, patience and support from you to ensure that we succeed.” Tambuwal on his part said he defected from the ruling PDP to the APC because Nigeria will make progress faster with the opposition party. To him, the ruling party under the Jonathan-led administration is not serious about government business. “We deserve a better Nigeria. We accompanied Buhari to the rally because we believe he is the right person to take Nigeria to a greater height. Today, we have insecurity and high level of corruption in Nigeria. Many people were surprised that I defected from a ruling party to an opposition party. We don’t deserve the leadership we have at the centre. There is a clear indication that the people of Rivers State will vote for Buhari and all APC candidates.” Oyegun said a vote for Buhari and APC would wipe out insecurity, Boko Haram and corruption, adding that Buhari/Osibanjo ticket is a right combination as the duo will bring about the desired change to Nigeria. On his part, Amaechi called on the people of Rivers State to obtain their voters cards to enable them vote for Buhari and all APC candidates in the general election. The Port Harcourt rally was however without a sour point as gunmen attacked some APC supporters on their way to the event. The gunmen were said to have opened fire on the supporters who were travelling from Buguma in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state when the bus conveying them ran into their ambush on Trans-Kalabari Road. Six persons were injured in the attack. Governor Amaechi, who confirmed the incident called on APC members not to be deterred by the attack but “be ready to take PDP bullets.” His words: “The Peoples Democratic Party believes in gun, we believe in God and man. We shall stand and face their bullets; we shall stand and face their guns. The government in power cannot protect you and I. If the government cannot not protect you and I, why were we shot at? Who bought guns for those people, who shot at our members?” Akwa Ibom next on line Shortly after inaugurating the presidential campaign, the APC team moved to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to campaign in the PDP-controlled state and to present the party’s flag to the governorship candidate in the state, Umana Umana. Addressing a crowd of supporters at the Old Uyo Stadium, Buhari took a swipe at the PDP-led Federal Government headed by President Jonathan, saying it has ruined Nigeria. “The PDP has ruined this country, we have a lot to do, a lot to

L-R: Osinbajo, Buhari and Rivers State governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, at the rally in Port Harcourt.

Buhari criss-crosses Nigeria secure this country. We have reached a stage when we must send PDP out. PDP must go,” he said. He also said that his administration will ensure steady power supply for private and small businesses to thrive in order to reduce the lingering unemployment in the country. Issues of non-oil sector in Cross River In Calabar, Cross Rivers State, Buhari promised to use the non-oil sector to boost Nigeria’s economy, if elected. According to him, his administration will also restore the lost glory of education and address the problem of power supply to resuscitate ailing industries in the country. He said: “Our main objective is to make sure that agriculture and other nonoil sector get priority to give opportunities to every Nigerian so that Nigerians, whether educated or not, will have gainful employment. “Unless we get power supply correct, our industries cannot survive, so we must resuscitate our industries and get Nigeria going again.” The APC presidential candidate urged his supporters to be vigilant during the elections to ensure victory for the party. Oyegun said an APC administration will provide jobs for three million Nigerians in its first four years. He later handed over the party’s flag to the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the state, Mr. Odey Ochicha. The ‘war’ gets to Jonathan’s doorstep The APC presidential campaign train arrived Yenagoa, Bayelsa State (President Jonathan’s home state) on January 8, with Buhari pledging to revamp the agriculture and power sectors, if elected. He was accompanied by Oyegun; a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva; Governor Amaechi and other chieftains of APC. Buhari noted that Bayelsa was blessed with suitable climate and fertile land for large scale agriculture which could be harnessed to drive economic development. He said that power was critical to unlock the potential of Nigerian entrepreneurs and would be a cardinal part of his economic agenda even as he promised to embark on skills acquisition and empowerment schemes for unemployed youths in the state. On corruption, the former head of state said his administration will not treat public treasury looters with kid gloves, urging registered voters in the state to collect their permanent voters’ cards before

the February 14 general election. Promise of better deal for South-East In Owerri, Imo State capital, Buhari listed insecurity, corruption as Nigeria’s major development challenges, promising a better deal for the South-East zone if elected. Speaking during a courtesy visit to Governor Okorocha at the Government House, the APC presidential candidate called on Ndigbo to support APC, saying that one of the objectives of his government, if elected, is to secure the country and efficiently manage it. According to him, his administration will decisively deal with terrorism, kidnapping and corruption at all levels. On the economy, Buhari decried the alarming rate of inflation in the country and wondered how local businesses can survive with the rate of exchange of the Naira to Dollar. “In 1984 as the military head of state, I refused to devalue the Naira, refused to remove subsidy on petroleum products. We equally made an undertaken to meet our obligation on foreign debts – medium and long term,” he said. Okorocha on his part lauded Buhari for his zero tolerance to corruption as well as his vision for Nigeria. He requested from Buhari if elected, a fair share of political positions be allotted to the South-East as well as creation of an additional state to make for equity and fairness among the six geo-political zones of the country. He also requested for the upgrading of the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport to an International Airport as well as the rehabilitation of Enugu-Onitsha Road, Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, and Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road, among others. Entrepreneurial spirit reawakened in Aba In Aba, the commercial city of Abia State, the APC presidential candidate promised to develop infrastructure and encourage entrepreneurship spirit of Nigerians if given the mandate. His words: “We will focus on infrastructural development in terms of power and roads, which are necessary. We will also encourage the entrepreneurship spirit of the people of Aba and this zone because your entrepreneurship capability is known even beyond Nigeria. “We will make sure that you have good roads, electricity and communication and we will empower farmers to produce more food. The main concern of APC is to see that no capable Nigerian is left idling away and roaming the streets to constitute security threats to law-abiding Nigerians.”

The first civilian governor of the state, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, in his speech, said the people of the South-East cannot afford to put their eggs in one basket hence the need for them to join the APC. Onu said it had been proved that Nigerians had become desirous of change, stressing that the Igbo race must join the train for change. Coal City comes alive Enugu came alive on January 9, as the APC presidential campaign train reached the Coal City. At a rally held at Okpara Square, Buhari promised to revamp the moribund coal industry in the SouthEast, if elected. He said that revamping the coal industry and other moribund industries in the zone would help to create job opportunities for the unemployed youths. “We will also improve investments in agriculture and power to encourage small businesses in the country to grow. We will secure this country and make sure that the issue of Boko Haram is a thing of the past. We will provide electricity for our tailors and entrepreneurs to do their businesses without hitches,” he said. Oyegun commended Enugu residents for their massive turn out for the rally. He called on the people of the state to support the APC during the upcoming elections in order to experience a positive change. In his remarks, Senator Ngige said the party would wage war against corruption and indiscipline, if voted into power. Governor Okorocha, who also spoke reiterated that the party will facilitate the creation of an additional state in the zone. The event featured the presentation of a flag to the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the state, Mr. Okey Ezea. Bible presentation in Anambra While issues have been made over Buhari’s religious belief with some labelling him an Islamic fundamentalist, his campaign in Awka, Anambra State capital was heralded by the presentation of a Bible by the Anglican Bishop of Awka, Rt. Rev. Alex Ibezim, who he visited before the rally. Later at the rally held at Emmaus House, Awka, Buhari said he would improve public power supply to boost investment opportunities in places like Onitsha and Nnewi, which form the bedrock of the economy of the South-East. From Anambra, the Buhari campaign team moved to Delta State, where the APC presidential candidate visited the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase II. The team is expected to hit the South-West, a major stronghold of the APC, this week.

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Echoes from PCO’s inauguration ONYEKACHI EZE writes on last week’s inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja

he Lagacy House, the presidential campaign office of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has come back to life again with the inauguration, last Tuesday of the Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO) of President Goodluck Jonathan. Before the inauguration, the activities at the campaign office were limited mostly to occasional events, which cannot be accommodated at the PDP headquarters in the Wuse district of Abuja. The PCO inauguration was earlier scheduled for Monday, January 5, but was postponed at the last minutes due to the death of President Jonathan’s younger sister, Mrs. Nancy Jonathan-Olei the previous day. Despite the postponement, the event lived up to expectation. It attracted many PDP chieftains and party elders. About 12 state governors elected on the platform of the party were in attendance as well as a number of legislators led by the Senate President, David Mark. Access to the venue was a herculean task. Most people with valid identity cards were turned back. Journalists covering the beat had to be identified by officials of PDP before they could be allowed to enter. That notwithstanding, those whose names were not on the list compiled the previous day, were denied entry. Motorists plying the road were either diverted or forced to take a single lane. One need not to be told that vehicular traffic along the road will be disrupted for the next four weeks. The inauguration was less than five weeks to the February 14 presidential election. Unlike the previous elections, which were held in April, members of the campaign team knew that time was not on their side; even the president himself knows this. Apparently, that was why the flag off of the party’s campaign was fixed immediately, just two days after the inauguration. The event was a soul-searching of some sort. Speakers at the occasion were frank. Coming shortly after the disaffection that greeted the party’s primaries, it is only important that members should tell themselves the gospel truth, if such will calm the frayed nerves. But this is not to say there was no word or two for the opposition party, which had already commenced its nationwide campaign even without inaugurating a campaign organisation. In 2011, when Jonathan inaugurated his campaign organisation, he told team to approach former aspirants and try to woo them to his side. A number of people contested the PDP presidential primaries in 2011 against the president. Among

L-R: Vice-President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan; National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu’azu; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih and Chairman, Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO), Ahmadu Ali at the inauguration of PCO in Abuja. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

them were former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, former Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki and former National Security Adviser (NSA), General Aliyu Gusau, who lost to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar at shadow primary election arranged by Mallam Adamu Ciroma-led Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) for PDP presidential aspirants from the north. Atiku and Mrs. Sarah Jibrin later squared it up at the main primaries against Jonathan. Last week, however, the president did not see the need of reconciliation with any presidential aspirant probably because he was adopted as the sole presidential candidate of PDP. Rather, he promised to hinge the thrust of his campaign on the record of his achievements in the past four years. “Our credible performance in the last four years should be our selling point. In all parts of the country, tell the story of all we have achieved. Let the fact and figures be heard in every nook and cranny of Nigeria. “When the election comes we will tell the world what we have done,” the president promised. Although, he admitted that “there may be issues arising from the party primaries, which have led to some of our members expressing grievances,” he however, said this is the time for party members to come together and work as a family. He told them that losing a party primary election should not amount to losing faith in the party. “Whatever grievances we have can be resolved within the family... there is a job to be done, and all loyal members of our great party must play their expected roles,” Jonathan charged them. Jonathan sounded hysterical in some parts of the speech. This is because, unlike in 2011, PDP now has a formidable opposition. The mega opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which adopted former military Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari

What we have in the PDP is the monkey dey work and baboon dey chop. What we want after the general election is monkey working and monkey chopping. No more baboon eating alone

(rtd) as its presidential candidate, is becoming a threat to Jonathan’s re-election. Probably, that was why he told members of the presidential campaign organisation to “fully mobilise all the party faithful in every ward and every district to work for the victory we required to take our agenda for national transformation forward to a successful conclusion for the benefit of present and future generations of Nigerians.... We have engaged the people of Nigeria positively with people-friendly policies, which have moved Nigeria forward.” He, however, charged members of the PCO not to engage in any primitive act during the campaign as the election can be won on wellarticulated issues. Jonathan equally challenged the opposition to an issue-based campaign so as to prove their worth to the electorate to enable them make informed choice. “Some other politicians and campaigners are threatening fire and brimstone. Do not join them. Some other parties are pulling down other people’s posters. That is primitive. Please, do not join them. Every Nigerian must be free to campaign anywhere. “Thuggery, violence and malpractice or rigging must have no place in our campaign and electoral activities. We must place our hope for victory in nothing else but the support and confidence of the great majority of our people, and the blessing of Almighty God,” he added. The president, who said his administration is not unaware of the global attention on the outcome of the elections, said the polls will be free and fair, adding. Believing that the achievements of his administration would win for him, a second term in office, Jonathan noted that: “Despite the security challenges we have had to contend with, Nigeria, under our watch, has made significant strides in every aspect. Our economy today is the largest and the strongest in the African continent, and a pre-

ferred destination for foreign direct investment. “We have focused on job creation and the expansion of opportunities for our teeming youths as well as interventions to promote micro, small and medium scale enterprises. “Through an internationally acclaimed transformational agricultural programme, we have re-established agriculture as a business, and a major driver of economic growth. “Today, not only is the agricultural sector thriving, the value chains in the sector have been activated and have become productive. The country’s food import bill has been reduced, and the non-oil sector has witnessed significant growth. “We have expanded access to education by providing schools and facilities at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Today, there is a federal university in every state of the federation, and every Nigerian child has been given the opportunity to go to school. “We have successfully privatised the power sector: a process that was adjudged by the international community of investors as transparent and credible. Our trains are moving again, from Lagos to Kano, from Lagos to Ibadan, from Port Harcourt to Enugu.” Jonathan did not allow the attack of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his administration to go unchallenged. Apparently referring to the statement credited to the former president that Jonathan’s government has squandered the foreign reserve left behind by him and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Jonathan charged: “Let them tell us what they have done; if they were able to build a secondary school when they were serving this country.” He added that his government has recorded more achievements in the last four years than his predecessors in office. The National Campaign Adviser, Chief Tony Anenih, expressed the CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Political parties as business empires Julius Oweh

he differences between a political party and a limited liability company are very clear and unambiguous. A political party is made up of individuals with clear cut ideology with the sole purpose of canvassing for votes and winning elections, and to form government for the benefits of the masses. A company can be the brain child of one man or that of business partners with the consuming passion of making profits from such investments. A political party is populated by patriotic stakeholders to advance the frontiers of development and progress of the nation. A public limited company on the other hand is the coming together of shareholders to make profits from such investment. Here in Nigeria, the line between a political party and that of a company is blurred as our politicians treasure their membership of political party as a call for investment and would want to reap from such political enterprise to the detriment of the welfare and progress of the people, the owners of electoral sovereignty. That explains the spate of defection of politicians from one party to another and the poverty of ideology of which our political parties are notorious. Today the notion of political parties as public limited companies is mocking the very essence of political participation as the shareholders and business partners are brazenly telling us that the dominating factor is profit driven. The funding of political parties and campaigns has been taken to absurd level and the masses are just despondent. Instead of individual members’ monthly contribution, the money bags and business moguls have taken over the running of the parties. The recent PDP campaign donation has shattered all known canons of political decency and throwing to the dogs the electoral laws of the country. The PDP has now got a war chest of N21 billion to fight the presidential election billed for February 14, 2014. In the same vein, despite the claim of

General Muhammadu Buhari that some of his friends had contributed the sum of about N500 million for his presidential campaign, Mr Nyeson Wike, the PDP governorship candidate for Rivers State has alleged that Governor Rotimi Amaechi is funding the APC presidential campaign to the tune of N30 billion. While the case of PDP presidential campaign is a common knowledge that of APC is still in the realm of allegations. But the political reality is that business men and money bags are investing heavily in the campaigns of the major political parties at the local, state and national levels with the hope of getting a good return of their investments should their candidates win the elections and be in charge of the nation`s purse. Political contractors are holding hostage the development and destiny of Nigeria. It is really unfortunate that Nigerians especially those of the political class and in government do not obey the laws of the country. The Electoral Act section 91 forbids huge donations by individuals, corporate organizations to the campaigns of political parties and that anybody flouting the law should be so sanctioned. Section 91(9) of the Electoral Act reads: `An individual or other entity shall not donate more than N1millon to any candidate`. Section 91(10) of the Electoral Act stipulates the punishment: `Who knowingly acts in contravention of this section commits an offence and on conviction is liable to a maximum fine of N1m or imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both`. Section 91(2) of the same Electoral Act puts a ceiling to presidential campaign expenses: `The maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a presidential election shall be N1b`. As it stands today, the PDP and the federal government have broken that law and should be so sanctioned. The pity is that the police and INEC are just looking the other way and nobody shall be punished at the end of the day. Politics in Nigeria is a huge investment and the political space is treated as a limited liability company with the political actors regarding themselves as more

of economic investors and shareholders. The motive behind political participation is the inordinate ambition to get the wealth of the nation. The politicians are not bothered about such esoteric notions as contributing to the progress and development of the nation. That is why the former president of the nation, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in a rare moment of candour described politics as a honey pot. It is this honey pot notion that is fuelling corruption and making one of the richest countries of the world to be populated by poor people. Forget the ranking of the nation as the most viable economy in Africa, the truth of the matter is that poverty is a constant companion of most Nigerians as they go to bed hungry. The EFCC and the ICPC have simply lost their voices as far as the flouting of the electoral law by the various political parties is concerned. These anti-graft agencies now have feet of clay and are simply impotent to call the erring politicians to order. It is this selective application of the law that has beggared the fate of Nigeria for years. And if this culture of indifference to official misbehaviour, disobeying laws and impunity continues, the fate of the nation is hell bound and doomed. Even stranger than fiction is the silence of INEC. Today Prof Attahiru Jega is carrying on as if he were in space and does not read newspapers or watch television as far as the expenditure of political campaigns is concerned. The bottom line of this rot and infamy is that those who donated to the PDP campaign fund and those secretly funding the APC campaign are not doing it for the love of the political parties and the nation. They are simply shareholders who are buying shares in the Nigerian enterprise and at the end of the day; they would get rewards for their investment. This is the tragedy of the nation and pretence on the part of the anti-graft agencies and INEC would only fuel the abysmal level of corruption. Oweh, a journalist, writes from Asaba, Delta State. (08037768392)

Palestine and gradual return of global conscience (2) Continued from last week Friday

Shakiru Ayinde Yekinni

e not only presented Israel as invincible, but tried also to absolve it of its numerous crimes, justified its systematic cleansing of Palestinians as self-defense and frantically struggled to portray Israel as the victim rather than the villain. When it was time for response, I put the following posers to the Ambassador: One, if truly the occupied lands belonged to Israel, why did Theodore Herzl, (President of the World Zionist Organization- WZO) approach Sultan Abdul Hamid (then leader of the Ottoman Empire and the Islamic world) in1897 to sell to him a parcel of land in Palestine for a Jewish homeland with humongous amount of money which the Sultan rejected: why would you offer to buy what belonged to you if your claim was true? Secondly, talking about the use of violence to achieve political ends, Israel was the first and the most reckless. I reminded him of the first UN envoy selected to mediate the Arab/Israeli conflict, Lord Folke Bernadotte who was assassinated by the Irgun in Jerusalem in 1948 despite the man having negotiated the release of some Danish Jews from German concentration camps only a few years earlier. [Bernadotte was assassinated because he tried to internationalize Jerusalem as stated in the partition resolution so as to limit the borders of the Jewish state and prevent incursion into Palestinian por-

tions] Thirdly, I told him that the Zionist agenda of a ‘Greater Israel’ which envisions the entire Middle East as Jewish possession was one reason behind the intractability of the crisis; that the continuous expansion of Jewish settlements is a tactical repudiation of the ‘two-states’ solution and the cause of intense and unending hostilities. I also put it to him that the fear of an independent Palestinian state, which would legally cultivate its own military to ward off internal and external threats is why Israel continued to sabotage the peace process and the ‘twostates’ solution Fourthly, I punctured his argument of an invincible Israel by pointing to him how Israel has always moved other nations to fight its wars. I pointed to an incident known as the ‘La Von Affairs’ in American history and as ‘Bad Business’ in Israeli archives [when in 1954 Israel organized the bombing of American, British and Egyptian civilian targets so as to blame it on elements inside Egypt including the Muslim Brotherhood and thereby move the West against Egypt]. The defeat of Israel by Hezbollah in 2006 remains a strong support of my argument, even though I did not mention this. I then concluded that the continuous building of settlements, the siege of Gaza and the deliberate sabotage of the ‘two-state’ solution are reasons why there cannot be a lasting peace. After my speech which lasted for less than five minutes, the Ambassador became obviously embarrassed, and so also was the Chairman of the occasion, a

former Ambassador of Nigeria to Israel and the United States, Professor George Obiozor. But Obiozor’s reaction was the more puzzling and fitting into the above narrative. In a bid to save the face of his guest, he launched into a tirade as to why I, a Nigerian wanted to ‘fight another man’s battle’: that both Israelis and Arabs are same children of Abraham and that I should not be concerned with whatever they do to themselves; that to every story there are always two sides; that Israel is a great country having succeeded in the technology of grafting for improved agricultural yield on every inch of Israeli soil. He also brought up the enormity of challenge posed by Boko Haram to crown the sway of his sentiment. Of course, I could not interrupt him since that was the way he chose to use his privilege that day. Anyhow, the Ambassador was given the floor again to do a rejoinder to my contributions, but obviously could not respond to those points. Rather, he asked for my name which I told him and where I come from. I told him I am a Nigerian, but he insisted on knowing what part of Nigeria, and I told him Oyo State. I ask myself, why was he so interested in where I come from. Perhaps the narrative back in Israel was that opposition to Israeli occupation of Palestine is only domiciled in the north of Nigeria while it is ‘friendship’ and ‘solidarity’ in the entire south. I am sure a new study by the embassy must have commenced on the new ’discovery’. Ever since the incident, I came to see how the prejudice of public office holders and policy makers could impact either

positively or negatively on vital decisions of a country on very important issues. Why did Obiozor agree to attend the discourse as chairman if we are to keep aloof of the matter; why discuss it at all; is it just for mere academic exercise? Shall we pat Israel on the back as it slaughters innocent women, children, the infirm, and the aged to maintain its occupation because it is a great agricultural miracle? The genius of Hitler’s Germany was rolling out tens of thousands of armoured cars monthly in World War II; did that make the ambition of warring to conquer the world humane and deserving of accolades? And even if Israel was to develop a technology that will make plants grow in the clouds, would that absolve it of its numerous crimes against the Palestinians and the larger humanity? Any how I took solace in the reactions around the world against the occupation which increasingly isolate Israel. If Europe which was the author of the crisis could look back and decided that a change was necessary, and Obiozor, a fellow Nigerian chooses to bind himself to the fetters of a mythical Israel and ‘venerate’ a ‘chosen people’, that definitely was his choice. The future however belongs to a world where all men are equal, and where no race or tribe, either through indoctrination or subterfuge is allowed to lord it over others. Obiozor definitely belonged to the past!!! Concluded • Yekinni (laidetop06@yahoo.com) is the Executive Director, Center for Global Peace Initiative (CGPI) 08026134942

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

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Managing a depressing economy

he challenges confronting the Nigerian economy today are diverse and enormous. The unacceptable state of Nigeria’s economy is most galling given Nigeria’s enormous endowments of natural and human resources. This is more so given the fact that Asian countries, such as Singapore and Malaysia, with similar colonial heritage and attributes attendant thereto, and similar natural resource endowments, have recorded significant successes in the development of their economies since 1965 when they were at par or even behind Nigeria. The major causes of the decline in Nigeria’s economic fortunes have been political instability and bad governance. It is important to note that, Nigeria’s short term macroeconomic outlook looks generally strong, with the likelihood of higher growth, lower inflation, and reserve accumulation. This will present the Government with an opportunity to make progress in key reforms and public investments associated with the Transformation Agenda for job creation, diversification, and more effective governance, says the World Bank in its Nigeria Economic Report (NER). Sounding a cautionary note, however, the NER says that Nigeria’s economic growth has not automatically translated into better economic and social wel-

fare for Nigerians. As the NER notes, “poverty reduction and job creation have not kept pace with population growth, implying social distress for an increasing number of Nigerians. Again, the economy remained driven by incomes from the oil sector; it was characterized with high level of youth unemployment, infrastructural deficits, particularly power generation and distribution as well as transport networks, and low capacity utilization in industries. The non-strictly economic factors that equally impacted negatively on the economy were corruption, which stamp of authority was found on every economic activity, lack of enforcement of rule of law, civil disorder and labour unrest as well as insecurity. It is instructive to note that, data emerging from both the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, the CBN and other statistics generating agencies of government and the private sector point to the fact that the economy did not fare better in 2013 than preceding years. That is, the economy under-performed in many respects in 2013 and 2014, the same trend is continuing in the present fiscal year with dwindling oil fortunes as well as underdevelopment of the non-oil sectors. Nigeria is said to be the best destination of choice for business and investment. However, the fact remains that Nigerians are not

investing in their own economy as a result of paucity of funds and coupled with the fact that the cost of doing business is very high. Similarly, the much talked about direct foreign investment is not seen in critical non-oil sector of the economy such as aviation, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals etc, even the oil sector that Nigeria is dependent on is dominated by Multinational Corporations which encourages capital flight and underdevelopment in the country. Curiously, after several years of independence, the productive base of the Nigerian economy remains weak, narrow and externallyoriented with primary production activities of agriculture and mining and quarrying (including crude oil and gas) accounting for about 65 percent of the real gross output and over 80 percent of government revenues. In addition, primary production activities account for over 90 percent of foreign exchange earnings and 75 percent of employment. In contrast, secondary activities comprising manufacturing and building and construction, which traditionally have greater potential for broadening the productive base of the economy and generating sustainable foreign exchange earnings and government revenues account for a mere 4.14 percent and 2.0 percent of gross output respectively. Services or tertiary

activities which depend on wealth generated by the productive sectors for their operations comprise about 30 percent of gross output. Significantly, service activities have been expanding their influence in the economy over the last decade accounting for over 35 percent of the growth of the real gross domestic product (GDP). It is in line with this that professor Claude Ake reasoned that the kind of democracy Nigeria requires is a social democracy that places emphasis on concrete political, social, and economic rights, as opposed to a liberal democracy that emphasizes abstract political rights. It will be a social democracy that invests heavily in the improvement of people’s health, education, and capacity so that they can participate effectively. It is when this is done that the National economy can be well managed and made meaningful as well as solve the problems of unemployment and underemployment, infrastructural decay, parlous state of the economy, over-devaluation of the naira, high rate of inflation, increase in the cost of living, low capacity utilization of industry, mono-cultural based economy, bad roads, terrible state of education, poor health facilities, bastardization of the agricultural sector, non- development of non-oil sector, abandonment of solid minerals, poor state of tourism and aviation, problems in the power sector as well as housing and transportation.

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Politics

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Echoes from PCO’s inauguration CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

belief that Nigerians will prefer “continuity of this administration’s robust National Transformation Agenda to the so-called ‘Change’ just to satisfy some personal and narrow interests.” Anenih who is Chairman, PDP Board of Trustee (BoT), was drafted into the PCO because of his wealth of knowledge in electioneering. He has played active role in the re-election of former President Obasanjo in 2003 and other subsequent PDP

presidential elections. A highly respected and consisted party leader, Anenih earned the names “Mr. Fix it” and “Leader” given his invaluable contributions to PDP electoral fortunes. His speech at the occasion was re-assuring. He likened the presidential election to the ultimate prize, which once secured, there will be a bandwagon effect on every other election. “We have travelled through this familiar path before, especially in 1999,

2003, 2007 and 2011. In the last three elections, our candidates had defeated the leading opposition candidates. Therefore, as we do the needful, I am confident that we will defeat them again. “By the grace of God and the support of wellmeaning and peace-loving Nigeria people, we will win both the election and the peace. I call on all Nigerians to join hands with us to crush any planned pre-and post-election violence, bearing in mind the imperative of the unity

and stability of our dear nation,” Anenih stated. The National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Mu’azu, may have spoken the mind of many aggrieved members of the party when he delivered what many regarded as a “bombshell”. Mu’azu, who spoke extempore, said there is absence of justice, fairness and equality in the PDP. “What we have in the PDP is the monkey dey work and baboon dey chop. What we want after the general election is monkey working and monkey chopping. No

more baboon eating alone. Most members of the APC and other opposition political parties are members of the PDP. They left because of the monkey dey work baboon dey chop politics of PDP. This should stop,” Mu’azu who was nicknamed “the Game Changer”, admonished. But he did not stop there. He told Jonathan to consult widely with the state governors, members of the National Assembly and other organs of the party, so as to ensure that the era where members of

the party would work hard for the victory of the party and later driven to the back seat no longer exist. Such statements coming from no other person than PDP National Chairman speaks volume. It was an indication that something is wrong in the party. Most party members endured the injustice and maltreatment simply because there was no alternative platform. But with the emergence of APC, those who felt aggrieved decided to pitch their tents with the party. Again, the admission of such shortcoming shows that PDP is on the path of recovery. Mu’azu advised the members of the campaign organisation to work hard as the PDP is the party to beat based on the achievements of the Jonathan administration. “Let your campaigns be based on issues. Jonathan’s continuity in 2015 is for the stability and unity of Nigeria, peace and development. The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, accused the APC presidential candidate, General Buhari, and his party of thriving on propaganda. Akpabio said the APC would not get more than 35 per cent of the presidential votes. He said that APC is fielding a dictator who has no democratic value and experience, adding: “I have no doubt that Nigerians will not vote APC, because Nigerians prefer freedom and not someone who will throw them into prison.” For the President of the Senate, David Mark, the opposition party has no viable presidential candidate to offer, noting that the February presidential election is all about the future of Nigeria and it cannot be played with. “We cannot hand over the future of Nigeria to the APC or the opposition political parties, as Nigerians are determined to hand over to President Jonathan a wonderful Valentine’s gift on February 14,” Mark said. Director-General of the campaign organisation, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, described as ironical that in the 21st century, the opposition is presenting a septuagenarian as its presidential candidate. “Why should Nigerians chose a leader with doubtful academic credentials?” he queried. He assured that the conduct of PDP members during the campaign will be exemplary “because we have the fear of the Almighty God. Let me restate the fact that our party, the PDP, is in power. We are the defending champion with the belt tightly around our waists.”

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Insurance

Naira walks tight rope as ICAN knocks CBN

Stock Watch

Afromedia: Incapacitated by adverse regulation

Money Line

Interview

Claims: Policyholder’s conflict with Leadway deepens

Okonjo Iweala, a mismatch for Nigerian economy, says Enwegbara

42-43

Business What's news

Customs miss 2014 revenue target by N223bn The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) revenue has fallen by N223 billion or 19 per cent in the last one year.

Bodo spill: Group faults Shell’s N16 billion compensation DEGRADATION Communities in the NigerDelta have been drastically affected by activities of oil companies

p.22

Food price index drops in December The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s monthly Food Price Index declined in December after three months of stability.

p.36

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

Director of HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, said the fishermen could not hope to return to fishing in the Bodo rivers and creeks because of the depth of hydrocarbon pollution resulting from the oil spills. He expressed that the amount being offered each

fisherman was better than the pittance that Shell initially offered to pay. “This can hardly purchase a good fishing boat and equipment necessary to return to the fishing business that the people know best – that is if they choose to move to other

communities with cleaner waters to fish. Sadly, although the Bodo pollution also damaged the Goi community waters making the community continue to languish in abject neglect without remedy,” he said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Dayo Ayeyemi

Civil rights organisation, the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), has described as ‘inadequate’ the agreement by oil giant, Shell, to pay a penalty of about 55 million Pounds Sterling (about N16 billion) to 15,600 Bodo fishermen and community for the extensive crude oil spills of 2008/2009. Although, the group described the development as a welcome news for the New Year, it, however, argued that the compensation could not be compared with the level of damage to their environment. The group spokesperson, Cadmus Atake, said that when compared to what polluting oil companies paid elsewhere for their ecological crimes, the amount brought by Shell is inadequate for the severity of damage done He said: “HOMEF sees the compensation which will amount to about N600,000 for each of the plaintiffs with the balance going for community projects – school blocks and health centres – as inadequate for the severity of damage done.” Atake maintained that payment of compensation and building of schools and clinics would not by any means reduce the demand for an urgent clean-up of the Ogoni environment.

L-R: Manager, Inspections and Monitoring, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Afam Ojeh, Head, Savings, Fidelity Bank Plc, Janet Nnabuko, Executive Director, Lagos & South West Bank, Fidelity Bank Plc., Ikemefuna Mbagwu, Manager, Monitoring, Consumer Protection Council, Ifeyinwa Nwamuo and Divisional Head, Retail Bank, Fidelity Bank Plc., Richard Madiebo at the 5th draw of the Fidelity Save4 Scholarship savings promo in Lagos.

DNS: NiRA misses 2014 target

...registers only 18,870 domain names Kunle Azeez

igeria’s Domain Name System (DNS) space suffered setback last year, as the regulator of the country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD), Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA),

awfully missed its 2014 target, New Telegraph has learnt. The missed target was on the auspicious number of .ng domain names planned to be registered by the end of 2014. NiRA has reportedly sold about 60,000 domain names as at the end of 2013 and had

promised in early 2014 that it would increase uptake of .ng domain names to 250,000 by the end of that year. This means that the country had a target of 190,000 domain names planned to be registered by individuals, corporate and government agencies both 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 November 2014........................7.9% October 2014............................8.1% September 2014.....................8.3%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (Parallel As at Jan. 08)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N182 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N390 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N205.50

l Foreign Reserves – $46.5bn as at 8/01/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official As at Jan. 08)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N168 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N253.09 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N197.70

Business | News

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Customs miss 2014 revenue target by N223bn OUTFLOW Revenue leakages diminished Customs’ revenue in 2014 Bayo Akomolafe

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) revenue has fallen by N223 billion or 19 per cent in the last one year. The service raked in N977.09 billion revenue instead of the N1.2 trillion target set for 2014. The revenue, however, showed an increase of N143.79 billion over the N833.4 billion recorded in

2013, representing about 15 per cent increment. It was learnt that the revenue came from import, excise duties, levies and other fees. T he breakdown showed that N586.91 billion out of the amount collected was remitted to the Federation Account while N390.18 was remitted to non-Federation Account during the year. It was learnt that N511.55 billion was collected from import; N8.59 billion from Negotiable Duty Credit Certificates (NDCC)), N39.76 from fees, N203.37 billion from levies; N186.80 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Common External Tariff

Bodo spill: Group faults Shell’s N16 billion compensation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

Atake said that HOMEF sees the main victory in the case as its being a clear precedent, giving a case where Shell accepted liability and not pretending to be making a payout on humanitaran basis as they claimed in the past. A member of the international Advisory

(CET) levy accounted for N24.61 billion. Also, a quarterly breakdown revealed that N197.82 billion was collected in first quarter; N265.81 billion in second quarter, while N249.29 billion and N264.05 billion were collected in third and fourth quarters respectively. The comparison of the quarterly collection during the year revealed that the second quarter accounted for the highest, while the first quarter recorded the lowest collection for the year. According to Customs Deputy Comptroller-General, Trade and Tariff, Adewuyi Akinade, the improvement in the collection was due to the service’s resilience in

blocking leakages. He explained that the system audit put in place by the service had helped to enhance compliance by traders and blocked the potential areas of revenue leakages. Akinade added that the service carried out capacity building of its officers who had been adequately trained, to understand classification and evaluation of goods to enable them to collect appropriate duty. Meanwhile, the NCS Apapa Area 1 Command said that it generated N301 billion in 2014 up from N250 billion it recorded in 2013. The Command’s Controller, Mr Eporwei Edike, said that about N36 billion was generat-

ed from duty on rice imports, while N265 billion was earned as revenue from other commodities. He noted: “In December, the command generated N28.9 billion in contrast to N24.4 billion recorded in November 2014.” A breakdown of the December revenue figures showed that N15.8 billion went into the Federation Account, while N13 billion was saved into the non-Federation Account. It was learnt that import duty accounted for the lion share of the revenue with a total of N15.1 billion while fees collected amounted to N56.4 million, N625.3 million was generated from the Common External Tariffs (CET).

For the Non-Federation Account, Value Added Tax (VAT) was N4.6 billion, Seven per cent Port Surcharge (N1.06 billion),while the One per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) fetched N1.6 billion. Also, N881 million was realised from the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), N2.7 billion from rice levy and N226 million from wheat flour, N1.8 billion from wheat grain, N21.9 million from iron levy and N18.4 million from cigarette levy. He said that the command generated N600 million from Negotiable Duty Credit Certificates (NDCC) as payment of duty on raw materials.

Board of HOMEF, George Awudi, explained that since the oil companies did not respect fines imposed on them by Nigerian regulatory agencies or even the National Assembly, the decision should encourage other communities to bring up cases against Shell and other oil companies operating in Nigeria, Ghana and other countries.

DNS: NiRA misses 2014 target CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

within and outside Nigeria in 2014 alone. New Telegraph, however, gathered that NiRA failed abysmally to achieve this target despite the initiatives put in place to accelerate take-up by over fourfolds. According to official data obtained at the weekend, only 18,870 domain names were registered by NiRA’s over 40 registrars, as against the targeted 190,000. Reacting to the development, NiRA President, Mrs Mary Uduma, who also confirmed the poor performance of the country’s internet identifier’s administrator, however, stressed that NiRA achieved increased awareness on .ng. She said: “Despite not meeting our set target in 2014 in terms of domain name registrations, we can honestly say we had a good year with increase in awareness of .ng domain names and domain business in Nigeria, growth in the number of registrars and domain names and setting the stage for more growth in all spheres of the domain name business in Nigeria.” Uduma, who listed

major activities that boost .ng awareness in 2014, said NiRA participated in many awareness programmes/events and hosted events geared at publicity awareness of .ng domain names and .ng ccTLD. It also hosted the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum (NIGF) in June 2014 and also had the opportunity of hosting Africa in Abuja in July 2014 during the “Africa DNS Forum,” among several others it participated in both locally and globally last year. Meanwhile, Uduma has said that the future growth of NiRA and domain names is very paramount to Nigeria’s economy. According to her, “with the commitment and efforts of NiRA Board of Trustees, Executive Board members, staff, registrars and registrants, targets were set to increase the number of domain names and the accreditation of registrars. “Reasonable increases and progress were made in the .ng domain name business. Even though the growth of NiRA is commendable, the journey is still far from being the best registry in Africa.

L-R: Assistant Director, Government Relations, Sub-Sahara Africa, P&G, Mrs Temitope Iluyemi; Managing Director, Procter and Gamble (P&G), Mr George Nassar; Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Country Director , UNESCO, Prof. Hassana Alidou, after signing the MoU on the Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria (GWIN) in Abuja

INVESTMENT More investment for developing nations

Godson Ikoro

nilever will double the size of its business to about $100 billion while committed to doing business in the emerging markets, CEO, Paul Polman, has said. The company, which is the third “most sought-after employers in the world,” derives nearly 60 per cent of its sales from emerging markets and draws about two million job applicants annually, Polman said, had turned into a magnet for recruiting and retaining of workers because it is considered a place of purpose. He stated that the objectives of the company manifested themselves in many

Unilever to invest $100 billion in emerging markets ways, like the recent launch of the Toilet Board Coalition, a cross-sector group that is trying to find scalable, market-based solutions to what it calls “the sanitation crisis.” He further said that this effort could make a difference in the lives of the 2.5 billion people around the world who lack access to a safe, clean toilet. While arguing that making this tangible for those on the front lines isn’t easy, Polman observed that in late 2013, Unilever launched an online “Social Impact Hub” for its 174,000 employees to learn more about its myriad initiatives in this area. Unilever has also augmented its training programs so that workers at all levels can understand the company’s commitment to

sustainability and how their own jobs fit in. “Being purpose-driven also demands that companies have a clear long-term vision. And that’s tough when investors are pushing executives to set their sights not much further out than the current quarter’s earnings or the day’s stock price. “We’ve created a rat race toward short-termism,” Polman said.Although Unilever has stopped reporting its quarterly profits, and it resisted giving earnings guidance to financial analysts, Polman said his own compensation is tied to how well the company is tracking against its longrange sustainability metrics. Unilever’s outspokenness on social issues has made it CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

In collaboration with

Sanctity of Truth

Maoists In China Attack Dissent By CHRIS BUCKLEY and ANDREW JACOBS

among the Kachin minority. The United States is worried enough about the link between jade and violence — and the effect on democratic change — that it kept in place a ban on the gem from Myanmar, also known as Burma, even after it suspended almost every other sanction against the country since the civilian government came to power in 2011. The fountainhead of Myanmar’s jade wealth is here in the mountains of Kachin State, which shares a long border with China and is home to a Christian minority with ambitions to gain more autonomy. My itky ina , the dow n-a nd- out state capital, is the gateway to the most active mining region, containing what experts say is the world’s biggest and most valuable trove of jade. The city’s tea shops have a thriving illegal side business in selling heroin. The city is the closest Westerners can get to the mining area, Hpakant. The government says it keeps the area closed because of sporadic fighting with the Kachin rebel army, but activists see a darker purpose: to hide the illegal jade

HONG KONG — They pounce on bloggers who dare mock their beloved Chairman Mao. They scour the nation’s classrooms and newspapers for strains of liberal heresies. And they have taken down professors, journalists and others deemed disloyal to Communist Party orthodoxy. China’s Maoist ideologues are resurgent after languishing in the political desert, buoyed by President Xi Jinping’s traditionalist tilt and emboldened by internal party decrees that are targeting academics, artists and those seen as insufficiently patriotic. Vigilantes played a role in the downfall of Wang Congsheng, a law professor in Beijing who was suspended from teaching after posting criticisms of the party. Another target was Wang Yaofeng, a newspaper columnist who voiced support for the recent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong and then found himself without a job. “Since Xi came to power, the pressure and control over freethinkers has become really tight,” said Qiao Mu, a Beijing journalism professor who was demoted this fall, in part for espousing multiparty elections and free speech. “More and more of my friends and colleagues are experiencing fear.” Two years into an offensive against dissent, Mr. Xi has been intensifying his focus on perceived opponents, sending ripples through universities, publishing houses and the news media, and emboldening hard-liners. Mr. Xi recently urged universities to “enhance guidance over thinking and keep a tight grip on leading ideological work in higher education,” Xinhua, the official news agency, reported. In internal decrees, he has attacked liberal thinking as a pernicious threat that has contaminated the party’s ranks, and called on officials to purge the nation of ideas that run counter to modern China’s Marxist-Leninist foundations. The Maoists have also been encouraged by another internal document, Document Number 30, which reinforces warnings that Western-inspired notions of media independence, “universal values” and

Continued on Page 26

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ADAM DEAN FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Myanmar’s military and rebel leaders, and Chinese financiers, benefit from the jade industry. A Mandalay market.

Jade Leaves a Trail of Misery Amid a mining boom in Myanmar: heroin, prostitution and H.I.V. By DAN LEVIN

MYITKYINA, Myanmar — At 16, the gem trader’s son set out for the jade mines to seek his fortune in the precious stone that China craves. But a month in, the teenager, Sang Aung Bau Hkum, was feeding his own addiction: heroin, the miners’ drug of choice here in the jungles of northern Myanmar. Three years later he finally found what he had come for — a jade rock “as green as a summer leaf.” He spent some of the $6,000 that a Chinese trader paid him on a motorcycle, a cellphone and gambling. “The rest disappeared into my veins,” he said, as dozens of other gaunt miners in varying states of withdrawal passed the time at a rudimentary rehabilitation clinic here. “The Chinese bosses know we’re addicted to heroin, but they don’t care. Their minds are filled with jade.” Mr. Sang Aung Bau Hkum, now 24, is just one face of a trade — like blood diamonds in Africa — that is turning good fortune into misery. Myanmar’s booming jade industry should be showering the nation, one of the world’s poorest, with prosperity. Instead, much of the wealth it generates remains in control of elite members of the

INTELLIGENCE

Hurdles for women who marry young. PAGE 24

Soe Aung, 24, has been addicted to heroin for six of the eight years he has worked in Myanmar’s mines. military, the rebel leaders fighting them for greater autonomy and the Chinese financiers with whom both sides collude to smuggle billions of dollars’ worth of the gem into China. Such rampant corruption has not only robbed the government of billions in tax revenue for rebuilding after decades of military rule, it has also helped finance a bloody ethnic conflict and unleashed an epidemic of heroin use and H.I.V.

WORLD TRENDS

Beyond the boom in South America. PAGE 25

MONEY & BUSINESS

Chinese brands with Western flavor. PAGE 30

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

The latest robots to do the chores. PAGE 32

THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

Sanctity of Truth

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

O P I N I O N & C O M M E N TA RY In January 1992, Bill Clinton, then the governor of Arkansas, left the presidential campaign trail to fly home for the execution of a man named Ricky Ray Rector. Mr. Clinton’s decision not to grant clemency to Mr. Rector, who had been sentenced to death for killing a police officer, was widely seen as an attempt to fend off the familiar charge that Democrats were soft on crime. On December 31, Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland, whose name has been mentioned among potential 2016 Democratic presidential candidates, commuted the sentences of the last four inmates on the state’s death row. Maryland abolished the death penalty in 2013, but only for

ED I T O R I A L S O F T H E T I M ES

Shift on the Death Penalty new sentences. In resentencing the condemned men to life without parole, Mr. O’Malley said that leaving their death sentences in place would “not serve the public good of the people of Maryland.” Whether or not Mr. O’Malley runs for president, his action is a mark of how quickly the death penalty debate in America has shifted. Liberals have long opposed capital punishment, and now more conservatives are

speaking out against it as well, variously describing it as immoral, unjust, racist, arbitrary, costly and ineptly carried out. Thirty-five people were put to death in 2014, the fewest in 20 years, according to a report in December by the Death Penalty Information Center. While twothirds of those executed were black, only six had been convicted of killing a black person, even though blacks make up almost

half of all murder victims. Another sign of the times: Fewer people are put on death row. There were 72 new death sentences in 2014, the lowest number since 1974. In various decisions, the Supreme Court has helped to reduce these numbers, barring the execution of the mentally ill, the intellectually disabled and those who were minors at the time of their crimes. But states have found ways around those

rulings, and have executed many people who fall into one or more of these categories. A study published last June in the Hastings Law Journal found that of the last 100 people to be put to death, one-third had evidence of an intellectual disability, borderline intellectual functioning or a traumatic brain injury. At least 20 others had, or showed symptoms of, mental illness. In 2014, for the first time, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found that a majority of Americans favored life without parole over the death penalty. Mr. O’Malley’s move may seem unusual among American politicians, but it reflects the views of a growing segment of the country.

INTELLIGENCE/TAHMIMA ANAM

PAUL KRUGMAN

The Curse of Early Marriage

Twin Peaks Planet

Dhaka, Bangladesh It’s wedding season in Dhaka. The invitations have gone out — thick, gilded envelopes inviting people to functions at fancy hotels. Apartment buildings, sometimes even entire city streets, are festooned with fairy lights. A school friend of mine (I can’t use her name) married when we were both in our 20s. It seemed a modern love match. She had known the groom since high school; they had attended college on the East Coast of the United States, and returned to Dhaka after completing their degrees. It was a fancy wedding, with D.J.s, matching outfits for the wedding party and a hotel reception. A few weeks after the wedding, my friend told me a story I’ve never forgotten. She said she had gone to her in-laws’ house for lunch and that her mother-inlaw had cooked shrimp curry, a favorite of the newlywed couple. As the dishes were served, her husband’s mother announced: “Make sure you give the biggest shrimp to my son.” This surprised my friend, but she smiled obediently and served up the biggest shrimp to her husband. A week later, they were invited to lunch at her parents’ house. Shrimp curry was again on the menu. This time, it was her own mother who said, “Give the biggest shrimp to your husband.” In my view, this was the beginning of the end of my friend’s claim to equality. Perhaps that sounds petty — what’s a couple of shrimp? — but the story hints at a greater injustice. When my friend went to her in-laws’ house, she was asked Send comments to intelligence@nytimes.com.

to make a show of serving her husband when he was capable of serving himself, in a house where, technically, she was the guest. And then, even in her own home, her status was reduced. You couldn’t call her match an “early marriage” — that term is reserved for women who marry below the legal age of 18 (as a majority here do, some as young as 12) — but I believe she married too young. She was educated, chose her own husband and went on to have a successful career. Yet there is a subtle form of hegemony masked by the pomp of a lavish wedding and a pretense of equality. It dictates that a daughter-in-law is to be scrutinized and a son-in-law to be exalted. A recent study by the development organization Plan Bangladesh and the nonprofit International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, showed that 64 percent of women ages 20 to 24 were married before the age of 18. Early marriage and early motherhood are the cause of a host of social and health problems, from a greater incidence of domestic violence to an increased risk of child and maternal mortality. Young brides stop going to school (according to Unicef, 5.6 million Bangladeshi children have dropped out early because of marriage) and thus have fewer opportunities. The government’s response to this study has been a proposal to lower the legal age of marriage to 16. The minister for women and children’s affairs, Meher Afroz Chumki, commented: “In our country, girls become matured by the age of 14. This may become a burden for many families. If the country allows the parents to marry their daughters off at young age, many social problems

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may cease to exist as well.” The minister for health and family affairs, Zahid Maleque, confused matters further by insisting that the problem was elopement, claiming that “rural adolescent girls run away from home to get married.” What united the two officials was the idea of an adolescent girl whose sexual maturity is a danger to her family, and of marriage as a way to control female sexual behavior. This, rather than a system that limits choices for young women, was the problem in their view. Bangladesh is credited with having made great strides in gender equality through an emphasis on girls’ education and better access to health care. The government is also expanding a system of stipends aimed at keeping girls in school. But these programs can’t succeed until marriage stops being a prized rite that a woman must undergo at a young age, forfeiting her independence, her educational attainment and, in many cases, her emotional and physical well-being. For a girl in a remote village, the reasons for marrying early are largely economic. Families often marry off their daughters to avoid hefty dowry payments since the younger a bride is, the less her parents have to pay. My friend who had a big-city wedding seems far removed from the village girl whose parents force her to marry in her teens, but they are part of the same system. The glorification of marriage, in which parents spend a huge slice of their income on a wedding, means that their children can’t withstand the social pressure to marry young. The responsibility of our elected officials should be to protect young women from regressive customs that limit their potential. Despite the politicians’ inadequate response, the future looks promising: Studies show that the rate of early marriage is declining. But we have a long way to go to reverse the age-old assumption that an adolescent girl is a problem to which the solution is marriage.

In 2014, soaring inequality in advanced nations finally received the attention it deserved, as Thomas Piketty’s “Capital in the Twenty-First Century” became a surprise best seller. The usual suspects are still in well-paid denial, but, to everyone else, it is now obvious that income and wealth are more concentrated at the very top than they have been since the Gilded Age — and the trend shows no sign of letting up. But that’s a story about developments within nations, and, therefore, incomplete. You want to supplement Piketty-style analysis with a global view, and when you do, I’d argue, you get a better sense of the good, the bad and the potentially very ugly of the world we live in. So let me suggest that you look at a chart of income gains around the world produced by Branko Milanovic of the City University of New York Graduate Center (which I will be joining this summer). What Mr. Milanovic shows is that income growth since the fall of the Berlin Wall has been a “twin peaks” story. Incomes have, of course, soared at the top, as the world’s elite becomes ever richer. But there have also been huge gains for what we might call the global middle — largely consisting of the rising middle classes of China and India. Income growth in emerging nations has produced huge gains in human welfare, lifting hundreds of millions of people out of desperate poverty. But between the ever-richer global elite and the rising Chinese middle class lies what we might call the valley of despond: Incomes have grown slowly, if at all, for people around the 20th percentile of the world income distribution. Who are these people? Basically, the advanced-country working classes. The travails of workers in rich countries are, in ways, the flip side of the

gains above and below them. Perhaps more importan, the wealthy exert a vastly disproportionate effect on policy. And elite priorities have done a lot to deepen the valley of despond. So who speaks for those left behind? You might have expected conventional parties of the left to take a populist stance on behalf of working classes. But mostly what you get — from leaders ranging from François Hollande of France to Ed Milliband of Britain to President Barack Obama — is mumbling. The problem with these conventional leaders is that they’re afraid to challenge elite priorities, in particular the obsession with budget deficits, for fear of being considered irresponsible. And that leaves the field open for unconventional leaders who are willing to address the anger and despair of ordinary citizens. The Greek leftists who may come to power this month are arguably the least scary of the bunch, although their demands for debt relief and an end to austerity may provoke a tense standoff with Brussels. Elsewhere, however, we see the rise of nationalist, anti-immigrant parties like France’s National Front and the U.K. Independence Party, or UKIP, in Britain — and there are even worse people out there. All of this suggests some uncomfortable historical analogies. Remember, this is the second time we’ve had a global financial crisis followed by a prolonged worldwide slump. Then, as now, any effective response to the crisis was blocked by elite demands for balanced budgets and stable currencies. And the eventual result was to deliver power into the hands of people who were, shall we say, not very nice. I’m not suggesting that we’re on the verge of fully replaying the 1930s. But that valley of despond is very real. And bad things will happen if we don’t do something about it.

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THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Sanctity of Truth

WORLD TRENDS NEWS ANALYSIS

Boom Recedes, but Some Might Avert Bust By WILLIAM NEUMAN

LIMA, Peru — The president of Venezuela calls for budget cuts as plummeting oil prices slash the country’s export income. Peru relaxes environmental regulations to clear the way for major mining projects, hoping to lift production in the face of falling prices of copper, gold and other metals. In Brazil, hurt by slumping prices for iron and soybean exports, a new, business-friendly cabinet is expected to cut spending and eliminate tax breaks. For a decade, the continent was transformed by sustained economic growth and historic reductions in poverty, driven by a boom in prices for the region’s abundant commodities, including oil, natural gas, copper, gold, iron, soybeans and corn. But now that boom is over, prices for those products are falling and questions hang over the region. Will the good times be followed by a bust, as has happened repeatedly over the decades? Will governments react as they have before by loading up on debt and ignoring the danger signs? Or will things be different? José Antonio Ocampo, a former finance minister of Colombia who is a professor at Columbia University in New York, said many countries in the region are better positioned now. The key measure across the region, he said, is that the ratio of external debt to foreign reserves is at a historic low.

MERIDITH KOHUT FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Falling crude prices hurt Venezuela, which got 95 percent of its export income from oil in 2013. An oil worker. “Latin America has less debt and more reserves, less liabilities and more assets,” he said. That gives countries a greater ability to borrow money to bridge shortfalls or pay for government stimulus measures. Many countries also have built stronger institutions, such as central banks and banking regulators, while finance ministers are often better prepared and, it is hoped, able to benefit from an understanding of past mistakes. Jorge Familiar, the World Bank’s vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean, said, “Ten or 15 years ago we would be talking about crisis management, and right now we’re talking about growth strategies.”

In Brazil, after years of steady growth and poverty reduction, the economy has stagnated. Prices for some of its main exports, including iron ore and soybeans, have fallen. President Dilma Rousseff, a leftist re-elected to a second term in October, has signaled that she will make economic growth a priority in her new term, choosing an economic team widely seen as being pro-business. They have a chance of succeeding, Mr. Ocampo said, because Brazil has developed a large manufacturing sector that could be the beneficiary of the region’s new economic reality. When commodity prices are high, the currencies of exporting

countries tend to rise in value. That can hurt manufacturing, since a stronger currency means that exported manufactured goods become more expensive to foreign buyers. Currencies are now depreciating. In Peru, which depended heavily on mining operations for annual growth of more than 6 percent from 2002 to 2012, part of the government’s new strategy is to streamline or scale back environmental regulations, including efforts to speed up the process of evaluating environmental impact statements, setting penalties for officials who do not meet deadlines and rolling back recent increases in fines for many environmental violations. “It just got cheaper to pollute,” said Ricardo Giesecke, a former environment minister who is critical of the changes. With metals prices now lower, Peru’s central bank predicts the economy will grow by just 3 percent this year. Alonso Segura, the Peruvian finance minister, said the environmental measures should help the country’s economic growth. Infrastructure projects, like a Lima mass transit train line and a gas pipeline in southern Peru, will also generate jobs. Perhaps no country is more troubled than Venezuela, which in 2013 received more than 95 percent of its export income from oil. But oil prices have tumbled since the summer. President Nicolás Maduro said

Strong reserves will help some South American countries. recently that the collapse had cut his country’s hard currency income by about a third. The Venezuelan economy was in bad shape before the oil price drop, with inflation of more than 60 percent, by far the highest rate in the region, and chronic shortages of consumer goods — a state of affairs for which, rightly or wrongly, most Venezuelans blame Mr. Maduro. Now most economists believe it is in recession. The economy is also burdened by price controls, a greatly overvalued currency and a central bank that has been printing vast amounts of money. At the same time, yields have soared on the country’s bonds, a signal that investors are concerned about a possible default. Mr. Maduro has said that will not happen and many economists say that it is unlikely. Yet Mr. Maduro has only sharpened investors’ fears by attributing the country’s problems to enemies waging an “economic war.” It is not clear whether they were soothed when Mr. Maduro said in a recent speech that in 2015 he would put aside most of his other duties to focus exclusively on the economy.

AALSMEER JOURNAL

Geert Hageman of Triflor, a highend Dutch grower, says his firm has found fresh markets in Eastern Europe and Russia. Far left, buyers no longer need to go to Aalsmeer to bid on roses.

World’s Flower Hub Feels the Ground Shift By CHRISTOPHER F. SCHUETZE

AALSMEER, the Netherlands — Each weekday morning, buyers descend on Aalsmeer, about a half-hour southwest of Amsterdam, arriving at a warehouse of about two million square meters. They squeeze onto benches, glare at computer screens and, with the push of a button, bid on flowers ranging from amaryllis, chrysanthemums and gerbera to kangaroo paws, roses and, of course, the famed Dutch tulips. Then, from nearby Schiphol airport, the flowers can be sent across the planet. More than half of the world’s cut flowers are bought and sold at the auction here, which has been the hub of the global flower trade since the early 20th century. But the auction is in the midst of an upheaval. There has been the growth of presales and direct shipping. And, today, virtually anyone with an Internet connection and a buyer’s license can bid via computer at the auction without actually having to come and inspect the stems. “It was more fun 10 years ago,” said Marco Schouten, a buyer for FloriBizz who purchases roses

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ILVY NJIOKIKTJIEN FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

for florists in Italy and Spain. “There was noise and friendship.” As recently as a decade ago, virtually all cut flowers sold to wholesalers were sold here. In 2013, only half were. Many smaller growers have dropped from the marketplace in recent years. The cooperative FloraHolland says that from 2008, when the financial crisis started, to 2013, its membership dropped to 4,600 growers from 5,100. “We’ve had this system that has been very dominant for more than a hundred years

ONLINE: BIDDING ON BLOSSOMS

A video on the challenges for the Aalsmeer flower auction: nytimes.com Search Aalsmeer

that is more or less changing or disappearing,” said Herman de Boon, the chairman of the Dutch Flower Wholesale Association. Even so, the flower industry — still more than 5 percent of the Netherlands’ gross domestic product — has been remarkably resilient. Geert Hageman, a tulip grower, pointed to the opening of fresh markets in Eastern

Europe and Russia. In the 2008-2013 period, the industry’s annual profits actually grew to 4.5 billion euros (about $5.6 billion) a year from 4.1 billion euros, in transactions for 12.4 billion flowers. And buyers still come to examine flowers in cooling rooms before the auction starts at 6 a.m. They watch an enormous clock that sets the price for flowers, counting down usually from a euro per stem. But many are buying at a distance. Mr. Hageman himself rarely goes to the auction now, though he is only 50 kilometers

away. He follows the action from a terminal in his office. More of the flowers also never actually see the auction hall. Cheaper roses are mostly grown in Africa and sold directly to big retailers, such as the German discount chain Lidl or the British supermarket giant Tesco, which prefer fixed contracts to the daily fluctuation of the auction clock. Eric van Heck of the Rotterdam School of Management said the vibrant Dutch flower auction may yet prevail. “It’s about connecting and creating a digitized platform to trade flowers,” he said.

THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

Sanctity of Truth

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

WORLD TRENDS

Digging for Jade in Myanmar Brings Misery to Many Continued from Page 23 and drug trades. Even the simplest information is not publicly available — including which companies operate the mines. But interviews with jade miners and executives in Myitkyina, and with gem traders, diplomats and nongovernmental organizations, reveal a dizzyingly corrupt and brutal industry funded almost completely by Chinese trade. Their descriptions of the harsh conditions at the mines were corroborated by rare footage filmed there by a local journalist hired by The New York Times. The video from inside the checkpoints shows lush rolling hills scarred by craters that descend for hundreds of meters into pits. There, hundreds of men worked in the searing heat with rudimentary shovels or their hands. Also visible in the footage: an open-air heroin shooting gallery, hard up against a mine. Dau Hka, with the political wing of the rebel Kachin Independence Army, said mining companies in areas under the rebels’ control “donate” money to them. The K.I.A. also makes money by helping Chinese companies smuggle jade through the jungle into China, according to activists and a Chinese jade importer. Yet the fighters’ spoils pale in comparison to those of the Burmese military elite, whose companies receive the choicest tracts of mining land, according to miners and international rights groups. Some military officers are also involved in smuggling. The jade trade created a market for drugs among the thousands of Kachin laborers who flocked to the mines. Ze Hkaung Lazum, 27, said heroin is sold in bamboo huts “like vegetables in a market” for Jonah M. Kessel contributed reporting. Chen Jiehao and Becky Davis contributed research.

ADAM DEAN FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Chinese demand for jade has failed to bring prosperity to Myanmar. Dealers inspecting jade at a market in Mandalay. ONLINE: THE JADE TRAIL

Images and rare footage of Myanmar’s jade industry: nytimes.com Search Lazum

between $4 and $8 a hit. Miners squat in the open, next to piles of used needles, with syringes hanging from their arms. Prostitutes wait nearby, offering 20 minutes for $6. Some miners say they need the drug to steel themselves for their backbreaking and dangerous work; others say they simply fell into addiction because the drug was so easily available, with some heroin dealers accepting jade as payment. Miners say at least four out of

five workers are habitual drug users. Users who overdose are buried near the mines. Kachin activists estimate that a sizable majority of Kachin youths are addicts; the World Health Organization has said about 30 percent of injecting drug users in Myitkyina have contracted H.I.V. Like many locals, Tang Goon, who works on an antidrug project, believes the government is distributing heroin to weaken the ethnic insurgency, with the military allowing pushers past their checkpoints. “Heroin is their weapon,” he said. But many human rights activists reserve their harshest criticism for China. “China prioritizes naked greed

over any concern for the local population or how the jade is extracted,” said David Mathieson of Human Rights Watch. Jade has fired the Chinese imagination for thousands of years. To this day, many Chinese believe the stone wards off misfortune and heals the body. The state-affiliated Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China estimates that annual sales of jade, more than half of which comes from Myanmar, are as high as $5 billion. China’s ambassador to Myanmar, Yang Houlan, confirmed that some Chinese are breaking Burmese laws, but he said Beijing was trying to clamp down. Activists dispute that. And without a stronger push for re-

China’s Revived Maoists Attack Dissent Continued from Page 23 criticism of Mao threaten the party. China’s old guard leftists are a loose network of officials and former officials, sons and daughters of party veterans, and anti-Western academics and journalists. Chris Buckley, Andrew Jacobs and Jonathan Ansfield contributed reporting.

CORRECTION

An article last week about the actor David Oyelowo, who plays the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the new film “Selma,” misidentified Mr. Oyelowo’s role in the movie “Interstellar.” He was a school principal, not an astronaut.

They look back to the precepts of Mao to try to reverse the effects of China’s free-market policies and the spread of values anathema to party tradition. And while their direct influence on the party leadership has been circumscribed, they have served as the party’s eager ideological inquisitors. Document Number 30 demands cleansing Western-inspired liberal ideas from universities and other cultural institutions, according to Song Fangmin, a retired major-general. The directive formed a sequel to Document Number 9, which Mr. Xi authorized in April 2013, launching an offensive against ideas such as “civil society,” General Song said. Unlike Document Number 9, Number 30 has not been openly published. But some of Mr. Xi’s comments have appeared in party publications, and refer-

Qiao Mu, a Beijing journalism professor, was demoted last fall in part for espousing free speech and a multiparty system.

Journalists, artists and professors feel the pressure. ences to it have surfaced on the websites of universities, party organizations and leftist groups, illuminating how the directive has coursed through the government. Its effects have been apparent. Newspapers have accused universities of serving as incubators for antiparty thought. The campaign has alarmed liberal academics, who fear that Mr. Xi is reviving the denunciations of internal foes that have been rare since Chairman Mao convulsed the nation with his diatribes against bourgeois

form from China, they say, they have little hope that conditions will improve. Shi Hongyue, vice secretary general of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, refused to discuss the ills plaguing the Burmese jade trade. “Honestly,” he said, “the amount of drugs they’re using isn’t really that much.” One addict, Mung Hkwang, 21, was shivering despite the heat as he lay in the Change in Christ rehab center’s thatch-roofed dormitory in Myitkyina. His ankle was shackled to his bed. Heroin, he said, “ruined my life and destroyed my education.” Just weeks later, Mr. Mung Hkwang ran away and died from a heroin overdose.

GILLES SABRIE FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

thinking. Some, like Wu Si, a liberal historian, take a longer view, and argue that realpolitik will eventually force Mr. Xi to adopt a more moderate position. “It’s a self-defensive strategy against those who might try to call him a neoliberal,” Mr. Wu said. The ideological policing has sent a chill through China’s liberal intelligentsia. Several academics said they were staying quiet

for the time being. Others said they had already experienced what they liken to an ideological purge. Since October, Qiao Mu, 44, has been relegated to clerical drudgery, summarizing English-language books, as retribution, he says, for his advocacy of Western-style journalism and a long affiliation with liberal civil society groups in China. Officially, he is being punished for defying superiors who had withheld permission for him to travel abroad for conferences. But privately, school officials acknowledge growing pressure from above. Some friends have suggested that he leave China. “I want to stay in my motherland,” he said, adding, “As I like to say, I have everything I need here in China, except freedom.”

THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Sanctity of Truth

WORLD TRENDS

Big Tobacco Refuses to Quit The cigarette business has been under assault for some time now. Even the French are reconsidering their smoking habits. But that doesn’t mean nicotine is LENS going out of favor. And it doesn’t mean the big tobacco companies are surrendering. After their late entry into the young but growing electronic cigarette industry, tobacco companies are pushing to establish their place in the market for tobacco alternatives. The Times reported recently from a high-tech research center in Neuchatel, Switzerland, where 300 scientists for Philip Morris International are working on ways to deliver nicotine more effectively than current e-cigarettes do. “Our efforts are guided by

Trying to do the right thing or just being cynical? two objectives,” Dr. Patrick Picavet of Philip Morris told The Times. “To develop a range of products that can be scientifically substantiated to reduce risks and that are acceptable substitutes for smokers who can’t or aren’t willing to quit.” Skeptics, mindful of the industry’s history of deception, doubt the tobacco companies’ motives. Consider the voluntary warning labels that some companies put on their e-cigarettes, which go further than the warnings on their real cigarettes. The Times noted this one from Altria on a pack of nicotine cartridges: “Nicotine is addictive and habit forming, and is very toxic by inhalation, in contact with the skin, or if swallowed.” The warning continues for more than 100 words. “When I saw it, I nearly fell off my chair,” said Dr. Robert K. Jackler of the Stanford For comments, write to nytweekly@nytimes.com.

School of Medicine in California. “Is this part of a noble effort for the betterment of public health, or a cynical business strategy? I suspect the latter.” Some observers suspect that tobacco companies want to appear more responsible than smaller e-cigarette makers, and to protect themselves from liability. But William Phelps, a spokesman for Altria, said the warnings reflect “a goal to openly and honestly communicate about health effects.” And Stephanie Cordisco, the president of the R. J. Reynolds e-cigarette division, told The Times, “We’re here to make sure we can put this industry on the right side of history.” One European tobacco company, Swedish Match, is taking the opposite approach, though: It has asked American regulators to let it soften the warnings on its own smoking alternative, snus, which is akin to chewing tobacco but without all the spitting. Snus is banned in the European Union outside of Sweden, and Swedish Match does not dispute its risks. But risk, it suggests, is relative, and it wants package labels to reflect that. The Times noted that the current warning on snus sold in the United States says that it can cause mouth cancer and isn’t a safe alternative to smoking. Instead, the company wants this label: “No tobacco product is safe, but this product presents substantially lower risks to health than cigarettes.” Worried about encouraging nicotine addiction — and an eventual trail back to real cigarettes — public-health advocates have resisted saying that some products are less dangerous than others. But some scholars and others say this is a reasonable issue given people’s tendencies to do things that are bad for them. “We do strange things,” Patrik Hildingsson, a Swedish Match executive, told The Times. “We marry each other, we have religion, we have sex without reproduction, we enjoy theater and culture. We enjoy a drink now and then, and we enjoy our nicotine. It’s what makes us human.” ALAN MATTINGLY

REGIS DUVIGNAU/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Some tobacco companies put warning labels on e-cigarette vials that go further than warnings on real cigarettes.

PATRICK CHAPPATTE

Erdogan Sees Threats in Cartoons Turkish police questioned a protester with a International New York Times cartoon, above. A cartoon with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spraying tear gas with a hand-shaped tongue.

By SEBNEM ARSU

ISTANBUL — In the cartoon, an image of Recep Tayyip Erdogan stands watch while two thieves empty a safe full of cash. “No need to rush,” one of the thieves says with a grin. “We have a holographic watchman.” The message in the cartoon, published in February in Cumhuriyet, an opposition newspaper, was unmistakable, coming as members of the Turkish leader’s inner circle were targeted in a corruption investigation. Mr. Erdogan was not amused. The offending cartoonist, Musa Kart, was taken to court on charges of insulting the prime minister (now the president), violating the privacy of an investigation and committing libel. Mr. Kart was acquitted in October, leaving him free, for the moment — Mr. Erdogan’s lawyer has appealed the decision — to keep challenging authority with his caricatures of Turkey’s rich and powerful. “This repetitive cycle of legal actions affects all cartoonists, writers, intellectuals in this country,” Mr. Kart said. “We will continue to work and express what we think for the good of our future generations.” But the episode points to an increasingly difficult environment for editorial cartoonists, who have long been a staple of Turkey’s political culture, as Mr. Erdogan has shown less tolerance for criticism and dissent. Critics of Mr. Erdogan and his government have found themselves embroiled in criminal lawsuits while dozens have lost their jobs — victims, critics say, of government efforts to intimidate dissidents. Cartoonists continue to publish their work in a range of independent publications and have branched out into social media. But they are worried about what they see as an increasingly oppressive political climate. Mr. Kart, who faced a libel suit by Mr. Erdogan in 2004, had been left alone in recent years. But Mr. Kart’s cartoon about the corruption investigation, which Mr. Erdogan has characterized as an

MUSA KART

attempt by a rival Islamic group to overthrow his government,apparently proved too much for him. The investigation, which resulted in the resignations of three ministers, was seen as one of the most serious threats to Mr. Erdogan’s rule. “This case not only represents an attack on free speech but also a betrayal of Turkey’s artistic and democratic heritage,” said Alev Yaman, a researcher for a London-based media rights organization. Mr. Kart’s case was taken up

Intolerant of a longheld tradition of political satire. by cartoonists worldwide in a Twitter campaign after Martin Rowson of The Guardian appealed for caricatures of Mr. Erdogan. A protester’s questioning by the police after holding up a cartoon that appeared in The International New York Times in December has also raised concerns about media freedoms. The cartoon, by Patrick Chappatte, showed Mr. Erdogan slicing meat from a spit emblazoned with a Turkish flag with the word “DEMOCRACY” on it. “It had absolutely nothing to do

with slicing up the Turkish flag,” said Bayram Ali Hanedar, 29, a mathematics teacher, who held up the cartoon. “It was about raids on media organizations, tearing Turkish democracy apart.” Many cartoon magazines in Turkey are small, independent and privately owned, which gives them a financial freedom that many in the mainstream media do not have. Leading titles include Leman, Uykusuz and Penguen. When mainstream publications initially ignored the antigovernment protests in June 2013, social media proved instrumental as alternative news sources. But the cartoon magazines also helped fill the void. Circulation surged for some magazines. From an average of 55,000 copies a week, Penguen’s circulation peaked at 80,000 during the protests. “We were there to express anger and frustration that is not easily translated into words,” said Selcuk Erdem of Penguen. For Mr. Kart, that frustration was encapsulated by his day in court, which came just a week after all 96 suspects in the corruption investigation he criticized in his cartoon were acquitted. “I feel like we are in a cartoon now,” Mr. Kart said in his testimony. “I must say it is quite funny that while all charges against the corruption suspects have been dropped, I am the only one here standing accused.”

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Sanctity of Truth

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

WORLD TRENDS

C.I.A.’s Mandate Is Left Untouched By MARK MAZZETTI

WASHINGTON — Over a lunch in Washington in 1976, James J. Angleton, for years the ruthless chief of counterintelligence at the C.I.A., likened the agency to a medieval city occupied by an invading army. “Only, we have been occupied by Congress,” he told a young congressional investigator. “With our files rifled, our officials humiliated, and our agents exposed.” The spymaster had endured a public grilling about his role in domestic spying operations by a select committee headed by Senator Frank Church, a Democrat from Idaho, that spent years looking into intelligence abuses. The Central Intelligence Agency, used to doing what it wanted, was in the midst of convulsions that would remake its mission. Nearly four decades later, another Senate committee’s allegations that the C.I.A. has engaged in torture, lying and cover-up have stirred echoes of the Church era — raising the question of whether the agency is in for another period of change. But the scathing report the Senate Intelligence Committee delivered in December is unlikely to significantly change the role the C.I.A. now plays in running America’s secret

Lawmakers’ review does not diminish a spy agency.

the September 11 attacks arrived in the midst of renewed fears of global terrorism, the rise of the Islamic State and videos of American hostages being beheaded. Loch K. Johnson, a professor at the University of Georgia and a former Church Committee investigator, said that the committee did its work “in a semi-benign period of international affairs.” “There wasn’t the same kind of fear in the air,” he said. Senator Angus King of Maine, a member of the Intelligence Committee, said that Hollywood depictions of torture have distorted the public’s view of its efficacy. “Every week, Jack Bauer saves civilization by torturing someone, and it works,” he said, referring to the television show “24.” The C.I.A. describes the practices as enhanced interrogation techniques, not torture. Regardless, the Obama administration has made clear that it has no plans to make anyone legally accountable. During the presidential campaign in 2008, Mr. Obama railed against the intelligence agency’s use of torture and secret prisons during the Bush administration, and shuttered the detention program during his first week in office. But he has empowered the John O. Brennan, left, last month; agency in other ways and James J. Angleton, who was — including allowing questioned in the 1970s. its director to make the final decisions about drone strikes in Pakistan. wars. A number of factors — “Many presidents tend to be from steadfast backing by Consmitten with the instruments gress and the White House to of the intelligence community,” strong public support for clansaid a former Obama adminisdestine operations — ensure that an agency that has been tration official. “I think Obama ascendant since President was more smitten than most.” Barack Obama came into office John O. Brennan, the C.I.A. is not likely to see its mission didirector, said during his confirminished any time soon. mation hearing in 2013 that he The Church Committee’s wanted to refocus the agency revelations came at the end of on missions like espionage. But America’s wrenching military the effort has been slow going involvement in Vietnam, and for a number of reasons. For during a period of détente with instance, the congressional the Soviet Union. The disclointelligence committees have vigorously tried to block transsures of C.I.A. assassination schemes and spying on Vietferring drone operations to the defense department. nam War protesters fueled a As America’s spying appafury among many Americans who had grown cynical. ratus has grown larger, richer The grim details led to a gutand more powerful than during any other time in its history, it ting of the agency’s ranks and has become ever harder for a ban on assassinations. They those keeping watch over it. also led to the creation of the “We are 15 people overseeing congressional intelligence a $50 billion enterprise,” said committees and a requirement Senator King, speaking of the that the C.I.A. regularly report Senate Intelligence Commitits covert activities to the oversight panels. tee. “I can’t tell you I know with By contrast, the Senate Incertainty every intelligence program this enterprise is entelligence Committee’s recent report on C.I.A. excesses since gaged in.”

OMAR SOBHANI/REUTERS

Zubair Hatami, a journalist, died after being injured in a Taliban attack in Kabul last month.

Factions Sabotage Taliban’s Image By AZAM AHMED

KABUL, Afghanistan — A series of kidnappings and robberies struck northern Helmand Province this summer, embarrassing the Taliban leaders who controlled the area. The Taliban leadership based in Pakistan ordered a hunt to find the criminals, but soon discovered an inconvenient truth: Their own people were behind the banditry, earning thousands of dollars in ransoms every month. Within a matter of days, the culprits had been executed. The episode highlights questions: More than 13 years after the war here started, who exactly are the Taliban? Are they the bandits? Or are they the disciplined leaders who hanged the fighters? Increasingly, it appears, they are both. More than a decade of constant fighting has changed the movement that the American-led invasion helped remove from power in 2001. Much of the cadre of fighters that first rose up to battle rapacious warlords during the country’s civil war has been killed or remains in exile. On the ground, the movement now relies on a mixed bag of members, many of whom bear no resemblance to the spiritual movement of the 1990s. The significant military gains the Taliban made in the past year have focused new attention on the group’s character and challenges, as its leaders try to make the case to Afghans that they are more legitimate rulers than the American-backed government. Some of the Taliban factions pressing their military goals remain idealists, but many are criminals who have used the Taliban brand to further their lucrative enterprises in the opium trade and commodity smuggling, Afghan and Western officials say. Still others have splintered Ahmad Shakib, Niamatullah Karyab and Khalid Alokozay contributed reporting.

from the mainstream Taliban, having grown more extreme and less inclined to engage in peace talks. A recent report from the United Nations Security Council said that much of the movement was “opposed to reconciliation” with the government, and it said the likelihood that the Taliban’s core leadership could break the internal stalemate was “slim.” “The old Taliban leadership is aging, and they have lost their ability to exert command and control from Pakistan,” said Karl W. Eikenberry, a former American ambassador to Afghanistan. “They lost credibility with younger fighters, but also their grasp of day-to-day combat.” Part of the reason is that battlefield losses to the coalition military campaign have forced a major turnover within the Taliban’s ranks. Scores of midlevel Taliban

Rebels who are seen as both bandits and disciplined fighters. commanders have been killed and replaced in the last decade, leaving a young and more hardened set of field leaders in their place with less connection to the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar, the reclusive emir of the movement who has not been spotted since the war started. From the highest levels of the organization led by Mullah Omar, the group is clearly trying to signal that it is moving away from some of the hard-line policies and practices that defined its harsh rule from 1996 to 2001. In some Afghan areas, it is not uncommon to hear stories of a more farsighted governing style. Insurgent commanders have opened girls’ schools and operate court systems that are seen as more just than the government’s. In some cases, they attend wed-

dings with music without a word of consternation — once unthinkable for a group that banned musical instruments and performances. And the group has been calculatedly aggressive about its publicity campaign on social media. But across the country, villagers living under Taliban control offer a far more complicated picture. Many feel the Taliban have hardly changed at all. They still inflict brutal policies in some areas under their control and are merciless with villagers who cross them. Some refuse to listen to the directives of the leadership, going their own way in how they fight and rule. Even those living in the same district cannot agree on what is happening. The district governor of Marawara says that the government controls 75 percent of the area and that the Taliban have been on a charm offensive to win back popular support. But an elder in the same area says the exact opposite: that the Taliban control 75 percent of the territory and are worse than ever. “There has not been a single percent change in their ideology,” said Hajji Pacha, an elder from the district. “They are still the same bastards.” Ershad Zazai, the Taliban shadow governor of the Sarkano district of Kunar Province, said, “It is very true that we used to have many cruel and imprudent people among us who were misusing their supremacy by harassing ordinary people or beating them.” “But now,” he said, “we do not have such people in our group, or they have changed their behavior because we do not have ruthlessness in the principles of the Islamic Emirate.” While much has changed since 2001, there are areas that value the Taliban way of life. “The Taliban still grabs people’s minds,” one senior diplomat said. “And in a fight about who is right, you must gain the minds of the people. ”

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY

Sanctity of Truth

MONEY & BUSINESS

Austerity Is Connected To Misery in Greece By SUZANNE DALEY

NEA IONIA, Greece — Alexandra Nikolovieni, 55, lost her job escorting young children on a school bus four years ago and has not been able to find another one since. To help financially, her daughter and her son-in-law, who have two children, moved into her house. But now they have lost their jobs, too. Ms. Nikolovieni, who volunteers at a food pantry in this suburb of Athens, says that every month she sees more and more people like her, qualifying for bundles of groceries and picking out used shoes for themselves or their children. “Are things getting better?” she said. “I don’t think so.” Nowhere have austerity policies been more aggressively tried — and have generally failed to live up to results promised by advocates — than in Greece. After more than four years of frugality, patience is wearing thin, and tentative signs of improvement have not yet trickled down into the lives of average Greeks. Now, after its Parliament failed to pick a president in December, forcing early elections, Greece faces a turning point in how to heal its devastated economy. In the January 25 general election, a majority center-right coalition government that has reluctantly stuck with austerity policies will face a charismatic left-wing challenger who says it is time for Greece to take its future into its own hands and do what it can to stimulate growth. Whichever path the country chooses, the outcome is likely Dimitris Bounias, Nikolas Leontopoulos and Nikolia Apostolou contributed reporting.

The long lines at soup kitchens reflect the economy’s struggles, as more than 1.3 million Greeks are still without work. Right, a center that hands out groceries to those in need. PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELOS TZORTZINIS FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

to have broad implications for Greece and its place in the European Union. In 2010, with Greece crippled by debt and threatening the survival of the euro, the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank began imposing German-inspired austerity on the country. The aim was to slash the budget deficit and address problems like corruption and a failure to collect taxes. Such policies, they promised, would get Greece back on its feet, able to borrow again on financial markets. Greeks grudgingly went along, assured that painful reform would return the country to growth by 2012. Instead, Greece lost 400,000 jobs that year and continued on a decline that would see a drop in the gross domestic product since 2008 not much different from the one experienced during the first five years of the

United States’ Great Depression. Greece’s unemployment rate was supposed to top out at 15 percent in 2012, according to International Monetary Fund calculations. But it roared to 25 percent that year, reached 27 percent in 2013 and has ticked downward only slightly since. Now, Greece is no longer spending far more than it receives, when debt payments are excluded, its officials say. It has remained in the European Union, and can again borrow in the bond markets, though at interest rates that have been creeping up again, indicating investors’ concern about the nation’s path. But the failures have been striking, leaving millions of Greeks baffled and angry as their lives disintegrated while the elite often escaped, untaxed and unbothered, experts say. About 900,000 of the more than 1.3 million who are out of work

ONLINE: THE DAILY GRIND

The toll of cutting costs in scenes from Greece’s streets: nytimes.com Search Nea Ionia

have not had a paycheck in more than two years, experts say. Kostas Polychronopoulos, who runs a volunteer soup kitchen in Athens and has been out of a job since 2009, said he had seen many shocking things in recent years, including an old woman in a fur coat who watched from a distance for a long time before finally approaching to accept food. When he insisted on taking her home, he found she was living in an empty apartment. “She didn’t even have water,” he said. Even supporters of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras say that he faces a difficult challenge to persuade the electorate to stay the course after five

years of austerity. His principal opponent, Alexis Tsipras, is promising to defy Greece’s creditors, renegotiate the country’s enormous debt, cut some taxes and work to restore cut pensions. It is unclear if Greece’s creditors would be willing to change their approach or if the country may face expulsion from the eurozone, or the European bloc altogether. Yet for many Greeks who have lost everything, rebellion may be a choice they cannot resist, even if it is a scary one. Michalis Mitsopoulos, an economist who has written two books on the crisis, says many of Mr. Tsipras’s ideas are unworkable. But, he adds, many Greeks are desperate, saying to themselves: “I have no job. I am going to lose my house. My children have no future. What more can happen to me?”

M.B.A. Programs Adapt to Digital Age By STEVE LOHR

Greg Pass, the former chief technology officer of Twitter, put the matter succinctly. The Master of Business Administration, he said, is “a challenged brand.” That’s because the degree suggests a person steeped in finance and corporate strategy rather than in the digital-age arts of speed and constant experimentation — and in skills like A/B testing, rapid prototyping and data-driven decision making, the staples of Silicon Valley. Those skills are not just for high-tech start-ups. They are required now in every industry. And leading business schools are struggling to keep pace. Mr. Pass is on the faculty at Cornell Tech in New York, where an innovative new program brings together M.B.A. candidates and graduate students in computer science. Across America, colleges are adding courses in statistics, data science and A/B testing, which involves testing web page designs to see which attracts more traffic. Graduate business schools

Business schools try speed and constant experimentation. have picked up the digital ethos of experimentation and new ventures. At the Stanford Graduate School of Business in California, 150 elective courses are offered; 28 percent are new this year. “We’re responding to the best practices we see in the outside world like A/B testing and working with massive data sets,” said Garth Saloner, dean of the Stanford business school. “We’re adapting.” So are the students. Once, students who had experience with computer programming were rare at business schools. Today, David B. Yoffie, a professor at Harvard Business School, estimates that a third of the 900 students there have programmed, and far more have undergraduate degrees in the so-called STEM

disciplines — science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Yet lately, many talented young people who might have gone to business school are looking elsewhere. Applications to business graduate schools fell by 1 percent in 2013, the most recent statistics, reports the Council of Graduate Schools. By contrast, applications for computer science and mathematics graduate programs increased by 11 percent. “Business schools are a legacy industry that is trying to adapt to a digital world,” said Douglas M. Stayman, associate dean at Cornell Tech. Mr. Stayman describes the school’s M.B.A. program as a start-up of its own. “Our starting assumption here is that a new kind of education is needed for managing in a digital economy, where speed and integration have to occur at a different level than in the industrial economy,” he said. Cornell Tech, a partnership with Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, began with a handful of computer science students

RICHARD PERRY/THE NEW YORK TIMES

Greg Pass is helping steer Cornell Tech’s innovative M.B.A. program. Amanda Emmanuel is a student. in 2013. The goal of the new “applied sciences” school is to have 2,000 graduate students by 2043. Annual tuition is $93,000. In this first year, 39 business graduate students share a third of their curriculum with 34 graduate students in computer science. Their work includes projects for businesses including banks, hedge funds, larger technology companies and start-ups.

Engineers may be the most valued asset in business today but they tend to just solve the problem in front of them, Mr. Pass said. “But the major business issue, especially for entrepreneurs, is often that problems are not known, need to be discovered or defined in a new way,” he said. “You need a more integrated, broader view of things.”

Sanctity of Truth

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MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

MONEY & BUSINESS

Tight Controls in Cuba Are Barriers to Growth By DAMIEN CAVE

MARIEL, Cuba — When Raúl Castro opened the new container terminal here on Cuba’s northern coast, he described the project and the business zone alongside it as “a transcendent project for the national economy.” Official documents promised big incentives for investors: Foreign companies would be given greater control over setting wages at factories inside the zone; proposals would be approved or rejected within 60 days. Yet a year later, the Cuban government has yet to announce a single foreign investment. In the past few years, more foreign investors have left Cuba than have arrived. Officials insist that interest is high, but some foreign businesspeople say they have been turned off by a government determined to open its economy and political system just a bit to keep free markets and broader freedoms in check. “Fundamentally, it’s all about

Raúl Castro’s small changes have failed to lure investment. maintaining control,” said Ted Piccone, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington. “It’s seeing what works best while still maintaining social and economic controls.” Mr. Castro’s agreement last month with the United States to release political prisoners and normalize relations appears to many experts to be an economic decision at its core. It is driven both by the need for a new source of growth and by a desire to put off, at least for now, more fundamental questions about how deeply the government intends to push changes. Economic growth is expected to be just 1.3 percent for 2014, below the government’s target of 2.2 percent, despite more than five years of new policies that allow Cubans to open small businesses, work abroad, and buy and sell property and cars. Elisabeth Malkin, Randal C. Archibold and Victoria Burnett contributed reporting.

ONLINE: HAVANA’S FORTUNES

Images of a place where opportunity and restriction co-exist: nytimes.com Search Cuba zeal Beyond that, some analysts say that Venezuela, Cuba’s main benefactor, has no choice but to reduce its subsidized oil deliveries to the island because it is teetering toward its own crisis caused by the global plunge in oil prices. Yet according to many economists, President Obama’s plan to allow more interaction between the two countries may not be the lifeline Cuba is hoping for — unless Cuba overcomes its resistance to change as well. In tourism, Cuba is calling for investment in a number of new areas, while stating that in Havana and Varadero, investor participation “will be the exception” as state firms are favored. Cuba has also held to the status quo in other sectors. Farmers have complained that laws adopted in 2008 and 2012 did not go far enough toward ownership. Lease contracts must be reapproved every 10 years. Michael Mora, 32, a farmer harvesting beets outside Havana on a recent day, identified another common problem: transportation to bring products to market. “A lot of times, we use bicycles,” he said. Mr. Obama’s plan includes provisions allowing Americans to export agricultural equipment for small Cuban farmers, building materials for private residential construction, “goods for use by private-sector Cuba entrepreneurs,” telecommunications equipment and the infrastructure needed to expand Internet access. But Cuba bars people from importing supplies for their businesses. Purchases must be made through the state, and profits are limited. Small businesses can be started only in certain sectors, and all face large fees and restrictions. “In Cuba, they are concerned about people becoming rich,” said Carmelo Mesa-Lago, emeritus professor at the University of Pittsburgh. “Unless Cuba transforms its economic system to increase production, even lifting the embargo won’t solve the problem.”

New policies have allowed Cubans to open some small businesses, but economic growth has remained low. MERIDITH KOHUT FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GILLES SABRIE FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Chinese brands may be trying to fight a perception that domestic goods are inferior.

Brands Seek a Foreign Image By DAN LEVIN

BEIJING — Chrisdien Deny, a retail chain with more than 500 locations across China, sells belts, shoes and clothing with an “Italian style” — and a logo with a font similar to Christian Dior’s. Helen Keller, named for the deaf-blind American humanitarian, offers trendy sunglasses and classic spectacles at over 80 stores, with the motto “you see the world, the world sees you.” Frognie Zila, a clothing brand sold in 120 stores in China, boasts that its “international” selection is “one of the first choices of successful politicians and businessmen” and features pictures on its website of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Venetian canals. To make their product appear more sophisticated, many homegrown retail brands have hit upon a similar formula: Choose a non-Chinese name that gives the impression of being foreign. “Buy Chinese brands? Never,” said Fu Rao, 20, a university student, who was browsing at the Japanese outlet store Snidel in a Beijing mall one recent evening. Ms. Fu complained that Chinese products were shoddily made and lacking in style. “Foreign stuff is so much better,” she said. As Chinese retail companies try to attract consumers, mystifying maladaptations of English have spread across the country’s storefronts, shopping bags and clothing labels. Wanko, Hotwind, Scat, Orgee and Marisfrolg (the L is silent) all sell clothing. A sponsor of China’s national golf team is the apparel chain Biemlfdlkk. For years, as China’s economic growth soared into the double digits, branding was largely considered a low priority marketing decision left to executives more concerned with the next product introduction than with building long-term value, said Joel Backaler, author of “China Goes West,” a book on Chinese companies seeking to Chen Jiehao and Becky Davis contributed research.

build international brands. In China, many Western brands have chosen a Mandarin-language name that will convey relevant qualities to consumers, like Coca-Cola, whose Chinese brand name — Kekoukele — translates as Tasty Fun. Other foreign brands such as Cadillac stick with a phonetic transliteration that has no Chinese meaning, signaling their foreign cachet. Some local companies have gone the same route. The golf apparel brand Biemlfdlkk, sold in over 450 Chinese stores, goes by Biyinlefen in Mandarin, using four characters that translate literally as “compare music rein fragrant.” While the name may be ambiguous by design, it can make creating a uniform brand identity difficult. A Biemlfdlkk saleswoman in Guangzhou explained, “It’s a German name.” An employee at another

Chinese sunglasses chain links itself to Helen Keller. shop said, “It’s the name of a French designer.” Other local companies have chosen simply to mimic wellknown foreign brands. “Chinese brands copy because they believe it enables them to get an easy, quick win,” said Vladimir Djurovic, president of the Labbrand Consulting Company in Shanghai. “They play on the confusion.” The knockoff casual wear brand Clio Coddle has a green crocodile logo reminiscent of Lacoste. Across China, sneakers are emblazoned with Adidos, Hike, Cnoverse and Fuma — featuring a smoking puma — and there are SQNY batteries and Johnnie Worker Red Labial whiskey. A Chrisdien Deny representative denied that the brand was trying to piggyback on the reputation of Christian Dior, which has dozens of stores in China.

ONLINE: VAGUELY WESTERN

Images of Chinese stores with names inspired by the West: nytimes.com Search Biemlfdlkk

“I’ve never heard of that company,” said the representative, who declined to give her name. Christian Dior declined to comment. Mr. Djurovic said his company’s work creating brand names in the Latin alphabet has increased significantly in recent years, suggesting that Chinese companies are beginning to realize they cannot just transliterate their Mandarin brand names or mimic Western ones if they hope to win the loyalties of customers around the world. So far, only a few domestic brands have succeeded abroad. One is Haier, the world’s top electronic home appliance brand for the last five years. Chinese brand names have stoked international controversy in the past. One of China’s most popular toothpaste brands is known as Darlie in English but Hei Ren, or Black People, in Mandarin. In 1985, Colgate-Palmolive bought 50 percent of the Hong Kong company that owned the brand, which was then called Darkie in English. Its logo was a grinning minstrel in blackface wearing a top hat, tuxedo and bow tie. After years of pressure, Colgate made the logo more racially ambiguous and changed the English name to Darlie, though the Mandarin remains unchanged. Helen Keller glasses would probably have a hard time selling overseas, too. Though the company’s website includes a lengthy biography of Helen Keller, it omits all mention of the disabilities she worked hard to overcome. Reached by phone, a brand manager found nothing problematic about the omission. “So she’s blind and deaf — her personal shortcomings are not related to the spirit of our brand,” said the woman, who gave only her surname, Jiang. “These products help you love and protect your eyes. Why would that be offensive?”

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Sanctity of Truth

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Colleges Try to Enliven the Science Classroom By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

DAVIS, California — Hundreds of students fill the seats, but the lecture hall stays quiet enough for everyone to hear each cough and crumpling piece of paper. The instructor speaks from a podium for nearly the entire 80 minutes. Most students take notes. Some scan the Internet. A few doze. In a nearby hall, an instructor, Catherine Uvarov, peppers students with questions and presses them to explain and expand on their answers. Every few minutes, she has them solve problems in small groups. Running up and down the aisles, she sticks a microphone in front of a startled face, looking for an answer. Both are introductory chemistry classes at the University of California campus here in Davis, but they present a contrast — the traditional and orderly but dull versus the experimental and engaging but noisy. Breaking from practices that many educators say have proved ineffectual, Dr. Uvarov’s class is part of an effort at a small but growing number of American colleges to transform the way science is taught. “We have not done a good job of teaching the intro courses or gateway courses in science and math,” said Hunter R. Rawlings III, president of the Association of American Universities. Multiple studies have shown that students fare better with a more active approach to learning, using some of the tools being adopted here at Davis, while in traditional classes, students often learn less than their teachers think. The University of Colorado, a national leader in the overhaul of teaching science, tested thousands of students over several years, before and after they each

Engaging students in new ways to facilitate learning.

MAX WHITTAKER FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Catherine Uvarov surprises students with her questions at the University of California, Davis. took an introductory physics class, and reported in 2008 that students in transformed classes had improved their scores by about 50 percent more than those in traditional classes. At the University of North Carolina, researchers reported recently that an overhaul of introductory biology classes had yielded a particularly beneficial effect for black students and those whose parents did not go to college. Employers and government officials have spent years complaining that there are too few people — and especially too few women and blacks — with degrees in math and science. In fact, there is no shortage of

interested students, but failure rates in the beginning classes are high. At four-year colleges, 28 percent of students set out as math, engineering and science majors, but only 16 percent of bachelor’s degrees are awarded in those fields. The attrition rate is highest among women and blacks. “A lot of science faculty have seen themselves as gatekeepers,” said Marco Molinaro, an assistant vice provost at Davis. Rather than try to help students who falter in introductory classes, he said, “they have seen it as their job to weed people out and limit access to upper-level courses.” The project here borrows ele-

ments from many sources. Many of the ideas — like new uses of technology, requiring students to work in groups and having them do exercises in class — have caught on, to varying degrees, in grade schools and high schools. But higher education has been slower to change. While teachers at lower levels receive training in teaching methods, most college instructors acquire none. “Higher education has this assumption that if you know your subject, you can teach it, and it’s not true,” Dr. Uvarov said. “I see so much that I was missing before, and that was missing in my own education.” Faculty members say some col-

leagues are reluctant to accept a more boisterous classroom that puts students at center stage. “It’s more work, and you’re not as in control,” said Mitch Singer, the first professor on the Davis campus to teach a new-style introductory biology class. The transition here has barely started — only the biology teaching assistants, plus a few faculty members in biology and chemistry, have undergone any retraining — but already the differences are plain. In their classes, Dr. Singer and Dr. Uvarov walk up to students, pace the aisles, and eavesdrop on working groups. They avoid simple yes-or-no questions and every query has a follow-up, or two or three. “I don’t like getting called on like that,” said Jasmine Do, a first-year student who was one of those singled out by Dr. Uvarov. “But it makes you participate and pay attention because there’s always something new going on, and it makes the time go by really fast.” Faculty members have smartphone apps that let them call on students at random. When the instructors post multiple-choice questions on big screens, students answer with remote controls, providing instant feedback on how much information is sinking in and allowing faculty members to track attendance and participation, even in a class of 500. Dr. Singer said, “It’s already like night and day.”

Jellyfish Buffet at Bottom of the Sea By JAMES GORMAN

In an ocean popularity contest, jellyfish would rank near the bottom. They sting. Their increasing population blooms clog power plant intakes, kill farmed salmon and frighten swimmers. Experts warn of the jellification of the oceans. True, jellyfish are biological marvels, and some achieve a kind

Scavengers have a taste for a species seen as a pest. of immortality. But they are by definition gelatinous, and scientists have spotted them blanketing the ocean floor after die-offs, suggesting that even for indiscriminating scavengers, jellies are not the carrion of choice. However, the first experimental test involving a dead-jellyfish buffet tells a different story. Work done in Norway by Andrew

Sweetman of the International Research Institute of Stavanger and colleagues suggests the impression left by previous oceanfloor observations may be the exception, not the rule. They sank platforms loaded with jellyfish and other platforms loaded with mackerel nearly 1,220 meters deep in the Sognefjord, Norway’s largest fjord. And what they found was that the seafloor cleanup crew — hagfish, crabs and other creatures — gobbled up the jellyfish just as fast as they ate the mackerel. The result was so surprising, Dr. Sweetman said, that the first time the researchers pulled up a bare platform after 18 hours at the bottom of the fjord, “we thought the jellyfish just washed off on the way down.” Then they checked the video. “None of us could believe it,” he said. “It went against everything we thought.” He said, “You can actually see the hagfish burrowing in and eating the energy-rich gonads.” Two kinds of jellyfish, helmet and lion’s mane, were used, and Atlantic mackerel. The research-

ONLINE: OCEAN EXPERIMENT

Video of a deep-sea cleanup crew in action: nytimes.com Search jellyfish

ers matched the amounts they put on the platforms and the size of the pieces. Scavengers arrived in minutes and usually finished the jellyfish in one to two hours and the mackerel in eight hours. “This is exciting work,” said David Billett, of the National Oceanography Center in Southampton, England. In an email, Dr. Billett, who was not involved in the experiments, wrote, “It provides the first direct evidence that when jellyfish die, they don’t just fall to the bottom of the ocean as a pile of mush, but provide much-needed sustenance for a wide variety of deepsea animals.” The cases where jellyfish blanket the bottom, Dr. Billett said, may be rare events, perhaps in areas where jellyfish are not part of the regular diet of scavengers. Lisa A. Levin, the director of the Center for Marine Biodi-

JELLY FALL PROJECT

In the first experimental test involving dead jellyfish, crabs and other creatures ate jellyfish as fast as they ate mackerel. versity and Conservation at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who was not part of the research, said the experiments showed that jellyfish were not “a dead end in the food web.” Instead, they are an important part of the system, which starts with plankton at the surface absorbing carbon dioxide. The plankton are eaten by other creatures, like jellyfish. “We may have been missing a big compo-

nent of the downward transport of carbon,” Dr. Sweetman said. What this means for the overall effect of jellyfish is not clear. They are still competing with other fish, their blooms can still cause problems for power plants, and for reasons that are not clear, they do sometimes end up in a mushy mess on the ocean floor. But they are also far more important to the food web than first realized.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Supercomputer Is Made Of PlayStation Consoles By LAURA PARKER

Gaurav Khanna noticed that the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth physics department was more crowded than usual. Why, he wondered, were so many students suddenly so interested in science? It turns out that news of Dr. Khanna’s success in building a supercomputer using only PlayStation 3 video game consoles had spread quickly last spring; the students just wanted to see nearly 200 consoles stacked on one another. A black hole physicist and associate director of the university’s Center for Scientific Computing and Visualization Research, Dr. Khanna first networked 16 PlayStation 3 consoles in 2007 to help model black hole collisions. His research is focused on gravitational waves, vibrations that ripple through space-time. The waves, first predicted by Einstein’s theory of general relativity, form after a violent astrophysical event, like two black holes smashing together. Because black holes cannot be observed through telescopes, Dr.

Hardware for games is adapted for the study of black holes.

company behind the PlayStation 3, which donated four consoles; the university paid for eight, and Dr. Khanna bought another four. He then installed the Linux operating system on each and plugged them into the Internet. In 2009, Dr. Khanna published a paper in the journal Parallel and Distributed Computing and Systems demonstrating the cell processor of the PlayStation 3 was able to speed up scientific calculations over a traditional computer processor by a factor of nearly 10. The first results of simulations made using the PlayStation 3 supercomputer were published the same year in the journal Classical and Quantum Gravity. Dr. Khanna’s observations caught the attention of the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York. In 2010, the lab built its own PlayStation 3 supercomputer using 1,716 consoles to conduct radar image processing for urban surveillance. Later the lab donated 176 PlayStation 3 consoles to Dr. Khanna’s team, which linked the consoles and housed them in a refrigerated shipping container. The resulting supercomputer, he said, had the computational power of nearly 3,000 laptop DOMINICK REUTER FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES or desktop processors, Gaurav Khanna used almost 200 and cost only $75,000 to PlayStation 3 game consoles in a make — about a tenth supercomputer. The $75,000 cost is the cost of a comparable a tenth that of other supercomputers. supercomputer made using traditional parts. Dr. Khanna has invitKhanna uses supercomputers to ed colleagues from other departcreate simulations of these colliments to use the supercomputer: An engineering team, for exsions. Scientists and engineers rely ample, has signed on to conduct on supercomputers to solve calsimulations that will help design better windmill blades and ocean culations too large for one prowave energy converters, and the cessor to attempt. university’s math department Making a supercomputer rewould like to use the supercomquires a large number of processors — standard desktops, puter as a tool to attract students laptops or the like — and a way into areas like computational to network them. Dr. Khanna math and science. picked the PlayStation 3 for its But the PlayStation 3 superviability and cost, currently $250 computer isn’t suited to all scito $300. Unlike other game conentific applications. Its main limsoles, the PlayStation 3 allows itation is memory: The consoles users to install a preferred operhave very little compared with traditional supercomputers. An ating system. alternative is to switch to a bet“Gaming had grown into a huge market,” Dr. Khanna said. ter processor, like PC graphics “There’s a huge push for perforcards. These are low-cost and exmance, meaning you can buy tremely powerful — each card is low-cost, high-performance the equivalent of 20 PlayStation hardware very easily. I could go 3 consoles in terms of perforout and buy 100 PlayStation 3 conmance. “The next supercomputer soles.” we’re going to build will probably The National Science Founbe made entirely of these cards,” dation, which funds much of Dr. Dr. Khanna said. “It won’t work Khanna’s research, might not for everything, but it will certainhave viewed the bulk buying of video game consoles as a rely cover a large set of scientific and engineering applications, sponsible use of grant money, so especially if we keep improving he reached out to Sony Computon it.” er Entertainment America, the

Robots That Help With Chores By BOB TEDESCHI

At the end of every year in recent memory, it seems, hightech optimists have predicted the next year as the one when robots will finally lift from our shoulders the burden of dreary domestic tasks. That was certainly the case at the close of 2013, said Dan Kara, a robotics analyst with ABI Research. “This was supposed to be the year where everything was going to be different,” Mr. Kara said in December. “Again.” And while that home-robotics revolution didn’t come to fruition in 2014, Mr. Kara said a handful of robotic debuts brought consumers one step closer to a chore-free home. Based on recommendations from specialists, as well as some firsthand tests, here are some notable robots that made their debut last year. Neato Botvac: Vacuums constitute the biggest consumer-robotics category in the marketplace, and they’re getting better. The Neato Botvac ($480 to $600) requires less cleaning than the earliest robotic vacuums, and it features a low profile that helps it sneak under couches. When the battery is low, the Botvac returns to its charging station. Litter-Robot: Changing cat litter is the most dreaded entry on my children’s list of chores. The Litter-Robot may change that. It’s built with a sensor that knows when your cat has visited, and afterward the unit rotates like a giant cement mixer, to sift and deposit clumps into a waste tray. There are downsides: The Litter-Robot is fairly big — about 74 centimeters high and roughly 64 centimeters from front to back — so it may not fit easily in smaller apartments. And at $389, it’s not cheap. And you need to keep it

Household helpers that gained attention in 2014 include, from top, the Scooba 450, the Robomow RS and the LitterRobot, which respectively clean floors, mow grass and, possibly the most welcome of all, change cat litter. ONLINE: THE YEAR IN ROBOTS

More buzzworthy machines for the home: nytimes.com Search home robots

stocked with carbon filters and waste-tray liners. Scooba 450: No company has done more to popularize home robotics than iRobot, the maker of the Roomba vacuum, the Looj gutter cleaner, the Mirra pool cleaner and, in 2014, the Scooba 450 floor scrubber. The $600 device soaks the floor, spreads cleaner and scrubs and vacuums the dirty water before a final pass with a squeegee. Robomow RS: Most household tasks can be delayed with few consequences. Drag your feet on lawn-mowing duties, though, and you pay dearly. Robomow’s RS ($1,100 to $2,000) is among the latest entries in the lawn mowing category, which

has grown more competitive. Setting up the mower can be a chore, as you must map out your yard with wires to define the Robomow’s boundaries. Once that’s done, though, the bot cuts as often as you like and returns to its charging dock when low on power. Robotis Mini: Robotis generated much attention for its Robotis-OP humanoid robot, which was praised for its sophistication and versatility, but which carries a $12,000 price tag. Now the company has released a miniature version of that device. Unlike the humanoid robot toys on the market, the $500 Mini is programmable and responds to touch, gesture and voice commands. One significant drawback, for now, is that you need an Android mobile device running Android software version 4.0 to control the Mini. An Apple version is in the works, the company said. Droplet: Gardeners with day jobs understand that watering plants is a classic problem. You want precise and regular watering; you’re more apt to deliver a massive dousing after work and before dinner. At $300, Droplet is a solution to the problem. Set the sprinkler in place, program the system and connect it to your home’s Wi-Fi router, and the system takes over from there. Droplet checks weather data and points the sprinkler to specific pockets of your garden to deliver water where and when it’s needed. With a range of about nine meters in all directions, the units can manage entire swaths of lawn with less wasted water.

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Sanctity of Truth

AMERICANA

Textbook a Symbol In Arizona Fight By RICK ROJAS

GILBERT, Arizona — The textbook, the one with the wide-eyed lemur peering off the cover, has been handed out for years to students in honors biology classes at the high schools ARIZONA here, offering Gilbert lessons on subjects like mitosis and meiosis, photosynthesis and anatomy. But now, the school board in this suburb of Phoenix has voted to cut or mark through two pages because they discuss sexually transmitted diseases and contraception, including mifepristone, a drug that can be used to prevent or halt a pregnancy. A law passed two years ago in Arizona requires schools to teach “preference, encouragement and support to childbirth and adoption” over abortion, and the school board decided that those pages were in violation of this law — even though the Arizona Education Department, which examined the book for compliance, found that they were not. The controversy has turned into a referendum on the 2012 law, with supporters saying the textbook content cannot be removed fast enough and opponents objecting for a variety of reasons: technical, ethical, pedagogical. But the Gilbert school board is moving forward, trying to figure out how to remove the material despite resistance from parents, residents, the American Civil Liberties Union and even the district’s superintendent. “It comes down to, it’s the law, and we need to be in compliance with the law,” said Julie Smith, a member of the Gilbert Public Schools governing board and also a parent who raised concerns about the book. “If people don’t like the law, they need to take it up with their state legislator. ” Other people say the school board has misinterpreted the law and that censoring the book amounts to a violation of students’ First Amendment rights — and may violate copyright law. “The answer isn’t to redact pages from a science textbook,” said Alessandra Soler, executive director of the A.C.L.U. of Arizona. “It’s an extreme interpretation, an incorrect interpretation, and I think it sends the wrong message. More information is always going to be better.” It was at a heated meeting in October that the school board decided that the two pages from “Campbell Biology: Concepts and Connections” had to be removed. The dispute has led to fiery exchanges at board meetings, rumors about secret redacting sessions, and angry confrontations in local stores. Christina M. Kishimoto, the schools superintendent in Gilbert, who started in the job just this summer, has found herself caught in the dispute. “I’m constantly getting emails about so-and-so threatening this or that,” she said. Abortion has been a prominent legal issue in Arizona. In January, the United States Supreme

A law requires that birth and adoption be encouraged. Court declined to hear a case brought by people who wanted to reinstate a state law, passed in 2012 but subsequently struck down, that barred most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. In March, a federal judge in Tucson refused to block the state’s unusually strict laws, also passed in 2012, on the use of abortion drugs. Ms. Smith said she had been driving her family home from church back in January when her son told her about what was in the textbook. “I almost drove off the road,” she said. “I’m Catholic; we do not contracept. It is a grave sin.” In August, school officials asked the Arizona Education Department for guidance. Lawyers and officials found that the material did not violate the law, as long as teachers provided context. “Just simply stating a fact, a

A school board’s vote to remove pages from a text has divided a district. particular drug and its function, doesn’t mean you favor that particular course of action,” said Chris Kotterman, the department’s deputy director of policy development and government relations. “That’s not how textbooks work. That’s not how any other academic exercise works.” The law’s sponsor, State Senator Nancy Barto, Republican of Phoenix, disagreed. She argued that even a straightforward description of how drugs like mifepristone work could not be “value neutral” because it failed to promote adoption and childbirth. Some parents expressed concern that the redactions might put students at a disadvantage when they take national exams. Jill Humpherys, a member of the board opposed to redacting, said there was no better way to call attention to the material than to try to remove it. “If you hand a high school student a book with words marked out or a sticker over parts of it, that’s going to be the most-read page in the textbook,” said Ms. Humpherys, a mother of five. “I’ve raised enough children to know that.”

JIM WILSON FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

Shane Tucker planted almond trees because the crop is lucrative, but worries about water.

Drought Imperils Nut Farmers By FELICITY BARRINGER

SACRAMENTO — California’s almond orchards have been thriving over the past decade and now provide an $11 billion annual boost to the state economy. CovCALIFORNIA er i ng more Sacramento than 348,000 hectares, they account for 80 percent of world production. But the growth coincides with another record development here — drought — and the extensive water needs of nut trees are posing a sharp challenge to state water policy. Farmers in the area where almond production has been most consistent have relied on water from a federally controlled project that draws its supply largely from the Sacramento River. But that source is less reliable because of legal requirements that in a time of scarcity, waterways that nurture California salmon must also get available water flows. Growers, some very wealthy, tried to get the United States Congress to change those rules but failed. A lmonds “have tota lly changed the game of water in California,” said Antonio Rossmann, a Berkeley lawyer specializing in water issues. “It’s hardened demand in the Central Valley.” Farmers are planting almonds because, as permanent crops, they do not need to be replanted after every harvest. They have been steadily taking over from cotton and lettuce because they are more lucrative. “That’s the highest and best use of the land,” said Ryan Metzler, 45, who grows almonds near Fresno. The problem is that not only do almonds and pistachios, another newly popular nut, need more water, but the farmers choosing permanent crops cannot leave their land untended in a dry year without losing years of investment. Now the state is putting new

controls on the groundwater that has gotten many farmers through the brutal drought — which still looms over the state, despite recent rains — and there is no certainty that the future of almond and pistachio orchards in areas like the western San Joaquin Valley is secure. So almond growers are determined to be granted the water they need to keep their crops from dying, particularly in the Westlands Water District in the San Joaquin Valley, where 15 percent of the fields are covered with almond trees, up from 5 percent about 15 years ago. They chafe at the rise in the 1990s of environmental restrictions designed to help the survival of salmon species threatened by two generations of water diversions. “We’ve had 20 years of a regu-

In California fight, almonds are pitted against salmon. latory approach that has not improved the fishery,” said Jason Peltier, the chief deputy general manager of the Westlands Water District, which serves some of the richest growers in the state. “The reality is that their regulatory methods have failed on every measure” of the health of salmon species. The assertion that environmental laws hurt farmers and farm laborers has proliferated during three years of searing drought, when federal water allocations were almost completely cut off. The claims infuriate opponents who feel that satisfying Westlands’ demands would hurt other more valid claimants. “They are hurting other farmers, people, communities and industries,” said Representative

Jared Huffman, a Democrat whose district along the north coast includes many fishing interests. “There are big-time winners and big-time losers here.” Yet Kate Poole, a water expert with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said, “We have clearly exceeded the ability of our water supplies — including surface and groundwater — to meet the demands we’re putting on it. We have to change, stretching how much we can get out of each drop through expanded urban and agricultural efficiency.” Almonds are thriving not just in the western San Joaquin Valley, but across the state. A new almond farmer is Shane Tucker, who is 54 and started out in the business of financing agricultural enterprises. Then, with an eye to raising his young children in the country, he decided to start farming in Davis in Yolo County. He started with walnuts. About five years ago, he figured that water constraints would limit almond expansion in the drier San Joaquin Valley, and “prices were going to go up.” Northern almond growers, he believed, would have a leg up. He planted almonds in 2013; he expects his first crop this year. Mr. Tucker predicted that “irrigated surface water is going to become less available” in areas south of the delta that lie just east of San Francisco Bay. “The economic impact on almonds is going to be significant.” Growers in the drier parts of the San Joaquin Valley use federal or state water projects that date to the mid-20th century. The drought forced these project managers to make draconian cutbacks in 2013 and 2014, prompting anger among growers, particularly those with almonds and pistachios. “They do believe it’s their right to have access to water,” said Mr. Tucker. “Yeah, they are angry. Potentially their livelihoods are threatened.”

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MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

ARTS & DESIGN

Chekhov Adaptations in a Film’s Portrait of Turkey By RACHEL DONADIO

ISTANBUL — “Winter Sleep,” the deeply felt new film by the Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, took the top prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and has been hailed by critics, who say it cements his place as one of today’s most important auteurs. Like his work, Mr. Ceylan can be reticent and introspective. In a recent interview, he grew most animated at the observation that the film was almost impossible to describe. “I cannot tell what it is about,” Mr. Ceylan (pronounced ZHAYlan) said over tea with his wife in the apartment he uses as an office. “It’s about life,” he said. “My films are mostly about humans, trying to understand human relations. The story, or what’s happening, is not that important.” Based on two Anton Chekhov works and set in a rural Anatolian hotel in winter, “Winter Sleep” centers on Aydin, a retired actor whose name in Turkish means “enlightened intellectual,” and Nihal, his beautiful younger wife, who have moved to a hotel he has inherited. The film stars Haluk Bilginer as the alternately compassionate and arrogant husband; Melisa Sozen as his kind, frustrated spouse; and Demet Akbag, a regular in Turkish comedies, as Aydin’s divorced sister. The film begins with an act of vengeance: a boy throwing a rock through a car window. His family owes rent to Aydin, but the prime wage earner has been jailed. Other social issues play out in the background; Nihal wants to raise money to help improve the local schools. Aydin, who spends his days writing pompous editorials for the local paper, thinks she is wasting her time. The film’s title in Turkish means “hibernation,” and the

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‘‘Winter Sleep’’ touches on the rural and urban divide in Turkey, among other themes. Melisa Sozen plays a young wife.

A director believes the people, not the story, are important. story unfolds slowly and unexpectedly, like a novel, over more than three hours. It touches on themes Mr. Ceylan has explored in previous films — the divides between rural and urban Turkey, the working class and the intelligentsia, religion and secularism; as well as honor, pride, morality and the ways we are and are not able to express love. Aydin and Nihal’s arguments are the product of intense collaboration between Mr. Ceylan, 55, and Ebru Ceylan, 38, his wife, who together wrote the screenplay, as they did for “Once Upon

a Time in Anatolia,” which won the Grand Prix at Cannes in 2011, and “Climates,” Mr. Ceylan’s 2006 film, in which they starred as a couple whose relationship unravels. The director and writer met by chance in an Istanbul cafe when she was 19 and already a fan of his work, and they now have two children.They spent six months writing “Winter Sleep.” For 15 years, Mr. Ceylan said, he had wanted to make a film based on the Chekhov stories “The Wife” and “Excellent People,” but until the success of “Once Upon a Time in Anatolia,” which was also based on Chekhov, he lacked the confidence to tackle it. Ms. Ceylan added that whenever she reread “The Wife,” she cried. “It’s a story that touches depths of feelings and emotions that have hardly been touched

before,” she said. “Things that are experienced between two people but seem impossible to explain.” Mr. Ceylan’s early films were self-financed and featured his relatives and close friends. For the “Winter Sleep” premiere at Cannes, he and his cast walked the red carpet wearing black ribbons in solidarity with victims of a mining accident in Turkey. He dedicated his Palme d’Or for that film to “the young people in Turkey and those who lost their lives in the last year,” an implicit reference to both the miners and those involved in the 2013 Gezi Park uprisings in Istanbul. “It was a tragic year, it was a complicated year,” he said in the interview. “Winter Sleep,” which cost 3 million euros ($3.7 million) and received financing from the

Turkish government as well as the French production company Memento Films, is not overtly political but does address social issues. After Cannes, the film was shown widely at international festivals through the rest of 2014. “Ceylan’s value lies in his ability to turn these personal stories into some sort of a grand narrative that hints something about the whereabouts of the country,” said Firat Yucel, editor of the Turkish film magazine Altyazi. Mr. Ceylan said his work relies on subtleties. “The ambiguous is part of life — that’s the thing it’s worth making movies for,” he said. He is dismissive of Hollywood conventions that involve neatly packaged lessons. “They want a life coach,” he said. “I’m just trying to show life as I feel it.”

Dense World War II Novel Emerges as Breakout Hit By ALEXANDRA ALTER

Anthony Doerr can cite plenty of reasons his novel “All the Light We Cannot See” might have failed to reach a broad audience. It’s set in Europe during World War II and features a sympathetic young Nazi. And it has dense passages about radio technology and carbon bonds. But he can’t Anthony explain how the Doerr book became a smash hit. “It never crossed my mind that this was a more commercial book,” Mr. Doerr said. “I think it’s dangerous to keep asking myself why.” In a year jammed with juicy novels from literary heavyweights like David Mitchell and Marilynne Robinson, Mr. Doerr’s book has emerged as the unexpected breakout fiction best seller of 2014. The story, about a blind French girl who joins the

resistance to the German occupation and a young German soldier with a talent for tracking radio signals, has struck a chord. Scribner, which printed 60,000 copies when the book was published in May, has reprinted it 25 times and now has 920,000 copies in print. Perhaps no one has been more stunned by the novel’s success than Mr. Doerr, who lives in Boise, Idaho, with his wife, Shauna Eastman, and their 10-year-old twin boys. “This book has trigonometric equations in it — it’s really dense,” he said. “The kinds of readers I’m writing for, I thought they would like it, but I didn’t think that Aunt Judy would read it.” It’s not as though Mr. Doerr, 41, has been laboring in obscurity. His previous four books were met with largely positive reviews, and he’s won around 20 literary awards and honors. Mr. Doerr started writing when he was 8. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, he would play

A young Nazi, and a blind girl who joins the resistance. around on his mother’s typewriter, writing stories about his toys. He got his master’s degree in fiction at Bowling Green State University in Ohio and wrote a few stories that would appear in “The Shell Collector,” which Scribner bought for $15,000. Though he’s gained a devoted following, Mr. Doerr has struggled to support himself with his fiction. During the decade he spent researching and writing “All the Light We Cannot See,” he taught, wrote for magazines and published two other books. “Tony has been scrappy for 12 years,” said Nan Graham, senior vice president and publisher of Scribner. “He would drive 10 hours to teach some workshop for a weekend, for $2,500.”

The narrative threads in “All the Light We Cannot See” took years to assemble. Mr. Doerr started with a scene: a trapped boy listens to a girl tell him a story over the radio. He eventually developed the characters, Werner, a German orphan who gets swept up in the Nazi movement, and Marie-Laure, a blind French girl who flees Paris with her father, a museum locksmith who’s hiding a diamond from Nazi looters. Mr. Doerr studied diaries and letters and traveled to Germany, Paris and St.-Malo, the city in Brittany where much of the story is set. The story unfolds in short chapters that switch between the characters’ perspectives. Weaving together the parallel story lines was tricky, but it injected the narrative with suspense. Mr. Doerr said he felt free to experiment because he was expecting a limited audience of literary fiction readers. Right now, he’s toying with three ideas for his next work. One story takes place during the

PATRICIA WALL/THE NEW YORK TIMES

An unexpected success that was 10 years in the making. siege of Constantinople in 1453. Another centers on the construction of the Panama Canal. The third is set on a spaceship bound for a habitable planet so distant that the only way for humanity to reach it is though a voyage that lasts for generations. “You just try to water these things like plants,” he said, “and see which one gets the most light and flourishes.”

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Naira walks tight rope as ICAN knocks CBN STABILITY Optimal management of the exchange rate will allay investors’ fears Godson Ikoro

he naira is expected to lose more ground next week fol-

Godson Ikoro

idelity Bank Plc’s savings deposits have doubled since it started its Save4 Scholarship Savings promo, the Executive Director, Lagos and South West, Mr. Ik Mbagwu, has said. He stated this at the weekend as the bank brightened the year for its customers and doled out N11.12 million to 33 lucky winners that emerged at the 5th draw of the ongoing Fidelity Bank Save4 Scholarship promo which took place at the bank’s corporate head office in Lagos. This brought the amount so far paid out to N64 million to 164 customers out of the whopping N80 million promised to 200 customers who are participating in

lowing the continued slide in crude prices and a decline in dollar sales by oil companies operating in the country even as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) picks holes on the management of the exchange rate. Wider risk aversion to emerging markets in general is seen as keeping other currencies on

the back foot as well. The naira may be trading lower next week around the 183 level that it fell to at the weekend, as sentiment in Africa’s top crude producer is soured by the sharp decline in oil prices. Naira has been trading around the 178 - 182 range against the dollar in volatile trade the past week. “This week, there were

a lot of oil company sales which put a large chunk of dollars through the market. Next week we are not expecting that,” one dealer said. “The Central Bank may intervene, but I’m not sure how successful that will be.” Much will depend on volume. If the Central Bank only sells a couple of million dollars here and there, dealers say, it

Fidelity Bank savings deposits double as Save4 Scholarship climax

the ongoing Save4 Scholarship promo. The final draw is scheduled for the first week in February. Speaking at the draw, the Executive Director, Lagos and South West, Mr. Ik Mbagwu, said that the purpose of the save4 scholarship was twofold; to contribute to the customers’ children education and to boost its savings deposit. Mbagwu said that the bank was pleased with the success of the promo, adding that at the end of February draw, the bank would think of other ways of reaching out to its loyal customers or to reload the promo. The draw results revealed that in the

Northern region, Zenab Tigiani, of Ibrahim Taiwo Road branch, Kano, won the star prize of N1 million, while Austin Telumon Krume of Makurdi branch and Sunday Izuchukwu of Minna branch won the N500,000 category. Similarly, Saidu Mohammed, Gombe branch; Idris Ishmaila, Maduguri branch; Yahaya mohammed Usman, Minna branch, and Lunor Joy Okafor won the N210,000 category just as consolation prizes of generating set and refrigerator went to Peter Linus of Kachia Road branch and Mr. Bello of Gowon Road branch, respectively.

In the South South region, Mr. Ofodile Chibuike Mathias of Uyo branch won the star prize. While in the South East the star prize went to Nnamdi Ani, Ogui road branch, Enugu. In the Abuja Area, Samuel Happiness Bose and Udo Emmanuel of Nanka close won the star prize of (N500,000); while star prize (N500,000) winners in Lagos were Benedine Okechukwu Ihezie of Balogun Branch and Chukwudi Nwakanma of Ladipo branch just as Richard Nnate Isaiah of Abeokuta branch emerged the star prize winner (N1 million) in the South West.

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

N14,737,618.7m N16,509,472.5m 8 0.0000 12 10.899 7.96 17.01 US$109.9 US$42,604,781,796.6

Description

TTM

4.00% 23-Apr-2015 13.05% 16-Aug-2016 15.10% 27-Apr-2017 16.00% 29-Jun-2019 16.39% 27-Jan-2022 10.00% 23-Jul-2030

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 2/5/2014 1/20/2014 11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 1/20/2014 2/5/2014 Source:CBN

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

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

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

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

will give little support. If it uses substantial reserves, the naira could find support above 180, dealers told Reuters, Meanwhile, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu, last week, urged the Federal Government to urgently address the stability of the naira as several economic variables depended on it. Ajegbu said that Central Bank of Nigeria needed to review the way it was managing the exchange rate. “Most of the CBN measures are stop-gap measures. The CBN has raised various ratios and stopped several things. If you are mopping up liquidity in the banking system, you need to convince me that the other side of it is not a better

one. The reason for the fear of high liquidity in the system is that there will be high level of demand for the dollar. “If we continue this way and the oil price keeps going up, we will get to a point that there will be no dollar in the foreign reserves for the nation’s imports, warning against an economic implosion.” Furthermore, he said oil price was very key because it is needed to stabilise the exchange rate, stressing that there was the need to do whatever is necessary to stabilise the exchange rate. He averred that the only incentive that could attract foreign investors was to assure them that their funds would be constantly protected, and not being eroded by the constant fall in the naira.

Sterling Bank urges Nigerians to protect their cards

terling Bank Plc has advised organisations in the country as well as individuals to protect information about their financial transactions, particularly their ATM cards to avoid falling prey to fraudsters. This advice is coming against the backdrop of increasing ATM related frauds within and outside the shores of the country, leading to financial losses on the part of bank customers. In an interview with the bank’s Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola, the bank expressed regret that fraudsters had taken advantage of the cashlite policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to penetrate electronic payment systems globally. He explained that although the card payment system in Nigeria was based on the “Chip and PIN” technology, which is adequately protected, some other countries have not fully adopted this technology. “What is used in some countries is the magnetic strip technology, which makes it easy for fraudsters to clone customers’ cards and fraudulently make use of their card information. Also, some people do not exercise sufficient caution in the manner they handle their debit and credit cards as they either expose it to unauthorised persons or give it out to other people to make withdrawals

or transact on their behalf,” he explained. The bank’s spokesman explained that when card information has been compromised, the cardholder becomes vulnerable to fraudulent activities. His words: “In countries where the chip and PIN technology has not been fully adopted such as the USA and China, card information such as the card number on the face of the card and the Card Verification Value (CVV) -the set of numbers at the back of the card - can be used to perpetrate fraud even without the customer’s PIN”. Therefore, it is not just about keeping the PIN secure, the card number and the CVV should also be protected. He advised customers to exercise additional caution when carrying out transactions in the above-named countries or with companies based in these countries. He implored customers to be careful as it may be difficult for any bank to assume responsibility for frauds of this nature. Meanwhile, Sterling Bank plc has said that it will increase its capital from N65 billion to N100 billion before year 2015 ends and bolster its position by floating a multicurrency subordinated debt of N31 billion or about $200 million - all in a bid to strengthen its capital base as a financial institution in 2015 and targets to be among the top six banks in Nigeria by 2020.

Business | News

DISAPPOINTING 2014 was third consecutive year of falling food prices Dele Alao

he Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s monthly Food Price Index declined in December after three months of stability. The decline is blamed on continued large supplies and record stocks combined with a stronger US dollar and falling

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Food price index drops in December oil prices. The December Food Price Index averaged 188.6 points, a drop of 1.7 per cent from November, led down by sugar and palm oil. For the whole of 2014, the Food Price Index averaged 202 points, down 3.7 per cent from 2013, marking the third consecutive annual decline. This year-on-year drop came despite FAO’s sub-index for meat rising to an all-time high annual average of 199 points,

up 8.1 per cent from 2013. Cereals, by contrast, dropped 12.5 per cent from the previous year, buoyed by forecasts of record production and ample inventories. FAO’s Food Price Index is a trade-weighted index that tracks prices of five major food commodity groups on international markets. It aggregates price subindices of cereals, meat, dairy products, vegetable oils and sugar. Four of those indices

fell in 2014 and are at, or close to, their lowest levels in five years. The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 183.9 points in December, up 0.4 per cent from November as wheat prices rose on the back of worries that Russia may restrict exports. However, the increase was capped by the stronger US dollar. Moreover, rice prices fell markedly amid abundant export supplies. The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index average de-

clined by 2.4 per cent to a five-year low of 161 points in December, due mainly to depressed demand for palm oil as a biodiesel feedstock, itself linked to falling global oil prices. The FAO Dairy Price Index declined by 2.3 per cent to 174 points, its lowest level since late 2009, as slowing imports by China and Russia left abundant export supplies for international markets. Price declines were greatest for milk powders, butter and cheese.

The FAO Meat Price Index also declined in December, down 1.9 per cent from the previous month, as a stronger US dollar curbed price quotations for beef and mutton from Oceania and pork from Europe. However, at 204 points, this index is near its monthly all-time highs, and on a full-year basis rose 8.1 per cent in 2014 from 2013, the only commodity group to post higher average prices over the year. The FAO Sugar Price Index dropped 4.8 per cent to 219 points in December, largely because of ample supplies in major producing countries such as Brazil. Falling crude oil prices which reduce demand for sugar crops to be converted into ethanol, also weighed on international sugar quotations in December.

Unilever to invest $100 billion CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

a juicy target for critics; any perceived stumble is quickly called out, But Polman is relentless about the need for business to “serve society, rather than take from it”—and his message appears to be getting through. With it comes the “satisfaction of working for a company that generally tries to lead and do the right thing,” as one Unilever employee commented on Glassdoor. But in an era in which cultivating talent is increasingly essential, building a deep and authentic sense of purpose could be a company’s ultimate competitive advantage. It would be recalled that when LinkedIn unveiled its data-fueled list of “the most sought-after employers in the world” a few months ago, the companies at the very top of the heap were Google, followed by Apple, Unilever third ahead of Microsoft and Facebook, a very different breed of business: consumer-products giant Unilever, whose Dutch roots stretch back over 140 years. With an original vision to “make cleanliness commonplace,” Unilever has a long of history of thinking broadly about its mission. It’s in the DNA of the company,” Polman said. But since taking the helm in 2009, Polman has more closely tied Unilever’s core strategy to having a positive impact on the environment and public health.

Business | Stock Watch

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

PLUNGE Harsh operating environment truncated plans for revenue generation Chris Ugwu

Afromedia: Incapacitated by adverse regulation Share price movement of Afromedia Plc

espite the enormous potentials in Nigeria’s advertising industry, especially the digital billboards and indoor advertising sector, the business is still going through excruciating times. This is because business operating environment in Nigeria has continued to witness challenges due to erratic supply of public electricity which has made cost of fuelling generators that power billboards very unbearable, weak logistics, insecurity and other high costs of operations attributable to poor infrastructure. However, analysts think that the revolutionary policy on infrastructural transformation, notably the privatisation of electricity generation and distribution with the formal hand-over of the facilities to private investors by the Federal Government on November 1, 2013, would be a great milestone in the power sector and a new dawn in the national journey to improved, steady electricity supply in Nigeria. They believe this paradigm shift in the power sector might be fraught with great performance challenges, especially in the early stages of the post-privatisation era; it was a welcomed development in the economy of Nigeria as efficient management of the privatised power sector would be of great impact on the cost of doing business in Nigeria. In the media industry, the privatisation is expected to translate into steady power supply and eventual elimination of avoidable high expenditure on procuring power generators and their fuelling for illumination of billboard sites. Meanwhile, adverse operating factors impacted significantly on the digital billboards and indoor advertising company, Afromedia Plc’s business, resulting in increase in its cost of operation. The company’s bottom-line has continued to be in the negative and despite the appreciation by some stocks, the company has remained at nominal level of 50 kobo per share. The share price which closed at 50 kobo per share on February 28, 2014, has also remained at the same nominal price when the closing bell rang on January 9, 2015, representing a zero increase or decrease year to date. Corporate profile Afromedia company was formed with a partnership of UAC International, Mills and Allen International and British Franco Electric Company. UAC International, a multinational conglomerate, owned controlling shares. Mills and Allen was the largest outdoor advertising company in the United Kingdom, while British Franco Electric Company was the larg-

2014 Feb 28

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Iluyomade

est UK manufacturer of illuminated and road traffic signs. As a result of the Enterprise Promotions Decree of 1972, which reserved, among others, Public Relations and Advertising exclusively for Nigerians, Afromedia Nigeria Limited was acquired by its Nigerian managers who maintained links with the previous specialised partners. On July 2, Afromedia Nigeria Limited received approval of the Corporate Affairs Commission and it became Afromedia Plc. Financials The company ended the financial year 2013 in the red with a recorded of a turnover of N742.9 million, which represented a 54.8 per cent decline when compared with N1.644 billion turnover achieved in year 2012. The net loss before tax was N851 million in 2013 when compared with N4.477 billion in 2012, representing an improvement of 81 per cent. Afromedia began the year also in the poor state as its turnover for Q1 2014 ended December 31, 2013, stood at N101.802 million as against N313.308 million recorded in 2013, representing a decline of 207.4 per cent. Its loss before tax stood at N254.295 million compared with N100.205 million recorded in 2013 while loss after tax was N256.696 million as against N100.116 million. The second quarter financial results ended March 30, 2014, continued to recede in both top and bottom-line with a 151 per cent drop in revenue. The company posted a revenue of N216.277 million in second quarter 2014

Prevailing insurgency and insecurity in some parts of the northern region of the local economy truncated business plans for generating revenue with available billboards of the company in the affected region

50k

in contrast to N542.997 million during the comparable period of 2013, accounting for a decline of 151 per cent. Loss after tax for the quarter stood at N490.348 million as against N263.523 recorded in 2013. Investors’ dwindling fortune continued as the company reported 146 per cent drop in revenue pre-tax profits during the third quarter ended June 30, 2014. Afromedia posted revenue of N282.458 million in 2014 as against N695.290 million recorded in 2013 loss after tax increased from N495.994 million in 2013 to N748.413 million in 2014. The company also recorded a loss of N1.429 billion during the period ended September 30, 2014. In a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the company posted a loss after tax of N1.429 billion as against a loss of 851.3 million recorded during the comparable period of 2013. Similarly, profit/loss before tax declined from N850.941million posted the previous year to a loss of N1.705 billion during the year under review. The company’s revenue dipped 54 per cent to N341.02 million in the review period of 2014 from N742.90 million in the corresponding period of 2013. Profit deflators According to the Chairman of the company, Mr. Idowu Olusola Iluyomade, the turbulence that gripped the company in 2012, with specific reference to a force majeure-like circumstance imposed on its strategic transit business locations nationwide since year 2011, permeated the 2013 financial year. Iluyomade said at the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the company that the protracted remodelling of the Federal Airports Pan-Nigeria did not permit quick resolution of constraints in the company’s operations in

the media segment throughout the year. “This was contrary to all expectations and efforts by the board and management of the company. Prevailing insurgency and insecurity in some parts of the northern region of the local economy truncated business plans for generating revenue with available billboards of the company in the affected region. There occurred some dramatic policy changes from regulatory/ government policies on Out-ofHome media sites, regulatory policies that also contributed to the negative performance impact. “The company was virtually incapacitated by this adverse regulatory development as no business could be executed in any of the federal airports in Nigeria in 2013. This resulted in a loss of over 75 per cent of the company’s installed revenue generating capacity. Although the board and management of the company explored all available options towards resolution of the impediments in this strategic transit business segment, the year passed without achieving the much-desired restoration of the advertising sites. This significant lost revenue generating capacity accounted principally for the low turnover in the year under review.” Looking ahead Despite the temporary setback witnessed in the performance of the company since late 2011, the chairman said that there was encouraging positive business outlook in the media industry in Nigeria. Iluyomade noted that in the wake of emerging business opportunities in the media industry in Nigeria, the management has initiated corporate transformation strategies to immediately harness the expanded horizon for improved business performance. According to him, among the factors that form the basis for positive repositioning of the company for greater performance is that Nigeria is fast becoming an investment destination economy. Advertising/corporate communication budget constraints have necessitated the quest by advertisers for more innovative media platforms for delivery of their target audience within their limited budget. He noted that this trend has necessitated Afromedia broadening its scope of media practice beyond its hitherto restrictive Out-of-Home Media practices only. He added that current power sector transformation is providing immense business opportunities to complement those being provided by the telecommunications, entertainment, agriculture and oil & gas sectors, among others.

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Old Mutual reaffirms commitment to African expansion plan p.39

RESOLUTION The National Insurance Commission has often resolved cases of genuine claims disputes in the past Sunday Ojeme

Insurance

Claims: Policyholder’s conflict with Leadway deepens

he lingering conflict between Leadway Assurance Company Limited and an officer with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nike Oladunni Omorodion, over alleged failure by the former to pay insurance claims has taken a new dimension as the insurance company claimed that the ‘policyholder’ is only attempting to be fraudulent. Over the past few months, Omorodion has been in the news alleging that Leadway failed to pay claims in respect of her property gutted by fire. The property got burnt in July. The management of Leadway has denied reports that the insurance company refused to pay claim, saying the affected policyholder was actually trying to commit insurance fraud. Omorodion said she had made efforts to make the said insurance firm come to her aid as the property was badly damaged by fire, adding that she had to foot the hospital bill of some relatives and staff injured in the accident. She alleged that the firm had been looking for loopholes to avoid payment of claims. She said, “The house was insured but the insurance company is trying to play funny. Up till now, the only thing I know is that one or two teams of underwriters have visited the house like three or four times. I am not particularly an insurance literate person. But I have been privileged to speak with the managing directors of three insurance companies after this incident and they expressed shock at the attitude of this particular insurance firm. Maybe I insured with the wrong company from the vibes I am getting but I do not want to absolutely believe that yet. But there is nothing the insurance company has done to show that insurance is worth the while. “One thing that has shocked me so far is that a highly rated bank in Nigeria could be doing business with this particular insurance firm. Leadway, however, stated that policyholder was only attempting to blackmail the organisation through the press to obtain claim by fraud. It said, “It is sad that the press is being used to foster blackmail against an insurer of repute in order to fraudulently secure a payout on a policy that was issued in respect of another property located at 5, Olaperi Street, Maryland, Lagos issued to an Oladunni Olunike Morenike. “Insurers are custodians of pools of funds on behalf of various insured and owe a trust/fiduciary relationship to ensure that they do not bankrupt the pool by

Standard Alliance gross premium drops by 30% p.39

Commissioner-for-Insurance-Mr-Fola-Daniel

paying non-genuine or fraudulent claims. We expect that the Press will make every effort to educate the public on insurance practices and values, not sensationalise a purported fraud to compel payment through blackmail and defamation. “The value of insurance is key in safeguarding individual wealth and it is our responsibility to ensure that we protect our insured and pay their claims when they have suffered losses to property insured with us. If an insured omits to insure a particular property, it cannot then decide to transfer the insurance of one to another by itself after a loss to the uninsured property.” Leadway further noted that it would not be blackmailed “into paying an uncovered loss of an uninsured property by filing an unjustified claim.” In the recent past, the National Insurance Commission had intervened in claims disputes involving some insurance companies and their clients. The commission successfully facilitated claims payment of over N128 million between Januarys to June 30, 2014. This resolution arose from a collation of complaints forwarded to the commission’s Complaint Bureau Unit. According to the details, NAICOM received a total of 83 complaints from January to June while the number of complaints treated was 215. This included the ones from the previous year. The commission revealed that outstanding complaints stood at

MD, Leadway Assurance, Mr.Oye Hassan Odukale

189, while some are at investigative stage with others near closure. It added that between Januarys to June 30, 2014, it settled 26 disputes involving eight insurance companies, two brokers and their clients. The commission noted that the process was line with its efforts at ensuring adequate protection of policyholders and insurance consumers over settlement of genuine insurance claims. A breakdown of the settled cases included Standard Alliance Life paying Mr. Andrew Mark Ilanse a Life Benefit claim of N32,777; Staco Insurance / Arizona insurance Brokers, General Motor Insurance claim of N1,525,500.00; Standard Alliance Life/ Ogbene Virginia, Life Benefits N543,000.00; Aiico/ Finbank Insurance Brokers, Aviation N17,038,872.00; IGI/ Benjamin Solicitors, Life Benefits, N3,488,032.00; Aiico, Paul Adie, Life Benefits N120,000.00; NSIA/ Eternalie Risk Insurance Brokers, General Marine N547,295.08 and Standard Alliance Life Insurance/ Oyeleke Oyewale Teslim, Life Benefits N136,303.17. Others are NEM/First & Foremost Investment on General Motor N8,876,632.90; Guniea Insurance/Sam Omokaro fire N 2,311,278.16; Standard Alliance Life/ J. Abida Ademokoya, Life Benefits N2,320,896.32; Standard Alliance Insurance/ Udoka Bestman General Motor, N42,120,000.00; Emerald Insurance Brokers, Equity Insurance General, non-remittance of premium N6,589,475.48;

In the recent past, the National Insurance Commission had intervened in claims disputes involving some insurance companies and their clients

The list also involved Guinea & Oasis Standwell International Co Ltd, General Marine, N803,56.67; Aiico, Adwunmi Adepoju, Life benefits, N690,000.0 and Guinea & Sterling/Chrome Insurance Brokers, Consolidated Hallmark General, fire, N 10,047,873.00; Aiico/Nichodemus U. Ali, Life Benefits N24,835.00; Standard Alliance Life, University of Ibadan, Life Benefit N2,320,896.32; Standard Alliance Life, A-Asken & Company, Life Benefits N1,124,389.78; Kapex Insurance Brokers, Chief Abraham Yepwi, Life Benefits N3,585,675.64; IGI, Federal Ministry of Education, Agencies Group Life N1,500,000.00; Nicon, Hanatu Micheal Jankaro, General, Motor N153,800.00; Sterling Assurance, Vilisco General, Motor N5,607,000.00; IGI, General, Motor N15,458,105.57; Standard Alliance Life Insurance, Nigerian Air Force, Life Benefits N234,032.00; and IGI/ low bond solicitors, Life Benefits N445,807.00/373,995.00. In 2012 the commission had also intervened and ensured the settlement of N1.2billion claims in dispute that involved a total of 52 cases. NAICOM’s intervention in claims dispute resolution relates to Motor, Marine and Life insurances as well as Bond Issues and Pension matters. The complaints were received from individual policyholders, beneficiaries, government agencies, SERVICOM, Legal Aid Council and Public Complaints Commission. During the year, the Complaints Bureau handled a total of 349 cases, 86 of which were fresh complaints with the remaining 263 being ongoing cases. NAICOM said the increase in the number of complaints received was as a result of the various publicity campaigns embarked upon by the Commission which has made members of the public and, in particular, policyholders to be more informed of the Commission’s window of dispute resolution, which is not only effective but timely. The Complaints Bureau discharges its responsibilities either through correspondences with the insurance companies’ involved or through adjudication. In that year, a total of nine adjudication meetings were held while majority of the disputes resolved were through correspondences. The commission said, “It is noteworthy that the response and cooperation of insurance companies involved in any dispute with policyholders has been very encouraging. During the year, not less than 85 per cent of the insurance institutions responded to queries or directives issued by the Commission for claims settlement.”

Business | Insurance

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

DESTINATION Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya remain top in the financial firm’s growth plan for Africa Sunday Ojeme

hree African countries, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana, have been favoured as preferred destinations to benefit from Anglo-South African financial services firm, Old Mutual’s $429 million business expansion programme. So far, it has spent about $599,433 on various commitments out of the total budget within the sub region. Old Mutual is the majority owner of Nedbank, which late last year took a 20 per cent stake in panAfrican lender Ecobank. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the financial firm, Julian Roberts, Old Mutual is still looking to expand in sub-Saharan Africa, though prices were rising for insurance businesses, as European and South African firms compete for a slice of the underpenetrated market. Old Mutual had said that its entrant into the Nigerian insurance market

Old Mutual reaffirms commitment to African expansion plan was to create a difference. During its Emerging Markets Showcase, the company said its strategy was to study peculiarities in emerging markets and fashion out products that would meet specific needs of each people. The company said that it planned to capture and invest in emerging markets in Africa to be able to earn the position of the first or second company in any country where it operates. Head of Alternative Investments of Old Mutual Group, Mr. Paul Boynton, said that the company would pride on its expertise and customer understanding to pump into Nigerian market enticing products that will compel Nigerians to patronise insurance and grow the industry premium. Boynton also said that Old Mutual plans to invest about $100 million in agricultural and infrastructural development projects in Nigeria. Roberts said he was prepared to wait to buy businesses at the right price, that can gener-

ate returns on equity of around 16 per cent on a five-year horizon. “The multiples people are paying are astronomical - we do not want to overpay.” The firm would not need to raise share capital for acquisitions, as its businesses had low leverage and were strong cash generators. It could also issue more debt to finance expansion, Roberts said. Roberts said he was satisfied with Ecobank’s governance and with the size of Nedbank’s stake. “I am absolutely hap-

py that those days are well behind them,” he said, adding that “we are happy where we are with the stake that we’ve got”. In the United States, Old Mutual brought its fund management arm OM Asset Management to market last year, but still owns 78 percent of it. Roberts is chair of the asset management firm. OM Asset Management was looking to acquire more asset managers, Roberts said, adding the parent company would be prepared to scale back its majority

holding in future. “I accept there is a time when we probably will not have control of that business but.... that’s a decision for (in) 2-3 years.” Old Mutual also has businesses in Latin America and China. Roberts said the Chinese financial services sector was competitive but added: “You know that if you ever get out of China you’ll never get back in again.” Going beyond Africa, the firm is also expanding to India where the

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, resorted to a rarely-used executive decree last month to enable foreign firms to increase their stakes in insurance joint ventures to 49 per cent from 26 per cent. “I am a real fan of India,” Roberts said, though he added that the market was currently a difficult one, with regulation curtailing business. “We will be considering over the next few months with our partners whether we are going to change that shareholding.”

Africa Re donates to worst-hit Ebola countries

frica Reinsurance Corporation, Africa Re, has announced donations to the three worse hit Ebola countries to aid their fight against the dreaded disease. The monetary donations were presented by a team of Africa Re’s management led by the Group Managing Director, Mr Corneille Karekezi, before the Dean of Ambassadors at the Embassy of Uganda to the worst hit countries - Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, the company said in a statement. According to Karekezi, “The donations are an affirmation of Africa Re’s unshakeable commitment to the continent and a message that Africa can triumph over the terrible affliction.” The occasion which was witnessed by majority of all the 48 African Ambassadors, was appreciated by the three countries that have lost over 5,000 lives to the epidemic. Karekezi told the ambassadors: “The first reason why we came here to

support the countries affected by the Ebola virus is because of identity; our DNA, the company belongs to Africa so we cannot sit down idle and not contribute to the effort to fight the deadly disease. “The Africa Re is created by faith; African faith, and today there are people and states that are in need of assistance that is why we are here to show solidarity and also to remember that we belong to the African Re who had the greater view to create a company which is today a pride of the continent. “Today, by making its modest contribution to the fight against the Ebola virus, Africa Re is giving back to Mama Africa a small portion of what she has lovingly given the institution for close to 40 years. “The board of directors, management and staff of Africa Re hereby express their heartfelt compassion and sympathy to the governments and people of the countries that have been hard hit by the Ebola Virus Disease.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Sola David-Borha; Woman Player of the year, Asisat Oshoala and Tochukwu Nwosu, during the 2014 Glo Caf Award in Lagos

tandard Alliance Insurance Plc has recorded a 30 per cent decline in its gross premium from N5.38 billion in 2012 to N3.78 billion in 2013 financial year. The drop represents 30 per cent decline Disclosing this at the company’s 18th annual general meeting in Lagos, the Chairman Standard Alliance Insurance, Mr. Aliyu Yahaya Sa’ad, said the company ended the year with a loss of N240 million as a result of expected impact of the ‘no premium, no cover’ policy and low economic growth. The insurer posted net premium income of N3.09 billion, down from N4.9 billion in 2012, while underwriting income stood at N3.2 billion, as against N4.9 billion. The company recorded a loss of N239 million from its associate companies, as against a profit of 274 million in 2012. In all, the company ended with a loss before tax of

Standard Alliance gross premium drops by 30% N789 million, which was an improvement on the N1.688 billion loss recorded in 2012. Also, loss of after tax improved from N1.82 billion to N880 million. “The improvement in performance in comparison to the loss that was made in 2012 was a result of cost optimisation and prudent management of ‘no premium, no cover’ policy in the year under review,” the chairman said. Sa’ad pointed out that despite all the losses, they are encouraged the company will continue to make operating profit from its core business. According to him, “we are therefore, determined to turn the cycle and return the company to profitability in 2014 and beyond.” However, things have started looking for Standard Alli-

ance going by the nine months results ended September 30, 2014. The company recorded a gross premium income of N3.73 billion and net premium income of N3.49 billion. It ended the period with a profit of N336 million compared to a loss of 881 million in the corresponding period of 2013. Standard Alliance Insurance emerged from the now defunct Jubilee Insurance Limited, which was acquired in 1996 by investors. The company commenced full operations as Standard Alliance Insurance Limited in 1996, and went public, issuing shares in excess of N3billion in 2002 and becoming quoted on the NSE in 2003. SA Insurance Plc was recapitalised in 2008 when it issued additional shares to the public to bring its share capital of N6 billion.

Business | Financial Market News

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

9-Jan-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

535.00 581.39 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 414.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 178.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,783.63

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,377.67

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

0.28 1.60 2.30 2.55 2.64 3.39 4.47 4.79 7.05 9.18 13.89 14.36 14.86 15.53 19.52

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

11.84 15.20 15.33 15.35 15.35 15.31 15.25 15.25 15.25 15.31 14.38 14.27 14.15 14.74 15.21

11.29 15.09 15.25 15.27 15.27 15.18 15.16 15.14 15.18 15.25 14.33 14.22 14.09 14.68 15.16

97.81 97.00 99.50 88.72 87.34 88.12 102.35 72.64 104.80 94.55 103.63 89.21 65.26 71.35 81.00

97.96 97.15 99.65 88.87 87.49 88.42 102.65 72.94 105.10 94.85 103.93 89.51 65.56 71.65 81.30

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.37 1.23 1.92 2.28 2.49

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

15.51 17.42 17.29 16.33 16.36

94.53 99.85 98.02 96.00 92.78

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.67

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

309.63

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.64

4.44

19.03

96.19

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.48

3.23

17.37

98.80

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

1.00

4.46

19.56

95.32

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

1.00

3.48

18.58

97.44

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR‡

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.27

5.59

20.92

80.93

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.54

1.00

16.22

96.87

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.98

1.79

17.12

92.94

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.15

1.80

17.12

94.79

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.73

1.00

16.29

93.71

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.35

1.00

16.34

96.74 89.44

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.35

4.78

20.12

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.53

1.00

16.35

96.45

A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR‡

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.78 4.87 2.85

1.00 1.00 2.74

16.34 16.25 18.08

98.41 94.21 93.06

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.40

10-Oct-20

3.31

1.00

16.31

96.19

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR‡

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.88

1.00

16.25

89.78

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.98

1.94

17.19

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.64

1.44

16.73

94.39

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.67

1.95

17.24

94.38

97.06

A/Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

92.00

460.91 424.87

Corporate Bonds Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.36

4.88

17.60

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

9.34

09-Dec-15

0.67

1.00

15.63

98.16

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.75

2.63

17.37

97.79

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.72

1.00

16.25

95.23

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.79

1.34

16.61

96.41

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.72

1.00

16.34

92.82

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.74

1.88

17.14

102.28

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.75

3.48

18.74

96.39

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

1.91

5.20

20.49

96.49

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

1.91

5.06

20.35

101.80

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.70

1.35

16.64

92.85

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

2.02

2.29

17.60

97.29

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.11

6.11

21.43

94.57

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.98

2.16

17.49

96.79

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.85

2.76

18.01

90.20

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.72

1.00

16.26

79.12

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.72

1.00

16.26

85.48

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

124.44

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

116.31

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

3.09

1.00

16.32

85.56

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.31

1.00

16.26

85.23

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.30

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

7.20

6.86

97.81

99.45

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.22

5.79

96.61

97.91

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.40

7.18

93.60

94.94

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,440.05

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

42.73

33.18

75.58

82.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

7.00

100.63

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

11.19

91.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

12.18

11.16

85.83

88.35

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

8.89

8.41

90.78

92.25

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

25.01

22.08

62.68

68.44

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

9.20

89.75

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

14.23

13.57

82.61

84.51

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

10.00

92.00

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

AFREN PLC III ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

6.63 DEC 09, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

09-Dec-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

6.63 9.25 8.00

360.00 400.00 450.00

09-Dec-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

19.70 11.53 10.65

19.70 11.11 10.65

55.50 89.88 87.00

55.50 91.63 87.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.10

9.02

92.84

97.84

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,045.01

**Treasury Bills DTM 13 20 27 34 41 48 55 62

FIXINGS Maturity 22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15

Bid Discount (%) 10.70 10.70 10.92 10.70 11.00 11.00 12.20 12.11

Offer Discount (%) 10.45 10.45 10.67 10.45 10.75 10.75 11.95 11.86

Bid Yield (%) 10.74 10.76 11.01 10.81 11.14 11.16 12.43 12.36

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 9.9583 13.9864 14.5006 15.6936

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

8.96

O/N

9.63

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 9.50 14.60

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

183.00 183.28 183.57 184.24 185.49 186.73

183.10 183.39 183.71 184.69 186.46 188.19

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.64

4.44

19.03

96.19

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.48

3.23

17.37

98.80

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

1.00

4.46

19.56

95.32

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

1.00

3.48

18.58

97.44

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR‡

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.27

5.59

20.92

80.93

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.54

1.00

16.22

96.87

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.98

1.79

17.12

92.94

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.15

1.80

17.12

94.79

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.73

1.00

16.29

93.71

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 A-/Agusto; A-/GCR NIGER

Business | Financial Market News

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.35

1.00

16.34

96.74

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.35

4.78

20.12

89.44

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.53

1.00

16.35

96.45

A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR‡

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.78 4.87 2.85

1.00 1.00 2.74

16.34 16.25 18.08

98.41 94.21 93.06

A/Agusto

*OSUN

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.40

10-Oct-20

3.31

1.00

16.31

96.19

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR‡

LAGOS

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

A/Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI

Bbb-/Agusto

*UPDC

My removal is false, misleading –Goodie Ibru FEUD

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

Crisis rocking the *NASARAWA TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE ownership of Ikeja Hotels TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Plc gets messier Corporate Bonds

A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS Stories by Chris Ugwu BB/GCR

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

NAHCO

he embattled FSDHchairman of Ikeja UBA Hotels BBB-/GCR Plc, Mr Goodie *C & I LEASING Ibru, Nil *DANA#{r} has described his#purA-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER ported removal as false and AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR *TOWER# misleading. A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA Shareholders at *LA an “ExBbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR CASERA traordinary General*CHELLARAMS Meeting# BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR Nil (EGM) of Ikeja Hotel*DANA Plc”#{r}held A+/Agusto; A-/GCR Lagos NAHCO at Sheraton Hotel on A/GCR Tuesday , January 7, STANBIC 2015, IBTC had A/GCR STANBIC IBTC purportedly removed Ibru as A-/Agusto

A/GCR

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 chairman of the company 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 But14.50 Ibru said at a press conEKITI II 31-DEC-2020 ference inNASARAWA Lagos06-JAN-2021 at the week15.00 end that the EGM was not properly convened. “We have over 14,000 shareholders, none of whom were UPDC 17-AUG-2015 issued10.00 with the notice required 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 by section 220-222 CAMA 2004, 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 nor were afforded the op13.00 they NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 portunity to 25-OCT-2016 appoint proxies 14.25 FSDH 30-SEP-2017 to vote13.00 in UBA their stead. The fact C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 that a18.00 purported notice was MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 published in The Guardian MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 newspaper is not sufficient. MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 “I should also point out that 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 I was 15.75 notLApersonally served CASERA 18-OCT-2018 with notice of intention to MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 remove me nor was I afforded 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 the opportunity to make a 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 statement in my defence, both 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 of which are my rights under

27-Nov-13 CAMA 2004,” he said. 13.50 31-Dec-13 15.00 Ibru 31-Dec-13 noted that “the pur14.50 ported EGM mounted illegal06-Jan-14 15.00 ity upon illegitimacy with such reckless disregard for due process as to scandalise anyone with even the most passing 17-Aug-10 familiarity with the 10.00 capital 09-Dec-10 12.00 markets.06-Jan-11 14.00 “Even29-Sep-11 more seriously 13.00, the requisition sought to hold 25-Oct-13 14.25their meeting30-Sep-10 in contempt 13.00 of not one, but 30-Nov-12 two restraining18.00 orders 09-Apr-11 16.00 from Nigerian courts - the first 09-Sep-11 18.00 from Suite No. LD/114/2013, 09-Sep-11 16.00 brought22-Sep-11 by the first three chil14.00 dren of 18-Oct-13 my late brother, 15.75Alex Ibru, and the second from 17-Feb-12 18.00 Suit 01-Apr-14 16.00 No.FHC/ABJ/PET/17/2014, brought14-Nov-13 by my sisters 15.25 - Mabel 30-Sep-14 11.93 and Grace Ibru.” 30-Sep-14 13.25 He said that the purported

87.50 27-Nov-20 5.88 EGM was requisitioned by the 5.00 31-Dec-20 5.98 publisher of The Guardian 4.55 31-Dec-20 3.64 newspaper, Maiden Ibru, osten4.56 06-Jan-21 3.67 sibly 460.91acting as the representative of Dadifoll Limited, RFC 424.87 Limited and Alurum Limited, which, according to him, form 3.61 17-Aug-15 0.36 part of the Estate of her “hus9.34 09-Dec-15 0.67 band and my brother-Alex Ibru. 0.42 06-Jan-16 0.75 “My brother’s 15.00 29-Sep-16estate has 1.72 not5.53 been admitted 25-Oct-16to probate; 1.79 20.00in fact, the 30-Sep-17 2.72 it is, subject of dis0.64 Also in dispute 30-Nov-17 is Maiden 1.74 pute. 6.30 09-Apr-18 1.75 Ibru’s right to represent the 2.90 09-Sep-18 1.91 companies and trusts of which 0.80 09-Sep-18 1.91 it consists. There is litigation 35.00 22-Sep-18 3.70 surrounding these issues 2.02 on 2.40 18-Oct-18 going at Lagos State High 0.41 17-Feb-19 2.11 4.50 the Federal 01-Apr-19 2.98 Court, High Court 5.85 in 2.05 Lagos and 14-Nov-20 Abuja, and the 0.10 9.72 Federal Court30-Sep-24 of Appeal; and 15.44 30-Sep-24 9.72 the litigation includes Suit No. 124.44 LD/114/2013 brought by my 116.31 the first three children nieces, of my brother, Alex,” he said. Ibru noted that the Federal 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.09 High issued an order 12.95Court has 01-Feb-21 4.31 restraining Maiden Ibru from 24.95 representing the companies 21.30 comprising Alex Ibru’s estate Outstanding Value in the affairs of Ikeja Hotel Plc. Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) ($mm) “More particularly, the order restrains her from holding the EGM purportedly fixed 7.20 for 500.00 28-Jan-21 January 6, 2015. This order is an500.00 addition to12-Jul-18 order from the 6.22 Lagos State High Court in Suit 500.00 12-Jul-23 7.40 No: LD/114/2013 restraining her from meddling in the es1,500.00 tate of Alex Ibru. 1,440.05 “Maiden Ibru and representatives of certain other 450.00 01-Feb-16 42.73 shareholders act in contempt of 500.00 these court19-May-16 orders and 7.00 at350.00 25-Jul-17 11.19 tempted to force themselves 300.00 02-May-18 12.18 onto the premises of Sheraton 400.00 to hold 08-Nov-18 8.89 Lagos this illegitimate 300.00 25.01 and unlawful 08-Apr-19 EGM. It should 22-Apr-19 9.20 go500.00 without saying that any 200.00 21-May-19 resolution passed at these 14.23 far300.00 07-Aug-20 10.00 cical proceedings should 19.70 not 360.00 09-Dec-20 and cannot be recognised, and 400.00 24-Jun-21 11.53 we450.00 will be challenging them 23-Jul-21 10.65

Unity Kapital reports 31% drop in profit TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Supranational Bond

U AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

nity Kapital Assurresponding11.25 period of 2013. ance were admitted into the AFDB 1-FEB-2021 AfDB 10-Jul-14 ance Plc recorded a The insurance firm was NSE-Insurance index, by TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 31 per CAPITALISATION cent decline among the four delisted the NSE Index committee. TOTAL MARKET in net earnings during from the Nigerian Stock The Nigerian bourse bethe second quarter ended Issuer Exchange (NSE) Insurance NSE 30 Descriptiongan publishing the Rating/Agency Issue Date June 30, 2014. index for the last quarter of Index in February 2009 with InEurobonds a filing with the Nige- 2014 for their inability to index values available from FGN rian Stock Exchange, the remain liquid and highly January 1, 2007. On July 1, 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P 07-Oct-11 company posted a profit capitalised over the period 2008, the NSE developed four BB-/Fitch; after tax of N181.171 mil- FGN of assessment. sectoral indices and one in5.13 JUL 12, 2018 12-Jul-13 BB-/S&P lion as against N264.047 Also, four other highly dex in 2013, with a base value BB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 12-Jul-13 BB-/S&P million recorded during capitalised and liquid insurof 1,000 points, designed to the comparable period of provide investable benchance companies were enlistTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 2013, a drop ed in the NSE – insurance marks to capture the perforTOTALrepresenting MARKET CAPITALISATION of 31 per cent. index to take the place of the mance of specific sectors. Corporate Eurobonds Similarly , profit before companies delisted from the The sectoral indices B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I NSE-Insurance index.11.50 FEB 01, 2016 01-Feb-11 comprise the top fifteen tax declined from N318.129 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I 19-May-11 million posted the previous The delisted insurance most capitalised and liquid JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P to N202.987 million ACCESS BANKcompanies PLC 25-Jul-12 from the 7.25 NSE year companies in the Insurance 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY PLC 09-May-13 secIndex include during the year under re- BANK–Insurance and Consumer Goods 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch;accounting B+/S&P 08-Nov-13 view, for aGTBANK dropPLC Unity Kapital Assurance, tors, top ten most capitalAPR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II Universal Insurance, 10.25 08-Apr-12 of 36 per cent. Staco ised and liquid companies 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC 22-Apr-14 The company’s revenue, Insurance and Equity As- in the Banking and Indus8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P PLC 21-May-14 however, rose by 16 perDIAMOND cent BANK surance, while Law Union trial Goods sector and the 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 07-Aug-13 to N2.007 billion in the re- & Rock Insurance, Prestige top seven most capitalised 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III 09-Dec-13 view of 2014 ACCESS fromBANKAssurance, Linkage As- and liquid in the 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 companies B-/Fitch;period B/S&P PLC II 24-Jun-14 N1.735 million in the corsurance and Guinea Insuroil & gas sector. 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD 23-Jul-14 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

B-/S&P

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

11.25

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

250.00

10.10

9.02

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

14-Aug-21

1.00 89.78 accordingly . 16.25 1.94 17.19 92.00 “The architects of this car1.44 16.73 94.39 nival have characterised it as 1.95 17.24 94.38 a popular revolt by aggrieved shareholders against an overbearing board. This is deeply misrepresentative of the 4.88 17.60 97.06 truth,” he said. 1.00 15.63 98.16 Ibru noted that it was as2.63 17.37 97.79 tonishing that in 2014, a year 1.00 16.25 95.23 that1.34 recorded 16.61 the worst perfor96.41 1.00 by the16.34 mance Nigerian92.82 Stock 1.88 17.14 102.28 , a Exchange in recent history 3.48 18.74 96.39 cabal can conspire to destroy a 5.20 20.49 96.49 company’s opportunity to prog5.06 20.35 101.80 ress1.35 to introduce new equity , 16.64 92.85 and2.29 characterise it as a defence 17.60 97.29 of shareholders’ 6.11 21.43 interests. 94.57 2.16is an objective 17.49 96.79 “It fact that 18.01 90.20 they2.76 have destroyed sharehold1.00 79.12 ers value,” he16.26 said. 1.00 16.26 85.48 The ownership tussle of one of Ikeja Hotels Plc subsidiaries, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers, deepened on January 1.00 7, as different 16.32 members 85.56 of the Ibru family moved to85.23 assert 1.00 16.26 authority. A group led by Mrs Maiden Ibru, widow of late Guardian publisher, Mr Alex Ibru, had Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price on January 7, 2014, on account of the order of a Federal High Prices & Yields Court Lagos, held a so-called 6.86 97.81 99.45 Extra-Ordinary General Meeting 5.79 (EGM) outside the Shera96.61 97.91 ton Hotel premises. 7.18 93.60 On the other hand, the94.94 other members of the Ibru family, led by Mr Goodie Ibru, through an ex-parte injunction from the Federal High Court, Abuja, re33.18 75.58 from calling 82.00 strained Mrs Ibru 7.00 100.63 100.63her an EGM or representing 91.50 91.50 velate11.19 husband’s investment 11.16 holding 85.83 hicles shares in88.35 Ikeja 8.41 Plc. 90.78 92.25 Hotels 22.08 62.68 group 68.44 Goodie Ibru’s said 89.75 89.75 that9.20 its ex-parte motion was 84.51 as a13.57 sequel to82.61 a litigation be10.00 92.00 92.00 tween the children of Alex’s 19.70 55.50 55.50 first11.11 wife, Mrs89.88 Helen Ibru 91.63and Maiden, his second wife. 10.65 87.00 87.00 92.84

97.84

9-Jan-15

4,045.01

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute **Treasury Bills FIXINGS Money & Forwards) professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis andMarket may not be accurateForeign or up toExchange date. We(Spot do not guarantee DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the Rate basis(%)of the Information. NIBOR FGN

13 20 27 Bonds34 41 48 Rating/Agency 55 62 69 76 83 90 97 104 111 NA 118 125 153 167 209 237 328 342

22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 26-Feb-15 Issuer 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 NA 7-May-15 14-May-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 6-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15

10.70 10.70 10.92 10.70 11.00 11.00 Description 12.20 12.11 4.00 23-APR-2015 11.19 13.05 16-AUG-2016 12.65 15.10 27-APR-2017 12.40 9.85 27-JUL-2017 10.91 9.35 31-AUG-2017 12.55 10.70 30-MAY-2018 12.30 16.00 29-JUN-2019 13.10 7.00 23-OCT-2019 13.00 16.39 27-JAN-2022 13.00 14.20 14-MAR-2024 14.00 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.40 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.00 13.15 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.15 10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.60 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

10.45 10.45 10.67 10.45 10.75 10.75Date Issue 11.95 11.86 23-Apr-10 10.94 16-Aug-13 12.40 27-Apr-12 12.15 27-Jul-07 10.66 31-Aug-07 12.30 30-May-08 12.05 29-Jun-12 12.85 23-Oct-09 12.75 27-Jan-12 12.75 14-Mar-14 13.75 28-Nov-08 13.15 22-May-09 12.75 12.90 20-Nov-09 12.90 23-Jul-10 13.35 18-Jul-14

10.74 10.76 11.01 10.81 11.14 11.16 (%) Coupon 12.43 12.36 4.00 11.43 13.05 12.99 15.10 12.76 9.85 11.21 9.35 12.98 10.70 12.75 16.00 13.64 7.00 13.57 16.39 13.61 14.20 14.87 15.00 14.28 12.49 14.05 14.38 8.50 14.91 10.00 15.59 12.1493

Bonds

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding Value 6M

(N'bn)

Rate (%) 9.9583 13.9864 14.5006 15.6936Date Maturity

535.00 23-Apr-15 581.39 16-Aug-16 NITTY 452.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 11.1343 100.00 31-Aug-17 2M 11.2622 300.00 30-May-18 3M 12.8563 351.30 29-Jun-19 6M 13.1095 233.90 23-Oct-19 9M 14.3103 600.00 27-Jan-22 12M 15.0776 414.68 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 NIFEX 200.00 20-Nov-29 Current Price ($/N) 591.57 23-Jul-30 BID($/N) 178.00 183.5500 18-Jul-34 OFFER ($/N) 183.6500

4,783.63

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

8.96

Tenor

Spot O/N 9.63 7D 14D REPO Offer Yield Tenor Rate (%) 1M TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield (%) (%) Call 9.50 2M 1M 14.60 3M 0.28 11.84 11.29 3M 14.95 6M 1.60 15.20 15.09 6M 15.90 1Y 2.30 15.33 15.25 2.55 15.35 15.27 NOTE: 2.64 15.35 15.27 3.39 15.31 15.18 :Benchmarks 4.47 15.25 15.16 * :Amortising Bond 4.79 15.25 15.14 µ :Convertible Bond 7.05 Management Corporation 15.25 15.18 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 9.18Government of 15.31 15.25 FGN: Federal Nigeria 13.89 Mortgage Bank 14.38 14.33 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 14.36 Finance Corporation 14.27 14.22 IFC: International LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 14.86 14.15 14.09 NAHCO: Nigerian 15.53 Aviation Handling 14.74 Company14.68 O/N: Overnight 19.52 15.21 15.16 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

183.00 183.10 183.28 Price 183.39 183.57 183.71 184.24 184.69 Bid Price Offer Price 185.49 186.46 186.73 188.19 97.81 97.96 190.98 193.88 97.00 97.15 200.06 205.50 99.50 99.65 88.72 88.87 87.34 87.49 88.42 NA :Not88.12 Applicable 102.35 102.65 # :Floating Rate Bond 72.64 72.94 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 104.80 105.10 94.55 94.85 ‡ : Bond rating under review 103.63 †: Bond rating expired 103.93 89.21 89.51 N/A :Not Available {r} :Issuer in receivership65.56 65.26 71.35 71.65 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 81.00 81.30 UBA: United Bank for Africa

4,377.67

*for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration #

Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **ExclusiveRating/Agency of non-trading t.bills Issuer

OBB

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 % Exposure_ 06-Jul-17 Mod_Duration

0.37 1.23 1.92 2.28 Implied Yield 2.49

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

15.51 17.42 17.29 16.33 INDEX 16.36

94.53 99.85 98.02 96.00 YTD Return 92.78 (%)

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM Modified Duration Buckets

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National 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 Total Outstanding 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 Porfolio Market Value(Bn) Volume(Bn)

24-May-12 0.00 03-Apr-12FMDQ FGN 17.25 BOND 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 Weighting by Weighting by Mkt 06-Jul-12 0.00/16.50 Outstanding Vol Value

1,014.48

1,034.18

32.63

34.26

3<5

1,380.44

1,365.98

43.09

46.62

566.26

769.57

24.28

3,169.73

24.56

INDEX 2.70

112.22 116.70 Bucket 66.49 Weighting

322.67

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 Implied 1.00 Portfolio Price

0.33

13.79

15.27

117.0455

1,111.69

11.1694

0.43

46.18

15.27

119.9508

1,015.70

1.5698

19.12

0.24

40.03

14.86

86.6680

1,013.30

1.3302

100.00 31-Aug-10

12.50100.00

8.50 1.00

100.00 31-Aug-15

15.11 0.64

110.9223 4.44

1,059.21 19.03

5.9211 96.19

309.63

A+/Agusto

KADUNA Market

12.50 KADUNA2,961.18 31-AUG-2015

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.48

3.23

17.37

98.80

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

1.00

4.46

19.56

95.32

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

1.00

3.48

18.58

97.44

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR‡

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.27

5.59

20.92

80.93

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.54

1.00

16.22

96.87

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.98

1.79

17.12

92.94

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.15

1.80

17.12

94.79

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.73

1.00

16.29

93.71

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.35

1.00

16.34

96.74

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.35

4.78

20.12

89.44

Business | Interview

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Okonjo Iweala, a mismatch for Nigerian economy, says Enwegbara The Nigerian economy is currently in a deplorable condition owing to the dwindling revenue accruing to the Federation Account occassioned by the crash in the price of crude oil. In this chat, a development economist, financial analyst and social commentator, Mr. Odilim Enwegbara, bares his mind on the political dynamics of the economy. He tells Yusuf Shuaib that the trouble is with the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, whom he describes as a complete mismatch for the Nigerian economy. Excerpts How would you rate the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan? It will be difficult to assess the performance of this administration in a minute of two, especially if one has to fully examine its achievements and failures. Having said that, let me quickly say here that President Jonathan is a man with good heart, a leader whose style of leadership is what the country needs right now. In fact, he came at the right time; a time the Nigerian state and its sovereignty were at a crossroads. If it were the likes of Olusegun Obasanjo, the country would have been on fire. His handling of the Boko Haram insurgents has been world class, giving every action all the care it required. So far, he has done a good job, especially given that Nigeria has never been confronted with such difficulty of insurgency. Jonathan has done so well in the management of the country’s security problem as well as promoting our political democracy in a way that has grown the independence of the three arms of government, which Obasanjo, acting like a dictator, never allowed to flourish. Now, when we look at his achievement, when considering the economy — the bread and butter — I strongly believe that he should have done far much better given the huge revenues the country generated during his administration. The failure to achieve much in economy started with handing of the country’s economy to Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, who Obasanjo unceremoniously distanced from the finance ministry in 2006. While I didn’t expect Jonathan to be the economic manager himself, as the president, he should have been able to employ the best hands to help him manage the economy in a way that grows it through massive investment in infrastructure, empowerment and encouragement of real sector of the economy. He also made a vital mistake in appointing Mr. Godwin Emefiele as the CBN governor to succeed Sanusi. You see, what separates great leaders from average leaders is the ability to select the best and brightest men and women who will help these leaders achieve their set goals. In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt, chose not professors or technocrats to help him revive America’s bleeding economy caused by the great depression he inherited from his predecessor, President Hoover. Rather than celebrity economists and development “experts’’ he hired

like Nigeria? How many PhDs or MBAs did Aliko Dangote have from MIT or Harvard, if not his exceptional gift of commonsense that made him not only the richest man in Africa, but also among the world’s 25 richest?

Enwegbara

The failure to achieve much in economy started with handing of the country’s economy to Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, who Obasanjo unceremoniously distanced from the finance ministry in 2006

commonsense men like Marriner Eccles, who never saw the four walls of the university, to be the country’s chief banker, as chairman of the ever powerful Federal Reserve; as well as Mr. Henry Morgenthau Jr., a Columbia University second year architecture dropout, as treasury secretary (minister of finance). When American praised him for his administration’s economic miracles, he replied: “As a good leader, I was able to select the best who have what it takes, not what the books say, to return the economy back to growth.’’ Deng Xiaoping, who singlehandedly transformed China, as soon as he took over the ruined economy of China in December 1978, assembled commonsense party bureaucrats who understood the problems of the country, not imported technocrats, to carefully design the Chinese way of economic revolution. Like Roosevelt in 1933, Deng never hired economists to come up with novel ways to position Chinese economy. Also in 1868, the Meiji economic revolution in Japan was conducted by Emperor Meiji’s in-house bureaucrats, without any of them having heard anything about Adam

Smith economics. Even in 1791 when Alexander Hamilton became American first secretary of treasury (minister of finance) who notwithstanding not being an economist, was able to discover that adopting Adam Smith’s international free trader wouldn’t be America’s interest of catching up with Britain then, the world’s number one industrial economy, when he openly advocated that his country adopted an “infant’’ industry protection policy that shielded his country’s small businesses from the unfair competition with their British “adult’’ counterparts. Jonathan’s poor economic performance is due to his believe in hiring those who not only claimed to have studied at big western universities, with socalled world’s best certificates, but those who also claimed to have worked in so-called leading multilateral institutions like the World Bank. The president was deceived by their so-called pedigrees, never asked himself two basic questions, which are: Which country in the world can the World Bank claim to have developed? Is having worked at the World Bank sufficient to be able to manage complex economies

Now, are you advocating that Nigeria should adopt a closed door policy to survive? Of course yes. When you read the history of all today’s advanced economies, you will notice that without exception, they all practiced economic protectionism and some are still practicing it. Britain, in 1489, US, in 1791, Germany, in 1841, Japan, in 1868, South Korea, in 1961, China in 1978. So there is no exception. These same countries are insisting — the same way Adam Smith insisted on free trade on behalf of his Great Britain — that we naively adopt free trade as proposed by them through their World Trade Organisation. Or else, how do we expect to join their exclusive industrial club if we should continue to allow their adult industries to continue to dump their finished goods on Nigeria; is that not in ways continue to displace our small businesses and as a result stifle our industrialisation? By imposing high tariffs on foreign made goods while at the same time providing incentives to local industries, as well as investing massively in infrastructure expansion and upgrading in ways that drastically lower the current high cost of doing business in Nigeria, we should not only encourage a level playing field amongst local competitors, we should, by doing so, be luring those foreign pumpers to either relocate their factories to Nigeria or lose our 170 million consumer market. Are you saying that the likes of Okonjo-Iweala and others are not capable of providing such policies to government? If they are capable, how come they have not done so to date? They are not pursuing such policies because as neoliberals who promote World Bank antidevelopment policies in developing countries like ours, they do not believe we should pursue such policies that should make us become like western economies. That is why as a neo-liberal economist that believes in prudent management of our economy without growth and jobs, Okonjo-Iweala is a complete mismatch, the last person to be hired to fix our economy. Her macro-economic prudent based on fiscal austerity driven

Business | Interview

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

by low capital spending and big grammar, to say the least, can be called mismanagement of our economy. Her prudence which refuses to speed up the economy by growing it through mobilising investment into capital projects is likened to that elderly driver who in an attempt to be prudent on the road, is driving 10km per hour on a highway, when doing so, not only endangers him, but also other highway users, because highways are meant for certain speed, at least not less than 80km per hour. I am certain that whenever she finishes destroying this economy in the name of macroeconomic prudence, it is going to take the country a minimum of a decade of clean-ups before we will be able to bring the economy out of the woods. That is the painful truth. Majority of Nigerians do not understand that she is on a mission to destroy our economy. How is she destroying the economy? To understand how colossal the damage is, just take a look at what she is doing with 2015 budget - extreme austerity; can you apply extreme austerity when you need to really stimulate an economy you want to prevent from recession? In 2009, as a result of the global economic meltdown, America stimulated its economy by pouring over $740 billion as fiscal stimulus package which was invested in upgrading the country’s decadent infrastructure that made it overtime uncompetitive. While she is talking about economy diversification, what is she rolling out in her 2015 budget estimates? Reducing capital spending from N1.119 trillion in 2014 to N634 trillion (almost half); increasing debt servicing from N712 billion in 2014 to N943; while reducing fiscal deficit to GDP from 1.9 per cent to unheard-of 0.79, she insisted on economic diversification while rather than borrow to invest in improving the real sector, she is only borrowing to support recurrent. That is why while capital budget shrinks by close to half in 2015, recurrent grows from 72 per cent in 2014 to 86 per cent in 2015.

Enwegbara

your pro-borrowing argument? The same way Aliko Dangote has justifies his debt which makes him the most indebted African. If we don’t borrow to grow the economy by investing in infrastructure in a way that lowers the cost of doing business in Nigeria, how do we want Nigerian real sector firms to become competitive when their foreign counterparts have to take power supply for granted, world-class road networks for granted, in addition to lower interest rates? It is understandable why most Nigerians are afraid of borrowing because governments in the past and present only borrowed for the purpose of maintaining big government, not for investing or growing the economy. If Dangote, as an individual, is investing over 90 per cent of borrowed money in building what is going to become the largest refinery in Africa, why can’t a sovereign nation, one of the under-borrowed creditworthy nations of the world, borrow

What is your take on lawmakers’ jumbo pay which is the highest in the world? You have said it yourself. Let me tell you that by their appropriating as high as N150 billion to themselves, the country’s lawmakers are only making laws that allows them to empty the country’s treasury and hand it to themselves. The only way to stop them from allocating such unheard-of amount to themselves is to remove the decision on their payroll from them. After all, who wouldn’t allocate more money to himself if allowed to do so by his employer? As their employers, we have failed to determine how much they should be paid. It is we the people of Nigeria that have the blame for not determining how much all political officeholders should receive, including the executives and judiciary. You are one of the economists who believe that Nigeria should borrow itself out of its present oil economy. How far can you justify

Enwegbara

Governments in the past and present only borrowed for the purpose of maintaining big government, not for investing or growing the economy

to fix its moribund refineries, crisscross the nation with worldclass road networks, expand its power generation and transmission from about 3,500 MW to not less than 100,000 MW? Can you believe that at about 13 per cent debt to GDP, we are truly under-borrowed compared with America’s 107 per cent, Brazil’s 66 per cent, India’s 68 per cent, and South Africa’s 44 per cent? Of course, we are talking about Nigeria with over $300 billion infrastructure deficit against countries with some of the world’s best infrastructure. If we truly want to address our infrastructure deficit headon, we should borrow as high as 60 per cent of our current GDP, which should amount to as high as $300 billion. Why should Nigeria, even though is one of the least indebted nations, still spend more servicing its debt annually than it spends in capital projects is because our domestic debt is ridiculously high to the extent that it is $60 billion

domestic debt against $9.5 billion foreign debt. That is why to borrow wisely and cheaply we should borrow externally since it is cheaper with longer maturities. Do you believe that Nigeria is broke? What an irony that a country that sells over 2.2 million barrels of oil every day and generates billions of dollars every year from being the sixth largest oil producer in the world should be broke. It depend on the way you see it, even the richest man in the world could be broke if he prodigally spends his income to the extent that outflows become higher than inflows. There is no nation as mismanaged as Nigeria has been that still remains afloat. As high as 80 per cent of the entire national revenue is spent solely on maintaining our prodigal politicians and public servants, who do nothing else to work hard in diverting our commonwealth for their insatiable second-to-none lifestyles, while the rest of Nigerians continue to struggle in abject poverty. If you are asked to help the next president to select the next minister of finance, who would you recommend? He should not look for economists like me, but for men and women with exceptional commonsense approach to economic development. Gifted Nigerians like Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi who have outperformed in reviving the country’s banking and financial sector should be rewarded. Politicians like Senator Nenadi Usman, the former finance minister and chairman of Senate Committee on Investment should be considered before understanding the politics of economic development in Nigeria. Also bankers like Mr. Atedo Peterside should be considered. I will include also people like Prof. Pat Utomi and current governor of Lagos State Mr. Babatunde Fashola. These are the kind of men and women who are serious minded, pro-investment, progrowth and pro-jobs the president should interview for the job.

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Leisure Arcade NUTS

By Kaycee

MAMA LASISI

By Aliu Eroje

MOYIN & FRIENDS

NTPuzzle

By Ayo Oyerinde

NTJokes BARBER’S SHOP

SUDOKU - Answer to No 31

ALIU EROJE

CHIEF CARTOONIST aliu.eroje@newtelegraphonline.com

3 5

The barber looked around the shop full of customers and said, “In 2 hours.” The guy left. A few days later the same guy stuck his head in the door and asked, “How long before I can get a haircut?”

6 7

SUDOKU - No 32

A guy stuck his head into a barber’s shop and asked, “How long before I can get a haircut?”

The barber looked around at the shop and said, “About 3 hours.” The guy left. A week later the same guy stuck his head in the shop and asked, “How long before I can get a haircut?” The barber looked around the shop and said, “About an hour only.” The guy left.

How to play

The barber turned to a friend and said, “Sunday, please help me. Follow that guy and see where he goes. He keeps asking how long he has to wait for a haircut, but then he doesn’t ever come back”.

The objective is to fill a 9x9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes (also called blocks or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9. A cell is the smallest block in the game. A row , column and region consists of 9 cells and the whole game consists of 81 cells. A region has thicker lines surrounding it. This simply makes it easier to play the game.

A little while later, Sunday returned to the shop, laughing hysterically. The barber asked, “So where does that guy go whenever he leaves here?” Sunday looked up, with tears in his eyes and said, “To your wife at home”

SUDOKU

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Group Managing Director, Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Mr. Adebola Akindele (middle) and other members of staff after the ‘Walk for Life’ during the company’s 10th Anniversary in Lagos.

L-R: Mrs. Adeshina Osagbemi; Capt. Adedotun Osagbemi and Mr. Henry O. Osagbemi, during the graduation ceremony of their son, Capt Adedotun, at Arik Air in Lagos . PHOTO: ADEYANJU

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Plateau State, Sen. Gyang Pwajok (second left), presenting PDP flag to Governor Jonah Jang, during a reception for Pwajok in Jos. PHOTO-NAN

L-R: Owa Eredumi of Ife, High Chief Olaoluwa Omiwenu; Prof. Kolawole Raheem of the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; National Coordinator, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams; Obadio of Ife, High Chief Ifarotimi Faloba and Director-General, Nigeria-Uruguay Economic Centre, Lagos, Chief Fola Oludare Ayodele, after a press conference to announce the forth-coming OPC 2015 Festivals in Lagos.

Photo | News

Pastor in charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Niger Province, Pastor Kolajo Sanya (right), presenting an award of recognition to Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, during the 25th anniversary of the church in Minna.

L-R: Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, Mr. Awal Rafsanjani; Head of Research and Advocacy of Youth for Advocacy Growth and Advancement, Mr. Samson Itodo and Convener, Protest to Power, Mr. Jaye Gaskia, during a meeting on the state of the Nation in Abuja.

L-R: National Secretary, Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Ahaji Yusuf Ariyo; Deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulahadi Rabiu-Kara; Lagos State governorship candidate, Mrs Dupe Abiola Onitiri; Chairman of the party, Dr. Frederick Fasehun and Mr. Okey Nwaneri, at the first annual convention of the party in Lagos.

Bishop of Uyo Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. John Ayah (middle), giving Papal blessing to the Akwa Ibom State PDP governorship candidate, Udom Emmanuel in Uyo.

News

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Ondo PDP moves to checkmate defection to APC Babatope Okeowo Akure

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has moved to checkmate the defection of its members to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). that is following the fallout between the two factions of the party in the state over the power sharing formula for offices and elective positions.

28.4%

At the meeting of the party’s stakeholders held in Akure, the state capital at the weekend, the party leaders tasked Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who is the leader of the party to redress the situation. It was revealed that already, some members of the party, including the state coordinator of the Jonathan Actualisation Movement (JAM) and former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Victor Olabimtan,

The percentage of the urban population of Guyana in 2012. Source: un.org

his successor in office, Taofiq Olawale Abdusalam, family and appointees of former Governor the state, Dr Olusegun Agagu are set to dump the party for APC. It was gathered that major stakeholders, including the governorship candidate of the party in the last election in the state, Chief Olusola Oke, former party chairmen, Dr Lucas Gbakinro, Dr Tayo Dairo, among others, flayed the defection of PDP leaders

1.57m

The total number of connected Mobile (GSM) lines in 2002. Source: Ncc.gov.ng

and members to the opposition party, requesting that Mimiko redressed the situation which portends bad omen for the party as elections approach. An impeccable party source said major stakeholders of the party have continued to express regret about the appointment of Mr. Tokunbo Modupe, formerly of the Labour Party as the State Coordinator of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) campaign.

N359.7m

The total capital importation value of the Production/Manufacturing sector in 2009. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

While asking the governor to halt the trend, the stakeholders were said to have also accused the governor, being the South West Coordinator to have deliberately skewed appointments of membership of the party’s electioneering body against old PDP members. The source said,’’We insist that the appointment should be reserved for Old PDP members.”

837,094

The total population of Reunion (rep. 0.012% of world’s population) in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

L-R: Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola; member, Osun State House of Assembly, Mr. Muhammed Ibraheem; National Chairman, Board of Trustees of Nasrul-Lahi-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Alhaji Lateef Oladosu; President, NASFAT Worldwide, Mr. Kamil Abayomi; Chief Missioner, Alhaji Abdulahi Akinbode and guest Lecturer, Prof. Abdul Hafis Oladosu, at NASFAT’s Special Thanksgiving Service on Osun governor’s victory, in Osogbo …yesterday

NUJ condemns non-remittance of pension, tax Appolonia Adeyemi

n its efforts to ensure that retired journalists get their pension, the Lagos State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) said it would, henceforth, monitor media organisations to ensure that those that fail to fulfill their obligation in respect of remittance of deductible fund from employees’ sala-

ries are either compelled to do so, or brought to book. To this end, the union has mandated a threeman committee to initiate the fact-finding mission that would identify organisations that do not remit pensions, taxes and other dues that are deducted from salaries of their employees’. The Lagos State Council Chairman, Mr. Deji Elu-

moye, while inaugurating the committee during the monthly Congress of the Lagos NUJ at the Union’s Secretariat, Ikeja, at the weekend, explained that the rationale for the committee, was to halt the abysmal and hopeless situation, where funds deducted from employees’ salaries are not remitted by most employers in the industry. He noted, that while the

funds were usually deducted, retiring journalists do not get their pension at the end of their career, stating that the trend was becoming embarrassing to the union and must be checkmated. “It is becoming embarrassing because a lot of our members are getting to retirement age and if this trend continues, they will not have anything to fall back on.”

The committee, chaired by Mr. Caje Nwachukwu, of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), also include, Ifeyinwa Omowole, President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and Dupe OlaoyeOsinkolu, Chairman of NAWOJ, Lagos State. Pension for retiring workers, is one of the solid security attributes ap-

Group warns clerics against politics Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

group, the Opomulero Vanguard, has warned clerics against getting involved in partisan politics. According to its Convener, Mr Stephen Oladipupo, who spoke in AdoEkiti yesterday, it would be a disservice to any sane society if religious leaders get involved in partisan politics. The group was reacting to conflicting reports about religious denominations giving directives or denying giving directives to members on who to vote for in the February 14, 2015 presidential election. “While it is clear that Nigerians cannot be deceived by the sanctimonious postulations of some religious contractors who are bent on misleading the people for selfish political gains, it is important to expose the antics of these religious bigots in order to prevent them from infecting other Nigerians who are patriotic and God-fearing with their hypocrisy. “The Opomulero Vanguard wishes to appeal to these religious hypocrites who are propelled by their ungodly appetite for political relevance and gains to desist from insidiously disseminating falsehood which could be inimical to the peace and unity of Nigeria,” he said.

proved by the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention, as their social security since 1919. Jour nalists have sought the intervention of successive NUJ leaderships, over unremitted pension, taxes. They have often complained that if the trend is not checked, it would have devastating consequences on retired journalists.

Raji-Rasaki, Ajibola in Ekiti tussle

Oyatomi applauds Buhari/Osinbajo ticket

Adesina Wahab

Adeolu Adeyemo

Ado-Ekiti

ver a month after the conduct of primary elections into various political positions, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still grappling with rancour over who is its authentic candidate for the Ekiti Central Senatorial District. Investigation by our correspondent in Ado-Ekiti revealed that despite the emergence of Mrs Fatima Raji-Rasaki as the party’s candidate during the pri-

mary election, another aspirant, Lati Ajijola, is still contesting the ticket. Fatima Raji-Rasaki is a former member of the House of Representatives, while Ajijola, former senator, Bode Ola and a former Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr Obafemi Adewale, contested the primary poll. According to the official results by the PDP, RajiRasaki won the primary, while Ajijola came second. However, controversy started trailing the exercise right from the venue of the collation

of the result when Ajijola claimed he was announced the winner, but that another result was announced at the party’s state secretariat. Only few days ago, Ajijola pasted another set of his campaign poster in which he gave hope o his supporters that he is the candidate of the party. The development forced Raji-Rasaki to embark on a set of announcements on local radio in which she lambasted some people for claiming to be what they were not.

OSOGBO

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Osun State yesterday described the party’s presidential candidates of General Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo ticket as a right decision, stating that the two men are the characters that the country deserve to move out of the present doldrum. The party pointed out that the two candidates would work assiduously

to implement their party’s people or oriented programmes, to impact positively on the lives of the citizenry, irrespective of ethnic-religious differences. In a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo, by the APC Director Of Publicity and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, it commended the plan of the duo who promise to start with a massive social security scheme in Nigeria if the APC is voted into office. He remarked “This would be the first of

its kind by any Federal Government in Nigeria for over a century of the country’s existence,” The APC appealed to all Nigerians to think deeply about what difference this scheme would make to the country in terms of poverty alleviation. Oyatomi, further maintained that the democratic packages of the party for the people of the country, if voted into power, remain unique and stand out among all other political parties competing with APC.

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Abia bars New Telegraph correspondent from Govt House Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

or what it described as the relentless attack on the Government of Abia State by the publisher of New Telegraph and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the Abia State government last Thursday banned New Telegraph correspondent in the state, Igbeaku Orji, from entering the Government House or reporting events there. The ban was with immediate effect.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, who handed down the ban, said he was directed to inform the correspondent of the decision of the authorities even though the reporter has not done anything wrong. “I have to start by commending you for your positive reports and support to our government, but I am under instruction to ask you to stay away from the Government House or covering activities there for now. “I do not understand why the former governor would continue to use two

$14.5m

The total amount of salary/winnings of Rafael Nadal (Tennis) for 2014. Source: Forbes.com

News 47

SOUTH - EAST

national newspapers, The Sun and the New Telegraph, to attack the Abia State government, The Sun correspondent had earlier been barred from coming here and sorry you have to follow. “If there is anything I can do for you, I will not hesitate, be rest assured that we can send press releases of what happens here to your box,” he said. He said he has called the editors of the newspaper to inquire about the attack on the state government, but has no option than to stop the correspondent from entering the Government

3.3bn

The estimated number of people affected by malaria worldwide in 2012. Source: Nigeria.usembassy.gov

House forthwith. The order came on a day the New Telegraph published the state government’s malaria eradication initiative through the launch of the redistribution of the insecticidal treated nets campaign. Ajunwa carried out the directive in the presence of the Deputy Director of Information, Government House, Mr. Jinanwa Azubuike, who had earlier asked for the phone number of the New Telegraph correspondent, but who told him that the correspondent was at the Government House Press Centre at the time.

1.9%

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

Buhari: I’ll revive coal industry for power generation if… Uwakwe Abugu ENUGU

he presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, at the weekend in Enugu told the people of the South East that if elected president next month, he would revive the coal industry in Enugu to generate electricity for the zone and the nation. Writing off the 16year administration of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the country, Buhari warned the electorate that doomsday awaited the nation should they re-elect the PDP in the February general election. The APC candidate, who arrived in Enugu late on Saturday to meet a mammoth crowd of supporters at the Mi-

chael Okpara Square, venue of the rally, further pledged to rebuild the moribund Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMMCO), Enugu, to create employment and help fight the current crime rate in the zone while also shoring up the economy of the area. Buhari spoke further on issues affecting the zone and the nation, saying that; “The provision of stable electricity will discourage massive importation of power generators and reduce the cost of production; that is why it has become imperative to revive the coal industry.” On corruption that has remained the bane of development in the country, he said he was determined to tackle the scourge, adding; ‘If Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.’

CAN youth wing sacks chairman Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

L-R: Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu; Governor Sullivan Chime and Enugu PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the flag-off of PDP presidential and gubernatorial campaign rally in Enugu…at the weekend.

he Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Imo State chapter has sacked its Chairman, Pastor Kamuche Chukwudi and elected Rev. (Dr.) Uche Emeghara, as its new chairman. Before sacking Chukwudi, the association passed a vote of no confidence in him, citing the non- involvement of bloc leaders in the administration of the association as reason for showing him the way out. The association also accused him of divisive politics as well as compromising his position by

selling out to politicians. But Chukwudi fired back at his traducers, maintaining that he remains the chairman of the association. He said: “I am still the chairman of YOWICAN. I don’ know who is giving you information, but the truth is that I am still in office. Right now, if you can come to the secretariat, you will see me and other executives of the association. Nobody has removed me from office.” It was gathered that decision to sack Chukwudi was taken by bloc leaders of the association at a separate meeting in Owerri after Chukwudi had ordered the locking up of the association’s secretariat.

Anambra holds mass funeral for Biafra war victims Obiano advises investors PEACE

At long last, the souls of the children of Biafra will rest in peace Tony Okafor AWKA

he Anambra State government and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will today hold a burial/funeral ceremony for all Igbo who lost their lives in the Nigerian civil war, otherwise called the Biafran war. The ceremony will hold at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Anambra

State. In commemoration of the day, Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has declared today a work-free day for the people to reflect on the events of that era. Consequent upon this, public and private institutions, including banks and schools, informed their clients of the development about a week ago. The expectation according to government and APGA sources is that Ndigbo from all walks of life would storm Awka for the occasion. Rommy Onwuka, the Spiritual Head of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), who originated the concept,

told New Telegraph that the ceremony had become expedient to appease the land and the gods. He said from his finding, most children born after the war in Igboland are rascally and deviant in their attitude, apparently because the gods are angry. Onwuka also attributed what he called the political travail of Ndigbo in Nigeria to the same source. He said he had long suggested this ‘all important ritual’ to most governments in the South East, but that only Obiano showed any keen interest on the subject. Speaking on the development, the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, who

is the Anambra Central senatorial candidate of the party in next month's general election, lauded the idea. He said: “For us in APGA, we think we owe our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in that war that claimed millions of lives of our people a befitting funeral since the circumstances of the time did not allow for that.” He thanked Governor Obiano for accepting to facilitate ‘this necessary ritual’, and called on all Igbo to be part of the function, adding; “That is how the souls of these our brothers and sisters, who for no offence of theirs, died that we may survive, rest in peace.”

he Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has urged the international business community and Nigerians in the Diaspora, who wish to invest in his state, to take advantage of the one stop agency, the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) to make such investments. He said dealing directly with the agency means doing business without going through multiple, incoherent agencies and offices. The governor spoke while speaking as the special guest of honour at the USAfrica Interactive Forum at the weekend in Houston, Texas, where

he received the award of ‘Nigeria’s Governor of the Year 2014.’ The former banker and auditor also listed prudent management of the resources of the state, granting economic enablement to investors and business men and aggressive attack on all forms of crime as the highlights of his performance in the last nine months of his administration. Obiano said: “Even as my government is being commended for several achievements, we are going to achieve more significant projects in 2015 such as a cargo airport and an inland seaport." The flyover projects in Awka will be ready for use.”

News

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

Delta PDP protests imposition in Patani Joe Obende Warri

ggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Patani, headquarters of Patani Local Goverment Area in Delta State, have protested what they alleged as the imposition of the loser of the November 29, 2014 House of Assembly primaries, Tonye Timi, on the con-

12%

The crude death rate of Western Africa in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

stituency. The party stakeholders and other supporters of the incumbent Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana, are insisting that he won the election going by the number of votes on the day of the election. Accusing the national leadership of the PDP of masterminding the alleged electoral fraud, the protesters vowed that

they would not give up, until the election of the real winner of the primary election is revalidated. They insisted that the monumental fraud could only have been masterminded from Abuja as no one suspected the election of Ganagana, could be upturned in such a ‘brazen daylight fraudulent’ manner. The protesters, who expressed shock at the turn of events as the

$262m

victory was too glaring to be subverted marched through major roads in Patani at the weekend, as they demanded the immediate restoration of the people’s mandate as reflected in the election won by the lawmaker threatening to work against the party in the general election. Addressing a joint news briefing on the protest, PDP chieftains, Harrison Biu, Rev. Israel

0.53

The estimated transfer cost of Lionel Messi of The number of fixed-telephone subscripBarcelona FC in 2015. tions per 100 inhabitants of Angola in 2007. Source: Finance.yahoo.com Source: Itu.int

Unutame and Special Assistant to Ganagana on Media and Research, Patrick Edema, expressed a lack of confidence in the national executive of the PDP for subverting the will of the people. “How can a candidate who scored 31 votes be substituted with another who scored 18 votes? This is travesty of justice and a rape on democracy. We will resist it until justice is done”, they declared.

702

The total area (in sq. km) of Micronesia Federation. Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

L-R: Group Managing Director, SO&U, Mr. Udeme Ufot; Akwa Ibom State Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obong Paul Ekpo and Executive Director, Mobil Producing, Eket, Mr. Udom Inoyo, at the public presentation of the PDP governorship candidate in Lagos

Ekpo eulogises Udom T he formal presentation of the governorship flag to Mr Udom Emmanuel by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos during the party’s presidential campaign flag-off last week Thursday, has been described as unifying the state chapter of the party against all odds as well as placing it in a good stead to win all the elections in the state. The party’s Chairman in the state, Paul Ekpo, stated this in Uyo, the state capital, while addressing party faithful and supporters, who thronged the Akwa Ibom international airport to welcome Mr Udom Emmanuel and his entourage from Lagos. According to Ekpo, the presentation of the governorship flag to our candidate, Udom Emmanuel has finally laid to rest speculations and misinformation that had pervaded

the political sphere and I am impressed with the turnout of our people to welcome us and this is a demonstration of the fact that Udom is the best for Akwa Ibom and he is the face of the new Akwa Ibom.” Speaking further, Ekpo said, “ Udom is the best for Akwa Ibom and our people are happy because he will take the state to the next level because of his wealth of experience and exposure in the corporate world. In the face of dwindling oil revenue, it is apt that somebody with Udom’s kind of background be made to manage our state and not just anybody.” “I call on my fellow brothers and sisters who are threatening to decamp to the opposition to have a rethink and rally round Udom who is the choice of the generality of Akwa Ibom State at home and in the diaspora”, he declared.

Bayelsa moves against employment syndicate Chris Ejim YENAGOA

he Bayelsa State government said it has directed security agencies in the state to apprehend some persons, who are selling fake oil and gas forms to members of the unsuspecting public, under the guise of providing them with the jobs. In a statement from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Oil and Gas, Hon. Basil Kenbo, the government stated that, some criminally minded elements in the state, have been found to be behind the fraud, the aim purely intended to extort money from innocent people of the state. In his words “some criminally minded and dubious elements are using my office to illegally perpetrate crimes by selling fake oil and gas forms to members of the public with the prime aim of extorting money from them. “I wish to categorically state that, the office of the SSA to the Governor on oil and Gas has not authorised the sale of forms to any person or group of persons to the best of my knowledge as regards employment of Bayelsans into oil and gas committee”

Ayade: I’ll not disappoint Clement James CALABAR

he governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade, has promised even development, assuring that he would not disappoint the people of the state, if elected in the February 28 governorship polls.

Ayade, who spoke to a crowd of people in Calabar at the weekend, stated that he would make judicious use of the resources of the state, to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state, particularly in the area of development, noting that he would work assiduously for the benefit of the state. Speaking to the crowd who thronged Margaret

Ekpo International Airport, to welcome him along with Sen. Liyel Imoke, Ayade said “I thank you, Cross Riverians for turning out in your numbers to show your support for my candidature. I am very grateful and I want to assure our people that I will not disappoint you. I will not dash your hopes and the confidence that you have reposed in me.”

He urged the people to vote for the PDP in all the elections, saying that is the only way they will continue to enjoy democracy dividends. Ayade, a serving Senator, said he would use his experiences in both the business world and politics to serve the people, pointing out that the state cannot make progress without the cooperation of the people.

My guber primary victory destined by God –Okowa Dominic Adewole ASABA

he governorship flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday described his victory at the primary election of the party as destined by God against all odds. Speaking at a thanksgiving service, at the St. Philips Anglican Church in Asaba yesterday, the PDP governorship candi-

date stated that although, he had nursed the ambition of emerging the governor of the state since 1998, his eventual emergence at the primary election was destined. Okowa, who was joined by his wife Edith, thanked God for the gift of life as he said he reposes a lot of trust in God for a resounding victory in the February 28 governorship polls in the state. “In preparation for the return of the country to democratic rule in 1998,

I pitched my tent with the ruling party (PDP), where I coordinated the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) for the former Governor of the state, Chief James Ibori is Campaign Organization. “Owing to my unbroken service as a council chairman and later Commissioners for Agriculture and Natrual Resources, Water Resources Development and Health, before I was appointed by my boss, His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan as the

Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in 2007, the position I held until 2011 when I picked the party’s ticket for the Delta North Senatorial seat. “Prior to this, I also headed Senator Patrick Osakwe’s Campaign Organization before I succeeded him 2011. Today, I am not only being viewed in Abuja as someone who is an ardent loyalist of the party but as someone who has a clinical understanding of Delta state and its people”, he said.

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

News 49

NORTH

Turaki: Nigeria needs credible, competent leaders Musa Pam JOS

igerians were yesterday advised to vote wisely during the February general election as the country needs credible and competent leaders if it must play its role adequately in the comity of nations. Speaking yesterday while presenting a paper

during a political awareness seminar organised by the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN) tagged; “2015 election and me,” Prof. Yusufu Turaki, said it is imperative for Nigerians to elect credible and competent leaders, who have the charisma to exercise fairness and justice in solving the perennial problems bedevilling the nation all these past years.

Diaspora Nigerians want direct UN role in fight against insurgency Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

he umbrella body of Nigerian Christians in the United States of America (CANAN) yesterday asked the United Nations (UN) to invoke its responsibility to protect doctrine and intervene directly in efforts at stopping the rampaging Bokko Haram sect in Nigeria. CANAN in an e-mail statement by its Executive Director, Pastor Laolu Akande, said the

call became imperative following the failure of the counter-insurgency strategies deployed by the Federal Government as reflected in the latest report to the world body. According to the United Nations “Responsibility to Protect Doctrine,” while the duty to prevent and halt genocide and mass atrocities lies first and foremost with the state, yet “the international community has a role that cannot be blocked by the invocation of sovereignty,” Akande noted.

Aliyu disassociates self from Buhari’s posters Dan Atori MINNA

iger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has disassociated himself from campaign posters carrying his image and General Muhammadu Buhari for senate and presidential elections respectively. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Israel Ebije, in a signed statement made available to journalists yesterday, said it is the handwork of enemies of democra-

cy, adding that desperate politicians have resorted to fabricating campaign posters to mislead and cause friction among the Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ebije said the poster currently trending on social network, also carries the image of Niger State PDP gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Umar Muhammed Nasko, Hon. Yakubu Sallau, PDP candidate for House of Representatives and Hon. Jummai Jafaru, candidate for Niger House of Assembly.

Jang: Plateau voters will reject Buhari Musa Pam JOS

lateau State governor, Jonah Jang, yesterday said the electorate in the state will be inaccessible to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. Jang spoke yesterday at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship flag bearer, Senator Gyang Pwajok, visited him with a large crowd of party supporters. According to Jang, Plateau State will not be accessible to APC candidates, including its presidential candidate, because

the state belongs to the PDP and the electorate is preparing to vote massively for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan. “There is no other party apart from PDP in Plateau State and we want to assure Mr. President that for Plateau State, he will only come to say hello, because there is no point for him coming to campaign here as Plateau belongs to him.”

Speaker, Jigawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Ahmed Adamu; Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud and Governor Sule Lamido at the PDP campaign rally in Buji…yesterday

PDP launches gubernatorial campaign in Jigawa PAY BACK TIME

Party urges voters to reciprocate its good governance in Jigawa Dahiru Suleiman DUTSE

he ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State has launched its gubernatorial campaign for next month's general election in Buji town, with a call on the party’s supporters to ensure the success of the party. Speaking on behalf of the Campaign DirectorGeneral at the occasion,

Alhaji Sale Danzomo urged PDP supporters in the state to embrace the party and vote for its candidates for what it has been able to achieve in the past. “It is common knowledge that we have achieved tremendous success in terms of democratic dividend through the purposeful leadership of Governor Sule Lamido in Jigawa State.” Danzomo said the least among the achievements recorded is the provision of infrastructure, which cut cross the length and breadth of the state. Earlier in his remarks, the Jigawa State Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Salisu Mamuda, said voting PDP is a must as it is reciprocal to what we ben-

MAKURDI

s the Federal Government continues to grapple with the challenge of the global

the rules and regulations on the Election Day. Also speaking at the occasion, the Jigawa State PDP flag bearer, Aminu Ringim, called on the electorate to uphold the elections’ rules and regulations. He assured his supporters that they will not be let them down in anyway as they have promised to continue from where their leader stopped for the betterment of the society. Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion include the first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Ali Sa'adu, some visiting prominent politicians from Niger State, all the PDP candidates for next month’s general election, among others.

Again, irate youths burn police station in Jos Musa Pam JOS

arely 24 hours after a group of angry youths set ablaze two buses belonging to the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation in Plateau State, another set of irate youths yesterday razed down a police station along Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government area of the state.

According to a reliable source in the area, who was also at the scene of the incident, the burning of the police station followed the arrest of six people suspected to have taken part in the burning of the two campaign buses belonging to President Goodluck Jonathan around Mango Street and Bauchi Road in the state capital. yesterday observed the presence of military and policemen around

Suswam expresses fears over success of 2015 budget Cephas Iorhemen

efitted of its leadership through the giant effort of our leader, the Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido. In his speech, Governor Lamido said he has no regret in choosing Aminu Ringim as his successor, as he was equal to the task based on his experience and expertise, assuring the people that he was confidence that Ringim could even perform better than himself. He then urged the party’s supporters to strive hard for the success at the polls and guide their votes jealously. “I urged you not to allow defeat from our opponents, be orderly during and after the elections and as well be guided by

economic recession, the Benue State government has expressed fears that this year’s budget, pegged at over N98.545 billion, may not hit the expected target. To this end, the gov-

ernor has indicated his administration’s readiness to trim down unnecessary expenditure in order to realise the expectations of the budget and its implementation.

the scene of the incident. Investigation also revealed that the irate youths, who were protesting against the arrest of the suspects, claimed that the arrested youths were innocent of the crime. The incident, however, caused a heavy gridlock in the area especially in the early hours of yesterday as used tyres were burnt on the road. The Media Officer of the Special Task Force (STF), Captain Ikedichi Iweha, who confirmed the incident, said the police station was set ablaze on account of the investigation into the burning of two buses belonging to the president’s campaign team. He further called on the people to remain calm, saying the secu-

rity agencies are on top of the situation and warned all those who still want to foment trouble to desist or face the full wrath of the law. Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abu Emmanuel, when contacted on the incident, said he was yet to get details of the incident as at the time of filing this report. It will be recalled that on Saturday, a group of angry youths, who were opposed to the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan in the February general election set ablaze two campaign buses belonging to the president’s campaign team along Bauchi Road and Mangu Street in Jos North Local Government area of the state.

News

WORLD | News

MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Saraki: Buhari not comparable World leaders hold unity rally to honor terror victims with Jonathan Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

ormer Kwra State governor and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Bukola Saraki, said the APC presidential candidate in the February general election, General Muhammadu Buhari cannot be compared with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan. He said comparing

Buhari with President Goodluck Jonathan, is like comparing ‘light’ with ‘darkness.’ Saraki, while inaugurating the APC campaign committee for the Kwara State also described the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the state, Senator Simon Ajibola, as a ‘paper weight’ politician that cannot be a threat to the APC during the coming elections. The APC leader added that the PDP campaigners were bereft of ideas on how to move the nation forward, noting that;

“This is the reason why their campaign has not been issue-based.” He asked rhetorically; “What have PDP campaigners been able to point at as the achievements of Jonathan”? He charged the campaign committee headed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly and House of Representatives’ candidate, Alhaji Razaq Atunwa, to ensure the party’s 100 percent success to prove to Abuja that the state belongs to the APC under the Saraki political structure.

Stop recognising ASUSS, NUT tells Ekiti govt Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

ll is not well within the ranks of teachers in Ekiti State as the state council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday called on the state government to stop recognising the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) in the state. NUT is also calling on Governor Ayo Fayose not to see ASUSS as a trade union and should stop according it any respect.

In a petition dated January 7, 2015 signed and addressed to the governor, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent in Ado-Ekiti, NUT said ASUSS was never a registered trade union and should not be recognised any further to prevent a breach of the constitution. The petition entitled “Illegal collection of check-off dues by ASUSS – A teachers’ association not registered as a trade union,” was signed by NUT state Chairman, Comrade Samuel Akosile. Attached to the petition were NUT’s Certificate of Incorporation dated 1931,

a letter dated October 5, 2007 and signed by the Registrar of Trade Unions in the Federal Ministry of Labour, Mr. I. A. Fagbemi, confirming that ASUSS was not registered and other documents relating to ASUSS’s proscription in Ogun and Oyo states. However, ASUSS’s Chairman in Ekiti, Comrade Sola Adigun, who appealed to Akosile and his ilk to shelve divisive tendencies, said the body had since been registered since May 19, 2008 by the Federal Ministry of Labour, contrary to the falsehood being allegedly spread by the NUT chairman.

PDP assures Jonathan of support in Osun Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

hairman of the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, at the weekend, assured the people that the presidential campaign rally to be held tomorrow in the state for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan would be the ‘mother of all rallies’ that would ensure

the party’s victory at the polls in February. Olaoluwa, who gave this assurance while speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, said the victory of President Jonathan in Osun State is certain because of the party’s acceptability among the electorate. Aside this, the PDP chairman said the political structure of the party, which outsmarts all other political parties when it comes to strate-

gies and real politicking, still remains as formidable as ever, expressing optimism that the winning chances of the party in the forthcoming election is auspicious. He said the party’s followers are numerous while outstanding achievements of the party while in power in the state still remain unobliterated in the minds of true lovers of democracy.

Yari: FG owes Zamfara government N21bn Idris Salisu Gusau

head of the February 2015 general election, the Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, has flagged off his reelection campaign even as he declared that the Federal Government is still owing the state N21 billion. Flagging off his re-election campaign in Gummi

town at the weekend, the governor said the amount was part of the money used for the construction of federal roads in the state. “As at today, the Federal Government is still owing the state N21 billion, which if released, will engender more development in the state.” He lamented that his intention to further develop the state socially and economically, was been hampered by lack of funds, es-

pecially the one owed by the Federal government. Yari said the present administration in the state is more prudent in terms of managing the resources of the state adding that the immediate past government has misused the people’s resources. He thanked the people for giving him the first opportunity and urged them to give him one more opportunity by re-electing him for a second term to further develop the state.

ore than 40 world leaders, their arms linked, marched through Paris yesterday to rally for unity and freedom of expression and to honor 17 victims of three days of terrorist attacks. The leaders were heading a demonstration of at least tens of thousands of people who converged on the capital after three gunmen attacked a newspaper office, kosher supermarket and police. Deafening applause rang out over the square as the leaders walked past, amid tight security and an atmosphere of togetherness amid

adversity. Families of the victims, many weeping and embracing, were also at the front of the march along with the world leaders, including French President Francois Hollande, top representatives of Russia and Ukraine, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The aftermath of the attacks remained raw, with video emerging of one of the gunmen killed during police raids pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group and detailing how the attacks were going to unfold. Also, a new shooting was linked to that gunman, Amedy

Coulibaly, who was killed Friday along with the brothers behind a massacre at satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in nearly simultaneous raids by security forces. “Today, Paris is the capital of the world,” said French President Francois Hollande . “Our entire country will rise up toward something better.” Rallies were also planned in London, Madrid and New York. All attacked by al-Qaida-linked extremists ,as well as Cairo, Sydney, Stockholm, Tokyo and elsewhere. “We are all Charlie, we are all police, we are all Jews of France,” Prime Minister Manuel Valls declared Saturday.

Hundreds of thousands of French citizens taking part in a solidarity march on the streets of Paris yesterday.

52 people die after drinking poisoned beer in Mozambique

ontaminated traditional beer has killed 52 people in Mozambique, health authorities in the southern African country said yesterday. An additional 51 people were admitted to hospitals in the Chitima and Songo districts in the northeastern Tete province, and 146 more people have reported to hospitals to be examined for the poisoning, district health official Alex Albertini told Radio Mozambique. Those who drank the contami-

nated brew were attending a funeral in the region on Saturday, Albertini said. Pombe, a traditional Mozambican beer, is made from millet or corn flour. Authorities believe that the drink was poisoned with crocodile bile during the course of the funeral. Blood and traditional beer samples were being sent to the capital Maputo to be tested, said provincial health director Carle Mosse. “We don’t have the capacity to test the samples,” she told Radio

Mozambique. Mourners who drank the beer in the morning reported no illness, while those who drank the beer in the afternoon, fell ill, authorities said. They believe the beer must have been poisoned while funeral goers were at the cemetery. The woman who brewed the beer is also among the dead. Police are investigating the incident. Health authorities have begun collecting food parcels and other items for donation to the affected families.

Indonesian divers find black box of AirAsia plane

ndonesian divers yesterday found the crucial black box flight recorders of the AirAsia plane that crashed in the Java Sea a fortnight ago with 162 people aboard, the transport ministry said. But they failed to retrieve it immediately from the seabed because it was stuck under debris

from the main body of the plane, the ministry added. “The navy divers in Jadayat state boat have succeeded in finding a very important instrument, the black box of AirAsia QZ8501,” said Tonny Budiono, a senior ministry official. The recorders were at

a depth of 30-32 metres (99-106 feet), he said in a statement. Divers will today try to shift the position of the wreckage to access the black box. “However, if this effort fails, then the team will lift part of the main body using the same balloon technique used earlier to lift the tail,” Budiono added.

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY,JANUARY 12, 2015

Sport News

International Sport

Ronaldo , Messi, Neuer fight for Ballon d’Or crown

Cameroon coach changes rules on player bonuses

Special athletes threaten to dump Nigeria

Sport

AFCON Countdown

Did you know? That Alexis Sanchez has been involved in more Premier League goals than any other player this season (19)

Sports will explode in 2015 – Elegbeleye

Charles Ogundiya

he Director General of National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, has debunked insinuations in some quarters that the future will be bleak for Nigerian sports in the New Year as he declared that Nigeria sports would explode in 2015. New Telegraph reported last Saturday the fears of some stakeholders in Nigeria regarding the inability of the sports authorities to start preparations early for

various competitions, especially the All Africa Games, Elegbeleye said the fears were unfounded as the ministry was very much aware of its responsibilities and equal to the task. “We have already identified some athletes at the last Commonwealth Games, some of them are not in Nigeria, they are currently in their different base competing and we are monitoring their progress. “It is not right to camp athletes without competitions; putting them in camp in your country without competing with

people outside will amount to a waste of resources, competition will help you to know the level of your preparedness. “Training without competing is not the best way to prepare for a competition. Other countries are competing to test their strength and that is how to go about it,” Elegbeleye said. On the support given to other sports by the NSC, Elegbeleye revealed that since taking over as the DG, there had been massive transformation of the sports sector, adding that 2015 will be better in terms of success.

Elegbeleye

Keshi rejects NFF’ s clauses l Says no to foreign supervisor, N4m lForeign coaches on standby

Ajibade Olusesan

ontract negotiations between the Nigeria Football Federation and Stephen Keshi are being stalled because the coach rejects some of the clauses the federation proposes in the new deal. According to a source in the soccer body, the NFF wants to insert clauses that will empower it to appoint a foreign Technical Adviser to supervise the coach anytime it feels Keshi has failed to meet set targets. The source said that such clauses were in Keshi’s last contract but that the federation could not activate it. “Keshi has refused to ac-

cept the clause that will allow NFF to employ a foreign coach to boss him. Although such clause was in his former contract, he said he wouldn’t accept it this time, apparently because he feels this board may have the courage to invoke it. NFF favours hiring a foreign coach, President of the body, Amaju Pinnick, does not think Keshi can do the job but he is powerless at the moment and

wants to have a contract that will empower the body to act in the future. I can tell you authoritatively that Keshi has accepted to walk away if he does not meet the target NFF will set for him instead of allowing a foreigner to boss him. I can also tell you that he has accepted to work with a technical study group provided their activities will be streamlined in such a way that their submissions won’t be binding

on him,” the source said. He said that another grey area is the issue of salary as Keshi has bluntly rejected NFF’s N4million proposal. He said members of the Pinnick-led board told him (Keshi) they could conveniently pay the sum without the embarrassment of owing him but the coach insisted he wanted an improvement on his initial N5million. Meanwhile, the federation

has a Plan B should negotiations with Keshi collapse and is able to convince government on the need to look elsewhere especially in the direction of a foreigner. The source said: “I will not disclose the identities of the coaches now but they are prominent. Although it is difficult, my bosses are hoping government will see reason with them.”

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sports Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sports

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sports Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sports Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sports Correspondent

Super Eagles in action against Bafana Bafana. Inset: Keshi

SPORT

MONDAY,JANUARY 12, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Special athletes threaten to dump Nigeria lTask Jonathan to sign Disability Bill

Ifeanyi Ibeh

igeria’s chances of emerging tops at this year’s All Africa Games and other championships appear doubtful following threats by some top physically challenged athletes to ditch the country except President Goodluck Jonathan signs into law the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill. In recent years, a significant percentage of Nigeria’s medals at international championships, most nota-

Yakubu Adesokan, Nigeria’s Powerlifting champion

ITTF lists Lagos World Tour for March Ajibade Olusesan

he International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has confirmed a date for this year’s Lagos World Tour as the world governing body listed the tournament among the challenge series for the year. In the prospectus released by the world table tennis governing body, the tournament is scheduled to hold from March 10 to 14. Algeria’s Nabil Almamoon has also been named as the referee while his compatriot, Mounir Bessah, is the competition manager. Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis

lAs Oshodi lauds Quadri’s heroics

Federation, Waheed Oshodi, has said that ITTF Player of the Year, Aruna, Quadri, has the capacity to break into the world’s top 10. He challenged the player to raise his game now after getting the recognition, saying that he still has so much to achieve. “I believe he has the talent and the ability to get to the top. He has now surpassed a lot of people’s expectations but not mine. There is still a long way for him to go. I believe he has the ability to be at the top. “There are still a lot of goals for him. The African title, All Africa Games, and who knows an Olympic medal in Rio is

lAs Dophins conclude transfer deal Emmanuel Tobi

Quadri

not out of his reach, especially with the excellent form our men are showing,” Oshodi said.

he cloud of uncertainty surrounding the transfer of Super Eagles striker, Emem Eduok, will soon be lifted as Esperance of Tunisia have concluded the contracts talks with his club, Dolphins of Port Harcourt, with the player expected to be unveiled this week. Eduok has been a subject of intense fight between Norwegian club, Sarpsborg 08 and Esperance of Tunisia. The player who signed a three-and-a-half-year deal worth €300,000 with Tunisian giants Esperance last week, was reported to have

of African Football. With the signing of this third agreement, we wish to reiterate our commitment to further stimulate and inspire the growth of football on our continent.”

earlier signed a four-year deal worth $150,000 with Norwegian club Sarpsborg 08. New Telegraph can authoritatively report that Eduok flew into Tunis on Friday aboard Air Maroc alongside Coach Stanley Eguma while Dolphins General Manager, Joe Johnson, arrived aboard Air Tunis. The deal was expected to have been concluded over the weekend. The player who was ordered back to the Super Eagles’ camp will be officially unveiled this week as the NFF report into the issue made it clear that Eduok was not an A& B Academy player.

Home-based Eagles lose to Cote d’Ivoire Ajibade Olusesan

Hayatou

are no other significant benefits coming the way of the athletes as they continue to be looked down upon by the society and a government that is paying lip service to their welfare due to its failure to protect their rights by not signing into law the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Bill. And President Jonathan’s failure to sign into law a bill passed by the country’s legislature since March 2014 is, according to some of these athletes, ample reason for them to consider dumping Nigeria.

Esperance set to unveil Eduok

Glo has boosted African Football - Hayatou

he President of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou, has expressed appreciation for the efforts and contributions of Globacom to the development of football in Africa. Hayatou who was speaking at the third contract signing ceremony between Globacom and CAF for the sponsorship of the Glo CAF Awards, said that the company’s sponsorship of the annual event had spurred young talents to excel on the world stage. Globacom Limited signed a new deal with the Confederation to sponsor the annual African Player of the Year Awards for four more years. The two parties signed the agreement for the historic third time a few hours before the commencement of the 2014 edition of the Awards at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos on Thursday January 7. Hayatou, signed on behalf of the Confederation, while Globacom’s Executive Director, Legal Services, Mrs. Gladys Talabi, signed for the company. The parties signed the first agreement in 2005 in Paris, France, while the second signing ceremony for the extension of the partnership was held at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday, August 27, 2010. According to Mrs. Talabi: “In the past 10 years, we have consistently, brought great value to the profile, stature and rating of the Glo-CAF Awards which has now acquired the status of the Oscars

bly the All Africa Games, the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, have been achieved by physically challenged athletes. Where their able-bodied counterparts have failed, the physically challenged athletes have often come to Team Nigeria’s rescue as was the case at the 2003 All Africa Games in Abuja where Nigeria emerged overall winners thanks to the final day victories of the country’s special athletes. But other than the cash rewards given to them at the end of championships there

uper Eagles Team B surrendered to a late Salomon Kalou’s goal as they lost 1-0 to a star-studded Cote d’Ivoire in an international friendly match in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The Daniel Amokachi-led side held their own and emerged the better side in the first half of the match against an Africa Nations Cup-bound team that paraded top stars like Africa Player of the Year, Yaya Toure, and Gervinho. The home-based Eagles created the better chances and dominated play generally in the first 45 minutes.

Strikers Gambo Muhammed and Mfon Udoh came close to getting on the score sheet in the 11th and 15th minutes, respectively but on both occasions the Ivoirian goalkeeper pulled off close-range saves. But the team could not sustain the momentum and in the 82nd minute conceded a goal when Hertha Berlin striker, Kalou, pounced on a pass from a team mate o fire past goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim to revenge the loss they suffered in the hands of Nigeria at the quarterfinal of the 2013 AFCON in South Africa. The team will face Sudan in their last game on January 17.

Ideye needs a break, says West Brom Coach

CharlesOgundiya

est Brom coach Tony Pulis has admitted that the club record signing Brown Ideye needs a goal to ease the pressure of his record move following his splendid display in their 1-0 victory over Hull City at the weekend. “He needs a break, and that break is sticking the ball in the back of the net. He looked sharp around the

pitch, he caused the two centre halves problems, he got up the opponent’s side three or four times today, but the kid needs a goal,” He said. Ideye missed a glaring chance to give West Brom the lead shortly before half time shooting wide with goalkeeper Alan Mc Gregory at his mercy but his blushes were saved by a second half goal from Saido Berahino, but his manager believes he will do well. “You need to take those chances,”

Pulis said of Ideye’s first-half miss. “When you get opportunities like that you have to take them. But Brown worked hard today, he really worked the line well and Berahino played well with him.” Ideye has scored just twice for Albion since his big move leading to speculations he will be offloaded this summer, and according to tuttomercatoweb.com he might be shown the exit door alongside his Nigeria compatriot Victor Anichebe.

International Sport 53

NEW TELEGRAPH MONDAY,JANUARY 12, 2015

Federer notches 1,000th win

Ronaldo , lClaimsBrisbanetitle Messi, Neuer R fight for Ballon d’Or crown Ronaldo

ristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or for the second year in succession at today’s gala ceremony in Zurich ahead of Manuel Neuer and Lionel Messi. Messi has finished in the top two in each of the last seven years but, despite another prolific year in 2014, appears this time to be lagging behind his two rivals. A disappointing World Cup, in which he was eliminated at the group stage with Portugal, has not prevented Ronaldo from staking a strong claim to win the prize for the third time overall. The 29-year-old Real Madrid superstar scored a remarkable 61 goals in the calendar year as

he helped his club win the Champions League, Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cup before ending 2014 by securing the Club World Cup. Ronaldo scored a record 17 goals in last season’s Champions League and has already netted a phenomenal 26 goals in 16 La Liga games this season. Unsurprisingly, he has received fierce support from his club, who feel that Ronaldo would be the only worthy winner of the prize and felt compelled to publicly criticise UEFA president Michel Platini for his suggestions that Neuer should take the award. However, Neuer -- the only one of six German World Cup winners on the initial shortlist to make the final three -- makes

a good case to become the first goalkeeper to take the prize since Lev Yashin of the Soviet Union in 1963, and the first German since Lothar Matthaeus in 1990, the year West Germany lifted the World Cup in Italy.

EPL Results Arsenal 3 - 0 Stoke Man Utd 0 - 1 Southampton Sunderland 0 - 1 Liverpool Burnley 2 - 1 QPR Chelsea 2 - 0 Newcastle Everton 1 - 1 Man City

Leicester 1 - 0 Aston Villa Swansea 1 - 1 West Ham West Brom 1 - 0 Hull City C/Palace 2 - 1 Tottenham

oger Federer turned the Brisbane International final into a grand occasion Sunday, beating the up-and-coming Milos Raonic in three sets to register his 1,000th career match win. It’s a grand number for a 17-time Grand Slam champion, making him the only player after Jimmy Connors (1,253) and Ivan Lendl (1,071) to win 1,000 times on the men’s professional tour. “Clearly it’s a special day for me, winning a title plus getting to the magic number of 1,000,” Federer said after his 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-4 win against third-seeded Raonic. “It feels very different to any other match I’ve ever won. All those (milestone) numbers didn’t mean anything to me, but for some reason 1,000 means a lot because it’s such a huge number. Just alone to count to 1,000 is going to take a while.” Federer clearly wanted to reach Federer

Sanchez seals win for Arsenal A

lexis Sanchez scored twice after creating the opener on Sunday as Arsenal eased to a 3-0 victory over Stoke and moved up to fifth in the Premier League. Sanchez’s cross was headed in by Laurent Koscielny inside six minutes, and the Chilean forward was on target in the 33rd minute after completing a onetwo with Tomas Rosicky. A free kick from Sanchez four minutes into the second half

COUNTDOWN TO 2015 AFCON

Ghanaian players back Grant to succeed

aptain Asamoah Gyan says he and his teammates are backing Avram Grant to succeed as Ghana coach. The former Chelsea manager is taking charge of his first coaching job in Africa and will be at 2015 Africa Cup of Nations which begins next week in Equatorial Guinea. Grant finalised his 23man squad for the tournament last Wednesday after his side had beaten Portu-

guese second-tier side Olhanense. This was followed by a 1-1 draw with Dutch Eredivisie side SC Cambuur on Thursday in Spain. Ghana have reached the medal zone of the last four editions of the AFCON and despite Grant having little time to prepare, Gyan has told the Israeli coach to count on the unflinching support of the playing body.

“He is a new coach and all we need is the support from the people of Ghana to push Ghana to the highest level because he’s one of the best coaches in the world, he’s got a good CV, he’s a good man also,” Gyan said. “What we have to do is to just give him the support and on behalf of the players, we would like to welcome him into our camp and abide by his tactics that he brings on board and do it well.’’

Cameroon coach changes rules on player bonuses

ameroon coach Volker Finke has announced significant changes in the way bonuses are given to the players, in the final countdown to next week’s start of the Africa Cup of Nations. Previously, players were given participation bonuses for taking part in the final phase of big tournaments such as AFCON or the World Cup. But the German said this leads to injustice and agitation in the team, and participation in qualifiers is now rewarded as well, with each player getting 5 million Central African francs (9,000 dollars) for every AFCON qualifying match played. “It is unjust for a player to help in qualifying a team for a competition like the Africa Cup of Nations and not be compensated simply because he couldn’t, for one reason or the other, take part in the final phase of the tournament,” Finke said. “What we now give are qualification

bonuses, calculated based on the number of matches each player played during the qualifiers,” he explained. Finke did not say what players get at African Cup of Nations will get for

every match at the January 17-February 7 tournament in Equatorial Guinea where the four-time winners are in Group D with Ivory Coast, Mali, and Guinea.

Bafana Bafana goalkeeper off to Belgium

oalkeeper Darren Keet has been given leave of absence from the Bafana Bafana camp to be with his wife, who has given birth to their first child. Keet flew to Belgium from Gabon just after midnight (South African time) on Saturday and is expected to reunite with his Bafana teammates on Monday evening. Meanwhile it has now been confirmed that South Africa will take on Mali in an international friendly match on Wednesday. Mali have proven to be something of a bogey team for South Africa in continental competitions, with the Eagles knocking Bafana Bafana out of the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil

the milestone before the Australian Open, breaking Raonic’s serve in the third game and again in the opening game of the second set. He fired eight of his eventual 21 aces in the first set, taking on the bigserving Canadian’s strength. Just as it appeared Federer would coast to a comfortable victory, though, Raonic shook off his nerves to break back in the fourth game of the second set and swing the momentum.

with a penalty shootout win in 2013, while the following year a 1-1 draw in the group stages of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) contributed to the host team’s early exit.

went through the wall and the ball was pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic before going into the net. At the Emirates Stadium some fans brought signs emblazoned with “Je suis Charlie” (I am Charlie), the phrase adopted as a tribute to Wednesday’s deadly attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which started three days of terror around Paris.

Transfer News Sampdoria agree 18-month Eto’o deal

talian media claims Sampdoria have IEverton agreed an 18-month contract with striker Samuel Eto’o.

The Blucerchiati are revamping their squad after selling Manolo Gabbiadini to Napoli for €13m and have already snapped up Luis Muriel from Udinese and Argentine talent Jose Correa. According to Tuttomercatoweb, Samp have agreed terms with Eto’o for an 18-month contract worth €2m per season plus add-ons provided by sponsors. The 33-year-old Cameroon international joined Everton in August and has a contract until June 2016.

Man City set to sign Bony

anchester City are poised to sign WilM fried Bony this month, after Swansea City accepted an initial offer of £25million

for the striker. The Ivory Coast international, who is currently away with his country at the African Cup of Nations, has established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in England since arriving at the Liberty Stadium in the summer of 2013 for a fee of £12million. Bony has scored 34 goals in 70 matches in all competitions for the Swans, and 20 league goals in the 2014 calendar year. It is understood City will pay an initial £25million for Bony, although this could rise to £28million depending on how well he fares in Manchester.

Chelsea’s Schurrle to snub Wolfsburg for Dortmund

ndre Schurrle is set to snub a move to A Wolfsburg – and hold out instead for a switch to Borussia Dortmund this summer,

Keet

writes Neil Moxley in the Sunday People. Chelsea’s German international has been the subject of a £23million offer from Die Wolfe this week – but while Jose Mourinho is happy to cash in, it appears the player himself is less keen. Schurrle has found himself on the outside looking in at Stamford Bridge this season and has failed to nail down a regular spot in the Blues’ starting XI.

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Presidential declaration: My take away

n Thursday 8th of January, 2015, the PDP came to Lagos, warts and all, in furtherance of a presidential campaign flag-off. They had advertised this flag-off with a promise to show what they had done in Lagos. I anticipated this visit because I hoped it would provide an opportunity to discuss issues important to the people. When they left, they left nothing tangible behind except violence, attacks and robberies on citizens who had been trapped in the traffic they created. The APC National Convention had held in the same city of Lagos a few weeks ago without violence and robberies. But that is not my take away. My take away was the presidential speech. Having ridden to office on the back of civil society (a.k.a Doctrine of necessity), and having been elected by an impassioned campaign of emotion and sympathy (a.k.a ‘I had no shoes’), I expected that a president seeking re-election will understand that his record of service and not sympathy would be the vote catching message. Even though I was in Benin to attend the APC vice presidential candidate’s town hall meeting, I took the time to listen to the presidential flagoff speech. Mr. President had my attention when he said his message that day, and for the rest of the 35 States and FCT, was going to be focused on young people. And just as I thought he was going to raise hope, he did what no leader should ever do. He dashed hope. He told young Nigerians that his generation had failed. Yet he seeks their votes to lead them. This compounded the problem. If the President admits personal failure, he was uncharitable in seeking to paint everybody in his own service record. What then is his “Transformation Agenda” about? Failure? My take away: Leaders don’t dash hope, they inspire it. To be fair, he quite rightly set out the agenda and burning issues on the minds of the Nigerian people when he opened by stating that he was going to address three issues of corruption, insecurity and the economy. I expected to hear about a security plan to restore Nigeria’s territory that was lost to terrorists and how to bring back the girls abducted in Chibok, the president sadly said nothing. Instead, Mr. President went for the sympathy message again, that there was an assassination attempt on his life four years ago. My take away: Mr President, this is a good try but it took four years and on the eve of election campaign for you to disclose such grave national security information. Any attempt on your life as our leader is an attack on all of us as a people and a nation. Twenty four hours before this La-

BABATUNDE FASHOLA SAN Guest Columnist gos Presidential flag-off, there was an attack of terror in Paris in which 12 people were killed. By midnight, arrests had been made; the Government of France had swung into action with 80, 000 combined security forces in a manhunt for the terrorists. They pursued the terrorists into a forest, evoking memories of Sambisa Forest. As I conclude this piece, three terrorists had been killed and one was on the run. After six years, there was no message or plan in this Presidential reelection bid speech on how to solve our security problem. Mr. President spent a lot of time accusing his predecessors of not buying arms. Those young people whom Mr. President sought to impress must remember that in the last 20 or so years, our armed forces have been involved in wars/peace-keeping missions in Somalia, Sierra-Leone and Liberia, and their performance was globally adjudged to be outstanding. They used arms. If Mr. President’s predecessors did not buy arms, which arms did these soldiers use for those operations? It seems to me very simple to accept that armoury management is a matter of inventory management; use and replace. I think young people must see these accusations against predecessors as being without basis.

Mr. President made promises to us in Lagos such as the construction of the road leading to the Murtala Muhammed Airport. He promised stable electricity. He promised to keep us safe

Assuming there is a basis, General Buhari left office in 1985; the technology of arms has improved rapidly and it cannot be his fault that a President in 2015 is seeking to use 1985 arms. Mr. President still owes Nigerians an explanation about the $9 million cash seized in a plane in South Africa, in an amateurish attempt to buy arms through the back door. As far as corruption was concerned, the president’s silence on the forensic audit report about $10 billion & $12 billion or $20 billion, (depending on whose version between the ministry of finance or central bank), showed an unwillingness to defend his record. I think it would have helped Mr. President’s re-election bid if he spoke about losses to the economy as a result of pipeline vandalism and huge economic losses to the country in terms of stolen crude oil. Answers to allegations of mismanagement of SURE-P funds being used for political objectives and the unresolved kerosene import scandals would perhaps have been helpful. Instead, Mr. President chose to attack the records of predecessors, many of whom are not seeking reelection. My take away: Mr. President seems to have forgotten that he is the one seeking re-election and it is his record in the last 4-6 years (not his record as Governor of Bayelsa) that would be helpful to the people in decision making. In case Mr. President has forgotten, he should ask his aides to provide tapes of the Obama campaign for him. President Obama rode into office on a massive emotional campaign anchored on change (and that is where the comparison ends) but in the second term bid, the Republicans were most scathing, unrelenting and uncompromising in the public scrutiny of his first term record. That is what happens in every democracy. It is not about emotion and last minute allegations of assassinations. Even after Obama had taken out Bin Laden, who claimed responsibility for a terror attack on America, it took a most passionate presidential convention speech by his Democratic predecessor, President Bill Clinton to defend his record of service and ‘save’ the Obama re-election bid. Which one of President Jonathan’s predecessors will stand up for his record of service?

As far as the economy was concerned, the president pitched on the size of the Nigerian economy as the largest in Africa. He was silent on why the citizens of the largest economy in Africa still live in darkness. He was silent on why the football team of the largest economy in Africa will not be at the Nation’s cup, when Cape Verde, the smallest country will be there. Mr. President, who was addressing young people, would have helped his own case if he had explained to them why Bolaji Abdullahi, a young Sports Minister, under whose tenure we won the Nations Cup, was removed for political expediency. I think Mr. President needs to be reminded that as recently as December 2014, citizens of the largest economy in Africa were looking for petrol in jerry cans across Nigerian cities including Abuja. Instead of revealing the plan for the next four years on the issues which Mr. President chose by himself to address, he sounded angry, and appeared irritated by the demands of his citizens for a better life. I expect that Mr. President will seek to do better as he promised across the next 35 states and FCT. My take away: A re-election bid is like a job appraisal or interview; the applicant who seeks to serve cannot get angry – Anger is not a strategy. We the citizens must continue to ask questions. Mr. President made promises to us in Lagos such as the construction of the road leading to the Murtala Muhammed Airport. He promised stable electricity. He promised to keep us safe. He promised jobs although Nigerian youths died under his watch while seeking to serve in the immigration service. Mr. President must show us that these promises have been fulfilled, or he must explain why they were not fulfilled. This is the essence of the social contract in a democracy. He must show us that he will not lose more parts of Nigeria and that he has a clear plan to reclaim the lost ones and rescue the Chibok girls who fall into the generation of young people he chose to address. This is the presidential speech I waited for. I am still waiting. Mr. President has 35 more states and the FCT to convince us not to vote for the CHANGE that beckons. P.S: If you watched the speech given by the APC Vice presidential in Benin City on the same day. Please note that he became candidate only on the 11th of December, 2014? 25 days ago (not 6 years ago) yet he was able in half an hour without a prepared speech to discuss a plan for security, power, jobs, healthcare and social security. • Fashola, is the Governor of Lagos State.

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