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Vol. 1 No. 301

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

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N150

Jonathan seeks stronger global partnership to end terrorism }5

FG summons striking oil workers

lNNPC allays fears of fuel scarcity lNUPENG: We are open to dialogue Adeola Yusuf, Yekeen Nurudeen, Igbeaku Orji, Hassan Jirgi and Tony Okafor

he Federal Government has summoned leaders of two oil workers' unions for a meeting in Abuja today as a strike called by the

unions to press home their demand for better conditions in the sector entered the second day. A source at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources

told the New Telegraph that other stakeholders would also be in attendance at the meeting scheduled for 11am in CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

NEW TELEG

RAPH TUESD AY, DECEmb

Er 16, 2014

2015

Time to rebui ld Nigeria – Buhari

Politics to G

APC

Reps’ jou rney

At least, 12 members of the Hou se of representat ives participa ted in the justconclude d guberna torial primarie s of vario us political parties. PHI LIP NYAM exam ines how the lawmaker s won and lost in their bid to take over Governm ent Houses in their stat es in 2015

Tambuwal

efore the commencem of the prim aries, 12 ent makers lawChambersin the Green nominatio had cessfully n forms and bought were screened. were lucky Some of sucto have by the been endothem and perhincumbent gove rsed aps rnors their caucuses state or trudge on while some decidzonal ed to obstacles in spite of the obvious ahead of But at them. only fourthe end of the exercise, tickets of of them secu the Febr their parties to red the tion as uary 2015 gene contest the ral the gover other eight lost elecis the firstnorship primariesout at the lower time 12 lawm . This akers chambers Peterside governorsh would vie in ip at a time. for The winne rs Aminu Tamb Speaker uwal (APC, Sokot ticket in o) a lands resentative of the Hous e of Rep- saw him thras lide victory clinched s, Aminu Tamb h four other that rants inclu uwal, ding aspiCongress the All Prog tor. He is indee a serving ressi (APC) gubernato ves beat and d the aspir senarial conc political ant to pundits luded have struction, that baring the gover Tambuwal willany obnorsh clinch ip come 2015. February The speak test again er will, howe ver, conSenator st his erstwhile Abdallah candidate AYODELE Wali, who boss, of OJO DEPUTY Tambuwalthe PDP in the is the EDiTor, PoLiTiCS ayodele.ojo@ represents state. Tambuwal newtelegraph A lawyer federal cons Kebbe/ online.com tituency © Daily Telegra his politi by profession, . he bega ph Publish n assistant cal career as a ing Compa ny personal Limited to erstw on legislative hile Sena matt tor Abdu te Leader, ers llahi Wali Senabetween 1999

Edo: Intrig ues as Oben Ihonvbere, de, Obahiagbo n lose out

Marginalisa

tion Muoghalu: Ndigbo are disenfranc hised in Lagos

overnme nt House

his unus continuesual style of polit to be a myst ickin others. ery to manyg The mann as speak er he emer er the polit in 2011 still linge ged ical psych lowers e of closers in of folAssembly events in the National and, in since retur fact, n of demothe polity 1999. cracy in In 2011, with the against all odds tacit and support leagues, of his colhe rangemen aborted the zonin t of the g arcratic Party Peoples Demo(PDP speaker by defea ) and became anointed ting the candidate party Akande-Ad , Hon. Muli ’s kat speaker, eola. Since becom ing House andhe led a non-p gered his took decisions artisan wal is a party. For some that anlucky man , Tambuihedioha he is simp and for others, ly That Tama man of desti politician buwal is a ny. shrewd is not speaker, in doub he t. As partisan has cleverly been in statements. avoided Having he unde the House since rstands knows the terra 2003, what leads in sembly National and leade Ascorruption rs into crisi like lepro . He has avoids and sy. Since ed it gation of corru 2011, no alleraised again ption has been st him. two bribe Not even the rocked ry allegations the that his leade lower chamber have to him. rship have been under linked His defec tion to the an issue APC is that is heati ity today ng up the now . polWith the nor Aliyu influence of GoverWamakko tics of in the poliSokoto State, Tam may end buwal governor up becoming Ugwuanyi the next of the state . Emeka Ihedio ha and 2000. (PDP, The depu Imo) won elect In 2003, he conte ty sted and House, Hon. speaker of ion to repre Tambuwal the Eme was also sent returned ka Ihedioha and subse federal cons Kebbe/ gove elected titue rnor quently in 2007 won elect ncy PDP for ship candidate as the and ions tory Imo of the In the 2011. is being State. But his principal House, he has vichotly conte a form sted by ginning officer all throubeen a eany er lawmaker, i Ararume, Senator gh bewhip to with deputy Ifwho minority that he won deputy the elect is insisting and depu minority votes ion but ty chief were coun leader whip. Tambuwal the depu ted in favouvoid ty speak is several er to toppl r of Ararume chieftaincthe recipient of e him. awards has petit includingy and honorary party and the ioned the honour outcome the natio petiti of that nal dioha on is being Federal of Commander awai time thisRepublic (CFR of the lenge survives the Ararted. If Ihe). koto, Alhayear, the Sulta Some- task , he will face the ume chalof unse n of Soating the herculean Abubakar ji Muhamm Gove ed incumbent, Mutawalle turbaned him Sa’ad is alsornor Rochas Okor ocha, who as the an exper n Sokoto. To man ienced politi that has tasted it Tambuwal y political cian at vario Okor pund an enigm has largely rema its, ticke ocha clinched us levels. t cal imag a since 2011. His ined hour to fly the party the APC s after losin e keeps ’s flag just soaring politig the presi even as dential

Page 13

six pages of politics

Crossfire over Buhari CoNT iNUED

oN PAGE 16

lTinubu: It's an insult to the General calling him my puppet lGroup asks ICC to try him over 2011 electoral violence }3 Quick Read

Editorial

Making fishery vital to the economy }19

Kalu apologises to Abians over Orji, sues for peace }47 Airlines cancel flights over poor visibility }5

Telegraph

Travel Advisory

Your guide to local and international flights 4

First prize winner and student of Maverick College, Ibadan, Miss Fabelurin Fehintoluwa (middle) flanked by second prize winner and student of Saint Thomas Secondary School, Kano, Obi Chukwudum (right) and third prize winner and student of Dority International Secondary School, Aba, Sunday Ikemsinachi, during the grand finale of UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria, held at UBA House, Lagos...yesterday.

Court rejects motion to sack Tambuwal lPDP, APC Reps set for showdown over bid to impeach president Tunde Oyesina and Philip Nyam ABUJA

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday rejected an ex-parte application

seeking to restrain Aminu Tambuwal from further acting as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

A member of the House of Representatives, Abiodun Akinlade, representing Yewa South/

Ipokia Federal Constituency of Ogun State, had approached the court, CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

L-R: President Boni Yayi (Benin Republic); President Goodluck Jonathan; President Mohammadou Issoufou (Niger Republic); President Alassane Quattara (Cote D’ivoire); Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS) President, Mr. Kadre Desire Quedraogo; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ebun Abebola Strasser-King; ECOWAS Chairman, President John Mahama (Ghana); President Faure Gnassingbe (Togo); President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (Mali) and others at the 46th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Abuja...yesterday. Nan

Tinubu: It's an insult to call Buhari my puppet Wale Elegbede

ormer Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, yesterday berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for describing the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari, as his puppet. Tinubu, in a reaction to the PDP’s characterisation of Buhari as a surrogate for allegedly asking the former governor and a national leader of APC to pick his running mate for him, described the ruling party’s position as an insult on the former head of state. Tinubu in a statement by his media aide, Sunday Dare, said Buhari was elected by APC national convention because of his qualities, adding that a man of such principle and leadership presence cannot ever be anybody’s puppet. His reaction to PDP’s allegation came just as a group, Northern Coalition for Democracy and Justice, asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to put Buhari on trial for allegedly inciting people to violence over the results of the 2011 elections. Also, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, faulted Buhari’s emergence as APC presidential candidate, saying the opposition party has committed a grave error by presenting a politician with an odious past as its standard bearer. Tinubu, however, urged the PDP to face the task of finding solutions to its internal crises rather than dabbling into APC’s internal affairs.

He said: "Those who claim he (Buhari) is a puppet do grave insult to an outstanding patriot and millions of Nigerians who support him. His overriding concern is the wellbeing of Nigeria. "PDP would do better if they spent their time trying to fix their rickety ship after such dismal primaries than to cast stones at the APC's more democratic and genuine process. "They (PDP) speak in this manner because they are afraid the APC will confront them with a ticket they cannot beat by fair means. We will do our own internal consultations and arrive at a ticket we believe is best suited to govern Nigeria. "If they are so interested in who we pick, they are free to quit their bankrupt party and join the party that offers the best hope for this nation and its future," the statement said. Meanwhile, a human rights group has called for the trial of Buhari for postelection violence in 2011. The Northern Coalition for Democracy and Justice said in a statement that Buhari should face justice over the violence, when 800 people were killed and many churches and schools were destroyed. The ICC has been looking into possible war crimes in Nigeria since 2010. It is believed it would be keen to take on another powerful politician after being forced to drop charges against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta earlier this month. But APC denied the claims, saying the group’s allegations were politically motivated. "They will not stop at anything to try to derail

General Buhari," said the party’s spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. "I can see the hands of the government behind it." The NCDJ alleged the violence included acts of murder, torture and rape systematically directed at perceived non-supporters of Buhari. The NCDJ had previously referred Buhari to the ICC in 2011, but said it decided to submit more evidence after the former military ruler emerged as the APC candidate in February's presidential election. "We have a lot of very strong evidence we are submitting to the prosecutor," a report by Reuters quoted a Dutch law professor acting for the NCDJ, Goran Sluiter, as saying. He added that he wanted to ensure Buhari did not escape justice by winning political office. Earlier this month, the ICC withdrew charges against Kenyatta, who was accused of orchestrating a wave of deadly violence after the 2007 Kenyan elections, due to insufficient evidence. Observers said the ICC charges were a key factor in helping Kenyatta to secure the presidency two years ago, from which position he was able to lead Kenya and its African allies in a campaign of lobbying against the court's charges. Besides the rights group, the presidency also yesterday faulted the APC for picking Buhari as its presidential candidate. A report by an online news portal, Premium Times, quoted Okupe as telling Channels Television in an interview that APC committed a blunder by picking Buhari as its can-

didate at a time Nigerians were clamouring for development and a dissociation from anything or anyone that has anything to do with the country’s past. “When Major Buhari emerged as the APC standard bearer, I knew that was a fatal error. It’s a fatal error because number one, Nigerians are looking for future development, you know, a disengagement from everything that has got to do with our past. You are looking at Major General Buhari, Babangida, Abdulsalami, Obasanjo. These are very respectable elders and leaders who have done their best but they are a phase of our leadership that is passing off,” he stated. According to him, the opposition cannot be talk-

ing about change with someone who will remind Nigerians of their gloomy history. He said it was important to note that Nigerians needed to make a clear decision between having a transformation agenda that had worked and produced results and one which, he said, did not have vision. He said: “For APC to have now brought, you know, part of our past history that we are not so proud of and then you are talking about change, you know, how can you make a change with somebody who was part of our problem? “We know that Nigerians are not stupid, you know, a clear decision will have to be taken between

having an agenda – transformation agenda – that has worked, that has produced and having listened, you know, Buhari has spoken about three occasions – at his declaration, at his inauguration, I mean, at his primaries. I have asked people; nobody can remember anything that Buhari has said. “There is no vision, you know. The only thing that has been told to us – not even by him but by other people – is that Buhari has integrity and he is honest and he is incorruptible which are also not true. At the appropriate time, these issues will be taken up.” Okupe was confident that President Goodluck Jonathan will defeat Buhari in 2015.

FG opposes referral of Jonathan’s eligibility suit to appellate court Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday opposed an application brought before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja by Wahab Olatoye and Adejumo Ajagbe, seeking the transfer of their suit on the eligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential election to the Court of Appeal for determination. The plaintiffs had asked the court to determine whether by the combined effect of section 135(2) (a) and (b) of the Nigerian Constitution, a person sworn into office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on two previous terms is deemed

to have been elected to that office at two previous elections. They are also asking the court to determine whether the president can present himself for the purpose of being elected as the president having participated as a candidate and emerged winner at two previous presidential election on account of which Jonathan would have spent a commutative period more than eight years prescribed by the constitution. However, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), opposed the application noting that the court is constitutionally empowered to interpret the consti-

tution and determine the case pending before it, bordering on interpretation of constitutional provision. He contended that referring the case to the Court of Appeal will amount to the Federal High Court abandoning its responsibility and transferring same to the appellate court. He prayed the court to first give its decision on the matter before it can proceed to the appellate court. The trial judge, Justice A.R. Mohammed, after listening to the application adjourned till January 12, 2015 for ruling. Olatoye and Ajagbe had approached the court seeking to stop Jonathan from re-contesting in 2015 on ground that he had taken the oath of office twice.

Travel Advisory

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 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-New York New York-Lagos Lagos-Abuja-Dubai Dubai-Abuja-Lagos Johannesburg-Lagos Lagos-Johannesburg Lagos-London London-Lagos

W3 107 W3 108 W3 105 W3 106 W3 738 W3 737 W3 344 W3 345

23:35hrs 12:00hrs 9:40pm 12:10pm 09:35hrs 01:00 hrs 12:45hrs 21:30hrs

05:30hrs 16:00hrs 5.40:hrs 17:10pm 14:44hrs 08:05hrs 18:30hrs 05:15hrs

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

MEA 571 MEA 572

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

BRITISH AIRWAYS

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)

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

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

Lagos)

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

EMIRATES AIRLINES

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

QATAR AIRWAYS

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

DELTA AIRLINES

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

EK 7821 (Sun-Sat) EK 7822 EK 7831 EK 7811 EK 761 QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415 DL053 DL 054

UNITED AIRLINES

21:30hrs 14:40hrs 07:35hrs 14:20hrs 23:55hrs 14:55hrs 07:20hrs 22:15hrs 5:15hrs

07:40hrs 01:05hrs 12:50hrs 19:45hrs 10:30hrs 23:45hrs 13:35hrs 05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

KQ 533 KQ 534

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

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-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

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

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

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

KENYA AIRWAYS

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

air maroc

VIRGIN ATLANTIC ETIHAD AIRWAYS

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

EGYPT AIR

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

Ethiopian Airways international travel tips The price of a ticket includes the transportation of a certain amount of baggage in the cargo hold of the aircraft. This allowance differs depending on the booking class and the destination. Free baggage allowance on all other international routes and within Ethiopia On Ethiopian free baggage allowance is set by the weight or piece concept whichever is applicable to the sector.

Local restrictions on baggage weight Please note that the maximum weight limit per single baggage is 32 kg for business class and 23 kg for economy class on all flights across the Atlantic (outbound and return, as well as transfers). Baggage exceeding this weight limit will not be accepted for check- in. This regulation does not change the maximum weight limit for the free baggage allowance.

Baggage Allowance & Fees for flight to/from the USA For Ethiopian-ticketed passengers on Ethiopian-operated flights (ET) the first and second checked bag in Cloud Nine and Economy is free. For ShebaMiles Gold, ShebaMiles Silver and Star Gold passengers, the first checked bag above the complimentary (free) checked bag allowance shown above is also free of charge. (23 kg (50 lbs)/158 cm (62 inches) max. each in Economy; 32 kg (70 lbs)/158 cm (62 inches) max. each in Cloud Nine). In Cloud Nine and Economy, including ShebaMiles Gold, ShebaMiles Silver and Star Gold passengers, the fee for any additional checked bags beyond the complementary specified above is $150/ bag each way between the USA and Addis Ababa, Bujumbura, Dar es salaam, Entebbe, Djibouti, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Harare, Kigali, Khartoum, MIDDLE EAST, ASIA, and EUROPE, and for other African points that are not mentioned here the fee is USD200.00/bag each way.

Europe Weather Athens

50oC

Belgrade

52oC

Berlin

41oC

Bucharest

32oC

Budapest

39oC

Dnipropetrovsk

33oC

Donetsk

32oC

Dublin

43oC

Kharkiv

36oC

Kyiv

34oC

London

48oC

Madrid

45oC

Minsk

33oC

Paris

34oC

Prague

44oC

rOME

57oC

Sofia

30oC

Stockholm

37oC

Vienna

36oC

Warsaw

39oC

Partially Cloudy Clear

Mostly cloudy Dense fog Light fog

Dense fog

Mostly clear Cloudy

Cloudy Clear

Partially Cloudy Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy Dense fog Cloudy

Mostly cloudy Dense fog Partially Cloudy Foggy

Light rain

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Mutiny: Soldiers know fate this week lSpecial Forces push to retake Gwoza, others Emmanuel Onani

he General Court Martial (GCM) trying 96 officers and soldiers for offences bordering on mutiny, criminal conspiracy to commit mutiny, and other offences against service rules, may deliver its judgement this week. New Telegraph gathered from highly-placed military sources that the GCM may likely deliver judgement in phases, since the soldiers and officers, were arraigned separately. This is as the military is intensifying its counter-terrorism operations

against Boko Haram, with a view to recapturing Gwoza in Borno State, and a few other territories, which had been subdued by the outlawed group. The Nigerian Army began trial of the first set of 59 soldiers on October 15, shortly after their formal arraignment before a ninemember GCM, headed by Brig.-Gen. Musa Yusuf. The accused soldiers, according to the charge that was read to them by the Judge Advocate (JA), Lt-Col Ukpe Ukpe, were alleged to have refused a lawful order by their Commanding Officer (CO), Lt-Col. T.M Opurum, for

an advance operation to recapture Delwa, Bulabulin and Damboa towns in Borno State. The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 52 (1) (a) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. Before proceedings went into closed doors, Opurum, who was CO for 111 Special Forces Battalion, had told the court that “All the units in the NorthEast have been asking for equipment." Opurum, who was the first Prosecution Witness (pw1) had, in his examination-in-chief, further stated

that “on the 3rd of August, my battalion was tasked to advance to Delwa, capture and hold Delwa, to enable the 251 battalion to pass through me on their own objective, which was to capture Damboa.” He added that: "We advanced, captured Delwa, deployed and gave a clear order that the route was clear for 251 to commence its objectives. “That was where I was when I heard that the acting GOC (General Officer Commanding) the 7 Division in Maiduguri, had directed that the soldiers, who refused to advance, should be arrested.

“Thirteen soldiers were arrested by military police and taken to guardroom in 7 Division; others resisted arrest,” he stated. He, however, informed the court that on August 18, “my location was attacked by insurgents, who were much in number, and had superior fire power; they were up to 100. “I secured my soldiers, but lost a few equipment." Though, the GCM had since shut its doors against media coverage of proceedings, New Telegraph gathered that the accused soldiers will know their fate on Wednesday. The highly-placed source, who craved anonymity, owing to the sensitive nature of the case, said: "The (alleged) mutineers will start knowing their fate on December 17, when the court martial will begin to deliver their judgement. "Since they were arraigned in batches, I think all of them might not get judgement on the same day. "I'm certain because communication to that effect has been sent." According to him, "The court martial has all through their proceedings, demonstrated manifest fairness to all parties, and I'm very sure that their decision will be a product of all material evidence presented before

the court. "Believe me, the justice of this case will not only be said to have been served, but manifestly seen to be so." Efforts to get the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig.Gen. Olajide Laleye, to corroborate the report, were unsuccessful, as he did not pick his call. He did not reply text message sent to him. Nonetheless, spokesman for the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Garrison, Col. Aliyu Yusuf, when contacted, denied knowledge of the pending judgement. "I'm not aware of anything like that; if there is anything like that, we will send invitations to you. "The first one, were we not the ones that sent invitations to you?" he asked rather rhetorically. Meanwhile, it was learnt that Special Forces were pushing to reassert authority in Gwoza and other towns seized by Boko Haram. A military source, who spoke in confidence, stated: "You will recall that we have since cleared Mubi (in Adamawa State) and other towns of the terrorists. "Our Special Forces, who are backed by intense bombardment by the Air Force, are battling to also liberate Gwoza," he noted.

NNPC allays fears of fuel scarcity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu (left) and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadre Ouedraogo, in warm embrace at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads and Government of ECOWAS in Abuja...yesterday.

Airlines cancel flights over poor visibility lPassengers stranded at airports Wole Shadare

ravellers were yesterday left stranded at many of the nation's airports as harmattan haze swept through parts of Nigeria. Airlines were forced to cancel flights as aircraft could not take-off, which left many passengers stranded. Mostly affected were those travelling to the northern states and Enugu. Pilots told New Telegraph that the harmattan haze made visibility

to be very poor; a situation they said made them to keep aircraft on the ground for hours to allow it to clear. Aero Contractor's 7a.m. flight to Kano was still on ground till 4p.m. Azman Air also could not make all its scheduled flights to the North as a result of the development. When New Telegraph visited both the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), it was the same story of flight delays occasioned by the

development. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had penultimate week advised pilots and airlines to adhere strictly to approved weather minima during the current harmattan haze in the interest of safety. The aviation regulatory body in a weather alert issued to airlines warned pilots on the hazards associated with harmattan haze in flight operations at this period of the year. Spokesman for the agency, Fan Ndubuoke, said the warning was

important as harmattan is known to pose an obvious threat to aircraft particularly in areas of challenging terrains due to low visibility. He noted that the alert is in line with the Seasonal Rainfall Prediction issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) on the cessation of rainy season in 2014. The harmattan is a dry and dusty wind that blows southwards from the Sahara across the country between the end of November to March, the following year.

Abuja. The meeting was at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had called out workers on strike over the delay in passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the poor state of the nation’s refineries and failure by the Federal Government to reduce the pump price of petrol in view of the falling price of oil in the global market. The strike has taken a toll on motorists and commuters as fuel queues sprang up in many states of the federation. However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corpo-

ration (NNPC) has allayed fears of the public over fuel scarcity, saying that it has enough stock to ensure a hitch-free yuletide. The NNPC, in a statement yesterday, said it was in talks with the leadership of the unions who gave the assurance that they would not disrupt the fuel supply and distribution system as the strike was basically aimed at addressing the anti-labour issues by some International Oil Companies (IOCs). According to the corporation and its downstream subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), there is over 32 days stock of petroleum products available for supply during the yuletide and beyond. It added that 17 additional petroleum-laden vessels are at the Lagos ports waiting to discharge to the various depots for CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

News

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

BPE hands over 51% equity of Stallion Property to NNPC Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has formally handed over Federal Government’s 51 per cent shareholding in Stallion Property and Development Company (SPDC) to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Pension Fund in fulfilment of the 2006 approval granted by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP). The 51 per cent equity shareholding represents 1,061, 814 million shares. Performing the handover yesterday in Abuja, Director-General of BPE, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, said the handover of SPDC to the NNPC Pension Fund Limited was an outcome of seven years of unwavering desire, determination and commendable perseverance by the management and staff of SPDC/ NNPC pension Fund Ltd. Dikki said the company and its staff waited patiently despite irregular salaries, and revocation threats from FDA for the transaction to be completed so that SPDC could be free to compete

unhindered and take its rightful place in the real estate sector. He said: “Having concluded the transaction, it is, therefore, apt to point out that available statistics shows that the housing deficit in Nigeria is about 17 million units. BPE is currently working with the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development on the reforms and restructuring of the housing sector.

There is, therefore, a huge opportunity to be tapped by SPDC in the sector. “We would like to encourage NNPC PFL to work hard and inject funds in SPDC in order to harness these huge opportunities and build a viable company, create more employment and add value to the Nigerian economy,” he said. Speaking earlier, Managing Director of NNPC Pension Fund Limited, Mr.

Danbello Sanni, described the occasion as “a dream comes true in the life of SPDC as a leading property development company in Nigeria.” He assured that everything would be done to realise the motive for the transfer of the 51 per cent stake to the PFL. At the meeting of NCP held on October 31, 2013, BPE sought council’s approval for the privatisation of Federal Government’s

51 per cent shares in the residual assets of SPDC to NNPC Pension Fund Limited. The request was predicated on an earlier approval granted in 2006, that the proceeds from the divestment of government’s 51 per cent shareholding in SPDC be used to part bridge the funding gap (about N63 billion then) in the NNPC staff pension fund. In line with the strategy,

the net proceeds of the first transaction was paid to the NNPC staff pension fund which helped to reduce the liabilities. However, there were other unsold assets that did not receive any expressions of interest during the first transaction. These assets were to be sold (nationally) to SPCD in accordance with the pre-emptive rights provided in the company’s Memorandum and Article of Association.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST L-R: Assistant Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Kayode Olagunju; Director, FCT Road Traffic Services, Danjuma Garba and Head of Sports, Bisi Kassim, during the 12th National Summit of Special Marshals in Abuja. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

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31o C 26oC Thunder Storms

PDP, APC Reps set for showdown over bid to impeach Jonathan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ABUJA

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23o C 20oC Heavy Showers

IBADAN

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through an ex-parte application, praying it to stop Tambuwal from parading himself as the speaker, pending the determination of the suit challenging his continued stay in office. After listening to the application, Justice A.R Mohammed ordered the plaintiff to put Tambuwal and other defendants in the suit on notice. The court further held that it would be most unfair to grant a restraining order sought through an ex-parte application against Tambuwal who had engaged counsel to defend him in a pending suit. In the substantive suit, the plaintiff is seeking a judicial interpretation of an earlier judgement delivered by Justice Evoh Chukwu of the same Federal High Court in Abuja, wherein he held that there was no division in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The plaintiff had submitted that the suit is to justify PDP’s position that the defection of Tambuwal from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on October 28 was “illegal” and in breach of

Section 68(1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Joined as respondents in the suit are Tambuwal, the House of Representatives and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The suit was initially assigned to Justice Chukwu but he withdrew from the suit on December 2 following a petition written by Tambuwal asking the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, to re-assign the case to another judge. Tambuwal had expressed fear that Justice Chukwu was likely to be bias against him in view of his previous pronouncement in a related case wherein he held that there was no division in the PDP. Meanwhile, as the House reconvenes today, APC members and their PDP counterparts are set for a showdown over the plot to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. New Telegraph gathered that the APC members were bent on going ahead with the impeachment process and their team, led by two principal officers, is said to be making overtures to aggrieved

PDP members who lost out in the recently-concluded primaries to enlist their support for the project. A lawmaker from Adamawa State who just defected to the PDM two days ago, told New Telegraph that she has been bombarded with calls from her colleagues in the APC to sign the impeachment list. “Yes, I have been contacted. In fact, three of my colleagues in the APC have spoken to me about the need to join them, even though I did not give them a definite answer. “As we talk, two of my colleagues from the state (Adamawa) have also told me that they have been contacted by the same people too. But I am no longer a member of PDP; I am now in PDM and will do whatever the party directs me to do. So, that is what I can say for now,” said. But House Deputy Majority Leader, Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta), has said that PDP lawmakers are ready to stop their APC counterparts from embarrassing the president. Ogor yesterday said the PDP had the technical

competence to confront any situation on the floor of the House. He said: "If they bring the impeachment notice tomorrow (today), it will be thrown overboard immediately. "If they bring the issue of impeachment up, it will amount to throwing away the baby with bath water. "We'll confront any situation we meet on the floor of the House particularly when it's against the interest of our party, the PDP.” The House, which may adjourn on Thursday for the Christmas and New Year break, is expected to deliberate on the late presentation of the 2015 appropriation bill by Jonathan. It was gathered that a motion of urgent national importance is billed to be moved by a member of the APC calling on the president to forward the 2015 budget proposal on or before Thursday or face sanction. A lawmaker from one of the North-Central states told New Telegraph in confidence that the motion is going to be the harbinger of the impending impeachment motion.

He accused the president of violating the Fiscal Responsibility Act in the presentation of the Medium Term Economic Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategic Paper (FSP). The House is also expected to receive and deliberate on the report of its Committee on Police Affairs that investigated the invasion of the National Assembly on November 20 by the police. A member of the committee said: "The report heavily indicted the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, in his role in rubbishing principal officers of an arm of government. We expect that the recommendations which I cannot reveal all for now will be handled before the demise of this 7th Assembly. "If we decide to touch it then, the outcome will be explosive as the IG went beyond his scope of duty." Neither chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Albert Sam-Tsokwa or the Chairman, Police Affairs, Hon. Usman Kumo could be reached for confirmation.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Jonathan seeks global partnership to end terrorism lECOWAS leaders brainstorm on insurgency

Onwuka Nzeshi and Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan has called on world leaders to support West African countries to end the current terrorism challenge confronting the region. He said such effort is a sure way of addressing issues of piracy and violent extremism within the region. The president stated this yesterday in Abuja when he addressed the 46th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) Heads of State and Government in Abuja. Jonathan expressed worry over the rising scourge of terrorism that had been threatening the peace and security of the sub-region. He said: "In the Sahel Region, we have witnessed the increasing proliferation of small arms and light weapons. As a result, countries in the region are today threatened by insurgents and terrorists. "Their actions have dire consequences for the continuing peace, stability and prosperity of the region.” According to the President, "In the Gulf of Guinea, the increasing incidence of piracy has reached a worrisome dimension. This is compounded by drug trafficking, oil bunkering and human trafficking. All of these require urgent and concerted actions from all of us." He noted that leaders of

the region must go beyond politics, and pursue economic development and integration of the. Jonathan said: "We must, therefore, accelerate our efforts toward monetary union by striving to meet the convergence criteria and achieving the harmonisation of tariff regimes. "Internally, within the community institutions, there is an urgent need for structural reforms in order to enhance capacity and improve transparency. Activities of our organisation must conform to global best practices to strengthen confidence and assure growth. "More importantly, we must diversify our revenue base and reduce our imports in the face of rapid changes in the global arena. It cannot continue to be business as usual, if our organisation is to fulfil the vision of our founding fathers. "Our organisation has been universally acclaimed as a model in regional integration. It is my hope that we would be able to sustain this standard and continue to demonstrate our cohesiveness. "We must act and continue to speak with one voice as a region. Of the five regions of Africa, West Africa has the highest number of MemberStates of our continental organisation, the African Union. This is an important leverage for us. We must utilise it and exploit it to advance the overall interest of the region." At the meeting, the Heads of State and Government brainstormed on the growing challenge of

terrorism and insecurity plaguing the region. The leaders also deliberated on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) ravaging the region with a view to exploring ways of tackling it. The meeting also featured talks on the political stability of the region with particular reference to five countries that would be holding elections next year namely Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire. Chairman of ECOWAS and President of Ghana, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, said the session was convened among other

things, to explore how the region could take practical steps to consolidate peace as well as strengthen democracy and good governance in the sub- region. Mahaa noted that some progress has been made in the sub-region in terms of addressing political and security challenges but observed that there was need to consolidate on these results. He disclosed that countries of the Mano River Union, with the support of ECOWAS and the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA), had made efforts to implement the cross-border security

strategy which was adopted on October 25. He, however, said the region's quest for strong economic development and regional integration was severely hampered by several factors, including political instability, transnational organised crime, drug trafficking, sea piracy and security challenges posed by Boko Haram in some parts of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger. ECOWAS, Mahama pledged, would continue to address these challenges until security and political stability has been restored in the region.

On the Ebola scourge, Mahama noted that the disease had remained a source of serious concern in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, even as the possibility of its spread to other parts of Africa has been greatly reduced with the successful taming if the disease in Nigeria. He disclosed that since the outbreak of the disease in the region, a total of 11,256 laboratory confirmed cases have been recorded; over 6,300 people including healthcare personnel have died while the region has been left to face some socio-economic setbacks as a consequence.

Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki (right), presenting document for handing over of Stallion Property and Development Company (SPDC) to the Chairman, NNPC Pension Fund Limited (PFI), Dr. Dan Efebo in Abuja …yesterday

NNPC allays fears of fuel scarcity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

onward distribution to the public. NNPC, according to the statement by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, called on members of the public to avoid panic buying or stock piling of petroleum products as that could lead to needless queues or cause fire accidents that could lead to loss of lives and property. Meanwhile, fuel loading at gantries in Apapa area of Lagos was yesterday disrupted by striking oil workers. A bulletin by NUPENG on the assessment of the strike showed that there was a "total compliance

in some of the oil installations in the country, as the strike continues today.” "In Lagos, most depots were shut and there was no loading. At Ejigbo depot, some tankers that loaded earlier in the day were restricted but later allowed to move out of the depot because of the danger attached. "At Apapa depot and those owned by Mobil and Oando, there is total compliance, while there was skeletal work by NUPENG members at Total depot, which was later stopped in the course of the day. "In Warri, there was no loading but NUPENG members were seen wearing red to signify their

protest. "In Port Harcourt, there was total compliance in all oil and gas locations, including the upstream and midstream as the loading bays were shut. "In Kaduna and Abuja, there was total compliance on the part of PENGASSAN members. In Kaduna, the gate of the Kaduna Refinery was shut and no entrance was allowed into the premises. There was no loading also in Kaduna," the report said. But the strike has taken its toll on fuel supply in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, as many filling stations were not selling petrol.

Those willing to sell were, however, selling at the official pump price of N97 per litre. Fuel scarcity also hit major filing stations in Yobe State, sending shocks to people of possible spread to other parts of the state from today. Most of the filling stations in major towns were shut due to the fuel shortages. However, a few fuel stations that have the product were besieged by motorists who formed queues that stretched to access roads and caused heavy traffic in Damaturu, the state capital. However, in Akure, Ondo State, petroleum products were available

in many filling stations and many parts of the state yesterday. Although, there were long queues in some filling stations, especially those around Alagbaka area of the state capital, there was free entry and exit in few others. But in Awka, the Anambra State capital, a slight increase was made on fuel pump price. In most filling stations, the product was sold at N105 per litre while NNPC stations retained the regular price of N97 per litre. Fuel scarcity has also hit the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as most filling stations were closed to motorists while those selling products witnessed

long queues of vehicles. Commuters were stranded at various bus stops just as black marketers have also cashed in on the situation to make a brisk business. However, president of NUPENG, Igwe Achese, told New Telegraph in a telephone interview that his union and PENGASSAN were open to dialogue if government was sincere in resolving their grievances. According to him, government must be compelled to do the needful and proper thing in addressing the long standing decay in the oil industry, particularly by ensuring the passage of the PIB.

News

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL

Obasanjo’s book full of lies, blackmail, says Kashamu Wale Elegbede

he Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in South-West, Chief Buruji Kashamu, has said that his opposition to the public presentation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s autobiography was because the book is full of lies and blackmail against him and President Goodluck Jonathan.

2.5%

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

Speaking yesterday at a press conference in Lagos, Kashamu said the book was out to portray Jonathan’s administration in bad light, adding that the former President “blames everybody else for everything but himself.” “Obasanjo’s open and mischievous criticism of the Jonathan administration, if anything, is drawing more sympathy for it, as one that is making a complete break with the past where impunity and lawlessness reigned. This

is so because the issue is not so much about whether the claims are true or not, but because of who is making the claims and his manner of presentation. The messenger lacks credibility and his message is heavily laced with bellicose, to say the least.” Describing Obasanjo’s eight-year administration as not profitable to Nigerians, he said “Chief Obasanjo’s conduct in and out office does not support his claim of being a law abiding citizen.

64.1%

The percentage of the urban population of Congo in 2012. Source: Un.org

It is on record that while in office as a democratically elected president, he disobeyed court judgements, even those of the Supreme Court, with reckless abandon.” Speaking further, he said: “Obasanjo’s sole agenda is to be in charge of Nigeria till he dies. He has vowed to frustrate President Jonathan or any Nigerian leader who does not do his bidding and that is just what he is doing.” While describing the botched Third Term

100,000

The estimated number of Americans above 65 years with Alzheimer’s in Indiana State in 2014. Source: Alz.org

Agenda as the handiwork of the former President, he said “Chief Obasanjo said he was not aware of third term; that he was not the mastermind. What does that mean? Living in self denial? Speaking from both sides of the mouth, blowing hot and cold? He was not the mastermind; he was aware, he claims. Yet, he did nothing about it. ”When Obasanjo left office in 2007, the total power generation capacity in the country was about 2,600MW. The pres-

ent administration has been able to raise the figure to about 4,000MW”. “Indeed, President Jonathan may not be the most qualified but it pleased the Almighty Allah, whose ways are unfathomable to qualify him and make him our leader at this crucial time in our nationhood. God is not done with him – and with us, Nigerians. Our destinies are intertwined and no amount of blackmail can stop him. President Goodluck Jonathan is a man on a divine mission” he said.

206

Ekiti: Court to hear sacked Speaker’s suit January 7

The number of pending asylum seekers of Botswana at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

Akeem Nafiu

L-R: Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, New Telegraph, Mr. Eric Osagie; Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. David Shikfu Parradang and his wife, Anne, at the first-ever NIS end-of-the year party and award night in Abuja... at the weekend

ustice Saliu Saidu of a Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned a suit filed by the sacked Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, to challenge his removal to next year’s January 7. The judge, while adjourning the matter for the hearing of the motion on notice directed the plaintiffs to serve all court processes to the defendants. Omirin and 18 other APC members of the house had gone to the court to challenge what they described as an infraction in the house. During yesterday’s proceedings, Justice Saidu declined to give audience to Deacon Dele Adesina(SAN), who was in court to argue the case of some of the defendants.

Court orders Jega to register Impeachment: Senators behind Mark –Abaribe “Senators have implicit only existed in the imagi- that the Senate had a testDPC or face contempt Chukwu David nation of its authors. ed internal mechanism, confidence in the leaderTunde Oyesina Abuja

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday ordered the Executive Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega to register Democratic Peoples Congress as a political party within 72 hours or face contempt charge. The party had approached the court to challenge the failure of the electoral body to register it. The court had, on October 24, ordered INEC to register the party, but it refused. The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawale, who gave the order, directed Jega to take remedial steps to register the

party within 72 hours. He further held that if the INEC boss failed to obey the order of court within 72 hours, he should be served with form 49, a notice to show cause why he should not be committed to prison. He later adjourned hearing on the contempt proceedings to December 23. The party had, in a motion ex-parte dated December 1, filed by Ezekiel Vem Ofou, Rev Olusegun Peters, Okoye Finbarr, Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Khalil and Dioji Chidinma on behalf of themselves and the party, asked for leave of the court to serve form 48, a notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court on INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega by substituted means.

Abuja

he Senate yesterday described the report in some national dailies purporting a plot by some aggrieved senators to remove the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark as false. Senate Spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, in a statement in Abuja, said such unfounded story

He noted that the Senators, who had been operating as a body of one united family, had never, at any time, found any ground to move against its leadership or even thwart the long-standing camaraderie which the Upper Chamber was known for, irrespective of political party affiliation. Abaribe further said

which Mark and the members of his leadership had deployed on many occasions to tackle any difficult issue that arose within and outside the chamber. Such mechanisms and channels, according to Abaribe, were inexhaustible and would always be deployed by the leadership of the Senate when the need arose.

ship of the Senate, ably led by Senator Mark and there is nothing now to suggest or confer any iota of truth on the media insinuation of any form of schism that could warrant the removal of the President of the Senate”, he said. Abaribe, however, urged restraint on the reportage of issues that were not factual.

15-year-old girl wins N1m UBA national essay competition prize Mojeed Alabi

ifteen-year-old Fabelurin Fehintoluwa of Maverick College, Ibadan, Oyo State, has emerged the winner of this year’s edition of the annual national essay competition of the United Bank for Africa Foundation. The winner, who went

home with a cash prize of N1 million, was announced yesterday afternoon at the UBA headquarters, Marina, in Lagos at a ceremony attended by the leadership of the bank, pupils of various secondary schools, who were accompanied by their teachers and parents. The second and third po-

sitions went to Obi Daniel Chukwudu of St. Thomas Secondary School, Kano, Kano State and Sunday Kenneth Ikemsinachi of Dority International Secondary School, Aba, Abia State respectively. They were rewarded with N750,000 and N500,000 cash prizes respectively too. All 12 finalists were

also given certificates and brand new laptops to help them in their studies. Representing the fivemember panel of judges, Prof. Asabe Kabir Usman of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, said a total of 1,600 entries were received across the federation including the troubled states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY DECEMBER 16, 2014

News

NATION’S CAPITAL

Education Minister unveils consolidation plans Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

inister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, yesterday unveiled what he called the Federal Ministry of Education’s priorities in consolidating the transformation in the nation’s education sector. The implementation of

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the priorities, according to the Minister, are in line with the four year Strategic Plan for Development of the Education sector developed by the immediate former Minister of Education, Professor Ruqqayatu Ahmed Rufa’I. Shekarau, in the ninelist priorities presented to stakeholders in the education sector at the National Universities Commission (NUC) headquarters, said

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Congo in 2010. Source: Itu.int

his administration would give monitoring and assessment of on-going projects maximum priority. He noted that every Tuesday has been set aside by the Federal Ministry of Education for monitoring and assessment, adding that such would ensure that projects are executed to set standard even as it would help to identify any challenge that might

44%

The fatality rate of Ebola virus outbreak in Congo DR in 2008. Source: Who.int

hamper implementation. The Minister stressed that the Federal Government would provide facilities in schools affected by the insecurity challenge in the North East, disclosing that students whose schools were attacked are being identified and allocated to schools in neighbouring states that are safe. “The Federal Ministry of Education would soon

$31.3m

The total salary and extra winnings made by Tom Brady of New England Patriots (NFL) in 2013-2014. Source: Financenews24.com

unveil the minimum benchmark for the provision of adequate security in both the public and private schools to ensure the security of students. We are already identifying students displaced by the security challenge in the North East and they are being allocated to schools in safe neighbourhood. They would soon start going to school again” he said He gave the assurance

Ebonyi crisis: PDP chieftain intervenes Caleb Onwe Abuja

he Deputy National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Onwe S. Onwe, has expressed his determination to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party in the Ebonyi State chapter of the party. Onwe, who said this in Abuja shortly after receiving an award from Ngbolizha Community Forum, a political pressure group of his home state; during their end of year party, explained that if the Ebonyi crisis was

L-R: Niger State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Danladi Ndayebo; his Taraba State counterpart, Mr. Emmanuel Bello; NUJ National President, Mallam Garba Mohammed; Director-General, NTA, Mr. Shola Omole and Executive Director, Planning, Research and Satistics, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Jones Afolabi, at the 45th National Council on Information meeting in Abuja …yesterday

Eyakenyi inaugurates eight member IMT Yusuf Shuaib Abuja

he Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, has inaugurated a joint Interim Management Team (IMT) and Technical Board (TB) to ensure the effective implementation of the Federal Housing Authority restructuring plan. The IMT is purely a transitional management/project delivery team comprising of seasoned and reform-oriented managers put together to work with the technical

board to implement FHA restructuring plan for a period of 18 months, starting from November 1 2014. “It is pertinent to note that the objective of the government is to use the FHA and its subsidiary as vehicles for bringing affordable housing programmes to the doorsteps of the less privileged and the low income earners in the country” “The main purpose of re-structuring the authority is to enhance its capacity and re-position the agency to serve Nigerians better, bearing in mind our effort to towards reducing the alarming

housing deficit of about 17 million facing the country” and the management team to be more result oriented, the minister added. Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. George Ossi, explained that the eight-man interim management team are assigned to add value to the housing delivery efforts. He, however, urged the team to work harmoniously in order to provide for the attainment of the set targets, for which they have been carefully assembled. Also speaking, the FHA Managing Direc-

tor, Prof Mohammed AlAmin, thanked the minister and especially the Federal Government for inaugurating the team and promised that they were going to do their best and will not disappoint the minister. NGO rates Nigeria as 4th in Global Trade and Industry Yusuf Shuaib, Abuja. National President of Civil Society for Public Engagement, Alhaji. Ali Abacha, has argued that Nigeria is rated as the 4th in the Global Trade and Industry and above all other countries in Africa.

New ABUCCIMA President unveils plans Amadi Nnamdi Abuja

ewly elected president of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ABUCCIMA, Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye, has revealed the plan of his administration to boost business activities in FCT and also to

increase regional trade of the chamber. Ejinkeonye made the disclosure to journalists yesterday in Abuja after the 2014 Annual General Meeting of the chamber, where he was elected into office for a threeyear tenure. “ We shall organise different programmes, including seminars and

trainings for the small and medium enterprises, SMEs operators to boost the sector,” He said his administration would give priority to developing infrastructure within and outside the chamber’s complex to promote trade and business in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and beyond.

“One of my plans is to also increase regional trade. The statistics that is available to us shows that 85 per cent of businesses Africans do is outside Africa. Our interest within these three years will be to promote trade within the African region, with emphasis on the West African subregion,” said Ejinkoye.

that the government would mitigate against incessant industrial unrest in the nation’s education sector by ensuring industrial harmony in all the institutions. While speaking on measures to address the challenge of quality of teachers, Shekarau said the Ministry would identify ways of attracting the best brains into the teaching profession.

not curbed now; it might affect the party’s chances of winning the state in 2015 general election. The Chairman of the group, Bishop Amadi A. Amadi, while presenting the award, said it was in recognition of the selfless and passionate services that Hon. Onwe was rendering to his people that earned him the award. Onwe, who was elated for the recognition accorded him, said that Ebonyi being a young state, cannot afford to be severed from the national government; which is what it entails to be in the opposition.

Most consultants in Nigeria don’t have websites, says Iornem Clem Khena-Ogbena

t is regrettable that in this age of Information Communication Technology (ICT), most of the big consultants in Nigeria, in diverse areas do not have websites, the Director-General, Institute of Management Consultant in Nigeria, Prof. David Iornem, has said. The director-general, who did not exclude even consulting members of IMC in the ICT deficiency and lack of regard for the use of websites for enhanced efficiency and quick service delivery, also hinted that the institute would no longer

tolerate non-ICT compliant members. However, Iornem said that efforts were being made by the institute to permanently address the challenge, by organising special training programmes on ICT for the affected members of the institute. Iornem made the disclosure in an exclusive interview with New Telegraph during the induction of new members into the institute, in Abuja, at the weekend, adding that all members of the institute “are consultants”, helping other managers in diverse areas of human endeavor to perform their jobs better.

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0803 858 6227, 0704 683 5153 0806 533 6811, 0708 448 8130

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro Camillus Nnaji

olice hierarchy in Lagos State has ordered the arrest and detention of five policemen over the alleged murder of a commercial motorcyclist. The victim, Mr Aondona Tavershima, 24, was killed and secretly buried in a shallow grave to conceal the crime. He was said to have been shot and killed by policemen attached to Maroko Police Station because he allegedly refused to stop when he was flagged down at Lekki area of Lagos. The policemen, however, quickly rushed his body to Lekki Beach and buried him. The policemen, it was alleged, further shot him repeatedly after he had fallen off his motorcycle. He died on the spot. The policemen would have got away with the murder, but for a fellow motorcyclist who witnessed it and raised the alarm. The victim’s elder sister, Linda, alleged that the police offered her N10 million settlement to ensure the matter was not taken further. Linda said she was asked to

Five policemen detained for killing, burying cyclist go home and think about the money. But rather than think about the money, Linda and other family members contacted a lawyer, demanding justice. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP, Kenneth Nwosu, who confirmed the incident, said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, ordered the immediate arrest of the suspected policemen who were alleged to have participated in Tavershima’s kill¬ing. He said: “Five policemen are currently being detained, while the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, has since commenced an investigation. If found guilty, the officers will be made to face the wrath of the law.”

Aderanti

Unable to pay N1m, woman dies at LUTH Appolonia Adeyemi and Shola Adefuwa

Juliana Francis

32-year-old mother of four, Mrs Folake Oduyoye, has died after she was allegedly detained by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos. The deceased, it was learnt, was detained for her inability to settle her medical bill. The family, according to investigation, was only able to pay N300,000 out of N1.3 million bill. The woman’s husband, Mr Adeyemi Oduyoye, said LUTH management prevented his wife from accessing needed treatment to address complications from a caesarean session. This, according to him, led to her death. Oduyoye, a printer, said his wife went for a caesarean session at a private hospital but

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

N1.2m bribe: Judge orders Owo FMC MD’s arrest A

Husband of the deceased, Oduyoye (sitting) being consoled by relations

was referred to LUTH on September 7. According to him, the woman died from cough-related illness at LUTH on December 13 while her body was deposited at the morgue of the hospital. Contacted, the LUTH Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs Hope Nwawolo, said the deceased was treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. She said: “If it were a private hospital that treated her in an ICU for 31 days, she would get very high bill.” Nwawolo also referred our correspondent to the Acting Chief Medical Director, Prof. Chris Bode, for further detail.

However, Bode could not be reached on his mobile phone number. But Oduyoye said his wife died following negligence and failure of LUTH management to either continue with the treatment or release her for treatment at another health facility. He said the deceased was in the process of giving birth to their fourth child when she went into the theatre for a caesarean session at Midas Touch, a private health facility in Lagos. However, she came out with infections which required advanced surgery as a result of accumulation of pus within. Consequently, she was taken to LUTH for treatment.

Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday ordered the arrest of the Medical Director (MD) of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Ondo State, Dr Olufemi Omotoso. The court issued a bench warrant against Omotoso for failing to appear in court for arraignment in a N1.2 million bribe case. The MD was charged with his alleged accomplice, Ayo Owoka, who is a lawyer, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a five-count charge border-

Owoka with the N1.2m bribe

ing on conspiracy, offering of gratification and giving false information to a public officer. The Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the duo conspired to offer a N1.2 million bribe to the EFCC agents on February 27. Owoka, 47, was arrested as he tried to bribe the officers. After interrogation, he allegedly confessed that the money was given to him by Omotoso to compromise the investigation into a case of contract inflation, abuse of office, stealing, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds at the hospital. “When the matter came up today (yesterday), Justice LawalAkapo expressed dissatisfaction that the arraignment could not take place due to absence of Omotoso. He therefore ordered operatives of the EFCC to arrest Omotoso and produce him in court on January 26, 2015 for the arraignment,” Uwujaren said.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY DECEMBER 16, 2014

Child assault: Ugandan maid jailed four years Abiodun Bello

Ugandan Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday sentenced the 22-year-old maid, Jolly Tumuhiirwe, who abused an 18-month-old baby, to four years’ imprisonment. A video footage of Tumuhiirwe slapping, beating and stomping on the baby girl sparked global outrage after it was released. On Friday, according to BBC News Africa, the maid told the court that the attack was revenge after she was beaten by the child’s mother. The mother, however, denied beating her. In Kampala yesterday, the Chief Magistrate, Lillian Buchan, told Tumuhiirwe she had committed an “unjustifiable and inexcusable” crime. She said the sentence was appropriate in light of the “ruthlessness exhibited” on an “innocent, helpless child”. The baby’s father, Mr Eric

Camillus Nnaji

wo suspected cult members, Lukman Abdulsalam, 44 and Olumide Williams, 43, who allegedly stabbed a man with a bottle, yesterday appeared before an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Abdulsalam, an auditor, lives at No. 17, Batula Street, Ebute-Meta, while Williams, a marketer, resides at No. 6, Desalu Street, Abule-Nla Road, Ebute-Meta. The two men were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, breach of peace and illegal possession of dangerous weapons.

Kamanzi, installed a camera in his home after noticing his daughter was bruised and limping. He reported the abuse to police last month and circulated the video online to family members. The footage was later shared more widely, provoking horror and upset internationally. After the sentencing, Kamanzi said: “It’s not for us to decide the punishment for what she committed. “We hope this has set an example for other maids out there, that you cannot just go to someone’s house and torture their baby and expect to walk out.” According to Uganda’s New Vision newspaper Tumuhiirwe apologized to the parents of the child and to the general public, saying she did not know what came over her to commit such an inhumane act. Many people had thought that the maid was mentally disturbed to have tormented

such a helpless child in a manner likely to kill her, but a psychiatric assessment established that Tumuhiirwe is of sane mind. Tumuhiirwe’s lawyer, Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, said yesterday that the punishment was appropriate and he did not intend to appeal. He said the court “spoke for many Ugandans”. A family member, Rose Zimulinda, said the child was physically well now but there were likely to be longer term psychological consequences. In Uganda, there is no requirement for people paid to look after children to have qualifications. The case has led to calls by some officials for the childminders to be certified before they can be employed. Police have recommended that parents do background checks with friends, neighbours, local police, council and previous employers before taking on nannies or maids given these responsibilities.

Bauchi

olice in Bauchi State said the 10 cattle rustlers arrested in collaboration with Danga Vigilante men after a fierce exchange of gun fire would soon be arraigned. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Haruna Mohammed, said the suspects conspired and killed a cattle breeder, Mohammed Jamo, of Pankshin Local Government Area in Plateau State and took away 32 cows from the victim. Mohammed said exhibits recovered from the suspects included one AK47 rifle, one assault rifle, 109 live ammunition of AK47 rifle, 93 rounds of assault rifle ammunition, a machete and 32 cows.

Tumuhiirwe

Suspected cult members Gunmen kidnap pastor’s wife, arraigned for stabbing man demand N20m ransom The prosecutor, Corporal Cyriacus Osuji, said the accused stabbed one Mr Kazeem Shoetan in the head with a broken bottle at Olaleye Village, Iponri, Lagos. Osuji added that the accused and some others still at large attacked their victim and made away with his phone. He said: “His phone was taken from him by them. However, Shoetan was able to shout for help and a nearby police patrol team rounded up the trio.’’

Osuji added that the accused had been dispossessing innocent people of their valuables. He said that the offences contravened sections 166(d), 171(1) (c), 310 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The Chief Magistrate, Mr Y. J. Badejo-Okusanya, granted them bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety each. He adjourned the case till January 21, 2015.

Police arrest 10 for cattle rustling Mohammed Kawu

IG, Suleiman Abba

The PPRO also disclosed that one Sale Kawu and Abubakar Abdullahi of Kafin Yarima village in Bauchi Local Government Area who conspired and deceived one Mohammed Sani of Kushi village and received N395,000 under false pretence that they would make him rich were also arrested. He said: “The suspects gave the victim a carton containing some dried groundnut leaves and sand well wrapped with cloths and deceived him that it contained millions of naira, warning him not to disclose it to anybody.” Mohammed explained that after a search was conducted at the suspects’ houses, $1,000 suspected to be faked and 126 cutto-size papers were recovered. He said detectives sim-

ilarly arrested one Abdullahi Usman and Abdullahi Sale with one Boxer motorcycle with registration No. QB796KRF, three empty sacks, two ropes, one techno GSM phone and four wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspects, according to the PPRO, conspired with one Usman and attacked one Auwalu Bala of Tirwun village, a commercial motorcyclist, with intent to rob him of his motorcycle. However, in the process Usman overpowered him, retrieved the knife and raised the alarm which attracted passers-by. He added one of the suspects was lynched by a mob. Mohammed told journalists that all the cases were under investigation after which suspects would be prosecuted

Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

unmen have abducted wife of the pastor in charge of Dominion City, Kpirikpiri, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Mrs Ifeanyi Aniamaka, at her residence in Abakaliki. It was learnt that the assailants, in a yellow bus, trailed the victim, who was driving her KIA Rio car with registration No: DK487BEN, to her house. They intercepted the woman at her residence on Onwe Nkam Street, Democracy Estate, Abakaliki and abducted. The incident, which occurred at weekend, took the victim’s neighbours and church members by surprise, as such case was the first in that area. In an interview with our correspondent, the victim’s husband, Pastor Chris Aniamaka, called on the security agents across the state to ensure speedy release of his wife.

He said: “This incident came as a shock to me. We just finished our thanksgiving service for the year. My wife decided to drive the children home and they were intercepted at our residence. “From the account of my children who were instructed to come down from the vehicle before the kidnappers took my wife away, the kidnappers followed them until they got to our residence in Democracy Estate. “They threatened my wife with a gun and told my children to come down from the car before they drove away.” It was gathered that the kidnappers had made contact with the family, demanding N20 million for the release of the pastor’s wife. Two weeks ago, a deacon and a deaconess (names withheld) of Assemblies of God Church in Abakaliki were kidnapped and later released after paying a ransom.

‘5,000 displaced Zamfara villagers return home’ Idris Salisu Gusau

bout 5,000 people who fled following fierce attack by the suspected cattle rustlers in some villages of Mada in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State have returned to their houses. The Chairman of Gusau Local Government, Ibrahim Umar Tanko, who disclosed this, said his administration had provided the victims with assorted grains and medicines to alleviate their pains. The gesture, according to him, was in addition to the assistance earlier offered by the state government. Tanko added that the affected

people desperately needed more than what was given to them considering the level of destruction in those communities. The chairman said the assailants set ablaze over 30 farmlands during the attack. He said: “The suspected cattle rustlers had, during the attack, burnt the crops awaiting harvest across 30 farmlands owned by the people living in the affected villages.” The chairman said the Zamfara State Government had through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) recorded the level of damage and the comprehensive list of lives and property lost during the attack.

News

APPROPRIATION

Ekiti governor cuts state's coat according to size as APC lawmakers stay away Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

kiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, has presented a budget estimate of N80.77 billion to the state House of Assembly for the 2015 fiscal year. The budget, tagged "Budget of Reality", presented yesterday, represents 77.7 per cent of the 2014 budget of N103.8 billion of former Governor Kayode Fayemi. However, 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers, led by Dr Adewale Omirin, who have been out of the state in the last few weeks, were absent from the sitting of the Assembly. In the 2015 appropriation bill, the sum of N48.71 billion was allocated to recurrent expenditure, while capital expenditure would gulp N31.956 billion. Speaking on the budget, Fayose said the size of the fiscal appropriation was informed by his government's desire to live within its means and go with an achievable estimate rather than "decorate the budget with unrealistic figures." The governor, while calling for the expeditious passage of the bill, explained that the budget would be funded by revenue from the Federation

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH - WEST

Fayose harps on agric, presents N80.7bn budget Account, internally-generated revenue and other sources. The governor, however, said that his government would access N5 billion internal loan contrary to his earlier stance that he would not borrow to run his government. Speaking with journalists after the presentation, Fayose said: "The

N2 billion we are taking from the Central Bank of Nigeria is an unavoidable loan and is for the poor market women and men and to stand as guarantee for such people to have assess to such loans. "There is a repayment process that the government must stand as guarantor. And the fact that I said we would not bor-

The life expectancy of women at birth in Togo in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

row should not be misinterpreted. If you borrow you must pay within your tenure so that you do not involve in financial recklessness for people coming after you. Reviewing the performance of the 2014 budget implemented by Fayemi to October 15, the Governor said the budget was 78 percent realised.

The number of people dying from AIDS-related causes worldwide in 2008. Source: Who.int

Fayose said his budget would focus on empowerment of people economically, development of agriculture, infrastructural development, restoration of the glory of the state, provision of free health care services for children, pregnant women and the physically challenged and security of life and property.

N900,919

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

Members of the Ogun State PDP protesting alleged imposition of candidate by the party executives in Abeokuta …yesterday

Only credible election‘ll avert bloodshed, says Okunriboye Babatope Okeowo AKURE

or mer Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Senator Remi Okunrinboye, yesterday warned against manipulation of next year's election in order to avert crisis in the country saying anything short of a credible election could lead to protests by Nigerians. Okunriboye, who was the Chairman at the annual Press Week of the Ondo State chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the only panacea for peace to reign after the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must conduct free and fair elections. He, however, said losers of election should be quick to congratulate winners and stop inflammatory statements that could ignite violence. Okunrinboye advised media professionals to allow truth to be their watchword as many people would base their judgment on media reports. He dispelled the insinuation that the country would break up after the next year's general elections, saying election, result would never lead to the break up of the country.

Fresh trouble brews in LASU over ASUU factionalisation Ekiti commits N300m to Mojeed Alabi and Tony Okafor

hile the dust raised by the purported withdrawal of 19 PhD certificates of lecturers at the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, is yet to settle, the Ivory Tower seems to be thrown into another round of crisis bother-

ing on the factionalisation of its chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, over what was described as irreconcilable differences. At a media briefing, addressed at the weekend by one of the factions, headed by Mr. Asokere Ayodele of the Department of Insurance, the congress of the union announced

Buhari divides Ondo Babatope Okeowo AKURE

he All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State yesterday differed sharply on the chances of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), winning the state in the next year presidential election. While the APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Omoba Abayomi Adesan-

ya, said Buhari would win the election in the state by a landslide, the PDP through its spokesperson, Mr Banji Okuomo, said the people of the state will never vote for APC or Buhari in any election in the state. The State chapter of the APC had congratulated Gen. Buhari on his emergence as the party’s Presidential candidate describing his emergence as well deserved for Nigerians and a new Africa.

the suspension of the Dr. Adekunle Idris-led leadership of the association over several allegations, including its inability to hold the union together and the confrontational approach to crisis resolution. According to Ayodele, the union action was long overdue, as the school's ASUU arm had long been polarised over

prolonged disagreement on the union's position on some critical issues including the last strike embarked upon by the union. He stated that the development had led to his suspension alongside 20 others by the Idris-led executive council, and that the decision had forced them to take the drastic measure.

Makinde joins SDP Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

ggrieved Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship aspirant Seyi Makinde, who was rumoured at the weekend to have dumped the party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), yesterday formally confirmed his move. The decision by Makinde, is said to have further deepened the

crisis within the party as former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, had last week defected to the Labour Party and emerged as the standard bearer. Makinde is said to be poised to contest the gubernatorial slot on the platform of the SDP, as he told journalists in Ibadan yesterday that he took the decision after consultations with members, supporters and leaders.

irrigation farming Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

kiti State Government has said it will spend the sum of N300 million on irrigation farming and other allied matters in the state. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti yesterday while declaring open a five-day capacity building programme organised by the state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme( UNDP), Governor Ayo Fayose said no fewer than 90 irrigation operators in the state would benefit from the gesture. The governor, who was represented by his wife, Mrs Feyisitan Fayose, expressed the determination of his administration to improving the social and economic well-being of the people within the limited resources available at its disposal.

Meanwhile, Following the presentation of the 2015 budget to the House of Assembly by the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday engaged each other on issues bothering on fiscal document. The opposition party through the State Publicity Secretary, Mr Taiwo Olatubosun, thumbed down the process, stating that Governor Fayose's action in presenting the document in the absence of the Speaker and majority members of the Assembly because they are opposition was illegal and unconstitutional. "The manner of its presentation by the governor was a constitutional breach, as it was illegal and absurd to present the state budget to only seven of the 26-member House of Assembly in less than 20 minutes.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECember 16, 2014

2015

Time to rebuild Nigeria – Buhari

APC

Marginalisation

Edo: Intrigues as Obende, Ihonvbere, Obahiagbon lose out

Muoghalu: Ndigbo are disenfranchised in Lagos

Politics Reps’ journey to Government House

his unusual style of politicking continues to be a mystery to many others. The manner he emerged as speaker in 2011 still lingers in the political psyche of close followers of events in the National Assembly and, in fact, the polity since return of democracy in 1999. In 2011, against all odds and with the tacit support of his colleagues, he aborted the zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and became speaker by defeating the party’s anointed candidate, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola. Since becoming speaker, he led a non-partisan House and took decisions that angered his party. For some, Tambuwal is a lucky man and for others, he is simply a man of destiny. That Tambuwal is a shrewd politician is not in doubt. As speaker, he has cleverly avoided partisan statements. Having been in the House since 2003, he understands the terrain and knows what leads National Assembly leaders into crisis and corruption. He has avoided it like leprosy. Since 2011, no allegation of corruption has been raised against him. Not even the two bribery allegations that have rocked the lower chamber under his leadership have been linked to him. His defection to the APC is now an issue that is heating up the polity today. With the influence of Governor Aliyu Wamakko in the politics of Sokoto State, Tambuwal may end up becoming the next governor of the state.

At least, 12 members of the House of Representatives participated in the justconcluded gubernatorial primaries of various political parties. PHILIP NYAM examines how the lawmakers won and lost in their bid to take over Government Houses in their states in 2015 Tambuwal

Ihedioha

efore the commencement of the primaries, 12 lawmakers in the Green Chambers had bought nomination forms and were successfully screened. Some of them were lucky to have been endorsed by the incumbent governors and perhaps their state or zonal caucuses while some decided to trudge on in spite of the obvious obstacles ahead of them. But at the end of the exercise, only four of them secured the tickets of their parties to contest the February 2015 general election as the other eight lost out at the governorship primaries. This is the first time 12 lawmakers in the lower chambers would vie for governorship at a time. The winners Aminu Tambuwal (APC, Sokoto) Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Peterside

ticket in a landslide victory that saw him thrash four other aspirants including a serving senator. He is indeed the aspirant to beat and political pundits have concluded that baring any obstruction, Tambuwal will clinch the governorship come February 2015. The speaker will, however, contest against his erstwhile boss, Senator Abdallah Wali, who is the candidate of the PDP in the state. Tambuwal represents Kebbe/ Tambuwal federal constituency. A lawyer by profession, he began his political career as a personal assistant on legislative matters to erstwhile Senate Leader, Senator Abdullahi Wali between 1999

Ugwuanyi

and 2000. In 2003, he contested and won election to represent Kebbe/ Tambuwal federal constituency and subsequently won elections in 2007 and 2011. In the House, he has been a principal officer all through beginning with deputy minority whip to deputy minority leader and deputy chief whip. Tambuwal is the recipient of several chieftaincy and honorary awards including the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). Sometime this year, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar turbaned him as the Mutawallen Sokoto. To many political pundits, Tambuwal has largely remained an enigma since 2011. His political image keeps soaring even as

Emeka Ihedioha (PDP, Imo) The deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha was also returned elected as the governorship candidate of the PDP for Imo State. But his victory is being hotly contested by a former lawmaker, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, who is insisting that he won the election but void votes were counted in favour of the deputy speaker to topple him. Ararume has petitioned the party and the outcome of that petition is being awaited. If Ihedioha survives the Ararume challenge, he will face the herculean task of unseating the incumbent, Governor Rochas Okorocha, who is also an experienced politician that has tasted it at various levels. Okorocha clinched the APC ticket to fly the party’s flag just hours after losing the presidential CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

Former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, in his acceptance speech as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) spoke on his plan to rebuild Nigeria

irst of all, I wish to express my gratitude to the chairman and members of the Convention Committee for planning and conducting a hitch-free convention. The same appreciation goes to the chairmen of National and State Executive Councils of our party. Thank you very much for doing an excellent job. I would like to pay tribute to Chief Bisi Akande the first chairman of APC and his National Executive for managing the party in its early stages. I also wish to commend Lagos State Government and state party for hosting this convention. Time was when people feared to come to Lagos. Today, Lagos is the cleanest and dare I say safest city in Nigeria. This achievement is due to the leadership and strength of purpose of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Babatunde Fashola the two Governors since 1999 and their team of professionals. For this wonderful transformation Nigeria greets you! The outcome of the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress is a demonstration of democracy at work. It is testimony to the fact that democracy as a concept is greater than the interests of individuals in a free and functional political system. What has just happened is not about winning or losing but about the triumph of liberty, freedom of choice and association, which are hallmarks of democracy. To my fellow contestants; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Mr. Sam Nda Isaiah, I wish to thank you for putting up a good fight. The keenly contested primaries we just had will help to strengthen our party and democracy, and ultimately send our message to Nigerian voters in the impending elections. To you all, I pay my absolute compliments and congratulate you on the success of your respective campaigns. I extend my gratitude to you all for accepting the outcome of this convention and agreeing to support my candidature as we move forward. I shall meet with you all in the coming days to fashion out how we shall confront the challenge ahead. My dear fellow countrymen and women, it is with a deep sense of humility that I stand before you today to accept the nomination of my party, the All Progressives Congress to be its candidate and flag-bearer in 2015 presidential elections. My nomination is not because I am better than any of the other contestants. I see it as a tribute and mark of confidence to carry the torch as we all join hands to rescue our dear country Nigeria, from those who have led us into the current state of insecurity,

TUESDAY, DECember 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Time to rebuild Nigeria – Buhari poverty, sectarian divide and hopelessness among our people. I stand before you today to ask that you join me in a common cause. My call to you is not to realise the personal fulfilment of one man. This common cause is nothing less than the love for our nation and concern for its present condition. And a resolve to make things better for Nigeria. What I say today is for all Nigerians: Christian and Muslim, Southern and Northern, rich and poor, young and old, man and woman. We are all citizens of Nigeria. There is no dividing line among us that I care to honour. Either we advance as one or fail altogether. My choice and my colleagues’ choice and wish is that we progress together. Preserving the nation’s future is a scared obligation to all of us in this party. Leaders should be wholly committed to fulfilling this obligation otherwise they have no business being leaders. Sadly, the current administration does not believe in this obligation. By their actions they are leading us to calamity. At international conferences, the Nigerian delegation is usually among the largest but at the same time the least effective. Our president should have the status and voice of Africa’s largest nation. But in political influence we are among the weakest. Shall we at home continue to live in a condition where the Power Holding Company and its successors seem only to have the power to hold us in darkness? Shall we continue in a situation where 250 of our daughters have been abducted and the government has been unable to rescue them or provide credible information about what steps they are taking? Shall we live in a nation where several people were trampled to death in search of jobs in a stadium and yet no one has taken responsibility for the tragedy? Shall we live in a nation where the ranks of the poor swell and their poverty increase while the consorts of the powerful enjoy unprecedented wealth? The lives of the poor are bled dry while those of the powerful soak in excessive abundance. My answers to these questions are “No, No, No, No!” It is time to close this demeaning chapter in our nation’s history. I ask that you join this effort, not for me, but to establish a better land for all of us. I understand and accept the hard challenge ahead. When all is said and done, let it be written that Muhammadu Buhari gave his all for this nation. As such, I make these five pledges regarding the government if we are elected next February; We will govern Nigeria honestly, in accordance with the constitution. We will strive to secure the country and efficiently manage the economy. We will strive to attack poverty through broadly-shared economic growth and attacking corruption through impartial application of the law.

Buhari

We will tolerate no religious, regional, ethnic or gender bias in our government. We will return Nigeria to a position of international respect through patriotic foreign policy. We will choose the best Nigerians for the right jobs. Our government will be committed to the cause of the common man. Whether you are a Christian from Bayelsa State or a Muslim from Katsina State, you are first and foremost a Nigerian in my eyes. I shall treat you equally as my people, my national family, my brothers and sisters. There can be no genuine love of our country without loving all its people in our diversity. Just as APC stands as a new party for a new Nigeria, our government will institute new policies to realise the new Nigeria. We shall institute just policies that afford people the dignity of work and pay them a living wage for their sweat and toil. We intend to do this by instituting a national industrial policy, coupled with a national employment directive, that together shall revive and expand our manufacturing sector, creating jobs for our urban population and decreasing our reliance on expensive foreign imports. We shall implement a national infrastructure master plan that will provide construction and related jobs across the land. Furthermore, by improving our transportation infrastructure through road, rail and port construction we expand the outer bounds of economic growth as no economy can grow beyond the capacity of its infrastructure. Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy. Our government, when elected, will establish an agricultural policy that provides farmers a dignified living through improved inputs, improved extension services, access to credit and price support mechanisms. On corruption, the government will enhance Economic and Financial Crime Commission’s (EFCC’s) powers to investigate independently. Moreover, we intend

Just as APC stands as a new party for a new Nigeria, our government will institute new policies to realise the new Nigeria

to plug the holes in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) accounting. There will no longer be two sets of books, one for public consumption and another for insiders who profit from this slick fraud. In an APC government, the public will know how much NNPC makes and where all the money goes. No longer shall illegal flows of massive sums leave these shores to finance other economies. While our people languish in poverty, we effectively give financial aid to nations, that is not justified. I am sick of this. It must stop. The money saved will finance jobs, health care and the provision of social safety net for the needy, weak and vulnerable of our land. We will be a compassionate government, for out of compassion arises the truest forms of wealth and progress a society can attain. We shall open the door to tertiary education to excellent students who otherwise could not afford it. Pregnant and poor women and children shall be entitled to basic health care. This is a Nigeria that I envisage but it is a far cry from the Nigeria that is now. Change is imperative if we are to avoid the impending national failure. Poor leadership placed us in the ditch. Continuation of poor leadership will only dig a deeper trench for all of us to fall in. Let us join hands in progressive union to pull each other and the nation from the abyss. I pledge to do my utmost to make this happen but cannot do it alone. I need your support. I need your help to become president of Nigeria so that government may come to serve you, so that it may bring relief to the broken and weary among us and so that it may usher in a new Nigeria meant for us all, a Nigeria that is the birthright of everyone but the exclusive possession of no one. God bless you. God bless our fatherland – Nigeria Thank you. •General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR

Politics 15

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECember 16, 2014

CAJETAN MMUTA reports on the intrigues that trailed the senatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State that saw a number of bigwigs losing out

Edo: Intrigues as Obende, Ihonvbere, Obahiagbon lose out

or a long time, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State had always said to anyone who bothered to listen that “whoever offers himself for any electoral contest must know that there are two possibilities; either you win or you lose.” The December 8, 2014 senatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the three senatorial districts of the state was an eye opener to many, and one that will give vent or shape the factors that will determine the governorship race in the state come 2016. The Iyanmoh-born politician and former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will bow out of the Osadebay Avenue Government House in Benin City at the end of his eight years in office as governor in 2016. The comrade governor has proven his mettle in governance. He has demystified powers that be in the state. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members are better tale bearers in this regard. He has silenced the opposition and critics through records of performance in various sectors to overhaul the once impoverished Edo State. He is still taking further steps to rewrite the history of the state in order to put his name on the sands of time. The red roofs, network of roads, electricity, human capital development; adequate welfare for the workforce and prudent management of resources laced with improved revenue base and several others, are laid bare by his administration for all to see and put him on the scale. Above all, he is the protagonist of the nation’s now singsong ‘One Man, One Vote’ that has variously been demonstrated in different states. However, while this concept is awaiting further tests as Nigerians march towards the 2015 general election, there seems to be unresolved questions arising from the recently conducted House of Representatives and senatorial primaries of the APC in the state. The exercise no doubt, was peaceful, free and fair but not without leaving a sour taste in the mouths of many over a reported last minute masterstroke and high level political overtures that almost pitched some of the aspirants that lost in the contest against key persons in government. At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium where delegates from Edo South converged to elect a candidate, there was alleged high level political overtures by elements in the Oshiomhole’s government to skew the process in favour of a choice candidate, even though Oshiomhole had earlier assured all the contestants of a level playing field. It took the persuasion of some delegates to calm frayed nerves before accreditation could com-

Oshiohmole

mence at about 3:15p.m. The exercise went on till late in the night amid a tension soaked environment despite the heavy presence of security agencies. The incumbent Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Raphael Samson Osagie representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde federal constituency, emerged the candidate of the party. According to results declared by the chairman of the Electoral Committee for Edo State, Mr. Macdonald Obasuyi, Osagie polled 1,120 votes out of 2, 212 votes cast to defeat Patrick Obahiagbon (Igodomigodo), the former member who represented Oredo federal constituency in the green chambers of the National Assembly and presently the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Oshiomhole who scored 894 votes in a keenly contested exercise. Obahiagbon who was touted as the governor’s choice, having worked closely with him this few years, lost due to what sources said was “protest votes” occasioned by anger of most people who felt disappointed by an attempt to arm twist them at the 11th hour. Also, the incumbent lawmaker representing Ikpoba-Okha federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Jim Adun, scored 162 votes while popular advertising guru, Erabor Emokpae polled 28 votes. In Edo North where the state governor hails from, there was a groundswell of anger and political brickbat as some sections of the area deployed ethnic agenda that schemed out the incumbent Senator Domingo Obende who hails from the minority Akoko Edo area. Obende scored 198 votes to place third losing to Mr. Alimikhena Francis who polled 831 votes and Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who came second with 815 votes. The calculations here by forces within the north zone was that with Oshiomhole’s exit in 2016 not much would be left for the Etsako/Owan who are in the majority and therefore it was only right that they deploy their strength to get what they want.

Ihonvbere

Indications have emerged of the possibility of aggrieved leaders and other contestants who were schemed out of the primaries to leave the ruling party

Obahiagbon

Further permutation was that flowing from the tactics of the opposition PDP in the north senatorial district, which gave the party’s ticket to Mr. Pascal Ugbome also from Etsako ethnic nationality, APC stakeholders in Etsako/ Owan felt it would be wise to use one of their own to alter whatever grand plan PDP is hatching. That plot was what shored up Francis to rob Obende of the bid to return to the National Assembly for the second time come 2015. The incumbent senator, it was gathered, saw the secret overture as a slap on his person and the Akoko Edo people who since the existence of Mid-West region, Bendel State and now Edo State have not had a shot at the nation’s upper chambers. Sadly too, the Etsako/Owan ethnic and political agenda that played up against the minority Akoko Edo people during the epic battle has been a recurring occurrence that the Akoko Edo ethnic nationality have had to contend with in the politics of the state. The agrarian area reputed for its mysterious and historic hills, prides itself as the oldest of the nation’s 774 councils and Obende is the first to have a shot at the Senate after the tenure of Senator Yisa Braimah who hails from Owan federal constituency. However, one major issue that cost Obende’s second term bid was his alleged inability to deliver the member representing Akoko Edo in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Bamidele Oloruntoba, who is among the three APC legislators and loyalists to Governor Oshiomhole who met a political brick wall during the state House of Assembly primaries. Their failure to get re-elected is one great undoing of leaders and members of the party in the affected constituencies. Others who lost in state Assembly primaries included Ehio Ezemo (Owan West constituency) and Sunday Aghedo (Ovia South West). It was gathered that leaders of the ruling party were said to have been given a marching order to deliver all the APC lawmakers as a reward for their dogged fight to sustain democracy and support for the governor.

Furthermore, the intrigues included the calculations of Oshiomhole’s men who positioned Chief Frank Inegbenekhi to stop Theophilus Okoh, a businessman who has laboured over time for the party. But delegates were said to have preferred Inegbenekhi to Okoh. Inegbenekhi was able to muster enough delegates that launched him to victory despite sharing the same Esan blood with Okoh. Dramatically too, Ihonvbere who until recently was the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) announced his resignation from the state executive council. With Ihonvbere’s sudden resignation, it was clear that all may not be well within the ranks of the ruling APC in the state. It is expected that the worst is yet to be heard from the controversies that trailed the outcome of the party’s primaries in the state. Strong indications have emerged of the possibility of aggrieved leaders and other contestants who were schemed out of the primaries to leave the ruling party as time progresses. It was learnt however that the professor of Political Science and former aide to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo may not leave the ruling party after all. Source said he does not want to be linked with any form of political conflict and rumbling with the powers that be in the state, having learnt his lessons the hard way from the outcome of the primaries. But Oshiomhole has since accepted his resignation from the cabinet as SSG and thanked him for his services to the government and the state. It is feared that now that the party primaries are over, there are likely to be realignments and close watch within the ranks of the party as stakes ahead of the main battle gain momentum. Whether all the candidates will sail through following the ill feeling from losers and others whose interests have not been accommodated is a big question Governor Oshiomhole will provide answers to. Though, knowing his mien and character in battlefields, Oshiomhole is not a push over.

16 Politics

TUESDAY, DECember 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tambuwal, Ihedioha, Peterside Ugwuanyi clinch guber seats lNine lawmakers lose bid

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

primaries in Lagos. Okorocha is said to have stepped on so many toes and some people are waiting to pay him back in his own coin. But whether Ihedioha will be able to beat Okorocha is also not an easy puzzle to unravel. Ihedioha represents Aboh Mbaise/Ogor Okpala federal constituency and is serving his third term in the House. Having been in the House since 2003, he is one of the most experienced legislators working in the lower House today. A founding member of PDP, he has come a long way having received tutelage from great political strategists: former late Senate President, Senator Chuba Okadigbo and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, whom he served at different times in varying capacities. From being chairman of the House Committee on Marine Transport in his first tenure, Ihedioha fought his way to become the Chief Whip in 2007, when his kinsman and co-aspirant for governorship, Hon. Bethel Amadi, was shoved off the position after the removal of Hon. Patricia Etteh as speaker. In 2011, he worked with Speaker Tambuwal to thwart the PDP zoning formula by contesting and becoming deputy speaker. He emerged unopposed after Tambuwal floored the party’s preferred candidate Akande-Adeola. Ihedioha’s popularity is not in doubt and is also financially stable to execute his gubernatorial campaign. The deputy speaker is also from Mbaise in Owerri zone, the area where the governorship has been zoned to, according to the PDP’s zoning arrangement. He is also said to be heavily supported by leaders from Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri zones. But the deputy speaker would have to work extra hard beginning with intra party bickering. He must assuage the feelings of the other aspirants such as Amadi, Senator Chris Anyanwu and Ararume to be able to come out strong to tackle the APC. Dakuku Peterside (APC, Rivers) Peterside is one of the lucky aspirants that were anointed. His closest rival, Senator Magnus Abe, was compelled to step down for him. He will square up against the former Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, who is the PDP candidate. How well he is going to perform in the general election will also depend on how he is able to heal some open wounds in the party. The Ogoni believe the APC ticket should have been given to one of their own, perhaps Abe. But with the ticket now out of their reach, their votes will certainly be divided between the APC and PDP. Peterside is however lucky that Governor Rotimi Amaechi will have to deploy all the state apparatus within his reach to ensure that his candidate succeeds him. The lawmaker also enjoys some level of advantage over Wike by virtue of his place of

birth. Peterside is from the Riverine area while Wike is from the Upland like Amaechi. The sentiment that power must shift to the riverine area may work to his advantage. The APC candidate represents Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro federal constituency and serving his first term in the House. He is the chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream). Though a young man, he has also paid his dues. He began his political career as a Senior Special Assistant to former Governor Peter Odili on Youth and Students Affairs at the beginning of the Third Republic. He served as Commissioner for Works during Amaechi’s first term before contesting for a seat in the House of Representatives. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (PDP, Enugu) Ugwuanyi emerged as the PDP gubernatorial candidate in a parallel primaries as Senator Ayogu Eze, the chairman, Senate Committee on Works, is claiming to be the duly elected candidate of the party. Although, an Enugu High Court has barred Eze from parading himself as the candidate of the party, the case is far from over. The senator may appeal the decision. It is however glaring that at the end of the day, the party will submit Ugwuanyi’s name considering the fact that some key stakeholders in the party have endorsed him. Most importantly, he is the direct candidate of Governor Sullivan Chime. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has also thrown his weight behind him. Chime endorsed Ugwuanyi to the chagrin of other aspirants like Eze, who has vowed to contest the party primaries. Apart from being anointed by the governor and key PDP stakeholders, Gburugburu, as he is popularly called, is said to be popular in the state and wields a lot of influence based on his sterling performance in the House particularly as chairman, Committee on Marine Transport. His uncommon humility has worked well for him. Ugwuanyi does not discriminate between the rich and the poor, and he is always ready to assist. He is said to have provided jobs and empowered a lot of widows and youths in his constituency and in the entire state. He represents Nsukka/Udenu federal constituency of Enugu State and comes from Enugu North senatorial zone, where the governorship has been zoned to. He was first elected in 2003 and has remained in the House since then. Although some politicians in Enugu State are challenging the endorsement, the opposition is not strong enough to elicit apprehension. He is clearly in line to emerge as the next governor of the state. A stakeholder and former national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Ok-

Jime

Elumelu

Kawu

Gujbawu

wesielize Nwodo, has described the emergence of Ugwuanyi as consensus candidate as “a political masterstroke by Enugu north leaders, who have successfully waded off political invaders keen on taking the position zoned to us by the state PDP.” The Special Assistant to President Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga described Ugwuanyi as “a bridge that provided the platform of reconciliation and unity among diverse interests in the state.” Losers Emmanuel Jime (APC, Benue) Currently, the chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jime represents Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency in the House. His bid to secure the APC ticket for the 2015 governorship election could not scale through as a late entrant into the party and former Minister State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom snatched the ticket away. He may be returning to the House in 2015.

Jime was the aspirant to beat until Ortom, a long-time associate of Senator George Akume, who lost the PDP ticket came into the picture. For those who are conversant with Benue politics, the emergence of Ortom as candidate of the APC has been on the card of the minority leader of the Senate and leader of the party in the state, Senator Akume. Ortom is a trusted ally of Akume and pundits are of the view that this was one of the factors that cost him the PDP ticket because Governor Gabriel Suswam would not want to handover to an Akume supporter. A former speaker of the state House of Assembly during the aborted Third Republic, Jime dumped the PDP for the APC in December 2013, where many believed he stands a better chance of coasting home with the gubernatorial ticket. Jime is also very popular especially amongst the youth. Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta) Elumelu lost the governorship ticket to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECember 16, 2014

and became deputy minority leader in 2007, a position he retained in 2011. He refused to dump the APC when his erstwhile leader and education minister, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, abandoned the APC for the PDP early this year. Surprisingly, it was at Shekarau’s House in Kano that Kawu declared his governorship intention and Shekarau actually raised his hand as the preferred candidate.

Amadi

Gusau

in a keenly contested election. He represents Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State. He is the chairman, House Committee on Health. He came to the House in 2007 and shot himself to prominence as chairman, House Committee on Power, when he conducted an investigation into the alleged wasteful spending of $16 billion on power projects by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Although, the report of that committee ran into hitches, many still believe that Elumelu did a wonderful job. Elulemu and members of the committee were accused of soliciting and accepting bribe from some corporations and individuals to clear them of the allegations against them. These were however not proved. From the 88 recommendations made by the Elumelu committee, only eight were eventually taken after a review was ordered by Speaker Dimeji Bankole. Incidentally, it was Speaker Tambuwal, then deputy whip of the House that led the review committee. The lawmaker was consequently arraigned in court alongside his Senate counterpart, Senator Nicholas Ugbane for allegedly defrauding the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of millions. After a long legal battle, Elumelu was cleared by the courts and the corruption charges dropped. With the loss of governorship ticket and House seat, Elumelu may wait till 2019 to seek for elective office. Suleiman Kawu (APC, Kano) The deputy minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Suleiman Abdulrahman

Mutawalle

Akinlade

Kawu Sumaila, did not eventually contest the APC primary election in Kano as he stepped down for the deputy governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. He may likely emerge as the deputy governorship candidate to Ganduje. He represents Sumaila/Takai federal constituency of Kano State since 2003. A gregarious and down to earth personality, Kawu was one of the first lawmakers to declare his intention to govern his state come 2015. Kawu played a leading role in the emergence of Tambuwal as speaker in 2011. He was one of the initiators of the project and fought to ensure that it succeeded. His support for Tambuwal is not in doubt and this could be seen from the recent police invasion of the parliament as he led other members of the opposition to facilitate the entry of the speaker into the chambers. Unarguably a thorough bred grassroots politician, Kawu is very popular among his constituents and the people of Kano. This has ensured his election to the House for three consecutive times. The 46-year-old politician was a member of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and a member of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) that merged with other groups to form the PDP in 1998. In 2002, he contested for the state House of Assembly seat on the platform of the PDP. In 2003, he defected to the APP to contest for the House of Representatives seat, which he won. He has been a member of several committees in the House

Kaka Kyari Gujbawu (PDP, Borno) Kaka Kyari Gujbawu could not clinch the PDP gubernatorial ticket in Borno State as he lost to Alhaji Gambo Lawan. He represents Maiduguri Metropolis federal constituency of Borno State and wants to govern the state on the platform of the PDP. Gujbawu, 46, began his political career as a Special Adviser on Agriculture to the Yobe State governor between 2003 and 2007. He was first elected to the House in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. He is a member of the committee on banking and currency, rules and business, population, communication and legislative compliance. Though, a strong supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan, Gujbawu could not muster enough votes to scale through, Bethel Amadi (PDP, Imo) Amadi was not as lucky as Ihedioha. He could only manage 15 votes out of over a thousand votes. The president of the Pan African Parliament since 2012 represents Ikeduru/Mbaitoli federal constituency of Imo State and has been at the National Assembly since 2003. Presently, he is the chairman, House Committee on National Planning, he was Chief Whip briefly in 2007 before he was swept off the office after the fall of Hon. Patricia Etteh as speaker. A gentleman to the core, Amadi is a non-violent politician and a trusted loyal party man. His support for the party and Etteh cost him the Chief Whip position in 2007. In 2011, when majority of his colleagues pitched tent with Tambuwal and Ihedioha to thwart the PDP’s zoning formula, Amadi stood solidly behind Akande-Adeola and was the rallying point for the campaign in support of the party’s candidate. Born in 1964, Amadi studied law at the University of Jos and was called to the bar in 1986. He began his politicking as a student unionist at Jos. Before delving into politics, he was a successful businessman. He also served as a managing consultant to Bendel Insurance Plc. As a legislature, he is said to have done quite well and established various cooperative societies that provide free agricultural loans to farmers in his constituency. In 2009, he was appointed the first vice president of PAP and became president in 2012. He is also the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s representative for Nigeria. Bello Mutawalle (PDP, Zamfara) Mutawalle also lost in the gubernatorial contest. He represents Bakura/Maradun federal constituency of Zamfara State and he is the chairman of the House Committee on Security and Intelligence. He came to the House on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in

2003 and became deputy Minority Whip between 2003 and 2007 and held the same position between 2007 and 2011. Before coming to the House, he served as commissioner for Local Government Affairs in the administration of Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima. Mutawalle’s ambition to govern the state in 2011 forced him out of the ANPP to the PDP. The lawmaker who had considered himself as the natural choice of the ANPP leader, Sani Yerima, to take over from the defeated governor, Alhaji Mahamadu Shinkafi suddenly fell out with the senator; who instead endorsed Hon. Abdulaziz Yari. Following this development, Mutawalle defected to the PDP and picked the House ticket to return to the National Assembly. In the wake of the plot to stop the PDP’s decision to zone the speaker to the South-West, Mutawalle was also considered at the initial stages, but his candidature was later abandoned when Tambuwal came into the picture. Shehu Ibrahim Gusau (PDP, Zamfara) Like Mutawalle, Gusau fell along the way in the race to the Zamfara Government House. He represents Gusau/Tsafe federal constituency of Zamfara state and is the chairman of the House committee on Information Communication Technology (ICT). Before his election to the House, he had served as special adviser and later commissioner in Zamfara State. Gusau defected from the APC to the PDP early this year in protest to the domineering attitude of Yerima. His political base is believed to be weak, he is said to have engaged in the promotion of both Islamic and western education by sponsoring many students on scholarship and paying school fees for many indigent pupils across the state. He has established an ICT centre in the state, which has employed lots of youths. Abiodun Akinlade (PDP, Ogun) The Ogun State governorship primary election is disputed. While the election was ongoing, an order came from the national secretariat of the party announcing the cancellation of the process. But some went ahead with the primaries and produced a candidate even though other aspirants boycotted. There are however indications that Akinlade may not get the ticket even if the primaries is conducted again because the former speaker of the House, Hon. Dimeji Bankole seemed to be the preferred candidate of the presidency. Akinlade represents Egbado south/Ipokia federal constituency of Ogun State and is the chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, a position he held during the Sixth Assembly. He was elected to the House on the platform of the ACN (APC) but recently defected to the PDP to realise governorship ambition when it became impossible for him to do so on the APC platform since the incumbent, Governor Ibikunle Amosun is going for another term. Akinlade may end up contesting the House of Representatives seat.

‘Ndigbo are disenfranchised in Lagos’ on page 20

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Hypocrisy of Obasanjo’s book of vengeance Nwobodo Chidiebere

fter reflecting on the intents and motive of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s book tagged: “My Watch”, I was tempted to ask the following thought-provoking questions: what does Obasanjo want again from Nigeria, after taking more than his fair share of this country? Who would tame this man’s insatiable hunger for power and relevance? Was this new book written out of political frustration of being in oblivion for years now? Why launching this venom-filled and highly controversial book few weeks to 2015 general elections? Whose script is Obasanjo acting? Who will remind Obasanjo that he is no longer the president of Nigeria, therefore should not play God? Is Obasanjo prosecuting this unjust war against President Jonathan, simply because he refused to be tele-guided from Ota farm? In the book, Chief Obasanjo said after observing Jonathan and listening to him and people around him, he came to the conclusion that the president lacked the capacity for the number one job in the country and had not surrounded himself with those who could help him. “Although he might wish to do well, he does not know how nor does he have the capacity to. To compound his problem, he has not surrounded himself with aides sufficiently imbued with the qualities and abilities to help him out. Most of them are greedy hangers on or hungry lackluster characters interested only in their mouths and their pockets,” said Obasanjo. In continuation of his hypocritical fireworks and vituperations, he said “After watching, reaching out to, studying, talking to, and listening to the president himself and the people around him, I came, sadly, to a number of conclusions that mark Jonathan out as a man of adequate intelligence to run the affairs of Nigeria but lacking in broad vision, knowledge, confidence, understanding, concentration, capacity, sense

of security, courage, moral and ethical principles, character and passion to move the nation forward on a fast trajectory”. If Obasanjo is to be believed that President Jonathan lacked all these qualities as highlighted in his book of vengeance, why did Obasanjo impose an “incompetent and ill-prepared” individual on Nigerians as vice presidential candidate to former president Yar’Adua? was this a selfish plot to rule Nigeria forever via his cronies (like Tinubu is currently doing in Lagos), by installing a “robot” as Nigerian President in Aso Rock, while controlling him from the convenience of his Hilltop mansion in Ogun State? Is Obasanjo attacking President Jonathan because his ill-conceived plan of securing a third term through a “weakling” failed? There is no doubt that Obasanjo will be more remembered for his personal quarrels than for the quality of his ideas or ideals. I thank God I was not a baby during Obasanjo’s tenure. The man suffers from selective memory. Nigerians can still recall all the scandals including Siemens and Halliburton issues. Nigerians are flabbergasted and puzzled, that Obasanjo who has no respect for constitutionality and rule of law, and possess a track record of human rights abuses, is now posing as a saint! In furtherance of his ignoble quest for relevance, Chief Obasanjo said that “there were five Presidents in Nigeria, and these were his wife, the first lady, Diezani (Alison-Madueke), Stella (Oduah), Ngozi (Okonjo-Iwela) and the President himself, and that he was the weakest of the five. I understand the president to tried to make excuses for everyone, but President Jonathan is not too weak to be able to butter his bread and, if necessary, to engage the services of Satan to achieve his self-centered interests on the altar of all else.” In the foregoing, Obasanjo is yet to come to terms with reality, that Nigeria of 21st century has outgrown having a dictator as its leader. It is pathetic that the qualities Obasanjo used to portray President Jonathan as a “weakling” in his book of vengeance

were the same qualities that endeared him to Nigerians as a true democrat; who understands the nitty-gritty of decentralization of political power, which is the bedrock of democracy! The National Assembly, for instance, got its essence and independence back only with the emergence of Presidents Umaru Yar’Adua and Jonathan. Were a person of Obasanjo’s dictatorial nature elected to succeed him in 2007, Nigeria would have been a jungle by now. President Barack Obama had warned African nations that what we need for our development is strong institutions not strong personalities, here euphemism for autocrats and depots like Obasanjo himself. My warning to dear compatriot is that the freebooters, whose only achievement is fighting and winning a war (the Nigeria civil war they, the freebooters, caused) are hell bent on controlling the affairs of this nation from their nostrils to their graves. They manipulate us with religion and feigned piety; they manipulate us with anticorruption clichés even though they swim in the pool of corruption. They are baring fangs on like wounded cobra because the polity and the world will not accept military coups from them again. Now, the choice is ours whether to surrender to their goading and manipulations as is evident in Obasanjo’s shenanigans. For me, Obasanjo is the exact opposite of all that he sermonizes. Belief in his sermons is the domain of those bereft of sanity. Every other person but himself is to be blame for country’s woes. He may castigate President Jonathan all he likes, but never would it be said of Jonathan that his own daughter was paid to publicly condemn and denounce him, never would it be said of President Jonathan that he went on his knees, in desperate plea for political support from his own deputy. Objectively, President Jonathan has shown more purpose in his first term than Obasanjo (with all his experience) ever did in first term as a democratic leader! • Chidiebere (chidieberenwobodo@yahoo.com), a Public Affairs analyst, writes from Abuja.

National Assembly: A limping legislature? Julius Oweh

he doctrine of separation of powers is anchored on the compelling need for the three arms of government to have their well defined roles and promote the rule of law rather than the caprices and whims of those who husband the reins of governance. In a representative government, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary roles are clearly spelt out and they draw their powers from the constitution, the fundamental law of the land. That no arm of government should be so powerful and that others act as checks on the excesses of one another. The essence is to prevent anarchy and the recourse to self help which are strange elements to the ethos of democracy. But echoes from Abuja following the recent invasion of the national assembly by the police, an organ of the executive arm of the government is a dent on our democratic tradition and an affront on the doctrine of separation of power and by implication, the independence of the legislature. There are too many arguments about the propriety or otherwise of the police invasion of the national assembly and most of them are drowning in the ocean of sentiments and partisan emotions. It is rather unfortunate and the losers are Nigerians still grappling with the fine grains of democracy. It is not a PDP affair. And it would be wrong to situate it in the province of APC politics. It is also

beyond Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and his defection to the APC. It is about the sovereignty of the electorate as freely given to the national legislators. The statesman like posture of the senate president should be commended. The truth of the matter is that if it could happen to Tambuwal, the same may happen to the senate president or any other member of the national assembly tomorrow. The sovereign will of the people was violated and this is what we should be looking at. The legislators did not elect themselves nor are they are representing themselves. The legislators are representing the Nigerian electorate that gave them the mandate to make laws for the peace and good governance of the nation. And if somebody wanted to prevent them from doing their jobs, it is akin to subverting the democratic norms and constitutional responbilities of the legislators and should not be treated with kids` gloves. I am even surprised that the legislators are still attending to their functions in the national assembly. It is true that the House of Representatives and the senate have constituted committees to look at the circumstances surrounding the police invasion of the national assembly. The legislators are doing that in the line with the rule of law and to give the police the opportunity to defend themselves. The Nigerian Bar Association under the leadership of Mr Augustine Alegeh had called for a judicial panel of enquiry into the circumstances leading to the invasion by the police and that drastic actions should

be taken against those found culpable. These are good democratic steps and what the national assembly is saying loud and clear is that if some people because of some selfish reasons are threading the path of dictatorship, they would not be tempted to do such ignoble deeds. What cannot be wished away is that what happened on that day was a stab in democracy and all the perfumes in the world cannot make that to look and smell more pleasant. It was a wrong step and an attempted coup against the legislature. The shame is on us all and it would take a very long time to recover from this national infamy and disgrace. What happened in Abuja that day cannot happen in Ghana or South Africa. That is why somebody should be brought to justice as far as this issue is concerned. Some people are trying to cement the cracks by weaving tortoise like stories that Tambuwal loses his position by his defection. But this is not the first time politicians are defecting. The moral argument runs against the wall. It is either the members of the House of Representatives remove the speaker or a court of competent jurisdiction declares the seat vacant. Those incensed by the speaker`s defection should use legal and constitutional means to remove the man. It is this recourse to self help that is worrisome and giving dictatorial tendencies the label of normal democratic dispositions, which is wrong through and through. That is why the members of the national assembly should rise above par-

tisan persuasions and see the invasion as abridging the rights and functions of the legislature. This is time to protect the national interest and build on the gains of our democratic experiences. Both the PDP and APC members were prevented from entering the national assembly and they forced their ways into their legitimate offices. The police must explain to the Nigerian people who gave the order for the invasion and if the so called hoodlums and thugs were fished out. Nobody is calling for inquisition and that the essence of the various panels of inquiry is to get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident and prevent future occurrences. One member of the national assembly suggested that the national assembly should have its own police. That is certainly not the solution. The functions of the police should be well spelt out and defined. Furthermore, any politician trying to use the police to settle scores should know that the nation would outlive him or her. If this issue is not well handled and the independence of the legislature not guaranteed, it would be the clearest sign yet that the nation is on the road to dictatorship and the picture of a limping legislature shall continue to assault the sensibilities of patriotic Nigerians. History and posterity await the members of the national assembly as they handle the most potent threat to the independence of the legislative arm of government. • Oweh is a journalist in Asaba, Delta State (08037768392)

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

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Making fishery vital to the economy

frican fishermen under the aegis of African Confederation of Artisanal Fisheries Professional Organizations (CAOPA) have urged the African Union to declare 2016 African Year of Artisanal Fisheries. CAOPA said, “We also call on our Governments to propose to the African Union that it established 2016 as the African Year of Artisanal Fisheries”. The fishermen who met in Nianing-Pointe Sarène in Senegal on the World Fisheries Day, November 21 reached several recommendations in what has now become the Nianing-Pointe Sarène Declaration. The fishermen made some far-reaching recommendations to the African states. The group urged African states to promote and share the results of studies aimed at assessing the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of coastal communities to climate change and identify policies and strategies to support these communities. It also urged states on the continent to promote and encourage the establishment of financing systems adapted to the realities and the needs of the artisanal sector. The fishermen further tasked African states to ensure that the activities of joint ventures and other types of access offered to vessels of

foreign origin are transparent, do not compete with sustainable artisanal fishing operations, are in line with sustainable fisheries exploitation and deliver expected social and economic benefits “We urge states to support the establishment of national and regional programmes for the popularisation and dissemination of the International Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries adopted by the,” said the fishermen. Agriculture, including hunting, forestry and fishing contributed an estimated 32 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1998 to the Nigerian economy. An estimated 35.2 per cent of the labour force was employed in the sector in that year. The principal cash crops are cocoa which accounted for only 0.7 per cent of total merchandise exports in 1995, rubber and oil palm. Staple foods include rice, maize, taro, yams, cassava, sorghum and millet. Timber production, the raising of livestock principally goats, sheep, cattle and poultry, and artisanal fisheries are also important. According to World Bank estimates, agricultural GDP increased at an annual rate of 2.9 per cent in 1990-98. The sector remains the largest contributor to the Nigerian economy, accounting for over 38 per cent of the non-oil for-

eign exchange earnings, and employing about 70 per cent of the active labour force of the population. Although, the sector has suffered much neglect by the Federal Government since the discovery of petroleum in commercial quantity in 1958, but its importance cannot be over emphasised in the Nigerian economy. Fisheries are crucial to the Nigerian economy, contributing 5.4 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product in 2002. They are significant to the nation's economy in terms of food security, income, employment, poverty alleviation, foreign exchange earnings and provision of raw materials, protein source for animal feed industries. Fish is the commonest and cheapest source of protein for the teaming Nigeria's poor estimated to be between 65-70 per cent of the entire population. Nigeria, has a huge appetite for fish, with current consumption standing at 1.2 million metric tons. Of the current annual demand of 1.5 million metric tons, the country only produces 511,000 metric tons, leaving an annual deficit of about a million metric tons, which the country imports annually to meet domestic consumption needs. It is estimated that over 10 million Nigerians are engaged in primary and secondary fisheries

activities as fishers, fish farmers, fish processors, marketers, fishing boat builders, gear fabricators and menders, operators on board industrial fishing fleet, terminal/jetties operators, inand-outboard engines repairers and a host of other ancillary actors that derive their livelihoods from the fisheries. However, the main factors affecting aquaculture in Nigeria, include extreme climatic conditions, flood, water pollution, ignorance and lack of adequate technology.Other factors working against the sub-sector are lack of loans and grants, fish diseases and problems of preservation. Despite all these challenges, fish production has the potential to expand the national resource base, generate foreign exchange and elevate the socio-economic status of fish farmers. Fisheries development policy failures have been largely attributed to a failure to recognise the full range of Stakeholders in the fisheries, including their characteristics and possible contributions to policy-making and implementation. It is hoped that the fisheries policy process would be opened up to include a wide range of stakeholders and other relevant actors in order to minimise possible policy voids, improve policy narratives and ensure a sustainable fisheries policy process and its implementation.

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Politics

TUESDAY, DECember 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Muoghalu: Ndigbo are disenfranchised in Lagos Amobi Muoghalu is a chieftain of Igbo Leaders’ Forum (ILF) in Lagos. In this interview with Felix Nwaneri, he speaks on the 2015 elections, the position of Ndigbo and their agitation for fair representation in Lagos State. Excerpts

The people of the SouthEast appear to be at crossroad over who to support in the forthcoming presidential election, as meetings called on the issue in the past failed to reach a conclusion. What is the position of Ndigbo in Lagos at the moment? One of the meetings was called by a body called Ndigbo Lagos, but as much as we respect the personalities involved in the body, it is an elitist grouping of Igbo gentlemen, they are not grassroots-based unlike the Igbo Leaders Forum that liaises directly

have a guarantee of what he is going to do for me? The South-East receives the least federal allocation in Nigeria because we have the least number of states and the least representatives at the federal level, so why would we join this dance for nothing?

with the people, and whose messages are directed to traders in the markets, the man on the street, the Igbo boys and girls who are either employed or unemployed. I will say that the Presidency is becoming complacent, they are taking it for granted that Ndigbo will support President Goodluck Jonathan. I don’t agree with that. It has to be negotiated because no one can take my vote for nothing. I know there are

Muoghalu

good intentions towards the South-East, but there are no plans to concretise them. Why would I support somebody when I don’t

What exactly is the demand of Ndigbo from the Jonathan administration? The first thing we are asking is the issue of our disenfranchisement, there are five states in the SouthEast; every other zone apart from the North-West has six

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Would you say that Ndigbo have fared better under the present administration in Lagos State and what is their position as we approach 2015? At present, we have not taken a definite position, but I need not tell you, go round and do a research, you will find out that the Igbo man has been the greatest disenfranchised person in Lagos State at the moment. How can these issues be addressed without confrontation? The first thing we are doing is to make our people to register to vote during the forthcoming elections because what they are using against us which is partially true, is that during elections, we run to the East to vote. If we can harness our people whose population here is impressive into a voting bloc, we can then say to them on election day that Igbo leaders have agreed on this candidate or that candidate no matter the party.

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states. So, the first thing to do is to correct this injustice. Another one is infrastructural development. In the last four years that President Jonathan has been in power, the NorthWest is leading with N318 billion in infrastructural investment and the SouthEast is the least with N112 billion. Why should it be so?

EKITI Wahab Adesina 0810 885 3793 GOmBE Williams Attah 0803 604 7966 KADUNA Ibrahim Musa 0803 451 3786 KANO Mohammed Kabir 0803 451 7813 NIGER Daniel Atori 0803 583 6019 OSUN: Adeolu Adeyemo 0803 391 5294 PLATEAU: Musa Pam 0803 241 6557 UmUAHIA: Igbeaku Orji 0806 344 3131 yOBE: Hassan Jirgi 0810 361 5693

What actually inspired the formation of ILF? I know that my people are interested in making money and don’t take political matters serious. There is a danger there, not just for the Igbo man but also for all Lagosians. There is this apathy among our people, they think they have no stake in Lagos and so shouldn’t bother about the politics of the state, whereas their businesses and investments are in the state. If they lose faith in the democratic process in the state, the state will become a jungle. By a most conservative estimate eight years ago by former Governor Bola Tinubu, Ndigbo were 38 per cent of Lagos State. If that was so eight years ago, what do you think is our population now? If there are 100 per cent commissioners in Lagos, we should have 38 per cent of them. What is 38 per cent of 22 commissioners? If you have representatives, I should have 38 per cent of representatives. That is the motivation; equity in the sense that if we contribute an estimated 60 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Lagos State, we should be part of decision making in the state.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Culture

Culture, art, Nigeria’s greatest common wealth, says Duke

Arts Ake Arts and Book Festival, boost for CULTURE

reading culture, creativity Tony Okuyeme

his year’s edition of Ake Arts & Book Festival, which featured five days of book chats, panel discussions, interviews, school visits, music, film, performance art, dance, theatre, food, competitions, art exhibitions, book deals, book sales, parties and tours, ended on a promising and brilliant note with participants commending the organisers for what they described as a successful event. The festival themed “Bridges and Pathways” was held from November 18 to 22, 2014, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. It brought together scholars, writers, performance poets, artists, culture administrators, students, among others. For a project that made its debut last year, A scene in Tayo Aluko’s presentation of the musical play, Call Mr Robeson the array of writers, scholars and critics alike that this year’s edition brought together to a stimulating feast of performances, book reading, and intellectual discourse, has been dubbed a significant step in stimulating insterest in reading culture in Nigeria, and promotion of African art and culture, as well as creativity. Indeed, participants left Abeokuta with “lingering memories of what is shaping up to be” a major literary festival in Nigeria, even as they look ahead to the 3rd edition of the festival which will hold November 17 to 21, 2015. Organised by Lola Shoneyin’s Book Buzz Foundation the festi- Qudus Onikeku in performance at the festival val featured panel discussions, book chats, school tours by writ- hala, Olufemi Terry, Binyavanga ers, exhibitions, film screenings Wainaina, Ayo Sogunro, Bernaand music amongst others. Nobel dine Evaristo, John Stewart, Jude Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Dibia and Kola Tunbosun. The festival kicked off on Monex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, It is a very Rivers State governor, Rotimi day November 17, with workshops worthwhile Amaechi, the immediate past gov- and master classes on documenernor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fay- tary making and science fiction initiative emi, are among dignitaries that and visits to schools by writers. that should participated in the festival. Others Two photo exhibitions, Victor include Lizzy Attree, Siphiwo Ma- Ehikhamenor’s ‘In the Lion’s Lair’ be emulated and Vera Botterbusch’s ‘Views because it and Secrets vom Abeokuta an Isara’ also ran till Thursday. The is a way of festival also featured the premiere promoting Kunle Afolayan’s latest film, October 1, and Tunde Kelani’s Yeepa! African culture Solarin Mbo, in Abeokuta. the youths to The intellectual aspect of the festival began on Thursday with read books a panel discussion titled “MutaTONY OKUYEME tion and Mutilation: Feminism in tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com Africa”. It featured Bisi AdeleyeFayemi, Zukiswa Wanner, Iheoma © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Obibi, Ukamaka Olisakwe, NomLimited

boniso Gasa, Ayisha Osori and EdwigeRenee DRO. Molara Wood moderated the session which was followed by another titled “A Serpent’s Tongue: New Trends in Francophone Literature”. The panel which was moderated by Pierre Cherruau featured three writers, namely, Florent Couao-Zotti, Marcus Boni-Teiga and Edwige-Renee DRO. Four writers, Nike Campbell Fatoki, Okey Ndibe, Yejide Kilanko and Ghana’s Ama Ata Aidoo, discussed their books with guests. An industry session where ‘What are Publishers Looking for in African Fiction’ was also held that day while Ayodele Olofintuade, Uche Peter Umez, Jekwu Ozoemene, Wale Okediran and Nnedi Okorafor discussed ‘Literature for Africa’s Children’ thereafter. Other programmes on the day include the presentation of Beverley Nsengiyunya’s ‘A Thosuand Voices Rising’, and a contemporary dance session featuring Qudus Onikeku, Ese Brume, Charles Ambiard and Isaac Lartey rounding off activities for the day. One of the major features of the festival took place on Friday. The activities on that day include four panel discussions, book chats with former president Obasanjo, Bernadine Evaristo, Barnaby Phillips and Zukiswa Wanner, respectively. Kelechi Njoku and Paul Ugbede’s ‘Writivism’ was also launched. The day ended on a performance note with a musical play, Call Mr Robeson by Tayo Aluko and Tunde Sosan. The oily affairs of the Niger Delta was on focus on Saturday when Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, environmentalist and writer, Nnimmo Bassey, journalist and author, Michael Peel and writer Kaine Agary discussed

‘Poisonous Gas: The Crude Politics of Oil in Africa’. Five other panel discussions including ‘Diversity in Africa Event Room for All: Celebrating Otherness in Modern Africa’ featuring Binyavanga Wainaina, Ayo Sogunro, Bryony Rheam, Jude Dibia, Clifton Gachagua, Bernadine Evaristo and John Stewart also took place on Saturday. In an interview with New Telegraph at the opening cocktail and exhibition for this year’s edition of Ake Arts and Book Festival, wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun commended the organisers of Ake Arts and Book Festival in Abeokuta, describing it as a very worthwhile initiative that should be emulated because it is a way of promoting African culture and also encourage children and the youths to read books. She said the State government is so much involved in supporting this festival because it is in line with its commitment to improving education as much as possible. “People from far and wide from outside Nigeria have come to learn about the African tradition, the African culture, and they will take that back home, marry it and integrate it into theirs. So somehow Ake Arts and Book Festival is way of spreading the African gospel, I would say, across the globe. And I think that is really worthwhile,” she said, stressing that this will also encourage people to read books. “It will encourage children as well, our youths, to read books. The world is turning into an internet space, a cyberspace, so it is nice to bring people back to the basis and make them realize that there are actually hard copies of books out there that we should read. “In Ogun State education is free up to secondary school level, and it is even subsidized in tertiary schools, books are free. The government is doing as much as they can to get children off the street, giving them no excuse whatsoever not to be in a formal education. Even as a person, I have just finished the first ever national essay competition based on the book that I wrote, all in a bid to get children to read books. We told them that we will be going somewhere outside Nigeria, that was the motivation. But it was all in a bid to get them to read books, and when we get them back into reading books it will reflect on their academics, because they need to be able read for them to understand and review and revise what they have been taught in the classrooms.” Also speaking in an interview with New Telegraph, Former first lady CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Arts

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Culture, art, Nigeria’s greatest common wealth, says Duke Tony Okuyeme

igeria, as the biggest black nation in the world, and its citizenry can always ascribe to culture, art and all of its endowments as its greatest common wealth for development. The Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke stated this in his remark at the Unveiling Ceremony of the Official Logo of the Abuja Biennial organised by National Gallery of Art (NGA), last week at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. Noting that the event was a giant stride in the direction of diversifying as well as enriching the offerings within the calendar of activities of NGA and providing a platform for Nigerian artists to express themselves, he said Duke that the Abuja Biennial will rekindle the spirit of creativDuke stressed that the most ity among artists and fuel the important exports of some great propensity for them to break nations like USA, China, and current boundaries in terms Brazil has been culture and all of achievements, in terms of its endowment. He also decried creativity as they continue to the poor rating of the culture reposition Nigerian arts and sector by the managers of the culture as first among equals Nigerian economy. His words: in the continent of Africa. “Culture has truly contributed

Culture has truly contributed in a great way to the rebasing of the nation’s economy

in a great way to the rebasing of the nation’s economy. And though the managers of the economy say our contribution so far is about 1.5% of the economy, I think they need to rebase that parameter of evaluation because I am sure that our contribution is way beyond 1.5%.”

In his vote of thanks, the Director-General of National Gallery of Art (NGA), Mr. Abdullahi Muku expressed satisfaction on the level of achievement recorded by the event although the programme, which was inspired by the Dak’Art Biennial (Senegal), Johannesburg Biennial (South Africa), and Venice Biennale (Italy), was supposed to take place in 2013 but for exigencies. Dignitaries in attendance at the programme include the Cultural Attaché of the German Embassy in Nigeria, Dr. Purkar Woeth; British Council Country Representative, Mr. Chijioke Onyemere; Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma; Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Mr. Ferdinand Anikwe; DirectorGeneral, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Mrs. Chika Balogun; former DirectorGeneral, National Gallery of Art (NGA), Dr. Paul Dike, President Female Artists of Nigeria, Mrs. Ngozi Akande, among others.

12 contestants emerge for Game On Olushola Ricketts

he exciting reality TV show powered by Malta Guinness, Game On, on Sunday has unveiled twelve contestants. The contestants who were pulled together from all over the country will be converging in a house for six weeks to fight for their passion and fulfill their dreams. The fashion team includes Madu Okenna, Ukara Effiong, Modupe Adeoti, Precious Eminue, Mary Rogers and Henrietta Ikharo. They are expected to bring their talents to challenge the other team and attempt to inject

the needed vibrancy in the house. On the football team, there are Olumide Ajibolade, Isah Abdullahi, Akintoye Yemisi, Benjamin Nwoke, Jerry Onyibe and Adeniji Kamaldeen. A member of the football team said: “I am grateful to Malta Guinness for giving me the opportunity to do this. All my life, I have dreamt of being a great football coach who will win trophies for Nigeria and this reality show could be a way to achieve that goal.” The Marketing and Innovation Director, Malta Guinness Nigeria PLC, Gavin Pike, said: “as a premium Malt drink that

has passionately helped Nigerians express their ambitions and creativity, the brand has yet again decided to touch the heart of the Nigerian people with these two intriguing passions.” He added that the brand will be driving these tough conversations by playing the role of an impartial umpire with Fashion icon Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and Daniel Amokachi acting as captains of the two teams. “The show promises to be entertaining as well as inspiring with good technical quality, as Malta Guinness gears up to show the world that no one can be as passionate as Nigerians.”

Ake festival, boost for reading culture, creativity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

of Ekiti State, Mrs. Bisi Adeleye Fayemi said a programme like this will help promote our rich cultural heritage as well as stimulate interest in reading culture. “This kind of space provides opportunities for aspiring writers and writers who have already made a name for themselves for them to showcase their works and for them share their experiences and expertise with other people; and for people to have a sense that Africans have

very rich repertoire of people who are custodians of knowledge, who can write competently either in their own language or in foreign languages, and can contribute immensely to knowledge. This is something that needs to be duplicated at so many different levels – at national level, at state level and at local government level. “Everybody knows that we have a declining reading culture in our society; and not only do we have a declining reading culture, we also have a situation

whereby not many people know how to write properly, particularly in English language or local languages. And if you can’t read properly, you can’t write. So these two concepts need to reinforce each other, so I like to see a lot more investments in festivals like this,” she said. Nigeria Breweries, Access Bank, the French Embassy, German Consulate, British Council, Goethe Institut, Annoying Logo and Ogun State are among sponsors of this year’s festival.

Some of the works on display at the ongoing solo exhibition, Against All Odds, by Zinno Orara, at Mydrym Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Business What's news

‘Nigeria, others’ fuel market value hits $13.2bn per month’ The worth of Nigeria and other African countries’ fuel market has hit $13.2billion per month, Vitol, the world’s top oil trader with over $300 billion in annual revenues has said.

p.24

Insurers, stakeholders test-run NIID To forestall the unending premium losses in the nation’s maritime sector, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NID) in collaboration with major stakeholders in the maritime sector has commenced a testrun of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID), which is being deployed to block the leakages that had led to an average loss of N46 billion annually.

p.24

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

ADAMANT

US to pump one million barrels per day next year with increasing flows to international markets Adeola Yusuf

perators and Joint Ventures (JVs) partners in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry lost about N110.4 billion in November, data compiled by New Telegraph has shown. With the average crude price of $69 per barrel in the month of November ($73 per barrel high and $65 low), the crude recorded about $10 price differential between October and November when it averaged about $79 per barrel. Given this development, an average of N3.68 billion was lost on daily basis in month under review. The JVs and production sharing contracts (PSCs) between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and international oil companies (IOCs) through which about 90 per cent of the 2.3 million barrels per day output is produced, recorded the highest share of the loss with about N99.36 billion. Indications also emerged that in six months, the Federal Government and the oil and gas producing companies lost an estimated $11.5 billion due to the drop in the price of Brent crude oil from $115 per barrel in June to $68.62 in November. With Nigeria producing about 2.4 million barrels per day (bpd) and exporting 1.9 million bpd, the country may have lost as much as $11.5 billion between June and November. This has forced the Federal Government to introduce a raft of measures to shore up its revenue in the face of dwindling earnings from crude oil, its main revenue source. It would be recalled that the JV crude oil price fell to

NNPC, IOCs lose N110.4bn in November $65 per barrel in November, the lowest in about four years. Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, depends on proceeds from crude to service over 80 per cent of its budget. While other countries are

also slashing the prices of refined product, government sustained the N97 per barrel regulated price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) because the downstream market is yet to be fully liberalised and pri-

vatised. High subsidy payments, devaluation of the naira and low capacity utilisation of the country’s refineries have been CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

L-R: Ibadan Zonal Controller, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Banji Ojo; Scholarship beneficiary, Oludayo Oluwatosin; Director, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi and Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, during the presentation of MTNF science and technology scholarship to deserving students in the South-Western axis, in Lagos.

Wole Shadare

oreign airlines have concluded plans to reduce air fares next year following the plummeting oil prices. Some of the operators who spoke to New Telegraph at the weekend under condition of anonymity, said the decision was inevitable. Also, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the clearing house for global airlines, which represents 240 airlines, or 84 per cent of total air traffic, corroborated

Foreign airlines set for fare cut in 2015 the operators. The association, however, disclosed that carriers are still stuck with contracts for fuel that pre-date the past months’ price slump. Managing Director of IRS Airlines, Yemi Dada, stated that it would be difficult for the airlines to quickly effect a cut in fares, noting that fuel

hedging deal that virtually all the international airlines entered into is one of the reasons why airlines have not cut ticket prices despite the oil price fall. “In fact, as demand for flying remains strong, fares CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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

(Parellel As at Dec. 12)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N189 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N293 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N232

l Foreign Reserves – $35.74bn as at 12/12/2014

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official As at Dec. 12)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N169 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N264.50 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N210.31

News

FUNDING

Vitol advances multi-million naira investments plans for Nigerian oil assets

Adeola Yusuf

he worth of Nigeria and other African countries’ fuel market has hit $13.2 billion per month, Vitol, the world’s top oil trader with over $300 billion in annual revenues, has said. Director of origination and investments, Vitol, Chris Bake, who disclosed this, said that Nigeria’s dependency on fuel imports is likely to grow as its refining projects struggle to get off the ground. “Dozens of new refining projects have been announced in Africa, but they are unlikely to be built unless they are either gigantic or with guaranteed crude supply in a landlocked loca-

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Nigeria, others’ fuel market value hits $13.2bn per month’ tion,” he said. But Bake, who spoke to Reuters news, said that Vitol would keep looking at opportunities in Nigeria because “Nigeria is too important to ignore, so we are taking a cautious and long-term view.” He said that there would be more opportunities in the country. “We are talking and looking. Like others, we’ve talked to government about ways to help improve the infrastructure to give them incremental security of supply. We’re still working on options with them,” Bake said. “Micro refineries in waterborne locations are not a viable way to get a return on capital. You have to go big, and today, big means a 300,000 to 500,000 barrel per day complex refinery and $5$15 billion of capital. To deploy that is challeng-

ing.” Bake added that he expected one large refinery to be built in West Africa but that it could take five to seven years, while new plants in east Africa were less certain, given strong competition from the Middle East. Vitol seeks to meet African demand in com-

petition with other traders such as Glencore and Trafigura and with large Asian refiners. The company estimates that Africa’s fuel demand amounts to 3.71 million barrels per day in 2014, worth about $440 million a day, based on ICE gasoil futures prices. That is close to a three

percent increase from the 2013 estimate. Bake said that the most exciting market in Africa was gasoil, with growth expected to be in the high single digits as power demand booms. Demand for liquefied petroleum gas will also rise quickly across North Africa and Nigeria as con-

sumers spend more and move to cities, he added. A small number of refining projects in landlocked locations could succeed, possibly in Uganda, Chad or South Sudan, Bake added, as they are sheltered from competing with supplies from giant Asian refineries.

NNPC, IOCs lose N110.4bn in November CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

identified as factors denying Nigerians a reduction in the pump price of petrol amid falling global oil prices. A data compiled by Bloomberg revealed that crude prices have dropped below the level needed by Nigeria and nine other OPEC member states to balance their budgets.

As the crude prices persist, the United States is expected to still pump over one million barrels per day next year with increasing flows to international markets. “It expects US supply to rise by almost one million barrels a day next year, with increasing flows to international markets,” Bloomberg reported at the weekend.

Foreign airlines set for fare cut in 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

have been going up,” he explained. The IRS boss said that reduction in fares is predicated on the oil marketers’ readiness to effect reduction in the price of JET A1. It is, however, believed that the removal of surcharges by foreign and domestic airlines would drastically lead to a slump in fares. Airlines had, over five years ago, introduced surcharges to cushion the effects of high cost of aviation fuel, otherwise known as Jet A1. But some frequent travellers who spoke to New Telegraph under strict condition of anonymity, appealed to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to prevail on the airlines to reduce airfares on Nigerian route, which is regarded as very expensive compared with what

is charged on other West African countries. The differences in airfares are as high as 50 per cent. Foreign airlines claim that the high charges were as a result of hostile Nigerian operational environment, where airlines are required to pay all kinds of charges, provide security for crew members and pay exorbitant rates for hotel accommodation and other services. Although, Nigeria is an attraction to international travel because of its high passenger movement, costs of services at the airports are very exorbitant. Abuja-London premium economy ticket costs $3,208, while Accra-London ticket of the same category costs $2,420. The economy ticket on the same flight costs $2,840 from Abuja but $2,156 from Accra.

L-R: Managing Director, Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), Mrs. Titi Anibaba; General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Service, Coscharis Group, Mr. Abiona Babarinde and Head, Tree Maintenance, Lagos State Parks And Gardens Agency (LASPARK), Mr. Olalekan Pereira-Sheteolu, at the commissioning and presentation of 100 trees to LASPARK by Ford Motor Company, in Lagos.

N46bn loss: Insurers, stakeholders test-run NIID DATABASE

Electronic confirmation of documents will put an end to premium leakages

Sunday Ojeme

o forestall the unending premium losses in the nation’s maritime sector, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NID) in collaboration with major stakeholders in the maritime sector has commenced a test-run of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID), which is being deployed to block the leakages that had led to an average loss of N46 billion annually. The extension of the NIID project to the maritime sector is as a sequel to its successful management of the motor insurance policy where it has curtailed, to a large extent, the prevalence of fake insurance documents across the country. In a chat with New Telegraph last Friday, Head,

Media and Communication, NIA, Mr Davies Iyasere, said that members of the association were already in touch with officials of the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant stakeholders as part of the test run preparatory to its full take off not later than the first quarter of next year. According to him, the success recorded with the scheme in the area of motor insurance would be replicated in the maritime sector, as everything is being put in place to ensure that. He said that members of the NIA committee on the project had been working closely with their counterparts in the maritime sector to ensure that all the loopholes hitherto responsible for premium leakages were properly blocked. The NIID is a central system that allows all insurance companies to store all valid policy real-time. It is a solution designed to serve the objective of developing a capacity to monitor and authenticate underwriting transactions within the insurance industry, which would serve to reduce the incidence of fraudulent insur-

ance transactions and policy certificates. Insurance operators recently took the issue of premium losses in the maritime sector to the doorsteps of the National Assembly, seeking the lawmakers’ intervention in the matter. Specifically, the Legal Committee – a technical arm of the NIA, in a review of the presentation to the Senate Committee on Marine Transport on the problems confronting marine insurance in Nigeria, said that the committee should expedite action on the process of computerising the authentication of marine insurance certificates. Chairman of the Legal Committee, Samuel Oduroye, in the review of the Customs and Excise Management Bill – June 2012 to May 2013, said that the process of computerising the authentication of marine insurance certificates should be expedited as the estimated N46 billion being lost through fake documents was substantial to warrant urgent action to prevent these leakages.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Interview

Innovation

Union activism, strikes bane of varsity administration, says AAUA VC

Provost makes case for creativity, innovation in schools

27&28

Education Furore over LASU’s withdrawal of PhDs ERROR

ASUU and the management of LASU are at loggerheads over plans by the university to withdraw 19 PhD certificates claimed by the Vice-Chancellor to have been awarded in error.

lASUU: It is a persecution-hunt lVC: Certificates were awarded in error

Mojeed Alabi

ll is not well with the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos: A fresh crisis is brewing at the 30-year-old state-owned institution. The university, which contrary to the general belief that the slash in the students’ school fees by the Lagos State Government, which resulted in protracted crisis, would bring back the much desired peace and stability on campus, is in the throe of fresh crises. The leadership of the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), backed by its national body, and the management of the university, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oladapo Obafunwa, are at loggerheads over the purported withdrawal of the PhD certificates of about 19 lecturers, including the Chairman of LASU - ASUU, Dr. Adekunle Idris. The Vice-Chancellor, had few weeks ago, to the chagrin of stakeholders and the lecturers, announced that the university in error awarded some PhDs certificates. Making the announcement at a press conference, the ViceChancellor said the university’s Senate comprising the professors, deans of faculties, heads of departments and directors of units had identified errors in some of the doctoral certificates issued, when one of the affected doctoral students refused to collect her cer-

KAYODE OLANREWAJU EDITOR, EDUCATION

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

Idris with his contentious PhD certificate at the ASUU press conference

tificate based on the error noticed on her certificate. The error, according to Obafunwa, involved no fewer than 19 students, who were issued PhD certificates in fields different from the ones they were trained, and that the university had concluded plans to withdraw such certificates. But, in a new twist to the whole scenario, ASUU, which described the action of the Vice-Chancellor and the Senate as mere ‘witchhunt,’ said while it was not done in good faith, the action was directed at witch-hunting the leadership of the union, as a price for standing against the management over the hike in the students’ school fees and for demanding payment for the arrears of allowances of its members. According to the Vice-Chancellor: “When the matter was brought to my notice, I demanded for the details from the Dean of the concerned School, which is the College of Management Sciences, and it was also tabled before the Senate which ordered further probe of the matter.” Obafunwa said the Senate

I do not have anything against being probed and if found guilty, let the law be applied

categorised the cases into three; while eight of them virtually had no problem, but the Senate ordered to see their certificates of conversion and what they were admitted for in the first instance. The Vice-Chancellor added: “The Senate considered the second group of another eight and discovered that their problem was mild. But the third group comprising three lecturers including the ASUU Chairman, Dr. Idris Adekunle has very serious problems. By the way, the Senate looked at the document presented and discovered that it gave approval for three postgraduate programmes in the Department of Business Administration in 2004/2005 session. “The Senate only approved M.Phil./PhD Business Administration, M.Phil. / Ph.D. Management, M.Phil. /Ph.D. International Business. But we now have people being awarded PhD Business Administration (Management). Does this mean double honours? We have those who have PhD Business Administration (International Business).” “The Senate then asked them to

bring the letters offering them admission into these programmes. It asked them to bring the documents showing how they transited from M.Phil to PhD status. It asked them to bring their thesis for the programmes. Because the title of the thesis and the degree awarded would be written there. If it is PhD Business Administration, you will get it. If it is PhD Management, you will get it. If it is PhD International Business, you will get it. Let us do things right,” the Vice-Chancellor explained. Obafunwa pointed out the case of those who were awarded PhD Business Administration (Marketing), saying LASU “does not have a programme approved for Marketing. His words: “There was nothing like PhD programme in Marketing approved by the Senate. So what you do not have, you cannot give. So, the Senate decided that we have to withdraw all the certificates. Those that are cleared will get their new certificates. Areas of double honours will be streamlined. Those that do not exist at all will be withdrawn completely. Let people do what they need to do to earn their degrees. So, it was not a case of victimisation of any particular individual or group.” But stakeholders are not comfortable with the position of the university on the matter. A legal practitioner, Mr. Olaniyi Edward, who queried the substance of the university’s position, wondered why a university should award certificates in courses or programmes it does not offer in the first instance. However, ASUU at separate media briefings addressed by the Lagos Zone of the union and the National Executive Council, accused the Vice-Chancellor of “administrative impunity, reckless disregard for established norms in university governance and primitive witch-hunting.” ASUU National President, Dr. Nasir Fagge Isa regretted that the Vice-Chancellor has deployed oppressive machinery on the union members for no reason than that they remained steadfast in the pursuance of the struggle for the enthronement of fees payable by common Lagosians and instituCONTINUED ON PAGE 31

Education

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

YABATECH Rector restates commitment to entrepreneurship education Kayode Olanrewaju

aba College of Technology (YABATECH) Rector, Dr. Margaret Kudirat Ladipo has reiterated the commitment of the institution to the development and growth of entrepreneurship education. The college, which blazed the trail with the establishment of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) in any higher institution in the country, according to her, set up the centre as a deliberate effort to prepare the students and re-orientate their minds into becoming innovators and job creators, rather than job seekers, after their graduation. She noted that part of the mandate of the centre is to foster institutional culture of entrepreneurship on members of staff and students of the college. The Rector, who added that the college over the last one decade had been very active in entrepreneurial activities, spoke at the flag-off ceremony of the 2014 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW). The one-week event, which featured exhibition of various inventions and products, was organised by the college’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Development. Dr. Ladipo, who described the Global Entrepreneurship Week as

Dr. Ladipo

the largest celebration of innovation and job creation, however noted that it is an annual event which plays critical roles in encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs to consider starting up their businesses. “I am indeed very delighted therefore that Yaba College of Technology through the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development has keyed into this global initiative,” the Rector said. With the theme: “Get Connected,” Ladipo, who was represented by her Deputy in charge of Administration, Dr. Moroof Adebakin, said the week should be seen as an opportunity to unleash ideas and doing what it takes

to bring the ideas to fruition. The Rector noted: “Entrepreneurship is about thinking big and making a mark on the local, national and global stage. The centre should therefore ensure that the products exhibited by the students during the week, are given adequate publicity to attract the attention of genuine entrepreneurs.” Although, this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week has come and gone, the Director of the centre, Mrs. Vivienne Eniola, said members of the college community would continue to savour the significance and achievements of the week. Since the establishment of Centre for Entrepreneurship Development in 2003, the college has developed a reputation as the leading institutional entrepreneurship training centre in the country. According to her, the global week presents a veritable platform to entrench improved global collaboration and expanded awareness of both topdown and bottom-up national campaigns to legitimize and promote entrepreneurship and engage the citizenry in entrepreneurial and job creation activities. She recalled that the week brought together participants to brainstorm about building successes, overcoming individual challenges, and strengthening inter-disciplinary collaborative efforts for the future.

Prof. Oyelana of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State (right), presenting the university’s financial assistance to one of the beneficiaries during the presentation ceremony of scholarship to brilliant, but indigent students.

Kwara varsity sets 2019 to attain environmental sustainability

arring unforeseen circumstances, Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, dubbed as Community Development University, has set 2019 as target with which to attain one of the most environmentally sustainable universities in the world. This, it said would be achieved through the promotion of `reduce, reuse, recycle’ mantra. Its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the maiden KWASU Environmental Awareness Week, which took place at the university auditorium. He described environment as life itself, saying the institution would soon operate a processing factory where various wastes would be recycled for further use. While urging the university community to be environmentally friendly, the Vice-Chancellor pointed out that some of the major crises in the world today were as a result of environmental abuse. The Vice-Chancellor, who assured members of the university community that the Environmental Awareness Week would be sustained as a yearly event, spoke of plans by the university to institute an environmental club. The Chairman of the university’s Environmental Sustainability Committee, Prof. Funsho Oluleye in his opening remarks, said part of the aims of the week was to sensitise the university community on the importance and the impact of their daily activities on the environment. He said the mission was to position KWASU as one of the most environmentally sustainable universities in the world by 2019. Oluleye noted: “The strategic objective of the committee is to make efficient use of resources to minimise our waste production, while increasing recycling and reuse within the university. Our target is to reduce our waste by promoting the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ mantra.” The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Mr. Abubakar Usman Mora, described environmental sustainability as the ability to maintain the qualities that are valued in the physical environment. Mora, who was represented by Mr. S.M Oyeniyi, an official of the ministry said globally, the world was in a challenging time in the development of humanity as the current way of living is not sustainable.

Commissioner lauds govt for investing in education Yuzarsif Alhassan BAUCHI

Permanent Commissioner in the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Kasimu Ibrahim has lauded Governor Issa Yuguda’s administration for the huge investment in the education sector. Kasimu disclosed this at a media interactive session held at the Press Conference Hall, Government House, Bauchi, the state capital. He lamented that the na-

tion’s education sector had suffered a great set back, especially in the area of mass failure of students in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO). To address the rot in the Bauchi State’s education, the Commissioner recalled that the Yuguda-led administration had overcome the situation through promotion of over 20, 000 teachers, and provision of adequate incentives, among others. Kasimu added that although

education is not all about building of infrastructure and promotion of teachers, but concerns mostly about the knowledge that is impacted in the children with a view to making them talented and skilled in the learning process from primary, secondary schools to the university system. His words: “Education is not about incentives or beautification of classes, but the quality of teachers to teach the pupils. If you can teach well even under the sheds then the result will show.” Kasimu, however, said that

based on available statistics, the government had succeeded in investing huge resources in the state’s education sector, adding that Bauchi has gone beyond what some of the states in the North-East geo-political zone of the federation had spent on education. Therefore, he expressed satisfaction over the world class statistics result presented with the state as one of the luckiest at international level not even in Africa. The Commissioner called on the people of the state to laud the government’s effort at improving the quality of teachers

Gov. Yuguda

which is aimed fostering and injecting added knowledge in children in all institutions of learning in the state.

Interview | Education 27

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Union activism, strikes bane of varsity administration, says AAUA VC For five years, Prof. Femi Mimiko has held the fort as the Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko (AAUA), Ondo State. The Professor of Political Economics speaks with Education Editor, KAYODE OLANREWAJU about his vision, challenges and university education, among other germane issues. On assumption of office five years ago, you set some goals for your administration. To what extent have you been able to meet the goals in respect to academic, infrastructural and administrative development? Well, like you rightly pointed out, when we came on board five years ago, we had the mind to address some specific issues. First and foremost, we wanted to overhaul the nature of the academic offerings in the university and expand the infrastructural base of the institution. Our third and fourth goals were to work on the work ethics of the university, as well as expand the infrastructure for incoming generations of our students. The fifth one was to give the university the requisite exposure not just corporate exposure, but also in terms of individual personnel in the university. So, if I will say, these were the totality of our goals. But the ultimate goal of our administration is to have a university that would be a university of first choice; a university that would be a reference point; a place where a parent that wanted an ideal university for his child or ward would think of first before considering any other institutions. Five years on, I must say that God has greatly helped us in a very marvelous and unique way. We had already overhauled the entire academic infrastructure of the university. By and large, when we assumed office, we started by overhauling some specific programmes with a view to making them more current, and more inviting to the various subscribers, as well as give each of the programmes an entrepreneurial blend that we felt was needful. Of course, how did we do this? We approached the National Universities Commission (NUC) to look at all the programmes. And, by the grace of God, all our academic programmes, about 52 of them secured the NUC accreditation, with more than 90 per cent of them with full accreditation. Is the accreditation only at the

hold the capacity of our academic staff, particularly those who have to deliver lectures and instructions to our students. So far, we have spent so much money in that direction. For instance, in 2009, the university was spending just N8 million on training of academic staff. I mean in the four years preceding our administration, the institution spent N8 million, but in the past five years, my administration has spent N44 million on academic staff alone. That means our pedagogical prowess has greatly been improved and this has manifested in high quality output that we currently have.

Mimiko

level of NUC? No. I want to add here that this is not only at the level of NUC, as every programmes that has professional orientation, had been accredited by the various professional groups or bodies in the country. For instance, the Council for Legal Education has accredited our Law programme; Chartered Institute of Bankers for Banking and Finance programme; Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) for Accounting; while Geology was accredited by its professional body. As part of evidence of the quality education we put in place, all our students who passed through the programmes are not only doing well in their Masters programmes in the universities, they indeed excel in universities overseas. One of them came top of his class in a university in United Kingdom where he went for his Masters, and another student at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. One of our students did a PhD that was rated the best in his university in Malaysia. All these are evidence that that little effort that we made in the area of academics has been accompanied by some degree of success. Our

All these are evidence that that little effort that we made in the area of academics has been accompanied by some degree of success

students who go out for national competitions have also been doing well including the Mathematics competition coordinated by the National Mathematics Centre (NMC), Abuja; debate and literary activities. And to cap it up is the recently development in which a graduate of Law, who made First Class, the first to be produced by the university, came first nationally at the Nigerian Law School Bar examination. On the day they were called to the Bar, he received seven awards (prizes). Another female graduate, who made Second Class Upper from the university, also received two awards during the call to Bar ceremony. In the young manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dramatic presentation, he said out of the 29 awards for grab at the Nigerian Law School, Adekunle Ajasin University alone took nine of them, leaving 20 to all other universities within and outside the country producing lawyers for the nation. In the realm of academics that is what we have been able to do. Let us look at academic staff development and what has been the level of development? We also deliberately tried to

Resources management is one of the banes of university administration in the country. What mechanism did you put in place to ensure proper management of resources for the upliftment of the institution? Well, let me first thank the proprietor of our university, the Ondo State Government and Visitor to the university for demonstrating an uncanny love for education through a very robust funding of all the three state-owned tertiary institutions of the state â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Adekunle Ajasin University; Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUTECH), Okitipupa; and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo. We have never had it so good. But, beyond funding allocation, we made a point by ensuring that we put in place, internal mechanism for moderation of our budgetary presentations and claims such that by the time we get approval to do anything you can be sure that we have vigorously vetted all the claims, checked the prevailing prices, and also ensure that all argument must be sound and justifiable. We must be able to see clearly the outcome and pay offs for the university in all of these and that has greatly helped us in no small measure. Besides, we have also tried to do what I call the right prioritisation of our projects under which we put everything on the table and decided to the most important ones that we have to accomplish. That has on one hand assisted us. I also would mention here that I have a bursary department that is quite professional. I indeed have very strong confidence in its ability to advise the Vice-Chancellor appropriately. When we take together all these, they have helped us in mixamising the little resources we have access to. The saying in some quarters is that the university is enjoying a robust relationship and funding support from the governor because the Visitor to the university is your brother. How would you react to this? As if I knew that question was coming, but let me start by saying without being immodest that the situation at the Adekunle CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Education | Interview

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘We need courage to fix school fees’

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Ajasin University is not unique and exceptional in the sense that the facts are on the table for people to see. The state has three tertiary institutions that are in the categories of universities and polytechnic. We have the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUTECH) at Okitipupa; Rufus Giwa Polytechnic at Owo and the Adekunle Ajasin University at Akungba-Akoko. The three of us that run the institutions are pretty close and we compare notes. It will be recalled that it was under this same government that the university in Okitipupa moved from a temporary site to its permanent site because the government funded them robustly for the management to be able to put adequate structures in place. And indeed, within the first one or two years of this government, the university had moved to its permanent site. This was a university that had been in existence for more than five years. In fact, it was in existence only in name because there were no students and facilities on ground. And for the polytechnic, if you visit the polytechnic today at Owo, indeed like I do tell my friend, the Rector that he could afford to close the old polytechnic and move to new one that they were able to build in the past four years. Again, that is evidence of good funding. However, what we are seeing at Adekunle Ajasin University today, is not unique. I remember that the day we had our first Senate meeting at our new Senate Building, one Professor made a comment which I considered very pivotal. He said the angle from which he wants to appreciate the Vice-Chancellor is the fact that he has a brother who is the Visitor. Ordinarily, he (Vice-Chancellor) could have said well, bring the money and he pocketed it, after all, he would say my brother is the one running the state and whom am I giving account. I will just meet him in his bedroom and say Egbon (brother); I have spent all the money and let us cover it up. The Professor said the fact that he (Vice-Chancellor) has his brother there and has been this prudent with funds and resources, for him was the angle from which he would like to take the story. Often, people also underestimate what we try to do in terms of fund generation. For instance, we set up a new business arm of the university – the Ajasin University Investment Limited – which is making money for the institution; we set up the University Advancement Office and imbued with University Advancement Board that is made up of some compelling Nigerians from private sector, essentially those who are expected to use their contacts to mobilise funds for the university. We also overhauled our internal machinery to conduct consultancy from where we make good money for the institution. So, if you combine all these, then you will be in a vantage position to make a judgement in terms of the relationship people are talking about. Most university administrators complain about lack of adequate

to come and that has placed additional burden on the Vice-Chancellors to go out to raise funds for their institutions. Let me also add that another thing we must look at critically in this country and have the courage to address, is the pattern and regime of funding of our institutions. I do not believe, for instance, that we have to make education at tertiary level free. I don’t subscribe to that and I strongly believe that there must be a demonstrable commitment on the part of those who subscribe to education in terms of making some payments for their education. Presently at the university, we are constrained to charge N24,000 per students per session. But, for me, I do not think that such amount, without any penchant to differ from the position of the Visitor who does not want any student to drop out of the university, that the N24,000 per head can sustain higher education. We must be able to ask the right questions and come up with the courage to determine how much students should pay for their tertiary education. If education is free at primary, secondary, technical and vocational levels, I have no trouble with that, but I don’t think it is something we can sustain at tertiary education level.

Mimiko

funding and hence run always to their proprietors for funds, why is this so and why is it difficult for our Vice-Chancellor to generate funds for the running of their institutions as it operates in other climes? To be precise, this is a very critical issue in our institutions today. Like I have rightly told you what we have been able to do in order to expand our infrastructure and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base of our university. Though, we weren’t where we supposed to be. Indeed, this is because the ViceChancellor in this instance was actually seriously distracted by a chain of industrial activism, which on several occasions adds no value to the system. Like I was discussing with a colleague few days ago, that in the years ahead of us I hope and pray that the Vice-Chancellor who would take over from me would not be bogged down by all these incessant industrial disputes and all what not. This is because the main assignment the Vice-Chancellor has to discharge is to be the Chief Advancement Officer of the university; he must be the one to go out there to knock the right doors, make the right contacts and get funds for the university. If he is not able to do that, then there is no way the university will be able to move forward. This is not peculiar only to Adekunle Ajasin University. I take this in the context of evidence of the challenges we are facing in the national economy. For instance, the price has plummeted to $72 per barrel; while on top of that, the country is fighting a full-scale war that requires additional funding. If we take all these together, we don’t need to be a prophet to know that it is going to be tight a bit financially for higher institutions in the years

With that type of mindset we had a lot of trouble persuading the unions that the focus should be how to develop the institution

Nigerian universities are yet to come out with cutting-edge research development, what could have been responsible for this and what is the level of research development in the university? You see, most people make the mistake by assuming that every university has to be research university. In the western world, there is the distinction between a research university and a teaching university. Indeed, no one is inferior to the other; it is just a question of focus. Of course, I want to agree with you that universities in this country have not done enough in terms of cutting-edge research as rightly pointed out, but there are a number of factors responsible for this. The instability we have in terms of infrastructure, especially with municipal facilities could not be discountenance. For instance, a situation in which you have to survive on electricity generating plants constraint the room to manoeuvre in terms of research. There are certain forms of research that have to be on power constantly forever and when power goes off for just a few seconds the whole thing is messed up completely. That is one challenge we must look at and the issue of funding also comes to play. But, by and large, the universities are getting better in the area of research outlook. At the Adekunle Ajasin Uni-

versity, we insist on all of these and also that our academics must go out of the country to international conferences to present the reports of their research to international audiences and their colleagues all over the world. And, in few cases such papers have been voted the best at such international conferences, which is something quite good. We have also introduced a dimension to our convocation ceremony where we ensure we mount exhibition for research outputs for our researchers to exhibit their research products. The outlook is much better than what it was and I hope we will continue to deepen this trend. What would you say were your challenges in the last five years? Well, the major challenge I had was with staff unions. I didn’t have it easy at all with the various staff unions on campus. There were two dimensions to it. First, there were people who felt at initial stage that the ViceChancellor who was coming in has a relationship with the Visitor, who has the key to the coffers of the state and so should be able to tell his brother and get them whatever they wanted. That type of mentality and mindset governed the entire space for almost two years before people were nudged out of it and came to realise that governance does not work on that type of assumption. And, so that gave us some problems. Also, there was this high level of activism on the part of unions that we met on ground. The unions were actually breaking down the necks of the Vice-Chancellors. I remember the first day I assumed office, during a meeting I had with everyone on campus. What was amazing was how one staff had the audacity to tell me that “you should better sit up and do what you want because if you don’t, we will get you out of this place. He said in this university, we don’t allow vice-chancellors to complete their terms.” I mean, it was that bad that somebody could stand up to tell the vicechancellor that to his face. With that type of mindset we had a lot of trouble persuading the unions that the focus should be how to develop the institution. But the good thing about it is that now we have a very high level of stability. And, I like to say also that in spite of the shenanigan of the unions, we managed to run the university for five years without breaking the academic calendar for once, which is in the context of the very acute level of instability we have in higher education system in Nigeria. This it is something I think is worthy of note.

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NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Landmark varsity proprietor canvasses rediscovery of values Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

ounder and Chancellor of Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Bishop David Oyedepo, has advocated the need for Africans to rediscover their original values and the development of indigenous endowment and capacities in agriculture to solve the continent’s poverty and food crisis. Bishop Oyedepo, who is also the Founder/Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota in Ogun State, made the call during the fifth matriculation ceremony of the institution at Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

He stressed the urgent need for the restoration of the dignity of the black race to overcome the challenges facing Africa countries. The Chancellor is also Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (aka Winners’ Chapel). According to the Bishop, who spoke on the topic: “Restoring the Dignity of the African Man – A Present Day Imperative,” at no other time was the need to restoring the dignity of Africans is more urgent than now, especially as it relates to the capacity of the people to restore the continent’s agriculture destiny. The clergy decried African continent’s over dependence on foreign nations for solutions to its myriad problems, saying that Africa underde-

Bishop Oyedepo

velopment was not due to the colour of its inhabitants, but their blindness to rediscover their original values and natural endowments. His words: “At no other time

Varsities tasked to seek alternative source of funding

in the history of the African is the issue of the restoration of the dignity of the Africa man is more urgent than now, especially in agriculture sector. “In my view restoration is not adaptation to imported values or assimilation of exotic virtues rather than the rediscovery of our original and development values to solve our domestic problems. “We are backward not because we are black; we are backward largely because we are blind; unable to see our original values and natural endowment.” Earlier in his address, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Afolayan had reiterated the commitment of his management to pursuing an agrarian revolution to bail

Ajimobi, don urge corporate organisations to partner polys Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

Mimiko (middle) with two graduates of the university, Opeyemi Akeem Alonge (left) and Ebunoluwa Bamigboye, after a reception in their honour for their outstanding performances in the 2014 Bar Final Examination of the Nigerian Law School.

Babatope Okeowo AKURE

niversity administrators in the country have been challenged on the need to seek alternative sources of funding to augment government’s insufficient funding to the system. A member of Governing Council of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Dr. Funke Oyebade gave the advice while delivering the second Faculty of Education Public Lecture of the university. Oyebade, a two-term Registrar of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA) in the lecture entitled: “Emerging Trends in University Management in Nigeria: Challenges and Ways Forward,” said the gross under-funding of the education system has rendered the university system incapacitated. “Therefore, universities must begin to seek alternative sources of revenue generation to augment what the government allocates to them,” she stressed. The former Registrar expressed regret that the broad aim of university education to produce high-level manpower for national development was being hindered by inadequate funding, dilapidated infrastructure, brain-drain syndrome, erosion of university autonomy, graduate unemployment, volatile and militant

student unionism, secret cults, and political interference. However, Oyebade, who stressed the need for government to intensify efforts at providing more infrastructure and facilities in the universities, added: “Corporate bodies, philanthropists and alumni associations should also assist in the provision of facilities to aid effective teaching and learning activities in order to achieve the academic goals of university education for national development. While Oyebade called for an upward review of pay-package for university staff, and canvassed granting of autonomy to universities for them to function optimally, she noted that granting autonomy to universities would go a long way in reducing political interference in the affairs of the universities. She advised that students should be involved in decision-making process, particularly, on issues relating to their welfare in order to reduce the volatile and militant students’ unionism. In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko, who chaired the lecture lauded the leadership of the Faculty of Education, led by the Dean, Prof. Sunday Amuseghan, for engaging the university community in the intellectual venture, adding that the university would continue to give necessary support to intellectual engagements.

the country out of its food insufficiency crisis. He said that the reality of the crash in prices of crude oil globally was a vindication of the institution’s consistent campaign for agriculture as a panacea for the nation’s economic transformation. He said: “Landmark University is spearheading an agrarian revolution on the African continent through the exploration of hidden treasure in the mother-earth in restoring the dignity of the black race.” No fewer than 556 fresh students undertook the matriculation oath of the agriculturespecialised private university during the ceremony held at the institution’s main auditorium.

yo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has called on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to partner the government in ensuring the provision of needed infrastructural facilities, and conducive teaching and learning environment in the polytechnic system. He made the call at the graduation ceremony of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where no fewer than 4,977 graduating students received their scrolls for the award of National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in various disciplines. The convocation ceremony coincided with the 30th anniversary of the institution. In the breakdown of the graduates for the 2013/2014 academic session, 3,675 graduating students were awarded National Diploma (ND), while 1,302 graduated with Higher National Diploma (HND). As the Moderator to the polytechnic, Ajimobi said that education would better be delivered when it is not left in the hands of the government alone, while pledging to make the polytechnic as well as the two other new polytechnics at Eruwa and Saki centres of excellence in technological education. While challenging the graduating students to be self-employed and frontally tackle the challenges of life, the governor said: “I stand before you today to address you simply because of the fact that I am educated. Without education, I doubt whether I would have had such opportunity. Not that I was born with silver spoon, my father was a tailor before he became a Parliamentarian. Then, I used to trek from Oja-Oba to Aperin in Ibadan, eating fried plantain while trekking.

“Today, that school boy is the governor addressing you. I believe in hard work and doing something exceptionally. I assure you, we shall continue to support you but I would want the management to ensure that we sit down together regularly to discuss the challenges being faced by the institution so that we can tackle them headlong.” Similarly, a Professor of Chemical Pathology at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Arinola Ganiyu urged polytechnic management in the country to partner with companies, raise grants to fund researches instead of depending on printing, recycling and selling of hand-outs which take them nowhere. In the convocation lecture he delivered, the don counseled the institution, saying if the polytechnic management could take pro-active step, there would be reduction in financial burdens on the government. “There is almost none or little collaboration between polytechnics and industries which they are supposed to serve. This has created a wedge between them, which makes it difficult for industries and commerce to easily employ products from the polytechnics. One clear problem is the apparent lack of proper managerial leadership in the system,” he said.

Ajimobi

Education

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Provost makes case for creativity, innovation in schools Abubakar Muhammad KANO

reativity and innovation, no doubt, serve as agents of transformation in all sectors of any nation’s socio-economic development, particularly in the education system. This was part of the views of the Provost of the Federal College of Education, Kano, Dr. Rabi Jibirila Muhammad at the fourth biennial conference and 2014 exhibition of the college, which took place at the institution’s main auditorium. While declaring open the event, the Provost, in her address delivered on her behalf by the Deputy Provost, Dr. Yunusa Kadiri, pointed out that one of the major challenges confronting the college is the inadequate supply of electricity, which she expressed hope that the current reform in the power sector would address. Dr. Jibirila, however, explained that the college had expanded its programmes and facilities to provide more studios for the Fine Arts Department, and additional lecture rooms for Business Education Department. The Dean, School of Vocational Education, Mr. Ugbe Sylvester, while welcoming guests to the conference said the School is made up of four

departments, which are those of Agricultural Education, Business Education, Fine and Applied Art as well as Home Economics Education. According to him, the School offers a degree course in Business Education in affiliation with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. He said arrangements were in progress to commence degree programmes in line with the college’s policy in courses such as Home Economics and

Agricultural Education. In consonance with the take-off plans of the degree programme, he said over 90 per cent of members of academic staff in the departments had already acquired their Master’s and PhDs or in the process of completing their higher degrees in reputable universities within and outside the country. Meanwhile, as part of the college’s efforts to keep faith with its vision towards pro-

ducing quality teachers, the Dean recalled that the college had put in place adequate materials for Business Education, Home Economic Education, the agricultural farm and laboratories in the farm as well as graphic facilities for Fine and Applied Arts Department. Due to the facilities put in place, the Business Education Department recently scaled the accreditation hurdles of the National Universities

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Ibadan, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd); Education Minister, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, during the 66th Foundation Day and award of Honorary Degrees at the university.

Plateau SUBEB debunks bribery allegation Musa Pam JOS

he Executive Chairman of the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Lyop Gloria Mang has debunked rumours going around in the state that the board demanded and received bribe from teachers before screening them for their salaries. She faulted the claim in Jos, the state capital, while he declared that out of 22,000 teachers in the state, 19,000 had already been screened and their salaries had been paid. The Chairman declared: “The attention of the board has been drawn to rumours making its rounds that teachers are being asked to pay huge sum of amount before they are being capture for their biometric screening. I want to state here that the rumour is unfounded, wicked and malicious, as nothing of such to the best of our knowledge, is ongoing here in the board.” Mang refuted reports that teachers have not been paid eight months salaries, saying since the commencement of the exercise the board has in line with its mandate towards the welfare of teachers sustained its commitment in ensuring that teachers are being captured on time to enjoy the benefit of their salaries According to her, out of 22,000 teachers in the state, 19,000 teachers had been captured and cleared while their salaries had been paid

Jang

up-to-date including their arrears. Mang, while assuring stakeholders that the remaining teachers would be cleared within the week, stressed that those whose names had been cleared already would be forwarded for the biometric for their November salaries to be paid without further delay. According to the Chairman, the role of the board in the exercise is to forward the authentic list of certified teachers to the Local Government Service Commission, which has the responsibility of clearing the teachers and then forward their names to the ITC committee for biometric capturing. Her words: “The board has to pay on behalf of the teachers in order

to gather their authentic results and certificates from their various institutions for their data capturing and we are working hard to ensure that all teachers in the state are captured on time”. The chairman said the board is pained by the difficulties teachers are going through as a result of the exercise and assuring them that the board is doing everything within its capacity to expedite action on the process in order to alleviate the suffering of teachers in the state. She noted: “We are pleading with our teachers to remain calm and whenever the biometric is done their arrears of salaries will be paid immediately, as the delayed is not from the board, but by the various institutions, which are demanding for the teachers’ matriculations numbers before their results are being processed. As soon as that is done, teachers will be given their salaries.” “I strongly believe that all those saddled with the responsibility of clearing the teachers on the biometric are reputable and respectful persons who will never indulge in any act of sabotaging the process.” The Chairman, however, urged the teachers to resist any payment request made by officials whether from SUBEB, ITC or the Local Government Service Commission, saying they should not hesitate to forward the name of such official to the board for disciplinary action and no matter how highly placed that officer is, he or she will face the wrath of the law.

Commission (NUC). Ugbe, who spoke of plans by the management to carry out renovation work on the vocational education complex, added that management was working towards building a new vocational complex for the college. Meanwhile, the Dean listed some of the challenges facing the development of Vocational Education development to include building of a modern vocational education complex which will house Business Education, Home Economics and Fine and Applied Art Department; provision of adequate classrooms, laboratories and offices for the Agricultural Education Department to move the college farm for the benefit of the students to acquire appropriate skills. However, in his lead paper entitled: “Achieving Sustainable National Development in Nigeria through Vocational and Technical Education, a Professor at the Department of Vocational and Technical Education at ABU, Professor A. Udoh, pointed out that some of the problems affecting the development of vocational and technical education in the country include poor government attitude, shortage of manpower, societal perception, poor funding, faulty curriculum content and delivery as well as inadequate learning facilities.

EKSU shines at Airtel talent hunt

sophomore at the Department of Psychology, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Alalade Ololade Uthman has been crowned the regional champion for South-West in the Airtel One Mic Stand competition. The competition is being organised by the telecom provider for universities in South-West geo-political zone of the federation. Ololade, a song writer and singer is a budding talent whose rap style earned him the prize. The undergraduate represented the university at the regional talent hunt where he competed with other talents from other universities in zone and came first with his beautiful lyrics and style. For his outstanding performance, Alalade won a KIA Saloon car. On how he was able to cope with his studies and musical performance, Alalade, who spoke after his victory, said he has managed to combine studies with music. He, however, dedicated the award to the university. In the comedy category of the competition, another EKSU student, Ajagbe Dolapo Adedayo, fondly referred to as “MC Prof Old Skull” emerged champion, winning a one-year endorsement deal with Airtel. Meanwhile, the duo has been named as Ambassadors of Airtel in the zone. Receiving the students on behalf of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Oladipo Aina and his management, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Victor Adeoluwa praised the students for doing the university proud, saying they had written the name of the university in gold.

Education

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Proprietor pledges to promote cultural values Kayode Olanrewaju

ounder of St. Bernadette Educational Service, Mrs. Clementina Abeke Doregos has stressed the need to promote our cultures and traditions in order to serve as veritable platform for learning. Mrs. Doregos reiterated this at this year’s annual Igboyoha, a cultural day presentation of Doregos Private Academy, Lagos. With the theme of the cultural day: “Oneness in divergence,” she said the objectives of the yearly event include among others the promotion of our culture, show casing of our diverse cultural heritage, reviving our dying cultural values and to create cultural awareness among the youth. The proprietor, who lamented that “the people’s rich cultural values have been eroded by western values, noted that this had in no small measure, affected the sense of belonging of our youths. Most of the youth, according to her, had been isolated from their roots as a result of the incursion of western values.

The pupils during their cultural display

Doregos added further that Igboyoha, which is in its third edition, derived its name from Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa as it is designed to make the children who are miles away from their roots appreciate the beauty and

the glamour that are embedded in their diverse culture. It is also to make them place much value on their rich cultures above the western culture with the view that ours shall forever remain ours.

The Director of Programmes, African Independent Television (AIT) and chairman of the occasion, Mr. Ambrose Somide said that there is divergence of cultures in the country but we share a lot in terms of

ASUU, LASU at loggerheads over PhDs CONTINUED FROM PAG E 25

tionalisation of due process in the university. He said: “The height of this is the interdiction of Prof. Tunde Fatunde and the purported withdrawal of the PhD certificate of Dr. Adekunle Idris, the ASUU-LASU Chairman. Fatunde was interdicted overtly for allegedly being “rude” to the Registrar, and covertly due to an open letter written to the Governor condemning the high LASU fee regime. “The LASU-ASUU branch chairman’s certificate was allegedly wrongly written hence the purported withdrawal. It would seem to us that a vice-chancellor that is worthy of occupying the exalted office, that is conscious of the image of Senate and the lapse on the part of the university would have produced “correct” certificate and substitute quietly. Meanwhile, in a switch reaction, Adekunle hinted he obtained his PhD in Business Administration (Marketing), saying Marketing is a sub-field of Business Administration and that his thesis focused on Marketing, which qualifying him for the extended honour. He said: “I do not have anything against being probed and if found guilty let the law be applied. However, what we are fighting is the process leading to

their conclusion. How would you tell me that out of more than 100 members of the university’s Senate only 19 were on ground to determine my case? Why did it take the Senate that started its meeting in the morning to delay the decision till around 8pm, when other Senate members had gone? Was it not this same Vice-Chancellor that signed the certificates? “Also, the present Head of Business Administration Department, Dr. Scholarstica Udegbe was awarded the same certificate as mine and no one raised any eyebrow until mine came on board. It is a pure case of witch-hunt and I can assure you that my certificate will never be surrendered as it is presently in the custody of the union’s lawyer, Falana Chambers.” However, the ViceChancellor further lampooned the national body of ASUU for taking position on the matter without having audience with his office. But, the Vice-Chancellor added: “Could you imagine that the ASUU leadership has been on this campus for more than two days without a simple courtesy call? I approved the use of the hall for their NEC meeting despite opposition from other quarters, yet not even the National President deemed

our languages, culture, food and ways of life. He emphasised the need for the different ethnic groups in the country to promote peaceful co-existence and focus on our strengths to preserve oneness and unity in the country. He commended the school for the laudable initiative of forging unity among the pupils, which according to him, would remain indelible in their minds as they grow. Mrs. Rebecca Ojapa, the Vice Principal (Administration) of the school said the cultural day event is aimed at making the pupils appreciate other peoples’ culture. The event, she explained is aimed at fostering unity among the pupils, even as she added that it is an avenue to instill the sense of oneness and unity as core values in the pupils. The high point of the event was cultural display showcasing those of the people in the South-West, South-South, North, South-East and Middle Belt zone. A parent, Mrs. Adeola Abata lauded the management of the school for instilling lifelong values in the pupils.

Students warned against drug, bad behaviour Musa Pam JOS

Obafunwa, VC

it fit to visit the management. “Some Senate members even asked us to overlook it and sweep it under the carpet so that we don’t wash our dirty linen outside. But what sort of argument is that? LASU’s image has been bastardised and we cannot continue to operate “business as usual” practice. The house must be cleansed and there is no going back about that.” Obafunwa, while lamenting what he termed the inherited high scale of frauds in the university operations, said many of the workers were living on imprest alone without touching their salary. According to him, personal investigations car-

ried out also revealed that fuel allowances were being budgeted for grounded. Obafunwa, who said by the time he completed his investigation within the first month of his administration, said he was left without no option than to reduce the imprest to the office of Vice-Chancellor by 66.6 per cent. He, however, pledged that the university would not stop at just the 19 PhD certificates, even as he explained that a committee had been raised to carry out a comprehensive overhaul of the university certification process with a view to making sure that anyone found guilty would not go unpunished.”

call has gone to Nigerian students to avoid hard drugs and all other forms of vices and anti-social behaviour, which could truncate their ambition, as future leaders who would are expected to pilot the affairs of the nation. Chairman of Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State, Mr. Samuel Goar, made the call in Jos, the state capital, when the Students’ Union, Federal College of Education (FCE), Pankshin conferred the union’s higher award on the Secretary of Council, Mr. Daniel Go’em. The Chairman, who spoke through the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Ishaya Baltu, identified drugs and crime as those things which destroy the lives of the younger ones, saying this should be avoided by any youth who holds his future and society in high esteem. He charged the students to know that as youths and students, they should avoid hard drugs and any form of vices such as cultism, robbery, hooliganism and indecent dressing. Goar, who tasked the students to be God fearing in all they do so as not to be lured or indulged in any act that would tarnish their images and destroy their future, described the Secretary, recipient of the union’s award “as very humble and committed administrator.”

Education

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

MTN Foundation’s scholarship boosts blind students’ education Mojeed Alabi

etter days are ahead of some 27 blind students in various higher institutions in the South-West geo-political zone of the federation. The students are beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme instituted by the MTN Foundation, tagged: “MTNF Scholarship Scheme for

Blind Students from the South-West.” The scholarships were awarded to them during the fifth MTNF Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme and third MTNF Scholarship Scheme for Blind Students from the SouthWest. Receiving the scholarships at an emotionladen atmosphere, last week, at the presenta-

tion ceremony held at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, the 27 blind students in spite of their predicament, vowed to achieve excellence in their career. No fewer than 367 students benefitted from the MTN Foundation scholarship largesse under the two schemes - MTNF Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme and MTNF

Scholarship Scheme for Blind Students from the South-West. One of the blind students and President of the National Association of Political Science Students, University of Lagos chapter, Lawrence Success Umezeinwa, lauded the MTN Foundation for the gesture, saying it had helped him to actualise his dream as one of the leading lights

in the nation’s political firmament in future. T he 22-year-old 300-Level undergraduate said the scholarship would in no small measure ameliorate the financial difficulty he was going through, and that being rewarded for academic excellence was enough to spur him to work hard. Also, 30-year-old Oluwalana Abidemi, a

300-Level blind student at the Department of Special Education at the University of Ibadan (UI), pledged to maintain her present Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.0 points in order to be one of the beneficiaries of the next edition of the scholarship next session. According to a Director of the Board of Directors of the MTN Foundation, who represented the board, Mrs. Aishatu Sadauki, no fewer than 1,205 students studying various courses in higher institutions across the country have so far benefited from the scholarship programme this year. While commending the beneficiaries for excelling in their pre-qualification examinations, she explained that they were drawn from a pool of more than 7,000 applicants. She explained: “Previously, successful students from the Eastern and Northern parts of the federation had received the MTN Foundation scholarship awards already presented to them in Owerri, Imo State capital and Abuja respectively. Thus, we are here today to celebrate academic excellence of students who have worked extremely hard and who unquestionably deserve an opportunity to continue to pursue their dreams of higher education. “Today, we also recognise the exemplary efforts of a special group of students, who have to overcome daily challenges in their quest for a brighter future. To all the beneficiaries, I say congratulations. I also assure you that the MTN Foundation will continue to support you as long as you maintain the required Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) scores every year. We make and fulfill this same pledge every year and this is evident today with the presentation of scholarships to the beneficiaries.” The Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Ms Nonny Ugboma, who pointed out that the scholarship, was based on merit, however promised that the students will be considered for the Foundation’s newly introduced entrepreneurial skill acquisition initiative, provided they continue to excel in their academic exploits.

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Co n ti n ued f ro m y est e rday

Coca-Cola Nigeria is perhaps the biggest companies in the nonalcoholic beverage inAdetunji dustry in the country. The company has as its Managing Director, Mr. Adeola Adetunji. The operations of the parent company, the Coca-Cola Hellenic Group span 28 countries, serving more than 581 million people. The group’s holding company, CocaCola HBC AG, is headquartered in Switzerland and has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange as well as secondary listings on the Athens and New York stock exchanges. The company produces, sells and distributes a wide range of beverages, most of which are trademark products of The Coca-Cola Company. The product portfolio consists of leading brands such as Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola light, Fanta and Sprite, as well as local brands such as Schweppes, Five Alive, Limca and Eva. The company continuously reviews opportunities to expand product portfolio in order to offer consumers in Nigeria an increasing range of choices. It also takes every measure to ensure that the products are of the highest quality.

The origins of Cadbury Nigeria Plc date back to the 1950s when the business was foundMoskofian ed as an operation to source cocoa beans from Nigeria and to enable the company’s founders serve local consumer-market with world-famous, Cadbury-branded products. In the early 1960s, an initial operation was established to re-pack imported bulk products, including its flagship brand, Bournvita. This packing operation grew rapidly into a full-fledged manufacturing operation and resulted in the incorporation of Cadbury Nigeria Limited in January 1965. In 1976, the firm became a publicly listed company with shares traded locally on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Cadbury Nigeria has grown to become a household name providing consumers with much-loved brands and revenue of N35.7b in 2013. The company’s market capitalisation as at last month stood at N79.053bn. Its profit after tax was N6.023bn as at December 2013. Introduced in 1960, Cadbury Bournvita, the company’s flagship brand, was initially imported and re-packed locally on the current site at Agidingbi, Ikeja Lagos. Having consolidated the Food Drinks market in Nigeria, Cadbury Bournvita became in 1965 the first food drink to be locally manufactured. Cadbury Bournvita was relaunched in a world class, environmentally-friendly polypropylene Jar in 2011 and remains today a market leader in the food drinks category. In 2013, the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) endorsed Cadbury Bournvita as a Food Drink rich in energy and essential micronutrients, the only food drink brand to be so endorsed. Cadbury Nigeria also developed other product-categories, most notably Candy. Introduced in 1970, TomTom–the big, black and white sweet for soothing relief which has sustained market leadership for over 40 years–remains the most iconic brand in the Nigerian candy market. It now comes in three variants: Classic, HoneyLemon and Strawberry. The other brand in the company’s Candy portfolio is Trebor Buttermint, the delicious sweet with the double pleasure of butter and mint. In 2012, the company expanded its product categories in Nigeria when it launched Tang, the global leader in powdered beverages. Apart from Bournvita, Cadbury Nigeria makes some of the most beloved brands in the country such as: TomTom and Trebor Buttermint confections. The company is a part of Mondelz International Inc., a global snacks powerhouse with an unrivaled portfolio of brands people love. Cadbury Nigeria Plc has Mr. Emil Moskofian, as its Managing Director.

The story of Guiness Nigeria Plc is that of a successful company with a rich heritage and O’Keefe a great track record of growth and strong performance. The company is not only regarded as an iconic African company, renowned internationally for its brands of unmatched quality, but also as one that believes in enriching the communities within which it operates, through investment and active participation in the positive evolution of society. Guinness Stout was first exported to Sierra Leone in 1827 and soon became popular across West Africa. In 1963, Ikeja in Lagos Nigeria was chosen as the first location outside the British Isles to brew the iconic dark beer. Two years later, in 1965, Guinness Nigeria was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Steady growth in markets for Guinness Stout and Harp Lager during the next 30 years prompted the building of three more major breweries in Nigeria. In 1974, the company built a second brewery in Benin, where it produced Harp lager beer. This facility was later expanded to accommodate a second stout brewery, commissioned in 1978. In 1982, a fourth Guinness brewery was built in Ogba, Lagos to brew Harp Premium Lager beer. This site too, was expanded to include Guinness Stout. Several years later, in 2004, Guinness Nigeria commissioned a new brewery at Aba, Abia State. In 2011, the Benin and Ogba breweries were expanded to further increase capacity and meet the growing demand for Guinness Nigeria products which include the acclaimed brands: Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Guinness Extra Smooth, Malta Guinness, and Harp Lager beer. Other brands include Gordon’s Spark, Smirnoff Ice, Armstrong Dark Ale, Satzenbrau Pilsner, Top Malt, Harp Lime, Dubic Extra Lager and most recently, Malta Guinness Low Sugar. Guinness Nigeria has demonstrated commitment to enriching the communities in which it operates. The company concentrates on these focus areas: the provision of clean potable water (through the Diageo Water of Life initiative), Health and Education. An Irish, John O’Keefe, is taking over as the managing director of the company in January 2015 from Seni Adetu. Guinness Nigeria’s market capitalisation was estimated at N236.966bn as at last month and it recorded a profit after tax of N9.6bn as at June 30, 2014.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc has been a necessary Eshikena part of most Nigerian homes since 1954 through its flagship brand Peak Milk. The company was incorporated in April 1973 as West Africa Milk Company Nigeria PLC (WAMCO) and commenced operations in 1975. FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria is a multinational manufacturing company and an affiliate of Royal FrieslandCampina of The Netherlands, the largest dairy cooperative in the world. Its headquarters is in the Ikeja industrial area of Lagos State and operates an extensive distribution network across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Peter Eshikena, is taking over as Managing Director of the company from January 2015. In this capacity, he is also responsible for FrieslandCampina’s operations in West Africa. He replaces Bob Steetskamp who will move up as Director, Business Development, FrieslandCampina worldwide with responsibility for accelerated growth across the world. The company has continued to play a leading role in the production, processing, packaging, marketing and distribution of various milk products in Nigeria. It boasts an annual turnover of N111.12 billion in 2012 and a dominant market share driven by her key brands, Peak, Three Crowns and Friso. It pioneered the manufacture

of evaporated milk and is the market leader in the introduction of fortified based milk products in Nigeria. It is currently ISO 9001:2008 certified and the first dairy company in Nigeria to be HACCP certified. FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc is also deeply committed to improving the lives and welfare of its consumers and communities across the country. Over the years, the company has proven itself an excellent corporate citizen by supporting schools, charities and communities across Nigeria. FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc launched its Corporate Citizenship projects in 2004. These were in the areas of Water, School Adoption and Tertiary Endowments. The company has since commissioned 41 solar boreholes, equipped 18 public secondary schools, with books and computers to facilitate learning. Through the Tertiary Endowment Fund, we support research in Food Science in six tertiary institutions and encourage academic excellence through the Best Graduating Student Award. These benefits have been spread across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. In addition to our Corporate Citizenship Projects, WAMCO supports 30 charities spread out across Nigeria.

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Nigeria was founded in the US in 1837 by two men who Nasser met by chance. William Procter and James Gamble were from England and Ireland respectively and were on separate journeys through the United States when the challenges of travel led both of them to Cincinnati. They might never have met had they not married sisters – Olivia and Elizabeth Norris – whose father convinced them to become business partners and in 1837, a humble but bold new enterprise called Procter & Gamble was born. What began as a small, familyoriented soap and candle company grew and thrived, inspired by P&G’s Purpose of providing products and services of superior quality and value. However, P&G started in Nigeria in 1992 with its acquisition of the Richardson Vicks manufacturing plant in Ibadan. Local production of Vicks and Always began in 1993 and Pampers in 1994. P&G Nigeria under the leadership of Mr. George Nasser as the Managing Director. is now a leading consumer goods company in the country, reaching almost six million Nigerian households daily. With cumulative investments in millions of dollars, and a new state-of the art Pampers plant in Ogun State, P&G is now expanding across West Africa with a vision of making Nigeria a major production hub. Corporate Social Responsibility programmes embarked upon by the company include; Always School Program which now reaches over 800,000 Nigerian girls every year, with education on feminine hygiene/ puberty and the provision of free Always sanitary towels; P&G’s Pampers Baby Care Hospital Program and Mobile Clinics and P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Programme.

The Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc is one of the largest manufacturers and Sawhney distributors of widely consumed brands of soft drinks in Nigeria. The brands are Pepsi, 7Up, Mirinda, Teem, Aquafina table water and Mountain Dew. It produces and markets these from its present nine manufacturing plants. Its products are sold through over 200 distribution centres called depots spread over the country. Its workforce is currently about 3,500 employees. A Lebanese, Mohammed El-khalil, who came to Nigeria for the very first time in 1926 founded the company. Mohammed is the father of the company’s current chairman Faysal El-Khalil. The company metamorphosed

34 Special Report from a very successful transport business [El-Khalil Transport] in a bid to diversify the then largest transport company in the entire West of Africa. On October 1st 1960, the exact day Nigeria won her independence; Nigerians also experienced the birth of a soft drink giant as the first bottle of 7Up rolled out from its factory located in Ijora, Lagos. Since then, the company has continued to grow. In the late 80s, it established two more plants in Ibadan and Ikeja. In the early 1990s when Pepsi International took over 7Up international, it again got great opportunities to introduce the Pepsi brand to the Nigerian people. The company has Mr. Sunil Sawhney as its Managing Director. Seven Up Bottling Company last month had N95.447bn as market capitalisation and N7.62bn as proft before tax as at March 2014.

Incorporated in 1982, CHI Limited, which has as its Managing Director, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, Deepanjan primarily caters to the needs of discerning Nigerian customers, for high quality, healthy and refreshing fruit drinks, fruit juices and a range of dairy products. CHI Limited is a part of the TGI conglomerate, with diverse business interests in everything from food to healthcare and engineering products. Its world-class manufacturing facility and advanced packaging technology, ensure that CHI juices retain the goodness of fruit and provide the essential vitamins and nutrients to consumers. Today, CHI has amongst the most favorite brands in Nigeria, including Chivita Premium juices, Chi Exotic fruit nectares, Chi Happy Hour fruit drink and Cappri Sonne fruit drink. CHI Limited also takes pride in its dairy products which are sold under the brand Hollandia which stands for superior quality and innovation. CHI has also got a range of snack foods like Muff the Muffins, Beefie Beef Rolls, Chi Superbite Sausage Roll and Chi Classic Cake. The company, which employs thousands of Nigerians, has also contributed to the society through various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.

Zenith Bank PLC is one of the notable banks in Nigeria, with headAmangbo quarters in Victoria Island, Lagos. Established in 1990, the bank became a Public Limited Company in July 2004, and had initial offering on Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on occasions. In 2004, credit rating agency Fitch Ratings identified its credit as AA- on their longterm scale. As at December 2010, it was the second largest company in the country. In addition to Nigeria, the bank has branches in the Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Zenith Bank Plc offers services such as corporate and commercial banking services; e-business solutions, including local and international card business; treasury and cash management services; foreign exchange and trade finance services; funds/assets management; private banking, and investment banking and financial advisory services. The Zenith Bank brand is well accepted and enjoys top of the mind awareness. This is testified to by the following awards it has won: 2007 African Bank of the Year (awarded by African Investor magazine), 2007 Quoted Company of the Year (awarded by Nigerian Stock Exchange), 2007 Socially Responsible Bank of the Year (awarded by African Banker magazine), 2005 Most Respected Bank in Nigeria (awarded by PricewaterhouseCooper), 2005 African Bank of the Year (awarded by The Banker magazine). The Board is chaired by Chief Jim Ovia, the pioneer

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

MD/CEO while Peter Amangbo is the current Managing Director. The Bank’s subsidiaries include Zenith Securities Limited - a securities trading and asset management company. The bank had a market capitalisation of N654.6billion as at last month and a profit after tax of N95.3billion as at December 31, 2013.

FirstBank Nigeria has solidified itself as a brand of fortitude, Onasanya strength and innovation in the Nigerian financial sector since its inception in 1894. The iconic African elephant with navy blue and ivory colours has been a national symbol of one of the biggest international players in the financial services industry to date. In 1969, it was incorporated locally as the Standard Bank of Nigeria Limited, got listed on the stock exchange in1971 and established the first offshore branch in United Kingdom in 2002. In 2007, it acquired two banks, MBC International Bank and FBN Merchant Bankers limited. It also floated a hybrid offer in 2007. FirstBank has been through many seasons since 1894 from being the only bank in Nigeria for decades; weathered the “banking explosion” of the 1930s to 1950s; followed by an era of government ownership and control; to a flurry of consolidations and then gradual growth in number of banks up to the early 1980s; to yet another industry growth spurt in the early 1990s when the banking sector was deregulated; leading to an industry shake-up in the late 1990s, which reduced the number of banks from 126 to 77 and later resuscitation and growth to 89 banks and leading to the recent shake-up to 25 banks. All through the seasons, FirstBank has remained resilient, dependably dynamic and “truly the first.” Each element of the brand emanates from the organisation’s legacy of permanence, leadership, confidence and dependability. The bank was rated a Super brand in 2007, from a pool of 2000 highly graded brands in Nigeria, by the Super brand Nigeria Council, while the 2012 Brand Finance Banking League tables rated the bank in the top 500 most valuable banking brands worldwide and the most valuable Nigerian banking brand in 2011. These ratings show that as the bank revolutionises its operations and dynamics with new products and services and it is well accepted by customers. FirstBank had a market capitalisation of N 325.3billion as at last month and N70.631 billion profit after tax as at December 2013. The Managing Director of the bank is Bisi Onasanya.

Union Bank of Nigeria’s history can be traced to 1917 when it Emuwa was first established as Colonial Bank. In 1925 the bank became known as Barclays Bank DCO (Dominion, Colonial and Overseas) resulting from its acquisition by Barclays Bank. Following Nigeria’s independence and the enactment of the Companies Act of 1968, the bank was incorporated as Barclays Bank of Nigeria Limited (BBNL, est. 1969). Between 1971 and 1979, the bank went through a series of changes including its listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and share acquisitions/transfers driven by the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Acts (1972 and 1977). These resulted in its evolution into a wholly Nigerianowned entity. To reflect the new ownership structure, and in compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990, it assumed the name Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. In 1993, in line with its privatisation/commercialisation drive, the Federal Government divested by selling its controlling shares (51.67 per cent) to private investors. Thus, Union Bank became fully owned by Nigerian

citizens and organisations all within the private sector. During the Central Bank of Nigeria’s banking sector consolidation policy, Union Bank of Nigeria acquired the former Universal Trust Bank Plc and Broad Bank Ltd. and absorbed its one-time subsidiary, Union Merchant Bank Ltd. Currently, the bank is primarily owned by UGPL, a consortium of strategically aligned group of investors, (65 per cent) and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (20 per cent). The corporation’s stake has been bought by Atlas Mara but the transaction is still awaiting regulatory approvals, while a diverse group of shareholders account for the balance (15percent). UGPL is the bank’s core investor group. Union Bank of Nigeria has an asset base of over N826.7 billion and shareholders’ funds in excess of N183.1 billion. The bank’s impressive track record over the years has secured its position as Nigeria’s most dependable bank. Union Bank is primarily focused on commercial and retail banking in the Real/Agriculture/Public Financing sectors. The bank had a market capitalisation of N136.3 billion as at last month and a profitability of N3.836 billion at the end of 2013 financial year. The Group Managing Director is Mr. Emeka Emuwa while the Board of Directors is chaired by Senator Udo Udoma.

Diamond Bank Plc was incorporated on December 20, 1990 and Dozie began as a private limited liability company on March 21, 1991. Ten years later, in February 2001, it became a universal bank. In January 2005, following a highly successful Private Placement share offer which substantially raised the bank’s equity base, Diamond Bank became a public limited company. In May 2005, the bank was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Moreover, in January 2008, Diamond Bank’s Global Depositary Receipts (GDR) was listed on the Professional Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange, the first bank in Africa to record that feat. Today, Diamond Bank is one of the leading banks in Nigeria - respected for its excellent service delivery, driven by innovation and operating on the most advanced banking technology platform in the market. Diamond Bank has over the years leveraged on its underlying resilience to grow its asset base and to successfully retain its key business relationships. And like a diamond, its strength makes it even more valued and valuable. Diamond Bank has won several awards including the prestigious “Nigerian Bank of the Year, 2009”, the “Most Improved Bank of the Year, 2007” and “Best Bank in Mergers & Acquisition, 2006” all by ThisDay Annual Awards. Its international banking partners include Citibank; HSBC Bank; ANZ Banking Group; ING BHF Bank AG; Standard Chartered Bank; Belgolaise Bank S.A; Deutsche Bank; Commerzbank; and Nordea Bank Plc. In 2008, to ensure it grows with the needs of its customers, it streamlined its operations into three distinct strategic business segments: Retail banking, Corporate Banking, and Public sector. Diamond Bank’s BBB+ rating by Fitch Ratings, Agusto & Co., and A- rating by GCR, reflect the bank’s sustainable liquidity, sound and professional practices and good standing as a high investment grade institution. It had a market capitalisation of N87.2 billion last month and a profit after taxation of N28.5 billion as at December 31, 2013. The MD of the bank is Uzoma Dozie.

Fidelity Bank Plc began operations in 1988 as Fidelity Union MerOkonkwo chant Bank Limited. By 1990, it had distinguished itself as the fastest growing merchant bank in the country. However, in 1999 to leverage the emerging

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opportunities in the commercial and consumer end of financial services in Nigeria, it converted to commercial banking and changed its name to Fidelity Bank Plc. It became a universal bank in February 2001, with a license to offer the entire spectrum of commercial, consumer, corporate and investment banking services. Fidelity Bank is today ranked among the top 10 in the Nigerian banking industry, with presence in the major cities and commercial centres of Nigeria. Over the years, the bank has been reputed for integrity and professionalism. It is also respected for the quality and stability of its management. Fidelity Bank staff are also respected in the Nigerian banking industry for the quality of training they receive on the job, as well as in good business schools both in Nigeria and Overseas. Its management is particular about the quality of people that join the system. To qualify as a member of Team Fidelity, a candidate is expected to possess three vital statistics, with the acronym TAC: Talent (an innate mental aptitude), Ambition (a desire to succeed), and Character (a total quality of integrity which will guide the talent and ambition to productive ends). Fidelity Bank also enjoys the respect and partnership of a network of off-shore institutions with which it has correspondent banking, confirmation lines, credit and other relationships. These include, ANZ London, Afr-eximbank, Cairo, Egypt, ABSA South Africa, Commerce Bank, Frankfurt, Citibank, N.A. London and New York, FBN Bank, UK Ltd, SCB, London, HSBC, US Ex-IM Bank, USAID, etc. The bank has a market capitalisation of N46.9 billion and a profit after tax of N7.72 billion as at December 2013. Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo is the Managing Director/CEO.

to become one of the most respected and service focused banks in Nigeria. In 2007, GTBank Plc entered the African business landscape history books as the first Nigerian financial institution to undertake a $350 million regulation S Eurobond issue and a $750 million Global Depositary Receipts (GDR) Offer. The listing of the GDRs on the London Stock Exchange in July that year made the bank the first Nigerian company and African bank to attain such a landmark achievement. Guaranty Trust Bank has a Foreign Currency Long Term IDR of B+ and a National Long-Term Rating of AA-(nga) from Fitch Rating, an AA- from Agusto & Co. and a double B minus rating from Standard and Poor’s. The bank also has an ISO 9001:2000 certification from the International Standards Organisation (ISO). GTBank plc has been the subject of business and brand reviews by the Harvard and Cranfield Business Schools. Guaranty Trust Bank plc operates from 156 business offices in Nigeria with several bank and non-bank subsidiaries spread across the United Kingdom and Anglophone West Africa nations including The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The bank currently has the highest market capitalization in the banking sector and a profit after taxation of N90.02 billion as at December 2013. The current Managing Director/CEO is Mr. Segun Agbaje.

Over the past 26 years, Access Bank Plc has trans-

formed from an obscure Nigerian Bank into a world class African financial institution. ToWigwe day, Access Bank is one of the five largest banks in Nigeria in terms of assets, loans, deposits and branch network; a feat which has been achieved through strong long-term approach to client solutions – providing committed and innovative advice. Access Bank has built its strength and success in corporate banking and is now taking that expertise and applying it to the personal and business banking platform it acquired from Nigeria’s International commercial bank in 2012. The last two years have been spent integrating the business, investing in the infrastructure and strengthening the product offer. Access Bank dates back to December 19, 1988 when it obtained the banking licence; incorporated as a privately owned commercial bank February 8, 1989 and commenced operations at its Burma Road, Apapa Head Office on May 11, 1989. By March 24, 1998, Access Bank has become a public limited liability company listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange. Access Bank is consistently seeking for ways to expand its service platform across the African continent. The bank currently operates through a network of about 366 branches across major cities and commercial centers in Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The bank is today led by Mr. Herbert Wigwe, Managing Director and Chief Executive. The bank had a market capitalisation of N179.6billion as at last month and a profit after tax of N36.297billion as at December 2013.

Sterling Bank Plc is a full service national commercial bank liAdeola censed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The bank originally incorporated in 1960 as Nigeria Acceptances Limited (NAL) was licensed as Nigeria’s first merchant bank in 1969. Consequent to the indigenisation decree of 1972, the Bank became fully government owned and was managed in partnership with Grindlays Bank Limited, Continental International Finance Company Illinois and American Express Bank Limited between 1974 and 1992. In 1992, the bank was partly privatised and listed as a public company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). In January 2006, as part of the consolidation of the Nigerian banking industry, NAL Bank completed a merger with four other Nigerian banks namely Magnum Trust Bank, NBM Bank, Trust Bank of Africa and Indo-Nigeria Merchant Bank (INMB) and adopted the Sterling Bank name. The merged entities were successfully integrated and have operated as a consolidated group ever since. In mid-2011, Sterling Bank Plc acquired the franchise of the erstwhile Equitorial Trust Bank. Over the years, the bank has taken great strides achieving profitability and growing to 175 business offices complemented by 5,850 alternative delivery channels nationwide. As at third quarter of 2014, Sterling Bank’s total asset was valued at N847 billion. With a profit of N8.5 billion on a capital of N65 billion during the period under review, Sterling Bank was the most profitable bank in Nigeria. It specialises in banking, financial advisory, asset management, and custody. Mr. Yemi Adeola is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc – a position he has held since February 2009. The bank had a market capitalisation of N50.3 billion as at last month and a profit after tax of N9.3 as at December 2013.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc was incorporated as a

limited liability company licensed to provide commercial and other banking services to the Agbaje Nigerian public in 1990. The bank commenced operations in February 1991, and has since then grown

Ecobank Nigeria began operations in 1986 as a universal Aku bank, providing wholesale, retail, corporate, investment and transaction banking services to its customers in the Nigerian market. The bank divides its operations into three major divisions: (a) Retail Banking (b) Wholesale Banking and (c) Treasury & Financial

Institutions. The bank also offers capital markets and investment banking services. During the fourth quarter of 2011, Ecobank Nigeria acquired 100 per cent of the shareholding in Oceanic Bank, creating the expanded Ecobank Nigeria Plc. As of December 2011, the expanded Ecobank Nigeria controlled total assets valued at approximately $8.1 billion (N:1.32 trillion), making it one of the five largest banks in Nigeria at the time .At that time the bank had 610 free-standing branches, making it the second-largest bank in the country by branch network. Ecobank Nigeria is a member of Ecobank, the leading independent pan-African bank, headquartered in Lomé, Togo, with affiliates in West, Central and East Africa. Ecobank, which was established in 1985, has grown to a network of over 1,000 branches, employing over 10,000 people, with offices in 32 countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ecobank also maintains a banking subsidiary in Paris and representative offices in Johannesburg, Dubai and London. Ecobank Transnational Inc. (ETI) is the parent company of the Ecobank Group. The stock of ETI is traded on three African stock exchanges: the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the BRVM stock exchange in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The bank had a market capitalisation of N286.9 billion as at last month and a profit after tax of N156million as at December 2013. Mr. Jibril J. Aku serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Nigeria Plc and has been its Managing Director since March 2010.

Shell, Nigeria’s oldest energy company, has two subsidiaries in the country; Shell PeSunmonu troleum Development Company (SPDC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo). Today, Shell companies in Nigeria produce oil and gas from land and swamps in the Niger Delta and from deep-water reserves some 120 kilometres off the coast while the company also operates Nigeria’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, which exports all over the world. The largest contribution by Shell companies in Nigeria is through the taxes and royalties it pays, the energy it produces as well as its commitment to support and finance community development initiatives in the Niger Delta. Shell companies in Nigeria, have raked in revenues worth $69 billion into Federal Government’s coffer in four years through taxes and royalties remitted to the government between 2008 and 2011. The company and its partners have established the Kobo Fund and the Contractors Support Fund to enable Nigerian contractors to borrow money from banks to grow their businesses. Together these two funds are, according to the company, worth over $4 billion (N640 billion) and help these companies to provide services to the oil and gas industry and create more jobs. The company has also awarded sizeable contracts to Nigerian companies. In 2012 alone, this was worth $2.4 billion (N385 billion). The SPDC and its Partners are supplying gas to generate electricity at the Afam VI Power Plant, which provides around 15 per cent of Nigeria’s total electricity supply. In addition, SPDC and Shell Nigeria Gas are delivering natural gas to industries in Rivers, Ogun and Abia states. The company’s mission is being driven by Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, who joined the company in August 1978 as a Computer Programmer/Business Analyst, following his graduation from the University of Lagos with a first class degree in Mathematics and Computer Science. He became Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria on January 1, 2010 and combines the portfolio with his current role as Managing Director of The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Vice President, Production, Sub-Saharan Africa.

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The merger between Exxon and Mobil Corporations in December 1999 brought together O’Neal three major companies in Nigeria: Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), Mobil Oil Nigeria plc (MON) and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN). ExxonMobil, second biggest oil company in terms of production in Nigeria, is involved in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas; the manufacturing of petroleum products; and the transportation and sale of crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products. The company is a major manufacturer and marketer of commodity and specialty petrochemicals and also has interest in electric power generation facilities. In addition, it conducts extensive research programmes in support of these businesses. With over $1 billion investments in Nigerian content, the company’ affiliates in Nigeria support the nation’s goal of capacity building and have a strong national content orientation, with a fully staffed department completely devoted to leveraging on this. Its employee work force is 88 per cent Nigerian. In 2011, MPN became the first oil company in Nigeria to deploy Nigerian-made pipes (30kms) in its pipeline network. MPN worked with an indigenous pipe manufacturing company to develop new specifications for Double Submerged Arc Welded Helical (DSAWH) pipes that would meet international standards for low pressure and shallow water applications. In 2012, the company completed the fabrication of three wellhead platforms fully developed in Nigeria. The three platforms were developed under the Satellite Fields Development Project Phase-1 for the Abang, Itut and Oyot (AOI) oil fields located offshore Nigeria, and are the first ever wellhead platforms designed, fabricated and commissioned by Nigerian companies. Together with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), MPN maintains a very active community relations programme. It has made substantial contributions in the areas of health, education, sports, water supply, electricity and roads, especially around its operational bases in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states. The NNPC/MPN Joint Venture awards 500 scholarships to undergraduate students in Nigerian universities. MON, another subsidiary of ExxonMobil, is one of the six major petroleum products marketers in the country. It currently has over 200 retail outlets located in all 36 states of Nigeria; these include many state-ofthe-art outlets. The company’s capacity development initiatives include Graduate Assistance Programme, Bonny Women Arts and Skills Development Initiative, ExxonMobil Women’s Economic Opportunity Initiative, and the Global Women in Management (GWIM) Programme. ExxonMobil Nigeria is headed by Mr. Nolan O’neal, its Chairman and Managing Director.

Chevron began doing business in Nigeria in 1913, when Texaco products were first marFawthrop keted in the country. Following the Nigerian Indigenisation Decree of 1978, which was designed to raise the level of Nigerian participation in business, Chevron divested 40 per cent of its shareholdings to the Nigerian public while retaining 60 per cent equity in Chevron Oil Nigeria PLC. In 1996, the company built its 103,000-barrel state-ofthe-art storage terminal and loading facility in Apapa. Today, Chevron is the third-largest oil producer in Nigeria and one of its largest investors. The company operates in Nigeria under a joint-venture arrangement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). It has assets on land and in swamp and near-offshore concessions covering approximately 2.2 million acres (8,900 sq km) in the Niger Delta region. Chevron also has extensive interests in deepwater

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Nigeria. The company operates the Agbami Field, one of Nigeria’s largest deepwater discoveries. It also has a non-operated interest in another major deep water development, the Usan Project. In 2013, Chevron’s net daily production in Nigeria averaged 233,000 barrels of crude oil, 182 million cubic feet of natural gas and 5,000 barrels of liquefied petroleum gas. Through its principal subsidiary in Nigeria, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), the company operates and holds a 40 per cent interest in 13 concessions under a joint-venture arrangement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Chevron also does business through other subsidiaries in Nigeria. CNL fosters strong business partnerships with local service providers and product suppliers and works to increase their professional capabilities. CNL’s Local Community Content Development team promotes commerce with local businesses. The Managing Director is Mr. Andrew Fawthrop.

Since 1962, TOTAL has been a partner in the development of oil and gas in Nigeria, carrying Proust out both Upstream and Downstream activities. TOTAL has been serving the Nigerian upstream hydrocarbons industry for half a century, in partnership with the Nigerian Government and in different equity associations with other private companies. The company is the country’s fourth-largest oil and gas producer through its involvement in over 50 permits, including nine as operator. The Total Group is also active in the commercialisation of Nigerian gas through: Total LNG Nigeria Limited, which holds a 15 per cent interest in Nigeria LNG Ltd, Brass Holding Company Limited, which holds a 15 per cent interest in Brass LNG Ltd. Total unrivaled commitments to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Health, Safety and Environmental protection (HSE) and the welfare of its employees. Furthermore, the company is unequivocally committed to the Nigerian Content Development (NCD) policy of Nigeria’s Federal Government, where it is a leader in building capacities through various development projects which give opportunities to Nigerians and Nigerian owned companies. With a diverse work force of several nationalities and cultures working together, the Group’s E&P Branch is making remarkable contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria through huge investments in world-class projects. The oil giant appointed Mrs. Elisabeth Proust as Managing Director/Chief Executive of Total upstream companies in Nigeria with effect from February 12, 2014.

Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) operates in the land and swamp areas of the NiInsulla ger Delta, under a joint venture agreement with NNPC (60 per cent), NAOC (20 per cent), and ConocoPhillips (20 per cent), with concessions lying within Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers States. The concession covers a total area of 5,313sq.km comprising four blocks - OML 60, 61, 62 & 63. NAOC is also the operator of two onshore exploration leases, namely OPL 282 (90 per cent interest) in the Swamp and OPL 135 (48 per cent interest) in the Land area.NAOC also holds 5 per cent participating interest in SPDC JV with NNPC (55 per cent), The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) (30 per cent), and Total E&P Nigeria (TEPNG) (10 per cent), with SPDC as operator of the joint venture. Agip Energy and Natural Resources (AENR) is executing the Service Contract with NNPC in OML 116 located in shallow waters (65 metres) offshore Niger Delta. In 1981, AENR discovered Agbara field, located about 45 kilometers offshore Nigeria.

AENR signed another Service Contract with NPDC (an NNPC subsidiary) in December 2000 to finance and jointly conduct the operations in the Okono/Okpoho fields development project in the OML 119 (former OPL 91). Highlights of the contract, designed to re-position NNPC as a strong national and international organisation, include novel provisions for 100 per cent financing and joint management through the Project Management Committee, defined timeline for change of operatorship and transfer of know how. Nigerian Agip Exploration (NAE) was incorporated in 1996 by Eni to manage Nigeria’s deep offshore exploration and production assets. NAE, as at 2013, has interests in six offshore blocks in Nigeria, both as Operator (OML 125, OML 134, OPL 2009 and OPL 245) and Co-Venture partner (OML 118 and OML 135). NAOC is the operator of two onshore exploration leases OPL 282 (90 per cent interest) and OPL 135 (48 per cent interest). NAOC is also a partner in the SPDC joint venture with 5 per cent stake. NAOC’s production asset includes nine flowstations, two as Plant and one Export Terminal. The flow stations and Gas Plants are connected to the Terminal in Brass through a 460 km pipeline network, while additional 180km pipelines carries NGL and fuel gas to Indorama Petrochemical Company, Eleme. The Gas gathering pipelines linking Kwale through Akri –Ob/Ob to N-LNG spans 170km. Most of the flow stations have been expanded and retrofitted to take care of growth in operation and support gas gathering effort, as well as improve efficiencies (resulting from installation of latest technology) towards achieving the flare down agenda of the company. On August 27, 2009, AENR and NPDC signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the drilling, completion and hook-up of the Okono 6 and 7 wells, eventually tied back to production in 2012. The Managing Director is Mr. Massimo Insulla.

Oando Plc is one of Africa’s largest integrated energy solutions providers with a proud Tinubu heritage. It has a primary listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. With shared values of Teamwork, Respect, Integrity, Passion and Professionalism (TRIPP), the Oando Group comprises six companies who are leaders in their market. Oando Marketing is a fully owned subsidiary of Oando PLC. As one of the nation’s leading oil marketing retailers, it sells and distributes its products via its over 300 retail service stations and has over 500 industrial customers cutting across the different geographical zones in Nigeria. Oando Marketing also has two operational subsidiaries in Ghana and Togo with over 40 service stations. This leading position is associated with its successes in the petroleum products marketing business. With one in every five litres of petroleum products being sold or distributed by Oando Marketing via its over 300 retail service stations and strategically located terminals, the company has continuously ensured products supply and availability in Nigeria and West Africa. Oando Marketing offers a wide range of products including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO also known as Diesel), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), Aviation Turbine Kerosene(ATK), Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO), Lubricating Oils and Greases, Insecticides, Bitumen, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG, also known as Cooking gas) and Oando insecticide. Oando Gas and Power Limited is the developer of Nigeria’s foremost natural gas distribution network and captive power solutions. The company pioneered the private sector piping and distribution of natural gas to industrial and commercial consumers, successfully reviving private sector participation in the gas distribution business in Nigeria. With an ever-expanding 100km pipeline grid in Lagos State, the company is taking bold steps towards building sub-Saharan Africa’s largest gas pipeline network. Over the years, the company has made significant investments in the development of gas and power infrastructure that guarantee the reliable supply of natural gas via high pressure transmission pipelines and gas processing facilities. The company’s Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Wale Tinubu.

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Babs Jolayemi Omotowa, said when delivered in 2015, the number of ships in its fleet would come to 30.

Forte Oil is one of the nation’s foremost indigenous marketers of refined petroleum Otedola products with a strong presence in the 36 states of Nigeria and Abuja. With well over 500 Forte Oil owned, dealer-assisted and dealer-developed retail outlets spread across the country, a major fuel storage installation at Apapa, Lagos, another major storage depot at Onne, Rivers State, an aviation joint users hydrant in Ikeja, Lagos, and joint aviation depots in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano, Forte Oil is, indeed, a major marketer of choice in Nigeria. The company also has eight retail outlets in Ghana under the trade name of AP Oil and Gas Ghana Limited (APOG). In the midstream sector, it has also established a reputation of effectively servicing the upstream sector under a trade name of AP Oilfields Servcies Limited (APOS). With the divestment of the Federal Government’s shares in African Petroleum Plc in the year 2000, the company was restructured and diversified into the midstream, real estate and the West African sub-region through the incorporation of three new subsidiaries in succession. These include AP Oil Field Services Limited (APOS), which specialises in supply of Well Production Chemicals and Drilling/Completion Fluids to the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry. Another subsidiary is Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited (Amperion Power). This is the power generation arm of Forte Oil PLC which just completed the acquisition of a majority stake in the 414MW Geregu Power Plant located in Kogi State of Nigeria, under the government-led privatisation programme in the power sector. The Geregu Power Plant was commissioned in 2007 with three Siemens V94.2 open cycle gas turbine power generation units totaling 414MW of installed capacity. The three operational units namely GT11, GT12, and GT13 have a rated capacity of 138MW each. The station is supplied gas from two pipelines, a 24-inch wide old pipeline and 36-inch wide 136 KM long new pipeline from the Natural Gas Treatment Plant. These are able to satisfy the fuel requirements of three units running on a full load of 414MW. The company has Mr. Femi Otedola as Chairman/ Chief Executive.

Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) was incorporated as a limited liabilOmotowa ity company on May 17, 1989, to harness Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources and produce Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) for export. It is owned by four shareholders, namely: the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (49 per cent); Shell (25.6 per cent); Total LNG Nigeria Ltd (15 per cent) and Eni (10.4 per cent). The company has two wholly–owned subsidiaries: Bonny Gas Transport (BGT) Limited and NLNG Ship Management Limited (NSML). The Bonny Gas Transport Limited was established in 1989, following the incorporation of Nigeria LNG Limited, to provide shipping capacity for NLNG project. The company was set up with an ordinary equity holding from Nigeria LNG Limited and preferential equity holding from the sponsors, NLNG’s shareholders. NSML is another wholly-owned subsidiary of NLNG. The company was set up in 2008 to realise NLNG’s vision of resourcing, developing and managing shipboard personnel for BGT vessels. NLNG is to pay over $1 billion as Company Income Tax (CIT) to the Federal Government in 2014, even as it moves to take delivery of six more ships to consolidate its operations. With $1.3 billion already sunk into acquiring six fullybuilt vessels from Samsung Corporation and Hyundai of South Korea, the company’s Managing Director, Mr.

Schlumberger is the world’s leading oilfield services company supplying technology, Kibsgaard information solutions and integrated project management that optimise reservoir performance for customers working in the oil and gas industry. Schlumberger employs 110,000 people representing over 140 nationalities and working in approximately 80 countries, including Nigeria. In 1956, Schlumberger logged the first oil well in Nigeria, and has since grown to provide a full range of services to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Schlumberger is a core provider in the deep water segment, and its Nigeria Integrated Centre of Excellence addresses problems of production from mature fields (both onshore and offshore) and deep water well placement and recovery challenges, amongst others. It has operated as a locally incorporated company since 1970. The Chief Executive Officer is Paal Kibsgaard.

Sahara Energy Resource Limited, established in 1996 as the first Cole Sahara Group company, is primarily focused on the sourcing, supplying and trading in high quality refined petroleum products to meet the energy needs of a dynamic and technologically advancing world. The company has, over the years, grown to become a formidable player in the global energy market, servicing a wide range of customers spread across several continents. Sahara Group’s upstream division comprises a number of affiliates whose mission is to acquire, explore, appraise and develop commercial oil and gas assets in established basins and emerging frontiers in Africa. Affiliates include Sahara Energy Field, Enageed Resources, and Sahara Energy Exploration and Production, among others. Their core businesses create shareholder value by oil and gas reserves and production growth, but they also contribute to socio-economic development where they operate. Through partnerships with employees, local communities, contractors and other stakeholders, Sahara’s affiliates help create and develop sustainable interventions. Sahara affiliate, Enageed Resource Ltd, operates onshore Nigerian OPL 274 where it holds 100 per cent equity. In June 2014, Enageed passed the million man-hours milestone without lost time injury (LTI) after completing two 3D seismic surveys in OPL 274 of 126 and 500 square km. Mr. Tonye Cole is the Managing Director of Sahara Group.

Addax Petroleum began operations in Nigeria in 1998 by signing Zegelaar two Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The company’s average annual production was 8,800 barrels per day (bbl/d). Since this acquisition, Addax Petroleum has driven its growth by acquiring oil properties deemed by others to have limited remaining production potential and using its strong in-house technical and operational expertise to grow reserves and production in a cost effective manner.

In Nigeria, Addax Petroleum’s producing assets include 11 field complexes with around 60 production wells in concession OML123, 2 fields with 20 producing wells in concession OML 124 and two fields with 14 production wells in concession OML126. Addax Petroleum pursues its programme to foster diversity, employee engagement and internal dialogue to ensure the workplace environment is motivating and fulfilling for all employees. Cornelis Zegelaar is Senior Vice President and MD Addax Petroleum Development (Nigeria) Ltd.

Conoil Plc is Nigeria’s foremost downstream oil company enAdenuga gaged in the marketing of refined petroleum products, manufacturing and marketing of lubricants, household and industrial chemicals. Since its establishment in 1927, Conoil has continued to touch the lives of millions of customers in some ways — from LPG and kerosene for domestic consumption, automotive fuels and lubricants for vehicles, to fuels and solvents for industrial applications. Conoil has 268 upgraded retail outlets and a sizeable number of ultramodern, all-purpose service stations in strategic parts of the country. The company runs six regional offices and six area business centres. Conoil Business Groups are organised to deliver products and services to customers in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible. In homes or businesses, on the highways or in the air, the company prides itself as delivering excellence and keeping its customers going. Central to Conoil operations is the firm commitment to excellent service delivery and maximal customer satisfaction. This customer-oriented creed serves as the philosophy guiding the day-to-day activities in the company’s strategic business groups namely: Retail, Lubricants, Aviation, Specialised Products and Liquefied Petroleum Gas. Conoil makes strategic investments and deploys its assets, technology, capability and know-how to meet diverse needs of customers, benefit the environment and deliver long-term value to investors. Over the years, Conoil has gained a unique understanding of research and quality control, which it continuously apply in all its core businesses in order to offer the best propositions to customers and boost its bottom-line. As the first and largest indigenous oil marketing company in Nigeria, it has over the years gained a unique understanding of research and quality control, which it has continuously applied in all its businesses in order to offer the best propositions to customers. Conoil is owned by Dr. Mike Adenuga.

MRS Oil Nigeria Plc is a fully integrated and efficient downPrasad stream player with leading positions in the Nigeria oil industry. It is an organisation focused on improving its operating efficiencies in all areas of the downstream sector where it currently operates. The company offers numerous products and services designed specifically for the consumer. It markets fuels in Nigeria under the MRS brand. In addition to branded fuels, it also offers consumers a variety of high-quality lubricants. The lubricants are manufactured and supplied from the company’s state of the art proprietary blending facility located at Apapa. MRS provides businesses country wide with superior and reliable products and services. The company’s fuels, lubricants, commercial, industrial and retail operations nation wide allows businesses to focus on their core strengths while leaving the service aspect to the parent body.

38 Special Report Its Fuels Product Lines include Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), Aviation Kerosene (ATK) and Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO). It is the policy of MRS and its local and international affiliates to conduct its business in a manner that protects people, property and the environment. Its goal is that the management of safety, health and environmental (SHE) issues has equal level of prominence when balanced against operational and commercial considerations. Mr. S.B. Prasad is the Managing Director.

Seplat Petroleum Development Company (SEPLAT) is a Avuru leading indigenous exploration and production company currently operating in onshore Niger Delta basin of Nigeria. The company has a 45 per cent participating interest in three oil blocks (OML’s 4, 38 and 41) which are geographically spread across Edo and Delta states in Nigeria. Seplat is the operator of the three blocks on behalf of the NPDC/ SEPLAT Joint Venture. The JV oil production from these blocks has grown from 18,000 barrels per day at inception in 2010 to the current rate of 60,000 barrels per day. Gas production is presently at 110MMscfd. Production is mainly from five fields (Amukpe, Oben, Okporhuru, Ovhor, and Sapele fields) with plans to bring additional fields on-stream in the future. SEPLAT has a participating interest in the Umuseti/ Igbuku Fields (OPL 283 following an agreement with Pillar Oil to acquire a 40 per cent on 1 June 1, 2013. Production from Umuseti Field (OPL 283) is currently circa. 2,500bopd with net share to Seplat of 1,000bopd. SEPLAT is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company incorporated and operating in Nigeria with strategic focus on Nigeria. The company was founded in June 2009 by entities controlled by Dr A.B.C. Orjiako (the Chairman of SEPLAT) and Austin Avuru (the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SEPLAT) to facilitate the acquisition of OMLs 4, 38 and 41 from Shell, Total and ENI. In July 2010, Etablissements Maurel et Prom became a 45 per cent shareholder in SEPLAT (splitting the ownership of SEPLAT at the time between Shebah Petroleum Development Company Limited (an entity controlled by A.B.C. Orjiako) and Platform Petroleum Joint Ventures Limited (an entity in which Austin Avuru has the largest shareholding) (together holding 55 per cent) and MPI S.A. (45 per cent). Since then, the shareholdings of these founding shareholders have been reduced, as a result of the sale by Shebah in August 2013, of 4.99 per cent of SEPLAT to Quantum Capital, MPI S.A. in August 2013, of 10 per cent of SEPLAT to Mercuria Capital Partners (6 per cent) and investment funds managed by Blakeney Management (4 per cent) and in December 2013 of 4.9 per cent of SEPLAT to Quantum Power International Holdings Limited. However, the founding shareholders and entities controlled by them remain the three largest shareholders in SEPLAT. The only other significant shareholder (5% or more) in SEPLAT is Mercuria Capital Partners. SEPLAT’s strategic business goals and operations has its foundation in its core values. These values, which include safety, environment, partnership, leadership, accountability and teamwork, clearly reflect the way the company does business, its high performance standards and relentless commitment to high standards of governance, corporate and social responsibility.

Yinka Folawiyo & Sons, the parent company of the Group was founded in 1957 as an Folawiyo import/export business between Nigeria and Europe and it was incorporated as a Limited Liability Company in 1967. Following a visit to East Europe in 1958 by the pro-

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moter of the Group, the late Alhaji (Dr.) W. I. Folawiyo, CON, the company was the first to develop a thriving trade between East Europe and Nigeria. From importing cement and sugar successfully from USSR, Yinka Folawiyo & Sons Limited expanded the trade to Bulgaria and Romania purchasing large quantities of cement and construction materials. These trading operations were further developed to include the importation of milk products, tinned and frozen fish, fertilizers and other essential commodities. The Group is currently run by a strong management team headed by Tijani Babatunde Folawiyo.

Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company Buoyed by a misAjifowobaje sion to redefine customer experience and be the provider of choice wherever energy is consumed, Ikeja Electric (IE), came into existence on November 1, 2013 following the handover of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to NEDC/ KEPCO Consortium under the privatisation scheme of the Federal Government. Previously known as the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), the company, on November 1, 2014 took on “Ikeja Electric” as its new corporate identity to reflect the new spirit of dynamism, drive, innovativeness and service in the company. The brand refresh also aligns with IE’s quest to upgrade customer experience within its network and position IE for competitiveness beyond the sub-region and Africa The consortium has the Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), which generates about 84,000MW in capacity and has a global efficiency record of a maximum down time period of slightly above three minutes annually as technical partners. This partnership has positioned IE to effectively drive its commitment to deliver efficient and sustainable power supply through investments in new technology, infrastructure upgrade and human capital development. Ikeja Electric has a customer population of 657,444 spread across the 11 Business units including AbuleEgba, Akowonjo, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Ikotun, Ipaja, Odogunyan, Ogba, Ojodu, Oshodi and Somolu. IKEDC is headed by Abiodun Ajifowobaje.

Eko Electricity Distribution Company came into existence as a direct Amoda result of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) bill that was signed into law on March 11 2005. The company covers the southern part of Lagos State and Agbara in Ogun State. Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) is partitioned into 11 business units namely; Agbara, Ajele, Apapa, Festac, Ibeju, Ijora, Islands, Lekki, Mushin, Ojo and Orile, and 32 undertaking offices. The company receives its bulk power supply from the Akangba 330/132KV, Ajah 330/132KV, and thereafter, through 10 132/33KV Transmission stations. There are 40 Injection Substations with a total installed capacity of 1137.5MVA. There are 6,317 Distribution Substations with total installed capacity of 2,434MVA. The current staff population of the company is 3,567 comprising 1,474 technical and 2,093 nontechnical staff. The current customer population is 317,750. The Managing director of the EKEDC is Oladele Amoda, an engineer.

United Bank for Africa’s history dates back to 1948 when the British and French Oduoza Bank Limited (“BFB”) commenced business in Nigeria. Following Nigeria’s independence from Britain, UBA was incorporated in 1961 to take over the business of BFB. The bank has subsidiaries in 20 sub-Saharan countries, with representative offices in France, the United Kingdom and the United States. UBA is the product of the merger of Nigeria’s third (3rd) and fifth largest banks, namely the old UBA and the erstwhile Standard Trust Bank Plc (STB) respectively, and a subsequent acquisition of the erstwhile Continental Trust Bank Limited (CTB). The union emerged as the first successful corporate combination in the history of Nigerian banking. Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1970, UBA is rapidly evolving into a pan-African full service financial institution and the group adopted the holding company model in July 2011. United Bank for Africa (UBA) attained a landmark achievement when it interconnected its 428 branches making it the bank with largest online real time branch network in Nigeria and Africa. An integration process that was completed months below the normal industry average of 36 months. As of December 2011, the valuation of UBA Group’s total assets was approximately N1.94 trillion ($12.3 billion), with shareholders’ equity of about N170 billion ($1.07 billion). Market capitalisation as at November 27, 2014 was N159.6 billion, while profit after tax as at December 2013 stood at N56.06 billion. The key people piloting affairs at the bank include Tony O. Elumelu (CON), Group Chairman; Phillips Oduoza, Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer; Kennedy Uzoka and Apollos Ikpobe, Deputy Managing Directors.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings, commonly referred to as Stanbic Borha IBTC, is a financial service holding company in Nigeria with subsidiaries in banking, stock brokerage, investment advisory, pension and trustee businesses. Stanbic IBTC Holdings is a member of the Standard Bank Group, a financial services giant based in South Africa. Standard Bank is Africa’s largest banking group ranked by assets and earnings operations in 20 African countries and 13 countries outside Africa. Stanbic IBTC Holdings came into being as the result of a merger between Stanbic Bank Nigeria Limited and IBTC Chartered Bank Plc. Investment Banking & Trust Company Plc (IBTC) was formed as an Investment Bank on February 2, 1989, with Atedo Peterside as Chief Executive Officer. CBN’s order on recapitalisation led to the merger of Investment Banking and Trust Company (IBTC) with Chartered Bank Plc and Regent Bank Plc on December 19, 2005, to form IBTC Chartered Bank Plc with a total asset base N125 billion. Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, through its wholly owned stock broking and asset management subsidiary, IBTC Asset Management Limited, has several highly rated mutual funds, including the IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund, which is Nigeria’s largest mutual fund with a net asset value. It is the only bank that has a direct subsidiary that is a pension fund administrator; through the market leading IBTC Pension Managers Limited (IPML). Its total assets as at 2012 was N85.65 billion with staff strength of 2,077 as at 2013. Overseeing affairs at the bank, which market capitalisation was N290 billion as at November 27, 2014 and profit before tax N20.8 billion, is Sola David Borha.

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With 50 years of operating in Nigeria, Julius Berger has demonstrated full commitment to Lubasch supporting the realisation of Nigeria’s goals for modernisation. Having over 18,000 Nigerian employees, it is a key player in the development of essential infrastructure, establishment of local production facilities and investment in Nigerian content. Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Julius Berger had a market capitalisation of N80.071bn as at last month with N8.425 billion profit after tax as at December 2013. Furthermore, it is pioneering the use of innovative technologies and driving the transfer of this knowledge through a cooperative relationship with NOTAP, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion. JB’s strong emphasis on training and continuing education results in long-term staff employment as well as the personal and professional development of employees, covering a large number of different professions. Projects handled by Julius Berger include countless bridges, buildings and road systems such as Eko Bridge in Lagos; new office of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF); the head office of PrimeTech Design and Engineering Nigeria Ltd; and the Centenary City showroom; Admiralty Alexander (Lekki-Ikoyi) Link Bridge, Lagos,; Akwa Ibom Stadium Complex, Uyo; Bonny Island Gas Liquefaction Plant; and Procter & Gamble Baby Care Facility, Lagos, among others. The Managing Director is Detlev Lubasch.

The Maersk Group was established by Captain Peter Mærsk Thorhauge Moller (1836-1927) in 1928. It is made up of five core businesses which include Maersk Line, APM Terminals, Maersk Oil, Maersk Drilling, APM Shipping Services, Maersk Supply Service, Maersk Tankers, Damco and Svitzer. The Group is a worldwide conglomerate and operates in some 130 countries with a workforce of over 89,000 employees. In addition to owning one of the world’s largest shipping companies, Maersk is involved in a wide range of activities in the shipping, logistics, and the oil and gas industries. It generated $47 billion revenue in 2013 The company is being headed by Mr. Jan Thorhauge, as the Managing Director of Maersk Nigeria Limited (MNL) and head of the Central West Africa Cluster.

Sifax Group started as Sifax Nigeria Limited in 1988 and has grown to become a foremost Afolabi Maritime organisation in Nigeria. Sifax Group is a privately owned indigenous company with its headquarters in Apapa, Lagos. Its subsidiaries are Sifax Shipping Co. Limited, Ship Chartering, Ship Brokerage and Cargo Handling Services, Sifax Nigeria Limited, Sifax Off Dock Limited, Sifax Stevedoring Limited, Sifax Oil and Gas Limited and Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited. The group is headed by Mr Taiwo Afolabi, who is the Executive Vice Chairman. In West and Central African sub region and globally, the goup has made its mark by taking the centre stage of shipping operations. The company has invested 66 million Euros in the last eight years to acquire various equipments which enables it to be efficient and effective in its port operations.

Its numerous clients in Nigeria and abroad, covering both the private and public sectors include Central Bank of Nigeria, US Embassy, USAID, Unilever, Nigeria Breweries Plc., Padson Industies Nig. Ltd., Wahum, Nigeria Printing Minting, MSC, Mearsk Line, Grand Oak, Nigerite Nig Ltd., Arik Air, Air Nigeria, United/ Continental Airline, Egypt Air, Middle East Airlines, Aero Contractors, African Open Sky (Benin Republic), Dana Air, Sudan Air, Air France Cargo(Port Harcourt), Etihad Airways, Medview Airline, Bambia Bird, and Fly Ghana.

Dufil Prima Foods Plc was incorporated in 2001 as a private limited liability company Aswan at Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Upon completion of a restructuring exercise, the company was converted to public limited company and became the holding company of the group in 2008. The company, which is chaired by Mr Haresh Aswan, is a joint venture between Tolaram Group of Singapore and Salim Group of Indonesia. It has three factories. One of the factories is De United Foods Industries Limited in Ota, Ogun State, the first instant noodles manufacturing plant in Nigeria and the largest in Africa. The second factory which was commissioned in 2001 is located in Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The third and most recent state of the art automation factory was commissioned in Kaduna on May 29, 2012. Over the past 17 years in the Nigerian market, Dufil Group has had a remarkable impact on the Nigerian culinary Landscape. Its product, Indomie Instant Noodles which appeals to several demographic groups has grown to become a household name across the country.

Promasidor was founded in 1979 by Robert Rose, who left the United Kingdom in 1957 Richards for Zimbabwe to pursue his African dream as the chairman of Allied Lyons Africa for over 20 years. The group has provided milk products that offer consistent quality and nutritious value in a range of pack sizes to suit all pockets since 1979. It is the first company in Africa to introduce quality milk powder in small sachets. Promasidor, headed by Keith Richards as Managing Director, was the first to successfully introduce the concept of “three-in-one” chocolate drinks to Africa. Its Cowbell Chocolate brand delivers a delicious drink made from a blend of chocolate, milk and sugar.

Mikano International is a limited liability company incorporated in Nigeria on Christian Farine February 13, 1995, to engage in all aspects of generator business. From a small beginning in Ikeja, Lagos, to a leading power solution provider in Nigeria, the company has a workforce of over 1,600 employees both indigenous and expatriates in various fields. Since inception, Mikano has been in the forefront of manufacturing, assembling and fabrication of electrical generators, electrical panel for generators and generator set soundproof, among others The company, headed by Mr. Christian Farine as Man-

aging Director, is currently involved in the importation and sale of a wide range of industrial/household power generator brands like Perkins, Stamford, MTU, Doosan, and Perkins gas.

Fan Milk Nigeria Plc was founded with less than 30 employees Ha dsbjerg in 1960 by a Danish merchant and industrialist, Erik Emborg, with a recombination plant at Ibadan and a distribution centre in Lagos. In the 1970s, the company introduced Yoghurt drink, Ice lollies, Ice cream and the Tetra Pak packaging technology. The products became very popular in the market and generated financial strength for the company. It established another plant in Kano in 1981. In 1998, the foreign partner and the Industrialisation Fund for Developing Countries (Denmark) agreed to an infusion of capital which let the company restructure finances, refurbish cold rooms, increase the number of depots and introduce a product, Tampico, a fruit drink which became an instant success in the market. Mr. Steen Ha dsbjerg (Danish) is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company in Nigeria. Fan Milk Plc has sister companies in Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire. The headquarter of the foreign partners, Fan Milk International, is situated in Aalborg, Denmark.

In 1986, South African mass media company, Naspers, along Ugbe with several other South African media companies, formed the entertainment entity known as M-Net. In October 1993, M-Net was divided into two companies – one dealing with the delivery of entertainment channels, the other oversaw subscriber management, signal distribution, and cellphone operations. MultiChoice South Africa has, over the years, grown out of this subscriber management division. Today, it’s the leading pay TV operator in South Africa and services some five million subscribers in Nigeria and other countries. The company sources channels from around the world, as well as channels produced in South Africa, which are put into packages to suit a variety of viewing tastes and pockets. These range from Basic to Premium, as well as niche packages for the Indian and Portuguese communities. Through DStv, MultiChoice offers entertainment everywhere, thanks to value-added services such as DStv Mobile, DStv Catch Up and BoxOffice. MultiChoice Africa is based in Dubai and provides multi-channel pay TV and subscriber management services in 50 countries across sub-Sahara Africa and the adjacent Indian Ocean islands. MultiChoice Africa’s digital DStv service features over 200 video channels and up to 65 audio channels with a strong focus on local content. As pioneers in pay TV in Africa, MultiChoice played an important role in making information and entertainment easily accessible, and as an African business, investments have brought both social and economic benefits to the communities where they operate through access to information, job opportunities, partnerships and training. As a group, MultiChoice is home to some of the most well-known brands and services on the continent including DStv, M-Net, SuperSport, DStv Media Sales, DStv Digital Media, MWEB, and lately, GOtv. Mr. John Ugbe is the Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, who recently disclosed that the company had invested over N1.5 billion on developing and acquiring content locally in the last 10 years, thereby fighting against capital flight in the country.

40 Special Report

The story of Zinox is like that of a mustard seed. Founded in 2001 by a team of ICT techEkeh nocrats led by Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Zinox has flourished into one of the leading ICT Ecosystems in Africa. The company has strong interests in computer hardware manufacturing, distribution, critical ICT solution, telecoms and world-class after-sales support. This is why Zinox is today rated as a leading Integrated ICT solutions Group in Africa. Though firmly grounded in West Africa, Zinox’s aspiration is to become the preferred IT brand in Africa and beyond. As an international company with over 20 offices spread across West Africa, it adheres strictly to internationally-accepted industry standards, ensuring that every facet of its operations is in conformity with these standards. The company’s products and services are certified by the International Standards Organisation (ISO), Microsoft Corporation, Intel Corporation, the FCC, as well as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and Information Technology Association of Nigeria (TAN). The International Data Corporation (IDC) of United States has also included Zinox as the only Nigeria ICT company in its quarterly surveys, hence the IDC’s recent rating of Zinox Notebooks as the best-selling in Nigeria.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

facilities across the country towards providing seamless services to its growing subscribers. The company’s leadership position in network investment, coverage, expansion and state-of-the-art infrastructure is evident in its huge investment in the Nigerian economy with over 58 million telecoms subscribers relying on the network for their voice and data services. As a result of the massive investment, MTN Nigeria today has the most expansive network coverage, spread across 3,649 cities, towns and villages in all 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory. MTN also provides network coverage to 74.56 per cent of Nigeria’s land mass, while about 87.15 per cent of the population have access to MTN services. Today, MTN is also Nigeria’s leading ICT company, employing over 5,800 staff, with Nigerians accounting for 99 per cent of this number. MTN operates an extensive distribution chain with 78 trade partners and an information distribution chain of over 450 walk-in centres across Nigeria, where it has also invested over N10 billion in corporate social activities cutting across economic empowerment, education and health. Recently, MTN Group struck a deal with the connectivity company, Alcatel-Lucent, to build a 100-gigabit persecond fibre optic network for MTN Nigeria by using its 1,830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) system. The telecom company plans to use the extra capacity to offer wholesale services to other providers in the country where its network already covers 88.8 per cent of Nigeria’s land mass.

Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services (EMTS), trading as Etisalat, is Willsher a company duly incorporated under the laws of Nigeria in partnership with Mubadala Development Company and Etisalat of the United Arab Emirates. It acquired the Unified Access License from the Federal Government in January 2007. The licence includes a mobile license and spectrum in the GSM 1800 and 900 MHz bands. Etisalat acquired a 40 per cent stake in EMTS and is now the operator of the Unified Access License. Etisalat has been the telecommunications service provider in the United Arab Emirates since 1976 and has footprints in 18 countries traversing the Middle East, Asia and Africa. As at May 2014, Etisalat claimed it had invested over $1 billion in the Nigerian telecommunications industry. Beginning full commercial operations in October 2008, Etisalat on September 26, 2011, launched its 3.75G HSPA+ network in Nigeria. The 3.75G HPSA+ network enables super fast broadband services for both personal and business needs. Etisalat Nigeria has seen unprecedented growth in the Nigerian telecoms industry with 20 million subscribers and consistently demonstrates its core values of – teamwork, integrity, passion for excellence, and empowering people as it offers them world-class telecommunications services. Under its current Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mathew Wilsher, Etisalat is vigorously investing heavily in both infrastructure expansion as well as in its own human resources.

Globacom is Africa’s fastest growing telecommunications company. Adenuga Owned by the Mike Adenuga Group, Globacom is the market leading mobile service provider in Nigeria. Launched in Nigeria in 2004, Globacom has significantly grown its subscriber base to over 27 million, according to the latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (CC), making it the second largest telecoms company in Nigeria after MTN. Today, Globacom has extended its operation to the Republic of Benin and Ghana, acquired licences to operate in the Ivory Coast. Globacom, which has invested several billions of naira in network expansion, especially in Nigeria, has a reputation as one of the fastest-growing mobile service providers in the world even as the company aims to be recognised as the biggest and best mobile network in Africa. Globacom has the record of investing in the deployment of the first successful submarine cable, Glo-1, from the United Kingdom to Nigeria, and Glo is the first individual African company to embark on such a project. Glo-1 has the potential to provide high speed internet services, faster, more reliable and cheaper telecom services to the public. Glo-1, which is currently facilitating foreign investment and employment opportunities especially to Africans, has been spurring economic development in Nigeria and beyond. The 9,800 km long cable originates from Bude in the United Kingdom and it is laid from this origin to Alpha Beach in Lagos, where it has its landing station. Today, Glo-1 is improving teleconferencing, distance learning, disaster recovery and telemedicine, among several other benefits for Nigerians and the people of West Africa. Over the years, Globacom has directed its Corporate Social Responsibility investment at developing sport and education sectors, both locally and at the international level.

Currently led by Mike Ikpoki as the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, the country’s Ikpoki largest telecoms network, has invested over $13 billion (about N2 trillion) to date in fixed assets and

Airtel Nigeria, a leading mobile telecommunications services provider in the country Ogunsanya is a member of Airtel Africa Group, committed to providing innovative, exciting, affordable and

quality mobile services to Nigerians, giving them the freedom to communicate, rise above their daily challenges and drive economic and social development. Launched in 2001 under the brand name Econet and as the first telecoms operator to commence commercial GSM services in the country, Airtel is today listed by the industry regulator as the third largest telecom network, with over 26 million active telecoms subscriptions. Airtel Nigeria has invested enormous resources in upgrading its network infrastructure and has made significant capital expenditure investment towards improving network quality. In the last two years, Airtel Nigeria has invested in excess of $1.2 billion dollars to expand and deepen network capacity and quality in Nigeria, in pursuit of world class quality of service (QoS). To deepen Airtel Nigeria’s network capacity and coverage, which is the next frontier in the telecoms industry growth, it rolled out the 3.75G platforms, offering high speed mobile Internet, across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. Airtel Nigeria is also the first telecoms company to complete Long Term Evolution (LTE) trial in Lagos and also the first to introduce High Definition (HD) Voice Service. This stands as a testimony to Airtel’s great efforts in terms of massive investment and desire to empower Nigerians with innovative and relevant telecommunications services and solutions. A truly innovative company, Airtel has showed resilience, charting new paths in meeting the demands and needs of its esteemed stakeholders, especially under the current management led by Mr Segun Ogunsanya as the Managing Director. Today, Airtel stands out as corporate entity that continuously makes a positive impact in the communities in which it operates through the expansion of its networks to rural areas and through an extremely robust Corporate Social Responsibility programme to uplift underprivileged children in poor, rural communities.

Computer Warehouse Group Plc., which commenced Okere operations in September, 1992 as Computer Warehouse Limited with only four staff members to undertake hardware projects, was founded by Mr Austin Okere, who also doubles as its Group Chief Executive Officer. Five years later, DCC Networks, the communications arm of the group, was established to provide VSAT, Metropolitan, Wide Area and Local Area networks to corporate organisations. In 1999, based on the existing demands in the area of software solutions, system and training, ExpertEdge Software was acquired. In pursuit of its pan-African vision, CWG has established its regional offices in West, East and Central Africa with CWG Ghana Limited (2003), CWG Uganda Limited (2010) and CWG Cameroon Limited (2012) created to handle the business interest of these regions. On March 6, 2012, CWG merged with its three subsidiaries: CWL Systems, ExpertEdge Software and DCC Networks, leaving CWG as the only surviving entity within the group and the subsidiaries becoming divisions. Since then, the group has evolved into an IT powerhouse with a focus on enabling businesses through strategic partnerships with world-class organisations. In February, 2013, CWG ceased to be a Private Limited Company and became a Public Company. On November 15 of the same year, the company listed its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The listing boosted the market capitalisation of the NSE by about N14 billion, making CWG PLC the highest capitalised security in the ICT sector. CWG Plc listing also marked the first listing on the exchange after the launch of the X-Gen trading engine- the same engine that is used on the NASDAQ. Today, with an annual turnover of $130 million, CWG Plc remains one of fast-growing ICT conglomerates in Nigeria with strong pan-African expansion vision, while it continues to diversify into deploying latest technology to drive development in all the sectors of the economy.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY DECEMBER 16, 2014

Leisure Arcade NUTS

NTPuzzle

By Kaycee

Look for these words in the diagram below:

MAMA LASISI

By Aliu Eroje

MOYIN & FRIENDS

By Ayo Oyerinde

Affordable homes

Jobs

Nutrition

Gardens

Living wage

Safe water

Healthcare

Maternal health

Tax credits

W N

0 W S

S W S

H W P

Y W N

0 W

M N

Y W A

L W Y

P W E

R W D

R W B

D M

u W Y

NTJokes LAGOS POLICE AND PASTOR

SUDOKU - Answer to No 13

SUDOKU - No 14 7

4 7

5 8

1 3

6 6

8 7

6 5

How to play

Sudoku

ALIU EROJE

CHIEF CARTOONIST aliu.eroje@newtelegraphonline.com

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.

On Lagos-Ibadan express road, when a Pastor met a team of policemen who, quite naturally, wanted ‘something’ from him. Since he was not prepared to play their games, they asked for his papers and having combed through everything without any offence with which to nail the ‘stubborn’ pastor, they now asked him to open the bonnet of his car. A careful scrutiny of the engine number against what was on paper revealed that letter ‘U’ was written in such a way that it could be mistaken for letter ‘V’. That was all the officer-in-charge needed to shout “stolen vehicle!” Sensing trouble, even when he knew he committed no offence, the pastor called the OC to say he was a priest to which the officer replied :”Please, leave that pastor thing... in any case, if you are indeed a pastor, then you must have a Bible in your car, bring it.” The Pastor did as was commanded after which the officer now ordered: “Please read Matthew 5:25-26 to me”. The incredulous Pastor opened to the recommended passage and read: “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to a judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth; you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” The man of God quietly made an “offering” of “just” N100 to his newly found “preacher”. “End of service go in peace and argue no more”, said the OC.

Business | Money Line

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bankers’ Committee moves to boost economy MORE FUNDING

Banks to channel more finance into the MSME sectors of the economy Godson Ikoro

he Bankers’ Committee has resolved to massively channel resources into agriculture, power and Micro Small and Medium (MSME) sectors of the economy in a renewed drive to boost the country’s import substitution and diversification strategies in 2015. This was predicated on the recent depreciation of the local currency, the naira, as the bankers see the MSME sector as the next growth area in the economy provided it is given full attention and support. These were the highpoints of the communiqué issued at the end of the 6th annual Bankers’ Committee Retreat convened in Calabar from the 12th—14th December 2014. The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin

Emefiele, the Deputy Governors, together with Chief Executive Officers of deposit money banks, discount houses and development finance institutions, attended the retreat whose theme was “Financing Real Sector Growth in Nigeria”. Other participants included the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akin Adesina, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, as well as financial industry experts from within and outside Nigeria. The papers presented at the confab suggested clearly a deliberate attempt to craft an allencompassing strategic architecture towards realising inclusive growth and job creation through financing the real sector. This explained the invitation extended the Ministers of Power and Steel, Agriculture and their Industry and Trade counterpart and operators in the SME sector to discuss the experiences and challenges inherent in providing finance to

these sectors. At the retreat, Emefiele, and top bankers in the country, brainstorm on economic diversification and better ways of financing the real sector in Nigeria. At the end of the exercise, the bankers rose with the agreement to put in place, a mechanism for channeling more finance into the micro, small and medium enterprises sector of the economy. They also expressed full conviction in the fact that the long-term suc-

cess of the banking sector lies in the growth of these sectors; noting that the skew in the distribution of credit facilities in the country. About 100 companies in the country account for more than 75 percent of the loans, which the banks offer in the country. It would be recalled that the CBN Governor on assumption of office unveiled an agenda, which included focus and facilitating rapid growth in three key sectors of Power, Agriculture and the MSMEs.

Kunle Azeez

ower oil prices, the challenge of managing a more volatile currency, and an increasingly violent insurgency in the country’s north, will weaken Nigeria’s economic growth in 2015, a report from Standard Chartered Bank has said. This had earlier been corroborated by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who said that the monetary tightening will shrink growth to around 5.3 per cent. This will delay some infrastructure, and will force the country to tax a booming informal econ-

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

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

critical focus sector of the financial system. In this regard, the CBN, in cooperation with the Nigerian banks, affirmed commitment to maintain and improve impact of existing programmes that support development in the Agricultural Sector, including the Agricultural Credit Support Scheme (ACSS), the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS), and the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

Nigeria’s growth to slow in 2015 -StanChart omy that has long escaped oversight. The report anchored by Standard Chartered Bank’s Head, Macro Research, Marios Maratheftis, said elections in Nigeria are typically accompanied by some economic pump-priming. “But with elections due in mid-February, it is unlikely that spending ahead of the polls will be able to lift growth substantially. Oil price volatility will reduce the resources available for spending,” she said. According to the report, “Oil contributes only 14.4 per cent to rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But it contributes 96 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, and about 70 per cent of consolidated government revenue. “Longer-term, there is much on which to pin hopes of more robust growth. Nigeria has seen significant investment growth recently. Power-sector reforms and improvements to infrastructure will help lift non-oil growth. Manufacturing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has increased, attracted by the

scale of Nigeria’s consumer market. “With only one-third of Nigeria’s adult population banked, there is much scope still for financial deepening. Credible plans are underway to boost domestic refining capacity. Near-term, however, we expect below-trend growth, given rising challenges and few fiscal buffers in place.” The report noted that increased shale production has contributed to Nigeria’s structural challenges. “In 2008, the United States was still Nigeria’s largest export market, buying 45 per cent of Nigerian oil. In 2015, Nigeria is unlikely to sell any oil to the United States and will instead seek other markets, where it is unlikely to obtain a premium on the light, sweet crude long preferred by east coast refiners. “Economic adjustment is inevitable in the medium term, and lower oil prices should accelerate the pace of reform. Passage of the longdelayed Petroleum Industry Bill is hoped for, post-election, in order to unlock new investment in Nigeria’s oil sector.

Overnight rate rises to 60% on NNPC withdrawal

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

Specifically, the Committee noted that four basic commodities that are consumed by Nigerians - rice, wheat, fish and sugar jointly account for a significant amount of the country’s annual import bill. The Committee was convinced that the nation has the capacity to produce these consumables in required amounts to meet Nigeria’s domestic consumption needs; with its attendant impact on GDP and job creation, agriculture remains a

igeria’s interbank overnight lending rates spiked 15 percentage points yesterday to 60 percent, from 45 percent last Friday, after the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recalled a portion of its deposits with commercial lenders to its account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), traders said. NNPC last week sold about $300 billion to some lenders as part of its usual month-end dollar sales and put the naira proceeds into its account with the apex bank. “Lending rates went up today because of the NNPC

cash recall and payments for foreign exchange purchased at the central bank auction,” one dealer told Bloomberg news. The cost of borrowing among banks has oscillated between a high of 70 percent and a low of 14 percent since last month, when the CBN hiked the cash reserve requirement (CRR) on private sector deposits with commercial lenders to 20 percent, from 15 percent. It also raised interest rates by 100 basis points to 13 percent, both moves to support the ailing naira, which has lost about 13 percent of its value this year.

Business | Financial Market News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

15-Dec-14

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

535.00 573.89 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 396.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 150.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,730.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,398.88

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.35 1.67 2.37 2.61 2.71 3.46 4.54 4.86 7.12 9.25 13.95 14.43 14.93 15.60 19.59

13.70 15.11 15.02 15.06 15.06 15.04 15.00 15.01 14.96 14.25 13.63 13.61 13.58 14.07 14.64

13.25 15.00 14.94 14.98 14.98 14.91 14.91 14.90 14.89 14.19 13.58 13.56 13.52 14.01 14.59

96.69 97.00 100.10 89.03 87.64 88.61 103.20 73.05 106.10 99.70 108.46 93.00 67.82 74.50 84.00

96.84 97.15 100.25 89.18 87.79 88.91 103.50 73.35 106.40 100.00 108.76 93.30 68.12 74.80 84.30

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

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 3.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.44 1.18 1.98 2.35 2.56

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

15.66 17.16 17.13 16.08 16.06

93.53 100.19 98.17 95.44 92.38

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

322.97

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

308.94

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.71

4.44

17.94

96.47

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.55

3.23

16.02

99.29

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.84

4.46

18.51

96.14

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.84

3.48

17.55

98.34

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.34

5.59

20.67

80.88

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.39

1.00

16.03

97.09

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.04

1.79

16.84

93.43

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.22

1.80

16.90

95.07

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.80

1.00

16.03

94.32

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.42

1.00

16.07

97.07

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.42

4.78

19.85

89.61

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.60

1.00

16.06

96.95

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

16.23

02-Oct-19

2.85

1.00

16.05

99.00

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

4.94

1.00

16.00

94.96

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

26.62

12-Dec-19

2.92

2.74

17.79

93.52

14.75

11.40

10-Oct-20

3.37

1.00

16.04

96.84

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.95

1.00

15.98

90.68

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

6.04

1.94

16.92

92.89

A/Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.78

31-Dec-20

3.53

1.44

16.48

95.00

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.79

06-Jan-21

3.56

1.95

16.99

95.02

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

468.62 434.77

Corporate Bonds Aa/Agusto Nil

GTB NGC

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.01

5.21

22.12

99.92

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.04

8.71

25.27

99.56

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.43

4.88

18.00

96.85

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

9.34

09-Dec-15

0.74

1.00

14.63

98.31

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.58

2.63

15.56

99.24

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.79

1.00

16.12

95.25

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.86

1.34

16.46

96.51

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.79

1.00

16.05

93.28

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.81

1.88

17.00

102.36

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.82

3.48

18.60

96.48

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

1.98

5.20

20.33

96.72

AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

1.98

5.06

20.19

101.85

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.77

1.35

16.38

93.43

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

2.09

2.29

17.41

97.50

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.17

6.11

21.22

93.24

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.04

2.16

17.21

97.35

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

#{r}

*DANA

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.92

2.76

17.74

91.06

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.79

1.00

14.72

85.67

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.79

1.00

14.72

92.42

Nil

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

139.80

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

133.09

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

3.16

1.00

16.05

85.90

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.38

1.00

16.02

85.83

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.42

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

7.31

6.96

97.26

98.96

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.39

5.92

96.02

97.48

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.40

7.14

93.58

95.15

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,434.32

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

8.33

103.30

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.73

103.75

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.47

99.48

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

10.88

10.39

88.86

90.14

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

7.87

7.07

93.83

96.40

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

9.66

102.00

102.00 95.50

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.48

95.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

11.86

11.13

89.50

91.83

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

8.53

98.00

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

10.72

82.25

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

24-Jun-14

9.25

400.00

24-Jun-21

11.39

11.21

90.50

91.25

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

10.16

89.00

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

9.36

8.80

96.17

98.83

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

AFREN PLC III

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC II

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,529.19

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

FIXINGS Maturity 25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15 8-Jan-15 15-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15

Bid Discount (%) 13.75 17.25 16.80 15.45 13.81 14.55 14.60 13.94

Offer Discount (%) 13.50 17.00 16.55 15.20 13.56 14.30 14.35 13.69

Bid Yield (%) 13.80 17.39 16.99 15.66 14.01 14.82 14.91 14.26

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 34.2533 17.0578 17.4363 17.8219

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

42.50

O/N Tenor Call 1M

47.08

REPO

Rate (%) 28.33 27.07

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

178.65 179.08 179.36 180.02 181.23 182.44

178.75 179.18 179.49 180.46 182.18 183.87

Sub-National Bonds

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.71

4.44

17.94

96.47

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.55

3.23

16.02

99.29

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.84

4.46

18.51

96.14

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.84

3.48

17.55

98.34

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.34

5.59

20.67

80.88

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.39

1.00

16.03

97.09

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.04

1.79

16.84

93.43

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.22

1.80

16.90

95.07

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.42

1.00

16.07

97.07

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.42

4.78

19.85

89.61

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.60

1.00

16.06

96.95

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

16.23

02-Oct-19

2.85

1.00

16.05

99.00

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

4.94

1.00

16.00

94.96

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

26.62

12-Dec-19

2.92

2.74

17.79

93.52

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.40

10-Oct-20

3.37

1.00

16.04

96.84

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.95

1.00

15.98

90.68

Business | Capital Market

A/Agusto; A-/GCR NOTIFICATION

*ONDO

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

Aa-/Agusto; Skye BankAA-/GCR notifies A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Stock Nigerian Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR Exchange A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH 3.80 1.00 16.03 94.32

SEC okays acquisition of Mainstreet Bank

LAGOS

31-Dec-13 15.00 Stock KOGI 31-DEC-2020 to the Nigerian Ex- agement Corporation of 31-Dec-13 A/Agusto *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 Nigeria (AMCON), Skye change (NSE) disclosed 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWA 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 that its intention to ac- Bank Limited has reTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE quire Mainstreet Bank ceived a “No Objection” Stories by Chris Ugwu TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION had been endorsed by SEC. letter from the Securities Corporate Bonds he Securities and “Greenwich Trust and Exchange Commis13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 18-Dec-09 Aa/Agusto GTB Exchange ComLimited, acting on behalf sion (SEC),” the stateµ 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 01-Apr-10 NGC Nil mission (SEC) of Skye Bank Plc, notiment noted. 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC has finally apIn view of the above, fied the Nigerian Stock 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 A-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS proved Skye Bank Plc’s Exchange that to06-JAN-2016 Skye Bank Plc and its 14.00further CHELLARAMS BB+/GCR 06-Jan-11 *CHELLARAMS 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 advisers intend to 29-Sep-11 comacquisition of MainExchange A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO its letter to the 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 FSDH street Bank - one of the in which it formally noti- mence the completion 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA bridged banks taken fied the Exchange of the phase of the acquisition C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING overBBB-/GCR by the Asset Manintention of 18.00 Skye Bank exercise and will duly noMPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil *DANA#{r} agement Corporation of tify The Exchange upon # Plc to acquire stake in MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR *TOWER Nigeria (AMCON). BankTOWER Limfulfillment of all condi9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWER# Mainstreet MPR+5.25 UBA II Man22-SEP-2018 tions precedent to A/Agusto; A/GCRin a notice 22-Sep-11 Skye Bank ited from the14.00 Asset the UBA 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR 18-Oct-13 *LA CASERA transaction. # KOGI

15.00 5.00 Meanwhile, the Finan14.50 4.78 cial Reporting Council 15.00 4.79 (FRC) had disclosed its 468.62 readiness to probe the 434.77 sale of the bridged banks by the Asset Management 13.50 13.17 Corporation of Nigeria 17.00 2.00 (AMCON) next year. 10.00 3.61 The12.00 Chief Executive 9.34 Officer of the FRC, 14.00 0.60 Mr. Jim Obazee, speaking 13.00 15.00 at 14.25 organised 5.53 for a retreat 13.00 20.00 journalists by the council 18.00 0.64 in Lagos at the weekend, 16.00 6.30 said the affected banks 18.00 2.90 are Mainstreet Bank 16.00 0.80 14.00Enterprise 35.00 Limited, Bank 15.75 and Keystone 2.40 Limited

31-Dec-20 6.04 16.92 Bank Limited, which 1.94 whether it is the 92.89 case of 31-Dec-20 3.53 1.44 16.48 95.00 would be sold next year. a weaker bank buying a 06-Jan-21 3.56 1.95 16.99 95.02 Until last month, the stronger bank, we want to three banks were wholly determine whether it is a owned by AMCON. How- reversed acquisition and ever, the corporation re- see how they accounted 18-Dec-14sold Enterprise 0.01 5.21 for it in22.12 99.92 cently their books. 31-Dec-14 0.04 8.71 25.27 99.56 Bank to Heritage Bank They have to report it 17-Aug-15 0.43 4.88 18.00 96.85 Limited and Mainstreet correctly in their books 09-Dec-15 0.74 1.00 14.63 98.31 Bank acquisi06-Jan-16to Skye 0.58 Bank, 2.63 as a reversed 15.56 99.24 through it is one.95.25 Other29-Sep-16 a bid process. 1.79 1.00 tion if 16.12 25-Oct-16 1.86that the 1.34 wise, we 16.46will withdraw 96.51 Obazee noted 30-Sep-17 16.05 93.28 statement council wants to2.79 examine1.00 the financial 30-Nov-17 1.81 1.88 17.00 102.36 the books of the banks and ask them to go and 09-Apr-18 1.82 3.48 18.60 96.48 involved in the recent report it correctly . There 09-Sep-18 1.98 5.20 20.33 96.72 acquisition of 1.98bridged5.06 is a whole action 09-Sep-18 20.19 lot of101.85 22-Sep-18 3.77 1.35 we can 16.38 take on 93.43 them,” banks. 18-Oct-18 97.50 “We want 2.09 to know2.29 he said.17.41

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.17

6.11

21.22

93.24

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.04

2.16

17.21

97.35

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.92

2.76

17.74

91.06

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.79

1.00

14.72

85.67

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.79

1.00

14.72

92.42

‘NSE committed for African development’

Stock market extends losing streak

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

he Nigerian Stock manipulation from all Supranational Bond(NSE) quarters of our operaExchange 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC has said it is poised tion,” Onyema assured. 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB to champion the acceleraHe said that the NSE TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE has signed a Memorantion of Africa’s economic TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION development. dum of Understanding The Chief Executive (MoU) with the Economic Rating/Agency Issuer Officer, NSE Mr. Oscar and Financial Crime Com-Description Onyema, stated this at mission (EFCC) to increase FGN Eurobonds the inductionceremony cooperation and communi6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P qualified for the recently cation in the fight against dealing clerks. financial crimes in the BB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 HeBB-/S&P said the Exchange Capital Market. BB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 has BB-/S&P continued to operHe advised the qualiate aTOTAL fair,OUTSTANDING orderly and fied stockbrokers to VALUE transparent market that maintain high level of TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION brings together the best transparency, adding that of African enterprises the investing community Corporate Eurobonds and the will know and judge the 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch;local B-/S&P and global AFREN PLC I investor communities. Nigerian Capital Market 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I through their example in “ItB+/S&P is no longer news 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 ACCESS BANK PLC character and service. 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 that B/Fitch; we B/S&P are maintainFIDELITY BANK PLC 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P ing and will continueGTBANK to PLC Onyema noted that 10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch zero tolerance AFREN PLC II the manner in which maintain 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC they engage, interface for frivolous practices 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC and B/Fitch; by deploying reqand service their clients 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC uisite technology and would go a long way in 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III expertise we will curb shaping the perception 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II and B-/Fitch; arrest any form FIRST of BANK ofLTD the market. 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B/S&P B-/S&P

he Nigerian equity mar- 133.09 sis points or 0.89 per cent to ket yesterday plunged close at 30,4912.30, as against further following mas- 30,763.38 recorded the previ11-Feb-13 11-Feb-18 3.16 sive sell-off that had10.20 persisted 12.00 ous day, while the market 10-Jul-14 01-Feb-21 4.38 capitalisation of equities on the local bourse11.25 since the 12.95 prices of oil in the interna- 24.95 depreciated by N90 billion or 21.42 0.89 per cent, as market sentitional market nose-dived. ment remained red. Market watchers believe itOutstanding Value Issue Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) is not yet time for investors ($mm)Meanwhile, a turnover of to get respite from investment 372.6 million shares worth depletion, as low sentiment N3 billion in 4,179 deals was 7.31 might07-Oct-11 persist given6.75the cur- 500.00 recorded in28-Jan-21 the day’s trading. the previous6.39day, rent 12-Jul-13 upset in the 5.13 financial 500.00Just as in12-Jul-18 market arising from the de- the banking sub-sector of the 12-Jul-13 of the naira, 6.38 12-Jul-23 sector7.40 financial services was valuation the 500.00 the most active (measured by build up to 2015 elections and 1,500.00 security issues in the country. turnover volume); with 124.2 1,434.32 The key benchmark in- million shares worth N1.2 bildices maintained negative lion exchanged by investors trajectory the red, 450.00 in 1,482 deals. 01-Feb-11to close in 11.50 01-Feb-16 8.33 as activities in the shares of 500.00Volume in the banking4.73 sub19-May-11 7.50 19-May-16 blue chip companies7.25dragged 350.00 sector was 25-Jul-17 largely driven 25-Jul-12 7.47 by down09-May-13 the equity market. activities in02-May-18 the shares of 6.88 300.00 10.88Ze08-Nov-13 activities 6.00 on the 400.00 08-Nov-18 nith Bank and UBA Plc. 7.87 Trading 08-Apr-19 9.66 floor 08-Apr-12 of Exchange10.25 had also 300.00Also, other financial services 22-Apr-14 6.25 22-Apr-19 7.48 closed in red last Friday fol- 500.00 sub sector, boosted by activity 21-May-14 8.75 21-May-19 11.86 lowing negative sentiment of 200.00 in the shares of FBNH Plc, fol07-Aug-13 8.25 300.00 07-Aug-20 8.53 lowed with a turnover of 108.5 investors. 09-Dec-13 6.63 360.00 09-Dec-20 10.72 Consequently, the All- 400.00 million shares valued at11.39 N722 24-Jun-14 9.25 24-Jun-21 Share23-Jul-14 Index dipped 8.00 271.08 ba- 450.00 million in 749 deals. 23-Jul-21 10.16

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

139.80

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

9.36

8.80

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

14-Aug-21

The number of gainers at the close of trading session was 24, while decliners closed at 29. 1.00 16.05 Oil and Gas equities85.90 gained 1.00 16.02 85.83 1.44 per cent on average, according to the NSE Oil/Gas Index. Petroleum products distributor, Forte Oil, which Offer Yield (%) Offer Price advanced Bid byPrice 4.49 per cent to close at N216.90 per share, priPrices & Yields marily caused this. Similarly, 6.96NSE Insurance 97.26 98.96 rose the Index by5.921.52 per96.02 cent, which was 97.48 driven by shares of risk un7.14 93.58 95.15 derwriter, Wapic Insurance that advanced by 5.26 per cent to close at N0.60 per share. According to the NSE Banking Index, banking equities declined by 1.45 8.33 103.30 103.30 per cent due to shares of 4.73 partly103.75 103.75 financial services 99.48 player, 7.47 99.48 United Bank88.86 for Africa, which 10.39 90.14 7.07 93.83 slumped 6.86 per cent96.40 to close 102.00 pasta 102.00 at9.66 N3.80. Major maker 7.48 95.50 95.50 and flour miller, Flourmills of11.13 Nigeria, 89.50 unraveled91.83 by 9.70 8.53 98.00 98.00 per cent, partly inducing the 10.72 82.25 82.25 1.58 per cent slid of the NSE 11.21 90.50 91.25 Consumer Goods Index. 10.16 89.00 89.00 96.17

98.83

15-Dec-14

4,529.19

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 **Treasury Bills financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided FIXINGS Money Market constitute professional, “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up to & date. We do not Foreign Exchange (Spot Forwards) DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) for a particular Offer Discount (%) of any of Bidthe Yield (%) Tenor (%) on the basis of the Information. guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness purpose Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any actionRate taken NIBOR FGN

10 17 24 Bonds 31 38 45 Rating/Agency 52 59 66 73 80 87 101 108 115 NA 122 129 136 143 150 234 262 353

25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15 8-Jan-15 15-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15 Issuer 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 NA 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 14-May-15 6-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 3-Dec-15

13.75 17.25 16.80 15.45 13.81 14.55 Description 14.60 13.94 4.00 23-APR-2015 14.40 13.05 16-AUG-2016 13.20 15.10 27-APR-2017 13.05 9.85 27-JUL-2017 13.90 9.35 31-AUG-2017 13.58 13.90 10.70 30-MAY-2018 14.10 16.00 29-JUN-2019 13.20 7.00 23-OCT-2019 13.85 16.39 27-JAN-2022 12.52 14.20 14-MAR-2024 11.97 15.00 28-NOV-2028 11.53 12.49 22-MAY-2029 12.86 8.50 20-NOV-2029 12.50 10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.30

13.50 17.00 16.55 15.20 13.56 14.30 Issue Date 14.35 13.69 23-Apr-10 14.15 16-Aug-13 12.95 27-Apr-12 12.80 27-Jul-07 13.65 31-Aug-07 13.33 13.65 30-May-08 13.85 29-Jun-12 12.95 23-Oct-09 13.60 27-Jan-12 12.27 14-Mar-14 11.72 28-Nov-08 11.28 22-May-09 12.61 20-Nov-09 12.25 23-Jul-10 13.05

12.1493 18-JUL-2034

13.80 17.39 16.99 15.66 14.01 14.82 Coupon (%) 14.91 14.26 4.00 14.78 13.05 13.56 15.10 13.43 9.85 14.38 9.35 14.11 14.50 10.70 14.76 16.00 13.81 7.00 14.56 16.39 13.13 14.20 12.56 15.00 12.10 12.49 14.02 8.50 13.73 10.00 15.26

Bonds

18-Jul-14

12.1493

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

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

(N'bn)

OBB

Rate (%) 34.2533 17.0578 17.4363 17.8219

O/N

Maturity Date

535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 16-Aug-16 573.89 452.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 14.2408 100.00 31-Aug-17 2M 14.4588 3M 14.5498 300.00 30-May-18 6M 14.7350 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 14.9927 233.90 23-Oct-19 15.4068 12M 600.00 27-Jan-22 396.68 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 NIFEX 22-May-29 150.00 200.00Current Price ($/N) 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 BID($/N) 179.2000 18-Jul-34 OFFER150.00 ($/N) 179.3000

47.08

Tenor Call 1M 0.35 3M 1.67 6M

REPO

TTM (Yrs)

Rate (%) 28.33 27.07 13.70 26.99 15.11 28.31

Bid Yield (%)

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D Offer 1MYield 2M (%) 3M 13.25 6M 15.00 1Y

2.37 15.02 14.94 2.61 15.06 14.98 2.71 15.06 14.98 :Benchmarks 3.46 15.04 14.91 * :Amortising 4.54 Bond 15.00 14.91 µ :Convertible 4.86 Bond 15.01 14.90 AMCON: 7.12 Asset Management 14.96 Corporation of Nigeria 14.89 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 9.25 14.25 14.19 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 13.95 13.63 13.58 IFC: International Finance Corporation 14.43 13.61 13.56 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 13.58 Company13.52 NAHCO:14.93 Nigerian Aviation Handling 15.60 14.07 14.01 O/N: Overnight 19.59 14.64 Company 14.59 UPDC: UAC Property Development NOTE:

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

178.65 178.75 Price 179.18 179.08 179.36 179.49 180.02 180.46 Bid Price Offer Price 181.23 182.18 182.44 183.87 96.69 96.84 186.60 189.43 97.00 97.15 195.47 200.78

100.10 100.25 89.03 89.18 87.64 87.79 NA :Not88.61 Applicable 88.91 # :Floating Rate Bond 103.50 103.20 ***: Deferred 73.05coupon bonds 73.35 106.10 106.40 †: Bond rating expired 99.70 100.00 N/A :Not Available 108.46 108.76 {r} :Issuer in receivership 93.00 93.30 67.82 68.12 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 74.50Bank for Africa 74.80 UBA: United 84.00 84.30

WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

4,730.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration

42.50

4,398.88

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

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Agency Bonds 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 Total Outstanding Modified Duration Buckets0.00/16.50 PorfolioLCRM Market Value(Bn) ***LCRM II 20-APR-2017 Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 FMBN

Coupon (%)

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,372.46

1,377.98

44.22

46.19

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3<5

1,032.09

996.68

31.98

34.74

566.72

741.57

23.80

19.07

2,971.27

3,116.23

Sub-National Bonds

Market

100.00

Outstanding Value (N'bn) 24.56 INDEX

3.00 112.22 Bucket Weighting 116.70 66.49

322.97 0.44 308.94

100.00

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

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

0.44 1.18 1.98 Implied 2.35Yield 2.56

Risk Premium (%) 2.63 2.27 2.00 Implied 1.00 Portfolio Price 1.00

Valuation Yield (%)

15.66 17.16 17.13 INDEX 16.08 16.06

Indicative Price

93.53 100.19 98.17 YTD Return 95.44 (%) 92.38

23.23

15.04

116.9167

1,110.47

0.32

36.91

14.65

122.0852

1,033.77

3.3771

0.24

39.86

14.20

88.9970

1,040.53

4.0532

14.56

111.9257

1.00

100.00

1,068.79

11.0470

6.8793

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.71

4.44

17.94

96.47

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.55

3.23

16.02

99.29

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.84

4.46

18.51

96.14

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.84

3.48

17.55

98.34

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.34

5.59

20.67

80.88

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.39

1.00

16.03

97.09

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.04

1.79

16.84

93.43

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.22

1.80

16.90

95.07

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.80

1.00

16.03

94.32

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Features Stamping out gender violence EBERE AMEH examines the issues raised and the solutions proffered by groups and individuals during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, a yearly activity proposed by the United Nations

abel is a 43-year-old woman. She has a job which she cherishes. She is highly respected by her peers and colleagues. She also has three adorable children who are doing well in school. Mabel is very active in her church and is a member of two professional associations. She is even thinking of going in for president of one of the associations. Everyday around 5pm, Mabel starts to find her way home. When she is in the car, she goes through her papers and even though she tries to occupy herself with her documents, her heart keeps pounding. The closer she is to home, the faster her heart pounds. On this particular day that Mabel was going home, she hoped she was not going to do or say something that was going to offend her husband, so that she would get yet another beating. She prayed as she got closer; ‘even if he will beat me, please, it should not be my face; God, let it not be my face’. She was concerned about her face because the following morning, she has to deliver a judgement. Mabel is a high court judge. Ada woke up screaming again. Her fiancé, Uche, looked at her in concern ‘what is it!, what is it!’ Ada said it was nothing, ‘just another bad dream’. But it was not just a bad dream. Ada was lured out that night on campus to a den of cult members, by someone she thought was a friend. She was raped serially by the cult members. Thereafter, her ‘friend’ told her ‘you should consider yourself lucky, when I was initiated into their cult, 10 men slept with me. You are lucky, yours was only eight’. Since then, Ada wakes up every other night, screaming. She does

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

Dr. Okei-Odumakin (left), Saheed Balogun (second right) and others at the conference

not have the courage to tell Uche the truth, but she told herself on a particular morning, she was going to do something about the situation and end the nightmare. Iya Joke was simply drifting in and out of consciousness. She was in the midst of a group of young men from the neighbourhood. A week before, she had been dragged by these same people to the palace of the king on suspicion of witchcraft. In the presence of the king, they had forced her to drink a concoction. The understanding was that within seven days after taking it, she would confess. Seven days later, Iya Joke still did not confess. So the young men came back, dragged her out of her house and forced her to sit over the burning ogbo leaves so the smoke of the leaves could go into her private part. And all the while, they kept screaming jewo! jewo! jewo! (confess! confess! confess!) As they said these, they beat her all the more. Eventually, they found she was getting weaker, drifting in and out of consciousness and so carried her back to her home. When she was laid on her bed, Iya Joke thanked God for her life and closed her eyes. She never opened them again. With these three real life stories of women she knows, whose cases she had had to handle, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the wife of former Ekiti State governor, started her keynote address at the recent International Conference on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Trafficking – Nigeria. Entitled: Changing the story, Fayemi asked, how do we change the story of Mabel, Ada and Iya Joke? Answering the question later, Fayemi said that how we change the story was to begin to question the things that we do.

She said: “We should begin to do things differently, we should treat women with dignity and respect, we should raise girls with a healthy dose of self-esteem and confidence, we should make the boys understand that what makes a good man is how much fear of God he has and how much he protects women, not how much strength he can demonstrate over a woman. “We should ensure that all our institutions – the marriage, religious, social institutions, etc, are transformed so that they can empower women and girls and not disempower them. “And most importantly, we need to collectively watch out for each other so that we all ensure that there is a zero tolerance against violence against women and girls.” Concluding her speech, Fayemi narrated yet another story of Agnes from South Sudan. In Agnes’ case, she not only survived a series of abuse and rape, she overcame and became a great legislator in her country. Gender-based violence is a global issue, which cuts across borders and affects people, regardless of their socio-economic status, race, tribe, creed or tongue. The majority of women and girls across the world are victims of violence perpetrated against them most times by an intimate partner whom they trust. Studies have shown that victims of violence, like Ada, often feel the trauma of their abuse in psychological, social and even physical ways long after the violence has ended. Speaking during this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Executive Director, UN Women, a United Nations entity for gender equality

and the empowerment of women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said that in 1995, 189 governments came together in Beijing and adopted a platform for action which spelled out key strategies to end violence against women, empower women, and achieve gender equality. These include effective prevention strategies that address the root causes of gender inequality; better services for women surviving violence, such as hotlines, shelters, legal advice, access to justice, counselling, police protection, and health services; and more accurate reporting rates, better data collection, and strengthened analyses of risk and prevalence factors. Others are greater support for women’s organisations, which are often on the frontline of the response; and having more men and boys standing up against violence, denouncing it, and stopping it. Male leaders, including traditional and religious leaders, must show the way. In its attempt to end violence against women and girls, the UN, sets aside 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign, yearly to create more awareness on the evil of gender violence and seek ways to eliminate it. With the theme; From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women, the UN set the ball rolling, calling on all to colour their neighbourhood orange, the colour chosen for the activism, which culminated on December 10, the International Human Rights Day. Keying into the programme, ACTS Generation, a gender-based violence and abuse advocate, counselling and C O N T I N U E D on PA G E 4 6

FEATURES

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

A collective move against attacks on women C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

restoration organisation, convened the international conference, which took place at the Oriental Hotels, Lagos. The event was attended by many prominent people, including Dr Grace Ongile, the UN Women representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS; Riskat Akiode, who represented the Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Otive Igbuzor, member, UN Secretary General Network of Men Leaders to End Violence Against Women; Josephine Effa Chukwuma of Project Alert, an NGO that caters for women and girls among other dignitaries. It saw a robust discussion on the issue of violence against women. In her foreword, Laila Jean St. Mattew-Daniel, the executive director of ACTS Generation and convener of the event, noted that “there are various laws and instruments put in place by various government bodies and individual NGOs, but it is very important that these are reviewed continuously because these crimes against humanity do not seem to be abating”. For Chukwuma, who spoke on ‘The Psychological impact/effect of domestic violence and sexual assault: Long term effects on survivors and the society at large,’ between the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage, life comes first. She said: “A dead woman is not a wife, she is a corpse. Till death do us part that I signed is not to be implemented by my husband. Violence is most times perpetrated by people you know, people you love and people you trust.” To Ongile, the issue of genderbased violence must be addressed by all. “There should be a team spirit in dealing with violence against women. We need not only the institutional structures, but the family too, because that is where the violence starts. At the family level, how can we break the silence? Women are suffering silently. What can we do to make women and girls speak out. “On the institutional and community level, a lot still needs to be done to help in stopping gender-based violence. For instance, religious leaders have to be involved to help women overcome violence, while at the community level, policies and laws have to be made to address the menace. There is a need for awareness creation, need for shelter and access to justice.” Ongile said that recently, UN Women launched HeForShe, a global campaign to engage men and boys as advocates and agents of change for the achievement of gender equality and women’s rights. Igbuzor, who spoke on “Men and Boys: The missing link in plausible solutions to genderbased violence,” observed that gender-based violence would be controlled “when we start speaking out against violence against women, when we start creating more awareness of the evil of violence against women and when the government provides policies and laws that will address the is-

Doyin Romeo (left), Funke Kuti and Efe Anaughe

Mr. Sam Cookey and Mr. Davies Okareke at an event marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence

There should be a team spirit in dealing with violence against women sue of violence against women, such as female genital mutilation and other harmful practices against women.” Though the 16 days of activism have come and gone, the Deputy Consular General of the US Consulate, Lagos, Dehab Ghebreab, advised that beyond the 16 days, all should continue to rise against gender-based violence and continue to work towards eliminating it. She made the call earlier, during a workshop on Domestic Violence and Abuse, organised by the Consulate, in collaboration with Women Arise and ACTS Generation.

PHOTOS: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

In a paper delivered at the event, which took place at the Consulate, Ghebreab noted that “violent conflict increases the vulnerabilities of women and girls, where rape, sexual slavery, mutilation, forced impregnation, and forced ‘marriage’ occur against them at higher rate than during times of relative peace”. Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, the chairperson of the Campaign for Democracy and founder of Women Arise, also made robust presentation entitled; “The bitter truth about gender-based violence: The way forward.” Saheed Balogun, who led a delegation of over 30 Nollywood actors under the auspices of Golden Movies Ambassadors, also called on movie producers to use the indigenous languages to create awareness and condemn genderbased violence. In her attempt to keep the campaign going, Ghebreab challenged all the NGOs, including the Nollywood members, to consider and work on a documentary that

would be launched next year during the celebration of the 2015 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. The challenge was unanimously accepted. On her part, Charge d’Affaires, ad interim, U.S. Embassy, Maria E. Brewer, said prevention and elimination of gender-based violence required a multi-faceted approach. She said: “It will require increased advocacy and partnerships between the international community, governments, multilateral organisations, private sector companies, and grassroots’ advocates. “It will require empowering women and girls to speak up for themselves and educating men and boys to speak up and speak out for their mothers, wives, partners, sisters and daughters. It will also require adequate legal and judicial frameworks.” Since 1999, only about six states, out of the 36 states and Abuja, have come up with laws against genderbased violence. It is therefore good news that in March 2013, the House of Representatives passed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition bill. The signing of the bill into law would empower all parties to work together on its implementation in order to increase accountability and address impunity. Ultimately, it was unanimously agreed, among other things, by the numerous prominent people, who stood up against gender-based violence during the 16 days, that one out of three women would face violence one time or the other in her lifetime. It was also agreed that violence against women could be physical, psychological, sexual, emotional, economical and even social. They also called for the enactment of laws to fight gender-based violence. In her address at the beginning of the 16 days, Mlambo-Ngcuka disclosed that a global review of progress and gaps in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action was underway. She said: “Preliminary data show that many countries have introduced laws to prohibit, criminalise and prevent violence against women. Yet, implementation and enforcement of these laws are inadequate. “Reporting violence remains low and impunity for perpetrators remains high. Not enough resources are targeted at provision of quality services and effective prevention strategies. “Next year, after the endpoint of the Millennium Development Goals, a new roadmap for development will be adopted by the international community. “Ending violence against women and girls must have a central place in this new framework. The promises from 20 years ago are still valid today. Together we must make 2015 the year that marks the beginning of the end of gender inequality. Now is the time for action.” “This is a fight that demands action from every single one of us. We have to communicate in a unified way with a single loud voice that there is no place in the civilised world for those who commit gender-based violence,” the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, said.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY DECEMBER 16, 2014

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

Kalu apologises to Abians over Orji, sues for peace Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

ormer Governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday tendered an apology to the people of Abia State over the role he played in bringing to power his successor, Chief Theodore Orji, whom many Abians

2.7%

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

believe have performed below expectations. In an open letter to the citizens of Abia State, Kalu reminded them that the Season of Advent which heralds Christmas was a season of love, peace and reconciliation and the people should seize it as an opportunity to erase the bitterness of the past and embrace one another. Kalu, who served as

governor for two terms (1999-2007) said that contrary to the insinuations in certain quarters, he served Abia people honestly, dedicatedly and transparently. He also debunked speculations that his administration was corrupt and left huge debts for his successor. According to him, his administration inherited a debt of N8.3 billion,

2,512

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

made up of a staggering $168 million , several years of unpaid pensions and gratuities, three-month salary arrears of workers, and billions in successfully delivered contractual obligations. He, however, disclosed that his administration was able to liquidate those debts and made some savings for the successor government. “As a first step to re-

$64.7m

The total pay (including salary/winnings & endorsements) of Lionel Messi (Soccer) for 2014. Source: Forbes.com

kindling the new Igbo spirit of unity, love and progress, I, ORJI UZOR KALU, hereby tender an unreserved apology to any Abian and, indeed, Nigerian, whom I have offended in any way or form, especially during the eight years (19992007) I served as the executive governor of Abia State. This apology has become necessary to set

N1.77bn

The internally generated revenue realized from PAYE (taxes) of Bayelsa State in 2011. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

the tone for a new beginning for our people. We owe it as a duty to offer a similar apology to all those we have offended individually or collectively. Apart from trying to cement the bond of fraternity among us, it is also a way of satisfying an obligatory religious duty of every Christian to love one another and live with one another in peace.”

Chukwumerije is alive, hearty, says aide Chukwu David Abuja

L-R: General Manager, Consumer Banking, MTN, Mr. Richard Iweanoge; General Manager, Regional Operations, Mr. Obinna Nweje and Igwe Nkem Nweke of Ezoloha ImamaAmafo community, Enugu State, at the launch of MTN Akanchawa Product in Enugu …yesterday

Council chairman removed over N1.75 scam Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

he Chairman of IgboEze North council area of Enugu State, Mr. Bonaventure Onuh, has been impeached over an alleged N1.75 billion budget scam. Onuh, who was served impeachment notice last month by 16 of the 20 councilors in the local government over the alleged action and was finally sacked to put paid to speculations over the issue. The development is said to have added a new dimension to the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party in the state where Senator Ayogu Eze and Senator Ike Ekweremadu have been locked in a battle over the control of former Chairman who was removed yesterday. Nineteen Councilors yesterday adopted the report of a five-man impeachment panel that investigated alle-

gations of misconduct leveled against the chairman for impeachment. The councilors, during the session held in their legislative chambers at the local government headquarters, Enugu-Ezike, also passed a resolution ordering the former chairman to hand over all the council’s property in his possession to the acting chairman, while directing the clerk of the House to notify all relevant security agencies of the development. According to a copy of the report made available to New Telegraph, the panel members recommended thus, “In accordance with Section14(8) of the Local Government Law (Cap. 109) Laws of Enugu state 2004, the panel recommends that the legislative council should pass a resolution supported by a two third majority of all its members to remove the chairman and the vice chairman”.

he Special Assistant to Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Mr. Azuikpe Ogbonna, yesterday refuted the speculations that the Senator was dead, describing it as a blatant lie emanating from his enemies. Ogbonna, in a press statement issued in Abuja, said that the speculation was one of the orchestrated campaigns of calumny against the Senator by his political enemies, whom he accused of pursuing selfish agenda. Consequently, he cautioned those behind the rumour to desist from such negative and destructive propaganda against innocent persons to avoid incurring the wrath of God. However, Senator Chukwumerije, according to the statement has forgiven the rumour peddlers, as a good father would do to his children.

Abia NLC shuts Accountant-General’s office over unpaid salaries Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

he Nigerian Labour Congress Abia State Council and its affiliate Unions, yesterday shut the office of the Abia State Accountant General (AG) Sir Gabriel Onyendilefu, over alleged refusal of the government to pay workers’ salaries, arrears of minimum wage, pensions, gratuities and union dues. The aggrieved placard

carrying union officials were reported to have blocked all the entrance to the office of the accountant general in the early hours of yesterday thereby preventing unsuspecting staff from gaining entry into their offices. Addressing journalists at the Michael Okpara Auditorium gate, the Abia State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Sylvanus Eyeh said, “Our grievances for picketing the office of the Accountant

General of Abia State, are the non-payment of deducted dues to industrial unions for 2012 and 2013, non-payment of other statutory payments.” He said, all the industrial Unions in the state met last Thursday to decide on the actions being taken, saying that all workers including the local government employees were united in the action. He further alleged that all the approvals

given by the governor on labour, are not being honoured by the accountant general as he has refused to honour any after several dialogues between the government and the workers representatives on about 24 ocassions. Other grievances of the unions, according to the NLC boss, include non-payment of minimum wage arrears to Parastatals, gratuity and pension to Abia State workers.

13 Ebonyi legislators injured by thugs Charles Onyekwere ABAKALILI

andemonium broke out yesterday at the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, as 13 lawmakers alleged to have attempted to forcefully gain entry into the Assembly chambers were attacked and severely

injured by suspected thugs believed to be loyal to one of the factions of Assembly members. It was gathered that the crisis started when a faction of the members numbering 13 stormed the Assembly premises while the other faction comprising 10 members were holding a session. An attempt by the 13

member legislators to gain enterance into the chambers was said to have been resisted by the detachment of Police, who prevented the legislators, who in turn resorted to gaining entry through the window. Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested at least 12O thugs, alleged

to have attacked some of the lawmakers, who attempted to gain entrance into the chambers through the window. It was said that the leader of the House, Hon. Sam Nwali representing Ikwo North, was attacked and severely injured by the thugs, who were said to have broken his head with stone.

News

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH - SOUTH

Protests rock Benin DISCO over poor services POWER

Even in darkness, consumers are forced to pay for light Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

rotests yesterday rocked the headquarters of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in Benin City, Edo State

over what the protesters described as poor service delivery by the management of the organisation. The protesters, numbering over one thousand, stormed the office of the distribution company, condemning its poor service delivery and the acts of sabotage by the staff of the firm. Made up of youths and traders drawn from Ugbowo, Ekosodin, Uselu, and Aerodrome Close in the city, the protesters besieged the BEDC head office with a call for a re-

dress of the situation. It took over four hours for normalcy to be restored and before stranded motorists and commuters began to find their way as the major roads linking the popular Ring Road and Akpakpava road were completely blocked during the protest despite the heavy presence of soldiers, officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and riot policemen led by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo. The protesters also

called for the removal of the controversial fixed charge of N750 as they insisted they never enjoyed regular power supply. They further threatened to permanently shut down traffic until credible response was provided by the management of the BEDC. The commissioner of police urged the protesters to conduct themselves and allow the traffic to flow. Spokesperson for the group and Chairman, Committee for Defense of Human Rights, Mr. Fri-

day Obawonyi, described as ‘unacceptable’ the ugly situation, which he said has affected many residents. He said: “There is no way we will accommodate that. The fixed charge is N750 for every individual that has a meter. If you calculate the money they are collecting in Benin City alone, it is enough to generate light for Edo people.” “BEDC used to give us two hours of light, but for more than three months now, sometimes, there will

L-R: Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo; Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke and Central Bank Governor/Chairman, Bankers’ Committee, Godwin Emefiele, at the 6th Bankers’ Committee retreat, entitled “Financing Real Sector Growth in Nigeria” in Calabar

Bayelsa PDP leaders divided over emergence of Lokpobiri Chris Ejim YENAGOA

he emergence of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Foster Oguala, as governorship and senatorial candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, at the weekend, has caused a division in the rank of the leaders of the party in the state. While a former aide of Bayelsa State Governor, Prince Lucky Yuobougha, argued that the primaries conducted by the faction of the party loyal to Lokpobiri was authentic and should be upheld by the national leadership of the party, others disagreed, saying such should be rejected. A socio-political group under the aegis of Bayelsa Youths for National Interest (BYNI) yesterday called for the cancellation of the pri-

maries, describing it as unacceptable and calling for the conduct of a fresh election by the leadership of the party. Yuobougha, who is one of the PDP leaders in Bayelsa West senatorial district, said the decision of members to support Lokpobiri against the choice of Governor Seriake Dickson, was based on the need for pragmatic leadership at the senate and the act of betrayal by the governor. According to Youbogha, “Lokpobiri was the choice of the people. Aside from the fact that Lokpobiri played a vital role in securing supports for Dickson by convincing aggrieved party men to support the governor, the choice of the people should be upheld. “We need people like Lokpobiri to provide the needed senatorial support to the President at the national level,” he added.

Urhobo vow to vote against Jonathan Gabriel Choba UGHELLI

rked by the alleged directive of President Goodluck Jonathan that the Ijaws should vote for Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in the just concluded gubernatorial primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, the Urhobo nation yesterday, vowed to vote against him in the presidential

election next year. This was declared by the National Chairman of the Urhobo Nationalist Movement (UNM), Alhaji Mumaikai Unagha, while addressing Urhobo youth leaders, including women in Warri. He said: “If Mr. President and the Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, can work against Urhobo interest, then the Urhobos will certainly pay them back.”

be complete blackout; that is the problem. Sometimes in August, we were here (BEDC head office) and they told us they will look into it. “The problems cannot continue to mount even when we pay bills. The most painful part of it is the fixed charge of N750 and anytime there is a problem, we still need to fix it ourselves. Of what use is the charge?” According to them, “We want regular supply. Even if they can supply us for 24 hours; at least, let it be manageable. But the fixed charge can stay if the electricity supply can be regular.” Reacting to the protest, Head of Corporate Communications of the BEDC, Mr. Steve Omanufeme, listed the challenges faced by consumers in the area to faulty transformers. Meanwhile, there is a raging controversy between the management of the BEDC and that of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) over alleged sabotage, following months of poor power supply which has crippled social life and business activities within the city. Officials of TCN are pointing accusing fingers at the management of BEDC for the poor power supply. Piqued by the situation, TCN management yesterday said a section of the city was experiencing load shedding due to a fault in one of its 60MKVA 132/33KV transformers.

Benin enjoys solar power Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

n indigenous construction fir m, Havillahtrend Engineering Consult and Construction Limited has put in place the first efficient energy building powered with solar energy in Benin City, the Edo State capital. The innovation, de-

signed to tackle the troubling and worrisome epileptic power supply in parts of the state and the country, is meant to boost the nation's power supply. The organisation said the initiative was first of its kind in the state and that it has the capacity of a lighting load of about 150 watts per floor as against 1.6kw in standard designs.

Dickson's men pick APGA tickets Calabar ladies in yuletide treat Chris Ejim YENAGOA

former President of the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), Jonjon Oyeinfa and a former Commissioner in Bayelsa State, Zuwa Konugah, were among other prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who picked tickets to represent their various constituencies at the next general election on the platform of the All

Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Until recently, Kodugah was a commissioner for state capital development in the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson. At the primaries of the party held in Yenegoa, the PDP members, who felt aggrieved or were not satisfied with the conduct of the primaries were all adopted by APGA after passing through the party’s requirements.

Clement James CALABAR

social group, Eminent Favoured Ladies Association, has called on Nigerians to explore ways of ameliorating the sufferings of the less privileged in the society. The immediate past President of the association, Lady Helen Oti Aniah, made the call yesterday in Calabar while

presenting items worth millions of naira to the motherless babies’ home in Uwanse, Calabar South-South Local Government area as part of its end of year activities. She said wealthy Nigerians should consider the plight of the vulnerable as this will go a long way in reducing societal problems, noting that the association chose to visit the motherless babies’ home in order to share the joy of Christmas with them.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

News 49

NORTH

Anxiety over Kwara PDP guber ticket Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

eaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State met yesterday to appraise the outcome of the party’s gubernatorial primaries amidst fears that the outcome might be reviewed by the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. The meeting was held under tight security as about 20 anti-riot policemen were stationed at the entrance of the party’s secretariat along Asa Dam Road, Ilorin, in what the party’s spokesman, Chief Rex Olawoye, told our reporter was a move to scare away hoodlums ‘who might want to protest a loss by their principal.’ Although Olawoye said there was no crisis within the party, he nevertheless hinted at fears being expressed by some stakeholders that the outcome of the primaries, which produced Simon Ajibola as the gubernatorial candidate, would be subject to the final decision of the party’s national secretariat. He said: “We have an executive meeting today to appraise the primaries, so that we can take a

position on the issue and you know some hoodlums could come to demonstrate as a reaction to the loss by their principal, so that’s why we asked the police to come and be keep them at bay. “We need to meet and review things; if there may be modification and if not, we go ahead.” Asked about fears of the possible ‘modification’ of the primaries, Olawoye said: “When you have a primary like this, the national body still has the final say. You remem-

ber when Rotimi Amaechi won the primary, later the party changed the thing, but he went to court and won without contesting in the election. “This is politics and anything can happen. But for anyone to say he doesn’t know Ajibola is a lie. He has represented Kwara South for 12 years and he has done well for us and we know him very well.” The meeting by the state leaders came as members of The Freedom Group in the party warned against any planned substitution

of another candidate for the gubernatorial ticket and dismissed religious arguments being allegedly raised against the candidature of Ajibola, who won the gubernatorial primaries. A statement signed by Tajudeen Kareem, Director of Publicity for the group said: “We wish that, in the interest of democracy, freedom of choice and peace in our party, nothing is done to tamper with Ajibola’s mandate. “Any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the

governorship election supervised by Governor Gabriel Suswam, is a recipe for electoral disaster for the PDP in Kwara State.” But it was also gathered that the police presence might have been used to prevent a protest march to the secretariat by supporters of Ajibola. Their protest was meant to be a counter to the one carried out on Saturday evening by some members of the party against the emergence of Ajibola as the PDP flag bearer for the 2015 gubernatorial elections.

L-R: Kaduna State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Joshua Uchissa; Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Yero and DirectorGeneral, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Alhaji Bature Masari, at the inauguration of Graduate Vocational and Entrepreneurship Skill Training in Kaduna …yesterday

Suswam, Mark, Lawani fight over running mate slot TUG OF WAR

Two political elephants battle over who produces Deputy Governorship candidate

Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

takeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State yesterday continued to bicker over the choice of a running mate for the party’s flag bearer in the 2015 governorship election in the state, Mr. Terhemen Tarzoor.

The fight as to which camp will produce the running mate is between the state governor, Gabriel Suswam, the Senate President, David Mark and Chief Steven Lawani. Tarzoor, a former speaker of the state House of Assembly emerged the candidate of the party during the December 8 governorship primaries held at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi. New Telegraph gathered that since the former speaker emerged as the candidate, there has been tension within the various camps in the state,

PDP panel urged to ignore calls for cancellation of petition Musa Pam JOS

he Plateau State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primaries appeal panel has been urged to discountenance the petition written by aggrieved gubernatorial aspirants of the party, who are calling for the cancellation of the recently held gubernatorial primary election in the state. A group under the aegis of the Coalition of Young

Redemption Advocates (CYRA) said the petition is an attempt by the aspirants to undermine the victory of Senator Gyang Pwajok, who won the said election ‘resoundingly and indisputably.’ Addressing journalists yesterday in Jos, Redzie Jugo and Abubakar Kanam, the group's convener and media relations officer respectively, said the electoral panel was fair and transparent in all their actions.

especially within those of the state governor, senate president and that of Chief Lawani. Top on the list among those pencilled down for the slot include former Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Sam Ode, the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Patrick Ogbu and the incumbent Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr. John Ngbede. Our correspondent gathered that while Governor Suswam is supporting the appointment of Mr.

Sam Ode, the senate president is standing behind the NTA boss while Lawani and Mr. Chris Aba are insisting on the emergence of Mr. John Ngbede, who is from Agatu Local Government area of the state. New Telegraph also learnt that Mark and Lawani, both Idoma, have allegedly resolved to gang up against Suswam, to frustrate his choice. According to findings, Mark and Lawani also said that since the governor singlehandedly worked for the emergence of Tarzoor, he should hands-off the issue of who

emerges as the running mate, as they insisted that any attempt to impose any person against their wish will lead to crisis. It was gathered that Mark and Lawani are alleged to be at each other’s jugular over whose preferred person should be considered for the slot. Mark is reported to be saying, since he is the highest ranking party chieftain in the zone, his candidate should emerge, while Lawani is saying since he served the state for eight years as deputy governor, he should be given the honour to field a running mate.

Benue APC electoral panel collects petitions Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

he panel set up by the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hear petitions arising from the just concluded National Assembly primaries held in the state yesterday concluded its findings, even as they met stiff opposition from the state secretariat in Benue State. The panel, which arrived in the state last Saturday, was hidden from party supporters and petitioners, till early yesterday, when a few got wind of their presence and made calls to other aggrieved aspirants. The panel was said to have been ordered to vacate the venue of the sitting when information came that the complainants and petitioners had discovered where they were hiding and had bombarded them with their petitions. Chairman of the panel, Mr. Godwin Ukpanukopong, expressed surprise at the number of petitions they had received only yesterday morning on the discovery of their presence, and frowned at the deceptive tactics employed by the state secretariat to hinder them from performing their task. According to him, when they arrived at the secretariat, they were told by the party's Administrative Secretary, Mr. Mark Haanmation, on their insistence on who would arrange for their accommodation that the elections had no grudges and thus they were not needed since the party had agreed on consensus candidates. Meanwhile, the panel had to hurriedly leave the hotel as at time of filling this report, as they claimed to have received a call from the secretariat in Makurdi, informing them of the party's inability to accommodate and guarantee their safety.

Kwara approves N40m for LG pensioners Pwajok picks Gomwalk’s son as running mate Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

he Kwara State government has approved additional N40 million for the monthly payment of gratuities to local government pensioners in the state. The pensioners had recently lamented the non-payment of their entitlements and gratuities and called on the state government and the pensions board to look into their plight. A statement by the

Chairman, Local Government Staff Pension Board, Alhaji Suleiman Yusuf, which was made available to newsmen in Ilorin yesterday, said the total monthly release for payment of gratuity at the local government level has thus increased to N50 million. Yusuf, who said the increase was commensurate with the N18, 000 minimum wage, said the development has helped to improve the living standard of the pensioners.

Musa Pam JOS

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Plateau State in the 2015 elections and Senator representing Plateau North at the National Assembly, Gyang Nyam Pwajok, has picked Hon. Yilji Gomwalk, the son of one time Military Administrator of Benue/ Plateau State, late Joseph Deshi Gomwalk, as his running mate.

Pwajok disclosed this yesterday in Jos, when he visited the party secretariat. Pwajok while unveiling his running mate, who is presently the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, commended the manner and maturity of the party officials, saying the unity and voting pattern during the conduct of the primary elections that produced him as the party flag bearer is a true reflection of Plateau people.

News

WORLD | News

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Insurgency: Mark urges Armed Police storm cafe, end Sydney Forces to protect Nigeria hostage siege Chukwu David Abuja

enate President, Senator David Mark, yesterday tasked the Nigerian Armed Forces to fight harder to keep Nigeria united and secured. Mark spoke after the National Coordinator of 2015 Armed Forces Remembrance Day,

Brigadier General Rogers Nicholas, decorated him with the emblem. The Senate President said that the insecurity situation, especially in the North-East, has become so worrisome that Nigerians seem to be worried about their future. He, however, noted that the Armed Forces "remains the last man standing in this difficult situation. It is,

therefore, incumbent on our Armed Forces to rise up to the challenge in order to secure Nigeria and Nigerians". He assured that the government was conscious of the challenges faced by the officers and men of the Armed Forces, especially in the North East region, where Boko Haram militants are holding the region captive .

Coroner suspends TB Joshua's invitation Akeem Nafiu, Shola Adefuwa and Badmos Adedoyin

summons served on the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet T.B Joshua, to appear before the Coroner probing the circumstances which led to the collapse of a guest house on the Church’s premises has been suspended. This was disclosed yesterday by the Coroner handling the inquest, Magistrate Oyetade Ko-

molafe, in the course of proceedings. The Coroner, after listening to an oral application by Joshua's lawyer, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), decided to suspend Joshua's appearance, pending the determination of his suit before the High Court. Komolafe had earlier issued witness summons on relevant individuals and institutions, including Prophet T.B Joshua. It will be recalled that Joshua had opted to file an application before Justice Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court to stay further pro-

ceedings of the inquest and suspend further actions on his invitation to appear to give evidence before it. Joshua, in the said application dated November 11, 2014, had asked for a judicial review of the coroner's proceedings, which began on October 13. He had asked the High Court to declare that his invitation to appear as a witness before the coroner was a breach of his right to fair hearing, as no case had been established against his person before the coroner.

2015: Why ACF is divided over Buhari Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Kaduna State chapter of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been described as an affiliate body of the forum, which is not privy to certain decisions of the pannorthern organisation. Reacting to the division within ACF over which presidential candidate to back in 2015, a senior official of the forum, who did not want to be named, told our correspondent that the decision to back any northerner, who emerges

presidential candidate of any major political party was taken long before the Kaduna chapter was formed. “Out of the two political parties that conducted their primaries openly, a northerner happens to have emerged as the presidential flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This explains why the chairman threw the weight of ACF behind General Muhammadu Buhari,’’ he explained. Giving perspective to the division within ACF, the source pointed out that “the Kaduna State chapter is just an appendage

of the vice president. The chairman of that chapter is Alhaji Ramalan Yero, the father of the state governor and you know that the Vice President is the governor’s godfather. So, that is why they are working at cross purposes with the national leadership.’’ It will be recalled that ACF National Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, was quoted as saying that the forum had endorsed the candidature of Buhari in the 2015 presidential race, as against his main rival, President Goodluck Jonathan, the flagbearer of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Onwuliri congratulates Jonathan

he Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for emerging the Presidential flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the 2015 general elections. The Minister also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the PDP and delegates for the successful conduct of the party's national convention and ratification of Jonathan's ear-

lier endorsement as the consensus candidate of the party. Onwuliri described PDP as the only true party that provided its platform for Mr. President to vigorously pursue his well articulated Transformation Agenda, which expectedly has significantly moved the nation to an enviable level in terms of infrastructural and socio-economic development. She lauded Jonathan for his uncommon and

visible achievements in some critical sectors of the economy such as education, aviation, health, infrastructure, science and technology, oil and gas, industrialization, youth and women empowerment. Describing the President as the right man for the job, the minister added: "What Nigeria needs as a nation is continuity and sustainability of the Transformation programmes currently delivered by President Jonathan.

• Two reported dead

ustralian security forces opened fire yesterday as they stormed the Sydney cafe where several hostages were being held at gunpoint, in a dramatic end to a standoff that had dragged on for more than 16 hours. Media said that two people, including the gunman, had been killed. New South Wales police declined to comment on the reports, and it was not clear whether the fatalities occurred during the rescue operation itself. Heavy gunfire and loud bangs from stun grenades filled the air shortly after 2 a.m. local time (10a.m. ET

Monday). Moments earlier at least six people believed to have been held captive managed to flee the scene after several loud bangs were heard coming from the cafe. Medics were seen trying to resuscitate one person after the raid and took away several injured people on stretchers, said a Reuters witness at the scene in downtown Sydney. The operation began shortly after a police source named the gunman as Man Haron Monis, an Iranian refugee and self-styled sheikh facing multiple charges of sexual assault as well as being an acces-

sory to murder. He was also found guilty in 2012 of sending offensive and threatening letters to families of eight Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan, as a protest against Australia's involvement in the conflict, according to local media reports. Although he was well known to the authorities, security experts said preventing attacks by people acting alone could still be difficult. "Today's crisis throws into sharp relief the dangers of lone wolf terrorism," said Cornell University law professor Jens David Ohlin, speaking in New York.

An injured hostage is wheeled to an ambulance after shots were fired during a cafe siege at martin place in the central business district of Sidney, Australia

Kabila rejects foreign pressure on Congo's electoral process

emocratic of Congo President Joseph Kabila yesterday said he would reject foreign admonitions on the electoral process in the vast central African country. "We are always ready to receive advice, guidance and suggestions, but never injunctions," Kabila said in a speech to both houses of parliament in Kinshasa. He questioned the "sound

basis on which nonCongolese people invite themselves to take part in the debate, however well-intentioned they might be." The Congolese leader is under strong international pressure, particularly from the United States and France, to step down at the end of his second elected term, in December 2016. "We will urge leaders not to alter national con-

stitutions for personal or political gain," US Secretary of State John Kerry said shortly after talks with Kabila at a major US-Africa summit in Washington in August. Kabila was propelled into office after the death of his father Laurent Kabila in 2001, at the height of a civil war that drew in six foreign armies on rival sides and became known as "Africa's Great War".

Abe coalition wins Japanese election

apanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, brushing aside suggestions that a low turnout tarnished his coalition's election win, vowed yesterday to stick to his reflationary economic policies, tackle painful structural reforms and pursue his muscular security stance. But doubts persist as to whether Abe, who now has a shot to become a rare long-lasting leader in Japan, can engineer sustainable growth with his

"Abenomics" recipe of hyper-easy monetary policy, government spending and promises of deregulation. "We heard the voice of the people saying 'Move forward with Abenomics'," Abe told a news conference at his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) headquarters, adorned with giant posters of the premier and his campaign slogan "This is the only path". "I want to boldly implement the 'Three Arrows'," Abe said, adding

he would compile stimulus steps before the year's end and ask business leaders to boost wages, which have not kept pace with rises in consumer prices. The LDP and its junior partner, the Komeito party, won 326 seats in Sunday's poll to maintain a two-thirds "super-majority" that smoothes parliamentary business. That was unchanged from the coalition tally before the poll, although the LDP itself slipped slightly to 291 seats from 295.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

International Football

Sports News

International Football

U-23 Eagles to play European friendlies

Man City boss laments Barcelona draw

Monaco star sends out warning to Arsenal

Sport

Did you know? That Manchester United hold the records for both the biggest home and biggest away wins. United beat Ipswich Town 9-0 at Old Trafford in 1995, and beat Nottingham Forest 1-8 away in 1999

Eagles need change of

attitude –Baruwa Ajibade Olusesan

ormer Super Eagles goalkeeper, Abiodun Baruwa, has canvassed for the grooming of a new Super Eagles with a fresh attitude. The former Stationery Stores of Lagos goal tender said that players’ poor attitude was responsible for the failure of the Nigeria to qualify for the 2015 Africa Nations Cup slated to hold in Equatorial Guinea. He said that the Nigerian team approached the qualifiers with a lackadaisical attitude and could not recover from that until they crashed out of the race. He noted that it would be difficult to say the team

Musa (right) and Herzegovina

Adekunle Salami Deputy Editor, Sports

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sports

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sports Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sports Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sports Correspondent

sent the country because there are millions of people out there yearning for such opportunity. “Our poor attitude showed in the way we played against South Africa. We have always believed that when it comes to South Africa, we can easily ride over them, now they have shocked us, what can we do? We have to start all over again, I will advise the NFF to start looking for players all over the world who are ready to give their best to the country, they are all over the place. We can also look inwards, in the domestic league and discover players to start a new beginning,” he said.

Udoh, Eduok destined for the top

Ajibade Olusesan

The Sport Team

should be disbanded but that there were players out there who would give much more to the country than the present crop of players. “We approached our qualifiers without good attitude and that is why we failed to qualify for the Nations Cup. Personally, I feel very sad that the tournament will start next year and my country; the defending champions, will not be there. I am not happy that many of our players lack the right attitude to play in the national team. No matter what it is, you still have to give your best whenever you have the opportunity to repre-

igeria Premier League hot shots, Emem Eduok and Mfon Udoh, emerged the positive force in a year marked by misfortune in Nigerian football. Football enthusiasts in the country will be in a hurry to see off 2014 after a series of crisis culminated in the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2015 Africa Nations Cup but Eduok and Udoh gave them something to cheer with their i m p re s s ive performances in the Nigeria Football Premier League.

The two strikers shattered records in a stunning fashion in the league as they eclipsed the 20-goal record established by Jude Aneke three years ago. Enyimba’s Udoh emerged the highest goal scorer with 23 goals but Eduok managed to equal Aneke’s 20 goals record. He also scored four goals for Dolphins Football Club in the Federation Cup and was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Eduok even set another record that may be difficult to equal in a long while after scoring six goals in a match against Crown of Ogbomosho. The two players even set aside their rivalry and com-

End of the year Series

bined well in the attack as Nigeria beat Ghana in the match to commission the Akwa Ibom International Stadium. Eduok scored the only goal of the match. From the start of the

2013/2014 season, Eduok and Udoh developed some kind of rivalry that could be likened to what great stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are exhibiting on the global scene. CONTINUED ON PAGE 53

Udoh(right) and Eduok

SPORT

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

U-23 Eagles to play European friendlies

he Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that the U-23 team will play European friendly matches ahead of the All Africa Games qualifiers. This is coming on the heels of team coach, Samson Siasia, requesting friendly matches in Europe before the qualifiers in February, and with the Super Eagles failing to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, the NFF admits they must now give more attention to the Dream Team. “It is a very good idea and as soon as we have that request, we will put the machinery in place for him (Siasia) to have these games,” the NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu tells sl10.ng.

“Don’t forget that the U-23 team is the second most important team after the Super Eagles and we have competitions for the All Africa Games and then the Olympic qualifiers – the U-23 African championship – and we will do everything possible to ensure we give the best support to this team.” The U-23 players are currently having a screening camp in Abuja, in preparation for February’s All Africa Games qualifier against Gabon, and Siasia has told sl10.ng that: “We will try to go to Europe and anywhere we can get these games. “We will try to play against some tough oppositions to kind of size ourselves up against stronger teams to get prepared for the February game.”

Emmanuel Tobi

dedication to the sports while commending the sponsors for their commitment. “I have come to know that Taekwondo is one sport where Nigeria has lots of potential and I am really impressed and elated that every effort is being made by the federation, government at all levels particularly the states and federal government and of course private individuals and corporate organisations to ensure that we harness these talents for future podium performance,” he said In the Poomsea event, Kano and Ogun dominated, with Kano female team garnering 34.80points while Ogun led the male category with 30.10points closely followed by Lagos with 29.40points.

Manu targets 2015 AYC trophy Ifeanyi Ibeh

lying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, has set his sights on winning the 2015 African Youth Championship in Senegal, insisting he wants his team to head to next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup as reigning African champions. The 2015 AYC, which comes up in the West African nation from March 8 to 22, will serve as the qualifying tournament for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand. Only the top four teams at the end of the eight-team AYC will

progress to New Zealand 2015. But Manu insists he wants his team to qualify for the World Cup as African champions. “The target for the team is to win the AYC and so qualify for the World Cup in New Zealand as the best team in Africa,” declared Manu in a statement made available to New Telegraph by the team’s media officer, Samm Audu. “We want to be champions again and we want to do this in style.” The Flying Eagles have already won the AYC a record six times with their last triumph coming in 2011 in South Africa.

igeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Jaguar teams at the weekend emerged champions of the 5th Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championship. NSCDC, the defending champion in the male category, retained the title it won in 2013 after beating Oyo 37-22 points in the final, while NSCDC female team could not repeat the feat of their male counterpart as they lost to Jaguar team at the three-day tournament held at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, in Lagos. Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Tammy Danagogo, praised the athletes for their

Deputy Sport Editor, Dapo Sotiminu, presenting a copy of New Telegraph to Barcelona Beach team captain, Ramiro Amarelle, at the COPA Lagos event on Sunday.

Eight awards up for grabs at NTTF President’s Cup

s part of efforts to reward players, coaches and officials in 2014, eight awards have been listed by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation during the end-of-the-year top 16 tournament tagged President’s

Ajoke Ojomu

Manu

Malaga want Nwakali on loan

NSCDC,Jaguar win Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo meet

Last time out though, in 2013, in Algeria, the Flying Eagles finished in third place behind champions Egypt and runnersup Ghana.

Cup. The tournament which will be held between December 17 and 18 in Lagos has players from home and abroad competing for the N2m prize money at stake. Eight awards will be handed out to deserving individuals in 2014 and these are senior player of the year (male and female), junior player of the year (male and female), cadet player of the year (male and female), coach of the year and technical official of the year. In a press release by the organisers, the foreign-based duo of Seun Ajetunmobi and Olaide Atinuke have been listed among the top 16 players expected to feature at the tournament which will be held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium. Lagos Classics champion, Cecilia Otu-Akpan, Janet Effiom, Tosin Oribamise, Ajoke Ojomu, Alimot Ayinla and Onyinyechi Mbah are among the players that will be battling for the top spot at the championship.

painish sided, Malaga, have made an approach to take Manchester City’s Nigerian starlet Chidi Nwakali on loan for the rest of the season. The 18-year-old midfielder is being tipped for great things and joined the Citizens earlier this year along with fellow Nigerian prospect Kelechi Iheanacho. They both played a key role in Nigeria’s U-17 World Cup triumph last year and attracted interest from a number of clubs around Europe. City are confident they will be granted a work permit later this week for striker Iheanacho, who is poised to be drafted straight into the first-team set-up. But the Citizens feel Nwakali needs to regain some confidence by playing every week after suffering some injury setbacks. Malaga are hoping their former boss Manuel Pellegrini will now do them a good turn with Valencia also in the frame.

Soweto Gospel Choir, Flavour to perform at Glo-CAF Awards

otable music stars across the African continent are billed to entertain guests at the 2014 GloCAF Awards which takes place in Lagos on January 8, 2015. The event is held annually in celebration of the continent’s finest football stars. Prominent names in world sports as well as other spheres of life, such as business, politics and entertainment are also expected to grace the occasion. Among the music stars expected to thrill guests at the high octane continental event are Congo DRC’s multiple award-winning song writer, singer and guitarist, Fally Ipupa and global Jazz icon, Hugh Masekela from South Africa. Others include the Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa, sensational singing group, Uhuru, Pan African group, Cirque D’Afrique; and Tanzania’s prominent multiple award winning singer, Diamond. From the home front, some of the biggest stars in Nigeria are also expected to light up

Flavour

the evening. They include the wave-making highlife artiste and Globacom Ambassador, Flavour, Hip hop sensations and Globacom Ambassadors, P-Square and Wande Coal, Afrobeat icon, who is also a Globacom Ambassador, Lagbaja, and one of Nigeria’s most prominent female singers and Globacom Ambassador, Omawumi. “It is a careful selection of music stars and highly decorated performers, whose songs are currently ruling the airwaves across the continent” said Mr. Ashok Israni, Globacom’s Regional Marketing Director, West Africa. According to him, the stars are expected to take turns performing at different stages of the awards.

International Football 53

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

‘Oh no, not Barca again’

Real not unbeatable – Howedes

lCity boss laments tough draw

anchester City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain says it is “unbelievable” they drew Barcelona in the Champions League again, but believes Manuel Pellegrini’s side will take confidence from their dramatic group stage escape. Barcelona beat City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium and 2-1 at the Nou Camp last season and once again City are at home in the first leg. “It’s unbelievable - we don’t need to come next year,” Begiristain told City’s official website. “Every tie in that draw is the same, it’s fantastic, so we’re looking forward to it.”

City only took two points from their first four Champions League games this season but salvaged qualification after defeating Bayern Munich 3-2, courtesy of a Sergio Aguero hat-trick, and the triumph against Roma in the Stadio Olimpico. Begiristain, a former Barcelona player, added: “We have plenty of confidence with the way we qualified beating Bayern Munich at home and Roma away, so the players will be working hard to get fit and arrive in confidence for those games. “We have improved our squad from last season and we have some real quality up front.”

Lahm wary of ‘dangerous’ Shakhtar

hilipp Lahm has stressed that Bayern Munich cannot afford to underestimate Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League round of 16 - but says the quarter-final stage is their minimum objective. The Bundesliga giants have made it to at least the last eight in each of the past three seasons and Lahm has no intention of going out at CONTINUED FROM PAG E 5 1

an earlier stage this time around having been paired with the Ukrainian giants in Monday’s draw. “Donetsk are certainly dangerous opponents, but despite that, we have to make the next round,” Lahm told the official Bayern website. “Bayern’s minimum target is always the quarterfinals.”

Lionel Messi trying to dribble his way through a sea of Man City defenders

Monaco star sends out warning to Arsenal

S Monaco midfielder Jeremy Toulalan has sent out a warning shot to Arsenal that they should not expect an easy victory in the next round of the Champions League. The French side was paired with the Gunners in the last 16 of the European competition which means Arsene Wenger will face his former side for the first time in a competitive match. On paper it looks like one of the easier draw the Gunners could have had with many installing the North London side as favourites. However, Toula-

lan says Monaco can defeat Arsenal over two legs. “We will go calmly to Emirates Stadium with all the weapons [in our team]. We are not an easy team to pass around,” said Toulalan to AS Monaco’s official twitter account. “I think it will please Arsene Wenger to come back here, as well as the French players on the team,” the 31 year old said. “The players at Arsenal are technical, fast and dynamic. They can make things difficult. I know Olivier Giroud. It will be nice to see him on the pitch. “We will be fit for the game and fearless.”

chalke defender Benedikt Howedes insists Real Madrid are “beatable” after their Bundesliga side was paired with the holders in the Champions League last 16. The Bundesliga side was dispatched 9-2 on aggregate by eventual winners Madrid at the same stage last season, but Howedes is determined to prove that his side has learned their lesson. “We know how we lost badly last year. Real are one of the best teams in the world. But even these teams are beatable,” he said after the draw. “We will do our best to challenge the holders.” Team-mate Joel Matip added: “Real are an awesome team.”

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES Arsenal vs Monaco Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid Shakhtar vs Bayern Munich PSG vs Chelsea FC Basel vs Porto Schalke vs Real Madrid Juventus vs Dortmund Man City vs Barcelona

Udoh, Eduok destined for the top

Gbolahan Salami of Warri Wolves and Osaguona Ighodaro of Enugu Rangers were the ones dictating the pace in the league until Udoh and and Eduok hijacked the initiative and turned up the heat, creating history in the process. Interestingly, both Udoh and Eduok are from Akwa Ibom State and Nigerians will be keen to see them follow in the footsteps of some great players like Uwem Ekarika, Eduok Etim Esin, Friday Ekpo and Vincent Enyeama who also hail from and he also that state. scored three goals Our corto give them the Fedrespondent learnt that the t w o eration Cup title. Similarly, Eduok players were products of Akwa Ibom State youth was spotted by Akwa football programme and United during Governor both played for the state-owned Akpabio Cup, an offshoot of the youth development Akwa United at different times. Udoh, who hails from Ikono programme in the state, and Local Government of the state, he spent one season with them after graduating from Univer- before joining Dolphins. According to Dolphins coach, sity of Uyo joined Cannan FC of Calabar and later UNICEM FC Stanley Eguma, the player who before Akwa United signed him. hails from Itu Local Government His 15 goals in his maiden season has made appreciable strides in at the club alerted Enyimba who the past three seasons at the club snapped him up and the Peoples’ and he’s got the talent to be one Elephant will be happy to have of the best in the country. “Emem is one of the brightest taken the decision. His 23 goals helped them to clinch African players in the domestic league. Champions League qualification He has been consistent. He is

End of the year Series

not a new name in the Nigerian league. For the past two or three seasons he has been making appreciable impact. And last season he was one of the top scorers. He is young and has all it takes to be a successful footballer,” Eguma said No doubt, these talented plauyers have great future ahead of them, but many pundits have expressed fear that they may not realise their full potential if they take wrong decisions just like many players before them who, after emerging the best in the league, never blossomed thereafter. Apart from Ahmed Musa, none of the highest goal scorers since Fatai Jatau‘s emergence in 1990 has had a successful career. Tony Nwigwe, Uche Okereke, Abubakar Babale, Akarandut Orok , Kabiru Alausa Timothy Anjembe and Aneke all showed promises but several factors conspired to limit their growth. In a bid to join the bandwagon of players abroad many of these stars ‘killed’ their careers by moving to obscure leagues, losing the opportunity to develop their talents. Eduok and Udoh have not hidden their interest to take their trade abroad next season. “I scored 20 league goals plus four in the Federation Cup and the

next target will be to play abroad, Eduok said. Udoh added:” It is my dream to play my football abroad next season. I don’t know where but I am looking forward to playing in a very good league.” But former Calabar Rovers and Super Eagles midfielder, Ekpo, warned them to be careful not to accept offers that would not have positive bearing on their careers in the long run. “I will advise them not to jump at any opportunity just for the sake of leaving Nigeria but to understand the leagues and move to teams that will give them playing time,” he said. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Football Federation has said that they will not Udoh

watch the two players take steps that will hurt their careers. The President of the federation, Amaju Pinnick, said the soccer body would give the players the necessary guidance to enable them to realise their full potential. “We have been having the issue of players just leaving the league after a great season only to end up in obscurity. We will not allow these two players to make such mistakes. In our calculation, they should be the bedrock of the national team and they can only achieve that if they are consistent,” Pinnick said.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Amaranthine Voyage Thanking God For His Mercies And His Love The Anyiam-Osigwe Family Announces The Passing To Eternal Glory Of Our Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Uncle And Relative, His Excellency (Nze) Michael Chibuzo Anyiam-Osigwe Who Transitioned From This Earthly Dimension On The 29Th Of November 2014.

His Rites Of Passage Are As Follows: TUESDAY DECEMBER 16, 2014 Program: Service of songs Venue: Catholic Church of the Presentation, 21, Oba Akinjobi Street, GRA, Ikeja. Time:

5.00pm – 7.00pm

THURSDAY DECEMBER 18, 2014 Program: Funeral Mass Venue:

St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos

Time: 10.00am. FRIDAY DECEMBER 19, 2014 Program: Requiem Mass Venue:

St. Thomas’ Catholic Church, Nkwerre,

Imo State

Time:

11.00am

Interment follows immediately at the family Compound, Ukwuinyi, Nkwerre. Reception at the same venue. SUNDAY DECEMBER 21, 2014 Program: Thanksgiving Service Venue:

Corse De La Maria Catholic Chapel,

Ukwuinyi, Nkwerre.

Time: 11.00am. PERSONALITY TRANSCENDS DEATH, ALL IS LIFE AND LIFE ALONE

Signed: ANYIAM-OSIGWE FAMILY

MICHAEL CHIBUZO ANYIAM-OSIGWE 1959 - 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Sanctity of Truth

On Marble

World Record

Honesty is the best policy - when there is money in it.

– Mark Twain

1891: William Morrison of Des Moines, Iowa built the first successful electric automobile in the United States.

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Leisure & Puzzle }41

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

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Buhari and the magic of sai Buhari “I have always tried to give more to the nation than it has given me. This is the principle of service that has guided my public life. Thus, I am not a rich person. I can’t give you a pocketful of dollars or naira to purchase your support. Even if I could, I would not do so. The fate of this nation is not up for sale. What I will give you, and this nation, is all of my strength, commitment, sweat and toil in the service of the people. What I can give you is my all.” – Excerpt from a letter to APC delegates by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, December 10, 2014.

Broadside EMMANUEL ONWE agubata@aol.com

he title of this piece is culled from Broadside, published on March 1, 2014. The body of the essay, too, is worth reproduc-

ing: The magic of sai Buhari is the very antithesis of the poetic inevitability of President Goodluck Jonathan’s ambition. In my previous effort on these pages last week, I admonished Jonathan that “This is not the time to sing Rock of Ages with a cleft in which you will hide yourself. This is precisely the moment to sing Stand up! Stand up! Let courage rise with danger and strength to strength oppose.” In this turn, I say to General Buhari: Be reminded that the keys that lock doors are the very same keys that open them. I can express passionate views about this soldier partly because I know nothing about him on a personal level and partly because he has for decades inspired my deepest curiosity. I have studied his public profile with a great deal of concentration. My first and only ever encounter with him was brought about by chance. This occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in December, 2010. The General sauntered into the VIP lounge – aristocratic in bearing, charming in comportment, cosmopolitan in his quasi-gregariousness. Everyone in the room rose to their feet. “Who is that man?” whispered a foreigner who inhaled the opiate charm exuded by the General. Buhari brought such awe, serenity and dignified self-effacement into the room. It was quite a cocktail of personal aura and magic. Sai Buhari! He is the most towering politician in the Muslim North, adored and revered like a saint by his fellow adherents. He has his scant or practically non-existent following in the South, but this is a man who can sit in his house and win 12 states in the core of northern Nigeria in a presidential election without lifting an eyebrow. At political rallies, his admirers sway in ecstasy and rapture, dizzy with the magical, electrifying aura of their idol. They scream “sai Buhari” over and over ad infinitum et ultra. Their love translates to their certitude of their hero’s impeccable character, moral rectitude and inflexible honesty of purpose. I was a teenager when Buhari romped into office as a military head of state; and still so when he was over-

Jonathan

thrown. My practical experience of his reign is negligible but the chill of the war against indiscipline, his flagship public policy, was felt even by adolescents. But as a keen student of history, the era of Buhari’s totalitarian supremacy is one I sip like a vintage wine. This is not by any means an approbative commentary on dictatorship. The General Muhammadu Buhari years brought about the consciousness of discipline in all facets of public life. Those who were found guilty of corruption were quickly flushed out of the system. The exportation of 100,000 barrels of refined petroleum

products per day was achieved and domestic demand was met without breaking a sweat. The foundations for a functional society were everywhere laid. The war against indiscipline was waged and prosecuted with martial single mindedness. Yes, as a lawyer, the repugnance at the retroactivity of laws rankles with particular acidity and I abhor and condemn it unreservedly. But his one and a half years in power were, comparatively, a golden period for Nigeria. General Buhari wept during the finale of his presidential campaign under Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, on 13th April, 2011. This reflexive, uncalculated exposition of his vulnerable humanity sealed his explosive emotional bond with his millions of northern Muslim followers. It is understandable that his political foes ridiculed the moment, because in adversarial partisan politics even the innocent smile of a baby is open to slander. However, anyone who cared to pay attention to the specifics of the speech that brought the General to tears, would readily appreciate the pain that pierced his patriotic tear duct: “After being head of state, I am sure I could easily have retired into a life of comfort and ease as an elder statesman, as a contractor or as a beneficiary of anyone of the nation’s many generous prebendal offerings. “But that is not what I wish to do with my life. And so, if I don’t take any of these alternative courses of action, it should be clear that I am not in

Admittedly, there is a yawning chasm between the adoration he receives in the North and the suspicion and hostility that attend him in the South. And this was brought into practical politics in the last presidential election

this for the love of office or for pursuit after personal glory or in order to achieve some personal goal. Far be it from me that this should be. “I need nothing and I have nothing more to prove. I am in this solely for the love of my country and concern for its destiny and the fate of its people. And that is why, despite the many disappointments along the way, I am still in the struggle and will remain in it to the end. I have decided to dedicate the remainder of my life to fighting for the people of this country- until their right is restored to them.” Some accuse him of being clannish, feudal, fanatical and unforgiving. His notorious bloody dogs and baboons comments were condemned by his detractors as an incitement to violence (his admirers praised it as an incitement to vigilance). These are mere descriptions and ascriptions – the bad name given to a dog in order to hang it. If he is as thoroughly despicable as alleged, why do so many enlightened Nigerians swoon with nostalgia for the Buhari years - the years of order, decency in public space and public service? Admittedly, there is a yawning chasm between the adoration he receives in the North and the suspicion and hostility that attend him in the South. And this was brought into practical politics in the last presidential election. Buhari accumulated some 12.2 million votes in the election but in none of 16 southern states did he score up to 4% (four percent!) of the votes. The singular exception was Oyo State where he scored 11%. This means that even if the North had given him 100 million votes, he would still not have had the mandate of the Nigerian people, either constitutionally or morally. Conversely, in the 12 Northern states which Jonathan lost to Buhari, the President still managed to score more than 30% in many of them except in Kano, Borno and Bauchi where he could not break above 18%. But in the current political climate, there have emerged new alliances that have thrown up heavy weights with potential knockout punches fighting on the side of Buhari. Therefore, as far as the 2015 presidential election is concerned, President Goodluck Jonathan is one issue. General Muhammadu Buhari is the other. The presidential contest is about these two men. Neither is pledged to any known political ideology but their respective worldviews are polar opposite – and this is as far as ideological politics goes in Nigeria. Therefore, the choice presented to Nigerians by these two men is a sharply contrasted one. If he wins five states in the Southwest and adds Adamawa, Nasarawa and Kwara to his traditional coalition and with just 25% of the votes in Kogi, Plateau, Edo, Taraba and Benue, Buhari will be sworn in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2015. Take this to the bank – and if you are a Jonathan supporter, you pray that it bounces. Sai Buhari!

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: YEMI AJAYI.