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Thursday, August 21, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 184

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief for New Telegraph

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he Board of Directors of The Sun Publishing Limited and Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited have announced management changes at New Telegraph newspapers.

Mr. Eric Osagie be-

comes the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, while Messrs Gabriel Akinadewo and Felix Abugu would serve as Deputy Managing Directors. The appointments take effect September 1, 2014.

Other appointments

which have since been effected include that of Mallam Suleiman Uba Gaya and Mr. Yemi Ajayi, Managing Editor and Editor, New Telegraph, respectively.

Under the strategic restructuring, Mr. Osa-

gie, Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editorin-Chief of The Sun, is proceeding on sabbatical to New Telegraph.

A consummate professional, Mr. Osagie, is expected to bring to bear on the newspaper his wealth

of experience and contacts in the political and corporate worlds.

With a robust journalism career spanning over two decades, Osagie rose steadily through the ranks from staff writer, to chief CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Osagie

Lagos records five new suspected Ebola cases

lMinister dismisses report lPresidency, others pay tributes to late doctor lFG offers Lagos N200m to fight disease Anule Emmanuel, Appolonia Adeyemi and Muritala Ayinla

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he Lagos State Government yesterday announced the discovery of five new suspected cases of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the state.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, told reporters in Lagos that the five patients suspected to be harbouring the virus were brought to the Yaba Mainland Hospital on Tuesday and two of those cases were from secondary contacts with some of the medical team who had initial contact with the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

L-R: National Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Wale Oladipo; National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu; United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle and Deputy Counselor for Political Affairs, US Embassy, Mary Johnson, during the visit of the ambassador to the PDP headquarters in Abuja...yesterday.

Buhari, Atiku, Tinubu, Onu, 70 others to make APC BoT Lagos

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lParty to consider South-East as trustees’ chair Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold its maiden National Executive Commit-

tee (NEC) meeting today in Abuja during which it is expected to announce the constitution of its Board

of Trustees (BoT).

Under the APC constitution, the role of BoT is advisory and it is expect-

ed to intervene in helping the party take decisions on critical issues.

However, ahead of the

meeting, New Telegraph gathered yesterday that membership of the board would include former Head of State, Major Gen. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Britain to send warplanes in search of Chibok girls

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Britain to send warplanes in search of Chibok girls Oluwatosin Omoniyi

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ritain is soon to deploy three warplanes from the fleet of the Royal Air Force (RAF) to Nigeria to join in the search for over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped from a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State last April.

A report published yesterday by Britain’s Daily Mail, said the three RAF Tornado GR4s outfitted with surveillance equipment would be deployed in Nigeria to fly reconnaissance missions over the North-East, where Boko

Haram, which abducted the schoolgirls while they were writing their final examinations, operates from.

The report quoted a government source as saying that the fighter bombers will help the Federal Government by tracking the movements of Boko Haram militants.

According to the report, the mission is dependent on a nearby nation giving them permission to use a runway.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman did not deny the report about the de-

ployment of the planes, adding: “The UK continues to work with the U.S., France, Nigeria, its neighbours and international partners to provide advice and assistance to the Nigerian Government.

“Together with our allies we have provided continuous surveillance support to the Nigerian authorities, including satellite imagery. We are still in discussion with partners on the deployment of further surveillance capability.”

The Federal Government has been under

pressure since the abduction of the schoolgirls to rescue them.

A group, #BringBackOurGirls, has launched a campaign to ensure that the government delivers on its promise to rescue the girls.

Last month, President Goodluck Jonathan, after a long delay, met with some of the parents of the girls, those who had escaped from Boko Haram’s custody and the Chibok community during which he reiterated the commitment of his administration to find the schoolgirls.

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Nyako’s ADC collected N48m monthly for police –Perm Sec Ibrahim Abdul Yola

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Permanent Secretary in the Adamawa State Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Mr. Kennedy Dauda, yesterday disclosed that the former aide-de-camp to Governor Murtala Nyako was collecting N48 million monthly as assistance to the police.

Dauda spoke while testifying before the Justice Bobbo Umar sevenman panel constituted by the state Acting Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, to probe the administration of Nyako from June 2007 to June 2014.

The probe panel sat at High Court II in Yola, the state capital.

Dauda stated that the money was being raised by the 21 local governments.

He also revealed that the local government councils have been contributing N10. 5 million

monthly through the office of the Chief of Staff for the operations of the three state-owned media organisations under the Ministry of Information.

Dauda further told the panel that the local governments through his ministry paid N167 million in 2012 to a company that was awarded contract for Closed-circuit television (CCTV) but was not sure if the contract has been executed.

When asked about the position of contracts for the construction of 210 housing units across the 21 councils and the purchase of 110 number of Hilux vans, the Permanent Secretary denied knowledge of such as he was not at the ministry at that period.

Chairman of the panel, Justice Umar Bobbo, said the panel would get in touch with relevant individuals and organisations to verify the claims by the permanent secretary.

APC to consider S’East as trustees’ chair CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

L-R: Catherine Weiss of the Department for International Development (DFID); Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Mr. Clement Nwankwo and Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, at a meeting between INEC and civil society groups in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

FG awards N31.2bn power evacuation contract lFEC receives report on South-East erosion projects lJonathan swears in new HOSF Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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he Federal Government yesterday approved contract worth N31.2 billion for the evacuation of 40 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.

The amount of power is expected to be generated from the 40-megawatts capacity Kashimbilla Dam in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba.

The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Mohammed Wakil, disclosed this to State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The dam which Wakil described as multipurpose is expected to provide potable water as well as supply water for irrigation, apart from providing hydro-electricity.

Wakil said that the project was awarded to SCC Nigeria Ltd with a completion period of 18 months.

His words: “By the time we add 40 megawatts to the national grid, it is going to complement the existing power that we are generating in the country.

This will also lead to creation of employment in that community.

“While we can have the formal and informal employment, engineers, artisans and others will benefit from this. Further to that we will also have additional, in terms of economy benefits, be it agriculture, irrigation and many others; by the time it is completed it is going to help us a lot.

“And it is in line with the transformation agenda of Mr. President to reform the sector.”

Information Minister Labaran Maku also added that the contract approval

followed a memo tabled before the council by the Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo.

“The company had already installed the turbines in the course of the implementation of the project. But the infrastructure for evacuating power from Kashimbila Dam to various communities of the North East and indeed North Central had not been awarded.

“But as progress on the dam approaches completion toward the end of the year, the minister of power came to council today with a memo proposing a contract for the evacuation of power from the dam,” Maku said.

Council also received reports from the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Erosion and Flood Control in SouthEast, Emeka Eze. Eze, who is the Director- General of the Bureau of Public Procurement

(BPP), explained that it was to ensure accountability and transparency in the execution of the projects that President Jonathan constituted his committee outside the implementing agencies to review the projects.

He said that out of the 15 erosion sites/projects in the South East, six of them had been completed while others were at various stages of completion.

Also, President Jonathan yesterday sworn in the new Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Mr. Danladi Kifasi, at the presidential villa Abuja where he lamented high level impunity and misconduct in the civil service.

On his part, the new HoS, Kifasi said his vision for the service is to have a compact service that would be “well managed, well focused, committed, highly skilled and very innovative.”

Muhammadu Buhari; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu and a former Abia State Governor, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. Others on the 74-member board include the party’s former interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipreye Sylva; former Minister of Communication, Chief Audu Ogbeh; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari; Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume; his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Alhaji Baba Magaji; Alhaji Kawu Baraje; Prince Tony Momoh; Yusuf Garba Ali, serving governors and past governors of the party.

A source at the party said the party was also looking towards the South-East to pick the BoT chairman.

He added that the party was considering South-East for the chairman of the BoT in view of the zoning of political offices in the party.

According to the zoning of the party offices, the national chairman

is from the South-South and secretary from the North.

It is widely believed that the party has also zoned its presidential ticket to the North, while the vice-presidential candidate will emerge from the South-West.

According to the source, the BoT members of the party met in Abuja yesterday to tide up the arrangements for the emergency meeting of the BoT and the NEC meeting, holding today.

The source said the party’s BoT would meet next week to elect its executive members.

He said most of the members were in attendance at yesterday’s meeting.

When asked if Ikimi, who nursed a grudge against the party following his inability to emerge as its national chairman, was at the meeting he said no but he sent his apology since he was outside the country.

Also, it was learnt that among the issues discussed by the BoT were the guidelines for the Adamawa State governorship bye- election, impeachment plots against APC governors and the modalities for the party’s national convention.

These, the source said would be presented to NEC members today.

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Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief for New Telegraph CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

correspondent, deputy features editor and was appointed features editor of National Concord in 1998. He was also Saturday editor of National Interest, and had a stint at ThisDay newspaper in 1995.

He was pioneer editor of the Abuja bureau of The Sun newspapers in 2002, from where he rose to the position of Editor, Northern Operations, and later Managing Editor.

He had earlier served as Special Adviser, Public Affairs and Strategy to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.

In January 2010, Osagie was appointed to the Board of The Sun Publishing Limited, and served as Executive Director, Special Services, supervising the editorial and business interests of the newspaper group in the nation’s capital and the Northern region.

In December 2013, he was re-designated Executive Director (Publications) supervising editorial, sales & operations and the commercial printing departments of the newspaper company, and subsequently named Deputy Managing Director/ Deputy Editor-in-Chief in May, 2014. He is a member of the Nigerian Guild of

Akinadewo

Abugu

Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists.

Akinadewo, Deputy Managing Director, was Daily Editor and acting Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph, before the restructuring.

He started his journalism career in 1988 in the Nigerian Monitor, and later moved to the Politics and Features Desks of Concord newspapers.

He joined The Comet

on July 5, 1999 and rose to become Group Politics Editor and Group News Editor. He moved to The Nation on July 31, 2006 as Group Politics Editor.

He was Weekend Editor (Saturday&Sunday) of Nigerian Compass, and promoted Daily Editor in January, 2009. In April, 2013, he became the Managing Editor of the newspaper.

Akinadewo, who holds a Master’s Degree in

International Law and Diplomacy (MILD) from the University of Lagos, where he also got his first degree, was the pioneer Daily Editor of New Telegraph when it hit the newsstands on February 3, 2014.

He is a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and Fellow, Institute of Policy Management Development.

Felix Oguejiofor-Abugu, Deputy Managing Director, was former Editor, Saturday Guardian and has a rich journalism experience spanning over 20 years.

Suleiman Uba Gaya has held many editorial and management positions, including being Daily Editor of Leadership newspapers, and rose to the position of Director, Special Projects,

before his resignation to pursue other interests.

Gaya currently holds the position of Vice-President (North) in the executive committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

Yemi Ajayi brings on board 23 years journalism experience. He was before his appointment as Daily Editor of New Telegraph, the Deputy Editor of ThisDay. He has worked variously at The Guardian and The Punch, before moving over to The Nation as Assistant Editor. He had also worked at The Nigerian Tribune as Lagos Bureau Chief and The Sun newspaper.

A former media aide to former Governor Oyinlola of Osun State, Ajayi has attended several professional media courses locally and internationally.

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Former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (right), donating computers to the Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State...yesterday.

Health minister dismisses report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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index case, the late Liberian-American, Mr. Patrick Sawyer.

But Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, dismissed the report, saying Nigeria has not recorded any fresh case of EVD. Idris spoke just as the Federal Government offered the state N200 lifeline to assist in containing the EVD. Besides, the presidency, the state government and others paid tributes to Dr Stella Shade Adadevoh, who died of EVD after contracting it from the late Sawyer.

According to the commissioner, a total of 213 persons who had primary or secondary contact are being traced while 62 persons had completed the two-day follow-up.

“Earlier, we had three

suspected cases and two of them tested negative. Right now we have five suspected cases now. They came in yesterday (Tuesday) and those five are already in isolation wards because they present the symptoms. They will now take their blood sample. Two of them are secondary cases.

Till date, we have recorded eight suspected cases, five of which came in yesterday, 12 confirmed.

“On the whole, five have died. We are currently following up 213 contacts, and 62 have completed the twoday follow-up,” he added.

Idris urged residents to be vigilant and report any person who exhibits EVD symptoms to health authorities.

The commissioner explained that the survival of an EVD patient depends on the level of his immu-

nity, saying it also depends on how early the person is brought to the isolation centre.

“That is why are begging people not to stay at home or hide themselves.

As soon as they start developing the symptoms, they should come out to the isolation wards for the treatment. The level of survival again also depends on your own immunity and the efficacy of the immunity also depends on the age. A 27- year-old person is in a better position to fight any disease than a 50-year-old or a 60-year-old because of age. The disease is not a death sentence; if you come in early, the chances of survival are high. Perhaps that explains why some people die and why some survive the diseases,” he stated.

On whether the state

government would administer Nano Silver, an untested drug developed by a Nigerian, on any patient based on request by the relatives or the patient, the commissioner said the government was not likely to do so since it had not been approved by the international agencies.

He added that the chances of the state government recording more cases are still high due to the population of Lagos.

This, he said, informed the government’s efforts at intensifying its contacttracing activities.

Idris also paid tribute to the late Adadevoh, saying she was a heroine who saved over 21 million Lagosians from dying of EVD. He said the late Adadevoh, who passed on Tuesday, alerted the state govCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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

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Uwazuruike, MASSOB commanders’ clash claims five Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

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ommanders of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yester-

day engaged the leader of the group, Ralph Uwazuruike, in a bloody battle that left five men dead and hundred others seriously wounded.

What started as a mild protest snowballed into a

full blown war at MASSOB headquarters known as ‘Freedom House’ in Okwe, Imo State.

New Telegraph learnt that top commanders of MASSOB, who had served in the organisa-

tion for over 16 years, had alleged high-handedness on the part of the MASSOB leader.

It was learnt that instead of attending to their concerns, Uwazuruike had ordered them to va-

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris and his Information and Strategy counterpart, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, at a press briefing on the Ebola Virus Disease in Lagos…yesterday

Presidency, others pay tributes to late doctor CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

ernment upon discovery that the late Sawyer was infected with EVD. “She was the one who took the initiative to intimate the ministry concerning the index case, Liberian-American(Mr Patrick Sawyer) and the moderate containment achieved is to her credit.

“She led the team which attended to the index case.

Her doggedness and commitment to duty saw her personally reviewing the case even though the patient had earlier been seen by a doctor. No doubt she and the other affected health workers are the heroes and heroines of the day,” Idris stated.

The presidency also praised the late Adadevoh for her dedication to duty that led to her death.

Special Assistant to the president on New Media, Mr. Reno Omokri, described her as the real Nigerian hero.

Omokri, in his tribute, via his twitter handle, said: “No greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends-John 15:13. Rest in Peace #DrAdadevohaRealNigerianhero”.

Also, a former Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, described the late Adadevoh as an embodiment of godly doctor.

However, reacting to the report of five sus-

pected cases of EVD in Lagos, Chukwu said at present, Nigeria has only two confirmed cases of the disease.

Chukwu in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Mr. Dan Nwomeh, said the report should be ignored.

He said: “As at 7 pm today (yesterday), there is no other confirmed Ebola Virus Disease case in Nigeria outside the two that are currently under treatment at the isolation ward in Lagos.

Chukwu, at another occasion yesterday, also said the Federal Government had approved the release of N200 million to the Lagos State Government to help contain the spread of EVD. The minister told reporters yesterday after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja that the decision to assist the state was in line with the commitment of the administration to tackle the Ebola disease and halt its spread to other parts of the country.

He also said the United States had donated 30 body scanners that would soon be deployed in major entry points across the country to test body temperatures of travellers.

Chukwu said that government was commit-

ment to fighting the Ebola scourge and was gradually making progress.

According to him, efforts are being made to eliminate EVD in Nigeria.

“As at today, Nigeria has had a total number of 12 cases of Ebola which include the index case, the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer. Of this 12, the total number of successful cases who have been discharged stands at five but the total number of deaths, including the index case, stands at five.

“Currently, the total number of cases in Nigeria is two, made up of one doctor, one nurse who had managed the index case and they are presently on treatment at the isolation centres. The latest death occurred Tuesday evening and that is the death of the most senior doctor, senior consultant/physician/endrocologist at First Consultant Hospital Lagos, Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh.

“Regrettably she lost her life to the Ebola virus.

Of course, she contacted the disease from the Liberian-American who exported the disease to Nigeria in the cause of treating that patient. Indeed she had to physically restrain this infected person from escaping from the hospital when the later attempted to do so having been communicated that he was

Ebola positive,” he stated.

The minister who commended the late doctor said if the late Sawyer had escaped from the hospital at that stage, it would have been disastrous for Nigeria.

“As many more persons, many of them that it would have been very difficult to track, could have become primary contacts.

There is no doubt that Dr. Adadevoh is not only dedicated, committed and competent doctor but she showed rare courage, rare sense of duty, service and patriotism to her country.

“Within the last one week, we heard additional rumours of the Ebola Virus Disease in some parts of the country. One, in Kwara State and the other in Kaduna State. Both cases have been tested and they are negative.

“We also want to say what we have gone through in discharging the Ebola patients who are now free of the Ebola Virus Disease; they do not pose any danger to the society. Again this point has been made to the public so that we do not stigmatise those who have suffered the Ebola Virus Disease. Anybody could suffer from any disease that person does not deserve to be stigmatise,” he added.

The minister also said CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

cate the Okwe headquarters of the group.

Having ignored Uwazuruike’s directive, the MASSOB leader was said to have ordered an attack to dislodge them from the Freedom House.

An eyewitness told New Telegraph that at about 12.45p.m. yesterday, hundreds of armed thugs who came in 15 buses and several motorcycles stormed the MASSOB headquarters and turned the community into a battleground.

The brawl led to the death of five men and several others seriously wounded.

Contacted, the National Secretary of the group, Comrade Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke, confirmed the clash. “Away from the selfdetermination struggle, Uwazuruike had sent his thugs from Onitsha to eliminate us because we refused to be used and dumped because we told him that he was derailing the cause of MASSOB. We protected ourselves and we are firmly in charge of the MASSOB headquarters,” he said.

He lamented the impoverishment of members of MASSOB by Uwazuruike who has refused to ease excessive taxes and levies on members who are largely rural farmers and artisans.

Ugwuoke said: “Ninety per cent of MASSOB members are suffering and languishing in poverty while Uwazuruike lives in great affluence. What we are saying therefore is that we can no longer be used by Uwazuruike to enrich himself. While we are dying he is busy buying houses and exotic cars. We cannot continue like this anymore.

“We are calling on Ohaneze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders of note to intervene because Uwazuruike has derailed the cause of Ndigbo; using the blood of innocent Igbo youths, who are killed daily while obeying his orders, to make money.”

While Ugwuoke alleged that over N20million is paid monthly as national dues into Uwazuruike’s personal account, other members differed saying the fund was in the range of N60 million and taxed from MASSOB members in every Igbo-speaking state and Lagos.

Ugwuoke regretted that in spite of the March 29, 2003 massacre of MASSOB members at Umulolo, Okigwe and what he called the “Peter Obi’s shoot-atsight of 2006 in Onitsha,”

Uwazuruike had been oblivious of the plight of the family members of the deceased who had only requested a decent burial for their wards.

“As I am talking to you, we have more than 27 corpses of our members littered in different mortuaries since 2003 and all our pleas to give them a decent burial as our fallen comrades in the struggle, have fallen on deaf ears due to the insensitivity of Ralph Uwazuruike.

“Most of us have abandoned home for over 16 years for this cause; we have been detained, tortured and shut while obeying Uwazuruike and today, because we complained that he is derailing the cause, he wants to exterminate us. We have nowhere else to go, so we are willing to die here fighting.”

Speaking also, the leader of Biafra Defence Mission, Comrade Ndubuisi Igwekani, warned that: “If swift actions were not taken to call Uwazuruike to order, the security situation in Igboland will be seriously compromised.

Uwazuruike’s kind of Biafra is not the one Ojukwu fought for. He has abandoned the struggle turning MASSOB into an instrument of trade and exploitation of Ndigbo, we must stop him no matter the cost.”

However, in a telephone conversation, Uwazuruike said that he was not aware of such incident.

He said: “I got the information that there was a crisis at Okwe few minutes ago and I will get in touch with my administrators to know what was happening. There was no problem, except that some of the security men working at the headquarters were transferred but were yet to relocate and that may have been misconstrued as disobedience to my instructions.”

Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the incident, saying that the clash was between rival groups within the movement. Enwerem told New Telegraph that the state police command has been following the discontent and brewing disquiet within MASSOB. He explained that the violence was as a result of allegations of corruption within the group.

The command’s spokesman, who confirmed the death toll in the clash said preliminary report showed that two persons died in the incident.

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Mbu, Manko, 17 others become AIGs Emmanuel Onani

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he Police Service Commission (PSC), yesterday, promoted 19 Commissioners of Police (CP) to the rank of Assistant Inspectors General of

Police (AIGs).

On the lost were Commissioners of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Lagos State Commands, Messrs Mbu Joseph Mbu and Umaru Abubakar Manko,

Apart from Mbu and Manko, other newlypromoted AIGs are: Ambrose O. Aisibor, Adebayo Ajileye, Joel Kayode Theophilus, Wilfred Eje Obute, Felix Osita Uyanna, A. J. Abakasanga, Jubril Olawale Adeniji,

Ibrahim M. Maishanu, Godfrey E. Okeke and Chintua Amajor-Onu. Others are: Lawal Tanko, Usman Akila Gwarry, Kalafite Helen Adeyemi, Yahaya Garba Ardo, Irimiya F. Yerima, Olufemi A. Adenaike and

L-R: Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi; Zonal Commander, Lagos, Mr. Godwin Ogagaogene and Commander, Corps Medical Rescue Officer, Mrs. Oladunni Olaniyan, during the distribution of personnel protective equipment to road safety officers in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Doctors set to end strike after Mark’s intervention lFederal Government denies sacking doctors Chukwu David and Anule Emmanuel

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triking doctors are set to end their sevenweek-old industrial action following the intervention of Senate President David Mark.

NMA President, Dr. Kayode Obembe, raised hope of an imminent end to the strike yesterday after a meeting that lasted many hours with the Senate President.

Mark, along with Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is also a member of NMA, Senator Tunde Ogbeha and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okukpe, met in Abuja with the doctors from Tuesday night till the wee hours of yesterday to broker a truce in the face-off between the doctors and the Federal Government.

Mark, at the closed-door meeting, the second since last Sunday, told the doctors to reconsider their action because of its implications on the people.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Mr. Paul Mumeh, said there were indications that the government had complied with some of the doctors’ demands, which made the NMA leadership to resolve to brief members before a final decision to call off the

strike could be taken.

Although Obembe described the meeting as fruitful, he declined to give the exact date when the strike would be called off, saying he has to report back to his members.

He also debunked claims that the striking doctors abandoned the nation in its trying times of major health challenge by not calling off the strike to assist in handling the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak.

He said: “There was never a time we refused to respond to the national emergency; we have been alive to our duties as professionals and to our fatherland.”

He added that doctors were not unmindful of the health challenges facing the nation at the moment but they needed the government to correct some anomalies in the health sector to make it more effective and responsive to the health care needs of the citizens.

Mark had last Sunday met with the doctors during which he pleaded with them to return to work in the interest of Nigerians.

He also promised them that he would table their grievances before President Goodluck Jonathan with a view to finding a lasting solution to the industrial crisis.

The medical practitio-

ners all over the country had embarked on a nationwide strike July 1, following their disagreement with the Federal Government over alleged unpaid allowances and other sundry issues pertaining to the welfare of health workers.

In another development, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, yesterday explained that the Federal Government has not sacked any doctor under its employment contrary to reports.

Speaking after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which was presided over

by President Goodluck Jonathan, Chukwu said what has been done by the government was the suspension of the residency programme in federal hospitals.

Explaining the decision, the minister said that the allotted time within which the resident doctors were supposed to be acquiring the needed skills was being wasted, since government’s decision to reappraise the programme.

Chukwu, however, said that the suspension of the residency programme may last for months, until the committee which he is about to be set up submit its report for the way forward.

“They were not sacked;

it is a matter of interpretation. For example, if someone while still working actively dies, or whether that person resigned or was dismissed or retired or terminated all mean different things in the public service.

“But the end point is that the person is no longer working. I want us to put things in perspective.

Government did not sack anybody; it is true that they themselves have not been working for almost two months, except those in private hospitals.

“Resident doctors in both federal and state hospitals have not been working for almost two months now and they have not participated in the control of this Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), they have not played any role. So even if government had not taken any decision, they are not there; they are not working and I don’t know why suddenly the media starts taking interest in them.

They are not part of this success story.

He added that government’s decision only affects resident doctors in federal hospitals and it is not a permanent thing. “I believe we will quickly appraise this situation and hopefully government will resume residency programme because honestly we need to train doctors in the specialist.”

Patrick Dey Dokumor.

This is coming a day after eight police officers were elevated to the rank of Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), to form the Police Management Team (PMT), headed by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Suleiman Abba.

Their promotion, according to a statement signed by the Assistant Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe, is with immediate effect.

The statement reads in full: “The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 19 Commissioners of Police to the rank of Assistant Inspectors - General of Police.

“The promotions became necessary to fill

the vacancies created by recent retirements/ promotions in the Force and to re-invigorate and reposition Zonal and other Commands headed by AIGS, to help tackle the country’s current security challenges.”

While congratulating the newly promoted officers, the Chairman of the Commission, Sir Mike Okiro urged them to brace up to the responsibilities of their new office, affirming that the Commission is working assiduously towards formulating and implementing policies aimed at enhancing discipline and productivity in the Nigeria Police Force.

With their elevation, Mbu and Manko will cease to be the CPs in charge of the FCT and Lagos respectively, in view of the fact that the new rank now qualifies them and others, to head zonal commands.

FG offers Lagos N200m to fight Ebola virus CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Nigeria had not given up hope of getting the EVD trial drug, ZMAPP, from the US. Washington has turned down Nigeria’s earlier request to give it the trial drug, saying it does not have enough quantity.

However, despite the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle the EVD outbreak, some Air France flight crews are refusing to board planes bound for Guinea, SierraLeone and Nigeria over fears of the epidemic.

Cabin crew scheduled to work on some flights “have not wanted to carry out their assignment,” a spokesman for the company told the Agence France Presse (AFP).

Air France serves more West Africa destinations than any other major carrier. It has given its staff freedom to choose whether or not they want to fly to Conakry, Freetown and Lagos after British Airways and Emirates suspended flights to the region.

Air France operates daily flights to Guinea and Nigeria and a service three times a week to Sierra Leone.

On Monday, one Air France union, SNGAF, launched a petition calling for the “immediate end to flights to countries hit by the Ebola virus.”

“We know that our jobs put us at risk, but they are measured risks.

This is completely out of

control and the information is not the same from one day to the next,” said Sophie Gorins, the secretary-general of the SNPNC, which represents cabin crew.

She said that hygiene measures implemented so far were “stop-gap” and that crew had “no idea if we are carrying a victim or if we ourselves are carriers of the virus.”

Flight crews for Air France can request to be withdrawn from a scheduled flight if they believe their health or life is in “grave and imminent danger,” with the team then usually replaced by a reserve team.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has invited US doctors from Emory University to assist in stopping the spread of EVD to the state.

Though Rivers has no case of the disease, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samson Parker, said the move was a precautionary one that would keep the state in a better position to combat the disease, if necessary.

Parker, while appearing before the state House of Assembly yesterday, also said the ministry had set up a quarantine centre in Oduoha in Emuoha Local Government Area.

The lawmakers had summoned him to know the preparedness of the ministry in tackling the epidemic.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

APC accuses INEC of aiding PDP in bye-election Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

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he leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) security agencies and government officials of aiding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win last Saturday’s bye election for Aba South state constituency, even as INEC said the allegation is not true.

In a statement signed by the party’s Deputy Publicity Secretary, Onyioha Onyioha and made available to the press in Umuahia, the party alleged that “There is demonstrable evidence of irregularities and fraud perpetrated by PDP with the connivance and cooperation of sitting government officials at federal, state and LGA levels, and members of election

management agencies, including the Independent National electoral Commission ( INEC), the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps, and others.”

According to the statement, “Irregularities were evident in the distribution of election materials to voting centres, voter accreditation, voting, collating and returning of election results and materials, as well as stealing of ballot boxes and materials.”

It further said that irregularities were most pronounced in wards 2, 4, 6 and 7 where they alleged intimidation, snatching of ballot boxes, seizure of recording materials and stealing election booklets.

The statement also observed that the election was marred by public apathy, voter disenfranchisement and intimidation, among others.

It, therefore, rejected

the final result saying it is not a true reflection of the will of the electorates.

“APC Abia Chapter is convinced it won the said election on merit, and deserved to have been announced as winner but for the shenanigans described above. While we call on our supporters to remain calm, we wish to assure them that we are studying the facts of the matter to ascertain any options for redress available to the party.”

But in a swift reaction, the INEC in the state described the allegation as untrue. Reacting to the statement on phone, the Public Relations Officer of the Commission, Mr Edwin Enabo, said there could not have been such fraud and malpractice as alleged by the APC since the party agents were all there and signed every document relating to the election.

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LOT 1 SUPPLY OF MOTOR VEHICLE LOT 2 MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES (i) OFFICE MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES (ii) COMPUTER MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES (iii) DRUGS AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES (iv) UNIFORMS & OTHER CLOTHINGS LOT 3 MAINTENANCE SERVICES (i) MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES (ii) MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS & FURNITURE (iii) MAINTENANCE OF IT /OFFICE EQUIPMENT

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overnor Babatunde Fashola yesterday assured displaced residents and traders of Oko Baba plank market that his administration has no plan to take over their market. Rather, he said his administration would assist them in replacing their wooden structures.

Fashola, who visited burnt premises where over 2,500 residents were displaced, said contrary to speculation making

rounds that he would eject the traders from the premises, he had no plan to do so at all.

The governor ordered the State Ministries of Special Duties and Physical Planning and Urban Development to meet with the residents on how to replace wooden structures in the area, assuring that everything would be done to mitigate the negative impact of the disaster on them.

It would be recalled that about 2,500 residents

in Mainland Local Government were rendered homeless as fire gutted Oko Baba Sawmill and other adjoining communities in the area on Monday.

The fire, which started at 9:30pm on Monday and lasted for over eight hours and destroyed many buildings comprising of five bungalows, several boltup buildings and other properties worth billions of Naira . The fire razed both the commercial and residential wing of the sawmill.

Osun traditionalists demand introduction of "Ifa" in schools Adeolu Adeyemo, OSOGBO Religious Tinraditional Worshipers Association Osun State yesterday

marked its commemoration of World Traditional Religion Day, otherwise tagged “Isese day” with a plea to the state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to speedily introduce "Ifa" studies into the secondary school teaching curriculum in the state.

The Head of Traditional worshipers in the state, Chief Idowu Awopetu, who made the plea while speaking at a collo-

quium to mark this year’s Isese Day in Osogbo, said introduction of "Ifa" into these schools would give room for total integration of traditionalists doctrines into the school curriculum.

Awopetu charged the state government to expedite actions on the introduction of their request, saying it would add value to the educational advancement of the state especially in the Yoruba circle.

He stated that "if "Ifa" is embraced in the state secondary schools, the

teaching of Yoruba would be complete while the educational methodology of teaching will improve." " Ifa is yet to be taught in any of the public secondary school in the state up till date, a development which makes traditionalists unhappy and we appeal to the governor to intervene on this." " The state government should allow teaching of Ifa studies in both public primary and secondary schools in the state because studying Ifa by young people would prevent juvenile delinquen-

Hit-and-run driver kills two in Anambra Onah O. Onah, ONITSHA middle aged man whose name was simply given as Onyekwelu O. yesterday escaped death by whiskers at Atani Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, after crushing two persons to death along the Onitsha– Atani road.

The victims, according to eye witness account were thought to be stu-

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dents of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Atani Campus as the students of the institution immediately took to the street in protest.

New Telegraph, however gathered from the Ogbaru Police Station, Atani that the victims were not students but are all indigenes of the town.

A dependable Police source told New Telegraph also that the driv-

er, who rode on a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle, has been arrested while investigation is an progress.

Meanwhile, youths and residents of the town are spoiling for a show down as of the time of filling this report, planning an attack on the driver, who they said has been known for his careless driving since he returned from his overseas trip.

PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Prospective Contractors shall be required to possess the following pre-qualification Documents: (a) Valid Certificate of Registration/Incorporation (b) Current Tax Clearance Certificate for the last (3) years, Valid up to December 31st 2013. (c) Value Added Tax (VAT) Registration Certificate and Tax Identification Number (TIN). (d) Evidence of registration as a contractor with the National Judicial Institute, Abuja or renewal thereof. (e) Company’s resume including details of key staff strength to be deployed for execution of the contract and their professional certificates should be attached, (where applicable). (f) Name and address of banker(s) including a letter of reference/guarantee from the bank. (g) Evidence of involvement and experience in similar contracts stating contract sums and showing evidence of award and timely completion. (h) Evidence of compliance with the provision of Section 16(6)(a-d) of the Public Procurement Act 2007. (i) Evidence of compliance with I.T.F. Amendment Act 2011 as applicable.

No plan to take over burnt Oko Baba Market — Fashola Muritala Ayinla

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SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS Pre-qualification documents should be enclosed in a sealed envelope marked at the top centre “LOT No.” and at the bottom left “PRE-QUALIFICATION 2014” to the National Judicial Institute, Airport Road, Abuja, within 14 days from the date of this publication and addressed to: The Institute Secretary, National Judicial Institute, Mohammed Bello Centre, Adjacent Jabi Junction Fly-Over, Umaru Musa Yaradua Express Way, P.M.B 5020, Abuja.

PLEASE NOTE: (a) All Submissions would be verified from the relevant agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Services, Corporate Affair Commission, etc. (b) This advertisement for

“Pre-qualification exercise” shall not be construed to be a commitment on the part of the National Judicial Institute, Abuja nor shall it entitle the submitting Tenderer to make any claims whatsoever and or seek any indemnity from the National Judicial Institute by virtue of such Tenderer having responded to this advert. (c Pre-qualification bid should be very clear about the bidders areas and proven competence and interest. (d) Proposal for different Procurement/Lot should be submitted in different envelopes. (e) Subsequent to this pre-qualification exercise tender for contracts and jobs will be accepted only from pre-qualified contractors, and the National Judicial Institute, Abuja shall not enter into any correspondence with unsuccessful applicants. (f) Only regular stockers of goods are advised to apply as minimum period would be allowed between the date of award and final delivery. (g) All submissions will be verified as the case may be. (h) Late submissions will be rejected.

Opening of the pre-qualification documents will take place at the National Judicial Institute, Umaru Musa Express way, Abuja on 8th September, 2014 by 12noon.

SIGNED:

The Institute Secretary, National Judicial Institute, Abuja.

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NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Kogi to monitor budget performance Muhammad Bashir LOKOJA

he Kogi State GovernTembark ment said it will soon on periodic per-

formance assessment of its annual budget.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Chief Ali Ajuh, said this in Lokoja, yesterday.

The commissioner said his ministry will conduct periodic budget

performance appraisal aimed at ensuring that government’s development plan was met, adding that the 2014 budget is currently enjoying implementation as planned.

“As an insider, who has contributed to the preparation of this year’s budget and having followed it to an extent, I want to tell you that the budget for this year is being pursued diligently.

Waiver: Ribadu, Marwa, Gundiri fate hang in the balance Onyekachi Eze Villagers from Umuezike, Isuofia in Aguata Council Area, protesting over the destruction of their homes by hoodlums, in Awka …yesterday.

NAN-PHOTO

Enugu impeachment: Deputy gov accuses Chime of operating poultry in Govt House Wale Elegbede

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he seven-member panel investigating the alleged impeachment offences against the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Sunday Onyebuchi resumed sitting yesterday with the embattled deputy giving evidence in the impeachment trial against him through documents.

Onyebuchi, who slumped last week while testifying before the Uche Franklyn Oraekeiyi -led panel, said his boss, Governor Sullivan Chime also operates poultry and a pig-

gery at the Government House, the same allegation he is being tried for.

Backing up his claims with copies of the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 Appropriation Acts of the state passed by the Enugu State House of Assembly, he argued that the government had made allocations amounting to several millions of naira for the maintenance of farms within the state governor’s house.

Onyebuchi averred that the same State House of Assembly trying to impeach him for running a poultry in a designated

Police warns against early campaigns in Taraba Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

State Police Tallaraba Command has warned politicians and politi-

cal parties in the state against engaging in any kind of political campaign or rally until the ban of such activities is lifted.

In a press statement issued yesterday, by the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP. Joseph Kwaji, the state police command said, the ban

on political activities in the state was still in force.

It added that on no account should any political party engage in any political campaign or rallies in the state, until the ban is lifted by the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC).

The state police command further advised all political parties to adhere strictly to the orders, as violators would be apprehended to face the wrath of the law.

Offices shut in Osogbo over Isese day anks and government Bmained offices in Osun reclosed yesterday

as the state government declared a public holiday for traditional worshipers to celebrate Isese festival.

An Osgbo-based traditionalist, Chief Kayode Esuleke, said Isese was meant to pay homage to the gods and deities in the state.

According to him, the traditional worshipers anywhere in the world like other religious adherents also have a special day to celebrate their gods and also dine and wine with their loved ones.

He, therefore, commended Gov. Rauf Aregbesola for his open and non-sentimental policy of giving equal rights to every religion in the state, irrespective of their belief and pattern of worship.

“I give kudos to Aregbesola for his good policy on religious equality. He has shown to us, through his gesture, that he is a governor for all.

“Obviously, we couldn’t have had it so good in the face of eroding tradition and culture that have pervaded the society as a result of imported religions.

Farm Unit of the Enugu State Government House structure built by the Okpara Government, has been making budgetary provisions for the running of poultry in the Enugu State Government House.

“It is from the budgetary allocation that Governor Sullivan Chime has been running a big poultry, piggery, and cattle ranch in the expansive Government House.”

While noting that that he had not committed any offence that could warrant his removal from government by impeachment, he stressed that the poultry at the government house was evacuated with the commencement of the panel proceedings, adding that if the government said there was no poultry, then they should explain where all the provisions in the budget went to.

APGA crisis: Ex- commissioner sues for peace Tony Okafor, AWKA ormer Commissioner for Agriculture and a stakeholder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, Godson Ezenagwu, has called on the leaders of the party to embrace peace and save the party from further embarrassment.

Ezenagwu, made the appeal yesterday in Awka

while reacting to the feud between the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh and former Governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi. Ezenagu stated that Obi had not left the party but only resigned his position as the BOT chairman, adding that the exgovernor was still very important in the party, which he led for years.

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Amosun to construct flyover in Ijebu-Igbo Kunle Olayeni, ABEOKUTA he Governor Ibikunle Amosun-led government in Ogun State is set to construct a flyover at Obada market junction in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, who made this known in Abeokuta, said the reason for the con-

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struction was to reduce travel time due to traffic congestion often experienced at the junction.

Adegbite said the flyover, when constructed, would also eliminate vehicular and pedestrian conflict around the area.

He stated that the project would be handled by a contractor who had been given a mandate of 12 months for completion of the project.

APC splits in Kano Muhammad Kabir, KANO he All Progressives Congress, APC, has split into two factions in Kano, with another group breaking away from the predominantly Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso group. They alleged that the Kwankwaso’s group chose executive members, and appointed their new state Chairman under Hussaini Isa Mairiga

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and his Executive members.

Addressing newsmen, the new factional leader of the APC in Kano, Hussaini Isa Mairiga, noted that they have exercised great caution and restrain for a long time since Kwankwaso and his pet Kwankwasiyya group came into the party, because of the way they have dominated it.

ABUJA

fate of some guberTthehenatorial aspirants of Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) in the October 11governorship by-election in Adamawa State still hang in the balance as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) which met yesterday is yet to take official position on their waiver applications.

The aspirants, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) and former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in 2011, Marcus Gundiri, need special waiver from PDP to qualify for the October 11 governorship primary.

PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, told journalists on Tuesday that though their waiver application was not sent to his office, he believes those involved knew what to do

before picking the nomination forms.

The NWC, which met yesterday, however kept mum on the waiver application.

According to the PDP constitution, only the National Executive Committee (NEC) is vested with the power to grant waiver to any applicant upon the recommendation of the NWC. The timetable released by the party for the Adamawa governorship election shows that purchase and submission of nomination form will end on Monday, August 25 while ward congress to chose delegates for the primary hold on September 1.

It is doubtful if NEC, which is the highest decision-making body of the party, will meet before clearance of the aspirants, which is expected to commence next week.

A party source, however, hinted that NWC can give anticipatory waiver approval to enable the aspirants participate in the primary, but this is subject to NEC approval.

Police begin investigation into Nasarawa killings Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

he Nasarawa State Tterday Police Command yessaid that it has

commenced investigation to unravel the remote causes of crisis between supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP)

at Dedere which led to the dead of four persons and scores injured.

The command's Public Relations Officer , Ismaila Numan, an Assistant Superintendent, (ASP) told New Telegraph on Telephone that investigation was ongoing to unravel the root cause of the crisis.

Expect more defections from APC — Adeyemi Onyekachi Eze, ABUJA arely four days after former presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi, yesterday predicted more defections from APC to PDP. Adeyemi, who led other federal lawmakers from Kogi West senatorial zone on solidarity visit to

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the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, said crisis will hit the opposition party after its congresses and national convention.

"I have a vision that people like Buhari, Kwankwaso, Tinubu will come back to PDP after the opposition's convention. People are calling on Jonathan to declare for 2015, and I ask, where are opponents? PDP should not bother about President Jonathan's declaration. He is already cruising to victory", he stated.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

9

Chibok Girls: Osahon blames FG Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

Progressives ConAerllgress (APC) lawmakrepresenting Ovia

The new Lagos State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade and Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, after her swearing-in as the chief judge of the state in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

529m

The number of active mobile-broadband subscriptions of developed countries in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

52.6

The average goal attempts in Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Goal.com

0.3%

The annual population growth rate of Albania in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

Fayose inaugurates transition committee, laments state’s financial status Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

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kiti State GovernorElect, Mr. Ayo Fayose, yesterday inaugurated a nine-man Transition Committee to ensure a smooth take-over of the administration of the state on October 16.

Speaking on the occasion in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose lamented the parlous state of the finances of Ekiti, wondering what the outgoing administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi was doing with statutory allocations.

He also decried the nonpayment of salaries of workers, urging Fayemi to do the needful and save workers from financial agony.

The governor-elect also

painted an ugly picture of the debt profile of the state, saying it was huge going by feelers at his disposal.

"The outgoing administration has piled up a huge debt profile and only last February, they borrowed another N5 billion from the Capital Market, apart from what they borrowed earlier.

"As we are talking now the July salaries of most workers have not been paid. I don't want to believe that the action is deliberate because statutory allocations are coming in regularly. If it is an attempt to allow salaries to pile up for the incoming administration, they should know that there is still another day and they would still need Ekiti

people.

“They are also diverting the money for salaries to pay contractors that had not been on ground in the last one year, so that they can incur huge debt just for Fayose not to have a smooth sail.

“When I left government, I left the sum of N10.4 billion in the coffers apart from the fact that we did well. But today, we are inheriting debt. I have to let our people know because of the expectations in town; Ekiti situation is not promising at all. There is no magic to perform when there is no money.

"I urge you, our party leaders that are here today to go home and let the people know what is on ground as the expecta-

Ojukwu takes over from Mba as FPRO Juliana Francis

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he Nigeria Police Force, spokesman, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Frank Mba, yesterday handed over as FPRO to a new image maker, as he heads to Lagos State to become an Area Commander.

Mba handed over to a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu.

Mba will be leaving the FPRO’s office to become the Commander, Area J. Command Ajah.

Mba, who became the FPRO in 2012 when he was an Assistant Superintendent of Police (SP), after taking over from a Deputy Commissioner of Police(DCP), Olusola

Amore, rose to become an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Mba, who hails from Ezimo in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992 as a Cadet Inspector.

He had his training at the Police Academy, Kano between May 1992 and December 1993, passing out as the ‘Best Graduating Cadet Inspector in Academics’ for his Course and thus winning a special IGP award.

Thereafter, he was deployed to Lagos State Police Command in January 1994 where his career in policing commenced in earnest.

He was promoted to

the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in 1999, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) 2003, Superintendent of Police (SP) 2006, and Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) 2012 and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) 2014.

Mba’s successor, Ojukwu was once the FPRO during the administration of Ogbonnaya Onovo. He studied Psychology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he got his B.Sc. and also went to University of Lagos for his Masters’ programme.

In a letter of appreciation made available to New Teelegraph, Mba described Ojukwu as, “well

tions are high. We are not going to disappoint the people who voted us in, but the fact is that without funds, no magic can be performed”, he said.

Fayose also warned those with political ambitions in the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015 against name-dropping, saying “nobody in the party has been slated for any appointment, except two people considered for automatic ticket on concession grounds”.

He warned the members of the committee against turning their position into political appointments, saying “you are to work with the government team when it is constituted for fact–finding mission about the state–of–the–state”. grounded in the field of public relations.”

He added: “All through these past two and half years, my office has been burdened with the mounting responsibilities and tremendous challenges of improving the image of the Nigeria Police Force and bringing the force closer to the people. These tasks become even more complex in the face of the ferocious threat of terrorism. In all these, I have reasonable cause to thank God and indeed show appreciation to supportive organisations and to individual like you for playing significant roles in the modest successes recorded in managing the image of the largest security agency in Nigeria.”

federal constituency in Edo State at the House of Representatives, Hon. Isaac Osahon yesterday asked President Goodlcuk Jonathan to tow the path of honour and resign for the failure of the Peoples Democratic Party led government to rescue the over 200 Chibok girls abducted by members of the Boko Haram.

The girls have been held in the stronghold of their abductors since the past four months and about eleven of parents of some of them have died from trauma.

Osahon stated this in an interview with newsmen shortly after performing the foundation laying ceremony for the building of a three classroom block as part of his constituency projects for the Evbuomore community in Ovia North East

local government area.

He maintained that it was worrisome and “disgraceful” for a country such as Nigeria with the caliber of military personnel and other security agencies to allow such an ugly incident to hold the nation down for such a longer time the young girls have been in captivity in Borno state and other parts of the country without an urgent action to free them as it is done in civilized countries of the world.

The lawmaker who is seeking for reelection into the lower chamber of the National Assembly in 2015 said he was opposed to the ultimatum by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that President Jonathan should rescue the abducted Chibok girls before the end of October or forget about his ambition for second term but something proactive needed to be done to tackle the spate of killings and destruction of lives in parts of the country.

WAEC introduces walk in, register exam scheme Mojeed Alabi t is good news for intendIthe ing private candidates for forthcoming November/December 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, as the examination body- the West African Examination Council, WAEC, has introduced on-the-spot registration opportunity for them commencing next week Tuesday, August 26.

This was revealed yesterday at a media briefing addressed by the Head of Nigeria’s office of WAEC, Mr. Charles Eguridu, even as he warned the prospective candidates with symptoms of sickness to stay away from examination centres as part of efforts to curb the spread of the dangerous Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. Eguridu, who said the initiative, which is tagged

“registration for walk-incandidates,” will attract the sum of N25,000, also stated that it would afford private candidates the rare opportunity of walking into any of the exam body’s offices nationwide to register and sit for the examinations same day.

He said: “The registration of the “walk-incandidates” which will commence on Tuesday, August 26, will continue throughout the duration of the examination. The candidates should also note that they would only be able to sit for the examination in cities and towns where the Council’s offices are located provided they have two passport photographs, in addition to the registration fee, in bank draft, drawn in favour of WAEC and not later than the day of the paper they intend to sit.”

Insider Weekly mourns founding Editor-in-Chief Temitope Ogunbanke nside Weekly has announced the death of its founding Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Ben-Charles Obi (Jnr).

The magazine in a statement by its Editor-in-Chief, George Mbah, stated that the burial arrangement of the deceased would be announced in due course by the family and thanked all those who have sympathised with the organisation on the sad loss.

The statement reads in part: “It is with sorrow that the management and staff of Insider Weekly magazine announce the death, during a brief illness, of our colleague and

I

founding Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Ben-Charles Obi Jnr. He was 46 years old.

“Obi started his journalism career with The Guardian newspapers, and at various times edited the defunct City News, and the Classique Magazines. He was among the four journalists arrested in 1995 for his exclusive reports in Classique that showcased the purported coup of 1995 against the late General Sani Abacha as phantom and a ploy by the ruling junta to perpetuate himself in power. Charles Obi was subsequently arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment."

10

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

thurSday, AUGUST 21, 2014

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com; otuntise@yahoo.co.uk

0802 393 8212

Pastor rapes 32-year-old woman inside church

The robbery suspects

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

A

37-year-old pastor, Segun Alawode, has been arrested by policemen in Ogun State for allegedly raping a woman at the premises of Eternal Sacred Order Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Sabo in Odogbolu Local Government Area.

Alawode was said to have committed the crime recently during a prayer session with the 32-year-old woman (name withheld).

The pastor was arrested by the anti-crime team attached to Odogbolu Division.

The state Police Public Relations

Officer (PPRO), Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident in a statement yesterday, said the matter would soon be charged to court.

He said: “The victim alleged that the pastor was in a prayer session with her when he asked her (victim) to hold on to some candle stick and suddenly and forcefully pulled off her wears before he eventually had unlawful carnal knowledge of her right in the church.

“The anti-crime team attached to Odogbolu Division of Ogun State Command apprehended him when the victim and her relations stormed the Police Division to notify the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the division of the pastor’s misdeeds and to seek justice from the police.

“The matter is presently at the AntiHuman Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the Department of Criminal Investigation, Abeokuta and medical reports so far received on the matter confirmed that the pastor actually committed the offense and he has since confessed to the crime.”

Meanwhile, the PPRO disclosed yesterday that the anti-crime patrol team deployed to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway had arrested two suspected armed robbers.

The suspects were nabbed at Danco filling station about 11:40 pm on Monday while allegedly blocking the expressway in an attempt to rob commuters and road users. Items recovered from them include one locally-made pistol, many live and expended cartridges, sharp knife, cutlasses, hand gloves and assorted charms.

He said: “The suspects arrested are Usman Sunday, 28, of Sabo Dantajira area of Sagamu and Richard Olabode, 27, of the same address.

“Usman, who hails from Apa Local Government in Benue State, is married and has two children, and attended Agbele Community High School, while Richard, who hails from Ire, Osun State, attended Methodist Comprehensive College, Sagamu and a dropout of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Calabar.

“The suspects had been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Sagamu Division for preliminary investigation before the matter will be transferred to the Department of Criminal Investigation, Eleweran, Abeokuta, as directed by the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, for further investigation.”

Fake female soldier arrested twice in a month

Omieh

Babatope Okeowo Akure

B

arely a month after she was arrested and charged to court for impersonation, Miss Angela Tonye Omieh, was yesterday paraded by the

police in Ondo State for the same offence.

Omieh, who was arrested by men of the 323 Artillery Brigade, Akure, with full military uniform on the two occasions, claimed she used the uniform to escape the prying eyes of the security men each time she goes out for smuggling.

According to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Isaac Eke, who paraded the impersonator, the fake soldier usually gives her name as either Tonye Omieh or Jamilla Suleiman.

Briefing journalists on the activities of his men in the past one month, Eke said the command had been able to arrest 53 suspected criminals, including the fake solder, for various offences such as

armed robbery, cultism and kidnapping.

Out of the suspected criminals, the commissioner said 23 were arrested for armed robbery, one for kidnapping, two for child stealing, two for cultism, one for car snatching, one for murder and one for impersonation.

Also, he said 10 arms, including locally-made pistols, single-barrelled guns, Dane gun and toy guns, live cartridges and expended cartridges, were recovered from the suspects.

Eke said on May 29, his men received information that a DAF truck with registration number SMK-911-XE loaded with cement was hijacked at gun-point at IkereEkiti in Ekiti State by some hoodlums where the driver

was shot dead and the ‘motor boy’ injured.

He said the truck was heading towards OritaObele in Akure. It was, however, intercepted by policemen from Area Commander office in Akure who arrested three suspects.

The suspects, Abdulrasak Olalekan, Akindele Ojo and Henry Afolabi, were arrested and transferred to Ekiti for further investigation.

On the case of child stealing, Eke said the suspect, Janet Obi, confessed that she bought the child from a prostitute in Ikare-Akoko.

Eke added that some of the suspects had been charged to court while others would be arraigned on completion of the investigation.

Adadevoh, heroine of Ebola fight, say Nigerians Shadrach Yusuf any Nigerians have continued to pour M encomiums on the late Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh of the First Consultant Hospi-

tal in Obalende, Lagos, who contracted the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) from the late Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, who brought the disease to Nigeria.

Many people, who commended Adadevoh’s heroic deeds on facebook and twitter, said she gave her life to save thousands of Nigerians.

“Dr. Ameyo died this afternoon Tuesday August 19th at the isolation unit of the Mainland Hospital in Lagos where she had been quarantined. She died a hero because she was the doctor who refused to let Patrick Sawyer, the man who brought the Ebola virus to Nigeria, leave the First Consultant Hospital in Obalende, Lagos, when he attempted to leave. She saved many lives by doing this. Her death is so heart-breaking,” Becky Madojemu wrote.

“Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh! She died because she cared. She was only being truthful to the Hippocratic Oath she took! May her soul find eternal rest,” Abimbola Modupe Otusanya said.

Ivor Ekpe said: “Sleep well Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, you may well have saved many more lives in giving your own. Thank You, May God Bless and Keep You. #‎Goodnight.”

“If we say the hottest part of the hell must be specially reserved for the Liberian bio-terrorist Patrick Sawyer who imported the Ebola malady into Nigeria, who will disagree with this prayer? Goliath-shaped Sawyer was on a deadly mission to cause ‘mass murder’ in Nigeria and must be globally classified as a spineless biological terrorist.

“We must never forget the courage of our own wonderful Dr Ameyo Adadevoh, the Nigerian consultant physician who risked her life to provide a ‘physical barrier’ against this Liberian bio-terrorist. She prevented him from spreading the virus among other patients and health workers. She was a great soul in the same category with ex-NAFDAC boss Dora Akunyili.

“Maybe this Ebola crisis is another veiled blessing in disguise.... a wake-up call for our personal hygiene and also for our political leaders to spend more money on modern health services and researches?” Jagunmolu Oluwadare Lasisi wrote.

Prince Osita Ike Jizospikin said: “Ameyo... blessed child of God.... physician extraordinaire.... rest eternal in the Lord. Amen.”

Kwami Adadevoh tweeted: “I’d like to thank you all for your prayers. Sadly my darling cousin has been called home. She has finished her course and now rests with God.”

The late Adedavoh

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Protecting home, family from criminals, essential, says expert Shola Adefuwa

A

safety and security consultant, Mr John Chukwu Dumbei (an engineer), has advised Nigerians to be more security conscious in order to avoid becoming victims of burglary and other criminals’ activities.

Chukwu said protecting the home and family from criminal intrusion should be of one of the major priorities of everyone.

He said: “Your home is the only environment where you have control. You have control over who can get close to you and your family.”

According to him, people need to take advantage of modern household security apparatus to keep intruders at bay and ensure that they take precautionary measures by making sure all windows are fitted with key-operated doors and window locks.

He cautioned that expensive equipment such as mobile phones and laptops should not be displayed in conspicuous places in the house.

Chukwu enjoined individuals to always take photographs of their valuable possessions and secure them with post codes and house numbers.

He said: “This could help in detecting thieves and assist the police to recover stolen items.”

Chukwu also suggested setting a timer to switch lights on and off at varying intervals while away to make it appear as if someone was at home.

He also argued that installing Close Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance, anti-robbery burglar alarm system was vital, adding that such gadgets should be visibly displayed.

He explained that such display would make the burglar think twice before targeting the home.

The security expert also suggested that storing garden tools and ladders securely in the tools’ shed or garage was important, so that such items would not be used by criminals to gain entrance into the building.

NSCDC arrests three for 202 missing PVCs Dahiru Suleiman Dutse

he Nigeria Security and Civil DeTrested fence Commission (NSCDC) has arthree officials of the Indepen-

dent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for 202 missing voter cards during the issuance of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC).

ThesuspectswerearrestedinTanukutaru Ward, Gandun Sarki Polling Unit of MalamMadori Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

Briefing journalists in his office, the state NSCDC Commandant, Muhammad Gidado Fari, named the suspects as Zahridden Baita, Muhammad Sa’id and Ibrahim Umar Musa.

Farisaidthesuspectswerepartof INECad hoc staff. He added that their arrest followed a tip off by the Malam-Madori Electoral Officer.

The commandant said that the three suspectsadmittedcommittingtheoffence,adding that the missing cards were found in their possession.

He said: “Based on the aforementioned first-hand information as well a confessional statements,Iorderedthearrestof thesuspects, whileweintensifyinvestigationstounravelthe rootcauseof thewholeissue,motivesandthose involved.”

Contacted,thestateResidentElectoralCommissioner (REC), Ibrahim Bagobiri Mafara, confirmed the missing of 202 PVCs, Mafara,however,saidthatthesuspectswere not INEC staff.

METRO

11

NDLEA intercepts 159.216kg of drugs Musa Pam Jos

T

he National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it had intercepted 159.216 kilograms of psychotropic substances in Plateau State between January 2013 and January 2014.

The state NDLEA Commandant, Dr Anthonia Ngozi Madueke, disclosed this yesterday to journalists in Jos. She said the command was working hard on how to educate and enlighten youths on dangers of taking drugs.

According to her, in view of the addictive nature of the sub-

stances, they pose dangers to the public.

She said: “The government through the NDLEA Decree 48 of 1989 now NDLEA Act Cap N30 LFN 2004 restricted the sale and dispensing of these classes of drugs to only authorised medical personnel, but it is pertinent to know that in 2013, 104.267 kilograms of controlled drugs were intercepted.”

The commandant, however, warned that her command would not spare anyone who engaged in counterfeiting Ahmadu Giade, NDLEA chairman drugs.

According to her, 15 years Madueke said that it was jail term or fine of N500,000 awaits anyone found wanting. sad that psychotropic sub-

stances were freely obtained over the counter from patent medicine stores, while some of these drugs were not even sold in the original packs of the manufacturers but were dispensed, counted or measured out from containers.

She regretted that many of the patent medicine dealers had also converted their shops to clinics where they were treating patients and carrying out minor surgeries such as abortion thereby exposing the public to great danger.

Madueke called on major stakeholders to intensify the fight against controlled of drugs in the country.

Tension in Gombe as Kalare kills two Ugo Willies Gombe

T

Dankwambo

he gruesome murder of two marshals of the Gombe State Agency for Social and Community Development last weekend by the dreaded Kalare thugs behind the palace of the Emir of Gombe is creating tension in the state.

Already, the Chief of Staff at the Government House, Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, has appealed for calm in the face of rising activities of the dreaded thugs.

Yayari made the appeal yesterday during the inauguration of 11 standing committees of

the Gombe Unity and Development Forum, a programme the state government is indirectly funding to address the rising cases of Kalare activities.

He urged the youth to sheathe their swords to prevent the return to the recent past when the dreaded thugs wreaked havoc on the peace-loving citizens of the state.

The chief of staff said Kalare activities claimed many innocent lives in the state during the eightyear reign of the last administration.

But, according to him, the thugs have intensified their activities even after Governor Ibrahim

Dankwambo banned the Kalare group when he took over affairs of the state in May 2011.

Yayari said that the ban had not been lifted and would never be lifted because government was against Kalare and any other political thuggery leading to the loss of lives.

The chief of staff had recently made a similar appeal at the palace of the Emir of Kumo where a similar political violence resulted in the admission of six youths at the Kumo General Hospital after a violent clash between two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factions.

Five held for armed robbery ‘Igbere people are passionate wasarrestedwithalocally-made Chris Ejim pistol and a stolen vehicle at Ak- about their culture’ Yenagoa

P

olice in Bayelsa State have arrested a suspected notorious armed robber, John Brigidi aka Timberland and four others in separate operations.

The suspects were apprehended for alleged armed robbery, car theft and recruitment of youths into violent crimes in the state.

Brigidi was arrested alongside Tamara Kuro Joseph and Udoka Nezedike during a raid at Tenacious Junction, Gamas and Tony Mas filling stations at Akenfa area of the state capital for allegedly robbing a couple, Felicia and Johnson Adejuwon, at gunpoint.

Keneth Temiunsi, an indigene of Igbogene community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, was arrested and another unidentified youth

enfa and Obele areas, respectively.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Alex Akhigbe,saidtheraidwasanongoing exercise targeted at mopping up arms and checkmating theft and robbery in the state.

He said: “Brigidi alias Timberland was arrested about 2.30am on the 16th of August, 2014 during a raid on the Akenfa area of the state following his identification by a couple robbed by the gang. The couple were robbed at gunpoint about 8.30pm by the gang.

On August 8, about 5am, armed robbers, operating in a NissanPrimerawagonwithregistrationnumberBY37BB,were chased and apprehended by the police patrol team and some concerned individuals. When the vehicle was recovered, three suspectedstolencarstereoswere recovered.

Camilus Nnaji

I

gbere community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State has progressed because of the people’s love for culture, enterprise in business and academic pursuit.

The President of Igbere Welfare Union, Lagos branch, Comrade Godswill Okorie, said this in an interview with our correspondent.

He said: “We are basically an agrarian community, but we have found enterprise in business, accounting for why we are found all over the world doing good and successful businesses.

“Education is a prerequisite; we ensue all our children go to school.

That was why we have produced two vice-chancellors and many deputy vice-chancellors of different universities in Nigeria.

“We have also produced three governors, D. Orji Uzor Kalu

LAGBUS recruits, trains female drivers Temitope Ogunbanke AGBUS Asset Management LService project, a Mass Transit Bus Company, providing

intra-city bus transportation in Lagos State has commenced the recruitment and training of the first set of female drivers

of the company.

Speaking at the training centre, Head, Bus Captain Training, LAGBUS, Mr Babatunde Shoderu, said that LAGBUS was an equal opportunity employer.

He said: “We believe that the female gender should also be

given the opportunity to serve the society. LAGBUS is prepared to commit a huge investment into selection and training of these females as some of them have no driving skill.

LAGBUS is giving them the opportunity to attend all-expenses paid training between four and

(MON) in Abia State, Commodore Amadi Ikwecheghe in Imo State and Commodore Anthony Ukaegbu in Anambara State.”

Okorie also disclosed that three of Igbere sons, Ikechukwu Uche, Uche Kalu and Kalu Uche, are playing for the Super Eagles.

The Igbere culture, according to him, is celebrated in a unique way that identifies any Igbere indigene everywhere in the world with Igbere beliefs.

“Our culture is unique to us because of how we celebrate the old people while alive. We call this heritage ‘Igboto Mma’ (to lay down knife).

“Igboto mma’ is symbolic of the retirement of people who have attained 67 to 70 years of age.

On Igbere Day, they are presented with different gifts while the community as a whole absolves them from paying levies or doing community works.

six weeks, depending on individual’s learning capability, after which they will be automatically employed.” Shoderu explained that the training was in two stages.

“For the first stage, they will be enrolled in a private training school, where they will learn the basics of driving and road signs for four weeks.

12 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Protest galore in Delta over LG primaries Gabriel Choba UGHELLI

the emerFtheollowing gence of Paul Etega as consensus candidate

of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ughelli South Local Government, some chairmanship aspirants in the local council, who according to sources allegedly stepped down during the primaries have given the PDP caucus members in the area ultimatum to make a reversal of the choice.

Arising from a crucial meeting, the chairmanship aspirants said they needed explanation from the PDP caucus members in the area on the choice of Etega as the chairmanship candidate for the October 25, 2014 local council polls.

In a press statement signed by Dr. Amos Itihwe, Hon. Princess Josephine Oduran, Hon.

Vincent Otidi, Olorogun Godspower Muemuefo, Hon. Andrew Adushoke and Barrister Mike Emuvakpor, the six former chairmanship aspirants said they did not buy forms for some persons to sit in a parlour and hand-pick a candidate, describing the process as undemocratic.

The dissatisfied chairmanship aspirants said PDP caucus members in Ughelli South council area had invited them for a meeting on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 to address the house, but claimed that they were never allowed to speak at the meeting as they were asked to go back home with a promise that they would be contacted. They further claimed that nobody got to them, only for them to be told that Hon. Etega had been picked as the chairmanship candidate.

2015: Group wants governor from Abia South Juliana Francis socio-cultural group ANma in Abia State, ‘Otu odi Ochichi Abia’ has

tackled the Ukwa/Ngwa senatorial district for demanding that the 2015 governorship race should be zoned to its district.

National coordinator of the group, Eze Micah, in a press statement made available to New Telegraph said that the agitation by Ukwa/Ngwa senatorial district for the governorship race was based purely on sentiment, not justice, fair play and equity.

According to Micah, the situation was compounded by the fact that there were some aspirants from Abia North, still campaigning for the same governorship, come 2015.

Abia South, argued Micah, was the rightful senatorial district to take over from the incumbent governor, adding that governorship aspirants from Ukwa/Ngwa and Abia North, who had begun campaigns ahead of the election in the state

were sentimental and unrealistic.

The group, therefore, thanked the Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji and the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for their wisdom in zoning the governorship to Abia South in 2015.

"I want to understand that God used a God fearing man in the person of the governor to uphold equity, fairness and justice. We’re happy that both the party and governor were guided by wisdom in their decisions," said Micah.

The group also called on Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North and South people to support the move as the senatorial zone remains the only political platform for rotation of power amongst the three senatorial zones.

Micah further said: “We are mindful of the fact that Old Bende and Ukwa / Ngwa regions exist, but have never been adopted in power sharing or rotation in Abia State.

L-R: Wife of the former Governor of Cross River States, Onari Duke; Chairman, Amuwo-Odofin LGA , Comrade Ayo Adewale; Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on MDGs, Hafsat Abiola and Councilor, representing ward A1 in Amuwo-Odofin LGA, Kate Banjoko, during the 2014 International Women in Business and Leadership Summit, in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEYANJU

81%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Andorra in 2011.

Source: Itu.int

345,134

The number of refugees and people in refugee-like situation assisted by UNHCR. Source: Blatantworld.com

Rivers APC blames violence on opposition CRISIS

Rivers still boiling as APC and PDP supporters fight dirty Emmanuel Masha PORT HARCOURT

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to allow peace to reign in the state, rather than embarking on a path

capable of causing bloodbath.

The state chairman of APC, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, who stated this in the aftermath of the violent clash between APC and PDP supporters, also urged security agencies to prevail on the PDP to toe the path of peace.

He said that Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s tour of the state, which some members of the PDP were against, was an opportunity for the governor to interact with the people and get

ILORIN

inister of National M Planning, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, has charged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State not to succumb to intimidation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He argued that the PDP has clear chances of winning the 2015 general elections in the state.

Suleiman, who gave the charge while fielding questions from journalists

in Ilorin, the state capital, boasted that the ruling party in the state was jittery, given the overwhelming support the PDP had earned from the people, particularly in Ajikobi ward, which hitherto was the stronghold of leader of the APC, Senator Bukola Saraki.

He advised supporters of the party to remain peaceful and be weary of the antics of the opposition party at the federal level, alleging that APC was plotting to instigate PDP supporters into crisis

their views on the services rendered to them.

Ikanya urged Amaechi not to be intimidated by the PDP in his tour of councils in the state, and continue to deliver democratic dividends to the people.

He said: “PDP wants to create unrest, fear and panic in Rivers State. We are calling on the police and other security agencies in the state to prevail on the PDP to stop attacking APC gatherings.

“We also appeal to our brothers in PDP to allow peace to reign in the state.

Even before the governor (Rotimi Amaechi) started his visit to the people, the police were properly informed.

“Despite the presence of the police, these hoodlums still went ahead to cause confusion. The police should confront those that want to turn the state into a battlefield.”

When contacted to respond to the allegation that the PDP was fomenting trouble in the state, Jerry Needam, the media adviser to the state chairman, Felix Obuah did not pick his call.

Ebola virus: Ebonyi sets up committees to check outbreak Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

T

he Ebonyi State government has set up two committees to check the outbreak of Ebola virus in the state.

The two committees are the rapid response and the treatment teams with 19 and 15 members respectively.

The state also announced that henceforth, movement of corpses

from other parts of the country into its environs, will be restricted while inter- state trading would no longer be allowed.

The two committees are chaired by the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sunday Nwangele.

Speaking on the committee, Governor Martin Elechi urged members of the committees to be committed in the various duties assigned to them, stressing that the issue of

Don’t succumb to intimidation, Suleiman tells Kwara PDP Biodun Oyeleye

7.22%

The growth rate of air travel passengers of Benin airport (2012-2013).

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

to destabilise the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

His words: "There is no doubt, it is an obvious fact that the PDP is going to win the election. We have the overwhelming support. Yes, this (Ajikobi ward) is the strong hold of APC; the Senator, former governor, it is the stronghold of Gbemi Saraki; it is the strong hold of Bola Shagaya; the strong hold of Professor Oba Abdulraheem and from the turnout of the people here today, it is obvious that we have the

overwhelming support.

"My advice for PDP members is that they should be very peaceful.

The people we are contesting with know that their days are numbered; they want to cause chaos to destabilize the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan; they should not succumb to that intimidation.

Our chances of winning the election are obvious."

Any attempt by the opposition party to stampede us into chaos, into crisis, it will not be taken lightly," the minister added.

epidemics, such as yellow fever, cholera, HIV/AIDS had reared its ugly heads in the past but due to the determination of people, they were properly contained.

"So Ebola virus will not be different from others," he added He appreciated members of the committee for accepting to work at a time like this which he noted showed their love and patriotism for the state and the country in general.

"Just as the people in the past did not give up; they fought tirelessly to eradicate yellow fever in the sixties; later cholera and of recently HIV/ AIDS. So shall we fight to stop Ebola," he said.

Giving details of the roles of the committees, the commissioner for Health Dr Nwagele, explained that the rapid response committee would ensure that residents of the state were adequately sensitized about the Ebola virus and to properly educate the people on the need to adopt preventive

measures such as environmental sanitation and regular hand washing.

He explained further that the treatment team would be in charge of diagnosis and treatment should there be any case of Ebola virus in the state.

Nwangele further stated that the state government has approved treatment and quarantine centres to enable it adequately contain the virus, adding that equipment for the treatment of the virus has been procured.

Elechi, the state executive council members and the members of the committees all used the hand sanitizer brought to the meeting venue before having hand shake with their colleagues.

In their separate responses, Nwangele who chairs the two committees and the leader of the treatment committee, Prof. Lawrence Ogbonnaya, pledged their readiness to carry out the assignment entrusted in their hands and thanked the state government for the initiative.

Kwentoh: Lawmakers’ defection won’t affect APGA’s fortune / PAGE 18

POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/politics

ayodele Ojo

Deputy Editor, politics

ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

13

Jonathan ‘ll win SouthWest in 2015, says Filani

p-17

ayodeleojo@yahoo.com

THURSday, August 21, 2014

Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, a former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, is one of the governorship aspirants jostling for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the October 11 election in Adamawa State.

After picking his expression of interest and nomination forms at PDP headquarters last week, he spoke with ONYEKACHI EZE. Excerpts: Can you tell us your mission at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat?

I am here today to pick the PDP Expression of Interest and nomination forms for the governorship primary election in Adamawa State beginning with the ward congresses on September 1st and culminating on the state congress where a candidate will be picked through a transparent, free and fair primary election by the delegates on September 6. I have picked the forms and in accordance with the guidelines, I will go back to my state and fill the forms and will return them.

I am going to participate in the exercise in the build up to the governorship bye-election in Adamawa scheduled to take place on October 11 because when the former governor was impeached on July 15 and the Speaker was sworn in immediately as Acting governor, by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), election shall hold within 90 days. By October 15, a new democratically-elected governor will be sworn in in Adamawa.

I believe we in the PDP will conduct ourselves as matured democrats unlike other parties. Level playing ground has been promised all the aspirants and the least anybody can give Adamawa people today is their right to make their own choice both within the party and at the main election. Adamawa people will speak just the way Ekiti and Osun people spoke.

Adamawa people will be the next to speak democratically.

It is customary in PDP for leaders to decide on consensus rather than going into primaries. If the party leaders settle for consensus to pick the governorship candidate, would you accept it?

The issue is that I am a democrat, I am a lawyer by profession and I abide with the provisions of the constitution. The constitution of our party is clear about that. First, you do the ward congresses to elect the three ad hoc delegates in the wards, then there is going to be primary among the aspirants. That is what our constitution says but if for any other reason leaders come up to say we should come up with one person or reduce the number

Gulak: Adamawa people’ll decide Nyako’s successor Adamawa people will speak just the way Ekiti and Osun people spoke.

Adamawa people will be the next to speak democratically clear, that it is the intention that the law looks at. What was his intention of writing that resignation letter – the intention by a mind that is not intoxicated, by a mind that was clear was to drop out and to resign from being deputy governor of Adamawa State.

The law will look at it from the fact and from the intention and the law will always sideline technicalities. But like I said, if he knew his resignation was inappropriate the law will say that you cannot benefit from your illegal act.

Gulak

through consensus it is part of democracy. It is consensus where minds meet but it must be based on justice and fair play in accordance with the spirit of the constitution.

The former deputy governor of Adamawa State, James Ngilari, is in court challenging his alleged resignation, saying it did not go through the proper channel. Will this scenario not affect your aspiration?

On the resignation of Ngilari, the law is very clear. It is the intention of whatever act you do that matters most and not the technicalities. Ngilari is a lawyer of high repute and he is about 35 years post-call at the bar and he ought to know what steps to take in order to effect his resignation. If he

knew, and which I assume he ought to have known as a lawyer, that his resignation was to be sent to the governor and not to the House of Assembly, yet he forwarded his resignation to the House of Assembly and not to the governor, then there is an element of fraud. He cannot benefit from his illegal act. The intention and the spirit is what the law looks at. Secondly, having resigned he is entitled to go to court whether he gets what he gets from the court or not is for judicial interpretation. Nobody has any right to pronounce whether that resignation was right or wrong until the court decides since the matter has been subjected to the court’s interpretation.

But be that as it may the law is very

CROSSFIRE It is evident that the governor has run out of ideas, so as a matter of expediency, it is expected that he would hand over the reins in 2015 so we can help out -Emeka Ihedioha

There is nobody in the Imo State PDP who is my match in an electoral contest.... Imo people have rejected PDP because PDP is worse than the Ebola virus -Rochas Okorocha

Former chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu jas joined the PDP and he is in the governorship race. What is your take on this?

Ribadu is a friend and a brother, we have come a long way. He was a presidential candidate on the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform in 2011 and when there was this merger of opposition parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ribadu was in the vanguard of the merger talks. He was part and parcel of APC and he is still part and parcel of APC. Up to this moment I am talking to you Nuhu Ribadu has not come out to say he has defected from APC to PDP but if he decides to summersault and eat his words then he is welcome to PDP. I can remember on their visit to Muhammadu Buhari with their APC juggernauts, people like Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Lai Mohammed, Ribadu, Nasir El-Rufai; Ribadu was interviewed by a radio in Kaduna and he said and I quote “even for free presidential ticket I can never join PDP.” If he decides to eat his words, he is welcome.

Our party is always open for everybody, whether you are from APC, APGA, PPA, whatever party you may call yourself. If you decide to jump ship and join PDP you are welcome.

Ribadu is welcome anytime, anyday but let me assure you that whether you are in APC or PDP it is the people that will select and elect their governor, president, senators, House of Representatives’ members, and local government chairmen. Nobody sits somewhere to decide for the people who become their governor. The people you know spoke in Anambra, Edo, Ekiti and Osun. Adamawa people will be allowed to speak.

14 POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

NATIONAL CONFERENCE National Publicity Secretary of the pan Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, believes that President Goodluck Jonathan will implement the report of the National Conference.

In this interview with AYODELE OJO, Odumakin who represented South-West at the just-concluded confab shares his experience and speaks on the outcome of the conference. Excerpts: What was your experience like at the National Conference?

The conference was a further opening of eyes to the internal contradictions of Nigeria and why progress may elude the country except we embrace the truest spirit of federalism. There are clear differences in outlooks of different sections of the country. That would be a source of permanent feud and contention except we allow a thousand flowers to blossom and our sky to be wide enough for different birds to soar. All our fault lines came to the fore. There was the desperate attempt by some delegates to retain the status quo that has downgraded our status while majority of delegates clearly came for change. It was ding-dong between the two sides for most time at the conference.

It was a conference that stretched one to the limit with long hours of sittings and many more hours of long meetings to discuss at different caucuses.

In the course of those interactions, new friends were made and one came across wonderful Nigerians from all walks of life whose memories would remain imperishable.

The conference was also an opportunity to meet with quality minds across Nigeria while some big names revealed their smallness in the course of the conference. In all, it was a unique and pleasant experience that has enriched one’s knowledge and understanding of what ails Nigeria.

The greatest take for me from the conference is that the urgent business for Nigeria is to resolve the nationhood question so it can quickly begin to deal with governance issues.

What were the fears you expressed earlier?

My fears at the beginning of the conference included the possibility of centrifugal forces making the conference inconclusive which was the main expectation of the naysayers. By now those forces would have brought out their vuvuzela shouting “we told you it would be a waste of time”. Also, I did have apprehensions that the conference might not be able to arrive at the kind of profound recommendations that would make the time and resources expended on it worth the while because of the vested and entrenched interests arrayed against the confab. Those who profit from the iniquity in the land with all their plots some of us were privileged to know gave one cause for concern at the beginning but God who has His time of visitation for every country turned all their counsel to foolishness.

Were your expectations met?

The outcome of the conference however surpassed my expectations as the resolutions of the exercise have been the deepest on the Nigeria issues after

Jonathan’ll implement report –Odumakin zz Says’ ‘We passed over 600 resolutions’

the wind of change has blown and Nigeria can no longer be run in the old way.

There is a new consciousness in the land and the genie is already out of the bottle.

How about the disagreements among delegates while the conference lasts?

The disagreements at the confab were normal given the heterogeneity of the country. People came to the conference with preconceived ideas, mistrust and suspicion and fears over the motives of the other groups. In such an atmosphere, there were bound to be disagreements but the credit goes first to the leadership of the conference for the maturity and tact with which they kept the conference going at moments when it looked like a crash was inevitable. The delegates also had a sense of history as national interest was allowed to prevail in the final analysis even with all the hard line postures in the course of debates and voting on resolutions. A country of educated people should also not be expected to gather 492 delegates in a hall for five months and expect everyday to be “we concur”.

I saw clearly that there was love of the country in spite of loyalty to groups and interests by different delegates.

What do you think should be done to the recommendations of the confab?

The recommendations are in two categories: policy issues and constitutional matters. I expect the president to set up an implementation committee to deal with the policy recommendations and set in motion the process of constitutionalising the structural issues. The reports should be disseminated to all citizens so they can buy into it and have full understanding of what is at stake.

Odumakin

the 1957/8 constitutional conference.

We were able to deal with fundamental issues on the structure of the country which no conference has been able to touch since independence. Among such issues were making local government a residual matter with states now being free to create the number they want as they shall be financed within the state.

The over-centralisation that followed the unification of the country after the 1996 coup moved Nigeria away from federalism, but this conference has restored some of the lost features which include state police. We got to a situation where governors who are called Chief Security Officers of their states have no control over law enforcement agency as a result of unitary police. Yet these states practically fund police operations equipment.

Beyond that, a unitary police has become largely ineffective in dealing with crimes and providing security which have made the resort to all sorts of unconventional vigilante groups which are largely unregulated. The bold decision by the conference to allow state police would change that situation.

We also reviewed the exclusive legislative list which has now allowed states to be able to participate in mining, build and operate air and sea ports and have their own Supreme Courts. The conference got one big eraser and cleaned immunity clause out of our constitution to check public office being cover for criminality.

A major decision taken by the conference which was initially turned down

during the sitting of the Committee on Political Restructuring when I moved it is the right of states to have their own constitution as obtained in a proper federation.

We passed over 600 resolutions at the conference without having to call for a division.

Are you satisfied with the outcome of the confab?

The outcome of the conference is overwhelmingly encouraging given that all delegates approved the final reports unanimously. The quality of the recommendations and their profundity raises hope in the Nigerian project and our capacity to get it right. It is a clear signal that majority of Nigerians are tired of the way things are and want to live in a new Nigeria that works. There is no doubt that a shift has taken place and Nigeria definitely cannot be the same again after the conference. Nigeria has definitely left where it was and it is now where it should be. It is undeniable that

His integrity is at stake over the report which would make it very difficult to dump the reports

Do you see the 2014 confab going the way of others?

The 2014 National Conference cannot go the way of previous conferences and the promise this holds for the future. It would be difficult to assemble the array of delegates at this conference in the nearest future if the report does not become a turning point.

The president has shown sufficient commitment to the process and his integrity is at stake over the report which would make it very difficult to dump the reports of the conference on the shelf of past reports. Like C.S Lewis said: “It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg; we must be hatched or go bad.”

I’m more than convinced that the reports would be implemented by the President.

How feasible are some of the recommendations?

The recommendations are all feasible once we accept that what we are doing presently is not sustainable and we need to have a paradigm shift. The recommendations are all about this is; what is not working and this is what should be done in its stead. For instance, a unitary police has failed to protect the country from crimes and the conference now says that CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW 15

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

NATIONAL CONFERENCE Anthony Sani, immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), was the spokesman of the Northern Delegates’ Forum (NDF) at the National Conference. He spoke with AYODELE OJO on the outcome of the conference. Excerpts:

Sani: FG should implement recommendations on policies ports that border on policies and not those that require fundamental changes which in turn need mandate from electorate.

With political will and democratic spirit, the recommendations can be implemented.

I believe politics more than any thing else informed the recommendations on scrapping of local government from the Constitution as well as creation of state police. Even the creation of an additional state for South East without any objective criteria, but merely on basis of equality was pure politics.

Mixed experience Because of my health challenges I could not participate in all the sessions of the National Conferences, and so my experiences may not be complete. But I have a good idea of what took place in the National Conference.

The experiences were quite interesting because many serious-minded people from across the country were brought together to share their views about how the country could be moved forward, considering how the security challenges posed by the insurgence that is, a minority have brought about avoidable mutual mistrust and suspicion in the polity that are now standing on the way of moving the nation forward.

Unfortunately, instead of concentrating on the issues raised, delegates and even the media tended to concentrate on who raised them or where they came from. As a result, issues of national importance of real concern to real Nigerians were given regional coloration to the extent of stoking cleavages of the nation along ethnic and religious lines which was not helpful.

My initial fear The fear expressed earlier were about the danger of a Sovereign National Conference and not about a mere confab of unelected delegates. We had said a Sovereign National Conference amounted to passing vote of no confidence on our democracy and its institutions, which nobody had the right to do.

But the confab was not sovereign, and so there was no qualm.

Meeting expectations Delegates discussed very honestly about what they considered about the best ways to overcome the national challenges and proffered their preferred solutions. But as you are fully aware, while there is often national consensus on problems of a nation, there is often no corresponding national consensus on methods of solution.

Happily enough, democracy provides for political parties with their distinct methods of solution that are in their manifestos which they use to canvass for mandate during elections which they need as basis for implementation. So, the confab has done a very good work by bringing real issues of real concern into popular consciousness in manner that they cannot be forgotten or ignored by the political parties. This is because the political parties are about the only platforms which can implement those recommendations by the confab if the political parties share and reflect them in the manifestos, and proceed to win elections as the basis for the mandates.

Disagreements among delegates The disagreements were based on the methods of arriving at decisions.

For example, the order of procedures made it clear that decisions of the confab should be by consensus, and that in the case of divisions, votes of 75 per cent should prevail. But what the leadership did was to use voice votes to

2014 confab like others I cannot say that because experiences sway decisions. The current challenges are not the same as those of the past. And given the adage that those trees which refuse to dance are often forced to do so by strong winds which are here, I do not expect the confab of 2014 to go the same way.

Sani

arrive at very important decisions like those about status of local government by scrapping them from the constitution, about state police and creating new state without objective criteria that are acceptable to most Nigerians.

Naturally, northern delegates did not take kindly to such practice, may be because they felt the leadership took advantage of their minority status and short changed them. Hence their complaints.

Other areas were the very idea of a draft constitution which the confab never discussed. Most of all, the current 1999 Constitution does not have provision for self-replacement by any platform of unelected delegates. In addition, none of the existing political parties has new constitution in its manifestos. And so the basis of a new constitution does not arise. If any political party wants a new constitution for Nigeria, it should say so in its manifestos and seek the mandate from voters in accordance with democratic practice.

On outcome of the confab The outcome of the confab was expected because there is never a national consensus on methods of solution of national malaise. What the outcome has done is to bring into the open the issues that agitate the minds of Nigerians so that they would not be ignored or forgotten. It is now left to the governments and the political parties to study them, take those they share and reflect them in their manifestos for the purpose of seeking mandate democratically for implementation democratically too.

Recommendations I have told you that the government should study the recommendations and implement those that border on poli-

We expect the government to implement those aspects of the confab reports that border on policies and not those that require fundamental changes which in turn need mandate from electorate cies, but allow the political parties to study them and pick those they share which have to do with fundamental changes of the polity and reflect them in their manifestos for purpose of seeking mandate to implement them democratically. I say this because political parties do not have the same methods of addressing national problems. And it is democratically wrong and morally preposterous for any government or political party to make fundamental changes in the polity without a mandate from the electorate to do so.

The question of a referendum is not appealing because Nigerians are not sufficiently verse enough to know much about constitutional issues and vote for same in a referendum. Consequently, any referendum would at this stage be a Constitution of the elite and for the elite, certainly not people’s constitution.

Implementation of report We expect the government to implement those aspects of the confab re-

On ethnic nationalities’ agenda Ethnic nationalities could not raise their agenda because Mr. President placed ethnic nationalism among nogo areas since he wants to discourage cleavages of the nation along ethnic and religious lines.

The agitation for resource control, resource ownership and demand for higher increase derivation go against the spirit and concept of nationhood which demands that the people come together under a purposeful leadership at all levels and live up their synergy against collective challenges. Resource control or ownership that enable the constituent parts pay tax to Federal Government can weaken the centre towards confederation as harbinger for disintegration. It is the same argument we have against removal of Land Use Act from the constitution. These natural resources are common wealth that hold the nation together.

Somehow, I believe oil and security challenges should not be allowed to redefine our collective destiny, precisely because oil would come and go, security challenges will be overcome while our common destiny will be for eternity.

We should not politicise national security challenges by stoking divisions through mutual distrust and suspicion that stand on our collective determination to overcome our security challenges.

High and low moments at the confab My high point at the confab was when Chief Segun Osoba opposed a motion brought that delegates’ seats be arranged by geopolitical zones. Chief Osoba said no because he came as a Nigerian and not as Yoruba. My low moment came when some delegates canvassed for structure of the country that would enable each constituent part to develop at its own pace, and in blithe disregard for those left behind. I saw that to mean cancellation of social justice that comes with balanced development as national ideals. That would not be good because we cannot claim to be one country and live as if we are in different continents.

What next?

The next after the confab is for all the stakeholders to study the reports and do the needful.

16 POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

‘Daniel created mess for Amosun’

Amosun government. It owed salaries of workers up to 13 months, pension and gratuity in excess of 29 months. It owed teachers; it owed civil servants. It owed everybody. The Amosun government, as a matter of deliberate policy, does not owe these workers a dime. But because of the belief that government is a continuum, we have to clear the Augean stable; and we are doing this. The Amosun government has been clearing the backlog of pension and gratuity from 2007. Imagine if we had such billions of naira now used to offset inherited debts for development.

The recent reduction of tuition fees in higher institutions in Ogun State by Governor Ibikunle Amosun has been described as greek gift by the opposition.

However, the Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Soyombo Opeyemi, says the action was part of the welfarist policy of the governor. In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, he also speaks on the allegations against the government by former Governor Gbenga Daniel. Excertps:

The Ogun State government has just reduced tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions. What informed this decision?

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, by nature, is a welfarist. Long before he became the governor of the state, he invested a lot of personal fortune in scholarships for children of the poor. He instituted many welfare schemes for people at the grassroots. So, it was not surprising that once he became the governor. He picked education from the bottom rung of the ladder of public policy that the previous government left it and placed on the top rung. He has consistently devoted more than 20 per cent of the annual budget to education. I am yet to know of any government doing that in Nigeria. The last time students enjoyed free education was during the era of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo in the Second Republic.

Amosun re-introduced functional free education at the pre-primary, primary and secondary levels from the 2011/2012 academic session. That included free writing materials and quality textbooks.

He abolished all manner of fees being paid by school children under the previous government. Of course, he fulfilled his promise to review downward by 50 per cent the tuition fees in our higher institutions of learning, which were increased by 100 per cent by the previous government. Indeed, he achieved a 60 per cent reduction.

You’ll recall that few months after the launch of our free education scheme, the governor promised to further reduce school fees in the state owned higher institutions of learning once the finances of the state improved. What Amosun did was simply to fulfil his pledge. And I think this is the hallmark of good leadership.

But the gesture to reduce tuition fees is seen as political; to swing electorate to his side ahead of 2015 elections.

We often forget that this administration is not yet up to three and a half years. Yet, it has a mandate of four years.

Shall we say because election is coming in 2015, the governor must not fulfil his pledge to the students? We forget often too that it is the same brothers and sisters of these tertiary students that have been enjoying free education from nursery level to secondary school since the inauguration of the Amosun government in 2011. So, Amosun has already won the hearts of the overwhelming majority of parents and youths in Ogun by his welfarist policies. Our people are satisfied with the continuous grassrootsoriented programmes and policies of the governor.

Former Governor Gbenga Daniel described the model school initiative of the Amosun

Amosun

administration as a waste of money. How do you see the development?

Well, it is said in law that you cannot simultaneously approbate and reprobate. You cannot in the same breath call for more access to be provided for our children and condemn the very steps taken to achieve that just because the person doing it belongs to a rival political party. I think we should separate politics from development. We need to expand the current facilities in the existing schools and build new ones before we return schools to the owners who will in turn charge fees.

And lest we forget, it was Amosun that saved about 23,000 children from roaming the streets due to the policy faux pas of the former governor. And you can’t put children in those dilapidated classrooms, which the Amosun government inherited. Indeed, many of such buildings are to be pulled down. Sometimes, the children have to make do with make-shift classrooms till new ones are built because we don’t want to endanger their lives. Besides, some of the current

schools are already choked by development; they need to be relocated. Population has also increased. If you check some of our schools, you will see new buildings.

Yes, we must play politics but let’s weigh the options before we attack our political opponents. Indeed, there is no government anywhere in the world that will achieve 100 per cent in all the sectors. But when you choose to attack your opponent in his or her strongest area, you end up burning your fingers.

I must confess that the Daniel administration created a lot of mess for the

Shall we say because election is coming in 2015, the governor must not fulfil his pledge to the students?

Daniel also alleged that Governor Amosun has plunged the state into huge debt. What is the state of finances of Ogun?

To the glory of God, the Amosun administration has raised the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the N730 million per month inherited from the Daniel administration to N5 billion a month.

The aim of the opposition is to deceive the public and detract the people from focusing on the ground-breaking achievements of the Amosun administration.

Are you saying that the former governor is unaware that no bank is permitted to lend more than N25 billion to any government or loan more than 10 per cent of its total portfolio to the public sector?

We deal, in the main, with two banks in Ogun, how then can anyone suggest bank debts to the tune of N100 billion, N200 billion, N300 billion or even N50 billion?

So, there is no “bond of bondage” under the watch of Amosun. If the former government that had less than seven months to complete its maximum of eight years in office suddenly requested for a bond of N100 billion to build Godknows-what, if that is not a “bond of bondage”, what then is it? If you had such a gargantuan dream, why did you not start from your first term or even the beginning of your second term so that people could see how you would spend the bond and how much you would have paid back. Imagine what Amosun has accomplished in just three years with the finances of the people of Ogun State. It is more than what Daniel accomplished in eight years, yet there is no N100 billion “bond of bondage” anywhere in this government. Not even N1 billion “bond of bondage” because Amosun is paying back every dime it collected from banks, and all eyes can see what he has done with the funds.

‘Jonathan’ll implement report’ CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 4

let there be a state police as obtains in every federal set up.

What is not feasible is for us to repeat what is not working and expect a different result.

You can’t remove politics from the life of any country and therefore no pretence about the fact that some of the positions have political undertones. However, politics is not all negative. The overall consideration is that the decisions were taken in the best interests of our country and its people.

Do you think the various ethnic nationalities realised their agenda?

By and large we have taken decisions that should make all sections of the country to be happy except those who believe the only way to prosper is taking advantage of others. But for all those who accept symbiosis as the basis of human relationship there is a sense of fulfilment that we have laid the basis for a new deal for the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. Even if there were those who had hitherto believed that the only way to travel is by sitting on the backs of others, the decisions of the conference must

have shown them that there are better modes of transportation than the back of fellow human beings which would make them travel faster while those who would have been detained by carrying loads on their backs would also be free to move at their own speed to destiny.

What were your high and low moments at the confab?

My low moments at the confab was when otherwise respectable citizens descended into guile, exhibited slyness and told lies to manipulate the conference for tendentious ends. Another uncomfortable moment was when a highly placed traditional ruler got up to threaten the conference that if Nigeria goes up in flames he has another country to go to and he never took it back throughout the conference. I, however, felt elated every moment the conference was able to survive every scheme of those who wanted to scuttle it.

One of the most exciting moments for me was the ecstasy in the conference hall as we all rose as one to sing the old national anthem and the passion that went into it.

What next after the confab?

Now that the confab is over, the nation building project must get an added fillip with the template that has been laid.

The delegates must be involved in taking the messages of the conference to their communities so as to popularise the decisions and make the people to own the report. It is time to put all hands on deck to ensure that the report is translated into the language of reality.

A special commendation must go to the principal officials of the conference.

The conference owes its success to the chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, who showed exceptional leadership. He is not a man of many words but his belly is made of steel. He was firm even with his sense of humour and infectious laughter.

He treated his deputy like a co-chairman throughout the conference. Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, the deputy chairman, used his diplomatic skills to bring stability to the conference and complemented the chairman effectively. The secretary, Mrs Valerie Azinge is a wonderful woman who showed our women have arrived.

Prof. Yakubu, Dr. Ndabawa and Mr Akpadem James, the Assistant Secretaries all gave their best.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Chief Ishola Filani is the SouthWest Caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with WALE ELEGBEDE, he speaks on the fortunes of the party after the defeat in Osun State governorship election and President Goodluck Jonathan’s chances in the zone in 2015, among other issues. Excerpts: How will the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cope with the defeat of the Osun election as the 2015 election is approaching?

The hard work and efforts we are putting in all the states in the SouthWest would be important to the performance of the party. I can assure that each state is being treated with its peculiarity. The peculiarities of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos are quite different from those of Ekiti and Osun.

I want to assure our party members that the PDP has come to stay and we would continue to do everything within our power and continue to ensure that we bring the South-West to the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

On record, we lost Osun but the issue is not closed. We are a fair-minded party that believes in justice, equity and fair play. We believe in ensuring that democracy is sustained in Nigeria and particularly in the South-West. We would not allow the seemingly setback in Osun to in any way affect us because we take each case as it comes, and we are sure that success shall be ours during the general election.

The South-West has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term, but many people think that the president may not have it rosy during the election with the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the zone.

Why would the president not get votes in the South-West? What has the so-called progressives achieved in the zone that we did not achieve? There were two elections; we won one and they won the other, and the one they won is very questionable. How will that affect the chances of the party and the president? I don’t understand it? Does it now mean that because we lost the election in Osun, which may have been as a result of some domestic feuds which were beyond our control, does that now apply to the presidential election?

That conclusion is faulty because the outcome of the election would not deter us from bringing the South-West into the mainstream politics of the country. As far as I am concerned, we have started well in the South-West, we have reconciled our people, we have made the first move, we won and the second move in Osun for some circumstantial reasons and for reasons we are challenging at the tribunal, we did not win.

I don’t see how that would have dampened our resolve to win the South-West.

By the grace of God, we will take the governorship election in the remaining states serious and 2015 will usher the party into electoral victories.

So, the outcome of the Osun election won’t determine our 2015 performance in anyway. If it was the incumbency that was the consideration, we won’t have won in Ekiti. So, it is wrong to say that because of incumbency we are going to lose other states in 2015. Until the issue of Osun is resolved appropriately by the tribunal, our position is that we have not lost Osun election, because there are so many knotty issues that have to be resolved. If there are any mistakes that were made in

Filani

Jonathan ‘ll win South-West in 2015, says Filani Osun, we are in a position to correct them before the general election.

PDP once held sway in the South-West. The question on the lips of people is that what are you bringing differently to the zone?

The PDP has always had no reason to fear them because most of the states in their kitty now were won through the court. We know that come 2015 we are going to win all these states back.

Our problem in the South-West was disunity within our rank and file, a problem we have been able to resolve.

Without any sense of doubt, we are going to win the general election in the zone. All we are doing now is putting all these matters to bed. We know what to do and all these processes are going on. When it comes to presidential election, we know the issues to tackle, which we have started and you will see how much the president has improved the lots of Nigerians. These are all campaign issues and we know how to go about them to deliver votes to the president. We are more than them numerically in the South-West but all that happened before was that we were not able to put our house in order, but we have since brought it into order. The Osun issue should not be used to judge what will become of the party in 2015.

Your party recently lost Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Isiaka Adeleke to the APC while former President Olusegun Obasanjo is not really identifying with the party in the South-West. How do you see the development?

I think the Oyinlola and Obasanjo issue is being overflogged. As far as I am concerned, we regard Obasanjo as a father, as a former head of state and whatever you might want to say about him. In Ekiti, some people left our party but we were still able to win. In Osun, I don’t think we lost because Adeleke and Oyinlola left our party, that wasn’t the reason we lost.

In any case, we have more people coming into our party than those who are leaving the party in the South-West.

By the grace of God, we will take the governorship election in the remaining states serious and 2015 will usher the party into electoral victories

But Obasanjo’s case is quite different because all of us know that he is our father and we will continue to talk and appeal to him.

We know that he won’t be happy to see the Yoruba out of the mainstream of Nigerian politics. You will agree with me that the APC does not have the wherewithal to take over power from the PDP because they are a conglomeration of different entities, they are strange bed fellows and you will see that play out when they start their primaries. The PDP has remained unique and not an attachment, so there is a lot of difference between us and the APC. I want to assure you that we will win all the forthcoming election in the South-West regardless of the outcome of Osun poll.

How true is the insinuation of battle of ego between Buruji Kahsamu and other leaders in the zone?

I don’t know but as far as our party is concerned there are no problems between us, no problem between the leadership and officers of the party including Buruji and other national officers, I am not aware of any division in our leadership. There is no such thing in our party, though we are aware that is what the opposition wants but the truth is that we are united in our purpose to deliver south west for the PDP.

18

POLITICS

Chief Akunwata Kwentoh is the Anambra State chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). In this interview with CHINEDU EKEJA, he speaks on the defection of federal lawmakers elected on the party’s platform to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also speaks on the chances of the party in 2015. Excerpts:

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Kwentoh: Lawmakers’ defection won’t affect APGA’s fortune

elections?

The scorecard will speak for us.

The former governor, Peter Obi, has done his best to transform Anambra.

I won’t go ahead to mention them so that it won’t amount to self-praise.

So with that, I don’t have any fear because we have a lot to show, election is nothing but to showcase yourself and convince the people on why you are the best, and once they are convinced, they will vote you till thy kingdom come. In fact, the challenge is more on the party which has not been in government, so I don’t have any fear.

The opposition party has been there, how were they ousted out of the position? If the people were satisfied with their services, why did they vote them out? Gone are the days when people will come out and tell you, if you vote me in, I will build road in the sky, water the highway and all what not. Now people want to know and see what you have done. That alone can convince them of what you can do.

Look at what the present governor, Willie Obiano, is doing on the area of security, which is paramount. Now you can walk along the road even at midnight, even fanning yourself with your bundles of note if you like. So I am very confident that by next year, we will sweep the entire polls in the election.

Lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), how do you see the development?

I just came back from a medical trip, and heard it even while I was there. I have not heard any reason from any of them why they took the decision. We will hold a meeting and discuss the issue. We will equally invite them to hear from them, if they honour the invitation. But their defection cannot in any way stop the party from forging ahead.

The constitution is also clear on defection; you have to vacate your seat upon defection because you were not elected as an independent candidate; you must be sponsored by a political party. The only provision for defection is when there is disintegration in the party to the knowledge of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Right now there is no such thing in APGA. If they had done it much earlier when we had issues about Victor Umeh and Mazi Okwu factions in the party, it would have been understandable. But they were there with us until the entire crisis ended and we won in Appeal Court and came back together.

What do you think must have informed the defection?

Maybe they were expecting something. I think they will speak for themselves.

I have been in politics for the past 25 years, and I know there are times when some people make some unnecessary noise. The Igbo man will tell you that when you are holding two portions of meat, an Igbo will come struggling for the two; the idea is that you will ask him to take one. There are things they are trying to do in order to stabilise their positions, but they can’t get all things on a platter of gold; you must work hard to earn them. That is the position of the party.

If you have done well, you have done well. What is the fear of running away from the party?

And let me make myself clear, I have not received any resignation letters from any of them. Even one of them called me; I won’t mention the name and asked me, chairman, have you received my resignation letter?

And I said no, that may be because I have just come back. I said I would ask my local government chairman whether he has received it. And he said “if I resign, I will come personally and give you my letter of resignation.” All of them, not even one person. They have failed to understand that there is no free lunch anywhere.

Kwentoh

that the action will affect the fortune of the party. Or you think otherwise?

I am the chairman of the party and I have been in this system for over 20 years. It is a mere propaganda that they are engaging in and this propaganda will not last for a while, because those people who voted you will like to know why you are leaving the party where we voted you in. And you must answer them. So, until they come out with something that is very reasonable, that is when we can react.

I have not received any resignation letter from any of the defectors.

Is the party considering any legal option against the lawmakers that defected?

Well, it is too early for us. Why I say too early is because in democracy, there is always room for dialogue. Once we dialogue with them and they still maintain that stand there will be no other option than to go the other way.

So, you have not been officially notified about their defection when they have been received in another party?

Yes! We have not. So, until I receive their resignation letters, because the law says you must resign and show the evidence of that resignation to the next party you are going to. Those who defected from other party to our party, we requested for it and they gave it to us. So, it is still a rumour to us.

As far as I’m concerned, they have not defected. Maybe they are just looking for something and decided to just make some pronouncement and create awareness or cheap publicity. This is Nigeria for you. I don’t see it the way others see it.

With the defection, there is no doubt

How do you see the distribution of the

voters’ cards by INEC? I am happy that INEC has already started it; they conveyed a meeting of all the political parties and dialogued with them. But on our side as a political party, we have been doing much even before this time, sensitising the electorate to obtain their permanent voters’ cards because that is the only way to vote in 2015 election. So this stage is important because without the people getting their permanent voters’ cards nothing else can be done.

For us, we have been in government for eight years and are now entering the ninth year. So we have a lot to show for it; a lot to convince the people that AGPA is a better government and a proof for our continuous stay in governance. So the challenge is more for those who are first timers. We are very strong and well grass rooted.

What are your expectations on 2015

He said “if I resign, I will come personally and give you my letter of resignation

The governor has been on tour of the local governments with the party leadership, what is the essence of this action?

Ever since the governor was elected, and came into office and was sworn in, the first thing he did was to embark on these two things; one is sanitation and security in his first 100 days in office which he came out victorious. It was after then that the man said it is now time to embark on a thank-you-tour to all the constituencies for those who came out to vote for us during the election. As we are doing that, we are acclimatizing ourselves with the electorate and our members to at least tell them that we are still there, and that this is just the beginning of the journey. And to also sensitise our party members too and also using the same opportunity to enlighten them on the need to come out and be part of the permanent voters’ cards’ collection and registration for those who have not registered.

How do you react to the insinuations that APGA may collapse into the PDP? You see, people tend to forget so easily. In politics, there is no permanent friend or enemy; there is only permanent interest. Like now, we are not contesting for president, but we cannot fold our hands. So, we must be part of the process that will elect Nigeria’s president. We adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as our presidential candidate in 2011 and we have agreed to support his re-election bid in 2015 for his second term. This has not stopped us from having a landslide victory in elections in Anambra, having majority in the state House of Assembly, and even electing for the first time, five federal lawmakers.

What is your advice to Nigerians as 2015 approaches?

They should shine their eyes; look at those wolves in human clothing who are trying to come into the state again with all manner of criminalities. Make sure that they will not have their way again. They should look out for the past and use it to judge the future. Let them speak wisely with their votes.

19

EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

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OUR MISSION To publish a newspaper of superior value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, fairness, accuracy and objectivity.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

Jonathan’s presidential age limit concern

G

oodluck Jonathan wants a change of the age limit for the office of the president. The president made this known at an international youth summit organised by the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF). According to the him, the age limit of 40, automatically bars young Nigerians from aspiring to the country’s most powerful position. He said the youths have what it takes to pilot the affairs of the country, and as such denying their aspirations for presidency through age limit is discriminatory.

President Jonathan however charged the youths to ensure they send constitution amended bill aimed at removing what he tagged discriminatory provision of age limit to the National Assembly.

While hoping Jonathan is not merely playing to the gallery as the 2015 election closes in, it is essential to look closely at what people below the age of 40 can do for a country. Youths are one of the greatest assets that any nation can have. Not only are they legitimately regarded as the future leaders, they are, potentially and actually the greatest investment for a country’s development. They serve as a good measure of the extent to which a country can reproduce as well as sustain itself. The extent of their vitality, responsible conduct and roles in society is positively correlated with the development of their country.

According to Nigeria’s National

Youth Development Policy (2001), the youth comprise all young persons of ages 18 to 35, who are citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This category represents the most active, the most volatile and yet the most vulnerable segment of the population. People in this age bracket definitely constitute a sizeable chunk of a nation’s population on which the burden of nation building falls.

The youths also constitute the major resource base for any country that want to embark on any meaningful development project.

Countries that see the potential of their young people ensure they are trained as quickly as possible for leadership roles--in agriculture, industry, government and economic development projects. They groom them intellectually, morally, and socially with relevant skills to face a rapidly advancing technological world.

Youths are often called the potential leaders of the nation hence their role in building a sustainable economic development is essential by integrating them into the national policies and decision-making. The youths need an active involvement with the current political and economic leaders to foster inter-generational dialogue thereby enhancing adequate transitional shift.

They should be actively involved in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) agenda as reflected by their participation and articulation

of ideas at various international fora, including the World Youth Summits.

For instance, in 2005 a group of international youth leaders representing a range of non-governmental organizations, including representatives from Africa, prepared a report, “Youth and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Challenges and Opportunities for Implementation”. This report outlines how young people can be included and empowered as part of strategies for achieving the MDGs. Active participation of the youth will enable the government in better reaching her goals.

Furthermore, the recurring pattern of armed conflict in Nigeria is a reflection of conflicts concerning citizenship, ethnicity and religion.

The future of the Nigerian society depends largely on the ability of young people to cope with conflicts. We believe that one major reason there seems to be much gap between the leadership and followership in Nigeria has been lack of effective communication between both ends. The ability of youths to further improve their dialogue and negotiating capability is another role that they can play in the rebirth process. Dialogues can be organized to resolve conflicts, increase citizen participation in governmental decisions, educate, help youth build self-awareness, improve communication skills, strengthen teams or build coalitions, stimulate innovation and foster effective community change thereby improving the economy.

In 1980, Chief Obafemi Awolowo fittingly made the following observation: ‘‘The full development of a Nigerian, or of any man for that matter must proceed on two fronts simultaneously: the full development of his body, and the full development of his mind...The full development of man’s mind consists in good and sound education up to the limit of each persons’ absorptive capacity. All men have innate talents. These talents differ from man to man. We don’t know...the quantum of a person’s talents, until those talents are developed...opportunity should be provided by the Government free of charge to enable him to develop all his talents to the fullest extent possible...when all the talents in society are not fully developed it is not the individuals that are adversely affected alone who suffer; the society as a whole suffers as well....economic, social and political development of the society is absolutely a function of the aggregate efforts of the entire members of the society....”

It goes without saying, therefore, that the suggestion by Jonathan is apt and germane, because the role of youths in nation-building and national development cannot be over emphasized. But the youths must earn their positions and roles in the society; it would not be given to the them on a platter of gold. However, Jonathan’s administration must create the enabling environment for youths to fully develop their potentials and actualize their dreams.

GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Deputy Managing Director/DEIC SULEIMAN UBA GAYA Managing Editor YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday AYODELE OJO Deputy Editor, Daily EMEKA OBASI Deputy Editor, Daily LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor TAIWO AHMED Advert Manager UCHEY OKEZIE Ag. Sales/Marketing Manager TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

20

Sanctity of Truth

OPINION

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Future perfect

Bashorun J.K. Randle

A

uthur Bailey the new President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales [ICAEW] displayed remarkable combination of humility, passion and commitment when he declared on CNN: “I see my election as putting something back. After all the profession has been good to me over the years.

I have a great passion for the younger generation – and not just through my own children and grandchildren – and a desire to see young people come into our profession who are going to be the leaders of the future, who are going to take this wonderful profession and ICAEW forward. So I am focusing on what we are doing for young people, on opportunities and social mobility. I think BASE (Business, Accounting and Skills Education, an ICAEW game that teaches business skills to 16 to 19 year old students) is one of the best initiatives we’ve taken on for many years.”

On Bloomberg television, he was the embodiment of frankness: “What we are doing at the Institute now reminds me of when I first started because as articled clerks, we were all articled to an individual. And last year ICAEW changed the rules to allow individuals, provided they are ICAEW members, to train students again; they don’t have to be an ICAEW-registered firm. I think we lost our way a few years back when graduate-only became the norm. It’s interesting how things go round in circles and here we are back again where an individual ICAEW member can take responsibility for a student. Now there are so many different opportunities for people to come into the profession.”

It was on Vatican Radio/TV that he won huge accolade for his forthrightness and clarity of vision.

“We can all learn from Pope Francis I. Primarily we are a member organization. We are here because of and for the benefit of members. So I intend to meet as many members as possible because I feel it is a line of communication we should be undertaking. We can take a cue from the Pope. Whenever I go out to meet members, my approach is very much,” I’m not here to talk to you. It’s your opportunity to talk to me. I want to hear from you. It’s your opportunity to talk to me. I want to hear from you in your practice and your business. What are the issues for you? How can we be of help? Can we do more? Can we do better?”

Like the Pope, the new President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales is very down to earth.

Equally down to earth is Ian Morrison, the founder of “My Accountant Friend” which he started in 2009 with only a prayer and a handful of clients. Now, his clients’ list is bulging and has escalated to over 1,000 in Britain. It is a boutique-style tax specialist service for sole traders and contractors. His focus is on financial statements, corporate and personal tax as well as book-keeping.

He has become a huge star on NBC’s Good Morning

Enough is enough. We want the banking sector to affirm a bankers’ oath similar to doctors’ Hippocratic Oath to exhibit a duty of care above and beyond what is required by law. As countless scandals demonstrate, virtue is absent from our (British) institutions America” where he made full disclosure of the secret of his amazing success: “Word of mouth is the most powerful marketing tool a business could hope to have. Once you’ve secured one happy customer, your reputation grows and grows and before you know it, you are working for all their friends and workmates too. Treating employees well is a priority.”

Clearly, the influence of Pope Francis I is all pervasive and infectious. It has prompted Phillip Blond who heads the think-tank Res-Puplica (no direct link with the Vatican) to declare on Vatican Radio/TV: “Enough is enough. We want the banking sector to affirm a bankers’ oath similar to doctors’ Hippocratic Oath to exhibit a duty of care above and beyond what is required by law. As countless scandals demonstrate, virtue is absent from our (British) institutions. Britain’s bankers lack a sense of ethics and the institutions they work for lack a clearly defined social purpose. In order for us to have the banks we desperately need and the country deserves, bankers must recognize the good, do good and be good. The bankers’ oath represents a remarkable opportunity to fulfil their proper moral and economic purpose and finally place bankers on the road to absolution (redemption).”

THE BANKERS’ OATH “I swear to fulfil, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: I will do my utmost to behave in a manner that prioritizes the needs of customers. It will be my first duty to provide an exemplary quality of service to my customers and to exhibit a duty of care above and beyond what is required by law.

I will apply myself to ensuring that the work that I perform is in line with values that engender the responsible creation of value. It is my duty to conduct my business in an ethical manner and to ensure that my actions impact positively on the wellbeing of people both inside and outside my enterprise.

I will confront profligacy and impropriety wherever I encounter it, for the conduct of bankers can have

dramatic consequence for society.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to the financial security and wellbeing of my customers, their families and the communities they reside in.

If I do not violate this oath, may I benefit from the prosperity that comes from serving customers well.

May I always act as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy that comes from supporting the needs of society.

This oath I make freely, and upon my honour.”

On BBC’s Radio 4’s Today programme, Lord Myners could barely contain his fury and rage following the publication of his damning report on the Co-op Group (Banking): “The Co-op has lost half its net worth, accumulated over 150 years, in the last four years. We are talking of about £3.5 billion of erosion of wealth. This makes it one of the great business calamities. And it has been led by a board totally unable, because of lack of experience, to hold the executive to account. Its governance structure was manifestly dysfunctional.”

Russian television has devoted prime time to giving full and extensive coverage to a group of Russian lawmakers who have proposed the banning of the “Big Four” global accounting firms – Deloitte, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC) and Ernst & Young as well as two of the world’s largest consulting groups – Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey, from the country.

The lawmakers, through Yevgeny Fyodorov a deputy for the pro-Kremlin party, United Russia have distributed free T-shirts and baseball caps to protest against foreign legal entities and individuals who should be prohibited from conducting audits as well as providing legal and adversory services.

The lawmakers issued a press statement that has gone viral: “These foreign audit and consulting firms are working under orders of their government and could cause real damage to the Russian state by purposefully giving out bad advice,” the lawmakers alleged.

On Al Jazeera, Tony Cates the UK Head of Audit at KPMG was on “BREAKING NEWS” Headline: “AUDITORS MUST NOW BE TRUSTED TO BARK LOUDER” “The global financial crisis has resulted in some painful lessons. One of them is that the audit profession needs to bark more loudly. Our capital markets rely on accounts they can trust. But which company disclosures matter most? Is it the explanations of longer-term financial viability, ethical supply chain processes, regulatory or tax compliance? As the leader of a “Big 4” audit practice, I am willing and able to provide these forms of assurance if they can help restore trust in business.

• Bashorun JK Randle, Chairman, JK Randle Professional Services, is a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and former Chairman of KPMG Nigeria and Africa Region.

Email:jkrandleintuk@gmail.com

When winning an election disarms the winner Ijele Agha-Ibeka

‘I

t is welcome news when the dog dies at the abode of the hen, for if the reverse were the case, the story would be that the cannibalistic dog has done again what it is known for.’

This proverb from my people holds metaphorical connotations. The aptness of that saying captures the spirit of the moment as the incumbent governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, was formally declared the winner of the governorship election in Osun that held on Saturday August 8 2014.

Electoral results officially released

by INEC show that Mr. Aregbesola defeated his closest rival, Iyiola Omisore of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), by over 100,000 votes, while beating him clean in 24 of the state’s 30 local government areas. For pundits from all political divides, the theory

that the massive deployment of security personnel, including soldiers, to Osun State in the run up to the election was to ensure victory for the PDP has fallen flat on its face. A second pontification that voters will be harassed by security men also failed. There was also the claim of a scientific rigging facility that was perfected in Israel (which has no history of rigged elections) for the ruling PDP, which also crashed to inconsequentiality. What all these meant was that the winner emerged as a result of an admixture of factors including but not limited to the personality of the winner as well as the goodwill of his party. For me, Rauf Aregbesola won because the Osun people considered him a better candidate and not because he deployed charms and amulets as he canvassed in the wake of the APC’s disastrous outing in the Ekiti governorship election.

The lesson to learn from all these

include firstly, the fact that INEC is improving steadily in giving Nigerians free and fair elections. To have more of such free and fair elections, INEC deserves more cooperation from the Nigerian political class and their band of supporters. Secondly, opposition politicians need not be quick at discrediting what the federal government is doing in providing enabling environments for free and fair election such as the deployment of security personnel to contain mischief makers.

For the Osun election, APC governors were not reported to have invaded the state at a time when campaigns had officially closed. The obvious intention to invade the state and ‘command votes’ in the words of Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State was not contemplated neither was it a source of advantage for the winner. Altercations associated with the stoppage of the invading APC governors during

Ekiti election had no place in the Osun experience. For all who care to know, Osun people have spoken and Omisore would have heard them in clear terms.

History is beneficial but only to those who are ready to learn from it. This country is going through a lot of challenges and requires patriotic actions, comments, counsel as well as constructive criticisms to make meaningful progress. The day we learn to appreciate that for any election, there must be a winner if there is a loser, that day we will begin to kill the spirit of do or die in our national politics. I believed that President Jonathan would be one of the first to congratulate Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and it came to pass. It is in the spirit of the greater Nigeria of our dream where every citizen will have his rights and privileges as given.

LAW THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

Does the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has a duty to defer its annual conference billed for Owerri between August 24 and 29 in view of the rampaging Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country? Lawyers: Yes. Judiciary Editor, FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE writes

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www.newtelegraphonline.com/law

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY EDITOR

foluso.ogunmodede@newtelegraphonline.com bunfolchester@yahoo.com

'CONFAB’S RESOLUTIONS NOT BINDING ON NIGERIANS'

21

}p-22 & 23

Odinkalu: Why NBA must defer Owerri 2014 conference

A

lthough it insisted that its annual conference billed for next week in Owerri will take place as planned, members of the lawyers’ umbrella body- the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have told their umbrella body to have a rethink.

Reason: The week-long conference may be an ‘excellent market place for the virus in search of vectors’.

Besides, one of the NBA scheduled speakers at the Owerri Conference has been placed under observation for Ebola because one of the doctors who attended to the late LiberianAmerican, Patrick Sawyer, who ‘imported’ the EVD to the country, attended to him on July 21 as an out-patient.

The NBA has zoned this year’s annual conference to Owerri, the Imo state capital.

It reaffirmed its readiness to ensure a hitch-free conference.

In a released, its President, Mr. Okey Wali said the association would go on with the 2014 conference as there were adequate measures in place to contain the deadly virus.

“NBA is putting adequate anti-Ebola precautions for its members attending the 2014 Annual General Conference in Owerri”.

It went on: “NBA has purchased hand bacterial and viral sanitizers which will be given to every conferee for usage throughout the conference.

“Latex gloves and masks for our service providers deployed to man registration, Marshalls (if necessary), etc.

“Non-contact laser guns for temperature monitoring and screening of participants.

Public installed, Standing dispensing non-contact hand sanitizers in select public places, with refills.

Dettol Anti-bacteria hand wash for the various restrooms and mobile toilets.

The NBA Owerri branch has secured the collaboration and services of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Imo State Chapter to provide ambulances and other medical equipment and personnel.

Education and enlightenment of members. Example is to avoid shaking of hands and physical body contact.

We will partner with FANN

Prof. Odinkalu

and Aviation Ministry for Airport screening on landing and surveillance at the Airports.

We urge our members to please maintain higher standard of hygiene. Note that Imo state is not one of the states that have been flagged as location where potential victims have been sited. Please further note that all the conference participants do not gather at the same venue at the same time. They are usually spread out in different sessions going on simultaneously.

“It is on record that ever since the outbreak of Ebola, there have been larger gathering of people at the same venue at the same time like Churches, Mosques, Religious Crusades, Political rallies. At this gatherings, they always experience the minimum number of 5, 00 people at the same time. There is no NBA session at the Annual General Conference that has more than 2,000 persons at the same time.

“Therefore, the 2014 Annual General Conference in Owerri, Imo State is safe.

But the Chairman, Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu and a rights activist lawyer, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke disagree.

The duo asked the NBA leadership to have a rethink as no adequate measure could prevent the virus from being contracted by lawyers as the gathering of lawyers in the ancient town of Owerri was ‘an excellent market for the virus’.

Specifically, they are asking NBA and its President to defer the conference as any ‘adequate measure’ by the association other than deferring the conference as “It will be ill-judged to continue with the conference in the circumstances of the present public health emergency prevailing in the country”.

Okey Wali, SAN

For instance, Odinkalu said since the NBA had a duty to defer its annual conference, acting otherwise may spell doom for the country in view of the rampaging Ebola scourge.

He said: “As its contribution to the current measures to control and manage the public health emergency caused by the presence of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has a responsibility to defer its Annual Conference scheduled to take place in Owerri, Imo State, from 24 until 29 August 2014.

“It will be ill-judged to continue with the conference in the circumstances of the present public health emergency prevailing in the country.

“On Friday, 8 August, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the current outbreak of the EVD in West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

“On the same day, Nigeria’s Federal Government proclaimed a nation-wide public health emergency for the same reasons. Among other control and prevention measures, both the WHO and the Federal Government discourage large gatherings during this emergency.

“In Nigeria, Government at Federal and State levels have agreed to extend the current school holidays while measures are taken to assess the Ebola threat and bring it under

The NBA has a responsibility to defer its Annual Conference scheduled to take place in Owerri, Imo State

Nwadioke

control.

“Section 45(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution gives government a responsibility to take reasonable measures to manage rights in the interest of public health.

These measures have been taken under this power. They are both lawful and sensible.

“The NBA Conference is usually a very large gathering. Its venues usually attract well in excess of 20,000 participants, traders and visitors. It’s an excellent market place for a virus in search of vectors.

“On 15 August, the NBA issued a public statement claiming that it ‘is putting adequate anti-Ebola precautions for its members attending the 2014 Annual General Conference in Owerri.’

It failed to say what these precautions were or who said they were “adequate”.

“As a result, participants are not in a position to asses independently what risks they run in attending the conference. The most “adequate precaution” the NBA can take at this time is to defer the conference. It should do so. If the NBA declines, I would urge government at all levels to strongly request it to do so.

“I am a scheduled speaker at the Owerri Conference. I have also been a person under observation for Ebola because as an out-patient I was attended on 21 July by one of the doctors in Lagos who managed the index case, i.e., on the day after he was admitted.

“The NBA has no way of knowing this and has made no effort to elicit this kind of information from any of the participants. I have decided that I will not go to Owerri. As an act of responsible citizenship, I would also urge as many intending participants as possible to consider withdrawing from the Owerri conference.

“To address leadership conti-

nuity in the association, in the interim, the inauguration of the new leadership of the NBA can take place at a modest ceremony at the NBA Secretariat in Abuja. “ Odinkalu was echoed by Nwadioke , who insisted that the NBA leadership must critically assess the threats posed by the conference to lawyers in particular and efforts by local and international stakeholders to stem the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Nwadioke said: “The Ebola virus poses a serious threat to care-givers, some of whom have died in the process of treating patients. It is therefore better imagined than described if the current state of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria is allowed to exacerbate.

“Accordingly, it is expected that all concerned will act in a manner that aids a speedy containment of the Ebola outbreak.

It is against this backdrop and the forthcoming NBA Annual General Conference (AGC) in Owerri that I urge the NBA leadership to critically assess the threats posed by the AGC to lawyers in particular and generally to efforts by local and international stakeholders to stem the spread of the EVD. Given that the AGC is reputed as the largest gathering of lawyers on earth, with at times over 10,000 lawyers in attendance, and consistent with the mode of transmission of the Ebola virus including direct physical contact with body fluids of an infected person such as blood, saliva, urine and sweat or contact with objects contaminated by these fluids, I urge the NBA leadership not only to put measures in place to safeguard participants at the week-long event, but to critically assess the adequacy of emergency healthcare measures aimed to protect lawyers, exhibitors and visitors.

22 JURIST

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Keyamo: Confab’s resolutions not binding on Nigerians He is an alumnus of the Bendel State University, now Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. A product of the then famous Chief Gani Fawehinmi Chambers, Festus Egwarewa Adeniyi Keyamo, reviewed some of the resolutions of the just concluded national conference and concluded that the confab’s five months of deliberation was nothing but a ‘colossal waste of time, tax payers’ money and the energy of those delegates’. APPOLOS CHRISTIAN met him. tional assembly members were elected while the conference members are selected so in the hierarchy of representation and mandate, the national assembly come far higher than the national conference. So, for the recommendation of the confab to be sent to the national assembly, the question then will be: w h a t was the whole p u r pose of the national conference?

B e -

Keyamo

Background Festus Egwarewa Adeniyi Keyamo is one of Nigeria’s rights activist lawyer. He attended the Ambrose Alli University where he obtained his LL.B and was called to the Bar in1992.

Keyamo. A titled chief however, reviewed the series of resolutions by the just concluded national conference and gave a verdict that its resolutions could not hold any water.

Specifically, he said, since the confab had no role to play under the 1999 Constitution, its resolutions nonetheless good for the dustbin of history.

He said: “Like I said from the beginning and still maintain till tomorrow, the national conference is a colossal waste of our resources, colossal waste of time, tax payers’ money and the energy of those delegates.

As a response, I don’t need to think twice; the conference has no powers either constitutional or statutory to perform any role in this country. Therefore, the attempt by even the media to elevate the discussion of the confab to profit constitutional amendment is even wrong.

“I have seen various headlines which are in this line and it is very wrong. Because the conference is just like a circus, like a comedy show going on somewhere. So, the media should not be patronizing

them. In the process of constitution amendment, the conference does not even come into the picture at all because if we want to have a proper referendum, the conference does not represent a referendum as it has no proper consultation with all segments of the country.

The conference does not represent that, even in terms of advising the national assembly, the conference does not also represent that. So, the conference represents nothing except the money they are collecting.

Therefore, I will not even dignify those decisions to elevate them to the level of debating or discussing because they are not concrete proposal before any constitutional constituted body.

Confab’s resolution on new constitution Now if their recommendation is passed on to another body called the National Assembly, that itself will cause the total death of the national conference and the possible achievement it may have had.

Because the National Assembly will then have the latitude and right to change whatever that have been discussed, to alter it, delete or add, because their decision does not bind on the national assembly in any way at all, even morally it does not bind them because the na-

The conference does not represent a referendum as it has no proper consultation with all segments of the country cause the national assembly has the power to even dump the decision of the conference to the waste bin and do whatever they so desire as they work and act according to the constitution, of which nothing thereof in the constitution talk about the conference. Take note that as the national conference was sitting, there is also an ongoing constitutional amendment in the national assembly- chaired

by Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

So, you can see! What a disgrace, what a mess. It is a total disgrace. My only sympathy goes to my very good friends and respected Nigerians who were deceived into that place, and I am sure by now they are regretting it except those who went for the sake of the money.

The NBA, its new president and my agenda for the President elect

Well the president is my friend, my elder brother and so I wish him well. He is a wonderful person and I think the Bar is lucky to have him as president.

I know he understands the Bar politics very well because he has been part of the Bar politics for a very long time, so I expect that he would understand the issues plaguing the Bar. However, if I want to lend my very little and inconsequential voice to him, I first of all encourage him to see how the NBA and the Bench can assist in upholding the integrity, honour and the unbiased position of the Bench. The greatest worry that lawyers and the public are having these days is the corruption in the judiciary.

He should do whatever he can do to fight corruption in the judiciary so that when we as lawyers are practicing law and we know that decisions will be given according to the law it would encourage us to practice law to the highest level and the public as well will have faith in the law.

He should also commit himself to uphold the ethics and principles of the profession and discipline of the members of the Bar as we have too much indiscipline in the profession.

We need to keep those core law practice and ethics together to place them at the highest level. He should also look at the plights of the very young lawyers because it’s not easy at all coming into the profession and to settle down as a lawyer these days. So, whatever he can do as the head of the Bar to assist young lawyers to settle down in the profession will be appreciated.

Judiciary and the CJN Well, she has done wonderfully well, and she has tried her best within the powers she has to maintain the very high standard on the Bench. She has punished erring judges, and has not spared the rod for anyone; she has applied the rod where she has to and has carefully done all she has reasonably, which has immensely helped to sanitize the judiciary very well. And I am sure the day she bows out, it will be in high honours.

Firstly, the issue and controversy regarding the appointment of chief judges in many states, though not interested to talk about who is wrong or right, I expect her to intervene and intelligently navigate those issues to the point of amicable resolution. She really has to do

something as the head of the judiciary because many of those states are suffering as the tussle regarding the chief judges. In some cases, the executive arm of those states against the national judicial council, so humbly call on her to see that this issues is navigated because such issues are a slap on the judiciary.

Corruption The truth is that these groups- judiciary, EFCC, ICPC and the government are part and parcel of corruption in many ways. We all are to be blame because from the law enforcement agencies to the judiciary, the lawyer both the prosecution and the defense to the prison authorities, the entire chain of criminal administration has one blame or the other regarding the fight against corruption. So, it is wrong to put corruption as a sole making of only one arm of government. Just to speak lightly, I can tell you that the two major problems playing game with the fight against corruption is the delay in the administration of justice for those who are accused of corruption while the second one is political interference itself in the fight against corruption. Political interference is the problem of them all, and whoever tells you that there is no political interference is not telling the truth. And if we don’t have the temerity to tell the truth about what goes on in our country, we should forget it. Again, there is political interference at the highest and lowest level and at all levels of the fight against corruption. It is a pity because it is really not the fault of anybody per se but the law. Why, because the law is designed in such a way that it is the political office holder that detects who should and should not be appointed the head of the anti-graft body. This is not good for the fight because it makes it so difficult for them to turn around and arrest the same person who appointed them. But in all, we must get to the point where we have to face the truth and deal with corruption squarely because if we continue playing hide and seek game with it, the whole system will collapse someday.

Terrorism and the Chibok schoolgirls Well, the primary duty and responsibility of the government is to protect lives and

JURIST 23

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

properties but what we are seeing with this insurgency is that it threatens two basic fabrics of our nation.

First, it threatens our democracy and secondly the unity of this country. And if any of this two should collapse, a lot will go wrong and there won’t even be any government.

So, the government should realize that its primary duty is not to award contracts and oil blocks but to maintain law and order irrespective of what the challenges may be. This, the government has failed and still failing to understand, though I don’t want to know if it’s a global trend, some miscreants, opposition and what have you, because government is government and should at all times act as one amidst whatever situation, from what and who as the watch word is whatever it is, deal with it. They are sighting 9-11 to us, that when 9-11 happened that Americans stood by their government. Of course, they have to because they knew the government will not allow it to become repetitive because the immediately it happened, their government took every possible and necessary steps to make sure the ugly incident does not become a reoccurrence. But what are we seeing here; an almost daily bombing, killings and abduction of Nigerian citizens. So, why should we stand by a government that is not doing enough to show us it can protect its citizens? So, the government needs to show and make us have confidence in it if it wants us to stand by it and unfortunately what we are rather seeing from this government is politics per-excellent as the moment the government as the authority in charge, the opposition and everyone leaves politics and sees terrorism for what it is and start doing the needful, the people will have confidence in the government and we can as well save ourselves from the situation. It’s high time the northerners especially their elders woke up to the reality of what this menace is doing and will further do to the region and start doing what they can to help in this fight against insurgents.

I don’t and haven’t seen anything they are doing in any way, rather, they are busy politicking which should not be because you don’t look for rat to kill when your house is on fire.

Elections and heavy security Well, the best way for election is one where people wake up and go for voting without any fear of the security forces or any form of intimidation, and the most unfortunate of all is that both opposition and the ruling party have designed election as if it is a war. The sense and mentality of voting and election have so much be made to be a do or die affair and it is very bad, and honestly this kind of mentality cannot and will not help our society now or in the future.

I wonder what is so much enjoying about the way politicians have made election the foundation of democracy to be. Prior, there is no doubt elections in Nigeria are prone to violence if it’s not well policed but the fear of the opposition to me, is that the government may use the

Bozimo takes over from Eri as first female NJI administrator

security agents to prevent people from coming to vote as they ought to or may use them in their own favour.

And at the same time, the same opposition that wails, tends to forget that the same finger is also pointing at them.

So, I don’t support the process of election to be left with adequate security in regardless of whatever anyone may feel, think or say, the problem is the use of even the military which does not have any business in such wise.

And the election was relatively free and fair as there was no cause for anyone to com-

Tunde Oyesina

A

Keyamo

INEC should significantly show Nigerians of its maturity, competence and seriousness as the only body responsible for elections plain.

2015 elections We have had this kind of tension before in 2003, 2007, 2011. People said this and that will happen, yet we are here safe and the country keeps going forward. So, I think if it is properly managed we will peacefully have the elections and Nigeria will still be Nigeria. Though one election will not typically be like the other, so we should not take things for granted for any reason at all as laudable improvement should be made compared to the ones we have had.

INEC should significantly show Nigerians of its maturity, competence and seriousness as the only body responsible for elections. We are not expecting 2011 election to be better than the 2015, it will mean otherwise.

For free and fair election, I have my doubts but I hope for the best. I have to believe and optimistically see a free and fair election even though experiences may say otherwise, so free and fair election is possible.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system in Nigeria Yes. I strongly think it does have even a brighter future in Nigeria because I have seen so many matters that should have caused serious tension but are referred to ADR and were amicably resolved. Arbitration has become part of our legal process and it’s a good development. In fact there are many cases that should not bother the court anymore. It’s an option with a bright future in Nigeria and we should explore it to the fullest, so the government, the judiciary and the public should take it serious because it is for our own good.

President Jonathan’s led government Well, in terms of security, the administration has left a lot to be desired because we the citizens feel, think and are saying that there are a lot that could have been done better, which are not yet done. And when Jonathan was unanimously elected

by Nigerians, we had expected a lot of improvements both in the well-being of ordinary citizens, infrastructure, education, the economy at large, and in many other areas. We have had hope in this administration, we really did. Considering the reality of things in the country presently, I think the government could have done better, should do better to whatever best it has done so far. Yes, we are disappointed in the administration may be due to our high expectation in the president but I think there is still room for improvement and redemption.

former Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Rosaline Patricia Irorefe Bozimo , took over from Justice Umaru Eri as the first female administrator of the National Judicial Institute NJI on August 1, 2014.

In her acceptance speech, Justice Bozimo who was overwhelmed with joy , thanked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar , for appointing her to the exalted position, describing her appointment as a personification of divine intervention.

“I give God all the glory to be appointed without God ‘fatherism’. I did not lobby but by divine grace of God I was appointed and I want all of you to do your job properly. Staff discipline lies on the shoulders of all the unit heads” Justice Bozimo while promising to build on the legacy of Justice Umaru Eri, said she would operate an open door policy which would be centred on equity, fair play and justice.

Earlier in a farewell message, Justice Umaru Eri who was the longest serving Administrator, was full of gratitude to God for sparing his life and thanked the staff for their support and encouragement.

He, however, warned the staff to desist from acts capable of tarnishing the image of the Institute. ” please avoid dishonesty, nepotism, tribalism; let sanity prevail and there should be no religious affiliation”, Eri said.

The Board of Governors of the institute under the chairmanship of the CJN, had met on July 14 to review the activities of the Institute and after extensive deliberation, appointed the former Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Rosaline Patricia Irorefe Bozimo as the new Administrator.

Justice Bozimo was born on January 1, 1946 in Udu local Government council of Delta State. She was appointed the Chief Judge of Delta State on April 3, 2003 and retired on January 1, 2011.

She attended St. Maria Gorretti Grammar School, Benin City for her secondary education and then Urhobo College, Effuru in September 1970.

Justice Bozimo gained admission into the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where she obtained a law degree in 1973 and was called to the Bar in 1974.

For her sterling qualities, the then military administrator of Delta State, Colonel Bassey Asuquo appointed her the Chairman of the Armed Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Effuru, and thereafter Chairman failed Bank tribunal Enugu zone.

In 2003 in a bid to decongest the prisons, Hon Justice Bozimo set free 59 prisoners awaiting trial.

In October 2007, she made a strong case for the financial autonomy of the Judiciary in Delta State and canvassed a better working condition for staff of the State Judiciary.

In November 2008, Justice Bozimo and the Delta state Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan approved the establishment of

sanitation mobile courts to prosecute sanitation offenders in the State.

Indeed much is being expected from Justice Bozimo as the first Female Administrator of the Institute, as management pundits believe that women are better managers.

Maybe that also led credence to the appointment of the first Female Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar and the first Female President Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa by President Good luck Jonathan recently.

The temple of Justice is represented by a female statute to drive home the fact that speedy, fair trial, good judgement and equity have come home to roost in the judicial sector.

Bozimo who is a life bencher will serve as the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute for 3 years.

The former Administrator NJI, Hon Justice Umaru Eri assumed the leadership of the NJI on 1st August 2008.He was born 71 years ago in Koton Karfe but hails from Kpata in Bassa Local Government of Kogi State of Nigeria to the aristocratic family of Umaru Eri. He had his secondary education at the famous Government College Keffi.He is an Alumni of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He was the first Chief Judge of Kogi State, an office he held for 17 years with ground breaking record of unparalleled achievements.

Justice Umaru Eri took over from the former Chief Justice of Kwara State, Justice Timothy Adepoju Oyeyipo.

Justice Oyeyipo was the Administrator of the Institute from March, 2006 to May 2008.He took over from the former Chief Judge of Ekiti State,Hon Justice J.A. Ajakaiye, now the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

Hon Justice Ajakaiye was the Administrator of the Institute from May 2002 to March 2006.

He took over from a retired Judge of the High Court of Lagos State, Hon Justice M.A. OpeAgbe ,who was the Administrator of the Institute from April 2000 to April,2003.The first Administrator of the Institute was Hon Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki, JSC(rtd),1991 to 1995 and late Hon. Justice O.O. Olatawura, JSC(rtd), took over from him as the Administrator from 1995 to 2000.

The National Judicial Institute NJI was established by Decree No.28 of 1991 as amended

by Decree No.15 of 1991, now Act N55 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria; 2004

Justice Bozimo

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LAW | INTERVIEW

How would you look at the resolution by delegates at the just concluded national conference that a six-year single term would make Nigeria’s democracy an envy of nations if adopted?

From the look of things, I don't think it is a bad idea, it is good except that none of the present political holders especially the President, Vice President, Governors and deputy governors should be allowed to benefit from it. Why I like it is because an office holder hardly perform well in his first term though he or she may do some things but there are some things he or she will ignore because he or she may become scared that he or she may lose election should he or she introduce such as electorate may turn their back against the incumbent.

I know the argument,that if it is two terms, people will want to do well during the first tenure, so that people can vote for them during the second term.

For instance, we were all here when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo became President in 1999. For the first two or three years, he was doing wonderfully well, everybody was happy.

He was attacking corruption, setting the political system right, breaking some cabals, but immediately he realized, he will need some people for the second term, he reduced his aggressiveness. Then, he would have done better, it was around that time that he set up the EFCC which was doing well, but the immediately the demon of third time entered, he had to pipe low again, the people who ought to be prosecuted became his friends because he needed votes from every tribe and group. So, I would have loved it that, let there be a single term and after that term, go away for life, you can aspire to be another thing. For me, it will even be cheaper for the system, it will make for stability, whatever you cannot do in six years, I don't think you will be able to do it again.

What do you think about the confab’s resolution on the emergence of a new constitution?

It is a terrible thing. Though the idea of the national conference is good but unfortunately, the set- up is more of a hidden agenda. The reason I said that is this: this is a country that existed for like 100 years and we realized a lot of things that were not right in our political system which we wanted to correct within three months, it is a waste of time.

The second error is that it was inaugurated without an enabling law, not only that, when you are doing something, you must do it with the mind that, this is what we want to achieve. The conference has nothing of such as a blueprint to achieve at the end. People who are skeptical about the conference from the beginning are not saying something bad, knowing full well that in time past, we have had conferences like this and there was nothing that came out of it. But I must add a rider, it is not absolutely bad, in the sense that the biggest problem in life is communication, even in any relationship. It is a bad thing when people are not talking, but at least we have been able

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Toki: Six-year single term will strengthen democracy He is a member of Chartered Institute of Arbitration. Olusoji Toki, who plies his law trade in Abuja, obtained his LL.B from the prestigious University of Lagos some two decades ago. Toki tells TUNDE OYESINA his view on Nigeria’s security challenge, the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, contentious six-year single term, and sundry issues.

Toki

to talk. It is a step forward.

But I can't see a valid constitution emanating from this confab because we have the national assembly in place, though it would have helped the psyche of the people. This is because all the constitution we had in the past was given to us by the military. And even all those ones we cannot call them Nigerian Constitution. So, for the first time, we can say that we came together, though not absolutely, but to a large extent. If the current President will not do like his predecessors that a committee will recommend something and they will sweep it under the carpet, the recommendation can help.

But as far a constitution is concerned, there is no enabling law that can back it up. So, I can't see a new constitution coming up before May 29, 2015.

One of the proposals at the confab is the separation of the AG’s office from that of Minister of Justice, what is your take on this?

I am not opposed to that, it is a very good recommendation, that the AGF should be separated from that of the Minister

Single term of six years will bring sanity into the country's democratic process of Justice. Minister of Justice is a politician and the business of law is held in in high esteem. Not only should the office be separated, it should be a statutory office, especially the office of the AGF, the same way the office of the CJN is secured, and it should not be an office that the President will have absolute power to appoint, and there must be a process and qualification for appointing the AGF. Let the AGF face the business of the law while the Minister of Justice will face politics and other administrative work but this pure work of law should be handled by the AGF. The AGF should not be made answerable to the President but law.

What is your view on the heavy security in some states during

election?

Those who are criticizing are not being fair. In 2003, we saw what Obasanjo government did to us. In 2007, we saw what he did because there were no enough security personnel we saw the massive, scandalous and shameful rigging that we experienced in this nation.

The redeployment of security personnel has reduced rigging. In fairness to Mr. President and the INEC Chairman, they have tried. In fairness to the security personnel, they have also tried. In Ekiti state, they were there, the APC lost while PDP won, in Osun state, the APC that lost in Ekiti won while the PDP that won in Ekiti lost. So, I think their presence is good, at least for now.

They have provided security and made the election free and fair. From the look of things, the redeployment of security personnel and their involvement, Mr. President meant well for the electoral system.

Tension is already building up ahead of 2015, what is your fear?

If the INEC can maintain this tempo, I foresee a free and fair election in 2015.

Over 100 days now, the abducted Chibok schoolgirls are not yet back, what other options are we left with?

I must say that it is shameful for security system that citizens of Nigeria are kidnapped for more than four months and nothing has been done. And the most shameful aspect of it is that they said they know where they are and that makes it more horrible. They are not in Cameroun, neither are they in Ghana yet they cannot be rescued. With all the security personnel that went to Ekiti and Osun states for the election yet nothing has been done.

Security personnel should be mobilized to the forest where these girls are. Of course, they said they don't want to hurt the girls, but do we know what is happening to them over there?

What is happening to them now may be worst to what could have happened if they have invaded that forest. What care will a terrorist give to a child? If somebody locks you up in a room for one week, you know what it means, not to talk of young girls. Which care or food will a terrorist give to the girl? In fact, like former President Obasanjo said, those girls cannot come back the same way they went. So, it is a shame on the security system of the nation that those girls are still there and they have not been able to do anything. If it means war, they should face it. And most painful is that we heard that it is not only those Chibok girls that were abducted, others have been kidnapped alongside the girls. So, it means several Nigerians are in bondage in their own father's land. I do not think this is a good thing for this country.

What do you have to say about the underfunding of the judiciary?

The issue of underfunding is a national issue; it is only political office holders that are not being underfunded in this nation. The educational, health sectors too, are all underfunded. It is a major problem in this nation, and my own belief is that if every other thing works, judiciary will be well taken care of. Recently, the Judiciary workers called off their strike, they are asking for autonomy, I would have supported an autonomy and also urge the government to make life better for judges. In fact, like I normally say, if you want to take care of corruption in this country, just take care of the judiciary and the police and once those two bodies are taken care of, corruption will reduce by sixty per cent. In fact, the salary of the judiciary should be multiplied by four and the police by eight.

When they are well taken care of, there is no amount of bribe, that anyone will offer that they will want to take, if they are sure that the future is secured and their children future too, the corruption will reduce drastically. I am not opposed

INTERVIEW | LAW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

SAN title is an inspiration to younger lawyers and a symbol of excellence to putting more fund into the judiciary.

Scrapping of the rank of SANship title, what is your take on it?

That agitation is too absolute; it is like throwing away the baby with the bathe water. I will not support the scrapping of the rank of the SAN in the sense that having a SAN has helped the legal profession. When you see people who are SAN, it makes a younger lawyer to aspire and work harder and in fairness to the SAN we have in this country, most of them are trying. Of course, there is always an abuse to every privilege, I am not saying all of them are abusing the privilege, but some of them do. I will not support the scrapping except that there should be improvement in the selection procedure and as it is now, there is much improvement this year.

Their names were published and people make comments and we discover that after the names were published, some names were dropped. We should also look at the qualification, we will discover that integrity carries the highest mark just the same points you are expected to have for integrity is the same you are expected to have for the knowledge of the law. I think the rank of SAN should stay. From time to time, people complain. In fairness to the privileges committee, they are addressing those complaints as much as they can do.

Recently, the CJN alleged that SANs are part of the corruption in the judiciary, how would you look at this in view of the agitation to scrap it?

The person and position of the CJN is a highly revered position and before she will make that type of statement, she must have seen many things. But we don't just expect it to be an allegation or a statement. We would have been happier if two or more cases have been exposed. At least I know at the legal practitioners disciplinary committee that two three SANs are facing probe. If CJN is privy to such, she should make it open, and not just generalizing it to all Senior Advocate in the nation. Nobody can be excluded from the corruption in the judiciary, though I am not saying everybody is corrupt, by God's grace, I have not given any judge bribe and I am not ready to do that. But whatever that happens, it is still we lawyers. Anybody that has such information should expose it and not make it a general statement.

With the high level of alleged indiscipline among lawyers, what is the place of LPDC? I don't think there is any profession in this country that its disciplinary committee is as strong as that of the legal practitioners and I have the law reports here for the past six months on the matter they handle.

This body has been trying, I must commend them, they have done wonderfully well. I started par pirating when Honorable Justice Abdullahi was there and fully when the retired Justice Umaru Eri was the chairman before they have a legal issue as to the composition of the committee. With the present committee, having J.B Daudu SAN as the chairman, they have done a great work. The only thing is that people are not aware but I am happy that the awareness is coming. The only area where I disagree with the modalities of the committee is the idea of publishing the names of lawyers standing trial in the newspaper. It is not every lawyer that goes there that became indicted or found guilty but once their names have been published in the newspaper, nobody will care to know whether he is guilty or not. Rather, people will form their opinion about that person and

Toki

that can damage the reputation of such lawyer. Nobody will want such lawyer to handle his brief again. It is that aspect I am not okay with it.

But in terms of the constitution of the committee, the prosecutors, it is a strong body. It is a place where they follow strict justice and not technicalities. It is even so interesting that a mere petition can make a lawyer to lose his certificate. Usually in law court, if somebody make allegation, you must come to defend it, but this is not so in the committee, just mere petition have sent many lawyers out of practice.

What can you say about the quality of legal education in Nigeria, vis-a-vis the Nigerian law school?

The legal education to an extent has done well then vis-a-vis the Nigerian Law School. My pleading here is that the Nigerian Law School should be given more power to checkmate the quality of education in the universities.

The law school should not only recommend or give direction as to the number of students that should come from the universities but it should also tell each university, the number of students each faculty of law should admit. And once a university takes more than that, they should be sanctioned.

They can take less but not more than that. There is a university that by accreditation it was given 50 students and it is producing like 300. The problem of the Nigerian Law School starts from the universities.

I have been an external examiner of the law school since 1999, and there are times when you are marking the scripts, you will see some English, some reasoning some lawyers write and you will begin to wonder whether such people finished secondary school let alone university. That problem is there too. I think the law school should be restructured and not as an academic institution as we are having in the universities.

One law school is enough. Just the same way ICAN try their professionals, let there be a central law school that will co-ordinate the affairs; let there now be some universities that will be tuition provider, some private organizations can even be licensed to provide tuition for students. The only thing is that when it is time for examination, people should assemble at a place to write and

We can't make a law to force seniors to pay juniors a certain amount but what can be done is to encourage seniors to do it it is not compulsory that they should all write once, it can be spread into months so that they write batch by batch.

In what way do you think the issue of poor remuneration for young lawyers be addressed?

The legal profession is a very interesting one in the sense that it is not something you can learn in four or five years at the university. In the first five years of Practice, you are still learning as a lawyer. But all the same, a parent who has sent a child to school, after graduation, will be expectant to be having some returns from the child. Some principals are treating these lawyers so badly and even instruct them not to take personal briefs. The only difference here is that, the salary being paid to young lawyers cannot be pegged to a certain amount. We can't make a law to force seniors to pay juniors a certain amount but what can be done is to encourage seniors to do it.

Should the Land Use Act be abolished or remain?

Land Use Act was actually fashioned after Land Tenure Law of Northern Nigeria in 1929 and was super imposed on the whole nation. The idea of Governor's consent was just meant to be an administrative thing, but that consent has created so many problems, it has given the governors so much power. My own thinking is that instead of abolishing it, it should be amended especially in the area of governor’s consent and in the area of compensation for compulsory acquisition of land.

What prompted your decision to read law in the first place?

It is divine, because I remember in 1988 I specifically prayed and asked God to reveal to me which of the courses I should study. Believe you me, my mind was opened and I had about five courses in mind, like Political Science,

25

Accounting, Mass Communication, Yoruba Education and Law. After praying, I try to meditate, by God's grace then, I have become a Christian and I can pray very well. But quite unfortunate, I did not receive any direction but I had a dream that was very prophetic after that prayer. Although I asked God to give the course that will give me peace and opportunity to serve him. I remembered specially, it was February 3, 1983 that God told me that I will read law, and I put in for ‘A’ levels and as God will have it, I had the best result at least to enter University of Lagos that time at least 14 points. So my studying law was not be human decision.

Who are your role models?

I have distant role models, but very close ones are two. The first one is the man that actually trained me, late Chief J.B Akinyede. He was a contemporary of Chief FRA Williams and very good.

His son is also a lawyer, he was called to the Bar in 1979, he was a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I still maintain a very close relationship with them.

In fact, I defended his electoral victory in Ado Ekiti in 2007.

Another person is also my boss, Mr. Uche Valentine Obi. He is the Principal Partner in Alliance Law Firm. I like his attitude and his intelligence and his aggressiveness. These two people are my role models at a close level. But at a distant level, I can point to people like the late Chief FRA Williams, I love the way he used to give life to law. Presently, I think I have a lot of regards for Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN. What is the most challenging case you have handled and what makes it challenging?

Since 1995, I have done no other job.

The most challenging one I had was when I defended a colleague at the Legal Practitioner Disciplinary Committee and it was as if it was bad. You know at that place, there is no gimmick you can play, everybody there are legal experts.

The prosecutor is a senior member of the Bar, the next person to him, is also a senior member. The person I was defending is also my senior. The panel members are the best we have in the profession, so there is no gimmick you can play, and what makes it challenging at the LPDC, though they said we should follow the rule of evidence, they also have their own rules you cannot bring in technicalities that we use in criminal matters. So, this makes it very challenging. The nature of the case itself was not that easy, there was a document the person I was defending signed and he admitted that he signed, which the prosecutor was ready to make use of, but God helped us we were able to do some research and put in our best, so at least, they will punish him a little but I was shocked that by the time they gave their direction, they discharge him, they said the man was not liable. So, that was the most challenging case I will say and I was happy it went in our favor.

What is the most embarrassing time you ever had as a lawyer?

We were trained not to see ourselves as having won or lose a case. A lawyer does not win or lose a case. Somehow, I have been insulated against embarrassment.

But the first one that is still vivid in mind was sometime in 1995 before Justice C.O Segun in Lagos. I was to start a trial, it was a land matter and my boss was not around. I was just stammering and the judge shouted at me, but somehow, the lawyer on the other side who is experienced asked the court to strike out the case, but the judge said no and gave me time to go and prepare. That day I was embarrassed. But in terms of losing a case, I had another case before LPDC, I did not actually expect a total win but the loss I experienced was not what I expected. In fact, it was so bad, that the petitioner was asking for 10million, the panel said my client should go and pay 40 million. It was that bad. In the practice, we meet it from time to time, but we thank God we have had more successes.

26 LAW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

*Dr. Oghenesivbe, is a member, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (M.NIIA), a political and socio-economic analyst.

FredLatimore Oghenesivbe

Foluso Ogunmodede

Pre-trial investigation in criminal litigation Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe

I

t is a legal truism that by virtue of Section 131 (2) of the Evidence Act 2011, the burden of proving the existence of any fact, sometimes called onus of proof, lies on the party alleging that the accused person actually committed the offence.

By onus of proof, it is meant the obligation which a witness bears to convince the court or tribunal about the truth or existence or falsehood or non-existence of any fact before the court.

Section 131 (1) of the Evidence Act 2011 states: “Whoever desires any court to give judgment as to any legal right or liability dependent on the existence of facts which he asserts must prove that those facts exist”.

This section of the evidence Act is fortified by the presumption of innocence of the accused person until the contrary is proved as expressly stipulated under Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which is why the prosecution bears the general burden of proof to the end of the trial in criminal cases.

The word “must” is expressly used in this provision which makes it absolute for the prosecution in criminal matters to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The general notion under the rules of evidence is that whoever asserts the existence or non-existence of a fact must prove it. This is a common law notion incorporated in Section 131 (1) and Section 132 of the Evidence Act 2011. Section 132 states: “The burden of proof in a suit or proceeding lies on that person who would fail if no evidence at all were given on either side”.

In Adebayo v The State (1991), where the appellant was charged with murder and discharged after no case submission but convicted of manslaughter, the Supreme Court in a Judgment delivered

by Karibi-Whyte, J.S.C, held that, “Under the constitution, there is no onus on an accused person to establish his innocence. Hence, where at the close of a case of the prosecution, no case has been made out against the accused, asking him to answer the charge connected with the offence with which he has been discharged, is a reversal of the constitutional presumption of innocence by asking him to establish his innocence.

No court has such a jurisdiction. Consequently, every proceeding subsequent to the violation of the provisions of Section 33 (5), now 36 (6) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is void having being conducted without competence. It follows that the conviction of the appellant for manslaughter is void and of no effect”.

This judgment is clear and final on issues relating to onus of proof vested in the prosecution and not the accused person.

The efficiency of the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in pre-trial investigation will in most cases determine whether or not the prosecution will be able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt so as to convict the accused person (s). Evidence is the backbone of criminal litigation and therefore the Court will usually rely on the weight of evidence before it in deciding whether or not the accused should be punished or set free.

The prosecution must demonstrate that it has thoroughly investigated the mat-

UBA boss, Sanni, Akin-Olugbade to chair ESQ award ceremony

The efficiency of the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in pre-trial investigation will in most cases determine whether or not the prosecution will be able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt so as to convict the accused person (s) ter before bringing the accused person to court.

It is therefore imperative that the IPO and his superiors should observe or follow legal and constitutional procedures in the process of investigating suspects before bringing them to court for trial.

In my previous article, I itemized some of the rights of the suspect in pre-trial investigation and the powers vested in the Nigerian Police Force to apprehend, detain, investigate and subsequently charge the suspect to Court. Please see Section 36 (1), (4), (5), (6 (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended). Also see sections 5, 179 (2) of the Criminal procedure Act (CPA) and sections 38 and 218 (2) of the Criminal procedure Code (CPC), Section 4 of the Police Act which states powers and procedures in pre-trial investigation.

There are other provisions which must be complied with. See a legal practitioner for legal guidance. Even though an accused person has the right to defend himself, it is strongly advised that a legal practitioner should be engaged to observe and represent him or her both at the police station and during court trials.

Exception to this rule is where the accused pleads “Alibi” claiming that at the date and time of the alleged commission of the crime he or she was far away from the scene of crime and as such could not have participated in the commission of the alleged offence. But where the prosecution is able to prove that the accused person is a member of a criminal gang and did conspired and had knowledge of the commission of the offence; he or she will be liable under the criminal law rules of conspiracy and common intentions. I will discuss alibi as we progress in this piece.

Failure to comply with laid down procedure which must be observed by investigating police officer(s) or other categories of law enforcement agents may frustrate trial processes which may lead to the dismissal of the charge(s) or striking out the case; in which case the prosecution may come back to court when the proper procedure has been duly complied with. Striking out of cases or dismissals are usually experienced in situations where the prosecution has exhibited reasonable lack of willingness to go on with the case within reasonable time or where too many adjournment dates has been recorded without making significant process in the matter.

TO B E CO N T I N U E D

G

iant legal practice magazine in SubSaharan Africa, ESQ Legal Practice Magazine, has fixed its award ceremony, tagged ‘ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards’ for September 18.

Besides, it has constituted a team of eminent experts to preside as judges.

The key component of the restructuring of the award, which will hold on September 18, in Lagos, is the new approach to the judging process and criteria for the various categories of awards.

The ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards is set to honour outstanding law firms and legal professionals both in Nigeria and the diaspora.

Also, the Award will reward contributions in key business transactions, practice areas, strategic growth, excellence and innovation in client service, advancement in technology and support to the growth of the legal profession at large.

The award is however, based on the legal deals or unique contributions to legal business in Nigeria within the last eighteen months.

Besides the award will recognize and honour novel deals and transactions across different sectors of the country’s economy, corporate organisations legal teams as well as the law firms who were involved in structuring such deals.

Speaking at the press conference announcing the awards in Lagos, the CEO of Legal Blitz Limited, Mr. Lere Fashola, described the as a key to global legal service.

He said: “As globalisation of legal services reinforces the need for stan-

dardisation of practices and systems, the legal profession in Nigeria continues to witness greater changes and innovative achievements far higher than many other sectors in the economy. There is therefore the need to celebrate the unique contributions that lawyers make to the growth of businesses in Nigeria.

“This award is set out to recognise the important contribution the legal business community makes to the development of the Nigerian economy. The quantity and quality of entries received during the maiden edition indicate that the accolades are valued highly by the industry.”

However, in a bid to guarantee the credibility of the award, several changes have been made to the nomination and assessment systems as submissions were made electronically after which the ESQ Research Team would contact the referees to gather more information about the deals submitted for the award.

Also, the Judges would mark entries based on clearly-stated criteria. The first five deals with the highest votes from judges will be announced as nominees for each category.

Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, Executive Director/General Counsel of the Africa Finance Corporation will head the Panel of Judges that also includes experts like Mrs Toyin Sanni, CEO of UBA Capital; Mrs Nike Laoye, Chief Legal Officer at Eco Bank Plc; Mr Michael Otu, General Counsel, Zenith Bank Plc; Mr Ore Olajide, Head of Legal, Coca Cola Nigeria and Mrs Ngozi Okonkwo, Chief Legal Officer, OANDO, among others.

L-R: Head, Legal and Human Resources, Adekemi Edema, CEO/Publisher Esq Legal Practice Magazine, Mr. Lere Fashola and Head of Administration, Mr. Femi Adeboye

2015: Ngwa lawyers back Orji on zoning formula Appolos Christian group under the umbrella of NGWA Adecision Lawyers Forum,(NLF) has lauded the of the Abia State chapter of the

Peoples' Democratic Party,(PDP) to zone the gubernatorial seat to the Abia South Senatorial District for the upcoming 2015 election.

The group stated that after reviewing political developments in Abia State as it affects the Ngwa people, it considered the zoning formula adopted by the ruling party, PDP, as a wise decision in the interest of justice and equity.

In a statement signed and made available to New Telegraph by the president of the group, Mr Sam Erugo , the association stated that it was aware of the overwhelming support the PDP decision had received from informed citizens of the state, saying, it was the best decision in the right direction.

It said: "We applaud and support the administration and the legacy programmes of the executive Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji.

It is our belief that the greatest legacy, the chief executive of Abia State will bequeath to the state is to endorse, support and hand over to a credible and acceptable person of Abia South Senatorial District, as already agreed by well

meaning people of Abia State."

“We support this infallible position of the ruling party on zoning which accords not only with the party’s Constitution and Conventions, but also with commonsense of what is right, fair and just. The zoning to Abia South Senatorial District, will also promote peace and harmony, and reduce rancour and divisive tendencies that have been the lot of the people."

Besides, the group commended Chief T.A, Orji for supporting what they described as just and equitable for the future harmonious existence of Abians.

It went on: "This is going to be another outstanding legacy of the governor, which distinguishes him as the undisputed leader of Igbo race.

"Furthermore, we appreciate the State Executive of PDP in Abia State led by the Chairman-Senator Emma Nwaka for standing firm by their decision despite pressure from several quarters.

"We advise the few politicians opposed to the PDP decision to zone the governorship seat to Abia South to accept what is just and right, or face the consequences of standing against justice. Our team is already investigating the antecedents of all those threatening litigation.

HEALTH THURSday, AUGUST 21, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/health

recognise stroke signs and act fast

27

}p-30

appolonia adeyemi appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com appoloniaadeyemi@gmail.com

RESIDENT DOCTORS' SACK

Patients to face longer waiting time in hospitals One of the current demands of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is for the federal government to review doctors’ residency training in the country to meet international standards like in Europe and America where many wealthy Nigerians, elites and top politicians seek medical treatment. Rather than re-position the programme for better outcome, the current suspension of residency and sack of doctors may lead to their migration, worsen present bad health indices, stifle production of medical specialists, among others, writes APPOLONIA ADEYEMI

T

hursday, August 14, 2014, was a dark day for the medical profession in Nigeria. It was the day 16,000 resident doctors in all fedeal government owned tertiary hospitals were booted out of both training and service. That was the day President, Good luck Jonathan ordered the suspension of their residency training as well as sacked them without prior notice. The sad new was received with shock all over the federation because of the impact of such action not only on the affected doctors but on the medical profession, the nation's health system and patients who happen to be on the receiving end.

According to medical experts, the indefinite suspension which was contained in a directive by Jonathan to the Federal Ministry of Health, would further worsen the nation's already bad health indices, apart from prompting the brain drain of the affected medical professionals. Similarly, it would result in longer waiting time for patients in hospitals.

Although, the Minister of Health, Prof. C.O. Onyebuchi Chukwu while defending the federal government's position, said it was temporary and that the training programme would be be started after a review geared to make it better, the sack of the doctors portends grave danger for a country whose specialist doctors are already grossly inadequate.

Who is a resident doctor?

Residency is a stage of graduate medical training. A resident physician or resident doctor or resident medical officer is a person who before his residency training had received the title of medical doctor with medical degree MBBS after undergoing six years university education, going through a one year compulsory on-the-job hospital training or Housemanship and thereafter do another compulsory one year national youth service corps programme.

With this development, I can assure you that in the next few months and years, more Nigerian doctors who have lost fate in the Nigerian health system will start migrating again to other countries and the consequence will be grievous on Nigerians

Patients waiting to see doctor in a hospital PHOTO: en.wikipedia.org

Chukwu

Faniran

Whereas medical schools in universities teach physicians (undergraduate doctors) a broad range of medical knowledge including basic clinical skills, and limited experience practicing medicine, medical residency gives indepth training within a specific branch of medicine. Consequently a physician or medical officer may choose a residency in anesthesiology, ophthalmology, dermatology, emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology (O&G), pathology, pediatrics, plastic and reconstructive surgery, psychiatry and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Other specialties a resident doctor can choose from are radiology, radiation oncology, neurosurgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, surgery, or other

Akinwotu

specialties.

Reactions Reacting to the suspension order which was contained in a directive stated in an internal memo dated August 13 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, FMH, Mr. L.inus Awute, to federal hospitals, President of the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Felix Olukayode Faniran faulted the federal government for suspending an institutional training programme that is established to produce specialists in different aspects of medicine. NUAHP is a union comprising pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists, physiotherapists, and other professionals allied to medicine working in teaching hospitals across the country.

Omojowolo

Faniran who has called on the federal government to review the decision without further delay and reinstate the residency programme, said, "I was not happy when I heard that the government suspended the programme." He noted that although, the government must have done it to punish to punish doctors for embarking on an illegal strike, that is not the appropriate thing to do.

Rather, Faniran said the government should punish the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) for embarking on a wrong decision to embark on strike. Government "should review decision on the suspension because the residency training is an institutional programme which should C O N T I N U E D on PA G E 2 8

28 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

‘Doctors sack will lead to brain drain'

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 7

not be destroyed," he stressed, adding that the NMA has no right to go on this strike. Government should not punish resident doctors for doctor's strike."

Dr. Tope Ojo, chairman, NMA in Lagos State, said one of the demands of the NMA is for the federal government to establish a National Residency Training Board and review the current policy on doctors’ residency training in Nigeria to meet international standards like in Europe and America where Nigerian political leaders seek medical treatment. “It is therefore an anti-thesis for government to consider total annihilation of the post-graduate specialist training in Nigeria,” adding that the only reason that may support this agenda is that they do not patronise Nigerian health facilities but seek treatment overseas.

While calling on the federal government to reverse the sack unconditionally and with immediate effect, Ojo said the action demonstrates that the government does not understand what a standard health system is or how it works, which is unacceptable, or complete lack of sensitivity to the continuous decay created by failure of government over the years, because the extended implication of this sack is that: *All medical school remain shut down, as residents contribute about 50 percent to the training of medical students; *All major/specialist medical operations remain cancelled in all teaching hospitals because the consultants by default perform all major surgical operations with the assistance of their resident doctors; and the, *Escalation of the Ebola scourge because a large majority of volunteers involved in case management and all other levels of Ebola Emergency Response Committee are resident doctors.

Reacting in similar vein, Dr. Olubunmi Omojowolo, who is in his fifth year as a resident doctor specialising in neurology at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idiaraba, Lagos, said as at today, Nigeria is short of specialist doctors. With a population of about 170 million, "we have less than 3,000 specialist doctors. The chain of production of

Doctors protest sacking of their colleagues in Lagos on Monday

these specialist doctors have now been suspended. What the government is saying in essence is that they do not care about the health of Nigerians."

According to Omojowolo who before the suspension order had just one more year in his residency training in LUTH to become a consultant, the implication of sacking resident doctors is very grievous. "What this means is that the federal government has denied Nigerians access to specialist medical care inside their own country," he said.

In addition, he said with this action, Nigeria would begin to witness another brain drain of these sacked resident doctors who may out of this development seek alternative opportunity to continue with their specialist training abroad and hinted that already, he was considering that move as a way out of the crises government created.

Omojowolo likened the impending brain drain to the mass exodus of doctors that happened in Nigeria in the 1970s and 1985 under the Administration of the former military Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) who sacked doctors, prompting many of them to migrate to the United States (U.S) and the United Kingdom (UK). "As at today, there are 25,000 Nigerian doctors in the U.S. and about 4,000 in the UK, he said.

Omojowolo added, “With this development, I can assure you that in the next few months and years, more Nigerian doctors who have lost fate in the Nigerian health system will start migrating again to other countries and the consequence will be grievous on Nigerians.”

Reacting to claims that the suspension is temporary and that the government plans to review the programme for better outcome in the future, Omojowolo said, "Don't let government deceive you. If you suspend a programme, why do you need to terminate the appointment of the resident doctors? If the government suspends the programme, what it should do is not to take new resident doctors until they sort out the problems but now the government has terminated the appointment of doctors. There is no more residency training in Nigeria."

For ordinary people, he said, they would no longer have access to qualitative healthcare and all the health indices of Nigeria - maternal mortality, childhood deaths and others would start deteriorating. Nigerians that need specialised care in various medical areas such as cancer, diabetes, orthopaedic ailments, etc would not be able to get those specialised care.

He said due to the shortage of consultants in the country, most of the time, it

is the resident doctors that see patients first while the consultants come in to review the cases.

Omojowolo who has just one more year in the training to become a consultant said, "I know that there are many countries that will be willing to take me."

In an interview with NT HEALTH, Dr. Olusegun Akinwotu, a Senior Resident at the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos and 2nd Vice Chairman, NMA Lagos State, said over the years, “some of the resident doctors who started these training are about to write examinations to become consultants.

“Government has invested in them while some of them had travelled abroad for more training and had returned. The next stage is for them to write examination and become consultants so that they can give back to healthcare service provision in Nigeria but government today has suspended that. Meaning what? Government is insensitive to the amount it invested in them.

“So, why would government want to wish away about 16,000 residents of a nation that has inadequate healthcare provision? For example, we have in Nigeria now a doctor-patient ratio of 1:6,400 patients. That is grossly inadequate when compared to the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended doctor-patient ratio of 1:1000. Now, with this act, we are likely to have a doctor to about 15,000 patients."

On the impact of that, Akinwotu said patients will have to sit more and wait longer in hospitals to see a doctor, adding, "That is not acceptable."

Highlighting events that prompted government to wield the big stick, he said before the commencement of the July 1 strike declared by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), doctors were asking for basic healthcare for Nigerians. "We are asking for conducive working environment, 100 percent healthcare coverage for all Nigerians, certain aspect of provisions for the funding of training of resident doctors such that if this procedure is in place in the country, our presidents and senators would not need to travel abroad for medical care."

Rotary renews zeal to offer healthcare to Lagosians Appolonia Adeyemi

henever members of Rotary Club assemble and recite their creed, it fuels their zeal to think of what they can do for the society, through service to humanity.

The same passion was rekindled when Rotary Club of Lagos PalmGrove Estate, District 9110 recently met to evaluate what they have done in the past and project what could be done better in subsequent years. Their primary focus is to attain a robust nation through a healthy people. To them, it is a necessity to put smile on faces of the less privileged without expecting any reward.

While making a clarion call to all Rotarians both home and abroad in Lagos at the weekend, the immediate past President of the Rotary Club, PalmGrove Branch, V. N Jajoo said the mission of the group is to challenge other members of the society to join the train of uplifting the well-being of the downtrodden to serve the community.

The Club through collabora-

W

tion with local and international bodies, focuses on disease prevention, fighting hunger, poverty eradication, provision of potable water, environmental safety, among others. He said that every service rendered by the club was a selfless and humanitarian oriented.

The goal, he maintained was to create a society where goodwill and peace becomes the order of the day.

In one year, 2013/2014, the formerpPresident enumerated that the club succeeded in touching thousands of lives health wise. Different areas of health care services rendered cut across paediatrics, polio eradication, maternity and child care, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, eye care, surgery and transplant. Others are donation of life-saving materials and other equipment to hospitals in Lagos.

In his words, "The club organised a Specialist Diabetic and Hypertension Camp on November 16th , 2013, in order to help prevent and diagnose these life threatening ailments.

The objective of this camp was to create awareness to let

people know that early detection and management are important to avoid organ damage. Around 225 patients benefited from the exercise. Our club has donates free artificial limbs to the underprivileged who had lost the ability to move due to the loss of lower limb. It donated such limbs to more than 46, 000 beneficiaries since inception."

That was only a tip in the iceberg, as he revealed further that more than 16, 000 regained their sight during a free eye care and cataract surgery camps conducted in Lagos and Ogun State. What about general health camp?

Jajoo said such exercises were regularly organised by the club to enable the underprivileged access to general health check where random blood sugar test, hypertension and others were thoroughly checked. In these health camps, according to the former president, every year, on the average, more than 12, 000 benefitted.

No wonder, the PalmGrove Branch of the Rotary Club in 2013/2014 year, bagged eight awards for touching lives. The

President, Rotary Club of Palm Groove Estate, Ramesh Biswal (m) makes a presention at a news briefing in Lagos at the weekend. He is flanked by the immediate past President of Rotary Club of Palm Groove Estate, V.N. Jajoo (l); and the Assistant Governor of the District, Eboigbe Etin-Osa (r).

current President of the club, Ramesh Biswal said the award was additional motivation for the club to continue with selfless service to the community.

He pledged to be committed to putting smile on the face of the needy and to surpass the milestones set by his predecessor.

Similarly, he affirmed that he has the confidence of taking the club to higher height. Together with his team, he is determined, in addition to providing healthcare, to explore the world of Education, Youth Empowerment and creating an equal platform for Nigerians with hearing and speaking disability.

HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

29

Foundation commends Jonathan for tackling Ebola spread in Nigeria Musa Pam

to avoid eating bush meat. “Avoid ru-

P

update and wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water,”. He said.

Bagos said, "we thank God for the quick response of the federal government to the Ebola issues after recording some of the cases in the country and now now the government has made it an emergency case.

For our people who are not informed, we are embarking on this campaign to create awareness because we don't want our people to fall into danger especially with the last week event that everybody went into the activity of taking salt.

"Why they did that is because they don't have the right information on what Ebola is about. That is why we took in upon ourselves to enlighten people to create this awareness, informing them on what to do to avoid Ebola and to educate them on the symptoms of Ebola" he stated.

He however noted that the campaign will continue in major streets in Jos the Capital of Plateau State and that they would move down to the rural communities to educate people on how to identify Ebola victims and how they would avoid contracting the virus.

Jos mours and stay informed, listen to news

with Dr. Ihuoma Uko-Ndukwe

ada.ndukwe@yahoo.com

Accumulation of uric acid main cause of gout arthritis EXCRUCIATING JOINT PAIN Walk at least 150 minutes/week for a healthy bone and drink milk for calcium to fight off arthritis

G

outy arthritis is a common painful form of arthritis. It causes a swollen, red, hot and stiff joints and it occurs when uric acid builds up in the body (the end product of purine metabolism-purine is found in certain foods).

Uric acid is a waste product that has no physiologic importance in the body and the human body has no enzyme to break down uric acid into a form that can be excreted from the body. So, it builds up with accumulation of certain food/drink. Gout is caused by the body not excreting (underexcretion) of uric acid.

It is more common in men and obese women and ageing population, alcoholics and food high in purine like meats, seafood, water pills and people with diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, people with kidney problems, initial attacks are mostly in one joint, the great toe being the most common, with ankle and knee joints, heels, ankles, fingers, wrist, elbows but can attack more than one joint at a time i n severe cases.

The chief complain associated with acute attack of gout is agonising pain accompanied by signs of swelling, redness, tender to touch, a chill and low grade fever.

The pain can be so severe that one will not be able to bear weight. It could even be too painful to put on socks. Joint pain can be acute, excruciating and can wake one from sleep.

Attacks usually start during the night and become worse in a continuous fashion and each episode lasts five to seven days with or without treatment, but recurrent attacks have longer duration of illness and are more likely to have polyarthritis (more than two joints affected).

PREVENTION: Dairy products may be protective. Eating cherries lowers impact of gout and strangely, coffee consumption similarly lowers the risk of gout attack but not more than two cups/day is useful.

Also, vitamin C supplements have been known to lower uric acid level in the body, though the mechanism it uses to achieve this is unknown.

Avoiding food high in purines, avoiding alcohol especially beer, significantly lower gout arthritis attack, control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol will also help reduce the risk of gout.

Foods to eat occasionally that are (moderately high in purines, but may not raise your risk of gout) include fish and seafood (other than high purine seafood), oatmeal, wheat bran, and wheat germ. Foods that are safe to eat (low in purines) include green vegetables and tomatoes.

resident Goodluck Jonathan has been commended for his quick response toward tackling the Ebola virus disease in the country.

Chairman of Dachung Musa Bagos Foundation, Mr. Dachung Bagos gave the commendation recently during the flagoff of awareness campaign in Jos on the Ebola virus and lamented how some people lost their lives through taking of salt due to lack of proper information.

According to him the federal government has taken a pragmatic step toward curbing the dreaded Ebola virus following the cases that were recorded in Lagos State and called on the public to collaborate with government towards stemming the virus in the country.

He urged residents of Plateau State to avoid physical contact with people showing signs of Ebola Virus Disease and to avoid touching fluid from other people such as sweat, saliva and blood as well as to keep way from bats, monkeys, baboons and dead animals.

Mr. Bagos also encouraged the people on good personal hygiene and urged them

Fruits and fruit juices

Breads and cereals that are not whole-grain, butter, buttermilk, cheese, and eggs, chocolate and cocoa, coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages, peanut butter and nuts Dairy products that may lower your risk of gout include low-fat or nonfat milk and low-fat yogurt.

Treatment:

initially, best treated with anti-inflammatory drugs withIndocin (indomethacin) being the best choice, more intense gout can be managed with oral steroids, and more advance medications that will require monitoring due to its side effects.

The prevention of recurrent attacks can be done with a low daily dose of medications that decrease the accumulation of uric acid in the body.

One of the ways to diagnose gout is by radiographic imaging - Xray, though not with initial attacks the images can be non-specific. The best way to give definite diagnoses is by examination under a microscope of aspirated fluid from the joint.

Avoiding food high in purines, avoiding alcohol especially beer, significantly lower gout arthritis attack, control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol will also help reduce the risk of gout

L-R: Financial Secretary, PMG-MAN and Deputy Managing Director, Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited, Abbas Sambo; 1st Vice Chairman, PMGMAN, Emmanuel Ekunno; Director, Inspection and Monitoring, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Mrs Amaka Okafor; and new Chairman of PMGMAN, Okey Akpan at the Annual General Meeting of the association held in Lagos recently

Doctors strike, closure of open drug markets stagnate business – PMGMAN

A

gainst the background of persistent doctor's strikes and the closure of Open Drug Markets and the associated stagnation of pharmaceutical business, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Fidelis Ayebae has challenged the newly elected executive officers of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) to initiate activities that would ginger business to enable pharmaceutical industries make progress.

Ayebae who was the 1st Vice Chairman of PMG-MAN Management Committee during the 2012 - 2014 administration, said elected officers must look ahead, adding that anything that has the potential to stagnate business for pharmaceutical industries in the country must be nipped in the bud.

He gave the charge during the Annual General Meeting of the PMG-MAN which held in Lagos recently.

In his remark, the former 1st vice chairman of PMG-MAN said business for the pharmaceutical industries had been stagnated in the last three months and laid the blame squarely on the closure of some Open Drug Markets in Kano and parts of Lagos, persistent strikes declared by health staff especially medical doctors who has the responsibility of prescribing drugs and the delayed take off of the Mega

Drug Distribution Centres (MDDCs).

While urging the executives to specifically address the issue of the Open Drug Market and the MDDCs, he appealed to both the federal government and the striking medical doctors to sheat their swords and shift ground in some of their positions, taking cognisance that it is the less priviledged that bear the brunt of their disagreement.

Ayebae, however added that shifting position could pave the way to end the strike, resulting in the return of normalcy in the health sector.

Speaking in similarly vein in his report, Chief Bunmi Olaopa, former chairman, PMG-MAN, said the group was able to convince the federal government to reschedule implementation of the new National Drug Guidelines to June 2015 thereby allowing adequate time for critical investments in MDDCs and State Drug Distribution Centres (SDDCs).

He recommended that the pharmaceutical industry should capitalise on this opportunity to make fresh input into the guideline for robust operations of the MDDCs and SDDCs. While urging the new executives to work assiduously to ensure that they deliver, Olaopa said the implemention of the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) would require the urgent attention of the new management.

30 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

40% of Nigerians likely to suffer stroke lExpert: Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), warning sign of impending stroke FATAL AND DEBILITATING AILMENT The long term effects of stroke can be devastating but regardless of the cause, swift action can minimise its impact on patients Gloria Ekeng What is a TIA? transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is a sudden, focal neurological deficit that lasts for less than 24 hours and which is vascular in origin. It is caused by a temporary disturbance of the blood supply to a part of the brain, causing a sudden, brief impairment of brain function and consequent transient neurological dysfunction.

It was once thought that resolution of the symptoms meant that there had been no neurological damage, but modern imaging techniques have revealed signs of fresh acute infarction in 30 percent to 50 percent of TIA patients.

There is now a new tissue-based definition of TIA that describes it as a ‘brief episode of neurologic dysfunction caused by focal brain, spinal cord or retinal ischaemia, without evidence of infarction’.

A TIA – which is sometimes referred to as a ‘mini stroke’ is usually a warning sign that a person is at impending risk of a more serious and debilitating stroke.

It requires accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment to prevent further episodes.

Why should we be bothered about Stroke?

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability worldwide. Dr. Ogugua Osiogbu advised at an event in Abuja to mark World Stroke Day 2012 (held by the Nigeria Stroke Assembly and Stroke Action Nigeria) that 40 percent of Nigerians are likely to suffer a stroke.

Recent studies have highlighted the risk of death and long term disability caused by stroke and the burden this puts on Nigeria's medical services where hospitals have limited resources to manage stroke patients. In addition, concerns have been raised that there is little to no facilities for after care and long term support.

Learning to recognise the early signs of stroke can prevent long term disability and death.

A

Stroke face

What is Stroke?

A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.

A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Recognising the signs of stroke and calling emergency service for an ambulance is crucial. The sooner somebody who is having a stroke gets urgent medical attention, the better their chances of a good recovery.

Why? There are many contributors to stroke: general health, diet, family history but a recent article published in the Nigerian Medical Journal found: “...hypertension to be the most prevalent risk factor for stroke, being present

PHOTO: www.flickriver.com

in four-fifths of our patients. This was consistent with previous findings in Nigeria and elsewhere..... Unfortunately, a fifth of hypertensive subjects in our cohort had been unaware of their condition before they had a stroke. ” Alkali NH, Bwala SA, Akano AO, Osi-Ogbu O, Alabi P, Ayeni OA. Stroke Risk factors, Subtypes, and 30-Day Case Fatality in Abuja, Nigeria. Niger Med J 2013; 54:129-35.

Stroke can hit the young and old alike and there may be no other signs of ill health beforehand.

The long term effects of stroke can be devastating but regardless of the cause, swift action can minimise the impact the stroke will have on the patient.

Increased awareness of the causes and

symptoms of stroke can save lives. This is why it is vital that everyone is made aware of the signs that someone maybe experiencing a stroke.

A FAST-TRACK TIA SERVICES sees, investigates and treats all patients within 24 hours of referral, seven days a week.

All suspected high-risk TIA patients should be referred immediately for observation and work-up. They should be treated with antiplatelet and kept under hourly neuro-observation, as they would be potential candidates for thrombolysis if they develop signs of a fresh stroke.

For example at King's College Hospital in London, England, low-risk patients are seen within 24 hours of receipt of the referral. They undergo a brain MRI, carotid Doppler’s, ECG and other relevant investigations and are seen by the specialist team.

Their history and results are reviewed and they are started on the appropriate treatment. If high-grade carotid stenosis is identified, the patient is seen by the vascular surgeons on the same day and booked for early carotid endarterectomy, usually within 48 hours. Endarterectomy is the surgical procedure to remove the atheromatous plaque material, or blockage, in the lining of an artery constricted by the buildup of soft/hardening deposits. It is carried out by separating the plaque from the arterial wall.

Recognising a TIA in its early stages offers a small but important window of opportunity to intervene and help prevent a disabling ischaemic stroke.

It is therefore essential that patients with a suspected TIA are seen by a comprehensive rapid-access TIA service which provides fast specialist assessment, investigation, treatment and intervention.

ACT FAST. With over 150,000 people in the Nigeria having a stroke every year, it is imperative that people can recognise a stroke when it is happening and take prompt action. If you suspect someone having a stroke, act FAST. What is FAST? FAST requires three main assessments: Facial weakness – can the person smile?

Has their mouth or eye dropped?

Arm weakness – can they raise their arm?

Speech problems – do they have speech problems and understand what you say?

Time to call emergency service (please provide number to call) Anybody can do this assessment, once they have the knowledge.

Why you must ACT FAST. Ekeng is a clinical nurse specialist for stroke/TIA and Board Director, World Stroke Organisation (WSO)

Ebola: FG, sanitation group launch handwashing campaign

T

he Federal Ministry of Water Resources in collaboration with the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) and the WASH Sector Emergency Response Group have flaggedoff a National Handwashing campaign to help prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Nigeria.

The Honourable Minister for Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Reng Ochekpe, led the campaign to two busy and populated locations in the Federal Capital Territory – Jabi Motor Park and Wuse (Zone 6) market, enlightening drivers, travellers, traders and the general public.

The campaign is aimed at sensitising the general public on the need for proper hand-

washing as a measure in preventing further spread of the Ebola virus in Nigeria. According to the Minister, who spoke in Pidgin English: “Washing your hands with soap and running water as well as improved personal hygiene are just one of the things you can do to keep yourselves safe from the virus that causes the disease. These are simple but effective measures and we must not underestimate their power in saving lives.”

The Minister was supported by WaterAid Nigeria’s Country Representative, Dr. Michael Ojo, and UNICEF’s WASH Specialist, Bisi Agberemi to demonstrate proper handwashing to the crowds gathered.

The Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Reng Ochekpe and WaterAid Nigeria Country Representative, Dr Michael Ojo, demonstrate proper handwashing at the flag off of the National Task Group on Sanitation’s National Emergency Handwashing campaign to prevent the spread of Ebola

Speaking at the event, WaterAid Nigeria’s Country

Representative, Dr. Michael Ojo, charged traders in the

market to also avoid open defecation and use the available toilet facilities properly and to imbibe the habit of washing their hands with soap after each visit to the restroom and before eating. “As we all know, he said, the Ebola virus is transmitted by contact with bodily fluids and discharges so we must all restrict our contact with such secretions.”

The Chairman, Mini Bus/ Long Journey Jabi Motor Park, Mr Olugbade Olagunju, thanked the Minister and other stakeholders. “This campaign has provided us with very useful information.

We will spread the news and make sure we do all that is necessary to keep ourselves and those we come into contact with safe and healthy.”

BUSINESS Thursday, AUGUST 21, 2014

What's news Airtel in talks with ATC for $2bn towers' sale Bharti Airtel is in advanced stage talks with American Tower Corporation (ATC) and Eaton Towers for the sale of its tower assets in several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda, according to sources familiar with the transactions.

}p-32

SAP targets Nigeria, others with $500m African investment Nigeria, Kenya, Angola and Morocco will be the principal countries that SAP; a global technology firm, which would be focusing on in its new $500million investment plans for Africa.

}p-32

Nigeria’s Carmudi opens Congo, Tanzania subsidiaries Carmudi, a Nigerian car classifieds platform, has commenced its services in the Republic of Congo and Tanzania, bringing the company’s African operations to seven within the continent.

}p-39

Experts endorse govt’s plan to regulate VAS Moves by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to design a special regulatory framework for the wireless application services industry has been endorsed by stakeholders. }p-38

BUSINESS CREW AYODELE AMINU, Deputy Editor (Business) Simeon Ogoegbulem, Dep. Business Editor BAYO AKOMOLAFE, Asst. Editor (Maritime) SUNDAY OJEME, Asst. Editor (Insurance) SIAKA MOMOH, Asst. Editor (Industry/Agric) Godson ikoro , Asst. Editor (Money Market) JONAH IBOMA, ICT Editor DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor

Chuks Onuanyin, Energy Nnamdi Amadi, Reporter JOHNSON ADEBAYO, Asst. Production Editor

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

Networks growing amidst economic, social challenges }p-37

ayodele aminu, Deputy Editor, business

ayodele.aminu@newtelegraphonline.com ayodeleaminu@yahoo.com

SOS Stakeholders in Nigeria's lubricants market seek support for the sector Adeola Yusuf

N

ot less than N1 billion is being lost by Nigeria annually to the importation of base oil, which is the major ingredient of lubricants manufacturing, New Telegraph has learnt.

Base oil, which formed 85 per cent of raw material for lubricants manufacturing, is one of the products of crude oil.

Nigeria, Africa's biggest crude exporter, sells over two million barrels of crude daily to refineries abroad and later import base oil.

Stakeholders at the first Lubricants Summit in Lagos condemned the country's dependence on importation of base oil.

Executive Secretary, Lubricants Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN), Mr Emeka Obidike, appealed to government to come to the aid of lubricants sub-sector.

Although Obidike turned down request to know the exact amount that the country is losing to importation of lube oil, he maintained that billions of naira could have been saved if the country is able to stop the importation.

"It doesn't make any sense for Nigeria to export crude and later buy lube oil, which is a product of the crude for shipment into the country's lubricants market.

"Billions of naira could be saved if we develop capacity to address this act is," he said on the sideline of the summit.

Principal Partner, Lubeservices Associates, Kayode Sote, an engineer, said in an address at the summit, that the lubricants market has potentials to promote Nigeria's economic fortunes.

"Statistics confirmed that industrial lubes accounted for 63

DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor Abdulwahab Isa, Finance Editor

NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria loses N1bn to lube oil import annually

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

31

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc, Toyin Ogunseye; Chairperson, Princess Adenike Adeniran; Company secretary, Mr Stan Chikwendu and Vice President, Mr Remi Babalola, at the 45th Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

per cent of the total world lube consumption, about 1532 million gallons valued at $7.6 billion (N167.2 billion) in 1993 with a profit margin of about 30 per cent shared by marketers," he said.

Earlier, the minister of petroleum resources and her counterpart at the ministry of trade and investment, had assured the summit of the government's decision to up attention for the sub-sector.

While Mr Chris Osarumwense, represented Mrs AlisonMadueke, Mr Aganga was represented by Dr. Francis Alaneme.

Alison-Madueke identified the importation of base as one of the challenges of the lube market.

She said: "Challenges facing lubricants market are unavailability of base oils locally and the resultant expensive import arising from skyrocketing ex-

change rates, high demurrage charges due to port delays and bandoned/unlicensed lubricants blending plants nationwide.”

She, however, stated that the government is working hard to advance the course of the lube market.

"NNPC retailing business was conceived in 2001 by NNPC Group top management to esCONTINUED ON PAGE 32

WASPAN seeks central body to filter spam messages $500m REVENUE Volume of business activities in mobile VAS segment is currently valued at $200 million year-on-year Jonah Iboma

W

ireless applications service providers otherwise known as Value Added

Service (VAS) firms, have called for the creation of a central body that will be in-charge of filtering bulk short message service (SMS) or other forms of mobile applications, in order to prevent spam or illegal unsolicited messages from reaching mobile phone subscribers.

The call was contained in a position paper presented by the umbrella body of the firms, Wireless Applications Service Providers of Nigeria (WASPAN) Gte, to the Nigerian Communications Commission

(NCC), as part of solutions towards addressing the complaints by mobile phone users about spam messages.

In the document, WASPAN said that setting up such a body would provide a platform for detecting origin of spam messages and controlling their content, among many other benefits.

WASPAN's Coordinating Consultant Mr Simon Aderinola, noted that the absence of such a unit was one of the reasons why mobile networks and CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE July 2014.................................8.3% June 2014................................8.2% May 2014....................................8%

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Aug 15)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N162.00 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . . 11.57% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N262.78 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N209.50 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $39.59bn as at 15/08/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at Aug 15)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N259.94 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N208.51 Source: CBN

32

BUSINESS | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Airtel in talks with ATC for $2bn towers' sale FINANCE Mobile network to cut debt by offloading some assets Jonah Iboma

B

harti Airtel is in advanced stage talks with American Tower Corporation (ATC) and Eaton Towers for the sale of its tower assets in several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda, according to sources familiar with the transactions.

The deal, said to be in the range of $1.5-$2 billion by the Times of India, is a continuation of recent industry development in which mobile network operators (MNOs) have been offloading their transmission assets to achieve greater efficiency.

Airtel had, last month, sold 3,100 telecom towers in four African countries to Helios Towers Africa for an undisclosed sum. The company now has around 14,500 towers left in Africa. Proceeds from the deal is likely to be used for reduction of debt, as the case of the 3,100 sold in July. The net debt of the company at the end of June 2014 stood at Rs 57,744.3 crore.

Eaton Towers offers collo-

cation services on over 1,500 towers in Ghana, Uganda and South Africa, while ATC too has services in these African countries. This implies that the current deal could either mean Eaton and ATC would use it as a basis to enter the Nigerian market or another firm would also buy the towers in the country.

Airtel had entered the African market in 2010 after acquiring Zain Telecom for about $10.7

billion. The company now offers services in 17 African countries but is yet to turn profitable. The net loss before exceptional items for Africa during the first quarter of current fiscal stood at $137 million. Airtel Africa witnessed 10 per cent growth in total revenues to $1,164 million for the reported quarter.

Manoj Kohli, Chairman, Bharti Airtel International Netherlands BV (BAIN), said:

L-R: Director, Air Force Transport, Air Vice Marshal Stephen Onu; Chief of Training, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Adebowale Odunlade; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Patrick Ziakede Akpolokemi and Director Maritime Services, Naval Headquarters Annex, Moloney, Lagos, Commodore Jatau Luka, at the commencement of the anti-piracy air show by the joint team of NIMASA, Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy in Lagos.

SAP targets Nigeria, others with $500m African investment ECONOMY SMEs contributes 40 per cent to Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Jonah Iboma

N

igeria, Kenya, Angola and Morocco will be the principal countries that SAP, a global technology firm, would be focusing on in its new $500 million investment plans for Africa.

SAP announced a seven-year plan from 2014 to 2020, to up-skill local African talent and drive innovation and growth on the continent, which will see the company invest up to $500 million.

The company, a global leader in enterprise software and software-related services, has over 1,300 customers across Africa, with operations in 51 countries.

With the investment, SAP said it planned to continue to build on the region’s doubledigit growth rate momentum and establish Africa as one of the company’s top-five growth markets globally.

The firm said that it was already enabling African businesses and governments of all sizes to grow, scale and globalize, as well as make the transition to a networked, technologydriven innovative economy. It added that as part of this commitment, SAP Africa would now take responsibility for SAP operations across 51 African

“It is an important step towards the consolidation of tower assets across Africa that will drive industry-wide cost efficiencies and help in growth of telecom services by avoiding duplication of infrastructure.”

In Nigeria and Africa, mobile telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel and Etisalat, are expected to sell off over 30,000 base transceiver stations (BTS) tower assets in a move that sig-

countries, including Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and Mauritania.

The goal of SAP’s new investment is to establish the African region as one of the company’s top-five growth markets globally. Much of the direct investment will be outside South Africa, where SAP already has a solid footprint.

Robert Enslin, member of the Executive Board of SAP SE and president of Global Customer Operations, and Pfungwa Serima, CEO of SAP Africa, unveiled the plan at a press briefing on Tuesday.

“The African market is unique in its growth potential and readiness to innovate,” said Enslin. “The SAP Executive Board strongly believes that now is the right time to take our engagement and commitment to expand in Africa to the next level. SAP’s addi-

tional investment in the continent reflects SAP’s vision to help the world run better by delivering leading-edge innovation. In Africa, we plan to engage and invest in even more markets while helping build the appropriate talent base for the IT industry, and support our customers and partners by actively contributing toward crucial technology and business skills-sets and new employment opportunities in Africa.”

“SAP Africa has more than 20 years of experience successfully operating on the continent,” said Serima. “SAP Africa is leveraging its established presence and valued ecosystem relationships to immediately commence execution of this plan across the four key pillars that we believe will drive the greatest growth and impact for the continent.”

WASPAN seeks central body to filter spam messages CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

wireless application firms continue to trade blame over the problem of spam messages in the country’s mobile networks.

WASPAN listed the benefits of a central filtering unit to include facilitation of short codes block issuance by NCC, daily tracking of all live codes and brisk handling of issues with better turnaround time. It also said that the unit will be incharge of retrieval of dormant and misused codes.

Aderinola said that central filtering unit being proposed should have representation from NCC, each mobile network operators and WASPAN with a highly interactive, state of the art call center/helpdesk and website that feeds into monthly town-hall sessions with recordings on the site. He noted that this model was al-

Nigeria loses N1bn to lube oil import annually CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

tablish its own outlet stations.

The company’s operation began in August 2002 with only two stations in Lagos and Abuja to market petroleum products to the public. NNPC Retail Ltd is now one of Nigerian market leaders in the distribution of petroleum white products through a network of 37 mega stations, 12 floating stations and over 500 affiliate stations nationwide.

"NNPC Retail Ltd as one of the leaders in downstream petroleum marketing has decided

to venture into the marketing of its own branded lubricants, in line with the NNPC business strategy.

The initiative was to consolidate NNPC Retail position and also to complement the white products sold at its branded filling stations nationwide.

"In order to enter the market within the shortest possible time, NNPC Retail ltd opted for a contract blending of its branded lubricants for the short-term.

Under this arrangement, NNPC Retail will have ownership of its

nals adoption of a new business model predicated on cutting operational costs to shore up the average revenue per user (ARPU) from voice subscription to independent tower management companies.

Just last week, MTN, Africa’s largest phone operator, was said to be nearing a deal to sell its Nigerian mobile tower network, valued at over $1 billion, to IHS Holding Ltd. An agreement to sell the business, which comprises about 11,000 towers, was expected to be signed within the next few weeks, according to Bloomberg, quoting the people said to be familiar with the discussions.

Regulation and other service limitations made MNOs to rollout independent base stations and prevented infrastructure sharing in the past in several Africa countries. However, this has changed, as they are now collocating facilities and infrastructure sharing.

Messrs James Cotter and George Morris of Simmons & Simmons LLP, said that such sharing is recognised by most governments and regulators as an important facilitator of competition at operator level, improvements to national network coverage (with resulting social and economic benefits) and reducing environmental impact.

lubricant formulations and customized packaging materials.”

The minister explained that the NNPC Retail will leverage on its already existing vast network of Retail outlets and NNPC subsidiaries as channels for initial market penetration.

NNPC Retail she added, intends to adopt a high quality of all its grades of lubricants.

Alison-Madueke said the initial 28 entry grades of lubricants proposed are the fast moving grades in the Nigerian market.

ready successfully implemented in the United Kingdom and South Africa and that Nigeria would do well to adapt it.

Aderinola added that such a unit must have a code of conduct, legal adjudication teams, penal provisions, performance rating and research committees, which must be publicised correctly and enforced.

“WASPAN has a special presentation on how to build, equip and oversee such a unit from scratch in 90 days. It can be housed inside NCC or anywhere else, but it’s a collaborative effort that takes the load off operator and regulator but gives them true power,” Aderinola said.

It will be recalled that NCC had called a stakeholders’ meeting earlier in the month to discuss several issues bedeviling wireless application services including spam messages.

Fallout of the meeting was the announcement by the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, that a plan to develop an industrydriven regulatory framework to strengthen the mobile VAS market would soon be unveiled.

The industry regulator stated that the volume of business activities in mobile VAS segment of the Nigeria’s highly competitive telecommunication industry is currently valued at $200 million year-on-year.

The revenue is, however, expected to more than double to reach $500 million in the next few years if proper regulatory framework is put in place, according to Juwah.

33

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

FactFile l Africa’s air routes are increasingly at risk as the Ebola virus prompts local carriers to avoid the worst-affected areas, demand weakens and Korean Air Lines Co. (003490) halts services thousands of miles from the outbreak’s epicenter, signaling a broader threat to the continent’s travel links. l The Ebola outbreak could shave 2% points off economic growth in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, which have a combined gross domestic product of about $14 billion and a population of 20 million people, according to U.S.-based Teneo Intelligence.

Screening at the airport

Ebola and business in West Coast Business is currently receiving heavy knocks. The scare of Ebola is hitting business hard in Africa’s West Coast. That is the truth, writes SIAK MOMOH

the Ebola virus disease (EVD) calamity has come to matters worse.

The threatening scourge of Ebola disease in the West African sub-region is set to jeopardise ECOWAS cocoa business worth over $9.6 trillion, according to New Telegraph findings.

H

Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut, the world's biggest chocolate maker, for instance, canceled an annual meeting of managers that was due to take place in Ivory Coast because of concern over the spread of the Ebola virus, according to Reuters. A total of 2.9 million metric tonnes is produced in the region by four countries – Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroun. At cocoa daily price of $3285.13 (as at August 11, 2014) per metric tonne, this gives us a total annual cocoa production worth over $9.6 trillion. With Ebola, this big business is threatened!

Ivory Coast is number one among the four cocoa producing countries and number one producer of cocoa in the world producing 1.6 million metric tonnes of cocoa. The others are Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon producing 700,000, 400,000 and 272000 metric tonnes respectively.

as it ever been this bad? Can’t say. The fact that you hear that it has no cure yet, that it is deadly, and you see it happening, and you see those who have had contact with carriers falling dead, makes you tremble.

Some fear it is one of the signs of the END TIME that the Holy Book talks about – they fear RAPTURE is here for real. That is the danger to life which we all cherish so much. Go to churches, go to mosques – you will find out that attendance must have blossomed by now.

ECOWAS Business is also currently receiving heavy knocks. The scare of Ebola is hitting business hard in this Africa’s West Coast. That is the truth.

Several efforts have been made by governments in the West African subregion to form the strong economic bloc called Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). ECOWAS is on ground largely in name. Its structures such as the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET), its counterpart – ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) have come under knocks from informed industry stakeholders several times. The bottom-line is that the institution called ECOWAS is not working as it should; some trade relations are going on though.

Trade hampared What this means in effect is that trade between states making up the economic bloc is hampered – trade and other economic relations are not flowing as they should. As if this problem is not enough,

Contiguity Nigeria has already recorded cases of Ebola – four are dead (including the Liberian who brought it to Nigeria), 10 have been confirmed to have been infected and 196 people have been quarantined. Though Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone are not cocoa producing countries, the contiguous nature of the ECOWAS sub-region and the free trade movement that take place in the geo-political area called ECOWAS give room for countries that have business to transact with the sub-region to entertain fear of Ebola infection. The Nigeria story is a case in point.

The worst Ebola epidemic in history has so far killed over 1,000 people in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. No suspected cases have yet been

reported in neighbouring Ivory Coast the region's economic powerhouse and the world's top cocoa grower. Barry Callebaut has invested in cocoa grinding capacity in Ivory Coast as well as infrastructure at the San Pedro cocoa port. "We have canceled the meeting because of the problem with Ebola as certain people were not comfortable coming to work in the region because of that," said a senior company source who asked not to be named.

The meeting was due to take place in October and is the first time the Swiss-based firm had organised its global meeting in an African location.

Barry Callebaut spokesman Raphael Wermuth said the annual manager's conference, to be attended by 150-200 executives, would be moved because of the uncertainty over Ebola to Davos in Switzerland.

Band waggon effect This Barry Callebaut decision and others discussed below, have since brought about a bandwagon effect like New Telegraph previously predicted as we are now witnessing reports of similar decisions unfolding.

Bloomberg has confirmed that the virus disease will inflict economic damage on the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as companies from Sime Darby Bhd to ArcelorMittal have scaled back operations. According to the report, commercial and transport disruptions that will probably last for at least the next month, along with increased health expenditure, may put pressure on budgets, jeopardizing the nations’ economic growth, Matt Robinson, a senior credit officer at Moody’s Investors Service, said in a report.

Sime Darby, the world’s largest listed palm oil producer, said it is slowing output in Liberia. ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel producer, CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

l Camry 2007 that was being cleared with N200, 000 before the introduction of 35% tariff is now being cleared with N450, 000; a car that sold for N1.7 million before now, now sells for about N3 million. l 2005 model Toyota Corolla that sold N1.3 million before the introduction of the new tariff of 35% now sells for N1.7 million recording an increase of 30.7 per cent. l The 1998/99 model which sold N650, 000 now sells N850, 000, an increase of 30.7 per cent too. l The Federal Government has concluded plans to provide N2 billion Agricultural and Infrastructure Support Fund for investors in the sugar industry. l The National Sugar Development Council, a parastatal is providing N1billion from the Sugar Levy while the Bank of Agriculture will provide a matching fund of additional N1 billion as Intervention Fund. l The Nigerian Sugar Master Plan, which provides the roadmap for 100 per cent local production of sugar, has within one year of its implementation, raised the country’s profile by attracting about $3 billion pipeline investments into the sector . l Bell apple, a Nigerian apple, can be used in production of fresh juice, fruit concentrates, wine and also jams and marmalade. l Depending on the size, a fruit is sold for N50 to N100 and the tree bears about 1,000 fruits every fruiting season. l Seedlings of three to four months can be sold for N1, 500, a six month-old seedling can be sold for N2, 500 and nine month-old seedling can be sold for N3, 500. l Social entrepreneurs are individuals with creative answers to society’s most pressing social problems. They would not leave societal needs to the government and strictly for-profit business sectors. l Social entrepreneurs find what is not working and solve the problem by changing the system, spreading the solution, and persuading entire society to take new leaps.

34

BUSINESS | INDUSTRY

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Olam’s N18bn integrated rice farm to grow farmers EMPOWERMENT Rice farming model designed to lift smallscale farmers up Stories by Siaka Momoh

O

lam Nigeria Limited’s 10,000 hectare fully mechanised and irrigated paddy farm in Rukubi Niger State, is targeted at growing smallholder farmers in its area of operation, New Telegraph gathered.

It is a ‘nucleus’ model, which combines the quality control of a large scale commercial farm with the cost and scalability benefits of smallholder ‘outgrower’ networks, Ade Adefeko, the company’s spokesperson told our correspeondent in Lagos.

Said he: “Surrounding ricegrowing communities are supported by Olam with training, pre-finance and agri-inputs in order to improve their

own paddy yields. three thousand farmers are currently engaged in the programme, with a target of 16,000 by 2018, ultimately moving up to 20,000 and supplying 30-40 per cent of the mill’s capacity.”

Adefeko said the quality of rice means it can compete with imported products in the domestic market - creating highend rice from Nigeria.

He added: “Scalability of the nucleus model is significant, and it is hoped that other players will replicate the success of Olam’s rice farm to further enhance Nigerian food security.”

He said Olam is committed to the next generation through providing school buildings, materials and scholarships for students; connecting communities through development of 54 kilometers of roads between surrounding villages and ensuring access to clean water and electricity through provision of bore wells and solar lamps.

Adefeko explained: “The farm is expected to yield 10 metric tonnes per hectare (over two annual crop cycles), based on four varieties of high-yield rice tested with the West African Rice Development Association. Three thousand hectares are already under cultivation, with a further three thousand hectares on target for 2015. Up to 1000 workers are employed on the farm depending on seasonality.

“Number of employees on the farm is 1044 (594 regular, 450 seasonal), mill – 959 (81 regular, 878 seasonal). Ninty per cent of workers are from local community. The farm has length of roads of 269.6 kilometers and length of irrigation canals is 375.9 kilometers.

“At the heart of the rice farm is a mechanised rice milling facility. The state of the art mill incorporates Satake milling technology and Italian par boiling technology. This will provide 36,000 metric tonnes of milled rice per annum to the domestic market.”

Smallholder farmer

Ebola: ‘Trade, agric, tourism, aviation most hit’ COST Projected economic impact on Nigeria in six months is $3.5bn Siaka Momoh

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he sectors that will be impacted the most by the scourge of Ebola are trade, agriculture, tourism, aviation, hospitality and medical business, Lagos-based Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) has said.

Nigeria will lose N2 billion to the Ebola scourge if the crisis lasts for a quarter, New Telegraph can confirm.

Based on the analysis of Lagos-based Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), the sectors that will be impacted the

most are Aviation, Hospitality and Tourism, Trade, Medical and Agriculture.

Said FDC in a report released recently in Lagos: “Based on our analysis, the sectors that will be impacted the most are Aviation, Hospitality and Tourism, Trade, Medical and Agriculture. An estimated direct impact of $2 billion is anticipated if the outbreak lasts for a quarter. The chance of the out-break going into a second quarter is very slim; which could extend the loss to $3.5bn.”

FDC explained: “Whilst a small part of the Nigerian economy is already benefiting from the Ebola scare such as shop owners selling sanitizers, a larger part is experiencing losses.

“Air transport was 0.09 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP in Q1’14 and the second most used means

of transportation after road.

Since the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, several airlines including Arik Air, Asky, British Air-ways and Emirates have suspended flight operations to and from any of the Ebola affected countries. Saudi Arabia also suspended giving out visas to Muslim pilgrims from West African countries.”

On hospitality and tourism it explained preliminary information shows that many hotel and airline bookings in Lagos have been cancelled by in-bound travellers due to Ebola scare.

“This is not surprising since India and Greece have openly advised their citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria and other Ebola-affected countries. It is estimated that restaurant visits in Lagos have already C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 6

Enterprise with

Strokes

Siaka Momoh

siakamomoh@yahoo.com 08061396410

What it takes to succeed Who does not like success? Everybody does. Everybody loves celebrating successful people. They are objects of heroworshipping

S

uccess is value-loaded. It comes with earnings; it comes with financial muscle which enables the successful person solve a myriad of problems. Successful people make a long list, an inexhaustible list – the sportsperson, successful entrepreneurs, consultants, politicians, farmers, technocrats, etc.

What does it take to succeed? What success principles are available? How do I become one? How can you become a successful person?

Enterprise Strokes dug into the archives and brings you this piece.

Jack Canfield is the author of The Success Principles, first published in 2005 but now in first Collins paperback edition, published 2007. He calls it a book of timeless principles used by successful men and women throughout history.

He says he has studied these success principles for over 30 years and has applied them to “my own life.” For him, the phenomenal level of success he now enjoys, is the result of applying these principles day in and day out since he began to learn them in 1968.

Jack Canfield is success exemplified. His success includes being author and editor of over 60 best-selling books with over 80 million copies in print in 39 languages around the world, holding a Guinness Book world record for having seven books on May 24, 1998, New York best-seller list, earning a multimilliondollar net income every year for over 10 years, living in a beautiful California estate, appearing in every major talk show in America (from Oprah to Good Morning America), having a weekly newspaper column read by millions every week, commanding speaking fees of $25,000 a talk, speaking to Fortune 500 companies all over the world, being the recipient of numerous professional and civic awards, having an outrageous relationship with his amazing wife and wonderful children, and having achieved a state of wellness, balance, happiness, and inner peace.

Canfield gets to socialise with CEOs of Fortune 500 companies; movie, television, and recording stars; celebrated authors and the

world’s finest spiritual teachers and leaders. He has spoken to members of Congress, professional athletes; corporate managers and sales super stars, in all the best resort and retreat centres of the world.

And he had a humble beginning. He grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia where his father worked in a florist’s shop, where he made $8000 a year.

His mother was an alcoholic, his father a workaholic. Jack Canfield worked during the summers to make ends meet (as a lifeguard at a pool and at the same florist’s shop as his father). He went to college on a scholarship and held a job serving breakfast in one of the dorms to pay schools for books, clothes and dates. Nobody handed him anything on a platter of gold.

He started his career as a history teacher after graduate school in an all-black school in Chicago. Thereafter, he met his mentor, W. Clement Stone, a self-made multimillionaire who hired him to work in his foundation, where he trained him in the fundamental success principles that he still operates from today. He has now gone ahead to teach these same principles to others. He has read literally thousands of books (one every two days), attended hundreds of seminars, and listened to thousands of hours of audio programmes to uncover the universal principles for creating success and happiness. He then applied the principles to his own life. The ones that worked he taught in his speeches, seminars, and workshops to well over one million people in all 50 U.S. states and in 20 countries around the world.

Canfield holds these principles have not only worked for him but have also helped hundreds of thousands of his students achieve breakthrough success in their careers, greater wealth in their finances, greater aliveness and joy in their relationships, and greater happiness and fulfilment in their lives. His students have started successful businesses, become self-made millionaires, achieved athletic stardom, received lucrative recording contracts, starred in movie and television roles, won political offices, etc.

Let us look at the principles in brief: Principle 1 – Take 100 per cent responsibility for your life; Principle 2 – Be clear why you are here; Principle 3 – Decide what you want; Principle 4; Believe it’s possible; Principle 5 - Believe in yourself; Principle 6 – Become an inverse paranoid. There are 64 in all. We will make an effort to list more and discuss some in future.

BUSINESS | INDUSTRY 35

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

TARIFF Automobile dealers say high tariff has hacked sales badly Siaka Momoh

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econd-hand car dealers are still lamenting the 35 per cent tariff on cars introduced by government.

New Telegraph met dealers in Amuwo Odofin automarts who narrated tales of woes. Managing director of Gee Motors in Amuwo Odofin who would not disclose his name said cars that were being cleared with N200,000 before the introduction of the tariff are now being cleared with N350,000. “When you now clear Camry 2007 that you were clearing with N200, 000 with N450,000; a car that you were selling N1.7 million before now, how do you sell it with the price going close to N3 million?’ he asked.

Said he: “Sales are drastically down. Buyers are still pricing old price. We cannot fight government, we can only dialogue.

Our association intends to keep putting pressure on government to rescind its decision. Why is government increasing tariff when it is yet to scratch the surface on local manufacturing of automobiles?”

Mr Nelson, boss of Ambassador Carlink and publicity secretary Amuwo Auto Dealers Association said if government wants more money, it can make it through other means other than increasing tariff.

He explained: “Government can take a cue from the Republic of Benin where buyers pay duties directly to Customs without going through Customs registered agents who shortchange government. Again, govern-

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

said that the spread of the virus has delayed expansion plans at its Liberia plant. Sifca Group, the Ivory Coast-based agribusiness, said it halted rubber exports from Liberia.

MTN Group Ltd., the largest wireless carrier in sub-Saharan Africa, said five expatriate workers left Liberia as a precautionary measure.

Financial effect “Ebola threatens to have significant economic and fiscal ramifications for a number of sovereigns in the region,” Robinson said. “The outbreak risks having a direct financial effect on government budgets via increased health expenditures that could be significant.”

The economies of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia may lose 1 percentage point of growth because of the disease, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, said in a Bloomberg TV interview penultimate week.

Reduced agricultural production and trade may shave off as much as 2 percentage points of growth in those three countries, New York-based Teneo Intelligence said recently.

Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Fi-

Tokunbo dealers angst over high tariff on automobiles ment can increase its revenue by tackling smuggling strongly.

Smuggling diverts government revenue into private pockets.

“This is the way to go about it and not this ridiculous upping of tariff,” he said.

For Enujioke, Chinedu, chairman, Amuwo Cars Dealers Association, “it is rather unfortunate, this kind of policy should have been a collective one agreed to by all concerned players. 35 per cent or not, the truth must be told.

Minister of Finance and Minister of Labour & Productivity should understand what this ungodly and anti growth policy will do to our economy. Policies on business should take all play-

ers in business along – small and large enterprises. We appeal to Mr President not to allow full implementation of self-centred policy that will kill the Tokunbo business, which benefits 22.9 million Nigerians who voted for him. The new tariff is worst than Ebola in economic terms and beneficial to less than 1 per cent of total players in the industry.”

It would be recalled that New Telegraph earlier met dealers and clearing agents in Berger Yard auto-mart axis who cried out against this government action. Jato Babatunde Ibrahim, a clearing agent said the policy will cause more hardship, will create unemployment. He said

clearing agents national executives “are not doing enough, they are a sellout”.

Chima Egwuabu said that “the policy is introduced to reward some people. We came in with borrowed funds to develop the industry. We sourced funds at very high rates and this is happening to us now. We are creating jobs. We have a robust value chain in this business – people involved in paper work, drivers, security personnel, food vendors, electronics vendors, etc. With the lull in business that we are currently experiencing, they are all affected.”

He argued: “Most Nigerians, like us are in the informal economy, we are self employed. How

'Tokunbo' vehicles

Ebola and business in West Coast nance said two weeks back it will probably miss its growth target of 14 percent this year and inflation is already quickening as trade slows. Guinea is set to expand about 4.5 percent and Liberia about 7 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Nigeria's lost Meanwhile, Lagos-based Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) has said Nigeria will lose N2 billion to the Ebola scourge if the crisis lasts for a quarter, according to its Economic Bulletin dated August 15, 2014. It adds the chance of the out-break going into a second quarter is very slim; which could extend the loss to $3.5bn.

Aviation hard hit Africa’s air routes are increasingly at risk as the Ebola virus prompts local carriers to avoid the worst-affected areas, demand weakens and Korean Air Lines Co. (003490) halts services thousands of miles from the outbreak’s epicenter, signaling a broader threat to the continent’s travel links, according to Bloomberg report.

Airlines from Gambia, Togo

and Nigeria have halted flights to Ebola-hit states, while Korean Air will end operations to Kenya on August 20 after a World Health Organization official in the country, which has suffered zero Ebola cases, described it as “high risk” because of airline ties to the rest of Africa.

Among carriers with the greatest West African exposure, Air France and Brussels Airlines -- Deutsche Lufthansa AG (LHA)’s main link there said that they’re screening departing customers more carefully, while persisting with flights. Korean Air’s decision to scrap its only sub-Saharan route could herald a wider review of operations in the face of a disease that has killed more than 1,000 people.”

At the same time, Ebola is diminishing travel demand. Rio Tinto Group, the second-largest mining company, has restricted staff movements in Guinea, and MTN Group Ltd. (MTN), the No. 1 mobile-phone carrier in sub-Saharan Africa, said five expatriate staff has left Liberia as flight options out of the country shrink.

Airlines affected Among carriers from coun-

tries close to the Ebola outbreak, Gambia Bird, Togo-based Asky Airlines and Nigeria’s Arik Air have all halted at least some flights into the area.

Kenya Airways Ltd., sub-Saharan Africa’s No. 3 airline, recently responded to the Korean Air announcement by saying it will continue to fly to the region, while reviewing management protocols in Monrovia and Freetown, the capitals of Liberia and Sierra Leone, to guard against the spread of the virus.

British Airways and Emirates are so far the only major carriers to cancel routes to those countries where the disease is present. BA, a unit of International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG), is continuing daily flights to Lagos and Abuja, its remaining West African destinations, as well as to Nairobi.

Lufthansa spokesman Helmut Tolksdorf said that Europe’s second-biggest airline remains in close contact with relevant authorities, though is not making any changes to its flight schedule for the time being.

Brussels Air, the only carrier from outside Africa that serves all three Ebola-hit nations, has

many Nigerians are in formal employment? Clearing rates for some vehicles have increased from N200,000 to N350,000 Vox Waggen Van-wagon (petrol engine) that sold for N750,000 now sells for over N1 million. The diesel model that was N500, 000 now sells N750, 000.”

For Garrard Jerry, “there is nothing wrong with the policy but the timing is wrong.” He argued: “Where are the alternatives? PAN is not working. Government will end up creating unemployment. Sale of ‘tokunbo’ vehicles is keeping a lot of families going. The policy is just outrageous, what with cars being cleared with N60, 000 now being cleared with N210, 000; some have risen from N80, 000 to N120, 000.”

He said that what government should do is to first put in place, the necessary infrastructure.

With the new automotive policy, prices of all categories of vehicles have gone up by between about 30 per cent and 50 per cent, New Telegraph investigation has confirmed.

2005 model Toyota Corolla that sold N1.3 million before the introduction of the new tariff of 35 percent now sells at N1.7 million recording an increase of 30.7 per cent. The 1998/99 model which sold N650, 000 now sells N850, 000, an increase of 30.7 per cent too. Some other range of cars selling at 800,000 before the new tariff now sells at N1.2 million, an increase of 50 per cent. The new policy also puts the age ceiling for private vehicles at 10 and commercial ones at 15 years. consulted the Tropical Institute in Antwerp on the threat.

The Belgian airline, in which Lufthansa has a 45 percent stake, has made no changes to its African network though is monitoring the situation at outstations very closely, spokeswoman Wencke Lemmes said. It has a combined 11 weekly flights to the three countries and 38 a week to Africa overall.

Air France (AF), too, said that “at this stage” it’s maintaining flights to Sierra Leone and Guinea, while putting into place a specific Ebola plan there and in Lagos. Should passenger exhibit symptoms after boarding they are isolated, given a face mask and directed to use a separate wash room.

Economies of Sierra Leone and others Any further severing of aerial links could jeopardize a resurgence in the economies of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea that’s taken hold over the past decade as Chinese companies boost investments to extract metal deposits.

Guinea is the No. 1 exporter of bauxite used to make aluminum, and also home to the world’s largest untapped ironore reserves, Simandou.

36 BUSINESS | INDUSTRY

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Industry chieftain

Blake Mycoskie: Footwear social entrepreneur American entrepreneur from Texas whose company designs and sells shoes and donates a new pair to a child in need for every pair sold

Foods, which features styles made from recycled materials.

In January 2009, TOMS collaborated with Element Skateboards to create a line of TOMS Shoes, skate decks and long boards.

For each pair of TOMS Element shoes and/or skateboard bought, one of the same was given to children at the Indigo Skate camp in the village Isithumba in Durban, South Africa.

Mycoskie is hoping to expand the ‘One for One’ model into other areas like housing, water and schoolbooks. Mycoskie would like to create partnerships with companies so his customers can buy what they need, while the same things are given to those who need them across the globe.

This of course is a business opportunity for Nigerians who have passion for social entrepreneurship.

Stories by Siaka Momoh

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OMS Shoes, Blake Mycoskie’s company, founded in 2006, is based in Santa Monica, California. The company also operates a forprofit subsidiary, Friends of TOMS Birth of TOMs Alpargata shoes, the inspiration for the classic style of TOMS, are said to have been worn by Argentina farmers for hundreds of years. These canvas or cotton fabric shoes are now manufactured in many styles and the company’s name TOMS is derived from the word ‘tomorrow’ and evolved from the original concept, “Shoes for Tomorrow Project”. The sole is made of rubber. TOMS is currently in shoe business manufacturing in Argentina, China and Ethiopia.

It all started after his visit to Argentina in 2006. In Argentina, he saw that children without shoes were not only exposed to health risks but were not allowed to go to school. The disease that they are exposed to is called podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease.

Podoconiosis, according to experts, is a fungus that gets into the pores on the bottom of the feet and eventually destroys the lymphatic system.

It is a soil-transmitted disease caused by walking in silicarich soil. It causes one’s feet to swell along with many other health implications.

According to the TOMS Shoes website, there are over

lMycoskie

one billion people at risk for soil-transmitted diseases around the world, and shoes can help prevent it. Mycoskie emphasises that his company’s goal is to not only give shoes, but to also educate others on the importance of shoes.

Social entrepreneurship If you are looking for individuals with creative answers to society’s most pressing social problems, you will find the solution in social entrepreneurs. These are ambitious and persistent beings that tackle major social issues and offer new ideas for wide-scale change. They would not leave societal needs to the government and strictly for-profit business sectors.

Social entrepreneurs find what is not working and solve the problem by changing the system, spreading the solution, and persuading entire society to take new leaps. They are both vi-

sionaries and ultimate realists, concerned with the practical implementation of their vision.

Other social entrepreneurs Examples of leading social entrepreneurs include Susan B. Anthony, a US citizen, who fought for Women’s Rights in the US, including the right to control property and helped spearhead adoption of the 19th amendment; Vinoba Bhave (Indian), founder and leader of the Land Gift Movement, he caused the redistribution of more than 7,000,000 acres of land to aid India’s untouchables and landless; Mary Montessori (Italian) developed the Montessori approach to early childhood education; Florence Nightingale (British), founder of modern nursing, she established the first school for nurses and fought to improve hospital conditions and some others.

And of course, we have, among many others, our own late Isaac Durojaiye, aka Otunba Gaddafi of the ‘shit business is good business’ fame, and Cosmo Okoli, who has given all his life and resources to secure succour for persons with mobility challenge.

Billion pairs of shoes Blake Mycoskie is one of these entrepreneurs endowed with passion to change society. Reports have it that over one billion pairs of shoes have been given to children under the ‘One for One’ movement since TOMS launched in 2006.

The canvas shoes have been given to children in the US (Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Florida), Argentina, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Guatemala, Haiti, and South Africa.

TOMS are sold at more than 500 stores in the US and internationally, including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Whole

Drop a shoe The TOMS has also introduced the ‘drop a shoe’ project.

The non-profit organisation Friends of TOMS coordinates “Shoe Drops” around the world for employees and volunteers to experience TOMS giving first-hand. Volunteers on shoe drops are able to handdeliver shoes to children.

TOMS currently gives in over 20 countries.

With help from 501 non-profit organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), TOMS is able to give shoes to children in need year-round.

In 2006, TOMS Shoes distributed 10,000 pairs of shoes in Argentina. In November 2007, the company distributed 50,000 pairs of shoes to children in South Africa. As of April 2009, TOMS Shoes had distributed 140,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina, Ethiopia, South Africa, as well as children in the US. The company announced in April 2010 that they had given over 600,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need around the world.

LCCI cautions against media hype on Ebola

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he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has cautioned the press against blowing the Ebola issue out of proportion because it believes such stance means grave consequences for the economy.

In a statement made available to the press weekend, the Chamber said, “We urge for some measure of proportionality in media reports both locally and internationally. The Ebola hype has created a disproportionate panic, anxiety and scare, projecting the country as endemic Ebola zone. Ebola is alien to our environment and therefore a momentary phenomenon.”

LCCI argued, “There is currently the risk of international isolation, stigmatization and unwarranted discriminatory practices against the citizens

travelling outside our shores.

This has grave consequences for the economy and the citizens.”

It added that as the containment measures progress, the imperative of discretion in information management needs to be underscored. “Care should be taken not to escalate the Ebola crisis beyond the reality of its occurrence. We urge for some measure of proportionality in media reports both locally and internationally”.

LCCI said the incident was ordinarily avoidable but for the failure of our system which could not stop the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer - carrier of EVD from gaining entry into our country. “Nevertheless, we note with satisfaction the measures taken so far by the fed-

eral and state governments to contain the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country. Official report put Ebola case at 11 with 4 death to-date.”

It urged the business community and the entire citi-

zenry to support the current efforts at containment of the disease. “Given the way it came to Nigeria, current scope of the spread and the containment strategies, we are confident that before long the situation would be fully brought

under control. We urge all citizens to comply with protective measures as advised by the health authorities with regard to body contacts, general hygiene and making prompt reports of suspected cases,” the Chamber said.

Ebola: ‘Trade, agric, tourism, aviation...most hit’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

declined by 50 per cent.”

On trade, FDC explained, “In Q1’14, trade contributed 17.35 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP. Trade and investment flows are critical to the external sector of this vibrant country and the West African region. The region enjoys almost a custom union with common external tariff and movement of visitors without visas. Since movement of people

is restricted in and out of the affected regions, fewer goods will be equally transported.”

On Agriculture, FDC said it contributed 19.65 per cent to GDP in Q1’14. It added: “There will be a decline in sales of several animals, even when they have not been linked to Ebola. Farmers or hunters living in areas where there is co-mingling of animals connected to Ebola will reduce their exploits. The Hunter’s association in Nigeria has already

complained about a slowdown in business due to experts’ directive that people should abstain from consuming bush meat.”

For FDC, it is thumbs down also for medical and foods/ beverages/tobacco business – expenditure on preventive medicine has risen; demands for foods, beverages and tobacco are increasing as people are stocking up in case a state of emergency is declared if the Ebola disease spreads further.

BUSINESS 37

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

W it h

Networks growing amidst TECHTalk economic, social challenges Planned

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Market share With the revelation, which was made at the formal opening of Etisalat experience centre at Robb House, Wuse, Abuja, Etisalat Nigeria now controls close to 16 per cent of the Nigerian mobile telecom market share out of the total of over 132 million active subscribers in the country.

Similarly, Airtel Nigeria, according to figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has continued to move up in subscription figures and in April toppled Globacom from the second position in the number of subscribers.

According to data obtained from the website of industry regulator, Airtel’s subscriber base hit 25.5 million at the end of April 2014, representing 20 per cent of the total number of subscribers in the country at that time.

As at June 2013, Airtel subscription figure was 21.6 million, showing that the firm had added about 4 million subscribers in just under one year.

Financial performance But probably most impressive is the result of MTN Nigeria. Results for the first six months of the year showed that MTN group’s revenue rose by 10.71 per cent to R72.76 billion (N1.1 trillion) from R65.71 billion (N998.79 billion) the same period of the corresponding year 2Q13.

Very notable was the fact that the boost at the company’s top line level was

08050498516

disconnection of fake phones

Nigeria’s mobile network operators have faced a lot of issues in recent times that could ordinarily have stalled their growth. Despite the challenges, they have continued to grow. JONAH IBOMA examines how they have maintained improved performance in the face of several challenges t is no longer news that Nigeria has been passing through a lot of social and economic challenges in recent times. Among the well-published is the war being waged by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in the North Eastern part of the country for some time now. Aside that, there is the high unemployment rate and poverty that is ravaging the country such that the United Nations put the number of people living on less than $2 per day in the country at over 60 per cent.

However, despite the challenges, Nigeria’s telecommunication industry has continued to perform beyond expectations, recording increasing subscription and better financial results year after year. Just last week, news emerged that the subscription figures of Etisalat Nigeria is set to hit 20 million within a short time. The fifth entrant into the digital mobile service was said to have reached a subscriber base in excess of 19.5 million, according to its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Matthew Willsher.

Jonah Iboma

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CEO, Etisala Nigeria, Matthew Willsher

CEO, MTN Nigeria, Michael Ikpoki

bolstered by the impressive contribution of its Nigeria subsidiary, which recorded the highest revenue growth of 21.5 per cent to R27.1 billion (N411.92 billion) in first half of 2014. In the second half of 2013, MTN's revenue was R22.30 billion (N333.96 billion) in outperforming MTN South Africa whose operational revenue contracted by seven per cent to R19.15 billion (N298.10 billion).

The group’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 16.45 per cent to R33.76 billion (N513.15 billion) in 2H14 from R28.9 billion (N440.64 billion) in 2H13, while EBITDA margin increased by 3.5 points to 46.3 per cent largely driven by 1.9 points increase in Nigeria EBITDA. From the foregoing, Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications sector is still enjoying stable and consistent growth despite the challenges that the country is going through. The mass displacement of thousands of people in the North Eastern part of the country has already resulted in many farmlands being deserted and the entire economy of that part of the country nearing collapse. Aside that, telecommunications infrastructure have been damaged within this region, with some impression that operators could suffer from this immensely. However, this appears not to have been the case.

have done little to slow down growth in the sector.

It appears that operators have also been buoyed by their impressive fortune and as a result have been announcing massive investment plans to further develop telecommunications in Nigeria.

Nigeria's teledencity The development in the sector has positively impacted Nigeria’s teledensity as it has moved from 75 per cent in August 2012 to 92.24 in April 2014.

This is close to 20 per cent growth in the past two years. This, indeed, proves that the social and political upheavals that the country has been experiencing

Operators have been buoyed by their impressive fortune and as a result have been announcing massive investment plans

Investments Just last Saturday, Etisalat announced plans to invest $300 million (N48 billion) on network expansion and necessary upgrade in Nigeria before the year ends.

In May, MTN Group unveiled plans to spend over $3 billion to improve its network infrastructure in Nigeria over the next three years. According to MTN Group Chief Executive Officer, Sifiso Dabengwa, the investment had to be done following the challenges with quality of service driven by “high demand” in Nigeria.

“We’ll continue to invest at this rate in the medium term, and make sure the overall quality of service is acceptable,” he said.

Challenges In recent years, MTN and other operators in Nigeria have faced serious service quality issues and the industry regulator has had to step in, set standards expected of operators and also impose fines to improve services.

In the first quarter of this year, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) banned three of the country’s four cellphone companies, including MTN, from selling SIM cards for a month. They ordered them to improve their services before lifting the embargo.

The three mobile operators - Airtel, Globacom and MTN Nigeria - were also fined N647.5 million for not meeting with key performance indicators.

Despite these interventions, have continued record growth.

Aside MTN and Etisalat, Globacom and Airtel have also announced massive network investment plans as well.

In May, Globacom said that it would soon complete its $1.25 billion (about CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

here were strong indications that the Federal Government is planning to order mobile network operators in the country to disconnect over 12.6 million counterfeit phones, according to reports in some media houses recently.

The planned move was said to be one of the options being considered by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in its quest towards ridding the country of substandard products and also protecting consumer rights while boosting government and manufacturers’ revenue.

The Director General, SON ,Dr. Joseph Odumodu, who disclosed that more than N5bn ($30.7m) was spent on the importation of substandard mobile phones into Nigeria last year alone, said that the switchoffs would be carried out using devices’ International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers.

He noted that this sort of move was not peculiar to Nigeria as other countries had also switched off counterfeit phones from mobile network. He revealed that whenever this was done, the people behind the fake mobile scourge kept moving to countries that were yet to adopt this solution, hence the urgent need to address the situation.

The director general also added that the switch-off would have the effect of improving mobile networks in Nigeria.

This move by government is, indeed, a laudable one, if it is achieved. This is because we are all too familiar with many failed government promises and planned actions.

But it is pertinent to state that the move cannot succeed without serious will power.

The entry of questionable and sub-standard mobile devices into the Nigerian market is primarily due to weak government enforcement of standards. The sub-standard phones that have entered the country came in due to the fact that the Nigerian Customs Service was weak. Going forward, therefore, government must tighten the entry points to ensure that they substandard phones find it difficult to make entry.

It is important to state that before government embarks on such a project, it must have done a lot of consultations, education and warning about the dangers of purchasing sub-standard mobile devices. Some of the reasons why many people purchase such devices include ignorance and inability to differentiate between sub-standard and reliable phones. Many of the so-called fake phones are designed to look like the original ones.

This is why initiatives such as the international manufacturers’ equipment identity scheme is promoted effectively in the country. Many people do not know that they can verify the authenticity of a phone from a central database of the manufacturer.

There is also the need to empower Nigerians so that they can afford more reliable phones. The fight against Nigerians buying substandard products should not be fought only on one front. This must be done holistically. People are often forced to look for less affordable goods and services once their income level is low. Nigerians must be empowered to have the ability to afford more products and services that people with high economic power can afford.

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BUSINESS | ICT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Experts endorse govt’s plan to regulate VAS CONTROL Long-awaited laws coming to guide wireless application services Stories by Jonah Iboma

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oves by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to design a special regulatory framework for the wireless application services industry has been endorsed by stakeholders.

Speaking to New Telegraph, several of the stakeholder noted that the move should have been made a long time ago, adding that its coming would also address several issues that have stunted the growth of wireless application services in the country.

According to the Executive

Director, Cellulant Nigeria, Mr Bolaji Akinboro, NCC’s decision is worth celebrating.

Similarly, the National Coordinating Consultant of WASPAN, Mr Simon Aderinola, noted that a new era of innovation and further economic development could result from the move.

“The decision of the regulator to intervene in VAS industry is celebrated. This is a move that should have taken place ten years ago,” he said.

It would be recalled that NCC recently said that it would collaborate with industry stakeholders to help evolve a framework for regulating wireless application services, which are services offered by firms that are not network operators but have their services running on them (networks).

Akinboro stated that the weak regulatory framework

currently operational in the country had created a gap that had led to only a few firms benefitting from the industry.

“The size of the VAS market in Nigeria is small versus its potential due to the lack of transparency and proper oversight of all the actors in the sector. This gap in the market has created an oligopoly market situation because the carriers of voice traffic have also become VAS operators or vertically integrated entities,” he said.

Akinboro stated that wireless

application service providers were not given the enabling environment for growth and innovation, noting that subscribers were the losers in the end.

“There is suppression of true competition because industry wide organisations like WASPAN have been prevented from operating effectively and consumers are now helpless victims of oligopolistic practices because of the fact that dominant actors cannot be held accountable.

He said that the country needed to have provisions to

address contentious issues including revenue share and complaints handling.

“Nigeria needs to have clear rules regarding connection aggregation, revenue share, unified tariffs, complaints mechanism and handling," he opined.

Similarly, Aderinola, noted that the absence of a clear framework gave room for rogue wireless application firms to operate and use methods that mobile networks are not familiar with to introduce certain solutions that are outside their (MNOs) control.

Glo, Core group partner on Apple products lobacom, has restated its commitment to providing Ggenuine and quality Apple prod-

ucts across its GloWorld shops after it signed an agreement with Apple’s authorized distributor for Africa, Core Group.

Speaking at the unveiling of the partnership in Lagos recently, Head, Gloworld, Mrs. Titi Ebinisi, said the partnership would enable users of Apple products to enjoy Globacom’s superfast internet service, GloBolt.

She said: “The strategic partnership removes the burden of worrying about how to get authentic Apple devices, and then worrying about how to activate their full functionalities through the purchase of a SIM and internet connection. Our customers have been relieved of all these worries.

“Anyone can walk into our signature retail shops, GloWorld, our accredited dealer outlets and Glo Zones in the country to get genuine Apple devices bundled with one year of data powered by Glo Bolt.”

According to the firm, the devices available at the Glo out-

lets include iPhone 5s, iPad mini and iPad Air, all of which came with Apple’s super-sharp retina display.

Ebinisi urged subscribers to buy genuine Apple products from Glo outlets across Nigeria to enjoy the premium quality, reliability and speed of Globacom’s robust 3G plus network as well as exciting data bundles.

Nigerians who desire to purchase genuine Apple products from Glo outlets across the country, according to her, stand to enjoy the premium quality, reliability and speed of Globacom’s robust 3G plus network as well as exciting data bundles.

Ebinisi reassured Globacom’s subscribers of more innovative products and services at pocket-friendly rates in line with the company’s tradition of making life more abundant for its customers.

Also speaking, the Country Manager, Core Group Africa, Mr. Sachin Verma, who congratulated Globacom for the partnership, said his company would ensure that customers got quality Apple products at the right prices.

Reversible USB cable design ready he group developing the next generation of USB Tcable and connector has said

that the design for the new reversible USB interface which the standardised connection for data transfers between electronic devices has been finished.

According to the group, which consists of HewlettPackard, Intel, Microsoft, Renesas, STMicroelectronics and Texas Instruments, an agreed exact specifications have been passed back to the non-profit USB Implementers Forum. The new USB is going to be available in new devices.

In the new specification, users will no longer have to worry which way round the part is

facing when plugging it into a device.

It is small enough for mobiles but “robust enough for laptops and tablets,” its designers said.

However, the new USB cables will not connect into the current ports that are found on millions of devices.

“Interest in the USB TypeC connector has not only been global, but cross-industry as well,” said Brad Saunders, the USB 3.0 Promoter Group’s chairman.

“This specification is the culmination of an extensive, co-operative effort among industry leaders to standardise the next generation USB connector as a long-lasting, robust solution.”

L-R: Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim; Samsung Brand Ambassador, Mr. Remilekun Abdulkalid Safaru; Head of Product Marketing, Information Technology and Mobile, Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu; Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas and Business Development Director, Mr. Daesung Ra, at the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S and new entry-level devices, Galaxy Ace 4 Lite and Galaxy Trend Lite, in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Nigerian mobile entrepreneurship initiative in final of UN Project C orehead Business Solutions, a Nigerian enterprise that trains women on entrepreneurship and business expansion via mobile platforms, is one of the finalists in the 2014 Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World.

According to details released by the Singapore Committee for United Nations Women and MasterCard, this year’s campaign attracted over 500 entries from 70 countries.

Applicants aged 18-35 were asked to submit a sustainable idea to improve the lives of women and girls in Asia/Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, for the chance to win a $25,000 grant to help implement their project in the field.

Launched in 2011, Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World is a joint initiative between Singapore Committee for UN Women and MasterCard, supported by global consulting firm Bain & Company and academic partner, INSEAD. Other finalists in the project include a pumpkin-farming enterprise targeting single mothers in Uganda, a menstrual hygiene initiative in rural India, an Australian project providing financial support to female refugees and a food-processing plant which funds a homeless

refuge in Zimbabwe.

“2014’s entry guidelines were significantly more stringent than in previous years but that didn’t deter potential applicants.

With this year garnering the highest calibre of submissions we’ve ever received, we couldn’t be prouder of the incredible work that is being done by youth around the world to empower women and girls,” said Trina Liang-Lin, President, Singapore Committee for UN Women.

Each finalist receives an allexpenses-paid trip to Singapore, where they will participate in a week-long social business boot camp. The camp includes workshops run by global consulting firm, Bain & Company and academic partner INSEAD. The week culminates in the Project Inspire Grand Final on Saturday August 30, 2014, at INSEAD’s Asia Campus, where a winner will be chosen by an esteemed panel of judges.

Georgette Tan, Group Head, Communications, Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard, said: “Each year we’ve seen the quality of entries for Project Inspire improve from strength to strength. The program continues to gain awareness, participation and impact.

What’s even better is that Project Inspire’s success has spread

quickly, inspiring more organizations to step up to support young people and their drive to change the world.”

With the announcement of the Project Inspire 2014 finalists, Singapore Committee for UN Women and MasterCard announce a brand new prize of $10,000 to be awarded to the Runner-Up courtesy of new partner Hilton Worldwide.

With the total prize pool now increased to $35,000, the 2014 finalists are one step closer to seeing their ideas realised.

Brendan Toomey, Vice President, Human Resources, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide, said: “It is a privilege to collaborate with likeminded partners such as Singapore Committee for UN Women and MasterCard to invest in young change-makers who in turn enable sustainable impact and improvement to our communities. Project Inspire truly brings to life our Travel with Purpose strategy to create shared value for our business and communities around the globe. It also reinforces two key announcements we made earlier this year – one, our pledge to impact at least one million young people by 2019, and two, our commitment to UN Women’s Empowerment Principles.”

BUSINESS | ICT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

39

Nigeria’s Carmudi opens Congo, Tanzania subsidiaries EXPANSION The company now operates seven subsediaries with the African continent Jonah Iboma

C

armudi, a Nigerian car classifieds platform, has commenced its services in the Republic of Congo and Tanzania, bringing the compa-

ny’s African operations to a total of seven within the continent.

First launched in Nigeria in 2013, Carmudi said it decided to expand to the new markets following its recent successful rollouts in Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast.

With the launch of Carmudi Tanzania, the company said it will be introducing its services for the first time in East Africa and will be opening the door to further expansion in the region. ”With the economy and demographics expanding at world-leading rates, Tanzania

is an exciting new frontier for Carmudi to continue its rapid rise in Sub-Saharan Africa,” said William Day, Managing Director for Carmudi East Africa.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring our premium quality user experience and customer service to millions of people,” Day said.

Carmudi said the decision to launch in the Congo was driven by the increasing proportion of the country’s population, particularly the younger generation, who are now online. According to the firm, this means that the Internet will

play an ever-greater role in business and the provision of services.

“We hope that local people will embrace the products and services that Carmudi is bringing to the Congo,” said Alex Arsene, country manager for Carmudi Cameroon and Congo.

“As we reach more and more people, we will continue to focus on quality and aim to bring the best possible online customer service to all our users.”

The development represents yet another success story for Nigerian Internet-based businesses. Aside Carmudi, many Nigerian owned businesses have gone online providing a global platform for customers to access their services.

The move by Carmudi expected to pave the wave for more

Nigerian firms operating on digital platforms and whose services have received a lot of success at home, according to the Managing Director of August 28 Media Limited, Mr. Job Nkeki.

Nkeki, whose firm promotes online business, noted that onv line property business is another area where local entrepreneurs are also recording some significant success. He said that many people easily find it very convenient to search for accommodation and “The Internet increases our market space. Today, people seeking for property of all kinds to buy including houses and cars easily resort to the Internet. This is why we engage them with solutions that we believe will meet their needs,” he said.

GOtv makes Benue entry Cephas Iorhemen

Makurdi

G L-R: Education Secretary, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, Lagos, Hon. Adewale Adeogun; CSR Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Chinda Manjor and Head Teacher, Oremeji Pry. Sch., Mrs. Animashaun Risikat, during the recent courtesy visit of Airtel to the education Secretary in Lagos

Samsung tablets go high-end with biometric scanner-enabled Galaxy Tab S Jonah Iboma

S

amsung Electronics has announced the availability of its new flagship tablet, the Galaxy Tab S, in Nigeria, adding a new, premium device range to its highly popular Galaxy Tab series.

In a special media launch in lagos on Tuesday, the firm said the Galaxy Tab S combined an advanced high definition display technology with a full range of premium content, aimed at providing consumers with an unrivalled entertainment experience. The device is already on sale at all Samsung Experience stores, operator stores and at accredited dealer stores nationwide.

The Galaxy Tab S is Samsung’s thinnest and lightest tablet yet. It features a 10.5-inch screen alongside the most advanced super-AMOLED display on the market, with a resolution that is twice the high-definition standard associated with other devices in its category.

At the heart of the new tablet range is a fingerprint scanner embedded in the home button, a feature that made its debut in the Galaxy Tab S’s smartphone sibling, the Galaxy S5, the objective being to provide consumers with a safe, biometric screenlocking feature. In addition to this standard phone-locking function, the scanner lets us-

ers authorise payments from the device with their unique fingerprints. Up to eight people can use the feature to log into different profiles on the device when it is in multi-user mode.

Speaking at the unveiling, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr Brovo Kim, said the Galaxy Tab S will redefine how technology innovation enhances the quality of life.

“Tablets have evolved significantly in the past few years in function and purpose. Building on the heritage of the Galaxy S smartphone line, the Galaxy Tab S delivers on our commitment to bring meaningful innovation that our customers cherish most.

We know consumers want the

best screen when purchasing a tablet, and as the undisputed leader in display technology, we have brought our industry-leading super-AMOLED screen to the Galaxy Tab S for an unrivalled viewing experience,” he said.

Kim used the unveiling to underscore Samsung’s growing share of the global tablet market, which has grown from 7.6 percent to 22.6 percent in just three years. “We have made a major commitment to the tablet because we strongly believe in its market.

We have devoted substantial resources, not only to hardware excellence, but also to content towards providing our consumers with a wholesome communication experience."

Mobile networks growing amidst challenges CONTINUED from PAGE 37

N200 billion) Internet protocol (IP) network, which it began in April last year.

The massive network improvement project is expected to see all its base transceiver stations (BTSs) data enabled and on third generation 3G high-speed broadband access.

Globacom had in 2013 signed a $500 million deal with Chinese equipment vendor, ZTE, to

upgrade its infrastructure nationwide for efficient service delivery. It also signed another $750 million agreement with Huawei Technologies, a leading global ICT solutions provider, to expand the capacity of its network. This brings the total value of the facilities upgrade contract to $1.25 billion.

Bharti Airtel is planning to invest $300m this year expanding its network and services in Nigeria.

Otv on Monday inaugurated its new digital network in Makurdi, the Benue State capital as part of efforts towards taking its digital migration campaign "Digilevelz Don Land" across the country.

General Manager of GOtv, Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa, said the network which has 41 channels and seven programming genres, was brought about in compliance with the National Broadcasting Commission directive on the need to switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Mrs. Amkpa maintained that GOtv was supporting the process by providing affordable decoders with the latest technology to ensure that Nigeria met the June 17, 2015 migration deadline, adding that he digital switch-over has numerous benefits including access to more channels, clearer picture, better sound quality and electronic programme guide.

According to her, GOtv is the best option to join the digital television revolution because of its reliability, affordability, while its decoders are the most advanced DVB-T2 technology approved.

She added that when analogue signals would be switched-off, GOtv subscribers will not need a new or different decoder.

She announced the prices of the latest DVB-T2 technology as N6,900 for a decoder including 1 month subscription to GOtv Plus and an outdoor GOtenna, while the monthly subscriptions is as low as N1000 for the GOtv bouquet and N1500 for GOtv Plus, adding that GOtv subscribers in Makurdi will have access to an exciting selection of local and international channels containing news, sport, movies, music, documentaries, religion and children’s programming.

“GOtv prides itself on providing the best value pay-TV on the digital terrestrial platform by offering affordable decoders which guarantee subscribers an instant migration to the digital age”, says Mrs. Amkpa.

Zinox boss backs centenary ICT award Jonah Iboma hairman of Zinox ComputCthrown ers, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh , has his weight behind the

ICT Centenary Award which is slated to hold in October 2014 with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan leading a host of distinguished Nigerians and international personalities listed for honours.

The Zinox boss expressed his delight at the idea of a dedicated centenary event for the ICT sector given the massive contribution it made in the turnaround and transformation of various aspects of Nigeria’s national life.

Ekeh, who spoke while receiving a delegation of the ICT Media Initiative, led by its chairman, Mr. Aaron Ukodie, noted that it was high time that the role played by ICT in the massive boost to the nation’s economy was properly positioned in the public space.

“Without ambiguity, ICT had been the single largest achievement of the Nigerian state in the last one hundred years,” he said.

He added that except for the contribution of ICT to the national transformation, it was difficult to point at any other aspect of the national economy that had the attributes to for force a rebasing of the country’s GDP, massive job creations, skills transfer and acquisition.

He noted that not a few Nigerians in the diaspora had returned home since the ICT revolution took firm root. He also noted that more Nigerians were heading multinational corporations in the ICT sector both home and abroad.

While noting that most of the other sectors are largely run by foreigners, he observed that the skill sets of Nigerians had been upgraded in the telecoms sector where Nigerians have almost complete dominance of its management.

40

FEATURES

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com otuntise@yahoo.co.uk

Navy and the war against oil theft, piracy Nigerian Navy’s war on crude oil theft and other criminal activities at sea is hampered by lack of funds and other logistics, writes FLORA ONWUDIWE

A

s Nigeria is sustaining its antiterrorism war, the Nigerian Navy has continued to focus on other security challenges confronting the country.

It has directed its attention at stamping out crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, piracy and other criminal activities on the country’s territorial waters.

The crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism are seriously affecting the country’s revenue.

These are the challenges every Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) encountered each time a new one is appointed to lead the Nigerian Navy.

At their exit, they usually highlight the same challenges, which require urgent attention to improve the revenue.

The former CNS, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba, described crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism as constituting important threats to the country’s security and economic survival.

For 14 months as number one man in the Navy, these were major challenges he tackled. But his efforts were encumbered by lack of funds and collapsing infrastructure.

On the other hand, observers have commended efforts of the Navy for arresting reasonable number of culprits, even when it involves risking their lives in protecting the nation’s economy.

“The only way it can be done is to supply all the things they need to enhanced surveillance and to give them capacity, rapid response enforcement and laws and regulations that defined the maritime space particularly to the prosecution of the offenders who have been arrested over the years and have not been dealt with.

“This in itself serves as a strong measure of deterrent to would-be offenders.

And if we imbibe this and capture it within a teamwork that is clearly defined and pursue it to a logical conclusion; that is the only way the Nigerian Navy will deliver,” Ezeoba said.

The war on oil theft, according to him, needs collective efforts of other agencies.

“No organisation can singlehandedly totally eradicate crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism within our maritime domain,” the former CNS said.

On other issues affecting maritime, Ezeoba said the Navy had put structures in place that would help to consolidate on all variables defining the maritime space, particularly in the area of infrastructural development, fleet recapitalisation and acquisition of new platforms and human capacity development.

“All these put in place and structures will help to meet all the operational exigencies,” he added.

According to the former CNS, the installation of surveillance cameras

A gunboat

Ezeoba

We had gone round the different commands as far as Ibaka; we were ashamed. The deplorable condition of our territorial waters is really alarming along the country’s territorial waters will help the security agencies to check vessels involved in crude oil theft and other illegal criminalities.

During the establishment of the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) Centre at Yenogoa in Bayelsa State, Ezeoba said that the hi-tech equipment would provide the Navy with the capacity to leverage on all the tactical pictures of vessels and

Jibrin

contacts within and around its area of responsibility.

According to him, RMAC Centre will be easier for the Navy to recognise and classify vessels just like the standard the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) expected of all other Navy allies.

The new CNS, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, agreed with his predecessor, who was passionate about the challenges confronting the nation’s maritime.

One of the challenges confronting the Navy, Jibrin said, was lack of maintenance, as some of the infrastructure were old and needed replacement.

He said: “You will agree with me, for you to have credible presence at sea is a bit challenging. What we have now are a bit aged and as a result of that we have always requested for the right means of platform.”

Jibrin also spoke on the welfare and training of the Navy personnel.

“I have interest in the operations and in doing it; I must not forget that welfare, including training of my personnel, must be adequately taken care

of. That is the only way for us to do our job well.

“You know the cost of maintaining a ship in terms of fuel is not the same thing as you have here; a ship can take up to a million litres. We must deploy our boats to the right positions without wasting this fuel. We are aware Navy has a prominent role in providing economic power, stated by the Nigerians,” the CNS added.

During the 2014 Navy week held in Calabar, Jibrin demanded stiffer punishment for oil thieves.

He also that the Federal Government needed to review the current punishment of those found guilty of crude oil theft and other related offences.

The CNS said that Federal Government should publish names of oil thieves twice a year, saying this would scare away others who might want to be part of it.

On the regional cooperation, the Navy boss said that time had come for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to review the laws on international criminal offenders in maritime domain and to increase patrol on the nation’s waterways.

On the total figure so far, the CNS said that Nigerian Navy had arrested over 492 suspects, destroyed 509 illegal oil refineries, 406 big wooden boats, 35 bases and 10,868 ancillary equipment.

A member of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Bawa Dawaki, said that the committee was trying to convince the Federal Government to include Navy in the annual budget.

He said: “We had gone round the different commands as far as Ibaka; we were ashamed. The deplorable condition of our territorial waters is really alarming.

“Some of these criminals on the territorial waters can come in to commit illegalities within the Nigerian territorial waters. So what we are doing is to collaborate with the government, so that if we are proposing for the budget they can acquire equipment that will help in protecting the integrity of the nation.”

business | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

41

FG to stop fixed charges on power, says BPE INTERVENTION

He said the fixed charge was a temporary measure.

The BPE boss said the country had an installed power capacity of 6,000megawatts but was generating only about 3,000 to 4,000MW. Dikki, in a statement from the bureau yesterday, said revenues from the 3,000MW were not sufficient to support the power infrastructure.

He explained that when power generation increases the fixed charge will go.

The BPE boss said the charge was the initial sacrifice consumers had to make given the huge financial investment made by the new power investors who were yet to obtain adequate returns on their investments.

On complaints of non-availability of electricity meters, the BPE helmsman said government was addressing the issue as the Presidency had approved N33billion low interest intervention fund to support the power distribution compa-

Presidency has approved N33billion low interest intervention fund to support the DISCOs Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

R

elief would soon come the way of electricity consumers in Nigeria as the Federal Government has promised to stop the fixed charge currently borne by customers.

This, according to the Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki, would only be executed “as soon as power generation increases to an economically sustainable level.”

Dikki disclosed this during a live/phone-in radio programme known as Radio Link on Radio Nigeria.

nies in the country to buy meters and other electric power accessories.

He pointed out that Nigeria currently requires three million meters yearly.

Dikki debunked claims of lack of transparency in the privatisation of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) and the picture created of a conflict between Geometrics Power Group and Interstate Electrics Limited, the core investor of Enugu Distribution Company.

On KEDC, he said the reserved bidder can only be invited to step in if the preferred bidder failed to pay.

He added that the preferred bidder was within the time limit to pay the 75 per cent balance of the bid price after an initial payment of 25 per cent had been made.

The DG said it was wrong for anybody to call for the revocation of the sale as the process had to complete before rever-

Naira unchanged as dealers expect oil firm dollar sales

T

he Nigerian currency was unchanged at N162.15 to the greenback at yesterday's market close, as dealers maintained their positions in anticipation of US dollar supply from oil companies next week.

The unit, according to Reuters, closed at N162.13 the previous day, broadly at the same level as Tuesday. The naira gained 0.11 per cent on Mon-

day after some lenders sold the greenback to stay within a regulatory limit.

Dealers said demand for hard currency had weakened after an initial rise last week as importers locked in at favourable exchange rates following a recent naira rally.

"We expect the naira to trade within the present band of N162 to the dollar this week,"

one dealer said, adding that it could strengthen as oil companies start their month-end dollar sales.

The local currency eased to a five-week low against the US dollar two weeks ago but recovered some ground last week after some oil companies sold the greenback, including the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

FX

Bid Spot ($/N) 163.28 THE FIXINGS –NIBOR,NITTY and NIFEX of February 6,2014

Offer 163.38

CBN explains rationale for ATM charges Godson Ikoro

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday explained the rationale behind fees/ charges on the extended use of other banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), saying it was to ensure that ATMs across the country continue to function to the satisfaction of all bank customers The banking watchdog’s Director, Corporate Communications Department, Ibrahim Mu’azu, in a statement, noted that there had been some public comments on its recent circular in respect of fees/charges on the extended use of other banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

Acknowledging that these reactions have been mixed with most commentators showing great understanding and other stakeholders expressing clear lack of understanding of the rationale for this decision of the Bankers’ Committee.

He said that the intention of the CBN is to further explain the rationale and the critical need for this measure, which has been taken in order to ensure that ATMs across the country continue to function to the satisfaction of all bank customers.

Consequently, the apex bank

Godson Ikoro

T 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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

ately distort the facts. We don’t understand the hue and cry that Geometrics is short-changed in the transaction.”

The DG noted that the Bureau intends to focus on the transport sector in the next phase of the reforms as the sector contributes about 30 per cent to the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

explained the following information will surely throw more light on the wisdom behind the introduction of the measures.

In December 2012, the CBN, in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, transferred the payment of N100 fee on “Remoteon-us” ATM cash withdrawal transactions to issuing banks.

The N100 was never removed. It was only transferred to customer’s bank to pay, and this was intended to encourage/promote the use of ATMs nationwide.

Having sufficiently raised customers’ awareness, the first three “Remote-on-Us” transactions in a month are free for the card holder but paid for by the issuing bank The N65 charge only applies when a customer withdraws cash from another bank’s ATM other than that of his/her bank.

The N65 starts to apply from the 4th transaction at another banks’ ATM in a month.

The charge is not intended to discourage financial inclusion and the CBN will not endorse any anti-customer policy.

Charging of fees on interbank networks is a widely acceptable practice globally It said that cash withdrawal at the ATMs of a customer’s bank is free.

CIBN inducts 993 graduands

Treasury Bills Maturity Date 08-May-14 07-Aug-14 22-Jan-15

sion to the reserved bidder will be made.

On Geometrics, Dikki explained that it had a 20-year contract with the Enugu Distribution Company to supply power to the Aba and Ariaria districts, which was not in contention.

He said: “Both parties are aware of this but it baffles me when people go out to deliber-

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

he Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has inducted 993 graduates Speaking at the 2014 CIBN Graduates Induction and Prize Awards, President and Chairman of Council of the Institute, Mrs ’Debola Osibogun, said the 993 graduands was the highest in the history of the Institute.

A breakdown of the figure showed that 162 are for Associateship, nine for Chartered MBA, four for Treasurers’ Dealership Certificate, 795 for Micro-finance Certification Programme, and, 23 for Certificate in Banking.

While congratulating the graduands as they celebrate their achievement in completing an extremely demanding, rigorous and tough professional programme, she singled out seven out of 17 awards presented for special recognition all the awardees in the various subjects, for their exceptional brilliance.

However, the remaining 10 unfortunately, she said, will not be awarded since all the candidates in the subjects scored lower than the required marks for prize.

She stressed that it was a challenge to the student mem-

bers currently writing the subjects and implored them to take their lectures more seriously, so that they will not only pass but qualify for special prizes.

Commenting on the total membership and capacity building of the institute, and the integrity of bankers, Osibogun said that CIBN will continue to develop the human capital by continuous growing of the members.

According to her, the total membership is 107,000 comprising fellows, associates and other categories; she said that those who have actually sat and qualified from its exams are 7000.

On the misbehavior of bankers despite the code of conduct Osibogun said :”We keep trying people and it is when they are found guilty, that we will take them to the disciplinary panel.

“We have a case that has gone to the tribunal, and have delisted the persons. What it means is that that person will no longer be a member of the institute.

The Institute’s tribunal has the power of a high court and any person who wants to contest the tribunal’s judgment has to go to appeal court. It is not that we don’t try it but it is only when they are found guilty that we try them.”

42 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

20-Aug-14

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject to the FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement on www.fmdqotc.com.

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

NA

NA

Description 9.25 28-SEP-2014 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)

28-Sep-07 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

9.25 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 12.15

100.00 535.00 530.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 281.35 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 70.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,591.19

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,671.84

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.11 0.67 1.99 2.69 2.93 3.03 3.78 4.86 5.18 7.44 9.57 14.27 14.75 15.25 15.92 19.91

10.80 10.98 11.29 11.30 11.31 11.31 11.30 11.29 11.41 12.02 12.22 12.42 12.41 12.39 12.19 12.28

9.42 10.16 11.21 11.24 11.25 11.19 11.20 11.22 11.33 11.97 12.17 12.38 12.36 12.34 12.14 12.24

99.80 95.56 103.05 108.55 96.42 95.08 98.15 117.20 83.08 121.05 110.94 116.99 100.51 73.58 84.75 99.00

99.95 96.06 103.20 108.70 96.57 95.38 98.45 117.50 83.38 121.35 111.24 117.29 100.81 73.88 85.05 99.30

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

28-Sep-14 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

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.20 0.76 1.37 2.30 2.67 2.88

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.54 13.64 13.45 13.31 12.31 12.31

97.79 90.45 104.88 100.58 99.02 96.56

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

***LCRM

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,275.07

Sub-National Bonds A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014

15-Oct-09

14.00

6.00

15-Oct-14

0.15

3.29

13.96

99.90

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

1.03

4.44

15.54

97.19

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

6.08

30-Sep-15

0.63

3.23

14.19

99.63

Nil

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

1.15

4.46

15.59

98.71

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

1.16

3.48

14.61

101.34

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.66

5.59

16.90

85.63

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.71

1.00

12.25

102.50

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.36

1.79

13.10

102.35

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

37.25

30-Sep-18

2.34

1.80

13.11

101.93

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

4.12

1.00

12.30

105.33

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.54

1.00

12.31

104.81

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

2.54

4.78

16.09

96.04

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.92

1.00

12.31

105.12

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

17.28

02-Oct-19

2.99

1.00

12.31

107.93

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

5.26

1.00

12.44

107.71

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

28.37

12-Dec-19

3.05

2.74

14.05

101.71

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020

30-Sep-13

14.75

11.40

30-Sep-20

3.66

1.00

12.30

106.86

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.00

27-Nov-20

6.27

1.00

12.84

102.75

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

6.36

1.94

13.81

104.86

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

3.84

1.44

12.74

105.16

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.79

06-Jan-21

3.88

1.95

13.25

105.10

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

484.10 491.78

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014

07-Oct-11

11.50

11.80

07-Oct-14

0.13

1.00

11.73

99.91

Aa/Agusto

GTB µ NGC

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.33

5.21

15.76

99.18

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.36

8.71

19.34

99.06

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.75

4.88

15.89

96.05

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.82

1.00

12.03

100.51 100.72

Nil Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.90

2.63

13.69

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

2.11

1.00

12.31

101.22

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.18

1.34

12.65

102.92

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.11

1.00

12.31

101.71

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.93

1.88

13.17

109.23

BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

7.20

09-Apr-18

1.89

3.48

14.77

102.33

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

3.27

09-Sep-18

2.05

5.20

16.51

102.77

#

101.74

AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.90

09-Sep-18

2.05

5.06

16.37

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

4.09

1.35

12.65

104.17

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.70

18-Oct-18

2.16

2.29

13.60

104.28

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.49

6.11

17.42

99.23

BBB/GCR

*DANA

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.36

2.16

13.47

106.65

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.24

2.76

14.58

102.61

11-Feb-18

3.48

1.00

12.31

94.18

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

142.08

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

144.83

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

12.00 11.30

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.71

4.56

111.20

112.07

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

3.90

3.69

104.38

105.16

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.02

4.92

109.58

110.39

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

1,625.82

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.71

2.96

111.45

112.64

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.69

3.88

104.61

106.01

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.15

5.88

99.45

100.43

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.03

6.41

100.59

102.30

B/S&P; B/Fitch

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.75

8.16

94.15

95.95

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

7.80

7.11

107.58

109.28

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.39

6.09

99.41

100.66

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

8.98

8.73

99.11

100.04

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.26

6.56

103.42

105.92

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.00

5.10

104.41

105.89

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,660.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,761.06

**Treasury Bills DTM 8 15 22 29 36 43 50 57 64

FIXINGS Maturity 28-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 11-Sep-14 18-Sep-14 25-Sep-14 2-Oct-14 9-Oct-14 16-Oct-14 23-Oct-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.55 10.65 10.45 10.55 10.60 10.65 10.65 10.60 10.55

Offer Discount (%) 10.30 10.40 10.20 10.30 10.35 10.40 10.40 10.35 10.30

Bid Yield (%) 10.57 10.70 10.52 10.64 10.71 10.79 10.81 10.78 10.75

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 14.3333 14.4959 14.7695 15.3457

NITTY

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

14.00

O/N

14.38

Tenor Call 1M 3M

REPO

Rate (%) 14.00 13.85 14.39

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M 6M

162.05 162.25 162.51 163.14 164.25 165.54 169.18

162.15 162.51 162.85 163.81 165.42 167.17 172.78

Sub-National Bonds A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014

15-Oct-09

14.00

6.00

15-Oct-14

0.15

3.29

13.96

99.90

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

1.03

4.44

15.54

97.19

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

6.08

30-Sep-15

0.63

3.23

14.19

99.63

Nil

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

1.15

4.46

15.59

98.71

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

1.16

3.48

14.61

101.34

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.66

5.59

16.90

85.63

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.71

1.00

12.25

102.50

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.36

1.79

13.10

102.35

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

37.25

30-Sep-18

2.34

1.80

13.11

101.93

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

4.12

1.00

12.30

105.33

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.54

1.00

12.31

104.81

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

2.54

4.78

16.09

96.04

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.92

1.00

12.31

105.12

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014 A/Agusto; A-/GCR† *EKITI

business | FINANCIAL MARKET 43

Nigerian stocks retreat on profit taking A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

17.28

02-Oct-19

2.99

1.00

12.31

107.93

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

5.26

1.00

12.44

107.71

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

28.37

12-Dec-19

3.05

2.74

14.05

101.71

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020

30-Sep-13

14.75

11.40

30-Sep-20

3.66

1.00

12.30

106.86

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.00

27-Nov-20

6.27

1.00

12.84

102.75

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.82

1.00

12.03

100.51

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.90

2.63

13.69

100.72

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

2.11

1.00

12.31

101.22

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.18

1.34

12.65

102.92

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.11

1.00

12.31

101.71

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

DEPRESSED A/Agusto

Consequently , 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

Equities shed weight as

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Seplat, Nestle stocks drag TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

ASI lower Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO

Aa/Agusto

GTB µ NGC

Nil Stories

by Chris Ugwu Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC

N

A-/Agusto

*FLOURMILLS

igerian stock market yes*CHELLARAMS terday slumped as the bears A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO overwhelmed bulls A-/Agusto FSDH following profit taking A/GCR UBAby investors after a day of bullish rally.

BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING The key market BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR parameters, *DANA# # A-/DataPro†; the NSE BB-/GCR All Share *TOWER Index and # AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWER market capitalisation, fell 0.05 A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA per cent each, following low Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA sentiments on blue chip stocks. # BB+/GCR

the All-Share 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 Index shed 22.58 basis points NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021as against to15.00 close at 41,789.56 41,812.14 recorded Tuesday, while the market capitalisation of equities depreciated by N8 billion or 0.05 per cent as market 11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 sentiments turned red.

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 Meanwhile, a turnover of 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 192.1 million shares worth N1.8 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 billion in 4,477 deals were re12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 corded in the day’s trading.

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 AsNAHCO usual, the banking sub13.00 29-SEP-2016 sector of 25-OCT-2016 the financial services 14.25 FSDH sector was the most active dur13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 ing the (measured 18.00 C&Iday LEASING 30-NOV-2017 by turnMPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 over volume); with 65.3 million MPR+7.00worth TOWER 9-SEP-2018 shares N682 million exMPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 changed by investors in 1,312 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 deals.

15.75 LA CASERA Volume in18-OCT-2018 the banking subMPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

BBB/GCR

*DANA

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

Conoil’s profit rises by 298% TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

C

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION onoil Plc recorded 298 per

cent increase in pre-tax Supranational Bond profit for the financial year AAA/S&P IFC ended December, 2013.

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE According to the audited reTOTAL MARKET sult filed at theCAPITALISATION Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), profit before tax rose from N1.15 billion Rating/Agency Issuerin the preceding year to N4.6 bilFGN Eurobonds lion, while profit after tax increased by 329 per cent; from BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P N714 million to N3.07 billion.

BB-/Fitch; also grew from N149.9 Revenue FGN BB-/S&P billion to N159.5 billion.

BB-/Fitch; The company's Earnings per BB-/S&P Share (EPS), which measures TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE the net income for every shareTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION holder, increased by 329 per cent; from 103 kobo to 442 kobo.

Corporate Eurobonds The board of directors of B-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLC I the oil marketing company has GTBANK PLC I therefore, recommended a total B+/S&P; B+/Fitch GTBANKbillion PLC dividend payment of N2.78 ACCESS BANK PLC atB+/S&P N4.00 for every 50kobo share.

B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY BANK PLC The company attributed the B/Fitch PLC financial outing toAFREN improved B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANKrePLC cost efficiency , significant B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK duction in interest expense andPLC B/S&P; B-/Fitch

FIRST BANK PLC

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

a strong hold on cost of sales.

The oil products marketer had shown signs of a sound 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 financial year after posting 341 per cent increase in profit before tax while its profit after tax went up by 329 per cent in the third quarter ofDescription 2013.

According to a statement issued by the company, its performance was driven by revenue 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 increase from its nationwide retail outlets, especially its newly 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 commissioned mega stations.

6.38 JUL 12, 2023 perforThe remarkable mance was also augmented by additional income streams from its quality lubricant products.

Conoil said it stepped up engine oil export to West African 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 markets and entered into joint 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 venture partnerships with lead6.00 NOV 08, 2018compaing car manufacturing 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 nies.

6.88 MAY 2018 It added that its09, income was 10.25 APR 08, 2019 also bolstered by ancillary ser6.25 APR 22, 2019 vices including marketing of 8.75 May 21, 2019 Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO).

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

sector31-Dec-13 was largely driven 15.00 by activity31-Dec-13 in the shares of14.50 UBA Plc 06-Jan-14 15.00 and Diamond Bank Plc. Also, the insurance sub sector of the financial services sector, boosted by activity in the shares of Mutual Benefits 07-Oct-11 11.50 Insurance Plc, followed with a 18-Dec-09 13.50 turnover of 43.4 million shares 01-Apr-10 17.00 valued at N35.9 million in 208 17-Aug-10 10.00

U

nion Bank of Nigeria Plc 30-Nov-12 18.00 has been awarded the best 09-Apr-11 16.00 09-Sep-11 bank in 18.00 support the Ag09-Sep-11 Credit Guarantee 16.00 ricultural 22-Sep-11 Scheme (ACGSF) for14.00 the eight 18-Oct-13 years by 15.75 consecutive the Cen17-Feb-12 17.00 tral Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

01-Apr-14 16.00 The award, according to a 14-Nov-13 statement from the 15.25 bank, was presented to the lender, which has demonstrated the highest level of support for the scheme.

Similarly, three customers 11-Feb-13 of Union Bank won10.20 the apex bank`s National Awards in three categories : Sion Eco-

nomic Allianz, Asaba won1.93the 0.73 30-Nov-17 Best Arable 09-Apr-18 Farmer; Professor 7.20 1.89 3.27 09-Sep-18 Vincent Iyawe from Benin2.05 won 0.90 award for 09-Sep-18 2.05 the Best Tree Crop 35.00 4.09 award; while22-Sep-18 Arac Group Farm2.70 18-Oct-18 ers` Co-operative, Port 2.16 Har0.41 17-Feb-19 2.49 court won the award in Fishery .

4.50 01-Apr-19 Mr. Emeka Emuwa,3.36the 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.24 Group Managing Director 142.08 of Union Bank received the 144.83 award from President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja. He said: “Union Bank remains 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.48 committed to agriculture fi12.00 nancing to drive growth and 11.30 development in the sector,

Julius Berger gets new MD 07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

J

ulius Berger Nigeria Plc 12-Jul-13 5.13 (Julius Berger) has an12-Jul-13 Mr. Detlev 6.38 nounced Lubasch as its new Managing Director.

He succeeded Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch effective July 1, 2014, according to a statement made available to New Telegraph.

Mr.01-Feb-11 Lubasch has11.50 27 years 19-May-11 7.50 of experience within Julius 08-Nov-13 6.00 Berger in both Nigeria and 25-Jul-12 he has a 7.25 Germany; thorough 09-May-13 of the history 6.88 knowledge and 08-Apr-12 10.25 . Most vision of the company 22-Apr-14 6.25 recently he held a position in 21-May-14 8.75 the Executive Management of 07-Aug-13

8.25

09-Dec-13

6.63

28-Jan-21

and economic 1.88to also facilitate 13.17 109.23 empowerment scale 3.48 14.77for small 102.33 5.20 16.51 102.77 farmers.”

5.06 16.37 according 101.74 to Union Bank 12.65 the1.35statement has been104.17 active104.28 ly 2.29 involved 13.60 in ACGSF since 6.11 17.42 99.23 1977 and to date has disbursed 2.16 13.47 106.65 more than N4.2 billion in loans 102.61 to 2.76 more than14.58 14,700 beneficiaries. This represents 77.62 per cent and 74.65 per cent respectively of the total amount and number of loans granted by 12.31 all1.00 commercial banks94.18 under the scheme as at December 2013.

Prices & Yields

4.71

Julius 500.00

Berger International.

12-Jul-18 3.90 At an event held on August 500.00 5.02of 15, to mark 12-Jul-23 the transition Directors, Mr. Lubasch stated 1,500.00 his dedication to continuing 1,625.82 the success of Julius Berger.

He announced his firm commitment to providing a 450.00 01-Feb-16 3.71 strong continuity in the man500.00 4.69 agement as19-May-16 well as his inter400.00 08-Nov-18 6.15 est in ensuring that company 350.00 25-Jul-17 quality, 7.03revalues, including 300.00 02-May-18 8.75 liability, sustainability and 300.00 08-Apr-19 at the heart 7.80 integrity remain 500.00 22-Apr-19 6.39 of Julius Berger’s corporate 200.00 21-May-19 8.98 culture.

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.26

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.00

4.56

111.20

112.07

During his seven year 3.69 104.38 105.16tenure, Mr. Goetsch, according 109.58 110.39 on to 4.92 the statement, focused strengthening Julius Berger’s organizational structures and developing the Julius Berger Group of companies.

“Mr. Goetsch remains an 2.96 111.45 112.64 integral part of the compa104.61 106.01 ny.3.88 He will join the Executive 5.88 99.45 Management of Julius100.43 Berger 6.41 100.59 102.30 to International and continue 8.16 within94.15 serve the Board95.95 of Di7.11 107.58 Berger 109.28 rectors of Julius Nige99.41 100.66 Diria6.09 Plc, as a Non-Executive 8.73 99.11 100.04 rector,” the statement added.

6.56

103.42

105.92

5.10

104.41

105.89

3,660.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

N118.21 per share.

1.94 13.81 104.86 1.44 12.74 105.16 PeOn the other hand, Seplat 1.95 13.25 105.10 lostroleum Plc led on the price ers’ table, dropping at N15.00 to close at N680.00 per share, while Nestle Nigeria Plc followed with a loss of N4.00 to close at N1, 1.00 11.73 095.00 per share.

Nigeria99.91 Brew5.21 15.76 99.18 eries Plc lost 50 kobo to close at 8.71 19.34 99.06 N179.50 per share.

4.88 15.89 96.05

Union Bank retains ‘CBN best agric bank award’

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

deals.

5.00 31-Dec-20 6.36 4.78The number 31-Dec-20 3.84 of gainers at the 4.79 06-Jan-21 close of trading session on3.88 was 17, while decliners closed at 25.

484.10 Forte Oil led gainers’ table 491.78 with N2.00 to close at N238.00 per share while Guinness Nige11.80 07-Oct-14 ria Plc followed with a gain 0.13 of 88 13.17 18-Dec-14 0.33 kobo to close at N191.00. Wapco 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.36 Plc added 21 kobo to close at 3.61 17-Aug-15 0.75

20-Aug-14

3,761.06

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject **Treasury Bills FIXINGS Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) to the FMDQ OTC PLC TermsMaturity of Use and Disclaimer Statement on Offer www.fmdqotc.com.

DTM Bid Discount (%) Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%)

8 28-Aug-14 10.55 15 4-Sep-14 10.65 11-Sep-14 10.45 FGN Bonds22 29 18-Sep-14 10.55 36 25-Sep-14 10.60 Rating/Agency Issuer Description 43 2-Oct-14 10.65 50 9-Oct-14 10.65 9.25 28-SEP-2014 57 16-Oct-14 10.60 4.00 23-APR-2015 64 23-Oct-14 10.55 13.05 16-AUG-2016 71 30-Oct-14 10.50 15.10 27-APR-2017 78 6-Nov-14 10.00 9.85 27-JUL-2017 85 13-Nov-14 10.60 9.35 31-AUG-2017 92 20-Nov-14 10.00 10.70 30-MAY-2018 99 27-Nov-14 10.75 16.00 29-JUN-2019 106 4-Dec-14 10.15 NA NA 113 11-Dec-14 10.75 7.00 23-OCT-2019 127 25-Dec-14 10.75 16.39 27-JAN-2022 141 8-Jan-15 10.40 14.20 14-MAR-2024 155 22-Jan-15 9.95 15.00 28-NOV-2028 169 5-Feb-15 10.40 12.49 22-MAY-2029 183 19-Feb-15 10.35 8.50 20-NOV-2029 197 5-Mar-15 10.45 10.00 23-JUL-2030 232 9-Apr-15 10.15 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 246 23-Apr-15 10.15 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE7-May-15 260 10.15 351 6-Aug-15 10.25 TOTAL CAPITALISATION *from the MARKET Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration

10.30 10.40 10.20 10.30 10.35 Issue Date 10.40 10.40 28-Sep-07 10.35 23-Apr-10 10.30 16-Aug-13 10.25 27-Apr-12 9.75 27-Jul-07 10.35 31-Aug-07 9.75 30-May-08 10.50 29-Jun-12 9.90 10.50 23-Oct-09 10.50 27-Jan-12 10.15 14-Mar-14 9.70 28-Nov-08 10.15 22-May-09 10.10 20-Nov-09 10.20 23-Jul-10 9.90 18-Jul-14 9.90 9.90 10.00

10.57 10.70 10.52 10.64 10.71 Coupon (%) 10.79 10.81 9.25 10.78 4.00 10.75 13.05 10.72 15.10 10.22 9.85 10.87 9.35 10.26 10.70 11.07 16.00 10.46 11.12 7.00 11.17 16.39 10.84 14.20 10.39 15.00 10.93 12.49 10.92 8.50 11.07 10.00 10.85 12.15 10.90 10.94 11.37

NIBOR

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M Outstanding 3M Value 6M (N'bn)

Rate (%) 14.3333 14.4959 14.7695 Maturity Date 15.3457

100.00 535.00 530.27 452.80 Tenor 20.00 1M 100.00 2M 300.00 3M 351.30 6M 9M 233.90 12M 600.00

28-Sep-14 23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 Rate (%) 27-Jul-17 10.6399 31-Aug-17 10.7509 30-May-18 10.9220 29-Jun-19 10.9258 10.9624 23-Oct-19 11.4363 27-Jan-22

NITTY

281.35 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 NIFEX 200.00 20-Nov-29 Current Price ($/N) 591.57 23-Jul-30 BID($/N) 162.1325 70.00 18-Jul-34 OFFER ($/N) 162.2325

4,591.19

OBB

14.00

Spot O/N 14.38 7D 14DYield REPO Bid Yield (%) Offer TTM (Yrs) Tenor Rate (%) 1M (%) Call 14.00 2M 0.11 10.80 9.42 1M 13.85 3M 0.67 10.98 10.16 3M 14.39 6M 1.99 11.29 11.21 6M 14.95 1Y 2.69 11.30 11.24 2.93 11.31 11.25 NOTE: 3.03 11.31 11.19 3.78 11.30 11.20 :Benchmarks 4.86 Bond 11.29 11.22 * :Amortising µ :Convertible 5.18 Bond 11.41 11.33 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 7.44 Management Corporation 12.02 11.97 FGN: Federal Nigeria 9.57Government of 12.22 12.17 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 14.27 12.42 12.38 IFC: International Finance Corporation 14.75 12.41 12.36 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 15.25 12.39 12.34 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 15.92 12.19 12.14 O/N: Overnight 19.91 12.28 12.24 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Price 162.15 162.05 162.25 162.51 162.51 162.85 Bid Price Offer Price 163.14 163.81 164.25 165.42 99.80 99.95 165.54 167.17 95.56 96.06 169.18 172.78 103.05 103.20 176.96 183.94 108.55 108.70 96.42 96.57 95.08 95.38 98.45 NA :Not98.15 Applicable 117.20 # :Floating Rate Bond 117.50 ***: Deferred 83.08 coupon bonds 83.38 121.05 121.35 †: Bond110.94 rating expired 111.24 116.99 117.29 100.51 100.81 73.58 73.88 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 84.75 85.05 UBA: United Bank for Africa 99.00 99.30

4,671.84

#

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

Tenor

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Agency Bonds AMCON NA

FMBN Modified Duration ***LCRM Buckets

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 Total Outstanding Porfolio Market 0.00/16.50 LCRMValue(Bn) II 20-APR-2017 Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 Weighting by 20-Apr-12Vol Outstanding 06-Jul-12

0.00 978.35 FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX 0.00 24.56 17.25 0.00/16.00 Weighting by Mkt 0.00/16.50 Value 0.00/16.50

3.30 112.22 Bucket116.70 Weighting 66.49

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 % Exposure_ 20-Apr-17 Mod_Duration 06-Jul-17

0.20 0.76 1.37 2.30 Implied Yield 2.67 2.88

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 Implied 1.00Price Portfolio 1.00

11.54 13.64 13.45 13.31 INDEX 12.31 12.31

97.79 90.45 104.88 100.58 YTD Return 99.02 (%) 96.56

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE <3 3<5 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,037.96

983.07

35.02

34.72

1,301.620.35

16.50

11.30

118.5916

1,126.38

12.6379

1,138.02

951.30

33.89

38.07

34.48

11.80

134.7262

1,140.81

14.0810

Sub-National Bonds

813.48

872.92

31.09

27.21

1,275.070.34

0.31

49.02

12.20

102.6364

1,197.34

19.7336

2,989.47

2,807.29

100.00

100.00

1.00

100.00

11.91

119.0979

1,131.30

13.1303

>5

Market

A-/GCR

NIGER

15-Oct-09

14.00

6.00

15-Oct-14

0.15

3.29

13.96

99.90

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

1.03

4.44

15.54

97.19

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

6.08

30-Sep-15

0.63

3.23

14.19

99.63

Nil

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

1.15

4.46

15.59

98.71

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

1.16

3.48

14.61

101.34

14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.66

5.59

16.90

85.63

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.71

1.00

12.25

102.50

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.36

1.79

13.10

102.35

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

37.25

30-Sep-18

2.34

1.80

13.11

101.93

Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY

44

FINANCIAL SERVICES Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

business | CAPITAL MARKET

Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 9 10

Current Price 1.00

Quantity Traded 627,000 627,300

Value Traded 627,000.00 628,545.00

Symbol INFINITY RESORTSAL

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 1.52 0.50

Quantity Traded 468 54,150 54,618

711.36 27,075.00 27,786.36

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 57 26 342 85 17 32 93 652

Current Price 3.25 3.86 14.80 4.25 0.57 30.00 2.15

Quantity Traded 1,430,082 1,945,000 4,884,460 8,007,843 1,504,563 210,705 18,696,506 36,679,159

Value Traded 4,644,318.20 7,488,387.16 72,400,024.89 34,096,466.80 868,245.91 6,332,966.37 40,202,405.13 166,032,814.46

146,094,430

884,719,785.94

Quantity Traded 5 5

Value Traded 17.70 17.70

Sanctity of Truth

Value Traded Thursday, August 21, 2014

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at August 20, 2014 Daily Summary (Bonds)

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 Other Financial Institutions Totals

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 15.10% FGN APR 2017 Federal Totals

Symbol FG9B2017S2

DEBT Board Totals

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 108.69

3

Bond Activity Totals

Quantity Traded 522 522

Value Traded 593,507.20 593,507.20

522

593,507.20

522

3

593,507.20

Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. Activity Summary Board EQTY Healthcare Providerson Totals

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

Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019

Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries Activity Summary on Board EQTY JOHN HOLT PLC.

No. of Deals 26 14 40

Current Price 36.47 36.00

Quantity Traded 99,489 202,287 301,776

Value Traded 3,501,547.24 7,334,955.22 10,836,502.46

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 30 30

Current Price 3.15

Quantity Traded 1,009,951 1,009,951

Value Traded 3,283,069.73 3,283,069.73

1,311,727

14,119,572.19

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. IT Services Totals

70 No. of Deals 20

Current Price 1.13

Quantity Traded 299,208

Value Traded 323,144.64

Symbol TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 232 66 318

Current Price 5.65 60.50

Page Quantity Traded 13,472,292 259,404 14,030,904

1Value of Traded13

318

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 Real Estate Development Totals Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019

14,030,904

91,488,488.47

No. of Deals 29 29

Current Price 1.18

Quantity Traded 1,671,910 1,671,910

Value Traded 1,829,498.55 1,829,498.55

Symbol JBERGER ROADS

No. of Deals 37 2 39

Current Price 65.00 8.46

Quantity Traded 132,656 633 133,289

Value Traded 8,624,375.30 5,621.04 8,629,996.34

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 16.20

Quantity Traded 176,665 176,665

Value Traded 2,863,499.75 2,863,499.75

1,981,864

13,322,994.64

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 10,200

Value Traded 5,100.00

No. of Deals 1

Current Price

Quantity Traded 10,200

Value Traded 5,100.00

88

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals DUNLOP

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

1

Page

Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

75,636,654.24 15,528,689.59 91,488,488.47

Symbol COSTAIN

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

Symbol

2

of

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB PREMBREW

No. of Deals 6 56 26 85 1 174

Current Price 8.31 191.00 26.55 179.00 1.38

Quantity Traded 160,000 170,448 390,990 828,510 50,100 1,600,048

Value Traded 1,264,077.00 32,510,553.33 10,307,857.74 148,169,091.68 69,138.00 192,320,717.75

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

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price 115.00

Quantity Traded 10,727 10,727

Value Traded 1,295,285.25 1,295,285.25

No. of Deals 31 112 90 37 48 (Equities) 6 1 325

Current Price 7.50 8.81 68.11 4.01 9.80 22.10 14.11

Quantity Traded 109,925 5,188,392 473,646 1,475,031 589,217 104,910 100 7,941,221

Value Traded 811,373.90 45,684,757.71 31,647,697.82 5,957,382.94 5,813,013.30 2,208,110.00 1,341.00 92,123,676.67

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 38 38 76

Current Price 66.70 1,095.00

Quantity Traded Page 125,086 55,341 180,427

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 19 8 27

Current Price 4.10 1.25

Quantity Traded 421,998 156,000 577,998

Value Traded 1,729,598.63 185,640.00 1,915,238.63

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 51 34 85

Current Price 36.00 49.00

Quantity Traded 261,700 133,254 394,954

Value Traded 9,293,301.41 6,447,642.82 15,740,944.23

10,715,575

371,068,962.96

Quantity Traded 7,755,179 11,581,115 5,303,226 7,487,320 7,586,740 6,189,709 4,479,950

Value Traded 74,855,511.98 70,998,760.41 89,226,685.61 14,768,678.46 221,343,339.06 18,616,284.87 9,841,631.07

Food Products

Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. UNION DICON SALT PLC. Food Products Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON Daily Summary NNFM UNIONDICON

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONSUMER GOODS Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

701

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 Banking Printed 20/08/2014ACCESS 15:42:19.019 BANK PLC.

DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 STERLING PLC. Activity Summary onBANK Board EQTY

Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019

FINANCIAL SERVICES Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Banking UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Symbol JOHNHOLT

CONGLOMERATES Totals

Daily

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 193 DIAMONDBNK 65 ETI 100 FIDELITYBK 80 Summary (Equities) GUARANTY 240 SKYEBANK 107 STERLNBANK 61

Symbol UBA Daily UBNSummary UNITYBNK

Current Price 7.27 8.26 0.50

Page

Quantity Traded 8,128,227 145,994 754,950

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

GOODS Published INDUSTRIAL

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Building Materials

BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

13

of

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

OIL AND GAS Published byPetroleum The Nigerian Stock Exchange © and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Quantity Traded 5,751,442 1,973,896 413,151 4,500 661,711 3,005,000 1,000 4,046,100 16,916,100 7,262,629 50 375,023 23,500 Page 20,000 50 2,942,645 43,396,797

Value Traded 4,605,994.80 1,933,140.80 218,842.83 2,250.00 330,856.50 1,502,500.00 500.00 10,122,203.00 8,996,052.43 5,864,596.59 25.00 187,511.50 11,750.00 5 of 13 10,000.00 25.00 2,196,532.01 35,982,780.46

Current Price 5.42

Quantity Traded 300

Value Traded 1,545.00

Page Quantity Traded 627,000 627,300

6 of 13 Value Traded 627,000.00 628,545.00

FINANCIAL SERVICES Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

No. of Deals 1

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 9 10

Current Price 1.00

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol INFINITY RESORTSAL

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 1.52 0.50

Quantity Traded 468 54,150 54,618

Value Traded 711.36 27,075.00 27,786.36

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 57 26 342 85 17 32 93 652

Current Price 3.25 3.86 14.80 4.25 0.57 30.00 2.15

Quantity Traded 1,430,082 1,945,000 4,884,460 8,007,843 1,504,563 210,705 18,696,506 36,679,159

Value Traded 4,644,318.20 7,488,387.16 72,400,024.89 34,096,466.80 868,245.91 6,332,966.37 40,202,405.13 166,032,814.46

146,094,430

884,719,785.94

Quantity Traded 5 5

Value Traded 17.70 17.70

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. Healthcare Providers Totals

2,185 Symbol EKOCORP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 3.72

Current Price 13.72

Quantity Traded 11,000 11,000

Value Traded 150,920.00 150,920.00

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 0.50 2.21

Quantity Traded 5,000 88 5,088

Value Traded 2,500.00 184.80 2,684.80

16,088

153,604.80

Quantity Traded 299,144

Value Traded 10,151,200.69

4

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ASHAKACEM

No. of Deals 55

Current Price 33.95

Symbol BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER IPWA PAINTCOM WAPCO

No. of Deals 5 22 34 35 2 3 6 26 188

Current Price 9.25 39.52 15.00 230.00 1.15 0.50 1.60 118.21

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 1.85

Page Quantity Traded 14,569 48,658 787,717 78,362 68,249 20,000 75,150 93,770 1,485,619

of 13 Value Traded 130,273.24 1,912,719.52 11,839,637.90 17,960,650.14 78,473.85 10,000.00 120,237.00 11,073,178.45 53,276,370.79

Quantity Traded 720,812 720,812

Value Traded 1,333,452.20 1,333,452.20

2,206,431

54,609,822.99

198 Symbol JAPAULOIL

8

No. of Deals 45 45

Current Price 0.51

Quantity Traded 3,690,210 3,690,210

Value Traded 1,895,295.70 1,895,295.70

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 26.88

Quantity Traded 4,625,471 4,625,471

Value Traded 124,627,193.20 124,627,193.20

OANDO

316 316

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 51 39 142 39 11 19 301

Current Price 68.45 3.79 238.00 175.00 54.00 182.02

Page Quantity Traded 140,697 1,259,001 646,410 94,213 14,856 17,982 2,173,159

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 34 34

Current Price 680.00

Quantity Traded 97,189 97,189

Value Traded 66,006,860.00 66,006,860.00

10,586,029

382,174,290.68

696

9 Valueof Traded13 10,025,636.70 4,646,223.30 154,310,317.58 16,646,787.84 771,862.80 3,244,113.56 189,644,941.78

Quantity Traded 2,050 2,050

Value Traded 1,025.00 1,025.00

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 27 27

Current Price 0.84

Quantity Traded 803,658 803,658

Value Traded 684,493.36 684,493.36

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 18

Current Price 4.42

Quantity Traded 644,815

Value Traded 2,872,487.06

Symbol TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 1 19

Current Price 1.79

Quantity Traded 25,000 669,815

Value Traded 42,750.00 2,915,237.06

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,935 5,935

Value Traded 2,967.50 2,967.50

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 0.78

Quantity Traded 540,300 540,300

Value Traded 411,164.91 411,164.91

Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol LEARNAFRCA STUDPRESS UPL

No. of Deals 8 1 4 13

Current Price 1.64 2.40 4.50

Quantity Traded 27,850 500 10,000 38,350

Value Traded 43,841.76 1,140.00 42,800.00 87,781.76

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 0.71

Quantity Traded 470,636 470,636

Value Traded 327,412.02 327,412.02

Symbol No. of Deals AIRSERVICE 6 Daily Summary (Equities) NAHCO 31 37

Current Price 2.16 5.00

Quantity Traded 154,600 1,000,591 1,155,191

Value Traded 330,631.60 5,038,039.00 5,368,670.60

Current Price 5.59

Quantity Traded 254,025 254,025

SERVICES Courier/Freight/Delivery TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Current Price 0.80 1.00 0.55 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.50 0.53 0.80 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.75

3,643,698.16

No. of Deals 2 2

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO 33 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE 15 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST 9 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC HMARKINS 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS 9 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LAWUNION 2 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC LINKASSURE 1 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD 10 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT 18 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM 27 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS 1 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE 4 Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC REGALINS 1 Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC SOVRENINS 1 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNITYKAP 1 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC WAPIC 75 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals 208 Daily Summary (Equities)

1,229,719

Current Price 0.50

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Value Traded 940,674.14 120,792,117.91 682,047,859.66

Value Traded of 13 518,838.26 1,115,469.50 1,061,855.97 883,144.69 59,278.04 5,094.00 3,643,680.46

No. of Deals 3 3

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC

13

7

Symbol AFROMEDIA

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

Quantity Traded 989,719 4,934,427 65,336,556

Symbol FORTISMFB

Quantity Traded Page 250,771 356,865 16,822 551,299 51,907 2,050 1,229,714

Symbol NCR

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Advertising Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 AFROMEDIA PLC Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019 Advertising Totals

Current Price 2.06 3.18 63.50 1.60 1.17 2.38

73

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Current Price 0.95 24.50

Micro-Finance Banks

No. of Deals 8 18 9 18 16 3 72

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Value Traded of 13 7,970,558.15 59,697,442.28 67,668,000.43

4

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

OIL AND GAS Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 Energy Equipment and Services Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019 JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC

3

Value Traded 59,084,635.40 1,202,065.75 377,475.00

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019 Processing Systems Totals

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

Current Price 3.72

1 1

ICT Totals

No. of Deals 23 215 1,312

Activity Summary on Board EQTY FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

Symbol WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 174 (Equities) 42 12

Current Price 9.74 6.15 16.80 1.97 29.50 3.01 2.22

EKOCORP

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange EVANS MEDICAL PLC. ©

Daily Summary (Equities)

CONGLOMERATES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Diversified Industries TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

AGRICULTURE Totals

2,185

Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 Road Transportation Totals Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

PublishedSERVICES

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 13 13

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

10

11

of

of

Value Traded 1,423,335.50 1,423,335.50

143

3,939,960

11,222,087.71

4,476

192,112,727

1,826,523,308.54

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 2,680.00 2,680.00

13

13

Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 1 1

CONSUMER GOODS Totals Daily Summary as of 20/08/2014 Printed 20/08/2014 15:42:19.019

ASeM Board Totals

Equity Activity Totals

Exchange Traded Fund

Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Published VETIVA

by The Nigerian Exchange © GRIFFINStock 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

Current Price 1.41

1

2,000

2,680.00

1

2,000

2,680.00

4,477

192,114,727

1,826,525,988.54

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 2,035.00 18.99

Quantity Traded 11 Page 11,000 11,011

Value Traded 22,385.00 12 208,860.00 of 13 231,245.00

ETF Board Totals

3

11,011

231,245.00

ETP Activity Totals

3

11,011

231,245.00

NEWS 45

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

APC: Ondo govt is starving LGs of funds HOLIDAYS

APC chieftain Kekemeke thinks there is no government in Ondo, but taxation is in place Babatope Okeowo AKURE

T

he All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State yesterday accused the state government of underfunding the 18 local governments in the state just as it slammed the government for not conducting elections into various offices at the third tier of

government.

The Chairman of the state chapter of the APC, Mr. Duerimini Isaacs Kekemeke who briefed reporters on the affairs in the State said the government has gone to bed since the second term election of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Also, Kekemeke said the government should disclose the transaction between it and the company that got the bid to construct an international shopping mall and the five star hotel for it on Owena Motel ground at Alagbaka in Akure, the state capital.

Flanked by the Secretary and Publicity Secretary of the party, Kekeme-

ke said the action of the government has crippled financial activities of the residents of the state.

Kekemeke said: "Ondo State Government is now on vacation. Government owes it a duty to function both at state and local government levels. I appeal to government to release funds to Ministeries, Departments and Parastatals."

On the demolition of Owena motels and the desire to start Shoprite and a five star hotel, the APC helmsman said: "We are not against investment but the government should be open about the transaction. Has Owena land been sold or is it Public Private Partner-

ship? Or what is in the business for Ondo people?

"This is a legacy that Ondo people have been emotionally attached.

Would it be another dome project? We are afraid that someone will pull down what we have and leave us with uncompleted project again.”

Kekemeke also faulted the tax regime of the government, saying it is killing business and discouraging new ones from coming to the state.

His words: "We think there is too much of taxes contributing to the poverty in the state. It is increasing unemployment and unemployment leads to insecurity."

Uduaghan pledges sustainable development to Deltans Gabriel Choba UGHELLI

elta State Governor EmDrestated manuel Uduaghan has his administra-

tion’s commitment to the development of the abundant human resources in the state in order to create sustainable development.

Uduaghan spoke through his deputy, Prof.

Amos Utuama, SAN, while playing host to the President and members of the Nigeria Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), who paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor.

The conference has as its theme: “Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics (STEM) Education and Creativity”.

The governor described the theme as most apt considering the fact that education that will enable the graduate create something for him or herself and be employer of labour is most needed.

“We are happy as a state that you are embracing the idea of Delta Beyond Oil by exploring in your theme, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education and Creativity.

Delta State is taking the lead in this area. There is transformation of both the school environment and the curriculum that we now teach at the primary and secondary levels."

Shell commits $3m to welding engineering Chris Ejim YENAGOA

s part of its commitAment ment to the developof local capacity in

L-R: Director of Publications, Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr. Samuel Iyoyo; Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Cordelia Peterside and Director, Public Enlightenment, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim, at a Media Sensitisation Campaign Programmes on Ebola in Port Harcourt …yesterday.

NEMA blames humanitarian crisis on Boko Haram

Ibrahim Abdul YOLA

A

ttacks since the beginning of 2014 by Boko Haram in over 40 villages in Northeastern Nigeria have continued to cause humanitarian crisis with over 400,000 displaced people within the past seven months, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have said.

Boko Haram attacks have increased during the first two months of 2014, with almost daily killings, bombings, thefts, and the destruction of schools, homes, and businesses in northeastern Nigerian villages.

People forced to flee their homes are dispersed throughout Nigeria and in neighboring countries, where they face serious problems in accessing food, water, shelter, and other basic rights.

The North East Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Mohammad Kanar in an interview shortly after

his official visit to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps on Tuesday said the displaced persons were drawn from Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, which are presently under state of emergency.

“The horrific attacks

by Boko Haram are having a devastating impact on northern Nigerians,” he said, adding that “hundreds of thousands have fled to other parts of Nigeria and neighboring countries, and their rights should be protected.”

Nearly 300,000 people in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states – 70 percent of them women and children – have fled their homes since early 2013, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA).

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) puts the figure of internally displaced people in Nigeria at more than 470,000. Most are staying with families in other parts of Nigeria, and an-

other 60,000 or so have sought refuge in neighboring Cameroon, Chad, and Niger since May 2013, according to UNHCR. The attacks since early 2014 have been particularly vicious, targeting remote villages, markets, hospitals, and schools.

Kanar said prior to recent attacks in Gwoza in Southern Borno and Doron-Baga in Kukawa LGA in the northern part of the state, the number of the displaced persons stood at 360,462,however according to him there were escalations of attacks as the figure kept rising.

“The escalation of attacks has kept the figure rising to over 400,000 IDPs. Initially, Borno State alone had 183,031 IDPs, Adamawa and Yobe were recording 147,198 and 30,233 respectively from January till the end of last month.

“However, the number of the IDPs increased to over 400,000 in August.

And because of the magnitude of cases in areas affected by the insurgency and the number of IDPs,

NEMA has trained volunteers and the Emergency Management Vanguard who work with the Red Cross to set up camps and to register internally displaced persons.

“Those recently displaced as a result of the capture of Gwoza by the insurgents are now in Madagali in Adamawa State and Uba in Borno State. That’s why we are here in Adamawa to provide relief materials to over 30,000 persons now accommodated in various facilities.

“Those displaced by the recent insurgency attack on Doron-Baga are accommodated at Central Primary School, Baga.

We have also delivered relief items provided by the Dangote Foundation and the Presidential Committee on Disaster to various facilities at NYSC Borno orientation camp, EYN Church in Maiduguri, Gidan Kaji, Pompomari and Gwange where 200 Nigerian refugees from Central African Republic are accommodated”, he said.

welding engineering in Nigeria, the nation's largest offshore oil producing company, the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) has committed about three million dollars to the completion of the National Centre Excellence for Welding Engineering and Technology located in Benin, the Edo state capital.

The centre which is expected to be the largest and best equipped in Africa will play host to a number of facilities including welding laboratories for mechanical, corrosion and chemical test, under water welding and diving operations, Non-Destructive

and Destructive Testing laboratories and research facilities that will allow the academia, the industry and researchers to work in a conducive environment.

The president of the Nigerian Institute of Welding (NIW) and the West African Welding Federation (WAWF), Dr. Solomon Iyobosa Edebiri made this known while chatting with newsmen on plans towards the commissioning of the multibillion naira facility by the end of the year.

According to him, SNEPCO had not only taken over the completion of the welding laboratory, the company has also ordered and delivered all necessary equipment even as it has, in addition, provided two giant power generating plants to the complex so that operation can begin immediately.

Otubu proffers solution to insecurity rofessor of Medicine PJoseph and Christian elder, Otubu, has called

on Nigerians, Christians and Muslims, to turn unto God for immediate solutions to Boko Haram and other teething problems through fervent, genuine prayers and supplications.

“Our weapon of warfare is spiritual and not canal,” he stated.

Delivering a sermon at the 50th anniversary celebrations of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, Ajah Area of Lagos, Otubu said Nigerians need to pray that God should touch the hearts of Boko Haram sect members to stop killing innocent people and destroying their properties because it is God that created them.

The title of the sermon is: Prayer is the key (Adura ni kokoro) and the audience included Pastor

Ayo Oritsejafor, National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), represented by Rev. Femi Asaju, APC governorship aspirant for Lagos State, Dr. Leke Pitan, President of the Apostolic Church, Pastor G. Olutola, Superior Evangelist Olajide, representing the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Headquarters, Special Apostle and Special Mother-In-Israel, A.O. Odutayo; Prophet (Dr) G.O. Fakeye, General Leader C & S Movement, Surulere and National President OAIC, and Archbishop George Amu, Lagos State CAN secretary.

Otubu traced the foundation of Aladura Churches to the founder’s belief in efficacy of prayers and also gave conditions through which prayers could be answered by God, using Philippians 4:6 in the Bible as his guide.

46 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Lawmakers move to impeach Lagos council boss embers of the M legislative arm of the Ikosi/Isheri Local

L-R: Director-General/CEO, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Ngeri Benebo; Director, Planning and Policy Analysis, Dr. Lawrence Anukam and Director, Administration and Finance, Mr. Timonthy Okeowo, during an induction workshop for Accredited Environmental Consultants, in Abuja …yesterday PHOTO:ELIJAHOLALUYI

‘Why El-Rufai should not be made Kaduna governor’ Ibraheem Musa

Kaduna

A

former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, Alhaji Audi Yaro Makama Rigachukun, yesterday gave reasons why the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, should not be allowed to govern Kaduna State.

He said El-Rufai did not have a PDP membership card when he was nominated as minister, but that an emergency card was procured for him before

22.69%

he was screened by the senate.

Rigachukun, who was chairman of the PDP from 1999 to 2011, revealed this in Kafanchan, after the inauguration of the Hon. Isa Ashiru Campaign Coordinators for the southern zone of the state yesterday.

According to Rigachukun, he was the one that directed Unguwar Sarki Ward to issue El-Rufai a PDP card few days to the screening exercise. “However, when he became minister, El-Rufai turned his back on the party and throughout his stay, PDP never benefitted from

The percentage drop of air travel passengers of Katsina airport (2012-2013) Source: National Bureau of Statistics

him,” he added.

The former chairman, who defected to APC last December, warned the gathering to beware of the likes of El-Rufai, who he said may be seeking their votes to become the governor of Kaduna State soon.

He said no person from Kaduna State has ever benefitted from the former minister, adding that the people should only vote for a true politician and not just anybody.

The former PDP chairman also said that voting Vice-President Nmadi Sambo as governor in 2007, was a mistake, because he

160,000

The total number of internet users in Barbados in 2005.

Source: Blatantworld.com

was not a true politician, but someone who was just imposed on the state.

Extolling Ashiru’s virtues, Rigachukun said the gubernatorial aspirant has been helping in not only building Kaduna State, but has been building individuals as well.

He said that the legislator will make a good governor.

Rigachukun warned PDP against rigging the coming election, because that is its stock in trade.

“We were winning election while I was in PDP; we just sat down and wrote results,” he confessed.

28

The number of attacking shots blocked from Brazil at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State have moved to impeach the council’s Chairman, Abdulfatai Ayodele Oyesanya, for what it described as gross misconduct and financial recklessness.

Leader of the House, Mr. Owolabi Taiwo, who addressed newsmen yesterday shortly after a short meeting of the seven councilors at the council legislative chambers, said the process of impeaching the chairman was carried out in a peaceful and legal manner.

“We have followed due

Ex-militants disown leader CHRIS EJIM

Yenagoa

x-militant leaders under ELeadership the auspices of the for Peace and

Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI) yesterday disowned a former member of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Eris Paul, known as General Ogunboss, over his alleged derogatory comments against Gover nor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.

According to the group, though the claims by the former MEND leader on the alleged attempts on his life, allegedly sponsored by officials of the state government, are not known to them, the group

Agip, Nembe leaders summoned over threat to blow up Obama flow station A

Ughelli

YENAGOA

T

he police yesterday summoned officials of the Italian oil giant, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and representatives of six communities in Nembe Kingdom in Nembe Local Government area of Bayelsa State over alleged plot by some youths to blow pipelines belonging to the Obama Flow Stations.

The meeting, security sources confirmed, was fixed for August 21, 2014 and was summoned over the petition by the representatives of the aggrieved communities of Obama, Olugbobiri and Ogboinbiri, over the alleged refusal of Agip Oil Company to honour a con-

tractual agreement reached on pipeline surveillance and anti-illegal bunkering work on pipelines belonging to the Obama Flow Station and Tebidaba Flow Station.

New Telegraph gathered that the agreement, which was reached on May 24 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and signed between the representatives of the aggrieved communities, Hon. Nyenye Kuro Mathias, David Lyon, Tonye Kiri and Doogood and the representatives of Agip, Fotana Salvado (CRV Manager) and Giovani Azzarulu (Transport Manager).

While it was gathered that the refusal of Agip Oil Company to honour the agreement was allegedly

due to unbearable influence of the Deputy Governor, Admiral John Jonah, due to his interest in pushing the job for the Nembe Local Government Council led by Eminah Benneth, to handle through a yet to be established task force on illegal bunkering.

The aggrieved youths claimed that the alleged hijack by the deputy governor may be politically motivated against perceived opposition in the representative of Obama Flow Station; Hon. Nyenye Kuro Mathias. This, may lead to violent attack on the Obama Flow Station that had never been attacked in the last 35 years of its existence.

However, the aggrieved

youths, in the petition filed before the AIG, Zone 5, Benin City in Edo State, counsel to the representative of the community, claimed the default by Agip on the contractual obligation to pay youths used for the job in the last three months may lead to violent consequences. “The fraudulent act by Agip may result into destruction of lives and property.”

According to the petition, “It was agreed that the representatives of the communities should mobilise youths and oversee pipelines of flow stations in the area, including the Obama Flow Station with all reports sent to Agip for verification.

will ensure a process of peaceful settlement of the raging war of words between another ex-militant leader, Eris Paul and Governor Seriake Dickson, over alleged threat of assassination and disloyalty to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The ex-militant leaders led by the National Coordinator of the LPCDI, Reuben Wilson, though dissociated themselves from the claims of Eris Paul, over the alleged payment of N.3 million by ex-militant leaders to hire the state-owned Ijaw House.

Their decision to initiate peaceful resolution of the crisis is to stop any act capable of derailing the re-election project of President Jonathan.

Delta AGN solicits government's support Gabriel Choba

Chris Ejim

process and made sure we did not take laws into our hands. Rather, we performed and carried out our legislative functions in line with the laws governing our functions, and in a civil manner,” he said.

Taiwo said the council boss was removed on a four-count charge of misappropriation of funds, breach of public peace, embezzlement and maladministration.

The motion for his impeachment was moved yesterday by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Akinyemi Olaniyi; seconded by Hon. Victor Ajayi Bembe, and supported by all the members.

s part of its commitment to complement government’s effort in the area of job creation and in supporting the state government's policy of 'Delta beyond oil' initiative, the Delta State chapter of the Actors' Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has called on the state government and other cooperate bodies to invest in the entertainment industry.

This call was made by the Warri Zonal Coordinator of AGN, Mrs. Stella Umenu, while presenting an address during the unveiling and premiering of her new movie, 'Twists and turns.'

She said: “The body is seriously in need of a permanent secretariat, a location bus as well as funds to execute some

other projects like talent hunt, reality shows and others. But, the government alone cannot do it all, so we also want wellto-do individual as well as corporate bodies to come and partner with us, as this sector also generates a lot of money like the oil sector, banking and others.”

Earlier, Chairman, Film and Broadcast Academy (FABA), Chief Akpeni, in a chat with newsmen said the social life in Warri is low compared to other states, noting that there is more the government can do to encourage culture and tourism.

“While the commissioner of culture and tourism was absent at the event, he should have sent a representative, because this is the first of its kind, so it should be encouraged and publicized,” he said.

47

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Anambra: Navy beefs up security along River Niger Onah O. Onah

he Commanding Officer, Anambra Naval Outpost in Onitsha, Navy Captain M. G. Omen, has called for a 24-hour patrol exercise along the River Niger, from the boundary between Anambra and Kogi States and that of Anambra and Rivers State boundary in Port Harcourt.

Omen, who disclosed this to New Telegraph in his office at Odoekpe, Ogbaru Local Government in Anambra State, said dredging of sand by commercial dredgers beyond eight o’clock in the evening has also been banned forthwith.

He said the new offensive was in compliance

T

Chairman, Yoruba Obas Conflicts Resolution Committee/Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan (left) and Secretary/Sabiganna of Iganna, Oba Soliu Oyemola Azeez, at the meeting of the group to appraise the outcome of the National Conference in Ibadan

5%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Cameroon in 2011.

Source: Itu.int

65%

The percentage of hydropower generation potential in Europe estimated to have already been developed.

Source: Unesco.org

2,063

The total number of air travel passengers of Makurdi airport in 2012.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

States are struggling to survive financially, says Aliyu Dan Atori

MINNA

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iger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday said governments across the country are now struggling to survive financially as a result of low returns from the Federation Account.

Governor Aliyu, who is also the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) said for several months now, allocation to states has been on the downward trend, which hampered developmental strides of the states.

Aliyu spoke in Minna, the Niger State capital,

after inaugurating the Board of the Niger State Transport Authority, which has former Secretary to the Niger State Government, Comrade Mohammed Adams Erena, as chairman and the Local Government Service Commission with a retired Permanent Secretary, Mr. Peterson Kaura, as the chairman.

The governor specifically said that in the last allocation, the state lost well over N100 million, a trend he said has been on since the last part of 2013.

Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, while speaking at the FAAC meeting for July, blamed the decline

2015: PFN leader tasks Nigerians Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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resident of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Reverend (Dr.) Felix Omobude, yesterday urged Nigerians to be patient with the Federal Government, the military and other security operatives in the efforts to tackle insurgency in the country.

He said it requires the support and collaboration of all citizens irrespective of religion, ethnicity and political leanings to contain the violent activities of members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect so that

the nation and its people can continue to savour the pride, peace, unity and progress that bind the citizens together.

Omobude stated this while answering questions from selected media practitioners in Benin Edo state capital.

He said: “Within the limits of what is available, maybe the military and the Federal Government are doing enough to contain the insurgency, but I believe they can do more. You probably must know that a lot of our forces have paid the supreme price in trying to defend us.

in the amount accruing to the states from the federation account on bunkering and vandalisation of oil pipelines in some parts of the country.

Aliyu while emphasising the need for governments to look inwards for more revenue, said as a result of the low income from the federation account, some states have not been able to pay salaries to their workers for upwards of 20 months, adding that his administration has remained committed to the payment of salaries and allowances to all category of workers.

He said: “We are now left to think about how to

fund development projectswe have promised our people because of the shortfall in the money received from the federation account.

“I have decided to dissolve the former Local Government Service Commission because of in-fighting among the members. I hope the new board will correct the situation and move the commission forward.

“It is a very important commission that has to do with the promotion and training of officers.

The government has been giving money regularly to the organisation for it to perform its functions,” he said.

Leprosy: FG fails to fulfil 30% pledge in 21 years Dan Atori

MINNA

Federal Government Tnothehasfulfilling been criticised for the 30 per

cent agreement it signed on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Leprosy Mission, Nigeria (TLM) for the total eradication of leprosy in the country in the last 21 years.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently revealed in its report that in 2012, Nigeria has over 3, 805 cases

of persons affected by leprosy.

Speaking during his presentation at a training workshop for Media Practitioners on Reducing Leprosy Related Stigma and Discrimination, organised by the Leprosy Mission, Nigeria, in Minna, the Operation Manager, TLM, Mr. Pius Ogbu Sunday, said the organisation has signed a new MoU with the Federal Government for a period of five years and it is yet to do anything.

with the Anambra State government determination to rid the state off kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminals, who hitherto have been terrorising the state.

It is a total compliance by the combined team of navy, soldiers, police, SSS and vigilante groups. “I want to tell you that as I am speaking with you, my men are on aggressive patrol on the River, because we want to completely checkmate the importation of arms through the River as well as other criminal activities.

“The government has also been a wonderful companion and that has helped the combined task force to control crime in the state.

Atilade takes over as 15th Lagos Chief Judge Foluso Ogunmodede and Appolos Christian

ustice Funmilayo Olajumoke Atilade was yesterday sworn in as the 15th Chief Judge of Lagos State.

Atilade, who was elevated to the Bench of the Lagos State Judiciary in 1996, became the fifth female chief judge.

She took over from her immediate senior sister, Justice Ayotunde Philips, who retired last month as the 14th chief judge of Lagos State, having attained the statutory age of 65.

At a ceremony held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, was attended by major stakeholders in the nation’s justice system.

She was applauded

by Governor Babatunde

J

Fashola, who described her as the beacon of hope for the judiciary, saying her new status was a fulfilment of the constitutional rights to ensure total obedience to law and order.

Besides, Fashola said he would ensure that his administration continues to recognise women as it was evident that “women of Lagos have taken over control of the Lagos judiciary.”

He tasked the newly sworn-in Chief Judge to follow the admirable footsteps of her predecessor and elder sister, Justice Philips, as the former Chief Judge, kept her words ‘because she dutifully reformed the Lagos State judiciary as she promised during her swearing-in and she did it without compromising the judiciary at all.”

PDP, APC differ on police ban in Kwara Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State yesterday expressed divergent views on the decision of the state police command to suspend public procession, rallies and political meetings.

Spokesman for the command, Mr. Ajayi Okansami, had in a statement on Tuesday, announced the ban, saying it was with immediate effect. The statement had been issued to warn politicians to steer clear of centres where fresh voters’ registration is expected to take place across the state.

While the APC condemned the decision,

calling it an affront to democracy and the Nigerian Constitution, the PDP said condemning the suspension was evident that the APC is unruly and deviant.

The APC in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, said “the ban is not only illegal and unwarranted; it is also null and void in the face of the Nigerian constitution.”

Part of the statement, which the PDP through its Publicity Secretary, Chief Rex Olawoye, has dismissed reads: “The Police Command lacks such powers to ban rallies, procession and political meetings in Kwara State, only the Governor of Kwara State, who doubles as the Chief Security Officer of the state, has such constitutional powers.

48 NEWS Dominic Adewole ASABA

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political group, the ‘Save Sapele Group,’ is poised for war with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) over what it called total black out in Sapele, headquarters of Sapele Local Government Area of the state, in the last one year.

Also, kinsmen of the former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government, have accused the company of defrauding them of millions of naira in the last six months.

A prominent leader in Oghara Kingdom, Chief

74.25%

Sanctity of Truth

Outage: Ibori’s kinsmen, Benin Disco on warpath Femi Akbokoko, during the second anniversary of the coronation of the Ovie of Oghara, wondered why the company kept billing residents of the kingdom over N10, 000 without rendering any service.

While Akbokoko called for a probe of the distribution company, he said “millions of naira has been collected from Oghara community without anything to show for it in the last six months.”

Leader of the protest-

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Australia in 2009.

Source: Itu.int

ing group, Comrade Omasan Mabiaku, however, slammed a 14-day ultimatum on the company to restore the outage or risk a showdown.

Mabiaku, who spoke during a protest march against the company in Sapele, accused the company of demanding cash before installing any damaged property of the company. He called on President Goodluck Jonathan, and his Minister of Power, to urgently intervene.

He said: “We want to

26,000

The number of people in refugee-like situation in Western Sahara at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

put it on record that Mr. President has good intention for Nigerians, particularly Sapele people, that was why he decided to privatise the former Power Holding Company (PHCN), placing it in hands of to competent hands, which we believe, have failed him.”

He decried the recent N4 million allegedly demanded by the company to restore light to Sapele after the community contributed money to buy the damaged kits.

23.8%

The percentage of urban population of Afghanistan in 2012.

Source: Un.org

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Jega, Omeri, others lead discussions at SONTA annual confab Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

one of the stakeholdAitssersvoice desirous of lending towards making

2015 general elections credible and rancour free, the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA) has extended invitation to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attairu Jega; Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Emeka Mba, and the Director-General, National Orientation Agency; Dr. Mike Omeri, to discuss “the Role of Theatre and ICT in Democratic Practice and Election/Information Engineering in Nigeria.”

SONTA, the umbrella body for theatre artists in Nigeria, chose the conference theme as one of the significant items for its 2014 annual conference.

Slated to hold on August 27, 2014, at the Creative Department of the University of Lagos, other eminent personalities invited as lead discussants include, Prof.

Emmanuel Dandaura; Prof. Emma Emeaselu and Prof. Tracie UtohEzeaju, while the Executive Secretary, NICO, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, will moderate the discussion.

The conference will explore the concept of creativity and its place in theatre, film, the media, tourism, culture and other performance arts (drama, music, dance, chant, song, performance poetry, etc.), first in relation to our democratic development and the contentious issues of authenticity in artistic creation and creativity in allied arts.

A statement made available by SONTA President, Prof. Sunnie E. Ododo, said SONTA members, as part of its key activities for 2014 conference, will pay a courtesy call on the ViceChancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahmon Ade Bello, who will declare open the conference.

Other activities lined up for August 28 include the presentation of over 70 papers, including an award/dinner session.

Some distinguished theatre practitioners to be conferred with SONTA excellence leadership award include, Prince Ifeanyi A. Eke, Prof. Duro Oni, among others.

“This year’s conference is to commemorate and honour departed colleagues and SONTA from ABU Zaria", SONTA President, Prof. Sonnie Ododa, said in a statement.

NCA tasks members on better performance Shadrack Yusuf embers of the NigeriM an Cartography Association (NCA) have been L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher; Etisalat customer, Tochukwu Ironkwe and Country Manager, Malaria No More, Dayo Oluwole, at the Etisalat donation of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), to mark the World Mosquito Day in Lagos…yesterday

Jang assures people of hitch-free elections in 2015 FAIR PLAY

Plateau governor believes all will be well when his people go to choose new leaders next year Musa Pam JOS

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lateau State Governor, David Jang, has assured citizens of the state of hitch free elections in 2015.

Jang gave the assurance at a civic reception organised in honour of Gombe State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Istifanus Ishaku Dafwang, held at the Hill Station Hotel, Jos. According to Jang, his administration has been in the fore-front of providing a level playing ground for the conduct of elections as attested to during the last local government elections.

Governor Jang, who

was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Nanle Dashe, said the resident commissioner has carried out his assignment with sincerity, urging him to continue to do a good job, especially now that the general elections are around the corner.

Jang commended the organisers of the event for standing by his administration, saying he will continue to involve all people in governance.

Plateau State Resident

Independent National Electoral Commissioner, Habu Zarma, on his part, described Dafwang as a God-fearing man, who stood for the truth during the 2011 general elections.

Dafwang thanked Governor Jang and appreciated his people for celebrating him and also giving him the opportunity to serve as the resident commissioner.

He, however, promised to serve the country with the fear of God.

urged to aspire to reach the peak of their profession in order to compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world.

This was made known yesterday by Prof. J. Akinyede, during the 35th national conference of the association, held in Abraka, Delta State.

He said: “Eulogising the effort of the leadership and having cartographers under same umbrella would enhance the promotion of the members.” He, however, advocated a synergy between cartographers and other professionals in both government and corporate bodies.

In his keynote address, Prof. Isaac B. Osazuwa, called for coopera-

tion of the members, he said: “Let there be cooperation among members, so that together, they can see how the association could move forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, former President of the association, Prof. W. D. C. Wokoma, in his speech, called for transparency in all spheres of endeavour to avoid misinterpretation of actions that can jeopardise the progress of the association.

He also admonished the members to work assiduously so that the association could have more members, when next they stage their national conference in Port Harcourt in 2015.

Election was conducted and new members were elected as National Executives for the 2015/2016 administrative year.

Group offers free medical care for journalists in Adamawa Ibrahim Abdul YOLA

Yola-based private AGlobal health organisation, Health Care, has commenced free medical care for media practitioners and other less privileged people with eye

defects in Adamawa State, just as the group has widened its scope in other communities in the area.

Speaking on the exercise in Yola, a member of the team, Dr. Muazu Abubakar, said the gesture was in appreciation of the role of the media and part

of the organisation’s effort in assisting the society.

Abubakar said the organisation has been engaged in such humanitarian assistance in the state.

“We do render such services to the needy and sometimes some philanthropists do sponsor the

organisation to attend to patients in their communities,” Muazu said.

He used the opportunity to call on politicians to patronise the organisation by sponsoring treatment for victims in their constituency.

Speaking at the occa-

sion, Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, Umar Dankano, lauded the organisation for the gesture and urged journalists to avail themselves of the opportunity to check their eyes.

He prevailed on the need for other nongov-

ernmental organisations to emulate Global Health Care by assisting humanity, “gone are the days, when government will provide all human needs; others have to play their roles in assisting the common man through community projects."

NEWS 49

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Boko Haram: We are under siege, says Ndume Ibrahim Abdul

Yola

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wo weeks after insurgents took over Gwoza, the senator representing Southern Borno, Muhammad Ali Ndume has said his constituents were under the siege.

Ndume made the statement during a sympathy visit to some Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) camps in Adamawa and Gombe states alongside Governor Kashim Shetima.

Ndume, who represents that part of Borno in the senate, said that already, over six wards of Gwoza local government have been taken over by insurgents, who also mount their flags in those areas.

“We are under siege in Gwoza. It is sad that we have to wait till now that people are being killed for government to take action. We know that for long, the road to Gwoza from Maiduguri had been a no-go area even for the soldiers.

“It is a known fact that soldiers of the Nigerian army have been overstretched in both human and material capacity.

The federal government has to rise to the occasion to give these soldiers the needed support to work.

Two major federal government bridges leading to Gwoza have been bombed and no one seemed concerned about this,” Ndume who is a native of Gwoza stated.

The senator lamented the unabated killing of innocent people by the

insurgents, saying his people have been at the receiving end of insurgents’ onslaught.

He said he and other like minds are doing their best to ensure that the insurgency is nipped in the bud, adding that the war against insurgency must be won.

"Our hope is not lost because we kept praying that the insurgency will soon come to an end.

This is not the first time in history of the nation that the insurgency attack is happening. It had

happened before, only that the way Nigeria is handling it is quite different”, he said.

"We are in Madagali, Gulak, Mubi and other villages in the borders of Borno and Adamawa to sympathise, console with our People over the loss of their beloved ones and properties. Today we will be visiting Biu and Gombe to meet with the other displaced persons there", he stated.

Ndume attributed the persistence insurgent’s attacks to the way gov-

ernment is handling the issue.

He said: “We have learnt from our mistakes of handling the insurgency problem. If right thing is done, it would not have happened in the first place. Now that it has happened there is no point apportioning blame on any person or group, but this is the time to look for solution.

Ndume explained that Gwoza with a population of over 50,000 people has become a ghost town.

Bisong: PDP has 50-year pact with Nigerians Clement James

Calabar

he Cross River State PubTParty licity Secretary of the , Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP), Mr. Joe Obi Bisong has reechoed the sentiment that the party would rule Nigeria for fifty years. This was his position in an interview with New Telegraph in Calabar on Wednesday.

He argued that the ruling party has kept its side of the pact it has with Nigerians by providing good leadership which has led to the rapid development of the country.

His words: “PDP is the only party that Nigerians know and are willing to stay with for another fifty years. There is no party that has achieved so much in the country and that is why Nigerians will continue to vote for the party.”

According to him, INEC never registers any party as an opposition party and therefore, any party that claims to be in the opposi-

tion cannot be taken seriously.

“INEC registered all the political parties to canvass for votes from Nigerians and any party that has the highest number of votes is given the mandate to lead the country. Any party claiming to be in opposition is deceiving itself because there is no such thing as opposition party,” he argued.

Bisong noted that most political parties are only waiting to go to the tribunal, explaining that PDP “is the only party that goes to the grassroots and mobilizes Nigerians.”

“Look at the situation in Cross River State for instance. Our party has, as a matter of directives, asked our members not to put up bill boards and posters.

Does that affect other parties? Have you seen other parties in the state circulating their posters? The moment PDP starts putting up its bill boards, you will see all those other parties scrambling for space on the streets,” he said.

...C’River changes leadership Clement James

Calabar

n a bid to have a firm grip Iery of the party’s machin, the leadership of the

Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has changed entire eighteen Local Government Caucus Chairmen.

The party released a list of the new caucus leaders late Tuesday claiming it is meant to strengthen the party and broaden participation.

Confirming the changes, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Joe Bisong said the changes were not meant to exclude anybody during the party’s primary election as being alleged.

He noted that other structures of the party remain in place and the Local Government Caucuses were considered as being in need of

strengthening before the decision was taken.

“The appointment of caucus leaders is meant to strengthen the party at the grassroots. It has nothing to do with attempting to exclude any governorship aspirant because the structures of the party remain. It was only considered that strengthening the party at the level will help to reposition it for the future,” Bisong explained.

By these changes, Chief Gershom Bassey is now heading Calabar South Local Government Area caucus while Imoke’s Chief of Staff, Chief Alex Egbonna now heads the Abi caucus of the party.

Prof. Evara Esu is the caucus leader of Biase Local Government just as the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Peter Ojie heads the Ogoja caucus.

L-R: Minister of Land and Housing, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi; Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke; Minister of State for Power, Alhaji Wakil Muhammed and Minister of Transport, Senator Umar Idris, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

1,000 APC, APGA, PPA Customs blames dwindling members defect to PDP revenue on insurgency Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

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bout 1000 members of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and All Progressives Congress (APC) have dumped their parties for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Amasa Ward in Isala Ngwa North Local Government of Abia state.

The defectors said the decision to join the PDP was informed by the fact that the party has demonstrated ability to provide good leadership and democracy dividends for the people at the grass root.

Former PPA Abia Central zonal chairman, Hon Emeka Ogbonna who spoke on behalf of the others said they decided to decamp en masse and join PDP because of the exemplary political leadership of the ward by the commissioner for Youth Development Elder Uzoma Onwuka who he said has brought government presence for the first time to the area.

According to him, as former members of the PDP they would have no problem

fitting in to the party structure noting that any political party whose leadership at the state or federal level does not relate to the grass root would automatically lose the support of the people.

They said they were also encouraged by Governor Orji’s policies of youth empowerment and agricultural transformation which he said has impacted the lives of rural dwellers.

The Amasa Ward, they said, has through the Commissioner for Youth Development benefited from the empowerment programme, which no party in the past had remembered before.

Receiving them to the party, the Local government chairman, chief Onwusibe assured that they would be given enough room to contribute to the development of the party in the council area, adding that the PDP umbrella was wide enough to accommodate everybody that comes under it.

Also speaking, Onwuka assured them that the party would carry them along in all its programmes even as they would benefit from all the democracy dividends that the party has lined up for the people.

Muhammad Kabir

Kano

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he Nigeria Custom Service has blamed the dwindling revenue derivation from the Northern part of Nigeria on insurgency, which they said kept threatening potential business growth.

However the Custom maintained that despite this threat and other potential threats from the insurgencies and the activities of other criminal element, they have recorded massive growth in the overall revenue collections from 20 percent to over 30 percent.

Speaking in Kano Wednesday, during an in house meetings between the Northern Area Controllers and the Deputy Comptroller General of the service in-charge of Strategic Research and Policy, Nwanso Augustine Chukwuma, noted that what they are realizing would have been higher had the North not faced with insurgency.

He said even the general increase of over 30 percent came as result of the incentives and the

boosting of the morals of their personnel through increase of salary by the CG by over 100 percent and the general welfare of the personnel.

He stated that they now take the harsh responsibilities of strengthening their officers with modern techniques to face the challenges of the insurgency and ensure that most boarders are permanently closed so that suspicious movements that might give room to influx of persons with devious characters are been reduced.

Nwanso said: “We are forced to reduce the percentage of our active boarders and close down many so that we will have full concentrations in ensuring that we keep Nigeria free from the influx of characters that are not needed.”

Also speaking, the Comptroller of Custom in-charge of Kano and Jigawa, Abbas Umar, noted that they have despite all hurdles recorded increase in their revenue collections to over 300 million monthly from his area.

50

WORLD | NEWS

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slamic State militants posted a video that purported to show the beheading of American journalist James Foley in revenge for U.S. air strikes in Iraq, prompting widespread revulsion that could push Western powers into further action against the group. The video titled “A Message To America,” also showed images of another U.S. journalist, Steven Sotloff, whose life Islamic State said depended on how the United States acts in Iraq. The gruesome video presented President Barack Obama with bleak options that could define America’s involvement in Iraq and the public reaction to it, potentially dragging him further into a conflict he built much of his presidency on ending. British anti-terrorist police began an investigation into

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Islamic State video claims to show beheading of U.S. journalist the video, in which Foley’s killer spoke with a London accent. Apparently a British national, the killer is just one of hundreds of European Muslims drawn to join Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and who authorities say pose a security threat to U.S. and European interests if they return from the Middle East.

The video showed a high level of technical proficiency and the use of a British voice may have been intended to make its contents clear to audiences in the United States, Islamic State’s de-

clared enemy. Obama held back from making a public statement about the beheading until the video could be formally authenticated.

The FBI believes the video is genuine, according to GlobalPost, a Boston online publication for which Foley had worked. “If genuine, we are appalled by the brutal murder of an innocent American journalist and we express our deepest condolences to his family and

friends,” White House National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement. British Prime Minister David Cameron interrupted his holiday to return to London to lead the hunt to identify the killer.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he was not surprised to hear the British accent and that large numbers of British nationals were fighting in Iraq and Syria. “Our intelli-

gence services will be looking very carefully on both sides of the Atlantic at this video to establish its authenticity, to try to identify the individual concerned and then we will work together to try to locate him,” Hammond told Sky news.

France said it wanted the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and regional countries, including Arab states and Iran, to coordinate action against Islamic State.

Palestinians mull Egyptian proposal for Gaza truce

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alestinian negotiators mulled over an Egyptian proposal to end the month long Israel-Hamas war as the latest 72-hour cease-fire in the Gaza Strip was due to expire at midnight yesterday. Since the truce went into effect Sunday, Israel has halted military operations in the coastal territory and Gaza militants have stopped firing rockets. The cease-fire was meant to give the two sides time to negotiate a more sustainable truce and a roadmap for the coastal territory.

A member of the Palestinian delegation to Egyptianbrokered talks in Cairo said yesterday that his team was considering an Egyptian proposal, which was tabled Tuesday. Egyptian mediators have been ferrying between the Palestinians and their Israeli counterparts in an attempt overcome the differences between the sides. The Egyptian proposal calls for easing parts of the Israeli blockade of Gaza, bringing some relief to the territory, according to Palestinian officials in the talks. But it leaves the key areas of disagreement, including Hamas’ demand for a full lifting of the blockade and Israeli calls for Hamas to disarm, to later negotiations.

The Palestinian negotiator said he had some reservations about the proposal and would try to improve it.”We would like to see more cross-border freedom, and also to have the question of a Gaza seaport and airport discussed,” he said.

The Palestinian officials spoke on condition of anonymity be-

cause they were not authorized to discuss negotiations with the media. An Israeli government spokesman had no comment on the negotiations. Amid the cease-fire, an Associated Press video journalist and a freelance Palestinian translator working with him were killed yesterday when ordnance left over from the war exploded.

Italian national Simone Camilli, 35, and Ali Shehda Abu Afash, 36, died when an unexploded missile believed to have been dropped in an Israeli airstrike blew up as Gazan police engineers worked to neutralize it in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya. The war began on July 8 with Israel’s air campaign against Gaza’s Hamas rulers, whom Israel blamed for the kidnapping and murder in June of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank.

Nine days later, Israel sent in ground troops to destroy Hamas’ underground crossborder tunnels constructed for attacks inside Israel.

The fighting has so far killed more than 1,900 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, Palestinian and U.N. officials say. On the Israeli side, 67 people have died, all but three of them soldiers. The latest outbreak of fighting is the third between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since Hamas took over control of the densely-populated territory in 2007. Hamas has been consistently pushing for an end of an Israeli Gaza blockade, which Israel says is necessary to prevent the group from gaining access to weapons and munitions it deploys against Israelis.

Two held for killing South Africa farmworker ‘with oranges’

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wo farm workers have been arrested for allegedly killing a colleague by pelting him with oranges, South African police said yesterday. A quarrel on a farm outside Tzaneen in the northern Limpopo province on Monday turned deadly when the two men armed themselves with fruit, said Lieutenant-Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe.

“Babanto Chauke, 38, and two men had a quarrel. The

two allegedly started throwing loose oranges at him until he died,” Ngoepe said. “The paramedics found that the man was dead when they arrived on the scene. He had been hit very badly by oranges.” A post-mortem would be carried out to determine the cause of death and the two accused, aged 27 and 30, were due to appear in court yesterday, he said.

The American beheaded journalist, Foley

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gyptian officials promised yesterday rolling power blackouts that have plagued the country within four months, blaming the outages on a fuel shortage, hot weather and poor maintenance of power plants.

Neighborhoods in Egypt sink into darkness for hours during the day, leaving millions without power. The crisis has caused water cuts, affected hospitals and cut communications as many had difficulty recharging their mobile phones. Parts of the capital lose power numerous times a day, plunging entire neighborhoods into darkness for an hour or more each time.

In one incident, doctors were forced to carry out a two-hour surgical procedure to remove a woman’s uterus at a public hospital in Ismailia city with only lights from cellphones to see with, after the frequent power cuts also ruined the building’s generators. Pictures of the operation were posted by Egypt’s official Doctors’ Syndicate.

Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehlab described the outages as a “severe problem” and “complicated.” He linked them to several factors, including a shortage of natural gas, out-ofservice power plants needing maintenance and hot weather.

He had previously blamed some of the outages on 300 attacks by saboteurs on electrical lines, which he said had led up to a 15 percent reduction in production by up to 15 percent. At the time, Mehlab was referring to Islamist supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

On Monday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, who led the overthrow of Morsi, told

Egypt says rolling blackouts to end in four months

governors during five-hour meeting to guard electrical lines from attacks. “The needy people are in pain because of attacks on pylons that cause blackouts for one, two or more hours,” elSissi said during the meeting, parts of which were broadcast on state television.

Electricity Minister Mohammed Shaker yesterday blamed the problem on a gap between consumption and production, but promised the government will add a total of 4,810 megawatts to its more than 22,000-megawatt total production by November. Shaker said that will be a “breakthrough” in the crisis. He said the government will end all power outages in the country in four years by building new power plants. The blackouts in Cairo and other cities have increased amid an energy crunch

linked to shrinking revenues and the government’s inability to pay its debts to foreign oil companies.

The crisis has caused public anger, especially with most Egyptians still reeling from an increase in fuel prices, a gradual increase in the price of electricity, a new property tax and a rise in cigarette prices. The measures were part of government’s attempts to decrease its budget deficit which now stands at around 10 percent of Egypt’s forecast gross domestic product for 2014-2015 and break free from a massive subsidies program that eats nearly a quarter of its budget. Egypt’s government has promised to introduce a minimum wage for public sector workers, increase pensions and make more food available in state-run outlets selling at discounted prices.

UK ‘urgently investigates’ suspected British executioner in Foley video

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ritish Foreign Minister Philip Hammond says that the government is “urgently investigating” the identity of the apparently British executioner of US reporter James Foley, whose death was shown in a video released by members of the self-declared Islamic State in Syria.

The IS member’s apparent ties to Britain highlight increasing concern in the West

about the radicalization of European and American nationals by jihadi groups and the threat they pose if they return home. The video published overnight on YouTube shows the hooded, black-clad IS member speaking extensively in both English and Arabic before killing an orangejumpsuited man described as “James Wright Foley, an American citizen.”

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH

Did you know?

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS

Brazil’s 7-1 defeat to Germany was the biggest losing margin by a host nation at a World Cup.

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

kunle.salami@newtelegraphonline.com

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THURsday, August 21, 2014

FIRE GUTS NFF OFFICE

lIt’s sabotage,corruption –Umeh lIt’s an act of God –Maigari Ajibade Olusesan and Comfort Chukwu Abuja

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igeria Football Federation on Wednesday slipped into more trouble as fire gutted the Abuja headquarters of the football body.

Preliminary reports did not suggest what caused the fire but some members of staff of the federation said that it started on the third floor which houses the offices of the General Secretary and Head of Finance and Accounts.

Although the fire was eventually put out before it got to the

other parts of the building, the affected offices have all been razed.

Arson has been suspected but President of the Federation, Aminu Maigari, told newsmen that it was just an accident. He however promised that the incident would be investigated.

“We believe it is the will of God for this to happen and we have taken it in good faith but I’m sure the cause of this incident will be investigated.

“We do not suspect anybody or any foul play in this incident, but we have to leave it for experts to determine,” Maigari said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 52

Nations Cup trophy tough to defend -Omeruo Ajibade Olusesan

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uper Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, has said that it will be tough for the team to defend its crown at the 2015 African Nations Cup. The Eagles open their qualifying series for the tournament against Congo DR on September 6.

Eagles won the trophy in South Africa last year when expectations were almost at the lowest ebb but Omeruo said they would head to Morocco next year with all eyes on the Nigerian team.

He said that there would be pressure on the team but that they were equal to the task.

“I think it is a bit early to talk about winning the African Nations Cup now because we still have to qualify first. Generally, Nigerians expect us to qualify and I believe it is not something that should be so difficult for us. But winning the title again next year is also something that can happen. We have

to work hard. I know that if everything is alright, I mean with preparation and things like that, we can do it.

“After all, nobody gave us a chance in South Africa and God helped us to win. Having said that, it’s going to be a lot different now because we will be going there as champions and you know that everybody wants to beat the champions,” he said.

Omeruo also said that Eagles were keen to start their qualifying campaign in stunning fashion by beating Congo DR in Calabar.

“I agree with you that we have to beat Congo DR for our morale. We go into all our matches with determination to win them and this one will not be different. Nigerians are happy anytime we win and that motivates us to do more for our country. By the grace of God, we shall come out of the match with victory,” he said.

South Africa and Sudan are other teams in same group with Nigera.

Kennth Omeruo (Right) contesting with Gonzalo Higuain

Keshi ready to dump Eagles ...as contract talks hang in the balance

} P 52

52 SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Keshi ready to dump Eagles Sport Trending

TWITTER |@NTelegraphSport

•Says NFF not serious with negotiations Emmanuel Tobi

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oach Stephen Keshi has revealed his desire to dump the Super Eagles if the Nigeria Football Federation does not finalise his new contract negotiations quickly.

Keshi’s negotiations with the NFF have dragged on for weeks, with Eagles coach refusing the N5m monthly salary on offer from the NFF. Speaking with New Telegraph on Wednesday, Keshi’s representative, Emmanuel Ado, maintained that time was running out and that the former Super Eagles captain might be forced to consider other options at his disposal.

“NFF has the whole time but we don’t have all the time at our disposal. We cannot continue to wait because we have done the necessary things in the negotiation process.

“We decided to wait because of patriotism and

the respect we have for Mr. President, the Senate President and Nigerians who have called for continuity,” Ado said.

He added that the pace at which the contract negotiation is going is detrimental to the coach’s plans considering his responsibility to his family.

Ado said; “I want to state that talks are still on going but there is no progress in the discussion. The pace is very slow and this has given us the need to consider other options.

“I also wish to also state that we are not beggars and Keshi has other options at his disposal, but we cannot continue to wait because he has a responsibility to his family. We hope Nigerians will understand that he can’t continue to remain jobless or wait for the job while his responsibility to his family suffers.”

Ado stressed that his client who has demanded N15m monthly salary is entitled to improved remu-

Mesut Özil 0:0 - a risky start, but next week we have to make it for the 17th #ucl - no excuses ... @MesutOzil1088 Kanu Nwankwo Congrat Arsène wenger. Congrat Arsenal. Well done boys see you in the final and make sure you win it.

@papilokanu Daniel Sturridge How beautiful is Amerie. Listening to her right now brings back senior school memories. Who was your school crush my people? @D_Sturridge Dirk Nowitzki Finally prem league is back. C’mon arsenal. @swish41 Serena Williams I am on my way to cast models for my first NYC fashion show for NY fashion week.

@serenawilliams Didier Drogba Today is World Humanitarian day Help to change the World. @didierdrogba Keshi

nerations and better working condition.

“Is there anything wrong in demanding better salary? We have put our cards on the table and the NFF should also do the same rather than giving an impression in the media that Keshi is making a

NBBF to name coaches soon Ifeanyi Ibeh

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he Nigeria Basketball Federation will in the next couple of weeks name coaches for the men and women’s national teams ahead of the qualifiers for the FIBA Africa Championships, otherwise known as the Afrobasket for Men and Women.

Both tournaments will take place next year with the men’s tournament coming up in Tunisia, while the women’s event will take place in Cameroon.

They will both serve as the qualifying tournaments for the 2016 Olympics with only the respective winners of the men’s and women’s tournaments qualifying automatically for the Games taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Nigeria’s men’s team, known as D’Tigers, made their Olympic debut at the London 2012 Games, while the women’s team, D’Tigresses, attended the Athens 2004 Games.

The NBBF is keen to have

huge demand,” he stressed.

Keshi further added that, “I cannot continue on the same terms as I did for over two years for the next four years. And if they (NFF) have offered me the same terms, it’s just them telling me they don’t want me again; it’s as simple as that.”

both teams at the 2016 Olympics and, according to its President, Tijjani Umar, has set in motion the process of ensuring that it comes to fruition by forwarding its budget ahead of the Zone-3 qualifiers, taking place later this year, to the National Sports Commission, even as it gets set to name coaches for both teams.

“We are currently working on the funding of the Afrobasket qualifiers for both men and women, as well as drawing up a roster for the two tournaments,” said

Umar, in an interview with New Telegraph. “We anticipate a decision on the coaching crew for the teams and make them known about the time the teams are reporting for training camp.”

He added: “As both qualifiers will take place this year, the timing for the training camp and of our announcements are strictly a function of funding, and our estimates have reached the National Sports Commission whose responsibility it is to fund national team

loggerheads with Maigari, addressed newsmen as acting President of NFF and alleged that some elements in the federation had perpetrated arson to cover up their misdeeds.

He said; “It is unbelievable that there could be a fire outbreak during the office hours. I can’t believe that we can have fire in the General Secretary office and part of the account department. That shows that a lot of corruption is going

on here which some people are trying to cover up.

“This is an act of sabotage. That is why we distanced ourselves from the meeting they had yesterday, (Tuesday), we were not part of it and can never accept the decision they took at the meeting. No one can perpetuate himself in power, it is not done. We must hold our election on the 26th of this month if they like, let them burn the whole of Abuja.”

Fire guts NFF office CONTINUED FROM PAGE 51

Secretary-General, Musa Amadu, dismissed reports that the account department was torched by the fire, insisting that all financial documents were intact. however, a staff of the federation who sought anonymity confirmed that the fire actually started from the account department and wondered how that department would have been spared while other offices

near it were razed.

“We don’t suspect foul play, and I can tell you that the accounts department was not affected at all. All our financial documents are intact, and the trophies that we have won are also intact,” Amadu claimed.

Meanwhile, Vice-President of the NFF, Mike Umeh, said the fire outbreak was an act of sabotage and must be thoroughly investigated.

Umeh, who is now at

Victor Moses At training with my Nigerian brother @OdemwingieP

@VictorMoses

Caroline Wozniacki Had such a blast today fishing! Tomorrow back to business, playing first match at 1pm. @CaroWozniacki Rory Mcilroy Went for a run in Central Park and thought I’d join up with these guys. @McIlroyRory Nnemkadi Ogwumike The measures we endure just for some Boiling Crab.

@Nnemkadi30 Anthony Ujah Happy birthday PAPA.. Words can’t describe what you mean to us.. May you live longer to see the fruits of your labour.. Amen. @ToniKroos Hope Akpan Missed watching cesc in the prem. Pass master.

@HopeAkpan Lewis Hamilton Can’t wait for Spa this weekend, I am raring to get back to work!! @LewisHamilton

Igbere Football Competition: Group A through to semis Camillus Nnaji

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roup A, represented by Agbor, Eziama and Amukwu, are through to the semifinals of the on-going Igbere Football Competition after defeating Group B, comprising Amankalu, Ibinanta and Amakpo, by a lone goal.

The match, which took place at Abalti Barracks, Lagos, saw the game’s only goal arriving 22 minutes into the second half through number 10-shirted Uche John, who capitalised on a defensive error to slip the ball into the net.

It was a deserved victory for Group A, who right from the first blast of the referee’s whistle signified their intention to carry the day by taking the game to their opponents.

Speaking after the match, chairman of the tournament’s LOC, Chinasa Uche, said the matches played so far in the tournament have been living up to expectations, adding that some of the standout players will at the end of the championship be picked to represent the Lagos branch during the general competition coming up later in the year at Igbere, in Abia State.

SPORT | EURO FOOTBALL

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Barca turn to CAS after FIFA rejects transfer ban appeal

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arcelona have confirmed they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after FIFA declared they must serve a two-window transfer ban on Wednesday.

The Catalans were punished back in April after they were found to be in breach of article. 19 of FIFA regulations - which states international transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18, bar three excep-

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Ronaldo injury’ not serious’ -Ancelotti PSG move R for Cech eal Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes that Cristiano Ronaldo’s hamstring injury is not serious.

Ronaldo came off at half-time of Real’s 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana first leg after being largely anonymous on Tuesday.

While further tests are required, Ancelotti said the 29-year-old Portuguese attacker should be OK.

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tions - in the case of 10 minor players, while they were also found guilty of further infringements.

FIFA released a statement on Wednesday to confirm they had rejected Barca’s appeal, meaning they would now be forced to see out two consecutive transfer windows, beginning in January 2015, without being able to complete any signings.

Barca, however, have insisted they will continue to

“He felt something and was uncomfortable. We’ll evaluate it Thursday,” Ancelotti said.

“Apparently, it was not serious.”

James Rodriguez, who replaced Ronaldo, put the hosts in control of the tie with his 81st-minute goal.

But Raul Garcia levelled for Atletico, who are well-placed heading into Friday’s second leg at the Vicente Calderon.

‘Arsenal must fight against Besikstas’

ack Wilshere has urged Arsenal not to take their Champions League place for granted and admits they now face a “cup final” to qualify after a goalless draw with Besiktas.

Wilshere believes they still face a difficult task to reach the group stage, which could prove vital in attracting new players to the club during the final days of the transfer window.

“It is not going to be an easy game,” Wilshere told Standard Sport. “We can’t take it for

53

granted. We have got Everton first [on Saturday] — it is never easy going there — and then on Wednesday, it will be a big game.

They are going to come full of confidence from their performance in the first game and we are going to have to start how they did and take the game to them. We worked hard all last year. We were in and around the top but at the end we fell off. We worked really hard to get in the top four and we always want to be in the Champions League.”

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aris Saint Germain are ready to make a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, reports Goal.com.

Cech was overlooked as Chelsea No.1 in favour of Thibaut Courtois in their opening league game against Burnley and is now available to look for a new club.

Monaco and Real Madrid also have an interest in bringing in the 32-year-old.

The key for Cech is that, wherever he goes, he will be the first choice ‘keeper.

That is very likely at PSG where he would be a clear improvement on their current No.1 Salvatore Sirigu.

There is also a strong possibility, should they firm up their interest, that he would be the first choice at Real Madrid as it is clear Carlo Ancelotti does not have that much faith in Iker Casillas.

fight the sanction by referring the case to CAS. “Following the resolution announced Tuesday by the FIFA Appeals Committee on violations of regulations regarding the transfer and registration of children aged under 18 years, FC Barcelona announces that it shall continue defending its interests before the highest sporting authority, in this case the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS),” a statement reads.

Milan: No Liverpool offer for Balotelli

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ilan have received no offers from Liverpool for Mario Balotelli, although chief executive Adriano Galliani refused to rule out a move.

There has been widespread speculation in recent weeks over a possible return to the Premier League for the 24-year-old.

Liverpool, who lost star man Luis Suarez to Barcelona last month, have been heavily linked with a move for the forward.

Galliani stated on Wednesday that no bid has been made, but stopped short of dismissing any talk of a potential switch in the near future.

“At the moment there has been no offer from Liverpool for Balotelli, so there are no negotiations,” he told ANSA. “But the transfer market finishes on September 1, so we’ll see.”

Balotelli won one league crown and an FA Cup during two-and-a-half seasons at Manchester City,

Napoli sign De Guzman

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apoli have announced the signing of Jonathan de Guzman from Villarreal.

The attacking midfielder has spent the past two seasons on loan at Premier League side Swansea City, becoming an integral part of their first-team squad.

However, it has now been confirmed that De Guzman has joined former Swansea team-mate Michu in making the move to Stadio San Paolo.

The Netherlands in-

ternational, who signed for Villarreal in 2011, was brought to Swansea by then-manager Michael Laudrup during the 2012 close-season and made 37 league appearances during his first season in south Wales.

He made a further 34 outings last term, taking his total goal tally to nine in the English top flight, and was linked with a return to the Liberty Stadium for a third season earlier in the transfer window.

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UEFA investigates Italian FA boss

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he President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is to face disciplinary investigations from UEFA over alleged racist comments.

Carlo Tavecchio, 71, caused controversy during his election campaign in July for calling African players “banana eaters” during a speech.

He beat former AC Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini in the vote.

UEFA confirmed its chief ethics and disciplinary inspector will submit a report before a decision is made.

54

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

FIFA U -20 WOMEN WORLD CUP

Mbock Bathy relishes France’s leadership responsibility

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rance captain, Mbock Bathy, says she has taken as compliments the responsibilities impose on her as the leader of the side.

Bathy remains the only outfield player to have played every minute of her side’s campaign thus far in Canada.

For France, the one constant thing at Canada 2014 has been change.

Coach Gilles Eyquem has put his faith in the benefits of rest and rotation, with the result that every one of his outfield player has started at least one match. However, amid all this tinkering, and with star performers dropping in and out, one player has always been deemed in-

dispensable.

“I take it as a big compliment,” she told FIFA.com.

“I know the coach counts on me to carry the team through the matches and to be the leader on the field. It’s a role I’m very happy to play. he has told me that he trusts in me and believes that I’m a natural leader. For my part, I just want to show that he’s right and help my team-mates to reach their goal.

“We have different characters in this team and it’s my job to speak to everyone and bring them all together. It’s nice to have a good mix and the atmosphere in the team is very good,” she said.

Geummin Lee of Korea Republic and Griedge Mbock Bathy of France battle for the ball during the FIFA Women’s U-20 Quarter Final game

Lina Magull feeling positive

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he year 2014 did not get off to an auspicious start for Lina Magull. In early April, the 20-year-old partially tore ankle ligaments, resulting in several weeks on the sidelines for then German and European champions VfL Wolfsburg. But the determined German youth international fought her way back to fitness helping France so far in Canada.

“The recovery programme [after matches] is the same – we run the game off, get a massage and take an ice bath – but I get extra treatment for both my foot and my entire body,” Magull explained in an interview with FIFA.com.

“Although I’m not playing full games right now, I’m just happy to be part of this. I spoke about it with [coach] Maren Meinert at the start of the tournament. We both knew I wouldn’t make it through 90 minutes in every match. When I no longer feel comfortable, I or someone else just gives a signal, and I get substituted.”

The fact that Magull has been appointed captain despite her injury speaks volumes for the exceptional quality the deep-lying playmaker brings to the German side. “Captaining your country is something special. It’s the first time I’ve led a team at such a major

Boxing club takes more youths off the streets Charles Ogundiya

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arious organisations make efforts to keep youths busy in a bid to make the society a better place. Sports outfits also do the same thing by putting up programmes to develop talents at a tender age and raise them to be future champions.

Members of the D&D Boxing Club of Lagos, on Sunday, staged a programme with the aim of taking more youths off the streets. The programme is an annual boxing championship.

More than 50 boxers drawn from across various boxing clubs within Agege, a suburb of Lagos, where the club is situated, gathered to compete in 11 weight categories. The main event is scheduled to hold in December, According to the coordinator of the boxing club, Adedola Adeniji, who manages the organisation alongside his sibling, Adedimeji, the club is motivated by a desire to take more youths away from social vices by engaging and preparing them for the future.

Speaking with New Telegraph at the venue of the competition, Adeniji said he was out to correct society’s perception of boxers as miscreants.

“We have to eradicate the belief that boxing is a sport for criminals,” says Adeniji, who also plans to establish a training programme for children in their early teens in order to “inculcate in them the confidence they need to stand on their own.”

He reveals that the club has in the last couple of years produced boxers who have gone on to represent Lagos State and Nigeria at major competitions like the National Sports Festival and the Commonwealth Games, most notably, the duo of Nike Salami and Abdulazeez Dauda who both represented Nige-

Boxing action during the championship

ria at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.

In addition to positively engaging the boxers, Adeniji explained that Sunday’s competition was a prelude to a bigger one coming up later in the year.

“We usually have two competitions every year,” he continued. “This is a trial for the big one in December where those who have qualified from here will compete against boxers from other parts of Lagos.”

Adeniji also disclosed that parents who had in the past mocked him and his brother were now among those who regularly brought their wards to train at the club.

And for those who think they can do as they please for the duration of their training period at the boxing club, Adeniji insists they are in for a surprise as the club doesn’t toy with discipline, adding that any boxer who goes against the laid down rules gets punished.

Some of the punitive measures put in place by the club include the payment of fines and, sometimes, suspension for the erring boxer.

“Anyone who goes against our rules will be punished severely and,

A young boxer

Adedola

Adedimeji

sometimes, suspended until his family members come over to appeal on the person’s behalf,” continued Adeniji.

“The person will be reabsorbed into the club after he must have begged with crates of soft drinks and some other materials, as the case may be.”

Meanwhile, in one of the bouts decided on Sunday, Tobi Adeniji of D&D Boxing Club, defeated Taofeek Taiwo of

Faleke Boxing Club in the 49kg category via a technical knockout.

In other contests, Seun Ogunsanya of Aso Rock Boxing Club defeated Hammed Ariyo of Eleto Boxing Club in the 56kg category, while Sule Fatai of Danger Fighter Boxing Club defeated Deluma Bayo, representing TY Boxing Club. D&D’s Azeez D’Bone was also victorious over Lateef Smart of Ajetunmobi Boxing Club.

SPECIAL PUBLICATION 55

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, August 21, 2014

The Lord’s Chosen Crusade

reverberates in Ondo as Abuja Church set The two-day Holy-Ghost International Crusade of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries titled: THERE COMETH ONE MIGHTER THAN ALL will hold on Saturday August 23 and Sunday August 24, 2014, by 8am daily at Stadium site, Araromi, Akure, Ondo State. Science Reporter, STANLEY CHIBUIHEM, writes on the significance of the Crusade

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orshipping with the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries is such an exciting and enriching experience that no one will ever like to miss.

For the first time ever, in the history of the 11-year old Mega ministry, aside from Lagos, the Lord’s Chosen will be having its international crusade in South-West Nigeria. The event titled: There cometh one Mighter than all will be held on Saturday 23rd August and Sunday 24th August

2014 at Stadium site, Araromi, Akure, Ondo State.

According to Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of the Ministry in his characteristic nature and love to humanity to rescue the dying souls for Christ, “I am not the one Mightier than all.

Jesus is the one Mighter than all.

The theme of the crusade is taken from the book of Mark Chapter 1 verse 7. We are inviting people from all parts of the world. This years crusade as usual, will witness unprecedented power of

God as of old because there will be freedom for the captives, salvation for sinners, deliverance for the oppressed, succor to the sick, joy to the broken hearted, and victory for all. A Christian is not a sinner and a sinner is not a Christian. As you come, give your life to Jesus and maintain a consistent Christian life, Jesus the Mightier than all, must surely meet you at the point of your needs.

Stanley Chibuihem 08035624538

Pastor Lazarus Mouka, General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen

The Lord’s Chosen Church Headquarters building, Plot 14, Solomon Lar Way, Opposite Jabi Motor Park, Abuja

A signpost of the Lord’s Chosen Church Headquarters, Abuja

Bro. Alfred Clark favoured with Range Rover Jeep Car

Sis. Edna Bassey, delivered from 20 years prostitution

Bro. Chima Ugorji, 52 years bedwetting gone

Sis. Ifeoma Adenomah, blessed from Sis. Honour Sena, 14 years issue of Bro. Peter Okeoghene, 12 years yoke roasting corn to a land lady in Abuja blood, 10 years frequent urinating gone of 419, indian hemp smoking gone

Sis. Ogbonna Charity, over 10 years arthritis exorcised

Sis. Ann Ikwunne, 30 years stomach ulcer gone

Bro. Julius Akagun, over 15 years delay in promotion broken

Bro. Prince Oka Otu, 12 years mastur- Sis. Favour Elias, delay in marriage bation over, salvation granted with car gone with 12 years spiritual husband

Bro. Alexandar Njoeteni, affliction gone, now a millionnaire

A section of the Headquarters Church building, Abuja

The dynamic spiritual propensity that kick started the Ministry 11 years ago is still pioneering the heavenly vision to win 10 billion souls for Christ

World Record

On Marble

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.

Sanctity of Truth

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

w w w. new tel eg rap ho nl i ne. co m

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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The longest tongue measures 9.8 cm (3.86 in) from the tip to the middle of his closed top lip and was achieved by Stephen Taylor (United Kingdom), at Westwood Medical Centre, Coventry, UK, on 11 February 2009.

N150

A Nigerian only worth N11,000?

TALKING TOUGH GABRIEL AKINADEWO

o we blame individuals or the system we run for the wickedness in the land today? Or do we blame both?

If we have a good system but bad operators, will the bad operators not corrupt the good system? Which system will change people who are evil by nature and practice? Why are some Nigerians repositories of cruel and inglorious acts?

In this country, what beats the imagination of sane people is that these perpetrators of wickedness will always proclaim their belief in God but in action, hosts of darkness have taken control of them, forcing them to perpetrate evil endlessly.

Obviously, morality has been thrown to the dogs and it really pains that wickedness goes on in the land unchecked.

If the report from Calabar a few days ago is not an act of wickedness, I wonder what then is.

I could not believe it when I read the story of one Madam Eno Maurice who petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6 Command over the disappearance of her son, Derek, a 300 Level Accounting student of the University of Calabar (UNICAL).

She also alleged that Derek was killed and the body sold to the Anatomy Department of UNICAL for N11,000.

Five others were allegedly killed alongside Derek and their bodies sold for N11,000 each.

Alleging that a particular Sergeant was responsible for the killing, she said: “I am Enoh Maurice Enang, a widow and mother of Derek Maurice Ben, whom the Special Anti Robbery Squad, Cross River State Police Command, Calabar, got arrested on April 16, 2014, took him to their office and later removed him to where he was murdered in cold blood for no reason.

“I know no sleep ever since my son was killed by …. and his cohorts. Is it because he knows him to be fatherless and I am a widow that he believed nothing will be done? I am crying out for justice to prevail.

“I am crying out for innocent children who are being killed by the blood-thirsty security personnel who are supposed to protect our lives and properties. My son, Derek, was not of questionable character and had never been detained in any police station nor have any matter with the police anywhere.

“I pray God’s blessings, fortification and promotion to the Nigerian Police Force Zone 6 Calabar, and the Ministry of Justice, Cross River State for the affection, love and patriotism exhibited in ensuring justice, for building hope, trust and confidence for the poor and helpless citizens. This case, I am sure, will serve as deterrent to others.

“I humbly call on the President, Senate President, Speaker House of Representatives, Attorneys General of the Federation and that of Cross River State, Inspector General of Police, Governor of Cross River State, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Governors’ Forum members, Secre-

gabyfola@hotmail.com - 08023010222 (sms only)

tary General, United Nations, National Human Rights Commission, Nigerian Bar Association, Federation of Female Lawyers in Nigeria, Amnesty International, Civil Liberty Organisation, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and Nigerians as a whole to bring those who killed my son, a fatherless child, to justice.”

Because of the petition, the affected 13 police officers from the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) have been detained in Calabar since August 6, pending arraignment.

The detention followed the recommendation of the state Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for their prosecution.

Before the detention, the AIG set up a panel to unravel the mystery of the boy’s disappearance and the body was traced to the Anatomy Department.

Obviously, the report indicted the 13 policemen.

The widow said her son was arrested on April 16, 2014 close to their home at Akai Efa, Calabar and he was taken by the SARS team to their office in Diamond Hill, Calabar.

In less than 24 hours, Derek and five other detainees were allegedly killed and bodies sold to the Anatomy Department.

If this is true, how do specialists in Anatomy Department of universities get bodies for their experimentation?

What is the procedure? Does every Tom just sell bodies without official authorisation? Where are all the rights activists in the country? Why are they

silent on this gruesome behaviour?

What of government officials? Why are they not behaving like President Barack Obama of the United States (U.S.) who immediately showed his commitment to the American ideal of respect for human dignity when he reacted to the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9?

Brown, an 18-year-old AfricanAmerican, died after being shot by a white Ferguson police officer, Darren Wilson, 28.

Brown was unarmed and had no criminal record. According to Ferguson police, Brown was a suspect in a robbery committed minutes before the shooting, although the initial contact between Wilson and Brown was unrelated to the robbery. Wilson has served four years with the Ferguson Police Department and two years with another local police department. He had no disciplinary history.

The killing sparked demonstrations and unrest in Ferguson, including peaceful protests, vandalism, and other forms of social unrest that continues for more than a week, with night curfew being imposed and escalated violence.

The widespread media coverage given to it has clearly shown that there is a limit to which the American establishment will take kindly to extrajudicial killings.

The official intervention of Obama and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon showed their respect for the dead and a determination of public officers to

avoid a repeat of the incident.

Nixon last week announced that the Missouri State Highway Patrol would take over policing Ferguson from the St. Louis County police, whose tactics, leading to Brown’s killing, were widely criticised.

He also ordered that Ferguson security be overseen by Captain Ron Johnson of the Highway Patrol.

Obama, in a nationwide broadcast, said: “The death of Michael Brown is heartbreaking, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family and his community at this very difficult time. As Attorney General Holder has indicated, the Department of Justice is investigating the situation along with local officials, and they will continue to direct resources to the case as needed. I know the events of the past few days have prompted strong passions, but as details unfold, I urge everyone in Ferguson, Missouri, and across the country, to remember this young man through reflection and understanding.

We should comfort each other and talk with one another in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds. Along with our prayers, that’s what Michael and his family, and our broader American community, deserve”.

Before the broadcast, he had ordered his Attorney-General, Eric Holder, to Ferguson to meet with federal law enforcement authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Justice Department, involved in the investigation.

We can see investigation at the highest level because one Brown was killed in one of the states in the U.S. Aside the detention of the affected police officers in Calabar, mum is the word from government officials on this gory incident. It is like nothing happened.

Is a Nigerian life only worth N11,000?

Has pernicious act become a way of life in this country?

OMOBABA

I’LL ELIMINATE CORRUPTION IN CIVIL SERVICE – New HoS

– Let the hunter not be the hunted!

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