Binder1 03 december, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Vol. 1 No. 288

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

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N150

APC screens buhari, atiku, Nda-Isaiah, others }6

Banks record N21.8bn fraud in 2013, by NDIC B

anks recorded fraud cases totalling N21.79 billion last year, it was learnt yesterday.

Godson Ikoro and Abdulwahab Isa

The figure, according to the 2013 annual report and statement of accounts of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC),

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indicates some 21 per cent increase over the N18.5 billion frauds recorded in 2012. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

WEDNESDA Y, DECE

IN NUMB Boundary

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LIFE IN THE

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jegunle in 2012 famous s is a cosm nity whic for prod opol coun ruba, Igboh was foun itan commu- jock try’s finest ucing som other ethn, Ijaw, Hauded by the Yo- in eys who becabroadcasters e of the dire it is a sa and the ente me conglom ic settling and many coun rtainmen house-hold disc- of ction of the ethnic ther peop commun t landscap names groups erate of settl e. Thus, find try. Ajeg ity, a pict dun Loca cut acrole who are dign unle, eme with e of ing the earl l Governmin Ajeromi nts of tion of its place in theit seems is the involvedss. Now, ever ified in laboure /Ifel yone seem megacity hard peac ur in prod had embiest times of ent Area who o- strengthLagos Stat uctive e. Its dem eful envi s to be equa the arke , and in Lago vent purposes d on voya righ will attra contrast ronment. ographic s Colo ures ct the t infrastru between . It used to ges for busi ny, men gunle s the once-held This sharin a t are appa commensura ctures that city ply notion gos Colo the Westernbe the boun ness te rently Accordi Baale is peopled that dary Regi its selli developBoundarny. That is Salami of Ajegunleby social misfAjeng poin why the on and La- Ayinde Bayng to Honoura y in is ever its. cause ewu, a ble Kam t. peac it mar Ajegunle is area called chairma grateful, Chief She former so nam n hu al to e and deve to God Ajegunle ked the boun two term ed be- Governm of Ajeromi lopm Ajegunle for , which dary poin to root City. Althent that has the the seco ent, “Aje /Ifelodun Loca ment, literally ed t. romi/Ife come he ough its commer wealth, is translate cal gove nd largest lodun l multitud noted, was a hete propelleddevelopmeans cial city. Tho is thro e of othe rogeneou s is whe rnment in most popu folks, different thin ugh the nam s livin re you find the federatiolated lo- of nged this plac r ethnic grou by the to som the civil n. about g in a e before ps who e that is e, it is gs to diffe 300-400 That out rent landmass, house. We don’ noto people of plac war. He said the breakout criminal rious for a Lagos subu but we , it will e to trac t have lot clashes not large e undesir tendencies. its filthiness rb in of people are have peop gunle that once almthe inter ethnbe Ajegunle le. So, coming to the sprawlined debacle To some, it and the ic in to inve a characte beca mutual ost engulf is in Ajesusp as one g mega-city the midst an atin enabling envi use we are st indi rize of . creating of genes d interaction icion which ing ghet the mega-citTo many, it rank a and g the area for ronment by and the rege “Th the peop settlers.between the as hom tos. Yet, som y’s most distu s cons invest. He adde le to comner- mad e peace that e revere e like no rbider e poss e in we have an ultim Ajegunle by com that Ajeg d that, “wh ible othe all the now is munities unle is surr en you resident by the join entertainate pedestal r which occu Lago the t s pies effo like ounded and secu s Islan ment land on the Nige rt Apa Toda maintai rity agencies the members of scape. ria’s develope d and Amu pa, Surulere, remarkay, Ajegunle Ajegunle d, you’ ll agre wo that are nity becan peace in . We resolved of not ble only this who, with repertoi have the for deve really need e with me far in peac use we belie vast com to re of mus a blitz that e as ther munotable ve we done by lopment. Tha to be opened So, icia of e t’s wha construc up resowe called a was no plac must live ria, it strides in contgrit, have madns to mee e to run t is aid musical also reckoned emporary Nigee men the people tion of acce we have be lved that the ting and colle to. ss road and facil t. But for the emanate culture and s thisidentified and bad elementsctively the itate deve vibrant a deli genres d from com berate government must swe lopwhi there. ration munity. This pt away The city ch had other to regedevelopmenta must have from with the was in l action dom is also called Ajeg nerate secu this com in Tha iciled in this rity forc collaboAs one unle.“ munity t’s why area. Thises that are walked we have ful envi paid off. around the ronm the diffe ent that kind of peac rent we now ehave in CONT INUE librarie

Page 25

eight pages of mega city

Boko Haram can be crushed, says IBB OLUWAT OSIN CO-ORDIN OMONIYI

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D ON PAGE

lDavid Mark expresses fear over bombings

Telegraph

Travel Advisory

Your guide to local and international flights 4

L-R (Front row): Chairman Stallion Group, Suni Vaswani; President, Dangote Group of Companies, Aliko Dangote; Chairman, Forte Oil, Femi Otedola; National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Muazu; Chairman, Visafone, Jim Ovia; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan; Senate President David Mark; former Interim Head of State, Ernest Shonekan; Chairman, Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko; Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga and members of the Top 100 Businesses in Nigeria, at the annual presidential dinner with the Top 100 Businesses Companies in Nigeria…on Monday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Soyinka: President is tyrannical

lNobel laureate playing the ostrich, says Okupe Wale Elegbede

obel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka,

yesterday came hard on President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, saying that the recent

siege on the National Assembly by the police is an unambiguous declaration of war against

Nigerians. Soyinka, in an address titled: "King NebuchadCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Quick Read

Editorial

The rising cases of tuberculosis

}19

Judge withdraws from suit to sack Tambuwal }5

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Travel Advisory

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule

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

British Airways flights from Nigeria (Mon - Sun) Flight path

Departure

Arrival

Lagos (LOS) to London Heathrow (LHR)

23.30hrs

05.30hrs

Abuja (ABV) to London Heathrow (LHR)

08.00hrs

14.00hrs

Flight path

Departure

Arrival

London Heathrow (LHR) to Lagos (LOS)

11.00hrs

17.30hrs

London Heathrow (LHR) to Abuja (ABV)

00.00hrs

06.00hrs

British Airways flights to Nigeria

Daily flights from Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja) (Mon - Sun) Airliner

Airports

Departure

Arrival

Arik Air

London to Lagos

21:30hrs

03.30hrs

Arik Air

Lagos (LOS) to New York (JFK)

23:35hrs

05:30hrs (NY time)

Arik Air

New York (JFK) to Lagos

12:00hrs (NY time)

06:00hrs (Nig. time)

Delta Airlines

Atlanta to Lagos

23:00hrs

16:00hrs

Delta Airlines

Lagos to Atlanta

22:20hrs

05:30hrs

Emirates Airlines

Lagos to Dubai

14:30hrs;

12:50hrs

KLM

Lagos to Amsterdam

23:10hrs

05:10hrs

KLM

Amsterdam to Lagos

11:30hrs

05:30hrs

Virgin Atlantic

Lagos to London

11:00hrs

17:00hrs

Lufthansa

Abuja to Frankfurt

23.10hrs

05.10hrs

Lufthansa

Lagos to Frankfurt

21.00hrs

03.00hrs

South Africa Airways

Lagos to Johannesburg

22.15hrs

03.15hrs (SA time)

United Airlines

Lagos to Housten, Texas

22:10hrs

Air France

Abuja to Paris

23:55hrs

05:55hrs

Air France

Lagos to Paris

21:20hrs

03:21hrs

Ethiopia Airways

Abuja to Addis Ababa

20.10hrs (Nig Time)

00.10hrs (Addis time)

Ethiopia Airways

Lagos to Addis Ababa

14:00hrs (Nig Time)

18:00hrs (Addis time)

Qatar Airways

Lagos to Doha

14.23hrs

Air Maroc

Lagos to Casablanca

06:25 hrs

12:45 hrs

Etihad

Lagos to Abu Dhabi

09:50hrs

Air Ivoire

Lagos to Abidjan

10:15hrs (Sun and Mon)

Cam Air

Lagos to Yaounde

15:25hrs (Mon, Tues and Wed)

South African Airways international travel tips South African Airways Check-in Internet check-in is available between 24 hours and 3 hours before departure. Self check-in via kiosks at the airport is available up to 90 minutes before the flight. Check-in counters are also offered by the airline. Mobile check-in is also available for flights out of Johannesburg.

South African Airways baggage allowance Hand luggage: Economy Class passengers are allowed one piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 8kg (18lbs) and maximum size (height, width and depth added together) of 115cm (45in). Business Class passengers are allowed two items of hand luggage, each of the same maximum weight and size. Hand luggage must be able to fit under the seat in front or in the overhead lockers. Checked: allowances vary according to route, however on many flights Economy Class passengers are allowed up to 23kg (50lb) of checked luggage, Business Class passengers are allowed up to 30kg (66lb) and First Class passengers are allowed up to 40kg (99lb). Excess: fees vary according to route, according to either the weight or piece concepts. On most routes, excess baggage is charged at a rate of 1.5 per cent per kg of the highest normal direct one-way adult Economy Class fare. Any one item of baggage that is more than 32kg (70lb) will be classed as cargo and charged at the corresponding rates, and if total excess baggage is more than 100kg (218lb) this will need to be organised at the time the reservation is made or at least 24 hours in advance of departure.

South African Airways legroom In Economy Class, passengers can expect a seat pitch of 81cm to 86cm (32-34in). In Business Class there is a seat pitch of 198cm (78in), and in First Class there is a seat pitch of 210cm (83in). Pre-arranged seating Seats are assigned during the booking process and may be changed during check-in if available. Passenger change details Reservations can be changed or cancelled online or by calling Reservations.

Child fares Infants under two years of age are subject to infant fares, which are around 10 per cent of an adult fare. Children from 2 to 11 years of age, meanwhile, will travel via child fares available at around 75 per cent of an adult fare. Baby meals may be requested at the time of reservation, and cabin crew can heat up milk and food brought onboard for your child. Infants are allowed 10kg (22lbs) of checked baggage as well as one fully collapsible buggy. In terms of hand luggage, infants are allowed one carry-on bag of less than 8kg (17lb) free of charge.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Boko Haram can be crushed, says IBB Chukwu David, Ibraheem Musa and Buhari Bello

ormer military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, has expressed confidence in the ability of the military to defeat Boko Haram, if well armed. Babangida, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, monitored in Kaduna yesterday, said the military was well trained to defeat the insurgents and would do so if given all the resources needed to achieve the task Babangida spoke against the backdrop of doubts expressed by many stakeholders over the military's ability to defeat terror in view of the resurgence in terror attacks, especially in some northern cities that had witnessed lull in the last six months. There has been an upsurge in terror attacks by Boko Haram, especially in the wake of the ceasefire declared by the Federal Government with the insurgents to allow for negotiations allegedly brokered by Chad. Despite the negotiations, which Boko Haram self-styled leader, Abubakar Shekau, has repudiated, the insurgents have attacked more towns and seized swathes of territory in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. Besides, the Federal Government's efforts to effectively degrade and destroy Boko Haram have been hobbled by its inability to procure arms and ammunition owing to opposition by the United States, which has refused to sell arms to Nigeria on the excuse of human rights abuses allegedly committed by soldiers involved in the insurgency war. But Babangida warned against the cynicism over the combat readiness of the military, saying that it will be wrong to impute that the Boko Haram insurgents have overwhelmed the armed forces. He spoke just as Senate President David Mark also expressed concern about the rising bombings carried out by Boko Haram. The former military ruler also clarified the statement that Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II made, asking Nigerians to defend themselves because the security agencies have failed to protect them. “There are many people who misunderstood the call that His Royal Highness made. It is a religious obligation to protect your-

self against people who want to cheat you. Like the emir said, it is religious duty to protect yourself, your family and your wealth,” he added. Babangida, however, said people should not take the law into their hands but they should organise themselves on how best to secure their communities. He cited the example of how the people of Azare in Bauchi State repelled the insurgents on several occasions. The former president debunked the insinuation that former heads of state of northern extraction have refused to proffer solutions to how to end the insurgency to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Babangida recalled that he faced several security challenges when he was in power, adding that every government should figure out how best to deal with its peculiar challenges. He reiterated that the lasting solution to the insurgency is for the people and government to unite in the war against Boko Haram. Also speaking on the insurgency yesterday, Mark expressed apprehension over the spates of bombings and attacks by Boko Haram. Mark, while commenting on a motion by Senator Ahmed Lawan, representing Yobe North, over the display of professionalism by the military

against Boko Haram's bid to capture the Yobe State Government House, said insurgency had taken a frightening dimension in the country. "Let me just tell you why I allowed the motion; it is because insurgents are attacking left, right, front and back in the NorthEast. But that of yesterday (Monday) was because they were able to get to the government house, which gave it a new dimension; it has nothing to do with the state of emergency. "I allowed it because like I said, the dimension that it took yesterday was really frightening. I was in touch with the governor for most of the time and we were all very worried and

because of the magnitude of what had happened in the last few days, bomb blasts in Kano, the attack in Borno, the bomb blast in Borno and the incident that took place in Damaturu," he stated. Earlier, Lawan had commended the soldiers for their impressive performance, saying that their success was possible because they were motivated to do so. He also added that the military was able to defeat the insurgents that attempted to capture Damaturu without the emergency rule in place. According to him, the success of the military operations against the insurgents was largely

dependent on the determination of the military and not the extension of emergency rule as recently proposed by the president. Mark, at this point, immediately cautioned the senator to limit his comments to the Damaturu attacks, without bringing in the issue of emergency rule to avoid provoking controversy amongst senators. Also, Senator Abdulkadir Jajere, representing Yobe South, expressed confidence in the ability of the military to defeat the insurgents and restore peace to the North-East. He said that what the military needed was full support of the people and government.

L-R: First female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Folake Solanke; Chief Justice of Oyo State, Justice Muktar Abimbola and President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Augustine Alegeh, at the 60th anniversary lecture of NBA in Ibadan …yesterday

Judge withdraws from suit to sack Tambuwal Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

ustice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday withdrew from a suit instituted by a House member, Hon. Abiodun Ishiaq Akinlade, seeking to compel the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal to vacate his seat following his defection, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Tambuwal had, on October 28, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. The plaintiff is seeking the order of the court declaring that Tambuwal’s deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, should take over the speakership upon the vacation of the speaker.

When the matter came up yesterday, the trial judge announced his withdrawal from the suit on ground that a petition has been written against him. Tambuwal had written a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) dated November 30, challenging the assignment of the case to Chukwu. He, therefore, requested the judge to be disqualify from sitting over the suit because of likelihood of bias that could prevent him from getting justice. The petition reads in part: “My attention has been drawn to the above suit, which has been assigned to Court 8, presided over by Justice E. S.J. Chukwu, and we wish to make the following observations: "Sometime in 2013, the said presiding judge, Jus-

tice E.S.J. Chukwu presided over the case of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 12 ORS VS. INEC & 4 ORS, wherein he made a judicial pronouncement, which has been interpreted by some, to the effect that there was no division in the PDP. "The above decision of Justice Chukwu was heavily relied upon and cited severally in the case of Peoples Democratic Party, House of Representatives; the speaker of the House of Representatives & 52 ORS, suit No. FHC/ ABJ/ CS/4/2014. "Consequently, Justice A.F.A Ademola, relying on the said judgement of his brother Justice Chukwu, even though the said suit before him had nothing to do with defection, ruled that there was no division within the PDP.

"And as such, the defendants in that case, who are members of the House of Representatives, who have similar cases as mine, currently pending in the Federal High Court Abuja, were not protected by proviso to Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution. He rested his decision on that earlier judgement of Justice Chukwu aforementioned. “The said judgement of Justice A.F.A Ademola, is subject of four pending appeals at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division. “My Lord, similar suits were variously instituted by various parties and are pending before the Federal High Court No. 7, presided over by Justice A.R Mohammed and are at various stages of proceeding pending before

Court 7, presided over by Justice A.R Mohammed.” Tambuwal further stated that he did not have confidence that Justice Chukwu will be able to dispense justice in the case as he had earlier “made a pronouncement on similar issues, in similar cases, decided by him, clearly shows that he has an iron cast judicial position or opinion in respect of suit no. FHC/ABJ/ CS/871/2014 concerning me sir, which has just been assigned to him.” The speaker, however, urged the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta to re-assign the suit to “a neutral judge who has not made any judicial pronouncement on the issue or made public his own opinion on the issue at hand.”

News

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

APC screens Buhari, Atiku, Kwankwaso, Okorocha, Nda-Isaiah, others

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

ormer Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday stated that his morale is high having gone round the country to canvass for delegates’ support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket. The primaries hold on December 10 in Benin, Edo State. Buhari addressed the media at the National Secretariat of the APC after being screened by the presidential screening committee headed by Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. Asked about the screening, he said: "It went on well. They asked me what I think should be answer in terms of security. They are all concerned about the situation in the country, especially the unemployed youth and security. There is no Nigerian that is not aware that these are bigger problems. "Well, we have gone round to ask for understanding and support. My morale is high."

Also, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar defended the donation he gave to the state party executives. Atiku, who spoke to journalists after undergoing the presidential screening, said: "I am a party man. I can donate money to the party. It is allowed under the electoral act." Another APC presi-

dential aspirant and governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, said his structures would be collapsed to support the aspirant who picks the party's presidential ticket if the outcome of the primaries was transparent. Kwankwaso said: "Well ,agreement or no agreement, once there is free, fair and transparent election, not only me, I believe

even the other aspirants will join the candidate to ensure the success of the party at the election because I am sure all the aspirants that I know, five of us, each one of us is better than what we have today. "So, we have no difficulty in supporting whoever wins." The Kano governor also stated that the APC presidential aspirants are bet-

ter than President Goodluck Jonathan. Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha and Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam NdaIsaiah, were also screened. The aspirants also spoke on the choice of venue for the national convention. While Buhari and Atiku said the venue could be anywhere, Kwankwa-

so stated that he objected to the choice of Lagos because of distance and traffic. Atiku said: "Wherever the party decides that the convention will hold that is where the convention will hold. There is a convention committee which has the responsibility to decide the venue and where they decide that is where we will go.”

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

30 C

26 C

Partially Cloudy

ABUJA

36oC

21oC

Partially Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

25o C 18oC Thunder Storms

KANO

32oC

12oC

Mostly Sunny

ENUGU

24oC

21oC

Mostly Sunny

IBADAN

34oC

23oC

Partially Cloudy

CALABAR

30o C 22oC Thunder Storms

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

33oC 14oC Sunny

24oC

21oC

Sunny

L-R: Deputy Comptroller of Immigration and Passport Control Officer, Ikoyi Passport Office, Mr.s Modupe Anyalechi; Interior Minister, Mr. Abba Moro; Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Ms. Ijeoma Aso and Divisional Head, Marketing and Corporate Relations, UBA Plc, Mr. Charles Aigbe, at the inauguration of the convenience facility at Ikoyi Passport Office, Lagos …yesterday.

Nobel laureate playing the ostrich, says Okupe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

nezzar- The Reign of Impunity", which he read at a press conference in Lagos, blamed the president for the escalating series of impunity in the country. According to him, Jonathan's actions have continued to defy conjectures, likening the president to the biblical figure of King Nebuchadnezzar. “I shall not insist that the historic/biblical figure of Nebuchadnezzar is uniquely apt for the pivotal figure of the democratic history at this moment-for one thing: Nebu was a nation builder and warrior . One could argue even more convincingly for the figure of Balthazar, his successor, or indeed Emperor Nero as reference point – you all remember him – the emperor who took to fiddling while Rome was burning. However, you should easily recall why I opted for King Nebu – the figure that currently sits on the top of our political pile himself evoked it, albeit in a context that virtuously dis-

claimed any similarities, even tendencies,” the laureate stated. He also attacked the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Suleiman Abba, for barricading the National Assembly, saying the IG’s slavish adherence to conspiratorial, illegal, and unconstitutional instructions are aimed at undermining democratic structures of the country. “The praetorian have been let loose – to teach the rabble their place. The recent choice of a new leader for the guard was clearly no accident, and this hitherto unknown enforcer, one Suleiman Abba, has wasted no time in inaugurating a season of brutish power. When a people’s elected emissaries are disenfranchised, cast out like vagrants and resort to scaling fences to engage in their designated functions, the people get the message. “However, the choice is always there, and each choice comes at a cost. It is either we pay now, or pay later. The latest action of

the supposed guardians of the law against the nation’s lawgivers is an unambiguous declaration of war against the people. “If shame belongs anywhere, it belongs to the Inspector General of Police and his slavish adherence to conspiratorial, illegal and unconstitutional instructions – to undermine a democratic structure, and one – to make matters worse – convoked in response to an emergency of dire public concern. “What sticks to this policeman is worse than shame, it is infamy. Such a public servant deserves to be publicly pilloried, tried and meted a punishment that is appropriate to treasonable acts, if only to serve as deterrent to others in positions of responsibility under the law. "To demand less is to reduce ourselves below the status free citizens of a free nation. It means we endorse violence against our representatives; that we are content to submit ourselves to the jackboots of naked force. It is to an-

nunciate the era of the brute as the current fundamental modality of governance,” Soyinka said. While noting that that it was left for Nigerians to decide to revert to the ‘Abacharian status of glorified slaves,” he added: “The line has been drawn. The people must decide – whether to submit or resist. We may be no count plebeians in the sight of the new-born patricians of Aso Rock and their apologists but must we revert to the Abacharian status of glorified slaves? Of course, it is up to any people to decide." Soyinka also condemned Boko Haram attacks and urged the Federal Government to stop the bloodletting. He said: "The atrocious targeting of the great mosque of Kano has rendered any lingering doubt of impending national imposition an invitation for collective suicide, preferably through piecemeal dismemberment.” However, Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Pub-

lic Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, faulted Soyinka and described his allegations as sad and unfortunate. According to him, Soyinka is merely playing the ostrich as given his close relationship with top All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, he cannot be expected to be objective in his criticism. “Our eminent professor also sadly plays the ostrich as he failed to reprimand Governor Amaechi, who is the ‘national champion of impunity and official recklessness’. The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan prides itself as the most liberal, keeping faith with adherence to rule of law and tolerance,” Okupe said. Okupe, according to a report monitored on Channels television, stressed that it was interesting that Soyinka had chosen to ignore what he termed the immoral, indefensible and unlawful attitude of the House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, after his defection.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

50 Boko Haram killed in failed bid to capture Borno town lGaidam imposes 24-hour curfew on Damaturu

Ahmed Miringa and Hassan Jirgi

oldiers have killed over 50 insurgents during an attack by Boko Haram to

invade Konduga town, the headquarters of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. A military source told New Telegraph yesterday that the insurgents came at 8:30pm on Monday to

attack the town and were engaged in a gun duel that lasted over three hours. He said: “Nobody can tell you the exact number of the insurgents killed but we have killed

many of them, while others escaped with bullets wounds.” A member of the Civilian JTF who pleaded anonymity, said over 50 insurgents were killed when Boko Haram came

L-R: Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio; Minister of Defence, Lt. General Aliyu Mohammed (rtd) and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah, at the Chief of Army Staff Conference in Uyo...yesterday.

Banks record N21.8bn fraud in 2013, says NDIC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Similarly, the number of fraud cases in banks swelled marginally from 3,380 in 2012 to 3,756 in 2013. The report, however, noted that there was an increase in both the expected/actual loss by N1.24 billion or 27.4 per cent, from N4.52 billion in 2012 to N5.76 billion in 2013. The highest expected/ actual loss of N2.5 billion occurred in the first quarter of 2013, representing 47.4 per cent of the total industry expected/actual loss. The scams committed include, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) fraud, fraudulent transfers/ withdrawals, Internet banking fraud; cash suppression and unauthorised credits. Others are fraudulent conversion of cheques, diversion of customer deposits and presentation of forged cheques. Giving further insight, the report said two banks, out of 24 lenders in the country, did not render returns on dismissed/ ter-

minated staff as a result of frauds and forgeries. Of the 3,756 frauds cases, 682 cases were attributed to staff collaboration, indicating an increase of 151 of such fraud cases over the 531 cases reported in 2012. NDIC is empowered under section 35 and 36 of its enabling Act to obtain monthly returns on frauds and forgeries from all insured Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) involving their staff, whether terminated, dismissed or retired (on grounds of frauds). The corporation also said that three new DMBs that were licensed during the year had a total of 12 branches/offices, adding that the number of new entrants has swelled branches/ offices of DMBs by 40 from 5,225 as at December 2012 to 5,265 as at December 2013. Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) annual report for 2012 also indicated that the number of reported cases of fraud and forgery in the banking

industry increased in 2012. According to the apex bank, there were 4,527 cases of fraud and forgery involving N14.8 billion and $1.6 million, compared with 2,527 cases involving N29.5 billion as at December 2011. The 2012 report showed that the cases of fraud were perpetrated mostly by outsiders and some staff members of banks through such means as pilfering, theft, suppression and conversion of customers’ deposits, illegal funds transfer and fraudulent ATM withdrawals. Just this year alone, banks, other financial institutions (OFIs) and mobile payment operators (MPOs) lost N4.8 billion to electronic frauds. The losses were recorded between January and September. Chief Risk Officer, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Mr. Osioke Ojior, had disclosed this in an exclusive with New Telegraph in Lagos. Ojior, who spoke on

the sideline of this year’s annual electronic fraud conference organised by the Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN), said electronic fraud was assuming a new dimension in the country, requiring urgent actions to curb the trend. Citing an electronic fraud report by NIBSS, which chronicles cases of online frauds perpetrated in the industry between January and September 2014, Ojior said the banks recorded an attempted efraud volume of 916 cases, amounting to N4.7 billion, but finally lost N4.8 billion. Also, OFIs and MPOs recorded attempted e-fraud volume of 30 cases valued at N72.5 million, which, he said, resulted in a total loss of N32 million to the institutions. In total, Ojior said the institutions recorded a total of 946 attempted cases, resulting in an aggregate loss of N4.8 billion between the first quarter through the third quarter of the year.

in Hilux vehicles and motorcycles to attack the town. He said the combined efforts of the military and Civilian JTF ensured the defeat of the insurgents. The insurgents had also on Monday attempted to overrun Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, but were repelled by the military. Sources said yesterday that scores of insurgents were killed in the Monday attack during which the insurgents attempted to take over the Government House. The state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state capital. A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on Damaturu, the Yobe capital, following Monday’s attacks on the town by insurgents. A statement by Gaidam's Special Adviser on Press Affairs and Information, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, given to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, said the curfew took immediate effect.

It added that the governor imposed the curfew after consultations with heads of law enforcement agencies in the state. It said the decision was taken as part of measures to ``enable the security agents who did a great job repelling the insurgents’ attack on the town, to conclude their ongoing assignment." Gaidam condemned Monday's attack, describing it as “heinous and barbaric.” Meanwhile the management of the University of Maiduguri has banned students from entering campus with vehicles. The Public Relation Officer of the university, Ahmed Tanko Mohammed, said the measure was part of the university`s efforts to check suicide bombers. “For the time being, only staff members are allow to enter the university with vehicles, as you know we have to be proactive in ensuring security and safety of our students and staff," he stated.

Reps shift resumption to December 16 Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives has postponed its resumption until December 16, 2014. The postponement, which was contained in a statement issued yesterday and signed by the clerk of the House, Mr. Mohammed SaniOmolori, stated that the resumption was to allow the lawmakers to participate in the primaries of their parties. The statement said: “This is to notify members of the House of Representatives that the resumption of the House from recess earlier scheduled for December 3, 2014 has been postponed. “The leadership of the House of Representatives took note of the adjustment in the calendar of the political parties and took the decision for the postponement to allow members of the House participate in the forthcoming pri-

maries of their political parties. “The House will now resume on Tuesday December 16, 2014 at 10a.m.” All the political parties have scheduled their primaries in December. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed its national convention for December 10 and December 11. The governorship primary election is billed to hold on December 8 and appeal is slated on December 9, 2014. The PDP House of Representatives primary election is to hold on December 6 2014 and the primary for the senatorial aspirants is December 7, 2014 while appeal is slated for December 8. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has scheduled its gubernatorial primaries for December 4. The presidential primary is to hold on December 10 while the House of Representatives and Senate primaries will hold on December 8.

News

wednesday, december 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

national

aviation

Minister moves to address aviation issues to shore up the country's ratings

Wole Shadare

viation Minister, Osita Chidoka has unfolded his plans to tackle the many problems affecting the ailing sector. He added that the government was not comfortable that none of the country’s airport ranked among the among the best 20 in the world.

Nigeria’s airports ranking angers Chidoka l Explains why cargo shed will remain locked As part of the plans, Chidoka disclosed that the aviation industry contributes less than 0.4 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation, hinting that the Ministry and the agencies would try to ensure that the sector’s revenue is significantly raised. He also stated that the government was on the verge of reviewing all the concessions in the sector in line with global standards. There are so many concessions pacts that have come under scrutiny

and which have lingered for years. The concessions include the MMA2 and Maevis run by business man, Tunde Fagbemi which was abruptly terminated by a former Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), George Uriesi. Briefing reporters yesterday at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) office in Lagos, he disclosed that Nigeria’s airports are grossly underperforming, noting

that the aerodromes are poorly connected to the world because of facilities that needs to be upgraded. He explained that the survey that was carried out, only the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 run by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) is rated highly among all the airports in the country. He said already, plans are underway to certify first the Lagos and Abuja airports to meet the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) re-

quirements. His words: “It is regrettable that most of our airports are underperforming. Our airports are rated poorly by Skytrax. We must do a quick turnaround. We must change the perceptions we have outside as a result of our bad airports. The airports are the first contact with any country; so, we must change that perception”. The Minister stated that he has met with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor on how to ameliorate the problems

UN staff demand N5bn security facility to reopen bombed office

N1.5bn fraud: Ex-NIMASA DG, Omatseye, knows fate January 26 Akeem Nafiu

Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

taff of United Nation's agencies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja have demanded the building of a N5 billion security infrastructure at the United Nation's Common Office in Abuja. The Federal Government is already spending about N2.5 billion to rehabilitate the building after it was bombed by a suicide bomber in August 2011 killing at least, 21 and wounding 73. However, the workers said without such huge security provision, they may not resume work at the building which was originally built by the National Planning Commission. Mariam Sissoko, who received the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed and his entourage at the UN House on behalf of the Country’s UN Agencies Coordinator, Daoda Traore, said UN workers might be exposed to attacks if the building was merely rehabilitated and restored to its past state.

of the carriers in accessing foreign exchange at official rate rather than resorting to the black market. He noted that there was no aviation master plan, adding that what the industry has its road map which stipulates where the industry is headed over a period of time.

L-R: General Manager, Business Development, S&D, MTN, Kola Oyeyemi; General Manager, Operations, Lagos & Southwest region, Fehintola Mustapha, and Chairman, Tastee Fried Chicken, Adekunle Adedayo, at the launch of MTN-Tastee meal voucher in Lagos.

Jonathan honours 100 top APC condemns second businesses in Nigeria raid on party's data centre Villa Abuja, Jonathan Anule Emmanuel

resident Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday night honoured 100 local and foreign companies doing businesses in the country as a strategy to encourage additional Foreign Direct Investment FDI. Performing the ceremony at the Presidential

PUBLIC NOTICE THE GATE OF ZION GOSPEL BIBLE MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C.), Abuja for registration under Part "C" of the Company and Allied Matter Act 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Awowole Rebecca Toyin 2. Awowole Oluwole Alfred 3. Awowole Oluwakayode Busola 4. Omolayo Omoniyi 5. Ogbonmwan Osamogie Charles 6. Odunubi Ayodeji Oluyinka 7. Okanla Olugbenga Abosede 8. Awowole Olugbenga Olayinka AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the word of God throughout the world. 2. To deliver people from bondage. 3. To win soul for Christ. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: TRUSTEES

also directed the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to work with other relevant ministries and agencies to execute a comprehensive investment and trade agenda that would boost the economy. Speaking at the maiden Top 100 Businesses Award Dinner held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential villa, the President said that the directive was aimed at creating local production of goods and services to substitute unnecessary imports. He said that the falling prices of oil was a strong reminder that the country could no longer rely on one commodity as a foreign exchange earner. "We can no longer continue to export raw materials. We must produce what we consumer and consume what we produce. We must diversify our economy, even though we know no one nation is an island."

Temitope Ogunbanke

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the second raid of its party’s data centre by the Department of Security Services (DSS), describing the raiding as the height of lawlessness and an orchestrated provocation. APC in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said it is particularly alarming that the DSS carried out its raid despite the November 26 order by Justice Mohammed Nasir Yenusa of the Federal High Court in Lagos, restraining the DSS from further sealing off the data centre or taking further steps in connection with the property. The party said the moment Nigerians can no longer seek redress in court, just because the

law enforcement agencies have elevated themselves above the law, the country can as well bid good goodbye to constitutional order. ''Even under a PDP government that has nothing but contempt for constitutional order, the lack of respect for a court order by an institution of state like the DSS has plumbed the depth of anomie, and shows that our democracy is in clear and present danger from anarchists,'' it said. APC said the 40 armed DSS officers, who came with trucks, shoved the security personnel at the building aside and broke into the storage facility from where they carted away over 30 bags filled with the APC membership registration forms. Efforts to get comment from the DSS failed, as its spokesperson, Ms Marilyn Ogar neither picked calls nor replied to a text message sent to her.

ustice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of a Federal High Court in Lagos will on January 26, 2015, rule on a no case submission filed by a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), Raymond Omatseye, over an alleged N1.5 billion contract scam. The judge fixed the date yesterday after lawyers representing the prosecution and defence had adopted their written submissions before the court. Omatseye is standing trial on an amended 27-count charge of alleged contract scam slammed on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) Adopting his no case submission, defence lawyer, Olusina Sofola (SAN) urged the court to discharge and acquit the accused on all counts. Sofola, while noting that his client was accused of approving the award of contract in the sum of over N4 million, thereby contravening the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, posited that the prosecution was duty bound to state what the valid monetary threshold was, at the time of the award of the contract by the accused. "Since the counts in the charge refers to monetary threshold and not only threshold, then, the court must look at the definition of monetary threshold and not threshold’’, he said. "We also invite the court to look again at section 16 (2) of the Public Procurement Act, which provides that the council shall consider, approve and amend the monetary threshold for the application of the provisions of this act, by procuring entities’’, he also added.

NEW TELEGRAPH wednesday, december 3, 2014

News

nation's national capital

FG moves to tackle housing deficit

'N9.2bn cooking stoves for women outrageous'

Yusuf Shuaib

Abuja

Yusuf Shuaib

Abuja

inister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, yesterday said the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is taking the bull by the horn to tackle the estimated housing deficits of between 17 and 23 million units in the country. Okonjo-Iweala made this known at a housing stakeholders’ consultative workshop on “Enabling Land, Finance and Concessions for Affordable Housing Delivery,” held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. According to her, housing is of priority to the present administration and to President Goodluck Jonathan and the country. “It is also believed that the sector matters, hence the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) was launched on January 16, 2014 by President Jonathan as a PPP initiative with private sector mortgage lenders to encourage and promote home ownership by Nigerians and unlock the socio-economic potentials of the housing sector.

Jonathan deserves a second chance, says Abacha Yusuf Shuaib Abuja

he Chairman, Northern Patriotic Front, Comrade Ali Abacha, has given credit to President Goodluck Jonathan’s-led administration in transforming the country, saying he has performed so well and deserved a second term. Abacha, who doubles as the coordinator of Coalition for Civil Society for Transparency and Good Governance, was reacting the question on if the president’s performance was good enough to usher him back to the Aso Rock villa in the 2015 election.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Alhaji Mohammed Abbas; Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka and Special Adviser to the President on Aviation Matters, Capt. Victor Iriobe, at the minister’s interactive session with the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), at the NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Contractor gets deadline to complete Senate president, speaker’s residences deadline

FCT Minister gives contractor till May to complete projects Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

inister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, has directed the contractor handling the construction of new residences for presiding officers of the National Assembly to complete the houses before May 29, 2015. The minister, who gave the directive during the inspection tour of the houses, said the completion would coincide with the new dispensation of the National Assembly. Mohammed said the project is of priority to the Federal Government, which is why all outstanding certificates are being paid without any delay. He emphasised that the FCT administration would do everything pos-

sible to meet its own financial obligations to ensure that the houses are delivered on record time. He revealed the approximately N24 billion national houses’ scope of the work include the residences of the Senate President with banquet hall; the Speaker of the House of Representatives with banquet hall; Deputy President of the Senate and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. The minister further revealed that each of the houses comprises od a five-bedroom main building with a swimming pool and lawn tennis court, three-bedroom residence for the ADC, three-bedroom guest house, fourbedroom staff quarters and a gate house. “There are provision of common facilities such as chapel, mosque, general gate house and utilities” he said. The minister also inspected the vice-president’s house under construction and employed the contractor to double its efforts to deliver the

FCTA raises the alarm over influx of displaced people Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has raised the alarm over the sudden influx of displaced people from the troubled North East region into the nation’s capital. Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Reuben Okoya, who raised

the alarm at a press briefing, said the unrest in the North East and some parts of the South-South have led to the influx of displaced people into Abuja. The AMMC is in charge of managing the nation's capital in terms of development control, environmental issues, parks and recreation, relocation and outdoor advertising, among others. According to him, the sudden influx of people in

the city has posed a great challenge to existing infrastructure in the city, which he said are being overstretched. He said the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Abuja have grown well over 17 since the security crisis in the North East. Okoya, however, blamed the various state governments for their failure to make their states work, noting that Abuja would

project; assuring that his administration is determined to iron out all the knotty issues of variation due to the additional work on the project. Mohammed was also at the United Nations building that is being rehabilitated after the unfortunate

bomb attack sometimes ago. He pleaded with the contractor to, as a matter of urgency, complete the project; stressing that even the angle of corporate social responsibility should be able to motivate the contractor.

he All Progressives Congress (APC) National Women Leader, Hajia Rmatu Tijani Aliyu , has described President Goodluck Jonathan’s idea of buying cooking stoves worth N9.2bn for distribution to the rural women as outrageous. A South African company, Integral Renewable Energy has been awarded a contract to deliver to Nigeria, cooking stoves worth N9.2billion naira within 12 weeks. “An average rural woman does not need a cooking stove to survive in a country where everything is grounded to a standstill, coupled the insecurity that has rendered most Nigerians in the North East homeless; forcing them to be refugees in their own country”. “How can a nation that is almost grounded to a standstill think of spending whopping N9.2bn on buying cooking stoves for rural women, who would not be able to afford a litre of kerosene that is between N145 to N200 naira depending on the filling station”

FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ZARIA, P. M. B. 1041, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE

INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION AND TENDER FOR THE YEAR 2013 TETFUND SPECIAL INTERVENTION PROJECT. The Federal College of Education, Zaria is desirous of undertaking a prequalification and tender exercise for the underlisted projects. Consequently, the College wishes to invite reputable contractors to submit their technical and financial bids for the following lots. 1. Construction and furnishing of multi-functional hall including drilling of motorized borehole with 21, 000 litre capacity steel overhead water tank on 6m high stanction (Lot 1). 2. Supply and delivery of 21 seater brand new Mercedes Benz Marcopolo bus model 1721 (Lot 2). TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL BID REQUIREMENTS To be considered, potential Companies are required to submit all the under listed verifiable documents: 1. Evidence of Company registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and evidence of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in case of joint ventures to include names of Directors and Shareholders. 2. Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three years (20112013). 3. Current Company’s Audited Accounts for the last three years (2011-2013) duly stamped by registered Auditors. 4. Annual Turn-Over of the Company. 5. Evidence of Financial Capability and Banking support (Bank reference from reputable Bank). 6. Verifiable evidence of similar jobs successfully executed or being executed within the last five (5) years, indicating type, cost, location and evidence of award and completion certificate. 7. List of names of key personnel to be involved in the project stating their qualification, year of cognate experience and professional registration where applicable (Enclose photocopy of (Credentials). 8. Evidence of compliance with Pension Reform Act, 2004 by inclusion of clearance Certificate from National Pension Commission (PENCOM) 9. List of plants and equipment to be used for the project stating owned, leased or hired (where applicable). 10. Evidence of compliance with Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Amendment Act by inclusion of compliance Certificate from ITF. 11. Copy of VAT registration and evidence of past VAT remittances for completed projects. 12. Original Bank Statements for the past 12 months. 13. Company’s registered Address, functional contact Address, GSM phone number and e-mail address. 14. Reference letter from three previous clients of similar projects satisfactorily completed. 15. Sworn Affidavit satisfying that: a. The Documents submitted for Technical Bid must

not only be genuine but correct. b. The Directors of the company seeking for Technical and financial bid had never been a trouble maker or convicted by any court of law. c. The company shall not be bankrupt. d. None of the Officials of FCE, Zaria is a former or present director of the company. 16. Original copies of the documents would be requested to be made available for sighting whenever required. OBTAINING TENDER DOCUMENTS Tender documents can be obtained from the Estate Department upon payment of N15, 000.00 only nonrefundable tender fee for each of the lot of the project to the Bursary Department of the College and quote the reference number of the project on the receipt issued. SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION AND TENDER DOCUMENTS The Financial and Technical documents arranged in the order listed above are to be submitted neatly bound and sealed in an envelope with the outer envelope marked “prequalification and Tender documents for “……………….” (quote the appropriate project name and Lot” boldly written on the top right hand corner of the envelope) and deposited in the Tender box in the office of the Registrar, Federal College of Education, Zaria to reach him not later than 7th January 2015 at 12:00pm. IMPORTANT INFORMATION A) Failure to comply with the above requirements will automatically result in disqualification. B) The College reserves the right to verify the authenticity of any claim made on the Pre-qualification and Tender documents submitted by companies. C) The College reserves the right to reject any prequalification and tender document and is neither committed nor obliged to give reason for the rejection of any of the company responding to this invitation. OPENING OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Contractors or their representatives are hereby invited to the public opening of Technical and Financial bids documents scheduled to hold on 7th January, 2015 at 12:30pm in the College Conference Room. PLEASE NOTE: The execution of these projects will depend on the release of fund by the appropriate funding organs. F.C.E., Zaria will not be liable if there is any delay and/or failure in the release of funds for the projects. (Signed) Danlami Saidu Head Procurement Unit

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro

Drug package was my birthday gift, says suspect Juliana Francis

father of three, Obi John Chukwuenyem, arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, said one of his friends initiated him into drug trafficking on his birthday. The 48-year-old Chukwuenyem, who lives in South Africa, was one of the four suspected drug traffickers apprehended by the NDLEA officials. The drugs recovered from Chukwuenyem, Gilbert Kelvin, 37, Deborah Ifeoma, 40 and Okafor Michael, 44, were valued at over N374,625,000. He said: “I struggle to feed my family by selling foodstuff. At present, my capital is so small that the business is near moribund. “A friend met me on my birthday and introduced me into drug trafficking. He promised to pay me 15,000 South Africa rand. My children are out of school because of my inability to pay tuition fee. I regret everything. I pray to be out of this problem.” Ifeoma is a mother of seven, while Michael is a music producer, based in Asaba. The drugs weighing 41.625kg consist of 36.675kg of methamphetamine and 4.95kg of cocaine. The drugs were hidden in seChukwuenyem curity lamps, silicon sealants, foodstuff and luggage. The NDLEA Commander at the airport, Hamza Umar, said Ifeoma was found with 5kg of methamphetamine hidden inside foodstuff while Michael was caught with 4.95kg of cocaine inside silicon sealants. Aside from Michael that was coming from Sao Paulo with 4.95kg of cocaine, the other three suspects were trying to smuggle methamphetamine to South Africa where they resided. Ifeoma Kelvin Michael Stating his own story, Gilbert said: “I reside in South Africa where I import and export buy foodstuff like melon, veg- to promote his music label. He said: “I am a music prophones and clothes. I have five etables and other local spices. children from three women. My “There is a man in South ducer. I travelled to Brazil to business is grounded and I now Africa that I went to for finan- promote my music label and cial assistance to enable me to to partner with other produclive from hand to mouth. “My friend in South Africa expand my business. He called ers. I had a successful deal but for over 10 years gave me solar me that somebody will give me on my way back, I accepted a lamp where the drug was found. some food items for him. When bag from a friend I met in Sao He used to assist me financially I got to the airport, NDLEA of- Paulo to take to Nigeria. When ABIODUN BELLO and he also promised to pay for ficers detected methamphet- I got here, NDLEA demanded FEATURES Editor my children’s school fees.” amine in the package given to to search and 29 out of the 34 abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com On her part, Ifeoma, said: “I me by the man. This was how I sealants were found to contain have seven children and I take found myself in this situation.” cocaine. This is a major set© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company care of them from the sales of Limited Michael told narcotic inves- back for my career and I feel foodstuff. I came to Nigeria to tigators that he went to Brazil very bad.”

Ogun plans MITROS City Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

gun State Government has signed a concession agreement with UBA Construction Company for the development of multi-billion naira MITROS City on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. MITROS City, when completed on 2,000 hectares of land at Isheri area, is expected to provide housing for low, medium and high income earners. Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who signed the concession agreement in Abeokuta on Monday, said the project was part of his administration’s commitment to urban renewal and regeneration. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, the governor decried the illegal structures and lopsided developments on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Amosun disclosed that the popular Kara market in Isheri would give way for the project, adding that his administration had already secured a suitable location to relocate the traders. He said: “Many of them are illegal settlers but we will not treat anybody in Ogun State as illegal or as unauthorised. We are working out a scheme that would accommodate everybody. “We could have done this thing about a year ago. We will work out arrangement for relocation. It is when this had been secured reasonably that we can now begin to move. That is why I used Kara as an example. Kara is the biggest community there in terms of concentration. Kara should have gone before now.” The governor, who said that his administration had succeeded in improving the state internally generated revenue (IGR), vowed to pursue the new project with passion. In her address, the Special Adviser to the governor on Housing, Mrs Segun Abiodun, disclosed that the project was aimed at developing several self-sustaining cities and towns across the state. Abiodun, an architect, said the MITROS City would be well connected both locally and regionally owing to the upgrading of the LagosIbadan Expressway, a new toll road to Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos and a proposed LRT terminal.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Man kills wife, self in Anambra

Gov. Willie Obiano

Okegwo Kenechukwu

there was always a fight. “But today (yesterday) as I just came back from the market and was taking my bathe I heard the wife shouting, please don’t shoot me. Please don’t kill me. And suddenly I heard several gunshots. Immediately I came out, I saw people running helter-skelter. I ran too only to come back to see the couple lying in a pool of blood. The man was still alive but was very unconscious. However, the wife died immediately,” the neighbour said. It was also gathered that the diseased hailed from Ndiokpalaeke in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state. The couple had two children who are between four and seven years old. The body of the wife had been deposited at the morgue of a private hospital called Multi-care Hospital on Limca Road in Nkpor Idemili North Local Government Area while the husband later died at the Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha.

middle-aged man, Mr Willson Nwafor, yesterday shot his wife, Martha, and himself to death at Odume in Obosi Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. It was gathered that the man had been hav-

ing quarrels with his wife and his brother-inlaws over undisclosed reasons. A neighbour told our correspondent that the man had only returned from a trip a day before the incident. “The man was a transporter and was always away from home but each time he returned

Adesina Wahab

Abducted Ekiti nurses freed

Ado-Ekiti

he three nurses abducted by suspected ritual killers on the OrinIdo Road have been freed, as local hunters and police combed the forest where they were held captive. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Victor Babayemi, who disclosed this in AdoEkiti yesterday, said two other men kept by the abductors were also freed. Babayemi, however,

said none of the abductors was arrested owing to some reasons. He said: “The local hunters were the ones leading our men to the place where those abducted were being kept. Unfortunately, while they were close to the spot, the local hunters started shooting and that was why the abductors were able to run away.” The PPRO said the police also recovered

the Toyota Camry car in which the nurses were travelling before they were abducted. On the fate of the Director of Administration, Ado Local Government Area, Mr Tayo Olawuyi, who was kidnapped on Monday last week, Babayemi said his whereabouts were still not known. He said Olawuyi’s abductors were yet to make any contact with his family.

Muritala Ayinla

overnor Babatunde Fashola yesterday handed over 32 fire trucks and equipment worth $16 million (about N2.944 billion) to the Lagos State Fire Service. The governor also appealed to the residents to stop harassing fire service personnel and trained emergency responders during emergencies. Speaking before handing over the equipment, Fashola urged residents to always assist the responders to get access to the scene of incidents. It was gathered that the equipment cost about $16 million and only 15 per cent of the total cost had been paid to Ex-Im Bank of the United States. The governor said there were about 570 trained emergency first responders, spread across all the state local government areas, adding that they should be allowed to take charge of any emergency situation. In addition to the 32 fire trucks, the state also acquired about 500 fire fighting uniforms, while about 150 personnel were trained by US experts. Fashola said: “As we move into the dry season, the risk of fire incident is higher and I

orther n Governors’ Forum yesterday presented a cheque of N459,407.45 each to the wives and family members of the 74 security operatives killed during the ill-fated operation at Alakyo in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The money totalling N34 million was part of the N100 million pledged by the forum

to widows of the security operatives allegedly killed by Ombatse group on May 7, 2013. The pledge was made during the forum’s visit to the state, led by its Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu. Distributing the cheques at a ceremony held at the state police command headquarters in Lafia, Governor Tanko Al-Makura said the money was meant to cushion the hard-

ship being experienced by the families of the fallen security operatives. The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Ishaq, added that the distribution of the cheques followed the recommendation of a committee set up by the forum. Al-Makura urged the widows not to give up hope, advising them to use the money to

want to advise everyone, if you have not taken a fire policy, go and do so, because no matter how hard we try, accidents will happen and insurance can help to mitigate the devastation. “I also want to appeal that as I hope we do not have any need for these vehicles, when the need for them arise, I want to appeal to us to give way and grant access to these our highly trained and well-equipped fire fighting personnel. If we block access to where the fire is, we get in the way of their jobs. “We want to appeal that whenever this happens; we have to give way to them and assist them to get to the scene of the incident. In every local government, we have at least 10 fire service emergency responders that we have trained. Across Lagos, there are 570 young men and women working with Lagos State Emergency

Management Agency (LASEMA) as first responders.” The governor said the conceptualisation of improving on the state’s ability to respond to emergency started years back, adding that the first thing that was done was to put street signs across the state so that an incident scene could easily be identified. He added: “The architecture for where we are today was laid many years back. One of the first things we did was to put up street signs in Lagos. It was deliberate so that in times of emergencies, in times of crisis, it will be easy to locate the crisis point. “I want to again appeal to those who treat public infrastructure with disdain, that street sign can save your life, treat it with care, protect it and maintain it. It can make the difference between the golden hours whether or not help gets to you on time.”

Fashola commissioning the fire trucks

Alakyo: Security operatives’ widows get N34m Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

Fashola unveils N2.9bn fire equipment

carter for their needs and their children. The Commissioner of Police, Usman Yakubu and a representative from the State Security Service (SSS) attended the ceremony. Speaking with journalists after the exercise, the spokesperson of the widows, Afiniki Daniel, expressed happiness over the gesture. She, however, appealed to the body to redeem the remaining part of the pledge.

Fake extinguishers flood Onitsha, says fire officer Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

ome unscrupulous businessmen and women have flooded Onitsha in Anambra State with fake fire extinguishers. The Chief Fire Officer in charge of Okpoko Fire Service Station in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Mrs Mary Affah, raised the alarm over fire extinguisher racketing. Wor ried by the

spate of fire incidents in Onitsha in recent times, Affah said fake fire extinguisher producers had taken the advantage of the harmatan season to supply companies, banks and hotels fake fire extinguishers. She said her men had intercepted a truck load of fire extinguishers, contracted from Lagos and on close examination it was discovered that the extinguishers contained ordinary cassava flour and air.

News

wednesday, december 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

south west

Tinubu, Fashola square up over party candidate PRIMARIES

Party leader and Lagos governor are in another round of cold war over 2015

Muritala Ayinla

s Lagosians are anxious over who becomes the party flag bearers of various political parties in the February general election, governorship aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC), have vowed to resist any attempt to organise a shoddy gubernatorial primaries. The aspirants appealed to the party leadership at the state and national levels, to as a matter of

urgency, wade into the issue that may cause chaos at the primaries. This was even as the New Telegraph gathered that former Governor of the state and APC National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Fashola are in cold war over who becomes the next governor of the state. It was learnt that while Tinubu is bent on making the former AccountantGeneral of Lagos, Akinwumi Ambode to emerge the party candidate, Fashola is throwing his weight behind the former AttorneyGeneral, Olashupo Sashore (SAN), after all efforts to install his Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi Hamzat met a brick wall. In a communique is-

sued by the aspirants on Monday evening and made available to the New Telegraph, the aspirants warned against indirect primaries, saying that the indirect primaries could lead to chaos, litigation and may even deprive the party of a valid candidate for the general election in February, 2015. The communiqué read in part: "It is our belief that the indirect primaries can lead to chaos, litigation and may even deprive the party from presenting a valid candidate for the general election in February, 2015. "This is also taking cognisance of the suit filed by party members and served on the aspirants today (1st day of December, 2014.) Our party’s Ward Con-

gress elections held earlier in the year were conducted based on 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) making a total of 57." They also lamented that few days to the primaries, the criteria for choosing delegates are yet to be clearly defined, saying that the issue of 20 Local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas may also throw up the fundamental questions of how the voting delegates would emerge and what process will be used. "However, our current party constitution states that the “Local Governments (LGs) shall be defined as listed in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution” which for Lagos State is

listed as 20 LGAs. It also throws up the fundamental questions of how our voting delegates would emerge and what process will be used? In attendance were 11 out of 13 screened and cleared aspirants for APC Lagos primaries-. They included Adeyemi Ikuforiji , Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Mrs Adetokunbo Tobun Agbesanwa (only female), Ganiyu o Solomon , Dr Leke Pitan, Olasupo Sasore, Tokunbo Wahab, Dr Tola Kasali, Kunle Disu, Tayo Ayinde , Hon Lanre Ope. Akinwunmi Ambode and Abayomi Sutton were absent. They added, "That a Special Consideration be given to Lagos to conduct direct primaries rather than the indirect

L-R: Commander, Engineering Company, Ede, Brig. General Gbenga Adeyemi; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Director National Military Strategy of the National Defence College, Course 23, Commodore Abdul Ganiy Olabisi, during a visit to the governor in Osogbo…yesterday

Protests as 13 Ogun APC lawmakers get automatic tickets Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

hirteen members of the Ogun State House of Assembly belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were yesterday elected at the party's primaries for House of Assembly aspirants. They include the Speaker of the House, Suraj Adekunbi, and 12 legislators loyal to the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Their election was consequent upon the automatic tickets offered them by the APC leadership in the state to contest the 2015 general elections. New Telegraph gathered authoritatively that the offer was sequel to the plea by Amosun to

the party leaders that the 13 lawmakers loyal to him be compensated with automatic tickets. Series of meetings were held since last week between the APC leaders and various aspirants for elective positions where pressure was mounted on some House of Assembly aspirants to step down for the serving legislators. In one of the meetings which had Amosun in attendance, some of the House of Assembly aspirants were said to have rejected the directive to step down. However, the aspirants later agreed to opt out of the race when it became clear to them that the governor was determined to reward the 13 lawmakers with automatic tickets.

delegate-based primaries or the consensus exercise amongst the aspirants. This we believe can be held within the INEC timetable. Meanwhile, it was gathered that a serious horse-trading is ongoing within the party leadership over who succeeds Fashola and who emerges the party flag bearer in different elective positions.

Five Lagos lawmakers lose tickets Muritala Ayinla and Temitope Ogunbanke

andidates suspected to have support of the former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu yesterday won in the state Assembly primaries which held across the state yesterday. Five members of the Lagos State House of Assembly lost their bid to return to the Assembly on the platform of APC. Among state lawmakers whose aspiration to return to the House of Assembly hit the rock yesterday were: Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet, Oshodi-Isolo II; Ramota Akinola-Hassan, Amuwo Odofin II; Bashiru Oloto, Lagos Mainland II; Kabir Lawal, Surulere 1; and Ahmed Ipoola Omisore, Ifako Ijaiye II. They all lost in the primaries. Edet was beaten by Ladi Ajomale, son of the state chairman of APC, Henry Oladele Ajomale. It was a landslide victory as Ajomale’s son polled a whopping 250 votes; Moroof Ojoola polled mere 58 votes while Edet could only muster 37 votes.

Jailbreak: Ado Prisons was handicapped — Investigation Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

roken down close circuit television, inadequate power supply and other factors have been identified as hindrances to the officials of the Federal Prisons Ado-Ekiti to respond appropriately to the invasion of the facility by

armed gunmen on Monday. Checks by New Telegraph on Tuesday revealed that the CCTV system in the facility was not working as at the time of the invasion. It was gathered that the system was not properly utilised because of a number of factors, chief among which is poor power supply to the prison.

I'll remove Tinubu's burden on Lagos, says Obanikoro Wale Elegbede

rstwhile Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, yesterday officially declared his intention to take a shot at the Lagos State governorship seat in 2015 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He stressed his resolve to build a popular masses government, if elected. Obanikoro, at the declaration, commended the ingenuity of Governor Babatunde Fashola for running the affairs of the state, despite the domineering tendencies of former Governor Bola Tinubu.

Although the state, including Ado-Ekiti, the capital, has been experiencing epileptic power supply, the situation in the facility was not helped by the inability of the authorities to fuel the standby generator there. It was learnt that when the invaders came, everywhere was pitch dark, giving them the opportunity to shoot sporadically and

having darkness as their cover. although the prison was relocated to its present site about two years ago, from the heart of the town, property developers have since built structures close to it, thereby making it a bit difficult to control movement of the people, except when it is about 100 metres to the main gate.

APC primaries: Omirin, others contest in absentia Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

mbattled Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, and 14 other members of the All Progressives Congress caucus in the Assembly

yesterday took part in the party's primaries for House of Assembly election in absentia. Investigation by New Telegraph revealed that Omirin also contested with four others to secure the party's ticket for Gboyin State Constituency.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DecEMBER 3, 2014

State of the nation

PDP leadership

Speakership

Governance

14, 15

Soyinka: Jonathan acting like Nebuchadnezzar

Tukur loses bid to unseat Mu’azu

IG’s challenge of Tambuwal’s status

Gombe: Dankwambo’s new social order

Politics CHUKWU DAVID presents a graphic detail of senators’ reactions to the invasion of the National Assembly by the Police and other security agencies a fortnight ago

Senators’ anger over N’Assembly invasion

o say the least, November 20 has become historic and memorable in the annals of events in the nation’s democratic process. It was the day a similitude of anarchy engulfed the National Assembly as combined detachments of Nigeria Police Force and Directorate of State Security (DSS) barricaded all entrances to the legislative complex and took over the security checks in the area. The whole drama was precipitated by the orchestrated plot to stop the embattled Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, from entering the legislative complex to preside over the emergency session of the House. The Green Chamber, which has been on vacation for more than one month, had called for an emergency session to consider President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for extension of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. However, Tambuwal has not been having a peaceful sleep, as it is obvious that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on which platform he was elected to the House wants the Sokoto-born politician to vacate his seat in the House and by implication as Speaker, since he has formally defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). But in the usual characteristic attitude of Nigerians and politicians in particular, Tambuwal is not willing to vacate the exalted office, neither is the ruling party ready to look away from recovering the plum seat from the opposition party. When the security operatives took over the apex legislative complex as early as 5a.m. that day,

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Mark

and began to conduct intensive search on senators, reps, staff and visitors, it was widely speculated that the melodrama was designed to create room for the impeachment of the Speaker by the PDP Rep members, who were given free access to enter the barricaded Assembly. Members had to scale the gate of the Assembly to gain access to the chamber. Also, when Tambuwal and his supporters frustrated the attempt to stop their entry, the Police resorted to the use of tear gas outside and inside the White House, which harbours the two chambers of the parliament. The gas affected senators, reps, staff and visitors who were within the scene of the pandemonium. The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, was thoroughly rough handled and verbally abused by the Tambuwal loyalists. Their grouse with Mark was that, as the Chairman of the National Assembly, the Reps were of the opinion that he must have fore knowledge of the unusual security arrangement at the complex. Embarrassed by the whole furore, the Senate vowed to get to the root of the matter to unravel what led to the action of the security agencies. Consequently, on Wednesday, November 26, a motion was brought to its floor by the Senate Majority Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, entitled, “Breach of security at the National Assembly

Ndoma-Egba

Gaya

complex.” A seven-man ad hoc committee to investigate the invasion was thereafter set up. Below are the contributions of the senators to the debate.

I was disappointed when you said we should reconvene on Tuesday. You are bending too much to the extent that you were tear-gassed. The level of impunity under your watch is getting out of hands

Victor Ndoma-Egba (Cross River, PDP) “Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, you will recall that on Thursday November 20, the Chairman of the National Assembly and President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, distinguished senators and honourable members of the House of Representatives were prevented from accessing the National Assembly. This led to the regrettable situation of some honourable members scaling the fence to gain access to the National Assembly. Tear gas was freely used. “Mr. President, you were teargassed, the Speaker was teargassed, distinguished senators and honourable members were tear-gassed, members of staff even members of the public who were lawfully on the premises of the National Assembly were teargassed. I therefore, move that this distinguished Senate do condemn the act of the police, and then two, set up an ad hoc committee to investigate this incident and report

to this distinguished Senate within seven days, I so move”. Ningi: Invasion, a coup attempt Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central, PDP) is the Deputy Leader of the Senate: “Let me from the onset, in seconding this motion, thank the Leader of this Senate for bringing this matter for discussion. Not bringing this matter for discussion would have been a tragedy of monumental proportion. Mr. President, what happened last week at the National Assembly, is a coup attempt by the Nigeria Police against the parliament. It is a coup attempt against the institution of the National Assembly and of course, it is a coup attempt against democracy. In moment like this, it requires all people of goodwill, when things like this happen in a democracy like ours to stand up and be counted to condemn this act. “In the last 15 years, in the life of this administration, nothing of this nature has ever happened. Therefore, when things like this happen, people should not fear, people should not go into silence because it involves the police. “The police is a constituted authority, so also is the National Assembly. A lot of people are not CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

Politics

Nobel Laureate and literary icon, Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday addressed a state of the nation press conference in Lagos titled: “King Nebuchadnezzar – The Reign of Impunity.” He spoke on the crisis in the National Assembly, the role of the police and the festering Boko Haram insurgency, among others Biblical Nebuchadnezzar shall not insist that the historic/biblical figure of Nebuchadnezzar is uniquely apt for the pivotal figure of the ‘democratic’ history in the making at this moment – for one thing, Nebu was a nation builder and a warrior. One could argue even more convincingly for the figure of Balthazar, his successor, or indeed Emperor Nero as reference point – you all remember him – the emperor who took to fiddling while Rome was burning. However you should easily recall why I opted for King Nebu – the figure that currently sits on the top of our political pile himself evoked it, albeit in a context that virtuously disclaimed any similarities, even tendencies. Perhaps he meant it at the time when he claimed: “I am no Nebuchadnezzar.” Perhaps not. One judges leaders on acts however, not pronouncements, which are often as reliable as electoral promises. King Nebu remains relevant – and not only for leadership. We, the citizens, are beginning to feel the heat. Without any claims to prophecy – unlike Shadrach and company, we wake up each morning to a sensation that we have been cast in the furnace together with those who at least committed the crime of dissent or criticism. No divine miracle appears to be at hand for a last-minute rescue. In desperation, one is reduced to hoping that the evocation of his own biblical reference point will resonate somewhere in the mind of one who is so ostentatiously humble and pious, kneels at the feet of a priest who could easily be mistaken for an office worker, and cultivates the high and holy company of acknowledge spokesmen of God.

WEDNESDAY, DecEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Soyinka: Jonathan acting like Nebuchadnezzar

War against Nigerians So, here goes. Gentlemen of the Press, let’s not beat around the bush: the line has been drawn. The people must decide – whether to submit or resist. We may be nocount plebians in the sight of the new-born patricians of Aso Rock and their apologists but must we revert to the Abacharian status of glorified slaves? Of course, it is up to any people to decide. The praetorian guards have been let loose – to teach the rabble their place. The recent choice of a new leader for the Guard was clearly no accident, and this hitherto unknown enforcer, one Suleiman Abba, has

Soyinka

wasted no time in inaugurating a season of brutish power. When a people’s elected emissaries are disenfranchised, cast out like vagrants and resort to scaling fences to engage in their designated functions, the people get the message. However, the choice is always there, and each choice comes at a cost. It is either we pay now, or pay later. The latest action of the supposed guardians of the law against the nation’s lawgivers is an unambiguous declaration of war against the people. I am glad that a commentator has reffered to it as an attempted coup-de-tat. And it nearly worked. IG slavish attitude Legislators are not elected for their athletic prowess, and such endeavours should not be demanded of them. There are even presidents and prime ministers who were elected despite physical handicaps. The brain is where it matters, the vision and commitment to service. Our legislators however have made to perform over and beyond the call of the Olympics. I don’t understand why some media have described their action as a show of shame – this is a very careless, easily misapplied designation. The act of scaling

gates and walls to fulfill their duty by the people must be set down as their finest hour. They must be applauded, not derided. If shame belongs anywhere, it belongs to the Inspector-General of Police and his slavish adherence to conspiratorial, illegal, and unconstitutional instructions – to undermine a democratic structure, and one – to make matters worse – convoked in response to an emergency of dire public concern. What sticks to this policeman is worse than shame, it is infamy. Such a public servant deserves to be publicly pilloried, tried and meted a punishment that is appropriate to treasonable acts, if only to serve as deterrent to others in positions of responsibility under the law. To demand less is to reduce ourselves below the status free citizens of a free nation. It means we endorse violence against our representatives, that we are content to submit ourselves to the jackboots of naked force. It is to annunciate the era of the brute as the current fundamental modality of governance. Impunity in governance For this latest outrage, one in an escalating series of impunity, the buck stops yet again at the presi-

It is either we pay now, or pay later. The latest action of the supposed guardians of the law against the nation’s lawgivers is an unambiguous declaration of war against the people

dency, and that incumbent, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, continues to surprise us in ways that very few could have conjectured. Peaking at his own personalised example where he set the law of simple arithmetic on its head – I refer to the split in the Governors’ Forum, and his ‘formal’ recognition of the minority will in a straightforward, peer election – democracy has been rendered meaningless where it should be most fervently exemplified. Nothing is more unworthy of leadership than to degrade a system by which one attains fulfillment, and this is what the nation has witnessed time and time again in various parts of the nation, the recent affront against the legislative chamber being only the most blatant and unconscionable. We know of course that this is not the first of its kind in the nation’s history, but precedents are not binding. Each leader selects his or her own model for emulation or avoidance, and that choice is certain indication of the true nature of such a leader, and a clue to the kind of conduct that a people can expect of him. It is a warning. His choices for the occupancy of crucial public positions – such as the protective arm of the nation – constitutes an even more

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DecEMBER 3, 2014

immediate and constant public alert. The signals are ominous – for and beyond 2015. These, to state the obvious, are not ordinary times. The menace of Boko Haram hangs over the corporate entity called a nation and over every individual, citizen or mere bird of passage. The cliché ‘heating up the polity’ may grate the ear-drums with its banality but I think that we have a right to demand of a leader not to stoke up the furnace in which events have cast its citizens. Every day records a new violation of our humanity. The atrocious targeting of the great mosque of Kano has rendered any lingering doubt of impending national imposition an invitation for collective suicide, preferably through piecemeal dismemberment. The theories of cause and effect can wait, or continue-it does not matter-the omniscient in such matters continue to pontificate, some of them blithely forgetting that they indeed contributed to policies that landed us in this brutal cleft. What does matter is an awareness that the nation is only part of a global eruption of fundamentalist delusions whose staple diet consists of destabilisation and dehumanization – all summed up as an ideology of Hate for the different. For the defiant. This should form the basis for understanding by which an implacable enemy is confronted. And it should form the basis of leadership awareness. It should have led, by now, to national mobilization on an unprecedented scale, one that may even impinge, however temporarily, on those liberties that you and I consider non-negotiable in our rights as citizens. However, imagine, just imagine that today’s leadership were of such a cast of mind, one that makes demands of sacrifice from the citizens. The response would be outright rejection. And deservedly so, because any such motion would be distrusted. It would be seen as an act of insincerity, an opportunity to acquire even more powers for citizen enslavement. This is the price you pay for encroaching on the precincts and entitlements of others with whom you share a structure of authority. You lose the trust of the other legs of-in this case-a governance tripod. Every act, especially in abnormal circumstances, would be viewed with extreme suspicion, and the gates open wide, without any strenuous effort on its part, to the triumphal progression of the enemy. That is the collateral damage that the abuse of power attracts to whatever should be a collaborative undertaking. Where governance has degenerated to such a level that any individual, on account of his uniform, can stop an elected representative of a people, in this case a governor, from going about his legitimate duties or exercising his basic, elementary right as a citizen – as happened during the recent Ekiti elections - we do not need to guess what happens in a situation that calls for general mobilisation, on which, needless to say, the good will and trust of all arms of governance depend in a crisis. This, of course, requires the capacity for forward thinking. Electioneering The shambles that punctuated a presidential campaign visit at the Obafemi Awolowo University

a few days ago merely underline the total alienation of President Jonathan from the reality that has engulfed the nation. Yes, political campaigns are part and parcel of the bloodline of the democratic process. We know that they never stop. However, that a national leader should go campaigning on the platform of ethnic support at a time when priorities dictate a united engagement for survival, is a grotesque undertaking that was tragically rebuked in the massacre of worshippers and desecration of the Kano mosques, almost simultaneously with the alienated gathering of selected crowned heads and journeymen at the OAU campus, a macabre echo of Balthazar’s feast. Long before Nyanya, long before Chibok, long before the mildest of the now innumerable violations of our basic right to exist as free citizens, the march of a nation towards implosion has dominated the landscape, but an obsession with the pettiness of power has obscured remedial vision and thus, the creative options constantly open to any prescient leadership. If Somalia was too far away as instruction, then surely Mali remains sufficiently close warning. With the invasion of Mali al Qaeda and its clones and surrogates, we moved from mere portents, from mere distant rumblings, to the wake-up knock right against our gates – and yet leadership slumber remained unbroken. Mali was retrieved, a breathing space created, but it would appear that this was when complacency took over and snoring attained its highest pitch. The few waking moments have been spent on sterile, tawdry intrigues and consolidation on the marshes and quicksands of power. That failure in the aggressive destabilisation of the enemy is the cross that the nation bears today – but we must concede that this gross dereliction applies not only to Nigeria but to her neighbours – indeed to ECOWAS – and the collective failure for concerted action. Leadership counts however, and it was Nigeria that took the lead in that critical and timely

I opted for King Nebu – the figure that currently sits on the top of our political pile himself evoked it, albeit in a context that virtuously disclaimed any similarities, even tendencies

mission that was spearheaded by France. The lesson of Mali was completely lost on complacent leadership however, leaving time and space for alien invaders to make common cause with the internal, unleashing destruction at will and dancing around a nation whose armed forces have quitted themselves creditably on foreign missions. The architect of that initial policy of containment was the recently deceased Gbenga Ashiru, then Foreign Minister, unceremoniously removed for the ends of premature politicking, before the logical development of that initiative. Now of course, the very manipulators of Ashiru’s removal are falling over one another to heap praise on the quality of his achievements in office, skirting – who can blame them! – the tawdry reasons for his reasons for his removal from office. Petty, retaliatory calculations that placed the interests of the nation, the very security of its people in acute jeopardy from unfinished business. Ashiru’s presence in that position had become a fly in the palm wine of Balthasar’s Feast. Caution: no one dares predict that the plight of Nigerians would be any rosier had his ideas have pursued till the very end. The point is simply this – a process was interrupted, truncated without thought, petty politicking being made to override substance. I wrote Ashiru to commiserate with him and to bolster his morale. He replied in only two words: USE AND DUMP! Defend yourselves! This is what the perceptive have preached and groups like the so-called Junior Task Force translated into action, the real heroes of the defence of the tattered “Nigerian sovereignty”. Among them, a hitherto unknown, a woman, has become one of the symbols of resistance, an ordinary woman turned extraordinary, one of the hunters who routed the diabolical hordes who appear to rout our military even before their appearance. Does it sound today a whimsical as it may have sounded to some when I urged the organization

of willing survivors of Boko Haram into local defence corps, their women especially, proposed that they be kitted out fully, and formally inducted as auxiliaries. Ladi, it would appear, needed no such urging from any direction. It was obvious to her, and others like her that it was futile to await salvation from a centre that is so selfobsessed has with power that it no longer sees even the danger to its very existence. A people must defend itself. These are no ordinary times, and we have moved beyond orthodox solutions. “Where two or three are gathered together…” – I shall complete those words my own way –“they must anticipate, organise, obtaining or improvising the wherewithal as circumstances dictate. Fascism is the eternal enemy of freedom, and it comes both in internal and external forms. Today, it would be premature to claim that Suleiman Abba and the many incarnations of Shekau are cut from the same mould but, remember, we have been here before. Who can forget Sunday Adewusi, the original Robo-Cop! And so, consider this; the ripples from the fascistic eruption of a Suleiman Abba may actually result in far greater casualties and inhuman degradation of society than those so far recorded even at the hand of Shekau and his cohorts. That is the real and present danger. This is why the call for vigilance is real and urgent, and a need to clip the wings of predatory bird before it devours society, becomes paramount. Beset by external and internal threats to liberty and dignity, abandoned internally by a do-it yourself government on the one hand, and externally by (claimed) impediments from cynical allies - as we are made to believe in the media - let no one cry Anarchy when the people respond to that historic cry of liberation, to which one leader after another - the most recent being the Emir of Kano and the Ulama leader Yahaha Jingir have felt moved to urge upon their people: “Citizens, Defend yourselves!”

Senators at war over plot to impeach Jonathan lSenate adjourns till December 16 Chukwu David Abuja

enators yesterday disagreed on the authenticity of the speculated high-level plot by lawmakers to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. While Senator Abdulkadir Jajere (APC, Yobe South) told journalists that plans had reached an advanced stage to remove the president from office over alleged impeachable offences he committed since his election in 2011, Senator Ayogu Eze (PDP, Enugu North) described Jajare’s claim as falsehood. Some national dailies had reported last week that the alleged impeachment plot was hinged on the non-implementation of budgets by Jonathan since 2011 to date; alleged high

level of corruption in his administration and “gross disregard” of the legislature. The report, which claimed that 63 senators had signed the impeachment notice, listed eight Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)senators among the signatories to the planned removal of Jonathan. Jajere, who was quoted by some newspapers (not New Telegraph) as the source of information on the plot, told journalists yesterday that the list of signatories, which was put at 63 last week, had risen to about 70 as at the time of the interview. “As at last week, 63 of us had signed up for the impeachment. My signature was the fourth but I can confirm to you that we have 63 signatures but after the session today, two people had called me and told me that they want to sign. One of them is

an APC senator who was away doing campaign because he is contesting the governorship election of his state. Two other persons are PDP senators. “As of today, the required signatures to initiate the impeachment notice had been obtained. The Senate has adjourned till December 16; so, by that date, the impeachment notice will be presented on the floor of the Senate. Before the end of today (yesterday) I can assure you that the list will swell up to 70,” he added. But infuriated by what he considered as absolute falsehood and attempts to mislead the public, Eze said the purported list of signatories was non-existent. “Put me on record, Senator Jajere is a blatant liar for saying that 63 or 70 senators have signed his alleged impeachment list against President

Jonathan. The said list is nonexistent in the Senate and why didn’t you tell him to show you the list on which he said he is number four and in particular, ask him who is number 65 there? “Yes, there are some political opponents of the president in the Senate or even disgruntled ones, but the fact is that even if they want to make such move, they cannot even get up to 10 and where are they even going to table such rubbish. We are waiting for them anyway,” he said. Similarly, Senator Yau Sahabi, representing Zamfara North, said he was not aware of the impeachment plot, adding that initiating such a process is not necessary because it will only amount to a waste of energy and overheating the polity. Meanwhile, the Senate has adjourned plenary till December 16 to enable members to participate in the ongoing screening of aspirants and their party primaries.

16 Politics

WEDNESDAY, DecEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tukur loses bid to unseat Mu’azu Abuja

lI’ll appeal verdict, says ex-PDP chair

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday dismissed the suit instituted by an aspirant to the House of Representatives from Adamawa State, Aliyu Buba Gurin seeking to unseat the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu’azu. The court also dismissed the counter-claim brought by the immediate past chairman of the

party, who is the second defendant in the suit, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, seeking his reinstatement. But Tukur stated that he will challenge the judgement at the Court of Appeal. Gurin had asked the court to unseat Mu’azu and at the same time stopped him from presiding over the December 10th PDP convention. Tukur, who was the

Tunde Oyesina

second defendant in the suit, brought a counterclaim supporting all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff. The plaintiff had joined PDP, Bamanga Tukur, Mu’azu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as first to fourth respondents. Delivering judgement in the suit, the trial judge, Justice Evoh Chukwu held that the

court has jurisdiction to entertain the matter on ground that suit seeks the court’s interpretation of some sections of the constitution. He held that when it appears that a political party has breached its internal provisions, the court can be invited to determine the level of complicity. On the issue of locus of the plaintiff to institute the suit, the court held

that he (plaintiff) lacked the legal right to institute such suit on ground that the interest he canvassed was not different from that of every other member of the party. He added that the plaintiff did not demonstrate any specific interest as to how the appointment of Mu’azu affected him since he did not have the intention of contesting for the post. Dismissing Tukur’s

counter-claim, the court held that such application is strange to the nation’s jurisprudence and hence should not be allowed to stand. “In interpreting statutes, ordinary meaning should be given. The defendants in this suit have complied with Section 47 of the party constitution by appointing Mu’azu from the same geographical region of the resigned chairman. “The complaint of the plaintiff, therefore goes to no issue. No specific interest was shown by the plaintiff. The plaintiff have not shown any locus for bringing this suit. The injury he claimed was self-inflicted. “I have studied the counter-claim of the second defendant, his procedure is unknown to our jurisprudence. Having held that it is unknown to our law, it is accordingly dismissed. “The application of party seeking to join has become an academic exercise and hence dismissed. “The suit is thereby dismissed in its entirety, the counter-claim is also dismissed. Plaintiff to bear the cost of the action.” Reacting to the judgement, the national legal adviser of the PDP, Victor Kwon, commended the judgement, adding that the court had simply interpreted Section 47 (6) of PDP constitution. “On the issue of discipline, it is a matter that the party will look at closely. Because, as much as the party wishes to open its arms to all members, discipline also has to be maintained within the party hierarchy,” stated Kwon. At the argument stage, counsel to the plaintiff, Rotimi Oguneso (SAN) contended that the resignation of Tukur did not comply with the provision of Section 47(5) of the constitution of the party which stipulates that a 30-day notice be given to the National Executive Committee by Bamanga Tukur. He further argued that the appointment of Mu’azu as the new chairman did not follow the laid down provisions of the party constitution. The plaintiff further contended that what gave him locus to institute the suit is his membership of the party. He, however, prayed the court to set aside the appointment of Mu’azu. Tukur in his counterclaim through his counsel, Adamson Adeboro, argued that he was forced to resign his post as the national chairman of the party in order for the five defected governors to come back to the party.

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DecEMBER 3, 2014

IG’s challenge of Tambuwal’s status Members of the House of Representatives last Wednesday took on the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, for declining to recognise Hon. Aminu Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives at an investigative hearing on the invasion of the National Assembly. PHILIP NYAM reports

ttempts by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Police Affairs to investigate the causes of the police invasion of the National Assembly on November 20, leading to the prevention of the speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal from entering the complex and forcing other lawmakers to scale the gate in order to access the complex went awry following the refusal of the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Suleiman Abba to recognise Tambuwal as speaker. Despite all entreaties from the lawmakers, the IG stood his ground and insisted that since the issue bordering on the status of Tambuwal as speaker was before the courts, he could not comment on it pending court ruling on the matter. It will be recalled that the National Assembly was on that fateful Thursday virtually taken over by heavily armed policemen and other security operatives apparently to prevent the speaker from accessing the Assembly complex. Tambuwal who was in company of some lawmakers including All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus leaders such as the minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila; deputy minority leader, Abdulrahman Suleiman Kawu, Olamilekan Solomon Adeola, Mohammed Zakari, Samuel Adejare Akinlade, among others came through the main entrance to the National Assembly (from the national arcade and Federal secretariat axis). At the first gate, the speaker’s convoy was allowed free entry. He also had an easy ride through the second gate. But when he arrived the third and final gate at 10.54 a.m., where hooded police and other security men mounted barricade, his car was stopped. Tambuwal was compelled to disembark from his car to confront the security men. He introduced himself so that he could be allowed in but was ignored. The FCT Commissioner of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, was seen around making calls. The lawmakers later resorted to scaling the gate to join the

Tambuwal

Abba

speaker, who had succeeded in entering through the pedestrian gate and was trekking to the Assembly complex. As he was moving, the policemen started firing canisters of tear gas. It was in view of this development that the House mandated the Committee on Police Affairs led by Hon. Suleiman Kumo to conduct an investigation into the matter and report back on December 3, when it reconvenes from recess. The investigation The investigation, which opened in a tensed manner, could not last for more than 30 minutes as it was aborted. Chairman of the Police Affairs Committee, Kumo, who sensed that there was imminent trouble ahead tried to calm down frayed nerves by being very cautious in driving the investigation. In declaring open the investigation, he told the IG and his team that “we are here to discuss the issue that was referred to this committee by the House of Representatives last Thursday when we were recalled for a special session, to approve the extension of the emergency rule, as pleaded by the president. We are here to deliberate on the incidence that happened last Thursday when the police invaded the National Assembly and fired tear gas at lawmakers including the speaker, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.” IG’s presentation: If the lawmakers had set the tone for friction at the investigative hearing, the IG sparked the conflict when he deliberately declined to acknowledged Tambuwal as speaker. Abba preferred to refer to the speaker as “Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal,” insisting that the issue was before the court, and as such he will not comment on it. When the IG referred to the Speaker as “Tambuwal’, the lawmakers attempted cautioning him by interjecting

We saw how security arrangement at that gate was compromised and we saw how people we suspect to be thugs crossed the fence

but the chairman of the committee pleaded with them to allow the IG finish his presentation. The IG accused Speaker Tambuwal of bringing in thugs. On why policemen were deployed to the National Assembly on November 20, the police boss explained that the deployment of policemen was occasioned by an “intelligence and credible information” that some hoodlums were planning to attack the National Assembly, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Presidential Villa on that fateful day. According to him, “along the back ground to what the chairman called the locking of the gate of NASS as well as tear gassing of members of the Assembly, among the background of the deployment, there is the need to understand why the deployment was made that day; additional deployment. “The National Assembly has always been working with police officers, as it is provided for in the National Assembly standard security operational procedure. And that will also answer the question on whether they shared the intelligence or informed any of the officers around”. Continuing, he said: “When on the November 19, members of a political party including their leaders and a serving governor conducted a rally at the Eagle Square, proceeded in a procession to the headquarters of the Nigeria police made uncomplimentary statements among which, was the fact that what they were doing that afternoon was just a tip of the iceberg of what they will be doing in subsequent days, promising to come back on November 20, to continue the procession with the blockage of the Police headquarters, and even promising to extend to other areas including the National Assembly and the headquarters of INEC. “This in addition with the information, credible information made available to the Nigerian police, but the security of the National Assembly was not only going to be penetrated but that mayhem and desruption of activities of

the National Assembly, the police high command directed the police commissioner of FCT. In line with that directive, the CP and the DPO of the NASS and the liaison officer contacted the Sergeant at arms who is responsible for the security of the National Assembly inviting for the support of the police and the SSS.” As to whether the ‘credible information’ was shared with any of the presiding officers in the National Assembly, the IG explained that “not only that some of the principal officers or staff, called me directly to confirm the increase of security at the National Assembly that night of November 19 and I told them that there is information that there is plan by hoodlums to disrupt the security of the National Assembly. And bearing in mind what happened in the parliament in Burkina Faso on October 30, that security was strengthened and it included that the operational procedures of the security of National Assembly, must be complied with, that is why arrangements were made for members to identify themselves.” On the tear gas that was fired at the lawmakers, the IG explained: “Unfortunately, the tear gas exploded outside the gate and that is being investigated. We saw how security arrangement at that gate was compromised and we saw how people we suspect to be thugs crossed the fence and that resulted in the unfortunate incident where tear gas exploded.” He also alleged that policemen on duty were beaten and disobeyed by the thugs imported by Tambuwal. Lawmaker’s protest The lawmakers protested the IG’s reference to the speaker as “Alhaji Tambuwal” and demanded that he withdraw the statement. One of the lawmakers, Hon. Hakeem Muniru (APC Lagos) requested that “Abba must retract his statement calling the speaker; “Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal” or I take my leave as I would deem this sitting as an illegal one. Because I can’t participate in a hearing where the office of the speaker through whose authority we are having this meeting is not even recognised by an appointee of the executive.” Kumo thereafter simplified the demand, explaining that “I believe the IG does not mean he did not recognise the institution of National Assembly. Mr. IG, simple question that triggered this hullabaloo is about the statement that is perceived by members which you can correct or which you can assert, whether the speaker is Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as it is today or not, simple.” But the IG responded: “Mr. Chairman and esteemed members of this committee, you know too well matters before the courts are not to be debated. I believe it will be subjudice for me to comment on the matter.” The IG’s answer ended the investigation as the committee chairman was forced to adjourn the sitting instantly.

MORE STORIES ON pageS 41-43

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Orji Kalu and the aborted Senate odyssey (2)

Iheukwmere Echewodo Continued from yesterday

had expected the leadership of PDP to use the Senate seat to compensate Orji Kalu for the many injustices against done him. But it blew the chance. Why should the party defer to Governor Orji instead of Kalu. Both men are not on the same pedestal. Even if Governor Orji becomes President tomorrow he can never match Kalu’s political sagacity. He may make all the noise in this world and junket ten million times between Umuahia and Abuja, Governor Orji can never be a match to Orji Kalu. Then why has the party not seen this remarkable difference? Is the party just comfortable with having a serving governor as the leader of the party in Abia State without factoring in his political assets or liabilities? For me, PDP is not serious about its intention to retain Abia State as one of the states it controls. Otherwise it would have read between the lines to see the difference between Orji Kalu and Theodore Orji. Could Governor Orji have survived politically up to this day without Orji Kalu? The answer is capital NO. From 2007 till date Governor Orji has worked with the structures put in place by Orji Kalu. There is no single person in Governor Orji’s government today that does not have something to do with Orji Kalu. Governor Orji does not have any structure to call his. He depends on Orji Kalu’s men to survive. I have continued to wonder why Theodore Orji should fight Orji Kalu with such fierceness and brutality even to the point of wanting to destroy him politically. That =Kalu made him governor against all odds should have made him soft-pedal. What his recalcitrance means is that Governor Orji does not have a forgiving heart. Even if Orji Kalu committed the most heinous sin against him he should have recalled all the good things he did

The problem with Governor Orji is ego. He does not know how to face the reality before him. In his quiet moments let him ruminate on all that has happened between him and Orji Kalu and he will see that he has not been fair to him for him and forgiven him. How much resources has Abia State wasted in the fight against Kalu, which is still raging? For me, Abia State Government is the loser, because the battle it is waging against Kalu is not worth the cash. Kalu has made it in life and there is nothing anybody can do about it. His life does not hang on his going to the Senate. But for Governor Orji he is a big loser, because his conscience will never cease tormenting him. He knows deep in his heart that he has not been fair to the man who made him what he is today, even when he was faced with stiff opposition. Governor Orji owes Orji Kalu a huge debt of gratitude. The problem with Governor Orji is ego. He does not know how to face the reality before him. In his quiet moments let him ruminate on all that has happened between him and Orji Kalu and he will see that he has not been fair to him. My kind tells me that unless Governor Orji reconciles with Kalu without hesitation he will face the wrath of God, along with his accomplices. He should not forget that God does not tolerate injustice in any form. For PDP leadership, they have shot themselves in the foot. I exempt the National Chairman of

the party from this condemnation. I do this in appreciation of his unrelenting efforts to entrench internal democracy in PDP despite the open opposition against it. Nevertheless, I urge him not to lose hope, but to work harder until PDP is liberated from the hands of political hawks that have ganged up against it. For President Goodluck Jonathan, he should wear his thinking cap. Igbo love him and will vote for him for a second term in office. Nonetheless, this depends on how he plays his cards. He should not put his trust in a political lightweight like Governor Orji whose regime has brought untold hardship on the people of Abia State. If the President did not know before now let me tell him: he will lose Abia State if he hangs his hope on Ochendo. Almost every Abian is in agreement that we will not vote for any candidate backed by Governor Orji. Nothing will make us change our mind. Abia State is ranked as the worst state in Nigeria, courtesy Governor Orji’s inability to serve our people diligently. So, how does any right-thinking person expect the same people he has misruled to vote for him or anybody connected to him? For Orji Kalu, I advise him to remain calm and prayerful. God has not finished with him yet. There is light at the end of the tunnel. It is only a matter of time before God manifests himself. I salute his courage for withdrawing to save Abia PDP from deeper crises. This is the hallmark of a man who loves peace and progress. It is hoped the PDP leadership will see the latent gifts in Orji Kalu and exploit them it to its own benefit. And to Abians, I encourage them to work for change. Our destiny is in our own hands. We must rally support behind any candidates of our choice and ensure they scaled through in the forthcoming elections. This is the only way to stop the forces of darkness from overrunning our state. Concluded • Echewodo writes from Ikwuano, Abia State.

Farming as preoccupation for Ogun (2) Yusuph Olaniyonu Continued from yesterday

t also rendered extension services to 500 cocoa farmers spread across the state on latest techniques on all tree crops production while 600 others have been trained at the Farmer Field School. The ministry has established two hectares of cocoa seed garden at Alagbagba in Odeda Local Government Area while it has engaged in the cultivation of 50 hectares of cocoa in the same neighbourhood. In the area of cassava production, the ministry has a unit under its Agricultural Services Department called Cassava Revolution Programme, which has helped to mobilise relevant stakeholders for the adoption of improved, high yielding, early maturing and disease resistant cassava varieties. The unit has since distributed 43,000 bundles of improved varieties of cassava cuttings to farmers under the GES. It is also working with IITA and the Federal Government to create high yielding cassava variety demonstration farms, caterina de medici Africa. The government is set to install a high quality cassava flour plant in the state while it has also cultivated thousands of hectares of land for cassava so as to help in meeting

Apart from cassava, other farm produce which the state government has focused on, both in direct involvement and helping local farmers to increase their production capacity are rice, cotton, cashew and tomato the raw material needs of the proposed plant and other industries which are daily setting up shop in the state. Apart from cassava, other farm produce which the state government has focused on, both in direct involvement and helping local farmers to increase their production capacity are rice, cotton, cashew and tomato. In fact, the government has invested heavily in establishing Green Technology farms for the production of tomato and pepper. The farms located in Kotopo provide employment opportunities for about

50 youths who are managing them. It also served as a centre for transfer of technology as there are now 30 others which sprang up across the state after learning from the government project about the effectiveness of the new technology. The state government is also encouraging farmers through the purchase of land clearing equipment worth N600m which is hired to farmers at subsidised rate. This has made the job of ploughing, harrowing, slashing, planting, spraying and shelling very easy and affordable for farmers. Access to fertiliser has equally been made easy and cheaper. Also, farmers can get soft loans out of the N1 billion facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) being administered by the state while its extensive training programmes have actually helped to improve the production capacity of farmers in the state. Other major projects embarked upon by the government for the benefit of the people are the cultivation of 50-hectare cashew farm located in Afon; 50-hectare rice plantation in Onidundu; another 50-hectare oil palm plantation in Ipokia; and the partnership it entered into with the Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture for the development of 250 hectares of paddy rice. These are projects that will change the face of food production in the state judging by the benefit that will accrue to the people. It is also worthy of mentioning that the Ministry of Agriculture in Ogun State has created what it calls Oja Irorun, an outlet where public servants can shop for agricul-

tural produce at farm gate prices. A more elaborate version of this market is the beautiful edifice in Asero area of the state capital which is open to all members of the public. It is called Agric Mart or Oja Agbe. More importantly, the government has consistently liberalised the process of obtaining land by investors in agriculture and agro-based industries. That is why the longest road being constructed by the government, the 107 Kilometre Ilara-IjounEgua road, is aimed at opening up the many square kilometres of arable land in four local government areas of Ogun West senatorial district. It is however necessary to mention the establishment of the Owowo Model Farm Estate in which 40 graduates were selected after a rigorous process and housed in very comfortable accommodation. The graduate farmers engage in various aspects of agricultural production including arable crop production, poultry and fish farming. They are demonstration agents to other educated youths that farming is not only for the unlearned rural people. It is in fact the new and sure way to wealth creation and becoming an employer of labour. It is believed that with all these efforts and more that cannot be captured in this piece because of space constraint, Ogun is set to reclaim its lost glory as the nation’s most viable farming region.

Concluded • Olaniyonu is Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ogun State.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

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The rising cases of tuberculosis

he World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed concern over the rising cases of Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria, which has risen to three times what was initially estimated. Out of the estimated 3,700 TB cases per year in Nigeria, only about 500 have been placed on treatment The WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Rui Gama Vaz, disclosed this at the formal launch of the National Strategic Plan for TB Control (2015-2020) and Dissemination of the First National TB Prevalence Survey Report in Abuja recently. He regretted that: “Nigeria is now the Third highest TB burden country in the world and the First in the Africa Region. With the current 16 per cent TB cases notification rate, the Nigeria’s TB treatment gap has also become the highest, accounting for 15 per cent of the global gap. It is also important to note that, the survey also confirmed a worrisome situation with regard to Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDRTB). Nigeria is now the 13th highest MDTR-TB burden country globally and the Second highest in the African Region, with estimated 3,700 cases per year, of which only up to 500 have ever put on treatment. It is germane to underscore the fact tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part of the body, but they

usually attack the lungs. Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common opportunistic infection in people living with HIV in Nigeria. Many people with HIV die prematurely from TB. TB is curable. It is also possible to prevent it. Furthermore, TB is spread through the air from one person to another. When a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes or even speaks, the TB bacteria enter the air, and people nearby might breathe in these bacteria and become infected. When a person breathes in TB bacteria, the bacteria can settle in the lungs and begin to multiply. From there, they can move through the blood to other parts of the body, like the kidney, spine, and brain. TB in the lungs or throat can be infectious. This means that the bacteria can be spread to other people. According to the World Health Organization, TB infection is currently spreading at the rate of one person per second. The disease kills more young people and adults than any other infectious disease and is the world’s biggest killer of women. In 1993, WHO declared TB to be a global health emergency. Each year, an estimated eight million to 10 million people contract the disease and about two million people die from it. About one-third of the world’s population or approximately two billion people carry the TB bacteria but most never develop the active

disease. Around 10 per cent of people infected with TB actually develop the disease at some point during their lives, but this proportion is changing because of HIV. HIV severely weakens the human immune system and makes people much more vulnerable to TB infection. We must not fail to point out that, most people who become infected with TB are able to fight the bacteria and stop them from multiplying. The bacteria become inactive, but they remain alive in the body and can become active later. This is called latent TB infection. People with latent TB infection have no symptoms, cannot spread TB to others, usually have a positive skin test reaction and can develop TB disease later in life if they do not receive treatment for latent TB infection. TB bacteria become active if the immune system cannot stop them from multiplying. The active bacteria begin to multiply in the body and cause TB disease. Some people develop TB disease soon after becoming infected, before their immune system can fight the TB bacteria. Other people might get sick later, when their immune systems become weak for some reason. Moreover, although people with latent TB infection do not have symptoms and cannot spread TB to others, people with active TB disease may spread TB. People with active TB disease may have

an abnormal chest x-ray, a positive sputum smear or culture, and may experience some of the following symptoms: a bad cough that lasts longer than two weeks; chest pain; coughing up blood or sputum; weakness or fatigue; weight loss; no appetite; chills; fever and sweating at night. It is very important that patients take their medicine correctly for the full length of treatment. If the medicine is taken incorrectly or treatment is stopped, the patient might become sick again and will be able to infect others with TB. If the treatment is not completed, the TB bacteria might become resistant to the medications. As a result, many public health authorities recommend DOTS, or directly observed treatment, short-course, where a health care worker ensures that patients are taking their treatment regimens properly. Regular checkups are needed to monitor treatment progression. Sometimes the medicines used to treat TB can cause side effects. It is important that people undergoing both preventive therapy and treatment for TB disease immediately inform a doctor if they begin having any unusual symptoms. It is imperative that the government and all relevant stakeholders must form a synergy to ensure that rising incidents of tuberculosis in put paid to, after all, health is wealth.

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Arts

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Book Review

More than diagnosis of the legislature, governance

ne cannot but acknowledge that there are quite a number of remarkable things to be said about this book: The Legislature and Governance in Nigeria (Vol.1) rightfully dedicate in honour of one of the eminent and brightest minds in the field of political science not just in Africa, but the world today, our one and only Prof. Bunmi Ayoade. It is a book of 28 chapters grouped under four basic sections and spread over 584 pages inclusive of three leaves of index. The book is presaged by a foreword written by respected former Professor of History at Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Adebanji Akintoye, acknowledgements and a preface by the editors- Dr. Emmanuel.O. Ojo, former Head of Political Science Department, University of Ilorin, but whose address when I checked last was Governor Abiola Ajimobi University of Political Affairs and of course, Dr. J. Shola Omotola of Redeemers University, which besides introducing us to the work attempts a précis of the content. The book evaluates a crucial organ in the political life of the Nigerian Nation – the legislature, against the backdrop of a logical deduction one is tempted to make that the legislative houses at every level of government would play “highly exalted roles in governance, especially as protectors of diverse interests and voices of the people”, given the ethnic and political diversities of Nigeria and the usually robust competitiveness in partisan politics and its political processes. However, it submits that this vital branch of government has confoundingly, progressively declined in the exercise of its legislative powers and powers of oversight over the executive functions of government, in its role as the voices of its remote constituencies and lost its voice in the enunciation of party positions on matters of national importance. Chapter after chapter poignantly illustrate this issue in perspectives for us to appreciate this malaise and the underlying factors that account for it, as well as the consequences, notably the emas-

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@ newtelegraphonline.com

culation of the legislature due to frequent military intervention ills and corrupt tendencies to which the organ itself was subjected or exposed to and strong tendency towards despotism in governance respectively. Section A of the book, consisting of six chapters, provides a broad canvas of theoretical foundations that serve as a framework for underpinning succeeding parts, which in pragmatic terms attempt to measure/match promise and performance. It begins with an insightful introductory chapter penned by Dr. Omotola that dwells on the legislature in democratic political theory and extensively puts the Nigerian experience in comparative perspective. It identifies the salient functions of the legislature as legislation, representation and oversight that ensures both the vertical accountability of rulers to the ruled as well as the horizontal accountability of all other government agencies to the one branch - the legislature. From illuminating definitions and thougths of various scholars, the writer notes that the legislature’s powers cover that of the “purse, approval of executive and judicial appointments, adoption and ratification of treaties, investigation of public officials (for wastages/corruption) and impeachment proceedings. Of all these, the power of the purse would appear to have emerged as the most important. However, he regrets that often than not “the definition of who has power over the budget does not tell us whether or not the budget is un-

This study has important policy implications

der control”, as the parliamentarians fail or prove incapable of exercising their oversight power over aberrations or excesses of the executive in terms of withholding of appropriated funds and virements (that is ability to relocate or transfer funds and budget items during implementation). They do not also scrutinize the budget or its implementation enough; even as the executive in some cases introduce new spending without legislative approval. This chapter entitled: “The Legislature As a Cardinal Institution of Democracy” also

Book title: The Legislature and Governance in Nigeria (Vol.1) Editors: Dr. Emmanuel.O. Ojo and Dr. J. Shola Omotola Publishers: John Archers, Publishers Limited, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria Number of pages: 584 +

Reviewer: Yinka Fabowale asserts that although the accountability as these relate to the Legislator’s power to clear nomi- integrity and effectiveness of the nees for appointments into pub- parliament. lic offices that have bearing with The first section of the book national security or well-being concludes with Adebola Bakare’s of the citizenry are to ensure postulations in Chapter 6, on legthat people of credible and un- islative (in)effectiveness in developquestionable character secure ing democracy, using Nigeria as a passage into such offices, thus case study. imposing responsibility on the Section B of the book is a four lawmakers to set universally -chapter expose/focus on the Naacceptable eligibility criteria tional Assembly. It comprises a within the global context of best critical article jointly written by practices, the exercise of the E. Remi Aiyede and Emeka Njoku power has been of mixed record. that provides a “status report” on Omotola dissects the oversight the Nigerian Senate, while in the functions of the legislature to also immediately succeeding chapter cover impeachment proceedings. entitled: “The Nigerian House of He notes, however, that a fun- Representatives”, Yinka Fasagba damental flaw that permits the offers the perspective of the lower perversion of this supposed in- chamber on this subject. strument of control and accountSection C of the book, appropriability inheres in pathological ately entitled: “Empirical Analysis contradictions in the constitution- of Selected States”, x-rays selected al provisions on impeachment as state parliaments detailing the contained in Section 14 and 188 “sins” of omission and commisof the 1999 Constitution for the sion of the legislature at the state removal of President, Vice Presi- level. In all 16 of the 36 states were dent, governor and Deputy gover- examined representing a valid nor respectively. sample. Chapter two by Celestine The book’s conclusion is that Bassey focused on the Legisla- despite occasional pretences to the tive-Executive Relations and the contrary, the legislature in NigeFuture of Democracy in Nigeria. ria tends to manifest attributes of This chapter stresses the fact that declining legislature, than one on expansion of democratic space the rise. It argues that its powerand system maintenance depend lessness in face of an overbearing on executive legislature harmony, executive and other internal and while the success of the presiden- external pressures undermine the tial system, which Nigeria copied opportunities for institutionalizafrom the United States since the tion of the social partnership and Second Republic (1979-1983) is results in apparent general meltpredicated on mature democratic down in public confidence. spirit and behaviours of its operaHowever, it notes on a cheery tors. note that the unprecedented relaChapter three, a contribution tive long lifespan of the legislature from Dhikru Yagboyaju, is essen- under the 4th Republic gives hope tially a critical examination of the that it can be rejuvenated and relationship between some sensi- strengthened. Like democracy ittive organs of government in Nige- self it is the first time the country ria’s 4th Republic. It tries to assess would experience over a decade of their impact on consolidation of functional legislature. democracy. This study has important Its main thesis is that the hope policy implications. As the ediof revamping institutional capac- tors’ note and appropriately ofity through vibrant intra-govern- fer prescriptions: “There is need mental relationships in Nigeria’s to pursue policy options that will 4th Republic seems to have so far engender the incentives of MPs to been squandered. fully explore and exploit their conAdeniyi Basiru explores the stitutional powers in the best interpolitics of legislature oversight est of the nation without any fear in Nigeria (1999-2007) in Chapter of repercussions. This requires 4. The chapter is imperative in investing heavily in building the view of the fact that legislative institutional capacity of the legoversight on executive functions islature, including independent has always been one of the pri- funding, periodic training and mary and constitutional duties stable and resourceful leadership. of the parliament for ages. Attaining these also requires elecChapter Five is a study by Dr. toral processes within parties and Ojo, one of the two editors that generally. This way the reelection did the yeoman’s job on the book. bids of the MPs will no longer be He beams his searchlight on the exclusively determined by the exills in both the upper and lower ecutive. chambers of the National AssemYinka Fabowale is the bly – the Senate and the House of Representatives, highlighting the Bureau Chief (South West), of nexus between probity and public The Sun Publishing Ltd

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, december 3, 2014

Interview

Infrastructure

NCE, BSc dichotomy bane of teaching profession — FCE provost

FG boosts Imo varsity with N10bn

Education Auchi Poly celebrates 50 EXCELLENCE

With 50 years of quality tuition and service delivery, Federal Polytechnic, Auchi is still waxing stronger in the production of manpower for national development.

years of quality education

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

ifty years ago, when the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, fondly referred to by its products as AuchiPoly, was established its founding fathers’ vision was to make it a centre of academic excellence producing middle level manpower in technology and commerce, with relevance to societal needs. Today, despite harsh times faced over the years in fulfilling this mandate, the owners are happy that the polytechnic has continued to wax stronger in the production of quality graduates. On Friday December 5, the management, staff and students of the polytechnic will roll out the drums to celebrate 50 years of quality manpower development. The ceremony, according to the Rector, Dr. Philipa Idogho has become necessary as the institution has kept faith with the Federal Government’s overall policy of getting the nation out of the woods technologically. Apart from showcasing the sterling achievements of the polytechnic in the last 50 years, it would offer the opportunity for stakeholders in the education sector to beam a searchlight on how better to position the polytechnic for the challenges of the 21st Century technological need. Founded on December 14, 1964, as a Technical College and later transformed to a polytechnic in 1973, Auchipoly, according to its owners, has made giant leaps in

kayode olanrewaju Editor, education

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

Auchi Poly gate

the production of trained and highly skilled middle level manpower to meet the nation’s quest for development through engineering, technology, science, environmental studies, management studies and art & design. As part of moves to reposition the polytechnic for efficiency, it was recently affiliated to the Nnmadi Azikiwe University, Awka in Anambra State under which no fewer than 91 students were admitted for degree awarding programmes for the 2014/2015 academic session. Since her assumption of office as the Rector in 2008, the polytechnic under Dr. Idogho has so far witnessed tremendous growth in infrastructure and academic development. To move the polytechnic forward, her first major step was to address the facilities and infrastructural needs. So far, in the last seven years, over 40 major projects had been executed in the main campus and the Idogho Campus Two of the polytechnic, which houses the School of Business Studies, School of General Studies, Entrepreneurial Village, the Poly-

Idogho

The task of repositioning the polytechnic for excellence has been a challenging one but quite rewarding

technic Consultancy Service and Industrial Pack Development; Peace and Conflict Resolution Centre. Some of these projects include the blocks of classrooms part of which were donated by the United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc; rehabilitation of staff quarters, among others. Besides, the polytechnic has witnessed tremendous development and facelift with the construction of an ultra-modern administrative building complex and other magnificent projects which have gone a long way to boost academic progress of the over 10,000 students of the institution. According to the Rector, the task of repositioning the polytechnic for excellence has been a challenging one but quite rewarding. Dr. Idogho said: “The institution has been under my watch since 2008, and together with my staff and students, we are giving our best to build a great institution. It has been quite challenging and interesting. I have tried to ensure that I leave some landmark and do a lot of training and

re-training to increase the human capacity we already and we have done quite a lot in the area of infrastructural development.” Today, the polytechnic offers 63 academic programmes to HNDlevel, with full accreditation status. The programmes are under six schools; School of Applied Science, School of Art and Industrial Design, School of Business Studies, School of Engineering Technology, School of Environmental Studies and School of Information and Communication Technology, School of General Studies. Tracing the history of the polytechnic, the Rector said the Federal Government took it over from the Edo State Government in 1994, to become the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi. She said: “The Polytechnic has very high academic standards recognised nationally and internationally. Since 2009, the polytechnic has consistently been rated amongst the top 20 institutions in the country by the Webometrics University Ranking. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Education

WEDNESDAY, december 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG boosts Imo varsity with N10bn Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

he Federal Government has spent more than N10 billion to upgrade infrastructural facilities in Imo State University (IMSU) within the last three and half years. This was disclosed in Owerri, the Imo state capital, by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri during the inspection of Federal Government projects in the state-owned university and other tertiary institutions in the state. The minister, who warned that in spite of the huge funding of the education sector, the Federal Government would no longer tolerate mass failure in the school system. She said there was no justification

for failure. Onwuliri, who represented the Education Minister, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau noted that in less than one year, Imo State University through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) projects had received over N4 billion for upgrading of its Law Faculty, Engineering Department, Special Education Department and other infrastructural facilities in the university. As part of the intervention fund set aside for all universities, she said the Federal Government recently disbursed N1.5 billion to the university for special projects and N1.6 billion worth of engineering equipment, adding that the federal government has committed more funds in the university than the state government as part of its determination to improve facilities in all institutions in the country.

“The Federal Government is determined to turn around faculties, increase capacity building and improve facilities in the nation’s universities,” she stated. Besides, the minister, also pointed out that the Federal Government had disbursed N1 billion to the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) for the construction of a Science Park in the university. The minister, who inspected other TETFund projects at Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri; Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo; FUTO and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, expressed happiness at the level of development in the institutions, even as she urged the stakeholders, especially members of the institutions’ communities to reciprocate the gesture of the Federal Government by taking their work very seriously.

Reading culture not dying – Writer Mojeed Alabi

ontrary to the perception of some stakeholders that reading culture is fast waning in the country, a budding writer and Head, Publishing Department of Bookvine Publishing Company, ‘Seun Salami has insisted that Nigerians are still reading as avidly as ever. However, he said what might have caused stakeholders’ position that reading culture is degenerating is because Nigerians have become more choosy in what they read, due to what he described as the people’s exposure and new reading tools. The author, who launched recently his second fiction, a collection of short stories titled: The Sex Life of a Lagos Mad Woman, said the demand for the title especially among the younger generation could be surprising. He said the story ideas might have upped the interest in the book. According to the Copy Editor of Bookvine and Project Manager, Moyo Larmie, the book is a brave collection of beautiful ideas put together in a very captivating way. She said unlike Salami’s first work - The Son of Your Father’s Concubine, the latest book contains 12 fiction stories largely about the sex lives of characters like a celibate priest, a ritualist’s apprentice, a born-again Pentecostal sister, a popular charismatic pastor, a lesbian on the prowl and others whose diverse sexual experiences the writer vividly portrays with his trademark of simple yet suspense-filled prose style.

LASU new Senate building under construction. Inset: Obafunwa, VC

LASU VC gives three years score card l Makes case for discipline, stable academic calendar Kayode Olanrewaju

or more than one hour last week, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) stood before members of the university community including the governing council, principal officers of the institution, leaders of the workers’ unions, workers and students, taking stock of his three-year administration. Tagged:”1095 Days in Office: The Score Card,” Obafunwa at the university is New Auditorium, Ojo said his administration on assumption of office set out and has continued to pursue without distraction, a strong mission on the LASU project. This, he said is to reposition the university for excellence and re-package its academic programmes for the purpose of fulfilling the contemporary academic needs and challenges of the 21st Century as well as making the graduates of the university employable and employers of labour. According to the Vice-Chancellor, under his administration, the university which had hitherto existed for 30 years without Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) has finally

secured one for its land, while the LASU Radio has been test run for full commencement of operation. Obafunwa, who flayed the dearth of facilities in the university on assumption of duties, listed other projects executed by his administration to include the School of Transport building with five-year accreditation status; multi-media language laboratory with 100 computers and magnetic head phones; facelift for the health centre, library, MBA, staff quarters and the School of Postgraduate building; completion of the university new auditorium, 3-In-One lecture theatre for Faculty of Education; Faculty of science building; students’ union arcade; as well as the seven-storey university Senate building; the four-storey university ultra-modern library and student village which are under construction, among others. The Vice-Chancellor, who bemoaned the incessant strikes and students protest in the university, which he noted has continued to damage the image of the university, called on the members of the university community, especially the workers and students to ensure a stable academic cal-

endar, saying it is in the atmosphere of stability, peace and tranquility that the university could progress. On performance of the university on the university ranking table, the Vice-Chancellor, who attributed the low ranking of the university on the Webometric World university ranking table to the incessant strikes by the university workers’ unions and protest by students, said: “We need a stable academic calendar in this university, and if we have that I can assure you the LASU will go places.” Obafunwa, however, hinted that the ranking of universities worldwide has to do with infrastructural development, stating that LASU which is 30 years old failed to do certain things in its last 27 years, which would be difficult to do in just last three years of his administration. The Vice-Chancellor, while noting that the university had undergone tremendous transformation in terms of academic and infrastructural development in the last three years, added: “We have recorded some ground breaking and monumental feats in the course of translating the various challenges to opportunities.”

Salami

BPE boss to speak at old students’ reunion Mojeed Alabi

he Director, Post Privatization Monitoring Department of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Ignatius Ayewoh, is expected to deliver this year’s lecture of the Old Students’ Association of Lumen Christi High School, Uromi, Delta State. The lecture entitled: “Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Contemporary Nigeria,” is billed for Saturday December 6 at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, Lagos. Other activities lined up for the reunion include the association’s appreciation of distinguished old students as well as patrons, teachers and mentors who have contributed in no small measure to the development of the school. According to the association’s National President, Dr. Michael Ezeanochie, the forum will also appraise the relevant issues about the growth and development of one of Nigeria’s leading post-basic schools.

Education 23

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, december 3, 2014

What is the status of this college? The Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos, popularly called FCE Technical is the pioneer technical college of education in the country. It was established in 1967 to provide vocational and technical education to teachers in the country. And as an institution that rose to its present status through all the challenges, I can tell you that the college has contributed significantly to the nation’s education sub-sector in in all ramifications. I joined the institution in August 1982 as an Assistant Lecturer, and by God’s grace, I became the Provost in August 2011. Today, the college that took off with some departments and few students has grown tremendously in size and bound with about 9,000 students in its enrolment, and five schools. These are the Schools of Technical Education, Vocational Education, Business Education, Science Education and Education. As a specialised education college, what would you say stands the institution out? To begin with, this college was established to fill a vacuum created by the dearth of technical and vocational teachers in Nigerian schools nationwide, and that could only confirm the foresight of our leaders, the founding fathers of the college. But, along the line, that focus was lost at a stage of its growth. Despite, I would say that the technical and vocational education makes the college unique because if you look at the vision and mission of the college they focused on the training and graduating of students with the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE). I mean those who impact skills and knowledge in our young ones they teach. The Asian Tigers are doing well simply because the accorded vocational and technical education priority. But because we have failed in our responsibility as a nation to guide our young ones towards this direction, our markets are today flooded with Asian products. That is, what we are now battling with to correct. I hope we will get it right soon. But don’t you think the colleges of education have outlived their time? That cannot be incorrect if we look at the challenges currently facing us as educational institutions. Today, the colleges of education attract only those I can describe as the dregs among admission seekers in the country. Every applicant wants to go to university and I don’t blame them because the system discourages them from going into colleges of education. If you go through colleges of education, it will take about seven years to make BSc, while it will only take between four and five years to acquire same through university education. And if you ask me what makes the difference, I will say absolutely nothing. To worsen the case, people believe you can only become teachers when you attend education colleges, but that shouldn’t be the case. And even at that, if teachers are well remunerated, and placed on the hierarchy in the

NCE, BSc dichotomy bane of teaching profession — FCE provost Dr. Sijibomi Olusanyan, the Provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Technical, Akoka, Lagos, is worried over the dwindling fortunes of the nation’s colleges of education. He speaks with MOJEED ALABI and ZAINAB BALOGUN about the solutions to the challenges bedeviling the sub-sector, among which are reviewing the acts establishing the colleges for them to award degrees, as well as making teaching profession attractive, among others.

Olusanya

society, are we saying things would not have changed? It is a case of people wanting to go to heaven but they do not want to die. Nigerians want to become doctors, lawyers, engineers, among others, but no one wants to be a teacher. So, who will teach the doctors? To get there, I want to emphasise that there is an urgent need for a shift of focus. What will you suggest as solutions to this challenge? The solutions cannot be farfetched; they are parts of what I have enumerated above. The first is that the dichotomy between the BSc and NCE holders must be addressed. NCE globally is no longer fashionable and that is why even in the United States any programme after high school that requires five years awards Bachelor’s degree and if it is two years, it is Associate degrees. So, there is nothing stopping us in Nigeria from re-arranging our curriculum to follow that order, in order that in the country, two years programme across board could award Associate degree and four years to award Bachelor degrees as done in America. It is then one can leave specialised programmes such as Medicine and others that are

Today, the colleges of education attract only those I can describe as the dregs among admission seekers in the country

exclusively for universities. Of course, I can’t remember any of the West African countries still running the NCE programmes. In Ghana, all colleges of education awarding NCE have been converted to universities of education. I can convincingly say that the supervising bodies in the country such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) will kick against this, but the policy can be readjusted to reclassify the category of institutions they will oversee. The law can be reviewed so that NCCE can supervise Bachelors of Education (BA.ED); NBTE for Bachelors of Technology (B.Tech) while NUC will take care of other Bachelor’s Degrees and Postgraduate courses. So, when this is done it will be more encouraging for parents to send their children to colleges of education when they would have realised that the number of years spent has been reduced and the certificates too are elevated and will no longer be looked down upon. Also, teachers should be accorded respect through the reward system by the society. It when all this is done that the glorious days of teacher educa-

tion will return. As a technical and vocational institution, what has been your contribution(s) to the nation’s creativity industry? One important fact that must be noted is that this college is meant to basically train teachers, but at the same time we are not stopping at that, as we have made sure that our internally generated revenue must be increased to complement our allocation. We have poultry farms. Our Building Department produce blocks in commercial quantity and in the mechanic workshop we have modern equipment to diagnose and analyse vehicles. To prove our innovative nature also, all our street lights are powered by solar, among others. As an institution, what are the major challenges facing the college? The challenges are multifarious, and as you know they are not peculiar to our college alone. Apart from funding, which is almost grinding our progress to a halt; we also have the land space challenge. In terms of funding, our facilities are becoming obsolete and accommodation is a major constraint. We only have accommodation space for about 2,500 students out of a population of about 9,000. Another challenge is electricity supply to the campus. On monthly basis, our power bill runs to as high as N1.5 million, yet they don’t give us light. It is that bad. Also, land issue or space constraint is a major hindrance here. We cannot expand because the University of Lagos our neighbour is claiming ownership of the land we could have occupied for further expansion of the college. Of course, when the African Development Bank (ADB) came to support our expansion bid, the management of UNILAG mobilised the police to stop our men from working. There is a friction between UNILAG and your college over land, and what is being done to resolve it? Well, the problem didn’t start today. It was caused by those who ceded part of UNILAG to this college when it was founded in 1967 without proper documentation. If you move round this country, this is the only higher institution particularly that is owned by the Federal Government that has the smallest land allocation. So, the unoccupied parcel of land by UNILAG is expected to be part of this college’s land but because there was no document backing it, the management of UNILAG has moved against us. Is the Federal Ministry of Education being involved in the matter? You know, that is even the most regrettable aspect of it. When the conflict began about three years ago, we wrote the ministry and a peace meeting was convened by the then Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqqayatu Rufa’I.

Education

WEDNESDAY, december 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

KWASU VC on why varsity plans to immortalise Saraki Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

he Vice-Chancellor of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah has explained the institution’s commitment to immortalise the Second Republic Senate Leader, late Dr. Olusola Saraki. Na’Allah, while opening a one-day community summit organised by the university on the life and times of the late politician, spoke of the university’s plans to digitalise most of available records on the late Saraki, whom he described as a major factor in the nation’s political terrain even after his demise. The Vice-Chancellor, however, expressed worry that his political associates, especially those holding public offices, are not adhering to the late Saraki’s principle of philanthropy and kindness to the poor. His words: “Our intention is to document him for posterity; for the future

when there will be no oral sources available on his life and times, so we are digitalising his life, we are expecting scholars to come up with different works on him. “If you look at all leaders we have had in the country, none of them could boast of sustained representation in the political scheme the way we have it today that Saraki is still a major issue through his children.” The Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Professor Yisa Gana said there is no way to separate the concept of consensus politicking from the late Saraki as his mark of political maturity which he said has been embraced by politicians from all shades across the country. “His major contribution to Nigerian politics was that he brought consensus to Nigerian politics and so even today every political party is talking about consensus”, he said, even as he recalled that the late Saraki was strong enough to change the course of political events within a few hours of his involvements.

L-R: General Manager, Gas, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Ubaka Emelumadu; student of Christ the King Grammar School, Okigwe, Imo State, Master Patrick Iwu; the teacher, Mr. Ambrose Alamanjo; another student, Master Victor Nwankwo; and Assistant Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Shehu Zaki, at the presentation of trophy to the students whose school emerged the winner of the 2014 NNPC-Shell National Safety Competition for Nigerian Secondary Schools, in Lagos.

Auchi poly recounts 50 years of quality education CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 21

It was rated 11th in 2009 and by 2010 it moved to the 10th position. “By 2011, it was ranked number two, while among the polytechnics, it has consistently remained the first in Nigeria and West Africa, and the second in the entire Africa. The graduates of the school have continued to distinguish themselves in all spheres of their chosen fields - business, finance, engineering, science, art and design, where they hold the commanding heights everywhere in the world.” The polytechnic has won several laurels in academics including the first prize in Polytechnics Expo in Engineering Designs and Fabrications (2008 and 2012); the first prize in the Minna exhibition for crafts and woodworks (2004); the NUXART prize for Art Works, which the institution had in fact won three consecutive times. Also at a national debate organized for tertiary institutions in Abuja in 2009, the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi came first, while in 2010 our students came second in the debate hosted by University of Ibadan,’ Idogho added. Towards this end, the polytechnic has been designated as Centre of Excellence for entrepreneurship studies, as well as that of the development of flexible skills initiative of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), under which the polytechnic is the only partner-institution with COL in the country.

As part of moves to foster a healthy town and gown relationship, the polytechnic runs short duration programmes in skills acquisition for members of the society. To enhance the level of tuition among the lecturers, the polytechnic has institutionalised the culture of inaugural lectures among qualified Chief Lecturers on their experience and research interest in their respective disciplines. But achieving this vision, the Rector said it has not been a smooth ride. She lamented that there were several challenges confronting the polytechnic, which include among others, paucity of funds as well as dearth of required technology facilities for the training of the students in this digital age. The Rector, however, lauded the government for the procurement of mechatronic equipment for the institution, saying with the right facilities the polytechnic would do better. According to her, another major challenge facing polytechnic education is the disparity between products of the polytechnic and university system, as well as consequent discrimination against the former. Idogho lauded the Federal Government intervention in the tertiary education sector through funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), which she pointed out, had gone a long way to address the funding and infrastructural challenges of the polytechnic.

EDUPEACE

with Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (08066372516, sms only)  Dr Adedimeji is a Senior Lecturer and Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin

Honeymoon with Ban Ki-Moon

his Sunday (November 16, 2014), the world marked the International Day for Tolerance. The day was inaugurated in 1996 when the United Nations General Assembly (by Resolution 51/95) invited UN Member States to observe it with activities directed towards both educational establishments and the wider public. The Resolution followed the United Nations Year for Tolerance, 1995. To mark the day this year thus, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, made a brief but stirring statement that should have resonated across the world, starting from our country. I fell in love with the profundity of Mr Ki-Moon’s message and it is on that basis that invite you feel his passion and honeymoon with him for a few minutes: “We live in an era of rising and violent extremism, radicalism and widening conflicts that are characterized by a fundamental disregard for human life. There are more people displaced by fighting today than at any period since the end of the Second World War. Innocent lives are being lost in senseless clashes around the world. The youngest victims are robbed of their childhoods, conscripted and abused, or simply kidnapped for wanting an education. “Democratic and peaceful societies are not immune from prejudice and violence. There is growing hostility and discrimination towards people crossing borders in search of asylum or opportunities denied to them at home. Hate crimes and other forms of intolerance mar too many communities, often stoked by irresponsible leaders seeking political gain. “I have strongly urged world leaders to protect people from persecution and to encourage tolerance for all regardless of nationality, religion, language, race, sexuality or any other distinction that obscures our common humanity. “The International Day of Tolerance is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to work for the recognition and protection of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms that is so essential to lasting peace. “The United Nations is committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples. This imperative lies at the core of the United Nations Charter as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Promoting tolerance is also a key objective of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures be-

Therefore, the message of this year’s International Day of Tolerance, which should remain with us beyond the year, is that we should understand one another ing observed through 2022. And the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations is paving the path to greater cross-cultural understanding. “On this international Day of Tolerance, I call on all people and governments to actively combat fear, hatred and extremism with dialogue, understanding and mutual respect. Let us advance against the forces of division and unite for our shared future”. A perceptive reader of Mr Ki-Moon’s words above would inexorably feel that he certainly had Nigeria in mind. Virtually everything in the message is for and about us. There is, therefore, need for us to internalize his message and appreciate the need for mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence. Prior to reading Ban KiMoon, I had told a Radio Nigeria interviewer last week that the idea of tolerance may be Utopian in an atmosphere of injustice. While canvassing mutual understanding, which was used by Secretary- General himself, I noted that tolerance to many people collocates with endurance and there is a limit to human endurance. Though tolerance since the 18th century is associated with “acceptance or patience with the beliefs, opinions or practices of others, a lack of bigotry”, many people cannot divorce it from its original semantic domain of forbearing. Therefore, the message of this year’s International Day of Tolerance, which should remain with us beyond the year, is that we should understand one another. Why do we shed human blood in Nigeria? For ethnicity? For religion? For power? The purpose of ethnic plurality is to achieve diversity, the beauty of which we encounter in a garden of various flowers. Then, the fundamental teaching of all religions is to do good and without being good, even to animals, your religiosity is pure vanity. And, all power will ultimately return to the Most Powerful, Who renders the powerful rulers of yesterday powerless or dead today.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

The Mega City ...for the love of Lagos

Ajegunle: Rust, rot and gold

IN NUMBERS 11 Number of public libraries in Lagos

168

Number of books in the libraries

177, 573

Number of readers at the libraries in 2012

Boundary Roundabout, Ajegunle

LIFE IN THE CITY

Elijah Samuel

Lagos’ pedestrian bridges of money

jegunle is a cosmopolitan community which was founded by the Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Hausa and many other ethnic settling there. Thus, it is a conglomerate of settlements of ethnic groups within Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area who, in the earliest times of the Lagos Colony, had embarked on voyages for business purposes. It used to be the boundary between the Western Region and Lagos Colony. That is why the area called Boundary in Ajegunle is so named because it marked the boundary point. Ajegunle , which literally translates to rooted wealth, is a heterogeneous commercial city. Though the name means different things to different folks, to some, it is a Lagos suburb that is notorious for its filthiness and criminal tendencies. To some, it is an undesired debacle in the midst of a sprawling mega-city. To many, it ranks as one of the mega-city’s most disturbing ghettos. Yet, some revere Ajegunle as home like no other which occupies an ultimate pedestal on the Nigeria’s entertainment landscape. Today, Ajegunle not only have the remarkable repertoire of musicians who, with a blitz of grit, have made notable strides in contemporary Nigeria, it is also reckoned for the vibrant musical culture and genres which had emanated from there. The city is also

MEGA CITY EVENT Fashola inaugurates Agege waste transfer loading station

OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI CO-ORDINATOR

tosin.omoniyi@newtelegraphonline.com

famous for producing some of the country’s finest broadcasters and discjockeys who became house-hold names in the entertainment landscape of the country. Ajegunle, it seems is hard finding its place in the megacity equation of Lagos State. Its demographic strength and right infrastructures that will attract the commensurate development are apparently its selling point. According to Honourable Kamal Ayinde Bayewu, a former two term chairman of Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government, “Ajeromi/Ifelodun is the second largest most populated local government in the federation. That is where you find about 300-400 people living in a house. We don’t have large landmass, but we have people. So, a lot of people are coming in to invest in Ajegunle because we are creating the enabling environment by regenerating the area for the people to come in and invest. He added that, “when you consider that Ajegunle is surrounded by communities like Apapa, Surulere, Lagos Island and Amuwo that are far developed, you’ll agree with me that Ajegunle really need to be opened up for development. That’s what we have done by construction of access roads to aid the people and facilitate development. But the government must have a deliberate developmental action in other to regenerate this community called Ajegunle.“ As one walked around the different

direction of the community, a picture of people who are dignified in labour cut across. Now, everyone seems to be involved in productive ventures in a peaceful environment. This sharply contrasts the once-held notion that Ajegunle city is peopled by social misfits. Baale of Ajegunle, Chief Shehu Salami is ever grateful to God for the peace and development that has come to Ajegunle City. Although its development, he noted, was propelled by the multitude of other ethnic groups who thronged this place before the breakout of the civil war. He said, it will not be out of place to trace the inter ethnic clashes that once almost engulf Ajegunle to the mutual suspicion which characterized interaction between the indigenes and the settlers. “The peace that we have now is made possible by the joint effort of all the residents and the members of the security agencies. We resolved to maintain peace in this vast community because we believe we must live in peace as there was no place to run to. So, we called a meeting and collectively resolved that the bad elements must be identified and swept away from this community. This was in collaboration with the security forces that are domiciled in this area. This paid off. That’s why we have the kind of peaceful environment that we now have in CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Life | In The City

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Making money out of people’s agonies In our society today, some people have perfected the act of being merciless predators, sucking their fellow countrymen dry in the pretence of lending helping hands. EZURIKE UGOCHUKWU captures this as he visited Alaba International Market recently.

hey are only but wolves in sheep clothing. “Your money is N300.00.”, said the toll collector. “Please oga, is it not this small television I am carrying?” (He was clasping a 14 inches flat screen television set). “If you can’t pay, go back to where you are coming from”, thundered one of the other five mean looking men in the two by four feet cabin on the pedestrian wooden plank bridge at Alaba Cassidy (Sariki Street). The bridge serves as office, collection point, shelter and passage for people. The young man in a solemn voice, said, “oga please collect N100.00.” He was at the same time, cringing in fear. The young man in his early 30s was eventually ignored to attend to many others that horde around to pay their way home at that peak evening hour. In riverine areas and swampy terrains in Lagos and many other areas, people find a way of helping themselves; by building pedestrian wooden bridges, which is used, rather than dipping their feet in mud or wading through water when they are unprepared for such. In some areas, some families take it as their industry for money making, while some good spirited persons see it as their contribution to humanity. Within the Alaba International Electronic Market in Ojo Local Government of Lagos State, the major road from Volkswagen junction to the market is always traffic ladden. The Alaba market stretches opposite the Badagry/Mile-2 expressway with a canal cutting it off from that express road. At Sariki Street, popularized by Cassidy bus stop (around Okokomaiko), linking the market, there used to be tarred road from the bus stop to the electronic market before desperate developers blocked the canal with houses; making it difficult for flood to find its way to the existing canal. The tarred road is washed off, the once discrete canal blocked, and some individuals sought a way to help out by constructing wooden pedestrian bridge across the swamp gully. This hitherto act of service to humanity has now become a lucrative and money spinning venture for the individuals and families that own them. Little wonder a young lady was overheard recently bragging, “after all, my father owns five pako (pedestrian bridge). Don’t see me as a poor babe.” From Surulere to Ikorodu; Lanre bus stop Igando road down to Alaba International Electronic market, where you

have over five such bridges, the story differs not. At Lanre, they have bridge for vehicles where the occupants of such vehicle will disembark and pay per head while the vehicle will also be paid for. What a folk tale and folklore? In Alaba market, there are- Alaba Rago, Alaba Cassidy and Pako Afomedia pedestrian bridges, just to mention a few. To Mr. Innocent Igboanugo, an electrical parts dealer along the Alaba-Cassidy road, leading to one of the bridges, his heart bleeds when he sees how people are harassed/extorted or chased back because they could not pay the money the pedestrian bridge toll collectors have asked them to pay. “I have my shop along this road. In the evenings, you see not less than 10,000 people stampeding themselves to the bridge. This criminal collection has become a big business; why has the government closed its eyes? What does it cost to build a bridge for us? What is our tax for?” he lamented. He added, “In my area, Ajangbidi, we had a similar bridge, and since government built concrete bridge over the canal in place of the wooden bridge, the toll has stopped. They have allowed it here because they know the population that uses the bridge here is much; which translates to, much money for them to share.” In the opinion of the Public Relations officer (PRO) of Alaba Market Electrical Association, Chief Felix Akpunonu, the people behind this are bereft of integrity and sound moral judgment. He feels the act is not ideal and an insult to their rights and privileges. He said, “We don’t like it, it’s not ideal and we can’t take the law into our hands. They are exploring the loopholes created by the government to make money.” He added, “There is no day more than 6,000 people will not use that bridge; both traders and customers, and other people that attend to their other businesses through that access road. We hope and look up to when the right thing will be done. If the zeal for the authority to act is not there, you can only talk and talk and nothing comes out of it.” To Mr. Wahab Rasaki, it’s a golden opportunity Mega City has offered them to speak out against conspiracy and extortion in the highest order. He said, “Look at our house and look at the international market, a stone’s throw. If I want to go there now, I must pay N10:00. If I have forgotten my key, and turned back to collect it, I must pay again.”

Alaba cassidy pedestrian bridge

We live around them, they make not less than N400, 000 daily. When you get closer and see them count money, you will marvel. We could only shout, but they will have their way

A young man within, who wouldn’t want his name mentioned cried loud and interrupted, “If u are carrying a transistor radio from the market to cross the Pako, they must ask you to pay N200.” He said also, “All these Chairmen and Councillors are from Awori; these people doing these Omonile are from Awori. They will not do the normal thing. Those in government will ignore their excesses because they are their brothers; they know what they are doing. They have empowered them through this unwholesome extortion.” He further recounted, “We live around them, they make not less than N400, 000 daily. When you get closer and see them count money, you will marvel. We could only shout but they

will have their way.” Rasak further narrated how he had to carry the generator he bought from the Alaba market that is not up to 100 metres distance to his house round because he was asked to pay close to a thousand naira without any remorse. He said, “This has been going on since 30 years; I have been here since 1983 and I met it. They gain more than an owner of five molue (commuter) bus in a day. To Alhaji A. Taiwo, those collectors are heartless. He nurses the dream of military takeover, as he said, “If you run into one of their Ogas, that died seven months ago, and you dare argue with him over your payment, he would push you into the swamp. We are praying for the military to take over and stop all these nonsense.”

LASU VC warns against sale of varsity land Muritala Ayinla

ice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor John Obafunwa, has raised the alarm over activities of the varsity staff, who had cultivated the habit of selling the institution’s land to members of the public. The Vice Chancellor, who said the university has obtained Certificate of Occupancy (C f O) to the land, expressed displeasure over the trend, saying the state government would soon prosecute erring staff, who indulge in the dubious practice. Speaking at an event held at the University Auditorium to mark his three years in office, Obafunwa added that an area survey of the university

had been conducted to solve problem of encroachments on the land. He added that with the development, all those who encroached on LASU land have become tenants and would be made to pay ground rent to the university authority. He said: “We now have C of O for LASU: there is an area survey of all those who have encroached on LASU. In a matter of months, they will become LASU tenants and a separate account will be opened for that purpose.” Harping on the crises created by withdrawal of 19 Ph.D certificates, he explained that the Senate took the decision to withdraw the certificates after a three hour deliberation on the imperative of the action.

He said, “The Vice Chancellor cannot award a PhD, or withdraw a PhD. It is only the university senate. After over three hours of deliberation that 19 PhD be withdrawn, one of our own said you cannot accept the Ph.D given to me because I applied for Ph.D in a particular discipline, you cannot give me Ph.D in another discipline because I did not apply for. The situation was brought to senate and the checked their records and came back with 19 names.” In the last three years, Obafunwa explained that his administration has worked tirelessly at ensuring prompt response to student matters, timely release of result, which can be easily accessed on the university website.

Life | In The City

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Ipakan community cries for help The mention of Egbin, the popular power house in Lagos rings a bell, but lpakan does not have such presence despite that they once occupy where Egbin power station is presently. The community is crying for help. MOSES KADIRI was there, his report.

uite, and peaceful community. It is devoid of the usual hustle and bustle that characterize Lagos city; the ambiance is cozy especially within the riverine area. This is lpakan, a settlement in lkorodu, Lagos State. Incidentally, fishing expendition is the order of the day in the community, that is the only occupation that the community engage in; the way and manner they go about fishing expedition beats first time visitor imagination, as the fishermen struggles with their net, trust the women, they are already waiting at the bank of the river to buy the items. Though the settlement is well structured given the architectural pieces, well constructed layout of housing estate, but the housing estate which was built during the late Shehu Shagari regime, who served as the President during the Second Republic for the displaced people in the community when their houses were demolished during the construction of Egbin thermal station is now in decrepit state; the rot is very visible in the entire housing estate, the roofing sheets and timber wood used in roofing the house have fallen apart; some of the residents use stones to hold the remaining part from been blown away by storm; there’s no trace of paint on the wall, the paint has peeled off. Sources said the original settlement of the people is about 623 hectares of land which is been occupied by the Egbin pow-

er plant acquired by the Federal Government through Lagos State Government to build the power station. The indigenes in the community complain of social amenities. An indigene from Ipakan, Mr. Aro Ogun Salami, notes, “our original location was where the power station is now, government built these houses for us, but the place is in a terrible state; you can see how bad the place is; some of the roof has been destroyed by wind, and storm.” Salami laments the lack of drainage in the community, pipeborne water and hospitals. “We do not have drainage channel in lpakan, we do not have borehole, the roads are not good; and the light is not stable,” he said. He further added that there is no school within the community, “our children go as far as Ijede to attend school. They enter two motor bikes to school because the school is far from here. We have land that government can use to build school for us here, and make things easy for our children, but no body is coming to our aid.” He also claim that they are not enjoying anything despite the presence of Egbin power plant within the community. “With such facility here our children should not go through the stress they are going through now to school,” he observed. Another indigene, Mr. Akeem Balogun collaborates Salami’s claim. “From lpakan to where our children attend school is about 2 kilometre, from here

The road in Ipakan community

(lpakan), to Ahmadiyya is around 1 kilometre, from there to the school is about half a kilometre. We do not have primary and secondary school, we are going through a lot here.” Saka Ahmed, who is also from Ipakan disclosed that there is only one private school in the community, but it is beyond their reach. “We have a private school here, but we do not have government school, that is what we want. Private school is very expensive, which work are we doing that we can afford N20,000 to pay for private school?, he asked. He continued: “What about someone that have three children or

more, what do you expect from such person? All fingers are not equal, if you can afford it, many cannot afford it, that is why we prefer government school so that everyone can afford it; this is village where nothing is happening. I cannot get that kind of money to send my children to private school. We want the government to build government school for us to easy the issue for us.” Living condition in Ipakan is really affordable for some who would want to secure an apartment A standard one bedroom goes for N2,000 monthly, while yearly is N24,000. A 3 bedroom cost N144,000 annually.

The shattered housing estate

A sprawling community for opportunity, glory CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 25

Ajegunle”. He explained that the transformation of Ajegunle could have well been taken far in time. When the idea of redevelopment of the area was first flown by the former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, the idea was summarily exterminated. Bayewu now posited that dearth of information from the government, and apprehension on the part of the people made the proposal not to fly. “The idea was abandoned because the people were not well informed. Also, because we were just coming from long period of military rule, they never believed that if their houses were taken from them they would ever have access to them again. Their apprehensiveness was further fuelled by the opposition.”

It will be of interest to know what developmental height Ajegunle has attained to make an appealing parade, and hence project this transforming community to the world. With a tone of glee, Hon Bayewu disclosed that “as at today, we have nine wards in Ajeromi/Ifelodun and we have been able to open up many roads for easy access and interlink. Places like Alayabiagba, Boundary road, Iyalode, Ojora, Olowojeunjeje, Layinka, Mosafejo etc. If you go to Ago-Hausa, you find new buildings and schools springing up. Araromi is now well linked to Awodiora so that the people can access the Mother/ Child Health Centre and the magistrate court newly built there. “What we have heavily invested in this local government is road in other to enhance the standard of living

of our people. Also to create a conducive environment for learning, we have fenced most of the public schools and now have new gigantic schools around. These are some of the things that we are doing”. He pointed to what he believes stands Ajegunle out in the Lagos state, “the perception that Ajegunle is a place of never-do-wells has changed and we are proud of this. Development is an ongoing thing that no government can complete. We have 333 roads which need funds to be expanded and reconstructed. We need not less than four high streets in this community. One of them has been done in Mosafejo: we are still expecting that Ojo Road and others will be constructed.” But as laudable as the development in Ajegunle may seem, there is still far more to be done if the envisioned goal

of making Ajegunle to occupy a prime place in the Mega city project of the state is to be maximally attained. All over the sprawling community, the resultant impact of absence of some facilities like designated motor parks are readily conspicuous. From Suru-Alaba to Alaiyabiagba and Boundary, the indiscriminate parking by commercial bus and motorcycle (okada) operators portrays the city as an assemblage of disorderly people, especially to a first-time visitor. “One thing that we are still battling with is the lack of space for motor parks so that the indiscriminate parking of commercial buses can be eradicated, thereby creating an orderly atmosphere for free movement of commuters and residents. At a time, we have made effort to see how government can create at least an acre out of the land on which the

Boundary Market is presently built. This, we have canvassed should be dedicated as commercial bus garage,” Chief Salami bemoaned. He added that “Although the chairman of the council has really tried in the development process of Ajegunle and its environs, the state government should step in and do more in the development process.” Despite the fact that so much that has changed about Ajegunle, its collection of canals which traverse around the community need to be concreted and made clean. Also, the Old Ojo Road, one of the major roads and the one that strategically connects with the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, which has been turned into a beehive of unwholesome activities and auto market should be sanitised and made free to aid access into and from Ajegunle.

Life | Mega City

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oshodi-Isolo library

Abandoned library to become NYSC lodge

It was meant to inculcate the culture of reading in the people of the area. But owing to its neglect for three years, the Oshodi-Isolo local council is now mulling turning it into an accommodation for Youth Coprs members, as EZEKIEL ADESAWE writes

n the 17th June, 2011 the administration of former council boss, Hon Afeez Ipesa-Balogun commissioned a public library named after the late Dr. Bekolari Ransome Kuti (Beko), lat human rights activist and immediate younger brother of Fela. That was a move to immortalize him for his work as a human rights activist. Unfortunately, the library today sits idle behind the Lagos State Corporation office in Oshodi without enabling furniture that define what a library actually looks like and books that can be read. Despite the fact that Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area has had a chairman after the administration of Ipesa elapsed, the building has remained untouched since its commissioning in 2011. The site of the library called Dr. Bekolari RansomKuti public library clearly shows that the library building has been abandoned by the government. According to Afeez Ipesa, the library was built through the intervention of state fund and the fund was not enough to actually equip the library with the enabling furniture and books that prospective library users can make use of. He further stressed that the library would have been furnished and properly equipped but the approved fund was meant for the construction of the building alone, so that the government that comes into office after he left will consolidate on the project that were not completed. He described the construction of the public library as an effort

to positively contribute to level of education in the local government and to also increase the reading culture of students within the council area. Meanwhile, Hon. Alausa Adekoya, the education secretary of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Education Authority, who is saddled with the responsibility of managing public, primary and junior secondary schools of the local government, explained that government is supposed to be continuous such that an administration will continue from where the previous administration stopped. He explained that the immediate past Chairman of the Oshodi-Isolo Local Council Area, Hon. Muse Bolaji Ariyo was expected to go ahead with the furnishing of the library with required books and furniture, so that it can be opened for public use but nothing was done for the past three years. He further noted that the library would be used to accommodate youth corps members, who are posted to the local council area if the government refuses to take actions towards furnishing the library or allowing the state library board to take over the library. Mr. Alausa said, “And now, we are looking at another administration to take the project up. At this point, I am looking at an avenue that if nothing is done to it, we will ask the state library board to take it up. There has been letters as regards this library. It was even budgeted for but the execution is nothing. Community NGOs have writ-

The abandoned public library

We are looking at another administration to take the project up. At this point, I am looking at an avenue that if nothing is done to it, we will ask the state library board to take it up.

ten to him; he did nothing after three years. As the education secretary, if nothing is done to it when another administration comes in, then we will convert it to corpers’ lodge. There are lots of corps members posted to this local government but they don’t have good accommodation. That’s the reasons they don’t perform well.” Also, Engr. Afolabi, who was one of the engineers who built the library by the engineering department of the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, explained that the building was not equipped with the necessary furniture and books because the fund allocated to the library project was only meant for the construction of the building. However, the immediate past chairman of the Oshodi-Isolo local council area, Hon Bolaji Muse Ariyo has explained his administration’s failure to con-

solidate on the efforts of Hon. Ipesa as regards the Dr. Bekolari Ransom-Kuti public library, hinging it on the paucity of funds at the local level. Muse said that there were too many projects in the hands of the local government but funds were not sufficient to effectively carry out those projects. He said: “When we came in into office, there were many things we set out to do. So, in order to serve the people well, we had to set our priorities right, of which we discovered and embarked on building health centres, renovation of schools without good buildings, furniture, and also giving new school uniforms and books to many pupils in our public schools. We also embarked on the construction of many roads in this constituency. So, when we finished all of these, we had nothing left to equip the library with furniture and books.”

LAWMA processes 924,651mt of waste Muritala Ayinla etermined to achieve a DLagos cleaner mega city, the State Waste Manage-

ment Authority, LAWMA, has said it has processed over 924,651metric tonnes of waste through the two transfer loading stations situated on Lagos Island and Oshodi. It also disclosed that it is planning to build 20 Transfer Loading Stations, TLS, across the state to enhance waste management.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Agege TLS, Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr Ola Oresanya, who made the disclosure, said the proposed 20 TLS are required to manage the over 11,000 metric tonnes of waste generated daily in the city of Lagos. According to him: “The population of Lagos growth rate of 6-8 per cent has direct correlation with the waste generated in the state. The increase in the tonnage from 8,000 tonnes in 2008 to over

11,000 tonnes in 2013 was as a result of the increasing growth of commercial activities, coupled with the trend in population growth, which accounts for about 10 per cent increase in waste generation. This increase in the waste generation figure and lack of space for landfill sites, together with the high premium on land, informed the decision to replace the present dump sites within with 20 TLS designed with capacity to handle, 1, 000 tonnes per day.”

Life | In The City

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

The Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM) is a mega church around the Omole- Ojodu Berger axis of Lagos. The church’s activities are now a subject of debate over the massive traffic gridlock that occurs on the road every Wednesday morning. While many road users point at the church for obstruction, the church itself attribute it to numerous other factors. ELIJAH SAMUEL reports.

very being’s function to assume and exercise fundamental human rights is inalienable. Thus, the right to peaceful assembly and association, and the right to freedom of movement, amongst others, are to be savoured. But when such rights tend to infringe or work at cross purposes with other peoples’ rights, pragmatic approaches should then be a rescue. The barrage of complaints that have been attracted by Pastor Wole Oladiyun’s Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM) in the recent times as a result of its activities around Omole, Ogunnusi and OjoduBerger axis showed that nerves are being frayed in the area, and must be calmed. The crux of the matter, according to complaints, is the traffic snarl that is usually experienced by road users and residents every Wednesday morning between 7am and 10am, when CLAM holds its interdenominational programme. Prompted to embark on a factfinding mission to the CLAM’s vast premises and surroundings, New Telegraph’s discovery is that on the right and the left, the fences of other buildings facing Omole/ Ogunnusi Road created a narrow thoroughfare into the CLAM Avenue at the tail-end of which several buildings are clasped. In the vast enclosure is a blend of economic and spiritual activities. On this visit, while thousands of worshippers were seen to be immersed in seething spiritual warfare, others practically positioned for brisk business with several items like Christian literatures, food and drinks, fruits, rubber footwear, newspapers and magazines, bottles of honey etc. on display for sales. Right from the time of New Telegraph’s visit at 7.55am, the traffic apparently was under control as all relevant security and traffic officials were all braced up to ensure hitch-free traffic. Several car parks that are provided at several places around the worship centre are apparently meant to cater for all the worshippers. But it seems CLAM has won more than it

Traffic officials controlling traffic on the road as vehicles and pedestrians troop out of CLAM Avenue

CLAM: A church and its Wednesday morning traffic can cater for as other adjoining streets and other available spaces in the environs are now turned into car parks on meeting days. So, the moment the meeting was ended, the surge of worshippers: pedestrian and vehicle owners, out of the CLAM Avenue halted traffic on the Omole/Ogunnusi Road. Out of necessity, the traffic officials intermittently had to stop vehicles on the road, so that either pedestrians or vehicles from CLAM Avenue and adjoining streets and closes where worshippers’ vehicles had been parked can access Omole/Ogunnusi Road. Efforts to gauge commuters and drivers feelings’ were mostly met with indifference and indignation, perhaps as a result of uneasiness which the traffic snarl has engendered. However, it was mixed feelings when New Telegraph spoke with a few of the residents and the business community. Sunday Ebingha, a fabric merchant, has no qualms with CLAM or its activities in the area. “I don’t see anything wrong in that because it’s only on Wednesday that the service under reference holds and it lasts for a few hours. “For their service and prayers, they do not affect us except the parking of their car which they use to block our entrance. Under that circumstance, our customers would not have a place to park when they come to buy things. But most times, the owners of such cars would apologize when they want to remove their cars. Apart from that, they are peaceful,” he explained. However, a militant disposition was met from a businesswoman, who sells clothes in one of the buildings sharing boundaries with CLAM. The woman, who declined to reveal her name, put a fierce defence in the course

We are a church that is communityfriendly. We have one of our major services on Wednesdays and Sundays between 7 and 10am. We have officials of the Lagos State Government, Federal Road Safety, LASTMA, the regular police and other paramilitary officers overseeing traffic on those days of services

of New Telegraph’s enquiry. Her words: “We are part of this neighbourhood. I want to state categorically that CLAM doesn’t disturb. It’s normal wherever you have church (of the kind of membership), I know there may be little traffic and the people may complain in one way or the other. It’s not worth it; you don’t have to fight the work of God. “Be careful what you write about the church and the prophet. Report what you are being told, so that you save yourself from whatever wrath that might come. I am a member and I want to tell you that the church has been of tremendous blessings to this environment.” Another trader, Victor Nwokwu, rather relished the spiritual benefit accruing from CLAM’s programmes as “I believe I’m enjoying the impact of their prayers even as I’m here. I must confess that I’m a Catholic and not a member of CLAM. I’ve never been there before even.” Alhaji Kabir Kaduna, a businessman within the Omole neighbourhood disclosed that “there used to be heavy traffic whenever they (CLAM) have programme but they manage it very well so that they won’t affect the public. I think that’s why they provided many car parks around here, where their members can use.” Pastor Tade Adewakun, who is the head of media and publications of CLAM admitted that the church may have affected traffic as a result of mass of worshippers that come into the area on certain appointed days of the week, but he dismissed the notion of the church being solely responsible. “We are a church that is community-friendly. We have one of our major services on Wednesdays and Sundays between 7 and

10am. We have officials of Lagos State Government, Federal Road Safety, LASTMA, the regular police and other paramilitary officers overseeing traffic on those days of services. “Yes, we are aware there are traffic issues on Wednesdays because of worshippers coming in. But there are other days when CLAM is not holding service that traffic use to be hectic in this area. It is a general problem all over the state. Notwithstanding, we have made adequate arrangements to have up to 10 car parks around here and Omole where we park cars. So, if anyone is raising allegation that we are creating impediment to the free-flow of traffic, it is not totally true.” He added: “There was a time when the government came to assess the situation. Thereafter, they approved that we park at the other side of the road, where traffic is always light during those meeting days. So, we will not totally take responsibility for traffic problems. We have engaged the services of security and traffic personnel to help in traffic flow and control”. However, Adewakun identified bad roads, malfunctioning traffic light, inadequate traffic personnel to monitor traffic situation, and irresponsibility on the part of drivers as the factors affecting traffic in the state. He said: “The roads network and traffic lights are factors affecting traffic situation. For instance, the traffic light at Acme Junction, which controls vehicles from Ojodu-Berger doesn’t function well: the green light would only have passed just a few vehicles before the red light comes on. For a busy road like that, you find that traffic quickly builds up because the timing for the green light is short.”

Life | Local Government Watch

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Mushin LGA

Oduselu street, one of the projects undertaken by the Adepitan administration

Mushin Local Government headquarters building

Residents bemoan poor infrastructure The administration of Hon. Babatunde Adepitan as the Chairman of the Mushin Local Government Area has come and gone. But whether he impacted on the lives of the people in the area is his to say. For now, many residents of the area are not happy over his performance. ELIJAH SAMUEL reports

ts allotted central position obviously is its vantage selling point, making it attract huge economic activities as a result of many industries and markets. With such an economic role, it’s only plausible that the Mushin Local Government Area’s terrain will be adorned with viable infrastructure that enhance consolidation of its socio-economic wellbeing. But tales and sights of neglect and abandonment are palpable in much of its consisting units. Chief Lukmon Taiwo Odubiyi, the Baale of Idi-Araba, was effusive with disappointment over the lopsidedness in project distribution, and denial of rights and privileges. “Although it was said that he (the Chairman) tried to build and renovate a few facilities like schools, library elsewhere etc., those things, like the state of our roads and a special request for police post at Idi-Araba that we requested for here, especially from the former administration of Hon. Babatunde Adepitan were not done. “The spate of infrastructural development in Mushin Local Government under the last administration was lopsided. For instance, Papa-Ajao Area has been well developed a very long time ago, but you still find the local government concentrating developmental efforts around that place. They should have spread these efforts evenly

across the constituent units of the local government. “There are some projects and programmes embarked upon by the last administration that did not follow a process, where the input of relevant stakeholders should have been accommodated. A project like the Mushin Market, being rebuilt was not well conceived: Traditional rulers and other relevant people that could have contributed to that concept were not carried along,” he bemoaned. He added: “Also, most of the empowerment programmes done in the local government were streamlined and made to benefit only few party members. For an exercise of that nature, the traditional leaders and grassroots leaders, irrespective of party affiliation should have been consulted to know those that actually should benefit from the empowerment gestures. One tends to believe that they were not well orientated in the act of governance and coordination of constituent units. “Besides, the privileges and statutory rights due to the traditional authority in this local authority are being denied. The state has reiterated, after many protest letters to enable our rights to be accorded, that it is the obligation of the local government to cater for the traditional authority. “Now, we appeal that the state

We did not feel and are not feeling the impact of governance in any way in this area. There is a councillor that represented us but you hardly can see anything to point as his work in all the three years he spent

government should ensure that those coming in the next dispensation at the local government administration should be given adequate orientation that will guide their activities and ensure that all constituent units in their jurisdiction are given equal attention that will enhance quality governance.” Masha Mufu, is one of the disenchanted youths in the area that constitute Babalola, Ishaga and Idi-Araba under the local government. “We did not feel and are not feeling the impact of governance in any way in this area. There is a councillor that represented us but you hardly can see anything to point as his work in all the three years he spent and he’s willing to come back. “I’m not a politician but I’ve stayed in this locality for over 10 years, and by this, I think I can give objective assessment of governance in this area. The previous administration before the just-concluded one was better in terms of service delivery and beneficial programmes to the people. “Apart from putting up infrastructure, there are numerous indigent residents and unemployed youths, who actually need to be empowered in one way or the other, so that they can be gainfully engaged. It does not have to be from the federal or the state. Let the government at the grassroots initiate a continual but open empowerment programme that will truly benefit the right persons. Lack of what to do for living has really pushed youths to become nuisance and miscreants.” Chief Bosun Arise, an elder and Information Technology expert has lived and conducted business in Papa-Ajao, for over two decades. He expressed hopelessness and lamented the reckless abandon with which basic community projects have been handled within the local government area. “It is like no one is responsible for anything in this local government. We have through the community associations

written to seek intervention of the government in the quality reconstruction of some roads. Look at the way Alhaji Akinwunmi Street that offers access into Papa-Ajao Community through Five-Star Bus-Stop of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway is. It is a shame that such a vital road that leads into an area, Ladipo International Auto Spare Parts Market, that is the money-spinner for the local government. Most of the roads that should enhance further economic growth and prosperity are miserable. They have abandoned developmental obligations; but what we often hear is how they take pleasure in sharing money at the headquarters to party members,” Arise lamented. In Ehinga-Itire, another component location, which according to residents, has suffered continual developmental retardation of successive administrations, the Babatunde Adepitan tenure, which just ended was upbraided for what is described as shoddy jobs done in the axis. “After many years of denial of infrastructural development, Babatunde Adepitan came here and commissioned Oduselu and Adeola Streets in Itire, less than five years ago. We witnessed the sub-standard construction done right from the beginning of those projects, and we knew they were just putting money in the drain. It was disheartening therefore when we saw him on the TV parading half-completed and shoddily executed jobs as dividends of democracy to Itire people. “At the moment, the despicable state of streets like Oduselu in Itire, Omobola, IK Dairo and Babalola streets around Wuraola and Lawanson axis constructed the same period are the testimonials of the quality of jobs that characterized Adepitan administration,” Bashir Ogunmola, a landlord in itire lamented. His prayer is that, “God will save this country from the corruption that is going on at all cadre of governance, all in the name of serving the people; it’s all fluke.”

News | In The City

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Muritala Ayinla

leven-year old Master Abraham Isaac of Oke-Odo Junior High School, Agege in the education District I and Education District II have both emerged the best act and overall winner respectively at the grand finale of the 2014 Jam Feast programme organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Education. The State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, who congratulated winners after a keenly contested competition in various categories of activities, explained that the programme was organized for schools across the six Education Districts of the state in order to channel the energy and attention of students from unproductive activities towards productive venture. Oladunjoye, who spoke through her Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Omolara Erogbogbo, pointed out that the programme was also aimed at identifying and showcasing hidden talents and values, as well as striking the right balance between science and education, excellence and innovation/business. “The Jam Feast Programme is a tool being used by government to redirect young people’s exploratory thoughts away from premarital sex, towards the option of developing their innate talents and skills,” the Commissioner averred.

11-year-old wins 2014 Lagos Jam Feast

‘Lagos is profitable’

Issac (right) and friends receiving an award from official of the Lagos State Ministry of Education

She noted that the programme has attracted the interests of parents and students, as well as non-governmental organizations and corporate bodies, who have bought into the state government’s quest to protect children from the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Omolara Erogbogbo, who was represented by the Director, Private Education and Special Programmes, Mrs. Sewamu Amosu, lauded the participating schools

f it is a sunny vacation day, and you want to get lost from the fast lane of the urban life? Coconut beach is the perfect getaway. It is a beautiful beach in the coastal town of Badagry, west of Lagos. The beach is attractively set in

Cocount beach

My City, My World Oluwatosin Omoniyi

for the wonderful performances exhibited during the various stages of the preliminaries section. Mrs. Erogbogbo explained that the programme was one of the numerous programmes being used by the state government to channel the energies of the youth towards development. The contestants competed in five categories at the event, including invention, poetry, song, choreography and drama, with winners in each category presented with trophies and plaques.

It’s a tool being used by government to redirect young people’s exploratory thoughts away from premarital sex

Coconut Beach I

an area surrounded by coconut trees. About 20 miles towards the border of Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, Coconut Beach is accessible through the Lagos-Badagry expressway. The beach, which has the historical reputation of

being a centre for slave trade in the 1800s, is pleasant and fascinating, and it provides excellent holiday relaxation. Visitors who are unaccustomed to the tropical sun are advised to wear hats as it can be rather warm at mid-day.

asirat Modupe Giwa, a Lagos based ophthalmologist ,is a proper Lagosian and so does her philosophy of life reflects. It is all about Lagos city and its lifestyle. According to her, she has lived all her life in Lagos except when she Giwa went to Ibadan for medical training. But there is this particular sentimental attachment to the State. “Not only that, there is also the environmental and spiritual attachment to the State for me,” she said. For Rotarian Giwa, as she is fondly called, the totality of Lagos makes the State and its city unique. The totality, she explained in terms of general Housing, transport and accessibility to educational and health facility, even with its chaotic traffic, “all of these shows why Lagos is on top and at it best. More reason I can’t live outside the State,” she said. When comparing, Rotarian Giwa Compared Lagos to New York of America, more because of it chaotic nature. She said that every ethnic group in Nigeria is represented in the country, “in fact, the whole of West African sub-region is well represented in Lagos,” she said. Rotarian Giwa further stated that, for one to live and be successful in Lagos, then the individual has to be strong and hardworking. Because that is the main quality that even an ordinary sachet water seller used in excelling. To add value to Lagos, she pointed out that it has to do with the law of the land and there should be some constitutional amendment, because there are structures that put pressure on the services that Lagos State government renders. She explained that the State government is being owned by Federal government in terms of seaport, airport and all heavy trucks ply the State roads which needs serious maintenance.

‘Lagos comes with its uniqueness’ Elijah Samuel ukmon Taiwo Odubiyi, Baale of IdiAraba recalled with nostalgic enrapture the fascinating sceneries of Lagos in the days when the city, with a manageable population size, had serene ambience. Lagos is the center Odubiyi point of several migrations that took place many centuries ago. And of course, it attracted the benefit of being pacesetter in the socio-economic development of not only the southwest, but Nigeria on the large scale. There were many beautiful places in Lagos where the people could relax in those days before the country got independence. The Island was adorned with fascinating sceneries that were beautiful to behold. Also, the Bar beach, Maroko and a few more other places offered rejuvenating experiences to many of us who visited these places during those tranquilized days. We used to derive great delight when we visited the Marina and saw white men in the boats moving around. It was even compelling that these experiences had to be used as subjects of essays in school then. Although Lagos is really being transformed, in the midst of an explosive population, I miss those enthralling sceneries of those days when Lagos population was at a manageable size. Except I’m giving a privilege to go on Holiday for a few weeks, I can’t live elsewhere than Lagos. There is no place like Lagos; it comes with its uniqueness. Because Lagos is accommodating, visitors most times don’t want to leave, and even if they left, they always long to come back.

The Mega City

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

UPCOMING EVENTS

The CVL Entertainment Sector Celebration Organiser: Centre for Values in Leadership Date: December 4, 2014, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Venue: The Civic Center, Ozumba Mbadiwe Ave, Lagos

Lagos Restaurant Week

Organiser: Concinnity Limited Date: December 5- 19, 2014, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Venue: Eko International Expo Centre, Victoria Island Lagos

Animal Games Christmas Fun-Fair For School Children

Organiser: Mr. Wole Akinosho Date: December 10, 2014, 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM (PST) Venue: Institute for Sports National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos

Moms Ball & Awards

Organiser: Working Moms Africa Date: December 6, 2014, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Venue: Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos

Lekki Waterside Theatre

Organiser: Lekki Waterside Hotel and 1000Stories Productions Date: December 7, 2014, 5:00 PM- 8:00 PM Venue: Lekki Waterside Hotel, Plot 2B Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki, Lagos

The Secret

Organiser: Morinda Inc usa and Honey Fountain Ventures Nigeria Date: December 6, 2014, 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM Venue: Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Ikeja, Lagos

MEGA CITY EVENTS FASHOLA INANGURATES AGEGE WASTE TRANSFER LOADING STATION

The Agege Waste Transfer Loading the Station during commissioning by the Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, at Oba Ogunji Road, Agege, Pen-Cinema, Lagos last Wednesday. INSET: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (middle), cutting the ribbon to officially commission the Station. With him are: Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello (3rd right), his Transportation, Education and Commerce and Industry counterparts, Mr. Kayode Opeifa (right), Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye (2nd left) and Mrs. Olusola Oworu (left), Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya (3rd left) and Engr. (Mrs) Kosegbe Oludagbe (2nd right).

The Agege Waste Transfer Loading Station. INSET: Gov. Fashola (2nd right) inspecting the materials on exhibition by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) while Mr. Ola Oresanya (right) and others watch.

ACTS GENERATION’S INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

L-R: Executive Director, Project Alert, Mrs. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma; wife of former Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Visionary, ACTS Generation, Mrs. Laila St Mattew- Daniel; Executive Director, Centre for 21st Century Issues, Mrs. Titlope Akosa and Special Adviser to the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Risikat Akiyode, at ACTS Generation’s International Conference on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Trafficking held at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

A cross-section of the members of ACTS Generation at the event

PHOTOS: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

PRESENTATION OF CHEQUE TO SURVIVORS OF EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE @ FIRST CONSULTANT HOSPITAL

L-R: commissioner for Information, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed and the Chief Medical Director, 50 million naira First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, Mr. Benjamin Ohaeri, during the presentation of cheque to First Consultant Hospital for its effort that helped in containing the Ebola Virus Disease in Lagos.

L-R: Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed and survivor of the Ebola Virus Disease

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

FCT Watch

NTDC mulls bonds to finance tourism projects

The Investor

Maritime

AGMs: Concerns mount over shareholders’ inept attitude

Nigeria’s maritime, insurance can earn N2trn –Expert

Business What's news

Top 10 brokers transact N1.6trn deals in 11 months Ten leading stockbroking firms on the Nigerian stock market exchanged 105.3 billion shares worth N1.599 trillion in the past eleven months.

p.34

Nigeria to import N151.2bn fish from Netherlands this month The Nigerian ports are to take delivery of 750,000 metric ton of mackerel fish worth N151.2billion ($900) million from Netherlands before the end of this month, New Telegraph has learnt.

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The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Godson Ikoro

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Leakages: FG begins Treasury Single Account nationwide by Jan CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT The TSA will give a consolidated view of government’s cash position and help reverse its accounts’ overdrafts

test-run, all Federal Government collections from the 736 MDAS, the states and corporate companies will be paid to the TSA. Commenting on the project, he said: “It actually started off

about two years ago; the focus was then on the payment leg. A good number of MDAS now make their payments through the platform. There are still some, which certainly will be closed before the end of the

year and then first of January; they should begin to use it for collections. ‘Recently, we completed a pilot test, which was very sucCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Godson Ikoro

n a bid to plug leakages in the nation’s accounting system, the Federal Government’s ministries, departments and agencies will operate the Treasury Single Account (TSA) from January 1, 2015. Managing Director, Systems Specs, Mr John Obaro, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with New Telegraph. The ISA gives a consolidated view of government’s cash position at the click of the button. Obaro is the Lead consultant in the provision of Integrated Solution Platform - software comprising payroll, payments, collections, e-invoicing, and escheduling. He said that Systems Specs, an indigenous technology company, has concluded the project. According to the schedule, the TSA will be comprehensively rolled out nationwide as from January 1, 2015. He said that a successful test-run for bank branch operations upon which the TSA would run was concluded midNovember, while the test-run for payment through the Internet banking that are linked to Remita Software Platforms commenced immediately. He said that Remita is expected to tidy up the loose ends before January rolls out. On completion of the last

L-R: Managing Director, HPZ/TEC, TEC Appliances, Mr. Panos Katsis; Chairman, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Chief Kolawole Jamodu; Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs. Yomi Ifaturoti and Director-General, Bureau of Social Services, Osun State, Mr. Femi Ifaturoti, at the Thermocool’s 40th anniversary in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Govt approves 1,020 types of mobile phones Kunle Azeez

nly 1,020 different models of mobile phones have been approved for sales in Nigeria, government official data have revealed. This is coming against the backdrop of the wanton impor-

tation and sales of mobile devices in Nigeria without subjecting them to type-approval regulation of the telecoms regulator. A new report obtained by New Telegraph from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealed that as at September 2014, only 1,020

mobile devices had been typeapproved by government. NCC is empowered by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to establish and enforce standards for all telecommunications equipment in operation CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

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

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

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Nov. 28)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N182.50 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N286 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N226

l Foreign Reserves – $36.85bn as at 27/11/2014

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official As at Nov. 28)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N168 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N262.80 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N209.54

Business | News

DOMINANCE

Big players decide the direction of trading activities on the local bourse Chris Ugwu

en leading stockbroking firms on the Nigerian stock market exchanged 105.3 billion shares worth N1.599 trillion in the past eleven months.

Top 10 brokers transact N1.6trn deals in 11 months Investigation by New Telegraph showed that the N1.599 trillion is responsible for 65.65 per cent of the total value between January 1, 2014 and November 28, 2014. Also, the 105.3 billion shares accounted for 54.47 per cent of the total volume during the period

Govt moves to block leakages in revenue CONTINUED FROM PAG E 3 3

cessful to prepare the ground for January 1, 2015, for all Federal Government collection.” New Telegraph gathered that the project belonged to the office of the Accountant General, but the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is piloting it. The TSA will end the overdrawn position of government accounts and improper management of federal finances with all MDAS logged to the TSA. It will also give a consolidated view of Federal Government’s cash position and help reverse its accounts’ overdrafts. New Telegraph also learnt that in 2013, the TSA was reported to have reversed the position from an overdraft of N102 billion to a credit of

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

N4.6 billion, as it cut expenses on bank charges and costs, but with nationwide implementation, government will make more savings. TSA will also enhance the preparation of an Annual Cash Plan and the budget disbursement schedule in accordance with Section 24 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and facilitate proper cash management and scheduling of financial commitments and proper management of Federal Finances. Moreover, TSA is expected to end the era of diversion of internally generated revenue (IGR), where some MDAS, collect taxes on behalf of government and refuse to remit it to the treasury; thereby misappropriate the collected taxes.

under review. An analysis of the data showed that Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited led with N443.9 billion, accounting for 18.22 per cent, exchanged in 23.6 billion shares. CSL Stockbrokers Limited accounted for N229.05 billion or 9.40 per cent invested in 13.6 billion shares. Rencap Securities (Nigeria) Limited followed with N221.5 billion or 9.09 per cent, which was staked on 11.3 billion shares. Chapel Hill Denham Management Limited exchanged 6.9 billion shares worth N161 billion or 6.61

per cent. Meristem Securities Limited traded N151.6 billion or 6.22 per cent in 3.4 billion shares, while FBN Securities Limited staked 16.8 billion shares worth N111.9 billion or 4.59 per cent, Cordros Capital Limited traded N100.7 billion or 4.13 per cent exchanged in 5.9 billion shares, while Cardinal Stone Securities Limited recorded N67.9 billion or 2.79 per cent in 7.2 billion shares. BGL Securities Limited accounted for N64.8 billion or 2.66 per cent exchanged in 11.9 billion shares, while Primera Africa Securities Limited was responsible for N46.9

billion or 1.93 per cent. In an bid to stimulate demand and engender competition in the stock broking community, the management of the NSE had, in September 2011, introduced the ranking of the brokers by transaction value and volume. The Exchange disclosed recently that among 307 licenced dealing members, only 235 are active. It noted that there was a disproportionate amount of broker per dollar amount of capitalisation in Nigeria. This, according to the Exchange, has made the market become unat-

tractive to big players, as well as limited the size of the market. Analysts believe these 10 firms that have continued to dominate the activities on the Exchange have some of the most diversified portfolios of clients. Market watchers are, however, worried that activities of these big stockbroking firms have made the local bourse moved towards a market dominated by a few buyers and sellers who create room for all sorts of imperfect competition in order to accrue greater revenue and market share. In addition to being the biggest trading houses for Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPIs), they are also big players with the local institutional and high net-worth investors, thereby keeping other players at bay.

FG approves 1,020 types of mobile phones CONTINUED FROM PAG E 3 3

in the country to ensure that they operate seamlessly and safely within the Nigerian telecommunications environment. All equipment manufacturers, vendors and operators, including customer devices such as mobile phones and wireless adapters, must therefore ensure that their equipment conform with the applicable standards as mandated by the Commission before bringing them into Nigeria. According to the NCC report, to ensure maximum interoperability and affordability for consumers, the typeapproval standards set by the NCC are based on international standards. The standards include the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and its International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR); the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).

It was learnt that Nigeria is an associate member of IEC, through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and could become an associate member of CENELEC and ETSI. “It is the responsibility of Equipment Holders to ensure and demonstrate conformity with all of the type approval standards applicable to their equipment,” NCC said. New Telegraph learnt that over the years, the Enforcement and Compliance Department of NCC has carried out series of clampdowns on phone manufacturers selling their mobile devices in the Nigerian telecoms market without recourse to regulatory approval of the NCC. As such, industry watchers have advocated the need for increased collaboration between the NCC, the SON and the Nigerian Customs Services (NCS) to ensure that as the phones are imported into the country, the manufacturers are directed to NCC for type-approval.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje; Group Managing Director, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, Mr. Wole Oshin and Executive Consultant, B. Adedipe Associates Limited, Mrs. Olaide Adedipe, at the 2014 PEARL awards Nite/public presentation of the Nigerian Stock Market Annual (2015 Edition) in Lagos.

Nigeria to import N151.2bn fish from Netherlands this month WASTE

Some 400 unclaimed reefer containers are wasting in one of the Lagos ports Bayo Akomolafe

igerian ports are to take delivery of 750,000 metric tons of mackerel fish worth N151.2 billion ($900 million) from Netherlands before the end of this month, New Telegraph has learnt. A price of mackerel is $1,200 per ton on Freight on Board (FoB) It was learnt that shipments to Nigeria are now in the high demand, following the sudden increase in Nigeria’s fish import quotas.

It was gathered that the two weeks’ strike in the Nigerian ports early last month made several reefer containers trapped in storage in the Netherlands and Bremerhaven, Germany. Similarly, a customs agent who does not want his name mentioned alleged that Maersk had some 400 unclaimed reefer containers at its terminal in Apapa. He predicted that mackerel prices would fall this month, following the surge in the importation of the fish. Also, it was learnt that a lack of available equipment in the Netherlands, combined with high mackerel volumes coming out of northern Europe, have contributed to delay in shipments. “The problem is lack of equipment and space. We’ve had trouble finding ship-

ping lines for containers,” said Ben Bakker, account manager for reefer logistics at Eimskip. In Nigeria, the problem is that there is a lot of fish cargo going there, while vessels were fully loaded, he said. Bakker stressed that fish cargo had accumulated in Nigeria, noting it was difficult to ship fish from Holland. Also, Norwegian exporters explained that they had experienced a slowing in mackerel shipments out of the Netherlands. He said: “Mackerel sales have been good, now we’re just experiencing some queuing in the Netherlands and Nigeria. “We have a container bound for Onne Port in Rivers State stuck in Bremerhaven, we were told it won’t be out before later in December.”

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

FCT Business Watch Kenneth Tyohemba

he Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has concluded plans to float tourism bond aimed at financing six projects in Abuja and five states in the country. The bond is targeted at creating additional jobs as well as contributing largely to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. Director-General of NTDC, Sally Mbanefo, said thses in Abuja at a conference by Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria

NTDC mulls bonds to finance tourism projects (HATMAN). Listed as beneficiaries of projects to be executed through bond are Lagos, Abuja, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa states. She said that the states were chosen because of their tourism potential. “In Lagos, for example, we have Lakowe Lakes Golf and

Country Estate; we have a burgeoning resort at Ekpe Health Resort and Spa that aims to be a market leader. We have Old Lagos, which we should use to create a heritage experience; we can partner with Lagos State to make Old Lagos a heritage site with good access roads. “In Abuja we have Jabi

Lake, which is a tourism goldmine that must be developed by tourism investors that the bond will attract. In Obudu Mountain Resort, Cross River, we have ecological experiences that require further investment to make it comparable to Rwanda and Uganda. “In Rivers and Bayelsa, we have hotels to be renovated and turned into 5-star experiences; we have riverine communities in which boating experiences can be turned into a world class product. The Festivals and Durbars of the North are a rich and vibrant tapestry of colour and enchanting mystery that is sought after around the world,” said the NTDC boss. Mbanefo, therefore, urged President Jonathan to form a committee of people with international exposure to help

drive the objective of the bond when instituted. She compared the growth of tourism sector in the country with that of telecommunication sectors, which, according to her, are vibrant avenues of exploring the non-oil derivative revenues. He harped on the need to create viable business opportunities for investment. “We must not forget that investors must appreciate value and a handsome return on investment. Nigeria cannot remain a monolithic economy - we must create and exploit other natural resources in order to attract the billions of tourism dollars looking for destination; tourism should rightly be considered a contributor to our GDP because of its investment value.”

17% rural settlements have access to power – Nebo Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

Chairman, Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria, Mr. Williams Odudu(left) and Fellow, Mr. Ayodele Sangosanya at the induction ceremony of new members in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

StarTimes gives free decoder to expand client base Kenneth Tyohemba

s part of its design to add colour to the festive season and ensure that every Nigerian enjoys digital TV experience, Pay-TV provider, NTA-Star Network StarTimes, has commenced a free decoder give-away promo for everyone during the yuletide season. The exciting offer, according to a statement, is coming ahead of the 2015 digital switch over and is aimed at offering every Nigerian an opportunity to own set-boxes required for quality digital TV experience. During the promo, which started on November 18, 2014 and will last till January 31, 2015, StarTimes will give one free StarTimes decoder to everyone who subscribes for one month unique bouquet or for two months classic subscription. Also, a free StarSat HD satellite decoder plus dish will be given out to anyone who subscribes for 3 months

Smart bouquet on StarSat. In addition, the company said that customers will win exciting gift items in the on-going ‘StarTimes Season Jolly’ and ‘StarSat Family Fiesta’ promos. StarTime Public Relations Manager, Israel Bolaji, said that the company has introduced this offer as part of its resolve to offer as many Nigerians as possible the opportunity to own decoders for free and enjoy the festive season with family and friends in high spirit. “While the ‘Season Jolly’ promo is designed to excite StarTimes users, the ‘Family Fiesta’ promo is targeted at rewarding prospective and existing subscribers of StarSat HD satellite decoder.” He said that StarTimes’ existing subscribers would automatically be entered into a raffle draw upon the renewal of their subscription for two months through any of these methods: promo cards, online recharge and non-promo cards. New customers would also au-

tomatically qualify for the draws upon the payment for any of the classic, unique or the StarSat smart bouquet, which comes with a free decoder. He said: “During the promo period, there would be a 50 per cent discount in the second month of subscription every time our subscribers recharge their decoder for the ‘Season’s Jolly Promo.’

bout 17 per cent of Nigeria’s rural settlements have access to electricity supply while 60 per cent of the entire population lack access to it, Minster of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, said in Abuja. According to the minister, while power distribution firms (DISCOS) will accelerate grid extensions to urban and semi urban areas, economic considerations easily discourages them from extending access to rural areas. In a paper he presented at the 4th Capital Market Committee retreat of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Abuja, the minister

CAC bags award for peace, good governance Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

egistrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Alhaji Bello Mahmud, has said that peace is critical to economic development of any nation. He stated this while receiving Peace and Good Governance award conferred on him by a nongovernmental organisation, Save Nigeria Group (SNG) in Abuja. He pledged his support for the SNG initiative of sustaining

peaceful economic and political development of the country and expressed his readiness to continue to make his contributions to national peace and nation building and good governance. Mahmud said that the award will further motivate him to continue the support for peaceful coexistence initiative. A statement by CAC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Churchill Williams, said that the award was in recognition of Mahmud’s immense contributions towards national peace and good governance.

said that some of the challenges inhibiting the supply of power were being tackled and assured Nigerians that there would be improvement in electricity supply at the end of the exercise. “Power is the catalyst for the economic growth of the country. The power reform was articulated to restructure the sector in order to attract the required investments for expansion. The privatisation and handover is completed and the post-privatisation issues are being resolved. “The major market structures for a vibrant power sector are in place. A strong, independent and proactive regulator; fully capitalised and resourced bulk trader and federal ministry of power is repositioned to play the necessary leadership role with regards to policy consistency and ensuring a level playing field for all participants.” He said that efforts had been stepped up to tackle gas pipeline vandalism through on-going collaboration with security agencies for the protection of gas pipelines while a multi-pronged solutions comprising short, medium and long-term solutions had been adopted with the aim of increasing gas supply to existing and new generation plants. To address the gas shortage challenge, he said that a highlevel emergency domestic gas committee was working to increase gas supply in the shortterm.

Business | The Investor

Chris Ugwu

n order to promote good governance and give clear understanding of the principles of business conduct and ethics that are expected of shareholders during general meetings of public companies and their relationships with the companies outside general meetings, a code of conduct for shareholders’ association was formulated in 2006 by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in conjunction with shareholders associations, regulatory authorities in the financial sector and other stakeholders. The code was aimed at sanitising the activities of shareholders’ association and positioning them to effectively promote good corporate governance in public companies for enhanced shareholders’ value. It was also intended to ensure highest standard of conduct among association members and the companies with whom they interact as shareholders. Redundant shareholders However, the intent of the regulators seems to have been defeated, as most shareholders’ associations have become more of praise singers sponsored by corporate organisations for the smooth flow of their Annual General Meetings (AGMs). This has raised concerns among stakeholders in the investment community, as shareholders’ associations have become toothless bulldogs contrary to their creations, which was meant to address the perceived passivity of shareholders towards the governance of their companies. Market watchers believed the recent event surrounding the activities of these associations, which are suppose to be watchdogs of companies, are perceived as self aggrandizements. Regulators’ position The SEC, which lamented recently that the majority of shareholders of quoted companies in the country are inactive and are often focus on short term profits, explained that formulation of code of conduct for shareholders’ association was designed to ensure high standards of association members and make positive contributions in ensuring that the affairs of public companies are run in an ethical and transparent manner and in compliance with code of corporate governance for public companies. The commission added that the code encourages shareholders’ associations to be properly constituted and incorporated under the provisions of CAMA 1990 by registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), which is aimed at institutionalising transparency and accountability in the running of the association. Director and Secretary to the SEC, Mr. Edosa Aigbekaen, who stated this at the just concluded 2014 SEC journalists’ academy, noted that although the corporate governance framework is built on the assumption that shareholders engage with companies and hold the management to account for its performance, it is however, evident that the majority of them are passive and are often only focused on short-term profits. Aigbekaen noted that it was necessary for more shareholders to take interest in sustainable reforms and longer terms performance and to be more active on corporate governance issues. He said the creation of shareholders’ association was meant to address the perceived passivity of shareholders towards the governance of their companies, but recent events surrounding the activities of these associations seem to point to the fact that they are still

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

AGMs: Concerns mount over shareholders’ inept attitude

President, Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association, Mr Timothy Adesiyan

focused on short-term profits. “Shareholders should pay more attention to monitoring how their companies are managed. While some institutional investors are known to demand good corporate practices from the managers of their companies, a lot more is expected of the majority of small holders who are known to be very passive. They do not attend annual general meeting and so, there is no real effort to take management to task regarding their management of their companies,” Aigbekaen said. Shareholders’ discordant tunes The number of certified shareholders association is currently estimated to be about 130, which according to market experts, the increasing number of factional association is believed to be diminishing the value voting during AGMs and extraordinary general meetings. To this end however, some shareholders have linked the passivity of some shareholders to the proliferation of dormant shareholders associations in the country. Shareholders under the aegis of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) blamed the SEC for the proliferation of shareholders group in the country. The National Coordinator (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu said proliferation of shareholders association should be blamed on SEC. Nwosu said his group is not against the growth of any other association, stressing that a formidable association would engender good corporate governance in the system. He noted however, that on various occasions when ISAN had called on the SEC to investigate some of those association he described as a one man show that has brought disrepute to the system to determine their ingenuity, SEC had refused to act. Noting that the rules that any group, which has up to 50 members should be allowed to register as shareholders association was approved during the regime of the former DG of SEC, Al-Faki, he said that some of these groups cur-

Aruma Oteh

The creation of shareholders’ association was meant to address the perceived passivity of shareholders towards the governance of their companies, but recent events surrounding the activities of these associations seem to point to the fact that they are still focused on shortterm profits

rently don’t have up to five followership. He said: “These people don’t even know that registration won’t take them to AGM unless they are shareholders in the company; hence they keep on causing trouble at various AGMs. SEC and CAC should do what they are supposed to do as regulators. They should go and inspect and monitor shareholders meetings to find out whether they adhere to the rules and regulation.” To Mr. Olugbosun Ariyo, Chairman Exceptional Shareholders Association of Nigeria, there is no number of shareholders associations that will be too much, considering the population of the country, but the orientation of many people about what shareholders’ associations’ entails and stands for is wrong. “Just as a million number of shareholders’ associations will not be enough for the country, it is vital to admit that there is a problem currently facing the associations. Those associations that are known don’t want the upcoming ones to be known as they are and they do it with all the resources within their

Nwosu

reach. For instance, they always look for opportunity to rubbish them and when it comes to representing the companies in the audit committees, they always want their members to occupy the whole seat. “Just like when Gani Fawehinmi was around, he was among the advocates of multi-party system. Since we have different interests, there is need for the society to provide for all and that is what every leader of any association needs to understand,” he said. “In the case of the audit committee, which I mentioned earlier, instead of allowing the qualified persons to occupy the position, some leaders of shareholders’ associations want only their members to be in charge. “In some cases, there are chairmen that instead of allowing their members to get to the post, always want to be there. And when the time comes for election, they bring people from nowhere just to ensure that they win elections, all these things are not good. “On the last note, I will say that the associations are trying to carry out their duties, but there is something they need to watch out for, which is the love of money. We should be mindful of being too money conscious. Instead of doing what is expected of us, we as shareholders’ associations now run after money,” Ariyo added. Conclusion Recent events at AGMs have shown that shareholder activism has taken a negative turn in the country. For example, executive members of many of the shareholder associations now maintain close and personal relationships with the executives of the firms they are meant to check. This hampers their activism and further enables them to participate in several executive corrupt behaviors, to the detriment of the shareholders they ought to represent. It is therefore pertinent that SEC should step up initiatives towards regulating them, as they could constitute potential force for shaping the direction of corporate decision making in the country.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Ship turnaround time worries president’s aide p.38 SHORTCHANGE Nigeria’s terms of trade favours foreigners Bayo Akomolafe

igeria’s maritime and insurance industries can gross N2 trillion yearly if the carriage of the country’s crude oil, which is based on Free on Board (FoB), is reversed to Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF). A maritime expert and rector of the Certified Institute of Shipping (CIS), Dr. Alex Okwuashi, who disclosed this also said that the FoB policy had denied indigenous shipping companies and marine insurance firms huge amount of foreign exchange. Under the FOB terms, buyers of Nigeria’s crude oil are responsible for arranging shipment of their purchase. He explained that the CIF was the best for the country. Okwuashi noted that CIF was a term of trade requiring the seller to arrange for the carriage of goods by sea to a port of destination, saying it provided the buyer with the documents necessary to obtain the goods from the carrier. The rector said that the CIF would enrich the portfolio and balance sheet of Nigerian shipping sector. Okwuashi added that it would also create opportunities for the ailing insurance

Maritime

Nigeria’s maritime, insurance can earn N2trn – Expert firms in the country through freight earnings. He said: “This has led to capital flight and denied capacity building of the country’s shipping sector. The CIF is what government ought to have introduced ever since. Okwuashi noted that the maritime sector had lost over N20 trillion in the last two and half decades due to bad shipping policy of 1986. The rector lamented that the shipping policy of 1986 had robbed Nigerians of their legitimate right in the affreightment of crude oil. Okwuashi noted that there was a clause in the policy, which said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) must sell its crude oil on FoB basis. He declared that the CIF should be an incoterm in the 2015 fiscal year. Incoterm is a term of trade which explains the responsibility of importers and exporters in the international trade. Okwuashi advised that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Finance should issue a guideline to back up government’s decision in the next fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Shippers’ Council has said that the continuous carriage of Nigeria’s crude oil on Free on Board (FOB) basis is injurious to the nation’s economy. The Executive Secretary of the council, Hassan Bello, made the observation when the new

igerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has pledged to assist Nigeria Indigenous Ship-owners Association (NISA) to secure jobs in the country’s coastal waters. Director-General of the agency, Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, gave the assurance when the NISA President, Capt. Dada Olaniyi Labinjo, led a delegation of newly elected NISA executive members on a maiden visit to the agency’s corporate headquarters in Apapa, Lagos. He assured the delegation that not only would the agency grant the association the required priority attention, but has, in fact, begun flying same kite, because of his deep conviction that the only way to reduce crimes, particularly armed robbery, is by creating jobs, which observably was the main focus of NISA. Akpobolokemi noted: “We will work to see that NISA gets back its jobs. Nigerians are getting restive because the jobs which the citizens can do are still being done

by foreigners.” The Director-General told the NISA delegates that he had held a meeting with the operators in the petroleum and gas industry that the implementation of the cabotage law would be more emphasized. He said: “We told them that we need to empower our people, because Nigerians are getting restive, that jobs which Nigerians can do are still being done by foreigner. A committee had also been set up to work on the modality for the return of the jobs. “I do not say it would be easy, but we must all do our best. The laws are there. But our problem is that it is often difficult to fully implement the laws in this country. We are aware of the kind of challenge the agency would probably confront, in the course of a full implementation of the cabotage regime. Akpobolokemi stressed the need for the understanding and total support of NISA in the task of getting the jobs back, noting that the task would not be easy. He assured that the agen-

executives of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) led by its President, Capt. Niyi Labinjo, paid him a courtesy visit. Bello said that the regime of the carriage of Nigeria’s crude oil will have to be adjusted from FoB basis to CIF in order to serve Nigerians.

He stressed that the carriage of the crude oil on FoB basis is detrimental to the development of the country. He noted that it is only Nigeria and two other countries among OPEC members that still allow their crude oil to be carried on FoB basis.

President Goodluck Jonathan (R) welcoming former Head of State and Chairman of APM Terminals Apapa Limited, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals, Mr. Kim Fejfer during a courtesy visit to the president in Abuja.

NIMASA pledges jobs for local ship owners

Rector seeks specialised bank for maritime p.38

cy would endeavour to carry NISA along so as to ensure that its members would fully understand if the pace of the journey could not be as fast as the association would want it. Akpobolokemi added: “Why do we make noise about the Cabotage Act? It is because it is not being implemented 100 per cent. The Americans do not talk about the Jones Act because they have crossed that huddle. “The desire of the indigenous ship-owners association is to create jobs. If the jobs are not created, the armed robbery would increase. There is nothing anybody can do about it. So, we must work together to achieve this common purpose; because jobs brings multiplier effects on the economy. He maintained that the agency should not be perceived as “doing anybody any favour” by working in the direction that could bring jobs, because it would only amount to merely striving to contribute their quota towards creating a better Nigeria.

Customs generate N900m revenue in Sokoto, Zamfara

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated over N900 million revenue in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara Area Command. Controller of the command, Ahmed Isyaku, said that the money was generated between January and November. According to him, the command had devised other means to meet its 2014 revenue target of N1.4 billion. “We are doing everything possible to meet the projected target and even exceed it, all in the national interest,” he said. He stressed that part of the efforts to raise more revenue was the sensitisation of traders, entrepreneurs and the general public on the need to imbibe the habit of paying duties on imported goods. Isyaku said that the efforts were paying off as the average monthly revenue collection of the command had soared from N90 million to about N107 million.

The controller explained that the command was liaising with the various border communities, religious and government officials in the efforts to safeguard customs personnel in the area. Isyaku said: “We are also routinely training and retraining our officers and men with a view to carefully handle arms and to be more civil in discharging their duties.” He commended the management of the service for giving priority to the welfare and comfort of staff. Isyaku, however, urged the management to provide more logistic support and personnel to the command to enable it discharge its duties more effectively in view of the wide land mass it covers. “The area command is the widest in terms of land mass, bordering Niger and Benin republics; we now have about 800 personnel, but we need about 2,000 officers and men to effectively man the vast and porous borders,” the controller said.

Business | Maritime

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Ship turnaround time worries president’s aide STRUGGLE Customs strive to meet revenue target in three states Stories by Bayo Akomolafe

enior Special Assistant to the President on maritime, Mr. Leke Oyewole, has expressed concern over the ship turnaround time at the nation’s seaports. He complained that vessels spent about two weeks at the ports instead of a few days.

Oyewole, who represented the president at a stakeholders’ forum with freight forwarders organised by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Lagos, explained that the ship turnaround had made Nigerian ports very expensive in the West African region. He urged importers to turn a new leaf for the good of the nation’s economy and shun underdeclaration. President Goodluck Jonathan had, according to him, ordered government agencies involved in ports operation to introduce automation in their services as is the case in ad-

vanced countries. Oyewole noted that the president was not happy over the importation of substandard goods into the country, delays in ports operation and cost of doing business in the ports. He siad that government would ensure that the automation exercise took effect in the next three months. Oyewole further said that all the agencies of government involved in one service or the other have been informed of the President’s directive. He explained that with automation, freight forwarders could stay anywhere and com-

Vessel moored to discharge containers at the Lagos Port, Apapa.

Rector seeks specialised bank for maritime T he Rector of the Certified Institute of Shipping (CIS), Rev. Alex Okuwashi, has urged the National Assembly to enact a law that would lead to the creation of more specialised banks for the industry. Okuwashi made the call at the 2014 annual lecture investiture and award ceremony held at the institute in Lagos. He said that the maritime industry was a huge capital intensive sector that needed the support of government for funding. Okwuashi stressed: “Maritime bank ought to be funded by government to give the required support for the infrastructural development of the sector. A joint financial and monetary motivation plan ought to be formed.” He commended the establishment of a maritime micro finance bank, but he said that a full-fledged bank must be created to help fund the industry. Okwuashi said: “The coming of micro finance bank in the maritime industry is a welcome development but there is limit to the loan a

micro finance bank can give. “Banks that are riskaverse should also come to the maritime industry. They should come to fund ship and some other shipping businesses in the country.” Also, he called for the actualisation of the cabotage administration in order to achieve its aim. “The cabotage administration ought to be depend-

ably actualised to make for more contributions of neighborhood administration inside the flag state. “The seaports should play a frontline role in the shipping business within the ECOWAS sub-region through a vibrant indigenous Nigeria private sector participation in the coastal shipping activities through the implementation of Cabotage law.”

IMO approves code of safety for ships

he International Maritime Organisation (IMO) ’s Maritime Safety Committee has approved, in principle, the draft International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code). It also approved proposed amendments to make the Code mandatory under Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), with plans to adopt both at the next MSC session scheduled for June next year. The IGF Code will make the provisions of the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of

machinery, equipment and systems using low-flashpoint fuels mandatory, focusing initially on liquefied natural gas (LNG), to minimise the risk to the ship, its crew and the environment, having regard to the nature of the fuels involved. The Code addresses all areas that need special consideration for the usage of low-flashpoint fuels, based on a goal-based approach, with goals and functional requirements specified for each section forming the basis for the design, construction and operation of ships using this type of fuel.

plete all the processes needed to clear their consignments. Oyewole disclosed that the project would be handled by world class organisations. Nigerians have agreed to a shift of the paradigm to be in tune with global practices, he said. He also said that the president was worried about the influx of substandard goods into the country, adding that this had led to the death and closure of many local companies. The president’s aide urged freight forwarders to obey trade regulations and discourage importers from bringing in substandard goods because of the havoc it was causing the country. Oyewole equally expressed concern over the delay and cost of doing business at the nation’s ports. According to him, a cargo that should be cleared within days spends weeks. Also, the Director-General of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said that his organisation was considering imposing penalty on countries exporting substandard products to Nigeria. Odumodu stressed that it was necessary as the countries concerned were not ready to cooperate with Nigeria on the efforts to check the influx of substandard goods into the country. He noted that 95 per cent of substandard goods in the market were imported, adding that the action against the countries would stop the ‘death’ they have

been bringing to Nigerians. The director general said that substandard goods enter the country through two routes and insisted that freight forwarders had a role to ensure that they were not collaborators. He noted that a lot of manufacturing companies have closed shop as a result of importation of substandard goods into the country. President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, at the occasion, said that there had been misconception about the processes introduced by SON, adding that the forum had become necessary. Shittu called on the management of SON to make the forum a regular event, at least another one in the next six months so as to assess the progress so far. He called on the freight forwarders to embrace Information Communication Technology (ICT), which is very important in the present way of doing business in the ports. According to him, the rule in ANLCA is that for one to become a chapter Chairman, he must have full knowledge of ICT. Shittu identified the major problem facing agents as that of compliance with procedures. He also noted that owing to the bad economy, government was showing a lot of interest in the ports, and there was the need for everyone to tighten his belt.

Shippers’ Council advocates boost in local capacity igerian Shippers’ striving for greater achieveN Council (NSC), has ex- ments. “All government agencies pressed the need to boost indigenous shipping capacity in the country. Executive Secretary of the council, Mr. Hassan Bello, stated this when he received the new executives of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) in his office in Lagos. He noted that the Federal Government had been working assiduously to make the maritime industry grow. The executive secretary added that many countries rely on incomes from the maritime industry, adding that the need to boost indigenous capacity was imperative. Bello also stressed the need to harness the resources of the maritime industry for diversification of the nation’s economy. He lauded the support of other government agencies as well as the stakeholders. Bello added: “There have been several efforts by government agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority,

and stakeholders have been working together to make sure that there is a free level-playing ground and equilibrium so that all the subsectors would contribute to the economy. “We have to protect our indigenous ship owners; we have to encourage them and patronise them; and also reserve cargo for them,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Bello as saying. He said that the carriage of crude on Free on Board (FoB) basis was detrimental to the development of this country, adding that Nigeria and two other countries were the only countries carrying crude oil on FoB basis. Bello said that the council had made presentations to the Federal Government to reverse the carriage of crude oil on FoB basis in the interest of Nigerians. He, however, said that shipping was international, adding that it should give room for local interests. The executive secretary called for the support of NISA to move the industry forward.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idis; Project Coordinator, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Prof. Abdulsalam Nasisi; Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tamunoiyoriari Sampson Parker and Director, Department of Social Affairs, African Union Commission, Amb. Olawale Mayegun, at the training of 250 doctor volunteers to be sent to Sierra Leone and Liberia to fight Ebola by the Federal Ministry of Health in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Agu of Ndidia-Ozaa Autonomous Community, Ukwa West, Eze Samuel Agu; Uhuru-Ndoki Autonomous Community, Eze Obinna Nwagbara; Ipu South Autonomous Community, Eze Godwin Ukanna and Obeaku-Ndoki Autonomous Community, Eze Ikeagwuchi- Ekeke, after a media briefing on the political situation in Aba

L-R: National Leader, Izon National Communion of Bishops (INCOS), Arch Bishop Alex Eseimokumoh; Arch Bishop D.A.A. Ndiomu; Bishop I. Bob-Manuel and Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, at the State’s monthly praise, held at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.

L-R: Executive Secretary, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. AJibola Olude; Representative of the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Chris Uwaje; former President, ATCON, Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu and Publisher/Editor in Chief, Business Journal, Prince Cookey Hedekiah, at the Nigeria ICT Festival 2014 with the theme ‘Broadband: Path to Digital Future’ in Lagos

Photo | News 39

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima (left) and Dr. Mohammed Nur Dongal, at the launch of the state’s free pupil feeding initiative in Maiduguri…recently

The couple, Randy Lee Riggs and Dr. Oluwabunmi Agbo-Abegunde with Executive Director Marketing/Lagos Operations, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Otunba Jide Adebayo, during Agbo-Abegunde’s wedding ceremony in Ilorin, Kwara State…recently

L-R: Osun State Head of Service, Mr Olayinka Owoeye; Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; former Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and others on the Governor’s resumption back to office after his second-term inauguration in Osogbo… on Monday

Director General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Sola Omole (left), receiving Nigerian’s Reputation Builders’ award from the President, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mr. Rotimi Oladele, in Abuja… recently.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Leisure Arcade NUTS

By Kaycee

NTPuzzle

Wedding Word Search N Q M Q R E P P E P Q R Q F U J T G R O O M E F P V Q P W T N G C V X F T K A L C E U Q L E P A H C Q A R Q O U E W R I N G S H D B L I N Q

MAMA LASISI

By Aliu Eroje

F G J P F S R E W O L F J A M E

T K

T Y G I W C D W H W A E O E G S Q I R E S T E N H H Q U C B U J R R Y E L D Z F X Q A C R G E B A B D D D H M A K H X L U N W M T O I I G L E L K K K A N X W I N R N T B O U Q U E T I W D I A K G

MOYIN & FRIENDS

By Ayo Oyerinde

AUGUST JENNI

CHAPEL RINGS

BOUQUET JIRK

DIRK

BRIDE

SEDONA

MARRIAGE FLOWERS TLAQUEPAQUE

CAKE PEPPER GROOM WEDDING

NTJokes The movie producers

SUDOKU - Answer to No 4

SUDOKU - No 5

SUDOKU - Answer to No 3

SUDOKU - No 4

Una don hear the story of these movie producers wey go use person house to shoot movie scene? They needed someone to act the role of a gate man so they offered the Aboki at the house some money to act the role. The director behind the ‘main actor’ who was acting the role of a thief who later repented. They told the Aboki: “If you hear me say “action” make you run after am o, just do things exactly as I say….you hear?”. The Aboki nodded in affirmation. As the Director shout “action”, na so actor take off and aboki begin pursue am round the compound, as dem dey reach fence the director see say the pursuing scene don do, na so director shout “cut, cut, cut”. O boy eh, una no go believe am! Actor still dey hospital as we dey yarn dis story ooo!!

FOC

How to play

Sudoku

ALIU EROJE

CHIEF CARTOONIST aliu.eroje@newtelegraphonline.com

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

An American priest walked into a barber shop in Washington, D.C. After he got his haircut, he asked how much it would be. The barber replied; No charge. I consider it a service to the Lord. The next morning, the barber came to work and there were 12 prayer books and a thank you note from the priest in front of the door. Later that day, a British police officer on vacation came in and got his hair cut. He asked how much it would be. The barber replied; No charge. I consider it a service to the community.

The next morning, he came to work and there were a dozen donuts and a thank you note from the police officer. Then, a Nigerian Businessman came in and got a haircut. He asked how much it would be. The barber said; If you are really a Nigerian then you don’t have to pay since you are from the same country as Hakeem Olajuwon the basketballer. The next morning, the barber came to work and there were 12 Nigerians in front of his door waiting for a haircut. One word for Nigerians…

Politics 41

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DecEMBER 3, 2014

Gombe: Dankwambo’s new social order Junaidu Usman Abubakar, a public affairs analyst based in Gombe, takes a critical look at the Ibrahim Dankwambo administration in Gombe State in the past three years

imaginative conjectures and fantasies which is what ideas are until they are practicalised. “The fundamental basic principles of democracy,” Dankwambo had enthused, “are probity, transparency and accountability; impressing on his listeners, in his usual scholarly manner, the essence of good leadership and probity as criteria for a resultoriented administration. “The responsibility to run Gombe State is on my neck and would not blame anyone for my success or failure; I cannot be a new person and delegate what I don’t know to the person who does not know.”

Political assessment On political level, Dankwambo’s tenure as the chief executive of Gombe State seem the best of times for political watchers and strategic policy analysts of the state’s match to the frontiers of economic freedom. His development of infrastructure in virtually all the sectors of state concern which was utterly lacking in the political will of past administrations in the state, safe for the multibillion Gombe Regional Water Scheme at Dadin-kowa which was executed in partnership with the Federal Government, and of note, Governor Dankwambo, then Accountant General of Gombe State as a major participant in the planning process, calling on his huge experience in the management

Policy initiatives Fundamental to the inauguration of the Economic Transformation Committees is an understanding of the need for a collaborative process which puts the populace at the centre of state policy, extending friendly behaviour toward the citizenry, formulated to benefit in terms of the mix of conflict and cooperation, the comparative politics. These visions of new politics share a conviction that the institutionalisation of Dankambo’s policies and programmes is a necessary condition for the attainment of democratic government in a modern society, and in the age of reasoning. His application and expansion of creative intelligence represents his development strategy in moving the state towards the path of economic and industrial growth, independent of outside sources. His is the practical application of all relevant knowledge on the social, physical and natural realm to specific problems identified well ahead of time. A significant part of the study of Dankwambo’s policies and programmes in Gombe consists of the development of scenarios and extrapolations of contemporary trends in the state’s politics, and his strong determination effect a revolutionary shift in direction, more concerned about the more complex functions of socioeconomic progress of the state; an apparent political will to sustain the present momentum by making use of up-to-date and relevant technological innovations, adopt and facilitate necessary institutional changes, increase agricultural production of farm inputs, make full use of human and other resources to improve the level of living. An administration as diverse and pluralistic in the implementation of state policies and programmes within huge financial constrains offer many temptations to critiques of different views. What people think about the government is the outcome always of the experience of past administrations on which they are immersed. The Dankwambo-led administration in this regard should not be seen as different from its predecessors; its administration has come at an age of critical transition in which at the end, a new social order will be born, embraced by all, through the presence of massive socio-economic infrastructures and a new progress orbit. It is the pursuit of excellence and knowledge. •Abubakar writes from Gombe

s the curtain draws to a close on the eventful and exceedingly busy tenure of the Ibrahim Dankwambo-led administration in the last three years in Gombe State, there is need for the public to be treated to an overall assessment of his activities, responsibly so in an era of public accountability, owing the people good governance as a matter of obligation and social contract; the right to be governed well, responsibly and productively. A complete analysis of Governor Dankwambo’s policies and programmes in Gombe State within the period under review (2011-2014) can only be done institutionally as a policy-literate think tank; what strategists would refer to as real economic historical research on Gombe, developing an ideological bent which can only be implemented with an expert management of proven quality; the Gombe State 2013 and 2014 budgets remain a good analogy extensively in all aspects of human development and economic growth. The first strength of Dr. Dankwambo is captured in his passion for competence and his comfort level, with having the best around him, in his method and style, in its most descriptive fashion. If we cannot describe a political process or event, we cannot really hope to understand or explain it. The concept of governance and structures of the Dankwambo-led administration are presented at two analytical levels: the macro and micro-level analysis. Besides the assessment of performance, there is need to highlight crucial policy issues in public consciousness and create minimal standards of performance on core areas of consensus and ask the question, whether on the whole, Dankwambo has been good for Gombe and is absolutely worth being granted an extension of office or worth jettisoning the Dankwambo legacy.

Dankwambo

of the state meagre resources. He has variously been described as a “case study in resource application and utilization”. His capital market approach of N20 billion represent an extension of his economic philosophy which hinges on huge infrastructure investment as increasing Gombe State’s debts capacity in the light of his tough fiscal policy and austere measures tinted with pro-poor initiatives such as Job and Wealth Creation: Youth Development Programme; skill acquisition; the Talba Empowerment and Youth Reformation Scheme and the Industrial Cluster/Enterprise Zones/Estate, etc; all these, Dankwambo posited are measures directed at diversifying the state economy as an antidote to the nation’s mono economy which is largely dependent on oil. For a man whose most compelling innovations in life has been the unwavering zeal to embrace challenges and raise solution to problems, it is not difficult to situate well and demonstrate in very clear terms his hallmark and diligence and the need to achieve results. Dankwambo is in a hurry to achieve results. Two main areas relative to Dankwambo’s revolutionary initiatives in Gombe are easily captured in the prescriptive aspect which hinges on changing the social welfare situation as well as the descriptive, discussing each and every policy and their sequential developments, suitably weighted and differentiated between categories of capital projects executed and their benefits on the populace; actual performance compared with performance standards; character traits and leadership performance. His disposition and courage in taking on daunting obstacles is a flavour that has clearly affected developmental growth in all the sectors of the state economy. He has shown uncommon touch for the common good while living integrity complimented by statesmen and women of good conscience who are not perverted by the spoils of office but are persuaded by conviction, as opposed to convenience – attributes that come with

His transformation agenda and blueprint for governance draws on an extensive, long and ambitious policies and programmes capable of turning the state into a behemoth in the sub-region

experience, patriotism, altruism and competence, as against those whom the growth of the state and people counts for nothing but dishonesty and consummate eyes for the benefits which the office can offer, all amounting to self-aggrandizement. This is the central issue in Nigeria’s public life, the absence of character. “The Government of Gombe State under our leadership will strive to make the state economically viable. This is to be achieved through the prudent management of funds available to government. On the whole, the government would create the necessary environment for the creation of wealth and prosperity for our people,” the governor had said in his maiden broadcast to the state on May 29, 2011. “The mission of our administration in Gombe State is simply to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of the people of the state at all times. Our leadership style will be purposeful, selfless, credible, transparent and result-oriented,” he said. A technocrat with solid economic credentials, Dankwambo has never missed the opportunity to inform the teeming population of the state and all that care to listen that the best is yet to be. His transformation agenda and blueprint for governance draws on an extensive, long and ambitious policies and programmes capable of turning the state into a behemoth in the sub-region. Drawing largely from the pool of report of the 11-man Economic Transformation Committee inaugurated in the early part of his administration which contains issues in comparative actions of the Danjuma Goje era; its conceptualisation and theoretical perspectives; problems and ways to improve the revenue generation of the state for socio-economic development and its human capital management, his transformation programme in Gombe State encapsulates the totality of mobility fundamentals, requiring and demanding the polling of diverging ingenuity and phenomena for its mobility and functionality. Its dynamics most often are beyond

42 Politics

WEDNESDAY, DecEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Senators: Nigeria’s democracy at risk with police invasion of N’Assembly C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

aware that in the National Assembly, we have what is called legislative powers and privileges which have made this National Assembly and its premises, immune to any police action, immune to any attack, immune to any arrest. More so, if you look at these powers, it says at any time, at every given time, the workers of the National Assembly and the legislators, before anything can happen to them, the Chairman of the National Assembly must be made to know; they must seek clearance of the Chairman of the National Assembly, who is sitting opposite me. “On that particular day, a lot of people were not aware that the Chairman of the National Assembly was obstructed from entering the National Assembly and was made to stay at the gate for more than one hour. A lot of people did not know that in my presence, the Chairman of the National Assembly was shot by tear gas, and the tear gas fell just five yards away from the President of the Senate. Gaya: Police taking laws into their hands Senator Kabiru Gaya (APCKano South) is a former governor of Kano State and represents Kano South on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC): “I think that it is timely for us to correct the situation, where the police who are supposed to be the protectors of law and order are breaching the law and order and they are getting away with it. Mr. President, I know, by rules, before any officer comes in here to do anything in the National Assembly, there must be clearance from the Chairman or the President of the Senate. And we learnt that you did not know anything about it; you were not informed. That’s a breach. That is why I am worried that the police are taking laws into their hands. I remember when the Deputy Leader called the IG of Police and told him that he did not know what was happening in the National Assembly; the simple reply he gave was that he should talk to the DPO. How could the IG of Police tell a leader of the Senate that he should report to the DPO on this matter? It is an insult, Mr. President. “Number two, you remember Mr. President, when governors were having a meeting in the FCT, a police officer was sent to stop them from having the meeting in a Governor’s Lodge and nothing happened. Mr. President, you remember here in the Senate, when we were investigating the pension issue, we in the committee signed a warrant of arrest to bring an officer but he didn’t come. At the end of the day, we came to you and you signed that warrant of arrest for the IG of Police at that time to bring that officer; on that day, the IG was not there. That also was

Ekweremadu

Manager

Gwarzo

Makarfi

lack of respect for this institution.” Ekweremadu: Democracy flows from parliament Senator Ike Ekweremadu is the Deputy Senate President: “I like to join the rest in condemning the incident of Thursday, November 20. I say so because I believe that what happened on that day was a major desecration of the sanctity of the precincts of the National Assembly. Very distinguished colleagues, we must understand that the National Assembly is the temple of democracy. It is from here that democracy flows. If you remove the parliament, there is no democracy. So, any attempt on the Parliament is an attempt on democracy. “This is the second time we are having this kind of incident. I recall that in the days of Chuba Okadigbo as the President of the Senate, his official residence was barricaded by security agents; and because we let that pass away, I am sure that was why what happened on Thursday happened. So, I believe that we need to get to the root of this matter. “Thursday November 20 was indeed a dark day in our democratic development. And I want us, in addition to other steps, to continue to mark that date as a reminder that, never again will this happen. I recommend before I proceed that November 20th every year, we must appear in black

Anything short of investigating this matter will bring down this government in no time...

Akume

Enang

to our sitting to remember that day. Distinguished colleagues, when I watched what happened in the National Assembly that day, it was like a Hollywood film, except that I recognise the actors. I don’t believe that this should happen in Nigeria. So, I believe too that we should do something about it. What was the explanation? Government’s spokesperson, Dr. Doyin Okupe said that police were trying to enforce court judgement in respect of defection of members. And I asked myself, is it the business of the Police to enforce judgement on defection because we have a provision in our constitution that if a member defects when his party is not in crisis, it is only the presiding officer that can enforce that. And I am aware that no policeman is a presiding officer in this parliament. Manager: Invasion, an unfortunate development James Manager (PDP, Delta South): “I was here and I witnessed what happened that day. In fact, we had to trek all the way from the first gate to the National Assembly, and it was a very serious trek. I did not climb anything; it is not in my style to climb anything no matter the tension. And when we got to the building here, there was feeling of tear gas everywhere. There was near commotion everywhere. It was a sad day for everybody. As a trained lawyer for many years, instead of using the word condemn, I will say it was an unfortunate development. Whatever happened

that day was unfortunate. “Therefore, Mr. President, my respected colleagues, in these matters, Section 36 of our constitution, from sub-section 1-12 deal on fair hearing. Therefore, we should form a panel for public hearing about what actually informed what happened and what actually transpired that day.” Akume: Nigeria sliding into dictatorship Senator George Akume (APC-Benue North West) is a former governor of Benue State and the Mirotiy Leader: “Mr. President on that very fateful day, I was at the gate and there were barricades. I was not thoroughly searched; I was allowed in and I think for a purpose, I was allowed in to inhale the toxic gas, and I inhaled a lot of it. In my days as a young man, we never heard the parliament in Lagos was assaulted by the police. The National Assembly is a major pillar of our democracy, a very strong one. The founders of the presidential system of government for this country decided in their wisdom to allocate functions among all tiers of government; to Executive, to Legislature and to the Judiciary. Whereever they are today, dead and alive were learned. They gave us the system for checks and balances. Where power is not controlled, there is bound to be anarchy. We have our own responsibilities here quite distinct from those who invaded the parliament. “Mr. President, that act was unconstitutional, it was criminal, it was illegal. It was deliberate; it

Politics 43

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DecEMBER 3, 2014

and forestall reoccurrence, there is need to devolve power to ensure checks and balances. The next legislature must look at the fundamental constitutional reforms and need to reorient certain institutions like the security agencies to embrace democratic principles. “They are there to secure the lives of leaders but not to protect the interest of leaders. We are missing the point. Certain institutions are getting it wrong when they believe they are to protect all interests of all arms of government. There should be proper training to change this mentality so that this sort of a thing does not happen again.” Ndume

Ngige

was calculated. It was intended to tell us that you are not what you think you are; we can reduce you to whatever level we want and there is nothing you can do. But there is something we can do because the constitution gives us power to do what is right in this country. Many of us have toiled and sweated to ensure the birth of this democracy from 1999 to date. Those who are thinking that their personal interest must override national interest are making a big mistake. But Mr. President, where are the privileges of the National Assembly? Can this action be contemplated in Ghana, South Africa, Mali even Cameroon. No! The Parliament will say no and the people will say no. What actually led to this deliberate attempt to destroy parliament and by implication destroy the territorial integrity of this country? It is not the issue of partisanship, it is impunity. The Speaker was at the gate they barricaded. I wonder whether we want to come back to Senate. Let us be sincere; where is our honour? If yesterday was the Speaker, tomorrow, it could be Mr. President. Are we building democracy or we are gradually sliding into dictatorship? When I saw the members climbing the gate to get access to their legitimate premises, I almost wept. In a nutshell, the police have no powers to do what they did; misinterpretation of the law by the police, impunity by the police.” Gwarzo: I support probe Bello Gwarzo (PDP, Kano North): “Let me start by asking a question: is the legislative arm not an independent arm of government? If the answer is yes, has this ever happened to the executive arm of the Federal Government? Has the Chamber of the Federal Executive Council ever been invaded by the police? Has it happened to the judicial arm of government, why

Lokpobiri

Ningi

Certain situations bring out the pitfalls in our laws and this is one of it. This Senate should do the needful. Those legislators who scaled the gate deserve our applause. They are the genuine patriots, nationalists and should get the first price if there would be an award

the legislative arm of government? I can recall in 2000, Senator Okadigbo’s house was invaded by the police, looking for our symbol of authority, the mace. What connects the police with our mace? The same thing happened here on November 20. When I was blocked at the gate, the service chiefs whom we invited to come and brief us were allowed to come in. They asked me to move my car backward so that the service chiefs could go in. “Section 14(1) of the legislatives houses Powers and Privileges Act, CAP 12, 2011 states that no stranger shall be entitled to enter or remain in the Chamber of a seat of a legislative house without the authority of the Senate President or the Speaker as the case may be. Mr. President, did you or the Speaker authorise these policemen? Sir, Section 16 of the same Act also said if any stranger or visitor obstructs a lawmaker in carrying out his duty, it is a crime, and shall be guilty of an offence, liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or six months imprisonment. What happened, is it not a crime to the legislative arm of government, is it not a crime to Nigerians? I sincerely support this motion and I hope the members of the committee will do justice to the matter.” Makarfi: We must prevent further occurrence Senator Ahmed Makarfi (PDP, Kaduna) is a former governor of Kaduna State and the chairman of the ad hoc committee to investigate the invasion of the Assembly: “Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I want to make a clarification that what happened was an assault on the legislature and not on any arm of the National Assembly. To address this problem

Enang: Sergeant-at-arms must bear arms Ita Enang (PDP, Akwa Ibom): “It is happening so that we can rise up to our responsibilities. I am pleased that the event is happening now because the Legislative Act was made on April 30, 1953 and amended in 1957. It is time that as a contemporary parliament, knowing that the Presidency is protected by a brigade of guard, the parliament is protected by sergeant-at-arms. In other climes, under the law, when a police officer comes here illegally, he is arrested by the sergeant-at-arms but unfortunately he was the one arrested here. We are working on a bill to amend our laws particularly the National Assembly Act that will create and elevate the office of the sergent-atarms to allow them to bear arms as obtained in other climes, and to ensure that all other security agents are subject to him and that nobody brings arms into the complex except as authorised by the sergeantat-arms. “Again, at this time of terrorism and where other security agencies are alleged to be infiltrated, the sergent-at-arms all over the country should be allowed to bear arms to protect us. It is important to caution the security agencies and the police that they are the creations of the law. If we do not create them they won’t exist and they are responsible to all. Therefore, we should have a public hearing, where all those who were involve in this matter will be given a fair hearing.” Ndume: Impunity getting out of hands Ali Ndume (Borno, Borno South) “This event is a wake-up call for us to look at the laws that established and guards the sanctity of the National Assembly. I was disappointed when you said we should reconvene on Tuesday. You are bending too much to the extent that you were tear-gassed. The level of impunity under your watch is getting out of hands. We make these laws and people are breaking the laws and we are not doing anything. The law states clearly what the punishment for such action. The IG and police violated the law and should be punished.” Lokpobiri: We must investigate before passing verdict Heineken Lokpobiri (PDP, Bayelsa) “Within the provisions of the law, I am willing to do anything to protect the National Assembly but we should not bring in sentiment

into the matter. We created the police and gave them a job to do and on several occasions brought the police for not gathering enough intelligence. We should investigate why the police did not just prevent the hoodlums but also prevented the lawmakers from having access to their offices. “The only way we can find out the truth about what happened is by setting up a committee. It is when the report is brought that we should condemn the police, condemning now is pre-judging the police. I am not defending the police, but we should allow the police give its side of the story. We should not be sentimental about it; there should be fair hearing and then we will do the needful.” Ngige: Senate must rise up to the occasion Chris Ngige (APC, Anambra) “That Nigeria exists as a nation is because we derive power from the constitution. The IG referred us to speak to the DPO of the National Assembly. This Senate should rise up to the occasion. Certain situations bring out the pitfalls in our laws and this is one of it. This Senate should do the needful. Those legislators who scaled the gate deserve our applause. They are the genuine patriots, nationalists and should get the first price if there would be an award. Let the report not be like a panel beating report that are never executed. They should be given seven or 10 days to report back to us so that it will not go the Nigerian way where impunity is the order of the day. We should go back to the grand norm of the country and other ancillary laws that flow from it to know how the police will be structured. Why is the Senate not clearing the IG as service chiefs? If his appointment is to be confirmed by us, he won’t refer us to the DPO. The perception about the Senate is not a wonderful one and we should be the real people that we are.” Mark sets up committee David Mark (PDP, Benue) is the Senate President: “We have had a frank discussion and out of the frustration we find ourselves, I agree with you that we should set up a committee. It is the sacrifice or the price we have to pay for democracy or the sacrifice we have to make for democracy. That is what I believe happened to me. The Speaker has been in touch with me and I have been in touch with him. And we have put all that behind us. What we want is to strengthen democracy in this country. And whatever price we pay and whatever sacrifice we make to strengthen democracy, we will do so. We are appointing members from this House; so, we are not bringing anybody from outside. And nobody is going to interfere with their work; we want them to be very thorough and then to be very sincere. We also want them to bring the report as quickly as possible. “I have Ahmed Mohammed Markarafi as chairman, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu as member; Victor Lar as member, Adegbenga Kaka as member, Paulinus Igwe as member, Jubrillila Bindo as member, and Ehigie Uzamere as member. You will find time to start work as quickly as possible. I want to thank all of you for your very frank and candid contributions.”

Business | Money Line

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

ATM charges: Customers’ apathy raises PoS patronage COST-SAVING

Banks’ customers move to save costs

Godson Ikoro and Abdulwahab Isa Katsina

he reinstatement of charges on Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has spurred customers’ apathy for cash machine and increased the volume of transactions conducted through Point of Sales (PoS). A data of transactions from both channels released by the apex bank yesterday showed that bank customers are now more disposed to using PoS in conducting bank transactions than ATM. For instance, bank customers transacted the sum of N23.356 billion in August through PoS channel. The figure increased to N28.154 billion in October 2014 whereas, ATM patronage has been recording consistent decrease. In August 2014, ATM transactions stood at N344.934billion but dipped

to N311.805 billion in October 2014. CBN Director, Banking and Payment System Department, Mr. Dipo Fatokun confirmed the figures yesterday in n a paper entitled ‘Re-introduction of ATM charges and its implications on cashless policy,’ at the on-going Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) seminar for reporters in Katsina. Represented by Musa Itopa Jimoh, Head, Payment System Policy and Oversight Division, he noted that while reinstatement of ATM charges has led to increase in patronage of other channels of payment, there has been a decrease in the volume of ATM transactions, a development he attributed to patronage of other payment channels. The CBN in collaboration with Bankers’ Committee had few months ago, reinstated the N65 ATM charges. The reinstatement, which drew public outcry, was seen largely as policy reversal by the apex bank. This was because prior to the introduction of N65, CBN in collaboration with Bankers’ Committee resolved

to transfer the payment of N100 fee on ‘ remote-onus’ ATM cash withdrawal transactions to the issuing banks with effect from September 17, 2012. But the CBN acceded to banks’ complaint that cost of maintaining and servicing the ATM had grown and that burden be shared with customers.

Meanwhile, the NIDC Managing Director and Chief Executive, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, has said the banking sector remained the engine room for economic growth and development through its financial intermediation role. Umaru observed that the pivotal role played by banks made it imperative

he naira rose sharply against the dollar yesterday after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervened three times to lift it from yet another record intraday low, dealers said. The currency closed at N181 against the dollar, up 3.6 percent from its early session low of N187.55. The unit according to Reuters news, closed at N184.10 the previous day. As oil prices stay persistently weak around five-year lows, the apex bank, which devalued the currency by 8 percent last week, has been struggling to keep the naira trading within its new band of N160-176 to the dollar. The naira has lost 12.3 percent this year. Dealers said oil companies were also selling dollars and some banks were buying naira ahead of tommorrow’s Treasury bill auction. China’s Addax sold $4.5 million, while Mobil’s $36 million and Saipem’s $15 million

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

Treasury Bills Maturity Date 08-May-14 07-Aug-14 22-Jan-15

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

Bid Spot ($/N) 163.28 THE FIXINGS –NIBOR,NITTY and NIFEX of February 6,2014

Monday sales hit the market on yesterday. “We expect the naira to strengthen further ... if the central bank continues to intervene this way ... coupled with the market expecting large dollar sales from Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),” one dealer said. The CBN failed to meet dollar demand at its twiceweekly auction the previous day when it sold about $169 million dollars at N168 versus last week’s rate of N165, dealers said. The banking watchdog has typically sold

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

between about $200 million and $300 million at previous auctions. It devalued the naira last Tuesday to try to halt a decline in the foreign reserves of Africa’s leading energy producer as oil prices slump. Reserves are down to $36.8 billion by Nov. 28, compared with $44.6 billion a year ago. But doubts remain about whether the devaluation went far enough given the likelihood of continuing low oil prices and the bank’s inability to maintain the new band. Brent oil was trading below $72 a barrel.

‘Katsina State Government house gulped N8bn’

As at 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

drawn the attention of the regulatory/ supervisory authorities and operators, which need to be focused on in this workshop”, he said. Such issues NDIC boss listed include mobile payments, agency banking, sustainable banking, MSME funds and mortgage financing.

Naira spikes higher after CBN intervention

Godson Ikoro and Isa Abdulwahab

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

for all stakeholders in the sector to continuously strategise with a view to tailoring it towards responding to global developments and the transformation agenda of the present administration. “You would agree with me that several critical issues had come to the fore in recent times that had

he newly built Katsina State Government House fondly called Umaru House, was built at the cost of over N8billion financed by the accruals of proceeds from the state government’s investments, Deputy Governor, Katsina State, Barrister Abdullahi Garba Fasakari has said. He said this yesterday at the government house during a courtesy call on the state Governor by the Board of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and members of the Finance Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (FICAN). Barrister Fasakari, who stood in for the State Governor, Shehu Shema, was delighted to receive the NDIC Board of Directors, the reporters and the coalition of Civil society of Nigeria. He said that the government house and the governors’ lodge in Abuja were financed by the proceeds of the state government allocations prudently invested and managed. He said that the legacy of financial re-engineering, prudence and transparency laid down by the late President Yar’Adua was still being maintained by the present administration of Shehu Shema. He said that the governor made sure that all the

gigantic projects started by the previous administration were completed by his administration without a borrowed fund and still left reasonable funds in the state treasury. He listed some of the new projects started by the present administration after completing old projects to include Specialist Orthorpedic Hospital, the Ibrahim Shehu Shema city business institute, the international market, the shopping mall and the six-lane ring road of about 60 kilometer. Aside from projects, he said that the state government is not owing its workers any salary arrears, adding that since 2007 the state civil service get paid on the 23rd day of every or 24th day of month. He emphasised that the new minimum wage approved by the state government was well received by the workers, as there was a significant difference between their previous salary and a lot of difference when compared with their counterparts in other states of the federation. Earlier, Managing Director and Chief Executive of NDIC, had informed the Deputy Governor that the FICAN was in the state capital to deliberate on the latest developments in the banking sector so as to understand what the issues are and report them effectively to the citizens.

Business | Financial Market News

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

2-Dec-14

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

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

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,730.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,559.99

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

0.39 1.71 2.40 2.65 2.75 3.49 4.57 4.89 7.15 9.28 13.99 14.47 14.97 15.64 19.63

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

13.30 13.68 13.75 13.79 13.79 13.81 13.81 13.83 13.72 13.46 12.99 12.95 12.92 13.24 13.15

12.89 13.58 13.67 13.71 13.72 13.69 13.73 13.73 13.66 13.40 12.95 12.91 12.86 13.18 13.10

96.53 99.01 102.65 91.46 90.10 91.60 107.20 76.28 111.85 103.80 112.81 96.99 71.05 78.80 93.00

96.68 99.16 102.80 91.61 90.25 91.90 107.50 76.58 112.15 104.10 113.11 97.29 71.35 79.10 93.30

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 3.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.47 1.21 2.02 2.38 2.59

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

16.13 15.57 15.75 14.77 14.79

92.84 102.01 100.13 97.45 94.51

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.97

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

314.79

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.75

4.44

17.78

96.40

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.58

3.23

16.71

98.73

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.87

4.46

17.69

96.92

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.88

3.48

16.71

99.20

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.38

5.59

19.36

82.75

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.43

1.00

14.47

99.19

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.08

1.79

15.59

96.19

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.25

1.80

15.56

97.35

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.84

1.00

14.82

97.60

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.25

1.00

14.76

99.52

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

2.25

4.78

18.54

91.77

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.63

1.00

14.79

99.47

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

16.23

02-Oct-19

2.89

1.00

14.79

101.76

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

4.97

1.00

14.82

98.87

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

27.51

12-Dec-19

2.86

2.74

16.53

96.12

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.40

10-Oct-20

3.41

1.00

14.81

99.89

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.99

1.00

14.77

95.06

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

6.08

1.94

15.70

97.26

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

3.56

1.44

15.25

98.10

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.79

06-Jan-21

3.59

1.95

15.76

98.10

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

471.68 451.45

Corporate Bonds Aa/Agusto Nil Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

GTB NGC

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.04

5.21

20.14

99.66

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.08

8.71

23.30

99.38

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.47

4.88

18.36

96.57

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.54

1.00

14.52

98.35

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.62

2.63

16.08

99.00

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.83

1.00

14.67

97.36

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.90

1.34

15.04

98.69

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.83

1.00

14.79

95.93

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.85

1.88

15.56

104.50

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.85

3.48

17.16

98.53

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

2.02

5.20

18.95

98.85

AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

2.02

5.06

18.81

101.85

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.81

1.35

15.17

96.65

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

2.13

2.29

16.04

99.73

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

2.21

6.11

19.87

95.39

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.08

2.16

15.96

100.16

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.95

2.76

16.53

95.23

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.83

1.00

14.24

87.92

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.83

1.00

14.24

94.81

BB+/GCR

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

144.08

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

140.20

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

3.20

1.00

14.80

88.57

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.42

1.00

14.84

89.09

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 22.17

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.76

5.54

105.05

106.22

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.87

4.57

100.84

101.83

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

6.08

5.92

101.91

103.03

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

1,539.04

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

8.42

103.30

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.80

103.75

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.46

99.48

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

10.05

9.54

90.98

92.35

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.96

6.45

96.75

98.47

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

9.67

102.00

102.00 99.00

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.51

99.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

9.58

9.26

97.02

98.16

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

8.10

99.75

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

AFREN PLC III

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC II

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

10.70

82.25

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

24-Jun-14

9.25

400.00

24-Jun-21

10.15

9.99

95.88

96.63

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

8.81

95.00

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.55

8.27

99.96

101.40

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,643.03

**Treasury Bills DTM 9 23 30 37 44 51 58 65

FIXINGS Maturity 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15 8-Jan-15 15-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15

Bid Discount (%) 12.00 13.90 14.00 14.05 13.95 12.84 13.40 13.60

Offer Discount (%) 11.75 13.65 13.75 13.80 13.70 12.59 13.15 13.35

Bid Yield (%) 12.04 14.02 14.16 14.25 14.19 13.07 13.69 13.94

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 13.6083 13.6987 14.2800 15.2653

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

12.38

O/N

12.83

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 12.67 14.12

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

180.00 173.68 173.95 174.59 175.82 177.04

180.10 173.92 174.27 175.23 176.97 178.73

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.75

4.44

17.78

96.40

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.58

3.23

16.71

98.73

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.87

4.46

17.69

96.92

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.88

3.48

16.71

99.20

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.38

5.59

19.36

82.75

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.43

1.00

14.47

99.19

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.08

1.79

15.59

96.19

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.25

1.80

15.56

97.35

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.84

1.00

14.82

97.60

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.25

1.00

14.76

99.52

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.63

1.00

14.79

99.47

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

16.23

02-Oct-19

2.89

1.00

14.79

101.76

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

4.97

1.00

14.82

98.87

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

NEGATIVE A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

27.51

12-Dec-19

2.86

2.74

16.53

96.12

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.40

10-Oct-20

3.41

1.00

14.81

99.89

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.99

1.00

14.77

95.06

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

6.08

1.94

15.70

97.26

14.50

4.78

31-Dec-20

3.56

1.44

15.25

98.10

Business | Financial Market News

Stocks suffer further slump of N120bn

*OSUN

Key benchmark KOGI 31-Dec-13 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 31-Dec-13 A/Agusto *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 indices maintained 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWA indices maintained 15.00 NASARAWAneg06-JAN-2021lion, as market sentiment negative trajectory to ative trajectory to close remained on the negative TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL in the red, as activities trajectory. closeMARKET in the CAPITALISATION red

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

in the shares of blue Meanwhile, a turnover chip companies further of 218.6 million 18-Dec-09 shares 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 Aa/Agusto GTB µ worth N4.5 billion depressed17.00 the NGC equities 31-DEC-2014 01-Apr-10in NGC Nil Stories by Chris Ugwu 17-Aug-10 market. 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 4,676 deals was recorded Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 A-/Agusto 09-Dec-10 *FLOURMILLS Consequently , the Allin the day’s trading. 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 BB+/GCR he Nigerian*CHELLARAMS stock Share Index fell by 363.52 Just as in the 06-Jan-11 earlier 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 NAHCO day, the banking submarket continbasis points or 1.08 per 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 FSDH sector of the financial ued to witness cent to close at 33,550.73 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA the pressure, 33,914.25 re- services sector was 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR sell 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASINGas against #{r} translating to 1.08 per corded theMPR+7.00 previous day, most active (measured DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil *DANA TOWER 9-SEP-2018by turnover volume); 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; *TOWER# cent dropBB-/GCR in both market while theMPR+7.00 market capiTOWER 9-SEP-2018with 87.9 million 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR indices, *TOWER# performance talisationMPR+5.25 of equities shares 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 A/Agusto; A/GCR 22-Sep-11 UBA reflecting profit taking depreciated by N120 bil- worth N1.2 billion ex15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR 18-Oct-13 *LA CASERA amid drop in investment lion or 1.08 per cent from changed by investors in # MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 17-Feb-12 BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS activities. N11.196 trillion pre- 1,465 deals. 16.00 DANAthe II 1-APR-2019 01-Apr-14 Nil *DANA#{r} The key ceding day15.25 to N11.076 trilVolume in the banking NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR benchmark 14-Nov-13 NAHCO Corporate Bonds

T A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

STANBIC iger Insurance PlcIBTC has TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE recorded 63.8 per cent declineCAPITALISATION in post-tax profTOTAL MARKET its for the third quarter ended Supranational Bond September 30, 2014. AAA/S&P IFC The company in a filing Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P AfDB with the Nigerian Stock ExTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE change (NSE) said its third TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION quarter net earnings decreased from N599.472 million Rating/Agency in 2013 to N365.771 million,Issuer indicating a drop of 63.8 per cent. FGN Eurobonds Its net operating profit beBB-/Fitch; fore taxB+/S&P also fell to N419.500 million, down 60.7 per cent BB-/Fitch; FGN BB-/S&P from N674.305 million in the BB-/Fitch; same period last year. BB-/S&P Gross premium written TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE decreased by 26.04 per cent TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION to N8.285 billion for the nine months September 30, from Corporateto Eurobonds N10.443 billion recorded B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN during PLC I the comparable period of PLC 2013. B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK I The insuranceACCESS firmBANK had B+/S&P PLC paid dividend B/Fitch;N270.8million B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC toB+/Fitch; its shareholders during B+/S&P GTBANK PLCthe 2013 B/Fitchfinancial year.AFREN PLC II B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P of the ZENITH BANK PLC Chairman company , B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK Alhaji Bala Zakariyau, saidPLC B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST annual BANK PLC during the firm’s 44th B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLCthat III general meeting (AGM) B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II notwithstanding the harsh B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD operating environment, the A/GCR

B-/S&P

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH 2.25 4.78 18.54 91.77

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

15.00 4.79 sub-sector was largely 471.68 in driven by activities 451.45 the shares of GT Bank Plc and UBA Plc. Other financial 13.50 13.17subsector 17.00of the financial 2.00 10.00 sector activated 3.61 services with12.00 the shares of13.62 FBNH 0.60 Plc 14.00 followed with 64.5 13.00 15.00 million shares valued 14.25 5.53 at N579.4 million20.00 in 841 13.00 deals. 18.00 0.64 On the gainers’6.30 chart, 16.00 18.00 2.90 Cusunderwriting outfit, 16.00 Insurance 0.80 Plc, todian rose14.00 by 8.75 per 35.00 cent to 15.75 2.40 close17.00 at N4.35 per0.41 share, while shares of oil 16.00 4.50 and gas company , Oando 15.25 2.05 Plc,

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

Niger Insurance reports 64% Q3 net earnings drop 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

14-Aug-14

2.83

1.00

14.79

95.93

1.85

1.88

15.56

104.50

09-Apr-18

1.85

3.48

17.16

98.53

09-Sep-18

2.02

5.20

18.95

98.85

8.55

8.27

99.96

101.40

2.02 report-5.06 company’s 18.81 101.85 setutix Plc has major 22-Sep-18 15.17 96.65 ed 74 per3.81 cent drop1.35 back, Ifezulike urged the 18-Oct-18 2.13 2.29 16.04 99.73 in pre-tax profit for Standards Organisation 17-Feb-19 2.21 6.11 19.87 95.39 the half year ended Octo-2.16 of Nigeria (SON) to in01-Apr-19 3.08 15.96 100.16 ber 30, 2014. 5.95 her surveillance 14-Nov-20 2.76 crease16.53 95.23 counterfeitAccording 9.83 the com-1.00 to curtail 30-Sep-24 14.24 87.92 30-Sep-24filing with 9.83 the Ni-1.00 ers and 14.24 94.81 the pany’s also reduce gerian Stock Exchange influx of substandard (NSE), its second quar- cables into the country. ter profit before tax deThe Managing Direccreased from N130.273 tor/ Chief Executive Of11-Feb-18 14.80 million in 2013 3.20 to N74.8421.00 ficer, Cutix Plc, 88.57 Ifeanyi 01-Feb-21 4.42 1.00 14.84 89.09 million, accounting for a Uzodike, on the sideline drop of 74 per cent. of the meeting, lamented Net earnings equally that the lack of an intefell to N48.647 million grated policy for the caMaturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) Bid Price down 74 per cent from ble industry isOffer thePrice bane N84.667 million in the Prices of &Nigeria’s cable manuYields facturers. same period last year. 28-Jan-21 5.76 compa-5.54 105.05 106.22tradHowever, the Stressing that ny’s revenue increased ers and contractors are 12-Jul-18 4.87 4.57 100.84 101.83 by 2 per cent to N1.143 neglecting the quality 12-Jul-23 during 6.08the six5.92 cables101.91 103.03 billion manufactured in months to October 30, Nigeria for imported from N1.118 billion re- ones, which he said were corded during the com- of inferior quality most parable period of 2013. of the time, he tasked Speaking at8.42the 31st8.42 regulators up and 01-Feb-16 103.30 to seat 103.30 Annual General Meetdraw up measures to 19-May-16 4.80 4.80 103.75 103.75 ing (AGM) recently , the7.46 tackle 99.48 the menace. 25-Jul-17 7.46 99.48 Chairman of the Said90.98 he: “In as much as 02-May-18 10.05 compa-9.54 92.35 ny , Engr. David6.96 Ifezulike,6.45 government wants to pro08-Nov-18 96.75 98.47 noted took9.67 mote free should 08-Apr-19 that Cutix 9.67 102.00trade, it 102.00 22-Apr-19 99.00 advantage of 6.51 the slight6.51 ensure99.00 that traders do 21-May-19 9.58her ma-9.26 not import 97.02 low 98.16 voltage fall in prices of 07-Aug-20 8.10 and in-8.10 cables.99.75 99.75 This is because jor raw materials 09-Dec-20 efforts10.70 82.25 every manufaccreased at selling.10.70 almost82.25 24-Jun-21 10.15 95.88 Noting that product9.99 turer of cable in 96.63 Nigeria 23-Jul-21 8.81 95.00 counterfeiting was the8.81 can produce it. 95.00

12.00 12.95

24.95 22.17 Outstanding Value ($mm)

500.00 500.00 500.00

1,500.00 1,539.04

450.00 500.00 350.00 300.00 400.00 300.00 500.00 200.00 300.00 360.00 400.00 450.00 250.00

14-Aug-21

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

30-Sep-17

30-Nov-17

09-Sep-18

140.20

8.75

15.76 Similarly 98.10 , fiper share. nancial services player, Diamond Bank Plc, lost by 5 per cent to close at N5.70 20.14 per share,99.66 while food and 23.30beverage 99.38firm, 96.57 Nestle 18.36 Nigeria Plc depre98.35 cent ciated 14.52 by 4.99 per 16.08 99.00 to close at N798.10 per 97.36 share. 14.67 15.04 98.69

Cutix profit down by 74%

144.08

firm was delivering value to N703.4million in 2012, while its shareholders, which was profit after tax during the a testimony that its business year under review was model was resilient enough N627.42million compared Description Issue Date Coupon (%) to deliver on consistent basis. with N776.2million in 20112. The chairman said that “The company is looking the company achieved a into the possibility of doing JAN 28, 2021 of 07-Oct-11 6.75 gross written 6.75 premium away with any loss sustainN10.4billion in 2013 from ing subsidiary so as not to 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 12-Jul-13 5.13 impact negatively on the N10.33bilion in 2012. 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 12-Jul-13 6.38 Net operating prof- group performance,” he said. it, he said, stood at He disclosed that the N674.3million in the year company’s total compreunder review compared hensive income declined with N256.56million for the from N988.2million in 2012 former year. 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 to N794.6millon in 11.50 2013, 01-Feb-11 Profit after tax during the while the group’s figure 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 19-May-11 7.50 year under review, said, was N1.29billion in 2012 and 7.25 JUL he 25, 2017 25-Jul-12 7.25 was N599.47million against N822.5million in the 2013 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 09-May-13 6.88 fiperiod. N470.17million 6.00 in NOV 2012, while nancial 08-Nov-13 08, 2018 6.00 the firm recorded a 08, growth The chairman said that 10.25 APR 2019 08-Apr-12 10.25 APR 22, 201927.5 rate of 162.8 per6.25 cent and the firm22-Apr-14 would focus 6.25 its at8.75 May 21, 2019and 8.75and per cent for profit before tention 21-May-14 on revamping 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 07-Aug-13 old products 8.25 after tax respectively. reintroducing 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 09-Dec-13 them more 6.63 atZakariyau said the group’s after making 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 9.25 profit before tax for 2013 tractive 24-Jun-14 to the insuring pub8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 23-Jul-14 8.00 was N716.1millon as against lic. 8.75 AUG 14, 2021

06-Jan-21 3.59per cent1.95 advanced by 6.33 to close at N19.99. Book publishing company, Learn Africa Plc appreciated by 5 per cent 18-Dec-14 0.04 to close5.21 at31-Dec-14 N1.40 per share. 0.08 8.71 17-Aug-15 0.47 On the losers’ table,4.88 09-Dec-15 West Africa 0.54 Costain Plc1.00 06-Jan-16 0.62 lost 9.43 per cent of its2.63 29-Sep-16 1.83 value to close at 96 kobo1.00 25-Oct-16 1.90 1.34

2-Dec-14

4,643.03

The DQL contains securities and instruments in the Money financialMarket market (the “Information”). The Information does not **Treasury Bills data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income FIXINGS Foreign Exchange Forwards) constitute professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or (Spot up to &date. We do not DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) guarantee the completeness, performance or fitness for a particular the Information, neither do NIBOR we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information. 9 accuracy, timeliness, 11-Dec-14 12.00 11.75 purpose of any of12.04 FGN

23 30 Bonds37 44 51 Rating/Agency 58 65 72 79 86 93 100 114 121 128 NA 135 142 149 156 163 247 275

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

13.90 14.00 14.05 13.95 12.84 Description 13.40 13.60 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.30 13.05 16-AUG-2016 13.20 15.10 27-APR-2017 13.20 12.30 9.85 27-JUL-2017 13.10 9.35 31-AUG-2017 13.00 10.70 30-MAY-2018 13.00 16.00 29-JUN-2019 13.40 7.00 23-OCT-2019 13.35 16.39 27-JAN-2022 13.55 14.20 14-MAR-2024 13.40 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.60 12.49 22-MAY-2029 12.85 8.50 20-NOV-2029 12.85 10.00 23-JUL-2030 11.95 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

13.65 13.75 13.80 13.70 12.59 Issue 13.15Date 13.35 23-Apr-10 13.05 16-Aug-13 12.95 27-Apr-12 12.95 12.05 27-Jul-07 12.85 31-Aug-07 12.75 30-May-08 12.75 29-Jun-12 13.15 23-Oct-09 13.10 27-Jan-12 13.30 14-Mar-14 13.15 28-Nov-08 12.35 22-May-09 12.60 20-Nov-09 12.60 23-Jul-10 11.70 18-Jul-14

14.02 14.16 14.25 14.19 13.07 Coupon 13.69 (%) 13.94 4.00 13.66 13.05 13.59 15.10 13.62 12.70 9.85 13.59 9.35 13.55 10.70 13.59 16.00 14.06 7.00 14.04 16.39 14.30 14.20 14.18 15.00 13.32 12.49 13.63 8.50 14.07 10.00 13.13 12.1493

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

Bonds

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

(N'bn)

OBB

Rate (%) 13.6083 13.6987 14.2800 15.2653

Maturity Date

535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 573.89 16-Aug-16 452.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 1M 13.3426 20.00 27-Jul-17 2M 13.4181 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 13.4408 300.00 30-May-18 6M 13.5776 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 13.9277 233.90 23-Oct-19 14.0651 12M 600.00 27-Jan-22 396.68 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 NIFEX 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 Current Price ($/N) 23-Jul-30 BID($/N) 591.57 184.5250 150.00 18-Jul-34 OFFER ($/N) 184.6250

4,730.13

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

12.38

Tenor

Spot O/N 12.83 7D 14D REPO Tenor Rate (%) 1M Offer Yield TTM Bid12.67 Yield (%) Call(Yrs) 2M (%) 1M 14.12 3M 0.39 13.30 12.89 3M 14.86 6M 1.71 13.68 13.58 6M 15.94 1Y 2.40 13.75 13.67 2.65 13.79 13.71 NOTE: 2.75 13.79 13.72 :Benchmarks 3.49 13.81 13.69 * :Amortising Bond 4.57 13.81 13.73 µ :Convertible 4.89Bond 13.83 13.73 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 7.15 13.72 13.66 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 9.28 13.46 13.40 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 13.99 12.99 12.95 IFC: International Finance Corporation 14.47 12.95 12.91 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 14.97 12.92 12.86 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 15.64 13.24 13.18 O/N: Overnight 19.63 13.15 Company 13.10 UPDC: UAC Property Development

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

180.00 180.10 173.68 Price 173.92 173.95 174.27 174.59 175.23 Bid Price Offer 175.82 176.97Price 177.04 178.73 96.53 96.68 180.94 184.48 99.01 99.16 188.83 197.10 102.65 102.80 91.46 91.61 90.10 90.25 NA :Not 91.60 Applicable 91.90 # :Floating Rate Bond 107.20 107.50 ***: Deferred 76.28coupon bonds 76.58 111.85 112.15 †: Bond rating expired 103.80 104.10 N/A :Not Available 112.81 113.11 {r} :Issuer in receivership 96.99 97.29 71.05 71.35 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 78.80Bank for Africa 79.10 UBA: United 93.00 93.30

WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

4,559.99

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

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM Buckets Modified Duration

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 Total Outstanding 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 Porfolio Market Value(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 Volume(Bn)

24-May-10FMDQ FGN0.00 BOND 03-Apr-12 17.25 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 Weighting by Weighting by Mkt 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 Outstanding Vol Value 06-Jul-12 0.00/16.50

INDEX24.56

3.00 112.22 Bucket116.70 Weighting 66.49

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

0.47 1.21 2.02 2.38 Implied Yield 2.59

2.63 2.27 2.00 Implied 1.00 Portfolio Price 1.00

16.13 15.57 15.75 14.77 INDEX 14.79

92.84 102.01 100.13 YTD Return 97.45 (%) 94.51

1,033.00

1,026.68

32.95

33.34

322.970.33

14.17

13.72

117.8757

1,119.58

11.9579

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION3<5

1,047.69

951.30

30.53

33.82

29.44

13.75

130.1384

1,101.96

10.1962

1,017.41

1,138.25

36.53

32.84

314.790.31

0.37

56.39

13.30

100.8930

1,179.62

17.9617

Market

3,098.10

3,116.23

100.00

1.00

100.00

13.49

115.4160

1,102.12

10.2122

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.75

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.58

3.23

16.71

98.73

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

0.87

4.46

17.69

96.92

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

0.88

3.48

16.71

99.20

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.38

5.59

19.36

82.75

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.43

1.00

14.47

99.19

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.08

1.79

15.59

96.19

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.25

1.80

15.56

97.35

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.84

1.00

14.82

97.60

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

4.44

17.78

96.40

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

ABSU VC: No politician paid our salaries Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

L-R: Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Chairman/Managing Director, Innoson Industries, Chief Innocent Chukwuma; former Anambra State Governor, Chief Peter Obi; Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke and Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, at the unveiling of Innoson’s Made in Nigeria cars, at Uru Umudim, Nnewi, Anambra State

3.17m

374

The total population of Albania (rep. The number of confirmed cases of EVD in the past 0.046% of world’s population) in 2010. 7 days in Sierra Leone as at October 19, 2014. Source: Blatantworld.com Source: Who.int

36%

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

Court sacks Ebonyi council chairmen Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

federal high court sitting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, yesterday nullified the local government election conducted last year across the 13 council areas of the state. The court, in a judgement delivered in the suit filed by one of the aspirants in the election, Alieze Nwekpa,

of Ohaukwu Local Government, ruled that the open ballot system used in the conduct of exercise was consistent with the Electoral Law Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The trial judge, Justice Maureen Oyetenu, further ruled that the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, which adopted an open ballot system for the exercise acted ultra vires, adding that the amendment of the law by the House

for the exercise was unconstitutional. The judge noted that the plaintiff has the locus standi to file the suit against the claim of the council that he has no right to do so. She therefore, restrained EBSIEC, the 4th defendant, from using the open ballot system to conduct local government elections in the state and however set aside the council election. In an interview, counsel

to the plaintiff, Ikechukwu Agbo, who took over from the earlier counsel, M. Odoh, commended the court for the judgement. Meanwhile, Governor Martin Elechi, has directed that the sacked chairmen and councillors vacate their offices before the close of work today, December 2, and hand over all government property in their possession to the directors/head of personnel management in the councils.

Mind your utterances, bishop warns politicians Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

he Anglican Bishop of Afikpo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Paul Udogu, yesterday warned politicians to refrain from making inciting statements that could overheat the polity ahead of the 2015 general election. He urged them to play the game according to

the rules since power belongs to God. Udogu spoke during his presidential address to the second session of the third synod of the diocese at the St Luke’s Anglican Church, Unwana, Ebonyi State. While expressing concern about the activities of politicians, the bishop urged the electorate “to vote for credible and

trusted candidates and not necessarily on party basis.” He said: “As things unfold daily, one is worried because the country is being heated up. The political rascality, the impunity, political maneuvering, selfishness, greed and wickedness being exhibited by our politicians are issues of great concern.

“Politicians should be reminded again that power belongs to God. It is the right of the electorate to elect their leaders. We advise politicians to be humble, sincere, and play the game according to the rule: let things be done decently and in order. Let them disengage from utterances and acts capable of disrupting the peace of our nation,” Udogu added.

16 Assembly members win Enugu primaries Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

ixteen out of the 24 serving House of Assembly members in Enugu State have won return tickets to the House under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while the other eight tickets were won by new comers, according to the result of last Saturday’s primary

elections released yesterday by the party. The new development and the resolution of the factional crisis rocking the party, yesterday drew comments from groups and leaders from the Centre for Leadership and Democracy Studies (CLDS), Enugu State, who endorsed the exercise as peaceful and exemplary.

Among the returning members, who are all first termers in the assembly are the House Leader, S. K. E. UdehOkoye, his Deputy, John Ukuta as well as Iloabuchi Aniagu (Nkanu West), Edward Ubosi (Enugu East Urban), Joseph Agbo Ugwumba (Enugu East Rural), Emeka Ogbuabor (IsiUzo) and Nelson Uduji

43.6%

The projected percentage increase of Americans above 65 years with Alzheimer’s in Delaware State in 2014-2025. Source: Who.int

(Awgu South). Others are John-Bull Nwagu (Udi North), Mathias Ekweremadu (Aninri), Donatus Uzogbado (Oji River), Cecilia Ezeilo (Ezeagu), Lydia Nkechi Omeje-Ogbu (Nsukka West), Chinedu Nwamba (Nsukka East), Mathew Ugwueze (Igbo-Eze South), Ikechukwu Ezeugwu (Udenu) and Tony Ogidi (IgboEze North II).

ontrary to the speculation making the rounds that the nine months’ salary arrears of members of staff of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, was paid by one of the governorship aspirants the Vice- Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Chibuzor Ogbuagu, has said that the state government cleared the arrears of salaries with N1.9 billion. The vice-chancellor said the approval for the reduction of fees by the university was aimed at providing opportunities for everyone to be able to acquire tertiary education. Ogbuagu spoke at the pre-convocation press briefing for the 22nd and 23rd convocation of the university, He said the reduction was in three categories of normal courses, N80, 000; professional courses, N90,000 and N100,000 for medical courses.

Panel hails Abia APGA’s delegates’ congress Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

head of the 2015 general election, Chairman of Abia State APGA panel on the ward delegates’ congress, Ifeatu Obi Okoye, yesterday said the ward congresses in the 184 wards of the state were successful. Okoye said this in Umuahia, after the completion of the exercise. He commended the leadership, members and all stakeholders for their cooperation, the peaceful and

orderly manner in which they conducted themselves during the exercise. He said the exercise commenced on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 and was successfully completed on Wednesday, November 26. “On the whole, congresses were conducted in 184 wards of the state and a total of 552 delegates emerged through direct primaries,” Okoye said. The panel chairman said further that in some wards, the delegates emerged through consensus at the end of the exercise.

Knights decry insurgency Okegwo Kenechukwu

he Joint Council of Knight’s Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, yesterday called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of national importance, find a lasting solution to the unabated insurgency in the North East part of the country. The call was contained in a 14-point communique issued at the end of the Council of Knights of Church of Nigeria conference held at the Knights abbey/retreat centre, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State. The council, among other things, frowned at the increasing level of political impunity in the country and called

on politicians to play the game according to the rules, or be prepared to face the wrought of the people. The communiqué also noted that the challenges confronting the nation, particularly widespread terrorism, human sexuality problems, youth restiveness, religious intolerance, corruption, are so many even while calling on the church to rise to its responsibilities. The conference, which was attended by 316 delegates from 47 councils, was declared open by the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, who commended the Lagos and Rivers State government and indeed all Nigerians for the prompt and effective control of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.

News

south — south

wednesday, december 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Crisis brews in C’River over delegates’ election thugs

Thuggery still pays in politics and communities are at the mercy of hoodlums Clement James Calabar

risis is brewing in the two communities of Okurikang and Akpap Okoyong in Odukpani Local Government area of Cross River State over the conduct of the November 24 delegates’ election. A group of youths from the two communities yesterday alleged that one of the senatorial aspirants had mobilised thugs to lay siege on the communities, leading to the death of three people, whose names were given as Mrs. Margaret Akom Asuquo Ayi, Mr. Effiom Ayi and one Mr. Otu. In a release signed by sixteen members of the communities and made available to New Tele-

graph in Calabar, the group said the thugs invaded the communities while they were waiting for the arrival of election materials on the said day. “This was indeed our fate on November 24, 2014. As we awaited the arrival of PDP ward delegates’ election materials, some brigands laid siege on our community, attacked us, killing three people in the process. Those killed include Mrs. Margaret Akom Asuquo Ayi, Mr. Effiom Ayi and Mr. Otu. “Homes were de-

stroyed, leaving many homeless, several persons were injured and many of our girls were raped by these brigands. We dare say that many displaced persons are now seeking asylum outside the borders of our villages and are made to suffer untold hardship,” the release said. The release, which was signed by Akang Okon Ekpo and fifteen others for both communities, added that they were attacked while waiting to exercise their constitu-

tionally given franchise. “What then is democracy when people can no longer openly exercise their constitutionally given franchise? We are forced to ask ourselves this pertinent question in times like these, when brigandage has become the order of the day, when we can no longer express ourselves in political matters and choose leaders to selflessly represent us,” they wondered. The group called on security agencies to come to their rescue and caution

these lawless people, who they said are after their lives. They warned that they may be tempted to resort to self-help if nothing was done to assuage their grievances, although they agreed that “some of the cohorts and perpetrators of these dastardly acts” are being held by the police. When contacted on the issue, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Hogan Bassey, simply said: “You can hear the noise. I am entering a hall

Urhobo want $16bn EPZ in Ughelli Gabriel Choba Ughelli

ollowing the controversy surrounding the $16 billion mega gas project, the Export Processing Zone (EPZ), which prevented President Goodluck Jonathan from the launch of the project, the Urhobo, one of the groups in the area, yesterday called on the Federal Government to reverse its decision of sitting the EPZ at Ogidigben, Warri South West Local Government area of Delta State. The Itshekiri and the Ijaw have been at loggerheads over the location of the project in the area. The Urhobo through a group known as the Urhobo Nationalist Movement (UNM) made this call after a crucial meeting held in Udu to discuss the need for the project to be sited at Ughelli South Local Government, considering the fact that Ughelli has the largest concentration of gas in Nigeria. In a communiqué signed by UNM National Chairman, Alhaji Mumakai Unuagha, the group frowned on the manner at which the decision to site the project at Ogidigben was taken by the Federal Government.

L-R: King T.J.T Princewill (Amachree XI); Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs; Iniikeiroari V, Oruwari VIII and Ven. Amaechi Okwuosa, at the installation of O.B. Lulu-Briggs as the paramount head of Oruwari Briggs compound in Abonnema, Rivers State.

Ogoni governorship ambition won’t die, says Abe Emmanuel Marsha Port Harcourt

he senator representing Rivers South-East senatorial district, Magnus Abe, yesterday said despite the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to pick Hon. Dakuku Peterside, as its consensus governorship candidate in the 2015 elections, the ambition of the Ogoni to produce the governor remains alive. The APC had zoned the governorship seat to

Rivers South-East senatorial district, where Abe, an Ogoni and Peterside from Opobo came from, but eventually settled for Peterside, who along with his supporters bought the governorship form shortly after his selection. But Abe, at a stakeholders’ meeting in his senatorial district, said the dream of his people to one day produce the governor was real, stressing that the dream won’t die. The senator, who faulted comments credited to the APC Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone,

Uduaghan lifts suspension on dualisation of 145km road Dominic Adewole ASABA

etermined to finish strong next year, Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday lifted the suspension he placed on road construction across the state. To this effect, the gov-

ernor in Asaba, mobilised the contractors again to site to ensure that the projects are completed before his tenure expires in May 2015. The governor had suspended the dualisation of the 145km Asaba-Ughellli road during the last rainy season, insisting on job quality.

that the party arrived at the choice of Peterside, having considered the qualities of “character and integrity,” noted that no reason was given at the meeting where Peterside was chosen. He urged Finebone to apologise to him and the people of the state for making such comment, which he noted was insensitive and unnecessary. Abe said: “The publicity secretary of the party issued a statement to

outline the qualities by which someone was chosen; nobody was chosen for any quality. The governor spoke and we agreed that we will consent to a consensus candidate. “We did not need to give reason by which that consensus was arrived at and nobody gave any reason. So, to begin to say that qualities like character and integrity were considered, is indirectly saying that one person was lacking in those qualities." Abe said.

Ex-NLC boss, 23 others win Bayelsa Assembly primaries Chris Ejim Yenagoa

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has announced the former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mrs. Ebiuwou Obiyai and 23 others as winners in the just concluded House of Assembly primaries held over the weekend.

The announcement by the PDP, which was signed by the Chairman of the party’s electoral committee for the Assembly primaries, Hon. Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar and the Publicity Secretary Hon. O. J. J. Makbere, showed that only eight incumbent members of the House of Assembly emerged victorious in their constituencies.

with the commissioner of police, I will call you back.” He never did as at the time of filing this report.

Ex-militants finger amnesty coordinator Steve Uzoechi and Chris Ejim

x-militant leaders who embraced the amnesty programme of the Federal Government have called for investigation into the activities of the coordinator in charge of Bayelsa State, Reuben Wilson, who they alleged diverted over N150 million meant for their re-settlement. Angry that since 2009, when they surrendered their arms, not much has been done to empower them to start a new life; they accused the coordinator of squandering funds released by the Federal Government for their empowerment and re-integration. In a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan authored by their lawyers Olu Ojujoh dated November 25, 2014 and made available to New Telegraph, it was disclosed that the alleged exploitation of the group by Wilson started in 2011, when the amnesty office approved N10 million to each militant leader as their housing allowance. According to the petition, Wilson arbitrarily paid the Bayelsa group, which is under his coordination, according to his discretion as against the approved sum by the Federal Government. The letter reads in part; “Our clients and other former Niger Delta agitators, at inception, elected Reuben Wilson as their coordinator so that the amnesty office can deal with an individual as their representative to ensure a well-coordinated representation. “But Wilson has used the opportunity given to him by his colleagues to shortchange many of them of various sums of money running into millions of naira.” Twenty seven ex-militant leaders from various camps, who jointly filed the petition, further hinted that their counterparts from other states in the Niger Delta area were paid in full, whereas Wilson shortchanged many of the Bayelsa beneficiaries, pointing out that two of the leaders, Kalaiti and Seigha were still not paid anything at all.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

News 49

NORTH

Southern Kaduna PDP threatens to join APC Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

outhern Kaduna members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have resolved to negotiate with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), in the event that Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero emerges the party’s flagbearer. In a press conference addressed in Kaduna, Chairman of Southern Kaduna Indigenes Progressive Forum (SKIPFo), Major George Nchok Asake (rtd) who

9,200

issued the threat yesterday, said that Senator Haruna Aziz Zego remains their consensus candidate . He advised every PDP delegate from the zone to vote for him. According to him, Aziz may not be the most suitable candidate for most people of the zone, “but he is all that we have for now and we must, therefore, support him. Asake noted that ‘“with such resolve to stand by Aziz, we have just taken a step forward in our tedious journey from the land of bondage to the promised land.’’ The chairman ad-

The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in Egypt in 2008. Source: Blatantworld.com

vised the delegates a “to do the needful and see to it that the vacancy in Sir Kashim Ibrahim house was taken by a people oriented governor. As you heed this clarion call, there will be fair play, justice and equity as well as the preservation of our shared humanity and democracy.’’ Meanwhile, Yero has commissioned various projects in the Southern Kaduna senatorial district in order to bring dividends of democracy to the people of the area, ahead of the 2014 elections. In Kagarko Local Government, the governor

111,398

The number of air travel passengers of Kano airport (international wing) in 2013. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

yesterday inaugurated the Maraban Iddah-Iddah-Bwari Junction road which was awarded about a year ago as well as the main building and maternity unit of the Kagarko General Hospital. Speaking at the commissioning of the Maraban Iddah 6.5 kilometer asphalt surface road, Yero said the project was conceived to ease transportation within communities along the axis, as well as reducing travel time to Abuja from Kaduna. According to him, ‘’people and goods, especially agricultural prod-

3.1m

The total population of Armenia in 2012. Source: Un.org

ucts can now be easily transported in and out of Iddah market. This road also provides a short link to Bwari road, which subsequently links to Abuja and to Kagarko, the local government headquarters.’’ At the commissioning of the Kagarko General Hospital, Yero expressed appreciation to CIHP, an NGO which carried out renovation of the General Out Patient unit of the facility. He expressed the commitment to partner with well meaning individuals and organisations towards providing quality health services.

528,497

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Kuwait in 2009. Source: Itu.int

Yuguda appoints new govt spokesperson Yuzarsif Alhassan Bauchi

auchi State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, yesterday approved the appointment of Alhaji Ibrahim Sani as new Director of Press, Government House Bauchi. This was contained in the press release signed and issued to newsmen in Bauchi by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Ishola Michael Adeyemi which disclosed the immediate approval by the governor. The governor, while congratulating him on the appointment, also described the DPA as experienced, hardworking, honest and loyal civil servant. Yuguda, however, urged him to utilize these qualities in facing the challenges of the new office to facilitate the attainment of expectation of the electorates. The New Director of Press Affairs “DPA” according to the letter is a seasoned journalist who was, until his new appointment, the Director News and Current affairs with Bauchi State Television Authority “BATV” in the state. It would be recalled that the vacant seat of the Government house press affairs was as a result of the immediate appointment of the former Director Press affairs Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Khanna to head the affairs of Bauchi Radio Corporation.

Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido (right), with members of Arewa Youth Forum, during their courtesy call on the governor in Dutse …yesterday

Waku, Jime, Ugba others, cleared for APC primaries Cephas Iorhemen, Makurdi, John Chucks Onuanyim

ive governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Benue State have been cleared to contest the governorship primaries of the party slated for tomorrow. Those cleared include Senator Joseph Kennedy Waku, member

of the House of Representatives representing Makurdi/Guma constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, APC’s defeated governorship candidate in the 2011 general election, Professor Steve Torkuma Ugbah, a onetime Permanent Secretary in the Bureau of Internal Affairs, Mr. Akange Audu and former Head of Service in the state, Mr. Mike Iyordye. Speaking to New

Telegraph shortly after he was cleared, Senator Waku said he was ready for the primaries, and expressed optimism that the APC will form the government and flush out the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in next year’s polls. Waku said the APC’s administration in the state would encourage mechanized agriculture as well as establish small and medium scale Industries to create wealth.

According to him, as governor, he will attract meaningful development to Benue State through sustained synergy with both the federal government and the international community. Waku, who represented Benue North West in the the National Assembly between 1999 and 2003 described himself as a messenger of Benue and is ready to served the people.

NANS condemns Yobe varsity’s attack

he National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has condemned the recent attacks carried out by the Boko Haram sect on the Yobe State University and the Police Division, which led to the loss of over 20 lives and property worth hundreds of

millions naira. The association also described as unacceptable the spate of attacks unleashed by the sect in three north eastern states and other parts of the north in the last three years, urging that serious measures be taken to end the activities

of the sect. In a statement issued and signed by the association’s zonal Secretary, Comrade Dauda Muhammad Gombe, at the end of a one day emergency meeting of the Joint Campus Committee (JCC), and office of the Secretary Gen-

eral (NANS), Zone C” noted that. NANs noted that, the students’ body will not hesitate to take measures to protect its members from any further attacks by gunmen suspected to be the Boko Haram in Yobe and other parts of Nigeria.

Gombe speaker alleges recruitment of criminals into security agencies Ben Ngwakwe Gombe

he persisting security challenges in the country has led the Gombe State House of Assembly Speaker Alhaji Inuwa Garba, to raise the allegation of recruitment of criminal elements by security agencies, into the various security outfits in the country, thereby creating more problems. Garba, who made the allegation at the meeting of stakeholders in politics convened by the State Police Command on Tuesday said, “The reason why we have problems among the Nigeria Police today; not only the police, including the Nigeria Army, the SSS is because of the way you do recruitment,”. He said the security

agencies were supposed to carry out preliminary investigations on wouldbe recruits so as to know the records and the kind of person before recruiting them. The Speaker said: “the agencies have allowed the politicians to hijack the system by buying up the allocation forms and distributing them to whoever they like, irrespective of their behavioural traits”. He said, ‘’Once they are there, they will mingle with others and you cannot fish them out by their looks because you cannot read their person on their faces.” Garba condemned the use of vulgar and abusive languages during political campaigns, urging Nigerian politicians to borrow a leaf from their counterparts in advanced countries.

WORLD | News

Wike, Peterside, Ajumogobia, shun debate Emmanuel Marsha Port Harcourt

rontline governorship aspirants in Rivers State yesterday shunned a debate on how they would tackle the unemployment scourge among other issues in the state. They were to specifically talk on how they would reduce youths unemployment in the state if elected as governor. Missing at the debate, which was organized by

Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), and a Port Harcourt based Radio Station were former minister of state for education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, former Foreign Affairs minister, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Dakuku Peterside and other contenders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But two PDP aspirants – Prince Tonye Princewill

and Nimi Walson Jack, attended and fielded questions from some a selected panelist, the audience and callers, who took part in the live radio programme. According to SDN, it decided to focus on unemployment, because it has consistently “been the leading issue for the people in Rivers State surveys and public events,” just as it pointed out that “over the last decade… significant businesses have closed in the state.”

Stakeholders advocate NIPC repositioning Kenneth Tyohemba Abuja

takeholders at the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) engagement forum, have advocated for the repositioning of the Council especially in the area of removing bureaucracy and ensuring meritocracy in promotion and appointment positions. The stakeholders

comprising of business groups from the private sector, including Bankers, Extracting industry, Miners, the Oil sector and other business support services lend their voices yesterday in Abuja during the interactive forum organised by the NIPC to engage stakeholders to chat a course of moving the nation’s foward. Prominent issues raised at the plenary focused on the removal of beauracy in the organiza-

Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

inister of National Planning, Dr. Suleiman Abubakar, has debunked the claims that he knew about last weekend attack on some journalists in Kwara state, saying it is a political fabrication from his opponents. In a statement by his media aide, Abdulrahoof Abdulrhaman, the minister said it was odd to accuse him of planning attack against members of his own political party where he is the leader. His words: “It is shocking that the Kwara State Chapter of the

could not have been members of the PDP in the first instance. Besides, is it not odd that the authors of the said statement and their sponsors could not put their thoughts together on how the minister who is the PDP leader in the state, will now turn against his own members? This is curious. Ordinarily, we would have kept quiet and allow the mudslinging pass unanswered, but for the need to correct gross misrepresentation at the press conference. The honourable minister has no hand whatsoever in the attack. He was never even in the vicinity of the area at the time of the said attack. His hands are clean.

UCH health workers insist on indefinite strike Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

he plight of several patients seeking medical attention at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, is far from being over as the striking health professionals yesterday insisted on going on with the indefinite industrial action until their demands were met by the Federal Government.

The health workers, save medical doctors, had commenced industrial action since November 13 following unmet demands over their welfare, which the workers claimed had not been addressed despite series of reminders and negotiations. Addressing the health professionals at a meeting held within the health institution yesterday, the Sector

Wife, son of IS leader detained in Lebanon

ebanese authorities detained a wife and suspected son of the leader of the Islamic State group several days ago, and she is being questioned, two senior Lebanese officials said yesterday. A military official said the woman and child were detained about 10 days ago while carrying fake identification cards. Both officials refused to give further details about the woman who is believed to be one of the wives of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the group’s reclusive leader. The offi-

cials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. The military official said the woman is a Syrian citizen and is being questioned by authorities. The announcement of the arrest comes amid attempts to reach a prisoner-exchange deal between Lebanese authorities on one side and on the other, the Islamic State group and the Nusra Front, alQaida’s Syria branch, which have been holding more than 20 Lebanese soldiers and policemen hostage since August. They have demanded

the release of Islamist prisoners being held by Lebanese authorities. Monday night, the Nusra Front threatened to kill one of the soldiers it holds captive. The wife’s arrest could be used as a bargaining chip for Lebanese authorities in their attempts to win the freedom of the troops. A judicial official said the interrogation is being supervised by Lebanon’s military prosecutor, Saqr Saqr. He added that a DNA test is underway to confirm that the child is the son of the detained woman.

tion which often restricts access to investment in the country. They also want meritocracy to be strictly adhered to in promotion and appointment positions into NIPC. Other issues, deliberated upon centered on reducing the over-dependence on Direct Foreign Investment, and exploring the mining sector where Nigeria has comparative advantage from the huge mineral deposits the country is endowed with.

Minister disowns attack on Channels TV crew Conference of Nigerian Political Parties(CNPP), a supposed umbrella body of all political parties, could claim that the Minister/Deputy Chairman National Planning Commission, Dr. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, was the mastermind of a reported attack on the Channel Television crew by some hoodlums during the Peoples Democratic (PDP) Congress last Saturday in Ilorin. While we want to condemn in very strong terms the dastardly act which was carried out by the wayward persons during which the journalists were injured and their working tools reportedly damaged, it is apt to note that those elements were not and

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) of Nigeria, Comrade M.O. Ogundipe, alleged that the Federal Government was reluctant to implement all collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding and judgments in favour of the JOHESU.

Leader of the Islamic State group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, delivering a sermon at a mosque in Iraq

Senegal: Strict abortion laws force women to kill own babies

trict abortion laws in Senegal are forcing women to seek clandestine abortions and as a last resort kill their own infants, according to a new report by human rights groups. Backstreet abortions and infanticide, a consequence of the West African nation’s abortion legislation, account for 38 percent of detention cases among women in Senegal, the report said. Unmarried pregnant girls are ostracized and

sometimes take drastic measures, said Amy Sakho, who runs a drop-in center for women for the Senegalese Association of Women Jurists (AJS). “They leave the infants out in the middle of the forest to starve to death or get eaten by wild animals,” Sakho said. “Others strangle them or throw them in the septic tank.” The study is based on a research by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and three other rights groups carried out

in early November in three of Senegal’s biggest cities, Ziguinchor, Thies and Dakar. Senegal’s legislation on abortion is amongst the most draconian in Africa, according to a survey of laws by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Only under life threatening circumstances may a woman have an abortion and women who terminate their pregnancies and the health workers who assist them face jail terms.

Russia warns of recession next year

he Russian government has for the first time acknowledged that the country will fall into recession next year, battered by the combination of Western sanctions and a plunge in the price of its oil exports. The news caused markets to drop, with the ruble sliding back toward a record low against the dollar. The economic development ministry yesterday revised its GDP forecast for 2015 from

growth of 1.2 percent to a drop of 0.8 percent. Russians are expected to take hit, with disposable income seen declining by 2.8 percent against the previously expected 0.4 percent growth. Russia’s economic outlook is at the mercy of the global market for oil, a key export that finances the bulk of the state budget. Sanctions over Moscow’s role in eastern Ukraine are making things worse, hurting Rus-

sian banks and investment sentiment in particular. The national currency, the ruble, has dropped by more than 40 percent this year as the economic troubles mounted. That in turn risks spawning more problems, such as a spike in inflation that would pinch consumers. The release of the forecast yesterday afternoon reversed a modest rally in the Russian market, bringing the ruble 3.5 percent lower against the dollar, to 53 per dollar.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Sports News

Sport News

COPA Lagos: Beach Eagles open camp

Sport

Did you know? That Andrew Innocull is the only known professional footballer to have all five vowels in his name, in the correct order, used only once.

Age controversy

Emmanuel Tobi

ice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwunmi, has said that the football house has commenced the process of unearthing the age controversy surrounding Dolphins striker, Emem Eduok. Eduok, who scored 20 goals in this season’s Premier League, was sent packing from the Nigeria Olympic team’s training camp following the discrepancies in his club license and international passport. The club license, issued by the League Management Company, indicated that the Akwa Ibom-born striker was born in 1991, while his international passport had January 31, 1994 as the striker’s date of birth. Only players born after January 1, 1993, are eligible to feature for the U-23 team. Akinwunmi, speaking with New Telegraph in Lagos, on Tuesday, stated that the NFF was poised

NFF probes eduok lDolphins back player, faults LMC to fight age cheats, even as he appealed to the media to join in the battle against the anomaly. “Eduok’s case is being investigated now, so I can’t give a categorical statement on his issue but the NFF is ready to fight this epidemic which has eaten deep into the fabrics of our football,” said Akinwunmi. “Parents, coaches, teachers, including the media should all support the NFF to fight this because we can’t do it alone. If the media or anybody has any information on any player, weare ready to embark on investigation.”

Eduok’s club, Dolphins FC, have thrown their weight behind the striker while questioning the records of the LMC. “It baffles us that this is happening,” declared media officer of Dolphins, China Acheru. “I spoke with the player and he was very sad. How could a player who played at the U-20 World Cup last year be suddenly over 23 years? It is sad that this is happening. “Eduok is a player of Dolphins and he has only one international passport which he used to feature at last year’s U-20 World Cup. So, we don’t know where the LMC got their records from.”

Para athletes bemoan shift in NSF date Charles Ogundiya

he postponement of the biennial National Sports Festival to 2015

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Deputy Editor, Sports

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sports

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sports Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sports Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sports Correspondent

LMC plans mini tourney to help Enyimba, Pillars

Lampard key to EPL title –Aguero

Nigerian League

Iyiazi

has come at a big price for para athletes in the country, New Tele graph has learnt. Some of the athletes said they had been training hard in preparation for the competition only to be informed of the shift in date. The Technical Director of the Nigeria Para-Ath-

letic Federation, Taiwo Kasumu, told our correspondent that the athletes were disappointed because of the postponement “The athletes invested a lot into training, both financially and physically, but the postponement has affected them psychologically. “Most of them depend on competitions like this to get little income to cater for themselves and their families. “I have been trying to make them see reasons why they must continue with their training but some of them have been finding it difficult to get the funds to transport themselves to the stadium,” Kasumu said. It would be recalled that the festival hitherto scheduled to commence on November 23, was postponed to April 9, 2015 with the closing ceremonies holding on April 19, 2015.

Eduok

SPORT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

COPA Lagos: Beach Eagles open camp A es,” said Ejor. “I can assure you that our camping will be a big challenge since we have just a few days before the tournament starts, The players know each other well and this would act as an advantage. These are players that I have worked with for years and we understand ourselves.”

Charles Ogundiya

head of the commencement of the 2014 Copa Lagos, Nigeria’s national team, the Beach Eagles, will on Wednesday commence training in Badagry, Lagos. The tournament gets underway on December 12 in Lagos, and the team’s coach, Adamu Ejor, said there was need for immediate commencement of training as a lot needed to be done in the little time left before the tournament’s opening game. “It is going to be a tough camping exercise because the team has a lot of ground to cover before the commencement of match-

he Lagos State Taekwondo Association has concluded plans to stage the National Taekwondo Open Championship, billed to hold from December 16 to 18 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Lagos State Sports Council, Rowe Park, Yaba. The association’s Chairman, Jimmy Ogunowo, stated that about 200 Taekwondo practitioners are expected to participate in the tournament while schools have also been invited to feature in the junior categories, stressing that registration is on-going for state associations, clubs and schools. He said: “The tournament is open to all state associations and taekwondo clubs across the federation

as it is geared towards fostering healthy competition amongst taekwondo players nationwide. “In addition, the competition would serve as a platform to expose Team Lagos, particularly for both the experienced and upcoming players, in preparation for the National Sports Festival billed for Calabar in 2015." According to him, the championship is sanctioned by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, while the federation's referees committee will make available for the championship the country’s World Taekwondo Federation certified international referees. The new electronic scoring equipment, the PSS, will also be used during the competition, while cash prizes, branded medals and certificates will be awarded to successful athletes.

Siasia impressed with U-23 preparations Ifeanyi Ibeh

Ifeanyi Ibeh

Barthelomew Ibenebu in action for the Beach Eagles at COPA Lagos.

Salary: Danagogo pays Keshi N14m

igerian sports minister coach will now be paid a monthly Tammy Danagogo has paid salary of seven million Naira, a Super Eagles coach Ste- two million Naira raise from what phen Keshi for the past two months he received in his initial contract, to further undermine the author- which ran out after the World Cup in Brazil. ity of the NFF over the coach. “We have not come to an agreeAccording to AfricanFootball. com, Keshi has been paid 14 mil- ment yet (with Keshi),” he said. lion naira (about $83,000) for OctoThe frosty relationship beber and November by the sports tween the NFF and Keshi has minister even though there is no worsened after the federation contractual agreement between was ordered to re-instate the the coach and the NFF. coach at the end of October. A top source informed AfricanFootball.com that, “The minister has been paying Keshi directly from the NFF subvention without any input from the NFF. “This cannot be good for the relationship between employer and employee.” Keshi was in charge for the AFCON qualifiers double header against Sudan in October and then the qualifiers against Congo and South Africa last month. The NFF President Amaju Pinnick has maintained a contract has not been agreed with Keshi Keshi contrary to media reports that the Danagogo

NIPOGA: 135 athletes to represent Yabatech Ifeanyi Ibeh

Ajibade Olusesan

Meanwhile, Lobi Stars striker, Musa Najare, has been invited to replace Warri Wolves’ Bartholomew Ibenegbu after the midfielder pulled out of the tournament. Defending champions, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Ghana will all compete at this year's Copa Lagos.

Injured Sokari set to join Flying Eagles njured Enyimba midfielder, Kingsley Sokari, has promised to join up with the Flying Eagles this weekend at the team’s training camp in Kaduna. Sokari, who had an impressive season with his Ababased club, inspiring the side to the Federation Cup title and a second-place finish in the Premier League, is currently nursing a hamstring injury. But according to the secretary of the national U-20 team, Aliyu Ibrahim, the exciting attacking midfielder will join the rest of the team this weekend. “Sokari is nursing a hamstring injury, but it is not so bad and he has promised to join us latest this weekend,” said Ibrahim. “Otherwise, we have a full house and the spirit in camp is very high.” This will be Sokari’s second invitation to the Flying Eagles. He has already been capped for Nigeria’s B team and was part of the Super Eagles training camp for last month’s 2015 AFCON qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.

Lagos to host taekwondo tourney

total of 135 athletes will represent Yaba College of Technology at the 18th Nigeria Polytechnic Games, which gets underway this weekend at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State. The athletes will represent the institution in eight sports and will be accompanied by 26 officials.

The sports the school will be participating in, according to the institution’s chief coach, Fredrick Yamala, are volleyball, basketball, chess, scrabble, taekwondo, badminton, athletics and table tennis. “Our priority is to emerge overall winners at the end of the Games,” said Yamala. “This is our strongest contingent since 2003 at Auchi Polytechnic where we emerged vic-

torious. We intend to improve on the fourth position we had at Ede 2012.” He added: “We know the weather will not be friendly during the games and we have duly informed our athletes to prepare for tough conditions. It’s going to be sunny throughout and that is why we have been training during the day in order to keep them in shape.”

oach of Nigeria’s U-23 men's football team, Samson Siasia, has expressed satisfaction with the quality displayed by some of the players in camp for the ongoing screening exercise. Siasia said many of the players at the screening exercise, especially those from the academies and the Premier League, have shown hunger and zeal to do the nation proud in the various competitions the team will be involved in next year, most notably the 2015 All Africa Games and the 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers. "Getting the best legs to play for the country is work in progress, and so far I’ve been impressed with what I have seen from those who have made themselves available to be looked at,” said the former Nigeria international. Siasia added that he and his coaching assistants would by

Friday attempt to prune down the number of players in camp in order to concentrate on looking at the invited overseas based players who are expected to hit camp this weekend. Meanwhile, the team will on Wednesday take on Ine Stars of Benin in a friendly match at the FIFA Goal Project situated within the Abuja National Stadium complex. On Friday the team will also square up against Ace FC of Kaduna at the same venue.

Siasia

GTBank/Lagos Principal Cup Season Six begins Dec 9 Emmanuel Tobi

he Season Six of the GTBank/Lagos Principals Cup has been slated to begin on December 9, 2014 across the six educational districts in Lagos. Revealing this on Tuesday during the cheque presentation to 2014 winners, chairman of the Principals Cup Planning Committee, Seyi Akinwunmi, added that adequate arrangements have been put in place to develop the competition in line with the Nigeria Football Federation’s planned revival of the academicals. “Season Six will be highly competitive considering the fact that GTBank in collaboration with the Lagos State Football Association has trained about 700 coaches from all the participating schools to enhance the quality of play,” said the Lagos

FA Chairman. Speaking about the bank’s commitment to the competition, Oyinade Adegbite, GTBank’s head of Corporate Communication & External Affairs, said: “GTBank is happy to create a platform for students in Lagos to excel both in sports and academics. We are proud to contribute to the development of future Super Eagles players while urging the players to adhere strictly to our core value of discipline, hardwork and vigour.” Twelve schools, namely St Gregory, St Finnbars, Kings College, CMS Grammar School, Igbobi College, Methodist Boys, Ansar ud deen-Isolo, Keke High School, Dairy Farm, Oriwu Senior College, Gaskiya College and Newland Secondary School have been drawn by in the male category.

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NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

Lampard key to EPL title –Aguero

rank Lampard could be the difference between Manchester City retaining the Premier League title or not, reckons striker Sergio Aguero. Lampard, who scored his fifth goal for the club in 11 games during Sunday's 3-0 win at Southampton, is due to start his MLS career with New York City FC in January after leaving Chelsea in the

Frank Lampard celebrating a goal with Sergio Aguero

Pele out of intensive care

ele has been taken off intensive care as his condition continues to improve, after the three-time World Cup winner was transferred to hospital a few days ago for kidney support treatment. The 74-year-old is now under "semi-intensive" care, the Albert Einstein Hospital said in a statement. "Pele is getting better," he was "lucid, eating well" and has been "walking around" the room, the hospital added. The hospital said Pele was in a "good condition" in terms of blood pressure and the respiratory system,

summer. But the Etihad hierarchy are keen to extend the midfielder's stay in Manchester and Aguero believes his influence and eye for goal could be key to keeping Chelsea - currently six points ahead - at bay. "He's been a really important player for us - a key player," Aguero told Sky Sports News HQ. "Whether he starts the game or comes on in the

second half, he's played a really key role in most of the games he's featured in. "It would be fantastic if he could stay - he's a Premier League legend - and it's been a real pleasure for me to line up alongside him. I can always say that I played alongside Frank Lampard. "It's something the club will decide but if we could get him to stay longer, I think he could be the difference."

Nigeria missing as AFCON draw holds today Ajibade Olusesan

and continues to receive antibiotics intravenously. Pele has had only one kidney since his playing days, when one was removed after complications from a rib broken while playing. He was hospitalised on November 24 after being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection that stemmed from a surgery to remove kidney stones. Recent tests have shown no signs of the infection. The hospital did not say when Pele could leave the hospital, although his son, former player Edinho, said it could happen by the end of the week.

Nigerian League Rendezvous

igerians will be pained when the draw for the 2015 Africa Nations Cup takes centre stage in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea today as their Super Eagles will not be part of the party. The African champions failed to make the cut after they came third in Group A of the qualifiers behind South Africa and Congo, losing the chance to defend the title they won last year. Ironically, Equatorial Guinea are one of the

seeded teams as hosts, just six months after they were disqualified from qualifying after fielding an ineligible player during a preliminary round fixture against Congo. They took over the hosting right after Morocco pulled out due to the fear of the Ebola virus disease. According to the draw procedure released by the Confederation of African Football, Equatorial Guinea will be joined by four-time champions Ghana, 2012 African winners Zambia and the Ivory

Coast in Pot 1. Burkina Faso, Mali, Tunisia and 1990 winners Algeria are in Pot 2, while Cape Verde, South Africa, Cameroon and Gabon are in Pot 3. Guinea, Senegal, DR Congo, and Congo make up Pot 4. The 'Elephants' of the Ivory Coast, who lost finals in 2006 and 2012 and also reached the semi-finals in 2008 and the Desert Foxes of Algeria will be the teams to avoid. Ghana, Cameroun and Senegal are the other teams that could pose problems to their opponents.

with charles Ogundiya

charlesog2001@yahoo.com,

08098042287

NFF to monitor Udoh, Eduok progress

he President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has said the federation will monitor the progress of Mfon Udoh and Emem Eduok. The duo came into limelight after scintillating performances in the just concluded Nigeria Professional Football League, where they finish as the top scorers. Udoh created a new goal scoring record in the league, after ending the season with 23 goals, a record by any player in the league since inception, while Eduok scored 20 goals to finish as the runners up. According to Pinnick, the players will not be allowed to sign for just any club as witnessed in the past with some of the league is best performers. “We have been having the issue of players just leaving the league after

a great season only to end up in obscurity. We will not allow these two players to make such mistake. “In our calculation, they should be the bedrock of the national team and they can only achieve that if they are consistent,” he said. He however said the federation would not be

forcing their decision on the players but would advise them on what to do. “My plan is to see them play next season in the league and represent their clubs in CAF competitions. Let the African continent see what they can do before they move away from the continent,” the NFF boss said.

Udoh

Mixed blessings for Nasarawa’s Bature

asarawa United’s forward Yaro Bature has expressed his disappointment at his club’s failure to pick one of the Confed-

LMC plans mini tourney to help Enyimba, Pillars he performance of their respective continen- sentatives in CAF comT Nigerian clubs in con- tal campaigns in the first petitions next year as tinental competitions in round. the League Management recent times is a source of embarrassment to football stakeholders. Since Enyimba broke the jinx of winning the CAF Champions League in 2003, which they successfully defended in 2004, no Nigerian team has lifted any continental trophy to date. In 2013, Lobi Stars and Kano Pillars crashed out of

This year, all of the country's representatives, Kano Pillars, Enyimba, Warri Wolves and Bayelsa United, crashed out without getting to the group stage of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively. However, succour might be coming the way of Nigeria's repre-

Company has concluded plans to organise a mini tournament for the four clubs that would be representing the country. Making this declaration was a board member of the body, Shehu Dikko, who said the body decision stem from the dismal outing of the country’s representatives in recent years.

eration of African Football club competition tickets. The Solid Miners needed a win on the final day of the season against Warri Wolves at home but could only get a point against the determined Seasiders. “It was very painful, expectations were high but we could only man-

Bature

age a draw which was not good enough. On the other hand, we are grateful to God for where we finished if you consider the fact that we barely escaped relegation in the preceeding season,” Bature said. Bature who has been called up by Samson Siasia to the National U-23 team couldn’t hide his excitement at the prospect of playing for the national team. Describing the opportunity given to him, the former COD United player said: “I am excited by the call up, it is the dream of every young player to wear the national colours, it is also good for my career progression.”

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

I wasn’t born to score goals –Henry In an extract from the quarterly journal, Blizzard, Thierry Henry speaks about what made him as a player, and what he dislikes about the modern game 20 years after making his debut. When you look back and think of your first game as a professional, do you say to yourself: ‘It is so long ago’ or ‘It seems like yesterday’? A bit of both. But what I tell myself, above all, is that not everything [that happened] was always set in stone. At the same time, I’m always aware of the road I’ve followed, and of the work I’ve had to do to stay on course. Especially that it’s not a given in my kind of position. I insist on the word ‘work’, as it is the basis of everything. You may have a gift, but if you don’t work…It wasn’t a sacrifice for me. I do what I wanted to do. I loved working and I wanted to be the best at everything: the way I headed the ball, free kicks, reading of the game… In your case, what was that gift? I was quick. I had to have 10 chances to convert one into a goal – but at the same time, I kept creating these chances. Then I told myself: “You won’t have these chances all the time. You must stick them into the net.” Then, to avoid over-thinking in front of the keeper you work on your finishing, so that it all becomes automatic, so that you don’t think anymore. The hardest thing for an attacking player? When he has time to think. So, with Claude Puel, who was then a fitness coach at Monaco, I went through session after session with dummies. I wasn’t born with a gift for goals. As I started my professional career on the wing, I also worked on my crossing – which helped me understand the role of the guy who passes the ball. We give praise to the guy who scores and, as a

result, we’re too quick to forget the guy who busts a gut to cross the ball behind the defence.

You won’t have these chances all the time. You must stick them into the net

And that’s unfair in your opinion? N o , that’s the way it is. How many times did I save games in which I’d been poor by scoring the winning goal? But it helped me to understand things better when I played in the middle again. I’ve often been told, when talking about Dennis Bergkamp or Robert Pires, “These guys have fed you.” No, we fed each other. It’s a team game. The goalscorer shouldn’t have all the glory and I’m not humble-bragging. I’ve often been unhappy with games in which I scored. What’s the secret of longevity for a player? First, to avoid injury. I’ve also had a fairly healthy lifestyle. I’ve never been some-

one who drank or partied regularly. If we play a one versus one against each other, I have to make you feel that I’m stronger than you are. It’s as simple as that. Lilian Thuram taught me that. The aim is to be the best you can be. What matters is not to get there, but to want it, to have that desire. Is longevity the toughest thing to achieve in football? Yes. But it’s also the ultimate accolade – especially when you’re a striker, with all the young guys coming through. It’s not just a question of staying power, it is also an obligat i o n to perform. There is no more beautiful trophy than longevity. To stay at the same level, when people are expecting so much at each game … Ronaldo, Messi … Are people really aware of what they do, of their consistency of performance? Do they realise how tough it is to be always at the top? Were you given advice when you started as a pro that you’ve never forgotten? W h a t Thuram told me, which I mentioned earlier. Tutu was very tough with me, but I thank him for that every day. My dad, too, above all others. Christian Damiano,

Gérard Houllier, all my youth coaches. But Tutu was tough, during the games, at training … His words were tough. It helped me. When you join the national team for the first time, you must impress Desailly, Lizarazu, Zizou, Djorkaeff …At Monaco, when I didn’t cross a good ball in front of goal for Sonny Anderson or Mickaël Madar, they kicked it high above the wire fence of La Turbie [Monaco’s training ground]. And guess who had to go and fetch the ball? David Trezeguet and me. Even after I’d become a world champion, Tigana asked me to carry the kit bags. There was a woman and a couple of kit men who wanted to take care of it but he said, “No, no, it’s up to the youngsters to do it.” What were the most striking changes that you noticed in the game itself over the past two decades? Take Ronaldo – the Brazilian Ronaldo. He did things nobody had seen before. He, together with Romário and George Weah, reinvented the centre-forward position. They were the first to drop from the box to pick up the ball in midfield, switch to the flanks, attract and disorientate the central defenders with their runs, their accelerations, their dribbling. Who’d done that before? Gerd Müller? Paolo Rossi? No. George Weah was a big influence on me. I copied his game, maybe. But how many guys can claim they have reinvented a position? Not many. One of the consequences has been that there came a time when media and marketing people started to individualise football performance. People stopped highlighting the collective dimension of the game, how a goal was constructed, how a phase started. Everything has been geared towards the individual. We are not talking about football anymore.

NEW TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014

2015: PDP and the bullying of Ebonyi State

he opposition is at war with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP is at war with itself. The general political atmosphere is extremely charged. And when the lightning strikes, it will, more likely than not, consume the beleaguered republic. National revenue is dwindling at a frightening rate. Interest rate has been jacked up. Inflation has been galloping at an irrational speed, regardless of dubious rhetoric to the contrary. The currency has effectively been devalued, escalating the hardship faced by tens of millions of ordinary Nigerians who must now pay more for most goods and services from a static income base. Boko Haram has gained ascendency once again, blanketing a huge swathe of northern Nigeria in fire, smoke and blood. In the absence of a state of emergency, it is not out of place to conclude that the Second Nigerian Civil War is being won by the Islamic secessionists. Articles of impeachment have been composed against President Goodluck Jonathan by the opposition elements of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Among the 50 articles of impeachment preferred against the President are impunity and corruption. The very members of the National Assembly who compiled these impeachable offences have themselves been accused by President Olusegun Obasanjo of being irredeemably corrupt and incompetent. Friends, this is the state of the nation. A PDP-led federal government is grappling with these enormous challenges. The existential threat posed by each single challenge cannot be overstated, talk less of the bleak prospects posed by an aggregate of them. The PDP ought to be a bulwark against any force or forces that might lead to the fructification of the prediction of Americans that our existence as a nation will reach its terminus in 2015. Sadly, however, some members of the National Working Committee of the Party have turned themselves into aggressive cancerous cells, devouring the soul of the party. The recklessness at Wadata Plaza has reached the point of defying clear and unambiguous presidential directives. And unless measures that are equally aggressive are taken immediately, the deplorable actions of these men whose egos are now bloated by humungous cash from highly questionable sources will lead directly to a catastrophic failure at the polls by the Presidential flag bearer, Dr Jonathan. Ebonyi State, one of the poorest but richly endowed states in the nation, provides a perfect illustrative case. A group called a Committee of PDP Elders and Major Stakeholders placed an advertorial in a number of national dailies on November 28, 2014. The advertorial is quite a tale of lawlessness, fraud, impunity, connivance and brigandage by elements opposed to the choices, intentions and preferences of the majority of the people. But the most significant aspect relates to processes that led to the emergence of Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, the Ebola Warrior, as the preferred gubernatorial candidate of the people of Ebonyi in the 2015 general elections: “SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THAT LED TO THE ENDORSEMENT OF

Broadside EMMANUEL ONWE agubata@aol.com

Elechi

Chukwu

PROF ONYEBUCHI CHUKWU – FORMER MINISTER OF HEALTH “We, the Committee of Elders and Major Stakeholders of our great party are resolved to guard against any attempt to impose a governorship candidate on us through violence and subterfuge, as desperately manifested by some individuals who are drunk with inordinate ambition. “In this connection, therefore, a long process that was triggered by the people of Ikwo in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District culminated in the general endorsement of Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu as a preferred candidate by the vast majority of the community leaders in Ebonyi State. “But Prof Chukwu was never the primary issue. In fact, it is our strong contention that his endorsement was incidental to the very fundamental question of whether it was timely, due and proper for gubernatorial power to rotate to the southern part

of the state, having resided in the North for 8 years and in the Central part of the state for 8 years by 29th of May, 2015. Once this charged issue was answered in the affirmative, Ebonyi community leaders took it upon themselves to identify a preferred potential candidate of our great party. “Specifically, on the 6th of September, 2014, Ikwo Noyo Clan issued a communiqué published in national dailies encouraging our Governor to remain steadfast and courageous in his determination to midwife the transition of power from the majority Old Abakaliki block to the minority Old Afikpo block [please see the original copy of the signed communiqué marked Annexure C; page 7 of New Telegraph of September 15, 2014 marked Annexure D; page 67 of Thisday of September 15, 2014 marked Annexure E; page 53 of the Daily Sun of September 15, 2014 marked Annexure F]. “The community leaders of the three senatorial districts in Ebonyi State held separate consultations with the Governor throughout the month of September on the thorny question of power-shift to the southern part of the state. Again, those consultations culminated in the overwhelming consensus that it was timely, proper and just for gubernatorial power to shift to Ebonyi South Senatorial District. “After a final consultation with the Governor comprising both Ebonyi North and Ebonyi Central leaders, referred jointly as Ekumenyi descendants, the leaders of each zone issued a separate communiqué signed by at least 100 community leaders drawn from across the local government areas in the respective zones. On Monday the 6th of October, 2014, the Ekumenyi descendants from Ebonyi North issued a communiqué applauding power shift to the South and endorsing Prof On-

Ebonyi people are being bullied by renegade elements at the PDP headquarters which have been recruited into the mercenary gang that has nothing but exploitative and corrupt designs on the young and poor state. These renegade elements have forged results of congresses

yebuchi Chukwu as their preferred gubernatorial candidate [please see page 16 of the Daily Sun dated October, 10, 2014 marked Annexure G and page 52L of Thisday of 13th October, 2014 marked Annexure H]. “Similarly, on 6th of October, 2014, Ekumenyi descendants from Ebonyi Central issued a communiqué applauding power shift to the South and endorsing Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu as their preferred gubernatorial candidate [please see the original copy of the communiqué marked Annexure I]. “Surprisingly, some of those who appeared before you to protest the emergence of Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu as the generally preferred candidate played leading roles in the processes narrated above.” What is not generally appreciated is the fact that Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu never for one moment expressed the ambition to govern his home state. He is a man of extraordinary discipline and character, devoted to service rather than overweening political ambition. He dedicated himself to his onerous assignment as the Health Minister, a position he had occupied for well over four years, and at which he excelled with quiet efficiency. It was in answer to the people’s clamour, as narrated above by the Committee of PDP Elders and Major Stakeholders in Ebonyi State, that he resigned and embarked on the gubernatorial odyssey. Ebonyi people are being bullied by renegade elements at the PDP headquarters which have been recruited into the mercenary gang that has nothing but exploitative and corrupt designs on the young and poor state. These renegade elements have forged results of congresses, flouted court orders, conducted a sham primary election in a hotel lobby in direct and flagrant disregard of presidential directive, all in a bid to foist their lackeys on Ebonyi people. Why? Because they think they can get away with it. But they are in for a surprise. Governor Martin Elechi has been inflexible and uncompromising in his support for President Jonathan. Among those hell bent on destroying PDP in Ebonyi State are the most virulent detractors of the President, both in the past and at the moment. The thin veil of loyalty and sycophancy with which they now wrap themselves are too transparent to fool those who have a complete understanding of the nonsense going on right now. It is now blatantly clear that there are binary political forces in Ebonyi, each determined to take charge of the soul of the state. On the one hand are the forces ranged behind the incumbent Governor, comprising of the masses of the grassroots, traditional rulers, elders, party apparatchik and professional groups. This group is determined to defend the patrimony of Ebonyi State and secure its treasury, its future and its cohesive existence in peace and unity. On the hand is a group lead by elements in powerful federal positions of authority and financed by the business mogul, Chief Cletus Ibeto. This group is determined, like vultures, to strip Ebonyi to its bones, create mayhem and anarchy. They will be resisted to the bitter end and their diabolical machinations will be crushed by the people’s uprising.

Sanctity of Truth

On Marble

Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.

– Albert Einstein

Leisure & Puzzle

Emmanuel Onwe 2015: PDP and the bullying of Ebonyi State

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Stolen mandate and peoples power

ake no mistakes about it; the Nigerian people are already debating on whether the 2015 general elections will be free, fair and transparent. Of course, the debate is not new. We have always debated whether our elections can be characterized as free, fair and transparent. We have always debated whether it is the votes of the Nigerian people that propelled some of those persons/individual purportedly elected on the platform of different political parties’ to power. We have always debated on whether the votes of the Nigerian people truly count in most of the elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission. We have always debated on whether sovereignty still rests with the Nigerian people through whom governments derive their power and authority. And we again are still debating these issues at this time being the eve of an election year. Come to think of it, how can the issue of free, fair and transparent elections leave the table when we continue with politics even after elections at the expense of governance? We start campaigns for the next election immediately after the swearing-in of the person that purportedly won elections. Even the person just sworn in participates in the campaigns. Those that are running their first term in office, start their campaigns for a second term. Governors that are in their second term start their campaigns for a Senatorial Election and the installation of a crony as the Governor. Those in the legislative houses begin to sink boreholes and engage in what they call “empowerment programmes” to kick start their re-election bid. Of course, they cannot go to their constituencies to tell them about the number of motions they sponsored or the number of bills passed by the house. Those ones are academic issues and do not qualify as “stomach infrastructure” and physical things that can be attributed to them. Hence, the issue of free and fair elections hardly leaves the table in Nigeria. It remains with us because before and after elections the judiciary is called upon and sometimes forced to clean the mess arising from pre-election and election related matters. It remains with us because some pre-election matters relating to the nomination of candidates by political parties are still pending in the High Courts, Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Some of the cases will be determined after the 2015 elections. By then, the suit becomes an academic exercise and the courts are hardly equipped to deal with academic questions. The debate has not really left the table. It seems that what has shifted is the degree of intensity of the debate and what to do with rigged election and or stolen mandate. The classical response has been adherence to the rule of law and due process. In other words, those that are aggrieved by the conduct and outcome of an election should not take the law into their

Hard Choices FESTUS OKOYE

festokoye2003@yahoo.com 08054480565 (sms only)

Jega, INEC boss

hands but approach the courts for the ventilation of their grievances. This no doubt is the ideal and should be encouraged. But the reality is that some people use the issue of due process as a bait to corrupt the electoral process. Some serial riggers, offenders and experts in the manipulation of party nomination processes know that some of the pre-election issues and matters will be determined in the next five to seven years and by then they would have finished their tenure if elected in the general election. So, they corrupt, manipulate and skew the electoral process and urge the aggrieved to go to court knowing the impediments to the timely resolution of disputes. Others brazenly steal the mandate of the people and rely on an array of lawyers and technical issues to see them through in election petitions tribunals. So, it is a no-win situation for those that believe in clean elections. So, the new mantra is “who should rig and who should go to court”? The person that should go to court and tribunals should be the person out rigged in an election. It is not the person who puts himself up and commits to free, fair and transparent elections. But it seems that this is old stuff. The new stuff is whether the victims of rigged elections and stolen mandate should go to court or to the tribunals or whether they should form a parallel government since the one posturing as having been elected is unconstitutional and illegitimate.

The Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi says that the formation of a parallel government and denial of legitimacy to serial riggers is legitimate while the Federal Government through Presidential Adviser on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe says it is treason and treasonable. A casual reading of the situation will be unhelpful. A good understanding of the divide requires a good understanding of the constitutional basis of Nigerian democracy. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(as amended) proclaims and declares its own supremacy. Section 1(1) states that “this Constitution is Supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. Section 13 also states that it shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy. Section 14 of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy also states unequivocally that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government thorough the Constitution derives all its powers and authority. More fundamentally, section 1(2) of the Constitution provides that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. Furthermore, the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2010(as amended) provide that no individual or groups is permitted to assume the reins of power other than through the votes of the people. In other words, the votes of the people shall be the sole determinant of regime change. The Hon Justice Anthony Aniagolu, J.S.C (as he then was) in Ojukwu v Onwudiwe, (1984) 1 SCNLR, 247 at 285286 stated clearly that “The essence of democratic elections is that they be free and fair and that in that atmosphere of freedom, fairness and impartiality, citizens will exercise their freedom of choice of who their representatives shall be by casting their votes in favour of those candidates who, in their deliberate judgment, they consider possesses the qualities which mark them out as preferable candidates to those others who are contesting with them. The vot-

ers must be allowed to freely to go to the polling booths and cast their votes unmolested. Free and fair elections cannot, therefore, tolerate thuggery or violence of any kind; corrupt practice, impersonation, threatening, undue influence, intimidation, disorderly conduct, and any acts, which may have the effect of impeding the free exercise by the voter of his franchise” He stated further that “Once an election is found substantially not to be free and the electorate, either by violence or intimidation, have not been allowed freely to cast their votes, the election, where such has occurred, ought to, and must be nullified and a fresh one conducted. Where such has occurred the stage has not yet been reached for the arithmetical calculation of the votes cast for each candidate. It is, in my view, a wrong approach to say that since some of the voters succeeded in going through the violence and casting their votes, those votes should be scrutinized in order to determine those successfully objected to, and those ones should be rejected while the balance should be accepted. In such a situation who knows the number of voters who, by reason of the prevailing atmosphere of thuggery or violence, were prevented from venturing out of their houses? The arithmetical computation of votes cast only comes in when the electorate have been allowed to freely cast their votes. Once the atmosphere has been substantially befouled by violence and thuggery, the election in the area where they occur must be cancelled and a fresh one, if possible, conducted. One outlook herein enjoins us to trust the Courts and the tribunals and approach them for the ventilation of grievances as the Courts and the Tribunals are equipped to restore the mandate of the people. The alternative view is that riggers and those that steal the mandate of the people do so and hide under the cover of the judicial process knowing the challenges and inadequacies of the said approach. The alternative view advocates people’s power in the face of a stolen mandate which is treasonable and in breach of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. My take is that it is treasonable to steal the mandate of the people. It is unconstitutional for anybody or group to attempt to sneak to power than by the votes of the people. It is also reasonable to have faith in the judicial process for the resolution of electoral disputes. Ultimately however, when people are pushed to the wall and other avenues for the ventilation of electoral grievances are blocked, people’s power in defense of the sovereign right of the people becomes the only answer. It is in our enlightened self interest for all aspirants, all candidates, all political parties and all the stakeholders in the electoral process to commit to free, fair and transparent elections and avoid the path of post election violence and alternative government.

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