Binder1 05 august,2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Tuesday, August 5, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 168

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FG approves $1bn to raise gas supply to power plants Anule Emmanuel Abuja

he Federal Government yesterday approved $1 billion for the upgrade of gas infrastructure to ensure steady

supply to power plants to boost electricity provision nationwide. The decision was taken at a power sector stakeholders’ meeting held at the State House, Abuja. Niger Delta Power Hold-

ing Company (NDPHC) Managing Director, Mr. James Olotu, told State House correspondents that the initiative was part of government’s bid to boost power supply, which has drastically gone down re-

cently due to acute shortage of gas to power the electricity plants. According to Olotu, the amount is to be sourced from the resources allocated to the NDPHC with the active involvement of

private sector providers. He said: “The Board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company therefore met Friday and looked at additional strategies in which government again can move the sec-

tor forward. One of such strategies is to commit some funds out of the expectations from the sale of power holding companies towards partnering the private sector again in CONTINUED ON PAGE 1

Two more persons test positive to Ebola in Lagos lS’Korean varsity cancels Nigerians’ invitation over EVD scare lTrial test of serum raises hope for cure Appolonia Adeyemi, Wole Shadare and Obinna Odoh

L-R: Inspector General of Police (IG), Suleiman Abba; Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 2, Mr. Mamman Tsafe and AIG, Intelligence Bureau, Mr. Solomon Arase, during a meeting of senior police officers in Abuja…yesterday

PDP predicts takeover of South-West lIG warns busybodies to steer clear of Osun lOyinlola joins APC today Our Reporters

ith its victory in the Ekiti State governorship election and a “brighter chance of emerging the ruling party in Osun State after Saturday’s governorship poll, the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) is confident of displacing the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the ruling party in the South-West. Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan

on Political Matters, Professor Ahmed Rufa’i Alkali, told reporters yesterday in Abuja that the party has gained foothold in the geopolitical zone and was ready to recoup its losses

in the area. Alkali spoke just as the Acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Suleiman Abba, warned those who have no business in the governorship election

in Osun State to stay away during the period. However, the APC is expected to receive a boost to its efforts for the reelection of its candidate CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Police clear FG of complicity to kill Buhari

igeria has recorded more cases of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as two of the about 58 persons who had contact with Mr. Patrick Sawyer, the late Liberian who brought the virus into Nigeria, have tested positive to the virus. Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who announced results of the tests on the two victims at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, said one of the new victims was a doctor who attended to the late Sawyer. Sawyer, who was rushed to First Consultant Hospital in Lagos shortly on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Al-Makura appears before probe panel }3 Lagos

Storms

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Two more persons test positive to Ebola in Nigeria CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Airport, Lagos, from Liberia, died a few days after he was placed on admission. The scare of Ebola has also forced a South Korean university to rescind an invitation to three Nigerians to attend a conference in the Asian country while a group of South Korean medical volunteers called off a trip to West Africa amid growing concerns about the spread of the Ebola virus. However, hope for a cure for the disease rose yesterday as doctors in the United States have begun a trial test of a serum which could reverse the damage done to a victim’s body system by the Ebola virus. Chukwu, while giving an update on efforts being made by the Federal Government to curtail the spread of the Ebola virus in Nigeria, said: “We had previously briefed you last week on two people that attended the burial of the Liberian victim which after our test the result proved negative. But it was revealed that more people attended the burial and as a result, we have eight persons out of the 70 under surveillance now quarantined.” He added that as part of efforts to curb the spread of the disease, the border

areas had been adequately strengthened with medical professionals who had been mandated to screen people coming in through international airports, land borders and other entery points. The minister, however, said the borders were not closed but they would be if found necessary. He added that the Federal Government had constituted a team to find the cure for Ebola with a former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu, as a member. Inaugurating the committee, Chukwu urged the members to be committed in performing the duty and urgently come out with possible cure or vaccine that will help in the treatment of Ebola virus The minister also debunked the claim that bitter kola can cure the Ebola virus. According to him there is no scientific evidence that bitter Kola can cure Ebola virus.

On a report that a corpse brought into the country from Liberia has the virus, the minister said: “Samples have been taken from the corpse and the result would be available today.” Chukwu, who reiterated that efforts were being made to identify more secondary contacts, stressed that no outbreak had been recorded yet outside Lagos and appealed to Nigerians to report any incident of the disease to the ministry for immediate action. There was however an Ebola scare at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos yesterday as a passenger identified as Nwosu Nnaji was said to have been discovered to have contracted the disease. A source told New Telegraph that the victim arrived in the country aboard Arik Air at 1:15pm from a West African country. The source said since the outbreak of the disease in Nigeria about two weeks ago, port health officials at the airport had deployed equipment, which they

use to screen passengers arriving into the country, especially from other West African countries. “I don’t specifically know where the plane came from, but the patient was discovered during the screening of inbound passengers by the port health officials at the airport. As at now, we don’t know what to do with him. Some of the officials want him return to base while others are insisting that as a Nigerian, he has the right to arrive into the country,” he added. Neither the spokesman for Arik Air, Mr. Banji Ola nor his counterpart at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Yakubu Dati, could be reached to comment on the claim. Three Nigerian students have however been denied the opportunity to attend a conference in South Korea as the Duksung Women’s University in Seoul said in a statement that the school “politely withdrew” its invitation to them to attend the conference it is co-hosting with the United Nations.

The university took the decision following a plea one of its students posted on the country’s presidential office web site, asking for the cancellation of the event. But the university said it was going ahead with the conference to be attended by students, including 28 from Africa, without their Nigerian counterparts. However, a report yesterday by CNN said an American doctor stricken with the Ebola virus while in Liberia and brought to the United States for treatment in a special isolation ward is improving. According to the report, three top secret, experimental vials stored at subzero temperatures were flown into Liberia last week in a last-ditch effort to save the American doctor and two American missionary workers who had contracted Ebola. On July 22, Dr. Kent Brantly woke up feeling feverish. Fearing the worst, Brantly immediately isolated himself. Nancy WriteCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

28o C 22oC Thunder Storms

PORT HARCOURT

21oC 17oC Storms

KANO

32o C 22oC Thunder Storms

ENUGU

27oC 21oC Storms

IBADAN

28oC 21oC Storms

CALABAR

28oC 22oC Storms

MAIDUGURI

32o C 23oC Thunder Storms

ONITSHA

28oC 22oC Storms

L-R: Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama; the governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and the state Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Nwaoboshi, during a meeting with elders/leaders of the party in Warri…yesterday

FG approves $1bn to raise gas supply to power plants CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

developing some hollow walls, identified certain portions where they have been proven gas availability. “This programme promises to unlock gas from these locations within a short time and then compliment efforts currently being done by the petroleum ministry to ensure that we close the gap between gas requirement and gas supply. The sum of $1 billion out of the funds of NDPHC is being put on the ground to support this initiative and this will involve a lot of private sector investors who will be will-

ing to partner us and get this gas supply enhanced.” The enlarged stakeholders, chaired by VicePresident Namadi Sambo, also had in attendance the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali. Igali said the meeting was a follow-up to a similar one held at the weekend between the Ministers of Power, Petroleum Resources, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor as well as the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) where issues about gas supply to the power plants were discussed.

“Today’s meeting chaired by the vice-president looked at the vision of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) which is already playing a critical role in the power sector, especially in the development of the National Independent Power Project (NIPP) power plant. It is also now going to make further investment in the sector by planning towards ensuring gas is available to these plants. “The meeting addressed few critical issues pertaining to the issue of stranded power in the sector. The president and his team have worked assiduously

in the area of strategies to improve power supply to the nation by building massive infrastructure in generation, transmission, and distribution. “Unfortunately there is a little shortfall coming from the gas sector in spite of concerted efforts to address the situation. There is an obvious shortfall in gas supply to the power plants that have been built and are being privatised. And this shortage has created some problems and concerns in the industry regarding how the financiers of these plants feel about the situation,” he added.

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

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Al-Makura appears before probe panel, seeks dismissal of allegations lWe won’t honour committee’s invitation, say lawmakers Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

asarawa State Governor, Alhaji Umaru Al-Makura, yesterday appeared

before the seven-man investigative panel set up to probe allegations of gross misconduct against him by the House of Assembly and called on the committee to dismiss the accusa-

tions by the lawmakers. The lawmakers, in a notice of impeachment served on the governor, had preferred 16-count charges, including financial misappropriation,

against the governor. Al-Makura who had arrived at the panel’s sitting venue in Lafia at about 10 am, said the lawmakers did not serve him with the impeachment notice,

L-R: Director General, Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Sada and Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, during a press conference of the National Council on Privatisation in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

PDP predicts takeover of South-West CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

in the election and incumbent governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, as former PDP National Secretary and Aregbesola’s predecessor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is expected to defect to APC today at a mega rally to round off the party’s electioneering. Expatiating on PDP’s efforts to retake the SouthWest from the APC, Alkali said the party had set the machinery in motion to build on its victory in Ekiti to emerge the ruling party in the geopolitical zone. According to him, the ruling party at the centre will ensure a “clean sweep” of the opposition stronghold and liberate the region during the 2015 general election. Alkali said given the way the electorate in the South-West had been supporting the PDP lately, it was obvious that the party had established a strong grassroots base in the zone. He added that the SouthWest needed to shake off the toga of opposition by returning to the centre by 2015. Alkali who also justified the heavy deployment of security operatives to Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll, saying the presence of the

troops was in response to security reports on plans by some persons to cause mayhem during the elections. He dismissed the criticisms by the APC against the deployment of troops in the state, adding that Nigerians should commend President Goodluck Jonathan for taking a similar step during the last governorship election in Ekiti State, which made that election peaceful, free and fair. Alkali who was part of the campaign by the PDP in support of its governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, last Saturday, said with what he saw in Osogbo, the ruling party would emerge victorious in the governorship election. He urged the people of Osun State to support the PDP on Saturday and working with Omisore when he eventually wins the coming election. Also speaking on the Saturday governorship election, the IG said the police were ready to prevent any breach of the peace. Abba told State House reporters after a meeting with Vice-President Namadi Sambo that the police were already mobilising men and materials to provide security to ensure

the election was conducted under a conducive atmosphere. “When I took over on Friday, I met an operational order in place. I went through it quickly and made a number of adjustments, which include the fact that we need to be there early enough. So I adjusted the time that officers were directed to report and made sure that by Saturday they would be there. “And the aim is that if anyone is training anybody to cause violence, we are telling him that we would make sure the law takes its course. In fact, my advice is this; if you don’t have any business to do with Osun election, just don’t go there because the law will catch up with you. This is my advice,” he added. All is however set in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, by the APC to receive Oyinlola into its fold. Ahead of his defection, Oyinlola, who has had a running battle with the leadership of the PDP wrote Jonathan to further draw attention to his plight in the party and intimated him with the fact that given the ordeal PDP has subjected him to, he has no choice than to chart a new direction for his political

career. Oyinlola, in the July 30 letter to the president, hinged his decision on what he described as the brazen refusal by the party to obey a Court of Appeal ruling ordering his re-instatement as the national secretary of the party. New Telegraph gathered yesterday that the former governor would declare for APC today at its mega rally slated for Osogbo. It was learnt that he had discussed with his supporters in the state on his decision to quit the PDP for APC and mandated them to be present at the rally. Chieftains of the APC such as its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu and Aregbesola, had made overtures to Oyinlola to join APC. But he had declined with the hope that the PDP would soon revisit his case and reinstate him to his office. Investigations yesterday showed that preparatory to the defection, Oyinlola’s supporters have picked the uniform they will wear at today’s rally. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

saying that his appearance before the panel was due to the hearing notice it served on him. His lawyers also urged the panel to “enter a notice of dismissal of the impeachment notice served on the governor for want of proof ” of the allegations. The governor explained that appearing before the panel was to set the records straight because of the respect he has for the rule of law and the constitution. He told the committee that he had done nothing wrong in discharging his responsibility as the governor. “I must state, Mr. Chairman, and panel members that making this appearance in person and for the records, I want to say I was not served any notice by the House of Assembly. I am appearing in response to the hearing notice served on me by the panel and my appearance is to defend myself and clear my name against these spurious and unfounded allegations made against me. “I intend to defend myself during the proceedings by my representatives who will carry on. I have already prepared my defence and I have been informed by my counsel that it has been prepared and filed accordingly. “What this panel is doing today is a call to duty in compliance with the constitution of Nigeria. The activities and result of this panel’s proceeding will determine the wellbeing of the state. I pray that God guides the panel to do what is right for the people of the state, the constitution and the country,” he stated. After his remarks, the panel, earlier set up by the state Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko, did not ask Al-Makura any questions on the allegations against him. But the governor’s counsel, Mr. Noruka Udechukwu, told the committee that the lawmakers had no case against his client. He also criticised the failure by the state legislature to appear before the panel to substantiate its case. “It is a great abuse of process by the state Assembly for refusing

to appear and even authenticate service. It is a disservice to our constitution, to the panel and Nigeria. “I urge the panel to take cognisance of section 7 paragraphs (C) which stipulates that where the House of Assembly fails or neglects to appear and lead evidence in proof of allegations, the panel upon proof of service may dismiss the allegation,” he added. The committee Chairman, Mr. Yusuf Usman, said the panel had fashioned out guidelines for its sitting as it was not provided with such rules under section 188(7)(b) of the 1999 Constitution. While reading out the 11-point guidelines, he said with the takeoff of the panel, Justice Dikko, whom the lawmakers had earlier asked to disband the committee and reconstitute it, was no longer in control and as such cannot revert to him for such rules. On what would happen should any of the party fail to appear before the panel, Usman said: “Where the House of Assembly fails or neglects to appear and lead evidence in proof of the allegations, the panel, upon proof of service may dismiss the allegations. “Also where the governor fails or neglects to defend the allegations against him, and if the panel is satisfied that he has been duly served either personally or by substituted means (as the panel may have ordered) , the panel will proceed to consider the evidence led by the House of Assembly and make appropriate findings.’’ Responding to the plea by the governor’s counsel to dismiss the allegations against his client, Usman said the panel would give the House till today to appear before it to substantiate its accusations contained in the notice of impeachment against the governor in the interest of justice and fairness. However, the lawmakers have reiterated their position not to appear before the panel. The House Committee Chairman on Information, Baba Ibaku, said the lawmakers would not appear before the panel because of its constitution breached the 1999 Constitution.

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US to unfold $1bn deals, more aids to Nigeria, others Siaka Momoh

he United States will announce nearly $1 billion in business deals, increase funding for peacekeeping and commit billions of dollars to expanding food and power programmes in Africa during the US-Africa summit that opened yesterday in Washington. According to US officials, the summit, which is billed to end tomorrow and is being attended by President Goodluck Jonathan and some African leaders, hopes to showcase US interest in the fast-growing region through a series of government-private partnership deals to boost trade and investment. The spread of the deadly Ebola virus in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone is also a reminder of the vast development needs that persist in some of the region’s poorest countries, despite their rapid economic growth and investment. A report yesterday by Reuters said administration officials had played

down questions over whether the summit was in response to China’s growing presence in the region. Instead, they have emphasised that American interests go beyond Africa’s oil and minerals, where China is focused. “You will see a series of announcements on agriculture and food, and power and energy. We will make big announcements that demonstrate these are big ambitions we can take on with our African partners and the private sector,” the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Rajiv Shah said. Shah said there would be new support for Power Africa, a privately funded programme launched by President Barack Obama last year to install 10,000 megawatts of new generation capacity and connect 20 million new customers across Africa by 2018. The programme had already met that goal after just one year, Shah said, adding: “Next week we will announce a more

than doubling of our aspirations.” Shah said while companies pledged $7 billion to the programme last year, next week “there will be several billions of dollars” in new investments. The World Bank is also expected to make a major contribution toward the programme, according to bank officials. The programme is likely to be expanded from the six nations - Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Tanzania - that currently benefit from Power Africa. There will also be significant increases in private sector support for US-backed food and agricultural programmes in Africa, including the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition. The programme was launched in 2012 to bring together African governments, the private sector and donors to boost investment in agricultural production after a massive 2008/2009 food price crisis, which sparked unrest in developing nations.

An announcement worth billions of dollars by a large US beverage company is expected to boost purchases from African farmers, according to a company official, who declined to elaborate because details are still being worked out. Several African officials said General Electric would finalise investments in some African countries during the summit in rail, health and power. President of the African Development Bank, Donald Kaberuka, said the summit represented a shift in the US-Africa relationship from a focus on aid to investment and trade. “There are still bits of aid needed here or there but fundamentally the relationship is now defined as one of trade, investment, growth and opportunities. It responds to what Africans are looking for and responds to expectations of American business,” Kaberuka told Reuters. The summit will include a business conference today bringing together African leaders and

American CEOs. US commerce officials said close to $1 billion in various business deals would be announced, covering different sectors and involving several African countries. Trade ministers will spend a day discussing ways to improve the US trade programme with Africa, known as the African Growth Opportunity Act,

or AGOA, which gives African countries duty-free access to US markets. AGOA expires in September next year and will need congressional approval for renewal. In other funding increases, the State Department is expected to announce a further $60 million a year for peacekeeping training in six African countries, according to US officials.

PDP predicts takeover of S’West CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

When New Telegraph called Oyinlola’s telephone number yesterday to confirm his defection, he said: “You will get the action tomorrow (today).” When probed further on the development, he again said: “You will get the action tomorrow. I can confirm to you that it is true”. Meanwhile, the PDP has faulted the APC on the deployment of Department of State Services (DSS) operatives to Osun State to supervise the conduct of Saturday’s governorship election. The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the request for the deployment was actually made by the Osun State Government. The party accused APC of making wild allegations without crosschecking the facts. The APC also yester-

day raised the alarm that about 500,000 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), which were either unclaimed, not handed over to their authentic owners or were obtained fraudulently, have been cloned by some persons to rig the governorship election. The party in a statement in Osogbo by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said: ‘’These cloned cards, mostly in the hands of persons from states other than Osun, are to be used along with the authentic PVCs issued to the electorate in Osun State during the August 9 Osun governorship election.” The party called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that only the voters’ register used to issue out the PVCs to voters is used to conduct Saturday’s election.

Trial test of serum raises hope for cure CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

L-R: Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan; Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Linus Awute, during the inauguration of the treatment research group of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria in Abuja...yesterday

Police clear FG of complicity to kill Buhari

lNorthern govs assure Southerners of safety Emmanuel Onani and Dan Atori

he Acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Suleiman Abba, has absolved the Federal Government of alleged complicity in the July 23 suicide bomb attack on a former Head of State, Major Gen. Muhammad Buhari and an Islamic preacher, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi. More than 30 people were killed in the bomb explosions, which left many others with varying degrees of injuries. Abba, at a maiden meeting with Assistant Inspectors General of Police

(AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs), an interim report submitted by a team of highly-trained detectives dispatched to Kaduna in the wake of the twin explosions, did not find any evidence linking the government with the incidents. Abba said: “We have an interim finding on the Kaduna bomb incident. A team of detectives constituted by the former Inspector General, Mohammed Abubakar, went to Kaduna, conducted a very diligent investigation by visiting the scene, some victims in the hospitals, conducted interviews with victims, including

the highly-respected Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. “So far, they (investigators) have come out with an interim finding, that the Federal Government...is not involved in either of the two (bomb) incidents.” He added that a suspect arrested in connection with the incident was being held by the military. Meanwhile, governors under the aegis of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) have assured Southerners resident in the North of the safety of their lives and property. Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger

State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said in Minna yesterday at the unveiling of new certificates of occupancy for the state that all Nigerians were free to do their legitimate business in any part of the North so long as they operate within the law. According to him “nobody has asked southerners in the North to leave. We accommodate everybody.” He added that the government would issue more than 50,000 certificates of occupancy in the next five years with 5,000 of the document being made available before the end of the year.

bol’s symptoms started three days later. A rapid field blood test confirmed the infection in both of them after they had become ill with fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. A representative from the National Institutes of Health contacted Samaritan’s Purse in Liberia and offered the experimental treatment, known as ZMapp, for the two patients, CNN said, quoting the source. The drug was developed by the biotech firm Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc. The patients were told that this treatment had never been tried before in a human being but had shown promise in small experiments with monkeys. According to company documents, four monkeys infected with Ebola survived after being given the therapy within 24 hours after infection. Two of four additional monkeys that started therapy within 48 hours after infection also survived. One mon-

key that was not treated died within five days of exposure to the virus. Brantly and Writebol were aware of the risk of taking a new, little understood treatment; informed consent was obtained from both Americans, according to two sources familiar with the care of the missionary workers. In the monkeys, the experimental serum had been given within 48 hours of infection. Brantly didn’t receive it until he’d been sick for nine days. ZMapp has not been approved for human use, and has not even gone through the clinical trial process, which is standard to prove the safety and efficacy of a medication. The process by which the medication was made available to Brantly and Writebol is highly unusual and it may have fallen under the US Food and Drug Administration’s “compassionate use” regulation, which allows access to investigational drugs outside clinical trials.

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TIT FOR TAT It is a revolving chair in Benin as assembly men relive P-Square's 'Do me, I do you' track Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

eoples Democratic Party lawmakers in Edo State yesterday declared the seat of the member representing Esan Central constituency, Hon Victor Edoror vacant. Edoror, who doubles as the Deputy Speaker of the 15 APC majority members led by Speaker Uyi Igbe was elected into the state assembly on the platform of the PDP but he later defected to

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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Edo PDP lawmakers declare deputy speaker’s seat vacant the ruling APC in February this year. The Acting Speaker of the nine PDP member assembly, Hon. Festus Ebea, during the plenary also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), to commence the process towards conducting fresh elections into Esan Central constituency, in order to fill the vacant seat within 90 days. Ebea said the action of the house was necessary because Edoror violated

relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution when he dumped the PDP platform under which he was elected into the house for the APC. The Majority Leader of the house, Hon Emma Okoduwa, said Edoror's defection was a negation of the constitution, which provides that the party must be in crisis and factionalised for a member to move to another political party. Okoduwa explained that the PDP in the lawmaker’s

constituency, Esan Central, and the national body are neither in crisis nor factionalized to warrant his leaving for another party as at the time he left. He said, “Edoror's exit from the PDP at a time the party was not in factions or in crisis as there has always been and there is still one recognized leadership at the National, Edo State and the Esan Central local government levels is most worrisome”. It would be recalled that

the APC legislators had last week Wednesday declared the seat of the PDP lawmaker representing Etsako West 1 constituency, Mr. Abdulrazak Momoh, vacant; insisting that the exercise did not follow due process. According to Speaker Uyi Igbe, who made the pronouncement during the plenary held at the old assembly complex in Benin, the state capital, Section 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 constitution as amended empowers the speaker to

declare the seat of a lawmaker vacant upon his or her defection to another party from the party he was elected. Besides, PDP lawmakers also called on security agencies to arrest any member of the Edo State Traffic Management. Agency, (EDSTMA) found harassing motorists on any federal roads, particularly, on BeninSapele, Benin-Ore, Benin -Agbor, Benin-Auchi, Benin bypass and others for violating traffic laws in the state.

FG names Sultan of Sokoto as 2014 Amirul Hajj Lateef Ibrahim and Temitope Ogunbanke Abuja

Abuja Bureau Chief, New Telegraph newspaper, Mr. Luis Achi (left), receiving a certificate on behalf of the Managing Director, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo, from Prof. Edmor Njoku, of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, at a ceremony in Abuja. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Committee chairman MOSOP berates Jonathan explains removal of Abia CJ Emmanuel Masha Justice,’ according to PyagIgbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

eader of the Abia Lsembly State House of Asand chairman of

the committee set up to investigate the alleged wrong jail delivery conducted by the Abia State Chief Judge, Justice Nnenna Otti recently, Hon Chidiebere Nwoke has explained that the purported removal of the Chief Judge by the House of Assembly was only a recommendation to the Governor. He said the House did not have the final say. The House of Assembly had last Friday after considering the report of its eight-man committee constituted to investigate the petition filed by those referred to as concerned citizens before the lawmakers alleging misconduct by the Chief Judge, voted for her removal from office. Nwoke, said yesterday when asked to clarify the matter, that his committee recommended the

removal of Justice Oti to the state governor for her alleged official misconduct. It was gathered that Oti failed to appear before the house investigating committee when summoned, which was an opportunity to state her own side of the matter and for fair hearing in the allegations raised by the petitioners but that the committee consequently had to recommend her removal from office because she refused to appear. Nwoke, who is a lawyer, explained that the house made the recommendation in accordance with the relevant Section 292 of the Constitution of Nigeria, saying the committee was aware that it lacked the power to remove the Chief Judge. He admitted that for the Chief Judge to be removed from office as recommended by the house, the state governor and the National Judicial Commission have to endorse it.

Port Harcourt

he Movement for the T(MOSOP) Survival of Ogoni People has accused Presi-

dent Goodluck Jonathan of aiding environmental terrorism in Ogoniland due to the failure of his government to implement the United Nations Environment programme (UNEP) report three years after it was released. MOSOP said that nothing was being done by the Federal GovernmentastheOgonicontinue to die as a result of the degradation of their communities by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), while the oil giant continues to dodgeits responsibility. MOSOP President, LegborsiPyagbara,whostatedthis yesterday at a seminar in Bori, Khana Local Government Area,RiversStatetomarkthree years after the UNEP Report was released, noted that while the Federal Government has raised billions to fight terror, and support its victims, the Ogoni had been neglected in face of deaths and misery. The seminar themed: Ogoni, UNEP Report and the ‘Search for Environmental

bara, was aimed at recovering the fragile ecosystem in Ogoniland and achieve sustainable development for the Ogoni people. He said that the Ogoni had decided to recognize and markAugust 4 each year as Ogoni Environment Day,addingthattheywouldsoonmarch toAbujatoprotesttheinjustice the Federal Government was metingouttothOgoni. Pyagbara said: “The ongoing environmental terrorism is being committed against the Ogoni people by a government with a slumbering conscience, a government which has demonstrated in all sense that it cares little about our survival as a people." “Today, no single recommendation in the UNEP Report has been implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria as required by the study. The attempts so far have been a diversion from the recommendations. ..Today, Shell continues to deceive the world with its so-called clean-up of rights of way. Yet, the assessment of the so-called clean-up remains its trade mark whitewash.

resident Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, as the Amirul Hajj and Leader of the Federal Government delegation to the 2014 Holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Twenty-one other members and a secretary have also been named as members of the delegation. The President's approval was contained in a press statement issued by Sam Nwaobasi, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation yesterday in Abuja. The statement reads, "His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has

approved the composition and appointment of members of the Federal Government delegation to the 2014 Hajj, with His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto as National Amirul Hajj and leader of the Federal Government delegation”. Other members of the delegation, according to the statement, are; Senator Bello Mohammed Tukur, Hon. Ismaila A. Gadaka, Hon. Justice Tajudeen Olukayode Ariwoola, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, Hon. Minister of State Two, Foreign Affairs, Mallam Muhammed Auwal Ibrahim, Emir of Suleja, Oba Aderemi Adedapo, Alayemore of Ido Osun, Alh. Adbullahi Gbade Akinbode, Grand Kadi Alkali Abubakar Shettima (Rtd.), Dr. Khadija Tukur, Hajia Aisha Kaita, Mr. Nuumanu Hannafi Bamalli, and Tahir U. Tahir.

14-year-old faces murder trial over forced marriage State court yester- ding party in the village of AderKano day postponed the mur- Unguwar Yansoro village, trial of a 14-year-old about 60 kilometres (40 girl accused of poisoning the 35-year-old man she was forced to marry by her family. According to the AFP, Wasila Tasi’u has also been charged with the murder of three other people, who allegedly ate the food she laced with rat poison that she prepared and served in April this year; a week after her marriage to her late husband, Umaru Sani. “Wasila was to appear today,” but the case has been postponed indefinitely because of a backlog caused by a judicial staff strike, said Salisu Yakubu, registrar at the High Court in Gezawa. Police say Tasi’u confessed to poisoning Sani and his guests at the wed-

miles) outside Kano. “She did it because she was forced by her parents to marry a man she did not love,” Kano State police Spokesman, Musa Magaji Majia told AFP. Her lawyer, Hussaina Aliyu, rejected claims that her client made a legally valid confession. She said Tasi’u was questioned by police without a parent or lawyer present and so any comments she may have made are inadmissable in court. Aliyu, who works with International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), had sought to have the case transferred to a juvenile court, a bid rejected by justice officials in Kano.

Osun 2014

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Monarch’s death: Kalu, Ashafa commiserate with Ikorodu people Muritala Ayinla minent businessman and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, and the lawmaker representing Lagos East senatorial district, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, yesterday commiserated with the Lagos State government and the people of Ikorodu over the death of the Ayangburen, Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, who died at the ripe age of 83. While Dr. Kalu extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the Ayangburen, who passed away at the weekend, Ashafa lauded the achievements of the first class monarch, in whose time Ikorodu witnessed sustained development. In a condolence message signed by his Special Advis-

er, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, Dr. Kalu, who described the monarch as a peace-loving personality, said his death was a big blow, not only to Lagos State, but to Nigeria in general. According to the statement, Kalu said: “The Ayanguren was an exemplary monarch whose tenure brought tremendous development to Ikorodu. “His reign will linger forever in the minds of his people, owing to his forthrightness and fairness on community and national issues. “He lived a peaceful life dedicated to God and mankind.” He called on the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that he lived an accomplished life worth

emulating. Ashafa, who condoled with Lagos residents, especially indigenes of Ikorodu over the demise of the monarch, said the monarch’s reign had strengthened the bond of unity among all traditional rulers in the state just as it brought rapid development to Ikorodu division. “Oba Oyefusi, the former vice-chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, was a great man of repute, whose impact and influence would be greatly felt by the people of Ikorodu division and Lagos State at large. On behalf of the good people of Lagos East senatorial district, I pray that the Almighty God will grant the Oyefusi family the fortitude that a time like this demands,” he said.

Group vows to resist imposition Akande's daughter Stories by Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

political group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Boluwaduro Democratic Vanguard, yesterday vowed to resist the imposition of the Commissioner for Health, who is the daughter of Chief Adebisi Akande, Mrs. Temitope Ilori, as the House of Representatives candidate in Boluwaduro/ Ila, Ifedayo federal constit-

uency. The group in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mr. Tunde Ogundeji, charged the leadership of the party not to scatter the structure that had been laid down in the name of wanting to favour an anointed candidate. “We have it on good authority that Chief Akande has commenced moves to anoint his daughter, Mrs. Temitope Ilori, as the House of Representatives candidate for Boluwa-

duro/Ila, Ifedayo federal constituency. “It will be dangerous for our dear leader and other stakeholders not to clear the air on this issue speedily, especially as the governorship election is around the corner. “For true lovers of democracy, our leaders should by now understand that imposition and anointing of candidates will only destroy the party and diminish our acceptability,” the statement said.

Delta PDP members protest injustice at party headquarters Onyekachi Eze

ABUJA

ign of what to expect Slitical when the ban on poactivities is lifted played out at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday, when some members of the party from Oshimili South Local Government of Delta State protested what they termed injustice in the party’s state affairs. Led by Hon. Ikechukwu

Chukwueta, the protesting members accused PDP national officers of refusing to act on the series of petitions from the local government chapter of the party. “We are here in respect of the various petitions we have written to the PDP national chairman; it is a petition of forgery, impersonation and unlawful exchange of executives’ list of Oshimili South Local Government of Delta State. We are here because

the Delta State chairman of our party, Peter Nwaoboshi and the Oshimili South Local Government Chairman, Ebielim Nmaduemezie, forged a list. “People went to the congress and they won and on the day of inauguration, they were chased out because of reasons best known to Nwaoboshi and the rest. These women are poor; one of them is a widow and they have been crying for justice, they are PDP members,” he said.

No excuse in leadership, Oshiomhole tells new perm sec Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

overnor Adams OshGyesterday iomhole of Edo State sworn in Mrs.

Priscilla Aziegbemi as a permanent secretary in the state civil service, saying a leader must factor in all possibilities and must not give excuses. Aziegbemi was one of the two women who were not sworn-in last week for

being late for their own inauguration. The other was Mrs. Rosaline Osaghae, who has also been sworn in. Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Oshiomhole said the new permanentsecretary’s appointment was based purely on merit. He said: “Looking at your record, you are one of the youngest persons that we have appointed as permanent secretary and God

helping you, you will serve long after my departure. “But I am satisfied that you will be able to bring to bear some fresh air into Edo core civil service and that you will deploy your energy and creativity to ensure that Edo people get value for money in all that we do, particularly the ones that will come under your watch," Oshiomhole added.

Kwara lawmakers deny plan to impeach Ahmed Biodun Oyeleye

Ilorin

in Kwara Ltheawmakers State yesterday cleared air on widespread in-

sinuation that they were planning to impeach Governor AbdulFattah Ahmed. Although, the source of the rumour was yet to be ascertained, Majority Leader in the House, Hon. AbdulKareem AbdulGaniyu, told Assembly

correspondents yesterday during a brief encounter that it was mere rumour with no proof. The Majority Leader said the clarification became necessary due to the news flying around that the House had concluded plans to remove the governor and that the lawmakers are also allegedly divided over the second term bid of the governor. Abdulkareem said the House is united and for-

midable, adding that most members were from the same party that is controlled by Senator Bukola Saraki. He wondered why such move would happen, when relationships between the governor and the leader were cordial. He described the alleged division among the lawmakers as mere speculation, which according to him, was the figment of the imagination of the enemies of the House.

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (middle), acknowledging cheers from the crowd, during a one-millionman march in Osogbo by the youths in support of his re-election …yesterday

CHRSJ wants credible election Osun State-based Athenhuman rights group, Centre for Human

Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) yesterday charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be fair and just in the conduct of the August 9 governorship election in the interest of Nigeria. The group, which made the appeal in a statement made available to news-

men in Osogbo, expressed optimism that the commission has the ability and capability to conduct a credible and violent-free election, charging it to be honest and transparent in the conduct of the exercise. In the statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman, the group also said that; “all the necessary mechanism put in place by the

electoral body should assist the commission to have a successful outing during the poll. “The electoral body should conduct the poll without fear or favour as Osun election would be part of the litmus test for INEC ahead of 2015 general elections and the group is making its positions known on the poll in the interest of fairness, justice and impartiality.”

Students differ in their support for governorship candidates tudents of tertiary inSunder stitutions in Osun State the auspices of the

National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) Osun State chapter yesterday differed in their endorsement of gubernatorial candidates for the August 9 election. As the Chairman of NANS, Samuel Awowole, passed a vote of confi-

dence on Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and endorsed him for a second term in office, other students, who dissociated themselves from the move under the aegis of the Coalition of the State Students’ Bodies in a statement signed by their leaders, pitched their tent with Omisore, maintaining that there wass no going back on

the issue. Awowole, while addressing his members in Osogbo said; “Aregbesola scored above every other contestant in the rating of the students and he deserves a second term. I will appeal to all students and their parents to support the governor in his desire to rule the state for a second term."

LP warns APC against deceitful politics governorship candiTthehedateAugust of Labour Party in 9 election in Osun State, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop deceiving people that the LP has endorsed Aregbesola for a second term, describing the act as undemocratic. Akinbade in a statement by his Director of

Media, Mr. Kayode Oladeji, frowned on the development he referred to as political fraud, warning those behind the claim to desist in the interest of the country. The party flag bearer said he was reacting to the issue on the heels of a “news item that the LP had allegedly endorsed Aregbesola

for a second term, as authored by one faceless Raji Adeyinka.” “We see this as jittery, those behind this are faceless and we challenge them to come out in the open. The LP is one big invisible party that will take over power from next Saturday, when the people shall elect me, Akinbade as their new governor."

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

APGA summons emergency meeting over mass defection Tony Okafor AWKA

the exodus of FAllollowing top members of the Progressives Grand

L-R: Former Attorney-General of Oyo State, Abdusalam Abdullah; Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market, Sen. Ayo Adeseun and Former Chairman, Ogo Oluwa Local Government, Chief Adekunle Onile, at a news conference by Adeseun to announce his defection to PDP in Ibadan…yesterday

Jonathan not funding campaign groups — Presidency Onyekachi Eze and Onwuka Nzeshi , ABUJA

pecial Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali has denied newspaper reports that the Presidency is financing the activities of various associations and groups agitating for President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidency. Alkali yesterday said those urging President Jonathan to contest were doing so because of their appreciation of his Transformation Agenda and are privately funded, noting that they are exercising their fundamental right of freedom of association and free speech. He said most of the

identified support groups voluntarily came under the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) for proper coordination and administrative convenience, since they all share common goal of mobilizing support for the laudable achievements of the Federal Government. “I want to reiterate that these groups are completely independent and self-financing and the Presidency does not in any way foot the bills for the activities of these groups. “They are voluntary, non-governmental organizations and every Nigerian is aware that these NGOs source their funds independent of government. He however, noted as

a law abiding citizen, the President cannot jump the gun by kicking off his campaign before the ban on political activities is lifted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “Mr. President has not even declared yet and campaigns cannot commence unless there is a formal declaration of intent to contest the 2015 presidential election. “Apart from being a law abiding citizen, President Jonathan is also a true and loyal member of the Peoples Democratic Party and the party has not yet brought out guidelines for the con-

Ogunleye, ex confab delegate, dies at 83 Lateef Ibrahim ABUJA

of the Country LG polls: Uduaghan cautions Founder Women Association of (COWAN) and aspirants against defection Nigeria delegate to the 2005 NaGabriel Choba UGHELLI

n preparation for the LoIries cal government primaof PDP coming up

weekend, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has seriously cautioned aspirants against defecting to another party if they do not emerge PDP candidate. The Governor who made this statement at a crucial meeting of the Delta Central stakeholders and leaders meeting held in his Warri residence yesterday also warned that there will be no mercy for defectors. He said: “This stakeholders and leaders meeting has become necessary because of our forthcoming local government elections which we are supposed to be holding the Primaries this weekend. And the meeting is to admonish all of us that we should continue to maintain the existing peace. “In terms of party activities, a lot of cam-

paigns and meetings are going on as to how we can arrive at credible candidates that will carry our party flag and win elections at the local government level as chairmen and councilors. If you look at the field now, it is only PDP that is eventually on the field in terms of selections of candidates and it is not possible for all of us to agree on the same thing but once the majority agrees, I believe that the minority should close up and let us see how we can carry our party flag to victory. “I’m aware there are people who are just waiting on the way saying that; ‘If we don’t get the ticket in PDP, we will go to another party to get it’. If you do that, I am sorry for you because you might get the ticket there but it will be difficult for you to win that election at the local government level. It is therefore advisable that you struggle within the party to get the PDP ticket”, he declared.

duct of its primaries and convention,” Prof. Alkali added. Alkali said the ruling party at the centre would ensure a "clean sweep" of the opposition stronghold and liberate the region during the 2015 general elections. Alkali said that given the way the electorate in the south-west have been supporting the PDP lately, it was obvious that the PDP had established a strong grassroots base in the zone. According to him, the South West zone needed to shake off the toga of opposition by returning to the centre by 2015.

tional Political Reforms Conference, in Abuja, Chief (Mrs.) Bisi Ogunleye is dead. Chief (Mrs) Ogunleye, who is fondly referred to as 'Mama COWAN' passed on at the weekend at the age of about 85 years. The deceased was a pioneer in the economic empowerment of women

in Nigeria. The late Ogunleye, a native of Idoani in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, founded COWAN, a grassroots organization that works to empower women through income-generating projects, in 1982 in Akure, the Ondo State capital. She founded COWAN as a response to the perceived marginalization of womenfolk and condition of abject poverty especially in the rural communities.

PMAN governor charges youths to shun cultism Gabriel Choba UGHELLI

elta State PMAN Governor, Comrade Quincy Tebite yesterday called on Nigerian youths to shun cultism and other forms of evil vices that can lead them to eternal destruction. The PMAN Governor, who made the call in a chat with newsmen at his Ughelli resident, also stressed the need for clergies to teach moral values through preaching the

gospel to members of their congregation. Tebite said the church can do more in transforming the society through her messages, adding that there was no family in the country that has no Christian affiliate. While commending the Delta State governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for the numerous projects executed in the State, he appealed to him to support and encourage PMAN in her

Alliance(APGA), in Anambra State, the Deputy State chairman of the party, Chief Ifeanyi Udokwu, yesterday told journalists that the party has decided to summon an emergency meeting to address the situation. Udokwu, who said the situation had given them sleepless nights, said the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh will likely cut off his overseas tour for this purpose. He said the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, had started the contacts with the seeming aggrieved defectors with a view to knowing their grievances. He said, “This is a shock to all of us. We are having sleepless nights over it. It has not happened to any party in this

form before. Therefore, we are looking for solution to it.” New Telegraph gathered that no fewer than five APGA members of the House of Representatives are currently looking for alternative platform to contest the 2015 poll. It was also gathered that 20 out of the 27 members of the House of Assembly may soon pull out from the party, for alternative platform. It was gathered that the executive council meeting of the Anambra State government yesterday was dominated by the issue of defection. A close source to a former governor of the state, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the exgovernor was devastated by the development. A source said the defecting lawmakers may face recall, apparently, as there is no division in the party that can occasion defection.

Group wants Obi’s ex-commissioner for senate Tony Okafor AWKA

non-gover nmental AGroup organization, Equity yesterday en-

dorsed a former commissioner in the Mr Peter Obi administration, Dubem Obaze for the Anambra North senatorial district race. At a press briefing in Awka yesterday, the group said that after a long search, it had become incontrovertible that the former commissioner was the best candidate for the job. The press statement reads in part; “As 2015 election draws near, we cannot stand aloof and be indifferent to the goings-on in our country’s political firmament and our state, Anambra. “We call on politicians to eschew rancour and play the game according

to the rules and without recourse to violence, mudslinging and bitterness. Our country cannot afford a situation where political anarchy will prevail when already we have got more than enough trouble from the security challenges bedevilling us. “The senatorial election is one of the elections which will hold next year. In consonance with our emphasis on the principle and practice of equity, we hereby call on well meaning persons and groups to rise to the occasion. We urge our brothers and sisters with impeccable character to step out and contest. “As a first step and to fire the first salvo, equity group hereby calls on Chief Hon Dubem Obaze to come out and become the next senator of Anambra North senatorial zone.”

UNIJOS partners Plateau to tackle potato disease Musa Pam JOS

he University of Jos TPlateau is partnering with Government to tackle potato blight disease that has destroyed over 1000 hectares of Irish potatoes farms in the State this farming season. Prof Hayward Mafuyai, Unijos Vice Chancellor said the collaboration became imperative in order to fight the scourge which its devastating effect has taken

a downturn on Plateau economy. Mafuyai stated yesterday in Jos while declaring open a one-day stakeholders’ forum on potato production on the Plateau: current challenges and prospect held at the institution. The VC who was represented by Director, Office of Research and Development (ORD), Prof. Pam Dung Sha said University of Jos is concerned because of the adverse effect it has brought on the people.

news

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

APC falls apart in Benue ...Ogbeh, Shaahu tackle Akume PETITION

There is war in Benue as former ministers gang up against exgovernor Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

s the crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Benue state continues unabated, former National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party now chairman, BOT of APC, Chief Audu Ogbe has petitioned the national secretariat of the party against its leader in the State, Sena-

46%

tor George Akume whom they accused of been responsible for its collapse in Benue. Also joined in the petition against the Minority Leader is the second republic Minister of Communications, Chief Isaac Shaahu and two others who viewed Akume's handling of the activities of the party as sliding into a liability. "Akume's actions since the merger have alienated so many party members that we fear he may be sliding into a liability for the APC. We have reasons to believe his actions may be a calculated strategy to decimate the APC for his personal gains. No one person is indispensable

The projected rise in the number of people living with diabetes in the Western Pacific by 2035. Source: Idp.com

in any circumstance", the petition read in part. In a petition titled, "Benue APC Crisis: Call for Urgent Intervention" addressed to the party's National Chairman, a copy released to New Telegraph in Makurdi, the party's Chairman, Board of Trustee, Chief Ogbe, Chairman Elders Forum (Benue), former Minister of Communications, Chief Isaac Shaahu, Gen. India Garba (rtd) and Chief Adoyi Ojogbane lamented what they termed "large scale desertion by our party members in Benue state". The petitioners expressed worry over the massive defection of its members to the ruling Peoples Democratic Par-

57.67%

The percentage drop of air travel passengers (international wing) of Kano airport (2012-2013). Source: National Bureau of Statistics

ty (PDP) and blamed the development on Senator Akume. Barely two months after the party conducted its ward, local government and state congresses, its strong members from the Benue North-East and Benue South senatorial districts including, Senator (Prof) David Iornem, former senate minority whip, Senator Daniel Saror, former House of Representative member representing Ukum/ Katsina Ala and Logo, Hon. David Mdzenda Iho, Hon. Godwin Okpoju, Hon. Raph Igbago, Chief John Ochoga and the party's Deputy Governorship candidate in 2011, Usman Abubakar have deserted the party.

42.41

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

Adamawa constitutes panel to probe Nyako Acting Governor of comprehensive assessTduheAdamawa State, Ahma- ment on governance in Umaru Fintiri, has ap- Adamawa from June, 2007 proved the constitution of seven-man judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the administration of impeached, Murtala Nyako, from June, 2007 to June 2014. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, This is contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Tukur Liman, in Yola yesterday. The statement stated that the panel was given four weeks to submit its findings. The statement read in part: ``The Acting Governor of Adamawa, Hon. Ahmadu, has approved the constitution of a Judicial Panel of Inquiry. "It is to undertake a

Ilorin NBA: Discordant tune over status of impeached chairman Biodun Oyeleye

Ilorin

here was confusion yesterday within the rank of lawyers in Ilorin, Kwara state, as two factions made different claims on the status of Mr. Mobolaji Ojibara, as chairman, Ilorin branch of the Nigeria Bar Association. While a group which two weeks ago filed a notice of impeachment against Ojibara claimed to have successfully removed him from office, at a congress held yesterday, Ojibara and those loyal to him addressed newsmen in the state capital to denounce the claim, alleging instead that everyone of those be-

hind the move have themselves been suspended from the association indefinitely. One of those allegedly suspended and former chairman of the branch Mr. Rafiu Balogun however said he was disturbed with what was going on in the association arguing that contrary to claims by the Ojibara group, Article 25 of the NBA Constitution clearly states that congresses cannot be held in August and December. Stern-looking security men had early yesterday moved into strategic positions around the Ilorin Bar Centre located within the premises of the State High Court where the impeachment proceeding was to

be heard. They frisked all those going inside the hall to participate in the exercise which was held amidst tensed atmosphere. Ojibara told newsmen that contrary to the claims by his opponents, the congress of the association passed a vote of confidence on him and recommended members of the immediate past executive council of the association led by Balogun who are believed to be behind the impeachment moves, for investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). Their ‘sins’ according to the resolution included alleged accounting fraud and for their respective roles in causing the branch

unprecedented financial embarrassment and loss in the guise of reconstruction of the Bar Centre of the branch and or for any other wrongs or offences that may be discovered that have been perpetrated by them. The resolution also agreed to forward their names to the disciplinary committee of the association over their alleged conduct in the impeachment saga. According to the resolution of the congress which was read at the press briefing, members also agreed to forward the names of the suspended members to the national secretariat of the association and security agencies for ‘notification, record and surveillance.’

to June, 2014. "The panel is made up seven members.” According to the statement, the terms and reference of the panel is to investigate financial accruals to the state from June, 2007 to June, 2014. Others include the investigation of disbursement and application of funds to ministries, boards, and agencies over the period of reference. The panel would also identify those involved in inappropriate financial disbursements and application. It further stated that the panel would investigate staff recruitment, deployment and administration of human resources.

Adeseun: Imade Ajimobi governor Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

Ayoade AdSOyoenator eseun, representing Central senatorial district in Oyo state, has said that Governor Abiola Ajimobi could not have been voted into office in the 2011 election if he (Adeseun) had not defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market said this yesterday in Ibadan while reacting to the recent comment by Ajimobi that he should not be taken seriously because he was jumping from one party to the other. He described the governor as being ungrateful for the disparaging comment made against him, saying that it was "the height of ingrati-

L-R: Corps Marshal/Chief Executive, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi; Rwanda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Habineza and Deputy Corps Marshal, Training, Adei Abu, during a visit of the high commissioner to the FRSC office in Abuja

tude on his part". Adeseun who recently returned to the PDP which he dumped in 2011 due to the internal wrangling in the party, has indicated his interest to contest the governorship in 2015. His words: "When Ajimobi won the election, I went to him and told him that we had done yeoman job. God has made us to make the impossible, possible. I said the seat you are sitting on, I am also interested in as a full-blooded, bonafide Oyo State indigene. However there can be only one governor at a time. "Our party picked you and I will give you 100 per cent support. I will defer my own governorship ambition until after you are done, provided that you govern with the fear of God. You should allow governance to be collective."

Igala ministers unite Dan Atori

MINNA

n international faith AIgala based organization, Ministers has said

investing huge sums of money as security votes without attention to the education sector in the country will not make desired impact in checking youth restiveness and general insecurity in Nigeria. International Coordinator for the group, Bishop Emmanuel Mac-Jones spoke to our Correspondent in Minna shortly after the maiden gathering of Igala Ministers International, geared towards bringing together sons and daughters of Igala

with a view of building a better Igala nation for greater tomorrow. "The purpose of the gathering (Koinonia) is to foster unity among all Igala sons and daughters for the purpose of not only protecting her integrity but to ward off satanic intruders working against oneness of not only the Igala nation but the entire Nigeria. “This koinonia is a call for oneness among our people wherever they may find themselves. We need unity to ward off intruders and to deliver our land from forces of darkness warring against the Igala nation in particular which has caused stagnation of the people.

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ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

We’ll end insurgency in 100 days, herbalist tells FG Onah Onah ONITSHA

27-year-old herbal practitioner based in Achallenged Anambra State, Nnamdi Nwawue, has the Federal Government to find

an effective means to end the Boko Haram insurgency or give him 100 days to stop it. Nwawue, who is popularly known as Eze Alusi Igbo, is the priest and principal consultant, Ayaya Shrine in Nnando Anambra East Local Government Area. He gave the assurance at a cultural forum in Onitsha, Onitsha North Local Government Area. Addressing journalists on the efficacy of traditional herbal medicine, the chief priest claimed that the Boko Haram insurgency was not a physical war but spiritual which could only be handled in the spiritual realm. He said that if the Federal Government was determined to end the insurgency, it should lay down arms and dialogue with Boko Haram sponsors. According to him, the problem is not with the suicide bombers but the sponsors. The Eze Alusi (king of the gods), however, warned that if urgent steps were not taken to end the insurgency, the 2015 election would be characterised by bloodshed never witnessed in country. On the National Conference, he said delegates did a marvellous job but expressed fear that if the country continued to witness terror attacks, it would be difficult to implement the recommendations made by the National Assembly or through referendum. He said: “I think they have done very well, touching most grey areas that had for some time been an impediment to the country’s social-economic and political growth, particularly in the area of national integration, reconciliation and reconstruction between different ethnic groupings in the country. “I will also not fail to commend the courage, dignity and integrity of the President and his cabinet members as well as the 36 state governors for making sure that the conference came to fruition.”

C&S Movement Church holds youths’ convention he Youth Fellowship of the Cherubim & SeraTDistrict, phim Movement Church (Ayo Ni O), Victory Ikorodu, Lagos, will hold a four-day

youths’ convention from August 7 to 10. The convention tagged: “Purpose Driven Youth,” will hold at the Victory District Headquarters at 50, Ajose Street, Isawo Road, Owotu, Agric, Ikorodu, Lagos. The convention with the theme: “Abiding in His Abundant Grace,” begins with registration and welcome service on August 7, while lecture and musical night come up the following day. On the third day, the convention will feature songs ministration, while it will end on August 10 with a thanks-giving service. Ministers at the convention include Pastor Mike Ajayi, Prophet Sam Adebayo, Pastor E. Omototemi, Lady Evangelist Yewande Oroibi, Lady Evangelist Itunu Segun Oseni, Pastor S. Shodipo and Pastor W. Adekanye.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2014

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

0802 393 8212

Seven killed, four injured in pirates’ attack SHOOT-OUT At least seven persons die in gun battle between pirates and private security officers in Ondo State Babatope Okeowo AKURE

even persons were killed while four others were wounded when suspected sea pirates attacked coastal communities in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The victims included seven members of a private security outfit operating in the coastal area of Ese-Odo Local Government who were either killed or injured during the attack. The men working with Gallery Security Services were shot dead while attempting to challenge the operation of the sea pirates. Three of the sea pirates were also killed by members of the outfit with two of their bodies recovered from the water, while one was still been searched for. It was learnt that the hoodlums, who came from Igbimo area of Edo State, were returning from the operation when they encountered men of the Gallery Security Services. However, after the operation, the people attempted to escape but sighted the men of the private security outfit at Bolowo junction and opened fire, killing four of the men and wounded others. The Head of the Gallery Security Services, Osaghale Aklugbemen, told journalists yesterday that the attackers escaped through Oroto-Ajapa Road.

Sulieman Abba, IG

According to him, the hoodlums, who invaded the community about 8 am on Sunday, were coming from the Ilaje end. He said men of the Gallery Security Services made several attempts to resist the bandits but were overpowered. Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Gallery Security Services, Chief Bibopere Ajube, said the robbers had been terrorising the coastal area in the last two years. He disclosed that his men arrested some of the hoodlums last year and handed them over to the police in EseOdo, saying that the activities of the group were yet to reduce despite intense monitoring in the area. In view of the development, however, Ajube solicited government’s urgent approval of access to ammunition

for the outfit to enable it to adequately fight crime. Items recovered from the people include two guns, 260 live ammunition, 10,000 Korean currency, 80 Euro, $24, N4,000, one Nokia mobile phone with SIM cards, one 75 horse power engine boat and one Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of the United Bank for Africa. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wole Ogodo, gave the name of Gallery Security Services officers killed to include Elemi Obilu, Alimi Zeblon, Idowu Ajaiba and Ofoetitan. He added that divers were employed to recover the bodies of the dead, saying that six of the bodies had so far been recovered, while one was still been searched for under the water. Ogodo, however, said investigation into the incident had commenced.

Jigawa: Rainstorm destroys 200 houses Dahiru Suleiman DUTSE

o fewer than 200 houses have been destroyed by rainstorm in Ringim, Hadejia and Taura local government areas of Jigawa State. The rainstorm, which followed a downpour that lasted for about 24 hours, destroyed over 40 houses in Taura Local Government alone. In Ringim over 150 houses were washed away by flood. One of the affected victims, Abdulrahman Isa, said they were still taking inventory of the damaged property. According to him, many people were evacuated to public buildings for temporary shelter. Meanwhile, Governor Sule Lamido has inaugurated a committee to

ascertain the extent of damage. The seven-man committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Ahmad Mahmud, has commissioners of Water Resources, Agriculture, Health, Environment, and Infrastructure as members. It is expected to make its findings known to the government as soon as possible. Members of the committee have visited all the three affected local governments. At the palace of the Emir of Hadejia, Mahmud assured that immediate action would be taken to tackle flooding in the state. Responding, the Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Abubakar Maje, asked the people to relocate from river planes, as well as stop dumping refuse on waterways.

Lamido

METRO

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Engineer, three others arrested for robbery Ayorinde Durojaiye

olicemen attached to the Isolo Division in Lagos have arrested four suspected armed robbers, who specialised in snatching Toyota Camry cars at gunpoint. The police team led by CSP Adamu Ibrahim caught up with the suspects while trying to escape in a Toyota Camry car they snatched at Gbagada Estate area of Lagos. Items recovered from the suspects include British made pistols, laptops and handsets belonging to the victim. One of the suspects, Samson Oyebanji of No 9, Afolabi Oyewale Street, Ejigbo, said that one Oche John Agbo who hails from Benue State and lives in Bariga area of Lagos State lured him to participate in the robbery operation which lead to their arrest. Oyebanji said Agbo approached him with two other members of the gang, Morgan Udama and Suleiman Abdullahi, both of 19, Ewenla Street, Bariga, that it was a quick job he wanted them to be part of. He added that after the job, they would be rewarded handsomely, but unknown to

them. The father of one, who lives with his aged mother, said he was an engineer with Flour Mills Nigeria Limited. In his confessional statement, Oyebanji said his take home pay as salary in a month was enough for him but he did not know what led him to participate in the robbery operation. He said: “I am a technical engineer with Flour Mills Nigeria Limited and my salary is N120,000 per month. I don’t know what pushed me to follow Oche (Agbo) in the robbery operation. In fact, I think it is the devil’s work.” The suspect said that on the fateful day, Agbo, who is the leader of the gang, lodged them at a nearby hotel to enable them to go for the operation. He explained that Agbo brought out a British Pistol and pointed it at the woman driving the car before they snatched it. Oyebanji and others have been transferred to the Lagos State Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, for further interrogation.

Lagos has overcome flooding, says commissioner Muritala Ayinla agos State Government said that Lall-year it would intensify and sustain its de-flooding programme to

avert flooding despite severe rains recorded in the last one month. The Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello, who disclosed this, said the de-flooding programme which consists of pre-rain, mid-rain and post-rain strategies, would be sustained to provide relief to Lagosians. Bello said the government had been able to achieve a flood-free rainy season through intensification of its mid-rain cleaning and maintenance programme which, according to him, has reduced the incidence of flooding unlike the incessant flooding being experienced in other states. He said that the government had kept faith with its de-flooding programme which had been sustained by the Governor Babatunde Fashola administration, adding that the floodcontrol strategies had continued to yield positive results. The commissioner stressed that the state no longer record disasters arising from massive flood during downpour. He noted that while it had rained persistently in the last one month, the state had not recorded massive flooding and destruction of property that used to accompany past rainy seasons. According to Bello, maintenance of primary channels, secondary and tertiary drains was carried out on 108 drains totalling 107,350.00m across the state. He said: “In Agege Local Government Area, seven rains of 4,438.00m were routinely maintained; three channels of 4,034m were maintained

Bello

in Ajeromi Ifelodun, while a total of 8,671m channels were maintained in Alimosho Local Government Area, among others. “As we are in the peak of the rainy season, Lagosians should cooperate with the state government by participating actively in cleaning of drainage channels in their immediate environment in order to allow for easy passage of storm water. “We call on the people of the state to complement the effort of the government by cleaning tertiary drains/ gutters in their frontages and neighbourhood regularly and not only on monthly environmental sanitation days, but on all days. “Similarly, Lagosians are advised to embrace the waste management policy of the government through the patronage of LAWMA/PSP operators for the disposal of their solid waste.”

NAPTIP empowers traffic victims Temitope Sobowale ational Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in persons and other ReNlated Matters (NAPTIP) has empow-

The suspects

Man hides guns inside bag of rice Sinmiloluwa Sokunbi en of the Lagos State SpeM cial Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, have arrested

a 29-year-old armed robbery suspect, Idowu Animashahun, for hiding guns inside a bag of rice. Animashahun, a onetime political tug to a popular politician in Isale Eko area of Lagos State, said after he was abandoned by the politician who paid him off with N2 million, life had become so difficult that he could not afford to eat three square meals a day. According to him, he decided to go into armed robbery to make ends meet. He said: “Three month after the popular politician paid me off, I became poor and confused, my living condition began to dete-

riorate and there was nowhere to go. That was why I joined the robbery gang in Isale Eko. Since I joined the gang, I have been living like a king and feeding myself very well.” The suspect also confessed that his political godfather bought guns and dangerous weapons for him and others during political rallies to attack their opponents. He added that the popular politician bought Ak47 rifles and other dangerous weapons from Cotonou and Ghana and advised them to buy bags of rice and hide the guns. This, according to him, makes it impossible for anyone, not even the police or the Customs, to detect the weapons. He added: “The only

regret I have is that my political godfather, now a member of one of the state Houses of Assembly, lives a wealthy life while I am here struggling to make ends meet. “If I have another opportunity to see the man I will kill him for making my life look miserable and confused. I have no home and my two wives have left me, living my children to stay with my grandmother in the village.” Animashahun also said that the only property he had was a mud house he built for his grandmother in the village. He also told the police that he had been to prison twice and served for three years before he was bailed out by a popular lawyer whom he paid N1 million.

ered four traffic victims. The NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Mr Joseph Famakin, said at the event held at the agency’s office in Lagos that the empowerment was to assist the victims to be independent economically. Two victims got fashion designing equipment while the others received equipment for catering. “The first step is to take the victims through the psychological counselling to help them pass through the trauma they might have had. Then they go for vocational training,” Famakin said. He said that about 233 convictions had been recorded from 2013 till date. The zonal commander added that each of them got at least two years jail terms. According to him, the agency is still prosecuting about 56 cases. One of those empowered expressed appreciation to NAPTIP for coming to her aid. “I came to Lagos through my friend because she said there is a work that someone introduced to her. She said that they will pay her N14,000 per month. The place is around Akute in Ogun State. When we got there, I noticed that the place looked like a hotel and not a beer parlour as she told me. After we got there, she slotted in an adult film and told us that was what

we were going to do for a living,” the Anambra State-based woman said. She told our correspondent that she agreed to do it simply because she did not have any money to take her back to her state. According to her, before they started, Jenifer (who was in charge of the hotel) asked them to shave the hair in every part of their bodies and she wrapped it inside a black cloth.

Some of the items

12 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Fayose to Fayemi: Recover from defeat shock PARADISE LOST Ekiti governor's volte-face sounds childish to his conqueror who won 16-0 Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

kiti State GovernorElect, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has advised the outgoing Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to quickly recover from the shock of his defeat in the June 21 governorship election and think about what life after office would be like. Fayose, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Monday through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu

Adelusi, said the earlier Fayemi faced the reality of his electoral loss, the better it would be for him. Fayose was reacting to comments made by Fayemi on a local radio station in Ado-Ekiti that he and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had found out how Fayose's party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rigged the poll in connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Fayemi had during the programme justified why his party went to the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the results of the election after he had conceded defeat to Fayose a day after the election. The governor-elect also told Fayemi to stop giving false hope to members of

his political party, but instead chart a new course on what to do after vacating office in October this year. He added that the outgoing governor was still living in fool’s paradise, urging him to free himself from the shock of defeat and face the reality on ground. Fayose opined that since Fayemi's party had gone to challenge the election results at the tribunal, Fayemi ought to wait

10,149

for the outcome of their petition. He said the last Ekiti election was a straight fight between Ekiti people and Fayemi, explaining that the APC had ruled the people with deceit for long. "Frankly speaking, it was Ekiti people who demonstrated their outright rejection of APC and the Fayemi administration through the 16-0 defeat," adding no local government, not even Fayemi's local govern-

The number of air travel passengers of Akure airport in 2013. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

ment, wished him to continue in office. "The incoming PDP government will expose the hypocrisy of the Fayemi administation and through that, Nigerians will know that APC is not a party to be tolerated," he said. Fayose added that Fayemi did not mean well for the incoming administration, asking, "Even as the outgoing governor has less than three months to go, why

0.2

The average number of expulsions (red cards) per match at Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

did he have to create new local councils; why did he embark on mass recruitment of people into the state civil service and backdating appointments to 2013, why arbitrary award of contracts? "All these actions taken would definitely be reversed because they are not known to law. Ekiti who voted for the return of Fayose have the belief that he would meet their needs," the governor-elect said.

10,255

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

Kwara APC calls for security over destruction of billboard Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

he All Progressives TKwara Congress (APC) in State yesterday

sought the help of security agencies to bring to book persons it alleged are members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the alleged destruction of APC boards erected at some strategic locations in Ilorin, the state capital. APC Chairman, Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani, who addressed newsmen on the development at the new secretariat of the party, said the matter had been brought to the notice of the State Security Service (SSS) while arrangement had been made to officially write the state police command on the issue.

He expressed concerns that if left unchecked, the issue could become a source of violent conflict in the state. Some of the areas listed by the APC chairman as affected by the damage included General Hospital area, the Queens School area, Garin-Alimi roundabout and Offa garage area; all in Ilorin metropolis. But Spokesperson of the PDP in the state, Chief Rex Olawoye, dismissed the allegation by the ruling party, arguing it has become a pastime of the APC to make such allegations. “That is what they have always been saying. They are not yet aware that they are becoming unpopular even among their members”, he said in a telephone chat with newsmen.

Amosun harps on education Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

overnor Ibikunle AmoGstressed sun of Ogun State has the need for the

three tiers of government and other stakeholders to invest heavily in the education sector in order to enhance Nigeria’s socio-economic development. He spoke in Abeokuta during the third quadrennial delegate congress of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools of Nigeria (ASUSS), with the theme: “Capacity building for socio-economic and human development of Nigerians under a technological dispensation.” The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technolog y, Se gun

Odubela, noted that the country’s developmental drive would remain a pipe-dream if education was neglected. He said, “The development of any nation depends largely on strong education foundation with the acceptability of technological innovation. The World Bank said for an economy to grow rapidly, you need three fundamental factors which are natural factor, physical capital and human capital. The third capital, which is human capital, contributes about 84 percent to the development of any economy." “No country can make any meaningful development without developing the knowledge and skills and capability of its citizens to manage the available resources.

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole (left), exchanging pleasantries with Prof. Thomas Omon Oleabhiele, after being sworn-in as Chairman, Traditional Medicine Board in Edo State…yesterday

Babatope Okeowo AKURE

ormer Special Assistants to Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State and not less than 50 executive members of All Progressives Party (PDP) yesterday dumped their parties for the rival Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). The former appointees included immediate past Chairman of Ondo West Local Government Area, Mr Aro Benard and Special Assistants, who were attached to various offices by Governor Mimiko in his first term. The Special Assistants were led by Messrs Adewale Williams and Fred Ojo, while the APC team was led by the leader of the party in the local gov-

Mimiko's aides defect to PDP ernment, Mr Valentine Ikusika. Speaking at a rally in Ondo, in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state, Williams said he led his supporters out of the ruling Labour Party(LP) because the party and government have become personal properties of the governor. According to him, the government is not living up to expectations of the people since it was voted into office for the second term. Both Williams and Ojo said good governance was lacking in the state as many of the projects embarked upon were cosmetic in nature. Williams said: "LP does

not reward loyalty, hard work and commitment. There is no dividends of democracy as there is no water, road and human development." Ikusika, who said he led over 2, 000 members of APC to PDP hinged his decision on the alleged undemocratic practices in his former party. He said some of those who left the APC with him were leaders of their political wards in the local government. According to him, the party is not ready to win any election in the state as the leadership of the party was always interested in sharing funds for elections and later disappear after each election.

Receiving the new entrants into the party, the Chairman of the PDP in the state, Mr Ebenezer Alabi, said they should not see themselves as new comers into the party as there is no founder and joiner in the party. Alabi said the reward for hard work in the party is success at the polls as the party would not leave any stone unturned in order to ensure that the party wins the next round of elections in the state. Similarly, the governorship candidate of the party in the state, Chief Olusola Oke, said the development in the state point to the fact that the party would win the next election in the state.

Ondo blames delayed road projects on rain Babatope Okeowo AKURE

ndo State government Orainy yesterday blamed the season for the delay in the completion of the on-going road projects in the state. The Commissioner for Works, Gboye Adegbenro, said the government would however seize the

incoming August break to fast track the projects and flag-off new others. He said no meaningful construction work could take place during rainy season, hence the need to slow down some of the road construction. He denied the insinuation that paucity of fund from the federal allocation delayed the com-

pletion of the projects, saying the contractors would soon swing into action once the rain subsides. Also, he said the government has not abandoned any of the projects it inherited from its predecessor as it was working to ensure their speedy completion. Adegbenro said some

of the projects inherited from the immediate past government of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu, including the Akure Township stadium and reticulation of Owena dam were being redesigned. The Commissioner said the Owena dam was a partnership between the Federal Government and the state.

Buhari: Playing politics with insecurity / PAGE 14 | Tony Anenih: Epitome of loyalty and patriotism / PAGE 18

POLITICS

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Fashola could’ve done better under PDP –Doherty

p-16, 17

TUESday, AUGUST 5, 2014

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State, ADEOLU ADEYEMO x-rays the factors that would determine the chances of the two leading political parties at the poll

Osun election: Where will the pendulum swing?

or the past few months, the three major candidates in Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State; Governor Rauf Aregbesola (All Progressives Congress, APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) and Alhaji Fatai Akinbade (Labour Party) have traversed the nooks and crannies of the state, canvassing for votes. They have been marketing themselves, giving evidence why they should be elected to govern the state. During the campaign, truth struggled with propaganda just as myths battled reality. Names were called and campaign promises were everywhere, even traditional rulers were almost cut in between, as royal blessings were taken for endorsement. From all indications, the battle for the state is going to be a feisty one between PDP and APC. To the former, it is an opportunity to reassert its return to winning ways in the South-West, while to the latter, it’s time to prove that the victory obtained at the Court of Appeal in 2010 was not a fluke. To the APC which recorded the highest number of votes for the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2011 presidential election, the Saturday election is an avenue to make a point. The fight is even more contentious after the fatal injury the party recorded in the last Ekiti State governorship election where it lost woefully to the PDP. Observers have also noted that Osun State is not only historically significant in the South-West but also a vibrant one politically. It is a state every party wants to win at all cost. The pedigree of the two major candidates, presence of the various political heavy weights and a teeming population of enlightened and well-informed voters concertedly make it difficult to swing the pendulum in a particular direction. But below are the factors that will determine where the poll goes on August 9. Performance and antecedent Aregbesola’s manner of

Aregbesola

Omisore

ascending to the office is one thing that is hunting him. To some people especially the PDP, Aregbesola never won an election, rather he benefitted from a judicial pronouncement. Therefore, this election is going to be a test of his popularity. Nonetheless, since inception in office, the current administration is lauded for solidifying its footing with road construction, new educational policies, remarkable industrialisation, economic emancipation and health delivery programmes. Speaking on these achievements recently, Founder of Living Faith Church aka Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo,

said the infrastructural renewal policy of Aregbesola is affecting the people positively. He also declared that the new educational policy, which had culminated in the building of mega schools in the state, deserved global applause. ***Oyedepo said: “I deeply appreciate the infrastructural development. Besides, the educational revolution is for us a great achievement. I can see the massive road construction going on. This is to the benefit of the people. No policy can remove the roads. I am very impressed.” Some people have not been able to come to terms with con-

troversial policies like merger of schools, urban renewal, same uniform for all schools and the introduction of Opon Imo (tablet of knowledge) are certain things people believe as too foreign. A school of thought submitted that Nigerians are not ready for such policies and that, if at all, it would be introduced, it has to be gradual. The merger led to violence while the urban renewal policy which led to the demolition of many houses is believed to have driven many people into poverty. Aregbesola’s people, however, said that those whose houses and shops were demolished have since

CROSSFIRE He (Buruji Kashamu) has never contested election..... Our people keep telling us, ‘OGD this job will be a lot easier if you can combine with PDP’ and if anybody said something totally different from that, I will put it to inexperience -Gbenga Daniel

It is laughable that a renowned political prostitute like Daniel can refer to someone, who has defeated him several times as inexperienced and over-confident. What Daniel probably presumes to be his experience is how he uses party platform to negotiate -Buruji Kashamu

been relocated and compensated heavily. The Opon Imo introduced to schools was acclaimed to be fantastic in some quarters. It enables students carry out research easily, thereby promoting education and intellectual development. But it was alleged that the money spent on it was too much on the tax payers and that due process was never followed in the alleged award of the contract to Governor Aregbesola’s son who executed the programme. On his part, Omisore has made a lot of impact while serving as a deputy governor and even during his tenure in the Senate. Omisore among other things ensured that the dualisation of Mayfair-Lagere-EnuwaMoore-Opa-Osu-Ilesa bye pass became a reality. He saw to it that the Ife City Hall underwent full electrification and plumbing. He was also responsible for the rehabilitation of Ife-Ibadan road. In the area of education, Senator Omisore facilitated the construction of ultra-modern N33million library/computer centres through senatorial Millennium Development Goal Projects at both Ajebamidele and Ile-Ife. In addition, he also facilitated the N4 billion, Nigerian Integrated Power Project sited at Ilesha road and also provided 3000 solar street lightings to the 10 Local Governments of Ife/Ilesha Senatorial District of Osun State. Incumbency against federal might Given the fact that Areghesola remains the incumbent governor of the state, some observers believe that he has many things going for him in terms of project execution. Also noteworthy is the fact that Osun is the homestead of the immediate past APC chairman, Chief Bisi Akande. For these reasons, it is expected that they will fight by all means to ensure they retain the state. While Aregbesola may leverage on the power of incumbency, some are of the opinion that the likes of the Minister of Police Affairs, the junior Minister in the Defence Ministry along with some notable appointees of the Federal Government and leading politicians in the state CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Buhari: Playing politics with insecurity The political dimension the assassination attempt on the former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) is taking is heating up the polity and threatening the peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections. ONYEKACHI EZE reports

Strange enough, both Gen. Buhari and President Jonathan took positions different from what were advanced by their perceived supporters

n other climes, the July 23rd assassination attempt on the former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) by suspected members of the outlawed Islamic group, Boko Harm in Kaduna, would have provided opportunity for politicians to unite in the fight against insecurity. But not in Nigeria; rather, the attack, which came few hours after an Islamic cleric, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, also narrowly escaped death in a bomb attack in the same ancient town, was an avenue for the politicisation of the nation’s security challenge. Barely two days after the attack, governors on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in a statement, accused the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the presidency of masterminding the attack. According to the governors in a statement “the double bomb explosions in Kaduna, the loss of innocent lives and what was clearly an attempt to assassination former Head of State and leader of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari” were not coincidences. It was their belief that the bomb attack, which occurred two days after Buhari urged President Goodluck Jonathan to stop waging war against Nigerians but devote more time to the war on terrorism, was aimed at silencing him. Following the removal from office of former Adamawa State governor, Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd) and the impeachment notice served on his Nasarawa State counterpart, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the former Head of State, had in a statement accused President Jonathan and the ruling party of orchestrating the impeachment, describing it as war against the people. Nyako and Al-Makura are members of Buhari’s APC. It is this attack the APC governors believed, did not go down well with the presidency, hence the plot to assassinate him through bomb blast. The race for the 2015 is no doubt behind this accusation and counter-accusation between the two leading parties. Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola said PDP was threatened by the personality of Gen. Buhari, who is believed will emerge APC’s presidential candi-

Buhari

date in next year’s presidential election. Said Aregbesola: “PDP is being threatened by the personality of Buhari in politics and that is why they wanted to kill him.... The explosion is not from Boko Haram and not from Muslims and Christians but from the powers that be and the APC will do its best to resist this”. Former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki who is now a chieftain of APC, called for thorough investigation so as to establish whether the assassination attempt was an “happenstance, or if it is connected to his recent statements that condemn the blatant impunity exhibited by this present administration”. Alhaji Dokubo-Asari, leader of the Niger Delta People Volunteer Force (NDPVF), however, added a new dimension to the attack. The former President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) alleged that the former Head of State staged managed his own assassination attempt. According to him, “looking at it logically, there was no assassination attempt. It was a well-managed stunt”. The militant leader also faulted the explanation given by Gen. Buhari on how he was attacked. “He said he was pursued (by the attackers) for over two kilometers until they got to the market. He said because of the market, his convoy slowed down and the intruding vehicle detonated the bomb. Buhari did not tell us that all the cars in his convoy were all armoured vehicles. “I have two armoured vehicles and I know the extent to which they can withstand bomb blast. All the cars on his convoy were not destroyed. All the people on his convoy only survived with some minor scratches. Yet, we were told that it happened just 200 meters away from his convoy”, he added. Asari Dokubo was not only angered

by the attack theory but also the reaction of the former Head of State after the attack, which he believed, was political grandstanding. As a retired Army general, he expected Buhari to; first, assist in evacuating people from the scene of the blast so as not to destroy likely evidence during investigation. “Instead, Buhari stepped down from the vehicle, with a huge crowd, and he addressed them.... By coming in, they contaminated evidence that would have been used (during investigation),” the former Niger Delta militant leader argued. He noted that two weeks before the blast, Buhari said his life was in danger, adding that by so doing, he had already set in motion the belief that he was to be killed. The attack was getting messier by the day. An online publication alleged that a suspect who was arrested in connection with the blast, claimed that Dokubo gave them N5 million to carry out the attack on the former Head of State. The suspect, Mansir Yusuf who was dressed as a woman at the time of his arrest, alleged that the ex-Niger Delta militant gave him and four other members of the gang, N1 million each to assassinate Buhari. Asari has however, denied the allegation, and said it was a plot to tarnish his image. Also, Aladiokuma Hart, one of his associates, said the allegation was a plot to keep Asari out of 2015 general elections. “Your plot to keep Dokubo-Asari out of 2015 will not work. You tried it in the Republic of Benin, where our leader was going about his normal business and you never succeeded...” Hart seemed to be telling Buhari. He warned that “with all these happenings, scams and blackmails...if anything happens to the President (Jonathan) or our leader, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari or any Niger Delta son, the reprisal action will turn dark clouds in Nigeria”. The dangerous dimension the assassination attempt is taking is worrisome to concerned Nigerians especially as the country is about to go into general elections. It is even more worrisome because it is a security issue that is being trivialized. About 80 lives were lost in the blast, but yet, nobody is thinking about the trauma and pains the bereaved families

Asari-Dokubo

are going through or how to arrest the four other suspects still at large. And again, scores of others are in hospitals as a result of injuries sustained during the blast. Those who engaged in the blame game have not deemed it necessary to visit and console them and share in their pains. Strange enough, both Gen. Buhari and President Jonathan took positions different from what were advanced by their perceived supporters. Buhari was quoted to have told Sahara Television: “I am not bothered by them (Boko Haram) targeting me. The government has given me adequate protection.” The Federal Government was said to have beefed up security around the former Head of State four months before the assassination attempt. Former military governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd), wondered how a government that is being accused of attempting to assassinate Buhari provides him with additional security. “It would have been most strange indeed for a government planning to assassinate this very popular Northern icon to retain as its National Security Advisor, Colonel M.S.Dasuki, son of the Sultan of Sokoto and his brother-in-law, General Aliyu Gusau as its Minister of Defence, or even its Inspector General of Police, M.D. Abubakar from Zamfara State,” Umar added. On his part, President Jonathan believes that the death of Buhari this time, would throw the country into turmoil because he has huge supporters. Why then would the Federal Government want to assassinate the former Head of State if it knows the consequence? This should be a food for thought for APC governors and others who accuse the presidency of the attack.

Osun election: Where will the pendulum swing?

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

would equally want to ensure the victory of the party and Omisore at the poll. They believe that the mobilisation and reconciliation committee of the PDP, under the leadership of Kasamu Buruji has been working and security men will work to ensure every vote counts on August 9. The leadership of the party in the state along with such party leaders like the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode still pulls a lot of followership. Civil servants factor One issue which will hunt Aregbesola is that some civil servants are said to be aggrieved with their poor welfare

under Aregbesola. During former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s era, they claimed their salaries were meaningful and the current government is noted to be anti-workers. It is claimed promotion and salary adjustment are rather too stagnant. Taxation on civil servants is said to be on the high side and lots of them have complained bitterly. The state government has said, however, that it pays better salaries than its counterparts in other states, and that its civil servants enjoy more incentives. Also, it is believed that Osun Council of Elders/Rulers (Traditional Rulers), have been neglected since 2010. Traditional council of Obas meetings formal-

ly held regularly no longer holds. The governor is accused of selective treatment and dealings with traditional rulers. In fact, they claim he relates with only those who are his friends. Fear of violence As the election draws near, the fear of violence in Osun is one source of apprehension, because today, because even security agencies are worried about reports that illegal arms and ammunitions are being moved into the state. Some notorious thugs are on the prowl on the streets, with the capability of repeating the 2001 incidents, when Chief Bola Ige and Hon Olagbaju were murdered.

The political leaders have since been trading accusations about who are the sponsors of these boys, as both APC and PDP are accusing each other. And the utterances of the gladiators have left much to be desired. Not too long ago, Police Affairs Minister, Jelili Adesiyan threatened to beat up former governor of the state, Isiaka Adeleke, and send him to the cleaners. While the battle lines have been between the PDP and the APC, the gladiators more than even before, have oiled their ‘guns,’ ready to make a statement about who really controls Osun State. But the electorate holds the ace, and by this time next week, only one party will be all smiles.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

16 POLITICS At present many people believe that the incumbent Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has performed, as someone who is planning to step into his shoe, how would you assess Fashola’s administration? Fashola is a good man that could do better but he is in the wrong party. If he was in PDP, I am sure he will do better than what he has done. Why? The reason is that Lagos State has been used by his party to accomplish their desires of clinching the remaining states in South-West. Everybody knows that; it is not a hidden thing. Aregbesola made his money in Lagos to go and contest in Osun. Fayemi got money from Lagos State to contest in Ekiti and Amosun used the money from Lagos to contest in Ogun and right now Lagos is bleeding. So, definitely, we know about all the ramblings that went on in the background of this happening. And if this had happened, definitely, the governor of Lagos State stood as a bridge towards the accomplishment of all these feats in the South-West. As such, his mission and vision had been truncated by the project of the party. The tide seems to be turning in the South-West, now Ekiti is in the hands of the PDP and the mood of the people suggest that they really need a change. What differences that you think PDP would make, if they come to power? I gave an example to somebody few days ago on the issue of okadas. What we need to do is to organise the okada riders. We have okada riders in India, China, Malaysia, so what is the difference of it being in Nigeria, it is because it is not well organised. The introduction of anokada into a society is a social necessity that comes out of change, population, area and movement. They are basic needs of human beings and once this need is not satisfied by the government, the people create their own ideas out of the wants and the needs that are boiling in them. That is how China was built. So the introduction of okada will come back once Adedeji Doherty is governor of this state, but with a difference; organised, more robust and more attractive. But they will serve the people the way they are supposed to. The unique part of Adedeji Doherty’s candidature is that I have been to various countries in the world; I have lived in different countries of the world. At the same time, I have lived in the North, East, South and South-West of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I have lived in the rural dwellings, not urban, so, I have a sense of the feelings of the people. I might not be able to feel the pinch of what an average man feel in Nigeria, but I can feel the purse of a common man in this country and that is what makes me unique. Apart from that, I have also taken part in building human capital. I have industries, businesses, I am an employer of people, I create wealth and I can also project and go into areas and seek for opportunities for the state. You showed interest in Lagos State governorship in 2007 but you didn’t get your party’s ticket; why are you in the race again and do you see yourself achieving your ambition this time? In 2003 to 2007, I campaigned heavily and I believe that a lot of people know that my campaign was one of the best campaigns in the state. Apart from that, it was the campaign that really brought the PDP into the limelight in terms of campaigning. I did not come out in 2011 because I was not ready because I believe it is something that you have to be ready for in terms of your mind, soul and in everything; your family also has to be ready. In 2015, I’ll come out again because I

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Fashola could’ve done better under PDP –Doherty Engr. Adedeji Doherty, a businessman of repute and astute politician is a former Acting National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 2015 PDP gubernatorial aspirant in Lagos State. In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, he speaks of his aspiration to govern Lagos State, expressing confidence that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will lose the state to PDP in 2015. He also speaks on other national issues

Doherty

believe that we have monitored and we have worked and psychologically, spiritually, ideologically we are ready and the electorate are also ready for change. Most of all, Fashola has not completed the job he wanted to complete and I don’t see anyone in APC that has the vision that Fashola has. I believe that I could do better than Fashola under the circumstances Ahead of the 2015 elections, if the feelers from different quarters are anything

Aregbesola made his money in Lagos to go and contest in Osun. Fayemi got money from Lagos State to contest in Ekiti and Amosun used the money from Lagos to contest in Ogun and right now Lagos is bleeding

don’t need to wait till February, APC has lost the state and they know it. to go by, religion and ethnicity may be yardsticks during the election. What is your take on this? That is a change. Who has caused that? It is APC. When you start picking people on the street from the East, North throwing them into trailers, carrying them from one state to the other, they are going to rise against you and that is why journalists have to look at what is happening. Because if APC lose and they are going to lose in Lagos State, they are going to say maybe we rigged the election. They are going to say President Jonathan militarised the whole place whereas they know that all their policies have been anti-people. They know that their policies have been against the people. They know that they don’t believe in people’s vote. They know that they are going to rig the election any way and that is why they have anti-people policies. So, if military comes in to create quietness, sanity and to suppress the use of thuggery on an Election Day, they are going to shout that it was militarised, whereas if we vote today; we

What gave you that confidence? The confidence is sure. The market people are not happy. They brought Bola Tinubu’s child to be the Iyaloja-General. Vulcanizes and other artisans are not happy because local governments are heavily taxing them. The okada riders are not happy; they collected money from them, and then sent them packing. The tricycle people are not happy. The teachers are not happy. The students are not happy. The civil servants are not happy because they have not been given gratuity and extra payments. The time is up for APC. Considering the allegation that Mr. Ayo Fayose won Ekiti State governorship election base on ‘stomach infrastructures,’ don’t you see Lagosians retaining the status-quo if the APC gave them ‘stomach infrastructures’? That is not going to happen this time around. They are still going to collect the stomach infrastructure and still vote rightly because they have all seen what stomach infrastructure has done to them. They have experienced

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

‘Religion, ethnicity should not determine succession’ it for long, so it would not work this time around. But stomach infrastructure worked in Ekiti I don’t think it was stomach infrastructure that worked in Ekiti; it is the love for Ayo Fayose and the love for Peoples Democratic Party that worked in Ekiti. They saw the difference between a-Ayo Fayose-led government and a-Kayode Fayemi-led government. They looked at the two people; Fayose connected with them, Fayemi did not. It is simple. Fayemi sacked teachers and said they should go and rewrite examinations. Teachers, education and literacy are the bedrock of Ekiti State. So, once you go against the teachers, you have gone against the state. How do you view the agitation that the next Lagos State governor should be zoned to Lagos East Senatorial District? PDP does not zone governorship, so I am not really concerned whether the governorship ticket has been zoned to anywhere. I don’t know who is zoning it. What about agitations that Fashola’s successor should be a Christian? I am a Christian but I have read the English Quran back to back. I don’t think it is all about religion. I think it is a situation whereby the Christians feel that they would want a Christian governor, and which is quite valid. But the Christians have to get up and vote for a Christian governor. Muslim brothers would get up and vote for a Muslim governor. So, I think this time around, people like us coming up as Christians; we call on both Christians and Muslims to vote for us. There is not going to be any difference of preference or anything like giving to the Christian community anything that would not be extended to the Muslim community.

ing Doherty on the PDP members in Lagos State. People are going to laugh because there are not many people that have the same record as Doherty in the party today in terms of commitment, delivery, progressively standing by the party, uplifting the party and propagating the party. These are things that you have to look at. So you believe that there is nothing wrong in the party’s leadership mobilising support for a particular aspirant ahead of others? Many people need to understand that when you are going for an election you are looking for support from everybody and you cannot get 100 per cent. There are some people that are going to be against you, and there are some that are going to be for you. You only pray that those that are for you are more than those that are against you. Some people believe that technocrats do perform better in public offices than politicians. As a successful businessman, how do you intend to use your experience in the private sector to transform Lagos? I come from the private sector and I have been in business for over 30 years. I have gone through different murky water of business in Nigeria. I have had a company that owed close to N1.8billion about 12-15 years ago and I have been able to walk that company out of that debt profile into a profitable company today. So, definitely if I can do that, why can’t I do that for my state? We have a 10-point agenda that we are going to do. They are woman and youth em-

One of the allegations against APC governments is that some of the governors’ policies are anti-people, anti-democratic.... Democracy is simple. It is government of the people for the people and by the people, and once you flout the initial stage for the people by the people, you are bound to fail. You might not fail today or tomorrow but you are bound to fail because the people are going to rise against you. In a party where you impose candidates, the people cannot aspire. I am aspiring in PDP because I know imposition is not going to work and it is not going to happen in PDP. And that is why people like us can get up and boldly raise our hands and heads high that we want to contest for the governor of a state. But many people are of the view that Ayo Fayose and Iyiola Omisore were imposed as PDP candidates considering the outcome of the PDP primaries Imposed by whom? When you say someone is imposed, it is somebody who is sitting, waiting and does not know anything about politics and does not take part in politics; someone you have not heard his name before and has not done anything for the party. That is the kind of person you can say has been imposed. But the track records of Fayose and Omisore easily speak for themselves. People know everything that Fayose and Omisore have been doing for the party and for their states. It was only for a brief time that Fayose went to ACN and when he went there, we felt it in PDP and when he came back, we got it back. So, you don’t impose someone that is popular. It is just like saying that you are impos-

Doherty

There is not going to be any difference of preference or anything like giving to the Christian community anything that would not be extended to the Muslim community

powerment, revamping of the power sector and infrastructural development, revisitation of the taxation law, creation of treasury ministry and that of the non-indigene service commission, revamping of the health sector, revamping of free education in tertiary institutions and quality and affordable education all over. We have also included welfare of teachers. We also have the issue of transport; not only transport on road, we have transport on water and rail. These are visions that we have for the PDP’s administration of Lagos State and by the grace of God, we are going to do that. We also have inside the issue of infrastructural development, a commission for the people living with disability, whereby buses for people living with disability are going to come on board. We are going to have walkways for the people living with disability and we are going to have different things for them. These are some of the areas where we intend to touch the lives of people of Lagos State. How do you feel about the state of the

nation? I can tell you that where we are today compared to where we were in 1998/99 is a far cry. We have done quite a lot even though there is still a lot that has not been done. Thirty-five years of military rule is like 100 years of bad democratic rule and I believe that as Federal Government has been moving from strength to strength, however you must understand that we have 240 ethnic groups in the country. And I believe that from the National Conference, you will see that Nigeria has definitely matured politically. Now, we are more tolerant, we can talk freely, we can ask questions, we can think better, we can come together to agree and disagree. And I believe that this in itself has created progress. Even that is the singular thing PDP has done, a new Nigeria is about to be born and we should allow President Goodluck Jonathan complete his second term so that this will be crystallised. Fayose’s emergence as Ekiti State governor elect seems to have changed the political calculation in South-West and renewed the battle for South-West between PDP and APC... I am very happy that during our time, Chief Ishola Filani is the present National Vice Chairman (SouthWest). Before him, it was Segun Oni. I believe that they had all brought a wind of change to the PDP in the South-West and I believe and I pray that it will go down in history that during our time, changes were brought to the South-West politically, socially and economically. Do you see PDP winning the August 9 Osun State governorship election? Osun State is gone. I believe that the man in Osun, Aregbesola has disappointed the people; he has tried his best but his best has not been good enough for the grassroots. The problem is that the new governors in Oyo, Ogun and Osun, including Ekiti, all believe that whatever the man in Lagos does, they can do it and get away with it. But they have forgotten that the people in those states have a different ideology all together and they got a situation whereby people revolt against them and rejected them. Recently a group came out to attack the Minister of State for Defense, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, don’t you think this may create confusion in Lagos PDP considering Obanikoro’s influence in the party? I am not aware of any group or statement by group of persons. What I know is that Senator Musliu Obanikoro is a bonfire member of the PDP, and apart from that he is also a sitting minister in the administration of President Jonathan. As at today, Senator Obanikoro still seats on that chair and with all due respect should be accorded every respect due to that seat. As far as I am concerned, Senator Obanikoro has not declared his intention to run for governor. If he does declare, definitely, it is his own fundamental human rights to do so. He will also follow the same process followed by others who left Jonathan’s government to contest for governorship election. If you remember, Demola Seriki resigned his appointment to run, he lost. Caleb Olubolade, resigned as a sitting minister to run, he lost. Senator Obanikoro has a position right now, in which he is very much needed, and I am very sure even his supporters might be pressing him to go for the governorship, but I am sure that the call to service and duty of the nation would definitely supersede his ambition.

18 POLITICS Sheddy Ozoene

o much has been said and written about Chief Tony Anenih, chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that one runs the risk of repetition. But in paying tribute to him on his 81st birthday, one must view him like the proverbial elephant: there is a fascinating spectacle from whichever side. Anenih is, indeed, a man of many parts, eulogized as much for his strong personal principles as his resilience; and as much for his philanthropy as for his business acumen. However, it is from politics and public service, where he is redefining loyalty, commitment and selflessness that he will eventually draw his epitaph; and it is from that prism that he must be viewed as he turns 81. For a man who has dedicated the larger part of his adult life to seeking the improvement of the society through public service, it is in politics, therefore, that his legacies are best appreciated. It is on this basis, too, that one values his untiring passion for nurturing political parties as the platform for political leadership which, in turn, engenders social and economic change. I drew that conclusion since my first meeting with Chief Anenih in December of 1998. He had strolled into Gordon’s Hotel on the AsabaIbusa road, late in the day, to witness the concluding part of the PDP governorship primaries for Delta State, in which Chief James Ibori was slugging it out with Professor Sam Oyovwaire and Chief Joshua Enueme. He had probably “tied up” the exercise in his native Edo State before coming to Delta; and had departed after the three-man panel headed by Mrs. Kema Chikwe concluded the exercise to the satisfaction of all the contestants. Two months later, his persona as a political master strategist etched deeper in my memory as I watched from the stands in Jos, as he seized the moment at the party’s convention to steer the candidature of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo away from imminent crisis. As deputy national coordinator of Olusegun Obasanjo’s Campaign Organisation, he had staved off the explosive challenge from Dr Alex Ekwueme to pull the ticket for Obasanjo, and he still managed the fall-out of that primary effectively. It is such a role Anenih has played over and again in the political parties that have been lucky to count him among their leadership. His arrival in the nation’s political landscape during the Second Republic was no less dramatic. A founding member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), he was later to emerge as the party’s state chairman in the old Bendel, the highpoint of which was the successful defeat of the ruling Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the installation of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia as governor. His rising political profile was not dampened by the military overthrow of the civilian government in 1983; he played a leading role in the series of political activities to return the country to democracy. As national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the ill-fated Third Republic, he was pivotal in the election of Chief M. K. O. Abiola as President, an election that was later annulled. Also, he was one of the associates of Shehu Musa Yar’adua who founded the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), a group that was eventually subsumed within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). At 81, “The Leader” does not show any signs of slowing down. Like good wine, he appears to get better with age. Indeed, his return to the

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Tony Anenih: Epitome of loyalty and patriotism

Anenih

party’s BoT Chair in February 2013, about six years after he was manipulated out of the position by a former President, had presented a unique challenge. The party was facing one crisis or the other on every front, the bonds among members were gravely strained and grievances among the leadership poorly managed. Reconciliation efforts were half-hearted and not much was done to resolve the crises in almost all the state chapters. It was a question of time before the party would disintegrate. It took Anenih, resilient as ever, to plunge into the fray and pull the party from the brink. He is not new to tough political assignments, especially for the PDP. He has always been associated with them so much that they have become his second nature. Many would even swear he thrives on them. Over the years, he has shown an uncommon willingness –commitment, if you like- to take on the usually inconvenient job of ensuring that members submit to the larger interests of the party. This has defined his politics as much as it has brought him in confrontation, severally, with those who compromise. As a politician who leads by example, he maintains the dual character of a quintessential leader as well as a loyal follower, all at once. While many, especially those in opposition parties, will always choose to vilify him, only a few conceal the fact that he is one kind over

Anenih has remained the embodiment of diligence, hard work and perseverance. Today, there are only a few who can claim to share the same podium of admiration at home and abroad which they envy the PDP. As with the PDP, so it has been with the country in general. The statesman in him has led Anenih to intervene in the nation’s numerous political crossroads, each time playing commendable roles in the resolution of the problem. One of the nation’s longest-lasting actors, successive Presidents have found him dependable and his counsel invaluable. In all this, the man who cherishes his integrity has largely remained untainted in both the military and civilian eras. Born in Uromi on 4 August 1933, Anenih joined the Nigeria Police Force, attended the Police College Ikeja and underwent further training in the Bramshill Police College, Basingstoke, England in 1966 and

the International Police Academy, Washington DC in 1970. He served as a police orderly to the first Governor-General of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. He was the first Nigerian to be Commandant of the Police College, Ikeja; he retired voluntarily as Commissioner of Police in Kano and went into private business. Anenih was at a time Minister of Works and Housing, a position in which he performed creditably. His life has been a testimony of selfless service, given the significant contributions he has made to the development of the nation and humanity. No eulogy captures this better than President Goodluck Jonathan’s on the occasion, last year, of his 80th birthday reception at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja. The President had said that Anenih is, without doubt, an epitome of the noble ideals of loyalty and patriotism; and had urged Nigerian leaders to emulate Anenih’s nationalist qualities by shunning ethnic-based politics and working for the unity of the country. Anenih has remained the embodiment of diligence, hard work and perseverance. Today, there are only a few who can claim to share the same podium of admiration at home and abroad. As he marks his 81st birthday, Nigerians can only look forward to his continuing role as one of the nation’s strongest stabilizing voices. He deserves all the accolades, and our prayers. •Ozoene wrote from Abuja

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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

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19 Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2014

Ensuring genuine succor for terror victims

ne of the effects of the escalating Boko Haram insurgency took centre stage last Thursday when the Victims Support Fund (VSF) was launched through a fund-raising dinner in Abuja. Apparently the set target of N50billion was surpassed at the end of the evening as N58.79 billion was realized according to the Presidency. The initiative is commendable, even if because for once there is something positive as a fallout, rather than all the negative developments related to the insurgency. It would be an added bonus too if the purpose for which the fund has been raised is honestly adhered to without any alterations. The undergirding philosophy should be the following statement by President Jonathan at the fund-raiser: “For those who have been victims, they need comfort. They need succor. We cannot replace the life of a child that has been snuffed out. We cannot replace the lives of men and women who have been killed. We cannot return broken limbs to their original state. We cannot take away the trauma that people have been through.” For too long, ordinary Nigerians have been victims of the state that has shown no genuine regard for its citizens. As long as they do not have the right societal connections, they are let down by the country’s ruling class over and over again. This has happened

severally before the insurgency started and it has not changed even with the escalating situation. This has been possible because the ruling elite in the country have monopolized power to ensure their own comfort, rather than using the state’s institutions and resources to ensure security and prosperity for the generality of the populace. A recent case in mind is the tragic fallout from the Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise earlier in the year. The mismanagement of the insurgency provides a typical example of how a small class of political elite handles security issues as long as it is not directly threatened. Apart from politicizing the insurgency in ways that would benefit it, nothing much has been done to decisively deal with the problem, and the fate of those who directly bear the brunt of the growing carnage has not been given much thought. Truth be told, it took the visit of three American Congress women to get the Presidency to consider the fate of victims, even though an advocacy group within the country had been pushing for it since the abduction of over 300 schoolgirls in April this year. Hopefully, the Victims Support Fund will mark a true departure from the attitude of those in authority towards the less fortunate in the society. Despite the fact that we are left wondering if a fund-raising is the appropriate

approach when there are more assured alternatives, we hope that all those who made financial pledges will be honourable in walking their talk. Fund-raisers in this country have acquired a stigma, whereby people announce large monetary donations publicly but are not bothered to keep their promises. This is another mark of the moral deficit in the society. We want to believe that this time around, the VSF Committee will not only ensure every pledge is redeemed early enough, but that there is a proper programme of action. It must ensure as much as possible that all victims of the Boko Haram insurgency are identified, including those who have had to relocate to the neighbouring countries, so that they get the necessary succor. The committee must also take into consideration those who have been victims of the high-handedness of the military. We cannot continue to pretend that there have not been established cases of extra-judicial killings because the consistency of the claims have refused to go away, despite official efforts to drown them out and discredit the sources of these reports. If we really need to turn the tide against the insurgency, or prevent another one emerging, we must begin to take actions that will eliminate a favourable ideological breeding ground or fertile recruiting environment. So, credible action plans must include

rehabilitation, trauma counseling, education, poverty alleviation and provision of security. There are enough lessons from other climes to learn from at this time. This brings us to the very important issue of accountability. It is instructive that the VSF Chairperson, General Theophilus Danjuma has demanded that the monies raised should not be diverted to directly fighting the insurgency. This is a very important request especially at a time the Presidency is seeking a loan of N165 billion to upgrade the equipment of the Armed Forces. It is this lack of accountability that has weakened the military and rendered it incapable of effectively checkmating Boko Haram. So bad is the situation that Transparency International has suggested that “the defence ministry must publish the defence budget, and account for massive off-budget defence expenditure, including federal funds, revenue from peacekeeping and foreign aid,” adding that “the Office of the Auditor General must be allowed access to accounts of the intelligence services and other secret programmes.” We challenge Danjuma to ensure that the funds are judiciously utilized and that the public is periodically informed of the committee’s activities. It must also be willing to address genuine complaints and criticisms. This is an opportunity not to fail the victims again. GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Deputy Managing Director/DEIC YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday EMEKA OBASI Deputy Editor, Daily LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor TAIWO AHMED Advert Manager UCHEY OKEZIE Ag. Sales/Marketing Manager TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

Sanctity of Truth

OPINION Osun: Crushing the Jonathan siege (2) Abiodun Komolafe Continued from yesterday olitics is about leadership; and leadership leads to good governance. It is all about the presence of the rule of law, not abuse of authority or the practice of nepotism. It is transparent, accountable, consensusdriven and predicated on the fundamentals of equity, efficiency, responsiveness and effectiveness. Intrigues of power-play! Physical demonstration of incompetence! Twists of tension and turns of pretension! In our very eyes, politics has gone beyond being the survival of the fittest to the exclusive preserve of the horrid and the bucolic. Added to this is a blend of “dumb horse-traders” and “perpetual complainants who do nothing about their complaints apart from moaning and moping.” In the midst of these, terrorists continue to torment us but, as far as our president is concerned, once political ‘Skelewu’ is on course, all other issues of statecraft can even go to blazes! Hmnnn! Though leadership is about a leader’s ability to match words with action, in Nigeria, it is a different ball-game entirely! Here, it is about men with no “proud history of radical measures” lording it over a hapless populace. For instance, once our president promised Nigerians that, by April 2014, Boko Haram menace would “be a thing of the past.” Now, not insurgents but innocent Nigerians are being sent to early graves. No thanks to Boko-bombs. Casual politicians and political casualty: strangely related! For instance, PDP had no better candidate as its flag-bearer for Ekiti governorship election than Fayose, the man on whose neck two murder cases in addition

to a lawful impeachment were hanging. In Osun, Iyiola Omisore, the man suspected of masterminding the death of Bola Ige, then serving Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, is being offered for election. Granted that he’s been acquitted by the law court and that his impeachment as Deputy Governor of Osun State has survived the constitutionally-stipulated moratorium of ten years, yet, unanswered questions on Ige’s death, coupled with his election as senator in questionable circumstances no doubt speaks volume of how bad things have gone in the country. Sad that a Minister of Justice could not get justice, even in his country! In Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, another ‘I-havelearnt-my-lessons’ character seems favoured by the president while ‘go back and sin no more’ steps are already at an advanced stage to cleanse and present Muhammed Abacha as Kano State’s PDP governorship candidate. In Lagos State, an appointment by proxy has already been offered Bode George while Diepreye Alamieseigha, President Jonathan’s former boss, now, his god-(the)-father, has been pardoned of corruption charges and he is on his way to the senate. In the words of Bear Bryant, “It’s not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference” August 9, 2014 is no doubt a day of decision for Osun and its people. It is a day of choice between the principalities of darkness and the powers of light; between the twists of fury and the tears of joy. Even with the presidential threat of flooding the state with twice the number of security officers that were deployed to Ekiti, it remains the day when the foundation of falsehood shall become so badly thrashed that it’ll become permanently consigned

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

to the dustbin of history. The story of David and Goliath taught us a lesson about “facing giant problems by seeing them from God’s point of view.” The Bible also taught us that the God who made it possible for “a seah of the finest flour to sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria” (2 Kings 7:1-7:17) was the God who sent “the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded till now” (Exodus 9:18). He it was who sent “a man from the land of Benjamin” not only to be anointed ruler over Israel, His people, but also to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines (1Samuel 9:16). Yes! Osun is not Ekiti and Osun cannot go the way of Ekiti! Reason: in Aregbesola lie both the Fasola and the Tinubu of Osun politics. Oranmiyan, as he is fondly called, is an astute administrator and a political juggernaut who knows his onions. But it doesn’t end there. The electorate must be prepared not only to cast their ballot, they must also be prepared to jealously guard their votes, not forgetting in a hurry what the PDP is known for. And, because He lives, by this time on August 10, 2014, their Wall of Jericho will have fallen (Joshua 6; Hebrew 11:30); and their Goliath, strong as he may seem, sound or prove to be, will have had his head cut off by our small-but-mighty David (1 Samuel 17). There and then, shouts and songs of joy and victory will gladden our hearts (Psalm 118:15; 32:7; Deuteronomy 20:1-4); “for the Egyptians whom” we are seeing today, we “will never see them again forever” (Exodus 14:13-14). May God save us from ourselves! Concluded

The Iyiola Omisore you didn’t know (2) Omodele Akanji Continued from yesterday rudgingly, the Senate President agreed to make Omisore the number one Committee Chairman in the Senate. As a backup, Senator Mark was said to have briefed his Deputy, Ekweremadu and then Senate Leader, Folarin to be on the alert in case Omisore failed on the job. The duo was to set up a secret structure to salvage the budget if Omisore failed to measure up. But the test for the Ile-Ife politician was not to be delayed. The late President Umaru Yar’Adua forwarded the Supplementary Appropriation Budget to the National Assembly around September 2007. It was a test many were expecting Omisore to fail. His counterpart in the House, Hon. Ayo Adeseun had also left much of the work for Omisore, who is senior to him in the politics of South-West. He singlehandedly handled the budget to the extent that the House only concurred with the almost infallible figures he submitted. Today, Senators of the Sixth Senate will easily confess that Omisore remained the best Chairman of Appropriation Committee in recent times. He gave everyone his or her dues and ensured a good budget each year. How he mastered the appropriation process was extra ordinary. Incidentally, he

is not an accountant. His deftness was first established in the way he handled the 2007 Supplementary Appropriation. That was said to have sent signals to Senators Ekweremadu and Folarin that their stand by role was a non-issue. Omisore keyed into the job effortlessly. The Senator also handled the 2008 budget process with similar ease and it was obvious he was exhibiting more attributes many had not recognized of him. My interactions with him showed an avid reader, a diligent academic who is very impatient with dullness. He was indeed eager to learn every minute. He would reel out budgeting issues as experienced by the American Congress at different times in history and you will get the impression that he could handle greater tasks. When the government of President Yar’Adua had complaints about the 2008 budget, Omisore readily explained that the National Assembly is the custodian of the budget and that the entire national budget is a constituency project while the Senators and members of the House of Representatives are obliged to oppose its passage if they feel their constituencies are marginalized. He said that was settled long ago by the American Congress. But the mastery of the budget was to expose him to a sort of coup in the Senate. Those who felt unease at his masterful handling of the budget conspired and

sought his removal. They claimed in the media that Omisore had cornered all Constituency projects for the South West and located them in Osun State, while he was also said to have captured that of the entire North and located them in Benue South, David Mark’s constituency. It was clearly a coup meant to remove Omisore and shake the Senate Presidency of David Mark. But Omisore handled the saga by showcasing himself as a clever handler of documents. At a closed session to address the issue, he unveiled the documented contributions of all Senators to the budget to their surprise. It was as if he treats the minutest of documents with the sacredness of a Holy book. Thus when he unfolded the details at the closed session, it was what the Yorubas would call enu won wo ho (he shut up his critics). As an insider in the chamber, I am aware Mark himself was shocked at Omisore’s handling of the civilian coup. But that was not all, as Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriation, Omisore lifted the Committee to what you can call international standard. He left the Committee as the best organized in terms of office space and structure in the National Assembly. He also ensured international partnership by the Committee for the first time through the establishment of the Inclusive Budgeting Initiative (INBI) co-funded by the NASS and the United National Development Programme (UNDP).

The programme was aimed at securing direct input of Nigerians directly in the budgeting process year in year out. There were meetings with Nigerians and Civil Society groups representing the 774 local governments of the country ahead of every budget and their inputs helped the budget process a lot. During that time, the National Assembly had the opportunity of working with the best economists and budget consultants across the world, while members of staff the Committee were exposed to trainings across the globe Little wonder that when Omisore was ordered to face a rerun election, staff of the National Assembly donated huge sums to print posters and handbills in support of that election. Many also prayed for his return in 2011. Another surprising thing is how he coped with the rigours of his work as Appropriation Chairman with the Ph.D programme he completed a few months after leaving the Senate. In that, he showcased his attributes as a workaholic and a man in relentless search of knowledge. In Iyiola Omisore, Osun is assured of a due diligence performer who will give everyone his due. In him, the state would be blessed with such an accomplished but underrated administrator. Concluded • Akanji, a Legislative Consultant, writes from Abuja

ARTS TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2014

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“MOVIES WILL MAKE YOU FAMOUS; TELEVISION WILL MAKE YOU RICH; BUT THEATRE WILL MAKE YOU GOOD.”

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com okuyemeogom@yahoo.com

― TERRENCE MANN

THEATRE

Timi Dakolo’s Iyawo Mi fan video out

ward winning R&B/Soul music artist, Timi Dakolo has released the fan video for ‘Iyawo Mi’ presenting other men with a chance to present a gift to their special women. Following the announcement in March 2014, fans of the artiste willing to be part of the love letter sent photos of their wives or fiancées to be included in the montage video using the lovers hit ‘Iyawo MI’. The fan video serves as countdown to the release of the video for the song shot by ace producer and director; Clarence Peters. Born on January 20, 1981, Dakolo hails from Bayelsa State, Nigeria and grew up in the city of Port-Harcourt, where he started his singing career at the age of 12, singing in his church choir. Following his win as West African Idol first and only winner; he released his debut album titled “Beautiful Noise” in 2012, receiving great reviews for the work as well as chart successes. Dakolo released another single after his debut album titled Great Nation which many have described as the new National Anthem of Nigeria.

Contestants performing the Rhythm of Happiness Dance, ROHD at the audition centre in Lagos

MDA 8: Eleven qualify for next stage, as ROHD takes centre stage Tony Okuyeme

C Dakolo

ontestants rocked the stage with the new dance style Rhythm of Happiness Dance (ROHD) as the quest for places in the Maltina Academy heats up. The atmosphere at the National Art Theatre Lagos, venue of the Maltina Dance All Season Eight (MDA8) audition was charged with breath-taking performances as contestants battle for a place in the next stage of the popular family dance show. The ROHD dance is a new easy to learn hip-hop dance

Ebere Ameh

efying the rain, theatre lovers trooped to the Freedom Park, Lagos Island, to watch the Thespian Family Production’s adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel. Performed under the rain at the park, the show is The Thespian Family’s celebration of the author’s birthday. “Some celebrations last a long time, it doesn’t just end same day, especially when the celebrant is a great man of Soyinka’s stature. So we have decided that in marking his birthday, we should continue to do some of his works. And we can't just do them in one day, we feel we need to perform more often than once to make an impact. Because there are so many other groups doing so many other things this is thespian family's theatres way of celebrating him,” Toyin Oshinaike, the director of the play said. The Lion and the Jewel revolves around the village beauty, Sidi and her

style that reflects contemporary pop culture. The new dance style is a prelude to MDA season eight tagged, The Rhythm of Happiness. The contestants displayed attitude of champions as they learnt the new dance style with excitement. It is also predicted that the dance style will thrill the hip- hop world in the next two years. It would be recalled that the Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem at the press briefing to kick-off the show, described the dance performance as just “a tip of the iceberg from this

season of Maltina Dance All.” And true to those words, Lagos contestants gave their best by showcasing their versions of the ROHD. At the end of the tough and highly entertaining competition, eleven dancers were selected by the judges to proceed to the next stage. The eleven dancers are: Nwaeze Favour 20, Aina Damilola 24, Tolu Okelowo 22, Ndulue Uche 22, Eniola Awokoye 19, Nwankwo Josephine 22, Akin Afolajuwon 21, OreOluwa Oladapo 18, Samuel Owusu 18, Abunwa James 24 and Awokoya Gbenga 18. The next step

is for the eleven contestants to participate with their families at their homes and if they are selected and pass the medical tests they will finally qualify to enter the popular MDA Academy. On what is up for grabs for this year’s edition, Ekanem said the winning family will go home with the grand prize of a whooping sum of N10 million. The first and second runners up will also get N3 million and N1 million respectively. This is a considerable increase from the N6 million, N1 million and N500, 000 won last year by contestants.

Thespian Family celebrates Soyinka, stages Lion and the Jewel

A scene in Lion and the Jewel

dramatic 'relationship' with Lakunle, the school teacher and Baroka, the village head. Lakunle is viewed as a modernised

and whimsical fellow, whose beliefs make him appear strange among his people. While he is head over heels in love with Sidi, he has issues with the cus-

tomary bride price because he believes that it is an outdated and outrageous custom, which should be eradicated. Also wooing Sidi is Baroka, the village chief who unlike Lakunle, does not believe in modernity. On the contrary, he is the custodian of the age old traditions of the village. He is also a proud chief who would device all means to outsmart his rival. At the verge of losing the battle to the young and modern school teacher, Baroka the 'sly old fox' pulled a stunt that left Sidi with no option but him. “It is a very popular play, which is fast becoming a household story. Just like tales by moonlight, people know the play already but it is what we are doing with the play that is the matter. I'm approaching it from a humane angle - a simple story of a young girl who is CO NTINUED O N PAGE22

22 ARTS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Tochukwu wins Amukoko Ingenium for Christ talent hunt show E Tony Okuyeme and John Enubiak

gbujor Tochukwu has won the maiden edition of the talent hunt show tagged Amukoko Ingenium For Christ (Pride of Talent), organised by the Catholic Youth Association of Nigeria (CYON), St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Amukoko, Lagos. The young talented comedian defeated four other contestants to win the N250,000 prize top, in the final that was as thrilling as it was also inspirational. The event held recently at the church auditorium, saw the enthusiastic contestants showcased their talents in various areas such as dancing, singing and stand-up comedy. Given the talents that abound in the area and the level of performances by the contestants, it was no doubt a difficult task for the panel of judges to shortlist contestants from the various stages – screening, quarter-finale, semi-final and the final. The panel is made up of professional artistes who are models to support the youths, namely renowned theatre director and former Secretary General, National Association of Nigerian Theatre Art Practitioners (NANTAP), Mr. Isreal Eboh, celebrated actor, Hafiz Oyetoro (a.k.a. Saka), president of Guild of Nigerian Dancers (GOND), Steve James, Dayo Ladi (a.k.a. Olorioko), Ben Ogbeiwi (MTN Project Fame Judge), Jude Chukwuka and Uche Onah. The hall was filled to capacity as hundreds of residents, including up-andcoming artistes, relatives and fans of the contestants thronged the place to not only watch the show but to also support and vote for their favourite contestants. For the five contestants - Emmanuel Precious (005), Uche and Bammy (022), Agnes and Fayemi (Joe’s Crew) (035), Egbujor Tochukwu (042), Ese Temienor (054) - that made it to the final, it was a platform to prove to the crowd that they have what it takes to make it if given the needed support and platform. At the end of the breath-taking contest, the young talented comedian, Tochukwu was announced winner. His jokes were spawned laughter and ovation from the audience. He went home with the grand prize of N250, 000.00. The talented singer, Ese Temienor with tag number (054) emerged the first runner up, and won the N100, 000.00 prize; while talented dancers, Uche and Bammy won the second runner-up position and went home with N50, 000.00. In his remark, the Parish Priest, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Amukoko, CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

experiencing womanhood for the very first time. You know the experiences can either be good or bad. It would have been bad if we present it against our present reality. In her own case and against the backdrop of her time, she is of a marriageable age. Between 18 and 21 years, it is Sidi’s story of what happened to her within one day. She gets blossomed by morning with her pictures and a new promise of fame; by afternoon she gets giddy by her fame; and by night she got caught in the traditional web of marriage so to speak,” Oshunaike said. Featuring Lara Akinsola and Soibifaa Dokubo, Patrick Diabua, and other artistes, the performance was indeed a good mix of veterans and amateurs. Staged under the rain, they thrilled the audience who could

Winners at the maiden edition of Amukoko Ingenium For Christ (Pride of Talent)

I feel that I should start a talent hunt, and enrich that talent, support it and motivate them to pursue it a little bit more Lagos, and initiator of the show, Rv, Fr, Emmanuel Likoko Sikuku, encouraged the other contestants who did not emerge as winners not to feel discourage or sad, but should be happy as everybody is a winner in the competition. He further went on to say that the contestants should see the competition as a stepping stone to their success in life. He congratulated the winners, and presented the Certificate of Participation the contestants, and Certificate of Merits to the Judges. In an interview, Sikuku said the need to do something that will really touch the lives of this young people in the area informed the idea of organising the talent hunt show. According to him,

he is a Missionary Priest, and has spent slightly over a year in Amukoko. “I have been working in the Northern part of Nigeria, in Niger State and Bauchi for 7 years before I was transferred to Lagos, May, last year. “As a Missionary Priest, we are basically sent to areas that have more need, and the need in that particular area could be met by the local priest or people on the ground, but when you are sent somewhere as a missionary, you try to look at the environment and try to identify special needs of the group, and basically, what we do is like we sow the seed to germinate into something greater. When I arrived here in Amukoko, nobody spoke well of Amukoko, people were speaking ill about the place, it is violent, too much of crimes, of course, even after being here for five months, I was actually marked 200m from my gate where I was robbed violently. I then asked myself if there is anything we can do that will influence the life of the youths in this area positively. It is easier to write posters and paste on the road that crime is bad, violence is bad, robbery is bad, etc. but I feel like let us do something that will really touch the lives of this young people,” Sikuku said, adding that one thing he noticed in this

very short time is that, the young people in Amukoko are very talented and he wanted to create a platform for them to showcase it and also support them. “I had an idea of coming up with a radio station, where I can be speaking to the youths, maybe set a radio program and all that, and then I realized that it will cost a lot of money, so I wanted to start something that I can easily afford. I spoke to the youths, and I feel that I should start a talent hunt, and enrich that talent, support it and motivate them to pursue it a little bit more. So, that is how we came up with this idea of talent haunt. I know it is a very new project and of course many people were against it, even members of my own church feel that it is something that is too circular. But I said, you don’t give yourself a talent, it is God who gives it to you, and I felt that No. God has given them something, let us put light into it. And that is how the idea of talent haunt came to me, and I have the intention that I will always do it on yearly basis. “So far, I will say nobody is supporting us. The Judges are so good, but they are basically not asking us for anything for the subsidy that they are giving to us. You know they are very highly qualified Judges. “

Thespian Family celebrates Soyinka, stages Lion and the Jewel not help laughing and clapping at the bombastic disposition of the eccentric Lakunle, the cunningness and wisdom of Baroka, and Sidi’s sudden realisation of her beauty and fame, which led to her pride and confusion. A very rich performance, it portrays the tensions and contentions that follow the introduction of change. With excellent percussions and folksongs adapted specially for the play, ‘it felt like the play should not end,’ a member of the audience exclaimed at the end. After staging The Lion and the Jewel at the Freedom Park in July and August, Thespian Family productions would also

I think we, the artiste, have that primary function of boosting theatre attendance stage Soyinka’s The Trials of Brother Jero. Owned by Mrs. Ayo Jaiyesimi, a philanthropist and someone who believes in the power of theatre in changing the society, Thespian Family aims at inspiring a positive change in society and creating a deeper engage-

ment around core values that define the spectrum of humanity. With the slogan ‘building the community one stage at a time,’ the company, which has been in existence for about ten years has produced plays at the major centres in Lagos. A star member of the International Society for Performance Arts and the Nigerian chapter of the International Theatre Institute, Thespian Family Theatre & Productions is providing entertainment through their various platforms, thereby engaging, enlightening and empowering the community and through that, contributing their own quota towards 'rebranding' our dear nation.

Talking about boosting theatre attendance, Oshinaike, who is a veteran in the industry said that practitioners must first, believe in themselves. His words: “I think we, the artiste, have that primary function of boosting theatre attendance because we have to believe in ourselves first. If all artists begin to attend each other's production we will have the first crowd. I think its starts from there. More importantly, we should also take advantage of the social media because it is from there that we get most of our patronage. We should cease that opportunity and of course we are still praying that government the private institutions in their CSR projects and other corporate individuals should be directed at improving the arts and culture of this nation and by extension, theatre, which is becoming a vibrant cultural exchange product.”

MOM&PARENTING

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OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI oluwatosin.omoniyi@newtelegraphonline.com tosin042001@yahoo.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2014

Parents: When not to bring your frustration home Myles Emmanuel Makafui, a management consultant and a guru in Information Technology, has always been into developing people, mostly youths and parenting couple with the role of the society on children. It is a course he does with passion, which has taken him to corporate organisations in the banking and telecommunication sector. In this chat with OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI, he stated that he has used his ‘Excel Africa, as an initiative to project the course of parenting. He said also that he has travelled round the country developing and educating parents and children for a healthy society, healing homes, equipping parents with the right knowledge to raise children.

What actually informed your passion about taking on parenting? My experiences when I was growing up. I became passionate about parenting and children because I believe that for the nation to be balanced and sane, it has to start from the cradle and by extension, the family. I came from a wonderful home; my father is a minister of the gospel and my mom was a very lovely woman. Probably because they didn’t have the knowledge, nobody talked to me about sex, nobody talked to me about issues like that because probably they were too embarrassed or so many reasons like that. My dad for instance, didn’t know how to manage his anger and didn’t know when to strike the balance between discipline and punishment. They didn’t understand these basic things and so at some point in my life, I was thinking my parents did not love me. In fact, at some point in my life, I wish, I was adopted and my real parents will show up one day and take me away from them. My parents were nice people but they just didn’t have the right knowledge as to how to train me and my siblings. Like I said before, you can’t give what you don’t have. That was what informed my passion and I started this quite early in church and seminars talking to parents on how to raise their children and things like that. What will you say of today’s youth in the society? So many things have influenced the way young people are nowadays. There is the environment, the media, but more importantly, I think the home is supposed to be the regulatory factor because children are born, not knowing the rules of life, they are born plain and it’s the primary responsibility of parents to mould them into a decent and acceptable way of life. The school also has a role to play. Yes, there are lot of things going on in the society, there are things that they watch on television, they hear on the radio; there is also the western culture, which is somehow influencing our culture negatively. But then in the midst of all, parents have

the responsibility to regulate their children. Discipline can be defined as striking a balance between love and control. Youths are products of our environment, coupled with other societal frustrations. How do you tell parents to teach children about sex Education? You have to first begin by giving your children a sense of value at a tender age. Let the child know that there is something called destiny. You are a great person. When there is a sense of value for destiny, half of the job is done. Because he understands that he is going somewhere and if he goes contrary to sound teachings, then, he might likely not get there. By that, he becomes more conscious. Talking about how to talk to your children about sex education, I like it when parents can take the talk to somewhere special, take it outside the house, drive your son or daughter out. Let them know it is important. You can even take the child for a treat. Then sit the child down and begin to talk. Be entirely truthful when talking to them. The problem I observed with most parents is that they tell half truths and when the children later find out the entire truth, they find it hard to trust them any longer. By telling half truth, it affects string of things and issues. Let it be a talk with and not a talk at. I mean let the conversation be interactive; let the child be able to ask questions. Find out what the child already knows. One of the reasons parenting is difficult is because the volume of information that is out. In your time or even in my time, I didn’t completely understand what sex was or the complete act of sex until I was in senior secondary school, SS2. Nowadays, in primary school, they know more than you think. Why? Because there is the internet; there are so many things, you don’t need to go and buy pornography. You can see it on the streets. Automatically, their sexuality is awoken at an early stage. So, it’s very important to tell the truth now. Another thing you want to do is to mention or describe things by their real names; if something is called a penis, call it a penis, don’t say it is bloom bloom or don’t say something is to call things by their real names don’t leave room for assumptions. Another thing you want to do is to share personal

Makafui

experience. Parents like to act like they never made mistakes. This is not proper. Tell them some of the mistakes that you made, you see the more vulnerable you are, the stronger the relationship that you build, the more you can let the child know that you have been there before, or have felt the way he/she feels before; have had a crush before. The kids can feel alright. They feel relaxed that there is someone to relate with. The communication lines have to open, you have to build a relationship such that the child can talk to you about anything. If it is a female child and a boy talks to her, she can come home and say a boy talked to me, when we can attain that level of relationship with our children everything else will be easy. We have been talking about parental influence, but that of peer seems to be greater than parental influence... Now this is it. Peer influence is probably one of the biggest issues that young

people are facing because like I usually say, no young person just wakes up early in the morning and goes to the Mallam to buy cigarette. Its someone that introduces him to it. This is how it’s supposed to be curtailed; as parents, allow your children first of all to be able to bring their friends to the house; know the kind of friends they have. Sometimes, when you hear them having certain discussions, be sensitive. When you hear your child and his friends having some conversations and you hear certain things that you know you have to address, cut into the discussion, say a few things and come out just to enlighten them. Now, it’s very important and also building that level of relationship with your child that when your child hears something outside or when he is told something or someone is trying to persuade them to do something your child can still come back and relate it to you, then you have achieved it because whether you like it or not their friends are a huge part of their lives.

MOM&PARENTING

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Adebonojo and Okoye: The joy of having grandchildren

hat could be more rewarding and joyous than being a parent? Is it being a grandparent? Well, both grandparents of the little Oluwatimilehin Raymond Chinedu Adebonojo were thrilled last Saturday than the young parents during the christening of their grandson. Perhaps, they understand more, the true meaning of parenting and or being a parent’s parent. Lady Joy Ekaete Okoye, maternal grandmother, was grinning all over during the christening celebration of her second grandson. “My dear, grandchildren are sweeter than your own children. I can’t explain the feelings inside me but I am over the moon being a grandmother,” she said. With the arrival of the first grandson, she didn’t quite understand but when little Chinedu arrived, it then dawned on her that she is now a grandmother. She said it is not easy but it’s worth looking forward to. The post-natal care, Lady Okoye confessed wasn’t easy at all, going by the sleepless nights and tiredness associated with it but she said: “I am most overwhelmed with the bundle of joy. It is a blessing some out there are praying for. I have every reason to be thankful to God for,”she said.

What else could Joe best Chinedu Okoye, maternal grandfather be grateful for at 60, other than seeing his children’s children. “I am most grateful to God for seeing my children’s children in good health. He did well to me; my next prayer is to see more of my children’s children,” he said. The paternal grandmother of Chinedu, Taiwo Odunlami, educationist, said it wasn’t Ibiyemi’s day but theirs(grandparents). “I feel blessed, excited and fulfilled as Ibiyemi’s

aunty,” she said. She added that it is part of God’s promise to see one’s grandchildren alive. “We can’t pray for more than being alive and witnessing our children’s children,” she said. Indeed, both grandparents were happy as they threw caution to the wind and put on their youthful dancing steps to express their gratitude to God for seeing their grandchildren. Little Chinedu’s father, Ibiyemi and the mother, Jennifer, were of course,

Mr Ibiyemi Adebonojo (right); his Wife, Jennifer and thier Son, Oluwatimilehin Raymond Chinedu Adebonojo

happy. But they were calm about it. They simply went about with smiling faces, entertaining guests. For Jennifer, it is double blessing. But she hopes her husband’s lineage’s blessing, where it was only a boys’ affairs. Her husband came from a family of 10 boys and this is the celebration of her second son. “I pray I don’t inherit that kind of blessing. I pray to God to give me girls too,”she said. Jennifer quipped that her mother has been wonderful with the post-natal care. According to her, it’s amazing having her around to help her. At this point, she’s more important than my husband. She is sweet to my children and very helpful. Ibiyemi Adebonojo, Chinedu’s father is not left out of those grateful to God for the gift of his marriage. “I thank God for His mercies and the gift of my children,” he said. Just like his wife, he also did not pray for all boys children. He wished his children to be the mixed sexes. He acknowledged the helping hand of his mother-in-law, “It’s an opportunity having them, especially my mother-in-law around at time like this,” he said. He added that, “Both grandparents respect our wishes on the children. They are not imposing and they are very helpful.”

Mr Joe Best and his wife, Ekaette

L-R, Chief IKB Igbanugo;Mr. Ignatius Njepu; Benson Okonkwo and Basil Ezeudu.

L-R,Vince Agu; Chuma Ngini; Clinton Uranta; Nkem Martins and Chike Sibeudu.

L-R, Mrs Tenny Egwuatu; Ifechi Ezekobe and Chioma Okonkwo.

PHOTOS: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

BUSINESS Tuesday, AUGUST 5, 2014

What's news Shell plans new $15bn investments in Nigeria, others Royal Dutch Shell Plc disclosed at the weekend that it had set aside $15 billion investments in 2015 for Nigeria and other countries where it is exploring and producing oil.

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Rise in house price looms as steel costs rise globally Construction cost and house prices may go up in Nigeria and other emerging markets if the steel prices increase at an annual rate of 2.2 per cent over the next three years as forecasted by IBISWorld.

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IOCs' projects: FG drums support for local contractors The Federal Government is not satisfied with the level of projects that the International Oil Companies (IOCs) are giving to Nigerian contractors, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engineer Ernest Nwapa, has said.

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Agenda for Dahwa, new NNPC boss With the late Friday night’s announcement of Joseph Dahwa as the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered him to takeover with immediate effect.

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BUSINESS CREW AYODELE AMINU, Deputy Editor (Business) Simeon Ogoegbulem, Dep. Business Editor BAYO AKOMOLAFE, Asst. Editor (Maritime) SUNDAY OJEME, Asst. Editor (Insurance) SIAKA MOMOH, Asst. Editor (Industry/Agric) Godson ikoro , Asst. Editor (Money Market) JONAH IBOMA, ICT Editor DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor

25 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

Ebola ‘just a flight away’ }p-37

ayodele aminu, Deputy Editor, business

ayodele.aminu@newtelegraphonline.com ayodeleaminu@yahoo.com

Oil lease renewal talks with Shell, others on-going, says FG SKEPTICISM Some of the IOCs are beginning to lose confidence in government’s sincerity to renew their licenses this year

moving in the right direction. “These are not withdrawals in the real sense of it. The fact is that a number of these IOCs are moving into more challenging frontiers in the deep offshore

and are leaving the onshore blocks, which they consider less challenging,” the statement stated. The oil majors, with the exception of ExxonMobil, have

been in failed negotiations with government for several years to renew the expired licenses, which is done every 20 years, CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government, at the weekend, said it had not terminated negotiations with Shell, Chevron, Total and Eni (Agip) for the renewal of 20-year oil leases for each of the international oil companies (IOCs). Negotiations on the renewal of leases for onshore and shallow water blocks between government and the IOCs have been going on for six years. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in a statement obtained from its website, said that the talks have not been terminated while the high spate of divestments by the oil majors is not caused by the delay in concluding the talks. The NNPC, which kept mum on the time the talks would be finalised, however, allayed fears in some quarters that the ongoing divestments by some of these IOCs are caused by the delay in the renewal talks. “The recent spate of divestments by some international oil companies (IOCs) from some onshore oil blocks would not lead to crisis in the nation’s oil and gas industry,” the oil corporation said in the statement by its Group General Manager, Group Public affairs, Mr Ohi Alegbe. It added that the major players divesting have actually been sitting on those acreages for years and have allowed them to go fallow without significant development. “So it is only fair for them to release these blocks so that others, especially the indigenous operators, can have the blocks and grow in the upstream business. This, indeed, is a good development and I think we are

L-R; Deputy Managing Director, IBEDC, Mr John Darlington; Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole; Managing Director, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IBEDC), Fortunato Leynes and Managing Director, Energy and Natural Resources Group Accenture, Mrs Abayomi Olarinmoye, during a Knowledge Sharing Series in Ibadan Oyo State.

SABOTAGE Damage to the platform prompted the shutdown of the facility near Warri Adeola Yusuf

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Eni have lost N684 million in two days of the shutdown of pipeline by Agip, a subsidiary of Italian oil firm, Eni. Eni had, last Wednesday, shut down its 20,000 barrels per day crude oil pipeline in Nigeria. The shut down, according to Eni, was due to sabotage on the pipeline, which had led to the interruption of 4,000 barrels a day it gets from its 20 per cent share in Nigerian Agip Oil Company. Wall Street Journal reported that Eni’s disclosure confirmed information from a local activ-

Pipeline shutdown: NNPC, Agip lose N684m ist, who stated that pipeline had been blown up. The activist had previously said that Eni’s local operation is in a dispute with former security contractors on the project, a claim Eni spokesman failed to confirm or deny. “Uncertainty coming from places like Libya and Iraq has been offset by the fact. Physical cargoes of oil in the Atlantic Basin, Nigeria for one, remain well supplied,” Dominick Chirichella, analyst at the Energy Management Institute, said in a note. Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) had, a couple of weeks ago, declared force majeure on exports from a key pipeline in the south of the country because of damage

caused by bad weather. The company said daily production of 40,000 barrels of crude was suspended until repairs on the offshore platform in the EA field were completed. The damage to the platform had prompted the shutdown of the facility, near Warri, in the Niger Delta region, it added. Force majeure is a legal term releasing a company from contractual obligations when faced with circumstances beyond its control. Meanwhile, the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) and the Nigerian Agip CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor Abdulwahab Isa, Finance Editor Chuks Onuanyin, Energy Nnamdi Amadi, Reporter JOHNSON ADEBAYO, Asst. Production Editor

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE June 2014................................8.2% May 2014....................................8% April 2014.................................7.9%

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Aug 01)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N168.50 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N290 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N228 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $38.942bn as at 24/07/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at Aug 01)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N156.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N263.12 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N209.70 Source: CBN

26 business | news PROSPECTS Shell is to spend $4 billion this year in “future opportunities” available in Nigeria and beyond Adeola Yusuf

oyal Dutch Shell Plc disclosed at the weekend that it had set aside $15 billion investments in 2015 for Nigeria and other countries where it is exploring and producing oil. The company, which said this in a statement to herald its second-quarter earnings, maintained that it had set this for disposal programme through 2015. Shell had earlier declared that it would invest a $4 billion this year in “future opportuni-

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Shell plans new $15bn investments in Nigeria, others ties” available in Nigeria onshore, Kazakhstan, Iraq, the Arctic and heavy oil. The oil giant is to also continue with its strategic drive to grow its upstream businesses, with ongoing “selective” investment in its downstream activities. Shell said it has around 30 new projects under construction, which it believes will unlock some seven billion barrels of resources. After ending 2012 with production averaging 3.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day,

Shell believes it is set to achieve around four million boepd in 2017/2018. “With the first year of our 2012-2015 growth targets completed, Shell is on track for plans we set out in early 2012, despite headwinds last year,” Shell's outgoing CEO, Peter Voser, said in a statement. “Shell is competitive and in-

novative. We are delivering a strategy that others can’t easily repeat, with unique skills in technology and integration and a worldwide set of opportunities for new investment.” For 2013, Shell expected to make a net capital investment of $33 billion. It said $12 billion of this will go into its upstream and down-

stream “engines” – the mature, cash-generative businesses in Shell. Some $18 billion will be directed at “growth priorities”: integrated gas, deepwater and resource plays. Another $4 billion will be invested in 2013 in “future opportunities” such as Nigeria onshore, Kazakhstan, Iraq, the Arctic and heavy oil.

Pipeline shutdown: NNPC, Agip lose N684m C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

Oil Company (NAOC), are heading for a collision over the award of multi-million dollar maintenance service contract for gas turbines and related equipment for OB/OB, Ebocha and Kwale Gas plants in Delta State. It was gathered that while NAPIMS had directed NAOC, operator of NNPC/NAOC Joint Venture to award the joint venture contract to Arco Petrochemical Limited, the Italian firm insisted on awarding the contract to Plantgeria, a local firm being put forward by NAOC. In a letter addressed to the Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of NAOC, Mr Massimo Insulla, the NNPC’s Group General Manager in charge of NAPIMS, Mr Jonathan Okehs, warned the Italian firm that NAPIMS would not support any cost expended on NAOC maintenance services contract for gas turbines and related

equipment for OB/OB, Ebocha and Kwale Gas Plants, arising from NAOC’s execution of such services with Plantgeria. The letter with reference number NAP/GD/GM/84, which was dated June 13, 2014, also stated: “NAOC proposal to execute an interim award contract with Plantgeria for a replacement tender of which award recommendation has not been presented for NNPC Board consideration and approval is declined and not approved.” Okehs directed NAOC to “immediately commence negotiation with Arco Petrochemical Limited with a view to awarding a six-month stop-gap contract using the manpower loading that was approved for the 2013 Stop Gap Contract.” Okehs reminded NAOC that NAPIMS had earlier advised it to hold negotiation with Arco Petrochemical on April 29, 2014, but the Italian oil major apparently ignored the advice.

Oil lease renewal talks with Shell, others on-going C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

on many of their onshore and shallow water blocks. Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke had in May 2012 pledged government’s readiness to renew the licences in June of same year, but two year after, the stalemate has continued to linger. It was learnt that the delay was occasioned by the government’s inability to pass the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law. However, for obvious legal and contractual reason, the IOCs declined to comment on the six year-old talks. New Telegraph gathered that some of them are beginning to lose confidence in government’s sincerity to renew the licences for them this year. “We are beginning to see clearly that government is looking for PIB passage before the renewal. It is only natural for your spirit to be dampened if you are in our shoes,’ a management staff of one of the companies said. This newspaper had exclusively reported earlier that

the hope of securing renewal by these oil companies in 2014 might not materialised. “There is no hope that the licenses would be renewed for these IOCs until after the passage of the controversial Petroleum industry Bill (PIB),” this paper had reported, explaining that the PIB “is also not likely to be passed before the 2015 general elections.” A source close to the previous negotiations told our correspondent at the weekend that the parties are to go back to the negotiation table soon. “Each of the IOCs you mentioned is meeting separately with the representatives of the government and what we know is that the parties are meeting very soon,” he said. The NNPC, which kept mum on the time the talks would be finalized however, allayed fears in some quarters that the ongoing divestments by some of these IOCs are caused by the delay in the renewal talks. “The recent spate of divestments by some international oil companies, IOCs, from some onshore oil blocks would not lead to crisis in the nation’s oil and gas industry,” the corporation said.

L-R: Assistant Brand Manager, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mrs Izegbuwa Izevbaye; Head of Legal and Public Relations, Mr Andrew Enahoro and Head of Marketing, Mr Festus Tettey, at the Onga National Campus Cooking Competition Press Briefing in Lagos.

Rise in house price looms as steel costs rise globally THREAT Growing demand for steel from high-growth real estate nations threatens Nigeria’s market Dayo Ayeyemi

onstruction cost and house prices may go up in Nigeria and other emerging markets if the steel prices increase at an annual rate of 2.2 per cent over the next three years as forecasted by IBISWorld. Reason being that there is growing demand for steel from the recovering construction industry and from high-growth real estate markets around the world like Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, New York and Miami. This increased demand is now putting pressure on pricing, leading to a rise in steelrelated construction products. IBISWorld is a global business intelligence leader specialising in industry market research and procurement and purchasing research reports. At present, Nigeria’s Ajaokuta steel company is still in comatose, while major manufacturers of steel products, especially

reinforcement bars, rely heavily on scraps as raw materials. The fear is that, if the price of steel (iron bar) goes up, there may be rise in the cost of housing as investors and real estate developers might be in haste to recoup their investments. As at today, according to the market survey conducted by New Telegraph, the price of reinforcement bar (iron rod) range between N125,000 and N165,000 per ton. Speaking with New Telegraph when contacted, Second Vice President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr Kunle Awobodu, stated that as at present, the price of iron bar has been relatively stable in the market, and that no one has heard of any increase in price. If eventually the prices of steel rise globally, Awobodu said it would lead to increase in the price of iron bars locally, adding that it would definitely jerk up the housing project cost. The implication of this, he said would lead to a situation where people especially construction workers would begin to reduce the number of iron bars in their concrete in order to cut cost. The result of this, he said would promote structural failures in many cities in Nigeria. Besides, he is of the opinion that the rising price of steel globally would dim the dream

of millions of Nigerians looking for accommodation of their own as the price of housing units may soar beyond their reach. As a primary input for many construction and industrial equipment products, steel exhibited a significant degree of price volatility in the midst of the Great Recession. As the construction and industrial industries tanked, demand for steel followed suit, with prices plunging 25.1 per cent in 2009. Steel prices bounced back strongly the following two years; however, the recovery was short lived. As a result, IBISWorld expects steel prices to decline overall at an annualized rate of 3.8 per cent from 2011 to 2014. Lower steel prices have helped curb price growth for products used in building and industrial applications. However, with steel prices forecast to increase over the next three years and construction and industrial activity projected to remain strong, buyers will encounter higher prices for steelbased products heading into 2017. Some of the top five key products IBISWorld has identified that will likely undergo accelerated price growth over the next three years due to rising steel prices include: security wire fencing, nails, elevators, building demolition machinery and equipment, and forklifts.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

BIG PIE Nigerians contractors in the oil and gas sector should begin to demand for bigger projects Adeola Yusuf

IOCs' projects: FG drums support for local contractors

he Federal Government is not satisfied with the level of projects that the International Oil Companies (IOCs) are giving to Nigerian contractors, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engineer Ernest Nwapa, has said. Nwapa, who said this in a statement on the agency’s website, also called on indigenous oil and gas companies to up their standards. The NCDMB boss said that government would not lessen its standard for any local operator who refuses to adhere to the global standard, which the oil and gas industry is known for. Although Nwapa hailed Nigeria’s progress so far in terms of shoring up local content in oil and gas operations, he however, stressed that the nation was still far from achieving the highest possible level in that regard. The aim of the NCDMB board, he said in the statement signed by Obinna Ezeobi, was to create increased capacity for local Nigerian players as well as get increased level of work in the sector done in-country. “I just believe that in an FPSO project, coming to have a big party like this for detailed engineering could send a wrong signal that we are already satisfied. “We are not yet satisfied. So, as Nigerians, we are looking for bigger projects. Let us always take one project, put it in our pocket and ask for more. That is what we continue to say to Nigerian engineering contractors, fabricators and all our companies that are working in the industry,” Nwapa said. One of the major projects in Nigeria, which the NCDMB boss believed Nigerian contractors have benefited, is the successful completion of the detailed engineering of the offshore living quarters of the Floating Production Storage Offloading, FPSO, for Total’s $13.35 billion Egina project. He, however, stated that Nigerians contractors in the oil and gas sector should begin to demand for bigger projects. The completion of the detailed engineering for the Egina FPSO by a local contractor was a big step forward and should, therefore, be applauded. “We are not just interested in seeing this project as if it is a dash, but as something that has become part of our way of doing business. We want to see it done in such a way that we layer it. “We layer Ofon and then we layer Egina on top of Ofon and we put our learning together, so that we do not dissipate that, which we are doing. I am very sure that Samsung knows this because this is the way they themselves became a big international company,” Nwapa stated.

Nigerian engineers fixing leakages on a pipeline

FORCE MAJUERE The lift of force majeure on gas delivery by WAGPCO clocks one year Adeola Yusuf

s the July 11, 2013, lift of force majeure on gas transportation by West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAGPCo) clocked one year, the company has tightened security on its 678 kilometres pipeline. New Telegraph gathered that this was a part of an exercise by the company to reassess event that led to the force majeure in 2012. The 678 kilometre pipeline, which supplies natural gas from Nigeria, resumed deliveries in July, 2013, after being impaired. The company, which is known as WAPCo, delivers gas to buyers in Benin, Togo and Ghana. In August 2012, the company was forced to shut down the link and declared a force majeure after a ship’s anchor damaged the gas pipeline in Togolese waters. “The company is pursuing measures to forestall a re-occurrence of the pipeline breach incident,” WAGPCo’s spokesperson, Harriet WerekoBrobby, said.

WAGPCO tightens security on 678km pipeline The 678 kilometres WAGP links into the existing EscravosLagos pipeline at the Nigeria Gas Company’s Itoki Natural Gas Export Terminal in Nigeria and proceeds to a beachhead in Lagos. From there it moves offshore to Takoradi, in Ghana, with gas delivery laterals from the main line extending to Cotonou (Benin), Lome (Togo) and Tema (Ghana). The Escravos-Lagos pipeline system has a capacity of 800 million ft3/d, and the WAPCo system will initially carry a volume of 170 million ft3/d and peak over time at a capacity of 460 million ft3/d. Former Vice President, Chevron Pipelines, Walter Perez, who took over as the Managing Director, WAPGCo, had resently said that customers should expect reliable supply and operation excellence. "We will ensure that there is quality service delivery, community relationships and stakeholders’ engagements," he said. Perez, whose experience spanned 25 years in global oil and gas industry, promised

quality service delivery to WAGPCo's customers. He pledged to work tirelessly with his team to ensure quality service delivery. “The management of the West African gas pipeline, an all important pipeline, which has now been repaired, re-commissioned and back in operation, is happy to have a man like Walt, who has over 25 years experience in global oil and gas industry to paddle the canoe of its leadership,” WerekoBrobby added. WAPCo is owned by Chevron West African Gas Pipeline Ltd (36.7 per cent); Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (25 per cent); Shell Overseas Holdings Limited (18 per cent); and Takoradi Power Company Limited (16.3 per cent), Societe Togolaise de Gaz (2 per cent) and Societe BenGaz S.A. (2 per cent). Perez joined WAPCo in September, 2013. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and is the oldest of three children. He grew up along the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the city of Gautier. Wereko-Brobby had earlier said while introducing her com-

pany’s helmsman to journalists in Lagos that: “Perez brings to this position, more than two decades of extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, especially in gas pipeline management. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1988 with a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering. “Perez began his career with Chevron later that same year as a Design Engineer at their Pascagoula Refinery. He worked there for nearly twelve years holding positions of Lead Design Engineer, HAZOPs Facilitator, and Assistant Superintendent of Operations. “He spent the next nine years of his career in Chevron Pipe Line Company in various locations throughout the USA holding positions of Field Team Leader, Technical Services Team Leader, Control Center Team Leader, Business Development Representative, and Vice President. He joined Chevron’s Southern African Business Unit in 2009 as General Manager, Angola Gas Pipeline Company based in Luanda, Angola.”

28 business | ENERGY ADDITION Oando has said that its oil production increased to 50,000bpd with ConocoPhillips acquisition Adeola Yusuf

he 2.3 million barrels crude production in Nigeria will increase with the on-going divestments of blocs by international oil companies, Oando Energy Resources Incorporated (OER), has said. The OER, a subsidiary of Oando Plc, which said this, also announced a swift rise in its total crude oil production capacity from just about 4,500 barrels per day (bpd) to 50,000bpd. This increase, Chief Executive Officer of OER, Mr Pade Durotoye, told newsmen in Abuja, followed the company’s acquisition of the Nigerian upstream oil and gas assets of ConocoPhillips for a total cash consideration of $1.5 billion. The acquisition of ConocoPhillips, Durotoye said, has now transformed Oando Energy Resources as a leading indigenous Nigerian oil and gas operator. He said: “This transaction was made possible due to the overwhelming support from our shareholders, the Federal Government of Nigeria, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the international and local financial institutions that assisted with the necessary debt funding. “The acquisition speaks to our inorganic growth strategy of acquiring choice assets with good production rates, a large two key reserve base and two sea resource potentials for future developments,” Durotoye said. Oando Energy Resources as

TOTAL PRESENTATION Total E&P has lined up four major technical presentations to contribute to improvements in Nigeria’s oil sector Adeola Yusuf

inister of petroleum resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, would lead talks on marginal fields and other critical issues in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry as over 1,000 experts are billed to converge on Nigeria today. The global group of petroleum engineers, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), made this known in a statement signed by its chairman, Mr. Bernard Oboarekpe. It maintained that its Nigerian council had already created a forum at its Nigerian Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) for top stakeholders in the World oil and gas industry to discuss the way forward for

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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Nigeria’s oil production boost imminent – Oando boss a consolidated entity, he continued, “now has working interests and investments in 16 licenses that produce about 45,000 to 50,000bpd equivalent per day with 2P reserves of 230 millions of oil and 2C resources of 536 million barrels; our team is well positioned to develop these assets and unlock values for our shareholders.” Durotoye noted that OER has the right mix of capacities to operate the acquired assets. “We are committed to playing our role as a leader in this industry and look forward to

transactions of this nature to promote Nigerian grown companies to prominent positions internationally,” he said. On the expectations of OER’s shareholders, he said: “With regards to the balance sheet, the acquisition was $1.5 billion, which was financed by a combination of equity and debt ratio of 50/50 and that essentially modified the balance sheet. “We have identified that the asset is in production and cash supportive and it can support this structure of financing. That speaks directly of what it

does to our shareholders.” “The previous owners in the year 2013 generated a profit after tax that was $150 million, I will also like to point out that year was one that started on a little bit on the slow side because of a unique flood at the end of 2012 down south of Nigeria that severely affected the facilities and production of oil companies in Nigeria. “Directionally, we expect for our shareholders to see profit after tax in that region; the business continues to grow and there are significant growth op-

portunities that we are able to see already manifesting in the production, which will be immediately generative and additive to our shareholders.” He stated that OER expected its shareholders to see a yearend profit after tax in the region of $150 million, following from similar closing balance sheet of ConocoPhillips, which last operated the assets and gained that much in 2013. According to him, the acquisition includes its interests in six oil fields; four of which are currently producing, 12 production stations, Brass River terminal with a capacity of 3.6 million barrels (mmbbls), three gas plant facilities, 1490 kilometres of pipeline network and the 480 megawatts (MW) Kwale Okpai Independent Power Plant (IPP) ConocoPhillips’ Nigerian oil and gas businesses consist of onshore and offshore businesses.

IKEDC blocks revenue loss to metering gaps

Oil rig

Alison-Madueke leads 1,000 experts to SPE confab today Nigeria. This came as Total Exploration and Production Nigeria lined up four technical presentations aimed at contributing to improvements in Nigeria’s oil and gas exploration and production. New Telegraph gathered that the company has granted four of its technical staff permission to present four technical papers. Below are names and the technical papers, which the company plans to contribute to knowledge. “Moses ALUM will present the first paper from the company, which is entitled: ‘Review of erosion-corrosion monitoring and Inspection Techniques for Amenam High Pressure (HP) Header è Poster presentation. The second technical person is Efemena IYEDE, who will present a paper entitled: ‘Developing a robust emergency pipeline repairs system in Nigeria. “Shola Onwuaje is slated to present a paper entitled, ‘Optimization of topside facilities to

mitigate water hammer effects while Jude Atebe would present a paper entitled; ‘Limiting water production using linear Darcy’s flow concept in an open hole gravel pack completion in deepwater West Africa.” Meanwhile, Oboarekpe, has said that the E&P industry has continued to encounter new frontiers; new discoveries in many African countries, rise of unconventional resources and social/environmental pressures that are changing the way we do business on the continent of Africa. He said: “Increasingly, management of country risk, fiscal and local non technical issues (environmental, safety, security and social performance) are becoming a source of corporate value and determinant for capital flow. “Surely, the emergence of oil and gas industry economy in many more African countries is expected to have a significant impact on the African economic and social landscape and in par-

ticular, Nigeria. “Most of Africa’s oil production in the last decades has been from the narrow strip of North and West Africa. That picture is changing rapidly with discoveries in several other countries in the continent. “Tanzanian announced the fourth Tanzania deep offshore and North Lake Tanganyika licensing round on 25 October 2013, with bidding scheduled to close on 15 May 2014; Gabon, in October 2013, awarded 13 offshore blocks, as part of a deepwater licensing round in an attempt to stop declining oil output. “Cameroon, Morocco, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa in the last two years have seen increased reconnaissance in the oil and gas industry, especially offshore.” According to him, over $1 billion is expected to be spent on exploration in the next two years, as over 10 companies have been granted exploration licenses within the continent.

ne of the electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) in Nigeria, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), said at the weekend that it had deployed means to block revenue loss to metering and billing gaps. The company, which said this in a statement by its Head, Communication Strategy, Pekun Adeyanju, maintained that this measure was in keeping with its commitment to enhance service delivery within its network. IKEDC in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems Plc (NIBSS), the statement said, “has created an online platform to facilitate secure, convenient and more efficient payment options for IKEDC post-paid customers, for both energy and non-energy related bills.” NIBSS is Nigeria’s central switch for interconnectivity and interoperability of payment schemes. Adeyanju continued: “This new payment process will ensure that post-paid customer accounts are credited promptly, avoiding unplanned service interruptions.” The statement quoted the Managing Director of IKEDC Mr Abiodun Ajifowobaje, to have said that the initiative represents another milestone for the company as it continues to enhance customer experience within its network. “This upgrade of our electronic bill payment process has been designed to deliver a more convenient, efficient and seamless experience for customers whilst paying their IKEDC bills. “We urge all our esteemed customers to embrace the platform as we continue to work on ensuring enhanced power supply to our customers,” he was quoted to have said.

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Agenda for Dahwa, new NNPC boss

ith the late Friday night’s announcement of Joseph Dahwa as the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered him to takeover with immediate effect. The statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, announced the removal of Andrew Yakubu and his replacement with Dahwa, the sixth GMD in just five years. The Borno State-born Dahwa has since taken over this public corporation with highest level of challenges and financial prosperity. Although many stakeholders expressed confidence that the new helmsman, who had worked for the corporation as the Managing Director of Integrated Data Services Ltd (IDSL), is up to the task, he nonetheless has some challenges to contend with. Refineries The pipeline crude supply contracts between the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), authorities of the Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical, the Pipeline Company and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, have collapsed and this is one of the challenges starring at Dahwa. Authorities of the two refineries have now abandoned the PPMC pipelines crude supply contracts and have signed a new set of marine supply contracts with the pipeline company and other marine transporters for crude supply. The ousted GMD, NNPC, Yakubu, confirmed the new contracts for marine crude supply operations, blaming the abandonment of the old contracts on activities of pipeline vandals. He told this newspaper on the sideline of the just concluded capacity building workshop for energy editors and correspondents in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, that the supply of crude oil through the pipelines to refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri had been grounded by the activities of vandals. The Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, he said, “now depend on marine transport for crude supply.” Capacity utilisation of the refineries is, according to him, 60 per cent of the plate capacity, which is “not because the plants cannot take more but because we have challenges of crude supply, so we have to go through marine.” He explained: “If you don’t have a pipeline that supplies your crude continuously you cannot maximise the volume put in. So, if you have to go through marine and alternative sources, you are constrained based on the volume that those systems can deliver.” According to the NNPC helmsman, there “is a major challenge, you cannot put a barrel in Excravos and get it at Warri end. So, that pipeline is completely abandoned. Warri to Port Harcourt is the same thing, Port Harcourt is the same thing, and it is absolutely impossible.” A source at the NNPC told our correspondent that these contracts were signed at the first quarter of this year. It was gathered earlier that the epileptic power supply in Nigeria had worsened activities at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHPC), putting the 210, 000 barrels per day facility in comatose. Checks then by this newspaper revealed that production at the Nigeria’s biggest refinery had crashed by over 145, 000 barrels per day. Ousted NNPC GMD, Engineer Yakubu had earlier hinted that the Original Manufacturer of the refinery had shun several calls by the corporation to come and fix the facility. A source at the refinery however, told our correspondent that the problem facing the installation was beyond Turn

ENERGY EDITOR, Adeola Yusuf, highlights pitfalls, which the new Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Joseph Dahwa, must avoid to keep his job

Dahwa

Yakubu

Around Maintenance (TAM). “Truth of the matter is that the power supply to the facility has been epileptic. In other climes, a facility of this nature generates electricity on its own. “But we heard that a contract had been signed for supply of power to the refinery. We only hope that the contract works out to prevent the biggest refinery in Nigeria from being grounded into a halt,” he said. Already, a contract had been signed between the NNPC and GE’s Distributed Power for the supply of uninterrupted 25 Mega Watt (MW) to the refinery.

bly over the allegation and resolutions, adding that the money in question was an operational cost undertaken by the corporation to avert fuel crisis in the country. The new GMD is expected to refund these funds or come up with a strategy to manage the bad image, which this has created for the corporation. Dahwa’ predecessor had earlier explained that the corporation engaged in business ventures that necessitated the expenditure. His words: “We will collect the report, we will look at it again and we will continue to explain. “It is left for them to judge. I am an accused; I cannot be a judge in my case. Should I be punished for doing the right things? “We will continue to talk to see may be by and large, they will have a change of mind.” “If you are going to go into a profit making venture you must operate within the business environment that will make you make that profit. So, if you create a pricing template that does not take into cognizance some of the challenges that are faced, by virtue of the operating environment, that is difficult. “We have had challenges in Arepo, you know very well that any time that line is breached I cannot use that line, I have vessels and I am made to understand that to avert energy crisis in the country I must have strategic storage.”

Senate’s $218m remittance The Senate had during the presentation of its finance committee report chaired by Senator Ahmed Makarfi asked NNPC to remit to the federation account the sum of $218,069million, being the share of the federation from third party financing agreement it did not remit. Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, alleged that the NNPC had failed to remit the sum of $49.8 billion proceeds from oil sale. The Senate committee on finance had been saddled with the responsibility of investigating the veracity of that claim. The committee had faulted Sanusi’s claim with regard to the “missing funds”, but submitted that the corporation nonetheless, had a debt of $218,069million. The breakdown of the monies to be remitted into the federation account by NNPC according to the adopted report, are $447.817 million being balance of Royalty and Petroleum Profit tax the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) refused to remit into federation account on behalf of NNPC. Another issue is the $218.069 million balance of $2.4billion oil Gross Lifting under third party financing NNPC could not be account for and the $262million expenses NNPC could not satisfactorily defend in respect of Holdings Strategic Stock Reserve, Pipeline Maintenance and Management Cost and Capital Expenditure. At a workshop for energy correspondents in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Yakubu however, said that the corporation would continue to engage the National Assem-

Pipelines security Pipeline insecurity is another challenge waiting to welcome the new GMD. Arepo, a settlement in Obafemi Owode

The new GMD is expected to remit $218m as ordred by the Senate or come up with a strategy to manage the bad image, which this has created for the corporation

Local government area of Ogun State is one of the notorious spots for pipeline vandals. During the last vandalism incident on the system 2B pipeline, which transports refined petroleum products from Atlas Cove Jetty in Apapa to depots in MosimiOgun state; Ibaada-Oyo state; Ore-Ondo state and Ilorin in Kwara state, in May this year, 14 suspects were arrested, and are currently in the custody of the Police. Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police. Mba, who said investigations into the matter were still ongoing, revealed that three assorted rifles were recovered from the suspected pipeline vandals. According to the FPRO, 52 police officers were deployed to the area to check the vandals and restore order. He however, regretted that efforts by the police high command to deploy a rescue helicopter to the area were hindered by the difficult terrain. Litigation/$20m Brass LNG FID The Federal Government has explained why the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the $20 million Brass LNG project is being delayed. It said that making such investment now would make government run into a serious litigation with other shareholders. The FID for the project had suffered several postponements, as it should have been executed in December 2006 and later in December 2008. It was also postponed to the first quarter of 2011, with construction expected to start by mid-2011. It was subsequently postponed in 2012 to the first quarter of 2013. But up till now, it is still hanging in the balance. Former GMD of NNPC, Yakubu, who confirmed these developments, added that the FID has to wait until the right legal process has been taken. “We have to do what we did (putting FID on hold) to avoid litigations and to prevent running into trouble with our partners,” he said while answering questions from newsmen at an event to mark his two-year in office as GMD. “I am sure it is better to sort out everything before we go into the FID and I think that you will agree with me that this has to be done properly. “I am your representatives as a Nigerian on the project and I should do the right thing to protect your interest.” The transition Ironically, it was also President Jonathan through the same spokesman –Abati, in a statement in June 2012 that said Yakubu’s appointment was “to further strengthen the ongoing reforms and transformation of Nigeria’s petroleum sector, and in furtherance of efforts to achieve greater transparency and accountability in government.” The erstwhile GMD was appointed in June 2012 with some new group executive management team. He took over from Oniwon, who retired having attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 in 2011. Yakubu, the 15th NNPC boss. He is a 1979 graduate of Chemical Engineering from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and joined NNPC 34 years ago. He rose through the ranks to become the Managing Director of Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company as well as the GED in charge of Exploration and Production. He is an indigene of Kaduna State and a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). Although NNPC went through turbulence on matters relating to graft under Yakubu, he fought hard to take the corporation through the murky water. The industry is already waiting for Dahwa’s strategies on how he would tackle these challenges and politics within the government circles.

BUSINESS | ENERGY

MARKET PRICE NERC has approved a new benchmark price for gas James Nwabueze Abuja

HE federal government has said about 10,000MW is expected to be generated from coal source alone just as it targets 20,000MW by year 2020. This was disclosed by the Minister of Power Professor Chinedu Nebo, at the weekend during in an inter-ministerial press briefing in Abuja. He however, said the federal government reduced its power supply target for 2014 to 5,000Mega Watts (MW) in the next four to five months. There had been a pending target of 4,500MW for June this year which never came to fruition and a projection to supply 6,000MW by December 2014. Also, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Madueke, noted that “had there been sufficient gas supply, the current generation capacity would have crossed the 6,000mega watts target today.” She explained that collectively the ministries and agencies were working to find a lasting solution to the challenge. The minister announced that NERC has approved a new benchmark price of $2.50/mcf of gas supply, and $0. 80/mcf as transportation costs for new capacity, from 2014. “This benchmark will rise with US inflation annually,” she

TRAINING TRAINERS Danvic concepts international has said that it had trained over 100 lecturers across different universities in Nigeria. Adeola Yusuf

anvic Concepts International Nigeria with dGB Earth Sciences, Netherlands said at the weekend that they have partnered Petroleum Trust and Development Fund (PTDF) to donates seismic interpretation software and training worth $4million to four Nigerian Universities. The companies, which said this in a statement, maintained that the local content initiative of the Nigerian government got a very big boost with the donation of these modern seismic interpretation software and training. ‘These equipment worth $4million were donated to four Nigerian universities by Danvic Concepts International Nigeria and her partner dGB Earth Sciences Netherlands,” the statement by Chief Executive officer of Danvic Concept, Dr. Afe Mayowa stated. It said: “PTDF, through this initiative sponsored the required training to the universities.” The four universities that benefitted are Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State;

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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

FG targets 10, 000MW from coal Eyes 20,000MW by 2020 added. This increase will be captured in the next Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO), which is due in December this year. Madueke, however, explained that the federal government has developed additional interventions that will address outstanding issues around gas supply pricing, fast-track additional gas supply development, particularly in the short term. “It is expected that barring unforeseen developments these interventions will add at least 370mmcf/d of gas and assure a generation capacity of at least 5,000MW within 4-5 months,” she assured. Highlighting the interventions, which the ministries and agencies jointly planned, she said that a review of gas pricing is now being implemented to further reflect market value. Madueke pointed out that in addition to the new price, NERC will require firm commitments from gas suppliers on the agreed quantities of gas to generation companies as long as payment terms are met. The NERC, said the minister, is presently concluding the review of the Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses studies submitted by the distribution companies. She said that the review will be followed by a review of the

revenue requirement for the power sector that is to be covered by a revised Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) path. Madueke said to inspire confidence in the gas sector, regarding the willingness of the power sector to settle its outstanding debts for gas, “the CBN will support initiatives to clear up the most re-

cent gas related debts of the power sector. “Specifically, the CBN is looking at banking sector led measures to pay off N25billion of debts owed to gas suppliers. “The Central Bank will also play a key role in financial arrangements that guarantee payment for gas supply

Power installation

Netherlands firm, partner donate $4m oil software to varsities Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State; Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State and Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State. Earlier, more than 20 federal universities spread across the six geopolitical zones had benefited from similar donation. “Transforming Nigeria will require the efforts of all stakeholders, the government, the private sector and the general public. To have the Nigeria of our dream, all these stakeholders must make concerted efforts and work as a team to take the nation to the desired height. “No matter the approach employed to achieve this desire, one thing remains constant; the human resources required to make the change or drive the approach to the desired transformation. “It can therefore never be overemphasised that human capacity development remains the most important factor in transforming any nation,” Mayowa said. The federal government has adopted a sectorial approach to the transformation of Nigeria as evident in the seven point agenda of the president. Taking a look at the Oil and Gas sector, the enactment of the Nigeria Content law, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB),

by the power sector.” Emiefele noted that the Bankers’ Committee had some engagements where the CBN governor was asked to liaise with the ministries. According to the apex bank boss, it was agreed at the meeting that there is an outstanding legacy debt of N25 billion that the existing gas suppliers should be given some confidence by ensuring that the debt is paid off.

coupled with the different intervention of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund PTDF in human capacity development inform of scholarships, research grants, facility grants and partnership with private sectors, has brought about unprecedented development in the sector. The statement noted: “One of this partnership that is achieving landmark success and worthy of mentioning is that

bestween the agency (PTDF) and Danvic concepts internationalNig. Ltd; an indigenous oil and gas service company with a training arm. “Danvic Concepts International under the leadership of Dr. Mayowa Afe, a past president of the Nigerian Association Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has been working together to ensure an all-round

development of the oil and gas sector. “This synergy ensures the transfer of technology and knowledge from the industry to the academia, for onward passage the students. This way, the knowledge gap between the oil & gas industries and the universities can be bridged.” It added: “The lecturers are taught practical seismic interpretation using industry base software. Danvic concepts international and her technical partner, dGB Earthsciences(Netherlands) the copy write owners of OpendTect seismic interpretation tools have donated academic licenses worth more than $5 million USD to Nigerian universities.

in the lubricants’ Sgastakeholders sector of the Nigeria’s oil and Stakeholders set for maiden industry staging the 1st Nigerian Lubricants Summit, featuring a-two day forum and exhibition. The confab is being packaged by CMC Connect Limited (Perception Managers) in collaboration with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Organisers of the summit, which announced this in a statement, added that this is a part of efforts to promote and develop the growth of the downstream sector of the nation’s Oil and Gas Industry, coupled with the need to enhance local content in the Petroleum Sector. “CMC Connect Limited (Perception Managers) is working in synergy with Lubeservices Associates, a reputable and professional consulting firm with

Nigerian lubricant confab proven track records in the areas of lubricants, lubrication and related technical services,” the statement read. According to the organisers, there would be a press conference in the first week of August at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos where details of the summit would formally be unveiled. Explaining further, Mr. Adetola Odusote arpa, of the Public Affairs directorate at CMC Connect (Perception Managers) “the summit will serve as an interactive session and exhibition of the nation’s lubricants’ market with specific aims of showcasing their market potential, quality, standard compliance,

technical reliability and of course, address the challenges militating against its business growth.” Furthermore, the summit, Odusote emphasized, “shall also create a platform for the major and indigenous lube manufacturers, technocrats, investors, service providers, diverse consumers, statutory and regulatory agencies (DPR, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC, Weight & Measures, Customs & Excise, Navy, etc) and other stakeholders to meet in order to marshal a way forward for the survival and growth of the lubricants market in the country.”

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Youths tasked on protection of power infrastructures James Nwabueze Abuja

he federal government has put structures in place to make Nigerian youths industry-ready to man the evolving private sector driven power sector. Special Adviser to minister of power on media, Kande Daniels in a statement said, the move is aimed at providing self and paid employment for the youths, while also meeting the local content requirement for the power sector, to avoid foreign domination. According to the statement, Minister of Power Professor Chinedu Nebo made this known while addressing the closing ceremony of the 2014 Youth Summit of the Youth Initiative for Leadership and Rural Development YILARD, in Abuja. He explained that the reforms in the Power sector were well thought-out and deliberately planned to incorporate this wealth-creation component. Professor Nebo pointed out that specific schemes and initiatives targeted at empowering young Nigerians included the Power Sector Entrepreneurship programme, the SURE-P, and the capacity development offered through the National Power Training Institute NAPTIN, whose graduates were already being engaged to provide the needed technical expertise in the privatized power sector. He disclosed that about 7,400 young men and women were to receive training to revolutionise the Nigerian electricity market, when President Goodluck Jonathan officially flags off the skills acquisition and entrepreneurship scheme for the power sector. The Minister credited the Goodluck Jonathan administration for boldly reforming the sector, and for employing about one thousand young engineers into the system which, for over sixteen years, did not employ any new engineer. According to him, the reforms are being religiously implemented, with a view to achieving sufficiency in power supply, which will usher in industrialization and greater economic growth than has already been achieved. He charged the youths to discountenance insinuations about Nigeria being or becoming a failed state, and assured them that the country is overcoming its challenges, has become Africa’s largest economy, and become one of the world’s top four nations in return-oninvestment. Speaking on the Federal Government’s recent move of taking delivery of 248 containers of vital electricity equipment abandoned at the ports for several years before the Jonathan administration, the Minister said the abandonment was a demonstration of the need to privatise the sector, as no private entrepreneur would have tolerated such waste.

Afren CEO, COO under probe for graft FALLING SHARES The shares of have plunged after suspension of its CEO and COO amid probe Adeola Yusuf

fren Plc (AFR) shares plunged the most on record in London trading after the UK explorer focused on Nigeria and Kurdistan suspended two top ex-

ecutives amid a probe into unauthorised payments. The shares fell as much as 34 per cent, the most since March 2005, and were 29 per cent down at 106 pence by 10:51 a.m. The stock was the worst performer on the FTSE All-Share Index. (ASX). Afren suspended Chief Executive Officer Osman Shahenshah and Chief Operating Officer Shahid Ullah after an investigation found they might have benefited from unauthorised payments, the company said in a statement, at the weekend.

Law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher is conducting the investigation. A spokeswoman for the Serious Fraud Office in London didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The company didn’t make the payments and the probe didn’t find evidence that other board members were involved, the explorer said. Egbert Imomoh will become executive chairman, and the board appointed Toby Hayward, currently senior independent director, as interim CEO while the investigation continues.

Half-year earnings, scheduled for Aug. 4, have been postponed with a new date to be announced by the end of August. “Corporate governance at the company has always been controversial. If there are no further issues, it may be a sign of improvement, Jamal Orazbayeva, an analyst at Westhouse Securities Ltd., said by phone from London. ‘‘The market needs more clarification to find out what’s happened. At least these are not payments made by the company and there are no other board members involved.”

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) headquarters in Abuja

Exxon records $8.78bn Q2 revenue surge PRODUCTION FALLS The company’s production has fallen to 3.84 million barrels of oil per day Adeola Yusuf

With Agency Reports

xxon Mobil has declared 28 per cent net income rise in the second quarter.

The company, which said this in a statement on its website, maintained that this was caused by sale of its Asian assets. It however, said that oil and gas production slipped a disappointing 6 per cent. Exxon reported net income of $8.78 billion in for the second quarter at the weekend, on revenue of $111.65 billion. Last year during the same period, the company earned $6.86 billion on sales of $106.67

An oil worker operating a metering platform

billion. On a per-share basis, Exxon earned $2.05, up from $1.55 last year. The average estimate of analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for profit of $1.91 per share, but that estimate does not include the benefit from the Asian asset sale. Exxon, based in Irving, Texas, does not provide a breakdown of its adjusted results excluding one-time events such as asset sales. Exxon’s sale of power and utility assets in Hong Kong helped increase its earnings by $1.2 billion. Exxon also benefited from higher oil prices in the quarter, both in the US and abroad. In the US, Exxon sold oil for an average of $98.55 per barrel, up from $93.18 per barrel in last year’s second quarter. Outside of the US., oil sold for $103.72, up from $101.54 last year. But the asset sale and higher oil prices masked a continuing decline in oil and gas production at Exxon. Production fell to 3.84 million barrels of oil and gas per day from 4.15 million barrels last year. The decline was driven by the expiration of rights to a field in Abu Dhabi, low natural gas demand in Europe, and natural

field declines. Exxon’s production has been steadily shrinking, and it is a continuing concern for investors. “Production volumes were weaker than anticipated,” said Brian Youngberg, an analyst at Edward Jones. “Declining production continues to be a problem for the company.” On a conference call with investors, Exxon’s investor relations chief David Rosenthal, said despite the declines the company remains on schedule to meet its output targets for the year thanks to higher-thanexpected oil production in the US, rising oil production at a Canadian oil sands project and liquefied natural gas production out of a new project in Papua New Guinea. Exxon did not say whether increased US economic sanctions against Russia would affect its ability to proceed on schedule on its extensive joint operations with the Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft. “We are waiting for further details on the sanctions in order to better understand how we need to comply,” Rosenthal said. Exxon Mobil Corp. shares were down $3.11 to $100.14 in afternoon trading

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Why workers shut Addax Petroleum –PENGASSAN ENGAGEMENT Addax Petroleum has said that engagements are on going at the National, Zonal and Branch levels of PENGASSAN Adeola Yusuf

ddax Petroleum has said that it had begun engagement with protesting workers. Rising under the auspices of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN had last week crippled operations at the head office of Addax Petroleum in Lagos over unresolved labour issues.

Reacting to the picketing in a statement, Mrs. Dorothy Atake, General Manager, External & Government Affairs, said: “Addax Petroleum Development (Nigeria) Limited regrets to confirm that a public demonstration led by the Lagos Zone of PENGASSAN took place today ( penultimate Friday). The demonstration is as a result of industrial relations issues between the management and the association. “Engagements are on-going at the National, Zonal and Branch levels of PENGASSAN to reach amicable resolutions in the interest of all parties. “Management is committed to dialogue and it is expected that PENGASSAN will continue with current engagements so that all issues can be resolved harmoniously.”

The protesting workers, who stormed the company’s offices as early at 6a.m, chanted solidarity songs and prevented management and others from gaining access into the premises. It was gathered that besides the issue of protracted negotiation on improved condition of service, the management allegedly locked out the President of PENGASSAN who had gone to the company to mediate in the negotiation. The protesters claimed the company was insensitive to the health and safety concerns in its operational areas, career progression and development as well as undue delay of ongoing collective bargaining agreement, CBA, which had been on for eight months. They demanded that the company’s management ad-

dressed all health and safety concerns and promotion issues raised. Addressing the protesters, PENGASSAN branch Chairman in Addax Petroleum, Kingsley Onoyom, accused the management of high handedness on issues of health and safety of the workers, saying “We have registered our concern on the offshore transportation system and feeding at the Izombe Flow Station but the management has refused to do anything to fix the problem. “He alleged that many members had not been promoted in the last eight years, while some were on the same job without promotion for 15 years. He said: “We have done everything to ensure that the management close the

negotiation of our Collective Bargaining Agreement that started since November last year but instead management continues to delay the CBA and this is affecting our morale and productivity. “When our national secretariat (PENGASSAN National Secretariat) tried to mediate and ensure that the negotiation continues and is closed early, the management embarrassed our national officers by denying them entry. “Similarly, Lagos Zonal Chairman of PENGASSAN, Abel Agarin, said the management should fix a meeting for the conclusion of the prolonged CBA negotiation for Friday and there must be a commitment from the management to meet all the demands of the workers before suspending the picketing.

Chevron 2Q profit tops estimates HIGH PROFIT Chevron reports betterthan-expected quarterly profit Adeola Yusuf

hevron Corportaion, the second-largest US oil company, reported better-than-expected quarterly profit last Friday as higher energy prices offset rising expenses and production dips in Kazakhstan. Chevron's reliance on higher crude oil and natural gas prices to boost results, even as production falls, mirrored results from rival Exxon Mobil Corp last Thursday, and underlined Wall Street's concerns that international energy giants were not replenishing reserves fast enough. Chevron said net income

rose to $5.67 billion, or $2.98 per share, in the second quarter, from $5.37 billion, or $2.77 per share, in the year-ago period. Analysts expected earnings of $2.66 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Production fell 1.4 percent to 2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d). Chevron is currently funding five major expansion projects it hopes will boost production by 20 percent by 2017. In a press release announcing the earnings, Chevron made no mention of Apache Corp's decision last Thursday to pull out of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) joint ventures. Chevron had said it would broadly discuss its LNG projects on an earnings conference call set for 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT) on Friday. Shares of Chevron rose 0.6 percent to $130.06 in premarket trading.

Oil slips to $105 on weak demand

rent crude oil slipped to $105 a barrel at the weekend, as oversupply and low demand outweighed worries over political tensions in the Middle East, North Africa and Ukraine. Brent crude was $105.10, its weakest since July 15 and was down 80 cents at $105.22 a barrel. US crude futures fell 85 cents to $97.32 a barrel, following 6.8 per cent decline last month, the biggest monthly loss since May 2012. US crude slipped more than a dollar to an intraday low of $97.09 earlier in the session, it’s lowest since February, after the closure of a refinery in Kansas. The outage at Coffeyville refinery, a major crude consumer, could last up to four weeks, according to its operator. Analysts say they expect global oil production to exceed demand this year and a supply glut has already built up in the West African and European markets. Worries over geopolitical risks to oil supply have eased

despite escalating violence in parts of the Middle East and North Africa. “A stronger dollar and concerns about stalling oil demand especially from China have been the bear factors at work, eroding prices,” said David Hufton, Managing Director of brokerage PVM Oil Associates. Oil prices remained steady as US job growth slowed more than expected in July. Non-farm payrolls increased 209,000 last month, less than expected, after surging by 298,000 in June, the Labour Department said lat Friday. The front of the Brent futures price curve is trading at a heavy discount to later barrels in a formation known as a contango. This discount has now lasted longer than any since early 2011, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Longson said. Oil investors say they are less worried now than a month ago about the risk to oil supplies from conflicts and civil turmoil despite heavy fighting in many countries.

Oil barrel

FG committed to transparency in power sector –Nebo James Nwabueze Abuja

ederal Government is determined to ensure the establishment of efficient and transparent processes that will guarantee appropriate reporting that is open to all actors in the new power sector. The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, stated this while unveiling the Electricity Market Permanent Payment System. He said that the recent handover of the trading points for meters to market participants would signal the actual takeover of the payment platform from Government control to the private owners of power legacy assets. According to the minister, the participants at the generation, transmission provider and distribution companies, will interface to see for themselves the receiving of trading point

meters. He expressed believe that ‘the new initiative will no doubt, help bridge the gap in revenue collection, as inputs and outputs are all measured, pointing out that all participants have access to the platform. He warned participants not to infringe on the system, insisting that the Government would descend heavily by penalizing defaulters. The Minister used the occasion to call on new power sector investors, to massively invest in metering, both up-stream and down-stream of the electricity flow, adding that market participants should not compromise the integrity of metering data, as this would affect the accuracy of market settlement. He described the event as a milestone, taking the sector gradually and steadily to the declaration of Transitional

Electricity Market (TEM), as all the conditions precedent to its declaration were almost in place. The Market Operator, Mrs. Ngozi Osuhor said the platform is a nation-wide project, which will connect everywhere there are power generation companies and distribution companies. She said the private sector participation in the handling of meters has progressively taken the power sector to the declaration of TEM, and challenged the participants to add-value to the process, by providing factual data for computation of bills. The Permanent Secretary in the Power Ministry, Amb. Godknow Igali, while assessing the sector, said “the power sector is gradually moving in the right direction; soon we shall be getting to the cruising level. Nigerians need to be patient with us, we will soon get it right”.

PROPERTY&ENVIRONMENT PAGE 33, Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Treasure Land Estate in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

EXPLOITATION House owners are capitalising on huge housing deficit in urban cities to exploit accommodation seekers Dayo Ayeyemi

igh rents in Nigerian cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja have become a burden to accommodation seekers. As landlords are smiling all the way to their banks having made huge profit on their investments, sitting tenants are finding the rent burden difficult to cope with. New accommodation seekers are worst hit by the high rents in these three Nigerian cities as they are combing everywhere to look for houses that can match their income. For Mr Victor, middle age and single, who resumed in a new office in Ogba from Lekki, Lagos, seven months ago, securing a new accommodation around Ikeja and Ogba has become a nightmare for him. Despite his link with some estate agents within the vicinity, they have not been able to get him an accommodation of his choice due to high rent. He said: “I only want onebedroom apartment around Ogba, Ojodu and Ikeja, but the

Soaring rents in cities worries home seekers, experts

high rent being demanded by landlords or estate agents is a big problem because I don’t have the money. “For a mini flat, they said I should pay N350,000; some even asked for N400,000 per year in Ogba. Where can I get this kind of money from? If one bedroom costs so much, you now begin to wonder what will be the price of two bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments.” One of the residents in Abuja who spoke with New Telegraph, Mr Femi Adeosun, said where he lived in Kubwa, a suburb of the FCT, landlords collect between N450,000 and N600,000 per annum for one bedroom apartment; between N850,000 and N900,000 for two-bedroom flat; and between N1 million and N1.2 million for a 3-bedroom apartment. In Abuja central area, he stated that rents for a 2-bedroom apartment costs between N2.5 million and N3 million, while 3-bedroom cost between N3 million and N3.5 million. Speaking about other suburbs in the FCT such as Mararaba and Nyanyan, he said that rents in the axis were a bit lower than Kubwa.

He attributed the soaring rental values in the Federal Capital Territory to influx of people from other parts of the country, high concentration of government’s presence, huge number of civil servants and quality infrastructure facilities. “There is this belief among many Nigerians that there is much money in Abuja and for this reason, they besiege the city without adequate preparation,” he said. The uniqueness of rent in

Abuja, he said, was the fact that people engaged lawyers for home searching instead estates agents, considering their corrupt practices. Also, one of the Port Harcourt-based estate surveyor and valuer, Mr Mark Emmanuel, told this newspaper that huge demand for available houses in Port Harcourt outstripped supply, saying that this was the major force responsible for high rent in the Garden City. According to him, rental val-

Current Rental values in Lagos LOCATION A 4-bedroom semi detached 3-bedroom flat 5-bedroom duplex 2 bedroom 2- bedroom 2-bedroom 5-bedroom duplex 3-bedroom 3-bedroom 2-bedroom 2bedroom

ASKING PRICE Lekki Ikoyi Ikorodu Lekki ogba Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja Agege Ipaja Ogba Ipaja

N3million per year N7million N450,000 N2million N800,000 N1.5million N4million N400,000 N250,000 N350,000 N200,000

ASKING PRICE Maitama maitama Kubwa kubwa Nyanyan

N4million N25million N500,000 From N850,000 N650,000

ASKING PRICE Orazi Ada-George Rd Rumuogba Peter Odili Rd Tran Amadi Rukpokwo

N650,000 N550,000 N1.5m N1.5m N2m N400,000

Abuja property LOCATION 3-bedroom 6 bedroom 1-bedroom 2-bedroom 2-bedroom Port Harcourt

One of the modern housing estates in Abuja

LOCATION 1-bedroom 2-bedroom 3-bedroom 2-bedroom 3-bedroom 2-bedroom

ue for a two-bedroom apartment in Port Harcourt now cost between N300,000 and N1 million, depending on location. A market survey conducted by New Telegraph, however, shows that rents in these cities have increased by 20 per cent in the last 24 months. The tables below show the current values.

Experts’ views To experts in the housing industry, the issue of growing rental value is a matter that has come to stay with the people due to the deficit in housing stock in the country especially in the urban centres. Unfortunately, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB ), Mr Chucks Omeife, said that government had found it difficult to effectively check the menace because it “cannot control what it cannot provide.” He said: “Home seekers are truly at the mercy of shylock landlords as they have no option. There are limited rental houses available hence when rents are increased, it is either you negotiate or you pack out.” This, he said, has always been the situation, urging government at all levels to, as a matter of urgency, provide rental residential apartments for the people within the urban areas. “This is the only way to gradually gain control of the market as pressure on the private properties will be relieved since people can now get alternatives,” he said. Omeife emphasised on the need to embark on the provision of adequate rental accommodation as a means of controlC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 4

property & ENVIRONMENT

HOUSING FINANCE The launch is geared toward actualising cheap houses for Nigerians Dayo Ayeyemi

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Boost for NMRC as FG launches first 10,000 mortgages

n preparation for the official operation of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC), the Federal Government has inaugurated the first 10,000 mortgages for the commencement of the Presidential Initiative on the delivery of affordable housing units to Nigerians. The housing initiaitve, the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said, was part of Federal Government’s efforts to fulfil its promise of providing affordable houses to Nigerians. She said: “During the launch of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC) in January, Mr President pledged to provide affordable housing by the end of the second quarter of the year. “This is so that Nigerians will be able to apply for mortgages in large numbers; we are here to implement his vision and dream. The launch today is the actualisation of this promise to move on the road to affordable housing finance for Nigerians.” Just penultimate week, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, inaugurated three ministerial committees as deliberate measures for successful take-off of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC). President Goodluck Jonathan had, on January 16, 2014, launched NMRC in order to enhance home accessibility and ownership through the new

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

ling rent. He pointed out that the current drive by the Federal government for housing provision is a welcome development. He also said that the scheme must be strategically done with provision of rental housing especially in the urban cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja for effective result in terms of rent control and management. Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos chapter, Pastor Stephen Jagun, explained that one major factor that determines rent are the forces of demand and supply. “You will agree with me that the rate of increase in population is not matched by the supply of housing stock. This pushes rent up; more people chasing the few available accommodations,” he said. Another factor, according to him, is the “cash and carry” nature of the property market. He said: “What this means is that any player must provide the cash and thereafter, is not under pressure for any repayment on the property. Hence, when he fixes rent, even when he does not realise it quickly, he is not under pressure to take the initial offers. He waits till he makes the

One of the estates financed by Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria in Abuja

products and services offered by the company to increase mortgage penetration in the country. The inaugurated committees included the Ministerial Committee on Presidential Initiative on the Delivery of 10,000 Housing Units under the NMRC Housing Finance Scheme; Ministerial Committee on Verification and Auditing of FG Lands and Landed Property in the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, and Ministerial Committee on National Housing Survey. The minister, in her speech, pointed out that the inauguration would ensure proper utilisation of the Federal Government’s lands and landed property with a view to getting

maximum value from prime property and freeing under-utilised land for new housing projects. She stressed that the effort would go a long way to reducing the current 17 million housing deficit in the country. “It is worthy to note that the inauguration ceremony which we are here to witness today is also another giant step towards actualising the vision of Mr President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for a repositioned and vibrant housing and urban development sector that will contribute more positively to the development of our great country,” she said. Eyakenyi, who would be chairing the committees, charged all members on coop-

Jonathan

eration and support as they undertake the national assignment. Still speaking about the mortgages launch, OkonjoIwealla said that it was the kick-off of the first initial 10,000 mortgages to be provided by lenders. She said

that the NMRC would provide mortgage lending with access to more liquidity and long term funds. The minister said that the NMRC mission was to provide more liquidity for longer term funding for the housing sector, adding that the initiative would address the limitation faced by banks to deliver mortgage services. According to her, the ability of banks to deliver mortgage services is limited by the fact that 80 per cent of all banks deposit are for 30 days only. “This does not make for great strength or sustainability in providing resources for the housing sector. The NMRC provides greater access for financing of tenures from 15 to 20 years, instead of people buying houses and paying up in either 12, 24 or 36 months, it is changed,” she said. She said that prequalifying people for the mortgage was a critical step to home ownership. The minister said that once a person was cleared by a lender, he or she would be emboldened to buy a house within the limit of the mortgage provided. Okonjo-Iweala said that the scheme would target first time home buyer to buy houses between two and N20 million. “We try to keep it low to address our first time buyers and above all our young people; essentially, what we have done is to develop an online portal specially for this scheme.

Soaring rents in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt

Jagun

Omeife

highest return and is not under pressure to make any mortgage repayments.” One of the ways to tackle this, he stated, was to deliberately increase the housing stock by building more houses or create an enabling environment for people to build. “I believe that instead of building some 100 prototype flats and begin celebration, government should create site and service scheme that will encourage thousands to build to their individual taste and

choice,” he said. Making the mortgage industry more robust, Jagun opined, would bring in more people who would pay some money to own their own apartment. He said that people would sacrifice and add to their supposed rent to pay for mortgage if the conditions are conducive and encouraging. Implications One implication of high rent, he said, was that “it reduces the spendable income of the

citizen thereby making them living less qualitative live,” adding that the situation would continue to get worse because rents will continue to rise. According to him, more people would continue to live frustrated lives and this has its health implications. He explained: “People paying high rent may end up not properly maintaining the apartment because they are unhappy already with how much the “house” has taken from them. This will tell on the apartment in the near future. You will have more landlord and tenant disputes.” Listing factors responsible for high rents, another estate surveyors, Mr Akinwumi Olalekan, said that the law of supply and demand was telling on the available properties, while government is only constructing for sale, saying that this has not measured up to the demand of citizens. According to him, the level of economic instability that would make any man to approach mortgage home is not present, while the level of operating housing policy is just cosmetic. Solution He stated that the only way

government could control rent is to produce core housing and mortgage it to people to complete and pay over time, saying that no one would borrow from commercial bank at high interest rate and allows government to control how much to charge. He suggested that the pension fund should be invested in the housing sector, “since is a long time investment, the maximum commercial bank can give you money is just eight years.” “The implication of high rent on people will bring about city slump and development of suburbs, which will make transportation challenging, that is what we are witnessing in Ikorodu, Ikotun and Ibafo axis. A lot of man-hour will be lost. Final implication is short life due to stress getting home late and waking up early,” he said. Lagos has some of the most highly-priced real estate in Africa at around $1,000 to $1,200 per square metre (sq. m). Returns on investment are among the highest in the world for those who can afford the cost of purchase. There are no effective rent controls in Nigeria. Lagos has a “Rent Control of Residential Premises Law” but this is not implemented.

property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Experts laud LAGHOMS, estates' quality HOME OWNERSHIP In five months, over 337 tenants have become homeowners through the scheme Dayo Ayeyemi

ithin five months, Lagos State government has proven that people can actually achieve their dream of home ownership through mortgage if the required enabling environment is provided. Five months on, the Lagos Home Mortgage Scheme (LAGHOMS) has provided housing to 337 first-time accommodation seekers without any interference. From 31 new home owners in March draw held within the premises of Lagos Television in Ikeja; followed by 36, 76 and 92 winners in April, May and June edition respectively, this unique innovation in housing, which many people doubted its workability at the initial stage has finally become the bride of many working-class first-time home seekers. Lauding the initiative, Lagos-based estate surveyor and valuer, Chief Kola Akomolede, stated: “Lagos must be commended for what it is doing now. It is similar to what Alhaji Lateef Jakande did by building houses and giving people automatic mortgage for them to pay over a period of 15 years, but now is 10 years. It is still okay rather than thecash and carry system. “It is a commendable effort and I want to recommend the idea to other state governments as well as the Federal Government.” He explained that the problem relating to housing provision has been that most of state governments did not take housing as a priority, stating that Lagos State government has now seen it as a priority and “that is

Shogunro Housing Estate, Ogba, Lagos

Alhaja Mustapha Housing Estate, Ojokoro, Lagos

why it is doing what it is doing now.” “If all other governments can do same, they may not have the fund, but we have always said that in housing, you may not have the fund, you can raise loan. If the state governments raise loan to build houses and sell to people, all you need to do is to transfer the repayment from government to the allottees over the period. I don’t see why any other state governments cannot do whatever the Lagos State government is doing,” he said. He also commended the quality of the housing schemes. Second Vice President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV)

Dr. Joshua Patunola-Ajayi, described the initiative as a welcome development, the first of its kind in the country. According to him, if well followed, it will address the housing deficit particularly in Lagos State. He likened the development to the Council House system in United Kingdom where people occupy the houses and pay overtime and that any one that contravene or tells lie can be thrown out. Patunola-Ajayi said: “It is good thing that has happened to us in the housing delivery in Nigeria in recent time.” In demonstration of his commitment to the project, Governor Babatunde Fashola has never missed any of the

CBN vows to revive Ibadan workers’ estate

he Central Bank of Ngeria (CBN) has promised to resuscitate its abandoned

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

82-acre staff quarter located at Owode area of Apata, Ibadan, Oyo State. While inspecting the property last week, the Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, CBN, Mr Bayo Adelabu, expressed surprise over the neglect and poor condition of the blocks of building. He therefore assured that the management of the bank would commence work at the site soon. The expansive property containing several blocks of housing units, he stated, has been neglected for too long, promising that the CBN under the current leadership of Godwin Emefiele would look into it being a sensitive and responsible organisation. He said that CBN got wind of the sorry state of the es-

tate through a news item in a newspaper last week and had to respond promptly, saying that the belief is that the abandoned property containing several blocks of housing units must be brought back to life. He added that the bank had a good mission and focus when the project was initiated, blaming the monetisation policy of the Federal Government for its abandonment. He said: “But I will like to assure the members of the public that we will swing into action and give it the kind of attention needed to bring life back into this place. I assure you that the new management of CBN is very responsive and responsible, and we shall do everything to make sure that this trend is reversed.

Fashola

draw since it was flagged off in March. So far, the LagosHOMS has catered for the housing need of 336 people. Amongst the housing schemes on offer for the fifth public draw are the Chois Gardens, Abijo-Lekki, Hon. Olai-

tan Mustapha Estate in Ijaiye Ojokoro, Hon Rotimi Shotomiwa Estate in Igbogbo, IKorodu, Ilupeju and Shogunro Scheme 1 and 2 in Ogba. Similarly, the Lagos State government is, through the LagosHOMS, considering the rent-to-own housing model for the informal sector and low income earners in the state. “We have run the mortgage scheme (LagosHOMS) for some time and we have seen that there are some people who cannot yet afford a mortgage, but if we give them more time, we think they can. So, we are opening the door of accessibility further, by starting this new scheme which we think will bring them in to benefit,” the governor said. Fashola explained that beneficiaries of this new initiative are expected to pay rent for a period, after which they are invited to take an offer to buy the houses. During that period, the scheme would have saved some of their rent for them as their equity to pay for mortgage and from there they migrate to become mortgage holders. He further said that the rentto-own scheme was looking at teachers and junior public servants who cannot at this point keep a mortgage because they have not worked for long enough to acquire the kind of savings necessary. Fashola had disclosed at the official launch of the Lagos Home Owners Scheme (Lagos HOMS) that his government will deliver 200 housing units every month and that the interest on mortgage would be pegged C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 6

Difference between mini flat, self-contained There seem to be some misunderstanding as to what precisely a “self-contained” apartment and a “mini flat” is. The purpose of this write up, according to Don Okereke in Nigerian Property Centre com, is to clarify the ambiguity surrounding the aforementioned notions. Self-contained flats Simply put, a “self-contained” apartment or room is a single room that has all the facilities such as toilet, bathroom and most probably a kitchen en-suite. That is to say that the room is “independent” in and of itself. It appears the term self-contained is commonly used in Nigeria, whereas in other climes such

as Europe and America, it is commonly called a “studio flat” or a “self-catering” flat. Another way of describing a self-contained apartment is to liken it to an “all-purpose” room. This type of apartment is mostly popular amongst people who abhor sharing facilities with other tenants hence the idea is to have everything they need within the confines of their abode. Self-contained apartments are increasingly becoming popular in Nigeria as more people try to avoid quarrels inherent in the so-called “face-toface” type of accommodation in Nigeria. Mini-flats On the other hand, a “mini flat” is an apartment that consists of 1bedroom and a sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and toilet. A mini-flat is akin to a typical “room and parlour,” the difference been that all the aforementioned facilities are en-suite in a mini flat. That is to say that kitchen, bathroom and toilet are enclosed within the apartment.

36 property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Work begins on new Adiyan water project 40% DEFICIT Current water needs for Lagos is 500 million gallons per day Dayo Ayeyemi

or Lagos State Government to meet water needs of the projected 29 million population in 2020, it has to rev production to 733 million gallons per day. Prepared to meet these needs and following an increased demand for water, the state government has approved an ambitious plan to commence the construction of Adiyan Water Works Phase II, which would double the existing 70 million and bring the water works to 140 million gallons per day. The target, if met, would give a surplus of 12 million water in the state. The plans and strategy was

unveiled at the media forum heralding the “World Water Day Celebration” at Ijora, the, corporation’s headquarters, last week. The Group Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation, Mr. Shayo Holloway, disclosed these to selected journalists. He said that the plan to meet the water needs of the emerging mega-city had fully started. The state government had completed 15 additional miniwater works in the first phase. According to Holoway, the scope of expansion was influenced by size in population at any given time. “For example, the current water needs in Lagos today is 500 million gallons per day, whereas, we are able to provide above 200 million gallons, thus with almost 45 per cent deficit. However, this deficit is already being addressed with the construction of the additional water works, the completion of an independent power project.” The Lagos Water Corpora-

tion’s group managing director, noted that the award of engineering design of Odomola Water Scheme had also received the approval of the governor “is the ultimate goal.” The scheme, when completed, he said, would provide 210 million gallons per day and would be dedicated to serve Ikoyi, Lekki corridor, Epe and Ibeju axis, including the Export Process Zone (EPZ), all along the Epe-Maroko Expressway. “In essence, when this project is completed, Adiyan would not be divested from serving several areas, but would solely concentrate on serving only one senatorial district. While Odomola scheme would be serving mostly Lagos East Senatorial District, Adiyan would be serving the west, while the conglomeration of majority of the existing water works would be serving the central.” The corporation, however, urged consumers to tap into its mains instead of patronising

water vendors. Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola said his administration has planned steady water supply for the state residents till 2020. The Adiyan waterworks would deliver 70 million gallons of water per day when completed. Fashola, after the inspection, said the water projects, which the administration was implementing would take the state to the level of sustainable and efficient water supply. He said: “Currently, there are reticulation contracts that have been issued including pipe networks and pipelines being laid across the state to receive the supply of water when it is done. “The planned expansion work at Adiyan, which has been on the drawing board since the 1970s, is expected to give the state 70 million gallons of water per day, which is the combined

Experts laud LAGHOMS C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 5

Some of the iron rods in the market

Chinese property investment rises in London

ondon has been the most popular destination for Chinese real estate investors in the first half of 2014 with buyers looking for both residential and commercial properties, new research shows. Efforts to market to Chinese investors, according to report from Property Wire, is paying off and overall Chinese outbound investment was 17 per cent higher in the six months of the year than over the same period of 2013 at $5.4 billion. The analysis report from JLL shows that commercial investment has taken the lion's share at almost $4 billion, but the growth has predominantly come from residential investment, which is 84 per cent higher than last year at $1.5 billion. In the second quarter, the standout purchases by Chi-

nese investors were shared between London and San Francisco with investment of $2.3 billion and $548 million respectively. Institutional investors targeted London with China Construction Bank, China Overseas Holdings and China Life all buying core CBD office assets. In San Francisco it was also CBD office assets that proved to be in vogue but here, it was a private investor who snapped up the 225 Bush Street asset. After San Francisco, Chicago is the next bit investment location with $465 million, followed by Sydney with $390 million, Madrid with $361 million, Melbourne with $191 million and Los Angeles with $169 million. “Although the Chinese in-

vestors have been very active in the world's major cities in the first half of 2014, they are energetically pursuing opportunities right across the spectrum of geographies and sectors,” said David GreenMorgan, global capital markets research director at JLL. “For first time overseas investors it makes sense to target the most liquid cities, but for the more experienced, looking at smaller less liquid markets like Spain where yields are higher but so are the risks is a natural progression,” he explained. Dalian Wanda became one of the first Chinese investors into the Spanish market in the second quarter of 2014 with a purchase of an office asset in Madrid from the Santander Banking Group.

capacity of all the mini water works and micro water works.” He added that the Adiyan expansion would help the government to serve areas like Iju, Agege, Mushin and Ilupeju. Fashola said: “It will help us relieve pressure from Iju Waterworks and Adiyan Phase I by implementing the expansion, which they planned almost three decades ago and bring water to people in those areas that I have mentioned. “It will also increase our capacity therefore to sustain life, prevent disease, provide healthy living at affordable cost, reduce the dependency that our people currently have in purchasing water, some of which is of questionable integrity.” The governor said efforts were on to tackle lack of potable water in some areas in the state. He said the government was also working on Odomola to serve Epe area.

at 9.5 per cent maximum. He also said that draw would be conducted every month in a transparent manner where pre-qualified applicants would emerge as winners. At inception, the government kicked off the scheme with 1,104 completed housing units while additional 3,156 houses were at various stages of construction, work also commenced on 132 units in Iponri, 720 units in Ibeshe, Ikorodu; 420 units in Ajara, Badagry; 648 units in Sangotedo Phase II; 216 units in Obele, 36 units Akerele phase II, 48 units in Oyingbo; 1254 units in Ilubirin and 1080 units in Ijora Badia. Besides, government recently disclosed that work has commenced at 23 new construction sites across the state to keep up the tempo of monthly delivery. The governor also revealed that government had released about N2 billion to mobilise fresh contractors to the new estates that are under construction. On the motive behind the scheme, Fashola said that it is to provide people with home. According to him, for many years, people have had to acquire houses; often times being required to pay cash once and for all, as if they were buying a shirt or pair of shoes in a shop. “This approach in part explains the reason why a large number of ordinary middle class and working people cannot afford to acquire homes on the basis of their legitimate income derived from hard work that rewards the dignity of their labour. “In Lagos State, we have taken the view that a home is not something you buy in one day but over time, in a way that your ability to acquire it is tied to your income and continued prosperity. Our view of a home is that it is something you pay for gradually and it is a place of safety, well built, safe and sound,

to protect you and your family from the hazards of nature such as rain and heat; a place that will not flood or suddenly collapse. An asset that outlives you,” the governor said. He advised applicants to only bid for houses in the area where they are prepared to live and not for every house that is put on the market, warning that successful applicants will not be allowed to rent out the house. “If you do not live in the house that you win, you will have violated our first home owner rule and it is a ground to re-possess the house, pay you off and offer it to those who really need a home.” Fashola disclosed that successful applicants will only be allowed to rent out after 10 years when the apartment has been fully paid for. On mortgage payment, he added that prompt payment of monthly mortgage will be rigorously enforced. The governor noted that default of payment and difficulty of re-possessing houses from defaulters has been a major disincentive to investment in the property sector by the private sector developers. He warned that Arbitration Rules that had been drafted into the contract of sale, the mortgage agreement and the arbitration proceedings are expected to be completed in 21 days. Fashola further said that the role of the state Ministry of Housing will increasingly be that of a regulatory one, facilitating private sector housing development and enforcing housing regulations; leading research into systems building and cost saving initiatives that increase the affordability of homes and the speed of construction. On the journey so far, Fashola said that the administration started saving N200 million monthly, whether the internally generated revenue increase or decrease, adding that this has now increased to N500 million monthly.

In aviation… The rot persists

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

BUSINESS 37 p–38

Passengers taking precautionary health measures inside an aircraft

The world’s most terrifying and contagious disease is raging through West Africa, where health workers struggle to deal with it because of local superstition and witchcraft. Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE, writes that the spread is “just one plane ride away” from reaching Western countries

he volume of air traffic has risen steeply in recent years and the number of long distance flights have greatly increased. With modern long range aircraft, the need for “stop-overs” has been reduced and the duration of flights increased. Air travel over long distances, in particular, exposes passengers to a number of factors that may have an effect on their health and well-being. Passengers with pre-existing health problems are more likely to be affected and should consult their doctor or a travel medicine clinic in good time before travelling. The outbreak of Ebola virus has further made air travel in West and Central Africa to be very difficult - airlines are

Ebola ‘just a flight away’ grounded, passengers stranded as measures are being taken to ensure that the disease is eradicated. But the nightmare of world health officials is of a breakout that will carry the highly contagious disease to the world beyond Africa. Ebola has already spread through four West African nations and has been detected in Lagos, Nigeria, Africa’s biggest city, with 21 million people. Warning The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned West Africa's Ebola-hit nations on Friday that the epidemic was spiralling out of control and could spread to other countries, causing “catastrophic" loss of lives and severe economic disruption. WHO Chief, Margaret Chan, told the leaders of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia at a regional summit that the response to the epidemic had been "woefully inadequate", revealing that the outbreak was “moving faster than our efforts to control it." The leaders were in Guinean capital, Conakry to organise the deployment of hundreds of extra medical personnel as part of $100 million emergency response to an epidemic which has claimed over 700 lives. The plan will also bolster ef-

forts to prevent and detect suspected cases, urge better border surveillance and reinforce WHO's sub-regional outbreak coordination centre in Guinea. "If the situation continue to deteriorate, the consequences can be catastrophic in terms of lost lives, but also severe socio-economic disruption and a high risk of spread to other countries," Chan said. She described the outbreak as "by far the largest ever in the nearly four-decade history of this disease." Porous borders There were indications that the disease is taking place in areas with fluid population movements over porous borders and it has demonstrated its ability to spread via air travel, contrary to what has been seen in

Air travel over long distances, in particular, exposes passengers to a number of factors that may have an effect on their health and wellbeing

past outbreaks. Cases are said to be occurring in rural areas which are difficult to access, but also in densely populated capital cities. Dubai's Emirates became the first global airline to announce it was suspending flights to the stricken area while the United States, Germany and France issued warnings against travel to the three African countries. Meanwhile, Nigeria quarantined two people who had “primary contact" with a man who died of Ebola in Lagos last week as West Africa battled to tame the outbreak. Red alert Fears that it could spread to other continents through air travel have been growing, with European and Asian countries on alert alongside African countries outside the Ebola crisis zone. In Britain, Sierra Leone cyclist, Moses Sesay, was quarantined and tested for Ebola at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, before being given the all-clear, the athlete told a British newspaper. Elsewhere in Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo, home to some of the continent's largest transport hubs, said that they had enhanced screening at border points and airports. Pan-African airlines, Arik

and ASKY, halted flights to and from Liberia and Sierra Leone, while Asia-Pacific nations from Hong Kong to Australia have announced tighter security measures at airports, some warning against travel to the Ebola-hit countries. Effect of travel restriction President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Capt Dele Ore, said: “It is rather very unfortunate that the journey could be so circumvented and the ease in moving around is now going to be punctuated by this unfortunate disease.” Passengers had difficulty moving around the region and this is even going to complicate it more. So many airlines are being monitored; some have been suspended from their routes. The effect is that it is going to start exposing people to go by unorthodox modes of transportation by going by ship, road and others instead of the usual pleasure of just flying across and it’s going to be more restrictive”. “Secondly, because authorities would be screening from border to border entry point to entry point, it’s going to be a lot of inconveniences to passengers, but, it is for their own interest. Passengers, in line with our own industry thinking about facilitation to see the C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 9

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

AIR RAGE

WITH

Wole Shadare

In aviation… The rot persists

Delta Airlines' business class cabin

Delta passengers receive more inflight entertainment Wole Shadare

elta Air Lines has announced that it will begin offering free entertainment options on all of its domestic aircraft and twocabin regional jets beginning on August 1. The move is the most farreaching effort by an airline to provide hit movies, popular television shows, music and video games for free. With the introduction of Delta Studio and the airline's investments to update the interiors of its aircraft, Delta is setting the standard for customers when it comes to free entertainment across more than 1,000 aircraft. All Delta customers, in every class of service on flights longer than one and a half hours, will have access to a selection of free entertainment options, either at their seat or through their laptops, mobile and tablet devices. Free entertainment options are available on flights with seat-back entertainment systems or on demand video streaming onboard Delta's Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft. "Through the introduction of Delta Studio our customers have yet another reason to choose Delta and a different travel experience," said Tim Mapes, senior vice president – Marketing. "Delta continues to be driven by customer feedback which has consistently placed the desire to be entertained at the top of the list of ways to improve our customers' time in the air." Delta customers seated in BusinessElite, First Class and Economy Comfort will have free, unrestricted access to in-flight entertainment on all international flights worldwide. Customers traveling in economy on all international flights will also have access to free content. Delta completed installation of seat-back entertainment systems on its inter-

national fleet in 2013. Customers traveling on domestic flights in BusinessElite, First Class and Economy Comfort will have free access to all in-flight entertainment. Domestic economy customers will have access to free content which includes all of Delta's live satellite TV channels, music selections and game options through seat-back entertainment systems as well as movie or TV selections such as 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' or 'Frozen' on seat-back systems in August as well as streaming content through in-flight Wi-Fi. Additional premium content will be available for purchase in economy including the latest movie titles such as 'Need for Speed' or 'Rio 2,' HBO and SHOWTIME programming as well as on-demand TV shows like 'About a Boy' or 'The Middle.' Delta's full entertainment line-up for the month of August is available in Sky magazine. Seat-back in-flight entertainment Delta offers 18 channels of live satellite TV on select aircraft and up to 250 movies, hundreds of TV shows, 2,300 songs and a selection of games on aircraft with seat-back entertainment systems. Delta is the only U.S. carrier to offer personal, on-demand entertainment at every seat on all long-haul international flights. Delta has 140 domestic aircraft with seat-back entertainment systems installed and recently announced that it will be updating more of its domestic narrow body aircraft through 2016. These fleet interior modifications will add seat-back entertainment to 56 Boeing 757-200, 43 Boeing 737-800s and 57 Airbus A319 aircraft. Additionally, more than 100 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft are already scheduled to be delivered with seatback entertainment through 2018.

In-flight streaming through onboard Wi-Fi Customers traveling on any domestic Delta or Delta Connection two-cabin aircraft equipped with Wi-Fi will be able to stream free movies and TV options directly to their mobile devices while in flight by using Gogo's video player app. The Fly Delta app will include an integrated player for iOS devices. Customers who have downloaded the app before their flight can easily access streamed content from Delta aircraft for playback while in-flight. With more than 900 domestic and international aircraft equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi, Delta operates the world's largest fleet of internet-connected aircraft available to more than 400,000 customers on more than 4,000 flights daily. Delta's in-flight connectivity continues to expand with the installation of the service on its international fleet. All Boeing 777, 767, 747, Airbus A330 and transoceanic Boeing 757 aircraft are scheduled for completion by the end of 2015, bringing the total number of Wi-Fi connected aircraft in Delta's fleet to more than 1,000. Artist spotlight and billboard partnership In June, Delta also launched its new music discovery platform for popular and emerging artists called Delta Artist Spotlight. The monthly program kicked off with newcomer Sam Smith and his debut album, 'In The Lonely Hour' by introducing his music to millions of passengers through overhead music during boarding and deplaning as well as offering custom content selections for aircraft equipped with seat-back entertainment systems. July featured Scottish electronic band Chvrches and Canadian-born songstress Kiezsa will be highlighted in C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 0

hat the aviation industry is in a near comatose state is stating the obvious. The question is, how is the sector going to be rescued? The answer should not be a difficult one. But it appears that the more you try to seek solution to the myriads of problems besetting the industry, the more difficult it becomes. Where do we even start from? Is it in the area of regulations, security, infrastructure, airline operations, aviation safety, or manpower development? Aviation is nothing without safety. While it is incumbent on everybody to ensure safety, the onus lies on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to enforce it as there have been allegations that human beings by nature try to cut corners. This act has done incalculable damage to the industry in Nigeria. Aviation is global, but the manner of aviation regulation in Nigeria is very suspect and one expert says the country does not seem to conform to global practice. The NCAA is the policeman of the industry. If the aviation regulatory body is the policeman of the industry, how then does it shy away from doing the needful when safety is stamped on its head? NCAA has enormous powers that the managers seem not to realise. It has constitutional powers to even ground the president’s aircraft if it founds out that safety is being compromised. This is not to say that government has flouted any rule in aviation safety as regards Mr. President’s jet. It is just an analogy. Perhaps, the NCAA does not realise that the Minister of Aviation has no direct say in the way the agency carries out its operations. The ninistry formulates policies for the sector; a situation where a minister interferes with its duty should not be condoned. But what do we have today? A Director-General of the agency, willingly surrenders the agency’s autonomy to a politician or politicians who tinker with the laid down law or regulations to suit his or her selfish agenda like the case of a female minister who appropriated the finances, practically took over and directly appointed people who had no business in aviation. While this lasted, the Director-General sat comfortably on his seat because he came in through the back door. It is only in Nigeria that shame has deserted a lot of top government officials who find it extremely difficult to thrown in the towel when they are pushed to the wall, to protect jobs that are not there in the first place. All have to share in the blame of plunging aviation to this sorry state, but the NCAA

would still have to take the lion share of the blame. Has NCAA really gone to sleep after one of its charismatic DirectorsGeneral, Dr. Olusegun Harold Demuren was unceremoniously eased out of the system because he refused to do the bidding of a serving minister during the period and some ‘powerful’ politician who wanted to bring in ‘dead planes’ and to circumvent the process of getting Air Operators Certificate (AOC). It was widely reported that Demuren stood his ground. He advised the promoters to come clean and follow the process of getting a licence. He was cautious about granting AOC to would-be airline. The aircraft, about five of them, have since remained on the apron of the domestic wing of the Lagos airport. How come the NCAA did not know that two of the start-up airlines, which got their AOC recently are massively indebted to their workers? How have they been operating if their workers are owed for over six months? This is a disaster waiting to happen. Aviation requires all the concentration to engender safety. A situation where engineers are owed for a very long time does not augur well for a very sensitive industry like aviation. The workers could even help to sabotage the airline, which in turn could lead to accident. How do you entrust the lives of several people in the hands of a man that is not happy doing his job? This is a disaster in waiting. Shouldn’t there be economic regulation from time to time for the airlines? The writer stands to be corrected if he says that there is no single airline in Nigeria that is healthy. Honestly, all of them put together amount to just about one airline in the real sense of airline business. All Nigerian airlines’ airplanes put together are not even up to 1/3 of the smallest airlines in Europe, United States or Asia. How come new entrants are allowed to operate with two aircraft for a very long time? NCAA may be relying on what the law says on that, but should not be allowed to remain for two long. What happens if the two aircraft go for checks at the same time, which is what happens most times; the passengers earlier booked on those planes are left stranded. The demise or the suspension of operations of airlines like Air Nigeria, IRS, Chanchangi and many others before them had long been predicted and it was not a surprise when they eventually went under. Nigerian airlines are sick and it does not appear there is medicine to cure them of their ailC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 9

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Malaysian plane crash probe begins I nternational experts started recovery work on Friday at the Malaysia Airlines MH17 wreckage site in east Ukraine despite clashes nearby between government forces and pro-Russian rebels. The group was the largest to reach the site since MH17 was shot down over rebel-held territory on July 17, killing all 298 people on board. Roads had for days been too dangerous to use because of heavy fighting, frustrating efforts to recover all the victims' remains.

The recovery mission included 70 experts from Australia and the Netherlands, as well as representatives of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). “Recovery work starts immediately," the OSCE said on Twitter. An advance team drove to the site from Donetsk on Thursday but only stayed for about an hour after the sides halted fighting along the route. Agreement was later reached to extend the limited

ceasefire around the route, making it a safe corridor. Kiev has accused the rebels of planting mines in the region near the site, suggesting they want to hamper the investigation and hide evidence, but an OSCE official said no evidence had been found to back up the allegations. Ukrainian officials say about 80 bodies have not been recovered from the wreckage of the Boeing 777. The 298 victims included 193 Dutch and 27 Australians, as well as 43 Malaysians.

In aviation… The rot persists C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 8

ment. Virtually all the operators are struggling to survive. Some of them have ridiculously reduced airfares to as low as N7,000 or N8,000. This is not sustainable in an industry that is highly capital intensive. The NCAA is expected to have called the carriers to order. There is no way an airline can charge N7,000 without cutting corners. These are all disasters waiting to happen if nothing is done about it urgently. On infrastructure, none of the nation’s airports has modern technology to aid seamless air travel. The airports remodeling project was nothing but a propaganda. Agreed that some structures were erected, the enormous funds sunk into the project was a far cry from what is on ground. It is so shameful that Nigeria is still parading the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as its best. The world has moved on and left Nigeria with a lot of catch up

to do. Despite the deception, the avio bridges stink and drop water any time it rains. The terminal not only stinks, but can be compared to an oven. Passengers sweat profusely while conducting their check ins, security is suspect. One begins to question what the huge funds were used for, going by infrastructural deficit at virtually all airports in Nigeria. The airspace is still not as perfect as it should be. The Total Radar Coverage of Nigerian Airspace, otherwise known as radar still has its challenges, air traffic controllers are in very short supply, aircraft inspectors are still not enough in NCAA, the sector is said to be populated by over 600 people who were brought in by a former Aviation Minister; people from other fields other than aviation; many who do not know the difference between runway and runaway; people who cannot differentiate aircraft types; people who look like Rock stars, entertainers. So, the rot goes on.

Ebola ‘just a flight away’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 7

Overland Airways' ATR aircraft

Airline group records rise in profit I AG reported a 55 percent rise in second-quarter profit driven by a recovery at Iberia and a strong performance from British Airways. International Airlines Group's second-quarter operating profit before exceptional items rose to ¤380 million ($509 million), from ¤245 million the previous year. British Airways' operating profit rose 34 per cent to ¤332 million in the quarter, while Iberia made an operating profit of ¤16 million versus a loss of ¤35 million last year. Vueling's operating profit rose 11 percent to ¤30 million. “This performance shows that we are making further solid progress," IAG chief executive, Willie Walsh, told reporters. IAG, Europe's second-largest airline by market value, stuck to its annual profit target, un-

like rival former state-owned carriers Lufthansa and Air France-KLM which have both issued profit warnings in recent weeks. The group aims to increase 2014 operating profit by at least ¤500 million ($670 million) from the ¤770 million it made last year. Its outlook shows IAG is weathering an increasingly competitive European airline market better than peers, helped by low-cost Spanish airline Vueling which it acquired last year. Lufthansa and Air FranceKLM have said they are focusing on ramping up their presence in Europe's low-cost short-haul market, dominated by easyJet and Ryanair. “We think this update provides relief. IAG is not immune from the pricing pressures of industry capacity expansion, but structurally it is better pro-

tected," Jefferies said in a note to clients. Capacity discipline IAG said it would trim around three percentage points off capacity across its network for the winter season, mainly due to slower than expected growth on Transatlantic routes. “We continue to see it as a growth market but we're going to adapt our capacity to better match the rate at which the market is growing," Walsh said. Iberia said on Friday it was starting to sell its stake in technology company Amadeus, held through derivatives, in a deal that will generate capital gains. Iberia, which has undergone a deep restructuring to cut staff and costs, will start receiving eight Airbus A350-900s and another eight A330-200 aircraft next year, IAG said.

ease, they can move from one place to the other. This is going to be more complicated. The inconvenience, you can’t quantify it in time, in loss of money. You might get to some borders, they might be closed and they might even decide to put everybody on quarantine,” he added. He stated that there would be a lot of loss of time and money, adding that time is money. He reiterated that the sum total is that there would be a lot of economic loss because people will now have to save up in case you are stocked somewhere. You have to make extra money available to be able to make the ends meet. On the part of the operators, he said that economic loss would be unprecedented. “First, aircraft utilisation will now be much lower, which means those who lease or even own the aircraft for their operations, anytime an aircraft is sitting on the ground, you know is a loss of revenue. Whether the aircraft is sitting down on ground, you will still run expresses; ground insurance, maintenance, but most especially that utilisation is very essential because once an aircraft is not doing what is meant to do, you are losing money, “Now, passengers because of the limited choices will now be fighting for space and they might now have to pay premium for their fares because an airline that is not suspended right now and still flies there, may want to catch in on it, pass on the extra cost to the public.” He further stated that for those who are suspended already, there would be a loss of reputation when they want to come back, hinting that people would be very skeptical about their operations.

Ore stated that government would now be forced to get their priority right, by making resources available for disease control, prevention and stoppage of the spread of the disease will now have to be budgeted for and when that happens, the tendency is that some other areas may be neglected. Emergency declaration One woman who recently returned to Hong Kong from a trip to Africa showed symptoms of Ebola, including fever and vomiting, but has tested negative. There is growing alarm, too, about the situation in Lagos, a teeming, vastly overcrowded city of open, fetid drains where millions live cheek by jowl in impoverished circumstances with poor sanitation and inadequate health services. As a continental business hub and a travel pivot that sees thousands of Nigerians fly each day to and from airports across the world, especially in Europe and the US, Lagos is the sort of place where Ebola could spread rapidly and be taken abroad. That is why, in the few days since the case in Lagos was detected, health authorities globally, including in Australia, are taking steps to ensure that however the Ebola outbreak develops, emergency measures are in place to deal with it. In Britain, which has a huge West African expatriate population, particularly from Nigeria, Prime Minister David Cameron’s ominously named “Cobra” emergency committee, which normally meets to deal with terrorist and other security threats, has been called into emergency session to map out a strategy to deal with a possible Ebola outbreak?

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Iberia A340 aircraft

Bombardier in new revenue drive GOOD THINKING

Bombardier is, however, ramping up discussions with China’s aerospace industry Wole Shadare

ith its star commercial aircraft still grounded and once-promising partnerships with Russian industry less certain, Bombardier will shift attention to its neglected aerostructures business to drive revenue growth while continuing to attempt to unlock the Chinese market and return the CSeries to flight. Second quarter earnings announced by Bombardier’s aerospace division paint a mixed picture. Revenues have increased year-over-year from $2.3 to $2.5 billion. Operating earnings also have improved by 0.9 percentage points compared to last year, but remain below expectations at $141 million, or 5.6% of revenues. Bombardier chief executive Pierre Beaudoin was so dissatisfied with the sluggish performance – and, not least, the embarrassment of the CSeries grounding and Learjets 85 development delays – that he announced last week breaking the aerospace division into three businesses and accepting the resignation of its former chief, Guy Hachey. Along with Hachey, Bombardier is laying off 1,800 of about 12,000 non-union employees by the end of the year, in an effort to boost operating margins amidst three concurrent aircraft development pogrammes. In the new corporate structure, the heads of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, Bombardier Business Aircraft and Bombardier Aerostructures

and Engineering Services will report directly to Beaudoin. Aftermarket sales and distribution will be divided, but sometimes share common infrastructure, such as warehouses. More problematic is how to divide engineering resources between the three groups, but those complexities will be decided over the next two months. In addition to giving Beaudoin more visibility over the aerospace development programmes, the restructuring also should improve the performance of the aerostructures business, he says. With 6,000 employees alone in Belfast and others in Canada, the aerostructures business plays a major role in Bombardier programmes and the wider aerospace supply chain. With commercial aircraft backlogs at Airbus and Boeing rising to unprecedented heights, Bombardier senses that its own aerostructures division can play a larger role on other aircraft programmes. Buried inside the larger aerospace company, the aerostructures unit struggled to attract investment from within the company, Beaudoin says. “When the aerospace group had to make decisions between

Virgin Atlantic's business class cabin

capital allocation between airplanes and structures, the airplanes seemed to win all the time,” Beaudoin says. The new organisation will ensure that Bombardier will invest the “proper amount of money to go and be competitive in this market”, he says. Hachey’s departure and the lay-offs echo previous moves by Bombardier earlier this year, with the departure of former chief commercial aircraft salesman Chet Fuller and a staff reduction of 1,700 employees. Bombardier’s moves have not impressed some analysts. “Bombardier’s executive leadership and organisation resembles the weather in Seattle - if you don’t like it, wait an hour and it will change,” says Richard Aboulafia, vicepresident of analysis at the Teal Group. “The reorganisation is either a way of bolstering profitability, or permitting unit divestitures, or possibly both,” Aboulafia says. “Given the risks associated with their structures business, the only unit that might realistically be sold is commercial aircraft. And there, it's very hard to imagine a buyer. China probably wouldn't be willing to pay,

even if the Canadian Government allowed the sale.” For his part, Beaudoin denies that possible spin-offs played any role in the restructuring and lay-offs announced last week. “No, this restructuring is not to get rid of any one division,” he says. Bombardier is, however, ramping up discussions with China’s aerospace industry. Comac officials met with Bombardier executives in Belfast in early July. The two companies are discussing Comac’s role in the CSeries programme, Beaudoin says. Comac could perhaps provide aftermarket support for the CSeries in China, he adds. Another promising opportunity in China are sales of the Dash 8 Q400 turboprop, but this would require find-

ing a partner to assemble the aircraft locally, Beaudoin says. The company is in talks with Chinese authorities about such a proposal. At the same time, Bombardier also is discussing a similar proposal for local assembly of the Q400 in Russia. Ilyushin Finance Corp agreed to buy up to 100 Q400s last August, but only if Bombardier agrees to transfer final assembly to Russian industry. Those discussions have continued despite new sanctions imposed by Western governments on Russia over fighting in Ukraine, Beaudoin says. “For us, yes, we are concerned about what’s going on with Russia, and we are looking at the effect on our business,” Beaudoin says. “But, in the end, it’s the government that will decide on sanctions.”

Delta passengers receive more comfort C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 8

the month of August. Delta launched an industryfirst partnership with Billboard in July to provide new ergonomically designed earbuds on flights more than 250 miles that feature seat-back and overhead entertainment. As one of the world's most influential music brands, Billboard brings a new level of expertise to the redesigned earbuds resulting in better sound quality and improved comfort. The earbuds are complimentary for all customers traveling on all international flights as well as flights between New York and Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle. Customers seated in domestic economy or Economy Comfort can purchase the earbuds for $2. Delta has invested billions of dollars in the customer experience, including updating interiors with more baggage

space and access to power on 225 of its domestic narrowbody aircraft and building a new Terminal 4 at New YorkJFK and the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal in Atlanta. The airline has also spent more than $100 million to expand, renovate and consolidate terminals C and D at New York-LaGuardia Airport and opened a Sky Deck at Delta Sky Clubs in New York-JFK and Atlanta in 2013. Additionally, customers have seen Delta's investment in its more than 45 Delta Sky Clubs throughout the system, power recharging stations at dozens of airports, and continued updates to the Fly Delta app including features such as integrated baggage tracking and mobile check-in. Customers can see a complete overview of Delta's ongoing updates to its products with the Delta Fleet Sheet on Facebook.

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE 41

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Nitel/Mtel takeover: FG shortlists NATCOM, NECTAR rian Telecommunications Ltd (NITEL) and its mobile arm, Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (MTEL). The sale process of the national telecom carrier is being carried out through a guided liquidation exercise. According to Sada, this followed earlier calls by the liquidator, Olutola Senbore & Co, appointed by the federal government to dispose of the companies for the expression of interest and subsequently announced bidders for the asset after the June 30 deadline for Expression of Interest (EoIs). Sada explained that after the consideration of the evaluation reports, the two firms with 90.7 and 90.2 per cent scores respectively were shortlisted for the financial bid. "The criteria are being followed and out of this 17, two has been short listed and the two companies are NATCOM consortium and NECTAR consortium, these are group of investors in the sector, with 90.7 and 90.2 per cent respectively" "NATCOM, a consortium, was created in April 2010 between the Group Viettel Telecom, (a subsidiary of the Vietnamese army) with 60 per cent and the Bank of the Republic of Haiti with 40 per cent equities with strong interest in the Telecommunications Sector in Haiti since the launch of its services in Haiti, September 7, 2011. "The company is the largest foreign investment project post-earthquake in Haiti that has fundamentally changed

STEERED LIQUIDATION 17 investors had signified their interests to buy NITEL and its mobile arm, MTEL Anule Emmanuel

he National Council on Privatisation (NCP) under the federal government guided liquidation programme, has pre-qualified NATCOM and NECTAR Consortiums for the take over of the Nigerian Telecommunications Ltd NITEL and its subsidiary, MTEL. This decision was arrived at a meeting of the NCP chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday at the presidential villa, Abuja. Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Architect Muhammed Musa Sada, said the Council deliberated on the evaluation reports for the expression of interest on the guided privatisation of NITEL / MTEL. Sada, who was joined at the briefing by the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen and Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Benjamin Dikki, said that a least 17 investors had signified their interests to buy the Nige-

the landscape of telecommunications in Haiti, by providing a high-speed bandwidth through its network of 3,500 kilometers of fiber optic cable broadband throughout Haiti, which allows high-speed stability and a highquality connection. "You will agree with me that efforts at getting NITEL back on stream has been very strenuous because of so many issues, so many problems, but this time around, there has been strong efforts so that we do not go back to what we had before. With what is put in place, we are very

Godson Ikoro

he World Bank disaster risk management group plans a $7billion recovery fund for Nigeria, Jamal Saghir, World Bank Director of Sustainable Development for the Africa Region, has said. The fund is a follow up to its Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) on record rainfall and flooding in Nigeria. In a report on Assessing PostDisaster Needs in Nigeria, the director said the fund, was the outcome of the Mid-2012 record rainfall and widespread flooding in Nigeria, with unprecedented losses in human life and productivity. As a result of the scale and severity of the destruction, the federal government of Nigeria had mobilised the World Bank, the European Union (EU), the United Nations and other key partners, to conduct a compre-

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

Offer 163.38

hensive Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA). The PDNA team undertook an in-depth analysis of the repercussions of the floods for the most affected states, which revealed an impact of 1.4 per cent on gross domestic product (GDP). The PDNA ultimately consolidated losses and impact into an actionable final report, which, relied heavily on GFDRR’s Guidance Notes for Conducting Post Disaster Needs Assessment and provided recommendations for recovery funding and guidelines for reducing the impact of future events. It also gave comprehensive, sector-by-sector breakdowns of losses and impact, including over 2,500 affected schools and a nearly 30 per cent loss in rice crop production.  The PDNA also analysed the social and economic impact of the flooding, and provided the

T Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

World Bank plans $7b disaster recovery funds for Nigeria crucial framework for rapid response and recovery efforts. It also made clear the value of in-depth, sector-specific analysis of disaster impacts, which speeded targeted response and recovery efforts.  These included consultations and surveys covering 4,000 households in over 300 settlements to assess social and livelihood impacts. After comprehensive analysis of the damages and losses across a wide spectrum of sectors, the teams according to the report, identified the need for more than $7 billion in necessary recovery funding. Furthermore, the report stated that an unusually large burst of rainfall led to severe flooding over nearly the entire country, causing heavy casualties and massive displacement along with more than $9 billion in damages, and further economic losses in excess of $7 billion.

Yields on TBs seen falling

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

It has very robust assets and it will be a very good thing for the country. Mobile telephones and networks are not substitutes for land lines and that is why we are doing everything to be able to bring it back to work." Council also approved the request for the concession of the Warri Ports complex to Associated Marine Services Ltd and the transfer of Federal Government's 51 percent holdings in the Stallion Development Properties Ltd to the Nigeria National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) Pension Fund.

Naira strengthens on interbank market

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

confident that we would only move forward to take us to the appropriate destination," Sada said. The minister noted: "The idea here is us for us to have a working institution not necessarily a situation where these assets are just dispensed with for whatever reasons. From our discussions today, we are making sure that these assets do not go to somebody who for other considerations will want to own it and keep it. "Our target is to make sure that NITEL, MTEL come back.

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

he naira strengthened against the dollar on the interbank market yesterday, reaching its strongest in almost three months, as a unit of Royal Dutch Shell sold dollars and demand for hard currencies weakened. Yields on Nigerian debt are also expected to fall in the week ahead while those in Kenya are seen steadying, traders said. The local currency according to Reuters closed at N160.90 to the dollar, up 0.36 per cent over last Friday's close of N161.48 to the dollar. The last time the naira was that strong was May 5, when it closed at N158.75 to the dollar. A unit of Shell sold an undisclosed amount of dollars to some lenders, providing dollar liquidity and support for the naira. Month-end dollar sales by energy companies have supported the local currency for the past three weeks, keeping the naira within a band of N161.35161.90 against the dollar "We are still expecting a further gain in the naira value this week," one dealer said, pointing out NNPC, the state-owned energy company, and some other oil companies had yet to sell dollars.

Most of the energy companies operating in Africa's biggest economy buy the local currency at the end of the month to fund domestic obligations. Meanwhile, yields on Nigerian treasury bills are likely to drop slightly at next week's auction as the market gradually responds to the new central bank governor's move to lower interest rates. Governor Godwin Emefiele has stated his plans to see interest rates lower in the medium term in a bid to stimulate productivity in Africa's biggest economy. The Federal plans to raise N195.17 billion ($1.21 billion) in treasury bills tomorrow as part of its usual short-dated debt issuance to plug the budget deficit. "We see yields coming down gradually in the medium term to long term in line with the expectations of the new central bank governor," one dealer with United Bank for Africa said. Yields on the short-dated debt have fallen marginally at the previous auctions since June as investors switched assets from money market instruments to fixed assets.

42 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

4-Aug-14

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject to the FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement.

Bonds

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

Description 9.25 28-SEP-2014 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

9.25 4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

100.00 535.00 515.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 220.15 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 35.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,479.99

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,567.16

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

Description

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

0.15 0.72 2.03 2.73 2.98 3.07 3.82 4.90 5.22 7.48 9.61 14.32 14.80 15.30 15.97 19.95

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

10.74 10.68 11.16 11.10 11.06 11.07 11.15 11.31 11.33 12.06 12.19 12.14 12.14 12.14 12.19 12.14

9.76 9.91 11.07 11.04 11.00 10.95 11.05 11.24 11.24 12.00 12.14 12.10 12.10 12.09 12.14 12.10

99.73 95.48 103.35 109.15 96.98 95.60 98.61 117.25 83.26 120.95 111.15 119.14 102.33 74.93 84.75 100.07

99.88 95.98 103.50 109.30 97.13 95.90 98.91 117.55 83.56 121.25 111.45 119.44 102.63 75.23 85.05 100.37

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.24 0.80 1.41 2.35 2.71 2.92

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.63 13.30 13.09 13.06 12.06 12.06

97.30 90.16 105.40 100.52 99.09 96.67

05-Aug-14 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.00 0.20 1.07 0.68 1.20 1.20 2.71 1.75 3.41 2.38 4.17 2.58 2.58 2.96 3.03 5.30 3.09 3.71 6.32 6.41 3.89 3.92

1.56 3.29 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.74 1.00 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

12.49 13.97 15.13 13.91 15.20 14.22 16.65 11.96 12.89 12.86 12.18 12.06 15.84 12.06 12.07 12.35 13.81 12.14 12.66 13.62 12.59 13.11

100.00 99.89 97.45 99.91 99.00 101.69 85.91 102.93 102.94 102.49 105.76 105.38 96.47 105.80 108.65 108.11 102.30 107.44 103.55 105.72 105.61 105.53

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,270.22

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR

KWARA NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

05-Aug-09 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 30-Sep-13 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

14.00 14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00

17.00 6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 17.28 80.00 28.37 11.40 87.00 5.00 4.78 4.79

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Corporate Bonds

501.10 511.33

A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014

Aa/Agusto

GTB µ NGC

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

Nil

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

*FLOURMILLS

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto

NAHCO

BBB-/GCR BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR BBB/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

FSDH

A/GCR

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

*DANA NAHCO

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

07-Oct-11

11.50

11.80

07-Oct-14

0.18

1.00

11.71

99.89

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.37

5.21

15.86

99.07

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.41

8.71

19.38

98.99

17-Aug-10

10.00

5.29

17-Aug-15

0.55

4.88

15.57

96.30

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.87

1.00

11.67

100.74

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.94

2.63

13.29

100.94

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

2.15

1.00

12.06

101.70

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.23

1.34

12.40

103.45

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.16

1.00

12.08

102.32

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.97

1.88

12.93

109.74

09-Apr-11

16.00

7.20

09-Apr-18

1.93

3.48

14.51

102.82

09-Sep-11

18.00

3.27

09-Sep-18

2.10

5.20

16.26

103.32

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.90

09-Sep-18

2.10

5.06

16.12

101.82

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

4.13

1.35

12.53

104.60

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.70

18-Oct-18

2.20

2.29

13.35

104.81

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.45

17-Feb-19

2.29

6.11

17.17

99.76

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.41

2.16

13.26

107.28

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.28

2.76

14.40

103.35

11-Feb-18

3.52

1.00

12.12

94.63

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

143.81

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

147.00

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

12.00 11.36 Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.92

4.78

110.03

110.88

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.13

3.92

103.57

104.34

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.25

5.14

107.92

108.78

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,607.57

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.71

2.96

111.45

112.64

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.89

3.89

104.40

106.16

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.19

5.81

99.28

100.71

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.03

6.41

100.59

102.30

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.66

8.12

94.37

96.01

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

7.13

5.88

109.38

111.49

6.25 APR 22, 2019

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

B/S&P; B/Fitch

FIDELITY BANK PLC

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

AFREN PLC

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.39

6.09

99.41

100.66

B/Fitch; B/S&P

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

8.77

8.52

99.89

100.86

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

DIAMOND BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.26

6.56

103.42

105.92

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.00

5.10

104.41

105.89

ZENITH BANK PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,660.00 3,766.91

**Treasury Bills DTM 10 17 24 31 38 45 52 59 66

FIXINGS Maturity 14-Aug-14 21-Aug-14 28-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 11-Sep-14 18-Sep-14 25-Sep-14 2-Oct-14 9-Oct-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.10 10.20 10.10 10.50 10.55 10.55 10.45 10.55 10.30

Offer Discount (%) 9.85 9.95 9.85 10.25 10.30 10.30 10.20 10.30 10.05

Bid Yield (%) 10.13 10.25 10.17 10.59 10.67 10.69 10.61 10.73 10.50

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 11.7500 12.8802 13.7707 14.6951

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

11.63

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

O/N

11.92

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M 6M

160.90 161.30 161.55 162.14 163.32 164.57 168.19

161.00 161.56 161.89 162.80 164.51 166.19 173.75

Tenor Call 1M 3M

REPO

Rate (%) 11.50 12.49 13.07

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

0.00 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

REGRESSION

KWARA NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS KOGI *EKITI *NASARAWA

Stories by Chris Ugwu

rading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Market (NSE) yesterday opened the week on a negative note, as the listed equities lost points and remained in the red zone following sell pressure TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE on blue chip companies. TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION This was due to profit taking Corporate Bonds by market speculators in the A+/Agusto; LAFARGE WAPCO wake of AA/GCR the cautious optimism Aa/Agusto GTB that has prevailed in the market NGC Nil inBbb-/Agusto recent times. *UPDC µ

A-/Agusto

*FLOURMILLS

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto

The twin market performance measures, the NSE ASI and market capitalisation, dropped by 0.3 per cent, as the market tempo lowered. At the close of trading, 29 stocks appreciated, while 26 others constituted the losers’ table. The twin market indicators, the All-Share Index fell by 132.89 basis points or 0.3 per cent from 41,934.40, last Friday to close at 41,801.51, while the market capitalisation slipped by N44 billion or 0.3 per cent, from N13.846 tril11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 lion to N13.802 trillion. 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 Further analysis of the day’s 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 trading showed that Seplat Ni10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

*CHELLARAMS

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

NAHCO

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

FSDH

A/GCR

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

UBA

BBB-/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

orried by inappropriate A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR arrangement in obtain*TOWER AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWERin the ing margin loans A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA country, the Chartered InstiBbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA tute of Stockbrokers (CIS), has BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS disclosed its plans*DANA to discuss BBB/GCR with the new leadership of A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO TOTAL OUTSTANDING the Central Bank VALUE of Nigeria (CBN), to review the knotty TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION issues surrounding the loans. Supranational Bond The President, Chairman of AAA/S&P IFC Council of the institute, Albert TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Okumagba stated this yesterday MARKET CAPITALISATION atTOTAL a press briefing to announce his investiture. His swearing-in Rating/Agency Issuer is slated for August 11, 2014. Unfolding FGN Eurobondshis vision for the Institute, said the engagement BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P with the apex bank would enBB-/Fitch; sure that processes of capital FGN BB-/S&P formation for the loan is susBB-/Fitch; tained BB-/S&P and mutually beneficial. Okumagba lamented TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE that there was no appropriate strucTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION ture on ground for obtaining Corporate Eurobonds margin loan in the last 10 years. B-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLCAMI “The CIS is working with GTBANK PLC I CON, NSE and federal minB+/S&P;SEC, B+/Fitch GTBANK PLC isistry of finance in addressing B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC sues of margin loans. There is B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY BANK PLC progress in resolution of issues B/Fitch around margin loansAFREN andPLC the enB+/Fitch; BB-/S&P BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

97.30 90.16 105.40 100.52 99.09 96.67

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 43

14.00 14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00

17.00 6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 17.28 80.00 28.37 11.40 87.00 5.00 4.78 4.79

0.00 0.20 1.07 0.68 1.20 1.20 2.71 1.75 3.41 2.38 4.17 2.58 2.58 2.96 3.03 5.30 3.09 3.71 6.32 6.41 3.89 3.92

geria Plc topped the day’s gainers’ table with N15.62 to close at N675.00, while 7Up Nigeria Plc trailed with N8.00 to close at N115.00 per share. On the flip side, Dangote Cement led the losers with a drop of N3.65 to close at N226.35, while Guinness Nigeria Plc shed N2.70 to close at N191.30. On the activity chart, the banking sub-sector dominated in volume terms with 126.3 million shares worth N1.6 billion in 1,632 deals. The sub-sector was 07-Oct-11 11.50 enhanced by the activities in 18-Dec-09 13.50 the shares of Access Bank and 01-Apr-10 17.00 Diamond Bank Plc. 10.00 17-Aug-10

Other financial services subsector boosted by the activities on the shares of FCMB Plc followed with 57.3 million units,

1.56 3.29 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.74 1.00 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

12.49 13.97 15.13 13.91 15.20 14.22 16.65 11.96 12.89 12.86 12.18 12.06 15.84 12.06 12.07 12.35 13.81 12.14 12.66 13.62 12.59 13.11

100.00 99.89 97.45 99.91 99.00 101.69 85.91 102.93 102.94 102.49 105.76 105.38 96.47 105.80 108.65 108.11 102.30 107.44 103.55 105.72 105.61 105.53

# #

ZENITH BANK PLC

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

gagement will continue. MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 9-SEP-2018 “The TOWER structure is not yet in MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 place in the last 10 years but we 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 will review what has been done. 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 We plan CHELLARAMS to engageIIthe new leadMPR+5.00 17-FEB-2019 ership ofII 1-APR-2019 CBN to ensure that 16.00 DANA 15.25 NAHCO II and 14-NOV-2020 processes structures on how margin loan should be put in place. Constructive engagement would address these grey areas,” he assured. 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 Okumagba, who pledged CIS resolve to continue to play a leading role in advocacy to protect members and their Description businesses, explained that discussions around demutualisation of the NSE and ownership 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 interest are at advance stages. He assured that the CIS 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 would protect stock broking 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 firms in the exercise by ensuring that their equity made over the years are captured in the whole process. On the on going delisting 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 firms, of some stockbroking 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 the president said: “We will NOV 08, 2018 monitor the6.00 process to make JUL 25, 2017 sure that our7.25 members are not 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 affected by reduction of regis10.25 APR 08, 2019 tered stockbroking firms. We 6.25 APR 22, 2019

worth N.6 million in 861 deals. In all, investors exchanged a total of 287.6 million shares, worth N4.9 billion in 5,480 deals.

Dangote Sugar reports 10% H1 earnings dip

angote Sugar Plc has posted 9.82 per cent loss in net earnings during the half 501.10 year ended June 2014. 511.33 In a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the com11.80 0.18 pany’s profit07-Oct-14 declined to N7.284 13.17 18-Dec-14 0.37 billion compared with N8.076 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.41 billion in the same period 5.29 17-Aug-15 0.55 a year ago, accounting for0.87 9.81 09-Dec-10 12.00 13.62 09-Dec-15 06-Jan-11 14.00 0.60 cent. 06-Jan-16 0.94 per 29-Sep-11 13.00 15.00 29-Sep-16 The company’s revenue2.15 also 25-Oct-13 14.25 5.53 25-Oct-16 2.23 fell by 10.55 per cent to N49.009 30-Sep-10 13.00 20.00 30-Sep-17 3.16 billion, from30-Nov-17 N.788 billion a1.97 year 30-Nov-12 18.00 0.73 have09-Apr-11 good relationship with earlier. However, the net asset1.93 rose 16.00 7.20 09-Apr-18 18.00 3.2711.57 per cent 09-Sep-18 2.10bilNSE 09-Sep-11 and we would make sure to from N48.345 0.90 in 2013 to 09-Sep-18 those09-Sep-11 members who16.00 operate as lion N53.937 billion2.10 dur22-Sep-11 14.00 22-Sep-18 dealers in the platform have 35.00 ing the year under review. 4.13 18-Oct-13 15.75 2.70 18-Oct-18 2.20 Director the best operating17.00 environ- 0.45 Group Managing 17-Feb-12 17-Feb-19 2.29 ment.” of , Mr. Graham 01-Apr-14 16.00 4.50 the company 01-Apr-19 3.41 He14-Nov-13 expressed the 15.25 institute’s Clark, had 14-Nov-20 said the company 2.05 6.28 commitment to become the 143.81 had restructured its sugar opleading institute in financial 147.00 erations with greater focus on sector by the year 2020, adding backward integration project. Clark, who spoke at the that the institute is reviewing 11-Feb-13 10.20 company’s 11-Feb-18 8th Annual 3.52 Genkey areas to enhance competi- 12.00 12.00 eral Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, tiveness and sustainability. The institute, according to 11.36 recently, said that the company him, has concluded arrangetargeted Outstanding Value selection and acquisi(%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) mentIssue toDateuse its Coupon platform to (N'bn) tion of some 200,000 hectares create and support capacity of land across various states in building, as well as develop fi- Nigeria for the development of 07-Oct-11 6.75 28-Jan-21 nance professionals that would 500.00 sugar cane plantations and4.92 that deepen Nigeria’s financial inconstruction of modern sugar 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.13 processing factories had begun. clusion plan. 5.25 Sugar declared a He12-Jul-13 explained that6.38 the insti- 500.00Dangote 12-Jul-23 turnover of N102.467billion tute intends to mobilise about 1,500.00 150,000 CIS professional di- 1,607.57 for the 2013 financial year as ploma students before the end against N106.868billion a year earlier. Profit before tax for of 2014. 01-Feb-11 11.50 01-Feb-16 3.71 Okumagba added that the 450.00 the year rose to N20.099billion 19-May-11 internal 7.50 19-May-16 4.89 institute’s processes 500.00 from N16.331billion, while 08-Nov-13 upgraded 6.00 08-Nov-18 6.19 are being to serve 400.00 its profit after tax advanced 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 7.03 wider25-Jul-12 spectrum of stakeholdto N13.573billion from 6.88 02-May-18 8.66 ers in09-May-13 the Nigerian capital mar- 300.00 N10.796billion within the pe08-Apr-12 10.25 300.00 08-Apr-19 7.13 riod. ket. 22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 6.39

CIS to consult CBN over margin loan BB+/GCR

11.63 13.30 13.09 13.06 12.06 12.06

Stock market opens on negative track

Profit taking takes toll on equities

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

1,270.22

Sub-National Bonds Sanctity of Truth

0.24 0.80 1.41 2.35 2.71 2.92

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

A/Agusto Tuesday, August 5, 2014 A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR

31-Oct-14 24-May-15 03-Apr-17 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

Clarks explained that the company’s business model was sustainable and designed to impact communities where it had operations. “Our targets are clear and a 1.00 11.71 99.89 robust framework supported by 5.21 15.86 99.07 key performance deliverables 8.71 19.38 98.99 will to deliver96.30 the ex4.88enable us 15.57 pected results in the next five to 1.00 11.67 100.74 100.94 10 2.63 years with13.29 enhanced benefits 12.06 101.70 to 1.00 all our stakeholders,” he said. 1.34 12.40 103.45 Also speaking during the 1.00 12.08 102.32 AGM, of Dangote 1.88 the president 12.93 109.74 Group, Alhaji 3.48 14.51Aliko Dangote, 102.82 5.20shareholders 16.26 told that103.32 in line 5.06 the Federal 16.12 Government’s 101.82 with 1.35 12.53 104.60 National Sugar Master Plan, the 2.29 13.35 104.81 company was implementing a 6.11 17.17 99.76 plan its operations. 2.16 to boost13.26 107.28 “This plan14.40 is targeted at in2.76 103.35 creasing the production capacity of your company from 1.5 million to 2.0 million tons of sugar per annum from locally 1.00 94.63 grown sugar12.12 cane within the next five to 10 years. This will further consolidate our position as the largest sugar producer in Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price West African region,” he told shareholders. Prices & Yields Dangote said the sugar de4.78 110.03 110.88 velopment plan is carefully designed and will enable the com3.92 103.57 104.34 pany to strengthen its backward 107.92 5.14 108.78 integration project. He said 2013 was volatile for the sugar industry, explaining that the company had to adapt to stay profitable. 2.96 111.45 to the needs 112.64 of “By adapting 3.89customers, 104.40 we sustained 106.16 our 5.81leadership 99.28 position 100.71 our in the 6.41 market and100.59 grew our102.30 profits 8.12 96.01 during the 94.37 period under re5.88 109.38 111.49 view,” he said. 6.09 99.41 100.66

DIAMOND BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

8.77

8.52

99.89

100.86

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.26

6.56

103.42

105.92

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.00

5.10

104.41

105.89

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,660.00 3,766.91

4-Aug-14

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject to FIXINGS Money Market Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement. Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

**Treasury the FMDQBills OTC PLC

DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) 10 14-Aug-14 10.10 17 21-Aug-14 10.20 FGN Bonds 24 28-Aug-14 10.10 31 4-Sep-14 10.50 38 11-Sep-14 10.55 Issuer Description Rating/Agency 45 18-Sep-14 10.55 52 25-Sep-14 10.45 9.25 28-SEP-2014 59 2-Oct-14 10.55 4.00 23-APR-2015 66 9-Oct-14 10.30 73 16-Oct-14 10.60 13.05 16-AUG-2016 80 23-Oct-14 10.60 15.10 27-APR-2017 87 30-Oct-14 10.40 9.85 27-JUL-2017 94 6-Nov-14 10.20 9.35 31-AUG-2017 101 13-Nov-14 10.75 10.70 30-MAY-2018 108 20-Nov-14 10.30 16.00 29-JUN-2019 115 27-Nov-14 10.75 NA NA 122 4-Dec-14 10.20 7.00 23-OCT-2019 129 11-Dec-14 10.75 16.39 27-JAN-2022 157 8-Jan-15 10.10 14.20 14-MAR-2024 171 22-Jan-15 10.10 15.00 28-NOV-2028 185 5-Feb-15 10.15 12.49 22-MAY-2029 199 19-Feb-15 10.15 8.50 20-NOV-2029 213 5-Mar-15 10.15 10.00 23-JUL-2030 248 9-Apr-15 9.90 262 23-Apr-15 10.15 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 276 7-May-15 9.90 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE *from the Amortising bonds, # the average life is is acalculated TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Risk Premium combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums

Offer Discount (%) 9.85 9.95 9.85 10.25 10.30 Issue Date 10.30 10.20 28-Sep-07 10.30 23-Apr-10 10.05 10.35 16-Aug-13 10.35 27-Apr-12 10.15 27-Jul-07 9.95 31-Aug-07 10.50 30-May-08 10.05 29-Jun-12 10.50 9.95 23-Oct-09 10.50 27-Jan-12 9.85 14-Mar-14 9.85 28-Nov-08 9.90 22-May-09 9.90 20-Nov-09 9.90 23-Jul-10 9.65 9.90 18-Jul-14 9.65

Bid Yield (%) 10.13 10.25 10.17 10.59 10.67 Coupon (%) 10.69 10.61 9.25 10.73 4.00 10.50 10.83 13.05 10.85 15.10 10.66 9.85 10.48 9.35 11.08 10.70 10.62 16.00 11.13 10.56 7.00 11.17 16.39 10.56 14.20 10.60 15.00 10.70 12.49 10.74 8.50 10.79 10.00 10.61 10.95 12.1493 10.70

Tenor O/N 1M Outstanding 3M 6M (N'bn)

Issuer

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

11.63

O/N

11.92

REPO TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) Call 0.15 1M 0.72 3M 6M 2.03

11.50 10.74 12.49 10.68 13.07 13.91 11.16

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

AMCON ModifiedFMBN Duration Buckets

***LCRM <3

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3<5 >5

Market TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Tenor Spot 7D Offer 14DYield 1M (%) 2M 9.76 3M 9.91 6M 1Y 11.07

2.73 11.10 11.04 2.98 11.06 11.00 3.07 11.07 10.95 :Benchmarks 3.82Bond 11.15 11.05 * :Amortising 4.90Bond 11.31 11.24 µ :Convertible 5.22 Management Corporation 11.33 11.24 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria FGN: Federal 7.48Government of Nigeria 12.06 12.00 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 9.61 12.19 12.14 IFC: International Finance Corporation 14.32 12.14 12.10 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 14.80 Aviation Handling 12.14 Company 12.10 NAHCO: Nigerian 15.30 12.14 12.09 O/N: Overnight 15.97 12.19Company 12.14 UPDC: UAC Property Development WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 19.95 12.14 12.10 NOTE:

Bid ($/N) 160.90 161.30 161.55 Bid Price 162.14 163.32 99.73 164.57 95.48 168.19 175.92 103.35

Offer ($/N)

Price 161.00 161.56

161.89 Offer Price 162.80 164.51 99.88 166.19 95.98 173.75 182.86 103.50

109.15 109.30 96.98 97.13 95.60 95.90 NA :Not Applicable 98.61 98.91 # :Floating Rate Bond 117.25coupon bonds 117.55 ***: Deferred 83.26 83.56 †: Bond120.95 rating expired 121.25 111.15 111.45 119.14 119.44 102.33 102.63 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 74.93Bank for Africa 75.23 UBA: United 84.75 85.05 100.07 100.37

4,479.99 4,567.16

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

Agency Bonds NA

Value

Rate (%) 11.7500 12.8802 13.7707 Maturity Date 14.6951

100.00 28-Sep-14 535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 515.27 16-Aug-16 Tenor Rate (%) 452.80 27-Apr-17 1M 10.3590 20.00 27-Jul-17 2M 10.5437 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 10.6108 300.00 30-May-18 6M 10.7682 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 10.8067 12M 10.9749 233.90 23-Oct-19 600.00 27-Jan-22 220.15 14-Mar-24 NIFEX 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 Current Price ($/N) 20-Nov-29 BID($/N) 200.00 161.1275 591.57 23-Jul-30 OFFER ($/N) 161.2275 35.00 18-Jul-34

**Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Rating/Agency

NIBOR

Bonds

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00Porfolio FMB 24-MAY-2015 Market Total Outstanding 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 Value(Bn) Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 1,026.76 968.07 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 1,137.60 951.30

28-Dec-11

24-May-10 Weighting by 03-Apr-12 Outstanding Vol

09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 35.45 06-Jul-12 34.83

0.00

0.00 Weighting by Mkt 17.25 Value

0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 35.28 0.00/16.50 39.09

978.35 24.56

Bucket Weighting 3.30

112.22 116.700.35 66.49 0.35

746.05

811.72

29.72

25.63

1,301.62 0.30

2,910.41

2,731.09

100.00

1.00 1,270.22

31-Oct-14

24-May-15 % Exposure_ 03-Apr-17 Mod_Duration

09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 16.60 06-Jul-17 35.63

0.24 0.80

Implied Yield 1.41

2.35 2.71 11.13 2.92 11.84

Risk Premium (%) 1.00

2.63 Implied 2.27 Portfolio Price

47.78

12.19

2.00 1.00 118.3398 1.00 133.8311 101.0300

100.00

11.89

118.5911

Valuation Yield (%) 11.63 13.30

INDEX 13.09

13.06 12.06 1,123.99 12.06 1,133.23 1,178.60

1,126.49

Indicative Price 97.30

90.16 YTD Return 105.40 (%)

100.52 99.09 12.3987 96.67 13.3231 17.8596

12.6489

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto

KWARA NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO

05-Aug-09 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10

14.00 14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00

17.00 6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00

05-Aug-14 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17

0.00 0.20 1.07 0.68 1.20 1.20 2.71 1.75 3.41

1.56 3.29 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79

12.49 13.97 15.13 13.91 15.20 14.22 16.65 11.96 12.89

100.00 99.89 97.45 99.91 99.00 101.69 85.91 102.93 102.94

Daily Summary as of 04/08/2014

Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044

44 BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET

Daily Summary as of 04/08/2014 Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

No Debt Trading Activity

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at August 4, 2014 Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 1 47 28 76

Current Price 0.50 34.44 37.00

Quantity Traded 50,000 2,740,353 260,157 3,050,510

Value Traded 25,000.00 94,197,120.87 9,383,233.68 103,605,354.55

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 35 35

Current Price 3.28

Quantity Traded 1,180,959 1,180,959

Value Traded 3,777,594.73 3,777,594.73

4,231,469

107,382,949.28

AGRICULTURE Totals

Daily Summary as of 04/08/2014 CONGLOMERATES Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044 Diversified Industries

A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC Activity U Summary A C N PLC.on Board EQTY

111 Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM JOHNHOLT Daily Summary SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol

Quantity Traded 67,462 1,752 477 1,800 26,086,498 311,974

Value Traded 97,780.10 6,587.52 515.16 8,406.00 145,791,550.94 18,735,015.63

No. of Deals 456

Current Price

Quantity Traded Page 26,469,963

Value Traded 1 of 13 164,639,855.35

26,469,963

164,639,855.35

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 1.18

Quantity Traded 309,113 309,113

Value Traded 366,680.30 366,680.30

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 63.00

Quantity Traded 26,656 26,656

Value Traded 1,679,448.18 1,679,448.18

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 44 44

Current Price 17.06

Quantity Traded 373,746 373,746

Value Traded 6,299,686.76 6,299,686.76

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 9.95

Quantity Traded 8,299 8,299

Value Traded 78,508.54 78,508.54

717,814

8,424,323.78

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Daily Summary as of 04/08/2014 UPDC15:14:44.044 REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Printed 04/08/2014 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts Activity on Board DNSummary TYRE & RUBBER PLCEQTY

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals

Current Price 1.47 3.95 1.13 4.91 5.71 61.00

456

Daily Summary (Equities)

No. of Deals 4

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 503,389

2 of 13 Value Traded 251,694.50

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Symbol GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 39 12 136 187

Current Price 191.30 26.65 181.00

Quantity Traded 711,569 56,500 7,235,930 8,003,999

Value Traded 136,123,701.67 1,473,265.00 1,309,645,656.08 1,447,242,622.75

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 24 24

Current Price 115.00

Quantity Traded 752,742 752,742

Value Traded 86,747,617.76 86,747,617.76

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM UTC

No. of Deals 53 58 101 40 43 2 1 298

Current Price 7.40 9.10 78.46 4.18 10.59 19.75 0.50

Quantity Traded 468,742 1,499,614 958,044 465,905 711,756 2,061 40 4,106,162

Value Traded 3,402,428.02 13,487,303.40 75,364,783.24 1,897,101.64 7,339,095.98 38,705.58 20.00 101,529,437.86

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 10 38

Current Price 74.25 1,105.00

Quantity Traded 31,359 30,989

Value Traded 2,212,063.86 34,248,733.40

Symbol

No. of Deals 48

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 62,348

3 of 13 Value Traded 36,460,797.26

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 11 4 15

Current Price 4.33 1.37

Quantity Traded 110,679 14,800 125,479

Value Traded 461,605.27 19,388.00 480,993.27

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 44 60 104

Current Price 37.37 48.60

Quantity Traded 224,242 419,774 644,016

Value Traded 8,398,256.98 20,486,674.02 28,884,931.00

14,198,135

1,701,598,094.40

Current Price 9.88 6.30 16.94 2.01 29.15 3.11 2.21 7.48

Quantity Traded 36,952,609 23,149,073 5,133,960 8,172,633 24,329,931 6,366,575 4,114,738 5,422,963

Value Traded 357,970,914.76 145,747,292.53 86,733,281.73 16,364,601.49 705,735,392.11 19,677,968.34 9,155,647.52 40,409,813.78

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. Activity Summary on Board NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. EQTY CONSUMER GOODS Published byFood The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Products--Diversified Food Products--Diversified Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Daily Summary as of 04/08/2014 ACCESS BANK PLC. Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044 DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © UNION BANK NIG.PLC.

UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. Daily Summary as of 04/08/2014 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Published byMicro-Finance The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Banks Micro-Finance Banks Totals

680 Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 179 DIAMONDBNK 174 ETI 109 FIDELITYBK 90 GUARANTY Daily Summary (Equities) 396 SKYEBANK 98 STERLNBANK 68 UBA 142

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST INTENEGINS MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE REGALINS SOVRENINS WAPIC

No. of Deals 33 26 1 7 4 6 38 7 4 3 1 42 172

Current Price 0.82 1.04 0.50 0.50 2.55 0.52 0.79 0.50 0.54 0.50 0.50 0.85

Quantity Traded 3,265,820 8,146,800 310 363,339 67,500 525,275 3,075,791 2,000,000 190,000 10,949 500,000 3,024,059 21,169,843

Value Traded 2,650,741.18 8,501,890.00 155.00 181,689.50 171,475.00 278,393.00 2,397,066.28 1,000,000.00 102,650.00 5,474.50 250,000.00 2,583,031.55 18,122,566.01

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price

Quantity Traded 1,000 950,640

Value Traded 6,000.00 907,773.00

5.96 0.95

5 of 13 Value Traded 913,773.00

Current Price 1.30 1.60

Quantity Traded 5,000 31,000 36,000

Value Traded 6,500.00 48,880.00 55,380.00

Current Price 3.19 3.96 14.79 4.20 0.52 30.00 2.17

Quantity Traded 2,594,788 1,400,520 15,368,344 33,779,015 4,195 1,958,792 2,247,261 57,352,915

Value Traded 8,225,988.01 5,554,149.89 225,230,271.22 141,848,446.06 2,097.50 58,942,614.56 4,824,962.54 444,628,529.78

205,872,114

2,117,302,195.23

Quantity Traded 127,828 961,534 68,765 80,000

Value Traded 275,207.48 2,885,593.98 4,290,902.84 131,986.00

No. of Deals 6

Current Price

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol ABBEYBDS INFINITY

No. of Deals 1 4 5

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 66 33 490 124 1 64 83 861

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

2,676 Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER

No. of Deals 10 21 15 7

Value Traded 4 3,142,625.52 of 13 301,348.50 1,030,901.66 267,312,158.50 1,653,581,946.44

Page Quantity Traded 951,640

Symbol

Current Price 2.15 3.00 65.01 1.65

Page

Quantity Traded 8,358 8,358

Value Traded 14,960.82 14,960.82

Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 2.21

Quantity Traded 50 50

Value Traded 105.00 105.00

1,020,158

543,733.32

Quantity Traded 1,233,391 43,156 91,358 2,071,597

Value Traded 40,603,988.90 360,140.73 3,649,370.07 26,055,032.81

Building Materials

ASHAKA PLC Daily Summary as ofCEM 04/08/2014 Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044 BERGER PAINTS PLC

17 Symbol ASHAKACEM

No. of Deals 112 10 15 87

Current Price 33.10 8.60 39.00 13.27

Daily Summary (Equities) BERGER CAP CCNN

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

Symbol DANGCEM

No. of Deals 36

Current Price 226.35

Quantity Traded 125,065

Value Traded 28,295,288.89

Symbol DNMEYER PORTPAINT PREMPAINTS WAPCO

No. of Deals 8 6 3 56 333

Current Price 1.15 5.40 10.93 121.02

Quantity Traded 94,371 62,700 1,150 358,617 4,081,405

Value Traded 105,595.20 350,109.00 11,948.50 43,337,690.40 142,769,164.50

Electronic and Electrical Products AUSTIN LAZ & COMPANY PLC CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Symbol AUSTINLAZ CUTIX

No. of Deals 1 5 6

Current Price 2.00 1.99

Quantity Traded 500 17,000 17,500

Value Traded 1,000.00 33,650.00 34,650.00

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS VANLEER

No. of Deals 1 2 1 4

Current Price 1.69 16.30 12.08

Quantity Traded 93 13,501 450 14,044

Value Traded 149.73 231,002.11 5,400.00 236,551.84

4,112,949

143,040,366.34

Daily Summary as of 04/08/2014 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044

343 Symbol THOMASWY

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.79

Daily Summary (Equities)

Quantity Traded 1,012 1,012 Page

Value Traded 769.12 of769.1213

1,012

769.12

Page Quantity Traded 9,515,298 9,515,298

9 of 13 Value Traded 4,763,280.78 4,763,280.78

No. of Deals 67 67

Current Price 0.50

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 554 554

Current Price 26.26

Quantity Traded 10,923,820 10,923,820

Value Traded 285,735,038.01 285,735,038.01

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 2 29 47 80 25 5 12 200

Current Price 0.50 62.32 3.67 230.00 161.55 61.99 172.01

Quantity Traded 66,000 138,207 825,906 151,120 73,029 2,128 25,403 1,281,793

Value Traded 33,000.00 8,191,495.63 3,083,882.12 35,409,236.49 11,770,246.20 125,339.20 4,371,130.97 62,984,330.61

Exploration and Production Symbol No. of Deals Summary (Equities) SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Daily SEPLAT 72 Exploration and Production Totals 72

Current Price 675.00

Quantity Traded 485,538 485,538

Value Traded 319,081,350.20 319,081,350.20

22,206,449

672,563,999.60

Quantity Traded 142,951 142,951

Value Traded 145,823.79 145,823.79

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. Daily Summary as of 04/08/2014 MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

893 Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 1.02

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 4.40

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 25 25

Current Price 0.51

Quantity Traded 4,209,050 4,209,050

Value Traded 2,116,606.00 2,116,606.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.75

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Value Traded 37,500.00 37,500.00

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Daily Summary as of 04/08/2014Totals Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044 Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 16,000 16,000

Value Traded 8,000.00 8,000.00

No. of Deals 9 30 39 Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 1.61 4.50

Quantity Traded 50,010 654,469 704,479

Value Traded 77,595.50 2,921,275.60 2,998,871.10 Value Traded 589,614.32

Road Transportation

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

Page Quantity Traded 326,243 326,243

10 of 13 Value Traded 1,427,877.47 1,427,877.47

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 13

Current Price 0.87

Quantity Traded 679,648

Symbol

No. of Deals 13

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 679,648

Specialty SECURE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PLC Specialty Totals

Symbol NSLTECH

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 600 600

Value Traded 300.00 300.00

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 9 40 49

Current Price 2.21 5.00

Quantity Traded 484,350 597,430 1,081,780

Value Traded 1,072,686.50 2,964,713.26 4,037,399.76

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 6.19

Quantity Traded 276,400 276,400

Value Traded 1,711,399.60 1,711,399.60

158

7,487,151

13,073,392.04

5,479

287,645,341

4,936,257,168.76

Activity Summary on Board EQTYPLC ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Road Transportation Road Transportation Totals

Daily Summary of 04/08/2014 Supportasand Logistics Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044 CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

SERVICES Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

EQTY Board Totals Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 1 1

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Current Price 1.41

11 of 13 Value Traded 589,614.32

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000

Symbol JAPAULOIL

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Quantity Traded Page 381,622

1 5

Current Price 1.88

NATURAL RESOURCES TotalsEQTY Activity Summary on Board

Current Price 8.25 0.50 0.98 25.00

FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 3 3

OIL AND GAS Published by The Nigerian Stockand Exchange © Energy Equipment Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

No. of Deals 71 4 33 268 1,632

602,697 1,041,367 10,693,548 126,361,716

Symbol TRIPPLEG

NATURAL RESOURCES Paper/Forest Products THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. Totals © Published byPaper/Forest The NigerianProducts Stock Exchange

Symbol UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

7,687,490.30

IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DN MEYER PLC. PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC PREMIER PAINTS PLC. LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals

Symbol

1,328,127

Value Traded 528,667.50 528,667.50

Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC EQTY Activity Summary on Board

Value Traded 251,694.50

Value Traded 103,800.00 7,687,490.30

Quantity Traded 1,011,750 1,011,750

Quantity Traded 503,389

Quantity Traded 90,000 1,328,127

Current Price 0.53

CAP PLC

Current Price 0.50

Current Price 1.15

No. of Deals 13 13

CEMENT CO. OF PLC Activity Summary onNORTH.NIG. Board EQTY

No. of Deals 4

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC Daily Summary as of 04/08/2014 NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

No. of Deals 9 62

Symbol COURTVILLE

Daily ICT Summary Totals as of 04/08/2014 Printed 04/08/2014 15:14:44.044 INDUSTRIAL GOODS

Symbol DUNLOP

Symbol NEIMETH

HEALTHCARE Totals

No. of Deals 5 2 2 (Equities) 1 383 63

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

Value Traded 6,900.00 6,900.00

5,000

6,900.00

Page

ASeM Board Totals

5,000

Equity Activity Totals

5,480

287,650,341

6,900.00

4,936,264,068.76

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 2,013.00 19.07

Quantity Traded 12 20 32

Value Traded 24,156.00 381.60 24,537.60

ETF Board Totals

24,537.60

ETP Activity Totals

24,537.60

Page

FEATURES

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2014

Pedestrians dashing across the expressway

Many lives are lost daily while dashing across the roads in Lagos despite provision of pedestrian bridges principally because of the lack of will to enforce compliance, writes ELIJAH SAMUEL

lmost on a daily basis, someone is knocked down or killed while dashing across major highways in parts of Lagos. In keeping with its statutory responsibility of ensuring safety of lives and property, the Lagos State Government has provided facilities and measures which relatively enhance the safety of lives of residents. One of such safety facilities is the pedestrian bridge adorning most of the highways that are considered of high risk. But it seems tax payers’ money is now in utter wastage as most of the pedestrian bridges are now outlets for display of wares. Some of the residents pointed to lack of discipline, disregard for sanctity of lives, absence of cultivated orderliness culture and failure of the government to enforce compliance with its policies and laws as being responsible the non-

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Their death wish use of the pedestrian bridges. The Vice-Chairman of Taxi Cab Drivers’ Association, Cele Taxi Park at Cele bus stop on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Raimi Agogo-Ija, took a swipe at the government for its failure to ensure people use the bridges. He said: “The government means well by providing safety measures and infrastructure like pedestrian bridges for the protection of residents’ lives. But people can be stubborn by flouting the use of the pedestrian bridges. “If the government can be very strict in enforcement of the use of pedestrian bridges, by applying strident punitive measures, you will see that the people will begin to tow the path of discipline. By the time people are taken to court and sentenced, even if it is for a day, or made to pay fine, they will begin to do what is right. “But the unfortunate thing is that most times, the government fails in the implementation of some policies and rules to fruitful conclusion. The people that are placed in position to execute government policies always find means to manipulate the process for their selfish end. These are the weeds that need to be wielded out of government operations so that they don’t continue to undermine government effort. “To achieve maximum compliance to certain protective measures, the appropriate government agency should

be reoriented and deploy for effective result. In the case of the use of pedestrian bridges, the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) can be deployed for this task. “The people should try to protect the life God has given them by using the pedestrian bridges everywhere they can find them. They should, at all times, remember their loved ones left at home, and the lofty goals they want to achieve in life. If the life is carelessly lost, the family left behind especially the children will bear the brunt. No relative can attend to them the way you would because the relatives also have their own responsibilities to attend to.” Another resident, Iyke Henry, observed that the reason people find it hard to use the pedestrian bridges is because they are not disciplined. He said: “It is unfortunate that we are never meant to obey simple orders and policies until force is applied. “I remember there was a time I was caught after dashing across the expressway. Then, KAI was still very active in implementing compliance by picking people who flout the use of pedestrian bridges. “But these days, you don’t find KAI performing this function again. I guess it is one of the reasons many have abandoned the use of pedestrian bridges. “Notwithstanding that Nigerians

are not disciplined, we don’t need to be forced to obey some simple life-saving rules and laws. “If applying forced compliance is what the people need for lives to be protected, let the state government direct KAI to enforce total compliance at both ends of pedestrian bridges across the state.” Apart from the act of indiscipline, many don’t find any reason not to use the pedestrian bridges. On many occasions, many people only yield to the pulse of joining the bandwagon. Acknowledging that dashing across the highway when there is a pedestrian bridge is a risky venture, Henry confessed that he occasionally disregards the use of pedestrian bridges whenever he found other people attempting to cross. He said: “I still cross the expressway whenever I see many people crossing, more so as there is always nobody stopping people from crossing.” Two students, Ayomide Ojo and Quassim, both of SS1 in one of the schools at Okota-Isolo, who dashed across the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway right under the pedestrian bridge, said they did that because others were doing it. “We decided to quickly run along as we found that other people are crossC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 6

46 FEATURES

Sanctity of Truth

Taraba and its unending crisis Taraba State is held down by internal strife aided by poverty and leaders’ complicity, reports DAHIRU SULEIMAN

f democracy is the government of the people by the people and for the people, as the late American President, Abraham Lincoln, put it, then it is doubtful if democracy is what is being practised in Taraba State. Democracy in Taraba State, it seems, is the government of the oppressors for the oppressed. It is disheartening to note that all leaders that have administered the state be it military or civilian, both past and present, right from inception 22 years ago, lacked visionary quality leadership principle to transform the Nature’s Gift to the Nation. They have failed woefully to develop the state with its vast human and natural endowments, in terms of provision of physical development in the areas of education, health, housing, road network, uninterrupted water and electricity supply to mention but a few. They have also been unable to promote unity, peace and harmony among the people for the growth and development of the state. They have only promoted religious and tribal politics, oppression of civil servants, unabated communal clashes among the different tribes and other devastating social vices to stunt the growth of the state. The situation has jeopardised development at the grassroots levels and

Taraba’s map

major towns such as Wukkari, Takun, Donga, Ibi, Zing, Sardauna etc, including Jalingo, the state capital. The high unemployment level and

lack of infrastructural development, coupled with communal clashes resulting in the wanton destruction of lives and property have helped to hold

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Taraba State down. The crisis started with the Tiv/Jukum and later Fulani/Bashama, as well as Hausa and one ethnic group or the other in the upper and lower parts of the state. It continued unabated because the political and community leaders failed to call the people to order. They instead fuel the crisis while hiding under the cover of tribal and religious bigotry. The crux of the matter is said to be lack of proper public enlightenment on the dangers of perpetrating communal clashes among parties involved. It is also emboldened by endemic poverty and lack of proper implementation of government policies on ways to live in peace, as well embracing peace as an ingredient of resolving conflicts among the warring parties. The gladiators are also encouraged because of the inability of the government to prosecute individuals or groups found fomenting trouble in the state. It is time government, community leaders, and other stakeholders came together to take peace initiative in the overall interest of the state and its citizenry. This is necessary to ensure the social, economic and political development of the state. The people, particularly women and children, suffer greatly in the wake of communal clashes about to consume the entire state.

Pedestrian bridges: Playing game with life ing,” Ayomide volunteered. This shows the need for parents and school authorities to begin an orientation for children and pupils on the right disposition to public rules and guidelines, especially as they are meant to guarantee safety and orderliness in society.

Ayodele Christopher, an official of KAI, bemoaned the complexity and the unsafe condition under which the environmental monitoring agency operates. He said: “It is difficult implementing the use of pedestrian bridges in Lagos. For instance, the military and police personnel have always been defiant to comply with using the pedestrian

bridges. Most times, they have engaged the KAI officials in violent fisticuffs which resulted in KAI officials being maimed. “Although we are the agency responsible for ensuring compliance on the use of pedestrian bridges, it is difficult doing this job because of the risk involved. In the face of these risks, the safety of officials’ lives is not

Agogo-Ija

Body under the pedestrian bridge at Cele

Henry

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

guaranteed. When this vulnerability is considered, one is tended to be cautious in carrying out official duties. “The government dictates what we do, but in the course of doing the job we are attacked. But the government does little or nothing to defend its policy when officials are assaulted. “As it is now, let the government be sincere about enforcing compliance with the use of pedestrian bridges. Whoever flouts the law should be arrested, tried, and if found guilty, sent to jail.” In view of several lives that have been lost maimed while attempting to dash across the highways, as a result of the people’s utter disregard for pedestrian bridge use, it is imperative that urgent government action be deployed to create a culture of orderliness, enhance sanity of lives in public places and enforce strict compliance to the use of safety measures and facilities. Sustenance of such enforcement is vital for the eradication of indiscipline acts that tend to undermine sanctity of lives and orderliness.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

World Cup: Elechi debate team off to Thailand Ewa Nnanna he debate team of Tyesterday Governor Martin Elechi, left the shore of

L-R: Provost, Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, National Defence College (NDC), Dr. Istifanus Zabadi; Commandant, Rear Admiral Patrick Agholor; Chairman, Sure-P, Lt.-Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) and Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, at the graduation lecture for Course 22 participants in Abuja…yesterday

The percentage population of women above 60 years in Chad in 2012. Source: Un.org

5.41%

The percentage increase of air travel passengers (international wing) of Port Harcourt airport (2012-2013) Source: National Bureau of Statistics

26.19

The average age of South Korea team in the just concluded Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Telegraph.co.uk

We're finished without education, says Ike Uwakwe Abugu

Enugu

member of the National Conference who is also the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Professor Obiora Ike, has called on the Nigerian government to work hard to reverse the present state of insecurity bred by unemployment and other extraneous factors by addressing the enormous problems facing the education system in the country. The clergyman who has also become an outstanding educationist equally spoke of the decision of the National Conference in unanimously approving an additional state for the South East geopolitical zone, and informed that in due course, the presidency in liaison with the National Assembly, would announce the sixth state for the zone. Speaking exclusively to New Telegraph in Enugu, the conferee lamented the deplorable state of the edu-

cation system in the country and declared that the government has not fared well in education generally in Nigeria. He linked the myriads of factors leading to insecurity in the form of Boko Haram insurgency, armed banditry and kidnapping in parts of the country to "lack of education and due to lack of access to education". Prof. Ike, an orator and international scholar of repute, did not end up laying the blames only on the door steps of government in Nigeria but he also contended that "we also have not had a crop of teachers who are devoted to developing education”. He said: "The teaching profession is just a special calling. Just like priesthood, family life and political office could be a calling these vocations make you adapt according to the special ethics of that profession you have chosen. "The collapse of educa-

tion in the North equals Boko Haram. Education is bad, that is what Boko Haram is. That is the meaning. For not having been given education for long and seeing people who have gone to school behave in a different way, they (those who didn't go) gave it a judgment. But actually education is the road to reasonable human growth." He stated that "to make education work, we need funding but above all, we need a roadmap for revamping education. That is what the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) model tries to prove, that's, that the world can have unemployment because of lack of education and lack of access to it". He explains that such a roadmap would take the nation's educational system beyond the traditional slate and chalkboard, reading and writing to a whole new sphere where sustainable education would catalyze real hu-

man and societal growth, saying that is what the nation needed now in the face of a plethora of problems arriving from the absence of that. In funding, he faulted government's concentration of its funding effort to the public universities, urging it to equally fund the private universities to complement the efforts of the private investors who have been deploying huge financial resources to run tertiary institutions and allegedly doing quite well in standards. Speaking on other extraneous factors leading to the current wave of insecurity in the country, the cleric who also teaches at the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, lamented that even in the wake of unemployment which demands that government should redouble efforts in job creation, evidence abound that there are some youth who want to fly in aeroplanes but would not want to work.

Workers strike: Retrenchment tension looms in Benue Cephas Iorhemen

Makurdi

s the strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) bites harder in Benue State, indications emerged yesterday that the government may have concluded plans to retrench 40% of the workforce. Findings by New Telegraph revealed that already, there is tension in the State as the position of the government has sent jitters in

the spines of most workers especially those who are left with two or three years to retire from active service. It was gathered that another category of workers to be affected in the impending exercise include those that have been on the payroll since the Benue-Plateau era and are due for retirement. The two bodies last week mobilized their members across the State to embark on a full scale indefinite strike to press home what they described as excess deductions in worker’s salaries by Governor Gabriel

Suswam. Leaders of the two unions, Comrade Simon Anchaver NLC and Tartenger Ordue TUC reached an agreement for civil servants to proceed on strike after a joint session at the NLC secretariat in Makurdi. New Telegraph gathered that series of meetings between the governor and workers to find ways of ending the impasse deadlocked. The government is however, not pleased with labour leaders for not 'understanding' what it called the harsh economic realities.

A competent source within the circle of government told our correspondent in confidence yesterday that already, names of workers to be given marching orders are being compiled and would be released soon. Governor Suswam had made the pronouncement on his intention to downsize the workforce during the flagging-off of fertilizer sales and distribution at Zaki-Biam in Ukum local government area. He gave the workers two options, either to accept a slash in their salaries or to downsize the workforce.

Nigeria to Thailand for the world school debate competition to represent Nigeria and Africa. Before this feat, the Ebonyi debate team had earlier emerged victorious in local, national and international debate competitions, which qualified them to represent Nigeria and Africa in the world competition. Briefing newsmen before their departure, the chairman of the team and personal Assistant to Ebonyi Governor, Chief Martin Elechi on higher education, Professor Mike Otuma said the team had last month trained in Singapore and expressed readiness to emerge victorious in the competition.

"We are going for the purpose of winning the world school debating championship. It has never come to Africa, the closest was Switzerland last year. That gave us the impetus to believe that it can come to Africa on a serious preparation and our Governor, Chief Martin Elechi has exposed his team both on international and local friendly debates with four Singapore an secondary schools and one local friend with the Mali comprehensive secondary", Otuma said. Otuma added that the team will face twenty five countries of the world in the championship. He also announced that Ebonyi will host fifty countries in the world school debate championship in 2016,adding that the State has attained sixty percent preparation.

SURE-P: Finance Ministry trains graduates on skills development Clement James

Calabar

three-day orientation Ainterns training for graduate and firms’ repre-

sentatives to enable them optimize their internship period by developing useful skills and positive work habits have begun in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. The training, which started yesterday is being organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance as part of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) of the Federal Government. According to organizers, the training will also provide participants the

opportunity to share experiences on opportunities and challenges in the workplace. Speaking at the occasion, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Aremu Najeem explained that firms and organizations were particularly brought into the orientation training as part of government’s commitment in enhancing the capacity of the interns. According to him, the thrust of the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) is to bridge the gap between school and labour market and to provide the graduates with something to do and a means of livelihood as they continue to search for jobs.

Jang's N3.6bn road project excites Gindiri chiefdom Musa Pam

Jos

overnor Jonah Jang of Gcommended Plateau state has been by the peo-

ple of Pyem Chiefdom in Gindiri, Mangu Local Government Area of the State for awarding a N3.6 billion road contract to link the community. The Gindiri People in a statement signed by Alhaji Yakubu Rossi, an elder in the chiefdom, said the 44km road linking Korot, Bakin Kogi, Kadunu, Langai and Gindiri communities was a welcome development. The statement noted that the road which cut across Barkin Ladi and Mangu local governments areas and was being constructed by Tilley Group of companies was a long awaited dream.

According to the statement, the project would end the years of untold hardship of the people of the area particularly Pyem Chiefdom. "The road was in very bad condition and was not accessible especially during the rainy season, which made the people of the area go through a lot of difficulties, but with this development, we the people of Pyem both young and old want to thank Gov Jang for coming to our rescue", the statement said in part. It however condemned in strong terms the activities of some mischief makers through inciting comments in the media which undermine the achievements of the governor across the state, saying those were the personal opinions of the commentators.

48 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Commercial banks defy Suswam’s order, continue strike SYMPATHY

Bankers are workers too and feel pain. First they want Suswam to guarantee unions that the sky is their zenith Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

ommercial banks in Benue State yesterday defied the directive by Governor Gabriel Suswam that they should dissoci-

5.6m

ate themselves from the strike action embarked upon by workers in the state, asking them to resume normal activities. But their various premises remained under lock and key yesterday. Our correspondent, who monitored the activities of most of the banks in Makurdi, including Skye Bank, Zenith Bank, Union Bank, Mainstreet Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank and First Bank, among others, observed that the banks were still under lock and key, while customers were

The total population of women in Cuba in 2012. Source: Un.org

seen withdrawing money through Automated Teller Machines (ATM) located outside the banking halls. The banks embarked on sympathy strike with the labour unions that were protesting the downward review of their salaries by the state government. Governor Suswam in a statement signed by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr. James Uloko, advised all commercial banks operating in the state, traders and transport operators

11%

The percentage of drought disaster of world’s water-related natural disaster between 1990 and 2001. Source: Unesco.org

to resume normal activities as the strike action by the civil servants had nothing to do with their day-to-day engagements. The governor, who said the industrial dispute was receiving adequate attention, called on the people to remain calm and be vigilant in view of the security challenges confronting the country. He assured that his administration was doing everything possible to resolve the impasse and return the system to normalcy.

3.8

The average number of cautions (yellow cards) per match at South Africa 2010 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

‘Nigerian Air Force can combat insecurity’ Ibraheem Musa KADUNA

Nigerian Air Force Tthehe yesterday said it has capacity to contain

the insecurity that has continued to ravage parts of the country, adding that with sound technology, the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is poised towards achieving that and making insurgency a thing of the past. Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice-Marshal, Tony Adokwu, who addressed a pre-graduation press conference of the institution yesterday in Kaduna said with necessary support, the institution can tackle insurgency in the country. He called on the Federal Government to support the institute’s research in its bid to tackle the menace.

“The institute believes that with innovative approach to technology, Nigeria would be able to tackle some of the security challenges it is facing. That is why AFIT has been focusing on defence-related research and development activities as part of its contributions to the realisation of Mr. President’s vision. “One major research activity being undertaken at AFIT is the design and development of a light trainer aircraft, which was codenamed FARAWA 2.” AVM Adokwu, who said a total of 237 students, comprising of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force as well as civilians, will be graduating, noted also that they will be graduating from 17 different programmes.

Borno councillors forum backs Shettima Ahmed Miringa MAIDUGURI

s the crisis in the Borno ACongress State All Progressives (APC) deepens

Project Coordinator, Colostrum International, Dr Bunmi Ogundimu (left) and member, Mr. Dipo Akinyemi, during a press conference to commemorate the 2014 World Breast Feeding Week in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

I did not anoint any candidate to replace me, says Aliyu Dan Atori MINNA

iger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday said he has no anointed candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in 2015, just as he also disclosed that he has not thrown his weight behind any of the aspirants for the senatorial seat of the Niger East senatorial district.

Aliyu, who said this in Minna yesterday at the unveiling of new Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the state, also declared that he has not told anyone that he was contesting the Niger East senatorial election in 2015. The governor said he has to make the clarification, because some politicians have been going round, dropping his name that he has en-

dorsed them for the two elections. “I have not told anybody to run for election in 2015, anybody that wants to run can run at the end of the day; the party will support anyone that wins. “My support for any aspirant now will create crisis in the party, we should leave everything to Allah.” Governor Aliyu said unlike the speculation going round, he has not

‘arranged’ with anybody to contest the senatorial election and hold forth for him until 2015, when he will be eligible to contest, asking ‘who knows who will live till next year.’ While assuring PDP members of a level-playing field for both elections, the governor said that at the appropriate time, he would join the campaign for the election of the candidate chosen by the party.

with the planned defection of some top APC members to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), some 312 councillors under the auspices of Borno State Councillors’ Forum (BSCF) yesterday said they are supporting the aspiration of Governor Kashim Shettima in the 2015 elections. The forum at a press conference led by its Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Markus Sawa, who is also the Caretaker Vice-Chairman of Gwoza Local Government and its Secretary, Abdullahi Muhammed Sheikh, and others, said they were speaking for APC members in the 3,993 electoral units in Borno State. He said: “As far as 2015 is concerned in Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima’s landmark of people-oriented projects executed during this difficult period is his pass mark for another term. “We don't have to deceive ourselves about the political reality in Borno State; we are the ones that are at the grassroots and we know the only person that can lead us to the promised land is Governor

Appeal committee declares Gombi chairman of Plateau APC Musa Pam JOS

he crisis rocking the All T(APC) Progressives Congress in Plateau State

was yesterday put to rest following the decision of the congress appeal committee to declare the first

runner up, Hon. Amos Gombi, as the chairman of the party in the state. According to a statement titled; “Decision of the state Congress Appeal Committee for Plateau State,” made available to New Telegraph in Jos and signed by Tijani Musa

Tumsah, and addressed to the Chairman, APC merging interim Chairman, Senator John Shagaya, the committee said the National Congress Supervisory Committee has received and considered a petition submitted by Hon. Amos Gombi, in re-

lation to the recently conducted state congress. The statement added that the petitioner submitted that the declared winner for the position of Chairman, Hon. Latep Debang, was until the election date, a staff of the National Assembly, serving

under a senator not on the APC platform. Part of the statement reads; “The petitioner authenticated his claims by tendering all relevant documents, including evidence of salary transfer for the month of March, 2014 into the account of

Shettima; that is why the entire 312 councillors that are representing the 3,993 electoral units in the state are supporting for him.” Sawa said against the expectation of the general public that the state would be crippled because of insurgency; Governor Shettima has been able to keep it running through the renovation of all public schools, including staff quarters. “The governor has identified education as the best panacea for uplifting Borno people and ending insurgency, that was why he invested so much in the sector by sponsoring Borno indigenes to study abroad; supporting girl-child education; increasing study allowances of medical students; and above all, personally purchasing buses to enhance free transportation of students from their homes to their schools,” he stated. He continued: “How could we turn our backs against a man, who against all odds, has been able to give a new face to healthcare through the renovation of hospitals, improved maternal healthcare and construction of roads and drainages in various parts of the Maiduguri metropolis and other towns outside the state capital?” Hon. Latep Dabang by the National Assembly as both claims were analysed and found to be correct. “The Appeal Committee therefore, acting on powers bestowed on it has accordingly annulled the election of Hon. Latep Dabang, as the state chairman for Plateau State."

NEWS 49

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

CANN calls for state police Wale Abiodun

he National CoordinaTmental tor of a non-governorganisation,

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Macjohn Nwabiala; Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Uche Chukwumerije and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Prof. Godswill Obioma, at the launching and public presentation of the Revised 9-Year Basic Education Curriculum in Abuja…yesterday

4.23m

The total population of Congo Republic in 2012. Source: Un.org

19,068

The number of refugees and people in refugee-like situation in Serbia assisted by UNHCR at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

77%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Bahrain in 2011. Source: Itu.int

Group demands military presence as Anambra-Kogi crisis worsens KILLINGS

To avert war, Igbo groups ask President Jonathan to intervene Onah. O. Onah ONITSHA

rked by the wanton destruction of lives and property by the people of Asonwa and Odeke communities in Ibaji Local Government of Kogi State and the Enugu-OtuAguleri communities in Anambra East Local Government, the Igboezue Unity Association of Nigeria, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to deploy a for-

midable Nigerian Army contingent to the area to stop the killings before it degenerates into a full blown war. National President of the association, Chief Pius Okoye, made the call at Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government while addressing journalists on the outcome of the emergency meeting of the Igbo cultural organisation held recently in Enugu, Enugu State. Okoye said: “We have looked at the way and manner Igbo people are being killed on daily basis and wish to state that it is getting out of hand and as such unacceptable.” We also, after a careful deliberation on the issues, wish to appeal to

the Federal Government and Mr. President to use his good office to intervene immediately in the ongoing communal clash between the people of Enugu Aguleri and Odeke communities of Kogi State. According to Okoye, “we have read on the Internet that northern youths have given non-northerners living in their midst to leave within two weeks, we are watching and as it unfolds, we will address it properly. “As an Igbo cultural group, we are no longer happy that our people are now targets in every part of the country, we strongly believe in the unity of Nigeria and

would continue to be law abiding until we are no longer needed to be part of this country.” "I would like to seize this opportunity to ask Igbos still remaining in the north to return home while we watch the unfolding security situation in the country," Okoye said. In a related development, a businessman based in Kano State, Chief Ebubechukwu Ikegwuonu, told journalists how his family escaped the July 25 bomb explosion that rocked the motor park in Kano, saying that the Igbos were the target of the bomb blast, which killed scores of people and destroyed luxury buses and other properties worth millions of naira.

Ibidapo-Obe to deliver LASU convocation lecture Kayode Olanrewaju

ormer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oyewusi IbidapoObe, will today deliver the 19th convocation lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos. The lecture, which is part of activities lined up to commemorate the 30th anniversary and 19th graduation ceremony of the university, is entitled: The Future of Traditional/Contemporary Universities and the Emerging Universities of the Future; The Implications for the Nigerian University System (NUS).” Other activity lined up for the day is a book

launch – “Foreign Policy and National Security” written by Prof. Olanrewaju Falola. The lecture, which will attract members of the academic community, top government functionaries and traditional rulers, according to the university, will hold at the institution’s new auditorium. Addressing journalists at a press briefing organised to herald the ceremony, flagged off last Friday with a Jumat service, LASU ViceChairman, Prof. Oladapo Obafunwa, said the programme will on August 7, feature the commissioning of the School of Transport building complex and the inspection of some on-going

projects at the Ojo main campus by the Visitor to the university and Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola. This will be followed by the award of higher degrees at the university’s new auditorium. Meanwhile, the strike embarked upon by the university’s chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANULASU) two months ago, has been suspended. A statement by the university’s spokesman, Mr. Kayode Sutton, said the union, in a letter addressed to the institution’s Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Olabode Agusto, after its congress on August 1, conveyed the decision

to suspend the strike. The suspension, he said came after the union reviewed and considered among others, the assurance by the university management and council to resolve demands on outstanding promotions at the next council meeting slated for Friday, August 29. “Furthermore, in a bid to allow the university to successfully hold its on-going 19th convocation ceremonies, SSANU resolved to suspend the strike action,” he added. The union, however, requested the council to assist in ensuring the release of June and July, 2014 salaries of its members, which had been withheld since the strike commenced.

Change Agents Network of Nigeria (CANN), Olukayode Salako, has called for the creation of state police across the nation. The body has been at the vanguard of effecting positive change in the country. Salako is also the founder of Fasholamania, a pressure group that gathers support for Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola . Salako made the statement in a chat with newsmen in Lagos. “I am an advocate of resource control. During the time of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he used the money made from cocoa to develop the South-West. The north used the proceeds from groundnut to develop the north. The South-East also used the proceeds from palm oil to develop

their area. “The states are supposed to have their police system if truly we want to practice true federalism,” he said. Salako, a social crusader added that the issue of resource control has always been a contentious one causing problems for Nigerians. According to him, if Nigeria must practice true federalism, it is normal under true federalism for states of the federating units to control their resources. “Now, everybody is looking up to the oil in the Niger Delta region. Every state has its own resources. Why should I be using the resources of my state to develop your state? What stops each state from having its own constitution? This will give room for competition, the states will be able to use their resources to develop their areas,” he said.

Amnesty: Dan-Abia queries scholarship programme list Philip Nyam ABUJA

member of the House AHon. of Representatives, Bassey Dan-Abia

(PDP Akwa Ibom) has questioned the final list of the 254 beneficiaries of the Special Scholarship Programme as released by the Office of Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta (OSAPND). He has also accused the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta of nepotism in the selection of the beneficiaries. Dan-Abia, who represents Esit-Eket/Eket/ Onna/Ibeno federal constituency, in a press statement issued and signed by him, said the choice of the beneficiaries of the programme was skewed against his state, Akwa Ibom, while other states were unduly favoured. The special scholar-

ship scheme coordinated by OSAPND was put together to assist brilliant students in the oil producing states acquire university education; and is available only to those who recorded the least minimum cutoff mark of 180 at the university matriculation examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). According to DanAbia, Akwa Ibom, the biggest oil producing state in the country, was allotted only three slots while other states like Ondo, the home state of Kingsley Kuku, was allotted 43 slots. In the list advertised in two national newspapers on Friday, Benue State got one slot; Cross River got three, Bayelsa State 101 slots, Delta 55 slots, Edo 10 slots, Imo 10 slots, while River State got 28 slots.

Shagaya pledges peace Buhari Bello JOS

aspiAMr.governorship rant in Plateau State, John Shagaya, has vowed to restore peace among the many warring communities in the state, pledging also to end the crisis rocking the state as a first step towards preparing the state for a period of prosperity. He told New Telegraph in Jos that his desire to run for the governorship seat was informed by the failure of the current administration of Gov-

ernor Jonah Jang, which he said has created more segregation in the patterns of settlements in the state. “Plateau State that was known for its hospitality and that is a home to all irrespective of religion or region, is today divided into two under an administration that encourages segregation along religion lines.” According to him, such trend is dangerous for the oneness and unity of the state, which he said “is now needed more than ever before in the history of the state.

50 WORLD | NEWS

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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Former enemies unite for World War I commemoration

ormer enemies united yesterday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I, with Belgium, France, Britain and Germany standing together in a spirit of reconciliation. Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde welcomed German President Joachim Gauck under cloudy skies for the latemorning ceremony at the Cointe allied memorial amid pomp and military honor. During the ceremonies, the former enemies sat

united, listening and applauding each other’s speeches. Germany invaded neutral Belgium on Aug. 4, 1914, as part of a planned attack on France. By nightfall, Britain had joined the war. “It opened Pandora’s Box,” said Gauck who acknowledged that it “is anything but self-evident to stand and talk to you on this day.” The war wasn’t expected to last long. But instead of weeks, the continent was plunged into hardship and misery for more

than four years. Gauck will join British Princes William and Harry at the Saint Symphorien cemetery late Monday for a similar remembrance. In Britain, there was a ceremony in Glasgow, Scotland, and a late-evening candlelit vigil at London’s Westminster Abbey. The Great War, as it came to be known, is now often depicted as senseless slaughter without a big moral cause that claimed an estimated 14 million lives, including 5 million civilians as well as 9 million soldiers, sailors

and airmen from 28 countries. At least 7 million troops were left permanently disabled. British Prime Minister David Cameron sought to debunk that notion. “Although there was an enormous amount of waste and loss of life, there was a cause that young men rallied to at the beginning of the war, which was the idea that Europe shouldn’t be dominated by one power. That a country,

South Sudan talks resume between warring sides

L-R: Britain’s Prince William, his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, French President Francois Hollande and Queen Mathilde of Belgium arrive the Cointe Inter-allied Memorial, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I (WWI) in Liege yesterday

Palestinians, Israelis trade hostilities after Gaza truce

alestinians and Israel is accused each other of launching attacks soon after a seven-hour Israeli ceasefire intended to allow humanitarian aid into the battered Gaza Strip came into force yesterday. Palestinians said Israel had bombed a refugee camp in Gaza City, killing an eight-year-old girl and wounding 29 other people, while Israel said at least four rockets had been fired at its territory from Gaza. Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra said the air strike on a house in Shati camp took place after the truce was scheduled to start on Monday morning. An Israeli military spokeswoman said she was checking the refugee camp attack. She said four rockets had been fired from Gaza since the truce started and two had crashed inside Israel. There were no reports of casual-

ties or damage. In Jerusalem, a heavy construction vehicle slammed into a bus, overturning it in what Israeli police said was a suspected terrorist attack. No passengers were on the bus but a passerby died after being run over by the digger, and police said its driver was shot dead. [ID:nL6N0QA2OZ] Israeli media identified the driver as a Palestinian from East Jerusalem. Israel announced a ceasefire to free up humanitarian aid and allow some of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by almost four weeks of war to go home. The announcement met with suspicion from Gaza’s ruling Islamist Hamas movement and followed unusually strong censure from Washington at the apparent Israeli shelling on Sunday of a U.N.-run shelter that killed 10 people. An Israeli defence official said the ceasefire, from 10 a.m. to

5 p.m. (0700 to 1400 GMT), would apply everywhere but areas of the southern town of Rafah where ground forces have intensified assaults after three soldiers died in a Hamas ambush there on Friday. “If the truce is breached, the military will return fire during the declared duration of the truce,” the official said.The official said east Rafah was the only Gaza urban area in which troops and tanks were still present, having been withdrawn or redeployed near the border with Israel over the weekend. Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told CNN that Israel’s goal with the truce was “to assist with the humanitarian relief” of the people of Gaza. The Jewish state said it was investigating the incident and that it might have been linked to an attempt by the military to kill Islamic Jihad gunmen as they drove nearby.

a small country like Belgium, shouldn’t be simply snuffed out,” Cameron told the BBC. On Sunday, an intense hug between Gauck and French President Francois Hollande during a remembrance ceremony in eastern France close to the German border sealed again the friendship between the two neighbours, who have become the cornerstones of the European Union.

outh Sudan government negotiators and rebel representatives met yesterday for a fifth round of peace talks since fighting broke out in the world’s newest country in December. Peace talks have been on and off for months between the government and rebels loyal to the former vice president. The potential onset of mass hunger is adding additional pressure for a long-term solution to the standoff. South Sudan President Salva Kiir directed his delegation to go to the talks in Ethiopia and come back with peace, according to a post on the government Twitter feed. The meeting’s key agenda is to finalize and sign a previously agreed to cease-fire deal. The two sides agreed to finalize their agreement by next Monday. Regional governments and others must ensure that the latest talks yield meaningful

results and that both parties lay down their weapons, said Oxfam’s South Sudan director, Tariq Riebl. Riebl also said a roadmap that leads to a transitional government is also needed. Riebl called on the international community to help South Sudan avoid the possible onset of famine. Global aid leaders have warned that hundreds of thousands of people in South Sudan face severe hunger because of the fighting. More than 1 million people fled their homes after the fighting broke out, and many families were not able to plant crops during the spring planting season. The U.N. Security Council should be prepared to impose “deep and biting” targeted sanctions against key officials on both sides of the conflict “who are undermining the talks,” said advocacy group Enough Project co-founder John Prendergast.

Up to 10,000 Egyptians stranded at Libya-Tunisia border

p to 10,000 Egyptians fleeing the fighting in Libya are still stranded at the border with Tunisia, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri said yesterday on a visit to Tunis. “So far we have evacuated around 2,500. We don’t have exact statistics but between 5,000 and 10,000 people” are still waiting to leave, he said at a news conference after meeting Tunisia Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa. Shoukri did not specify how long it will take to repatriate all the Egyptians, though Cairo promised on Saturday to take home about 2,000 people a day by air and if necessary by sea. The Egyptians are stuck on the Libyan side of the border with Tunisia after the government there said it would only

let in people other than Tunisians and Libyans if they could prove arrangements were in place to get them home. Friday, hundreds of Egyptians tried to storm the Ras Jedir border crossing into Tunisia, prompting Libyan border guards to fire warning shots. Tunisia said it would not be opening a camp to accommodate Arab and Asian workers fleeing Libya as it did in 2011 during the civil war which led to the overthrow of long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi. This time, Tunis asked each state to organise the repatriation of its citizens, letting them enter the country as and when transport became available. Since mid-July, Libya has seen deadly clashes between rival militias in Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi.

Team Nigeria returns in batches Charles Ogundiya

T Okagbare

he final batch of Nigeria’s athletes to the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, will return home on Tuesday (today). Two other batches of athletes were

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

Keshi

expected to have arrived the country late last night (Monday) from Glasgow. New Telegraph can confirm that the Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Table Tennis teams will arrive the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

TUESday, august 5, 2014

aboard Ethiopia Air by 12 noon. The Weightlifting and Powerlifting team won six out of the 11 gold medals won by Team Nigeria while also contributing a total of six silver medals from the 11 won by the country.

Team Nigeria participated in six sports, winning 36 medals in all - 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals. There are also plans by the Presidency to host the victorious team in an elaborate reception in Abuja very soon.

Did you know?

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newtelegraphonline.com/sports

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS kunle.salami@newtelegraphonline.com adekunles@yahoo.com

In winning Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012, Spain conceded a total of six goals, one fewer than they did in their three matches at World Cup 2014

Udi

Mikel deserves some A respect – Duke Udi

CharlesOgundiya

lBoard meets Thursday to decide Eaglespay coach lSays NFF should Keshi N10m

former Nigeria international, Duke Udi, has come to the defence of Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel Obi, after his rather unimpressive performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Mikel has come under severe criticism from Nigerian fans following his lacklustre performanceinthefourmatches he played at the Mundial. The Chelsea player was accused of failing to live up to expectationsleadingtosomefans placing Nigeria’s ouster in the second round against France on his poor showing. Speaking with New Telegraph, Udi said it was unfortunate that Nigerians failed to recognise Mikel’s impact in

the team in the past and are judging him by a single competition. “Without mincing words, Mikel is the biggest name in the team for now. I was surprised with all the negative words I heard about him after theWorldCup;itisunfortunate that Nigerians judge a player without taking his past performances into consideration. “Mikelhasservedthiscountry;weallsawwhathedidatthe Nations Cup and the Confederations Cup in Brazil. He also gave his all during the qualifiers,sowhythewholenoisenow because he had a bad outing at the World Cup?” the Giwa FC coach queried. Meanwhile, the former Shooting Stars of Ibadan player has said the N7m proposed

monthly salary for Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, was inadequate. AccordingtoUdi,thesalary is not even up to the weekly pay of an average player in Europe citing the example of Mikel’s pay at Chelsea. “Keshi deserves more than N7m a month. The money is not even up to $100,000 and that is a weekly pay of an average player in Europe; for example Mikel earns ₤80,000 per week and his coach is paid N7m a month, that is very ridiculous. “If it was an expatriate, he cannot earn less than N45m a month, why not give Keshi the N10m he is asking for? I will advise the football authority to hastennegotiationswithhimfor thesakeof continuity,”hesaid.

52 SPORT

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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

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Nestle Milo Basketball: Gordhon reveals sponsor’s devotion to tourney Ifeanyi Ibeh

head of the commencement of the 16th edition of the Nestle Milo

L-R: Dr. Samuel Adenekan, Corporate Affairs Manager Nestle Nig. PLC, Dharnesh Gordhon and Mrs Doja Ekeruche presenting the trophy to Mrs. Olabisi Joseph, Secretary NSSF, and Lanre Balogun, VP, NCSF.

Secondary School Basketball Championship, which comes up in Lagos from August 11 to 16, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Nigeria PLC, Dharnesh Gordhon, has given reasons the country’s leading nutrition and health company continues to sponsor the annual tournament. The inaugural edition of the Nestle Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship took place back in 1999. And since then the tournament has grown into the major source of talents for clubs in the Nigerian Premier Basketball League, with some of these players going as far as playing for the country’s male and female national teams.

More than a handful of the products of the Nestle Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship have even gone on to play professionally overseas, and Gordhon has expressed delight at these achievements. Speaking at the draws ahead of the start of the final round of this year’s championship, Gordhon said: “It is gratifying to know that what started as a modest event in 1999 has grown to be the single biggest basketball event in Nigeria with 7530 secondary schools from all 36 states and the FCT, Abuja participating. “The annual Nestle Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship continues to blaze the trail in creating a

platform for Nigerian youths to showcase their basketball skills and sporting talents. We are proud that the championship has remarkably improved the quality of the game and raised the profile of basketball in Nigeria.” He added: “I would like to assure you that Nestle Milo remains committed to the development of basketball in Nigeria. We will continue to contribute our quota to improve the quality of the game.” Six male and six female teams, representing the country’s six geopolitical zones, will take part in the final round of this year’s Nestle Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship taking place inside the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Adepoju, Rufai back Airtel’s investment in youths

MoyosoreMakinde

ormerSuperEaglesplayers Mutiu Adepoju and Peter Rufai have hailed Airtel Nigeria Limited for investing in youth football in Nigeria throughtheAirtelRisingStars project. The duo who are part of the Season 4 technical crew, stressed the need for more coporate organisation to invest more in youth sin the country. According to Adepoju, “The Airtel Rising Stars projecthasproventhatNigeriacan produce genuine and talented youngfootballerswhowilltake over from the current Super Eagles players. I believe it is

a good investment by Airtel Nigeria Limited who has providedagoodplatformforgreat footballers to emerge.” Rufai said; “Airtel deserved a special commendation for believing in the youths of this country because this great investment is already yielding good dividends with some of the products with the U-17 male and female national teams.” Meanwhile, a solitary strike from Ayinde Taiye was all Team Ilorin needed to beat Abuja to the Airtel Rising StarsNationalChampionship title in a keenly contested final match decided at the YABAT-

ECH Sports Complex, Lagos on Saturday. In the female final match, Port Harcourt defeated Lagos 4-2viapenaltiesafterthematch had ended goalless at full-time to defend the cup it won four times in a row since inception in 2011. The two champions will represent Nigeria at the weeklong Africa Championship to be hosted by Gabon in the last week of the month of August. The ARS U-17 tournament, a pan-African initiative of Airtel Africa, is designed to provide support for the development of football talents Ilorin Zone, 2014 Airtel Rising Stars Champions across Nigeria.

Skye Bank wins Deloitte soccer tourney

Speaking with New Telegraph, the Chairman, Deloitte Nigeria, Mr. Femi Abegunde, said the competition was organised to help balance the work life of Deloitte clients. “People in the private sectors work really hard and there is need to balance our work life with a little bit of sports. We want people to also relax and enjoy themselves. Transitional leader Deloitte Mr. Tawanda Gumbo (3rd left) presenting the winner “We want to boost integration and Skye Bank with the trophy togetherness in a way that when there The soccer tourney organised by is an opportunity for business, it will Charles Ogundiya Deloitte to allow for bonding between be easy to discuss it in an informal kye Bank Nigeria PLC the organisation’s clients lived up to way,” the chairman said. Reacting to his organisation vicon Saturday inside the expectations as bankers and other orAstro Turf 2000, Ikoyi, won ganisations displayed football skills to tory, Remi Akande, of the corporate communication, Skye Bank, said he the first edition of the De- the admiration of the crowd. Skye Bank defeated Guinness was not surprised that the boys won loitte Soccer Tournament, defeating Ecobank in the fi- Team in the round of 16 before dis- as they were already used to victory nal. Skye Bank won 4-3 after patching host team, Deloitte, in the after winning the Bankers’ Cup backsemifinal. to-back in the past two years. penalty shoot-out

Globacom charges Falconets to excel

ajor sponsor of Nigerian national football teams, Globacom has called on Nigeria’s U-20 Women national team, the Falconets to go out and do the nation proud at the 2014 FIFA U - 20 Women World Cup scheduled to begin on August 5 in Canada. The Nigerian team is competing in Group C and will play its first game on Wednesday (tomorrow) against Mexico before meeting South Korea on August 9 and then England in the last Group match on the 13th. “Falconets have come a long way in this competition and we believe it is time for them to take their proper place by going all the way at the tournament,” Glo stated.

“We have also noted the tenacity that the Falconets’ technical crew has brought to bear on the team’s preparation and we believe that everything will work well for the team this time around” The statement added. According to the telecommunications company, the complement of new Falconets’ invitee, USA-based Courtney Dike will add value to the squad. Courtney, an accounting student of Oklahoma State University who also plays in the school football team, is the younger sister of Super Eagles striker, Bright Dike. “We commend the resolve of the coaching crew and the Nigeria Football Federation to widen its horizon in recruiting fresh talent to fortify the team.

he Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated the Honourable Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo on the success achieved by Nigerian athletes at the just –concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. NFF’s Acting President, Chief Mike Umeh, said on Monday that the glorious outing deserved praise from all lovers of excellence, and said the success was a reflection of the hard work and total dedication that had been encouraged by the Commission’s engine room. “The Honourable Minister, Dr. Tammy

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

NFF congratulates sports minister on Glasgow success

Danagogo is the head of the unit that has brought us this global glory, and we must praise him accordingly. It is on record that our athletes to Glasgow did a little better than what the contingent to New Delhi, India four years ago did. “We also commend the Director General, Gbenga Elegbeleye, for the preparation of the athletes.” The Commonwealth Games came to an end on Sunday evening with Nigeria finishing in eighth position after scooping 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals – highlighted by delectable Blessing Okagbare’s superlative sprint double. It is the second best

Team Nigeria Table Tennis players at the closing ceremony Sunday

performance by Nigeria at the 84 –year old quadrennial Games, slightly edged by the 11 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze medals won at the Games in Victoria, Canada in 1994 where Nigeria finished fourth overall.

Games hailed as best ever

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Organisers thank host city

lasgow 2014 has said a massive thank you to the city and its people for being the best hosts the Commonwealth could have hoped for. Over the last 11 days the city has rolled out the carpet to thousands of athletes, officials and visitors and hosted a fun filled festival of sport and culture on a scale that the city has never seen before. On the day of the Closing Ceremony, (Sunday 3 August), organisers of the Games showed their gratitude to everyone who has played their part in making these Games a success from the clydesiders, the Host City volunteers, Police Scotland and all the workers who kept the city going. But most thanks went to the people of Glasgow who welcomed the Commonwealth to their city. It was a Games which saw more than 140 Commonwealth records broken as elite athletes from 71 nations and territories competed for Games glory. Lord Smith of Kelvin, KT, Chair of Glasgow 2014, said; “Glasgow’s connections with the Commonwealth are centuries old and they run deep. They tell a story of industry and enterprise on a global scale. These connections have been strengthened. And whilst the Games may leave Glasgow, Glasgow will never forget the Commonwealth Games. It has made its mark on our city.

lasgow 2014 has been hailed as “the standout Games in the hisBut all the events have been well tory of the movement” by Com- attended and, for the most part, the monwealth Games Federation chief weather has also been favourable, as a new generation of athletes have taken executive Mike Hooper. After 11 days of action across 17 their chance to impact on the public sports, the event came to a close at consciousness. Hampden Park on Sunday evening, Usain Bolt anchored Jamaica to with hosts Scotland finishing fourth 4x100m relay gold to make everyone overall with a record haul of 19 golds forget about claims he had been disparand a best-ever tally of 53 medals. aging about the Games; South African England topped the medal table swimmer Chad Le Clos won a recordfor the first time in 28 years, while equalling seven medals; Northern IreNigeria surpassed New Delhi perfor- land’s Olympic gold medallist Paddy mance, claiming a total of 36 medals, Barnes made history by retaining 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals his light-flyweight title and England’s to end the Games in eight position. Nicola Adams claimed the first ever The Isle of Man had a silver to women’s boxing gold; England’s Tom celebrate thanks to cyclist Peter Ken- Daley took 10m platform diving gold; naugh’s efforts in the points race, but and David Weir romped to his first ComJersey and Guernsey failed to regis- monwealth title in the men’s T54 1500m. ter. It is the third time in their 84-year existence that the Games have been staged in Scotland - after Edinburgh in 1970 and 1986 - and chief executive Hooper maintains they have been the best. “In my view, they are the standout Games in the history of the movement,” said the New Zealander of the 20th edition. “The way in which the people of Scotland and Glasgow have embraced the Games right from the get-go has been incredible.” After an underwhelming staging in Delhi four years ago, and the withdrawals of a succession of big names in the build-up to Glasgow, there had been concerns over whether such suc- Minister of Sports, Dr. Tanmmy Danagogo, In a warm handshake with President of the International Wheelchair And Amputees Sports (IWAS), Mr. Paul DePace, at the World Junior Championships, which cess would be forthcoming. started Sunday Evening, August 3, 2014, at Stoke Mandeville, United Kingdom.

Medals Table Country ENGLAND AUSTRALIA CANADA SCOTLAND INDIA NEW ZEALAND S/AFRICA NIGERIA KENYA JAMAICA SINGAPORE MALAYSIA WALES CYPRUS NORTHERN IRELAND P/NEW GUINEA CAMEROON UGANDA GRENADA BOTSWANA KIRIBATI TRINIDAD & TOBAGO PAKISTAN BAHAMAS SAMOA NAMIBIA MOZAMBIQUE MAURITIUS BANGLADESH ISLE of MAN NAURU SRI LANKA GHANA ZAMBIA

G 58 49 32 19 15 14 13 11 10 10 8 6 5 2 2

S 59 42 16 15 30 14 10 11 10 4 5 7 11 4 3

B 57 46 34 19 19 17 17 14 5 8 4 6 20 2 7

Total 174 137 82 53 64 45 40 36 25 22 17 19 36 8 12

2 1 1 1 1 1 0

0 3 0 0 0 0 3

0 3 4 1 0 0 5

2 7 5 2 1 1 8

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0

1 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 2

4 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2

Transfer Updates

54 SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Vermaelen rejects new Arsenal contract

homas Vermaelen has rejected T Arsenal’s attempts to ignite talks over a new contract fuelling

rumours that the Belgian defender will leave the Emirates before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. The centre back was forced to spend most of last season on the sidelines after Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker struck up a strong partnership in Vermaelen’s absence at the start of the campaign. Now he has been left without guarantees of a spot in the starting eleven once again and is refusing to extend his contract beyond next summer because of it, the Daily Mail reports.

Pjanic: I’m not leaving Roma

iralem Pjanic has stressed that M he never thought about leaving Roma irrespective of interest from

Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. “I signed a new deal because I believe in Roma’s project, in this team and in this coach,” the creative midfielder told Corriere dello Sport. “It was an easy decision. Maybe I could have made more money elsewhere. But I want to play somewhere where I’m happy. I love the people at Roma, I love the club and I love the city. This is the perfect place to develop. “I never thought about leaving. Negotiations over a new deal took a while because they took place during the season. There were a lot of rumours, but the people at Roma always knew what I wanted and that I wanted to sign a new deal before the World Cup.”

Del Piero linked with Indian league

of an imminent move to the Rlegendumours Indian Super League for Juventus Alessandro Del Piero have

gathered pace after he revealed he is weighing up two offers to continue his playing career. The inaugural ISL commences in October and marquee players confirmed to play include Champions League winner Luis Garcia, World Cup winners Robert Pires and Joan Capdevila, and Del Piero’s former Juventus team-mate David Trezeguet. Del Piero is without a club after failing to agree a new contract with Sydney FC and Sky sources understand discussions have taken place over the former Italy international’s participation in the ISL. The 39-year-old is currently in Australia and will captain an All Stars side against former club Juventus on Saturday.

Falcao unaware of Madrid interest

Man Utd offer Kagawa, cash for Atletico’s Turan anchester United are ready M to offer Shinji Kagawa plus £16m to land Arda Turan from At-

letico Madrid. Kagawa is one of the fringe players who is expecting to be told he can leave Old Trafford by new boss Louis Van Gaal at the end of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States. Reports last week suggested that Atletico had already made preliminary enquiries about Kagawa’s availability. And while it is thought that United value the Japanese international at approximately £14m, it seems that the Red Devils could look to turn the tables on Atletico with a move for Turan.

Liverpool to make bid for Dani Alves

iverpool are set to make a £5 million bid for Barcelona fullback Dani Alves, who is expected to leave the Camp Nou this summer. According to Spanish newspaper Marca, and brought into global attention by the Daily Star, the Brazil international had planned to leave the Catalan giants on a free transfer next summer - when his contract expires - following nine years at the club. But Barcelona boss Luis Enrique plans to offload him before the start of the 2014/15 campaign - and Liverpool could be his next destination.

Pogba completes Pescara move

Pogba has joined Serie B side PesMTheathias cara Calcio for undisclosed Fee former Wrexham man has now joined up

with his Pescara team-mates at their preseason training camp. Pogba scored 21 goals during his 63 appearances for the club. He finished his debut season with the club as leading goalscorer with 16 goals but he unfortunately missed the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final win over Southend after suffering a thigh strain. Pogba’s second season with the club was disrupted due to the knee injury he suffered during pre-season. He returned in January to help the club escape relegation by scoring five goals in the run-in. That tally included the winning goal against Preston North End that safeguardedthe club’s League One status on the final day of the season.

Rodgers: I don’t want Balotelli!

iverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he is not looking to bring Mario Balotelli back to the Premier League. Rodgers revealed his admiration for the AC Milan hitman ahead of his side’s friendly clash with the Se-

rie A giants last week. That led to claims the Reds were preparing to launch a £25million move for the controversial former Manchester City star. “In my last press conference I was asked a question about Mario Balotelli and I

onaco’s Radamel Falcao insists he has been given no indication of possible interest from Real Madrid, despite reports to the contrary. The 28-year-old made his comeback from a serious knee injury in the Emirates Cup over the weekend, coming off the bench in a 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday before netting the only goal against Arsenal on Sunday. Despite missing the second half of the 2013-14 season, as well Colombia’s World Cup campaign in Brazil, speculation has grown that Real are interested in bringing the striker to the Santiago Bernabeu. “To be honest, I do not know anything.” Falcao said. “I think Monaco have a project with Falcao. I am still finishing my recovery to be fully fit for the the coach. “Now, I’m not thinking about any other teams. I am focused 100 per cent on Monaco. The only thing that disrupted my sleep was to find out when I would be back on the pitch and today I am very happy to be back.”

Swansea renew bid for Azeez

CitycouldgobacktoLaLigatoboosttheir Suptheirwansea midfieldoptionsafterclaimstheyhavestepped interestinNigeriastarletRamonAzeez.

The Swans had previously been linked with the 21-year-old Almeria midfielder who featured in the recent WorldCupinBrazilfortheSuperEagles. ButnowSpanishmedia,includinginfluentialsportspaperAS,arereportingthe LibertyStadiumsidehavelodgeda£2.4mofferforthehighly-ratedyoungster whoimpressedinhisbreakthroughyearinSpanishfootballlastseason. BossGarryMonkhasadmittedhewantsasmanyasthreemorenewsignings ready for the start of the Premier League campaign having already landed six newfacesthissummer.

Onuachu Extends FC Midtjylland Contract

talked about what a talent he was and what an excellent player he was. And the next day it was wrote as if we were signing him. “I just gave my perception of him as a player. It shouldn’t be transmitted in to us signing the player.”

Superliga side FC Midtjylland DPaulanish have extended their agreement with Onuachu through the 2017-2018 season.

The youngster has been rewarded for his brilliant start to the season which has seen him make two appearances in the Championship, and scoring his first - ever goal for the Wolves in the topflight in their opening fixture. ‘’Paul is a striker we strongly believe in at FC Midtjylland, and therefore we are also pleased to have extended the contract with him. ‘’He is a great talent that has developed very well since he came to Denmark.”

SPORT 55

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Sierra Leone bans football matches over Ebola outbreak

Sport Trending

TWITTER |@NTelegraphSport

Brown Ideye So Happy to announce that my Visa has been issued,will join the team ASAP #wba @OfficialIdeye

he Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has suspended all football matches in the country until further notice because of the Ebola outbreak. As a result, Sierra Leone’s participation in the group stage of qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations has been placed in doubt. They are set to host DR Congo on 10 September but that game cannot go ahead unless the ban is lifted. There are also doubts over whether the team could play its away fixtures. The Leone Stars made it through the last round after Seychelles forfeited the second leg of their tie on advice of its health ministry.

Onazi Ogenyi Eddy I feel great to be back to full fitness, thanks for your prayers and good wishes. Papa TBJ. @OnaziOgenyi Robin van Persie Back in training today after a short break. Looking forward to the new season sooo much!! Hope you all feeling the same @ManUtd. @Persie_Official Elderson Echiejile Landed France heading to Monaco #Emiratecup was great 2 games! @EldersonEch LeBron James Can’t wait to get home to my wife and kids! @KingJames Mo Farah Grafting hard to get back on the track...!!! one Mo mile at a time...!!! #onemomile @Mo_Farah

Stephen James of Hawkster Athletics been tackled by Ezekiel Tom of Gosah RFC

I’m ready for new season –Odemwingie Charles Ogundiya

Osaze

uper Eagles and Stoke City striker, Osaze Odemwingie, has declared his readiness for the new season. He vowed to continue from where he stopped last season. Odemwingie who scored five goals in 15 appearances for the Potters last season played in the 0-0 draw against by Burton Albion on Saturday after he was given a break fol-

lowing his participation in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil “I’m really looking forward to the new season and I’m happy to be a part of the team again,” he said after the game at the Pirelli Stadium.” “We have signed some strong players that have added to the talent we already have here and I’m looking forward to working with them. “I have to work hard

Lazio set to offer Ogenyi fresh contract Ajibade Olusesan

erie A side, Lazio, is set to offer Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, a new and improved contract to ward off interest from English Premier League outfits. Onazi has been courted by several Premier League outfits including Everton,

Southampton and Sunderland. The former Golden Eaglets midfielder is one of the lowest paid players in the Lazio senior team as the youngster earns around €200,000 per year and the player is reportedly growing unhappy at the Capital Club.

Sources revealed that the player wants his salary to be increased to around €1m per year in appreciation of his progress at the club. Reports in Italy suggested that Lazio were ready to tie down the player to a new contract and has contacted his agent Jonathan Barnett to begin negotiations.

to earn my spot in the side, without competition you perhaps don’t work towards the best of your ability. “The new signings have made the squad stronger and it brings healthy competition into the team.” He also admitted he has had to adapt his approach since joining the Potters. “My aim is to carry on from where I left off last year. Since joining the club I feel I have matured and become a better player. “It may sound odd, but not scoring as many goals has certainly helped me improve as a team player. I feel fit and ready, so I am looking forward to the new season very much. “With a stronger squad things can only get better so we are definitely looking up.With the quality of players we have I’m positive we can continue our great team spirit and have another good season,” he said.

South-West League: Cowrie Rugby Club sets new record Emmanuel Tobi

owrie Rugby Football Club turned in a record 151-0 points over Eco II RFC in the South-West Rugby Union League table at the Main bowl of the National Stadium on Saturday. Cowrie RFC who are the defending champions opened the scoring barely four minutes on the clock and added much more tries in both half

as they signaled their intent with some ambitious running rugby. Wing sensation; Christian Ogar scored four tries while Onor Jato raced in two tries on his league debut. However forward players; Olatunji Oduntan, Emmanuel Chijioke, Samuel Ekpo and Hafis Ayinla are amongst try scorers. Similarly, Racing Rugby Football club moved up to second on the South-West Rugby Union League table after beat-

ing Police Machines in a hard fought match at the the National Stadium on Saturday. Their forwards dominated all areas of the park and they remained the dominant force throughout the game. Racing winger, Imeh Okon raced away in the 20th minute for their first try while Abdul Adeshina went over the line for another try in the second half. It was until the second half

before Police Machines managed to hold onto the ball long enough to win a penalty which full back, Sulymon Oyebola converted to earn them a consoling 3 points. Meanwhile, other games saw Hawster Athletics beat Gosar RFC 12- 3 while Lagos Rugby Club (the oldest club in the South-West league) retained their unbeaten run against Royal Stallions of Ilorin with a 15-10 victory.

bubba watson jonathan akpoborie Hmmm United cooking a very good stew for its fans this season. @akpoborie Hakeem Olajuwon Exciting times! Reunited with @EtonicBrand to launch my #retro shoe and to establish #BrandDream @DR34M Chiney Ogwumike Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but when grown, it becomes the strongest. @Chiney321 Abi Olajuwon Good morning world!!! Love moday mornings because it is a fresh start..... @AbiOlajuwon

Falconets ready for Mexico lAs NFF boss charges team

Ifeanyi Ibeh

igeria’s Falconets will in the early hours of Thursday begin their campaign at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, in Canada, with a game against Mexico. The Group C encounter will come up at the Moncton Stadium and victory over the Mexicans will go a long way in easing the path of the Falconets out of a tough Group C, where they will also play England and South Korea. Both sides are no strangers to each other having met in the knockout rounds two years ago in Japan with the Falconets emerging victorious on that occasion courtesy of Desire Oparanozie’s extra time strike. They also met four years ago in Germany, playing out a draw. And as they get set to meet for a third time in as many World Cups, acting President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mike Umeh, has called on the Falconets to start their campaign in Canada with an emphatic win over the Mexicans. “The Mexicans are no strangers to our girls in this competition,” said Umeh, recalling the 2012 meeting between both nations. “It is going to be tough, but our girls are as tough as they come and they will surely deliver the goals that will give them the three points ahead of the clash with Korea Republic and England,” Umeh assured.

World Record

On Marble

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

– Lao Tzu

Sanctity of Truth

w w w. new tel eg rap ho nl i ne. co m

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2014

Bluey, an Australian cattle dog, holds the world record for oldest dog at 29 years and 5 months of age. Les Hall of Victoria, Australia, got Bluey as a puppy from 1910-1939.

N150

Living in a changing world (1)

et me begin with two striking contrasts: Today, 43 percent of Nigeria’s population is under 16. Though Nigeria has high youth unemployment today, some argue that in the 21st century, it will be youth, not oil, that becomes Nigeria’s most precious resource. Contrast that with China – a country poised to go through a wrenching demographic change with the doubling of the ratio of old to young people over the next 20 years – with the loss of some 200 million workers over the next 30. • These forecasts highlight some key fundamental transformations and challenges facing the globe over the next decade and beyond. • We are in an era of transition. Global power is shifting from west to east, from north to south, but even within the south, there is no one size fits all. And today’s weaknesses – like the youth bulge – may turn out to be tomorrow’s strength. There are other key changes: the world’s population is increasing, is moving to cities, is becoming more connected and better armed with technology. But that also means increasing demand for natural resources – already China is the world’s biggest consumer of minerals such as copper, aluminium, and nickel - and it means coming to grips with the harsh realities of a changing climate. So what lies behind changing patterns of global growth? As engines, Europe and the United States have stalled. The drivers of global growth are likely to be led by a handful of economies, most from the developing world. And in contrast to the current unequal distribution – where high income countries hold more than two thirds of the global stock of capital and wealth – the world in 2030 will likely see global capital stocks about equally distributed between high income countries and countries that are now developing ones. Just consider a few projections: By 2025, the combined real output of six major emerging economies – Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, Indonesia, China and Korea – is expected to match that of the Euro Area, the largest economic area of the world today. By 2025, economies such as Indonesia and Brazil will likely be as important economically as Japan and the United Kingdom. What are the implications of these changes? Today, people are living longer, with more access to education and health care, less chronic disease, and lower infant and maternal mortality. But there has also been another shift: - call it a residual of

Guest Columnist

Caroline Anstey

two successive financial and economic crises in the United States and Europe; or call it another illustration of history’s relentless rise and fall of empires - but the fact remains that after centuries of western and northern dominance, developing and emerging economies are no longer looking at Europe and North America for their economic models. Countries are looking to Mexico and Brazil for lessons on innovative poverty reduction programmes – conditional cash transfers – which put money into the pockets of the poor; to India on how to build an IT outsourcing industry; and to Chinese examples of how to reach development scale. Many developing countries have designed and implemented solutions that have no precedents in the developed world – like the microfinance models in Bangladesh and Indonesia and some of the rapid bus transit systems in Colombia and Brazil, or the use of mobile technologies for all kinds of services in Africa and elsewhere. The past four decades has been marked by the outsourcing of manufacturing tasks from industrial countries to the developing world, especially East Asia. The same pattern is now obvious for services. In fact, services are the fastest growing component of world trade. Developing countries are now exporting not only traditional services, such as transportation and tourism, but also modern and skill-intensive services such as financial intermediation, computer and information services, legal and technical support and other business services. And the shift in economic gravity, influence and exemplars is likely to bring with it a shift in global decision making and changes in the governance of world bodies, including the United Nations, the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO. Let me focus on some key changes. I. First, A Rising Middle Class Continued rapid growth in emerging markets will give rise to an unprecedented expansion of the global middle class – by one estimate up from about 1.8 billion in 2009 to about five billion in 2030. By some estimates, by 2030, eight out of 10 of the world’s middle class people are expected to be living in the South, accounting for 70 per cent of total consumption ex-

Anstey, World Bank MD

penditure. A middle class that can worry much less about basic food and housing and more about their rights and voices as citizens. And for the first time in decades, Africa is no exception to these trends—Africa is on the rise going through unprecedented growth. Sub-Saharan Africa has been growing at nearly six percent on average over the last eight years – partly due to commodity prices. If Africa can deal with its three main challenges: key infrastructure constraints, conflict, and fiscal transparency, there is the opportunity of an even deeper transformation than we have seen in the past decade. A new World Bank Group report finds that of the 50 economies making the most improvement in business regulation for domestic firms since 2005, 17 are in SubSaharan Africa. The implications of this for growth and business are big. What does this rapid expansion of the global middle class mean in practical terms? • It will trigger an explosion in demand for housing, consumer durables, and cars. Take India. It was just 24 years ago that the first car was manufactured in Mumbai. In the 1990s job opportunities in the car, IT and other industries fuelled the wealth and purchasing power of the middle class. Today, India’s car market is poised to become the third largest automobile market next only to the United States and China. And India isn’t alone. It’s estimated that in just one year – 2010 - the BRIC countries – Brazil, Russia, India and China – added about 14 million cars to their

circulation – a figure that implies about 46 million people were added to the middle class – roughly the population of Spain. More cars means more congestion and pollution highlighting an even greater need for alternative mass transport systems like the Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTs). From the world’s first BRT put in place in Curitiba in the 70s, the concept has spread throughout the Latin America region. And we’ll see greater demand for education and millions more tertiary educated workers joining the global workforce. The signs are already evident. India has close to 20 million students in higher education, nearly as many as the United States. Both countries are outpaced by China, with 30 million post-secondary students. It’s predicted the number of Chinese college graduates could swell by 200 million over the next two decades – more than the entire labor force of the United States. A rising global middle class will ratchet up demand for energy, natural resources, food, and water, with climate effects exacerbating food and water shortages in some areas. Demands will change. It’s already evident in East Asia on the food front. The importance of rice is on the decline in all countries, while demand for meats, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables and processed foods is on the rise. If this rising middle class consumes the same overall as rich countries do today, by the middle of this century we will need two worlds instead of one. Managing this rising demand while allowing developing countries to grow is, in my view, the defining challenge of our time.

OMOBABA

OSUN: APC ACCUSES PDP OF PLOT TO RIG IN 10 LGs - News

– Who’s the kettle and who’s the pot?

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.