Binder1 14 november, 2014

SATURDAY

Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

Friday, November 14, 2014

Vol. 1 No. 269

/newtelegraph

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

Nigeria battles imminent currency crisis }7

Army sacks Boko Haram from Mubi

lFemale teacher foils attempt to bomb school in Minna lWe’ll soon regain all lost territories, says Army chief }3

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

3

Army sacks Boko Haram from Mubi Ibrahim Abdul, Dan Atori and Chukwu David

S

oldiers, with assistance from local vigilance groups have recaptured Mubi, the second largest town in Adamawa State from the Boko Haram insurgents.

It was also learnt that five Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were recovered from the terrorists during the fight to recapture Mubi, which Boko Haram had rechristened Madinatul Islam, City of Islam.

The report on the recapture of Mubi, which fell into the hands of the terrorists about two weeks ago after the insurgents drove away troops and annexed their barracks came yesterday just as a female teacher in Minna foiled an attempt

by Boko Haram to bomb Maryam Babangida Girls Science College, Minna.

Sources said yesterday in Yola that dozens of fleeing insurgents were killed by the soldiers who had reportedly laid ambush for them.

Although the recapture of Mubi could not be independently confirmed as the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig.-

General Chris Olukolade, could not be reached to give details, Adamawa State Governor, Mr. James Bala Ngilari, told reporters that Boko Haram had been chased out of Mubi.

The governor said: “The insurgents have been flushed out of Mubi and are on the run.”

Ngilari added that the success recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents is the handiwork of God. “God is in this business of security in Adamawa State. You know in the last one week or so, the government has decided to be working with the vigilante group, “Yan Baka” (local hunters) and Civilian JTF. “They have been working hand in hand with our security forces,” he said.

He said following the success recorded, the insurgents had been completely routed from Mubi and were running towards Askira.

He explained that the success recorded in recapturing Mubi followed a synergy among the state government, the military, paramilitary and the vigilante groups Ngilari thanked all those behind the success in flushing the insurgents out of Mubi town, saying

“they are heroes who put their lives on the line to ensure that the state is freed.”

“There should be no room for people to panic at all because this is the time to rejoice. We should also in doing so be sensitive on whatever information we come by. Believe me, the victory is one huge success we have recorded.

Our people who have left should come back as there is no cause for panic. We have recorded remarkable success and God is on our side. The good old days will be back,” Ngilari stated.

One of the hunters who said he took part in the liberation of Mubi, which began on Wednesday, also told reporters in Yola that some Boko Haram members were arrested.

“Sequel to the recapture of Mubi, about 80 insurgents have been killed in Maiha alone by the local hunters and dozens other insurgents were wounded while a number of them have been arrested,” the hunter, who simply identified himself as Kaura, said.

Other sources said the hunters recaptured the 234 Army Battalion, as well as other strategic security formations in the area which fell into the hands of the insurgents when they seized

the town and were said to be advancing towards Michika and Madagali which are under the control of the insurgents.

Similarly, all the flags hoisted by the insurgents have been uprooted and replaced by the Nigerian flags.

Sources said the palace of the Emir of Mubi, which had been converted to the headquarters of the insurgents, had been taken over by the hunters just as the Boko Haram flags hoisted in the palace had been destroyed.

“With the situation, the insurgents have retreated into the bush as the hunters gave them a hot chase,” Ahmadu Bello, a resident of Maiha said.

However, efforts by the insurgents to attack another school in Niger State were foiled yesterday by a female teacher.

The teacher, on her way to work, had sighted two unidentified men while trying to put on hijab and join pupils for the general assembly at the Maryam Babangida Girls Science College, Minna.

The foiling of the bombing bid came a day after a female Boko Haram member carried out an attack on Federal College of Edu-

cation (FCE), Kontagora, Niger State, killing three persons.

New Telegraph gathered that the teacher, Mrs. Bezat Doma, was passing through the footpath to the school when she stopped after perceiving the smell of Indian hemp.

She sighted two men that had already changed into the school uniform and were about to wear the hijab. On seeing her, they immediately asked her to turn back, if she wants to remain alive.

She fled to the school and immediately raised the alarm that threw pupils and other staff members into panic.

The school authority alerted the police and the military personnel came to restore order.

The Principal of the school, Hajiya Fatima Madugu, told reporters that the information given by the teacher at 7:30am saved the school from being attacked.

According to her, “When the security agents came, they questioned the teacher. You can imagine the fear that will be created in the minds of these children, especially in view of the security situation in the country.”

But the state Police Pub-

lic Relation Officer, Ibrahim Abiodun Gambari, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (ASP) said the suspects were lunatics, whose presence early that morning created fears in the school.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Kenneth Minimah, yesterday assured the nation that the military would recover all the territories lost to Boko Haram.

Briefing the Senate Committee on Defence and Army in Abuja, Minimah stated that troops would soon regain the lost territories.

The committee had, on Wednesday, invited the service chiefs to come and update it on the progress of military operations in the North-East and the encumbrances militating against their successful operations.

The summon was necessitated by the growing insurgency in the area, coupled with the recent bombing of the Government Science School in Potiskum, Yobe State, by a suicide bomber, which killed about 50 pupils and injured about 80 others.

In his briefing, Minimah said: “We had a setback in Baza that resulted in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

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Lawmakers draft Tambuwal into presidential race Johnchuks Onuanyim and Wale Elegbede

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he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has joined the presidential race under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as some lawmakers yesterday obtained Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for him.

Over 20 members of

the House were at the National Secretariat of the party yesterday at about 5p.m. to obtain the forms for the Speaker.

When contacted, the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media, Mallam Imam Imam, said: “Earlier today some friends and political associates of the Speaker notified him that they have bought presidential nomination forms for him.”

But the leadership of the APC told New Telegraph that Tambuwal’s presidential ambition is

still in the realm of speculation.

The National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said he is not aware of the development. “Well, we are waiting to hear it happen. We are aware of all the rumours and we are keeping our fingers crossed.

We have heard it too. But it has not happened yet.

And there is no way he will obtain form without you knowing. Of course, that is not possible,” he said.

The Speaker’s entry into the APC presidential race has brought to five the number of presidential aspirants in the party.

Others that have collected APC presidential forms are: former military Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar, Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

Tambuwal, who offi-

cially joined the APC on October 28 is facing an impeachment threat from members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House.

At the National Secretariat of the party, all the members that came to obtain the presidential ticket forms for Tambuwal declined to speak to the media.

The members, led by the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Zakari Mohammed only waved their

L-R: Chairman, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode; Group Managing Director, Mr. Herbert Wigwe; Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Senior Counselor and Director, Africa/Middle East Department, IIF, George Abed and President, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, at the third IIF Africa Financial Summit in Lagos...yesterday.

How we’ve helped Nigeria to fight Boko Haram, by US

lDenies ambassador’s claim of lack of cooperation

T

he United States has listed its efforts to assist Nigeria to fight Boko Haram, denying accusations by Abuja that it is not doing enough.

Besides providing and approving sales of military equipment to the Nigerian armed forces, Washington has also helped in training of the military, State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Wednesday.

Psaki’s clarification, according to a report yesterday by the AFP, was in a reaction to Nigeria’s allegations that the US had not been helping it in fighting Boko Haram.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Prof.

Adebowale Adefuye, had said Washington was not providing the “lethal”

weapons needed to deliver “a killer punch” to the insurgents.

Adefuye, in a speech made public on Tuesday, launched into a tirade against Washington for its reluctance to sell arms to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram.

He said Nigeria was “not satisfied with the scope, nature and content of the United States’ support for us in our struggle against terrorists.”

But Washington denied the accusations, saying in the past six months since the Islamic militants snatched over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, it has shared intelligence with the Nigerian army, begun training a new battalion and held high-level talks on the

threat of Boko Haram.

Also, Psaki said Washington had “provided and approved sales of military equipment to its armed forces.”

According to her, the US has also “provided and approved sales of military equipment to its (Nigeria) armed forces”.

“These decisions are made, of course, after careful scrutiny to ensure they conform to United States law.”

But she acknowledged the US had refused to transfer some Cobra helicopters due to concerns about the Nigerian army’s ability to use them.

There were also “ongoing concerns about the Nigerian military’s protection of civilians when conducting military op-

erations,” Psaki said, adding these had been discussed with the Nigerian authorities.

Adefuye had told members of the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday that allegations of human rights abuses by the military were “rumours, hearsays and exaggerated accounts” put about by rivals of President Goodluck Jonathan and rights groups.

But Psaki stressed the US would not raise such concerns “if we didn’t feel and others didn’t feel that they were warranted”.

She added that Washington was ready to help Nigeria train and improve the effectiveness of its military, urging the government to investigate allegations of abuses.

hands and drove away in their cars.

But speaking with the National Organizing Sectary of the party, Senator Osita Izunaso, he denied issuing forms to the members for Tambuwal.

According to Izunaso, the members had only come to discuss party issues with him.

Izunaso stated: “As at 4:30p.m., nobody had come to collect presidential forms for the Speaker.”

When the National Organizing Secretary stated this, it was almost 6p.m. and few minutes after the members of the House of Representatives left the party secretariat.

A source, however, disclosed that the members have picked the presidential forms for the Speaker and decided not to speak to the press about it and also that the party should not disclose such to the press.

According to the source, the members would want the Speaker to break the news of his picking the APC presidential form and joining the presidential race himself.

The source at the party’s secretariat further stated that the members were not sure if Tambuwal would accept the nomination forms for the APC presidential ticket.

The coming of Tambuwal into the APC presidential race, the source stated, would change the focus of the contest as he would have more support from the members.

Female teacher foils attempt to bomb school in Minna CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

loss of territories up to Mubi; and painful though, but we are working very hard to regain those territories, and very soon we will reclaim those territories and, indeed, other territories held by these elements.

“I want to continue to rekindle the confidence of Nigerians who have suffered the pains of this insurgency that the Nigerian Army will continue to do its best as to winning this war and reclaiming the lost territories.”

The meeting between members of the Senate Committee and the army chief, at a point, degenerated into in a shouting match as Minimah refused to brief the senators in the presence of reporters.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, gave the synopsis of the meeting by informing the army chief that the agenda of the meeting was “very loaded.”

He said while politi-

cians were busy scheming for the 2015 elections, insurgents were having a field day, especially in the North-East.

He told Minimah that Nigerians were getting impatient and irritated not only with the military, but also with the government and those who represent them at various levels.

Sekibo then asked Minimah to throw light on the issues he highlighted.

Minimah, who was not very comfortable to speak, said: “I came to interface with the Senate Committee on Defence, can the press leave us?”

The army chief said operational matters were never discussed on the pages of the newspapers.

But Sekibo, pressurising him to talk asked Minimah to “just reassure Nigerians that the military is on top of the security situation in the affected areas.”

But Minimah stood his ground despite the intervention of other committee members.

News

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Manufacturers lose N22bn to gas shortage Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

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bout 87 manufacturing firms located in the Agbara and Ota industrial estates of Ogun State may have lost about N22 billion in the last two weeks due to an energy crisis occasioned by a cut in gas supplies to their factories.

The shutdown of their production plants has in turn given rise to a huge man hour loss and could result in layoffs if the situation persists.

The manufacturers have blamed the crisis on the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the company responsible for gas supply to their plants.

New Telegraph learnt that with the gas cut and prolonged power outage, these manufacturing firms have witnessed a major downturn capable of impacting negatively on their production targets and profits.

One of the manufacturers, an indigenous outfit involved in large scale food processing, was said to have lost about N300 million in the first week of the gas shortage.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the umbrella body of the firms, was said to have contacted Shell over the issue, but there has been no clear response on how long the problem would take to be rectified.

Initially, the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that regulates industrial gas supply and consumption, claimed it was not aware of the gas shortage. It was not clear if Shell officially notified NGC about the incident.

An official of the NGC, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, attributed the problem to what he called “clamping” and assured that it was a minor issue that would soon be resolved by the managers of the gas pipelines.

New Telegraph gathered that both the SPDC and

NGC were aware of the problem which stemmed from vandalism of the gas pipeline, but were trying to rectify it without allowing the challenge to get to the public domain.

A source at the NGC said that Shell was notified as soon as the problem was identified and that Shell sent emergency emails to the manufacturers declaring force majeure on gas supply, a standard procedure to indicate that they were facing some unforeseen challenges that would result in their inability to meet their contractual obligations to the firms.

A representative of one of the manufacturers, who would not want his name in print for fear of victimization, disclosed that the crisis has affected some firms in Ikeja industrial area of Lagos State.

According to him, when some of the manufactures

in the affected areas made contacts with Shell in Lagos, the multinational oil and gas firm reportedly dismissed the issue as a minor challenge that would not take time to correct.

“Last Monday and Tuesday, we had some pressure in the line, but no supply actually. But after that initial mail, Shell has not replied all our subsequent inquiries on the return of supply. It has always been evading the question and promising to get back to us without any action.

“While few manufacturers, especially the multinationals have fallen back to their alternative supply through diesel tankers, most of us that have no alternative have been totally out of business these two weeks. And we need immediate intervention to save the situation and the economy from total collapse,” he said.

In spite of the assurances from NGC and Shell, the manufacturers said, the problem has dragged on for over two weeks and many of the firms were becoming apprehensive that it may not be resolved soon.

“Right now, we are not even sure of where to trace the problem to or how or when it would be solved.

We are sick of complaining to and asking Shell questions that don’t get answers. And from the way it manages the information, we suspect something is fishy about the shortage.

We, therefore, want the management of the NGC to investigate why Shell would bring the economy to a total stop, even when we pay for the service, they have refused rendering us in two weeks. We have incurred heavy and untold losses, and don’t even know when the end would be,” he said.

30oC

24oC

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ABUJA

34oC

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Mostly Sunny

PORT HARCOURT

24o C 18oC Storms

KANO

36oC

16oC

Sunny

ENUGU

23o C 18oC Heavy Showers

IBADAN

31o C 22oC Thunder Storms

CALABAR

29o C 22oC Thunder Storms

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

37oC 19oC Mostly Sunny

23o C 18oC Heavy Showers

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

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Group Chief Executive Officer, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Capital Plc, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni and President of Council, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Albert Okumaga, during the fellowship award of the CIS conferred on Sanni in Lagos...recently.

Lawmakers draft Tambuwal into presidential race Johnchuks Onuanyim and Wale Elegbede

H

ouse of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has joined the presidential race of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as some lawmakers yesterday obtained Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for him.

Over 20 members of the House were at the national secretariat of the party yesterday about 5p.m. to obtain the forms for the speaker.

His Special Adviser on Media, Mallam Imam Imam, while confirming the report, said: “Earlier today some friends and

political associates of the speaker notified him that they have bought presidential nomination forms for him.”

But the leadership of the APC told New Telegraph that Tambuwal’s presidential ambition was still speculation.

The National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said he was not aware of the development.

“Well, we are waiting to hear it happen. We are aware of all the rumours and we are keeping our fingers crossed. We have heard it too. But it has not happened yet. And there is no way he will obtain form without you knowing. Of course, that is not

possible,” he said.

The speaker’s entry into the APC presidential race has brought to five the number of presidential aspirants in the party.

Others that have collected APC presidential forms are: former military Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd); former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar; Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah.

Tambuwal, who officially joined the APC on October 28, is facing an impeachment threat from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is putting pressure on its

members in the House to oust the speaker.

At the APC secretariat, all the lawmakers that came to obtain the presidential ticket forms for Tambuwal declined to speak to the media.

The members, led by the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, only waved their hands and drove away in their cars.

The National Organising Sectary of the party, Senator Osita Izunazo, however denied issuing forms to the members for Tambuwal.

According to Izunazo, the members had only come to discuss party issues with him.

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

News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

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Nigeria battles imminent currency crisis lMarkets mixed as intervention fails to boost naira lCurrency down 8%, stock index 17% lower

Ayodele Aminu

N

igeria is fighting to avoid a currency crisis as lower oil prices prompt investors to bet that Africa’s largest economy could soon be forced to devalue the naira.

In spite of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) intervention, the naira fell 2.7 per cent against the dollar yesterday, with foreign investors also selling bonds and stocks as the price of oil tumbled to a four-year low, dealers said.

The naira will remain under pressure as long as oil prices continue to soften. This has led to increased expectations of a tightening of monetary policy - to help draw capital inflows in,” Ecobank chief economist, Angus Downie, said.

Consequently, bond investors have since demanded higher yields to hold Nigeria debt.

Benchmark 10-year bonds climbed 36 basis points to 13.04 per cent.

The naira plunged to an all-time low of N173.95 against the dollar, down nearly 9 per cent since January. The central bank has been actively intervening to support the naira for days, but the $1 billion it has spent over the past two weeks has failed to halt the slide. The apex bank sold dollars directly to the forex market for a second day.

“We believe that the risk of currency devaluation has increased significantly in recent days,” Ridle Markus, analyst at Barclays in Johannesburg, said in a note.

Emad Mostaque, at emerging markets consultants Ecstrat, added that Nigeria could face a “speculative attack on the currency in the next few months similar to that Turkey experienced earlier this year and Russia has just experienced now”.

The naira could turn into a political headache for President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking a second term in elections next year, the Financial Times said yesterday.

The apex bank’s officials have insisted Nigeria is in control of the currency drop, saying that current gross foreign reserves, equal to more than seven months of imports, are high enough to manage the exchange rate.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who is fighting his first crisis since taking over from

Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi earlier this year, said there was no need for panic. “The central bank has always intervened . . . We believe we’re very safe,” he told Bloomberg News.

But Nigeria, the largest oil producer in Africa, is particularly exposed to falling hydrocarbon prices. The government, which typically depends on oil and natural gas exports for about 80 per cent of its revenues, is assuming an oil price for its 2015 budget of $78 a bar-

rel, close to current prices of $80.

During the oil price crash of 2008-09, when Brent crude dropped from $150 to $50 in a matter of months, Nigeria de facto devalued its currency. The naira lost 25 per cent of its value from December 2008 to January 2009 before the government fixed the exchange rate at N145.5 and imposed a tight trading band.

Since then, the central bank has allowed the currency to slowly depreciate against the dollar, but the

crawl has turned into a flight for safety in recent days.

Gareth Brickman, analyst at Johannesburgbased ETM Analytics, said the CBN’s focus on interventions, rather than hiking interest rates or an outright devaluation was “imprudent”. Other analysts largely agree.

Nigeria is sitting on $37.8 billion in foreign reserves, compared with $53 billion when the oil price plummeted in 2008.

The currency depreciation has been exacerbated

by foreign investors liquidating their positions in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), which since January has lost 18.4 per cent and it is now the worst-performing market in Africa, coming below Zimbabwe.

With oil prices at fouryear low and foreign investors selling both Nigerian equities and bonds, the pressure on the naira could increase again.

The currency market is increasingly betting that the government will devalue the currency after

the presidential elections.

Last Wednesday, the 12-month non-derivable naira forward contracts which investors take as a gauge of devaluation risk - plunged to nearly N200.

The market is now watching the apex bank’s next policy, scheduled for November 24-25, for any sign that the monetary authority will change track.

The bank has kept interest rates at 12 per cent for the past three years and an increase is unlikely considering the imminent elections, analysts said.

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Oluwole Ojikutu; Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Oba Richard Ogunsanya; Chairman, Bi-Courtney Ltd, Dr. Wale Babalakin and author of the book, Construction and Housing in Nigeria, Prof. Kunle Ade Wahab, during the launch of the book in Lagos...yesterday.

PDP, APC bicker over Jonathan’s declaration Johnchuks Onuanyim and Onyekachi Eze

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday engaged in brickbat over the declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election on Tuesday.

The main opposition party alleged that the second term presidential campaign of President Jonathan is being funded with monies looted from the oil subsidy.

But the PDP described the attack by the APC on Tuesday’s presidential declaration of President Jonathan as hypocritical and opportunistic.

APC accused the president of lacking sympathy for Nigerians who die daily for different reasons, stat-

ing that it was a corrupt aiding for the government to release the Capital Oil assets being managed by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Chairman of Capital Oil, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba, is the major financier of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), the major campaign outfit for Jonathan re-election.

Capital Oil, a major distributor of petroleum products, was one of the companies indicted by the National Assembly as beneficiaries of oil subsidies.

APC National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, in a press briefing entitled “Building a new Nigeria”, said: “We see another manifestation of the PDP administration’s fondness for impunity and its disturbing tendency to

cuddle corruption, in the recent release to Capital Oil Ltd. all its assets hitherto lawfully acquired by AMCON as a result of its said involvement in the fuel subsidy scam.

“It is not a secret that the proprietor of Capital Oil is the coordinator or convener of the widely derided Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) that is at the forefront of the obscene and doomed campaign for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“A great nation like Nigeria should not be run with such crass disdain for decency, common sense and the rule of law.”

Stating that President Jonathan has failed, the party called on Nigerians to show this by voting him out.

The chairman also ac-

cused the Jonathan-led administration of festering fat on the rot of insurgency and the monies spent so far.

In its reaction, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said APC was only engaging in shadow boxing and mischievous propaganda to score a cheap political point.

The party said APC was disturbed by the mammoth crowd at Eagle Square who came to lend support for the re-election of Jonathan.

Metuh noted that the APC always seeks to gain political capital from the insecurity challenges in the nation, stating that the Tuesday’s declaration was scheduled a month before the blast.

Accusing APC of hypocrisy and being oppor-

tunistic, PDP reminded Nigerians how APC held its mega rally in Ekiti State a day after a twin bomb blasts in Jos, killing 118 people and wounding 56 others on May 20.

“The entire top hierarchy of the APC, its national leaders, governors and the interim national executives were in attendance. At the rally, the APC scarcely observed a minute silence in honour of fellow Nigerians mowed down in cold blood before charging the atmosphere with usual insults and loathing acts of insensitivity, speaker, after speaker,” he said.

The party observed that the plan of terrorists all over the world is to manipulate political events and policies, noting that the more they are allowed space, the more dastardly and frequent they turn.

8

News

NATIONAL

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

MTEF: CSOs want oil price benchmark at $55 Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

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he Federal Gover nment has been asked to review downwards its projection of $78 per barrel of crude oil in the 2015-2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to not more than $55 per barrel. The coalition of civil society organisations ( CSOs), which made the demand yesterday, said $78 per barrel was unrealistic giving the downward slide of

the price of crude at the international market.

The demand came following a critical evaluation of the MTEF document at the Fiscal Governance Forum organized by the Centre for Social Justice( CSJ) and the Ford Foundation in Abuja. The coalition criticized the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation over the parameters used in preparing the 2015-2017 MTEF and Fiscal Strategy Paper, saying it should be reworked to take cog-

nizance of the current realities of the Nigerian economy and its people.

Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice, Mr Eze Onyekpere, argued that the forecasts in the MTEF should have been anchored principally on the long term perspective plans of Vision 20:2020, which Nigeria formulated for itself and which had been the basis of previous budgetary frameworks.

“In accordance with vision 20:2020, we recommend the direct allocation of foreign exchange earned from crude oil

sales to the three tiers of government rather than monetizing it and creating new money. This will guarantee monetary and price stability; swell external reserves; and improve access to credit by the real sector.

This will lead to increased economic growth, job creation and development.

“The continuation of the fuel subsidy is a drain on the scarce resources of the nation. It should be reconsidered as the legislature is urged to expeditiously consider and pass the PIB. If the nation must subsidise fuel, the subsidy

should target local refining rather than fuel importation. Local refining will create jobs, add value and give the government opportunity to earn corporate tax,” he said.

Onyekpere, who spoke at the end of the forum, advocated the harmonisation and convergence of monetary and fiscal policies in the economy.

He also recommended that steps should be taken to increase access to credit to the real sector for enhanced capacity utilization, job creation and value added services.

L-R: Legal practitioner, Mrs. Funmi Falana; Hon. Justice Ganiyu Safari; Chairman, Young Lawyers’ Forum, Ikeja, Prince Issa Adedokun and Hon. Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, at the 3rd Annual Interactive Young Lawyers’ Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja branch in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Elumelu, Dangote call for more participation in oil, gas

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wo of Nigeria’s biggest entrepreneurs, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President Dangote Group and Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings, have lent their voices to the call for more indigenous participation in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

Both, who were Guest Speakers at 32nd Annual International Conference of the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), in Lagos, said the involvement of indigenous institutions and players, would bode well for the economy and sued for a deliberate and systematic approach to the involvement of Nigerian entrepreneurs in the oil and gas industry.

“I was encouraged to come into the oil and gas industry by someone who believes deeply in Nigerian local capacity” said Elumelu in his opening remarks. He explained that localization will impact positively on the sector just like it happened with banking. “Many years ago, it was the general belief that only expatriates could own and run banks in Nigeria.

Today, however, the top five banks are owned and run indigenously and we need for the same to happen in the oil and gas sector”, Elumelu said.

Amnesty: Shell spills 100,000 barrels, Fashola promises to hand over downplays sizes of two oil spills in Nigeria to better APC government

• Its not true, says oil firm Adeola Yusuf

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he Amnesty International has accused Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA) of downplaying the size of two oil spills in Nigeria and knowing the pipelines were faulty before they burst.

While a joint investigation by Shell Nigeria, the local community and government agencies originally found that about 4,000 barrels of oil were spilled in Bodo in 2008, calculations by the human rights group show the total for both spills exceeded 100,000 barrels, Amnesty said in a statement on Thursday.

An internal company memo dated 2002 warned some sections of the pipeline contained “major risk or hazard,” according to documents obtained by Amnesty and filed with a London court.

“We accept that the total volume of oil released as a result of the two operational spills is likely to have exceeded the Joint Investigation Visit estimates,” Shell said in an e-mailed statement.

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) has however, dismissed these allegations.

The spills destroyed homes, farms, and fishing waters in the Niger River delta, Amnesty said. A lawsuit brought by 15,000 Nigerians goes to trial in London in May. Shell won a preliminary ruling in June, limiting the scope of U.K. litigation to an assessment of actual damages caused.

Shell’s admission that it may have underestimated the volume of leaked oil makes its assessments of other Nigerian spills questionable, since spill investigations

are conducted in the same manner, Amnesty said.

Hundreds of spills occur every year in Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer and largest economy.

Pipeline ruptures can be caused by corrosion, poor maintenance and equipment failure, and attacks by thieves and saboteurs.

“It’s outrageous that Shell has continued to blame the vast majority of its spills on saboteurs while knowing full well how bad a state its pipelines were in,” Audrey Gaughran, Amnesty’s director for global issues, said in the statement.

A spokesman for the Shell Nigeria Ltd however said: “From the outset, we’ve accepted responsibility for the two deeply regrettable operational spills in Bodo. We want to compensate fairly and quickly those who have been genuinely affected and to clean up all areas where oil has been spilled from our facilities.

Muritala Ayinla

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overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday expressed optimism that he would handover government to an All Progressives Congress (APC) government in 2015.

He spoke at an event organized by the government to commemorate this year’s Community Day celebration, urging community leaders to remain with a party that keeps promises.

He said: “This will be the last time I will stand here as your governor. But I’m optimistic that even a

better government on the platform of APC will be here to continue. You must therefore do your best to participate in the process.

“There are threats from opposition party to oust the APC in Lagos,”, he said, stressing that the Federal Government had made promises in the area of electricity, empowerment and infrastructure without fulfilling them.

“From communities to communities, we have made promises to you in the last seven years, and I have kept all of them; check my inauguration speech. The Federal Gov-

ernment that collects 52 per cent of total revenue has made promises that they have not kept. Despite that, Lagos is rocking and our impacts are in your communities. And it is because you are paying tax.

“If they come with promises of better life where you will not pay tax, be careful. Allocations to state government are reducing, and prices of oil are dropping. Several states are now borrowing to pay salaries. That is not your lot in Lagos. So, remember all these when they come with their deceptive umbrella to give you empty promises.”

FG tells Julius Berger to source money for projects Yusuf Shuaib Abuja

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he Federal Government has called on the leading Construction giant, Julius Berger Plc to look inwards and source funds from its home country, Ger-

many to complete its existing projects in Nigeria.

Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen, stated this when German Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr. Michael Zenner, paid a courtesy call to the Federal Ministry of Works

headquarters in Abuja He also said that the German-Nigeria relationship dated back to over 40 years, urging the company to intensify efforts in the completion of all on-going Federal road projects across the country.

NEW TELEGRAPH friday, november 14, 2014

News

national

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Usman links extreme poverty to insecurity problem in North East linkage

Former Minister draws a link between poverty and insurgency in the North East Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

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ormer Minister of the National Planning Commission and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Susman and Associates, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, has said that strong links exist between prevailing security challenge in North East and high level of poverty in the area.

He said that while growth was vital to the economy, it must translate to sufficient development, capable of creating political stability, noting that the segment of the

society excluded from development constitutes the drawback and constitute a danger both to themselves and the society.

Usman, a former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, made these observations yesterday in Abuja as a guest lecturer in a lecture titled “Financial Inclusion and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria” at the 25th Anniversary lecture and book presentation of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) .

According to him, various poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria failed because they lacked the tactical wherewithal.

He said programmes like micro-credit schemes, women development centres, youth centres, SMEs, as well as skills development centres, though laudable, are failing because less focus is placed on the supply side.

Usman pointed out that

duplications of poverty alleviation programmes by states trying to repeat what government at the centre was doing and such programmes ended up without achieving their objectives.

On financial inclusion, he said some sections of the population have been excluded by constraints of income level and its volatility, gender issues, financial illiteracy and location and distance of banks and other financial institutions from the poor.

He, therefore, said that that financial inclusion should be accessible, available and affordable, enabling frequent and regular use, saying “low income people need financial services such as credit, savings, insurance and payment to manage their lives and build better futures, but few can access such services from formal financial service providers.”

NLC to refund workers’ money over failed housing project Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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ope has finally risen for Nigerian workers, who subscribed to the controversial affordable housing scheme by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Kriston Lally Nigeria.

The NLC President, Comrade Abdulwahid Omar, yesterday gave an assurance that the union would refund money paid by workers for the failed

project.

It would be recalled that workers staged a protest at the NLC headquarters in Abuja last week over what they called a breach of contract they entered into with NLC and Kriston Lally Nigeria Limited to build affordable homes for public servants.

Comrade Omar, who disclosed this at the official site tour and the signing of development agreement for Nationwide Workers Housing scheme at Apo Tafyi, Abuja, la-

mented that workers have been misinformed that NLC wanted to defraud them with the project.

He noted that the union encountered problems with the developer but was already addressing the situation.

"We encountered some difficulties in some of the activities of the developer that were unbecoming but we are at the top of the situation. Right now, we have arrested the situation and we are trying to fall back on track.

IGP orders CPs to screen vigilante groups Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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he Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr.Suleiman Abba, has directed Commissioners of Police (CPs) in State Commands, to ensure thorough screening of vigilante groups in their respective states.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Emmanuel

Ojukwu, an Acting Commissioner of Police, said the directive had become imperative, in order to avoid abuse, and also make the vigilante groups conform with extant laws.

This is even as the police yesterday, warned officers and men of the force against "accidental discharge" from service rifles, vowing to bring the full weight of the law, to bear on any erring officer.

The statement reads in

part: "The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, has directed Commissioners of Police across the nation to ensure adequate screening/ supervision of Vigilante group to ensure that they work in conformity with laid down regulation in order to avoid all forms of abuses.

The IGP also has issued a stern warning against the use of thugs to further political interest.

Presidency: PDP accuses Duke-Abiola of ulterior motive Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the widow of late Moshood Abiola, Professor Akasoba DukeAbiola of planning to foment trouble by refusing to come and collect the presidential nomination and Expression of Inter-

est forms, which she has paid for.

The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, yesterday said the presidential aspirant failed to make use of the one week extension granted by the party for the sale of nomination forms but instead chose to go to court.

The sale and submis-

sion of nomination forms for next year's general elections close today.

PDP noted that DukeAbiola "willfully refused to collect her Expression of Interest form with Code number PD002/P and serial number 0000003 and Nomination form with Code number PD003/P and serial number 0000003 even after it was sent to her through her lawyers".

UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN ILORIN, NIGERIA P. M. B. 1515, ILORIN

E-mail: registrar@unilorin.edu.ng Website: www.unilorin.edu.ng

INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION AND TENDERING FOR UNIVERSITY PROJECTS 1.0 Introduction The University of Ilorin intends to engage in the construction of the under listed project to be funded from the 2014 Federal Government normal capital allocation.

2.0 The Project The project entails the construction of Phase 1 of the extension to the administrative building including the senate chambers.

3.0 Prequalification Requirements Documents to be submitted shall include but not limited to the following:a) Evidence of Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) b) Company profile and organizational structure, including names and resume of key

personnel with addresses and phone numbers. c) Evidence of registration of both the company and the key personnel with relevant

professional bodies. d) Verifiable list of previous similar major works carried out in the recent past with

their locations and clients. (Copies of Completion Certificates/Final Payment

Certificate should be attached.) e) Evidence of current Tax Clearance Certificates for the last three (3) years. f) Evidence of registration of Staff with Pension Commission of Nigeria. g) Provision of VAT Certificate. h) Three years audited accounts of the company (2010, 2011 and 2012) i) Submission of 2% bid security from a reputable bank. j) Evidence of Financial capability/Reference letter from a reputable bank. k) Evidence of payment of industrial training contribution to the Industrial Training

Fund (ITF) 4.0. Collection of Tender Documents Tender documents could be collected from the office of the Director, Physical Planning Unit on presentation of receipt of payment issued by the Bursary Department, University of Ilorin for the Tender/documentation fee of N20,000.00. Collection of documents is between 8.00am and 3.30pm daily from the date of this advertisement.

5.0. Bid Security Each Tender is to be supported by a bank bid security to the tune of 2% of the tender price.

Any tender that is not accompanied by a valid bid security shall be disqualified.

6.0 Submission of Documents The prequalification documents and the commercial tender document shall be submitted in separate envelopes to the office of Registrar, University of Ilorin. The envelopes should be separately marked on the top left hand corner as follows: (a) Pre-qualification documents. (b) Commercial Tender.

Both submissions should be made on or before 12noon on Friday 5th December, 20914 7.0 Opening of Submission The pre-qualification documents shall be opened at 12.30pm in the basement of the University Auditorium on the closing date, that is, Friday 5th December, 2014 Pre-qualified contractors would be contacted on the date for the opening of the commercial bid.

All contractors and the general public are invited to attend the opening exercise.

Please note that the University of Ilorin is neither committed nor obligated to short list any contractor or to award the contract to any contractor. The University reserves the right to reject any bid.

Mr. E.D. Obafemi Registrar

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Metro Pregnant housewife Fake LASTMA officials dupe retiree N35,000

Muritala Ayinla

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wo men have been arrested for impersonating officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to defraud motorists.

The two suspects, Funsho Williams and Adekogbe Olabode, were arrested on Wednesday in Lagos for forcibly collecting N35,000 from a motorist under a false pretence.

They duped a 62-year-old retiree of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Felix Adesanya, by spurious allegation of flouting traffic laws.

Adesanya, who sustained injuries during his encounter with the suspects, was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

The victim, who said he was discharged from LASUTH in September, disclosed that he was given an appointment for November 12.

According to him, while he was driving to the hospital in his Toyota Camry with registration number KRD 653 BX, he was flagged down by two men in mufti but wearing reflective jackets on their clothes at Akilo area of Ogba.

He said: “I halted with the thought that the two men were in need of assistance to move farther. But I was surprised the duo accused me of disobeying traffic personnel and all explanations to prove that I did not commit any traffic offence fell on deaf ears as they were bent in arresting me.

“The duo insisted that I committed a traffic offence and forcibly entered my car and introduced themselves as LASTMA officials and flashed an ID card with the inscription of Lagos Traffic Task Force.

They later demanded for my wallet, ransacked it and took N30,000 with a threat to take me to their office if I failed to cooperate and summed up the money to N60,000.

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

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s eve n - m o n t h - o l d pregnant married woman has died in a hotel room in Ontitsha, Anambra State, after a marathon sex with her lover.

It was gathered that the hotel staff noticed that the man was making a suspicious movement yesterday morning. They rushed to the room where they discovered the woman’s body.

It was also learnt that the woman arrived the hotel after the suspect, now in police custody, called her on the telephone.

At press time, the identity of the deceased could not be ascertained.

But some people suggested that the lovers might have been going out for several months before the incident.

When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Inland Town

dies in hotel room Police Division, Onitsha, Mr Cosmas Eze, refused to talk on the incident.

He referred our correspondent to the Area Commander, ACP Benjamin Wordu, for clarifications.

Confirming the incident, Wordu said investigation was on going to unravel the circumstances that led to the woman’s death.

Also, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Uche Eze, said the command received the report of the incident.

He said that the suspect had been arrested while the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka for further investigation.

The suspects

Robbers attack woman, children Shola Adefuwa

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63-year-old woman, Mrs Mercy Eboge, is battling to stay alive at a private hospital for daring to confront four suspected robbers who invaded her home at Ishashi on LASU Road, Lagos.

The robbers hit the woman on the head with a pestle.

Apparently not satisfied with slamming the wooden pestle on her head, the robbers, shot Eboge’s son in the legs, injured the daughter and stabbed another son in the neck.

While the robbery was going on, some of the residents alerted the police, who raced to the

scene and got the men just as they were attempting to make a quick getaway.

The suspects are identified as Dare Adetunji, 21, Abraha Isong, 22, Braide Chukwuemeka, 23 and Joshua who is still at large.

Chukwuemeka, however, denied being a member of the gang. He said he was a victim of circumstance.

A police source said: “The robbers injured four victims before stealing their belongings. They stole laptops, one Ipad, money, clothes, phones and other items.

“The old woman, Mrs Mercy Eboge, sustained an

injury on her head because of the pestle one of the suspects hit on her head. Her son, Franklin’s two legs were shot.

Eboge’s daughter was severely wounded and another son was stabbed in the neck.”

The arrest of the men on November 2 was made possible by a team of policemen from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos, led by SP Abba Kyarri.

According to the police, Chukwuemeka used to embark on surveillance of prospective victims’ homes before the gang goes for the attack.

SARS operatives recovered a pestle, two knives and a locally-

made pistol from the gang.

Adetunji, a cobbler, said that he met Joshua at a bar, where they became friends. Later, Joshua convinced him to become his partner in robbery.

He said: “On the day we planned to go for an operation, we met at where we used to smoke, to fine-tune the plan.

But before I met Joshua, I used to enter people’s homes to steal by tearing their mosquito nets.

It was Chukwuemeka who pointed out the old woman’s house to us.”

Adetunji added that they entered Eboge’s home around 2am by cutting through the net with a razor blade. He said that when they gained entry into the kitchen, they had to use a stick to slide back the bolt of the door leading to the sitting room. It was in the kitchen that they picked up the pestle and knives.

“The woman woke up. We asked her of her money, but she refused to cooperate. Joshua searched the rooms and found a purse containing N8,000. We also found phones and other valuable items. While we were robbing them, they were shouting and trying to hold us. It was at that point that Joshua hit the woman with the pestle,” he recalled.

Adetunji, who said he embraced robbery because he was desperate to make quick money, disclosed that a prophet had once told him that shoe making was his heavenly-ordained job.

He added: “If I am allowed to go, I will assist the police to catch other robbers in Lagos.”

Stating his own side of the story, Isong said that it was Joshua who hit Eboge with a pestle, injured her daughter and shot her two sons.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Truck falls off Ojuelegba Bridge, kills one

Banks shut in Akure over robbery scare Babatope Okeowo Akure

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The scene of the accident

Camillus Nnaji

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ne person was killed while six commercial buses were damaged when a trailer fell off the popular Ojuelegba Bridge in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos.

The accident, according witnesses, occurred about 9pm on Wednesday.

Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

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idnappers are now on the prowl in Benue State. In the last one week, at least five babies have been abducted in Makurdi and other parts of the state.

A one-year-old boy, Emmanuel Ojo, was snatched from his mother near Hope Clinic in the Wadata area of Makurdi, the state capital.

The mother, Mary Ojo, told our correspondent yesterday that her son was yet to be found. She also appealed to the ab-

photo: suleiman husaini

The driver of the trailer died on the spot, while six commercial buses parked under the bridge waiting to pick up passengers were destroyed.

A witness, who gave his name as Mr Olu Femi, said but for providence, many people would have died in the accident.

He said: “It would have been disastrous be-

cause many people were still under the bridge then; those coming back from work and passengers who had already boarded buses.

“The driver lost control of the trailer on top of the bridge. Thank God, the trailer did not fall immediately, giving people the opportunity to run to safety.”

Another witness, who craved anonymity, said

the driver’s assistant was rescued.

However, a source at the Barracks Police Station, Surulere, said “the DPO is not around to give you details. He visited the accident scene and an IPO has been assigned to the case.

Officials of Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LATSMA) from Iponri, towed the trailer.

Kidnappers snatch five babies in Benue ductors to have mercy on the child and release him.

Some kidnappers also snatched a baby from its mother’s back at Benue Crescent near Wadata ‘sharp bend’ last Thursday.

The mother, an Igbo woman simply identified as Ifeoma, was carrying the two-year-old baby on her back with another in her front while selling

orange when kidnappers removed the baby by force and jumped into a waiting car.

It was also gathered that two school children of one Alhaji living near Rice Mill, Makurdi, were kidnapped, while another was abducted in Wanune in Tarka Local Government Area of the state.

When contacted, the

state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Daniel Ezeala, said that only two of the cases were reported to the police and were being investigated.

Ezeala appealed to the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious character to the police through available distress call numbers for necessary action.

Father sues children over late wife’s property Gabriel Choba Ughelli

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he Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wellington Hotel, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, has sued the children of his late wife, Mrs Mary Agbonifo (nee Ogbevire), over her property.

In the suit filed at the

Warri South Customary Court with suit number WSACC/M/261/2014, Chief Godspower Agbonifo is praying the court to include him in the sharing of his late wife’s property.

The respondents include Deacon Tony Okene, Paul Okene, Efeturi Okene and Festus Agbonifo as well as four new generation banks operat-

ing in Effurun and Warri.

One of the family members of the deceased, Chief Julius Ogbevire, expressed shock at the action of his sister’s husband.

He said: “This is shocking as we have not seen this in the entire Urhobo nation where father takes his own children to court to be included in the sharing of his late wife’s prop-

erty. I see this as taboo in Urhobo nation for a title chief to go to that extent.

“There is no part of Urhobo nation that we have heard such narration where a father struggles to be included, using court as means to be part of sharing of his late wife’s property.

This is appalling and has never been a tradition of Urhobo.”

ocial and commercial activities were temporary paralysed in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday over rumoured planned robbery attacks.

When the rumour began to spread about 10am, banks and other business concerns hurriedly shut their doors to customers.

There was also heavy presence of security personnel such as soldiers, anti-riot and regular policemen at all the major streets in the town.

It was learnt that an official of one of the first generation banks got the information that robbers were planning to attack their bank.

He was said to have alerted his boss who informed other banks and the police.

The banks in Alagbaka, the commercial nerve centre of Akure, closed their doors to customers, leaving only those with ATM cards to withdraw money under heavy security watch.

The banks on Oyemekun and Arakale roads were also hurriedly locked to prevent being caught unawares.

Many customers were disappointed as they could not transact any business, while those already inside the banks were asked to leave go.

Security operatives

were patrolling Alagbaka, Oyemekun, Oba Adesida and Arakale roads, where many of the banks are located.

Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were also stationed at some strategic locations in the town.

A bank official, who spoke with our correspondent, said she was at the counter attending to customers when her manager gave the directive to stop work that robbers were around.

She said: “I was at the counter dealing with the customers when my boss rushed into the banking hall and ordered us to stop work. He also directed the security men to shut the doors and should not allow anybody to come in.

“He told us that robbers had entered the town. Initially, we thought they had entered our premises. Everybody in the bank was running helter-skelter. But we later got to know that the robbers were only rumoured to be in town but not in our bank. So shortly after, we were instructed to go home.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Wole Ogodo who confirmed the incident, said patrol teams had been sent to town.

He said that the police would not relent in their fight against criminals in the state.

10 arrested for selling fake, expired products Appolonia Adeyemi

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he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested 10 suspects for varying offences including forgery of the agency’s certificate, possession of counterfeit drugs, re-validation and sale of expired products.

The NAFDAC Director-General, Dr Paul Orhii, disclosed this at a news conference held in Lagos, where the suspects were paraded.

Orhii, who spoke the Director of Investigations and Enforcement, Mr Kingsley Ejiofor, said all the suspects were arrested based on information from producers of the original products.

The suspects include Mr Kingsley Chibueze

who was arrested for the importation of fake Buscomac, Zentel and Primolut-N tablets; Mr Ayoola Segun, for forgery of NAFDAC certificates for mostly herbal practitioners for years and Mrs Oham Miracle, who is being investigated for illegal importation, distribution and sale of fake Clear Skin Clear Velvet Skin glow complexion soap.

“The suspect was the manager of the genuine and registered version of the product before she duped the company. Two years after, she used the proceeds to counterfeit the product from China,” Orhii said.

Mr Adumeta Christopher was arrested for tampering with NAFDAC seal and manufacturing of unregistered food products.

12

News

VOW Ondo APC vows to shoot down PDP in next year’s election Babatope Okeowo Akure

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State yesterday vowed to defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s general elections.

The party hinged its confidence on the crisis over the choice of candidates in the ruling PDP and the perceived disconnect between the government and the people of the state.

A chieftain of the

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-WEST

APC plans to dislodge PDP in Ondo APC in the state, Lucky Ayedatiwa, who submitted his House of Representatives’ nomination form for Ilaje/Eseodo federal constituency at the party secretariat, expressed optimism about the party dislodging the PDP in next year’s election in a free and fair contest.

Ayedatiwa said the defection of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to the PDP has led to the exodus of people from the ruling

party to the main opposition party in the last few weeks, swelling the rank of the opposition, which was third in the political landscape before the recent political development in the state.

According to him, the state would witness mass exodus of members of the PDP to APC in no distant time, saying some leaders of the PDP have been negotiating with the leader-

ship of the APC to win future elections.

He said: “It is a good development for us and what we are experiencing right now is what we have been waiting for, because APC is presenting the preferred option, especially in Ondo State and the federation at large.”

He, however, said the defection PDP members into the party would not lead to any round of crisis within the APC, say-

ing politics is a game of numbers and that the more people that comes into the party, the more the chances of the party to take over the state.

Ayedatiwa assured those willing to join the party from the PDP that the leadership of the party will create an enabling environment by giving room for internal democracy.

He said: “APC is a democratic party, there’s

not going to be any imposition of candidates.

But that is not to rule out consensus in some cases, because you can’t rule that out completely in politics. We can all collaborate and present a candidate, because we are not in power in Ondo State, therefore we need collaboration in the party. Collaboration that will make the party stronger as we go into the 2015 elections.”

Ikorodu rallies for next governor Tony Okuyeme

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eaders, indigenes and residents of Ikorodu division in Lagos State recently trooped out to participate in a rally organised to drive home their determination to produce the next governor of the state.

The rally, which featured motorised campaign, leaflet distribution, singing, dancing and addresses by leaders of both Eminent Persons in Ikorodu Division (EPID) and Ikorodu Division Solution Alliance (IDSA), saw the mammoth crowd moving from the Majidun Bridgehead through the popular Lagos Road, all the way to the Ikorodu town hall in the heart of the town.

Ahead of the 2015 governorship election in the state, the leaders used the rally and the press conference held same day to reiterate their call on political parties to present candidates from the area as their gubernatorial candidates.

The leaders, including prominent politicians from the division, gave this charge while appealing for equity and fairness on the part of fellow Lagosians.

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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kiti State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Idowu Faleye, has faulted the claims by the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Omirin, that Governor Ayo Fayose is blackmailing the lawmakers.

He urged the legislators not to toy with the welfare of the people by

L-R: Member, Green Field Estate Community Development Area, Isolo, Mr. Olaleye Shamsudeen; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Governor Babatunde Fashola, another member of the community, Mr. Emeka Ezeala and Chairman, Green Field Estate Community Development Area, Prince Nixon Okwara, recieving the N2 million dummy cheque as the best CDA at the 2014 Community Day celebration in Lagos …yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

UNILAG ASUU gives reasons for fresh strike threat Mojeed Alabi and Zainab Balogun

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embers of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos, Akoka, chapter, yesterday gave reasons why it may soon embark on an industrial action that may end up paralysing academic activities on the campus.

The body said except the management of the university accedes to its demands soon, it there will soon go on strike to

press home its demands.

ASUU had on Wednesday staged a protest rally, which it tagged; sensitisation protest, in which members were carrying placards with various inscriptions such as; “ASUU says no to notional promotion;” “No to, no vacancy, no promotion;” “No to accumulated leave,” among several others.

They accused the management of creating harsh working conditions for them, saying

the development has not only affected the health status of many of their members, but has also affected their productivity.

University of Lagos ASUU Chairman, Dr. Adelaja Odukoya, said many of their colleagues had been stagnant without promotion in the last six years or thereabouts, adding that many have not gone on leave for many years, “simply because there was no one to relieve them while on leave.”

Faleye: Fayose can’t blackmail lawmakers the way they play their politics.

In a statement by Faleye in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, he accused Omirin of being economical with the truth in his assertions that Fayose was blackmailing him on the refusal of the House to clear the commissioner-nominees and lists of the caretaker committees for local governments in the state.

Omirin had on Wednesday issued a

statement alleging that the governor was blackmailing him and his colleagues over their refusal to clear the nominees and approve the lists of caretaker committees.

Faleye said members of the House had no cause not to clear the nominees in the first instance, because it was the House that demanded for the names and credentials of the nominees, which were

submitted promptly.

Meanwhile, a group in Ekiti State, the G18 Initiative, has emphasised the need for quality representation by lawmakers at both the state and the National Assembly.

This is just as the group endorsed the Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Tope Aluko, for Ekiti Central 1, federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

Blame Fayose for renewed insecurity –APC

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has criticised Governor Ayodele Fayose for the increase in the wave of insecurity, especially armed robberies, in the state.

A statement by the State Publicity Secretary of APC, Taiwo Olatubosun, said that since the inauguration of the governor, the state had witnessed increased violent crimes that reminded one of the past when the state was in the news for all the bad reasons.

The party cited two

violent armed robbery attacks on First Bank branch in Ifaki and Ikere recently where customers lost fortunes and several residents fatally wounded.

However, the governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, said the APC leaders were poor students of history.

“For instance, the First Bank robberies they mentioned, they failed to state that the Ikere robbery took place last year during their tenure.

Lagos REC assures electorate Temitope Ogunbanke

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agos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, has assured Lagos residents that no eligible registered voter in the state would be disenfranchised from performing his or her civic duties during the 2015 general elections.

Speaking yesterday at the continuous voters awareness rally organised by Women Arise for Change Initiative in Ikeja

to sensitise the electorate on the distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and the Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) exercise in the state, Ogunmola said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will do its best to ensure that the 2015 general elections is credible, free and fair.

“The 2015 general elections will be a one-man-onevote affair. We will make sure that people’s votes count during the election.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Presidential declaration

Babatope: Nigerians’ll benefit from President’s re-election

Open Forum

Mohammed: Nigerians should send Jonathan back to Otuoke

Automatic ticket

2015

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Unending brouhaha over senators’ re-election bid

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Ex-lawmaker joins Lagos guber race

Politics

Jonathan: In the race at last Tuesday’s declaration for reelection by President Goodluck Jonathan was a turning point in Nigeria’s political activities ahead of the 2015 general election. ONYEKACHI EZE reports that the president hinged his re-election bid on the successes of his administration

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his was not the first time President Goodluck Jonathan was declaring to contest the presidency.

But Tuesday, November 11 declaration was an epoch-making one.

The first time Jonathan attracted such large crowd was in 2010 when he accepted to run for the presidency after the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua. But back then, Nigeria was not facing the kind of security challenges presently bedevilling it. That was why many people were surprised at the turnout of people who came from every part of the country to witness the event.

The crowd at Eagle Square, venue of the declaration, was simply massive despite the near lock down of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by security personnel due to fear of security breach.

Some of the accredited delegates who came to the venue to witness the declaration later went back home to watch the event on television. Even though the organisers prepared accreditation cards for delegates and other special invitees, but none of these was made use of.

Security operatives manning the entrance gate were overpowered by the surging crowd and the gate flung open for free entry of both delegates and non-delegates alike. Policemen were thereafter forced to form a protective wall around the state box.

Jonathan’s declaration was long expected. After his adoption by various

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

President Jonathan at his declaration on Tuesday.

organs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as sole candidate of the party, the president was not forthcoming with his answer. It took a threat from the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP for him to meet the previous October 30 deadline for the purchase of Expression of Interest (EOI) and nomination forms.

The presidential declaration was a carnival of some sort. Itinerant traders, artisans, food vendors, entertainers, and even petty thieves made havens out of the occasion. Many people defied the harsh Abuja weather to witness the event.

There were equally rented crowds by aspirants to various positions in the PDP who wanted to show the party leadership that they have large followers in their zones. The banner and placard carrying groups and drummers forced their way to the arena to register the presence of their candidates.

Security outside the Eagle Square was equally tight. All roads leading to the city centre were blocked and commuters made to take alternative routes. Hovering helicopters provided aerial surveillance while plain cloth security operatives patrolled the venue. People were made to park their cars and trek the remaining distance on foot.

Surprisingly, security at the venue was light. President Jonathan who arrived at about 11:30a.m. decided to alight from his vehicle at the gate and walk to the arena, in solidarity with the people. Accompanied by the PDP national chairman, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, the president later walked round the Eagle Square to acknowledge cheers from party supporters.

I am convinced that I have kept my pact with Nigerians, and it is now time to look to the future. With your tremendous support, we have collectively done so much in the last three and half years, but to take our country to the next level, there is still more to be done

Party chieftains across the country were in attendance. The PDP governors were led by their chairman, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State while the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark led members of the National Assembly. The chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih and ministers, among others were also in attendance.

Speeches delivered at the occasion were devoid of the usual attacks at the opposition party and name calling, which is fast becoming a norm among politicians in the country. Speaker after speaker justified why Jonathan should be the presidential candidate of the PDP or should be re-elected.

Former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hassan Adamu, who spoke on behalf of the PDP members from the North-East said the zone will always stand by President Jonathan because he has delivered on his promises, which he listed to include making fuel available for people and giving the region two federal universities.

Former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, said the North-West will remain eternally grateful to the president for giving people from the zone key appointments in his cabinet. Such positions, Bafarawa listed to include the vice president, the Minister of Defense, the National Security Adviser and the Minister of Education among others.

Former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani, said people of the South-East will vote Jonathan for awarding the conCONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Politics

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

OPEN FORUM Chief Ebenezer Babatope is a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Transport

...Jonathan’s declaration for re-election

Babatope: Nigerians’ll benefit from Jonathan’s re-election

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resident Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election declaration on Tuesday November 11 was a great decision. Jonathan has impressed the whole world with his political composure and maturity. So, as far we are concerned, Jonathan has done the right thing; he has declared and everybody is happy about it.

All those who are saying Jonathan does not deserve a second term based on performance are talking absolute nonsense. It is very wrong to say Jonathan has not done well. Jonathan has done well and his achievements are visible and they are clear to many Nigerians. The only thing you can quarrel about is security, but it is not his fault. He didn’t create Boko Haram, so apparently nobody can carpet him on Boko Haram. All we can do is to

Babatope

pray that God should support us to conquer Boko Haram. But apart from

that Jonathan has scored a very high point and his Transformation Agenda is moving very well.

Jonathan administration is doing very well in the area of agriculture and nobody can dispute that. This administration is doing well with industrialisation and in the economy of the country. So, there is nothing to be worried about and we are confident of Jonathan’s victory next year.

I believe Jonathan has many things to offer Nigeria as a president in the next four years, if re-elected in 2015.

He has done very well so far since he became the president of Nigeria and he has assured Nigerians during his declaration on Tuesday that he will do more when he is re-elected. And politically, it is expedient for Nigerians to support him because the devil you know is better than the devil you have never met. And some of those clamouring that they want to be presi-

dential candidate cannot be president in a country like Nigeria. But Jonathan is clear about his vision and programmes, and Nigerians need to support him.

Nigerians will benefit a lot from the second coming of Jonathan. We have benefited so far and we will continue to benefit. Jonathan is a matured mind and I praise him for his maturity, political calmness and vision; I praise him for the political analytical mind and for soberness in which he has been piloting the affairs of Nigeria. I believe Jonathan will beat all other presidential candidates silly politically in 2015 elections. The Nigerian people are with Jonathan and they are going to vote him in and he is going to do very well because of the confidence reposed in him by the Nigerian people.

Interview by TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

Ajulo: It’ll deepen our democratic experiment Olukayode Ajulo, a lawyer and human rights activist, is the National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP)

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resident Goodluck Jonathan’s formal declaration of his presidential bid is an action that was expected and it is his right as enshrined in our sacred constitution to seek re-election while the same constitution gives Nigerians equal right to elect or reject him. So, the declaration like others by various aspirants is an action that will deepen our democratic experiment.

It is imperative to decry the quality of the so-called elec-

tioneering, which are in most cases indecorous, at times libellous and filled with malicious tantrums instead of being issue-based. Political campaigns should be an opportunity for political parties to showcase those unusual things they have been able to do and let the people know what goodies they have in stock for them. It is shocking the way and manner very serious issues in the life of the nation are being trivialised all in the name of engaging in political campaigns.

The job of maintenance of public infrastructure and ensuring the enabling environment is part of the routine functions of government and should not in any way become a yardstick for measuring performance. Inaugurating drainage systems, jetties, ramps and playgrounds on the eve of elec-

Lanre Suraj is the chairman of the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC)

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he official declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan for 2015 election, after so much pretences, deceits and colossal waste of resources in the name of zonal signature collection organised by Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) is without a surprise.

It was obvious to many observers, with the body language of the president and utterances of his close associates, that the president was nursing an ambition to contest for another term of four years in office, come 2015. The big question was, why hide behind a finger and squander such unbelievable resources on phantom signature collection? A critical review of Dr. Jonathan’s ambition against his earlier admission and promises will offer elucidating insight into the gerrymandering

tions with fanfare, pomp and uproarious carnivals while the salaries of the average workers cannot even take them home offends the people’s sensibilities.

While it was true that in spite of begging issues in our polity and the various challenges, and going by Nigeria’s circumstance, President Jonathan’s administration has shown genuine courage to give purpose to good governance in many areas, the exaggeration of the president’s performance by some of his ministers and campaigners hurts rather than advance the president’s cause and image.

Campaigns are not meant to be filled with theatrics and fictitious claims, but should rather be exercises fed with facts and figures and built on the foundation of truth, as the people are neither blind nor

deaf, nor are they to be taken as fools. The electorate must always endeavour to read the lips of politicians each time they mount the soapbox to make declarations.

The problem of insurgency must be addressed during this period and we should note that it is a problem rooted in long term political economic contradictions and is the responsibility of everybody to contribute their quota towards finding solution. It is not that to elicit any sense of vicarious triumph on the part of any serious opposition.

As for us in the Labour Party, the solution to this problem lies in good governance. Putting food on the people’s table and ensuring a fulfilling social milieu is our goal. Thus it is all about the creation of environment that would help boost

Ajulo

the economy. This is the ABC and XYZ of genuine electioneering.

Interview by TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

Suraj: President declared against his will and not-my-will propaganda by the president and his group of political jobbers.

In a frantic effort at convincing Nigerians in Diaspora, weeks leading to 2011 of election, the president made a commitment not to contest the 2015 election. According to newspapers reports in 2011, President Jonathan made this commitment while interacting with Nigerian diplomats working in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. He also said if voted in for the next four years, in 2011, he would ensure significant improvement in key sectors of the economy including security, power, education, roads, and health. He said four years is enough for anyone in power to make significant improvements, and if within this period he is unable to improve the power situation, it means he cannot do anything even if he is there for another four years.

Most unfortunately, Mr. Jonathan

Suraj

failed in all ramifications. According to the newspaper report, “if within this period he is unable to improve the power situation, it means he cannot do anything even if he is there for another four years.” The last four years has seen

the country generating lesser and lesser megawatts of electricity. With this development, going by the president’s self-admission, there is nothing he is capable of doing, even if given another four years.

The November 11th declaration of President Jonathan was preceded by the horrific massacre of 47 promising young children in their school in Potiskum, Yobe State. This is one of so many senseless waste of lives experienced in schools across the North-East. It signals the absence of government in the country. If the state of insecurity has escalated rather than abate in the last four years, despite the government’s vigour, I can’t say that there is a government in the country during the period? Obviously, the declaration is against Jonathan’s will and he should be shown the way out come February 2015.

Interview by WALE ELEGBEDE

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

OPEN FORUM Alhaji Lai Mohammed is the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

...Jonathan’s declaration for re-election

Mohammed: Nigerians should send Jonathan back to Otuoke

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he decision by President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his second term ambition a day after almost 50 students were killed and about 80 injured in a suicide bombing in Potiskum, Yobe State is utterly insensitive and absolutely callous.

Since this president has chosen to celebrate a national tragedy, Nigerians should also be ready to celebrate his electoral failure next year. Today, the three North-east states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe are in danger of being overrun

by Boko Haram and over 650,000 Nigerians are internally displaced in those states by the insurgency. Yet, President Jonathan says he puts Nigerians first.

Lies have never worn a bolder face. The truth is that for President Jonathan, it is Jonathan first, Jonathan second, Jonathan third, Jonathan always!

When about 60 students were killed in the terror attack on the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, in February 2014, President Jonathan never visited the scene to commiserate with the families of the victims. When over 80 people were killed in the first Nyanya bombing in April 2014, President Jonathan went dancing ‘Azonto’ in Kano less than 48 hours later. And when almost 300 girls were freshly abducted in Chibok, President Jonathan neither acted fast enough to rescue the girls, nor visited the village.

His administration even denied anyone was abducted, until 19 days after!

This president has therefore established a pattern of putting his political interest above the security and welfare of Nigerians who voted him into office.

This president has trampled upon the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which makes the security and

Benjamin Atebe is a legal practitioner

It is time for Nigerians to respond in kind by trampling on his political ambition and sending him back to Otuoke

Mohammed

welfare of the citizenry the raison d’etre of the government’s existence. It is time for Nigerians to respond in kind by trampling on his political ambition and sending him back to Otuoke.

The Safe Schools Initiative will remain a mere tokenism until the fundamental problem of insurgency, which has claimed thousands of lives, is conclusively addressed. Mr. President, what Nigerians want is not an isolated Safe Schools Initiative, but a Safe Nigeria Initiative.’

While it is usually the practice for leaders who seek re-election to tout the achievements that will justify their return, but in the case of President Jonathan, there has been nothing but blood, tears, sorrow and the gnashing of teeth

by Nigerians since he assumed office, hence he has nothing to showcase but

lies!

How could President Jonathan in all good conscience even ask Nigerians to re-elect him when he has wasted the mandate given to him in the first instance? Nothing shows the president’s incompetence and cluelessness more than the failure of his administration to provide security for the citizenry This is undoubtedly President Jonathan’s biggest and most fundamental failure. At times it goes beyond incompetence to perhaps even collusion, or how else does one explain that the rate and intensity of attacks have increased in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe since they were placed under a state of emergency last year?

How does one explain that more lives are being lost to the insurgency at a rate that is directly proportional

to the increase in spending on defence and security? From $5.07 billion in 2010 to $7.12 billion in 2014, the Boko Haram insurgency has fuelled increases in security spending to around 25 per cent of annual Federal Government budget.

Instead of asking Nigerians to vote for him again, President Jonathan should be apologising to Nigerians for wasting their mandate and explaining why, since his administration has increased security spending; declared and renewed emergency rule, issued propaganda claiming the capture and killing of Boko Haram members (including the leader Abubakar Shekau), destruction of Boko Haram camps, and countless assurances of improving security and winning the battle against Boko Haram, the empirical realities over the same period are that Boko Haram has become more daring and audacious in its attacks.

Instead of the transformation that President Jonathan promised Nigerians, he has delivered transmogrification, with unprecedented corruption, runaway unemployment, erasure of hope, total darkness even with millions of naira sunk into the power sector and trains that are grinding their way to a long-forgotten past of locomotives in an era of bullet trains.

President Jonathan, the Nigerians who turned up at the Eagle Square on Tuesday to witness your declaration may have looked vibrant and happy.

Indeed, they were, because they came to celebrate your imminent departure from office on the strength of their votes. While saying publicly that they will support you, there is no doubt that they are saying to themselves: Never Again!

Atebe: President’s declaration morally wrong

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irst and foremost, he has the right to contest and make declarations. But I think that if I were him, with the present situation in the country, I think I would have thought it wise before making such declaration of seeking re-election because the issues at hand, he has not been able to solve. Even though he tried to reel out his achievements, which I cannot really see much of.

No matter how a man achieves, if you have so many things hanging around you that are unresolved, it means you are yet to achieve. If I were him, and if really he loves Nigeria like he claims, the truth is that he should have thought it wise before thinking of seeking reelection; more so, Tuesday was not one of the best days, just 24 hours after a tragedy in Potiskum, Yobe State.

It shows a little bit of insensitivity, at least he could have said, ‘from what happened, I just want to observe a day of mourning to sympathise with the young children.’ I think that

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Atebe

will win him more support, and the public will be more sympathetic to him, than just going there, dancing to the gallery.

Being a president, he is the father of the nation. It’s just like a man who has lost a son yesterday, and the next day he is holding a party. I don’t know who his political advisers are, but I think it was not morally right. But like I said, it is good

If really he loves Nigeria like he claims, the truth is that he should have thought it wise before thinking of seeking re-election... just 24 hours after a tragedy in Potiskum, Yobe State. It shows a little bit of insensitivity that he is seeking re-election, let him test the waters, but we’ll see at the end of the day.

There are allegations that the attacks are masterminded by detractors to take the shine off any major activity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Goodluck Jonathan. If at all that is right, it still boils down to the same thing that the Jonathan gov-

ernment is weak. If they say it is being masterminded, that means there are some people who think ahead of him. Ordinarily by now, his administration should have a proper strategy.

It simply shows that they are not thinking, whereas some people are thinking. If at all it is to discredit him, what plans have they put in place for such things not to happen? It is not one person that makes plans for such an incident to happen, it takes at least two or three people. It shows that his intelligence people are not gathering proper information.

We talked of the Chibok girls, what of the people that masterminded it, up till now nothing has been done. It still boils down to the same thing that he is not on top of issues.

On the persistent Boko Haram attacks, and what the government has to do to bring it to a stop, I do agree that the Boko Haram thing is a political issue, because they try to politicise it.

What actually beats me more is when I read in the newspapers of soldiers running away from

the insurgents. It is disgraceful, I’m irritated, and it just shows that it is like many in the military today are not there to serve, but they are in the military because of lack of jobs, so the military is more like a place for them to earn a salary.

They are not fearless, but they only show their strength when they want to harass defenceless innocent civilians.

The Boko Haram issue, yes, it’s a problem, but I think it is over politicised. I don’t think, sincerely speaking, that the military cannot curtail the Boko Haram menace. I don’t think so.

Are you going to tell me that the Boko Haram can muster about 10, 000 fighters? That I doubt. What sort of weapons are you going to tell me that they have, that even if our military is so weak, that it cannot match them force for force, or overrun them? I’m one of those who don’t believe that the Nigerian military don’t have the capacity to tackle Boko Haram.

It’s just because the whole thing has been politicised.

Interview by Etaghene Edirin

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Politics

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

President flaunts achievements at declaration C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

tract for the construction of second Niger Bridge but expressed hope that the Enugu-Onitsha expressway will receive attention in his second term in office while former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili expressed the gratitude of the people of South South to the rest of Nigerians for voting Jonathan as president in 2011.

Jonathan, who read his address with the aid of a teleprompter did not disappoint. He gesticulated and demonstrated where necessary.

The thrust of his address was the achievements recorded in the over three and half years of his government, which he admitted has not been without challenges. “We have had to deal with the wave of insurgency that has swept through some parts of our dear country.... Many Nigerians have lost their lives and property to these mindless killings.

“Clearly, this has cast a dark cloud on our nation but we will surely win the war against terror. A number of young men and women have been kidnapped by these criminal elements including our daughters from Chibok. We will free our daughters and defeat terror,” the president assured.

He said the armed forces were being equipped while Special Forces were deployed to fight the terror war. The president disclosed that the Federal Government has initiated measures to cushion the adverse effect of the insurgency on the people, especially in the North-East.

These included the Presidential Initiative for the North East, the Victim Support Fund and the Safe School Initiative.

“The Presidential Initiative for the North-East is focused on improving infrastructure and economic growth in the region. The Safe School Initiative is centred on creating a safe environment to encourage our children in communities to acquire education. The Victim Support Fund, a partnership with the private sector, has raised over N60 billion, which will help to empower and rehabilitate victims of terror. I promise the victims of these dastardly acts that we will continue to stand by you,” Jonathan explained.

He noted other achievements recorded were in the areas of road construction, power sector reform, agriculture, aviation, the rail system, the water sector and housing among others.

The president said he was overwhelmed by “the trust, confidence and support of the various organs of our party, the Board of Trustees, the National Caucus, the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee, the PDP Governors’ Forum, members of PDP caucuses in the National Assembly, and others” for adopting him as sole presidential candidate of the party.

He said his decision to seek re-election was because “history has shown that the part of honour of a true leader is not to walk away from his people in the face of challenges. We must stand together in adversity and overcome the threat to our development. We must defend our future.”

The president said he has done much in the infrastructural development of the country. “Infrastructure has been a major focus area of my administration and so, we pursued the power sector reform to this point of irreversible progress. Nigeria has undertaken a most transparent and corruption-free bidding process, attracting global commendation.

“Our power generation and distribution companies have now been privatized. We are firmly on the road to guaranteed regular power supply in the months ahead. This our bold move, is paying off,” the president said.

Jonathan and Sambo acknowledge cheers during the president’s declaration at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Tuesday

He said in the past three and half years, the water sector has witnessed unprecedented improvement as access to potable water is now 67 per cent, up from 58 per cent in 2010, while sanitation coverage is 41 per cent, from 32 per cent within the same period.

The president noted that major developments in water include the completion of 37 Dams and rehabilitation of 10, with several others undergoing construction.

The president also boasted about the performance of his administration in the transport sector. “Before the advent of this administration, the railway system was practically dead,” he noted. “Today, we have revived the rail sector.

“Already, work on the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail line, is progressing.

The tracks of the rail line will be completed by December this year 2014. Upon completion of the project in the first quarter of 2015, it will be possible for Nigerians to live in Kaduna and work in Abuja. The Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard gauge line has attained an advanced stage, with the track completely laid. We hope to commence full operation before the end of 2015.”

He added that preliminary works have started on the re-construction and expansion of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road in Lagos to a world class entry point into our country.

“Only a few months ago, work started on the dualisation of Kano-Katsina Road.

While many Nigerians are celebrating the marked improvements on our roads, I want to assure that it will get even better as we move forward.

“In the pursuit of an integrated transportation system, we embarked on the construction of five new Airport Terminal Buildings and Air-field facilities. We are also re-constructing existing ones.

These efforts have been met with global acknowledgement including the attainment and retention of the FAA Category One status,” the president stated.

In housing, the president stated that his administration has signed the National Housing Policy to kick-start the framework for providing more affordable homes for the people.

He said his administration has changed the face of agriculture. He said: “We moved agriculture away from a de-

velopment programme to agriculture as a business. My vision is to create wealth for our people through agriculture.

“We have focused on encouraging the private sector to boost investments in the agricultural sector. As a result, the number of seed companies rose from five to 80 in the past three years. Private sector investment in the agricultural sector expanded by $5.6 billion across the agricultural value chain.

“We ended decades of corruption in the fertilizer and seed sectors. We developed a transparent and efficient system of reaching farmers directly with subsidized farm inputs. Before our reforms, fertilizer procurement and distribution took from the needy and gave to the greedy. We restored dignity back to farmers. Today, 14 million farmers, of which 2 million are women, access fertilizers with their mobile phones, through an ewallet system. Nigeria is the first country in the world to develop an e-wallet system to reach farmers with subsidized farm inputs on their mobile phones. Several African countries are now borrowing this transparent and efficient e-wallet system for their own countries.

President Jonathan also gave an assurance that his administration will tackle corruption frontally. “My dear people, corruption remains a big challenge in our national life. It corrodes our efforts at development and at motivating competence in critical sectors of our national growth. We have eradicated it in the agricultural sector and we will surely eradicate it in other sectors of our economy.

“Going forward, my focus is to continue to reinforce institutions, systems, and processes to tackle corruption, and also to bring to justice those that perpetrate corruption. Through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), we have weeded out 56,000 ghost workers from the Federal Civil Service, saving N162 billion.

“I have directed ICPC to bring the perpetrators of this criminal act to book. Let this be very clear, public officers must live by example, fully accounting for the national trust and resources in their care.”

President Jonathan stated that his administration has impacted so much on the educational sector, even with the

establishment of 14 new universities out of which 12 are conventional and two are specialized Police and Maritime Universities.

He cited the over N500 billion spent, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the special NEEDS assessment fund on various projects to increase access and improve the quality of infrastructure at the tertiary level of our education system. He also said his administration has established and equipped 150 almajiri schools across the Northern states and the Out-of-SchoolChildren Programme across the country.

He noted that efforts to create an enabling environment for job creation in different sectors of the economy including the MSME sector, agriculture, housing and manufacturing have yielded results.

“I am convinced that I have kept my pact with Nigerians, and it is now time to look to the future. With your tremendous support, we have collectively done so much in the last three and half years, but to take our country to the next level, there is still more to be done.

“History has shown that the path of honour for any true leader is not to walk away from his people in moments of challenges. We must stand together in adversity and overcome all threats to our development. We must defend our future, for the sake of our children.

“Therefore, after seeking the face of God, in quiet reflection with my family and having listened to the call of our people nationwide to run, I, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, have accepted to re-present myself, on the platform of the PDP, for re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the 2015 general election.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, leadership is about staying focused to achieve goals despite challenges. I have been faced with many challenges since coming to office as President. With your support and encouragement, we have stayed the course.

“My people, Nigeria is destined for greatness. Today, here at Eagle Square, I say to Nigeria, that working together in love, in strength and in faith, we will build a nation of one people, united in purpose and in action.”

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

CHUKWU DAVID looks at the presumed rapprochement among the aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators, President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the ruling party aftermath of the ward congresses

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Unending brouhaha over senators’ re-election bid

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he controversy provoked by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward congresses held across the country penultimate Saturday is yet to settle. Virtually every facet of the party and polity has been shaken by the rage ignited by what ordinarily would have been a peaceful internal party affair. However, the heat of the impasse appears to be more on the Senate. The reason is that there appears to be a cold war between the members of the Red Chamber and their state governors, who usually see them as their closest rivals in the politics of who gets what in the states at elections.

In the just-concluded ward congresses, the state governors reportedly hijacked the party structures and took control of delegates, who would participate in the party primaries. The implication of the development is that, since the delegates are now in the governors’ hands, the PDP senators have lost their re-election bids before the primaries.

Coming back to resume plenary on Tuesday last week, the senators decided to stage a “nowork-rule protest” to express their grievances to President Goodluck Jonathan, whom they accused of surrendering the party structures to the state governors.

The aggrieved lawmakers threatened to shut down the government by frustrating all executive bills that were pending in the Senate until Jonathan and the party leadership intervened to ameliorate their present political agony, which if not addressed, might negatively rub on their future political career.

However, the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, who has done so much to stabilise the Senate and by extension the entire political system assured that he would do everything within his jurisdiction to resolve the controversy. He also gave assurance that he would also do his best to protect and defend the legislature.

In fulfilment of his promise, Mark led PDP senators last Thursday to a meeting with Jonathan and the party leadership.

Though there was no official statement on how it went, a senator, who was in attendance said that Jonathan empathised with the lawmakers and assured them that he would liaise with the leadership of the party and other stakeholders to

Mark

find a lasting solution to their grievances.

The senator further revealed that Jonathan gave serious attention to the submissions of the agitated legislators, and promised that the party would provide a level playing ground for all those who are willing to return to the Senate to participate in the election and perhaps facilitate their victory by ensuring that governors do not impose candidates in their states.

According to the source, “this is a welcome development, a situation whereby about 75 per cent of serving senators are being given automatic tickets by their party to return to the Senate next year.

I think this will strengthen our democracy.”

Another source also said that Jonathan had directed the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to liaise with party officials in the states on how to perfect strategies that would lead to the emergence of serving senators as automatic flag bearers.

He said: “Our deliberations are very fruitful and we commend the president for playing a fatherly role of bringing all of us together. We are ready to resume normal plenary next Tuesday (yesterday).”

When contacted on the outcome of the meeting, the Senate spokesperson, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, said “the issue is not a Senate affair; it is a party affair, which I cannot make any comment on.”

While speculations were still going on, on the true outcome of the meeting in the Villa, the news of the suspension of the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, and other top politicians from Cross River State by the state PDP executive committee broke, thereby raising doubts as to whether genuine reconciliation took place at the meeting.

Ndoma-Egba

At no point was any list of senators drafted... What our national chairman, Mu’azu, did after some senators had spoken their minds, was to look at the situation in each state

Abatemi-Usman

Conscious of the constitutional limitation of the state chapter in handling such matter, the chairman of the state PDP, Ntufam John Okon, however, said that Ndoma- Egba and Rep. Chris Etta had been referred to the national office of the PDP for ratification of the decision of the state chapter.

Okon claimed that the suspension was due to a petition brought to the party in relation to the recently concluded ward congresses, saying, “for those suspended, they were accused of corrupting the delegates election. We had some challenges. Following the justconcluded delegates congress, a lot of issues occurred.”

But Ndoma-Egba has dismissed reports of his purported suspension from the PDP as “a rumour and a “non-issue.”

He told newsmen in Abuja that while he was yet to be officially notified of the purported suspension, the move by the Cross River chapter of the party would amount to nothing.

He has petitioned Mu’azu over his alleged suspension from the party.

Also, controversy has trailed the purported truce between the aggrieved PDP senators and the party leadership over the claim that senators had been promised automatic tickets.

Senator Nurudeen AbatemiUsman, who represents Kogi Central told journalists in Abuja at the weekend that no senator was granted or promised automatic ticket for the 2015 National Assembly election. He said that about 42 of the PDP senators were present at the meeting held at Aso Rock on Thursday night.

Abatemi-Usman pointed out that the media reports on the meeting were totally misleading, noting that the lawmakers who spoke to the press on the meeting were economical

with the truth. He blamed the unrepresentative reports on a particular senator who claims to be close to the PDP leadership and the Presidency for the misinformation to journalists.

The embittered politician warned the senator he accused of feeding the press with false information to be careful about what he passes to Nigerians through the media, alleging that the senator was becoming notorious as the purveyor of dubious information.

He said: “I was at the meeting from the beginning to the end, and at no point was any list of senators drafted. It is unfortunate that a fellow senator would peddle such rumour and that prominent national dailies should publish the report without verifying the facts,” he lamented.

The legislator, throwing more light on the outcome of the meeting, further clarified: “What our national chairman, Mu’azu, did after some senators had spoken their minds, was to look at the situation in each state, and he said that where there are issues, they would be resolved amicably.

If there was any such list, my name definitely would have been included because the chairman said he was not aware that I am having any problem in Kogi Central while speaking on the situation in Kogi State.”

With this scenario and other unforeseen events likely to unfold as offshoots of the contentious PDP ward congresses, Nigerians are waiting to be convinced that the rage and agitations currently confronting the ruling party within and outside the Senate were satisfactorily addressed at the Villa meeting. Meanwhile, as the PDP conducts its remaining primaries, subsequent developments will reveal the efficacy or otherwise of the meeting.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Demolishing the demons of democracy

Emissary EMEKA OBASI

emobas2003@yahoo.com 08094457557 (sms only)

N

o two humans, even identical twins share everything in common. There are congenital differences, planted by our Creator which the ordinary eye may not see. It really pays to be different.

Imagine if there was only one large country, without sub- regions, sans continents and all of us, with the same skin colour. There is a reason why Eskimos are found in Greenland. Tradition allows the Masai of Kenya to drink the blood of their cows and pay less attention to the flesh. Samoans are different, so easy to pick from the pack.

And because of all these differences, the world must not expect all inhabitants to obey one rule.

What is good for the American ,may be a taboo in the eyes of the Igbo, for instance.

America’s 32nd President, Franklin Roosevelt married his cousin, the famous Eleanor, and Washington did not quake. Their uncle, Theodore was the 26th President. And the younger President has a permanent place in US history, as the only one that got a Third term in office.

In 18th Century England, King George, The First, did not only take his cousin, Princess Dorothea of Zell, as wife, he divorced and imprisoned her. She died in her Ahlde Castle confinement in 1726.

There are things that work in the so called advanced democracies , that cannot fly in our country.

The same goes for other African nations. The West feels we must imbibe their own model. It is not in our nature to be as white as those from continental Europe.

During the First Republic, we followed the British Parliamentary system of government. Fresh from

colonial rule, it was like asking an Ijebu-Igbo man to speak like a Londoner, without accent. The Westminster style died just before six years.

The Second Republic came and our leaders thought America was it. We applied the Presidential system.

There was no Prime Minister, nothing ceremonial about the President. He had executive power. In Four years, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and some ambitious young officers, sacked not just the rulers, the system was thrown across the Sahara Desert.

In 1999, the military decided to give us a breather. But they packaged a system that did them a world of good.

They released one of their own from the jail house and forced him down our throat. Even the Constitution, was their Greek Gift. The new government sounded presidential.

Presidential in name but brutish in action. What do you make of a system where impeachment of a governor by a handful, kidnapping of another by the police and the invasion of towns and villages became news.

I strongly believe that no foreign model of democracy will succeed in Nigeria because Africans, by nature, do not believe in tenure. The Oba of Benin has been on the throne since 1979, and no Bini man has come out to complain. Infact, his father, Akenzua spent all the time, before he passed on.

The Alafin of Oyo became king in the 1960s. Strong as ever, none of his subjects would wish him out of the throne because they want to try democracy ala England. And the Alafin knows his way around the United Kingdom.

Infact, he has a lot in common with the British royals. Before he ascended the throne, Iku Baba Yeye was a good amateur boxer. King George, The Sixth, whose daughter Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, reigns as Queen today, was a tennis player. He was part of Wimbledon in 1926.

That was the year Queen Elizabeth ,The Second, was born, 1926. Something about that number. She became Queen,at 26, in 1952.Her daughter, Princess Ann, is an Olympian.

Their ways are different, the English. King George, The Sixth, mounted the throne in 1936, simply because

his elder brother, King Edward, The Eighth, quit after just Five months in the name of love. Fiance, Wallis Simpson, a two-time divorcee, was also seen as a Commoner.

Thereafter, he became Duke of Windsor and later Governor of Bahamas. He would eventually die in France. No African can do that. It is not in our nature.

Yet, these are the people whose ideals we want to copy.

From the United States, comes the story of the Kennedys. Yes ,like a typical African setting, their dad Joseph, had Eleven of them. John became President, Robert was Attorney –General and Edward senator.

Americans did not complain.

Imagine President Goodluck Jonathan as President, his wife Dame Patience as minister, and his brotherin-law as senator. We cannot and may never sleep well over that.

In the same America, Walter Mondale, Vice President[1976-80] under Jimmy Carter, took up the job of Ambassador to Japan ,much later in 1993. Now you ask Dr. Alex Ekwueme or Atiku Abubakar to go take up job as High Commissioner to South Africa. Do not ask me how possible.

Israelis also have their style. Itzhak Rabin, was Prime Minister between 1974and 1977.From 19841990,he was Defence Minister. Two years later, Rabin was Prime Minister again and lasted until he was shot dead by the student, Yigal Amir.

These are different democracies and they are working. The British have an unwritten constitution, they have not tried to change that. The Americans have been using theirs since 1787. You only have Amendments.

That is a system that works because it is American.

In Nigeria, our democracy has gone crazy and the madness continues to run in the system. Some people thought Fela was crazy when he defined Democracy as demonstration of craze. The man died in 1997. Our democracy is really going to die if we continue this way.

There are indeed demons in this our brand of democracy. Politicians now steal in Trillions. Private jets outnumber our refineries, and to show you belong ,you must host a party in Dubai. Demons have taken over.

Demon…strate. Dem all crazy, Demoncrazy.

Jonathan’s race in a whirlwind of crises Chris Okotie

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here’s a brief historical parallel between the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson (1963 – 69), who succeeded President John F. Kennedy when the latter was assassinated, and President Goodluck E. Jonathan, who took office after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Both Johnson and Jonathan were vice presidents who succeeded their late bosses when they died in office, and went on to get elected in their own rights. Both presided over their nations in times of great political turbulence; in Johnson’s case, during the Vietnam War, in Jonathan’s, the Boko Haram insurgency and sundry woes. That’s where their similarities end.

President Johnson shocked the world in the heat of the nomination process leading to the 1968 Presidential elections when he suddenly withdrew from the race because of the turmoil generated by his poor handling of the Vietnam War and widespread race riots at home. He was, nevertheless applauded because of the nobility of his action which effectively sealed his place in the pantheon of American statesmen. He chose his country’s peace over self aggrandizement and the allure of office.

President Jonathan faces a similar situation; he is presiding over a deeply divided country, torn apart by religious

bigotry, unprecedented official corruption and a badly managed insurgency. While this poor record ought, naturally to deflate his presidential ambition like Johnson’s, Dr. Jonathan unabashedly schemed his nomination, unopposed, for the 2015 presidential elections. He and his PDP cohorts fail to realize that, if you cannot solve a problem, you invariably become part of it. That was why President Johnson didn’t seek re-election. The U.S leader knew the bounds between honour and dishonor, and he chose the honourable path.

Nobody says President Jonathan does not have the constitutional right to seek re-election. However, legal right, when it loses strength against moral ethos, becomes burdensome to the beneficiary of that right. When a Commander- in- Chief is presiding over an army that is so warweary that, its soldiers are deserting the war front in droves because of superior fire-power of a rag-tag, buccaneering force like Boko Haram, he loses the respect of not just his own armed forces, but that of the people he leads.

As if the shame of the agonizing plight of the Chibok Girls is not enough, our Defence chiefs seem to be more anxious for a ceasefire with their Boko Haram captors, than the insurgents themselves, signaling war- weariness on the part of our army.

Boko Haram has graduated from a hit and run terrorist group, into an army who now occupies territories they have conquered in the north-eastern part of

the country.

The PDP administration of President Jonathan is more concerned with plotting how he’d coast home to victory in the 2015 Presidential elections, than how to defeat the insurgency and other violent crimes which threaten the nation’s stability. This places his current quest for renewed mandate on a moral quick sand.

The ding-dong of proclamation of ceasefire by our government and frequent denials by Boko Haram is too embarrassing to be allowed to continue. For God’s sake, President Jonathan should save this nation the disgrace of seeing poorly armed Nigerian troops fleeing into Cameroon in the face of Boko Haram onslaught. He must exercise leadership and bring this insurgency to an end.

In other civilized climes, when a war is handled in this shoddy manner, the leadership of the armed forces would be dishonourably discharged, while the President and his government forced to resign for bringing shame on the nation.

Instead, the Nigerian military is making a scapegoat of poor soldiers who violently protested bad service conditions, by sentencing them to death for mutiny. Though, never should disloyalty ever be excused for whatever reason, the peculiar case of the mutinous solders who were recently condemned to death should be treated with leniency, and their sentences commuted to reasonable prison terms because their operational conditions were less

than ideal as evidenced by the continued desertions being recorded in this terror war. So much for insurgency.

One is amazed at the crude, undemocratic manner President Jonathan went about seeking a renewal of his mandate in the forthcoming elections. Long before the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC lifted the ban on political campaigns; the PDP unleashed a horde of pro- Jonathan political organizations on the nation.

Prof. Attahiru Jega’s INEC watched this charade even as the President’s people audaciously jumped the gun before his electoral agency blew the whistle on political campaigns. Armed with a huge financial war-chest, we are set to witness another multi-billion dollar presidential campaign, which is likely to surpass the N45 billion naira spent on the 2011 Presidential polls.

More than any president, Dr. Jonathan has used his incumbency to the greatest advantage, deploying strong arm tactics, and the nation’s resources whenever he deemed necessary; whether in dismantling the Governor’s Forum which threatened his re-election bid, or sacking errant Governors through instigated impeachments.

The President’s under hand tactics serves one purpose: clear the way for his re-election in 2015! If this is what democracy is all about, we are in serious trouble.

•Rev. Okotie, a presidential aspirant, wrote from Lagos

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

19

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Lingering insecurity and Nigeria’s future

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he security situation in the country, especially in the NorthEast, is increasingly assuming more dangerous and worrisome dimension.

In essence, the level of insecurity, despite the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government’s repeated assurances that it is on top of the situation, seems to be going from bad to worse.

It is saddening that the rate of insecurity and other forms of criminality such as kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, vandalisation of strategic power installations, illegal oil bunkering, oil theft and vandalisation of oil pipelines has assumed a frightening proportion.

We observe that some of the cardinal causes of the lingering insecurity in the country are the fast deteriorating decay in infrastructure, rapidly rising unemployment rate, endemic corruption, especially among the political class, reckless display of ill-gotten wealth by corrupt politicians, poor governance, as well as failure by elective office holders at various tiers of government to provide the citizenry the dividends of democracy.

It is unfortunate that in spite of the huge funds the various tiers of government had reportedly budgeted every year for job creation, unemployment rate among graduates of tertiary institutions

has increased considerably.

This has inevitably led to steady rise in the number of such graduates engaging in armed robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, rape, assassination, prostitution, terror and other forms of criminality threatening the peace, security, unity and stability of the country.

We observe with regret that in spite of the fact that Nigeria is the sixth largest producer of oil in the world and also has tremendous oil wealth, huge human resources and immeasurable natural resources, in addition to ranking as the largest economy on the African continent, majority of its citizenry are povertystricken and underfed. This pitiable plight of the average Nigerian who is visibly battered and hapless, poses a great threat to Nigeria’s hope to be among the foremost 20 economies in the world by 2020. The colossal havoc being perpetrated by the highly dreaded Boko Haram sect in some parts of the North has greatly affected the socio-political and economic development of that part of the country.

Apart from the loss of innocent lives and valuable property virtually on a daily basis, the senseless and dastardly acts of the Boko Haram sect seem to be affecting government’s drive towards attracting foreign investments into the country. It is saddening that

in spite of the annual budgetary allocations to the Federal Ministry of Defence and loans worth millions of dollars to combat insurgency, the much-desired results are yet to be achieved.

It is worrisome that the insurgents have continued to be more daring and emboldened in their operations. The fact that the insurgents are more equipped with modern sophisticated weapons and therefore, have superior fire power than Nigerian soldiers and other security operatives cannot be ignored. The insurgents also seem to be highly motivated to ensure effective performance.

It is unfortunate that the issue of the agreed ceasefire with the dreaded group was seriously bungled by government’s information managers. By the way, was there any ceasefire at all? If there was, with who among the disorganised power-hungry Boko Haram factions?

There is no doubt that many Nigerians, especially the frustrated parents of the Chibok school girls had been anxiously expecting that the purported agreed ceasefire could finally lead to the release of the girls. It is unfortunate that their hopes were dashed after all.

We urge government to immediately move in to check the dangerous activities of the insurgents. If care is not taken, the insurgents could rename more towns and villages and hoist their

flag. The insurgents’ acts of impunity and lawlessness should no longer be tolerated as this could send dangerous signals to other criminals in the country.

The government should not allow itself to be intimated by a group of criminals that are wasting precious human lives with reckless abandon. It is the primary responsibility of government to protect the lives and property of its citizens. Any government that abandons its responsibility in this regard does not deserve the respect of the citizenry.

We recall that sometime in 2012 shortly after assuming duty as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) warned that there could be violence before and during the 2015 elections.

The government should heed Dasuki’s wise warning as if care is not taken, failure by government to be proactive and show seriousness in the war against Boko Haram could deprive the nation the conducive atmosphere to conduct peaceful elections.

We wish to remind the president and others seeking elective offices that they risk not achieving their political ambitions in 2015 if they fail to find lasting solution to the lingering problem of Boko Haram. They should realize that there can be no elections in an atmosphere devoid of enduring peace and tranquility.

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief n Eric Osagie Deputy Managing Directors n Gabriel Akinadewo

Felix Oguejiofor Abugu

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Daily n Yemi Ajayi

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu

Deputy Editors, Daily n Emeka Obasi, Ayodele Ojo

Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz

Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins

Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Ag. Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi

News Editor n Geoffrey Ekenna

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed

Ag. Sales/Circulation Manager n Uchey Okezie

Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

20

Politics

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Now that Jonathan has declared…

Abba Adakole

F

our years ago, precisely on September 18, 2010 when President Goodluck Jonathan first offered himself for election as the president on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), strong resistance had come from certain quarters who believed that it was a negation of the zoning arrangement in the PDP. Coming four months after he assumed presidential powers following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, the issue of zoning of the PDP presidential ticket was rancorous, no doubt, but the extent to which Jonathan’s credential for the position was questioned was downright ridiculous. To his critics, Jonathan’s candidacy was driven more by sentiments than reason, and he was the most unlikely man to perform in that position.

Of course, their opinions were far from objective. On April 16, 2011, his programmes and his pan-Nigerian disposition were convincing enough for the electorate to cast their votes overwhelmingly in his favour. In a country well known for divisive national politics, Jonathan’s triumph in the presidential poll made a profound statement about the new Nigeria that is evolving, but it was equally laden with challenges. The most daunting is terrorism which has swept through some parts of the country, visiting the citizenry with mindless bloodletting. For nearly 200 days, 219 school girls from Chibok have been in captivity while in the past few weeks, the insurgents have taken over a large swathe of North-Eastern communities.

In spite of this and others, Jonathan’s performance has been outstanding, defining him as the man for tough times like these. As far as performance goes, most Nigerians agree that President Jonathan has indeed surpassed expectations. But the job of fixing Nigeria and putting her squarely on the path of growth is far from over. Our president still has a lot more work to do. Ours may be the largest economy in Africa but the real sector on which a great majority of the citizens survive, is comatose while unemployment is still high despite the millions of jobs already created. Power supply which drives every modern

Temitope Ogunbanke

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n the last few months, a lot of political gladiators have thrown their hats in the ring for the Lagos State governorship race to succeed the incumbent governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) in 2015. Former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olanrewaju Ope, is the new entrant in the governorship race.

Ope, a member of the Lagos State delegation to the 1994 Constitution Conference, last Thursday declared his readiness to run for the number one seat in Lagos on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking during his declaration in Lagos Island, Ope said he is in the governorship race not just to hold the office as the Governor of Lagos State, but to take a big leap in the social economic development of the state.

He said his administration would focus on people-oriented programmes, among which are youth employment, qualitative education and healthcare, transportation and many others.

Jonathan

economy may have improved marginally in the past few years, but it is still nowhere near the people’s expectations.

The power production level is neither commensurate with the huge funding of the past four years nor what he promised while unveiling the road map for the sector in the last quarter of 2010.

The political sector is not too different, even if it is an area the administration has made the most noticeable impact.

Jonathan’s appointment of Dr. Attahiru Jega as head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the unprecedented independence and adequate funding granted the electoral body have all paid off well and vindicated him, going by the rating of Elections 2011, but the promise of electoral reform is still far from fully delivered.

On Tuesday, when he answered the call of over 17 million Nigerians who had signed a rare document requesting he runs for re-election as Nigeria’s leader in the presidential election slated for February 2015, he set his sight on farther targets. Although his bag is already filled with records of previous incidents in which the ‘hand of God’ decided his climb on the political ladder, this time,

his second term ambition is based on his achievements of the past four years. In his inspiring speech at the Eagle Square, Abuja, he regaled Nigerians with the high points of his first tenure and what they should expect in his second.

The significance of Jonathan’s second term declaration rests more with the unanimous manner in which he was endorsed for the PDP ticket. The various organs of PDP did the unusual: they were all unanimous in adopting him as the party’s candidate. From the Board of Trustees, the National Caucus, the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee, the PDP Governors’ Forum, members of the PDP Caucuses of the National Assembly, the party acknowledged that an uncommon transformation has been achieved in an unusual period. It was an offer that the president himself declared, affords him the opportunity to continue the conversation of development already started.

On this conversation, few issues must be highlighted: the massive improvement of federal road networks in Nigeria testifies to his commitment to improve the nation’s road transportation infrastructure. He has broken the jinx associ-

ated with the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Benin-Ore-Shagamu road, the AbujaLokoja-Benin highway, to mention just a few, and commenced construction of a Second Niger Bridge and the two-kilometre Oweto bring across River Benue. The decision to set up nine new universities is a bold move to address the deficit in that sector, but this is just salutary. Like roads and other public infrastructure, the decay in Nigeria’s education system goes down to the elementary. The rot in our tertiary education system is deep indeed, so much that almost all the indices that qualify them as institutions of higher learning are largely negative.

Of course the huge budgetary provisions for tackling these problems hardly translate to any meaningful impact due to the endemic issue of corruption in our public life. Any government that seeks success must do more than pay lip service to the issue of tackling corruption. So far, Jonathan has ensured that the nation’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt and other related poffences Commission (ICPC) enjoy a free hand in fighting crime, but that may not count for much if Nigerians are not convinced that corrupt public officers are effectively brought to book.

Alongside this, he must pursue the power sector reform already started to its logical conclusion. After successfully privatizing our power generation and distribution companies and undertaking the construction of more power plants, he has no more excuses not to deliver to Nigerians, steady power supply. Good enough, his administration has also embarked on development of the nation’s Hydro-Power potential with the construction of the 700MW plant in Zungeru and the 3,050MW plant in Mambilla.

Jonathan may not have delivered on all his promises but he sure deserves a second term going by his performance and his promise for the future. Key to the successful implementation of any programme, however lofty, is the prevalence of peace; on this score it is heartwarming that he has made vows to bring to an end the lingering insurgency.

•Adakole is a public affairs analyst in Abuja.

Ex-lawmaker joins Lagos guber race His words: “We will focus on projects that impact the generality of the people. We will explore and harness the opportunities in water transportation to improve the transport system in our Lagos.

“We will pay attention to health and education by ensuring that infrastructure and services are improved and more people have access to these basic necessities for modern day living. Youth employment as well as welfare of the civil services will receive utmost attention.

“Lagos State requires purposeful and outstanding leadership that can take the state to the next level of development and prosperity. This kind of leadership should command the confidence of the people and is worthy of God’s blessing.

“I have the creative energy to take Lagos State to new level of development and prosperity. And with the support of

the good people of Lagos, I am confident that we will get there by the mercy of God and diligent work.

“We need true leadership that can elevate service, integrity and commitment to their position of paramount importance and thus eliminate corruption, selfishness and violence in our society.”

In his solidarity message, the Director-General of Ope Campaign Organisation, Hon. Adedayo Ojo, said the aspirant has what it takes to govern Lagos, and therefore implored people to canvass massively for the former lawmaker to win the APC governorship primaries come December 2.

Also speaking at the event, the Awuse of Lagos, Chief Babatunde Oshodi urged Lagosians to back Ope’s gubernatorial aspiration.

Ope is a seasoned politician and has held public offices. He was a Legislative Secretary in

the Second Republic and between 1982 and 1983, he served as the Electoral Officer at the Federal Electoral Commission, Lagos State office. Between 1999

and 2003, he represented Lagos Island II in the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

Lagos State gubernatorial aspirant, Hon. Lanre Ope and his wife, Arinade at a rally.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Media

Theatre

National Troupe to tour three states

22

Arts

Nwosu-Igbo

Tourism

LABAF: Cultural picnic opens with ‘Performance Poetry’ amidst fanfare

Eko Signature, Federal Palace earn five star status, as Lagos grades hotels

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24

CULTURE

In trying to be African, artists are forcefully adopting practices that are as alien to them as the idea of alien abduction in Africa

Some of the works on display

Merging Stories: exhibition on ‘Identity’ opens in Lagos

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n a rare group exhibition, some top Nigerian artists bring to the fore the question of Identity (lived history and inherited history, especially, as it relates to creative expression. Should modern African art consist of forty percent tradition and sixty percent modern?

The exhibition titled “Merging Stories”, opens today at Freedom Park, Lagos Island, and features works by seven Nigerian artists, namely, Odun

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

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A group exhibition which opens today in Lagos, interrogates the unending identity question, traditional ideas and modern ways, writes TONY OKUYEME. Orimolade, Aderemi Adegbite, Efe Paul Azino, Femi Odugbemi, Jumoke Verissimo, Jelili Atiku, Numero Unoma and Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo. The works span a range of media including installation, collage, video art, performance, drawing, spoken word, happening, photography and Film.

Curator of the exhibition, Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo in a statement explains the significance of the Merging Stories, noting that Identity in art is a wornout but perennial argument that mankind must inevitably revisit. According to her, if nothing else, the fact that there is nothing new under the sun necessitates that every now and then, old arguments, theories and issues are revis-

ited and debated all over again.

“But the issue of identity in particular is like that itch that never goes away no matter where you scratch or how often you scratch. Perhaps the reason it never goes away is because we have never really answered that question satisfactorily and the questions that result from this debate are almost infinite. To begin with, what is identity? Such a simple question with no unanimous answer, the reason for this being significance,” she said.

“What is more significant?

Traditional ideas or modern ways? And even when we choose to embrace both as the sum total of who we are, the issue then becomes, which of these ideologies should domi-

So, does shared experience discredit the very idea of cultural purity or at the very least, cultural identity?

nate? In merging our past with our present, is there a formula for arriving at our most authentic self in creative expression? Should modern African art consist of forty percent tradition and sixty percent modern? Or do we split it down the middle? If yes, why? If no, why not?”

She believes that there are more unanswered questions.

For instance: How relevant are cultural practices that today’s artists never even witnessed and yet are forced to lay claim to in their bid to be original?

At what point does forcefully adopted identity become fraudulent? Do artists commit fraud when they choose what their culture or reality is? Should this issue of fraud be taken seriously? Who is a creative fraudster and what are the parameters for identifying such a person? Should we even care that in trying to be African, artists are forcefully adopting practices that are as alien to them as the idea of alien abduction in Africa?

“And it doesn’t still stop there,” she said, adding that in trying to be African, we cannot neglect the overpowering influence of shared realities necessitated by globalization.

“So does shared experience discredit the very idea of cultural purity or at the very least, cultural identity? Why is it even that important that we be African in our work when we grew up watching mickey mouse and drinking coca cola like the average kid in New jersey or England? What should identity really be? What shouldn’t identity be?

“So you see that there are too many unanswered questions regarding identity and in our exhibition Merging Stories, we cannot promise to answer all these questions. But one thing is for certain. We are definitely not done with the issue of identity no matter how hard we try. So here is to trying,” Nwosu-Igbo said.

To interrogate these questions, she stated, seven art creators were invited to channel their confident voices, tell dominant stories and spark discourses around their practices. “The works span a range of media including installation, collage, video art, performance, drawing, spoken word, happening, photography and Film. The artists included are Odun Orimolade, Aderemi Adegbite, Efe Paul Azino, Femi Odugbemi, Jumoke Verissimo, Jelili Atiku, Numero Unoma and Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo.”

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Arts

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Olushola Ricketts

T

he public presentation of Writing The Wrong, a book written by newspaper columnist and writer, Dr. Chidi Amuta will hold on Tuesday, November 18, at Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos. The book is a compendium of the author’s newspaper columns written and published over the last three decades in various newspapers and magazines in Nigeria and beyond.

According to the author, this is a departure from the tradition of bazaars, pledges and long speeches which has become the standard of book outings in the country. “It is merely an occasion for the author to autograph copies of the limited edition book for those who buy them at the cover price,” Amuta, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Wilson & Weizmann Associates Limited, said, adding that Writing The Wrong is like a biography of his journalistic years.

“I have written several books, but this is like a biography of my journalistic years. I feel that the career is not complete except you relate it to the background of our national history and as a columnist you react to development, national issues as they unfold. I am trying to challenge journalists to make sure that we preserve the records of our life works so that we don’t just die with them.

Our media articles are very perishable; once you read you discard them. Great number of senior journalists had come and passed on without leaving any form of legacy for generations to come. For me this is my legacy.”

According to him, the theme of the book ranges from problems of leadership, gover-

Amuta’s Writing The Wrong for public presentation I believe I have always written from a nationalistic point of view because this country is important to me.

Without Nigeria I would be nothing

nance, national security, marginalisation, poverty and inequality.

The book addresses some of the issues in the present day Nigeria.

“I believe I have always written from a nationalistic point of view because this country is important to me. Without Nigeria I would be nothing,” he said.

The book presentation will also feature a public lecture on the topic: ‘The Bipartisan Imperative: Leading From The Future’.

The lecture will be delivered by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe. And the book will be reviewed by the Chairman, ThisDay Editorial Board, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi.

“It is a media event; the celebration of my colleagues and the work we do. Journalists get locked up, beaten by soldiers, harassed and no one complains.

We end up working our own life without a pension or gratitude or any form of issuance, but we still go where we have to go to because we want o inform and enlighten the public,” he further stated.

Born in Nigeria 63 years ago, Amuta has spent more than 20

years in public communication and journalism. During this period, he has held senior editorial positions as foundation Member, Editorial Board, The Guardian; Chairman, Editorial Board and Editorial Adviser, The Daily Times Group and, until 1999, Chief Executive, The Post Express.

At The Post Express, he pioneered internet publishing in Nigerian journalism by establishing The Post Express as the first Nigerian newspaper to be reached by e-mail and the first Nigerian business to own a website on the internet. In addition, he used his wide international media contacts to establish strategic relationships between The Post Express and major world publications like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and the International Herald Tribune.

A prolific writer and stylist, Amuta has written articles and columns for major newspapers in Nigeria and abroad in addition to authoring three major academic and historical books, including the Theory of African

Literature. He presently writes an occasional column for ThisDay Newspapers in Lagos, Nigeria.

Prior to coming into journalism, AMUTA had taught Literature and Communications Strategies for over a decade at the Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Port Harcourt. As a lecturer in literature, he established a leading name in the radical/Marxist tradition of criticism as evidenced in his numerous publications in that field.

He was briefly the founding Director of the Rural Development Programme in the old Imo State.

Amuta holds a First Class honours degree and a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Ife (now ObafemiAwolowo University), specialising at different times in Education, African Literature, Sociology of Culture and Communication. He has subsequently undergone a host of courses and training in public policy strategies and intelligence in universities and think tanks around the world including the influential Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

National Troupe to tour three states from November 20 Tony Okuyeme

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he Artistic Director of the National Troupe Mr. Akin Adejuwon is attending the 2014 edition of the ongoing African Creative Economy Conference organised by the Arterial Network, in Rabat, Morocco, holding between November 12 and 18, 2014.

The Arterial Network is a Pan-African Civil Society network of artists, cultural activists, enterprises and others active in the creative sector, seek to highlight the role of culture in sustainable development. Mr. Adejuwon who is already in Morocco and who was accompanied on the trip by the Director in charge of Drama Ms. Josephine Igberaese, explained

that it was necessary to be at the all-important meeting so as to also understand the creative and cultural industries in Africa with a view to identifying areas of cooperation and collaboration with the National Troupe.

“As an active participant in the creative sector and considering our mission of charting a new course for the National Troupe, I feel it will be necessary to attend this all-important conference which supports the vision of Mr. President for agencies to seek ways of transforming their institutions through collaboration with various institutions.

The conference as I have seen from the programme notes, also seeks to provides a practical analysis and reflective overview of the cur-

rent status of the African creative economy and it will be good to be abreast of current developments so that we can effectively tap from it for our good and for the benefit of the performing arts sector,” he said.

In a related development, the National Troupe has concluded plans to embark on performance tour of Kogi, Ekiti and Kwara states. The tour according to the Artistic Director is in furtherance of the Troupe’s outreach programme and it is in line with his vision of taking edifying performances that are designed to promote peaceful coexistence and mutual co-operation among the Nigerian people, around

the country.

Adejuwon also disclosed that the tour, which also aims at creating awareness at the grassroots and recapturing the spirit of information through the traveling theatre, would begin from Lokoja, Kogi State on November 20, 2014. According to him, the Troupe will also perform in Kabba, Kogi state on November 21 and would perform in Ilorin, Kwara State on November 26, 2014, after a tour of Ekiti State on November 22 and 23, 2014. He revealed that the Troupe would stage its newest creation, a dance drama titled ‘Ajoyo’ (Celebration) during the tour. The Troupe is expected back in Lagos Adejuwon on November 27, 2014.

Prince T.J Hays, Erigga, Imelda J serenade Warri with Pongracz Tony Okuyeme

I

Imelda J

Prince T.J Hays

t was a night of fun and glamour as celebrated acts Prince T.J Hays and Erigga “NewMoney” were hosted to a grand reception at Ecstacy Lounge, Warri

by Pongracz champagne.

“Rockie of the Year” Headies awards nominee and female act Imelda J was also on hand to grace the occasion which was anchored

by MC D&G. Speaking on the event, the senior sales representative of Pongracz said the hosting is to encourage acts based in their own communities and stars willing to sacrifice and work hard to get to the top. “We want to identify with artistes that their own people appreciate instead of making them feel until they get to A-list

category before they are encouraged. We will be doing this in more states and making sure that other artistes that are popular in their domain are discovered and celebrated,” she stated.

According to her, Pongracz will be heading to Uyo, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Benin and Lagos, respectively, before the end of the year.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Arts

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LABAF: Cultural picnic opens with ‘Performance Poetry’ amidst fanfare Tony Okuyeme

T

he 16th edition of the yearly cultural picnic, Lagos Book & Art Festival (LABAF), formally begins today at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos, with a workshop on the theme: Performance Poetry. This edition of the LABAF is dedicated to the honour of Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka at 80.

This year’s edition of the festival, dubbed “Africa’s biggest Culture Picnic”, organised by the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), will run till Sunday November 16, 2014, and it will also feature workshops, colloquium, stage play performances, public presentation/ launch of new reprints of Ake, The Man Died and Ibadan-The Penkelemesi Years by BookCraft Publishers, symposia, author’s convention, book presentations, discourse, art stampede, poetry slam, dance performances, among others.

The three-day festival begins today with a workshop on the theme, “Performance Poetry”. The workshop which will hold at the Amphi Theatre, Freedom Park, at 10am, is organized by CORA in partnership with British Council. Thereafter, a mentorship event on the theme, “The Book in My Life”, will follow at the main stage of Freedom Park, with a special performance of Childe International by the Footprints of David.

Also, scheduled for today is the festival colloquium which is on the theme “Soyinka: Freedom and Nation Building”, it will hold at the Kongi Harvest’s Art Gallery. Professor of Comparative Literature, Harvard University, Biodun Jeyifo, will deliver the keynote address.

“Through his prodigious literary production, and his regular commentary on socio-political and cultural developments around the world, Professor Wole Soyinka, to whom the LABAF2014 is dedicated, has worked consistently towards the unshackling of freedom of expression for all irrespective of race, class or gender. Reflecting on his literary and public intellectual career in the year he marks his 80th birthday is most auspicious, especially as the festival’s theme reflects the 25th anniversary of the Fall of The Berlin Wall; 20th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy and the 15th year of Nigeria’s end to military rule. Thus the various programmes of day one of the threeday LABAF focus on discussing the life and career of a man whose life-long engagement has irrepressibly been concerned about human Freedom(s). Under the theme: Soyinka Freedom & Nation Building, Professor Biodun Jeyifo, eminent Literary scholar, and leading critic of Soyinka’s work, will give a keynote on the contribution of Soyinka to the quest for Freedom and Justice for our collective humanity. A panel of eminent writers and critics, who would be engaging various works of the 1986 Nobel laureate for Literature, will follow this. Moderated by the Executive Director of The News Magazine, Kunle Ajibade himself a writer (au-

thor of the memoirs Jailed for Life), the panel will reflect on Soyinka’s major non-fiction narratives focusing on the theme of nation building and the democratic ideal: The Man Died, Ake, Ibadan, Isara, You Must Set Forth At Dawn and Ibadan: The Penkelemesi Years. The panel dis- Cross section of students at the National Theatre, Iganmu, venue of the children’s session of the 12th Lagos cussion will be followed by a public Book and Art Festival presentation/launch of reprint of quintessential poet. His entire young adults; reading and four of the memoirs by BookCraft creative output is steeped in discussions around Capital in Africa Publishers,” CORA stated poetry drawing deeply from the Twenty First Century, by in a release. his Yoruba cultural roots, with Thomas Picketty and Winner The festival symposium on the significant exploration into Takes All: China’s Race for Retheme “Soyinka: The Public Intelglobal literary traditions. The sources and What It Means for lectual will also hold today at 4pm, session, according to CORA, is the World by Dambisa Moyo; at Kongi Harvest’s Art Gallery. The designed to explore the reso- book presentation: Possessed symposium will feature an eminent nance of Soyinka’s poetry with by Olasupo Sasore; Jazz & panel of human and civil rights acthe new, and relatively younger Highlife Night, a musical contivists and public commentators poets who will also be present- versation among three bands, reflecting on the various lectures ing their own works in read- celebrating the literary scholand public commentaries of Prof ing, spoken word and perfor- ar Ayo Banjo at 80; the filmSoyinka on Nigeria (and global) Professor mances. “This night of poetic maker, Adegboyega Arulogun affairs, which have been compiled Wole Soyinka, tribute to WS will feature the @ 80; the sculptor/conceptual in the Intervention Series and Crown Troupe of Africa and artist, El Anatsui @70; the colto whom the published by BookCraft Africa. the AJ House of Poetry. umnist and essayist, Olatunji The session will feature a keynote LABAF2014 The festival continues to- Dare @70; and the Dramatist,

by Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, is dedicated, morrow with a colloquium journalist Ben Tomoloju @60, Chairman of the Nigeria Human themed In Search Of Free- among others. has worked Rights Commission; and a panel dom. A six-person panel will The festival ends on Sundiscussion that will parade emiconsistently talk around the struggle for day November 16, 2014, with nent names. It will be moderated towards the freedom around the world, us- a seminar on the theme Book by the Journalist and NGO activist, ing, as reference, five books & The Youth Empowerment, unshackling Tunji Lardner (Jnr). that have tackled the subject presentation of the book Dis Next, The Soyinka Drama and of freedom of in South Africa (David Welsh’’s Fela Sef, and Art Stampede on Poetry, will take the centre stage expression for The Rise and Fall of Apartheid the theme A slice of Nigeria’s in Authors’ convention focusing all irrespective and Nelson Mandela’s Long Democratic struggle, as well as on “Joy of Reading. Curated and Walk To Freedom), Germany Poetry Slam themed 100,000 Poof race, class or produced by the writer, activist, (Peter Schneider’s The Wall ets and Musicians for Change Ayodele Olofintuade, Joy of Readgender.

Jumper) Egypt Ala Al As“Being hosted at LABAF ing is one of LABAF’s flagship wany’s Chicago and Nigeria for the third year running, programmes designed to get mem(Wale Adebamwi’s Trials and 100,000 Poets and Musicians bers of the public – guests to the Triumphs: The Story of The- for Change is a universal festival – actively engaged in the News). Panelists will interro- movement that offers Poets, beautiful art of literary expresgate the length to which these Musicians and other Artsion – readings and performances. authors have gone to explain ists the Platform to express This edition will feature readings the challenges posed to those themselves freely against the from some of Soyinka’s plays that struggling to be free in these prevalent socio-political, and explore the notion of freedom and societies and examine the in- economic ills that pervade the humanity – Dance of the Forest, sights and drawbacks of the world in particular and fight Madmen & Specialists, King Baabooks as contributions to no- against every other thing that bu, Beatification of an Area boy, tions of freedom. inconveniences humanity on The Road. The reading will be folOther events schedule for the whole. The message is lowed by a discussion that would tomorrow include: Fantasy peace, equality, justice and purhave nearly all members of the vs Reality: Writing for Young suit of the overall happiness audience participating.

Adults, a panel discussion of humanity irrespective of Climax of the events today is on the vast potential left un- race or color whatsoever is of night of tribute tagged “Homage tapped in books targeted at primacy.” to the Poet”. Wole Soyinka is the

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Tourism

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Eko Signature, Federal Palace earn five star status, as Lagos grades hotels Olushola Ricketts

I

T was long in coming and it is a day many would not forget, as Lagos State last week made history when it became the first state in the country to conclude the registration, grading and classification of hotels and other tourism related establishments operating in the state.

The event, which held at Convention Centre of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, was well attended by many of the operators from the hospitality sector and officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Inter–governmental Relations.

For years, Nigeria tourism has operated without recognised registration, grading and classification system. Attempts by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) to take on this huge but important assignment have been unsuccessful, except for registration of hotels, which was not even conclusive.

The state tourism ministry has in the last three years embarked on the registration of hotels and other related tourism outfits in the state and also put in place a machinery to grade and classify these facilities. It was the result of this painstaking undertaking that was publicly released last week. With this development, at least no hotel operating in Lagos would arbitrarily impose a status on itself, as it has been the practice. Other things are also expected to change with this development, especially in the area of pricing, facilities and quality of services.

In the first of the series of the ongoing grading and classification exercise, Eko Signature Hotel, InterContinental Hotel, Oriental Hotel (main building) and, Federal Palace Hotel, made the five star grade, while Chesney Hotel, Best Western Hotel, Lagos Airport Hotel, Peninsular Resort and Protea Hotel Westwood, earned four star, followed by the likes of Eko Hotels and Suites, Radisson

Lagos state commissioner for tourism, Holloway Disu

Intercontinental Hotel Lagos.

Blu, Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel and Protea Hotel, Ikeja in the three star class.

Revealing the details of the exercise at the event, which also witnessed the launch of “Lagos, A Visitors Guide,” the Commissioner of Tourism, Disun Holloway, said that of the over 3000 hotels and guest houses in the state, only 324 have so far registered with the ministry.

He used the occasion to appeal to presidents of different tourism associations in the tourism industry to urge their members to comply with the law of the state.

He also noted that the grading system was an ongoing process, revealing that a five star hotel today might get three star statuses tomorrow if it does not meet with the pre-requisite conditions for such a status because it is not an automatic and perpetual one.

Explaining the reasons for the

classification and grading process, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Gbolahan Elias, said it was introduced to bring out the best in Lagos hotels. According to him, the criteria are of best international principles.

“The guideline used to access the hotels is not exactly a science, but not hand-writing process at the same time. The Lagos State government wanted to introduce this much earlier, but there was a conflict based on the fact that the state government has no right to do so,” he said.

Elias commended the committee members charged with the responsibility for their attention to details, fairness and integrity. “I must tell you that getting a star is not so easy because we still have hotels that are yet to be graded. We expect that this exercise would bring about growth in the industry,” he added, even as

Whether you are from Lagos or not, you will be happy to have the book.

For people who think they know Lagos well, they would have to give it a second thought after reading the book

Nigeria tourism: Smothered by myriad challenges sustained by operators resilience Mrs. Victoria Soluade, who is the Managing Director of Soltan Travels and Tours, Lagos and currently operates out of Canada, spoke with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on the challenges of the tourism industry and steps needed to move it forward and earn the confidence of the market.

Challenges facing the tourism industry TOURISM in Nigeria is definitely faced with a lot of challenges but they are not insurmountable. From the visitor’s point of view, the primary challenge is the perception of insecurity in the land. Initially, it was armed robbery, then kidnapping, political instability, fraud against visitors. Added to all these now is violence against the citizenry by armed groups. Even if those were sorted out, the comparative high cost of accommodation and transportation, prices the country of out of the reach of the average tourist.

For the tour company and other service providers, the

challenge includes very limited government support at all levels; limited support from financial institutions due to ignorance or limited knowledge of how the industry benefits the economy; division in the ranks of the various trade organizations. Also, poor flight network, limited support from domestic flight operators, high cost of owning and operating tour vehicles, lack of trained man-power across the board, lack of good working relationship amongst and between service suppliers, multiple taxation, bad roads.

At the government level, there appears to be a general lack of respect for the industry, I suppose due largely to its intangible nature. As a result matters af-

fecting tourism do not seem to be seriously considered and I gather that appointed government officials seem to have difficulty getting support and financing for many of their proposals to move the sector forward.

In the long term, this laize- Mrs. Victoria Soluade faire attitude has impacted tract people have been sustained negatively on the sector and and getting better every year.

There has been growth in the hostunted its growth. tel and restaurant/fast food secOperators are surviving tor with international investors through hard work and creativ- coming in; Nollywood, fashion ity and sports continue to give us However, despite all I have something to be cheerful about mentioned, many of us are in and our young people are becomthis industry because we love ing quite innovative in the range it, so we have devised ways to of services being offered in toursurvive and grow despite all ism. What we need are the varithese constraints. Many of the ous segments to understand our seasonal state and national relationship to one another and festivals and events that at-

he charged hotels to aim to be the best.

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Education, Olayinka Oladujoye, said the benefits of the registration are immense. “For instance, when the Ebola virus broke out in Lagos we were able to act fast with the schools because we have all the data of our schools. We could also provide security in the neighborhood of these hotels if we know them. This is a win-win situation,” she said.

On the visitors’ guide, she noted that since it came with no cost people should spread it around their family, loved ones and visitors.

Earlier at the event, the reviewer of the guide, Mr. Williams Seni, noted that the book was filled with in information about the state.

“Whether you are from Lagos or not, you will be happy to have the book. For people who think they know Lagos well they would have to give it a second thought after reading the book. There are more beaches in Lagos than people think…” he said.

collective strength so we can start operating as one united body. Then there will be no stopping us. I really do believe it can only get better and we shall be moving forward.

Promoting Nigeria in Canada Canadians are great travellers, so there are lots of opportunity to build and grow the business in Canada.

Cruising and adventure travels are popular. Also, there is a lot of domestic tourism. It is a vast country.

On selling Nigeria in Nigeria and selling Nigeria from abroad It is just as difficult to sell Nigeria from Nigeria as it is from abroad.

All my clients here who travel to Nigeria are either visiting friends/ family or on business trips, not leisure.

People’s perception of Nigeria People would either talk about our football stars, the latest scam letter they received or some credit card fraud perpetrated by some Nigerians. Usually, it will be associated with some negative news on CNN or their local TV station. Unless they have previously worked or lived in Nigeria or gone to school with Nigerians, their perception is to the contrary.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Next Movie Star @ 10, begins audition 26

BBHS: Head of House win saves Sipe

Nollywood star Aki signs Media Image Managers

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Entertainment

GIAMA was a blast, uncommon grace, says Uti

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opular television personality and actor, Uti Nwachukwu has described the third Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, GIAMA, hosted by ace comedian, Julius Agwu, as the best Diaspora awards to look out for. For the Big Brother Africa 5 winner, the event had come and gone with lasting memories on its trail.

According to the organisers, the glamour-filled event, which was held in Houston, Texas, United States of America, penultimate week, was a night of excitement and celebration of African films at its best.

For Nwachukwu, The Male Viewer’s Choice Award he received at the just concluded event means a lot to him. He reportedly went memory lane in an emotion laden speech while giving kudos to those whose platform he rode to become one of Africa’s best entertainers.

Those he listed for appreciation were Rita Dominic, Desmond Elliot, Moses Inwang, Ramsey Nouah, Susan Peters and Anita Chris among others For coming tops considering the caliber of contenders that were nominated, he said, “It is the viewers’ choice! From winning Big Brother Africa to this, I see we still have some doubting Thomas. But then again there were really top contenders from Ghana! For me those were the tough ones that I had to compete with. These are really talented actors and I cannot say I am better than them at all. But my online presence is really healthy and my team does not sleep when I am concerned. Like I said earlier it’s uncommon grace.

Thereafter he stated philosophically that: “It is the viewers’ choice. It means that people are watching from all over the world and I am the preferred choice! It means I am in the right profession and people are entertained by my hard work...

sony neme

Editor, entertainment sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

it’s all Gods doing, because if he did not bless me with the talent and TV charisma, I am very sure no one would be impressed or interested in what I have to offer.”

He admitted that his speech was very emotional as someone who does not joke with loyalty and appreciation. His words: “I know personally how it feels to allow God use you to elevate someone and for that person

to become ungrateful, insolent and unappreciative. That is not my style. So, for me, it is really important to let those who have been your platform to success know how much you appreciate them. They are my divine helpers, supporters and friends.

I have a very grateful heart. In this world, no one owes you anything! So, I cannot stress it enough, how important it is to always express gratitude and

appreciation in public every time you get the chance to have a listening audience.”

He further stated that he was more glad than surprised with the award. “Nothing surprises me much these days. I was glad that all the campaigning and encouraging words from my family, friends and online supporters finally paid off. I work really hard and I work with the best with divine favour on my

Uti (second right) with others at 2014 GIAMA

EIHIS at African International Films Festival

A

presentation of Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme, NEIHIS, is one of the activities that opened the fourth African International Films Festival, AFRIFF, that began on Monday in Calabar, Cross River State.

NEIHIS Coordinator, Mr. Seun Apara who spoke at the session tagged Project Nollywood meant to sensitise the international community about the privately designed NEIHIS and the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Trust Fund.

The statement made available to New Telegraph, also reveals that Nollywood Alert as an Information platform for

Apara

the film industry on health and development for all registered industry participants taking place at Film House Cinemas, Marina Resort, Calabar.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

side. So, hey I’m really glad,” he enthused.

His opinion of GIAMA: “I have been attending the GIAMAs from the maiden edition in 2012! With every year it’s just gotten better, and it has now become the awards ceremony in Diaspora to beat. I will give it eight trophies out of 10.

GIAMA, which has continued to project Nigeria’s rich heritage positively also saw 30 Days To Atlanta (currently showing in Cinemas), Iyori, A mile from Home, and Apaye winning laurels. James Costello, a renowned Hollywood Director of Photography, DOP, also reportedly said, “This (GIAMA) is like being at the Oscars a little bit”.

The memorable and exciting night of recognition of the best in the African entertainment industry was kicked off by a special opening rendition by MYOA and Jerry Cleo. There was also a rendition by the best of USA Africa by Victor Ndukwe, MYOA, Jerry Cleo and Pascal PC, as well as the the touching media presentation on “Ebola in Africa”, announced during an introductory speech by Uti Nwachukwu. And finally, the main highlight of the day was the fantastic and mindblowing performance by CEO Dancers, the UK-based entertainers and British Got Talent” semi-finalist that got the audience in awe at the dexterity of their rhythmic dancing skills.

Loos Kollectiv releases Take Over video

L

oos Kollectiv has released the video for their latest release, Take Over. The video which was directed by Emma Gecko, features scenes with the various elements of hip hop and was shot in Lagos.

The Take Over video as it is, is expected to resonate with Hip Hop aficionados who will gravitate towards the various scenes in the video, depicting the various elements of the culture of Hip Hop. The videos comes with explosive BBoy dance moves reminiscent of the golden era.

Take Over, which is Loos Kollectiv’s debut offering, was produced by the super talented Jay Sleek.

Loos Kollectiv is a Hip Hop collective that comprise of rappers, singers, B-Boys, producers and DJs. Principal members of the group include Now Muzik recording artiste Romeo (@IamSuperRomeo), Butafly (@_Butafly), PKD (@pkdKillahmc), and Jayce (@AgentJayce). The group has an open affiliation to Now Muzik.

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Entertainment

Films Festival CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

It stated that, “The festival, which will hold from November 9 to 16, will run the industry sessions for five week days, beginning from today Monday November 7. Actors, filmmakers, film marketers, distribution houses and various professional guilds in the entertainment industry will gather at different venues, discussing issues of benefits, while charting a new course for African cinema. Film students and filmmakers alike will also engage in trainings, as part of the capacity building initiative of the festival.”

It quotes Festival manager, AFRIFF, Ikenna Ezenyirioha, that the industry sessions are an integral part of the festival that cannot be ignored, as professionals in different fields will be on hand to host different classes.

According to Ezenyirioha, “The sessions are the artistic and business sides of showbiz, which are essential to the development of the creative non-oil sector of the economy. And this will bring forth the right skills and attitude as well as open up business deals, networking and possible collaborations among the filmmakers that will be attending the festival.”

NEIHIS is a private health insurance scheme with customized plans specifically designed for the entertainment industry. It is an initiative of Nigerian Entertainment Industry Lecture Series (NEILS) in partnership with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Censors Board DG’s gauntlet to African filmmakers

L-R: Chief Eddy Ugbomah (OON), Director General National Film and Video Censors Board, Ms. Patricia Bala, Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Sarah Jubril at ZAFAA Awards in London.

Stories by Sony Neme

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he Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Ms Patricia Bala, has challenged African filmmakers to correct the negative misrepresentations of Africa and its culture in world pictures. Ms Bala made this call penultimate week in London during the African Film and Academy Global Awards, ZAFAA, while delivering a paper on African Culture in World Pictures.

In a statement made available to New Telegraph, Bala stated that Africa for a long time has suffered a systematic trend of misrepresentation of its

cultures in world pictures.

According to her, “Despite Africa being the cradle of civilization with its family traditions, music and the impressive social patterns of its cultures, misinformation about Africa has become a growth industry”.

She challenged African filmmakers to rise up to the occasion and expose what she described as systematic patterns of misrepresentations, which in turn deepen stereotypes or generalizations about Africa.

Her well found worries is that, “To the world public, some of the images of Africa include, the dark continent comprising of uncivilized peoples who

ATB returns with Omo Jagba C elebrated movie producer and director, Akin-Tijani Balogun is set to rule the screen with a new flick, titled Omo Jagba. The story was written, produced and directed by Akin-Tijani Balogun with technical inputs from

Joseph Oladunjoye as the director of photography and Adedeji Adejare as the editor.

Omo Jagba is a Yoruba movie with subtitles in English Language to allow for everyone to enjoy and learn from the story. It is scheduled to be released on VCD by TenTen Pictures on November 24.

In an exclusive with New Telegraph, ATB, as he is fondly called, said the movie is a contemporary story of love.

His words: “It is about a lady from a well to do home who met and fell in love with the leader of a gang of robbers. Now in the web, she was torn between standing by her lover or to follow the strict doctrines of her mother.”

He said the movie, which is a must watch

parades notable artistes like Toyin AimakhuAdeniyi, Taiwo Ibikunle and Gabriel Afolayan.

Others in the widely expected movie are Yemi Solade, Toyin Adegbola, Mercy Ebosele, Yemi Terry Isidahomen, Funmi Odufuwa and Tomiwa Kukoyi, among others.

The story leads us into the consequences of a broken home. We see the struggles of a single mother juxtaposed with a single father. This plot runs parallel to the street life of Tunde (Taiwo Ibikunle) and his struggle to leave the streets. His attempts were met with strict opposition from his partner in crime - Tina (Toyin Aimakhu).

ATB is a seasoned director who studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan with a major in Directing.

are culturally, intellectually, politically and technically backward, crisis ridden and the poorest and least developed of all regions. These pictures are of course inaccurate and fixated reality with several true missing images.”

For her this is not only unacceptable, but regrettable, “Because in this day and age, Africa is painted and depicted in the pictures of heathen peoples and thrive in backward traditions and practices, superstitions as well as outdated and repugnant rites.”

Bala blamed the misrepresentations on commercial propriety interests and the monopoly

enjoyed by those who control the major platforms for pushing these pictures to the rest of the world.

While frowning at the actions of some African filmmakers for being a disservice to their people and inheritance, she described their action as distasteful, for perpetuating these misrepresentations of African culture in world pictures, she urged them to re-invent and rewrite the region’s profile in world pictures.

According to her, it is only when this is done that Africa can re-engage the world on its own terms, just as she further called on African filmmakers to capitalize on the major windows of competitive advantage by investing in the distribution of movies in Nigeria.

Her other concern is that, “The sector is yet to be fully explored and requires investors to bring it to a well-structured movie distribution chain and cinemas that meet standard of international business practices,” just as she noted the yawning gap of uncharted opportunity in the distribution sub-sector of the Nigerian movie industry.

She also flaunted the unmistakable merit of doing business in Nigeria as the government is openminded; and appealed to Nigerians in the Diaspora to cash in on the lucrative window of cinema chains in the country by investing in the sector.

Next Movie Star @ 10, begins audition Edwin Usoboh

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opular television reality show, The Next Movie Star, NMS, in its tenth season also commenced audition in major cities across the country.

Winner of the NMS will be rewarded with an SUV, cash price and movie deal.

The show, tagged ‘Live Your Dream’, is also expected to commence training and grooming of the successful housemates on November 16 at a resort centre for two weeks where the housemates will be adequately prepared and polish them for stardom.

New Telegraph, reliably gathered that facilitators, who will be unveiled soon, include established and seasoned professionals in different fields opf human endevour.

According to organizer, “There will be a welcome party to usher in the housemates into a custom built house where they will reside throughout the 30days duration of the show. The housemates will be tasked on acting skills, special talent and diction, as well as personality, adaptability, versatility, intelligence, lifestyle and other skills.”

The executive producer, Next Movie Star, Sola Fajobi explained to the media that, “We will be rolling out drums to celebrate ten year of success, ten years of delivering fantastic viewer experience, and ten years of discovering more than 100 great African talents; and ten years of meaningful brand engagement”.

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Entertainment 27

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

CinemaWatch (Radio/TV/Events Guide) NOV. 15 — NOV. 21 Highlights

BIG BROTHER HOTSHOTS

Head of House win saves Sipe Stories by Sony Neme

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he power of the Big Brother Hotshots Head of House came to the fore on Monday night as it saved nominee Sipe from the list, but saw immunity holder Samantha placed firmly in the firing line. The South African is joined by Goitse (Botswana); last week’s Head of House Idris (Tanzania); Mr. 265 (Malawi) and Macky2 (Zambia).

When the dust settled on Sunday night, Mr. 265, Macky2, Sipe and Idris garnered the most nominations – alongside Goitse, who was automatically nominated after failing to keep still during last week’s ‘freeze’ task.

The Head of House task on Monday morning saw Tayo, Idris and Sipe competing in a challenging battle of wits – and knots – as they had to navigate the garden while tied into a rope, slowly working their way through various points in an effort for freedom.

And Sipe eventually prevailed, meaning that she was immune from nomination this week.

When Big Brother announced the nomination results to the housemates on Monday evening, Idris’ expression clearly indicated his dismay – in stark contrast to Sipe’s joy at her immunity. The

Sipe

new Head of House wasted no time in making her way to the Diary Room to reveal her ‘add’ decision.

In a great twist, which illustrated just how much power the Head of House holds, she was able to name Samantha as her choice – despite the South African being immune from nomination by any other

housemate, by virtue of being part of the winning Extravagana task team on Saturday.

Sipe had clearly indicated which way her vote was going to go during an earlier Diary Session with Big Brother, where she had even expressed her displeasure at seeing that Samantha’s StarMeter gift – a sparkling pink gift basket -

MultiChoice shines at Marketing World Awards

DSTV House Of DVF airs on E!Entertainment on Sundays at 22:00 CAT This month, join E! for an exclusive and exciting new reality series as ten young fashionistas compete for their dream job: the opportunity to work for legendary designer and pop culture icon, Diane von Furstenberg.

With the winner becoming a major part of the company and travelling the world as a ‘DVF girl’ to represent the fashion mogul and her business, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity none of them want to miss! Join in on all the fast-paced excitement, from multi-million dollar campaigns to producing charity events, as they do whatever it takes to get to the top.

Mystery Diners airs on Food Network on weekdays at 18:30 CAT When a restaurant owner suspects employees of not doing their jobs - whether it be stealing, lying, mistreating customers or generally doing lousy work - they call in the Mystery Diners. These Mystery Diners are actually undercover operatives who go into restaurants, bars and food service establishments with hidden cameras and perform surveillance to find out what’s really going on when the boss isn’t around.

Boyster premieres on Disney

XD from Monday 17 November at 18:20 CAT In this fun-filled new animated series meet Boyster, half boy, half oyster, who has some weird super powers that make him super stretchy, give him night vision, and allow him to control streams of water! He also has some not so super powers such as inky snot and fishy sweat. Boyster is different from other boys.

He can understand whale songs and make pearls by eating chalk. But he just wants to be an ordinary boy and keep his background secret.

Devil in the Details airs on Discovery ID on Mondays at 20:00 CAT This absorbing series focuses on the last day of a murder victim’s life and the tiny details left in the wake of the crime that leads investigators to the killer. In one of the episodes of this harrowing catalogue of tragic tales, landowner Jeff Brisebois is discovered in the bedroom of his Hawaii plantation home, shot in the head. Police soon find themselves with an island full of suspects – so finding clues becomes of paramount importance.

Also, a defence lawyer is stabbed to death in her office. Detectives find hairs clutched in her hand – will this valuable clue lead them to her killer?

GOtv

A scene from Fearless Heart

Tune in to Girl Meets World on Disney Channel

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ultiChoice Nigeria last Friday emerged winner in The PayTV Brand of the Year and The Best Company in Customer Care categories at the 2014 Marketing World Awards, MWA,. The awards gave MultiChoice the bragging right as the leading pay-TV service provider in Nigeria amidst increased competition.

MWA is organised to celebrate the excellence, creativity and achievements of the marketing industry by rewarding outstanding performance across the integrated marketing communication industry.

This year’s event also sought

to recognise the exceptional work of marketing champions over the last one year.

DStv contended against other brands in the broadcast media industry to win the PayTV Brand of the Year award, while GOtv, which had been pitched against long-standing brands such as; GTBank, StanbicIBTC and Zenith Bank claimed the award.

Speaking on the awards entitled; “Celebrating brands that work passionately and timelessly, MultiChoice’s General Manager Marketing, Martin Mabutho thanked the organisers of the MarketingWorld Awards for the recog-

nition.

He added that, “I would like to dedicate these awards to the untiring staff of MultiChoice who work behind the scene to ensure that DStv and GOtv subscribers enjoy the quality programming which we offer.

I also thank our subscribers for their loyalty through the years”.

The MWA which commenced in 2011 focuses solely on the business benefits of strong marketing strategies.

This prestigious award which also attracted the biggest players in various sectors of the economy had over 30 categories.

Telemundo Broken Angel Tuesday, 18 November, Begoña is shocked and surprised with Vicente Robledo’s death. Pancho finds the revealing letter Vicente left for Ines and he tells Santiago.

Fearless Heart Monday, 17 November, after several attempts, Miguel finally manages to make Nora tell him her story. Bernardo tells Fernanda that he will turn her over to the authorities.

Sony Entertainment Crossing Lines Crossing Lines is a unique action-packed global crime drama. The series taps into the charter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to

investigate cross-border crimes and ultimately bring global criminals to justice.

Al Jazeera Head to head Head to Head is Al Jazeera’s ideas forum recorded at the Oxford Union and hosted by Mehdi Hasan. Hasan goes head to head with special guests, asking probing and hard-hitting questions that few would dare to ask. Head to head with Bernard Kouchner starts on 14 November at 9pm.

The Little Mermaid The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea (Sunday 16th) finds Little Mermaid Ariel happily married on land. But her daughter wants to return to the sea but stands to be in great danger if she does.

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Entertainment

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nollywood star, Aki, signs Media Image Managers

Eva

Stories by Sony Neme

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ollywood celebrity, Chinedu Ikedieze (MFR) popularly known as Aki has officially signed Media Image Managers, MIM, to manage his media personality.

The deal, that has been on for months, was formally perfected at the actor’s Modupe Johnson’s Surulere, Lagos expansive office late on Tuesday.

An excited Aki has this to say at the brief ceremony: “We took a decision to take the big brand Aki to an alltime high, and part of the decision was to get a reputable media company; that we have done and we are happy - myself and my management team,” Aki said at the brief ceremony.

Head Lobbyist of MIM, Justin Akpovi-Esade, who spoke with New Telegraph on the ground breaking event, said it was a good feeling to have the opportunity to work with one of the biggest stars in Nollywood.

According to Akpovi-Esade, “Aki is a big brand all over the world, MIM is pleased to be associated with him and we promise to sustain his media visibility that has not waned since he attained stardom in Nollywood. Ours is to even take it farther than expected.

That is the brief and that is what we have set out to do.”

The Delta State born media manager commended Aki for agreeing to do what big artistes like him across the world do.

His words: “Every artiste worth his onions needs a professional media company that acts as his publicist. That is how it is done across the world.

In Nigeria, most artistes do all

LYRICS for the week

Aki

the talking and media promotion and this backfires most times, because while he has the skill to perform on stage, produce chart bursting records/movies, he may not have the same skill and time in handling either the public or the media in particular that takes whatever he says to the public. Mr. Chinedu Ikedieze (MFR) is one star that knows his onions, and we are glad he has chosen MIM among the lot to manage his media.”

Present at the ceremony

Eva set to drop first album in January Shola Adefuwa

Today is MEGA 2014 Awards nite

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ll is set for the second edition of Music and Entertainment Gospel Awards, MEGA. The event, touted as Nigeria’s premier gospel music award, is billed for The Haven Event Centre, beside Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Off Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

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ne of Nigeria emerging female hip-hop and rap artiste, Eva Alordiah, now has a title and album release date.

The album, titled 1960, is set to drop on January 14. And as fans await the release of the much anticipated album, the talented act dishes a self-titled extended play album to be released on November 20.

In an exclusive with New Telegraph, she said that she does not want her fans to wait endlessly, which is the reason for the November teaser.

Her words: “I would love very much to have the fans enjoy 1960 right now if I could.

January seems like such a long time to wait and so it is with pleasure that I share EVA, the EP for free. My little thanks you for waiting.”

1960 features collaboration with celebrated and multiple Grammy nominee, Femi Kuti,

were Nollywood top producer Chidi Nwokeabia, versatile actor/director Charles Inojie and veteran actor Sony McDon. Aki, born in Bende, Abia State, is best known for playing alongside his long time sparring partner Osita Iheme (Paw Paw) in most movies after their breakthrough in the movie Aki na Ukwa. In 2007, Ikedieze received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, recently. He is also a trained writer.

Eva

Darey Art Alade, Yemi Alade, Olamide, Sarkodie and Sir Dauda.

With “DEAF”, the first single off the album nominated “Best Rap Single” at the 2014 Headies, and “WAR COMING” the recently released second single already becoming fans’ favorite, it looks like we are to expect an album worth the wait with 1960, she further intoned.

Movie Star @ 10 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

Fajobi further said the tenth anniversary edition promises to be loaded, engaging, and unmatched excitement and entertainment. he further stressed that, “The show is poised to encourage African youths to dream big, follow their dreams and live it .”

Dauda – War coming VERSE 1 (SIR DAUDA) Life is like a puzzle of conundrum I designed, Speaking to the oracle and she showed me the sign, She said focus on a mission know the seasons and the times, Cos death is more than probable when the sheep move with the blind, I said listen brother, (listen brother) Better run for cover, (better run for cover) Hey sister, (hey sister) Been tryna reach ya, (been tryna reach ya) Can’t you hear the thunder in the skies, Don’t you see the fire in my eyes.

CHORUS I see a war coming, war coming, There’s a war coming, I see a war coming, war coming, war coming, War coming, Better run 1, 2, 1, 2, get ready go, get ready go, There’s a war coming, Say you gotta go 1, 2, on your mark, set, ready go, get ready go, War coming.

So them start running, See the war coming, Start running, See the war coming, VERSE 2 (EVA) These are the times and the days, The town sharper than a thousand blades, You offer lies all the way, But you seek truth and abandon grace, Do you mean all the things that you say, When the nouns and the verbs come out to play, A pretty smile but a heart filled with hate, Another disguise like the tears on your face, And people keep on telling me that you are here to stay, But you’d rather let it burn, Decide to fold when it’s your turn, This time you better know this is your war coming, The fight from your soul will keep your heartbeat drumming, Would you keep on running Straight no tuning, Or would you turn around

and fight this war that’s coming.

CHORUS: I see a war coming, war coming, There’s a war coming, I see a war coming, war coming, war coming, War coming, Better run 1, 2, 1, 2, get ready go, get ready go, There’s a war coming, Say you gotta go 1, 2, on your mark, set, ready go, get ready go, War coming.

BRIDGE 1: E para mo o, omo ogun de Para mo o, omo kiniu bo, E para mo o, omo ogun de, Para mo o, omo kiniu bo.

CHORUS: I see a war coming, war coming, There’s a war coming, I see a war coming, war coming, war coming, War coming, Better run 1, 2, 1, 2, get ready go, get ready go, There’s a war coming, Say you gotta go 1, 2, on your mark, set, ready go, get ready go, War coming.

BRIDGE 2: E para mo o, There’s a war coming, Para mo o, War coming, E para mo o, There’s a war coming, Para mo o, omo kiniu bo, War coming.

VERSE 3 (EVA) They coming for you better get ready, Though the weight very heavy, your feet steady, Just remember who you are like mufasa said it, And don’t let em judge you ain’t it the wrong verdict, Say you stand there now with the fear in your face, You dropped your shield and shared in your spears, Looking like you tryna find an easy escape, Now how you gon’ win when you give up the race, We living by your status, Forgetting what they teach us, The sages and the preachers and our mothers so religious…

We carry in the belly all the hate like a foetus Is this really how we….(Fade out)

Lyrics, Compiled by Shola Adefuwa

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Pension

Agric

Brands & Marketing

New path to end military pension imbroglio

Farmers earn N8.7bn from cassava

Access Bank breaks new campaign

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Business What's news

FBI warns businesses of Nigerian ‘purchase order frauds’ The Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI) is stepping up investigations into sophisticated schemes to defraud office supply stores that are being organised by Nigerian cyber criminals.

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Boko Haram: Global risk assessor cautions foreign investors DANGER Attacks in key southern commerce centres of Lagos and Abuja imminent

ceasefire between the Federal Government and the Islamist terrorist group was more of a political manoeuvre rather than a genuine step towards long-term stability. Shortly after the collapse of the phantom ceasefire, the militant group has gone ahead to annex more

local government in the North east, especially in Borno and Adamawa states.

The report also observed that questions raised over the timing of the announcement and legitimacy of the Boko Haram negotiator suggested that the ceasefire would be

short-lived and also lead to a loss of confidence in the Federal Government and entrench the insurgency in the north.

Maplecroft had given the country an ‘extreme’ risk rating, saying Nigeria received CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Sunday Ojeme

ICT key to Nigeria’s economic devt, says computer group Proper application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the various sectors is critical to the development of the Nigerian economy, the Nigeria Computer Society, umbrella body of computer professionals in the country, has said.

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The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Godson Ikoro

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

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enowned global risk assessor, Maplecroft, has sent out a note of caution to foreign investors eyeing Nigeria on the possibility of dreaded militant group, Boko Haram, to consolidate their grip in the northern part of the country and further extending their attacks to other parts of the county, especially Abuja and Lagos.

Maplecroft is the world’s leading global risk analytics, research and strategic forecasting company. It offers an unparalleled portfolio of risk indices, interactive maps, expert country risk analysis, risk calculators, scorecards and dashboards. These technological solutions identify emerging trends, business opportunities and risks to investments and supply chains worldwide.

In its latest global risk forecast, the assessor pointed out that despite a potential worsening of the security situation in the north, investors should note that the majority of attacks are away from key southern commerce centres of Lagos and Abuja.

“It is possible that these areas will see an uptick in violence if Boko Haram consolidates gains further north, but it is unlikely that they will be hit with the same intensity,” it said.

It also affirmed that the recent announcement of a

L-R: Dr. Akanna Ikeazor, Oboli of Obosi; Ibezimako Ezema, Branch Manager, Onitsha 2; Mrs. NgoziI Onugha, Managing Director, Obosi Micro Finance Bank; H. R. H. Chidubem Iweka, Eze-Iweka 111, Eze Obosi Kingdom; Leonard Ezugwu, GM, South Bank, Keystone Bank; Christain Enweuzor (a.k.a Mbidobeogalanya) and Noris Okafor, Divisional Head, South East 2 Region, at the commissioning of Keystone Bank off site ATM in Obosi, Anambra State.

Guinness Nigeria spends N52bn on expansion, others –OutgoingMD Dele Alao

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uinness Nigeria Plc invested about N52 billion on expansion projects, its outgoing managing director, Seni Adetu, has said.

Adetu, who is expected to take up new responsibility from January 2015, said that the funds also cover various initiatives that have made the products from the stable of the company easily accessible more than before under the

Route-to-Consumer transformation platform.

Besides, he said that part of the investments also cover the consolidation model approach “where we have big breweries CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

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

LENDING RATE InterBank Rate....................11.57% Prime Lending Rate...........16.93% Maximum Lending Rate...25.83%

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Nov. 7)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N173 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N278 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N216

l Foreign Reserves – $38.07bn as at 6/11/2014

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official As at Nov. 7)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N156.80 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N249.43 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N196.04

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Business | News

HEISTS

This has caused around 250 vendors to write off nearly $5 million (£3.1 million) in unpaid-for goods Sunday Ojeme

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he Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI) is stepping up investigations into sophisticated schemes to defraud office supply stores that are being organised by Nigerian cyber criminals.

To date, up to 400 actual or attempted “purchase order frauds” have been committed, causing around 250 vendors to write off nearly $5 million (£3.1 million) in unpaid-for goods.

The heists are carried out online or by telephone, with the fraudsters tricking retailers into believing they are from legitimate businesses and academic institutions and want to order merchandise. The retailers believe they are filling requests for established customers, but the goods end up being shipped elsewhere - often to the unsuspecting at-home Internet users,

FBI warns businesses of Nigerian ‘purchase order frauds’ who are then duped into re-shipping the merchandise to Nigeria.

FBI special agent, Joanne Altenburg, said: “The criminals order large quantities of items such as laptops and hard drives. They have also ordered expensive and very specialised equipment, such as centrifuges and other medical and pharmaceutical items.”

According to FBI, the criminals set up fake websites with domain names almost identical to those of real businesses or universities. They do the same for e-mail accounts and also use telephonespoofing techniques to make calls appear to be from the right area codes.

Next, the fraudsters, posing as school or business officials, contact a retailer’s customer service centre and use social engineering tactics to gather information about the organisation’s purchasing account.

They then contact the target business and request a quote for products. They use forged

Nigeria: Risk assessor cautions foreign investors CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

an ‘extreme risk’ in its conflict and political violence index (CPVI) for the fifth year running due to persistent insecurity, including increasing risks of kidnapping and piracy.

Maplecroft’s Country Risk Report for Nigeria offers investors the insight they need to navigate the country’s rapidly evolving business environment. It includes in-depth analysis of risks relating to governance, the economy, legal and regulatory developments, security, human rights, labour standards and the environment.

The report is especially relevant to new company entrants or existing businesses across all sectors.

The high profile kidnapping of schoolgirls in April has highlighted the ineptitude of the security forces as well as the regional implications of insecurity.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, Maplecroft, Mr. Alyson Warhurst, “Societal unrest and its repression by state security forces acting with impunity are early indicators of political risk – including soci-

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

etally induced regime change and resource nationalism – and have the ability to destabilise the business environment readily. More frequent risk monitoring is therefore becoming a business imperative.”

The report also indicated that should President Goodluck Jonathan announce a re-run for the presidency and talks with the militants break down, there would be a significant loss of confidence in the Federal Government, which will in turn affect long-term political stability with associated loss of confidence for investors.

“Regardless of the outcome of the ceasefire talks, the fact that the Nigerian army will stop actively pursuing the group in the short term will buy Boko Haram time. It is likely that they will use this time to consolidate their position in the north, resupply and rearm. A more entrenched insurgency will exacerbate the problems already faced by investors, especially those looking to develop business in the key northern trade hub of Maiduguri,” the report added.

documents, complete with letterhead and sometimes even the name of the organisation’s actual product manager. They request the shipments be made on a 30-day credit and since the real institution often has good credit,

vendors usually agree.

The criminals provide a US shipping address that might be a warehouse, self-storage facility, or the residence of a victim of an online romance or workfrom-home scam. Those

at-home victims are directed to re-ship the merchandise to Nigeria and are provided with shipping labels to make the job easy.

The vendor eventually bills the real institution and discovers the fraud.

By then, the items have been re-shipped overseas, and the retailer must absorb the financial loss.

“Once the merchandise has been shipped to Nigeria, it is nearly impossible to get it back,” Altenburg said.

L-R: Finance Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ehindero; Managing Director, Mr. Olivier Fages; Marketing Director; Mr. Sola Oke and Trade/ Sales Director, Mr. Edi Bala, at the launch of Martell Caractere in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

MOTIVATION

This year’s award will recognise excellent contribution to the development of ICT industry Kunle Azeez

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roper application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the various sectors is critical to the development of the Nigerian economy, the Nigeria Computer Society, umbrella body of computer professionals in the country, has said.

President, NCS, Prof David Adewumi, stated this while speaking on the 2014 National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA) of the Society holding in Lagos today.

“In the recent rebasing of the Nigerian economy, which gave the country the status of being the largest country in terms of Gross Domestic

ICT key to Nigeria’s economic devt, says computer group Product (GDP), ICT was identified as a critical enabler of that success and, by extension, an economic enabler in general,” he said.

Adewumi urged government to allow ICT, through necessary laws and regulations, to occupy its rightful place in driving government economic development agenda, while admonishing government to also collaborate with ICT professionals in the country to address critical challenges affecting the economy.

He said that the NCS is made up of all Information Technology professionals, interest groups and stakeholders in Nigeria, whom government can collaborate with towards driving a knowledge-based economy.

“NCS is the national platform for the advancement of Information Technology sciences and practices in Nigeria

and is committed to shaping the future of IT, supporting people who make IT work and employing IT to drive positive change in the society,” he added.

Speaking on the annual NITMA Award, the NCS President said that the award initiated in 2009, is to honour and reward excellence and outstanding contributions in the Nigeria’s Information Technology Industry.

“It is an event to honour those who have made a giant stride and significant impact in expanding the frontiers of Information Technology in Nigeria. The award, holing at Muson Centre in Lagos, is a night of awards to celebrate the best of Nigerian Information Technology creativity and innovation that has fundamentally changed, and is still changing the Nigerian nation.

Guinness Nigeria spends N52bn on expansion C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 9

that we invest in to make sure that when a consumer calls at an outlet to ask for our brand, the brand is indeed available.

“We have laid a successful foundation for a sustainable business. We have built a legacy that we can carry forward.”

The managing director

commended the company’s management for appointing John O’Keefe, as his successor.

He described the incoming managing director as suitable for the job having worked closely with him on the board of the company in the past two and a half years.

The company, which paid its shareholders N4.8 bil-

lion as dividend, representing N3.20k per 50k share this year, had recently launched many innovative products into the market.

Such products include Dubic lager and Orijin, a bitter herb drink.

“We have put the best innovations into the market in recent times, which I hope will be sustained in the future,” Adetu said.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Pension funds: ‘Inconsistency, poor management stall investment decisions’ p.32 AGONY

Serving military personnel enjoy high perks while the retired personnel suffer

Sunday Ojeme

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31

Pension

Federal pension board skirts foreign taxes p.32

New path to end military pension imbroglio

ithin a space of three months, the Federal Government has demonstrated its determination to put an end to the perennial problem long associated with military pensions.

The latest of such concern was last week’s intervention by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

Old order The pensioners’ plight, which has seen a number of them resorting to suicide and protesting openly at old age, has been in the open for a long time especially during the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo when they were asked to proceed to the Military Pensions Board in Ikoyi for verification.

During the exercise, the elderly retirees presented a sorry state of their situation by sleeping in every available space for months. Those whose cases could not be dealt with in Lagos after going through months of hardship had to move with the board to Abuja where the frustration continued with some of them brutalised by security agencies for constituting nuisance on the streets of the Federal Capital Territory.

In one of the demonstrations, popular musician and self-acclaimed ‘Area Fada,’ Charles Oputa, aka Charley Boy, launched a successful Code Red where he mobilised over 5,000 of the pensioners who were genuinely owed.

The Charley Boy show was one of several other demonstrations that failed to put an end to the agony of the soldiers who genuinely fought to keep the country together.

While the National Conference was in progress, the retirees also made their way to the venue as part of efforts to drive home their frustration and at every turn they always got the assurance that their matter would be looked into, a promised that the leaders had re-circled for years.

While lamenting the grief, one of the retirees and a chapter Chairman, Coalition of Aggrieved Military Veterans, Oaikhena Gabriel, said serving military personnel were enjoying high perks while those who fought for the unity of the country were left to suffer untold hardship.

According to him, “We

Nigerian military men on parade. Inset: Minister of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala

fought in the Nigeria Civil War where we lost over 500, 000 soldiers. Those of us who survived are not enjoying anything. We are treated as destitute.

“How can we continue like this? We fought the war on the side of Nigeria. Why are they treating us as slaves in our fatherland; the land we fought to keep united, the land we shade so much blood to secure?

“That is why we are not happy and we are saying to the world that the government of President Goodluck Jonathan should pay us the 53.37 per cent salary increase of 2009/2010 and the accruing three-year arrears. We are tired of waiting.

“We cannot carry guns but if the government were taking good care of us, we would have mobilised our members all over the country to fight Boko Haram.

“We came here to tell the world our plight. We have been used and dumped. We are tired of this. Does it mean that the country we fought for will allow us to die in poverty? Let them pay us our entitlement.”

He also called for the pension rate of military pensioners to be upgraded in line with the 2013 salary scale of military personnel and arrears paid from the date the new scale came into effect.

Current efforts As if responding to this

plea, the Federal Government, last week, constituted a team comprising those from Ministry of Finance and representatives of military pensioners to harmonise positions on pension arrears and address other issues around the payment of pensions to the retired personnel.

Okonjo-Iweala had quickly put the committee together to assuage the tension that was building up as the pensioners gathered at the finance ministry in protest against delays in the payment of their arrears and other benefits.

The pensioners, who acknowledged that they had been receiving a 33 per cent increase in their pensions since August 2013, also demanded that the increase should be 53 per cent

We cannot carry guns but if the government were taking good care of us, we would have mobilised our members all over the country to fight Boko Haram

to put them at par with their colleagues who are in active service.

The minister’s group mandated to look into the matter will be chaired by the DirectorGeneral of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr Bright Okogu. It will include the Chairman, Military Pension Board, representatives of the military pensioners, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission as well as staff of the federal military of finance.

Okonjo-Iweala had engaged the pensioners in a brainstorming session in which both sides spoke their minds freely.

Giving an insight into how the problem began, the minister said that the 53 per cent increase in public sector wages, which was implemented in 2010, left government with a very high recurrent budget that posed a significant funding challenge.

She said that even though she was not in office when the hike was implemented, government is a continuum and the ministry under her watch, with the strong support of President Goodluck Jonathan,

has been working hard to address the challenges because soldiers who put their lives on the line to serve the nation deserve the greatest honour and consideration.

It was for this reason that the Federal Government implemented a 33 per cent increase in military pensions alone since August 2013 following a recommendation of a government committee.

Government’s commitment She stressed that government was committed to paying but that, given the realities, this had to be done on an agreed schedule in tranches.

“I cannot tell you that everything will be paid at once but I can assure you that you will be paid when we agree on a realistic schedule”, the minister said.

Her proposal for the establishment of the working group to discuss and agree on the level of the arrears as well as the schedule of payment was accepted by the pensioners who nominated representatives to join the group.

New Telegraph recalled that three months after the retired military personnel besieged the National Judicial Institute (NJI), venue of the Confab, the former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, had come out to CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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Business | Pension

INCREASE

Pension assets hit N4 trillion Sunday Ojeme

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he unstable business atmosphere coupled with inconsistencies in government policies have been fingered as some of the reasons militating against hurried investment of pension funds.

This is, however, besides the rules and guidelines stipulated in the Pension Reform Act on areas where the funds could be invested.

Managing Director, Leadway Pensure Limited, Mrs. Ronke Adedeji, said these in Lagos.

She noted that the national pension Commission (PenCom) and the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) were being careful with calls by some Nigerians that the pension funds be invested in certain proj-

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Pension funds: ‘Inconsistency, poor management stall investment decisions’ ects because of constant collapse of businesses without a workable arrangement to recoup the funds.

She said even though such investments were done overseas, the case of Nigeria remains peculiar considering the number of investments that had collapsed without the investors getting back their funds.

She said, “Pension assets should not be considered idle money, which can be thrown about without spelt out mechanism to recover the investments. Although such investments thrive in other climes, the proposed plan should be done with clear guidelines specifying how the funds would be recovered and water-tight commitment that gov-

ernment policies would not affect it.”

She said although pension fund had a long period of maturity, the law also gives the contributor some leeway to access his contributions under certain conditions.

“So if the contributor now comes for his money what would I tell him?

How will I explain to him that his money has been invested in a business that has probably collapsed without hope of getting back the money?

These things constitute part of our fear. That is why we are very careful and following the investment guidelines spelt out in the Act,” she added.

In her opinion, Head, Risk and Compliance, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Ms. Idu Okwuosa, said the operators were not opposed to the demand but that their concern is the proof and guaranty for the funds.

She noted that one of the ways such initiative could thrive was for government to hands off totally and allow competent private sector operators manage such infrastructure.

She said events had shown that even Public Private Partnerships (PPP) often failed due to government involvements.

Meanwhile, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) says it will begin the deployment of an Electronic Pension Contribution Collection System (EPCCOS) on January 1, 2015.

The Managing Director, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Pension Custodians, Mr Bayo Yusuf, who disclosed this in Lagos, said that the system was to drive pension remittance schedules.

He said EPCCOS would unify the way employers remit their various workers schedules as well as ease collections for Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Cus-

todians (PFCs). Yusuf added that the electronic platform was informed by lack of specific rules on how employers would submit workers’ schedules for pension to PFAs and PFCs. He said,”We have been faced with huge challenges of how to reconcile some schedules submitted by employers. To tackle these challenges, we have therefore come up with this electronic devise– portal. ”It will ensure that workers are credited adequately and that employers are saved the time of going around one PFA and PFC for reconciliation.”

Federal pension board skirts foreign taxes

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he federal agency that invests civil servants’ pensions exploited loopholes by setting up a complex scheme of European shell companies that helped it avoid paying foreign taxes — a move that could undermine Canada’s standing internationally as its allies try to mount a crackdown on corporate tax avoidance.

The arrangement involved two dozen entities, half of them based in the financial secrecy haven of Luxembourg, and all of them set up in order to invest money in real estate in Berlin by a Crown corporation called thePublic Sector Pension Investment Board.

The blueprint for the tax-avoidance plan was obtained by the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and shared with CBC News as part of a larger leak of records exposing hundreds of corporate offshore schemes set up to capitalize on advantageous tax and secrecy rules in Luxembourg.

Juergen Kentenich, director of the regional tax office in Trier, Germany, said the pension board’s tax dealings amounted to ‘a very aggressive way to avoid taxes.’

Some of those leaked documents were first reported on in 2012 by Edouard Perrin for France 2 public television and by the BBC, but most of them have never before been

analysed by reporters.

While the Canadian government corporation’s transactions were not illegal, a senior German tax official who reviewed them said the pension investment board had used “a very aggressive way to avoid taxes.”

“The only goal is to avoid taxes,” Juergen Kentenich, director of the regional tax office in Trier, Germany, said of the tangle of Luxembourg companies.

The loopholes that were exploited were legal, he says. “But is this fair? Should a reputable and decent businessman do something like that?

That’s another question.”

The pension board invests the pension funds of federal civil servants, RCMP officers and members of the Canadian Forces, and has its directors appointed by the federal government with some input from public servants.

According to its website, it had $94 billion in assets under management as of March 31.

The pension board bought these Berlin apartments, and many others, through a complex web of companies based in Luxembourg.

Between 2008 and 2013, hundreds of millions of that was held in real estate in Germany, though the leaked records also lead to assets in France, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, Britain and Belgium.

L-R: Former Director-General, Nigerian Association, Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr John Isemede; Vice-President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, Mrs Margaret Onyema; Officer in Charge, Export Seat, Apapa Area Command, Lagos, Ibrahim Mijinyawa; Assistant Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs Evelyn Obidike and Head, Retail Banking, Diamond Bank Plc, Jude Aniele, at enhancing performance workshop organized in Lagos

Ending military pension imbroglio C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

reassure them of Federal Government’s preparedness to pay them all that was due to them.

Probably prompted by the embarrassment and impact the campaign of injustice is having on the government especially as President Goodluck Jonathan had promised on several occasions to ensure that the living standard of the retirees was ameliorated through the regular payment of their benefits, Obanikoro visited the Military Pensions Board where he assured the retirees that all their pension arrears would soon be paid.

While repeating the promises the aged and gaunt soldiers were already used to, he also assured that the Revised Armed Forces Pensions Bill would soon be passed into law.

According to him, “I assure you that the issues raised will

receive positive attention, it will not just be a promise; the promise will be kept.

“I want to send a strong message to the retirees and the families of those who have lost their lives fighting for the nation that this administration is behind them.

“The number of casualties suffered as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency made it compelling that not only are the families paid the benefits but on time as well.

“We don’t want a situation where our officers and soldiers will be in the battle front and worrying what will happen to their family. Some of the issues raised by the board will definitely receive attention.”

Arrears In the month of June this year, Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers’ Association had appealed to Federal

Government to pay their outstanding arrears of the 53 per cent increase in pension from 2010.

The President of the association, Lt. Col. Tony Ogbomo, made the plea at the inauguration of the newly elected RANAO executives in Abuja.

He urged the government to harmonise their pension with salaries of their colleagues in service.

The president also called for review of supervising organs for welfare of veterans, explaining that this would help to transform the lives of veterans in the country.

With the minister’s latest promise and a committee constituted, it is only hoped that the Federal Government would not allow its message become another political statement to deceive the hapless heroes who fought to unite the country.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

33

Agric

Global maize output hits 1bn tonnes –FAO p.34

Veterinary council seeks cooperation to fight diseases p.34

Farmers earn N8.7bn from cassava COLLABORATION Partnership lifts farmers’ wellbeing Stories by Dele Alao

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ver N8.7 billion ($51 million) revenue has been generated from gross sales of cassava products by farmers enlisted under the Cassava Enterprise Development Project (CEDP) between 2004 and 2009.

CEDP is a project of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration with USAID and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The project is aimed at increasing economic opportunities through agro-enterprise development and the sustainable and competitive production and marketing of cassava in 11 states in the South-South and South-East zones of Nigeria.

Within the five-year period, nearly 500,000 farmers were supported with IITA’s improved Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD)resistant varieties; nearly 1,000 processing enterprises were established; over 10 improved CMD-resistant varieties were developed and released; and over 15,000 new jobs were created.

Other outcomes included an increase in farmers’ cassava yields from 12 t/ha to 30 t/ha, a decline in CMD incidence, the training of over 21,000 farmers and processors, the development of cassava recipes, and technical support for the new Cassava Presidential Initiatives in Africa.

As a result of these successes, the Shell Partners Forum invited the IITA Cassava

Value Chain Team to its 2014 “Road show and Exhibition” at the Nicon Transcorp Hotel, Abuja in October to showcase the project’s achievements and also show recently developed technologies as part of efforts to explore possible areas for collaboration in 2015.

IITA displayed publications, posters, and products, which included food items such as cakes, bread, and biscuits, and recipes with 100 per cent cassava (chinchin, doughnuts, cookies, egg rolls, and strips).

Also showcased were IITA’s technologies including aflasafe, aeroponics, NoduMax, high quality yam flour, vitamin A cassava, plantain-based PITA wine, banana jam, plantain flour, and the activities of the IITA Youth Agripreneurs.

IITA Representative in Abuja, Gbassey Tarawali, said: “We expect that the event will open doors for further partnership with Shell and other multinational organisations that could be interested in promoting agriculture. Our guests were amazed at the intensity of work going on in IITA. The visitors tasted the food products and were surprised that such products and beverages of such good quality could come out of cassava, plantain, banana, and other crops.”

“What remains is for IITA to follow up with relevant departments interested in continuing their partnership with IITA in 2015 and confirm possible areas of collaboration,” he added.

In a related development, the cassava processing initiative undertaken by World Bank sponsored West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) in collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) has taken off in Oyo State.

Speaking at the commissioning of the project at Apete-Onidoko in Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Abdoulaye Toure, the Lead Agricultural Economist and Task Team Leader of World Bank sponsored WAAPP said hope for food security in Nigeria is rising as a result of the adoption and adaptation of variety of new agricultural technologies by practising farmers across the country.

While addressing the teeming farmers, Toure said the adoption of new agricultural technologies has impacted positively on the lives of Nigerian farmers as shown in their cassava (gari), quality protein maize processing and livestock poultry management, among others.

He said that there was no

N

120,000 farmers who earn less than $2 a day in four African countries, trained extension officers from Niger and Kogi states to help rice farmers improve their productivity.

Speaking during the training at Idah, in Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State, CARI Operational Manager, Solomon Enebi Agamah, said that the reason for the training was to equip selected extension officers from Kogi and Niger states with knowledge about business so that they can also train other farmers on business skills because they have realised that there is the need for farmers to have a change of mind-set and start seeing

He said that WAAPP would step up collaboration with Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) in Nigeria to further boost farming in the nation.

On his part, the Director of IAR&T, James Alabi Adediran, listed his Institute’s extension activities to the local farmers as comprising career talks, advisory services, interactive visits, trainings and encouragement of Gender participation.

The initiative tagged, village projects, is targeted at effective technology dissemination through Adopted Village Concept funded by the World Bank and it also aims at enhancing farmers’ productivity in line with the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government.

Cassava tubers

CARI to train 50,000 rice farmers o fewer than 50,000 small farmers in Nigeria are to be trained under the Competitive African Rice Initiative (CARI) to improve their livelihood.

This initiative will also make them competitive in terms of productivity, product quality and pricing compared to farmers from other climes.

CARI is a programme commissioned by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and BMZ (Government of Germany), which is managed by a consortium of partners led by GIZ (German Development Corporation).

Recently, CARI, which has as part of its objective to improve the livelihood of

doubt that many farmers are happy with the new technologies and innovations as manifested in the increase they now realise in their revenues.

“What we want to see now is that the initiatives are spreading to more villages,” he said.

He added: “In that regard, extension workers should be deployed effectively to spread the mission in more villages while in the same vein, the local governments should also be co-opted into the scheme to reach the grassroots unhindered.”

Toure, who scored the IAR&T and the zonal coordinating centre for WAAPP projects very high, tasked IAR&T to adopt more large-scale strategy of disseminating new technologies to the end users.

farming as a business.

Agamah said: “The foundation of farming is good knowledge of both agriculture and business. What we have discovered is that even the bank, once they realise that a farmer is properly trained, it becomes easier to support him hence the emphasis on capacity building on business and agricultural practices. We would train them on business and good agricultural practice.”

Agamah also said that it is only a fully trained farmer that can be said to have the capacity to transform from a peasant to a business person because he is technically competent about good knowledge of agricultural practices.

VC seeks better funding for research, extension services

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he Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has urged the Federal Government to increase funding for agricultural research and extension services, in other to keep pace with advancement in the sector.

The don who made the call at the 14th National Irrigation and Drainage Seminar, held in Minna, Niger State, said that massive funding of research and extension services would impact positively on agriculture and ensure food security.

“It is important to let the participants know that our

institutes are making great contribution to advancing the frontiers of irrigation in the country. This cannot be achieved without financial support from the Federal Government. In order to keep pace with advancement in technology, it is necessary to increase research and extension funding,’’ he said.

He added that the university was the only institution in the country mandated to conduct research on irrigation.

The seminar had the theme, ‘Advancing the Frontiers of Irrigation and Drainage for Agricultural Transformation.”

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Business | Agric

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Global maize output hits 1bn tonnes –FAO STATISTICS EU, US record bumper harvest Stories by Dele Alao

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recent monthly food price index by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has showed that the global maize output will reach a new record of 1.01 billion tones.

This is coming on the back of bumper crops in the Europe-

an Union and the United States.

The Cereal Price Index, which fell sharply over the recent months as global wheat and maize production appeared set for record harvests, was broadly stable at 178.4 points in October as maize harvest delays in the United States and deteriorating prospects for Australia’s wheat crop led to firmer prices.

However, rice prices declined, as newly harvested supplies came to the market.

The cereals sub-index is now down 9.3 per cent, or 18.2 points below the level one year ago.

The FAO’s monthly food price index was stable in October, as sugar and vegetable oil prices rose to offset declines in dairy and meat prices.

FAO’s Food Price Index is a trade-weighted index that consists of the average of five commodity group price indices - cereals, meat, dairy products, vegetable oils and sugar.

The Food Price Index dipped to 192.3, technically, its seventh consecutive monthly decline, but a marginal 0.2 per cent drop from the revised September figure.

Senior economist, FAO, Con-

cepción Calpe, said: “The on-going slight decline in the index is ‘very good for food importing countries.’”

The shifts come as FAO raised its forecast for a record global wheat output this growing season.

“Dairy prices fell by 1.9 per cent, as butter and milk powder prices dipped due to increased output in Europe, where many producers are grappling with Russia’s ban on cheese imports.

The sub-index for dairy products dropped to 184.3, down 3.5 points from September, and 66.8 points, or 26.6 per cent down

from October 2013,” the senior economist said.

He added: “Meat prices also broadly declined, as pig production recovered in several countries hit by endemic porcine diarrhoea and growing cattle herds in Australia pushed down beef prices. FAO’s Meat Price Index fell by 1.1 per cent or 2.3 points from September to 208.9, still over 10 per cent above its level a year ago.”

FAO’s monthly cereal supply and demand brief, trimmed back the organisation’s forecast for 2014 world cereal production by about one million tonnes.

NAIC backs govt’s agric programme

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he Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) has lent its supports to the Federal Government’s Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA).

To this end, the institution has changed its operational strategy targeted at increasing its contribution to ATA. This decision would see the company come up with new operational plans that will help it provide more insurance cover for agricultural projects, expansion into new areas and an allinclusive risk management for the country’s evolving agricultural sector.

Board chairman of the firm, Chioma Ohakim, said the management has approved the commencement of work towards ensuring excellent service delivery in the area of new product development such as weather index insurance, business re-engineering, ICT project, improved brand communication, prompt claim settlement, provision of Micro Insurance to small scale

Hybrid maize

Veterinary council seeks cooperation to fight diseases FACT 75 per cent of infections come from animals

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he Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has called for a strong collaboration between medical and veterinary doctors to mitigate some of the deadly animal diseases that pose threat to public health.

The council stated this in Abuja recently at its annual general council meeting.

This year’s meeting had as theme: Combating animal infectious diseases in Nigeria.

President of the council, Prof. Garba Sharubutu, lamented that efforts to bring these important stakeholders together in disease control did not yield positive result as members sought welfare instead of service to the people, noting that some members of one group see themselves as superior to the other.

He said that a strong collaboration between medical and veterinary doctors will do the country good in fighting animal-originated diseas-

es as the cases in many developed countries. He added that veterinary doctors who have special training in that area will provide insight into treatment and mitigation.

Renowned veterinary public health expert, Dr. Debo Ogungbade, in a presentation titled “Towards Zoonotic/Infection Incidence Reduction in Nigeria: Ecologic-based Mitigation through Culturally Sensitive Collaborative Public System Services (Focus on Ebola),” said that 75 per cent

of infectious diseases come from animals, citing the case of syphilis, Ebola, rabies and many other sexual infections.

Ogungbade also noted that man’s sexual behaviour (those having sex with animals) and relations with animals is responsible for many of the outbreaks.

Ogungbade also expressed concern that lack of collaboration among relevant stakeholders in the public health sector is affecting the health sector.

Dizengoff, Swiss Biostadt, others set for agric exhibition

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izengoff, Swiss Biostadt and other firms from Germany, Spain, Canada, Turkey, India, and South Africa are being expected at this year’s Agra Innovative Nigeria Exhibition and Conference.

The conference which will hold in Lagos, next week, will have the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, in attendance.

He is expected to give the opening keynote address

for the two-day ceremony.

The minister had said that the Nigeria Government and, indeed, President Goodluck Jonathan, supports ‘Agra Innovate Nigeria and look forward to seeing Nigeria’s agribusiness represented at the ceremony.’

Project Director of the event, David Ross, said that the forum would provide an opportunity for stakeholders in the agricultural sector free access to a vibrant exhibition of latest technology.

farmers, enhanced staff welfare and Training as well as strategic performance measurement in view of the recent commercialisation of the Corporation’s activities.

In her address titled ‘Better late than Never’ Ohakim observed that it has been the desire of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, immediately after inauguration, to review the Corporation’s Vision and mission with a view to fashioning out appropriate strategy in response to NAIC operational environment and challenges towards taking the Corporation to the next business level.

Ohakim, said that the overall aim of the retreat was to create synergy between the Board of Directors of the Corporation and its Management, led

by Bode Opadokun, with a view to drive the new vision that would ensure that the Corporation effectively and efficiently contribute its quota to the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government.

Agricultural Commodity Prices – Grains Commodity Wheat Corn Soybeans Soybean Meal Soybean Oil Oats Rough Rice Hard Red Wheat Spring Wheat

Price 545-6 385-0 1086-2 417.6 33.40 339-4 12.050 602-4 590-4

Change +15-4 +5-6 -7-0 -3.4 -0.12 +1-2 +0.110 +18-0 +16-2

Contract Dec 14 Dec 14 Jan 15 Dec 14 Dec 14 Dec 14 Jan 15 Dec 14 Dec 14

Price 63.65 130.65 186.75 16.44 2916 24.40 1.8455 0.1644 2873.00 0.6353 328.70

Change -0.90 -0.55 -0.35 +0.07 -53 -0.50 +0.0315 +0.0021 -47.00 +0.0087 -0.50

Contract Dec 14 Jan 15 Dec 14 Mar 15 Dec 14 Jan 15 Dec 14 Mar 15 Dec 14 Dec 14 Nov 14

Time(ET) 10:17 10:17 10:17 10:17 10:17 10:09 10:02 10:17 10:16

Softs Commodity Cotton #2 Orange Juice Coffee Sugar #11 Cocoa Sugar #16 CME Coffee CME Sugar #11 CME Cocoa CME Cotton #2 Lumber

Time(ET) 10:16 10:14 10:16 10:17 10:11 09:39 11/11/14 09:11 08:07 11/11/14 09:49

Commodities trade on different exchanges with different trading sessions. Change always shows from the previous close price.

Quotes delayed, except where indicated otherwise. All prices in local currency.

Time is ET. Source: Bloomberg

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

35

Brands&Marketing Apple flavoured market: Coca-Cola battles LaCasera

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L-R: September star prize winner of KIA Sorento 2014 model; Anugwu Ebuka Peter, Brand Support Manager, Diageo Nigeria; Udjah Ufuoma, Commercial Planning & Activation Manager, Kayode Oluwo; October star prize winner of KIA Sorento 2014 model, Nonso Okonkwo, at the Baileys Wholesalers Promo in Lagos.

Access Bank breaks new campaign NEW New television commercial lets customers into the future

Stories by Dele Alao

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ccess Bank Plc, has launched a thematic advertising campaign.

The campaign tagged ‘Take Tomorrow’ is produced by the Udeme Ufot-led creative agency, SO & U. Access Bank’s new advertising campaign shot in both Nigeria and South Africa is to re-enforce the bank’s promises of Speed, Service and Security to its customers.

According to the creative director, SO& U, Anthony Ekun,

the campaign is a call to action to Nigerians and Africans.

“It is to say to the market that if we were energised before, we are even more so now. If we had a bullet train before, we now have a super bullet train and we continue on our journey with even more passion and drive. We have the resources, capabilities, vision and ambition to take you to places you can only dream about. But we don’t just let you dream about it, we make it happen for you,” Ekun said.

He added: “It is an invitation to every individual to get on the Access Bank train and get the necessary support to fast-track the journey into their desired future. Everything the bank does is geared towards helping customers create their dream future today. They believe that customers shouldn’t just fantasize

Dangote tasks PR practitioners on Nigeria’s image Shola Adefuwa

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resident, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has tasked public relations practitioners to change the negative perception of foreigners about Nigeria despite numerous achievements.

Dangote, at a stakeholders’ conference organised by the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relation (NIPR), said

that it was disheartening that despite the country’s “excellent achievements in many areas,” Nigeria is still suffering negative perception.

“I therefore challenge you as the nation’s image makers to always hype the positive aspects of our culture, our history and our ongoing economic transformation journey,” Dangote, who was represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Communication of the company, Monso Ahmed, said.

about tomorrow. The bank enables the customer experience the future today. That dream house, that car, that business idea becomes a reality sooner than later,” he said.

On the production from the creative point of view, the creative director, who described it as very challenging, said: “We shot multiple locations with a decent sized crew and cast.

That had implications for casting, costumes and logistics. A significant part of the commercial was shot green screen, which means, we didn’t get to see the commercial as we were shooting and a lot of work had to be done in the studio.

“We also had to deliver the commercial in about six weeks, which meant that no one had a break for a while.

Having said that, it was an exciting challenge that we would gladly tackle all over again.”

D

he country’s Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) market recently experienced a mild drama with the launch of Coca-Cola Fanta Apple.

Industry observers said that the launch was an attempt by Coca-Cola to take advantage of consumers’ growing preference for apple flavour in the CSD category.

The carbonated soft drink market, until Lacasera from the stable of the then Classic Beverages Nigeria Limited but now The Lacasera Company, made a debut into the Nigerian market in 2001, the market was dominated by products from both Coca-Cola and Seven-Up Bottling Company.

To any discerning consumer, Lacasera is synonymous and famous with apple variant in the CSD. “Any consumer who feels like taking apple variant in the CSD will go for Lacasera apple. That is why the brand has become popular in every market place,” a consumer at Ikeja, Lagos, who craved for anonymity, said.

Talking about leveraging on fast-selling products, Guinness

Nigeria recently took advantage of the growing sales in bitter drink market when it launched Orijin.

According to the Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Patricia Jemibewon, the new apple-flavoured drink has been specifically formulated for the youthful consumer segment with a great fruity apple taste that Nigerians would love.

“The apple-flavoured drink is targeted particularly at the youth and has been developed for Nigerian’s taste buds. We have had an excellent response on our other variants and with the national launch of Fanta Apple, we are extending our market leadership in the fruit-flavoured sparkling drink segment,” Jemibewon said.

Also, Senior Brand Manager, Flavours at Coca-Cola Nigeria, Toyin Nnodi, said that the Fanta Apple flavour variant has been specially formulated with a focus on the young, active, daring and unconventional young adults who desire and yearn for a change from the conventional soft drinks.

Internet firm hunts for PR agencies

T

he e-commerce giant that is often touted as Japan’s answer to Amazon or Alibaba, Rakuten, is searching for global PR agency support as it steps up ambitious plans to become the world’s biggest internet services player.

The company, which reported revenues of $5.3 billion in 2013, is understood to have briefed many agencies regarding an assignment that is worth as much as $2 million.

The brief focuses on corporate PR support in Rakuten’s key international markets across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific.

iageo Brands Nigeria has offered gift items to its wholesalers.

The gift items, which were doled out during a raffle draw at an event in Lagos included a 2014 KIA Sorento car and a 4.5KVA Hyundai power generating set.

The company had rewarded two of its wholesalers with 2014 models of KIA cars last August and September while others won power generating sets and deep freezers.

According to Head of Spirits, Marketing & Readyto-Drink (RTD) for Diageo Brands Nigeria, Liz Ash-

These are understood to include the US, UK, Germany, Indonesia and Singapore, although Japan, where Rakuten dominates internet usage, is not included.

Rakuten’s global operations include such acquisitions as Buy.com and Ebates in the US, Israel’s Viber, Priceminister in France and the UK’s Play. com. The company’s expanding international portfolio also includes investments in Pinterest and Ozon.ru.

It is thought that Rakuten is hoping to build its international brand around its “Shopping is Entertainment” positioning, which has proved highly successful in Japan.

Diageo bonds with wholesalers

down, the promo will stretch till December 2014 so as to engender more wholesalers to buy more cases of Baileys and Johnnie Walker and thereby qualify to win the star prize and other consolation prizes.

“The winners participated in a raffle draw at the event, which had 22 wholesalers from across the country in attendance. The draw saw Nonso Okonkwo of Nolly Global Limited, Lagos Island, emerge winner of a KIA Sorento 2014 model, while Anugwu Ebuka Peter

of Agbeni Market, Ibadan; Benneth Aniekwe of Bengold Int’l Limited, Lagos Island and Ifechukwu Blessed of Blessed Celestine Stores, Aba, won a power generating set each,” Ashdown said.

Commenting on the rationale behind the promo, Commercial Planning and Activation Manager, Diageo Brands Nigeria, Kayode Oluwo, said that the aim was to reward wholesalers on a monthly basis with gifts and ensure they get a return on investment on all Diageo Brands.

36

Photo | News

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

L-R: Guest Lecturer/Dean, School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Prof.

Emevwo Biakolo; Chief Host, Apostle Hayford Alile and Chairman, Dr. Christopher Kolade, at the BrandiQ 2014 Symposium held in Lagos …recently

L-R: Chief Registration Officer, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Adegbenro Adenike; Assistant Chief Registration Officer, Mrs. Solaja Edith; Deputy Director, One Stop Investment Centre, Mrs. Akalusi Doris: Joy Otiti and Chief Executive Officer, Eagle Wings Foods Products and Seasoning, Mrs. Gladys Taka, at the on-going Lagos International Trade Fair.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Project Manager, British Council Nigeria, Sephora Imomoh; UK Visa Immigration Representative, Giulia Jenkins and Project Officer, British Council Nigeria, Maria Kuforiji; at the Education UK Exhibition in Lagos on Wednesday.

Dr. Charles Amanze (left), submitting his nomination form for PDP gubernatorial primary election to the National Organizing Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, at the Party’s Headquarters, Wadata House, Abuja.

L-R: Director, Contact and Mobilization, Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah Campaign Organisation, Jerry Kalu; Abia state PDP governorship aspirant, Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah and Director General, Empire Kanu, during a reception in honour of Ogah after the submission of his nomination form at the PDP headquarters, in Abuja

L-R: Medical Director, Sapele Central Hospital and President, Delta State Chapter of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria Dr. Vivian Omo-Ogoja; Senior Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Chief Vincent Omorie; Chief O.E. Temiagin; General Manager, External Affairs and Communication, SEPLAT, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku and Mrs. Gloria Ojogo, at the flag-off of SEPLAT’s annual Safe motherhood programme in Sapele

L-R: Chairman Board of Directors, Bridge House College (BHC), Dr. Alimi Abdul-Razaq; Chairman, Association of United Kingdom Certified Education Agents of Nigeria (AUKCEAN), Mrs. Rose Omonubi; Executive Director, BHC, Mrs. Foluke Abdul-Razaq and Assistant Principal, Brook House College, United Kingdom, Mrs. Dawn Savage, at the unveiling of the College’s new permanent site/Annual University fair, in Lagos

L-R: Treasurer, Vocational Training Centre, Oshodi, Mr. Felsi Akinkugbe; Trustee, Mrs. Esun Onabanjo; Life Vice President, Chief Eniola Akinsete; Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Emmanuela Abimbola Fashola and Chairman, Vocational Training Centre, Mrs. Biola Agbaje, at the grand opening of the modern workshop, at the Vocational Centre, Oshodi, Lagos.

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

37

Auto Beat

Mercedes-Benz recalls 8,000 C-Class cars over steering fault

M

ercedes-Benz is recalling more than 8,000 of its new executive C-class saloons in the UK because of a steering-wheel fault which safety officials say could affect control of the car in ‘extreme’ cases.

It is part of a world-wide recall of 28,000 of the brand new cars which only went on sale in Britain in June.

Production of the car began in January ahead of this summer’s first deliveries. Those sold in the UK are built at Mercedes-Benz’s factory in South Africa but the problem also affects those built in Germany.

Of the 8,145 cars in the UK built up to Septem-

ber 22, some 5,500 are with customers and the rest in dealer showrooms.

The Government’s car safety watchdog VOSA, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency notes: ‘It is possible that the steering column coupling lock may not have been installed correctly. The driver will receive warning of the issue by noise.

But it also notes: ‘In extreme circumstances, it is possible that steering control of the vehicle could be affected.’

As a remedial action it has called for all affected vehicles to be recalled to be checked over. If necessary the steering coupling should be replaced, says VOSA.

Mercedes-Benz says it has had no reports of any accidents - in the UK or worldwide - in relation to the problem.

A spokesman said: ‘If the steering column coupling is unlocked, the worst that can happen is that you will hear a noise.

There have been no reports of steering problems.

‘We’re not telling people to stop driving their cars. It’s a 30 minute fix to click the steering coupling’s locking sleeve back into place. Some were not clicked into place at the factory.’

In its recall letter to customers, Mercedes-Benz says: ‘At Mercedes-Benz we continuously monitor the performance of our vehicles and pay particular attention to any issues that could have an impact on your safety.

‘Despite careful quality control during the production of our products,

Lexus to reveal new convertible at LA Auto Show

L

exus will unveil a new convertible concept called the LF-C2 at next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

In advance of the concept’s reveal, Lexus has released a teaser image of the car. And while most of the visual details have been purposely obscured, the image clearly shows it to have an unusual hump behind the rear seats.

This follows a recent interview that Telegraph Cars conducted with Vice President of Lexus Europe, Alain Uyttenhoven, where he said future Lexus models will take their lead from the company’s NX SUV in having “polarising” looks.

“With our [comparatively small] share of the premium car market, the only way to compete is to stand out,” he said. “We need to get more emotional appeal into our cars, not only through improved driving dynamics, but also through design.

“What we are seeing at the moment [in customer clinics] is that the kind of design language that we have developed for the

NX and our future models finds a lot of aficionados. Some people say ‘it’s not for me’, but a lot of others want to have something different and like the fact it’s polarising.”

Uyttenhoven admitted that in the past people had bought the company’s cars purely for rational reasons. But he said the recent appointment of Toyota’s global design chief, Tokuo Fukuichi, to the position of Lexus President meant there was

now “a positive bias towards design” at board level.

An example of this is the fact that Lexus now wants to put the LF-LC sports car concept, which it first showed at the 2012 Detroit motor show, into production. “We always intended it to just be a show car,” said Uyttenhoven. “But we are now looking at ways that we can actually build it.”

Source: Telegraph cars

a technical problem has unfortunately been identified which we would like to resolve immediately.’

The note continues: ‘We have established that on some cars it is possible that the steering column coupling may have been installed incorrectly. ‘In this condition, noises and restrictions in steering movement may become noticeable.’

But it also acknowledges: ‘In extreme cases the steering control of the car may be affected.

‘As part of a safety recall campaign, we wish to check the steering column coupling as a precautionary measure.’

Mercedes-Benz asked owners to contact their nearest Mercedes-Benz dealership for the remedial work to be carried out free of charge.

It said the recall was being monitored by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency which is part of the Department for Transport.

Mercedes-Benz added: ‘We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this action may cause and we would also like to assure you of our continued commitment to improving our customer service.’

Source: Mail online

Light cars’re real stars

W

hile labour stability and international demand saw a record 32 165 vehicle exports, it was the local number of 59 262 units that will raise eyebrows as it’s 4.7 per cent up on October last year, bucking downward trend that we’ve seen for most of this year.

Once again there was a strong showing from the rental industry, accounting for 14.3 per cent of total sales and 19.9 percent of the passenger vehicle market.

Light commercial vehicles proved to be the real star in October’s sales game, with a year-on-year gain of 14.0 percent, while the passenger car market grew by just 1.6 per cent.

Nonetheless, Naamsa warns against being too optimistic as slow economic growth and continued vehicle inflation could keep the domestic market under pressure in the coming year. Exports look set to go from strength to strength though.

38

Feminique

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Chichi ignites them all

Chinyelu Okafor is the Country Director of Nigeria. Inspiring Girls Now In Technology Evolution (IGNITE). Chinyelu caught the fire after representing Nigeria at the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), funded by the US Department of State in 2009. Now one of the two IVLP ‘Gold Star’ Alumna in Nigeria and the only person from Africa to receive the award this year, she told EBERE AMEH of her challenges and plans to incorporate the boys.

F

or her efforts in igniting the interest of the Nigerian girls in technology through her non-governmental organization, Chinyelu Okafor was recognized by the US Department of State as a Gold Star alumna. The Gold Star program brings International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) alumni, who have made significant impacts in their home communities back to the United States to share their insights and to discuss new strategies with their American and other counterparts.

Chichi as she is fondly called, started IGNITE in Nigeria in 2010 and runs all the IGNITE chapters in country. She was in the U.S. early this year on a special reception to celebrate her award and success.

“I had to go back to where ignite started, Seattle, US. It felt awesome and I felt appreciated.

I was the only person from Africa that received the award. The vision is huge and I still have so much in mind to do. Words cannot express how I felt but it gave me the motivation to do more. It showed me that the little work I do is appreciated, even if not here, people outside are seeing the impact,” Chichi enthused.

IGNITE was founded by Cathi Rodgveller, a Career and Technical Counselor in Seattle Public Schools. A non-profit work, IGNITE aims to, among other things, inspire young women and girls to pursue careers in technology and Engineering. Inspired by Rodgveller

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

and IGNITE’s impact in Seattle schools, Okafor launched an IGNITE programme in Lagos, Nigeria in 2010, when she came back from the 2009 IVLP program. Since then, IGNITE Nigeria has impacted hundreds of girls in over 20 schools.

“We are trying to break the jinx that girls cannot do well in science and Technology. In the average secondary school, you have only one girl in the science class, while the rest are in arts. We are also trying to let them know that it is not a man’s world, they can be in sciences too. And so, we encourage girls to excel in Math, Technology and the Sciences.

Bearing i n

mind that the world is now a global village and technology is the in-thing, we want the women to have a place in the new world order,” Chichi explained.

IGNITE has six goals - to create awareness that girls can have a successful career in science and technology, that women can have a successful technology career and still build their family, that technology

We didn’t have internet in our time, but now, there is internet where they can access information

and engineering can be fun and not for nerds, to build role model and mentors for teenage girls, increase the number of girls in science classes, and to change the idea that technology and engineering careers are for boys.

“It wasn’t as if it was perfect in our time. We didn’t have internet in our time, but now, there is internet where they can access information and read good books online if they so desire. But they are not doing that. The youth are all celebrity conscious and everybody want to go into music and entertainment. And I strongly feel that the boys are the worst hit and the parents and the society are not helping matters.”

Piqued by the societal and technological influence on the boys and due to popular demand, Chichi is diversifying to ensure that the boys are also well guided. As a result, she intimates Feminique that Tech Teens, a platform that will incorporate both the boys and the girls will be launched early next year.

“Tech Teens is basically the same as IGNITE, the only difference is that we are worki n g

with the boys too. It will be a mixture of both boys and girls, to give the boys an opportunity because there is an issue with boys too. IGNITE is strictly for girls and we are starting it in schools where we already have IGNITE. We want to use it to reach not just the boys too, but the parents, the teachers and the communities as well.”

Chichi who plans to contin-

ue to expand the programme throughout the country, with a particular emphasis on outreach to Muslim youth, bemoans the fact that lack of funding has remained the organization’s Achilles heels.

“We have been preparing for science competition, we were supposed to have held it October 30 but we have no funding.

We have gone to all the banks to no avail, because people and corporate organizations are all interested in money and do not appreciate the value of education any longer. Growing up we had JET Clubs and companies encouraging students in sciences. Recently, I heard that Miss Unilag was given a car by a corporate organization. Next year, the number of girls who would abandon their books to contest would quadruple. The fact is, nobody is talking of science, of the next generation. Everybody is on the phone, doing facebook and twitter. What do we do to help these children redirect their lives? That is where IGNITE and Tech Teens come in. Companies should help by supporting efforts geared towards revitalizing academics in Nigeria,” Chichi advised.

Besides funding, not all schools appreciate what we do and it is because of the perception of the society. So we also plan a forum for the parents, the teachers, who are the educators and the community.

According to Chichi, who is also an established entrepreneur and publisher, IGNITE has made a lot of impact on the girls.

“It has been great in the schools where we have ignite clubs. We have had schools recommending IGNITE to other schools and the feedback we have been getting from the girls is awesome. ‘You changed my life’, ‘I never believed I could do it,’ were some of the testimonies we got from them.”

Speaking on what the government can do to replicate the good job IGNITE is doing, Chichi explained that the ball is in our court, not the government’s.

“Everything is not government. It starts from the home, it is the parents. Government’s duty is to put the right policies in place and ensure that there are schools. It is left for you to encourage your children to read.

President Jonathan can’t come to your home and tell your child to read. I read books because my father bought books for me to read. Children fail WAEC and some blame the government, others blame the schools, but it is simply because children are not reading. Their parents are not encouraging them,” Chichi intoned.

Feminique 39

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Abigail or Abiboy, doctors can’t tell

T

hose are popular and colloquial expressions we use in medical circles. What do they mean? Abiboys refers to couples whose children are all boys. They might produce enough children to make up a complete football team. But they will still be Abiboys.

What about Abigails? They are the opposites. All the children are girls, no matter how many times they try. No matter what positions they use. Missionary, cowgirl, cowboy, doggy style etc. By the way, these are true sex positions names. Not fabu.

A lot of broken homes and divorces result from this bad and retrogressive practice.

Unfortunately, most women do not know their rights.

They easily succumb to the whims and caprices of their husbands and in-laws. What are the causes? The biggest culprit is culture. It does not matter whether you are African, Asian, European or American. Whilst some culture will go through hell and back to make sure that males dominate, others prefer the female. A lot of selfish reasons are usually given for preferring one sex or the other. For the male it is usually the continuity of, the fam-

ily name. If a Fadeyi does not have a male offspring (God forbid bad thing) (I reject it) (laugh), how will the future generations know about him?

The name must not perish, so they say. That is why some ladies insist that they must carry their father’s name to their husband’s house. So the marriage has a compound surname. What if history repeats itself ? Will the daughters now have double compound names in marriage? Funny enough, nobody wants to continue to bear a notorious name such as Anini or Hitler. My honest belief is this quote from Shakespeare. ‘What is in a name? That which you call a Rose, calleth by another name will smell just as sweet.’ Isn’t that true? The second reason is the issue of inheritance.

In some cultures, if the man passes away without a male child, neither his wife nor his daughters can inherit anything. Sad but true.

Now to the Abigails. The main reason all over the world is purely financial. Dowry, simple and straight forward.

The wish for one sex or the other is so bad that it affects even the pregnancy and delivery. I can no longer count the no of times that husbands

Ebere Ameh

J

ust when I was getting over the stress of school run, and thanking God for a driver who has become like a brother to me and a friend and teacher to my children, George got a job and will be leaving in a week’s time to Port Harcourt.

Though I’m happy that he deservedly got a job befitting his academic qualification, the selfish side of me is unhappy that he is leaving a vacuum that will be difficult to fill.

‘George, I’m glad you got the job at last. But I’m sad that not only are you leaving us, you are going to far away Port Harcourt. The kids and I have gotten so used to you that I wonder if we can ever get another like you.’ I told George after he dropped the key on Friday. I have been short of words since he told me he would be leaving for Rivers State on Monday. Getting a good driver in Lagos is a herculean task. Now, I’m back to square one.

‘Ma, I am also troubled because just as I am getting to relax with you and the kids, I am compelled to go away. My joy is that it is for good.

You guys are simply awesome. Your children are disciplined and well behaved and you have been an amazing sister, to say the least,’ George responded, asking if he could visit anytime he is in Lagos.

‘Sure George! Call, visit, email.... just keep in touch,’ I responded.

‘He was amazed when I concluded by giving him a side hug before he left. The obvious surprise written all over his face made me blush. I have never come that close to him since he started working for me. Maybe, I shouldn’t have done that...but I meant it.

‘You seem so touched by George’s departure,’ Daniel observed when

have disappeared from the hospital when they learn that their wives have given birth to another baby girl. All you hear is ‘Dr, I’m coming’ and he is actually going. Or, ‘I will soon be back’. Na lie O!!. He don varnish be that. I will let you into a secret. Most doctors tell their radiologists never to reveal the sex of the baby to the couple during scan. Because it messes up labour and delivery for us. If it is the sex they want, they become too anxious and overdo things. Listening to all sorts of wrong advices from so called experts. If it is the opposite, the husband is no longer supportive. And the woman herself becomes depressed, sad and non-cooperative. The end result is difficult labour with all its complications. Some even go so far as to pray for a miscarriage or a dead baby on delivery. This is a very serious issue that must be addressed constantly. Our wives are not baby making factories. Neither are they horses or dogs married only for breeding purposes. They are our better halves. To be appreciated and treasured.

Finally, who is to blame when our wives persistently give us Abigails? The answer will shock you. Till next week.

Our wives are not baby making factories, neither are they horses or dogs married only for breeding purposes. They are our better halves.

Fadeyi

Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi is a Western trained medical practitioner and one of the very few certified Sexologists in Nigeria. He is also a marriage counsellor and would be bringing his immense knowledge and experience to bear in writing this column. Make it a date with him every Friday for that expert advice on sex and relationship.

He can be reached on drtaiwofadeyi@ gmail.com or 08033148899 (sms only)

Ego: Diary of a single mom Back to square one

on Saturday, I mentioned it over and over mindlessly as we talked over the phone. He had called to ask if we could go out on Sunday.

‘Cheer up baby, I’ll help you get another driver as soon as possible. In the meantime, I’ll help you pick the kids during my break-time until we sort things out,’ he said in his usual caring manner.

‘We’d go to the movies, to the beach, anywhere you want. I just want to spend the weekend

with you.... and help you forget that George. Thank God he left.”

Did I hear him well? “Why did you say that, I queried, careful not to show the annoyance in my voice.

“You don’t spend an hour without mentioning his name once or twice. It is either the funny pidgin George spoke, his way with LASTMA officials and ruggedness when occasion calls for it or how the kids are fond of George. You guys were getting too close, and I was getting jeal-

ous,’ Daniel said impetuously.

“Wonders shall never end! Jealous of a mere driver?!” I exclaimed in total disbelief. Though I was happy for his concern and wouldn’t mind the outing, I wondered if Daniel is not another Segun, always jealous for no just cause. Or, is that how all men are?

“You don’t have to be jealous Danny. You should have known that I’m not that kind of woman. I will get back to you on the outing issue. The kids are here.”

‘Mom, Mr George said he’d come and take us to Port Harcourt during the holidays,’ Tobi said while running in from the playground when he heard my voice. They had thought I was having a nap until my exclamation. ‘He said he would buy a video game for us,’ Tosin, who was following closely behind. interjected. Together with Ikenna, my neighbour’s son who was clutching the ball in his armpit, they looked excited. Thank God they are not going to miss him as much as I thought. I’m so grateful to God they are adjusting pretty well.

Even their usual thousand and one questions about their dad, that usually put me on edge, is minimal now.

I pray they continue in this spirit.

‘Mom!mom! Ikenna said ...’ ‘Ok!’ I interrupted Tosin, who is always ready to tell me everything everybody said. “Do you mind if I join in the soccer outside? I need you guys to teach me to score.” “Yes Mom, I will teach you... ‘Tobi ran out with Ikenna to take their positions, while Tobi stayed back to pull me out with her.

‘I’ll teach you Mom,’ she said dragging my right hand while I followed.

“The boys don’t know how to play.”

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

40

Islam UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

Conversion to Islam and getting married to a Muslim Woman QUESTION

I Want to Convert to Islam and Marry a Muslim Woman: What to Do? ANSWER

That being said, you should not let the fear of your parents’ disapproval of your becoming a Muslim, and of eventually marrying a Muslim woman and settling down with a family of your own that is Muslim and openly acts upon the tenets of Islam in a Muslim-majority country, keep you back from actually doing both these things openly.

It will not always be easy for you after becoming a Muslim. Many reverts to Islam naively assume that once they become Muslim, their life will be all rosy and happy.

That is not always the case.

Once a non-Muslim reverts to Islam, they not only face obstacles and social isolation from their families, but they also might feel a dip in their faith, if praying and seeking knowledge of the Quran becomes difficult, and when they discover that acting upon some tenets of Islam is not easy as they had hoped it would be.

However, you should not let the fear of a backlash from your family stop you from rushing forth to accept Islam and to start your life as a new Muslim.

You will have to seek and hold on to the support of other new Muslims in your geographical location in order to feel a sense of being part of a closeknit community.

Even if that community support is available to you only virtually at first i.e. through an online forum, email group, or website/ portal for new Muslim reverts in your area, that would be a big help and a good start for you to get your feet firmly planted on the platform of Islam.

Capitalize on the next two years Brother, since you have said that you cannot get married to the Muslimah whom you are interested in marrying right now, until the next two years, I suggest the following plan: TO BE CONTINUED

E X H O RTAT I O N

21 Muharram 1436 AH

AND SATAN WILL SAY WHEN THE MATTER HAS BEEN DECIDED: “VERILY, ALLÂH PROMISED YOU A PROMISE OF TRUTH. AND I TOO PROMISED YOU, BUT I BETRAYED YOU. I HAD NO AUTHORITY OVER YOU EXCEPT THAT I CALLED YOU, SO YOU RESPONDED TO ME. SO BLAME ME NOT, BUT BLAME YOURSELVES. I CANNOT HELP YOU, NOR CAN YOU HELP ME. (QURAN 14:22)

Representative of the Guest Speaker, Abdul Jelil Owonikoko, SAN, making a remark while other guests look on during the seventh annual workshop of the Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), Lagos State University Chapter, in Lagos recently.

FG confused on tackling terrorism, says Islamic group CONDEMNATION MURIC says attack on Yobe school cowardly, senseless and barbaric Adeola Yusuf

T

he Federal Government has not only grown senile but also become bemused on the issue of tackling terrorism in Nigeria, the Muslim Rights Concerns (MURIC) has said.

MURIC, which was responding to the murder of about 47 school pupils in a secondary

school in Portiskum, Yobe State, called for all actions against Boko Haram insurgency.

47 pupils were reported killed on Monday while 79 were wounded when a suicide bomber struck in the secondary school. The MURIC, which described the attack that was widely blamed on the Boko Haram insurgents as cowardly, senseless and barbaric, maintained that the deterioration of the situation in the North East is becoming more worrisome.

MURIC Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said in a statement: “Our hearts go to the families of the dead and wound-

ed and we pray that Almighty Allah will give them succour in these trying moments.

“There is no doubt in our mind that the Federal Government has not only grown senile but also become bemused on the issue of tackling terrorism. It is our considered opinion that the lack-luster approach of President Jonathan to security matters led to the deterioration of the situation in the North East.

“Or is it not embarrassing enough that the president and his team remained cynical for more than a week after the abduction of more than 200 school girls? 211 days after

the disappearance of the girls, FG remains clueless.”

According to Akintola, the man at the helm of affairs is warming up today to declare for a second term in office, to beat his chest over his phantom achievements, to jubilate, to sing and dance over the dead and mutilated bodies of another 47 school children, mowed down in their prime.

“In the face of this Kilimanjaro-height mountain of evidence of gross ineptitude and crass nonchalance, MURIC is constrained to ask the captain of the Nigerian ship of state, “Mr. President, when are you going to resign?”

What I learn from Muslims –Okorocha

G

overnor of imo state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has said that he learnt piety and diligence in worship of God from Muslims.

Okorocha, who said this at a reception for organisers and nominees of the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) 2014 at the Government House in Owerri, maintained that he was inspired by the way the Muslims pray five times a day.

“Since I came into office I have re dedicated the state to God. Today we shut down the government for a while everyday and move to the Bishop’s square to pray. We do this every day, except on Saturday and Sunday and I leant this from the Muslims.

“Muslims, as we know, pray to God five times everyday and I felt we should also go to the Bishop van yard every day to pray and serve God,” he said.

Stating that the government of Nigeria is over centralized, the governor stated that this has been one of the causes of corruption and non-performance by the government.

For instance, he said, the governors of the 36 states in Nigeria are under pressure following the continued fall in prices of oil at the international market.

He said: “Every month we go begging for money, which source is solely from oil. We are all cashiers in sirens, including me, Rochas Okorocha,

and anytime the oil price goes down, as is it now, we are under pressure.”

He said that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in his state is a sham, accusing the commission of corruption. “NDDC here in Imo is a sham, it is scam, chapter one, verse one.

Anywhere that I erect a borehole, they will go there and say that they have erected a borehole there, anywhere I do a project, they will go there and say that they have done that project.” He, however, recommended that government should practice what he called the “kobo economy,” through the agriculture.

“Every money made on oil

should first of all go into agriculture and later we should place our budget on what agriculture gives. This is one of the ways we can solve hunger and starvation and reduce our total dependence on oil,” he said.

Stating that the country is a fertile ground for agriculture, the governor said: “I do not know of any country in the world where grasses grow on the roof of houses but Nigeria.

He said: “In our villages, houses built just after two years start to grow grasses on their roofs.

What this means is that there is too much of fertility on the ground, which has transferred through the air to the roof.”

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

41

Crime Mubi: Experts divided over calls for CDS, Jonathan to resign Juliana Francis

T

here have been fireworks after the dreaded Islamist sect; Boko Haram again captured Mubi, in Adamawa State and renamed it Madinatul Islam, meaning the city of Islam.

The insurgents did not only take over Mubi, they also kidnapped young girls paying each of their parents N5,000.

After capturing the town, they started patrolling the area, signaling that the group was fully in charge.

Since the event, opposition parties, and indeed, several people on social media have called for the resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal, Alex Badeh, as well as ministers from Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, among others to resign their positions in view of the resurgence in Boko Haram attacks.

Former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, condemned Jonathan’s administration, stressing it is not honest about the security situation in the North.

He said: “If you control the armed forces and you are the Commanderin- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, why should any part of this country be under occupation and you give us excuses every day? In any civilised country, Jonathan should resign!”

APC National Vice Chairman (NorthEast), Mr. Babachir David Lawal, said Jonathan was too busy planning his re-election to have time to protect the people in the North-East.

Lawal said: “These are trying times indeed and all the good sons and daughters of the North-East, no matter their current status in the society, must stand up for the region. If we continue to remain silent, who will speak for our people? Now that the government has abandoned the region, who will defend it other than its natives? Our farmlands, schools and all forms of commercial activities have been abandoned, thus rendering our future bleak. Our sons are being massacred daily while our daughters are being taken into slavery or married off to depraved, uneducated

Boko Haram members

Udah

Oney

Tsav

and evil people who place no value on life.”

Reacting to the call for Jonathan to resign, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Jonathan, Dr. Doyin

Okupe said of APC members: “They missed it completely. As a party, they are very clueless and they don’t know anything about the basic rudiments of governance. Which country in the world

has the leader been asked to resign because the nation is at war? APC is an assemblage of political charlatans who want to attain power by all means, including through dubious means. Constitutionally, the only way to change power is through an election, which involves parties presenting candidates and canvassing for votes. APC, knowing they can’t woo the electorate to their side, are resorting to subterfuge to take power. It won’t happen!”

A former Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Tsav (rtd) said that the call for the resignation of the CDS and President Jonathan over the worsening security situation in the country was reasonable and in order.

Tsav explained that in civilized and less corrupt countries, the CDS ought to

CRIME QUOTE

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

“How can Nigeria be helpless? That is unfair. If CDS loses his hometown, it is the same thing as losing Lagos. Any part of Nigeria that is lost, the CDS carries the weight. It is immaterial whether it is my hometown, whether it is my house that is burnt or it is Emeka’s house that is burnt.

Whoever’s house is burnt in Nigeria, the CDS is pained.”

– Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 2

42

Crime

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Boko Haram may attack political rallies’ The 3rd Eye Boko Haram: Diplomatic approach, the way forward (2)

Juliana Francis

O

n Monday, a simple looking secondary school student of Government Comprehensive Senior Science Secondary, Potiskum, Yobe State, around 7:30am, joined his ‘mates’ on the assembly ground.

Nobody knew that his young body was ladden with bomb, concealed in his uniform.

Within minutes, there was a big bang, leading to his death and those of several others boys. Screams of pain and panic rented the air.

It is strongly believed that the suicide bomber was not a student of the school. 47 students died and 79 others were injured. Body parts, abandoned student foot wears, charred school books and bags were remains of the dead and wounded at the scene of the explosion.

USA government and the United Nations condemned the attack, describing it as one of the worst on innocent kids.

President Goodluck Jonathan also described it as a “dastardly attack.”

The attack came just a day after the release of a new Boko Haram video in which the Islamist group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, again rejected Nigerian government’s claims of a ceasefire and peace talks.

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon called on Nigerian authorities to bring the perpetrators of the school attack to justice.

Ki-moon was outraged by the frequency and brutality of attacks against educational institutions in the northern parts of Nigeria.

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, echoed the call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and also condemned the attack.

President of Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu, saddened by the gruesome murder of the students, said mere talks were not enough at this point, adding that action was desperately needed now.

He advised the Federal government to halt all political campaigns in the North East of the country and declare war on the Boko Haram terrorists, with emphasis on intensifying military campaign in the areas under emergency rule.

The security expert said: “The carnival atmosphere that accompanied political cam-

Ethelbert Oney Continued from last Friday

O Injured students

Ona

paign rallies made mockery of the memory of innocent school students slaughtered by Boko Haram in the Potiskum attack and several other recent school attacks, including the abduction of the over 200 school girls from Chibok, Borno State.”

Ekhomu said that politicking in states under emergency rule was insensitive and detracted from the military effort. He said that since Boko Haram has a penchant for attacking large crowds, political rallies could come under person borne IED (PB IED) or Vehicle Borne IED (VBIED) attacks.

Ekhomu deplored the lack of security awareness in schools.

He cited the September 2014 suicide bombing attack at the Federal College of Education,

Kano which claimed 17 lives and the bombing of the School of Hygiene in Kano in June which killed eight people.

He added: “In February 2014, Boko Haram terrorists attacked Government Secondary School, Buni Yadi, Yobe State with IEDS and Molotov cocktails, killing 49 students in that horrific attack. Also in February 2014, 25 students were killed in an attack against a christian school in Shuwa, Adamawa State.

“The Gujba, Yobe School massacre took place in September 2013 while the Government Secondary School Mamudo (Yobe State) massacre occurred in July 2013. Based upon the observed pattern of attacks, it is clear that Boko Haram is systematically exterminating students and attempting to ensure the total shut down of the educational infrastructure in Nigeria’s North East States.”

Ekhomu called for the implementation of tough security measures when students are in school, including good identification procedures, training of students in observation skills, security awareness training for students, IED recognition and response training, crisis management protocols including notification of suspicious packages or persons, evacuation of an area with suspicious packages, reporting of suspicious objects to the school authorities and to security officials, and provision of armed security personnel to guard school buildings.

Fireworks over renaming of Mubi C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 1

be in the front line to direct operations, but here in Nigeria, the CDS was in the comfort of his office, talking big and telling lies without results.

Tsav said: “The CDS’s home is under siege by insurgency and, as the number one Military Officer in the Country, he is helpless! Another issue is that if the CDS is a man of honor and integrity, he should have long resigned in protest over the involvement of the CAN President in the South Africa arms scandal.

In Nigeria, people have no conscience.

What matters to them are the offices and the financial benefits and influences they derive from such offices. A shame indeed!

“In the case of Mr. President, he took an oath to provide security and wellbeing for the people of Nigeria and to do justice to all manner of people.

Has he done this? No! From the onset of this insurgency, the President was advised to dialogue with Boko Haram, but he said he would not dialogue with ghosts. When the CHIBOK girls were abducted, he doubted the authenticity of this report. Today the CHIBOK girls have been in captivity for 210 days. The President does not give a damn! He is more of a PDP President than a Nige-

rian President. He is more active in taking decisions on political matters if such matters involve the PDP. Nigeria under President Jonathan has lost its bearing and is now at a cross roads.

“Jonathan has woefully failed as a President and should throw in the towel. All persons supporting Jonathan are beneficiaries of his corrupt administration. Such people must realize that no matter the position they hold, the wealth they amass, they will not escape God’s judgement!”

Chief Executive Officer/Principal Consultant at Zenith Intelligence & Security Solution Limited, Mr. Ethelbert Oney said that resignation of Jonathan was not the option or the solution to Nigeria’s terrorism predicament.

He said: “If the President resigns, it means absolute victory for Boko Haram and their sponsors. What Nigeria needs is total unification and support in all fronts to the President. Resignation is not and never would be the best solution in a terrorism situation for any president anywhere in the world.

He further said: “With regards to our Chief of Defence Staff, it may be argued that he has made no impact with the situation in Nigeria since he came on board. In developed countries, it may be construed as a sign of in-

competence per se, hence calls for his resignation. However, if the truth be told and resignation becomes the only option and solution to our problems, the lots of heads, governors, ministers, senators, commissioners, chairmen of LGAs and traditional rulers will follow suit.”

Oney argued that what Nigerians needed was to be told the truth and be willing to face the problems confronting them. According to him, this confrontation would bring lasting solution.

“If other countries could end terrorism in their respective countries, why can’t we? We just need the willingness of Nigerians,” said Oney.

Barrister Azubuko Joel Udah, Deputy Inspector General of Police (rtd), said that resignation was never the answer since it was tantamount to capitulation by government and an invitation to anarchy.

He urged that all efforts must be made by the citizenry, particularly those from the insurgency areas to support the government and the military to bring an end to the problem.

“Solution to the problem must not be straight-jacketed. Those at the helm of affairs should start thinking of the solution outside the box,” said Udah.

nce terrorist attacks has set in and bombs begin to go off, irrespective of whatever reasons, quarters and for how long, an effective and timely counter-terrorism policy, expert agencies, experts and the resources becomes indispensible. If we continue to ignore the obvious strategies, invoke and apply them legitimately with the help of a third party such as the United Nations, ending BH threats any sooner may be impossible.

The above discussed comprehensive strategic applications should also include elements of pure democratic transition; such as counterterrorism awareness campaign at all levels. As well as cultural, geopolitical attitudes, domestic ideas, and some of the core tools of diplomatic resolution. The building blocks of diplomatic resolution can effectively provide the short to midterm process of the strategy with the factors of democratic transition presenting the mid to long-term benchmarks. But for the short term plan to be effective, it must be geared towards the long term agenda of counterterrorism strategy.

The bulk of every effective strategy in combating terrorism is non-violent. The use of force is a very small element in the approach; however, it provides a critical atmospheric condition. The role of force in the strategy is the implementation of peace enforcement. Peacekeeping is necessary in the initial stages because it will allow a cooling off period before starting the rest of the strategic processes. The support of peace enforcement helps implement the provisions of the process and contributes to the overall strategic approaches.

Furthermore, the perception of peacekeeping versus that of peace enforcement is very different. Peace enforcement requires more than just the perception of security, but also that of compassion and understanding. Peacekeeping operates under a simple premise, it prevents violence. Peace enforcement must manoeuvre itself and support restorative justice operations, contribute to the reconciliation process, support and protect the true commission of diplomacy.

• Ethelbert Oney is an Intelligence & Security Expert ethelbertoney@zissltd.com (08067764342 SMS only)

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

43

Nine states access N220b SMEs fund –Aganga ACCESSING CREDIT

and Investment, Olusegun Aganga disclosed this yesterday at the presidential villa when he briefed state house correspondents on the outcome of the inaugural meeting of the National Council on micro, small and medium enterprises set up by President Goodluck Jonathan to grow the economy.

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi had lamented the high interest rate on the loan, which he said prevented enterprises from

FG to strenghten credit bureaus, others Anule Emmanuel

N

ine states have fully accessed the N220billion Small And Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) fund floated last year by the Federal Government for the development of the sector.

Minister of Industry Trade

accessing it.

Aganga said yesterday’s council meeting presided by Vice President Namadi Sambo set up a smaller committee headed by the minister of National Planning to draw up modalities that will further ease access to the SME fund.

He explained that about 19 more states have completed the process and complied with the terms establishing the fund and are at the stage of also accessing it.

The minister noted that as a

IMF to consider debt relief for Ebola-hit countries T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) will discuss debt relief for Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone at the Group of 20 leaders meeting in Australia later this week as it considers further support for the countries most affected by the Ebola outbreak, an IMF spokesman said yesterday.

The United States, the IMF’s biggest donor, according to Reuters News, first proposed the idea of writing off some $100 million in debt owed to the Fund by the three countries to support their economies and free up more money for government spending.

IMF spokesman Bill Murray declined to comment on a specific figure for the debt relief, but said its Managing Director Christine Lagarde will discuss this issue with donors at the G20 meetings in Brisbane, Australia.

The IMF provided an additional $130 million to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone last September to help them cope with the economic impact of the deadly Ebola virus. The virus has infected at least 14,098 people, most of them in these three West African countries, and 5,160 have died, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

IMF MD, Christine Lagarde

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

FX

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

is that additional 19 states are at the stage of being ready to access the fund and collectively as six governors representing the six geo-political zones, we have agreed that we should all go and encourage those who have not initiated the process of accessing this fund to immediately start the process for the benefit of the people.

Aganga had earlier noted that since innauguration some sub-committees have been working to sort out issues on the access to finance as well as access to marketing.

Less than 5 percent of MSMEs have access to finance.

The council on micro, small and medium enterprises will meet in the next few weeks.

Infrastructure gap: ‘Nigeria, others should adopt homegrown policies’

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

measure of improving access to easy financing in the country, the council is also considering the need to strengthen credit bureaus, business development providers and the establishment of leasing agencies.

The World Bank Aganga said, has already agreed to help establish one of such bureaus in each state of the six zones in the country.

Explaining further, Governor of Kebbi State, Ibrahim Dankwabo said “For the states that have accessed the fund depending on the level of the amount that they have applied for, which was not disclosed, have accessed the fund and is working in their states.

“But the important thing

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

N

igeria and other African nations should tackle their huge infrastructure gaps with a home grown policy-based finance framework instead of depending on funding from the multilateral donor agencies.

This was the submission of Chairman, Electric Power Foundation and consulting Engineer, Engr. Otis Anyaeji, yesterday in Abuja at a public policy conference 2014 convened by Preston Consuls.

The confab, christened: “Developing Africa through Innovative infrastructure financing,” had representative from government organisations and private sector in attendance.

Anyaeji said that Africa need to urgently develop a policy-based finance framework that would assist in financing Africa’s infrastructure with the continent’s finances.

He advised the government to establish a Fiscal Investment and Loan Programme (FILP) from the Federation Account that would be autonomous from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Citing the instance of National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) whose funding are procured from excess crude earnings, he said FILP could be procured from pension funds, CBN discount rates, excess crude earnings etc, noting that FILP funds provided to the private sector must be paid back.

To buttress his case, he said Japan as at 1994, the size of its FILP, established after second World War currently ranks 8 percent of its gross national product (GNP) and 50 per cent

of its General (Nigeria’s Federation) Account.

“As industry (manufacturing and production) and infrastructure mature, the policybased finance will gradually de-emphasize industry and infrastructure related finance, and private finance will take over.”

In his address, National Planning Commission Minister, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, said Nigeria ‘s infrastructure stock was put at 20 to 25 per cent of the GDP as at 2012 when the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) was first formulated.

He added that this was quite inadequate to support the country’s sociology-economic development.

According to him, the target of the NIIMP blueprint is to raise the country’s infrastructure stock to the 70 per cent globally accepted standard for developing economies by 2043 and this would require a financial commitment of no less than $3 trillion or N485 trillion.

In his welcome address, Chief Executive Officer, Preston Consults, Dr. Tochukwu Nwachukwu, also noted that Africa’s infrastructure needs are substantial and go well beyond what governments, donors and development banks can provide.

He said the continent’s infrastructure financing requirements are estimated at US$93 billion annually or about 15 per cent of Africa’s GDP. Two thirds of this amount he said, is needed in investment and one-third in maintenance.

African governments, infrastructure users, the private sector, and external sources together already contribute about US$45 billion.

Business | Financial Market News

44

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

13-Nov-14

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

Bonds

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

NA

NA

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

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

535.00 563.89 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 371.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 130.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,675.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,582.16

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

Description

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

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.44 1.76 2.45 2.70 2.80 3.54 4.63 4.94 7.21 9.33 14.04 14.52 15.02 15.69 19.68

10.73 12.46 12.99 13.17 13.17 13.16 13.07 13.17 13.06 13.02 13.02 13.01 13.01 13.01 13.02

10.37 12.37 12.92 13.10 13.10 13.05 12.98 13.07 13.00 12.97 12.97 12.96 12.95 12.95 12.98

97.15 100.85 104.30 92.61 91.27 93.18 109.90 78.07 115.20 106.20 112.63 96.62 70.56 80.05 93.80

97.30 101.00 104.45 92.76 91.42 93.48 110.20 78.37 115.50 106.50 112.93 96.92 70.86 80.35 94.10

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 3.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.53 1.26 2.07 2.43 2.64

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

13.37 13.27 14.86 14.12 14.17

93.37 104.76 100.88 98.03 95.13

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 10-Oct-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.80 0.64 0.92 0.93 2.43 1.48 3.13 2.31 3.89 2.30 2.30 2.69 2.94 5.03 2.91 3.46 6.04 6.13 3.61 3.65

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

14.85 13.84 14.71 13.73 18.71 12.68 14.95 14.83 14.17 14.03 17.81 14.17 14.16 14.17 15.90 14.16 14.15 15.09 14.60 15.11

98.24 100.14 99.73 102.15 83.55 101.75 97.64 98.62 99.47 101.04 93.05 100.76 103.18 101.14 97.47 101.56 97.41 99.61 99.84 99.82

322.97

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

316.94

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto A/Agusto A-/Agusto 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

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

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 10-Oct-13 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14

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 10-OCT-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

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

8.50 4.18 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 34.14 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 16.23 80.00 27.51 11.40 87.50 5.00 4.78 4.79

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Corporate Bonds Aa/Agusto

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

GTB µ NGC

Nil

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

*FLOURMILLS

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

NAHCO

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

*C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER# *TOWER

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

UBA

BBB-/GCR

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

FSDH

A/GCR

471.68 459.91

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

#

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

*DANA

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

STANBIC IBTC STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

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

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.10

5.21

14.60

99.82

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.13

8.71

18.37

99.68

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.52

4.88

15.64

97.74

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.59

1.00

11.67

100.57 101.21

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.67

2.63

13.20

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.88

1.00

13.55

99.07

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.95

1.34

14.04

100.32

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.88

1.00

14.16

97.28

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.70

1.88

14.05

107.11

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.90

3.48

16.09

100.08

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

2.07

5.20

18.06

100.24

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

2.07

5.06

17.92

101.84

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.86

1.35

14.52

98.46

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

2.18

2.29

15.23

101.07

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.26

6.11

19.11

96.64

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.13

2.16

15.32

101.66

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.00

2.76

15.91

97.51

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.88

1.00

14.05

88.80

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.88

1.00

14.05

95.75

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

144.16

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

142.38

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

3.25

1.00

14.16

89.92

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.47

1.00

14.18

91.01

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

24.95 22.58 Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.30

5.15

107.56

108.38

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.43

4.20

102.30

103.10

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.62

5.49

105.10

106.01

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,574.84

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

8.53

8.53

103.30

103.30

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.88

4.88

103.75

103.75

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

6.83

6.83

101.00

101.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

9.42

8.92

92.59

94.01

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.29

5.87

99.00

100.46

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

9.67

9.67

102.00

102.00

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.57

6.57

98.78

98.78

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

9.34

9.10

97.87

98.74

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

8.12

8.12

99.75

99.75

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

AFREN PLC III

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

8.11

8.11

93.00

93.00

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC II

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

24-Jun-14

9.25

400.00

24-Jun-21

9.35

9.17

99.75

100.63

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

8.36

8.36

97.25

97.25

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.44

8.24

100.58

101.62

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,760.00 4,728.60

**Treasury Bills DTM 7 14 21 28 42 49 56 63

FIXINGS Maturity 20-Nov-14 27-Nov-14 4-Dec-14 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15 8-Jan-15 15-Jan-15

Bid Discount (%) 8.10 8.60 7.45 9.00 10.10 10.30 10.50 9.85

Offer Discount (%) 7.85 8.35 7.20 8.75 9.85 10.05 10.25 9.60

Bid Yield (%) 8.11 8.63 7.48 9.06 10.22 10.44 10.67 10.02

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.8583 12.1638 13.2782 14.1219

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.46

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

O/N

10.67

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

172.20 169.95 170.22 170.84 172.04 173.24

172.30 170.18 170.53 171.47 173.18 174.90

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 10.25 12.81

Agency Bonds

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

FMBN ***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 3.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.53 1.26 2.07 2.43 2.64

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

13.37 13.27 14.86 14.12 14.17

93.37 104.76 100.88 98.03 95.13

322.97

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

316.94

Sub-National Bonds

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 A+/Agusto KADUNA A/Agusto A-/Agusto 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

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

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

*TOWER#

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 10-OCT-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

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 10-Oct-13 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14

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

09-Sep-11

18.00

09-Sep-11

16.00

22-Sep-11

Business | Financial Market News

8.50 4.18 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 34.14 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 16.23 80.00 27.51 11.40 87.50 5.00 4.78 4.79

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 10-Oct-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.80 0.64 0.92 0.93 2.43 1.48 3.13 2.31 3.89 2.30 2.30 2.69 2.94 5.03 2.91 3.46 6.04 6.13 3.61 3.65

2.90

09-Sep-18

0.80

09-Sep-18

14.00

35.00

18-Oct-13

15.75

17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14

45

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

14.85 13.84 14.71 13.73 18.71 12.68 14.95 14.83 14.17 14.03 17.81 14.17 14.16 14.17 15.90 14.16 14.15 15.09 14.60 15.11

98.24 100.14 99.73 102.15 83.55 101.75 97.64 98.62 99.47 101.04 93.05 100.76 103.18 101.14 97.47 101.56 97.41 99.61 99.84 99.82

2.07

5.20

18.06

100.24

2.07

5.06

17.92

101.84

22-Sep-18

3.86

1.35

14.52

98.46

2.40

18-Oct-18

2.18

2.29

15.23

101.07

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.26

6.11

19.11

96.64

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.13

2.16

15.32

101.66

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.00

2.76

15.91

97.51

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.88

1.00

14.05

88.80

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.88

1.00

14.05

95.75

‘NB/Consolidated Breweries’ merger’ll boost returns’ Stories by Chris Ugwu

T

he proposed merger between Nigerian Breweries Plc and Consolidated Breweries Limited, if consummated, would lead to to an increase in TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE the value to shareholders.

TOTAL MARKETtoCAPITALISATION According the scheme of merger obtained Corporatedocuments Bonds from New Telegraph, the mergAa/Agusto GTB µ NGC erNilwill also lead to operational Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC efficiencies, access to capital, A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS liquidity for shareholders, and BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS increased market capitalisation.

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO A-/Agusto FSDH The Board of Directors of A/GCR Nigerian Breweries UBA Plc and the BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING Board of Directors of ConsoliNil *DANA# AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR

dated Breweries Plc have agreed to explore a combination of the two businesses by way of a Scheme of Merger.

In a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), a Premerger application has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its approval.

The notice signed by ComGUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 pany 13.50 Secretary , Nigerian BrewNGC 31-DEC-2014 eries,17.00 Uaboi Agebaku, noted 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 that on receipt of the said ap12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 proval, parties will take 14.00both CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 steps NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 further to consummate 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 the proposed merger including 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 obtaining the approval of their 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 respective to the MPR+7.00shareholders DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

scheme of merger at separate court-ordered meetings.

The terms and conditions of the proposed merger will be contained in the Scheme of Merger document to be prepared and sent to all shareholders.

The two companies are subsidiaries of Heineken NV. While the parent company holds approximately 54.1 per 13.50 cent of 18-Dec-09 the shares in Nigerian 01-Apr-10 Breweries Plc, it holds17.00 53.8 per 10.00 cent of 17-Aug-10 the shares in Consoli09-Dec-10 12.00 dated Breweries Plc. 14.00 06-Jan-11 Reacting to the develop29-Sep-11 13.00 ment, 25-Oct-13 some capital 14.25 market 30-Sep-10 operators described 13.00 the pro30-Nov-12 18.00 posed business consolidation 09-Apr-11 16.00

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

*TOWER#

Dangote Sugar’s Q3 assets hit N53.937bn A/Agusto; A/GCR

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

D

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

angote Sugar has posted to N53.937 billion during 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 *DANA NAHCOreview.

II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR a 9.3 per cent drop in pre- the year15.25 under NAHCO 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 STANBIC IBTC Group Managing DirectaxA/GCR profit for the nine-month 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR ended September 30,STANBIC 2014. IBTC tor of the company, Mr. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE The company in a filing Graham Clark, had said the TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION with the Nigerian Stock Ex- company had restructured Supranational Bond change (NSE) said its pre- its sugar operations with 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC tax profit fell to N13.971 bil- greater focus on backward 11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AfDBfrom integration project. lion, downAAA/S&P 9.3 per cent TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE N14.949 billion a year ago.

Speaking at the company’s TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Turnover also fell to 8th Annual General Meeting N73.796 billion during the (AGM) in Lagos recently, he periodRating/Agency to September 30,Issuersaid that the companyDescription targetcompared with N77.701 bil- ed selection and acquisition FGN Eurobonds lion recorded during the of some 200,000 hectares of 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P comparable year of 2013. land across various states in BB-/Fitch; FGN Nigeria for the development 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 The company had posted BB-/S&P 9.82 per cent loss in net earnof sugar cane plantations BB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P ings for the half year ended and that construction of TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE modern sugar processing June 2014.

TOTAL MARKETwith CAPITALISATION In a filing the Ex- factories had begun.

Dangote Sugar declared a change, the company’s profit Corporate Eurobonds fell to N7.284 billion comturnover of N102.467billion 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I pared with N8.076 billion in for the 2013 financial year 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I the same period a year ago, as against N106.868bn a 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC accounting cent. year earlier. Its profit be6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P for 9.81 per FIDELITY BANK PLC 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 The company’s revenue fore tax for the year rose B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II to N20.099billion from was equally down by 10.55 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BANK PLCN16.331billion, while its per centBB-/S&P to N49.009 ZENITH billion, 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC profit after tax advanced from N.788 billion a year 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC from earlier.

However, the net to N13.573billion 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III N10.796billion within the JUN 24, 2021 asset grew cent 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 B-/Fitch; B/S&P to 11.57 per ACCESS BANK PLC II 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P BANK LTD period. from N48.345 billionFIRST in 2013 Nil

B-/S&P

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

between the pair as a step that would enhance shareholders’ return on investment.

A founding member of Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, said that the business consolidation would in471.68 the Nigerian Breweries’ crease 459.91 market share of the nation’s brewery market.

13.17 18-Dec-14 0.10 Olatokunbo, who commend0.13 ed2.00 the merger,31-Dec-14 said that the com3.61 17-Aug-15 0.52 pany’s cost of business would be 13.62 09-Dec-15 0.59 minimized and this would im0.60 06-Jan-16 0.67 pact on profitability 15.00 positively 29-Sep-16 1.88 .

5.53 1.95 According25-Oct-16 to him, the merg30-Sep-17 2.88 er20.00 will ensure the company 0.73 30-Nov-17 1.70 has adequate capital to fund 6.30 09-Apr-18 1.90

all investments required to operate competitively.

He said that the company should ensure enhanced dividend to the shareholders during the post-merger era to compensate them for their support.

Olatokunbo, however, urged other companies listed on the nation’s bourse to emulate the Nigerian Breweries and Con5.21 14.60 99.82 solidated Breweries initiative 8.71 18.37growth.99.68 to upscale their 4.88 15.64 97.74 President, Progressive 1.00 11.67 100.57 Shareholders Association 2.63 13.20 101.21 of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr Boniface 1.00 13.55 99.07 1.34 Okezie, said14.04 that the 100.32 merger 1.00 97.28 would bring14.16 a lot of benefits 1.88 14.05 107.11 to the shareholders.

3.48 16.09 100.08

eTranzact reports 67% pre-tax profit growth

e

144.16

Tranzact Internation- The project, which will be etMoni, its mobile money al Plc has recorded142.38 a piloted in Northern and wallet in 2012.

67 per cent growth in South Western Nigeria, is EFInA (Enhancing Fi11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 called 11-Feb-18 3.25 1.00 14.16 89.92 pre-tax profit for the third “The PocketMoni nancial Innovation & Ac10-Jul-14 11.25 September 12.95 500” project.

01-Feb-21 4.47 1.00 quarter ended cess) has 14.18 provided 91.01 a Tech24.95 30, 2014.

The project is in line nical Assistance Grant of 22.58 with the Central Bank of The company in a fil$250,000 towards building Nigera’s (CBN’s) cashless a viable mobile payment ing with Nigerian Stock Outstanding Value Issue Date (%) Date Bid Yield (%) (%) Bid Price Offer Price ecosystem focused on the Exchange Coupon (NSE) posted($mm) a policy,Maturity which has kicked offOffer Yield population in profit after tax of N354.055 in Kano and Ogun States in low-income Prices & Yields million for the period under Northern and South West- Kano and Ogun State by in07-Oct-11 6.75 500.00 28-Jan-21 5.30 5.15 107.56 108.38 review as against N114.245 ern Nigeria respectively. centivising and supporting The initiative is aimed at million during the compaeligible small businesses to 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.43 4.20 102.30 103.10 driving the adoption of rable period of 2013. serve as mobile payment 12-Jul-13 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.62 105.10 5.49 106.01 Net earnings stood at mobile money in those ar- merchants and agents.

1,500.00 eas by educating and signN218.715 million as against EFInA is funded by the 1,574.84 ing up local merchants and N78.682 recorded in 2013, UK Government’s Departrepresenting a growth of 64 consumers. ment of International Development (DFID) and per cent, while revenue also The01-Feb-16 company, 8.53 which 8.53 01-Feb-11 11.50 450.00 103.30 103.30 the Bill & Melinda Gates facilitates mobile bankincreased by 37 per cent 19-May-11 7.50 500.00 19-May-16 4.88 4.88 103.75 103.75 from N3.225 billion in 2013 ing services of 116.83 banks 6.83 Foundation, and has been 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 101.00 101.00 to N5.196 billion its mobile 9.42 switch- 8.92 championing financial 09-May-13 6.88 in 2014. 300.00 through 02-May-18 92.59 94.01 in08-Nov-13 400.00 ing platform, 08-Nov-18 eTranzact6.00 had recently processes clusion in99.00 Nigeria 100.46 since it 6.29 5.87 08-Apr-12 10.25 investment 300.00 over N1 08-Apr-19 9.67 year 9.67 102.00 102.002007. announced the trillion every was established in late 22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 98.78 98.78 of $350,000 into a mobile and has22-Apr-19 more than 116.57years’ 6.57 As part of the terms of 21-May-14 8.75 200.00 21-May-19 9.34 9.10 97.87 98.74 money activation projexperience processing fithe grant, eTranzact will 07-Aug-13 8.25 300.00 07-Aug-20 8.12 8.12 99.75 99.75 ect in collaboration with transactions in 8.11 also put in $100,000 and will 09-Dec-13 6.63 360.00 nancial 09-Dec-20 8.11 93.00 93.00 EFInA, a financial sector got a CBN 9.35 Mobile 9.17 drive the99.75 execution100.63 of the 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 Africa,24-Jun-21 23-Jul-14 450.00 Money23-Jul-21 97.25 license for8.36Pock- 8.36 development8.00 organisation. project. 97.25 14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

8.44

8.24

4,760.00 4,728.60

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

100.58

101.62

13-Nov-14

The FMDQ Daily income securities and instruments inMarket the OTC market. The use of this report is subject to the **Treasury Bills Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed FIXINGS Money Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) FMDQ OTCDTM PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement on www.fmdqotc.com.

NIBOR 7 14 21 FGN Bonds 28 42 49 Rating/Agency 56 63 70 77 84 91 98 105 112 119 NA 133 140 147 154 161 168 175 266 294

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

20-Nov-14 27-Nov-14 4-Dec-14 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14 1-Jan-15 Issuer 8-Jan-15 15-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 NA 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 6-Aug-15 3-Sep-15

8.10 8.60 7.45 9.00 10.10 10.30 Description 10.50 9.85 4.00 23-APR-2015 9.50 13.05 16-AUG-2016 10.05 15.10 27-APR-2017 10.50 9.85 27-JUL-2017 10.15 10.40 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 10.70 30-MAY-2018 10.90 16.00 29-JUN-2019 10.70 7.00 23-OCT-2019 10.65 16.39 27-JAN-2022 10.60 14.20 14-MAR-2024 10.75 15.00 28-NOV-2028 10.70 12.49 22-MAY-2029 10.80 10.95 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.30 10.00 23-JUL-2030 10.70 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 9.00

7.85 8.35 7.20 8.75 9.85 10.05 Issue Date 10.25 9.60 23-Apr-10 9.25 16-Aug-13 9.80 27-Apr-12 10.25 27-Jul-07 9.90 10.15 31-Aug-07 10.45 30-May-08 10.65 29-Jun-12 10.45 23-Oct-09 10.40 27-Jan-12 10.35 14-Mar-14 10.50 28-Nov-08 10.45 22-May-09 10.55 10.70 20-Nov-09 10.05 23-Jul-10 10.45 18-Jul-14 8.75

8.11 8.63 7.48 9.06 10.22 10.44 Coupon (%) 10.67 10.02 4.00 9.68 13.05 10.27 15.10 10.76 9.85 10.41 10.70 9.35 11.04 10.70 11.28 16.00 11.09 7.00 11.08 16.39 11.05 14.20 11.24 15.00 11.21 12.49 11.34 11.53 8.50 10.84 10.00 11.60 12.1493 9.70

Bonds

*for the MARKET Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration TOTAL CAPITALISATION Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Issuer

Agency Bonds FMBN Modified Duration Buckets

***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Market

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

<3 3<5 >5

KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA

(N'bn)

Value

Rate (%) 10.8583 12.1638 13.2782 14.1219

OBB

10.46

O/N

10.67

REPO

Tenor TTM (Yrs)

Maturity Date

535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 563.89 16-Aug-16 452.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 9.2459 2M 10.3660 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 10.5068 300.00 30-May-18 6M 11.3352 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 11.6688 233.90 23-Oct-19 12M 12.1303 600.00 27-Jan-22 371.68 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 NIFEX 150.00 22-May-29 Current Price ($/N) 200.00 20-Nov-29 BID($/N) 591.57 172.8250 23-Jul-30 OFFER ($/N) 172.9250 130.00 18-Jul-34

4,675.13

Call 1M 0.44 3M 1.76 6M

Rate (%) Bid Yield (%) 10.25 12.81 10.73 13.50 12.46 14.36

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D Offer 1M Yield 2M(%) 3M 10.37 6M 12.37 1Y

2.45 12.99 12.92 2.70 13.17 13.10 2.80 13.17 13.10 :Benchmarks 3.54 13.16 13.05 * :Amortising 4.63Bond 13.07 12.98 µ :Convertible Bond 4.94 13.17 13.07 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 7.21 13.06 13.00 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 9.33 Mortgage Bank 13.02 12.97 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 14.04 Finance Corporation 13.02 12.97 IFC: International 14.52 13.01 Management 12.96 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables NAHCO: Nigerian 15.02 Aviation Handling 13.01Company 12.95 O/N: Overnight 15.69 13.01 12.95 UPDC: UAC Property Development 19.68 13.02Company 12.98 NOTE:

WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Bid ($/N)

172.20 169.95 170.22 170.84 Bid Price 172.04 173.24 97.15 177.05 100.85 184.76

Offer ($/N) 172.30

Price 170.18

170.53 171.47 Offer Price 173.18 174.90 97.30 180.54 101.00 192.92

104.30 104.45 92.61 92.76 91.27 91.42 NA :Not Applicable 93.18 93.48 # :Floating Rate Bond 109.90 110.20 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 78.07 78.37 115.20 115.50 †: Bond rating expired 106.50 N/A :Not 106.20 Available 112.63 112.93 96.62 96.92 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 70.56 70.86 UBA: United Bank for Africa 80.05 80.35 93.80 94.10

4,582.16

#

Rating/Agency

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Description

Issue Date

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 Porfolio Market 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 Total Outstanding Value(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 1,040.95 1,016.68

24-May-10 03-Apr-12 Weighting by 09-Dec-11 Outstanding 20-Apr-12Vol 06-Jul-12 33.21

0.00 17.25 Weighting

by Mkt 0.00/16.00 Value 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 33.49

24.56 3.00 Bucket112.22 Weighting 116.70 66.49 0.33

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 % Exposure_ 09-Dec-16 Mod_Duration 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 14.55

0.53 1.26 Implied2.07 Yield 2.43 2.64 12.74

316.940.36

30.20 55.25

13.06 13.01

100.00

12.99

Coupon (%)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

1,077.28 990.22

951.30 1,093.25

31.08 35.71

34.66 31.86

3,108.44

3,061.23

100.00

100.00

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

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

12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00

322.970.31

1.00

8.50 4.18 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 34.14 9.00

Maturity Date

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

0.80 0.64 0.92 0.93 2.43 1.48 3.13 2.31 3.89

# Risk Premium (%)

2.63 2.27 Implied 2.00 Portfolio1.00 Price 1.00 118.8506

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

13.37 13.27 14.86 INDEX 14.12 14.17 1,128.84

93.37 104.76 YTD Return 100.88 (%)98.03 95.13 12.8838

132.3409 101.5931

1,120.61 1,187.80

12.0613 18.7802

116.8797

1,116.10

11.6099

4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00

14.85 13.84 14.71 13.73 18.71 12.68 14.95 14.83 14.17

98.24 100.14 99.73 102.15 83.55 101.75 97.64 98.62 99.47

Business | Capital Market

Daily Summary as of 13/11/2014

46

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Printed 13/11/2014 15:18:18.018

Daily Summary as of 13/11/2014 Printed 13/11/2014 15:18:18.018

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at November 13, 2014 Daily Summary (Bonds)

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities) 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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 3 37 26 66

Current Price 0.50 29.72 27.00

Quantity Traded 46,500 658,403 445,998 1,150,901

Value Traded 23,250.00 18,455,742.92 12,084,081.84 30,563,074.76

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 2.40

Quantity Traded 515,260 515,260

Value Traded 1,252,312.84 1,252,312.84

1,666,161

31,815,387.60

Quantity Traded 583,137 600 81,941,475 288,379 82,813,591

Value Traded 740,059.47 2,256.00 337,962,648.80 13,286,523.23 351,991,487.50

82,813,591

351,991,487.50

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Daily Summary as of 13/11/2014 Diversified Industries Printed 13/11/2014 15:18:18.018 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

89 Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM TRANSCORP UACN

Daily Summary

No. of Deals 14 2 570 58 (Equities) 644

CONGLOMERATES Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Building Structure/Completion/Other

Current Price 1.31 3.95 4.15 46.00

644

Page Quantity Traded 85,683 10 85,693

1

No. of Deals 3 1 4

Current Price 0.81 14.46

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

Symbol JBERGER ROADS

No. of Deals 6 2 8

Current Price 67.20 6.29

Quantity Traded 11,523 9,466 20,989

Value Traded 735,628.32 62,475.60 798,103.92

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 27 27

Current Price 11.50

Quantity Traded 629,387 629,387

Value Traded 7,778,405.83 7,778,405.83

736,069

8,646,037.66

Quantity Traded 10 10

Value Traded 5.00 5.00

Quantity Traded 491,103 318,125 126,916 5,986,067 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 4,096,193.46 51,598,816.28 3,658,949.59 957,899,760.29 Value Traded

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Daily Summary as of 13/11/2014 Printed 13/11/2014 15:18:18.018 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER GOODS BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC.

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Food Products Totals

Daily Summary as of 13/11/2014 Food Products--Diversified Printed 13/11/2014 15:18:18.018 CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Activity Summary on Board VONO PRODUCTS PLC. EQTY Household Durables Totals CONSUMER GOODS Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

39 Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 29 58 16 164 No. of Deals

Current Price 8.34 160.01 29.00 Current160.00 Price

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 27 27

Current Price 148.83

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM

No. of Deals 8 176 102 23 45 2 356

Current Price 6.55 6.68 50.01 3.50 8.30 19.00

Quantity Traded 46,252 5,746,841 721,448 304,578 1,292,630 2,766 8,114,515

Value Traded 288,149.96 38,282,772.33 36,200,071.42 1,053,322.30 10,714,150.89 50,064.60 86,588,531.50

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 41 66 107

Current Price 46.63 902.49

Quantity Traded 209,254 150,015 359,269

Value Traded 9,456,233.76 135,442,038.12 144,898,271.88

Quantity Traded 558,875 184,763 743,638

Value Traded 2,266,426.45 189,963.00 2,456,389.45

Quantity Traded 1,972,940 Page 199,146 2,172,086

Value Traded 43,004,892.95 3 of 12 6,529,882.80 49,534,775.75

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

23 7 30

4.06 1.00

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 213 18 231

Current Price 21.90 32.80

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Daily Summary as of 13/11/2014 FINANCIAL SERVICES Printed 13/11/2014 Banking15:18:18.018

ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY STERLING BANK PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Banking 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 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. Published by The NigerianINSURANCE Stock Exchange MANSARD PLC© MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. Daily Summary as of 13/11/2014 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Printed 13/11/2014 15:18:18.018 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

1,019

HEALTHCARE Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Value Traded 103,972,478.76 49,105,151.28 155,929,189.51 6,021,116.65 421,749,331.62 4,563,260.55 1,379,643.24 38,800,551.32 Value Traded 3,988,395.03 74,829.00 1,736,423.89 973,497,738.66 1,760,818,109.51

Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals

Symbol OMATEK

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 250.00 250.00

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 4 1 5

Current Price 0.50 2.21

Quantity Traded 1,000,000 2,000 1,002,000

Value Traded 500,000.00 4,200.00 504,200.00

1,024,500

515,890.00

Current Price 25.38 7.60 36.60 10.99 187.11 5.21 80.75

Quantity Traded 1,316,781 6,000 77,700 2,083,937 3,288,611 10,000 6,031,468 12,814,497

Value Traded 33,781,416.48 44,850.00 2,870,092.40 22,937,873.79 569,978,316.85 49,527.00 487,140,942.67 1,116,803,019.19

Current Price 1.41

Quantity Traded 114,000 Page 114,000

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Daily Summary as of 13/11/2014 Building Materials Printed 13/11/2014 15:18:18.018 ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. EQTY Activity Summary on Board Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS

OIL AND GAS OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services Energy Equipment and Services

JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 13/11/2014 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Printed 13/11/2014 15:18:18.018 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers©Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange

Value Traded 300,843,347.07 300,843,347.07

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 1 7 18 82 15 4 9 136

Current Price 0.50 49.23 3.22 202.99 165.00 56.00 159.00

Quantity Traded 95,000 2,585 287,900 264,649 14,581 Page 4,950 2,306 671,971

Value Traded 47,500.00 120,900.45 927,488.00 52,859,223.40 2,320,131.95 8 of 12 263,340.00 382,816.59 56,921,400.39

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 32 32

Current Price 458.96

Quantity Traded 63,649 63,649

Value Traded 29,212,517.24 29,212,517.24

14,969,378

386,988,764.70

Daily Summary (Equities)

691

Current Price 4.28 3.34 3.51

Quantity Traded 100 23,358,477 300 23,358,877

Value Traded 407.00 78,016,785.93 1,036.00 78,018,228.93

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 3 17 3 23

Current Price 1.08 1.33 4.13

Quantity Traded 85,000 828,278 12,500 925,778

Value Traded 91,800.00 1,086,026.23 49,125.00 1,226,951.23

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 8 53 61

Current Price 1.66 4.75

Quantity Traded 128,260 889,980 Page 1,018,240

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 13 13

Current Price 3.97

Quantity Traded 411,100 411,100

Value Traded 1,632,167.00 1,632,167.00

161

26,044,361

86,265,447.00

5,202

325,016,258

5,391,600,105.31

Quantity Traded 62,247 62,247

Value Traded 36,725.73 36,725.73

2

62,247

36,725.73

ASeM Board Totals

2

62,247

36,725.73

Equity Activity Totals

5,204

325,078,505

5,391,636,831.04

Value Traded 13,030.00 13,030.00

Activity Summary on Board ASeM

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 30 12 498 51 5 45 64 705

Current Price 2.98 4.00 9.88 3.41 0.53 27.60 1.80

Quantity Traded 565,889 Page 114,011 20,096,534 18,338,877 225,507 729,923 1,749,196 41,819,937

of

Quantity Traded 14,210,758 14,210,758

No. of Deals 1 43 2 46

Quantity Traded 8,600 8,600

6

Current Price 20.90

Symbol CAPHOTEL IKEJAHOTEL TOURIST

Current Price 1.45

Page

No. of Deals 519 519

Value Traded 19,000.00 19,000.00

No. of Deals 3 3

46,925,963.26

Symbol OANDO

Quantity Traded 38,000 38,000

Symbol INFINITY

1,776,235

Value Traded Value Traded 11,500.00 11,500.00

Current Price 0.50

EQTY Board Totals

70

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 23,000 23,000

No. of Deals 2 2

Value Traded 14,612.50 14,612.50

Value Traded 117,729.70 518,274.08 45,552,745.36 257,093.76 440,708.36 39,412.00 46,925,963.26

No. of Deals Current Price No. of Deals Current Price 4 0.50 4

Symbol CILEASING

Quantity Traded 16,250 16,250

Quantity Traded 56,330 155,769 893,392 170,848 483,196 16,700 1,776,235

Symbol Symbol JAPAULOIL

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Current Price 0.90

Current Price 2.20 3.32 51.00 1.56 0.92 2.48

10,250.50

Value Traded 812,705.75 20,250.00 832,955.75

No. of Deals 4 (Equities) 4

No. of Deals 2 9 32 15 8 4 70

20,501

2

Quantity Traded 195,365 15,000 210,365

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC Activity Summary PRESS on Board UNIVERSITY PLC.EQTY Printing/Publishing Totals SERVICES Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Published by The Nigerian StockServices Exchange © Transport-Related Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

SERVICES Totals

Value Traded 1,674,852.92 5 of 12 454,155.00 199,519,428.76 61,470,253.38 119,518.71 20,146,248.42 3,183,209.55 286,567,666.74

Value Traded 10,250.50 10,250.50

Current Price 4.20 1.29

Hotels/Lodging Totals

253,020.69 4,081,923.43 165,000.00 145,591.50 2,510,699.45 8,557,388.41

Quantity Traded 20,501 20,501

No. of Deals 8 2 10

Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL PLC Daily Summary as of 13/11/2014 IKEJA HOTEL PLC Printed 13/11/2014 15:18:18.018 TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC.

Value Traded 656,470.00 720,103.34 15,000.00 4 of 12 9,580.00

Current Price 0.50

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

Quantity Traded 837,750 780,698 30,000 Page 3,300

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

No. of Deals 2 Daily Summary (Equities) 2

1,116,964,019.19

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Current Price 0.79 0.93 0.50 3.00 0.51 0.77 0.50 0.50 0.61

2,055,970,807.16

Symbol MULTIVERSE

12,928,497

Value Traded 51,660.63 9 51,660.63 of 12

No. of Deals 11 11 2 2 9 32 7 7 51 132

164,693,459

398

Value Traded 7 161,000.00 of 12 161,000.00

Quantity Traded 82,001 Page 82,001

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE EQUITYASUR MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE WAPIC

2,081

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 0.63

Quantity Traded 12,998,630 8,171,174 9,053,982 3,487,775 17,522,163 1,764,471 595,800 8,201,894 Quantity496,425 Traded 149,658 1,780,891 46,345,797 110,568,660

Daily Summary

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 8.00 6.00 17.23 1.70 24.00 2.55 2.31 4.70 Current Price 8.05 0.50 0.99 20.60

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

Symbol No. of Deals ASHAKACEM 54 BERGER 3 CAP 14 CCNN 45 Daily Summary (Equities) 221 DANGCEM PORTPAINT 2 WAPCO 53 392

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 128 101 42 (Equities) 58 325 78 19 180 No. of Deals 45 4 21 236 1,237

496,059 5,354,231 330,000 291,183 4,156,791 12,280,012

8

OIL ANDSummary GAS Totals Activity on Board EQTY

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI Daily Summary FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA Symbol UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

1,305,506,050.74

Value Traded 11,440.00 11,440.00

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

1,017,253,719.62 2 of 12 Value Traded 4,774,357.54 4,774,357.54

18,343,506

Quantity Traded 22,000 22,000

NATURAL RESOURCES Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Mining Services Totals

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB Symbol

6,922,211 Page Quantity Traded 31,777 31,777

Current Price 0.50

Daily Summary as ofGOODS 13/11/2014 INDUSTRIAL Totals Printed 13/11/2014 15:18:18.018

Current Price 0.50

267

No. of Deals 2 2

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol COURTVILLE

ICT Totals

of 12 Value Traded 69,390.51 137.40 69,527.91

Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA

COSTAIN (W A) PLC. G CAPPA PLC Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

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

FINANCIAL SERVICES Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services OMOLUABI SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Mortgage Brokers and Services Totals Daily Summary as ofCarriers, 13/11/2014

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol OMOSAVBNK

No. of Deals 2 2

Printed 13/11/2014 FINANCIAL15:18:18.018 SERVICES Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price 0.59

Page

Value Traded 218,676.80 4,265,806.66 10 of 12 4,484,483.46

11

of

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

12

Symbol NEWGOLD

No. of Deals Current Price 1 1,916.00 1

Quantity Traded 35 35

Value Traded 67,060.00 67,060.00

ETF Board Totals

1

35

67,060.00

ETP Activity Totals

1

35

67,060.00

12

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

Enugu court stops PDP delegates’ list Uwakwe Abugu ENUGU

A

n Enugu State High Court, yesterday granted an interlocutory injunction, restraining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from accepting or acknowledging any list of delegates elected in the state, during the November 1, 2014 ward congresses.

The Court, presided over by the State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, granted the injunction in favour of one Charles Okafor, a PDP chieftain in Neke Oyofor ward, Ezeagu local government area of Enugu State, a development that has been lauded to be in tandem with the position of the party’s national headquarters ( in its affidavit in a case at the Federal High Court), which has also op-

posed the claim that any such congress held.

In the action at the Enugu High Court, the plaintiff through his lawyer, Sam Orji, had filed the action against PDP on Monday November 10, on the grounds that no congress held in his area where he was vying for the position of ward delegate.

When the matter came up yesterday, Justice Umezulike noted that the defendants in the suit

(PDP) did not reply to the service by the plaintiff, with the proof of service in the court file and that the defendants/respondents failed to appear in court either through their counsel or in person.

According to the Chief Judge, initially the plaintiff had asked for interim injunction Ex-parte but the court was of the view that since the injury sought to be averted is to happen on the 15th

of November, there was sufficient time to put the defendants on notice.

He said “Upon the application by Motion on Notice dated the 10th day of November , 2014 brought pursuant to order 39 Rule 1 High Court Rules , 2006 supported by an affidavit of 19 paragraphs, sworn by the applicant, and Exhibits A,B,C,D,E attached to the affidavit in support of the motion.

L-R: Zonal Coordinator, South East, Nigeria Shippers Council, Aba chapter, Ada Okam; Assistant Public Relations Officer, Austina Ogbonnaya and Managing Director, Obed Industries Limited, Obed Iroha, at a press conference held in Aba

Assembly crisis: Factional PDP chief hails reversal of ward congress speaker petitions presidency Uwakwe Abugu loyal to the deputy senInformed sources in Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

T

he crisis rocking the Ebonyi state House of Assembly, took a new dimension yesterday, as the Speaker, Chukwuma Nwazunku, formally petitioned President, Goodluck Jonathan, to withhold approval of the present Fifteen billion Naira Bond, being sought by the state government, pending until the House was properly briefed on the use the earlier N16.5 Naira billion bond was expended.

In a letter dated November 10,2O14 addressed to the President, which was issued to New Telegraph in Abakaliki, Nwazunku noted that the House was yet to be properly briefed on the use and performance of the previous bond obtained by the state government.

The Speaker urged the President to withhold the approval of the second bond which the state

government has applied for, pending when the relevant committee is properly briefed on the use of the first bond when the House reconvenes from its recess on December 15 He recalled that the state government had in the year 2010 obtained a bond of 16.5 billion naira from the Capital market for the purpose of financing certain capital projects in the state which was also captured by the new Bond.

According to him “since our approval of the second bond, certain revelations have come to light to warrant keeping the second bond application in view pending a proper detailed briefing of the House on the use of the first bond.

“It does not appear as if the first bond has been properly used in view of the fact that the target projects the bond was meant for was scarcely attended to, to the extent that even in the next one year,the projects will never be completed,” he added.

ENUGU

A

member of the Board of Trustees (BOT), of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), Ambassador Justina Eze, yesterday commended the decision of the party in reversing its earlier position upholding the purported results of the November 1, wards congress conducted in the state.

Eze said the rejection of the fictitious wards congress results was a defeat for a faction of the party purportedly

ate president, Senator Ike Ekwweremadu, that the aborted the electoral ward congress held in the state.

“This development has put paid to earlier position that the party had reversed its earlier position that the party deposed to an affidavit at a Federal High Court, Abuja, rejecting the position of some plaintiffs who filed a suit seeking to get the party to authenticate a list of delegates they claim were elected during the November 1, 2014, wards congress in the state’’, she said.

the state told New Telegraph, that Governor Sullivan Chime , has been vindicated in his claim that the five-man committee which was suppose to conduct the exercise could not arrive Enugu at the scheduled time, the congress could not hold by the reversal of the of the party’s earlier position on the congress Eze, said the turn of event was a pleasant development because it was clear to all our party members in the state that there was no ward congress that held that day.

Soyinka, Anyaoku for Zik lecture Tony Okafor AWKA

N

igeria’s Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyika and the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth will be among dignitaries at the Nnamdi Azikwe annual lecture slated for the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state today.

The Noble laureate is expected to deliver the keynote address at the 3rd Zik lecture, titled, “Magic Lantern: Excursions in the Creative Realm.”

The Zik Lecture Series is an annual event endowed by Senator Ben Ndi Obi, CON, Special Adviser to the President on Inter Party Affairs.

The first of the Zik

Lecture Series was held on 28th November, 2012.

The Guest Lecturer was Professor of Political Science, Okwudiba Nnoli, and the title of his Lecture was “Democracy and Security in Nigeria”.

The second lecture was held on 8th March 2013, with Prof. Asisi Asobie, delivering the lecture titled “Eradicating Corruption in Africa”.

FMC director defends ‘Ebola Bag’ for patients Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

T

he compulsory ‘Ebola bag’ which patients of the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Umuahia, have been made to pay for have been described as a means of increasing the hospital’s internally generated revenue, the Chief Medical Director, (CMD) Dr Abali Chuku, has said.

Chuku, who said this yesterday at the first annual general meeting/ scientific conference of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Federal Medical Center Umuahia chapter, noted that the hospital was only trying to adequately price its consumables.

He explained, that the consumables contained in the bag were for the patients and not to be paid for again but for their use any time they came to the hospital.

According to the CMD, the challenge of underfunding gave rise to the need to source revenue internally saying that the hospital management was committed to making health care affordable, efficient and accessible.

Dr. Chuku in his paper entitled ‘The Consultant as a Health Resource Manager’ which is also the theme of the conference said the consultant should try to improve the health of the people using available resources.

Ebonyi Reps embrace Chukwu Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

M

embers of Ebonyi state People’s Democratic party (PDP), caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday, dismissed the claim that they have rejected the imposition of the former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, as the 2O15 consensus governorship candidate for the state.

The lawmakers, also said there was no iota of truth in the publication that they addressed journalists in the National Assembly Abuja over any issue connected to the on-going Ebonyi governorship election.

In a statement, issued in Abakaliki jointly signed by Hon. Tobias Okwuru,representing Ikwo/Ezza south and the member representing Ebonyi/OhaukwuHon. peter OgeAli, federal constituencies, they dissociated themselves from the report.

48

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south - south

friday, november 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Rivers debunks plan to tax churches obligation

Church workers and their Muslim counterparts are expected to pay tax

R

ivers State Internal Revenue Service (RSIRS) yesterday distanced itself from any move aimed at making churches, mosques or any other religious organisations pay taxes or any kind of levy in the state.

It described as rumour reports that it has embarked on massive revenue drive that targets religious bodies, saying that it has never given consideration to that option.

RSIRS Executive Chairman, Mrs. Onene Osila Obele-Oshoko, who made the clarification at a dinner organised for media practitioners in the state, said even though the agency takes the issue of revenue seriously, it does not go after churches or mosques, but individuals working with religious organisa-

tions.

She said if a pastor or imam earns from a religious body, they are expected to pay ‘Pay As You Earn’ tax and not the religious organisation, just as she pointed out that workers in churches that run schools, estates, bookshops, universities among other businesses, are expected to pay taxes.

The chief executive said the law permits the board to take tax offenders to court, but that the board has not taken anybody to court for tax offence.

Obele-Oshoko con-

demned tax collectors who go to business premises and harass business operators in the name of revenue collection, noting that the “Rivers State government does not allow anyone to harass anybody to collect revenue.”

She also said the law does not permit people to carry out tax collection missions with law enforcement officers, explaining that using law enforcement officers to collect tax amounts to extortion.

While urging the people to desist from paying

cash to tax collectors or pay to their bank accounts, she advised that tax should be paid to the Internal Revenue Office, just as she said that business owners have the right to object and make inquiries about revenue demands before making payment.

She said revenue generated do not stay with the service, but are paid directly and immediately into the state government’s coffers, noting that the revenue service was working on the harmonisation of taxes in the state.

Ijaw youths task Jonathan on EPZ project Joe Obende Warri

I

jaw youths in the Niger Delta yesterday called on President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and other Niger Delta leaders, to as a matter of urgency, engage relevant stakeholders of the multi-billion dollar Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project in Delta State with a view to resolving all contending issues to allow the project kick off in earnest.

Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Eric Omare, in a statement in Warri, Delta State, said the call became imperative because they had noted that there was a brewing crisis between the Ijaw and the Itsekiris in the riverside areas of Delta State over issues relating to the EPZ project.

“The IYC is worried by this development as in the event of crisis it is the youths of Ijaw and Itsekiri, who are supposed to put their energies together on how to move the NigerDelta region forward, that would be at the receiving end," Omore said.

Uduaghan realigns ahead of 2015 L-R: Executive Director, Distribution Services, Port-Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), Mr. JohnKingsley Achife; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jon Abbas; Executive Director, South-South, Ecobank, Mr. Kingsley Umadia and Area Manager, Port-Harcourt, Mrs. Ochuko Amah, at the Credited Advanced Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) microfinance scheme agreement signing ceremony in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State…yesterday

US Consul-General fears violence in Niger Delta Dominic Adewole ASABA

U

nited States Consul-General, Jeffrey Hawkins, yesterday raised fears of violence on the stakes and tensions within the Niger Delta region.

The fears may not be unconnected with the crossfire between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, which is dovetailing into electioneering period.

The consul-general, said youths in the state must be properly cautioned ahead of 2015.

Addressing journalists in Asaba, Hawkins stressed the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police to be provided with support before party primaries commence next month.

While he said the United States would not

fold its hands and watch sponsorship of violence and intimidation during the elections, he condemned as “unacceptable in a democratic society” the threat of such actions.

“We have seen an upsurge in political jockeying among supporters of various candidates and a rise in political affiliated violence across the Niger Delta. I can say with little doubt that security and stability will continue to be a challenge in the months to come,” he said.

Although, he acknowledged that politicians and candidates hold much of the power to determine whether political contests become violent or otherwise; he, however, said: “Drawing on or threatening violence to garner an advantage over an opponent or in retaliation against another’s misconduct severely undermines the democratic process.

Cross River adhoc delegates' result was doctored, says scribe

S

tartling revelations emerged yesterday about the outcome of the November 1, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ward Delegates’ Congress held in Cross River State, in which the results were believed to have been compromised by the Electoral Panel.

Giving an insight on how the result of the ward delegates’ congress was allegedly doctored by the committee sent from the PDP national headquarters, on African Independent Television (AIT) programme, Kaakaaki, the state party secretary, Honourable Godwin Ettah, said: “After the adhoc ward delegates elections of November 1, we had humbly requested for the photocopies of the results that were collated. The committee was rather very unwilling. But at our insistence, it obliged us the photocopies. These photocopies are with the police, the INEC and the

SSS, and duly signed by these bodies acknowledging receipt.”

According to Honourable Ettah, suspicion about the integrity of the committee shortly after the exercise, began when the committee discovered that the electoral panel had sneaked out of their hotel when there was an arrangement to check them into an Abujabound flight.

Ettah offered further insight on what he described as the committee’s duplicity: “There arose confusion where the electoral committee suspiciously checked out of their hotel room at 6am when we actually left them at the same hotel at 4am. There was an arrangement to fly them out of the state later on Sunday, a day after the congress, but much to our shock, we discovered that there was a secret plan by some interested party to fly them out of Calabar

to Abuja. You must have heard that the state party secretary went with the team. It is true that I flew with them to Abuja, but on arrival, the team was divided.”

A confirmation that the committee was already compromised, Ettah said: “The committee members were asked who provided them the private jet that flew them to Abuja and they responded that it was the FCT Minister. But do you know the truth?

The truth is that the aircraft is actually owned by a certain lawyer.

As part of the scheming, allegedly by the committee to tinker with the ward delegates results, the state party scribe disclosed: “Since I was not a member of the panel, I was not allowed to follow them to the national secretariat of the party where they had purportedly gone to return the collated results.

Dominic Adewole ASABA

D

elta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday announced the placement of his men in strategic positions ahead of 2015 general elections.

While reshuffling his cabinet, the governor, who injected 10 new commissioners into his administration, announced new portfolios, including Special Duties (Asaba and Osubi Airport) and Special Duties (Ughelli-Asaba Dualisation Project).

Governor Uduaghan, who replaced his former Chief of Staff, Dr. Festus Okubor that resigned to pursue his governorship ambition with his counterpart in Housing, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, in the approved posting of 10 new commissioners, drafted Dr. Tony Nwaka from the Special Duties office to Basic and Secondary Education.

He upgraded Pastor Powell Tos Ojogho, a former protocol officer to commissioner (Bureau of Special Duties) and transferred Prof. Patrick Mouohoghare, from Basic and Secondary Education to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

NEW TELEGRAPH friday, november 14, 2014

At last, Suntai returns to Jalingo home again Taraba Governor returns to the state after five months.

Sabiu Mustapaha JALINGO

T

he Taraba State ailing Governor, Mr. Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, has returned to Jalingo, the state capital for the first time since he left the state almost five months ago for medical treatment.

A press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Mijinyawa, in Jalingo, said Suntai arrived Jalingo, on Wednesday, on a chartered aircraft via Jalingo Airport at exactly 5:25pm in accompany with his wife, his medical team, as well as his personal staff.

New Telegraph learnt that the ailing governor had left the country for London, where he had gone on a one-week medical check-up, and came back from the trip on Monday night, via the Nnamdi Azikiwe Inter-

national Airport, Abuja.

It would be recalled, that the Taraba State House of Assembly, had on September 20 constituted a five-man committee to investigate the true state of health of the governor following a directive by the state executive council chaired by the state acting gover-

Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

A

n aspirant, who has indicated interest to contest the senatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against the incumbent governor Gabriel Suswam, in Benue State, Mr. Andrew Ayabam, has said that he would not be intimidated by what he described as threats posed to his ambition by those opposed to his ambition.

Ayabam, a Banker and immediate past Chairman of the state Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) bared his mind at a media briefing in Makurdi, yesterday, where he declared his intention to run in the 2015 elections.

Suswam, sacked the former BIRS boss in August 2013 and replaced him with his deputy, Mr. Gabriel Asen.

Ayabam, who has declared his intention to run for the Benue North East senatorial seat, is expected to meet strong opponents on the ticket of the PDP in the field.

Both Suswam and incumbent Senator representing Benue North East, Barnabas Gemade, have purchased the party's nomination forms for the same seat while an APC chieftain, Mr Adaa Maagbe, also of the APC has indicated his interest in the senatorial race.

Speaking on alleged challenge facing his political ambition Ayabam, said that he had received several threats on his life on his decision to join the race on APC ticket in the state.

"Ever since I declared my ambition to run on the APC’s platform, I have received entreaties, threats and intimidations dissuading me from joining the APC."

Pwajok promises better life for youths Buhari Bello JOS

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator representing Plateau North Senatorial district and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the party in the 2015 general elections, Gyang Pwajok, has scored the Jonah Jang’s administration low in the area of youth development in the state, stating that he would improve their lot if voted into power.

Speaking on his ambition to become the governor of the state, he challenged youths in the state to break the barrier of religious and ethnic sentiment and support credible

and competent candidates during the 2015 general elections.

Pwajok, who is said to be governor Jang's anointed candidate made the call yesterday in Jos, during an interactive session with the Coalition of Young Redemption Advocates, consisting of Commissioners, Special Advisers and Plateau Youths in the state.

"It is only in this parts of the world that your village, your senatorial zone and your ethnic group determine your future. As Plateau youths, we must break the barrier of ethnicity in our state to give room for credibility and competence, we must collectively work hard to give our state the best of what we have."

nor, Alhaji Garba Umar.

The committee was to determine whether the governor was fit to take over his duty or otherwise, but a High Court in Jalingo, presided over

by Justice S. Haruna , recently nullified the activities of the medical team, declaring it as unconstitutional.

Kwara PDP to APC: You can't profit from our crisis Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

Senatorial aspirant alleges T threat to life

News 49

north

he leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kwara state, yesterday told the All Progressives Congress (APC), to forget any plans it has of profiting from the internal crisis that has accompanied the outcome of its delegate congress held on November 1, 2014.

State Chairman of the party, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, who addressed newsmen on the crisis plaguing the party in the state, yesterday said though there were 'tolerable violence' and disagreement that are accompanied the exercise, stating, that the party was doing its best to handle the matter

amicably.

A former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch, Alhaji Salman Jawondo, had early this week raised the alarm that his name was allegedly removed from the list of elected delegates in his Asa constituency, saying it was meant to pave the way for the emergence of another candidate preferred by the state executives.

Also, some aggrieved members from Ekiti/OkeEro area of the state, had attacked the party's Deputy Chairman (South) Chief Gbenle Adeyemi, on allegations that he colluded with the state leadership to doctor the list of delegates in order to assist the cause of a gubernatorial candidate from the central district.

CBN trains Niger co-operatives Dan Atori MINNA

T

he Central of Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday commenced a two days training workshop for Cooperatives in Niger State, on how to access the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise.

Participants at the workshop, organised by the Development Finance Department (DFD), of the apex bank included non -governmental organization (NGOs) and the Mi-

cro Finance Institutions (MFIs).

Principal Manager of CBN DFID Abuja, Hajiya Habiba Lawal, noted at the training that the fund was launched in 2013 by President GoodLuck Jonathan, to reduce the high level of unemployment in the country.

She said that the initiative was an engine of economic growth, vehicle for job creation, drive of production, income generation and tool for poverty reduction in the country.

PUBLIC NOTICE

MERIT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION, IKEJA This is to notify the general public that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. Akin Laguda 2. Eugene Coker 3. Ololade Jokotade Oki (Mrs) 4. Olatunde Adelaja 5. Richard Temuru 6. Moses Nagbiku AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote good administration in the Estate 2. To promote welfare of all members based on the principles of freedom, equity and justice.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: TRUSTEES

change of nameS

Odubiyi-Felix

Former Mr. Odubiyi Adekunle now wish to be addressed as Mr. OdubiyiFelix Adekunle. Former documents remain valid.

General public note

Fagbemi

Former Miss Babalola Adedamola Oluranti now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Fagbemi Adedamola Oluranti. Former documents remain valid. General public note

Lawson

Former Anyanwu Doris Onyinyechi now wishe to be addressed as Lawson Doris Onyinyechi. Former documents remain valid.

General public note

Abubakar

Former Simbiyat Oyiza Yahaya now wish to be addressed as Simbiyat Yahaya Abubakar. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

Akinade

Former Miss Oreoluwa Blessing Ilori now wish to be addressed as Miss Oreoluwa Akinade. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

Chukwuji

Former Miss Ashien Blessing Obiajulumoyi now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Chukwuji Blessing Obiajulumoyi. Former documents remain valid, NIC,IBTC Pension, LASPOTECH and general public note

'I'm interested in who succeeds me' Dan Atori MINNA

A

s the race for the governorship election in Niger State hots up, Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has declared that he is interested in who succeeds him as governor come 2015. But he said would not force his opinion on the people.

Aliyu, stated this in Minna, while speaking at the 4th MBA International Literary Colloquium organized at the Idris Legbo Kutigi, International Conference Centre

to mark his 59th birthday.

Aliyu noted, "I am interested in who takes over from me. If I say I am not interested, I am lying.

"As a human being, you may not get what you want because as human being you cannot change what God has willed".

While assuring the state's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stakeholders that a level playing field would be given to all aspirants in the governorship race and other positions the governor said "I am not God and I cannot play God. God will give the position to those des-

tined for the positions.’’

He also dispelled the claim that he has asked some members of the state house of assembly not to seek reelection insisting that ‘I have not asked anybody not to contest.

He further said, "For all the elections I will not play God whoever emerges is my own candidate. The people must be allowed to bring up whoever they want to rule them which is the only way to ensure total victory and bitterness after the primaries and election proper".

Atakpo

Former Anita Nkoyo Edet Unanaonwi now wish to be addressed as Anita Nkoyo Atakpo. Former documents remain valid.

General public note

Hassan-Oyewumi

Former Miss Feyidamilola Adetokunbo Hassan now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Feyidamilola Adetokunbo Hassan-Oyewumi. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

Akinwande

Former Kasali Bunmi Oluwaseun now wish to be addressed as Akinwande Bunmi Oluwaseun.

Former documents remain valid. General public note

Akpan

Former Miss Ukeme John Udofia now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ukeme Ubong Akpan. Former documents remain valid.

General public note

Awal

Former Alani Kudirat now wish to be addressed as Kudirat Rotimi Iyabo Awal. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

Kolawole

Former Miss Sodunke Olubunmi Temitope now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Kolawole Olubunmi Temitope. Former documents remain valid.

General public note

Chukwuji

Former Mr. Ashien Nkem Emmanuel now wish to be addressed as Mr. Chukwuji Nkem Emmanuel. Former documents remain valid, ABSU, WAEC and general public note.

Onuoha

Former Emma Onuabuchi Udeh now wish to be addressed as Abuchi Emma Onuoha. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

Adeyemi

Former Miss Akindele Taiwo now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Adeyemi Taiwo. Former documents remain valid, the general public take note .

50

News

WORLD | News

APC chides Nnamani Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

T

he South East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has carpeted former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani over the speech credited to him at President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration on Tuesday.

The party in a statement from its spokesman, Mr Osita Okechukwu, stated that Nnamani’s speech amounted to double speaking. Okechukwu, in his statement, said, “We are yet to recover from Senator Nnamani’s double-speak-statement, on one hand indicting President Jonathan for

neglecting the busiest highway in the South East - Enugu-Onitsha highway - a road which is in terrible condition and on the other hand that it is only the same President Jonathan who can fix it.

“Going further, the distinguish Senator, said that the South East region is supporting President Jonathan, because they do not want the 2nd Niger Bridge abandoned. “We rate this as a grave insult to our collective intelligence, a double-speak and corrupted propaganda; coming from someone we thought we can follow to battle blind.

“May we ask: Is Senator Nnamani and cohorts not aware that President Jonathan followed due process and funded the

Owete bridge over successive Federal Budgets?

Why is the 2nd Niger Bridge not in any Federal Budget? Is the 2nd Niger Bridge not dead on arrival, for Julius Berger is not known for borrowing?

“On the Owete Bridge, President Jonathan said in his declaration speech, ‘Today, the new bridge over the River Benue, connecting Loko in Nasarawa State to Owete in Benue has reached an advanced stage of completion.’

“Senator Nnamani’s Double-Speak-Statement exposed his underbelly as one of those who is yet to appreciate that we now have two major political parties -PDP and APC prevailing in our multiparty system.”

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tainted drugs suspected in Indian sterilisation surgery deaths

T

ainted or substandard drugs probably led to the deaths of 13 Indian women after sterilization surgery at a family-planning “camp”, and owners of the factories that produced them have been summoned for questioning, a senior official said yesterday.

Meanwhile, the doctor who carried out the sterilization of 83 women in under three hours at a hospital in the eastern state of Chhattisgarh denied reports the equipment he used was rusty or dirty, and blamed adulterated

medicines for the tragedy. “I am not the culprit.

I have been made a scapegoat. It is the administration which is responsible for this incidence,” Dr. R.K. Gupta told Reuters in a dimly lit police hostel room after being taken into custody on Wednesday night.

Gupta said health workers gave the women ciprofloxacin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic, and the painkiller ibuprofen after operations conducted at the weekend in a grimy room of an unused private hospital in a village called Pandari. Thir-

teen women have died and scores are in the hospital.

Some of the sick women were operated on by another doctor at a second camp, which Gupta said was evidence he was not to blame. The government of Chhattisgarh, one of India’s poorest states, banned medicines used at Gupta’s sterilization camp, including Indianmade brands of ciprofloxacin and ibuprofen.

“Owners of the companies responsible for the sale of drugs have been summoned,” state Chief Minister Raman Singh told reporters.

NATFORCE offers to assist in 2015 elections Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

T

he Director General, National Taskforce on Illegal Importation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NATFORCE ), Osita Okereke, has said that the task force was willing to partner with security operatives to provide adequate security of lives and property in the next year general elections.

Okereke, who briefed journalists in Abuja yesterday, at a meeting

of National Association of Importers, said that NATFORCE would collaborate with security agencies to ensure free and fair elections next year. He said that the task force would be involved in observing and monitoring of elections.

This was as Okereke, a former presidential candidate on the platform of African Liberation Party (ALP), urged President Goodluck Jonathan to check the allegiance of his security chiefs and security advisers in the wake of insurgency attacks

in the North East. He alleged that security chiefs and those advising the President on security matters, especially on the insurgency, might have been sabotaging him.

Okeke also counselled All Progressives Congress (APC) not to politicize security challenges facing the country, noting that the Monday suicide attack on Potiskum Government Secondary School on the eve of Jonathan’s declaration for second term was meant to sabotage the effort of the President.

UPP to field presidential candidate Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

D

espite its low profile among Nigerians, the National Chairman of the Unity Progressives Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has said that the party is out to give the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the major opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC)runs for their money in the 2015 presidential election.

Okorie stated this in Abuja yesterday at the UPP

National Secretariat when the party’s governorship aspirant in Imo State, Dr Osmond Imo Ukanacho, came to pick his nomination form. He noted that the party was already on the winning track as none of its members and aspirants have been indicted of corruption by any Federal Government anti-corruption agencies.

The UPP National Chairman expressed confidence that Nigerians would go with the party, which according to him represents hope. “I am sure there are many Ni-

gerians, who are not Igbo and who don’t belong to any particular religion, who would want to see some kind of change in this country. There are only two choices here; it is either Nigerians remain the way they are or embrace UPP that is the face of change” he said.

He gave the assurance that the party’s primaries would be conducted in the most transparent , credible manner, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would return a verdict of best primaries ever.

Mark tasks research institutes on economy Chukwu David Abuja

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resident of the Senate, Senator David Mark, yesterday challenged research institutes and tertiary institutions in Nigeria to evolve a blue print that effectively get the nation’s ailing economy out of its present recessive mood.

Receiving the 2014 Champion of Medical Research in Nigeria Honours award from the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Abuja, Mark stated that no nation desirous of development could afford to undermine research, as a key component.

The President of the Senate, took stock of Nigeria’s ailing economy

and submitted that only planned , deliberate and sustained efforts in Research and Technology can rescue the nation from economic down turn.

He therefore, challenged research institutes and tertiary institutions in Nigeria to rise up to the occasion by working out a blue print that would get the nation’s economy out of the woods.

Women who underwent botched sterilisation surgeries at a government mass sterilisation camp receiving treatment.

First Ebola treatment trials to start in West Africa

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lobal aid agency Doctors Without Borders said yesterday it would begin unprecedented trials on patients in West Africa to test Ebola drugs and the use of survivors’ blood as therapy. The trials in Guinea are aimed at rushing out an emergency therapy to battle an epidemic which has taken more than 5,000 lives since December.

“This is an unprecedented international partnership which represents hope for patients to finally get a real treatment against a disease that today kills between 50 and 80 percent of those infected,” said Annick Antierens, who is coordinating the trials for

the medical charity, known by its French initials MSF. The first trials are due to start in December and results could be available by February next year, MSF said. Ebola, transmitted through bodily fluids, leads to haemorrhagic fever and -- in an estimated 70 percent of cases in the current outbreak -- death.

There is no specific treatment regime and, as yet, no licensed vaccine -- although one of the leading candidates, known as ChAd3 and made by Britain’s GlaxoSmithKline, is being tested in Mali and elsewhere. Patients’ best chance of survival, if their condition is caught early enough, is taking

paracetamol for their fever, rehydrating and being kept well nourished.

The French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) will trial antiviral drug favipiravir in Gueckedou, southern Guinea.

Meanwhile, the Antwerp-based Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) will lead trials of “convalescent whole blood and plasma therapy” at MSF’s Donka Ebola centre in Conakry, Guinea’s capital. MSF is in discussion for a third trial, on antiviral brincidofovir, in Liberian capital Monrovia but has not yet been given the green light.

Ukraine says it will not abandon ceasefire

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krainian government forces have no intention of renouncing a ceasefire in the separatist-held east of the country, a military spokesman said yesterday. But he reiterated that a buildup of forces in the regions the separatists control in eastern Ukraine signaled the pro-Russian rebels were planning a new offensive in a conflict that has killed more than 4,000 people.

The two-month-old truce has been violated daily and increasingly in the past week. Each side

has blamed the other for the violations.

“There is no intention of abandoning it (the ceasefire) despite all ... attempts to break these agreements by the Russian side,” Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said at a news briefing in the capital Kiev. Kiev and the West say the separatists have received reinforcements of equipment and troops from Russia.

Moscow denies accusations by NATO that it has sent in troops and tanks in the past few days and

says it wants the ceasefire to work. In remarks published yesterday, Ukraine’s representative to the OSCE security and rights body told an Austrian newspaper it was now hardly possible to speak of a ceasefire, citing 2,400 alleged breaches of the truce by rebels.

Lysenko said shelling in residential areas of the separatist-held Luhansk and Donetsk regions had intensified and that there had been no let-up in the flow of equipment to rebels from Russia.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Sports News

International Sport

Keshi expects hostile reception

Germany to jail athletes guilty of doping

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Sport

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World tourney: Women boxers depart for Korea

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ational women boxers are expected to leave the country on Friday(today) for World Boxing Championship in Korea and the coach of the team, Jerry Okorodudu, has said the contingent will not return emptyhanded.

According to the former national boxing champion, nine boxers will be represent-

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Deputy Editor, Sports

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sports

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sports Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sports Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sports Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

S

Did you know?

Ronaldinho first gained media attention when his youth team won a game 23-0. He scored every single goal.

Ajibade Olusesan

uper Eagles playersIke Uche and Efe Ambrose- have dismissed the threat coming from the camp of the Red Devils of Congo on the crucial Nations Cup qualifier scheduled to hold in Ponte Noire on Saturday.

Uche and Ambrose noted that whatever the Congolese say about their expectations on the match had no bearing to the Super Eagles.

Congo coach, Claude Le Roy, said: “I’m sure that we shall qualify for next year’s Nations Cup because we are not going to lose at home to Nigeria. I’m confident that we shall beat Nigeria.

“The magic for us was beating Nigeria in Calabar that result was so crucial for us and we are not going to let our effort go in vain when

51

ing the country at the tournament.

Okorodudu said it was difficult for him to promise a particular number of medals the country would win at the tournament but with the experience and the exposure the ladies have garnered, they would win medals.

“Honestly, I cannot tell you this is the number of medals we are going to win be-

cause as we are projecting, our opponents are also doing the same. But I can assure Nigerians that we are going to win medals there because of the quality of boxers we have in camp. We have Commonwealth Games medallists, we have African champions and they are going to draw from their experience to win medals. We are hoping to

Uche, Ambrose dismiss Congo threat Ajibade Olusesan and Comfort Chukwu, Abuja

Nigeria comes to Congo.”

Uche however said the Eagles were battle ready to get the desired result in Pointe Noire no matter the antics of their host.

“We are professionals and we are aware of the importance of the match.

Whatever they are saying is not an issue because we are very prepared to get the result in this encounter.

“This is a team game and we have to succeed like a team so I will do my best likewise my teammates.

“The expectation is high and we know how important this game is to us and we will do everything within our power to win the ticket. We are here to work

together we are all teammates I am part of the team and I will try my possible best to come through.”

For Ambrose, it is unnecessary to join issues with their opponents on the pages of newspapers saying they will prove themselves on the pitch.

“Everybody has mouth to talk, for us we don’t want to talk too much we want to talk on the pitch and that is our plan. Let them say anything they want to say, talks don’t win matches,” he said.

South Africa are topping the group with eight points, Congo have garnered seven points, while Nigeria have 4 points.

get weaker countries in the preliminaries, so that our journey to the medal zone will be easier.

“However, I can assure you that there is nothing to worry about because we have had a good training programme and we also enjoy the support of National Sports Commission and the President of Nigeria Boxing Federation, General Kenneth Minimah,” he said.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

Countdown To Congo v Nigeria AFCON Qualifier

Medics decide Enyeama’s fate today

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igeria captain and goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, will have to wait till today (Friday) to determine if he will be in between the post for the 2015 Afcon qualifying match against Congo in Pointe-Noire on Saturday.

The Lille of France goalkeeper arrived the Nigerian camp in Abuja with a “slight shoulder injury,” and has been closely watched by the team doctors and coaches.

But the 32-year-old

Keshi expects hostile reception

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qualifying series.

Keshi is expecting nothing less than a fullblooded encounter, saying: “The Congolese can be hostile, we have experienced it several times but we don’t know how it is going to come on Saturday.

“But we have been talking to the players because African football requires the African mentality.”

Keshi’s continued presence with Nigeria remains steeped in controversy, with the tactician

not officially contracted as head coach following the expiration of his previous deal earlier this year.

He explained: “I have not had any meeting with NFF. I have had meeting with the minister, that’s all. The minister was the one that asked me to come. You all know that we don’t have contract, we are just doing what we can for our country. We also want our country to excel, that’s why we are here.”

“I undergo three-week regular quarantine at Lille for Ebola”

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igeria skipper Vincent Enyeama has revealed that his French club Lille monitor him for three weeks for Ebola Virus Disease every time he returns from international duty.

“My club monitors me for three weeks any time I return from Nigeria because of Ebola and nobody wants to sit around

you or shake you then,” said Enyeama.

“But I must now commend the Nigerian government for the massive effort they put up to eradicate it from the country and get an approval from the World Health Organisation.”

However, Enyeama maintained that if he had his way, AFCON 2015 would still be shifted to a

B

afana Bafana midfielder Dean Furman is eager to wrap up their African Nations Cup qualifiers by beating Sudan and avoiding a must-win scenario against Nigeria on November 19.

Bafana look to secure their AFCON 2015 spot when they take on the Sudanese at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

“Firstly, records are there to be broken, we had a great game against Nigeria and we feel that we should have taken all three points,” he said in reference to the goalless draw with the Super Eagles in Cape Town last month.

“They have top players and they

he eight venues that will host the Zonal finals of the 13th AKS/ NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championships have been accredited and certified okay.

In a release made available in Uyo on Thursday, the chairman of the Sports Coordinators Forum, Omon Bassey, said the eight venues have been approved and were ready to go.

The approved venues are: Abak Zone, Community Secondary School, Ikot Esop, Etim Ekpo LGA, Eket Zone,

Eket Stadium, Etinan Zone, Etinan Stadium, Ibiono/Ikono Zone, Ediene Community Secondary School Ikot Ayan, Ikot Abasi Zone, Ukpom Okon Comprehensive Secondary School Okon Town, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene Zone, State College Ikot Ekpene, Oron Zone, Methodist Boys High School Oron, and Uyo Zone, Comprehensive Secondary School Four Towns.

The Consultant to the project, Mr Paul Bassey, urged the coordinators to ensure a near flawless organization of the

lAs Senate scraps NFA Act of 2004

later date because of the Ebola disease.

“If I were CAF, I will suspend the tournament because it is difficult to contain. But if we qualified, I will play in the tournament,” he said.

Meanwhile, Enyeama has continued to train fully with the rest of the Eagles squad despite nursing a strain on his right shoulder.

zonals to ensure that those who qualify for the finals were bonafide students.

At a meeting, officials came to the conclusion that the zonal finals should be held in the eight sports zones of the state on Thursday November 20 and Friday November 21 2014.

In doing so, the meeting, chaired by the State Director of Sports, Aniedi Dickson, was appreciative of Mobil’s contribution to the development of sports in the state especially at the grassroots level.

are the champions of Africa, we will have to be wary of that threat but of course we would like to get the group wrapped up as soon as possible. That would mean getting three points this weekend to make the trip to Nigeria more comfortable for us.”

Despite defeating Sudan 3-0 away in the first leg, Furman is wary of allowing complacency to creep in.

“It doesn’t mean it was easy in the first match against Sudan, it’s just that goals change games and with our first goal the game opened up for us, and then we saw our quality shine through,” said the Doncaster Rovers man.

NFA now officially NFF

Zonal venues accredited for Mobil School Sports

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is not very serious as it was initially thought.

But as a precautionary measure, we will still put him through a last training session which we will have in Congo tomorrow (Friday),” Shorunmu said.

“We are hoping nothing goes wrong with him as he is, in fine condition. He is mentally and physically ready for the game. But if he will start the game depends on tomorrow’s (Friday’s) training session which will be the last before the match on Saturday.”

Furman: We must beat Sudan to avoid Nigeria pressure

Mikel (right) and a Congolese player

igeria coach Stephen Keshi has warned his squad to expect nothing less than a hostile Congo when the sides clash in 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying action this weekend.

The Super Eagles will take on their Group A rivals on Saturday, with the Red Devils currently second in the standings, three points clear of Nigerian, who have endured a poor start to the

goalkeeper is now close to full recovery from the shoulder problem and could start in goal for the Super Eagles against Congo’s Red Devil if he does not suffer a relapse.

Enyeama was part of the Super Eagles training on Thursday morning, and the team’s trainer, Ike Shorunmu, hinted he would have to undergo one last training session in PointeNoire to ascertain his fitness level.

“Vincent is okay for now. Yes he has a slight shoulder injury which

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick

Chukwu David Abuja

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he argument over whether to refer to the nation’s football governing body as the Nigeria Football Association or the Nigeria Football Federation is set to be over after the Senate on Thursday passed the Nigerian Football Association Act 2004 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2014.

The Act, which repealed the Nigeria Football Association Act 2004, was passed after a lengthy clause-by-clause deliberation of the document by legislators.

In recent years, a number of individuals and bodies have gone as far as taking the football body to court citing the fact that there was never any act passed into law establishing the NFF. But following Thursday’s passage of

the Bill by the Senate, all that is now left is for President Goodluck Jonathan to sign it into law.

And when it eventually gets signed into law, the Nigeria Football Association will now officially be known as the Nigeria Football Federation, which may sue or be sued in its corporate name.

Other than the change in name, the new law stipulates that a member of the Executive Committee of the Football Federation shall cease to hold office if he becomes bankrupt or becomes involved in gross misconduct.

In addition, an executive member shall also cease to hold office if he or she is convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or fraud or becomes of unsound mind or incapable of carrying out his or her duties.

Presiding over plenary, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said the passage of the Bill was a great achievement for football administration in Nigeria.

“I will like to thank all of us for this milestone. I believe that this helps the development of our football and the entire crisis we have had in the past. I believe that this will bring it to an end,” said Ekweremadu.

“There now seems to be a law that will help to create some sanity in the administration of football and I believe this brings to an end all confusions and disputes that have tried in the past to mar football in Nigeria.”

He added: “I’d like to congratulate all of us and I do hope that our football administrators will take full advantage of this law to ensure that we advance our football to world standard.”

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NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

SportL

Emem Eduok

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/Sport

WITH Tobi Emmanuel

0805 400 5669

princetobby@yahoo.com tobi.emmanuel@newtelegraphonline.com

ifestyle

Super Eagles and Dolphins striker Best food: Afang Soup and Semo Best drink: Coke Best colour: Blue Best city visited: Instabul, Turkey Best club supported: Chelsea FC Best car: Nissan Amanda Best designer: Armani Best perfume: 121 Best artist: Wizkid Best Boot: Adidas

Best Jersey No: 11 Best competition ever attended: 2014 Transformation Cup STATE: AKWA IBOM Home town: Uyo, Itu LG Worst Match: 3-0 home loss to Lobi in the NPL Best Match: Scoring six goals in a 6-0 win against Crown in the NPL

Ideye victim of Berahino’s form – Albion coach Ifeanyi Ibeh

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igerian striker, Brown Ideye, hasn’t enjoyed a good start to his West Bromwich Albion career because of Saido Berahino’s impressive start to the season. West Brom manager, Alan Irvine, who stated this said the new England call-up’s fabulous goalscoring form has made it harder for £10 million signing Ideye to force his way into the starting line-up.

Berahino has scored eight goals in all competitions to ce-

Ideye (right)

ment his spot as the Baggies’ top centre-forward, leaving Ideye unable to claim a regular starting place.

Ideye has started only two Premier League games and scored just once in the Capital One Cup. And British newspaper, The Express and Star, quoted Irvine as saying: “He is doing okay but Brown’s competition is Saido. Brown is suffering a little bit because of how well Saido is playing – and I don’t think people would be too pleased if I left Saido out to play Brown.”

INTERNATIONAL SPORT Irvine also explained why Ideye was left out of the substitutes’ bench in his side’s last two Premier League games against Leicester City and Newcastle United.

He said: “That’s about a balance. When you pick a bench it’s about looking and saying ‘can I cover as many eventualities as possible?’”

“So in the game against Leicester I felt Leicester would be able to make their team more physical as the game went on. I thought we needed to be able to make our team more physical as well so I went for two extra physical players in Victor Anichebe and Georgios Samaras. Against Newcastle it was a case of ‘who have we got that can change things around?”

Ozil ruled out for extra seven weeks Germany to jail athletes guilty of doping

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rsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has been ruled out of action for a further seven weeks.

The Germany international, who has already missed the last five weeks due to a knee ligament injury which was discovered while away on international duty, was expected to return following the international break.

However, Ozil is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: “I’ve

already been injured for five weeks and I’m going to be out for another seven.”

“It’s a long process. Injuries are part of football, but life goes on and you have to keep your spirits up.”

The German Football Association initially revealed that the 25-year-old would be on the sidelines for three months, although Gunners boss Arsene Wenger dismissed these suggestions.

G

ermany is set to introduce a tough anti-doping law next year which would mean a prison sentence of up to three years for athletes found guilty of using doping products.

“The aim of the law is to preserve the integrity or sport and to combat doping,” said Germany’s Interior minister Thomas de Maiziere in a Berlin press conference.

The 46-page draft of the new law, which is set to be adopted in 2015, means for the first time athletes who have failed both the A and B

doping test can be prosecuted.

Under the new law, possession of doping products would also be a punishable offence, regardless of the amount.

“That is a statement for clean sport and a challenge to those who dope,” added Germany’s minister for justice Heiko Maas.

The proposal also includes a maximum sentence of up to 10 years, in extreme cases, for those found guilty of supplying athletes with doping substances. Germany’s Interior minister Thomas de Maiziere

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

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NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

When Nigerian politicians trade lies Vantage

Point

EMEKA MADUNAGU emeka.madunagu@newtelegraphonline.com

I

was working on a central thread for this week’s column when my friend and colleague, Prince Charles Dickson (PCD), suddenly posted something on BBM. That got me laughing and thinking at the same time. I must confess that PCD is someone whose wit is simply infectious. His witty posts usually achieve a double effect: they make you move from laughter to thinking.

So, it was that he posted this shocking quote: The only time politicians tell the truth is when they call each other liars.

I don’t know what you make of this but I couldn’t help wondering at how poignant that assertion is. Now, I don’t lay any claim to understanding the intricate ways of politicians or politricians (like the Isekhure of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, once told me in an interview). I remember in the heat of the Sharia crisis under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, then chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Zamfara State (pardon me. I don’t remember his name) said on a TV interview that if you are driving behind a politician and his car indicates that it will soon head left, just know that he will actually turn right. He used that to say the Sharia crisis was just a smokescreen for a hidden agenda.

In recent months, politicians have been busy hurling invectives at each other. If it is not Peoples Democratic Party spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh,

hurling stones into the All Progressives Congress yard, then it’s APC spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, attacking one thing or the other about PDP. It also operates at different levels, with politicians frequently describing their colleagues as ‘liars.’ Now, since I’m not a professional politician (?), I find it hard to understand when politics stopped being about lying (?) or rather, telling the people what they want to hear as against what they ought to hear. In gathering materials for this piece, I asked Google to give me information on ‘Politics and lying.’ What I got was 763,000,000 results.

One of the results was about a 2011 book by political scientist, John Mearsheimer, titled, ‘Why leaders lie: The truth about lying in international politics.’

Here is a sampler from Wikipedia. com about the synopsis of the book: The book has a perface, an introduction and nine chapters. Mearsheimer systematically analyzes lying in international politics. He argues that leaders lie to foreign audiences as well as their own people because they think it is good for their country. For example, he maintains that President Franklin D. Roosevelt lied about the Greer incident in August 1941, because he was deeply committed to getting the United States into World War II, which he thought was in America’s national interest.

‘Mearsheimer’s findings include that

leaders actually do not lie very much to other countries, and that democratic leaders are actually more likely to lie to their own people than autocrats. Thus, he starts his book by saying that it is not surprising Saddam Hussein did not lie about having WMD — he truthfully said he had none — but that George Bush and some of his key advisors did lie to the American people about the threat from Iraq. Mearsheimer argues that leaders are most likely to lie to their own people in democracies that fight wars of choice in distant places. The author says that it is difficult for leaders to lie to other countries because there is not much trust among them, especially when security issues are at stake, and you need trust for lying to be effective.

He concludes that it is easier for leaders to lie to their own people because there is usually a good deal of trust between them.

‘Mearsheimer suggests that most political lies fall into one of five categories: inter-state lies, fear-mongering, strategic cover-ups, nationalist myths, and liberal lies. He explains the reasons why leaders pursue each of these different kinds of lies. He also says that international lying can have negative effects, and there he emphasizes “blowback,” which is where telling international lies helps cause a culture of deceit at home, and “backfiring,” which is where telling a lie leads to a failed policy. He also emphasizes that there are two other kinds of deception besides lying: “concealment,” which is where a leader remains silent about an important matter, and “spinning,” which is where a leader tells a story that emphasizes the positive and downplays or ignores the negative. Mearsheimer does not consider the moral dimension of international lying; he looks at it simply from a realist perspective.’

This brought home the recent revelation that Chad fooled Nigerian officials into thinking it was working on a real ceasefire deal between Nigeria and Boko Haram. The expose detailed how Chadian President, Idris Deby, allegedly organised phoney discussions on the possibility of reaching a deal with Boko Haram. One consequence of the deception was that it made Nigerian military authorities to suspend the bombing of Boko Haram locations. The alleged deal also raised hope about the likely release of the Chibok girls. Surprisingly, the ink had hardly dried on the ceasefire statement by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, when the sect moved into some parts of Adamawa and Borno states, killing and destroying. That set Nigerians wondering about what manner of ceasefire deal had been reached. There was also the idea that the agreement may have been reached with the wrong set of Boko Haram representatives. The sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, made matters worse when he posted a video, dismissing reports of the so-called deal.

Last week, PDP governors openly

One of the results was about a 2011 book by political scientist, John Mearsheimer, titled, ‘Why leaders lie: The truth about lying in international politics.’

described their fellow party members in the Senate as ‘liars.’ Governor after governor came out to say that a reported concession by President Goodluck Jonathan and the party’s national leadership for 40 senators to get automatic tickets was a bundle of lies. Whaaaat! Anyway, the more you look, the less you see in Nigerian politics. Or the less you want to see. Some weeks ago, it was Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, and his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, calling each other a liar in the public space. The truth was not lost on Nigerians that, as my friend PCD said, that in between the allegations of lying, the truth was hiding somewhere. When the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, dumped PDP for APC, he claimed that the platform had deviated from the path of serving Nigerians.

Next thing, the ruling party’s spokesmen fell over themselves, calling him out on his claims. When APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, recently advised President Jonathan to resign for being unable to put down the insurgency, the Presidency replied by saying that no president had ever resigned during a war. Swiftly, the APC accused the Presidency of lying, saying that Neville Chamberlain resigned as British Prime Minister on May 10, 1940 after Adolf Hitler forced the allies to retreat from Norway.

As we grapple with a season of lies and counter-lies, I leave our readers with these lessons from an article by Peaco Todd titled, ‘5 signs that a politician is lying.’ They are: 1. Notice eye contact.

It’s a myth that liars won’t or can’t make eye contact. However, look for unnatural eye contact: either the person is unable to maintain contact or s/he fixes you (or the camera) with a strained and aggressive stare.

2. Read body language.

Pay attention to such indicators as crossed arms or legs, slouching or tilting the head away: these can indicate the discomfort that accompanies lying.

3. Follow the eyes.

Many researchers posit that when the eyes look up and to the right (his or her right, not yours) this suggests that the part of the brain linked to the imagination is being triggered. Conversely, the eyes looking down and to the left might indicate the part of the brain linked to memory.

4. Look at the hands.

Often liars’ hands will speak eloquently of deception. Watch for clenched fists, covering the mouth or part of the face, rubbing the eyes, scratching on or behind the ear.

5. Pay attention to detail.

The person who offers too much detail, especially unasked, might be lying. Because the narrative of the lie is fabricated, the liar can often be tripped up by inconsistencies in the story, especially if the same questions are repeated after some time has passed.

It’s a global phenomenon of trading lies. So, Nigerian politicians have some consolation that they are not alone when they trade blame about lying.

BTW: Please, don’t say I told you to look at the nearest politician to find out for yourself whether Peaco Todd’s signs are there. Till next week, enjoy!

Sanctity of Truth

On Marble

If you have the ability to love, love yourself first.

Emeka Madunagu When Nigerian politicians trade lies

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

– Charles Bukowski

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

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Soyinka,UNIZIK and Zik of Africa

oday 14th November 2014 represents a significant watershed in the annals of the history of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, popularly called Unizik or NAU by its numerous admirers. A university that has grown over the years to become the most preferred university among prospective university applicants. The university is known for its serene environment that conduces for learning and other fruitful academic activities and zero tolerance for vices that are normally associated with students in other universities. Located in the Northern-most part of the ancient city of Awka, capital of Anambra state, the university is currently led by the game changer, Prof.

Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku, Chemical Pathologist and fellow Academy of Science who has brought his wealth of experience and zeal for service to bear on the running of the university. The university , with more than 30,000 students population will today play host to Prof.

Wole Soyinka, the iconic scholar, global citizen, the doyen of literature, the Ijele masquerade of the Arts, versatile intellectual, the inimitable defender of the powerless, the moral conscience of Nigeria, a consistent rebel with cause, honour and integrity. This discourse is a tribute to Wole Soyinka.

Although, Prof. Wole Soyinka is a typical university man, having spent most of his adult life in universities all over the world, some may be wondering why Wole Soyinka will be visiting Nnamdi Azikiwe University at this point in time.

For two years, the Faculty of Social Sciences Nnamdi Azikiwe university under the auspices of the Zik Lecture Series endowed by amiable and affable Senator Ben Obi to promote good governance, exemplary leadership, communal harmony and international peace has had Prof. Wole Soyinka on its radar, trying to track him down to the University without success, owing largely to his very crowded schedule. When therefore, the Faculty Board was informed that Prof.

Wole Soyinka had finally consented to visiting Unizik on Nov 14, 2014, staff and students jubiliated. There was no doubt that Soyinka’s choice of date was premised on the proximity of the day to Zik’s birthday, November 16. Over the years, the university has held special attachment to the Month of November in deference to the great Zik of Africa.

It was Zik that led the struggle for the decolonization of the African continent as he proved a great inspiration to many of his contemporaries in different parts of Africa under colonial rule.

The Zik legacies and its many ramifications are what Senator Ben Obi, Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Inter-Party Affairs seeks to preserve by instituting the Zik Lecture Series. The Zik Lecture Series had attracted in the past Professors Okwudiba Nnoli and Asisi Asobie. The Faculty also played host to the former Ghanaian president, the revolutionary Jerry Rawlings. The 3rd lecture shall today be delivered by the Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, aptly titled “The Magic Lantern: Excursions in the Creative Realm”. The occasion shall be chaired by Chief Emeka

Ivory Glory NKEMDILI NNONYELU aunnonyelu@yahoo.co.uk 08122801926 (sms only)

Anyaoku, Former Secretary General, Commonwealth.

Akinwande Oluwole ‘Wole’ Soyinka was born on 13th July, 1934, to Missionary parents in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. His father Samuel Ayodele Soyinka was a missionary of the Anglican Communion and Headmaster of the Local Primary School in Abeokuta. His mother, Grace Eniola Soyinka, daughter of the famous Rev. Canon J.J. Ransome Kuti, was a political activist, and community leader.

The young Soyinka was a precocious young person, a chorister, who, however, started showing early in his life the traits of his rebellious character. He became an atheist, a product perhaps of the syncretic religious environment in which Wole Soyinka had his early upbringing.

After Wole’s primary education in St. Peter’s Primary School, Abeokuta, he enrolled by 1946 at the prestigious Government college Ibadan, collecting several literary prizes. In 1952 – 54 he was at the University of Ibadan where he took courses in English, literature, Greek and Western History. In 1954, Soyinka moved over to England in the proverbial search for the Golden Fleece, deepening his understanding of English Literature at the University of Leeds, under the tutelage of the great and famous Shakespearean critic, G. Wilson Knight. Even before his graduation in Leeds University, he had become very prolific, writing and publishing. Soyinka’s works with inspiring theoretic corpus have retained their piquancy. Since the fifties, till date, his works remain an intellectual warehouse, a conceptual bank of ideas and authoritative global reference material in Arts, literature and African Studies.

His numerous works include; The Lion and the Jewel (1959), The trials of brother Jero (1960), Kongi’s Harvest (1964), Madmen and Specialists (1970), Death and the King’s Horse man (1975), The Beautification of Area boy (1996), Document of Identity (Radio play, 1999), King Baabu (2001). His novels include; The Interpreters (1964). His memoirs that chronicled his life story are: The Man Died; Prison Notes (1974), Ake: The years of Childhood (1981), Ibadan: The Penkelemes years: a memoir 194665 (1989), You Must Set Forth at Dawn (2006), While the vast Poetry collections are Mandela’s Earth and Other Poems (1988), Samankand and Other Markets I have Known (2002). His Other Essays are Towards a true Theatre (1962), Culture in Transition (1963), Neo Tarzanism: The Poetics of Pseudo – Transition, Art, Dialogue and Outrage: Essays on Literature and Culture (1988), From Drama

Soyinka

and the African World View (1976), The Credo of Being and Nothingness, The Burden of Memory – The muse of forgiveness (1999), A climate of fear. (2004) His works have also been developed as movies which include Kongi’s Harvest; Blues for a Prodigal and several other Translations. This list is not exhaustive since keeping track of Wole Soyinka’s works is a great burden, if not a nightmare for Librarians. He is a renowned Film maker and Director of several movies: In Soyinka’s life, there are no dull moments. Some of Wole Soyinka’s literary collections are international Best sellers.

After his Postgraduate studies in the University of Leeds, Wole Soyinka traversed the length and breadth of elite Universities world over. He was at the University of Ife, where he was the high priest of the Cathedral of Comparative Literature. He was also Professor and Head of Department of Theatre Arts and Literature at different times in Ibadan, Lagos, Legon, A professor of African Studies and Theatre at Cornell University, Professor of Comparative Literature, Yale. He has been a Professor of creative writing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas since 2007, and Professor in Residence at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. Wole’s literary imprimatur is characterized by uncommon control of language, a mastery of Lyrics, drama and reflective poetic style. In a seamless and effortless manner, the dual weapons of literary criticism and critical literature were em-

ployed by Wole Soyinka in his relentless attack on oppressors. Wole Soyinka has remained a thorn in the flesh of the oppressive power elite wherever they are found – Africa, Asia, Europe, America; be they Capitalists, Welfarists, Socialists or Anarchists, Christians, Muslims, Animists and Neo-paganists. His writings are bitter political parodies and denunciations of the myraid debasement of our collective humanity at different times and places.

At a very young age, Wole Soyinka started playing very active roles in Nigeria and the World’s political history.

A true radical and revolutionary, not the anarchists, or even the dogmatic pseudo intellectuals, Wole Soyinka was the one who had the courage of his convictions to even question forcefully the credibility of the Western Regional Elections in 1964/65, seizing the radio station in the process.

Lest we forget, Wole Soyinka’s consistent critic of the pogrom during the Nigerian / Biafran Civil War, his empathy and identification with the Easterners in those gory days earned him 22 long months in prison, mostly in solitary confinement. Undeterred as ever, imprisonment rather than kill the man in him, stoked even fiercely the innate fire of resistance, as his post incarceration life has shone like a thousand stars.

Not one to be subdued or intimidated, in prison or in exile, or somebody to be coerced to acquiescence, complacency or collaboration with injustice. No, not Wole Soyinka, the man who rose against military dictatorship of the worst kind – the Abacha Variant and had a political Fatwa, death sentence, placed on his head, accused of treason. An activist and enforcer of an egalitarian society where human life is valued and human welfare is promoted. He has been vehement in his condemnation of the senseless killings by Boko Haram.

He is the recipient of several Awards, the most prominent of course, being the Nobel Prize for literature in 1986; the first African to be so honoured dwarfing his titanic contemporaries. His acceptance speech during the ceremony, aptly titled “This Past Must Address its Present” was used to lampoon Apartheid regime in South Africa. His speech was a tribute to Nelson Mandela who was then in prison.

Wole Soyinka also received several other awards including but not limited to AGIP prize for Literature, Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award, 2009, Anisfield – Wolf Book Award life time Achievement, US, Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Harvard, Princeton, Leeds etc. He has been, since 1993, the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the promotion of African Culture, Human Rights, Freedom of Expression, Media and Communication. Prof. Wole Soyinka is married with Children.

Today, all roads shall lead to Nnamdi Azikiwe University to welcome one of the foremost intellectuals that Africa has ever known. It is therefore with deep sense of joy that we welcome this great teacher of Professors to sanctify the Unizik environment with his literary signature.

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