Binder1 15 august, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Friday, August 15, 2014 VOL. 1 NO. 178

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FG earmarks N752bn for electricity transmission expansion

lBanks to pay off N26bn legacy debt to Discos James Nwabueze ABUJA

he Federal Government has earmarked N752 billion for the

expansion of electricity transmission network in the next five years as part of efforts to improve the supply of electricity in the country.

The money, which will be used to extend the national grid to several parts of the country, is going to be sourced from the national budget and

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supplemented with funds from international and multilateral agencies such as African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB),

the World Bank Group (WBG) and Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA). Vice-President Namadi Sambo said yesterday in

Abuja at the inauguration of the National Council on Power (NACOP) that the government’s commitment to expanding the nation’s transmission grid to all parts of the country CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Nigeria records fourth death from Ebola case

lBaby shows symptoms in Kwara lNigeria pulls out of Youth Olympics }43 lFG sacks resident doctors lRunaway nurse, husband returned to Lagos Appolonia Adeyemi and Biodun Oyeleye

nother nurse who attended to the Liberian-American, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, who died of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Lagos, has died, bringing the number of deaths from Ebola recorded in Lagos to four.

Besides Sawyer, the index case, and the nurse whose death was announced yesterday, others that have been killed by the virus are one of the nurses that treated the index case and a Protocol Officer with the ECOWAS Commission, Jatto Asihu Abdulqudir, who assisted the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Despite rancour, confab ends on consensus

lDelegates adopt final report amidst jubilation Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

fter four months of acrimonious debates that accentuated the nation’s fault lines, delegates yesterday set aside their primordial sentiments to unanimously adopt the final report of the 2014 National Confer-

ence amidst jubilation. The unanimous adoption of the three volumes of the report put to rest speculations that the national dialogue would end in disarray because certain interest groups were not comfortable with the resolutions contained in the final report. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

L-R: Coordinator, Gloworld, Mr. Dimeji Amao; Country Manager, Core Group Africa, Mr. Sachin Verma; Head, Gloworld, Mrs. Titi Ebinisi and Head, Glo Zone, Mr. Babatunde Alimi, at a press conference to announce the beginning of sale of genuine Apple devices at Glo outlets in Lagos...yesterday.

| Promo holds from AUGUST 2014 to FEBRUARY 2015 | Prizes to be won in monthly draws | Grand Draw holds in February 2015 Keep buying and keep winning from August 18, 2014

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Despite rancour, National Conference ends on consensus CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The conference secretariat is expected to put finishing touches to the final report reflecting the corrections and observations made by delegates. The report will be submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan on August 21, 2014. As at the close of proceedings on Tuesday, there were fears that the protest by the Northern Delegates’ Forum (NDF) over the alleged plot to “smuggle” a new draft constitution into the conference could lead to a catastrophic end to the national dialogue. Chairman of the National Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi, had on Wednesday met with key leaders of delegations and interest groups to discuss the way forward given the bickering that trailed the unveiling of the draft report last Monday. New Telegraph learnt that besides the closeddoor meeting Kutigi had with the leaders of delegations, the various zones and interest groups held several consultations among themselves where it was resolved that the conference had done a

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to the three reports prepared by the secretariat was moved. The motive, New Telegraph later learnt, was to avoid another round of debates on the voluminous documents but to rely on the observations, comments and corrections already submitted by delegates. The motion, which was sponsored by Chief Jerry Okwuonu and a former

Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, reads: “Whereas the secretariat has done a very marvellous job of compiling the report of the conference and presenting same to us in easily readable and cross-checkable format; and “Whereas delegates have perused all the reports and submitted in writing all items of omission or incorrect addition

to the final report; and “Bearing in mind the dual necessity of bringing the conference to a close for purposes of not unduly over-reaching the logistics provision of the conference and not unnecessarily prolonging the continued conglomeration of people in contradiction to the prescription of health authorities, especially as the country tackles the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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

L–R: Director, Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Ibrahim Muazu; Managing Director/CEO, Ecobank Plc, Mr. Jubril Aku; Director, Banking Supervision Department, CBN, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins; Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe and Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, after the Bankers’ Committee meeting in Lagos…yesterday.

Runaway nurse, husband returned to Lagos from Enugu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Drizzle

ABUJA

good job and there was no need to end the exercise with a needless crisis. On resumption of plenary yesterday, an atmosphere of uncertainty still surrounded the conference until things began to fall into place. As soon as the Votes and Proceedings of the previous day were adopted, a special “motion to mandate the secretariat to vet and effect amendment”

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

late Sawyer to the hospital when he fell ill on arrival last month at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The death of the nurse, which occurred yesterday, came as Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, raised the hope of a reprieve following the discovery of a locallymade drug for the treatment of EVD. The trial drug, Nano Silver, was developed by a Nigerian scientist. But despite efforts by the Federal Government to contain the virus to Lagos, it has spread further as a seven-month-old baby in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was said to have shown symptoms of the disease. Announcing the death of the nurse in a statement yesterday, the Federal Ministry of Health said the country had so far recorded 10 confirmed EVD cases, with four dead and six currently under treatment. “The fourth death recorded today was a Nigerian nurse who participated in the initial management of the index case,” the statement added. The ministry also said

further tests involving another nurse who was part of the medical team that attended to the late Sawyer after which she fled to Enugu State, had shown that six persons were under watch for Ebola symptoms. It added that it had been discovered that 15 others who were under surveillance on the suspicion of having contact with the nurse were found after complete evaluation not to have had any contact with her. “The nurse who had been placed under surveillance in Lagos disobeyed the Incidence Management Committee and travelled to Enugu. At the time she made the trip, she was yet to show any symptom and did not infect anyone on her way as transmission of the disease is only possible when a carrier of the virus becomes ill. “However, she has since been brought back to Lagos. Before the return journey, she had become symptomatic and had to be conveyed to Lagos with her spouse in special ambulances. The husband is not symptomatic neither is he positive for Ebola Virus Disease but has been quarantined given the

intimate contact with her while in Enugu,” the ministry stated. It explained that based on recent development, there is no EVD in Enugu as all cases are still confined to Lagos. But there was Ebola scare in Kwara State yesterday as the government announced the discovery of a suspected case in Ilorin, the state capital. Although the test result for the suspected patient, identified as a sevenmonth-old baby, was not yet available as at yesterday, the state government said it had also taken the precautionary step of closing down the private clinic, which reported the case for decontamination. Senior Special Assistant on Public Health to governor, Professor Sunday Opabola and his counterpart from the Secondary Health, Dr. Ibrahim Gambari, told reporters that the suspected patient’s blood sample had been collected for test while a laboratory medical imaging on him would also be carried out. Opabola said the samples had been sent to the Redeemer University, in Ogun State and Lagos University Teaching Hos-

pital (LUTH), Lagos with a promise that the results would be made available “later today.” He stated that the boy was said to have travelled with his mother from Ibadan to Ilorin when he fell sick. He was said to have been treated for fever at a private hospital in Ilorin but when there was no visible improvement in his condition after two days of persistent stooling and vomiting, he was referred to a paediatrician who alerted the state’s Ebola Committee on the patient’s case. But the government officials said from investigation, there was no established history of contact between the patient and other Ebola victims as none of those around the baby was symptomatic of the disease. However, Chukwu yesterday in Abuja said the Federal Government had resorted to try a drug developed by a Nigerian scientist to treat Ebola cases. The trial drug, Nano Silver, according to Chukwu, has been used experimentally for many things and will be sent to Lagos for the treatment of the confirmed Ebola patients. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00 ARIK AIR LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:00; 09:00; 11:00 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00; 20:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 09:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 (SAT) 07:00; 11:00; 15:00 (SUN) 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 (SAT) 07:30; 11:30; 09:00; 13:00; 17:00 (SUN) 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 ABUJA-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30; 16:50 (SAT/SUN) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30 PORT-HARCOURT-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10; 18:30 (SAT/SUN) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10

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Osun gov election: DSS names APC in N14m bribery allegation lBegins profiling of groups, individuals ahead of 2015 polls lParty accuses security agency of partisanship Lateef Ibrahim ABUJA

he Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday named the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party that offered its operatives N14 million during last Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State. It also explained why the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, was arrested in Osogbo along with others on the eve of the election. However, the party fired back, accusing the DSS of partisanship and of acting a script written by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Federal Government. Shedding more light on the allegation she first made on Tuesday that a party attempted to bribe security operatives with N14 million during the governorship poll, Deputy Director (Public Relations) of the DSS, Ms Marylin Ogar, while featuring on a Channels Television’s personality programme, ‘Sunrise Daily,’ monitored in Abuja, pointedly identified APC as the bribe giver. Ogar, who expressed sadness over the ways some persons have been twisting events surrounding the election with a view to misinforming the public, said an APC member who she did not name actually called the DSS Director who led the operations during the governorship election, four days to the election, and offered to give her N4 million for herself and another N10 million for others to assist their operations. “On Tuesday, prior to the election, the director (of DSS) that was coordinating election activities in Osun was invited by one APC member to come and collect N4 million for self and N10million for the same masked people (operatives). “Well, it was an offer and she said no. She didn’t think it was necessary. She said that when it has to do with logistics, as far as the service was concerned, they would definitely have in place everything they would need for a successful operation. And so, that was on Tuesday. “The rejection of that money on Tuesday brought a lot of things that ordinarily we have not seen before. Well, you

people call it bribe but am sure the people that were doing the offering didn’t see it as a bribe and I have never mentioned the word bribe. “The media had used the word bribe in order to make it sensational. I could make you an offer saying this should assist you in what you are doing. It’s either you take it or you refuse. But it all depends on the interpretation the other person would give to it. I did say here that they offered us money to assist us and we said no,” she said. According to her, the operatives rejected the offer because they did not want to compromise their operations in the state. On why the DSS operatives did not arrest the person that made the N14 million offer, Ogar explained that the agency usually adopts the carrot and stick process in handling its various issues. She said: “The duty of the SSS is to detect and prevent crimes. The president, under his government’s transformation agenda policy, had said that we must primarily use the carrot and stick process. So, it is not every time that you go out arresting people. “For those ones you can use the carrot, you use the carrot. For the ones that you have to use the stick, you use the stick. And if this same process had been turned down when it has to do with other political parties and they never took offence, why is that the APC is taking offence? “For me, it is like presuming that may be these people (operatives) are going to go to town with this stuff (the bribe offer). The person that made the offer knows himself and he knows that we know him. So we are waiting for the next step.” Ogar also defended the arrest of Mohammed on the eve of the election, saying he was arrested for loitering on the eve of the election. “He (Mohammed) was loitering at that hour of the night. Remember that election materials were being moved. When they were stopped and asked what they were doing, they could not tender any tangible reason for being outside at that particular period of time. And so, if they were allowed to go, it would have been because

they were driving in a big jeep. Whoever was found outside at that period was brought in,” she stated. While responding to the claim by the APC spokesperson that DSS operatives wore masks during the election and were shooting sporadically and recklessly, Ogar said that was not the first time the operatives were wearing mask during operations. She however dismissed the claim that they were shooting sporadically and recklessly. She said: “I don’t know whether in these other states, Edo, Ondo, Anambra and Ekiti, whether the DSS people were reported to be reckless. Shooting into the air for what? “And the APC spokesperson said he reported that people were wearing masks and that the director (of DSS coordinating activities in Osun) said she was going to investigate, I doubt that very much. In Abuja during the World

Economic Forum, the DSS operatives were hooded, it is not the first time our operatives were wearing hoods. “When he talked about masks, I don’t know whether it is the masks that the masquerades wear or the normal hoods that our operatives use. The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) has a swap team, which is the special tactical team that they use. When you have to pick some certain things from certain places, you have to pick it correctly. “Operationally, when these people are going out, that is their mode of dressing; they dress that way because these are operatives that are used for other assignments, and first of all are to be able to avoid, may be, eye contacts or recognition that would unduly bias or undermine our operations.” She also said the DSS had begun profiling of all groups and individuals

that could threaten the peaceful conduct of the 2015 general election. The profiling of the affected groups and persons, according to Ogar, is based on evidence before the secret agency. When asked if the various security agencies have the capacity to handle the general election considering the challenges they face in a staggered election in just one state, Ogar assured the public that there is no cause for alarm. However, in swift riposte to Ogar’s allegations, the APC accused the DSS of indulging in “crass partisanship.” The party in a statement in Abuja yesterday by Mohammed, also said Ogar should be properly trained and given the necessary exposure so she could speak with knowledge and facts, instead of making baseless and incautious statements. “It is sad that a spokesperson for the DSS does not know there is no of-

fence called ‘loitering’ under Nigerian laws. For her to now go on national television to say the APC’s national publicity secretary was arrested for ‘loitering’ in Osogbo on the eve of the state’s governorship election is the height of ignorance and constitutes a great embarrassment to DSS. “On what basis is Ms. Ogar questioning what the APC’s national publicity secretary was doing in Osun, when the same fellow has not questioned the presence of Musiliu Obanikoro, Chris Uba and the likes in the same state? Or are those people from Osun State? “It is sad that Ms. Ogar has turned herself to the spokesperson of the PDP by echoing what that party has said on the Osun election. This is unprofessional and irresponsible,’’ it said. The party described as a tissue of lies the N14 million bribery allegation, wondering why the DSS did not arrest the official who offered the alleged bribe.

L-R: Fund Manager, Mutual Funds, UBA Asset Management Limited, Mr. Bawo Oritsejafor; Managing Director, Mrs. Modupe Mujota and Head, Legal/Trust Services, Union Trustees Limited, Mr. Ekom Umossoh, at the 7th Annual General Meeting of UBA Mutual Funds, in Lagos...yesterday.

Alleged fraud: EFCC quizzes ex-bank MD over sale of Intercontinental bank

Emmanuel Onani

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday in Abuja quizzed a former managing director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Mahmoud Alabi, over his involvement in the sale and acquisition of the bank by Access Bank Plc. A highly-placed source at the commission’s headquarters, who preferred to

remain anonymous, told New Telegraph that the former MD was still being interrogated by a crack team of specially-trained operatives. He was still being interrogated as at the time of filing this story. The impeccable source further confided in New Telegraph that Alabi arrived the Commission’s head office at about 10a.m. yesterday, upon an earlier invitation by the anti-graft

agency. It was, however, not clear whether the former chief executive will be granted administrative bail. It will be recalled that former MD and chief executive officer (CEO) of the bank, Mr. Erastus Akingboba, was said to have petitioned the antigraft agency, wherein he alleged manifest fraud in the sale of the business concern.

Interestingly, the anticorruption commission is prosecuting Akingbola before a High Court in Lagos, on offences bordering on alleged fraud totalling about N47 billion. Intercontinental Bank and a few others were either acquired or merged, in the wake of reforms initiated in the banking sector, by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

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Nigerian companies get $30bn international bonds Simeon Ogoegbulem ABUJA

igerian companies have been issued nine bonds valued at $30.4 billion (about N5.016 trillion) in the International Capital Market (ICM). Director General of Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, noted that “for the first time in Nigeria’s economic history, the private sector have been en-

abled to access long-term funds from both the domestic and international capital markets.” “The successful issuances of three Nigerian Sovereign Eurobonds in the International Capital Market – one in 2011 and two in 2013 – have opened the window for Nigeria’s private sector to raise required foreign currency funds,” the statement emphasized. According to DMO boss,

“They are now able to fund long-term real sector projects (agriculture, manufacturing, housing, mineral exploration and processing, infrastructure, etc), for diversified and sustainable economic growth, towards employment generation and poverty reduction.” On the domestic front, “between 2007 and 2013, as many as 22 Nigerian companies raised over N223 billion from the domestic market.”

The DG further noted that the success recorded was “part of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, whereby positive change is taking place in various facets of the economy, the Domestic Bond Market has been meticulously developed with appropriate products and institutional frameworks to that longterm debt capital (Bonds) with tenor of up to 20 years can now be easily sourced

L-R: Chairman, Quantum Petrochemical Complex, Mr. Jim Ovia; President Goodluck Jonathan; Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio and his wife, Ekaete, during the ground breaking ceremony of the company, at Ibeno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Bode George on confab: I’m a fulfilled Nigerian

ormer Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, yesterday described members of the just-concluded National Conference as patriotic citizens who deserve applause from Nigerians. Describing himself as a fulfilled Nigerian given the peaceful conclusion of the confab, George, a member

of the conference, also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for having the courage to convene it “which will form the pillar of our democracy”. “I am happy it has ended on a high pitch of success. Of course, there were ups and downs which is normal in a gathering like that but we proved to doubting Thomases that we could do it and we did it. Nigeria

has existed for 100 years and now, we have laid the foundation for another 100 years to build nationhood. “I want to congratulate all those who participated. My kudos also go to the chairman of the conference, members and all Nigerians who gave us the chance and followed the debate diligently. Robust debate is the bastion of democracy and with what we

have done, the future will be bright. Even the 24-yearold lady, who is the youngest delegate, is now assured of a brighter future. “President Goodluck Jonathan has succeeded in doing what others could not do and we thank God for this happy ending. Some thought it would be a failure like in the past but all Nigerians are now sure of a brighter future”.

FG sacks resident doctors CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Chukwu said 11 people have so far tested positive to the virus and are all restricted to Lagos. Meanwhile, relatives and friends of a Senior Consultant Physician & Endocrinologist at the First Consultants Medical Centre, Dr. A.S. Adadevoh, who is one those quarantined, have sent called on the United States and the international community to come to his aid. According to their spokesman, Dr. Ladi Okuboyejo, managing director, Premium Health HMO, the call came because the Federal Govern-

ment alone could not cope with the emergency. Okuboyejo, at a news conference in Lagos yesterday, said: “I know that the Federal Government is trying its best but there is a lot more we can do to address this situation. Nigeria is too big to be ignored. This disease is new to us in Nigeria and there are experts globally that have the experience in treating Ebola globally. We need to tap into their expertise in country.” In another development, the Federal Government has suspended residency training programme in its hospitals pending the

conclusion of the ongoing appraisal of the challenges in the health sector. A statement from the Federal Ministry of Health signed by the Deputy Director of Press, Alhaji Isiaka Yusuf, said the directive was without prejudice to any emergency measure that may be necessary for the hospital management to immediately restore full medical services. Giving background to the development warranting the suspension, Yusuf said the strike situation declared by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) since July 1 coupled with the current security chal-

lenges in the country with the attendant mass casualties, had been compounded by the recent outbreak of EVD since July 20. “It is quite regrettable that the people who should take leadership role in the fight against Ebola disease are now the most unsupportive. All efforts by government to contain this disease are being frustrated by the continued industrial strike action of the NMA,” he said. While condemning the strike, Yusuf said the Federal Government had implemented more than 90 per cent of the agreement signed by both parties.

in Nigeria.” Nwankwo solicited the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders to “sustain the momentum and make maximum use of the opportunity, as patriotic responsibility demands the commitment of all in continuation of the

positive transformation that is taking place.” Analysts said the Nigerian companies were apparently taking advantage of the window opened through the successful issuance of Nigerian Sovereign Eurobonds by DMO.

FG earmarks N752bn for electricity transmission expansion CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

remained unwavering. “A total of $4.7 billion or N752 billion is already being earmarked for transmission expansion in the next five years. In addition to this, it is also intended that more innovative approaches will be adopted to fund the TCN through opening possible private sector investment windows at the nearest possible time,” he said. Sambo also noted the need to bridge the metering gap in the electricity industry, stressing that government is sourcing funds from various avenues, including opening an initial N33 billion soft term credit line to enable the distribution companies acquire smart metres and make them available to customers. According to him, adequate metering could play a multiplier role by shoring up the market revenues of the distribution companies and ensuring greater equity and accuracy in the billing of customers. He explained that both the ministries of Power, and Mines and Solid Minerals Development have been directed to ensure that the first large-scale coal-to-power project takes off soon for the nation to take advantage of its coal belt, which covers eight states and is capable of generating about 5,000 megawatts of electricity. He said more innovative approaches would be adopted to fund the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) through opening possible private sector investment windows. The inauguration of NACOP was the highpoint of a three-day brainstorming on issues affecting power generation, transmission, distribution, renewable energy and energy efficiency rural electrification and policy initiatives and implementation strategies by experts and stakeholders, who were drawn from across the federation. Also at the occasion, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said the

cardinal goal of the NACOP was to advance the power sector to actualise its unified mission of stable and reliable electricity for all. According to Nebo, NACOP will act as an advisory and decision making body to review recommendations from all its stakeholders. Meanwhile, the Association of Electricity Consumers of Nigeria (AECN) has urged the Federal Government to investigate the activities of Distribution Companies (DISCOs), over their continued estimated energy billing system. The National President of AECN, Mr. Ganiyu Makanjuola, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. Makanjuola said that the privatisation of the nation’s electricity sector made it illogical for DISCOs to engage in arbitrary tariffs in spite of poor power supply and distribution system in the country. “We cherish the privatisation of the power sector by the Federal Government but we cannot understand the continued over estimated billing system which had made nonsense of the privatisation. “The privatisation of power supply is meant to be the bedrock for sustainable socio-economic growth and development. “But today, the DISCOs have deviated from the directive of Chairman of National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, that bills should not be given to residents that don’t enjoy energy for two weeks. “The overbloated estimated bills between N6, 000 and N8, 500 are charged on residents monthly,” he said. Makanjuola said the Federal Government should be proactive and ensure the eradication of estimated bills. “Prepaid meters should be made available and there should be an end to the estimated billing system regime in the country,” he said.

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NEC bans non-revenue officials from tax collection

...orders IG to dismantle road blocks Anule Emmanuel

he National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday ordered federal agencies, states and local governments to discontinue the use of non-revenue officials for collection of taxes and levies in the country. NEC comprises of governors of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territo-

ry (FCT), Solicitor General of the Federation, ministers of finance and national planning, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Economic Adviser to the President. The council is chaired by the Vice President. Briefing correspondents after the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State said the practice of using non-

revenue officials for tax collections was contrary to section 2 of the taxes and levies Act. He said council agree that all states revenue boards should be empowered to automate their tax operations for effective, process accountability and reduce leakages. NEC also directed the acting Inspector General of Police to dismantle all road blocks mounted on highways for revenue

collection. Obiano who briefed alongside Governors Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Idris Wada (Kogi), Deputy Governor of Bayelsa John Jonah as well as the Minister of National Planning, Abubakar Suleiman and the Acting Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue, said Council took the resolution following a briefing of the Ministerial Implementation

Committee (MIC) on the harmonisation of taxes, presented by the chairman, FIRS on behalf of the CME/HM finance. The MIC was set up following report of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to NEC on multiple taxation across the federation at various levels and its effect on the Nigerian economy. He said some of the findings of the MIC’s

L-R: Prince Azuka Ogbuka; former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-East, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu; former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George; Naomi Baine; former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu; Rabbi Barry Dolinger of Congregation Beth Sholom USA; Prince Elias Odoemelam and Shai Afsai at the Abuja residence of Kalu.

findings are: the 1998 taxes and levies Act is overdue for review, there is duplication of some taxes and levies at states and local governments, taxes and levies administered by some states are not backed by appropriation legislation. The Council received a presentation on National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme (NAPSAS) by Honourable Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo. Gboribiogha told reporters that the presentation observed that for close to 23 years there has not been structured skills training for the technical manpower that works in generation, transmission and distribution sub-sector. The Council also agreed that 3,700 trainees, 100 each from 36 states and FCT will be fully sponsored by the Federal Government under the scheme and same 3,700 by the states. A total of N1.3 billion will be disbursed from the Federal Ministry of Power Intervention fund for the scheme. The National Planning Minister also told journalists that Council also received an update on the National Integrated Infrastructure Masterplan (NIIMP).

Despite rancour, National Conference ends on consensus CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

Ebola crisis. “It is hereby moved that the secretariat be mandated to vet all the written submissions by delegates and make necessary correction thereby providing the final draft of the conference report.” As a follow up, another motion was moved to amend the earlier motion for the purpose of changing the nomenclature of one of the volumes of the reports from “Draft Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2014” to “Proposed Amendments to the 1999 Constitution. The second motion was moved by another delegate, Adamu Maina Waziri. While moving the motion, Waziri said: “To cultivate a conducive environment for delegates to validate and adopt the final report of the conference, we the undersigned delegates, hereby offer and endorse the following observations and recommendation that seek to facili-

tate the process and lead to amicable ending of the conference proceedings. “We note that the secretariat of the conference on August 11, 2014 tabled before delegates a draft report contained in three volumes that are broken down in seven chapters “In particular, we observed that volume III titled Draft Constitution, conveys an attempt to insert various resolutions and recommendations of a constitutional nature that were adopted by the conference as proposed amendments to the appropriate sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. “We recall and welcome the clarification and confirmation offered by conference chairman at plenary on August 13, 2014 that indeed Volume III contains proposals for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution. “We urged the leadership of the conference, in collating the final report, to more appropriately des-

ignate Volume 111 as: Draft Proposals to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. “Furthermore, we note and welcome the amenability of the conference secretariat to entertain suggestions from the delegates that point out any specific error to misrepresentation of decisions taken or resolutions adopted by the conference and/or any inadvertent failure to incorporate same in the draft report. “We are aware that delegates have responded to this call and submitted to the secretariat their various observations and suggested amendments to the draft. “In preparing the final report, we urged the conference secretariat to keep faith with and reflect fully and accurately all resolutions and recommendations accepted by the conference and as contained in votes and preceding that were formally adopted. “Subject to the accep-

tance of the foregoing understanding, assurances and conditions and in accordance with the Procedure Rules, 2014 of the conference, we move for the validation and adoption of the draft reports contained in volume 1,2 and 3 without further debate. “In the spirit of the consensus building cultivated by members and to maintain the bridges built during the currency of the conference, we urge all delegates to subscribe to this plea.” After his submission, Kutigi then put the two motions to voice votes and each of them received the unanimous separately approval of the delegates. Immediately after the unanimous approval, the delegates stood up spontaneously and applauded themselves for having surmounted a big hurdle. In a joyous mood, they sang the old National Anthem “Nigeria We Hail Thee” and this was followed by hugs and handshakes across the hall.

Kutigi then called on a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), to formally move a motion for the adoption of the final report of the conference. This motion was seconded by the youngest delegate to the conference, 24-year-old Miss Yadoma Bukar Mandara. Shortly after, delegates took turns to applaud the leadership of the conference for their maturity in steering the conference proceedings. Outside the hall, many delegates commented on the joyous way the conference ended. A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, said it was most commendable that the conference ended well and without rancour. He described the scenario as a typical Nigerian story where people talk to one another as though they want to break away from the country but resist any threat to the unity and

corporate existence of the country when the chips are down. “I am so delighted that after all the deliberations and negotiations, we have come to an appropriate end that will produce for Nigerians a better country in which no one is oppressed; in which no side can claim superiority over the other and in which any individual, man or woman, boy or girl, have a chance to develop to the best of his or her abilities,” Nwachukwu said. A former Inspector General of Police and CoChairman of the Northern Delegates Forum, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, who addressed reporters, said that the North did not mean any harm when it raised some objections to the draft report. According to Coomassie, the North was not out to scuttle the conference but wanted the conference to abide by its rules and procedure and take due cognisance of its terms of reference.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Aircraft manufacturer, Gulfstream, opens shop in Nigeria Wole Shadare ircraft manufacturer, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has expanded its sales capabilities in Africa by naming SkyJet Aviation Services Limited as a commercial sales representative in Nigeria and other countries such as Ivory Coast, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. SkyJet is a private charter airline and aircraft maintenance provider and was incorporated in 2006. SkyJet’s owner and Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Kashim Bukar Shettima, and Director of Aircraft sales, Bruce Fullerton, will work closely with Gulfstream’s Pete Buresh, regional vice president, Africa, and Trevor Esling, regional senior vice president,

International Sales. The company is headquartered in Kaduna, a city in central northern Nigeria, and has additional offices in Lagos and Abuja. There are indications that more private jets are now arriving into Nigeria as a result of acquisition of more wealth by many Nigerians. The jets, according to aviation sources, are being brought into the country by chartered plane companies in preparation for the passenger capacity surge that is expected to begin as politicians prepare for the elections. A top official of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, who pleaded anonymity, said charter airlines were bringing more business jets into Nigeria.

Jonathan lauds private sector involvement in petro-chemicals Tony Anichebe

uyo

Goodluck Pheresident Jonathan yesterday said would make Nigeria

the petrochemical hub of Africa. Jonathan, who was in Akwa Ibom to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of $1.5 billion Methanol Industry and commissioning of Uquo gas Processing Plant, also stressed the need for the establishment of more petrochemical industries in the country in order to create wealth and boost the country's foreign exchange. The President stated that it was only through the private sector that the economy could grow, explaining that it was not the business of the government to get directly involved in the building of industries but government can provide an enabling environment for private sector to thrive.

He said: “Private sector involvement is key because it touches on our economy. Factories have to use gas and Nigeria is known to have more gas than even crude oil but over the period, we have not been maximizing our gas access. “We even have gas plants but we don’t have enough gas to power it. Of course, the issue of the Quantum Petrochemical Complex is significant because we have been saying that we will make Nigeria the Petrochemical hub of Africa. So, we need more of private sector investment. We must consume our gas. That is the only way Nigeria will appreciate the value. “We cannot continue to export raw crude oil and raw gas. When you export raw gas, you create job and wealth in other places. You imagine the number of jobs the petrochemical industry will create. Private sector involvement is important.”

Ebola slows down Customs port operations Nigeria Customs Tsaidhe Service (NCS) yesterday the prevalence of Ebola

virus in the country was slowing down its operations at the ports and border stations. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN), the Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr Wale Adeniyi, made this known in an interview in Abuja. Adeniyi explained that the downturn in the activities of the service was because current operational emphasis was on the protection of its officers and men against the virus. He said that measures were being taken to provide necessary facilities for the safety of the person-

nel and those they come in contact with in the course of their duties, adding that not much was being done operationally. “So, for now, we are not really concerned much about revenue collection but we are concerned on how to ensure that officers and men do not contract the virus while doing their jobs,” he said. Besides, he said that the traffic of port users who deal with the Customs had reduced as everyone was being cautious of the virus. Adeniyi admitted that the current situation could negatively impact on revenue generation by the service.

L-R: Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III and Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, during Amaechi's visit to the Sultan in Sokoto …yesterday

CBN reintroduces N65 charge on ATM withdrawals TAX Customers to bear brunt of all ATM transactions while banks smile

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that Automated Teller Machines (ATM) withdrawals would attract N65 per transaction to cover remuneration for the switches from Sept. 1 This is contained in a circular signed by Dipo

61%

Fatokun, Director Banking and Payment System Department, in Abuja yesterday. “The reintroduction of “Remote-On-Us’’ ATM cash withdrawal transactions fee, will now be N65 per transaction to cover the remuneration of the switches, ATM monitoring and fit-notes processing by acquiring banks. “The new charge shall apply as from fourth “Remote-on-us’’ withdrawal in a month by a card holder, thereby making the first three `remote on us’ transactions free for the card holders, but

The percentage of hydropower generation potential in North America estimated to have already been developed. Source: Unesco.org

to be paid for by the issuing bank,’’ it said. According to the circular, Sept. 1, 2014 shall be the effective date for the implementation of the new fee. It stated that banks were expected to conduct adequate sensitisation of their customers on the introduction of the new fee. The circular stated that all ATM cash withdrawal on the ATM of issuing banks should be at no cost to the card holder. It recalled that CBN in collaboration with the Bankers Committee

17.2m

The total population of men in Canada in 2012. Source: Un.org

had in December 2012 transferred the payment of N100 fee on Remote-onus ATM cash withdrawal transactions to issuing banks. “This fee was shared between the acquirers, issuers and switches. On the commencement of the arrangement in December 2012, banks decided to waive the issuer fee (N35) which should have ordinarily been an income to them. “Consequently banks only bore the cost of N65 each time their customers use another banks’ ATM,’’ it said.

17,914

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

Impeachment: Panel adjourns, insists on Enugu dep gov’s medical report Wale Elegbede he seven-member panel investigating the allegation against the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Sunday Onyebuchi, yesterday insisted that counsel to the embattled deputy should produce a medical report from a state-owned facility as against the medical report obtained and presented from University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. This is coming as the panel again refused the plea of deputy governor’s legal team for an adjournment till Monday for their

client, who is said to be suffering from low blood pressure, saying that the panel is a fact finding group with specific deadline. Meanwhile, the Enugu Rescue Group has warned against the mishandling of the life of the deputy governor, saying that this could be an outright invitation to anarchy in Enugu State. Onyebuchi, who was absent at the panel yesterday, slumped on Wednesday, while testifying before the panel and was first rushed to St. Leo Hospital, Enugu, where one Dr. Akunyili attended to him before he was transferred to one G.C. An-

isiuba, a consultant physician and cardiologist, who is currently treating him. The panel said, “Although Dr. Anisiuba works in the medical facility of UNTH, he did not issue the report as a report from that facility. Assuming he did, UNTH is not a hospital under the Enugu State Government. “A cardiologist or other specialist physician in relevant field of medicine from Enugu State University Teaching Hospital or Park Lane Teaching Hospital be granted access to the Deputy Governor for the purpose of evaluating his state of

health and issue a formal report to this Panel. That can be done today (Thursday) and they come back tomorrow (Wednesday) to see the report instead of Monday.” But in a statement by the ERG signed by its publicity secretary, Martin Okenwa, the group said it deplores the abuse of power and persecution that has now hung on the life of the Deputy Governor, saying that the unusual hurry of the panel that has a constitutional period of three months to complete its work further confirms that it is executing a 2015 script written in the Enugu State Government House.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Northern governors redeem pledge to Ombatse victims Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

he Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday presented a cheque of N34 million to the Nasarawa State government for onward presentation to families of the deceased security operatives killed at Alakyo village in Lafia Local Government by Ombatse, a militia group, as part of the fulfillment of its pledge. The NGF pledged N100 million to the families of more than 90 security op-

eratives killed at Alakyo, during its condolence visit to the Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, in August last year. Presenting the cheque on behalf of the forum at a brief ceremony held at the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Permanent Secretary, Cabinet and Security Affairs, Niger State, Mr. Paul Kolo, said that they were in the state to redeem the first tranche of the pledge earlier made by the forum. Commiserating with families of the victims

and the Nasarawa State government over the killing of the security operatives, Kolo prayed against reoccurrence of the ugly incident in the region and country at large. He said the region assured that the remaining amount would be made available to the government when the money is received. Receiving the cheques on behalf of the government, the SSG, Hajiya Zainab Abdulmumuni, expressed gratitude to the forum for its show of concern, noting that the gesture would go

a long way in cushioning the hardships being experienced by the bereaved families. She bemoaned the activities of Ombatse, which according to her, has posed security threats to the lives and property of the citizens, commending the security agents for restoring peace in the state. While thanking the forum for the presentation of the cheque, the SSG assured that the money would be judiciously distributed to the beneficiaries.

FCT agencies brainstorm on counter-terrorism Emmanuel Onani s part of measures to forestall future bomb attacks and other terrorrelated incidents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs, members of the Joint Task Force on security in the territory, have held a two-day brainstorming session. The Task Force on Internal Security in the FCT, code-named ‘EX HAWK EYE,’ was established in April, following the twin-bomb explosions that rocked a crowded park in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, which left scores dead and many others injured. The disclosure was contained in a statement posted on the official website of the Defence Headquarters. The inter-agency force, according to the statement, comprises “commanders, supervising officers, intelligence, operations’ officers, various unions and other stakeholders in the FCT, in the joint planning, preparation and conduct of counter-insurgency operations with everyone knowing its tasks, man-

power, resources, other assets available, possible areas of challenges required in the event of a breach of security in the FCT and environs.” The statement quoted the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje, who doubles as the Task Force commander, as expressing satisfaction with the impressive turnout of representatives of security agencies for the exercise. It reads in part: “The Federal Capital Territory Internal Security Task Force is holding a twoday desktop exercise as part of preparations for a joint and multiple agencies approach to counter terrorism and counter insurgency operation. Omozoje attributed this to the realisation that synergy among security agencies is the key to any emergency response among security agencies. “The task force commander urged participants to avail themselves the opportunity of the training to improve on the tactics of fighting insurgency and terrorism in FCT and the country at large.”

TAN seeks empowerment of anti-graft agencies Onyekachi Eze

ABUJA L-R: President, Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), Prof. Munzali Jibril; new Fellow, Prof. Festus Adesanoye and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Emeritus Prof. Ayo Banjo, at the 16th Convocation/Investiture of the new fellows of the Academy in Lagos...yesterday

FG to disburse $160m to investors Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

he Federal Government has set aside $160 million to be shared among private sector stakeholders across the states of the federation to develop and improve the agriculture and tourism sectors of the economy. This was disclosed yesterday in Ibadan, by the Growth and Employment in States (GEMS) Coordinator, Mr. Yunusa Labaran, in his speech at a sectoral sensitisation workshop held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The workshop, which was organised in collaboration with the World Bank/DfID, featured, among others, overview of light manufacturing/agro processing sector and overview of hospitality and tourism. Among the paper presenters were from Mr. Abiodun Odusanwo,

hospitalist and tourism specialist in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Mr. Olusola Ajayi, a manufacturing specialist. At the well-attended workshop, where stakeholders converged to present their challenges in the sector, Labaran said the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, decided to give out the loan as part of his economic recovery plans to encourage private investment. “The Federal Government had disbursed $160 million to be shared nationally to private investors in the agriculture and hospitality sectors, to improve cluster groups. The grant will not attract more than one per cent interest and we are going to provide easy access to this. This is part of the economic transformation agenda of the Federal Government.”

MDG projects get N4.7bn in Katsina Ahmed Sani Mohammed KATSINA

t least N4.7 billion has AKatsina been released by the State government

as counterpart funding for the execution of various project under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the state. The Permanent Secretary/Focal Officer of MDGs in Katsina, Alhaji Isiyaku Dikko, revealed this yesterday at the inauguration of the maternal and child clinic at Birnin Kuka, in Mashi Local Government council. Dikko said the amount provided within the period of seven years was to ensure successful the full implementation of MDGs’ projects saying; the state office of MDGs has constructed over 1, 115 boreholes and rehabilitated ten hand pumps and one motorised borehole. “We constructed and equipped 18 wards in general hospitals and provided five ambulances, renovated and upgraded 29 dispensaries,” Dikko added. According to him, as

part of moves to improve the living conditions of VVF patients, about 3, 000 patients were trained in different hand craft and provided with tools. Dikko, who gave a breakdown of achievements under MDGs within the last seven years, called on benefiting communities to guard against vandalisation of the projects. He assured that the MDGs’ office is working with the government to address problems of water in the area by the year 2015. Dikko further said arrangement is underway for the execution of more projects on health, education as well providing assistance to cooperative societies. In her speech, wife of the state governor, Hajiya Fatima Shema, commended the MDGs’ office and state government for improving the lot of the women in the state. Fatima called on the people of Birnin Kuka, to make good use of the maternal and child clinic provided for them.

he Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) yesterday called for the strengthening of anticorruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to enable them effectively tackle corrupt cases before them. The body also advocated the creation of anti-corruption courts, regretting that corruption cases before regular courts were being stalled by constant adjournments on flimsy excuses by defence lawyers. TAN Director of Public Communications and Strategy, Dr. Udenta O. Udenta, at a press conference yesterday, observed that trial has not even commenced in most corrupt cases instituted since 2007. “EFCC and ICPC, how strong are the instruments that design them. Are they robust enough? Are they strong enough to really do the job of tackling corruption as an institutional menace? Are they strong enough in liberating resources for the national revenue

base?” he added. Udenta, who announced that the association has concluded plans to begin zonal rallies in the six geopolitical zones, argued that having the capacity to fight corruption does not just mean power to arrest but to detain, arraign and prosecute suspected corrupt persons. “If it is not there, even though I am not an expert in this field, but we have to study the instrument very well and ensure we strengthen the instrument of anticorruption. I am sure they have tried to reform and amend the EFCC Act a few times to further strengthen it,” he added. The director of public communications and strategy also called for the creation of anti-corruption courts with different time lags in terms of execution, as is the case in election cases, which have specific time they would be disposed off at the Supreme Court to avoid chaos in the election calendar. He added that many distinguished politicians, including former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, have indicated interest in attending the South East zonal rally in Awka, on Saturday.

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Bode George on confab: I'm a fulfilled Nigerian

ormer Deputy National FDemocratic Chairman of the Peoples Party (PDP),

Chief Olabode George, yesterday described members of the just-concluded National Conference as patriotic citizens who deserve applause from Nigerians. Describing himself as a fulfilled Nigerian given the peaceful conclusion of the confab, George, a member of the conference, also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for having the courage to convene it “which will form the pillar of our democracy”. “I am happy it has ended on a high pitch of success. Of course, there

L-R: Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada; Director General, MDGS, Precious Gbenole and Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, at the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja …yesterday

Emmanuel Onani and Wale Elegbede

pecial Task Force in Plateau State, yesterday, intercepted some Abuja-bound youths from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. A statement on the official website of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) last night, said "Officers of the Special Task Force are currently trying to unravel the motive for the movement of some youths from Maiduguri heading to Abuja at about 3am when they were accosted in Plateau State. That was even as reports emerged yesterday that an attack by Boko Haram in Doron Baga community in Borno State allegedly left 10 people dead and 100 forcefully abducted on Sunday. The DHQ statement reads: "Numbering about

Special Task Force intercepts Borno youths on night travel 51, the youths were under the guidance of a lady as they were being conveyed in three eighteen-seater mass transit buses, when they were intercepted along Babale in Plateau State as they journeyed from Maiduguri to Abuja in the night. "During the interrogation that followed, they claimed they were being conveyed to Abuja on the directives of a Borno State Government official to meet their relatives for assistance in an economic empowerment programme. The official is yet to respond to series of efforts to verify the claims. “The issue is being investigated to ascertain the

genuine mission of such a team of young persons moving in the night more so as they have made contradictory statements as to the sponsorship of their mission to Abuja. The movement is being assessed in the light of the security situation and the suspicious claims of the youths." A source, who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri, said the insurgents attacked the town in the evening and took away some boys and young men after killing 10 villagers. .Some of those that fled

the area that were sighted in Maiduguri yesterday, said they had to flee the area because of the constant attacks by the insurgents. One of the displaced persons, Halima Alhaji Adamu, said six members of Hadejia community in Doron Baga were killed and about 100 young men were abducted on Sunday when the members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram launched an attack on their community displacing thousands who are now seeking refuge in some parts of Borno and Yobe states.

were ups and downs which is normal in a gathering like that but we proved to doubting Thomases that we could do it and we did it. Nigeria has existed for 100 years and now, we have laid the foundation for another 100 years to build nationhood. “I want to congratulate all those who participated. My kudos also go to the chairman of the conference, members and all Nigerians who gave us the chance and followed the debate diligently. Robust debate is the bastion of democracy and with what we have done, the future will be bright. "

Our political parties lack internal democracy — Mantu Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

Deputy Senate Fhimormer President, Alhaji IbraMantu, has lamented lack of internal democracy among registered political parties in the country. Mantu, who spoke at the inauguration of National Advisory Council (NAC) of Save Democracy Group (SDG), urged political actors to nurture internal democratic culture within the parties as a panacea for political stability in Nigeria. He cautioned against 'do-or-die' politics, calling on political actors to "imbibe the culture and

values of tolerance to one another's points of view". The former Deputy Senate President maintained that there was a compelling need to reform the polity and allow the choices of the party members and the electorate to triumph and accused Nigerian political leaders of truncating public wishes. He stressed the urgent need to rescue the polity from fierce and unbridled volatile verbal and physical engagement, just as he argued that the current democratic governance brought about remarkable improvements in the socio-economic fabric of the people.

Desert encroachment: Nigeria losing 351,000 hectares, say Minister

Local councils may get autonomy — Confab committee chairman

ECC to arraign stockbroker over N30m scam

Muhammad Bashir

Ibraheem Musa

Emmanuel Onani he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has concluded arrangements to arraign one Bioye Eluwole before a competent court, over an alleged N30million scam. In a statement signed by the EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the Commission alleged that the suspect, who is a stockbroker, sold 300,000 units of shares belonging to one of his clients

nvironment Minister, EMallam, Mrs. Laurentia Laraba has disclosed

without authorisation. The statement noted that investigations by the commission revealed that the suspect sold all the shares. The statement reads in part: "The shares, spread over sixteen different companies, were reportedly warehoused in his firm, Bytofel Trust and Securities Limited, but were confirmed sold by the Central Securities Clearing System, CSCS, when the client sought to confirm the status of his investment...

Nigeria Society of Engineers inducts 12 fellows Simeon Ogoegbulem ABUJA

he Nigeria Society of Tinducted Engineers yesterday 12 of its mem-

bers as fellows of the society. The newly inducted fellows are Dr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, Michael Chidozie-Ezeudenna, Sir Patrick Igba, Professorn Stephen Jackdell Mallo, Abdulhamid Musa and Jones Nwadike. Others are Mutiu Omoniyi Odesanya, Dr.

Ogajiye Stephen Ogaji, Tuoyo Omatsuli, Francis Oriakhi, Abu Salami and Adeseyi Sijuwade. Performing the induction ceremony which had Niger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, in attendance, President of NSE, Engr. Ademola Isaac Olorunfemi, charged the new fellows to see their induction as further call to service the engineering profession in particular and the humanity at large.

LOKOJA

that the nation is losing about 351,000 hectares of its land mass to desert encroachment. The minister stated this yesterday during the opening ceremony of the third Northern Stakeholders Forum and Ecofair held at Riverton Hotel, Lokoja.

She said the encroachment is estimated to be advancing southwards at the rate of about 0.6 kilometer per year. The minister however stressed that the federal government, conscious of this problem had since put in place various national strategies, funded and executed several drought and desertification control projects across the nation especially in vulnerable frontline states.

Ogun: School fees reduction too late, says Isiaka Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

Labour Party (LP) governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Prince Gboyega Isiaka yesterday said the reduction in tuition fees across stateowned tertiary institutions was too late. Isiaka, in a statement signed by the Director, Media and Publicity of his campaign organisation, Mr. Ifekayode Akinbode, described the state government's decision to slash school fees as a political gimmick to seek re-election.

He wondered why Gover nor Ibikunle Amosun effected the reduction shortly after the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost the governorship election in Ekiti State. He maintained that the reduction was still too high compared to the tuition fees being paid in other states. Isiaka, who lost the 2011 guber natorial election against the incumbent, however, contended that people of the state had seen through the political tactics.

KADUNA

Governments Lstillocal across the country will exist as tiers of gov-

ernment and they will be granted autonomy if the proposal of the Constitutional Conference is implemented. The clarification was made by the Chairman of the Sub Committee on Political Structure and Forms at the ongoing National Conference, retired Air Vice Marshall Muktar Mohammed yesterday. He made the clarification while briefing the Are-

wa Research and Development Project meeting that was held in Kaduna. Mohammed who noted that Local governments have suffered in the hands of state governors, said they need to be given free hand to operate effectively. According to him, they have seen reports in media that local governments have been proscribed. “It is wrong. In fact, it is my Committee on Political Structure that considered these things and I was the Chairman of the SubCommittee that wrote the report.

Yobe approves N1.6m for fertilizers, others state government YN1.6obe has approval the sum of for the procurement of fertilizers, examination fees, maintenance of Solar street lights and youths empowerment. The state Commissioner for Commerce, Alhaji Mohammed made this known in Damaturu after the Executive council meeting at government house. He said the sum of N973,350,00 was approved for the procurement of 4,500 mt of Urea fertilizer and 1,560 mt of NPK for the

2014 farming season. He said the council has also approved N315, 220, 670 for the indigent’s students WAEC/ NECO examination fees. He further stated that the council approved the sum of N120,705,400 for the procurement of materials for youths empowerment of 392 youths, adding that N117,216,550 has been approved for the procurement of Air conditioners, Fans, Extractors and piping units for the state UItra modern hospital in Damaturu.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Electricity Distribution Company protests attack on staff Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

taff of the Benin ElecSCompany tricity Distribution (BEDC) yester-

L-R: Head of Service, Mr. Danladi Irmiya Kifsi; out-going Head of Service, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji and Former Head of Service, Ahmed Yayale, at a book presentation, entitled: ‘Bukar Goni Aji: A Quintessential CIVIL SERVANT’ in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

PETITION

APC in court without their candidate Fayemi. And that is another issue Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

kiti State GovernorElect, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has urged the Election Petition Tribunal in Ado-Ekiti to strike out the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against his June 21 governorship election victory on the grounds of non-joinder and mis-joinder of parties. His prayers are contained in a preliminary objection filed by his counsel, Mr. Yusuf Alli (SAN) before the tribunal in Ado-Ekiti yesterday. The legal adviser to Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Kolapo Kolade filed the application on behalf of Alli.

Fayose urges tribunal to strike out APC's case l Lines up 35 witnesses Fayose, who defeated the APC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and 16 others in the poll has also lined 35 witnesses for his defence. The APC is challenging the declaration of Fayose as the winner of the election by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the PDP candidate did not poll the highest number of valid votes in the election. In its preliminary objection, Fayose is contending that with APC erred by not joining Fayemi in its petition when it is asking the tribunal to declare Fayemi the winner. To him, that is non-joinder. He is also challenging the joining of the Chief of Defence Staff as a respondent in the petition

$US166.9bn

The nominal GDP of Philippines (IMF) in 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

by the APC, describing the action as a mis-joinder. The defendant is also asking that the petition be struck out because some of the issues raised in it had already been decided by competent courts in the past. Particularly, the contention over the Higher National Diploma certificate tendered by Fayose, which was contested by the Alliance for Democracy when Fayose won the 2003 poll and the Court of Appeal in Ilorin, Kwara State, threw out the petition filed against him then. The defendant is also averring that the claim by the APC that the poll was rigged via what it termed ‘photo and thermo chromic’ electronic device,

80%

The percentage of underdeveloped technical potential for hydropower in Australia/Oceania. Source: Unesco.org

"is unknown to electoral law”. In its petition deposed to by its lead counsel, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the APC contended that Fayose was not qualified to stand for that election on the premise of his 2006 impeachment as the governor of the state and the fact that he allegedly paraded a fake Higher National Diploma Certificate from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State. The party also alleged that INEC allegedly rigged the election in favour of Fayose through electronic means. The APC is also contesting the alleged militarisation of the election, saying some of its members were allegedly traumatised by security agencies during the poll.

768m

The number of mobile-cellular subscriptions of Europe region in 2012. Source: Itu.int

NLC president lauds Chime over industrial harmony

he National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwahed Ibrahim Omar has commended the Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime and his administration for the cordial relationship between government and workers in the state. Comrade Omar made the commendation when he led the entire National Administrative Committee of the congress, comprising the National Working Committee and National Executive Council of the body on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu. The NLC President

described as highly commendable the disposition of the state government to pay workers their salary and wages on or before the twenty-fifth of every month and to pay the 27.5% salary increase to teachers in the state. “I wish to commend the relationship between Government and Workers in Enugu State to very large extent in terms of payment of salary and wages and other allowances to the workers in the. “Enugu State has excelled more than any other state in the country because I was told that hardly you cross the 25th of any month without

workers in the state receiving their salary and wages”, he stated. The NLC boss also said: “I am excited that Enugu State Government is paying the 27.5% percent salary increase to teachers in the state unlike in other states where government said that the 27.5 percent increase should be part of the minimum wage. Comrade Omar applauded the Governor for the ongoing road infrastructure development in the state capital and in other parts of the state and said, “we noticed the appreciable development going on in Enugu State,

the road network is one of the best in the state capital and even an enemy can attest to that.” He also praised the Governor for introducing free education from primary level to junior secondary school class III and free maternal and child health-care, adding that the programmes are worthy of emulation. He described the free education programme of government as a very wise decision that would help lay a very solid foundation for manpower development of the state while free health-care would promote a healthy society.

day took to major streets over attacks on them by aggrieved consumers in the Sapele Business district of the company located in Delta state. It was learnt that consumers descended on the unsuspecting BEDC staff to express their anger over repeated power outage and excessive monthly billing on them. But the Sapele Business manager of the electricity firm, Mr. Felix Orhuekpe in a protest letter complained bitterly that the activities of staff of the power distribution company have grossly been threatened by residents of Sapele communities and town. According to the letter dated 11th August,

2014 and sent to the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) zone 5, Benin, the Commander, Nigeria Army Unit and the Directorate of Security Service (DSS), Sapele, the BEDC management alleged that the lives of its staff were seriously being threatened in the area. The company appealed to the various security outfits and the state government to provide it with adequate security in order to carry out work within the location. Orhuekpe stated that some of the facilities belonging to the company have been destroyed due to what he described as “not too impressive power supply situation” which has been the worry of consumers, pointing out that poor power supply was not peculiar to the affected areas alone.

Ekiti: Calls for change envelope ruling party Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

stalwart of the All ProAEkiti gressives Congress in State, Mr. Olusegun

Osinkolu, has said the party needs to effect some changes in its leadership structure in Ekiti for it to have a good outing in the 2015 general elections. Osinkolu, who spoke with journalists in AdoEkiti yesterday said the present interim body, chaired by Chief Jide Awe, had done well, but would have to be overhauled for the party to have a good outing in the next elections. “There should be restructuring across board. The party cannot afford to approach the next elections with the same strategy, so the leadership must be changed. I am quite happy because our congress will be coming up soon and I am confi-

dent that it will throw up credible people that can bring radical change to the party. “The Awe-led executive could not do much in terms of administration because both the party leadership and government were fused into one. APC must learn how to separate the two because it will make things difficult for party members, especially those who have problems with people in government, who ordinarily ought to run to the party to seek redress”, Osinkolu said. The APC chieftain, who declared his intention to contest the Senate seat in Ekiti North, also insisted that the party was still a formidable force that could confront the Peoples Democratic Party despite the loss suffered by Governor Kayode Fayemi in the June 21 governorship poll.

Bayelsa approves bursary for students Chris Ejim YENAGOA

overnor of Bayelsa GDickson State, Hon. Seriake has approved

the sum of N400million for the payment of bursary and scholarship entitlements for students of the state origin in institutions of higher learning in Nigeria and abroad. Addressing newsmen in his office in Yenagoa, the Chairman of Bayelsa Scholarship Board, Evangelist Foster Ogola, who gave the breakdown of the amount, explained that N200 million is for the payment of bursary and the other N200 mil-

lion for foreign scholarship obligations, excluding those in the United Kingdom. According to the Board chairman, students of the Niger Delta University will be the first beneficiaries of the bursary, while other students in the South South and other zones of the country will be paid thereafter. He further explained that the bursary payment is for the 2013/2014 session, noting that beneficiaries will have to register online beginning from Monday,18 August, 2014 via the Bayelsa State Scholarship Board website.

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ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

Ebola: Two die for bathing with, drinking salt water Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

persons, male and female, have died in Tingwo Makurdi, the Benue State capital, after bathand drinking hot water mixed with salt,

apparently to prevent the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The victims (names withheld) died at Ushakaa Hospital off Makurdi-Otukpo Road after doctors tried fruitlessly to save the lives. The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Innocent Gbillah, who confirmed the incident, said they were admitted in the hospital on Saturday. He said: “We did everything possible to help the victims to no avail. One of them died at 7pm on Tuesday while the other died at 5am yesterday.” The CMD disclosed that the male victim lived in the North Bank area of Makurdi metropolis, while the female victim resided at the Benue Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (BNARDA) area of the town. He warned members of the public against acting on rumour, but to always seek medical advice before adopting them. The Director of Public Health in the state Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr Joseph Kumba, who also confirmed the incident, said the ministry got the report at a meeting yesterday that two persons died at the said hospital as a result of drinking and bathing with hot water diluted with salt.

Assassins miss target, shoot visitor Tony Okafor Awka

uspected assassins sent to kill one Chief AzuSLocal buike Ekweozor at Umuawulu in Awka South Government Area of Anambra State yes-

terday ended up murdering his visitor, Reuben Ikwuka, in an apparent case of mistaken identity. However, two of the suspects, who came in a black sport utility vehicle (SUV), were shot dead by policemen attached to Ekweozor’s house. At press time, there was scanty information on the development. But the state Police Public Relations Officer, Uche Ezeh, said the command had commenced investigations into the incident. The PPRO said that an Identification Card that bore a neighbouring state transport company (name withheld) was recovered from one of the suspects. Ezeh told journalists that the command would unravel those behind the killing. According to Ezeh, two AK47 rifles and about 60 live ammunition were recovered from the suspects. “What happened was that Chief Azubuike Ekweozor had a visitor in his house that is called Rueben Ikwuka and another person, but the man’s driver was coming back to the house with another vehicle following the man’s vehicle inside the compound. “Three persons alighted from the vehicle (black SUV) behind and because the suspects did not know their target, when the victim ran out, they fired and killed him. “But the two policemen attached to the target quickly returned fire and gunned two of them down, while the third person ran away with bullet wounds inside the vehicle and they drove off. “One good thing is that an Identification Card (ID) was recovered from one of them that could lead the way in the investigation with also the recovered rifle,” the PPRO said.

friday, august 15, 2014

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

0802 393 8212

Tuition fees: Four injured as pro, anti-govt students clash Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

t least four persons were injured yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when students of higher institutions clashed. The students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, invaded Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, demanding further reduction of the fees. But students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Abeokuta and some other institutions staged a solidarity march in support of the government’s decision. The rival protesters later clashed, leaving at least four students critically injured. Commercial activities were paralysed as the students, armed with placards and leaves, marched through the Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta, causing gridlock. The government had on Tuesday announced a 61 per cent reduction in school fees and abolished dichotomy in tuition payment, adding that the new fees regime would take effect from the 2014/2015 academic session. But OOU students, led by the Students’ Union President, Olusegun Ifade, declared that the reduction by government was politically-motivated and unfavourable to majority of the students and parents. They argued that any reduction of tuition fees above N50,000 was unacceptable to them. Ifade, who spoke on their behalf, said Amosun should have made the

OOU students at the entrance of the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, yesterday. PHOTO: KUNLE OLAYENI

reduction to take effect from 2013/2014 academic session, rather than the 2014/2015. He also called for proper funding of their university and the education sector, adding that the government should desist from victimising their colleagues. Though policemen were on ground to maintain law and order, the protest turned violent when a bus conveying MAPOLY students back to their campus was attacked at Kuto roundabout. In a reprisal attack, the MAPOLY students reinforced and attacked the OOU students leaving four seriously wounded. The state Police Commissioner, Ikemefuna Okoye, later addressed the protesters at the entrance of the Governor’s Office while those

injured were rushed to the hospital. Addressing students who rallied support for the tuition fees reduction earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Odubela, promised to convey their message to the appropriate quarters. Odubela said the 61 per cent reduction in school fees across board was reached after due considerations and deliberations among the student bodies, school authorities and the State Executive Council. “The 61 per cent reduction in school fees recently announced by the government was reached by your representatives, authorities of tertiary institutions and the Executive Council of the State government,” Odubela said.

Policemen held for killing, selling bodies for N11,000 each Clement James Calabar

t least, 13 policemen serving in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, will soon be arraigned in court for allegedly killing about six detainees in police custody and selling their bodies to the Anatomy Department of the University of Calabar (UNICAL). Their possible arraignment follows recommendations by the state Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP). New Telegraph had in June reported that a 300 level Accounting student of the UNICAL, Derek Maurice, was among those killed in police custody on April 17 and their bodies sold for N11,000 each to the Anatomy Department of the institution. The policemen were arrested on August 6 and are currently being held at the Zone 6 detention facilities, pending

Suleman Abba, IG

arraignment. But last week, the DPP recommended the prosecution of the said policemen, according to investigation by our correspondent. The policemen, led by one Sergeant Anthony Idoko, were accused of extra-

judicially murdering six young men on April 17 and selling their bodies to the Anatomy Department of the UNICAL. The lid over the murder by the said policemen was blown open in June when Mrs Eno Maurice, Derek’s mother, petitioned the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 6, over the disappearance of her son. The AIG set up an investigative panel of enquiry to unravel the cause of Derek’s disappearance. The panel traced Derek’s disappearance body and the bodies of the five others to the Anatomy Department of UNICAL. The panel’s report was said to have indicted Idoko and his accomplices who were promptly detained from June 25 to 28 at Zone 6 Police Headquarters, Calabar, but were released pending the recommendations of the DPP of the Ministry of Justice of the Cross River State.

METRO

Friday,August 15, 2014

Private schools’ outrageous fees provoked mega schools, says Mimiko

overnor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has said that the need to rescue the children of the poor from the strangulating commercial fees of private schools provoked his administration’s Caring Heart Mega School initiative. Giving an insight into the background of the initiative while fielding questions form journalists in Akure yesterday, Mimiko said before the advent of the Labour Party government in 2009, only a very small percentage of the public school graduates ever made it to good tertiary institutions with the result that education, though supposedly free in concept, became in reality, heavily skewed in favour of the rich who could afford the commercial fees of the private schools. The governor said his administration realised that in that uneven kind of competition with private schools, the public schools system, either at the primary or secondary education tier, produced students invariably from poor homes, who never made it to any tertiary institution because of the manifest deficiency in their scholarship. He said: “The resultant effect of this

inherently discriminatory system is that qualitative but free primary and secondary education in the state, became only a mental construct and catchy political sloganeering because in practice, only the rich could afford it. “To rectify this imbalance from source and expose the children of the less privileged to good education just like the children of the elite, the government started building model primary schools, appropriately named ‘Caring Heart Mega Schools’ to reflect the scope of learning possibilities and the sheer capacity for students’ intake. “Avant-garde in outlook but strictly proletarian in utility, the Mega Schools are the government’s way of making available the best of education obtainable in private schools in the state public schools system and they are to serve as models below which future public or private schools cannot fall.” This, Mimiko said, was in compliance with his party’s social democratic ethos of blurring the sharp cleavages between the have and have-nots through a conscious process of social integration of the citizenry.

Rotary Club donates mosquito nets to Ogba community

he Rotary Club of Ogba, District 9110 Nigeria, has donated insecticide-treated mosquito nets to the Aguda community in Ogba, Lagos. The donation is part of the LightUp Rotary theme for the 2014-2015 Rotary Year. Making the donation during a visit to the club, the District Governor, Rotarian Dele Balogun, enjoined the community members, who turned out en masse to receive members of the club, to make the best use of the mosquito nets. Balogun, a medical doctor, lectured the beneficiaries on how to use and maintain the net, saying if properly maintained, each of them could last for about 10 years. The President of the Rotary Club of Ogba, Rotarian Emma Eze, told the beneficiaries that the club had taken the community for its various projects as a way of lifting it from squalor, adding that members of the club were making great personal sac-

rifices to assist the less-privileged. Eze appealed to the people to maintain all the projects the club was executing in the community, including a borehole with several fetching points earlier donated to the residents. Expressing appreciation to members of the club for the gesture, the Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA), Mr Adelani Kazeem, promised that the beneficiaries would be sensitised on how to properly use the nets to ward off malaria. He also pledged that the borehole would be constantly protected from vandals. But, like Oliver Twist, Kazeem pleaded with members of the club to further come to the aid of the community in other areas, such the renovation of their health centre. Many members of the club and executives of the district were present during the handing over of the nets.

Four die as fire razes over 100 makeshift buildings Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

n early morning fire outbreak in Slaughter at Ngboshimili in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, claimed four lives and destroyed more than 100 makeshift buildings popularly known as batcha structures erected with mostly used woods - where some residents of Port Harcourt use for accommodation.

The four victims were burnt beyond recognition, but one of them was rushed to the hospital, where he later gave up the ghost. Witnesses said they were family members and that the fire started from their room. They explained that the fire started in the room of one Ada, whose mother came from Imo State on a visit, along with a three-year-old boy. Ada, her mother and her

daughter, died on the spot, while her nephew died at the hospital. A witness said that the fire might have been started by a candle that was found in Ada’s room and that because one of Ada’s neighbours sells kerosene, the whole place was on fire. Another witness, Ifeanyi, said that men of the fire service arrived the scene very late.

Eight-year-old girl needs N2.6m for heart surgery Babatope Okeowo Akure

ndigent parents in INorth Ikare-Akoko in Akoko East Local Gov-

er nment Area of Ondo State, Mr and Mrs Saliu Adeyemi, have appealed t o t h e g ove r n m e n t , cor porate bodies and spirited individuals to help them save the life of their eight-year-old Sadiat daughter, Saidat Abimdiscovered that the girl bola. Saidat, a primary two had congenital heart dispupil of Cor nerstone ease. The October 2012 health Nursery and Primary School, Ikare-Akoko, in report of the little SaidOctober 2012, according at made her father and to the Medical Director mother, who are peasant of Comprehensive Medi- farmer and petty trader, cal Centre, Iwase, Oka- to take her case to Kanu Akoko, Ondo State, Dr E. Heart Foundation. A. Olorunfemi, developed Noting that Saidat is signs and symptoms of from an indigent family heart disease when she that can hardly afford to was three years old. buy even basic palliative These signs, Olorun- drugs for the girl, the femi stated, made the hos- foundation in November pital authorities to refer of the same year launched her case to a cardiologist an appeal to save her life. The foundation, acwho carried out some investigations on her and cording to an SOS letter

from the parents, said Saidat’s condition re q u i re d the absence of the requisite medical facilities for “this high” risk surgery in Nigeria. As at the time the appeal was launched, the foundation sought to raise N1,632,000 to subsidise the cost of treatment, accommodation, transportation and feeding throughout the duration of her stay overseas. Unfortunately, the appeal did not yield the desired result as the parents could not raise N800,000 which was about 50 per cent of the money required for the surgery. Ironically, the family, which could not raise more than N800, 000 in 2012, has now been told to urgently look for N2.6 million for the girl to live due to the deteriorating condition of her health and the rate of inflation.

L-R: Assistant Governor, Rotary Club, District 9110, Nigeria, Rotarian Okey Mojekwu, a beneficiary, Mrs Nkechi Okafor, Balogun, Eze Kazeem, during the donation.

Robbers attack pastor, rape daughter that his motorcycle had number MK 382AAA, an accident and his boss one Mercedes Benz, ash olice yesterday pain the gang invited him colour with registration raded armed robbery to Ibadan with a prom- number GGE 278CK, six suspects, including a ise that he would assist assorted wrist watches, 24-year-old Owo, Ondo in paying for the repair N200,000 cash and other State-bor n Afolabi Olu- of his motorcycle only for valuables. watobi, who is seeking him to be introduced to a Arrested alongside admission into a higher ‘pastor,’ another member Oluwatobi were Morof the gang, and so was akinyo Olufemi (43), institution. Parading the suspects recruited into the crime Ayodele Ademola (55) at the Eleyele Police world. charged with rape, and The gang, according to Azeez Rafiu (27). Headquarters, Ibadan, Okaula, went to the resiDeputy Commissioner of The police chief said Police, Mr Sam Okaula, dence of a pastor (name all of them made consaid that Oluwatobi was withheld) around Sanyo fessional statements to apprehended after he area of the state capital the crime and to other robbed a pastor in Ibadan around 11.45pm on the crimes that had earlier faithful day, robbed mem- resulted into their being and raped his daughter. The suspect told our bers of the household remanded in prison cuscorrespondent that he and raped the cleric’s tody. was operating commer- daughter at gunpoint. Okaula nevertheless Items carted away assured the people of cial motorcycle in Owo, his home town, as a from the house included the state of the commeans of keeping him- one Sony laptop, one Sam- mand’s commitment in self busy pending when sung I-Pad, one Apple I- making the state safe and his admission would be Pad, three assorted cell peaceful, while warning phones, one blue Toyota criminal elements to eithrough. Oluwatobi explained Corolla with registration ther turn a new leaf or relocate from the state. He said: “We are poised more than ever to take the fight to their door steps. With the 18 patrol vehicles graciously donated to the police command by the governor of the state, Abiola Ajimobi, we have resolved that there will be zero level tolerance for criminals and criminaliOluwatobi (left) and other suspects ties in the state.” Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

12 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Kwankwaso faults confab's draft constitution Muhammad Kabir KANO

State Governor, Kso,ano Rabiu Musa Kwankawyesterday said that the country is in trouble with the controversial draft constitution from the national conference even as he urged delegates to the conference, regardless of where they come from, to totally reject it. He said the move was to give President Goodluck Jonathan, opportunity ‘to turn himself into a life president.’ Kwankwaso called on Nigerians not to allow the draft constitution see the light of the day as doing so would mean that more misfortunes await the nation. The governor said the draft constitution was nothing but a disaster and that the country would leave to regret it if adopted, because there is no way the 1999 Constitution would be rejected

under the pretext of a new constitution that was smuggled behind doors to satisfy only one person. He said: “And the worrying aspect is not giving people opportunity to have another eight consecutive years in office after spending 8 years. Is that how we will be, with the present insecurity, with lives being lost on daily basis, with some part of the country having a different colour that is not Green White Green, with the citizenry hiding in the mountain?” Kwankawso said that the most disturbing scenario today is that; whereas over 200 innocent schoolgirls had been abducted and there has been no news about their whereabouts, the Presidency is acting as if everything is alright with the nation; and only cares about 2015, making it a ‘do or die’ affair.

Navy hands over 20 suspected oil thieves to EFCC Chris Ejim YENAGOA

of the CenAof uthorities tral Naval Command the Nigerian Navy

yesterday handed over 20 suspected crude oil thieves to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to the Navy, the suspects were arrested along Sagana River area of Brass Local Government and are made up of 18 Nigerians, one Camerounian and one Ghanaian. The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso, Capt. Noel Madugu, while handing over the suspects at the command's base, in Brass, Bayelsa State, said the suspects were arrested on board the vessel MV ELMINA.

Madugu gave the names of suspects as Lucky Osiebe, Captain; Adakole Onmoniji, Chief Engineer; Monday Esemutoye; Tonwoye College; Collins Ograko; Odaba Divine; Dutie Ezetu; Frederick Onwoievbe; Bonley Atangeho and Dover Abruda. Others are Joe Richard; Campala Lewis; Efe Godday; Aaron Amohefe; Reuben Dabbi; Joseph Koey; Ponmile Gideon; Wafo Marcel; Dominion Agbo and Akinbolu David. Madugu said at the time of arrest, the captain of the ship could not provide the relevant documents. He also said the suspects declared that they were loading Automated Gas Oil, but when the products were tested, it was discovered to be crude oil.

Dickson lauded for inaugurating task force on waterways’ security Chris Ejim YENAGOA

of Bayelsa Rtheesidents State have commended state government

over the recent constitution of an 11-man special task force empowered to ensure adequate security of lives and property on Bayelsa waterways. In some of the communities, where cases of sea piracy, kidnapping and pipeline vandalism were on the increase, residents heaved a sigh of relief that security would further be strengthened when the marine component of the state security outfit, Operation Door Akpo, becomes opera-

tional. According to Mr. Ebiakpo James from Ekeremor Local Government, perpetrators of sea piracy, bunkering and other related vices, would be reduced to the barest minimum with the policing of the creeks and the waterways by the task force. They particularly lauded the government for the choice of membership of the task force, which was drawn from experienced personnel, who have deep knowledge of the creeks and rivulets crisscrossing the state and have been working closely with security personnel in checking pipeline vandalism and other acts of criminality.

Pupils of Oloruntele Integrity Nursery and Primary School, Iyana Meiran, Lagos State with the proprietress, Mrs. Oluwakemi Kehinde Otuyemi (right) and some teachers of the school, cutting the graduation cake during their valedictory and graduation ceremony.

884m

The number of people still using unimproved sources for drinking water. Source: Unesco.org

N1.16bn

The IGR realized from direct assessment sources of revenue in Akwa Ibom State in 2012. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

30%

The percentage of population under 15 years old in Cape Verde in 2012. Source: Un.org

Ilomuanya defies Okorocha, holds new yam festival Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

gainst repeated radio broadcasts by the Imo State government, claiming to have dethroned the Obi of Obinugwu and Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, and discouraging the public from attending his annual new yam festival, Ilomuanya yesterday in Obinugwu, Orlu, defied the dictates of the government to celebrate a colourful new yam festival that drew dignitaries from far and wide.

PROMISE

Former Benue Assembly speaker, Emma Jime eyes Governor House Markudi with juicy package Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

ember representing Makurdi/Guma federal constituency in the House of Representatives and governorship aspirant under the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Jime, has said that if elected governor of Benue State in 2015, he would introduce a new dimension to governance. Jime, who in an interview in Makurdi, the

Eze Agunwa Ohiri, whom the court had described as an illegal occupant of the office of chairman, Imo Council of Traditional Rulers, was also on air recently, urging Ilomuanya to apologise to Governor Rochas Okorocha, and the Imo people for his perceived recalcitrant stance over the conflict surrounding the chairmanship of the council. But, Kennedy Eweama, media aide to Ilomuanya, described Ohiri as a drowning man, who has allowed himself to be used to destabilise the revered traditional institution in the state.

“Their frustration is in the fact that Imo people know the whole truth of the matter and cannot be bamboozled by any announcement. Also, the people of Obinugwu in unmistakable ways have also told them that Ilomuanya remains their traditional ruler. Trying to discourage people from coming for the annual new yam festival is petty and cheap and would naturally come to nothing.” New Telegraph also gathered that efforts by the government to secure an ex-parte order from an Mgbidi High Court, restraining Ilo-

muanya from holding the new yam festival, was unsuccessful as Justice V. E. Orjiakor, declined the appeal, urging both parties to appear before the court to plead their case. The judge only offered to put Ilomuanya on notice until the issue in dispute is determined. Meanwhile, no fewer than 90 security personnel were on ground at Obinugwu to ensure a hitch-free festival. Senators, House of Representatives’ members, monarchs and some emirs from the north were in attendance at the festival.

2015: I’ll introduce a new dimension to governance, says Jime Benue State capital, regretted the poor attitude to governance exhibited by successive administrations, especially the beggarly attitude of the youth, embezzlement of public funds and lack of respect for elders, a development he said was not acceptable. “I understand the magnitude of the work that lies ahead of me, I am ready for it, and I believe that because of the tutelage I have received as a frontline legislator, if offered the opportunity, I will do it well.” Alluding to whether he is qualified to vie for the position, the former Speaker of the Benue

State House of Assembly said: “I am from MINDA political bloc of Benue state…if one is looking at it from that perspective, obviously I am qualified as well, but beyond that point, as far as I am concerned, I am not running for the office, because I am from MINDA extraction. “I am running for this office because I believe as a person I am qualified. No candidate is as qualified as I am and I am saying this with due sense of modesty. No candidate can raise his hand and say that he is better qualified for this office than I. So even from that perspective,

it will be possible.” Jime said the task of governance demands that one must be morally upright, spiritually filled as well as mentally prepared to confront the challenge. The APC chieftain also said that Benue State needs somebody who is prepared to work and transform the state by embarking on projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people, as well as one who can earn the trust of the people; believing that he was able to earn, because of the work he has done for his people as a member of the House of Representatives.

Odeyemi: It was not free and fair / PAGE 15 | Oyatomi: Omisore has no mandate to take to court / PAGE 16

POLITICS

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Friday, August 15, 2014

Youths in governance: Jonathan sparks debate on age limit

p-17

Impeachment: Fireworks in Enugu Hard tackles in Coal State Before the Enugu State House of Assembly began the ongoing impeachment moves against the deputy governor, Sunday Onyebuchi, close political watchers of events were not under any illusion that 2015 would be smooth. Yet, none had predicted that the hard tackles exemplified in the present move against Onyebuchi would come this early. At the meeting of the state caucus of the PDP penultimate Saturday, whereas a section of the caucus of party chieftains sided with Governor Sullivan Chime after listening to his story of a brief altercation between him and his deputy a few days after he returned from his annual vacation spent in the United States of America, a few others seemed sympathetic to Onyebuchi though in clear minority. New Telegraph learnt after the meeting that two National Assembly members, a male and a female, had shown sympathy for the deputy when they appealed to the governor to forgive him. But a former Senate President, a former senator and many others who reviewed the development were said to have praised the governor for having endured alleged acts of insubordination of his deputy for so long. Down the 17 local council areas and the electoral wards in the state, the development sent clear fears of the unknown down the collective psyche of party executives who are becoming frightened with the heating up of the polity. With the issue of democracy of the stomach gradually being introduced by seeming desperations, these disillusioned party faithful are being caught in the crossfire for the soul of Enugu State. And this can be seen in the senatorial ambitions of Chime and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu who is serving his third term in the Senate. Both are from the West senatorial zone. Then, there is the issue of Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, Chief of Staff in the Enugu Government House. She is said to be nursing a senatorial ambition and set to slog it out with the incumbent senator representing the East senatorial zone, Gil Nnaji, on one hand and the trio of deputy governor, Mr. Onyebuchi, former governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani and former Information Minister, Mr. Frank Nweke, on another hand. Among these five gladiators said to be oiling their political machineries, Chime is said

Since last month, signs of the likely epic political battles that would be fought in Enugu State come 2015 have been manifesting. These signs could be seen in issues around political heavyweights involved in the various struggles for the tickets of the political parties in the coal city state. The on-going moves for the impeachment of the state’s deputy governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, is one of such developments. UWAKWE ABUGU looks at the many battle fronts in the state.

Chime

Onyebuchi

to be supporting his Chief of Staff. Hence, those who are sympathetic to Onyebuchi over the impeachment sledge hammer hanging over his head have been skewing their argument on the matter to favour the deputy by saying that he is being brought down so that Nwobodo would have a better opportunity. Two separate schools of thought have punctured that argument. One of such came

from a close associate of former Governor Nnamani who actually made the deputy governor hit the political limelight from his obscurity as a clerical officer during the administration of Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo. The source told our reporter last week that “if you are talking about the senatorial contest for our zone, forget about Onyebuchi. He cannot even win in his family not to talk of winning in a ward.” This was countered by

a member of the PDP state caucus who stated that “the issue is not about creating any leeway for the Chief of Staff but it is all about the deputy governor’s growing faceoff with the governor who defied all pressures in 2011 to renominate him as his running mate to the consternation of many party faithful who had thought otherwise.” Why Chime moved against deputy It was learnt that Chime’s

CROSSFIRE The office of the Chief of Staff, Government House, died when I left office in 2011. That office properly coordinated government activities when I was there. Government had a direction. Governor Amaechi would not have had all these problems, if it was when I was Chief of Staff -Nyesom Wike

Wike probably meant that indiscipline to his boss, the governor, died when he left the office of the Chief of Staff. Insubordination to his boss, the governor, died when he left the office of Chief of Staff. His head was bigger than his pillow because he was not loyal to the governor -Tony Okocha

reading of the stance of Onyebuchi was that his allegiance was clearly with Ekweremadu, who has been fighting with the governor in many fronts over the furtherance of their respective ambitions come 2015. Although a copy of the impeachment notice mentioned various acts of misconduct, including ownership of a commercial poultry farm inside the premises of Government House, Enugu, a source said: “I can tell you that the governor had decided to move along and serve out his tenure with the deputy in spite of the perceived feeling that the deputy seemed to be in the camp of those opposing the governor over 2015, but that shear insubordination during the last meeting of the South East governors when the deputy would have hosted the meeting on behalf of the governor was the last straw that broke the camel’s back.” Beside these, government sources hinted that it appeared clear that the deputy governor was working surreptitiously with an opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an alternative option to realise his senatorial ambition. This probably informed the quick intervention of the spokesman of APC in the South East, Chief Osita Okechukwu, who issued a statement on behalf of the party to condemn the move to impeach the deputy governor. Okecukwu’s reaction which came in a statement expressed the party’s outrage over the treatment being meted out to the deputy governor. In addition to the statement of the APC spokesman, the state chairman of APC, Dr. Ben Nwoye, last Wednesday in Enugu rose in stout defence of the deputy governor who has been clearly known to be of the PDP. The APC state chairman accused Governor Chime of trying to heat up the polity in the state by moving against Onyebuchi, warning that if the impeachment move succeeds, it could create unsavoury consequences in the polity. Nwoye also attacked those from the deputy governor’s Nkanu clan now warming up to be appointed to replace the embattled deputy governor, saying such politicians were “political vultures without conscience”. Deputy Governor denies allegations When he spoke last Thursday at the High Court Complex CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

14 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

OPEN FORUM Tunde Odanye is a former governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Osun State but presently a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

think the election was a beautiful one, with a massive turnout possibly the highest in percentage of registered voters (PVC carrying voters) in recent times, yet very free and fair. I think kudos should be given to Mr. President for keeping his promise to deliver a free and fair election as he has tended to do in all elections conducted under his watch, and to Prof. Attahiru Jega and his team at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for delivering an open transparent and free and fair election. Indeed, our elections tend to be improving with every new election. I am also glad INEC avoided the banana pill retaining the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Rufus Akeju might have caused. In an interview with New Telegraph, I suggested he should be recalled to INEC headquarters or transferred for the duration of the election to enable someone else conduct it, and I am glad they had him go on leave at the time and had someone else conduct the election. If the past elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states have proven anything, it is that we can only have free and fair elections in Nigeria where adequate security is provided. But for the increased security which you have chosen to call militarisation, there is no way voters could have voted their consciences in the last election. Voters would either not go out to vote, or vote for the party of their choice and get home alive or something untoward happen. I don’t see how anyone could have voted PDP in the six Ijesa local governments or vote APC in the four Ife local governments whose sons were running in the said respective local governments without the heightened security measures put in place by Mr. President. We would not only have had intimidation and coercion of voters, ballot boxes would have been snatched and stuffed at will by thugs and parties losing in polling booths. I think all it shows is that we are under-policed and have a low police to civilian ratio, and even in America they

...OUtcome of OSUN Governorship POLL

Odanye: PDP got it wrong from the primaries I think kudos should be given to Mr. President for keeping his promise to deliver a free and fair election as he has tended to do call out their National Guards in cases where increased security is required. I think the APC should for once behave as gentlemen and acknowledge that the increased security has helped and has been a panacea to a whole lot of election irregularities and forms of rigging On why PDP lost the election, frankly I do not think we put our best foot forward. Our primaries were fractious and we did not reconcile all the aggrieved contestants. In any election, you need to give the party and the people what they want. This I believe was why we failed to do whereby we went into the election divided as a party. Any honest observer would tell you we started laying the foundation for our defeat at our primaries. Up until that time Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was a goner but from that point onward the party started to fragment. Even putting it back together in time for the 2015 elections would take some effort. The fallout/casualty list for the party in Osun State was just too much. We lost Senator Isiaka Adeleke a former governor, Ogunwale, a former Senator from Osun Central; Fatai Akinbade, a former PDP chairman and Secretary to the Osun State Government; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a former governor; the party’s deputy chairman, past and current state secretaries, Hon Diran Ayanbekun, a former member of the House of Representatives, Senator Sunday Fajinmi, Hon. Niyi Owolade, past local government chairmen in the state - Teslim Igbalaiye and others. Hon. Patricia Etteh, a former federal speaker was missing in action and many were

Odanye

lukewarm in their attitude, neither supporting with their presence or money. The truth be told there is absolutely no way we can say we went into the election united as a team. Some bolder people voiced their concern while many were too scared to. I attended an Elder’s Caucus meeting where one respected elder prefaced his statement saying “if we win this election ...” Some corrected him saying “When we win this election.” He again repeated “if we win this election.” You know that saying about what elders see and know taking inexperienced youth ages to fathom. Lastly on this, in some areas PDP didn’t give its members a lot to campaign with. In Ijesaland where the governor comes from and with six local governments, the question we PDP members were always asked was what are you offering us in return for dumping our son as governor? The minister we had you took from us, the national secretary of PDP which was between us and Okuku you took to Ife, the state secretary of the

Sowunmi: FG should recruit more police officers Biodun Sowunmi is a civil rights activist and public affairs analyst

Sowunmi

he outcome of Osun gubernatorial election should be viewed as the triumph of the peoples will over an array of state’s coercive instruments deployed in a manner interpreted by many as designed to truncate the true wishes of the people residing in the Osun State. It should also serve as a warning to all elected officials not to take the people for granted. Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s magnetic grip on the electorate was sustained by the way his policies touched the lives of the masses. The practice of using the military and masked Department of State Security officials to

unlawful arrest local leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as done in Ekiti and Osun must be condemned as it gives candidates of the ruling party unfair advantage. But it must be emphasised that there is no room for the de-

There is no room for the deployment of soldiers to police elections... What the president must do as a matter of urgency is to order the recruitment of more police officers

party is in Ife, and the governor too you want to take to Ife. So frankly a lot of diverse issues contributed to our defeat and I think we need to address these issues as early as possible if we want to return to our past full strength and more in Osun State in time for the forthcoming elections. The PDP was very strong and is still strong, but we need to do some serious introspection, tell ourselves some home truths and correct the anomalies in time for the next elections. Gone should be the days of - who is he, expel or remove him from the party nothing would happen. Like they say, “tiny drops of water make a great ocean” The president who is the leader of the party and the national executive of the party have congratulated the APC and its flag bearer, however it is the fundamental right and prerogative of the contestant to challenge the outcome of the election. He has locus standi and feels short changed so why not; he has every right to complain and seek redress if he feels wronged. In any case, have you forgotten that I am a lawyer and would always welcome patronage to my constituency? Ogbeni got his first term through the courts so why should Omisore not change the election result at the tribunal? All that needs to be recognised though is that unlike before where gubernatorial election petitions ended at the Court of Appeal they now end at the Supreme Court. Secondly, that 180 days timeline for election petitions is impractical if not impossible and goes against natural justice, equity and good conscience as I can hardly see election petitions scaling that test. All the respondent has to do is waste time, filibuster and the Amended Electoral Act would take care of the rest for him. The lessons from the Osun governorship election is the need to give the people what they want both in terms of governance, party primaries and choice of candidates.

Interview by Temitope Ogunbanke ployment of soldiers to police elections. The Federal Government must desist from this unlawful practice as it violates the constitution of Nigeria. The president can only deploy soldiers in the event of total breakdown of law and order. In that situation, the governor as the chief security officer of the state will write to make such a request. What the president must do as a matter of urgency is to order the recruitment of more police officers. Overall, the election showed how impactful the Aregbesola’s government has been prior to the election irrespective of the campaign of falsehood against him. It is a lesson for government at all levels to ensure that their policies have human face and the people can relate with it. However, the constant deployment of soldiers to civil related issues should be a major concern to all lovers of democracy. It is time to ponder about why our democratic system is gradually being laced with military presence because any other thing outside such contemplation may move us from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Interview by WALE ELEGBEDE

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

OPEN FORUM Prince Diran Odeyemi is the Director of Media and Publicity of the Iyiola Omisore Campaign Organisation

...OUtcome of OSUN Governorship POLL

Odeyemi: It was not free and fair

he election was not free and fair. There was use of government power to manipulate electoral officers and connivance with security officials. If the election was free and fair, we won’t have any cause to say that we are going to the tribunal. We are going to the tribunal not because we want to take the thing back, but because we want Nigerians to know how we were rigged and to put an end to election manipulation. We are heading to tribunal because we want justice done, we also want the whole world to know that there was no free and fair election as far as Osun State is concerned. Rauf Aregbesola, Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) machineries were too desperate to burn Osun should they not win that election and they did everything humanly possible to ensure they emerged victorious. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Osun are the ones affected by the result of the election because they are the ones on the field. The president and the PDP national machinery were not there, so whoever must have congratulated Aregbesola, did it based on information and results provided by INEC. And in order not to be seen as not being democratic enough, we just have to do a normal thing. So, congratulatory message to APC in Osun is never an acceptance that the election was free and fair. The only person that can talk about acceptance, if it was free and fair are the people who participated directly in the election because they are the ones who know where the shoe pinches and feel the pains.

If the election was free and fair, we won’t have any cause to say that we are going to the tribunal

Odeyemi

There is no basis for APC to talk about militarisation of the election. As a matter of fact, APC were the ones terrorising our supporters, saying that they were going to chase them out of Osun State. I can conveniently tell you that in Osun State, if you go to hospitals, we don’t have less than 50 people, who were injured by APC supporters during and after the election. As I am talking now, at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital Emergency Ward, there are many PDP members who were machete by APC. So, is it we that lost election that should be fighting or they that won the election that are the ones attacking us? Talking about the deployment of troops for the election; when the military came, the APC were shouting, that there was going to be militarisation of the election. But at the end of

the day when they saw comfort of the military men, they couldn’t say that they were harassed, or that the process militarised again. The security men were just there as observers. And as a matter of fact, the people that were arrested with ballot boxes, ballot papers and money were all APC members. Let them point to a PDP man that was arrested during the election. They cannot arrest us because we conformed to the electoral laws. We read in the newspapers where the DSS said that they were offered N14million bribe. Who wanted to bribe and for what reason? If you are not a criminal, you don’t need to bribe anybody not to do their job, except you have something hidden. Now that the allegation has been made, Nigerians should look inward to know who wanted to bribe the DSS not to do their job, or to overdo their job. What was that N14 million for? So, if they are saying that DSS harassed them, what is the correlation between that harassment and an attempt to bribe the DSS? What is the concern of PDP in it? I believe there was no fairness in the election, and as a matter of fact the electoral officers chosen for the election were supposed to be NYSC members, but O-Yes members, who were on the payroll of Aregbesola, were vir-

tually used for the election. And that was why the results were released even before the votes were counted in the places they wanted to rig, which is Ede controlled by Isiaka Adeleke, and also in Osogbo, Olorunloda, Iwo and Modakeke local governments. They singled out some local governments to do these anomalies. We are contesting 10 local governments with them and we are going to see what is going to happen because as it is going now, we are going to call for forensic examination of the votes. There was a particular polling booth, where they counted 649 votes for APC and just one for PDP. Is that not funny? We believe in one man one vote, and it is not that Omisore is not popular in Ife, but you’ll discover that we don’t have bulk votes in Ife; APC had good number of votes because they had their men on ground. As a matter of fact, when Aregbesola wanted to start his campaign, he started from Ile-Ife and when we wanted to end our campaign, we wanted to end it in Ilesa but we were not allowed at all in Aregbesola’s local government. We were chased out with stones and cutlasses, which was widely reported. So who is violent in this matter? We don’t have the kind of number of votes in Ile-Ife as we had in Ede and Osogbo. Of course, they did not rig in Ilesa and Ife areas but they have some selected areas where they planned to rig and that was where you saw high figures for APC, as if PDP is not present at all. We are not contesting Ilesa and Ife because those are the two places the two aspirants come from. But we would contest Osogbo, Olorunda, Ede and Iwo local governments.

Interview by Temitope Ogunbanke

Agu: Nigeria’s peculiarity demands troops’ deployment Chief Abolli Okoye Agu is a former deputy governor of Anambra State

sun State governorship election is a standard to be followed. I will first give thanks to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan because he is the one who dictates what happens. INEC has only what it takes to conduct the election in terms of providing officials and monitoring and supervising voting, yet all these things can be manipulated, but the president made sure that there was no manipulation. That election in every assessment is a good standard that will be accepted internationally. I believe it is going to give us a new lease in political organisation and association in Nigeria; I mean a stage where you can enter into a political contest and say with confidence that nobody is going to manipulate the process. It was President Jonathan who said let the people be the judge; let the people decide who rules them and who they don’t want. I think on the issue of deployment of military, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) were jittery and afraid of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but to me I did not see any reason why they should be afraid. I didn’t see any reason for Aregbesola to be afraid of PDP. Jonathan has

I don’t see any justification of the argument that forces should not be mobilised. You see, you have to do things according to the peculiarity of your own area said anyone who the people said should rule them should be allowed to rule them. There should be free and fair election, an election that would be reliable and seen by the international community as being free and fair. That was why members of the armed forces were mobilised. I don’t see any justification of the argument that forces should not be mobilised. You see, you have to do things according to the peculiarity of your own area. In most cases, democracy has an inbuilt tyranny, inbuilt autocracy. The person in power wants to monopolise it, trying to chase everybody away, and then it turns a democracy with a touch of autocracy. Even when Aregbesola was coming out to say that PDP wants to do this or that, it was all rubbish. If President

Agu

Jonathan had wanted the PDP to win the Osun election, nothing would have stopped the party from winning that election, because we have seen cases like that in the past. We all know what used to obtain. It is easy for any party in power to say we are winning the election and it will come to be after all the hues and cries. The police that were deployed to state could have been used by the government to scuttle the process, disenfranchise people either by intimidation or any other means. But this was not the case, as Jonathan made sure that INEC did the right thing by organising

a free and fair election. So, what every politician should pick from Osun election is the need to connect with the people who are the ultimate deciders in a democracy and to always have a good name at all times. There were fears that what happened in Ekiti State where the incumbent governor lost will reflect in Osun, but it was not to be. The reason Governor Kayode Fayemi lost that election was glaring. Aregbesola is a tested grassroots man who has proved that over the years. Look at what is happening in Adamawa State. Nuhu Ribadu who was the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was committed to the fight against corruption in this country; he was conscious of making sure that things were done the right way, by making sure that corrupt people go to jail. Now that he wants to contest election as governor, everybody is jittery of him because they know that his popularity will soar higher than even that of Buba Marwa, who was a governor in the past. When an election is free and fair, seen and accepted by the people as such, anybody who said he wants to go to the tribunal would be making mockery of the process. Just like what happened in Ekiti, Fayemi gently accepted defeat because he believed that what happened was the wish and voice of the people. Going to the tribunal will amount to fighting the will of the people.

Interview by CHINEDU EKEJA

16 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

OPEN FORUM Kunle Oyatomi is the Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State

...OUtcome of OSUN Governorship POLL

Oyatomi: Omisore has no mandate to take to court

he election was well processed. Talking in terms of the process right from the registration to the election proper, we had it good, except for some few things, but that can easily be dispensed with against what we have now. All Progressives Congress (APC) got its victory and it earned it because it worked for it. On the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate to challenge the election, if we were told that a group of people have not recognised that they have no mandate in Osun, we would never have bothered ourselves to engage them at all. Honestly, we are surprised by the emptiness of the Osun PDP. The Federal Government came to Osun with the Directorate of State Security (DSS) which its spokesperson, Maryln Ogar, confirmed. So, it was not a speculation. We understand also that N6.2billion was given to the PDP to prosecute the election. All the militants from Niger-Delta came to Osun and in the face of all these; combination of cash, militants and security operatives, people still rejected the PDP. So, how come they are still living in this delusion that they have people’s mandate to rule Osun? They have no mandate to go to court with. As for Ogar’s matter, I will say that the woman is either deliberately being mischievous, or she was not properly briefed about what happened in Osun. The woman said openly on national television on Thursday morning that what they offered DSS office in Osun was an assistance of N14million and that it was newspapers that turned it to a bribe. She didn’t say who did it. If it is an offence to offer assistance; then she ought to have gone after the fellow and arrest him CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

venue of the sitting of the seven-man panel investigating the impeachment allegations against him before the fainting episode, Onyebuchi said: “I believe that I have not committed any crime; I am here because I believe that it is better to defend myself and protect my hard earned reputation. It is more important to me than even the office of the deputy governor.” He went further to dare Chime to the effect that: “I do not mind leaving the office but the public must know that I did not commit any offence, that I did not do anything that will justify my being removed.” On the allegation that in contravention of a resolution of the State House of Assembly, he operated his poultry in his official residence contrary to environmental regulations, he had explained that when he assumed office, he found out that there was a designated area for agriculture in his official residence. “I commenced operation of a poultry on the premises in 2008 with technical support from ENADEP and the Commercial Agricultural Programme of the State Ministry of Agriculture. The said poultry farm was declared in my Asset Declaration and inspected by the Code of Conduct Bureau,” he said. He also explained that “no complaint of any environmental or health hazard from the said poultry was made to me

How come they are still living in this delusion that they have people’s mandate to rule Osun? They have no mandate to go to court with

Oyatomi

and then keep him where he should be. But that was not done. The militarisation of the election and deployment of troops to Osun for the election is absurd; it is not done in civilised places. And I don’t think our black complexion should limit our seriousness regarding the growth of democracy in this country. Because we are black people doesn’t mean that we cannot see beyond our nose. It does not mean that we cannot do things that can actually bring us pride. Just two weeks before the election, there were a number of trucks of DSS men shooting sporadically into the air. They came in a convoy parading the entire streets of Osogbo, scaring people, which was widely reported. The intention of the security agents was to protect the people. What the security people taught was that they

could cow our people and scare them from coming out, so that the evil that they wanted to do will come up. But the people came to their very utter surprise, not minding what will happen to them. So the hands of the security men were tied and they could not do anything. That was what really happened. I thank God that even INEC National Commissioner said on Wednesday that from Nigerian history and since they have been conducting governorship elections, there has been no election that recorded about 54 per cent turnout in Nigeria. That means that we did a lot of voters education in this state and this worked out well during the election. We thank God that we are not as illiterate as they thought we were. There was nothing to justify that APC colluded with INEC to rig the election. At first, was it not Senator Iyiola Omisore who was demanding for removal of an INEC REC? That was done for him. Did we ask for any REC to be replaced? Omisore did everything that the government actually agreed and conceded to him. You see, where the people’s power talks, no power or force can stop it. The people of Osun decided to elect Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and they gave him

Fireworks in Enugu impeachment battle

Ekweremadu

or brought to my attention between 2008 and November 2013.” Then, on the allegation that he refused to represent the governor during the last South East governor’s meeting while the governor proceeded on leave on June 9, he said he did not refuse to represent him but that Chime “did not tell me to take any action on his behalf pending his return, neither did he tell me that he would pass instructions to

Nwobodo

me through a third party.” However, he did not say that he did not know about the South East governors’ meeting and neither did he clarify whether or not he was informed by any other government official. Yet, a close aide of the governor who spoke at the time the impeachment saga broke out put the situation in clearer perspective. According to him, “those of us close to the Government

their mandate. They got no alternative because the PDP did not bring any alternative. For example, before the election, Omisore was saying he would destroy things Aregbesola has done and replece them. Will you call that an agenda. The agenda of Omisore was to destroy whatever Aregbesola has done. He has no other thing to do in this state than that. So, people are no fools; they know what they are enjoying presently. Is it the people that their children are being fed every school day; Monday to Friday with nutritious and delicious food, which they never got before Aregbesola came on board, that would vote against Aregbesola? The free meal in schools pushed Osun State as number one in the country in terms of enrolment of primary school students. Was there any ambulance in any part of the state before for good health of the people? No. Was there anything like vulnerable elders been paid N10, 000 a month? Was there the kind of school structures provided in Osun today, there before? So, all these things account for Aregbesola’s victory, having performed credibly and served the people of Osun State for three and half years. The main call of the PDP campaign in the whole exercise was just to say, I will destroy this and that and rebuild things. And at the election period, they were distributing rice and kerosene. They have a government from Abuja, which made life very inconvenient for people in the last 15 years. People are not mad; our people are so intelligent and they know what they want. Until the government is ready to serve the people, PDP can never rule in South-West.

Interview by Temitope Ogunbanke House know that the deputy actually refused to attend that meeting even when a manifest was sent to him. The present situation was caused by the deputy governor’s blatant refusal to represent the governor during the last meeting of the South East Governors’ Forum when the governor was spending his annual vacation in the United States of America”. Any hope for Onyebuchi? With the seven-man investigating panel chaired by Uchenna Oraekeyi almost winding up, politicians in the state are doing all within their power to either save or further sink the ship of the embattled deputy governor. And whatever becomes the outcome of the panel’s verdict would go a long way in shaping the state’s political landscape before the big fights take the centre stage when the PDP and other parties’ primary elections hold. If the panel finds Onyebuchi guilty of the allegations and the House of Assembly impeaches the deputy governor, it would be recorded as victory number one for Chime’s camp in the unfolding political war. If the embattled deputy governor survives this onslaught, it would be seen as a major advancement of the opposition against Chime and his camp. Either way, the situation would engender a new phase of the struggle for the soul of the state come 2015.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Youths in governance: Jonathan sparks debate on age limit Youths as the engine of political agitations and process have often been left out of actual governance, and this has increased calls for the legislature to encourage the younger ones play more active roles in governance. ETAGHENE EDIRIN reports

ver the years, especially since the country returned to democratic governance, many Nigerians have been advocating for more active roles to be played by youths in the country in the democratic space. The thinking is that youths do not need to allow themselves to be used only as thugs in the democratic process, only to be discarded after they might have used violence, or other brute means to install a political office holder, who ends up throwing them crumbs. Many have also noted that the youths should be active players in the policy formulation and implementation machinery of government at various levels, given their roles as the engine of democratic struggles that made them achieved victories during previous change in governments from the colonial era through independence in 1960 to date. The widely held belief is that youths have played crucial roles as pro-democratic agents assisting popular agitations to fuel change in government as seen today in the Nigeria’s political structure. The more reason, they have been enjoined at different forums to be more involved in the running of the affairs of the nation. President Goodluck Jonathan last week lent his voice to such agitations when he stated that he is looking forward to working with Nigerian youths to address the age limit contained in the constitution hindering them from occupying some political offices, given, that Nigerian youths have the votes required to change the country for the better. The President made the remark at an International Summit organised by the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum in Abuja. He also said he was in support of sending a bill to the National Assembly to amend clauses in the 1999 Constitution that discriminate against young people in the area of age limit for political offices. Such a bill if passed will enable youths in the country to contest in elections for the positions of president, governors and the Senate. The summit was put together to focus on ways of fostering national integration and purposeful leadership. President Jonathan who stressed that his administration believed in the “capacity of young people to change the Nigerian story”, further said that: “There is no reason why a 35-year-old Nigerian cannot become the president of this country,” citing the case of former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who ruled Nigeria at the age of 32. Also lending her voice, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, encouraged young Nigerians to look at politics as “a means of forging a new way for the society.” She said: “You must look at politics beyond the individual, beyond a group and politics for the nation. We are more hopeful that as we look at our young people we will look beyond what is now being

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, Mr. Moses Siasia; Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and President Goodluck Jonathan at the 1st Nigerian Young Professionals International Summit in Abuja, recently

called stomach infrastructure,” she said. Under various laws, conventions and culture, youths are generally defined as persons who are within the ages of 13 and 44 years old. The United Nations defines youth as a period of life from puberty to attainment of full maturity (adulthood) or growth, a time of being young when one’s appearance is full of freshness, vigour and young spirit. By virtue of Nigeria’s constitution, which states in Section 131(b), that a person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if he has attained the age of 40 years, a good number of youths below that age have been effectively disqualified from aspiring to the coveted position. For this reason, Special Adviser to the President on Youths, Jude Imagwe, said it was time for young people to take a stand in governance. “Young Nigerians must rise up to the call. Nobody can build Nigeria for us more than the younger generation. The younger generation must stand aright. This is the time that we are being called upon to define where we stand,” he said. Chairman of the forum, Moses Siasia, agrees with this position, as he encouraged young Nigerians to challenge their representatives at the National Assembly level so that they would come up with a law that would eliminate age barriers into political offices. The issue was generated a debate as some prominent Nigerians expressed divergent views over the president’s call for the removal of age limit as a prequalification for the presidency. President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Bala Kaigama, supported the president’s call for a review of the approved prequalification age of 40 years for the presidency. He said that the prevailing practice where old politicians, who featured in the politics of first and second republics, kept recycling themselves in the country had not improved the lot of the country, and that the demand for a downward review of the age would give Nigerian youths the opportunity to play important roles in the governance of their country. According to him, the same agitation had been made at the Constitutional Conference where the TUC demanded a review from 40 to 35 years, but that it was rejected. “We were even telling the youths to exploit their populace and start

from somewhere to demand for this; they should not pay lip service to it and they should not be subservient to money; they should not allow themselves to be bought or divided with money,” he said. Also, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) supported the President’s call, adding, that there was no basis for fixing age limit for the office of the president. “We all know that many of the largest corporations in the world are run by people under 30 years old. There is no rational empirical basis for fixing the minimum age that should be attained by people who want to aspire to be the president of the country,” he said. According to him, “there is nothing a 40-year-old can do that 30-year-old cannot do. I would think it is better to remove the age limit so that whoever has attained the voting age can aspire to be voted as the president of the nation.” But Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) insisted that reviewing downward the age limit for presidential aspirants in Nigeria would most likely create certain problems for the entire nation because a younger person might not have the necessary experience and maturity to take some critical decisions. He said: “It was possible to have heads of state who were less than 40 years in the 1960s and early 1970s in Nigeria but the situation then and what we have now is different. I believe we should retain the 40 year age limit if we really know the sensitive nature of the office.” On his part, Senator Chris Ngige (Anambra Central) who is a former governor of Anambra State, said abolishing the age limit would be counterproductive but that the age limit could be further reviewed to about 35 years. “I don’t agree with President Jonathan that there should be no age limit for

Just like there is age limit for voters, certain degree of maturity is expected from someone who is aspiring to lead a country like Nigeria

presidential aspirants. He is saying that an 18-year-old undergraduate should be allowed to contest the election? How can an 18-year-old man or woman have the cognate experience, the wisdom, and the sagacity to rule us? He or she will run into problems.” Another senator, Olufemi Lanlehin (Oyo South) who is aspiring to contest the governorship election in Oyo State, said there should be age limit because the country cannot afford to have a minor as president. He said: “There should be age limit. In any human endeavour, there must be criteria, a guideline, just like there is age limit for voters, certain degree of maturity is expected from someone who is aspiring to lead a country like Nigeria.” Some analysts stated that it may not be enough to having a law that encourages youth participation in politics and acts of governance, as winning elections would still be a major stumbling block, taking into consideration the financial resources required for such a purpose, especially for the position of presidency They also contend that though a good number of Nigerian youths may have good ideas, they sometimes find it difficult to put these ideas to practice as the older generation, who are mostly in charge of the machinery of government, and political structures, guide them jealously, effectively cutting out the youths. Many agree that the survival of the political system in the country has been largely dependent on the role of youths in participatory democratic platforms, which allowed all groups regardless of their position to articulate their interest in the national polity. And according to President Jonathan, the youths are not part of those who, by their utterances, are trying to divide the country along ethnic and religious lines. “I always say that whenever you read newspapers, watch television or listen to the radio, those who preach hate, quarrel and try to divide us on the basis of ethnicity and religion are not the young people but grandfathers,” he noted. He also argued that the youth are more accommodating, as they accommodate people of divergent views, and are comfortable living with people of different ethnic groups or religions, unlike the elderly people.

18 POLITICS Mr.Hingah Biem retired as Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Internal Affairs and Special Services, Benue State and was the pioneer editor of the state owned Sunday Voice Newspaper. In this interview, he spoke on his aspiration to govern Benue State come 2015 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the perceived notion on anointed candidate, among others. WALE ELEGBEDE reports What does your aspiration for the office of Governor of Benue state represent for the people, your party and the state at large? Well, I expect everybody to ask that question, because if I say I want to be governor of a state then people will certainly ask why I want to be governor. I have spent my entire life working for my state, Benue, and given my position first as a writer and then as an editor and subsequently Director - in charge of managing information flow of the state and the image of the state I have this rare privilege of going round my state and as a reporter I have a column in the Voice newspaper called rural notes, I devoted so much time going round the state and getting to know the problems of the remotest of communities in Benue State, that was 20 years ago, I went round the state and I know the state very well and I know the challenges that our people face in terms of basic amenities. So my desire to aspire for the Governor of Benue State is to be able to take Benue to the next level, because before now, Benue was seen as basically a rural state apart from being an agrarian state because most of our towns and villages are not developed, it is the present governor, Dr. Gabriel Torwua Suswam that has tried to transform the state capital and most of our major towns and villages, he is also taking steps to ensure that most of our rural communities open up, so a good number of our communities that hitherto were without roads have good roads now. As Suswam leaves, we need somebody who can take Benue to the next level and I believe I have the capacity to transform the state. There are a number of challenges, in the area of agriculture for example, the state is an Agricultural state but if you go to Benue and you go round the communities you will see the level of waste that is occasioned by the share quantity of food products that are produced in the state, the amount of yams that are produced, we need industries to transform some of these materials into finished products so that they can easily be put on the market and even exported. So these are some of the challenges that I believe I will be able to address. Again, youth restiveness is a major problem in Nigeria and in most of the third world countries. I have a feeling that we can do more to ensure that at least even if we are unable to get employment for everybody we will at least succeed in engaging them in one way of the other. My desire to lead the state is that once I have the opportunity I will begin to see ways that we can try to address this problem of youth restiveness, get them engaged in small activities that can make them generate income for themselves and also provide an opportunity for others who are coming behind to be able to have something to do, that way you can take a good number of them off the streets. How do you intend to tackle the issue of insecurity that has engulfed parts of the

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Biem: Minority interest’ll decide Benue guber

nity, give us the opportunity to become governor of the state. Now, the average Benue person is saying that from where I come from and zone “C” are the only people for now that have a right to aspire for the position of governorship of the state so who ever gets the nod from the Benue people we will all be very happy to work with that person. Any time I go to zone “C’’ I always remind them that as a minority within the Tiv ethnic majority if I have the opportunity to benefit from the goodwill of the people of the State then the other person from zone ‘’C’’ will also have that opportunity, that means that if I have hope, it means that they too have hope, that is why whenever i am in zone “C’’ I always tell them that I am not aspiring because I hate them but am aspiring because I also feel deprive and I think I have the capacity as a minority element even within the MINDA axis, I have the capacity if given the opportunity to provide for the Benue people, when I go out I do not emphasize the fact that I am from an area that is most likely to be favoured, I put my capacity to be able to do the job on the front burner , because I think that is what is driving me beyond the fact that I may be lucky considering that our people say when you had your opportunity you allow your neighbour to also have one.

Biem

North? You know it will amount to a ramble if I went on and on discussing some of the major areas that will occupy me. Some states in the North engulfed with one crisis or the other like we found in Jos, Borno and Yobe and few other Northern States, Benue was very peaceful until we had this conflict between herdsmen and farmers that posed a major challenge for government. Luckily at that time I was still in service as a permanent secretary and I am happy and also thankful to God that, the governor of the state, Dr. Suswam has to a very large extent been able to restore peace in the communities that were hitherto affected by the crisis, but it is happening all over the world and most especially back home in Nigeria. Some of these security challenges have come and we should be able to develop a strategy that will be able to contend with them. In Benue, I have been able to draw their attention to the fact that we cannot develop if we do not have an enabling environment to express ourselves in terms of business, except we have a very peaceful environment, and one of the ways to be able to do that is to begin to act as people who are united and people who are ready to help each other in the cause of our development efforts. Therefore, I have always said, one of the things we need to do in our state is to redefine our settlement pattern so that instead of living in scattered areas, we should be able to live in clusters, so that government can be able to bring social amenities closer to the people and also respond quickly to some our security challenges. In Benue, we have three universities, each year we keep producing graduates who are no longer interested in the physical farm work that most people were involved. They are looking for white collar jobs, so, we need to make farming attractive so that they can be happy as farmers. This way we may have succeeded in addressing some of the security issues. Holistically, the federal government needs to collaborate with all the states of the federation to begin to develop strategies on how we can address these problems. To make sure all our communities are strongly monitored because it

unimaginable that at this time you have communities that are completely cut off from the state capital, towns and major villages so much that when some of these elements come to create these security challenges, they are able to make trouble and still hide within the state and are unable to be located. It is a very sad commentary but the point am making is that, one of the things we need to do is to open up our communities. It has been on record that since the creation of Benue State, Tivs are the ones ruling, what is your take on zoning? I talk to you as someone who is aspiring to be governor of Benue, I believe in zoning and I also believe that, it is zoning that can make it possible for someone like me to be governor, the state has zones, the Tiv people like you all know are the majority tribe in Benue, we are not saying other components, other tribes are not entitled to governorship position of the state, you know as well as I do that in every tribe or group there are always components within a group and there are always components within a tribe. As a Tiv person, I also come from a community that is deprived and when I go round telling people that I want to be governor of my state, I always say my people from where I come have right to aspire to be governor of the state, just in the same manner that my brothers in zone ‘’C ’’ have a right to aspire. So we all have the right, my component from where I come from is saying we have never had the opportunity to be governor of the state and this time we are saying give us the opportunity to be able to produce the governor of the state. My neighbours in zone “C’’ are also saying, we have never had the opportu-

I believe in zoning and I also believe that, it is zoning that can make it possible for someone like me to be governor

Is it true that the incumbent governor has anointed you to succeed him? No, am not aware that the governor has anointed any candidate, we have over 18 of us or more that want to runn for the office of Governor, and a good number of us are either his friends, or people who have worked with him, so who among these would you say is favoured and anointed, I do not think the governor has said that. Personally, I believe in hard work and so am going round the state and soliciting for the support of Benue people if they desire that I lead the State, the governor as a Benue person will key in but if they reject me I do not see how the governor can save me. How do you intend to internally generate funds to run your administration especially in the light of dependence on allocation by state governments? Yes, I admit that the resources accruing to the state are dwindling by the day, the reasons I may not know. all of you may know that we all depend on oil, and overtime, as a result of militant activities and other economic issues that may not be local to us, what accrues to the Federal Government has dwindled and invariably what goes to the state has also dwindled. At the federal level you will know that the Federal Government is also laying emphasis on the need for diversification of the economy, that is looking at the area of agriculture, looking at the areas of solid minerals. We have a large deposit of limestones, and you know very well that Benue Cement which is today Dangote Cement is located in an area in the state which is more than 30kilometers with large concentration of limestone. So if we can have an additional cement company in Benue State, I think that will generate income for the state. What is your take on notions that the likes of Gemade and others may defect from the PDP? I am not aware that these political heavy weights are leaving the PDP for another party. For now, what I am aware of is that most of the people who have been in APC or Labour Party are coming back to the PDP.

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EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Sanctity of Truth w w w.new telegraphonli ne.com

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2014

Fallout from the Osun election

eading into last Saturday’s Osun governorship election, there was understandably a lot of anxiety given past experiences especially in the state, and the high-stakes for the major contending parties. Fortunately, the election took place with no major violence from the electorate. The large turnout of voters, undeterred by the obvious militarization of the exercise, is a plus for democracy. The clear minus is for the authorities who have embarked on a policy that is unconstitutional and a flagrant violation of democracy. The militarization of states during elections, characterized by the arrest of party chieftains of the opposition party is a dangerous throwback to the crude politics of the 60s. The military is expected to protect the country against external aggression and not to be directly involved in the election process. Instead, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) whose primary responsibility it is to maintain peace and order should be properly funded and adequately equipped to effectively cope with the emerging challenges posed by elections, with the support of the Civil Defence Corps. There is nowhere in the Constitution that gives the military this controversial role. We appreciate the fact that for safety of lives and property to be guaranteed during elections as it was witnessed recently in Osun effective security measures must be in

place, but things must be properly done within the ambit of subsisting laws. By winning the required number of votes in 22 out of the 30 local government councils, the incumbent Rauf Aregbesola (APC) put paid to the hopes of his major rival Iyiola Omosiore(PDP). One of the lessons those seeking elective positions should learn from Osun eelction is the unprecedented overwhelming support the people gave to the winner. What this means is that when votes are allowed to count, the governed know how to appreciate the good deeds of those governing them. This is a wake-up call to those elective office holders at various tiers who flagrantly take the people for granted. Such people forget that there lies ahead the day of reckoning. It is unfortunate and worrisome that those seeking elective offices in Nigeria, irrespective of political affiliations, regard politics as a do-or-die affair. This is why they go to any extent to realise their political ambitions. They kill and maim perceived political enemies, as well as engage in fetish and dastardly acts in order to win elections. All the political parties engage in electoral malpractices but in some cases, it is those that can outwit others that emerge winners. In essence, the level of rigging by politicians, in connivance with corrupt Independent National Electoral Commission officials and security operatives

varies from political parties to political parties. Failure by INEC to ensure prosecution of its officials and elective office seekers engaged in electoral malpractices has increasingly emboldened such people to continue indulging in acts capable of endangering the electoral process and the nascent democracy. We urge INEC to be alive to its responsibility by bringing those unpatriotic characters to book to serve as a deterrent to others so that the 2015 elections can be credible. Politics has virtually become the most thriving business in Nigeria because it is a veritable avenue for people to corruptly enrich themselves in the guise of being politicians, without upholding the essence of politics which means service to the people. There is scant concern for the provision of dividends of democracy to the citizenry who due to bad governance by the few corrupt political elite live in abject penury in spite of the nation’s vast oil wealth. The win-at-all-cost syndrome is a reflection of this selfish attitude, worsened by the failure to uphold one of the tenets of contestation in a democracy, namely, accepting defeat with magnanimity and upholding victory with humility. It is a pity that after gaining independence about 54 years ago, Nigeria’s expansive political space is characterized by a large army of election losers that lack the spirit of sportsmanship. The

ravaging politics of bitterness across the various political parties if not eliminated could not only threaten the current wobbling political dispensation but is also capable of destabilizing the country. There is the urgent need to make politics less attractive. The system that throws up candidates for elective positions is warped and should be seriously addressed to ensure sanity in the electoral process ahead of 2015. We urge the political parties to ensure only credible candidates are fielded for the 2015 elections. INEC, in conjunction with the political parties and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) which currently seems to have gone to sleep, should pay maximum attention to voter-education. This will enable voters to be adequately sensitized in terms of vital information before, during and after elections. INEC seems to have improved on its performances in Edo, Ondo and Anambra States judging by its recent performance in Osun but it should not rest on its oars as the 2015 elections will pose greater challenges compared with staggered elections. INEC should demonstrate its independence by providing all the parties level-playing field to ensure free, fair and credible elections. Only permanent and ad-hoc officials of proven integrity should be assigned to conduct the 2015 elections which, from all indications, will determine the destiny of Nigeria. GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Deputy Managing Director/DEIC SULEIMAN UBA GAYA Managing Editor YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday AYODELE OJO Deputy Editor, Daily EMEKA OBASI Deputy Editor, Daily LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor TAIWO AHMED Advert Manager UCHEY OKEZIE Ag. Sales/Marketing Manager TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

OPINION

Tra la la la Fashola slashes LASU latch

t is dancing time all over Lagos.Maybe, Lagos State University students should reach out to South African award winning group LadySmith Black Mambazo, or the old American pop stars Kool and the Gang. The joyous mood is infectious. The Lagos state governor did the most honourable thing, something politicians do not ever imagine. After agitations and protests, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola reversed himself, by pegging tuition at N25,000 in the institution. Anyway, I know Fashola is not a politician. He is just a lawyer who found himself in politics. We should pour encomiums on the governor. At least, his people cried out, and he hearkened to their cries. There are governors whose hearts are so hardened that talking to them is like pouring water into a basket. Nothing moves those ones except bags of Ghana -Must- Go, filled with cash. And it is also heartening to watch developments in neighbouring Ogun state where Governor Ibikiunle Amosun has followed the footseps of his Lagos colleague. In Amosun’s magnanimity, there is no discrimination whatsoever. What applies to an Egba student, also goes for a Nassarawa Eggon student in say, the Oladipo Onabanjo University [OOU] AgoIwoye. These reversals are healthy. When I heard of the hundreds of thousands poor students were going to pay, before the slash, I wept for our country. All

through my University of Benin years in the early 1980s, my parents did not pay more than N45,yes, Forty Five Thousand Naira as tuition. Then, University education was affordable. Standards were also brigher. Most of the lecturers were great names in their fields who had many books in their names. There were Professors from all over the world teaching in Nigerian universities and getting enough pay to keep them away from their various countries. Good Fashola passed through the same Uniben and I am so sure the fees were affordable in his time. It is probably because of this that he threw politics aside, to listen to the voice of reason. Once again, I must commend him for being our own dear Fashola, the listening governor. At a time it was like we lost him. So many Lagosians complained of the high tax regime. After the first tenure, it looked as if our gentleman governor tried to play politics with the comfort of his people. So many of those who hailed him felt like taking him to Golgotha for crucifixion. I am a Fashola fan, I have no regrets about that. Even if he stepped on toes and made mistakes, he was quick to do a rethink. The lowest moment was when he sanctioned the deportation of people from our Lagos. It was an exercise that was badly managed and of course, the governor had to personally extricate himself from the bad press it caused. Fashola listens. I can say it again. He does not know me and I have not met him one-on-one. But I must confess that he did something that I should let Nigerians know. Mr. Governor, I crave your permission to write this, over three good years, after it happened. Sometime in February 2011, I sent a text message

to the governor from my sitting room, asking him to set up a certain committee. I not only suggested the committee, I went ahead to determine the composition. I gave him names of people that should be members. Men from different parts of Nigeria,to serve in a Lagos state government project. You will not believe it. In less than 24 hours, the Governor’s office released a statement setting up the Committee ,consisting of all the names I suggested. Nothing was changed. It was in the news. And the surprise was that Gov. Fashola did not announce my name as a member of the committee, because what I made was a suggestion and, I did not include my name. However, he made me a member, only informing me through the relevent ministry without announcing it. He did not give me his number, yet he swung into action based on a telephone message from a Lagos resident. I am just saying this to let Nigerians know that Fashola is one governor who listens. And parents should celebrate him for slashing LASU fees. But I want the governor to block his ears on calls to bring back motor cycles, better known as Okada. No dice. They should remain banned forever. Okada is gate way to the land of the dead. The riders are bone crushers. They have maimed more Nigerians than Boko Haram, yet we are fighting the insurgents. Okada is a communicable disease, worse than Ebola. President Goodluck Jonathan should even declare a national emergency. I am happy for LASU students. I thank the Lagos state governor for proving once again that he is a man of the people, and should not be judged by taxation and toll gates.

Of APGA defectors and Uche Ekwunife’s political rascality (1) Ifeoma Ajoka

he sign on the wall of the Princeton office of Albert Einstein, the most influential physicist of the 20th Century declares that – “not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts.” Since she rode the tiger’s back to power and affluence in Anambra State, Hon. Uche Ekwunife has been locked in a perpetual struggle to either count or be counted with minimal success. But we hardly need a crystal ball to see that like all desperados who ride on the back of a tiger to power, Hon Ekwunife may yet end up in its stomach. It is bewildering how, stricken with the anxiety of becoming, Ekwunife has almost always danced on razor-edge; when she is not suing a political opponent for losing party nomination to him and turning around the next day to recant her position, Ekwunife is busy hopping from one party to another to save her political life. It is all understandable though. For the Ekwunifes of this world, what is life without political intrigues and the euphemistic tumble in the hay? In the last one week, Uche Ekwunife and four other federal lawmakers and one House of Assembly member have been in the news for decamping from APGA to PDP. The well-choreographed media stunt has drawn headlines across the country and largely given the impres-

It is bewildering how, stricken with the anxiety of becoming, Ekwunife has almost always danced on razor-edge; when she is not suing a political opponent for losing party nomination to him and turning around the next day to recant her position sion that APGA is a party in crisis. Coming on the heels of the loud ovation that has trailed the 100 days in office of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State who is also the bulwark of the party, it is obvious that the hitherto silent opposition in the state has finally begun to stir. But it is unlikely that anyone would be deceived by the kite they have chosen to fly. Indeed, it is tragic to note that Ekwunife and her coterie of carpet-crossers are not driven by the fire of any compelling ideology. They are not incensed that APGA has yet to demonstrate any appetite for electoral conquest beyond Anambra State or some grand vision of leadership. No. The jejune reason that Hon Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Cyril

Egwuatu, and Hon. Chris Emeka Azubogu gave was that they were dissatisfied with the current leadership’s handling of party affairs. This begs the question of whether there is ever any political gathering where there is absolute harmony. Nevertheless, the grass always appears greener on the other side. We shall soon see how far the defectors will go after being openly described as “prodigals” in their new political home. Of course, anyone with any awareness of Hon. Uche Ekwunife’s political desperation over the years would know that the only seed that germinates in her narrow and arid universe is the seed of her own ambition. Nothing else matters. Every other consideration is meaningless. Not for her, the grandiose rhetoric of group survival and the resonant symbolisms of APGA as the last frontier for the Igbo man. Not for her the drumroll of brotherhood and kingship that APGA provokes in all Igbo or the finer arts of preserving the socio-political heirloom that Chief Emeka Ojukwu, the Eze Igbo Gburugburu spent his twilight years nurturing and projecting. Ekwunife and her band of defectors are only concerned about their political survival which they consider threatened by aspirations far superior to their twobit ambitions which could not be validated by their years of emptiness as representatives of their people in the National Assembly. Pray, has anyone seen the scorecards of these gentlemen and lady? How many constitutional proj-

ects do they have to their names? It is time we ignited the fire of this debate. But I digress. Put more succinctly, the APGA defectors were simply seeking a new political roof for their sun-scorched heads. With the widely reported senatorial ambition of Chief Victor Umeh who hails from her Anaocha/Njikoka/ Dunukofia senatorial district, the politically flirtatious Ekwunife knew that her days in the National Assembly were literally and metaphorically over. Ekwunife, who is not known for any serious business taproot that can ensure the sustenance of her glossy lifestyle outside of her political office, cannot obviously fathom life without the drip-feed from Abuja. Known as a political Ogbanje because of her slippery loyalty, Ekwunife’s recent gambit reminds party faithful of her last navel-gazing that saw her dragging Chief Willie Obiano to court for alleged double registration when she erroneously imagined that the tide was against him in the run up to last year’s gubernatorial elections. It was a thoughtless move that exposed her as a coarse and grubby female politician with an extra-ordinarily shifty loyalty. But it was also one that her opponents capitalized on to make her grovel in the sand for forgiveness, compelling her to swallow her own vomit and swear total allegiance to the party leadership. •Ifeoma Ajoka (asiriajoka@gmail.com), a public analyst writes from Agulu in Anambra State

ARTS FRIDAY, August 15, 2014

CULTURE

What do you know about Project ACT? Ibekwe: Project ACT, has been in the news from the time when the President first announced a support fund for Nollywood, with the tag Project ACT and it’s still all over the news, everybody who is interested in film development in this country would be aware of it. So I got wind of it, I felt it was a good opportunity, so I applied. When the announcement came, we were told there is a website you could go on, log in and apply, send all the required material, document and all. So I got selected for the capacity building fund and I went to the London Film Academy in U.K where I studied film making. Incidentally I was the only Nigerian in that particular school that period, but then it was fantastic, it was awesome, Something I would have loved to do way back when I was younger. But it’s better late than never, so I have gained a whole lot of experience; I’ve learned a lot of things that will also help in the development of the industry. Ogun: Project ACT is a government initiative being funded by the Federal Ministry of Finance to support Nollywood, film makers or actors basically any practitioner in Nollywood with funding, capacity building and whatever assistance that might be needed. I am a beneficiary of the fund; I benefitted from the capacity building fund. I attended the Colorado Film School in the U.S on a film course, funding was from the Project ACT fund, that much I can say. What is it about Project ACT that most excites you? Ogun: What most excites me about Project ACT is what it is. Which is assisting Nollywood, which is believing in Nollywood, and not just believing, not just saying we are proud of you, but actually backing words with money, with financing and giving basically anyone who is interested a chance to tap into this initiative and get something out of it for the greater good of the entire film world. Project ACT is a fantastic development for Nollywood. For years, we have been craving and asking for the government to get involved, to assist us to, basically help us and enable us to do some work. So this is fantastic, with the training I received, to some of us that benefitted and for all members of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria. I do not have accurate figures of people that have benefitted as individuals or the other Guilds, but it’s a wonderful initiative. And I know what I have learned, I know how much my work has changed, I know how much more I know and when you multiply this by 24 people that went in my group and then by all the others that are around. It is one of the reasons why I said that I see that the future is very bright for Nollywood, as we are getting that training and we are coming back to input it into the industry. And apart from even infusing it into our work, someone like me and a lot of other people are into giving back what we have learned. I have facilitated two workshops since I’ve been back to teach other people what I knew before as a film maker and have newly learned courtesy Project ACT funding. So it’s all about receiving and giving back and making the whole industry a better place. Ibekwe: The essence of Project ACT is to enable Nigerian film makers and the film industry to grow. To support the Nigerian film industry financially, in a way that we can begin to break barriers. The world is beginning to pay attention to us, looking at Nigerian works, and earning Nigerian film makers new respect. We’re gaining respect outside the country. So that excites me. The fact that there’s a future in the industry right now, the fact

21 NEW TELEGRAPH

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TONY oKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit." ― Camille Paglia

okuyemeogom@yahoo.com

Project ACT, good for Nollywood development, say Ibekwe, Ogun Chike Ikechukwu Ibekwe is a scriptwriter, producer, and project developer. An accomplished brand with a number of awards on his sleeves, Ibekwe is a beneficiary of the Project ACT Nollywood funding. Tope Oshin Ogun is an actress and director. She has to her credit among many others, the directing of the popular and highly successful series, ‘Tinsel’, as well as the highly celebrated short film ‘’Journeys to Self’’ which recently won the best film and directing award. She is also a beneficiary of the Project ACT Nollywood funding. In this interview, they share their opinion on Project ACT Nollywood, TONY OKUYEME writes.

Project ACT is a fantastic development for Nollywood. For years, we have been craving and asking for the government to get involved, to assist us to, basically help us and enable us to do some work

Ibekwe

that international bodies could actually sit down and begin to think about ways and means to support the industry. Since things are on ground, the Federal Government came up to say that Nollywood is one of the highest employers of labor in the country. So that is a major feat that I mean, can really be sustained. What more can the Federal Government do to support Nollywood’s growth, apart from this Project ACT? Ibekwe: I’m glad about the fact that government has even started, who knows if it wasn’t for Project ACT we probably would not have had the opportunity of getting formally trained in this regard. What I would say is it should be sustained; it should be expanded and made bigger than what it is right now. Yes, we are some 40 or so now who have travelled out for the training; let it be an annual thing. There will always be other aspiring film makers after us. There are so many people who are trying to make films who are also trying to get funding, let it be a yearly thing such that the opportunity will also be open to so many people to access this funds and get trained and also produce films because even after this set of funding for film, there will always be films to make, there are so many who watch films in this country. So if the funds fizzle out after this initiative or after the administration, then we wouldn’t even have done much for the growth of the industry. Ogun: Well, basically like I said, it’s very much appreciable what the Federal Government has done already with Project Act, capacity building and film funding. We are a practical industry, an industry that has a foundation on self-funding and self-reliance. It’s all self-built. At this time, we thank the Federal Government

Ogun

for coming to our aid; we want them to go the full haul. We need policies that favour us; we need them to look into distribution, and into everything that pertains to Nollywood, because to start with, to put your movie in a cinema, you must have shot your movie to a certain quality which means you must have been able to spend a certain amount of money getting it to that quality. But what happens when you then put your movie in the cinema and you’re only able to get back maybe a fifth of what your movie makes in the cinemas. Most of the money goes to the agent or goes to the cinema or whatever, we need that regulated, and we need policies that make sure that the producer is able to get returns on money spent, on intellectual property. We need more cinemas. And right now we have just a few cinemas and at each point in time you can only have your film screened in 14 screens across West Africa. The cinemas don’t have to be grand massive cinemas. They could be little cottage cinemas, they could be drive through, they could be viewing centers, they could be little things here and there. We need just enough channels for us to distribute our films. The more people that see the film, the more revenue we are able to generate. The more we are able to shoot better films that put Nigeria in good light. Recently I was one of the delegates that attended the World Economic Forum and we were asked the same question. We basically were also asked to discuss how Nollywood can help in aiding peace in Africa. We can shoot films that have peace related themes. We can shoot films that have unity related themes but we need all this support. I am not going to shoot the kind of love story that I want or the kind of whatever it is that I want to shoot with my own money and I want to

help with the image of the country or the image of Africa. So basically to cut a long story short, we need policies that favor us. We need focus on our distribution as well. How do you think the private sector can complement Project ACT? Ogun: The private sector can complement by also coming in to sponsor our films; and it’s a give and get situation, because if you sponsor a film and you put some money in a film we can also get back. You can get your product(s) placement, you can get advertisement from these films and for me it’s one of the best channels to advertise your product or service brand or whatever it is. There are very few people in the world that do not watch movies. You want to relax, you want to go to the cinema and watch a film or you want to go buy a DVD and watch a film. So if while I’m watching this film, somewhere in there I see a product or service brand or I see a corporate brand or the mention of it or shone in good light or something I want to be part of that organization I want to buy that product or service, I’ve been psychologically programmed to like your brand. So if the private sector comes in and look at it from this point of view that they have something to gain as well, they are not just giving us money to shoot films. We’re also doing some good for their brands. They’re also making their brands more visible and getting a wider coverage then it would help. There are other kinds of support that we need that they can provide as well. If they are open and willing to do this then, to a very large extent, we can start to get to the place where everyone is proud of the film industry that we have. Then you can beat your chest anywhere in the world and say that’s a Nigerian film, I am a Nigerian.

22 ART Tony Okuyeme

he teeming live theatre enthusiast in Lagos and its environs are in for a sumptuous feast, as Thespian Family Theatre and Productions bring two of Soyinka’s most popular plays, The Lion and the Jewel, and The Trials of Brother Jero to the theatre. These productions are a tribute to the playwright, one of Africa’s literary icons, Professor Wole Soyinka who turned 80 in July. Thespian Family Theatre and Productions is an emerging leader in the theatre space with an aspiration of building community through the platform of the performance arts. In Nigeria’s relentless pursuit of social change, concerns have been raised about critical initiatives needed to tackle some of the problems that plague the nation and retard its progress. These issues include societal issues about power, tradition, culture, loyalty, deceit, double standard living and hope. Thespian Family Theatre and Productions has carefully chosen both plays for performance to once again serve as a trigger for thoughts around these issues through the intrinsic messages of the plays. The play, The Lion and the Jewel, being directed by Toyin Oshinaike and features star actors like, Soibifaa Dokubo popularly known as ‘Waka’, Bharia McNwizu of the AMBO Fame, Patrick Diabuah and the renowned Thespian Family Theatre Troupe. Toyin Oshinake who has played ‘Baroka’, one of the lead characters in a couple of performances of the play, brings to life this really interesting and engaging play, this time as a Director. For him, it is an interesting challenge to bring out something unique, not a show as he had seen or performed in. The lead characters ‘Lakunle’ and ‘Baroka’ embody the conflicts between modernity and tradition. They personify the two sides of the major social and political issues in Africa during the last half of the twentieth century.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Kongi@80: The Lion…, The Trials of Brother Jero ignite stage in Lagos

A scene in Thespian Family Theatre production of The Trials of Brother Jero in Lagos

The Trials of Brother Jero is a light satiric comedy on religious hypocrisy in the form of a charlatan, or fraud, named Brother Jero. The Director, Olufemi Oke is enthusiastic that the theatre would do justice to the interpretation of the play. In his words, Olufemi Oke says, “I have seen this play on stage once and this is therefore an opportunity to create something original, unique and delightfully different

to bring out the message of the play”. The Trials of Brother Jero features Toju Ejoh, and a host of other members of the Thespian Family Theatre Troupe. The shows which started on July 19, continue this weekend, and will run till August 23 and 30, 2014, at Freedom Park and Terra Kulture respectively. Tickets are available at HealthPlus, Terra Kulture and TFT Villa.

The Trials of Brother Jero is a light satiric comedy on religious hypocrisy in the form of a charlatan, or fraud, named Brother Jero

Jebon Records, harnessing young artistes for greatness Moses Kadiri

t is one thing to be talented and creative, it is another thing to find the right music label that understand, nurture, and groom that potentials. For Jebon Records it is all about harnessing young talented artistes for greatness. The new record label has come to redefine the state of Nigeria music as an art and a business. CEO/ Managing Director of Jebon Records, Mr. Umebulue Johnpaul Ebuka declares that the record label has strong potential in harnessing artistes with talents and taking them to the peak in their career. “We want to take them to that level they dream of in the music industry,” he said. The label has been doing underground work in the last three years, understudy how the music business operates. These led to the official launched in December 2013 to reshape the Nigeria music industry. “We have been underground because we wanted to monitor the industry, and understand how it operates. The industry is not something you rush into; one need to understand certain things so that when you come out you will be at the top. We used those years to study the Nigeria music industry so that when we eventually come out, we will

do it with a bang.” While the label was busy doing its home work it signed a young talented artiste Benjamin Olawepo (aka Ben 7) to propagate the gospel of Jebon Records. According to Ebuka, Ben 7 is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. “When we wanted to launch the label, Ben 7 dropped a hit single titled “Kilode”, featuring the Akpako Master Terry G. But we could not follow it up because he was writing his West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) examination. We needed to allow him finish his examinations which he did two months ago. Since he has finished his WAEC we decided to drop another single titled, “Leave Am Like Dat”, it has been enjoying favourable airplays” the label CEO disclosed.” Every music label has its ideology, for Jebon Records it is all about young artistes with raw talents that can shake the entire mainstream music scene. The label CEO noted that educaEbuka tion for all artistes on the label are paramount; no wonder he registered Ben 7 in one of the best schools in FESTAC Town, Lagos. Explaining academic interference and his artiste music career, Mr. Ebuka said at a point Ben 7 education was clashing with his music, but he had to focus on one first before another. “The music was actually affecting his education, since the last two years he was signed on

Jebon Records he has been leaving with me, and since I wanted him to be educated I registered him in a well known school in FESTAC Town. It was because of popular demand we dropped the first single which he featured Terry G. When we noticed that it is affecting his academics, all of a sudden he became a star in the school we decided to slow down a while for him to finish his secondary examinations.” With the ever raising, and growing music scene and with lots of music labels in the country, the CEO of Jebon Records disclosed its firm is ready to take over the music scene by storm. “That is why we have been under ground studying things for the last three years; we have seen record labels that have come and gone, the reason is because they do not have that raw talent in their label, for instance EME has young talents on its label that has been holding it on. Though Wizkid is no more on the label, but Banky W has been signing young artistes. When you sign someone that is not talented just one hit you will not hear the artiste again, when the artiste goes down the record label goes down. If you sign another new artiste you need to start all over once again to reach the top. But when you have that talent that can always be there, you will takeover the world. Ben 7 is the youngest and the best talent we have in Nigeria. I can belt on that. Anyone that wants to challenge me should come out openly and we put it to test. I am very proud of my artiste,” he declares. According to him, apart from the two singles there are several songs lined up waiting to be released. He said, “Songs have already been lined up, the problem

we have is how to release them. If this industry was that time artistes come out with albums we have two albums ready and all are hit songs. That is why I said I am proud of him, and anyone that thinks he can match him should come out on stage; with just a beat, freestyle you will see the stuff he is made off; when you are talking about talent, he is the youngest and creative talent in town...The whole idea of these music thing started when I saw a talent, when you see a talent you do not need anybody to tell you, some will say it has been in their mind when they were born, I was not having the idea of establishing a music label in my mind, it was as a result of seeing someone with a good talent begging for assistance it was while begging, I listen to the songs and I noticed that it is different and I decided to help him. I never dreamt of having a record label, but I saw someone that can shake the Nigeria music industry and I decided to harness that talent. Ben 7 has come to take over the music industry. Recently Olamide indicated interest in signing him but the agreement did not work out so we decided to go solo and do the whole thing.” The CEO of Jebon Records noted that his artiste is indeed a star to watch out for in the country. “It is not the general thing that every artiste does. If you hear a hit song you will know. For Ben 7, people always demand for his song and whenever he releases songs it makes people happy. The good thing about him is that he is different from others, some artistes will tell you they are rapper, hip hop, R&B, Ben 7 is everything. Anyone you want he is there to give it to you. He is indeed a star to watch out for in the country,” Mr. Ebuka said.

MEDIA 23

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

At Signage, Outdoor conference, exhibition, LASAA calls for collaboration Ekundayo Adeniran and Dada Ajai-Ikhile

he parade of progress of the Global Outdoor Advertising business in Africa has come and long gone. Delegates from all over the world have since returned home to take advantage of insights gained at the greatest showpiece that created so much buzz and blitz in Lagos in recent times Some beat a retreat to recharge their creative batteries for the next edition of the great conclave of ideas about the global outdoor advertising business, the first of its kind in Africa, from Cape to Cairo. For three amazing days, the George Noah-inspired LASAA, with the guiding light of Governor Babatunde Fashola, the foremost driver of urban renewal for the evolving megacity of Lagos, moved the whole world of people in the outdoor advertising business, to fashion out a raft of solutions in saving the industry from being cut down to size from the lofty heights it presently occupies in the media landscape by a swarm of every day marauding threats. Aptly tagged: ‘Signage and Outdoor Conference and Exhibition Africa (LAGOS 2014)”, the event alone featured over 200 exhibitors and legendary participants from Europe, Asia, America, with over 4,000 visitors on parade. Also, there were a galaxy of global brands and iconic exhibitors taking stands to showcase their top-of-the-world brands. The conference and exhibition provided a common platform and uncommon opportunity for signage and billboard owners to display their creative innovations to the world. With Nigerian exhibitors and delegates having the added advantage of playing to their strength on the home turf, in what is expected to be an annual event on the outdoor industry calendar in Lagos State, which is the heartbeat of the nation and gateway to infinite possibilities and endless prosperity. Such is the magnetic drawing- power of the event that it attracted participants from Holland, Belgium, China, France, United Kingdom, Dubai, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and other neighbouring African nations that went beyond just wanderlust to take advantage of insights from the events. The grand event also attracted legends in the ideas-business who have already secured a safe place in the company of immortals. Revered names such as the redoubtable Biodun Shobanjo, voted as Nigeria’s Advertising Man of the Century and Chairman Troika Group, OBM’S Femi Adeniji-Williams, PAL’S Ayo Owoborode, STB’s Sir Steve Omojafor, Insight’s Jimi Awosika, Prima Garnet’s Lolu Akinwunmi, APCON’S Garba Bello Kankarofi, MTN’s Kola Oyeyemi, Media Reach’s Tolu Ogunkoya, TownCrier’s Kayode Olagesin, CEO Southern Europe JCDecaux, Jean Sebastien Decaux, Development Director Posterscope Sub Saharan Africa, Sir Bruce Burgess, Rotapanel Sales Director, Ms. Amal Siewertsen-Cheik-Lalou, Seni Adetu, MD/ CEO Guinness Nig. Plc amongst others, while Professor Ralph A. Akinfeleye of the University of Lagos, Mass Communication Dept. brought the gown to town, in a cross-frontiers migration to compare notes with the other parties who make the practical world of outdoor advertising business tick. Welcoming all with open heart to Lagos, the city that never sleeps, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Ipaye, was at her best wooing investors to endless opportunities which abound in Nigeria and her constituency, Lagos State. The seductive statistics that come with truly cute figures put Nigeria and

Noah

Lagos at the totem-pole of the most engaging, and preferred investment destinations on the African continent. Nigeria, 10th world’s oil producer with an estimated production of 2.5 million barrels per day; and Africa’s premier oil producer ahead of Algeria and Angola, second only to Libya as highest in ranking of proven reserves; 2nd largest behind South Africa with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 269.5 billion in 2013, but has now overtaken South Africa after the rebasing of the GDP, which now stands at the imperious height of N80.2 trillion (or US$509.9 billion) pulsing with such a command performance of 89% over the old GDP estimates for 2013. Nigeria is now ranked as the 26th largest economy in the world and the largest economy in Africa. It now has peer countries such as: Argentina (ranked #25), Austria (ranked #27), and South Africa (ranked #28). Nigeria has started thinking outside the barrel as it seeks to build a diversified economy in tune with its pitch-perfect ambition to become a very active participant in the 21st Century’s emerging global and technology driven economy. Lagos may also look small in size (just a cute, cuddly, 3,557 km3), but mightiest in alluring endowments that will comfort investors on every side. Lagos, which has all these good, hard to resist offering to the world: Sub-Saharan most populous city ( a heaving 22million) and growing at 6% a year; largest urban area; commercial hub for Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa, accounting for 25% National GDP, 45% of Nigeria’s skilled labour force, 65% of Nigeria’s commercial activities, 70% Nigeria’s industrial investments. Lagos is also a transport hub: home to Nigeria’s major ports (Apapa/Tin Can Island, accounting for 70 total national cargo freight; home to Nigeria’s busiest international /regional aviation gateway (Murtala Mohammed International Airport, soaring away to a dizzying catch-me-if-you-can 70 % of international and almost 60% of domestic traffic. Lagos is also a world-beater as a hub of transport, commerce, finance and ICT, accounting for about 50% of the ubiquitous, upwardly-mobile GSM subscribers. The state is a friend to the environment, keen on green and grow-

The seductive statistics that come with truly cute figures put Nigeria and Lagos at the totem-pole of the most engaging, and preferred investment destinations on the African continent ing green at every turn in her makeover of look and feel, while continually obsessed in redefining its environment. The investment-conscious state has never stopped a moment from sprucing up its package to attract the good, the bold, and the bracing to take advantage of all she has got to offer to the world in a secure, safe, prosperous and appealing beautiful business environment, a passion that inspired the birth of the Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency (LASAA), first of its kind in Nigeria and proud progenitor of many that are now sprouting up to good effect all over Nigeria and Africa. Managing Director/CEO, LASAA, George Noah, the convener of the global summit gave some breezy snapshots of the state of the business as a prelude to what developed later, assuring that no one will be left behind as the state grapples with the nettle of urban renewal in its well-choreographed transition into a megacity. Omnipresent LASAA works its signs and wonders as a regulatory body with the added mandate to redefine the outdoor advertising environment across the 57 Local Government and Development Area Councils in Lagos State, with 500 highly-motivated change-agents on its mission across 22 branch offices. The Agency with the licence to thrill with new ideas that beautify the environment, generate revenue for the government to perform its mandate and enrich the society overall, has zoomed from ground zero to the new sites and sights to behold. OOH Market now worth more than 50 billion naira employing a workforce of 100,000 people.

Noah proclaims that one of the fruits about collaboration draws from the ancient wisdom: ‘the greatest good you can do for another is not only to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own. LASAA is ready to set the tone by leading the charge in assisting to rebrand OOH, form joint industry group, and undertake OOH Master Plan. The Agency will also go further afield to undertake OOH Master Plan, augment profile of OOH schools, exchange ideas with counterparts outside Nigeria and will also uncompromisingly be on the front foot, encouraging innovation across the OOH platform, while holding that perfection always has room for personal expression. It’s all about building for the future of the outdoor; generating new ideas, growth, use it and pass it on, so no one is left behind. In the unforgettable counsel of Ralph Waldo Emerson: ‘There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it doesn’t matter who gets the credit’ The sound idea here is to encourage all stakeholders to sing from the same hymn-sheets, even while conceding that ‘you don’t get harmony, when everyone sings the same tune’, Noah and his growing orchestra and brand-believers appreciate the exquisite need to know that the mission is to gain true discernment of the contraries, first as contraries, but then as poles of unity. Same sentiments were expressed by other guest speakers, who foretold the doom to come, if the industry fails to shape up and rise to the grand occasion. President, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Charles Chijide, while admitting in his seminal paper titled Out-Of-Home Advertising In Africa : Challenges and Prospects, that the outdoor industry has indeed come a long way since its humble beginning way back in I928 when it bloomed just as a Double-and Quad Crown Poster to its the new-age digital experiential format now worth tens of billions in billings, attracting the best minds and entrepreneurs of affluence and influence, was nonetheless outspoken when expressing his outrage about problems that may pull the house built on hopes and great expectations down. Calling for collaboration amongst all stakeholders, he alludes to the Kenyan proverb: ‘Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable’ as an accent of the sort of bonding needed to surmount the odds and prosper in the midst of challenges. In the word of Henry Ford: ‘Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success’ Success is, however, earned, hardly given on a platter of gold. What’s more in the 21st Century where the scarcest commodity is attention, no one advertising exposure in out-of-home medium may get a second chance to make a lasting impression Tapping on a fitting epithet in the lexicon of Nigeria’s own Nollywood called ‘waka pass’ (walk by movie extra) played by lost-in-the-wood, anonymous actors, highly respected Jimi Awosika, Managing Director, Insight Communication, used the less-than-savoury term to describe the bulk of creatives on out-ofhome vehicle that simply lacked spark. ‘In a world that seek out for class acts and cameo appearances and starattractions such works lack the drawing power and spell to enchant and captivate the target audience who are always in a hurry to notice works that won’t simply fly, especially in a million-channel-world that ‘has happened on us, bringing about what I call the democratisation of noise through the increase of channels.’ •Adeniran and Ajai-Ikhile, Brand Marketing Communication Consultants contributed this from Lagos.

24 TOURISM

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

By Andrew Iro Okungbowa

ith the continuous posting of impressive record by global tourism and Africa hitting the +6 mark growth rate in the first quarter result of 2014 released recently by the World Barometre of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Zimbabwe is set to earn its share of the tourism windfall as it launches a new tourism policy to that effect. The country has set its sight on earning $5 billion international tourist receipts by 2020. This ambitious dream was disclosed by the country’s Minister of Tourism, Walter Mzembi, during the launch of the new tourism drive of the country. According to Mzembi, the tourism dream is in tandem with the country’s Vision 2020 and would be implemented within the context of ZIMASSET. ‘‘This dream is as big as the current size of our total annual country budget of $4.4 billion as presented by the Minister of Finance on the 20th of December 2013,’’ said the minister. ‘‘If you want to live longer you must dream bigger than your current size, so God can give you a longer life to see your dreams through,’’ say the minister of what inspired this dream even as he went ahead to admonish those Zimbabweans who oppose the stance of the government to have a rethink and the wrong perception about the country. Mzembi then outlined what he described as ‘‘my assumptions and wish list for the tourism economy I see in 2020.’’ These include: *Setting the performance of tourism at 30 percent of the performance of South Africa tourism, which currently earns over $12 billion from 10 million arrivals yearly; *The country is currently receipting $1 billion from 1.872 million arrivals *By 2020 South Africa tourism economy is forecast to exceed $16 billion based on their current growth strategies. *Political engagement with South Africa to explore the possibilities of tourists to South Africa making a trip to Zimbabwe and; *Engagement with China to attract five percent out its outbound travel, targeting one million visitors with $750 million beginning from next year. Beside, the minister also drew attention to the need to continue with the recovery strategy of the government. He also outlined some policy enablers such as making the country attractive to the international community by making it easier for many more people to access the country. The need for Zimbabweans to encourage new visitors and repeat visit by their positive dispositions and testimonies about the country while also calling for “open gates,” which translates to “open skies, open borders policy. To this end, he called

Frontview of Kingdom Hotel Vic Falls

Zimbabwe dreams $5 billion tourism earnings in 2020 for visa openness and global satellite map of airline activity. He also pointedly emphasis on the importance of paying close attention to domestic tourism. ‘‘Let me close my policy preamble by putting emphasis going forward on our domestic tourism thrust which now compels us in the future after a successful co-hosting of the UNWTO General Assembly in Victoria Falls in August 2013 to look inwards and begin to,’’ among others; Redefine the tourism product; redesignate the entire country as a tourism development zone; focus on special tourism economic zones; stimulate local interest and demand in tourism (through carefully thought out and designed products as in the following examples). Mzembi finally closed up on exploration of religious tourism to earn

some mileage for the country, as he pointed out that religious tourism today moves some 300 million international tourists out of the world’s total 1.1 billion travellers. The figures at domestic level are believed to be over 2 billion of the world’s 4.5 to 5 billion domestic travellers. ‘‘The Church market is growing exponentially to the extent that in certain instances its congregants cannot meet under one roof and in other countries the church has built high tech stadia and Arenas as meeting places. I encourage the church to grow their vision too in this direction and start building World Cup 2034 Stadia for us, to facilitate our qualification when the time of bidding comes,’’ called Mzembi. His optimism for the realisation of this ambitious dream is quite high as he re-echoed the word – Yes we can!

Tourism Minister, Walters Mzembi

Ebola outbreak: World Travel Awards cancels event in Nigeria

impact of the outbreak of TonheEbola Virus Disease (EVD) the economy of Nigeria has

come to the surface with the country recording its first cancellation of global event as the World Travel Awards billed to be hosted by the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on September 5 has been postponed. The event is the Africa and Indian Ocean gala ceremony, which was to be hosted for the first time by the country. A statement from the organizer of the world event,

which is regarded in the travel and tourism industry as the ‘Oscar of the travel industry,’ stated that the postponement of the event is sequel to the outbreak of Ebola in the country. ‘‘World Travel Awards has regretfully been forced to postpone its Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2014, scheduled to take place at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on September 5th. The decision follows the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in sections of West Africa.’’ The President of World

Travel Awards, Graham Cooke, expressed sadness over this development even as he gives assurance of hosting the event next year in the country. “It is with great sadness that we have been forced to postpone our much anticipated Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony at this time. However, we are confident, along with our partners at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, that World Travel Awards will be able to visit Nigeria for the first time in 2015 to stage the event.’’

He also disclosed that effort is on to host the event elsewhere, as he revealed that “we are working tirelessly to ensure our winners from the Africa and Indian Ocean regions receive the recognition they so richly deserve later in the year. We will release more details as soon as possible.” The World Travel Awards is a series of awards in honour of organizations and individuals who are adjudged to have performed excellently in the industry yearly. Nigeria was supposed to

have hosted the Africa series of the awards tour, which begun at the JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai, in May, with the second stop at Divani Apollon Palace and Thalasso on August 2nd and Quito, in Ecuador on August 9th while Nigeria would had hosted in September but now the tour moves to The Oberoi, New Delhi, India on October 10th and then berth at the sunshine island of Anguilla later with the grand finale in Morocco in November 29th.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2014

Ugbomah: Uduaghan, Fashola aides frustrating my 50 Years On Stage …Hails Zik Zulu — led AMP for coming to his rescue

Fifty years, a golden jubilee, is usually celebrated with pump. Such is packaged by a celebrant as an avenue to revel with family, friends and fans in a convivial atmosphere. But that has become a near nightmare for internationally acclaimed veteran filmmaker, actor and music promoter, Chief Eddie Ugbomah (OON) who is 50 on stage this year. Chief Ugbomah, Chairman, Board of Directors (BoT), Association of Movie Producers, AMP, while praising the efforts of Zik Zulu Okafor led AMP’s efforts for his celebration, explained his frustration with the aids of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, his state governor, and those of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, a state where he holds a chieftaincy title of Amuludun Eko for his legendary promotion of international artistes in the city from 1966 till early 80s. The producer of Oil Doom, The Boy is Good, Oyenusi and The Black President among other epic films, spoke with the New Telegraph on Monday in Lagos. Excerpts…. Ugbomah

STORIES BY SONY NEME Congratulations as you clock 50 on stage. What is happening to the planned celebrations, sir? There are some good news, which I am celebrating already. Some old school artistes like Orlando Julius, Daniel Wilson, Shina Peters, Charly Boy, Tee Mac, Daddy Showkey, Dele Abiodun and Dele Taiwo have agreed to celebrate me while I am still in good health at 74 as the programme has been shifted to December 19, 20 and 24. December 19 will be the celebration of Eddie Ugboah’s 50 years on stage, a brainchild of Zik Zulu Okafor and AMP. On December 20, being my birthday, is the launch of my autobiography, and on 20 of same month we shall be laying the foundation of Edifosa Entertainment Center, EEC. Finally on December 21, we shall be having a musical concert with those aforementioned artistes; and ten new generation artistes. We have 10 shortlisted for the expected crowd. The essence of the concert is to raise funds for scholarships to train specialists in the industry. They are to spend at least two years and be trained as camera men, editors, directors, writers and CGI make-ups; effects of real world class. It is going to be two years course from those with OND, HND or graduates before you can be considered for admission. The building is ready at Ilogbo, near Badagry, Lagos. It cost me N25 million. That is the legacy I want to leave here on earth. Even musicians will be trained there, because after Fela Amikulapo Kuti, we are yet to get his kind. Though his son is trying, but we need more at that level. That is what we want to achieve. Listen to Olaiya’s Bonsue, late Rex Lawson’s Ibinabor. In oufr ouw way of encouraging and celebrating talent we have listed 35

It was my film, The Mask,that made the British government to return some of our stolen artifact, except the FESTAC mask they insisted it was too fragile to be returned living celebrated musicians and 15 pot humours are to be inducted into the Music Hall of Fame. People like Chritian Essien, Ali Chukwumah, Roy Chikago, Kokoro, Osita Osadebe, Oliver D’ Coque, Jonez and others will be inducted for their immense contribution to the music industry. All their portraits are ready. The youngest among those living to be inducted is Femi Kuti. You will have my good friend, Bongos Ikwe, Dan Maraya Jos, Orlando Julius and a host of others. It is going to be a beautiful show of entertainment. We are also inducting three patrons and a grand patron. They are people who have made immense contributions to the music industry in Nigeria. For now I can only reveal our nineman board of trustees are Femi Lasode, Tee Mac, Dele Abiodun, Shina Peters, myself, Dureke, Kenny Ogungbe, Kwam One, and Alabi Pasuma. The last three have not gotten their letters yet. What are the facilities expected at the school? The school is going to be what teaching hospitals are to the general hospitals. It is going to be a specialist school for entertainer, from music, movies to fashion. Fashion department should be able to produce about 50 costumes like agbada,

wrapper, and blouse, just name it, at a go. Tthey will be producing and directing movies in-house and sell cheaper to television stations, because foreign content providers are cashing in on it by flooding about 105 stations with foreign cultures and its attendant consequences. They will be churning out pure Nigerian stories for the world. We aim to reverse a situation where our movie makers are continually being ripped off. Presently only one television station has gone digital; we hope others will meet the 2015 deadline. And government must enforce that for Nigerians to enjoy the best of television. Earlier in the year you came smiling Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Lagos state counterpart, Babatune Fashola, will be celebrating with your 50 years on stage…? The situation report is that, I don’t know what I have done to their aides! I remember texting Uduaghan, my governor, earlier this year about my intentions. He didn’t revert by sms, rather he honoured me with a call, saying, ‘Uncle if I don’t celebrate you, who will celebrate you. Uncle Eddie I will celebrate you.’ I told him I am looking forward towards him and Fashola celebrating me. Unfortunately, Fashola who personally intervenes on such issues is no longer forthcoming. From grapevine I have it that even after he had instructed his aides to give my letter, delivered

through his Chief of Staff, an accelerated attention, they have dumped me. That of Uduaghan was delivered through a courier company and another by hand. Therafter, Uduaghan, personally instructed Paul Odili, one of his aides to take it up. But since then, Odili has sent me

Seyi Shay

twelve text messages that Uduaghan is not accessible. That is someone he sees daily, as his job demands! I went to Sunny Agofure who could not be of help either. Earlier I had tried reaching the commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Barr C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 8

Seyi Shay shines with Y! Africa Innovator, Meck Khalfan Ttheanzanian and Nigerian singer, Seyi Shay are cover stars on the latest issue of Africa's youth-focused magazine, Y! Africa, to commemorate August 12 International Day of the Youth. Seyi Shay is one of Nigeria's fastest rising singers whose journey began from a group founded by Beyonce's father to being spotted by Sound Sultan, groomed by Cecil Hammond, and finally setting out on her own in a male-dominated environment. Khalfan, CEO, Puku LLC. on his part was named the Africa Business Leader of the Year 2013 by the Corporate Council of Africa. He is the ibrain behind the Puku S8, inspired after Hurricane Sandy kept him hostage in New York City. Khalfan was photographed in New York by Ade Emihe, and Seyi Shay in Lagos by TCD. The issue also features an interrogation of the hashtag generation, a contemplation of the Goodluck Jonathan legacy all wrapped up with high fashion, event photos and an interview with 10-year-old global a m b a s s a d o r, Zuriel Oduwole, amongst others.

26 ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, August 15, 2014

Single, Married and Complicated for cinemas today STORIES BY SONY NEME

he Nigerian movie industry gets better with high anticipation as movie lovers await the release of Single, Married and Complicated in cinemas across Nigeria today. The hilarious movie is yet thought provoking sequel to the very successful Single and Married which hit the cinemas in 2012. As it is released simultaneously across cinemas in Nigeria with a red carpet premiere holding exclusively at the Victoria Island location of Silverbird Galleria Lagos, the movie is expected to showcase a parade of stars from Nollywood, Ghollywood and other entertainment icons from various sectors. Interestingly, fans and supporters who have been anticipating the release of the movie since the first part hit the cinemas two years ago. According to a release by the promoters, “The star-studded movie, which features Yvonne Nelson supported by an allstar cast from Nigeria and Ghana includes Chris Attoh, Eddie Watson, Anita Erskine, and Tana Adelana. They were part of the original movie, while John Dumelo, John Gardiner, Alexx Ekubo and Eazzy join the team to make for an

CDO hails Kefee for elevating gospel music Shola Adefuwa efee music has been deKeverybody scribed as music made for . That was the ver-

even more interesting sequel.” It further stated that, “The steamy romantic comedy, which was produced by Yvonne Nelson Productions is written and directed by award winning director, Pascal Amanfo and described by Yvonne Nelson as a natural follow up of all to give a sweet finish to a great tale.” She reportedly said the

movie could be likened to its original, because it is no holds barred movie loaded with excitement and that movie enthusiast should brace up for a thrilling experience in the cinemas. Single, Married and Complicated is a captivating movie based on an everyday story that the ordinary African can relate to. It is once again told in a narrative form, with Ani-

ta Erskine as the narrator. The movie centres on the characters Jay, Kimora, Andy, and Vida who return to a replotted tale of love, life and living it as they seek to find an answer to the question... ‘What do men really want?’ Though the answers may be many, but at the end of it all it was realised that many will be single, some married and quite a few... simply complicated.

Dakolo in old school inspired Iyawo Mi King of Nigeria's Soul, Timi Dakolo has teamed up

with awards winning director, Clarence Peter to deliver the official video for his hit song "Iyawo Mi" off his upcoming album Love and Consequences. The 1970s inspired video was shot in

Ogun State with a vintage Mercedes car, time appropriate costumes, makeup and other props. The video shows the journey of a newlywed couple; played by Timi Dakolo and his wife, Busola through good and difficult times. Dakolo expresses his joy thus: "I'm really proud of this video. I have always wanted to do a vintage video that is fun-filled and features my wife, because the song, Iyawo Mi was inspired by her. So it was just right that she played a part in it. We had an awesome time." For starters, Timi Dakolo is an award winning R&B/

Soul music artist. The Bayelsa born crooner grew up in Port-Harcourt, where he started his singing career at the age of 12, in his church choir. Following his win as West African Idol first and only winner; he released his debut album titled"Beautiful Noise" in 2012, with rave reviews and chart successes. His next single, titled "Great Nation" has been described as the new National Anthem of Nigeria. Click here to watch the video: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=XvwSzzvP9s0 For more information visit www.timidakolo.ng

dict from the Chief Executive of Rectitude Records, Mr. John Okechukwu. Okechukwu, better known as ‘CDO’ said that late Kokoroko crooner brought gospel music to the door steps of everybody in Nigerian. Okechukwu, who disclosed this in an interview with New Telegraph said that, she was a hard working gospel singer, I know Kefee’s husband; Teddy, though we were not so close, but I knew Keffe much better. He said, “When I came in to the gospel music industry, Kefee was one of the people I had in mind to collaborate with, but eventually I heard she was no more, immediately I ran to the studio and did a tribute to her, titled ‘Only You Know’.I did not shoot the video, I did not put it on air, it was online and it got over 20,000 downloads by the second day. People are still downloading the song every day.” He further said as a fan of the deceased gospel artiste, her music still lives on with Kokoroko’ as his best choice love the one she did in her language. “I followed her music, I love what she did; and bringing Timaya into the song, which gave the song a wider acceptance and that is what gospel music is all about”, he said, adding that, “Gospel music is not just for you to do it and it is played only in church. It is gospel’, it means it should spread, that is the idea of gospel.”

CDO

Operation no hiding place, COSON’s war without end Kwara to host ith the W recent launch of the

Dakolo

war against music copyright infringers in Nigeria by Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), in a campaign tagged ‘Operation No Hiding Place’, the society is ready to enforce its compliance. Towards that end, the sole collective management organization for musical works and sound recordings announced that necessary machinery has been put in place to ensure that it becomes impossible to deploy music in any business in Nigeria without the appro-

priate license. This was explained by the Chief Licensing Officer of COSON, Mr. Chibueze Okereke in a chat with select journalists in Lagos. Mr. Okereke said that it has become crucial to employ the full weight of the law on recalcitrant music users who have failed to pay for the music they deploy in their businesses. According to Mr. Okereke, “COSON has essentially used moral suasion in dealing with defaulting organizations, but we are now left with no option than to bring down the full weight of the law on those who have refused to listen.” Okereke further said, “We have given this category of music users a long rope to

act responsibly, but have constantly been disappointed with their show of disregard for the intellectual property rights of the teeming Nigerians that COSON represents. It has therefore become imperative to save COSON members, and our creative industry from plunging into irrelevance by addressing what has become the proverbial cog in the wheel of progress.” To this end, they have met with their team of lawyers and instructed them employ all legal means to get them to bring them to book. With this approach, each of them will understand that it is far more expensive to ignore COSON than to obtain a music copyright licence from COSON.”

BON nominees wara state government has Kwood, keyed into the Best of NollyBON, as plans are on to

host the nominees next month. This was revealed by an elated BON, CEO, Seun Oloketuyi According to Oloketuyi, “We are delighted to announce that the good people and government of Kwara State helmed by the redoubtable and robust achiever, Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed, have agreed to host our nominees to a special dinner. Our nominees have been promised a ball and a blast at the grand dinner holding in the state capital, Ilorin, September 20th.’ This year would not be any different. This dinner is strictly for our nominees and special guests,” Oloketuyi said.

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, August 15, 2014

CINEMAWATCH (Radio/TV/Events Guide) AUGUST 15 — 22 HIGHLIGHTS

hen 15 year old Anna and her mother Tess wake up one Friday morning, they freak out when they find themselves in each other's bodies. It has happened courtesy of a couple of magical fortune cookies, and couldn't have come at a worse time. Strait-laced mum Tess is a psychiatrist who has found her techniques don't work on her wayward daughter, while Anna is a rebellious teen who thinks her mum is boring. Now they are forced to see themselves through the other person's eyes, and it's a revelation! Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan and Mark Harmon star in this body swap comedy. Oprah’s Next Chapter with Jane Fonda airs on TLC Entertainment on Thursday 14 August at 20:00 CAT Oprah visits Oscar®winning actress Jane Fonda and her adopted AfricanAmerican daughter, Mary Williams, for their first-ever

Mary come into their family. Later, Oprah and Jane speak one-on-one about love, motherhood and the importance of giving back to the world. The Johnsons airs on Africa Magic Family on Mondays to Wednesdays at 21:00 CAT The Jonhsons tells the story of Efetobore Johnson, a normal 15 year old boy with the same struggles as every teenager his age – raging hormones; parents who just don’t get it; boring classes; siblings who behave like they’re adopted and girls who like you one day, and not the next. On top of all that, however, Efe has one other challenge that is completely unique to him – He’s only two feet tall… Catch all the laughs, drama and fun of The Johnsons airs on Africa Magic Family.

STORIES BY SONY NEME

interview together. They discuss how they met, and Mary shares what it was like becoming a part of Jane's

larger-than-life world. Jane's biological son, Troy, also joins the conversation, relating what it was like to have

Botched airs on E!Entertainment from Sunday 17 August at 22:00 CAT This month, E! goes under the knife as plastic surgeons Terry Dubrow and Paul Nassif come to the rescue when extreme plastic surgery goes terribly wrong! From a nose that’s had six surgeries to a startling ‘uni-boob’, discover how these doctors can turn walking nightmares into success stories.

Righteousman relishes with Babylon Man ollowing the positive Fmusic response to NO! reggae sensation, Righ-

Steve Angello savouring his moment of glory

Steve Angello’s Wasted Love revealed in Times Square

ance music innovator and Dducer/DJ, globally acclaimed proSteve Angello, un-

leashed the world premiere of his brand new music video for his single, Wasted Love, in Times Square on the Sony jumbo sine last week According Sony Music, Steve Angello, who needs no introduction when it comes to pushing creativity beyond limits, made no exception for the premiere of the “Wasted Love” music video taking it as big as it can get in the center of New York City. Steve had arrived to Times Square to a vast amount of fans who came out to support the renowned artist’s video reveal. “As a pioneer in the music scene Steve Angello has become well-known for his innovative ideas, from Size Records’ 10-year anniversary celebration, #DECADE, to breaking history as a member of electronic dance trio Swedish House Mafia and his sold-out Size in the Park

concerts around the world,” it further stated. ‘Wasted Love’ features vocals from Dougy Mandagi, lead vocalist from the anthemic Australian band The Temper Trap. The new music video, directed by Lance Drake, features an iconic cameo from Steve and an epic performance from Dougy. In the clip, we step into a vast “desert landscape meets art installation” world where we observe a video game of life being played. Moving from level to level, each obstacle represents birth, death, struggle, love, until game over. ‘Wasted Love’ is off to a strong start with over 1.5 Million streams on Spotify worldwide, while the lyric video is approaching 500K VEVO/YouTube plays to date. The inspiring collaboration with Dougy is one of many unique pairings anticipated to be on Angello’s upcoming debut solo album, Wild Youth.

LYRICS

FOR THE WEEK

Freaky Friday airs on Disney channel on Friday 15 August at 17:00 CAT

formance shots thus giving his message a face. As a gospel artiste using reggae music as medium to get his message across, Righteousman had called for an end to violence through NO! which was released earlier this year.He is currently working on an album titled Save Nigeria that would be released under a joint venture deal with Tongues of Unity and Now Muzik.

teousman, follows up with a new single, titled Babylon Man. The audio and video teaser of the inspirational song was simultaneously released last week Friday, just as the full length video followed immediately. According to artiste, the choice of the album title is to warn against vices. He said, “A Babylon man enjoys the pleasure of cheating, violence in all spheres, drugs among other vices. This song is a call for attitudinal change on their part.” Babylon Man is produced by Chris Okoro and Righteousman. The instrumental is laced with reggae trademark guitar rhythms with a thumping raga drumming. This results in a groovy and smooth reggae joint that will surely intrigue fans of reggae music. The video, directed by Righteousman, was shot in the neighbourhood of Festac, Lagos. It features Righteousman deliverRighteousman ing energetic per-

GINGER L.A.X ft WIDKID Its Lengendury Beats Le le le le o Le le le le o Yee eh Sas Lengendury lo se beat eo Eh o Piper gbo 'ri wo le Its L.A.X Chorus: (Wizkid) Ginger o ginger Ginger o ginger The way you dance e dey make me dey ginger The way you roll e dey make me dey ginger o Belinda eh Belinda Belinda eh Belinda The way you dance e dey make me dey ginger The way you roll e dey make me dey ginger o Ginger o ginger Ginger o ginger The way you dance e dey make me dey ginger The way you roll e dey make me dey ginger o Belinda eh Belinda Belinda eh Belinda The way you dance e dey make me dey ginger The way you roll e dey make me dey ginger o

make me dey ginger o Belinda eh Belinda Belinda eh Belinda The way you dance e dey make me dey ginger The way you roll e dey make me dey ginger o Verse 2: (L.A.X) Do am dey give me Belinda The way you fire Belinda Baby dey tang, dey ginger I swear and I go go marry for India Oya dey dance kelewa My baby go sangalewa And I fit to give you my liver o And I fit to give you my liver gan Gba gbe sister Deborah Wa ye re mi la le yi o Sister Deborah Wa te le mi la le yi o Gba gbe Caro Wa te le mi la le yi o Sister Deborah Wa ye re mi la le yi o

Chorus: (Wizkid) Ginger o ginger Ginger o ginger The way you dance e dey make me dey ginger The way you roll e dey make me dey ginger o Belinda eh Belinda Belinda eh Belinda The way you dance e dey make me dey ginger The way you roll e dey make me dey ginger o Ginger o ginger Verse 1: (L.A.X) Ginger o ginger I no go leave Belinda The way you dance e I go love Belinda dey make me dey ginger Take you down to The way you roll e dey Germany o make me dey ginger o Take you down to Belinda eh Belinda America Buy you anything you Belinda eh Belinda The way you dance e want Give you motor car key dey make me dey ginger The way you roll e dey (se o gbo) Fight for you like Jet Li make me dey ginger o Give e you Escari Bridge: (L.A.X) See this your baka To ba ri e Belinda Baby I swear I gats Won ma sa o privatize it Won ma sa See this your baka Baby I gats to person- To ba bu e Belinda Won fe te o alise it See this your baka eh Won fe te To ba ri e Belinda Baby can I legalize it Won ma sa o See this your baka Baby I want to person- Won ma sa To ba bu e Belinda alise it Won fe te o Won fe te Chorus: (Wizkid) Ginger o ginger Chorus: (Wizkid) Ginger o ginger Ginger o ginger The way you dance Ginger o ginger e dey make me dey The way you dance e ginger The way you roll e dey dey make me dey ginger make me dey ginger o The way you roll e dey make me dey ginger o Belinda eh Belinda Belinda eh Belinda Belinda eh Belinda Belinda eh Belinda The way you dance The way you dance e e dey make me dey dey make me dey ginger ginger The way you roll e dey The way you roll e dey make me dey ginger o make me dey ginger o Yeba Ginger o ginger Ginger o Ginger o ginger Its L.A The way you dance Wizzy baby o e dey make me dey Lengendury ginger The way you roll e dey Oya na na na na

Friday, August 15, 2014

STORIES BY SONY NEME

ast week Friday witnessed the screening of St Mary. Produced by Obi Osotule and directed by Matthias Obahiagbon, the new Nollywood movie, from the stable of JBIS Intergrated Services Company Limited opened at the prestigious Odeon Cinema in London. The event in Greenwich marked the world premiere of the 110 minutes movie, which centres on the negative implication of sex and human trafficking. According the synopsis made available to New Telegraph, the movie follows the story of Tejiri, who uncovers a massive web of conspiracy on human trafficking and crime on board St. Mary, an oil vessel on voyage bound for Amsterdam. The well helmed movie also narrates the story of Nonye who gets lured by a face book confidant and friend into a seeming breakthrough in her singing career. Her excitement banishes caution and her world is thrown into a spiralling string of turmoil and disaster. She lands in a cabal’s dragnet stripping her away from the safety of family and imposing a terrifying adventure amidst her pleas for survival. The movie also exposes the exploits of Don Daddy, an epitome of success whose massive business empire is built on extraction and sales of hu-

London hosts St. Mary, a movie on human trafficking

keppy Ekpeyong and ibinabo Fiberisima 'St Mary's leading actors

man organs. His tentacles spread out to the frontiers of establishment and he lives his fairy tale life in all the perks of comfort with a consortium of agents luring young girls with a promise of better

life in Europe until he attracts the petit framed daughter of Prof. Ojukwu whose search pulls Don Daddy’s empire down. But as the narrative progresses, the scars never heal, the pain disappear and the memories linger painfully. The

story taxies off as a story of degradation, torture, pain and loss. It captures the travails of man’s innocence compromised in his aspirations. Featuring some of Nollywood’s top rated actors like Zack Orji, Ekpeyong Bassey-Inyang, Frank Dallas, Benjamin Joseph, Scott Roberts, Benita Nzeribe, Paul Obazele and Ibinabo Fiberesima, the Executive Producer of the movie Darlington Agha disclosed that the movie will premiered in the United States and Australia after the London premiere. He also disclosed plans to have the movie premiered in Kenya and Uganda before a grand premiere in Nigeria. The Executive Producer who led a delegation comprising the Associate Producer Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, the director Matthias Obahiagbon, actor and production manager Frank Dallas and leading actors like Zack Orji and Benita Nzeribe to the London premiere stated that the crew decided on a worldwide premiere because of the import of the narrative. ‘Human trafficking is a world-wide phenomenon so it is not out of place to embark on a world tour with the movie so that people can learn from the narrative. So we will take it round and then hold a grand premiere in Nigeria where the movie was shot’’ Agha said.

Dignitaries at the unveiling of Kunle Afolayan's Figurine unle Afolayan’s popular film, The Figurine (AraKafter romire) has returned to the limelight five years making waves, winning five awards including

the best film category at the prestigious African

Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and travelling far and near at Film festival circuits. The film’s story is now being told in a scholarly book titled Auteuring Nollywood: Critical Perspectives

on THE FIGURINE which was unveiled at a major ceremony on Thursday July 31, 2014 at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. Belo are some of the dignitaries in attendance…

L-R: Managing Director, Savvy Capital, Mr. Bolaji Oyeleye; Mr. Segun Adebayo of Kakawa Discount House and Mr. Biodun Ibiyemi of Fina Trust Microfinance Bank.

L-R: Author of the book, Dr. Adeshina Afolayan; Chief Executive, African Film Academy (AFA), Peace Anyiam Osigwe and representative of Kwara State Govt. Prince Deji Oni

L-R: Asst. Registrar , University of Lagos, Mr. Wale Olasunmade; Actress, Tope Oshin-Ogun and Head, Corporate Communication, Bank of Industry, Hadiza Olaosebikan.

L-R: Eze, Dr. Harris Chima; Executive Director, The Sun, Mr. Bolaji Tunji and Mr. Kunle Adekanye of Nigerian Immigration.

Uduaghan, Fashola aides frustrating my 50 Years On Stage CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

Richard Mofe-Damijo, who washed his hands off by saying, “He does not know if Uduaghan will celebrate somebody that is not his friend.” I am very disappointed that my state has consistently refused to celebrate me, despite my consistent achievements. I was made chairman of Nige-

ria Film Corporation; special adviser and consultant to Nigerian Film and Video Censorship Board. I got an Order of the Niger, OON, same period Uduaghan came in as governor. I wrote and hand-delivered a letter that was never acknowledged. Yet I know of others who got OON and MON were given the sum of N10million and a

brand new car each by their state governments. Pete Edochie is one of them. I have been making my state and the country proud. And I think I have contributed more than anybody else in the entertainment industry in the whole of Africa two of my films have saved this country. I made the then military gov-

ernment of Buhari/Idiagbon to know that South African apartheid regime were planning to bomb Warri, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Lagos with missiles. They had come in pretence of shooting a film called Soweto. When they got to Equatorial Guinea they discovered the bombs based on my information. I never got any for ap-

preciation from anybody. I got that information while I was in London hat saved my country. It was my film, The Mask,that made the British government to return some of our stolen artifact, except the FESTAC mask they insisted it was too fragile to be returned. Don’t also forget the crowning glory of my Oil Doom in 1979. In it I warned about the doom oil will bring to the people of Niger Delta – where are we today?

BUSINESS Friday, AUGUST 15, 2014

What's news Ex-militants’ bickering over N243b amnesty funds degenerates Following the failure of some miners to do business according to the extant laws guiding mining in the country, the Federal Government has revoked the mining licences of no fewer 600 miners who fell short of the law.

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9.4m tons of cargo moved through inland waterways No fewer than 9.4 million tons of cargo has been moved through the country’s inland water ways in the last two years.

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FG bans animal import through seaports The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has placed embargo on the importation of all forms of live animals through the nation’s seaports and land borders. This is coming 22 days after the Ebola virus disease struck in the country.

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Ondo consolidates workers’ pension scheme A few months after endorsing the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state, the Ondo State Government has further consolidated the process by appointing a seasoned consultant establish the state pension commission that will coordinate and manage workers’ pension affairs.

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

29 NEW TELEGRAPH

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Why I am into rice production – Dangote }p-35

ayodele aminu, Deputy Editor, business

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

Nigeria’s GDP grows by 7.1 per cent, says FBN Capital DEVELOPMENT Emerging statistics in the economic sector reflect optimism

governments such as Lagos, residential development, hotel building in the main centres and the construction of shop-

ping malls.” A subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc, FBN Capital provides strategic advice, arranges fi-

nances, administers assets, manages funds, sells investment products and invests alongside clients.

Sunday Ojeme

frica’s leading capital and investment organisation, FBN Capital, has released a new Economic Research paper for June 2014 indicating that Nigeria’s GDP has grown in 2014 at 7.1 per cent, coming on the back of strong non-oil economy. While FBN Capital sees the Federal Government agenda “stuttering in the strength of vested interests,” it sees that progress is greatest where those interests are weakest. In particular industries such as agriculture and power have seen and are predicted to see continued progress.” The report also indicated that while the yield of FGN bonds had settled into a range of 12 per cent to 13 per cent with a likelihood that the rate of yield would continue downward, FBN Capital is confident that they are still “among the highest anywhere for local markets of comparable liquidity.” The report further said that given all these factors, and while Nigeria is not “an island protected from global headwinds,” future optimism remains certain. The research paper also cited FBN Capital as seeing growth in 2015 at 7.0 per cent. According to the report, “non-oil growth has averaged 8.0 per cent year-on-year in the past eight quarters. Household consumption has driven this growth. Its evidence is abundant: the boom in mobile telephony, the beginnings of mobile banking and e-commerce, the rapid expansion of the financial sector (despite the twin bailouts of 2009), infrastructure spending by the more professional state

L-R: NDIC's Managing Director/Chief Executive, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim being presented with the 2014 Certificate of Commendation by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (CCSON), shaking hands with the CCSON President, Comrade Bassey Williams Etuk. With them is CCSON Publicity Secretary, Olayemi Success, at the ceremony in Abuja.

RUIN The Cross River State Free trade Zone in bad shape Bayo Akomolafe

he over N58 billion ($350 million) investments at the Tinapa Business Resort and Free Zone, Calabar, Cross River State, is wasting away. Tinapa was initiated by former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke as a way to boost business and tourism. The first phase of the project was commissioned on April 2, 2007. It was, however, learnt that users of the facilities were not helping government to achieve its objectives at the free trade zone due to reckless abuse of its policies. During a visit recently, the Comptroller in charge of Cross

Tinapa’s N58b facilities in comatose at Calabar River and Akwa Ibom states command of the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), Mr Yekini Atoyebi, said that Customs had to intervene when operators of the resort started subjecting the policies and privileges in the place to manipulation and reckless abuse. He expressed dissatisfaction over the state of the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort complex in Calabar. Atoyebi who spoke at the Government House in Calabar during his maiden courtesy visit on the State Security Adviser, Mr Rekpene Bassey, said that he wept because of the waste and desolate state of facilities at Tinapa, which ought to have been a huge business hub in Africa.

He said: “When I went there, some people in my entourage said that I was crying louder than the bereaved, but to me, I could not imagine how such a gigantic infrastructure would be lying desolate when in some places such infrastructure could be bringing in revenue that can keep a state running for months.” The comptroller urged government to do everything within its reach to ensure that the resort functions. “There is the need for a stakeholders’ meeting among all the parties in Tinapa, including the manufacturers, the business operators, management CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor

Rates Dashboard

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

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

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Aug 08)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N156.73 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N262.78 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N209.50 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $38.402bn as at 7/08/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at Aug 08)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N171.00 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N291 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N226 Source: CBN

30 BUSINESS | NEWS PROTEST Former militants from Edo and Delta states protest exclusion from amnesty programme

Sunday Ojeme

ollowing the failure of some miners to do business according to the extant laws guiding mining in the country, the Federal Government has revoked the mining licences of no fewer 600 miners who fell short of the law. Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Mohammed Sada, who disclosed this also said that the Federal Government had taken steps to shut any mining/quarry firm that is not operating in accordance with the Nigerian Minerals and Metals Act of 2007, Mining Regulations and any other extant mining laws like that of the Council of Nigeria Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG). The new step is to ensure strict compliance to rules and regulations guiding mining operations in the country. Sada, who made the revelation while receiving the presentation of the year 2013 Annual

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Ex-militants’ bickering over N243b amnesty funds degenerates  Faction petitions Presidential Committee Report and Audited Accounts of COMEG from the Chairman of the council, Chief Chambers Oyibo, described the firm as a strong institution that gives strength to the nation’s extractive industries. He lauded the council for fulfilling the requirements of the law that established COMEG, stressing that other agencies of government should emulate COMEG as this would go a long way in monitoring their activities in order to move forward. While extolling the initiative of COMEG in relation to the issuance of practicing licenses to its financial members as well as capacity training, the minister said that the present administration had seen the need for human capital development as one of the requirements of Nigeria’s extractive industries in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. He said: “No matter how much mineral resources a coun-

try has, if it doesn’t have the right human skills, the country will not develop,” adding that the country needed the right knowledge and idea for the minerals and metals sector to develop optimally. He acknowledged the level of preparedness of the present administration towards the development of regulatory bodies, saying that various activities of COMEG were clear indications of a responsible regulatory body in the country.

Earlier, Oyibo had said that the presentation was in compliance with the provision of COMEG Act part (11) Financial Provision, section 7(3) where the council is required by law to prepare and submit to the minister, Annual Report and Audited Accounts of COMEG. He enumerated achievements of the council in 2013 to include stakeholders’ workshop on mapping of fresh water aquifers in coastal Nigeria, monitoring and evaluation of

professionals and operators in mining and quarrying firms in North West, South – West and North-Central Zones of the country, introduction of preregistration examination for various categories of members seeking registration in order to set and maintain standards of education and practice, and the induction and public registration of 394 members. He said the council had also commenced the issuance of practicing licenses to financial members in order to ensure compliance with the provisions of relevant laws and regulations of COMEG.

FG bans animal import through seaports Bayo Akomolafe

he Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has placed embargo on the importation of all forms of live animals through the nation’s seaports and land borders. This is coming 22 days after the Ebola virus disease struck in the country. Director General of the service, Dr. Kola Fayisitan, said that officials of the NAQS operating at the ports had been placed on red alert on the movement of pets and animals through the nation’s borders and ports. He said that no domestic and wild animal would be permitted to enter the country, stressing that Nigerians should stop eating bush meat and other animals prone to the virus. Feyisitan noted that while bats and monkeys are known carriers of the virus, the service would not give chances to prevent further spread of the killer virus.

Also, it was learnt that officials of sacked agencies at the port have shifted to Seme and Idiroko borders following the outbreak of Ebola disease. It was revealed that the officials of the agencies, which include the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Port Health and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, were extorting money from customs agents at checkpoints. A clearing agent, Chief Sam Madubuike, alleged that the officials were doing the job not statutorily assigned to their agencies. It was learnt that over 1,000 people have died from the disease in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria. Ebola causes flu-like symptoms including fever. In the worst cases, it causes unstoppable bleeding. It spreads among humans via bodily fluids including sweat, so it can be spread by simply touching an infected person.

Tinapa’s N58b facilities CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

and Customs so that each will clearly understand its rights and privileges for a successful operation of the place,” he said. In his response, the State Security Adviser implored Atoyebi to ensure that officers and men of the command were vigilant by ensuring that the Nigerian Inland Water Ways Jetty

was not importing items used in the production of explosive devices by terrorists. The jetty berths vessels from neighbouring countries like Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Bassey also appealed to the Federal Government to give customs the needed equipment and incentives to do their work effectively.

L-R: Head, Regional Sales (South), Etisalat Nigeria, Taiwo Embassey; Etisalat customers, Mrs Divine Aidelokhai; Mr Revelation Aidelokhai and Head, Customer Experience and Retention, Etisalat Nigeria, Biola Edun, at the Etisalat Customer Forum 2014 edition in Port Harcourt.

9.4m tons of cargo moved through inland waterways TRANSPORTATION Millions of cargo are being moved by barges and train to consolidate land transportation Bayo Akomolafe

o fewer than 9.4 million tons of cargo has been moved through the country’s inland water ways in the last two years. According to a report by the Federal Ministry of Transport, the volume of cargo moved through the inland waterways in 2012 was 3.4 million tons while six million tons were ferried in 2013. The report added that six million tons were being targeted in 2014. Also, the report added that

Railway moves 280,549 tons the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) moved 280,549 tons of cargo between 2012 and 2013. In the report, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Nebolisa Emodi, stated that in 2012, the corporation lifted 182,465 tons of cargo by rail while in 2013, 98,084 tons of cargo were transported. Emodi said: “The volume of cargoes throughput stood at 77 million tons in 2012 and 77 million tons in 2013 while 80 million tons were being targeted in 2014. 34 wrecks and derelicts were removed in 2012; six in 2013 while 30 are targeted to be removed in 2014.” It said that the number of boats, ferries, barges and vessels that navigated the waterways increased from 35,136 in 2012 to 39,000 in 2013.

The report explained that the amount of cargo conveyed by rail was as a result of a drop in haulage due to the non-completion of the rehabilitation works on haulage carriages, adding that the ministry rehabilitated 1,494 kilometres of narrow gauge in 2012 while 1,931 kilometres were rehabilitated in 2013. Also, the report explained that 518.7 kilometres of standard gauge were constructed in 2012 while 406 kilometres of standard gauge were constructed in 2013. Emodi said that 4,155,988 passengers were transported by rail in 2012 and 4,328,789 in 2013. He noted that 1,308,864 passengers used the service in 2012, 3,350,000 passengers in 2013 while 3,600,000 passengers were targeted in 2014.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Pension

PenCom, strengthening regulation through training, sensitisation

MD, PAL Pension, Dave Uduanu

AWARENESS Stakeholders, pensioners and workers have continued to benefit from the knowledge spread across board by the National Pension Commission Sunday Ojeme

ully aware of the need to follow up closely on activities in the pension industry, the National Pension Commission has made it part of its duties to ensure regular trainings for pension operators, retirees as well as other stakeholders. The commission, apart from the need to ensure that workers’ contributions remain safe, has also been deploying modalities to sensitise members of the public, workers and retirees on the need to key into the Contributory Pension Scheme. The training and sensitisation processes have also been imbibed by the Pension Fund Administrators who have been going across the country meeting with workers and retirees in a bid to drum the benefits of the CPS into them. Officially, the pension operators now reckon with the quarterly meet with the commission where issues that may hinder the smooth running of the scheme are easily resolved between the regulator, pension operators and head of human resources. Barely two months after the new Pension Reform Act 2014 was signed into law, the regulator has once again resolved to engage the operators and heads of human resources in evaluating training programmes that concern the scheme.

Acting DG, PenCom, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu

MD, Premium Pension, Wilson Ideva

Yola

In a circular issued for the third quarter Trainiers’ Forum, the commission directed all licensed pension operators to ensure that their organisations are represented at the meeting with the subject for discussion being Training Evaluation. The quarterly meeting is sequel to the commission’s resolve to ensure that the operators take the training of their workers seriously. New Telegraph recalls that the pension regulator had issued a circular last year, pointing out that the need for operators to make adequate investment in the training of its employees was of paramount importance to the Commission especially at this stage of the development of the Contributory Pension Scheme where issues of service delivery have become a major focus/ concern in the pension industry. According to the circular, “There is also the need to ensure that adequate measures have been put in place in terms of training to guarantee smooth succession especially during senior level exit from the business thus contributing to safe guarding the sustainability as well as to bridge skills gap in the pension industry.” While pointing out that PenCom views the issue of staff training as crucial to the growth, development and success of the pension industry, the commission directed the operators to develop a training programme/calendar on a yearly basis indicating the training needs of each employee as well as ensuring that relevant courses are identified for each employee relating to their own areas of operation/ expertise on needs. The basic areas trainings are to be given concerns new employees who need to get familiarised with the organisation’s mission, vision, rules and regulations, as well as an overview of

the Contributory Pension Scheme and the role of PenCom; existing employees should be trained to refresh and enhance their knowledge especially with new development in the organisation and the industry. PenCom further stressed that operators should ensure that sufficient budgetary allocation is set aside for training yearly, adding that investment in proper training at all levels can only benefit the industry as a whole and the process should be continuous for as long as the organisation is in business. Specifically, the Conference for Directors of Pension Operators in Nigeria is another training process through which the regulator keeps the directors abreast of developments in the industry. On their part, members of the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) said a minimum of five per cent of their cost was spent on training of staff to boost productivity. The Managing Director, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Dr Demola Sogunle, said operators generally treated the issue of staff training with paramount importance, He said PFAs had been making good investment in staff training and would continue to ensure that staff were equipped for improved performance.

He said, “There are many trainings and workshops being organised, either by PenOp in conjunction with PenCom. The point is that we are constantly being trained. Some PFAs spend at least five per cent of what we call Cost to Company (CTC) on training. “Note that five per cent is the minimum a company can spend on training. The fact is, because it is an evolving industry, no knowledge is loss; we would continue to train ourselves. Even some of the products that we are yet to bring into the market, some of the PFAs have undergone serious training on them. “We can never stop training for things would always happen and the world is dynamic, so we would continue to train, we would get to the point where we would say we have trained everybody and there is no need for training again. In the next quarter, we would still see the need to train somebody for a new thing for things are always happening. “So training is taken seriously, and it is from the top to the button. And PenCom is doing its best and PenOP is also doing a lot in organising event, seminar and conferences to train operators.” Among other things, retirees and serving employees have been told to ensure that they maintain accurate data and update their pension details with their PFAs so that any changes that occur in their circumstances could be easily captured. This is to avoid delays in the payment of their benefits when they retire. The Managing Director of Legacy Pensions, Misbahu Yola, said, “It is very important for PFAs to embark on continuous enlightenment and sensitisation of human resource and pension desk officers, updating them with any changes or new development in the payment of benefits in line with PenCom regulations and guidelines.

Investment in proper training at all levels can only benefit the industry as a whole and the process should be continuous for as long as the organisation is in business

business | PENSION

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Retirement: Ondo consolidates workers’ pension scheme GOVERNANCE The establishment of pension commission is expected to boost the Contributory Pension Scheme arrangement of employees Sunday Ojeme

few months after endorsing the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state, the Ondo State Government has further consolidated the process by appointing a seasoned con-

sultant establish the state pension commission that will coordinate and manage workers’ pension affairs. The appointment of the Group Managing Director, Pensionscope Group and the Chief Executive Officer Interterms Pension Consultancy, Tai Peter Adediji, by Governor Segun Mimiko is to bring to bear his robust experience on Pension management, in drawing the template for the commission; appoint a Director-General and relevant officers. He will also be responsible for the appointment of Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs). Adediji who was the pioneer

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the CRIB Pension Fund Administrator, has contributed immensely to pension industry’s development through article publications, paper presentations at high profiled fora, production of pensionscope radio programme (a popular Lagos-based weekly radio programme on pension, insurance and related issues) as well as pensionscope magazine ( a monthly highly professional publication for both Pension and Insurance industries). Adediji, who expressed delight with the recognition, commended Mimiko for the gesture. He pledged to do his best in ensuring that the state had one of the best pension commissions

Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka (right) and Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air, Captain Ado Sanusi, during a stakeholders meeting in Lagos. PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

Pension schemes face levy to fund regulator

ension schemes could be forced to pay a levy if proposals are adopted to radically change the funding of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA). The proposals are laid out in the European Commission's Report on the operation of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) and the European System of Financial Supervision published on 8 August. The report explores different funding models for the three ESAs including "raising fees and levies" with the aim of "abolishing" contributions from the European Union (EU) and national regulators. Barnett Waddingham consulting actuary Rowan Harris said it was likely UK occupational schemes would face a levy as well as other firms that provide pension products such as insurance companies. While the report did not give much detail on how a levy would be set, Harris said: "The

commission said it would take into account proportionality and impact so I hope it would consider how hard hit pension schemes already are at the moment as any additional cost is obviously not going to be appreciated." She said it was unlikely the policymaker would apply a flat rate across all organisations. UK schemes already pay levies to The Pensions Regulator (TPR) and the Pension Protection Fund. The budgets of the ESAs are currently based on 60 per cent contribution from national supervisors such as TPR in the UK, and 40 per cent from the EU's budget. The report states: "Given EU and national budgetary constraints, the commission considers that a revision of the existing funding model should therefore be envisaged, ideally abolishing EU and national contributions." It notes that, while budgets have "significantly" risen since

the birth of the ESAs, there is concern that the present funding measures are not proportionate to their increasing tasks and responsibilities, and that demand for larger contributions would not be sustainable for many national regulators. EIOPA chairman Gabriel Bernardino welcomed the report in a statement, calling it a "starting point" for forthcoming discussion on the review of the European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS). He said: "An adequate level of resources for the ESFS is an important prerequisite for sound supervision. The EU will benefit from stronger, more consistent and coordinated supervision at the European level that aims at ensuring financial stability and consumer protection." The commission said it would now undertake preparatory work to improve the ESAs' funding arrangements and consider conditions for funding through alternative models.

that could guarantee improved wellbeing for contributors, retirees and other stakeholders. He said "When the Governor Olusegun Mimiko decided to bring in the change by the introduction of the contributory pension scheme in replacement of the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), it appears the Governor was fully expecting reactions and in some cases rejections to the new scheme simply because a change was about to come. This led to the application of democratic principle by opening up the window to dialogue with virtually all the interest groups; it worked. What would have led to serious crisis was handled intelligently by MrGovernor." Ondo State had drafted a Bill on the CPS, a copy of which had been reviewed by the Commission and comments duly forwarded to the state. Ondo state’s move into the scheme was met with some resistance from the workers who complained that they did not trust the state government enough to transparently implement the programme in their favour. The signing into law of the CPS bill by Mimiko opened a new vista of hope for the state’s workforce. Through the gesture, the governor has done nothing short of placing the workers’ destinies in their own hands contrary to the dreary retirement experience they would have had under the government funded pension scheme. Although the workers had protested against the bill reasons, however, prevailed as the governor endorsed the bill, which will see the workers contributing some percentage of their remuneration into their various Retirement Savings Accounts to be managed by selected Pension Fund Administrators. The state’s civil servants had earlier caused a stir when they disrupted activities in the state as they suspected foul play in the state government’s attempt to begin the process of implementing the CPS. Their grouse was, however, not with the scheme but lack of confidence in the state government’s sincerity in contributing its own percentage to the funds. The leader of the workers in the state, Comrade Samuel Oluwole Adele, reminded the lawmakers and his colleagues that the law establishing the (CPS) afforded it to be well domesticated by each state after consultation with input from concern stakeholders who mostly must be civil servants in the workforce of the state. He said, “The government needed to show proof it was fully prepared to pay its own monthly share of the contribution. They should give us a written document indicating government payment of its own percentage on the scheme."

Major highlights of the pension reform act 2014 Upward Review of the Penalties and Sanctions The sanctions provided under the Pension Reform Act 2004 were no longer sufficient deterrents against infractions of the law. Furthermore, there are currently more sophisticated mode of diversion of pension assets, such as diversion and/or non-disclosure of interests and commissions accruable to pension fund assets, which were not addressed by the PRA 2004. Consequently, the Pension Reform Act 2014 has created new offences and provided for stiffer penalties that will serve as deterrence against mismanagement or diversion of pension funds assets under any guise. Thus, operators who mismanage pension fund will be liable on conviction to not less than 10 years imprisonment or fine of an amount equal to threetimes the amount so misappropriated or diverted oe both imprisonment and fine. Power to Institute Criminal Proceedings against Employers The 2014 Act also empowers PenCom, subject to the fiat of the Attorney General of the Federation, to institute criminal proceedings against employers who persistently fail to deduct and/ or remit pension contributions of their employees within the stipulated time. This was not provided for by the 2004 Act. Corrective Actions on Failing Licensed Operators The Pension Reform Act 2004 only allowed PenCom to revoke the licence of erring pension operators but does not provide for other interim remedial measures that may be taken by PenCom to resolve identified challenges in licensed operators. Accordingly, the Pension Reform Act 2014 now empowers PenCom to take proactive corrective measures on licensed operators whose situations, actions or inactions jeopardize the safety of pension assets. This provision further fortifies the pension assets against mismanagement and/or systemic risks. Restructuring of PTAD The Pension Reform Act 2014 makes provisions for the repositioning of the Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to ensure greater efficiency and accountability in the administration of the Defined Benefits Scheme in the federal public service such that payment of pensions would be made directly into pensioners’ bank accounts in line with the current policy of the Federal Government.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Agric

BUSINESS 33

Hard Facts l Compared with what is obtainable in what one will call agriculturally developed parts of the world, Nigerian agriculture is still in its primitive stage as portrayed by the yield and quality of product of virtually all Nigeria’s agricultural units viz plants, livestock, ponds of water, etc.

l For cow for instance, average yield

of 200 litres/lactation is obtainable as against 8000 litres for others;

l First calving is four to five years

as against 22 to 23 months; carcass weight at three years – 100 kilogrammes as against 1000 kilogrammes of other exotic stocks;

Cocoa cargo at the port

The smallholder farmer and Gabriel Gold, his broker, have superficial knowledge of commodities’ reigning prices. Even if they know more, the buyer in the chain is the king, writes SIAKA MOMOH

he farmgate player is the hen that lays the golden egg in the agriculture value chain, yet he is pauperised, so to say. He is fed with the crumbs from the table of the exporter, local processor and oversea processor. The farmgate player is made up of the farmer – smallholder farmer and the local buying agent. The exporter and the processors rely on him for the supply of commodities – cocoa, coffee, sesame seed and cashew, among others. The exporter, local and overseas processors, dictate the price based on international quoted prices of these commodities. The farmgate player must sell to him. The option he has is to change place – that is - become an exporter or a commodity processor. But he is not equipped for this because it is not his familiar turf. Gabriel Gold The story of Gabriel Gold, a produce merchant, helps to illustrate the predicament of the farmgate player. An indigene of Ikare in Ondo State, Gabriel Gold is an experienced hand in the agricultural commodity trade. He has been in this business for over 50 years. He is a local buying agent for cocoa beans, cashew nuts, coffee and palm kernels for exporters. In a particular season, Gold bought 100 metric tonnes of coffee at N17,000 per tonne, basing his purchase on the international price for that season, which

Agric: Venture where middlemen are kings would give him some good margin after sale. But unfortunately, the international price of coffee fell to N10,000 per tonne, which meant he would sell bellow the price he bought his stock. He was of course stuck with the stock. This is what the much-talkedabout trade liberalisation can do to an indigene of a primary product producing country like Gold. It is the same story for many like him in the Nigerian agriculture value chain. The smallholder farmer and Gabriel Gold, his broker, have superficial knowledge of reigning prices of commodities. Even if they know more, the buyer in the chain is the king. He determines his own margin and leaves the rest to others. AGRA’s intervention Perhaps the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)’s knowledge of this problem is what has made it to decide to intervene and rescue the farmgate player from the oppression in question. AGRA says its goal is to reduce food and nutrition insecurity by 50 per cent in at least 20 countries, double the incomes of 20 million smallholder families and move at least 30 countries onto a pathway leading to a sustainable green revolution that fits local needs by 2020. According to a report just released by AGRA, titled: ‘AGRA in 2013: Transforming African agriculture through partnerships,’ such convening efforts – which include the annual African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) – are inclusive, involving farmers and their organisations, researchers, policymakers, development specialists,

NGOs and members of key civil society organisations. Says the report: “Our aim is to amplify the voice of smallholder farmers so that their needs and views are taken into account, build conducive agricultural policy environments that can foster growth and productivity, and unite the full range of public and private stakeholders who are determined to make Africa food secure. We take a value chain approach. AGRA operates all along the African food production and marketing value chain. In broad strokes, our work starts with investing in agricultural research and building a cadre of ‘next generation’ agricultural scientists, market specialists and policy analysts.” It says that AGRA strengthens the knowledge and skills of farmers in managing their soils and using improved inputs, and helps them to organise themselves into effective, well-run farmer groups. “We invest in fledgling agribusinesses (especially private seed companies, agro-dealers and agro-processing ventures). And we strive to open the door to market opportunities that will put money into the pockets of smallholder farmers.”

The exporter, local and overseas processors dictate the price based on international quoted prices of these commodities

The report argues: “African agriculture cannot be transformed everywhere and all at once by a single organisation. In order to get the most from AGRA’s finite resources, we invest a large portion (about 40 per cent) in just a few promising locations – areas we call ‘breadbaskets.’ These are large, high-potential agro-ecological regions that have good soils, dependable rainfall, and basic rural infrastructure already in place. Our objective is to achieve rapid progress in these areas, and in so doing, demonstrate the positive potential of new technologies and approaches. “Our breadbasket strategy provides an investment platform for catalysing the uniquely African green revolution we envision – one that puts smallholder farmers first, increasing their productivity and profits. The aim is to create vibrant agrifood systems that extend from farmers’ fields to local, national and regional markets.” The report notes: “AGRA’s breadbasket investments currently focus on four countries – Ghana, Mali, Mozambique and Tanzania. The key to this strategy is the implementation of tightly-linked agricultural projects in these countries, with support coming, not just from AGRA, but also from governments and various partner organisations. We have placed Country Leaders in each of these countries to work with all those involved, both locally and within AGRA, in achieving progress where it matters most – at the ground level. “AGRA is actively involved in an additional 13 sub-Sahara C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 4

l Rate of calving – two years intervals as against annually for others;

l First heat – three to four years as against eight months;

l Precocity of bull – six years as against two years.

l Cocoa butter trade came to a

standstill in Asia last week after bean futures spiked to their highest in three years on speculative buying, turning off demand from chocolate makers.

l London cocoa futures have rallied

about 16 percent this year on expectations demand will outstrip supply in the current 2013/14 crop year. December cocoa ended up 3 pounds at 2,005 pounds a tonne on Thursday.

l Butter prices, which have climbed

in recent months, stood as high as $8,400 a tonne, compared with about $6,800 in January. Butter prices are calculated by multiplying London and New York bean futures by the ratios, which are set by grinders.

l The high bean prices are affecting

grinders. Now, butter has become so expensive that people have stopped buying, while powder is not moving at all," said a dealer in Singapore. "So your processing margin is reduced."

l When processed by grinders, co-

coa beans yield roughly equal parts butter, which gives chocolate its melt-in-the-mouth texture, and powder, which is used in cakes, biscuits and drinks.

l Nothing seems to be making sense

in cocoa now. London prices are extremely high.

l Butter ratios are still high in Asia

but the question is whether anybody is really selling?

l Soaring cocoa costs ate into Nes-

tle SA's confectionery profits in the first half of 2014, the company said on Thursday.

l Cocoa bean prices have been on

a meteoric rise for the past year as speculative buying poured into the market. This caused chocolate makers such as Nestle, Mondelez International, Mars Chocolate North America and Hershey Co to raise chocolate prices in recent months.

BUSINESS | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Weeds as most challenging constraint to cassava farming Siaka Momoh

n an interactive discussion aimed at unraveling bottlenecks to farming, young farmers identified devastations by weeds as the most challenging constraint demoralising cassava farming and hurting yields. “Our experience is that even before you complete the first course of weeding, you see another set of grasses coming behind,” Akinyele Bankole, a youth agropreneur with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), said during a meeting with members of the Cassava Weed Management team at IITA. “We have weeded about five times but it appears we are not doing anything when you see the weeds in the fields. This is the most difficult challenge we are facing,” he said. “And sometimes it looks discouraging seeing our fields with weeds competing with cassava,” Evelyn Ohanwunsi, another youth agropreneur added. Generally, farmers weed cassava three times, but in cassava farms where perennial weeds such as spear grass are predominant, more weeding may be required. Researchers estimate that weeding takes 50 to 80 per cent of the total labour budget, and up to 200-500 hours of labour of mostly women and children per ha are required to prevent economic cassava root losses in Nigeria. Project Leader for the project Sustainable Weed Management Technologies for Cassava

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

African countries, bringing our current reach to 17 countries. Five of these are in West Africa, with the rest in the eastern and southern regions of the continent. In order to transform African agriculture, AGRA and its partners invest at key points along the staple food value chains. Our programmes for improved seed systems, soil health, market access, better policies, affordable agriculture finance, and collective action, through stronger farmer organizations, all rest on the idea that we must move subsistence farmers towards sustainable, more productive, and more profitable farming operations.” The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) was created in order to dramatically improve African agriculture, and to do so as rapidly as possible. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation joined forces in 2006 to get the organisation started, and remain strong supporters of our farmers.

Systems in Nigeria, Dr. Alfred Dixon, said that solutions on weed control in cassava farms are underway following efforts between IITA and partners to combat it. Under the cassava weed management project, Dr. Dixon and his team are conducting research that will develop new best innovative weed management practices, combining improved varieties, proper planting dates, plant populations, and plant nutrition, all coupled to intercropping and tillage options, through well-focused trials in the three agro-ecologies where cassava dominates in Nigeria. The project is also testing herbicides for efficacy and economic merit to help make

weed control in cassava more efficient and effective. He said that results from the 5-year cassava weed research would be shared with the IITA young agripreneurs and other farmers to enable them make informed decisions that would not only increase the productivity of cassava but also make cassava farming more attractive and put money in their pockets. “I am sure that with the cassava weed project, we will be able to tackle the menace of weeds… so be rest assured… we will support you,” he said. Established over two years ago under the leadership of Dr Nteranya Sanginga, IITA Director General, the IITA youth agripreneur program is

an Africa-wide initiative that is attracting youths back to agriculture by exposing them to the numerous opportunities that exist in the agricultural sector. Last year, the IITA youth agripreneurs in Nigeria cultivated over 50 hectares of cassava, maize and soybean. The group intends to more than double the hectareage this year as weather conditions look positive. Dr Dixon was accompanied by Dr Gbassey Tarawali, Representative of the IITA DG and Deputy Director General (Partnerships & Capacity Development); and Godwin Atser, Communication & Knowledge Exchange Expert. IITA DG Sanginga also partook in the focus group discussion.

Casssava farm

Anti-bird menace device debuts MENACE Rice farmers get relief as technology for checking birds attack unveiled

technology for scaring off birds has been installed in a rice farm in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State. Speaking on the success rate of the technology during the week, Mr. Friday Ozi, on whose farm the technology has been tested with commendable result, disclosed that his farm was planted with Faro 52 and noted that the crop was already at ripening stage. He explained that the farm boundary was circled with the tape, which scares the birds and they fly past at a high altitude. According to Ozi, the bird scaring tape has the capacity to display different colours as a result of sunrays. The colours are specially combined to elicit confusion among the birds, coupled with the ability to produce drizzling sound, which scares them away. “The tape was obtained from the research section of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, and was made possible through collaboration with Avilex Biotech Limited, Lagos,” said Ozi. In addition, Ozi stated that in order to achieve the best results, the bird scaring tape should be placed on the farm at the filtering stage to prevent the bird from perching, sucking the milk of the rice grain and wasting the rice flower.

Short-changed farmgate player Songhai initiative Godfrey Nzamujo’s Songhai initiative is one that has also come to address this issue of short-changing the farmgate player. Godfrey Nzamujo, a reverend father, is the founder and director of the Songhai Centre, a pioneering farm, training and research centre in Porto Novo, Benin. Nigerian-born Nzamujo started off the Songhai project in 1985 on a single hectare of land, expanded it to six sites in Benin and one in Nigeria. Nzamujo argued that while the population growth in West and Central Africa has remained relatively high at about 3.6 per cent, the agricultural productivity per capita continues to be very weak at 2.5 per cent. This, he said, has resulted in the aggravation of poverty and rural decay, high urban growth and rural exodus. He argued that reforms have been floated in African countries to

improve governance but that these exercises unfortunately were not accompanied with socio-economic reforms and appropriate development strategies and programmes. For him, the Songhai Sustainable Growth Initiative is aimed at developing replicable processes on how to reverse the above tendencies and turning the rural communities into viable socio-economic entities. He listed three principal economic sectors: Primary, secondary and tertiary sectors and explained: Primary sector This is the agricultural sector that comprises three subsectors – animal production, crop/vegetable production and aquaculture. The agricultural production techniques in this project are based on the zero-waste concept - where the wastes from one sub-sector are recycled and become inputs in another sub-sector. In addition

to the resources recycled and re-used, most of the energy used on the project sites are locally produced - showing that sustainable communities could become more of energy sources than energy consumers. Secondary production sector Commodity or value chains are developed in each community. The situation was that local communities export their agricultural products to the cities and elsewhere and practically no values are added at the local level. It is the middlemen and traders that really reap the benefits of agricultural production in the traditional economy. The prices of some of these agricultural products in the big cities or overseas are sometimes two or three times the farm gate prices. That is the issue, the crust of the matter. In the Songhai Initiative, new technologies and processes were developed with the local/native population (drawn from the

high school, university graduates and indigenous competences) to add value to their agricultural products and increase their shelf lives. The strategy here is to produce goods and services aimed at satisfying the needs of the rural populations and then exporting some of the value added products to cities and elsewhere. Jobs are therefore created and more income generated at every stage of the value chain in the rural communities. Tertiary sector Both the primary and processed goods are marketed in the project environment. Different services like eco-tourism are fast developing in these localities. In the next phase of the project, these project sites will become centers of rural entrepreneurial zones. These centers will be linked with VSAT and Tele Centers to facilitate communication and transaction.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Why I am into rice production –Dangote A fortnight ago, President Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, signed a MoU, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the business of rice production and processing. Why is Aliko Dangote into rice production? He spelt it all out in Abuja. Siaka Momoh reports

Self-sufficiency Apart from making Nigeria self-sufficient in rice, it will also make sure that Nigeria exports rice because we have no reason not to export rice. The real reason why we want to move into agriculture is that the perception is that there is no money in agriculture. That is the perception also in the industry. People say ‘No, I am not going to try. There are so many people before, there are several of them that have tried industry and have failed. Job creation Our decision will also reduce a lot of tension. It will also reduce quite a lot of this unemployment, because there are a lot of people that have graduated from universities and don’t have employment. But agriculture is a chain of several other disciplines of jobs. We will be able to create jobs, and even if you don't want to go and work, you could become a trader. The rice is there. It will become cheaper. It will conserve our foreign exchange. Foresight 2020 is like tomorrow. By 2020, in five years, the population of Nigeria will be over 200 million. So, if we are going to be over 200 million people, how do you really feed 200 million? Not even feeding alone, even if you have to import and we don’t want to create jobs here, how do you keep these ports to be handling the kind of food that we will be eating? It is not just going to happen. We are going to get stuck one day. I think what we are doing now

BUSINESS | AGRIC

‘Cameroon cocoa smuggled to Nigeria' and poor transportaBchiefadtionroads facilities in Cameroon's cocoa-producer, the South-

west region, have forced farmers to sell huge quantities of their cocoa beans to neighbouring Nigeria, a practice forbidden by Cameroonian law, a top executive of Cameroon's largest cocoa farmers' association told Dow Jones Newswires recently. The South-west region accounted for 96,000 metric tonnes of the country's estimated total of 240,000 tonnes of cocoa beans in the 2013-2014 season, according to James Lobe Musima, vice president of the 700,000-member Cameroon Association of Cocoa and Coffee Producers (ANCCP). Musima said that the province lost over 20,000 tonnes of cocoa beans to illegal export of its output to Nigeria. "This smuggling has cut down our production to 96,000 tonnes, since farmers in towns sharing borders with Nigeria - Mamfe, Eyumojock, Ekock, Kembong, Ekondo Titi, Mundemba, sell most of their cocoa beans to Nigeria, because most of the roads leading to the Douala port are muddy during the rainy season," Musima said.

is with the support of His Excellency, Mr. President, and his ministers here. Government not in business We need to really support the government. Government is not in business. Their real business is to facilitate. Now, they have facilitated. We the entrepreneurs have to take the risk. Anything you do in life is a risk. This one is a calculated risk. I think, for us as Dangote, it will help to bring in other people who have been shying away. It is not government's work now to go into agriculture, but they are facilitating by giving us all the support, which is there in our MoU, and also the encouragement, because if the country is open to dumping, that is something totally different. No to importation With the new rice policy in place, signed by His Excellency, Mr. President, I think it is only people who are not really serious, who are always trying to just milk the system that will continue to import rice. As investment in rice production grows, the private sector operators will be at the forefront in the battle against smuggling, a major disincentive to investment in rice production and processing. Consumers’ taste We need to be very, very careful in West Africa, because, in Africa, the tastes of the people are changing. Nobody wants to now go and eat the kind of food we used to eat 30 years ago. Everybody wants to eat rice. As soon as you have disposable income, you want to jump and eat rice. People’s taste could help stimulate local production as this is going to help quite a lot to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and even through the value chains. Starting small – initial plan Initially, we wanted to do about $300 million in one area, which is Edo State, but realising the opportunity to expand the project, we have ended up with about five states. The five states are Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Edo and Kwara. What we are trying to do is to join hands with the ministry. Right now, there is a policy of government on rice and government does not just go and announce and say that 'go and do this’ without a policy backing what they have said. That has actually helped to make sure that, yes, instead of us to go slowly, with $300 mil-

Dangote

lion investment we decided we were going to go and invest a billion dollars. Benefit of hindsight I have seen it happen before in other sectors and can assure you the rice thing will become a very, very big story. There are quite a few things that we need to try first and see that they work. Number one is in the non-food sector, so that people will know that, sometimes when you say you are going to eliminate the importation of food items, majority of people will believe that this is not possible. In 2002, there was a policy that Nigeria will start importing cement. The total production as at December 2003 to January 2004 was 1.8 million tons. By ten years, when the policy was in place, we were to make sure that cement was selfsufficient here. Today, the total production of the country is 28 million tons. We have moved from 1.8 million tons to 28 million tons. This August alone, we are adding additional nine million tons. We will get to 37 million tons all within ten years. Sugar We are able to also demonstrate and remove the fear that agriculture is a poor man's business, that there is quite a lot of money in it. I used to tell a lot of people that, eight years ago, when we used to import sugar, we were importing sugar at about $143 into Nigeria. $143 will not really allow you to make money at all. But, last year and a half or so, alone we have imported sugar at a thousand dollars a ton or so. So

can you imagine! Our people are not looking at these issues because people are not projecting what is going on. Farming easier Doing farming, doing rice, is by far much easier and also cheaper than cement, because, for cement, to even build a factory, to go through the design, you need four years to be able to deliver, that is if you are going to deliver at all. But, you see, the impact on the society, there is no comparison. Strategy Our business strategy is not only to just make sure that we do end-to-end, or do almost everything. We will try to make sure that we have out growers. We will give them the seeds. We will give them the training. We will give them fertiliser. And then we guarantee to buy their paddy, and process. That is on one side. Even, people who are not around our areas, when they grow the rice, we will definitely continue to support them to buy paddy off from them and then process the rice into eatable processed rice, because if you don't continue to encourage them, they are not going to grow rice the following year. Boosting GDP The most critical thing is that it is not good to have a GDP of seven per cent and not be inclusive. Rice is part of the things that will make it inclusive in terms of GDP. If we sort out power and agriculture, these two alone will make Nigeria's GDP to be growing in double digits on yearly basis.

Cocoa exports to US triple under AGOA

ocoa and cashew exports from Ghana to the Uniyed States went up by 300 per cent within 13 years under the AGOA initiative, according to Citifmonline.com. The AGOA initiative has been running for 14 years and it was one of the main topics discussed at the US-Africa leaders’ summit in Washington DC. United States officially launched the campaign for the renewal of AGOA. President Obama said that he was optimistic that Congress would renew the initiative. Figures on exactly how much cocoa and cashew nuts Ghana was exporting to the US before the AGOA initiative were not provided. However, speaking at the 2014 US-sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum in Washington, Secretary of State for the US, John Kerry, said that imports of cocoa and cashew from Ghana have increased by 300 per cent under the initiative. ‘‘But for 14 years, AGOA has been one of the primary tools to push forward greater trade and investment in Africa. And guess what? It is working. We’ve seen imports from AGOA nations grow by 300 per cent. Whether it’s cocoa and cashews from Ghana or textiles from Mauritius or petrochemical products from Angola, AGOA has served as a catalyst for greater trade and prosperity, and it’s helped to promote greater protections for the African workforce,’ He said.

BUSINESS | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Beauty of Dangote’s rice investment strategy Siaka Momoh

angote Group is known for keeping its words on the issue of investment. Therefore, one is bound to take Aliko Dangote serious on his recent decision to invest $1 billion (N165 billion) in rice production in Nigeria. Nucleus Estate Initiative The aspect of the deal that stands out is the business strategy the project is coming with. Members of the National Economic Summit Group (NESG)’s Agriculture and Food Security Commission must, by now, be raising their thumbs that the initiative they established for agriculture is taking root fast with the likes of Dangote and Olam adopting it. The strategy is the Nucleus Estate Initiative (NEI). NEI is an initiative of NESG and one which contemplates a scenario where the large farms/ firms will serve as coordinating centres for a concentric of several small farmers who double as the production chain in the industry. The big farms/nucleus estates are under obligation to buy off the produce, thereby providing guaranteed market for the small farmers. Beauty of the strategy The beauty of the strategy is that it will create jobs largely for the rural communities, with a myriad of outgrowers being part of the value chain, the hitherto neglected rural community will therefore be empowered. With the strategy, the issue of smallholder farmers being dispossessed of their traditional farms is ruled out. The strategy will even bring about increase in the number of out growers as elite youth agropreneurs will be drawn to the countryside to do agriculture business. Aside from those that will be engaged in farms, several hands also orking as a natural pest control agent, ladybeetles W provide economic value to farm-

ers. Initial results show that the estimated economic value of conserving one additional ladybeetle per 100 plants (above current level) is $4.96, much higher than the “total” cost of one additional kilogramme of insecticides ($8.57/ha). Diversity in land use can support ecosystem services such as biological pest control and reduce the need for insecticides. How can such a system be applied in China where land is precious and the predominate focus has been on increasing productivity through use of insecticides and other chemicals. As the world’s largest pesticide producer and consumer, China uses 1.3 million tons of pesticides annually – 2.5 times the global average usage per unit area. Chinese farmers have relied on chemical insecticides as their primary pest control method, with insecticides often applied in an indiscriminate fashion. China is also the world’s

will be part of the supply value chain that will take the output of the farms to the end user. Similarly with Songhai initiative The NEI strategy is similar to the Godfrey Nzamujo’s Songhai Initiative (in aim), in which new technologies and processes are developed with the local/ native population (drawn from the high school and university graduates and indigenous competences) to add value to their agricultural products and increase their shelf lives. Under Songhai initiative, goods and services aimed at satisfying the needs of the rural populations are produced and some of the value added products are exported to cities and elsewhere. Jobs are therefore created and more income is generated at every stage of the value chain in the rural communities. Net exporter of rice by 2017 The scheme is expected to make Nigeria a net exporter of rice in 2017, Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group said as he announced the investment of $1 billion (N165 billion) for commercial rice farming and modern integrated rice mills recently in Abuja. President Jonathan who presided over the landmark event said, “Nigeria recognizes that agriculture holds the key for inclusive growth that will help lift millions of our people out of poverty into wealth.” He congratulated Aliko Dangote for this $1 billion (N165 billion) investment in rice production in Nigeria. “This is a mark of strong confidence in the success of our agricultural policies and the strength of our economy,” the president said. Renewed commitment Aliko Dangote said that the rice project was part of his renewed commitment to developing Nigeria’s economy through

agriculture. He said that the collaboration with the Federal Government would be effected to control smuggling of rice “as Nigeria is set to be a net exporter of rice by 2017.” Dangote Industries Ltd, a leading manufacturing conglomerate with operations across various sectors, is the latest private investor to venture into integrated agribusiness operations. The company has acquired a total of 150,000 hectres farmlands across Edo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states to be used for the commercial production of rice paddy. As part of the project, Dangote will establish two state-of-the-art large-scale rice mills each with a capacity to mill 120,000 metric tons of rice paddy, bringing total capacity to 240,000 metric tons, with plans to double capacity within two years. With this installed capacity, the project will become the largest integrated rice mill project in Africa. As an integrated operation, the Dangote farms and the mills

are expected to significantly boost smallholder rice production in the regions through a nucleus and out-grower farming model, thereby transforming livelihoods in rural Nigeria. Rice-growing communities have been selected as sites and will be supported by Dangote’s provision of agro-inputs, training, and marketing linkages in order to improve community-farming operations. Employment opportunities will also be created for at least 8,000 Nigerians. Transformational for Nigeria Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, commented at the signing saying: “This investment by Dangote Industries is transformational for Nigeria and the rest of Africa. Nigeria has no business importing rice. Our goal is to become selfsufficient in rice and become a global powerhouse in food and agriculture markets. Through this billion dollar commitment, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s leading business man, has clearly attest-

ed to the policies and approach that the Federal Government has undertaken to transform the nation’s agricultural sector.” Within the past three years, Nigeria’s national paddy rice production has risen by an extra seven million metric tonnes. The number of integrated modern rice mills in the country rose from just one in 2011, to 18 by 2014, all processing the local paddy into high quality finished rice. Over six million farmers now grow improved rice varieties that meet international standards. High-quality and well-packaged Nigerian rice is now in the local market. N750 billion addition to economy The expanded local rice production of the president’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda has added N750 billion to the Nigerian economy, with over N407 billion as net incomes to farmers and rice processors, and boosted rural economy by 360,000 jobs.

President Goodluck Jonathan with Aliko Dangote showing the way forward in local rice production

Ladybeetles as nature’s answer to pest control largest cotton producer, a crop that accounts for a large share of insecticides used, both in aggregate and per hectare use, even after the extensive adoption of insect-resistant Bt cotton. Agriculture in China is characterized by highly disturbed agro-ecosystems, but diverse land use at the plot level is still common. Globalization and rural-to-urban migration however, is shifting land use towards monoculture systems, where the same crop is grown year after year. The concern is that such landscape simplification may result in even greater insect pest pressure, and thus even more insecticide use. A natural pest control The Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy (CCAP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) conducted a study in China’s Hebei province on the effects of land use on the abundance of

natural pest enemies at the landscape scale. Natural enemies are insects that feed on crop pests, protecting crops from pest damage and reducing the need for chemical insecticide use. The empirical research used many methods including household survey, insect sampling, remote sensing and ground-truthing. The results of the study indicated that in the Hebei province, high land use diversity itself is not associated with high density of ladybeetles in cotton, which are natural enemies of a pest called cotton aphid. Instead, areas growing large amounts of maize were associated with greater densities of ladybeetles. This may be because of the maize-wheat crop rotation in the studied areas. Maize and wheat both require fewer pesticides and may provide habitat support for natural enemies that can spill over to other crops, such as the cotton crop. Working as a natural pest control agent, ladybeetles pro-

vide economic value to farmers. Initial results show that the estimated economic value of conserving one additional ladybeetle per 100 plants (above current level) is $4.96, much higher than the “total” cost of one additional kilogramme of insecticides ($8.57/ha). However, there is a clear lack of understanding and knowledge among farmers on the value of natural enemies for crop health, resulting in a number of missed opportunities. Most farmers are not aware of the service provided by ladybeetles. The excessive use of insecticides by farmers in China has had detrimental consequences for natural enemies in cotton. For example, each additional kilogramme of insecticide used per hectare of land (above the current level), results in a decrease in ladybeetle densities by 29.7 heads/ha. Furthermore, the majority of farmers surveyed did not account for the populations of natural en-

emies when making pesticide use decisions. Many farmers even mistakenly treated natural enemies, such as ladybeetles, as pests that require spray. Better information Better transfer of information to farmers is needed and can support the health of crops, the environment, and farmers themselves. Such information transfer, supplemented with technical support, calls for better targeted integrated pest management (IPM) effort, where priority should be given to areas where there is potential for using landscape diversity to enhance pest control services. A reduction in pesticide use can help reduce public health and environmental risks associated with chemical pollution. This story is based on the blog Ladybeetles: Cotton’s secret ingredient, written by Wei Zhang, Research Fellow at IFPRI. Source is IITA

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2014

New aluminium-intensive XE, most fuel efficient Jaguar ever Paul Ogbuokiri

he innovative new Jaguar XE redefines the standard in its segment. Designed around Jaguar’s modular vehicle architecture, the XE is the only car in the class to use an aluminium-intensive monocoque, with lightweight aluminium accounting for 75 per cent of the structure. This milestone in body engineering, according to Coscharis Motors, Jaguar dealer in Nigeria said that product of Jaguar’s world-leading expertise in high-volume production of aluminium vehicles, ensures that the Jaguar XE combines outstanding design with benchmark levels of ride and handling – it will be the true driver’s car in the segment. It said that lightweight construction is a core element of Jaguar’s DNA, adding that Jaguar is at the cutting-edge of aluminium technology in the automotive industry. Coscharis further said that the Jaguar XJ, XK and F-Type have all been de-

veloped using exceptionally stiff bonded and riveted aluminium structures: now the XE becomes the latest model to use this aerospace-inspired technology. Automotive journalist said the weight reduction realised ensures that the XE is the most fuel-efficient Jaguar yet with fuel consumption and CO2 emissions on the NEDC combined cycle of less than 4 litres/100 km and under 100g/km respectively. “The Jaguar XE body uses over 75 percent aluminium content, which far exceeds any other car in its class. This gives us a body structure with unrivalled low weight: it’s light but also immensely strong with extremely high levels of torsional stiffness. We’ve made sure our aluminium-intensive body structure exceeds all global safety standards without compromising on

vehicle design or refinement,” remarked Dr Mark White, Jaguar’s Chief Technical Specialist; Body Complete. He said the Jaguar XE’s aluminiumintensive body is beautiful to look at, but the structure also delivers exceptional torsional stiffness. The light but strong architecture incorporates highly advanced suspension systems delivering unparalleled levels of ride quality, handling and steering. According to him, the Jaguar XE is also the first car in the world make use of a new grade of high strength aluminium called RC 5754 which has been developed specifically for the XE. This new alloy features a high level of recycled ma-

terial and makes a significant contribution to Jaguar’s goal of using 75 per cent recycled material by 2020. New Telegraph learnt that XE designed and engineered in the UK, will be the first Jaguar to be manufactured at a new purpose-built production facility at the company’s Solihull plant in the West Midlands in the UK. It was further disclosed that the world premiere of the new Jaguar XE will be held in London on September 8, 2014 with a South African on-sale date of late 2015. It will go on sale in Nigeria at a date to be announced next year by the Jaguar representative in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors Limited.

X-rayed aluminium body of new Jaguar XE to be unveiled next month

Coscharis salutes former Ford CEO, greets successor

he Chairman of Coscharis Motors Limited (a Ford Motor Company representative in Nigeria), Dr. Cosmos Maduka, has commended the recent appointment of Mark Fields as Ford President / CEO and his election into the company’s board of directors. He described the seamless transition from the former helmsman, Alan Mulally, to Mark Fields, as a welcome development. Ford recently announced the exit of Alan Mulally as the President/ CEO with a sent-forth event that attracted notable personalities all over the world. Maduka, while commenting on the development, said; “We at Coscharis Motors see this transition as a master-stroke from Ford. We have seen the great leadership strides taken by Alan this past eight years. He is a great achiever who has left

an indelible footprint in the sands of time at Ford Motor Company, particularly in the company’s One Ford global transformation. We will miss him greatly.” As for Mark Fields, Maduka had this to say: “I think his pedigree speaks volume about his ability to improve on the present mo-

mentum and propel the company further towards the realization of Henry Ford’s vision to open the highways to all mankind. We have no doubt that he will perform exceedingly well, thus our expectations are very high as we look forward to working with him to create more value

Dr Cosmas Maduka with the out-going Ford President/CEO, Alan Mulally

for our dear customers in the Nigerian market in this his new office ”. Mulally, 68, retired after nearly eight years leading Ford and capping a remarkable 45-year career. He led Ford’s transformation and strengthened its position as one of the world’s leading global automakers, and under him, the company’s One Ford plan for profitable growth, achieved 19 consecutive quarters of profitability, developed the strongest product lineup in Ford’s history and embarked upon the brand’s most ambitious global expansion in the past half century. Fields, 53, was named Ford’s Chief Operating Officer in December 2012. He has been leading all of Ford’s global business operations and most skill teams, including product development, manufacturing, purchasing, marketing, sales and service.

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

e l p o e P : n a y o Sim . . . y z a r c m a I k thin t h g i r e r a y e h t and Simoyan with students

Having patriotically garnered support for the Super Eagles in many extraordinary ways during the World Cup in Brazil, author and activist Olaboludele Simoyan, who left her lucrative job, shunning every comfort, to help build Nigeria to be the 8th wonder of the world, spoke to EBERE AMEH about her disappointment and other plans. Excerpts You were very hopeful that the Eagles would bring the World Cup, How did you feel when they performed below your expectation? f course I felt disappointed because I am not sure everyone did what they were supposed to do. Some of them were there for their own individual reasons and do not understand what patriotism is all about. They did not understand that it is not just about playing in the world cup, neither is it about being more prominent so as to get into a better club, it is about making our nation proud and making Nigerians proud of who we are. A member of their technical crew was supposed to show them the pictures of our activities in support of them and connect me to speak with them in Brazil, but he didn’t. The plan was for me to speak with the Eagles, to give them a pep talk. However, even though they didn’t bring the cup back, it is a continuous work. 2018 is there, next year is the African cup of nations and we shall continue to support them in various ways. Nigerians also need to know we have to support them all the time.

Outside sports, are there other things you are doing in your quest to build a new Nigeria? I’m just using football because everybody can identify with it more easily. It’s a multi dimensional work. I go to the schools to catch them young. I get people who believe in what I’m doing to sponsor my books and I donate it to their library. I also do a workshop in the school, especially with the student leaders, using the book as a manual. The idea is to sow the seed that as Nigerians we have to solve the Nigerian problem. The reason we have so many problems is because everybody is looking for government to solve all the problems but government can’t solve all the problems. We as individuals should begin to take up responsibility where we are to begin to create the change we desire. Everybody should solve one problem, beginning with the little things like keeping the environment tidy, being accountable, being responsible among others. These little things all add up. As challenging as it is, the job has to get done, and the plan is that the new generation of Nigerian children will grow up thinking differently - thinking what can I do, how can I be the solution? That’s the orientation I’m giving them.

You have been talking about the Nigerian problem, what in your opinion is the problem with Nigeria? The problem with Nigeria is multidimensional. We have a myriad of problems but the mindset problem is the one that can have a ripple and far reaching effect on all the other problems if it were solved. A government official or contractor that steals millions of naira is corrupt and that is because he is not thinking straight. This is because at the end of the day, though he has that money, he is still going to drive his car on the bad road that he is supposed to have fixed with the money and end up dying or losing his loved ones. So it is a problem with the way we think, the way we see our country and the way we analyze situations. There is too much unilateral thinking – one line, one mode. There are many answers to just one problem, many solutions, but we should start thinking multi-dimensionally. That is why I wrote the two-in-one book titled the 8 wonders of the world made in Nigeria and the 8 wonders of the world made in Naija. I didn’t write the book to make money but to get the information out there because I think it contains the solution to the problem of Nigeria. That is why I give out the soft copy free of charge for anyone from any part of the world to download and read by visiting www.naijamania.com. People think I’m crazy to put free copies of my five years sweat online and they are right – I’m crazy about Naija. I am crazy about building Nigeria to be the 8th wonder of the world. I am 8th wonder personified - I am setting example of what the 8th wonder is all about and I am expecting that everyone should go all out and begin to do those things that are 8thwonderish - things that are extraordinary, things that are great, things that are impressive and things that are exceptional. I’m 100% ajebota and 100% ajepako but I chose to pay the price to build the new Nigeria because there is something unique about Nigeria that even the foreigners that come to Nigeria attest to. We are focusing too much on the negative part of our lives instead of the positive. There is job to be done quite alright but if we don’t roll up our sleeves, nobody will get the job done.

I am 'crazy' about building Nigeria to be the 8th wonder of the world Whether we like it or not, Boko-Haram is aggressively pushing what they believe in. Those of us that believe in a new Nigeria should also begin to push purposefully, deliberately and aggressively too. Many think we actually need a revolution to get things right in Nigeria? Do you subscribe to that? There are two types of revolution, peaceful and bloody revolution. If we have a bloody revolution and kill everybody in government now, we will still have the same problem if those that will take over are not transformed, with a better mindset, and part of the new Nigeria we are building today. I won’t subscribe to a revolution. I rather think we should work on becoming better citizens, better Nigerians who would grow to be elected and become better leaders. It is also a revolution but a much more peaceful and transformative one. The problem is that most of us are problem oriented. When you are solution oriented, you think what can I do about this problem? You may not get the answer immediately but in no time it will click. Because there is a saying that ‘there is no problem that can resist the act of sustained thinking’.

Simoya

Yours is a noble movement indeed. Do you have plans to reach students in other states outside Lagos? When I

get the fund I will. The idea is to finish from one state and go to another until the whole of Nigeria is covered and all the children in secondary school are sensitized. Do you have any plan of going into politics and transforming the whole nation, not just secondary school students? (Laughs) People have been telling me to go into politics but I don’t see myself as a politician, I see myself as a change agent. However, if in the long run I am called upon by my country to come into politics to create a change in any area, I will offer my services. What I do now is to build the people. The foundation is still faulty, so let’s build the new Nigerians who shall handle the mantle of leadership well. I advocate that as many women as possible should go into politics because so far, we’ve only had one female governor and a few women in the House of Assembly. If women get involved, things would change for good. Women are going to ensure that Nigeria doesn’t go into any crisis, knowing that they are the ones that would suffer most. As a change agent, are you making any plan through your activities to sensitize women to go into politics? For now, what I do is that I write articles that are published in reputable Nigerian dailies, sensitizing the people. One was published recently and titled Nigerian Woman, from Rwanda with Love, while another is Nigerian Woman and Elections. They are all on my facebook page and I’ll soon post it on my website. I know that writing articles is not enough but it is just a starting point given the resources at my disposal. The plan is that people that read it, may somehow start considering getting involved. I also support people who have offered themselves. Where do you see this your ministry, if we may call it so, in five years? In five years, I see a new Nigeria doing great things and respected all over the world. I know that if I just cover Lagos alone for this one year, I’d have achieved much, going by the fact that Lagos is a microcosm if Nigeria. If we all take it from Lagos to our various states, we are creating the change. In five years, by Gods grace, I should be able to cover as many states in Nigeria as possible.

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Ebola: Should Nigeria suspend league

The recent outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa has forced Liberia and Sierra Leone to suspend football in their countries. Moyosore Makinde spoke with some Nigerians on whether the Federal Government should take similar measure to prevent the spread of the dreaded disease in the country

Yes, let us suspend it

Suspension is unnecessary

don’t think it is necessary to suspend the league because the Ebola virus is not yet rampant in Nigeria compared to Sierra Leone and Liberia where they have taken such decision. But as a precautionary measure, I will say the players should be tested before games.

igerians are very beautiful people, but sometimes we take things for granted because we often joke about serious issues until they actually affect us. So I’ll say they should suspend the league because it will help to stop the spread of the disease.

MARADESA ADEPEGBA, Student

OGUNDE OLUWAFEMI, Health practitioner

Players, officials and fans at great risk

think they should suspend the league Ithat because players are not the only ones would be at the match venues, there

would be spectators and officials, and the disease can spread rapidly with such crowd. Football, sports as a whole, is very important to the Nigerian economy, but the lives of citizens cannot be taken for granted. I don’t think we should risk lives because of the league that can be postponed till when a cure for the disease is found. ABAYOMI KAYODE, Student

Players can boycott matches if..

would advise these players not to go into any game without their team mates, opponents or officials tested and confirmed negative. We should not stop the league but we must be cautious. DAVID OLOREDE, Student

We shouldn’t risk lives for sports say the league should be susItillwill pended till further notice or at least when a cure is found. We should not risk lives for the sake of sports.

JOSHUA AJAYI, Computer Analyst

Disease can’t stop Nigerians’ passion

Players should be tested

Football will increase the spread

t has been confirmed that the virus is now in Nigeria and we know one of the ways of contracting it is by having contact with sweaty body of a carrier of the disease. I think the best thing is to put the league on hold for some time till at least a cure is found, or better still they should examine all players and officials before matches.

ootball could be one of the maF jor ways this disease could spread. These players would

come into close contact with one another and if one person has the disease, every player on the field could contract it. I think the best thing is to suspend the league.

BODE JOSHUA, Engineer

We should wait till there is a cure

feel the best thing is to suspend the league for some time till at least when a cure is found, because looking at the way the disease can spread, these players would sweat and if one player is affected, the rest of the players can become infected too.

AYEGBUSI TOSIN, Lawyer

Ebola can be curtailed don’t think there is any need to Idisease stop our football because the hasn’t spread in Nigeria, and it can be curtailed if it is discovered early.

IKPEAZU MUNACHI, Teacher

TEMISAN AJAYI, Civil Engineer

ierra Leone is not a footballSgeria. loving nation compared to NiFootball is made in Nigeria,

Lives would be at stake

so I think it will seriously affect us if the league is stopped.

play football now because It is very riskyoftotheThe crowd at the stadiums. lives of the players,

TOSIN AJISEGBEDE, Student

the officials and even the spectators could be in danger because the disease can be easily contracted. These players will sweat when they are playing and if one person has it everyone is at risk of getting the virus and it will be very bad if that happens

Our economy could be affected

any people earn their living through M sports, especially footballers and if the league is suspended many homes will suffer, even the Nigerian economy will be affected. So, my stand remains that the league shouldn’t be stopped.

ADEDOKUN VICTOR, Student

FEMI AJAYI, Student

FG must order its suspension

Lives are more important

e should not let this disease eat into W our country, we should be cautious of everything around us. I don’t think the Fed-

e shouldn’t take lives for W granted. We know that this disease is very contagious and

eral Government should allow the Nigerian league to continue.

can spread easily. I will say we should stop the football league for now so that we can save lives. We can restart it when the disease has been put under control. We should be our brothers’ keeper. AYOMIDE JOHNSON, Pharmacist

It is not serious yet in Nigeria

bola disease has not become so serious in the country to warrant suspending the League. We just need to be very vigilant. ADENIJI ATEJI, Businessman

TOBI FAWEHINMI, Student Bayelsa United in action against Sunshine Star in one of the league matches

Don’t stop the league

think the Nigerian league should be stopped beIbutdon’t cause this is a source of income not only for footballers also for officials. Stopping the league now would cause a lot of havoc for our players. ONIHA PAUL, Student

E X H O RTAT I O N

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adeolaomoyusuf@yahoo.com 0803 438 0340 FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 2014 l 19 Shawwal 1435 AH

“HE IS THE ONE WHO PUTS YOU TO DEATH DURING THE NIGHT, AND KNOWS EVEN THE SMALLEST OF YOUR ACTIONS DURING THE DAY. HE RESURRECTS YOU EVERY MORNING, UNTIL YOUR LIFE SPAN IS FULFILLED, THEN TO HIM IS YOUR ULTIMATE RETURN. HE WILL THEN INFORM YOU OF EVERYTHING YOU HAD DONE” Qur’an 6:60

Hajj

Saudi makes Ebola, pregnancy tests compulsory for Nigerian pilgrims, others NO HURDLE Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa will not affect Nigeria’s 2014 pilgrimage Stories by Adeola Yusuf

he Saudi Arabia authority has made Ebola test compulsory for all Nigerian pilgrims while the female pilgrims must also undergo pregnancy test. The National Hajj Commission, NAHCON, which said this, directed all the state pilgrims welfare boards to conduct the medical and pregnancy tests on the intending pilgrims in order to know their individual health status. Earlier in August, Saudi Arabia announced a ban on Muslims from the West African countries that have been stricken with Ebola from performing Hajj this year over infection fears. Saudi heath ministry has supplied all its ports and airports with additional measures to secure a safe spiritual journey. Both the Kano and Kwara State Pilgrims Welfare Boards confirmed the NAHCON directive, declaring that the outbreak of the dreaded Ebola virus would not affect Nigeria’s 2014 pilgrimage plans to the Holy land. The Kano board had since directed all intending female pilgrims to attend medical and pregnancy tests, which it commenced on Monday. The Public Relations Officer of the board, Nuhu Badamasi, gave the directive when

L-R: Alhaja Musilimat Sanni Moyosore; Alhaja Afusat Babajide; Founder, Nuurus Salam Islamic Foundation, Sheikh Ishaq Olasunkanmi Sanni; Alhaji Sharafdeen Olayiwola Baba and Rashidat Babajide, during the 2014 maolidu Nabiyy celebration of the Foundation in Lagos.

he spoke in Kano. His view was corroborated by the Executive Secretary, Kwara state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hajia Fatimah Abolore Jimoh, said the board was eighty five per cent ready for the airlift of the pilgrims. Badamosi said all prospective pilgrims were expected to attend the medical screening, while only female pilgrims would undergo the pregnancy test. Mr. Badamasi said the National Hajj Commission, NAHCON, directed all the state pilgrims welfare boards to conduct the medical and pregnancy tests on the intending pilgrims in order to know their individual health status. “The medical and pregnancy tests are absolutely necessary and compulsory, so any pilgrim who refuses to attend it can lose his or her Hajj seat”, he said.

Meanwhile Hajia Jimoh said backlog of last years’ pilgrims were being exempted in other screening processes employed by the board while others had retrieved their pilgrimage fund. The Executive Secretary urged the prospective pilgrims to conduct themselves properly before, during and after the pilgrimage. “We are about 85 per cent prepared now. In terms of Mekkah and Medinah accommodation, we are ready. We have made the choice of carrier; all payment had been effected and all pilgrims had started enlightenment. The only thing we are awaiting is for our plane to arrive and take us to the holy land. “For this year, we have the total number of 1,957 pilgrims and 10 officials. “Our hands are on deck on

the outbreak of ebola virus. You can see throughout the country; the federal, state and local governments are putting all necessary machinery in motion and our state government is not excluded from this. “We have met the state Commissioner for Health who directed us to the Executive Chairman of the state Primary Health care board in conjunction with the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and they have assured us that we are going to be more thorough than we used to be especially with the suspicious ebola virus. “In actual fact, all the medical screening even those we don’t do before like Hepatitis B and Ebola, we are going to do them with involvement of the newly remodeled General Hospitals, Cottage Hospitals and Sobi Specialist Hospital.”

Don’t forget Ramadan teachings, acts, Clerics task Muslims

igerian Muslims have been exhorted to shun all vices even after the end of Ramadan fasting, reminding them that return to bad old ways suggests deliberate waste of the gains made during the holy month. “We urge our Muslim brothers to avoid going back to anything contrary to the doctrines of Islam: be it alcohol, lying, false testimony and all such bad habits. If it is bad during Ramadan, it is bad after Ramadan,” Dr Khalid Aliyu of the Jama’atu Nasrul Islam (JNI) told OnIslam.net, commenting on post-Ramadan conduct of the Muslims. “We urge every Muslim to remain very well behaved even after the holy month. Ramadan

teaches modesty and sincerity of purpose. It teaches self restraint and charity. If you wouldn’t cause harm to the people during Ramadan, don’t do it after Ramadan.” Imam Sa’dallah Bello, chief Imam of the sprawling Oluwole Ogba Central Mosque in Lagos, said any Muslim who returns to “old bad habits that he feared could ruin his fast and for which he did not them during Ramadan is like somebody who deliberately tears his own certificate to Jannah.” “Yes Ramadan has been concluded, it has gone to return next year. But the five times obligatory prayers remain with us. It speaks ill of the Muslims that the mosque hardly contains congregants

during Ramadan but you barely have a roll filled after Ramadan. This is hypocrisy,” the Imam, a graduate of Arabic and Islamic Studies from Nigeria’s premier University of Ibadan, told OnIslam.net. Sheikh Othman Dan-Fulani agrees with Imam Bello in observing that Muslims must eschew “all tendencies that portray Islam and Muslims in bad light.” “One of those things that make Ramadan noticeable even among non Muslims is that the atmosphere is generally peaceful and people’s interpersonal relations generally improve,” Sheikh Dan Fulani, director of Path of Salvation Arabic and Islamic Centre, told OnIslam.net.

“What this suggests, unfortunately, is that many Muslims are exhibiting bad conducts before and after Ramadan. They only behave well only during Ramadan. This is sad. Ramadan teaches self restraint, mercy, and human brotherhood. Dropping these great features after Ramadan means you were never genuinely committed to dropping such behavious that are unfit for Muslims.” Imam Musa Shuaib, director of Raodotul Qur’an Central Mosque in Abule Egba a suburb of Lagos said Muslims must understand that Islam is an “all-year thing, all encompassing religion” and so behaviors not in tune with it are not tolerated anytime.

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH Life after Ramadan QUESTION

How can I deal with post Ramadan blues? ANSWER Focusing on our Ramadan failures or shortcomings is a major cause for a lot of post-Ramadan grief. Implementing this practice made it easier to realize all that I would miss without my sight. After understanding that Allah has allowed me to see all this beauty, it became very difficult to even think about being sad. To beat the post-Ramadan blues we can put this technique into practice. Make a list of specific things you were grateful for during Ramadan and a make a list of things you are grateful for now that it is over. It is nearly impossible to be both discontent or even sad and also grateful. Forgive Failure Focusing on our Ramadan failures or shortcomings is a major cause for a lot of post-Ramadan grief. At the beginning of Ramadan we all have high expectations of what we will accomplish once Ramadan is here. But when faced with the reality of the month we may fall short or even slip into sin. But the worst thing we can do is beat ourselves up in despair. We cannot let ourselves get bogged down in guilt of missed opportunity of good deeds or even bad deeds. Focusing on our shortcomings and thinking that they are too great to be forgiven is a ploy of the Shaytan. We have to always remind ourselves we are human and that means we will make mistakes. We have to always remember the greatness of Allah’s mercy and the best act of worship is repentance. The Prophet said: “I swear by Him in whose hand is my soul, if you were a people who did not commit sin, Allah would take you away and replace you with a people who would sin and then seek Allah’s forgiveness so He could forgive them.” (Muslim, 2749) In this hadith, we learn that the point is not to be perfect. The point is to seek Allah’s forgiveness because He loves to forgive and we can’t help but slip us. The point is to move forward, trying again to be better and do better. This Shawwal, let’s not let postRamadan blues keep us from celebrating all we accomplished this Ramadan or from seeking forgiveness for our shortcomings. Let’s teach ourselves that being grateful for the details can lead down the road to contentment. And let’s remember our daily lives can be filled with good deeds and our Ramadan practices are pieces of Ramadan we can take with us.

CRIME

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2014

‘SARS officers have lawyers, prosecutors who negotiate bribe for them’ Edu John

n July, 18, 2014 at about 3:00 am, a group of armed men in plain clothes scaled the fence of No 9 Oyeoka Ekwanya Lane, off Ichide Street, Umudioka Village, Awka, Anambra State and entered the compound. Mrs. Stella Ezejiofor, who lives there with her husband and kids, came out with her daughter, Chizoba and asked the men who they were and what they were looking for. One of them snapped that they were security men. Mrs. Ezejiofor asked them the agency and station they came from, but none of them bothered to answer. They asked about, ‘ Ayo’ and Mrs. Ezejiofor replied that there was no body called or known as ‘Ayo ‘in their compound. At this point, Mrs. Ezejiofor’s husband came out and they asked him to open his window. He did and they peeped in and then entered his room and searched but found no one inside. One of them then asked of Anayo. Mrs. Ezejiofor went inside and brought along her son, Anayo Ezejiofor. Immediately the ‘security men’ saw Anayo, they ordered him to lie-faced- down. He did and they handcuffed him. Mr. and Mrs. Ezejiofor asked them what the matter was, but they kept mute. The couple had persisted in demanding to know the station they came from. Rather than give them answers, the security men threatened to shoot them. They took Anayo away without properly identifying themselves or informing his parents where they were taking him. Later that morning, the couple went to a place called ‘Security Office’ at Awka, to look for their son. The security officers they met on duty said they had no knowledge of such a case. The couple went to Central Police Station (CPS), Awka, they were told Anayo was not there. The police officers at the CPS asked them if they could recognise the type of gun the men who arrested Anayo came with. They said they could. They took Anayo’s sister to their armoury and she pointed to the type of gun the armed men came with. The officers immediately told them to go to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). They went to SARS and inquired and the operatives they met said they did not have any Anayo in their custody. The couple later headed for the office of the State Security Service (SSS), at Awka. A security officer showed them

Ag. IGP Suleiman Abba

a list, in which they saw Anayo’s name with his phone number. The officer told them that Anayo would be released after interrogation. The following week, Anayo was transferred to SARS, Awkuzu and was later paraded before the media as a suspected kidnapper. The Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN), a nongovernmental organization, condemned the manner in which Nigerian security agencies carry out arrest without first identifying themselves. The National Coordinator for NOPRIN, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma said: “ Without prejudice to the veracity of the allegation and the credibility of evidence that the police may have, NOPRIN wishes to state, for the umpteenth time, that the style of arrest of Anayo, like many other suspects arrested by security agencies in Anambra State, highlights the abuse of legally established procedures

for arrest and detention and disregard for due process for persons arrested and detained on suspicion of commission of crime.” He said that NOPRIN has investigated a number of cases in which innocent persons were labelled ‘armed robbers’ or ‘kidnappers’ and detained at SARS Anambra and tortured to ‘confess.’ He opined: “SARS runs an extortion cartel whereby family members of people arrested and detained on allegations of crime are asked to pay between N200, 000 and N500, 000 for bail. SARS works with a particular group of ‘lawyers’ and ‘prosecutors’ who negotiate bribe on behalf of some senior police officers. “Other lawyers who come to SARS to offer services to their detained clients are usually not allowed to see their clients. Detainees are also denied access to their family members.” Nwanguma insisted that suspects

CRIME QUOTE “We must make sure that every state is prepared, where they lack, the Federal Government will support them in containing the Ebola virus. It is unfortunate that one mad man brought the Ebola virus to us; but we have to contain it. This is a good forum that we will use to also plead with our religious leaders to, in their preaching communicate clearly because people listen to you more than they listen to politicians.” – President Goodluck Jonathan

were often paraded, with many ending up as ‘disappeared’ or extra judicially or summarily executed. He said that arrest was a serious infringement on the liberty of any person, especially if conducted in a way that exceeded the power granted by law or accompanied by excessive force, or failure to advise the arrestee of various rights and afford these to the arrestee, the police officer would be in breach of human rights standards as well as Police Code of Conduct and the Criminal Code. Nwanguma stated: “It’s obvious that the duties of the Nigeria Police Force are a direct consequence of the power conferred on it by law. It becomes mandatory that the law must regulate the performance of its duties relating to arrest, detention, search, and seizure and the use of force. In other words, these duties must be exercised, strictly within the limits prescribed for the police by law. And any form of exercise of these powers which does not strictly conform to the prescriptions of the law can have unpleasant consequences for the police force.” Nwanguma wanted the relevant authourities to probe the “insanity in the police force and help checkmate it.” According to him, there was a need for citizens/suspects to be allowed, to express themselves before police pass any judgment. NOPRIN also blames the state government for the continuous cases of police torture and extra-judicial killings in some states. CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

CRIME

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Actor lands in prison after extortion attempts The 3rd Eye

t was an outrageous plan worthy of a Hollywood thriller. But an aspiring actor’s real-life attempt to extort tens of millions of dollars from wealthy targets earned him decidedly bad reviews in federal court and a new role for the next seven years—as a prison inmate. Vivek Shah was pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles in 2012 when he thought of a better way to make money than from the bit parts he had landed in movies. He planned to extort billionaires—a coal tycoon and movie producer among them—by threatening to kill members of their families if they didn’t pay. He was very ambitious,” said Special Agent Jim Lafferty, who works out of FBI’s Pittsburgh Division and specialises in white-collar crime. Shah, 26, attempted to extort more than $120 million from seven prominent victims, including movie producer Harvey Weinstein ($4 million demanded), Groupon co-founder Eric Lefkofsky ($16 million demanded), coal executive Chris

Cline ($13 million demanded), and oil and gas billionaire Terry Pegula ($34 million demanded). He chose victims after doing online research about the world’s wealthiest people, and his targets were instructed to wire money to offshore bank accounts. To set up those accounts, Shah needed a proof of address, so he established a Post Office Box in Los Angeles using a fake driver’s license bearing the name Ray Amin. “He had the fake ID created for the sole purpose of opening the PO Box,” Lafferty said. “He purchased it from someone who makes false IDs for underage college students.” Shah used various other means to avoid detection—like conducting online research from public places that provided anonymous Wi-Fi and using prepaid debit cards to purchase postage online for the extortion letters. But things didn’t turn out as he planned. Shah had been involved in a domestic dispute with his roommate several weeks be-

fore he established the PO Box. When police were called to the scene in May 2012, they discovered the fake ID, which they checked against the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. Shah told the officers he was an actor and that the bogus driver’s license was merely a prop. The NCIC check confirmed that no criminal activity was associated with the name Ray Amin. Later, when agents discovered that “Ray Amin” had opened the PO Box connected with the extortion scheme, they ran their own NCIC check, and Shah’s name came back associated with Amin. From there, agents were able to monitor Shah’s real online accounts, which led from California to Chicago, where video surveillance showed him mailing more extortion letters. The FBI Laboratory later matched his DNA with the letters. Shah was arrested in August 2012, pled guilty to the extortion scheme in May 2013, and was sentenced in September. Lafferty credits the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia with helping to bring the investigation to a quick and successful resolution.

‘We need Police sanitisation’ CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 4 1

Some members at a recent workshop organised by NOPRIN to X-ray police brutality and abuse across the country, asked why there was no law or government agency to monitor policemen who work outside the law and engage in human right abuses. Many of them argued that there should be an orientation programme for prospective members of the Police Force before they are recruited. Prince Mukaila Akinsemoyin of Adroid Foundation for Public Human Right, said: “What we need in the police force is not orientation, but rather sanitisation from the top, before we start thinking or talking about orientation. I was once a member of the Nigeria Police Force in the early 90s, but retired when I began to observe this unpalatable trend, that is gradually generating into insurgency in the country.” Nneka Agusi of National Human Right Commission (NHRC), said: “We’re not to assume that the police know the right way or pattern to go. The present happenings in the Nigeria Police Force can as well be linked to the fact that citizens in most cases, see the force as a field where all manners of persons can been recruited into without proper check or training.” Nwanguma chipped in: “One of the tragic and in some cases, irreversible consequences of this arbitrary and draconian anti-crime measure is the victimisation of the innocent! We have documented many mind-boggling instances where the victims were eventually found to be innocent of the allegations after they had already been unjustly and unlawfully punished on account of those allegations.” He continued: “In our previous interactions, we already presented to you NOPRIN’s full report on some of the cases it received complaints about. We have also included in this statement, details of other recent cases of extrajudicial killing

Obiano

Nwanguma

at Awkuzu SARS and other police stations across the country, all of which we have forwarded to the Inspector General of Police and the National Human Rights Commission.” NOPRIN has repeatedly drawn the attention of police authorities in Anambra State and to numerous and ever increasing cases of people being arrested and detained at SARS Awkuzu. These suspects were denied access to family and legal representations and sometimes paraded without any credible and verifiable evidences of their involvement in the crimes they were accused of, said Nwanguma. He added: “Often, the police will disclose the alleged offences of the detainees for the first time while parading them before the media. While we acknowledged that Anambra State is plagued with violent crime and that there is every justification to step up the fight against crime, the approach to such a fight will be counterproductive if it does not conform to the rule of law and if it supplants or de-emphasises the observance of human rights.” Human Rights Watch in a report in 2005

observed that, the term, “armed robber,” has become part of the national lexicon and is frequently used by Nigerians to refer to any person suspected of any form of criminal activity, regardless of whether they were carrying a weapon. For those individuals labeled “armed robbers,” there is often an automatic presumption of guilt, which serves as a justification for unlawful detention, torture and killing. Nwanguma said that in Anambra State, since the inception of the new anti-crime policy by governor Peter Obi and now, governor Obiano, those labeled ‘kidnappers,’ just like ‘armed robbers,’ have become easy pretext to settle scores. “Democracy is protected by the rule of law. Any law, policy or practice that supplants or substitutes the rule of law or derogates human rights is a threat to democracy. Anambra government and police authorities must put an end to jungle justice and all anti-crime policies and approaches that are arbitrary and result to human rights abuses.”

A rotten force, threat to democracy (1) Okechukwu Nwanguma

bout a week ago, someone called me to confirm the disturbing information he received that the former Inspector General of Police Mr. M.D. Abubakar had reinstated Mr. Chukwu, ‘a rogue Cop’ who, in 2012, while serving as the DPO of Ogui Police Station, Enugu, was implicated in high-level kidnapping in Enugu. I had initiated effort, and was still on the move, to confirm this information when the news was broken by Sahara Reporters, confirming this shocking development. Sahara Reporters reported that Mr. Chukwu was redeployed and is now serving as the new zonal provost at the Zone 9 headquarters of the Nigerian police based in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State. The appointment took effect on July 17. As part of the duties in his new assignment, Mr. Chukwu will be responsible for determining and ensuring disciplinary actions on errant officers. In February 2012, Justice Afam Nwobodo of the Enugu High Court had issued an arrest warrant for Sam Chukwu in connection with the kidnap, in 2009, of 19-year-old Lotachukwu (Lota) Ezeudu. The kidnap victim, who was then a second-year Accountancy student at the University of Nigeria (Enugu campus), has never been seen since, and is presumed dead. Lota was a friend to Mr. Chukwu’s son who is also standing trial for his involvement in the crime. Justice Nwobodo had issued the arrest warrant after Mr. Chukwu failed to voluntarily present himself in court for arraignment. I will be shocked if indeed, Abubakar knows about this. How could he choose to end his career on such a scandalous note? Why would any sane and moral police chief reinstate a senior police officer who is a fugitive from justice after being indicted for masterminding an extensive list of criminal activities, including running a kidnapping ring in Enugu State?

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Power: Banks to pay off N25bn legacy debt curred by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) before its unbundling. The committee also confirmed donations to the N15 billion to support vulnerable people and victims of Boko Haram, saying that the banks would contribute to it according to their profits, while the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation will support in their traditional practice. At one of its series of meetings in Lagos, the committee said

ENERGY Electricity supply to improve as generating companies get more gas supply Godson Ikoro

he Bankers Committee yesterday said it would facilitate constant gas supply and payment of legacy debt of N25 billion in-

it would put structures in place to provide loan to pay off the N25billion debt in order to boost power generation and supply. A team of bank managing directors and directors of CBN, who briefed journalists at the end of the meeting, said the loan would be recovered over time through a tariff scheme. The committee also said that it would ensure the supply of gas to the 23 power generating companies so that the excuse of gas shortage often given by the generating com-

CBN to launch outbound money transfer today

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Western Union Money Transfer (WUMT). will launch the Outbound Money Transfer Services in today. Its Governor, Godwin Emefiele, will perform the ceremony. The move is to provide Nigerians the opportunity of transferring funds up to $2,000 to their relatives and dependents abroad (person to person transfer). The service is the first of its kind in Nigeria, With this new arrangement, Nigerians will only pay the Naira equivalent to the Money Transfer Service Operators for foreign currency disbursements to recipients abroad. Recently, the Apex Bank recently approved new Guidelines for International Money Transfer Services in Nigeria. It issued a new guideline for

the regulation of International Money Transfer Services in the country, a move aimed at ensuring that all business rules governing their activities are strictly adhered to. It noted that as a preamble to the series of obligations, the operator must be ready to comply with the provisions of CBN on "Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism in Banks and Other Financial Institutions Regulations 2013. The bank said the objectives of the guidelines were to provide minimum standards and requirements; specify delivery channels for (inbound/outbound), in a cost effective manner; provide an enabling environment; specify minimum technical and business requirements for various participants; and provide broad guidelines

for implementation of processes and flows of international money transfer services, from initiation to completion. The new rule holds that payment must be made to customers only in Nigerian currency, in line with CBN's subsisting regulation and at the prevailing exchange rate on the day the transfer is received; while the operator likewise should declare in the receipt/certificate of transfer that the money paid to the customer is not counterfeited. It added that all the money transfer operators shall comply with the guide to money transfer charges, as provided by the CBN from time to time. It warned that no person or institution shall provide international money transfer services unless such per has been duly licensed by the CBN.

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

Bid Spot ($/N) 163.28 THE FIXINGS â&#x20AC;&#x201C;NIBOR,NITTY and NIFEX of February 6,2014

Offer 163.38

igeria has sold N100 billion Nbonds ($616.90 million) worth of with maturities rang-

ing between three and 20 years at auction on, fetching higher yields than previously on Wednesday, the Debt Management Office said yesterday. The debt office noted that N15 billion of 3-year debt notes were sold, fetching 11.12 percent, higher than the 11 percent they got at the July

with Agency report

T Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

Nigeria raises N100b in bonds at higher yields

Sunday Ojeme

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

been done for fertilizer input procurement of the Bank of Industry (BOI). It said that the fund would encourage backward integration. On the cashless and biometric registration, the Committee expressed displeasure on the low rate of penetration because of technical issues between NIBSS and the banks and technical experts. Another issue discussed bordered on the launch of the N220 billion micro medium and enterprises fund by the President of Nigeria. Bankers Committee team at the meeting were Mr. Herbert Nwigwe, MD/CEO of Access Bank PLc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, MD/CEO Skye Bank, Mr Jubril Aku, Md/CEO, of Ecobank and Mrs. Tokumbo Martins, Director of Banking Supervision, CBN.

auction, while N50 billion of 10-year debt was sold at 12.22 per cent against 12.19 percent previously. A total of N35 billion of the 20-year note was sold at 12.38 per cent, compared with 12.14 per cent at last month's auction. All the debt notes were reopening of previous issues, while total demand fell to N174.01 billion against N263.91 billion last month.

Naira under pressure over high dollar demand

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

panies would cease by resolving the issue of gas pricing. According to the committee, the gas pricing has been resolved by the increase in the unit rate from $1.50 to $2.50 and with the resolution of gas pricing and the facilitation of N25billion debt payment, that power-generating companies will henceforth boost the capacity and total output available to the nation. Furthermore, the committee also deliberated on food security and showed concern about the depletion of foreign reserves through the importation of rice. The committee pointed out that Nigeria imports over 2.4 metric tons while local production of rice is about 1.8million metric tons. Accordingly, the committee resolved to create a rice assistance fund like what has

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

he naira is likely to weaken against the dollar next week on the back of increasing global demand for hard currencies and as the supply of dollars in the country declines. The naira traded at 162.34 to the dollar on Thursday, weaker than its 161.80 close the previous day. Traders said dollar sales by energy companies were thinning out, while some importers are taking advantage of a recent rally in the naira to bring forward their obligations. Nigeria's currency touched a five-week low against the US dollar last Thursday but recovered some ground this week after a unit of Royal Dutch Shell came into the market twice, and stateowned energy firm NNPC sold some dollars on Wednesday. "The naira should lose some ground next week as some banks cover their oversold positions, while some importers could also take advantage of recent gains to increase their stock of dollars," one dealer said. The Tanzanian shilling is seen holding steady in the days ahead, helped by dollar inflows from the agriculture sector. In Nigeria, increasing de-

mand for safe-haven assets is expected to keep the naira under pressure. Meanwhile, the rand held steady against the dollar early on Thursday, trading near a two-week high as the greenback suffered a set back after weak economic data. The rand was at 10.5805/ dollar at 0648 GMT, slightly weaker but not far off its close in New York on Wednesday. It hit its strongest level in over two weeks at 10.5650 to the dollar earlier in the session and looked set for five days of consecutive gains as it inches towards 10.5000. Dealers said the local currency was getting support from a decline in the prices of traditional safe-havens as Russia/Ukraine geopolitical tensions looked to ease, stoking the appetite for riskier emerging market assets. Locally investors will be watching mining numbers for June. Economists polled by Reuters expect a slight deterioration in the June numbers, with the sector still struggling to recover from months of inactivity in the platinum belt. The data is due at 0930 GMT, after which focus will turn to US jobless claims at 1230 GMT.

44 business | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

14-Aug-14

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

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

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,479.99

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,548.86

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.12 0.69 2.01 2.70 2.95 3.05 3.79 4.87 5.19 7.46 9.58 14.29 14.77 15.27 15.94 19.93

10.76 11.01 11.31 11.23 11.21 11.22 11.33 11.51 11.59 12.13 12.32 12.32 12.29 12.26 12.19 11.95

9.55 10.21 11.22 11.17 11.15 11.10 11.23 11.44 11.50 12.07 12.27 12.28 12.24 12.20 12.14 11.91

99.77 95.44 103.05 108.75 96.64 95.27 98.06 116.35 82.43 120.50 110.40 117.78 101.32 74.31 84.75 101.51

99.92 95.94 103.20 108.90 96.79 95.57 98.36 116.65 82.73 120.80 110.70 118.08 101.62 74.61 85.05 101.81

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.21 0.78 1.39 2.32 2.68 2.89

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

12.03 13.65 13.39 13.21 12.20 12.21

97.51 90.25 104.98 100.57 99.08 96.61

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,272.38

Sub-National Bonds A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014

15-Oct-09

14.00

6.00

15-Oct-14

0.17

3.29

14.19

99.86

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

1.05

4.44

15.49

97.19

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

6.08

30-Sep-15

0.65

3.23

14.24

99.63

Nil

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

1.17

4.46

15.54

98.72

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

1.17

3.48

14.56

101.37

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.68

5.59

16.79

85.76

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.72

1.00

12.18

102.60

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.38

1.79

13.06

102.46

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

37.25

30-Sep-18

2.35

1.80

13.00

102.16

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

4.14

1.00

12.38

105.08

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.55

1.00

12.20

105.07

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

2.55

4.78

15.98

96.24

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

3.43

1.00

12.28

105.96

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

17.28

02-Oct-19

3.00

1.00

12.22

108.20

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

5.27

1.00

12.62

107.03

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

28.37

12-Dec-19

3.06

2.74

13.97

101.92

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020

30-Sep-13

14.75

11.40

30-Sep-20

3.68

1.00

12.31

106.86

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.00

27-Nov-20

6.29

1.00

12.95

102.25

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

6.38

1.94

13.93

104.39

A/Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.78

31-Dec-20

3.86

1.44

12.78

105.05

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.79

06-Jan-21

3.89

1.95

13.30

104.97

99.88

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

484.10 491.36

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014

07-Oct-11

11.50

11.80

07-Oct-14

0.15

1.00

11.83

Aa/Agusto

GTB µ NGC

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.35

5.21

16.30

98.98

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.38

8.71

19.77

98.88

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

5.29

17-Aug-15

0.52

4.88

15.87

96.02

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.84

1.00

12.03

100.49 100.69

Nil Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.92

2.63

13.66

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

2.13

1.00

12.22

101.38

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.20

1.34

12.56

103.11

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.13

1.00

12.23

101.90

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.94

1.88

13.10

109.38

BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

7.20

09-Apr-18

1.90

3.48

14.70

102.47

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

3.27

09-Sep-18

2.07

5.20

16.43

102.95

AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.90

09-Sep-18

2.07

5.06

16.29

101.77

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

4.11

1.35

12.73

103.94

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.70

18-Oct-18

2.18

2.29

13.51

104.47

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.45

17-Feb-19

2.26

6.11

17.32

99.42

BBB/GCR

*DANA

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.38

2.16

13.43

106.78

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.25

2.76

14.70

102.12

11-Feb-18

3.50

1.00

12.29

94.21

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

143.81

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

146.46

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

12.00 11.31

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.83

4.67

110.52

111.48

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.06

3.84

103.80

104.59

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.15

5.03

108.69

109.58

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,615.03

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.71

2.96

111.45

112.64

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.58

3.90

104.84

106.03

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.18

5.88

99.34

100.43

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.03

6.41

100.59

102.30

B/S&P; B/Fitch

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.64

8.08

94.45

96.17

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

7.83

6.70

107.50

110.00

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.39

6.09

99.41

100.66

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

9.03

8.77

98.92

99.89

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.26

6.56

103.42

105.92

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.00

5.10

104.41

105.89

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,660.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,762.02

**Treasury Bills DTM 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56

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

Bid Discount (%) 10.20 10.50 10.55 10.30 10.50 10.50 10.65 10.65

Offer Discount (%) 9.95 10.25 10.30 10.05 10.25 10.25 10.40 10.40

Bid Yield (%) 10.22 10.54 10.61 10.38 10.61 10.63 10.80 10.83

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.9167 12.8622 13.7580 14.4025

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.50

O/N

10.75

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 10.50 12.51

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

162.40 162.60 162.86 163.47 164.60 165.89

162.50 162.86 163.20 163.83 165.78 167.53

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.21 0.78 1.39 2.32 2.68 2.89

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

12.03 13.65 13.39 13.21 12.20 12.21

97.51 90.25 104.98 100.57 99.08 96.61

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

business | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 45 1,301.62

Sanctity of Truth

TOTAL August MARKET Friday, 15,CAPITALISATION 2014

1,272.38

Stock market C records marginal loss Sub-National Bonds

A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014

15-Oct-09

14.00

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

Nil

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

30-Jun-09

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

DECLINE

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

Equities market *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS plummets as investors' A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI interest wanes *EKITI A/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

A-/GCR

*NASARAWA

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Stories by Chris Ugwu

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

he bear battled to sustain Corporate Bonds

WAPCO stronghold in LAFARGE the NigeriGTB an capital market followNGC Nil ing marginal drop in both Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC market indices A-/Agusto performance *FLOURMILLS BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS reflecting profit taking, amid A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO drop in investment activities. A-/Agusto FSDH Consequently, the All-Share A/GCR UBA BBB-/GCRshed 2.81 basis Index points *C & I LEASING BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *DANA or 0.007 per cent to close at A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR *TOWER 41,750.38 as against 41,753.19 AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWER recorded the previous day A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA Bbb+/Agusto; CASERA while theBBB+/GCR market *LA capitalizaBBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS tion of equities depreciated BBB/GCR *DANA marginally by N1 billion or A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO 0.007 per cent as market TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE sentiments turnedCAPITALISATION red. TOTAL MARKET A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

Aa/Agusto

Meanwhile, a turnover of 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 207.9 million shares worth 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 N2.2 billion in 4,785 deals was 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN IIin 30-SEP-2020 recorded the day’s trading. 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 Banking sub sector of the 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 financial services sector was 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 the most active during the day (measured by turnover volume); with 115.4 million shares worth N743.7 million exchanged by in11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 vestors in 1,441 deals. 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 Volume in the sub-sector 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 was driven by activity 10.00largely UPDC 17-AUG-2015 in12.00 the shares9-DEC-2015 of Unity Bank FLOURMILLS 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 Plc and Diamond Bank Plc. 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 Also, other financial ser14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 vices sector of the financial 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 services sector, boosted by acMPR+7.00 tivity inDANA the9-APR-2018 shares of FBNH MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 Plc, followed with a turnover MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 of14.00 18.8 shares valued UBAmillion II 22-SEP-2018 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 at15.75 N191.8 million in 639 deals. MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 At the close of trading ses16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 sion 18 stocks recorded gain 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 while 30 others shed weight. On the gainers’ table, pro15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

# #

6.00

15-Oct-14

0.17

3.29

14.19

99.86

8.50

31-Aug-15

1.05

4.44

15.49

97.19

6.08

30-Sep-15

0.65

3.23

14.24

99.63

1.00

12.29

94.21

30-Jun-16 Plc has 1.17reonoil Nigeria 7.37 1.17 ported 2530-Jun-16 per cent decline 57.00 19-Apr-17 2.68 in pre-profit during the 1.72 half 29.92 30-Jun-17 25.00 year ended 31-Dec-17 June 31, 2014.3.38 37.25 30-Sep-18 2.35 The company in a filing 9.00 04-Oct-18 4.14 with the Nigerian Stock Ex14.96 09-Dec-18 2.55 11.13 2.55 change said12-Dec-18 its pre-tax profit 27.00 14-Feb-19 3.43 dropped 25.25 per cent to N1.48 17.28 02-Oct-19 3.00 billion compared with N1.98 80.00 22-Nov-19 5.27 billion in the same period3.06 last 28.37 12-Dec-19 11.40 30-Sep-20 3.68 year. 87.00 27-Nov-20 6.29 Revenue 31-Dec-20 also fell to N78.51 5.00 6.38 billion, compared 4.78 31-Dec-20 with N79.63 3.86 4.79 06-Jan-21 3.89of billion in the same period 484.10 the previous year. 491.36 The refined petroleum products marketers, yesterday 11.80 0.15 at plunged by07-Oct-14 N5.26 to close 13.17 18-Dec-14 0.35 N67.24 per share at the close of 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.38 trading at the Nigerian Stock 5.29 17-Aug-15 0.52 market. 13.62 09-Dec-15 0.84 0.60The company 06-Jan-16 0.92 had reported 15.00 2.13 301 per cent29-Sep-16 growth in pretax 5.53 25-Oct-16 2.20 profit during the full year 20.00 30-Sep-17 3.13 0.73 1.94 ended 2013. 30-Nov-17 7.20In a filing09-Apr-18 1.90 with the Nigerian 3.27 09-Sep-18 2.07 Stock Exchange, the compa0.90 09-Sep-18 2.07 ny’s profit before income tax 35.00 22-Sep-18 4.11 2.70 18-Oct-18 2.18 increased 301 per cent to N4.57 0.45 17-Feb-19 billion compared to N1.142.26bil4.50 01-Apr-19 3.38 lion recorded in 2012. 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.25 Revenue grew to N159.53 143.81 billion compared to N149.99 146.46 6.27

15.50

*IMO

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

A-/Agusto

A+/Agusto

Conoil H1 pre-tax profit dips 25%

14-Feb-12 15.50 ducer of building inputs, Dan02-Oct-12 15.50 gote 22-Nov-12 Cement, rose by N5.87 to 14.50 close12-Dec-12 at N231.95 per 14.75 share; 30-Sep-13 refined petroleum 14.75 following, 27-Nov-13 13.50 products manufacturer, Mobil 31-Dec-13 15.00 Oil Nigeria, by N5.00 31-Dec-13 advanced 14.50 06-Jan-14 to close at N175.00 15.00 per share. Oil services logistics company, The Caverton Offshore Group, firmed by N0.10 to close at 11.50 Paints N5.9007-Oct-11 per share while 13.50 and 18-Dec-09 Coatings Manufacturers 01-Apr-10 17.00 Nigeria strengthened by N0.07 17-Aug-10 10.00 to close at N1.61 per12.00 share. 09-Dec-10 06-Jan-11 14.00refined On the flip side, 29-Sep-11 13.00 petroleum products market25-Oct-13 14.25 ers, Conoil, plunged by N5.26 30-Sep-10 13.00 30-Nov-12 to close at N67.24 18.00 per share while09-Apr-11 industry rival,16.00 Forte Oil, 18.00 shed09-Sep-11 N1.07 to close at N226.00 09-Sep-11 16.00 per 22-Sep-11 share. Brewery 14.00compa15.75 nies,18-Oct-13 Nigerian Breweries and 17-Feb-12 17.00 Guinness Nigeria, pulled back 01-Apr-14 16.00 by N4.29 and N2.94 15.25 to close at 14-Nov-13 N170.70 and N190.06 per share respectively.

Dangote invests $250m in coal-based plant

4.46 15.54 billion recorded in the98.72 same 3.48 14.56 101.37 period of 2012 5.59 16.79 85.76 The Board12.18 of Directors 1.00 102.60 of 102.46 the1.79 company13.06 has recommend1.80 13.00 102.16 ed 1.00 total dividend payment of 12.38 105.08 N2.78 billion for its 2013 finan1.00 12.20 105.07 4.78year at 15.98 cial N4.00 for96.24 every 1.00 12.28 105.96 50kobo share. 1.00 12.22 108.20 The dividend payment 1.00 12.62 107.03 is expected to be ratified by its 2.74 13.97 101.92 1.00 12.31 106.86 shareholders at the annual gen1.00 12.95 102.25 eral meeting 13.93 of the company to 1.94 104.39 be 1.44 held later 12.78 in September. 105.05 1.95 13.30 104.97 This represents 300 percent increase over the N1 paid in 2012. The company, in a press 1.00 11.83 the dividend 99.88 statement, said 5.21 16.30 98.98 had again underscored the 8.71 19.77 98.88 company’s reputation of deliv4.88 15.87 96.02 ering on in1.00 increasing 12.03 returns 100.49 2.63 100.69 vestment for13.66 its shareholders. 1.00 12.22 101.38 Dr Mike12.56 Adenuga, the 1.34 103.11 Chairman of Conoil Plc, while 1.00 12.23 101.90 1.88 13.10company's 109.38perpreviewing the 3.48 14.70 102.47 formance for 2013 at its 43rd 5.20 16.43 102.95 annual general meeting, as5.06 16.29 101.77 sured shareholders that 1.35 12.73 103.94 the 2.29 13.51 104.47 company remained committed 17.32 to 6.11 growing its business99.42 in or2.16 13.43 106.78 der2.76to maintain its leadership 14.70 102.12 position in the downstream petroleum sector.

Supranational Bond

AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

angote Group has invested Rating/Agency Issuer about $250 million in coalFGNbased Eurobonds power plant that would reduce the cost BB-/Fitch; greatly B+/S&P of, and access to electricity in BB-/Fitch; FGN BB-/S&P the country. BB-/Fitch; Dangote Cement’s Group BB-/S&P Chief Executive, Mr. DevaTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE kumar Edwin, who made the TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION disclosure in a briefing at the Corporate Eurobonds company’s corporate headquarB-/S&P; AFREN PLC I ters inB/Fitch Lagos, said the initiative GTBANK I would help the group inPLC runB+/S&P; B+/Fitch ning its businessesGTBANK in allPLC parts B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC of the country. B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY BANK PLC He noted that the group had B/Fitch AFREN PLC installed 54 megawatts coalB+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC B/Fitch; B/S&P BANK PLC base power plant DIAMOND in Gboko, B/S&P; B-/Fitch FIRST BANK PLC Benue State and was currently B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

11-Feb-18

3.50

12.00 11.31

working towards installations Description at Ibesa, Obajana for business operations. Devakumar said the group 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 had started exploring coal op12, 2018 portunities 5.13 in JUL Nigeria especially in Enugu State and also 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 setup separate division for coal exploration. He noted that inadequate power supply due to low supply of gas had affected the 11.50 FEB 01, 2016group’s cement production and 7.50 MAY 19, 2016the cost aspect has also 6.00 impacted NOV 08, 2018 on the JUL 25, 2017 cost for economy and7.25 increased consumers. 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 10.25 APR 08, 2019 “In this country , the major 6.25 APR 22, 2019 issue is power. Any economy 8.75 May 21, 2019 will climb to 8.25 double once AUG 07,digits, 2020

there is power at the right price. ment market will get 12MTs pa Outstanding Value Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) of cement from Dangote Ibese WithIssue affordable power people (N'bn) will produce products locally, Cement factory only, equivalent will gravitate to the private sec- to about 24 million bags of 42.5R 07-Oct-11 6.75 500.00 28-Jan-21 4.83 tor, leading to the creation of a cement type. 12-Jul-13 5.13employ500.00 4.06 middle class and more With this12-Jul-18 also, its installed ment12-Jul-13 in the country,”6.38he said. combined capacity (from all its 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.15 In what could be termed a cement plants) will be about leap forward for the real es- 1,500.00 29MTs pa, about 55 million bags tate business in particular and 1,615.03 of cement. the real sector of the Nigerian Devakumar said the increase economy in general, Devaku- 450.00 in capacity 01-Feb-16 was changing3.71the 01-Feb-11 11.50 mar 19-May-11 said from this 7.50 August it 500.00 business dynamics to enable 19-May-16 4.58 would add nine million tons 400.00 supply outgrown 08-Nov-13 6.00 08-Nov-18 the demand 6.18 25-Jul-12 7.25 annum 350.00 (MTs) of cement per of cement in25-Jul-17 the country. 7.03 09-May-13 6.88 02-May-18 8.64 (pa) from its newly built lines 300.00Shareholders had lauded the 08-Apr-12 10.25 300.00 08-Apr-19 7.83 C and D at Obese plant to the Dangote Cement Plc manage22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 6.39 cement market. ment for rising to the occasion 21-May-14 8.75 200.00 21-May-19 9.03 With this, the Nigerian ce- 300.00 by raising 07-Aug-20 the bar with7.26the 07-Aug-13 8.25

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

AFREN PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

6.00

5.10

3,660.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

09-Dec-20

42.5 and 52.5 grades recently Price Offer Price rebranded Bid against the background of the incessant buildPrices & Yields ing collapse across the nation. 4.67 110.52 111.48 The shareholders who spoke 3.84 103.80 104.59 anduring the company’s 2013 nual general 108.69 meeting described 5.03 109.58 the development as a good response to the demands of the time. They stated that with the upgrade cement from 2.96 of the111.45 112.64 the staple Cement 3.90 of Dangote 104.84 106.03Plc, it would now be cleared that 5.88 99.34 100.43 6.41incident 100.59 102.30colany of building 8.08 94.45 lapse anywhere could no96.17 longer 6.70 107.50 110.00 be6.09 traced to 99.41 the quality100.66 of cement, the one produced 8.77 at least98.92 99.89 by6.56 Dangote. 103.42 105.92

Offer Yield (%)

104.41

105.89

14-Aug-14

3,762.02

**Treasury Money Market The FMDQBills Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products,FIXINGS fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) DTM OTC PLC TermsMaturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) to the FMDQ of Use and Disclaimer Statement on www.fmdqotc.com. NIBOR

FGN

7 14 21 Bonds28 35 42 Rating/Agency 49 56 63 70 77 84 91 98 105 112 119 133 NA 147 161 175 189 203 238 252 266

21-Aug-14 28-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 11-Sep-14 18-Sep-14 25-Sep-14 Issuer 2-Oct-14 9-Oct-14 16-Oct-14 23-Oct-14 30-Oct-14 6-Nov-14 13-Nov-14 20-Nov-14 27-Nov-14 4-Dec-14 11-Dec-14 25-Dec-14 NA 8-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 9-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 7-May-15

10.20 10.50 10.55 10.30 10.50 10.50 Description 10.65 10.65 10.65 9.25 28-SEP-2014 10.65 4.00 23-APR-2015 10.40 13.05 16-AUG-2016 10.20 15.10 27-APR-2017 10.70 10.20 9.85 27-JUL-2017 10.75 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.10 10.70 30-MAY-2018 10.75 16.00 29-JUN-2019 10.80 7.00 23-OCT-2019 10.30 10.50 16.39 27-JAN-2022 10.35 14.20 14-MAR-2024 10.40 15.00 28-NOV-2028 10.35 12.49 22-MAY-2029 10.35 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.25 10.00 23-JUL-2030 10.15

357 6-Aug-15 10.20 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 *from the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration

9.95 10.25 10.30 10.05 10.25 10.25 Issue Date 10.40 10.40 10.40 28-Sep-07 10.40 23-Apr-10 10.15 16-Aug-13 9.95 27-Apr-12 10.45 9.95 27-Jul-07 10.50 31-Aug-07 9.85 30-May-08 10.50 29-Jun-12 10.55 23-Oct-09 10.05 10.25 27-Jan-12 10.10 14-Mar-14 10.15 28-Nov-08 10.10 22-May-09 10.10 20-Nov-09 10.00 23-Jul-10 9.90 9.95 18-Jul-14

10.22 10.54 10.61 10.38 10.61 10.63 Coupon 10.80 (%) 10.83 10.85 9.25 10.87 4.00 10.63 13.05 10.45 15.10 10.99 10.49 9.85 11.09 9.35 10.42 10.70 11.14 16.00 11.24 7.00 10.75 11.01 16.39 10.89 14.20 10.99 15.00 10.98 12.49 11.10 8.50 11.03 10.00 10.96

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M Outstanding

(N'bn)

Value

11.33 12.1493

4,479.99

**Exclusive of non-trading t.bills TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,548.86

Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Agency Bonds

Modified Duration AMCON Buckets

Total Outstanding 0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 Porfolio Market Value(Bn) (SR.5 TR.1) Volume(Bn) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 1,023.41 968.07 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 951.30 0.00/16.50 LCRM1,131.74 II 20-APR-2017 744.40 811.72 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 2,899.54 2,731.09

Weighting by 28-Dec-11 Outstanding Vol

FMBN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3<5 ***LCRM >5 Market

24-May-10 03-Apr-12 35.45 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-1234.83 06-Jul-1229.72 100.00

Weighting 0.00by Mkt Value

0.00 17.25 35.30 0.00/16.00 39.03 0.00/16.50 25.67 0.00/16.50 100.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Bucket978.35 Weighting

24.56 3.30 0.35 112.22 116.70 0.35 66.49 0.30 1.00

1,301.62

10.50

O/N

10.75

REPO

TTM (Yrs) Call 1M 3M 0.12 6M

Rate (%)

Bid10.50 Yield (%) 12.51 13.36 10.76 13.81

Tenor

Spot 7D 14D 1M Offer Yield 2M (%) 3M 6M 9.55 1Y

0.69 11.01 10.21 2.01 11.31 11.22 2.70 11.23 11.17 :Benchmarks 2.95 11.21 11.15 * :Amortising Bond 3.05 11.22 11.10 µ :Convertible Bond 3.79 11.33 11.23 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 4.87Government of 11.51 11.44 FGN: Federal Nigeria 5.19 Mortgage Bank 11.59 11.50 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria IFC: International Finance Corporation 7.46 12.13 12.07 LCRM: Local Management 9.58Contractors Receivables 12.32 12.27 NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 14.29 12.32 12.28 O/N: Overnight 14.77 12.29 Company 12.24 UPDC: UAC Property Development 15.27Africa Portland12.26 12.20 WAPCO:West Cement Company 15.94 12.19 12.14 19.93 11.95 11.91

Outstanding Value (N'bn) FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX Coupon (%)

OBB

Tenor

Maturity Date

100.00 28-Sep-14 NITTY 535.00 23-Apr-15 Tenor Rate (%) 515.27 16-Aug-16 1M 10.4511 452.80 27-Apr-17 2M 10.8078 3M 10.8998 20.00 27-Jul-17 6M 10.9267 100.00 31-Aug-17 9M 10.9770 300.00 30-May-18 12M 11.3588 351.30 29-Jun-19 233.90 23-Oct-19 600.00 27-Jan-22 NIFEX 220.15 14-Mar-24 Current Price ($/N) 75.00 28-Nov-28 BID($/N) 162.1875 150.00 22-May-29 OFFER ($/N) 162.2875 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 35.00 18-Jul-34

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE #

Rating/Agency

Rate (%) 10.9167 12.8622 13.7580 14.4025

NOTE:

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

% Exposure_ 31-Oct-14 Mod_Duration

0.21 Implied Yield

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 16.45 09-Dec-16 35.62 20-Apr-17 47.94 06-Jul-17 100.00

0.78 1.39 11.27 2.32 11.94 2.68 12.22 2.89 11.97

# Risk Premium (%)

Implied 1.00 Portfolio Price

2.63 2.27 118.4734 2.00 133.7806 1.00 101.2090 1.00 118.6740

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

162.40 162.50 162.60 Price 162.86 162.86 163.20 163.47 163.83 Bid Price Offer Price 164.60 165.78 165.89 167.53 167.59 173.21 99.77 99.92 177.34 184.33

95.44 95.94 103.05 103.20 108.75 108.90 NA :Not96.64 Applicable 96.79 # :Floating Rate Bond 95.27 95.57 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 98.06 98.36 †: Bond116.35 rating expired 116.65 82.43 82.73 120.50 120.80 110.40 110.70 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 117.78 118.08 UBA: United Bank for Africa 101.32 101.62 74.31 74.61 84.75 85.05 101.51 101.81

Valuation Yield (%)

12.03 INDEX

13.65 13.39 1,125.26 13.21 1,132.80 12.20 1,180.68 12.21 1,127.28

Indicative Price YTD 97.51 Return (%)

90.25 104.98 12.5256 100.57 13.2803 99.08 18.0684 96.61 12.7276

1,272.38

Sub-National Bonds A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014

15-Oct-09

14.00

6.00

15-Oct-14

0.17

3.29

14.19

99.86

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

1.05

4.44

15.49

97.19

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

6.08

30-Sep-15

0.65

3.23

14.24

99.63

Nil

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

1.17

4.46

15.54

98.72

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

1.17

3.48

14.56

101.37

46 business | CAPITAL MARKET

Sanctity of Truth

Daily Summary as of 14/08/2014 Printed 14/08/2014 14:49:46.046

Friday, August 15, 2014

Daily Summary as of 14/08/2014

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at August 14, 2014

Printed 14/08/2014 14:49:46.046

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Bonds)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 13.05% FGN AUG 2016 15.10% FGN APR 2017 16.39% FGN JAN 2022 Federal Totals

Symbol FG102016S1 FG9B2017S2 FG9B2022S1

DEBT Board Totals

No. of Deals 1 1 1 3

Current Price 103.91 108.69 121.45

Bond Activity Totals

Quantity Traded 100 100 100 300

Value Traded 103,980.92 113,352.02 122,429.84 339,762.78

300

339,762.78

300

339,762.78

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Daily Summary as of 14/08/2014 PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Printed 14/08/2014 14:49:46.046 Pharmaceuticals Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO Symbol LIVESTOCK

CONGLOMERATES

TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 3.22

Symbol AGLEVENT TRANSCORP UACN

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

Current Price 36.47 37.00

Daily Summary (Equities)

AGRICULTURE Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

No. of Deals 52 5 57

No. of Deals 1 251 77 329

Current Price 1.40 5.52 61.00

329

Quantity Traded 379,345 17,100 396,445

Value Traded 13,293,183.80 615,150.00 13,908,333.80

Quantity Traded 288,715 288,715

Value Traded 916,426.24 916,426.24

685,160

14,824,760.04

Quantity Traded Page 4,600 19,285,355 1,032,491 20,322,446

170,229,978.97

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 1.20

Quantity Traded 617,203 617,203

Value Traded 695,665.30 695,665.30

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 65.00

Quantity Traded 18,643 18,643

Value Traded 1,208,755.00 1,208,755.00

Real Estate Development Daily Summary as of 14/08/2014 UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Printed 14/08/2014 14:49:46.046 Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 16.30

Quantity Traded 260,547 260,547

Value Traded 4,259,322.71 4,259,322.71

No. of Deals 1 Daily Summary (Equities) 1

Current Price 8.70

Quantity Traded 1,701 1,701

Value Traded 15,223.95 15,223.95

898,094

6,178,966.96

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol UPDCREIT

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Beverages--Brewers/Distillers

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

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC Daily Summary as of 14/08/2014 FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. Printed 14/08/2014 14:49:46.046 HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. UNION DICON SALT PLC. Food Products Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Food Products--Diversified

CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. CONSUMER GOODS NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Food Products--Diversified Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals

ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY STERLING BANK PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES UNITED BANKon FOR AFRICA PLC Activity Summary Board EQTY Banking UNION BANK NIG.PLC. FINANCIAL UNITY SERVICES BANK PLC Banking WEMA BANKStock PLC. Exchange © Published by The Nigerian ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Page Quantity Traded 9,900 291,312 137,900 697,492 51,000 1,187,604

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 115.00

Quantity Traded 6,239 6,239

Value Traded 753,359.25 753,359.25

Symbol No. of Deals DANGFLOUR 41 DANGSUGAR 98 FLOURMILL 91 HONYFLOUR 37 NASCON 34 NNFM 21 UNIONDICON 2 Daily Summary (Equities) 324

Current Price 7.40 9.00 80.90 4.00 9.80 22.50 14.11

Quantity Traded 296,352 4,001,098 268,049 1,264,139 297,059 134,152 160 6,261,009

Value Traded 2,180,976.11 35,835,306.26 20,185,481.10 5,156,365.02 2,923,168.94 2,930,541.74 2,145.60 69,213,984.77

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE Symbol

No. of Deals Current Price 38 67.02 38 Current 1,110.00 No. of Deals Price 76

Quantity Traded 71,679 37,431 Quantity Traded

Value Traded 4,687,357.73 40,561,165.11 Value Traded

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 18 1 19

Current Price 4.25 1.37

Page Quantity Traded 338,795 1,300 340,095

3Value Traded of 12 SERVICES 1,417,462.01 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers 1,703.00 Daily Summary of 14/08/2014 R Tas BRISCOE PLC. 1,419,165.01 Printed 14/08/2014 14:49:46.046 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 44 34 78

Current Price 37.30 49.00

Quantity Traded 184,063 208,335 392,398

Value Traded 6,683,412.62 10,207,106.55 16,890,519.17

8,296,455

312,811,361.46

760 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price ACCESS 168 9.74 DIAMONDBNK 102 6.28 ETI 60 17.25 FIDELITYBK 76 2.04 Daily Summary (Equities) GUARANTY 246 29.12 Daily Summary (Equities) SKYEBANK 124 3.10 STERLNBANK 77 2.14 UBA 159 7.45 Symbol No. of Deals UBN 79 Current Price 8.11 UNITYBNK 6 0.50 Symbol No. of Deals WEMABANK 29 Current Price 0.96 ZENITHBANK 315 24.15 1,441

Quantity Traded 8,346,425 18,542,265 627,557 4,941,765 4,818,515 10,316,690 8,154,494 4,728,316 Quantity Traded 3,205,925 40,213,728 Quantity Traded 1,145,340 Page 10,370,580 115,411,600

2Value Traded of 12 78,270.00 56,005,366.46 3,674,535.50 NATURAL RESOURCES Totals 119,474,088.46 53,550.00 OIL ANDas GAS Daily Summary of 14/08/2014 179,285,810.42 Energy Equipment and Services

45,248,522.84

Printed 14/08/2014 14:49:46.046 JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors OIL AND GASPLC CONOIL Petroleum ETERNA and PLC.Petroleum Products Distributors FORTE OIL PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Employment Solutions Activity Summary Board EQTY C& I LEASINGon PLC. Employment Solutions Totals SERVICES

Hotels/Lodging Value Traded IKEJA HOTEL PLC 80,368,227.15 Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Hotels/Lodging Totals 116,808,197.82 10,822,315.05 Printing/Publishing 9,882,120.35 LEARN AFRICA PLC 141,398,775.32 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. 31,949,703.63 Printing/Publishing Totals 17,471,421.63 35,045,627.61 Road Transportation Value Traded 26,198,877.80 ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC 20,106,864.00 Road Transportation Totals Traded 1,107,123.55 4Value of 12 252,576,868.61 Transport-Related Services 743,736,122.52 AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Value Traded Transport-Related Services Totals 2,548,996.32 2,028,840.00 Support and Logistics Daily Summary as of 14/08/2014 78,010.50 CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Printed 14/08/2014 14:49:46.046 100.00 Support and Logistics Totals 33,237.00 SERVICES Totals 100.00

Current Price 0.81 1.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.52 0.54 0.80 0.54 0.50 0.80

Quantity Traded 3,118,872 2,028,420 155,717 200 66,474 200 117,500 699,915 3,990,400 18,200 12,300 1,939,525 12,147,723

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 1.00

Quantity Traded 7,462,688 7,462,688

Value Traded 7,167,752.21 7,167,752.21

Other Financial Institutions

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS

No. of Deals 48 52

Current Price 3.30 3.74

Quantity Traded 255,880 Page 4,061,590

5 836,466.62 of 12 15,529,106.32

295,750.00 377,954.10 3,196,660.00 9,705.45 6,150.00 1,585,865.57 10,161,368.94

Exchange Traded Fund

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

Value Traded

Value Traded 152,203,946.53 10,090,361.63 227,168.45 10,037,249.85 2,922,437.91 191,846,737.31

153,916,940

952,911,980.98

Current Price 2.26 3.15 63.50 1.62 1.07 2.27

Quantity Traded 1,320 486,700 117,743 91,317 186,128 160,000 1,043,208

Value Traded 2,864.40 1,514,496.00 7,468,122.33 146,704.68 199,156.96 363,200.00 9,694,544.37

1,043,208

9,694,544.37

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 14 14

Current Price 0.57

Quantity Traded 551,500 551,500

Value Traded 308,095.00 308,095.00

Symbol NCR

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 13.72

Quantity Traded Page 3,320 3,320

7Value Traded of 12 45,550.40 45,550.40

17 Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER IPWA PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

554,820

353,645.40

No. of Deals 72 17 15 36 36 1 1 1 4 110 293

Current Price 33.40 8.62 39.52 13.65 231.95 1.15 0.50 1.61 5.35 120.00

Quantity Traded 1,062,144 399,391 71,722 570,869 343,784 43,353 50 50,000 104,850 1,147,160 3,793,323

Value Traded 35,155,583.34 3,468,280.94 2,840,709.60 7,894,867.90 77,725,910.68 47,688.30 25.00 80,500.00 561,277.50 137,633,701.03 265,408,544.29

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 14 14

Current Price 1.95

Quantity Traded 159,911 159,911

Value Traded 307,905.64 307,905.64

Symbol Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS WAGLASS

No. No.of ofDeals Deals Current Current Price Price 1 1.69 1 17.11 1 0.63 3

Quantity Quantity Traded Traded 19,000 1,300 Page 100 20,400

Value Value Traded Traded 33,630.00 23,348.00 8 of60.00 12 57,038.00

Daily Summary (Equities)

310 Symbol MULTIVERSE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

3,973,634

265,773,487.93

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 100.00 100.00

200

100.00

1 Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 57 57

Current Price 0.54

Quantity Traded 4,106,801 4,106,801

Value Traded 2,206,756.11 2,206,756.11

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 372 372

Current Price 26.40

Quantity Traded 7,222,408 7,222,408

Value Traded 188,864,108.33 188,864,108.33

Symbol CONOIL Symbol ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 101 No. of Deals 41 151 62 10 10

Current Price 67.24 Current Price 3.99 226.00 175.00 59.50 179.00

Quantity Traded 1,241,771 Quantity808,997 Traded 646,434 Page 293,366 13,700 53,754

Value Traded 85,018,899.80 Value Traded 3,123,669.70 144,285,248.08 9 of 12 50,909,404.99 775,361.00 9,659,835.33

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 695.00

Quantity Traded 26,509 26,509

Value Traded 18,114,724.34 18,114,724.34

14,413,740

502,958,007.68

Daily Summary (Equities)

375

3,058,022

819

293,772,418.90

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 0.95

Quantity Traded 619,097 619,097

Value Traded 576,088.28 576,088.28

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 9 9 (Equities)

Current Price 4.28

Quantity Traded 489,125 489,125

Value Traded 2,105,355.00 2,105,355.00

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,500 5,500

Value Traded 2,750.00 2,750.00

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 0.78

Quantity Traded 1,338,030 Page 1,338,030

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 3 7 10

Current Price 1.51 4.50

Quantity Traded 180,000 100,380 280,380

Value Traded 274,900.00 429,626.40 704,526.40

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 0.70

Quantity Traded 188,699 188,699

Value Traded 130,739.30 130,739.30

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 5 34 39

Current Price 2.10 5.00

Quantity Traded 102,500 611,425 713,925

Value Traded 215,250.00 3,060,767.81 3,276,017.81

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 5.90

Quantity Traded 191,911 191,911

Value Traded 1,132,232.60 1,132,232.60

Daily Summary

Equity Activity Totals EQTY Board Totals

Quantity Traded 10,114,580 2,373,917 391,001 344,928 1,353,033 18,894,929

Daily Summary (Equities)

OIL AND GAS Totals

No. of Deals 30 18 7 1 6 1 3 9 16 4 1 51 147

Page

No. of Deals 1 16 18 11 12 4 62

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Current Price 8.31 190.06 27.50 170.70 1.05

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST GUINEAINS INTENEGINS LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM PRESTIGE UNIVINSURE WAPIC

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Electronic and Electrical Products Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Packaging/Containers Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Published by The © W Nigerian A GLASSStock IND. Exchange PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

NATURAL RESOURCES Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Mining Services Totals

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. IPWAasPLC Daily Summary of 14/08/2014 PAINTS14:49:46.046 AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC Printed 14/08/2014 PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

No. of Deals 2 70 24 150 1 247

109,110

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

ICT Totals

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB PREMBREW

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Daily Summary as of 14/08/2014 Banking14:49:46.046 Printed 14/08/2014 Daily Summary as of 14/08/2014 ACCESS BANK PLC. Printed 14/08/2014 14:49:46.046 DIAMOND BANK PLC

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Computer Based Systems Totals ICT Services Published byITThe Nigerian Stock Exchange © NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. IT Services Totals

Current Price 15.00 4.25 0.58 29.00 2.16

2,239

HEALTHCARE Totals

Value Traded 1 of 12 6,716.00 107,596,532.53 62,626,730.44 170,229,978.97

20,322,446

No. of Deals 377 48 10 35 69 639

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. Daily Summary as of 14/08/2014 PRESCO PLC Printed 14/08/2014 14:49:46.046 Crop Production Totals

Symbol FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

111

3,826,667

8,971,251.79

4,785 4,785

207,931,364 207,931,364

2,244,708,085.58 2,244,708,085.58

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

Value Traded 1,043,542.40 101,043,542.40 of 12

Page No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 2,057.00 18.94

Quantity Traded 10 20 30

Value Traded 20,570.00 379.30 20,949.30

ETF Board Totals

20,949.30

ETP Activity Totals

20,949.30

NEWS 47

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Youths protest as Yero gets Southern Kaduna backing ENDORSEMENT Senator Nenadi Usman and other big names in Southern Kaduna are in a tight corner Ibraheem Musa KADUNA

riticisms have trailed the endorsement of Governor Muktar Yero by political office holders from Southern Kaduna yesterday as their sole gubernatorial candidate on the platform

of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the 2015 election. Senator Nenadi Usman, who represents Southern Kaduna Senatorial Zone, led all elected and appointed political office holders from the area to endorse Yero and President Goodluck Jonathan as the sole candidates for the governorship and presidency, respectively in the coming elections, amidst tight security. Although angry youths carried placards to protest the endorsement, they were however, barred from

the venue of the event, which took place at Unguwan Wakili, about two kilometers from Zangon Kataf town, in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area. While justifying Yero’s endorsement, Usman said that the governor had kept his promise by executing projects in Southern Kaduna and had given unprecedented appointments to indigenes of the state. "I want to appeal to all our brothers and sisters from Southern Kaduna, who may be nursing the ambition to contest, to

drop that. We must allow the governor to complete his full terms (2015 - 2023) before thinking of contesting", she said. But outside the hall, scores of heavily armed Mobile Policemen kept a crowd of protesting youths from reaching the venue and disrupting the ceremony. Meanwhile, Concerned Southern Kaduna Professionals/Coalition of Youth Groups have described the endorsement as a 21st century show of shame. In a statement signed by Vincent Bodam and Bavo Nyan, the groups noted

L-R: Charge Manager Nigeria, IBM, Ms. Joyce Ogunsola; Chief Financial Officer, IBM West Africa, Ms. Toyin Adejumo; Chairman, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos, Ms. Nimot Muili; Senior Consultant, IBM Global Business Services, Ms. Raliat Sunmonu and Vice-Chairman, APWEN, Lagos, Ms. Angelique Ikwuka, during APWEM networking session with IBM West Africa in Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Ribadu: Stakeholders insist on waiver Ibrahim Abdul YOLA

ormer Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Adamawa State, Mr P Elisha, has

CHANGE OF NAMES

KYOCHER

I formerly known and addressed as Gyegwe Hembadoon Bridget now wish to be known and addressed as Kyocher Hembadoon Bridget. All former documents remain valid, Benue State Judiciary and the general public to note.

ANIAWONWA

I formerly known as Aniawonwa Zed Ferdinand Nnambi wish to be known and addressed as Zed Ferdinand Nnambi. former documents remains valid. general public note.

MOMOH

I formerly known and addressed as Fabunmi Olamide Adejoke now wish to be known and addressed as Momoh Olamide Adejoke. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEYEMI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Lawal Oluwafunmilayo Oluwatosin now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeyemi Oluwafunmilayo Oluwatosin. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

said that PDP chieftains are solidly behind the gubernatorial ambition of the former anti-corruption Czar, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, describing it as the best thing to happen to the state. He called on all Adamawa indigenes to support the ambition. He urged the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu to allow Ribadu participate in the coming gubernatorial election in the state. Elisha, who made the call in Yola, said the agitation by some PDP stalwarts to the effect that Ribadu should not be allowed to participate in the process under PDP if he so desired, was pedestrian and should not be heeded by Muazu, as the move was a negation

of democratic norms and freedom of individuals to associate. He noted that many of those calling for the rejection of Ribadu were given waivers to come back to the party in 2011, saying that if Ribadu is interested in coming back similar gesture should be extended to him in the spirit of fairness. “A number of those people that are antagonizing the coming of Ribadu into the party were given waivers in 2011, when they defected from other political parties to the PDP. Unfortunately, majority of them did not add value to the party, while some of them can be termed outright liabilities,” he said. According to him, the

elders and other stakeholders, who influenced the waiver given to others on coming back to the party, are the ones crying foul over Ribadu’s quest to join the party adding that the attempt is a subversion of due process. He said the national chairman of PDP should not be crucified for re-enacting the episode of 2011, saying since a precedence has been set, Ribadu should also benefit from the gesture. Elisha, who vouched for the credibility of the former EFCC boss, said Ribadu could only be likened to General Muhammadu Buhari( rtd) , whose aspiration for Nigeria is to free the society of corruption and indecency.

ILORIN

he Kwara State University (KWASU) said yesterday that it was collaborating with the state government to introduce entrepreneurship education to all secondary schools in the state and sought the support of stakeholders to make the

venture succeed. Vice-Chancellor of the school, Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah made the disclosure at a news briefing to announce the commencement of the school’s degree programme in entrepreneurship education. He said the collaboration became imperative given the need to make the state a fore-

most destination in the field, in Nigeria. Part of the school’s drive towards achieving the goal, according to Na’allah, is the free distribution to all secondary school students in the state of a book on entrepreneurship education, edited by the school’s Dean of Business and Governance, Dr. Muritala Awodun.

any respect and regards to Southern Kaduna people as a people.’’ The groups alleged that Yero denigrates Southern Kaduna elders, traditional and religious leaders ‘’and he treats same elected officials that endorsed him today as ‘political slaves’ and just willing tools to 2015 victory.’’

Ex-police chief joins Plateau governorship race Musa Pam JOS

head of the 2015 genAtired eral elections, a reCommissioner of

Police, Hezekiah Dimka, has indicated interest to contest the Plateau State guber natorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Dimka declared his intention to contest in the Kabwir, Federal Ward of his home, Kanke Local Government Area of the state. He said if elected, he hopes to consolidate on the massive transformation achievements of the incumbent, Governor Jonah Jang. “The transformation of Plateau State into a cradle of physical beauty, peaceful and qualitative human existence and a

bastion of creativity and enterprise taking advantage of the state’s clement weather and hospitable people”, Dimka said, will be his philosophy of governance. He also said that his ambition is to “harness the vast human and natural resources of the state to achieve the objective of lifting the state to the height of peaceful co-existence, ethno-religious harmony, socio-economic prosperity, and political pre-eminence within the middle Belt and the federation”. Earlier during a courtesy call on the Ngolong Ngas, Nde Joshua Dimlong, Dimka told the royal father that he was in his palace to intimate him of his desire to serve the state, and to seek his royal blessings.

Danjuma, wife, Yakasai bag traditional titles in Adamawa Ibrahim Abdul

KWASU begins degree in entrepreneurship education Biodun Oyeleye

that the endorsement was not done in “consultation with any of its constituents, nor with any traditional or socio-cultural groups of Southern Kaduna.’’ According to the groups, ‘’the vast majority of Southern Kaduna electorates do not see Governor Yero as showing

YOLA

Gangwari Ganye, Tandhe Alhaji Umar A. Sanda his council will con-

fer chieftaincy titles on former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retired ) as Gang Pan ( the shield), as and elder statesman Tanko Yakasai as the Kauran Ganye. A statement by the Ganye Traditional Council stated that the Danjuma’s conferment along that of his wife, Senator Daisy Danjuma, as Yan Pira ( Special Adviser) of Ganye Chiefdom comes up on September, 6, 2014.

According to a statement made available to newsmen, the ceremony will be performed by the Gangwari Ganye, while dignitaries expected to grace the investiture ceremony include former heads of state, governors and other technocrats. The statement further said that the turbaning ceremony of Yakasai (Kauran Ganye) will be performed on later date. It stated that Danjuma has a way with words and with life in general as the former minister, his wife, as well as Yakasai, are believed to have contributed immensely to the Ganye chiefdom.

PUBLIC NOTICE

REAL PHATCATE FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above mentioned FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act LFN (cap 20). The Trustees are: 1. Ogunba Abimbola 2. Ogunba Ayodokun 3. Mary Olufunmilola Ogunba

— — —

President Vice President Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1 To Cater for the less priviledge ones in the society. 2 To provide health care for the sick. 3 To provide educational assistance to the less priviledged. 4 To provide accommodation for the needy. 5 To provide feeding for the needy.. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, PMB 198, within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Trustee

48 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

INEC expresses optimism over women participation in politics Onyekachi Eze

Abuja

he Independent TCommission National Electoral (INEC) has expressed optimism that its National Gender Policy would reverse the factors militating against the effective participation of women in politics. INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Publicity Commission (IPC), Dr. Chris Iyimoga in a speech he delivered at a one-day Roundtable discussion between INEC and Women Leaders of Political Parties, said the Commission is committed in ensuring that no one is denied access and opportunity of participation on the basis of gender in electoral

L-R: Director, Professional Services, Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria; Mr. Dele Omotoso; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Education, Hon. Aminu Suleiman and Vice-Chairman, House Committee on Education, Rose Oko, during the committee's oversight visit to the council in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO:ELIJAHOLALUYI

700,000

The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in China in 2007. Source: Blatantworld.com

268,680

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

4.45m

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

Amnesty: MASSOB chides Umeh Peter Osundu

Aba

ovement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has reprimanded the national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh over his recent amnesty call for its members. MASSOB in a release endorsed by the Orlu zonal leader and information director respectively,

Chief Emma Akabekwe and comrade Ignatius Onyenuma, said Umeh was nobody in the political firmament of Igboland to speak for MASSOB or Igbo in general. Umeh, the release said was a politician looking for a way to massage his political ego and was of the view that as a leader of a small party, he had no locus standi to speak for MASSOB let alone Ndigbo. MASSOB urged Umeh

to speak for the Zonist group whom he seemed to have sympathy for, stressing that no MASSOB member would like to identify with Umeh. “We make bold to say that Umeh was not sincere in his call. He was only trying to boost his political ego”, they said. The group said the APGA national chairman was economical with the truth, stating that those he claimed to be commanders of MASSOB in his camp were not mem-

bers of the organization, but those who use the good name of MASSOB to get something from Nigerian politicians. “We are tired of staying in Nigeria because of what has been happening over the years in the country. The best thing anybody including the like of Umeh could do if they love their people is to join hands with MASSOB and actualize Biafra and not talking about amnesty”, the release further stated.

processes. In his words: “I am indeed delighted to inform you that the series of institutional reforms the Commission has embarked upon have resulted in engagements with relevant stakeholders to achieve the target 35% affirmative action and indeed surpass it”. He told the participants that “as women leaders of registered political parties, embedded in the hierarchy of leadership of your various political parties, you are at the vanguard of changing the perception and indeed catalyzing gender mainstreaming in both elective and appointive offices on the basis of equality between men and women.”

2015: Group tasks politicians, Jega on credible polls Gabriel Choba

Ughelli

head of the 2015 general APolitical elections in Nigeria, parties have been

advised not to impose unpopular candidates on the people to ensure peace, just as Attahiru Jega has been charged to live above board in order to attract the confidence and support of the people by conducting generally acceptable elections. In a press statement signed by National President of Network for Positive Change (NPC), Mr. Edewor Egedegbe and made available to newsmen, the group said Nigerians need elected office holders who will selflessly lead them to a genuinely transformed Nation where unity and peace reign supreme.

The statement reads: “When political parties allow for tranquility and near flawless selection process within the party, the job of politics is half done because there would not be anarchy and the usual politics with bitterness will be automatically eroded in the process”. Nigerians need an unassuming President, governors, lawmakers, Chairmen and Councilors who will selflessly lead them to a genuinely transformed nation where unity and peace reign supreme.” According to the statement, the citizens need to make input in the decision of who rules over them. “This means their votes must count on a platter of liberal democratic tenets."

Taraba PDP crisis: Group exonerates Umar 20,000 election personnel set for Temitope Ogunbanke eoples Democratic Party, PDP Fans Club Worldwide has exonerated Taraba State Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar from the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party, saying he is not plotting to remove the state PDP chairman, Hon. Victor Bala Kona. The group in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Abdullahi Sani noted that Alhaji Umar has continued to maintain dignified silence and self-restraint in the face of provocative insults, insubordination and outright hatred from some disgruntled politicians in the State. The group noted that: “There is nothing to indicate that the acting Governor or any of his aides,

had at any time challenged or questioned Hon. Kona over his responsibilities as chairman of the party in spite of glaring evidence of indiscretion and indignation, against the acting Governor. “Since there has never been any known altercation or disagreements, the Acting Governor cannot just suddenly initiate the removal of the Chairman by voting money and threatening party members”, sani said. The group added that the acting governor as the leader of the party has at his disposal many constitutional ways to remove the chairman if need be, “without resorting to the cheap alternative of bribing the party’s executives members or threatening anyone. Besides, the acting Governor already has

a firm grip of the party and government in the State based on his prudent and people oriented style of leadership.” It also noted that: “Through the utterances of his aides and body language, the PDP chairman has not left any one in doubt to the effect that he does not intend to work with the Acting Governor. And this, he demonstrated recently by coming to the State from Abuja after a meeting with some Abuja based politicians to read a prepared statement dubiously and capriciously endorsing President Goodluck Jonathan and commending the National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, to the exclusion and knowledge of his party leader, just to curry favour.”

Adamawa by-election

Ibrahim Abdul

Yola

damawa Resident A(REC) Electoral Commissioner Kassim G. Gaidam

has revealed that about 20,000 election personnel including ad-hoc staff, security personnel and the permanent staff of the Commission will partake in the coming bye-election in the State. Gaidam who dropped the hint in Yola shortly after a stakeholders meeting convened at the conference hall of the Commission said the majority of the personnel that will partake in the exercise will be drawn from the tertiary institutions in the state as well as members of the NYSC. Consequently, the REC

enjoined all stakeholders especially, Journalists to sensitize the General public to ensure mass participation during the polls, adding that one of the major issues bedeviling election is low voter-turnout in previous elections. He similarly charged the media to avoid sensationalism and bias reportage, stressing that the common men always be at the receiving end when there are any breach of law. Gaidam noted that the Commission has taken drastic measures to curtail conflicts emanating from factions within political parties in the conduct of party primaries, saying with the decision, every political party that wants

to conduct primaries will direct its request to the National Headquarters who will in turn inform the state office about the venue after due diligence is observed. He also noted that the large presence of security operatives during Ekiti and Osun Gubernatorial elections was justified as the elections in the two states were conducted without security breach, adding that with the Emergency Rule, he envisaged tight security to prevent any eventuality during the coming election in Adamawa. He however noted that the distribution of permanent voter card will commence before the conduct of the election.

NEWS 49

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

First Bank bows to labour demands, releases N1.8bn debt JACKPOT Some civil servants in Anambra have every reason to party as they get their due after 8 years

he Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Service Employees (AUPCTRE)

yesterday said their picketing of First Bank headquarters in Lagos, has yielded fruits with the bank paying the N1.8 billion owed its members. Lagos State Secretary of AUPCTRE, Mr. Biodun Bakare, an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said the bank paid the debt late on Wednesday, following the disruption of the bank’s activities at its headquarters for more than four hours. The News Agency of

Nigeria (NAN) reports that First Bank confirmed the payment in a statement by the Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney; which was issued on Wednesday night. The statement said: “This morning, a group under the banner of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) visited our Marina Head Office on a matter between the group and a state

government, where a court order has been granted in favour of the group. “The judgement was to be satisfied from the account of the state government held in various banks of which First Bank was one. “First Bank followed due process and engaged all stakeholders in order to abide by the order, which effectively put the matter to rest. “As a law abiding organi-

sation, First Bank is bound by judgement and orders from the courts of the land and will always carry out its duties in a responsible manner.” NAN recalls that AUPCTRE members had on August 13, shut down banking operations of First Bank, following the non-payment of N1.8 billion outstanding arrears of emoluments owed 1,100 of its members.

Bakare said the money had been paid by the Anambra State government for workers at the state’s Water Corporation and Environment Protection Agency for eight years, which the bank refused to disburse. “They have been owing our members working with the Anambra State government’s Water Corporation salaries and allowances for eight years,” said Bakare.

Ebola: NYSC DG tasks governors on corps members’ safety Dominic Adewole

ASABA

he Director-General (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi, yesterday charged governors of the 36 states of the federation to integrate youth corps’ camps into their contingency plans against the deadly Ebola virus. The DG said the governors should direct Commissioners for Health in their states to supplement all NYSC camp clinics with necessary items for the medical personnel to properly handle any suspected case of the disease. The NYSC boss, who spoke after inspecting the Delta State Orientation Camp at Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government of the state, described as “pragmatic,” the above approach to issues concerning the welfare of corps members nationwide. He assured corps members of their safety even in the Boko Haram infested states of the federation.

He said: “The scheme is in partnership with state gover nments across the country. There is an integrated framework geared towards ensuring the safety of corps members throughout the service year." According to him, the NYSC Headquarters operates a 24-hour distress call centre, with numbers already given to corps members. While he urged the corps members to avail themselves of the opportunity provided, he explained that the closest security agency to the place of the distressed call would be contacted for speedy response. Congratulating the Batch ‘B’ corps members, who were recently sworn-in, Olawunmi urged them to utilise the opportunity of the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme to acquire various skills in order to be self-employed after the service year. He also announced that the Batch ‘B’ corps members would participate in the 2015 general elections.

Educate youths in your environment, Gaidam charges Islamic scholars Hassan Jirgi

DAMATURU

State Governor, AlYhasobe haji Ibrahim Gaidam, urged islamic schol-

ars to educate youths in their environment, particularly those in Tsangaya schools, on Islamic virtues and good moral up-bringing. Governor Gaidam, who disclosed this at the flag-off of the first national free hand Qur’anic writing competition in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, added that the organisers and resource persons should work towards the introduction of information and communication technology, but that all the initiatives should not affect the originality of the holy book.

Gaidam directed that the organisers should select a list of 20 participating clerics and submit same to the secretary to the state government for hajj sponsorship. He said the government has stopped using public funds to sponsor politicians and other government officials to pilgrimages. He added that from now on, politicians or political appointees would not be sponsored by the government as they have enough to sponsor themselves. “Government will only sponsor clerics and traditional rulers, who will go and pray for peace and stability in our state and the country in general, not politicians,” he said.

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Transport Education, Dr. Mariam Masha; former Prelate, Methodist Church, Nigeria, Bishop Sunday Ola-Makinde and National Missioner, Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdulrahman Ahmad, during a Community Outreach Programme between the religious leaders, market women and transport operators, by Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) in Lagos

Kogi PDP chair dismisses ‘Don’t vote people of allegation of imposition shady character’ Muhammad Bashir

Lokoja

rked by alleged endorsement of a candidate for Idah, Ibaji, Ofu, Igalamela/ Odolu Federal Constituency for the 2015 House of Representatives election in Kogi State, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Alhaji Hassan Salau, yesterday described the allegation as untrue. Salau, who said this at the party’s secretariat in Lokoja, during the presentation of vehicles to party officials by the lawmaker representating Idah, Ofu, Igalamela/ Odolu, Hon. Sumaila Inna Hussein, said he was misunderstood by the fabricators of the story. The party chairman was alleged to have endorsed the secretary for the

Idah-Ofu-Ibaji-Igalamela federal constituency ticket. Salau, who promised that the primary election will be free and fair, added that it will be wrong for politicians to engage in activities that will encourage violence, stressing also that PDP has zero-tolerance for thuggery and other political vices. The chairman, who commended Hussein for donating vehicles to the party, also warned politicians, especially PDP aspirants to pursue their ambition with decorum, pointing out that the party has no anointed candidate for any positions. “We want you to emulate Hussein for remembering the party and his supporters, and I am calling on the political office holders to emulate him,” he stated.

Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

s the 2015 elections apAresentatives’ proach, a House of Repaspirant on

the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Hon. Olayinka Oladimeji Segelu, has urged the electorate to consider candidates’ pedigree, antecedents, personal achievements and records before voting them into office. Segelu, who is seeking to represent Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in 2015, made the plea in a statement made available to New Telegraph in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday. According to him, given the new paradigm in the politics of Nigeria, and the current level of political awareness among the people, he was sure that the people of Akinyele, Lagelu

and Nigerians in general will not vote for politicians with shady character, questionable past and well known criminal records that have put such people on the wrong side of the law. The aide to Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, expressed confidence that the people of his constituency know all the aspirants, including those who have very bad criminal records, and will never vote for such politicians, who are only seeking political power to shield themselves from public scrutiny. He therefore implored eligible voters in Akinyele/Lagelu constituency and Oyo State in general, to come out en masse to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commences distribution today.

Group flays APGA's defected lawmakers Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he All Progressives TIntegrity Grand Alliance (APGA) Group has lashed out on members of the party, who recently defected to another party on the floor of House of Representa-

tives. The group, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Great Martin, said it was happy that APGA is now relieved with the exit of those it described as wolves in the House of Representatives. It said lack of integrity

by Nigerian politicians is the cause of the nation's political upheaval saying; “political power without integrity is fascism.” The APGA Integrity Group said their exit from the party has created room for authentic members of the party to strategise and

win the South-East and beyond in the 2015 general elections. “The APGA Integrity Group frowns on political merchants, who enter into marriage of convenience with political parties ahead of general elections," Martin added.

50 WORLD | NEWS

ocial media users have been sharing many incredible images coming out of Ferguson, Missouri, as tensions between police and demonstrators protesting the killing of an unarmed black teenager continue to flare. But one of the most powerful photos making the rounds on Twitter was taken hundreds of miles away at Howard Uni-

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Howard University freshmen pose for class photo with hands in the air versity, the historically black college in Washington D.C., as incoming freshmen gathered in an auditorium two days ago for a move-in meeting. The photo, showing hundreds of students with their hands in the air, was organized by

Khalil Saadiq, a member of the Howard University Student Association, and promoted by the school. "We are proud of our students who have united peacefully to show they will not stand for the senseless violence anymore," the school said in a

statement. "Thank you to the Howard University Student Association for leading and organizing this display of solidarity. #HandsUpDontShoot" Megan Sims, one of the first students to tweet the photo, told Mother Jones magazine that the

student body collectively "felt we needed to respond to the Mike Brown issue." The image was later shared on Twitter by Benjamin Crump, the attorney for the family of Trayvon Martin, who is now representing Brown's parents.

Two Egyptians killed on anniversary of bloody day

n Islamist protester and a policeman were shot dead in Cairo Yesterday, security sources said, one year after government forces killed hundreds of demonstrators in the worst bloodshed in Egypt's recent history. he 31-year-old protester died from a bullet wound to the chest during clashes between protesters and police in Giza on the outskirts of the capital, the sources said. Earlier in the day, gunmen on a motorcycle shot a police officer in the same district. A top security official in Cairo said 30 members of the Brotherhood were arrested yesterday for rioting. Small, hit-and-run demonstrations are the most the group can muster after a fierce security crackdown has seen many thousands arrested and hundreds sentenced to death. The Brotherhood, once Egypt's most organized political movement, was declared

T Howard University Students

Pope's South Korea visit offers China opportunity

ope Francis' greeting to Chinese President Xi Jinping as he flew to South Korea yesterday marked a rare cordial exchange between the sides, which have no diplomatic relations and are embroiled in a sometimes bitter contest for authority. However, any goodwill generated was immediately called into question by reports that Chinese officials had threatened Chinese Catholic students and priests not to take part in events related to the pope's visit. Vatican protocol calls for Francis to send telegrams to heads of state whenever he flies through their airspace. Usually they pass unnoticed, but yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; telegram was unique because the last time a pope wanted to fly over China, in 1989, Beijing refused."Upon entering Chinese air space, I extend best wishes to your excellency and your fellow citizens, and I invoke the divine blessings of peace and well-being upon the nation," the pope's message said. In a faxed statement, China's Foreign Ministry said it had noted the pope's statement and remained committed to improving ties."We are willing to continue to make efforts with the Vatican to enter into a constructive dia-

logue and advance the cause of improving bilateral relations," it said. While no Chinese officials are taking part in the visit, individual Chinese Catholics, including the many studying in South Korean seminaries and universities, had been expected to attend some events. Details were sketchy, but the Catholic website AsiaNews said about 80 young people were staying away from the events after warnings of unspecified consequences if they participated. It said a number of Chinese priests residing in South Korea had been called home before Francis' arrival. Asked about the reports, the spokesman for the papal visit organizing committee, Heo Youngyeop, said some young Chinese Catholics had been prevented from traveling to Seoul. "I believe some of the Chinese youth have arrived, but, as far as we know, not all of them could make it ... because of the complicated situation within China," Heo was quoted as saying on the committee's website. People who answered the phone at the state-sanctioned Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association said they had no information about arrangements related to the pope's visit. Vatican officials say there is a dialogue with Chinese authorities. But the

core issue dividing them Romeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s insistence on naming bishops remains. "These are friendly gestures, but I wouldn't expect any breakthroughs," said Anthony Lam of the Holy Spirit Study Center in Hong Kong, which closely monitors the church in mainland China.

a terrorist organization last year, and its political wing was banned last week. Violence has polarized Egyptians since the army overthrew elected Islamist President Mohamed Mursi last year following mass protests against his rule. Hundreds of supporters of Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood have been killed and thousands arrested since he was ousted, with the largest number of deaths occurring one year ago yesterday, when security forces stormed two protest camps in Cairo. Militant attacks have also increased since Mursi was toppled, with Sinai Peninsula-based militants killing soldiers and police in an insurgency the government has struggled to quell. Human Rights Watch said this week that those killings were systematic, ordered by top officials and probably amount to crimes against humanity. The rights campaigning group called for a U.N. inquiry.

Peace still elusive in South Sudan

outh Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar show little interest in making a deal to end months of fighting that has brought the nation to the brink of "man-made" famine, U.N. Security Council envoys said during a visit to East Africa. Clashes in December between soldiers loyal to Kiir and supporters of his former deputy Machar plunged the oil-producing country back into conflict, less than three years after its hard-won independence from former civil war foe Sudan. Kiir and Machar signed a ceasefire in May in Addis Ababa and agreed to form an interim government within 60 days but that deadline expired on Aug 10 as talks stalled. Diplomats say both sides violated

the truce, though negotiations continue. Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who along with other Security Council envoys visited South Sudan this week and talked to both Kiir and Machar, said the Council had warned the rival sides about tougher sanctions. "There is no way President Kiir or Riek Machar could have left those meetings with the Security Council unclear about the determination of the Council to take further measures if they did not seize this moment and choose compromise and choose peace," Power told Reuters late on two days ago. The United States and European Union have slapped sanctions on military commanders from both sides and

two days ago, Washington warned it may impose further measures. Asked if the delegation felt Kiir and Machar had shown appetite for a peace deal, Power said: "We left the meeting with hope, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think any of us left the meeting with confidence." At least 10,000 people have been killed and more than 1.1 million displaced during nearly eight months of on-off fighting in South Sudan. Power said 50,000 children under five were at risk of dying of malnutrition in the coming months. Aid agencies say South Sudan is hurtling toward the worst famine in East Africa since the mid-1980s, when malnutrition swept through the region and killed over a million people.

Youth Olympics: Nigeria pulls out over Ebola stigmatisation Charles Ogundiya

igeria has pulled out of the 2nd Summer Youth Olympics scheduled to start on Saturday (tomorrow) in Nanjing, China, over stigmatisation by the Chinese authorities. The withdrawal, according to the

Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeye, was as a result of discrimination against Nigerian athletes due to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in the country. Speaking with our correspondent, the spokesman of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tony Ubani, said the coun-

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

try had to pull-out due to the inhuman treatment meted out to its athletes who were already in China. “The athletes were not allowed to train with their counterparts, they were isolated despite confirming that they were not infected with the virus. It shows lack of respect and we don’t have other option

than to ask the athletes to return to the country,” he said. Sierra Leone’s team for the competition has also been ordered to return home by the Chinese authorities because of the Ebola crisis. It is not clear whether Guinea and Liberia will also be forced to withdraw.

Did you know? NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

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

FRIday, August 15, 2014

With their destruction of Brazil, Germany became the top scoring nation in World Cup history (223), overtaking Brazil in the process. Germany ended the tournament with 224 goals, three ahead of Brazil.

FIFA Orders NFF to reinstate Maigari lTo preside over Congress on August 26

Super Eagles in action against France during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. France won 2-0.

Adekunle Salami

major twist again came to the fore in the ongoing crisis in Nigerian football as the Federation Of International Football Association directed that the impeached President of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, should return as the head of the football body. In an email message addressed to the General Secretary of the NFF, Musa Amadu, and dated August 14, FIFA said the situation in Nigeria in the past months had been confusing and all the decisions taken by the board recently were questionable. The letter read in parts; “It is regrettable that the situation has turned so confused while elections are planned to take place on 26 August 2014. The recent decisions of the Executive Committee are highly questionable with regard to

the compliance with the statutes and should anyway be confirmed by the Congress. In the meantime, the different suspensions are affecting the electoral process by preventing persons to contest the elections. “Under these circumstances, we deem that the NFF Congress will exercise its sovereign power through the electoral process which shall be open to everybody and managed by the electoral committees elected by the Congress in their entirety. The Executive Committee of the NFF shall also be reunified as it was before the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Taking into account the internal divisions in the Executive.” The implication of this is that Maigari will return to office to complete his term and also administer all issues relating to the forthcoming elections and the recent decisions taken by the Chief Mike Umeh-led (acting President) ex-

ecutive board. FIFA in the letter signed by its Deputy Secretary General, Markus Kattner, added that ; “We would like to ensure that the legitimacy of the delegates who will attend the 26 August 2014 Congress will not be questioned and we anticipate the Congress will be composed of the delegates who participated at the November 2013 Congress unless there have been changes statutory compliant. Furthermore, we advise you that President Maigari must preside over the NFF Congress on 26 August.” FIFA frowned at the decision of the board to remove some members of the electoral committee insisting that such was contrary to the segregation of powers. The world body also questioned the hasty suspension of two members of the executive board without the approval of the Congress. In a reaction, the image maker of

Maigari

the NFF, Ademola Olajire, on Thursday evening said he did not know anything about the FIFA letter to the federation. “I did not see any letter and I don’t know anything about it,” he said.

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Friday, August 15, 2014

Adidas pulls out of Eagles kits contract Adekunle Salami

he persistent crisis that has enveloped the Nigeria Football Federation in the past months has affected the marketing drive of the body as Adidas International has pulled out of the kits contract with the NFF. Our correspondent learnt authoritatively that the international kits manufacturing body has informed the NFF of its intention to terminate the contract from December 2014. In a letter dated August 12, 2014, Adidas stated that the decision was taken after conducting an analysis and evaluation of its football partnerships and related businesses across the globe. “Based on this evaluation and in combination with recent correspondence between the parties, we regret to inform you that Adidas has decided

not to extend its current partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation as per the end of agreement (December 2014), “ read the letter. The letter was jointly signed by the VP Global Sports Marketing, ClausePeter Mayer, and Adidas Marketing Manager, Kai-Phillip Stef. The image maker of the football house, Ademola Olajire, however denied knowledge of the development. “That is strange to me. I have not been briefed of such development,” he said. The current impasse in the administration of Nigeria football might have informed the decision of Addidas to dump the NFF. On a daily basis the crisis has continued to take fresh twist and turns over the leadership of the NFF, the composition of the board and the forthcoming elections of the football body.

Nigeria moves up in FIFA rankings Emmanuel Tobi

igeria Super Eagles have moved up from 34th to 33rd in the monthly FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings released on Thursday. Though there were less activities in the month after the thrilling and exhausting FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the Eagles are still ranked 3rd in Africa behind Algeria and Cote‘d Ivoire. World champions Ger-

many continue to lead the way ahead of Argentina and the Netherlands, but Spain have jumped one position and now share seventh place with Brazil. Meanwhile, World Cup quarter finalists Costa Rica (15th, up 1) have climbed into 15th at the expense of the USA (18th, down 3), which means that Los Ticos are now in their highest-ever position since the introduction of the world rankings in 1993.

The results of 23 new international “A” matches have been taken into account for the current edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings. Ten of these matches were friendlies, whereas the remaining 13 were qualifiers for the next CAF Africa Cup of Nations. It is little surprise, therefore, that the biggest movers of the month are mainly to be found in Africa, namely Lesotho

Super Eagles players waving the fans after their elimination from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

(105th, up 26), Malawi (106th, up 15), Sierra Leone (50th, up 14), Benin (77th, up 14), Botswana (86th, up 13) and GuineaBissau (123rd, up 13). This month also sees Sierra Leone make their first appearance in the top 50. Africa top ten: 1st Algeria (24) 2 Ivory Coast (25) 3rd Nigeria (33) 4th Ghana (36) 5th Egypt 38th 6th Tunisia (42) 7th Sierra Leone (50) 8th Cameroon (54) 9th Burkina Faso (58) 10th Senegal (59)

ewly elected President of FIBA Africa Zone3, Samuel Ahmedu, has come out to denounce statements from the Nigeria Basketball Federation that they supported his candidature at the recently held FIBA Africa elections in Madagascar. Ahmedu, a retired Nigerian Army Colonel, and former head of the FIBA Africa marketing committee, emerged presi-

dent of FIBA Africa Zone3 at the continental body’s Congress in Madagascar after beating another Nigerian, Muktah Khaleh. “I read in the press that the NBBF supported me and paved the way for me to become the president of the zone; that the federation told Khaleh to step down. I think that is unfair and far from the truth,” said Ahmedu. “I joined this race because the former president of the zone, who is a Nigerian, was

not interested in contesting. The former president nominated a Togolese to succeed him but I was encouraged to run by other countries that make up Zone-3.” The zone comprises of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Togo, Niger and Nigeria. “But when it became apparent that I was going to win, the NBBF refused to endorse my candidature and told Khaleh to join the race. The only reason I ended up being eligible to

Ifeanyi Ibeh

contest for the post was by virtue of being a member of the Central Board,” said Ahmedu, who has been a member since 1997.

he Lesotho Football Association has called off their national U-20 team’s trip to Nigeria, where they were supposed to take on the Flying Eagles on Saturday, in Kaduna, in the first leg, third round qualifier of the 2015 African Youth Championships. According to a statement from LEFA, the reason for not traveling to Nigeria for Saturday’s encounter against the Flying Eagles was due to the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in some West African countries, including Nigeria. “This serves to inform the nation that our U-20 (Makoanyane XI) will not be able to travel to Nigeria to honour their first leg of the third round of the AYC

being nominated. Kayode Idowu added that the impressive performance of Team Nigeria at the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland is enough motivation for

Nigerians to nominate these exceptional athletes for the awards. Idowu announced that the nomination of this year’s award started on May 10, 2014 and would close on September.

FIBA Africa elections: NBBF didn’t support me – Ahmedu Ifeanyi Ibeh

Ebola virus scare: Lesotho call off trip to Nigeria

Ahmedu

Nigerian Sports Awards calls for nominations

nmissable Incentives Limited, the organizers of the Nigerian Sports Awards has restated the call on the teeming sports loving Nigerians to nominate their favorites sports personalities for the

2014 edition of the awards. This call was contained in the press statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday, August 13 2014 and signed by the General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Lim-

ited, Mr. Kayode Idowu. According to Idowu, the nomination phase which is the first phase of the award process is the most important phase of the nomination as no winner can emerge without

scheduled to be played on the 16th August (in Kaduna), due to the reported outbreak of Ebola in some West African countries including Nigeria,” said the statement. The statement added: “After careful consideration with regards to the safety of our team and also in line with the a government directive that all ports of entry be closed to persons traveling to and from among others Nigeria, the NEC hereby informs that the team will not be travelling to Nigeria for the said encounter.” The outbreak of the Ebola virus has been prevalent mostly in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, but there have been, in the past month, a number of cases in Nigeria. A staff of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aliyu Ibrahim, who is also the Flying Eagles’ team secretary, had earlier on Thursday, via a statement, disclosed that the NFF had received notification from the Lesotho team that they would be arriving Nigeria on Friday.

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Friday, August 15, 2014

CAS upholds Suarez ban

•But striker can play in friendly matches

he Court of Arbitration for Sport has upheld Luis Suarez’s four-month playing ban but has cleared him to train with Barcelona. Suarez was appealing his suspension from all football activity, a sanction imposed by FIFA after the striker bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 World Cup victory on June 24. The news means he will now be allowed to train with Barcelona for the duration of his ban and will be available to return to action on October 25. As a result he will miss Barcelona’s first eight league matches of the new season, plus their first three group games in the Champions League. He could make his La Liga debut against Real Madrid on Sunday, October 26. A statement from CAS read: “The sanctions imposed on the player by FIFA have been generally confirmed. However, the four-month suspension will apply to official matches only and no longer to other football-related activities (such as training, promotional activities and administrative matters).” “The CAS Panel found that the sanctions imposed on the player were generally proportionate to the offence committed.

PSG coach takes blame for Silva injury

aris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has taken the blame for the hamstring injury that will keep Thiago Silva out for several weeks. Captain Silva suffered a hamstring problem in a 2-1 friendly win over Napoli on Monday, the Brazil international’s second game in four days after he featured in the Ligue 1 champions’ season-opening 2-2 draw at Reims last Friday. The 29-year-old’s return came after he missed all of PSG’s pre-season preparations following his World Cup exertions with Brazil. And, while Blanc does not believe he brought Silva back into the team too soon, the former France coach is willing to accept fault for the injury. “For me no, he did not come back too soon,” Blanc said at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s Ligue 1 clash with Bastia.

Suarez

“It has however considered that the stadium ban and the ban from “any football-related activity” were excessive given that such measures are not appropriate to sanction the offence committed by the player and would still have an impact on his activity after the end of the suspension.”

Ibrahimovic sets 2016 retirement date

latan Ibrahimovic has indicated that he will end his playing career when his Paris Saint-Germain contract expires in 2016. The Sweden striker joined PSG from Milan in July 2012 Ibrahimovic and has enjoyed a prolific stint with the French capital club. Ibrahimovic has fired PSG to two straight Ligue 1 titles, a Coupe de la

Ligue crown and two Trophee des Champions successes in his time at the Parc des Princes. The 32-year-old, who has scored 76 goals for the Parisian giants, has revealed that he expects to hang up his boots after the 2015/16 campaign. “I have a contract until 2016,” Ibrahimovic told ESPN. “I will be 34 next season and I don’t see myself continuing to play at the top level after that. So probably the answer is yes.” Ibrahimovic was one of a number of high profile signings funded by PSG’s Qatari ownership group, who took over the club in 2011 with designs on turning the club into a European force.

Neuer, Ronaldo, Robben shortlisted for UEFA award

orld Cup-winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Champions Leaguewinning forward Cristiano Ronaldo are in a three-player contest to win UEFA’s best player in Europe award. Arjen Robben, who helped the Netherlands and Bayern Munich reach both major competition semifinals, completes the shortlist announced on Thursday. UEFA says they topped a poll of journalists from its 54 member countries. Those voters selected the original 10-candidate list. The winner is revealed on Aug. 28 at the Champions League draw in Monaco. Neuer, of Germany and Bayern, was named outstanding goalkeeper at the World Cup. Ronaldo’s 17 Champions League goals for Real Madrid was a competition record. He scored twice in Madrid’s UEFA

Ronaldo

Super Cup win against Sevilla on Tuesday. Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Franck Ribery previously won the award.

Atsu out to prove quality

verton’s new signing Christian Atsu has insisted that he wants to prove he is capable of playing at the highest level in the Premier League. The Ghana international finalised a season-long loan deal with the Merseyside outfit on Wednesday. The 22-year-old joined Chelsea from Porto last summer, but spent last season on loan at Vitesse Arnhem before moving to Goodison Park for a temporary stint. “It is a really good move for me because they play good football and are a hard-working team,” Atsu told reporters in this morning’s press conference. “They also have a great coach with fantastic fans. “This is my first season in the Premier League and it is a really high level or me. It is a big opportunity to prove myself.” Manager Roberto Martinez also claimed on Thursday that he is not considering a permanent stay for the winger.

Silva

Part-owners of United target in row with Sporting

row has broken out between the representatives and part-owners of Manchester United target Marcos Rojo and his club Sporting Lisbon. Argentina defender Rojo is the subject of disciplinary action by the Portuguese club after he handed in a transfer request and refused to train amid reports of a bid from United. Reports suggest that United bid around £16million but it is believed Sporting are holding out for more as they only own 25 per cent of the player. Management company Doyen Sports, which owns 75 per cent of the player, has hit back at Sporting’s stance and threatened legal action if fees due from any rejected bid are not paid. It is reported that Doyen is entitled to a payment from Sporting worth 75 per cent of any declined offer for Rojo. In this instance that would equate to £12million.

Abidal announces international retirement

efender Eric Abidal has followed Franck Ribery in announcing his retirement from the France national team. The 34-year-old, who this summer joined Olympiacos from Monaco, revealed his decision in an interview with Catalan radio station RAC1. Abidal recovered sufficiently from a liver transplant in April 2012 to return to the national team under coach Didier Deschamps but was not selected for this summer’s World Cup. “It is time to close this door,” he said. “Not being at the World Cup was a disappointment because I wanted to finish on a good note. “The way I struggled as I did until today (after the transplant) was so I could say goodbye to the national team at the World Cup. But that did not happen.”

SportL

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ifestyle

Ann Agumanu-Chiejine Former Super Falcons keeper/captain Best food: Ofe Owerri Best drink: Water Best colour: Pink Best city visited: California, USA Best club supported: City of David United Best car: SUVs Best designer: Gucci Best perfume: Miracle Best music: Old Schools Best actor: John Dumelo Best actress: Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Best competition ever attended: 1999 Women World Cup

Arsenal’s sterling performance excites fans lAs Sterling Bank hosts Lagos, P/Harcourt fans

he world class performance of Arsenal Football Club culminating in the winning the Community Shield last weekend, second year into its partnership with Sterling Bank Plc has continued to excite the fans of the London club in the country. Arsenal on Sunday defeated Manchester City Football Club, the winners of the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League, 3-0 to start the season on a promising note. Meanwhile, as part of its “Fanatic Experience” initiative, Sterling Bank will offer over 500 fans of the London Club based in Port Harcourt and Lagos, free tickets to watch the first english premier league game between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Silverbird cinema in Port Harcourt. The match will take place at the Emirates Stadium. It would be recalled that the bank gave a similar experience to Arsenal Fans in Lagos and Port Harcourt during the Champions League game between Arsenal and Bayern Munich of

Germany under its “Fanatic Experience” initiative at Silverbird Cinemas earlier in the year. The bank’s Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola, explained that this initiative by the Bank was aimed at bringing the benefits of the partnership with Arsenal FC to life, by engaging valuable customers (both existing and prospective). While expressing their excitement and appreciation, some of the fans who spoke to journalists in Lagos after the Club’s first silverware of the season commended the team Manager, Arsene Wenger for investing in quality players to compete favourably among its peers in the League. They also lauded Sterling Bank for introducing a new dimension to sports sponsorships and for providing a platform for fans to watch Arsenal matches at no cost in a sporting environment. Mr. Gbolahan Bello, a marketer with a Cement company based in Port Har-

court, won one of the tickets to watch the Champions League match live in Port Harcourt courtesy of Sterling Bank. He commended the Bank for the initiative and said I hope to see more of Sterling Bank’s sponsorship of fans to cinemas in the new season”. He noted that the partnership between Arsenal and Sterling Bank

worked magic for the team last season “as it transformed the team considerably from one that struggled to remain among the top four in the last three seasons to a formidable team that could have won the league title last season.”Kikelomo Ashafa, a student of the University of Lagos, who won a ticket to watch the match in Lagos last season noted that the Sterling/Arsenal partnership would do the magic for Arsenal this season.

Brila thrills fans with Wave Your Banner

he 6th edition of Nigeria’s ultimate football party, Wave Ur Banner, holds on Friday, (today) at the Aquatic Hotel, Waterparks, Ikeja, Lagos. The show, held from 6pm till dawn, is primarily aimed at bringing football fans across board - EPL, La Liga, Italian Calcio, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Nigerian League and etc. Featuring AY, Julius Agwu, Kcee Limpopo, Harry Song among others, the event, like previous editions is an

all-jersey affair which will see fans turning out glamorously in the kits of their favourite football clubs. Dr. Larry Izamoje, Chairman of the Brila Group, event organizers, said; “ Wave Ur Banner is a way of bringing different fans together under one roof, get them to interact and bond in the spirit of sportsmanship before the football rivalries that characterize the season begins”. The event will simultaneously hold in Abuja and Onitsha same day and time.

SPORT 55

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 15, 2014

Oparanozie joins French Dedevbo pleased with club, Guingamp

FIFA U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Falconets’ attitude Ifeanyi Ibeh

oach of Nigeria’s Falconets, Peter Dedevbo, has expressed his pleasure at the way his team came from behind to defeat England at the on-going FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, taking place in Canada. The Falconets beat England with a 2-1 comeback win to top Group C, and send the Europeans packing from the tournament. Loveth Ayila and Asisat Oshoala were the scorers for Nigeria, who now have a quarterfinal date to keep with New Zealand on Sunday in Moncton. But the game against the New Zealanders would not have materialised had the Falconets not shown a great deal of character in coming from a goal down to defeat the English ladies and Dedevbo has expressed pleasure at the way they went about it. “It was a fantastic

match,” said Dedevbo. “We had problems in the first half with our defence and the English team kept my girls under a lot of pressure. “But I knew my team would come back and they came back very well. I liked the character of my team (against England) very much. We will now start right away to prepare for the quarter-finals.” Dedevbo wasn’t alone in praising the Falconets, as coach of the conquered English team, Mo Marley, also had something to say about the only African side left in the tournament. “If you have an opportunity, you have to be clinical,” said Marley. “But I think their equaliser was the big psychological turning point. After they equalised, you could see the body language of the players and how they reacted.” Sunday’s match against the Kiwis will be Nigeria’s fifth consecutive quarterfinal appearance.

Nigeria celebrate their win over England

Kiwis coach to analyse Nigeria ahead historic clash Ifeanyi Ibeh

ew Zealand coach, Aaron McFarland, has given himself the task of analysing his side’s quarterfinal opponents, Nigeria, after securing a historic berth into the knockout rounds. New Zealand’s Junior Football Ferns defeated Costa Rica 3-0 in Toronto to reach the knockout stage of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Goals from Steph Skilton, megan Lee and Tayla O’Brien saw New Zealand finish second in

Group D and book a quarterfinal tie with Nigeria. “First, we will enjoy this result and qualification, then we’ll have to wait to find out our next opponent and analyse them,” said McFarland, whose side took on the Costa Ricans a few hours before Nigeria defeated England. FIXTURES SATURDAY-SUNDAY North Korea – USA 10pm Germany – Canada 1am SUNDAY-MONDAY Nigeria – New Zealand 9am France – South Korea 12am

France to continue my career. The move is a great one for me because I want a league where I can express myself. The language will definitely be a barrier but I hope to overcome it like I did at the other clubs I have featured for because football has a universal language,” she said. This will be her fourth club in Europe haven joined Russian club Rossiyanka in 2012 before moving to Germany Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg for the 201314 season, signing a two year contract. On February 21, 2014,

Emmanuel Tobi

uper Falcons striker, Desire Oparanozie, has joined modest Franch side, En Avant de Guingamp, after a brief stint at Atasehir Belediyespor in Turkey. Speaking with New Telegraph from her new base, the 21-year old, who began her playing career with Delta Queens, expressed optimism in her ability to blossom in the French League stressing that the experience garnered in Europe will come in handy for her. “I just signed for En Avant de Guingamp of

Oparanozie in action for Ataşehir Belediyespor

Oparanozie moved to Atasehir Belediyespor to play in the Turkish

GOtv brings EPL matches to Ilesa, Ede, Iseyin

Eguma denies accusing referee of bribery Charles Ogundiya

olphins of Port Harcourt head coach, Stanley Eguma, has denied eve making any bribery allegation against any match official. Eguma branded as malicious the statement credited to him on social media following 1-1 draw against Giwa FC of Jos last Sunday. There were reports on social media portal, Twitter, that Eguma had accused the centre referee of receiving a certain amount of money from the host club after he disallowed what looked like a good goal scored by Dolphins in the 78th minute of the game. Expressing his anger, the coach said: “I was angry that our goal which I thought was a good one after it was disallowed but to accuse the referee of being bribed is one thing I did not do.” Eguma added that he was merely speaking rhetorically and his statement or question was directed at no one in particular.

“I wasn’t talking about the referee on the day. What I said was; ‘even if somebody is given millions of naira, it is not enough to disallow a good goal that everybody applauded’, so no one should misinterpret me to say the referees took money, because I didn’t say that,” Eguma said. While applauding the referees, Eguma said there is need to have good officiating in every game of the Nigeria Premier League.

Eguma

Women’s First Football League due to lack of playing time in Germany.

Emmanuel Tobi

nglish Premier League fans in Ilesa, Ede and Iseyin will have the privilege of watching and supporting their favourite clubs as GOtv begins operations in more cities in Osun and Oyo states. Living up to this promise, on Monday 11 August, GOtv switched on its signals in Ilesa, Ede and Iseyin further deepening its penetration of Osun and Oyo states. This takes the number of cities covered by GOtv to 24 with others namely; Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Enugu, Benin, Aba, Owerri, Kano, Kaduna, Onitsha, Asaba, Uyo, Abuja, Calabar, Osogbo, Ife, Ogbomoso, Akure, Oyo, Jos and Abeokuta. “With GOtv now live in Ilesa, Ede and Iseyin, TV lovers in 24 major cities across Nigeria now have a trusted partner in GOtv to enable them join in the digital TV revolution,” says general manager GOtv, Elizabeth Amkpa. She added that sports fans will have the choice of watch EPL and other top European leagues on Select Sports, Select sport 2 and Blitz Sports. She stressed that subscribers are spoiled for choice with a channel lineup that includes AfricaMagic Family, AfricaMagic Epic Movies, AfricaMagic World, AfricaMagic Yoruba, AfricaMagic Hausa, E! Entertainment, Telemundo, Discovery World, eTV Africa, Vox Africa, Al Jazeera and CNN, Channel O, MTV Base, Disney Junior, Nickelodeon, JimJam, Islam Channel, One Gospel, Sound City and Black Belt TV which gives families a great selection.

U-20: Glo congratulates Falconets on Q-final berth

ajor sponsor of Nigerian national teams, Globacom, has congratulated the Falconets for qualifying for the quarter finals of the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women World Cup in Canada. The Falconets de-

feated the hard fighting England U-20 womens team to top group C and advance to the quarter finals of the competition. Globacom in a press statement in Lagos on Thursday said:, “The Falconets gave a good

account of themselves against England; we urge them to sustain the momentum when they take on New Zealand in the quarter finals. We are optimistic that they will qualify for the semi finals if they keep the

momentum.” The telecoms company advised the team to remain focused for the task ahead while enjoining the technical crew to ensure that the fittest players are lined up for the encounter with New Zealand.

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The world's longest bridge is the Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge in China, part of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway. The bridge, which opened in June 2011, spans 102.4 miles (165 kilometers).

Confronting Ebola in Nigeria

oday, four months since the cruel abduction of 276 innocent girls, from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, 219 of them still in captivity in unimaginable circumstances, another terrible plague is threatening to envelop, if not consume the entire country. The virus, the harbinger of the current global worry and panic is named Ebola, after the Ebola River in Yambuku area of Democratic Republic of Congo. Its symptoms and signs which are generic and resemble other diseases include sudden manifestation of fever, usually accompanied by headaches, sore throat, intense tiredness, muscle pain, vomiting, rash, diarrhoea, in extreme cases culminating into internal and external bleeding usually from the ear, nose, and other parts of the body. Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is largely dreaded for its fatality rate of approximately 90 percent. The mode of transmission is scary, such that the very conservative Catholic Church as the case in Abuja Archdiocese has allowed its parishioners to receive Holy Communion through the hands, and also stopping for the time being the liturgical offering of the sign of peace (hand shakes) amongst the congregation. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human community through person to person transmission. It is a highly infectious disease that mere bodily contact with an infected ill person can get the other person infected. Direct and indirect contacts such as through the blood, secretions, semen, or other bodily fluids of infected persons and indirect contacts with environments that had been contaminated with such fluids will predispose the otherwise healthy individual to infection by the dreaded virus. The last time I checked, the figures in West Africa have continued to rise. In Guinea, more than 500 confirmed cases of Ebola with more than 380 fatal cases have been reported. In Liberia, more than 300 deaths have also been recorded. In Sierra Leone, the gory picture is not different as about 700 cases have been confirmed with again more than 300 deaths. And in Nigeria, for now, about 177 cases are on the watch list, some of these have been quarantined to contain the spread of Ebola. In fact, Nigeria has, by official records, about 10 reported cases, all in Lagos state with now 3 known casualties. Although the Nigerian figure is not high, if indeed we can do with the statistics, remembering the seminal warning by Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, that Nigeria is a nation that cannot count, or account for anything, given the parlous state of the country, it’s demographics, socio-cultural and political characteristics, it is in Nigeria that the battle

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with Ebola will have its greatest challenge. Currently, the Ebola Virus Disease has taken about 1,000 lives in West Africa. Few days ago, in a clear case of exasperation, President Goodluck Jonathan had called the late Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian American who brought the EVD to Nigeria a mad man. While we may want to demonise Patrick Sawyer, I do not have any doubt whatsoever in my mind, that given the infectious nature of the disease, the number of Nigerians residing in the affected countries, our itinerant life styles, where we are found in large numbers in every part of the globe, with or without Patrick Sawyer, it will not have been too long before the evil disease knocks on our borders, and in our homes. I am totally petrified that Ebola will expose Nigeria to public odium, contumely and global ridicule. It is not in crucifying Sawyer, itself a medicine after death approach that the solution to the rampaging virus will be found. Habitually, in Nigeria we live in denial that is why almost all states government have come up to claim that there is no sign of Ebola in their states. Well and good, if that is the situation. That is also why we talk about the nameless nurse that died attending to Sawyer. The American response to the plight of two of their citizens, 33 year old Dr. Kent Bradley and 59 year old Mrs. Nancy Writebol who have contacted the illness while treating sick patients in Liberia was admirable, even though it left me with mixed feelings. The duo have since been flown back to United States, specifically Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, one of the best such centres in the world, where they are now receiving treatment. Can Nigeria ever respond in any serious manner at all, to its citizens in distress, either at home or in Diaspora? This is not to compare Nigeria to America, but for a leadership of a country to empathise in the manner, Obama and his cohorts have done is a testament of the sacred pact between the citizen and the state. That was why the legendary late Chinua Achebe wrote in his last book, about Nigeria “there was a country”, and I dare add if ever there was one. For what we have received from successive leadership in Nigeria is a cocktail of lies, deceit and repression, a successive generation

of selfish leaders. Little wonder, Nigerians in their thousands, those who can afford it anyway, do everything to get American citizenship. They only become Nigerians when they die, a preferred place for them to be buried – a cemetery of sorts. That is what Nigeria has turned out to. Knowing our preferment, the federal government has come up with a policy banning the transportation of dead bodies from one place to the other. The new mantra now is “bury the dead where they die” as a counter Ebola response. Talking about Nigeria’s counter Ebola strategy, it is laughable, if not comical relief observing our immigration and other airport security officials treatment of passengers (inbound and outbound), in the name of fighting Ebola. Amidst the scare of the virus, the social media is replete with all manner of jokes about how to contain the virus. Last weekend, in several communities, families bought large containers, or bags of salt, bathed with them, drank several teaspoonfuls, some ended up in hospitals. Others have consumed more bitter kola than anything else. The reported stories in the dailies about how the members of the Federal Executive Council, Honourable Ministers cracked jokes with such a sensitive matter threatening to engulf the country leave a sour taste in the mouth. Thankfully, the Doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) or the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors have suspended their 2 months old strike to respond to the Ebola threat. But the great worry is, how prepared are they, how well equipped are the hospitals? Do we have isolation or confinement centres and other Para medical personnel that are trained to handle this emergency? Any person who has been to our private and public hospitals, even the specialist ones would marvel at the state of dereliction and disrepair. The condition of these hospitals does not give any hope that we have the human and institutional capacity to manage the looming catastrophe. Yes, Nigerian government has declared a state of emergency, but it has also done that in other sectors with little or no results. The state of emergency declared in the North East of Nigeria has not succeeded in evacu-

ating Boko Haram. Why it has not, for four months stopped Boko Haram, , reversed their gains , decimated its membership, returned the Chibok girls to their parents is left to the Defence and Military Chiefs to answer. This is not to support the recent statement credited to Northern Elders Forum (NEF) to the effect that President Jonathan should either bring back the girls or forget 2015. I think the call is cynical, and a cheap blackmail. The statement by the Northern Elders Forum may give the impression that they know why the girls are being kept, majorly to deny Jonathan a legitimate ambition to go for a second term. I hope NEF will not say that until Ebola is vanquished; the current leadership shall not aspire towards 2015. We should learn not to play politics with everything. The Ebola threat is potent and real, indeed its outbreak in West Africa, according to Emergency Committee set up by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is “an extra ordinary event and a public health risk to other states”. Although no known and confirmed cure yet exists, the Western Countries have the capacity to checkmate the spread of the virus in their domain. Western assistance is needed urgently to control the menace. We also need to change some of our age old habits, customs and folkways. These are not cast on stone, for culture basically is dynamic. Such customary practices that expose very many of our people to danger, prone to risks of infection may have to give way. Knowing the way we live, our health capacity, the serial failure of leadership since 1960, it may be to your tents Oh Nigerians.

OMOBABA

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