Binder1 22 august, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Friday, August 22, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 185

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Boko Haram takes over police training academy lArmy quizzes newspaper’s staff over report Ahmned Miringa MAIDUGURI

oko Haram terrorists have stepped up war against the Nigerian state as they launched an

attack on the Mobile Police Training Camp in Limankara in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. A source said sporadic shots were heard after the

terrorists arrived in three armoured vehicles and on dozens motorcycles. A security source told New Telegraph that the terrorists, who engaged troops in a gun duel, suc-

ceeded in chasing away security personnel undergoing training and took over the camp. As a symbol of their sovereignty over the academy, they hoisted their flags on

the premises of the institution. The police training academy, which attracts officers and men from all parts of the country for combat training, is located in the midst of hills and CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

We’ll implement confab report, says Jonathan

lTo send document to N’Assembly, Council of State lGives reason for non-interference lDelegates form pressure group to ensure implementation of report Onwuka Nzeshi, Lateef Ibrahim and Anule Emmanuel ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday received the final report of the 2014 National Conference, pledging that it will go to the National Council of State and the National Assembly for implementation. The document consists of the Main Report and 22 volumes of annexure, which are approximately 10,335 pages. He described the National Conference as a huge success which has put to shame cynics who had earlier criticised the idea and labelled it a diversionary tactics by the Federal Government to keep its critics busy. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

L-R: Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo; Glo’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ajay Mathur; Executive Director, Legal Services, Mrs. Gladys Talabi; Managing Director, Keystone Bank, Mr. Phillip Ikeazor and Acting Coordinator, Business Solution, Glo, Mr. Ike Oraekwuotu, at the launch of Glo Xchange in Lagos...yesterday.

God saved my life, says US doctor cured of Ebola lNurse slumps, dies in Ekiti over scare lUK launches £6.5m research fund lSouth Africa bans travellers Appolonia Adeyemi and Adesina Wahab

T Brantly and his wife, Amber, in Atlanta, the United States... yesterday.

hirty-three-year-old United States’ Dr. Kenty Brantly reunited with his family yesterday after a grueling battle with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which has killed about 1,350 people in Ni-

geria and three other West African nations. The doctor turned missionary who woke up on July 23 “feeling under the weather,” at a press conference to herald his discharge from Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, however, attributed his recovery to God.

As he was thanking God for his recovery, a nurse in Ekiti State, who had been down with a yetto-be diagnosed disease, slumped and died at the Ministry of Health premises in Ado-Ekiti after she was refused treatment at some private hospitals where she had been taken

to over the fear that she might have contracted EVD. South Africa also banned all non-citizens travelling from three West African countries, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, worst-affected by the virus, from entering the CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Friday, August 22, 2014

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Friday, August 22, 2014

Army quizzes newspaper’s staff over report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

valleys between Gwoza and Cameroun Republic. Limankara village where the camp is located is just 16 kilometres away from Gwoza. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Gideon Jubrin, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said he was unaware of the attack as he was not in the office throughout the day. He promised to verify the authenticity of the incident from relevant authorities and gets back to journalists. He did not get back until the time of going to press. The incident was coming barely two weeks after the insurgents took over Gwoza town, the headquarters of Gwoza Council, and hoisted their flags at the emir’s palace. The emir, Alhaji Mohammed Idrissa Timta, narrowly escaped unhurt. Meanwhile, military personnel yesterday invaded Media Trust Office, the publisher of Daily Trust, in Maiduguri where they arrested the Regional Operation Manager, Alhaji Jamilu Aliyu, over the

cover story of Wednesday’s edition of the newspaper titled: “Boko Haram: Soldiers revolt over inadequate weapons.” The story of the revolt was widely reported by both national and international media. Aliyu and another member of staff of the media outfit, Aminu Ado, were taken to the 7 Division headquarters at the Maimalari Barracks at noon where Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. M. Y. Ibrahim, expressed his anger. The spokesman of the

division, Col. Sani Usman, along with eight soldiers stormed the premises of the newspaper’s office on Baga Road, demanding to see the author of the story, Hamza Idris. The reporter was not in when they came. Ibrahim was said to have described the report as a “false alarm”. But many soldiers who refused to go to Dalwa and Bama over alleged poor equipment expressed their anger while speaking with journalists. Narrating his encounter, Jamilu said: “The GOC said Nigerian troops are trying to contain the Boko Haram insurgency but it

seems the Media Trust is siding with the terrorists. He said this is unacceptable and accused us of taking side, insisting that soldiers did not refuse going to Dalwa and Bama. “The General also said he would have locked us if not for serious consideration and advised that we must caution our reporters to exercise restraint in the course of covering the Boko Haram insurgency. “He, however, admitted that wives of the soldiers had earlier staged a protest, but said he had nothing to do with that. He said their husbands are currently being tried.

“He assured that the Nigerian Army is doing its best to come out stronger going by the procurement of sophisticated military hardware which will see to the end of the Boko Haram and other security challenges in the nearest future. “In my response, I told the GOC that we would keep on doing our best in protecting the sanctity and integrity of Nigeria while at the same time discharging our social responsibility to the society.” Jamilu said they were detained for about 30 minutes at the Maimalari Barracks.

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President Goodluck Jonathan (left) receiving the report of the National Conference from the conference Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, in Abuja …yesterday: Photo: timothy ikuomenisan

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The president, while formally declaring the event closed in Abuja, said his decision to convoke the conference was due to a genuine desire aimed at realistically examining and genuinely resolving, longstanding impediments to Nigeria’s cohesion and harmonious development as a truly united nation. Jonathan, who commended the delegates for their painstaking efforts during the five-month deliberation that led to the production of the 21-volume report, said government, working closely with the National Assembly, would ensure that the report is translated into laws. “As I receive the report of your painstaking deliberations, let me assure you that your work is not going to be a waste of time and resources. We shall do all we can to ensure the implementation of your recom-

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mendations, which have come out of consensus and not by divisions. “The success of this conference has proved the cynics wrong in many respects. Those who dismissed the entire conference ab initio as a “diversion” have been proved wrong as what you achieved has contrary to their forecast diverted our country only from the wrong road to the right direction. “They said the conference would end in a deadlock as Nigeria had reached a point where the constituent parts could no longer agree on any issue. We exploded that myth by suggesting that you should arrive at your decisions by consensus or 75 per cent majority threshold,” he stated. According to the president, when the conference first started, government was urged by many to

intervene because of the challenges it was facing but he refused to do so to give the process credibility. “One of the many reasons for our non-interference is this: we have at the conference, 492 delegates and six conference officials who all in their individual rights are qualified to lead our great country and if they were unable to agree on how to take decisions, we would be in real trouble! Acknowledging the quality and patriotic content of the delegates, I was confident, the right thing will be done,” he added. Jonathan explained that what the conference has succeeded in doing is to build a new architecture of negotiation based on trustful give-and-take that is going to be a permanent reference point in the nation’s national life. “The result of the conference has shown that we are not enemies; nei-

ther are we antagonists, no matter our religion, region, state, and tongue. This conference has reinforced what I have always believed: that Nigeria is here for our collective good. “The discourse reflected our latest challenges. We shall send the relevant aspects of your recommendations to the Council of State and the National Assembly for incorporation into the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. On our part, we shall act on those aspects required of us in the executive. You have done your patriotic duty, we the elected, must now do ours,” he said. Jonathan therefore urged Nigerians and all arms of government to be ready to play the different roles that the report would provide in the near future. He said he was hopeful CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Impeachment: Chime counters deputy, denies operating poultry in Govt House Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

overnor Sullivan Chime yesterday denied operating a poultry and piggery within the Enugu Government House premises as alleged by his deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi. Onyebuchi had on Wednesday told the seven-man panel probing allegations of misconduct preferred against him in the impeachment notice raised by the state House of Assembly that while he was being charged for illegally keeping a commer-

cial poultry farm in his official residence, Chime keeps such a farm in the same Government House. But in a detailed rebuttal issued yesterday, the governor through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Chukwudi Achife, described Onyebuchi’s claims as “false and misleading, malicious and intended to deceive the public.” Achife said: “While the government maintains an Agric Unit as part of the Government House structure where livestock are kept for slaughter to serve the needs of the staff as

well as both the governor and deputy governor’s premises, the unit was neither operated nor owned by the governor. “Much as we would not want to join issues with His Excellency, the Deputy Governor (Onyebuchi), it has become necessary for us to put the records straight. “The deputy governor’s claims that Governor Chime runs a poultry in the Government House is most unfortunate and surprising. This is because it is patently untrue and the deputy governor knows better.”

He insisted that the poultry has been in existence since the Government House was built and had served previous administrations in Enugu, “It is neither commercially operated nor is it owned by the governor.” According to him, “The unit is manned by civil servants including a veterinary doctor. Funds for its maintenance are provided for in the annual budget of the government. The unit also serves the deputy governor. As a matter of fact, staff of the unit slaughtered a cow from the unit at the request of the deputy

L-R: Company Secretary, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Chidi Okezie; Chairman, Mr. Atedo Peterside and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, at the Annual General Meeting of the company in Abuja …yesterday

Aviation stakeholders kick against new charges by FAAN Wole Shadare

irlines and service providers especially ground handling firms and other concessionaires of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are set for a showdown with the aviation agency over what they described as “arbitrary increase in charges”. The new charges made available to New Telegraph showed that FAAN had increased its ground rent, office rent, apron pass, operational vehicle sticker and car permit among others by between 33 and 500 per cent to all its clients in the sector. Mostly affected by this new development are stakeholders operating at Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja and the Port Harcourt Airport, Port Harcourt.

The new charges indicated that FAAN increased its ground rent from N1,500 per square metre to N2,000, which is 33 per cent increase at the Lagos airport. Office rent for airlines, ground handling services and other concessionaires at the same airport was increased from N30,000 to N60,000 per square metre per annum. This also shows 100 per cent increase in such rent. Others are apron pass and H&C Terminal car sticker, which increased from N50,000 and N7,000 per annum to N150,000 and N15,000 respectively. At the Port Harcourt airport, the situation is even worse, as FAAN’s clients are being compelled to pay new charges on ground rent, apron pass, car permit, and operational vehicle sticker. Equally exorbitant is

the ground rent at the airport, with the aviation agency raising the fee from N500 to N2,000 representing 300 per cent increase; apron pass from N250,000 to N1,200,000 per annum, which shows increase of 380 per cent. For car permit at the airport, clients are to pay N20,000 on each vehicle from zero naira while the sum of N500,000 was imposed on each operational vehicle sticker from another zero kobo. At the Abuja Airport, apron pass for each vehicle jumped from N15,000 to N250,000 per annum. The findings also showed that the new charges are exclusive of the five per cent turnover the agency collects from most of its clients annually while it also receives about seven per cent on each kilogramme of cargo cleared for importation by ground

handling services. However, stakeholders in the aviation sector under the aegis of Airport Operators Committee (AOC) comprising the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCo), local and foreign airlines and concessionaires to FAAN have concluded plans to resist the enforcement of the new charges by the agency. “FAAN officials have been going round disrupting our operations and causing unnecessary delay to our clients especially at the tarmac. We have written petitions to the Ministry of Aviation on this, but till now, we have not received any response from them”. Spokesman for FAAN, Yakubu Dati, could not be reached as at the time of filing this report.

governor on August 4, 2014. “So, if as the unit as he (Onyebuchi) erroneously claims belongs to the governor, why should it form part of the state’s annual budgets? Why would the deputy governor request the unit to slaughter cows for him from its livestock holding?” Achife said the agric unit is not within the governor’s residential premises but a unit in Government House which has other units like the press

NEWS

unit, drivers’ unit, among others. “Now, the other question to ask is: since the deputy governor is fully aware of the existence of this unit and benefits from its services, why was he operating another one? The truth, however, is that he was operating a commercial poultry with his own staff, including, as he admitted in his evidence, a marketing manager. “The poultry in his residential quarters was relocated after he refused all official entreaties to do so, fully aware that running a commercial poultry within his residential premises, clearly violated a policy of government,” the governor said.

Nurse slumps, dies in Ekiti over scare CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

country. However, as part of global efforts to fight the disease, Britain’s Department for International Development (DfID) and the Wellcome Trust have launched a £6.5 million appeal fund for research on combating the Ebola virus. Brantly was diagnosed with the deadly disease after working at a missionary clinic and was transferred from Liberia to Emory University about three weeks ago. Since then, he has been receiving treatment for the disease, along with aid worker Nancy Writebol, who was quietly discharged from the hospital on Tuesday. Brantly and Writebol were both treated with the experimental drug, ZMapp. Mapp, the supplier of the drugs, has said the drugs have been exhausted due to high demand. The manufacturers of another drug, Nanosilver, which Nigeria was hitherto depending on to combat EVD, Minerals for Life Ltd., yesterday denied the claim that the drug could cure the Ebola virus. A statement by the sub Saharan Africa Coordinator of the company, Mr. Adetunji Fadayiro, stated that the Nanosilver solution was meant to boost the immune system and provide the needed nutrients for the proper functioning of the body. At the press conference to that preceded his departure from the hospital, Brantly detailed his journey to recovery and how he’s moving forward. He described yesterday as a miraculous day, saying he was “thrilled to be alive, to be well and to be reunited with my family.” He said: “As a medical missionary, I never imag-

ine myself to be in this situation. When my family and I moved to Liberia, Ebola was not on the radar. In March, when we learnt Ebola was in Guinea and was spreading to Liberia, we began preparing for the worse. We did not receive our first Ebola patient until June; but when she arrived, we were ready. During the course of June and July, the number of Ebola patients increased steadily. We were ready to treat them with every care. We also took the precaution to take care of ourselves in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for safety, transferring patients to new isolation units, training staff and working with our human resources officers. Three days later, on Wednesday, July 23, I woke up, feeling bad under the weather and as I lay down, I had to come to terms with the fact that I was dying of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). “As I lay on my bed in Liberia for the following nine days, getting weaker and sicker each day, I prayed that God will help me to be faithful even in my illness. I pray that in my life or my death, He will be glorified. “I did not know that as I have learnt since, there were thousands of people around the world praying for me throughout that week and even up till today. I heard stories upon stories about this situation of how my situation has impacted the lives of individuals around the globe, both among my friends and family and also among complete strangers. I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and your support but what I can tell you is that I serve a faithful God who answers prayers. “With the care of the American personnel and CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

FG begins payment of pensions to 160 ex-Biafran soldiers Emmanuel Onani

he Chairman of Military Pensions Board, Air Commodore Mohammed Dabo, has announced the commencement of payment of pensions to ex-Biafran soldiers. The Biafran soldiers fought against the federal force during the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970.

Air Commodore Dabo made the disclosure in Abuja yesterday, when he received the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, in his office. He noted that the Board has since captured about 160 of the ex-soldiers, for purposes of paying their pensions monthly. His words: “Sir you may recall that the Fed-

eral Government in May 2000 granted Presidential pardon to personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces who defected to Biafra during the civil war. Their dismissal was therefore commuted to retirement. Subsequently, the Federal Government directed for

their inclusion in the pension payroll which has generated a lot of irreconcilable problems. “For instance, the exservice men are currently paid monthly pension on the bar; that is assuming that they are 35 years of service irrespective of ac-

tual level of service. One of the major contentious issues is the continuous receipt of additional list of Presidential pardoned soldiers published in various Federal Government gazettes. “Out of the numerous names received, over 160

have so far been successfully placed on the payroll. “Additionally, the issue has also generated agitation from ex-soldiers who served on the Federal side but were not considered eligible for pension because they served less than 15 years.”

UK launches £6.5m research fund CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

missionary team in Liberia, the use of an experimental drug and the expertise and resources of the healthcare team at the Emory University Hospital, God saved my life – a direct answer to thousands and thousands of prayers. “I am incredibly thankful to all those who were involved in my care from the first day of my illness, all the way up till today on my release from Emory. Please do not stop praying for the people of Liberia and West Africa for a quick end to the Ebola epidemic. “My family and I will now be going away for a period of time till we connect, decompress and to continue to recover physically and emotionally. After I have recovered more and regained my strength, we will look forward to sharing more of our story but for now, we need time together after more than a month apart. “I thank God for everything and for spearing my life. I am happy for the attention my situation has attracted to the plight of West Africa in the midst of this epidemic. “Please, continue to pray for Liberia and the people of West Africa and encourage those on the position of leadership and influence to do everything possible to bring the Ebola outbreak to an end.” To assure Americans that allowing Brantly to go home will not threatened public safety, the doctor-turned missionary hugged members of the medical team before the press. Also yesterday, DfID and the Wellcome Trust said in London that they had launched a 6.5 million pounds appeal fund for research on combating the Ebola virus. International Development Secretary, Justine Greening, challenged experts worldwide to come forward urgently with research proposals leading to more effective ways of managing the current outbreak. He said Ebola outbreak was the worst on record, and controlling the future outbreak of the deadly vi-

rus had become imperative. “We are launching an emergency call for research to strengthen what we know about Ebola and how it spreads”, he said. Wellcome Trust’s Director, Jeremy Farrar, said the Ebola epidemic in demands an urgent response before it ravaged the region. He said the two organisers believed that rapid research into humanitarian interventions and therapeutics could have an impact on treatment and containment during the present outbreak. South Africa, however, issued a ban on all non-citizens travelling from three West African countries worst-affected by Ebola. A health ministry statement declared “a total travel ban for all non-citizens travelling from these high risk countries.” Meanwhile, the Ebola scare yesterday claimed its first casualty in Ekiti State as a nurse working at a government health institution in Ogotun-Ekiti slumped and died in AdoEkiti. The woman, who was taken to some private hospitals, was reportedly unattended to because of the fear she had EVD. Reacting to the incident, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Olusola Fasubaa, decried the attitude of some health workers who reportedly sent text messages around to warn people from attending to the woman. Fasubaa debunked the rumour of the spread of Ebola to the state and cautioned against creating unjustifiable panic through indiscriminate spreading of unsubstantiated report about spurious cases of Ebola. The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) also warned against stigmatising persons who have been certified Ebola virus-free and discharged to go home. A statement by the President of NAS, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, said there was need for all to welcome them warmly and discourage stigmatiation.

L-R: Group Head, Marketing and Communications, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Ikechukwu Kalu; Executive Director, Lagos and South-West, Mr. Femi Bakre; Head, Lagos Office, Consumer Protection Council, Mr. Tam Tamunokonbia; Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Mr. Olu Akanmu and Mr. Daniel Onyemenam, at the FCMB 30th Anniversary Promo Reloaded in Lagos

Delegates form pressure group to ensure implementation of report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

that with what has come out of the conference; Nigeria was on the right road to be a stronger and more united nation. He also stated that it was time that Nigerians put behind them all the drawbacks that had inhibited the country from fulfilling the manifest destiny and realising its full potential. “We must steadily arrive at the juncture where strife, conflicts and mistrusts would become distant echoes of our past. We must make every inch of our country a space for joyous habitation. Our country must enter a new season of harmony, prosperity and happiness with justice abiding in every hamlet, community and our country. It is the dawn of a new day in Nigeria and the new nation is at the door accompanied by its great men and women, young and old. “All those who have predicted the disintegration of our country at the end of our first centenary would wish they chose another country when the possibilities of the new vision for Nigeria are actualised. In place of disintegration, we shall have integration. In place of bitterness and spilling of blood, we shall have sweetness and healing in our land. Henceforth, our country shall become like a running water that approaches a rock, rather than stopping it takes a

curve and flows on,” he said. National Conference Chairman and a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi, thanked the president for the courage to convoke the talk shop, stressing that the conference has not only made Nigerians more united but has finally laid to rest the apprehension that holding a national conference will lead to the disintegration of Nigeria. Kutigi, who presented the report to the president, said the conference passed over 600 resolutions; dealing with issues of law, policy and constitutional amendments. The conference, Kutigi said, showed courage in tackling substantial and fundamental issues and did not entertain frivolous or inconsequential issues in its report. The delegates, Kutigi added, had fruitful deliberations throughout the conference as they did not try to ignore or bury their differences but addressed these differences while respecting the dignity of one another. He explained that the delegates were united in the task of seeking solutions to Nigeria’s challenges and constructing building blocks for a just and stable nation. “When 494 Nigerians are assembled to address the fears, disappointments, aspirations and hopes which have accumulated over 100 years, it is only to be expected that the de-

bates would be robust; and indeed the debates were robust. It was only to be expected that tempers would fly; and tempers did fly. “But let me emphasise this: all our resolutions were adopted by consensus. Not once did we have to vote or come to a division. This is a message that we wish the world to hear loud and clear. Nigerians are capable of not only discussing their differences but are also capable to coming up with solutions to these difficulties,” he said. According to him, the 2014 National Conference was a “tough assignment” particularly when it had a three-month mandate and many Nigerians did not believe that the whole enterprise was going to last or end successfully. According to records, in the post-independence history of Nigeria, there have been four conferences, including the 2014 National Conference. The 1978 Constituent Assembly had a membership of 230 people and met for nine months. The 1995 National Constitutional Conference had a membership of 371 people and met for 12 months. The 2005 National Political Reform Conference was made up of 400 delegates who met for five months. Although the just-concluded conference was designed to last three months, it completed its assignment in four-and-a-half months. Kutigi also disclosed that throughout the conference “not once did you

(Jonathan) interfere or dictate to us,” adding that “the only time we tried to consult the president during the conflict over voting percentages at the very beginning of the conference, we were told that the issue was for us to resolve.” He also paid tributes to four delegates who died during the conference. They included Mr. Hamma Misau who died on March 27; Dr. Mohammad Jumare who died on May 5; Prof. Dora Akunyili, on June 7; and Prof. Mohammad Nur Alkali, on August 1, 2014. However, some delegates have formed themselves into a political pressure group with the primary objective of ensuring that the recommendations of the conference are effectively implemented. The members, who came together under the aegis of Initiative for National Consensus (INC), said they would do everything possible to ensure that none of the recommendations is jettisoned. The INC, according to its Protem Chairman, Mr. Remi Olatubora, is a nonpartisan political pressure group whose membership cuts across all the geo-political zones in the country. A 25-man steering committee has already been set up to work out the necessary modalities for the success of the group. Olatubora, however, added that the group was not formed to work for the re-election of the president in 2015.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Fashola berates FG over unfavourable revenue formula SHOWMANSHIP Lagos gov. continues his strictures, blaming the federal government for almost everything Muritala Ayinla agos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday berated the Federal Government over the country’s revenue sharing formula, saying the government at the centre has failed to impact positively on the lives of the citizens despite the

huge chunk of revenue accruing to it monthly. Fashola, who accused the government of doing so little with its allocations, said the government has failed to perform its basic responsibilities, including the provision of electricity, which he said, has impoverished Nigerians. Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony of the Lagos State Economic and Empowerment Programme at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Ikeja, Fashola said the Federal Government gets 52 per cent of the total income of the federation while the 36 states share only 26

per cent. He lamented that even with the huge share of the Federal Government; it has not translated into better life for the citizens. He said: “There are three governments in the Nigerian family, the federal, state and the local government. We get income from three major sources; there are others, but these are the main sources. One is oil, the other is charges and import duties. Last year in Apapa alone, between January and June, the published income for the Federal Government was N1.4 trillion.

“We don't collect taxes from companies, all the companies in Nigeria, once you declare your profit, a certain percentage is paid to the Federal Government. What we collect is personal income tax on the employees of the companies. Yet, the Federal Government has failed to provide electricity. If there is power today, many companies will pick up. “In Lagos State, we are looking at an alternative to national failure, because we would soon start to hear of stories. Just remember that we used to have Berec, remember that at a time, 35 percent

of the components inside Peugeot 504 used to be produced in Nigeria, why can't we do that again?” Commending Lagosians for walking the path of integrity by paying their taxes, he admonished them not to fall for the tricks of anyone, who promised that they will reduce tax, saying it is from Lagosians’ taxes that the state government was able to embark on programmes like the economic empowerment programme. Earlier in her address, the Deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, said over 10, 000 women are targeted for

empowerment through the training and vocational skill acquisition programme under the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA). She expressed optimism that Lagos State and Nigerians would be better off economically as a result of the platform created by the training programme, adding that the empowerment programme is opened to all women resident in Lagos State. She urged unemployed women in Lagos to register for the empowerment programme by the time it begins next week.

Tafida debunks UK media report on Nigeria military Habiba Salihu igeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Dr. Dalhatu Tafida, has described British media reports of alleged brutality on civilians and Boko Haram insurgents by the military as false and biased. UK’s Channel 4 Television recently aired a one-hour documentary entitled: Nigeria’s Hidden War. It portrayed acts of violence on suspected members of Boko Haram, where the military tortured, maimed and summarily executed unarmed civilians. “The report was biased and aimed at discrediting the military and tarnishing the nation’s image.” Tafida told the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in London yesterday. The envoy said the producer of the documentary sought the commission’s response to the allegation, which was obliged, but noted that it was not reflected in the documentary. “I was disappointed in the sense that we were given a notice on when the report will be aired and we gave them government’s position, explaining that there is no human rights violation that would constitute

L-R: Director General, National Productivity Centre, Mr. Paul Bdliya; Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka and his Labour and Productivity counterpart, Chief Emeka Wogu, during the presentation of the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award Ceremony in Abuja…yesterday

Kaduna vows to name errant contractors Ibraheem Musa

Kaduna

aduna State government said it will soon publish the list of contractors and directors of companies that have collected money from the government, but failed to carry out their contractual obligations, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, said this yesterday in Kaduna.. Addressing the people at the occasion of the 2014 Productivity Day, the governor noted that these contractors often disparage him in newspapers instead of doing the work for which they have been

paid to do. “Recently, I cancelled two contracts because of poor performance and they sent emissaries to come and beg me, I would not listen, because it is not Mukhtar’s money, but the people’s money that you have collected,” he said. The governor commended one out of the 19 awardees for carrying out 100 per cent of road contracts in Lere, in spite of the fact that he only received 25 per cent mobilisation fee. He noted that working with such company will enhance government efforts in providing infrastructural facilities for the people.

Shekarau warns governing boards against interference Yekeen Nurudeen

Abuja

inister of Education, M Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has warned Chair-

men of Governing Boards of Parastatals and agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education against interfering in the day-to-day running of their respective agencies as well as avoiding overbearing attitude on the chief executives of the agencies. He gave the warning yesterday in Abuja, during a meeting he had with them as part of efforts to familiarise himself with the agencies. “While we have rules

and regulations, while you try to lead within the rules and regulations at all cost, you must use wisdom to get the agencies that you manage to move forward. You don’t allow the rules and regulations to hold you back and you must not abuse the rules and regulations for selfish reasons,” he said. The minister, however, assured them of support and cooperation in performing their responsibilities, urging them to work towards ensuring that the activities, programmes of their various agencies translate to enhancing effective teaching and learning at all levels of the education system.

We are not parasites, say Northern govs Dan Atori

MINNA

he Northern States GovTyesterday ernors’ Forum (NSGF) reiterated its earlier stand that the region is not a parasite on

other parts of the country. Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger state, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, made stated this in Minna yesterday when he received ‘The Peace and Develop-

ment Award,’ bestowed on him by a group, the Zumunta Zabi Sonka Social Association, in recognition of the governor’s peace and development initiatives in the country.

Aliyu told the gathering that the north is made up of hard-working and serious minded people, who have contributed and are still contributing their quota to national development.

war crimes in Nigeria. “For instance, the military was accused of using machetes to behead insurgents; why will the military do that? “In counter-terror attacks, ammunition are used, not machetes. This report is not a representation of what is happening in Nigeria; it is another attempt to define the nation's image as negative,” he said. Tafida added that the report was negative and selective, noting that the conflicts between Israel and Hamas, as well as that of pro-Russia separatists and Ukraine, had made more elements of human rights violations. He expressed government's commitment to tackling insurgency through employment generation and education. He also refuted claims that government was unwilling to resolve the conflict through negotiations. “As a nation, we are committed to bringing the conflict to an end, but how do you negotiate with people you do not know? “Government does not know who are behind Boko Haram. Some people think it is a political mechanism to destabilise the polity, but the truth is that you cannot negotiate with people you do not know,” Tafida said.

Jonathan departs for Germany today Anule Emmanuel resident Goodluck Jonathan will leave Abuja today for a private visit to Germany. The news of the President’s planned visit came barely few minutes after he declared the national conference in Abuja closed. Special Adviser to the

President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a statement yesterday, however, said President Jonathan will be accompanied on the trip by some of his principal aides. Abati in the statement said the President will spend the weekend out of the country. He is expected back in Abuja early next week.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Adamawa approves N4.4bn for roads Ibrahim Abdul YOLA

The Adamawa State Executive Council has approved the sum of N4.4 billion for rehabilitations of roads across the state and the setting up of Ebola quarantine centres . Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the SEC meeting, the state Commissioner for Information, Mrs Jummai

Wulasha and her counterpart for Health, Mr Felix Tangwami, said the sum of N4. 3 billion would be expended on roads rehabilitations in the state capital and a rural road in Michika Local Government Area, while N100 million would be utilized in setting up and equipping of quarantine centres for the control of any Ebola outbreak.

Groups train youths for elections in 2015 Emmanuel Masha PORT HARCOURT

o ensure free and fair Tcivil elections in 2015, two society groups, L-R: First Vice-President, Igbere Welfare Union, Lagos branch, Chief K.S.N. Maduabuch; Chief Provost, Ifeanyi Ijeoma; General Secretary, Emenike Anyaogu; President, Godswill Okorie and Chairman, Igbere Day Celebration 2014, Chief Chinasa Uche, during a media presentation of programme of activities on the forth coming Igbere Day celebration in Lagos …on Wednesday

Johnchucks Onuanyim

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday disclosed that its presidential primaries would attract over 300, 000 delegates of the party. According to the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who spoke to journalists after the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja, revealed that all the elected members on the platform of the party, from the ward to the federal level would be delegates. He explained that the essence of this is to make sure that no one buys the delegates. Also, the party’s spokesman stated that the NEC meeting reviewed the forthcoming Adamawa governorship by-election and agreed that for it to be free and fair, the curfew in the state must be lifted for some time. He stated that the party

300, 000 delegates to participate in APC presidential primaries had adopted the modified direct primaries model to conduct primary elections for all those seeking elective offices in the country. According to him, the model would ensure even participation of members of the party from across the country. He explained that the primaries which would be staggered would involve elected officials of the party from across the 36 states of the federation. He said: “We would want to ensure the participation of a large section of our people. We have opted for what we call a modified direct primaries for the party. We call it modified because we are conscious of getting all our 20 million or thereabouts members to queue up especially in areas where we have security challenges in places like Yobe, Ad-

Oyo APC alleges manipulation of PVCs Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

the distribution of AandSpermanent voter cards continuous voters'

registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wound up on Wednesday with serious hiccups witnessed, the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has raised the alarm that the Peoples Democratic Party government at the centre was trying to manipulate the 2015 general elections in its favour. The APC was worried by the near total failure of the distribution of permanent voter cards across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, noting that the continuous voters’ registration exercise, which commenced on Wednesday, had been dogged with complaints of inefficiency of the system and non-availability of INEC officials in many designated registration

centres. In a statement issued by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, yesterday, APC accused INEC office in the state of implementing a script from Abuja, which had been prepared to reduce the proportion of the envisaged protest votes against the PDP from most parts of the country in the coming general elections. "The people of Oyo State are being unfairly treated by INEC in the scheme of things. The Commission claimed to have registered an estimated population of 2.7 million voters across the state in 2011 and four years down the line, less than half of the figure have their permanent voter cards produced, while the fate of others hangs in the balance. How can we trust INEC when there are noticeable challenges and it continues to pretend that all is well?”

amawa and Borno states. “So, we are working on a formula that would enable the largest members of our party to participate. What I can assure is that we are not settling for delegates’ election. We want the grassroots to be involved in our primaries. We want to show the world that we are different, that our party is not only grassroots-inspired, but that it would be free and fair.” Also, Mohammed expressed concern over the

partisan role of security outfits in the polity, stating that the party would soon come up with a position on that. Speaking on Adamawa governorship election, he said: “One thing the party insisted on is that with the state of emergency in Adamawa State, for election to be free and fair, the party insist that the curfew imposed on the state be lifted temporarily during the election time. We are not saying they should lift state of emergency."

Ebola: Avoid rumour, council boss tells residents Muhammad Bashir LOKOJA

Chairman Lokoja LoTcil,hecalAlhaji Government CounAliyu Baba Us-

man, has urged the people of his to avoid rumours capable of generating tension in the state capital. Usman also joined the state government in dismissing the rumour that the deadly Ebola Virus outbreak is in the state capital. There had been speculation making around that

a carrier is on admission in the State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja. The council boss insisted that there had never been any trace of the virus in the state, particularly in the capital city. He said the state government, including the local government under his watch, have been in the forefront in sensitizing the people on personal hygiene and avoiding incessant hand shake and body contact.

Aspirant urges S/South to support Jonathan Gabriel Choba UGHELLI

head of the 2015 presiAgeria, dential election in Nia Delta State gov-

ernorship hopeful, Chief Gabriel Oyibode, has called on the people of South South geopolitical zone to rally round President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and give support to his 2015 presidential ambition. Oyibode, who made this statement in a chat with newsmen at Sapele, said southerners have being marginalized in the nation’s governance until divine arrangement

of Jonathan emerged. He said; “Now that we have a President from the South South zone, I urge youths in the region to come out en-mass irrespective of their social affiliations and show solidarity for Jonathan’s administration and his second term bid because our constitution has made it very clear that he (Jonathan) can go for two tenure and it is by divine arrangement. So, I am enjoining all women, men and youths from the South South to rise to the challenge and support this gentleman”.

Youths Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) and Youth Alliance on Constitution and Electoral Reforms (YACORE) have signified their readiness to partner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). At a workshop organized in Port Harcourt to prepare youths from the 23 councils in Rivers State

for the 2015 elections, the groups said that by being trained, the youths would also train others in the councils and communities to sensitize the people on the importance of performing their civic responsibilities. The Programme Manager of the two groups, Cynthia Mbamalu, said it was not right for voters to shun their civic responsibility for whatsoever reason, noting that the country’s electoral law was responsible for voters’ apathy.

Obanikoro commends Fashola, FG

he Minister of State TMusiliu for Defence, Senator Obanikoro, has

commended Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola for Lagos State government’s responsiveness and collaboration with the Federal Government in tackling the Ebola outbreak since it was first reported in July in Lagos, Nigeria. Obanikoro also hailed the commitment of the Federal Government in fighting the Ebola scourge. This, he noted, is evident in President

Goodluck Jonathan’s N1.9 billion Ebola intervention fund coupled with Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council approval of the sum of N200 million to support efforts by Lagos State Government in containing the Ebola Virus Disease. Obanikoro expressed his profound sympathy to the families of those who fell to the Ebola Virus Disease, especially the medical personnel, who paid the supreme price fighting to keep infected victims alive.

Anxiety in Delta PDP Dominic Adewole ASABA

anic yesterday gripped Ptenders, highly trumpeted conwho had assumed

they would walkover other challengers to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan next year. That is no thanks to the entry of the Permanent Secretary (PS) to the Governor, Mr. Anthony Chuks Obuh, into the race on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Obuh, a hardcore civil servant and bureaucrat,

who piled his public service trade over the past 15 years in the state, has positioned himself for the contest. He served under the incumbent Governor as PS when he was Commissioner for Health and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under the defunct administration of Chief James Ibori. When Uduaghan emerged as governor in 2007, he swiftly drafted Obuh to Government House, Asaba, as his Permanent Secretary.

Benue, UNDAF 111 sign pact Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

he Benue State governTNations ment and the United Development

Assisted Framework (UNDAF 111) have signed a joint Annual Work Plan (AWP) for the implementation of UN projects and programmes in the state.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the banquet hall, Government House in Makurdi yesterday, Governor Gabriel Suswam acknowledged the tremendous achievements realized from the collaborative partnership between the UN system and the state government over the years in various sectors.

NEWS 9 ‘Hand sanitiser cannot prevent Ebola infection'

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Kayode Olanrewaju

emerged on Iofndications Wednesday that the use hand sanitiser as part

L-R: Managing Director, Sylken Limited, Mr. Uche Nwang; Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PCN), Lagos State branch, Mr. Gbenga Olubowale; Marketing Manager, Sylken Limited, Mrs. Mary Joe Ihejirika; Registrar, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, Mr. Elijah Mohammed and President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mr. Olumide Akintayo, during PSN's 2014 Pharmacy Week in Lagos...yesterday

1.06m

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of El Salvador in 2012. Source: Itu.int

DEFENCE

Abia governor backs the army as minimah visits Umuahia Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

bia State Governor, Theodore Orji, yesterday expressed faith in the ability of the military to contain the current security challenges in the country, especially the insurgency in the north, saying the military needs encouragement and not criticism. His optimism came amidst commendation from his Anambra State counterpart, Governor Willie Obiano, who lauded men of the Nigerian Army for their efforts in restoring security in Anambra and all parts of the country. Governor Orji said the Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

kiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it will not be part of a proposed rally planned for Ibadan, Oyo State, as it organisers lack the mandate to do so. Ekiti PDP, in a statement by the Publicity Secretary, Kola Oluwawole, in Ado-Ekiti, said the planned rally/meeting being organised by Ifeanyi Uba of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, did not have the blessing of the leadership of the party in the South-West. The party also alleged that the organisers did not carry PDP leaders in the zone along in the planning of the event.

The number of Ebola virus cases that occurred in Sudan in 1979. Source: Who.int

28%

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

Military needs encouragement, not criticism, says Orji strictures against the military in the war against terrorism and Boko Haram is unfair while the charge of ineptitude is unpatriotic and unnecessary. The governor said the verbal attacks are unfair even as the military was doing its best to defend the country. Orji, who stated this in Umuahia, when he received in audience the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, cautioned such critics, saying such attacks was capable of demoralising the military that has put their lives on the line in defence of the country. “Do not mind those who stand by the side and talk rubbish about the army because of

Boko Haram, which is new in Nigeria. They are detractors, and if you give AK-47 to all those people talking, they will all run away. “Solders are human beings, they can die, they can be killed, and many of them have sacrificed their lives. What we owe them is encouragement and not criticism,” he said. Meanwhile, Obiano, while receiving Minimah at the Governor’s Lodge, Awka, Anambra State, attributed the peace and security the people of the state are currently enjoying to the collaboration between the Nigerian Army and his administration, pledging to continuously support the army to do more.

The governor noted that the army had performed creditably in the new joint security task force, ‘Operation Kpuchakpu.’ “I want to thank the Nigerian Army authorities, especially Col. Jubrin Fagge, Onitsha Cantonment commander for cleansing Anambra of hoodlums and other miscreants. “And we have recorded successes and notable arrests with the assistance of the Nigerian Army. This government would continue to support the army as well as praying for the soldiers to be able to confront the challenge of terrorism. With God everything will be light, and the country would surely triumph,’’ he said.

Ekiti PDP disowns zonal rally in Ibadan “Therefore, we are calling on the leaders and members of our party in Ekiti State to shun the rally slated for tomorrow, Saturday, August 23, 2014 in Ibadan. But the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) yesterday said it will hold the rally at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State. A statement signed by TAN’s Director of Media, Ike Abonyi, said former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, the newly elected Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Ayo Fayose, the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, and his FCT counterpart,

Jumoke Akinjide, are expected to lead other top political leaders from the region to the rally. The statement added that the rally is part of the activities lined up to, in all the six geo-political zones in the country, with the sole motive of galvanising the people to persuade President Goodluck Jonathan to contest 2015 presidential election. Meanwhile, Ekiti State PDP said: “We the entire leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State hereby declare that we are totally and unreservedly committed to the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and his second term agenda,

because of his outstanding performance. “However, we are dissociating ourselves from the proposed meeting/rally in support of President Jonathan's second term ambition, because the planned meeting/rally has not receive the consent or blessings of leaders of the PDP in the South-West,” the party said. The party noted that it was opting out of the event because the planners and their collaborators only wanted to seize the opportunity to achieve cheap political gain. It wondered why such an important event would be planned without due consultation of the party leaders in the zone.

of measures to prevent Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) infection is of no effect, as it has no antibacteria or anti-virus effect that can prevent infection, even as the practice was described as a mere economic waste. Experts said rather than the use of sanitiser, which price has skyrocketed since the outbreak of the dreaded disease last month, the use of liquid soap with water or 60 per cent alcohol solution, or 10 per cent bleach with 90 per cent water solution is most preventive. The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR),

Yaba, Lagos, Prof. Innocent Ujah, said this yesterday at the one-day seminar on Ebola Virus Disease organised by the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos, as part of efforts made to increase awareness about the spread of the disease. The seminar, which attracted experts from the medical profession, according to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, was organised as a platform for medical experts to throw more light into the causes, prevention and curtailment of the disease. Obafunwa, who described Ebola as a ravaging disease in the West African sub-region, said the seminar was aimed at sharing ideas towards reducing the level of panic in the country.

DPP vs PLASIEC: Counsel to present written addresses Sept 1 Musa Pam JOS

ollowing the petition by Fcandidate the DPP Chairmanship in the last local

government election in Plateau State, Mr. Dan Dul, against the Plateau State Independent Election Commission (PLASIEC), the chairperson of the Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Halima Nshi, has fixed September 1, 2014 for all the counsel to file in their written addresses in the ongoing hearing of the petition. The Resident Electoral Officer in Langtang North Local Government, Charles Dala, who is the last witness to testify for PLASIEC, during cross examination by counsel to the petitioner, Sunday Obende, confirmed that he played no role in supervising the election in Jat ward. New Telegraph gath-

ered that the appearance of Dala, brings to an end, testimonies from witness in the case. The witness also admitted that all he did during the election was to distribute election materials to all the wards and cannot confirm if some were distributed to all the polling units. Dala further confirmed that since he did not play any role in the collection of results in Jat ward, he cannot confirm the authenticity of exhibit 15, which is the result PLASIEC presented for Jat ward, adding that such is within the purview of the returning officers. But when the exhibit which is the result sheet for the ward waspresented to him he was able to confirm the scores of APC chairmanshipcandidate and also identify the signature of PLASIEC chairman PeterDalyop.

Lamido: Jigawa airport, symbol of accountability Dahiru Suleiman DUTSE

overnor Sule Lamido Gterday of Jigawa State yesdescribed the

N13 billion Dutse International Airport as symbolising the state government’s manifestation and modules for judicial management of public resources. The governor stated this while receiving officials of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who paid him a courtesy visit at the Jigawa Government House, Dutse, during their inspection visit to the ultra-modern Dutse International Airport. Lamido noted that at the time, “some other states spent N47billion,

some N87 billion in building their airports, Jigawa built its airport at a reasonable cost of N13 billion without compromising quality and standard. He explained that the Dutse airport, was built and completed within 13 months, stressing that this commitment has demonstrated yet another symbol of his government’s determination to achieve its targets within the shortest possible time. Governor Lamido also reiterated his government’s commitment to collaborate with anybody to ensure that the state’s pilgrims were airlifted from the airport to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj operations.

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ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

FriDAY, August 22, 2014

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Community rejoices as Anambra demolishes kidnapper’s den Tony Okafor Awka

he people of Umumbo community in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State yesterday trooped out to rejoice as Governor Willie Obiano ordered the demolition of a storey-building said to be used by one Celestine Ughamadu and his gang as kidnappers’ den. The house, situated at Ifite-Ora village where victims were held hostage while negotiating for ransom, was demolished yesterday in line with the state government’s policy of destroying crime infrastructure and ensuring that no one benefits from proceeds of crime and criminality. The development attracted jubilation and commendations from a cross section of the residents as the excavator bulldozed the house in the compound of late Okafor Ughamadu whose son, Celestine, is said to be a kidnap

king-pin terrorising the community and its environs. During the demolition, onlookers burst into spontaneous solidarity chants in praise of Obiano’s security initiative. A youth leader in the area, Mr Anthony Osita, commended the governor for sustaining the fight to rid the state of all forms of crime and urged youths of the area to avoid getting involved in criminal activities but to seek productive ventures. Osita said that the alleged kidnapper had brought shame to the community with his nefarious activities and thanked the governor for rescuing them from the shackles of the gang. The state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Finihan Adeoye, said that the suspect, now at largekept abducted victims in the house and extorted several millions of naira from them as ransom before they would be allowed to regain their freedom. He said: “Celestine ab-

The demolished house. Inset: The residents watching the demolition

ducted many persons including a businessman and the head of Assemblies of God Church in Onitsha, while also letting the building out to other gangs to keep their

victims.” Adeoye added that the Anambra State Government and the security agencies that make up the Operation Kpochapu were

resolute to win the war against crime and urged youths to engage themselves in legitimate source of livelihood since crime does not pay.

Seven held for operating fake cement Six arrested over Kalare factory in Abia killing

Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday paraded seven suspects allegedly involved in the production of fake cement in Asa Umunka village in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State. Parading the suspects, the state NSCDC Commandant, Mr Andy Dateer, said his men on patrol spotted a compound that looked like a cement factory and decided to verify the type of business activity that was going on there. Dater said that when his men eventually raided the compound, they were shocked by the discovery of over 40,000 bags of cement of various brands and about one million empty new cement sacs also of different brands pilled in a room. He said his men suspected that the compound was being used as illegal cement factory, wondering how one factory would be producing all brands of cement, hence, the arrest of the suspects. The different brands of cement found at the illegal factory include the new Dangote 3x, Nigercem, Eagle, Freedom and Ibeto as well as empty bags.

Dateer noted that although the incidents of collapsed buildings were not rampant in the state, members of the public and unsuspecting cement users needed to guard against the activities of fraudsters who had infiltrated the building sector. He added that the suspected fake cement products would be subjected to forensic test for analysis while the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigations and prosecution. Later in an interview, the prime suspect, Chief Samuel Nwokeneme, 62, said the business was established early this year by his son who died in an auto crash on Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway three weeks ago. The suspect, who was incoherent in his speech, denied that they were into any illegal cement production, saying that they had to continue with the late son’s business to keep the family going. Asked why they should have in their custody a stockpile of empty cement sacs of various companies when they were not their registered agents, he said “we are using them to work”. Another suspect, Chibuzor, 27, denied involvement in the business, saying he was arrested at a nearby ‘joint’.

Ugo Willies Gombe

have arrested six perPlastolice sons in connection with weekend’s murder of

two Marshals of the Gombe State Agency for Community and Social Development behind the palace of the Emir of Gombe. The residents of the area said that the Kalare thugs hacked two of the marshals to death last Saturday night. But the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Fwaje Atajiri, said in a statement yesterday that it was only one person that was killed. The Chief of Staff at the Gombe Government House, Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, had on Tuesday called for calm in the face of the rising insecurity occasioned by the activities of the thugs in recent times. Atajiri said the six suspects were now helping the police to unravel the circumstances that led to the killing. He gave the name of the suspects as Abubakar Adamu Ibrahim, Yasir Sulei-

man, Usman Abdullahi, Ukasha Ahmadu, Pappa Usman and Abdulrahman Mohammed. “The killing of one person behind Emir’s palace close to Ali Jiji’s House on 15/08/2014 was traced to be an act of hooliganism between two rival state corps marshals. Those who participated in the unwholesome act leading to loss of life of one Usman Adamu, a marshal, have been apprehended,” the PPRO said. He added that factions the hooligans hitherto branded as Kalare now employed by the state government as marshals now engaged in acts of hooliganism between each other on minor issues. Atajiri promised that the police would not relent in their efforts to provide security for the people of Gombe State. About two weeks ago, a clash between two rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kalare thugs resulted in the admission of six seriously injured youths at the Kumo General Hospital.

Akinrotimi

Fraudster dupes six persons N50m Juliana Francis he Economic and Financial Crimes ComTfraudster mission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected who disappeared after milking about N50 million from unsuspecting Nigerians, through a phony foreign exchange trading investment deal. The suspect, Akinpelumi Akinrotimi aka Davis Samuel, has been slammed with conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence. The Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, explained that Akinrotimi, an employee of Central Fortune Concepts Limited based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, allegedly conspired with other members of staff of the company to obtain N50,000,000 from one Anichebe Chinwike Christopher and five others through a phony foreign exchange trading investment deal.

METRO

Friday, August 22, 2014

NDE trains 82 women in shoe, bag making Ibrahim Abdul Yola

he women employment wing of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Adamawa State has commenced training of 82 women in shoe and bag making. Speaking with journalists on the development yesterday, the state NDE Coordinator, Mallam Ismaila Yar’Adua, said the two-week training was meant for 50 women but due to popular demand, the number was increased to 82. Yar’Adua, who lauded Adamawa women for their commitment to selfemployment, said the training would empower the women and impact positively on their families. He said: “It is believed that this step will strengthen women to continue to contribute to family building which will result in quality nationhood and reduce the gender in-equality.” The coordinator urged state and local governments to also join hands by organising such trainings for the less privileged to complement the directorate’s effort. A beneficiary, Mrs Nancy Harrison, said she was happy and grateful to government for the opportunity provided the women to learn a trade, saying it would help in assisting them and their families. She said: “I have learnt shoe and bag making in just four days. I am going to utilise the remaining period to improve upon what I learnt so that at the end I will go as a qualified person with the required skills.”

Court remands Edmark MD’s killer Juliana Francis

31-year-old lover boy, who allegedly murdered his lover, a businesswoman at the Festac area of Lagos State, has been remanded in prison custody. The accused, Williams Kelechi, was remanded by a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday for the alleged murder of Lizzy Njideka, the Managing Director of Edmark International. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A. Ipaye-Nwachukwu, said Kelechi should be kept in custody pending the release of legal advice from the Di- The late Njideka rectorate of Public ProsecuRange Rover, ATM cards, and tion (DPP). Kelechi was said to have some money. murdered the mother of four Kelechi was finally tracked in her home at Odusanya to Cote’d’Ivore through the Odugunwa Crescent, Green efforts of Interpol and poEstate, Amuwo Odofin. lice detectives from Area ‘E’ Njideka was preparing to Command, Festac, under the embark on vacation with her commander, Mr Dan Okoro. kids, before the accused durAfter his arrest, the acing a brawl, strangled her to cused said he killed his lover because he felt she was cheatdeath with her wrapper. After killing the woman, ing on him. Kelechi allegedly disapThe charge reads: “That peared to Ghana with her you, William Kelechi, alias

Kelechi

K.C. on July 19, about 0200hours at Plot 34, Green Estate Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Lizzy Njideka (Nee Chukwubude) by strangling her on the neck with a wrapper. “That you did rob the following property - one Range Rover Sport with registration number EKY 509 AZ, one Nokia cell phone, one Motorolla cell phone, one Huwai

cell phone, one Diamond Bank ATM card value not yet ascertained and the sum of N140,000, property of late Lizzy Njideka, r e p r e sented by Augustine C h u k wubude.” The police prosecutors, SP Agwu Chukwu and Inspector Peter Nwangwu, said the offence was punishable under sections 221 and 295 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011. The defendant’s plea was not taken. He was represented by his counsel, Etim Timothy. Chukwu asked the court to remand the defendant in prison pending legal advice from the DPP. The Chief Magistrate granted the prosecutor’s request.

Police apprehend man for ‘abducting’ traffic warden Kunle Olayeni

Communities cry out over incessant flood

Abeokuta

27-year-old man, Tosin Arested Owolola, has been arby the police in

Babatope Okeowo Akure oastal communities in Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Ondo CState have called on Ondo State

Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the State Oil Producing Areas Commission (OSOPADEC), to assist those affected by flood. The appeal came after incessant rains have rendered many people homeless and sacked communities in the coastal areas of the state. The people made the appeal during the visit of the representatives of the state government, NDDC and OSOPADEC to the areas ravaged by the flood. They also called on the relevant agencies to safeguard their homes and properties from the threat of flood. According to the people of the communities, which included Amepere, New Jerusalem, Arogbo and many others, the heavy downpour destroyed their houses while fish ponds were washed away by the flood. Speaking on their predicament, Joshua Oyinbo, a fish farmer from Oyinbogbini, said that he lost over 15,000 fish in his pond. He said: “We are appealing to the relevant agencies to come to our aid to avoid an epidemic and also to help our economy as most people in these communities are fish farmers.” Oyinbo solicited support from all the relevant agencies, noting that the flood affected the people economically and psychologically as many has been rendered homeless.

Okoye

Abeokuta, Ogun State for allegedly “abducting” a traffic warden. The incident occurred at Iyana Mortuary area of Abeokuta when the suspect was flagged down while driving against the traffic. It was gathered that Owolola, who was allegedly heavily drunk, hit the traffic warden and drove away from the spot for more than four kilometres. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, who con-

Man dies on top of wife Juliana Francis man simply idenAmanuel tified as Mr. Emhas died while

making love to his wife at Ikota, on Victoria Island-Epe Expressway, Lagos State. Emmanuel was said to have been having sex with his wife when he suddenly slumped and died. It was learned that when his wife, Afion, noticed that her husband was no longer moving, she shouted his name several times and shook him, but he did not move. Scared and con-

fused, Afion, a mother of two, was said to have called the husband’s younger brother, Akpan, who resides in Badore area and broke the news to him. Their neighbour, identified as Okechukwu, said that the woman told her husband to rest because he was just recovering from an illness but he would not listen. She said the man insisted he wanted “action” or he would seek it elsewhere. Emmanuel, a commercial bus driver, was described as a gentleman and quite friendly.

firmed the incident yesterday, said that the suspect committed the crime on August 16. He said: “The incident occurred when the traffic warden was at his point in Abeokuta and flagged down the man driving his car against the traffic at Iyana Mortuary, but the suspect hit the traffic warden and he (warden) fell on the bonnet of the car. The suspect kept on driving for a distance, more than four kilometres, with the traffic warden on his bonnet. “It took the efforts of the members of the public and other policemen on patrol, who were called on distress, to rescue the traffic warden from the man in the Kemta

Idi-Aba jungle, where he drove into. “The suspect, who was heavily drunk, is a technician with Ordinary National Diploma in Business Studies from the Lagos State Polytechnic, and hails from Imo, Abeokuta, in Abeokuta South Local Government of Ogun State.” Adejobi said the Police Commissioner, Ikemefuna Okoye, had ordered thorough investigation into the matter and that the suspect be subjected to some medical examinations. The PPRO added that the suspect would be charged to court to serve as deterrent to others fond of harassing and assaulting security agents on duty.

Court dissolves nine-year-old marriage over infidelity Ayorinde Durojaiye n Agege Customary Asolved Court yesterday disa nine-year-old

of marriage after the husband Mr Oluyemi Adenekan, sought divorce, accusing his wife, Hannah, of infidelity. The couple has four children. Adenekan accused Hannah of being troublesome, disrespectful and showing no love to him and his family. But the wife denied the allegations. She said: “All these

charges he brought against are lies. He is doing this because he already has a lady he has impregnated. So, he is trying to get me and my children out of the way.” Hannah also told the court that her husband usually beats her mercilessly over slightest mistakes. She backed this up showing the marks and bruise left by her husband on her body. “I am happy that the marriage had been dissolved after going through a lot of hell. Now, my children and I can have rest of mind

from his troublesome family members. “I still love him but I love my life and my children more because I will be free from his beatings,” she told NT Metro amidst tears. The court ordered Adenekan to pay N180,000 through the court registrar to his former wife within 30 days. It added that the man should also pay N5,000 monthly starting from September to his former wife’s bank account for the upkeep of their children.

12 NEWS

CRISIS

The police in Imo State is on the lookout for MASSOB leader Steve Uzoechi

OWERRI

ollowing the killing of some members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra

27.18

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

MASSOB killings: Police invites Uwazuruike

(MASSOB) yesterday after a violent clash at their headquarters in Okwe, Onuimo council area, the Imo State police command has summoned the leader of the group, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike for a chat. Speaking to New Telegraph on telephone, the Police Public Relations Office of the command, Mr. Andrew Enwerem

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

stated that the killing of members of the group, who are citizens of this country in Uwazuruike’s residence calls for some explanations. “T he command promptly dispatched an invitation to him same Wednesday to come and explain the circumstances surrounding the killings that took place in his personal residence

133

The sex ratio of women to 100 men (international migrants) in Azerbaijan in 2010. Source: Un.org

at Okwe in Onuimo. We have however not heard from him up till this moment but the invitation had note to it that indicated that we will be left with no option but to declare him wanted if he fails to heed the invitation”, Enwerem said. While affirming the statement of the PPRO, the Commissioner of police AbdulMajid Ali

The estimated number of pregnancy losses in the United States annually. Source: Hopexchange.com

informed newsmen that useful arrests have been made in connection with the killings and restated that the MASSOB leader had 24 hours to appear at the command to explain about the blood-letting in his country home at Okwe. Ali stated that the

PDP Youth leader: Some members work for APC Hassan Jirgi DAMATURU

orth-East CoordinaNMovement tor, Transformation Agenda for

Goodluck Jonathan 2015, Alhaji Ado Adamu Bomboy, has alleges that some of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members including the recently appointed Minister, Dr. Abdul Bulama, are actually working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State, ahead of 2015 general election. Speaking to Journalists in Damaturu, he stressed that it was disheartening that some member of the People Democratic Party (PDP) are being directed by the APC to weaken the party's base. According to him, for the sake of record, during the 1999 elections PDP in Yobe won 10 out of the 17 Local Governments, 11 out of 24 state assembly members, a senator and many Federal Represent-

L-R: Brand Director, African Artists’ Foundation, Wunika Mukan; Director, Azu Nwagbogu; CRS/Sustainabilty Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Emete Tonukari and former Ondo State Commissioner for Cuture and Tourism, Tola Wewe, at a press conference to unveil the finalists of the 7th Edition of the National Art Competition in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Osun 2014: APC, PDP at NASACA to embark on house-to T war over Jega’s comment house campaign for HIV/AIDS OSOGBO

sun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) are now at each other's throat over the alleged claim by the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, that the August 9, Osun state governorship poll was almost rigged. As the APC Director of Publicity, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi pointed at the PDP as the supposed rigger, the PDP, through his Publicity Secretary, Hon. Bola Ajao said the APCled government is the master riggers. Oyatomi said: "Prof. Jega's claim is sufficient to confirm what we had known all along that the People's Democratic Party had a master plan to hack into INEC's database and corrupt the electoral register in order to disenfranchise thousands of voters. "We made these infor-

mation public on several occasions, weeks before the election, but few people believed us. This was the reason they were buying up permanent voter's cards.” The party, while commending INEC chairman for publicly condemning the deployment of hooded security men, however declared that the development was unacceptable. However, Ajao said: "From the fact available to the party, APC perpetrated massive rigging of the governorship election and the party is only making efforts to distract PDP from pressing ahead with its plan to challenge the result of the poll. "We are making it known that no blackmail would disturb the PDP from challenging the result of the poll before the Tribunal. They are not only riggers, but are rumour mongers, who are just looking for means to distract us but we would not be distracted."

Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

he Nasarawa State AIDS TSACA) Control Agency (NAhas said that HIV

prevalence rate in the state has risen to 8.1 per cent, putting the state fourth highest in the country. Worried by the development, the agency said it would embark on a 10-day house -to- house sensitization campaign to educate people about HIV prevention and stigma reduction in the state. The Executive Director, Dr. Zakari Umar, who disclosed this to newsmen at a media parley in Lafia, the state capital, explained that the campaign would kick start in four days in conjunction with Enhancing Nigeria Response to HIV/AIDS (ENR). Umar said the awareness was targeted at increasing comprehensive knowledge on HIV, sustaining acceptable attitudes towards people living with the disease and as well increase uptake of Preven-

tion from Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) services. He said the awareness campaign would be carried out in nine local government areas in the state, to include Lafia, Doma, Obi, Nasarawa-Eggon, Akwanga, Wamba, Keffi, Kokona and Karu. Also speaking, Deputy Director of ENR, Abdulsamad Salihu, stated that the intensive campaign has become necessary as a result of the low level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS in the state among its populace. Salihu said the 2012 National HIV/AIDS Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS) report indicated that HIV/AIDS knowledge in Nasarawa state was the lowest in the country, which stood at 11.1 per cent. His words: “The intensive house - to - house campaign was targeted at 414, 882 sexually active persons across the nine selected local government areas in the state."

atives, prior to the governorship election. He said Yobe was best described as PDP state then. He said that was made possible because of the unity among the stakeholders and regretted that after the governorship primaries some of the members have decided to sabotage the success of the party and engaged in anti-party activities, create confusion and disunity among followers and thereafter PDP lost the governorship election in the state He queried why the State Executives were dissolved less than six months to the general election. “Of course it’s a deliberate attempt to make PDP lose the election in 2015. It was intentional and calculated. They were paid to do it”, said Ado. He advised Bulama to make himself available to his people and unite them with a view to winning the 2015 elections for PDP.

Rededicate yourselves to service, CNS charges officers Emmanuel Onani

Adeolu Adeyemo

Police was reliably informed that the MASSOB leader had a misunderstanding with a faction of the organization over "money sharing" and invited a group from Anambra state to forcefully dislodge the faction at Okwe where the killing occurred.

he Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibril yesterday, enjoined newly-promoted officers, to rededicate themselves to service, in order to justify their elevation. Jibril threw the challenge in Abuja, when he decorated nine new Lieutenant Commanders with their new ranks. The CNS, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, said: "Today, those of you that had been decorated and recognized by the system to have contributed enough for you to merit your elevation is a thing of joy.

"I must say by this elevation, all those innuendos that we used to tolerate from you as lieutenants will no longer be. "As you grow higher, the responsibilities that are trust on you becomes higher too. "And we expect too that your response time will be improved, most of the things will not be overlooked." "I also urge the families of the newly promoted officers to continue to support them." The newly-promoted officers are: Lieutenant Commanders Biodun Ayeoyenikan, Dennis Ikpi, Emeka Amadi, Bakatu Etsu, Salisu Bawa, Mutiu Olasunkanmi.

Akwa-Ibom promises community development Tony Anichebe UYO

Ibom State governAtedkwa ment says it is committo ensuring that every community in the state is developed, by providing basic infrastructures in rural areas, with a view to making live more mean-

ingful for the people. State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, made this known in Uyo yesterday, when he received the management staff of Akwa Ibom State Agency for Community and Social Development.

‘National conference Outcome should be subjected to referendum’ / PAGE 14 | CONFAB report dead on arrival –Yerima / PAGE 15

POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/politics

ayodele Ojo

Deputy Editor, politics

ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

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Marilyn Ogar: Career official or party hack?

p-17

Friday, August 22, 2014

Impeachment: Chime vows to make my life miserable –Onyebuchi On Wednesday, August 20, the embattled deputy governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, testified before the Investigative Panel probing allegations of gross misconduct in the impeachment process initiated by the House of Assembly. Onyebuchi, who had last week collapsed before the panel, in his testimony told the panel that the governor threatened to make life miserable for him if he fails to resign, saying there was no basis for initiating impeachment against him. WALE ELEGBEDE brings excerpts from the Wednesday’s proceeding Poultry in Government House I am familiar with the Agric Unit Government House, Enugu. From the gate of the Government House, you have the office complex by the left, directly facing the gate is a poultry house, to the right from the gate is a cattle ranch, behind the poultry house is a piggery section. I have had something with the Agric Unit in the Government House. As a civil servant working in Government House, I used to buy cow meat, chickens and eggs from the Agric Unit. Between 2012 and 2013, I acted as the Acting Governor of Enugu State. In my capacity as the Acting Governor, I did something in respect of the Agric Unit. A memo was brought to me by the Chief of Staff to the Governor requesting my approval for the sum of N3 million for the purchase of consumables for the Government House poultry and piggery sections and I gave approval as requested. In item 12 of page 240 of the budget for 2014, N3 million was budgeted for the purchase of Agricultural inputs and Consumables for the poultry and piggery sections of the Government House, Enugu. Page 241 of the same budget has in its Item 2 for the renovation of the Agric Unit building for N4 million. As at today, August 20, there is a poultry house in Government House, Enugu but I am aware that on Tuesday the 5th August 2014 the birds in the poultry house were evacuated between 3p.m. and 12 midnight in anticipation of a possible visit by the panel. In Exhibit DG2, I said that the official residence of the Deputy Governor is part and parcel of the Government House because that was the impression I had because letters addressed to me carries Deputy Governor’s Lodge, Government House, Enugu. Evacuation of birds In Exhibit DG2, I did not insist that I will not relocate the poultry. I only addressed the issues raised in the two letters written to me and awaited for the outcome of their reaction to my letter. On January 27, 2014 I did not resist the removal of my birds by the officials of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority. I did not also intimidate the officials of government sent to carry out the evacuation of my poultry. I received Exhibit H6A and H6B from the Chief of Staff to the Governor the same day. I replied the letters and also

Onyebuchi

called the governor’s phone number twice. It was after he did not pick the calls that I decided to reply the two letters within the 14 days ultimatum given to me. I did not talk to the governor. If I want to see the governor, I will make an appointment through his orderly and if I get approval for my request

I told him that he never instructed me to represent him. He now directed me to resign immediately from my office or he will make my life miserable

through his orderly, then I can see him. On January 27, I did not invite the press to my official quarters to witness the evacuation of the birds. I did not also give them any document concerning the evacuation. I do not know where my birds are now. They were not returned to me. The chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory who supervised the evacuation of the birds said he did not know where the birds were kept. I did not castigate the government in the evacuation issue. I heard of it in the impeachment notice. Chime and I I served alongside the governor from 2007 to 2011. My relationship with the governor was good at the period. My functions as the deputy governor is that I represent the governor in functions as directed by the governor. In addition, statutorily, the deputy governor

is the chairman of the State Boundary Committee. The governor conveys directives to me in person or through a phone call or a governor’s manifest which states the function that I am to represent the governor. In the absence of these two channels, I get an invitation letter with the governor’s minutes directing me to represent him and such letters are sent to me by the director of protocol. It has never been the practice that the governor will issue a directive to me through a third party orally. It has never been my practice to take oral directives from subordinates as to what the governor wants me to do. There was a situation when the governor was on vacation specifically in 2012. He instructed me that his Chief of Staff will be telling me what to approve and what not to approve. The Chief of staff is Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo. My official designation within this period was the Acting Governor of Enugu State. The governor was away for a little less than five months. From Exhibit H3, the Governor was away from September 17, 2012 to February 8, 2013. During this period there was no approval that Mrs. Ifeoma Nwoboido presented to me that I refused to approve. The governor wrote the House of Assembly that he is back and I have a copy of the letter as it was copied to me. After the governor came back, I received some reactions from those I worked with in the absence of the governor. Most members of the State Executive Council came to me personally and commended me for the matured and able way I had handled the affairs of the state during the governor’s absence. A few of them who could not come sent in their commendations in writing. I have a letter from Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Jude Akubuilo. On refusal to carry out governor’s directive I have never been present at any Executive Council meeting where the resolution of the Enugu State House of Assembly dated February 12, 2013 with respect to maintenance of poultry was discussed. I have not habitually refused, failed or neglected to carry out the functions of my office as directed by the governor without any excuse. If I had, I do not think that I would be nominated after the first four years. If I had, I do not think I will receive the praise of my governor during our electioneering. If I had I do not think the governor would have commended me when he came back from the vacation in 2013. If I had I do not think that there will be only two instances cited in the notice of impeachment. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

14 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

OPEN FORUM

...What next after the National Conference

Itse Sagay, Professor of Law and and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Benin

Sagay: Outcome should be subjected to referendum

believe the outcome and recommendations should be subjected to a referendum, and after that, enacted into law as a new constitution. The National Assembly can then play its part after it has been approved in a referendum; it will come as a package to be passed by the National Assembly, because once Nigerians as an entity, as the sovereign of the nation, have agreed on something, the National Assembly cannot tamper with it. On the recommendations, there are quite a number of things that I am not satisfied with. Obviously I am not satisfied with the issue of resource control which has been frustrated again by the north, because of what I would call their greed for Niger Delta oil. They seem to think that’s the only way they can survive, so they will continue to be unproductive. So I’m not satisfied with that. And obviously derivation has not been touched, that’s not good at all. And all it does is to continue to allow that problem to fester and create bitterness. Then the whole idea of creating more states in Nigeria, whereby Lagos State is the only viable state in the country is absolutely ridiculous, because what you do, is that the new 18 states will all now again go trooping

The National Assembly can then play its part after it has been approved in a referendum; it will come as a package to be passed to Abuja to go on the feeding bottle of Niger Delta oil proceeds. So, you are going to have permanent babies on feeding bottles that would not be able to stand on their own. I think that was must unreasonable But I must say, that something good that they did, which has sort of altered slightly and bring it almost back to the original situation is the issue of local government which they have taken off the constitution, by proposing that every state can create as many local government as it likes, but it should fund it. But having said that, I can see that in their sharing of the federation account they are still making provision for the local governments, they should not. Once local governments belong to the states, that’s it. The question of

Obioha

having any share from the federation account does not arise, because exclusive state matters should be funded by the state. So there is a contradiction there. On fears in some quarters that the

confab report may go the way of others before it, that did not see the light of day, the fears are justified, because even with the minor changes that have been made, the north is not happy. I mean the core north; North East and North West are not happy, because they believe steadfastly and absolutely in the status quo. Their agenda and formula is the belief that the north is better at hanging onto power, that they can organise, they can always get the presidency, nine times out of 10. Therefore, if you concentrate all the power and resources at the centre, effectively they are concentrating them there for northern control. So, the resources from other parts of the country will be controlled by northerners, who themselves continue to rejoice in being totally unproductive, contributing nothing to the federation account, but controlling and living on resources from other parts of the country. That is their formula, and they have made up their minds that is the way they are going to conduct their existence permanently. That’s the problem.

Interview by EDIRIN ETAGHENE

Ozekhome: Confab is Nigeria’s last bus stop Mike Ozekhome (SAN), human rights activist, was a member of the National Conference

It is the people that can make new constitution that is what we are telling the president to do. As far as I am concerned, this national conference is the last bus stop for Nigeria

he recommendations of national conference are product of a job well done for the benefit of all Nigerians. President Goodluck Jonathan needs the political will to subject the decision of the Nigerian people to the popular referendum so that the people will buy into the recommendations of the national conference. The recommendations at the confab are not the kind of decision that you can take to the National Assembly. If you take the decision to the National Assembly, it is dead on arrival. It will die in the mortuary of National Assembly. What the president should do, he can make a national broadcast by telling the people of Nigeria that the national conference has submitted the document of the recommendations which he is going to subject to national referendum. And the people of Nigeria will buy into this new constitution; this will make it indigenous to the Nigeria people. The recommendations need the acceptability of the Nigerian people, anything short of that; we would have wasted the four whole months and resources of this country at that National Conference. When people say we cannot do that I laugh at such people, because in a situation where the country is not having a working constitution and we now have the way out we cannot run away from that answer. It is only a mad man who will continue to apply the same solution that he was applying when he had the same problem. The president of Nigeria needs to show

Ozekhome

exceptional courage and leadership by taking the recommendations of the National Conference to the referendum. The INEC will be involved in the referendum; they should allow Nigerians to vote in this major decision. The local government under the current constitution is no longer a federating unit. The federating units are now federal and state governments. Allocation will now come directly from state to local government. Local governments will no longer share from the federation account. That means state allocation will decreased, at the state level we have set up a special commission which will disburse funds to local government without the governor of a state having access to those funds. With that system, Kano State with 44 local governments can decide the way they like. If they like they can merge if they think that the local governments

are too many. We have also introduced, for example, state police. This will restructure the current Nigeria Police which is unhealthy. We have also introduced a system that Houses of Assembly should pass budget by September and it must be approved by November, for it to be implemented by January. We have also recommended the creation of additional 18 states, so that those minorities that have been marginalised can now have the free hand to determine their destinies. They will now have self-deter-

mination. We also did a lot of restructuring in the National Assembly. With our recommendations, this national conference cannot go the way of others before it. The reason why the former ones did not work is because the convener did not allow the Nigerian people to be part of it. Sovereignty belongs to the Nigerian people. You have to allow people to exercise their sovereignty by buying into the new constitution. The National Assembly cannot make the new constitution. It is the people of Nigeria through the just concluded National Conference that can make the new constitution. There is no where in the world where the National Assembly make a new constitution; they can only amend existing constitution. It is the people that can make a new constitution and that is what we are telling the president to do. As far as I am concerned, this national conference is the last bus stop for Nigeria.

Interview by Wale Abiodun

Okunniyi: Presidency must Olawale Okunniyi is a delegate at the just concluded National Conference and spokesman of the Pro National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) National Conference has naviTthehe gated very well the challenges of country and it ended very well.

The conclusion of the conference is a signal that Nigerians are willing to have consensus on the structure and constitution of Nigeria. It is a signal for a greater new Nigeria because the consensus that was achieved at the conference is phenomenon and it would signpost the unity of the country and restructuring of the country. In implementing the report of the conference, the Presidency must first popularise the resolutions and the decision in the report of the conference as well as the position of the draft constitution of the conference. There is need

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

OPEN FORUM Dr. Ralph Obioha is an elder statesman and chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO)

o be honest with you, not much hope was given at the beginning of the National Conference but at the end it turned out to be quite what is averagely said to be successful. It was very surprising for people to find that Junaid Mohammed would be in comfort zone with Chief Edwin Clark. Many people came together as delegates and agreed on contentious issues. And if actually what was agreed at the National Conference are implemented, Nigeria will start having a direction where the nation could head towards. The conference recommended solutions to some of the contentious issues in the country. On the issue of revenue allocation, the conference recognised that where extraction of hydrocarbon is taking place in Niger Delta should be taking care off. It recognised that there are lots of environmental challenges that the exercise and the operation created and agreed that there should be a review of what the region is getting now. Another issue the conference recognised was the need to create another state in South-East for the region to have six states like other geo-political zones in the country to bring some justice and equity. The issue of creation of state police was also taken care of during the conference. So, there are issues that really interests people like me, who were not committal

Shettima Yerima is the president of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF)

he conference and its so-called recommendations were long dead before arrival. Some of us have the privilege of participating but the arrangement and mode of selection of some characters considered for nomination by the president made us uncomfortable and we refused to participate or show interest from the beginning. Even when we had the privilege through the Secretary to the Federal Government, from our various constituencies and also from our parent body, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), we never expressed our intention to be part of the conference because we knew that the whole idea from the presentation by the president would not go anywhere but they are only chasing after shadows. This conference is not different from other conferences that have been held in the past. This is not the sort of conference that Nigerians advocated for and that is why some of us stayed back. To those of them who feel that is what they wanted, those

...What next after the National Conference

Obioha: President must subject report to referendum It has a widespread representative that can be accepted by rational people but if it must be put to a referendum

Obioha

at the beginning of the National Conference that it would just be a talk show. But it turned out to produce very deep resolutions to issues that have actually been dragging Nigeria down. On the issue of how the recommendations of the conference should be

implemented, a lot of people are saying that the recommendations of the National Conference should be put to a referendum. But if we look at the composition of the National Conference, it had widespread representation that can be accepted by rational people but if it must be put to a referendum, I hold no opposition whatsoever to it. I believe there were issues that were not resolved by the conference and the forum had recommended the intervention of the presidency to set up a Technical Committee to strengthen them out. I support that recommendation. Also, if the report of the conference must go through referendum or whatever process the conference thinks is the best way to go, it would be helpful to Nigerians to start another milestone to real sustainable nation building. I don’t think the just-concluded Na-

tional Conference will end like the previous conferences because Nigerians of today are not Nigerians of 20 years ago. There is indeed a very sharp division that is manifesting dangerously in Nigeria today. You must recognise that the reasons for the division are due to injustice and lack of equity in the way we have conducted the affairs of this country. If you look at it very critically, the long rule of the military regime; most of the leaders came from one part of the country and while they were there, they did so many things together that cannot be easily changed. The military fiat set up local governments that were so lopsided in favour of a section of this country. This is a constitutional issue that would be difficult to resolve through the National Assembly requirements to change them. So, these are the challenges the country is going through and the National Conference has handled it very well. The reason President Goodluck Jonathan set up the National Conference was because he knew that there is a lot of restlessness in the country and I believe that the conference was acceptable and successful. So, he should be able to implement the recommendations of the conference.

Interview by Temitope Ogunbanke

Yerima: It’s a report dead on arrival That report will not go anywhere; it is as dead as a log of wood who wanted the little money given to them as delegates and to those who feel they can manoeuvre, they should know that government would not set out their programme for them to come and change it. Nobody would have said I lobbied for the conference. We are challenging the legitimacy of the 1999 Constitution which was never part of the government’s idea to execute this conference and you cannot have the legitimacy of that constitution through that arrangement. You cannot give legitimacy to that Constitution through the National Assembly, it is about the people and they have to go about it through a referendum. The constitution would have to be amended first to allow for referendum

or Nigerians would have to take their destinies into their hands to compel the government to do so because the interest of the people should supersede that of anybody in government. The conference and those who were nominated didn’t engage in meaningful consultations. Many of the delegates never consulted with the people they represented at the conference. To an extent, Yoruba have a programme because the Yoruba agenda has been there for over 10 years or thereabout. The South-South have an agenda of derivation; the SouthEast have an agenda of creating more states to themselves but we in the North don’t have any, but if there is, many of us are not aware of it nor consulted especially the younger generation. They did not seek anybody’s advice before going to the conference and now they expect us to clap for them after the conference. You cannot ignore our views as youths. There is nothing new about what they did at the conference. Look at the derivation motion, it cannot be implemented by the National Assembly, quote me any day. The National Assembly will rubbish

Electoral College that is elected by various constituencies through the provisions of the draft constitution instead of a direct referendum where every individual and citizen would have to vote, yes or no. I don’t see the report of the conference going the way of the previous once because for some of us who have experience in this process are still available to further galvanise the stage two and Stage three of the conference as envisaged by us. There should be stages two and three to conclude the final process. So, it won’t end like the

Yerima

previous conferences because of the quality of the people that took part in the National Conference.

that report. Ordinarily, if they are not willing to talk about the legitimacy of that constitution, they shouldn’t have held the conference in the first instance. You don’t need a conference to spend billions of naira to amend a constitution, it’s waste of time and resources. Do you think the National Assembly will sit down when you have clearly demonstrated that they are not competent and doing enough and for them to give you the glory when you bring your report and they now pass it gleefully? Certainly, no way! That report will not go anywhere; it is as dead as a log of wood. You think the North will sit, fold its arms and allow the derivation recommendation go through? There are more troubles because due consultations were not made. We have seen many conferences but the underlying issue is consultation before, during and after the conference. We will continue to advocate for a true, proper conference where sovereignty will be well considered.

Interview by Temitope Ogunbanke

Interview by WALE ELEGBEDE

popularise resolutions for mass media sensitisation and mobilisation effort so that the issues that are agreed on at the conference would be popularised for the acceptance of Nigerians. That process must be profound and thorough to carry Nigerian people into the process. Also, government must put forward the draft constitution that will flow from this conference for a referendum. And the referendum I am proposing is an indirect one, in which case Nigerian people will elect representatives in an Electoral College or a Constituent Assembly. Indirect referendum is like an

Okunniyi

16 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Impeachment: My travails, by Enugu dep gov CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

I did not refuse to attend the ceremony of March 11, 2014 for the flag off ceremony of the 2nd Niger Bridge by the President. I attended the ceremony. I left my residence with my convoy at about 8a.m. of that day. We left by 8a.m. because the programme was scheduled to start by 10a.m. and we got to Onitsha the venue of the programme just before 10am. I entered the hall and saw where a seat was reserved for me. I protested that it was not appropriate for me to sit there. I was told that they had information that my governor would not be attending and that only governors would be sitting with the President. I now took a sit that was at the front row in the hall where Governor Obiano, then Anambra State Governor-elect, the wife of Peter Obi, the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Umeh, and his wife, the wife of the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Emeka Sibudu, and then Anambra Deputy Governor-elect, Nkem Okeke. I was there when the programme commenced and after that I accompanied the President for the flagging off ceremony outside. That was after the presidential address. No press team or camera person from Enugu State government was sent to cover the event. However, I got to know that the ceremony was covered live by AIT when some people called me to tell me that they saw me on television at the particular event. I have a copy of the video for the event from AIT on application. I tendered a copy to the Enugu State House of Assembly as an attachment to my reply to its allegation of gross misconduct. It was acknowledged for me by the Clerk of the House. I did not receive any express directive to represent the governor at the South East Governor’s Forum of July 6, 2014. The governor did not call me to ask me to represent him at the event. The governor did not minute on any letter to ask me to represent him at the event. I did not receive any manifest asking me to represent him at the event. Why I didn’t take order through a third party Let me start by saying that I did not have any reason not to represent the governor in any function if I am directed by the governor because that is what I am paid to do and I had no reason after representing him in functions for seven years and two months, not to represent him at the meeting of the South East Governors’ Forum that took place in ‘Segun ‘Bambo Ojomo

he outcome of the Osun State governorship election eventually put paid to speculations that the federal might was positioned to wittingly ensure victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) especially by the heavy deployment of security men to the state prior to the election. Several reactions had trailed the action by the PDP-led administration and some major stakeholders and observers had held that the move was made by the Federal Government to intimidate supporters of contending political parties in its opposition. What heightened fears in Osun State was the roundup and arrest of major chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) prior to the election, an action which leaders of the party perceived as intended to muzzle and disorganise them in the process. But as events of the day unfolded to the extent of votes’ counting and results’ declaration, it became clear that the process was actually in tandem with the generality of the people’s wish. A major factor that also beautified the process was that as counting of votes

I told him that he never instructed me to represent him. He now directed me to resign immediately from my office or he will make my life miserable

Chime

Nwobodo

Enugu if he had asked me to do so. Around 8p.m. on the night of the July 5, 2014, the director of protocol, Emeka Asogwa called me on phone and asked me if I would represent the governor at the meeting of the South East Governors’ Forum scheduled to take place the next day since the governor was on vacation. I told him that he knew the rules that if the governor asked me to, that I will do so since I was in town and I was healthy. He said that he thought that the governor had called me. I told him no, and that I will attend the meeting if I get the order from the governor. Asogwa said that he will get back to me. Around 9:45p.m. of the same day, he called me and said that he was at my gate and I asked him to give the gateman the phone and he did and I asked the gateman to allow him in. He came in and told me that he spoke with the governor and that the governor asked him to tell me to represent him. I told him that I have tried the governor’s phone numbers and that they were not available. But since he knew how to reach the governor, will he please call the governor so that I will hear from him and also ask him what I will say at the meeting. He said he would not do that at that particular time and I told him that he knew that it was wrong for me to take any action without hearing from the governor. He agreed with me and left.

It was inside this panel sitting that I heard from Asogwa that he sent me a manifest. I will say that he did not send me any manifest, that would be the first time since 2007 that there would be a governor’s manifest when the governor was on vacation. When the governor was on vacation in 2012 and 2013, the manifests he prepared read “Acting Governor’s Manifest”. The summary of my submission is that contrary to the allegation in the impeachment notice, there was no explicit directive from the governor asking me to represent him and that he did not tell me that he will pass instruction to me through a third party. Chime ordered me to resign On July 16, 2014 I went to the Governor’s Office to inform him of my intention to travel out of the country for six days and he asked me to give him one reason why he should approve it. I told him that I did not know of any reason but if there is any that I would like to

I have displayed obedience even to the point of slavishness or stupidity

know. He then said that I did not represent him at the South East Governors’ Forum meeting that took place in Enugu on the July 6, 2014. I told him that he never instructed me to represent him. He now directed me to resign immediately from my office or he will make my life miserable. I told him that not representing him at that meeting was not enough reason for me to resign. He said there are other reasons. That while he was on vacation in 2012 and 2013 that I suggested to him that his Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, should be removed from office. Another reason he gave was that I was interacting with his enemies. All these took place in the presence of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Intergovernmental Affairs, Rita Mba. I told him “Sir please may I explain”, and he said that if I did not leave his office immediately he would call the security men to carry me out of the Government House. This was after I told him that I noticed hostile attitude from him from the day I informed him of my desire to contest the senatorial seat of Enugu East senatorial zone. He repeated the threat and I left his office. I have no reason to resign from my office as deputy governor of Enugu State. I have done nothing to deserve removal. I have for the past seven years and two months carried out all that is assigned to me diligently, efficiently and effectively to the admiration of the governor and most people in Enugu State. I have not in any way breached my oath of office or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have displayed obedience even to the point of slavishness or stupidity. I have not in any way been reprimanded by the governor in the last seven years and two months. I am happy that no serious allegations especially any bothering on financial impropriety, corruption, fraud were levelled against me. I am happy too that no accusation of lack of capacity or incompetence in carrying out my functions was levelled against me. I do not see from the allegations in the Notice of Impeachment where I have committed what would amount to gross misconduct as to warrant or justify my being removed by impeachment. I decided to appear before this panel and risk being impeached rather than resign because I am convinced that in Nigeria today, we can still find men and women who will stand by the side of truth and justice.

Lessons from Osun election was completed and results released in trickles, it was not difficult for individual party supporters to follow up on their candidates’ position while waiting for overall declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a situation which rolled an easy calm on the winning side. It would be recalled that same fears emanated when the Federal Government deployed several thousands of security operatives to Ekiti State during its last governorship election that returned Mr. Ayodele Fayose as winner. In this case, Fayose did not win the election because of the deployment of heavy security to the state but the people of Ekiti, in their wisdom, voted him. It should not be forgotten that in the past dispensation, Ekiti had been noted for ‘anti-second term’ against their returning governors and even some major stakeholders in the state had revealed that Fayose would not have returned for second term had he completed his first term during his previous reign. Equally, it would be untrue to claim that it was the descent of federal might

on Ekiti that ensured Fayemi’s defeat in the last election. An impeccable man of honour in Fayemi willingly declared in his speech after the elections that the outcome of the election was a demonstration of the will of the Ekiti people. Despite Fayemi’s feat in terms of his achievements during his reign exemplary in good governance, environment transformation and infrastructural development, the people of Ekiti still voted him out, signifying that the will of the people remains germane in the determination of leadership. And if it is true that the Federal Government really had brought in troops to the mentioned states during their governorship elections for reasons of intimidation and muzzling and bearing in mind the existence of some other states in the federation having sitting governors in the opposition towards 2015 elections, the Osun case now should be a great lesson for the central government towards accepting that Nigerians have moved forward in their imbibition of democracy and garrisoning should be limited to our territorial boundaries.

Jega

By and large, credit should be given to the electoral umpire, INEC, for ensuring the overall success of the Osun election and also to the Federal Government for upholding the people’s wish, bearing in mind that in the nation’s political history, a sitting president had cause to annul a universally free and fair election. •‘Segun ‘Bambo Ojomo, a Media Communication Specialist, wrote from Lagos.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Prof. M.J. Balogun, a former Director-General, The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria and one-time Senior Adviser at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, in this piece decries the political partisanship of spokesman of the Directorate of State Security (DSS), Ms Marilyn Ogar

Marilyn Ogar: Career official or party hack?

“T

hank God the APC won the Osun election or else… (APC’s loss would have been blamed on the N14 million bribe which SSS personnel refused to collect?)” –SSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar “Thank God, the APC won the Osun election. There was no bomb blast” (But there were bomb blasts in other states lost by the APC, especially, Ondo captured by the Labour Party, Anambra won by APGA, and Ekiti won by the PDP) –SSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar If the two pull-out quotes reproduced above reflect Ms Marilyn Ogar’s true feelings, the spokesperson for the Directorate of State Security (DSS) has two reasons to thank God, not once, but twice, for one favour. The favour is the APC’s victory in the recently concluded gubernatorial election in Osun State. No matter whether she was genuinely elated by the APC’s victory, or she was just being cynical and downright deceitful, Ogar will soon have additional reasons to thank the Omniscient, undeceivable, and justice-dispensing God. Enraged by her persistent violation of public service professional and ethical code of conduct—specifically, by her inability to distinguish between her role as SSS spokesperson and that of a typical PDP propagandist – the opposition APC has not only threatened to institute legal proceedings against her, but has also demanded her immediate separation from the public service of Nigeria. Does the APC have a case it can successfully make against Ogar in a court of law? Probably. Although I know a thing or two about the law, I would prefer that litigation issues be handled by those duly called to the bar. Besides, if the case is already before a judge by the time this article is published, we don’t want to be cited for contempt! Readers can therefore understand why I have decided to leave the broad legal issues to the lawyers, and proceed quickly to the next question, which is whether the APC is right to demand the SSS spokesperson’s voluntary resignation, or failing that, her instant dismissal. On that latter question, I can say without any fear of contradiction (and as one who has researched the subject thoroughly and advised intergovernmental organizations in different parts of the world) that Ogar should have been separated from the public service of Nigeria the instant she embroiled the DSS in public and political controversy. Under the rules, the very minute a public servant issues a statement that could be “reasonably interpreted” as endorsing or opposing a political party’s stand on any subject, that is the minute s/he ceases to be in the public service of Nigeria. The rules should have been applied to Police Commissioner Mbu when he unilaterally inserted ‘making political utterances’ and ‘locking partisan political horns with the Executive Governor of Rivers States’ in his job description as Police Commissioner. That is, of course, by the way. In retrospect, and with what we now know about the disproportionate amount of time and resources spent peering under private tents to ferret

Ogah

out “PDP enemies” (to the neglect of the substantive terrorism tracking functions), it is no wonder that we have made little headway containing the insurgency in the North-East, and confronting sundry security challenges (like armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom, ritual killing, and oil bunkering) in other parts of the country. In the latest case of goal displacement, Ogar threw caution to the wind when, without producing any evidence, concrete or circumstantial, she not only accused a political party of trying to bribe SSS officials, but also implied that the APC was behind bomb explosions in states where election results didn’t go the party’s way. She claimed that the SSS officials dutifully turned down the N14million bribe that the unnamed political party offered to swing the Osun election to its side. Oh yes, she remembered all the bombs that went off in Ondo, Anambra and Ekiti states where the APC lost, but she left out one crucial detail, that is, the blast that rocked Ile-Ife a few days to the conduct of the Osun State election which the APC won! She also conveniently forgot to underscore the point that the APC was not the only contestant in Ondo, Anambra, and Ekiti, much less the only party that lost. If bombs went off in the three states, what evidence is there that implicates the APC but exonerates the other losers – i.e., evidence that exonerates the PDP in Ondo; the same PDP in Anambra; the Labour Party in Ekiti; and the PDP, the Labour Party, and the remaining competing parties in the Osun State’s gubernatorial election? The same Ogar regurgitated the PDP’s unproven allegation linking the APC with Boko Haram! Again, it escaped her memory that the Presidency had once pinned the Boko Haram label on Muhammadu Buhari only to retract the allegation abruptly and to plead with the APC chieftain to let the matter be settled out of court. In any case, now that Ali Modu Sheriff, the alleged sponsor of the Boko Haram insurgency, has finally defected to the ruling party, the world is waiting for the garrulous Ogar to say something – this time,

something logically sound and empirically verifiable. After all, Sheriff ’s membership of the opposition party was the smoking gun that the ruling PDP (and its self-appointed mouth-piece, Ogar) gleefully and persistently held aloft to link the APC with terrorist acts. As if she had not done enough damage, Ogar went on television to justify the unjustifiable—notably, the illegal detention of Lai Mohammed, the APC spokesman, in Osogbo. Ogar wanted to know what Lai, a Kwara State indigene, was doing in Osun State and in the wee hours of the morning. To legitimise the encroachment on Lai’s personal and citizenship rights, she invented a crime, “loitering”, and promptly accused the APC spokesman of committing it. She also abruptly and retroactively imposed a curfew which she found Lai guilty of “violating”! The Gestapo tactic applied in Osun State is reminiscent of the do-or-die measures applied by the Presidency in recent months to give the PDP undue advantage over its rivals. Among these measures are the restrictions imposed by the police on Nasir El-Rufai and other APC leaders during the conduct of the Anambra State governorship election, the ban on flights that would have brought governors from APCcontrolled states to support their Ekiti counterpart’s re-election efforts, and the increasing militarisation of the electoral process. The strong-arm methods applied by

Ogar threw caution to the wind when, without producing any evidence, concrete or circumstantial, she not only accused a political party of trying to bribe SSS officials...

the government have the potential of hindering or halting our democratic advance. Regretfully, spokesperson Ogar either thinks otherwise or does not care what harm the measures portend. Regardless of what she thinks or feels, the DSS should act quickly to salvage what is left of its reputation. Here is why the DSS should put a distance between itself and Ms Ogar. As the spokesperson of a crucial public agency, she should have exercised the discretion befitting an official of her status. She ought to have refrained from issuing statements that remotely suggests her political leanings or sympathies. Rather than subscribe to the time-tested principles of impartiality and anonymity, she exceeded herself by making highly provocative and overtly political statements – and on prime time television for that matter. Even on the assumption that public service rules are silent on transgressions such as the one Ogar stands accused of committing, the sensitive nature of the DSS mandate requires an official of her calibre to exercise the utmost restraint in making public utterances. The DSS is, after all, a law enforcement outfit. It is an abomination for any of its officials to act as if s/he is above the law. When any high-ranking DSS official gets away with clear violation of public service ethical and professional code of conduct, s/he is likely to leave the impression, though erroneous, that law-breaking pays. It is of little consequence whether the law-breaking outside the DSS is on a small or large scale. The reign of impunity inside the Directorate is likely to have a devastating impact not just on the DSS’s public image but also on the Directorate’s intelligence gathering capacity. If the DSS turns a blind eye to Ogar’s transgression, it risks alienating the public that it was created to serve and whose cooperation it depends. Since DSS staffers come from diverse background, Ogar’s partisanship is also likely to undermine the Directorate’s internal esprit de corps. How the Directorate can fulfil its mission when its chain or unity of command is constantly threatened is anybody’s guess. The DSS spokesperson’s penchant for political grandstanding is a clear symptom of a deeper psychological malaise – narcissistic personality disorder, to be precise. That of course is none of our business. In fact, rather than focus on her psychological condition, we should consider yet another reason she needs to be separated. The second reason for recommending her removal is the certainty that her constant violation of the rules would sooner than later hold the entire public service to ridicule. Under the extant rules, her persistent tendency to curry the ruling party’s favour constitutes gross misconduct. This is by far a more serious offence than plain ‘misconduct’. For according to Rule 030301, the run-of-the-mill misconduct is just “any act of wrong doing or an improper behaviour which is inimical to the image of the service and which can be investigated and proved.” Most of the failings that the rules classify as ‘misconduct’ can be rectified by a combination of counselling, on-the-job training, and exercise of self-discipline by the erring official concerned. Examples of acts of misconduct listed under the civil service rules are drunkenness, use of foul language, habitual lateness to work, improper dressing, insubordination, tardiness in the treatment of files, CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

18 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Why DSS rejected APC’s N14m offer, by Ogar Ms Marylin Ogar is the Deputy Director (Public Relations) of the Department of State Services (DSS). In a recent interview monitored on Channels Television, she spoke on the N14 million ‘bribe’ alleged offered the service by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the August 9 Osun State governorship election. LATEEF IBRAHIM brings excerpts from the interview N14m bribe On Tuesday, prior to the election, the Director (of DSS) that was coordinating election activities in Osun was invited by one All Progressives Congress (APC) member to come collect N4million for self and N10 million 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 services was concerned, they would definitely have in place everything they would need for a successful operation. 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. When you have security report concerning an area and you deployed men and materials to ensure security in that area, you wouldn’t want to unnecessarily exhibit tendencies that could compromise your operation. Non-arrest of bribe-giver 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 (SSS 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. Arrest of Lai Mohammed He (Lai Mohammed) was loitering at that hour of the night (Friday, eve of the election). 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

Aregbesola

they were driving in a big jeep. Whoever was found outside at that period was brought in. You know if somebody wants to drive home an argument, he might bring in things that happened and things that did not happen just to show that he is making a case. 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 mask 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 mask, I don’t know whether it is the mask that the masquerades wear or the normal hood 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

Mohammed

recognition that would unduly bias or undermine our operations. I want to know if it is only the APC that took part in the election in Osun. Yesterday (Wednesday), I had also listened to the Chairman of the Labour Party (Chief Dan Anyanwu), who also had a candidate at that election and he had said that all the political parties did not see anything wrong in the deployment of security to Osun. Thank God we had enough security; the outcome of the result is favourable. Why all these hues and cries? According to what Dan Anyanwu said, it is only those who had ulterior motives against that election that they were complaining about security. Need for show of force Since the security forces have started working closely to stem out terror or insurgencies in Nigeria, there have

The rejection of that money on Tuesday brought a lot of things that ordinarily we have not seen before

‘Career official or party hack?’ CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

failure to keep record, and negligence. Compared to ‘misconduct’, ‘gross misconduct’ is a deep-seated character flaw that wreaks greater havoc not just on the image of a specific agency but also on the esteem and credibility of the public service as an institution. Gross misconduct is a personal indiscretion that is capable of distorting public purpose and eroding citizen faith in state institutions. Ogar’s transgressions (in particular, her uncontrollable habits of identifying with a political party and making political utterances) fall squarely under ‘gross misconduct’ which is punishable with immediate dismissal. I won’t be surprised if the DSS and the public service top brass treat Ogar’s offence with levity. After all, Police Commissioner Mbu breached the rules (of impartiality, anonymity, and professionalism) and got away with it. In fact, instead of being axed for embarrassing the police command with his public outbursts, he was rewarded with rede-

ployment to a more prestigious, higherprofile, post at the Federal capital. That is Nigeria. Ours is a country where top officials are rewarded for licking their political superiors’ boots, and penalised when they shield their organisations from political interference. That is why it rare to find agency heads willing to provide the leadership needed to build and sustain mission-oriented institutions, meaning, institutions that are managed based on the paramount considerations of excellence, integrity, professionalism, competence, and cost-effectiveness. Pending the emergence of such committed leadership and of achievementoriented organisations, the public service rank and file must rise up and face a clear and present danger. Unless career officials insulate themselves from partisan politics, every job would ultimately be politicized, and therefore, imperilled. The public service is yet to recover from the seismic effect of the 1975 purge. That purge would pale in comparison to the danger lying ahead if nothing is done to

been need to actually embark on a show of force. Remember, I have spoken about the intelligence report we had from the field in Osun. I want to state here that relatively, Osun has been a peaceful state but after the election in Ekiti, there was this fierceness among the political parties that they were not going to allow the PDP to win. This was the intelligence that was gathered. So from the build up after the Ekiti election to the election in Osun, there was indications that if security forces were not adequately on ground and if we did not allow the people or these people that we know that are capable of taking care of the electoral materials, then they were going to hijack them. I want to also say that before the election, we have profiled all thugs and all those that sponsored these thugs and have started, even before the election, to bring them in and most of the ones that were brought in were arrested with short guns, cut to size axes, cutlasses and charms. And it wasn’t from only one political party. I want to also say that even before the election in Ekiti, go and verify, our security reports indicated that thugs had been brought into Ekiti and they were also picked. So, I don’t know why the ordinary person, who expects security to provide an enabling environment, would want to tell us how we should carry our operations. stem the rapid erosion of public service professionalism. It was in an attempt at pre-empting the undesirable effects of politicisation that our founding fathers set their political differences aside and settled for the adoption of the Westminster public service model. The key attributes of this model are integrity, professionalism, merit-based recruitment, competence, political neutrality, impartiality, legality, accountability, responsiveness, and, naturally, security of tenure. If truth be told, that model has crumbled—with plum jobs going to candidates with strong political backing but weak productive capacity, and attention-seeking officials crowding out the truly loyal and dedicated officials. Can the decline be halted? Yes, but... For Nigeria to bring back the public service once known for dedication and impartial and courteous rendering of service, we should start by cleaning out the Augean stable of politicisation, partisanship, nepotism, mediocrity, and corruption. What better way to start than by showing Ogar and others like her the way out of the public service?

EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

The challenge of unemployed indigenous pilots

he recent disclosure by the aviation officials that over 500 Nigerian pilots and about 400 Nigerian licensed aircraft engineers are unemployed must be taken seriously and addressed as soon as possible considering the incalculable damage this may do to the sector. Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Nogie Meggison, who made this disclosure, attributed this to the collapse of many carriers in Nigeria coupled with the penchant for airlines to engage foreign pilots and engineers. Capt. Meggison stated that until there was a policy that would guarantee the engagement of indigenous pilots, they would continue to roam the streets. He recalled that as far back as 2008, the country had about 1,140 private flying clubs, saying that Nigeria with about 160 million people have just two training schools and not a single flying club. Also, in June this year, Managing Director of Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited, Capt. Akin Oni, was quoted as saying that Nigerian pilots were not employable as a result of inadequate flying hours, inability to pass competence tests, and low quality training from overseas training institutions. He said the rising unemployment rate among young indigenous pilots may be difficult to check because many of them do not have the mandatory 150 hours required to show

their competence on any aircraft. Meanwhile, there are over 1,000 foreign pilots engaged by both local and foreign registered airplanes flying in Nigeria as well as 500 foreign aircraft engineers employed in the country, according to aviation officials. The latest addition to the lists of unemployed professionals in the country is a sad reminder of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inability to develop and care for its own human capital. Unfortunately, Nigerian unemployment imbroglio is not peculiar to Nigerian pilots and aircraft engineers alone. It is the same song that is sung all over the country, but with different dance steps. Indeed, this buttresses the fact that Nigeria is not in short supply of professionals, but only lacks capacity to utilize them. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) puts the figure of jobless Nigerians at 20.3 million in 2013. But according to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, no fewer than 5.3 million youths are jobless in the country, while 1.8 million graduates enter the labour market yearly. This estimate though unbelievably conservative is a pointer to the enormity of the situation. In all of this, what makes the case of the Nigerian pilots and engineers more pathetic is the fact that their jobs are technical, risky and sensitive than others, not only in terms of training, but practice or procedure. Based

on their training, they are not supposed to stay idle without constant practice and so staying too long without flying is an issue that needs urgent solution. Acquiring 150 flying hours to remain relevant is not an easy task. How do pilots garner hours without flying? Would they accumulate flying hours trekking? It is shameful and embarrassing. It is even more painful when it is considered against the background that some parents struggled to pay exorbitant fees for their children and wards in aviation schools only to have them back home without jobs. Not too long ago, the Federal Government was flirting with the idea of re-establishing a new national carrier that would drive the aviation sector and accommodate its graduates, but at the moment nothing serious is seen in that direction. All bottlenecks must be removed and conducive environment created for more investors that can give the young pilots much needed opportunities. An encompassing policy framework for indigenous pilots and aircraft engineers may be necessary at this point in time, and the political will to enforce the expatriate quota policy in the aviation sector. We also urge the FG to open up the industry to allow foreign and domestic investors to buy into an initiative that would translate to creation of employment opportunities for Nigerians. Another way to create jobs for indigenous

professionals in the aviation industry is the establishment of aircraft maintenance centres and training institutions. With a well-trained workforce, Nigeria can even export skilled aviator to other parts of the world. The National Assembly must live up to the expectations of Nigerians by seeing through the proposed Local Content bill on aviation. The intended Act will make it mandatory for local and foreign airlines to engage Nigerian pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers. The local content policy is not discriminatory, but will even help both local and foreign airlines to cut cost. It is true that airlines incur more costs to engage foreign pilots whom they pay more to guarantee their security in view of kidnapping, huge costs of accommodations, travel expenses, salaries and other incidentals associated with foreign employees. It is on the strength of this argument that all hands must be on deck to salvage the situation and move Nigeria out of this lamentable state of affairs. Governments as well as private organizations should invest in the training of indigenous pilots to improve competence and competitiveness. Airlines should be encouraged to carry out manpower development programmes in compliance with the local content policy of government to create opportunities for Nigerians to run this critical sector of the economy. 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 EMEKA OBASI Deputy Editor, Daily AYODELE OJO 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 22, 2014

OPINION Surfing Sawyer's Liberia, suffering Sawyer's Ebola G

ive it to the obnoxious trade in humans, we can account for our kith and kin in Liberia even if there is no name to identify them or facial marks to attach. Abolition of the slave trade was enough reason to find a settlement for Africans who were shipped to the United States as human cargo. They were imported as humans. One of the several places chosen was later renamed Liberia. That was a problem, for there were indigenous inhabitants. The area was not a virgin island. Suspicion began as the returnees arrived to meet the Gola, Kru and Vai among other land owners. Even among the population from overseas , there was division. The mixed blood, resented the pure Africans. Liberia thus started on a shaky note. And these problems continued until there was full blown war which forced Nigeria to playa Big Brother role. In the process, a lot of blood was spilled. It is more of an irony to refer to Nigeria as Big Brother. Liberia became independent on July 26, 1847. At that time there was nothing like Nigeria, both as a name and country. It took almost a hundred years for our own independence to come from the British.

When trouble scattered Liberia, Nigeria played the peacekeeper role. And to cap it all, one Amos Sawyer was installed as the country's president. Many of his countrymen, especially those in Charles Taylor's camp felt, Sawyer was a stooge. In August 1990, Taylor's militiamen invaded the Nigerian Embassy in Monrovia, and took away among several others, two Nigerian journalists. Ezekiel Tayo Awotunsin of Champion newspapers and Krees Imodibie of the Guardian. Both were murdered. We shall come to coincidences later. Amos Sawyer depended on Nigeria for everything. I remember meeting him at the OAU summit Abuja'91. His Aide -De-Camp was a young Nigerian military police captain. I guess Sawyer spent most of his time under the watch of our armed forces. We gave Liberia Sawyer from 1990 to 1994.And our troops, fighting under Ecomog commanded by Gen. Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro, saved the country from disintegration. I do not think Liberia planned to say thank you to us in 2014 by sending another Sawyer, this time Patrick. While Amos was President, Patrick has now become a name associated with passages. He has brought death, terrible one to Nigeria. And the wife, an American, has taken us back to the Big Brother theory. She says her husband actually came to Nigeria believing cure would welcome him. She tied her reasoning to our superior medical facilities. Now, how could Liberian authorities allow a man who was marked for death to invade Nigeria with the

Ebola Virus Disease, knowing that he would be deceased in our country? And I am pained that so many innocent Nigerians are bound to suffer this August disease. A nurse gone, a doctor gone. It is painful that that Dr. Stella Adadevoh died trying to save a life. It is sad that she also died trying to save many Nigerians from catching the virus. This same doctor had even signed a statement with Dr. Benjy Ohiaeri after Sawyer's death. I feel for my townsman Dr. Ohiaeri, proprietor of First Consultant hospital, one of the best in West Africa. I guess that was were General Babangida's late wife, Maryam, had their last child, Halima. [Do not know if I got that right.] Now the man will struggle to regain customer's confidence. On a lighter note, let me come back to the coincidences. Awotunsin was abducted by Taylor's men in August. In August 2003,Taylor ran to Nigeria to begin life in exile. In August 2014, the first Nigerian to die of Ebola imported from Liberia was recorded. Awotunsin was born in March 1954. In March 2006, Taylor escaped from Calabar, and was arrested in Borno State, trying to escape. Now look at Sawyer, he was on his way to Calabar. Kudos to the Federal government especially Health minister Onyebuchi Chukwu for stepping up the fight. And I believe, Nigeria will be Ebola's last bus stop. I trust my people. Life is too sweet to be left in the hands of Ebola. And I am so sure that this Patrick Sawyer who shares same surname as Amos, will be one Sawyer so sore in our medical history.

Scoring winning goal through breastfeeding Bilikis Bakare

reastfeeding in practice and application is viewed as a human right issue by several international organisations including the United Nations International Children Educational Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).The National Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate, according to the Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey, though improved slightly from 13% in 2008 to 15% in 2011 and 17% in 2013 according to the National Health Demographic Survey, this is still very low when compared with the great importance of breastfeeding to infant and young child growth and invariably national development. Breastfeeding is as old as man and was considered as the norm in ancient times up to the 18th century, but civilization, coupled with the downturn of the economy, in most nations, have necessitated women to seek for jobs outside the home, consequently contributing, in no small measure, to the apathy of mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding. Subsequently, mothers in urban centres began dispensing with breastfeeding due to work requirement. But the practice declined significantly from 1900-1960 due to improved sanitation, nutritional technologies and increasingly negative social attitude towards it. Phenomenally, from the 1960s onward, breastfeeding experienced a revival which continues till date, probably due to the massive public enlightenment of mothers on its importance by United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) through the various home governments

across the world. Before the miraculous revival of breastfeeding among mothers, a large number of modern day women had the belief that engaging in the process causes the breasts to sag, an insinuation that is farther from the truth. In human anatomy, women’s breasts are made up of specialized tissue that produces milk which is known as glandular tissue as well as fatty tissue. It is the amount of fat in the fatty tissue that determines the size of the breast while the shape is determined by connective tissues and ligaments that provide support. The milk producing part is organised into 1520 sections called lobes within which are smaller structures called lobules where milk is produced. The milk then travels through tiny tubes called ducts which connects and come together into larger ducts that exits in the nipples. The breast also contains blood vessels, lymph vessels and lymph nodes. Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants. Breast milk meets the nutritional and anti- infection requirements of infants for optimal growth, development and survival; as such it is an extremely essential component in the application of effective child survival strategy .Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients to help infant grow into a strong and healthy toddler. Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky breast milk produced after the delivery of a baby and the end of pregnancy is recommended by the [WHO] as the perfect food for the newborn. It is very nutritious and contains substances that fight infection although it is a common practice among some mothers to express this very nutritious milk with the belief that it is dirty due to its colour. It is expected that breastfeeding should commence in the first hour after birth

and thereafter frequent sucking by baby to increase milk production should be encouraged. And since it is readily available and affordable, it is the belief that all mothers can breastfeed except in cases of ill health and defects like inverted, flat or pierced nipples which could make breastfeeding difficult. But with the recommendations of obstetricians and pediatricians adopted methods for breastfeeding can be worked out which could be in form of expressing the breast milk into a cup through the use of a specially made breast pump. It is essential that babies are breastfed exclusively for a period of six months and subsequently appropriate complementary foods should be introduced up to two years of age and beyond. It is in the realisation of the importance of breastfeeding that the Lagos State Government has extended the maternity leave of its female employees by three months in line with the state policy of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life. Also, the policy is to address the current trend in under five nutritional status in Nigeria with particular reference to the South West region, where Lagos State belongs, of stunting rate of 41% in 2008 and 37% in 2013; wasting rate at 14% in 2008 and 18% in 2013 and underweight statistics at 24% in 2008 and 29% in 2013. This is an indication of increased malnutrition among under five largely caused by ineffective breastfeeding practice from birth, especially as it relates to early initiation of breastfeeding and appropriate breastfeeding practice. The benefits of breastfeeding to the mother, child and society at large are unquantifiable. Breast milk supply all necessary nutrients needed for baby’s growth in the right proportion and the right temperature and also protect the infant from infections and illnesses like diarrhea and vomiting. It keeps baby well hydrated and promotes

proper teeth and speech development in later years of the child’s development. It establishes emotional bonding between mother and child and helps protects the former from the risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding helps the wall of the uterus to return to its normal shape in mothers that exclusively engages in it. And the society will benefit from a mentally stable and physically strong individual. Therefore, as countries across the globe celebrate the World Breastfeeding Week 2014 from 1st to 7th August, with the theme “BREASTFEEDING: A winning goal- for life!”, emphasis should be placed on the promotion and support for, early initiation of breastfeeding (within thirty minutes of delivery), exclusive breastfeeding practice, continuous breastfeeding with complementary feeding from six months of age to two years and beyond, along with other breastfeeding issues and practices. Immediate family members, especially husbands, should provide moral and material support for their wives in order to go through the process of breastfeeding without stress. This support can be in form of good and nutritious foods that will make the mothers healthy enough to breastfeed or by being extra loving and caring to motivate the wife. The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Actions (WABA) has considered that everyone in the world should identify one way or the other, to protect and encourage every breastfeeding mother for an effective and pleasant breastfeeding experience. Everyone should be committed to promoting exclusive breastfeeding, during which nothing but the mother’s breast milk is introduced to the mouth of the baby as a child survival intervention that is unequaled. This is the right thing to do. • Bakare is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

ARTS FRIDAY, August 22, 2014

CULTURE

Tony Okuyeme and Moses Kadiri

enowned stand-up comedian Alibaba was crowned the Legend of Comedy at the maiden edition of Motivational Awards held penultimate weekend at Golden Tulip Hotel, FESTAC, Lagos. While Alibaba smiled home with a beautiful designed plague, Steve Onu, popularly known as Yaw, won the Best on Air Personality of the Year award in the category that had other notable names like Freeze of Cool FM, and Charles B of Inspirational FM. Nollywood actor Ramsey Nouah won the Best Actor of the Year, he defeated other actors, Mike Ezuronye, and Yul Edochie for the prize. Mavins Records label super lady, Tiwa Savage, owned by Don Jazzy clinched the Best Female Music Talent of the Year award in a night that was marked with comedy and music performances. The show was hosted by rib cracking stand-up comedian Seyi Law. It was laughter all the way at every interval the celebrated stand-up comedian stepped on the stage, dishing out fresh jokes that keep guests reeling in laughter. For his contribution to the sociopolitical and economic development of the country, Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Uzor Kalu was honoured with the Outstanding Business Hero of the Year award, while Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola went home with the Best Governor on Infrastructure of the Year award. Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola and his wife Dame Abimbola Fashola won the Best Performing Governor of the Year and Best First Lady of the Year respectively, among the 10 inspiring Nigerians. Chairman Amuwo Odofin Local Government Comrade Ayodele Adewale won the Best Local Government Chairman of the year. Other dignitaries and organisations who won awards include Philly and Molly Group (Brand of the Year), Charvet Nigeria Ltd (Most Innovative Drink), Ms Celine Loader ( Philanthropic Lady of the Year), Chief Ernest Uzokwe (Philanthropic Man of the Year), Mr Hakeem Bello (Passionate and Dedicated Man of the Year) and Sabir Khan (Exemplary Leader) others include Dr Rotimi Oladele, Chellarms Plc, Nigeria Breweries. Though the awards started late, there was no dull moment throughout the period it lasted. Newly signed Mavins Records act Korede Bello dazzle the guests with the hit single Dorobucci to the admiration of all. Other entertainers who did justice to their performance are , Bowjoint, Ray G, Ifektive of Naija FM, Papa B, Radical, Real One, The TaiSolarin dancers, The 2side Models and a host of others. Organised by Meljestin Nigeria Limited, Motivational Awards is to celebrate and inspire Nigerians who through all odds established themselves in their chosen endeavour. In her address, CEO of Meljestin Nigeria Limited, and initiator of the awards Mrs Chibuzo Patrick (aka Buzopat) said Motivational Awards was conceived as a follow up to her various empowerment programmes targeted at youths for positive engagement under the platform of Meljenstin. Mrs. Patrick noted that the award is targeted at recognising individuals, business and academic contribution to the development of Nigeria despite numerous challenges and distractions. She reiterated that the criteria for the awards are merit and service. She said the primary objective is to promote the Nigeria optimism and celebrate dignity of labour. “It is a new dawn in our quest

21 NEW TELEGRAPH

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TONY oKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

okuyemeogom@yahoo.com

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to " follow his vision wherever it takes him. ― John F. Kennedy

Alibaba, Yaw, Ramsey Nouah, others win Motivational Awards •Kalu is Outstanding Business Hero of the Year

Alibaba (left) receiving Legend of Comedy award from deputy group CEO of Philly and Molly, Mr. Sabir Khan at the maiden edition of Motivational Awards

Amaka Mbaso, Seyi Law, Patrick, Alibaba, Yaw, Joevita Okonkwo and Ifektive

as a people to build a strong human capital for the development of Nigerian economy; it affords us the opportunity to honour these great Nigerians who have in the past given so much to our community and Nigeria as a nation,” she said. Mrs. Patrick who recently bagged Ambassador award for her youth empowerment initiative added that it is a blessing to be diligent, to serve humanity in whatever capacity we find ourselves and to find justified pride in service to fellow Nigerian. “This award shines spotlight on the value of positive engagement, good leadership and sustainable community development which underscores the vision of new Nigeria of unity, peace

and development.” Mr. Godfrey Osakwe who is also one of the organisers of Motivational Awards, disclosed that the awards is the leading inspiration of honour for achievement in entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation, entertainment and sustainable development. According to him, Motivational Awards seeks to celebrate people who through dint of hard work and determination excelled in relevant field of endeavour. “It is expected that this awards and subsequent ones will be a landmark in the series of awards aimed at motivating people in Nigeria, first with frills and glamour and secondly with the awards lecture which is expected to provide a

road map to sustainable national development in Nigeria.” The ceremony was a success given the pool of entertainers and dignitaries present at the event. With the calibre of high profile Nigerians the likes of Alibaba, Oba Lateef Olayinka, his royal highness Ado Alado of Ado Kingdom among others who are rarely seen in occasions, the initiator of the awards has won the hearts of these Nigerians through her youth empowerment programme for them to have attend the awards ceremony. It is believe that subsequent honours, exemplary Nigerians would also be celebrated.

22 ART

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Open Mic Theatre: Three years of breeding budding talents Stories by Ebere Ameh

ne of the places to see that Nigeria really got talent is at the Open Mic Theatre hosted by Lala Akindoju of Make-It-Happen Productions. A programme that started three years ago, it has remained a platform not only for upcoming talented Nigerians to showcase their talents, but also meet the gurus in their different areas of interest who are always on hand and ready to mentor them. Always featuring freestyle and organised acting, comedy, spoken word performances, singing, rapping, drumming and other genres of creative arts, some of the youths have actually gotten some roles in both film and on stage through the medium. Kunle Lasisi, who has grown to become a great actor and director, Exclusive mic, a now sought after comedian are just a few of the people who made it through the theatre and are waxing strong by the day. “His career started at Open Mic Theatre. He just walked up to me and said he wanted to perform. I was worried because I wasn’t sure he would be funny enough. But I allowed him, announcing to the audience that I didn’t know him but he wants to perform. As usual, I encouraged the audience to show him love. Today, Exclusive Mic as a stand-up comedian is going places and we are proud of him,” Akinloju said. During the just concluded Dialogue Edition of the theatre at Terra Kulture, its usual venue, Akindoju announced their new sponsor, Life can be greater LCBG, after three years of sweat, tears and dogged determination. LCBG is both an NGO and a movement that proffers solutions to societal issues on a small scale, and galvanizes citizens to push for their implementation on a

Scenes from the event

His career started at Open Mic Theatre. He just walked up to me and said he wanted to perform... and now he is going places larger scale. The audience was thrilled by spectacular performances by talented and excited youths, who turned the edition to an adult event; even as Chude Jideonwo, the CEO of Future Awards and

Y! Naija, read from his book Are we the Turning Point Generation? From Exclusive Mic, who walk to the stage as if unprepared but leaves the people reeling in laughter as he departs, to Gbamigbade Kehinde and Amaka Kalu, who presented a short drama titled complicated, to Belinda Yanga and Fumilere performed an excerpt from the movie Closer, the audience were charged with excitement. Naomi and Fulele, who did a spectacular rendition of Whitney Houston’s ‘My Love is your Love,’ infusing Onyeka Onwenu’s One Love as they encouraged the audience to sing along, Oxygen, a production company

run by Toju and Zara Ejoh, presented a hilarious adaptation of Dia-ris God, featuring Oga at the top with Toju Ejoh acting as Patrick Obahiagbon. Biodun Sashero presented a piece he wrote; Ejoh and Abiodun Kassim did justice to a piece titled Sparkplug while Amara, a comedian who mimicks the intonation of the Efik, concluded with his story of Abraham and Sarrah. Because of his versatility, he was able to, without prior engagement, think on his feet, making up the story on stage to the excitement of the already excited audience. Call it a shot for the road and you may not be mistaken.

Nigerian culture on display as church prepares for harvest

igerian culture has been variously described by many as rich, beautiful, diverse, unifying, a tourist attraction and so much more. The fact is, they are not far from the truth. However as good and wonderful as that may sound, we are fast losing the beautiful cultural heritage to globalisation, urbanisation, pure neglect and ironically, education, if nothing is done urgently to salvage the situation. Unfortunately, the cultures we import cannot in anyway compare with the rich and beautiful culture we have in Nigeria. The worst hit are the youths, especially those in the city, majority of whom cannot speak any Nigerian language but English language and its counterpart, pidgin. Largely at home with the hiphop culture, fast foods and noodles can be safely described as their staple food and the internet as their go-to adviser. It is in the wake of this current apathy to our culture and an attempt to contribute their own quota towards addressing it that St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Gbaja, Surulere, Lagos, came up with a Cultural Fiesta as part of the activities leading to their children and youth harvest. There were cultural displays presented by the youths themselves - drama, showcasing Nigeria’s diverse cultures and the beauty of unity; assorted Nigerian cuisine; palm-wine, zobo and other Nigerian drinks and so many other things that distinguish us as truly Nigerian. “Who says we don’t have all it takes to be reliant?” Chief Bridget Adebayo, the Yeye of CKC ... queried. “Look at the

We packaged the event to acquaint the children and youths with our beautiful culture and also raise awareness about the harvest

Efik cultural display

decorations, it is done by the children themselves, with aso-oke, adire, baskets and other locally sourced materials and it is so beautiful. We packaged the event to acquaint the children and youths with our beautiful culture and also raise awareness about their harvest,” Adebayo who is the chairperson of the harvest said. All in high spirits and decked in traditional attires, the youths presented one dance and drama after the other as their excited priests, parents and invited guests watched in admiration. The Atilogu dancers in their characteristic energy literally raised the roof with their acrobatic displays before the Fulani dancers took to the stage display-

ing their rich culture. The rich costume associated with the Yoruba dance, the array of colours portrayed by the Efik when they took to the stage and the elegance of the Itsekiri dance all added untold colour to the occasion. Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Ms. Eki Faith Eboigbe said that the harvest committee of which she is a member decided to bring in a new dimension towards creating awareness about the harvest. “Harvest is not just fun-fare and fundraising. When you sow, you harvest, so, harvest is also a time for rejoicing, a time to celebrate. The event was to

create more awareness about the Children and Youths Harvest and about our culture. And so, we decided to celebrate our culture for posterity. We gave it to the youths to organize, so that in planning and presentation, they would get to know more about our culture. It was an all-encompassing thing - from costume to food and even decoration. I was just there to direct them. They all had fun and came to know that this is from this part of the country and that from the other part. Eboigbe who is one of the organizers of the occasion is also the CEO of Entertainment Busstop Limited and a member of the Harvest Committee, added that churches, schools, all and sundry, should help the younger generation to know and appreciate our culture before they completely lose it. Actor Jude Orhorha, of the Fuji House of Commotion fame and Charles Anyawuike provided the comedy that kept the already excited audience even more excited.

MEDIA 23

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Tony Okuyeme

he Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, received a boost recently with a four-week intensive film making workshop held at the Digital Bridge Institute, Oshodi, Lagos. The workshop titled, “Film Made in Nigeria” was facilitated by the Del-York Creative Academy (DCA). Production techniques in film making are taught through well-structured courses such as Producing, Directing, Acting, Digital Film Making, Broadcast Journalism, Set- designs, Screen Writing, Costume design and Make-up, 3D animation, Cinematography, Editing, Graphics and special effects. This year, entertainment and culture journalists joined the industry professionals at the workshop. They were drawn from various groups including the Directors Guild of Nigeria, The Nigerian Society of Editors, Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria, Screenwriters Guild of Nigeria, Nigerian Society of Cinematography, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and the Association of Movie Producers (AMP). A total of 75 participants benefited from the classes. The film making class, reportedly had 25 students, production design class had 14 Students. While two students registered for screen writing. Cinematography class attracted six students while the editing class had 18 students respectively. The Founder, Del-York Creative Academy, Linus Idahosa, spoke on the quality of the resource persons that constituted the faculty at the commencement of the workshop. “The academy engaged trainers from Los Angeles and New York who have since arrived in Lagos. The workshop is targeted at those whose creative products we are already familiar with.” The facilitators from New York include the costume and set designer, Wendelyn Slipakoff; Jamal Speakes for Cinematography; Sara Rabuse for Makeup; Grant Housley for Filmmaking; Ryan Gibson for Screen Writing and Evon Barros for Editing, Graphics and Special Effects. They called it a “train-the-trainer programme.’’ 12 outstanding students from the Ist and 2nd edition of the Del-York Creative Academy Workshop in 2010 and the 2012 have been selected to function as teachers’ assistants with two attached to each lecturer. The Head of Student Affairs, DelYork Creative Academy, Jide Johnson, remarked that “The ability to adapt to an environment and use that environment to design is paramount.” He pointed at the view behind the building to this reporter, stating that the small vegetation could be converted to a location for a war film. Of course, the memories of the images of the Vietnam War in the box-office hit, “Rules of Engagement.” Johnson enumerated some beautiful success stories recorded by Del-York Creative Academy with optimism that creative treasures are stored up for use in the movie. “Some of our students like Emma Edosio and James Omokwe are doing good short films for television stations like Ebonylife TV. Another one, Tonye

Participants at the workshop

Some of the participants at the Creative Workshop

At Del-York Creative Workshop, building treasures Faloughi shot the first matinee advert in Nigeria after participating in the 2010 training programme. We have one student who is part of the cast for GidiUp on Ndani TV,’’ he declared. Wendelyn Slipakoff who teaches production design, costume and set design, spoke on the spatial considerations in film making in different geographical contexts. “The use of space as an element of design in telling a story doesn’t change whether it is in an Asian film; in American film; a Nigerian film or an Indian film, space is a constant. But I have to be sensitive to recognise that to properly tell the story, you have to recognise the culture in which they are placed,’’ she said. “I think what has been the most satisfying for me is that there are number of people who came into the programme a little late and wanted to be on the director’s programme and it was already full and they were placed in Production Design and they came in thinking I already know all this stuff I can’t believe I have to sit in here. A week later, they are my

best students.’’ Sara Rabuse, who teaches make-up, noticed that her students were very much interested in special effect make-up. ‘’I think that is something that is not as developed in Nigeria. I am talking about special effects like bruises, mask, blood, monsters and zombies.’’ Little did she know that the sum of special effects in most indigenous movies in Nigeria is a face splashed with colours and one eye painted in white circle. But she did find out a lot more. ‘’When I was reviewing the films here, I did not see any zombie make-ups or anything like that I watched the local films on the local stations I did not see any special effects. I did not see big monsters or aliens. “I noticed that a lot of the materials that we use in the US to create special effects are not available here. I did not know that. The make-up artistes have to make their own blood. They use ketchup and blackcurrant. In the US, we have blood that is already made. We go to the store and we buy special blood that is made for film and television. I had to adjust. “Some of them are using materials

The academy engaged trainers from Los Angeles and New York who have since arrived in Lagos. The workshop is targeted at those whose creative products we are already familiar with

that are used for gluing sculptures together. They are using permanent glues on human being skin; that is burning and causing abrasions and hurting the actors’ skin. In the US, we have stuff that is specifically made for skin. I am going to give them a recipe for blood that they can create their own blood.’’ The Cinematography expert, Jamal Speakes, in his assessment of the quality of camera work in Nigeria movies saw the need for improvement in visual narration techniques. “You can’t continually cut from character to character and not allow the viewer to fall in love with the character with your different types of shots, continuing shots, dolly shots and gyp shots and all kinds of things so that the viewer feels for the character,’ he noted. Ryan Gibson, who teaches screen writing, thinks a movie is not always an accurate portrayal of the world as it is. “It can be a portrayal of the world as you want it. When you are telling a story, you have to give the audience some credit. You must assume that they are smarter than you think. You don’t have to tell them every little thing. I got to leave something. That is where the fun is,’’ he said. Grant Housley, the directing major, recommended advanced preparation for directors. “The biggest time that the director can learn is the pre-production work. If I am shooting a film for 14 days, my preproduction is 20 days. The only way to take care of issues that may arise is to get there before everybody.’’ Evon Barros, who is the Lead Editor for Bellum Entertainment and an Instructor for the LA Film School, believes she can help raise the bar by equipping the next generation of editors with the necessary tools to bring the strongest Nigerian stories possible to the big screen.

24 TOURISM

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Anxiety as Osun Osogbo Festival grand finale holds today T By Andrew Iro Okungbowa

he pomp and excitement that is usually associated with the grand finale of the yearly Osun Osogbo Festival may not be witnessed today as the festival winds off after two weeks of intense feasting and activities following the Osun State government restriction order on visitors to the city as control measures for the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Aware of the need to avoid the spread of the deadly disease to the state, the state government during the week through its Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Sunday Akere, issued a press statement advising against visitors attending the final celebration billed for Osun grove, as it would only be restricted to the traditional worshippers and followers of Osun, indigenes and the palace in order to avoid mass movement and body contact as a control measure for Ebola. ‘‘In our effort to make sure that the dreaded virus does not find its way to our midst, government has at great pain decided to restrict the influx of tourists into the state for this year’s Osun Osogbo International Festival. What this means is that the festival, this year, will only be a low-keyed celebration. Only the traditional worshippers and well-wishers who are resident in the state will be allowed to partake in the celebration to minimise bodily contacts between persons,’’ said the commissioner. According to him, the measure is aimed at averting the spread of the disease in the state, ‘‘we are therefore determined to take all necessary steps to avert an Ebola epidemic in our state. Consequently, scaling down this year’s celebration of the Osun Osogbo festival is a sacrifice we must make in order to prevent a crisis that will put human lives in jeopardy. ‘‘The normal procession of the Arugba to the shrine would take place with all its attendant fanfare. However, attendance at the procession will be restricted to the traditional worshippers and residents within the state. The restriction is compelled by the enormous challenge that screening such a huge crowd of tourists that normally attend the festival from all over the world would have presented. It is far better to have a manageable crowd than have a health epidemic,’’ he added. Even as he urged the Ataoja of Osogbo and the traditional council to take the development in good fate and cooperate with the state government. ‘‘We therefore appeal to the Osogbo traditional council, the festival traditional committee and other stakeholders to accept the restriction with understanding as a necessary measure to preserve Osun as an Ebola-virusfree state.’’ These statements has since generated a lot of fears and even divisions among the people with quite a few not happy with the government for dabbing into what the people said has been the age – long tradition of the people. But to douse the growing fears and calm already frayed nerves across the state and other parts of the country, especially the South western states where the people have yearly mobilized under the Odua People Congress (OPC) and other cultural groups to attend the festival, the Ataoja was forced days later to issue a press state-

Arugba with some Osun acolytes on procession at during the grand finale event

The normal procession of the Arugba to the shrine would take place with all its attendant fanfare. However, attendance at the procession will be restricted to the traditional worshippers and residents within the state Aregbesola

ment in support of the restriction order by the state government. In the statement, the Ataoja expressed support for the government’s position, enjoining his people and others to see this period as a challenging one but not an attempt to prevent anyone from carrying out their religious rites as symbolized by the celebration of the festival. ‘‘We do not want to support their efforts and admonish our people to please inculcate the prescribed hygiene measures put in place as neither anybody nor religious group are being intimidated in performing their religious obligations. To this end, we want to implore each and every one of us to ensure that we moderate our reception of our visitors, either from overseas and most especially from other states within Nigeria, where cases of this deadly disease are being managed,’’ said the Ataoja. The statement further said that, ‘‘also, we the organisers of the festival are in total support of the state government’s crowd control measures being put in place to minimize the risks of the spread of this disease during the Osun Osogbo Grand Finale coming up on Friday, August 22, 2014 (Today).

Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun

Following this development, feelers emerging from the state revealed that the event today would be a low keyed one with many of the traditional and regular visitors staying away from the festival while the people themselves may also celebrate with tempered dance step and feasting as the usual colours and excitement that come with the event today may not be overwhelming. Already, the mood at the palace and the traditional abode of the people of Osun is a tempered one with many of the people believed to have drastically scaled down on their plans to celebrate today and host their visitors to a savoury party as it is usually the case in many quarters of the traditional city. The festival, which first held in 1370 AD has always been celebrated annually by the people without fail and it has over the years grow from its pristine and religious stage to a big socio- cultural and tourism event attracting huge following from across the country and pockets of foreign tourists. It also enjoys support and sponsorship from the corporate businesses that saw it as a big occasion to expose their brands while the commercial value has continued to be

on the rise as it serves to boost the economy of the people. This aspect, which makes the festival to enjoy a mass appeal with various vendors and commerce people lining the routes to the grove may just also be missing from today’s event as many of them for fear of not being patronized may stay away from the festival. Today’s grand event is the climax of the dramatic re-enactment of the people’s paying obeisance to their forebears and the goddess of the Osun River. Beside its religious flavor, it has become a celebration of the way and life of the Osogbo community and its organization and presentation has been accepted by all, not only in Nigeria, Africa, but in the whole wide world. It celebration yearly spans over two weeks with activities in both the traditional and contemporary mode organized in the re-enactment of the age – long cultural beliefs of the people and celebration of their culture. The traditional celebration this year was heralded with the Iwopopo ceremony (The traditional cleansing of the city) and it is this that culminates into today’s grand finale, which hopefully should still witness air of festivities, jubilation and pomp despite the challenging moment.

ENTERTAINMENT

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Creative freedom has kept Cartoon Network going

STORIES BY SONY NEME

Pierre Branco is the Vice President of Turner Broadcasting System, Southern Europe and Africa. He also doubles as the General Manager in charge of France and Portugal. That enables Branco to oversee and provide contents to MultiChoice, such as Cable Network News, CNN, Boomerange, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, TCM, and Cartoon Network among others. He spoke with New Telegraph on contents, and its effects in Africa among others during the recent MultiChoice Africa’s organized content showcase in Mauritius Turner Broadcasting System is here as a major content provider. Among them is Cartoon Network, with the grip-like influence on children, and some adults, can you please share with us what your production pattern entails? One of the key things in Cartoon Network is giving complete freedom to our content creators. We just tell them, bring in stories; just come up with stories. They can be strange. We tell them ‘it doesn’t matter’. It comes as simple, because when you do that, you just realize how easy you have made their jobs as they churn out hit contents. That is how we have come up with hits upon hits. It is just an idea of someone who just came up with something that get viewers hooked to their screens. A creator comes up and says, ‘I want to do a show like this’, we tell him to go on. And he does it fantastically successful for the audience. Basically, I will say the first thing is stories, and creativity in animations. This is what we have done at Cartoon Network. This is what we want in terms of contents. It must not look like something, or a replication of something that is already in existence. That is why you will always find something very creative on our channels: the fun, stories and characters are very original. What has made us a leading channel in animation in Africa, is creating new stories, inventing new world and new adventures, while at the same time providing what kids can connect with. Fun, more fun that meet their needs. With the advent of social media, the conventional pattern of parents returning from work to turn on the television is over, as kids

ery country. And for us it is very important to localize. It doesn’t mean that we have to localize in every country, but it is important we do that in countries where we broadcast contents. This is something we really want to develop. I can tell you that we are up for that. I want to also spread the message that, if there is any talent on creativity that can introduce contents like ours, we shall be happy to look at it and put it in the channel.

Branco

In terms of consumption…they don’t realize it is Japanese, Mexican, America or from Nigeria. What they want is something fun… have all kinds of gadgets to watch their favourite channels as at when due; how do you cope with this trend and what do foresee as future challenges? It is a good point you have mentioned, as we have realized that it is not about watching television the traditional way, but about content. Actually the device that you use in watching does not really matters. The only thing is what are you really going to watch, and what are you watching: funny and great contents. So for us it is very right as we know that they watch from their phones, ipad and PC and other devices. We meet them at that point as we provide some contents in a shorter form to meet their need, because they will always find the device to watch what they want to watch. Be it on TV, or on whichever device. The point is, ‘is it good?’ if it is okay they will find whatever device to watch it. And our job as a channel is to make it easier for them to enjoy the contents. How do you domesticate this in Africa? Do you get your contents from Africa or you bring them in from Europe? One thing that is very important here. I will say that with kids there are no borders, no frontiers, and no countries.

There is just one thing that the kids will see on this channel: fun. That is what matters to them. I will say our company, as an international establishment, we produce in Europe, Asia and relatively less in Africa. Basically this is something we want to develop, because we need talents that could come from Africa. But in terms of what consumption, what the kids watch, they don’t realize it is Japanese, Mexican, America or from Nigeria. What they want is something fun. And this why I always say you don’t know the nationalities of Tom and Jerry. It could be you or me. They could come from Africa or they could come from Europe. Not a question of nationality. The story is what matters. Then in terms of production, we are looking out more from Africa - an African talent. But for the kids, I don’t think they are particular about where it comes from. In terms of job creations, how much of Africans are you availing the opportunity to tell their stories? This is something that we are looking at. A company like ours comes with international channels, and with our strength we can bring contents from ev-

What are you bringing differently that your viewers should look out for this year? On Carton Network, the great thing is that all the time we have something new coming all the time. We have about 700 new episodes coming in all our channels to be broadcast for the first time in Africa. Every week we have lots of new episodes for our viewers. At the same time kids have their favourites, just as we presently have a story titled Uncle Grand Pa. It is about a funny man who is an uncle of all the children in the world, who is bent on helping them. We have another one that pretends to have super powers. These are new stories and the idea is for viewers to catch fun and love. During your briefing you spoke elaborately on your CNN focus on Africa. What are you doing to ensure that CNN also look at the good side of the continent, because Africa is not all about the bad and ugly sides of life? I understand that. I will start with the following response. There is the Chibok girls in Nigeria, which is news. The way you cover this news should go beyond the drama. That is why we have our reporters on ground, who are do there to file in these reports. They take real risk to get these. Then there is the more indebt analysis stories. In this you will bring in new perspective to look at something specific on the world and about Africa. For example, someone that has built a business or someone that has created a new technology that is trying to open it up to the world. When we tell these kinds of stories we try to open this to the world, because this is very important to the CNN. When we tell the story about Africa, the whole world will listen, as that opens the gate and create opportunities for the continent. I think it is nice to make good stories and make the world know this is Africa. We are not telling the story of Africa to Africans, but an Af-

rican story to the whole world. Like I said, earlier, it open doors, and create connections to the whole parts of the world. I think it is a fantastic way of telling the story and open the way for Africa. That is the point I just raised. For instance the Amnesty programme in the Niger Delta, CNN has not bothered to broadcast how it is working. Because apart from the direct beneficiaries, what has happened to the oil producing communities, their environment, families of those who lost their lives while fighting with the Amnesty beneficiaries to liberate their communities from wanton destructions of major oil companies from mainly Europe and America? I see what you mean. But honestly I am not responsible in their editorial decisions on how it should be done or not. Basically I can tell you that CNN as an important arm as much as I know that delivers stories as it unfolds. In the Nigerian case, we will be interested in knowing, because our challenge is to get there and talk to the people. Should you have cases that we may not know, we would be interested in knowing, because our challenge is getting to the place and having the right people with the information that is not twisted as we. We may not be able to have the full stories, but that is our job.

F.A.M.E generates excitement among Nigerian youths eeks after organisers of W the Fashion and Music Entertainment, FAME, com-

menced sales of forms for the imaginative event, indications have emerged that it is already generating interesting excitement among Nigerian youths. The event designed for youths desirous of a career in fashion and music is a runway-themed showcase of the abundant talents in the aforementioned industry, . This was revealed by Bukiie Smart, the brain behind the project. According to the Accounting and Finance undergraduate of the University of Reading, United Kingdom, “We are genuinely enthused by the response F.A.M.E has generated among young Nigerians since we started selling the forms. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 6

26 ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, August 22, 2014

F.A.M.E generates excitement among Nigerian youths CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

I didn’t realise that an idea I conceived to change the way things were done in the fashion and music industries, which I am passionate about, would be the catalyst for thousands of young Nigerians who want to

be music and fashion stars.” Entry form for the event, which has been on sale from July, she further explained, ‘Is in two categories - fashion and music. And submitted applications would be thoroughly scrutinized and successful applicants would be shortlisted

for training and audition which would be the utmost precondition for qualification into the finals of the event.” Miss Smart also disclosed that the training and audition sessions would entail all shortlisted applicants in the two categories converging daily at a

designated location where they would be engaged by professional instructors. “Only the best five in each of the two categories would converge at the grand finale where the winner of the star prize of N1million for each category would be chosen. She

said that unlike other competitions, all finalists would each receive consolation prizes,” she stated. Entry forms and registration details are available on the FAME website and is open to anyone in any part of Nigeria and even beyond..

Cheekuh out with new single Loke Loke heekuh, a seasoned R&B Ccords crooner and 2-Digits React, has released an-

Contestants being screened at the Aquafina Elite Model Look Nigeria casting at Eko Hotel, V.I

STORIES BY SONY NEME

00 young male and female models are in the race for stardom courtesy of Aquafina table water sponsored Elite Model Look Nigeria. The prospects were shortlisted during the final casting in Lagos by four judges who had a herculean task picking the 50 males and 50 females from the beehive of over 4,000 nice looking youngsters. The winners in the male and female categories will represent Nigeria at the global contest and stand the chance of winning $150,000. Aquafina table water, from the makers of Pepsi has been sponsors since last year. Elite Model Look is the most renowned international modeling contest that attracts more than 350,000 participants every year, from 800 cities, 70 countries and five continents. It is unique in providing the opportunity for young girls to enter the fashion world, become models and make fabulous careers.

100 jostle for Aquafina Elite Model’s $150,000 price 18 year-old.Neoma Anosike, won the 2013 edition and had an impressive showing in the global contest in China where she represented Nigeria. Other super models such as Cindy Crawford, Gisele Bundchen, Chika Emmanuella had emerged from this platform. According to the Head of Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc., Mr. Norden Thurston in his remark: “We are delighted to partner with Elite Model Look to give young Nigerians a platform to aspire to the zenith of international modeling and fashion. We believe that beauty comes from within and is a function of clean and pure habits. “Especially eating good food and drinking clean water, which creates a synergy

for Aquafina with ‘Elite Model Look Nigeria’ as the participants portray the benefits of drinking ‘purity guaranteed Aquafina Premium water.” He further said both PepsiCo and Seven-Up Bottling Company believe in the talent and ability that resides in the Nigerian youth and have consistently provided opportunities for them to express themselves, be it in music, football or education through a number of consumer empowerment schemes. For the Business Development Manager, Metro Media Communications, Anthony Ifeanyi Elikene, “The pre-qualified 100 aspiring models will undergo further selection process for the final 30 that will go into the Boot Camp. This year,

male models have been given opportunity to be part of the global cast for Elite Look. He stated that, ‘Some of the pre-qualified contestants expressed delight with Aquafina for giving them a lifetime opportunity to live their dreams of becoming international models First runner up in Mr. World contest and current Mr. Nigeria, Emmanuel Ikubese, thanked Aquafina for sponsoring Aquafina Elite Model Look Nigeria, as such youthoriented platforms paved the way for his discovery. This year’s edition promises to be very exciting and colourful as Aquafina and Elite Model Nigerian Look management have put everything in place to make it a memorable event.

other hit single entitled Loke Loke. The new song, which preaches patience and highlights the story of a lady who left her boyfriend because she couldn’t comprehend the guy’s action, is a feel good sound. Cheekuh, born Gimba Cheekuh Galadima is a native of Bida in Niger State, Nigeria and a graduate of Petrochemical Engineering from the University of Jos. “I am from a large family; my father has three wives.” Said the son of a Nothern affluent man when questioned about growing up. Though, he said he never had all the opportunities of a rich parent, yet he enjoyed the privileges ‘Talakawa’ couldn’t have. His record label 2-Digits Records is Nigeria’s first digital record label. Other artistes on the label are ND Dancin (Daniel Nathaniel) and Dee Dread (Dare Adewunmi). It is a brain-child of Adedokun Abiola.

Cheekuh

Let’s embrace reggae music in Nigeria — Oga Chux Shola Adefuwa

Oga Chux

eginald Chukwuemeka Enemosah better known as Oga Chux is an emerging force in reggae music. He had rolled out hit singles, ‘Round and Round’ and ‘I’ll Say It’, while in Ghana. Oga Chux in an interview with New Telegraph, said that reggae music remains the most potent and credible means of reaching out to the people. For him people don’t know that reggae music is a very lucrative business, it is not a mere entertainment avenue, but, a serious show business that is set aside for serious minded entertainers.. His words: “I feel that Africa or Nigeria have not really looked into the benefits of going into reggae music. Though South Africa was able to produce Lucky Dube, while Cote d’Ivoir, they have been able to produce Alpha blondy, a lot of reggae musicians have come out even in Ghana. Back in the days, Nigeria boasts of respected names like Ras Kimono, Oritz

Wiliki and Majek Fashek in that order” His pain is that, “Since then, we don’t have anyone who has really taken seriou8sly to reggae, especially among the new generation artistes. So I am out to feel the gap by taking reggae up to where it rightly belongs.” Oga Chux who has a Nigerian and a Ghanaian mother, had left Nigeria for Ghana at a tender age of 11 his staying power is on guitar, music producer and song writer. He had attended Ghana Institute of Journalism, where he read broadcast Journalism for two years, and earned a certificate in that regard. He later worked with a local entertainment magazine in Accra between 2004 – 2006. “I had the opportunity to meet a lot of Ghanaian artistes, as I was interviewing them and collecting scripts and stories from those guys. That was before I switched to music, which is my calling. Since then I have been on the road. The

singles were successful considering my target audience,” he stated. He further said, “Growing up in Africa, you learn a lot of things, with experience from the hardships and you get strong, you also get a lot of stories to tell, I faced some of these challenges as an African. I came across the “Rasta fari” movement when i was researching into reggae music, and it is a way of life of cleanliness and righteousness, and it also links you to the creator, that is, Almighty God who gives you the wisdom, knowledge, strength and everything you need to be a leader.” He said, my inspiration comes from Jah because I’m a Rasta Most of my songs are recorded live, which is more difficult than you just going to the studio and you are being given a beat. Nigerians love reggae, the only excuse for not having reggae as popular in Nigeria is because they have not been a lot of very good reggae songs. That is what I am out to achieve, as I am ready to take reggae music to the rest of the world.

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, August 22, 2014

LYRICS

STORIES BY SONY NEME

oin DStv this month and be a part of the glamour and excitement as Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic report live from the red carpet, bringing you all the latest news and fashion updates from the 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards. This spectacle will bring viewers exclusive content ranging from in-depth interviews with the nominees to special guest presenters, this is the ultimate pre-awards show extravaganza you simply can’t miss! Sky High airs on Disney Channel on Friday 22 August at 17:30 CAT Will Stronghold is full of angst about friends, grades, and girls... in other words Will is another teen about to start high school. But he has the added pressure of being the third generation of the Stronghold family to attend Sky High, an elite high school entrusted with the responsibility of moulding power-gifted students into superheroes. The problem is Will is starting his fresh-

man year without any super powers of his own. He must hide his worries or face the disappointment of his parents, famous super heroes The Commander and Jetstream.

hand to pick up. Your Style in His Hands airs on TLC Entertainment on Mondays at 20:55 CAT Your style in his hands is back, as Lisa Snowden

Meghan Trainor to release All About that Bass September 9th

ollowing the breakout success of pop newcomer Meghan Trainor’s infectious self-empowerment anthem “All About That Bass,” Epic Records will release the singer-songwriter’s debut EP, Title on September 9th. The four-track digital EP will include “All About That Bass” plus three brand-new tracks, “Title,” “Dear Future Husband” and “Close Your Eyes.” According to a statement made available to New Telegraph by Sony Music’s Roxanne.Maritz, “As fans eagerly await its release, they can create and share their own Bass Magazine covers visiting the newly launched site allaboutthatbass.com.a’ Widely hailed as a top contender for 2014’s song of the summer, th song has shot straight to number one on iTunes’ and Amazon’s digital singles charts, number one on Billboard’s Digital Songs chart and five on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Meghan Trainor is a 20-year-old singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist from Nantucket who scored her first publishing deal at age 18. She’s since penned tracks for everyone from Grammy-winning country superstars Rascal Flatts to reggae/rock/R&B group Common Kings. Inspired by everything from pop to R&B and soul to the melody

Trainor

and swing of soca, Meghan comes with her own unique, bold and catchy sound that also blends ’50s throw back, hip-hop and classic pop. “All About That Bass” is the first single from Meghan Trainor’s upcoming Epic Records full-length debut album to be released later this year. Maritz further stated that, “With over 500k units scanned in less than six weeks since its release on June 30th, “All About That

Bass” has been certified gold by the RIAA and is soaring towards platinum certification. It has been one of the most added songs at Top 40 radio for seven weeks in a row and climbs to #20 on the Top 40 airplay charts this week. It’s also one of the top 10 most streamed and Shazammed songs for the last six weeks, hitting No. 2 on Shazam’s US Top 200 chart, No. 5 on Spotify’s overall Top 100 chart, No. 1 on Spotify’s US Top 50

meets more headstrong couples prepared to put both their relationship and fashion choices on the line. With £5,000 to spend, the man and his best mate get just two weeks to buy a completely new wardrobe for his other half, before the hapless pair devise a catwalk show in front of family and friends. But first, she has to surrender her beloved old wardrobe and watch as he shreds the lot before her very eyes. Will their relationship survive the tears, tantrums, self-doubt and disappointment as the man attempts to give his girl a brand new style that she has no say in whatsoever? Lisa is on hand to pick up the pieces and guide them through this emotional mother of all makeovers. Violetta returns for a second season on Disney Channel from Monday 25 August at 16:10 CAT The wait is over! This month fans of telenovela Violetta can at last see the second season of this series, which has been a worldwide hit. All the old favourites are back, and some new characters appear. But one thing hasn’t changed – Ludmila is still causing trouble for Violetta with her family, friends and in her career and love life too! Violetta season two continues every weekday at the same times.

FOR THE WEEK

CINEMAWATCH (Radio/TV/Events Guide) AUGUST 22 — 29 HIGHLIGHTS

Live from the Red Carpet at The 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards airs on E! Entertainment from Monday 25

In case of incasity – ft Davido HOOK: No more sorrow Dance like no tomorrow See as people just dey turn up Omo na the place wey we dey so Models and shayos Everything as follows Even little boy don dey man up Omo na the place wey we dey CHORUS: Should in case of incasity Hold one, fight one Should in case of incasity The big one, is the ripe one Should in case of incasity Hold one, baby fight one Should in case of incasity The big one, is the ripe one eh VERSE 1: Got the money for the rubber band E kon be like sey me I rob a bank All the girls for the boullivan And I got the drink for turn other hand Ah god See this fine lepa, I know that you like better life See this fine orobo, I know that you like better size Oya make you show me you fit handle me Lepa, you fit handle me Oya make you show me you fit handle me Orobo, shey you fit handle me CHORUS: Should in case of incasity Hold one, fight one Should in case of incasity The big one, is the ripe one Should in case of incasity Hold one, baby fight one Should in case of incasity The big one, is the ripe one eh Should in case of incasity Hold one, fight one Should in case of incasity The big one, is the ripe one Should in case of incasity Hold one, baby fight one Should in case of incasity The big one, is the ripe one eh VERSE 2: And I don’t need to commit case Oya baby come on let’s communicate And I go carry you go date I go introduce you to

Dammy krane I’m talking San Trove Ain’t no life and it’s okay Popping bottles like all day Chilling sipping on Rozay Body sexy like a saxophone What’s your sign she told me Capricorn Baby girl na you I call my own You go be my queen or make we go The Throne Let me see you wine, jeje And we go wine and dine, jeje It’s me and you for life, jeje This love go sharp like knife, jeje HOOK: No more sorrow Dance like no tomorrow See as people just dey turn up Omo na the place wey we dey so Models and shayos Everything as follows Even little boy don dey man up Omo na the place wey we dey CHORUS: Should in case of incasity Hold one, fight one Should in case of incasity The big one, is the ripe one Should in case of incasity Hold one, baby fight one Should in case of incasity The big one, is the ripe one eh Should in case of incasity Hold one, fight one Should in case of incasity The big one, is the ripe one Should in case of incasity Hold one, baby fight one Should in case of incasity The big one, is the ripe one eh OUTRO: If lepa dance She gats dance lepa dance If orobo dance She gats dance orobo dance Lepa no fit dance orobo dance Orobo no fit dance lepa dance Uh! Omo Change it for them like a carrot things Should in case of incasity Whether you’re chilling in WOTM Aura,Quilox, or you wan go Escape, Ah, beware

Viral Tracks chart and No. 7 on Spotify’s Global Top 50 Viral Tracks chart.” Indeed, “All About The Bass” is poised to become a worldwide hit, peaking solidly at No. 1 in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The rest of the world is catching up fast as “All About That Bass” reaches No. 10, Top 20 and Top 30 positions in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, Poland, South Africa and a number of Asia markets. “The video has racked up more than 14 million views since premiering on influential pop blog Idolator two months ago and is the No. 1 selling video on the iTunes video chart. The clip is directed by legendary director/producer/choreographer Fatima Robinson (Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Michael Jackson) and stars Vine superstar Sione Maraschino who has over 420,000 followers. You can see it here: http://smarturl.it/AATBvideo,” . Meghan performed the track for the first time on national TV last week on “Live With Kelly & Michael.” She also appeared on NBC’s “Today” in an interview with host Savannah Guthrie just after the single was released in early July and appeared on BET’s “106 & Park” last week. She’s been named an MTVu Freshman, a Fuse Favorite for the month of August and the video is No. 17 this week on VH1’s Top 20 Countdown in addition to be added to rotation at VH1, MTV Hits, Music Choice and TeenNick. Compired by Shola Adefuwa

Censors Board approves 89 films for July

Friday, August 22, 2014

Native Filmworks unveils ‘A Place In The Stars’

STORIES BY SONY NEME he National Film and Video Tapproved Censors Board (NFVCB) has a total of Eighty –

Nine movies for the month of July, 2014. Highlight of the approval shows that four movies are feature length films for cinema exhibition while eightyfive movies are for home viewership. The total approval for July shows a marginal improvement with twelve over the figure for June when seventy-seven movies were approved. A breakdown of the movies approved for home viewership shows Yoruba language category retaining its leadership with 30 movies. Oher language categories is as follows, English, 29, Hausa – 12, Bini – 10 and Ibibio/Efik four. The approved movies are to be released with their respective consumer advisories on imitable technique, strong language, violence, and fetish rituals. Among the movies for home viewership, 38 came with “15” classification grade while 47 were classified “18” for adult viewership. Some of the “15” rated movies include”Alero’s symphony” English, “Adijatu Kubura”” (Yoruba), “Farin Hannu” (Hausa), “Ose” (Bini), “Udo facebook” (English), “Sebi mi ni?” (Yoruba, “Ya Sayyadi” (hausa), “Secret of a wife” (English, “Temiloluwa A.T.M.” (Yoruba), “Mata Hudu” (Hausa). While some of the “18” rated ones include “A Fakale” (Hausa), “Beyond the Graves” (English), “Aroba” (Yoruba), “Enaiso” (Bini), “se owo otode” (Ibibio), “Broken cord” (English),“Daramola” (Yoruba), “Dan Takar” (Hausa), “EfinBoy” (Bini), Ifini Ubong” (Ibibio), “Jouney of no return” (English). The National Film and Video Censors Board re-affirms its resolve to attend to the censorship of submitted movies with utmost dispatch.

Tosin Ajibade aka Olorisupergal, Host Star The Winner Is, Uti Nwachukwu and Celebrity Stylist, Yolanda Okereke

ative Filmworks Limited, one of Nigeria’s pioneer Film & TV production Company and unveiled its first narrative feature, “A Place in the Stars” on Wednesday, 20th August 2014 at Freedom Park, Lagos State. Directed and produced by respected film maker, Steve Gukas, A Place in the Stars is a riveting account of drug trafficking that focuses on how fake and adulterated medical drugs were traded for billions of dollars. In it are dangerous men willing to kill to protect their money. It has a young man with a nagging conscience sworn to get rich or die trying in a very corrupt country. But how far is he willing to go? This and more are contained in the well-produced movie that is bound to make a difference in Nollywood. The movie inspired by the Late Dora Akunyili, was pro-

duced in conjunction with Massive Entertainment, Consolidated Media Associates, Pepper Fruit Consult, Michel Angelo Productions and T-Large Media. It features some of the best actors such Segun Arinze, Gideon Eche-Okeke and Dejumo Lewis. Others are Yemi Blaque, Femi Branch, Matilda Obaseki, Julian Mcdowell, Armajit Deu and Amaka Mgbor. Set in 2006 Nigeria, A Place in the Stars tells the story of Kim Dakim (Gideon Okeke), a young lawyer who gets a client with a case that leaves him conflicted. He has information that can save many lives if he passes it on, but he also stands to make millions of dollars if he doesn’t. Thorn in between that in a very corrupt country where everyone loves money, and no one cares how you make it, Kim sees this as his chance to make it big. Problem is Diokpa Okonwo (Segun Arinze) the kingpin of

the counterfeit medical drugs trade that doesn’t play nice. He kills at will to protect his million dollar trade. He has Kim’s client in jail and assassins out to silence Kim. Suddenly Kim is at war on two fronts: one to stay alive and the other against his conscience and everything he has been raised to believe is right. From the story treatment to screenplay, costume and production design to the production format, cast and crew, the movie tur ns out to be a wellresearched effort.. The movie is scheduled to be premirered i n

Guests endorse Single, Married and Complicated D electable costumes, mirthful conversation and lots of networking were the synonyms of Silverbird Galleria, Lagos on Friday, 15 August as Ghollywood screen siren, Yvonne Nelson’s new movie titled Single, Married and Complicated premiered amidst much pomp and pageantry before an audience of movie lovers and celebrities. The star-studded premiere was attended by the crème of the Nigeria entertainment industry and other industry captains who turned out to support Yvonne Nelson’s fourth effort as a producer. Celebrities that strutted the red carpet included Rukky Sanda, IK Ogbonna and his Columbian girlfriend, Sasha, Annie Idibia, Tana Adelana, Alexx Ekubo, Emem Isong, Tee A to name a few. The steamy romantic comedy which was produced by Yvonne Nelson Productions is written and directed by award winning director, Pascal Amanfo was described by Yvonne Nelson as a natural follow up of all to give a possibly sweet finish to a great tale.

She 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. Nelson has this to say after the premiere: “I envisioned this movie to have lots of laugh out loud moments and loads of excitement. I am happy movie enthusiasts who came tonight had a thrilling experience and they got what I envisioned if not an overdose of that.” The movie described as a sweet romance between Nigeria and Ghana features an eclectic mix of stars from both countries and they include; The movie also features Yvonne Nelson supported by an allstar cast from Nigeria and Ghana including Chris Attoh, Eddie Watson, Anita Erskine, and Tana Adelana who were part of the original movie

Africa – Lagos/Abuja, South Africa, Kenya and in the West – London and New York/Maryland.

BUSINESS

29 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

Friday, AUGUST 22, 2014

What's news Nigeria’s FDI to hit $23bn annually Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows into Nigeria have been forecast to average about $23 billion per annum over the next five years, a report by renowned consultant, Ernst & Young, has revealed.

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Stock Exchange links infractions to inactive firms Majority of the prohibited practices in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have been linked to inactive firms.

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PFA: PenCom support re-echoes worries over N302bn transfer After waiting patiently for two and half years, the National Pension Commission has finally endorsed the take-off of the Nigeria Police Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), which is strictly meant for the security agents to manage their contributions under the new Pension Reform Act.

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FG acquires ¤10.1m vessel to exploit fisheries potential The Federal Government has acquired a research vessel valued at 10.1 million euro for the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research as part of the strategies to reposition both the marine and the fisheries sectors to boost national economy.

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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

Trouble with cocoa business }p-33

ayodele aminu, Deputy Editor, business

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

Nigeria records $600m mobile money transactions REGISTERED AGENTS The country has 67,000 registered agents, while mobile money services subscribers have hit one million

Total payments valued at $695billion per annum money users, 57.8 per cent of them have used the service for airtime purchase; 49.2 per cent for sending money; 38.2

per cent for receiving money; 30.5 per cent for payment of bills and 5.3 per cent for other purposes.

She noted that government wanted to promote greater CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Jonah Iboma

igeria has recorded over 11 million mobile money transactions worth over $600 million since the service made its debut in 2011, according to the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology. A document obtained from the ministry said that while there are now over 67,000 registered agents, mobile money services subscribers in Nigeria have now hit nearly one million. In the document, which formed part of a presentation made by Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson to the American Business Council, she said that government had a lot of confidence that initial sluggish adoption of mobile money notwithstanding, more people will embrace it in the near future. “Whilst uptake has been initially slow, improving infrastructure, fine-tuning of legislation and increasing confidence in product by consumers will result in significant acceleration,” Mrs Johnson said. According to her, government believed that the service had the potential to increase financial inclusion in the country. “Mobile money is currently mostly used to buy airtime; it however has the potential to serve as a platform for drawing more people into formal financial services,” she said. Details of the document showed that of all registered

L-R: Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele; President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Sterling Bank Plc's Regional Business Executive, Abuja, Mr John Japhet, receiving the Best Performing Bank in Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme in Abuja

178m Android phones at risk in Nigeria, Africa, Middle East SOLUTION Palo Alto Networks recommended that Android users disable USB debugging when not needed Jonah Iboma

new research on the internal storage used by applications on Google Android devices makes over 94 per cent of popular Android applications used in Nigeria, Africa and

Middle East potentially vulnerable to virus and other forms of electronic attacks. Palo Alto Networks, an ICT security services firm, disclosed this in its latest report obtained by New Telegraph. Android Internal Storage is a protected area that Androidbased applications use to store private information, including usernames and passwords. But as Palo Alto Networks research reveals, an attacker may be able to steal sensitive information from most of the applications on an Android device using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) backup/restore function. In addition, most of the security en-

hancements added by Google to prevent this type of attack can be bypassed. The firm said that in the Middle East and Africa, Android has the largest market share of all platforms at 40 per cent and that anyone using a device running version 4.0 of Android - about 85 per cent of Android systems in use today in the Middle East - is potentially vulnerable. The firm added that of the estimated 525.8 million mobile phone owners is the Middle East and Africa, the percentage of those using Android equates CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE July 2014.................................8.3% June 2014................................8.2% May 2014....................................8%

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Aug 15)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N162.00 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . . 11.57% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N262.78 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N209.50 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $39.59bn as at 15/08/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at Aug 15)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N259.94 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N208.51 Source: CBN

30 BUSINESS | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Nigeria’s FDI to hit $23bn annually, says report JOB CREATION The inflows will create 95,000 new jobs with 80 per cent of that FDI in the oil and gas sector Sunday Ojeme

oreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows into Nigeria have been forecast to average about $23 billion per annum over the next five years, a report by renowned consultant, Ernst & Young, has revealed. The report also adjudged Nigeria as the largest recipient of FDI in the last decade with 80 per cent invested in the oil and gas sector, a development that is further enhancing the interest of the United Kingdom Trade & Investment (UKTI) agency in doing more businesses in the country. The inflows, according to the report, will also create approximately 95,000 new jobs with

Country’s largest recipient in last decade eighty per cent of that FDI in the oil and gas sector. It added that the country’s substantial oil reserves would continue to attract funds over the medium term, with the bulk of FDI concentrated here. According to the consultant’s attractiveness survey, Nigeria had been the largest recipient with announcements totaling almost $116 billion in 2003–11 (around 9.0 per cent of Gross Domestic Product). The UK trade agency, while advising more investors to take more business interests in Africa, said that many UK companies were already active in Nigeria’s market, “which is by far Africa’s largest oil producer.” According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), Europe is the largest regional importer of Nigerian oil. In 2012, Europe imported 889,000 barrels per day of crude oil and condensate from Nigeria, accounting for 44 per cent of total Nigerian exports. The EIA

also lists Nigeria as the largest holder of natural gas proven reserves in Africa and the ninth largest holder in the world. According to Ernst & Young, “Nigeria is considered by many people to be one of the most exciting emerging markets in the world today. Oil remains a major draw card for investment and remains integral to the economy. However, a consistently high growth rate, together with the largest population in Africa, is attracting investment

into a number of other sectors, notably telecommunications, financial services and consumer products. We are very positive that these trends will continue.” It also stated that the large domestic market and diversifying economy was, however, creating opportunities for FDI in other sectors such as communications, financial services, real estate and tourism as well as a large and relatively cheap labor force to draw on. The experts, however, la-

mented that weak infrastructure and relatively high corruption would limit some of the country’s growth potential. It added that political risk factors relating to recent terrorist activity and the potential for civil unrest between the Muslim north and Christian south, will serve as an impediment to some investors. However, Nigeria is making great strides in many areas, with notable reform initiatives undertaken in the financial sector, for example, and tight fiscal and monetary management of the economy.

Nigeria records $600m mobile money transactions CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

financial inclusion using the system, since more people in Nigeria had a mobile phone than have a bank account. Johnson noted that although the situation was improving, currently only 35 million adult Nigerians (about 46 per cent) are financially excluded. Adoption of products and services not supplied by deposit money banks, she noted, have contributed the most to reducing exclusion. The minister said that government was also working towards reducing cash-based transactions. Analysis, according to her, shows that a significant proportion of payments in Nigeria are cash-based, adding that of total payments done in the country estimated at $695 billion per annum, cash accounts for over

90 per cent of transactions in terms of volume, and about 60 per cent in total value. Also, bank transfers and cheque payments combined make up less than 0.5 per cent in terms of volume and approximately 38 per cent in terms of value. The minister said that other digital forms of payment were increasing in volume, but noted however that they currently make up only about two per cent in value “Cash transactions are expensive, risky and promote insecurity in the financial system and country. Government is therefore implementing policies to increase the adoption of digital forms of payments. ICTs are at the heart of the success of such policies. Infrastructure for the delivery of services, applications for management, security and adoption of services,” Mrs Johnson said.

178m Android phones at risk in Nigeria, Africa, Middle CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

about 178 million phones. The firm advised Google to address the weakness. "We encourage users to be aware and Google to take a closer look at this storage weakness in Android. Given Android's place as the region's most popular mobile operating system, millions of users are potentially at risk here in the Middle East and Africa,” Saeed Agha, General Manager - Middle East, Palo Alto Networks, said. The technology security firm

added that over 94 per cent of popular Android applications, including pre-installed email and browser applications use the backup system, meaning users are vulnerable. It noted that many Android applications will store user passwords in plain text in Android Internal Storage, meaning that almost all popular e-mail clients’ applications are vulnerable. Palo Alto Networks recommended that Android users disable USB debugging when not needed, and application developers to protect Android users to change android settings.

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDG, Dr. Precious Kalamba Gbeneol; Head of Mobile Financial Services, FirstBank, Mike Ogbalu; Project Manager, MDG Implementation, FirstBank, Folasade Femi-Lawal; and Relationship Officer, MDG, FirstBank , Aishat Sumayin, at the launch of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme of the Federal Government in Rivers State.

Stock Exchange links infractions to inactive firms PROTECTION Nigerian bourse seeks enhanced investor protection Chris Ugwu

ajority of the prohibited practices in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have been linked to inactive firms. Head of NSE’s Legal and Regulation Division, Ms Tinuade Awe, has said. She said that the decision of the Exchange to sever all connections with any dealing member firm that is inactive for six consecutive months, was to maintain the integrity of the market and further protect investors. Awe noted that this is being pursued through a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-approved rule that authorises the NSE to revoke the

dealing member licences of such inactive firms. She said that the SEC-approved rule provides that where a dealing member firm is inactive for six consecutive months, the Exchange shall revoke its licence, adding that the circumstances of the inactivity are further categorised into voluntary and involuntary inactivity. “The powers of The Exchange under the SEC approved rule will be exercised judiciously and will take into account all the circumstances surrounding each individual case as well as the interests of all stakeholders, particularly the investors. Majority of the prohibited practices in the market have been linked to inactive firms and so, it is important to stress that the new rule is aimed at further sanitising the market to protect investors,” Awe said. She explained that voluntary inactivity occurs where the dealing member firm has not engaged in any trading activity for a consecutive period of six months without being

suspended by the Exchange or the SEC. “The rule provides further that the Exchange shall forthwith revoke the licence of any dealing member firm that falls into this category. Involuntary inactivity occurs where a dealing member firm has been suspended from trading activities by the Exchange or the SEC by reason of any infraction committed by that dealing member firm and it has not carried out any trading activity within the stipulated six months period,” she said. Head of Broker Dealer Regulation at the NSE, Mr Olufemi Shobanjo, said that the NSE in exercising its regulatory authority over dealing member firms shall continue to use the utmost care and diligence. He noted that the NSE is keen to entrench the required catalysts to stimulate and build a healthy and well-regulated market so as to stimulate increasing levels of investor confidence in the market.

Pension PFA: PenCom support re-echoes worries over N302bn transfer 31

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

APPREHENSION Fears over movement of funds from existing Pension Fund Administrators to the newly licensed Nigeria Police Pension Fund Administrator grow Sunday Ojeme

fter waiting patiently for two and half years, the National Pension Commission has finally endorsed the take-off of the Nigeria Police Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), which is strictly meant for the security agents to manage their contributions under the new Pension Reform Act. A statement issued early in the week said the approval became possible after the company fulfilled stringent licensing requirements. The NPF Pensions is specially licensed to administer the pension contributions of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force under the Pensions Reform Act 2014. Following the development, the PFA is taking steps to receive the over N300bn pension contributions of all the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force from the other 20 PFAs currently managing the funds. New deal Now that the negotiation between the Nigeria Police authorities and PenCom has finally been sealed, the expected transfer of over N300 billion from the assets of the existing PFAs still remains a thing of great concern to the industry operators. When the information first filtered out a few months ago after an Approvalin-Principle was granted to the new PFA, a number of stakeholders especially the pension operators were miffed over the decision of the regulator to effect the transfer instead of allowing the new PFA to commence receiving contributions from the scratch. Although PenCom endeavoured to allay the fears of contributors and stakeholders, the operators, however, drew inference from the impact the military pull-out from the scheme had on its assets in the past. Expert's opinion Observers were of the view that a sudden transfer of over N302 billion within a short period would constitute a systemic risk to the industry. They put the potential loss of income at about N5billion collectively per annum, saying this would invariably have attendant knockon effect on overall operations of existing PFAs in varying degrees. According to them, the issue of asset transfers should be in an equitable manner to neither favour the Police PFA nor hurt the existing RSA funds. This is so, given the large percentage of FGN bonds in the RSA portfolios, disposal of which (to fund the Police PF A) will lead to significant losses at this time. We must also ensure transfers of N302bil-

Officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force

Acting DG, PenCom, Chinelo Ahanonu-Amazu

Acting Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba

lion asset cash and near cash to a single player within a short period of time, do not cause systemic risk for the market. To prevent future liability, some form of indemnity should be considered. In their appeal to the commission, they advised it should consider the risks taken, efforts and hard work of shareholders and managements of the existing PFAs in the registration, asset creation and value addition made over the last seven years, adding that significant accumulated losses running into several hundred millions of naira were incurred by most PFAs in the course of the years. A statement issued to that effect said, “Some are only just coming out of these losses. Following the military exit , the further loss of Police assets totaling N302 billion will have significant impact and draw back on the PFAs. Potential loss of income is about N5billion per annum collectively. This will invariably have attendant knockon effect on overall operations of existing PFAs in varying degrees. “In order to have a fair outcome and ensure any future such licensing requests are mitigated, we believe the conditions should, while being fair, be stringent. Based on the foregoing, and in the interest of equity and fair play in the industry, we crave the indulgence of the Commission to consider that the Police PFA should be restricted to managing only pension contributions from the Nigeria Police Force, both now and in the future, orderly transfer within the PRA and Guidelines issued by the Commission, restriction to enrolling new employees for now, until the transfer window is opened, among others.”

In the same vein, a public affairs analyst, Mr. Ikeogu Oke, said if the situation was not carefully handled it could take the pension scheme to the status of those Federal Government projects that failed as a result of continued tinkering with guidelines and procedures. While recalling the anguish that characterised the old non-contributory scheme, he observed that the new scheme created under the Pension Reform Act 2004 had not only straightened out the irregularities associated with the old scheme but has also ensured reliable access to pensioners’ entitlements under the scheme as well as created a new Nigerian pension industry – whose assets currently exceeded N4.2 trillion. . According to him, “To be specific, Pencom recently licenced a PFA called the NPF Pensions Limited (i.e. Nigerian Police Force Pensions Limited). Then, as if prompted by the word “force” in the name of the new PFA, it directed that contributions belonging to police personnel totalling N302 billion be transferred from previously existing PFAs to the new PFA. This is tantamount to forcing all police personnel to subscribe to the services of the new PFA and also forcing the other PFAs to surrender the accounts voluntarily opened with them by police personnel to the new PFA. “Curiously, this is happening in an industry where the law insists on free

Likely effect

A sudden transfer of over N300 billion within a short period would constitute a systemic risk to the industry

choice in the opening of Retirement Savings Accounts and provides for holders of RSAs to switch their accounts between PFAs only with the opening of a transfer window. And the transfer window was not open when Pencom issued its said directive to the PFAs. “So much can be said about the impropriety of the directive by Pencom, on legal and moral grounds, besides its threat to the safety of the new pension scheme. As I have hinted at, the law is clear on free choice. And I don’t think that Pencom would like to be perceived as a regulator, otherwise a gatekeeper for the law, leading in or encouraging a breach of the law. In the least one would expect it to open the transfer window and let contributors or RSA holders (including police personnel) move freely.” He also reminded the commission that the gains of the past ten years, since the introduction of the new pension scheme, would have been eroded if, following the precedent it is trying to set with the Nigerian Police Force, all government parastatals and agencies, and even private companies, proceeded to set up PFAs. “Would Pencom be able to supervise the 1000 or so PFAs that would emerge as a result?” He queried. PenCom's position The commission in its defence assured that nothing unbecoming would happen to the well guided and lawfully invested funds. According to PenCom, the issue of threat to pension assets does not arise under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) because the management and custody of pension assets are respectively undertaken by separate licensed operators, namely the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs), under the strict supervision of the Commission. The Head, Communications, PenCom, Mr. Emeka Onuora, said the NPF Pensions Limited would operate like any other licensed PFA where the pension assets under its management will be held in custody by licensed PFCs under the supervision of the Commission. He pointed out that the Federal Government had never granted any approval to the Nigeria Police to pull out from the Contributory Pension Scheme, stressing that the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force were still under the Contributory Pension Scheme by virtue of Section 1 of the Pension Reform Act 2004.

business | PENSION

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Pensioners demand adequate funding for PTAD FINANCE The creation of the transition arrangement will hardly solve the prevailing problem Sunday Ojeme

ensioners who were elated over the creation of the Pension Transition Arrangement Department by the Federal Government have expressed disappointment over the failure to finance the body to enable it effect the payment of the various arrears and other welfare packages to them. The national President, National Union of Pensioners, Chief Abel Afolayan, who described PTAD as child of necessity, pleaded with the ministry and the budget office to release funds to enable them pay the pensioners. He said the union was prepared to work with the agency to enable it carry out its assignment smoothly in a bid to ameliorate the living condition of pensioners. He also advised the management of PTAD to step up efforts in the payment of some outstanding arrears of pensions of various categories and the payment of new enrollees for payment as well as payment of

pension and death gratuities to the deserving pensioners. This, he said, would convince the apprehensive pensioners of its action plan as well as prove its critics and skeptics wrong of its programmmes and activities. PTAD was established in line with Section 30, Sub Section (2a) of the Amended Pension Reform Act, 2004, and it will take over the management of three of the offices presently running the old pension scheme. These

are the Civil Service Pension Department, the Police Pension Office and the Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Office (CIPPO). Accordingly, the DirectorGeneral is expected to spearhead the smooth transition of the three offices into a single pension administration and management under the supervision of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), which will directly report to the Office

of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance for coordination and control. The guidelines for the operations of PTAD is divided into ten (10) sections with Sections one and two giving a brief on the background of the establishment as provided in the Pension Reform Act, 2004 and the objective of the Guidelines, respectively. Section three and four also

L-R: Registrar/ Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr. Adedeji Ajadi; Lagos State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi and Head, Corporate Services, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr. Vincent Adubor, during the CIS career talk in Lagos

set out the structure of the PTAD and its functions respectively. The type of books and records the Departments must maintain is addressed in the fifth section. Also, the minimum measures to be considered in the application of Next of Kin were discussed in section six. Section seven and eight addressed the minimum ICT requirements and the type of returns to be rendered by the Departments. The verification exercise for the pensioners and the procedure for handling pensioners’ complaints are discussed in sections nine and 10 respectively. The requirements of these guidelines are consistent with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act and are also considered enforceable within the Industry Afolayan also called on the federal and state government to ensure that all arrears owed pensioners were paid before the 2015 election, stressing that governors who failed to pay the arrears of pensioners would lose the support of its members in the general elections. He said, “Between now and election, we want our outstanding arrears to be paid so that our people will not die. We are also saying that those governors that want pensioners to die, we will not support them.”

PFAs record N1.2bn from underwriters Royal London warns of '£1bn’ pensions cap hit I nsurance companies have emerged as some of the highest respondents to the new pension law as they have made a contribution of over N1.2 billion to Pension Fund Administrators on behalf of their workers. The amount contributed by a total of 30 insurance companies in 2013 on behalf of 4,303 employees, was confirmed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) on its website. The pack of contributors include Leadway Assurance Company Limited with over N90 million; Lasaco Assurance Plc with over N29 million; Lasaco Life Assurance Company Ltd, N8.20 million; Wapic Insurance Plc, N31.33 million; Unity Kapital Assurance Plc, N44.04 million; Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, N31.41 million; Mansard Insurance Plc, N43.33; Zenith General Insurance Company Ltd, N27.59 million; and

Royal Exchange Prudential Life Plc, N6.73 million. Others are Great Nigeria Insurance Company Plc, N26.83 million; ADIC Insurance Ltd, N15.144 million; Custodian Life Assurance Ltd remitted N14.08 million; FBN Life Assurance, N26.73 million; Cornerstone Insurance Plc, N71.48 million; Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc, N26.35 million; Standard Alliance Life Assurance Ltd, N18.45 million and African Alliance Insurance Plc,N23.15 million. The list also includes Union Assurance Company Ltd, N104.97 million; Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, N56.68 million, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, N33.55 million; Old Mutual Nigeria Life Assurance Co. Ltd, N23.76 million; Capital Express Assurance Ltd, N17.15 million, Sterling Assurance Nigeria Ltd, N49.97 million; Linkage Assurance Plc, N46.05

million; Royal Exchange Plc, N90.07 million; KBL Insurance Ltd, N56.43 million; AIICO Insurance Plc, N117.83 million; Guinea Insurance Plc, N13.39 million; Regency Alliance Insurance Plc, N21.83 million and Equity Assurance Plc N34.32 million. The amount represents the 15 per cent of employees’ monthly emolument contributed to the pension scheme, where 7.5 per cent was contributed by employee and 7.5 per cent by the employer as provided in the repealed Pension Reform Act 2004. Having provided evidence that the contributions were remitted to the Pension Fund Custodians during the outgone year, the 30 insurance firms are among the 1274 employers issued with certificate of compliance with provisions of the Pension Act 2004 as at August 12, 2014.

Small firms to bear brunt of extra pension costs

mall businesses face a £1billion ‘backdoor tax’ from insurance companies looking to recoup the costs of complying with a government cap on pension charges. The boss of Royal London on Tuesday launched a withering attack on the Government for ‘grossly’ underestimating the cost to the industry of reducing

charges on company pensions. Phil Loney predicted the industry would be hit with a £1 billion bill over the next decade, five times the £200 million forecast by the coalition. He said insurers would look to claw back these costs by imposing charges on small companies. But he was immediately accused by leading pensions

campaigner Ros Altmann of threatening small firms. The Government is cracking down on rip off pension charges which affect millions of savers – particularly those in older pension schemes. Millions of workers are being automatically enrolled into company pensions as part of a government-backed initiative.

he United Kingdom government's price-cap on pension schemes will cost the insurance industry more than £1 billion, Royal London has warned — over five times what pensions minister Steve Webb said it would. The mutually-owned insurance group on Tuesday announced first-half profits of £139 million, a 45 per cent fall from a year ago. It uses the European Embedded Value measure, a metric for insurers' profitability. Phil Loney, the group's chief executive, said the fee-cap was the principal reason for the decline. The group made a £61 million provision against reduced future profitability in its existing book of pension schemes during the first half. Excluding this impact and other exceptional items, Royal London reported operating profits up eight to £110 million. The UK government is planning to introduce a charging cap on workplace pension schemes that are open to new joiners, set at 0.75 per cent of managed assets, from April 2015. On August 11 Financial News reported that the combined hit from the cap on the four largest insurers operating in the workplace pensions market was £460 million. Adding in figures from

Aegon, which reported its firsthalf results on August 14, and Royal London today, Loney said: "It all adds up to the thick end of £700 million." He added that this figure only takes into account existing business and does not include the cost of the government’s plans to provide all pension savers with free, impartial guidance on retirement choices. "I think this is all easily going to add up to £1 billion in the end - if anything it will be more. This is way more than the government said it would be. Steve Webb [the pensions minister] told Parliament it would reduce revenues by £200 million." A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said he "did not recognise Royal London's figure" and argued that any reduction to insurers' profitability was money put back in the hands of savers. Loney conceded that "noone will cry tears over insurers losing profit margins" but also warned that the impact would hit small business in the end. He said: "Insurers will introduce other types of charges. "What you can see, even though we are a year away, is that the big players are either introducing employer charges, or giving themselves the flexibility to do so."

Agric

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

BUSINESS 33

Hard Facts l Olam is developing a 10,000

hectare fully mechanised and irrigated paddy farm on Greenfield site in Nasarawa State.

l The farm is expected to yield 10 metric tonnes per hectare (over two annual crop cycles), based on four varieties of high-yield rice tested with the West African Rice Development Association.

l 3,000 hectares are already under cultivation, with a further 3,000 hectares on target for 2015.

l Up to 1000 workers are employed on the farm depending on seasonality.

l Cost of funds in Nigeria financial

Cocoa

Trouble with cocoa business When you have middlemen who come in droves to buy off commodity stocks, what they get are parcels that are not well dried, beans with high percentage of mould and, in the process, unscrupulous cocoa traders mix granites with cocoa beans, writes SIAKA MOMOH

est Africa places number one in cocoa production globally with Ivory Coast standing out as world biggest producer of this raw material which chocolate manufacturers and other products like cocoa powder, cocoa liquor, cocoa lotion, among others, depend largely on to keep their plants running. Ivory Coast produces 1.6 million metric tonnes of cocoa. Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon produce 700,020, 400,000 and 272000 metric tonnes respectively. World number two cocoa producer, Indonesia, accounts for 712,200 metric tonnes. Cocoa business in Nigeria – local processing and export – is confronted with challenges that must be addressed with dispatch. Quality problem Nigerian agriculture is smallholder farming. So is cocoa farming. Therefore, strict adherence to quality requirements cannot easily be achieved. Most traditional rural cocoa farmers,

most of who are aged, are not efficiently equipped to achieve the requirements in question. Moreover, when you have middlemen who come in their droves to buy off commodity stocks fast, what they get are parcels that are not well dried. What follows are beans with high percentage of mould. Unscrupulous local buying agents and other cocoa traders also mix cocoa beans with granites to achieve higher weights! Physical cocoa contracts Only recently, the Londonbased Federation of Cocoa Commerce (FCC) had extended its consultation period on changes proposed to physical cocoa contracts used globally after its tight time frame caused consternation amongst traders. The proposed changes from the international organisation for the cocoa private sector include stricter controls on bean quality and plan to improve transparency. Philip Sigley, chief executive of the FCC, said that the body had extended the consultation period to September 4, from a

It beholds on the government of Nigeria to keep agric processing plants working by giving incentives that work, not incentives that create more problems previous deadline of August 17. The FCC has also revised its previous plan to implement any agreed changes on September 1 and would now discuss any revisions to the proposed rules and an implementation date at a meeting on September 9. Sigley estimated that around 75 per cent of global cocoa bean trade is done via FCC contracts. Traders said that they needed more time to respond to the proposed changes, particularly a 3.5 per cent limit on newly defined “cocoa-related mat-

ter,” which includes broken beans, bean clusters, pieces of shell and germinated beans. Supplying cocoa at a discount “The initial feedback is literally zero cocoa from all origins and grades landing normally in Europe or the US is meeting that criteria, so you're opening the gates to a massive number of claims,” a European trader said. Cocoa that failed to meet the limit would be delivered at a discount. The FCC declined to comment on what percentage of cocoa traded globally might not meet the proposed standards. Three traders said that the limits for clusters, germinated beans and residues should each be set separately. “To have them altogether at 3.5 percent is at the moment unrealistic given the quality that we're seeing currently out of Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Cameroon,” a second trader said. Traders also wanted a longer lead time before any changes were introduced. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 4

IITA to train youths from Borno EMPOWERMENT

Transfer of knowledge opportunity opens to Borno youths Siaka Momoh

he International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Youth Agripreneurs has concluded plans to train and empower youths from Borno State, northeastern Nigeria. The proposed three-week training, which comes up early next month, will equip youths in that state with knowledge on

modern agricultural practices and entrepreneurial skills that will make them self-dependent and be able to create wealth. “What we intend to do is actually use agriculture to solve some of the social problems in most societies of Africa, including poverty and hunger,” Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, IITA Director General, said. The proposed training will draw from the experiences and successes of the IITA Youth Agripreneur model, and will be conducted by youths that have been trained and empowered by IITA. “Over the last few years we

have seen that it is more effective for youths to train youths. And we want to use this approach to bring more youths to agriculture, take them off the job market, and reinstate stability in our communities,” Dr Sanginga added. Established over two years ago, the IITA Youth Agripreneur programme uses teaching, mentoring and practical demonstrations of modern agriculture to attract youths into agribusiness. The primary goals are to attract to the sector the necessary young and vibrant human capital by C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 5

markets is between 18-30 per cent and over 70 per cent of the funds are short tenured funds. It is difficult to comprehend how a private entity would lend to real sector at single digit interest rate and with long tenure in this scenario.

l Government should rather im-

prove on the capitalization of the DFIs and create a framework that would allow for an independent and professional management of the DFIs.

l It is important to develop models and structures that would make public institutions work rather than duplicate them or discard them.

l Populating the boards of vital

public institutions with politicians is not in the best interest of the economy and the country.

l Political actors in the country should not overheat the polity.

l Key political institutions involved

in the electoral process should demonstrate the highest level of independence, transparency and fairness in the discharge of their responsibilities.

l Olam Nigeria operates big in

agribusiness in Nigeria. It has a N2.3 billion investment in cocoa processing facility in Akure with 500 staff employed and 98,000 families impacted; over 3.4 billion processing facilities in Lagos and Ogun states employing close to 1000 people and generating export revenues to the tune of N15 billion.

l The company pioneered sesame

hulling and exports and the first entrant into Japanese market in 1995.

l It has the largest cashew process-

ing facility in Africa in Ilorin Kwara state worth N8.2 billion naira with a capacity for 30,000 metric tons and employs about 3000 people, half of which are women.

l It supports158 farmer groups

who cultivate about 30, 915 hectares and invested N495 million naira in a cotton ginnery in Zaria Kaduna State with an annual capacity for 30,000 metric tons of lint.

BUSINESS | AGRIC

ACQUISITION Boost for fishery as Federal Government buys fishing boat

he Federal Government has acquired a research vessel valued at 10.1 million euro for the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research as part of the strategies to reposition both the marine and the fisheries sectors to boost national economy. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina, and the First Lady, Patience Jonathan, were on an inspection tour of the vessel recently in Poland. The new vessel which is named 'RV Bayagbona’ after the first Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, was christened by Patience Jonathan, who represented the president. The President's wife said: “Nigeria is blessed with abundant aquatic resources with a coastline of 853 kilometres, also rich in fish and shrimps. Shrimp export is of great importance to the fisheries subsector in Nigeria. “Nigerian shrimps is considered one of the best in the world and it generates foreign exchange worth over $US65 million annually. I am reliably informed that Nigeria’s deep-sea waters also harbour Tuna and Tuna-like fishes, Drift Fish and large Lantern Fish populations.” On hand for the christening of the Vessel was Adesina, who spoke on the potential of

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

Contamination Following up on its discovery in May of high levels of the toxic metal cadmium in several cocoa-based products, ConsumerLab.com recently tested additional, popular cocoa products sold in the US to assess the extent of the problem. The independent testing company now reports the problem is widespread among cocoa powders, involving nearly every brand of cocoa powder tested. This is trouble for cocoa beans suppliers and cocoa processors. Until now, the food most associated with cadmium contamination has been rice. Cadmium has caused Itai itai (or “Ouch ouch”) disease in Japan and was reported this year at high levels (above 0.2 mcg per gram) in a large proportion of rice samples in the Guangzhou province of China. ConsumerLab.com found that nearly every popular cocoa powder it recently purchased and tested in the US far exceeded this level, with concentrations in most products ranging from 0.9 to 1.5 mcg per gram. These high concentrations of cadmium are a disturbing surprise,” said Tod Cooperman, M.D., president of ConsumerLab.com.

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

FG acquires ¤10.1m vessel to exploit fisheries potential

Nigeria’s fisheries and its impact on the economy. Adesina said: "We are spending roughly N127 billion importing fish annually and that does not make sense. Currently we have structured a four to five years plan on fisheries development which is being implemented.” He said the first part of the plan “is to produce one million metric tons of table size fish that will put the country at 70 percent self-sufficiency. “We can leave the remain-

ing 30 per cent for those who need diversity, but what we will not accept is for Nigeria to be totally dependent on imported fish when we have water all around us and we are not using them.” The minister that the potential of Nigeria’s fisheries resources has been estimated at over three million metric tons per annum. “If properly harnessed, it is capable of meeting local fish demand and generating surplus for export. The fishery resources

include a rich diversity of fin fish and shell fish found in the territorial waters, the Exclusive Economic Zones and the inland waters,” he said. Recently, the Federal Government had commenced destruction of rotten fish stocked in fish importers warehouses across the country with the destruction of 3,028x20 kg cartons (60.6 metric tonnes) of fish found stocked in Bharat Ventures Limited’s warehouse along Apapa-Oshodi motorway, on Lagos mainland.

Harvest of fish

Adesina, vexed that some civil servants were conspiring with illegal fish importers for selfish gains, decided to put a stop to their nefarious activities. Said the minister in reaction to a publication in one of Nigeria’s national newspapers in which some staff of the Federal Department of Fisheries alleged irregularities and corruption in the Federal Department of Fisheries: “As a responsible public servant, totally committed to public probity, transparency and accountability, I will not allow corruption or rent seeking to occur under my watch.” The Acting Director of Fisheries, Folake Areola, explained: “With Agriculture Transformation Agenda, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has been decentralised. We have regional directors and we have state offices in the 36 states of the federation. We have sanitary officers in these state offices and have directed that all fishery companies must submit an inventory of their cold rooms. We must carry out checks henceforth.” Folake Areola said that the Federal Department of Fisheries did 100 per cent inspection and found out some of the stock in the erring company’s warehouse was bad and the company agreed and signed that the bad stock in question should be destroyed.

Trouble with cocoa business Contentious EEG The Federal Government Export Expansion Guaranty Scheme (EEG) – an export incentive scheme - has become an albatross for Nigerian cocoa processors who want it revisited and put in proper shape once and for all. For the Cocoa Processor Association of Nigeria (COPAN), the EEG, as it is now, is not a favour; it is a scheme meant to facilitate business, create jobs and boost government revenue. COPAN said as much at a press interactive forum in Ogun State, months back. It was a gathering that had in attendance, CEOs of Nigerian cocoa processing companies. Akin Olusuyi, Managing Director, Cocoa Products (IleOluji) Limited argued: “The principal incentive for export as you all know, is EEG. This grant has been a recurring decimal ...We have always emphasised that we should revisit this EEG and make it to work as the people who created it wanted it to work. Every Nigerian knows, the government also knows, that the Real Sector, especially the sector that produces for export, that the EEG, as is being implemented, cannot fulfil the purpose

for which it was created. The grant was introduced to bridge the gap in the profitability of the companies processing for export. The implementation of the grant must be geared towards encouraging these industries.” Who should get incentives? For him, no agric-based industry can survive if incentives are given to people who export the raw materials. “We all know that the world economy is not really very supportive of origin processing of any agricultural commodities. So it beholds on the government of Nigeria to keep agric processing plants working by giving incentives that work, not incentives that create more problems.” Akin Olusuyi vehemently argued that by encouraging the export of cocoa beans, we are killing local industry. He recalled that a substantial percentage of market for cocoa products is in Europe. “Europe is deliberately discouraging processing of cocoa from Nigeria. It taxes cocoa products and doesn’t tax the beans because we have not signed the Export Processing Agreement (EPA). If that is the

case, we expect that the Nigeria government should allow the EEG work.” EPA Economic Partnership Agreements is a system to create a free trade area (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP). They are a response to continuing criticism that the non-reciprocal and discriminating preferential trade agreements offered by the EU are incompatible with WTO rules. But Nigeria will not sign EPA because it is at cross-purpose with Nigeria’s Transformation Agenda. Ebola and cocoa And only recently, the threatening scourge of Ebola disease in the West African sub-region has come to put cocoa business in jeopardy, threatening cocoa business worth over $9.6 trillion. A total of 2.9 million metric tonnes is produced in the region by Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. At cocoa daily price of $3285.13 per metric tonne, we have a total annual cocoa production worth over

$9.6 trillion. Barry Callebaut, the world's biggest chocolate maker, confirmed it has canceled an annual meeting of managers that was due to take place in Ivory Coast because of concern over the spread of the Ebola virus, Reuters reported. Though Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone are not cocoa producing countries, the contiguous nature of the Ecowas sub-region and the free trade movement that take place in the geo-political area called ECOWAS give room for countries that have business to transact with the sub-region to entertain fear of Ebola infection. The Nigeria story exemplifies this point. The worst Ebola epidemic in history has so far killed over 1,000 people in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Barry Callebaut's spokesman, Raphael Wermuth, said the annual manager's conference, to be attended by 150-200 executives, would be moved because of the uncertainty over Ebola to Davos in Switzerland. The cocoa sector is troubled and needs to be attended to fast if we must fully realise agriculture transformation.

BUSINESS | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Investing in cotton bud making This is a very profitable business. Prefeasibility study reveals that in one year one can produce a sales income on a micro level of N10.2 million out of which a net profit figure of N2.6 million is possible

Machinery and equipment The machinery and equipment needed to make cotton buds comprise of automatic plastic sticks making machine, automatic cotton buds making machine (both ends or one end) and a drying machine. These will be supplied in one lot. Raw materials The major raw materials are polypropylene resins for making the bud sticks and cotton, while the major packaging materials are small transparent plastic containers or transparent nylon packages that are sealed after the cotton buds have been counted and packaged. The cotton bud sticks can also be made of bamboo, wood and paper depending on the sticks making machine selected. None of the above raw materials is lacking and expensive in the country. Estimate of the project cost: N Pre- investment 150,000 Machinery and equipment 1,848,244 Take-off working capital 286,000 Office furniture and equipment 80,000 Utilities 1,900,000 Contingency 427,000 Rent 300, 000 Total 4,991,244 Manufacturing process Cotton buds production

IITA Youth Agripreneurs to train Borno youths C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

Don Abraham otton buds are used daily as a means of cleaning dirty or itchy inner parts of the ears. They are usually wound on both or single ends of small measured plastic lengths. Everybody, irrespective of age, religious or social status uses the product. Cotton buds are used once and discarded. Its aggregate demand per annum is very high because of this repeatsales tendency. There is a high level of dust being blown around from various sources. This dust enters the ears and mixes with wax excreted by the ears to form a thick brownish solid that blocks the ears. This causes discomfort and if the ears are not cleaned regularly, this could cost quite a lot at the doctor’s during flushing. This expense can be avoided by regularly cleaning the ears with cotton buds.

Cotton bud

using plastic sticks involves three stages while those using bamboo and wooden sticks involve ten and six stages respectively. In producing cotton buds using plastic sticks, the sticks are made using the automatic cotton buds sticks making machine through the process of extrusion. Cotton is then applied at one or both ends of the sticks using the automatic cotton buds making machine. Thereafter, they are dried and sterilised in the drying machine. The finished product is then counted and packaged, ready for sale to the distributors. The technology is simple, has been proved and is readily available. Production capacity The minimum production capacity per minute of the cotton buds making machine is 600 pieces of 72 mm length each. In a single shift per day of seven working hours, not less than 2,270 packets containing 100 cotton buds each will be produced after taking into account wastages and human inefficiency factors. Location This plant can be located in any part of the country and being a cottage industry, can conveniently be accommodated in a three-bedroom flat. Labour requirement The total number of people required to profitably operate this factory is 11 inclusive of the promoter himself. The skilled labour needed to operate the factory is not high and can easily be acquired locally with ease. Local market The focus of the marketing activities should be distributors and supermarket operators from whom retailers will buy. The use of cotton buds is universal and the finished product can be exported to earn foreign exchange pro-

vided that the quality is high and can easily compete internationally. Because of the lightweight of the finished products, transportation to places far away from the factory site is cheap and will not have much negative impact on profitability. Export market There are very bright prospects for the export of cotton buds. And to export them profitably and successfully, one needs to have at his finger tips all it takes to get into export market trade, how to finance it from the various financial institutions, the necessary good quality measures needed, the names and addresses of honest, reliable and genuine buyers, dependable local sources of good quality products, how to source a confirmed order that is backed up with genuine payment, how to repatriate and use the export proceeds, etc. Any serious and interested investor can pick up from this writer for the asking a copy of ”Understanding Export Trade And Finance” Finance sources To finance the project needs the equity contribution of the promoter(s), term loan and bank overdraft. Being a project with high export potential and one whose raw materials are readily obtainable locally, there is no doubt that it will

Cotton buds are one of those products this country cannot afford to import particularly at this stage of its economic development and growth

attract financing from the relevant institutions as its production technology is simple and is easily within the capability of labour around. Implementation To implement this project, there’s need to incorporate the company, acquire the factory accommodation, prepare a comprehensive feasibility report, order, install, test-run and commission the machinery and equipment in order to commence commercial production. Viability This is a very profitable business. Pre-feasibility study reveals that in one year one can produce a sales income on a micro level of N10.2 million out of which a net profit figure of N2.6 million is possible. This is after deducting from the sales figure all the costs incurred in production, administration, marketing and sales. This gives a return on sales of 25.5 per cent, on total investment of 52 per cent and payback period of roughly two years. Certainly, cotton buds are one of those products this country cannot afford to import particularly at this stage of its economic development and growth. Interested investors looking for profitable, low-cost projects are encouraged to consider this as such. This is a viable project the establishment of which will utilise the locally available raw materials and offer employment opportunity to the citizens. The production technology is simple and sustainable market exists for the finished product both locally and internationally. Besides, if this project is established in rural areas, it will help open them up industrially and socio-economically and stem the tide of rural-urban migration and the vices this breeds in the urban areas.

• Don Abraham Email contact: talk2dco@yahoo.com

making farming profitable, thereby creating wealth and the most needed jobs in the society. “By engaging Borno youths in agriculture, we envision to solve the problem of youth restiveness in that state, and make the state one of the major food exporters in the country,” Dr Alfred Dixon, Project Leader for the IITA-managed project on Sustainable Weed Management Technologies for Cassava Systems in Nigeria said. Under the training which has strong financial support from “N2Africa–to-Borno” project, 16 youths from Borno state will be trained for three weeks for a start. The training will involve classroom lectures, on-field practical training, and interactive sessions and group exercises. Ms Evelyn Ohanwusi, IITA Youth Agripreneur said, “We are happy to meet our peers in Borno state. We will be sharing knowledge with them so that they can better their lives.” Located in the northeastern part of Nigeria, Borno is perhaps the largest state in Nigeria in terms of land mass with about 69,435 square Km. The state is agrarian and it occupies the greatest part of the Chad Basin and shares borders with the Republics of Niger to the North, Chad to the NorthEast and Cameroun to the East. In recent times, the state has recorded series of insurgency triggered partly by growing unemployment and poverty. Researchers are hopeful that empowering the youths through agriculture will compliment Nigeria’s government efforts, create wealth in communities, and will lead to greater stability of the state and region.

Agriculture viable platform for devt is a viable platAandgriculture form for national economic societal development and

a solution to the global issue of food security, Ndidi Nwuneli said at Masterpiece Resource Development Centre (MRDC) event recently in Lagos. MRDC organized the Revolution for Entrepreneurial Development (RED), which focussed on generating feasible business ideas and growing a sustainable business in the fast paced society. RED provides a platform for the systematic appraisal of the Nigerian economic environment’s peculiarities. Speaking on Agriculture, Ndidi Nwuneli, Co-founder/ Director of AACE foods, an agribusiness and agro-processing company, who through her work, has contributed to shaping agricultural strategy and policy in West Africa, encouraged those present to explore the available opportunities within the sector.

BUSINESS | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

From the archives

Turning Africa’s waste into wealth (1) ENTERPRISE It's right time to bring our youths into agribusiness Akinyele Aluko General overview of development in Africa According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, (UNCTAD) 2010 report on the least developed countries (LDCs), economic growth in the LDCs has been very fragile and has not been inclusive. The reasons adduced for this are listed below: i. LDCs have not been able to generate sufficient productive jobs and livelihoods for the growing number people entering the labour force each year. ii. The employment challenge in the LDCs are closely related

to the pattern of structural change iii. The LDCs generally have high population growth rates and consequently the number of young people entering the labor market is increasing each year. Cotton bud agriculture typically employs a large proportion of the labor force in the LDCs but agricultural productivity remains very low and farms are small, with the result that living standards for most peasant tends to be at or near subsistence levels. The ability of the agricultural sector to absorb labor is decreasing owing to smaller farm sizes and lack of investment and many people are forced to cultivate more ecologically fragile land. v. As a result, more people are seeking work outside agriculture, but the manufacturing

and service sectors in most LDCs have not been able to generate sufficient productive employment opportunities for the young population. vi. The non-manufacturing industries, whose contribution to GDP has grown the most, tend to be capital-intensive rather than labor intensive. For example, the telecom sector in Nigeria. Thus the majority of young people are finding work in informal activities (selling of recharge cards and phone accessories), which are characterised by low capital accumulation and limited productivity, and hence offer little scope for economic growth. To expatiate further on the above, in 2007 it was said that 53 per cent of the population of the LDCs live in extreme poverty, that is rely on less than $1.25 a day and 78 per cent are living

Agricultural Commodity Prices - Grains Commodity CBOT Corn CBOT Wheat CBOT Oats CBOT Rough Rice CBOT Soybeans CBOT Soybean Meal CBOT Soybean Oil ICE Canola

Softs

Commodity ICE Cocoa ICE Coffee “C” ICE Sugar #11 ICE Orange Juice Conc ICE Cotton #2 SFE Greasy Wool CME Lumber TOCOM Rubber CME Ethanol

Units USd/bu. USd/bu. USd/bu. USD/cwt USd/bu. USD/st USd/lb. CAD/mt

Price 369.25 561.25 339.50 12.96 1,049.25 352.00 32.84 425.80

Change -3.00 +2.75 -0.25 0.00 -3.50 -0.70 -0.17 -1.10

% Change -0.81% +0.49% -0.07% 0.00% -0.33% -0.20% -0.51% -0.26%

Contract Dec 14 Dec 14 Dec 14 Nov 14 Nov 14 Dec 14 Dec 14 Nov 14

Units USD/mt USd/lb. USd/lb. USd/lb. USd/lb. cents/kg USD/tbf JPY/kg USD/gal.

Price 3,214.00 186.45 15.49 145.05 64.26 354.50 201.90 1.99

Change +10.00 +0.30 +0.02 -1.20 +0.10 +1.90 +2.60 -0.02

% Change +0.31% +0.16% +0.13% -0.82% +0.16% -% +0.54% +1.30% -0.90%

Contract Dec 14 Dec 14 Oct 14 Nov 14 Dec 14 Aug 14 Sep 14 Jan 15 Oct 14

Time(ET) 08:40:49 08:41:37 08:34:02 08:25:53 08:42:03 08:41:25 08:41:33 08:39:34 Time(ET) 08:40:21 08:42:01 08:41:15 08:40:43 08:41:08 21:14:09 05:59:56 08/19/2014

Livestock Commodity Units Price Change % Change Contract Time(ET) CME Live Cattle USd/lb. 146.45 -0.78 -0.53% Oct 14 08:41:23 CME Feeder Cattle USd/lb. 211.35 -2.03 -0.95% Oct 14 08:42:06 CME Lean Hogs USd/lb. 94.23 -0.60 -0.63% Oct 14 08:41:31 Commodities trade on different exchanges with different trading sessions. Change always shows from the previous close price. Quotes delayed, except where indicated otherwise. All prices in local currency. Time is ET. Source: Bloomberg

on less than $2 a day. In all 421 million people are said to be living in extreme poverty in these countries last year. This percentage was significantly higher in African LDCs at 59 per cent than in Asian LDCs at 41 per cent. This is the sordid condition in which we have found ourselves in Africa. Overview of agribusiness in Africa Hitherto the main stay of the African Economy was agriculture. This however took a plunge in the seventies as the extractive industries grew and more especially as the military took over governance in many parts of Africa with priority shifted to wasteful spending and corruption in high places. In order to properly capture the state of Agriculture in Africa, we have to look at the Global Hunger Index (GHI). The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger globally and by country and region. Calculated each year by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the GHI highlights successes and failures in hunger reduction and provides insights into the drivers of hunger. To reflect the multidimensional nature of hunger, the GHI combines three equally weighted indicators in one index number: 1. Undernourishment: the proportion of undernourished as a percentage of the population (reflecting the share of the population with insufficient calorie intake); 2. Child underweight: the proportion of children younger than the age of five who are underweight (low weight for age reflecting wasting, stunted growth, or both), which is one indicator of child undernutrition; and 3. Child mortality: the mortality rate of children younger than the age of five (partially reflecting the fatal synergy of inadequate dietary intake and unhealthy environments). This year’s Global Hunger Index (GHI) shows that global hunger has declined since 1990, but not dramatically, and remains at a level characterised as “serious.” Across regions and countries, GHI scores vary greatly. The highest GHI scores occur in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. South Asia reduced its GHI score substantially between 1990 and 1996, but this fast progress could not be maintained. Though Sub- Saharan Africa made less progress than South Asia after 1990, it has caught up since the turn of the millennium. From the 1990 GHI to the 2011 GHI, 15 countries were able to reduce their scores by 50 per cent or more. Nineteen countries moved out of the bottom two categories – “extremely alarming” and “alarming.” Twenty-six countries still have levels of hunger that

are extremely alarming or alarming. The countries with extremely alarming 2011 GHI scores – Burundi, Chad, The Democratic Republic of Congo, and Eritrea. All are in SubSaharan Africa. Again, most of the countries with alarming GHI scores are in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In clear and simple terms it is abundantly clear that agriculture in Africa is still at its lowest ebb when compared with what obtains in the developed Countries of the world. It can therefore not be very attractive to the teeming unemployed youths in the continent. In recent years, world food markets have been characterised by rising and more volatile prices. This situation has serious implications for poor and hungry people, who have little capacity to adjust to price spikes and rapid shifts. Price increases and volatility have arisen for three main reasons: increasing use of food crops for biofuels, extreme weather events and climate change, and increased volume of trading in commodity futures markets. These factors are exacerbated by highly concentrated export markets that leave the world’s staple food importers dependent on just a few countries, a historically low level of grain reserves, and a lack of timely information about the world food system that could help prevent overreaction to moderate shifts in supply and demand. Price increases and price volatility have been shown to cut into poor households’ spending on a range of essential goods and services and to reduce the calories they consume. It can also affect poor people’s nutrition by causing them to shift to cheaper, lower quality, and less micronutrient-dense foods. This is the situation in most parts of Africa. Addressing the problem of food price spikes and excessive volatility requires action to both reduce volatility and buffer the most vulnerable people from the worst effects of higher and more variable prices. It is important to address the drivers of food price volatility and price increases by revising biofuel policies, regulating financial activity on food markets, and adapting to and mitigating climate change. It is also essential to build up food reserves and share information on food markets. To build resilience to changing food prices, it is crucial to strengthen social protection systems, improve emergency preparedness, invest in sustainable small-scale agriculture, improve livelihood opportunities for both the rural and urban poor, and strengthen the provision of basic services such as education, healthcare, and sanitation. To be continued.

autoBEATS

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

The interior luxury of new Discovery A

PAN reactivates Kaduna plant with Peugeot 301

Paul Ogbuokiri

o mark 25 years of Discovery, Land Rover has offered more premium luxury in the form of the XXV Special Edition. Striking attributes from this anniversary derivative are already available across the range for the Discovery customers and prospects. According to Ufuoma Umukoro, GM, Coscharis JLR Sales, “the heightened luxury which includes the InControl Apps adds another dimension to the Discovery’s attributes and another meaning to work-life balance by enabling safe and efficient access to essential smartphone content and in-car apps from the vehicle’s touchscreen.”

Added luxury and premium detailing

Automotive journalists, said that the XXV Special Edition Discovery is built on existing levels of luxury from the HSE derivative, saying customers can now bring that added touch of luxury to their Discovery of choice with the option of the distinct Ebony/Cirrus Dual-tone Windsor Leather seats and the Grand Black Lacquer wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel. They noted that this edition of Discovery is coming with a new Straight Grained Walnut wood and leather steering wheel, with respective wood veneer sets offered as an additional customer option with both steering wheel designs to further enhance the premium feel of the interior. Umukoro said the exterior can also be enhanced with the addition of the XXV 20inch 5-split spoke forged alloy wheels with a light silver polished finish, increasing the number of 20-inch wheel styles to four. New body colours also become available, he adds. According to him, Aruba, Kaikoura Stone and Montalcino Red will be offered from start of sales followed by a new metallic white called Yulong joining the range at a later date.

Cutting edge incar connectivity

New Telegraph learnt that the Land Rover InControlTM Apps is introduced into a number of key markets as a customer option to complement the Discovery’s existing infotainment system and provide the ultimate for in-car connectivity. It brings the convenience, familiarity and original look and feel of compatible smartphone apps into the owner’s vehicle, which are displayed and con-

trolled from the vehicle’s touchscreen. It was further learnt that this technology has been developed with some of the world’s leading smartphone app developers and is compatible with the latest Apple and Android smartphones. Optimised for in-car use, Land Rover InControlTM Apps offers services such as satellite navigation, media streaming, internet radio and location services, whilst also providing easy access to the connected smartphone’s contacts, calendar and music library. Umukoro said compatible apps in the car include Stitcher, Glympse, Sygic, Parkopedia, Hotelseeker, Cityseeker, Eventseeker, News on Board and MobileDay, the latter enabling one-touch access to voice conference calls without the need to dial a number. He said that the range of apps is being continually expanded, with new content available every time the apps update. He further said that the owner must download Land Rover InControlTM Apps to their smartphone from either the Apple App Store (for iPhone 5 and later) or Google Play (for Android version 4.0 and later). “Once the phone is connected to the vehicle’s dedicated USB port, the owner simply taps the InControl Apps icon on the central touchscreen and selects the desired vehicle-compatible app from the menu,” he said.

Efficient engine packages

He also said that the Land Rover Discovery continues to drive power and allterrain capability with efficient diesel and petrol engine options when matched with fuel-stretching Stop/Start technology and the refined ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. According to him, the 3.0-litre V6 Supercharged is the petrol engine of choice for the

Discovery, generating 250kW@6,500rpm with 450Nm of torque. Combined CO2 emissions stand at 269g/km, down from 328g/km on the 2013 model year 5.0-litre V8 petrol which delivered 14.1 l/100km. Fuel consumption on the 3.0-litre V6 Supercharged sees this figure improved to 11.5 l/100km, he said. Umukoro also said that the 155kW 3.0-litre TDV6 remains the diesel engine entry level option, delivering 7.8l/100km and a CO2 figure of 207g/km on a combined cycle. He added that the higher-powered 188kW 3.0-litre SDV6 gives an equivalent fuel consumption figure of 8l/100km and 213g/km. New Telegraph further learnt that the Discovery is equipped with the rotary gear shift selector and steering wheelmounted paddle shift and controls, now available with optional Adaptive Cruise Control to allow the driver to maintain a gap between them and the vehicle ahead for more relaxed motorway driving. Customers continue to have the choice of the newer single-speed transfer box or twin-speed, with the latter offering high and low range for the most demanding off-road conditions. Coscharis as the sole importer of Jaguar Land Rover in Nigeria offers a comprehensive warranty backed by a regionwide service network responsible for the provision of world-class maintenance and parts back-up.

fter about six years of inactivity, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited recently celebrated the re-commencement of the production of Peugeot cars in its Kaduna plant with the launch of the new Peugeot 301 by the Vice President, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo. Also commissioned at the premises of PAN Nigeria was the proposed site for an automotive components cluster park – an integral part of the auto policy announced in October 2013 by the Federal Executive Council -, even as the management assured that more Peugeot models would soon be joining the trail-blazing 301. According to the Vice President, who was represented by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, the reactivation of the Peugeot production lines is a signal to pessimists that the new auto policy is on course. Vice Prresident Sambo further commented on the importance of the recommencement of production of Peugeot cars to PAN Nigeria and the entire automotive industry, saying, “the decline of PAN and, correspondingly, that of the suppliers is a story of Nigeria’s industrial sector in the last three decades.” Through the policy, he assured, government would continue to encourage vehicle assembly plants in the country by ensuring that they are adequately patronized, remarking: “Even the issue of increase in local content within the industry will be of utmost priority in order to encourage our local manufacturers and improve employment opportunities”. The Vice President stated that the automotive policy is part of the transformation agenda of the government of President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, whom he said, is determined to turn the fortunes of the sector around. He said that as directed by the President, the automotive policy and other sectoral policies would be backed by law before the end of the administration. He also disclosed that the automotive sector has been identified as a strategic industry group due to its large domestic market, strong industrial linkages, existing installed base and export potentials. In his remarks, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who was the guest of honour, commended the new initiative by PAN Nigeria, saying it would go a long way in “providing an affordable vehicle to Nigerians… We have all come to realize that our biggest market opportunities lie in converting the second-hand automobile market, currently at over 80 per cent to new vehicles market”. Gowon added: “In this regard, we will implore the Minister to fast-track the arrangements on provision of affordable vehicle acquisition finance scheme as an element of the market development components; we also implore the Minister to drive the full implementation and compliance with the Patronage policy by all Federal agencies and parastatals”. Earlier in their separate remarks, both the Chairman of PAN Nigeria Alhaji Munir Ja’Afar and the Managing Director, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, commended President Jonathan and Dr. Aganga for the Automotive Industrial Development Programme (AIDP), while the latter explained that it was in demonstration of its full support to the policy that PAN had designated a part (24,000sqm) of its infrastructure to host one of the proposed Auto Cluster Parks.

feminique

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Laura Oloyede: ...instituting a ministry for the single and hurting Married at 26, divorced at 29; worked in both the private and public sector before establishing her own company; had so many odds but conquered all, Laura Oloyede is one of those few accomplished, well endowed and yet humble women you would love to meet. She shares with EBERE AMEH her divine mandate to tell her story and strengthen marriages

hen Steve Harvey, an American entertainer said that ‘Failure is a great teacher, ...when you make mistakes and you recover from them and you treat them as valuable learning experiences, then you've got something to share,’ he was right. Laura Oloyede, the CEO of Cutler Communications and Lampost Experientials, both subsidiaries of Prima Garnet Africa, got a lot to share when she refused to be a failure just because her marriage failed. She pulled herself together and has become a pillar of support and great inspiration to both the married but hurting, and adult singles in Nigeria. “I got married in 1999, when I was 26, to a very wonderful man. The marriage lasted for three years before we parted ways. From 2002 to 2006, I went from separation to divorce. To tell you the truth, nobody is going to ever experience a bad thing and be happy it happened. However, in that bad thing, if you look carefully, there is always a reason to thank God. So I would say that I used my 30s in finding the new me, I used it in finding God again” Laura said. Even though Laura and her ex-husband were both believers, their marriage still crashed, a far cry from the widely held belief that people have problem in marriages because they are not born again. Explaining that being born again is not enough, she cited compatibility and following God’s leading as very crucial factors, adding that in her case, she went into the marriage on her own. Sitting in her expansive and classy office over cup of tea, Laura’s beautiful face was radiant as she reminisced about that cool July afternoon when she got the divine instruction to share her story and inspire people. As if it were just yesterday, she narrated the event of the day she said she heard from God. “It was break time, on July 17, 2012 to be precise. I sat here in my office meditating, and God started speaking to me about what He wanted me to do. I laughed because I am not a pastor, I’m just a born again Christian and nobody knows me. But He started teaching me. He said, collate a data base, prepare sermons and send it to them. It wasn’t a dream, I was in my office. And I said, ‘God you want me to tell people about my situation...?’ It is a bit uncomfortable but that was what He said I should do. So, I was not inspired to do what I am doing today, I was actually instructed. And so I started, thank God for my marketing communications background, and here we are today.” Laura decided to live out the words of Byron Garret who said that being a man or a woman is a matter of birth, but being a man or a woman who makes a difference is a matter of choice. She chose to carry out the instruction to tell her story, foregoing the embarrassment and stigma to help others pull through. That was how asklaura, a social media platform through which she shares life experiences and sermons weekly with those following her was birthed. A few months ago, she took the bull by the horn to initiate the Novus Initium, a platform she uses to minister to elderly singles. She is planning a TV show that would also focus on the married and the single and looking back is what the sassy, elegant CEO cum minister is not contemplating.

Though Laura’s group of companies is flourishing by the day, even as it has helped rescue hundreds of youths from the jaws of unemployment through training, she is still very much in tune with her God and her ministry. “I always say that there are two sides of me, the corporate side and the personal soft part of me - the real me where I have more passion.” “Novus initium is a Latin word that means new beginning. You can also find it in the book of Isaiah chapter 43 verse 19, where God said that we should ‘remember not the former things of old, neither consider the things of the past for I am doing a new thing, do you not see it’? Everyone craves a new beginning but matured singles have peculiar challenges. Many live in fear – the fear of taking another step even when they want to. Some give up and give in to que sera sera.” Laura ministers to five categories of people in Novus Initium (what will be will

Laura

be). Those who are matured and never married, who may be forty or fifty, or even sixty, those who are widows or widowers, the separated, the divorced and the single parents. These are matured singles whom things must have happened to in their past, just like her but together, they are chatting a new part to realization and recovery. Overcoming the stigma associated with their situation, especially in a society like ours, in order to meet at the Novus Initium is one challenge Laura is battling to help the singles overcome. “Stigma is a big issue but you must talk to yourself and rise above the water. Saying that you will not allow stigma to pin you down is not a day’s job, it is a process and that is what Novus Initium is doing. We hold monthly meetings, we invite people and we talk among ourselves. We even plan to go to Ghana for a two day resource. We make them realize that they must not lose hope, irrespective of what they have

done or what they have gone through because there is always a second chance.” Though she would like to go and minister in other states in Nigeria, especially those areas where matured singles are stigmatized; with their parents almost ostracizing them for failing to bring a husband, she is hampered by lack of funds. “This is an initiative that is not supported financially by anybody. So going outside Lagos for now is a bit difficult because of lack of funds. So what I do is to make good use of the social media. I have a group, which anyone can join on my facebook page. My number and my pin number is online and I use the Blackberry Messenger to connect to so many people whom I counsel and minister to.” One thing that Laura does not fail to talk about is financial independence. She encourages the singles, irrespective of how they got to their current state, to look inwards and begin a business or get a job to avoid begging. Speaking specifically to women, she advised that they should not allow marriage to hinder their ability to achieve their optimum. “God instituted marriage but we get it wrong when we go outside of God's manual for marriage to follow our own plan. If you are following God and you want to get married, God is going to give you someone that He knows will support your dreams and your vision. Marriage should help you to be the best you can be, not vice versa.” Insisting that the Nigerian woman needs a reorientation about marriage, Laura used the allegory of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 and adviced the youths to be sensible and not rush into a marriage with one who would not support their dreams and aspirations. Laura, a renowned Public Relations practitioner who has gathered a large following because of her ministry said she would give politics a shot at some point. “I plan to go into politics one day but not now. I need this initiative, this vision that I have for the matured singles to develop. That is my primary passion and whenever I go into politics, I will be able to point out that these are the things I have done.” Talking about Nigerian women and politics, she said they are not only ripe, they are intelligent, passionate and capable of holding any position in the country, irrespective of the challenges that impede their progress. Laura is legally divorced, not yet remarried and not in any relationship but says that marriage is not her primary concern now. “It may happen and it may not happen. My focus is what I want to achieve in life. I’m not going to say because I am 41 years, I want to get married by force and have children. I want to concentrate on my ministry, I want to concentrate on my TV show and along the line, if God wants me to remarry, then I will; if not, I will continue to serve him. “Whether we like it or not, the responsibility of the home is more on the woman than the man. I say woman, you are a nurturer, that is what you are. That nurturing ability that God has given to us should be taken to the homes. Nurture your home, nurture your surroundings and most importantly, nurture your husbands,” Laura admonished.

sport fanzone

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Who wins the English Premier League this season?

ARSENAL, MAN CITY, LIVERPOOL

are my number one team to win the title. Agoodrsenal I am an Arsenal fan and I think we have a very squad this season. Last term, some of our

players had injuries which affected the team, but I believe we are going to have a successful season if we have less injury worries. The second team I think can win is Manchester City. They won the title last season and that will be a propeller for them to win it again. I also believe Liverpool have a very good team but let us see what they are capable of doing without Luiz Suarez.

Moyosore Makinde sought the opinion of football fans on the three teams capable of winning the English Premier League this season

AGEKAMEH DELE, Student

CHELSEA, LIVERPOOL, MAN UNITED

helsea have a great squad now and with their coach C Jose Mourinho, they can go a long way this season. Liverpool too can challenge for the title. They were on the verge of winning the EPL last season but their dreams were shattered late into the campaign. Lastly, I believe Manchester United can also win the league. We have to forget the past because the Red Devils will come back strongly this season with the help of their new coach Louis Van Gaal. DADA OLAYINKA, Footballer

MAN CITY, MAN UNITED, ARSENAL

I will tip Man City as the number one team to Wanell, win the EPL. They still have a good squad and also experienced coach. Secondly, Manchester United

because they too now have an experienced coach who helped the Netherlands to secure third place in the 2014 World Cup. Liverpool can also win because they have one of the best forwards in the English Premier League.

Man City, defending champions

WOKOMA ALLEN, Student

ARSENAL, CHELSEA, MAN CITY

have very much likely to win the EPL because of the Arsenal confidence they would draw from their success in the FA Cup last term and the Community Shield.

rsenal have added more experienced players to their squad. Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy who were brought in this summer are of great quality. I strongly believe that with these players they can go all the way this season. Chelsea are ever ready to win. I doubt if Man City will lose the cup easily too.

Chelsea have arguably the best and strongest squad in the English Premier League at the moment and can nick the title too but Man City are also strong enough to retain the cup.

ARSENAL, MAN CITY

rsenal have not been able to achieve the A success they wanted for so many years but I believe this season will be great for them. Man City won the trophy last season and I’m sure they would fight to make sure the cup remains at the Etihad Stadium.

OMORUANGA CHRISTOPHER, Nurse

ONIHA PAUL, Student

BASHIR SADIQ, Student

MAN UNITED, MAN CITY, ARSENAL

CHELSEA, MAN CITY, ARSENAL

anchester United, although they flopped last season, I will say they have a better chance of winning the EPL title this season. Their coach, Louis Van Gaal, is a very good tactician; he even led the Netherlands to a third place finish at the World Cup. The second team i s Man City. I believe so much in their captain Vincent Kompany. He has the ability to lead them to another victory. and then Arsenal, with their recent signings, I think they may end the season on a high too.

’m a Chelsea fan and I strongly believe we will win not only the EPL but other titles this season with the help of our coach. I think Man City can also make things difficult for Chelsea because they wouldn’t want to disappoint their fans by letting go of the cup easily and lastly Arsenal, because of their ability to play as a team, I think they can do well too.

CHELSEA, MAN CITY, LIVERPOOL

helsea have signed one of the C best midfielders of this era, I think with Cesc Fabregas the

Blues have a better chance of winning the EPL. Also, Man City who won the title last season have started on a good note this season. If they sustain it they can nick the trophy again. We cannot also rule CHISOM CARTER, Student out Liverpool despite losing Luis Suarez, they still have two of the outstanding forwards in England. Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling can help the MICHAEL OLALEYE, Pharmacist am a Chelsea fan and I believe in my club so much that I know team achieve success. they are capable of winning the EPL title and other titles as IKPEAZU MUNACHI, Trader well. Liverpool were on the verge of winning the league last CHELSEA, ARSENAL, MAN CITY season but they couldn’t come through but they can go a step further this time around too. Lastly, Man City won it last season ARSENAL, CHELSEA, MAN CITY helsea have a very experienced coach, Jose Mourinho, so they will want to defend their title. rsenal signed a world class and I believe he can lead this side to victory in the striker. I believe Alexis EPL this season. On the other hand, Arsenal made a ODUNTAN BISI, Trader Sanchez will make the club magnificent signing with the capture go the whole hog in this EPL of Alexis Sanchez who is expected to season. I also tip Chelsea; they play a key role in the success of the were very close to winning the team. However, Man City did it last title last season and will definitely anchester City won the title last term, so I will say they are in season and they will like to repeat want to prove something this season. Man City the best position to win it again this year. Although Liverpool that this term. too will strive to retain the title. will be weakened a bit with the sale of their prolific striker, Luis Suarez, but with Coutinho, Sturridge and Sterling, they can still ISEOLUWA BINUYO, Trader BOLAJI BALOGUN, Student win the title. And again, Chelsea have brought in Cesc Fabregas and I think he can help them win.

CHELSEA, LIVERPOOL, MAN CITY

MAN CITY, LIVERPOOL, CHELSEA

ARSENAL, LIVERPOOL, CHELSEA

rsenal has a good winger now and I’m optimistic about the club’s chances. Liverpool lost a great striker and I think it’s going to affect them but they still have a chance of winning the league, because they have good forwards like Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling. I also think Chelsea will work harder this time to win the trophy. TOBI AKANDE, Lawyer

JUWON BALOGUN, Computer analyst

MAN CITY, MAN UNITED, CHELSEA

an City are the EPL defending champions and they M would do whatever they can to retain the championship. Secondly, Manchester United, because they have a new coach and also more quality players to earn them the EPL trophy. Lastly Chelsea, because they have a better side this season, with the signing of creative striker Diego Costa. TIFE ALATISE, Economist

CHELSEA, MAN CITY, ARSENAL

helsea have a greater chance of winning the C title because they have the best squad in the EPL and also have an experienced coach, to lead them. Secondly, Manchester City are still a strong side. Lastly, Arsenal, the Gunners are a team with great potential and they look like working towards claiming the EPL title after the FA Cup and Community Shield. ADEDAPO ADELAGUN, Student

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/islam

E X H O RTAT I O N “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with

adeolaomoyusuf@yahoo.com 0803 438 0340

the patient.” Qur’an 2: 153

FRIDAY AUGUST 22, 2014 l 26 Shawwal 1435 AH

Ebola: Saudi calls New Telegraph, disowns NAHCON, Kwara board tests’ claims NO HURDLE

Adeola Yusuf

L-R: Special Adviser on Projects to Bauchi State Governor, Mr. Aliyu Jibrin; Bauchi State Airport Consultant, Mr. Begha Nyakome and Team Leader, National Hajj Commission, Capt. Talba Alkali, during the Commission’s inspection of Bauchi State International Airport for 2014 Hajj Operation

corroborated by the Executive Secretary, Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hajia Fatimah Abolore Jimoh, said the board was 85 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. Carner however denied reports in some sections of the media that the Saudi Arabia Authority had earlier announced a ban on Muslims from the West African countries that had been stricken with Ebola from performing Hajj this year over infection fears. “The Ministry of Health has not issue any statement on this and I will be happy if you can help put this issue in right perspective so as to douse any panic that the media reports could have caused,” he said. Badamasi of Kwara Pilgrims Welfare Board had earlier 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, the local Hajj companies in Saudi Arabia have shown preference for tents in Mina for their pilgrims than rent buildings at high rates, Makkah daily reported. They said they had incurred huge losses last year due to the high rental costs, the decrease in the number of pilgrims in each building and a ban preventing Gulf citizens from staying in such accommodation. In addition, many Saudis refuse to reside in buildings due to a religious edict that prohibits them from living in buildings in Minna, they said. The owner of a domestic pilgrims company, Sultan AlQurashi, said he had incurred huge losses last year and expected further losses this year due to these circumstances. He said: “Two years ago, I did

not incur any losses because Gulf citizens were allowed to reside in these buildings. “Last year I lost round SR3 million and I was forced to pay the high rent, otherwise the Ministry of Hajj would cancel my license.” Al-Qurashi pointed out that he had prepared a study detailing his losses and would present it to the ministry. Investor Saad Allehayyani said the ministry had reduced the number of pilgrims allowed to reside in a building from 2,900 to 2,436. “The ministry had also increased the area allotted for each pilgrim from 1.6 square meters to 2.5 square meters,” he said. He called for reducing the rental costs from SR70,000 a room to SR35,000 to reduce costs. Deputy Minister for Hajj Affairs Dr. Husain Al-Shareef said the ministry also asked for a reduction in rental costs but the decision lies in the hands of the Mina Real Estate Company, which owns the buildings.

I want to make an impact before I die – 80-year-old author Inioluwa Ekeolere

n octogenarian, Alhaji Ayo Adeyemi, has said that his utmost goal is to make an impact in the world before he dies and change the misconceptions some people have about Islam. Adeyemi, who spoke with our correspondent on Wednesday, said this informed his decision to mark his 80th birthday with launch of 11 books. He said: “My aim is to make knowledge available because if people are educated they will be easy to rule and therefore there will be peace. I also want to change the preconceived

Cremating the Ebola or SARS victims? QUESTION

Dear scholars, As-Salamu ‘alaykum. What does Islam say about cremation?

The Saudi Ministry of Health has tasked media against creating panic for intending pilgrims

he Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has disowned the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and Kwara State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board over claims that the screening for Ebola was part of requirements for Nigerian pilgrims to the Holy land. The consultant to the Saudi Ministry of Health, Mr. Michael Carner, who called the New Telegraph from Jeddah, KSA said that the Kingdom’s Ministry of health or the Acting Minister of Health, Adel Fakeih had never issued any statement to make Ebola test compulsory for intending Nigerian pilgrims and those from Ebola-hit countries. Stating that he became aware of this issue through the online edition of New Telegraph’s Islam page, the consultant cautioned operators of Hajj operations to be wary of creating undue panic for intending pilgrims and members of their families. The outbreak of the dreaded Ebola virus, he said, would not affect Nigeria’s 2014 pilgrimage plans to the Holy land. Both the Kano and Kwara State Pilgrims Welfare Boards have earlier said that the NAHCON gave a directive for Ebola and the pregnancy tests for the intending female pilgrims but Carner said that the directive did not emanate from the Kingdom. The Public Relations Officer of the board, Nuhu Badamasi, gave the directive when he spoke in Kano. His view was

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

perception of most people that Islam is a religion that promotes war. “The basic problem it is facing is language barrier, because people believe that the language is the religion and most people misinterpret the language and that causes a lot of problems for Islam.” He also maintained that his books would be able to impact lives, but he is not expecting a miracle because the “journey of a million miles starts with just one step,” adding that “apathy is a disservice to humanity.” Meanwhile, the book launch and his 80th birthday will hold

Adeyemi

at the Oranmiyan Hall, Airport Hotel Ikeja, Lagos. According to a statement by secretary of the planning committee, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the event which will be chaired by the Chairman of

First Bank Plc, Prince Ajibola Afonja and has the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Rahmon Bello, as its guest lecturer. The lecture is titled, ‘The Role of Religion in Nigeria’s Quest for Security and Social Justice.’ Other launchers expected to grace the high octane event are: Alhaji Sulaimon Adegunwa, Chief Tajudeen Olugbode, Alhaji Umar Ayinla Saro, Kemi Pinhero, Chief Tajudeen Olugbode, Engr. Mutiu Gbajumo, Mr. Chima Irondi, Chief Ademola Dada, Chief Tajudeen Okoya and Engr. Adeniji Raji.

ANSWER All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. Dear brother in Islam, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake. First of all, we’d like to make it clear that in Islam, the dead should be washed and shrouded, prayed over (the funeral prayer), and then buried. Normally, it is not permissible to burn a dead body because the person died from a certain contagious disease. Doctors and medical professionals have to do their best to prepare the necessary means to guarantee that the contagion will not be spread from the dead body to the living. However, if there is not yet a cure for this disease and there is no other way to avoid infection but by cremating those who die of this disease, then in this case, necessity knows no laws. But if the disease will not spread if the victims are buried, then Muslims have to do their best to bury the Muslims who die of this disease in accordance with the Islamic Shariàh. If the government announces that no one can take his relative’s dead body from the hospital, then you can take all peaceful legal means to take your relative. Resorting to force and violence is rejected in order to safeguard the souls of the living, Muslim and non-Muslims, because the human soul is highly honored in Islam and we must save it by all possible means. In his response to the question in point, the eminent Muslim scholar and renowned daìyah, Sheikh Àbdel Khaliq Hasan Ash-Shareef, states: “The issue of burning the dead bodies or burying them is referred to doctors who are well aware in this regard. If the infection remains after one dies of this disease and there is possibility that those who touch [or even approach] the dead body are infected, then we have to skip the rites of ghusl (bathing the deceased), and anyone who wants to wash the body has to take all necessary safeguards in order to guard himself against such vicious diseases. We must comply with all the guidelines established by the medical professionals and health officers. Also, the ruling here depends on the opinion of doctors whether the disease remains and becomes a source of infection after enshrouding the body and that people may be infected by those who were buried with this disease.”

CRIME

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

JULIANA FRANCIS juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Ritual killing allegation: Businessman sues Obi for N3b Shola Adefuwa

hief Bonaventure Mokwe has been battling for justice and restoration of his family’s tar nished name since last year. But the cookies appear not to be crumpling the way he wants. Mokwe was arrested for murder and tagged a ritual killer in 2013. He was eventually remanded in prison. He was charged to court and acquitted. When he came out, he demanded for justice and apology from the Anambra State government, which till date, he has not received. Barely hours that Mokwe was arrested in 2013, his Upper Class Hotel, situated at 8, Old Market Road, Onitsha, was levelled to the grounds. Part of the justice he wants is that the state government, which hurriedly pulled down his hotel without recourse to proper police investigation, should pay him damages and restore his reputation and that of his late father, whom he inherited the hotel from. A fuming Mokwe snarled: “My father’s name and reputation was smeared when the hotel was described as a ‘proceed of crime.’ That hotel was where Peter Obi’s mother used to patronize and buy liquor to sell during the 70s.” Mokwe said that the hotel had been in existence for 40 years. He could not understand nor forgive anyone describing it as a ‘proceed of crime.’ According to him, he had tried to settle the matter between him and Obi amicably, but things had not worked out the peaceful way he wanted, thus he has now sued Obi. Mokwe sued Obi to the tune of N3billion classified as special and general damages for ordering the demolition of his hotel. According to the writ of summons dated July 10, 2014, the defendants are Anambra State Government and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. The summon, issued through Mokwe’s Counsel, Joe Onuoha and Co, asked the court to compel Anambra State Government to pay N3, 000,000,000.00 as special damages, N2, 831,350,049.75 as general

Mokwe's Upper Class Hotel

damages for demolishing the hotel. The summon reads: “ On the early hours of August 1, 2013, the police arrived at the Upper Class Hotel on allegations that arms, human skulls and ammunitions were stored in the hotel. Even before the police entered the premises of the hotel, bulldozers, excavators and pay loaders were already stationed beside the hotel, ready for demolition. When the Police entered the premises, they went straight to room 102, where a customer lodged and came out with two old human

Mokwe

skulls, two rusty AK 47 guns and a military cap, planted by the police

CRIME QUOTE “I’m happy that the new IGP, Abba, is a lawyer. I have spoken with him, to congratulate him and he has assured me, he would like to collaborate with the human right community, in ensuring that the police take the issue of human right seriously. And for me, that’s commendable. Once you can get the entire police force to respect human right, the sky would be the limit.” – Barrister Femi Falana (SAN).

and agents of the defendants and infor med staff of the hotel that the items were purportedly discovered in one of the rooms of the hotel. The plaintiff and his staff were never in possession of room 102 since it was a lodging room for customers.” The writ continues:” Room 102, in the Upper Class Hotel was occupied by a lodger the previous night under the fake name’ John Obi, who also had not checked out of the room by the time police arrived and recovered the said objects from the room. The submitted manifest reflected the name of John Obi’s as occupant of the room. The said John Obi was a fake name used by one Olisa Egbuchiem. The police refused to look for John Obi who was still in possession of the room’s key at the time they arrived, even when they were given detailed information about the lodger.” Mokwe said that prior to the demolition of his hotel; he was approached by Fidelity Bank PLC, through one R.T Martins to purchase the building and its premises CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

CRIME

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Businessman sues Obi for N3b

The 3rd Eye A rotten force, threat to democracy (2) Okechukwu Nwanguma Continued from last Friday

Former governor, Obi (right) discussing with one of the policemen during the demolition exercise

Upper Class Hotel

CONTINUED FROM PAG E 4 1

for establishing of the bank’s branches in Onitsha, but he had refused. Mokwe said that his being framed as a ritual killer, was because someone was itching to get his/her hands on his property. Mokwe revealed that his lawyers had commenced what he described as, “first leg of likely three legs of litigations in my quest to be fully and adequately compensated for the sadistic and lawless demolition of my hotel by Obi led government.” Recalling his SARS experience, Mokwe said: “My case could have been settled and damage-controlled while I was detained at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu, Anambra State. Instead, James Nwafor, the Officer in Charge of Awkuzu SARS, elected to save Obi the embarrassment of a public U-Turn and sets about manufacturing evidence. “It concluded the near-death torturing of my land agent, Chibueze Ikemene, to append his signature to an already written statement that I was responsible for the death of one Mr. Nnalue Okafor. “I was taken to the back of their torture chamber and my trouser was taken off me and used in wrapping around my neck. A green rope was then wrapped around my neck. “They started pulling from both sides of my neck till I fainted. My thumbprint was inserted in an already written statement, collaborating the statement of Chibueze Ikemene. I’m a master’s degree holder from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, North America. I’m certainly more educated than every police officer at Awkuzu SARS and yet my signature was thumb printed.” Mokwe said that the police and the state government under Obi were not fair to him. He said: “All prior cases of kidnap-

They started pulling from both sides of my neck till I fainted. My thumbprint was inserted in an already written statement ping underwent investigations for months before structural demolition. In my own incident, my hotel was demolished two hours after my arrest. When kidnappers were arrested at Arthur Garden Hotel, Nkpor Anambra State, the hotel was first sealed and the incident investigated after which the owner was exonerated and the hotel reopened. Mine was an exception.” Mokwe said that in June, 25, 2014, the newly inaugurated Anambra State Task Force on motor park management arrived Ose motor park, Onitsha, to hand over the management of the motor park to Mr. Kwentoh, APGA State Chairman, who incidentally had paid the requisite money to Anambra State Government for the right to manage the park. Mr. Patrick Aghamba, a native of Onitsha, Umudei village made them to know that he was running the motor park on behalf of a powerful Onitsha native and gave his name. The task force left. He said that at the height of the motor park dispute between him and Onitsha natives, was the same Mr. Patrick Aghamba who threatened him, saying that Onitsha natives would eventually own all his properties, including his motor park. He further explained: “Mr. Olisa Egbuchiem, the Onitsha native that lodged in Room 102 of my hotel on the night of July, 31, 2013 and planted the two rotten human skulls and two rusted AK 47 rifles, all in the same

Bago sack, is also from Umudei as Mr. Patrick Aghamba. “The police know the name of every person who participated in setting up of my hotel, arresting them will compound the embarrassment of the State Gover nment, and that’s the blunt fact. The over bearing influence of Onitsha natives, most especially the one regularly mentioned by Mr. Patrick Aghamba is the root cause of the unguided reaction by Obi.” Mokwe said that he was extending an Olive branch to Gover nor Willie Obiano, to try and get to the root of his case by meeting with his lawyers. “My hotel demolition is a case of intelligence failure not crime fighting.” He added: “Granted that the hotel was demolished in a moment of error of judgment, who then takes the blame? I was born and brought up at Onitsha, and so was Obi. “Mokwe” family name and wealth dates back to the 50s in Onitsha and continues till date. Obi is not ignorant of this fact. Obi is in the position to end all these and let me go my own way. Wishing it away is way off the mark.” Mokwe narrated that his wife sent several messages to Obi on the issue, who acknowledged that he was misled into taking the action he did, but Obi still did not act. On the allegation of murder levelled against him, Mokwe said he was set up. His words: “Mr. Nnalue Okafor, whom I was accused of killing, was a frontline MASSOB member. He was arrested by the police on April, 29, 2013, at Fegge Onitsha and has not been sighted ever since. Mrs. Nwuza Okafor, the mother of Nnalue, made that much clear in different newspapers publications.” Mokwe said his hotel demolition was over a year now, and no single charge was pending against him.

hat makes this development even more outrageous is that whichever authority that may have made it happen just simply decided to mock morality and sanity by deploying the self-same officer indicted and wanted for a heinous crime to preside over internal discipline within the force. What an irony! The NPF and its oversight agency, the Police Service Commission (PSC) have long entrenched the unfortunate practice of shielding police officers involved in heinous crimes. There is a long list of criminal and undesirable elements within the NPF who have been surreptitiously reinstated and re-deployed after they were ostensibly dismissed or declared deserters. In many cases, such officers were even promoted. This has become entrenched as culture within the Nigerian Police and promoted by the PSC established by law as a civilian external oversight agency with powers to promote and enforce discipline, among other duties. Nigerians are all witnesses to the fact that three months and half after the former DPO of Onikan Police Station (Superintendent of Police, Adekunle Awe) was accused of raping a female detainee in his office while in police custody and extorting bribe from her before releasing her, and despite overwhelming evidence, not only that the DPO committed the sexual offence, but had committed similar offence many times in the past, the Nigerian police authorities have kept everyone in the dark about the outcome of investigation and what disciplinary actions they meted to the errant officer. Despite the groundswell of public demand for justice, the Nigerian police may have, as usual, swept the matter under the carpet. We recall that the Nigerian Police authorities in Abuja also claimed that Mr. Othman Abdulsalam, the DPO of the Police Station in Abuja where the six innocent victims of the ‘Apo 6’ were killed and labelled armed robbers, escaped from police custody since 2005 and has remained at large till today.

SMS: 08189679439

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE 43

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Nigeria's 2024 bond joins JP Morgan index Friday

INFLOWS Foreign bond holding has since surged to $4.5 billion

igeria's 2024 bond will be included in JP Morgan's Government Bond IndexEmerging Markets (GBIEM) on August 29, in addition to three other bonds already listed, a JP Morgan internal document released yesterday showed. The Federal Government also sold N70.64 billion ($435 million) in treasury bills of three-month and six-month maturities at an

•FG sells N70.6bn in treasury bills auction on Wednesday, at similar yields it fetched at a previous auction this month. JP Morgan added Nigeria to its local currency government bond index in 2012, making it the second African country after South Africa to be in-

cluded in a widely followed index thanks to its improving liquidity levels. Nigerian bond yields according to Reuters, fell across maturities on the index announcement, with the benchmark 10-year bond yield

Dozie family buys Diamond Bank stake from Actis, CDC Group Ayodele Aminu

Kunoch according to a statement from Diamond Bank, acquired the stake by buying Actis DB Holdings Ltd., which holds 14.8 per cent of Diamond Bank. Actis is exiting the lender as its funds near the end of their investment period, according to the statement. Diamond Bank is seeking to raise N50.4 billion ($311 million) in a rights offer that ends Aug. 26, part of a plan to bolster funds for infrastructure, branch expansion and lending, the lender said July 3 Diamond Bank shares rose 1.8 per cent to N6.26 yesterday, valuing the lender at N90.6 billion. The shares declined 10 per cent this year compared with a 1 per cent advance by

unoch Holdings, a privateequity firm, launched in August 8, 1991 by the Dozie family, has completed the purchase of a Diamond Bank Plc stake from Actis LLP and CDC Group Plc for an undisclosed price. Kunoch Holdings was founded by Pascal Dozie, to consolidate the family's diverse investment portfolio in a holding company. The firm leveraged on the structure of a strongly capitalised holding company to divest into pioneering modern banking, driving mobile communication and education and investment in oil & gas and real estate.

the Nigerian Stock Exchange All-Share Index. Pascal Dozie was former Chairman of Diamond Bank until December 31, 2006, a CoFounder and Non-Executive at African Capital Alliance. Mr. Dozi has served as a Non-Executive partner at Alliance. He was the founder of Diamond Bank and had served as the Chief Executive Officer. He also served as the President at the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE). Dozie served as the Chairman of MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd and as the Chairman of Kunoch Limited; ADIC Insurance Limited and Aluminium Extrusion Industries Plc.

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

since surged to $4.5 billion, according to analysts at Standard Chartered Bank. The 2024 addition will increase Nigeria's weighting in the bond index to 1.83 per cent at the end of August, from 1.65 per cent, the JP Morgan document showed. Meanwhile, the banking watchdog said it sold N40.64 billion in the 3-month paper at 9.9 per cent, compared with 10 per cent at the previous auction on Aug. 6, while it sold N30 billion in the 6-month debt note at 10.2 per cent, same yield at the previous auction. Subscription stood at N122.32 billion compared with N88.13 billion demanded at the previous auction.

Glo launches mobile money agent network Jonah Iboma lobacom yesterday launched Gwork, a Mobile Money Agent Netcalled Glo Xchange, in

partnership with licensed mobile money operators, Firstmonie, Ecobank Stanbic IBTC and Zenith Bank. The initiative will accelerate the mobile money revolution, as it will avail the industry of the much needed distribution network. Head Glo Corporate Sales, Kamaldeen Shonibare, said the service had been designed to further drive financial inclusion in the country. He said: “Glo Xchange is a mobile money agent network we have painstakingly developed in partnership with licensed mobile money operators, Firstmonie, Ecobank, Zenith and Stanbic IBTC. With this initiative, Globacom has provided the requisite platform for our partner banks to deploy mobile money services. Glo Xchange will enable the banks’ current and potential customers to carry out transactions under

the three key areas of banking transactions-deposits, withdrawals and transfers. Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Limited, Mr. Bismack Rewane, said Glo had by the inauguration of the new service positioned itself as a firm that is committed to fully developing the Nigerian economy. He recalled that the firm had invested heavily in undersea cables, transmission services and mobile networks, adding that this new initiative further proved that the firm was at the forefront of promoting Nigeria’s economic development. He said that electronic payment would be further facilitated by Glo Xchange and also bring in a lot of money from the informal economy into the financial system Glo has, since launch, been at the forefront of introducing innovative products and services in the Nigerian market, including per second billing, mobile Internet, M-Banking, and prepaid roaming, among numerous others.

African Bank contagion sweeps from lenders to sovereign

outh Africa’s sovereign ratSother ing is at risk of becoming ancasualty of African Bank

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

slipping 22 basis points on yesterday's trade to 11.97 per cent. "The inclusion should not have a substantial effect on the long end, although it was probably a catalyst for today's (yesterday’s) rally in the market," said Samir Gadio, head of Africa strategy at Standard Chartered Bank. JP Morgan added Nigeria's 2014, 2019 and 2022 bonds in October 2012, attracting up to $1.5 billion in portfolio inflows and raising the profile of Africa's biggest economy among offshore investors. JP Morgan valued Nigeria's outstanding bond issues on its index at $13.75 billion, according to the document. Foreign bond holding has

Investment Ltd.’s (ABL) failure, which has already resulted in a downgrade for other lenders, investor losses and canceled bond sales. Moody’s Investors Service’s decision to lower the creditworthiness of the biggest South African lenders according Bloomberg, may bring forward a sovereign-debt reduction, Standard Bank Group Ltd. said on Wednesday. The cut will raise borrowing costs for banks and result in more stringent lending criteria, lifting finance costs for other companies and consumers, according to Atlantic Asset Management, which oversees

the equivalent of $421 million. “If the bank environment is deteriorating because of poorer economic growth, then the same will go for the South African government, because tax revenues will be under pressure,” Kokkie Kooyman, who helps manage more than $700 million as head of Sanlam Global Investments in Cape Town, said by phone Aug. 20. “The sovereign debt must be under threat.” Money-market funds including those run by Cadiz Asset Management, Stanlib Ltd. and Barclays Plc’s Absa imposed losses on investors after the central bank placed African Bank under administration on Aug. 10.

44 business | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

21-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 12.15

100.00 535.00 530.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 281.35 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 70.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,591.19

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,685.60

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.10 0.67 1.99 2.68 2.93 3.03 3.77 4.86 5.17 7.44 9.56 14.27 14.75 15.25 15.92 19.91

10.70 10.90 11.18 11.13 11.14 11.14 11.17 11.20 11.32 11.81 12.00 12.52 12.55 12.59 12.20 12.17

9.28 10.09 11.09 11.07 11.08 11.02 11.07 11.13 11.23 11.76 11.95 12.48 12.51 12.53 12.15 12.13

99.81 95.63 103.25 108.95 96.82 95.49 98.54 117.55 83.42 122.20 112.30 116.22 99.53 72.55 84.70 99.80

99.96 96.13 103.40 109.10 96.97 95.79 98.84 117.85 83.72 122.50 112.60 116.52 99.83 72.85 85.00 100.10

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

0.19 0.76 1.37 2.30 2.66 2.87

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.27 13.58 13.40 13.16 12.14 12.14

97.87 90.52 104.94 100.91 99.44 97.00

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

1,276.99

Sub-National Bonds A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014

15-Oct-09

6.00

15-Oct-14

0.15

3.29

13.77

99.93

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

1.03

4.44

15.53

97.21

13.00

14.00

6.08

30-Sep-15

0.63

3.23

14.11

99.68

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

Nil

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

1.15

4.46

15.57

98.74

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

1.16

3.48

14.59

101.37

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.66

5.59

16.73

85.95

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.71

1.00

12.16

102.64

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.36

1.79

12.95

102.75

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

37.25

30-Sep-18

2.33

1.80

12.96

102.23

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

4.12

1.00

12.19

105.70

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

14.96

09-Dec-18

2.53

1.00

12.15

105.17

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

11.13

12-Dec-18

2.53

4.78

15.93

96.36

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.91

1.00

12.14

105.52

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*GOMBE

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019

02-Oct-12

15.50

17.28

02-Oct-19

2.98

1.00

12.14

108.36

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

22-Nov-12

14.50

80.00

22-Nov-19

5.26

1.00

12.34

108.12

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

12-Dec-12

14.75

28.37

12-Dec-19

3.05

2.74

13.88

102.10

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020

30-Sep-13

14.75

11.40

30-Sep-20

3.66

1.00

12.17

107.26

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.00

27-Nov-20

6.27

1.00

12.67

103.49

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

6.36

1.94

13.64

105.63

A/Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.78

31-Dec-20

3.84

1.44

12.62

105.54

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.79

06-Jan-21

3.87

1.95

13.13

105.47

99.93

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

484.10 493.74

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR Aa/Agusto Nil

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014

07-Oct-11

11.50

11.80

07-Oct-14

0.13

1.00

11.58

GTB NGC

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.33

5.21

15.47

99.28

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.36

8.71

19.08

99.15

LAFARGE WAPCO

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.75

4.88

15.83

96.11

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.82

1.00

11.99

100.55

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.90

2.63

13.66

100.75

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

2.11

1.00

12.18

101.46

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.18

1.34

12.51

103.18

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.11

1.00

12.15

102.12

BBB-/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.93

1.88

13.06

109.43

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

7.20

09-Apr-18

1.88

3.48

14.66

102.51

BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

3.27

09-Sep-18

2.05

5.20

16.38

102.99

AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.90

09-Sep-18

2.05

5.06

16.24

101.73

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

4.09

1.35

12.54

104.54

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.70

18-Oct-18

2.16

2.29

13.46

104.53

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.49

6.11

17.26

99.55

BBB/GCR

*DANA

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.36

2.16

13.32

107.05

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.23

2.76

14.41

103.30

11-Feb-18

3.48

1.00

12.16

94.57

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

142.08

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

145.18

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

12.00 11.35

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.71

4.56

111.20

112.05

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

3.91

3.70

104.34

105.11

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.04

4.94

109.42

110.20

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,624.79

Corporate Eurobonds 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

4.66

3.92

104.67

105.93

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.13

5.87

99.52

100.49

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.03

6.41

100.59

102.30

B/S&P; B/Fitch

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.75

8.16

94.15

95.95

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

7.78

7.11

107.65

109.28

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.39

6.09

99.41

100.66

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

8.98

8.77

99.10

99.92

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

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,660.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,761.78

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

FIXINGS Maturity 28-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 11-Sep-14 18-Sep-14 25-Sep-14 2-Oct-14 9-Oct-14 16-Oct-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.55 10.65 10.45 10.50 10.50 10.65 10.65 10.60

Offer Discount (%) 10.30 10.40 10.20 10.25 10.25 10.40 10.40 10.35

Bid Yield (%) 10.57 10.69 10.51 10.59 10.61 10.78 10.80 10.78

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 12.3750 12.9939 13.5016 14.8103

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

11.17

O/N

11.46

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 11.17 12.78

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

161.90 162.25 162.51 162.62 164.25 165.54

162.00 162.51 162.85 163.78 165.42 167.17

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

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

(N'bn)

Maturity Date

(Yrs)

Premium (%)

(%)

Price

0.19 0.76 1.37 2.30 2.66 2.87

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.27 13.58 13.40 13.16 12.14 12.14

97.87 90.52 104.94 100.91 99.44 97.00

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

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,276.99

Sanctity of Truth

Sub-National Friday, AugustBonds 22, 2014

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

business | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 45

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

8.50

31-Aug-15

1.03

4.44

15.53

97.21

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

6.08

30-Sep-15

0.63

3.23

14.11

99.68

Nil

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

1.15

4.46

15.57

98.74

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

1.16

3.48

14.59

101.37

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.66

5.59

16.73

85.95

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

29.92

30-Jun-17

1.71

1.00

12.16

102.64

A/Agusto

EDO

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

3.36

1.79

12.95

102.75

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

1.80

12.96

102.23

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

2.76

14.41

103.30

Stock market loses N7bn RED

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

*EKITI Negative sentiments *NIGER A/Agusto; A-/GCR investment *ONDO dominate A/Agusto; A-/GCR *GOMBE activities Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR LAGOS A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

A/Agusto

*OSUN

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

LAGOS

A/Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI

Stories Chris Ugwu A-/Agusto; by BBB+/DataPro KOGI

*NASARAWA he bears maintained marTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE ket dominance yesterday TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION on the Nigerian Stock Corporate Bonds (NSE) followExchange A+/Agusto; LAFARGE ing 0.05 AA/GCR per cent drop inWAPCO both Aa/Agusto GTB market performance indices, NGC Nil reflecting profit taking amid Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC drop in investment activities. A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS The key benchmark indices A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO maintained negative trajecA-/Agusto FSDH tory to close in the negative, A/GCR UBA as activities in the*C shares BBB-/GCR & I LEASING of BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR Nestle Nigeria and*DANA Total NigeA-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR *TOWER ria further dragged down the AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWER equity market. A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA Trading activities on the Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS floor of Exchange had the BBB/GCR *DANA in the previous day also closed µ

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

red following low sentiments 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 of14.00 investors. NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 the All-Share Consequently, 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 Index dipped 22.23 basis points 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 or 0.05 per cent, to close at 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 41,767.33 as against 41,789.56 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 recorded the previous day, 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 while the market capitalisa13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 tion of equities 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 depreciated by 14.50billion EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 N7 or 0.05 per cent, as 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 market sentiments remained in the red. Meanwhile, a turnover of 182.2 million shares worth 11.50 LAFARGE 7-OCT 2014 N3.3 billionWAPCO in 4,105 deals were 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 recorded in the day’s trading. 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 Just in the previous day, 10.00 UPDCas 17-AUG-2015 the sub-sector of the 12.00banking FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 financial services sector was 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 the most active during the 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 day (measured by turnover 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 volume); with 86.4 million 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 shares worth N904.9 million MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 exchanged by investors in MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 1,370 deals. 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 Volume in the banking sub15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 was CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 sector largely driven by 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 activity in the shares of Ac15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

6.00

15-Oct-14

0.15

3.29

15.25

99.93

Foundation unveils dividend payment awards

cess30-Sep-11 Bank Plc and 14.00 Fidelity Plc. 37.25 30-Sep-18 2.33 of Trustees of Also, ser- 9.00 he Board 04-Oct-11 other financial 14.00 04-Oct-18 4.12 09-Dec-11 09-Dec-18 2.53 has Foundation vices sub-sector, 14.50 boosted by 14.96 Bodmas 12-Dec-13 14.00 12-Dec-18 2.53 concluded arrangement for activity in the shares of FCMB 11.13 14-Feb-12 15.50 27.00 14-Feb-19 2.91 of Plc,02-Oct-12 followed with15.50 a turnover 17.28yearly presentation 02-Oct-19 2.98 divi22-Nov-12 14.50 22-Nov-19 awards 5.26 (DPof 30.7 million shares valued 80.00dend payment 12-Dec-12 14.75 to Nigeria’s3.05listed at N202.7 million in 556 deals. 28.37Awards) 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-13 14.75 11.40 30-Sep-20 3.66 The number of13.50 gainers at 87.00companies. 27-Nov-13 27-Nov-20 6.27 slated the31-Dec-13 close of trading session on 5.00 The award, 15.00 31-Dec-20which is 6.36 14.50 31-Dec-20 3.84 on 14 November was31-Dec-13 26, while decliners equally 4.78for Lagos 06-Jan-14 15.00 4.79 06-Jan-21 2014, according to a3.87stateclosed at 26. ment, would track records Seven Up Nigeria Plc led the484.10 of dividend payments by all gainers’ table with a gain of 493.74 N11.78 to close at N126.78 per Nigeria’s listed companies on 07-Oct-11 07-Oct-14 0.13 each and add up share, while GSK 11.50 Nigeria Plc 11.80yearly basis 18-Dec-09 13.50 13.17 18-Dec-14 0.33 followed with a gain of N2.49 listed company’s records cu01-Apr-10 17.00 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.36 mulatively for the awards. to close at N65.99. Wapco Nige17-Aug-10 10.00 3.61 17-Aug-15 0.75 chairperson of ria 09-Dec-10 Plc added N1.80 to close at 13.62 The board 12.00 09-Dec-15 0.82 06-Jan-11 0.60the foundation, 06-Jan-16 Dame 0.90 N120.01 per share.14.00 Priscil29-Sep-11 13.00 29-Sep-16 la Kuye said that the 2.11 awards On the other hand, Nestle 15.00 25-Oct-13 14.25 5.53 25-Oct-16 2.18 consideration begin from a Nigeria Plc led the price los30-Sep-10 13.00 20.00 30-Sep-17 3.11 ers’30-Nov-12 table, dropping year of listing on 18.00N15.01 to 0.73company’s’ 30-Nov-17 1.93 09-Apr-11 16.00 09-Apr-18 1.88 close at N1, 079.99 per share, 7.20the Nigerian Stock Exchange 09-Sep-11 18.00 09-Sep-18 2.05 while Total Oil and Guinness 3.27(NSE) as published in any edi09-Sep-11 16.00 0.90 09-Sep-18 2.05 tion of their annual reports. Nigeria followed with a loss 22-Sep-11 14.00 35.00 22-Sep-18 4.09 shall be of N1.00 at N181.02 2.70 “The DP-Awards 18-Oct-13 to close15.75 18-Oct-18 2.16 17.00 17-Feb-19 2.49 and17-Feb-12 N190.00 per share respec- 0.41given to recipient companies 01-Apr-14 16.00 4.50 01-Apr-19 3.36 tively. that achieve 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 14-Nov-13

13.77

2.05

14-Nov-20

GTBank HY profit drops 10%

35, 40, 45, 50, 70, and 75 1.00 12.1955, 60, 65, 105.70 1.00 12.15 105.17 years of cumulative dividend 4.78 96.36 payments15.93 to their sharehold1.00 12.14 105.52 ers as their 1.00 12.14published 108.36records 1.00 indicate,”12.34 she said.108.12 2.74 13.88 102.10 Kuye emphasised that the 1.00 12.17 107.26 DP-Awards are being given 1.00 12.67 103.49 to the listed 1.94 13.64 companies 105.63 as re1.44 wards for12.62 growing105.54 investors’ 1.95 13.13 105.47 wealth through dividend payments and also for contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy through their 1.00 positive 11.58 turnovers99.93that re5.21 15.47 99.28 sulted into dividend99.15 payments. 8.71 19.08 “The awards shall enlighten 4.88 15.83 96.11 the Nigerian to the mas1.00 11.99 public 100.55 2.63 13.66 100.75 sive wealth pool that dividend 1.00 12.18 101.46 payments constitute for in1.34 12.51 103.18 vestors in the Nigerian capi1.00 12.15 102.12 tal market 1.88 13.06every year 109.43 as we 3.48 14.66 102.51 would publish every detail of 5.20 dividend 16.38 payments102.99 achieved 5.06 16.24 101.73 by each 12.54 listed company in 1.35 104.54 Nigeria to their shareholders 2.29 13.46 104.53 6.11 99.55 of the beginning17.26 from the start 2.16 107.05 Nigerian 13.32 stock exchange.’’

6.23

142.08

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

uaranty Trust Bank Plc has

Supranational posted 10Bond per cent decline in

AAA/S&P IFC the half post-tax profit for TOTAL OUTSTANDING year ended June 30,VALUE 2014. TOTAL CAPITALISATION TheMARKET company in a filing with the Nigerian Stock ExRating/Agency Issuer change (NSE) said its half-year net earnings decreased from FGN Eurobonds N49.014 billion in 2013 to N44.008 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P billion, accounting for a drop of 10BB-/Fitch; per cent. FGN BB-/S&P Its pre- tax profit equally fell BB-/Fitch; toBB-/S&P N53.396 billion down 7 per TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE in the cent from N57, 364 billion same last year. TOTALperiod MARKET CAPITALISATION Gross earnings increased by Eurobonds 7Corporate per cent to N132.985 billion B-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLC I during the six months to June GTBANK PLC I B+/S&P; B+/Fitch 30 from N124.202 billion reGTBANK PLC corded during the comparable B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC period of 2013. B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY BANK PLC B/Fitch The bank had AFREN announced PLC BANKtax PLC aB+/Fitch; dropBB-/S&P in its profitZENITH before B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC (PBT) of 1.7 per cent in the Q1 B/S&P; B-/Fitch FIRST BANK PLC 2014. According to the report reB+/S&P; B+/Fitch AFREN PLC

145.18

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

leased by the Exchange, Profit before tax (PBT) declined from N28.491 billion in Q1 2013 to N28.006 billion in the review Description period of 2014. Nevertheless, the bank’s 6.75 JAN 28, rose 2021 gross earnings from N63.863 billion in the Q1 2013 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 to N67.577 billion in the Q1 of 6.38 JUL 12, 2014, representing a2023 5.8 per cent growth. Also, profit after tax (PAT) increased to N23.110billion in Q1 2014 as against N22.556 bil11.502013, FEB 01, depciting 2016 lion in the Q1 a 7.50per MAY cent. 19, 2016 growth of 2.5 2018 Reacting 6.00 to NOV the08,results, anaJUL 25, 2017 lysts at the 7.25 FBN Capital said, 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 “while we would not extrapolate 10.25 APR 08, 2019 from the Q26.25 results APR 22, to 2019conclude that GT Bank’s asset quality ra8.75 May 21, 2019 AUG 07, 2020 tios are set to8.25 worsen materially 6.63 DEC 09, 2020

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

11-Feb-13

10.20

09-Dec-13

6.63

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

12.00

11-Feb-18

3.48

1.00

12.16

94.57

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.00

5.10

104.41

105.89

given its historical track record, 12.00 sociation of Nigeria (ISAN) Sir tions to 10. Sunny Nwosu, who commendultimately we would expect the 11.35 “The contributions of our market to focus on this in light ed the bank for the dividend subsidiaries to the group’s botOutstanding Value of the surprise pay-out, said the tom(%)lineBid remained strong Maturity Date shareholders Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield Price Offer Price durIssue negative Date Coupon (%) on the (N'bn) provisions line. were appreciative of the efforts, ing review period and continPrices & Yields “We also do not expect the which the staff and manage- ued to play an important part 07-Oct-11 6.75 its guid- 500.00 4.71 111.20 to emerge 112.05 as the bank to revise down ment put 28-Jan-21 in place to drive the 4.56 in our quest ance of its ROAE for 2014 being bank for increased return on foremost and dominant bank 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 3.91 3.70 104.34 105.11 north of 25 per cent. We still be- investment. in Africa in the medium term,” 12-Jul-13 12-Jul-23 110.20 lieve that guidance6.38 is conserva- 500.00 Speaking he said. 109.42 at the 5.04 bank’s 4.94 tive and that GT Bank is likely1,500.00 Imomoh noted that the bank 24th annual general meeting to beat it, despite the slightly1,624.79 (AGM),the Chairman of the of will continue to focus on imweaker-than-expected Q2 2014 the Bank, Mr. Egbert Imomoh proving its customer experiresults. “Our full year published told shareholders that the bank ences and seek innovative ways 01-Feb-11 11.50 01-Feb-16 3.71 2.96 111.45 112.64 PBT estimate of N115bn is in 450.00 was able to increase its African of growing its business. 7.50 500.00 4.66 104.67 105.93 advanline19-May-11 with consensus” foot print19-May-16 and expand into Ke- 3.92 “We are poised to take 08-Nov-13 6.00 08-Nov-18 6.13 100.49 Meanwhile, the bank had also 400.00 nya, Rwanda and Uganda via 5.87 tage of all99.52 the opportunities that 25-Jul-12 7.25 25-Jul-17 7.03 100.59 the purchase of a 70 per cent 6.41 approved a dividend payout of 350.00 would arise during 102.30 the course 09-May-13 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 8.75 8.16 94.15 95.95 N170 per share for 10.25 the financial 300.00 equity stake in Fina Bank. of the year and are 109.28 committed 08-Apr-12 08-Apr-19 7.78 7.11 107.65 year ended 31st December, 2013. 500.00 He noted that this increased to maintain 22-Apr-14 6.25 22-Apr-19 6.39 6.09 99.41our position 100.66 as the the number of countries where 8.77 The National Coordinator, bank of choice for discerning 21-May-14 8.75 200.00 21-May-19 8.98 99.10 99.92 07-Aug-13 8.25 103.42 105.92 Independent Shareholders As- 300.00 the bank 07-Aug-20 has business7.26 opera- 6.56 customers.” 3,660.00

21-Aug-14

3,761.78

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

7 28-Aug-14 10.55 14 4-Sep-14 10.65 21 11-Sep-14 10.45 18-Sep-14 10.50 FGN Bonds28 35 25-Sep-14 10.50 42 2-Oct-14 10.65 Rating/Agency Issuer Description 49 9-Oct-14 10.65 56 16-Oct-14 10.60 63 23-Oct-14 10.55 9.25 28-SEP-2014 70 30-Oct-14 10.50 4.00 23-APR-2015 77 6-Nov-14 10.10 13.05 16-AUG-2016 84 13-Nov-14 10.60 15.10 27-APR-2017 91 20-Nov-14 9.65 9.85 27-JUL-2017 98 27-Nov-14 10.75 9.35 31-AUG-2017 105 4-Dec-14 10.15 112 11-Dec-14 10.70 10.70 30-MAY-2018 126 25-Dec-14 10.80 16.00 29-JUN-2019 NA NA 140 8-Jan-15 10.15 7.00 23-OCT-2019 154 22-Jan-15 9.95 16.39 27-JAN-2022 168 5-Feb-15 10.40 14.20 14-MAR-2024 182 19-Feb-15 10.25 196 5-Mar-15 10.45 15.00 28-NOV-2028 231 9-Apr-15 10.15 12.49 22-MAY-2029 245 23-Apr-15 10.15 8.50 20-NOV-2029 259 7-May-15 10.15 10.00 23-JUL-2030 350 6-Aug-15 10.25 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 *from the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration

10.30 10.40 10.20 10.25 10.25 10.40 Issue 10.40 Date 10.35 10.30 28-Sep-07 10.25 23-Apr-10 9.85 16-Aug-13 10.35 27-Apr-12 9.40 27-Jul-07 10.50 31-Aug-07 9.90 10.45 30-May-08 10.55 29-Jun-12 9.90 23-Oct-09 9.70 27-Jan-12 10.15 14-Mar-14 10.00 10.20 28-Nov-08 9.90 22-May-09 9.90 20-Nov-09 9.90 23-Jul-10 10.00

18-Jul-14

10.57 OBB 11.17 Tenor Bid ($/N) Offer ($/N) 10.69 Tenor Rate (%) 10.51 O/N 12.3750 Spot 161.90 162.00 O/N 11.46 10.59 1M 12.9939 7D 162.25 162.51 Price 10.61 3M 13.5016 14D 162.51 162.85 REPO 10.78 6M 14.8103 Tenor Rate (%) 1M 162.62 163.78 Outstanding Value Offer Yield Coupon (%) Maturity Date TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield (%) 2M Bid Price 165.42 Offer Price 10.80 Call 11.17 164.25 (N'bn) (%) 10.78 1M 12.78 3M 165.54 167.17 10.75 3M 13.22 6M 169.22 172.84 9.25 100.00 NITTY 28-Sep-14 0.10 10.70 9.28 99.81 99.96 10.72 6M 0.67 14.05 10.90 1Y 10.09 176.96 95.63 183.94 96.13 4.00 535.00 23-Apr-15 10.32 Tenor Rate (%) 13.05 530.27 16-Aug-16 1.99 11.18 11.09 103.25 103.40 10.87 1M 10.5817 15.10 452.80 27-Apr-17 NOTE: 2.68 11.13 11.07 108.95 109.10 9.89 2M 10.7066 9.85 27-Jul-17 2.93 11.14 11.08NA :Not Applicable 96.82 96.97 :Benchmarks 11.07 3M20.00 10.9451 9.35 100.00 31-Aug-17 * :Amortising 3.03 11.14 11.02# :Floating Rate 95.49 95.79 10.46 6M 10.9784 Bond Bond 11.06 9M 10.9897 Bond 10.70 300.00 30-May-18 µ :Convertible3.77 11.17 11.07***: Deferred coupon 98.54 bonds 98.84 Management Corporation of Nigeria 11.22 12M 11.4333 16.00 351.30 29-Jun-19 AMCON: Asset4.86 11.20 11.13 117.55 117.85 †: Bond rating expired 10.56 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 7.00 233.90 23-Oct-19 5.17 11.32 11.23 83.42 83.72 10.39 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 16.39 600.00 27-Jan-22 IFC: International 7.44Finance Corporation 11.81 11.76 122.20 122.50 10.92 NIFEX 14.20 281.35 14-Mar-24 LCRM: Local Contractors 9.56 12.00Management11.95 112.30 112.60 10.80 Receivables Current Price ($/N) 28-Nov-28 NAHCO: Nigerian 11.07 Company 15.00 75.00 14.27Aviation Handling 12.52 12.48NGC: Nigeria-German 116.22 Company 116.52 10.85 BID($/N) 150.00 162.0125 12.49 22-May-29 O/N: Overnight 14.75 12.55 12.51UBA: United Bank 99.53 for Africa 99.83 10.89 OFFER ($/N)200.00 162.1125 Company 8.50 20-Nov-29 UPDC: UAC Property 15.25 Development12.59 12.53 72.55 72.85 10.94 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 10.00 591.57 23-Jul-30 15.92 12.20 12.15 84.70 85.00 11.37

Bonds

12.15

70.00

# TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums

4,591.19

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,685.60

**Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Rating/Agency

Agency Bonds

Issuer

Modified Duration AMCON Buckets

FMBN <3

3<5 ***LCRM >5

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Market

Outstanding Value FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX(N'bn)

Description

Issue Date

Total Outstanding Porfolio Market31-OCT-2014 Value(Bn) (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 AMCON Volume(Bn)

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 1,040.83 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 1,146.15 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM817.02 III 06-JUL-2017 3,004.00

18-Jul-34

983.07 951.30 872.92 2,807.29

Weighting by 28-Dec-11 Outstanding Vol

24-May-10 03-Apr-12 35.02 09-Dec-11 33.89 20-Apr-12 31.09 06-Jul-12 100.00

Coupon (%)

Weighting by Mkt 0.00 Value

0.00 17.25 34.65 0.00/16.00 38.15 0.00/16.50 27.20 0.00/16.50 100.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Bucket Weighting 978.35

24.56 3.30 0.35 112.22 0.34 116.70 0.31 66.49 1.00

1,301.62

19.91

12.17

12.13

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

% Exposure_ 31-Oct-14 Mod_Duration

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 16.48 09-Dec-16 34.54 20-Apr-17 48.98 06-Jul-17 100.00

Implied Yield 0.19

0.76 1.37 11.15 2.30 11.63 2.66 12.14 2.87 11.80

Implied 1.00 Portfolio Price

2.63 2.27 118.9262 2.00 135.6305 1.00 103.0745 1.00 119.6577

99.80

100.10

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

INDEX 11.27

13.58 13.40 1,129.56 13.16 1,148.47 12.14 1,202.45 12.14 1,136.62

YTD Return 97.87 (%)

90.52 104.94 12.9556 100.91 14.8467 99.44 20.2447 97.00 13.6620

1,276.99

Sub-National Bonds A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014

15-Oct-09

14.00

6.00

15-Oct-14

0.15

3.29

13.77

99.93

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

1.03

4.44

15.53

97.21

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

6.08

30-Sep-15

0.63

3.23

14.11

99.68

Nil

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

6.27

30-Jun-16

1.15

4.46

15.57

98.74

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

7.37

30-Jun-16

1.16

3.48

14.59

101.37

46 business | CAPITAL MARKET

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at August 21, 2014 Daily Summary as of 21/08/2014 Printed 21/08/2014 14:50:51.051

Daily Summary as of 21/08/2014

Printed 21/08/2014 14:50:51.051

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT State and Local

Bond Name 14.75% OSUN OCT 2020 State and Local Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Symbol OSB2020S2

DEBT Board Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 106.76

Bond Activity Totals

Quantity Traded 7,000 7000

Value Traded 7,859,794.24 7,859,794.24

7,000

7,859,794.24

7000

7,859,794.24

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals Totals

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

Daily Summary (Equities)

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

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO Symbol LIVESTOCK Daily Summary

No. of Deals 2 17 15 34

Current Price 0.50 36.47 36.30

Quantity Traded 35,000 152,880 169,940 357,820

Value Traded 17,500.00 5,391,911.40 6,173,446.55 11,582,857.95

No. of Deals 20 (Equities) 20

Current Price 3.15

Quantity Traded 415,132 415,132

Value Traded 1,322,193.60 1,322,193.60

772,952

12,905,051.55

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 5 9 1 207 67 289

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Daily Summary as of 21/08/2014 Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Printed 21/08/2014 14:50:51.051 Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

289

Quantity Traded 27,272 49,128 Page 66 10,433,877 230,419 10,740,762 10,740,762

72,419,485.35

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 1.13

Quantity Traded 114,436 114,436

Value Traded 129,372.40 129,372.40

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 65.00

Quantity Traded 131,400 131,400

Value Traded 8,600,325.89 8,600,325.89

Symbol

No. of Deals 31 31

Current Price 16.20

Quantity Traded 322,518 322,518

Value Traded 5,215,131.30 5,215,131.30

568,354

13,944,829.59

UAC-PROP Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 Page 2,000

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

Symbol GUINNESS INTBREW NB PREMBREW

No. of Deals 49 29 120 1 199

Current Price 190.00 27.00 178.95 1.44

Quantity Traded 103,484 2,835,978 1,167,463 50,200 4,157,125

Value Traded 19,528,497.56 76,638,186.30 208,537,914.12 72,288.00 304,776,885.98

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

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 126.78

Quantity Traded 75,476 75,476

Value Traded 9,568,395.03 9,568,395.03

Symbol No. of Deals DANGFLOUR 33 DANGSUGAR 52 FLOURMILL 43 HONYFLOUR 49 Daily Summary (Equities) NASCON 29 NNFM 4 UTC 1 211

Current Price 7.50 8.68 68.11 4.05 9.80 22.10 0.50

Quantity Traded 173,192 3,121,560 198,591 6,600,268 753,839 29,800 233 10,877,483

Value Traded 1,293,268.98 27,210,004.10 12,904,958.95 26,772,365.27 7,393,610.70 631,250.00 116.50 76,205,574.50

Daily Summary of 21/08/2014 Food as Products Printed 21/08/2014 14:50:51.051 DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC

DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Activity on Board EQTY U TSummary C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Food Products--Diversified Totals

Value Traded 1,000.00 of 13 1,000.00

No. of Deals 37 55 92

Current Price 66.70 1,079.99

Quantity Traded 210,313 1,204,817 Page 1,415,130

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

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 18 1 19

Current Price 4.15 1.25

Quantity Traded 199,622 2,000 201,622

Value Traded 824,208.15 2,380.00 826,588.15

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals Daily Summary as of 21/08/2014 GOODS Totals Printed CONSUMER 21/08/2014 14:50:51.051

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 39 42 81

Current Price 36.00 49.00

Quantity Traded 160,028 201,302 361,330

Value Traded 5,599,954.92 9,813,461.32 15,413,416.24

17,090,166

1,697,405,880.38

Current Price 9.75 6.26 16.60 1.97 28.88 2.95 Current Price 2.26 7.27 Current Price 8.26 0.50 0.97 24.98

Quantity Traded 20,436,621 3,629,447 2,928,630 15,228,628 10,249,145 5,271,310 Quantity Traded 8,786,789

Value Traded 196,965,839.98 22,481,922.23 48,804,646.05 29,996,412.05 296,621,102.02 15,795,204.48 Value Traded 19,580,909.73

Current Price 0.50 0.80 0.99 0.57 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.50 0.54 0.80 0.50 0.50 0.78

Quantity Traded 1 3,678,093 1,598,057 814,415 10,300 2,000 366,231 7,974 2,525,810 3,496,603 2,546 1,500 4,048,523 16,552,053

Value Traded 0.50 2,975,232.73 1,586,986.43 464,216.55 5,150.00 1,000.00 185,115.50 19,695.78 1,362,391.40 2,842,994.67 1,273.00 750.00 3,058,121.35 12,502,927.91

Quantity Traded 656,101 656,101

Value Traded 656,101.00 656,101.00

Daily Summary as of 21/08/2014 FINANCIAL SERVICES Printed 21/08/2014 Banking14:50:51.051

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

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. Daily Summary as of 21/08/2014 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. Printed 21/08/2014 14:50:51.051 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals EQTY Activity Summary on Board

ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

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

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 100 Daily Summary (Equities) DIAMONDBNK 53 ETI 94 Daily Summary (Equities) FIDELITYBK 102 GUARANTY 358 SKYEBANK 86 Symbol No. of Deals STERLNBANK 62 UBA 201 Symbol No. of Deals UBN 51 UNITYBNK 6 WEMABANK 25 ZENITHBANK 232 1,370

Symbol AFRINSURE AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST EQUITYASUR GUINEAINS INTENEGINS MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM PRESTIGE UNIC WAPIC

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

6 6

1.00

Page

Current Price 0.50 1.52 0.50

Page Quantity Traded 2,250 60,000 50,000 112,250

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 58 20 331 42 13 31 61 556

Current Price 3.25 3.86 14.71 4.33 0.59 30.00 2.16

Quantity Traded 1,496,777 794,298 8,579,335 12,582,246 5,905,031 307,000 1,045,961 30,710,648

Value Traded 4,814,602.30 3,071,260.76 126,497,773.21 53,481,453.41 3,367,412.10 9,217,508.59 2,265,458.00 202,715,468.37

134,416,764

1,120,972,824.62

Quantity Traded 86,600 4,191,333 85,146 929,753 174,900

Value Traded 174,905.07 13,805,706.36 5,537,372.10 1,470,146.88 201,014.00

2,093 Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 8 21 12 12 14

Current Price 2.00 3.33 65.99 1.58 1.15

Page

Value Traded 21,189,144.41

5,467,732

21,189,144.41

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.57

Quantity Traded 218,000 218,000

Value Traded 122,540.00 122,540.00

Symbol TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.88

Quantity Traded 4,808 4,808

Value Traded 8,606.32 8,606.32

222,808

131,146.32

10 Symbol

No. of Deals 1 52 11 15 40 52 No. of Deals 1 15 28 215

Current Price 2.72 33.71 8.86 39.00 14.67 Current229.97 Price 1.60 4.99 120.01

Quantity Traded 10,000 549,872 164,569 308,715 644,404 Quantity244,817 Traded 900 405,200 214,699 2,543,176 Page

Daily Summary (Equities) AFRPAINTS ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM Symbol PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

Value Traded 25,900.00 18,548,203.90 1,456,428.05 12,055,836.28 9,475,354.06 55,593,149.87 Value Traded 1,422.00 2,039,505.00 25,677,345.61 124,873,144.77 8 of 13

Symbol CUTIX NIWICABLE

No. of Deals 9 1 10

Current Price 1.90 0.50

Quantity Traded 317,916 1,700 319,616

Value Traded 605,533.76 850.00 606,383.76

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

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 1 9 10

Current Price 1.75 17.11

Quantity Traded 1,000 15,565 16,565

Value Traded 1,720.00 293,299.15 295,019.15

2,879,357

125,774,547.68

Quantity Traded 267 267

Value Traded 202.92 202.92

267

202.92

NATURAL RESOURCES Daily Summary as of 21/08/2014 Paper/Forest Products Printed 21/08/2014 14:50:51.051 THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. Paper/Forest Products Totals NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

235 Symbol THOMASWY

No. of Deals 1 1

Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 0.79

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Page

Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 28 28

Current Price 0.51

Quantity Traded 834,038 834,038

Value Traded 429,784.38 429,784.38

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

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 287 287

Current Price 26.49

Quantity Traded 3,537,281 3,537,281

Value Traded 94,189,296.62 94,189,296.62

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 54 42 76 30 18 12 232

Current Price 68.45 3.82 238.00 177.00 54.00 181.02

Quantity Traded 238,785 911,951 172,599 95,413 75,852 42,755 1,537,355

Value Traded 16,616,557.69 3,427,170.18 40,982,735.37 16,753,940.09 3,895,776.90 7,741,573.10 89,417,753.33

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 680.00

Quantity Traded 8,209 8,209

Value Traded 5,657,541.00 5,657,541.00

5,916,883

189,694,375.33 Value Traded 294,461.08

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Daily Summary as of 21/08/2014 Printed 21/08/2014 14:50:51.051 Exploration and Production

SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Activity Summary onPart Board EQTY Automobile/Auto Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. SERVICES

Daily Summary (Equities)

557

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 16

Current Price 0.88

Quantity Traded 340,591

Symbol

No. of Deals 16

Current Price

Quantity Traded Page 340,591

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 4.64

Quantity Traded 158,697 158,697

Value Traded 735,548.08 735,548.08

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 0.78

Quantity Traded 1,814,780 1,814,780

Value Traded 1,395,334.00 1,395,334.00

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA STUDPRESS UPL

No. of Deals 4 8 1 16 29

Current Price 1.63 1.56 2.40 4.28

Quantity Traded 131,000 116,174 200 277,300 524,674

Value Traded 211,050.00 181,256.44 456.00 1,186,854.00 1,579,616.44

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.71

Quantity Traded 532,087 532,087

Value Traded 372,241.77 372,241.77

74,967,673.31 Traded 3,541,916.96 4Value of 13 334,500.00 488,102.08 195,399,773.45 904,978,002.34

No. of Deals 2 2 1 5

Quantity Traded 5,467,732

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Value Traded 13,331,835.16 1,277,282,185.32 3 of 13 1,290,614,020.48

Symbol ASOSAVINGS INFINITY RESORTSAL

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

No. of Deals 1 29 5 10 1 1 7 3 17 28 1 1 52 156

10,335,586 Quantity430,692 Traded Page 669,000 503,844 7,916,020 86,385,712

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC EQTY Activity Summary on Board CAP PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

615

IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals Daily Summary as of 21/08/2014 Printed 21/08/2014 ICT Totals 14:50:51.051

Value Traded 36,888.15 53,248.24 1 of 13 308.22 58,724,167.52 13,604,873.22 72,419,485.35

Symbol COSTAIN

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Published Automobiles/Auto by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Parts Totals ©

Current Price 1.40 1.13 4.91 5.64 60.50

No. of Deals 67

HEALTHCARE Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC Daily SummaryOKOMU as of 21/08/2014 OIL PALM PLC. Printed 21/08/2014 14:50:51.051 PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Symbol

Daily Summary as of 21/08/2014 Road Transportation Printed 21/08/2014 14:50:51.051 ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC

Road Transportation Totals

Value Traded 10 294,461.08 of 13

Daily Summary (Equities) Page

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

6 of 13 Value Traded 1,125.00 94,200.00 25,000.00

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 2 39 41

Current Price 2.16 4.97

Quantity Traded 11,000 729,652 740,652

Value Traded 24,250.00 3,646,351.13 3,670,601.13

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 5.59

Quantity Traded 16,419 16,419

Value Traded 92,153.30 92,153.30

125

4,128,900

8,140,455.80

EQTY Board Totals

4,105

182,204,945

3,262,577,943.95

Equity Activity Totals

4,105

182,204,945

3,262,577,943.95

Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals

120,325.00

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Daily Summary as Traded of 21/08/2014 Exchange Fund Totals

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

Printed 21/08/2014 14:50:51.051

ETF Board Totals

No. of Deals 1 3 4

Quantity Traded 15 30 45

Value Traded 30,015.00 567.90 30,582.90

30,582.90

Page 45

Daily Summary (ETP)

Current Price 2,001.00 18.97

of 13 30,582.90

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Nigeria needs $40bn investment to deliver 16,500mw lNew investors need bailout, says Egbin Power MD

Siaka Momoh igeria will need $40 billion in power infrastructure to deliver additional 16500 megawatts (mw) in 10 years, New Telegraph learnt yesterday. Ramesh Narayanan, Managing Director/ CEO of Eko Distribution Company, who said this in Lagos, at Manufacturers Association of Nigeria’s (MAN) Apapa Branch Business Luncheon, explained that $20 billion will be required for generation, $9 billion for transmission and $11 billion for distribution. Currently, he said Nigeria has 5 million customers in 11 Discos,

3,500mw peak generation, while 30.2 billion units are served annually. He said projected situation in 10 years is 50 million customers, 20,000 mw of generation and 142.6 billion units to be served. The Eko DISCO boss said: “For generation 16,500 MW x 200 million naira/MW = 3.3 trillion Naira ($20 billion); Transmission – (Assuming 1.8 times generation capacity required) 1.8 x 16,500 mw x 50 million naira/mw = 1.485 trillion naira ($9 billion); Distribution – (Assuming 2.2 times generation capacity required) 2.2 x 16,500 mw x 50million

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

naira/mw = 1.815 trillion naira ($11 billion).” It is assumed that one mw is N200 million. He said the electricity generation project will create opportunities for manufacturers and service companies, who will need to manufacture spare parts for the power industry, and it will throw up job opportunities. Said he: “Generation investment will employ 82,500 people during construction phase and 33,000 during operation phase; transmission 89,000 construction phase and 15,000 operation phase; distribution 363000 people during operation phase.” In his own contribu-

65%

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

tion, the MD/CEO of Egbin Power Plc Engr M.I. Uzoigwe, drew attention to the neglect that the power sector has suffered over the years. Said he: “From1990 to 2005, a period of 15 years, there was no other power station built after Egbin to support our ever increasing population and expanded network. Though AES (formally ENRON) brought in private capacity of 270 mw in 2001, power infrastructure in this country remained static for about 15 years.” He said for 30 years, Egbin was not overhauled and that he once took a budget proposal of N18 billion to government but what got was N800,000.

2,063

The total number of air travel passengers of Makurdi airport in 2012. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Creative Ideas, Mr. Tonye Briggs, Director General, NAFDAC, Mr. Paul Orhii; Managing Director/CEO, Fidson Pharmaceutical Company, Mr. Fidelis Anyaegbe and Executive Director, Head of Bank, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Jude Monye, during the official launch of Tyvivac Typhoid Vaccine, in Lagos yesterday. PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

N/Delta group tackles Shell FG to spend N12.5bn on Abuja-Abaji Expressway over local content law Gabriel Choba

Ughelli

n oil monitoring group AIndigenous known as the Niger Delta Movement for

Radical Change (NDIMRC) has appealed to the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to call Royal Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other oil multinational companies to order. The group also vowed to resist attempts by the SPDC and other oil multinational companies to frustrate the Nigerian

Local Content Law. In a statement signed by the President of the group, Nelly Emma; Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Officer, Stanley Mukoro, the group claimed that Shell was still undermining the Nigerian Local Content Law signed by President Goodluck Jonathan in April, 2010 by unjustly and unfairly treating the people of the Niger Delta region. The statement reads in part; “We have been drawing the attention of the world to the unholy activities of Shell in the region.

Yekeen Nurudeen

Abuja

hairman, Presidential CRe-investment Committee on Subsidy Project

(SURE-P), GenMartin Luther Agwai, yesterday said that the Federal Government has committed N12.5 billion to the construction of the Zuba-Abaji-Lokoja Expressway, to ensure its completion this year. Agwai made the disclosure in Abuja yesterday after inspecting the level of work done on the road, which is being undertaken by Dantata and Sawoe

Construction Company Limited. The 42-kilometre project was awarded in 2006 at N11, 227,571,390.41, but was re-awarded in 2011 to the tune of N28, 666,721,831.64. He said: “On this road this year, the Federal Government, through the SURE-P is putting N12.5billion this year.” Agwai, assured the people that sections 1 and 2 of the road, which have attained 77.2 percent completion, would be linked together before the end of December this year.

2015: Ex-militant leaders ask Jonathan to seek re-election Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

ormer leaders of militant Fyesterday groups in the Niger Delta vowed to fight any

attempt by any group or individuals to frustrate President Goodluck Jonathan from seeking re-election in the 2015 general elections. The leaders under the platform of the Niger Delta Youths for Democracy (NDYY), said this at a press conference held in Benin, the Edo State capital. They urged President Jonathan to declare his intention to contest next year’s polls without further delay so as to continue with his transformation agenda, the impact of which they said, is been felt across the

nation. Spokesperson and leader of the group, Roland Abanara, who was flanked by Figbele Joseph and Austin Aboh, expressed concern over the utterances and action of individuals and bodies that are aimed at discrediting the administration of President Jonathan over the activities of the Boko Haram sect. “We also want to make it known that those who are capitalising on the security challenges facing the nation, to discredit the President, that terrorism as being witnessed today never started with the emergence of President Jonathan and the government is not relenting in bringing an end to it.

Adamawa guber: Atiku backs Mustapha Philip Nyam

Abuja

of the All ProgresLineader sives Congress (APC) Adamawa State and

former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has thrown his weight behind Boss Mustapha, a Christian lawyer from Kilba ethnic group for the governorship race in the state. Sources in the state said Atiku’s action was to pacify the Christian community in the state, who were angry over their sacrifice in the impeachment saga that engulfed the state recently. They had nursed the hope that there will be a level playing field in the PDP, which is now being thwarted by the party’s leadership. New Telegraph gathered that the resolve of Atiku to support Mustapha’s aspiration is based on some Christian leaders that met and

pleaded with him to give them a Christian candidate as a form of compensation. Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in the 2011 election, Engr. Marcus Gundiri, also a Christian from Hong, is said to have commenced consultation on the possibility of his returning to the APC should Ribadu be granted waivers to contest without according him the same privilege since he defected to the PDP before the former chairman of the EFCC. It was gathered that before now, some politicians in the state which has Christians as majority, but who unfortunately are divided, were looking forward to a situation in which the governorship seat will be rotated between the two dominant religions after the exit of Alhaji Murtala Nyako.

NUJ faults Presidency on use of military for election Johnchuks Onuanyim

Abuja

he Nigeria Union of Tterday Journalists (NUJ) yesfaulted President Goodluck Jonathan’s insistence on using the military in the conduct of the 2015 elections. NUJ President, Mohammed Garba, who briefed journalists in Abuja on the state of the nation yesterday, said the military should be deployed to areas with serious security challenges rather than for elections. According to him, the massive deployment of security agencies for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, was uncalled for. He said: “We have witnessed the massive deploy-

ment of soldiers, policemen, personnel of the Department of State Security (DSS) and personnel of the Civil Defence Corps to Ekiti and Osun States for the purpose of providing security during elections. “In fact, the deployments, which were at the behest of the President, were so massive that the two states were virtually turned into garrisoned entities. “It is bizarre that while the nation is facing security challenges elsewhere, the much needed security personnel were deployed to states where elections were being conducted," he added. “It is pertinent to caution against a repeat of such brazen show of strength and misuse of power.

48 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

APC members defect to LP in Sagamu Temitope Ogunbanke ome members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State have defected to the Labour Party (LP). The former APC members dumped their old party during Labour Party’s Ogun East Senatorial meeting in Sagamu. Speaking on their defection, former APC chieftain in Sagamu Local Government, Chief Afuwape Ogunjobi said there decision to dump the APC for LP was borne out of the conviction to go with a party that has the interest of the masses at heart and one that can alleviate their socio-economic challenges. According to him, most of the defecting members were from the Timber Sellers Association, Sag-

Benue State Deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani, receiving royal blessing from traditional rulers in Nagi, led by Chief Daniel Ayua Abomtse (far right), to go ahead and contest the 2015 governorship election

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

Voters’ registration: Machine shortage mars process in Anambra l54 polling booths share one data capturing machine Onah.O. Onah, Onitsha eports from various parts of Anambra and particularly Anambra North Senatorial zone say shortage of voters’ registration materials may mar the exercise in the state. New Telegraph gathered from Ogbaru, Onitsha North and Onitsha South, and Anyamelum that there is acute shortage of attestation forms for those who did not register at all or lost their cards. In Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area for instance, one data capturing machine was provided for the six wards of Okpo-

ko State Constituency. The political liaison officer for the office of the Governor of Anambra State, Honourable Steve Nnamezie complained bitterly over the shortage of materials. He noted that if adequate arrangement was not made immediately to remedy the situation, over 40per cent of eligible voters would likely be disenfranchised in the 2015 general election. Nnamezie further stated that the crème of women resident in Okpoko, who went for the August annual general meeting in various communities, lost entirely in the collec-

tion of permanent voters card (PVC) and appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to proffer solution to such predicaments. Meanwhile, there have also been reports of lack of ad-hoc staff in the various polling centers visited, contrary to what the resident Electoral Commissioner promised while addressing the stakeholder’s election forum at the Women Development Centre Awka. But it was a total disappointment when New Telegraph monitored the exercise in Onitsha North, Onitsha South,

I’m the best candidate for Abia governorship, Nwakanma tells PDP Igbeaku Orji

Umuahia

wo-time Deputy Governor of Abia State and 2015 governorship candidate, Chief Eric Acho Nwakanma has told the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that he is the best candidate for the job, given his track record of achievements in the public and private sectors. Nwakanma said this at the state party secretariat, Finbars Road, Umuahia yesterday, when he formally declared his intention to run for the office

of governor in 2015. His declaration has increased the number of aspirants for the governorship race. He said: “I have come to plead with you all to come together to think of the good of Abia State,” he said, adding that he has a work plan anchored on three ideologies, namely, “when a people trust a leader they place their collective destiny in his hands; when you know that power belongs to the people you lead them with humility and to be a good leader you must be a good follower.” He said the work plan

was a collective effort which requires the support of everyone to implement for the good of the state. He charg ed the people to be careful with the choices they make, knowing that any leader they chose; they transfer their collective destiny into his hands. According to him, the stages of leadership he had occupied before this time was God’s way of preparing him for the present position, adding that it never dawned on him until recently.

Ayamelum, Anambra East and west, Ogbaru, as well as Ihiala and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas where most people complained that only one corps member was posted to each of polling booths. One corps member according to them was not enough to attend to a large turn-out of people, observing that many may not be able to get their voters card or register before the end of the exercise. “I don’t know why they should post only one person each. Maybe, this is a ploy by politicians to disenfranchise many people in the next general election.

amu Local Government and disenchanted with the lack of focus and internal democracy in the APC decided to play the LP card in the coming elections. Welcoming the new members, Deputy Chairman of Ogun State LP, Comrade Samson Okusanya and a foremost leader of LP, Chief Kola Ogunjobi saluted the courage of the defecting members and assured them of equal opportunity as members of the party. The train of the LP in Ogun State, he said, is moving at a very fast pace which has made opposing parties jittery. Highlight of the meeting was the commissioning of the party secretariat at Ori Iyanrin along hospital road, Sagamu.

Kogi residents chide doctors over strike Muhammad Bashir

Lokoja

ongoing strike Tthehe embarked upon by Nigeria Medical

Association (NMA), yesterday received sharp criticisms from Kogi State residents who insisted that the strike is not in the interest of the people. The residents, who described the doctor’s action as selfish and greedy, alleged that majority of doctors in the country, have their own private hospitals where they rob unsuspected patients with exorbitant medical bill. Further expressing mistrust on the doctors’ motive, a resident, Daniel Musa, told New Telegraph that Nigerians have since developed a thick skin and adapted to the strike, saying the doctors are no longer missed. "My family and I have since sought for an alternative means of medical treatment through herbal medicine and it is working for us. I want to

believe that many Nigerians like me, who cannot afford private hospital bill, have since taking solace in the herbal way of treatment", he said. Another cross-section of residents in Lokoja, argued that they had since stop patronizing hospital even before the doctors strike. A resident who pleaded anonymity, said he has different pots fabricated with clay, stocked with assorted herbal medicine for the use of his family and neighbors who seek for them. He expressed lack of confidence in Nigerian doctors, saying the action has never been in the interest of Nigerians. "They have miscalculated. Their thought was that if they close down activities in government hospitals, people would have no choice than to visit their private hospital when the need arises. But people have since discovered their antics and are now patronizing herbal medicine, which of course, is helping."

Obasanjo, Amosun, Oshiomole for Abeokuta Sports Club anniversary Kunle Olayeni

Abeokuta

or mer President FGovernor Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibikunle Amosun

of Ogun State and Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole are among dignitaries billed to grace the 110th anniversary of the Abeokuta Sports Club - 1904. The week-long anniversary celebration, which will take place in Abeokuta from Monday 25 to Sunday 31 August 25, 2014, will feature various activities. Addressing a press conference to herald the 110th anniversary,

the club president, Lion Tunde Aregbesola, disclosed that the anniversary would be used to raise N500million for the club. According to him, programmes lined up for the event include visitation to the orphanage and Lepers Colony, health talk, free medical tests, cultural display/drama and commissioning of projects, novelty match and Bumper Tombola. Aregbesola, flanked by the chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Chief Duro Aikulola added that the celebration will also feature products exhibition

as well as recognition and awards to members over 70 years of age with a minimum of 30 years membership in the club. He said: "It is not in doubt that the primary aim of this anniversary is to raise funds for the developmental projects of the club which are basically sports-oriented before any other thing. "We pride ourselves as not just being the oldest in the West Coast of Africa, but also the first and the best. It is in that same light that we must remain at the top as the best. What befits this club can therefore never be compromised."

NEWS 49

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Abike-Dabiri weeps for Nigerian students in Russia Wale Abiodun hairman, House of Cmittee Representatives Comon Diaspora Af-

L-R: Chairman, FCT Pilgrimage Board, Rev. Israel Akanji; FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide and Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, during the presentation of the 2013 pilgrimage report/inauguration of 2014 Committee on Christian Pilgrimage in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Tuition crisis: OAU approves further reduction, installment payment plan Mojeed Alabi

head of its resumption scheduled for Sunday, August 24, the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, have announced further reductions in its fees payable by the returning students while also approving for them installment payment plan. A statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, said the new fees will range from N19, 700 to N30,

000 for each student depending on their courses of study and departments. According to Olarewaju, the reduction was sequel to the appeals from various stakeholders, especially the Southwest chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the continued plea from institution’s students' union leadership. In the newly reduced charges, returning undergraduates in the Faculties of Law, Arts, Social Sciences, Administration

and Education (Arts) will now be paying N19, 700 instead of the former rate of N24, 700 while those in Science, Administration, Education (Science), Technology and Agriculture will now pay N27, 700 replacing the old N35, 700. Their counterparts in Medicine, Dentistry, Medical Rehabilitation, Nursing and Pharmacy are to pay N30, 700 instead of N44, 700 earlier approved by the Senate of the university. However, the university has insisted that the ear-

lier announced fees for the fresh students still stands while enjoining them to be law abiding as they resume for the aborted first semester of the 2013/2014 academic session. In his reaction, President of the students’ union, Ibikunle Isaac, said the union would hold a congress today to appraise the development and make its position known on whether to accept the new offer or to continue to stick to its demand for complete reversal to the former rates.

APC can't save Al-makura from impeachment, says Adokwe PEACE

For Nasarawa governor to sleep with both eyes closed, he must settle with lawmakers

enator Suleman Adokwe, representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District in the National Assembly yesterday told his embattled state Governor, Alhaji Tanko Almakura that the members of the opposition All Progressives Party, (APC), would not save him from the impending impeachment. Adokwe, who stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja, also denied allegations that the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) was behind the plot to unseat the governor and

his other APC colleagues in the country. Consequently, he advised the governor to reconcile with members of the state House of Assembly instead of trusting the APC to salvage him from the imminent ouster. The politician noted that the alleged failure of Almakura to lure the state lawmakers to APC or to live in harmony with them was the genesis of his current political crisis. He said: "That he is been there up till this moment is because PDP was matured and tolerant. If the PDP leaders in the state and some of us have not been contributing to the peace moves in the state, Al makura would have been removed long ago. "The PDP stalwarts at the national level stood by him, otherwise, he would have been removed. So it

would be total ingratitude for them (governor's aides) to allege that PDP wants him out. "If we want him out, it is very easy for us. But we feel that impeachment should be the last resort until things are so bad. In this case the PDP is not out for him, it is just the problem between him and the house of assembly. "Instead of running round the country and attracting sentiments from the APC, he should rather reconcile with the lawmakers because APC cannot save him in Nasarawa state." Adokwe insisted that the political crisis degenerated to the current level because of communication breakdown between Almakura and the lawmakers. "Wherever there is a strong indication of im-

PDP chieftain urges FG to Privatise hospitals Gabriel Choba, UGHELLI Chieftain of the PeoA(PDP) ples Democratic Party in Delta State, Hon James Idogho has appealed to the Federal government to privatize all

government owned hospitals and other health institutions for the safety of Nigerians. Idogho who made this statement in a chat with journalists yesterday said it will stop the incessant

industrial action engaged by Doctors working in government at the detriment of people they are paid to save. He said: “I am of the opinion that government owned hospitals should

peachment proceedings, it is a failure of communication between the executive and the legislature; there could be a lot of nuances among them that nobody is emphasizing," he said. "Anytime that our brothers there bring to our notice their intention for impeachment, we always persuade them against it because nothing is beyond dialogue, but this time around, they went underground and they did not consult anybody. "It is entirely their own business and they have the right to do so because they are the legislators who work daily with the governor. They know what he does and what he omitted to do. Both parties should do the needful to give peace a chance to reign in the state. No amount of going outside would solve the problem", he maintained. be privatized. If possible they should be sold off to private investor for adequate management because Nigerian Doctors are deceivers who engage in incessant strikes for their selfish interest to the detriment of the people they are paid to save.

fairs, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa yesterday asked the federal government to pay overdue monthly stipends of 322 Nigerian students on federal government scholarship in Russia. In a release made available to New Telegraph in Lagos, Dabiri Erewa said the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs recently received with a deep sense of pain, incessant sad tales and complaints of about 322 Nigerian students on Scholarship from the Federal Government of Nigeria now begging for food in Russia. “The Committee on Diaspora Affairs continues to receive numerous cries for help for our students in Russia through several channels; both at home and abroad. For over

eight months (and counting) our students are yet to receive their monthly stipends. This act of unpaid student stipends is highly reprehensible and is beyond human justification. The haphazard manner of payment of BEA scholarship awardees needs to be addressed immediately with a view to implementing a permanent and long term solution”, the statement reads. The lawmaker also called on the minister of education to intervene in the matter. “I would thus like to appeal to the Minister of Education through the Federal Ministry of Education to look into the above matter and ensure that it is resolved with immediate effect whilst striving to implement a system which is sustainable and capable of operating with little or no human interference.

Commissioner eyes Imoke’s seat Clement James CALABAR

he Cross River State TWorks, Commissioner for Barrister Legor

Idagbor has finally declared his intention to contest the governorship of the state. Speaking to a select group of journalists late Wednesday in his private residence in Calabar, Idagbor said his decision to go public with his ambition was informed by the clearance given to him by his boss, Senator Liyel Imoke. Idagbor’s ambition has long been known by Journalists in the state since 2012 when he was suddenly whisked away from his Chairmanship position in Bekwara Local Government Area and handed the Ministry of Works as Commissioner. The former Bekwara Council Chairman said after due consideration and clearance from the governor, who is currently out of the country,

he has decided to clear the doubt surrounding his ambition. “I have had discussions with the governor and he has given me the go ahead to make consultations with a view to contesting the governorship of the state”, Idagbor said. He said he would sustain the development strides of the governor and ensure that his vision for the state is accomplished if he becomes the next governor.

CHANGE OF NAMES

ENISAN

Former Akindele Adebola Christianah now wish to be known as Enisan Adebola Christianah. Former document remain valid. Haggai Savings and Loans Ltd and general public note.

FAGBEMI

Former Achurefe Oghenetega Ruth now wish to be known as Fagbemi Oghenetega Ruth. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

LATINWO HUMAN RIGHTS 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. Kayode Latinwo — President 2. Olawunmi Olatinwo — Secretary 3. Olanrewaju George Olatinwo 4. Adekunle Morenikeji Kenneth 5. Moses Afolabi Olatinwo 6. Onamisan Oluwaseyi Ukiri Aims and Objectives: 1 2 3 4

To assist relevant in the fight against human rights violation. To assist the members of the public in knowing their rights. To publish literature books and journals on human rights. To make donations, grants and scholarship to the less priviledge.

Any objection should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Irosi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: Secretary

50 WORLD | NEWS

Justice ‘elusive' for Syria chemical attack victims

uman Rights Watch yesterday said that hundreds of victims of a chemical weapons attack in Syria remained without justice one year on, days after Damascus's stockpile was completely destroyed. Yesterday marked the first anniversary of the attack on the capital's Ghouta region, a stronghold of the rebel movement, which the United States estimated killed up to

1,400 people. Images of the lifeless bodies of children some 426 died shocked the world and the finger of blame was quickly pointed at Syrian troops loyal to President Basher al-Assad, who denied involvement. After a global outcry and American threats to strike regime positions, Assad agreed to an international plan to destroy Syria's chemical weapons stockpile. On Monday, Barack

Obama hailed the completion of the destruction, which was carried out aboard a US Navy ship on the Mediterranean Sea. "Important though it is, the removal of chemical weapons from Syria's arsenal will do nothing for the hundreds of victims who died a year ago and the relatives who survive them," said Nadim Houry, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director at HRW.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

2015: Ex-SSG, commissioner team up against Akpabio  Anthony Anichebe UYO

wo frontline gover norship aspirants in Akwa Ibom, Umana Okon Umana and Bassey Albert Akpan, have reached an agreement to work  against Governor Godswill Akpabio’s zoning arrangement which favours Eket senatorial district. Umana and Akpan, former Secretary to the State Government and former Finance Com-

missioner respectively, both from Uyo Senatorial District, said they would team-up against the plan by the governor to handpick his successor from Eket Senatorial District. Speaking on the occasion of the 55th birthday celebration of the ex-SSG in Uyo Wednesday, Akpan said though he was also in the governorship race, he was, however, willing to work with Umana to disrupt Akpabio’s succession plan. According

to him, governorship aspirants from Uyo Senatorial District would not fold their arms and allow Akpabio insult the collective intelligence of Akwa Ibom people, insisting that Uyo people must produce the next governor. He said that the governor in exchange for support from Uyo for his second term in 2011 had agreed that he would hand over power to them in 2015, insisting that the governor must honour his word.

Ogun spends N160b on education

Lifeless bodies of the chemical attack victims.

James Foley's killers 'wanted $132m ransom'

entagon officials say "nearly every branch of the military was involved" in an attempt to free James Foley, as Mike Wooldridge reports. Jihadists holding US journalist James Foley wanted a $132m (£80m) ransom for his release, his employer has said. GlobalPost CEO Philip Balboni said the Islamic State (IS) militants first demanded

money last year. Mr Foley was abducted in November 2012, and a video of his beheading was released by IS earlier this week. In it, they threatened to kill another American if the US did not stop its air strikes against the group in northern Iraq. US air strikes have continued near Mosul despite the warning. The US has begun a formal criminal

S. Africa parliament collapses in chaos

outh Africa's parliament collapsed into unprecedented chaos yesterday as a group of radical lawmaker’s hijacked presidential question time, standing and yelling repeatedly at President Jacob Zuma: "Pay back the money". Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters, led by firebrand Julius Malema, were not satisfied with Zuma's response to questions over the $24 million of taxpayers' money spent on "security upgrades"

at his private residence. Speaker Baleka Mbete ordered the group of around 20 lawmakers out of parliament but they refused to budge. She then called on security for help and all MPs were asked to vacate the chamber while the EFF members were dealt with. Zuma, who had at first smiled as the chanting began, was among the first to leave. For around 10 minutes,

investigation into the Mr Foley's death, with Attorney General Eric Holder saying that the US has a "long memory and our reach is very wide". In the UK, police and security services are trying to identify the jihadist who appeared in footage of Mr Foley's killing. Unconfirmed reports suggest the man who had an English accent is from London or south-east England.

live broadcasts of parliament showed the EFF members alone in the assembly and still chanting. They were dressed in their usual outfits of red overalls and maid's uniforms, which they say represent their solidarity with the poor. Then both sound and vision from parliament were cut, leaving viewers to speculate how the rebels were being dealt with.

he Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has said his government has spent over N160 billion on the education sector in the state within the last three years. He also said that he has never owed workers' salaries and wages within the same period. Amosun disclosed this while addressing the Executive Members of the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) of Educational and Associated Institutions, who visited him in his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office yesterday. He said

about N610 million is paid as subventions to schools monthly, which he noted, sum up to about N 7.5billion annually.  According to him, "When we came in 2011, we inherited a backlog of salaries and arrears owed workers and much more significant was the approval of an exponential increment of retired permanent secretaries pensions from N40,000 to N400,000 at the twilight of the previous administration", adding that, this was a huge burden his administration had to bear. He revealed that the

27.5 per cent Peculiar Allowance, which he recently approved for teachers in the state also includes the non-academic staff and that payment would begin before the end of the year. Speaking on the funding of the 10 tertiary institutions of the state, the governor noted that of all the 36 states of the federation, Ogun is the only state with that high number of tertiary institutions, stating however, that notwithstanding it's attendant financial implications, his administration has continued to fund them.

SPN kicks against Ajimobi’s Commission of Inquiry Temitope Ogunbanke

yo State chapter of Social Party of Nigeria (SPN) has faulted the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State. It noted that the commission set up “to look into the complaints and grievances of person(s), corporate bodies, institutions, agencies, associations and bodies directly and remote-

ly affected by the elitist urban renewal policies of the state government can best be likened to a medicine after death.” SPN, in a statement issued by its Oyo State Secretary, Bamigboye Abiodun, described the Commission as a move by the All Progressives Congress, APCled government in the state to manoeuvre and deceive the working mass in fear of electoral defeat especially

in the face of mass discontent among the working masses. The statement reads in part: “SPN holds that a commission of inquiry hurriedly set-up at the run-up to 2015 general election to look into the complaints and grievances of victims of this elitist urban renewal policies many of whom are now in their grave is not only deceitful but reflects how desperate the APC-led government.”

Dariye plans to dump LP Musa Pam JOS

here are strong indications that a former Governor of Plateau State, Sen. Joshua Dariye, may soon dump the Labour Party for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Plateau State  New

Telegraph reliably gathered from a source close to the former governor and some stakeholders that already, arrangements to that effect have reached an advanced stage.  It was learnt that the defection plan is being masterminded by the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu

Muazu, ahead of the 2015 general elections in the country.  Dariye was elected and served as the Governor of Plateau State for eight years on the platform of the People Democratic Party PDP during the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

FRIday, August 22, 2014

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newtelegraphonline.com/sports

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

NFF fire: Guild of Sports Editors calls for probe } p 52

AFCON 2015 qualifiers

Ebola scare hits eagles Ifeanyi Ibeh

ome foreign-based Super Eagles have expressed concern over their impending trips for the national team’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo due to the outbreak of Ebola virus disease. The Ebola virus, which has been ravaging certain parts of West Africa for months now, made its way into Nigeria a couple of weeks ago and has since led to the death of just under a handful of people with many others under different levels of quarantine. The virus has mostly been limited to Lagos Even though the game against the Congolese is scheduled to take place in Calabar, on September 6, most of the overseas based Super Eagles will come into the country via the Lagos-based Murtala Muhammad International Airport, before departing for the match venue. And it is not that these players don’t want to feature in the game against the Congolese, but their fear stem from what they may likely face when they return to their respective bases. “I want to play for my country but with what is going on I don’t know what I am going to face when I return,” said the player, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Some of my teammates have told me to be careful; that they don’t want me to come back here with any virus because it is always in the news out here and the impression they have is that our government hasn’t done enough to control this virus, and that it is spreading quite fast.” He added; “I hear anyone coming from Nigeria is placed under observation for some time, and I don’t want to go through that experience.”

Another player, who is also based in Europe and who also preferred anonymity, told New Telegraph that some Super Eagles he has been in touch with ever since the first case of Ebola was reported in the country have also expressed concern over the treatment likely to be meted out to them upon their return from Nigeria. “We are not happy with what is going on. I spoke to some of my (Super Eagles) teammates and they are all concerned,” he said. “We have every reason to want to play for our country but we don’t want to go through what those from other countries have been going through,” said the player, referring to those from some of the worse Ebola infected countries, namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The forward even took a swipe at the government, insisting they have not done enough to safeguard Nigerians from the virus. “If those in charge had done the right thing from day one we wouldn’t be in this situation. I mean, just go to the international airport and see how easy it is to come through customs. All they are interested in is collecting money from anyone coming into the country and embarrassing anyone who refuses to give them something. Another Super Eagle, who also preferred anonymity, was, to some extent, glad he wasn’t called up for the game against the Congolese, even suggesting that his club would have found some excuse to prevent him from joining up with the national team. “I think I am okay with it. I was sad that I missed the World Cup but I don’t think they would have wanted me to leave though. I think they would have found a way to stop me from leaving because it is a big issue out here,” said the player.

US Open: Nadal’s absence favours Federer

R Nadal

afael Nadal’s withdrawal from the US Open championship owing to a wrist injury will inadvertently help Roger Federer’s title hopes. The 17-time Grand Slam champion, who turned 33 this month, hasn’t won a Grand Slam tournament since the 2012 Wimbledon. Even though this phase looks bad on his career graph,

he made quite a statement with his performance at Wimbledon last month, where he almost denied Novak Djokovic his second title. By clinching his sixth title at Cincinnati Masters this week, the World No 3 has sent out a clear message to his critics who were in a hurry to write him off. Following his mind-boggling performance in the

WImbledon final, Federer has been able to maintain the consistency; he reached the Toronto Masters final, and won the Cincinnati Masters. If he could further extend his winning streak, he can make history in Flushing Meadows by winning his sixth title there, a record he shares with Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras, who have five titles each to their name.

Federer

52 SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

NFF fire: Guild of Sports ‘Anichebe’s Editors calls for probe scoring boots back’ T he Guild of Sports Editors has called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency institute a judicial panel of enquiry into the fire that gutted the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday. The body in a statement signed by its Interim President, Tony Ubani, noted that this has become inevitable considering the circumstances in which the Glass House was raised down. According to the body, the fact that at the time of the fire, there was no fire extinguisher speaks volume and putting into perspective the actions and inactions of certain high ranking officers of the secretariat, then a judicial panel of enquiry devoid of political consideration was the way out. “Some of the fire service officials said on Wednesday that the fire extinguishers at the secretariat have all ex-

pired since 2012. It was also alleged that several memos written since then for a replacement were not attended to. It sounds incredible that an organisation as big as the NFF does not have up to date fire extinguishers. “In as a much as we are not pointing accusing fingers at anyone, we feel as stakeholders that this incident must not be swept under the carpet. “Four years ago, $236,000 vanished into thin air at the secretariat of the NFF and till today, the money has not been found and no one has been found guilty. “This is a national building, it is a loss that we cannot as a nation condone. Those behind this dastardly act must be brought to book,” the statement added. It will be recalled that at about 9.15am on Wednesday, a mysterious fire gutted the Glass House raising it to the ground. Some documents were destroyed and yet to be estimated properties.

More crisis as NFF postpones elections • FIFA endorses August 26 General Assembly

Ajibade Olusesan

igeria Football Federation has shifted the elections into its Executive Committee to a date that will be decided by its General Assembly, a development that has added a new twist to the crisis that has engulfed the football house. Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Amoni Biambo, announced on Thursday that the election would hold on August 26th despite recent controversies in Nigerian football but NFF quickly countered Biambo’s position in a press statement later on Thursday. NFF’s Secretary General Musa Amadu said in a press statement that the general public should disregard the statement credited to the electoral committee chairman, insisting that although the General Assembly meeting will still go ahead on that date, elections will not be conducted.

“The statement must have been made in error. As far as the NFF is concerned, there will be no elections at the General Assembly of Tuesday, 26th August. There is a proposal that we are taking to the General Assembly (the supreme body of Nigeria football) for consideration and approval, with regards to the elections. “It is for the NFF and the General Assembly to propose the date for elections, not that of the Electoral Committee, which was put in place by the General Assembly. “The elections will definitely take place early in September, 2014, “he said. However, there are strong indications that Biambo may be removed as the chairman of the Electoral Committee as federation claimed it had obtained the approval from FIFA to shift the election and to also reconstitute the Electoral and the Appeal Committees.

Moyosore Makinde

est Bromwich manager, Alan Irvine, has expressed confidence that Victor Anichebe will score goals this season while backing Super Eagles outcast to overcome self-doubt. Irvine is already familiar to Anichebe who came through the ranks while the Scot was number-two to David Moyes at Goodison, and he has admitted the Nigerian is anxious about his lack of goals for the club to date. The former Everton hit-man scored just three times last season, following his £6million move from Goodison Park. “I think he will score – I really do,” Irvine told Birmingham Mail. “But I think there is an anxiety. He was so upset about the one where he has rolled their lad and pulled it past the post and then he was in afterwards and looking at the clips and thinking ‘how have I done that’? “But he had got himself into that position and I thought he was really good for us at the weekend. I think people are noticing his work-rate and the tireless stuff he is doing for the team, and his attitude.”

Rwanda prepare for Eagles, awaits CAF’s appeal Emmanuel Tobi

ggheads of the Rwanda Football Association are still hopeful of playing against the Super Eagles as they intensify preparations for the 2015 Nations Cup qualifier billed for September 6 in Calabar despite being thrown out and replaced with Congo by the Confederation of

Go for trophy, Jonathan charges Falconets Ifeanyi Ibeh

African Football. CAF has confirmed that Rwanda’s appeal against being thrown out over a bizarre case of player identity will take place next Wednesday, August 27, 2014. New Telegraph can report that CAF disqualified Rwanda following a protest by Congo who were re-instated in the

Oshoala carrying Dedevbo

qualifying competition for next year’s finals in Morocco. The Congolese Football Federation had complained that Daddy Biori was allowed to play for Rwanda in the first leg of the second round qualifier between the two nations last month even though he had a different name and age in his passport.

GOtv brings football, exciting content to Makurdi

resident Goodluck Jonathan has charged the Nigeria’s U-20 female football team, the Falconets, to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup while congratulating the team on their qualification for the final match of the tournament in Canada. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President applauded the Falconets’ scintillating display which earned them a 6-2 victory in Wednesday’s semi final encounter with North Korea as well as their very commendable performance in earlier matches. President Jonathan urged them to put in their best effort to win the trophy for Nigeria and Africa for the first time in the history of the competition while assuring the players and officials of full support of the Federal Government and the prayers of all Nigerians for their triumph on Sunday.

Anichebe

nglish Premier League fans in Makurdi will have the privilege of watching and supporting their favourite clubs as GOtv was inaugurated in Makurdi the Benue State capital on Tuesday. GOtv begins operations in Makurdi amid the excitement of the start of a new European football season and General Manager GOtv Nigeria, Elizabeth Amkpa, notes that sports fans will have the choice of watching the top Europe-

an leagues on SuperSport Select 1 & 2 with highlights on SuperSport Blitz. “This Saturday, 23 August, on SuperSport Select 2, GOtv subscribers will see the live match between Chelsea and Leicester city at Stamford Bridge in London,” she said. Using the latest DVB-T2 technology, GOtv makes a debut in Makurdi at a retail price of N6900 for a decoder including one month subscription to GOtv Plus and an outdoor GOtenna.

SPORT | EURO FOOTBALL

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Liverpool agree £16m deal for Balotelli

iverpool have agreed a £16m deal with Italian giants AC Milan for the sale of former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli. Liverpool fans will rejoice at the impending signing of the enigmatic Italian, many of whom were desperate to see a world class striker replace former Kop hero Luis Suarez. Furthermore Balotelli could feature in Liverpool’s second Premier League fixture against his former employers Manchester City on Monday night. Negotiations were still on-going as at the time New Telegraph went to press to resolve personal terms with Balotelli, however no complications are expected to arise. Milan said in a statement on their official website: “Mario Balotelli left Milanello’s sported an offer from club,” he said. “[But] if he does not find a future solution he stays, ing centre at 13:30 local time, after saying goodbye to his no problem.” Balotelli Sami Khedira has also been linked with team-mates. “Before leaving the a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu and Ancelotti confirmed that the Germany premises, the striker has international has decided against agreeing said goodbye to members a new contract, possibly opening the door of Milan’s press office.” Balotelli will confor a transfer in the near future. “Khedira has one more year and has stitute Rodgers’ ninth ristiano Ronaldo may not be fit to rejected new deal,” said Ancelotti. “It is signing of an explay in Friday’s Supercopa second different than Di Maria as he has not asked tremely busy leg against Atletico Madrid at Visummer. to leave.” cente Calderon. The Portugal forward was withdrawn at half-time of the first meeting between Real Madrid and the League rench giants Olympique Marseille have champions, and replaced by summer offered attacking midfielder Andre signing James Rodriguez. Ayew to English Premier League side from international football, James went on to open the scoring Newcastle United, according to reports. missed the World Cup due in the tie, only for Raul Garcia to level The reports come in conjunction with to a back injury and has before the final whistle to set up FriMarseille President Vincent Labrune’s curbeen troubled with knee day’s decider. rent visit to London. problems in recent weeks. AS reports that it is thought Ronaldo Labrune is believed to be have offered Ribery played in Bayhas strained his hamstring and it is feared the Ghana international to a number of ern’s pre-season friendly the injury comes as a result of the tendonclubs in the capital where Arsenal, West against Guadalajara in itis with which he suffered last season. Ham, QPR and Crystal Palace. New York at the start of Madrid are said to be treating RonIt is certain that Marseille are ready to the month, but coach Guaraldo carefully so as not to exacerbate release their talisman for the right fee after diola has ruled the former any injury but it remains doubtful if he it emerged that Inter Milan were ready to Marseille man out of Friwill be ready to line up against Atletico. meet his asking price. day’s Bundesliga opener Ayew came off the bench in Marseille’s at home to Wolfsburg - alopening 3-3 draw at Bastia and handed a though fellow winger Arstarting role last week at home to Montjen Robben could feature. pellier.

Di Maria has asked to leave Real

– Ancelotti

Di Maria

eal Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that sought-after winger Angel di Maria has asked to leave the club. The Argentina international has been the subject of widespread media speculation during the transfer window, with the likes of Manchester United and Paris SaintGermain heavily linked with the 26-year-old. In a press conference on Thursday, Ancelotti revealed that Di Maria had stated his wish to move on, which will alert his potential suitors. “Di Maria has asked to leave and reject-

Ribery two weeks away from Bayern return

ranck Ribery remains at least two weeks away from a return to competitive action with Bayern Munich, according to Pep Guardiola. Frenchman Ribery, who r e cently a n nounced his retirement

Ronaldo set to miss Supercopa

Marseille offer Ayew to Newcastle

Atletico fighting for third – Simeone

D Ribery

iego Simeone believes Atletico Madrid will not be contenders to retain their La Liga title this season and are fighting for third place. The Argentine guided the club to their first league title since 1996 last season, as Barcelona were forced to settle for second place and Real Madrid finished third. A UEFA Champions League final appearance followed, but after the defeat to city rivals Real in Lisbon the break-up of Simeone’s team began.

Diego Costa and Filipe Luis both signed for Chelsea, Thibaut Courtois returned to Stamford Bridge following his second season on loan with Atletico, while David Villa left for New York City and Adrian Lopez joined Porto. “I don’t like to lie to people and one thing is clear: we cannot compete with Real and Barcelona,” he is quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. “Atletico are champions but the players aren’t the same. We’re in a different league than Madrid and Barca.

C. Ronaldo

54 SPORT

FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

Falconets stars hail ‘Superzee’ Oshoala Falconets’ Asisat Oshoala, better known to her team-mates as ‘Superzee’, was in truly superlative form on Wednesday evening, conjuring up four goals and two assists as Nigeria overpowered Korea DPR 6-2 in the semi-finals. FIFA.com speaks with six of her team mates who gave a lowdown on the amazing Superzee. COURTNEY DIKE: A good room-mate Nigeria’s first goal came after Oshoala threaded an inchperfect through-ball to Dike, an indication of their understanding on the pitch. “She makes my job a whole lot easier,” said the forward, who shares a room with ‘Superzee’, a factor perhaps in their on-field telepathy. “She’s given me a lot of help in settling into the team and she’s a great person. She doesn’t snore either, although she sometimes wakes up in the Oshoala (Left) celebrating a goal middle of the night and starts playing music.” UGO NJOKU: Dance partner extraordinaire Whenever Oshoala finds the back of the net, she always seeks out Njoku, her team-mate back home with Rivers Angels, to celebrate the goal with a little dance. Wednesday was no exception, as Njoku explained: “We love dancing and celebrating, and so does the rest of the team.” While many have dubbed ‘Superzee’ one of the revelations of the tournament, her performances have come as no surprise to Njoku: “I was thinking before the World Cup that she could end up doing something like this. I believe in her and her tremendous strength.” UCHECHI SUNDAY: The ideal strike partner Supersub Sunday struck again on Wednesday, getting on the end of an Oshoala cross from the right to score her side’s third goal just a minute after coming on. “It’s a move we practice a lot in training,” said the free-scoring sub. “We also play together for Rivers Angels back home and we have a perfect understanding.” An out-and-out No 9, the smiling Sunday likes to have Oshoala close by, as she explained: “When we’re together on the pitch I prefer to have her just behind me, in the hole, so she can give me assists like the one today.” SARAH NNODIM: She plays better than she sings Oshoala’s virtuoso performance also included a stint in central defence covering for her team-mate Nnodim, who went off briefly to have treatment for an injury. On the centrehalf ’s return to the pitch, ‘Superzee’ promptly went up the other end and scored her fourth goal of the afternoon. “She filled in for me and that’s good, because it shows we are a real team and we all help each other out,” said Nnodim, who is the team’s unofficial choir leader. Giving a frank assessment of her team-mate’s singing skills, she said: “She’s a better footballer than she is a singer.” EBERE OKOYE: A born leader Though the whole Nigeria team celebrated Oshoala’s outstanding display, stand-in captain Okoye was especially proud at her performance. “I was excited to see her play so well – excited and very happy,” said the skipper for the day, who pulls on the armband whenever Patience Okaeme is out of the side. Modest to a fault, Okeye is more than happy to recognise Oshoala’s leadership qualities: “She’s the player we love the most and she’s the leader. And she always does her very best too.” LOVETH AYILA: The joker in the pack Though a fellow forward, Ayila’s job against the North Koreans was to watch Oshoala’s back. “She’s a lot of fun and she spends the whole day joking around,” said Ayila before making a special promise ahead of this weekend’s final against Germany: “Asisat carried the coach around on her shoulders because she’s the strongest and the only one able to do it, but if we win on Sunday, I promise that we’ll all do it. And we are going to win!”

Halimatu Ayinde (L) of Nigeria challenging Choe Yun Gyong of Korea DPR

We are not afraid of Germany – Dedevbo Charles Ogundiya

head of Falconets’ final match against Germany on Sunday, coach, Peter Dedevbo, has declared that his team is not scared of the Germans while stating that they will be all out for victory. Speaking immediately after his team walloped Korea DPR 6-2 on Wednesday, Dedevbo said the team was not afraid of the former champion. Germany defeated Nigeria four ago to lift the

trophy at home and it is another opportunity for the Falconets to lift the trophy for the first time. On his team victory over Korea DPR, the coach says the early goal helped his team to gain confidence in the match. “The early goal scored gives our team confidence and it breaks that of our opponents. We had already played against Korea Republic and I was sure that Korea DPR were not better than them, so I was confident we would win,” he said.

Dike to cheer sister in Sunday’s final Ifeanyi Ibeh

uper Eagles striker, Bright Dike, plans to cheer his sister, Courtney, and the Falconets when they play Germany in the final of FIFA U-20 World Cup on Sunday Nigeria crushed North Korea 6-2 to set up a repeat of the 2010 final against Germany, who edged past France 2-1 in the other semi

final. Courtney opened the goals spree for Nigeria against the North Koreans as early as the second minute of the encounter. It was the 19-year-old’s second goal of the championship, following her record breaking 18th second strike against South Korea. And Dike appears eager to watch his sister play in the final against the Germans.

Choe Sol Gyong (L) of Korea DPR battling Chinwendu Ihezuo of Nigeria

Germany ‘ll find it tough against Nigeria’ Ifeanyi Ibeh

rance coach, Gilles Eyquem, believes Germany will find in Nigeria’s Falconets a much tougher nut to crack when both sides meet in the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup on Sunday. The Germans displayed a high level of efficiency in seeing off the French 2-1 in Wednesday night’s semi-finals despite being on the back foot for most of the encounter. It was sweet revenge for the Germans who suffered a similar 2-1 loss to the French at the semi-finals stage at the European U-19 Championships. So tough was the Germany-France tie that it was, in the aftermath of the encounter, tagged the final before the final. But Eyquem feels that was not the case suggesting the Germans will need to be at their best to get the better of the Falconets in Sunday’s final. “I think it was a really high-level match and our players did their very best, but the end result is that Germany have won. Since the beginning of the competition, we’ve been missing lots of opportunities and that was the story again today,” said the French coach. He added: “It was a very good match but I don’t think it can be called the final before the final because Nigeria deserve to be there and Germany will find it tough against them.”

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 22, 2014

World Record

On Marble

Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.

– Bruce Lee

Sanctity of Truth

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Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, measuring 0.2 square miles, 120 times smaller than the island of Manhattan. Situated on the western bank of the Tiber River,Vatican City's two-mile border is landlocked by Italy.

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A country's penchant for deceit

y the last week of March this year, it was evident that something gravely serious was unfolding in some West African countries. First noticed a month earlier in small towns in southeast Guinea where within a few weeks 93 people died, the Ebola Virus Diseased was growing like a forest-fire. It rapidly spread into Sierra Leone and Liberia, setting off alarms bells of concern across the region and beyond. The anxiety was very justified. Discovered in 1976 in a Democratic Republic of Congo community close to the Ebola River, the deadly disease made its virulence instantly manifest claiming 218 lives out of 318 cases. This fatality ratio of 88 percent ensured it a place in the medical records as one of the most deadly diseases known to mankind. From then on, the Ebola virus would spread over a 38 year period into Sudan, Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Uganda, Congo, Guinea and Liberia. The outbreaks have always presented a high level of severity and fatality, claiming over 2000 deaths prior to the current outbreak. This easily explains its being regarded as one of the deadliest diseases globally. Its manifestation includes bleeding from the eyes, ears, mouth and rectum and a bloody full-body rash. So deadly is this disease that it is one of a few that governments consider to be a threat to national security. Indeed it is seen as a possible vehicle for terrorism, so much so that alongside anthrax and smallpox, the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention lists it as a Category A bioterrorism agent. A situation worsened by there being no established vaccine to counter its devastating threat. Against this background, by April a couple of Nigerians were calling for concerted action by government, especially with a case in Nasarawa State that turned out to be that of the equally lethal Lassa fever. Information Minister, Labaran Maku was in his elements when he declared: “Nigeria is prepared right now to curtail any outbreak, particularly given reports that few countries on the West Coast like Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea have reported cases of Ebola fever and given our proximity to these countries, Nigeria is ready; the ministry has taken every precaution, including getting vaccines and medicines to ensure that should there be any incidence in Nigeria, everything will be dealt with.” It was his vintage blustering manner. If his statement was designed to reassure Nigerians whose gullibility has provided the perfect platform for his exaggerations, it served a contrary purpose for those in the know. It revealed a troubling ignorance of the subject matter. There are no vaccines for Ebola. A

Graffiti

EMMAN USMAN SHEHU prohabe@hotmail.com - 08051614969 (sms only)

closer scrutiny also put the administration on the spot. At what time did it make all the purported contingency arrangements? Three months later, Maku’s assertions would be dramatically unraveled by the arrival of the dreaded Ebola in Nigeria courtesy of Patrick Sawyer. The minister’s previous claim would amount to deceitfully giving false hope to Nigerians. In an amazing volte-face, he would admit that the disease has no recorded cure. As of now, he is yet to tender an apology for what has amounted to deceiving the citizentry. A perceptive citizen, one Ikechukwu Ikeji, flustered by this reckless attitude of those in positions of leadership, made the flowing observation: “Government representatives must not be seen to be deceiving the citizenry. There ought to be some form of trust between the government and the people.Flippancy should be discouraged and any official found wanting should be made to step down from office, to give some offices some form of respectability, even if a modicum of same.” Ikeji’s expectations form the standard procedure in a country where the system has not been compromised by the virus of deceit. In Nigeria, the default mode of governance has become unabashedly that of deceit. Within this year, there are several cases to prove the point beyond reasonable doubt. The Nigeria Immigration Service’s March 15, 2014 recruitment exercise readily comes to mind. Everything that played out leading to the tragic death of job seeking Nigerian youths, and the subsequent fallout, indicate deliberate deceit. Yet the Minister concerned has carried on without a care. Elsewhere by now the Minister would at least be contending with a manslaughter class action. This Wednesday, Nigeria officially got a new Head of Service. A week ago it came to light that the new helmsman had been indicted by a government White Paper in 2000. According to the documents which are now available online, the new Head of Service at that time had been the director of the Federal Superphosphate Fertiliser Company in Kaduna. Due to concerns raised about untoward practices in the organization including exaggerated costs, misappropriation of funds, inflated prices of items, and contract

tampering of a sulfuric acid plant, a panel of inquiry was instituted. Others investigated were Awal Tukur, Jide Omokore (a well-known crony of President Jonathan), Ben Osuji, J.B.Ghumdia, J.O. Odu, and Fivatek Nigeria Limited. From their findings, the investigators heavily indicted the then director of FSFC for “widespread maladministration including the misapplication of funds, dishonesty and flagrant violation of financial regulations.” Consequently, the White Paper demanded the refund of various sums, declared him unfit for public office and recommended his dismissal from service. Since this unsavoury revelation came to light, the only defence that has been put forward by the person directly affected is that a presidential pardon was given to him by former President Umaru Yar’Adua. The authentication of this claim is seriously undermined by there being no existing government gazette. Yet the President has gone ahead, in what has become an uncaring dalliance with corruption and deceit, to swear in the previously indicted man to oversee the country’s civil service. Similarly, within this same period, the administration has sacked about 16, 000 resident doctors. It now has been revealed that the Minister of Health had issues some years ago when he was the Chief Medical Director of the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital. A fraud of N36million was allegedly uncovered which led to his being sacked. The unwholesome action involved padding allowances and arrears meant for resident doctors. Typically even with this disastrous dent, the man was allowed to take a bow at the President’s behest to become the Health Minister. That deceit has become the norm for this administration is no longer in doubt. Yet like its cousin corruption, its cancerous effect is manifesting in ways that are undermining the stability and development of the country. Right in the midst of a full blown insurgency, deliberate misinformation has become the order of the day. Among several others, including a charade that passes for a daily information exercise, a spokesperson of one of the security agencies has become

notorious for such unprofessionalism that deceives the public. The terrorism claims she made last year about the action taken in Apo, Abuja that led to the killing of several citizens have all been proved by an investigative panel as untrue. Undeterred, she has carried on with statements that lack credibility. Some months ago she took on the Bring Back Our Girls advocacy, as part of the Levick campaign to change the narrative of the Chibok abductions. She accused the group of being a franchise, operating a bank account through which it was receiving funding, and having a foreigner to undertake security related training. A more responsible and professional spokesperson would have proffered evidence for each allegation. Of course, since it was all about misinformation based on deceiving the public, there were no specifics to prove each allegation. Continuing with this established pattern of deceit, she overreached herself after the recent elections in Osun State. Once again she made allegations of the agency being approached with a bribe by a political party, and claims of non-existent bomb blasts in previous elections. It is most unfortunate that governance in Nigeria is largely driven by deceit. This is a clear fallout of corruption. While it may favour those in power for now, it will eventually consume them as it progressively destroys the country. Just like Ebola, the prospect is scary if some drastic systemic change does not take place. As we seek for an Ebola cure, so must we aggressively desire to do things properly in Nigeria. We need to move out of this murk that has become our hallmark.

OMOBABA

FAYEMI PUNISHING CIVIL SERVANTS FOR NOT VOTING FOR HIM – PDP

– Case of transferred aggression!

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