Binder1 friday, may 22, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

A media partner of Sanctity Of Truth

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS /newtelegraph

Vol. 2 No. 457

Friday, May 22, 2015

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

Court dismisses ex-governor Nyako's return bid }6

States got N1.5trn allocation in 2014 Tony Chukwunyem

he 36 states of the federation received a total of N1.5 trillion from the Federation Account in 2014, investigation by New Telegraph

has revealed. The amount is about N762 billion less than the N2.2 trillion they got in 2013. An analysis of funds distributed among the three tiers of government by the Federation Accounts Allocation Commit-

tee (FAAC) showed that between January and July 2014, the states received a total of N902 billion while between August and December, they got N556 billion. Also, like in the previous year, states such as Lagos, Kano, Akwa Ibom, Katsina,

Oyo and Delta were among the top 10 recipients of funds from Federation Account in 2014. Gross revenues have been declining steadily since the oil prices in the international market began their downward slide CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEW TELEGR

APH FRIDAY,

MAY 22, 2015

Stephanie Okerek e’s reality show debuts on Sunday

Reality

Coke Studio Africa Season parades 26 3 artistes, 52 songs

Entertainme nt

Iyanya, Ay, Oni others dazzle ga in Superstar

eading entert cently regrou ainers reped to cite movie buffs in a exand rivetin new g Superstar. international film, The film due cinemas nationwide for the 5, courtesy on June tributions of Silverbird Disis from the US based stable of Nigerian-bor maker, Tony n filmAbulu. Superstar is the story talented of a and aspiri Nigerian ng young musician ghetto athat from the the compe sought stardom in titive Nigeri industry. an music Artistes in the big film are budget music comedy crown star, Iyanya , lywood newes prince, Ay, Nolt sensat gel Ufuom ion, Ana act, Tekno and rising hip hop . Others are: Jide Kosok veterans and Racha o, Tina Amuziam sensations el Oniga. Comedy Funnybone, cil, ex Mister PenNigeri Okwara, Lilian Esoroa, Bryan eral others and sevalso wowed suspense-fille in the d creativ of art. e work Mr. Moses Olaiya Adejum The press o able to New release made availday, explai Telegraph on Tuesned CEO of Blackthat, “Abulu, the Ivory an entert ainment Limited, with over company 30 years’ experi in filmm aking, intern ence distribution, ational rican cultur marketing and Afal exposi tion stated that Supers cially introdtar is billed to offimusic industuce the Nigerian market, therebry to the global Stories by Sony much needed y ushering in the Neme foreign exchan to further ge postle Moses develop the music indust vibrant Olaiya Adejumo ry. (MON) popularly known as Lamid The history Salam is being given i alias Baba Salai of comedy, a deserved tion as he celebratelevision retirement clocks 80. After his from stage, he drama and since dedica has life to servin ted the rest of stage play in his Cherubim g God as he heads Nigeria cannot and Seraph a in Ilesha, im Churc Osun h be written It is on recordState. without that Baba unarguably Sala, father of highlighting Nigerian moder n Iyanya his comedy, had alongside contribution

guided the King SunnyJùjú music maest ro lead guitar Adé, who was his player. He starte d out in life servant, as a civil a After work, sanitary Inspector. he would sanitary inspection put off his unifor m (Wole Wole) and go for part-time work in the teaching where he evenings would go collecting round town daily thrift tion, popula contribuubas. Then rly called Ajo by Yortransform st the night, he would from a thrift into a highli collector fe In a media musician. recalled with chat in 2013, humour about he 14 wives, his but were alive. only four of them Many of watched television those who and 80s will in the 70s vividly. He still remember him was the undisp King of Comed y, both on uted sion and televion Stage with mark big signboard-lik his trade and table e bow-ti clock size e wristw He was much more: atch. matist, singer a and Yorub drator who was a acregarded the father s of moder as one of comedy. That n Nigerian is why the of comed histor y, stage play television drama andy in Nigeri written withou a cannot be contribution t highlighting his . In those good old days, every Wedne at 7pm Ibadan, manysday night on NTA and its enviroviewers in Ibadan ns in partic and, in the ular, would rush South West, usuall y home to Alawada watch his Comedy Show. cessful that So sucpopular in his name became so Nigeria which him a Nation earned al Award ber of the of Memthe likes Niger of Huber Then, courte (MON.) Kola Ogunm t Ogund e, sy of ola, Oyin and Duro Adejobi suffered a little set pirates, he Ladip he dabble memory, comm o, all of blesse d into film back when d erciali and produ produced and televis zed theate his first film ction ion acting r Mooru in Nigeri Born on a. film . The highly apprecOrun May 18, 1935, Sala is a was pirate Baba recoup revered actor d before he iated be rightly termed as who can his fourhis expenses, as could and the king one of the father tapes was of Nigeri mass produ stolen and films. an Yorub ced. a He lost so Baba Sala, much money had to sell er had begun a prolific filmm and off ak- es, his career which he two of his housbusiness in show as for the N500,0used as collate in 1964 witha highlife music ral ian the 00 a group project from loan he got for the Feder al Rhyth known as tional the defunc That is where m Dandi Bank.So t Naes. devast Baba he tutore ated was d and suicidSala that he contem plated e.

}25 Best of entertainment A 80 garlands Sala, king of for Baba comedy

SGF: Buhari considers Onu, Ngige, Nwosu Yaw drags Bak assi, Cynthia Morgan, othe rs to YOU

SONY NEME

EDITOR, ENTERT AINMENT

sony.neme@newte

legraphonline.com

ko Hotel and toria Island Suites, Vic- rable , Lagos will are super on May 31, star two-man 2015 host YOU, a Davido, Olamide, such as made availab satire writte and M.I, as well as le to the Obi Marti Cynthia Morga by organ n by isers, “Themedia n, by Emma ns and directed Korede Bello and play Kiss Dan- deals with the past, Uduma. The iel. Others is the sevent and future include Reeka present event Banks h year of of the socio-p do ical Lil Kesh, live on and socio-e olitDI’JA, stage with Yaw’s town, Skales conomy Bakassi in , Adekunle Run- of Nigeria. a stage playOkey and top comed This play status Gold ten Billed to . is writin view of ians the happen and make thrill audience federal republic. Red of the in the countr ings starts at 5.p.m. the show carpet y without memooffensive been to anyon According to press release people or govern e, group of ment of the day.”

Morgan

lFashola, Falana, Akintola gun for AGF

Quick Read

Editorial

Agenda for new NSC Director }19 General

Fayose imposes }12 curfew on Ekiti

The President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (sixth right) with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Transition Committee after the presentation of their interim report to Buhari in Abuja...yesterday. PHOto: nan

Senate probes fuel scarcity Chukwu David Abuja

he Senate yesterday mandated its committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream)

to immediately commence investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the current fuel crisis.

The directive was sequel to a motion brought by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi, who raised a point

of order to make personal explanation on the worsening fuel scarcity. While moving the moCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SGF: Buhari considers Onu, Ngige, Nwosu Ayodele Ojo

arring any lastminute change of mind, the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, is set to pick the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) from the South-East. New Telegraph gathered yesterday that the race for the position has been narrowed down to three candidates from whom the President-elect and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will pick a successor to the incumbent, Sen-

ator Anyim Pius Anyim. Among the trio is National Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and onetime governor of old Abia State, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. Also being considered for the position are a former governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, who lost his reelection bid on March 28 and Mr. Uche Nwosu, who is being sponsored by his father-in-law, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State. Although, the party is not adopting the concept of zoning in the sharing

of the offices, it was learnt that the South-East is favoured for the job. It was learnt that the failure of the APC in the South-East to produce a returning member of the Senate and House of Representatives denied the zone the opportunity to produce either the Senate president or the Speaker of the House of Representatives. A senior member of the party confided in New Telegraph that the technical disqualification of the South-East from producing the head of the either chamber of the National Assembly informed con-

ceding the SGF slot to the South-East. Multiple sources in the APC said Onu was favoured to clinch the coveted office, being the choice of the party leadership, having contributed to the fusion of the legacy parties. “Onu is steadfast and has contributed to the growth of the APC. He was the ANPP national chairman when the parties fused to become APC,” a source said. Buhari and the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, have bought into the Onu’s candidacy.

According to one of the sources, Buhari respects Onu and Tinubu's associates are also comfortable with Onu’s candidacy. Those pushing for Onu said it was only fair for him to emerge the SGF as the two of the legacy parties of the APC – Congress for Progressive Congress (CPC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) – have produced the president and vice-president while the ANPP occupied no influential office for now. "You know there were three legacy parties that fused to become APC. Already, the CPC produced

L-R: Non-Executive Director, FBN Holding Plc., Mr. Bisi Onasanya; Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bello Maccido; Group Chairman, Mr. Oba Otudeko and Company Secretary, Mr. Tijjani Borodo, at the third Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

States got N1.5trn allocation in 2014 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

last June. The development has affected the finances of the Federal Government and states with over 22 states being unable to pay salaries. As at the last count, at least seven states reportedly owed workers between four and six months' salary arrears. The grim financial situation of the states had prompted governors and Governors-elect of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to approach the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, for bailout on assumption of office on May 29. “As it stands today, most states of the federation have not been able to pay salaries and even the Federal Government has not paid April salaries and that is very worrisome. By May and June, the unpaid salaries will be in cumulative of three months,” Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, who led

the delegation, told reporters after the meeting with Buhari. Okorocha had urged the incoming administration to consider implementing measures that could bail out federal and state governments from the critical situation to, at least, enable them meet their salary obligations to workers. The Senate first sounded the alarm about the financial status of the states in October last year when Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North) tabled a motion entitled: "Looming danger of bankruptcy in states: The need for fiscal evaluation," in which he classified some states as distressed; others as critical; some as unhealthy; another group as tolerable and the last set as healthy. He said six states that had personnel expenditure ranging between 50 and 126 per cent were already in financial distress. States in this category with their distress rating

were Kano (126 per cent), Sokoto (62 per cent), Niger (56 per cent), Zamfara (54 per cent), Katsina (50 per cent) and Osun 50 per cent. Similarly, states in their critical conditions, according to the motion, were Ekiti (48 per cent); Plateau (44 per cent); Benue (42 per cent); Edo (42 per cent); Borno (41 per cent); Adamawa (40 per cent) and Cross River (39 per cent). Others said to be in a critical state were Enugu (39 per cent); Taraba (38 per cent); Ogun (37 per cent); Kogi (32 per cent); Yobe (32 per cent); Ebonyi (31 per cent); Ondo (31 per cent) and Kaduna (30 per cent). The senator listed six states as unhealthy. These were Oyo (27 per cent); Bauchi (26 per cent); Bayelsa (24 per cent); Nasarawa (24 per cent); Gombe (23 per cent) and Rivers (20 per cent). According to the senator, the fiscal status of five states was tolerable. They were Imo (19 per cent);

Kwara (18 per cent); Lagos (18 per cent); Kebbi (16 per cent) and Delta (15 per cent). According to him, only four states have a healthy financial status. Those in this category were Abia (14 per cent); Akwa Ibom (12 per cent); Anambra (12 per cent) and Jigawa (6 per cent). He attributed the dire financial situation of the struggling states to the fact that most of them “rushed to the capital market to raise bonds to finance development projects without an appropriate framework.” “The misuse of such funds could spell doom for the future of the States,” he said. Also, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at an event last year, said states such as Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and Lagos were among the top 10 recipients of federal allocation in 2013. She added that it was

not just the Federal Government that should be accountable to Nigerians, but also states and local governments should frequently account for how they manage the resources accruing to them from the Federation Account. She stated that in terms of the resources and based on the available data, the states were not starving. “About half of our total government expenditure occurs at the sub-national level; and if you look at allocations to states and local governments, there are some interesting trends. Many Nigerian states receive revenue allocations, which are larger than the budgets of neighbouring countries such as Liberia ($433 million), Gambia ($210 million) or Benin Republic ($1.47 billion). The top two recipients of state allocations – Akwa Ibom and Rivers – received $3.2 billion combined, which is about half of the entire budget of Ghana (about $6.4 billion),” the minister had said.

General Muhammadu Buhari as President-elect while the defunct ACN has produced the VicePresident-elect in Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. So, only the ANPP has been left out of sharing of sensitive offices. That is why we are supporting Onu for the office," a member of the APC Board of Trustees (BoT) told New Telegraph. Onu, 63, graduated with First Class Honours degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Lagos in 1976. In 1980, he obtained his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of California, UC Berkeley, California, USA. He was pioneer Head, Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt and Acting Dean, Faculty of Engineering in 1985. Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, is also pushing for the office. The senator would have had the opportunity of vying for the Senate presidency if he had won his re-election on March 28. The failure of the medical doctor-turned politician to be re-elected and ensure that the APC made impact in the general elections in Anambra State has been his major undoing. Those kicking against the choice of Ngige are saying that the former governor did not add value to the emergence of APC presidency. His traducers are saying he “can’t be trusted with such office.” Okorocha, who has assumed the leadership of the APC in the SouthEast, is also pushing for the candidacy of his sonin-law. Nwosu holds dual office in the Imo State Government. He is the Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration) and the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Planning. He is a graduate of Urban and Regional Planning. Nwosu, 39, graduated from the Imo State University in 2000 with a degree in Estate Surveying. He has worked all his life with Okorocha as a personal aide. In 2012, Nwosu married Okorocha’s eldest daughter, Uloma. Party leaders and stakeholders are not buying into Okorocha’s candidacy. “The office is not a family business. He can’t impose his son-in-law on the party. What experience has Nwosu got to be made SGF? I can tell you that Okorocha’s choice for CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, May 22, 2015

SPECIALonREPORT The 8th Senate’s Fresh Generation Godswill Akpabio

Aliyu Wamakko

Jonah David Jang

Stella Adaeze Oduah

Samuel Egwu

Rabiu Kwankwaso

Theodore Orji

Mao Ohuabunwa

Uche Lilian Ekwunife

Buruji Kashamu

Jeremiah Useni

Abubakar Kyari

Ben Murray Bruce

Peter Nwaoboshi

Biodun Olujimi

Dino Melaye

Monsurat Sunmonu

Bayero Usman Nafada

Bala ibn Na’Allah

Isiaka A. Adeleke

Abubakar Danladi

Adeola Olamilekan

Binta Masi Garba

Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim

Mustapha Bukar

Duro Samuel Faseyi

Fatimat O. Raji-Rasaki

Shehu Sani

Mustapha Bukar

Philip Aruwa I Gyunka

Buhari Abdulfatai

Suleiman O. Hunkuyi

Osinakachukwu Ideozu

Danjuma La’ah

Bassey Albert Akpan

Olanrewaju Tejuoso

Mohammed A. Ohiare

Nelson Asuquo Effiong

Achonu A. Nneji

Sabo Mohammed

David Umaru

Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi

Barau I Jibrin

Nnaemeka Anyanwu

Clifford A. Ordia

John Enoh Owan

Mathew A. Urhoghide

Utazi Godfrey Chukwuka

Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi

Gbolahan Dada

Abdul-Aziz M. Nyako

Francis A. Alimikhena

Olaka Johnson Nwogu

Ogba Joseph Obinna

Tijjani Yahaya Kaura

Donald Alasoadura

Rose Okoji Oko

Yele Omogunwa

Ogola Foster

Gershom H. Bassey

Suleiman M. Nazif

Malam Ali Wakili

Abdullahi A. Gumel

Marafa Bashir Abba

Yahaya Abdullahi

Abdulrahman Abubakar

Salihu Hussain Egye

Mohammed Garba

Ighoyota Amori

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Ahmadu Abubakar

Mohammed Hasan

Isah Hamma Misau

Ibrahim Abdullahi

Muhammad Ubali Shitu

On June 4, 2015, the eighth Senate of the National Assembly will be inaugurated. Of the 109 Senators who will be taking their seats, 75, representing 68 per cent will be fresh in the upper chamber. Who are these fresh Senators? What are their backgrounds and antecedents? What quality of debate and contributions are we likely to see from them? These and more will be the kernel of a special report by New Telegraph on that day. The report presents a unique opportunity for family, friends and associates of these fresh Senators to felicitate with them. For enquiries and participation: Call Biodun: 0802-301-5582, Taiwo: 0803-304-2915, Onwuka: 0803-733-9843, David: 0810-759-1663

Travel Advisory

FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

Destination Abuja- Paris Paris-Lagos Paris-PHC PHC-Paris Paris –Abuja Lagos –Paris

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

Departure 23.55hrs 10.55hrs 11:00hrs 21:20hrs 11:00hrs 23:55hrs

Arrival 6:05hrs 17:15hrs 19:15hrs 6:05hrs 17:00hrs 6:20hrs

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

W3 101 W3 102 W3 107 (Mon, Wed , Fri) New York-Lagos W3 108 (Tues,Thurs, Fri) Lagos-Johannesburg W3 103 Johannesburg-Lagos W3 104 Lagos-Douala - (Tues, Wed ,Thur) Douala-Lagos - (Tues, Wed, Thur) Lagos-Accra Accra-Lagos

Abuja-Accra Accra-Abuja Lagos-Freetown Freetown-Lagos Lagos-Banjul Banjul-Lagos Lagos-Dakar Dakar-Lagos

-(Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun) -(Mon, Wed, Fri) -(Daily) - (Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Wed, Fri, Sun) -(Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri,Sat) -(Tue,Wed, Fri,Sat,Sun)

BRITISH AIRWAYS

London-Lagos Lagos-London Abuja-London Abuja-London

07:00hrs 20:05hrs 20:10hrs 11:45hrs

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

10:45hrs 09:35hrs 11:10hrs 13:25hrs 07:20hrs 17:00hrs 08:05hrs 13:35hrs 18:00hrs

hrs 14:44hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

AWB 201 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) AWB 202 (Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun)

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

17:00hrs 06:00hrs 08:00hrs 17:00hrs 08:00hrs 15:20hrs 21:00hrs

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

EK 7821 (Sun-Sat) EK 7822 EK 7831 EK 7811 EK 761

21:30hrs 14:40hrs 07:35hrs 14:20hrs 23:55hrs

07:40hrs 01:05hrs 12:50hrs 19:45hrs 10:30hrs

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

Lagos - Addis Ababa ET900 Addis Ababa - Lagos ET901 Abuja - Addis Ababa ET910 Addis Ababa - Abuja ET911 Enugu - Addis Ababa ET930 Addis Ababa - Enugu ET931 Kano - Addis Ababa ET930 Addis Ababa - Kano ET931

13:15hrs 09:00hrs 13:40hrs 09:40hrs 12:00hrs 09:20hrs 14:05hrs 09:20hrs

20:25hrs 12:15hr 20:10hrs 12:20hrs 20:50hrs 11:15hrs 20:50hrs 13:20hrs

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

20.45hrs 09:50hrs 09.20 hrs 06:30hrs

12:30hrs

Lagos-Dubai Lagos-Dubai Dubai-Lagos Dubai-Lagos Abuja-Dubai

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

EY 0672 (Sunday) (Monday) (Saturday) EY 955

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

11:55hrs 5:50hrs 14:35hrs 06:00hrs

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

17:55hrs 00:00hrs 09:00hrs 22:40hrs

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

18:30hrs 05:15hrs 05:30hrs

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

12:00hrs 21:30hrs 23:50hrs

Middle East Airlines (Two flights weekly (Tues & Friday)

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

HF 851 (Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sun) HF 852 (Mon,Wed, Thurs, Sat)

ASKY AIRLINES

Destination Lome to Abuja Abuja-Lome- Kinshasa Kinshasa-Abuja Abuja-Lome Lome-Lagos Lagos-Libreville Libreville-Kinshasa Kinshasa-Libreville Libreville-Lagos Lagos-Lome Lome-Lagos Lagos-Libreville Libreville-Brazaville Brazaville-Libreville Brazzaville-Lagos Lagos-Lome

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

Flight No. KP 032 (Tue-Fri) KP 032 ( Tue-Fri)

Departure Arrival 14:00hrs 15:55hrs 16:30hrs 18:15hrs

KP 033 (Wed-Sat) KP O33 (Wed-Sat) KP O40 (Sun-Sat) KP 040 (Sun-Sat) KP 040 (Sun-Sat) KP041 (Tue-Sat) KP 041 (Tue-Sat) KP 041 (Tue-Sat) KP O44 (Tue-Fri) KP 044 (Tue-Fri) KP 044 (Tue-Fri) KP O45 (Wed-Sat) KP 045 (Wed-Sat) KP 045 (Wed-Sat)

8:20hrs 10:35hrs 13:00hr 14:40hrs 17:00hrs 7:15hrs 9:35hrs 11:55hrs 13:10hrs 14:50hrs 17:10hrs 07:00hrs 09:20hrs 11:40hrs

10:00hrs 12:20hrs 14:00hrs 16:30hrs 18:45hrs 08:55hrs 11:25hrs 12:45hrs 14:10hrs 16:40hrs 18:50hrs 08:40hrs 11:10hrs 12:30hrs

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:00; 09:00; 11:00 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00; 20:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 09:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 (SAT) 07:00; 11:00; 15:00 (SUN) 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 (SAT) 07:30; 11:30; 09:00; 13:00; 17:00 (SUN) 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 ABUJA-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30; 16:50 (SAT/SUN) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30 PORT-HARCOURT-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10; 18:30 (SAT/SUN) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

WEEKLY SCHEDULE Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 12:40pm

Lagos-Abuja/Kano 4:00pm Abuja-Kano 5:45pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kan 10:10am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 12:40pm Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm WEEKEND SCHEDULE SATURDAY Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Abuja 10:30am Abuja-Lagos 1:00pm Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Kaduna-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 4:00pm Sunday Kano-Lagos 8:00am Lagos-Kano 10:30am Kano-Abuja/Lagos 1:20pm Abuja-Lagos 2:40pm Lagos-Kaduna 5:00pm

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06.50; 09:30; 11:45; 16:00 (SAT) 06:50; 11:45 (SUN) 11:45; 16:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 11:30; 13:40;18:30 (SAT) 09:00; 13:40 (SUN) 13:40; 18:30 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 14:45

(SAT) 16:15 (SUN) 14:45 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:50 (SAT) 18:20 (SUN) 16:50

AEROCONTRACTORS

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News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, May 22, 2015

IG orders tight security for May 29 lPolice promote 36,599 officers, to probe armoury

Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, has ordered Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Police Commissioners to tighten security around vulnerable points as well as "critical infrastructure", ahead of the May 29 inauguration. A statement from the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, an Acting Commissioner of Police, stated that: “The IGP has ordered Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Command Commissioners of Police to beef up security around all key and vulnerable points, as well as critical infrastructures like mega filling stations, major hotels, national/State Houses of Assembly, Eagle Square among others. "This becomes imperative in a bid to ward off possible plans by insurgents to carry out widespread violence and coordinated attacks on these installations and public places ahead of May 29 with a view to undermining presidential/ governorship inauguration/swearing-in ceremonies in the country. "The Police High Com-

mand enjoins members of the public to remain steadfast in collaborating with officers and men of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to stamp out crimes, including war against terror, as the Police have perfected strategies to prepare a safe and secured ground to ensure hitch-free inauguration/swearing-in nationwide." Meanwhile, the Police have concluded plans to probe into the present state of the force's armoury nationwide, after the May 29 inauguration. The development is to help in determining what they have in their armoury, what they have lost, and how some weapons and equipment were lost. This is as a total of 36,599 personnel will soon be promoted to their next ranks. The disclosures were made yesterday at an interactive meeting the IGP held at the Force Headquarters with select Inspectors and the rank and file, who were drawn from the 12 Zonal Commands of the police. According to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of Operations, Mr. Sotonye Wakama, the planned inventory of armoury across the country, would enable the force to have an

Senate probes fuel scarcity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tion, Ningi said since the Senate still has the mandate of the people until June 1, it had the responsibility to intervene in the unfortunate development. He said: "We need to know whether fuel scarcity has come to stay. We need to know whether it has become part of our life. We need to plan. By planning and talking about it, we are now sensitising Nigerians to brace up for the impending issue of fuel scarcity whether it is going to be here permanently or temporary. "But we can't know all these things until we hear from the experts. Therefore, my prayer is to ask the committee on downstream and upstream to come up with explanations next Tuesday through which Nigerians will know and plan their future. "Otherwise, I think it's legally and morally wrong to keep silent about it, sweep it under the carpet and to continue to believe these things are usual." Ningi noted with dismay the lingering situa-

tion and prayed the Senate to pay serious attention to the biting fuel crisis, which is creating great hardship for Nigerians. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, said since Ningi raised the motion under personal explanation, the Senate would not debate it, but would rather vote on his prayers. Ekweremadu said: "Ningi's prayers are simple and straightforward. He is asking us, as representatives of the people, to direct our committees on Upstream and Downstream, to find out what is currently going on in the oil sector and possibly find a way of addressing it. "In that regard, we now ask our committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream) to find out what is going on and what the government is doing about it and report back on Tuesday next week. That is our wish." When the motion was put to voice vote, it was unanimously supported by all senators.

update on its equipment and weapons, and also to apply necessary sanctions, where any armourer or personnel may have acted in breach of extant laws guiding their conduct. Also speaking at the event, the DIG in charge of, Finance and Administration, Mr. Hilary Opara,

declared that 36,599 personnel will soon be promoted to their next ranks. A breakdown of the number shows that 6, 483 Sergeants will be promoted to the rank of Inspector, 29, 937 Corporals to Sergeant, while 179 other personnel will be elevated to Corporal rank.

Speaking at the event, the IGP said "only government officials would enjoy police protection," warning that “any police seen carrying handbags or dragging boxes of private individuals around will be arrested." Arase further told the officers and men, that

their welfare will be tied to their good conduct. He, however, assured them that "officers, who are due for promotion, will proceed to various training colleges..." The police chief commended the personnel for their conduct during the general elections.

President of the Republic of Niger, Mahammadu Issoufou, with President Goodluck Jonathan, during a visit to Jonathan in Abuja… yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Boko Haram: S’Africa warns mercenaries in Nigeria

outh African Defence Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has issued a stern warning to the country’s mercenaries battling Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria that they face serious consequences for their actions. While the former South African Defence Force (SADF) soldiers have been enlisted by the Nigerian government to help them fight the terrorist group, Mapisa-Nqakula said on Wednesday that the Foreign Military Assistance Act prohibits South Africans from fighting outside the country for financial gain. She said the conduct of the former SADF members from the apartheid regime was illegal and in violation of the laws of the country. This means these former soldiers were liable for prosecution on their return.

It has been reported that at least 100 mercenaries were helping in the fight against Boko Haram in Nigeria. Former SADF soldier, Leon Lotz, was killed in Borno State in March, confirming the involvement of mercenaries in Nigeria. Mapisa-Nqakula, who was briefing the Cape Town Press Club following her budget vote, did not indicate if they would immediately pounce on the former soldiers once they came back to South Africa. President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, also expressed concern this week that the outgoing government had hired the mercenaries. He said it was supposed to have been the Nigerian military taking on Boko Haram, and not private soldiers. Mapisa-Nqakula said South Africa had not de-

ployed any troops in Nigeria. The action of the mercenaries had not been sanctioned by the government, she added. “To simply sneak out of the country for financial gain, it renders you a mercenary. Those are mercenaries and there should be consequences,” MapisaNqakula said. She added that the Foreign Military Assistance Act would have to be applied against these former soldiers when they returned home. The act prescribes a prison term of up to six years. The government introduced the act in 1998 after it emerged that former SADF soldiers were hired guns across the globe, mainly in Africa. One infamous case involved the arrest of members of Executive Outcomes who were arrested

in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea for trying to overthrow the government of Obiang Nguema Bassongo in the mid-2000s. Several of these men were jailed for more than five years and languished in foreign prisons for their role. Nguema said the mercenaries had been hired by exiled opposition leader Severo Moto. Nguema came to power in 1979 after overthrowing his uncle Fransisco Macias Nguema in a military coup. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s son, Mark Thatcher, was also arrested in South Africa by the then Scorpions for being involved in the plot to oust Nguema. He was released after a plea bargain with the State and was given a suspended four-year jail term and a fine of R3 million in 2005.

News

FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

2015 elections not perfect, says Jega Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

espite commendations for the conduct of the 2015 general elections, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has admitted that there was still room for

improvement. Jega spoke yesterday in Abuja when he played host to a delegation led by the Ambassador of Mexico in Nigeria, Marco Antonio Garcia Blanco. “We know that the election has not been perfect; we know that it was better than 2011; but there is also a lot of scope for improvement and that is why we welcome every opportuni-

ty to visit other countries and to see how they do their own elections and to be able to exchange ideas and to also learn good practices which we can continue to adapt to our own circumstances for continuous improvement of our own electoral process," Jega told his guests. He said some predictions, especially in some international press sug-

gesting that the outcome of the recently concluded general elections may lead to the end of the country, have proven to be false. The INEC chair attributed the failed prediction to the free, fair, credible and peaceful conduct of the elections. "Leading to the election, some impressions had been created, particularly in the international

Court dismisses ex-Governor Nyako's return bid Ibrahim Abdul Yola

Federal High Court sitting in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, has dismissed a suit filed by former governor of the state, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), challenging his impeachment by the state House of Assembly last year. While delivering judgement in the matter, the presiding judge, Justice Bilikus Bello Aliyu, said the case brought before her by Nyako was an abuse of court process. She said three suits are pending before com-

petent courts on the same issue and, as such, she cannot entertain the suit. "This suit is an abuse of this court and courts should protect themselves from abuse," she said. The judge had, in the course of delivering the ruling, upheld the objec-

tion of the counsel to first respondent, Mr.Leonard Zadon, that the same case is pending before three high courts, stressing that it is an abuse of court process. Justice Aliyu had earlier upheld the appellant’s argument that his right was grossly infringed

upon by the respondent, citing section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. "I cannot continue with this case as the court runs concurrently. We will not encourage litigants abusing court processes," she added.

media as if this may be the end of our country. Thank God it was doomsday prediction which turned out to be false," he added. Jega expressed the readiness of the commission to share experiences with the other countries. He appreciated the efforts of the Mexican High Commission in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both countries in sharing electoral experiences and urged that such bilateral relationship should be extended to other sectors. “You facilitated the signing of the MoU which has been very useful; many of our staff have benefited by participating in some conferences. All these experiences have been useful and beneficial and we cherish the opportunity,” he said.

Ambassador Blanco had told the INEC Chairman that his mission to the commission was to “transmit congratulatory message for a great job that the commission did in the last electoral process.” He said everybody recognised the key role played by the commission in the successes achieved in the last electoral process and called on the leadership of INEC to share experience with his country which he said is very important in improving the electoral process in Mexico. He said: “Your expertise, knowledge and wisdom will be a great asset to our electoral body. With experience sharing, Mexico will benefit a lot.” He advocated for continuous strengthening of existing bilateral relationship between both countries.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

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23o C 19oC Thunder Storms L-R: Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Mr. Olufemi Ajayi; Project Consultant, Vision 2020 Youth Empowerment and Restoration Initiative, Dr. Ibilola Amao and Managing Director, Niger Delta Exploration and Production Plc, Dr. Layi Fatona, at a workshop in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE 42oC 27oC Partially Cloudy

Fashola, Falana, Akintola gun for AGF

33o C 24oC Isolated Storms

the SGF can’t fly,” a source said. The names of APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and the incumbent Secretary to the Borno State Government (SSG), Ambassador Ahmed Jidda, had initially featured as possible choices of the President-elect. At a point, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, a retired Permanent Secretary and former Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), joined the race for the coveted seat.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

New Telegraph learnt that Odigie-Oyegun’s bid was shot down by some powerful forces in the party on account of age. Oyegun is 75 while the President-elect is 72. "We will be sending a wrong signal out of running a gerontocracy. Buhari is 72 and you want to pick an SGF who is 75. The office of SGF is demanding and needs a young man. Some of us have drawn the attention of the party leadership to this age issue. Don't forget that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made issue out of Buhari's age in the course of electioneering," a source told New

Telegraph. The candidature of Amaechi, who served as Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, was dropped because of “his controversial and temperamental nature whereas the office of the SGF demands a high level of maturity and levelheadedness." Jidda was dropped as the North-East is expected to produce the leadership of either the Senate or the House of Representatives. In the outgoing government of President Goodluck Jonathan, the SouthEast has occupied the SGF office for four years.

Meanwhile, senior lawyers from the SouthWest are scrambling for the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice. A source told New Telegraph that the South-West is likely to fill the ministerial slot. Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is one of those being tipped for the job. Former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is also being mentioned as a likely candidate, if he gets ministerial nomination.

Akeredolu was the APC standard bearer in the Ondo governorship election in 2012. His law partner, Chief Akin Olujinmi, was also former AGF. Another likely candidate, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), is being backed by Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Akintola is likely to be the state's ministerial nominee. Human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), is also said to be interested in the office. He hopes to be nominated for the Ekiti State slot. It was learnt that Osinbajo would make input into the choice of the AGF.

NEW TELEGRAPH friday, may 22, 2015

News

national

APC Transition Committee submits interim report Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he 19 member Transition Committee of the All Progressives Congress yesterday submitted an interim report of the committee to the President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari. The chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, told journalists at the Defence House in Abuja that the report submitted had no input of the Presidential Transition Committee. According to him, the Presidential Transition Committee had its plans differently and therefore, did not work in line with APC Transition Committee. Asked to give an insight of work done by the Committee, he said, "Defining the scope of the activities we have covered, we divided ourselves into sub committees and many sub-groups to address the several issues that ought to be addressed. The report we have submitted this afternoon is an interim one to keep the president-elect abreast of the work we are doing and the issues that we expect should be addressed on the long term. Now we expect on Friday to receive the handing over notes from the outgoing government and then we go back to work to study these re-

l Says no input yet from presidency ports, analyse them and come out with the next recommendations. "The only highlights I can talk about are the fact that we addressed issues that are important to Nigeria: security, economy, the social system and matters like that". On if the presidential committee cooperated with them, Joda said, "The Federal Government transition committee had their own agenda

to which they are working and these have taken them longer than we have expected but their reports like I have already mentioned will come to us on Friday". On the view on the state of the economy, the Committee Chairman said, "I say all Nigerians know that the economy is bad. Some of us here are directly affected. Salaries and wages in some cases have not been paid

Abuja

he Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) late last night directed that Kunle Kalejaiye, (SAN) and counsel to a former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, be disbarred after he was found guilty of professional misconduct. The council further directed the Chief Registrar

Abuja

ollowing the failure of the leadership of the All Progressives Party, APC, to agree on any zoning formula for the principal offices in the National Assembly, the Senators elected on the platform of the party will now go

Anule Emmanuel and Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

cting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Uche Secondus, yesterday said that he would not resign his position but will continue to take actions to reposition the party. There has been calls for the acting chairman to resign his position alongside other members of the party's National Working Committee, NWC, following their inability to deliver in the just concluded presidential election. Secondus, yesterday assumed the leadership of the party after Alhaji Adamu Muazu resigned on health condition. The acting chairman led other members of the NWC to the presidential villa Abuja where they met with President Goodluck Jonathan in a close door for about two hours. His meeting with the President is the second since he assumed the leadership of the party. He was at the villa on Thursday shortly after he resumed office accompanied by the governor of Bayelsa State.

Philip Nyam Abuja Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting Chairman, Chief Uche Sekondus, speaking after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

of the Supreme Court to delete his name from the Roll (list) of legal practitioners in the country. In a directive (judgment) issued yesterday, a five-man panel led by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, found that the complainant, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), represented by Jibrin Okutepa, SAN proved its case of professional misconduct against

Kalejaiye. The committee also directed that its decision should be served on the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Chief Judges of all the states of the federation, the Chief Judge of Federal High Court, Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and all states’ Commissioners of Police.

Senate: APC to conduct primaries for Saraki, others Chukwu David

I won’t resign, says Secondus

Reps pass FCT, NDDC budgets

LPDC derobes Oyinlola's lawyer Tunde Oyesina

for months. The situation may even be getting worse. So, the economy is bad but we haven't got the government side we don't know their figures, what we are doing now is guesswork". Buhari, who received the interim report at a close door meeting in his remarks, said, "the incoming government was misunderstood", adding that "It is not that we are preparing for indictment. We

are trying to get is a starting point, where exactly we are going to start from. "We have seen the debt profile now and the performance of the economy. The question is what can we do about it especially the urgent ones like social security and lack of fuel in the country and fraud. The list is endless. I thank you for what you have done and I hope that the subsequent submission by the government will make your job easier and more efficient and tell us where to begin from.”

through primary election for the major contenders for the Senate Presidency before the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly. The decision to conduct primary election for Senators Ali Ndume (APC Borno), Bukola Saraki (APC Kwara), George Akume (APC Benue) and Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe) was the only viable

option left as a result of the heat being generated by the jostle for the attractive leadership positions in the National Assembly. A five-man committee set up by the leadership of the APC to come out with the zoning formula of National Assembly principal offices and other major positions in the incoming Buhari's administration.

Jonathan's legacy will remain forever in Africa — Niger President Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he President of the Niger, Mohammadu Yusuf, yesterday stated that the legacy of President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat at the last Presidential election would remain forever in Africa. Yusuf stated this at the Defence House in Abuja, when he visited the President-Elect. According to him Jonathan displayed an uncommon gesture in Africa by conceding defeat to opposition party. He said the act would have a lasting impact and influence on politics in is West Africa and also Africa at large". Also speaking on his visit, he said, "l am here to convey the gratitude and salute of Niger Republic

for the peaceful conduct of the elections held which is recognised by different bodies as fair and honest elections given by the challenges. "So, I'm here both to congratulate the President-elect and the people of Nigeria for the smooth conduct of the elections". The President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari asked to comment on the visit of Yusuf, said, "l think the President of Niger Republic has said it all why he is here. "He congratulated President Jonathan on the role he played in stabilising the polity itself by accepting (defeat) to the Presidential candidate who won the election. "This has turned around our nervous political process and I think the whole world recognise this statesmanship displayed by President Jonathan.

he House of Representatives yesterday passed for second reading, the 2015 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) budget of N174,068b. It also passed the Niger Delta Development Commission's (NDDC) N299 billion 2015 budget for second reading. The lawmakers unanimously supported the N99,444,403,371 allocated to Capital projects for the year ending December 31, 2015. While N46,034,684,503 was allocated to Personnel cost, N28,589,912,096 was earmarked for Overhead cost. On the need to expedite action on the budget, Nnana Igbokwe (PDP, Imo), the only lawmaker that spoke on the subject, said it was incumbent on the House to pass the budget as the year is almost half spent. Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the session, referred the bill to the Committee of Supply after it was unanimously passed by the lawmakers in a voice vote.

News

NATIONAL

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Army fails to arraign General, four others ...Trial to begin June 15 Our Correspondent

he Nigerian Army, yesterday, failed to commence the trial of former Commander of the disbanded Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Brigadier General E. Ransome-Kuti and four of his Commanding Officers (COs). New Telegraph gathered that though, the one-

star general and three of his officers were brought before the eight-member General Court Martial (GCM) presided over by Major General Akelem, they were not formally arraigned. A highly-placed source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said RansomeKuti’s counsel, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), had sent a lawyer from his law firm, to seek an adjournment.

The oral application for adjournment, which was said to have been made by the lawyer, who held Falana’s brief, was to enable him appear in person, to defend the accused General. The source said: “Again, the arraignment for trial of General Ransome-Kuti, did not go on as planned. “This was no fault of the Army, as the court martial and even the pros-

ecutor were ready to proceed, but for Falana, who is the General’s counsel. “He sent his representative to seek adjournment till June 25, to enable him appear in person. “Though, the prosecutor, Captain Okonkwo, raised objection to the oral application for adjournment, the court, in the interest of justice, graciously granted June 15 as date of arraignment

and commencement of trial. “Other defence counsel aligned themselves with the motion for adjournment,” he said. It was also learnt that the name of a Major that was to stand trial, was struck out of the charge sheet. Consequently, the source said “It is now General Ransome-Kuti and three other officers.”

L-R: Executive Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mrs. Nkechi Newton-Denila; Educational Director, Saints Peter and Paul Nursery and Primary School, Ikate, Elegusi Lekki, Lagos, Locia Melchori; Senior Manager, Product Portfolio, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mr. Abu Etu; Administrator, Saints Peter and Paul Nursery and Primary School, Ikate, Barbara Pepoli and Senior Manager, Network Engineering, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Mr. Olumide Idowu, during an Information and Communication Technology field visit to Vodacom facility in Lagos …yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Jonathan, Nigerians mourn Femi Robinson, The Village Headmaster Anule Emmanuel and Tony Okuyeme

resident Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the death of veteran actor and broadcaster, Mr. Femi Robinson, who passed on Wednesday at the age on 75. The President, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, extended condolences to the family of the deceased. The President equally commiserated with all members of the creative and broadcast industry in Nigeria on the death of the popular actor. President Jonathan said he believes that Mr. Robinson, who was especially loved and admired by the public for his edifying role in the famous Nigerian Tele vision Authority (NTA) drama series, The Village Headmaster, will be long remembered for his g reat inventiveness, professionalism and humility.

Court to rule on Dstv’s objection May 28 N1.5bn fraud: Ex-NIMASA DG faults cation by a human rights wa said he had already trial, accuses AGF of ‘persecution’ Akeem Nafiu activist, Ebun-Olu Adeg- sought an abridgement

ustice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court in Lagos has deferred ruling on the preliminary objection to a suit seeking the reversal of the 20 per cent increment on DStv subscription rate till May 28. Two Lawyers, Osasuyi Adebayo and Oluyinka Oyeniji, had filed the class action on behalf of themselves and all other Dstv subscribers across the country to challenge the new rates. The plaintiffs are seeking an order of court to restrain MultiChoice, the operator of DStv, from implementing the 20 per cent increment on Dstv subscription rate as from April 1, 2015. However, MultiChoice, through its lawyer, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), had filed a preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction and the competence of the plaintiff ’s suit. The ruling on the application was stalled yesterday owing to an appli-

boruwa. The lawyer, who had earlier sought to join the suit as a co-plaintiff, brought a fresh application seeking to opt out. During yesterday’s proceedings, Adegboruwa urged the court to allow him withdraw his earlier application to join before the ruling on jurisdiction would be delivered so as not to be bound by the pronouncement of the court. His request was not opposed to by lawyers to the original plaintiffs and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Yemi Salma and A.A. Kelani. However, MultiChoice lawyer, M.K. Adesina vehemently opposed the hearing of Adegboruwa’s application, on the grounds that it was not yet ripe for hearing. Adesina added that he was only served with the application two days ago and is yet to file a reply. “The business of the court today was to rule on the preliminary objection. Every other thing must wait till after the ruling,” he said. In his reply, Adegboru-

of time to hear his application, adding that it would amount to reading the mind of the court if he agreed to wait till the ruling was delivered. “My Lord, I object to the submission by my learned friend, Mr. Adesina, that this application can only be taken after the ruling because that will be like reading the mind of the court; the ruling of this court could go one way or the other and I don’t want to be bound by it. That’s why I have come before your Lordship to withdraw,” Adegboruwa argued. Justice Aneke, later adjourned the matter till May 28 to hear Adegboruwa’s application to opt out and rule on MultiChoice’s preliminary objection to the suit. In the substantive suit, the plaintiffs are seeking a court order to compel the NBC to regulate the activities of MultiChoice so as to prevent what they described as arbitrary increment in subscription rates.

Akeem Nafiu

former DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Raymond Omatseye, who is currently facing trial over alleged N1.5bn contract scam, has alleged that he was being “persecuted” because he refused to do the bidding of the nation’s AttorneyGeneral and Minister for Justice, Mohammed

Bello Adoke (SAN). Omatseye was dragged before Justice Rita OfiliAjumogobia of a Federal High Court on an amended 27-count charge bordering on contract splitting and bid rigging to the tune of N1.5 billion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Omatseye, while opening his defence told Justice Ajumogobia that his trial stemmed from his refusal to do the bidding of the AGF.

Led in evidence by his lawyer, E.D. Onyeke, Omatseye alleged that his trial came shortly after he declined a request by Adoke to discontinue a case between NIMASA and the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas. Earlier on, the judge had granted Omatseye’s request to allow him to go into background story. The accused had insisted that the court could only appreciate his case if he was allowed to do so.

Senate ignores petitions, approves NAHCON board Chukwu David ABUJA

he Senate yesterday ignored petitions made against nominees of President Goodluck Jonathan into the Board of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), by approving the appointments of the chairman and commissioners of the commission as requested for by the President.

President Jonathan had, in a letter forwarded to the Senate earlier this month, nominated Abdullahi Muktar Muhammad and eight others as chairman and commissioners respectively, consequent upon the expiration of the tenure of the outgoing management of the Commission on May 24, 2015. The urgency of the request made the Senate to mandate its Committee on

Foreign Affairs two weeks ago to screen the nominees, and submit its report to the Chamber for approval. Presenting the report at plenary, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Sani Saleh, told the legislators that the committee received series of petitions against the appointment of the nominees from the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

NEW TELEGRAPH friday, may 22, 2015

Senate to pass N174 billion 2015 FCT budget Chukwu David Abuja

he Senate yesterday passed for second reading, the 2015 Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) statutory Appropriation bill totalling N174,068,999,970. The bill was subsequently referred to the Committee on FCT for further legislative input. The Committee was also mandated to return its report on the budget to the Senate on Tuesday next week. Leading the debate on the FCT Appropriation Bill, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba noted that the FCT statutory budget proposals of the sum of N174,068,999,970 was less than the sum of N271,042,545,912 approved for the 2014 fiscal year. He explained that the decrease was as a result of the volatility of the oil price, which had reduced the revenue accruing to the FCTA from statutory allocation as its main source as well as the fall in the exchange rate of naira to dollar. According to him, the thrust of the FCT 2015 statutory budget is to ensure an effective and enduring service oriented administration that could consolidate on the gains of the programmes of the administration over the years.

BPE insists 46,744 staff of defunct PHCN paid Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he Bureau of Public Enterprises BPE) has restated that 46,744 out of the 47,913 staff, representing 98 per cent of the workforce of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have been paid their entitlements amounting to

he final reports of the investigations carried on four accidents that occurred within the Nigerian airspace were yesterday released by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB). The reports include that of Beechcraft 1900D with registration 5N-JAH belonging to Wings Aviation Services Air, Cessna Citation 560XLS with registration 5N-BMM belonging to Bristow Helicopters, Boeing 737-500 with registration 5N-BLE belonging to Aero Contractors and AS 350 B2 with registration 5N-BHU belonging to OAS Limited. Commissioner, AIB, Dr. Felix Abali, said: “At the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), we are committed to enhancing aviation safety by conducting thorough and unbiased investigations into aircraft accidents and serious incidents. We are currently working hard to release more accident reports in the shortest possible time.” Analysing the report,

N373million Director- General of BPE, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki told members of the National Union of Electricity Employees of Nigeria (NUEE) in Abuja, led by its National President, Comrade Mansur Musa who came to the Bureau’s office in Abuja to protest the non-payment of severance benefits to some of their members, Dikki, that only 1,169 of

the 47,913 workers of the defunct PHCN were yet to be paid. He said the outstanding number included workers that had exited before the severance payment commenced; those being processed for validation; and those yet to be identified by PHCN as bonafide workers and thus not verified. The DG further informed the NUEE members that 2,791 retired staff

of the PHCN representing 65 per cent of the retirees had been paid N16, 414,926,902.38 with an outstanding number of 1,516 retirees. According to him, the number is made up of those who have so far failed to turn up for verification; were still undergoing further verification and the next of kin of deceased staff that have so far not been able to pro-

duce the letters of administration.. Dikki said for the active staff , the number of beneficiaries was processed in 30 batches while for the retirees, it was in 11 batches. He appealed to the over 1,000 ex-workers of the PHCN that had not presented themselves for verification to come forward for the exercise as the government would not pay any one that had not been verified. On the Next of Kin (NOKs) of the deceased staff of the PHCN, the DG urged the union officials to assist those who were yet to get the appropriate court papers for payment, to obtain them for a seamless processing of their entitlements. The DG told the union members that many government agencies were involved in the payment of their entitlements which required such agencies applying their processes in executing the task. He, therefore, appealed for understanding from them.

change of nameS

OGHENEROBO

I formerly known as Pius Ohworakpo now wish to be known as Pius Etate Oghenerobo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

WILLIAMS

L-R: Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark; First Lady, Patience Jonathan and President, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Mary Badeh, at the inauguration of DEPOWA’s Skill Acquisition Centre in Abuja …yesterday

AIB: Pilot error, lack of rating caused Wings, Bristow crashes Wole Shadare

News

national

the Beech 1900D registered as 5N-JAH and operated by Wings Aviation Limited as flight TWD 8300, which was on a revenue positioning flight on March 15, 2008 crashed at about 0920 hours in mountainous terrain at Bushi village, Obalinku Local Government area of Cross River State. The aircraft was on an instrument flight plan, it originated at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and destination was Bebi Airstrip, Obudu, Cross River River. According to the AIB report, the aircraft deviated from the original flight plan route and flew through the airway (UA609) direct to Ikrop, instead of Port-HarcourtEnugu and Benin direct. The inputs into Global Positioning Systems (GPS) gave the crew different distances to Bebi. During the process, the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) gave signals and sound of, “Terrain, terrain...Pull up, pull up several times without any of the pilots following the command.”

LUKA

Sahara CEO: Fuel scarcity to linger Adeola Yusuf

he crippling fuel shortages rocking Nigeria are unlikely to ease anytime soon, chief executive of energy company Sahara Group, Mr. Tonye Cole has said. Mr. Cole, who spoke to Reuters on the sidelines of a conference, said that the much-needed deregulation of the subsidised market would be a fraught process. The prospects for a re-

moval of subsidies, and a change in government at the end of May, have, according to Reuters, caused the acute fuel shortages in the country, which shows no signs of abating. Fuel importers and stakeholders down the supply chain to the most remote independent retailer are owed something from the government, directly or indirectly. "People are getting worried about whether they will get paid ... If they

Governing councils' chairmen laud FG over elevation of COEDs Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he Committee of Chairmen of Governing Councils, Federal Colleges of Education has commended the Federal Government for the conversion of four Federal Colleges of Education to universities of education. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Emma

Anosike said in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday that the pronouncement by the Federal Government could not have come at a more austere time than now since the colleges have yearned for it overtime. He said the committee noted the laudable efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria by elevating four Colleges of Education to Universities of Education.

I formerly known as Miss Okunoye Abosede Olawumi now wish to be known as Mrs. Williams Abosede Olawumi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

are legitimately owed, they will get paid but the question is when?" Cole said. Africa's biggest oil producer heavily subsidises fuel and depends on imports for the bulk of its domestic demand due to an under-performing refining system. But the cash-strapped government has already been forced to slash subsidies by 90 percent and the expectation is for a total phase-out.

I formerly Known as Nathan Allen Seiyefa, now wish to be known as Nathan Allen Seiyefa Luka. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

NWAGURU

I formerly known as Miss. Nwaguru Ginikachi Happiness, now wish to be known as Mrs. Ukeme Ginikachi Happiness. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PRINCE

I Formerly known and addressed as Prince Doris, now wish to be known and addressed as Samuel Ayebaemi Doris. All former documents remain valid .Brass Local Government Council , Bayelsa State and general public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CENTRE FOR SICKLE CELL ADVANCES AND RESEARCH

The is to inform the general public that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for incorporation under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Mr. Olabode Awogbade - President 2. Mrs. Modupe Lawal - Treasurer 3. Barr. Funke Laleye - Secretary 4. Rev. Dr. Rotimi Olokodana - Member 5. Dr. Femi Pitan - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Improve health outcomes and wellbeing of affected people with sickle cell disease. 2. Reduce the burden of sickle cell disease 3. Promote awareness, testing, care and research for sickle cell disease. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: FUNKE LALEYE AND CO Legal Practitioners Suite 6A LSPC Office Complex 129/131 Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. TEL : 08033008330

FRIDAY,MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro

Police recover 15 guns, 19 machetes, swords from suspects

ALLURE OF CRIME

The love of money pushed a 19-year-old lady and a nine-year-old girl to kidnap a baby and demand N2 million ransom

Juliana Francis

Kunle Olayeni

Abeokuta

olice detectives in Ogun State have arrested a teenager, Rachael John, and a nineyear-old girl, Joy Atunramu, for allegedly kidnapping a nine-month-old baby in IjebuOde. The suspects were also said to have demanded N2 million ransom before releasing the victim to her parents. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abeokuta. Adejobi added that the incident happened at the shop of the victim’s mother at Old Tollgate area in Ijebu-Ode about 12:12am on Wednesday. According to him, the suspects were neighbours of the mother of the baby. The PPRO said one of the suspects, Rachael, had a conflict with the mother of the baby some times and vowed to deal with her before the baby was eventually abducted. Adejobi added that the 19-year-old suspect lured and instructed Atunramu of Egbe Street, Ijebu-Ode to take the baby before fleeing to Ogbere area of the town. He said: “The police were informed of the incident by the mother of the baby, same date about 0630 hours when the mother noticed that the suspect has taken away the baby

Rachael

Teenager, minor abduct nine-month-old baby and rushed to the police station to complain. Then police detectives immediately swung into action and traced the suspect to Ogbere, Ijebu area, on a tipoff, where she was arrested. “It was gathered that the suspect had a conflict with the mother of the baby some times before the baby was stolen, for she vowed via a written letter to deal with the mother of the

baby. “Though, initially, the mother did not know who actually stole the baby, but neighbours and some eye witnesses, who saw the suspect with the baby, intimated the mother and the police detectives before the arrest of the suspects. “It was also gathered that the suspect allegedly demanded for the sum of two million

naira only (N2,000,000) before the release of the baby.” Adejobi said the Police Commissioner, Val Ntomchukwu, had already directed that the matter be thoroughly investigated. He quoted the police boss as advising parents and guardians to always take good care of their children and wards to avoid cases of this nature.

Traders protest planned demolition of Alade Market Muritala Ayinla

undreds of market women from Alade Market yesterday stormed the office of the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, over planned demolition of their market. The protesters accused the Ex-

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

ecutive Secretary of Ikeja Local Government, Mr Wole Ogunlolu, of planning to demolish the popular market on Allen Avenue, Ikeja. As early as 8:30am, angry market women under the auspices of Concerned Traders of Alade Market nearly paralysed activities at the Lagos State Secretariat. They called on the state government to immediately intervene in the attempt by the local government to force them out of the market for “selfish reasons”. They alleged that Ogunlolu was conniving with the market leader, Mrs Elizabeth Adenuga, to dislodge them from the market, where they had been selling for decades. The traders displayed placards

with various inscriptions such as: “Governor Fashola safe us from oppressors,” “No to relocation of Alade Market,” “We want justice; rescue us from Ogunlolu,” Alade Market is meant for grassroots.” They also marched from the Governor’s Office to the residence of the state President General of the Market Women and Men Association, Mrs Folashade TinubuOjo, for speedy resolution of the crisis. The President of the Concerned Traders, Mrs Sulola Odunsi-Dania, told our correspondent that the local government had initially made the move to displace them and demolish the market in 2003 but the state government denied any knowledge of the move,

saying it had no plan to relocate or rebuild Alade Market. While calling on Fashola to step into the matter before he leaves office, Odunsi-Dania said the move to dislodge the estimated 1,000 traders in the market was tantamount to removing food on the tables of 1,000 families. According to her, many of the women are breadwinners in their own right. She said: “We told them that they cannot dislodge the 1,000 traders. There are about 120 shops in the new place they want to move us to. How do we share 120 shops among the 1,000 traders? What will be the fate of others? The place is not even environment-friendly. It is right inside the canal.”

he Kaduna State Police Command yesterday said it had arrested 31 suspected terrorists and armed robbers with several weapons. The Commissioner of Police, Umar Shehu, said that 16 among the suspects were arrested for allegedly attacking Rigasa community, where they killed one person and injured three others. The 16 suspects are said to belong to a gang known as Sara-Suka. Explaining that gang members’ ages ranged from 18 to 30, Shehu said 19 cutlasses, four swords and two long sticks were recovered from them. Speaking about other suspects, Shehu said that 15 armed robbery suspects among the men were arrested in different parts of the state. A seven-man-gang of robbers that specialised in snatching motorcycles was also arrested. He said: “Fifteen guns, 85 live ammunition, two military camouflage uniforms, seven cars, 14 motorcycles, among others were recovered from the suspects.”

Gunmen kidnap lawmaker’s 70-year-old mother Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

unmen have abducted the 70-year-old mother of the lawmaker representing Buruku constituency, Benue State, in the National Assembly, Hon. Orker Jev. The victim, Mwuese Jev, was kidnapped on Wednesday. The House of Representatives member told journalists that the armed men kidnapped his mother about 8pm at his village, Tombo in Buruku Local Government Area. He said: “Yesterday (Wednesday) around 8 pm, some armed men came to my village and took my mother away at gunpoint. All exit routes from the village were blocked by the vigilance group, but the kidnappers forced their way through the use of AK47 rifles.” Jev disclosed that at the moment, he had not been able to establish contact with the abductors. He solicited prayers from the people for the safe return of his mother, adding that no ransom was demanded as at press time.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY,MAY 22, 2015

OPC chief, others arrested for robbery, kidnapping Babatope Okeowo Akure

leader of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Rafiu Alao (45), was among the 30 suspects paraded for armed robbery, kidnapping and other heinous crimes by the police in Ondo State yesterday. Alao, who is the governor of Dr Fredrick Fasehun’s faction of OPC, was said to have kidnapped his

Some of the suspects

City Briefs Ogun, firm partner to fight malaria etermined to eliminate malaria, Ogun D State Government is partnering a company, Inesfly Africa, which manufactures paint capable of killing mosquitoes. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, who made this known during a visit to him by a team from company, said the government had resolved to join the world in fast-tracking the elimination of the disease. He said: “Like we all know, malaria is a complicated disease, given that the parasite has the capacity to transform itself in order to become resistant to drugs. “This means that aside working on controlling malaria; we must strive for its elimination. “To achieve this and save lives, particularly of pregnant women and children under five years, we are willing to embrace new technologies and partnerships, such as the one being proposed by Inesfly Africa.” Founder and President of the company, Dr. Pilar Herrero, a renowned multiple award-winning scientist, said that the paint was manufactured to kill insects in all stages of their development.

Nine robbery suspects held in Anambra Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

olicemen attached to the Onitsha Area Command have arrested a nine-man armed robbery gang operating in various locations in Onitsha, Anambra State. The Area Commander, ACP Philip Ezekiel, who disclosed this in an interview with correspondent in his office, said the nine suspects were arrested by policemen at the Inland Town Police Station while on patrol. Ezekiel warned criminals to stir clear of the area because there was no hiding place for them. He reiterated the commitment of his command to ensure a crime-free society, warning that all those who might take advantage of the dismantling of roadblocks in the country to return to the commercial city would be wasting their time. The area commander advised the public to always feel free to approach the police with useful information on activities of suspected criminals. Ezekiel said the ban on roadblocks across the country by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, had given a boost to the operation of the police. According to him, it has given room for aggressive policing of the country.

predecessor, Tayo Alao, and demanded a ransom from his family. But Rafiu denied the allegation, saying he was arrested by the police when he and other OPC members went to Tayo to demand the money collected from members for enrolment for pipeline protection contract and for the identity cards of members of the organisation. Rafiu, who said he had never kidnapped or

robbed, said he and members of the organisation had gone to Tayo in Ondo to demand their money running into millions of naira before they were arrested by the police. Other OPC members arrested along with Rafiu are Michael Oladun (52) and Adesemoye David (46). The police also paraded 27 suspected criminals arrested for different offences. Addressing journalists

at the state Police Headquarters on Igbatoro Road, Akure, the state capital, the Commissioner of Police, Isaac Eke, said his men were able to apprehend the suspects through a robust relationship the command had with the public. Eke explained that five suspects were arrested for cultism, 12 for armed robbery, seven for motorcycle snatching, three for kidnapping, one for rape and one for burglary.

Acute water shortage paralyses Zamfara Idris Salisu Gusau

usau, the Zamfara State capital, has been experiencing serious scarcity of potable water in the last two months. The situation has grounded social and economic activities in the town and its environs. Because of the water scarcity, which bits harder in Gusau, the residents, particularly women and children, have resorted to fetching water in nearby streams and brooks. The residents, as early as 3am daily, will troop out in search of the now scarce commodity for domestic use. Water vendors are now catching in on the situation to make money. Now they sell a 25-litre jerry can of water for between N80 and N100, depending on where the vendor sourced the commodity to the

point of sales. Before now, the same keg went for between N10 and N15. This has impacted negatively on other commercial activities associated with water as well as the livelihood of the common man. Many of the poor cannot afford the cost of water. The situation has also forced people to fetch water from unsafe sources such as ponds. The water scarcity has affected students in various schools in parts of the state. Now, many students hardly go to school as they spend most of their productive hours searching for ponds and wells where they could fetch water. When contacted, the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji, said the problem was caused by the sand which covered the dam. The dam, according to him, is the major source of water in Gusau metropolis and its environs.

File picture of residents fetching water from a well

Nine underage, 23 other street urchins arrested Muritala Ayinla

he Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit has arrested 32 suspected hoodlums at Oshodi. The arrest, according to the Chairman of the Task Force, Bayo Sulaiman (a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP), followed the return of street urchins at Oshodi and the upsurge in crime in the area. Nine of the arrested miscreants are between 12 and 15 years while 23 of them are adults. It was gathered that a middle-aged woman was stabbed by the hoodlums on Wednesday before she was robbed by the street urchins who now dominate the railway line at Oshodi. Upon receiving the complaint, the task force stormed Oshodi between 1pm and 2pm with Black Maria and armed policemen. The suspects were conveyed in a Black Maria to the task force headquarters at Alausa where they were

Some of the suspected street urchins

screened. Thirty-four persons were arrested initially but two of them were released after it was found that they were arrested in error, while 32 others were detained. Sulaiman told our correspondent that the suspected hoodlums were arrested following a series of complaints the organisation received over the continued terror being unleashed on innocent pedestrians.

The chair man confirmed that a woman was stabbed by the hoodlums before she was robbed of her belongings. He said: “We cannot continue to look. There are complaints that these hoodlums are returning to Oshodi on the railway line. Immediately we received complaints over the woman who was stabbed, we swung into action and we arrested all of them.

“There is no hiding place for criminals and we will not hesitate to clamp down on them all. They were immediately charged to court but the underage boys among them will be referred to the correctional home for rehabilitation.” Sulaiman said the hoodlums were arrested with hard drugs in large quantity. He added: “The task force got information that a woman was attacked earlier in the day by hoodlums at Oshodi and has been admitted in the hospital. This prompted it to swing into action.” The task force boss said there had been incessant complaints by the residents of Oshodi over disturbance by hoodlums, saying that government would not allow the hoodlums to return to Oshodi it cleared some years ago. He said: “Whenever we raid them like that, some of the hoodlums will go into hiding for sometimes. We are still very much in Oshodi and there was no time our men left there.”

News

FRIDAY,MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-WEST

Fayose imposes curfew on Ekiti Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

s a result of rising tension between Hausa traders and drivers in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the state capital. The governor gave the order in Ado-Ekiti on yes-

terday afternoon, following a meeting held with both the Hause and Yoruba communities in Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti. The government said the curfew will last from 6pm to 6am and start with immediate effect. Fayose, who appealed to the warring sides to allow peace to reign, promised that justice would be done in the case.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us and for the sake of our country, I plead with you to allow peace to reign,” Fayose said. The governor added that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and those found culpable would be made to face the full weight of the law. The Chairman of Hausa Community in Ekiti State, Alhaji Adamu Imam, ap-

pealed to the government for monetary assistance to those whose property were damaged or looted by hoodlums during the crisis. Imam said the names of the perpetrators of the violent attack had been compiled and would be made available to the governor and security agencies for necessary actions. However, the Ekiti State Police Command has said

the number of injured had risen to 24. A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr Etop John James, said two of those wounded and those who sustained gunshot wounds were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. Meanwhile, the umbrella body for non-indigenes resident in Ekiti State, Non–Indigenes Youth Alliance, has condemned the attack on their members by some drivers on Wednesday, declaring the act as uncivilised and an act of bestiality. In a statement signed by its Acting Chairman, Prince Abdulrahaman Oziandu, they said they never expected their shops to be looted in such a brazen manner, even when the

security agencies were still active and deemed to be alive to their responsibilities. He said those hard hit by the crisis were Igbos, Hausas, Nupes and Ebiras, accusing their assailants of reselling the looted commodities at cheaper prices to interested members of the public. “The event of Wednesday was the second in history, when some indigenes, hiding under their popularity, will attack whoever that is not their tribe over issues that could be resolved. We are giving this last warning that they should not allow this to happen again,” he said. The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti Council, has also called on the Commissioner of Police to arrest those that launched attacks on some journalists covering the crisis. During that crisis, the CORE TV cameraman in Ekiti, Mr Sunday Adigun, was attacked and his camera smashed by gun-wielding youths.

Soyinka warns against FRSC, police merger Kunle Olayeni L-R: Publicity Secretary, Christian Conscience, Tunji Oguntuase; Lagos East Coordinator, Bishop Rufus Oguntuase; Lagos Centre Coordinator, Mrs. Yetunde Akinluyi; Chairman, Chief Enoch Ajiboso and leader of the group, Chief Tayo Soyode, during a thanksgiving service in honour of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari; Vice-President-elect Prof. Osinbajo; Governor-elect, Akinwunmi Ambode and other elected officials/representatives of Lagos State at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos…yesterday

Mimiko urges media EKSU VC assures workers of participation in choosing leaders payment of salaries

Babatope Okeowo Akure

overnor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, yesterday called on the Nigerian media to ensure its participation in the process leading to choosing leaders and the sustenance of the process in living up to its role of agenda setting agent. The governor said the media cannot be excused from its failure to be part of the process of choosing leaders as well as monitoring of their activities, a body saddled with the responsibilities of caring for the society. The governor said this in Akure, the state capital while declaring open the event marking the 40th anniversary of ECOWAS where discussions were

held on: The Sensitisation Programme On The Role Of Media in Deepening Democracy and De-escalating Violent Conflicts in The West African Sub-Region. Represented at the event by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, Governor Mimiko said the ECOWAS has justified its existence in the lives of a people who have the determination to live together in peace and harmony. He said that there was no doubt that the democratization process in most of the West African countries in particular and Africa in general was always associated with tensions and conflicts, hence the need to form a rallying point in creating a platform through which a common purpose could be achieved.

Kayode Olanrewaju

he Vice-Chancellor of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Prof Oladipo Aina, has appealed to the university workers over the non-payment of their outstanding salaries, pleading that the issue of outstanding salary is a nation-wide phenomenon which will soon be resolved. He, however, commended the state government, under Governor Ayodele Fayose, for the release of the institution’s subvention for the month of April, assuring the workers that their salaries for the month of April, will be paid any moment from now without further delay. Aina, therefore, assured them of his administration’s readiness to enter into a favourable dialogue with

state government over the payment of the outstanding monthly subventions for August and September last year owed the university by the previous administration, as soon as the financial situation of the state improved. He implored the members of staff to remain calm and cooperate with the state government in this trying period. Meanwhile, the spate of kidnapping of the university workers, has compelled the management of the school to hold a special prayer session, during which the VC called for calm among the workers, urging the school community to seek the face of God for the safety and timely release of the university members of staff abducted by kidnappers recently.

Women storm Fashola’s office over planned demolition of market Muritala Ayinla

undreds of market women from the Alade market Ikeja, yesterday stormed the office of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, to protest over purported demolition plan of the market by the Executive Secretary of Ikeja Local Government,

Mr Wole Ogunlolu. As early as 8:30 am, angry markets women under the auspices of concerned Traders of Alade Market nearly paralysed activities at the Lagos State Secretariat, calling on the state government to immediately intervene in the attempt by the Council Executive Secretary to force them out of the market for

selfish reasons. They alleged that the council boss was conniving with the market leader, Mrs. Elizabeth Adenuga, to dislodge them from the market, where they have been selling for decades. The market women carried placards bearing inscriptions like:” Governor Fashola safe us from oppressors”, “No to relo-

cation of Alade market”; We want justice, rescue us from Ogunlolu”; Alade market is meant for the grass root people” They also marched from the Governor’s office to the Residence of President General of the Market Women and Men Association in the State, Mrs Folashade TinubuOjo for speedy intervention into the brouhaha.

Abeokuta

obel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, yesterday warned against any planned merger between the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigerian Police. Soyinka, who was the pioneer Chairman of the FRSC, spoke during the road safety advocacy mega rally held at Asero Motor Park, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The event, which was attended by the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, and notable stakeholders in the transport sector, had as its theme: “Towards an enduring safe road culture in Nigeria.” Soyinka noted that the FRSC had been repositioned over the years for effective performance in the country. He expressed dissatisfaction with the report of the Steve Oronsaye-led Presidential Committee on restructuring and rationalisation of the Ministries, Parastatals and Agencies that recommended the merger of the corps with the police. According to him, the FRSC, should remain independent of the police in order to achieve its core objectives of ensuring safe highways for motorists and other road users. The eminent playwright also called for the establishment of road safety clubs in second-

ary schools across the country, stating that such initiative would make students in secondary schools to imbibe road safety culture, just as press and other social clubs had been set up in various public and private schools. Soyinka also observed that the move would strengthen the campaign of the agency for safe motoring and enlightenment on road discipline. He said, “The FRSC is a preventive medicine organisation against accidents on our roads. I must commend the Corps for their commitment to duty. It must be stressed that they had repositioned the agency for better performance’’, he said. In his remarks, Oyeyemi disclosed that the rally was part of the FRSC’s three-pronged strategy of advocacy, education and enlightenment in reducing accidents on Nigerian roads. Also speaking, the state Sector Commander, Mr. Adetunji Adegoke, said improved stakeholders’ consultation and road use education were part of its corporate strategic goals for 2015. “The corps has over the years partnered with various transport unions, private and public organisations, military and para-military agencies and governments at all levels in its quest to reducing road traffic crashes and ensuring a safer motoring environment in the country,” he said.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

Open Forum

Resignation

Ekiti

Interview 17

Mohammed: Mu’azu was made PDP scapegoat

George: PDP’ll now chart a new course

For Bamidele, it’s home return

N’Assembly needs incorruptible leadership, says Lawan

Politics AYODELE OJO writes on the exit of a political tactician, Chief Tony Anenih, as the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Mr. Fix it unfixed

t does appear that the role of Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih, the Iyasele of Esanland, as a party administrator, has come to its terminus. With his stepping down as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) at close to 83 years, Anenih has seized the right opportunity to dance his way out of frontline participation in party politics. Anenih, in his notice of his decision to step down, which was contained in a May 20 letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, stated that he had, in a conversation a few weeks ago with the president, offered to step down and proposed to hand over to him (Jonathan) as the new chairman of the party’s BoT. He said: “Your Excellency will recall that in a conversation I had with you a few weeks ago, I had offered to step down from the office of the Chairman of our party’s Board of Trustees and proposed to hand over to you as its new Chairman in a ceremony that would have taken place on the 23rd of May, 2015. I had also repeated this position in our subsequent meetings. “As a follow up to the above proposal and in view of the current state of affairs in our party, I have decided to formally put my offer in writing to enable you effectively assume the Chairmanship of Board of Trustees or approve a process that will enable any other member of the BoT, who is considered competent, to assume the

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Anenih

position…” Former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP and a member of the BoT, Chief Bode George, said the news of Anenih’s decision to step down came to him as a rude shock. The import of George’s reaction was that Anenih’s resignation was not in the pipeline, unlike the case of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, who had been the butt of attacks consequent upon the defeat of the party in the March 28 presidential election. The crux of Anenih’s position, which seems to resonate well within the PDP circles, is that his decision was to enable President Jonathan to take over the position. Watchers of the development in the PDP express divergent views on this line of action. While some commend the proposal by Anenih and his decision to step down, others contend that Jonathan, who could not provide leadership

He has built formidable reputation and influence that have defined his politics over the years

for the party while in the saddle as president with all the powers, may not be able to discharge his responsibility well as BoT chair. Analysts contend that since Anenih has crossed the Rubicon by stepping down, Jonathan will necessarily have to step into the position, but if he does not want to do so, the party must select a strong and respected party leader who can man the conscience department of the party in such a way that he will be able to rally and galvanise the support of members. This, according to watchers, was Anenih’s strong point: the capacity to provide a leadership that was effective and dependable in the tradition of those before him, namely: Dr Alex Ekwueme, the late Chief Solomon Lar and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Anenih, according to some of his associates, has also been able to cut a niche for himself by selflessly investing his time and money in oiling the process and

machinery of party politics. As a committed aficionado of party politics in Nigeria, he has built formidable reputation and influence that have defined his politics over the years. Since his foray into the murky water of politics in the Second Republic, Anenih has played a frontline role in all the parties in which he has been a member. According to available records, he was chairman of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the old Bendel State when he plotted the victory of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia over the late Governor Ambrose Ali of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). In the ill-fated Third Republic, he was the National Chairman of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and contributed to the victory of Chief John OdigieOyegun as governor of Edo State. He was also instrumental to the emergence of the late Chief MKO Abiola as winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. The political tactician played a frontline role in the victory of the PDP in 1999 and emerged as the Minister of Works, a position he resigned from in October 2002 to take charge of Olusegun Obasanjo’s campaign for a second term. After Obasanjo’s re-election and following the resignation of Lar as BoT chair, Anenih stepped in as his successor. Obasanjo dislodged him from the position in 2007 shortly after Umaru Yar’Adua was sworn in as president. Yar’Adua appointed him as chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Providence once more smiled on him when Obasanjo resigned in 2012 and he (Anenih) was selected to succeed him. He was also appointed as Chairman of the Board of NPA. These were all after playing critical roles in the elections of Yar’Adua and President Jonathan. Having stepped down from the position of BoT chair, analysts contend that Anenih has run a full circle; that he has contributed monumentally to the development of the PDP in the Fourth Republic. They contend that he has built up and bequeathed a legacy of service, loyalty and commitment to the ideals of the party which those coming behind must hold fast onto and run with if the PDP is to effectively play constructively the role of an opposition party effective from May 29, this year.

Politics

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

OPEN FORUM

...resignations in pdp

Mohammed: Mu’azu was made PDP scapegoat Dr. Junaid Mohammed is the Convener, Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics Professionals and Businessmen

hen I first heard the news about Adamu Mu’azu’s resignation, the question I asked then and still ask now is that: did he jump or was he pushed? Now, from all indications, it seems as if he was forced to resign and if that being the case, I believe it is a great disservice to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a party. Once again, it exposes the basic undemocratic nature of the PDP as a party. Besides, I have heard some people who don’t know what they are talking about saying that since his party lost the last election he must resign because Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party and Nick Clegg, the leader of Liberal Democratic Party in UK have resigned. I think that is a misguided comparison. Under the British system, the leader of the party is an elected member of the parliament party. And the members of the parliament are the ones who elect the Prime Minister. Even if you are the leader of the party, if you are not elected by

his colleagues in the parliament, you cannot be the Prime Minister of the country. Secondly, there are chairmen of parties both in UK and US that are ceremonial leaders of the party, they are not chief executives of parties. For example in Britain, the chairman of the party is there and only does representational work. The real leader of the PDP is President Goodluck Jonathan and it is the president who lost an election not Mu’azu. It was the performance of the president which pushed him out in the March 28 presidential election out. I think Mu’azu is being used as what the Americans called fall guy or a scapegoat. They made him a scapegoat because they are looking for anybody to blame apart from themselves. I believe if they want to blame anybody, they should blame the lousy people around the president like Chief Edwin Clark, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Femi Fani-Kayode, Doyin Okupe, among others and of course the president himself because he was a disgrace. He had no eye or ear for any of the problems of the country that is why he couldn’t solve anything. I don’t think they should blame Mu’azu; the man to blame is right there in the presidency and he is on his way out in less than a week. On the resignation of the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT); yes,

Mohammed

Tony Anenih had to go because in the first place, the BoT is not an elected body, it is a contraption. Nobody in the BoT was elected. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has started copying certain things in the PDP which were never part of the party and it will cost them a lot of confusion. They have never told anybody before that they are doing zoning and rotation, why are they

doing that now? We could have stayed with the PDP instead of voting for the APC. APC is doing this country a sort of great disservice if they continue with this nonsense about zoning and rotation because it will destroy their party. If indeed there is general dissatisfaction among the rank and file members of the party about the performance of the party, then not only Mu’azu must leave but the entire National Working Committee (NWC) must also go. You cannot just make one person a scapegoat in a situation of this kind, no way! Mu’azu was a partial blessing to them. From what I understand, at a stage when the first lady was insulting to the North, he called the attention of her husband to it and told the president to tell his wife to slow down. Mu’azu said that what she was doing was irking the majority of people against the party in the North. Of course, the president didn’t call her to order and they are now living in the reality of being booted out of power. As Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State said recently, the same Almajiri that Patience Jonathan was abusing got her and the president out of Aso Rock and they should go and lick their wounds. If you don’t like me, you cannot like my vote. Interview by WALE ELEGBEDE

Adiukwu-Bakare: NWC members should resign Chief Remi Adiukwu-Bakare, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, is a former governorship candidate and onetime Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry

he resignation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, was expected and as far as I am concerned, I think he has done the honourable thing. My hope is that others who know they haven’t done very well in the last outing should follow suit. Mu’azu has other things he can do for the party without being the chairman. He is a very intelligent person and resourceful too and without being the chairman, he can assist the party in restructuring. I don’t think the national chairman should be blamed for PDP performance in the last general elections. There are various issues that contributed to what we had and one single man should not be blamed for the results that we had. But because he was the head and the ball stops on his table, he has to face the music. But to say that he must be blamed for the party’s poor outing, I don’t think he should resign. As we speak today, the wound is very fresh; everybody is hurting and definitely you expect the kind of exchange of responses in the PDP but after a while we are all going to sit back and ask: Where did we go wrong? How did

we go wrong? What did we do wrong? And we will start to restructure. It is expected that what we never had before happened to us; so you expect some reactions, both negative and positive. But at the end of it all, I believe we are all going to look at what happened and restructure the party; breathe life into the party and make the party work again. My advice to the PDP is that our party should look at how we are going to put a caretaker committee in place to take care of the party in the meantime and look at how we are going to have another convention to put in men and women of integrity to take charge of the party and start working towards strengthening the party. I am confident that PDP will bounce

Taofik Gani is the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State

back before 2019. I foresee many of those who left the party coming back to the party. Many of those who left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC) will come back. Many of them went after positions; many who had been beneficiaries of positions, appointments in the PDP left because this time they couldn’t get what they wanted and when they get to where they have gone, they don’t get what they wanted, they don’t need to be comfortable because it is not their home; that is not their natural habitat. I believe that they will come back to their natural home. I believe PDP will become a stronger and better party before 2019.

Interview by TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

Gani: Mu’azu, Anenih made

he PDP has a way of managing crisis and we are going to turn the tide around in 2019. The party’s problem cannot be separated from the loss of the presidential election. If Mu’azu resigns, it means that he is confident that the party can reorganize itself and contest for another election. So, if anybody overhyped the problem in PDP, the person is a political neophyte who lacks the understanding of politics in Nigeria. What has happened was never contemplated by the leadership of the party. Losing this election was never expected but we cannot damage the party

Adiukwu-Bakare

Gani

beyond what has happened. That Mu’azu and Anenih resigned,

they are making sacrifice so that fresh people can come on board and navigate the ship of the party to winning ways again. There is hope for the PDP because the party has identified that there is crisis. The remaining leadership we have now we work together and take the party back to its form. We are convinced that what they did was a sacrifice and it is welcome. What is more important is for people to know is that we lost an election and there was need for the party to do post-mortem and it also includes that people should do sacrifice. With the aggregate of loss the party suffered across the country, it is expected that the heat will be on the national chairman maybe because he did not manage the party well for victory. Also, some people exonerated him

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

OPEN FORUM

...resignations in pdp

George: PDP’ll now chart a new course Chief Olabode George is a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

he resignation of Adamu Mu’azu as national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is honourable as far as I am concerned. It is the most sensible thing to do. In politics, the best thing to do when people are complaining is to just bow out. To me, he voluntarily resigned and what he did is very gentlemanly. That would leave room for restructuring and strengthening the party. He has done his own bit and he still remains a very respectable member of the party and he is a foundation member as former governor. He will now remain a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and member of National Executive Council (NEC) for life. It is true that we are shaken but we are not down and we can easily pick up and reorganise ourselves. This other group putting Nigerian on experimentation is not going to lead us anywhere. They have started saying they don’t believe in zoning. How can any reasonable Nigerian get up to say that his party doesn’t believe in zoning. Does he – Bisi Akande – know why we did the zoning? Fortunately for them their politics has not left their cocooned; they are still in the West, they have no idea of what it takes. The vision that Papa Obafemi Awolowo had as far back as in the 50s when they went for Constitutional Conference when the British were thinking of three regions, he was suggesting that there should be six. So, it was Chief Bola Ige who brought that concept back and that was what sustained democracy for 16 years. Every zone knows that the six top positions in the country must go to every zone for political reason. Mu’azu himself turned his letter in voluntarily; the other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are still there. For me, let us have the meeting and you have the right to de-

sacrifice for PDP from the loss. So, it was a 50-50 thing but it is good that he toed the line of honor by resigning, although he has been mentioning the health angle to his resignation but what is paramount for us now is that we are having an evolving dynamism in the leadership of the party which we are convince will bring the party to limelight again. On calls for state executives of the party to do the same and resign, that must be done cautiously. It is only when there are strong allegations against the state leadership that such should happen. It will be very fallacious for anybody to come to apply the same rule in the national level to the state level especially in a state like Lagos, it will be preposterous. Interview by WALE ELEGBEDE

George

fend yourselves. All the noise in the newspapers to me is unnecessary. This is not the time to start throwing mud at ourselves in the public space. When you have family squabbles, do you go to the market to start addressing yourselves? So, everybody should calm down; whatever it is when we closed the doors, we will do a thorough postmortem analysis. I don’t believe in exchange of words. With the voluntary resignation of Mu’azu, I believe the party would be able to chart a new course. I believe

he will spend his time on other professional things that he is doing. If there are too many noise and complaints about him and he think that the noise is becoming too much for his comfort, he has the right to throw in the towel. I was told that he resigned based on medical ground. So, that is the most civilised things for him to do. Even in life we live, is there any perfect thing? There would be a day to begin and a day to end. It is better to quit when the ovation is loudest. We are not going to toy with the con-

cept of PDP. The zone that produced the chairman will chop for another man who will be presented to NEC to endorse him and move on. I will appeal to people to calm their nerves. You don’t wash your dirty linen in the public. The other party, the APC, is worse than our own because they are strange bedfellows; ex-PDP, ex-ACN, exCPC, ex-ANPP and they are yet to melt up and they are going into government. Papa Akande said there is no zoning; I wish them the best of luck. We want to present a constructive, people-oriented issue-based opposition. On Chief Tony Anenih’s resignation; Papa is old. The BoT is totally difference. The members of the BoT usually appoint or elect their chairman. The Board of Trustees is the conscience of the party; don’t bring politics to it at all. It is not even a position that is zoned. The BoT members just look among themselves and pick the most respectable and responsible who would do the balancing act; all the jobs of the BoT. I think it was former President Olusegun Obasanjo who manipulated the office before and said it was only ex-president that can be chairman of the BoT. We have removed all those nonsense from the constitution and respectable, responsible, and experienced people usually take it. It is first among equals. It doesn’t have any political power to discipline and it doesn’t manage the party. That is the responsibility of the National Chairman and the members of the National Working Committee (NWC). The BoT is purely advisory. So, if Papa (Anenih) said he want to rest, we should allow him. He is over 80 years now. Interview by TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

Balogun: Resignation, a welcome development Senator Lekan Balogun is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

he resignation of the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, and the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, is a welcome development and an admission that something went wrong somewhere. It is also a good development to our democracy. It is good for the polity when people see that something went wrong and they voluntarily resign from offices. In advance democracies, that is what happens. If something goes wrong, the leaders would resign even if they think they have done their best for things not to go wrong. But in our own kind of democracy, you have to force them to go if they will go at all. So, from that point of view I think the resignation is a welcome development. I am not interested in the blame game that took place after the elections among the party leaders. If they know that people are not doing things right, why didn’t they tell them at the time they were doing things wrong? I am an elder statesman now, when they resolve their differences among themselves, let them

tell us the way forward for the party. There are several lessons to learn from the outcome of the last general elections. First is that democracy is a process involving everybody. If you exclude some people, there would be crisis and you pay for it. Even if you don’t exclude some people and you don’t do things correctly, you will still pay for it. That is the price PDP paid in the last elections; consequences of which they are following now. One of it is the resignation we are talking about. It is not that people won’t have their differences but those are not for market consumption. We are making some progress and that was why some people felt that something went wrong and they resigned by themselves. For me, it is a remarkable development. But they should do less of self-recognition. It is not in the last elections that PDP committed lots of errors; it was long before the elections. Some officials did not do the right things they ought to do and some ministers didn’t do many things correctly. I told them at a time, privately and publicly that I don’t have to make noise about it. It was obvious that they were trying to run the presidency down and I tried writing to some of them while they were still in office. I don’t want to go into self-recognition now. We told them by the time we should tell them. A lot of things really went wrong in the PDP and I believe what should be a

Balogun

general statement of principle is that when things go wrong, leaders should accept responsibilities for them and move out. But others should not see it as a chance to enthrone themselves. They should look for most qualified people to carry on the job. In Nigeria, when leaders go like that, some people will see it as a chance to enthrone themselves; even if they were part of the problems. They should go away from the path of failure and look for fresh people to do the job. Interview by TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

Politics

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

For Bamidele, it’s home return After a year in the Labour Party (LP) where he was the governorship standard bearer in 2014 poll, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele has returned to his former fold, the All Progressives Congress (APC). ADESINA WAHAB reports

aced with the stark reality that he won’t be able to realise his governorship bid in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the legacy parties of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele representing Ado-Ekiti/Irepodun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, pitched his tent with the Labour Party (LP) in November 2013. Governor Kayode Fayemi was the choice of the party. Hence, Bamidele contested the June 21, 2014 governorship poll on LP platform and came third. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose, won the election, defeating Fayemi. After the poll, the leadership of the APC and PDP wooed Bamidele into their respective folds. Fayose made several attempts to have him in the PDP, but the lawmaker declined. But on Tuesday, May 19, Bamidele formally returned to the APC to join his political soul mates. His journey back to the APC actually started early January this year, when a strong team of APC stalwarts led by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Olusegun Oni, visited him in his Iyin-Ekiti country home. Oni told the lawmaker that after the June 21, 2014 governorship poll, there was need for the APC to be re-organised in the state. The former Ekiti State governor said Bamidele’s influence and contributions were much needed in the APC. And when the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, came to Ekiti on January 24, this year for the presidential campaign rally, a loud ovation heralded Bamidele’s entrance to the venue of the rally. That day, it was obvious Bamidele would soon be back to the family of his political associates, as he publicly said his group would work for the APC presidential candidate, which he did. On Tuesday, May 19, Bamidele’s home in Iyin-Ekiti was filled to the brim, as members of the LP and Bibiire Coalition, his political structure, converged there for the much-awaited announcement of a return to the APC fold. The list of top LP members present included Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade, who was Bamidele’s running mate in the election, the State Chairman of the LP, Chief Akin Omole, Chief Ropo Ige, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, the Chairman of the LP Elders Forum, Abiola Olowokere, wife of the former

Bamidele Governor of old Ondo State, Mrs Olumilua, Chief Remi Oguntuase, Hon. Morakinyo Adebayo, former member of the House of Assembly, Prince Akin Olayisade, former Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board among others. In his speech, Bamidele expressed appreciation to the people for their support and belief in his political course. “Indeed, I am extremely indebted to you for your constant support and encouragement ever since the time I got involved in the politics of this great state, our own land of honour. Most especially, I wish to use this auspicious occasion to thank you for standing by me through the thick and thin in the last two years during which I aspired to govern this state. “It is an incontestable fact that I actually contested for a seat in the House of Representatives in 2011 under the flagship of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the three major parties that merged together to form the All Progressives Congress (APC), a formidable opposition party that is indeed becoming the ruling party in Nigeria in a couple of days from now. I will continue to express my gratitude to my constituents, the good people of Ado-Ekiti/Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency who wholeheartedly gave me their support and democratic mandate with an overwhelming vote in April 2011 to represent them in the hallowed Green Chamber of the National Assembly. “By and large, politics, if it is meant to serve the common interest, must be a dynamic aspect of human endeavour that embodies a whole process of expression, competition and reconciliation of personal interests for the ultimate benefit of the people. “Let me use this opportunity to reiterate that my decision to contest for the governorship of Ekiti State was borne out of my innate conviction and that of many likeminds of mine, most of whom are illustrious sons and daughters of

The party is not politically and strategically prepared to take over power

this great state, that though the ACN-led administration then was doing its best, however, its best was not enough for our much expectant but highly disillusioned people who had the notion that something better could still be done to transform their condition and revisit their chequered history. “Invariably, I would have loved to stand for the gubernatorial race on the platform of the ACN as a vision-driven progressive party under the leadership of an equally dynamic leader, benefactor and mentor of mine, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but when it became apparent that party primaries for candidate selection was not likely to hold in the Ekiti chapter of the ACN I had no choice at some point, in the course of expressing my intent to offer our people a better leadership, than to move to another suitable party where I could be offered the ticket to contest in the ensuing governorship election. “Today, by the special leading of Almighty God and after due consultation with my immediate family, friends, confidants and political associates within and outside Ekiti State, I, Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the federal lawmaker representing Ado-Ekiti/Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency, hereby wish to declare my intent to, along with the leaders and rank and file members of the LP and Ekiti Bibiire Coalition in all the 177 Wards and 16 Local Governments of Ekiti State, I decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as from today, Tuesday, 19th May, 2015.” At the event, the lawmaker justified his support for the Buhari’s presidency. He said: “This resolve of mine flows from the strong conviction that the Labour Party to which I belong before now has not only suffered irreparable setbacks as orchestrated by some of its prominent figures, the party is not politically and strategically prepared to take over power democratically or take our people to their desired destination. For

these reasons among others, I have decided and prepared to join my age-long ideological soul mates, well-meaning leaders of thought, highly principled elder statesmen and progressive associates, with some of whom we have been in the trenches together at different junctures of our nation’s history, many of whom I have been privileged together to transform the human condition and the physical landscape in Lagos State and other states of the federation to make them become better communities and functional megacities that we now have around us today.” “This was the more reason I felt comfortable to be part of the movement for the realisation of the Buhari/Osinbajo project despite my membership of the Labour Party then. It was an age-long vision of the progressives in the Southern part of the country to join forces with equally visionary and progressive politicians in the North to rescue our nation from bad leadership and its attendant hydra-headed manifestations that have come to characterise Nigeria in recent history: corruption, poverty and insecurity. Thank God that this laudable vision is becoming a reality today. “The trajectory of my sojourn in the political landscape of this country, starting from my undergraduate days as a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), a foremost political activist and human rights lawyer home and abroad, and a three-term member of the most respected cabinet in Lagos State, readily speaks volume of where I should and must belong to in the equation and trend of our nation’s contemporary political development. It is my belief that our dear state, Ekiti, must be part of this Change Movement to take our people to their desired eldorado. All hands must be on deck to move our state forward. “Nigeria of today is moving forward by the grace of God. Therefore, every well-meaning politician that is driven by the notion of politics as a call to service must join the moving vehicle for change in the interest of our people and the security, integrity and prosperity of our great nation, Nigeria,” he said. While thanking the leadership of the LP for providing him a platform when he needed it, he said he would also formally notify the LP leadership on his decision to rejoin the APC. On the polarisation of the party into caucuses, Bamidele said he is not rejoining the APC to engage in leadership tussle, but to help in strengthening the party. On Thursday, at the plenary session of the House of Representatives presided over by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, Bamidele formally notified his colleagues in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, his decision to rejoin the APC. Speaker Tambuwal, who read Bamidele’s letter, commended the contributions of the Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research to activities in the House and politics at large. For Bamidele it is back to a familiar terrain and the company of like minds.

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

N’Assembly needs incorruptible leadership, says Lawan

businesses don’t exist anymore, and people even moved out of the place. We believe that when we are able to have the Office of the Senate President, we would be able to help the government, particularly the President-elect, to understand all our issues. I am from Yobe State and I know what Boko Haram is; we have lost people, we have lost everything and I believe that this is one thing for us. Besides, our votes for the APC is second only to that of North-West. If your votes count and when you are rewarding such, we are next in ranking in the North, and if the North West has the presidency, we should have the Senate Presidency. We are ahead of the North Central because we gave over 78 per cent of our votes to the APC, whereas North Central gave only 57 per cent, which places us above them. North Central itself has produced three Senate Presidents from Dr. Iyorchia Ayu to Ameh Ebute to the current Senate President David Mark, and three Deputy Senate Presidents from the late Wash Pam, Abubakar Haruna and to Ibrahim Mantu. The North East never had any opportunity; we believe that our party can trust us and test us to lead the Senate this time. We also have people, who can fill the office because you don’t zone into a vacuum. I am available.

Senator Ahmad Lawan is the chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts. In this interview, he speaks on his quest for the Senate Presidency. AYODELE OJO reports You have indicated interest in the Senate Presidency. What informed your aspiration? First of all, The North Eastern part of Nigeria as a political zone has been ravaged by the insurgency. For so long, we have been marginalised and we believe that this Senate Presidency can be more practical and symbolic in terms of welcoming us coming back into Nigeria. I thought we were removed from Nigeria by the Boko Haram, when they declared a Sultanate after they took over Mubi. As someone who has spent the last 16 years in the National Assembly, having worked there as a member of the House of Representatives and being in the Senate for eight years, and have the privilege to chair the Public Accounts Committee for the last eight years, I think I know what we need to turn around the economy. I want to provide a 21st Century Senate leadership; a leadership that would work with all the segments of the senators in the chamber, a leadership that will have bi-partisan approach to issues, and a leadership that will work with the executive arm of government such that we would ensure the independence of the Senate and make our independence possible. I also believe that I am bringing into the leadership incorruptibility and credibility. Nigeria needs an incorruptible administration. The President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), was elected on the basis of three major issues – anti-corruption, security and economy that has been in comatose. I believe that I can complement the anti-corruption fight of the President-elect. Nigeria of today need serious anti-corruption fight because for whatever resource we have, until we are able to curb corruption, we would never be able to get the kind of maximum impact of what we have. We have been making a budget of N4.9 trillion, N4.5 trillion, but perhaps because of corruption, part of it or a large chunk of it has been going into private pockets and we don’t want this to continue. I believe that my experience as a legislator that has worked in the two chambers gives me an added advantage of knowing how the House of Representatives works; what the sentiments, tendencies and workings of the House are. Having been in the Senate for eight years, I know how the Senate works and I know all the tenets of the Senate. These 16 years of

Lawan

cies that go towards corruption would be minimised and I believe that I have that capacity and I believe that with the co-operation of everyone in the National Assembly, particularly in the Senate, we will do what Nigerians expect from us, to be credible, to be propeople, and by the grace of God, we will achieve that.

experience have enabled me to work with six presiding officers, three speakers in the House of Representatives; Salisu Buhari, Umar Na’Abba and Aminu Masari and my experience in the Senate that I moved to in 2007 has been remarkable up to date. So, I want to bring into Senate, a leadership that is focused, a leadership that is pro-people and pro-poor. You talked about corruption, but the National Assembly which you have been its member since 1999 is perceived as being corrupt. How do you intend to support the executive in fighting corruption? Talking about anti-corruption, I think the National Assembly has public image crisis right from 1999, when the National Labour Congress (NLC) protested against our furniture allowances. Till today, we have not recovered from that. We have not done enough to make Nigerians who voted for us understand what they should expect from us. I believe that we need to shed this toga of corruption and one way of doing that is to keep ourselves on the line of integrity. There must be transparency in what we do, and Nigerians must know exactly what we do. Sometimes, the anti-corruption charges are frivolous and you ought to allow these things to be investigated. We need a National Assembly that is led by incorruptible people so that within the system, the tenden-

We need a National Assembly that is led by incorruptible people

What is your take on zoning of leadership offices of the National Assembly and do you think the North-East stands a better chance for the Senate Presidency? Zoning is for our leaders to decide. We don’t have a say in it. What is expected of us is to show interest. I am from the North East and there are about two or three people from the North East who are vying for the same office. Two people from the North Central are vying for the office and I believe that it is our duty to tell our leaders that we deserve to have the Senate Presidency in the North East and not the North Central. In the last three or four years, no capital project was undertaken in the North East. Even when budgetary provisions were made, contractors would say they would not go there because of the insurgency. So, our land in the North East, our people and our states are stagnated. In fact, everything there have collapsed; public infrastructures burnt down by Boko Haram, our people dislocated, our

Despite huge resources expended on amending the constitution by the seventh National Assembly, President Goodluck Jonathan has declined assent to the bill and the matter has been dragged before the Supreme Court. What is the way out? I think the crisis on the constitution amendment is the highest level of the exposure of the failure of the PDP. When you have control of the legislature, your government should interface with legislature, and your party should interface with the legislature properly. I believe that they should have worked these things out for the major issues of constitution amendment. I believe that there is going to be continuous and fruitful deliberation between the legislature and the executive. You sit on a roundtable and say these are the major issues that are going for amendment, what do you think about them. There should be some measure of understanding because the PDP controls the National Assembly, they didn’t do that. When there were public hearings, they were nowhere to be found from the executive arm of government. After they failed to have a roundtable discussion with their legislators, they should have been available at the public hearings. We held public hearings across the federal constituencies in the country. To me, it is the failure of the PDP, which is why they were voted out of office. And I believe we have learnt from them. When we have issues like this, whether it is a bill or whatever, once the NaCONTINUED ON PAGE 20

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion Benign Ben Osi Umunna Emissary EMEKA OBASI

emobas2003@yahoo.com 08094457557 (sms only)

forgotten hero here in Nigeria, his country of birth and place of death. Ben Osi Umunna appears to have come back to life through his offspring, Chuka Harrison Umunna, Member of Parliament (MP), representing Streatham, in the United Kingdom. The younger Umunna, who got re-elected recently on the platform of the Labour Party, has been in Parliament since 2010 and was even going as far as leading the opposition until he opted out of the race. Many see him as the Barack Obama of Britain. Bennett Ositadinma Umunna, took Nigeria by storm in the 1980s when he embarked on a trip back home, to change the face of soccer through Enugu Rangers. The Flying Antelopes were unable to rekindle their mystical form of the 1970s and state governor, Emeka Omeruah, wanted to bring back the glory. Umunna was well known in England for his deep pocket as he had invested some cash in Crystal Palace to earn a place on the board of the club. Omeruah tried to use him to sanitise the Coal city team. The returnee Londoner was equal to the task and was eager to prove it. He set up a sound welfare package that made Enugu the destination point of every ambitious player. Umunna also hired a Pole, Janusz Kowalik, to handle the team. That was enough attraction for stars from other clubs to shift camp. Rangers had so many good players, that the magic of Austin Jay Jay Okocha was not enough to earn him a place.. One of the reasons he grabbed the opportunity to move to the Bundesliga, when it offered itself. In the Umunna years, you could hear names like Emma Okocha, Jay Jay’s elder brother, Torty Torty, Ejiofor Okolo, Steve Ezugha, Dotun Alatishe, Emeka Obi, Akeem Ashiru, Jude Agada and Charles Okonkwo

among so many others. Umunna organized the best football Award, the Rangers Award Night, annually attracting enthusiasts from far and near. It was not all, about Rangers. It also recognized journalists and fans. And the grand event was fully sponsored by Umunna himself. I recall the 1990 Rangers Award Night. Tickets were ready for so many of us, soccer enthusiasts. It was a rainy day in December and among the group from Lagos were Publisher of Complete Sports, Dr. Sunny Ojeagbase and one of his reliable hands, Mumini Alao, Emiko Bake of Daily Times and The Guardian’s Joseph Okujeni. Chairman of the occasion was sponsor of Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, represented by Dr. Ihechukwu Madubuike. Accomodation was reserved for all at the Hotel Presidential which also hosted the event. The Anambra state government had nothing to do with it. Umunna did not ask any corporate body or individual for support. He was capable, and as usual, shouldered it, all alone. You know, Umunna was not a giant. He was closer to the ground in terms of size. If you could describe him as brief, his bag was not a brief case. His bag was as big as a bank. And his money spoke volumes. He was never a Pillar of Sports but he was a strong pillar of sorts. That night in 1990, at the Hotel Presidential , Enugu, Omeruah was there. He had left Anambra as governor, replaced by another Emeka, Robert Nnaemeka Akonobi, who also was present, as immediate past governor. The governor was Herbert Obi Ezeh. I listened to Omeruah. He did not spare words in eulogizing Umunna. “This is a great man . We owe the night to him. Umunna is more than his stature. You could describe him as ‘odi mkpumkpu na eme ire’ [IgboI for small but mighty]. That was spot on, for none could have described him better. Umunna was a short man but he had long beards, that was his identitiy. Not a funny, funny identity, as equally bearded Oliver the Coque, the Ogene exponent, would sing. The Rangers boss was also in love with white and shorts. And he had a Media Assistant, Oscar Iguisi, a Bini man, whose song was my ‘Chairman, my chairman’. Umunna did not care about background.

Perhaps, it was in his days that you had the highest number of non-Igbo players joining Rangers. All these good works died and the man was part of the sad story. It was Fools Day in 1992, April 1. We all thought it was a joke. It turned out to be real . Umunna died in a ghastly accident, when his car ran into lorry on the busy Onitsha –Owerri Road. And all his dreams died with him. Till date, Rangers are still trying to win a national trophy. And the Awards night was also lowered to the ground. Many believe Umunna was killed because he nursed political ambitions, in Anambra state. Even in the UK, some of his friends agree. Roan Noades, would in 2012, tell the Mail his suspicions. “We always thought he was killed by someone, because he did things on the night of his death that he never did in Nigeria. He was travelling at night and, secondly, he got into a car with a driver who was not his regular. We always thought he was killed by someone who may have seen him as a threat,”the Briton said. And the pain of Dad’s demise has not left Chuka, his sister Chinwe and British mom, Patricia. Chuka was just 14, when his father died. For a man who travelled by sea to Liverpool in the 1960s and rose to prominence in England by dint of hardwork ,that was painful. That has also affected the son’s perception of Nigeria. Renowned actor, Chiwetelu Umeadi Ejiofor, who was also born in England, like Chuka Umunna ,suffered similar fate and even has scares to show for it. At 11, in 1988, he lost his medical doctor father, Arinze, in an auto crash on their way to Lagos after a wedding. Their vehicle collided with a lorry. The boy survived and like Chuka, has a mother, Obiajulu, and sister, Zain Asher, of CNN to lean on. Ejiofor has since moved on , visited Nigeria and even starred in Chimamanda Adichie’s film, Half of the Yellow Sun. Umunna Junior, still has scares of his dad’s death in his mind. As we celebrate four Nigerians winning elections in the UK, I choose to celebrate Ben Osi Umunna, long forgotten in Nigeria while the name lives on outside our shores through his son who has refused to look our way due to no fault of his.

Town planners and national development (2) Bisi Adedire C O N T I N U E D F R O M W E D N E S D AY

here is no gainsaying the fact that transportation development could translate into tangible economic growth for the common man as can be seen in the economic improvement of communities opened up with the construction of new roads. Significant national progress is partly hinged on a good transportation system and to achieve this, all stakeholders must be involved in the development of a roadmap to salvage the current situation. Energy Energy supply is the next area where infrastructural development must be concentrated to bring about adequacy in the supply to the populace. The ever increasing demand and meagre supply of energy with increasing population not balanced by an adequate energy programme has been a great challenge to development. Energy in its various forms is the pedestal upon which most economic activity stands. That the current state of energy supply has contributed to the economic downturn currently

experienced in the country today, is to say the least. Taking electric power for instance, the erratic nature of the supply has grounded many businesses and sent some investors packing while scaring others away. According to a study, in Africa’s most populated country (Nigeria), only about 40 percent of people are connected to the power grid while those connected have difficulties for 60 percent of the time. This has made people resort to electric power generators gulping significant percentage of income. The incessant blackouts have also crippled the industrial sector. For instance, mining activities are shut down once the risk of power failure arises so as to avoid the trapping of workers in the mines. Lack of electricity has implications on agriculture as well, since most irrigation lines are powered by electricity. Thus, crop yield decreases when power fails. In the area of fuel energy, much still needs to be done. The importation of refined crude has been a major loophole through which much of our resources have been transferred abroad. Refineries should be built or repaired, as the case may be, in all the relevant areas within the country to earn foreign exchange from the exportation of refined crude. This would also reduce the cost of fuel used in running engines in industries which in turn would reduce

overhead cost of production for the few industries left behind. For significant and reliable energy development, attention must be shifted to developing the use of renewable energy sources which abounds in the country. There are professionals in these fields within the nation that can advise in this regard. Education In the area of education, we believe much can still be done to enhance the current state of institutions of learning across the nation. In our tertiary institutions, for instance, facilities should be upgraded to encourage researches and improve the condition of learning within the schools. It is good to a have a wide spread of higher institutions across the nation. However, much more important is the quality of such institutions for learning. Currently, none of Nigerian universities rank among the top five in Africa and Nigerians have to patronize foreign institutions to have access to better training. Important also is the remuneration policy or agreement for lecturers and teachers generally which on several occasions has halted educational activities in our institutions for periods ranging between 6 months and over a year to the detriment of the students. Primary and secondary education

levels should also be enhanced in terms of availability of facilities and learning environment improved. There should be also the sustenance of the “feeding for pupils” promise which has begun in some states. We hope this new administration would look into these policies and solidify them with a commitment to its promises to facilitate unhindered educational process. Security The security of a nation is a determinant of the economic progress within its borders. Businesses thrive only under an atmosphere of safety and tranquillity which is also what encourages foreign investors. In Nigeria, security appears to have caved in recent years with the indiscriminate slaying of thousands and abduction of hundreds of people by insurgents. This has caused national and international embarrassment and warranted regional aid to combat the menace. However, there are measures that could be taken to forestall future occurrence. Concluded • Adedire is the immediate past Chairman, Association of Town Planners Ponsultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), Lagos Chapter

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

EDITORIAL

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Agenda for new NSC Director General

he average Nigerian athlete believes there is no hope of attaining stardom in the country. They always strive to travel out of the country for various reasons. It is believed that the facilities in the country are obsolete and do not conform to modern trends in global sport. It is also believed that athletes cannot attain their full potential in a country where they lack competitive edge since there are no regular national and international competitions to attend. Sports federations are finding it increasingly difficult to stage competitions in their calendar just as sponsors are no longer there to boost the hosting of some of these competitions. Athletes and federation officials are getting frustrated about the state of sport in the country since there is no money to carry out various programmes that can help the athletes develops better. This is the template the new Director General of the National Sport Commission, Alhassan Yakmut, met when he assumed office last month. He took over from Gbenga Elegbeleye. We learnt Elegbeleye had issue with the sports minister and the Chairman of the NSC, Tammy Danagogo. The two had politi-

cal ambitions in their respective states to become governor and somehow there was a clash of interest and it was Nigerian sport that suffered. In the end, Elegbeleye was removed. We make bold to say having two politicians in the saddle of sports administration was an error by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. The situation is different now with Yakmut in charge as the DG. Yakmut is a tested administrator from various fields including football. He was a former national volleyball player and above all, he is not a politician but a technocrat. He has knowledge and experience that could be likened to that of Dr. Patrick Ekeji and Dr. Amos Adamu, who had both occupied that position in the past. With him, there is hope if the incoming government names a sports minister who is knowledgeable in sport. However, it is important for the new DG to note that government is heavily under-funding the sector and this is affecting development. With the little allocation from government, it is expected that Yakmut will be able to serve lesser sports. We expect Yakmut to put a stop to the neglect of other sports especially traditional ones like boxing, wrestling, table tennis.

Nigeria has plenty of talents in these disciplines but regrettably, they are fading away due to the frustration they face from the NSC. They believe there is no hope. We need concrete plans in place to reassure talented athletes that they could attain stardom with the country’s developmental process. There is need to actualise the sports policy of the country. There was a policy framework drawn by the NSC during the tenure of Ekeji as the DG. The new DG should not adopt the business as usual approach to work. Rather, there should be a deliberate plan to attain results. The federations need funds for their programmes and so the NSC should work out ways to encourage the return of sponsors to sports. It is pertinent to be part of this drive to woo back sponsors since athletes need to attend competitions both at home and abroad to gain more exposure. Federations find it difficult to actualise 40 per cent of their programmes due to funding problem and the DG can work on this area to help in the development of grassroots sport. It is widely believed that the NSC favours football at the expense of other sports. For example, if football needs $10million, the money somehow will be

released by government but it is difficult for athletics, table tennis, wrestling and other sports to get $30,000 from government to execute continental or global competitions. This is a very sensitive area Yakmut will have to look into. We also want to clearly state that other sports generally deserve attention because some of these sports can earn the country multiple medals at major competitions. Football can only win one medal but seven can be won in table tennis, over 20 can be won in swimming and gymnastics while 15 can be won in track and field events. The new DG should monitor programmes of federations to ensure they achieve set targets that will help in the development of the youth. Nigeria is blessed with talents from various parts of the country but the inability of administrators to plan well and do the right thing when necessary has been the bane of sports. We challenge Yakmut to change the face of sports in Nigeria. He has all it takes to do so but the minister he will work with after May 29 is crucial to the way forward. We sincerely hope the politicians will allow the new DG use his wealth of experience to boost sport in the country.

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Politics

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari, Tinubu not behind my ambition – Lawan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

tional Assembly expires, it does with the outstanding works; you cannot carry it forward in this case. But there is need for the Supreme Court to make a pronouncement, because the case is there now, whether the National Assembly has the right to do what it did or whether the executive arm of government has the right to reject it. That will clear the air for us in the future. What is the assurance that under your leadership, the Senate would not be a rubber stamp of the

executive? I believe in the independence of the legislature and in my first tenure we fought for the independence of the legislature, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo was in power. At that time, what we wanted was a legislature that would not be taking orders from the executive arm of government. I am sure APC is a different player in this, our party is a progressive party, our president believes in the rule of law. In fact that is the stand of our party and our leaders, and while we

have independence of the legislative arm of government, we also have to collaborate, co-operate and partner with the executive arm of government to work for the benefit of Nigerians. What we need is good governance for the benefit of Nigerians. So, I don’t see how we can become a rubber stamp. When you become a rubber stamp, you would not function properly and we don’t want what happened to the PDP that they were booted out to happen to us.

Lawan

There are speculations that Buhari and Bola Tinubu

behind your candidature. Are they backing you for the

Senate Presidency? It is very practical and realistic that when you run for this kind of office, you go to every leader that you have access to and ask for their blessing and support. Don’t forget that the leaders of the then All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), have very strong individuals before APC evolved. So, we must give them due respect, we must go to them and ask for their blessing. Where

possible, if you can get the support of any, it would go a long way; no leader has come out to endorse anyone. I am not anybody’s candidate; I am seeking continuously for their support because they deserve that respect. In an open race, do you stand a chance of winning? The arithmetic is simple, out of the four zones that produced APC, I have gotten two. We are 60 senators in APC; North-West has 20, South-West has 13, which is 33, and already a winner. Ask anyone what my relationship with the PDP senators in the chamber is, and ask the same question about the other senators aspiring for the Senate Presidency. For me, all the aspirants are brothers; if any of us gets it, I would work with him, if I get it, they need to work with me and we belong to the same party and we don’t want to rock the boat. In the 7th Assembly, Aminu Tambuwal emerged as the Speaker of the House of Representatives against the party’s choice. How do we avoid a repeat of that event? I believe that our party is wise enough to understand the implications of having unnecessary fragmentation of senators. I want to tell you very clearly that our party would not allow that to happen. The APC would sort this issue out. The PDP understands that we are supposed to constitute the leadership of the Senate because we are the majority just as we have allowed them to form the leadership of the Senate over the last 16 years. I believe that our leaders would do something before we reach such a situation; we would not fall into that trap, we will resolve it. With the ongoing permutations, do you foresee the North producing the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives? I don’t know, but the party is wise enough to take the right position at the right time. I believe that such a situation would not arise. It is unconstitutional to have a preponderance of a certain people from a certain part of the country in such positions. There is no way you can have the President, Speaker of the House of Reps and the Senate President from the same geopolitical zone. It is not possible. Whatever it is, our leaders will resolve the issue.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

Media

Tourism

Nigerian photographers still have long way to go– Bamidele-Eko

Arts

Zimbabwe tourism preps for 2015 World Tourism Expo

CULTURE

At Art15, Mapping Histories, Constructing Realities for Emefiele, Omuku, others Tony Okuyeme

orks by four wellknown contemporary African artists are on display at the ongoing third edition of London’s global art fair, Art15, tagged Mapping Histories, Constructing Realities. Presented by Omenka Gallery, Lagos, the four artists who despite their divergent yet complimentary influences arising from living and working outside the continent, remain true to their roots in their chosen media, are: Nigerian Nengi Omuku, who studied in London but lives in Port Harcourt, her compatriot Ndidi Emefiele, presently studying for her MFA at the Slade, London-based Ghanaian artist Kimathi Donkor, and Gabonese artist Nathalie Mba Bikoro who lives and works in London. Participating in the fair which opened yesterday and will end tomorrow, Saturday May 23, 2015, in London, are 150 of the world’s most exciting galleries from 40 countries showcasing modern masters through contemporary talents. Director of Omenka Gallery and president of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Mr. Oliver Enwonwu, explained that the artists were carefully selected from Anglophone and Francophone countries, a huge part of their differences arising from their varied colonial influences— language itself a clearly recognizable difference. “Though these artists collectively share Africa as their home, the exhibition draws its strengths from their individual experiences and the particular sociopolitical realities of the countries they reside in. “The four artists are similar in their primary points of investiga-

TONY OKUYEME Arts Editor tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

Two of the works on display at Art15

tion. Kimathi Donkor is a history painter for the post-modern age. He sees himself as building upon the narrative, portraiture legacies of Benin and Ife art. His ravishingly rendered figurative works are often complex conundrums designed to reveal the hidden histories of Africa and its Diaspora. His paintings, whilst referencing key works from the Western canon, also create new interpretations and imaginary spaces that envisage compelling individuals from both recent and more distant history,” he said. Enwonwu added that likewise, Nathalie Mba Bikoro’s interdisciplinary practices incorporate a synthesis of collaborative engagements, international community dialogue, body politics and development across continents through a merging of creative practices in live art performance, sound and vocal art, film, literature and museum archives, body art, installation and mixed media. Bikoro’s creative practices are informed by discourses of histories, archives and theories on post

colonialism, diaspora, migration, identities, afro and alter modernism and culture. Her work reveals and creates moments of exploration of creolized identity, heritage, memory and homeland. Here, the artist investigates colonial past, tyranny, dictates of gender, traditions and mythologies. Emefiele also adopts the historic practice of using the body symbolically in visual art, dating back to the sculptures and paintings of ancient Egyptians, whose “god-like” pharaoh is often depicted much larger than ordinary mortals, his erect, stiff posture signifying his unyielding majesty and authority. The heads of her female figures are large, bearing semblance to those of traditional Yoruba sculptures, carved disproportionately to other parts of the human body to emphasize its function as the seat of wisdom, upon which the destiny of an individual is carried. Here, the female body becomes a contested site and an important source of information, through which she challenges established notions of beauty. “Additionally, the artist incorporates Ankara fabrics and other signifiers of consumerism like disused

disk plates, which she employs as eyeglasses for her subjects. The disks are ruptured in several places—metaphors for the shattering of poverty, as well as racial, sexual, and class barriers, and consequences of the colonial past,” stated Enwonwu. Omuku provides a strong unifying element for all the work presented. Her paintings function as a metaphor alluding to wider themes of difference, understanding and a mutual belonging. Through colour, she explores the supposition that the human figure can be transformed based on the premise that things could not only look, but also be otherwise. The release from the physical form has led her into a new territory, a moment-by-moment expression of beings that have been transformed from their present reality, reanimated through color and marks. It is her desire to convey portraits: presences floating through active spaces, presences that have the aspiration of becoming events in their own right. In other aspects of her work, she frequently explores the encounter—what happens when different forms meet, and in particular, the escape the bodies inhabit.

Arts

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Grange, Mayflower schools shine at Thespian Family Junior Theatre Festival Tony Okuyeme

ith “Individual Change: A Panacea for a Better Nigeria”, as its theme, the regional final of the maiden edition of Thespian Family Junior Theatre Festival ended on Saturday, on a promising note. After a pulsating contest that saw students from the schools that qualified thrill the panel of judges, guest and fellow students to a rich array of performances showcasing their talents, Grange School, Lagos, emerged first with 88 points. While Mayflower Private School Ikenne, Ogun State, were second with 66 points, Methodist Girls High School, Lagos, emerged 3rd with 65 points, and Western College Yaba, Lagos, were adjudged 4th with 62 points. Grange School was the best in Drama and Music, while Methodist Girls High School was the best in Dance. Through their presentations, the schools explored the theme from various perspectives, drawing essentially from culture. For instance, Grange School in its presentation titled ‘Just Do it’, underscored the need that to change the nation Nigeria, it must start from within, from inside; and that it has nothing to do with broom or umbrella. “We must sing with one voice. We need to act. The key to change is love, peace and unity”. Mayflower Private School, Ikenne in its presentation titled ‘The means justifies the end’, also harps on the need for change through industry, honest, discipline, love. The title of Methodist Girls High School performance is ‘ Eat it or Plant it’, while the presentation by Western College’s performance was titled ‘Asa Wa (Our Culture).

L-R: Fasunhan, Ajayi, Osinaike and Jaiyesinmi at the festival

The Judges are Muyiwa Osinaike (Judge Maltina DanceAll), Ayo Ajayi (Music Director Saro the Musical), Ayo Jaiyesinmi (C.E.O Thespian Family Theatre), and Ibukun Fasunhan. The M.C. of the event is Ife Salako of Naija FM. Highlights of the events include guest performances by King& Queens Art Academy and Stage Addicts. The festival was initiated and organized by Thespian Family Theatre & Production (TFT), a unique theatre and production organisation that aims to inspire a positive change in society and create a deeper engagement around core values that define

the spectrum of humanity. We believe that through our unique productions, we will be contributing to the ‘rebranding’ of this great country. “Our productions usually have five unique themes /messages: Community and Citizenship; Unity and Diversity; Culture and Heritage; Character and Values; and Family and Fun,” said the chief executive officer (CEO) of Thespian Family Theatre, Mrs. Ayo Jaiyesinmi. She explained that Thespian Family Theatre & Productions started in 2003 as a youth programme using the platform of drama. “This programme has helped in developing a number of stars

that we see on stage and screen and have won awards in our competitions and programmes, as well as national recognition. “With the aim of making a positive impact on the community and being in the forefront of social reorientation, advocating values and ethics, our mission is to ‘develop community through the performance arts’. Our values include citizenship, diversity, heritage, character, and family. We are passionate about our community; we recognise our unique differences; are proud of our roots; we are true to value-base; we appeal to total family; and we believe in fun and laughter ‘laced’ with hard work,” Jaiyesinmi said.

Julius Berger hosts writing workshop for students in Abuja

Some of Bwari Government Day Secondary School Abuja, at the workshop

s part of its Literacy Campaign, a CSR initiative designed to help promote the advancement of literacy within the Nigerian secondary school system, members from the Julius Berger’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team visited the Bwari Government Day Secondary School in Abuja, on May 14, 2015. The CSR team organised and hosted a one-day poetry workshop led by renowned Nigerian poet, Dike Chukwumerije, author of eight books and the winner of several Performance Poetry Competitions in Nigeria. SSS 1-3 students read the work of Nigerian poets, and learned to write their own poems using poetic literary devices. The workshop, in honour of World Poetry Day, was a creative and interactive way to teach the students new literacy skills, public speaking and self-confidence.

The CSR team also made a donation of 600 books of mixed genre to the school’s library. “A part of Julius Berger’s CSR goals, the team explained, is to create educational progress through the establishment of sustainable programs and donations. Julius Berger Literacy Campaigns were launched in 2012 with the initiation of Julius Berger Book Clubs and the distribution of over 5,000 copies of the book, “The Great Fall” by Nigerian author Chinyere ObiObasi, to schools across Abuja, Lagos and Uyo. The United Nations statistics list a youth literacy rate in Nigeria at 75.6% males and 58% females. The recent poetry workshop is one component of the company’s CSR educational initiatives. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is a Nigerian company offering integrated construction solutions.

Media 23

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

ichard Bamidele Eko is a photography consultant and CEO of Sigma, a marketing firm. One time Marketing Manager of Kelechi Amadi Studios, he is one of the arrow heads of the upcoming Nigerian Photography Expo and Conference, (NiPHEC) billed to hold from June 13-15 in Abuja and June 15-20 in Lagos. He spoke with EBERE AMEH after a successful pre-conference seminar and tour of nine cities on “overcoming the Challenges of a Photography Business”, which he undertook with Seun Akinsanmi, the convener of the conference Though he is not a photographer, he knows the nitty-gritty of the profession, and his passion for quality and proper management of photography business is profound. What with his connection with photographers and years of work with Kelechi Amadi Obi, whom he described as one of Nigeria’s best photographers. “I’m not a core photographer. ’m more of a project manager and business developer in the photography field,” Bamidele-Eko said. According to him, while in the university, he lived four years with one of the leading photographers in the University of Benin then. Running two programmes in Benin, he later worked with Kelechi Amadi-Obi for about six years as his project manager. BamideleEko also worked as the Marketing Manager of Mania, a fashion and lifestyle magazine, before starting Sigma, his own consulting firm. Talking about the NiPHEC, which comes up next month in Lagos and Abuja, Bamidele-Eko said it is always a gathering of topclass photographers who share their knowledge and experience with upcoming photographers. “Nigerian photography and conference will happen in Lagos and Abuja due to popular demand. We thought there is a need for us to honour their demand and also take the message of photography to them.” NiPHEC, he explained, was established by Seun Akinsanmi in 2013 and since then, top class photographers take part in the conference, facilitating workshops, and road shows to create awareness. This year, the organizers embarked on a preconference tour of nine cities, also to create awareness. “The first edition brought in one or two major photographers in the US. There will be about 30 workshops with over 2000 photographers attending,” he said, adding that compared to previous years, what will be happening this year is more like digging deeper. On photography in Nigeria and the work of a manager, Eko said the average Nigerian photographer still has a long way to go to compete with photographers in developed countries, hence the conference. “In Nigeria, there is no established educational institution for photographers. NiPHEC was established to bridge the gap so photographers can learn the nittygritty of photography and how to manage their photography businesses in the absence of formal schools. “As for Photography Management, I bring my experience with one of the topmost photographers in the country, Mr. Kelechi Amadi-

Nigerian photographers still have long way to go – Bamidele-Eko Richard Bamidele Eko is a photography consultant and CEO of Sigma, a marketing firm. One time Marketing Manager of Kelechi Amadi Studios, he is one of the arrow heads of the upcoming Nigerian Photography Expo and Conference, (NiPHEC) billed to hold from June 13-15 in Abuja and June 15-20 in Lagos. He spoke with EBERE AMEH after a successful pre-conference seminar and tour of nine cities on “overcoming the Challenges of a Photography Business”, which he undertook with Seun Akinsanmi, the convener of the conference Obi, to bear in helping other photographers, because such knowledge is not very common. You have to understand it, have a feel of it before you can help others,” he said. Talking on NiPHEC training for aspiring photographers, Eko said that the conference have subcourses that train photographers in different areas. “We are in a country where people don’t share experiences or trade secrets. At NiPHEC, you will hear those secrets. What brings money is not luck, it is striving to excel in what you do; it is pushing one’s skill level so one can meet up with anybody in the world. The main thing is interest. Without interest, it’s a no go area,” he noted, adding that there are photographers who have challenges in certain areas which will be dealt with at the conference. Eko underscored the importance of interest, reading and research, insisting that once the interest is there, with hard work, followed by smart work, one can excel as a photographer. “In our society today, people hardly read, but you must read to improve yourself. You must research. Research opens you up to what you do not know. The challenge in this country is that the young generation do not understand that there are dues to pay. They want to fly at birth and it doesn’t work that way.” On that business side, Eko said that photographers must learn how to relate with people and know how to assess and analyse situations. “I teach and I consult on the way forward because you might be proficient technically but if you don’t have the business side of photography, you can’t go anywhere, you will be walking round and round.” According to him, aspiring photographers need to know what skill level they need to have to be able to compete. “Once you find out the skill level you should be at, there are two ways; its either you go at it yourself, or you find someone who will mentor you, someone you can reach out to and who will be open to you on the intricacies of photography. If you can find that person, it will take you less time to get to where you want to get to.” Talking about what it is like, managing a renowned photographer like Amadi-Obi, when he is not even a photographer, Eko, who has a degree in Maths and Economics before doing Data Processing and Marketing explained; “He may be an experienced photographer but the business side of pho-

Bamidele-Eko

tography matters. The business side requires attitude, persistence, discipline; it requires coordinating even the photographer himself, meeting up with the timing of the clients, sorting out things with the clients and coming to terms with them with regards to negotiation and pricing and having a win-win situation. It entails getting the project done, getting paid and also maintaining a good relationship with your clients on a continuous basis. So it’s a deep relationship thing from the business point of view. “Also, from the technical point, your skill must be top-notch. I do know many a times when we will go for jobs and I we keep white people (foreigners) out of it because our core value was attention to details. We were quite finicky with details and that is what made our work stand out. Outside Nigeria, we did things with Oprah Winfrey, CNN, Financial Times and a lot of foreign bodies. In all humility, the works we were doing in Kelechi Amadi Studios was world-class,” Eko noted. He bemoans the present dip in the economy of Nigeria adding that with good foresight and planning, the

youth could capitalize on the need to project a positive image of Nigeria using photography to make money. “There aren’t any jobs before and after students go and come out school. Myles Munroe, one of my mentors once said ‘Where there is a problem there is a business. And we all know that Nigeria has a lot of problems. What that means is that obviously Nigeria has a lot of business opportunities within its reach that can be used for change. The rich visuals of our culture which the world has not seen as it should is just one of the areas that generate so much, creating employment. Professional photography has these abilities. “Time and time again I have spoken to a number of foreigners via my mobile and I have found out that so many times that even the Americans are incredibly ignorant of who we are. Professional photography can influence a large part of this positive transformation needed, and the benefits will be experienced by Nigerians in diaspora in terms of better hospitality by their host countries and income in foreign and local currency at home,” Eko noted.

Tourism

Stories by Andrew Iro Okungbowa

n Harare, Zimbabwe, attention is on the tourism industry as the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) concludes plans for the hosting of this year’s Sanganai/Hlanfganani – World Tourism Expo. It is a yearly travel and tourism trade show hosted by ZTA as part of efforts to boost its tourism industry and that of Africa. Billed for June 18 and 20 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), the event, which has since its inception over a decade ago witnessed different levels of renewal in terms of its scope and content, is continuing along that line this year. Last year’s event marked the beginning of the three years plan by ZTA and country’s tourism and hospitality ministry to refocus the fair as an entirely travel and tourism based event, hence it was given a new theme, which is “Africa’s Premier Business Exchange” and moved from Bulawayo to Harare while it was reduced to a three-day event. As part of the ongoing changes, the event has now moved from October to June - middle of the year - to afford more participants and draw the attention of the global industry to the Africa continent as the three days gathering if nothing else is meant to showcase Africa to the world with Harare as the melting pot for the world to explore the best of the continent’s tourism destinations. Speaking along this line, the Chief Executive of ZTA, Mr. Karikoga Kaseke, informed that the focus of the expo is that, ‘‘it showcases the widest variety of Africa’s best tourism products, and attracts international visitors and media from across the world. The Fair is the successor of Shanyai/ Vakatshani, the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo (ZITE) that was held annually at the Harare International Conference Centre.’’ Historically, Kaseke revealed that, ‘‘ZITE started as a small expo in 1982 and grew over the years to become one of Africa’s leading tourism showcases by 2007. The past seven editions of Sanganai/ Hlanganani were a resounding success and attracted the leading African destinations and major world tourism markets such as South Africa, Botswana, Malaysia, China, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Indonesia, India, Italy and many others.

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Zimbabwe tourism preps for 2015 World Tourism Expo “The editions have seen the whole world converging in Zimbabwe in the form of high calibre international buyers as well as exhibitors. The 2015 edition will be held in the capital city, Harare and is expected to ride on the successes gained by the previous editions and is an opportunity not to be missed.” Speaking further, ZTA’s chief executive said exhibitors expected at the event include: National tourism boards, embassies, international airlines, tourism destinations, leading tour wholesalers, tour operators and travel agents, leading hotel chains of the world, car hire and transport operators, suppliers of goods and services to the tourism industry, investors and government ministries and parastatals, among others. To this end, ZTA team in Harare and its officers across the world, especially its source markets have long started marketing and wooing exhibitors, hosted buyers and the international community to register for the expo. Of the three days, the first two days have been designated as trade INSET: Kasege days with hosted buyers and ex- Rainbow Tourism Group’s sand at 2014 expo hibitors encouraged to go online to tion, products and services; Ac- ment of the three days gathering. book as many appointments as posPart of this improvement is in quire knowledge about different sible with various prospects. This source markets; Derive value the area of the number of meetis to enable businesses at the floor from well structured, themed and ings by the hosted buyers. Last of the exhibitor to be effective and informative International tour- year the benchmark was set at a for the people to maximise their ism conferences and workshops; minimum of 15 but this year, the time and presence at the expo. Interact with Travel Media from target is to raise it to over 20 while The last day of the fair is tagged all corners of the world; Establish over 150 buyers are targeted for consumer day, which among others strategic partnerships with other this year. And in terms of exhibiwould allow the public free access destinations/Cities; and Network tors, the bar has been raised from to the event to interact with the exacross Ministerial divides. a minimum of 680 to over 1, 000 hibitors while seminars and trainAttendance of hosted buyers, ex- while the exhibition stands, which ing workshops, cultural entertainhibitors and others was last year last year was 115 stands would rise ment, cocktails, dinners and award affected by the Ebola Virus Dis- to above 200 stands this year. sections would be held. A pre and ease (EVD) outbreak in the Africa Speaking to this reporter last post tour packages are also on the in continent with only 80 hosted year on the three years plan for offer, as part of effort by ZTA to buyers recorded. But for this year, the new improved Sanganai, Kasexpose the country’s tourism prodbearing any untoward incident and eke was forward looking as he said ucts and services to the world. the largely improved environment that, ‘‘we have given ourselves three Some of the benefits of the expo and country’s image, Kaseke is years to really go through that proas outlined by ZTA include: Meet quite optimistic of a higher yield cess and after three years we should and network (Sanganai) with exand successful outing, revealing be very perfect in every aspect of hibitors, visiting buyers, investors that some critical lessons have been our Sanganai. We have improved and suppliers of services to the learnt from last year and that ZTA tremendously but there are still tourism sector from all over the hopes to put those lessons into prac- some areas we still think require world; Establish strategic business tical use and improve greatly on the some improvements but by the third partnerships with world tourism scope, content and other bitical ele- year I think we should be spot on.’’ players; Showcase your destina-

NIWA at Tarzan Jetty, guarantees safe operations

L-R: Mrs. Telema Obi, Head of Admin NIWA, CSP Austine Gbaraba, Commander, Niwa Police Command Lagos Area Office, Mr. Richard Nta, Mr Tarzan Balogun, Mr. Muazu Sambo (GM NIWA), Engr. Sarat Sulaimon, Head of Marine, NIWA and Mr. Japhet Maisaje – Accountant with NIWA

perators of tourism and water transport business in Lagos State have been guaranteed of safe environment and security of operations, following the alarm over the growing security breaches and harassment by hoodlums and suspected miscreants. This assurance was given by the management of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Lagos, Area Manager, Mr. Mu’azu Sambo, when he led his team to visit the Tarzan Boat Jetty facility at Badore, outskirts of Lagos. According him, there is nothing to fear as NIWA has stepped up regular security patrol on the Lagos waters to check the threat posed to their operations by the activities of suspected hoodlums.

Sambo stated that the federal agency responsible for regulating waterway affairs in the country would not sit back and allow some disgruntled elements to threaten the business of the operators. The NIWA head who was also accompanied by the NIWA Marine police chief in Lagos Mr. Austin Gbaraba, noted that new security measures will be put in place to arrest anyone who may wish to foment trouble for operators and passengers alike. He assured the operator of Tarzan Boat Jetty, Mr. Gani Balogun who is also the President of the Tourist Boat Operators of Nigeria (TBON) that NIWA will continue to facilitate the success of its operations and that of other operators as their services are

of importance and economic benefit to the society. Mr. Balogun in his remark expressed appreciation to the NIWA boss and his team for finding the time to visit and for the guarantees given, adding that Tarzan Boat Jetty will continue to operate under armpit of the law and ensure that the people reap the maximum benefits from its various operations while calling on the government and NIWA to do the needful to protect their operations and restore the confident of the people in water related tourism and transportation. Other members of the visiting team included, Mrs. Telema Obi, Head of Administration, Mr. Japhet Maisaji, Accountant and Engineer Sarat Sulaiman, head of Marine.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

Reality

Coke Studio Africa Season 3 parades 26 artistes, 52 songs

Stephanie Okereke’s reality show debuts on Sunday

Entertainment Iyanya, Ay, Oniga others dazzle in Superstar

eading entertainers recently regrouped to excite movie buffs in a new and riveting international film, Superstar. The film due for the cinemas nationwide on June 5, courtesy of Silverbird Distributions is from the stable of US based Nigerian-born filmmaker, Tony Abulu. Superstar is the story of a talented and aspiring young Nigerian musician from the ghetto athat sought stardom in the competitive Nigerian music industry. Artistes in the big budget film are music star, Iyanya, comedy crown prince, Ay, Nollywood newest sensation, Angel Ufuoma and rising hip hop act, Tekno. Others are: veterans Jide Kosoko, Tina Amuziam and Rachael Oniga. Comedy sensations Funnybone, Pencil, ex Mister Nigeria, Bryan Okwara, Lilian Esoro and several others also wowed in the suspense-filled creative work of art. The press release made available to New Telegraph on Tuesday, explained that, “Abulu, the CEO of Black Ivory Limited, an entertainment company with over 30 years’ experience in filmmaking, international distribution, marketing and African cultural exposition stated that Superstar is billed to officially introduce the Nigerian music industry to the global market, thereby ushering in the much needed foreign exchange to further develop the vibrant music industry.

Iyanya

Mr. Moses Olaiya Adejumo

80 garlands for Baba Sala, king of comedy Stories by Sony Neme

postle Moses Olaiya Adejumo (MON) popularly known as Lamidi Salami alias Baba Sala is being given a deserved celebration as he clocks 80. After his retirement from stage, he has since dedicated the rest of his life to serving God as he heads a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ilesha, Osun State. It is on record that Baba Sala, unarguably father of modern Nigerian comedy, had alongside

The history of comedy, television drama and stage play in Nigeria cannot be written without highlighting his contribution

the likes of Hubert Ogunde, Kola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi and Duro Ladipo, all of blessed memory, commercialized theater and television acting in Nigeria. Born on May 18, 1935, Baba Sala is a revered actor who can be rightly termed as the father and the king of Nigerian Yoruba films. Baba Sala, a prolific filmmaker had begun his career in show business as a highlife musician in 1964 with a group known as the Federal Rhythm Dandies. That is where he tutored and

guided the Jùjú music maestro King Sunny Adé, who was his lead guitar player. He started out in life as a civil servant, a sanitary Inspector. After work, he would put off his sanitary inspection (Wole Wole) uniform and go for teaching part-time work in the evenings where he would go round town collecting daily thrift contribution, popularly called Ajo by Yorubas. Then st the night, he would transform from a thrift collector into a highlife musician. In a media chat in 2013, he recalled with humour about his 14 wives, but only four of them were alive. Many of those who watched television in the 70s and 80s will still remember him vividly. He was the undisputed King of Comedy, both on television and on Stage with his trade mark big signboard-like bow-tie and table clock size wristwatch. He was much more: a dramatist, singer and Yoruba actor who was regarded as one of the fathers of modern Nigerian comedy. That is why the history of comedy, television drama and stage play in Nigeria cannot be written without highlighting his contribution. In those good old days, at 7pm every Wednesday night on NTA Ibadan, many viewers in Ibadan and its environs in particular, and, in the South West, usually would rush home to watch his Alawada Comedy Show. So successful that his name became so popular in Nigeria which earned him a National Award of Member of the Niger (MON.) Then, courtesy of pirates, he suffered a little set back when he dabbled into film production and produced his first film Orun Mooru. The highly appreciated film was pirated before he could recoup his expenses, as one of his four tapes was stolen and mass produced. He lost so much money and had to sell off two of his houses, which he used as collateral for the N500,000 loan he got for the project from the defunct National Bank.So devastated was Baba Sala that he contemplated suicide.

Yaw drags Bakassi, Cynthia Morgan, others to YOU

E SONY NEME

EDITOR, ENTERTAINMENT sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com

ko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos will on May 31, 2015 host YOU, a two-man satire written by Obi Martins and directed by Emma Uduma. The event is the seventh year of Yaw’s live on stage with Okey Bakassi in a stage play. Billed to thrill audience and make the show memo-

rable are super star such as Davido, Olamide, and M.I, as well as Cynthia Morgan, Korede Bello and Kiss Daniel. Others include Reekado Banks Lil Kesh, DI’JA, Runtown, Skales, Adekunle Gold and top comedians of the federal republic. Red carpet starts at 5.p.m. According to press release

made available to the media by organisers, “The play deals with the past, present and future of the socio-political and socio-economy status of Nigeria. This play is written in view of the happenings in the country without been offensive to anyone, group of people or government of the day.”

Morgan

Entertainment

n its week 20 radio delivery, Sony Music Entertainment has through ASAP Rocky, brought back rock sensation, and multiple Grammy awards winner, Rod Stewart in Everyday. The song expected to be released on June 2 also features Miguel and Mark Ronson ASAP will be releasing on June 2nd to a worldwide audience, just as fans have been treated to a series of new material in recent months in anticipation that has been building for the release of the lead single from the album. Others in this week delivery are Kelly Clarkson’s Invincible, The Wind + The Wave’s Chasing Cars, and T.I. Private Show (Clean) featuring Chris Brown. There is also Avery Wilson’s If I Have To, DJ Khaled’s How Many Times featuring feat. Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Big Sean, and , Prince Royce’s Back It Up featuring Pitbull According to the Sony Music statement made available to New Telegraph on Monday, “The summer single and latest posse cut from DJ Khaled is here. Khaled’s calling card has become his ability to always round up an impressive batch of popular artists for the songs he hopes to be his summer hits, and this new one continues that approach.” It further stated that, ‘How Many Times’ unites Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Big Sean, and serves as Khaled’s new single for his forthcoming album, I Changed A Lot. It’s also the first song Khaled’s dropped since announcing his departure from Cash Money and his new deal with Sony, who will drop Khaled’s next LP. It also explained that, “Kelly Clarkson follows on her SA Top 5 airplay hit ‘Heartbeat Song’ with a brand new track from Piece By Piece called ‘Invincible. The Wind + The Wave’s Chasing Cars on its part has skyrocketed into the Top 10 on iTunes in South Africa following a feature on the popular series Grey’s Anatomy last.” It further explained that, “T.I. is

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sony Music unites Rod Stewart, Chris Brown, five others in Week 20

Rod Stewart

back with another provocative single ‘Private Show featuring Chris Brown’ from his Paperwork album, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart last fall. After spawning the hits ‘No Mediocre’ featuring Iggy Azalea, which is certified Platinum, and club banger ‘About The Money’ featuring Young Thug and certified Gold - both of which have racked up almost 200 million VEVO views; not to mention the socially conscious ‘New National Anthem’ featuring

Rocksteady drops Okporoko biz video N

Efa

Chris Brown

ow Muzik recording and performing artiste EFA, headlined the weekly-held Industry Nite on Wednesday May 20. EFA did not disappoint as he held down the stage performing back-toback songs from his impressive catalog which includes hits like ‘Open & Close’ featuring Dammy Krane and ‘Fall In Love’ featuring Plantashun Boiz. He was joined by Ajebutter22, Mr. 2Kay, Ese Peters, SDC, Loose Kaynon and a host of celebrities on the night. Already, his single Fall In Love featuring Plantashun Boiz is enjoying generous air play. The show, which kicked off behind schedule, holds at its usual venue, the illustrious Spice Route, on Adeola Odeku in Victoria Island Lagos. According to his managers, “EFA, who played the role of David on the second season of Shuga, will release his debut album tentatively titled ‘Lagos-Ibadan Expressway’ sometime this year and it promises to be a game changer.”

Skylar Grey and street anthem ‘GShit’ featuring. Jeezy and WatchTheDuck!” Vocal sensation, Avery Wilson, on the other hand releases his debut single ‘If I Have To’ to radio in South Africa last weekend. Former contestant from Season 3 of the hit TV show The Voice, Wilson was brought to Davis by Garrett. The track is produced by Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, written by Kirby Lauren, Sean Garrett and Avery Wilson and executively produced by

Clive Davis, Sean Garrett and Rodney Jerkins. Sony Music did kick off the week with the release of the Prince Royce’s new single ‘Back It Up’ featuring Pitbull. The follow-up to ‘Stuck On A Feeling’ ships to radio on Monday. A Spanish version of the track featuring Jennifer Lopez was performed on American Idol last week to rave reviews. It was announced earlier last month that Prince Royce will join Ariana Grande as an opener of ‘The Honeymoon Tour’.

Niyola getting married?

hythm and Blues sensation Niyola had on May 10 delivered visuals to her latest single titled ‘Last Bus-stop’. The single which has been described as the ultimate wedding/love song has been generating a lot of buzz for perhaps the right reasons. The speculation among her teeming fans, especially the male folk stricken by her sultry looks and vocals, the new single is a subtle hint at her intention to settle down finally with Mr. Right. But for her that remains mere speculations as the artiste has denied the rumor with an emphatic ’No’ when asked if ‘Last Bus-stop’ was actually her very own way of informing her numerous suitors that it is her wedding soundtrack. According her, “Last Bus-stop is my wedding gift to humanity; both for married couples as well as those yet to wed, but intent on

tying the knot someday soon. It is in appreciation of the love shown me over the years.” However, speculations seemed to have been further heightened by the slant of the script for the shoot, which presented Niyola and an unnamed male playing the wedding couple in a flick directed by fast rising and talented Kemi Adetiba. The musical video was shot on location in Lagos. Our very reliable source explained that, ‘Since her rather painful break up with her boo, Freestyle, she has cleverly shunned romance and has not been romantically linked to anybody. Perhaps she has been most discreet in her affairs.” Rather her career has recorded an astronomical, even as her relationship with her C.E.O, EME’s Banky W, have been touted as having romantic undertones without proves. Niyola has consistently remained one of the few respected female vocalist who has consistently dished out good music. That has enabled her to remain relevant at the top of her game. The full album is billed to drop in October. Being her sophomore, there is already musical evidence that the album is going to be nothing short of a collectors’ item!

Entertainment 27

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

CINEMAWATCH (Radio/TV/Events Guide)

MAY 21 — MAY 28 HIGHLIGHTS

Game of Thrones viewing experience on M-Net EDGE

his month, DStv subscribers will enjoy Game of Thrones, the worldwide phenomenon and award-winning drama series. Courtesy of DStv’s M-Net Edge, - the home of HBO in Africa, will be taking television connoisseurs to the edge of entertainment by introducing them to the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. It began with double-bill episodes of this ‘ratings-raker’ on Monday, May 18 at 10:00pm. Viewers will be able to binge-watch all the seasons of the fantastic series from the first to the cur-

rent which will be aired as follows: Season 1: May 18 – 22, Season 2: May 25 – 29; and Season 3: June 1 – 5. It continues with Season 4 from June 8 – 12 and ends with Season 5 from June 15 – 19 Speaking on the launch of the series, Regional Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said; “DStv Premium subscribers can also set their PVRs or Exploras to record the season and watch it at their leisure or watch previously aired episodes on Catch Up, which will also be avail-

able for 48-hours after broadcast. The series will also be available on the DStv Now app for viewers to enjoy on-the-go” Wangi further said, “Game of Thrones is a series that displays adult content. We were required to meet specific regulatory and censorship criteria before introducing it in Nigeria. It is as a result of this that we have positioned the series to air between 10:00pm to 12 midnight for its duration. We also strongly encourage parents to activate the parental control feature on their decoders.”

She also explained that Game of Thrones is based on the best-selling fantasy novel series by George R. R. Martin, set in a grounded fantasy world inhabited by ambitious men and women of both honor and ill repute. In the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, whoever controls the Iron Throne, holds unbelievable power, and also centres on the rise and fall of several families that covet that power at all costs. “This is a story of duplicity and treachery, nobility and honour, conquest and triumph. So get ready to be part of this wild ride into this amazing fantasy kingdom and be kept on the edge of your seat with Game of Thrones, where you either win or you die!”

Stephanie Okereke’s reality show debuts on Sunday

arely a week after winning an award in US with her latest film titled Dry; Stephanie Okereke-Linus is set to debut with a reality show titled Make Me Fabulous on DStv. The series comes with 13 episodes this new season from Sunday, May 24, at 7p.m on DStv’s Africa Magic Showcase, Channel 151. The love inspired reality show, according to a statement the super star actress, sent to the media, which is ready to hit the TV screen on Sundays will raised the bar in Nollywood. The thespian also stated that, “With transformations, guidance and a once in a lifetime lavish and luxurious retreat, couples are set on a journey that will ignite new meaning into relationships. Her words, “I wanted to create an experience that reminds married couples that love always resides within if they just stopped and paid attention. Giving couples a chance to connect without distractions, so that they can remember why they fell in love again. This is a show that keeps love at the epic center of a family.” She stressed that, “Make Me Fabulous promises 13 romantic, heart-wrenching episodes that will feature newlyweds, to relationships spanning over decades. There are 13 couples selected from Stephanie Linus’s own blog, Stephaniedaily. com where all updates, behind the scenes and exclusive bonuses can be found. To connect with the contestants and to stay updated on the couples, viewers can visit stephaniedaily. com/MakeMeFabulousTV. You can as well join the discussion over on social media on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #makemefabulousTV. and don’t fail to add that you were directed by New Telegraph newspaper

Entertainment

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Coke Studio Africa Season 3 parades 26 artistes, 52 songs Stories by Sony Neme

he Coca-Cola Company, in partnership with Kenya Airways, is back with its flagship music show, Coke Studio Season 3. It will be parading a total of 26 Africa’s best musicians with 52 new songs lined up for nine world class music shows It will be featuring artists from Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. And for the first time these artists will collaborate in a unique format of mash-ups the latest trend in the global music industry. Entry dates are to be announced on a later date. The objectives, according to Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Patricia Jemibewon, “Is to reinvent the way music captures the imagination and heart of our continent. Coke Studio Season 3 will not only celebrate our local African grown music talent, but also create unique collaborations that we believe our consumers and our audience want to hear.” Kenya Airways Head of Marketing Africa Jacquie Muhati said, “This is a great opportunity to showcase Africa in our new fleet, which is the youngest in the continent. The partnership is a confirmation of the airlines support for the championing of the music industry in Africa and its desire to be part of talent nurturing and career growth for African artists.” The alignment of values between the two major brands’ core beliefs and principles is the strategic foundation for the partnership. We were further informed that, “The campus activation model makes the entry very easy. Interested participants does is to buy a bottle of coke, meets those in charge of the particular campus on a given date, get auditioned, and have an opportunity to share the stage with established artistes.” With its core element ‘A celebra-

tion of African music’, the new season will feature shows and collaborations from popular artists who have made a mark on their local music scene. Unlike other music programmes that turns up just a winner, this is a non-competitive format that seeks to bring together and showcase the diversity of African musical talent. It also provides upcoming artists ample opportunities to work with some of the best local and international music and production talent. This season will have Nigeria’s music super star, Tuface Idibia for the first time alongside other compatriots including MI, Flavour and Olamide. Others on the bill are Ice Prince, Seyi Shay, and Chidinma as well as Yemi Alade, Eva and Di’Ja. Also confirmed are

Kenya’s AVRIL, Wangeci and The Unstoppable Elani. From Uganda are Dr. Jose Chameleone and Keko. While Ali Kiba and Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania; with Neyma and Dama Do Bling from Mozambique will complete the fun train. Grammy Award winning musician and producer Zwai Bala, will be the show’s music director, while Brett Lotriet, will be working as the Coke Studio Season 3 series producer. The musicians with the house band will present new tracks each week which will be produced by Cobhams Asuquo, Masterkraft and Chopstix from Nigeria, Jaaz Odongo, Eric Musyoka and Kevin Provoke from Kenya, and Owour Arunga from USA. They will be joined by Nahreel from Tanzania and Silvastone from the UK.

C.Kror Superstar, from Ghana with Joy Omo Adugbo A

rogundade Olaniyi Sikiru popularly called C.kror Superstar is young artistes that is good in singing and rapping both in English and Yoruba languages. He is the latest sensation in the nation’s music scene that is already bursting at its seams. Born and raised in Isolo area of Lagos, though a native of Abeokuta in Ogun State, C.kror Superstar is a talented artiste who despite his young age has been in the Nigeria music industry for some time now. He has worked with many popular artistes. He had recorded his first hit single, Alomo produced by K. Solo, which featured Prince Banton of the House of Ginger Soldier, eight years ago. The artiste then left the shores of the country to Ghana in further pursuit of his music career. Three years after, the youngster is back on the scene with another hit titled Omo Adugbo (Neighborhood Famous) And he proudly told the media about his kind of music and mission thus:, “I want to promote this song (Omo Adugbo (Neighborhood Famous) because I am trying not to queue behind any other musician’s pattern. The song’s message is very clear and understandable, more so, the song is representing the neighborhood and it is for everyone who loves to be a proud son of his or her community. This is a brand new style of music that I am introducing to the Nigeria music industry.” He also outlines the unique features in the video he just shot, as he said, “The original content is not diluted, no film trick or excessive effects. Making of the video represents day-to-day activities that happen in the neighborhood both mine and yours. And I applaud the team work of the management from manager to director, D.O.P and Editor. Everyone did their best towards success of the video.” Chief Ebenezer Obey is his role model in music. He is also attracted to Alhaji Yusuf Olatunji while American R&B star Phil Collins makes up the list.

AFRIMA in Uganda for stakeholders’ conference

ollowing her successful AUC-AFRIMA conference at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia recently, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, held another stakeholders’ conference at Hotel Africana, Kampala, Uganda on Wednesday, May 20. The stakeholders’ conference featured panelists from the Continental Secretariat of AFRIMA and the Eastern Africa region of AFRIMA. Among them were AFRIMA Project Director, Adenrele Niyi, AFRIMA Jury member from Eastern Africa, Kawesa Richard, Regional Director, East Africa and Co- Producer, Mike Strano, 2014 AFRIMA Winner, Best Reggae/Dance Hall Artiste/ Group, Radio and Weasel among others. The Kampala conference expectedly brought together media executives, artists and record label owners. Others in attendance were artists’ managers, music

entrepreneurs, music enthusiasts and relevant government officials that discussed strategies and actions needed to facilitate a better involvement of stakeholders form Eastern Africa in AFRIMA. The AFRIMA team also deliberated on the 2015 AFRIMA Entry Submission, which began on May 18 and other build up events towards a successful 2015 AFRIMA ceremony billed for November. Prior to its stakeholders’ conference, AFRIMA partnered with Uganda’s Music Industry, at its Annual Music Industry Conference, The MIC, a day earlier. The MIC’s theme was ‘The Social, Economic and Political Impact of Music’. In furtherance of its partnership with The MIC, the Project Director, AFRIMA, Ms. Adenrele Niyi spoke on the topic: ‘What did Nigeria do to dominate African music business? The Executive Producer of AF-

RIMA, Mr. Mike Dada, had stated that, “AFRIMA is more than just an award ceremony but also interested in capacity building of music entrepreneurs and artistes as a tool for the economic growth of music industry in Africa. We are glad for this collaboration and I promise that AFRIMA will be beamed live in Uganda”. The Music Industry Conference is an annual dialogue through which musicians, businesses using music, development partners and government broaden their perspective of music as a development tool while reviewing bottlenecks and adopting best practice in music business. According to BANKABLE Society of Uganda, “We do hope that our partnership with AFRIMA Awards will strengthen the Ugandan Music Industry while we look forward to consistently organizing this Annual Music Industry Conference in Uganda”.

Kenzo

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

Agric

Labour

Minimum wage: TUC decries non-execution by governors

Technology transfer: Boost for farmers, entrepreneurs

Business What's news

Developers back FMBN on N24.5bn housing bond Controversy has continued to rage over the inability of either the Federal Government or its agency, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), to pay the N24.564 billion housing bond expected to mature on May 24, this year.

p.30

Oil & gas: India moves to strengthen ties with Nigeria As part of measures to shore up its crude oil sourcing deals, the government of India is proposing stronger ties with the Nigerian government.

L-R: Director, Consumer Electronics, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Sunil Kumar; Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim and Chief Executive Officer, KENOL, Nigeria Limited/Samsung Partner, Mr. Olu Ogunduyite, at Samsung AC Technical Forum with partners in Lagos.

SAFETY

Safety of the country’s cyberspace is expected to instill more confidence Kunle Azeez

p.30

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

he Federal Government has strengthened legal mechanism to check the increasing rate of cyber crimes in the country, New Telegraph has learnt. The increased measures against the rise in the country’s cybercriminal activities would be achieved with sailing through of the Cybercrime Bill at the National Assembly and it’s eventual assent by President Goodluck Jonathan. According to sources, in what seemed like a parting gift for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Nigeria, the president, last week, signed the long-awaited Cybercrime Bill into law. An online Information Technology (IT) news portal,

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Nigeria tightens noose on cybercrimes ITRealms, specially reported that the bill was assented to by the president late afternoon of Friday May 15, at Asso Villa, citing sources, who claimed being privy to the development. It would be recalled that the bill, before eventually becoming law last week, had suffered set back in scaling through the National Assembly since early days of return of democracy in the country. Meanwhile, industry experts have expressed satisfaction that the law is coming on board at a time when Nigeria is witnessing a boom in its Internet adoption by individuals and organisations. Already, there are currently over 83 million Internet users in Nigeria, according to telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Commu-

nications Commission (NCC). The on-going implementation of the National Broadband Plan, which is aimed at aggressively deepening high-speed Internet penetration from its current eight per cent to 30 per cent by 2018, is fast driving access to the Internet. The growing access to the Internet, it was gathered, also presents an undue opportunity for Internet fraudsters to perpetrate their illegal online activities without adequate laws in place, which directly criminalises the activities of cyber criminals and protect legiti-

N83m

Total number of Internet users in Nigeria

mate online Internet users. “The assent by the president represents a milestone in the annals of our Internet ecosystem, where we had to deal with legal lacuna,” said Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative of Nigeria (PIN), Mr Gbenga Sesan. PIN is a social enterprise that connects Nigerian youth with ICT-enabled opportunities and champions’ advocacy for a safe Internet ecosystem and has held series of fora in the past to press home the need to pass the cybercrime bill into law. Sesan said: “It is unfortunate that it has taken government this long before passing the bill into law and signing it into law, but we believe it is better late than never.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE April 2015................................8.7% March 2015.............................8.5% February 2015.........................8.4%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (BDC as at May 15)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N222 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N338 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N247.50

l Foreign Reserves – $29.786bn as at 14/05/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at May 15)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N200 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N301 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N214

Business | News

MONETISATION

The scheme had made houses available to some civil servants in the past Dayo Ayeyemi

ontroversy has continued to rage over the inability of either the Federal Government or its agency, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), to pay the N24.564 billion housing bond expected to mature on May 24, this year. In the interim, homebuilders under the auspices of Real Estate Developers’ Association of Nigeria (REDAN), have thrown their weight behind FMBN, asking the Federal Government to own-up and redeem its guarantee on the Series 3 Bond. The bond is part of the N100 billion FMBN received from the Federal Government, which guaranteed the bond on March 27, 2007, to support its multi-tranche issuance programmes aimed at enabling Nigerians, especially career public servants, to acquire residential houses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The sale of the houses was an initiative by government to encourage home ownership through mortgage finance, to stimulate the housing market and thus provide affordable housing to Ni-

N24.5bn housing bond: Developers back FMBN gerians. The total value of the Federal Government’s guarantee that has been utilised so far is N32 billion. Speaking on the development, President of REDAN, Rev Ugo Chime, stated that passing the buck to the FMBN would not augur well for the country.

He noted that cybercrime is a threat to economic growth, especially with the use of ICT tools now being recognised as an enabler of economy worldwide. Speaking in the same vein, President of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Mr. Bayo Banjo, said that though the government’s action could be termed as ‘belated’, the move would go a long way in building the confidence of more players in the nation’s economy. He said: “We’re transforming into a digital economy. More people are relying on telecoms services, a lot of e-commerce sites are springing up, services by businesses and government’s ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), are being delivered through digital means with mobile leading the way. “All of these point to one thing: there is a need to ensure the security and safety

He said that the Federal Government’s guarantee for the mortgage-backed bond is irrevocable and unconditional. He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to redeem its guarantee, pointing out that its failure might cause the bond market and government some damages. Using bond to finance

mortgage acquisition is a novel practice alien to Nigeria’s mortgage sector until 2007 when the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo initiated the much-celebrated Federal Government’s N100 billion mortgagebacked bond. The launch of the bond was designed to kick-start the sale of Federal Gov-

ernment’s non-essential residential houses in the Federal Capital Territory to public servants under the monetisation policy of that administration. FMBN, Nigeria’s premier mortgage bank, was directed to act as issuing house through an incorporated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) - Messrs FMBN SPV Issuer Lim-

ited. The first tranche of the bond, N26 billion, was sold in 2007. Impressed with the outcome, Messrs FMBN SPV Issuer Limited, in 2012, issued another N6 billion notes by way of private placement, to qualified institutional investors. The series 2 fixed rate notes, issued under the N100 billion residential mortgage-backed securities programme and sponsored by FMBN, is 100 per cent guaranteed by the Federal Government, which recently ordered the sale of assets of FMBN over its inability to pay the bond.

L-R: Finance Secretary, Angola Embassy in Nigeria, Cristovao Julio; Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air, Captain Ado Sanusi; Angola Ambassador to Nigeria, Januario Quibato; Managing Director, Arik Air, Chris Ndulue and Political Secretary, Benvindo Nicolau, during the visit of the Angola Ambassador to Arik Air in Lagos.

Nigeria tightens noose on cybercrimes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

of our cyberspace so that the over 80 million Internet users in the country would be shielded from unnecessary frauds while online.” Also speaking, a legal expert, Oladimeji Sarumi, had stated that strengthening legal mechanisms and implementing it against cybercrimes could contribute to a safer business environment where transactions can take place over the Internet. An Internet expert, Mr. Destiny Amana, also said that the Cybercrime Law, if well implemented, would deter cyber criminals and enhance security of Internet ecosystem. Cybercrime have been robbing the economy of billions of naira in the past, with increase in the amount businesses and individuals lose to electronic frauds on an annual basis. About N6.2 billion was lost to electronic fraud in the banking sector last year, according to a report by the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS).

TRADE Trade volume between Nigeria and India reached $17 billion between April 2013 and March 2014

Sunday Ojeme

s part of measures to shore up its crude oil sourcing deals, the government of India is proposing stronger ties with the Nigerian government. To this end, the country’s Petroleum Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has mapped out plans to visit the country soon. Financial Express (FE) reports that Pradhan is currently touring Mexico and Colombia along with top honchos of private energy firms such as Reliance Industries, Cairn India, Adani Gas, GEECL and Videocon Industries, besides officials of state-run companies such as ONGC Videsh and IOC. “PSU refiner IOC has been seeking more crude oil on longterm contracts from Nigeria. At the same time, the African nation wants investments to modernise its refineries. These discussions are likely to feature with the Goodluck Jonathan-

Oil & gas: India moves to strengthen ties with Nigeria headed government of Nigeria when Pradhan visits Abuja,” a government official told FE. In January, India’s Acting High Commissioner in Nigeria, Kaisar Alam, said that the trade volume between Nigeria and India reached $17 billion from April 2013 to March 2014. He said that India imported $14 billion worth of goods from Nigeria during the year while Nigeria imported $3 billion worth of goods from India in the same period. Oil and gas industry watchers are of the view that IOC may consider taking up modernisation jobs of existing refineries in Nigeria, subject to allocation of equivalent oil equity in the producing blocks with substantial recoverable reserves in its favour. Nigeria being a major oil producer and India’s oil security is on priority; this would be a win-win situation for both the nations. Currently, the PSU refiner buys crude oil from Nigeria. Although, IOC is seeking larger supply of Nigerian crude on term contracts, but nearly 90 per cent of imports are under spot market deals. Nigerian

crude are preferred crudes under low sulphur category for IOC refineries. In 2013-14, it imported about 8.5 million tones of Nigerian crudes. In 2008-09, the term contract volume was increased from two to three million tones. Despite IOC seeking higher term volume from NNPC, the supplies have been reduced by nearly half during June 2014 to May 2015. In addition, at many instances, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has supplied only 50 per cent of the contractual volume. To enhance upstream integration, IOC forayed into Nigeria in 2006 by acquiring 25 per cent share in Suntera Nigeria 205 Ltd. (SN205), which holds 70 per cent interest in the onshore block OML 142. The other shareholders of SN205 are Suntera Resources Holdings (50 per cent) and India’s Oil India (25 per cent). The remaining 30 per cent PI in OML 142 is held by Summit Oil, a Nigerian player, which is the operator of the block. SN205 is the technical operator of the block and carries out all operations.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

NIMC follows due diligence in labour issues – Onyemenam p.32

Minimum wage: TUC decries non-execution by governors

REVIEW Salaries and allowances should be reviewed to meet up with prevailing high cost of living Sunday Ojeme

he Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria has expressed displeasure over some state governors’ failure to implement the N18,000 minimum wage several years after it commenced. It noted that the minimum wage, which is less than $90, as well as other allowances needed to be reviewed upward considering the current state of the economy. In a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting in Lagos, the congress also stressed the need to reduce political appointments, saying that the situation whereby lawmakers fix their own salaries and allowances be discouraged and

Kaigama

discontinued. While commending outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan for not allowing ambition to throw the country into chaos, the communique, signed by the President, TUC, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kagaima and the Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal, however, noted that the state of the country required surgical, politicoeconomic operation to return it to normalcy. On the current scarcity of petroleum products, the congress called on the Federal Government to halt the continued scarcity as it was already impacting negatively on all components of the Nigerian economy. It called on government to immediately reconvene a stakeholders’ meeting to address the controversies with the marketers with a view to urgently resolving the demand and supply deficit. The NEC also observed the need for concrete steps to be taken on the issue of local refining to end the importation of petroleum products and payment of subsidy. It also urged government to, as a matter of urgency, pay serious attention to ailing industries, particularly the textile sector of the economy that used to be the second largest employer of labour after government. “Efforts should be made to collaborate with the stakeholders to see to its survival. Equally, the paper and paper industry needs immediate intervention if government is serious to-

New president emerges at CIPM

he Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) has elected Mr. Anthony Eromosele Arabome as president, while Mr. Udom Uko Inoyo also emerged the vice president of the institute. The two were elected at the institute’s 47th Annual General Meeting held on April 22, 2015. According to a statement by the institute, the newly elected president is the pioneer Head of Human Resource and Administration as well as Senior Vice President of the African Finance Corporation. He has over 30 years experience at both technical and management levels in the Human Resource Management profession across the oil and gas, as well as finan-

Labour

cial services sector. “The accomplished professional holds an honours degree in economics from the University of Ife, with postgraduate diploma in human resource management from the Kingston Regional Management Centre, United Kingdom, including occupational testing and psychometrics, theology and leadership. “Anthony’s experience spans across leading global multilateral institutions, one of which is Shell Nigeria, where he served as the Human Resource Director, Deepwater Exploration and Production Business & Talent, Resourcing and Development Manager for Shell’s Africa regional business prior to joining the AFC,” the statement added.

wards the creation of jobs for Nigerians,” the congress noted. On the representation of TUC in tripartite bodies, the congress reiterated its condemnation of government’s action despite its representations for the inclusion of the TUC in the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) despite the amendment to the laws estab-

lishing the labour centres. It frowned at the situation in which labour laws were being reviewed by the NLAC to the exclusion of the TUC, warning that it would no longer tolerate the flagrant violation of the rights of its members, whom it is duty bound to represent and consult on their behalf on labour matters in the country.

While calling on the incoming government to restore payment of gratuity along with pension, it also flayed how public office holders were paying themselves severance benefits running into billions of naira without addressing the legitimate concerns of the workers on the issue of pension and gratuity.

L-R: Managing Director, HarvestField Industries Limited, Mr. Martins Awofisayo; Country Group Manager, sub-Saharan Africa, Bayer Environmental Science, Mr. Sylvestre Jobic; Director, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Bukar Ali Usman and Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Bayer Environmental Science, Mrs. Adjo Mfodwo, at a stakeholders training and seminar on pest control in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Turkey auto workers’ strike hits Ford

ne of the biggest strikes in the Turkish automobile sector in recent times showed no sign of letting up Wednesday, with Ford the latest producer to be hit. The Daily Star reports that the Turkey factories of Renault and Fiat have been ground to a halt in the past few days by a strike for higher pay and have also been joined by several auto parts manufacturers. Two factories in the western Kocaeli region operated by Ford Otosan - a long-standing joint venture between the U.S. car giant and Turkish industrial conglomerate Koc Holding - were the latest to halt production Wednesday. The Dogan news agency said that workers had downed tools in solidarity with their counterparts at Fiat and Renault, who are based in the nearby city of Bursa, the hub of Turkey’s

flourishing car industry. However, Ford Otosan denied that was the case, saying the temporary stoppage was due to a lack of parts caused by the strikes at other firms. With the strikes now entering a seventh day, concerns are growing over the threat to the Turkish economy from the labor disputes in a sector that has been an engine of growth in recent years. The strike wave began Thursday in Turkey’s biggest car plant in Bursa, which is managed by Oyak Renault, a joint venture between Renault and the Oyak army pension fund. Hundreds of employees of Tofas - a joint venture between Fiat and Koc Holding followed suit, as did hundreds of workers from local parts manufacturers. The strikers have been ask-

ing for wage increases in line with those seen at other industrial firms in Bursa, where one factory is said to have offered workers a rise of as much as 60 percent. The strikes come just three weeks ahead of legislative elections on June 7 and as the economy starts to show signs of weakness after years of impressive growth under premier-turned-President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Car production in Turkey has grown multifold since Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002, helping fuel a decade-long economic boom. According to the Parisbased International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), Turkey produced 1.170 million cars and commercial vehicles in 2014, up from 346,565 in 2002.

Business | Labour

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘NIMC follows due diligence in labour issues’ Chris Onyemenam, a lawyer, is the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). In this Interview with KUNLE AZEEZ, he provides clarifications on the recent labour crisis in the commission CWhat is the crux of the recent labour crisis at NIMC? Well, the main issue is that some members of staff who falsified their service records and, thus, have been profiting from that fraud, were asked to go on account of a disciplinary process recently concluded. The issues at stake are fake appointment, promotion, conversion and advancement letters and NIMC has had to follow the process as laid down in the rules and regulations for the public service to deal with such cases. The staff members had the opportunity to fair hearing before a disciplinary committee set up to determine the extent of the fraud, but they chose to go to court. This issue didn’t start yesterday, it didn’t start in 2014. It actually started in 2012, when the Commission began the process of absorption of the defunct Department for National Civic Registration staff and the payment of promotion arrears, which, in itself, started in 2008. And so, when they went to court in mid2014 to try to stop the process, we obeyed the court order and stopped. After seven to eight months, the case came to a close and the Commission won at the National Industrial Court. The court had decided that it was not possible for it to interfere with an administrative or a disciplinary process between an employee and an employer and, therefore, the labour union, seeking an intervention of the court to stop such a process on its behalf was an anomaly. We then took our time to invite them again, this time in 2015, to come and clear themselves from the allegations following the queries issued, some of them came and a few were exculpated and have since been issued their proper placement letters. Others felt it was still a court issue and failed to avail themselves the opportunity of an appearance that, in itself, was a violation of a public service rule. There are others, who did not come and, somehow, felt that the NIMC management should allow them to continue to profit from what we call ‘a fraudulent act’ on their side, which is not appropriate. By the way, we have reported the criminal aspect of this issue to the police. This is what is required of us because the criminal aspect of their conduct is not for us to deal with. It is the administrative aspect that has to do with discipline and that is our responsibility. So, we have gone through the whole process. There are public sector institutions that are supposed to help ensure that, indeed, an adequate and appropriate fair hearing were present at the disciplinary committee sittings: the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Federal Civil Service Commission and the Federal Character Commission were all duly represented. However, the union, representing staff members, had decided, for whatever reasons, to resist the outcome of the disciplinary process, suggesting that they encouraged such fraudulent acts and clearly wanted to divert attention from the major facts and issues at hand. Are you saying the staff members in question were not employed under your watch? No. This set of staff members were not employed by NIMC. They were among those whom the Commission had to take over from the defunct DNCR and essentially, if you take

over the assets and liabilities of an institution, it is only proper that you look into the quality of the assets and liabilities you have inherited to determine whether the ownership you are now being conferred with, by virtue of the provisions of the Act that made it possible, is acceptable. That enables you to decide on the next issues: trainings, postings, redundancy, recruitments and so on. So, for this set of staff members, however, it has nothing to do with whether they are competent, whether they needed training, or whether they could fit into the new scheme. It has more to do with the character of the person we are talking about. So, because if you could falsify your own service records and you expect to be given the responsibility to attend to and manage and operate personal information and the collection, processing and use of database that people should rely upon, it takes a lot away from the entire National Identity Management System (NIMS) infrastructure. If you have a character issue of that nature, it is, indeed, a huge issue if someone with a questionable integrity is the gatekeeper of the infrastructure that should help us achieve a secure identity system and that is the crux of the issue. The dilemma is what to do with a staff member who has put in several years of service, including years during which he profited from fraudulent act he perpetrated, which represents his character as inimical to the safety and future of the project. How true is the allegation of the aggrieved unionists that you wanted to sack their colleagues so you could recruit your cronies? Well, if I want to sack them and recruit my cronies, then, the next person will sack those people and recruit his/her cronies and the vicious circle goes on. That is not the way public service operates. That is not how countries develop and that is not how institutions are built. We didn’t and I am not in the habit of doing that. There is a clear government policy, which we adhered to. We advertised and went to the Federal Character Commission and obtained the allocations for all the states and we adhered to that. In spite of the allocations, we still made sure that those who picked up the slots for each state were people who merited them in terms of qualifications, age, experience, relevance and so on. So, there is no truth in that allegation. You were also accused of unfair labour practices that are anti-women. Why is this? Again, this is not true. NIMC management is very labour-friendly and I can give a few examples: We negotiated the redundancy package with the unions in 2012, we signed an agreement with all the unions, including the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria. Subsequently, we conducted the nationwide staff verification exercises with them each time we did it. We paid overtime, special allowances when we deployed the identity management infrastructure nationwide and

Onyemenam

we revived and provided support for the management of the staff transport scheme until they stopped running the scheme. We paid medical bills on compassionate ground, we still run a clinic with medical doctors and sufficient drugs at the head office.

It is, indeed, a huge issue if someone with a questionable integrity is the gatekeeper of the infrastructure that should help us achieve a secure identity

What of the accusations about not wanting to train and retain them? If the ASCSN is honest, they will tell you we had done very well in that regard. Check the audited accounts and see how much we had spent on staff training, local and abroad. Since 2008, we focused on sorting a few issues out that included retaining the trainable ones and equipping them well for the new system we have deployed. But there is something unusual in the defunct DNCR: they had the highest concentration of Executive Cadre staff in the entire public service and most people did not have the kind of qualifications that fitted the restructuring and technology deployment we were doing. SAGEM of France excluded Nigerians in the core aspects of this deployment when the last ID Card Scheme was implemented. There was no sufficient requisite staff and we had to do a lot of rebuilding. We trained and absorbed those we could, provided they did not have any service records issues. Some of them were actually junior staff members inherited from DNCR. If I may ask, what do you do to a staff who did not attend any training because he or she was not around – was away in school and being paid, even went for NYSC elsewhere, got NYSC allowance and as a staff of DNCR/ NIMC? I challenge the national ASCSN to ask each member of the local executive committee of the ASCSN NIMC Chapter to produce their staff service records to them for verification and make their findings public if they do not believe management is sincere and honest. We know times are hard, we know some of them had put in years of service, but do we abide in sin because grace abounds. What is the kind of institution we want to help build? I stand to be corrected; the union has, indeed, been very unfair to NIMC management, in particular, the Governing Board, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the president, honestly.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

Govt should address land tenure, others – AFAN Chair p.34 IMPROVEMENT FIIRO, others ready for agric technology transfer Dele Alao

he Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), an agricultural equipment manufacturer Nobex Technology Ltd, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and Fish Shaol, Abeokuta, Ogun State, have expressed readiness to execute World Bank’s projects of technology innovations and transfer to entrepreneurs and farmers. They also indicated willingness to implement manpower development, seed multiplication and dissemination and

Agric

Technology transfer: Boost for farmers, entrepreneurs equipment manufacturing for post-harvest handlings. FIIRO’s Director-General, Dr. Gloria Elemo, during a recent visit of the World Bank team to the Institute, said that FIRRO had developed over 250 technologies and had packaged over 50 of them with feasibility studies to be transferred to graduates and willing entrepreneurs. FIIRO’s partnership with the World Bank through West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) includes training of youths,

women and aspiring entrepreneurs in the agricultural value chains of cassava flour production, fish processing and production of fruit juice, tomato paste, bread baking and confectioneries, odourless fufu powder, pounded yam powder, industrial starch, mango chips and others, in the six geopolitical zones of the country. Leader of the World Bank team supervising WAAPP project, Dr. Sheu Salau, commended the institute for technologies so far generated, saying that WAAPP is a platform

through which the technologies could be disseminated across African countries. Salau challenged FIIRO to research into egg powder production to resolve farmers’ difficulty in selling eggs at certain periods. He also tasked the institute to take the already developed and fine-tuned technologies beyond the shelf. He equally wants FIIRO to link up with big food industry players and play active roles in import substitution of products and machinery. Nobex Technology Company, a designer and fabricator of agro-allied equipment, based in Lagos, also displayed its postharvest fabrications to ensure sustainable value addition to raw agricultural products. Its Managing Director, Mr Idowu Adeoya, said that the dryers were designed to produce and circulate low regulated temperature in order to preserve the natural content and flavour of the product being dried. World Bank Senior Communication Specialist, Mr. Obadiah Tohomdef, commended Nobex for moving faster in adapting the technologies,

advising the company to also work on cassava peelers, mechanical weed control devices and other affordable devices. Nobex was part of a team sent to Burkina Faso late last year by the project coordination office in Nigeria to understudy the construction and usage of their dryers with the aim of adopting and adapting the technologies and, by extension, transfer such technologies to local equipment fabricators to ensure mass production, affordability and widespread use in post-harvest management of not only mangoes, but also other seasonal and perishable agricultural produce such as pepper, tomatoes and plantain, among others. FUNAAB’s collaboration with the World Bank on agricultural projects revolves around multiplication and dissemination of high-yielding cassava stems, catfish fingerlings, crossbreeding and adoption of tilapia species and poultry production demonstration to adopted villages and schools in Ogun State and states’ Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs).

Agricultural Commodity Prices – Grains

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (middle), receiving an award from the Purdue University’s Dean of Agriculture, Dr. Jay T. Akridge, in the presence of the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Ade Adefuye (right), at the university’s campus, West Lafayette, Indiana, US.

Food security: FAO advocates sustained control measures

n view of the recent devastation of Avian Influenza in the poultry industry, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s representative in Nigeria, Dr. Louise Setshwaelo, has called for increased robust measures of surveillance and control in order to stem the threat posed to the nation’s food security by the outbreak. She made the disclosure in Jos at a two-day training workshop for disease surveillance agents, implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sample collection, preservation and shipment to the laboratory organised by Federal Department of Veterinary Services (FDVS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development (FMARD) in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. According to her, the return of Avian Influenza to Nigeria after 10 years of absence, if not effectively halted as recommended in the country’s preparedness and response plan, it may become endemic. Outlining the danger posed by the outbreak, she said that the resurgence of the disease in the country has serious implications given the importance of the poultry industry to the livelihood of the nation, food security as well as health implications. “The Nigerian plan to control this disease is known and available, thus continued preparedness of the country

to respond in event of any epidemic in Nigeria is very critical. Key in this equation is the capacity of the animal health service personnel at the national and sub-national levels to be able to act swiftly to contain the disease,” she said. Dr. Setshwaelo added that the FAO would continue to partner and support government not only to control and eradicate avian influenza but also control trans-boundary animal diseases. She emphasised the need for such training workshops, noting that as disease situations continue to be dynamic, retooling of the skills of the over 591 surveillance agents in the country was very critical in order to provide effective disease detection and control system.

Commodity Wheat Corn Soybeans Soybean Meal Soybean Oil Oats Rough Rice Hard Red Wheat Spring Wheat

Price 515-6 362-4 947-2 307.2 32.45 246-6 9.670 550-0 573-0

Change +0-2 -2-2 -6-2 -3.3 +0.10 -8-0 -0.045 +4-2 +1-2

Contract Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15

Time(ET) 12:15 12:15 12:15 12:15 12:15 12:01 11:54 12:15 12:13

Price 64.81 114.75 141.40 12.87 3143 24.70 1.3985 0.1259 3125.00 0.6375 272.50

Change -0.09 +1.40 -3.15 -0.27 -21 +0.12 -0.0330 -0.0027 -20.00 -0.0060 +7.70

Contract Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15 Jul 15

Time(ET) 12:15 12:13 12:15 05/20/15 12:15 05/20/15 05/19/15 12:05 11:08 09:46 12:12

Price 152.025 217.175 82.750

Change -0.425 -0.875 +0.100

Time(ET) 12:15 12:15 12:15

16.59

+0.04

Contract Jun 15 Aug 15 Jun 15 Jun 15

Softs Commodity Cotton #2 Orange Juice Coffee Sugar #11 Cocoa Sugar #16 CME Coffee CME Sugar #11 CME Cocoa CME Cotton #2 Lumber

Meats Commodity Live Cattle Feeder Cattle Lean Hogs Class III Milk

12:11

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

Business | Agric

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Olumide Ayinla, an engineer, is the chairman, Oyo State chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN). He speaks on challenges confronting farmers and what the incoming government needs to do in this interview with DELE ALAO What is your assessment of the agricultural sector under this outgoing administration? This administration has performed very well in the agricultural sector. Perhaps, I can give the administration 70 per cent mark. Farmers under this administration and under the supervision of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, have experienced great opportunities in the areas of farm inputs. Of particular emphasis is the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), which has really enhanced agricultural practices in the country. The scheme has helped farmers to have access to subsidised farm inputs such as fertilisers, seedlings and chemicals, among others. Before this administration came on board, it was difficult to have access to farm inputs, especially fertilisers, by small holder farmers. But, this administration introduced the buy-one and get-one free. This has not happened before in the history of agriculture in this country. At this juncture, I will like to also commend the efforts of Minister of State, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, for uplifting farmers in the state. She has been a pillar behind AFAN in the state. She procured three tractors

Govt should address land tenure, others – AFAN Chair for us free of charge. She also has a Foundation through which she assists farmers in the state. She also assists members of corporative societies who she empowers with free fertilisers and chemicals, among others. What are the problems of farmers generally? The most important problem faced by farmers is access to loan, that is, finance. It takes farmers hectic time to have access to loan. Most of the banks ask farmers, for instance, to bring Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). Where do you expect a farmer from the village to get a C of O? The terms and conditions being laid down by banks can’t be met by most farmers since many of them live in the villages. And don’t forget that farming activities take places in the villages. Another problem farmers are facing is lack of motorable roads to farms. Most of the roads that lead to farms are in deplorable states. Another challenge for farmers is the land tenure system. It is pretty difficult for farmers to have access to land, especially to cultivate their cash crops like cocoa and kolanut, among others, due to the duration of time it takes those cash crops to yield. Most times, it takes three to four years. In a situation whereby you have grown your crops on a particular land and the land owner asks you to vacate the land, it means you will lose everything on that land despite the fact that the land may be fertile. But has government been of help in terms of finance? What actually happens is this. When government says it is giv-

opment if there is a legislation that will assist farmers to obtain loans without much hassle. Farmers are the feeders of the nation and therefore must have easy access to loan facility. What then is the role of Bank of Agriculture (BoA), which was purposely set up to assist farmers? I think the challenge of the bank is the way it is disbursing loans to farmers as it were. The bank does not carry stakeholders like us along. Stakeholders are necessary to be carried along, especially in helping the bank to recover loans. If the bank involves us, we know the farmers who are capable of refunding their money.

Ayinla

ing farmers loan, at the end of the day when you see the criteria for obtaining the loan, you will know that such loans are not meant for the majority of real farmers. For instance, how do you reconcile a situation whereby any farmer wishing to obtain loan is asked to get a top civil servant as a guarantor? By the time the farmer would have been through with all the necessary conditions, the planting season might have even gone by. And it will be a welcome devel-

Ogun farmers get high yielding cassava varieties Deborah Olayode

wo hundred farmers in Olorunda Community, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, have been supported with high yielding cassava varieties for cultivation. The farmers participated in the pre-season training organised by Cassava: Adding Value for Africa, (CAVA II), Nigeria, in collaboration with Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. They were urged to adopt good agronomic practices in order to ensure bountiful yields. They were given 600 bundles of improved cassava stems and also advised to explore new productivity enhancing technologies, which can improve their productivity as well as increase their

profit margin. At the pre-season training tagged: “Moving from subsistence to lucrative business,” the CAVA II Country Technical Expert on Cassava Production, Mr. Stephen Olonade, said that cassava production was gradually moving from subsistence to a lucrative business. Olonade said: “Huge markets exist in the cassava sub-sector, particularly in value chains such as ethanol, High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF), starch, grits and chips. The CAVA II project is committed to linking farmers with these markets, but we want them to adopt new productivity enhancing technologies to benefit effectively from these lucrative value chains. With good farming practices, farmers can increase their yield by 25 per cent and this will invariably increase their

As a major cassava grower, do you think that the country has the capacity to meet local demand and even export the produce? In Oyo State, for example, we have good land for cassava. And many states in the country are also good for the cultivation of the food crop, that is, cassava. With necessary assistance from government, I believe that the country not only has the capacity to meet local demands, but also to export.

incomes,” Olonade said. Also, an official of AMREC of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Mr. Olukayode Adesanya, who led the training, said that in making farmers’ transit from subsistence to commercial farming, efforts should be geared towards ensuring that farmers have access to quality stems. Besides, he said they should be aware of good farming practices suitable for cassava cultivation. He said: “Hitherto farmers have been practicing agriculture at subsistence level, they don’t believe that they can cultivate cassava at a level where they can get more revenue. But we believe that if we train them on good farming practices and make high yielding cassava varieties accessible to them, they will be able earn more revenue from their production.”

The banks ask farmers to bring C of O, where do you expect them to get a C of O?

What advice do you have for the incoming government? I think that the incoming government should follow the footsteps of the out-going government. President Goodluck Jonathan is a lover of farmers and I believe that the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, loves farmers too. Any government that does not believe in farmers is not a government and I think that the president-elect will do better.

Adesina bags honorary doctoral degree at Purdue

igeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has been honoured with the Doctor of Agriculture Degree from the Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, in the United States. The award was conferred on him during Spring Commencement Ceremonies in the West Lafayette campus, Elliott Hall of Music. Adesina was one of the two awardees for Honorary Doctorate degree during the ceremony, the second being president and Chief Executive Officer of the Bechtel Group, William “Bill” Dudley Jr., who got Doctor of Engineering degree. Both Adesina and Dudley are Purdue alumni. While conferring the award on Adesina, President of Purdue University, Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. paid glowing tributes to Adesina for his exemplary perfor-

mance as a minister, which earned him recognition as one of the honorees. Adesina was honoured in the College of Agriculture, where he gave a lecture on lessons to learn from Nigerian agricultural transformation. Dean of the college, Dr. Jay T. Akridge, commended the minister for deploying his intellect into transforming agriculture as a minister and was glad that an alumnus of Purdue lived up to their expectation. Adesina, in his presentation to the college, underscored the importance of inclusive growth in agriculture, which has taken a turn for the better under his watch as minister. Among the major achievements outlined by Adesina in his presentation are the impact of fertiliser and other key input subsidies.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

Auto Beat

Here comes Weststar’s dynamic Mercedes-Benz CLA Paul Ogbuokiri

hile the classic Mercedes-Benz CLS- whose design concept has generated more than its fair share of imitators since its debut in 2003 is still enthralling the world, further design development has given birth to the unmistakable looking Mercedes-Benz CLA. The powerfully dynamic design and interplay between concave and convex surfaces give the CLA its striking features. The Authorised Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, Weststar, is set to introduce this four-door coupe with its breathtakingly sporty proportions into the Nigerian auto market. Drivers and passengers are bound to be drawn to its

Nissan opens multimillion Naira facility

issan has opened a new state-ofthe-art dealership in Victoria Island. Owned by a subsidiary of the Stallion Group, Nissan’s distribution and manufacturing partner in Nigeria, the ultra-modern showroom is the first of its kind in the country. The new Victoria Island showroom brings to 11 the number of Nissan dealerships in Nigeria, a demonstration of Nissan’s commitment to increase brand visibility in Africa’s most populous country. “Nigeria is one of the most important markets in our Africa Growth strategy, part of which is a strong Nissan dealer network,” said Mike Whitfield, managing director of Nissan South Africa and president of Nissan’s Africa Region South business unit, incorporating markets in Sub Saharan Africa. He said: “We are delighted to attend the opening of the Victoria Island dealership, offering a customer experience in keeping with our ‘Innovation that Excites’ brand promise.” Whitfield said: “We intend to increase our market share to 13% during the current financial year, driven mainly by sales in the pickup segment,” Whitfield added. Also in his speech, Jim Dando, General Manager, Sub-Sahara Region, Nissan South Africa – Africa Region South applauded Nigeria’s new automotive policy saying: “This policy will form the basis on which major manufacturers will invest in manufacturing plants and local equipment manufacturing.” He said Stallion has moved our market share from 4% to more than 10% in our last fiscal year adding that “We worked side by side to achieve this goal and within Nissan we have a strong desire to contribute to rebuilding industrialisation in Nigeria and be contributors to the growth of the manufacturing sector. Stallion NMN managing director Parvir Singh however described the new 3S facility as “futuristic”, and unparallelled in Nigeria. “Our Victoria Island dealership meets the standards of Nissan’s global corporate identity, currently being rolled out across the Nissan dealership network worldwide,” said Singh.

prominent features which include, the bonnet embedded in the front end with power domes and the diamond radiator grille. The light modules and LEDs behind the headlamp cover glass have been arranged in such a way as to create the characteristic “flare effect” for the daytime driving lights and indicators. According to Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, “The CLA is a car that does not confuse mid range with mediocrity. Its powerful design underscores the sporty side of the Mercedes-Benz brand.” The gently sloping roof contour and the pronounced, hallmark curvature of the rear window provides the CLA with a coupé-style character from the rear, too. The athletic impression from the rear results from the drawn-in C-pillars in conjunction with the shoulder muscle over the rear wheel arch linings. The tail lights are framed by the muscular lines of the shoulders which extend into the rear end, the horizontal orientation of the lights emphasizing the rear’s powerful and aesthetic breadth. A large panoramic sliding sunroof is optionally available. This sunroof consists of a fixed polycarbonate cover at the front, a moving element made of mineral crystal and side trims to match the glass look. The interior design also contributes to the very special feel of Class. This is due to the selection of high-quality and the available combinations of materials. The instru-

ment panel incorporates five round vents. The outer rings of the round vents have a high-quality electroplated silverchrome finish. The airflow direction is governed by a galvanised insert that reveals a meticulous attention to detail. The free-standing display screen features a black piano-lacquer-look front panel in combination with the flush-fitting silver frame of the extended COMAND Online multimedia system. The CLA is fitted with integral seats in the front and rear, underscoring its sporty character. The rear bench seat emphasises the outer seats (2+1 seater). Coloured contrasting stitching is available, according to the selected interior appointment options. A fibre-optic cable in the opening between head restraint and backrest is optionally available as part of the ambient lighting. The standard equipment of the new CLA-Class is particularly generous with its air conditioning, 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel plus 12 function buttons, steering column adjustable in height and longitudinal direction, green-tinted heatinsulating glass, Audio 20 CD radio with dual tuner, colour display and MP3- WMAAAC-capable CD drive, six speakers as well as Aux-in socket and USB interface in the centre armrest for external audio and video devices, A colour display between the t w o

large dials in the instrument cluster is likewise standard ex-factory for the CLA. In keeping with its sporty positioning, the CLA is available with high-torque turbo engines, sports suspension and the optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The technical highlights of this new design icon include a new world record in aerodynamics for series production automobiles (Cd value: 0.22) and numerous driving assistance systems, including the further-developed collision prevention assist which is able to warn the driver of an obstacle from a speed of 7 km/h and to initiate precision braking when the driver steps on the brake pedal. The CLA comes with the Direct Steer system. This electromechanical power steering offers improved feedback to the driver in comparison to conventional systems and makes an important contribution towards overall efficiency, as the steering assist function only requires energy when the steering wheel is actually turned. Additionally it enables various steering assistance functions which are activated by the ESP control unit. All engines feature the ECO start/stop function as standard. The engines are combined with a six-speed manual transmission or with the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission, which reconciles comfort and sportiness in inimitable fashion.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA

Ford Ranger Odyssey Africa Challenge entries extended to May 24

he Ford Motor Company, in association with its accredited dealer in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, has announced a new closing date for the Call for Entry into the 2015 edition of its action-packed Ranger Odyssey Africa Challenge, themed “Brain Vs Brawn”. The third edition of the annual Ranger Odyssey will see a total of 20 contestants navigating through the extremely challenging north-western region of Namibia on a 12-day expedition that will push each person to the limit. The adventure starts off at Spitzkoppe and travels through Palmwag, Khuwarib and the barren and unforgiving Desolation Trail that follows the Huab River to Desolation Valley. “The Ranger Odyssey is a unique event that gives dynamic individuals with a spirit for adventure the chance to see some of

the most spectacular parts of Africa,” says Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA). While the life-changing experience is an exceptional prize in itself, there’s also the allure of the grand prize which includes the use of an Odyssey-spec Ranger for a year, along with R5 000 or its naira equivalent (in case a Nigerian emerges winner) worth of fuel per month. While announcing the extension of the call for entry timeline, General Manager Marketing & Corporate Services, Coscharis Motors, Mr. Abiona Babarinde said “owing to the last minute rush for registration, Ford has decided to give interested Nigerians more time to register so that no one will be denied the opportunity to experience the adventure of a lifetime through

the Ranger Odyssey.” He further re-emphasized the objective of the competition thus “The Ranger is built for the Tough, and through this competition, Ford aims to bring together a group of people across the continent who have adventurous spirit to experience the best Africa has to offer.” Babarinde further explained that in preparation towards the Namibia competition, Nigeria will hold an antecedent event on the 29th of May, 2015. Interested participants will first battle it out here in Nigeria, where three winners will emerge to join Mr. Chinonso Okezuo, winner of the 2014 Nigerian arm of the Ranger competition. Thereafter, they will all proceed to represent Nigeria at the Karoo Boot Camp in South Africa where the best two from Nigeria will proceed to grand finale of the competition in Namibia.

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

L-R: Former Military Administrator of Bauchi State, Capt. Adisa Raji; Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko and Galadima of Sokoto, Alhaji Attahiru Abubakar, at the inauguration of Modern Girls Boarding Primary School in Sokoto.

L-R: Registrar, Landmark University, Dr. Daniel Rotimi; guest lecturer, Prof. James Olukosi; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Afolayan and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Enoch Oyawoye, at the 4th public lecture series of the institution in Omu-Aran, Kwara State. PHOTO: NAN

Photo | News

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company, Mr. Charles Inyangete; General Manager, Calabar Free Trade Zone, Mr. Sadiq Kashim; Chief Executive Officer, African Finance Corporation, Mr. Andrew Ali; President/CEO, GE Nigeria, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo and Moderator, Mr. Wole Famurewa, at the GE Global Innovation Barometer Forum in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, Mr. Louis Dilibe; representative of the Vice-Chancellor, Godfrey Okoye University, Dr. Regina Acholonu and Chairperson, Godfrey Okoye University Radio Station’s NUJ chapel, Miss Juliet Onyiba, at the inauguration of the chapel in Enugu.

L-R: Regional General Manager, North Central, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. O. O. Osituyo; Managing Director, Mr. Saleh Dunoma; General Manager, Finance, Mr. Chibuzor Nwachukwu and Head of Protocol Lounge, Hajia Salami Ladi, at the inspection visit ahead of the commissioning of the Protocol Lounge & Pilot’s Lounge at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

L-R: Assistant Senior Society Steward, Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos, Mr. Kunle Johnson; Guest Preacher/Secretary of Conference, Bishop Chibuzor Okpoko; Presbyter, Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos, Very Revd. Sola Ala and other officiating ministers, at the church’s Family Re-Union Thanksgiving Service in Lagos.

L-R: Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo; Head of Operations, Children Developmental Center (CDC), Ms. Ebele Oputa and Accountant, CDC, Mr. Oluwafeyijimi Omobowale, at the presentation of a cheque donation to the CDC as part of Fidson’s CSR support programme in Lagos.

L-R: Guest Speaker, Dr. Joe Ezeilo; Senior Administrative Officer, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Florence Chukwude and Senior Community Development Officer, Mr. Edo Ekata Sunday, at the National launch of Actionaid Nigeria Safe Cities campaign in Abuja.

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Islam UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

Falling in Love with Online Friend QUESTION I fell in love with a Muslim brother online. Every time I meet a new man, I always compare that man to him, and my heart is still glued to him. What can I do? ANSWER Assalam Alaykum dear sister, I believe that I understand how you are feeling, and this sense of having a broken heart, and the relentless infatuation with a man that you are not in a relationship with is more common than many people might think. However, although you are obsessed with what your mind has created to be an image of an “ideal” man, you do not share a real love. The feelings that you have for the man are not actual “love feelings”, as hard as this may be to accept; but rather you are experiencing a type of obsession. What really happened is that you have unmet emotional needs. These emotional longings and needs are real, and everyone has them. This person gave you hope that these needs were going to be met. You attached yourself on a subconscious level to the person that represented the fulfillment of these emotional needs. Yet, in reality, you only knew this person in a limited way. It is probable that indeed this person has been a friend to you. He also seems to be honorable and he does not want to hurt you. You have not connected with him on a level beyond that, however, and he is clear that he does not feel that level of connection. With that said, he did not break your heart. You are disappointed that your friendship did not turn into something deeper. Once you are able to see that you were disappointed, but now you are more aware of what qualities you would like to see in a man before you consent to consider marriage with him, you will begin your road to recovery. This individual likely made you feel good about yourself. Your emotions were also triggered because you were getting attention. Everyone needs attention, so understand that I am trying to help you understand yourself. To truly make progress you will want to learn to nurture yourself, identify your emotional needs, and learn to love yourself as Allah also love you. Learn to connect with same sex friends who will be positive about you, support your goals, and recognize your talents and all of the wonderful aspects of you. Work on this before you make yourself available to any man. Give yourself some time to learn about who you are, what you need and how to become strong from the inside out. Get yourself involved in some positive activities with other people such as work, school, or volunteer charity work and develop your social skills and your character, and your talents. You will find that as you move forward in life and learn to make a habit of continuously working to become a better person and of growing and developing yourself, that your selfCONTINUED NEXT WEEK

E X H O RTAT I O N

04 Shaban 1436 AH

“O YOU WHO BELIEVE! FASTING IS PRESCRIBED FOR YOU, EVEN AS IT WAS PRESCRIBED FOR THOSE BEFORE YOU, THAT YOU MAY ATTAIN PIETY.” (QURAN 2: 183)

Countdown to 2015 Ramadan begins

lNigerian Muslims join Ummah for Nifsu Sha’ban June 2 TASK Young Muslim Brothers and Sisters (YOUMBAS) tasks Muslims on faith as Ramadan approcahes Stories: Adeola Yusuf

uslims in Nigeria have joined counterparts all over the world in the countdown for Ramadan, the ninth month of Islamic calendar in which obligatory fasting is observed by faithful. Young Muslim Brothers and Sisters (YOUMBAS), one of the first sets of Islamic groups in Nigeria to have begun the countdown tasked Muslims all over the word to make this year’s Ramadan the best. Chief Imaam, YOUMBAS Ogun state, Sheik Najeemdeen Yusuf Aduralongba, who said this in an interview with New Telegraph, maintained that Ramadan is not only a month to control physical desires; it’s also a month to focus on spiritual matters too. He said: “For every important event in our life it is useful to plan ahead and make needed preparations so that this occasion becomes an unforgettable event. Days are passing quickly as we are fast approaching the month of Ramadan. If you ask most Muslims about last Ramadan, they would tell you it feels very close, like only a few weeks or months ago. “The month of Ramadan is one of those important occasions that we witness once a year. It is a gift from God. It is a golden opportunity for Muslims to get closer to God by increasing good

deeds. Ramadan is the month in which Muslims observe the obligatory fast which has been prescribed by God on those who believe in Him as it was prescribed on previous nations.” Quoting Quran Chapter 2 verse 183, Aduralongba said the main purpose of fasting is to attain taqwa (God-consciousness) which means that every Muslim must be watchful of everything. He must watch out every word he utters and every action he does. “The literal manifestation of fasting is to abstain from food, drink and intimate relations from dawn to sunset. But the real meaning of fasting goes far beyond that. It is about avoiding gossip, backbiting, evil and idle talks, arrogance, lying, breaking promises, dishonesty, severing social ties, etc. Prophet Muham-

mad is reported to have said in Al-Bukhari: “Whoever fails to leave off ruinous speech, and acting on it [during Ramadan], God does not need him to leave off eating and drinking.” “Fasting is an excellent training opportunity on self-restraint as the fast teaches patience and perseverance. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is also reported to have said: “Fasting the month of patience and three days every month is equivalent to fasting the whole year.” (Ahmad) “The Prophet describes the month of fasting as the month of patience because fasting teaches how to control one’s inner self and its desires, therefore , we must all strive to ensure the manifestation of these qualities before, during and after Rama-

dan,” he said. The cleric added: “Ramadan is just round the corner and, if you’re a new Muslim and haven’t experienced it yet, you’ve probably got a million-and-one questions going round your head about it and you’re possibly wondering how on earth you’ll manage. “You may be wondering: How will I adjust to those long summer days without food? How will I manage to do all the things I usually have to do on a daily basis when I’m not eating and drinking? “And on top of that, how will I be able to fit all those extra activities in that people are telling me about?” He continued: “As a new Muslim, you’re probably keen to please God as much as you can and you want to get your fasting right. But how will you cope if you’ve never done it before?

L-R: Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; new Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Agbotomokekere and President General, League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland including Edo and Delta, Alhaji Bello Kewulere, at the turbaning and installation of new Chief Imam of Ibadanland in Ibadan

Folayemi emerges MSSN’s 35th national president

allam Muhammad Jameel Muhammad has emerged the 35 th national President of highest body of Muslim students in Nigeria, the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN). The association, which said this in a statement at the weekend, maintained that the new President emerged at the National Conference of the MSSN) held at Ahmad Muhammad Makarfi Quranic Recitation Centre Kinkinau Kaduna, Kaduna State. The conference themed ‘MSSN@60:Getting Our Priorities Right,’ according to the group, witnessed the

emergence of other members of executive who will paddle the canoe of the association. The outgoing President, Mallam Sirajudeen AbdulAzeez Folayemi, in his speech during the formal opening ceremony thanked every member of this society for giving him the privilege to lead the “noble struggle.” He said: “Please help us seek for Allah’s forgiveness for our excesses and inadequacies. We equally plead for pardon from anyone we might have offended in the cause of discharging our obligations/ responsibilities; we are human being created weak and

imperfect. “We will for life be indebted to you for raising our profile. We hope we have not let you down, we hope we have not disappointed you, and we hope we have been able to move our society to another level. We have run the society within our limited human capability.” In a message to the government, the leader of MSSN said: “We want to urge the Nigerian government to partner with our great society in its quest towards repositioning our dear country and making it safe for all. This is because the society has worked tire-

lessly in the last 60 years to develop both the human and capital base of this country. “The contributions of MSSN to National development are enormous and these include, serving as a potent tool of national unity and cohesion. Our members cut across geographical and ethnic barriers, MSSN has continued to promote national integration and we have built bridges across ethnic and tribal affiliations through our programmes and activities that emphasize the values and brotherhood of Islam in particular and unity of mankind in general.

Feminique NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

Watson: Leaving an imprint on Nigerian women As the Public Diplomacy Officer of the US Consulate General, Lagos, Rhonda Watson has initiated many programmes that helped Nigerian women excel. However, all those cannot be compared to the one on “Financial Independence and Capacity Building for Women,” which started recently. Due for retirement in a couple of months, she told EBERE AMEH that it will not just help to empower the women financially, it will continue as a lasting legacy even when she is gone

ne could have heard a pin drop when in her opening remarks at the maiden edition of Financial Independence and Capacity Building Programme for Women, Watson Watson announced that she would be retiring and leaving Nigeria in a few months. The programme was one of her initiatives, borne out of her continued bid for the empowerment of women. Personably and passionately, she initiated various programmes in the course of her assignment that have helped to empower women and youths of Nigeria. Her warmth, her smiles, her simplicity and readiness to help, will be greatly missed; but much more than that would be those impactful programmes that many look forward to for empowerment. There was palpable suspense as all listened with rapt attention to this amiable woman, who is also blessed with an incredible gift of the gab. Concern gave way to optimism as beaming with her characteristic smile, with an air of fulfilment and satisfaction; she announced that the programme, which is about introducing Nigerian women to Real Estate business, will run for four consecutive months, and is her legacy for the women of Nigeria. “This is just one of the many programmes we have held here,” Watson explained. “For me, being able to conceive programmes that will be impactful and would make a difference is very vital. So, it is not just talk and talk, we try to have real training sessions. And because I’m leaving, and we haven’t done anything on what will put money in the wallet, and what women can do with the

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

money in terms of investment, we came up with this. I felt that it will be important if we talk about that because that is where the rubber hits the road, where the nitty-gritty lies. Are we spending our money on another Gucci bag or are we really putting our money on something that is durable and long lasting? These are issues we hope to address in this programme,” Watson explained. Explaining further, the amiable diplomat said that in June, July and August, the Consulate would hold three consecutive trainings on Real Estate. “We are going to train women on the various angles and aspects of real estate that they can be involved in - as an agent, an investor or leasing. We shall have sessions where we will be training 50 women each month. And because I wanted to have something that will have continuity to it, we came up with something tangible and concrete which will run for quite some time.” Sharing her own experience, Watson, who worked as a lawyer for 13 years before joining the diplomatic corps, said that she set goals for herself back in 2001 when she found that she may end up retiring without a home to call her own. “Usually, it takes 30 years for us to pay off our mortgage but I sacrificed and I am pleased to say that in 2014, that means 13 years after we bought our dream house, the mortgage was paid off in full. And then I bought a second house, and it will be paid off as well because I didn’t want to be a woman who at the end of her career didn’t have a place to call her own. My hope is that Nigerian women would not just own their own houses too, they will also learn to make money in Real Estate business,” Watson said. She explains that women empowerment programme is the focus of the US government and the onus is on each mission to see how they implement it. “Women empowerment is one of the main focuses of the United States government, to the extent that in the State Department, we have a Global Ambassador for Women’s Issues. Each mission determines what

their mission priorities are and the mission in Nigeria has definitely determined that women empowerment is the focus of the mission too. So it’s up to us as to how we want to implement it.” For Watson, the crave for the empowerment of women did not start with her job as the Public Affairs Officer in Nigeria, it has been a fire burning in her and kindled by her memories of growing up and difficult real life experiences of most women. “I grew up in the United States when there was discrimination, segregation, when black people generally were held back and in order to break out of the segregation, we had to work hard. We had to go to school and we had to determine for ourselves what our goals were because society wasn’t helping us. There was nothing but barriers and so we had to learn to overcome those barriers through hard work, through meeting the academic chal-

Watson

I grew up in the United States when there was discrimination, segregation

lenges and breaking stereotypes, and not accepting those stereotypes that were placed on us.” Having had such difficult experience Watson says she can very much empathise with women who are in societies where they are held back and kept down. “It is different places but it is the same amount of barriers. So having broken barriers and knowing how I feel to be liberated I feel that I can make a difference in the world. I want other women to have that same experience because I felt at a certain point that I had been held back by my society. I wasn’t given encouragement in high school by my councillor, I was just a black girl and black girls weren’t expected to go to college.” Now an accomplished diplomat yet as humble as the lady next door, Watson who is a certified facilitator for The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, describes herself as CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

Feminique

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Will you abandon your sex life when the kids start coming?

s a sex and marriage counsellor, a lot of couples come to me for counselling because of marital challenges. One of the most common is that their sex life is either struggling or has become nonexistent. The excuse is always the same. “We have kids. It’s hard to find the time or energy to get in the mood for sex or romance.” As I have always said in my write ups, sex is important in a marriage.. It’s one of the only things you share with your partner that you don’t share with anyone else. Abi no be so? Or do you? Sex creates the passion, excitement and spark that keeps the marriage bus moving. It is a special connection that only the two of you can have. I see so many couples that are so madly in love that they can hardly keep their fingers to themselves. Until ! Until !! Until !!! the kids start coming. Then trouble starts. At times, it starts with who owns the breast? The man, the woman or the baby? Remember that write up? The truth of the matter is simply this. When you start having kids, and you’re not having sex as frequently as you used to, then marriage wahala starts. You no longer feel as close as you used to be. Yes, I am aware that there are so many ways having kids can change your sex life and dampen the enthusiasm. If not a total switch off sef.

Fadeyi

One, many of us just don’t have time any longer to dedicate toward each other. Especially for those of us who live in the cities. No light, no fuel to even power our small ‘I better pass my neighbour.’ Salaries are being owed for three to six months. Armed robbers and kidnappers are having a field day everywhere. All these will definitely mean less time for dates and romance. This of course means less desire for sex. Two, after a long day of dragging your kids around (daycare, nightcare, kindergarten, nursery etc), cleaning up after them, making sure they do their homework, brush their teeth, and then off to bed early enough, you just don’t feel in the mood for sex. This is only marginally easier if you have a God fearing decent house help. Not the type that would kidnap your kids, poison them or

even sexually abuse them, the moment your back is turned. Then you have to prepare all the meals. Worse still, the Oga of the house is not willing to give a helping hand. This I’m absolutely against, but more about that later. Finally, as your kids grow older, so do you too. You just don’t just look and feel as attractive as you used to be. Middle age spread is coming along, and love handles are starting to appear in all the wrong places. But believe this or not, all the challenges highlighted above and more are not insurmountable. Where there is a will, there is always a way. Couples who don’t have a good sex life rarely have a good marriage. Most of the time, they are just hanging on for a variety of reasons. Fear of divorce, finance, culture etc. So what can you do to keep your sex life rocking’ after the kids come knocking? Keep a date with this column next week to find out. Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi is a medical practitioner and one of the very few certified Sexologists in Nigeria. He is also a marriage counsellor and would be bringing his immense knowledge and experience to bear in writing this column. Make it a date with him every Friday for that expert advice on sex and relationship. He can be reached on drtaiwofadeyi@gmail.com or 08033148899 (sms only)

Watson: Leaving an imprint on Nigerian women CO N TINU E D FROM PAGE 40

a little person who just wants to help in her own little way. “I haven’t really achieved much, I’m one little person but I feel that if everyone little person becomes the best that they can be, the world can grow and prosper. So I feel that I owe a debt to other women to be the best they can be. I’m just passionate about empowerment, not just to women alone, I am always ready to empower anybody wherever I’m working who wants to do more and want to be the best that they can be.” Despite having a bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, a Masters of Library Science from the same institution and a law degree from the Columbus School of Law and Catholic University, all in the United States of America, Watson decided to apply for work as a foreign service officer after working as a lawyer for over a decade. According to her, she wanted to get paid for doing what she likes and it worked. “I was a lawyer before I asked myself, why can’t I get paid for what I love doing? Some people get paid big money for shooting a basketball. I like to travel and I said I will want to get paid for what I love doing - traveling. So I got a job as a foreign service officer where I got to travel the

world and this is my last post and I couldn’t have made a better choice because it gave me the satisfaction of serving, really serving women. And when I meet passionate women like these, it shows me that we have a good cause and that we can really achieve much if we work in synergy. And if we can all do our part to help others, there will be prosperity as you can see, financial independence is something that is priceless.” Growing up in small town of Hamilton, Ohio, during that era of discrimination and segregation, Watson never dreamed of becoming a diplomat. Today, she is not only an adept diplomat, she served her country dutifully and meritoriously for 22 years; traversing countries and continents, preaching peace and effectiveness, leaving confident and empowered people in her trail. Though she is set to retire, she doesn’t seem to be tired. Still young and smart, she said she wants to go home and start another life of philanthropy and service with her husband, Nicholas. A classy black woman with power, elegance and grace, Watson committed her diplomatic life to being a positive role model and inspiring others to achieve their greatest potential, endearing her to many. She will be greatly missed by Nigerians.

Ego: Diary of a single mom

My last, last diary as a single mother! Ebere Ameh

s my children would argue, ‘there is a last one and there is also a last last one. They bring up the concept of last last when they want more of something. “Mom, this is my last, last scoop of ice-cream or piece of cake and I will keep the rest,” Tosin would plead when I complain that too much of everything is bad. In the same vein, this is my last, last diary as a single mother. As long as we have not signed the dotted lines, I am still unmarried. Should I say that my parents are now the cog in my wheel of progress when they insisted that we must go to the village for the traditional marriage? Mom said that when a marriage is hurriedly done, the man may not know the value of what he’s got. Whether she is right or not, I’m yet to know. Meeting Danny’s parent was such a big pleasure; not what I had expected. I thought I would meet a man who would drop his newspaper, bring his legs down from his foot stool, adjust his glasses to his nose to see me clearly and declare; ‘Daniel, this definitely can’t be the one you have been talking about, is she?’ For the mom, I had a picture of a woman that would size me up, answer me through the nose and drag her son aside for further questioning. Those were the pessimis-

tic pictures that refused to leave my mind until we got there with Danny on Tuesday. Call it defence mechanism and you won’t be wrong but how totally wrong I was. I met the most loving couple of all times. Whether they were acting it or are naturally warm, is not really my concern now. I think their education has played a big role in their refinement. While his father retired as a Director in UAC and they lived in the UK for quite some time, his mother would be retiring soon as a Deputy Managing Director in a private establishment. To say that it was a successful visit would be an understatement. I was overjoyed at my warm reception and Danny, seeing my happy mood, called two of his friends to take us out and ‘wash’ it. And so, in company of Donald and Chris, together with their girlfriends, we hit the road, touring fun places in the city. We ended up at the pool-side-bar of Le’ Meridian hotel, where we proposed a toast to our new found love and had a swell time. “Frolicking round the room when we checked into our suite, we had a pillow fight when he changed the TV station I wanted to watch. My plot to run with the remote control after grabbing it from him was fruitless as he caught and carried me straight to the bed. While I was still trying to control my laughter, Danny was busy mustering sweet nothings into

my ear and kissing all over me. “I think I’m the happiest and luckiest man on earth,” he said when he stopped and looked straight into my eyes. “Tell me the most romantic place on earth and that is where I will take you for our honey moon. You deserve nothing but the best.” “Honey moon?” I asked with a surprise look. “Have we been doing honey-sun all along? I bet we are going to have quite a lot in our hands to think of honey-moon. Raising four children from different backgrounds is not going to be a tea party,” I answered. “That’s why I love you, Ego. I wouldn’t have made a better choice of wife, he said, cuddling and kissing my head all over again. “But you don’t have to worry about my children. They are cool and well brought up,” he added. Cool indeed. That was when he was with them, I thought. In line with Danny’s plan to hasten the wedding, his parents graciously visited my parents in Lagos on Saturday and it was as though we have been family friends for ages. They came with drinks and all that, but my dad, whom we thought would understand and allow us to end it here in Lagos, insists that we perform the marital rites in my village. He is an Ogbuefi and believes so much in the tradition. All is still well as the traditional marriage would hold coming Saturday. At our request, it would be low key because we are no longer spring chickens.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

Crime

Taiwo Jimoh

“I

was outside my apartment, attending to customers when I suddenly felt something penetrated my stomach. I never knew it was a bullet. I glanced at my stomach and saw blood flowing. The first thought that flashed through my mind was that I was going to die. That my kids would become orphans. I soon started feeling intense pains.” Those were the poignant words of Mrs. Roselyn Adewunmi, 56, whose stomach was pierced by a stray bullet from the rifle of a member of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command. When this reporter visited Roselyn, she could hardly talk and seems to grow weaker whenever she tries to. The victim spoke from her hospital bed, at the Intensive Unit of the Hospital at Ward B 1, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Idi-Araba, where she’s battling to stay alive. Ironically, Roselyn is a widow of a policeman. Residents in the area said that the operatives were chasing a suspected armed robber and had opened fire, apparently to force the fleeing robber to halt. One of the bullets went awry and perforated Roselyn’s stomach on May 1, 2015. The police bullet was said to have hit Roselyn while she was attending to customers in front of her apartment, at Community Road, Ijora Badia, Lagos. The eldest of Roselyn’s five kids, Segun Adewunmi, 29, revealed that his mother had gone through series of operations since the shooting. She had also taken seven pints of blood. Doctor said the gunshot did terrible damage to her stomach. The intestines were said to have been removed by doctors to allow the portion of her stomach injured to heal. It’s only after the healing, that the intestines would be returned, said her son. “A doctor told me that it would take about a month before the intestines would be returned into her stomach,” said Segun, almost crying. “Right now, she’s going through a lot of pains. She hardly sleeps because of intense pains.” Segun, who described himself as a professional footballer, said that nurses at the hospital were not cooperating with him as they had disallowed family members and friends

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

A battle to live

Roselyn

from being with her in case she needed assistance during the night. Segun noted: “As the first child of the family, I’m not financially buoyant. I’m using this medium to beg all good spirited Nigerians and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase to come to my mother’s aid. I, alone, can’t bear the accumulating medical bills. The Police are helping somehow, but the police money doesn’t come on time. Most times, I would have to run around to look for money. I fear every day that my mother may die.” He continued: “I’m fed up with the challenges we are going through now. Since this incident happened, to eat has become a problem for me and my siblings. It is part of the money I borrowed to take care of my mother that I still use in feeding my brothers and sisters. We never bargained for this.” Investigation revealed that the suspected robber was with his girlfriend in front of his apartment when he sighted the policemen moving towards him. He immediately bolted. Determined to stop the fleeing suspect, the policemen opened fire. One of the bullets nailed Roselyn as she was attending to her customers.

Arase

Roselyn was rushed to LUTH, where she went through series of operations. Segun said: “The policemen were shooting sporadically as they made their way into the community. I don’t live with my mum, but I’d gone to visit her that fateful day. Barely a minute after I left her place, I heard a gunshot. After the first gunshot, the gunshots became

intense.” Like many other people in the community, Segun had scampered for safety. When the shooting stopped, he had tried to crawl out of his hiding place. Segun said he saw from his hiding place, his bleeding mother. He noticed that she was bleeding from the stomach region and held unto a policeman, shouting that the man had shot her. “I saw my mother and she was bleeding. She held unto one of the policemen later identified as Mohammed Abubakar. She was screaming, “Oga you don shoot me, you must take me to hospital,” recounted Segun. Segun said that he saw the policeman used the butt of his gun to knock his bleeding mother’s hand away from him. According to him, his first thought was to rush to help his mother, but he was scared. He said that the policeman was not only angry and aggrieved, but was also armed. Segun further said: “I couldn’t do anything until the policemen left. They left in a hurry. I rushed her to a private hospital in the commuC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 2

Crime

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Victim asked to leave hospital without intestines

Roselyn’s home

Roselyn C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 1

nity. We were later referred to LUTH, where she is presently receiving treatment. My mother has now spent about two weeks at the hospital.” According to him, some of the elders in the community went to SARS to lodge a complaint that Roselyn was shot. Some of the elders were told that one of their officers, Mohammed Abubakar was also killed on that fateful day. Segun said that the elders went to SARS three times before police accepted fault and promised to foot Roselyn’s medical bills. Segun said: “I was further shocked when the police told us the cop who shot my mum, Abubakar, died during the cross fire with the armed robbers. How could Abubakar have died? It was this same Abubakar that later brought some money to my mother in the hospital for treatment of the gunshot wound.” Since the incident, police have kept to their promise. The police have so far provided N190,000, but it sadly was not enough, as Roselyn now needs another surgery and drugs. The hospital is already telling her to leave until she gets the money for the next surgery. Segun, who was worried about his mother’s deteriorating health in the

hospital, said that after some days of showing care, Abubakar abruptly told Roselyn’s family to stop calling him. “Abubakar said that I should start relating with one Peter who was among the team that shot my mother. Abubakar said that whatever the hospital asked my mother to get, I should call Peter. Abubakar said he was going on medical leave,” said Segun. He said: “Personally, I’ve spent about N70,000 on my mother, while the police have also spent about N190,000.” Roselyn’s neighbour, Ajao said: “We were planning to celebrate the birthday of a baby that night in the community when we suddenly started hearing gunshots. My girlfriend, who was coming for the birthday, ran back when she heard the gunshots. I wondered what the policemen came to do in the community. But I was later told that they came to arrest a suspect. How could they have shot an innocent woman selling her wares? It means nobody is safe! One can be shot or killed even in his or her home.” Ajao said that the robber the policemen came to pick was not known in the community. The suspect was said to have moved into the apartment with a friend who resides in community. Apparently angry, Ajao queried: “Why didn’t the policemen deploy a new method of arresting a suspect? Shooting in residential community is not

good. Innocent people can get shot and killed! This case should not be swept under the carpet like previous cases where innocent Nigerians had been killed.” Another resident, Mama Christian, said: “I was inside my room when I heard gunshots. People started scampering for safety. When the gunshots were continuous, I tried to run out of my apartment. I met one Hausa man; he was pointing towards Roselyn. He was shouting. I wondered what was happening. What I heard was the voice of Roselyn. She was shouting and telling a police officer that he had shot her. “I couldn’t move close to the scene. Roselyn held his cloth. The policeman knocked off her hands and fled. Immediately the policemen left, I rushed over. We want the Lagos State Government to come to the aid of the victim. Every one of us in this community is poor. We can barely survive.” The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officers (PPRO), Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident, adding that a policeman was also shot during the cross fire. Nwosu added: “We also had a casualty. One of our officers who went on that operation was hit during the cross fire with the robbers. The armed robbers opened fire on our

men when they sighted them coming into the community. We have promised the family of the victim that we are going to foot the medical bills. Even our man, who was shot on the leg, is still at the hospital, receiving treatment. He didn’t die. He sustained gunshot wound on the leg. This was why he was asked to go on medical leave.” Sounding quite scared and confused, Segun, on May 20, 2015, said that his mother had been asked to go home by the hospital, even though her intestines had not been returned. Segun explained: “We were asked to pay N130, 000 for another surgery, but we are still trying to raise the money. But the hospital is insisting that my mother should go home until we have the money. I’m alarmed because her intestines are still in the laboratory. How can she go home without her intestines? Won’t she die? I had already called and told the policeman named Peter about this development. I and my family need financial help. We can’t do this alone. Peter said we should collate all the receipts for the drugs we had bought so far and the surgery. But the hospital said they can’t possibly collate all the receipts. I’ve tried calling Peter again, but he has refused to pick my calls. I’m scared for my mother!”

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

DEFAULTS Fears over increased defaults Stories by Tony Chukwunyem

ncertainty about how Nigerian banks are responding to the risks of higher defaults due to the sharp drop in oil prices may lead to international investors shunning

Oil slump: Investors may shun Nigerian banks – RenCap the country’s lenders, Renaissance Capital Limited, (RenCap) has predicted. Bloomberg quoted the investment bank’s Head of Equities, Benjamin Samuels, as saying, “It’s rare not to have challenges with asset quality when you

Report highlights threat to Islamic financial products

slamic finance may be expanding globally but the industry risks losing its differentation from conventional financial products and lacks official data to ensure better supervision, an oversight body said. According to Reuters, the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) said in its third financial stability report, that Islamic finance weathered the global financial crisis better than conventional banking and was recovering in areas such as profitability and asset quality. Islamic finance, which has its core markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, follows religious principles that ban interest and shun outright speculation, and as such is seen as an alternative to interest-based banking. But the industry’s fastestgrowing Islamic bonds segment (sukuk) is moving away from profit-sharing structures, which risk weakening the industry’s value proposition. Less than 7 per cent of all new sukuk issued in the first three quarters of 2014 were based on risk-sharing contracts and instead favoured sales-based contracts, the report found. This could lead sukuk to be valued using similar pric-

ing and risk management approaches used for bonds. “As a result, any adversity in the global financial system, even if it originates in the conventional sector, has an impact on the financial stability of the sukuk market.” This was observed in the volatility stemming from the US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meetings, which had identical effects on both the sukuk and bond markets, the report said. Another concern is the lack of official data to help monitor and supervise the industry. Some public and private sector entities collect such information but in most cases it is not standardised or comprehensive, the IFSB said. Last month, the IFSB launched a databank of industry indicators covering 15 countries aiming to help fill this gap. Islamic finance now holds systemic importance in countries such as Kuwait and Qatar, and has made wider gains buoyed by support from governments such as Pakistan and Turkey. But with growth come more regulatory requirements, such as consumer protection tools in the form of sharia-compliant lender of last resort facilities, which remain rare.

Africa to launch 26-nation trade block in June

frican countries will launch a framework next month to create a 26-nation free trade area by integrating three existing African trade blocs to boost regional trade and investment, a South African minister disclosed yesterday. With a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $1 trillion, the tripartite trade area will include the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Southern African Development Community in a single free market. A lack of trade integration across the continent has curtailed its growth prospects by driving up the cost of doing business, while removing trade barriers, such as export and import fees, could promote new markets and boost profits. “The tripartite that will

be launched at a summit in Sharm el Shaik next month will signal that we are on track to create a market of over 600 million people,” Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies told parliament. Davies said official negotiations would be launched later in June for the establishment of a continental FTA to embrace the entire continent of 54 countries, opening up a market of 1.3 billion people with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than $2 trillion. However, analysts say key trade issues, including those on rules of origin to guard against dumping and tariff concessions, remain unresolved and the proposed trade bloc remains a work in progress after first being mooted in 2008.

have declines in oil and the currency of the magnitude and speed we’ve had in Nigeria.” He said the Nigerian economy has been badly affected by the oil slump with growth slowing to 4 per cent in the first quarter from 5.9 per cent in the last three months of 2014. Besides, he pointed out that with oil accounting for about 90 per cent of the country’s export earnings and over 70 per cent of total government revenue, the 40 per cent drop in the commodity’s prices since last June has also resulted in the naira falling 19 percent against the dollar over the past 12 months. Samuels was also quoted as saying, “Some see 2015 as a lost year for growth and margins

in consumer stocks. The cost of imports has gone through the roof with the decline of the naira.” He stated that international investors are wary about banks’ loan books, as figures show that oil companies accounted for 25 percent of lending in the country last year. However, bank Chief Executive Officers have dispelled fears that the oil slump will significantly hurt earnings. In an interview with journalists, Managing Director and CEO of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola, argued that the industry would be able to cope with the sharp drop in oil prices. He said, “This is not the first time that oil prices would go

down. In 2008 and 2009, it tested $47 per barrel and bounced back. This one could drag for a while, but it would bounce back. But the truth is that in advanced countries, banks do not panic when oil prices go down because the asset is there and it is permanent. “As long as there proven reserves, what you simply do is to restructure the tenor of you loan. If I had given a facility for five years based on oil assets and price goes down, okay, I won’t get my money in five years, but I will get it in 10 years and so we simply restructure the facility. But Sterling Bank in particular, we have looked at the oil names in our books and there is nothing to worry about.”

First Bank floats dollar-based money transfer service

irst Bank of Nigeria Limited said it has introduced an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)-based service, which enables money transfer via the mobile phone for its customers. The USSD according to a statement is a protocol used by GSM cellular telephones to communicate with the service provider’s computers. The USSD Gateway is based upon the ability of the delivery agent or the source to send and receive USSD messages. Unlike similar services (SMS and MMS), which are store and forward-based, USSD establishes a real time session between

mobile handset and application handling the service. The lender said it would continue to create customer friendly products to dominate the mobile money market, drive financial inclusion, while enhancing banking convenience and security for its customers. Already, the bank has started offering mobile payment services to both banked and unbanked customers through its Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) - *894#. FirstBank has improved its USSD “*894#” access channel to become quicker and more robust with the incorporation of various banking services

into USSD codes. FirstBank also has a large bouquet of services available on the USSD platforms, which include funds transfers to mobile wallet through telephone numbers, FirstBank accounts, other bank accounts and mobile money operators; withdrawals from agents locations, FirstBank ATMs and the Bank; purchase of goods and services at merchant locations across the country; Bill payments such as DSTV, PHCN, Water Board amongst others; purchase of airtime from MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and Etisalat; check balance; check and print mini statement.

Economic Indicators As at

As at M2* CPS* INF IBR MPR

N14,737,618.7m N16,509,472.5m 8.7 0.0000 13

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 Source: CBN

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

91-day NTB DPR PLR Bonny Light Ext Res**

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

10.899 7.96 17.01 US$109.9 US$29,798,389,889

NITTY

11/6/2013 Dec, 2013 Dec, 2013 1/20/2014 19/5/2015

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

Business | Financial Market News

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

21-May-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description ^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 15.54 13-FEB-2020 ^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)

16-Aug-13 27-Apr-12 27-Jul-07 31-Aug-07 30-May-08 29-Jun-12 23-Oct-09 13-Feb-15 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14

13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 193.73 600.00 573.14 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 299.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,746.32

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,437.12

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

1.24 1.94 2.18 2.28 3.03 4.11 4.42 4.73 6.69 8.81 13.52 14.00 14.50 15.17 19.16

13.86 13.81 13.77 13.77 13.76 13.75 13.70 13.68 13.59 13.59 17.19 17.78 18.47 15.54 13.66

13.72 13.73 13.69 13.69 13.63 13.66 13.59 13.59 13.53 13.53 17.12 17.70 18.37 15.47 13.62

99.05 102.09 92.77 91.56 92.63 106.83 78.29 106.27 111.96 103.04 88.63 72.99 50.18 68.00 89.75

99.20 102.24 92.92 91.71 92.93 107.13 78.59 106.57 112.26 103.34 88.93 73.29 50.48 68.30 90.05

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.40 112.22 116.70 66.49

24-May-15 03-Apr-17 08-Dec-16 19-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.01 0.99 1.55 1.91 2.13

2.63 2.27 2.24 2.66 2.85

17.81 16.71 16.04 16.44 16.62

99.78 100.53 99.92 101.49 97.79

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.38

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

322.52

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.28

4.44

16.75

98.76

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.36

3.23

16.37

98.79

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.63

4.46

18.96

97.18

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.64

3.48

17.98

98.54

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.91

1.00

14.78

92.25

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.18

1.00

15.21

98.48

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.61

1.79

15.56

96.72

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

30.81

30-Sep-18

1.99

1.80

15.58

97.41

Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.01

1.00

14.78

98.67

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

1.98

1.00

14.78

99.53

Bb-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

1.99

4.78

18.56

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.18

1.00

14.77

101.20

02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12

15.50 14.50 14.75

15.09 80.00 25.70

02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19

2.61 4.51 2.58

1.00 1.00 1.00

14.77 14.70 14.77

101.41 99.37 99.96 99.98

93.03

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

BBB-/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

BBB-/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

10.78

10-Oct-20

3.12

1.00

14.75

Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.52

1.00

14.62

95.86

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.61

1.00

14.61

101.42

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.27

1.44

15.19

98.32

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.30

1.00

14.75

100.56

99.24

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

452.88 441.63

Corporate Bonds BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.24

1.00

13.12

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.30

1.00

13.55

99.54

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.38

2.63

16.00

99.30

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.36

1.00

14.98

97.60

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.43

1.34

15.23

98.75

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.36

1.00

14.77

96.53

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.38

1.88

15.83

103.33

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

5.40

09-Apr-18

1.64

1.00

14.79

101.62

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.54

09-Sep-18

1.80

1.00

14.79

104.69

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.70

09-Sep-18

1.80

1.00

14.79

101.73

A+/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.34

3.00

16.75

93.13

BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.10

18-Oct-18

1.91

2.29

16.07

99.44

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

1.99

6.11

19.89

97.13

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.61

2.16

15.93

100.09

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.49

2.76

16.38

96.00

BBB/GCR

FCMB

14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021

20-Nov-14

14.25

26.00

20-Nov-21

6.50

1.80

15.33

95.63

A/GCR

UBA

16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021

30-Dec-14

16.45

30.50

30-Dec-21

6.61

2.11

15.64

103.21

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.36

1.00

14.84

85.46

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.36

1.00

14.84

92.04

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

187.53

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

182.63

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.73

1.00

14.76

90.01

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

14.68

85.99

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.94

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

5.68

5.49

105.10

106.08

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.50

4.20

101.80

102.67

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.90

5.74

103.05

104.04

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

1,549.70

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

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.43

4.33

101.00

103.00

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.34

99.80

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

10.69

9.34

90.56

93.75

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

7.40

6.82

95.80

97.51

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

7.41

96.13

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

10.39

9.68

94.75

96.98

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

FIRST BANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

8.25 AUG 07, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

07-Aug-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

8.25 9.25 8.00

300.00 400.00 450.00

07-Aug-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

8.75 10.32 9.17

8.75 9.95 9.17

97.21 95.38 93.75

97.21 97.00 93.75

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.23

9.54

92.50

95.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,650.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,505.54

**Treasury Bills^ DTM 14 21 35 42 49 56 63 70

FIXINGS Maturity 4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15

Bid Discount (%) 13.85 13.16 13.50 13.63 10.30 13.65 11.72 12.02

Offer Discount (%) 13.60 12.91 13.25 13.38 10.05 13.40 11.47 11.77

Bid Yield (%) 13.92 13.26 13.68 13.85 10.44 13.94 11.96 12.30

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 11.7500 14.3339 15.5351 16.8560

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.17

O/N Tenor Call 1M

10.67

REPO

Rate (%) 11.25 11.50

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

198.15 201.81 202.13 202.87 204.24 205.60

198.25 201.93 202.28 203.37 205.31 207.21

(N'bn)

^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 15.54 13-FEB-2020 ^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

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

16-Aug-13 27-Apr-12 27-Jul-07 31-Aug-07 30-May-08 29-Jun-12 23-Oct-09 13-Feb-15 27-Jan-12 14-Mar-14 28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14

13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

(%)

581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 193.73 600.00 573.14 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 299.50

16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

1.24 1.94 2.18 2.28 3.03 4.11 4.42 4.73 6.69 8.81 13.52 14.00 14.50 15.17 19.16

13.86 13.81 13.77 13.77 13.76 13.75 13.70 13.68 13.59 13.59 17.19 17.78 18.47 15.54 13.66

13.72 13.73 13.69 13.69 13.63 13.66 13.59 13.59 13.53 13.53 17.12 17.70 18.37 15.47 13.62

99.05 102.09 92.77 91.56 92.63 106.83 78.29 106.27 111.96 103.04 88.63 72.99 50.18 68.00 89.75

Business | Financial Market News

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,746.32

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,437.12

99.20 102.24 92.92 91.71 92.93 107.13 78.59 106.57 112.26 103.34 88.93 73.29 50.48 68.30 90.05

Market falls for third consecutive day Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

24-May-12 03-Apr-12

0.00 17.25

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

24.56 2.40

24-May-15 03-Apr-17

0.01 0.99

15.09 80.00 25.70

02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19

2.61 4.51 2.58

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

2.63 2.27

17.81 16.71

99.78 100.53

1.00 1.00 1.00

14.77 14.70 14.77

101.41 99.37 99.96

Agency Bonds

FMBN

SELL PRESSURE

***LCRM

Profit taking weighs down Nigerian bourse Sub-National Bonds TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

A/Agusto

KADUNA

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

Stories by Chris Ugwu

T ‡ /Agusto

*IMO

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

*BAYELSA he bears yesterday ‡ /Agusto EDO maintain their strong‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR *DELTA Bb-/Agusto; A-/GCR hold on theNIGER equities ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR† market for *EKITI the third Bb-/Agusto *NIGER ‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR day, as speculators *ONDO consecutive BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR *GOMBE continued to take advantage of Aa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR LAGOS BBB-/Agusto; *OSUN the gainsBBB+/GCR recorded last week. BBB-/Agusto *OSUN Consequently, theLAGOS key marAa-/Agusto; ‡ /GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI ket indicators the All-Share ‡ /Agusto *EKITI Index and Market CapitalisaA-/GCR *NASARAWA TOTALdepreciated OUTSTANDING VALUE tion, by 0.21 each. ‡ /Agusto

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

The All Share Index depreciated by 73.7 basis points or 0.21 per cent to close at 34,459.70 points as against 34, 533.40 points recorded on Wednesday, while the market 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 capitalisation shed N25.039 bil13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 lion to14.00 close at30-JUN-2016 N11.708 trillion BENUE 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 compared with N11.733 trillion 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75the BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 recorded previous day. 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 Investors, at the close of 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00exchanged NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 trading a total of 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 196.212 million shares valued 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 at N1.357 billion in 3,876 trans15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 actions asLAGOS against 1.881 billion 14.50 22-NOV-2019 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 shares14.75 valued at N5.494 billion 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 in 4,797 transactions 13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020recorded 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 on Wednesday . The financial 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 services accounting for 15.00sector NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 a total of 128.014 million shares

09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 in valued at N721.819 million 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 06-Jul-12 0.00/16.50 2,039 deals compared with 1.821 billion shares valued at N2.274 billion in 2,754 deals recorded the previous day. 31-Aug-10 12.50 However, in the banking 30-Sep-10 13.00 30-Jun-11 14.00 sub-sector, investors staked a total of 30-Jun-09 85.037 million15.50 shares 19-Apr-10 10.00 30-Jun-10 13.75 valued at N578.661 million in 30-Dec-10 1,334 transactions as 14.00 against 30-Sep-11 14.00 04-Oct-11 180.484 million shares14.00 valued 09-Dec-11 14.50 at N1.239 billion in 1,904 trans12-Dec-13 14.00 15.50 actions 14-Feb-12 recorded in the previ02-Oct-12 15.50 ous trading day. 22-Nov-12 14.50 12-Dec-12 14.75 National Salt Company of 10-Oct-13 14.75 Nigeria 27-Nov-13 Plc led 19 others on the 13.50 15.00 gainers’31-Dec-13 table with a gain of 23 31-Dec-13 14.50 kobo to close at N8.38 per share, 06-Jan-14 15.00 followed by Fidson Healthcare,

FBNH gets merchant bank licence Corporate Bonds

BBB+/Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO he Central Bank of ings in Kakawa Discount capital. This 29-Sep-11 has impacted 13.00 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 25-Oct-13 14.25 FSDH 13.00 UBA A/GCR Nigeria (CBN) UBA 30-Sep-10 has ap- House from 4630-SEP-2017 per cent to the capacity of FBN Hold- 13.00 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 18.00 *C & I LEASING proved the merchant 100 per cent. We now wholly ings to pay dividend, hence 16.00 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil *DANA MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER the proposed 09-Sep-11 cash dividend 18.00 banking licence for one of the own the investment bank. MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR *TOWER subsidiaries of FBN Holdings “Another good news is that of 10 kobo per share and a 16.00 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 A+/Agusto; A/GCR 22-Sep-11 14.00 UBA LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 BBB+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR Plc, Kakawa Discount*LA House. the CBN 15.75 on Monday has ap- scrip issue of 18-Oct-13 one for every 15.75 CASERA MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 18.00 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS Managing Director of proved the request for mer- 10 shares held,17-Feb-12 translating to 16.00 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 01-Apr-14 Nil *DANA 15.25 NAHCOlicence II 14-NOV-2020 FBN Holdings, Mr.NAHCO Bello chant banking for an 11 per cent dividend yield. 15.25 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 14.25 FCMB I 20-NOV-2021 BBB/GCR FCMB Maccido, disclosed this Kakawa Discount House. To “With the 20-Nov-14 retention of 14.25 16.45 UBA I 30-DEC-2021 A/GCR 30-Dec-14 16.45 UBA banking while addressing shareholdN79.6 billion, we are confident 11.93 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IAli30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 STANBIC IBTC have a merchant 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 STANBIC IBTC ers in Lagos yesterday , at the cence in our stable is a strong that the capital adequacy ra- 13.25 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE tio of First Bank is adequate third annual general meetone for our business and us. TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION ing (AGM) of FBN Holdings. “Our shareholders are for its business in the short to Supranational Bond He said the apexIFCbank going to be the biggest bene- medium-term.11-Feb-13 Hence, FBN 10.20 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P immediate 11.25 gave the AAA/S&P approval last Mon- factors of11.25 this new business, Holdings has no AFDB 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AfDB 10-Jul-14 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE day after the group fulfilled it is an additional avenue plans for any capital raising TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION all regulatory requirements to sell investment banking exercise especially given the set byRating/Agency the CBN. products to its customer.” currently depressed prices in Description Issuer Issue Date Coupon (%) While defending the diviAlso speaking on the low the capital market”, he added. FGN Eurobonds dend payout of 10 kobo per dividend payout, Maccido said Managing Director of 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P 07-Oct-11 share offered by the group it was as a result of the Mr. 6.75 signifi- First Bank Limited, BB-/Fitch; FGNcant reduction in dividend 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 Bisi Onasanya, 12-Jul-13 while re- 5.13 in the 2014 financial year reBB-/S&P BB-/Fitch; as against 110 kobo paid in ceived from its subsidiaries on the 6.38 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 acting to question 12-Jul-13 BB-/S&P 2103 financial year, Maccido especially First Bank Limited. bank’s position on Cash ReTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE said: meCAPITALISATION say this that “As a result of increased serve Requirement (CRR), TOTAL“Let MARKET we are paying 10 kobo per capital requirements by its said the bank, which has a Corporate Eurobonds share this year because we regulator, occasioned by the huge public sector fund lost 7.50 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I 19-May-11 are preparing for a better adoption of Basel 2 capital N68 billion in 2014. 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC 25-Jul-12 He also 7.25 MAY re09, 2018 said the bank09-May-13 B/Fitch; B/S&P and brighter future.FIDELITY BANK PLC accord, First Bank6.88 has got a debit of 6.88 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 08-Nov-13 “We are retaining profit N64 billion as a result of the 6.00 duced its payout ratio and 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC 22-Apr-14 6.25 retained substantial porto beef up our capital and Monetary Policy Committee 8.75 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC 21-May-14 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 07-Aug-13 8.25 we have increased our hold- tion of its profit to boost (MPC) policy on CRR. 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II 24-Jun-14 9.25 A-/Agusto

#{r}

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK LTD

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

112.22 rose by 14 08-Dec-16 1.55 which kobo to close at 116.70 19-Apr-17 1.91 66.49 per share. 06-Jul-17 2.13 N3.44 Building mate322.38Dangote Cement grabbed rials’ 11322.52 kobo to close at N177.75 per share, Vono Nigeria added 10 8.50 0.28 kobo just like 31-Aug-15 Ecobank Trans2.16 30-Sep-15 0.36 4.86 30-Jun-16 0.63 national Incorporated (ETI). 5.73 0.64 Vono close at 30-Jun-16 N1.12 per share, 57.00 19-Apr-17 1.91 25.73 ETI closed 30-Jun-17 1.18 while at N21.70 per 25.00 2.61 share, among 31-Dec-17 others. 30.81 30-Sep-18 1.99 9.00 04-Oct-18 2.01 On the flip side, Seplat Petro13.73 09-Dec-18 1.98 leum Development Company , 10.20 12-Dec-18 1.99 14-Feb-19 2.18 led27.00 the decliners’ table, declin-

2.24 N13.78 to 16.04 99.92 ing by close at N372.22 2.66 16.44 101.49 16.62 97.79 per 2.85 share, followed by breweries’ major, Guinness Nigeria, which lost 100 kobo to close at N158.05 per share. Its peer- Ni4.44 16.75 98.76 gerian Breweries depreciated 3.23 16.37 98.79 4.46kobo to18.96 97.18 by 62 close at N153.98 3.48 17.98 98.54 per 1.00 share, UACN Property 14.78 92.25 1.00 15.21 Development Company98.48 shed 1.79 15.56 96.72 40 kobo to close at N10.00 per 1.80 15.58 97.41 1.00 while Vitafoam 14.78 98.67 share, Nigeria 1.00 99.53 declined by 2614.78 kobo to close at 4.78 18.56 93.03 1.00per share, 14.77among 101.20 N5.03 others.

eTranzact reports 91% growth in PAT 10.78

10-Oct-20

3.12

1.00

14.75

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.52

1.00

14.62

95.86

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.61

1.00

14.61

101.42

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.27

1.44

15.19

98.32

Tranzact International Plc, 06-Jan-21 3.30 452.88 provider of mobile bank441.63 ing and payments services, has posted 91 per cent growth 2.50 17-Aug-15 0.24 in18.75 profit after09-Dec-15 tax for the first 0.30 0.42 0.38 quarter ended06-Jan-16 March 31, 2015. 15.00 29-Sep-16 1.36 In a filing with the NIgeri5.53 25-Oct-16 1.43 30-Sep-17 (NSE), 2.36 an20.00 Stock Exchange the 0.64 30-Nov-17 1.38 company posted a profit after 5.40 09-Apr-18 1.64 1.80 tax2.54(PAT) of 09-Sep-18 N168.1 million, 0.70 09-Sep-18 1.80 indicating a growth of 91 per 35.00 22-Sep-18 3.34 2.10from results 18-Oct-18 cent posted in 1.91 the 0.36 1.99 same quarter 17-Feb-19 last year. 4.50 01-Apr-19 2.61 The firm had at the Mobile 2.05 14-Nov-20 5.49 26.00 20-Nov-21 6.50 World Congress in Barcelona, 30.50 30-Dec-21 6.61 Spain, signed30-Sep-24 an agreement 0.10 9.36 15.44 30-Sep-24 9.36 with MasterCard to make 187.53 international remittance ser182.63 vices available to millions of consumers in11-Feb-18 Nigeria. 12.00 2.73 Under the agreement, citi12.95 01-Feb-21 4.75 24.95will be able to securely zens 21.94 receive international remittancesValue into Maturity theirDateeTranzact Outstanding Bid Yield (%) ($mm) mobile money wallets or select bank accounts through 500.00 28-Jan-21 5.68 the international transfer hub, 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.50 HomeSend. A joint venture between 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.90 MasterCard, eServGlobal and 1,500.00 BICS, 1,549.70HomeSend bridges the gap between various entities globally such as financial insti500.00 19-May-16 6.43 tutions, non-financial entities 350.00 25-Jul-17 7.34 300.00 02-May-18 operators, 10.69 and mobile network 400.00 08-Nov-18 7.40 enabling Nigerians living and 500.00 22-Apr-19 7.41 working abroad to send money 200.00 21-May-19 10.39 300.00 07-Aug-20 8.75 from mobile money accounts, 400.00 24-Jun-21 10.32 4.56

99.98

payment cards, bank accounts 1.00 14.75 100.56 or cash outlets back home. Announcing the new partnership deal, Vice President 1.00 13.12 99.24 and1.00 Area Business Head 13.55 99.54 for 2.63 Africa, 16.00MasterCard, 99.30 West 1.00 14.98 97.60 Omokehinde Ojomuyide, said: 1.34 15.23 98.75 96.53 the “For1.00millions 14.77 of Nigerians, 1.88 15.83 103.33 receipt of funds from friends 1.00 14.79 101.62 14.79 104.69 and1.00family is an important 1.00 14.79 101.73 lifeline. HomeSend provides 3.00 16.75 93.13 2.29 16.07the globe 99.44and senders across 6.11 19.89 97.13 the recipients in Nigeria100.09 with a 2.16 15.93 convenient, safe, effec2.76 16.38 and cost 96.00 15.33 95.63 tive1.80 money transfer channel.” 2.11 15.64 103.21 Upon receipt into 1.00 14.84 of funds 85.46 1.00 14.84 92.04 their eTranzact mobile wallets, Nigerians can use PocketMoni, eTranzact’s mobile money platform, to pay bills, top-up 1.00 14.76 90.01 airtime, pay select merchants, 1.00 14.68 85.99 cash out at agents or at participating bank Automated Teller Mechines (ATMs), and send Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price money to any bank account, Prices & Yields PocketMoni user, eTrazact 105.10 106.08 card5.49or mobile phone user. 4.20 101.80 102.67 Chief Executive Officer, eTranzact International Plc, 5.74 103.05 104.04 Mr. Valentine Obi, said: “Our partnership with MasterCard enables us to bring a new, costeffective, cross-border remit4.33 101.00 103.00 tance service to Nigerians, 7.34 99.80 99.80 9.34 of whom 90.56 have 93.75 many previ6.82 95.80 97.51 ously struggled to access such 7.41 96.13 96.13 facilities as they do not96.98 have 9.68 94.75 8.75 bank accounts.” 97.21 97.21 formal 9.95 95.38 97.00

8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

23-Jul-14

8.00

450.00

23-Jul-21

9.17

93.75

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.23

9.54

92.50

95.50

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,650.00

21-May-15

3,505.54

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute FIXINGS Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) professional,DTM financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; theBidInformation is provided “AS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE”Tenor basis and mayRate not(%) be accurate or up to date. We do not guarantee Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discounthowever, (%) Yield (%) NIBOR 4-Jun-15 13.85 13.60 13.92 the accuracy,14timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis Bid ($/N) Offer ($/N) OBB 10.17 of the Information. Tenor

**Treasury Bills^

21 35 42 49 56 63 70 Rating/Agency 77 84 98 105 112 126 133 147 161 175 196 210 NA 231 238 245 252 259 266 273 280 287

11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 9-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 30-Jul-15 Issuer 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 27-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 10-Sep-15 24-Sep-15 1-Oct-15 15-Oct-15 29-Oct-15 12-Nov-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 NA 7-Jan-16 14-Jan-16 21-Jan-16 28-Jan-16 4-Feb-16 11-Feb-16 18-Feb-16 25-Feb-16 3-Mar-16

301

17-Mar-16

308

24-Mar-16

FGN Bonds

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 322

13.16 13.50 13.63 10.30 13.65 11.72 12.02 Description 12.06 12.42 11.31 ^13.05 16-AUG-2016 11.76 ^15.10 27-APR-2017 13.83 13.56 9.85 27-JUL-2017 13.52 9.35 31-AUG-2017 12.90 10.70 30-MAY-2018 13.97 13.56 ^16.00 29-JUN-2019 13.05 7.00 23-OCT-2019 12.92 15.54 13-FEB-2020 13.13 13.95 ^16.39 27-JAN-2022 13.20 ^14.20 14-MAR-2024 13.89 13.38 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.81 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.49 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.68 13.35 ^10.00 23-JUL-2030

13.31 ^12.1493 18-JUL-2034 13.38

12.91 13.25 13.38 10.05 13.40 11.47 11.77 Issue 11.81Date 12.17 11.06 16-Aug-13 11.51 27-Apr-12 13.58 13.31 27-Jul-07 13.27 31-Aug-07 12.65 30-May-08 13.72 13.31 29-Jun-12 12.80 23-Oct-09 12.67 13-Feb-15 12.88 13.70 27-Jan-12 12.95 14-Mar-14 13.64 13.13 28-Nov-08 13.56 22-May-09 13.24 20-Nov-09 13.43 13.10 23-Jul-10 13.06 18-Jul-14 13.13

13.26 13.68 13.85 10.44 13.94 11.96 12.30 Coupon 12.37 (%) 12.78 11.66 13.05 12.17 15.10 14.44 14.22 9.85 14.22 9.35 13.61 10.70 14.89 14.50 16.00 14.03 7.00 13.95 15.54 14.31 15.35 16.39 14.48 14.20 15.36 14.78 15.00 15.35 12.49 15.00 8.50 15.28 14.91 10.00

Bonds

14.95 12.1493 15.08

7-Apr-16

13.32

13.07

15.09

21-Apr-16

13.19

12.94

15.01

5-May-16 13.14 *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration

12.89

15.03

336

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 350

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 11.7500 14.3339 15.5351 16.8560

O/N Tenor Call 1M TTM 3M (Yrs) 6M

Outstanding Value Maturity Date (N'bn) NITTY Tenor 581.39 1M 476.80 2M 3M 20.00 6M 100.00 9M 300.00 12M

10.67

REPO

Rate (%) 16-Aug-16 14.1279 27-Apr-17 14.2626 14.3436 27-Jul-17 14.4807 31-Aug-17 14.7359 30-May-18 14.8691

351.30 29-Jun-19 233.90 23-Oct-19 193.73 NIFEX 13-Feb-20 Current Price ($/N) 600.00 27-Jan-22 BID($/N) 199.0000 573.14 14-Mar-24 OFFER ($/N) 199.1000 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 299.50 18-Jul-34

Rate (%) 11.25 11.50 Bid11.75 Yield 12.00

(%)

1.24 13.86 13.72 NOTE: 1.94 13.81 13.73 :Benchmarks 2.18 13.77 13.69 * :Amortising Bond 2.28 13.77 13.69 µ :Convertible Bond 3.03 Management Corporation 13.76 13.63 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria FGN: Federal 4.11Government of Nigeria 13.75 13.66 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 4.42 13.70 13.59 IFC: International Finance Corporation 4.73 13.68 Management 13.59 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables NAHCO: Nigerian 6.69 Aviation Handling 13.59 Company 13.53 O/N: Overnight 8.81 13.59Company 13.53 UPDC: UAC Property Development WAPCO:West 13.52Africa Portland Cement 17.19 Company17.12 14.00 17.78 17.70 14.50 18.47 18.37 15.17 15.54 15.47 19.16 13.66 13.62

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

FMBN Modified Duration Buckets

***LCRM <3

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3<5 >5 Market

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 Total Outstanding Porfolio Market Value(Bn) 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 1,437.92 1,409.48 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 1,212.42

1,124.68

99.05 99.20 102.09 102.24 NA :Not 92.77 Applicable 92.92 ^ : Market Prices 91.56 91.71 # : Floating Rate Bond 92.63coupon bonds 92.93 ***: Deferred 106.83 107.13 ‡ : Bond rating under review 78.29 78.59 †: Bond rating expired 106.57 N/A :Not106.27 Available {r} :Issuer in receivership112.26 111.96 103.04 103.34 NGC: Nigeria-German Company UBA: United 88.63Bank for Africa 88.93 72.99 73.29 50.18 50.48 68.00 68.30 89.75 90.05

4,437.12

Issue Date

Agency Bonds

198.15 198.25 201.81 201.93 202.13 202.28 Price 203.37 202.87 204.24 205.31 205.60 207.21 Bid Price Offer 206.28 213.47Price 220.29 226.27

4,746.32

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

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

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

FMDQ FGN0.00 BOND INDEX 24.56

24-May-12 03-Apr-12 Weighting by 09-Dec-11 Outstanding Vol 20-Apr-12 41.39 06-Jul-12

33.03

17.25

Maturity Date

24-May-15 03-Apr-17

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

0.01 0.99 Implied Yield 1.55 1.91 13.80 2.13

# Risk Premium (%)

2.63 2.27

Valuation Yield (%)

17.81 16.71 INDEX 16.04 16.44 1,180.84 16.62

Indicative Price

99.78 100.53

0.00/16.50 43.53 0.00/16.50

2.40 Bucket 112.22 Weighting 116.70 66.49 0.41

322.380.26

38.71 42.26

14.77

78.5342

1,103.80

9.6114

322.521.00

100.00

14.13

100.6540

1,137.38

7.7900

Weighting by Mkt 0.00/16.00 Value

36.70

653.11

871.07

25.58

19.77

3,303.45

3,405.23

100.00

0.33

% Exposure_ 08-Dec-16 Mod_Duration

19-Apr-17 19.03 06-Jul-17

13.59

Implied 2.24 Portfolio Price

2.66

105.3949 2.85

111.8445

1,115.99

YTD Return 99.92 (%)

101.49 6.5884 97.79

10.2140

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.28

4.44

16.75

98.76

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

2.16

30-Sep-15

0.36

3.23

16.37

98.79

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.63

4.46

18.96

97.18

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.64

3.48

17.98

98.54

A+/Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

1.91

1.00

14.78

92.25

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.18

1.00

15.21

98.48

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.61

1.79

15.56

96.72

Business | Financial Market News

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Daily Summary as of 21/05/2015

Printed 21/05/2015 14:42:34.034

Daily Summary as of 21/05/2015 Printed 21/05/2015 14:42:34.034

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at May 21, 2015 Daily Summary (Bonds)

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY ICT Computer Based Systems Computer Based Systems Totals

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

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 22 5 27

Current Price 28.90 30.69

Quantity Traded 168,368 3,647 172,015

Value Traded 4,865,293.15 112,515.00 4,977,808.15

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 2.33

Quantity Traded 1,220,620 1,220,620

Value Traded 2,881,255.14 2,881,255.14

1,392,635

7,859,063.29

Quantity Traded 1,078 5,454 67,021 2,432 5,980,099 618,953 6,675,037

Value Traded 1,584.66 20,507.04 55,157.22 10,263.04 19,015,078.51 25,462,626.42 44,565,216.89

AGRICULTURE Totals

Daily Summary as of 21/05/2015 CONGLOMERATES Printed 21/05/2015 14:42:34.034 Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC Activity U ASummary C N PLC. on Board EQTY Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES CONGLOMERATES Totals

Symbol

No. of Deals 2

Current Price

Quantity Traded 17,600

Value Traded 8,800.00

IT Services NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

Symbol NCR TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 5 1 6

Current Price 11.02 1.69

Quantity Traded 5,436 79 5,515

Value Traded 59,796.00 127.19 59,923.19

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 31,545,922 31,545,922

Value Traded 15,772,961.00 15,772,961.00

31,569,037

15,841,684.19

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 0.81

Quantity Traded 159,000 159,000

Value Traded 127,858.90 127,858.90

Daily Summary as of 21/05/2015 ICT Totals Printed 21/05/2015 14:42:34.034 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. on OF Board NORTH.NIG. Activity Summary EQTYPLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS DN MEYER PLC. Building Materials NIGERIA PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

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

Symbol JBERGER ROADS

No. of Deals 27 1 28

Current Price 51.70 6.29

Quantity Traded 83,542 3,200 86,742

Value Traded 4,341,915.51 21,120.00 4,363,035.51

Packaging/Containers Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © BETA GLASS CO PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 36 36

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 1,031,078 1,031,078

Value Traded 10,356,831.65 10,356,831.65

1,276,820

14,847,726.06

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE © Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Symbol AGLEVENT CHELLARAM JOHNHOLT Daily Summary SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 2 1 14 (Equities) 1 89 55 162

162

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC CONSUMER GOODS INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC Daily Summary as of 21/05/2015 U T C14:42:34.034 NIG. PLC. Printed 21/05/2015 Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. CONSUMER GOODS VONO PRODUCTS Household Durables PLC. Household Durables Totals

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

CONSUMER GOODS Totals Daily Summary as of 21/05/2015 SERVICES Printed FINANCIAL 21/05/2015 14:42:34.034 Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY BANKEQTY PLC. Activity SummaryTRUST on Board SKYE BANK PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES STERLING BANK PLC. Banking UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. MANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. Daily Summary as of 21/05/2015 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. Printed 21/05/2015 14:42:34.034 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks

NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Micro-Finance Banks Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © 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

79 Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 2 2

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW Symbol NB PREMBREW

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 14 6.78 371,250 46 158.05 59,697 14 No. of Deals Current20.00 Price Quantity136,490 Traded 145 153.98 1,000,396 Page 1 3.43 728 220 1,568,561

Daily Summary (Equities)

Quantity Traded 17,192 17,192

Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC Tools and Machinery Totals

Value Traded 8,596.00 8,596.00 Value Traded 2,535,759.49 9,414,940.14 2,605,391.05 Value Traded 153,982,832.08 2 of 12 2,373.28

168,541,296.04

Current Price 178.00

Quantity Traded 116,549 116,549

Value Traded 20,758,679.86 20,758,679.86

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UTC

No. of Deals 48 38 92 23 41 1 243

Current Price 4.28 6.59 34.95 3.61 8.38 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,909,008 373,265 742,098 1,781,519 1,177,635 200 5,983,725

Value Traded 8,217,284.56 2,410,442.51 25,919,061.59 6,422,087.38 9,747,876.61 100.00 52,716,852.65

No. of Deals 21 (Equities) 76 97

Current Price 39.90 880.00

Quantity Traded 29,839 83,822 113,661

Value Traded 1,153,979.80 73,832,020.36 74,986,000.16

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO Symbol

No. of Deals 49 No. of Deals3 52

Current Price 5.03 1.12 Current Price

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 49 38 87

Current Price 29.29 45.00

Quantity Traded 1,334,927 52,583 Quantity Traded 1,387,510 Page Quantity Traded 199,811 498,191 698,002

Value Traded 6,737,342.56 58,863.81 Value Traded 6,796,206.37 3 of 12 Value Traded 5,874,920.67 22,421,617.54 28,296,538.21

Symbol CADBURY Daily Summary NESTLE

722

Value Traded 34,221,641.75 28,904,970.31 242,121,303.80 19,030,387.80 62,179,685.02 75,598,035.95 15,155,330.91 Value Traded 25,007,939.95 3,571,688.20 14,634,243.41 1,562,117.29 56,673,867.56 578,661,211.95

No. of Deals 11 18 1 2 2 1 9 22 2 1 1 21 91

Current Price 1.00 1.01 0.50 0.53 0.50 0.50 2.89 0.88 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.53

Quantity Traded 1,889,500 Page 1,684,500 4,600 4,100 8,100 98,785 208,670 4,741,100 119,905 200 100 240,403 8,999,963

Value Traded 4 1,894,500.00 of 12 1,684,683.86 2,300.00 2,091.00 4,050.00 49,392.50 624,437.67 4,172,168.00 59,952.50 100.00 50.00 126,206.51 8,619,932.04

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 44 44

Current Price 1.28

Quantity Traded 3,235,566 3,235,566

Value Traded 4,186,166.54 4,186,166.54

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 46 35 319 55 4 24 87 570

Current Price 3.05 4.00 9.30 3.18 0.50 30.00 1.50

Quantity Traded Page 1,241,283

Value Traded 5 of 12 3,798,075.80 22,010,405.50 53,983,249.66 32,780,274.00 22,037.00 6,553,695.37 11,204,348.56

2,039 Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 7 10 11 12 33 73

Current Price 1.81 3.44 44.00 1.86 1.10

73 Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 2

Current Price 0.50

130,352,085.89

128,014,580

721,819,396.42

Quantity Traded 244,200 5,237,047 59,650 276,200 1,878,012 7,695,109

Value Traded 442,952.00 17,564,180.88 2,619,241.00 503,808.00 1,935,667.07 23,065,848.95

7,695,109

23,065,848.95

Quantity Traded 17,600

Value Traded 8,800.00

Page

OILPetroleum AND GAS and Petroleum Products Distributors Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FORTE OIL PLC.

SERVICES Daily Summary as of 21/05/2015 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Printed 21/05/2015 14:42:34.034 R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Quantity Traded 5,454,490 6,448,638 11,255,295 10,086,488 2,131,382 27,056,562 7,049,708 Quantity Traded 4,764,016 344,362 6,350,465 1,577,628 2,517,989 85,037,023

5,510,729 5,840,593 10,422,751 44,074 217,488 7,465,110 30,742,028

Symbol ASHAKACEM

No. of Deals 22 28 15 12 56 5 No. of Deals1 8 30 177

Current Price 21.50 10.00 41.50 10.50 177.75 0.83 Current Price 0.50 3.47 96.08

Quantity Traded 99,595 301,092 70,225 158,571 234,002 45,529 Quantity Traded 2,560 282,350 339,605 1,533,529

Value Traded 2,122,840.92 2,923,324.10 2,946,799.97 1,662,903.88 41,639,022.50 34,752.04 Value1,280.00 Traded 1,019,798.00 32,625,885.94 84,976,607.35

Symbol BETAGLAS VANLEER

No. of Deals 7 2 9

Current Price 34.67 11.48

Quantity Traded Page 91,169 8,000 99,169

Value Traded 7 of 12 3,159,191.85 87,505.00 3,246,696.85

Symbol NIGROPES

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 7.46

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 1,418.00 1,418.00

1,632,898

88,224,722.20

Quantity Traded 28,291 28,291

Value Traded 14,145.50 14,145.50

Quantity Traded 2,874,778 2,874,778

Value Traded 51,213,241.95 51,213,241.95

Daily Summary (Equities) BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER Symbol FIRSTALUM PORTPAINT WAPCO

187 Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

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

196 196

17.77

Symbol Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals No. of Deals 40 23 29 21 1 19 133

Current Price Current 41.91 Price 2.81 186.99 154.00 50.54 150.51

Quantity Traded Quantity135,425 Traded 316,218 Page 18,863

Value Traded Value Traded 5,439,140.50 891,837.12 8 3,406,025.38 of 12

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 26 26

Current Price 372.22

Quantity Traded 26,076 26,076

Value Traded 9,814,297.52 9,814,297.52

3,450,930

78,660,318.33

OIL AND GAS Totals

Current Price 6.30 4.45 21.70 1.86 29.29 2.70 2.16 Current Price 5.23 10.50 2.30 0.99 22.50

Daily Summary (Equities)

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Activity Summary onGas Board EQTYTotals Integrated Oil and Services

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

352,104,169.29

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE GUINEAINS INTENEGINS LASACO LAWUNION MANSARD NEM NIGERINS REGALINS STDINSURE WAPIC

Energy Equipment and Services Totals

MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

9,885,200

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 165 DIAMONDBNK 49 Daily ETISummary (Equities) 42 FIDELITYBK 88 GUARANTY 179 SKYEBANK 266 STERLNBANK 93 Symbol No. of Deals UBA 152 UBN 44 UNITYBNK 72 WEMABANK 32 ZENITHBANK 152 1,334

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Daily Summary of 21/05/2015 OIL ANDas GAS Printed 21/05/2015 14:42:34.034 Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC

No. of Deals 21 21

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC

Current Price 0.50

44,565,216.89 1

Symbol 7UP

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

6,675,037 Page

Daily Summary as of 21/05/2015 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Printed 21/05/2015 14:42:34.034 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Current Price 1.54 3.95 0.90 4.44 3.20 41.20

20,489 150 30,640 521,785

358

3,081,683.78 7,203.00 4,792,743.58 17,618,633.36

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 0.88

Quantity Traded 124,033 124,033

Value Traded 99,426.40 99,426.40

Symbol

No. of Deals 5 9 14

Current Price 4.80 1.10

Quantity Traded 451,000 111,002 562,002

Value Traded 2,166,376.30 122,102.20 2,288,478.50

Symbol Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals No. of Deals 43 43

Current Price Current Price 0.66

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 1,925,024 1,925,024

Value Traded Value Traded 1,294,439.84 1,294,439.84

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Page Quantity Traded 79,100 79,100

9Value Traded of 12 39,550.00 39,550.00

Hotels/Lodging TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol TRANSCOHOT

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 9.63

Quantity Traded 16,500 16,500

Value Traded 151,500.00 151,500.00

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,000 5,000

Value Traded 2,500.00 2,500.00

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 5 7 9 21

Current Price 1.00 1.15 6.00

Quantity Traded 306,322 37,247 94,034 437,603

Value Traded 316,638.10 44,696.40 535,993.80 897,328.30

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

Quantity Traded 76,385 76,385

Value Traded 44,881.00 44,881.00

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals SERVICES Employment Solutions Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Printing/Publishing Daily Summary as of 21/05/2015 ACADEMY PRESS PLC. Printed 21/05/2015 14:42:34.034 LEARN AFRICA PLC

UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC RoadSummary Transportation TotalsEQTY Activity on Board Transport-Related Services SERVICES AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Transport-Related Services NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Transport-Related Services Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

ABCTRANS Symbol

9 9

No. of Deals

0.60

Current Price

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

AIRSERVICE Symbol NAHCO

21 No. of Deals 43 64

2.45 Current Price 6.17

Quantity 619,125 Traded 767,227 Page 1,386,352

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 3.51

Quantity Traded 7,660 7,660

Value Traded 25,795.20 25,795.20

177

4,619,659

10,972,699.25

3,875

196,211,905

1,357,960,844.87

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 1,570.00 1,570.00

1,000

1,570.00

ASeM Board Totals

1,000

1,570.00

Equity Activity Totals

3,876

196,212,905

1,357,962,414.87

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

EQTY Board Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

1,524,119.36 Value Traded 4,604,680.65 106,128,800.01 of 12

Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals Daily Summary as of 21/05/2015 GOODS Totals Printed CONSUMER 21/05/2015 14:42:34.034

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.50

Page

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 1 1 3

Current Price 10.75 2,325.00 16.05

Quantity Traded 5 20 5 30

Value Traded 53.75 46,500.00 80.25 46,634.00

ETF Board Totals

46,634.00

ETP Activity Totals

46,634.00

NEW TELEGRAPH friday, may 22, 2015

Chime inaugurates Govt House Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

he new Enugu Government House Complex was yesterday inaugurated in Enugu, by Governor Sullivan Chime. The state's Governor-elect, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was also in attendance. The event took place side by side the demolition of the old Lion Building which had been the seat of government in the state since the era of late Michael Okpara in the 1960s, which Chime said was constructed at a cost of 75,000 pounds, although, the governor did not state how much the new complex cost his administration. The inauguration of the new complex was witnessed by the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, who administered the prayer at the occasion. On what informed the construction of the new complex, Governor Chime said, "on assumption of office, it became clear that what used to be the Lion Building had become a temporary office". The governor, while admitting the opposition in some quarters to the demolition of the old office said his administration decided not to demolish the old structure before commencing the building of the newd one as was usually the case when the government is building any new structure to replace a new one.

Pamela Eboh Awka

wenty-one House of Assembly candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who lost in the April 11, 2015 election in Anambra State, have withdrawn their petitions from the state electoral petition tribunal. Their withdrawal was made public yesterday at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, after a meeting they held with the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke. Egwuonyibo Okoye who was the PDP candidate for Nnewi South 2 constitu-

Industrial court orders Enugu judiciary workers back to work Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

he National Industrial Court sitting in Enugu, yesterday ordered the striking judiciary workers in the state to suspend their industrial action and return to work.

The court presided over by Hon. Justice A. Ibrahim, handed down the order while hearing a suit filed by the Attorney General of Enugu State, Anthony Ani, against the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and two others. The court said the interim order was pending the hearing and determi-

ABAKALIKI

he thirty one boarding schools in Ebonyi State built by the Elechi administration are said to be on the verge of collapse, owing to the stoppage of their funding. It was learnt that government withdrew its funding as it has been

nation of the motion on notice as it also directed that the order be served on the respondents' counsel respectively, with a hearing notice and proof of service of same kept in the case file before the adjourned date. “An interim Order is hereby made against the Respondents to suspend their strike action pend-

ing the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice”, the court said. The judiciary workers in the state had embarked on the strike early this year to protest what they said was the failure of the state to comply with the judgement of the Federal High Court on financial autonomy of the judiciary.

L-R: Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey; former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi; former INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu and others, as the remains of Comrade Uche Chukwumerije starts its final movement to Abia State… yesterday.

21 PDP Anambra Assembly candidates withdraw from tribunal ency and leader of the candidates said that their decision to withdraw their cases from the election tribunal was informed by the solidarity they were giving to Governor Obiano’s administration. He noted that it would also enable the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), lawmakers who emerged victorious at the election give the governor the needed support to transform the state. According to him, any distraction against the state government at this

point in time could delay the progress being made in the state and urged others who lost the election to emulate President Goodluck Jonathan who acknowledged defeat shortly after the presidential election. On his part, Mr. Ifechukwu Udewulu for Nnewi North and Mr. Humphrey Iloh for Njikoka 2, said that politics was a platform to serve the people better, saying that their decision to concede defeat to the APGA candidates, was a service to the people.

Govt stops boarding schools funding in Ebonyi Uchenna Inya

News 47

south - east

paying N10, 000 on each student as counterpart fund while parents pay N5,000 amounting to a total of N15,000 spent on each of the students in the schools across the state. The N15, 000 was meant for feeding of the students. A principal of one of the schools, who craved anonymity, told New

Telegraph that since January this year, the government has refused to pay the counterpart fund, forcing the principals to go borrowing to sustain the students. She said ‘’the government should have told us that the counterpart fund will be stopped. We have been forced to go into borrowing to continue feeding the students.

Cleric tasks Buhari on corruption Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

s the President Goodluck Jonathan administration winds down, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Okigwe South, has called on the in-coming President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to device proactive solutions to corruption which has become endemic in Nigeria. The Bishop in charge of the diocese, Rt. Rev. David Onuoha, made this call at the first session of the 8th synod of the diocese which has the theme: “Christian as its Stewardship in times like this” held at the St. Silas Church, Lowa, in the Ihitte/Uboma Council Area of Imo State. Stating that efforts should be made to strengthen and to support all anticorruption agencies and institutions in the country, the Prelate noted that the change the electorate voted for was not necessarily the change of the political actors, but total a change that would impact positively on the attitude and structures of government. Specifically, the Bishop observed that Nigerians were anxiously expecting change in the following areas; reduction in cost of running government at both the national and state levels, eradication of all forms of impunity and lawlessness in addition to the emergence of strong institutions instead of strong men as is currently the case.

Tribunal approves Anyim, Ufomba's requests to inspect No regrets over poll materials my eight years Pedro Madukwe, said his Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

he Abia State governorship election petition tribunal yesterday granted the prayers of two governorship candidates in the 2015 election in the state, Reagan Ufomba, of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Nyerere Chinenye Anyim of the All Progressives Congress to inspect materials used for the April 11 governorship election, as well as serve the respondents by substituted means. Anyim, in a 40-point petition, AB/EPT/ GOV/3/2015, is challenging the conduct of the election on the ground of non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the electoral guidelines. In praying for the order of the tribunal, counsel to the petitioner,

application was supported by a nine-page affidavit and another affidavit of urgency to serve the 5th and 6th respondents in the petition, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the Governorelect and his Deputy, Ude Okochukwu, respectively. The tribunal also granted the prayer to serve the 4th respondent, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In Ufomba's petition, AB/EPT/GOV/1/2015, filed on Wednesday, he is challenging his “unlawful exclusion” from the INEC list of candidates even after he was duly nominated in the APGA primary election as its governorship candidate. Joined in the petition are Alex Otti, Okezie Ikpeazu, APGA and 23 others. Ufomba’s counsel, Uche Igwe, prayed the court to grant him leave to serve seven of the respondents by substituted means.

rule, says Elechi Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

he governor of Ebonyi State, Martin Elechi, yesterday, stated that that he has no report whatsoever for his eight years rule as the chief executive of the state. Elechi stated this during a valedatory media briefing to mark activities lined up for the May 29 hand-over ceremony in Abakaliki. "I have no regrets whatsoever. I will accommodate all divergent views about my tenure. We must differ in our views; the right to differ is a fundamental human right. We have made tremendous impact. "My objective is to respect the right of others. We have been criticized and I do not have regrets for anything. My actions were felt differently by different people."

News

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

PENGASSAN, NUPENG protest anti-labour practices SOLIDARITY Unions seal off company’s premises protesting management anti-labour posture, assault Tony Anichebe Uyo

rustrated by the anti-labour practices of its management, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria

(PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) branch of the Universal Energy Resources Limited (UERL), yesterday sealed off the company’s headquarters in Uyo to protest the development. The workers were also protesting the assault by their Finance Director, Mr. Basil Monwe. The protesting workers, who gathered as early as 7.00am, chanted solidarity songs and moved peacefully around the

premises with placards that read among others; “We condemn management’s unwillingness to negotiate with the unions,” “This is anti-labour,” “Who owns Universal Energy?” “Is it Akwa Ibom State Government or Seven Energy?” “Akwa Ibom must know.” Top on the minds of the protesters were the issues of abuse of its members by the Finance Director, Mr. Basil Monwe; casualisation of staff and outsourcing of manpower, and over de-

duction of its members’ allowances and pension. The protesters expressed displeasure over what they described as the ‘anti-labour disposition’ of its management, which recently announced the commencement of crude oil production from its Stubb Creek Field, following the approval to embark on delivery of oil through the ExxonMobil’s Qua Iboe Terminal, which came on stream in early February 2015. When contacted yesterday, one of the branch

Chairman of the unions, Comrade Edidiong Uyouko, said the protest was as a result of ‘Management’s consistent and deliberate refusal to re-negotiate the expired Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that is subsisting, the non-implementation of clauses in the CBA and refusal to address 26 outstanding wage re-opener items.’ “Our protest today is as a result of management’s refusal to honour and implement a tripartite agreement with it, vic-

timisation of our union members by the Finance Director, Mr. Basil Monwe and refusal to train members of staff and unfair labour practices by management,” he stressed. Effort to speak with company’s Project Manager, Steve Okoko, proved abortive, however, its Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Aniefiok Iwaudofia, said the protest was a ‘family affair,’ adding that management was ever ready to better and improve the working condition and welfare of its staff.

IFAD constructs N6m classroom block in C’River Clement James Calabar

L-R: Wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor-elect, Martha Udom Emmanuel; wife of the state governor, Unoma Akpabio and Governor Godswill Akpabio, at the inauguration of the Independence Hall in Abak…yesterday

C’River workers, govt poised for showdown Clement James Calabar

arring any last minute intervention by the state government, the Cross River State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) may embark on strike from Tuesday next week. New Telegraph exclusively gathered that the labour union wrote to the state government on Wednesday, intimating it of its plan to embark on strike if their March and April salaries are not paid. It was gathered that the leadership of the union had wanted to call their members out without any warning to government, given the fact that they had made several representations to the government on this issue, but was advised by its national leadership to give a three-day grace period within which government

may attend to their agitation. However, with the directive from the national office, the state leadership quickly wrote a letter to the government, warning that it will embark on strike if by today; government remains insensitive to the plight of the workers. Governor Liyel Imoke had, on Workers’ Day, promised to pay salaries of workers the following week, saying that the delay experienced, was due to a short fall in the state’s allocation. But three weeks after the promise, workers are yet to receive their March and April salaries, while there seems to be no hope for their May salaries, a situation which the leadership of the union considers as an attempt by the governor to leave office without paying them.

Make security your priority, Ikponmwen tells Buhari Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

ormer Provost Marshall of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Don Idada Ikponmwen, yesterday said that the overhaul of the nation’s security apparatus must be the first major task and focus of the incoming government of General Muhamadu Buhari.

He said the safety of lives and property of citizens and nationals of other countries remain the fulcrum of development and growth of any serious nation. Ikponmwen, who stated this in an interview with newsmen, decried the plight of security agencies in the hands of previous governments, saying they have been bastardised by politicians in a bid to con-

trol them and make them do their bidding as against the constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property. Besides, the former Provost Marshall urged the President-elect not to allow the governors force him on his knees in the appointment of people into key positions; rather he should choose knowledgeable persons with ideas to reposition the polity.

Ogbe-Ijoh chieftaincy tussle: ‘Aribogha is the rightful Pere-elect’ Gabriel Choba Ughelli

ollowing the pronouncement of Couple Oromoni as the Pere-elect of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government area of Delta State in a selection process presided over by the Regent of the kingdom,

Chief Samson Mamamu, in a newspaper publication yesterday, debunked the publication, saying that a Pere has already been selected by the Perebiri Quarter in 2014. In a statement signed by Chief Alfred Yola, Chairman of Perebiri Quarter, on behalf of the warring factions, said Chief Jonny Aribogha

was selected as the Pereelect from Perebiri Quarter, whose turn is to produce the Pere (king) on December 30, 2014, urging the general public to disregard the kangaroo selection process of Couple Oromoni. He said: “The Regent, Chief Samsom Mamamu, have no authority to conduct select process of Pere.

he International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) yesterday said it has spent over N6 million in the construction of six classroom block for pupils of Iyamoyong community in Obubra Local Government area of Cross River State. The project was sponsored by IFAD under its Community Based Natural Resource Management Programme-Niger Delta (CBNRMP-ND). IFAD’s National Coordinator, Mrs. Irene Ibeakuzi, made the disclosure yesterday during the monitoring of IFAD’s projects in the state. Ibeakuzi said the project, which started in 2010, was aimed at giving primary education in the community a face-lift.

Accept guber poll result, Akwa Ibom group tells opposition

socio-political group, Akwa Ibom Progressives Forum (AKIPROF), an organisation of Akwa Ibom State extraction in the South West yesterday congratulated the state Governor-elect, Udom Emmanuel, the incumbent Governor, Godswill Akpabio and Obong Bassey Albert, on the victory of the party in the recently conducted polls. The group also admonished those who lost at the poll to accept the result as the wish of the majority of the people and join hands with winners to move the state forward. This was contained in a statement issued at the end of its regional council meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Utibe Abasi Umoren.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY,MAY 22, 2015

News 49

NORTH

Gunmen kill 40 in Benue, Plateau villages Cephas Iorhemen and Musa Pam

uspected Fulani herdsmen yesterday killed 40 people in separate attacks in Plateau and Benue states. In the Plateau attack, 27 people were killed while the Benue attack claimed 13 lives. The Plateau attack came notwithstanding the curfew and restriction of movement in seven local government areas of the

state. It was learnt that no fewer than 27 persons were reportedly killed in two communities of Barkin Ladi Government Area of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Confirming the attack to New Telegraph, the executive chairman of the local government Council Hon. Emmanuel Loman, disclosed that Fulani herdsmen without provocation, attacked Ninji village and shot seven people in the

community and stormed Ropp, a nearby village, and killed 20 persons. He said: “As I talk to you now, I am at the mass burial of 27 people killed by the Fulani and their mercenaries.” Loman emphasised that the act is being perpetrated by the Fulanis who live in the communities and aided by their mercenaries. The LG boss indicated that the attackers wanted to make Barkin Ladi LGA another Sambisa forest at

all cost. He, therefore, called on security operatives to be proactive as the situation is getting out of hand. The Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Emmanuel Abuh, had on Wednesday confirmed the killings of six people in the same locality. Similarly, suspected Fulani gunmen on Wednesday attacked the popular Kyado market in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State leaving at least 13

people including an officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) dead. The FRSC officer identified as Mr. Amos Kaorga Abuul, is a graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi and had worked with many commercial banks in the country.

Court dismisses PDP suit against Ortom Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (right), with the Registrar and Chief Executive of the National Examination Council (NECO), Prof. Monday Joshua, during a courtesy visit to Aliyu in Minna

Group accuses DPO of fueling crisis in Taraba Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

group known as the Concerned Taraba Tiv Youth Frontiers (CTTYF) yesterday accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Takum, Taraba State, of being behind the recent unrest in Takum Local Government area of the state, where many people were feared killed recently. Chairman of the group, Mr. Goodman Dan Dahida, while briefing journalists in Jalingo, accused the DPO of fueling the crisis and called on the state Commissioner of Police to remove him and send a more professional police officer to the area. According to him, the careless statement by the DPO without investigation that the Tiv people were behind the killing of the 12 Kuteb persons along the Takum-Katsina Ala road and the TakumKashinbilla road, led to a reprisal in Takum town, where many Tiv people were massacred. Dahida said: “The com-

ment by the DPO without investigation that Tiv were behind the killing of Kutebs in the area, sparked reprisal from the angry Kuteb militia, who went on a killing spree of any Tiv person in sight. “As of the last count, 25 bodies were recovered and buried while scores are still missing despite the curfew in Takum during the unrest, which the DPO personally ensured that police were not deployed to certain areas to allow Kuteb militia carry out their planned mission.”

he Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State and presided over by Justice Binta Nyako yesterday dismissed the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state challenging the nomination of Dr. Samuel Ortom, as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). When the case came up in court yesterday, counsel to the plaintiff, Andrew Wombo, requested the court to withdraw the case and in her ruling, Justice Nyako dismissed the suit. She granted N250, 000 to both Ortom and the APC as costs. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Adeniyi Akintola, led other lawyers who appeared for the APC Governor-elect, while Michael Gusa, who

Dutse

igawa State governor, Sule Lamido, yesterday announced that his administration is leaving behind a liability of N104 billion in the state. This, he said, comprises of N90 billion on the uncompleted Dutse Bye-Pass construction project, among other roads across the state and among other contractors’ liabilities.

held brief for Sebastian Hon (SAN), led others who appeared for the APC. The PDP in the state had dragged Ortom to the Federal High Court, Makurdi, over allegation of non-qualification and non-sponsorship by the APC to contest the governorship election. Also joined in the suit are the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The PDP also said that Ortom’s quest to contest the forthcoming governorship election amounted to gross violation of the Electoral Act Section 87 (1) as well as Section 177 (C) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), which qualifies one to contest for governorship in a state only if “he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party.”

Bauchi community hands over hardware to military Plateau ADC Mohammed Kawu Bauchi

nti-aircraft machines allegedly captured from insurgents by youths of Sayawa community in Tafawa Balewa Local Government area of Bauchi State on March 30, 2015 were yesterday handed over to the Special Task Force command in Jos. The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Tafawa Balewa Local Government, Reverend Isaac Istifanus, said the

anti-aircraft weapons were officially submitted and handed over to the Special Task Force (STF) Commander, Major-General D. D. Enetie in Tafawa Balewa town. Istifanus said the gallant youths of Zaar Sayawa captured the antiaircraft machines from the deadly Boko Haram terrorists when Tafawa Balewa town was attacked on March 30, 2015 immediately after the general elections. According to him, this is not the first time such weapons are handed over to the military, recalling that in the past, two AK47

rifles were confiscated, when a soldier was disarmed and killed and his machine gun was taken by the Boko Haram terrorists, when the same Zaar youths pursued the terrorists, recaptured and returned the machine gun to the military base. The CAN chairman commended the member representing Tafawa Balewa, Dass and Bogoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Dogara Yakubu, for being instrumental in building peace between the Fulani and the Sayawa communities that brought about the relative peace the people are enjoying now.

Lamido leaves N104bn liabilities in Jigawa DahiruSuleiman

The assailants, New Telegraph gathered, were on a ‘special mission’ to eliminate a politician who was said to be relaxing with his friends in the market. But on arrival at the market, the assailants discovered that their prime target had left leaving his friends and other people.

Others, he said, include the Dutse International Airport project, N14 billion, the Hadejia Eastern Bye-Pass project, the Gagarawa-Bosuwa-Maigatari road project, among others. Speaking during the last State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Dutse, the governor announced the handing over of the state affairs to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Lawal Abdu. Governor Lamido said his major achievement in

office was the restoration of confidence in the state’s civil service, restructuring of the service through injecting discipline, the boosting of staff morale and restoring the lost glory of the service. Others, he said, include prompt payment of salaries, pegging the number of inherited ministries from 76 to a reasonable number of 15, providing a conducive working environment with working facilities, among others. The governor also said

his government restored peace and stability in the state in the last eight years, thanking the people and the civil servants for their tolerance, hard work and commitment to his success. He called on the people to extend these same gestures to the in-coming government for its success. Furthermore, Lamido said the SSG will, from now on, oversee the state of affairs up to the midnight of May 28 for the final exit of the present administration.

NWC reinstates suspended members MusaPam Jos

he National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the dissolution of the steering committee and the suspension of some of its members in Plateau State. TheADCinalettersigned by its National Secretary, AlhajiSa’idBabaAbdullahi,addressed to the state Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, said the NWC has ‘ordered all positions within the party to be revertedtoitsinitialposition.’ The letter was signed and made available to New Telegraph yesterday in Jos, along with a press release signed by the embattled Chairman and Secretary of the dissolved committee, AlhajiMuhammaduAbdullahi and Mubarak Yusuf Garko, respectively. The letter said Sabiu Musa, who was a gubernatorial candidate, should ‘mind his utterances in any matter that could bring about any further escalation of problems within the party.’

50 News

WORLD | News

FG to install CCTV cameras at airports

IS seizes Syria’s Palmyra

Wole Shadare

he Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman, has expressed concern over the security challenges at the airport, especially the stowaway cases, crowd control and touting at the terminals that have become a routine at most of the country’s airports. To this end, he advocated for continuous surveillance on the movement of passengers at the ramp,

promising to ensure the provision of CCTV cameras, patrol vans and other security equipment to assist in exterminating touting and insecurity around the airport. He said the stowaway cases have taken an alarming proportion, couple with high crime rate at the airports with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) not doing enough to protect lives and property in the area. A top official of the United States highest aviation regulatory body,

Monte Belger, recently likened airport security as measures, techniques and methods used in protecting passengers, staff and aircraft, which use the airports from accidental or malicious harm, crime and other threats. According to him, airport security serves several purposes; it is to protect the airport and country from any threatening events, to reassure the traveling public that they are safe and to protect the country and their people.

slamic State group jihadists seized Syria’s Palmyra yesterday, as UNESCO warned that the destruction of the ancient city would be “an enormous loss to humanity”. The capture of Palmyra, a 2,000-yearold metropolis, reportedly leaves more than half of Syria under IS control and comes days after the group also expanded its control in Iraq. Palmyra “is the birthplace of human civilisation. It belongs to the whole of humanity and I think everyone today should be worried about what is happening,” UNESCO chief Irina Bo-

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

kova said yesterday. IS fighters had spread out through Palmyra, including at the archaeological site in the city’s southwest, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Syrian state media said loyalist troops withdrew after “a large number of IS terrorists entered the city”. In an online statement, IS proclaimed its capture of the entire city, which is strategically located at the crossroads of key highways leading west to Damascus and Homs, and east to Iraq. IS also seized Palmyra’s prison, notorious for the killings of hundreds of regime

prisoners in the 1980s and seen as a symbol of oppression during the reign of President Bashar al-Assad’s late father Hafez al-Assad. The jihadists, notorious for demolishing archaeological treasures since declaring a “caliphate” last year straddling Iraq and Syria, fought their way into Palmyra on foot after breaking through in the city’s north. Known in Syria as “the pearl of the desert”, Palmyra is home to colonnaded alleys, elaborately decorated tombs, and ancient Greco-Roman ruins that attracted more than 150,000 tourists yearly.

Colonial audit law repealed by reps l Federal Audit Service Commission to be created

ven as the Seventh Session of the National Assembly gradually wind up the House of Representatives has passed a bill to repeal the Audit Act of 1956 and Re-Enact the Audit Act of 2014. The new bill titled “An Act for the establishment of the Office of the Auditor For the Federation, Audit Service Commission, Additional Powers and Functions of Auditor General and For Matters Connected Therewith” was jointly sponsored by Hon. Solomon Adeola Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Justice. The passage followed a

presentation of the Report of the Committee of Public Accounts and Justice by Hon. Adeola and the successful consideration of the report by a committee of the whole House and an accelerated third reading of the bill. The Deputy Speaker of the House,Hon Emeka Ihedioha who presided over plenary set up a conference committee headed by Senator Elect, Hon. Adeola to liaise with the Senate for concurrence on the passed bill. Commenting on the passage of the bill, Senator Elect Adeola who championed the repeal of the archaic and inadequate audit

laws said it is regrettable that the laws guiding our audit process in government is outdated without commensurate powers for the Auditor General to function effectively adding that some penalties are as ridiculous as asking defaulters to pay 2shillings as fine. “The passed bill will give more powers to the Auditor General as well as established an Audit Service Commission to take care of recruitment, training and other welfare issues of auditing staff of Auditor General’s Office. It also increased penalties to hundreds of thousands” he said.

Senate presidency: APC holds retreat for Senators-elect Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold a two-day retreat for all its Senators-elect in Abuja. The retreat will commence today. A source close to the national leadership of the party told New Telegraph that the focus of the retreat would be on

the issue of leadership of the 8th Senate. For over one month, the party has not been able to agree on the zoning formula for the principal officers of the Senate. However, the National Leader of the party and former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday said the party would consider merit

above zoning in selecting the leadership of the Senate. Tinubu, who spoke at the Defence House, Abuja, said the party would do what is good for the party and Nigeria in choosing the Senate leadership. The former governor, whose name had been peddled in the choice of the Senate president, said he would always pitch his tent with the party.

FOCI bemoans CBN’s threat to chronic debtors Dayo Ayeyemi

embers of the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) are not happy with the situation they found themselves, especially the recent threat by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to publish names of chronic debtors to banks in the country. Speaking at a press briefing on its forthcoming 59th Annual

General Meeting in Lagos, President of FOCI, Mr. Solomon Ogunbusola, a builder, expressed displeasure over the CBN’s threat, saying that the inability of his members to pay back loans owed banks was due to non- payment of their money by the government. He said his members have expended the loans from banks on infrastructure projects such as roads and building construction with the

hope that government would pay them their contract sum as at when due, but failed to live up to expectation. Members of FOCI are made up of big construction company in the country. Members include Julius Berger Plc, C&C Construction, Costain West Africa, Hitech, Brunelli Construction, Jagal Nigeria, G. Cappa Plc, PW Nigeria Limited, Dantata & Sawoe and RCC, among others.

The advance by Islamic State fighters on the ancient city of Palmyra has raised fears the Syrian world heritage site could be destroyed.

Belgium threatens to cut aid to Burundi

elgium warned Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza yesterday it would end all direct aid if he went ahead with his run for a third term in power that has prompted violent protests. The Belgian government “expresses the hope that President Nkurunziza will renounce a third term,” the foreign ministry said in a statement after a cabinet meeting in Brussels. “A third presidential

term would stain at the highest level the legitimacy of the Burundi executive and would make the completion of the bilateral programme impossible,” the ministry added. The decision came as one protester was shot dead in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura yesterday, the latest victim of the unrest in which more than 20 people have died. Belgium is the biggest bilateral aid donor

to its former colony Burundi, with only the European Union and World Bank providing more support. In 2013, the direct aid from Belgium amounted to 47.4 million euros ($52.7 million), of which 34.4 million euros went directly to intergovernmental cooperation. Earlier this month, Belgium suspended aid for elections in Burundi as well as police cooperation which also involved the Netherlands.

Israeli military court orders release of Palestinian MP

n Israeli military court said yesterday it had ordered the release of Palestinian legislator Khalida Jarrar, detained at her home in the West Bank city of Ramallah on April 2. At the time of her arrest, the army had said she posed unspecified “substantial security risks”. Jarrar is a senior member of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which Israel considers to be a “terrorist organisation”.

The army said yesterday that it had incriminating testimony proving Jarrar had engaged in illegal activities, but noted she was retaining her right to remain silent. The military court noted, however, that implementation of the decision would be delayed by 72 hours to enable the prosecution to appeal. Palestinian prisoner rights group Addameer said Jarrar faced 12 charges because of her role as a lawmaker and for her “campaigning for prison-

ers”. “Addameer considers the arrest of Mrs Jarrar to be a political one, and calls for her immediate release,” it said in a statement, implying she may be kept in custody despite the release order. The Ramallah-based Palestinian Prisoners’ Club says that 12 of 130 Palestinian MPs are currently in Israeli detention. The Palestinian parliament has not met since 2007, after elections a year earlier which were won by the Islamist movement Hamas.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

News

U-20 World Cup

International Sport

Alfa saddened by World Cup miss

Xavi confirms Barca exit

Eaglets battle Brazil at Korea tourney

Sport

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Falcons arrive in Canada as Okon eyes trophy

Did you know? That Only one GOLD Premier League trophy has been awarded in the history of EPL and it was to Arsenal because in 2003/2004 season, the team didn’t lose any league match

F’Eagles defence shaky, says Disu •Tips Manu to break U-20 W’Cup jinx

Manu

Emmanuel Tobi

F The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sport Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sport Correspondent

ormer Flying Eagles coach, Tunde Disu (OFR), has urged the technical crew of the Flying Eagles to correct some of the lapses noticed in the team’s defence before the U-20 World Cup begins on May 30 in New Zealand. The Flying Eagles ended their tour of Germany with three wins from three matches, defeating the U-23 teams of Hoffenheim, Nurenberg and Freiburg 5-2, 5-0 and 4-1 respectively. Disu, who led the Flying Eagles to a second-place finish at the 1989 edition in Saudi Arabia, warned that the Garba Manu’s side must improve on its tactical approach in the defence even though he is optimistic about the team’s chances at the World Cup. “From what we saw at the Super 6 in Abuja and the African U-20 Championship, the team

needs to work on their marking system. The two full backs should not move forward when they are attacking because it exposes the team to counter attacks. I believe the presence of Wilifred Ndidi will stabilise the defence line,” he said. He added that all the players must work for each other considering the fact that the standard at the World Cup would be higher than that of the African U-20 championship. “The Flying Eagles’ midfield is the engine room and with the combined experience of Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidiebere Nwakali, Kingsley Sokari, Mathew Ifeanyi, Akinjide Idowu and Musa Yahaya they must support the defence anytime they are not with the ball. “They must be tactically disciplined because they will be facing more exposed sides in Brazil, Hungary and North Korea. What they do when they lose the ball is very important and everybody must have a

defensive behaviour, including the strikers,” he stressed. Disu, who is famous for leading the Flying Eagles to an incredible penalty shootout victory over the former Soviet Union, after coming from fournil down, at Saudi ‘89, also backed the current Flying Eagles team to become the first Nigerian side to win the U-20 World Cup after losing the 1989 and 2005 finals to Portugal and Argentina respectively. “We must take the matches one after the other because it will be very difficult to qualify from the group. Brazil will be tough, Hungary have a good youth development programme and the North Koreans can be deceptive with their quick style of play. But I strongly believe we will qualify from the group as I see Manu leading the team to win the tournament,” he enthused. The coach who currently heads the Lagos Junior League, a developmental football league

Disu

for students in Lagos state, also relished the league’s contribution to the Flying Eagles. “We are proud to have produced five players in the current team: Prince Omego (Apapa Golden Stars), Dele Alampasu (Ojodu), Taiwo Awoniyi (Onigbongbo), Abdullahi Mustapha (Nath Boys), Akinjide Idowu (Nath Boys) and don’t forget that (Flying Eagles assistant coach) Nduka Ugbade works for Nath Boys, who have won the Junior League thrice,” he said.

Sport

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Plotting return to winning ways

cursory look at Nigeria’s soccer development over the years shows that we are never ready for any competition even if given ten years notice. We always prefer the fire brigade approach; otherwise how can one explain the situation where our national teams seldom get coordinated, by being exposed to first grade training, preparatory to major tournaments. The irony is that in spite of this sorry state of affairs, our national teams usually manage to go through against highly prepared sides in major tournaments. These series of phantom victories that were not based on hard work, or technical depth, but by sheer determination and survival instincts on the part of the players, have given our administrators a false sense of accomplishment, thereby ignoring their major assignment of setting up credible structures that would sustain the development of the game. It is either Mother Nature is a Nigerian or we are highly favoured by God. While not ignoring the place of the divine in the affairs of men, the truth is God has given us the free will to decide the best option to adopt in dealing with our

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challenges. Nigerians love to pray for virtually everything without playing their own part by ensuring adequate preparation for any event. They forget the Holy book’s injunction, which states that “faith without work is dead.” Hence, the adoption of more scientific approach in the development of the game in the country as a whole should have been the best approach in our quest to chart a new course for the game. We have watched over the years how our Football Supporters Club in the middle of major football matches transmute into emergency prayer warriors, as alternate means of turning the pressures that attends our planlessness. It is a case of if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. One begins to imagine for how long this unsavory scenario will continue simply because some officials

Eaglets battle Brazil at Korea invitational tourney

igeria’s Golden Eaglets will test their preparedness for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup when they take on top teams like Brazil at an invitational tournament in South Korea. These will be just weeks after the Nigeria U-20, the Flying Eagles, would have tackled their Brazilian counterparts at the World Cup in New Zealand. The Eaglets will be up against Brazil at the tournament aimed at preparing teams for the World

Cup in Chile in October. The Eaglets commenced a closed training camp in Abuja this week with 30 players and coach Emmanuel Amuneke is due to join the team from his base in Spain by the weekend. After the reigning world champions finished a disappointing fourth at this year’s CAF U-17 Championship in Niger, Amuneke promised to make up for the poor outing with a much better showing in Chile.

JOE BOOSTER

have failed to do their job by putting the right structures in place. I have waited patiently for the board of the Nigeria Football Federation led by Amaju Pinnick, that held so much promise at inception to release the much awaited blueprint for the development of our grassroots football, but it appears to be a herculean task that may never see the light of day, as none is forthcoming so far. In other words, it is either they ran for elections without the proposed programme for implementation, or that the board ran for office to enjoy the luxury it confers, as such never had anything new ab initio. But the reality is that our football is currently in the woods and needs urgent tonic to accelerate its fortunes. We are doing so well in international tournaments particularly in under-aged

events, yet we commit little or nothing to its development. This is where the best of our raw talents are harvested, yet little or no attention is given to the sector. The ideal thing to do would have been for some coaches from the federation to be deployed to the six geopolitical zones and be saddled with the responsibility of grooming the talents that will be fished out. At this level, football basics are inculcated in them, while the nation’s standard football culture and philosophy (picked from the streets), are unfolded to them at the very early stage. Unfortunately, this ought to be one of the major functions of the Technical Department of the Federation, when given leadership. I had expected that players discovered through such programmes at the zones should be profiled and followed up. This automatically leads to the need for the federation to set up players’ databank with complete statistics, to guide coaches in selection processes; for national teams’ assignment as the need arises. It is not enough to hear of Nigerianborn players donning jerseys of other nations in remote and distant lands, yet have no relationship whatsoever with

the federation. It is either their transfer processes out of the country were fraught with irregularities, or that the players sneaked out of the country without the consent of the federation. Ordinarily, it is a big shame that the federation does not have a compendium of all Nigerian players abroad, showing their club sides, positions of play, nations they have played for in the past, and the accurate number of caps they have won for the nation. At least with such data, the job of any coach is by far simplified, rather than the current scenario where they operate in the dark without valuable information. For the nation’s football to therefore return to the winning ways once again, there is an urgent need to put the house in order and begin to re-order the federation’s priorities aright. The era of win at all cost that resulted in the use of unqualified players should be jettisoned for a more scientific approach to reengineering our football, and in the process leave an enduring legacy. Pinnick has the singular privilege and opportunity to salvage our football from the current doldrums.

CBN Tennis: Ifidzhen cruises into semis Ifeanyi Ibeh

elissa Ifidzhen on Thursday continued her fine run at the ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria 37th Senior Tennis Tournament with a straight sets victory over Patience Onebamhoin to cruise into the semi-finals of the tournament taking place at the National Stadium, Lagos. The Russian-born Ifidzhen, who ended the run of women’s singles number two seed, Sarah Adegoke, 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 in the second round, made easy work of Onebamhoin, winning 6-0,

6-0 in under an hour to set up a date with Beauty McLeod in Friday’s semifinals. McLeod is the mother of highly-rated junior tennis star, Angel McLeod, whose run at the championship came to an end on Wednesday when she lost to women’s top seed, Christy Agugbom. Agugbom, who is also the tournament’s defending champion, also breezed into the semifnals on Thursday and will next take on Aanu Aiyegbusi in the semi-finals. In the men’s singles, the defending champion and number

two seed, Abdulmumuni Babalola, defeated Nonso Madueke 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the semi-finals. Semifinal matches will also be decided on Friday in both the men’s and women’s wheelchair singles events with men’s defending champion and number one seed, Alex Adewale, and number two seed, Jude Uwazie, already through to the semifinals. Adewale on Wednesday defeated Prince Nwkemonere 4-0, 4-0 while Uwazie defeated Bolawa Akingbemisilu 4-1, 4-1 to advance to the last four. The tournament ends on Saturday.

Okpekpe winners to get national team call-up

Eaglets’ Victor Osimhen (right) in action against Mali at the CAF U-17 Championship

he top Nigerian finishers at the just concluded 10 kilometre Okpekpe Road Race will be called up to the camp of the national team ahead of the All Africa Games and Olympics Games. Stating this was former African long jump record holder and a member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Yusuf Alli, who said their performance of the outstanding men and women at last weekend’s road race, was good enough to earn them spots in Team Nigeria’s camp. At Okpekpe, Plateau’s Emmanuel Gyang ran 32.31mins to finish 17th overall. He was also the first Nigerian to cross the finish line in the men’s race that was won by Alex Korio of Kenya, who finished in a time of 29.20mins, ahead of Leigh Gabriesileshe of Ethiopia

(29.22min) and Amos Muteh of Kenya (29.24mins). Plateau’s Gideon Goyet was the second Nigerian man to cross the finish line, followed by William Kefas, also from Plateau, and Edo’s Osheku Lawrence, who finished with a time of 34.46mins. Others are Plateau’s Joshua Hassan and Dapreng Luka, as well as Abia’s Ugochukwu Chukwumadu and Robert Okam. Deborah Pam tops the list in the women’s category after crossing the finish line with a time of 38.41mins in the women’s race that was won by Kenya’s Tanui Nkele with a time of 33:34mins. Others are Ogunkoya Muibat (Lagos), Asedo Queensly (Edo), Ann Seriki (Lagos), Mary Raphael (Niger), Amalawa Emmanuel (Edo), Ruby Lawani (Edo) and Peace Ikerebe (Edo).

International Sport 53

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

Juve coach targets treble after Coppa victory

uventus coach, Max Allegri, has stated that his team will “try to win the Treble” following their Coppa Italia final win over Lazio. The Bianconeri had not won the Coppa Italia since 1995, the year they also won the league and cup Double under Marcello Lippi. But having fulfilled their first Double in 20 years, the former Milan coach now has his sights on defeating Barcelona in the Champions League final. “Lazio had a great game, it was worthy of a final and we knew this would be different from Serie A,” Allegri told Rai Sport after a 2-1 victory in extra time. He added: “I have to say that it wasn’t easy for the lads to win the Scudetto and Coppa Italia. Now we’ll try to win the third.” Juve go into the Champions League final against Barcelona on June 6. “It is not easy to play in three tournaments all the way through a season. Now we will try to nourish this dream and turn it into reality.”

De La Hoya warns Mitchell

Xavi confirms Barca exit

Xavi

arcelona midfielder Xavi will join Qatari side Al Sadd in the summer after 17 years with the Spanish champions. Xavi, 35, announced at a press conference on Thursday that he had been offered a new contract at Barcelona, but admitted it was time to leave the club he had been with since his youth.

His final league game for the La Liga champions will be against Deportivo on Saturday, with the Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao and Champions League final against Juventus to come. “It’s a definitive decision, it’s not an easy one, it’s the right moment to go,” Xavi, Barcelona’s appearance record holder, told reporters. “I still feel useful here

but a change of scene is necessary, my head tells me so but not my heart,” he said, adding that his aim was to return to Barca after completing his coaching qualifications. Xavi signed up with Barca’s academy in 1991 at the age of 11 and has won 23 trophies during 17 seasons in the first team, as well as picking up 133 caps for Spain.

scar De La Hoya is touting his fighter Jorge Linares to give London favourite Kevin Mitchell a real run for his money in their WBC lightweight title fight on May 30. Boxing hall of famer De la Hoya, who won 10 world titles at six different weights after striking gold at the Barcelona ‘92 Olympics, now promotes Venezuelan Linares and expects him to again thwart the world title hopes of Mitchell, whose two previous attempts ended in failure. Linares became a three-weight world champion when he seized the vacant title in December by stopping Javier Prieto in four rounds in Tokyo, his home for the past 10 years. “Jorge Linares is a world champion fighter and is determined to give Kevin Mitchell a difficult time in the ring as he looks to defend his title,” said De La Hoya. “Mitchell may have hometown advantage but Linares’ speed and skill will give Mitchell a considerable challenge in the ring. Make no mistake though, this will be a difficult fight for both Linares and Mitchell and one that is sure to excite.”

Liverpool cancel Sterling contract talks

iverpool have cancelled contract talks with Raheem Sterling and his representatives which had been due to take place on Friday. Earlier on Thursday Sterling’s agent Aidy Ward had told Sky Sports News that he

denied quotes attributed to him in the Evening Standard over the Liverpool forward’s future and would be seeking legal advice over the article. Ward was due to meet Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre on Friday to discuss Sterling’s future and was expected

to tell the club Sterling would not be signing an extension to his existing deal, which still has two years to run. The 20-year-old was booed by some Liverpool fans as he accepted the Young Player of the Year award at Tuesday night’s end of season

awards ceremony. Sterling - and his agent have also been roundly criticised by many involved in football with former Arsenal star Thierry Henry warning Sterling he risks “destroying his life and career” by listening to “bad advice”.

Mitchel

U-20 World Cup special ‘Soldiers’ dominate North Korean team

Defensive concerns for Manu

lying Eagles coach Manu Garba has admitted that defending is his side’s weakest area ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. The Flying Eagles wrapped up their pretournament tour of Germany with an emphatic 4-1 win over Freiburg’s U-23 side. The reigning African champions also defeated Hoffenheim’s U23s 5-2 and Nuremberg’s U-23s 5-0 for a total of 14 goals in three games. However, Manu is concerned about the side’s defence, which leaked three goals in those three games. “We still need to work on our defence. This is

Manu

where we need to work on before the World Cup kicks off,” he was quoted as saying by AfricanFootball. com. “The mental speed of the players [needs to improve] - they do recover in good time, but they often fail to do the marking when it matters most, to close up on the opposition. “But I believe before the World Cup, the defence will be a lot tighter because we will surely work on those areas. This is the major weakness of this team.” Manu believes the Flying Eagles midfield is their strongest area though and says their attack is likely to be the strongest at the World Cup. “The midfield is the main strength of this team, but with the inclusion of Isaac Success, Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon, the attack will be very, very deadly,” he added. “It will be difficult to get an attack that will be as deadly as that of Nigeria.” Nigeria will play in Group E along with Brazil, Hungary and Korea DPR, and will begin their campaign against the South Americans on June 1.

S Flying Eagles players celebrating after scoring a goal

Flying Eagles depart Germany Sunday

igeria’s Flying Eagles are set for a most demanding 25-hour flight across three continents when they depart Germany on Sunday night for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. The African champions are booked on Emirates flight, which will depart Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday night and arrive Dubai on Monday morning.

They will then depart Dubai on Monday morning for Melbourne, Australia, before they head out again to Auckland, New Zealand. They are scheduled to arrive Auckland on Tuesday afternoon. And from Auckland, they will connect a flight to New Plymouth, where they will play all their first round matches against Brazil, North Korea and Hungary.

even players from army club April 25 SC have been named by North Korea in their final squad for the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. The North Koreans are in the same group as Nigeria, Brazil and Hungary. And April 25, who are also known as 4.25, are owned by the Korean People’s Army and are one of the Asian country’s most successful clubs having won the league cup on 10 occasions. The players from that team are Kum Nam Jang (defender), Hyo Song Min (defender), Yu Song Kim (forward), Kwang Mwong Jo (forward), Chol Jae Kim (forward) , Jong Hyok So (forward) and Chol Ryong Son (goalkeeper). Interestingly, six of the Korean players coming to the World Cup bear the same surname – Kim. That should be nightmare for commentators should all of them be on the pitch at the same time. The Flying Eagles battle the relatively unknown North Koreans on June 4 in New Plymouth.

Alfa saddened by World Cup miss

lying Eagles midfielder Abdullahi Alfa has explained how he felt after he was excluded from the Nigeria’s 21-man squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The 18-year-old has been an integral part of Manu Garba’s team right from the last U-17’s and made the trip to Germany for the team’s

training camp before the final squad was announced, but was conspicuously missing from the list. And he says he couldn’t eat the night he was told he wouldn’t be going to New Zealand. “I was shocked,” he was quoted as saying by Sl10.ng. “I couldn’t eat that night when I was told I

won’t be a part of the team. “I cried all night and my teammates had to console me but it wasn’t enough because I had so much hope and expectation,” he said. He however went on to say he’s now trying to look beyond the disappointment and focus on his future.

Sport

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Shell Cup talents thrill Feyenoord team

Semifinals take place today Charles Ogundiya

he Feyenoord technical team currently in Nigeria to train players and coaches participating in the 2015 Shell Cup football competition has showered praises on the talents produced by the sponsors. Gido Vida, one of the Feyenoord Rotterdam officials commended NNPC /Shell for investing in the youth consistently for 17 years. He noted that the young lads taking part in the competition showed so much commitment and natural talent. “We have our own ways of imparting knowledge into the youth. It has been a great experience for us and I have to salute Shell for helping in the development of talents,” he said. Former Nigeria international, Mike Obiku, noted that the difference between the talents in Nigeria and those in Holland was the facilities enjoyed by the youths in the Netherlands. “I am happy to be part of this programme since I also started my career here. It was important that we were able to engage some of the coaches and we expect them to impart better knowledge of the game to kids across the country. The Shell Cup is a great competition because the

focus is on development of the participants,” Obiku noted. SPDC’s Sustainable Development and Community Relations Manager, Mr. Igo Weli, said the sponsors were happy with the progress made so far by the competition. “The NNPC/Shell Cup competition has recorded many gains. However, the one success we are most proud of is the reduction in the number of boys who have abandoned their education in pursuit of a football career. Combining sports with education is the true purpose of the NNPC/Shell Cup. And I am happy to say that this has been achieved by the sustained effort of SPDC, our joint venture partners and the Nigeria School Sport Federation,” Weli said. Meanwhile, the semifinal of the Shell Cup takes place at the National Stadium in Lagos today. Government Day Secondary School, Katsina will take on Rochas Okorocha Foundation College, Imo in the first semifinal while Rezheight High School, Edo will take on Government Secondary School, Kano in the other semifinal. The four schools have been enjoying the benefits of the coaching clinic handled by the Feyenoord technical team f since Tuesday.

Falcons arriving Canada yesterday

L-R: International Relations Manager, Feyenoord Academy, Netherlands, Mr. Gido Vader; Head Coach, Feyenoord Soccer Schools and Ex-Super Eagles Striker, Mr. Mike Obiku; Shell’s Social Investment Manager, Mrs. Abayomi Adeleye; GM, Sustainable Development and Community Relations, SPDC, Mr. Igo Weli and UEFA A-License coach, Feyenoord Academy, Mr. Melvin Boel, at the Media chat on the 2015 NNPC-Shell Cup, in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Keshi remains Nigeria’s best coach – Danagogo • Says NFF can’t afford N30m for foreign coach Adeolu Johnson Abuja

ports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, has disclosed that the Sports Ministry had no choice than to reappoint Stephen Keshi as the Super Eagles coach because he is the best in the country. Danagogo said other coaches that could had been appointed in place of Keshi were engaged with the country’s other national teams citing former Super Eagles handler Samson Siasia as an example. “If you look around the country, you will discover that Keshi is the best option with no Nigerian coach coming near him in terms of achievements and that is why we gave him the job,” he explained. Danagogo who opined that Keshi, whose monthly salary is N5million, is a bargain as Nigeria was not in position to cough out N30 million which is the least amount any foreign coach would be asking for on a monthly basis to handle the national team. “So, hiring Keshi was a reasonable decision because we can meet the payment of his

Falcons arrive in Canada as Okon eyes trophy

igeria’s Super Falcons have landed in Toronto, venue of their training tour with high hopes ahead of the World Cup kicking off in June. The team left Abuja on Wednesday night aboard an Air France airline and landed in Paris around 5:45am local time after a five and half hour trip. The team transited at the Charles De Gaulle airport for 5 hours before connecting their flight to Toronto. On arrival at the Toronto Pearson Interna-

tional airport, Falcons were welcomed by Nigeria Deputy High Commissioner, Charles Onianwa who charged the girls to make Nigeria proud. “I must first and foremost welcome you to Canada because the tournament we are all looking forward to is a very important one. Last year, the Falconets did us proud here and now we have the Super Falcons, so expectations are high and we have no doubt that you are going to clinch the cup,” said Onianwa.

In his response, Coach Edwin Okon said that Super Falcons’ arrival heralds the coming of the champions. “Our arrival is that of champions. We are ready and I look forward to the finals and getting the cup here in Canada” Okon enthused. Team captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku and Francisca Ordega, who were already in Toronto, received their teammates at the Novotel Hotel lodge. The team is expected to commence training on Thursday morning.

salary. But the same cannot be said of the federation to sustain paying the monthly bill of a foreign coach.” Aside the argument against a foreign coach, the minister said Keshi was the sentimental favourite to return as the Eagles coach as he did not consider any other indigenous coach to be better than Keshi. “That is also an area where I held contrasting

opinions with the Nigeria Football Federation. When they were looking for a local coach, I said none of the local coaches around were better than Keshi in terms of exposure and knowledge and cannot be entrusted with the national team. The other good coaches Samson Siasia and Manu Garba- are currently engaged with the junior national teams,” recalled Danagogo.

Onyeama upbeat on Cricket development Emmanuel Tobi

resident of the Nigerian Cricket Fede r at i o n , Emeka Onyeama, has expressed optimism that Nigerian cricket will develop during his stint as the head of the organisation. He made this assertion at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval where Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club defeated the defending champions, Foundation Cricket Club 1 by 81 runs at the weekend. Onyeama revealed the construction of two international standard cricket pitches at the National Stadium in Abuja which will boost the country’s chances of securing the hosting rights for the 2016 Cricket World Cup with the support of the federation’s new sponsors, Montage Cable TV. The Chairman of Abuja Cricket Club also assured cricketers that in the next few months, his administration hopes to construct another international standard cricket pitch in Lagos. He however lauded the organisers of the Club

Onyeama

Cricket Committee League headed by Mr. Femi Solebo for doing a wonderful job, despite the financial constraints encountered during the regular season. “How can I do it alone when the constitution guiding the federation does not allow for such? We presently have nine members on the board of NCF that communicate constantly on the growth of the game. Moreso, the governing body of cricket in the world, the International Cricket Council, in their rules stipulates that a Federation must have a General Manager which is presently occupied by Mr. Joseph Esua,” he revealed.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

Ndi Igbo: Conversation we must have now

he title ‘I want to speak to ndiIgbo’ published two weeks ago was a huge revelation. Ndi-Igbo at home and abroad are hungry for progressive agenda that will unite and transform the homeland. I was impressed by the enthusiasm of even young Igbo ladies agitated by the Igbo question who supports a progressive Igbo agenda. Everyone agreed that we must think home, unite and develop Igbo land. Obinna from Madrid canvassed the need for an ‘Igbo confab’, a confab that will speak directly to the new generation of ndi Igbo whose ‘get rich quick’ mentality does not reflect the Igbo value for hard work, entrepreneurship and industry. He lamented that a sizable population of young Nigerians who are languishing in jails across the globe for drug related offences are Igbo youths and that it’s agonizing each time we find them making the ugly list of people to be executed by firing squad or beheaded. He wondered who told the youths that illicit drug trafficking is a sustainable business? According to him, Ohaneze ndi Igbo must find a way to talk to our youths, re-orientate them and re-equip them with the true Igbo spirit, norms, values and standards. Obinna was not wrong neither was he exaggerating the issue. Illicit drug business does not lead to endurable riches rather it begets nurtured laziness, death and misery. Other tribes may be doing it but we the Igbo have no excuse being part of the helpless, hopeless and incorrigible population of Nigerians in jails all over the world just like our political leaders have no business being part of the corrupt and mismanaged political class looting their states blind. We have to stop our youths from being in and out of jail and more often risk being killed for double dealings because of their involvement in drugs. There may be hardship and frustrations in Nigeria but our parents were not drug dealers and they were successful. If today’s youths are not ashamed of being executed in Malaysia and Indonesia, we their people are ashamed, disgusted and not amused. Last week I encountered this noisy fellow at the lobby of Sheraton Hotel Abuja who claimed he is Hausa Fulani from Jigawa State. He said he has a degree in law and a PhD in Management. He was saying something about how the Igbo are being killed in South Africa because they have fouled the environment with drug trade. I wasn’t happy this fellow was linking us as a tribe to the distasteful situation in South Africa but that doesn’t exonerate us either hence we must begin this conversation. Veering into politics, this fellow bandied lies, prejudice and propaganda against President Goodluck Jonathan whom he blamed for every of Nigeria ‘swoes; he said Jonathan was wrong to have assumed presidency after the death of late President Umau Yaradua; he claimed the PWC report was doctored to cover up the alleged ‘missing’ $49.8bn as alleged by Emir Sanusi; he boasted that Jonathan and his ministers will be dealt with by Muhammadu Buhari; he claimed to have empirical evidence of how the Federal Government funded Northern Christians to establish Boko Haram to foment religious war in the North; he castigated the Igbo for voting Jonathan. According to him the Igbo should expect nothing from Buhari’s government. On the Igbo expectation from this

My Word CLEM AGUIYI

myword@gmail.com 08034747898 (sms only)

Jonathan

Buhari

Ojukwu

Ngige

Onu

Ezekwesili

government , he isn’t wrong, I have always believed that Dr. Chris Ngige, Rochas Okorocha, Osita Izuanaso, Ogbonnaya Onu, Oby Ezekwesili, Charles Soludo, Eze Odumegwu, Pat Utomi, Joe Igbokwe and those Igbo in

APC who laboured and fought to ensure Jonathan didn’t get millions of votes in respective South East states like Buhari did in Kano and Jigawa worked in vain, that their sojourn in APC is a waste because they were all

this time on the dinner table with no food on their plate. I will be surprised if the APC government will fund the completion of the second Niger Bridge or ever quit blaming the Igbo for voting PDP; I will be shocked if the APC government wills fast track the creation of one additional state for the South East to bring the region at par with other zones; I will be shocked if the incoming APC government will appoint an Igbo who is qualified to any to key and strategic cabinet position except for the position of boy-boy, personal cook and driver to the President which will be reserved for some fortunate Igbo to be nominated by Okorocha or Ngige. The British just came out from a hotly contested election with a lot of lessons to be learnt from David Cameron and Ed Milliband. So far , the APC and PDP have failed to properly manage their victory and defeat. In the aftermath of the UK election which returned Cameron as prime minister, opposition leaders led by Ed Miliband quietly resigned their positions to pave way for new ideas and fresh hands while the victorious Cameron pledged to unite Britain. Milliband’s conduct was very much unlike Adamu Muazu and his NWC who like undertakers are waiting for the final burial of the party they helped put into coma. How can a National Chairman who worked against the interest of his own party, voted against his own candidate and couldn’t deliver his own ward be trusted with the responsibility of repositioning the party after an abysmal failure? Muazu and his team some of whom are lobbying for positions in APC lacked the credibility to lead a credible opposition against APC. They should just go. Good he is out. Prelude to the 2015 general election Buhari said on assumption of office he will end corruption in Nigeria; that he will be fair to all; that he is now a democrat and a believer in the rule of law; that he will make naira equivalent to dollar; that he will provide 24 hours electricity that he will fix all the roads and streets; that he will pay every unemployed graduate N5000 per month for two years; that he will jail all thieves in Nigeria; that he will build four mega refineries as well as stabilize crude oil price. If Buhari will keep 30 per cent of his promises, then PDP is doomed and should forget central power till the next 24 years. To re-invent itself and stay in reasonable contention, PDP must summon the courage rebrand, enforce party discipline and ensure governors and public office holders elected under the party shun impunity and corruption and work for the people. If the party continues with arrogance and impunity then it should be ready for a vacuum cleaner next time because APC means business. Back to the issue of the proposed Igbo confab, I believe we the Igbo must have a way to commence a serious conversation among ourselves; we must find a way to speak truth to the youths and teach them the norms that reflects our values. I believe we can fashion a unique entrepreneurship, integrity and value model which will be taught to our children from birth so that anywhere in the world the Igbo will be sought after rather than be despised. While we battle for a better Nigeria we must address our own internal contradictions as a tribe knowing that things may not change overnight but we can stem the tide and push back our falling values.

On Marble

Clem Aguiyi

Sanctity of Truth

“Boys think girls are like books, if the cover doesn’t catch their eye they won’t bother to read what’s inside.” – Marilyn Monroe

Ndi Igbo: Conversation we must have now }55

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

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Public arena : the column you write

Waiting for Buhari’s magic wand Chiedu Uche Okoye

ot many countries on earth are as divinely blessed as Nigeria. So, it is not for nothing that Nigeria is called the giant of Africa. But, I feel that the characterization of Nigeria as the giant of Africa is a hyperbole. The truth is, Nigeria has the potentialities to become the true giant of Africa. Is our economy truly bigger than that of South Africa? Are we more technologically advanced than the rainbow nation, South Africa? Nigeria is a potentially great country, what with its large arable landmass, waters (rivers, lakes, seas, and ponds), equable weather conditions, and humongous human population. But sadly, Nigeria has not attained a great technological and economic height owing to our inept and corrupt political leadership. The dynamics of our politics and the processes of electing political leaders are flawed. These factors do throw up political charlatans, who dominate our politics and contest elective posts. But it’s the departing British imperialists that sowed the seed of imposition of leaders in Nigeria. They helped Alhaji Tafawa Balewa to become our prime Ministers in 1960. Since then, the egregious culture of political godfatherism as well as imposition of political leaders on the people has been thriving in Nigeria. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo , Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua, and Alhaji Shehu Shagari benefitted greatly from the reprehensible culture and practice of the imposition of leaders. But no country can grow higher than the vision, leadership qualities, and abilities of its national leader. So, do you still wonder why Nigeria is floundering? Bad political leadership has become the bane of Nigeria. Until 1999, our democratic leaderships were interspersed with military ones. But the jackboots and brass-hats, who were with messianic complexes and notions, caused the depredation of Nigeria’s infrastructure and emasculation of its economy. Sanni Abacha, who was a mixture of sanguinary proclivities and incurable thieving propensities, looted our treasury. Happily, now, military rule has become an aberration and a thing of the past in Nigeria. And we have been enjoying democratic governance for sixteen unbroken years. But has our embrace and practice of representative governance bettered and improved the lot of the suffering masses? It is an indisputable fact that the PDP’s leadership of Nigeria for the past sixteen years has brought woes and underdevelopment rather than better living conditions. As our leaders’ perception of political leadership is warped, they cannot take Nigeria to a great

Buhari

Obasanjo

Shagari

Yar ‘Adua

economic and technological height. The erosion of ennobling family values among us is the reason why they have imbibed twisted perceptions about political leadership and other things. Now, the consequences of bad and inept political leadership in Nigeria are rutted thorough-fares, dysfunctional educational system, collapsed health institutions, terrorism, and youth unemployment. So, the masses who are shortchanged in the scheme of things revenged themselves on the ‘go-slow’ president, President Goodluck Jonathan. President Jona-

than’s electoral loss is an indictment of his unimpressive political leadership by indignant and short-changed Nigerians. But, the APC’s defacto leader, Alhaji Bola Tinubu, plotted the disgraceful political fall of President Goodluck Jonathan. He superintended over the consummation of the political alliance and marriage between the North and the Southwest. The union gave APC numerical superiority over the PDP. It was the political master – stroke that caused President Jonathan to bite the dust at the presidential polls.

While CPC, ACN, a part of APGA, ANPP, and others coalesced to form APC, President Jonathan continued to play divisive politics instead of uniting the warring factions in his party under the PDP’s big umbrella. Now, Mohammadu Buhari is our President-elect. But has he truly transformed to a democrat? He was a former military ruler, who put the country’s constitution into abeyance. When in the saddle of leadership, he ruled over us with iron-fist, and unjustly clamped some journalists into jail. And he executed some state offenders based on a retroactive law. But his selling point and redeeming feature is his famed and legendary incorruptible nature. The President-elect, Buhari, is being projected as the messiah, who will put an end to the reign of corruption in Nigeria. Corruption is the cankerworm that is choking life out of Nigeria. Corrupt political leadership is the reason why Nigeria is stuck in the mud of underdevelopment. Buhari is well – intentioned and poised to fight corruption in Nigeria. But he is surrounded by top-notch APC members who are with moral vacuity, spiritual aridity, and ideological hollowness. Those disgruntled political elements migrated to APC from PDP when they lost out in the PDP’s political power game. APC is a party that portrays itself as belonging to the left of the centre. But, with the passage of time, we shall know how progressive they are. But will APC’s political stalwarts lend Buhari a helping hand in his drive and efforts to curb corruption in Nigeria, fix our multifarious national problems, and take Nigeria to a great economic and technological height? Today’s Nigeria is battered and bruised from maladministration by its past leaders. Education is the cornerstone of national development; however, our universities, which ought to be centers for carrying out educational researches and scientific experiments, are underfunded. There is infrastructural rot in the country. Our naira is devalued owing to the steep fall in global oil prices. And our hospitals have morphed to morgues as health workers are being given a raw deal. The President-elect, Mohammadu Buhari, should urgently address these ills that have bedeviled Nigeria and held it down for so long. And he should formulate and implement economic policies that will place Nigeria among the top economic players in the world. More so, he should curb the scourge of terrorism in Nigeria, and unite the ethnic groups that are antagonistic of one another as one people. We are waiting for Buhari’s magic wand. • Chiedu Uche Okoye Uruowulu – Obosi Anambra State, 08062220654 Okoye is a poet, book editor, and Civil servant.

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