Binder1 ,july 8, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Tuesday, July 8, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 140

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Underhand deal alleged in Lafarge Cement share transfers

lTransaction fair to all, says MD of Nigerian firm Our reporter

here are fresh fears that the plan to turn Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, to

Lafarge Africa Plc., under a transaction that would lead to the transfer of 100 per cent shares of Lafarge South Africa Holdings (Pty) Limited, among oth-

er members of the Lafarge Group, will lead to shortchanging of Nigerian shareholders. Under the arrangement, Lafarge Group will

transfer 100 per cent of its direct and indirect shareholding in Lafarge South Africa Holdings (Pty) Limited, 35 per cent of its stake in United Ce-

ment Company of Nigeria Limited, 58.61 per cent of Ashakacem Plc, and 100 per cent of Atlas Cement Company Limited. But the plan, which is expected to be endorsed by shareholders this

week, will see Lafarge Africa Plc still listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) with Lafarge Group owning 73 per cent of the equity. However, there are fears CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Terror attack: Pupils cheat death in Gombe

lDHQ: Troops take over Boko Haram enclave, kill 44 insurgents lFG unaware of escape of 63 women from Boko Haram custody Emmanuel Onani and Ugo Willies

ut for the vigilance of members of the public and quick response from the police, scores of pupils from Government Day Secondary School (Pilot), Tudun Wada, Gombe, would have been killed yesterday while writing Mathematics paper in the ongoing National Examination Council (NECO) examinations. As they were writing the examination, unbeknown to them that death was lurking around their school premises, some members of the public who were said to have sighted a Honda car that was suspiciously parked within the school premise alerted the police. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

BDC operators get new deadline to recapitalise }4

Lagos

Thunder Storms

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L-R: World Pencom Chairman, Mr. Eric Eggink; President Goodluck Jonathan; acting Director General, National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Mrs. Chinelo AnohuAmazu; World Pencom Co-chairman; Mr. Harry Smorenberg and Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the World Pension Summit (Africa Special), in Abuja...yesterday. Photo: timothy ikuomenisan.

Impeachment: Nyako fails to stop probe into misconduct allegations lPanel defies two-day public holidays, begins sitting Ibrahim Abdul Yola

damawa State Governor, Alhaji Murtala Nyako, yesterday failed in a bid to stall the

process for his impeachment along with his deputy, Mr. Bala James Ngilari, as the seven-

man panel constituted to probe allegations of gross misconduct against them began sit-

ting. The governor had declared today and tomorrow work-free days to

stop the inauguration of the panel following controversy over whether the tenure of the state acting Chief Judge, JusCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Jonathan orders second runway for Abuja airport

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Terror attack: Scores of pupils cheat death in Gombe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The incident happened just as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), announced that troops have taken over Balmo forest, which stretches from Bauchi to Jigawa states and hitherto served as one of the bases of the Boko Haram sect. Besides, at least 44 suspected terrorists were killed in an encounter with the troops, it added. Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdullahi Kudu Nma, told reporters in Gombe that they received a distress call from the area at about 11am and immediately sent bomb disposal experts who defused the locally-made bomb in the car. The police, after inspecting the car, discovered it was loaded with 10 cylinders, believed to contain explosives and two ammunition boxes suspected to be carrying explosive substances. Bomb disposal experts defused the explosives to enable the police to remove the vehicle and all the explosives to their headquarters for further investigation. Nma, who could not say whether or not any arrest was made, however told reporters that

investigation was ongoing. He added that but for the quick intervention of the police, the explosives would have caused monumental destruction and killed all the pupils writing the NECO examination. He said the scene was cordoned off to safeguard clues that could help in the investigation, adding that going by the number and weight of the explosive cylinders, the blast that could have occurred would have destroyed houses and persons as far as 800 metres away from the school. He called upon people to be security conscious and report any suspicious object to the police. Speaking on the takeover of the Balmo forest, the DHQ, in a statement by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said yesterday that the major breakthrough was consequent upon “a military operation that

lasted throughout the weekend.” He added that over 44 suspected insurgents were killed by troops in Kerenoa and adjoining communities, following an encounter. “Troops have cleared and taken over Balmo forest in a military operation that lasted throughout the weekend. Prior to the operation, Balmo forest stretching from Bauchi through Jigawa states with links to the fringes of Sambisa forest, was used by terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks. “Terrorists and armed gangs operating in the forests were completely routed out while some were captured during the operation. Among those captured were two foreigners who are suspected to be mercenaries. “Also captured are several weapons and equipment, including power generating sets,

communication equipment, vehicles, motorcycles, foodstuffs and kitchen utensils. “In another development, over 44 terrorists have died in Kerenoa and adjoining communities, following an encounter with troops who repelled their attack on the communities. Armed with IEDs and other high calibre weapons, a large number of terrorists had carried out a pre-dawn attack on the communities but met with stiff resistance by the troops. During the operation, several of them were captured as well as weapons and ammunition of various calibre. “Also, troops on routine patrol around Banki and Miyanti in Borno State during the weekend fought through an ambush laid by terrorists resulting in casualties on both sides. Altogether, a total of six soldiers were lost in the various encounters with terrorists during the weekend

while those wounded are receiving treatment.” Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday claimed ignorance about the alleged escape of 63 women who were held in captivity by Boko Haram for about two weeks. The women were said to have taken advantage of their captors’ daring attacks on some military and security locations in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, over the weekend, to escape. But at a briefing by the National Information Centre (NIC) yesterday, the Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, said it would be difficult for the Federal Government to confirm whether or not the women escaped as reported in the media yesterday. While pleading with the public not to stampede the government into speculating, Omeri, who doubles as the NIC CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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L-R: Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi; his Abia State counterpart, Theodore Orji and Anambra State Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke, after the South-East Governors’ Forum in Enugu…on Sunday

Panel defies two-day public holidays, begins sitting CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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FIRST NATION AIRWAYS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06.50; 09:30; 11:45; 16:00 (SAT) 06:50; 11:45 (SUN) 11:45; 16:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 11:30; 13:40;18:30 (SAT) 09:00; 13:40 (SUN) 13:40; 18:30 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 14:45 (SAT) 16:15 (SUN) 14:45 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:50 (SAT) 18:20 (SUN) 16:50 AEROCONTRACTORS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30 MEDVIEW AIRLINES LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30 OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

tice Ambrose Mammadi, expired on Sunday or yesterday. Justice Mammadi raised the panel last week following a motion passed by the House of Assembly, which had ignored an earlier court order that it should suspend the impeachment process pending the determination of a suit filed by Nyako challenging the legality of the action. In declaring the public holidays, Nyako, through his Director of Press, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh,

had said on Sunday that it was to enable the people to engage in special prayers for Nigeria in view of the current happenings in the country. But notwithstanding the two-day public holidays and its non-inauguration, the panel began work in Yola, behind closed doors and amidst tight security. T he committee, chaired by Buba Kaimaga from Mubi Northern zone, has as members Laraba Hassan, Michika Northern zone; Njidda Kito, Song Central zone; Joshua Abu, Hong

Central zone; Binanu Esthon, Guyuk Southern zone; Sa’ad Lawan, Mayo-Belwa, Southern zone and Esthon Gapsiso, Genye Southern zone. Stern-looking security personnel were stationed around J & J Holiday Villa where the panel is carrying out its assignment. Earlier, Registrar of the High Court, Mr. Abubakar Bayola, had told reporters that the non-inauguration of the committee would not stop it from carrying out its assignment as it was

a mere ceremony and not a constitutional requirement. But many residents expressed concern about the turn of events as they contended that the investigative panel was usually inaugurated before it could begin sitting and wondered why the situation was different in Adamawa. However, civil servants, in compliance with the directive declaring yesterday and today public holidays stayed at home while all government offices across the state were shut.

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

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Jonathan orders second runway for Abuja airport

lPuts pension assets at N4.21trn Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday pledged the commitment of his administration to the commencement of a second runway

for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by next year. The president, while declaring open the World Pension Summit (Africa Special), said in Abuja that he had scheduled a meeting with Coordinating

Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as well as her counterpart at the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, and supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr.

Samuel Ortom, to discuss how to build the second runway for the nation’s second busiest airport after that of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The only runway at the airport was closed last Saturday for rehabilitation and was reopened in the

L-R: Nollywood stars – Saheed Balogun and Aishat Abimbola; M.K.O. Abiola’s son, Abdulmumuni; former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs. Priscilla Kuye; President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Abiola’s daughter, Hafsat; and others at the 16th anniversary of Abiola’s death in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Confab delegates vote on devolution of powers report lSouth-South insists on total resource control

Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

arring any last minute change, delegates at the National Conference will today vote on the report of the Committee on Devolution of Powers. The report is considered the most crucial of all the ones submitted by the 20 committees of the conference. Its importance stems from the critical issues contained in the report as it charts a new course on devolution of powers from the centre to the federating units and addresses the issues of resource ownership, allocation and control. At yesterday’s plenary, delegates appraised the report after it was presented by the Co-chairmen of the Committee on Power Devolution, Chief Victor Attah and Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie. The delegates examined the issues of resource control, derivation principle, revenue sharing and the development and exploitation of mineral resources

nationwide. The report also examined 68 items cited in the Second Schedule, Part One of the 1999 Constitution which deals with the Exclusive Legislative List; and 30 items contained in Part Two of the Fourth Schedule that deals with the Concurrent Legislative List. While most delegates from the South, particularly, the South-South and South-East said derivation should be increased from the present 13 per cent to between 21.5 per cent and 50 per cent, others suggested it should be reduced further. In its report, which is still subject to ratification by the conference, the committee said after prolonged heated discussion on resource control, it unanimously agreed that the issue of derivation should rather be discussed instead of resource control. It said its decision was informed by the emotive nature of the issue, which in the committee’s view was capable of de-

stabilising the country. On derivation, the committee said some delegates were of the view that it should be increased either in a quantum or gradual manner; while others opposed any increment. The report submitted to the plenary indicated that it was agreed that the status quo be maintained to avoid upsetting the existing peace and equilibrium in the polity which it described as a product of years of political engineering and craftsmanship. On fiscal federalism which basically deals with how revenues are generated and distributed among the federating units, the committee recommended that the powers conferred on the Federal Government to keep custody of and determine the terms and manner of funds allocation from the Federation Account negate the principles of fiscal federalism. It recommended that the sharing formula for funds accruing to the

Federation Account among the three tiers of government should be: Federal Government 42.5 per cent, from the present 52.68 per cent; states 35 per cent instead of the current 26.72 per cent and the local governments 22.5 per cent, up from the current 20.60 per cent. Ahead of the voting today, Niger Delta activist and delegate of the South-South zone, Ms. Annkio Briggs, has said oil-producing states will not accept any recommendation that does not make provision for a 100 per cent resource control across the country. Briggs is a member of the Committee on Power Devolution but submitted a minority report on the work of the committee. She also did not sign the report presented at plenary because of her position on resource control. She told reporters that it would be difficult for the Niger-Delta people to accept anything less than a hundred per cent total resource control.

early hours of yesterday. Jonathan apologised to delegates to the summit for the travel inconveniences they encountered as a result of the closure of the Abuja airport runway. The president also lauded the development in Nigeria’s pension scheme since the introduction of the contributory pension system, adding that Nigeria’s pension assets will hit $100 billion in the next two decades going by the accelerated growth it has attained since inception about a decade ago. Tracing the history of the Nigeria pension scheme from the old system, which recorded a huge deficit gap of over N2.2 trillion to the present one with about N4.21 trillion in assets, he said the 2014 Pension Act, which he signed into law last week, was to further reform the pension administration and consolidate on earlier gains recorded by creating the enabling environment through which pension asset could be invested in infrastructure and other development areas. According to him, pension has been globally recognised as a veritable vehicle for economic development and, therefore, he tasked participants and delegates to endeavour to share experience on how to improve on the pension system.

Earlier, Okonjo-Iweala said the 2004 pension reform had transformed the Nigerian pension system and had attracted interest from other countries who had understudied it. She explained that from $4 billion in 2007, the pension assets have grown to $25 billion, representing about 9.7 per cent of the country’s old Gross Domestic Product (GPD) and could hit the $100 billion mark in two decades. On how pension can aid in sustaining the economy of a nation, the minister said because sustainable long-term investment requires long term financing, which banks and other development institutions could not provide, pension remains a veritable means of financing such long investment. In her opening remarks, acting Director General of National Pension Commission, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, praised the president for his prompt assent to the 2014 Pension Act, adding that the new law will effectively remedy some lapses in the 2004 Act. The Chairman and Cochairman of World Pension Summit, Eric Eggink and Harry Smorenberg, jointly lauded the progress Nigeria has recorded within a decade of its new pension scheme, saying its success story is worth sharing with other countries.

Underhand deal alleged in Lafarge Cement share transfers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

that the Lafarge Group is, through the deal, trying to dump an asset of Lafarge South Africa, which it valued at $800 million in 2001/2002 on Nigerian shareholders at $1.3 billion. Sources close to the deal told New Telegraph yesterday that should this deal scale through, Lafarge Group “would take a large amount of money out of its shareholders in Nigeria by grossly overestimating the value of the assets and further the return on these assets would be much lower than the returns the Nigerian shareholders have been enjoying currently. “From the documents published at that time, the projected revenue was USD 493 million and the EBITDA margin was 22.6 per cent and the EBIT margin was 18.2 per cent. The Nigerian shareholders are going to end up paying an inflated price for the as-

sets, which yields a much lower EBITDA than they are currently enjoying… It is a lose-lose situation for the shareholders.” The Managing Director of Lafarge Cement WAPCO, Joe Hudson, had in an interview with a newspaper last week described the deal as “fair to all”. Hudson, according to the interview, explained that KPMG Professional Services did fairness evaluation of the deal after Standard Chartered Bank’s deal valuation, adding that the negotiation for the deal was done by Nigerian directors, and not by Lafarge. “We believe that this is such a good deal for minority shareholders. They should carry the way at the voting. Some of the minority shareholders have asked us for more information about the deal and we have provided them enough, even on our website,” he was quoted as saying.

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Reps order MDAs to submit details of 2014 budget implementation Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to submit details of the midyear budget implementation. This, according to the legislature, is part of efforts at ensuring the full implementation of the N4.695 trillion approved in the 2014 Appropriation Act. Towards this, all the 89 standing committees of the House have directed various MDAs to submit details of monies released by the Federal Ministry of Finance and Budget Office up till June, 2014. This is to enable the House ascertain the cash-backing for the implementation of capital, personnel and overheads components of the 2014 Appropriation Act by

July 16. In one of such letters written by the chairman of the House Committee on Health, Ndudi Elumelu, titled “Request for information on releases of funds from Federal Ministry of Finance from 1st January to 30th June 2014” and dated June 30, to Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, he requested for details on the monies released for the implementation of capital, personnel and overheads components of the budget. Elumelu also directed the minister to provide evidence on details of expenditure of Federal Ministry of Health and various departments and agencies, including Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) for the period under review. Reacting to the issue while answering questions from House correspondents yesterday, a member of the House

CBN extends BDCs recapitalisation deadline to July 31 Ayodele Aminu

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday extended the recapitalisation deadline for Bureau De Change (BDC) operators from July 15 to July 31. It also promised to pay interest on the mandatory cautionary deposit of N35 million in line with banking industry savings account rate. The CBN in a circular titled “Extension of the time for compliance with the new requirements for the operation of Bureau De Change in Nigeria,” signed by its Director, Financial Policy & Regulatory Department, Kevin Amugo, said the deadline for compliance had been extended to July 31. The banking watchdog had announced a new minimum capital require-

Emefiele

ment of N35 million for the operation of BDC firms in the country, up from the N10 million previously stipulated by the central bank. This had triggered a high powered lobby by the Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria, (ABCON). The National Assembly also intervened in the crisis generated by the new guidelines with the House of Representatives summoning the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to appear before the House Committee on Banking and currency for further explanations. The apex bank had accused the operators of rent seeking, sharp practices and flagrant disregard of the objectives and principles in the guidelines for the operation of BDCs

Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Abdulraham Abba Terab, explained that the House

has concluded arrangement to ascertain the level of compliance with the 2014 Appropriation

Act. On the N271 billion appropriation bill of Federal Capital Territory

(FCT), which was postponed last week, Terab said the House would consider the bill today.

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State paying homage to the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican.

Terror attack: Scores of pupils cheat death in Gombe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

coordinator said: “We still have not been able to confirm actually what happened and figures, and because we don’t want to speculate, please bear with us.” He also said the Federal Government was working towards fulfilling conditions precedent to the extradition of the suspected mastermind of the April 14 bombing of a crowded bus park in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, from Sudan. Ogwuche, whom the Department of State Service (DSS) had declared wanted over the bomb attack that killed over 100 people and left many injured, was arrested in Sudan, through the combined efforts of International Police (INTERPOL) and Sudanese authorities. “Nigerian officials and government are at various levels of initiating the extradition of Ogwuche,” Omeri added. He denied knowledge of any legal action initiated against the suspected terrorist’s planned extradition. On efforts at rescuing over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped from Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram in April, the NIC coordinator assured Nigerians and the international community

that President Goodluck Jonathan “is working assiduously to ensure the rescue and safety of the girls.” To underscore ongoing efforts aimed at rescuing the schoolgirls, Omeri drew attention to the recent “busting” of “a terrorists’ intelligence cell”, and subsequent arrest of Babuji Ya’ari, who allegedly took active part in the abduction saga. He also appealed to landlords “to check clearly where their tenants are coming from”, adding that some people with dubious characters “have moved to new places.” In another development, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, has said the Federal Government will soon end terrorism in Nigeria just as he asked for support for the military in the fight against insurgency. Minimah spoke on Sunday in Abuja at an inter-denominational church service to mark the 2014 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, which has as its theme ‘Combating current national security challenges through collective effort’. He said: “We are going through troubled times but they will soon come to an end and we shall be

glad at the end. I promise you it will come to an end and we will be victorious. “The war against terrorism is a collective effort of all Nigerians and I appeal to all Nigerians to join hands in fighting this new war of terrorism. “I want to thank Nigerians for standing by us, for their perseverance. I also appeal to them that terrorism is a new warfare. It requires time and patience for us to defeat it. I am very much optimistic that we will deliver. We will win the war. What we have in the North-East will certainly come to an end soon.” Minimah said the army was acquiring new equipment, training its personnel and providing welfare for the troops, all in a bid to end terrorism. He, however, said the army decided to have a low-key celebration for NADCEL 2014 because of the current security challenges facing the country. “A man does not celebrate his birthday if he is bereaved. He has to just mark his birthday. I want to salute the gallantry of our troops, who have paid the supreme price in the course of defending their fatherland. These officers and soldiers had died in their duty posts and we

will not forget them,” he added. It has also emerged that a suspected Boko Haram kingpin and his brother were killed in a gun fight on Sunday in Kaduna. According to a report by an online newspaper, Premium Times, residents of the area said soldiers from Kano arrived at the house, located in Kinkinau GRA, Ungwan Mu’azu, at about 12:30 a.m. and called on the suspect, Usman, to come out. But rather than heed the directive, he was said to have engaged the soldiers in a gun fight. “The soldiers kept shouting his name to come out of his house. He resisted arrest and started shooting from the ceiling where he was hiding. “The soldiers broke through the wall to gain entrance into the house and finally got the family of the culprits out of the house and engaged him in a gun battle that lasted for about three hours, before he was finally gunned down with his brother, whose name is yet to be ascertained,” a neighbour of the suspect said. The District Head of Ungwan Mu’azu and Cikasauron Zazzau, Ahmed Idris, confirmed the incident.

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Sultan, Kukah call for collective security Umar Danladi Ado

Sokoto

he Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar lll, has urged leaders and stakeholders in the country to contribute toward maintaining security. He stated this during a Ramadan dinner he hosted for working Journalists in the state, held in his palace yesterday. He said this was imperative in order to achieve peace, religious, and social development while advising leaders to always ensure justice as a vital ingredients to achieve the

desired goal. The Sultan also called on Nigerians to always shun tribalism and religious discrimination, which he noted, are some factors leading to the breach of the peace. In his remarks, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kuka urged Journalists in the country to contribute their quota towards sustenance of peace across the country. Bishop Kuka said this was important and such can be achieved if the journalists always worked according to the ethics of their profession.

He also advised religion leaders to assist towards addressing the menace of insecurity in the country. Contributing, a human rights activist, Salomon Dalong, a lawyer, said the current security challenges would only retard the nation's development. He described unemployment and lack of empowerment as the problems hindering the development of the country. The state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),Alhaji Labaran Lumo Dundaye, appreciated the effort of the Sultan in hosting the dinner.

NCAA to implement condition of service

Wole Shadare

he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has agreed to fully implement the staff conditions of service as approved by the Head of Service of the Federation. In a communique signed by Benedict Adeyelika, Director Deneral of NCAA; Yamsikit A M, directorate of human resource; President of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), Benjamin Okewu, among others, national officers agreed that the approved duty tour allowance and warm clothing allowance implementation will take effect from July 7, 2014 without the payment of arrears for assignments approved before the above date.

It was also resolved that the management shall commence the process of treating heaps of files that have bearing with staff matters and allowances and to complete all the outstanding within the shortest time possible. It was agreed that foreign training will not commence immediately as a result of non implementation of budget but the union advised that pressure should be put on the government for approval. The management and unions meeting came at the end of the expiration of the 30 days Ultimatum to NCAA. It would be recalled that ATSSSAN, had penultimate week issued the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to announce the confirmation of a sub-

stantive Director- General for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. The union threatened that failure of the government to confirm a new Director-General for the agency might lead to aviation workers downing tools. In a petition to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, dated June 18, 2014 and signed by Capt. Tar Tanongo, Deputy National Secretary of ATSSSAN and obtained by our correspondent, the union leaders said the appointment of a substantive DirectorGeneral for the agency was delaying too long following the inability of the government to transmit to the Senate the name of Usman for approval.

Military probe, no solution to insurgency, says Abe Chukwu David

Abuja

enator Magnus Abe, has said that the recent call by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, for the probe of funds so far appropriated to the military from the inception of the Federal Government's war on insurgency would not tackle the security problem in the country. Abe, who spoke with our correspondent yesterday in a telephone interview, urged the organised labour to jettison its demand for the probe of the military over funds allocated to it in the past one year of operating a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, arguing that such proposal would be counter productive. The NLC was report-

edly provoked by the speculation that the funds being appropriated for the prosecution of the war against insurgency and terrorism in the North East region of the country were mismanaged. Consequently, the Labour Congress recently impressed it on the National Assembly to investigate the utilisation of the billions of naira that had been received by the military to fight the Boko Haram insurgents, which was yet to produce the desired result. Reacting to the request by the NLC, Abe said, "the call on the National Assembly by the Nigerian Labour Congress to investigate funds appropriated to the military to fight insurgency is a two-edged sword. "First of all, the mili-

tary right now is involved in a sensitive operation to stabilise the country and provide adequate security. If we start any form of public probe and the military thinks we are only interested in the money and not the efforts at combating insurgency, that may become counterproductive. The troops would not feel supported.â&#x20AC;? The senator, however, admitted that there were clear issues dealing with the ways the security funds are being expended. "We have more money than Boko Haram; we have more personnel than them. So, if we spend our money properly, it should show in the field. People canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go into Maiduguri and Chibok, drive for about 200 kilometers without seeing military personnel on ground.

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Group sues INEC over party de-registration Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Incorporated Trustee of Citizens Rights Aid and Control Initiative (CRACI) yesterday dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over the de-registration of 28 political parties by the electoral body. The organization, in a suit filed through its counsel, Godwin Sunday Ogboji, wants the court

to declare whether INEC can legally and lawfully rely on Section 78(7) of the Electoral Act, 2010 to de-register any political party in the country that is duly registered by virtue of Sections 222 and 223 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended). It prayed the court to declare that the purported de-registration of the political parties by INEC was a flagrant and violent violation of the provisions of the Constitution, hence it is ultra vires, unlawful, illegal, null and void and of no

effect whatsoever. The plaintiff also wants a declaration that once a political party is duly registered by INEC, upon fulfilling the condition set out in Sections 222 and 223 of the Constitution, such a political party remains in existence until it voluntarily folds up its activities as a political party in Nigeria. The plaintiff, however, prayed the court for an order restraining INEC, its agents, privies and/or whosoever acting on its behalf from interfering

with the smooth running of the political parties it purports to have deregistered.” The plaintiffs had joined alongside INEC, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as defendants. In its affidavit, the plaintiff averred that one of the aims and objectives of the organization is to enhance and promote compliance with laws and statutes, pointing out that the plaintiff was shocked and surprised at the

flagrant abuse and violent breach of the Constitution when INEC, in one instant purportedly deregistered 28 political parties and later proceeded to purport to deregister three other political parties. It was also averred that in view of the Plaintiff ’s position and statute in Nigeria as an Organization that enhances, promotes and ensures the due compliance with laws and statues, the Plaintiff has been asked by several persons and other NGOs as to the

legality or otherwise of the action of the 1stDefendant (INEC) deregistering some political parties in Nigeria. “That it was also discovered that the 1st Defendant cannot rely on an inferior law, the Electoral Act 2010 to deregister any political party when the Constitution that created it in the first place did not expressly vest in it such powers”, the affidavit stated. The trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed later adjourned hearing till September 18.

Chibok girls: Rep backs swap with Boko Haram Philip Nyam

Abuja

Members of staff of New Telegraph Abuja office led by Louis Achi , during a condolence visit to the wife of the late Managing Editor (North), Mr. Suleiman Bisalla...yesterday PHOto:ELIJAHOLALUYI

Nigerians must join hands to Fashola charges cooperative societies on registration fight insurgency, says VC Muritala Ayinla iqued by the wanton killing and maiming of innocent Nigerians, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof Rahamon Bello, yesterday called on all Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. Bello, who expressed dismay with the number of lives lost to insurgency on daily basis, said all Nigerians, regardless of religious or political affiliation, must be united in condemning terrorism and proffer lasting solution that will stop the activities of the sect. Speaking at a Ramadan lecture organised by the University of Lagos Muslim Community, Bello said the challenges currently confronting Nigeria as a nation were not insurmountable, expressing optimism that Nigeria would overcome the insurgency. He said: "Challenges will always come and go for every nation. There is no way we have a nation as big as Nigeria without

issues. There have always been security challenges but they come in different forms. The issue is that the government has to find a way along with the people to be able to fight terrorism and make sure that the problem is eradicated. When we have incidences like this, it is not government alone that will fight it; we all have to join hands in fighting it. "We all must fight together. It is not political party situation. It must be condemned by everybody and everybody must fight it. When bombing occurs, it doesn't know a Muslim or Christian. It doesn't know an APC or PDP member. It doesn't know a poor or rich person. We don't need that kind of blame game in the country. We need to just fight it and ensure that we move forward" He said the democratic system of government practised in the country is not against Islam, stating that everyone must learn how to exist peacefully and cooperate with the government to fight terrorism.

Muritala Ayinla agos State Governor, Lcharged Babatunde Fashola has cooperative soci-

eties in the state to as a matter of urgency, register with the government in the ongoing revalidation of all cooperative societies operating in the state. The governor urged all cooperative societies to get their database captured before the end of the third quarter, saying that the purpose of the software was to enhance record keeping, standardisation of posting of books and annual accounts of societies while also ensuring effective monitoring and supervision of the cooperative societies. Fashola said the government had created a comprehensive and upto-date database with the newly installed capacity building software and assigned statistics manager in all the 20 Cooperative Area Offices to network with the government. The governor spoke

at the International Cooperative Day Award and Gala nite held at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos. Speaking on the theme of the celebration, “Cooperative Enterprise: Achieving Sustainable Development for All,” Fashola, who was represented by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Toyin Ayinde, said it was apt and relevant as all hands were on deck to achieve sustainable development for all cooperative societies in the state. He said: “The theme was adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance to further promote the cooperative identity and values while reinforcing her concern for the community. “Government all over the world can never under-estimate the contribution of co-operators to good governance nor ignore the need to involve this same people in all efforts at national development."

ighty three days after over 200 school girls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State, a member of the House of Representatives; Hon. Abdulrahman Abba Terab has said the government should consider swapping the girls with Boko Haram members who are in detention as demanded for by the group. Terab, who represents Bama/Ngala Federal Constituency of Borno State, made the call yesterday while fielding questions from the House correspondents in Abuja. He said the federal government would not be the first country to use swap as a means of saving the lives of its citizens as it has been done in several other countries of the world.’ “I am not actually privy to some of the information as to why swap did not take place but I

know that steps are being taken. When it comes to the issue of whether there should be a swap or not, very recently in the United States, we have seen a prisoners swap between the US government and the Taliban of Afghanistan; we have seen various swaps between the Israeli government and the Palestinian authority. “Of course, if you go down history lane, you see a lot of swaps. So, it all depends on what you hope to achieve. I want to believe that at this point in time, the lives of the over 200 abducted Chibok girls is very important and very dear to this country and I believe they should be treated as precious”, Terab submitted. The lawmaker said the security agencies had a lot of information about the sect right from its foundation stage up to date and were in a better position to handle the matter appropriately.

Adeseun returns to PDP in Oyo Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

fter months of specuArepresenting lations, the Senator Oyo Cen-

tral Senatorial District on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Sen. Ayoade Adeseun on yesterday finally defected to the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP). Though he was elected into the House of Representatives in 2007 on the platform of the PDP, the Ogbomoso-born politician and youthful friend of the former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, defected to the APC before the 2011 election and won the Senate seat. He, however, took another detour when he registered at Baya Oje Ward 1 in the Surulere Local Government area of Oyo

State, thus sealing the speculation that he would dump the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Addressing supporters after the exercise, Adeseun said that he would be collaborating with Alao-Akala to bring development to Ogbomoso. "It is true that I and Alao-Akala fought each other in the last political dispensation and now we have resolved," he explained. We are very good friends and have realised that development can be achieved only when we close ranks," he said. He confirmed that Alao-Akala would run for the governorship ticket of the PDP, just as he is willing, but said that they have both agreed to team up with whoever emerges between them.

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Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Prisons: Niger offers free education Dan Atori Minna

rrangement has been AState put in place by Niger government to provide basic education and skill acquisition for inmates of Minna prisons. The move is to enable them to be useful to themselves after theyleave the prison. The Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Danladi Abdulhammeed, stated this yesterday while speaking with journalists after an advocacy visit to the two prison facilities in the city. He said that government was determined to ensure that inmates have access to education, in order to make them better citizens when back to the society. The commissioner said that he was impressed that the Life Rehab Programme of the state governor's wife, Hajia Jumai Babangida Aliyu, had positively impacted on many inmates

especially in areas of literacy programmes and computer training. “We believe that with education, their character can be remoulded and that they are entitled to education irrespective of their character.” He said that government was ready to provide sporting and ICT facilities in the prisons for the use of the prisoners and to keep them fit at all times. The state Comptroller of Prison, Musa Mayaki, who conducted the commissioner round the prisons, explained that at the Medium Prison Minna, there were 292 inmates out of which 69 were convicts. He said that 217 were also awaiting trial while 12 others were in condemned cell and 79 on culpable homicide charges. Musa stated that the old prison Minna was holding 296 inmates, out of which 65 have been convicted while 280 others were on the awaiting list

debt

Govt. Amaechi goes for money less then a year to departure Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

he Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday voted to approve another round of loans amounting to US$ 280 Million Dollars for Governor Chibuike Amaechi. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has raised an alarm , saying ''that 's one loan too many''. The loan, which has a 22 year repayment period when sourced, had already be slammed by the PDP which said that it is a decoy as it claimed that the loan would be used to fund Amaechi’s 2015 election and the APC

Rivers Assembly approves $80m loan for Amaechi l It's a subterfuge, says PDP activities Amaechi had applied for the Loan for the accomplishment of a designed water supply and sanitation project in the state from the African Development Bank and the World Bank. The approval came after an exhaustive debate of the letter applying for the loan approval. "It may interest you to note that the Rivers State government has successfully obtained approval from the Boards of the African Development Bank and the World Bank respectively for the Port Harcourt water supply and sanitation project.

"The purpose of the project is to provide sustainable and safe access to clean and hygienic drinking water and sanitation in the city of Port Harcourt. "The project is to enable the state government commence the project at the earliest possible time", the letter had read in part. In their contributions, the lawmakers said the loan was a welcome development considering the wide criticisms the governor had received for lack of potable drinking water in the state. They, however, insisted that the state Commissioner

for Water Resources be invited to the floor of the House to offer detailed explanations of the financial implication of the loan. According to Hon Innocent Barikor, representing Gokana and Hon. Ngozi Ben Chioma, representing Etche II, the House needs adequate understanding of the charge on the various departments of the loan. On his part, Hon. Onari Brown representing Akulga I, submitted that in as much as government is a continuum, and that Rivers people needed water, there was need for the House to take steps that will ensure judicious application of the loan.

FG to train 613 nomadic teachers on capacity development Dan Atori Minna

n an effort to improve Ieducation the quality of nomadic in Nigeria, the

National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE) yesterday said that it is partnering with National Teachers Institute (NTI) to train 613 nomadic teachers in the six geo-political zones of the country. The Commission said the training, which would improve the quality of teaching and learning was part of government efforts to stop poor learning associated with low capacity of teachers. Executive Secretary of NCNE, Prof Rashid Adewunmi, made this known in Minna during the inauguration of a three day workshop tagged ``Innovative Techniques for Teaching Core Subjects and Classroom Management’ for nomadic teachers in the North Central zone. “I am appealing to our teachers to take advantage of this training that

has been organized for all the nomadic teachers in all the states in the six geo-political zones of the country. “The workshop is about now taking place in the six selected centres across the country with a total of 613 teachers selected to benefit from the programme’’. Adewunmi said the training would orientate the teachers on the peculiarities of the reviewed nomadic education curriculum and textual material in four core subject areas. He said the workshop would develop the knowledge and competences of the teachers on strategies for achieving effective teaching and learning. He also said that the training is aimed at exposing the teachers on the techniques of linking the classroom with the community. The commission’s boss said the workshop would develop the capacity of the teachers on scheme of work and lesson plan development.

Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Eze Duruiheoma; Country Representative, United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), Ms Ratidzai Ndhlovu and Representative of the Chairman, Population Management Committee, Mr. Zakari Umar, during a News Conference on 2014 World Population Day in Abuja…yesterday

Disquiet in Anambra over ministerial slot

Leo Sobechi

rominent members of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Anambra State are up in arms against the state Chairman, Prince Ken Emeakayi, for his alleged decision to endorse the immediate past Governor of the State, Mr. Peter Obi, to step into the shoes of former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, as the

state’s representative in the federal cabinet. Emeakayi was accused of raising a letter in which he indicated that Obi had been accepted by Anambra citizens to be included in the federal cabinet, pointing out that the former Governor’s membership of the economic management team disposes him favourably for such national assignment. However, not long

after the plan came to light, PDP stakeholders and financiers including Prince Arthur Eze, Sir Emeka Offor, Chief Mike Nwakalor among others, were said to have kicked, stressing that not being a card carrying member of PDP, the former governor was not entitled to that gesture. Emeakayi has dismissed the allegations and threats as empty, pointing out that the God

he serves would not allow his traducers to prevail . A source within the Anambra PDP confided in New Telegraph that the PDP bigwigs were unhappy with the attempt to reward Obi with a ministerial appointment after he dribbled the party during the governorship election adding that his (Obi’s) insistence on sweeping the local government polls denied PDP of its clout.

NJC to publish guidelines for appointment of Judges Tunde Oyesin, Abuja s part of the ongoing juAJustice dicial reforms, the Chief of Nigeria (CJN)

Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar yesterday said that the National Judicial Council (NJC) will henceforth make public, guidelines for the appointment of Judges. The CJN disclosed this while speaking at the opening ceremony of the

judicial reforms conference with the theme “putting our best foot forward: the Judiciary and the challenges of satisfying justice needs of the 21 st century”, jointly organized by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Union (EU), Access to Justice (AJ) and the OSIWA. The assessment according to the CJN, would be

conducted by the NJC even though it was going to be a tedious exercise. She mentioned that the present NJC has been doing its best to ensure that only good judges are appointed. She lamented that corruption has become a cankerworm that has refused to depart, adding that the NJC is trying to ensure the eradication of corrupt practices.

“We receive petitions and hear from both sides. Those affected would say they were not given fair hearing but they come with lawyers as much as six (6) Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN). "The SANs are equally guilty because they would not see the accusation and still defend them (judges) which shows they are moving in tandem”, the CJN said.

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Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Anxiety as FG, NMA negotiate Appolonia Adeyemi As Nigerians await the outcome of the emergency meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) over resolution of the ongoing doctor's strike, indications have emerged that yesterday’s meeting would provide ample opportunity to address several key issues being demanded by the NMA and their colleagues in the health sector. Also, getting the doctors to compromise on several of their demands would be an up-hill task. Many top officials of the NMA executives, who spoke on the condition of anonymity yesterday, said although, nobody could predict the outcome of the meeting, decision to end the strike will be determined by the Federal Government's readiness to meet the demands of the doctors. Nothing short of this will end the strike which has stopped healthcare provision in all federal and state government hospitals nationwide. In the past years, government has been insincere over willingness

to meet demands of the doctors. A reliable source told the New Telegraph that this time around, the NMA would insist on getting its rights to ensure that working conditions for Nigerian doctors is reasonable. Apart from the little reprieve got last Friday from Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), an arm of the NMA which directed its members nationwide to continue to provide services to patients in hospitals, doctors under the NMA vowed to continue with the strike indefinitely unless the Federal Government met their demands. The release urging consultants to provide healthcare to patients in the wards was based on a court order directing the MDCAN to comply fully with the restraining order on all parties in a judgment delivered at the National Industrial court Abuja by Justice M.N Esowe on June 27. It ordered MDCAN not to proceed on strike based on a litigation the organisation brought before the court .

PDP happy with Shema’s performance Ahmed Sani Mohammed Katsina

National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Mu'azu, has said the party is looking for ways to compensate Katsina State Governor, Dr Ibrahim Shema ahead of 2015 election. Speaking in Katsina at the distribution of PDP flag to candidates of forthcoming Local Government election in the state, Mu'azu said the party was proud with

the performance of the governor. Mu'azu, represented by the Vice Chairman North-West zone of PDP, Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure said that Shema was the best governor among all governors in Nigeria, hence the need to uplift him to high position in 2015. According to him: "PDP is satisfied with performance of Governor Shema and is working to compensate him ahead of 2015."

Afrik Pharma seeks 300% leap in fortune Isioma Madike Leading indigenous producer of Intravenous solutions, AFRIK pharmaceuticals Plc has said investors are rallying resources to ensure that the firm takes leading spot in local production of the pharmaceuticals. With an installed capacity of 396,000 litres annually, it has proposed a 300 per cent increase within the next 12 months, equivalent to 1.2 million litres of Intravenous products yearly. The firm’s Chairman, Board of Directors,

Chief Emeka Onyema, made this known at the extra-ordinary general meeting held at the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos. Onyema pointed out that the company is set to achieve its potentials, which, according to him, includes increase in production of high value products, aggressive marketing plans geared towards increasing the company’s market share and opening of a whole new range of medical products.

L-R: Late Arisekola–Alao’s sons; Alhaji Abu Alao; Alhaji Idris Alao; Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanyawu; Prof. David Adejumo and others, during their courtesy visit to the family of the late business morgul in Ibadan…at the weekend

Pdp, apc clash in Osun Aregbesola inaugurates Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

andemonium broke out yesterday evening in Ile-ife, the cradle of the Yoruba when supporters of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and that of the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore clashed. Many of the supporters sustained cuts as a result of machete cuts. The incident which happened at Enuwa-ItaAkogun area of the town disturbed the peace of the place as both human and vehicular movements were greatly disturbed. The actual cause of the problem could not be ascertained as at the time of filing in this report but the APC Director Of Publicity, Kunle Oyatomi and that of the PDP, Diran Odeyemi traded words on the incident, accusing each other of being the first attacker. Odeyemi claimed that "the coordinated attack

on PDP members was launched immediately after a purported rally of the APC addressed and coordinated by the Honourable member of the party.” Oyatomi argued that APC members were attacked by the PDP members where they were having their rally in the town. In a statement made available by Odeyemi, he said that "More than six vehicles belonging to innocent PDP members have been destroyed, countless numbers of shops razed and looted and several members of our party beaten and matcheted". "We have implored our members to remain law abiding while we have notified the police and other security agencies of this unwarranted attack on innocent PDP members who are going about their lawful business ". "We condemn in the strongest possible language repeated coordinated attacks on our supporters by the APC.

Group seeks tobacco advert ban Comfort Abuja

Chukwu,

The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), yesterday called on the Federal Government to implement total ban on tobacco advertisement in Nigeria by putting an end to indirect adverts by manufacturers of tobacco products.

Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO, FCTC), Dr. Mary Stephe made this call in Abuja during a workshop on article FCTC and Article 5.3 which is 'Protection Against Tobacco Industry Interference for Officials of the Government of the Republic of Nigeria.

National Professional Officer, Non-communicable Diseases for World

She said since the ban on cigarette adverts on television, radio and

multi-billion naira market

Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo yesterday commissioned Multi- Billion Naira Ayegbaju International market even as residents and inhabitants of the state stormed the venue of the event and danced amidst joy to appreciate what they described as remarkable achievement by the Aregbesola's administration. Also present at the event were traditional rulers from many towns

of the state while people also came from far and near to witness the heroic occasion. The elated crowd who defiled rain to witness the programme commended him for the giant stride taken to make the construction of the market a reality. Addressing the crowd at the market, Aregbesola said what his administration did was just a tip of an ice-berg out of the goodies his administration has in stock for the people of the state.

Nnaji charges youth to unite Leo Sobechi Immediate past Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, has urged young people in Nigeria especially the South East to rise up against the various social vices and insecurity that threaten the nation’s progress and development. Prof. Nnaji spoke in his Umuode country home when the leaders of Ohanaeze Youth Council, led by Mazi

Okechukwu Isiguzoro, bestowed on him an award of Excellence at the weekend. The former minister disclosed that though he had been honoured severally within Nigeria and abroad, he cherished “this honour by OYC more because it came from his own people” and welcomed the proposal by OYC for a skill acquisition to be named after him.

My policies will benefit all, says Fayose Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti State GovernorElect, Mr. Ayo Fayose has assured the people of the state that his programmes and policies will benefit all, irrespective of religious or party affiliation. Speaking on Monday through the Deputy Governor-Elect, Dr. Olusola

Eleka, when members of the Ekiti State Council of Obas led by the Chairman, Oba Adamo Babalola, the Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti, paid him a courtesy visit in AdoEkiti, Fayose said: "My goal is to engender development of the state in a way to make everyone relevant and to participate in it".

Assembly tasks state media staff on commitment

Al-Makura allays fears of victimisation

Etaghene Edirin Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Publicity, Strategy and Security, have urged the staff of

Cheke Emmanuel

Lagos Television and Radio Lagos / Eko FM to be committed to the leadership of the two State owned media organizations. Chair man of the

Committee, Hon. Segun Olulade, gave the charge during the first quarter review of budget of the Lagos Television and Radio Lagos / Eko Fm recently.

LAFIA

The Nasarawa state gover nment has allay fears that the biometric exercise being car-

ried out in the state is not aimed at witchhunting anybody. G ove r n o r Ta n ko Almakura said this yesterday at the commencement of biomet-

ric screening exercise for public servants on the payroll of the state g o ve r n m e n t , held at the gover nment house, Lafia, the state capital.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Okorocha’s humiliation: Oguta leaders back Charley Boy protocol

Imo governor showed no respect to President Jonathan, so Charley Boy showed why he is 'Area father' Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

lders and leaders of Oguta Local Government in Imo State have thrown their weight behind Charles Oputa, otherwise known as Charley Boy, follow-

ing the controversy that trailed his stand-off with Governor Rochas Okorocha, during the burial of his father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, last month. In a statement signed by Prof. Ike Azogu; Engr. V. C. Oputa; Ogbuagu Idika Nsofor and Mr. Ezeoba John Okoroafor, the elders under the auspices of the Oguta Leaders of Thought said it would have been a breach of protocol if Governor Okorocha had been allowed to speak after the President’s goodwill message.

GBP125m

The total amount by which players’ wages in the English Premier League rose in 2013. Source: Goal.com

The group added that the governor and his aides had, through their activities, not shown any respect to the clearly expressed desire of the Oputa family to divest their father’s burial of partisan politics as the late jurist had deliberately shunned partisan politics throughout his lifetime. The statement reads in part: “It was becoming increasingly clear that the solemn event could slide into a political soap opera. This would be a great dishonour to the late le-

160,000

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

gal icon; and his son, Ogbuagu Charles Oputa, was thus compelled and justified to step in to nip the developing trend in the bud. “Charles, who was carefully monitoring the proceedings, in his wisdom, had to do what was necessary to save the solemnity and dignity of his father’s funeral from political opportunists.” Describing Charley Boy as foresighted in preventing his father’s burial being turned into a ‘political carnival,’ the group noted with dismay

15.19

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Cape Verde in 2011. Source: Itu.int

that five days after the burial, a billboard suddenly appeared at Oguta Junction, Mgbidi, bearing the image of Governor Okorocha and late Justice Oputa, without the consent of the Oputa family. Urging the governor not to cry more than the bereaved, the leaders reminded him of perceived disrespect meted out to the late jurist in his lifetime by the governor, when he rebuffed Justice Oputa and the Oguta traditional council by refusing to grant

Unions seek divine intervention to end strike Okeowo Babatope Akure

arious unions at the VEducation Adeyemi College of (ACE) have

sought divine intervention to end the over six months industrial action embarked upon by Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and other unions in the country. It will be recalled that the national bodies of the three workers’ unions in the institution under the auspices of COEASU, Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), declared a nationwide strike about six months ago in a bid to

L-R: Director, Finance and Investment, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Ibrahim Abdulahi; Director General/CEO, Chris Onyemenam and Director, Human Capital Management Department, Mrs. Winifred Ojeih, at the 8th meeting on the Harmonization and Integration of Databases committee (HIC) in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Abuja

ndigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the auspices of the Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA) have commended the national conference for giving voice to their aspirations by approving a mayoral status for Abuja, the nation’s capital. The indigenes are also thanking delegates to the conference for approving a ministerial slot for the FCT, creating additional federal con-

stituencies, area councils, an FCT commission for indigenous people and asking the Federal Government to accelerate compensation for owners of seized lands in the FCT. According to a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the association’s Media Adviser, Sumner Shagari Sambo, “a democratically elected mayor and deputy mayor would aid good governance and accountability to the FCT electorate, unlike the present ministerial system that lacks transparency and accountability.

The statement added that the new system, when operational, would also put Nigeria on the global map as one of the countries with an elected mayor that runs its capital city in accordance with democratic best practises.” They said the recommendations of the General Ike Nwachukwu and Mohammed Kumalia led-Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, were in tandem with the indigenes’ desire for a democratic system that allows Abuja indigenous people and other Nigeri-

ans resident in the city to freely elect leaders that can be directly held accountable by them. “The national conference recommendation gives credence to Abuja indigenes’ quest for democratisation of governance in the FCT as contained in its memoranda submitted to the National Assembly in 2013; and as earlier proposed by the former Minister of State (FCT) Solomon Ewuga-led Ministerial Committee on FCT Indigeneship, Land and Political Administration in Year 2000,” the statement added.

compel the Federal Government to address their grievances. The strike action embarked upon by COEASU, which commenced on December 18, 2013, was premised on the demand by the union for full implementation of the 2009/2010 agreement, signed with the Federal Government on matters relating to the welfare of its members, and other demands, as it affects academic activities in Colleges of Education in the country. Similarly, the same step was taken about two months after COEASU embarked on strike, by the two other staff unions in the institution, SSUCOEN and NASU.

UNILORIN appoints new DVCs, Provost Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

Confab: Abuja Indigenes laud approval of mayoral status T Yekeen Nurudeen

audience to a delegation of Oguta people led by Justice Oputa, who had sought to discuss issues and problems besetting Oguta community. The leaders and elders said since the inception of the Okorocha administration, issues concerning Oguta have all been shelved or pushed to the background. The leaders also averred that Oguta as the largest oil producing community in the state, has also been denied and deprived of statutory positions and benefits by the Okorocha administration.

he University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has appointed two new Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs). They are Prof. Gabriel Ademola Olatunji, of the Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences (DVC, Academic) and Prof. (Mrs.) Nike Ijaiya, of the Department of Educational Management (DVC, Research, Technology and Innovation). The DVC-designates, according to a statement from the university, were elected at the 240th Special Meeting of the University Senate last Tuesday. They take over from Prof. Raheem Adebayo Lawal (Academic) and Prof. Felix Oladele

(Research, Technology and Innovation), whose two-year tenure ended on Wednesday, June 18, 2014. The appointments are based on the University's Miscellaneous Provision of Decree No. 11, Section 5 (a) of 1993 as amended by Decree No. 25 of 1996. Both appointments, which are for a period of two years, are, however, subject to the ratification of the University Council. Also, a new Provost has been elected for the College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin. He is Prof. Wahab B. Rotimi Johnson, who, until now, was the Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences. He takes over from Prof. A. B. O. Omotoso, whose fouryear tenure terminates on July 31, 2014.

Oil exploration: Kukawa community asks for social amenities from FG

Ahmed Miringa Maoduguri

he people of Kukawa TLocal community in Kukawa Government area of Borno State have appealed

to the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to commence the provision of social amenities to the oil bearing communities.

Vice-Chairman of Kukawa Local Government Caretaker Committee, Hon. Habib Ali Kekeno, made the appeal while speaking to newsmen in Maiduguri yesterday.

He said: “I am appealing to the Federal Government and the NNPC to commence the provision of social amenities to the people of my area now, when oil exploration ac-

tivities are in their early stages before the area is degraded through spillage. “I make this appeal because we in Kukawa do not want a repeat of

what transpired in Ogoni land, where the livelihood of the people has been compromised. We are a peace loving people and wish for the progress of the country."

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ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

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

TUESday, JUly 8, 2014

0802 393 8212

Bank manager hangs self in uncompleted building SUICIDE A banker takes a casual leave from work because of stress but takes his own life Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

44-year-old bank manager, Mr Habeeb Olatunde, who was declared missing last month, has been found dead by the police in Ogun State. Police discovered the decomposing body of Olatunde, suspected to have committed suicide at the weekend in an uncompleted building at Arepo, near Ibafo on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The deceased, who worked in an undisclosed commercial bank, was said to

have committed suicide while he was on casual leave. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the recovery of the manager’s body in a statement. Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the body was found hanging in the building when some police detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ibafo Divisional Headquarters arrived at the scene. He disclosed that the police found no mark of violence on the body and did not suspect any foul play. The police spokesman said the late Olatunde, who hailed from Kwara State, was declared missing on June 18, while his body was discovered about 3pm on July 5. He said: “The decomposing body was found hanged in the building

when the police detectives arrived at the scene. Preliminary investigation revealed that the top bank official committed suicide by hanging. “The police command had circulated the news of his missing case as reported at Ibafo Division on 19th June, 2014 and the police have intensified efforts to find him before his body was discovered after a thorough search with the help of members of the community. “While investigation was on, it was The late Olatunde revealed that the deceased actually complained of stress in the office and was permitted to have a rest. He committed the suicide while he was on casual leave.” The PPRO stated that the body had Taiwo Jimoh been released to the family of the late banker for burial according to Islamic Non-Governmental Orrites. ganisation (NGO), Mentoring Initiative (MI), has called on parents to have attitudinal change towards It was gathered Tolani was expelled the girl-child. The call was made at the early 2013/2014 session because of indulinaugural lecture of the gence in drugs. NGO at Methodist Girls One of the students of the university, High School, Yaba, Lagos, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent that the suspect was using drug with a theme: “Building Tomorrow’s Mothers Today.” before he was expelled. The MI founder, Hajia Tolani allegedly killed his father on Bintu-Fatimo-Tinubu, said July 3 because the latter slapped him for the main objective of the not responding to prayer points during initiative was to awaken morning devotion. The suspect, according to the police, the social consciousness said he was infuriated at his fathers’ slap, surrounding the plight of went for a kitchen knife and stabbed his the girl- child who would father several time before cutting his transform to motherhood throat with a cutlass. He later dismem- tomorrow. She said: “I want to probered his father’s body, packaged the vide for them a platform pieces inside a box and dumped it in the where their lives could be bush. impacted and nurtured in a His movement was said to have caught positive way , through menthe attention of the residents on Cannantoring, teaching of life skills land Road inside the Redemption Camp, and empowerment through who invited the police.

Parents’ mentoring essential, say gov’s wife, others

Varsity disowns son who killed father Camillus Nnaji and Taiwo Jimoh

he Redeemers University (RUN) has denounced a 21-year-old boy, Tolani Ajayi, who reportedly hacked his 60-year-old father to death in their house at the Redemption Camp. Tolani, according to the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, killed his father, Charles Ajayi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), with a knife after a disagreement. Adejobi, who said the police arrested the suspect same day the crime was committed, described Tolani as a 300-level student of the Department of History and International Relations of RUN. However, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Debo Adeyewa, told NT Metro yesterday that Tolani speaking with our correspondent in his office on the campus of the university on LagosIbadan Expressway, Adeyewa said the suspect had been expelled for misconduct. He said: “We wish to state that it is wrong and untrue to report that he is our student. At the time of killing his father, Tolani had been expelled.” The VC added that the boy had several issues of misconduct which led the university to set up a panel of inquiry which later recommended his expulsion. He said: “It should have been reported that Redeemer University is even ahead

Tolani

of most universities because we have zero tolerance to social, spiritual and moral vices like drugs, stealing and other forms of immorality.” Adeyewa said the university commiserated with the Ajayi family over the loss of a gentleman who was so passionate about his children’s future.

education.” Fatimo-Tinubu added that the recent events where about 200 girls from Chibok were kidnapped served as a turning point in the life of the Nigerian girl-child. She added: “It is a wakeup call for all and sundry in the quest for the liberating of the girl-child from the primitive mentality that a girl-child is not important than their male counterparts. “The United Nations Convention on the right of the girl-child is also applicable to every Nigerian girl-child with the right to survive, to develop and participate fully in family, cultural and social life.” Also speaking at the event, the wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, said parenting was a relationship that could never be broken between parents and their children.

Trailer kills pregnant woman, five others Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

t was wailing and gnashing of teeth yesterday morning at New Iyana Agbala Junction on Ife-Ibadan Expressway when an articulated vehicle crushed six persons to death, among them a pregnant woman. The driver of the articulated vehicle did not stop after the crash. The trailer, which was going to Ibadan from

Ile-Ife, hit a Honda car and a Micra commercial car. The accident occurred in front of a popular filling station, Ore-Ofe Oil. While the Honda was said to be conveying two motorists at the time, the Micra, which had three occupants, was trying to cross over to the fuel station from other side of the expressway to pick a passenger. None of the occupants of the Micra survived the accident.

The pregnant woman, who was said to be crossing the road, was crushed to death. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Egbeda Unit Commander, Abiodun Akinlade, who confirmed the incident, however, claimed that only three people died while six others were wounded. He said both the wounded were taken to the nearby Catholic Hospital for treatment. The bodies of the deceased, according to him, were deposited at the morgue of the hospital.

METRO

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

APC chieftain, others arrested for robbery Juliana Francis

olice attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, AdenijiAdele Street, Lagos, have arrested nine suspects for robbery. The police yesterday paraded the suspects, among them a chieftain of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), Hon Odeyemi Itunnu, described as the godfather of the gang. Itunnu, according to the police, is also a Local Government Executive in Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State. After the arrest of the suspects, FSARS said it recovered 17 of the cars the stole in different parts of the country, most of which were Toyota and Honda models. Three assorted guns were also recovered from them. Itunnu confessed that he gave Omoniyi Ajewole, one of the suspects, a locally-made gun, to protect him during election period. The police said the gun had been recovered. Itunnu said: “Omoniyi (Ajewole) is my political thug. I brought him to my place and gave him a gun to secure me. Actually, I have never participated in any robbery operation, but he used to escort me with the gun. All of us, who are chieftains, were given slots in the state and we were working for the state government. “Every political party, including ours, has factions. That was why I gave him the gun, so that he could always

protect me wherever I went. I also told him to be with me particularly as the Ekiti election then was approaching. But before the elections, I just saw the police then coming to my house to arrest me. I had seen the gun on the ground during the 2007 elections’ violence in the state and had kept it.” Other members of the gang are, Oluseye Jacob, Oluwadamilare Rasaki, Ajisafe Olawale, Ogunniyi Sunday, Tolani Babatunde, Abubakar Umar and Ayodeji Olumudi. The gang met its waterloo after the arrest of Ajewole, 28. Ajewole alleged that Itunnu was his political godfather. The police explained that the suspects were arrested after they received a complaint from a victim who had being robbed of two vehicles. The victim told the police that aside from the two vehicles, he was also dispossessed of other valuables. He said the incident occurred on June 27, 2013, at his Ile-Ife, Osun State residence. It was gathered that the case was later transferred to the FSARS. Ajewole said: “He gave me the gun to use in protecting him during any campaign violence. But I had not yet used the gun before I was arrested in September 2013. I am not a robber. I prefer to be called a political thug. I was the only one the honourable gave a gun, and he was also paying me salaries.”

Delta, Bayelsa communities on warpath over invasion Dominic Adewole, ASABA

he people of Okia community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State have threatened to force the people of Ageh community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State out of Okia land. On December 26, 2006, Ageh people reportedly invaded Okia community, displaced over 400 indigenes and turned them to refugees in different parts of the country. The crisis recently assumed a dangerous dimension, compelling the Chairman of Okia community, Mr Pius Gbeneyei, to wonder why his people were still been driven away from their ancestral home, having armed themselves with a

subsisting judgement of the Court of Appeal. Gbeneyei explained in Warri yesterday that since the natural boundary between Okia and Ageh, as well as Delta and Bayelsa states, remains River Remos, Ageh people trespassed because they were larger in population. He also alleged that it was a ploy to prevent the multi-national oil company – Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) – not to obey the judgement that ordered it to pay compensation to Okia community. Although Gbeneyei expressed the fear of further attack by militants from Ageh, which he added, had prevented them from taking possession of their land since the judgement was passed, he said

“that Ageh people have not vacated the land amounts to court contempt”. He said: “My appeal to the Delta State Government today is to take steps and ask the Joint Task Force (JTF) to return our people to their land. “The Court of Appeal has given its judgement, let everyone obey it. A court had earlier given a judgement against them, ordering Ageh people to leave our land but they have continued to defy that judgement. “Since the crisis started people have died. We can only talk of the four that died at the initial part but hardship has claimed more lives. We can’t continue to live in another man’s land. The land we are talking about belongs to Delta State.”

Food poisoning: Father, son die Babatope Okeowo Akure

wo more persons, out of eight people said to be victims of food poisoning, have lost the battle to stay alive. This came after a month of intense struggle by medical personnel to save their lives. About a month ago, the people were rushed to the hospital after neighbours discovered their unconscious bodies in their apartment at Ijaro quarters in Aule, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Firm donates incubators to Abeokuta FMC Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

s part of its intervention in the nation’s health sector, the Nigerian Breweries Plc has donated two incubators and inverters to the Neonatal Unit of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The company’s Brewery Manager, Ota, Mr Bolu Obawole, handed over the equipment to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Dapo Sotiloye, in Abeokuta. Obawole, who was with the Public Affairs Manager (South-West), Mr Tayo Adelaja, and the Brewery Medical Doctor, Mr Ejogbamu Abirhire, disclosed that the items were donated under the auspices of the Heineken African Foundation. The brewery manager said the donation was part of the corporate social responsibility of the company. Obawole expressed optimism that the incubators would reduce neonatal mortality rate in the country and enhance child survival. He said: “Heineken African Foundation is developed to look at things that touch on people’s lives and the focus is on Africa. Heineken is a worldwide business that is present in more than 170 countries in the world. In Africa

L-R: Adelaja, Obawole, Abirhire, Sotiloye and others during the donation.

and Middle East, we have more than 40 plants that we call breweries and in Nigeria, there are eight of such breweries one of which is in Ota. “The business of Heineken in Nigeria is really growing and looking at it from that perspective, it is very important for us to engage our communities in things that touch on their lives and that is what gave birth to this kind of project. “With what we have done, we expect that neonatal mortality will be reduced, childhood survival will improve and, of course, the quality of care in paediatrics will also improve. So, we are really very happy about it.

“We believe that if you are doing business in an environment and you don’t take care of that environment, which includes the people, then how do you sustain your business? So, one of the ways we believe we can sustain our businesses is to give back to the society in which we operate.” Obawole commended the management of the hospital for its contributions to healthy living of the citizens. Responding, Sotiloye expressed satisfaction with the donation and promised that the hospital would use the incubators judiciously. The CMD noted that government alone could not fund the health sector.

Then five members of an extended family were confirmed dead in the hospital while three others, Mr Kehinde Ajayi, his wife, Banke, and son, Samuel, survived but were in critical conditions. However, it was learnt yesterday that Ajayi and Samuel

died while the wife had been discharged from the hospital. A family source said Ajayi died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo while Samuel died at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife Osun State, where he was referred to for treatment.

Over 5,000 IDPs seek Rivers’ intervention Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

housands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Ekporo community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State have called on government to facilitate their return to their community. The people, who were attacked by youths from neighbouring communities in Ogo/Bolo Local Government Area, made the call following the delay by government to restore law and order in the community. Violent clashes erupted in Ekporo late last year following a dispute over the citing of a police station on a disputed land between the community and another community in Ogo/Bolu, leading to the wanton destruction of lives and property. According to a local government source, more than 5,000 persons were forced to flee Ekporo community in the wake of the attack. The crisis, the source noted, had been brewing for years over land disputes involving neighbouring com-

munities. A councillor, Hon. Nelson Ogbuji, representing Ekporo Ward in Eleme Legislative Assembly, was among those who lost their lives. More than six months after the incident, some of the victims alleged that female farmers were being raped by armed youths, who, according to them, carry out daring night raids to chase out a few persons who have refused to leave the community. Most of the internally displaced people are scattered within Aleto, Agbochia, Ogale and some other Eleme communities, while those who cannot afford accommodation in the listed communities have relocated to villages in Tai and Gokana local government areas in Ogoniland. The crisis has prompted the caretaker chairmen of the two local government areas – Hon. Oji Ngofia (Eleme) and Hon. Maureen Tamuno (OguBolo) - and some leaders in the two councils to hold a security meeting with the Police Area Commander, Bori, Abutu Yaro, and constitute a five-man committee to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

12 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, t2014

Rivers’ judiciary crisis: JUSUN declares indefinite strike TROUBLE Danger is not over yet in Rivers as the law is given different interpretations Joe Ezuma

Port Harcourt

he crisis in the Rivers State judiciary took a new turn yesterday as the national leadership of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) gave its nod to the indefinite strike declared by its local

branch in the Rivers judiciary. Taking over the issue and vowing to sustain it, JUSUN’s national leadership also debunked the allegation that they have been bought-over by the government, insisting that the congress followed due process before declaring the strike. The judiciary workers went on strike after June 2, 2014, when the Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wogu Boms, dismissed the reported appointment of Ms. Daisy Okocha, as the Chief

Kuye: Let's end this bloodletting Temitope Ogunbanke ormer President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs. Prescilla Kuye, yesterday charged Nigerians, especially members of the dreadful Boko Haram sect to stop shedding innocent blood in the country. She also urged Muslims, especially during this holy month, to beg God to forgive Nigerians their sins of shedding innocent blood. Speaking yesterday during the 16th year remembrance of the death of Chief Moshood Abiola in Lagos, Kuye said Nigeria would have been a better country by now if the business mogul and acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, had not been denied the opportunity to govern the country. She said: “Having won the election, we were all disappointed that he was not allowed to govern us. A lot of things are wrong

with this country; we have poverty, insecurity and our leaders are not working for the common good. We have a high rate of unemployment; young people are not employed. If Chief Abiola had been alive, all these things would not have happened, because Abiola had his own agenda and programme for the country. “Again, look at the security challenge in the country; we have shed too much blood and it should stop. We have shed innocent blood; it is too much and we should all be praying for our cooperate sin of shedding blood." According to Kuye, “God is going to be annoyed with Nigeria for the shedding of innocent blood. It is against Christianity and Islam, and we must stop it. Now, the Muslims are fasting, I think they should beg God to forgive us our sins of shedding innocent blood."

Momoh lauds Oshiomhole over cancellation of competency test Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

taru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, has lauded Governor Adams Oshiomhole, for cancelling the competency test earlier proposed by his government for primary and secondary school teachers in public schools in Edo State. The governor had announced the cancellation of the competency test and the restoration of the salaries of 936 teachers and the approval of other incentives to the teachers at a meeting with the NLC, TUC and NUT, last week. But the monarch, who spoke at the weekend at the formal presentation of the winner of this year’s Koranic recitation competition held in Jigawa State, said the move

would douse the tension and fears of the teachers on what they erroneously thought was a ploy by the government to retrench them. He said: “Last night, I was watching network news on television and I was happy to hear the very credible statements made by our governor about teachers. The teachers are now all back. Those who were sacked have been told to resume work.” The monarch continued: “Teachers who are supposed to be taking exams have been exempted from such and those who are qualified to retire will be retired with full benefits. So, I thank you and God bless you. I must say that not only in Edo State were people happy about this development, but in Nigeria as a whole.”

Judge of the state, ostensibly to shield themselves from being caught in the crossfire. Boms had also said in pursuant to the issues at stake that the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission in its Monday, June 2, 2014 meeting, passed a resolution directing the Chief Registrar to inform judiciary workers that disciplinary measures, including dismissal, await any worker that deals with any judge as Chief Judge or Acting Chief Judge or Administrative Judge not duly appointed by the governor of Rivers State.

14.1m

He said: “That is the decision of the JSC and we shall carry it out to the letter. They are staff of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission and not of the NJC. There is no law authorising anybody to act illegally.” JUSUN National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Kayode Igbarago, who briefed newsmen yesterday in Port Harcourt, on behalf of the National President, Comrade Mustapha Marwa, said the warring parties should resolve their crisis. Igbarago said judiciary workers could not serve

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

two masters, since the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Rivers State government are at loggerheads over the appointment of the chief judge, adding that; “The national leadership of JUSUN has taken over the issue and that the state executive officers no longer have power over it. “JUSUN has further endorsed the strike because it followed all necessary procedure laid down in the constitution of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, and that strike as endorsed by the National Executive Council,

29m

The total population of Venezuela (representing 0.4% of world’s population) in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

remains. “The workers cannot serve two masters. The NJC has appointed a head; the Rivers State government has appointed another head due to the amendment of the High Court Rules. And it would interest you to know that the Rivers State government also went to the extent of through the Judicial Service Commission, issuing a circular that anybody, who takes instructions from the administrative judge stands the risk of being dismissed and their salaries withheld," he stated.

19.2%

The percentage of households with internet access at home in Arab States in 2009. Source: Itu.int

L-R: Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Segun Awolowo; Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Osita Chidoka and Executive Secretary, NEPC, Mrs. Saratu Umar, at the investiture of Mr. Segun and Mrs Saratu as Special Marshals in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Industrialisation: Don wants steel production deregulated Uwakwe Abugu

Awka

orried by decades of W dashed hope on sustainable industrialisation

in the country, the Head of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, Prof. Daniel Obikwelu, has called for the deregulation of the steel industry in the country. Taking a hard look at what he described as the influx of, and the high rate of importation of technologies by research centres, universities, faculties of engineering and allied fields from foreign lands into Nigeria, he said the situation was very embarrassing. Similarly, a former President of the Warri branch

of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr. C. W. Wanmuo, amazed by the deplorable state of industrialisation, has blamed the Nigerian government and not engineers, for this development. Both of them spoke at Nsukka, where Obikwelu delivered the 79th inaugural lecture of the institution, making a clarion call for speedy revolution in the steel industry to push Nigeria’s long-desired industrial growth forward. Speaking at the lecture, the don decried the dearth of viable steel industries in Nigeria as he spoke on the topic; “Metallic Materials: Challenges in the 21st Century Nigeria and Didactic Lessons from the 18th Century Industrial Revolution.”

Rufus Giwa Poly shut after students' protest Okeowo Babatope uthorities of the Ondo State-owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, yesterday shut down the institution following a violent protest by the students over a hike in their school fees. It was learnt that the students went on rampage after a students’ union stakeholders’ meeting was held on Sunday, where it was resolved to protest the conditions attached to writing exams and the recent unified test introduced by the management of the institution. Full time students, who are indigenes, are to pay N60, 000 while non-indigenes would pay 70,000. Newly admitted students are to pay over 90, 000.

It was gathered that the management had directed that students would commence a unified test yesterday with the condition that only students who have paid their fees would be allowed to write the test. The protesting students blocked the institution’s gate as early as 6.00am, preventing lecturers and other members of staff from gaining access into the campus. The students barricaded the Benin-Abuja Expressway and stopped vehicular movement for several hours. Several school property, including the female hostel building, a new generation bank’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and some billboards were damaged by the students.

BRIBENA: BOKO HARAM IS PERSONAL ATTACK ON JONATHAN / PAGE 15 | BRICKBATS AS FORMER NDDC BOSS QUITS LP FOR PDP / PAGE 17

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AYODELE OJO

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OGBORU’S ALBATROSS AS DILEMMA

p-14

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2014

I left office with over 1,000 petitions, today I stand vindicated, says Ohakim state capital by 2015.

Chief Ikedi Ohakim, the immediate past governor of Imo State is no stranger to adversity. Irrepressible as always, in this no holdsbarred interview with a select cross section of news men, Ohakim opens up on the lies, manipulations and misconceptions that marked his exit. STEVE UZOECHI was there for New Telegraph. Excerpts: How do you feel about the circumstances that led to your exit in 2011? I was misunderstood, misconstrued and deliberately misrepresented in some quarters. For me it is all history now and as long as Imo State is at peace, it is alright by me. However, in the twilight of my administration, a massive conspiracy was hatched to denigrate my person and defame my administration, with all sorts of ‘moonlight tales’ being spread about me. Due to deliberate machinations to make my tenure problematic, I left office with more than 1,000 petitions against me, mostly by people I do not even know, alleging all sorts of ‘impossible’ things. In my time, there was no political assassination; no political intimidation; no bombing or arson. Yet, some people were so desperate to undermine me that they were able to engineer over 1,000 petitions against me but I wish to categorically state that till date, not a single charge has been entered against me in any court in Nigeria. In what areas did the said misconceptions affect you most? The misconceptions that left dents on my administration were largely borne out of the fact that my administration was ahead of its time. At the time, I did not exactly know how much public education and marketing of my administration’s policies I needed to have embarked upon before pushing implementation. Most of the decisions and actions we took between 2007 and 2011 that became issues are now being replicated in Imo and other states without any quarrel because I have paid the price. These however imply that we had been on the right track all along. My policies were futuristic and my only regret is that I did not market them adequately before nudging my people ahead. But with the events of today, I stand vindicated. Some may build for the gallery, but I built

What would you say is the priority of the present administration with some new imposing structures in place? Honestly, I cannot place its priority and I doubt if many people can. What can be easily appreciated is the apparent penchant for misplacing priorities by the present administration. Can you compare 10,000 graduate jobs to 10,000 empty halls? While there was an existing Ahiajoku Conference Centre, the present administration had replicated another conference centre and what can I say to that? Simply, I am happy that Imo people are beginning to come to terms with all that my administration stood for. We offered 10,000 graduate jobs and a lot of people scandalized it, but when the beneficiaries were sacked by Okorocha, they came out to tell the world that indeed they were being paid full salaries before Okorocha sacked them. Today somebody claims to be offering 25,000 jobs and you ask yourself, is the entire Imo workforce at present up to 25,000?

Ohakim

for posterity. There have been insinuations that you plundered the state, what do you have to say to that? Without mincing words, I can tell you right away that my administration left behind a whopping sum of N26.8 billion in various accounts, which I personally handed over to Governor Rochas Okorocha. We also left N13. 2 billion bond proceed in a UBA account tied to some specific projects, but it is regrettable that the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) had against complaints and petitions of stakeholders, endorsed the re-application of the fund to other uses. And that was merely a license to squander the money. What is your reaction to the present situation of the state capital, Owerri?

The situation is verifiably man-made and most regrettable. With no single drop of pipe-borne water in the state capital in the last 38 months, I can tell you for certain that epidemic looms in Owerri. It is unimaginable that Owerri could have been brought to its knees in so short a time. I say this because at the time I left office in 2011, Imo State had 1,900 functional water infrastructures across the state. We trained and engaged 300 technicians to manage these water projects, but for reasons I find difficult to understand, Governor Rochas Okorocha sacked all the technicians immediately he assumed office and today, 90 per cent of these water projects have collapsed and for about three years now, the taps have remained dry in the state capital. It is pathetic. As a matter of fact, we had a water roadmap that would have ensured pipe-borne water in every kitchen in the

It has been alleged that you left behind some failed projects, how do you react to that? I can beat my chest and tell you that no single project initiated by my administration failed, depending on your definition of failed projects. Not one project I started failed. No developmental initiative we embarked upon was without a feasibility study, comprehensive plan and design. All the roads I did have designs and plans and no contractor that worked for Imo State at the time failed to present an Advance Payment Guarantee. Look at the 23kilometre road in Okorocha’s home town, from Isiekenesi to Osina with bridges; it is still the only standard road within the area. You came from Owerri; the road from Owerri leading to Okatankwu bridge has a 50-year guarantee. I was running those street lights that beautified Owerri at night with 52 dedicated generators. Today, I cannot tell what has become of all those generators. No zone in the state ever raised a single petition that they were marginalized as projects, appointments and empowerment packages were evenly distributed. How have you fared following the destruction of your home in Owerri? Well, I have been kept by the Almighty. But I want to thank the media for their support when my only house in the city of Owerri was bombed inspite of the fact that some miscreants wanted to politicise the tragedy. I would have lost my son and wife in that tragedy but thank God I am still here talking to you. I have deliberately stayed in the background, not just because of the destruction of my home. There is always a point in your life CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Ogboru’s albatross as dilemma Dominic Adewole

id the tacticians of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who approached Chief Great Ogboru of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) to join forces with them to end the alleged age-long hegemony of former Governor James Onanefe Ibori’s reign in Delta state, erroneously think he will fall for their couched plan without stating terms? Ogboru, a.k.a the peoples’ general, who probably holds the highest record of governorship elections contested and disputed in Nigeria, is again warming his heels for the race to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan next year. Pundits are yet to unravel why the subterranean move by the leadership of the APC, including those of its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, before the October 12, 2013, Delta Central Senatorial byeelection in the oil rich state, billed to woo Ogboru into collapsing DPP’s structure into APC, failed. More so that both parties (DPP and APC) are opposition parties. An APC source hinted the New Telegraph, that if Ogboru had accepted the plot; the bye-election would have been used as a litmus test by the party to test the depth of the political waters of the state with both feet. “But since the peoples’ general failed to attach serious regard to the conspiracy to use him, or any of his ardent loyalists to fill the vacuum created by the sudden death of Senator Pius Ewherido of the DPP, which Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) later won, APC regarded him as ‘a stubborn grasshopper that will soon end up in the belly of a fowl.” Speculations were rife after both APC and DPP lost to the ruling party that Muhammed and company, failed to secure Ogboru’s confidence because the tactics they deployed, hit the rock. According to sources, the APC did not come out straight on what the bargain holds for Ogboru in the build up to the 2015 governorship election in the state. The resultant effect was that APC fielded Otega Emerhor for the senatorial bye-election, even as the DPP shattered his votes with Ede Dafinone, who came third in the race. A school of thought soon rose up in the state, saying Ogboru failed to join APC with his teeming supporters because his hands were tied with the choice of Dafinone, maintaining that “It will be difficult for the peoples’ general to swap Emerhor for Dafinone should the merger be consummated.” Shortly after DPP lost the senatorial election to PDP; it became obvious to the leadership of the party that DPP may not be a viable political vehicle on which Ogboru could succeed Governor Uduaghan in 2015, hence, the need to think fast for an alternative platform. Reading the body language of his foot-soldiers, particularly after the Supreme Court committed his 2011 election petition case against Governor Uduaghan to the dustbin, the party, led by Ogboru swung into consultations and meetings on the possible merger with Labour Party (LP). Just last week, DPP sprung a surprise. The party dumped APC tacticians and publicly announced that LP is now the platform through which the state would be liberated from PDP cabals. Ogboru’s new found love with LP, political analysts said, may not be unconnected with surprises that are associated with partisan politics in the state, as according to them, since 1999,

Ogboru’s new found love with LP, political analysts said, may not be unconnected with surprises that are associated with partisan politics in the state

Ogboru

politics in the state has been a game of conspiracy. Some analysts maintain that the hand of the ruling party may not be far from the recent development. He recalled what transpired before, during and after the Court of Appeal ordered a rerun governorship election in January 2011 in the state, and the aftermath of the April 2011 governorship election, when PDP planted Ovie Omo-Agege, from the same Delta Central Senatorial District as Ogboru and

the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to Ibori in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), to dismantle his plans and scatter his votes in Urhobo ethnic nationality, and thereafter forwarded his name as ministerial nominee to President Goodluck Jonathan, which was rejected. “Don’t x-ray what is happening to Ogboru today with ordinary eyes. ‘The more you look, the less you see’ is going to play out in 2015. LP and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) are arms of the PDP. Ask me why Ogboru ran to LP? Why not APC that wooed him for a long time? If Ogboru

truly wants to stay by the opposition he had professed for a decade and half, it shouldn’t have taken him a night before joining APC in their progressive struggle. Don’t be surprised, Ogboru is a PDP stooge in Labour Party ahead of 2015”, the analyst said. But Ogboru, flanked by the former state chairman his party, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, at the country home of the former Special Adviser to the governor on Security, now an Isoko youth leader, Chief Fred Obey, in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state, the political territory of the incumbent SSG to Governor Uduaghan, talk of Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, confirmed that “the slogan of the DPP is dead. It is now Labour Party.” Obey who described Ogboru as “the most no-nonsense governorship aspirant I ever met”, did not only put pundits wrong over the speculation that he was been sponsored against APC via Labour Party ahead of 2015 governorship race, he decried the undue supremacy imposed on the state by few cabals, who he said “are working day and night plundering the state’s resources.” While Governor Uduaghan, still basking in the euphoria of his victory against Ogboru at the Supreme Court, had told anyone who cared to listen that the DPP was dead in Delta State, Ogboru roared back, vowing not to leave his teeming supporters as orphans. He told them, “Do not despair, do not shed tears, and do not have any regrets because with God all things are possible”. He further maintained, that “the journey may be delayed but Labour Party would take us to the promised land”, Deltans wait to see whether he is truly a spoiler, to be used by the PDP against the APC, or he is still poised to battle for the coveted governor’s seat which has eluded him for so long.

‘I left office with over 1,000 petitions, today I stand vindicated’ CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

that you need to sit down and ruminate over things. You are all in this state, and you know the quantum of unsavoury things said about Ikedi Ohakim. Even in relation to the house issue, you all remember when it was said on live television that I had six houses on Wetheral Road, Owerri and about 40 others across the state. Needless to mention other properties credited to me in South Africa. If I had another house in Owerri outside the bungalow that was bombed, which I built when I was a commissioner in the state, would I be operating today from my village? The same people who leveled all these accusations are in government today; the governor’s son in-law is the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development; they are in a better position to dig up the documents of all my properties in Owerri and show it to the world. It is more than three years now, and they have been unable to prove the massive acquisition of properties they accused me of. It vindicates me and goes further to prove that I was falsely vilified because they were desperate to

grab power. Today, they know better; that governance is no tea party. How would you react to the opposition and criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan by a section of the country? This is an issue that calls for maturity among the political class and their surrogates. The undue bashing of President Jonathan by a section of the society is unfortunate and it is most erroneous to assume that tearing down the image of

Mr. President for some perceived gains can elevate anybody. However we look at it, President Jonathan is the symbol and image of this country and the idea of assuming that any crisis in the country is Jonathan’s crisis is as retrogressive as it is self-destructive. Nigeria is our project and it is our obligation to make Nigeria work even if we have to shelve some interests. I therefore maintain that the President has not been fairly treated and urge the media to rise up to the occasion, and as situation arises, to give the needed direction to the Nigerian populace.

I can beat my chest and tell you that no single project initiated by my administration failed, depending on your definition of failed projects

It is rumoured that you are interested in the Imo governorship come 2015, what is the true position? Naturally, my desire is to complete my truncated tenure, but that would depend largely on the approval of my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). If my party thinks otherwise, I will shelve the ambition and fall in line in whatever area it may want me to serve. I am not a desperate aspirant. I know the rope and I know the rules.

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Mr. Efiye Bribena, a retired Assistant-Comptroller of Immigration is the Secretary-General of the Ijaw Professionals. In this interview, he says Boko Haram is a personal attack on President Goodluck Jonathan. He also speaks on the state of insecurity in Nigeria, 2015 general election, and the ongoing National Conference, among other issues. TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE reports. How do you see the security challenge facing the country, especially the Boko Haram insurgency, vis-a-vis the willingness of the government to deal with it? It is becoming obvious that the challenge of insecurity facing the country is being orchestrated by a group of people that are hell bent on working against the interest of the president. It is unfortunate that a group of people is putting the entire country at risk for selfish reasons just to get at the person of Mr. President because of who he is and where he is from. The security situation is not something the Federal Government cannot handle, but the simple truth is that if people are determined to cause confusion and they have the means and the resources to do it, they will do it no matter the amount of security that you have in place. I don’t believe that Federal Government is not capable. The fact is that we have a group of people hell bent on creating the negative situation in the country simply because they want to paint the president in bad light. They just want to paint the government in bad light. That in my opinion is what is happening. Boko Haram is not an institution on its own. It is a myth that is being peddled and fuelled by a group of people who are hell bent on causing confusion because President Goodluck Jonathan is in power and they believe he shouldn’t be. They believe that if they have proper contest with him in 2015, there is a possibility that he might still win. So, they want to do everything to ensure that he does not contest in 2015. How do you see the comment made by Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State that the Federal Government is committing genocide? How is Federal Government committing genocide for God’s sake? Those are the people you should look at. Those are the people we believe are the suspected sponsors of the crisis in this country. They created the crisis and then paint the government in bad light. Listen to them when they talk, they don’t talk about the government; they talk about the president. With all the resources of the US (United States) to contain terrorism after 9/11 attacks, our own son almost blew up a plane in the airspace. It was the grace of God that saved that situation. It wasn’t because of the US intelligence; it wasn’t because of security; after all, he had beaten all the security arrangement all the way through. If God had not intervened, the damage would have been done. We know that their target is the president. But what they must understand is this: If there is any attempt on the life of the president, we know where it is coming from and this country will not be able to survive it. We, the Ijaws, know that the crisis is a direct attack on Mr Presi-

Bribena: Boko Haram is personal attack on Jonathan

Bribena

dent. And any attack on Mr President is a direct attack on our people. If that happens, this country cannot remain as one. The security challenge in Nigeria has been blamed on porosity of the nation’s border. As a retired Assistant-Comptroller of Immigration, do you think concerned security agents are doing enough to contain illegal entry into the country? If you have an understanding of what the border looks like, you will know that it is almost impossible to effectively man the borders without cooperation of the neighbouring countries. You have situations where houses are built across the border. That is, one part of the house is in Nigeria and the other part in Niger. There are villages that transcend both borders. So, you have a situation where somebody on one side can claim to be a Nigerian and somebody on the other part of the building claims to be a Niger citizen, in the same house. At will, they can decide to claim wherever they want and come in and go out. It is not that you have a wall across the border with gates that people can pass through. A border is just a single line of demarcation with border posts where everybody who wants to come in or go out must pass through and endorse their passports. So, it is impossible for you to line along the stretch of the entire border to begin to monitor everybody. It is, however, expected for best practice that anybody that is coming in or going out will present him or herself for legal clearance at the border posts. But if people decide to use illegal routes, there is little they (security agents) can do to stop it because there are many illegal routes. From reports we get, it is obvious that most of the renegades from Libya and North Africa are being used to cause this security threat. The

The fact is that we have a group of people hell bent on creating the negative situation in the country simply because they want to paint the president in bad light question we should ask ourselves is: who is using them? Who is empowering them? Immigration can do their bits at the border posts and they can man areas that are notorious where they think illegal immigrants are using. But it is not something only immigration or police can do. The people that live in these border settlements know their own. They are the ones that can really pass information where people who are not their stock get into their midst. And you think it is that easy to pass information where you don’t know whether the next person to you is a Boko Haram member? Yes, there is a big challenge because we have reports that some government officials are sympathetic to Boko Haram. But the truth is that the people have a lot to do to be able to contain this situation. I mean the people from those border settlements. What is your view on the on-going National Conference, especially the desirability or otherwise of retaining local government as a third tier of government? In my opinion, we get most of these things wrong. The structure we run is not the problem; it is the people that are running it. There is nothing wrong with us having federal, state and local government structure. The idea of lo-

cal government is to get governance closer to the people. And in any society, you need that. You must have government that is close to the people to take care of their immediate needs. So, for me, it is not about whether we should have federal, state or local government. The problem we have is the people that are running the system. If the people are committed to running the system right, we can run the current structure. Again, if we want to reduce the cost of governance, we can be looking at regional and local government. But we have people in positions of authority that are grossly irresponsible. That is why we have the problem that we have. If this Boko Haram insurgency is not curtailed before the next election, do you see Nigeria having a successful election? I dare say that for those behind the present crisis; they will like to see a situation where there will be escalation of the insurgency so that there will be no election, or election will be inconclusive and discredited. But it is the responsibility of the government to try as much as possible to contain the situation so that it does not escalate. And I believe the government is doing a lot but the resource in the hands of those that are hell bent on causing confusion in the country is huge and they are willing to apply it. It is still in the realm of speculation that President Jonathan will contest 2015 election.... Yes, it is in the realm of speculation. But those that are hell bent on stopping his ambition cannot wait. They are living in fear believing that probably because of the power of incumbency, he is going to win. So, they just don’t want to look at that possibility at all. All these crises are meant to stop him from contesting. Ask yourself: what does Boko Haram want? Like I said, the whole issue of Boko Haram is just an attack on the person of Mr President.

16 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

The transformation catalyst Nigeria needs Ladipo Johnson

est we forget, one of the main, and dare I say, initial reasons for the Boko Haram insurgency is the fact that the sect wishes to ensure that “western” education is stopped in the country. As was stated by the leader of the sect, girls should not even be seen in schools. They should be at home just to be prepared for marriage! However, all over the world, education has been proven to be an instrument for economic growth and national development. Indeed, the most developed and prosperous countries of the world achieved significant economic growth by opening the doors of their schools to as many of their citizens as possible. It has become quite evident that in places where good qualitative education is provided to the majority of the population, the country or society goes ahead to achieve significant economic growth unlike in countries and societies where the illiteracy level is very high. In 2010, a British Council study reported that Nigeria stood, and still stands, on the threshold of what could be the greatest transformation in its history. By 2030, it will be one of the few countries in the world that has young workers in plentiful supply. Youth, not oil, will be the country’s most valuable resource in the twenty-first century and beyond! Today, over 40 per cent of Nigerians are under 15, while three per cent are over retirement age. With the current level of poverty, youth restiveness, crime and terrorism in the country, it is simple to deduce that a large population of youths, if not carefully catered for, could quite easily become a dangerous liability rather than an asset. Education is thus the important catalyst in converting Nigeria’s teeming youth population into a national asset! With the national illiteracy level in Nigeria currently at about 61 per cent, sustained economic growth cannot be achieved. The reason is simple enough; in nations where citizens lack access to good quality education, there is always a dearth of quality manpower

Ibrahim Garba

o nation could ever prosper and reach the pinnacle of greatness without having concrete democratic structures put in place, and those saddled with the responsibility of guarding such structures must possess rare qualities of leadership, with the requisite capacity and ability to uphold public trust. One cannot dismiss that what the electorate naturally expect, is the dividend of democracy cutting across all frontiers of human development. Since the advent of the present democratic dispensation, a lot of water has passed under the bridge as regard the issue of representation at both chambers of the National Assembly. Senators and members of the House of Representatives were basically elected to prove their worth, by fashioning out blue prints that would benefit the people of their respective constituencies, knowing that credible representation is a responsibility they must not shirk. Many senators and members of the House of Representatives have taken the gauntlet and proven their mettle in that regard, coming up with series of agenda and creditably sponsored motions that are of immense advantage to the electorate. If the above postulation is anything to go by, then the people of Kano North can be proud have a man whose political acumen as a senator is not in doubt. Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo as everyone knows has carved a niche for himself knowing what it takes to convince

Education is thus the important catalyst in converting Nigeria’s teeming youth population into a national asset to man industries and businesses that would power economic growth for the efficient delivery of services such as healthcare, transportation, communication and community welfare; all of which are considered basic ingredients of a developed society. The essence and importance of education, whether formal or informal, is to produce persons who will be useful members of the society; Young men and women that can contribute to economic development rather than making themselves available to be used as agents of violence and other crimes. According to Jane F. Dogle, education engenders in the individual a disposition of personal autonomy, responsibility and relevant forms of life thought and action needed for self-reliance, social reconstruction and economic development. Despite the foregoing undeniable evidence and link between education and national economic and social development, the educational sector in Nigeria, in the past few years, has suffered great distress as the Federal Government has continually failed to provide the needed funding priority and policy consistency that would ensure a stable growth progression. The prolonged strike of 2013 to 2014 brought to light the cancerous status of poor funding of Nigeria’s education sector. In 2013, the Federal Government’s allocation went down to about 8.7 per cent, where the global benchmark for budget allocation to education is 20 per cent. Apart from this, even the funds allocated were not utilized as budget performance was at best disappointing. With this level of allocation and performance, no significant development can

Jonathan

take place let alone any transformation as promised by the present administration; as a matter of fact, things are deteriorating as lecturers in polytechnics and Colleges of Education are still on industrial strike as of this writing. The general underfunding, infrastructural decay, poor discipline, low level of achievement and of course, incessant lecturers strike has unfortunately further damaged the development of our educational system; thereby expanding the wide gap that exists in access, equality and equity in education in Nigeria, leaving several millions of poor Nigerians and their children excluded from the processes and beneficial outcomes of education. If Nigeria continues to march on to economic relevance and power play in Africa and indeed the global stage without an educated youth population, then terrorism, crime and skills importation will bring it to its knees! For any individual looking towards a brighter future for our country, the clear lesson and warning signals from the abduction of the girls of Chibok is that the government must see it as a wakeup call and ensure in the medium to long term, that it significantly increases its invest-

ment in the education sector, amongst other sectors like security. However, I am quite optimistic when it comes to our beloved country and so I do believe we can turn our most valuable resource – our youth, into an advantage for this country. Whilst I hope that the federal government will rise to the task, I am pleased that a few of the state governors have taken the bull by the horns and led from the front in this regard. In this regard we have seen Visionary leadership (not perfection) from the likes of Godswill Akpabio, Rotimi Amaechi, Babatunde Fashola and some others. However, I must state that Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso even with the limited resources of Kano state stands out and is aggressively championing a “New Nigeria” all be it from the confines of Kano State. It is a worthwhile exercise to beam our lights on Governor Kwankwaso’s giant strides in action in Kano state. According to the Governor, the free for all education “is in addition to sponsoring Kano indigenes to pursue their various degrees locally and internationally.” In conclusion, Chibok has reminded us all that education is one of, if not the major transformation catalyst our country requires. However, it is a fact that the current state of education in Nigeria is poor and a lot of factors will continue to pose serious challenges to its development but the challenges are not insurmountable. What we need are a few more visionary leaders and men/ women of action and agility like Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (who are willing to think outside the box) to enhance what will be Nigeria’s greatest transformation catalyst in this new millennium; youth and educational empowerment. They will build for us a new Nigeria that has a strong population of millions of educated young men and women that would serve as pillars to enable our beloved country restore its pride, and take full advantage of our true position as giants of Africa! •Johnson, a legal practitioner, writes from Lagos

Gwarzo and dividend of democracy

Gwarzo

voters that he is in the senate to make laws that people of Kano North would exploit to their advantage. On coming on board as a senator he chose to make his Senatorial District a bastion of politics without bitterness, by affecting a clear paradigm shift that would make all stake holders discern the fact that the issue of making one to have an indisputable sense of belonging is paramount. As a unionist, and one time state treasurer of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Kano State from the bankers unit (NUBIFIE), the ebullient senator is a known expert in state craft who

is fully conversant with the wheeling and dealing of fruitful struggle. Being in the saddle with no one having the temerity to challenge him in the political battle field, the senator’s perpetual hold on his seat is a testimony to the fact that he is up and doing in upholding the trust bestowed on him. No one has ever questioned his score-card as he always showcased what he whole-heartedly believed as the dividend of democracy to the people of his Senatorial District. For him to be well understood, he always gave account of his stewardship blow by blow, with people appreciating what he is doing. He built classrooms’ blocks at Junior Secondary School Kanti in Danbatta Local Government Area (LGA) in addition to building similar ones at Government Girls Junior Secondary School, Danbatta. In Makoda LGA, Sen. Gwarzo also built classrooms at Government Secondary School, Koguna and Government Secondary School, Makoda, in addition to building similar classes at Government Girls Secondary School, Shuwaki and Junior Secondary School Yandadi. Similar projects were also executed at Tsanyawa, Bichi, Bagwai, Shanono, Gwarzo, Kabo, Rimin Gado Tofa and Dawakin Tofa. Knowing that his mission on healthcare is explicit, Sen. Gwarzo constructed Community Halls at Gwarzo, Bichi and Dambatta LGAs,

and effected the construction of Girls Science College, Gwarzo, in addition to constructing 42 numbers solar street lights at Danzabuwa town in Bichi Local Government Girls Secondary School, Danbatta. Out of the senator’s penchant to provide adequate drinking water to the people of Kano north, he had effected the construction of hand pumps and boreholes at Gabasawa, Makoda, Kunchi, Tsanyawa, Bichi, Bagwai, Shanono, Gwarzo, Kabo, Rimin Gado, Tofa, Dawakin Tofa and Danbatta LGAs. On irrigation farming, the senator also effected the construction of 1050 nos. tube wells with three inch water pump machines and accessories in each tube well in various locations of Kano north. On solar base water scheme, Sen. Gwarzo effected the construction of solar powered bore holes in Gwarzo, Tofa, Bukavu Barracks, Makoda, Kura, and Bichi LGAs. With such monumental feats achieved by Gwarzo, Doubting Thomases have begun to soft pedal on spitting venomous scorn on him as a result of ideological differences. He is undoubtedly a standing pillar to be adored and revered, knowing that he is not in the senate to warm the bench and his score – card would continue to serve as a point of reference to students of history. This is the crux of the matter. •Garba is a media assistant to Gwarzo.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

There have been intrigues, claims and counter-claims trailing the movement of Dr Benson Enikuomehin, member formerly representing Ondo State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from LP to PDP. BABATOPE OKEOWO reports

Brickbats as former NDDC boss quits LP for PDP

r Benson Enikuomehin, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was nominated as a board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by Ondo State’s Governor Olusegun Mimiko. This was in spite of the fact that there were qualified members of his party, the Labour Party (LP) for the post. President Goodluck Jonathan had dissolved the board after three years over alleged financial impropriety by some members. Enikuomehin was thereafter replaced by Mr. Dele Omogbemi to complete his term as Ondo State’s representative on the board. Shortly after he was re-elected as governor for a second term, and subject to the expiration of the tenure of the board members of the oil commission, Mimiko again re-nominated Enikuomehin appointment into the NDDC board. At this time, Enikuomehin had moved to LP and was Mimiko’s chief agent at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the October 20, 2012 governorship election in that state. But surprisingly, Enikuomehin’s name was replaced with that of Hon. Benson Amuwa at the last minute. Enikuomehin who had passed through all the necessary security screening was stunned when he got to Senate Chamber for final clearance and discovered that his name had been substituted. Enikuomehin returned home and waited for a time to take his pound of flesh from the LP and Mimiko which he did at the April 5 bye-election in Ilaje/ Eseodo Federal constituency in the state. Barely 24 hours after he was said to have been expelled from the ruling LP in the state, Enikuomehin led his supporters from the ruling party to the opposition PDP. He along with about 1,700 of his supporters from Ilaje and Eseodo local governments dumped the LP for PDP at a rally attended by party stalwarts within and outside the state. Leading other party bigwigs were Chief Isola Filani, the southwest Vice Chairman of PDP, governorship candidate of the party in the last election in the state, Olusola Oke, Ayo Ifayefunmi, Adewale Kukute, Thompson Atikase, Albert Akintoye, Olusola Oludipe, Wale Ozogoro, Tayo Dairo, Fatai Adams, John Ola-Mafo, Denis Alonge-Niyi, Abayomi Sheba, Agboola Ajayi, Akpoebi Lubi, Yinka Orokoto, Idowu Mafimisebi, Segun Odidi, Kunle Odidi and Tunde Akindehin among others The former NDDC boss told the cheering crowd that he has left ‘a sinking ship’ of LP so as not to drown with it. He described his erstwhile party as a party of one man for his family, even as he berated the government for not taking care of the people of his federal constituency. The LP had stated that he was expelled for anti-party activities. The decision to expel him was contained in a letter signed by the Chairman of the party in Ilaje local government area of the state, Mr. Yellow Ogbo and the Secretary, Olumide Jayeola and addressed to the state chairman of the party. The party said the decision to expel the former party chieftain was based on the alleged anti party activities which he had been involved in, particularly during the last Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency bye election. According to

Mimiko

the party, the decision also followed the consideration of the report of the disciplinary committee of Ugbo Ward IV of the party, which recommended sanction for the former NDDC commissioner. The letter read, “Following the report of grievous anti-party activities perpetrated by Barr. Benson Enikuomehin Olorungbonju in the April 5th House of Representative bye-election in Ilaje/ Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, the Local Government Executive Committee of the Labour Party examined critically and arrived consequently at a far reaching decision on the anti-party conduct of the said Barr. Benson Enikuomehin. The party specifically examined the recommendation of his (Enikuomehin’s) Ward (Ugbo Ward IV) Disciplinary Committee of the LP, Ilaje Local Government (copy attached) that the said Barr. Benson Enikuomehin be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Labour Party as stipulated under Article 18. “The Executive Committee of Ilaje Local Government Labour Party weighed the gravity of the anti-party conduct exhibited by the said Barr. Benson Enikuomehin during and after the April 5 bye-election and subsequently held that the said Barr. Benson Enikuomehin be expelled with immediate effect from the party and he therefore stands expelled forthwith”. The road to Enikuomehin’s defection started shortly after the said bye-election was declared inconclusive by INEC despite the fact that the LP was leading by 1,300 votes. In a bid to explain the situation of things to Nigerian, he was drafted to explain the position of the party on Channels Television Sunrise show. While Mr. Oluwole Babalola represented the PDP at the parley, Enikuomehin who was to represent the LP at the interview session, stunned party supporters by stating publicly that his erstwhile party could not have won the election because of the ‘disconnect’ between the government and the people in the riverine areas of the state. He accused the government of non performance despite the huge amount of funds that accrued to the people of the state from the 13per cent oil derivation fund.

Enikuomehin

His declaration caused a lot of chaos, and the government had to engage a lot of other party supporters to control the damage done to its reputation by a supposed chieftain of the party on national television. Since then, people of the state and LP members knew Enikuomehin’s days in the ruling party were numbered. He however let himself out in fanfare at Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje local government. Speaking at the event, Filani, PDP national vice chairman, southwest, said the imperative of the Yoruba race to be in the mainstream of national politics will make the party win back the zone in the 2015 general election. He said the marginalisation of the race would stop when governors and representatives of the people at the National Assembly are elected under the platform of the PDP. His words, “the PDP is in-charge of the government at the federal level and we do not want to be left out from the main stream of Nigeria politics.” Filani said the PDP has staged a comeback to mainstream politics with the election of Ayo Fayose in Ekiti State, and would go ahead to win the August 9 governorship election in Osun State. “In Osun State, we have hope. We are just coming from the campaign in Osun and the impression we got there shows that we have no problems at all there. All what we need is the cooperation of all PDP members in the south west, just like they did in Ekiti where they came out to support the party”, he said. Enikuomehin who spoke on behalf of other decampees said he was deceived to believing that once Governor Mimiko wins the governorship election under the platform of LP, he would defect to the PDP. He said many of them were members of PDP in Abuja and members of

Enikuomehin who represented the LP at the interview session, stunned party supporters by stating publicly that his erstwhile party could not have won the election

LP in Ondo State, a development that made them have two party cards. He said he and his supporters from Ilaje/ Eseodo federal constituency have decided to remain in the PDP and work for the victory of the party and its candidates in future elections, adding, that he fell out with Mimiko and LP because the party has no good plan for the people of the riverine areas of the state. His words, “Despite the N2.1billion that accrues to the state monthly as 13 per cent oil derivation from federation account, the Ilaje/Eseodo federal constituency has nothing to show for the whopping amount of money.” According to him, not less than N48billion, being 40 per cent of the 13per cent allocation is supposed to goto the riverine areas through the state’s Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), but regretted that his constituencies have been left unattended to since Mimiko’s administration came on board five years ago. He continued, “When I said LP is a one man show, I will explain it, the governor and minister, the national deputy chairman of LP, Chief Joseph Akinlaja, state chairman of LP, Chief Dele Akinyele, Commissioner for Finance and Health, the Chief Protocol Officer, Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko , Chairman Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), Chairman of SUBEB, General Manager, Sports Commission and Head of Service are all from Ondo town and are family members” The leader of the party in the state, Chief Olusola Oke said a new wind of change was blowing across the country starting from Ekiti, which would berth at Osun and other parts of the southwest by 2015. Oke advised the people of the state not to express any doubt as the PDP is ready to win back its states which were fraudulently taken away from them by the All Progressive Party (APC) in the past. His words, “A new wind of change is blowing across the country. Fayose has come to assume the leadership of the South West PDP. The bats must disappear. Benson is like Moses who went to Egypt to study them. He is familiar with their antics and falsehood. They rigged our election they cannot do that again. They have never been part of us and CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

18 POLITICS Alhaji Lukman Ajose, is a former chairman Lagos Island Local Government Area. The Peoples Democratic PDP (PDP) chieftain, who carves a niche as the only person to have occupied that position twice in the history of the council, in this interview with WALE ELEGBEDE, unfolds his ambition for the senatorial position in the forthcoming general election. Excerpt

Sanctity of Truth

Ajose: Why I am in the race for Senate

ernment area, and I was able to refurbish their infrastructure and also made adequate provisions for desks and benches; chairs and tables for 17 of these 34 primary schools. The head teachers of these schools commended my administration, saying that it was the first within the last 30 years to do that. My administration also provided all primary schools with exercise books. It was also on record, that I provided N5,000 for 5,000 indigent university students then. I also provided employment to residents of all the 19 wards in the local government. This I did in two ways. I ensured that all contracts relative to all the projects mentioned above were given to all citizens in the 19 wards of my local government. That’s a way of employment. My administration also gave direct employment to qualified citizens. With regards to revenue generation; no local government administration in Lagos Island has matched my administration. I could remember vividly that from January to August 2001, my administration generated N93 million, the highest that the council had ever generated as internal revenue. Hitherto, it had never gone beyond N30 million. Since I left the council, up till today, rates had gone fivefold, compared to what was obtainable during my tenure, yet they have not been able to match my achievements in revenue generation.

What actually motivated you into politics? I have always identified in particular with anything that brings progress, growth and development to Lagos State. I have always been passionate about anything belonging to Lagos and I believe I have a stake as a true Lagosian not only to preserve, but advance all the aggregate indices converging to put it in premier position among the leading states of the federation. Can you tell us about your political career; the run-down, from your advent into politics, till now. Like I told you earlier, I have had a compulsive addiction to service right from time; particularly on anything that has to do with Lagos State. However, looking back today, I will say that I enlisted in active politics in 1979, when there was to be a zero party election into Lagos Island local government, and my candidate, Late Abdul Yekeen Olayinka Akande won election as the councilor of my ward. He was later elected the chairman of the council. That time, it was a parliamentary setting. In 1978, when the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was registered, I was unanimously elected as the General Secretary of Ward DI, Lagos Island. In my state constituency, I was also unanimously elected as Assistant General Secretary, even though acting as the General Secretary. The General Secretary at that time was an elderly man in the person of Barr. Jubilee Sagoe of blessed memory. The first, second and third time, we had an election which ended up in a stalemate. Baba Ite of Lagos Waka fame, Pa Hamidu of blessed memory, was our constituency chairman. By December 1983, the military came again into power and put a ban on politics. However, in February 1993, under the transition agenda of the then Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, I became the chairman of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Lagos Island. It remained forever written in the records that I was able to deliver my local government to my party the during the historic June 12 election, which unfortunately was annulled. In 1996, during the late General Sani Abacha regime, I contested the zero party election to the office of the chairman, Lagos Island Local Government and I won. Events however took a dramatic turn as my major opponent and his backers sent a petition to General Abacha, claiming that I was a NADECO activist. I was therefore not sworn in on the inauguration day. I however fought back and reclaimed my mandate. My main opponent at that time was a former Vice-Chairman of the Lagos Island Local Government, Elder Owolabi Martins - under the chairmanship of Mohammed Jimoh Adeniji Adele. It was an election which outcome was determined by the integrity and pedigree of the contestants, and that was why I won. What would you say were your achievements as a council chairman? Unfortunately, I spent seven months and resigned with a view to going back to contest under the party system. I joined the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). But at the UNCP congress, I was rigged out by the powers that be in favour of their own candidate. After that, I went back to my banking job. But I refused to give up. I had a shot again at the council’s chairmanship position and as it would turn out, I secured a spectacular victory in an election which took place in December 5, 1998 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and was sworn-in in June 1999. I would say it was my performance within the seven months during my first tenure in office that endeared me to the electorate, who in turn voted me in the second time. As at that time, I was the only person elected twice as chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, others had either been by selection, or after the local government had been split into two. What were your achievements in the council during your second coming? Without being immodest, there is no council chairman of Lagos Island council, who has matched my performance. Throughout my period in office, my annual budgets were pragmatic and utilitarian. They

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Looking back, what would you describe as your biggest regret? The only thing I wasn’t able to do; first, I had the plan of turning the Marina car park into a multi-level car park, with shopping malls surrounding it, including shuttle stores, among others. The other one was the low cost housing scheme at Ebute-Elefun Works Yard in which a three bedroom flat would have sold for just about N5 to N6 million. These two projects were frustrated by the then governor of the state, Bola Tinubu, who felt threatened with these projects as a three bedroom flat under the state, was being sold for N19 million then.

Ajose

I have a stake as a true Lagosian not only to preserve, but advance all the aggregate indices converging to put it in premier position among the leading states of the federation were budgets that addressed the practical needs of the people. They catered for each and all the 19 wards of the local government. In every ward, I ensured that I installed street lights in two streets. Where the streets are short, I increased them to three or four. I installed public water taps, all totaling 396 in the local government, even though the former governor of the state, Senator Bola Tinubu didn’t favour this, because he believed that the water corporation should be selling water to the electorate. But I believe it was because he was deducting N400,000 monthly for the provision of water to my local government area, which was enough for the consumption of water by the people in my local government. There were 34 primary schools in my local gov-

How would you describe the growth in the Lagos Island after your era, which the present government in the state said is astronomical? What is astronomical in the progress? It is the man there that can tell us; or better the average Islander, so to say. Take for instance the issue of water supply. I say it without fear of contradiction that all the public taps I installed during my tenure, shortly after I left the council, not up to one-quarter is working. Now, what you have all over are mallams selling water everywhere. This is a shame and a sorry sight. It never happened during my time, because we maintained them. Today, there is nothing like that again in my local government. This is inspite of the fact that they earn almost N200 million monthly, from the federation account, yet they have virtually nothing, to show for the enormous revenue they earn. During my time, it was never more than N70 million, Politically, what would you say is your aspiration for now, and what efforts are you making towards that direction? I want to go to the Senate if my party members give me the ticket. I have had the inspiration and aspiration all the while for service, and I believe Lagos State deserves the best. On optimism of clinching the party’s ticket, the only thing one can do is to endear one’s self to the hearts of members of one’s constituency so that when the time comes, they will give one the ticket; not by imposing one’s self on the people.

Brickbats as former NDDC boss quits LP for PDP CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

never again will they deceive us. They are chameleons.” A leader of the party in the local government and former Commissioner for Sports, Prince John Ola Mafo said PDP is the only viable party in the state and the country. He stated that Alliance for Democracy (AD) left office in 2003, six months after, the party died, but that since PDP left office five years ago, the party is still kicking. The deputy state chairman of the party, Hon. Fatai Adams boasted that “PDP will win all the seats in Ondo South, adding, the party

transformed the zone when late Agagu was in office. Those who left are welcome back to our midst. We are ready to receive everybody to the party.” Deputy national youth leader of the party, Hon. Dennis Alonge-Niyi said the national secretariat of the party has decided to support the party. “Our party will win Osun State. We have the support of the national chairman, Adamu Muazu and President Goodluck Jonathan”, he said. Alonge-Niyi added that many elected and appointed officers in the state have been meeting with

the leadership of the party with a view to joining them, and that the party under Muazu is ready to welcome those who left the party and new entrants into it. But the ruling LP said it was undaunted with the exit of Enikuomehin and his supporters as the party is an enclave of progressive politics. The acting chairman of the party, Chief Akinyele said the party would win elections in the federal constituency. He added that the LP had always won election in the areas before Enikuomehin joined it and would always do same after he had quit.

EDITORIAL

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Tuesday, July 8, 2014

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TUESday, JuLY 8, 2014

Initiative to end gas flaring worth considering

he World Bank has said it will issue a regulation to Nigeria and other oil-producing nations on the need to end gas-flaring at its meeting later in September this year; it envisages that these countries will heed its advice for a total end to gas-flaring by the year 2030. The World Bank stated unequivocally that the amount of fuel wasted in the practice of gas-flaring would generate enough power to meet all of Africa’s demand for electricity. Launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002, the World Bank’s Global Gas-Flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR) supports the efforts of oil-producing countries and companies to increase the use of associated natural gas and thus reduce flaring and venting, which waste valuable resources and damage the environment. Through the collaboration with willing partners, the World Bank has established a collaborative Global Standard for gas-flaring reduction. This Global Standard provides a framework for governments, companies, and other key stakeholders to consult with each other, take collaborative actions, expand project boundaries and reduce barriers to associated gas utilization. As of now, the World Bank is leading 33 companies and nations in the Global Gas- Flaring Reduction Partnership to shrink the

industry custom by 30 per cent in the next five years to 2017. Although the initiative is voluntary, it is expected that the various oil companies and countries involved would see the sense in the very germane proposition. The World Bank’s concern is not misplaced. The fact is that annually, billions of dollars worth of natural gas are wasted, burned or flared at oil fields across the world. Such flaring produces some 400 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Major oil companies and governments are now working together to minimize this waste by jointly overcoming the barriers that inhibit more gas utilization. Nigeria, rather unfortunately, has continuously paid lip service to the issue of eradication of gasflaring, as successive governments over the years have repeatedly procrastinated on the actual date to terminate the environmentally hazardous task, which has been on-going since 1969. Apart from the deleterious effects on the environment, there is indisputably massive revenue that can be generated from gas, perhaps far above oil, that could be systematically deployed to other sensitive and critical sector of the economy, but has been allowed to waste away regrettably since 1958. It would be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan in March, 2011 reeled out the gas revolution agenda about which

not much has been seen in terms of tangible and verifiable results. In the same vein, the minister of Petroleum resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison - Madueke also explained that the oil companies have reduced gas-flaring by 11 per cent. However, gas-induced environmental pollution by oil companies has continued in spite of the latest expiration date of December 31, 2013, issued by the Federal Government. Nigeria has also established a reputation for not respecting established international protocols against flaring. As it is, there is no proven zeal in the enforcement of gas-flaring regulations and in the adequacy of EIA procedures. Yet the Ministry of Petroleum has the capacity to ensure the right things are done, but appears to push the burden to the oil companies. As several independent assessors have consistently noted, without an enforced legal obligation to stop flaring, communities and the wider public cannot have any confidence that the companies will do so. The companies are more concerned about their profits than undertaking the essential technological investments that would drastically change the gas-flaring scourge. The subsisting situation is totally unacceptable. The Federal Government should, therefore, ride on the back of the proposition of the World Bank to insist that oil companies operating in the country must end gas-flaring at all costs, at a given

terminal date, and if for any reason the declaration is not strictly adhered to, it would have serious consequences for their future operations in Nigeria. The government must position itself to be taken seriously and close the chapter of being seen as incapable of being firm with defaulters. The national interest is of utmost importance, and it takes preeminence over any other consideration, hence, it must be vigorously pursued to its logical conclusion. The overall consequences of gas-flaring on Nigeria are horrendous, so much so that, it should not be allowed to go on for a day longer. Government must firm up all the necessary details and stop gasflaring in the country forthwith, as more than ever before the country needs funds from gas to be systematically allotted to different sectors of the economy in need of humongous funding for national growth and development. The government should organise an emergency oil and gas summit in conjunction with the different oil companies and other stakeholders with a view to putting paid to the nagging issue of gas-flaring in the country. It is important to note that Mexico and Azerbaijan have reduced gas flaring by about 66 per cent and 50 per cent in the past two years. Nigeria should follow in the same direction because it is not a difficult feat to accomplish and it must be done. GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Deputy Managing Director/DEIC SULEIMAN BISALLA Managing Editor, North YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

OPINION Willie Obiano: 100 Days of Excellence (1) James Eze

ver since former US President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt ushered in a new sense of hope to Americans who were chaffing under the weight of the Great Depression in 1933 with his New Deal to mark his first 100 Days in office, democratising societies all over the world have to come to accept the practice as a useful barometer for measuring good governance. Faced with an economy that was tottering on the verge of collapse, Roosevelt had rightly divined that America of the early 30s needed a desperate act to save it from the brink. He responded with the New Deal; a rash of fifteen acts of the parliament that brought a huge relief to his fellow Americans who were wallowing in the throes of precarious existence. The concept of marking the first 100 days with a solid proof of ability to perform took on a new meaning from Roosevelt and has remained so ever since. On Wednesday last week, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State marked his first 100 days in office with a shower of brilliance. Although unlike Roosevelt, Obiano had inherited some solid fundamentals from former Governor Peter Obi, he left no one in doubt as to his own interpretation of the historical call to lead Ndi Anambra. But very much like Roosevelt, Obiano’s response was just as desperate. While Roosevelt’s America needed financial oxygen to save it from asphyxiation, Obiano’s Anambra needed a tough-talking crime buster to retrieve it from the firm grip of the underworld. Those who are familiar with the enormous human and material capacities of Anambra State must be aware that insecurity has always stood in the way of its becoming what it should

be. So, while Roosevelt’s first set of legislations were aimed at preventing American banks from imminent collapse Obiano’s first courageous act was to inaugurate a Joint Task Force on Security which was later named Operation Kpochapu to save Ndi Anambra from criminals. This decision has since been hailed by even his critics as a visionary step that completely situated the perception of the role of the governor as the chief security officer of the state whose top priority should be the security of lives and property of the citizens. His convocation of an all-important security summit where an Israeli security expert, Moshe Keinan, led discussions on security consciousness signalled his single-mindedness in pursuit of the goal of riding Anambra State of crime. He followed it up with loads of tough-talk and the provision of modern crimefighting equipment to the state police command and 100 days after, 177 kidnappers are singing different tunes in the various police cells in the state. Before Obiano’s heroics, visitors to Anambra would naturally be surprised at the prevalence of kidnapping in the state. In a recent interview with Nwa Jesus; a big-time kidnapper who built a warehouse in Aguleri for his victims; it was revealed that most kidnappers are actually ex-armed robbers. “We found out that there was no money in armed robbery,” he said, pointing out that his resolve to dump armed robbery for kidnapping calcified after his gang raked in the sum of N165m in ransom from the relatives of their European victim. But with Operation Kpochapu breathing down their neck, Nwa Jesus and his gang have since been wiped out along with their warehouses and glittering mansions built with ransom money.

Interestingly, not many people are aware that Obiano’s campaign to cleanse Anambra of crime is intricately linked to his Vision and Mission statements. Obiano’s vision is for Anambra State to become the 1st Choice Investment Destination and a hub for industrialization and commercial activities while his mission is to create a socially stable, business friendly environment that will attract both indigenes & foreigners to seek wealth creating opportunities in the state. Apparently, neither his vision no mission for Anambra could be realised without a fierce fightback against the lords of the underworld. So far, he has won the war. A clear indication that Obiano has won could be seen in the testimony of many people who either live or have visited the state lately. Upper Iweka used to be the metaphor for crime in Anambra State. But lately, myths have been woven around his success in riding the usually notorious Upper Iweka axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway of fiendish criminals. It wasn’t surprising to hear such legends from the lips of otherwise reticent people like celebrated author and Orange Prize winner, Chimamanda Adichie. Wowing the audience in a lecture she delivered to mark Obiano’s 100-Days in office in Awka, Chimamanda had observed – “Most of us know how, for a long time, Onitsha has been a security nightmare. If you are travelling, you do NOT want to be in Upper Iweka after 6 PM because of the fear of armed robbers. But today, because of our new governor’s initiative, people in Onitsha no longer live in fear. True freedom is to be able to live without fear. •Eze: (eziokwubundu@gmail.com)

Lagos, soldiers and social disorder Tayo Ogunbiyi

he peace of Lagos was recently threatened as some obviously aggrieved soldiers went on rampage along Ikorodu road, leaving behind wanton destructions, chaos and commotion. According to eye witness accounts, a soldier riding on a motor cycle was allegedly knocked down and killed by a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus along the BRT lane in the Ikorodu corridor. Characteristically, soldiers quickly rallied themselves to deal with the situation in their own way. As at the last count, about six BRT buses were reportedly destroyed by the rampaging soldiers while BRT operatives and passengers were given a dose of the soldiers’ bitter treatment. For hours, Ikorodu road and its axis cut a grim picture as all hell broke loose. Consequently, the area became a no-go area for commuters and other residents. The unfortunate incident has once again brought to public glare the recurring issue of gross disregard for law and order by a few members of the country’s armed forces. It is, for instance, common to see security officers insist on free ride in commercial vehicles, especially in major cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano. And woe betide the driver or conductor if he dares to demand the fare-

-he could end up in an untimely grave or, if he’s lucky, in the hospital. Not a few Nigerians have been sent to their early graves through the dastardly activities of some of the country’s security operatives. A few years ago, a secondary school student was killed somewhere at Agege, Lagos, through the accidental ‘discharge’ from the gun of a trigger happy policeman who had wanted to shoot at a commercial vehicle whose driver refused to part with the traditional ‘toll fee’. It was such a gory sight. Imagine the pain, emotional and mental damage done to the parents of the dead student who must have toiled over her. It would also be recalled how a certain Miss Uzoma Okere was, in November 2008, brutalised and stripped naked in public by armed naval ratings attached to one Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade for daring to fight for her right. But, for the intervention of the Lagos State Government through the court of law that secured judgment in favour of Uzoma Okere who was awarded N100m damages against the defendants, Okere would have suffered in vain, as is often the case. The landmark ruling clearly upheld the rights of innocent citizens against recurring assaults by uniformed security officers. It is difficult to understand why Nige-

rian uniformed security officers act the way they do. It is ironic that they take pleasure in brutalizing the very people whom they are paid and trained to protect and secure. Some have claimed that it is the rigorous training that they undergo that inculcates in them the ruthless and bestial mentality they display from time to time. This line of argument is rather feeble and as such cannot stand the test of apposite scrutiny. It is inconceivable that the authorities who design their training programmes input civil disobedience as a course in their curriculum. Perhaps, long years of military rule in the country have negatively affected the psyche of some of our security officers who have continued to view the so-called ‘bloody civilians’ as inferior creatures. For peace to reign in our society, it is vital that security officers imbibe the culture of civility in their interaction with members of the public. No groups in the society should be allowed to act in manners that suggest that they are above the law. There is, thus, an urgent need for the leadership of various security agencies in the country to step up the re-orientation of their members on how to behave in a civilized society. They need to re-define their role in a democracy, to understand the need to be courteous and

civil while dealing with members of the larger society. This is the minimum that is expected of them. According to Plato and Aristotle, the two legendary Greek philosophers, tyranny occurs when absolute power is granted to a ruler or set of individuals. In a tyrannical setting, the ruler or a group of people become lawless and live above the law. The rule of law is the principle that no one is exempt from the law, even those who are in a position of power…No group or individual must be made to operate above the laws of the land. What it takes for evil to thrive in any society is for perpetrators of evil to go unpunished. Security agencies across the world thrive on the strict discipline and regimen of their officers and men. Ours must not be an exception. Those that fall short of expectations should be shown the way out. There should be no attempt to protect those that bring the image of the agencies into disrepute as this will send wrong signals among the rank and file. Those military officers that recently disrupted the peace of Lagos must be fished out and brought to book to serve as deterrent to others. • Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

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CULTURE

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2014

WS@80: Oba Koso, Dialogue through Spoken Word in Abeokuta Tony Okuyeme

eeks after its successful showing at this year’s edition of the Lagos black Heritage festival, Oba Koso returns to the stage this Saturday at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The performance is part of the events linedup for the 80th birthday of Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, tagged WS80, which began April 25, with an exhibition of portrait paintings of Soyinka by notable artists such as Biodun Olaku, Sam Ovraiti, among others. Curated by renowned artist, Olu Ajayi, the exhibition will run till July 12, a day before Soyinka’s 80th birthday. The celebration will climax on July 13, with series of activities including several drama presentations, spoken word performances, lectures, and essay competitions, among others. Oba Koso, Written by Duro Ladipo, tells the story of a king in

ancient Yoruba city of Oyo. His two generals, Gnonka and Timi, were always waging wars against the inhabitants of Oyo town and the surrounding districts. Worried about the incessant warfare, Sango decided to put an end to it by plotting to have either of the Generals killed. He sent Timi on an assignment he considered fatal but he survived it, performed creditably and became even more popular and powerful. Timi was eventually killed in a duel Gbonka, a feat that boosted Gbonka’s profile among the people, who now regarded him more highly than the king. To save his face, Sango abdicated the throne and eventually committed suicide by hanging. However, in order to perpetuate the myth of the power and influence of Sango, the story was told that he did not commit suicide hence the expression, “Oba Koso” (The King did not hang) Presented by the Duro Ladipo Memorial Company led by his wife,

Chief Mrs. Abiodun Duro-Ladipo (who plays Oya – Sango’s wife); and his son, Yomi Duro-Ladipo, who plays Sango, the play is directed by Isiaka Ogunbunmi. Also on Saturday, one of the major events of the WS80 International Cultural Exchange Programme (WS80/ICE), the Dialogue through Spoken Word, a poetry event that will parade 80 poets on stage in the course of three days, will hold at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. With the theme “Freedom of Creative Expression”, headlining the 80 poets that will feature in the show are international renowned masters of the genre such as Mutabaruka from Jamaica, and Javon Johnson from the United States. They will be joined by leading acts of spoken words and performance poetry in Nigeria such as Sage Has.son, Efe Paul Azino, AJ Dagga Tola, Titilope Sonuga, Tope Sadiq, Jumoke Verrisimo, Donna, Wanawana, and others.

Gbonka and Alafin Sango in Oba Koso

Don urges government to reengineer culture sector A

ssociate Professor of Theatre Arts at the Alvan Ikoku College of Education, as well as Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, ABC Duruaku, has called on government to support and encourage the culture sector to give it a boost the way it is in developed nations for the Nigerian economy to reap rich rewards. Duruaku made the call while presenting a paper on the topic, “Re-inventing the Culture Sector in a Developing Economy: A Template for Nigeria,” at the 5-day workshop on, “Repositioning Cultural Workers for Improved Productivity,” organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) for staffers in the Department of Culture, Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, at the Oasis Garden Hotel, Mararaba, Nasarawa State. The university don, who decried that government at all levels in Nigeria do not take culture seriously due to the misunderstanding and misrepresentation of culture, espe-

In developed countries, large companies and organisations massively invest in culture

Duruaku

cially its familiarity, said that even when most policy makers travelled regularly to developed countries and see the imprint of culture in every aspect of such developed societies, they still failed to recognise that it was the basis for their development. According to him, for Nige-

ria to re-engineer its culture sector, every government ministry, department and agency (MDA) must have a CultureContent Unit run by qualified personnel, stressing that, unfortunately, it was only the Embassies and the Ministry that supervised culture (the Federal Ministry Of Culture, Tourism

And National Orientation) that have Culture-Content Units run by qualified personnel at the moment. “There are three tiers of government in Nigeria, and each has a role to play in a topto-down approach. The Federal Government has enunciated the cultural policy and set up institutional structures to drive it, no doubt; but it must go further to show that the policy is not a mere United Nations-inspired copycat window dressing, which it appears to be for now. “In developed countries, large companies and organisations massively invest in culture. To replicate this in devel-

oping economies, governments must be committed to creating negotiated, investment-friendly atmosphere for business organisations, not only for financial returns but as incentive for culture support,” he said. Duruaku called on culture workers to continue to respond to the new initiative by creatively engaging their beliefs, saying there was an understandable depression in culture workers who were deployed to nonmaterials sections where they consider their briefs drudgery and find the performance areas exciting, offering opportunity for travel and visual entertainment saying it need not be so; hence all aspects of culture offered excitement. He added that while there are no problems with the broad objectives of the Cultural Policy for Nigeria, government’s contribution to the sector at this stage should dwell more on policy formulation, blaming the shortfalls in the failure to meet the objectives of the policy on articulation and implementation.

22 ARTS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Africa Meets Reggae in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar

Tony Okuyeme

frica Meets Reggae International World Music Festival, a yearly musical festival hosted by Echodelic Music and Dub Club in Los Angeles for the past four years is set to make its debut in Nigeria. The project which is a franchise of Africa Meets Reggae in Los Angeles, US, is meant to bring back conscious music to the people of Africa. It will hold on October 2-5, 2014, in three states Cross River State (Calabar), River State (Port Harcourt), and Lagos State (Lagos), showcasing the top names in Reggae and World Music over three days and will coincide with the 100th Centenary of Nigeria as a nation, according to reggae music maestros in Nigeria, Victor Eshiet (The Mandators), Ras Kimono and Majek Fashek. The trio said this at the press conference held in Lagos to announce the hosting of the festival in Nigeria. “We have the venues in the places that these events will go on. We have contacted all the international artistes. We are looking into talking to some of these government people because what we are doing supports tourism,” Essiet said, adding that Africa Meets Reggae and World Music International festival is going to bring great artistes around Africa and the world together. “This festival would bring other artistes Zambia, Ethiopia, Ghana. Cote D’Ivoire, Congo including some of the artistes here. We are also bringing Ashagi and the Maralis. We are looking to have King Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti, Tu-Face, Nkuli Dube (late Lucky Dube’s daughter) who is holding the father’s position in South Africa.” “Africa Meets Reggae World Music International festival is domiciled in Los Angele, California, USA. That is where the franchise is coming from. We are bringing it to Nigeria and Africa for the first time. The event will take place October 3rd in Lagos; 4th in Port Harcourt and 5th in Calabar.” He informed that some of the top stars that will perform at the festival include Majek Fashek, Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley and Stephen Marley, Victor Essiet and The Mandators, Reggae historian Roger Steffens and top international artists like Snoop Lion (Dogg), Shaggy, and many more. “Nigeria is 100 years old and everybody knows that this country has been crawling for too long. Music helps to build a nation, helps to redirect peoples thinking. We have had some sponsors and looking for more sponsors because this festival is also a way of promoting tourism in this country,” Essiet also said. Also speaking during the briefing, Majek Fashek called on the electronic media (radio and television stations) in Nigeria to also promote reggae music. “Like you all know, Victor Essiet is our brother and we have come a long way. He is one of the people that really love reggae. He and Kimono are into African Rock reggae. He is here to support the progressive game and bring back reggae music because the radio stations of this time are playing games while the television stations are trying to kill reggae. “Reggae music is a music for millionaires and middle class and the down trodden. Actually in real sense, I am not saying they are not promoting music. I like these young boys, Wiz Kid, Tu Face, Davido and the rest of them because they come with different vibes. But the kind of music they play is called dance music in England. They don’t promote our original sound which is highlife and

Victor

Stephen and Damian Marley

Majek

Ras Kimono

Africa Meets Reggae World Music International festival is domiciled in Los Angele, California, USA. That is where the franchise is coming from. We are bringing it to Nigeria and Africa for the first time afro beat. “We talk about the Chibok situation, the ongoing tribulation in the country. Nigeria needs to start promoting reggae. I just came back from Kaduna, Kano and Abuja. They all love reggae because reggae music is the music of the message.

“All I am saying is that the radio people should promote highlife, juju and all other music 50:50. In America that is how it is done. That will help the downtrodden. If you look around you will see people trekking miles home, which is not good. How can you paying N18,000 as minimum

wage? They are supposed to be paying people at least N40,000. These are the kind of things that reggae music does, it helps the poor people,” Fashek said. For the Rub-a-dub master, Ras Kimono Africa Meets Reggae will boost the reggae music genre in the country. “We are here to boost it up. We are the Three Wise Men. We have come a long way, we run for cover for a while but Bob Marley says he who fights and run away leaves to fight another day. So after we run for cover for a while, we are back here again to start the fight because we can’t stop, reggae music must continue. “What we are trying to do is to bring back unity and strength to our people. Like Majek said, reggae music is for the downtrodden. If a lot of people in Nigeria now listen to reggae music the way they used to back then, there will be a lot of peace in the communities and larger society. But right now, everybody is into the America style and nobody wants to hear the reality of the time. This is not the time for romance story, we are under pressure, and as long as we are under pressure, we must keep saying what exactly is affecting us for us to be conscious. We are coming back to this celebration in October. “We are not doing this to make millions of money but to create awareness for the people as reggae music is all about awareness. Unfortunately, reggae musicians don’t make money the way every other artiste makes money. But we create awareness and live for legacy. We don’t live for now but for tomorrow. If we fly away to Zion what do we leave behind. That is what we are looking at and doing,” Kimono said. In his remark, Manager of Special Projects, Premier Records, Mr. Mike Odiong said musicians from Zambia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, will mount the same stage with their international Reggae counterparts to supply undiluted conscious music to lovers of the genre. Noting that Africa Meets Reggae Festival is also an avenue to promote culture and tourism of Nigeria to the world, he appealed to the new generation of record labels to embrace World music and conscious music. “Reggae is the tool for us to drive our message across. We are also appealing, as a record label, encourage conscious music because they are evergreen music that you can still make money from even 20 years to come. That is why we in Premier Records will support things like this that would make a lot of sense, bring back the original conscious music. When we do that a lot of things will take their rightful shapes. Give the politicians conscious music and let their conscience prick them,” he said.

Omenka Gallery hosts SNA 50th anniversary exhibition

T Agba ni tara, steel, 80x70x35cm, by Muraina Akeem

he Omenka Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, will today play host to the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) and feature the work of the most exciting contemporary Nigerian artists; exploring new themes and visual vocabularies in their work. The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) is the umbrella body for all professional visual artists in Nigeria. It was established in 1963 to uphold excellence and engender the highest professional standards in the

practice of the visual arts in Nigeria. Representing over 6,000 artists through its various state chapters across the country, the SNA encourages the appreciation of the visual arts through publications, research, education and exhibitions. The exhibition which is expected to attract artists, scholars, culture administrators, art patrons, art aficionados, among others, will run till August 2, 2014. The programme for anniversary continues to-

morrow with an award and fundraising dinner at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. President of SNA, Mr. Oliver Enwonwu said the dinner will feature the induction of new members, cultural performances and entertainment from a live band, an auction, a raffle draw and the award of prizes and fellowships to outstanding artists, individuals and corporate organisations that have contributed towards the development of art in Nigeria.

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

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2014

Hawking: Turning Teenagers to prostitutes Parents who are in the habit of shifting economic burden to their children especially the teen girls need to be extra careful, as they might be exposing them to physical abuse, and juvenile delinquency. These girls could actually be selling something else other than the seasonal fruits and farm produce placed on their heads. OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI writes

ne bright morning, around 11am, a drama quietly played out. It got both passers-by and motorists turning and laughing. There was this pretty and sharply dressed girl, with a full tray of cooked groundnut on her head. They were actually five in numbers (all with full trays of cooked groundnut on their heads) but she stood out, obviously because of her mode of dressing and look. She is averagely tall and fair in complexion. The girl wore a black tight three quarter leggings with a red body hug revealing cleavages of her bust and a beaded flat sandal. Not only that, her facial make up was heavy; her lips were coated with a thick pink colour and the eye brows were shaded with brown colour. The fixed black eye lashes were conspicuously long. She covered her hair by half with a red scarf, revealing the remaining gold coloured weavon in front of her head. And suggestively, she threw her waist left and right with the stylishly placed tray of groundnut on her headed, obviously aware that she would get the attention of passers-by. As the five girls were trekking towards First Gate, by the side of auto mart and workshops along Agindingbi, from Omole, Ikeja, Lagos; a man from one of the auto marts, came out and pinched her by the backside. One would have expected that she would go up in flames by bringing down the roof. Alas! She turned and smiled broadly seeing

Teenage hawking: Throwing away their future

The disappointment was that, on catching up with the van, it wasn’t the walnut she sold; it was rather a N1,000 note plus a call card she got from the driver of the Toyota pickup. Gleefully, she put it inside her brazier and echoed, thank you the man that did it to her. Then she made a hand gesture that she would come back later and the man lustfully looked on at her. The other girls went ahead. When the traffic light turned green and the vehicles moved slightly forward before stopping again, scene two played out. A man in his mechanic uniform came out of the workshop and stopped right in front of one of the girls. As he was talking to her, he was stylishly dropping his hands on the girl’s boobs and the girl too was getting closer to him. She did not show any restraint or frown upon

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

the acts. Suddenly, he dropped the style and gently pressed her boobs; she smiled broadly and looked into his eyes, said something and moved on. This man too looked on lustfully. Right in the middle of the traffic snarl, scene three played out; a girl selling walnut was running after one of the vehicles, a Toyota Hilux in particular, obviously wanting to sell her goods. While chasing after the vehicle, her walnut was dropping to the ground attracting the sympathy of on lookers and motorists who slowed down for her so as not to crush her goods. The disappointment was that, on catching up with the van, it wasn’t the walnut she sold; it was rather a N1,000 note plus a call card she got from the driver of the Toyota pickup. Gleefully, she put it inside her brazier and echoed “thank you.” Definitely, these five girls and some others, exude nothing but brazen prostitution in hawking coat on the street of Lagos. However, New Telegraph discovered that these five girls were recruited by one aunty Margaret from Benue, Delta and Ebonyi states. But they neither revealed the identity of their aunty, nor dis-

closed the address and phone number. One Jemima Otaigbo ,18, said, Aunty Margaret came to tell her mother in Abakliki, the Ebonyi State capital, that she got a house help job for her with a wealthy woman somewhere in Ajah, Lagos. On getting to Lagos, Aunty Margaret told her a week after that the madam is dead and it would do her no good to return to Abakaliki empty-handed judging by the way she left home. What will she do? Aunty Margaret suggested hawking groundnut, which was in season. The other four girls, all in their teens told New Telegraph that the aunty promised them better standard of living, education, capital to start business and travelling abroad. Well, arriving somewhere in Giwa/Oke Aro of Agbado, a suburb of Ogun State that shares boundary with Lagos State, reality dawned on the girls that there is nothing of such promises that Aunty Margaret had made to them and their parents. Going by the explanation of the girls, New Telegraph discovered that the girls were brainwashed. She CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Sacrificing their future for peanuts

She advised parents to look out for decent means of making the children help out. Children hawking on the street, is a testimony that the Ministry of Women Affairs in Nigeria has failed in its responsibility of implementing the child right act, according to Grace Osakue, coordinator of Girls Power Initiative based in Edo state. She continued that,” it means the ministry is sleeping because they have the mechanism to take these children off the street of Nigeria. There is the law regulating the affairs of the Nigerian child but they are not implementing it. She emphasised that her NGO can only intervene and rehabilitate the ones handed over to them by National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons, NAPTIP or schools. Teenagers hawking groundnuts PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

told them they can’t go back home empty handed; their mothers are in full expectation from them to help lift their conditions of living from abject poverty to probably a life filled with roses. She also was able to convince them with secondhand clothes telling them that they were better looking than when they were in the village. The gullible girls embraced the new lifestyles of hawking and selling other accessories accompanied with it. Hawking to them is not new because back home, they hawk after school hours, or go to farm or market to help sell farm products. Coming to Lagos for Linda Okpara, from Abakaliki, was blessing in disguise. She said she would have been married off by her parents to a man, her parents believed was well off. Since, hawking seasonal products has become a profession in Lagos and not limited to one or two persons, the market became aggressive. So, it is only natural for Aunty Margaret to fashion out a way for her girls to stand out among the crowd. That explains the suggestively dressed girls seen along the Agindigbi Way. They said she told them that selling anything has to do with total package which includes neatness and dressing fine. “She told us that it is called marketing,” they said. And indeed, it is marketing! For these girls, there is no language like “no sales for the day.” They have to take home money to their aunty, even if they don’t finish selling their groundnut. For the parents of these girls, their daughters are doing well wherever they are, and probably, matter of time, they will start reaping the fruit of their children’s labour. But how well do they know about the safety of these girls or that their daughters are put to the risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually

transmitted diseases, psychological trauma later in life and even withdrawal from a healthy relationship? Otaigbo (the most vicious of the girls) for instance, has aborted about five pregnancies within the one and half years she has been in Lagos. Two other girls, the same Aunty Margaret has helped terminate two pregnancies each. And the remaining two have been having virginal discharge and itching. Not only that, these girls also have body odour. Well, the five girls are not the only hawkers on the street, there are others. The fear is that, how protected are these girls from bullies, rapists and robbers and even juvenile delinquency? Sheki Amina said she has been raped twice inside the mechanic workshop. The first time, the man beckoned on her to come with four packs of garden eggs and peanut. After that, the man asked her to go and get him three sachets of ‘pure’ water. Upon retur ning, the man asked her to bring it inside, while inside, “he started with dipping his fingers inside me. After that, he laid me flat on the table and dipped himself inside me. It was very painful; I cried out but nobody came to my rescue. When he stood up, I saw blood on my wrapper; he then gave me N500 to keep quiet and ordered me out of the place with a stern warning that, he would kill me with a knife placed on the table. So I cooperated”. The second time, another man told her to bring roasted groundnut that he wanted to drink cassava flakes (garri). She said she rushed there because it was five he wanted to buy. But getting there, she saw the man’s penis fully erect. As she made to dash out, the man grabbed her and begged her to ease him down. “He told me that he used one Hausa herb, my brother sold to him

and since then, he has been having uncontrollable erection,” she said. Amina, who apparently has become street wise, told New Telegraph that when she complained to her parents, they replied her that it was better than living in a hostile environment where there were kidnappings and killings. “They treated me with herb and told me to be more careful. They gave me guiding tips to protect myself against harm which include pepper spray!” she said. Banki Ogooluwa, (not real name) a student of Ojodu Grammar School said she has been into hawking from the age of 10 till now that she is 17. She does contribution with the proceeds of her sales, with which she pays her school fees, her parents feed from it. “I am not into what others do but I see it happening every day. I am from a Christian home,” she said. Mary Agboi, said she is into hawking to raise money to enable her set up a salon. It was quite an interesting moment with these girls, touching and very pathetic, listening to their tales and woes of survival in the name of hawking. One thing clearly played out, parents neglect or carelessness and responsibility shifting to the children! It could also be attributed to government policy. Bola Falode, clothier, mother of four told New Telegraph that there is nothing wrong in pre-teen hawking. “They are only helping with strengthening up keep of the family,” she said. She noted that no parent would send his or her child out to prostitute but the training and up bringing given to them would help in guiding the children when they are on their own. Caroline Nnamdi, mother of two and a dealer in automobile tyres, argued that it is only a careless mother or parents that would allow his or her child to go hawk especially in this present time that is filled with evil.

Child Right Acts in parts: Every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no child shall be— A) subjected to physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment, including sexual abuse; or B) subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or C) subjected to attacks upon his honor or reputation; or D) held in slavery or servitude, while in the care of a parent, legal guardian or school authority or any other person or authority having the care of the child. Consequences of hawking To Dr. Bisi Ogun of the Federal Neuro Psychiatric hospital, Yaba, Oshodi annex told New Telegraph via the phone that children or preteen hawking could lead to child abuse which has a dastardly effect on them. She highlighted some of the possible consequences of physical child abuse as: Anxiety, Depression, Disassociation, Difficulty concentrating, Academic problems in school-aged children and adolescents, Withdrawn and or difficulty connecting with others, Flashbacks, Increased hyper vigilance, Difficulty in sleeping. She explained that children are more physically susceptible to injury than adults as their bodies are still in development. When a child is being physically abused or neglected some of these injuries are apparent. “Children are resilient, and being able to discuss and guide our children through a recovery process is crucial to their success. Most cases, once their safety is assured, children can overcome the effects of trauma through professional counseling or other supportive interventions,” she said.

BUSINESS Tuesday, JULY 8, 2014

What's news FG extends loan tenure for local oil firms The Federal Government has begun the implementation of the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) Model, which elongates tenure of loan facilities for indigenous firms.

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Seplat, pipeline crude transporter's contract turn sour

Seplat has threatened to take the company in charge of pipeline transportation of its crude from its manifolds to exports terminal to court over crude theft claims.

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‘NMRC may not begin operation until September’ Against public expectation, the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) launched in February, may not open its offices for business until September, New Telegraph has learnt.

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NCAA wants $250m insurance for airports, airspace The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), fuel marketers and ground handlers in the country’s aviation industry to maintain minimum insurance cover ranging from $20 million to $250 million for their operations.

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

25 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

Unending rows over pre-paid meters }p-32

ayodele aminu, Deputy Editor, business

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

FDI in Nigeria’s oil drops $2.6bn in three years SUPPORT World Bank has given Ghana has been given $19.8 million for oil and gas reserves’ development

exporter. Meanwhile, the World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved additional financing of $19.80 million to support the development of Ghana’s rich oil and gas reserves. This brings the bank’s total financial

support to the project to $57.80 million. The objectives of the project are first, to help improve public management and regulatory capacity and enhance sector transparency by strengthening the institutions managing

and monitoring the sector; and second, support the development of indigenous technical and professional skills needed by the petroleum sector through support to selected educational CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Adeola Yusuf

he draught of major oil investments in Nigeria has continued to deteriorate with a drop of $2.56 billion in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the sector in last three years, New Telegraph has learnt. A top management staff of one of the international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria, who craved anonymity, disclosed this to our correspondent at the weekend. He said that this development, which he blamed on the uncertainty trailing the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), is likely to worsen if the bill is not passed before 2015. Making reference to the world investment report prepared by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the source said that FDI inflows to the country fell from $8.65 billion in 2009 to $6.09 billion in 2011. Oil investors, the largest contributors of FDI inflows into Nigeria, are unwilling to invest because the PIB imposes heavy taxes on such companies. The PIB seeks to establish the legal and regulatory framework and guidelines for the operation of the upstream and downstream sectors and for purposes connected with the same. It is also supposed to rewrite Nigeria’s decades-old relationship with its foreign oil partners and alter everything from fiscal terms to the structure of the state-oil firm. IOCs in Nigeria, including Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon Mobil and Chevron, had complained that the original PIB proposal imposed higher tax and royalty levies that would deter investment in deep offshore projects, the future for exploration in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude

L-R: Judges, Mr. Mai Atafo; Ms Kunbi Oyelese; Senior Brand Manager, Fayrouz, Ms Nnenna Ifebigh-Hemeson; and host, Ik Osakioduwa, during the L’Original Finale, in Lagos

Nigeria airlines risk planes repossession –NCAA IMAGE PROBLEM Bad image of some of the operators makes it very difficult to get aircraft at favourable rate Wole Shadare

igerian carriers could get their aircraft impounded and repossessed within seven days if they fail to comply with the provision of the Cape Town Convention, the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Benedict Adeyileka, has said. Before now, it could take sev-

eral months of litigation for lessors to get their airplanes back. But the NCAA boss told New Telegraph that unlike in the past where Nigerian operators frustrate aircraft lessors, the equipment owners are now at liberty to possess their airplanes if the operator defaults in abiding by the lease agreement. Adeyileka who spoke on the sideline of a two-day seminar put together by the NCAA on “Air carrier liability and insurance in Nigeria,” said that the Cape Town convention makes it compulsory for the aviation regulatory body to stand as a guarantor for airlines when they enter into any pact to lease airplanes.

He disclosed that the bad image of some of the operators makes it very difficult to get aircraft at favourable rate. Besides, he said that because of image perception, Nigerian carriers pay huge insurance premium for them to be insured. He said that the Cape Town Convention recognised the need for acquisition and efficient use of high value equipment by airline operators, the role of asset-based financing and leasing and the importance of creating a formidable but clear legal framework aimed at guaranteeing a universally protected and well recognised right on the CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE May 2014..................................8% April 2014...............................7.9% March 2014............................7.8%

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at July 04)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N166.50 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N284 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N227.50 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $37.74bn as at 04/07/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at June 04)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N267.08 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N211.61 Source: CBN

26 business | news

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

FG extends loan tenure for local oil firms AFRICA'S FIRST The West Africa’s first offshore simulation center has been opened in Lagos Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government has begun the implementation of the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) Model, which elongates tenure of loan facilities for indigenous firms. Under this arrangement, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and Agip Energy are expected to commit a yearly sum of $200,000 that will amount to $1,000,000 within the first five years to an indigenous firm, PEM Offshore. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring (NCDMB), which said this in a statement at the weekend, maintained that the NCDF model provides 30 per cent guarantee on loans accessed and 50 per cent interest rate rebate. The statement signed by NCDMB spokesperson, Mr Obinna Ezeobi, said that an indigenous oil servicing company, PEM Offshore Limited, has also begun to test run its Offshore Simulation and Innovation Center (POSAIC), said to be the first of its kind in West Africa. The first phase, Ezeobi said, has been set up and when other facilities are put in place, the center will have a full suite of Offshore Anchor Handling Simulation Equipment, Dynamic Positioning, Power Management and Crane Simulation Systems and support the training of local and foreign offshore personnel involved in the oil and gas operations. "It will also meet the growing demand for highly competent and qualified personnel for the highly sophisticated and safety driven

industry," the statement read. Speaking at the opening of the center, Senior Vice President, PEM Offshore Group, Mr. Philips Eze Matthew, according to the statement made available to New Telegraph, said that Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and Agip Energy are expected to commit an annual sum of $200,000 that will amount to $1,000,000 within the first five years. He stated: “PEM Offshore has secured a 5-year commitment from Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and Agip Energy to utilise POSAIC facility in actualising CNL and Agip annual scholarship award programme to train Nigerian seafarers. “The CNL and Agip programme is expected to commit an annual sum of $200,000 that will amount to $1,000,000 within the first five years.” He commended NCDMB for stimulating investment in marine crew training facilities through the marine vessel utilization scheme. Mathew also acknowledged the financing arrangement put in place by the Board under the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) model, which provides 30 per cent guarantee on loans accessed and 50 per cent interest rate rebate and elongated tenure for loan facilities. All these interventions by the Board made it possible for the company to come to this level, he confirmed. Shedding more light on the operations of POSAIC, Matthew explained that the company entered into an agreement with Kongsberg Maritime-the original equipment manufacturer for the supply and technical support of the simulation center. The Senior Vice President said that the company was also in talks with several other international operating oil companies, drilling firms and the Nigerian Navy and was confident that they would patronise

FDI in Nigeria’s oil drops $2.6bn in three years C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

institutions. Petroleum sector in Ghana is undergoing a major transformation following the discovery of large oil and gas field in deep waters about 60 kilometers offshore. The Ghana Oil and Gas Capacity Building Project, approved by the Board of Executive Directors in 2010, supports the establishment of a new regulatory and oversight institutions to ensure smooth and transparent functioning of the burgeoning oil and gas sectors. The discovery of deep oil and gas reserves has resulted in a rapid expansion of the oil and gas industry in Ghana, which has the potential to bring significant economic development opportunities to the country, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Yusupha Crookes, said.

The strong and transparent regulatory system and technical training of the local workforce supported by the project should help ensure that Ghana derives the maximum possible social and economic benefits from this important endowment. The approved additional financing will ensure the completion of key project activities whilst extending the project’s closing date by 24 months to June 30, 2017, to allow for completion of activities. The funds will help to establish a national data center within the Petroleum Commission of Ghana (PCG), an independent regulator for the oil and gas sector and also help procure laboratory equipment for Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen them to monitor and analyse the impacts of oil and gas operations on marine and shoreline ecosystems.

the company to reduce capital flight, sustain the local training facility and stimulate more investment in establishment of training centers of excellence In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Ernest Nwapa, lauded PEM Offshore for bringing the project to fruition despite the challenges it experienced while accessing funding from Nigerian financial institutions. He noted that such investments by Nigerian companies remove doubts about the capac-

ity of Nigerians to own and operate key assets in the oil and gas industry. Nwapa maintained that indigenous ownership of key assets is the best guarantee that the implementation of the Nigerian Content policy will endure, adding that when Nigerians own assets, they would insist that provisions of the Act must be implemented with regards to domiciliation of industry work. “It will also be easier to enforce manning of such assets by Nigerians with

the requisite skills,” he said. He promised that the Board would protect Nigerians that invest in such facilities by galvanising the industry to put work in such facilities. Nwapa also credited the successes recorded so far in implementing the Nigerian Content Act to the courage and leadership provided by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke and the support of President Goodluck Jonathan to the Nigerian Content agenda.

L-R: Brand Building Director, Home and Personal Care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. David Okeme; Customer Marketing Director, Mr. Kalpesh Parmar; Category Manager, Skin Care and Deodorants, Mr. James Inglesby and Vice President, Marketing, Mr. Robbert De Kreede, during the official launch of Rexona Deodorant in Lagos.

Customs generates N100bn monthly –CG Bayo Akomolafe

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) now generates over N100 billion monthly in all the seaports, airports and borders. Its Comptroller-General, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, said that the improved revenue would enable NCS to meet its N1.2 trillion revenue target for the year . He disclosed at a forum in London that the improved revenue collection stemmed from the introduction and implementation of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR). Abdullahi noted that the launch of PAAR had helped the

NCS “to build stronger relationship with the business sector. He stressed that importers and operators who had demonstrated high level of integrity in their declarations were flagged on the PAAR platform. Abdullahi added: “To encourage them, 175 of them have been admitted into a new Fast Track system. These companies now enjoy special concessions like blue lane selection, inspection at owners’ premises and exclusive membership of the Customs Compliance Ambassadors Group. Meanwhile, the Apapa Area Command of the NCS said it collected N24.9 billion as revenue in

June. A breakdown of the amount revealed that revenue generated into the federation account stood at N13.8 billion while revenue generated into the nonfederation account stood at N11.1billion. The amount collected however showed a decrease of N3.2 billion compared with the N28.1 billion generated in May. A statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ekpa, stated that the income was generated through levies collected on import duties, wheat flour, wheat grain, seven per cent port levy, iron and cigarette among others.

Nigeria airlines risk planes repossession C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

part of the financier/lender. Despite Nigeria being a signatory to the convention, Air Nigerian had defaulted, making the owners to take possession of its two airplanes after legal battles that cost the lessor huge amount of funds. Corroborating Adeyileka, Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Ibrahim Auta, said a former Director-General of the NCAA, was almost jailed after the lessor got a ruling for repossession, adding that the NCAA as a guarantor was liable. He, however, stated that the NCAA eventually directed that the planes be repossessed.

AUTA stated that since Nigeria was a signatory to the international pact, there was no reason for airlines to hold equipment owners to ransom when the agreement has ben clearly spelt out. He pleaded with lawyers to make things easier for aircraft lessors in issues that has to do with Cape Town Convention. The NCAA chief defended the policy of the agency in grounding aircraft whenever there is a crash. He said NCAA takes “the painful decision because we need to audit the carriers, particularly when they use one brand of airplanes”. He noted that unlike in Europe and the United States where airlines such as Delta, British

Airways, Air France, KLM, Malaysia Airlines have over 500 airplanes, it becomes very difficult to take such action because of the diverse aircraft in the fleet of such carriers. He said: “Most times when there is a crash, our airlines even stop operations on their own. They take the pain to say, look, we need to have internal audit and to see where things went wrong. We are also very sentimental whenever there is a crash. 70 per cent of accidents all over the world are caused by human factor or human error. An aircraft that was just rolled out of the factory can have an accident if the captain is not in a good mental state.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Pipelines in an oil platform

DECEPTION Seplat MD, Austin Avuru, has said that IOCs are taking Nigeria for a ride in terms of crude theft data Stories by Adeola Yusuf

eplat has threatened to take the company in charge of pipeline transportation of its crude from its manifolds to exports terminal to court over crude theft claims. The company currently produces oil and gas from five fields namely Oben, Amukpe, Ovhor, Okporhuru and Sapele fields, which are located in the Niger Delta. Managing Director of Seplat, Austin Avuru, said this on the sideline of an event organised by Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos. He said that the Court action could only be stopped if the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) institute arbitration between it and the contractor. Although Avuru did not name the company in question, Seplat’s website showed that the crude oil from the Umuseti field is delivered via pipelines operated by Platform Nigeria, metered at the GGF and then routed via a 16 kilometer pipeline to Agip’s Kwale facilities before being exported to the Brass terminal. Pillar Oil has crude handling agreements in place with Midwestern and Agip. The company added that its oil “produced from OMLs 4,38 and 41 is routed to the Forcados Terminal via the following oil pipeline network: Rapele manifold - Forcados River manifold operated by NPDC and Forcados River manifold - Forcados Terminal operated by SPDC. Others are Amukpe flow sta-

Seplat, pipeline crude transporter's contract turn sour Company threatens court action tion - Amukpe manifold; Oben - Amukpe; Sapele - Amukpe manifold; Amukpe manifold Rapele manifold; all operated by SEPLAT. An enraged Avuru told stakeholders at the event, including the Director, DPR, Mr George Osahon, the President of NAPE, Mrs Adedoja Ojelabi, that his company is furious with the repeated claims of shortage of

VERIFICATION The finance minister has said that the on-going probe of claims is needed before payment of N45 billion subsidy to oil marketers

he Federal Government has said that it has waded into the fuel subsidy claims controversy rocking the nation’s downstream subsector of the oil industry to avoid any litigation between the banks and their marketer-customers. Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who said this at the weekend, maintained that this became necessary fol-

its oil between the manifolds and the terminal, which is often blamed on crude theft. New Telegraph gathered from the website of the company that some of its crude are transported through pipelines operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC). “We are waiting for arbitra-

tion by DPR in this issue and I tell you (looking at the DPR Director), if this is not done, we will go to court,” he said. Avuru had earlier condemned IOCs in Nigeria for taking the country for a ride over different claims and figures they dish out for production and oil theft. “I seek the protection of the Director of the DPR to say

FG wades into banks, oil marketers’ subsidy row lowing the institution of the new procedure by Office of the Attorney General (OAGF). New Telegrraph had earlier reported exclusively that the subsidy debts, which the Federal Government owes marketers, was in the region of N300 billion. These debts, it was reported, had increased the apathy, which banks and other lenders have towards the marketers, a situation which threatens the second quarter fuel importation. Okonjo-Iweala, who doubles as the Coordinating Minister of Economy, however, said in a statement that the payment of N45 billion to oil marketers was

underway, after the verification of claims currently on-going. The statement, signed by the Special Adviser to the minister, Paul Nwabuikwu, read: “The minister said that the information was necessary to satisfy all the enquiries coming in with regards to the status of payment to the oil marketers.” The verification, according to Nwabuikwu’s statement, “was deemed necessary to ensure that the Federal Government is not held liable in the event of any litigation between the banks and their marketercustomers, following the institution of the new procedure by Office of the Attorney General.”

this because the last time I talk about this issue, I was served with a note from lawyers of a company,” he said, declaring that the “IOCs are taking Nigeria for a ride.” He said: “It is only the DPR that is empowered by law to give official figures of crude production in Nigeria and amount lost to theft, but you will wonder at the way these IOCs go about with different data of production and stolen crude. “This figure is what a minister of finance will take to a meeting outside the country as the official figure for production and crude loss to theft,” he said. Meanwhile, Seplat put its production figure for December 2013 exit at 60,000bopd. “Natural gas production for all fields was 38.562 Bscf (working interest), equivalent to an average daily production rate of 129.403 mmscf/d. “There is a group gathering facility (GGF) at Midwestern’s Umusadege field into which five companies, Pillar Oil, Platform Nigeria, Midwestern, Energia and Chorus, inject their produced crude oil. “Oil production from the Jisike field is currently combined with Addax’s production from OML 124 at their Izombe flow station and then transported via a 6” pipeline 23 km to NAOC’s Ebocha flow station. From there it joins NAOC’s 100 km pipeline to the Brass terminal for export,” Seplat said on its website. Following the acquisition of Oil Mining Leases (OML’s) 04, 38 and 41 effective July 31, 2010, Seplat, as operator, has continued production from the assets with average daily production rising from around 18,000bopd to around 60,000bopd of oil and condensate. Gas production has remained constant at around 110MMscfd. Total operated production as at June 2013 is 70,000bopd.

28 business | ENERGY LEAKAGES NEITI has highlighted provisions, which the PIB must contain, to be effective Adeola Yusuf

he Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) should contain provisions mandating the placement of multi-flow meters at every new well that is built, the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said. PIB, the agency said in a statement, should contain provisions mandating the appropriate regulator for the upstream to develop and ultimately enforce a timed framework with an incentive system for the installation of meters at existing wellheads. “The process of adequate metering in onshore production should commence through the placement of operational meters at the flow stations and at the inlet of each terminal,” the statement said. Executive Secretary, NEITI, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had earlier said that the transparency watchdog was set to implement its audit automation in 2015, to achieve reliable and efficient results. The statement at the weekend called for a PIB that would promote transparency in the industry. Mrs Ahmed said at the just concluded NEITI Needs Assessment workshop held in Lagos: “For us, the motivation is to fully meet the requirement of our mandate, which has to do with conducting audit of the mining sector, which is timely. The essence of this automation is to make the process more useful, reliable and effective. “When we automate the audit process, we will reduce cost

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Data altering: NEITI seeks sanctions for erring IOCs because audit process takes a long time. About 60 per cent to 70 per cent is data collection. We will reduce the burden on the auditors because they will now be provided with more current data instead of data that are four to five years old.” Explaining the security challenge usually associated with such automation, she said: “To us in NEITI, the major problem is security too. We need to make sure that the system that is designed and deployed has enough

security, not because of the entities, but because of NEITI itself. “These days, automation has advantages but the major disadvantage is that of security. People that do not have access to the data hack into it. The purpose is to make it more convenient and more reliable. That is the area we have to address collectively. That is why we are here today, to listen to complaints and look for ways to best protect the data,” she said. The executive secretary also

The minister of power has said that government would consider alternative sources of power generation James Nwabueze Abuja

he Federal Government has said that it is considering exploration of nuclear energy to bridge the shortfalls in delivery of electricity to Nigerians. This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Deputy Director of Press in the Ministry of Power, Mr Timothy Ayodeji. According to the statement, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, assured the visiting delegation of the International Atomic Energy Council, led by its Deputy Director-General, Mr Kwanu Aning, that in no distant future Nigeria in its quest for a robust energy mix

commitment to what they are supposed to carry out by monitoring the progress of such actions. The Civil Societies that are associated with NEITI have also formed a steering committee and executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will help them push for the realisation of these issues. They are also pushing with the entities that are supposed to carry out these actions to fasten the mode of the processes,” she said.

Port Harcourt refinery

Electricity shortfall: FG eyes nuclear energy ALTERNATIVE

said that though she is not satisfied with the implementation of NEITI’s findings, progress has been made since the present administration re-inaugurated NEITI last year. “NEITI has been coordinating and working closely with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in addressing some of these issues. “All the agencies that are involved have made specific

will look into the direction of nuclear energy despite its perceived environment hazards. Prof. Nebo said that it is no longer acceptable for the nation to put all its eggs in one basket, insisting that Nigeria will need to correct and avoid in the future hiccups, occasioned by lack of gas to power plants. “We need coal, biomass, small hydros, solar even nuclear. If it is designed, it is the best as it remained the cleanest and safest form of energy.” The minister noted that as the nation aspires to be the hub of technological know-how on the continent, acquisition of nuclear technology will make the people to mentor other African countries. He assured the visiting IAEC delegation that Nigeria will welcome nuclear initiative because of its immense contribution in the treatment of some delicate anti-human substances, which has been tackled with nuclear medicine. He said that “whatever Nigeria needs to do in terms of acquisition of nuclear energy would be guided by the best international practice, as we are

aware that nuclear energy deployment must be done in line with strict rules of engagement. Earlier, leader of the IAEC, Mr Kwanu Aning, told the minister that the regulatory role of the body is to ensure that countries that are deploying nuclear energy have the right technical staff, safety of environment as nuclear power is a complex energy source. Energy is life and we support countries’ energy efficiency programmes, we exchange idea in order to strengthen our regulatory role. In another statement, Nebo stated that no effort would be spared in implementing the Operation Light up Rural Nigeria project. Operation Light up Rural Nigeria is an off-grid electrification project initiated by the present administration to provide solar-powered panel for electrification of rural communities across the country. President Goodluck Jonathan who launched the programme in three communities of the FCT a few months ago, said that the project would be expanded to include private sector financing.

WGK secures contract for projects offshore Ghana

ood Group has reported that its unit, Wood Group Kenny (WGK), has been awarded an engineering services contract to support Tullow Ghana Limited and its partners through the execution phase of the Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme (TEN) project, offshore Ghana. WGK, according to a statement, will provide subsea, umbilical, risers and flow-lines (SURF) engineering services. The Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme oil fields are situated in the Deepwater Tano area, offshore Ghana, approximately 18.6 miles (30 kilometres) from the existing Jubilee field. CEO of Wood Group Kenny, Steve Wayman, said: “We see this as a very significant award from a number of perspectives. We are extremely pleased to be extending our business relationship with Tullow, particularly for the execution phase of this important project – we believe this is a reflection of our depth of technical experience, and

strong resource-base across a wide global footprint. “It follows on from our previous relevant experience in supporting the delivery of SURF projects across several West African countries, including Ghana, where we intend to recruit Ghanaian national graduates on an annual basis, train Ghanaian nationals as subsea engineers, thereby building up local resource capability in the subsea disciplines and to provide bursaries and work with local universities to develop subseaspecific modules on selected engineering degree courses. “We will be focused on doing everything we can to help Tullow and its partners achieve first oil in a safe and timely fashion.” The partners and the Ghanaian government have sanctioned the TEN Project, and contracts have been awarded for the floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, subsea hardware, risers, pipelines, umbilicals, and for subsea installation.

BUSINESS | ENERGY 29

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Another look at Q3 fuel imports’ allocation

Fuel tankers. Inset: Minister of Petroluem Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke

The Federal Government, at the weekend, approved 1.7 million tonnes third quarter fuel imports for 27 firms. ENERGY EDITOR, Adeola Yusuf reports how 13 contractors were denied importation licenses.

or the umpteenth time, the Federal Government took many marketers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by surprise. Just two days after New Telegraph reported a threat to the second quarters fuel imports allocation, government approved the third quarter allocation, which was laced with surprises and intrigues. A cold war had earlier been reported to be brewing between government and some marketers over subsidy claims, which have, as at last Wednesday, hit N300 billion. New fuel allocation The Federal Government, in a move that shocked many marketers, slashed the number of companies licensed to import Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the third quarter to 27 from 40 in the previous three months. The 27 oil companies were allocated fuel import rights by Nigeria’s downstream regulator, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Authority (PPPRA), the lists had showed. These companies are expected to import about 1.7 million tonnes for third quarter, down from 1.85 million tonnes in the second quarter. Though market sources expect that some winners will be unable to import owing to financing obstacles, some are still waiting for a backlog of subsidy payments owed by government following the 2012 subsidy fraud investigation, which unearthed billions of dollars fake claims. Nigeria imports gasoline through two state-owned authorities - PPPRA and the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC). The PPPRA allocations vary quarter-on-quarter while the PPMC typically brings in about 1.4 million tonnes per quarter through crude-for-product swap agreements with traders, market sources said. Who gets what? Total Nigerian gasoline imports are expected to be close to 3.1 million tonnes. The country is chronically short of oil products, particularly gasoline, due to a long period of under-investment in its domestic refineries. MRS Oil Nigeria was absent from the list, after be-

ing included in the second quarter, but some returnees were Oando, Total, Conoil, Folawiyo Oil and Gas, Forte Oil, Techno Oil, NIPCO and Masters Energy. Mobil Nigeria PLC, ExxonMobil’s local arm, was listed among the winners with larger volumes as well as Aiteo. Allocation sizes vary from 30,000 tonnes to 120,000 tonnes. Following is a list of companies licensed to import gasoline for July to September by PPPRA: A-Z, Aiteo, Avidor, BSR, Bovas, Conoil, Cybernetics, Folawiyo, Forte, Gulf Treasures and Hyde. other are Integrated, Matrix, Mettle, NIPCO, Oando, Rainoil, Sahara, Shorelink, Total, TSL, Mobil, Ascon, Hudson, Dee Jones, Techno and Masters. Q2 allocation leftovers The importation of fuel for the second quarter is being threatened by a cold war brewing between the Federal Government and fuel importers over delay in subsidy payment. A source told New Telegraph that oil marketers had threatened not to bring in their cargoes if the current outstanding fuel subsidy of N300 billion was not paid. “Eleven batches of fuel supply by these marketers are standing on the way of the smooth operations of the second quarter fuel importation,” the source had said. There are another six batches of payment from A/14 to F/14 amounting to over N150 billion pertaining to January –April 2014 that are yet to be paid,” he said. Some marketers who craved anonymity because of the implications commenting on these developments would have on their businesses, said they were now in “difficult time.”

Oil marketers have threatened not to bring in their cargoes if the current outstanding fuel subsidy of N300 billion was not paid

One of them said: “What do you expect a businessman to do in this kind of situation? You have a bank loan which you are finding difficult to service. The banks are running after you and you have money running into N300 billion, which you can use to do business hanging somewhere. Do you expect us to still be executing the allocations when you are not even given a commitment on payments? “Our members have already turned down their offer for the third quarter allocation for importation of petrol into the country due to non-availability of funds and increase in the interest rate charged by banks,” a chief executive officer of one of the oil trading companies said. Besides, he added that banks were reluctant to give marketers fresh loans due to their failure to settle outstanding debts. Our correspondent gathered that most of these payments had been processed by PPPRA and forwarded for payment to the Ministry of Finance. The delay in the settlement of subsidy debt, it was learnt, had also affected the payment of the equalisation fund of transporters at the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) due to the failure of fuel marketers to settle the equalisation fund to the board. Some marketers have already expressed worries over the huge backlog, which is affecting the supply of fuel in the country. Responding to New Telegraph’s enquiry on the matter, spokesperson for the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, in a statement, said: “Only marketers whose claims have been cleared after they have gone through the verification processes are paid. This is to ensure that the unpleasant experiences of the recent past with regard to wrong and irregular payments are not repeated. “The process for the latest batch of payments totalling N45 billion is currently on and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has confirmed that some marketers who have submitted letters of indemnity to the OAGF have already been paid. Other claims are being attended to.” Last line The Federal Government should boost its local refining capacity. It is unheard of for a country that is the biggest exporter of crude in the region to depend heavily on importation. In the short term, while PPPRA deserves commendation for approving the third quarter allocation in time, it may need to improve on transparency of the process of selecting qualified importers.

BUSINESS | ENERGY

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Why Enugu needs enough power, by Soludo, Offor DEVELOPMENT The Enugu DISCO has been described as critical to South East economic growth Adeola Yusuf

wo prominent Nigerians, the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Chukwuma Soludo and Chairman of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Sir Emeka Offor, at the weekend, underscored the importance of power supply sufficiency for the country’s economic growth. The duo spoke at a stakeholders’ dinner organised by the management of EEDC in Enugu, Enugu State. While the Chairman of EEDC, Sir Emeka Offor, charged the management team to understand that the organisation is engaged in serious business, Soludo said that the reinforcement of the EEDC is critical to the economic growth of the South-East geopolitical zone. Five states in the South East zone of the country get electricity supply through Enugu Power Distribution Company, but business and economic activities in the states: Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra states, are grossly being affected by supply shortfall as the states presently depend on 300 megawatts of power as against the required 3,000 megawatts. Offor charged the management team to understand that the organisation is engaged in serious business. He admonished the team to always do the right things and avoid laxity in the discharge of their responsibilities. The EEDC chairman implored the management and staff to join hands to ensure that the company serve customers in its business districts satisfactorily. Corroborating Offor’s view, Soludo said: “The company is a critical economic game changer for the entire South East and a key infrastructural component for re-building the region.” In occupying such a position, he noted that the Enugu Disco has the onerous responsibility in the domain of corporate governance, adding that the company inherited an operation in an environment where the cost of doing business is astronomically high and the rate of return is very low, when compared with other parts of the world. He noted that what the South East needs is something that breaks out of the vicious cycle in which it is locked into. This, he said, is within the context of the business of Enugu Disco. Under this environment, Soludo said that EEDC has a challenge of maximising shareholders’ value in the short and medium term and the contest of building the pillars for sustaining business continuity in the long-term.

He noted that the two, although seemingly daunting, are mutually reinforcing, and are tied to the growth and transformation of the region. Soludo emphasised that if the Disco is successful, the economy of the states in the region would boom as prosperity trickles down to the people of the region. He recognised that EEDC inherited an enormous burden in addition to what he termed as a classic business problem because as a Disco, it distributes a product whose generation and transmission is outside its control. The Chief Executive Officer of EEDC, Robert Dickerman, had earlier said that the quantity of supply, which represents 10 per cent of the power needs of the region, has been worsened by customers’ malpractices by evading proper metering and bypassing meters. This, Dickerman said, informs his company’s move to distribute pre-paid meters in the zone. The Enugu Disco CEO who said that they were investigating whether the bypass of meters were technical or sabotage, observed that they were not billing any customer for power not consumed, pointing out that unless the issue was arrested, they may soon be out of business. “We, however, know that this method might not exactly reflect the actual bill a customer incurred but they should also realise that most of them are undercharged. The South-

East zone of the country receives only 300 megawatts of electricity instead of the required 3,000 due to issues of natural gas supply from the upstream power sector,” he noted. Dickerman promised that epileptic power supply in Asaba and its environs would be overcome when the installation of the 150 MVA auto transformers are completed.

The company, he continued, would introduce new pre-paid metering programme that would check meter bypass by customers, adding that the company would device a new programme that would promote the metering system’s integrity as the high rate of bypass was affecting the services rendered to customers. “This development might

put the company out of business if care is not taken, as we would discover whether the bypass is due to faulty technological process, fraud from our contractors, staff or customers,” he said. The Asaba sub-station, located along Ibusa/Ogwashi-Uku expressway and being undertaken by National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), will come on stream soon.

A power installation

Jos Disco buys pre-paid meters for customers NEW GADGETS JEDC has purchased new transformers and metres Adeola Yusuf

he Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) said at the weekend that it had engaged in the purchase of pre-paid meters to curb the estimated billing from its network. JEDC also said that it had purchased new transformer for installation and effective

distribution of electricity within its zone. Head, Public Affairs of the company, Mr Paul Ikwu, who said this in a statement, maintained that the purchase of the new equipment was aimed at addressing the problems of incessant power outages and estimated billings of customers. Fielding questions from newsmen in Jos, Ikwu maintained that his organisation was worried about customers’ continued complaints about power outages due to obsolete facilities hence the resolve to upgrade them to give customers better services. He said: “I wish to assure

our esteemed customers that very soon our new transformers and metres will arrive to enable us carry out major repairs at places where there are breakages. “We are out to make profit and we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our clients get the best services though the drop in the power supply is a nationwide problem.” Customers should, according to him, not lose hope. “They should keep faith with JEDC because we are out to give them the best service as expected. We are new, in fact, barely six months in operation and now having a

slight problem at our Egbin Power Station, which I believe contributes to the power shortage being experienced,” he said. “We have been meeting with various stakeholders on how to move the company forward towards giving our customers the best of service and these meetings will soon yield results,” he stressed. Ikwu, however, explained that the JEDC “does not generate electricity but only distribute what is available,” lamenting that the problems of gas shortages and activities of vandals were affecting both generation and distribution of power across the country.

Tullow Oil books $415m exploration write-off

il and gas producer, Tullow Oil, reported a $415 million pre-tax write-off in net exploration in the first half of 2014, after disappointing results in Mauritania, Ethiopia and Norway. The energy company is now counting on new drilling projects planned in Kenya and Ethiopia for this year and next to improve its exploration performance. Despite poor drilling results in some areas, the Africa-focused explorer maintained its

full-year production guidance of 79,000-85,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Tullow also said that production at its flagship, Jubilee oil field in Ghana, was expected to remain at 100,000 barrels of oil per day, while its TEN Project in Ghana was on track for first oil deliveries in mid-2016. Dry holes drilled in Mauritania, Ethiopia and Norway over the past six months and various licence cancellations forced Tullow to report the write-off in the first half of the

year, amounting to $305 million after tax. It also expects a loss on disposals of $115 million over the same period. “With potential basin-opening wells across the portfolio coming up in the second half of the year and strong revenue and cash flow, Tullow is in a strong position for the remainder of this year and into 2015,” said Aidan Heavey. The company said that gross first-half profit came to $650 million and revenue reached

$1.3 billion, in line with the firm’s expectations for the year. Heavy also said that Tullow’s asset disposal programme was making steady progress, with further deals expected to divest its remaining UK and Dutch North Sea portfolio. Tullow sold some of its assets in the area to Faroe Petroleum in April for $75.6 million after struggling to attract buyers over the previous 18 months. Shares in Tullow were up 0.4 per cent at 859.35 pence in early trade in London.

BUSINESS | ENERGY

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

CONFAB The minister of petroleum resources will lead 1,300 stakeholders to examine prospects and challenges in Nigeria’s oil industry Adeola Yusuf

ighest body of Petroleum Engineers in Nigeria, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), at the weekend, declared plans to get a breakthrough for Nigeria’s marginal fields and entire oil and gas operations in the country. Chairman, SPE Nigeria Council, Mr Bernard Oboarekpe, who said this at a press conference to herald the 38th Nigeria annual International Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, maintained that the marginal fields can play a vital role in Nigeria’s economic fortunes. The Council, he said, has rallied operators, policy makers and financial institutions for its marginal filed workshop, as part of activities for the conference. “The marginal field workshop has continued to grow in popularity and elicit great interest within the industry. This year’s session will be anchored by passionate subject matter expert on production enhancement and sustenance from Marginal Fields. “The discussions will explore the topic: ‘Keys to effective management of acquired indegenous fields and production enhancement strategies, and will feature successful indigenous and marginal field’s operators

Experts mull solutions to clog in Nigeria oil growth as panelists,” he said. Stating that over 300 attendees are expected at the conference, Oboarekpe who was accompanied to the event by the conference committee chairman, Mr Francis Uche, declared that the conference themed: “Africa’s energy corridor; opportunities for oil and gas value maximisation through integration and global approach,” would bring together industry leaders and experts to provide key insights, into the right strategies for resolving these imperatives. “We have invited His Excellency, the executive Governor of Lagos State; the minister of petroleum resources; the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); several heads of government organisations; managing directors and chief executives of industries, corporation and companies; the academia and media practitioners to grace the opening ceremony. “There will also be a focus on imperatives deriving benefts from the continent’s growing production capacity that is Grwoth that is underpinned by structural and economic transformation evolving from exporter of natural resources (crude oil to exporter of products and development of infrastructure to support in-continent utilisation; while maintaining the required balance to remain globally competitive.”

Egbogah leads oil, gas genius to Abuja forum

ormer Presidential Adviser of Petroleum Matters, Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah, would lead other prominent oil and gas experts to the Abuja Petroleum Roundtable (APR). A statement by organisers of the event said that arrangements have reached advanced stages for the 4th APR. "This year’s roundtable has the theme: New Investment Windows and Opportunities in Nigeria’s Hydrocarbon Value Chains, will be chaired and moderated by former Presidential Adviser of Petroleum Matters, Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah and will feature other distinguished local and international speakers," the statement read. Confirmed keynote speakers include Mr. George Osahon, Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, who will speak on Emerging Opportunities in Nigeria’s acreage licensing rounds; Engr. Ernest Nwapa, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, who will dwell on the huge impact being made on new investments in the energy value chain through the Federal Government’s Nigerian Content Law for the oil and gas sector. Also confirmed, as keynote speakers are Paul Michael Wihbey of GWEST LLC, Washington DC, a noted international speaker on strategic energy and

resource issues; and Dr. Jude Amaefule, Vice Chairman/CEO of Emerald Energy Resources Limited. Other speakers for the Technical and Strategic Sessions include Bismarck Rewane of Financial Derivatives Limited; Professor Bart Nnaji, former Minister of Power and Chairman, Geometric Power Limited; Chief Chambers Oyibo, former Group Managing Director of NNPC and Chairman, Prime Energy Resources. Also included are Dr. Andrew Uzoigwe, former GED NNPC and Chairman, Millennium Oil and Gas Limited; Professor Omowunmi Iledare, the 2014 President of the International Association for Energy Economics; Chief Chukwuma Henry Okolo, Chairman Enfrasco Limited; Professor Godwin Chukwu, President/CEO of Toncia Energy Consulting and Professor Mike Onyekonwu, Director, Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port Harcourt. Others are Engr. Pedro Egbe, Managing Director Weltek Limited; Engr. Felix Amieyeofori, Managing Director, Energia Limited; Engr. Solomon Dada Thomas, Managing Director, Frontier Oil; Professor Yinka Omorogbe of the Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies; and Dr. Ken Okorie, a Houston based international expert on energy law.

L-R: Conference Chairman, Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) Mr Francis Nwaochei and Chairman, Nigeria Council, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Mr Bernard Oboarekpe, at the press conference announcing SPE's conference on 'Africa Energy Corridor:Opportunities for Oil and Gas Value Maximization through Integration and Global Approach' in Lagos.

Adeola yusuf

he value of non-oil products that moved out from Nigeria in 2013 rose to $2.97 billion from $2.561 billion in 2012, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), has said. Speaking during the NEPC workshop in Lagos, its Executive Director/CEO, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, said that about 117 products were exported to 93 countries worldwide in 2013 as provided by Cobalt International Limited. He said that Nigeria’s exports are no longer limited to the traditional markets of Europe, especially UK and products such as cocoa, bean, palm produce, groundnuts and solid minerals. He added that the increase in the number of products being exported and countries destinations are strong indications of export diversification, pointing out that this is a measure of improvement in the Nigerian export culture. According to him, “NEPC in its efforts to provide the platform for penetrating target international market with made-in-Nigeria products spearheads Nigeria’s participation in International Trade Fairs/Exhibitions every year. This has largely succeeded in

Non-oil export investments’ value hit $2.97bn exposing Nigerian companies and organisations to the international market and opened up market contacts that have yielded much dividend to the individual companies and the nation in terms of increased in flow of foreign exchange. “In year 2013, 13 of such outings were spearheaded by the council. A total of 126 companies, mainly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) benefited. On-the-spot sales and orders generated by these companies amounted to $627,108.23 and $3,716,920.51 respectively. “Executed order as at the end of February 2014, that was reported to NEPC was $763,247.85. It is also on record that madein-Nigeria products, especially in West African sub-region market, elicit great demand as customers marvelled about the quality and wondered if they were ever produced in Nigeria. “A number of indigenous SMEs that were introduced to the market in 2013, especially in

processed foods and condiments are already making waves in Togo and Ghana markets amongst other markets being penetrated in the region.” Besides, he said that efforts to scale up the penetration of the regional market by madein-Nigeria products led to the initiative of “Lome Trade Hub” which was kick-started by the staging of a Solo Exhibition in Lome, Togo, in 2013 and was closely followed-up with Nigeria’s participation at the 11th Lome International Trade Fair same year. Already, he said that large number of Nigerian companies that participated in the two trade events at Togo, have their Togolese representatives selling their various products. “Efforts at having permanent trade hub in place are yielding dividend and Togolese authorities have allocated a space at their trade fair complex to Nigeria and renovation work is underway,” he said.

‘Why Total cancels Skandi Aker vessel contract’ Aker Solutions re- the remaining contract period field in the West of Shetland Nitsorway’s ported at the weekend that is about $150 million and that area, after negotiating lower subsidiary, Aker Oilfield this will be removed from the costs with contractors, as well Services, has been notified by Total in Angola of the termination of a $250-million, twoyear contract for the Skandi Aker vessel. Skandi Aker, a well-intervention vessel, started operations in September 2013 when the contract with Total began. Aker said that the value of

company’s order backlog. The firm added that the vessel’s capacity utilisation has been 37 per cent so far in 2014 after operations halted at the end of March for maintenance and repairs. French oil major, Total, also said that it had decided to develop the Edradour gas

as buying a 60 per cent stake in the neighbouring Glenlivet field. Total holds 75 per cent of Edradour, while partner Dong E&P owns the rest. Dong will also retain a 20 per cent stake in Glenlivet, with Faroe Petroleum and First Oil Expro each holding 10 per cent.

32 BUSINESS | ENERGY

Pre-paid meters

James Nwabueze Abuja

mong electricity consumers, the non-availability of pre-paid meters has been a burden imposed by the management of the successor companies of the defunct power holding company of Nigeria (PHCN), which they have had to bear albeit grudgingly, to be able to continue to enjoy electricity in their homes. For most people, it is a well thoughtout plan by the operators in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) in connivance with constituted authorities to extort from consumers for services not rendered. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had disclosed that an estimated N170 billion would be required to purchase and install about 2.8 million electricity meters to close-up existing metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). NERC said that the sum was derived from an estimated cost for meter procurement and installation, which was submitted to it for consideration by successor distribution companies of PHCN. Funding According to the Senior Manager, Market Competition and Rates Division of NERC, Kanneng Gwom, in her presentation at a recent media retreat: “The Discos have estimated that N170 billion to purchase 2.8 million meters is required to meet the metering gap in the NESI.” Gwom, however, hinted that the commission had in response to the development proffered measures to be adopted by the distribution companies in meeting up with the estimated financial costs of providing metering facilities to eligible electricity consumers. She added that sequel to the privatisation exercise, the distribution companies were required to enter into contract with preferred bidders of PHCN distribution assets for the supply and installation of meters. To this end, NERC had ordered Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) to immediately end reckless billing of consumers across the country. The Chairman, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, handed down the directive at the April CEOs meeting in Abuja. He stated that the Discos were still engaging in arbitrary billing to which they must put an end, adding that it is their responsibility to provide customers with pre-paid meters. According to Amadi, in the absence of meters, the Discos must ensure that estimated billing follow the guidelines provided by the NERC. “We have made it very clear that it is

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Nebo

Unending rows over pre-paid meters the responsibility of the Discos to meter the customers even though we have time gap to bridge the metering deficit but we want to see real action on that. We expect to see a robust metering plan but we have also insisted that in the interim before everybody is metered, the reckless estimation must stop immediately,” Amadi said. “What is going on now really in some places is not estimation; it is arbitral because estimation is based on some formula. We have reiterated that they should go back to that methodology but ultimately the solution is fast tracking metering,” he added. The wide gap in metering was put at 54.8 per cent in 2012, resulting in very high estimation, which necessitated the introduction of a temporary measure for billing customer who are not effectively metered. The law NERC’s Customer Service Standard Regulation on meters stipulates: “If there is no electricity meter to record electricity usage at a customer’s supply address, the Disco must base customer’s bill on estimated energy consumption, which is calculated in accordance with a method approved by the Commission”. Basically, estimation should be on verifiable scientific method for monitoring and dispute resolution purpose. It must also be reflective of local consumption pattern and close to actual readings previously obtained. It goes without saying that the basis for consideration in estimation is power availability and issues associated with

Basically, estimation should be on verifiable scientific method for monitoring and dispute resolution purpose. It must also be reflective of local consumption pattern and close to actual readings previously obtained

system losses; that is, commercial losses but some Discos apply the unapproved estimation method that is based on averaging billed energy. Protests This development has led to protests by electricity consumers who frown at what they described as arbitrary extortion from consumers. For instance, a group, PowerUpNG, which advocates for fair electricity distribution and billing, condemned the high electricity bills being imposed on Nigerians by the various Discos in the country, saying they were exploiting the people. The group, though in support of privatisation of electricity distribution for better performance, also condemned the system of estimated billing being used by the Discos It equally frowned on and condemned the resulting exploitation of consumers, in the name of Maintenance Service Charge or Fixed Charge and unreasonable estimated billing, causing so many families untold pains. The group said in a statement by Adetayo Adegbemle: “We are driven by the desire for consumers to be fairly treated and to make sure as watchdogs, electricity distributors follow the laid down regulations by the NERC. “While we do not accuse the NERC, under the leadership of Dr. Sam Amadi, of colluding with the Discos to cheat Nigerians, reasonable evidence points to the fact that the NERC, has been turning a blind eye to their activities. “To start with, consumers all over Nigeria are paying Electricity Usage Tax in the name of Maintenance/Fixed Service Charge. It has also been confirmed that electricity consumers in Lagos are paying a lot higher than consumers in other parts of Nigeria. “For Instance, customers of Ikeja Distribution Company and EKO Distribution Company are paying N750 monthly Maintenance Charge while Enugu Distribution Company charges N650 as monthly maintenance charge. It also canvassed the formula for estimated billing to be revealed to consumers, adding that electricity distribution companies should start the installations of pre-paid meters immediately. The minister of Power, Professor, Chinedu Nebo, acknowledged this. He

also observed that the metering issue is suffocating, stressing that the generation companies (gencos) are being harassed by electricity consumers because the distribution companies (discos) have collected monies from hundreds of thousands of customers, who are yet to be metered. "The whole issue of metering is suffocating, and there is no doubt about that. Unfortunately, many discos actually collected money from customers (for meters); that's why you (gencos) are being harassed from everywhere. Many people paid - may be hundreds of thousands, but they never got any meters from the discos. "Now, we have an estimated shortfall in meters or metering gap of 2.7 million. How do you do that?" he asked rhetorically. Pointing out that the problem is all about funding; Nebo disclosed that even the World Bank Group does not want to be involved with the discos. However, for electricity consumers in the Federal capital Territory (FCT) and environs metering gap within the nation’s power sector could soon be a thing of the past, if plans to unveil 480,000 in a five-year metering rollout by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (Abuja Disco) are anything to go by. Pre-paid meter's rollout Chief Executive Officer, Abuja Disco, Neil Croucher, during a monthly CEO’s meeting with the NERC in Abuja disclosed that the target intends to cover a monthly rollout of 8,000 meters. “Yes, our intention on meter rollout is about 8,000 meters a month, which is about 96,000 meters in a year. Again, following today’s discussion, and in about four to five months that we’ve been here, we’ve recognised that metering is an absolute key area. “We would be looking at ways that we could increase the rollout and as rapidly as possible. There would be logistics and challenges, of course; but we have to manage the project. We have to make sure that those meters are rolled out on a solid platform,” Croucher said. He added that the 8,000 monthly targets could be increased, if it would be possible to do so within the five-year period.

PROPERTY&ENVIRONMENT PAGE 33, Tuesday, July 8, 2014

2014 HALF YEAR review

UNINSPIRING Some of the major initiatives for the housing sector’s revamping are still at the planning stages Dayo ayeyemi

Experts not impressed with housing performance

ne of the sectors expected to lift Nigeria’s economy in 2014 is the housing industry, no thanks to various initiatives of government that were begging for implementation at the first quarter of the year. These initiatives include the anticipated land reform, injection of fund into the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, capitalisation of Primary Mortgage Banks, and commencement of operation of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company. But six months into 2014, Nigerians and investors are yet to see the full implementations of these reforms to enhance their homeownership scheme and investments. Except Lagos and Abuja, construction activities have been declining due to paucity of fund, increased insecurity by Boko Harm insurgence in the north and fear of the 2015 elections by real estate investors. Although some foreign investors have shown more interest in commercial real estate such as retail mall in Lagos and Abuja, this cannot be said of residential construction in these cities. Primary Mortgage Banks Taking stock of critical events in the first half of the year, New Telegraph discovered that over six months after the expiration of the deadline issued to the Primary Mortgage Banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria to recapitalise to the tune of N5 billion and N2 billion – national and state respectively, the general public are yet to know the names of mortgage banks licensed to operate in the country as the apex bank has maintained sealed-lips over the issue. This development has given room for speculations as the public does not know which of the mortgage banks to transact business with. At a point, President of the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Chief Olabode Afolayan, expressed the fear over the information gap concerning consolidated PMBs, saying this might affect their business and hamper homeownership among Nigerians. Mortgage Refinance Company Although, the Federal Government had launched the new Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company in February, the company is yet to commence operation. But many believe that the delay might not be unconnected with the need to work out details of its underwriting standards.

Units of luxury apartments in one of the modern estates inLekki, Lagos

Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Housing Minister, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi

Lasabi

NMRC is to reinvigorate the housing and construction sector. The company is also supported by the World Bank with the approval of $300 million (about N48 billion). Introduction of NMRC is expected to help increase liquidity in the housing sector, provide secondary market for mortgages and thereby increase the number of people able to purchase or build homes at an affordable price. Fourteen pilot states have been earmarked for the programme. The company is also expected to help create over 200,000 mortgages in the next five years at an affordable interest rate. Meanwhile, many Nigerians are still waiting for the take-off the company six months after.

Ikoyi and Lekki - Lagos, while demand for flat apartments has been on the increase among home seekers. According to the latest report by the Financial Derivative Company, real estate activities is still improving in Lagos and foreign investors have continued to flood the city despite insecurity issues in the north. Already, estate agents are looking for buyers before a property is completed.

major construction works while 32.5 grade will go for plastering. The cement war is still on-going.

Rise in house price Despite the prevailing lull in the real estate sector, commercial house prices have continued to rise in Victoria Island,

Cement re-grading Dangote Cement Plc introduced 42.5 grade of cement to the market. Since then, there has been a lot of controversies concerning 32.5 cement grade which many people were used to. Dousing the tension over controversy surrounding cement grading, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), rolled out new cement standards, mandating the use of 42.5 grade for

Experts’ view The real estate sector contributed 8.01 per cent to the Nigerian economy, an equivalent of N6.43 trillion ($40.9 billion) of the total rebased GDP estimate of N80.22 trillion ($510 billion). The sector’s contribution to GDP, while impressive, has, however, happened without a comprehensive plan by government – until recently – to boost its growth. Constraints to the sector’s growth include the notoriously problematic Land Use Act as well as difficulty in getting building permits and certificate of occupancy in many states. The lack of easy transferability of titles and non-securitisation of mortgage loans where available and lack of mortgages in general are also a factor stunt-

ing the sector’s growth, despite Nigeria’s huge unmet housing demand. On many occasions, experts have blamed many factors such as the obnoxious Land Use Act which has made access to land difficult, poor land administration, lack of virile mortgage banks, dearth of long-term fund, high costs of building materials, labour and capital, among others, for poor contribution of the housing sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Commenting on the half of the year’s performance of the sector, President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr Tunde Lasabi, said that nothing so serious took place despite the promise to recapitalise FMBN, PMBs and NMRC. He said that many seminars were held in the last six months on the need for low income and affordable housing, explaining that there is nothing on ground to reflect the yearnings. “We are nowhere yet. The NMRC was launched in January, it has not fully taken off despite the good intension, and I think that implementation is the problem,” he said. He recalled that that there was clamouring for capitalised PMBs, but that up till now Nigerians are yet to know their fate. Within NIOB, he said that many of them have been clamouring for effective land registry, consolidated PMBs and recapilatisation of FMBN to the tune of N500 billion so that it can be stable. Lagos-based Estate SurveyC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 4

property & ENVIRONMENT

REFINANCING Details about best standards are still being worked out Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

gainst public expectation, the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) launched in February, may not open its offices for business until September, New Telegraph has learnt. One of the operators told this newspaper exclusively that some details concerning the operation of NMRC are still being worked out and will not be completed until two months from now. The source said that International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary of World Bank, is expected to come in so that it can work on underwriting standards to ensure best

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

‘NMRC may not begin operation until September’

practices for the NMRC. According to the source, the underwriting standard focuses on how money is going to be transferred from NMRC to mortgage banks and vice visa. The source further said that already, 80 per cent completion works have been achieved, adding that some investment have come in, while awaiting others. Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had earlier announced July date for the commencement of operation by NMRC. NMRC is a Public Private Partnership arrangement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the private sector. It was incorporated on June

24, 2013. Experts have described its establishment as a unique model with the purpose of developing the primary and secondary mortgage markets by raising long-term funds from the domestic capital market as well as foreign markets to provide accessible and affordable housing in the country. The NMRC will provide mortgage lending institutions with access to long term finance at an affordable interest rate, thereby enabling mortgages to be raised by these institutions to Nigerians, at longer tenor. NMRC is also to help create over 200,000 mortgages in the next five years at an affordable

interest rate. Meanwhile, stakeholders in the mortgage sector have continued to express confidence about the prospects of the new Mortgage Refinance Company, saying that it will solve the problems of liquidity in their sector. They expressed the hope that when NMRC opens office for operation, more Nigerians will be able to access mortgage at a single digit to purchase their homes, adding that banks will be ready to assist in the area of finance for housing development due to availability of funds. Deputy General Manager, Imperial Homes, (formerly GTHomes), Mr Bola Aruna, told New Telegraph that his bank is currently working on 14 per cent interest on mortgage for accommodation seekers, explaining that by the time the NMRC comes on board, it will be possible to achieve single digit mortgage. He disclosed that the operators in the mortgage banking sector have been meeting with the management of NMRC to ensure that they get it right, adding that the World Bank and others are putting down funds for a robust operation of the company. He said: “In the next one to two months, the NMRC will begin operation and mortgage

banks will have backing for robust funding for people that want to access finance for affordable homes. “We are looking at single digit but we are starting with 14 per cent, and when we get to the level of NMRC, we will try to get single digit. We are waiting for the NMRC to achieve one digit mortgage and by next month, it will be operational.” He enjoined homeowners to key into housing schemes at various locations of Lagos, saying that his bank has arrangement for home seekers to build up 30 per cent equity while it will help them to finance the 70 per cent balance. “Our bank is supporting the scheme in order to ensure that affordable houses are available for Nigerians. The vantage product of the bank enables home seekers to access housing units at affordable mortgage,” he said. Also, a senior manager from FCMB, Mr Ola Olabinjo, said that when the NMRC commences, his bank would be well positioned to finance real estate investment. He said that his bank is delighted to partner with housing companies that have integrity, noting that with the on-going reforms in the sector, FCMB is taking a second look into the real estate sector.

2014 HALF YEAR review

L-R: Acting Executive Director, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Mr Alade Adeleke, Council Members, Mr Desmond Majekodunmi and Prince Adegoke Ademiluyi at the Flora and Fauna celebration at Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos.

Ogun justifies GIS, LAMS projects SEAMLESS This is to eradicate double allocation of land and ensure easy processing of title documents

gun State government has continued to justify reasons for its investment in Geographic Information System (GIS) and Land Management System (LAMS) projects, The investment, it said, was aimed at ensuring that land administration in the state meets the acceptable global standards. Besides, the state government said it would also help to transform the entire operations of the Bureau of Lands and Survey, leading to complete computerisation of its registry documents into a digital archive, developing a GIS to capture, store, analyse, share, manage and display all types of geographical data in the Bureau and other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and automate the business and workflow

processes within it. Speaking about the project, the Special Adviser/Director General Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo, said it would assist the state government to enforce prudent use of government land and ensure compliance with the various land use policies and building regulations, eradicate double allocation of land, ensure easy processing of title documents and prevent loss of land to other states and the neighbouring Benin Republic. He said the benefits of the project include the increased survey accuracy, faster local searches for property titles, online search facilities, digital archive of valuable land documents and easier processing of title documents, adding that the project would also assist the government to respond quickly to increasing demand for land by investors who intend to establish businesses in the state. He said the re-engineering of the bureau’s business processes and workflow will lead to efficient processing of title

documents. The Workflow Transaction Information Management System, prevents fraud and ensures that senior management can see exactly what stage and where each document is in the process (no more missing files), and with the Single User Sign-on for each transaction, all activities have audit trails and are traceable to Individuals. The paperless system inherently reduces cost of printing by up to 80 per cent. Oshinowo reiterated government commitment to the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS), which has been implemented by IQ Systems Solutions. He said the bureau has scanned all existing land titles and other related documents such as maps and archived digitally. Prior to full implementation, the time taken to retrieve files either for official use or for searches by members of the public has been significantly reduced. He said that the digital archive is also going to be used to provide a computerised search capability at the bureau and online.

Experts not impressed with housing C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

ors and Valuers, Mr Udo Etuk, said that real estate market is not looking bright due to the fact that many people are gearing toward 2015 elections. As a result of this, he said that there has not been major injection of fund into economic activities in the country. According to the President of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), Mr Moses Ogunleye, the Social Housing Bill, a bill to make it mandatory for the provision of houses for the noincome group, is still before the National Assembly. He also stated that nothing has been heard of the capitalised PMBs, but expressed the hope that with the launching of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), things would get better before the end of the year. Also, promoter of Amorit Housing Estate, Osogbo, Osun State, Mr. Kayode Oyewole, explained that a new housing policy has been put in place, while injection of funds into the FMB is on-going coupled with mandatory policy of the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development that certain number of houses must be deliv-

ered across the country within the year. Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos branch, Stephen Jagun, said that there has not been any serious activity in the economy, pointing out that, for now, government remains the main driver of the economy. According to him, there has not been any serious impact that has translated into housing production. He noted that the cost of building materials was on the high side and that people were not willing to pay rent while practitioners have been struggling to recover unpaid rent. On how to revamp the sector, Jagun urged the new housing minister to be proactive towards putting in place site and services across the country for individuals to buy into and build houses. He wants the minister to partner state governments so that land can be made available for schemes. Besides, he wants the minister to go beyond rhetoric and see how the huge money accruing to pension fund, unclaimed dividends and dormant account balances could be harnessed to fund cheap and affordable housing schemes.

property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

BUSINESS The scheme will gulp N2.9 trillion Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

ecretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Pius Anyim, has said that contrary to the general notion that the proposed centenary city is another housing estate, it is just an economic project Anyim gave this explanation during the unveiling of the project in Abuja, saying that the aspect of residential

Centenary City not housing estate, says Anyim area would complement the business concerns. He explained that a Dubai firm and Eagles Hills Properties had been engaged to develop the city at no cost to government. The project is being financed by the private sector, with the Nigerian Sovereign

Road construction: Lagos compensates retiree agos State Government will forum that N1.2 million was Lment not relent in its commit- paid as compensation to the reto her promise to com- tiree on compassionate ground pensate owners of properties along Right of Way (RoW) during any road construction even in some extreme cases irrespective of the social status of the owner. Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat noted this during the presentation of a cheque to a retired civil servant, Mr. Kunnuji Joseph Adeoye, whose property was on the Right of Way (RoW) during the construction of Aradagun- Iworo Ajido road/ Bridge Phase II in Badagry Local Government Area. Hamzat while informing the

despite the fact that he did not have an approved plan for his property, also emphasised the importance of getting proper building approval in order to arrive at a proper measurable standard to avoid loss of property without compensation. The beneficiary in his response appreciated the State Government for the kind gesture and commended the Fashola Administration for being a front liner in infrastructure development. He emphasised that the administration has not in any way been biased in infrastructure provision especially in rural areas.

Wealth Fund Authorities signing an agreement with the Dubai firm to co-invest. President Goodluck Jonathan had, last week, led top government functionaries, business entrepreneurs and members of the diplomatic corps, including General Abdulsalami Abubakar, to unveil the Centenary City which would gulp N2.976 trillion ($18.6 billion). Jonathan, at the event, said that the city would remain an historical landmark for the remembrance of the nation’s 100 years celebration, adding that it would boast of world class facilities when completed. He disclosed that the foundation of a presidential archive/library to be built there

would have the capacity of up to 50 floors and would document all the historical events in the nation’s life and all administrations. Jonathan described the project, designed to cover 1,200 hectares of land, as a city of hope, elegance and symbol of the nation’s unity and assured that it would be a modern city with modern architectural creativity, noting that the project is part of his administration’s drive for sustainable and viable economic project. “We don’t want to build a city where everybody will have maiguard (security guards); we don’t want a city where everybody will dig their boreholes and where everybody will be buying generators,”

he said. Former head of state, Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar (rtd), who is the Chairman of the Centenary City Plc, used the occasion to canvass for peace in the country, noting that it was only when there is peaceful environment that the objectives of the project could be realised. The sum of N2.976 trillion has been mopped up to develop the 1,200 hectares of land earlier earmarked by the FCT Administration for the purpose. N1.2 billion, being 100 per cent compensation, has also been paid for economic trees of the original inhabitants as well as structures of some non-natives situated in the area.

UK announces Right to Build scheme

in the United KingPowneople dom who want to build their homes will be able to

turn to their council to make their dream a reality under new measures announced by planning minister, Nick Boles He announced new rights for aspiring self and custom builders which would enable them to ask their council to identify a shovel ready site for their project. Prospective self and custom builders will be able to register their interest with the local council, who will then be required to offer suitable serviced plots for sale at market value. Boles said that house building is a key part of government’s long term economic plan with custom builders poised to play a key role in that. According to report by Property Wire, research by Ipsos MORI has shown that there are over one million people who are looking to build their own home but the biggest barrier to doing so is finding a suitable plot of land to build on. It means self-build currently accounts for just one in 10 new homes in the UK compared to 60 per cent in Germany, France and Italy and 80 per cent in Austria. Boles invited councils from across the country to come forward to become vanguard authorities, to get the Right to

Build up and running in their area and said that the lessons learned by these areas will then form a crucial part of a consultation later this year, on extending the Right to Build across the country. “I believe that government should help anyone who wants to build their own home to find a plot of land to build on. That’s why we want to give people a Right to Build so anyone looking for a shovel ready plot can turn to their local council and expect them to suggest some suitable sites,’ said Boles. “Building your own home, with or without the help of a local architect and builder, can be much cheaper than buying a new home and offers people the change to design a place that works for them and their family. Becoming a Right to Build vanguard offers councils a way to help local people get a place to live which is designed and built locally,” he explained. The Right to Build is one of a range of measures the government has introduced to help aspiring custom builders. Others include a £150 million investment fund for 10,000 serviced plots that will be shovel ready sites where a developer can be hired to build a home and a prospectus published last week to help developers and community groups apply for funding to prepare the sites.

Model of proposed Abuja Centinary City

Firm floats roof restoration options …Trains youths, artisans on application INVENTION This is to enhance roof durability and beauty

s your roof leaking, dirty or about wearing out and you are contemplating total removal? That may not be in your best interest as Messrs Plus Word Roofing, has come with better options of restoring roof at a minimum cost, without necessarily pulling down the whole roof or move out of the house during repair. Creating awareness while training some youths about the nitty-gritty of the product and its usage, Managing Director of Plus World Roofing, Mr John Igbaifua, said that he was motivated to go into the project due to the roof construction he was handling that developed problems. According to him, his quest to find a lasting solution to the

roof problem led him to roof restoration projects, adding that he discovered that a lot of roof problems could actually be resolved than pulling down the whole building. Igbaifua explained that presently, his company, in collaboration with a foreign partner, is offering special services in roof repair, waterproofing and painting. From experience, he said that the problems with roof have to do with dirt, leakages, deterioration and damages, including truss, while homeowners spend millions of naira to correct the anomalies. Apart from fixing roof problems, Igbaifua explained that the company is also creating awareness about roof restoration, creating employment, empowering entrepreneurs and contributing to the visual attractiveness of the environment. He later introduced Nutech

Paint for a wide range of roof surfaces, saying that it was designed to withstand tough environment by protecting and enhancing the appearance of the roof, while keeping the building cool in hot weather. Igbaifua said: “It saves homeowners from total replacement of the old roof; stops any moisture from absorbing into the surface of the roof; protects the roof in high winds and violent weather; reflects back most of the sun ray thereby making the inside temperature cooler; protects one of the most leak prone areas of the roof; improves the quality and purity of water run-off.” One of the firm’s foreign partners, Mr Calr Evans, also talked about roof repair and water proofing while a manager from the company, Mr Frankin Ojeaburu, talked about general roof maintenance.

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Nigeria explores e-infrastructure for climate data, information EFFECTIVE PLANNING This innovation is to enhance decision making and effective planning for the next generation

ust like other African nations, Nigeria lacks elaborate, comprehensive and real time climate figures that will enable her make appropriate decisions, predictions and preparations towards the looming negative impacts of climate change. However, effort to change this trend, according the EnvironNews, an online portal, is yielding positive report as stakeholders have initiated moves to tackle an apparent limitation of data in the sector.

There is collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) to make a change, courtesy of a capacity building programme aimed at the establishment and use of e-infrastructure for climate change data and information management in the country. Holding at West Africa Science Service Centre and Adaptive Land-use (WASCAL) Centre in the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Akure, Ondo State, the programme ran between Monday and Friday last week. Besides hosting a state-ofthe-art High Performance Computing (HPC), the Centre also operates the Graduate Research Programme on the West African Climate System (GRP-

WACS). Likewise, the HPC is installed in the Department of Climate Change, a UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) National Focal Point. In collaboration with UNDP, the department, a couple of years ago, initiated a process of establishing Climate Change Data Management System under the Japanese governmentsponsored African Adaptation Programme (AAP). According to Environment Minister, Laurentia Mallam, the training is aimed at not only setting up the climate data server, but also to enhance capacity of the designated government focal point as well as other climate change experts in climate change information management for decision-making process towards policy for-

A scene of deforestation in Nigeria

mulation and implementation. She added that the training workshop therefore is expected to ensure that the entire High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure are installed and the staff of the Department of Climate Change together with those at the FUT Akure nodal centre trained on data server administration and use of the infrastructure for climate change and related studies. The minister, represented by Dr Samuel Adejuwon, Director of the Climate Change Department in the ministry, emphasised that the training is in appreciation of the fact that evidences related to climate change deal mainly with spatial and non-spatial data which are more easily captured using geo-informatics and which has made it a lot easier to utilise such data for policy formulation. “Geo-informatics for climate change studies is the art of using infrastructures including mainly satellite, servers, computers and other hardware and software applications and technology for investigating, monitoring, documenting, and understanding the impacts of climate change especially for a more informed decision taking,” Adejuwon stated. He added: “The increasing ability to understand complex, system-oriented phenomena such as climate change is strictly correlated with the need for increasing data and computing resources. The e-infrastructures represent an innovative and unique approach to address this problem. They demonstrated to be an efficient way to share and access resources

of different types which can effectively enhance the potential of scientific research and productivity.” He lauded the UNDP for making the workshop a reality, even as he poured encomiums on the FUTA Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, and the Director of WASCAL Centre, Prof Jerome Omotosho, for hosting the German-funded international centre and making it a “Centre of Excellence.” Also congratulating Profs Daramola and Omotosho, a representative of the UNDP at the event described WASCAL as a large-scale research-focused programme designed to help tackle climate challenge and thereby enhance the resilience of human and environmental systems to climate change and increased variability. “It does so by strengthening the research infrastructure and capacity in West Africa related to climate change and by pooling the expertise of 10 West African countries and Germany,” he stated, adding: “Climate change is an issue that concerns everyone on the surface of the planet – we share one atmosphere, and we truly hold a shared responsibility for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, and supporting efforts to help vulnerable communities adapt to, and build resilience to, the effects of climate change. “There is a need for us at this time to take steps in tackling this problem before it gets out of hand. We need to be able to take decisions, and to make plans if we are to leave something for the next generation.”

25,000km of federal roads in good condition, says minister Dayo Ayeyemi

rom about 5,000 kilometres of fair roads in 2011, the Federal Government says about 25,000 km of the 35,000 km of federal roads are now in good condition, with some of the road alignments competing favourably with roads in the developed world. Flaunting the achievements of the Federal Government in the road sector, Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, stated that throughout the six geo-political zones, travel times have been reduced between origins and destinations, cost of vehicle maintenance drastically reduced, while carnage on Nigerian roads have been reduced due to better pavement design and construction. According to him, economic goods are now better distributed through the nation’s arterial roads with better turn-around times that lead to more profits for entrepreneurs.

All these were contained in a statement by spokesperson of the ministry, Mr Idris Abdulkadir Bosuwa and made available to New Telegraph. The minister however added that the advent of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) that ensured additional funding of selected projects in the road sector has resulted in enhanced service delivery and led to the remarkable progress witnessed in 2013 on the dualisation of four key arterial roads across the country. These include the dualisation of Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja Road, Kano-Maiduguri Road, and the rehabilitation of Onitsha-Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Benin-Ore-Shagamu Expressway, Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Expressway, as well as the construction of the new Loko-Oweto Bridge over River Benue in Nasarawa and Benue States, and the early works on the Second Niger Bridge in Anambra and

Delta states, among others. The minister recalled that the ministry is currently executing 184 contracts across the country, majority of which were inherited by the administration and progress have been made with the rehabilitation, construction and expansion of key arterial projects, including but not limited to the dualization of Abuja-

Lokoja–Benin Road in FCT, Kogi and Edo States; dualization of Kano-Maiduguri Road in Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno States; and dualization of Suleja-Minna Road in Niger State. Others include reconstruction of Onitsha-Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway in Anambra, Enugu, Abia and Rivers states; reconstruction of Be-

On-going construction works on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

nin-Ore-Shagamu Expressway in Edo, Ondo and Ogun States; and reconstruction of LagosShagamu-Ibadan Expressway in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States; construction of Loko-Oweto Bridge over River Benue in Nasarawa & Benue States; andonstruction of the 2nd Niger Bridge in Onitsha/Asaba in Anambra & Delta States.

Why Abuja airport needs a second runway p–38

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

BUSINESS 37

Aerial view of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE writes on the need to sustain the country’s aviation master plan despite some noticeable flaws. Its sustainability would lead to the completion of some airports projects that have been put on hold due to paucity of funds

he question on the lips of many is what happens to some of the projects embarked upon by the former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah? As controversial as some of the projects appear to be without clear-cut vision, stakeholders said that the aviation master plan should be followed to the latter to ensure the growth of the sector. Masterplan Analysts agreed that some of the projects embarked upon by Oduah were laudable, but were quick to point out that some were initiated and propelled by ulterior motives. Work has stopped on many of the projects in virtually all the airports across the nation. Contractors have left sites, prompting observers to insinuate that the projects may have gone the way of others that were met with similar fate in the past. Nigeria has a long history of waste of public funds spent on projects that have no bearing on the development of the sector. One of such was the ambitious aerotroplis proposed for the country. Aerotropolis is great for a country that is focused and has got its act togeth-

Aviation master plan: Need to sustain the tempo er, but the manner with which the concept was pursued, it would make the father of Aerotropolis, Prof. John D. Kasarda, weep wherever he is. Kasarda is the developer of the “aerotropolis” concept, which defines the roles of aviation and airports in shaping 21st century business location, urban competitiveness and economic growth. In 2011, Time magazine named the airport-centred concept as one of the “10 ideas that will change the World.” Already, the House of Representative Committee on Aviation led by Nkiru Onyejeocha has labelled the concept spearheaded by Oduah and her team as a “sham.” But her supporters rose in defence that the concept was best suited for Nigeria at a time the country is seeking Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and one that would open up the country and strengthen her claim to being a hub of aviation in West Africa. Sustainability The onus is now on the Federal Government through the Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Sam Ortom, to ensure that some of the policies of the former minister, which has direct impact on the sector are not abandoned. It is an open secret that once a minister is removed from office, her successor embarks on new project, abandoning the good ones initiated by his or her pre-

decessor. But Ortom had recently during a tour of aviation facilities assured that no project initiated by Oduah would be abandoned. He said: “I want to assure Nigerians that the projects will be completed. The projects are part of the aviation master plan dully approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Every single project that was started in the remodelling plan in the phase one, two and three will be completed. “It is a matter of stepping up our revenue generation. We have massive opportunities and if we are able to close the gap, we will generate enough revenue and with additional funding from the Federal Government, we will execute the projects. I want to allay the fears of Nigerians that the projects won’t be abandoned,” he said. Although, the minister claimed that the N174 billion debts were no bad debts, he explained that they “were tied down to projects as funds be-

This further confirms why we have the commitment of N174b. Some of the commitments are on projects that have not even started

come available and the projects done, the debts will reduce. “You are aware of our aviation master plan and the commitment to revitalise the aviation industry. This further confirms why we have the commitment of N174 billion. Some of the commitments are on projects that have not even started. There is massive work going on at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport as you saw. “This is just one out if the 22 airports that are being done. As we speak, work is going on in other airports. Some have been completed. Agreed, some of the projects have been suspended due to paucity of funds, but you will agree that the 2014 budget has been delayed but it has now been signed into law by Mr President.” Paucity of funds Speaking on paucity of funds, Ortom assured that once funds are released, they would be available to contractors to resume work. “We will make sure that we complete all the projects that are on-going, but even at that, we have to prioritise. For instance, those projects that are up to 90, 80, or 70 per cent completed will be done first. We will programme the projects based on their current level of being completed.” The minister admitted that although the Ministry of Aviation and some agencies are cash strapped, he assured that the projects would be funded

through internally generated revenue, noting that they would strive to generate more revenue and plough it back into the system. “We also appeal to Mr President for more funding and we are confident if there are funds he would oblige us. He is very committed to the revamping of the aviation sector. He is the initiator of the transformation in the aviation sector and for the first time a president is devoting this much attention to aviation in Nigeria and committed to revamping the entire 22 airports in Nigeria. “This is besides the five new international terminals and 15 cargo terminals that will further enhance the economy of Nigeria. Appreciable progress has been made. Agreed we are not there yet but a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step,” he stated. Solution What government needs to do is to priotise those projects that would be beneficial to the people while others that are not too important can be postponed in view of the heavy indebtedness of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) which has been put at over 174 billion. FAAN is seriously bleeding and urgently needs a rescue to stop the haemorrhage. He hinted that the aviation industry welcomes private investors who are willing to be part of the transformation in the aviation ministry.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

AIR RAGE

WITH

Wole Shadare

Why Abuja airport needs second runway

D Dana Airlines MD-83 aircraft

NCAA wants $250m insurance for airports, airspace CAPITAL FAAN as the custodian of all airports in the country is expected to have a minimum of $100 million and $250 million for airports cover Wole Shadare

he Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), fuel marketers and ground handlers in the country’s aviation industry to maintain minimum insurance cover ranging from $20 million to $250 million for their operations. The aviation regulatory body listed non-submission of duly signed insurance policy by the local airlines as part of the challenges it is facing in a bid to carry out effective regulation of carriers in the country. Speaking at the two-day seminar organised for judges and other stakeholders in the aviation industry, the General Manager, Economic Regulation/Facilitation, NCAA, Mrs Anthonia Vincent, said that the minimum insurance cover became necessary in order for all the equipment, facilities and personnel to be properly insured against any unforeseen occurrence. Delivering a paper titled: “Challenges of Air Carrier Insurance in Nigeria: The Regulator’s Perspective,” Vincent disclosed that NCAA had made it compulsory for operators in the industry to maintain minimum insurance cover for their operations. She disclosed that FAAN as the custodian of all the airports in the country is expected to have a minimum of $100 million and $250 million for each local and international airport respectively, while NAMA with

its air navigation services is expected to have a minimum insurance cover of $250 million. Others are NIMET with $20 million, ground-handling companies, $5 million while the agency was currently proposing a minimum of $5 million to aviation fuel marketers in the industry. Mrs Vincent also disclosed that the regulatory agency was faced with the inability of the local carriers to present certificates and evidence of payment of premium from the local airlines as at when due. She disclosed that this was one of the major reasons indemnity could not be easily paid to families of victims of air accidents in the country. Mrs Vincent also observed that some of the airlines engaged in instalment payments of premium against the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM)’s, requirements and involved insurance cover from foreign underwriters without the requisite local contents as stipulated by the law. Besides, she noted that most charter operators in the country do not comply with the local content policy on insurance, but emphasised that the regulatory agency was at the moment discussing with NAICOM on how to address most of the challenges faced with the airlines on proper insurance cover for their operations. She said: “Some Nigerian airlines do not remit their premium to insurance companies as at when due and carry out insurance cover from foreign underwriters without the requisite local contents. Also, there are difficulties and delays in

partial and or full settlement of claims and compensation to families of victims of airlines’ accidents as stipulated in the Act and Montreal Convention. “Also, we are faced with the difficulty of verification of insurance policy documents issued outside the Nigerian jurisdiction in the cause of carrying out our duties. Again, we discovered that some charter operators are not willing to comply with the local content policy on insurance cover. But at NCAA, we are working with NAICOM to address most of these challenges noticed.” She challenged NAICOM to effectively address some of the challenges facing the country’s airlines in the area of insurance. Some of the challenges, according to Mrs Vincent, were high operational cost and low marginal revenue, which she said was militating against timely requisite premium payments. Also, she lamented that the country’s airlines are regularly discriminated upon and unfair treatment by foreign underwriters and brokers, adding that high cost of reinsuring with the Lloyds market of London through the Nigerian insurance companies in particular, has been found to be extremely high. She observed further that Nigerian airlines are currently being subjected to ridiculous high premium payments when compared with their foreign counterparts and urged NAICOM to address some of these challenges if it truly wanted the country’s aviation industry to grow and operate at par with its counterparts from developed aviation countries of the world.

oes the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport deserve a second runway? The answer is a resounding yes. This is coming rather late, but it would do the country a whole lot of good if the Federal Government starts the construction of the second runway for the airport that is described as Nigeria’s second busiest airport. Two serious incidents have made the call more vociferous than one would have expected. First was the crash of a Saudi Arabian B747 airplane on the lone runway. For 18 hours, the airport was literarily closed to traffic as aircraft could not land or take off. Airlines lost money while passengers missed their appointment. The second one is the closure of the airport as announced by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), explaining that the runway needed to undergo rehabilitation. For two days, it becomes impracticable for airlines to operate to the aerodrome. Where did we get it wrong? Most times, Nigeria does not make adequate arrangement or preparation for future growth or expansion. We wait for the last minute or for an accident to begin to have a plan B when in actual fact; it would have been less expensive to have incorporated that plan years back. Pilots told New Telegraph that the Abuja airport runway is riddled with pot holes. This put airlines and aircraft in serious danger. The Federal Government had five years ago planned to build a second runway for the Abuja airport. It was later discovered that the N64 billion earmarked for the project was said to have been over-inflated

Etihad agrees terms for Alitalia investment Dhabi’s state-owned Eti- the Italian flag-carrier “as Athatbu had Airways has confirmed soon as possible.” Alitalia stakeholders voted it has agreed terms and conditions for its purchase of a 49 per cent stake in Alitalia. In a joint statement, the airline said that it would now move to finalise the deal for

on June 13 to accept the Middle Eastern carrier’s offer to invest in the company.

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 0

Airport runway

after the House of Representatives raised the alarm over the alleged scam. He disclosed that the planned second runway at Abuja airport was designed to handle an Airbus A380, the biggest aircraft in the world, with Category 3 airfield lighting, “the body length of that aircraft is 73 meters, body height 24 meters, wind-span is 79. 8 meters and its maximum take-off weight is about 569,000 kg; that is about 600 tonnes. That is like packing 30 trailers with full load of cement. That was the weight that was expected to land on that runway.” A source in one of the agencies who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the contract for the resurfacing of the Abuja runway was initially given to the construction giant, Julius Berger, because of its expertise in handling such delicate jobs. Pilots disclosed that there were huge potholes at the threshold of the Abuja airport runway, but were surprised when the job was taken from Julius Berger and given to another firm which sources said had no experience to handle such jobs. New Telegraph learnt that that the existing runway at the airport was built in 1982 and was meant to last for 20 years. The existing runway has long expired since 2002 and that explained why there is continuous patching of the runway because it has become weak and would give way under the pressure of aircraft landings. We have two runways in Kano; we have two runways in Lagos and of course, Abuja being the capital of Nigeria where effort is being made to develop it as aviation hub for West Africa deserves another runway.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

2014 HALF YEAR review

Several unmet expectations The Nigerian aviation in the half year witnessed lots of events; some healthy while others are nauseating and unbelievable, writes WOLE SHADARE

he aviation industry in Nigeria is one that is constantly evolving amid controversies, unmet expectations and a host of other issues that has made the sector to remain largely underdeveloped. Despite the transformation slogan of a former minister of aviation, it is quite disheartening that the industry is yet to reap from its huge potentials, which are yet to be tapped. Aviation masterplan The year started on a fast pace with plan by various agencies in the sector to begin the full implementation of the aviation master plan handed to the sector by the Ministry of Aviation. Former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, had, late last year, rolled out what she termed a comprehensive and strategic framework of government’s aviation master plan, which she stated was developed after a wide consultation with stakeholders in the industry with the aim of addressing all the challenges confronting the sector. The implementation of the master plan was expected to involve developing the requisite capacity, manpower training for staff of all its six agencies to meet the needs of the 21st century and changing the business model into self-sustaining private sector participation in line with international best practice. She stated that they had also developed a master plan as well as the implementation framework in confronting the sector’s numerous challenges with a view to providing a safe, secure, profitable and self-sustaining world class industry with a distinct airport experience for flyers. This aviation master plan was not without criticisms as many stakeholders, including airlines, alleged that they were not consulted before dumping on them a “working document” on how to “transform the industry.” Many of the aspects of the policy were highly contentious, especially the aspect that mandated foreign and local charter operators to pay $3000 and $4000 per landing and take-off. This was rejected by the operators until the Senate Committee on Aviation, led by its chairman, Hope Uzodinma, called for its suspension until all matters were amicably resolved. The matter is yet to be resolved and may have died a natural death.

Jonathan

There were indications that some controversial aspects of the policy may come under review to make it more acceptable to stakeholders who had raised “vital” objection to some of its contents. Minister, aviation chiefs sacked The sacking of Oduah and some top aviation chiefs was a turning point in the sector. Oduah’s sack was expected and long overdue, considering the pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan not to allow a further stain on his administration by harbouring her in his cabinet. The president bowed to an overwhelming pressure by sacking her on February 11. The former minister who was sacked in absentia (she did not attend the week’s Federal Executive Council meeting) following grave indictment of clandestinely authorising the purchase of two BMW armoured cars at an over-inflated price of N255 million by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) at a time the aviation regulatory body found it extremely difficult to train its personnel overseas. Two other luxury cars were also allegedly purchased for her by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Both the House of Representatives and the Senate found her culpable for going beyond her approval limit and described the action as very insensitive. Her sack brought a temporary lull to the sector as there were fears that some of the projects she embarked upon might be abandoned. However, the supervising Minister for Aviation, Dr. Sam Ortom, has assured that none of the projects would be abandoned, but noted that some of them would be priotised because of the paucity of funds the FAAN has been plunged into.

Ortom

Barely two weeks after Oduah was shown the exit, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, managing directors of FAAN, George Uriesi, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh and Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Capt. Chinyere Kalu, were also sacked under very controversial circumstances. There were insinuations that a former aviation minister used her closeness to the president then to engineer their removal because of their alleged disloyalty to her. After their sack and the appointment of others in their stead, the sector has remained calm with some relative achievements and stability. FAAN’s N174b debts The Nigerian aviation industry was literally thrown into turmoil following revelations that the Ministry of Aviation is broke and many of its projects had been suspended. Tension rose over projects approved or carried out by the former minister. There is also mounting outrage over billions of naira worth of debts incurred by FAAN during her tenure. On June 4 when the House of Representatives’ Committee on Aviation visited project sites at the Murtala Muhammed Inter-

Some controversial aspects of the policy may come under review to make it more acceptable to stakeholders

national Airport in Lagos, the verdict was damning. Many of the projects embarked upon by Oduah did not follow the due process and were even riddled with irregularities that pointed to deception, concluded the committee’s chairperson, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha. The unflattering verdict came even as the lawmakers ordered the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to return the two bullet-proof cars it purchased last year at the hefty sum of N255 million allegedly for the personal use of Oduah. The committee reminded NCAA that it had recommended in its report last year the return of the over-priced cars and the refund of the money by Coscharis Motors Ltd. “What we said about the bullet-proof cars is that the contract should be cancelled and that NCAA does not have any business keeping the cars. It should be returned to the supplier and then recover our money,” said Onyejeocha who led other federal lawmakers on an oversight function at the Lagos Airport. Late in May, Samuel Ortom, supervising Minister of Aviation, revealed that the Ministry under Oduah accumulated hefty debts and as a result, projects embarked upon could no longer be completed while many others had to be suspended. Because of the huge debts, he said, contractors can no longer be paid and newly approved contracts can no longer go ahead. Some reports put the total debt of the Ministry at N174 billion. He explained that some loans obtained for the construction of four cargo terminals in the country had accrued interests amounting to billions of naira. He said that it was in the best interest of Nigeria to settle the debts and review some contracts. In clear and

plain language, the Ministry of Aviation is neck-deep in debts for projects that are yet to be completed. But FAAN’s spokesman, Yakubu Dati, rose in the agency’s defence, saying that the N174 billion was spent on infrastructural projects. New airlines It was not doom and gloom for the sector. There were a few positives. Two airlines, Discovery and Azman began operations to offer flight services. For some time now, Nigerian airlines have been complaining about unfavourable government policy and harsh business environment. They are known to be groaning. For close to two decades, some airlines have gone extinct, with several new ones emerging. But what is the fate of the new entrants if the same problems that caused the extinction of many before them persist? For over two decades, Nigerian airlines and their association (Airline Operators of Nigeria) have been complaining about unfavourable business conditions. They are now known to be always ‘moaning and groaning’ about lack of funds and asking to be ‘rescued’ one-way or the other by government. Just this month, two airlines, Discovery and Azman commenced operations with so much fanfare. There’s always the news about one airline or another about to launch. But alas, no sooner do the new airlines come on board than they join the fray crying about lack of funding and debilitating business conditions. Over the years, there has been an increasing trend of mergers and acquisitions of airlines by foreign airlines with the creation of different models of alliances and the mixing of different business models.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Strong global air travel demand persist in May IRONY African airlines experienced slowest demand growth

he International Air Transport Association (IATA), the clearinghouse for global airlines, has announced global passenger traffic results for May, showing demand growth of 6.2 per cent compared to May 2013. While this represented a deceleration compared with April year-over-year traffic growth of 7.6 per cent, the performance is indicative of improving demand drivers. May capacity rose 5.2 per cent and load factor climbed 0.7 percentage points to 79.0 per cent. All regions, except Africa, experienced positive traffic growth. “We are seeing healthy demand for air traffic to support and help sustain the pick-up in global economic activity,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO. International passenger May international passenger traffic rose 7.0 per cent compared to the year-ago period. Capacity rose 6.0 per cent and load factor climbed 0.8 percentage points to 78.1 per cent. All regions recorded year-over-year increases in demand. Asia Pacific carriers re-

corded an increase of 7.3 per cent compared to May 2013, which was the largest increase among the three biggest regions. The strong performance suggests that downward pressure on demand from sluggishness in the Chinese economy is likely easing. According to JP Morgan/Markit, the measure of manufacturing activity rebounded in May, supported by a strong rise in export order growth. Capacity rose 7.5 per cent, pushing down load factor 0.1percentage points to 74.1 per cent. European carriers’ international traffic climbed 6.1 per cent in May compared to the year-ago period. Capacity rose 5.3 per cent and load factor rose 0.6 percentage points to 80.3 per cent. Economic activity in the Eurozone has been gaining momentum slowly and recent data suggest that solid increases in industrial production and trade should result in acceleration in Eurozone GDP in the second quarter. North American airlines saw demand rise 4.4 per cent in May over a year ago, implying positive underlying economic growth trends with easing pressure on employment levels. Capacity rose 4.8 per cent, pushing down load factor 0.3 percentage points to 83.0 per cent, still the highest among all regions. Middle East carriers had the strongest year-over-year traffic growth in May at 13.2

per cent as airlines continue to benefit from the strength of regional economies, including non-oil production sectors, and solid growth in business-related premium travel. Capacity rose6.9 per cent and load factor climbed 4.4 percentage points to78.0 per cent. Latin American airlines’ traffic rose 9.1 per cent. Capacity rose 6.0 per cent and load factor climbed 2.2 percentage points to 79.6 per cent. The outlook for Latin American carriers remains broadly positive, with continued robust performance of economies like Co-

lombia, Peru and Chile contributing to the strong demand environment, although the Brazilian economy remains weak, with any benefits from the FIFA World Cup likely to be transitory. African airlines experienced the slowest demand growth, up 1.9 per cent compared to May 2013. With capacity up 4.7 per cent, load factor fell 1.8 percentage points to 64.4 per cent, the lowest among the regions. The weakness in international air travel for regional carriers could be in part reflecting adverse economic de-

velopments in some parts of the continent, with the slowdown of the major economy of South Africa. Domestic passenger Domestic air travel rose 4.6 per cent in May year-on-year, with all markets showing growth with significant variation in performance continuing across markets. Capacity rose 3.8 per cent and load factor was 80.6 per cent, up 0.6 percentage points. Growth was especially strong in the developing economies of China and Russia.

L-R: Ace broadcaster and international speaker, Richmond Johnson; Emmy award-winning veteran, Gina London; CNN anchor and correspondent, Ayo Owodunni; CEO, Amplio Consulting, Ayoola Jolayemi and CEO, SwiftThinking Limited and PR Consultant, Israel Bolaji, at the Find Your Edge Leadership and Communications Summit held in Ikoyi, Lagos recently.

What women must know when travelling F

or women, solo travel – business or pleasure – can bring about adventurous and daring experiences. We use it as an opportunity to explore on our terms and meet new people. However, we often get caught up in the Eat, Pray, Love moment, and let down our guard to potential danger or mishaps. Any business or leisure trip can be an unforgettable, positive one if we maintain a balance of caution and risk-taking. To get the most out of your next solo getaway, we turned to some of Amadeus’ brave road warriors for their safety tips that any traveller (male or female) can use. Tip 1: “When I’m entering my hotel room, as I open the

door, I yell, ‘Hi, honey, I’m back!’ to ward off any potential stalkers.” –Jessica Labaire, OTA Marketing Manager Tip 2: “When the front desk clerk asks ‘how many room keys would you like?’ I always say “two” – even though I only plan to use one. This way, a potential lurker/stalker nearby isn’t tipped off to the fact that I’m traveling alone.” – Kristen Goldman, Internal Communications Tip 3: “When traveling alone, I avoid wearing my ostentatious jewels to prevent kidnapping and theft.” – Andrea Vasquez, Event Planner Tip 4: “I use a remote park and ride service with transportation to/from the airport that

Etihad agrees terms for Alitalia C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 8

The deal still needs regulatory approval before it can go ahead. For Alitalia, which has debts of about $1.1 billion, the deal is seen as a way to reverse its troubled fortunes. Prior to its 2008 privatisation, the carrier received several state hand-outs. The Italian airline said earlier this month that the Etihad investment was “an excellent outcome” and would “provide

financial stability.” Etihad, which is considered the World’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards, said the deal would give more choice to air travellers into and out of Italy. The two carriers have been in talks since December, but negotiations are reported to have been held back by Alitalia’s reluctance to make job cuts part of the deal. No financial details of the transaction were released.

offers pick up and drop off at your car. This eliminates wandering through the airport parking lot to find my car.” – Teresa Lang, Small Business Specialist Tip 5: “When I’m checking in luggage, I always take a change of clothes and essential toiletries with me. This way, if my luggage gets lost, I’ll still be able to look fabulous on my first night out in the town.” – Adriana Formoso, Senior Event Planner Tip 6: “I let at least one trusted person know where I’m going/staying, for how long, and if possible a contact number based there, send a quick text to alert I’ve arrived, and another upon return.” – Arlene De la Torre, Sr. Communications Specialist Tip 7: “When I travel overseas, I always wear a cross body bag – not a shoulder bag – to keep my purse valuables safe. Also, I’ve learned to never initiate a conversation with Customs, Immigration or Border control agents – they don’t get sarcasm or humor.” – Beena Samuel, Regional Sales Manager. Tip 8: “Never reveal the hotel where you will be staying in your destination to your seat mate. I had a situation where my flight mate was making a connection and all the flights were cancelled due to weather. As this was my final destination, it wasn’t a problem for me, but the passenger I sat with on the

plane actually came to my hotel, called me on my cell, which he had from my business card, to say the hotel was sold out and he wanted to know if he could stay in my room. He continued to harass me and I had to turn off my cell phone and couldn’t leave my room.” – Paula Turk, Director of Key Accounts Canada Tip 9: “I always request a non-connecting room when I check in at a hotel. I had a bad experience at a 5-star hotel where the connecting door was forced open!” – Guadalupe Robles, Business Development Manager Tip 10: “When exiting or entering my car, hotel or restaurant, I do not text or talk on the phone so that I’m aware of my immediate surroundings. Walk tall and strut your stuff while being alert in unfamiliar territory.” – LaNoma Martin, Business Development Manager Tip 11: “I have a small little mace spray on my keychain that I move to the rental car key chain and have it in my hand anytime I am to/from my parked vehicle.” – Elisa Gonzalez, Senior Business Development Manager Tip 12: “Be aware of your important belongings when using airplane restrooms. Many of us forget to bring our purse with passport or wallet when we go to the lavatory, which leaves us vulnerable to potential thieves.

If possible, use hidden fannypacks for your essential items (ID, money, credit cards).” – Lore Sebelle, Marketing Manager Tip 13: “When I travel to NYC, I always stand away from the train or subway platform.” – Nancy Gale, Senior Business Development Manager Tip 14: “Before leaving the hotel, I pre-plan my walking route. That way, I have a clear understanding of how to get to my destination. Also, I’m not on my phone’s GPS trying to navigate directions or inquiring to random people on the street, which can distract you and put you at risk for street crimes.” – Casey Munck, Marketing Communications Manager Tip 15: “When I’m at a restaurant, I always ask for an extra seat and place my purse on it. It gives the impression that you are waiting for someone, most important, you have your purse at your sight.” – Beatriz Vasquez, Strategy and Planning Analysis Solo travel should be fun, empowering, and more importantly, safe! So, for travel professionals booking travel for a busy executive or free-spirited adventurer, arm them with these helpful tips. After all, you want them to fall into the arms of a Javier Bardem, not a criminal. Compiled by Victoria Soluade, Soltan Travel

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE 41

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

FG’s SURE-P provides N42bn to NRC Sapphire Event Centre, Alakija Lagos, said that the Sure-P Programme, including the Mass Transit, the Social Safety Net of the Government were gradually but effectively making impacts across various sectors and states of the federation. Speaking on the railway, Ohuabuwa said that last year, the Federal Government budgeted N60 billion but only N20 billion was accessed. This year, however, he said N42billion was budgeted and he hoped that the corporation will be able to access it. He said that Sure-P had told contractors that they have to finish the jobs, explaining that after the monitoring of evaluation and certification the job, Sure-P will signal the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay through the Director of Budgets, who is the Sure-P’s accounting officer. The former Neimeith MD/

REHABILITATION The rehabilitation of rail lines, good roads and bridges would boost economic activities Godson Ikoro

he Federal Government has through it Sure-P, programme, has provided N42billion for resuscitation of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), New Telegraph has learnt. Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, a member of Sure-P and presidential economic advisory committee disclosed this to our correspondent last weekend. Ohuabunwa,who was the main testifier at the Eminent Persons'w Chapter of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship (FGBMF) held at Crystal

CEO explained that NRC has four sections on the rail project. The unit from Port Harcourt to markurdi is being handled by ElSA; Markurdi to Kanfachan and Kuru being executed by CCCEC; the third from Kuru to Liago by CCGC and the last one by another contractor. He expressed optimism that before the year runs out, the building of Idu-Kaduna modern gauge rail will be fully built. Ohuabunwa said that 100km of the rail line had been built, adding that by the time the project is completed in December, it will take one hour to travel from Abuja to Kaduna by fast train instead of three hours by road. He said that the Western line from Lagos to Kano, and the eastern line from Port Harcourt, Enugu, Jos, Gombe, Bauchi are working. He said that if not for insurgency and activities of Boko Haram, the Maiduguri axis of

Naira flat amid weak demand for dollar he naira was unchanged Tinterbank against the dollar on the market yesterday,

closed at on Friday. Traders said a unit of Eni sold about $5 million in the market and coupled with weak dollar demand, the naira closed flat. The banking watchdog tightened up rules around forex bureaux towards the end of last month, ordering them to increase their capital base to N35 million, from an existing N5 million and asking them to

amid a slowdown in demand for the greenback from forex bureaux trying to meet increased capital requirements imposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The naira according to Reuters news closed at N162.75 to the dollar, the same level it

register themselves again. It said it did this to curb abuses by currency speculators, but also to tackle money laundering. Traders said the naira should trade within the prevailing range in the week as the market anticipates dollar sales by the state-owned energy company Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

Offer 163.38

Niger lauds Keystone Bank on agriculture support

he Niger State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Kuta Yahaya has commended Keystone Bank Limited for its unwavering support to the development of agriculture in the State. He gave this commendation during the flagging off the disbursement of N77.7million loan to 37 rice producing cooperative societies in the state. Prof. Yahaya according to a statement from Keystone Bank’s Head, Corporate Communication, Mrs Omobolanle Osotule, said that the state government: “Commends Keystone Bank for supporting agriculture in the state”. The commissioner noted: “The private sector initiative and expertise that Keystone Bank brings to the table ensures that giving facilities to farmers is one of the ways government could consolidate on rice production and food security.

Nigeria Deposit InsurThashe ance Corporation (NDIC) said it will continue to col-

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80

where Sure-P domiciled the money and access it, explaining that the bank would then lease out the vehicles to them, and they agree on how to payback. Asked to score to Sure-P, Ohuabunwa said with the utilisation of funding available, he could score 70-80 per cent, while for the utilised, fund, the impact is 100 per cent. He said that even though the money is available, Sure-P cannot spend all it because the National Assembly appropriates the money.

“The Niger State government, through the ministry of Agriculture, has given 25 units of tractors and power generators to be distributed to centres across the state for the original goal in rice production to be achieved. Commenting on this development, the Managing Partner of the Rice Consortium, Mr. Godfrey Ajayi said the project was “designed to cover a total of 100,000 hectares of farmland as well as to capture 50,000 farmers with 30,000 hectare targeted for this year.” Keystone Bank is granting the facility under Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund, ACGSF, in which there is 75 per cent Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, guarantee. The initiative is also in partnership with RHA consortium and The Niger State Rice Investment consortium, the organiser of the loan disbursement.

NDIC partners judiciary on financial stability

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

the line would have been also executed. On the mass transit, he said that the paradigm under SureP is different from the usual type where buses were given to people and after few days, it breaks down and that would be forgotten. Under Sure-P, he said that the mass transit is being financed through the infrastructure bank in form of a revolving loan. He said all those who wanted the mass transit buses, should go to the infrastructure bank

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

laborate with the judiciary to ensure the effective discharge of its mandate and contribute to financial system stability in the country. The Managing Director/ Chief Executive, of the corporation, Alh. Umaru Ibrahim made this known in his keynote address at a sensitisation seminar for Federal High Court Judges with the theme: “The Challenge to Deposit Insurance Law and Practice” held in Abuja. Ibrahim, according to a statement from the corporation, said he observed with concern that a large segment of the Nigerian public had a wrong perception about the NDIC and its statutory mandate; hence time and valuable resources were invested to reverse the trend through effective and continuous public awareness and close collaboration with key stakeholders. He recalled that the corporation sponsored of a similar seminar in 2013 where about 53 Judges of the Federal High Courts actively participated. He however, said the corporation was not oblivious of the fact that some of the judges that benefitted from the last semi-

nar had been elevated to the Court of Appeal or had retired and new judges who did not benefit from the earlier seminar had been appointed to fill the vacancies. Accordingly, he explained that the second edition of the sensitization seminar was organised by the corporation to consolidate on the gains of the previous run and to strengthen its relationship with the courts in the interest of bank depositors and Nigeria’s financial system. He commended the overwhelming support of the courts through informed judgements from the various courts, encouraging feedback from both the bar and the bench and increased public awareness on the dynamics of deposit insurance. In his remarks, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice I. N. Auta said judges had been exclusively designated to handle NDIC cases. Justice Auta pointed out that the sensitization seminar had enlightened the bench on the mandate and activities of the corporation which, according to him, had resulted to more proactive and accurate adjudication of insolvency disputes.

42 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

7-Jul-14

Bonds

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

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

100.00 535.00 500.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 165.17 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

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

0.23 0.79 2.11 2.81 3.06 3.15 3.90 4.98 5.30 7.56 9.69 14.39 14.87 15.37 16.04

10.68 10.78 11.37 11.43 11.38 11.38 11.39 11.49 11.47 11.92 12.12 12.16 12.17 12.18 12.24

10.01 10.09 11.29 11.37 11.25 11.26 11.30 11.41 11.38 11.86 12.07 12.12 12.13 12.12 12.19

99.63 94.95 103.05 108.55 96.14 94.73 97.84 116.75 82.60 121.85 111.65 119.05 102.15 74.68 84.40

99.78 95.45 103.20 108.70 96.44 95.03 98.14 117.05 82.90 122.15 111.95 119.35 102.45 74.98 84.70

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

4,375.01 Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

Description

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.32 0.88 1.49 2.43 2.79 3.00

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.74 13.38 13.22 13.29 12.34 12.37

96.43 89.23 105.27 99.08 97.53 95.03

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

0.08 0.27 1.15 0.75 1.27 1.28 2.78 1.83 3.49 2.46 4.24 2.66 2.66 3.04 3.11 5.38 3.17 3.78 6.39 6.49 3.96 4.00

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

12.06 13.99 15.21 14.03 15.30 14.32 16.93 12.13 13.17 13.09 12.40 12.32 16.10 12.38 12.38 12.48 14.12 12.39 12.66 13.62 12.84 13.35

100.10 99.89 97.19 99.84 98.63 101.39 85.05 102.57 102.24 102.06 105.10 104.80 95.82 105.17 107.95 107.69 101.57 106.78 103.57 105.83 104.87 104.79

07-Oct-14 18-Dec-14 31-Dec-14 17-Aug-15 09-Dec-15 06-Jan-16 29-Sep-16 25-Oct-16 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 22-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 14-Nov-20

0.25 0.45 0.48 0.63 0.94 1.02 2.23 2.30 3.23 2.05 2.01 2.17 2.17 4.21 2.28 2.36 3.48 6.36

1.00 5.21 8.71 4.88 1.00 2.63 1.00 1.34 1.00 1.88 3.48 5.20 5.06 1.35 2.29 6.11 2.16 2.76

11.67 16.08 19.61 15.74 11.72 13.33 12.26 12.61 12.38 13.11 14.71 16.45 16.31 12.75 13.56 17.39 13.54 14.41

99.88 98.88 98.82 96.28 100.51 100.62 101.36 103.13 101.56 109.48 102.53 103.09 101.92 103.92 104.46 99.48 106.64 103.35

11-Feb-18

3.60

1.00

12.39

93.78

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,304.32

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

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

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

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

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

17.00 6.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00 20.00 80.00 30.00 11.40 87.00 5.00 5.00 5.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

572.90

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR Aa/Agusto Nil Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto BB+/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto A/GCR BBB-/GCR BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR BBB/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO GTB µ NGC *UPDC *FLOURMILLS *CHELLARAMS NAHCO FSDH UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER# *TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# *DANA NAHCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

07-Oct-11 18-Dec-09 01-Apr-10 17-Aug-10 09-Dec-10 06-Jan-11 29-Sep-11 25-Oct-13 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 22-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 14-Nov-13

11.50 13.50 17.00 10.00 12.00 14.00 13.00 14.25 13.00 18.00 16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 17.00 16.00 15.25

11.80 13.17 2.00 15.00 37.50 1.50 15.00 5.53 20.00 0.94 8.01 3.63 1.00 35.00 3.00 0.54 4.50 2.05

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

180.17

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

12.00 Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value ($'mm)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.88

4.73

110.38

111.28

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.13

3.92

103.65

104.41

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.30

5.18

107.62

108.52

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

Corporate Eurobonds AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.75

3.09

111.62

112.70

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.96

4.16

104.45

105.91

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.11

5.86

99.58

100.52

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.03

6.41

100.59

102.30

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.68

8.27

94.21

95.49

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

4.83

4.24

113.66

114.76

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.35

6.14

99.57

100.43

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.04

6.62

104.23

105.74

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

5.55

5.28

104.14

105.22

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

ACCESS BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

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

FIXINGS Maturity 17-Jul-14 24-Jul-14 31-Jul-14 7-Aug-14 14-Aug-14 21-Aug-14 28-Aug-14 4-Sep-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.25 10.20 10.45 10.20 10.25 10.20 10.25 10.40

Offer Discount (%) 10.00 9.95 10.20 9.95 10.00 9.95 10.00 10.15

Bid Yield (%) 10.28 10.25 10.52 10.29 10.36 10.33 10.40 10.58

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.5000 12.1016 13.2251 14.0856

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.25

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

10.50

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

162.65 162.93 163.18 163.78 164.95 166.27

162.75 163.19 163.52 164.44 166.14 167.92

O/N Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 10.25 12.28

15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030

28-Nov-08 22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10

15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00

75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

14.39 14.87 15.37 16.04

12.16 12.17 12.18 12.24

12.12 12.13 12.12 12.19

119.05 102.15 74.68 84.40

119.35 102.45 74.98 84.70

4,375.01 Issuer

Sanctity of Truth

28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

***LCRM

Description

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.32 0.88 1.49 2.43 2.79 3.00

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.74 13.38 13.22 13.29 12.34 12.37

96.43 89.23 105.27 99.08 97.53 95.03

0.08 0.27 1.15 0.75 1.27 1.28 2.78 1.83 3.49 2.46 4.24 2.66 2.66 3.04 3.11 5.38 3.17 3.78 6.39 6.49 3.96 4.00

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

12.06 13.99 15.21 14.03 15.30 14.32 16.93 12.13 13.17 13.09 12.40 12.32 16.10 12.38 12.38 12.48 14.12 12.39 12.66 13.62 12.84 13.35

100.10 99.89 97.19 99.84 98.63 101.39 85.05 102.57 102.24 102.06 105.10 104.80 95.82 105.17 107.95 107.69 101.57 106.78 103.57 105.83 104.87 104.79

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 43

Stock market opens on negative path TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,304.32

Sub-National Bonds

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

17.00 6.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00 20.00 80.00 30.00 11.40 87.00 5.00 5.00 5.00

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

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

GTB µ NGC *UPDC *FLOURMILLS *CHELLARAMS NAHCO FSDH UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER# *TOWER# UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# *DANA NAHCO

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.35

6.14

99.57

100.43

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.04

6.62

104.23

105.74

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

5.55

5.28

104.14

REGRESSION

Profit taking takes toll on the stock market

Stories by Chris Ugwu

rading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Market (NSE) yesterday opened the week on a negative note as listed equities lost points and reTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUEfollowturned to red territory ing sell pressure on blue chip Corporate Bonds companies. A+/Agusto; AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO

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

The twin market performance measures, the NSE ASI and market capitalisation, dropped 0.63 per cent as the market tempo lowered. At the close of trading, 23 stocks recorded price appreciation, while 30 others constituted the losers’ table. The twin market indicators, the All-Share Index fell by 273.79 basis points or 0.64 per cent from 43,031.81 last Friday, to close at 42,758.02, while the market capitalisation slipped by N90 billion or 0.64 per cent from N14.208 trillion to N14.118 trillion. 11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT Further analysis of 2014 the day’s 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

trading showed that Nestle Nigeria Plc topped the day’s gainers’ table with N10.00 to close at N1, 100, while Guinness Nigeria Plc followed with N1.77 to close at N196.00 per share. On the flip side, Seplat led the losers with N18.00 to close at N702.00, while Dangote Cement shed N5.00 to close at N245.00. On the activity chart, other financial services sub-sector dominated in volume terms with 125.9 million shares worth N1.5 billion in 755 deals. The sub-sector was enhanced by the activities in the shares of FBNH Plc and Afriprudent Plc. 07-Oct-11 11.50 The banking sub-sector

boosted by the activities on the shares of Fidelity Bank and UBA Plc followed with 117.3 million units, worth N715.3 million

Continental Reinsurance’s profit drops

Reinsurance Plc Cinontinental recorded a 9.5 per cent drop profit for the financial year

ended December 31, 2013. This was contained in the company’s 2013 financial 572.90 statement submitted to the Exchange. 11.80 07-Oct-14 0.25 The company posted a profit 18-Dec-09 13.50 13.17 0.45in after tax of18-Dec-14 N1.58 billion 01-Apr-10 17.00 2.00 31-Dec-14 2013 compared with N1.730.48 bil17-Aug-10 10.00 15.00 17-Aug-15 0.63 lion in 2012.09-Dec-15 09-Dec-10 12.00 37.50 0.94 insurance premi06-Jan-11 14.00 1.50 The net 06-Jan-16 1.02 29-Sep-11 13.00 15.00 revenue 29-Sep-16 2.23 um however, recorded 25-Oct-13 14.25 25-Oct-16 2.30 quarter of 2013. a5.5315 per cent growth to N12.3 30-Sep-10 13.00 20.00 30-Sep-17 3.23 from N10.4 billion, Oloketuyi said that the ad- billion, 30-Nov-12 18.00 0.94 30-Nov-17 2.05 its total assets rose to ditional capital increased the while 09-Apr-11 16.00 8.01 09-Apr-18 2.01 bank’s capacity to do business N25.04 billion from N24.042.17 bil09-Sep-11 18.00 3.63 09-Sep-18 and ability eco- lion 09-Sep-11 to withstand 16.00 1.00 in 2012.09-Sep-18 2.17 22-Sep-11 14.00 35.00 22-Sep-18 nomic shocks. The company has also4.21 pro15.75 3.00 18-Oct-18 2.28 dividend payout of 11 He18-Oct-13 said that the lender had posed 17-Feb-12 17.00 0.54 17-Feb-19 2.36 returned to full profitability kobo per share to its share01-Apr-14 16.00 4.50 01-Apr-19 3.48 due to concerted efforts holders. 14-Nov-13 15.25 in the 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.36 implementation of the first 180.17 The company’s premium phase of its turnaround proj- income had rose from N9.9 billion in the third quarter of ect. 11-Feb-13 12.00 11-Feb-18 Oloketuyi said 10.20 that the 2012 to N11.30 billion in 3.60 Sep12.00 bank’s transformation plan, tember 30, 2013. “Project Leap,” a short-term Commenting on the third Issue Date Coupon (%) Issue Value ($'mm) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) growth project targeting inquarter results, Managing creased market share in re- Director of the company, Dr. tail banking and Small and Femi Oyetunji, in a statement 07-Oct-11 6.75 28-Jan-21 Medium Enterprises (SMEs), 500.00 in Lagos, attributed the4.88 imhad started results. provement to the sustenance 18-Dec-09 yielding5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.13 “We recorded improvements and development of under01-Apr-10 6.38 12-Jul-23 5.30 in profitability and an increase 500.00 writing relationships with in customer deposits on the 1,500.00 existing and new clients and back of our retail and commer- strict adherence to underwritcial businesses,” he said. ing prudence. 01-Feb-11 01-Feb-16 3.75 “In the third quarter of According to him,11.50 the bank 450.00 19-May-11 7.50 500.00 19-May-16 4.96 remains committed to opera- 2013, we continued to see fa08-Nov-13 6.00 08-Nov-18 tional efficiency and focused 400.00 vourable trends across 6.11 our 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 7.03 on containing operating exkey core business indices. 09-May-13 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 8.68 pense08-Apr-12 growth. We sustained the momentum 10.25 300.00 08-Apr-19 4.83

Wema Bank secures $70m to enhance operations

ema Bank said yesterday said it had secured $70 million from foreign lenders to finance trade and lending to small-scale businesses. The bank said in a statement $50 million would go towards financing trade, while the remainder TOTAL OUTSTANDINGwould VALUE help support lending to small busiSupranational Bond nesses. AAA/S&P IFC Wema Bank had posted a TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE pre-tax profit of N590.7 million during the first-quarter Issuer endedRating/Agency March 31, 2014 from loss position of N853 million in the FGN Eurobonds comparable period of last year. BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P In a filing with the ExBB-/Fitch; gross earnings FGN change, rose BB-/S&P to N10.15 billion during the BB-/Fitch; first quarter as against N7.96 BB-/S&P billion. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE The bank had announced Corporate Eurobonds impressive growth in all perB-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLC I formance indicators during its GTBANK PLC I B+/S&P; B+/Fitch financial year ended DecemGTBANK PLC ber 31, 2013. B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC The audited result of the B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY BANK PLC bank the PLC NigeB/Fitch released byAFREN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

rian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos, showed that profit after tax stood at N1.6 billion compared with N5 billion loss declared in 2012. Wema bank’s profit before tax stood at N1.9 billion against a loss before tax of N4.9 billion in 2012. Its operating income rose by 68 per cent to N20.9 billion against N12.5 billion posted in 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 the previous year. The bank’s total assets stood at N330.9 billion or 26 per cent Description growth over the N245.7 billion achieved in 2012. Customers’ deposits appre6.75 JAN 28, 2021 ciated by 25 per cent to N217.7 billion from5.13 N174.3 anJUL 12,billion 2018 nounced in 2012. 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 The bank’s liquidity ratio also rose by 77 per cent from 65 per cent in 2012. Commenting on the re11.50 FEB 01, 2016 sult, Mr Segun Oloketuyi, the 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 bank’s Managing Director, 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 attributed the growth to N40 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 billion Tier6.88 one capital raisMAY 09, 2018 ing exercise10.25 concluded in third APR 08, 2019

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

in 1274 deals. In all, investors exchanged a total of 460.2 million shares, worth N4.3 billion in 5,215 deals.

achieved during the first half of the year with gross written premium growing by 15 per cent. Overall, we are progressing towards achieving our 2013 performance objectives,” he said. According to Oyetunji, the 1.00 11.67third quarter 99.88 report for the 5.21 98.88 showed that16.08 Continental-Re 8.71 19.61 98.82 raked in retrocession premi4.88 15.74 96.28 um1.00worth N11.72 1.40 billion, re100.51 flecting a retrocession ratio 2.63 13.33 100.62 of 1.00per cent, 12.26 101.36 12.40 which is slightly 1.34 103.13 pehigher than 12.61 the previous 1.00 riod of 11.40 12.38 per cent. 101.56 1.88 13.11 109.48 Its loss ratio was 47.90 per 3.48 14.71 102.53 cent 47.40 per 103.09 cent), 5.20 (2012: 16.45 mainly because 5.06 16.31 there were 101.92 no 1.35 catastrophic 12.75 103.92 major events dur13.56 104.46 ing2.29 the year under considering 6.11 17.39 99.48 despite the fact that the com2.16 13.54 106.64 pany to achieve 2.76 was expecting 14.41 103.35 a strong combined ratio by the end of the year. “The firm’s net acquisition 1.00 12.39 expenses ratio stood at93.78 31 per cent and was higher than last year’s ratio of 27.6 per cent,” Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price he said. Oyetunji also said that the Prices & Yields firm’s management expenses 110.38 for4.73 the period under 111.28 review hovered around a 3.92 103.65 N1 billion; 104.41 22 per cent increase over the 107.62 5.18 108.52 N830.20 million recorded in the corresponding period of last year. He noted that the ratio of 3.09 111.62 management expenses112.70 to net 4.16 104.45 105.91 premium income was 10.20 per 5.86 99.58 100.52 cent and slightly higher than 6.41 100.59 102.30 the8.279.50 per 94.21 cent recorded in 95.49 2012. 4.24 113.66 114.76

3,460.00

7-Jul-14105.22

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

**Treasury Bills

10 17-Jul-14 10.25 17 24-Jul-14 10.20 31-Jul-14 10.45 FGN Bonds24 31 7-Aug-14 10.20 38 14-Aug-14 10.25 Issuer Description Rating/Agency 45 21-Aug-14 10.20 52 28-Aug-14 10.25 59 4-Sep-14 10.40 9.25 28-SEP-2014 66 11-Sep-14 10.65 4.00 23-APR-2015 73 18-Sep-14 10.65 13.05 16-AUG-2016 80 25-Sep-14 10.55 15.10 27-APR-2017 87 2-Oct-14 10.70 9.85 27-JUL-2017 94 9-Oct-14 10.30 9.35 31-AUG-2017 101 16-Oct-14 10.70 108 23-Oct-14 10.70 10.70 30-MAY-2018 115 30-Oct-14 10.70 NA NA 16.00 29-JUN-2019 122 6-Nov-14 10.70 7.00 23-OCT-2019 136 20-Nov-14 10.70 16.39 27-JAN-2022 150 4-Dec-14 10.50 14.20 14-MAR-2024 185 8-Jan-15 10.35 15.00 28-NOV-2028 199 22-Jan-15 10.45 213 5-Feb-15 10.45 12.49 22-MAY-2029 227 19-Feb-15 10.35 8.50 20-NOV-2029 241 5-Mar-15 10.40 10.00 23-JUL-2030 276 9-Apr-15 10.30 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 23-Apr-15 290 10.20 304 7-May-15 9.90 *from the Amortising # bonds, the average life is Risk Rating/Agency Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiumsDescription Issuer **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

Modified Duration Buckets

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR

<3 3<5 KWARA >5 NIGER Market KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO

10.00 9.95 10.20 9.95 10.00 Issue Date 9.95 10.00 10.15 28-Sep-07 10.40 23-Apr-10 10.40 16-Aug-13 10.30 27-Apr-12 10.45 27-Jul-07 10.05 31-Aug-07 10.45 10.45 30-May-08 10.45 29-Jun-12 10.45 23-Oct-09 10.45 27-Jan-12 10.25 14-Mar-14 10.10 28-Nov-08 10.20 10.20 22-May-09 10.10 20-Nov-09 10.15 23-Jul-10 10.05 9.95 9.65

953.07 951.30 756.74 2,661.11

NIBOR

Bonds

Tenor O/N 1M 3M Value Outstanding 6M

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 03-Apr-12 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 Weighting by 06-Jul-12 Vol Outstanding

Rate (%) 10.5000 12.1016 13.2251 Maturity Date 14.0856

(N'bn)

100.00 535.00 NITTY 500.27 Tenor 452.80 1M 20.00 2M 100.00 3M 6M 300.00 9M 351.30 12M 233.90 600.00 165.17 NIFEX 75.00 Current Price ($/N) 150.00 BID($/N)200.00 OFFER ($/N) 591.57

28-Sep-14 23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 Rate (%) 27-Apr-17 10.3068 27-Jul-17 10.6081 31-Aug-17 10.7963 10.9143 30-May-18 11.1694 29-Jun-19 11.2370 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 162.6200 20-Nov-29 162.7200 23-Jul-30

4,375.01

Issue Date

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 Porfolio Market Total Outstanding 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 Volume(Bn) Value(Bn) 1,007.04 1,141.24 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 683.70 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 2,831.98 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

10.28 10.25 10.52 10.29 10.36 Coupon 10.33(%) 10.40 10.58 9.25 10.86 4.00 10.88 13.05 10.80 15.10 10.98 9.85 10.58 9.35 11.03 11.05 10.70 11.07 16.00 11.10 7.00 11.14 16.39 10.97 14.20 10.92 15.00 11.08 11.13 12.49 11.06 8.50 11.17 10.00 11.17 11.10 10.79

10.25

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

O/N

10.50

Spot 7D Offer14D Yield 1M (%) 2M 3M 10.01 6M 10.09 1Y

162.65 162.93 163.18 Bid Price 163.78 164.95 166.27 99.63 169.91 94.95 177.74

REPO TTM (Yrs) BidRate Yield Tenor (%)(%) Call

10.25

1M 12.28 0.23 10.68 3M 13.25 0.79 10.78 6M 13.81 2.11 11.37 11.29 2.81 11.43 11.37 NOTE: 3.06 11.38 11.25 :Benchmarks 3.15 11.38 11.26 * :Amortising 3.90 Bond 11.39 11.30 µ :Convertible Bond 4.98 11.49 11.41 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 5.30 11.47 11.38 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 7.56 Mortgage Bank 11.92 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 11.86 9.69 12.12 12.07 IFC: International Finance Corporation 14.39 Contractors Receivables 12.16 12.12 LCRM: Local Management NAHCO:14.87 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 12.17 12.13 O/N: Overnight 15.37 12.18 12.12 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 16.04 12.24 12.19 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Offer ($/N)

Price

162.75 163.19 163.52 Offer Price 164.44 166.14 167.92 99.78 173.53 95.45 184.77

103.05 103.20 108.55 108.70 96.14 96.44 94.73 95.03 NA :Not Applicable # :Floating 97.84 Rate Bond 98.14 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 116.75 117.05 82.60 82.90 †: Bond rating expired 121.85 122.15 111.65 111.95 119.05 119.35 NGC:102.15 Nigeria-German 102.45 Company UBA: 74.68 United Bank for Africa 74.98 84.40 84.70

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

0.00

978.35

17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 Weighting by Mkt 0.00/16.50 Value

6.00 112.22 116.70 Bucket66.49 Weighting

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

0.32 0.88 1.49 2.43 2.79 Implied 3.00Yield

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 Implied 1.00Price Portfolio

11.74 13.38 13.22 13.29 12.34 INDEX 12.37

96.43 89.23 105.27 99.08 97.53 YTD Return 95.03 (%)

0.00 BOND INDEX 24.56 FMDQ FGN

35.81 35.75 05-Aug-09 28.44 15-Oct-09 100.00 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12

OBB

35.56 40.30 14.00 24.14 14.00100.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50

1,304.32 0.36 0.36 17.00 0.28 6.00 1.00 8.50 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00

17.74 36.38 05-Aug-14 45.88 15-Oct-14 100.00 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19

11.40 11.78 0.08 12.21 0.27 11.91 1.15 0.75 1.27 1.28 2.78 1.83 3.49 2.46 4.24 2.66 2.66 3.04

116.8916 133.0031 1.56 98.9277 3.29 117.5428 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00

1,110.23 1,126.22 12.06 1,154.07 13.99 1,116.53 15.21 14.03 15.30 14.32 16.93 12.13 13.17 13.09 12.40 12.32 16.10 12.38

11.0232 12.6219 100.10 15.4071 99.89 11.6531 97.19 99.84 98.63 101.39 85.05 102.57 102.24 102.06 105.10 104.80 95.82 105.17

Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014

Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033

44 BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET

Sanctity of Truth

Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014 Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

No Debt Trading Activity

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at July 7, 2014 Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014 CONGLOMERATES Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033 Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. CHELLARAMS PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY U A C N PLC.

CONGLOMERATES

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 2 27 12 41

Current Price 0.50 33.00 36.90

Quantity Traded 3,000 90,289 30,914 124,203

Value Traded 1,500.00 2,964,258.67 1,152,534.54 4,118,293.21

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 25 25

Current Price 3.01

Quantity Traded 1,187,650 1,187,650

Value Traded 3,589,735.90 3,589,735.90

1,311,853

7,708,029.11

66 Symbol No. of Deals AGLEVENT 7 CHELLARAM 3 3 DailyJOHNHOLT Summary (Equities) SCOA 1 TRANSCORP 496 UACN 55

Symbol

No. of Deals 565

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

Current Price 1.31 3.95 1.15 4.91 5.50 62.37

Current Price

565 Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA

No. of Deals 26 1 27

Current Price 1.34 14.46

Quantity Traded 97,100 9,800 30,000 1,000 77,977,408 333,385

Quantity Traded Page 78,448,693

449,084,181.68

Quantity Traded 583,215 100 583,315

Value Traded 792,397.37 1,374.00 793,771.37

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 69.00

Quantity Traded 91,382 91,382

Value Traded 6,297,999.20 6,297,999.20

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 26 26

Current Price 17.65

Quantity Traded 272,720 272,720

Value Traded 4,828,195.35 4,828,195.35

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol SKYESHELT UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1 Daily Summary (Equities) 2

Current Price 100.00 10.47

Quantity Traded 1,375 1,000 2,375

Value Traded 130,625.00 9,950.00 140,575.00

949,792

12,060,540.92

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers

Published by The Nigerian NIG Stock Exchange © GUINNESS PLC

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

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033 U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Activity on Board EQTY Food Summary Products--Diversified Totals

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

Symbol GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 34 9 97 140

Current Price 196.00 29.40 174.00

Quantity Traded Page 74,697 73,326 540,780 688,803

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 24 24

Current Price 102.53

Quantity Traded 90,478 90,478

Value Traded 9,289,300.86 9,289,300.86

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON NNFM UTC

No. of Deals 32 125 43 44 2 35 1 2 284

Current Price 8.20 9.03 78.00 4.07 0.50 11.18 19.75 0.50

Quantity Traded 99,022 8,564,870 218,616 1,775,329 95,000 624,869 1,000 13,000 11,391,706

Value Traded 805,546.91 79,399,637.34 16,504,490.83 7,241,540.25 47,500.00 6,998,898.06 18,770.00 6,500.00 111,022,883.39

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 53 20 73

Current Price 74.25 1,100.00

Quantity Traded 249,406 146,723 396,129

Value Traded 18,459,916.92 161,407,871.05 179,867,787.97

Daily Summary (Equities)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014 Banking15:16:33.033 Printed 07/07/2014 ACCESS BANK PLC.

DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Value Traded

214,440,509.15 of 14

2,075,161.70 94,153,126.33 110,668,797.18

Quantity Traded 166,124 300,284 466,408

Value Traded 5,902,908.01 16,057,768.40 21,960,676.41

14,033,714

436,942,439.40

Current Price 9.75 6.30 17.10 2.00 29.44 3.33

Quantity Traded 2,672,584 2,750,154 809,083 61,019,057 4,651,239 4,747,147

Value Traded 26,055,987.22 17,341,429.54 13,793,766.63 122,084,464.37 137,312,685.44 15,421,317.80 Value Traded 13,368,957.89 95,671,025.56 9,552,627.89 3,248,946.50 5,073,211.38 4 of 14 256,443,572.69

4,132,993.59

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GNI GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. GUINEAINS INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LAWUNION Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC REGALINS STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STACO Daily Summary UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNITYKAP UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC UNIVINSURE

No. of Deals 36 45 5 1 1 4 1 21 11 26 2 3 2 (Equities) 3 1

Current Price 0.80 1.14 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.64 0.54 0.82 0.53 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,866,405 35,727,600 450,000 2,400 1,000 203,220 2,000 426,534 985,400 2,896,910 15,000 1,400 400 1,400 319,738

Value Traded 3,096,395.37 40,594,534.92 225,000.00 1,200.00 500.00 101,610.00 1,000.00 1,140,102.50 532,126.00 2,385,995.30 7,750.00 700.00 200.00 700.00 159,869.00

Symbol WAPIC

No. of Deals 117 279

Current Price 0.85

Quantity Traded 17,117,165 62,016,572

Value Traded 14,524,841.68 62,772,524.77

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

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.80

Quantity Traded 150,000 150,000

Value Traded 122,000.00 122,000.00

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

Symbol ABBEYBDS ASOSAVINGS INFINITY RESORTSAL UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1 1 2 1 1 6

Current Price 1.30 0.50 1.61 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 500 2,000 1,500 2,000 200 6,200

Value Traded 680.00 1,000.00 2,295.00 1,000.00 100.00 5,075.00

Symbol No. of Deals AFRIPRUD 65 CUSTODYINS 35 DEAPCAP 1 FBNH 458 FCMB 92 Daily Summary (Equities) ROYALEX 1 STANBIC 31 UBCAP 72

Current Price 3.26 3.85 0.91 16.01 4.25 0.50 26.73 2.30

Quantity Traded 22,351,742 4,503,227 500 90,931,957 4,564,453 2,479 177,123 3,425,878

Value Traded 72,880,997.91 17,367,366.38 435.00 1,455,069,202.43 19,279,663.33 1,239.50 4,766,065.99 7,958,911.28

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 125,957,359

6Value Traded of 14 1,577,323,881.82

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. Healthcare Providers Totals

2,321

305,519,537

2,355,591,474.50

Symbol EKOCORP

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 3.72

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 3,540.00 3,540.00

Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. Medical Supplies Totals

Symbol MORISON

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.91

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 910.00 910.00

Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON

No. of Deals 4 17

Current Price 2.43 3.00

Quantity Traded 53,807 1,086,123

Value Traded 130,294.17 3,261,024.23

Page

Value Traded 2,000.00 2,310.00 4,310.00

1 2 3

19,270

Page

Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

No. of Deals 107 10 25 27 46 4 2 1 8 69 299

Current Price 29.00 9.00 39.00 11.59 245.00 1.16 0.50 1.40 5.40 111.00

Quantity Traded 2,176,146 203,190 128,376 373,334 347,468 71,684 4,500 500 271,410 1,193,576 4,770,184

Value Traded 62,896,272.10 1,846,216.46 5,055,295.33 4,266,471.22 86,404,424.89 86,720.80 2,250.00 735.00 1,460,714.00 131,741,927.81 293,761,027.61

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.97

Quantity Traded 11,488 11,488

Value Traded 22,171.84 22,171.84

Symbol

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 16.30

Quantity Traded 21,530 21,530

Value Traded 338,533.30 338,533.30

4,803,202

294,121,732.75

Daily Summary BETAGLAS (Equities)

304

Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 5.76

Quantity Traded Page 16,229 16,229

Metals ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. Metals Totals

Symbol ALEX

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 10.50

Quantity Traded 10 10

Value Traded 99.80 99.80

Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Mining Services Totals

Symbol MULTIVERSE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 20,000 20,000

Value Traded 10,000.00 10,000.00

Paper/Forest Products THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. Paper/Forest Products Totals

Symbol THOMASWY

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.79

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 380.00 380.00

36,739

100,100.20

Quantity Traded 12,483,760 12,483,760

Value Traded 7,009,788.27 7,009,788.27

Quantity Traded 26,776,233 26,776,233

Value Traded 760,030,354.17 760,030,354.17

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

8 Symbol JAPAULOIL

Daily

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals Current Price 63 0.57 63 (Equities) Summary No. of Deals 637 637

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

Current Price 28.00

No. of Deals 1 39 27 99 24 23 9 222

Current Price Quantity Traded Page 10 of 14 0.50 2,000 65.40 126,402 4.54 397,607 198.00 344,329 135.06 35,333 63.18 71,652 171.11 8,327 985,650

Value Traded 1,000.00 8,004,512.16 1,802,977.28 67,969,946.41 4,731,113.07 4,095,656.26 1,436,772.50 88,041,977.68

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 702.00

Quantity Traded 92,525 92,525

Value Traded 64,914,595.40 64,914,595.40

40,338,168

919,996,715.52

939

SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC Advertising Totals Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

SERVICES Courier/Freight/Delivery TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol AFROMEDIA

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 121,000 121,000

Value Traded 60,500.00 60,500.00

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 14 14

Current Price 1.04

Quantity Traded 990,149 990,149

Value Traded 1,035,507.68 1,035,507.68

No. of Deals 14

Current Price 4.80

Quantity Traded 405,378

Value Traded 1,952,698.34

Daily Summary (Equities)

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC

Symbol REDSTAREX

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Value Traded of 14 89,620.40 89,620.40

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

OIL AND GAS Totals

Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033

29,308.00

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER IPWA PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

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

715,367,992.91

No. of Deals 755

Quantity Traded 4,000 1,100 5,100

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors

117,389,406

Symbol

Current Price 0.50 2.21

CHAMS ETRANZACT

Quantity Traded 5,809,407 12,107,819 990,791 6,497,893 5,200,417 Page 10,133,815

FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Exchange © Other FinancialStock Institutions Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities)

Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDOActivity PLC Summary on Board EQTY Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Current Price 2.30 7.90 9.77 0.50 0.98 25.30

Other Financial Institutions

Value Traded 10,938.00 6,840.00 940.00 18,718.00

Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033

No. of Deals 45 161 50 27 53 185 1,274

AFRICA REGISTRARS PLC Daily Summary as of PRUDENTIAL 07/07/2014 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033 DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT & TRUST PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITALon PLC Activity Summary Board EQTY

Quantity Traded 2,220 450 500 3,170

Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014 NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Current Price 36.55 53.01

Current Price 5.00 15.20 1.97

TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

No. of Deals 31 30 61

No. of Deals 5 1 1 7

Activity Summary on BoardTotals EQTY INDUSTRIAL GOODS

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

Page

Symbol CWG NCR TRIPPLEG

CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Symbol STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Value Traded 6,280.00 6,280.00

Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014 Electronic and Electrical Products Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033

3Value Traded of 14 4,131,623.59 1,370.00

8,229,727.71

Quantity Traded 11,000 11,000

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals

Quantity Traded Page 999,190 1,000 1,000,190

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

2,764,702 Current Price 0.59

ICT ICT Totals

Current Price 4.20 1.44

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 111 DIAMONDBNK 62 ETI 69 Daily Summary (Equities) FIDELITYBK 111 GUARANTY 304 SKYEBANK 96

Value Traded 2,775,435.06 266,639.55 1,786,647.20 700.00 4,537.50 8,225,277.71

No. of Deals 35 1 36

618

Quantity Traded 41,171 161,611 1,417,365 100 3,025 2,763,202

No. of Deals 2 2

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Processing Systems Totals

Current Price 68.00 1.64 1.26 7.36 1.50

Symbol COURTVILLE

Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014 NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

No. of Deals 16 15 12 1 4 69 73

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

Value Traded 1 of 14 449,084,181.68

78,448,693

Symbol GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH NIG-GERMAN PHARMDEKO

HEALTHCARE Totals

Value Traded 123,414.80 37,240.00 33,000.00 4,670.00 428,108,635.94 20,777,220.94

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

Real Estate Development Totals Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014 Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Page

Symbol TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 5 19

Current Price 1.97

Quantity Traded 61,700 467,078

Value Traded 115,996.00 2,068,694.34

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 37 37

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,098,455 3,098,455

Value Traded 1,560,189.50 1,560,189.50

Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol CAPHOTEL IKEJAHOTEL TOURIST

No. of Deals 1 13 2 16

Current Price 4.50 0.81 3.88

Quantity Traded 1,000 817,260 1,100 819,360

Value Traded 4,280.00 629,513.20 4,059.00 637,852.20

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 3 6 35 44

Current Price 1.71 1.61 4.60

Quantity Traded 19,850 202,000 1,203,978 1,425,828

Value Traded 32,375.50 322,200.00 5,279,449.36 5,634,024.86

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 31 31

Current Price 0.85

Quantity Traded 2,805,158 2,805,158

Value Traded 2,408,416.03 2,408,416.03

Symbol AIRSERVICE

No. of Deals 4

Current Price 2.45

Quantity Traded 24,000

Value Traded 55,920.00

Symbol NAHCO

No. of Deals 46 50

Current Price 5.00

Quantity Traded 1,828,726 1,852,726

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 33 33

Current Price 6.90

Quantity Traded 424,426 424,426

Value Traded 2,894,216.68 2,894,216.68

245

12,004,180

25,462,406.75

EQTY Board Totals

5,215

460,229,850

4,509,326,656.54

Equity Activity Totals

5,215

460,229,850

4,509,326,656.54

Daily Summary as of 07/07/2014 UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printed 07/07/2014 15:16:33.033 Printing/Publishing Totals

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals Transport-Related Services

Activity Summary on Board AIRLINE SERVICES ANDEQTY LOGISTICS PLC SERVICES

NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

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

Daily Summary (Equities)

SERVICES Totals

Page

Value Traded 9,107,085.46 9,163,005.46

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Daily Summary as GRIFFIN of 07/07/2014 VETIVA 30 ETF Printed 07/07/2014 Exchange 15:16:33.033 Traded Fund Totals

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

ETF Board Totals

No. of Deals 1 4 5

Current Price 2,072.00 19.52

Quantity Traded 9 689,724 689,733

Value Traded 18,648.00 13,463,438.72 13,482,086.72

689,733

13,482,086.72

689,733 Page

13,482,086.72 13 of 14

FEATURES

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

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

War in the House of God

he love of God, it seems, is waning even in the House of God. The church, it also seems, is now attracted to the world rather than attracting the world.

Strive, avarice and almost all other vices preached against by Jesus Christ now reign supreme in most acclaimed worship centres. Crises over leadership, pecuniary gains and other mundane issues have continued to rock many churches and religious movements. No church is immune. These unfortunate incidents have now become the lot of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church (Jah Zion). Bloody clashes are now almost a daily occurrence in the Jah Zion over leadership tussle. Many members and leaders now have one nasty experience or the other to relay. Many of them are now nursing wounds inflicted on them by hired tugs, while others missed death by a whisker. Trouble started over who should succeed the late General Overseer (GO) and founder of the church, Prophet Oni Jolugba. According to investigation, the crisis has polarised the church along the lines of those loyal to Jolugba’s biological children and those queuing behind Mr Kayode Obas. Obas, a native of Mopa, is claiming to be the GO of the church with headquarters at Isanlu in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State. Many members may have difficulty erasing from their memory the terror, bloody clashes, burnt houses and church and vandalised properties worth millions of naira allegedly wrought on them by the faction loyal to Jolugba’s two sons. Jolugba, it was learnt, received the call to found the church while he was a tailor at Ikare Akoko in Ondo State in the early 1970s. Within a space of time, the church had grown to an international spiritual centre with a very large congregation, some from Europe and America where branches were established. This overwhelming population of worshippers and increasing expansion of the church made Jolugba to move the headquarters to his hometown of Isanlu, basically for easy administration. Obas, an orphan from a neighbouring village Mopa now in his

The leadership tussle in Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Jah Zion, has left many people wounded while several cars, houses, hotel and other property worth millions of naira have been damaged, writes CAMILLUS NNAJI

The burnt GO’s house

40s, was brought to Jolugba who adopted him as a foster son and trained him. Obas served the prophet both in the church and at home. For over 30 years, according to Obas, he served the prophet who sent him to school until he graduated as a pharmacist from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife in 1997. After his youth service, Obas resettled at Isanlu with Jolugba and immediately started to put his pharmaceutical profession into practice. Obas said he owned a pharmaceutical shop and later built a 50bed hotel in the area. Before his death at a convention, Jolugba was said to have anointed Obas in front of the congregation as his next successor as the GO of the church. He reportedly handed over to him the certificate of the church. The move, according to Obas’ loyalists, did not go down well with Jolugba’s biological sons, Michel and Temitope Jolugba. Consequent upon this, after the death of their father, the sons who were said not to be members of the church came back to take over the leadership of the church. The attempt was resisted. It snowballed into a bloody attack. “After Jolugba’s death, his two sons came to take over the church. But when he was alive, they were neither in good terms with their father nor were members of the

church. Their mother had also left their father 16 years before his death in May 2011. “Early this year, they came to the church and collected tithe and offering and beat the elders of the church to stupor, saying it was their father’s property,” Obas said. The GO added that when the crisis became intense, he called the Board of Trustees’ meeting. “We agreed to vacate the church for peace and we moved to a new place on February 16. But they were not done; they came back to set the new place on fire. We reported the matter to the police in Lokoja. “Three of the 17 people who took part in setting church, the hotel, my personal house and the pharmacy ablaze were apprehended and charged to court,” he added. On May 19, it was alleged that Mike went to his father’s wife, Mrs Helen Jolugba’s house around 3pm and locked her inside with the intention of setting the house on fire. Obas said he invited the police. Before the police arrived, according to him, some neighbours broke the padlock and rescued the woman. He added that Mike and his group later laid ambush for Helen and her sister, Abimbola, beat them up and injured Abimbola with an axe and a cutlass. Obas said the women were rescued and rushed to the hospital. He also alleged that he was told

Obas

that the group and Bagido youths in Isanlu were searching for him. When they could not find him, they set fire to his 50-bed Jolukayo Hotel, Jolukayo Pharmacy, his personal house and 10 cars. They also allegedly vandalised 50 computer sets and ultra-sound laboratory. “I escaped and ran to the commissioner of police in Lokoja to lodge a complaint on May 22. The police made some arrests but when the police left, at night, they went back to the hotel, vandalised five more cars, and burnt all the properties in the hotel,” the GO added. When contacted, the Deputy General Superintendent of the church in Omuo Ekiti, Superintendent A. A. Adeyemo, said “these boys don’t understand anything about Jah Zion Church. When we C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 6

46 FEATURES

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

C&S Church: Festering bloody leadership crisis

The burnt hotel and vehicles

Vandalised pharmacy and UItra-sound laboratory

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

were contributing money to build the church, the chil¬dren were nowhere to be found, they were even attending a different church with their mother”. Also speaking on the issue, Special Apos¬tle Oluyori, who is in charge of the church in Akure, Ondo State, said “we have talked to these children but they are adamant. Children don’t inherit their father’s church. I am a co-founder of the church but since Baba (Jolugba) handed over the church to Kayode Obas, we must fol¬low him”. In his own reaction, the leader of the church in Kabba, Apostle Peter Jimoh, said the children wanted to destroy the good name of their father. He said: ‘We are not interested in their father’s personal property, but the church belongs to us, and Jolugba. Before he died, he handed over the leadership of the church to Kayode Obas. Wherever he is going, that is where we will go.” Obas also accused the lawmaker representing Yagba Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Henry Ojuola, of fuelling the crisis. “Ojuola went to the church and was inciting the congregation not to accept my leadership because I am not from Isanlu. Because of this, we decided to move the administrative department of the church to Kabba,” he said. But when contacted, Ojuola denied any involvement in the crisis. He said: “I am a lawyer and a legislator. I came across Jolukayo (Obas) for the first time when he came to my office on February 3 with one Samuel Ajengbe who I know very well and another person called Abimbola Elijah who claimed to be a prophet with C&S

One of the vandalised vehicles

Church. “The aim of their visit was that because as an honourable member of the House of Representatives, I have influence over members of my constituency. They requested me to come to their church and speak to the members to make Obas their new spiritual leader because the late founder of the church made him his successor before he died. “What I asked him was whether he was given the certificate of Incorporation of the Church, which when he said no. I asked him to make sure he gets a certified copy of the certificate to empower him as the leader of the church. “I told them I am not a member of their church, but for the purpose of peace, I asked them to meet me on February 8. I invited three members of the church to come but they did not turn up, I told them to leave it till the following week, but Samuel said it was too long. “The following Tuesday, the people of the church told me that 17 of them have been arrested. On my capacity as their representative, I went to the police station to ask if their offence was bailable. The po-

lice told me they can be bailed since it was a civil matter. I bailed them and guaranteed their appearance whenever they were needed. “On April 13, I went to the church, I cautioned them; I warned them against any form of violence. I left there under 10 minutes.” Ojuola also said he did not know those behind the burning of Jolukayo properties. He said: “I don’t know those who are responsible for that. I pity him. I cannot support violence. But I learnt that out of the 17 arrested members of the church, three were charged to court on allegation of beating people and stealing N120,000 at that time. I am a progressive man who has no interest in religious bigotry or vandalism.” Ojuola explained that Obas also spoke to him concerning Jolugba’s properties which he said the man gave him in a will. He said: “If there is a will and it is written in his favour, nobody will argue with him. That is what I told him. If what he showed me as the will is true, who am I to determine who owns a private property or who becomes the spiritual leader

of a church?” On whether Kogi State Government was aware of the crisis, Obas said the Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) came to the church sometime to see things for themselves. “But what I wanted the government to do is to fish out the sponsors of this crisis and apprehend them. “Recently, I have started receiving strange calls telling me they will kidnap my wife and two kids if I do not settle the matter with them and the police will not help me.” Obas also disclosed that the value of the vandalised and looted properties runs into hundreds of millions of naira. But despite the brouhaha, Obas believed that C&S Jah Zion was intact. “The only problem we have is in this Yagba locality. Our branches in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Akure are intact and solidly behind us,” he added. However, the case has become even more complicated because after granting bail to those charged to court, some of them allegedly attacked Obas loyalists which made the court to remand them. But when contacted, counsel to the first and fifth accused, Mr Liman Saliu, said his clients knew nothing about the crime. He said: “They were not arrested at the scene of the crime; many of them were arrested at their homes. For instance, a woman was arrested at the time police came to pick her father. “Another man, a hunter, was arrested while coming back from hunting. He was arrested alongside one other security man for possessing firearms.”

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

NDLEA condemns incessant attacks on operatives Musa Pam

Jos

L-R: Special Apostle Davies; Primate M. F. Igbasan; Senior Superintendent G. F. Akinadewo; Senior Superintendent I. A. Odedele and Superintendent J. K. Akinadewo, at the founder’s anniversary of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide, Oke-Ira Parish, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State…on Sunday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Ramadan: Kano Govt spends N250m, uncovers fraud Muhammad Kabir

Kano

ano State Government said it has spent over N250 million for the 2014 free Ramadan feeding programme across 176 centres in the eight metropolitan local governments of the state even as the government uncovered fraud in one of the centres. The Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Usman Bala and the leader of the free feeding programme told newsmen that they uncovered the fraud at Kumbotso local Government area were some committee members were found diverting the grains meant for the free

feeding and low quality food items. He however noted that the free feeding is undertaken with all sense of transparency because the Deputy Governor who is the committee chairman had made it difficult for anybody to steal from the food items. Bala hinted that all the five committee members each from the 176 centres across the 8 metropolitan cities get N10,000 as allowances apart from the free food items and clothing given to them. “So if anybody is found committing fraud by way of diverting the food items, he should be dealt with accordingly.” He said the feeding was

aimed at assisting the less privileged who could not afford to feed themselves during the Ramadan fasting period, noting that the free feeding Programme has no political undertone, because it has been there since the beginning of the democratic dispensation in 1999. He said that the state government has so far purchased over 720 thousand bags of grains distributed for the exercise, adding that the feeding is taking place in all the 176 centres while the Headquarters of Kano Printing Press is where the food items are stored. Bala noted that fivemember committee was constituted in each cen-

ter with an Imam as the chairman, adding that N10, 000 is being disbursed to each centre as soup ingredients. He also said that N10, 000 would be given to each cook and a pair of wax at the end of the fasting period and pointed out that the token amount due for each cook is not meant to pay for the services they rendered but encourage them. He insisted that the program is been conducted with all transparency and prudency required, adding that government purchased the food items directly from markets, using market price, and that sometimes they even get discount because of the bulky nature of the supply.

he Plateau State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has decried incessant attacks of its members by some communities in Jos, warning it will henceforth deal ruthlessly with youths who engage in illicit drug deals. Addressing residents of Gangare community in Jos at a workshop organized by the Centre for Advocacy of Justice and Rights, CAJR, the Command's Exhibit Officer, Mr. Etsu-Banshi Daniel said youths who are high on drugs repeatedly attack his men sent to sanitize the city leaving many of them critically injured. The Exhibit Officer who enlightened the community members on dangers of drug abuse also urged the elders to assist his Agency in mo-

bilizing drug-free youths to preach the message of abstinence as well as rehabilitate those who abuse drugs to become useful members of the society. According to him, drug abuse has been a menace threatening all of the society and many youths are engaged in it. “We always send our officers to black spots in town to clear these black spots but unfortunately, some of these youths high on drugs always attack our men. We have taken a position to address this development and many communities are cooperating with us by calling on us to help them rid their areas of illicit drugs. We call on elders of Gangare community to emulate this and mobilize youths to clear the black spots where drugs are abused and we will help sanitize the areas and rehabilitate the youths," he said.

UNILORIN: NSDC to build sugarcane factory Biodun Oyeleye

Ilorin

he National Sugar DeT(NSDC) velopment Council and the Univer-

sity of Ilorin have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the building of a sugarcane bio-factory at the University. Speaking at a ceremony in the Vice-Chancellor's office, the NSDC Executive Secretary, Dr. Latif Busari, explained that when completed, the bio-factory would provide high-yielding, disease-resistant sugarcane seedlings for the use of sugarcane factory estates and out-grower farmers across the coun-

try. Busari who said the seedlings would be mass produced through tissue culture in-vitro multiplication process further stated that the seedlings’ production would be need-driven, thereby eliminating wastage. In addition, he said that the Council would leverage on the competence of the University of Ilorin to ensure the success of the project. The NSDC boss also disclosed that the council would be seeking greater collaboration with the University of Ilorin because of its track record of academic excellence, research output and stable academic calendar.

APC, LP members join PDP in Ondo ‘Agric key to development'

Okeowo Babatope ot less than 2,000 members of ruling Labour Party (LP) and opposition All Progressive Party (APC) in Ose local government area of Ondo State yesterday dumped their parties for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Led by the former APC leader, Daniel Ekundayo Asekhamen, the new PDP entrants said they decided to join the party in the state because its' internal democracy. They commended the PDP leaders’ efforts for the new vigour and the repositioning taking place across the length and breadth of the state. A chieftain of the party in the local government,

Hon. Thompson Ayegunle said the PDP is poised to win the state in future elections. Ayegunle said the people joined PDP because they are fed up with their former parties, which lacked internal democracy unlike PDP saying the membership drive embarked upon by the leadership of the party in the state is yielding positive results. He expressed optimism that the PDP would take over the state in the next governorship election, saying the people who joined the party have seen the light through the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan and would not want to be left out from the main-

stream of Nigeria politics. His words: "The people have seen the light and this light will give hope to the common man in Ose local government and the state. They have left LP because they are fed up with the style of leadership and have dumped the party to realize their political dreams.” Ayegunle who said he would be contesting for the House of Representatives in the next general election said the southwest geo-political zone has staged a comeback to the mainstream of Nigerian politics, saying with the victory of Mr. Ayo Fayose in Ekiti state, the party would go ahead to win over all other South West states.

Shola Adefuwa eader of the Young Professionals for Agriculture Development (YPARD), a Non Government Organisation Mr. Olawale Ojo has urged Nigerian youths to invest in farming. Ojo said this at a press conference recently in Lagos institing that, it is indeed sad because Nigeria is blessed with all requirements to feed the country and the rest of the world. “There is an increasing youth unemployment that is becoming an increasing burden to our economy. All these are issues we all know and have many times discussed. But of course we cannot keep dwelling on

problems”, he stated. According to him, ten years ago, African leaders peered into the future and decided to plan ahead. They agreed to invest at least 10% of their budgets in agriculture in what is called the “Maputo Declaration”. Ojo stated that, unfortunately, only a handful has done so; like. Ghana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mali and Burkina-Faso and Others. Nigeria, for example, has reduced its allocation annually, with a mere 1.47% allocated to agriculture in the year 2014. The question, therefore, is what needs to be done." According to him, governments need to pay attention to the next gen-

eration of farmers who are highly energetic and also interestingly trying to find a path in the sector despite the negative impression around agriculture. He further added that government needs to develop policies that will create an enabling environment for the youth. “They also need to develop partnership and collaborations with the private sector for the capacity-building of youth and women in agriculture, develop the value chain, improve access to market locally, regionally and globally, and provide infrastructures that make rural economies beneficial for Agri-producers and other rural dwellers," he added.

48 NEWS

MISSILE

PDP and APC are firing from the mouth as usual Stories by Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

sun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the August 9 election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, yesterday told Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate that no amount of propaganda would save him from defeat at the polls. He also accused the governor of blackmailing and maligning his personality ahead of the election. Omisore, who described the attitude of the APC as undemocratic in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo by his Director of Media and Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi, said no charac-

OSUN 2014

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Propaganda will not save you from defeat, Omisore tells Aregbesola ter assassination plot by the party will save the governor from imminent defeat on August 9. Odeyemi argued that blackmail and propaganda are the trademarks of the APC, assuring the people that “the party’s tricks and pranks would

not stand the test of time.” The director of publicity further said that the APC embarked on its campaign of calumny, because it knows that its popularity rating has dropped among the electorate.

He, however, charged members of the public to disregard the APC mudslinging, saying the party is not a serious one, but ‘an association of blackmailers and propagandists, who takes interest in assassinating the characters of innocent people

to achieve their aims.” The spokesperson said gone are the days when people could be cajoled with political pranks, but not now, when the electorate has become wiser. Reacting to the allegation yesterday, APC Director of Publicity and

‘Akande rode on our man's back to become governor’

Speaker, Osun Fblyormer State House of Assemand running mate to

Labour not ready for alliance abour Party governorLState, ship candidate in Osun Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, yesterday vowed never to go into alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or its representatives in the August 9 election. Akinbade, who said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo, was reacting to the rumour making the rounds that he has gone into alliance with the PDP. “With the support of God and the people, nothing and nobody can make me go into alliance with the PDP or any other party as I am determined to go by my dream and destiny. “I will never to go into alliance or any related arrangement with Senator Iyiola Omisore or any other candidate from any party, because doing so would amount to letting down a generation. Meanwhile, the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) candidate in the election, Mrs. Foluso Makanjuola-Oyenuga, at the weekend, defected to the Labour Party (LP) with the affirmation that she was joining the LP to help chase out the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

L-R: Deputy Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Akintunde Adegboye; Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Loaye-Tomori; Wife of the Governor, Sherifat Aregbesola; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Iyalode of Osogboland, Mrs Alake Kolade; Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun; Executive Secretary, Osogbo Local Government, Mr. Isiaka Faramade; Developer/Managing Director, Edward Property Konsult, Engineer Femi Oshoniyi; Iyaloja of Osogboland, Mrs Awawu Asindemade; Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Basiru Ajibola and others, during the official commissioning of Ayegbaju International Modern Market in Osogbo…yesterday

N350bn debt: DMO has vindicated us, says governor

sun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said that the confirmation by the Debt Management Office (DMO) that the state’s debt is sustainable, has put to an end lies by the opposition that his administration was indebted to the tune of N350 billion. Aregbesola said: “My government has been vindicated over the rumoured N350 billion debt said to have been owed by Osun State.” Speaking through his Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Governor Aregbesola said “the confirmation by the DMO that the state’s debt is sustainable has put an end to the lies of a

mischievous opposition. “The statement from the DMO has exposed the fraud, mischief and sinister motives of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyiola Omisore, his Social Democratic Party (SDP) counterpart and former Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Segun Akinwusi, and others bandying unrealistic and mischievous debt figures against the state. “The opposition’s crude and wicked resolve to tell lies against my administration is a failed strategy. “Once more, our government has been vindicated over the wicked rumours being circulated by the opposition that our state is heavily laden

with debt amounting to N350 billion. He continued, “this government has refuted the blatant lies at several fora, yet the opposition has persistently fabricated more lies all aimed at turning the people against this government. “The revelation of the sustainability of our debt, coming from a very important agency has nailed the coffin of the opposition’s lies against our government. “The raked-up figures of N350 billion debt has now been shattered, leaving those opposed to our administration with nothing to say again. According to him, “this story could not have been better told; and told at a better time than

this. The Machiavellian plot of the opposition to frustrate government efforts and create disquiet between us and the people has thus failed abysmally” . “The opposition should point to just one of its lies against the Aregbesola administration that has ever stand the test of time. “They said Aregbesola’s education reforms are controversial; Senator Uche Chukwumerije led the PDP-dominated Senate to Osun to investigate it. He came out to tell the world that Nigeria as a whole must adopt the Osun example in education, if the country is genuinely interested in solving the rot in its education sector.”

Akinwusi writes Osun public servants, clears self on pension scheme sun State Social DemOgovernorship ocratic Party (SDP) candidate, Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi, yesterday wrote the state public servants, explaining his role over the issue of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Akinwusi, who retired as Head of Service (HOS) in 2012, in a let-

Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, described members of the PDP as mischief makers, charging the public to disregard the party’s claims. Oyatomi said the PDP is the architect of evil perpetrators that should not be associated with.

ter titled; “Dear Compatriots – Putting the Records Straight,” said everything done by him on this issue was in the interest of the workers. The former HOS called on them to support his ambition to free the state from what he called the “locusts’ invasion,” saying that he can never

betray his constituency. Rather, he asked the public servants to ask the Rauf Aregbesola’s administration to tell them the whereabouts of funds contributed into the scheme by them. “There has been insinuation and innuendos about the vexed issue of Contributory Pension

Scheme; I therefore need to clarify all misinformation and misgivings connected to same. “Let me say that for eight years and eight months that I was in the saddle as HoS, I did not for once betray you. In fact my loyalty to the service surpassed that of the political class, be-

cause I did not come from the blues to become your HoS,” he said. According to him; “When the Contributory Pension Scheme became operational at the federal level in 2004, because pension was put on the Exclusive List of legislation, it was compulsory for states to adopt same.

Senator Iyiola Omisore Hon. Adejare Bello, yesterday said that it was on the popularity, steadfastness and mobilisation of Omisore that Chief Bisi Akande rode to become a governor of the state. The former Speaker, who made the assertion in a release made available to newsmen in Osogbo, argued that it was on record that “without Omisore’s political mobilisation, Bisi Akande would not have become the governor. “It was when the relationship went sour that Omisore was labeled as a criminal. He is not a criminal and they know it. “Workers in Osun will not forget what I stood for during the Akande days, when mass retrenchment stared the workers in the face.

PDP candidate promises gainful employment eoples Democratic Party Pdidate (PDP) governorship canin Osun State, Sena-

tor Iyiola Omisore, yesterday said he would do all he could to provide gainful employment for the people if elected on August 9. Omisore, who made this known while speaking at Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government, added that if voted as governor, humanity capacity development would be at the centre his programmes. He said: “I will ensure that gainful employment and wealth creation are given a pride of place in my administration. “Job creation will be made attractive to people in terms of remuneration and allowance.” The PDP candidate, however, condemned the present OYES employment programme created by the Rauf Aregbesola administration, where he said graduates are paid stipends and are made to do menial jobs.

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Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Tension in Mubi as traders protest relocation order Ibrahim Abdul

Yola

ear of uncertainty gripped the commercial border town of Mubi in Adamawa state as Traders yesterday protested a directive by soldiers for all owners of kiosks, meat sellers, tea sellers and other businesses along major roads in the commercial border town to relocate. The traders took to major roads and later trooped to the emir’s palace to register their grievance, lamenting that the one week ultimatum given to them by the Local Government council based on directive from the army was not only unfortunate but

wicked. "I can tell you vividly, over twenty thousand people including women making beans cake would be affected by this action. They gave us one week to relocate but they did not tell us where to go! This is inhuman! "Are the soldiers here to protect us or to harass us? We are under curfew from 7 pm to 6 am for months. “As if that is not enough, the army reviewed the curfew to 6 pm. We did not complain as well and now they are saying we should stop our businesses or relocate for security reasons, why?" One of the traders’ leaders, Muhammad Aminu lamented.

To this end, he stressed the need for the federal government to intervene in the matter saying the people of Mubi had suffered enough. Also, another trader who identified himself as Aboki Joel said they had never seen such terrible experience they were now undergoing in Mubi. "We have been loyal and in full support of the soldiers in Mubi making this move to deprive us of our source of livelihood worrisome. In Maiduguri and Yola today, the effective time for curfew is 11 pm to 5 pm but sadly the situation in Mubi is different. "We were placed under 7 pm to 6 am curfew for months and we did not

complain. The curfew was further tightened in spite of the Ramadan fast to 6 pm, we still did not complaint and now they said we must relocate our businesses within one week with nowhere to go", Joel lamented. Other residents of Mubi expressed concern that the action had further heightened activities in the commercial town, particularly at this time of Ramadan. But when contacted, the chairman of Mubi North, Alhaji Sahabo Jauro urged the people to remain calm and appreciate the army’s effort to continue to ensure the security of lives and properties in the state.

Imo roads: Owerri union charges Okorocha to declare emergency Tony Okafor

Awka

he Owerri Progressive Tbranch Union, Anambra state has called on Gov-

ernor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state to declare a state of emergency on roads in Owerri zone which they said had remained impassable over the years. Rising from a meeting yesterday in Awka, the Anambra state capital, the chairman of the union, Mr. Henry C. Oparah described roads in the area as dead traps. He listed some of the dilapidated roads to include Orji / Egbu / Ntu / Umuoma-Nekede Ihiagwu; Ulakwo / NguruUmuneke Ntu / Akwoe-

Amosun pledges bursary for protesting Ogun students Kunle Olayeni

Abeokuta

State Governor, Osun,gun Senator Ibikunle Amoyesterday promised

L-R: President, We Care for Humanity, Princess Maria Amor; President, China-United States Business Association, Mr. Ben Lai; Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Lagos State, Comrade Ayodele Adewale and his Imperial and Royal highness, Prince Gharios of Ghassan, Al Numan VFFF, at the United Nations Plaza, New York, United States of America… recently

JDPC raises the alarm over food scarcity Tony Okafor

Awka

c iv i l society group, the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) has raised the alarm that the current security challenges in the country could result to high food scarcity. The commission made the prediction on Monday in Onitsha at the inauguration of its awareness programme on global food sustainability with theme "Right to Food". The Executive Director of JDPC, Rev Fr. Ed-

win Udoye, who said this in his address, said there was need for deliberate and collective effort to prevent the impending food shortage predicted for sub-sahara Africa. According to Udoye, the rising displacement resulting from terrorism, threat to farmers and farmlands as well as natural disasters was becoming a huge threat to food productivity not just in Nigeria but beyond. He called on households to embrace agriculture no matter how small in order to be food self-reliant, while urging governments and corpo-

rate bodies to evolve programmes and policies that would encourage agricultural productivity in Nigeria. He said: "The world today has confirmed records of food crisis as a result of many factors that have forced people to become migrants in their own lands. Many people are victims of war, tribal and religious conflicts, natural disasters including flooding, erosion, earthquake and fire. Unfortunately, these people lose their source of livelihood like businesses, farmlands and

freedom.” He posited that to fight hunger, the state must rise to her responsibility by providing social safety nets for the poor citizens by the way subsidized housing, waver on healthcare and education as well as enhance supply of food items. “The church, NGOs and right groups are also encouraged to join ", he said. In his presentation, Mr Ikenna Offor, Director Farmers Support Initiative lamented what he called the culture of waste in Nigeria especially in food and water.

da; Ihuagwa / Eziobodo / Okoloshi / Emeabiam and Nekede-New Owerri. According to him, others are Nkwo EmekukuUbowala abandoned long ago / Umuguma / Avu / Oforola / OkwukwuOhuba, Ukpalla / Eziama / Amala Etche and Emeabiam / Ogbeke-Obibiezena roads among others, noting that these roads have remained neglected by successive administrations in Imo State. His words: “These roads, if rehabilitated, would go a long way in ameliorating the sufferings of the rural people who are predominantly farmers; it will make conveyance of their produce to various markets easier and life bearable."

to pay bursary awards to indigenous students studying in various tertiary institutions across the state. Amosun gave the pledge in Abeokuta while addressing protesting students under the aegis of National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) chapter. Armed with placards bearing different inscriptions, the protesters, numbering over 200 stormed the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, demanding the immediate payment of their bursary. The protest led to traffic snarl on some roads as the aggrieved students trekked from the popular Kuto roundabout to the

governor’s office chanting various slogans. In his address, Amosun pledged his administration’s continuous support for excellence in the state’s educational sector. The governor stated that the state government would commence payment of the outstanding bursary awards from August. He urged the association to compile the list of eligible students within the next two weeks. Amosun expressed satisfaction with the peaceful manner the protesters conducted themselves and advised them to remain good ambassadors of the state. He said: “I want to let you know that by next month, August, all the outstanding bursary will be paid. What is expected from you is that in the next two weeks, I will be glad to see the list of all the members and I promise that we will instantly swing into action.

Yoruba group wants regional autonomy Temitope Ogunbanke oalition for Yoruba Autonomy (COYA) has said that regional autonomy is an antidote to all the problems of poverty, corruption and insecurity that have bedeviled Nigeria and defied the previous attempts to solve them. Addressing a press conference yesterday in Lagos, COYA President, Ambassador Kunle Adesokan, said the Yoruba will not accept any restructuring arrangement that will exclude granting of regional autonomy as the basic unit of governance in a new federal democratic system.

"COYA is sounding it loud and clear to the South-West representatives at the National Confab holding in Abuja, that the Yoruba will not accept any restructuring arrangement that will exclude granting of Regional Autonomy as the basic unit of governance in a new federal democratic system, upon which a new constitution that will pass through a national referendum for adoption shall be written," he said. COYA also expressed its concerned with the reports of high profile, inhuman, uncultured spate of kidnapping and ritual killings in the South-West.

50 WORLD | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Kenyan police fire tear gas as protesters gather for rally

olice fired tear gas at antigovernment protesters in Kenya yesterday, shortly before an opposition rally in the capital, stoking tensions in a nation haunted by past political violence and battling a wave of militant attacks. Police shot gas canisters to disperse unruly protesters on Nairobi’s streets and fired again after youths hurled stones at them from inside a central park where a few thousand people gathered for

the rally, witnesses said. Calm swiftly returned. A street protest drew a similar police response in the western city of Kisumu, a stronghold for opposition leader Raila Odinga, who called yesterday’s rally in the capital to demand talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta. Odinga, who will address the Nairobi rally later on Monday, says dialogue is needed to deal with a host of grievances including a slowing economy and a spate of militant attacks, the

latest of which killed 29 people at the weekend. “Uhuru must go”, chanted a group of a few hundred protesters in Nairobi’s streets early on Monday. Some clambered over statues, prompting police to fire teargas. A few thousand had gathered in the nearby park by early afternoon before the main speeches began at what the opposition promises will be a mass rally. Some chanted or danced to music, a scene that was briefly marred when some youths

hurled stones at lines of police, who fired tear gas back. “This country is not well and this government hasn’t delivered a single thing from their manifesto,” said Mohamed Hassan, 30, who was joining the rally in the park. “Raila Odinga wants people to get jobs and (a) poor man to get a good home.” Nairobi’s streets were quieter than normal, as many Kenyans steered clear of the city centre. Kenyatta aides have dismissed the call for dialogue,

saying there are already channels for debate, such as parliament. They have accused the former prime minister of trying to claw his way back to power without a ballot, a charge Odinga denies. Tensions were turned up when gunmen attacked two areas on the coast, Saturday, the latest in a series of assaults that have deterred tourists and stoked frustration among Kenyans who say the state is not doing enough to protect them.

India: Supreme Court will not recognize Shariah law

Nigerians protesting in Chicago over the abducted Chibok school girls by Boko Haram …weekend

Afghanistan’s Ghani wins presidential election

fghanistan yesterday declared former World Bank official Ashraf Ghani the winner of last month’s presidential election on the basis of preliminary results from a messy vote that has threatened to split the country along ethnic lines. Ghani’s rival, Abdullah Abdullah, claimed widespread fraud in the election and insisted the announcement of results should be delayed until all fraudulent votes were thrown out. Abdullah, a former antiTaliban fighter, was not immediately available for comment yesterday. A bloody standoff between ethnic groups or even secession of parts of the country is possible if he refuses to accept the outcome. The Independent Election Commission said Ghani won the June 14 second-round run-off with 56.44 percent of

the votes, according to preliminary results. The numbers and outcome still might change, however, when final, official numbers come out on July 22. The deadlock over the vote has quashed hopes for a smooth transition of power in Afghanistan, a concern for the West as most U.S.-led forces continue to withdraw from the country this year. Earlier yesterday, rival camps struggled to find a last-minute compromise to keep Afghanistan from sliding into a protracted period of uncertainty without a clear leader accepted by all sides. Abdullah, who has a Pashtun father and a Tajik mother, draws much of his support from the Tajik minority in northern Afghanistan. Ghani has strong support from Pashtun tribes in the country’s south and east. Without a clear, unifying leader, Afghanistan could

split into two or more fiefdoms along tribal fault lines, or even return to the bloody civil war of the 1990s. Abdullah has accused Karzai, also a Pashtun, of playing a role in the alleged rigging in Ghani’s favor and says he would accept the vote only if he saw firm evidence that fraudulent votes had been thrown out and the final result was clean. As their standoff intensified in past weeks, Afghanistan has been full of talk about a broader rift along ethnic lines or even violence unless they agree to accept the outcome of the vote or come to a compromise arrangement. Taliban insurgents remain a formidable security risk after vowing to disrupt the election process. yesterday, they killed a district police chief in the western city of Herat and attacked a check point in northern Afghanistan.

ndia’s Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Islamic courts in the country have no legal authority and that edicts passed by them are not legally binding on individuals. Judge C. K. Prasad said that Indian law does not recognize Shariah court rulings. “No religion is allowed to curb anyone’s fundamental rights,” he told the court, giving the decision of a two-judge bench. India is a predominantly Hindu country with a sizable Muslim minority. According to yesterday’s ruling, Muslims may abide by a Shariah court ruling if they wish, but individuals cannot be legally forced to recognize the decision. The case dates to 2005 when a lawyer, Vishwa Lochan Madan, filed a petition in the

Supreme Court saying Shariah courts were running a parallel judicial system in the country and should be disbanded. Although the court rejected Madan’s petition to disband the Shariah courts, it said “fatwas,” or edicts, passed by them had no legal sanction. It added that people could approach an Islamic court voluntarily when seeking arbitration in personal matters. Muslim leaders said they would safeguard the rights of Muslims and their freedom to approach Islamic courts to settle disputes. “This is a malicious propaganda which is going on against religious beliefs,” said Kamal Farooqi, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. “We are for Shariah courts and we are spreading it all over the country.”

After protests, Kuwait opposition leader released

prominent opposition leader in Kuwait was released on bail Monday after daily protests calling for him to be set free. Lawyer Thamer al-Jedaei told The Associated Press that Musallam al-Barrack still faces charges of insulting the judiciary and accusing top judges of bribery. He said al-Barrack’s hearing was set for September. The former opposition lawmaker was arrested last Wednesday after revealing documents alleging huge sums of illicit financial transfers were made to senior officials, including naming specific judges in the Arab monarchy. In the days following alBarrack’s arrest, protesters took to the streets in his hometown province of Jahra in the neighborhood of Sabah Al-Nasser, southeast of the capital Kuwait City. Protest-

ers there burnt tires and some fired flares at security officers. Al-Bar rack’s release comes less than 24 hours after more than 2,000 supporters defied government orders and protested in the capital after traditional evening Ramadan prayers. Police broke up the demonstration by firing tear gas and stun grenades at the crowd as they marched into a historic and busy market. Activists said a number of protesters were arrested and wounded. Kuwait’s political tension has deepened rifts in one of Washington’s most important Gulf allies. Kuwait’s prime minister, Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah, a member of the ruling family, has dismissed al-Barrack’s documents, saying they have no value and do not stand up to scrutiny.

NBBF Playoffs: Kano Pillars, Union Bank set Lagos on fire Ifeanyi Ibeh

efending champions of the Nigeria Basketball Federation Premier Basketball League, Kano Pillars, will have to be at their best if they plan on retaining their title at the end of the eight-team playoffs, which get underway on July 13 in Lagos, after being grouped alongside last season’s runners-up,

Union Bank, and Dodan Warriors in Group A. Plateau Peaks are the final team in Group A. Pillars have so far this season been the most dominant side in the league, winning the Savannah Conference by a comfortable margin and suffering just one defeat all-season long. Union Bank, on the other, haven’t been as dominant as they were last season, but

finished second in the Atlantic Conference, losing only five games in the process. And they will both set the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium on fire on July 13 when they take to the courts by 4pm in the most eagerly anticipated game of the opening day of the 2014 playoffs. Before then though, by 12 noon, Dodan Warriors will take on Plateau Peaks in the first game of

SPORT

51 49

this season’s playoffs, which will be quickly followed by the opening Group B encounter between Mark Mentors and Oluyole Warriors. The final game of the opening day will see Atlantic Conference champions, Islanders, squaring up against Gombe Bulls, who finished third in the Savannah Conference. The playoffs will follow a roundrobin format with the top-two teams from each group proceeding to the semi-finals on July 18.

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

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

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

TUESday, juLY 8, 2014

France's Paul Pogba scores against Nigeria

NFF Crisis: Panic as FIFA ultimatum ends today lDanagogo’s team appeases world body lMaigari's board fights back

here is palpable fear that FIFA’s hammer will land on Nigeria as the ultimatum issued by the soccer body for the reinstatement of the sacked board of the Nigeria Football Federation elapses today. FIFA threatened to ban Nigeria from all footballing activities if the sacked board was not re-instated on or before July 8 (today). The body issued the warning shortly after a Jos High Court asked Aminu Maigari and the member of his board to stop parading themselves in their positions. FIFA alleged external interference in the running of football in the country and wanted a reversal to the status quo. Though Emergency Congress of NFF was later convened last Saturday, which passed vote of no confidence on the board and impeached it, but it was alleged that FIFA was not convinced the process that led to the termination of the board’s tenure was not fraught with irregularities. In fact, the world soccer body said in its statement last Friday, that the decision of the Emergency Congress would

not be accepted. FIFA insisted that it was keeping tab on the development in the Nigerian football and was yet to be convinced that the removal of Maigari’s board was not orchestrated by the government. Consequently, our correspondent learnt that Nigeria has moved to stop the FIFA’s axe and has sent a team of top football personalities to meet with the leadership of FIFA. The team was still at the headquarters of FIFA as at the time of filing this report and there were no indications that the world soccer body was ready to reverse its threat. Meanwhile, a source informed our correspondent that Maigari and his people were not ready to go down without a fight. The source said,”Maigari and his people may not be talking now, but I can tell you that they are working underground to reclaim their seats. They are using their connections in FIFA to discredit what the Congress has done. They had told FIFA that they were being persecuted. FIFA is investigating Nigeria’s case.

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

FIFA WORLD CUP

David Luiz, Brazil’s man of the people

“L

ook at him, our very own Mother Teresa of Calcutta. If he decided to run for the senate tomorrow, he’d get elected.” David Luiz can do no wrong at the moment, as those words, uttered by a member of the Brazil team’s delegation, confirm. No sooner had he completed his barnstorming performance in Brazil’s quarter-final defeat of Colombia at the Arena Castelao last Friday, during which he ran more than eight kilometres, than the centre-half sportingly

asked the stadium to rise and applaud Cafetero playmaker, James Rodriguez. After then playing his part in ensuring that one of the match balls found its way into the Brazil dressing room so that it could be autographed by the players, he continued his post-match tour de force, making his way to the mixed zone, where he gave no fewer than eight straight interviews, two of them in English, attending to each interviewer’s needs with perfect good grace. In between times, still wearing his sweat-drenched

kit, he shared smiles and congratulatory pats on the back with volunteers, security guards and anyone else who just happened to be in the area. Unmistakably one of the faces of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, the convivial David also found time for a chat with FIFA, during which he once again showed his common touch and selflessness. The whole world knows what he has to offer on the pitch but as his team-mates, we also know what a great person he is too. “If there’s something I’ve always dreamed about and which I’ve always tried to show people, it’s that we’re all the same in this life, that everyone deserves respect and that we’re all equal,” he began, revealing sentiments that would not be out of place in a Nobel Peace Prize winner’s acceptance speech. It is clear just from watching him speak that the centre-half means what he says. Confirmation of his inner qualities came, if it were needed, from one of his appreciative team-mates. “He’s just the best,” said Hulk, in conversation with FIFA.com. “He’s very caring and very attentive, no matter who he’s with. It’s not every day that you come across someone like him. “The whole world knows what he has to offer on the pitch – and to my mind, he and

Luiz

Thiago (Silva) are the best central-defensive partnership in the world – but as his team-mates, we also know what a great person he is too.” Arallyingcry And that is where Brazil can consider themselves fortunate. Not only is David Luiz a great person to have around, he also happens to be one of the finest centre-halves on the planet and one of the outstanding performers at this World Cup. David’s contribution at the other end of the pitch has also been considerable, the centre-back scoring two of his side’s three goals in the knockout rounds, including the stunning freekick that sank the Colombians in the last eight and helped him earn the Budweiser Man of the Match award.

Five memorable World Cup semi-finals The 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ semi-finals commence on Tuesday. Here are five that have already left a mark on football history. 1954 - Hungary 4 Uruguay 2 Regarded as one of the greatest ever World Cup games, Hungary, who destroyed West Germany 8-3 in the group stage, went 2-0 up against the Uruguayan defending champions and looked destined for the final. But the South Americans fought back through a Juan Hohlberg double to take the match into extra time. Two headers from Sandor Kocsis, who was to score 11 times in the tournament, gave the Hungarians a 4-2 win. “It was the most beautiful, the most humane match of my life,” com-

mented Hungarian star Jozsek Boszik. The Magyars went on to lose 3-2 to West Germany in another stunning result in the final. 1966 - England 2 Portugal 1 Portugal, inspired by the ‘Black Panther’ Eusebio, had lit up the tournament and fancied their chances against England. Two Bobby Charlton goals gave the hosts a 2-0 lead going into the final 10 minutes however. Eusebio, thwarted by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks throughout

1982 World Cup between France and West Germany

the game, buried a penalty in the 83rd minute that was the first goal the English had conceded in the finals. Despite huge late pressure, England held out. “That was the greatest performance by the team in this competition to date,” said coach Alf Ramsey. His Portugal counterpart Otto Gloria forecast correctly that the English would beat the Germans in the final: “England plays football as it should be played. Germany relies on force,” he said. 1970 - Italy 4 West Germany 3 Regarded by some as the ‘Game of the 20th century’, the Italians took the lead in the eighth minute through Roberto Boninsegna then packed their defence and held out until the final minute when Uwe Seeler equalised. This prompted the most unlikeliest of extra time goal deluges in the sapping Mexican heat. Gerd ‘Der Bomber’ Muller put the Germans in front before the Italians levelled and regained the lead through Luigi Riva. Muller scored again, but as the Germans congratulated themselves, the Italians stole in to restore the lead through Gianni Rivera and this time they held on. They were so exhausted by their efforts that they wilted against a stunning Brazil side in the final and lost 4-1. 1982 - West Germany 3 France 3 (aet, Germany won 5-4 on penalties) A wonderful fluctuating match - over-

“It was great to see,” continued the admiring Hulk. “Obviously we all celebrated the goal as a team but we were delighted to see a guy like David scoring again. He really let himself go in his celebration too, which fired us all up.” David Luiz is not just firing up the team, but the whole country. He will be doing that again on a formal basis in Tuesday’s semi-final against Germany when, in the absence of the injured Neymar and the suspended Thiago, he will don the captain’s armband, not that he needs to wear anything to be a leader of men. “This team is very easy to handle because everyone’s very down to earth. It won’t be a tough job at all,” Luiz said .

shadowed by Harald Schumacher’s shoulder charge on Patrick Battiston - with the Germans going 1-0 up through Pierre Littbarski. Michel Platini levelled from the penalty spot and then the French went 3-1 up in extra time with two splendid goals by Marius Tresor and the diminutive Alain Giresse. However, the Germans levelled at 3-3 through goals by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Klaus Fischer. Maxime Bossis had a shoot-out penalty saved by the pumped up Schumacher and as he dragged himself away in a daze, the musclebound Horst Hrubesch thumped home his penalty for a 5-4 victory. The French were more creative, but the Germans more resourceful. 1998 - France 2 Croatia 1 Hosts France defied many critics by reaching the last four. A hugely-talented Croatia side, appearing in their first World Cup finals after the break up of Yugoslavia, took a 1-0 lead a minute into the second-half through Davor Suker. However, the French bounced back a minute later through full back Lilian Thuram, who scored his first ever international goal. Thuram also scored the second with a curling half-volley. He sank to his knees and held a finger to the side of his head marvelling at his timing. The only sour note was cast by Slaven Bilic who simulated being headbutt by Laurent Blanc which led to Blanc’s first ever red card. He missed the momentous 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final.

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

world cup update

Neymar-less Brazil target final

ost nation Brazil will begin life without Neymar and attempt to secure a place in the World Cup final, when they take on Germany in their last four clash at Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. Neymar suffered a fractured vertebra following a clash with Jose Zuniga in Friday’s 2-1 win over Colombia and was ruled out of the rest of the competition by doctors after the match in Fortaleza. In the absence of Neymar, Scolari is set to choose between Willian, Bernard, Oscar and Hernanes to fill

in for the team’s most famous player. Captain Thiago Silva is also out after picking up a second yellow card in this competition against Colombia, and the Paris Saint-Germain defender will be replaced by Bayern Munich’s Dante for the clash with Germany. Brazil and Germany have only met once before at a World Cup and that was in the 2002 final when the Selecao won 2-0. There are no survivors from either side in the two squads this time around, but Scolari was the coach in his first spell as Brazil boss.

Like Scolari, who also made the last four with Portugal in 2006, Germany coach Joachim Low is involved in a World Cup semi-final for the third time, having lost out to winners Spain in 2010 and also assisted former boss Jurgen Klinsmann as the Mannschaft were

beaten by Italy at home in 2006. Shkodran Mustafi is sidelined for the rest of the tournament after picking up a thigh injury in the last 16 against Algeria, while Per Mertesacker has been laid low with flu, which affected a total of seven Germany players.

Head-to-head

Brazil

Matches Wins

Referee Marco Rodriguez and Luis Suarez

Germany

Losses

Drawn

Goals for

FIFA ranking

13 2

Real great, Di Stefano dies

Di Stefano

ormer Real Madrid forward Alfredo Di Stefano, 88, one of the greatest footballers of all time, has died in the Spanish capital two days after suffering a heart attack. The club said in a statement that he passed away at the Gregorio Maranon hospital at 1515 GMT on Monday. Argentina-born Di Stefano, who helped transform

Real into one of the world's leadingteamsinthe1950sand 60s,wastakentotheintensive care unit on Friday. Hehadsufferedan18-minute respiratory arrest, the emergency services said. "A legendary player, a myth," Spanish state secretary for sport Miguel Cardenal said in a statement expressing his sadness at Di Stefano's passing, one of an avalanche of tributes that poured in after the news broke. "There was nobody who stood comparison. He laid the foundations of a team that was named the best of the 20th century and that this year won the European Champions League.

Schweinsteiger (left)

tion. “We’re all feeling deeply saddened that he won’t be able to play,” said the Germany midfielder about Neymar. “It’s always best when the greatest players are on the pitch for the great matches. I think his team-mates are

Suarez’s bite went unseen and unpunished by the Mexican match officials, but FIFA later banned Suarez for nine international matches and four months from all football activity, a punishment the Liverpool striker has appealed against. Mark Geiger of the USA will be fourth official for the match, having taken on the same role for Uruguay’s Group D match with Italy.

Neymar

going to rally around even more now with him out, and they’ll want to win the World Cup for him. They’ll derive strength from that.” “The loss of Neymar can create strength and weld together the team.”

Dutch keeper ‘angry’ over substitution

he referee who missed Luis Suarez’s bite on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini will take charge of Brazil’s World Cup semi-final against Germany. FIFA has confirmed Marco Rodriguez of Mexico will officiate the match in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. Rodriguez has refereed two World Cup matches, including Uruguay’s 1-0 win against Italy on June 24.

Willian, Bernard hopeful of success

Schweinsteiger wary of ‘dangerous’ Brazilians B astian Schweinsteiger says Germany are ‘deeply saddened’ by the injury to Neymar and believes Brazil will be determined to win the World Cup for their injured talisman. Schweinsteiger thinks it is a shame that such a world-class player will not be able to take his place on the big stage, and does not necessarily think it will work to Germany’s advantage as he expects Brazil to find added inspira-

‘Suarez’ ref to officiate in semis

utch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has admitted his “surprise” at being substituted in the dying seconds of Holland’s quarter final clash with Costa Rica on Saturday. The Ajax keeper, who’s never saved a penalty in his senior career, was replaced by spotkick specialist, Tim Krul moments before Saturday’s quarter-final went to penalties. “I didn’t know it would happen, so it was a bit of a surprise and I was a bit angry”, said Cillessen.

illian and Bernard are both hopeful Brazil will win the World Cup without injured talisman Neymar. Willian, who insists he is fit despite taking a knock in training on Saturday, said: “Neymar sets the standard for us. He is capable of deciding any game, so playing without him will be difficult. “We know the quality that we have. We are all very sad at losing him, but we are now even stronger after what happened and we can continue to pursue our dream.” And Shakhtar Donetsk winger Bernard echoed the sentiments of the Chelsea midfielder regarding Brazil’s chances of success. Bernard said: “We were

Brazil’s Willian (left) and Bernard? battling for the ball during training

all very sad at the situation and also because Neymar was very sad. Of course the whole group has felt his loss. He is a big loss not just as a player but also as a person. He is always smiling and saying positive things. “But we have to be calm and overcome it. We know that we have other players who will be able to replace him.”

Low relishing Selecao test J oachim Low is confident Germany can put their recent semi-final disappointments behind them and beat World Cup hosts, Brazil on Tuesday. Germany will be hoping to avoid a hat-trick of consecutive World Cup semi-final defeats by booking a place in the Maracana and setting up the chance to claim their first success in the competition since 1990. The last time Germany reached the World Cup final they lost to Brazil 12 years ago, but

the coach insists the mood in the camp is positive ahead of the match in Belo Horizonte. “We’ve been in at least the semi-finals of the last four World Cups and that just shows that we’ve been playing consistently at the very highest level,” he said. “This is a highlight now; it’s something special and amazing. I’m looking forward to it so much, and everybody in the squad is too. “I think all Germans are also, and one thing’s for sure - we desperately want to play in the Maracana in Rio again on July 13. We’re

Transfer Updates

SPORT

Ince joins Hull City Roma complete Cole signing

ull City have completed the signing of former Blackpool winger Tom Ince on a two-year deal. The winger, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace, joins the club as a free agent, with the 21-year-old having run down his contract at Bloomfield Road. Due to his age, Hull are required to pay a compensation fee to Blackpool, but that figure could be settled by a tribunal should the clubs fail to reach an agreement. The son of former Manchester United star Paul, Ince scored seven goals in 23 matches for the Tangerines last season before joining Palace, where he scored once in seven outings.

oma have confirmed the signing of Ashley Cole on a two-year deal following his departure from Chelsea. The former England defender has been handed a contract by the Serie A club which is worth €2.5 million per year net of tax, equivalent to €48,000 per week after taxes. Sources told Goal on Sunday that a deal was agreed in principle and the Giallorossi have now confirmed the arrival of the former Arsenal man via their official Twitter page.

Malaga grab Boka

alaga have agreed a deal for Ivory Coast international Arthur Boka, the Primera Division club has announced. The 31-year-old left-back, who has won 83 caps for his country and represented them at the last two World Cups, joins the Spanish side on a two-year deal and will be officially presented on Tuesday. Boka has spent the last eight seasons at German side Stuttgart having previously played for Strasbourg in France and Beveren in Belgium.

Roma sign Ucan

oma have announced they have completed the signing of Fenerbahce player Salih Ucan on an initial season long loan. The terms of the deal however, make it extremely likely that the midfielder will eventually join the Giallorossi on a permanent basis. According to a statement on the club’s website, the Stadio Olimpico side will have the option to extend the 20-yearold’s loan for another season for no additional cost, before potentially signing him permanently for a fee of €11m another year on.

Bayern clinch Bernat signing

Munich have announced the BBernatayern signing of Spanish defender Juan from Valencia for an undis-

closed fee. The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga champions after passing a medical in Munich on Monday. “We’re very happy to have found a very good, quick solution both with the player and with Valencia,” said Bayern’s vicepresident Jan-Christian Dreesen.

Juventus sign PSG’s Coman

uventus have confirmed the signing of Kingsley Coman from Paris Saint-Germain on a five-year deal. The 18-year-old French midfielder has joined the Bianconeri having made only three league appearances for the Ligue 1 champions. He made his debut for the club in February 2013, becoming the Parisians’ youngest-ever player in the process. Coman is described by the official Juve website as “predominantly right-footed, a technical and creative player blessed with extraordinary pace, long-range shooting ability and a unique vision to dictate the game.”

Barca confirm Bravo capture

arcelona have confirmed the signBClaudio ing of Chile's World Cup goalkeeper Bravo, with the 31-year-old

putting pen to paper on a four-year deal on Monday. The 31-year-old agreed a switch to the Nou Camp over the weekend after a fee - believed to be around €9million - was finalised with Real Sociedad. Bravo said: "I am so proud to form part of this institution. I have always hoped that a moment like this would come. I want to thank Barca for putting their trust in me. I am here with the hunger to do things well."

Suarez agreed in November 2013

ruguay manager Oscar Tabarez has claimed Liverpool and Barcelona have had an agreement in place since November regarding the transfer of Luis Suarez. The mercurial forward is reportedly on the verge of completing a move to the Camp Nou, but according to Tabarez this is a deal that has been in the pipeline for the best part of eight months.

Arsenal set to seal €10m Debuchy deal

Everton in for Demba Ba

he Daily Mail is reporting that Everton have held initial discussions over a potential deal for Chelsea striker, Demba Ba. Roberto Martinez initially tried to sign Ba last season before he was offered a loan deal for Romelu Lukaku. Everton have asked to take the Belgium international again, but are waiting to see what happens on the proposed deal for him involving Atletico Madrid and also until Lukaku has finished his rest from the World Cup.

Pogba may join Chelsea if…

helsea boss Jose Mourinho will push ahead with an offer for Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba this summer. According to the London Evening Standard, Mourinho has been handed hope in his pursuit of the €70m-rated Pogba as Juventus need to raise the funds to complete a deal of their own to sign Barcelona forward, Alexis Sanchez. At the moment, his decision is holding up a Barcelona deal for Luis Suarez, as Juventus, Arsenal and Liverpool are all waiting to hear from Sanchez regarding their offers.

Morata close to Juventus move- agent

rsenal are hopeful of completing the signing of Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle United by the end of the week. The Gunners are closing in on the France right-back after agreeing an €10 million fee with the Magpies. Debuchy, 28, revealed he was in talks to join Arsenal in the wake of France’s exit from the World Cup last Friday. Negotiations are at an advanced stage, and the Londoners are confident the deal for Bacary Sagna’s successor can be wrapped up in the coming days.

eal Madrid striker Alvaro Morata is closing in on a move to Italian champions Juventus, according to his agent. The 21-year-old has been linked with several sides after Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted that the youngster had been left frustrated with his lack of starts for the Spanish side last season. The player’s agent, Juanma Lopez, spent Monday morning at the Santiago Bernabeu offices and was reported to have told AS that his client had moved “a little closer to Juventus”.

Fiorentina sign Octavio

Kroos: No decision on future

iorentina have signed attacking midfielder Octavio on a season-long loan from Botafogo, the Italian club has announced. The Brazilian arrived in Florence on Friday morning and has now completed his switch which also gives the Viola an option to buy the player at the end of his loan spell. “ACF Fiorentina announce that they have purchased, on a temporary basis with a right of redemption, the rights to the player Octavio Merlo Manteca from Botafogo de Futebol and Regatas,” read a statement on Fiorentina’s official website.

ayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos insists his reported move to Real Madrid has not yet been defined, and that he is waiting until after the World Cup before revealing where his future lies. Spanish newspaper Marca last week reported that Kroos h a d already sorted terms with Real and that the two clubs had reached an agreement over a fee. “I’ve read all the reports - it’s hard not to - but I’ve already said that nothing is decided yet,” Kroos said. “The latest reports simply weren’t accurate. I just want to play the World Cup to its conclusion first and then, when that’s over, there will be a decision.

Brazil 2014 Semi-Final & Final Fixtures

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Reina, Leiva for Napoli loan

apoli are pushing to try and sign Pepe Reina and Lucas Leiva on loan and are making progress, according to the latest reports in Italy. Napoli have been trying to bring back goalkeeper Reina ever since he returned to Liverpool at the end of last season and the Serie A side is reportedly also fighting for Lucas Leiva. Reina was on loan to Napoli for the 2013-14 campaign and turned in some impressive performances, helping the Partenopei to a third-placed finish and the Italian Cup.

Burnley snap up free agent, Steven Reid

ormer Blackburn full-back Steven Reid has become Burnley’s fifth summer signing. The 33-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the Barclays Premier League newcomers. Reid was a free agent after being released by West Brom at the end of last season. The former Republic of Ireland international is the Clarets’ fifth signing since they secured promotion following the arrivals of Michael Kightly, Matt Gilks, Marvin Sordell and Matt Taylor at Turf Moor.

Dawson’s exit close

ottenham look as though they will sell Hull City and West Ham target Michael Dawson this week for a fee of around £5million. Hull are the favourites as Steve Bruce has been tracking the centre-half for some time and it would appear as if he is close to landing Dawson. The 30-year-old has one year left on his deal and previously a fee of £4million had been suggested, but the latest reports claim Hull will pay slightly more to bring him to the KC Stadium.

Lampard yet to declare future

rank Lampard has revealed he is on the verge of announcing where he will play next season. Lampard, who said in June that he would be leaving Chelsea after a 13-year stay, has been linked with a move to new MLS franchise New York City, following in the footsteps of Spanish forward David Villa. “At the moment I have got a few options,” he told Sky Sports News. “There is no exclusively but I will be making a decision very shortly.”

SEMI-FINALS Tuesday July

Wednesday July 9

Brazil V Germany

THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF Saturday July 12 [L61] V [L62] FINAL Sunday July

Levante search for quick Navas sale

?-? 9pm EstadioMineirao, Belo Horizonte

Netherlands V Argentina ?-? 9pm Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo

[W61] V [W62]

9pm Estadio Nacional, Brasilia

8pm Maracanã, Rio De Janeiro

ostaRicaWorldCupstarKeylorNavaswillbe sold‘assoonaspossible’ascurrentclubLevantelooktotakeadvantageofhisraisedprofile. The 27-year-old goalkeeper had attracted interest after a sterling season in La Liga last year, but his displays in BrazilhavesinceseenBayernMunich,Arsenal,AtleticoMadridandPorto allregisteraninterestinhisservices. AndaccordingtoSpanishsportsdailyMarca,theValencianoutfitwanta dealtiedupquicklybywhoeveriswillingtomeetNavas’releaseclauseof justunder£8million(€10million).

Fulham’s Jesse Joronen signs new contract

oalkeeper Jesse Joronen has signed a new two-year contract at Fulham. The 21-year-old featured for the first team as Fulham began their pre-season campaign by beating East Fife 3-0 in a friendly o n Saturday. Joronen is already a full Finland international, having made his debut in a match against Thailand in January last year. He joined Cambridge United on loan the following month and has also had a spell on loan at Maidenhead United.

SPORT 55

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Sports federations in limbo NFF crisis: Amadu’s appeal …celebrate Eagles’ World Cup ouster letter hastened Maigari’s sack Charles Ogundiya

ith only about three weeks to the commencement of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, most of the sports federations whose athletes will be representing Nigeria at the quadrennial event, are currently in a state of limbo, as the National Sports Commission has been silent on Team Nigeria’s preparations for the Games. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a top official of one of the sport federations told New Telegraph that they have no idea how to go about preparing their athletes for the Games as they are yet to get any information

from the NSC. py when the Super Eagles “We are tired of waiting for crashed out of the World Cup, the NSC to come up with plans believing that other sports for Team Nigeria,” the official will gain some attention. But said. “Other sports have been the crisis in the NFF is anothneglected for football in Nige- er issue that is beginning to ria which is very bad. have the undivided attention “We even prayed for the of the NSC, and I hope it will ouster of the Super Eagles be resolved soon,” he said. from the World Cup, because The Commonwealth every other sport has been Games will take place from neglected since preparations July 23 to August 3 in Glasgow. started for the World Cup.” Regardless of his joy over Super Eagles’ exit from Brazil 2014, the official feels the current crisis engulfing the Nigeria Football Federation will also take its toll on Team Nigeria’s preparations for Glasgow 2014. “A lot of us were very hap- NSC DG, Elegbeleye

unveils parade uniforms for opening ceremony Eaglets back Scotland cotland’s Commonwealth The uniforms are a stark contrast Shome Games athletes will open their to Team GB’s all-white dress for the in Calabar competition in a striking opening ceremony of London 2012. for Congo “It’s refreshing and a definite surcombination of light blue and tarIfeanyi Ibeh Nigeria’s U-17 men’s national team, the Golden Eaglets, will on Tuesday morning, 24 hours after returning from Egypt, head out to Calabar to commence preparations ahead of their upcoming 2015 African U-17 Championship qualifying fixture against their counterparts from DR Congo. The Coach Emmanuel Amuneke-handled Eaglets were in Egypt on a twogame friendly tour, winning one and drawing the other. The Nigerians played out a goalless draw with their Egyptian counterparts in the opening game of their tour of the North African nation on Friday before inflicting a 4-2 defeat on their hosts on Sunday to put themselves in the proper frame of mind ahead of their tie against DR Congo.

tan. The parade uniforms, designed by internationally known textile designer and artist Jilli Blackwood, were unveiled on Sunday. They will be used during the opening ceremony.

prise,” cyclist Charline Joiner, who helped model the new uniform, said. “I was expecting a kilt, but love the fact the girls are in dresses this time as it’s more feminine and it’s still got the blue of Scotland in it.

Portuguese trophy inspires Quadri ahead Glasgow Charles Ogundiya

igerian star, Aruna Quadri, continued his preparation for the Commonwealth Games with another trophy in the Portuguese league after his triumph at the Africa Top 16 tourney recently in Lagos. Quadri, who has been in superlative form, inspired his club G.D Toledos to a resounding victory over Sporting, which features his compatriot, Bode Abiodun, to retain the Portuguese table tennis league for this season. For his exceptional performance in recent time, Germany-based table tennis kits manufacturing company, Joola has signed a new two-year deal with the current African champion which will expire in 2016. An excited Quadri said: “This

season, we won all the three trophies at stake in Portugal and this includes Portuguese Super Cup, Portuguese Cup and League Cup. I lost just one match this season and won about 34 individual matches. It means that I won four titles this year including African Top 16 Cup. “For me this is a good development especially as we are hoping for a good outing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.” As part of the Joola deal, the company will supply kits to Quadri as well support him to attend Pro Tours each year. Quadri will also be taking part in the International Table Tennis Federation’s World Cup which comes up in October, as the sole representative from Africa having won the Africa Top 16 in Lagos last week.

Adepoju, Adisa commend Airtel Rising Stars MoyosoreMakinde

ormer Nigerian internationals, Mutiu Adepoju and Amusa Adisa, have commended the management of Airtel Nigeria for their investment in grassroots football with the Airtel Rising Star initiative. The ex-internationals, while speaking during the Ilorin zonal championship of the Airtel Rising Stars U-17 Tournament, said the initiative by Airtel Nigeria has

empowered the younger generation to kick off a rewarding career in football, adding that the tournament exemplifies a veritable platform needed to enable the budding talents in the country excel. While commending the sponsors for keeping faith with the vision for the fourth consecutive season, Adepoju who serves as the technical adviser of the Ilorin zonal teams, expressed happiness that the initiative was contributing to efforts geared towards addressing grassroots football development in

the country. “I am really happy with what is going on. Airtel is setting a good example and this will go a long way. With this I know that the future of football is bright in the country,” he said. Also speaking, Adisa said, “I think Airtel has really done well with this initiative. This is not the first time, but the fourth edition and I know that they can only get better. You can see that the players already have the basics which are the most important thing.

Tunde Sulaiman

ew Telegraph sports can authoritatively reveal that a save-our-soul (SOS) letter sent by the ousted Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Amadu to the Sports Ministry inadvertently hastened the sack of the entire board of the federation. In a letter dated July 3rd, barely 24 hours after a Jos High Court had ruled that the Alhaji Aminu Maigari-led board be removed and a new scribe appointed pending the determination of the main suit against the federation, Amadu had appealed to Sports Minister, Dr Tammy Danagogo, to intercede on their behalf in the matter. However, rather than supporting the federation, New Telegraph learnt that an angry Sports Minister had tongue lashed the scribe, pointing out that as a lawyer he should know better than to attempt to try to tinker with a court ruling. Incidentally, Dr Danagogo, who himself is a lawyer, immediately notified his learned colleague of his decision to obey the interlocutory injunction of the court and put the most senior civil servant in charge of the football house, Lawrence Katken.

“The minister (Dr Danagogo) was very angry with Amadu asking if he (Amadu) wanted him to flout a subsisting court order and warned that as a lawyer he should have known better,” the source told New Telegraph. Katken subsequently summoned an Extraordinary Congress of the football body which endorsed the dissolution of the NFF Board, the immediate termination of the employment of all Management Staff of the Federation and reconstituted the committees for both the forthcoming NFF election and Electoral Appeals Committee. Meanwhile, New Telegraph has learnt that both the Minister and a former NFF Secretary General, Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba are working hard to starve off any potential reaction from Zurich. “I can tell you that they (Minister and Ojo-Oba) have opened communications with FIFA and within the next 24hours something concrete will emerge,” said the source, who declined to say what the next step would be should FIFA go ahead with its threat. “But we all know that it is this same FIFA that endorsed a fresh election after Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima had won free and fair. Let’s wait and see how they will respond,” he concluded.

Falconet celebrating goal

FIFA U-20 World Cup: Falconets off to Canada Emmanuel Tobi

igeria’s U-20 women’s national team, the Falconets, on Monday headed off to Canada ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup taking place from August 5 to 24 in the North American nation. A delegation of 24 players and 11 officials, led by the team’s coach, Peter Dedevbo, flew out of Abuja for Germany, from where they would connect another flight to Canada, where the Falconets will camp for 24 days before their opening game of the tournament against Mexico in Moncton, on August 6. The Falconets, who will compete out of Group C, will also take on

South Korea on August 9, also in the city of Moncton, before rounding off their group stage fixtures with a game against England on August 13, in the city of Toronto. Faconets have featured in all previous editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals since the tournament’s inaugural edition 12 years ago in Canada, reaching the final in Germany four years ago before losing to hosts Germany. “We have a squad of able, courageous and confident players and I believe we have the capacity to go all the way in Canada,” said Dedevbo, who led Nigeria’s U-17 team to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010 and Azerbaijan in 2012.

World Record

On Marble

The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.

– Walt Disney

The largest recorded earthquake in the world was a magnitude 9.5 (Mw) in Chile on May 22, 1960.

Sanctity of Truth

w w w. new tel eg rap ho nl i ne. co m

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha TUESday, JULY 8, 2014

N150

Growing potential, growing pains: China’s dynamic expansion into contemporary Nigeria

ecently, Chinese Premiere Li Keqiang reflected and prognosticated at length on the budding Sino-African bilateral relationship at a highly-attended press conference of which he keynoted at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa. The event in Ethiopia served as a fortuitous moment in China’s history of aggressive expansion in to African emerging markets. Despite ample scrutiny and often, condemnation from the West for what is perceived to be a heavy-handed, neo-colonialist dynamic exemplified by the People’s Republic while operating in Nigeria, Angola, Zambia and a diverse array of resource-rich States, intrepid opportunism in geopolitics today is a mantra owned by the rising Dragon. Said scrutiny from Western bodies may indeed have its roots in resentment, as U.S. leadership regarding investment in Africa was surpassed in 2009, while concurrently, China again commits itself to the African opportunity. And, despite massive sensationalism on the 24/7 news wires from acute threats on the domestic front due to militancy in the North and indeed the South (Boko Haram and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta or M.E.N.D, respectively) deterring great prospects for investment, Premiere Keqiang clearly foresees renewed collaborative synergy with the economic steward of the continent, Nigeria. As July hits full swing, so too has China offered a new promise to the jewel of the ECOWAS; a mission to redefine and ‘upgrade’ cooperation through philanthropy and, importantly, indigenous empowerment. A sure of sign of great things to come is the realization that public-private Sino investment in Nigeria has no longer limited itself to the mining sector. Leasing services, finance, manufacturing and agribusiness incountry have been buttressed by unrelenting Eastern integration, often coupled with ‘turn-key’ aid initiatives which systemically bear fruit. However and as the title of this editorial suggests, one cannot offer a retrospective nor objective analysis of any business relationship while wearing rose-colored glasses. Indeed, the perceived exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources and often,

World View SAM AMSTERDAM

Li Keqiang

Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, AU Chairperson

ecological degradation that can follow procurement has irked communities from across the country and has oftenled to ‘retaliatory’ action. For instance, expatriate employees of multinational firms in China operating in Nigeria have been known to have been targeted as opportune abductees, to be ransomed back for monetary compensation and /or a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) regarding operational reformation. As Nigeria has it’s own homegrown economic issues (perceived or otherwise), such as as income in-

equality and purported bureaucratic corruption, the onus cannot simply fall to the political leadership at home to ensure best practices in multinational cooperation are adhered to for globalization to be harmonious. Former Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai (through an official spokesperson) was quoted by this publication as stating that while a refreshed audit by the international community of budding African actors’ capacity to serve as beacons for economic prosperity is needed, “...so too must we at home deploy our own

Boko Haram members

We must see through the ideology of concessional loans and put forward our own set of deliverables that these accredited businesses from East or West must adhere to so as to ensure prosperity from the relationship is never exclusive to one party review. We must see through the ideology of concessional loans and put forward our own set of deliverables that these accredited businesses from East or West must adhere to so as to ensure prosperity from the relationship is never exclusive to one party, but rather serves to be transparently, mutually-beneficial”. If China and its private-sector power players therein can focus on better diversifying their investment streams in to Nigeria, to educating vocationally and hiring local when applicable and, with said indigenous force, pledge to community-build while operating in a given State, the climate will be warmer still for the BRICs of old to flourish anew.

OmoBaba

OMISORE HAS NO MASKED SECURITY ESCORT -PDP

– Picture speaks louder than words!

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