Binder1, june 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 105

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lNFF sends list to FIFA lKeshi drops Nsofor, Nwofor, five others

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday sent the fi-

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Yobo leads Eagles to Brazil Ajibade Olusesan

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nal 23-man list of players that will represent the country at the forthcoming World Cup to FIFA. Although the soc-

cer ruling body has not released the list, New Telegraph was able to obtain names of those who made the list.

Joseph Yobo of Norwich City is returning to represent the country in World Cup again. He will CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

The 23-man squad Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama Chigozie Agbim Austin Ejide Defenders: Elderson Echiejile Efe Ambrose Godfrey Oboabona Azubuike Egwuekwe

Kenneth Omeruo Juwon Oshaniwa Joseph Yobo Midfielders: Mikel Obi Ogenyi Onazi Ejike Uzoenyi Gabriel Reuben Nosa Igiebor

Sunday Mba Michael Uchebo Forwards: Ahmed Musa Shola Ameobi Victor Moses Emmanuel Emenike Osaze Odemwingie Nnamdi Oduamadi

Police ban Chibok protests in Abuja

lEzekwesili group heads to court lOIC disowns Boko Haram lMilitary arrests key suspect in Adamawa bombing, confirms 18 dead l24 killed in insurgents’ attacks lNLC seeks probe into security operations in North-East Anule Emmanuel, Yekeen Nurudeen, Emmanuel Onani and Ibrahim Abdul

he police yesterday ordered immediate stoppage to further

rallies and protests in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to press for the release of over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped from Chibok, Borno State about 50 days ago.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, announced the ban in Abuja against the backdrop of last week’s attack of the BringBackOurGirls campaigners

by thugs suspected to be agents of the Federal Government. Mbu, in a statement, said the ban was necessary to prevent a breach of the peace in FCT.

He added that given the recent threat to peace as shown by the attack on the Ezekwesili group, the police had to take urgent steps to avoid a breakdown in law and order “As the FCT Police boss, I cannot fold my hands and watch this

lawlessness. Information reaching us is that too soon dangerous elements will join the groups under the guise of protest and detonate explosive aimed at embarrassing the government. Accordingly protests on the Chibok CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Deadlock again at confab over religion, land lCommittee report indicts

NPA for failure to remit N713bn

Louis Achi and Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

T L-R: Leader of the British Royal College of Defence Studies, Rear Admiral Jonas Haggren; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Col. Peter Eagles, during a visit by members of the British Royal College of Defence Studies to Fashola in Lagos…yesterday.

he National Conference yesterday failed to resolve the dispute over the bid to expunge the Land Use Act from the 1999 Constitution and to reach a consensus on the proposal to scrap the Pilgrims Welfare Boards. Some delegates had last week proposed that since the conference had already

Fashola: APC presidential ticket open to all Nigerians

resolved that government should hands off the sponsorship of pilgrimages, it followed that the boards should be scrapped to avoid dragging the government into religious matters. Others also made a case CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Keshi drops Nsofor, Nwofor, five others CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

lead the 23-man squad to Brazil. However, seven players among the 30 called to camp were dropped. It was learnt that the General Secretary of the football house, Musa Amadu, would release the full list today. The NFF image maker, Ademola Olajire, confirmed that the final list would be officially released today. Among those dropped are goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, Kunle Odunlami, Micheal Babatunde, Joel Obi and Ramon Azeez. Three home-based players made the cut. The home-based players who made the list are Chigozie Agbim, Ejike Uzoenyi and Azubuike Egwuekwe. Captain Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide have been given the opportunity to feature in their third World Cup after appearing at the 2002 and 2010 editions, while this will be the second time for Osaze Odemwingie and Elderson Echiejile to feature in the mundial. The fate of Obinna Nsofor, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Uche Nwofor and Daniel Uchebo were unclear as at press time, as

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

33oC 23oC Very Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

19oC 12oC Cloudy

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38oC 26oC Partially Cloudy

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24oC 12oC Partially Cloudy

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32o C 23oC Thunder Storms

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there were last minute efforts to determine the last two players to be

dropped apart from the above named five. It was also learnt that

there was tension in the team’s camp in the United States as Keshi

refused to reveal the list to the players as at press time.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE 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

L-R: Director, FIQH Academy, Dr. Ahamed Abdel Aleem; Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Aminu Wali; Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Eyad Ameen Madani; President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Director, OIC, African Affairs, Ambassador Yahya Lawal, during a visit to the State House, Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: timothy ikuomenisan

Deadlock again at confab over religion, land CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

for expunging the Land Use Act from the constitution but a voice vote on the matter ended in controversy. The inability to reach an agreement on the issues made the conference to suspend further discussions on them last week. But on resumption of plenary session yesterday, Deputy Chairman of the conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, told delegates that after wide consultations, the conference secretariat had decided that the Land Use Act should remain part of the constitution, but the land tenure be made an item under the concurrent list in the constitution. Akinyemi explained that putting the land tenure on the concurrent list would enable both the Federal Government and states to legislate on land matters. However, this suggestion did not go down well with some delegates and the proposal was rejected in a voice vote. On the vexed issue of non-interference of the state in religious affairs, Akinyemi said the conference leadership consulted widely during the weekend on how to resolve the outstanding issues. He called upon a delegate, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), to present a motion on what could be

described as the compromise position and outcome of the consultations. In the motion, Ozekhome proposed the establishment of a Religious Equity Commission (RECOM) for the federation to serve as the platform for the promotion of interfaith unity, understanding and harmony. The proposed commission, Ozekhome said, would among other things, monitor, investigate and prosecute cases of religious discrimination and violation; serve as a watchdog and enforcer of religious rights . He, however, recommended that the pilgrims welfare boards will be made optional such that states that desire to have such boards be allowed to do so to take care of the welfare of their pilgrim. He also called for the streamlining of the boards’ activities to ensure that pilgrimages were conducted according to international best practices. Ozekhome’s motion sparked off a heated debate and drew criticisms from delegates. Some raised questions on the origin and mode of the motion and wondered why a motion that is the outcome of wide consultations had only one person as a sponsor. A delegate representing civil society organisations, Mr. Festus Okoye, supported the motion that the Reli-

gious Equity Commission be established while the pilgrims welfare boards or commissions should be left to states who desire to have them. But a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Adamu Aliero, canvassed an opposite view, saying that the Religious Equity Commission should not only be established but the boards should be made compulsory for all states to protect Muslims. In a separate contribution, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Victor Attah, supported the motion as presented because it recognised the diversity of Nigeria and made room for some flexibility Attah said there was need to maintain a central commission but states should be allowed to take decisions on religious matters based on local peculiarities. He warned against the tendency to impose one model on the entire country all the time. When the motion was put to a voice vote, those against it carried the day. Since the conference could not resolve these two knotty issues, Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, ruled that the conference must move to deliberate on the Report of the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue.

Chairman of the committee, Aliero, was asked to present the report for discussion. The committee reported that the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) failed to remit N713 billion to the Federation Account between 2009 and 2014. It also noted that NPA operated under an ambiguous and unclear framework due to lack of information on the form and content of concessioning agreement. According to the report, in 2009, the NPA generated N91 billion but remitted N5.2 billion. In 2010, it generated N102 billion but remitted N3.5 billion, while in 2011, it generated N120 billion, while remitting only N1 billion. In 2012, NPA generated N128 billion but remitted only N17.8 billion. It generated N131 billion in 2013 and remitted N3.2 billion, while in 2014, N172 billion has been generated so far. The committee also noted that the level of remittance when compared to revenue generated is ridiculously low and unstable in spite of the NPA’s explanation that a large percentage of the revenue was expended on operating cost and capital expenditure. The committee recommended that the concession agreement should be revisited.

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 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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APC to FG: You must account for budgetary allocations Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the Federal Government to account for the

huge budgetary allocation it receives monthly from the Federation Account. The leading opposition party said while the Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iwea-

Ezekwesili group heads to court CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

girls are hereby banned with immediate effect. I urge all to encourage our security agencies in this war and appreciate them for the sacrifices we have made and are still making,” he added. The campaigners, led by a former Vice-President of World Bank, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili and Hadiza Bala Usman, had on April 30 launched the initiative to put pressure on the Federal Government to put in more efforts towards the rescue of the schoolgirls. Their campaign had drawn global attention to the abduction and government’s perceived lethargy to rescue the abductees. However, despite the fact that it was the campaign that facilitated the international support that Nigeria had received from the United States, Britain, China, France and Canada, among others, the Federal Government has not been comfortable with the protests in Abuja which climaxed on May 22 with an aborted march on the State House where Ezekwesili and others urged President Goodluck Jonathan to expedite action in bringing back the Chibok girls. Two days after the demonstration, at which the president directed the protesters to direct their demand to Boko Haram, which kidnapped the pupils, another group, widely considered to be sponsored by the Federal Government, surfaced at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, where the Ezekwesili group had camped since April, with a campaign many believed was aimed at burnishing the image of the government over the abduction saga. On May 28, the Ezekwesili group was attacked by thugs suspected to be agents of government. Ezekwesili however condemned the ban which she described as a breach of their rights. She told the CNN yesterday that the group had consulted its lawyers and would be heading to the court for a restraint order to stop the police from carrying out the ban and to enforce their

rights to peaceful protests as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution. Also condemning the ban, Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in a statement last night, said Mbu’s directive was unconstitutional, illegal, null and void. According to him the Federal Government has shown that it is more concerned about its image and self-preservation than the safety of the schoolgirls and called for the reversal of the order. The banning of campaign for the release of the Chibok girls came amid condemnation of Boko Haram, which claims to be fighting an Islamic cause by the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), which described the insurgents as outlaws and criminals whose activities have nothing to do with Islam. The sect also caused more deaths at the weekend as no fewer than 24 people were killed in attacks in Borno State while the military has arrested a key suspect in the Sunday bombing of a viewing centre in Mubi, Adamawa State. Besides, the military put the death toll from the incident, which happened at about 6.30pm, at 18 while the number of the injured was put at 19. But amid the relentless killings in Adamawa and Borno states, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday called on the Federal Government to probe security operations in the area. The insurgency by Boko Haram has however forced Nigeria to withdraw its troops from Mali to boost troops deployed for the anti-terror war. The Federal Government has also received more support in its effort to defeat Boko Haram with the condemnation of the group by OIC. OIC Secretary General, Mr. Eyad Ameen Madani, disowned the sect in an interview with State House correspondents yesterday in Abuja after a meeting with Jonathan. Madani who led the OIC delegation to Nigeria, said they came to show CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

la, was right in asking Nigerians to challenge their state governors to account for their monthly allocations, such challenge should not be limited to the state governments alone. APC in a statement issued by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, put the Goodluck Jonathan-led government to task yesterday. The party said the “the Federal Government must lead the way in ensuring accountability for the funds from the Federation Account, just as local and state governments have a responsibility for accountability.” It warned “against

using such allocations as an instrument of blackmail by a non-performing Federal Government.” Mohammed said: “Yes, Nigerians should seek accountability from their state governments, but it is important to note that the biggest challenge should be directed at the Federal Government, because it takes the biggest chunk of the monthly budgetary allocations. “While all the 36 states together collect only 26.72 per cent and all the 774 local governments collect a total 20.6 per cent, the Federal Government alone takes 52.68 per cent, hence it bears the greatest responsibility

to Nigerians in terms of the provision of social amenities, creation of jobs and infrastructural development. “Since education, agriculture and health, for example, fall under the concurrent list, Nigerians must in addition to challenging their state governments ask the Federal Government what it has done with its huge chunk of federal allocations, against the background of massive unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure and the poor health facilities that have seen public officials, including the president, scurrying to foreign hospitals for medical treatment.” The party said there is no doubt that what-

ever achievements the Jonathan-led government has attributed to itself since assuming office have constituted a mere tokenism compared with the quantum of funds that have accrued to it. “It is therefore imperative that he who must come to equity must come with clean hands, and that those who point a finger at others must realise that four others are pointing at them. It is not just enough to say certain states have received certain allocations, Nigerians also want to know how much the Federal Government has received in total till date and what it has done with it,” APC stated.

L-R: Chief Enterprise Solution Officer, MTN, Mr. Babatunde Osho; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Risikat Akiyode; Human Resources Executive, MTN, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, and Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, Olawumi Gasper, at the opening of MTN 21 Days of Yello Care, entitled ‘Education in the Digital World’ in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Fashola: APC presidential ticket open to all Nigerians Muritala Ayinla

agos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola yesterday assured Nigerians that the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 elections is open to all Nigerians. The governor, who also said the security challenge in the country is a threat to achieving hitch free election, made the disclosure when students of Royal College of Defence Studies in United Kingdom led by

Rear Admiral Jonas Haggren paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Lagos House, Ikeja. On who flies the APC presidential flag in the election, Fashola said everyone who aspires to be president of Nigeria under the APC platform would be given a chance. He said: “There is nothing unusual in the emergence of the presidential candidate for APC. It will be an open activity and high level of accountability. I believe everyone who has aspi-

ration will be given fair chance to express and ventilate that aspiration; subject to the rule of politics that we are all aware of: votes, persuasion, lobbying and others. Nothing unusual will happen. There will not be anything behind the closet.” Fashola expressed optimism that the country would soon overcome all its numerous challenges. He said: “Insecurity is a threat every time. It is not only to electoral process, even to human ex-

istence and business activities. I believe that we will be done with this in short time; in a way that it will not impede the ability and desire of Nigerians to make a choice at the next election. “Every election brings up the contest of idea and opportunity to make the choice either to keep the incumbent government or to elect another party to govern the country. And I don’t think that it will be different in Nigeria next year.”

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Niger Delta monarchs threaten to block oil flow lYouths storm NLNG over remittances to NDDC Joe Ezuma Port Harcourt

raditional rulers in the Niger Delta yesterday, in Port Harcourt, threatened to stop the flow of oil from the area to other parts of the country if leaders from the North continue to insist on the downward review of the 13 per cent derivation. Also, youths from the region also staged a protest at the Port Harcourt premises of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Lim-

ited protesting against the non-remittance of three per cent of the company’s annual budget to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Rising from their meeting, the traditional rulers, under the aegis of the national executive committee of Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), expressed dismay that northern delegates at the National Conference were torpedoing the quest of the

region for increased derivation and even plotting a reduction in the existing 13 per cent derivation in the revenue-sharing formula. Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of TROMPCON, Mene Suanu Baridan, said delegates from the North were bent on reducing the 13 per cent derivation, scraping of the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. “If the North persists, we will not allow our oil to

leave the region. It is not a threat: that is what we will do,” he said, adding that they had earlier told delegates from the Niger Delta to insist on 100 per cent control of resources from the region but had to cut it to 50 per cent. “We had told our people at the conference to insist on full control of our resources while we decide what to give to the centre. In the worst case, request for 50 per cent. Now that the North wants to reduce even the 13 per cent, we

L-R: Prince Oyekunle Oyewumi; Senior Quality Expert, ESQR, Mr. D. Bradford; Founder/Chairman, SLOK Holding, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu; Sam Amsterdam; Leo Cendrowicz; Benjamin Kalu and Mr. Damien, during the presentation of the 2014 Best Practices Award to Dr. Kalu, in Brussels, Belgium…on Sunday

have no option but to resist that,” Baridan said. Earlier, in the communiqué issued at the end of its second quarter National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, TROMPCON endorsed the second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan, saying his administration had recorded landmark achievements and it was also his constitutional right to do so. The traditional rulers listed the revival of the railways, massive construction and rehabilitation of roads across the country, remodelling of airports and establishment of more universities as some of the achievements of Jonathan’s administration. The communiqué, which was signed by the association’s National Chairman, Eze Akuwueze Raphael Ikegwuruka, and the Secretary, Etinyin Okon Effanga Edem, said: “TROMPCON with optimism calls on Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to shun all distractions and run for second term come 2015… as it is his constitutional right to do so. To this end, TROMPCON pledges its unalloyed support and encouragement.” The traditional rulers also lauded the Federal Government for its vari-

ous development efforts in the Niger Delta, especially the establishment of a Maritime University at Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, and the continuous sustenance of the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The association expressed shock over the call by northern delegates in the ongoing National Conference, for the proscription of the NDDC, and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The communiqué read in part: “TROMPCON observes with keen interest the setting up of the National Conference, which has indeed added to the chains of achievements of the present administration and therefore encourages all participants to be positive-minded in ensuring a one Nigeria agenda. “However, we note with surprise that while Mr. President and his cabinet are on the progressive lane, some leaders of the Northern bloc tend to be on the reverse, particularly judging from their call for proscription of the NDDC, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, serious downward review of the 13 per cent derivation fund, and other obnoxious, grave and unrealistic demands.”

Military arrests key suspect in Adamawa bombing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

solidarity with the president and to assure him of the organisation’s support in the fight against terror. “We are here to express our solidarity with Nigeria in facing up to this terrorist organisation and to condemn all terrorist acts they have been committing and to pay our condolences to the Nigerian people and to the families of those who were affected. “The OIC has issued statements that we are very clear, that these people (insurgents) are outlaws. What they do is criminal; it has absolutely nothing to do with Islam and we should identify them for what they are: as a terrorist group,” he stated. According to him, the OIC is not a religious organisation, but a political association with 57 member states. “Nigeria is a member of OIC at the government level; so is Indonesia, Senegal and Saudi Arabia amongst others. But it

(OIC) has to express its concerns about the misuse of Islam morally and ethically. We are willing to do that if the Nigerian government would allow us to. “We will convene an inter-faith dialogue because we feel that there is a lot to be said about the veracity of these claims and to show the many aspects of similarities and living together between not only Christians and Muslims, but between all faith and convictions,” he said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, who also fielded questions from journalists after the visit by the OIC delegation, said: “The fact that the OIC has expressed its position of support and understanding at this hour of our challenges goes to show that OIC is playing its role to support any of its member-states which had any problem, either socially, economically, religiously or otherwise.” Meanwhile, at least 24 people, among who were 14 suspected terrorists

were killed yesterday in separate attacks on Gwoza, Biu and Konduga Local Government Areas of Borno State. Four of the terrorists and nine others died in an attack on a church by Boko Haram at Attangara village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, according to a source. Earlier on Sunday, suspected Boko Haram members invaded Gwoshe, in the local government area, and torched several houses, shops and two churches. It was learnt that some armed men attacked the church at Attangara village, close to the Gwoza hills, near Nigeria’s border with Cameroun and opened fire on worshippers while Sunday service was going on at about 9.30am. Nine persons were killed while the community also killed four of the attackers. “As we were holding service, we started hearing gunshots and everybody fled, some through the windows, and ran into

bush,” a resident of the village, Matha Yohana, told Reuters yesterday. In Adamawa State where the insurgents killed 18 persons on Sunday, the military said yesterday that the prime suspect in the incident had been arrested. Besides, it confirmed that troops have killed nine suspected terrorists in separate fierce encounters in Biu and Kawuri communities in Borno State while one of the fighters was captured alive. A statement by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the suspected Mubi bomber, was arrested by troops during a cordon-andsearch operation. The statement attributed the prompt arrest of the suspect to the vigilance of residents of the area, who it said, sighted him when he alighted from the bomb-laden vehicle. Also, the Defence Headquarters has confirmed 18 persons dead in Sunday’s

explosion in Adamawa State. Olukolade said the number of injured people had risen to 19 as against 12 earlier confirmed by the police. He also said that all the injured persons had been evacuated to hospitals for treatment. Olukolade at another occasion yesterday said the military had not seen any video purportedly released by the Boko Harm sect where the abducted schoolgirls were claimed to be ill and hungry. He said at the National Information Centre in Abuja that the DHQ could not comment on a video that it had not received, seen or watched. “The video is not feasible for Nigerians to see yet, nobody has seen the video. We will try and see if we can get a copy of the video after which we will be able to respond to it,” he said. A new video of the kidnapped schoolgirls showing them speaking about their ordeal for the first time, was reportedly re-

ceived by a British newspaper – The Mail on Sunday. The footage, which has not been released publicly but seen by the newspaper, was taken in a jungle. It shows the girls, who were abducted by Boko Haram gunmen on April 14, “bravely speaking out about their ordeal,” according to the report. In addition, it confirmed that 18 persons died in the bomb blast while 19 others, who sustained varying degrees of injury, were receiving treatment at different hospitals. But a survivor of the blast who claim to have lost two relatives in the attack, said about 45 people were killed. However, Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Murtala Nyako, has condemned the attack and expressed the readiness of the state government to foot the medical bill of the victims“ Nyako’s Director of Press, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, who spoke on beCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Shettima: I spent N10bn to fund war against Boko Haram Suleiman Bisalla Abuja

orno State governor, Kashim Shettima, has funded security operations against Boko Haram insurgents to the tune of N10 billion in the last three years, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, has said. Ambassador Jidda who disclosed this while speaking to some journalists at the weekend said the state government got only N200 million contribution from the Federal Government during the period. He said the N10 billion was used in the procurement of armoured personnel carriers, patrol vehicles, fuelling operational vehicles, procuring material logistics and intervention in the area of accommodation to support security agents in the counter insurgency operations. The SSG said the only support the Borno State Government has not provided to the military is the acquisition of ammunition because the law prohibits that. He disclosed that Gov-

ernor Shetima had earlier restrained officials from making public government’s expenditures in the fight against Boko Haram, knowing that security funding falls under the exclusive legislative list, which makes it a constitutional obligation of the Federal Government. He said: “First of all, let me say that we were pushed into making public, the things I am about to say. For three years, we dealt with these challenges without any noise since the government was doing it for Borno people. “Some people are being made to assume that a certain security vote is provided to state governments; this is not true. No state gets a dime from FAAC as security vote. Every state makes the budget it intends to spend, from its normal allocations, on security. “For us in Borno, we have spent over N10 billion in the last three years to support security agencies in the counter-insurgency. This doesn’t include our losses. We have lost thousands of citizens and in terms of material loss, we might be talking in tens of billions.

“In all of these, Borno has received only N200 million from the Federal Government as support in co-funding the security that is the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government.” Giving details, the SSG said the N10 billion was used to acquire and donate over 20 brand new ultra-modern Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to the Nigeria Police Force and about 400 brand new Toyota Hilux patrol vehicles, each costing between N6 to N7 million. “We have a filling station that is dedicated to regular fuelling of these vehicles. Hundreds of trailers of fuel have obviously been consumed and still being consumed. We maintain these vehicles, provide material logistics to troops and even pay for intelligence through the military by releasing funds where they request,” he said. The SSG added that the governor has intervened

in building hostels in one of the barracks along Maiduguri-Damaturu road and provided beddings to ease accommodation problems. “We provide funds to families of soldiers killed in combat as immediate palliative. There were instances we gave N1 million to families of every soldier at presentation in Maiduguri. The only support we have not provided to the military is the acquisition of ammunition and that is because the laws prevent us from doing so,” Jidda said. He also noted that the state government has been mobilising the citizens to support the military to boost their morale. He said the state government has trained, kitted and employed thousands of youth volunteers called “Civilian JTF” who offer support to the military in terms of intelligence gathering, and even combat operations. “We have provided these youths with patrol

vehicles, pay them stipends, encourage them in other forms and they work hand in hand with the military. When there was attack on Giwa military Barack in Maiduguri sometime in March, 2014, these inspired, trained and kitted youths came out in their hundreds and rushed to Giwa barracks to support soldiers,” he said. He added: “We have lost dozens of traditional rulers as district and village heads, all of whom were killed because of their roles as key sources of local intelligence. These people see and report what happens and that is why the Boko Haram made them targets since 2010 after the first major crisis of 2009. The SSG said governor Shettima spends so much on intelligence gathering to prevent attacks and where they occur, government spends so much supporting victims and families of bereaved persons.

This area of support also includes reconstruction of destroyed communities and public establishments, he added. Jidda said government is investing heavily on agriculture “to create jobs and make Boko Haram very unattractive to any person that might have been driven by economic factors and those that could be driven in future.” “We are applying combat, political and economic approaches to fighting the insurgency. Our people are highly mobilised and they are doing their best giving information, many get killed in the process but they have remained resolute and consistent. It is therefore so unfair if despite all that the government is incurring and all that its people have lost in terms of human lives and property, we are still made to look like the accused instead of the traumatised victims that we are as a government and people,” the SSG said.

Lady steals one-year-old baby at wedding reception Steve Uzoechi Owerri

yet-to-be identified lady has stolen oneyear-old baby at a wedding reception at Umuezeala Umuozu village in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State. The incident took place on Sunday evening during the wedding of one Mr Chinonso Cletus Oriaku at his in-law’s home where he also performed the traditional marriage. The boy’s mother who is the wife of the groom’s elder brother, Mrs Peace Oriaku, said she had given the baby to her younger sister when she wanted to go in and dress to join others at the ceremony. According to her, she did not ask for him after dressing because he was not crying. She added that when her sister wanted to attend to some issues, she handed the baby, Prince Oriaku, over to an unknown but friendly young girl of about 17 years, who had been around the family house since morning, helping out in the organisation of things for the ceremony.

She said that when she wanted to breastfeed the baby and requested for him around 5.30p.m., her sister discovered that the girl and the baby were nowhere to be found. Efforts of the father, Mr Evans Oriaku and youths in the village to recover the baby were fruitless. About a month ago, one-year-old baby girl, Febechukwu Egwuchukwu, was stolen from a church vigil at Nnempi community in Oru West Local Government Area of the state. Lukily, however, she was recovered when another woman was dedicating the baby at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, Amaigbo in Nwangele council. Also in February, 16-month-old Emmanuel Onyekachi Alamanjo was reportedly abducted from Saint Mary’s Catholic Cathedral Parish, Okigwe. The trend shows that hoodlums have again started kidnapping, snatching and stealing toddlers from churches in the state. There have also been cases of hoodlums snatching babies from their mothers at gunpoint in the state in the last three months.

L-R: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; Minister of State, Hajia Asabe Ahmed and Chairman, Venus Processing and Packaging Limited, Christopher Tugbobo, at the third AgrikExpo in Lagos …yesterday

Police ban Chibok protests in Abuja CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

half of his principal, said there was no reason why innocent people should be killed for no cause, describing the killing as an act of criminality. He said the state government would continue to work with security agencies to end the attacks by the insurgents. However, in a bid to create more public awareness, the police have began a counter-terrorism enlightenment campaign with the launch of a “fact sheet” to educate the citizens on their roles in the war against terrorism. The Inspector-General

of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, at the launch yesterday in Abuja, urged the people to be vigilant and key into the campaign. Abubakar, represented by represented b the force’s spokesman Mr. Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), urged them to pay attention to the security and safety tips contained in the leaflet, produced in English and five Nigerian languages, including Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo. Also yesterday, Senate President David Mark said the Boko Haram insurgents had compelled

the Federal Government to withdraw Nigeria’s peacekeeping troops from Mali. He spoke at a twoday retreat on Nigeria’s foreign policy jointly organised by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. According to him, the insurgency has become a major challenge to Nigeria’s efforts at forging relationships with its French-speaking neighbours. Mark spoke just as NLC called for investigation into the security op-

erations in the troubled Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. The NLC, in a statement by its National President, Omar Abduwahid, yesterday in Abuja, lamented that despite the huge funds allocated to security, insecurity remains a serious challenge in the country. It also called on the National Assembly to probe the financial allocations to the military and the utilisation of such allocations, adding that the murder of the Emir of Gwoza, Idrisa Timta, has exposed the soft underbelly of the operations.

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Ekiti 2014 Group wants CJN to caution Ekiti CJ Adesina Wahab

Ado-Ekiti

socio-political group, AGood the Ekiti Movement for Governance (EMGG),

has appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, to warn the people it described as ‘desperate’ against using the judiciary to scuttle people’s wish in the coming governorship election. The group also pleaded with the CJN to impress it upon the leadership of the judiciary, especially Ekiti State Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to endanger democracy in the state. In a release issued yesterday by the EMGG and signed by its Secretary, Dr. Abiodun Aina, the group called on the CJN to call Justice Daramola to order, saying judges should not be

biased in the manner they handle cases, especially political matters. The group was reacting to the controversy trailing some suits filed against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose, on his eligibility for the election. The group alleged that; “After Justice Monisola Abodunde, declined to sit on the cases brought against the candidature of Fayose by one Mr. Adeniyi Ajakaiye, believed to be sponsored by the E-Eleven and another one against PDP; by Citizens Peoples Party (CPP) against Fayose, other judges that were approached by the chief judge, also declined to sit on the suits. “This prompted the chief judge to decide to sit on the cases despite that they are Federal High Court cases, as a federal agency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is involved.”

L-R: Olori Kuburat Orisagbemi; newly installed Attah of Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Abdulmumini Orisagbemi; and Governor Kayode Fayemi, during the coronation/presentation of staff of office to the Attah in Ayede-Ekiti... at the weekend

APC welcomes 1,000 new members Adesina Wahab

Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Labour Party E1,000 (LP) has lost at least of its members to

the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the people eagerly await the conduct of the governorship poll. According to the Head of Media, Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Mr. Dimeji Daniels, yesterday, the LP members defected to the APC convinced of the great strides the APC government had achieved since October 2010. The defectors, who were led by a former Deputy Chairman of the party, Mr.

Ojo Ademola and including Mr. Adedamola Tayo, Hon. Ajiboye, Ojumoola Olayemi, Comrade Sola Ajayi, Mr. Peter Ademilua and Faleyimu Ademilua, said they were leaving the Labour Party because its' national leadership had sold the party to the highest bidder, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, without recourse to any democratic principle and the party's constitution. The former deputy chairman of the party, who spoke on behalf of others, said the so-called present members of the Labour Party were a few disgruntled PDP members, who Bamidele brought with him when he joined the LP.

‘LP'll return university to Ifaki Ekiti'

abour Party’s governorship candidate, Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has taken a swipe at his estranged political associate and incumbent governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, over what he called the governor’s hurried educational policies. Bamidele attributed this to why Fayemi, in less than a year in office, changed the names of some existing tertiary institutions, leaving them without proper funding. He spoke yesterday in Ifaki Ekiti, one of the towns affected by Fayemi’s educational policies of collapsing all state-owned universities into one, including the defunct University of Science and Technology, Ifaki Ekiti (USTI). Bamidele, who promised to return the university to Ifaki Ekiti within

the first quarter of his first year in government, also added that this would come with proper autonomy and adequate funding. The residents had earlier complained to the politician of how the relocation of the university in 2012, has affected commercial activities in the town. According to him; “The university that was taken away from Ifaki Ekiti shall be returned in our first quarter in office and commercial activities shall be returned to your domain. “Ask the current administration what it has achieved with their hurried educational policies that took away the USTI from you. The only thing is that they have left the state-owned institutions worse than they met them.”

120,000

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

11.8%

The percentage of new HIV infections among women more than 20 years attributed to intimate partner violence in the US. Source: Unwomen.org

18.71m

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Canada in 2009. Source: Itu.int

There is no stopping PDP, says Ogundipe CONFIDENCE In this APC controlled state, PDP chairman is sure Fayose will floor Fayemi Adesina Wahab

Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Chairman of the Peoples D e m o c r a t i c Party (PDP), Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, has assured that a united PDP will contest and win

the June 21, governorship election. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the PDP boss also exuded confidence that the party’s candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose, would be elected the next governor of the state. Ogundipe added that members and supporters of the party would also give President Goodluck Jonathan, a rousing welcome when he visits the state on Saturday, to formally present Fayose as the standard bearer of the party. “I am happy with the manner party leaders

and members are joining forces with our candidate and others to prosecute the coming election. “Our detractors, who felt our party will collapse after our primary, have been disappointed. Governorship aspirants and leaders are supporting the party's efforts and kudos to all of them,” he said. Ogundipe also commended the spirit with which Fayose is going about the campaign, saying the candidate was taking everybody along. “Former Governor Ayo Fayose, our candidate, is a

man of the people. Everywhere we have been to; people have been coming out in large numbers to attend the rallies. “Fayose has the pedigree and record of achievements while in office. The people know that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is deceiving them and they are ready to vote them out of office,” he said. Ogundipe advised voters in Ekiti State not to sell their votes and be on the lookout for desperate politicians going about to foment trouble and cause confusion.

Bamidele slams Fayemi over lack of drinkable water Adesina Wahab

Ado-Ekiti

he governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, has berated the incumbent governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, over the dearth of potable water in major towns across the state. He said the development was worrisome after the administration has spent nearly four years in office. Bamidele said this in Ikun-Oba Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government, where he held political meetings with people of the community.

He attributed Fayemi’s failure to make water available to Ekiti residents to poor planning and implementation. Bamidele had lamented the governor’s failure in the water sector which he described as very critical to corruption as allegedly experienced in all ongoing water projects in the state. But in a swift reaction yesterday, the Ekiti State government described the sentiment expressed by Bamidele on potable water as not only lacking in merit, but also borne out of mischief. The Commissioner of Information, Mr. Tayo

Ekundayo, said it was quite unfortunate that Mr. Bamidele, who should know better, has chosen to play politics with facts. The LP candidate had condemned the development despite the existence of three major dams in Ekiti, some of which functioned last under old Ondo State. He listed the inherited dams to include those of Egbe, Ureje, Ero and Itapaji, which he said are spread across the three senatorial districts. Bamidele also cited the instance of the re-awarded multi-million naira Ero Dam project given to Biwater Limited by Fayemi’s administration as a monu-

mental fraud. He promised to provide the people with water if elected. “My government, when elected shall serve you; it shall give you water to drink and other basic needs. Any government that fails to give the people water to drink is a failure as you have seen since 2010 October.” But Ekundayo said Governor Fayemi had made the perennial problem of water one of his priority projects and had been addressing it since he mounted the saddle over three years ago, the way an inexperienced Bamidele would not have done.

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

CHARGE Governor tells Kalabari to stand firm indefending justice and fair play Joe Ezuma

Port Harcouirt

ivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has urged the people of Kalabari Kingdom to rise and defend their rights to ownership of the disputed Soku Oil Wells. Amaechi spoke at the weekend while congratulating the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel at the commemoration of his installation at Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of

Amaechi urges Kalabaris to defend oil wells ...urges prayers for upright leader the State. Amaechi appealed to the Kalabari people to stand their ground in the spirit of justice and fair play. “We want to see the young men stand up for their rights. Will they take your oil wells and you say they should take it? If you say they should take it, you are not a Kalabari man. Whether it is PDP or APC, if you say they should take your oil wells, then you are not a Kalabari man. “I agree that your children are in the other party. I usually tell people if the other party wins, those oil wells are gone

N268.6m

The IGR realized from road taxes in Enugu State in 2011. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

for good. They will never come back to Rivers State and the reason why they won’t come back is you can never have a governor like me twice. You can never have a governor who will look at the President and say to him ‘these oil wells belong to Kalabari people, I will not sign,’” Amaechi declared. On next year’s governorship election in the state, Amaechi reiterated that he would not support an Ikwerre candidate. “The next thing I want to tell you, I’m an Ikwerre man, whether Ikwerre has population or not, Ikwerre should bid farewell to governorship till

49.7%

The percentage of male internet users in Colombia in 2012. Source: Itu.int

some others have gotten. Where the governor will come from, I don’t know, I’m not God, but I will fight any Ikwerre candidate that comes out. That one you can take from me, what you can’t take from me today is I don’t know where the governor will come from.” Earlier, four-time former minister, Alabo T. O. Graham-Douglas, had saluted Amaechi’s courage and sincerity in seeking protection for the disputed Soku Oil Wells, saying it was time for all Kalabari sons and daughters to rally round the governor to reclaim the disputed oil wells.

40%

The percentage of irrigation in agricultural water consumption of the world’s production. Source: Unesco.org

“Let me, at this juncture, state unequivocally that Governor Amaechi’s resolve to protect the Kalabari oil field is well-intentioned and genuine. Any contrary notion being peddled should be discarded. We should be most grateful to him for standing firm to ensure that the Kalabari Kingdom is not balkanized through the ill-motivated and ill-conceived boundary adjustment. Not only that the design will reduce our local government area, Akulga, to just Abonnema and Obonoma, but it will leave desolate, the inhabitants of Kula, Abise, Idama, Soku and Elesagama. Also, Amaechi at the weekend urged Christians to pray for a good leader who will transform the country and stop the tide of corruption. Amaechi spoke during a meeting of Pentecostal Pastors and Followers under the aegisof thePentecostalFellowship of Nigeria (PFN), held at the Convocation Arena of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, He noted that the current trend of events in the country indicates that something is wrong with the country, and urged religious leaders to be part of the anti-corruption crusade while tasking politicianstoputawayreligionfrom politics. The governor noted that

elected leaders have the obligation to serve the people, adding,“Wereallyneedtoprayfor Nigeriabecausethingsaregettingextremelybadandnobody should deceive us about God.’’ Expressing his belief that GodisnotabadGod,Amaechi positiedthatif thingsaregoing wrong everyday in Nigeria, thensomethingiswrongwith the people and not with God. “We should ask ourselves that question and put that in prayer and whatever is wrong with us is not only with us, it is also with those who shepherd us, because as those who shepherd us, if things are going wrong with your sheep then you too must go to God and ask God ‘am I a bad shepherd?’ because if you are a good shepherd, you will act like Jesus Christ and go and look for the lost sheep and bring the lost sheep back to the fold and pray for the goodness and kindness of God. “For now, it appears that our prayers have not been answered. If our prayers have been answered, Boko Haram instead of reducing is increasing every day…” The governor noted that he had kept his pledge to God to serve the people using resources of the state to address Delivering the sermon at the event, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai said Christians needed to live righteously with God to have victory and success.

CVR: Enugu stakeholders skeptical despite extension Leo Sobechi espite the two-day extension of the continuous voter registration, (CVR) exercise announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) some stakeholders in Enugu State have expressed reservations over the exercise. A member representing Nsukka East in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Chinedu Nwamba and secretary of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, (CNPP) Chief Willy Ezeugwu, said it was doubtful whether the extension would be enough to address the irregularities in the registration. Nwamba said the fact that registration machines were brought from other states to his constituency raised strong suspicions that there was a plot by INEC to disenfranchise his people in the 2015 general election. “We still think INEC has made itself available to some very influential politicians in the state to scuttle the chances of our people to participate in the 2015 (polls) effectively and utilize their massive number. We are

L-R: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, after President Jonathan’s meeting with the governors from oil producing states in Abuja …yesterday pHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

INEC can’t manipulate election, says Ondo REC Babatope Okeowo

Akure

he Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mr Akin Orebiyi, yesterday said officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could no longer manipulate election because of the of process and structure put in place by the commission. Orebiyi, who disclosed this at the inauguration of the State Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity, also recognised and honoured a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ismail Lawal, who was deployed in the last bye-election held in the state and rejected

overtures to rig the election. The REC said the electoral process and structure put in place did not permit influence or interference from within INEC or outside it. His words, "With the process and structure put in place by the commission under Professor (Attahiru) Jega's watch, no one, not even he, the chairman, or the national commissioner, resident electoral commissioner or electoral officer can rig election successfully in this country. And we are not willing to do so." Orebiyi urged tNigerians to adopt the electoral process as their own and make it work.

Tenure crisis rocks Delta’s council commission Dominic Adewole

ASABA

he plot to unseat the chairTGovernment manof theDeltaStateLocal Service Com-

mission,Mrs.PatienceNkem Okwuofu,yesterdayassumed a dangerous dimension with a protest letter to Governor Emmenuel Uduaghan. This is because protest letter has been orchestrated to make her relinquish the seat by force. A socio-political pressure groupfromUduaghan’sItsekiri land --- the Love of Itsekiri andPatriots(LIP)---inapetition tothegovernor,threatenedthat her continued stay in the commission might lead to war. The petition, dated May 28, co-signed by the group's chairman, Elder Victor Oritsejolomisan Ometie and one Taye Amatesiro (Secretary),

made available to the New TelegraphinAsabawondered whythechairmanwasjostling toperpetuateherself inpower havingcompletedherstatuary four years. The group maintained that her continued stay in office would ‘dangerously’ deprive the Itsekiri ethnic nationality the opportunity of producing the next chairman of the commission. “Since the creation of Delta State in 1991, the state’s LCSChashadsixnon-Itsekiri chairmen, rotating among the Urhobo, Isoko Ukwuani, IjawandIgbo,whoservedout a four year tenure each, with each of them voluntarily Relinguishing the seat to the next most senior officer until it got to the turn of Mrs. Okwuofu whose tenure elapsed on the 30th day of March, 2014,” the statement read.

concerned because Nsukka zone has about 61 percent of the total votes in the entire Enugu State and from INEC statistics, the zone is missing about 405 polling booths from their records,” he stated. While maintaining that the mess was too big to cleanse within the period, the lawmaker said the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, should ensure that the irregularities were fully addressed in order not to frustrate the people of Nsukka zone. Ezeugwu restated his allegation that the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC) in the state, Dr. Lawrence Azubuike, has compromised his official position by denying the people of Enugu North their voting rights even as he called for the investigation of the REC.

change of name

adebayo-david

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Atinuke Abimbola OLAPOJU, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Atinuke Abimbola ADEBAYO-DAVID. All former documents remain valid. ITF and General public should take note.

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Shortage of gadgets cripples registration exercise Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

he extension of voters' registration exercise as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday crippled the smooth conduct of the exercise as a result of shortage of the commission's gadgets. New Telegraph gathered that most local government areas of the state, including Katsina Ala, Makurdi, Vandeikya, Gboko, Logo, Otukpo, Ukum and Ogbadibo, among others, were badly hit by the shortage or otherwise absence of the materials. Our correspondent learnt that in other local councils that were affected by the invasion of Fulani herdsmen, no eligible vot-

er went out to participate in the exercise for fear of attack. It was gathered that gadgets brought by the adhoc staff at the polling units were not functioning properly as printers, scanners, batteries and ink, among other facilities required for the exercise, were in short supply. Reacting to the development, member representing Katsina Ala East constituency Mr. Ianna Jato and Supervisor for education Mr. Terhemen Anza, lamented poor arrangements put in place by INEC, pointing out that virtually all the polling units faced one difficulty or the other and called on the commission to be steadfast in the exercise.

L-R: Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly (KWHA), Abdulrazak Atunwa; Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; Chairman, Irepodun LGA. Alhaji Luqman Owolewa and Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, during the Commissioning of Omu-Aran General Hospital at Omu-Aran, Kwara State....yesterday

Aregbesola plans Osun PDP expels Ake, Oruwari mechatronic institute

Joe Ezuma

PORT HARCOURT

he Peoples Democratic party in Rivers on Monday expelled two of its leaders Chief Godspower Ake, former state chairman of the party and Mr. Adokiye Oruwari. A statement from the party and signed by its secretary said the expulsion of the duo, followed the recommendation of the state Disciplinary Committee of the party which found them guilty of anti-party activities. According to the PDP, Chief Godspower U. Ake and Barrister Adokiye Oruwari were found guilty

of individually and collectively engaging in conduct that revealed their complete disloyalty to the party, adding that they have consistently aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. ‘’Their expulsion also serves as a deterrent to others who have found it convenient to engage in acts that contravene the provisions of the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party 2012 (as amended) and are against the peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the party in Rivers State.

Appeal Court begins hearing of 189 cases in Katsina Ahmed Sani Mohammed KATSINA

he Court of Appeal has commenced a special session of over 189 appeals cases pending in Katsina State. During the hearing, which is expected to last for two weeks, the court will carefully look into more than 189 appeals pending. The President of the

Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, who presided over the special session, said the session is aimed at bringing the court to the “doorsteps of litigants so as to ease the strain of travelling several miles in pursuit of justice.” Bulkachuwa also said the special session would “enable for speedy dispensation of appeals listed.”

Economist counsels Jonathan on dialogue Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

n Economist, Dr. Wasiu Ayodele, yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to regularly dialogue with political, religious and opinion leaders across Nigeria in order to improve security in the country, especially as the 2015 general elections approach. Dr. Wasiu, made the appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State capital while exchanging views with some journal-

ists. According to him, the current security situation in Nigeria calls for everybody's concern as it has portrayed the country in bad light in the comity of nations. He sais that President Jonathan, should, in addition to his other efforts, regularly dialogue with the leaders as they are closer to their various communities and are in position to proffer useful suggestions on the way out of current security challenges.

Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

sun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday inaugurated the Bola Ige Mechatronic Institute to improve the economy of the state and that of the country. Aregbesola who made this known in Osogbo at the Government House banquet hall, said the Mechanic Institute would also help the development of humanity. He said the institute was named after Chief Bola Ige because “he

represents the best that technology could provide for, he was a man who never got tired of seeking knowledge. The governor also said that the institute, when completed, will be the first in the country, adding that the institute will deal with the latest technology involved in modern vehicles. According to him; “Osun is the first to establish this in Nigeria; meant to promote the skills needed by our graduates and technicians and for the improvement of artisans in the sector.

Katsina to conduct LG polls, August 2 Ahmed Sani Mohammed KATSINA

atsina State Independent Electoral Commission (KSIEC) has fixed August 2, 2014 for the conduct of local government elections, six years after the expiration of last elected council chairmen in the state. Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Abubakar Lawal Malumfashi, disclosed this at a press conference yesterday, saying all necessary arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the election across the 361 electoral wards. “The commission has

prepared for this election and the state government has done its constitutional role by providing 100 percent of the commission’s election financial requirement.” According to him, the commission will make available guidelines containing rules and regulations governing the conduct of the election to all stakeholders. Malumfashi, while issuing warning to political parties said no party should paste posters on government buildings, adding that posters could be pasted on personal residential buildings or party offices.

100 VVF patients receive N5m, vocational equipment Ahmed Sani Mohammed KATSINA

t least 100 Vesico Vagina Fistula (VVF) patients that had been treated have received assistance in form of cash and vocational equipment in Katsina State. The assistance was given by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) office in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and a non-governmental organisation, Service to Humanity Foundation. Speaking during

the distribution of the equipment to beneficiaries, wife of the state governor, Mrs. Fatima Shema said it has become imperative to assist VVF patients in the state. Mrs. Shema assured that such assistance would make the patients have a sense of belonging in the society after their treatment. The assistance also includes N5 million to all the patients with N50,000 to each of them, half bag of rice and maize, one sewing machine and a grinding machine each.

Niger vows to partner media Dan Atori MINNA

he Niger state Government has said that it will continue to collaborate with the Media for the execution of programmes and projects that will improve the lot of the people at the grassroots. The Chief of Staff Government House, Alhaji Umar Nasko, who made this known during a meeting with media practitioners attached to the Government House, Minna yesterday also assured that the administration will pursue the

implementation of policies and programmes that will improve the lot of practising journalists in the state. Nasko said that the administration has done a lot in the area of delivery of dividends of democracy to the people and will need the media to project this appropriately to the Nigerian public. He said "We are in the last lap of the administration. We need to let the public know what we have been doing, more than before. So, we will require the support of the media in the state and outside".

Ahmed pledges fairness on social Total, Seadrill sign $1.1bn synergy between his adamenities ministrations and various Egina drill deal

Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

wara State Governor, AlKpledged haji Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday to ensure

fairness and equity in the distribution of social amenities across the state. Speaking at the commissioning of the renovated Offa General Hospital in Offa local government area of the state, Ahmed also called for renewed

communities in the state. He explained that the determination to provide qualitative health care was behind the renovation and equipping of five General Hospitals, including that of Offa and Omu Aran, adding that the commissioning was also in line with the policy thrust of providing accessible health care within 500 meters radius state wide.

Adeola Yusuf

otal yesterday signed a Toffshore $1.1 billion contract with driller, Seadrill for giant floater project off Nigeria. The company, which announced this on its website revealed that the contract, which is a five-year deal, has increased hope of 200, 000 barrels per day oil production from the offshore

asset by December 2014. The contract, for Seadrill’s newly built ultra-deepwater West Jupiter drillship, is worth around $600,000 per day, including mobilisation, according to Reuters’ calculations. The vessel will be delivered from Samsung heavy industries’ shipyard in Geoje, South Korea in August.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Yobe by-election good sign for N’East polls, says Jega F

NEWS

Police arrest 14 suspects over Arepo pipeline explosion

Emmanuel Onani

PEACE

INEC braves the odds, conducts election in a serene condition in crisistorn Yobe Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

hairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday praised the effort of the commmission in last Saturday's bye-election in Yobe State, describing it as the best elections so far conducted by INEC. Jega, who spoke while receiving the na-

tional leadership of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) in Abuja said this was an indication that INEC was fully prepared to conduct next year's elections in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno States despite security challenges. INEC, on May 31 conducted bye-election into Nangere Constituency in Yobe State House of Assembly following the death of the member representing the constituency, Adamu Degubi, who was killed by gunmen in June 2012. Jega told his guests: "I don't know how many of you are aware that last Saturday, we were able to conduct a bye-election

471,250

The total number of internet users in Albania in 2006. Source: Blatantworld.com

in Yobe State which could not be conducted in the last two years because of security challenges? "I am very pleased to say that from all the reports we received, it was one of the best elections we have conducted so far in terms of turnout and commencing on time. In fact, all polling units were prepared for the election by 7:30am. "Of course, it was a state assembly election but it also demonstrates how committed we are to keep on improving. And if anybody had any doubts as to our preparedness to hold elections in the three states, this is a clear evidence that we are prepared to do it and do it well."

527,970

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

The INEC chairman, who reiterated his pledge to conduct free and fair elections in 2015, better than that of 2011, decried the non-patronage of professional associations like AAAN by political parties during political campaigns. He noted that in other climes such professional bodies bring sanity in the polity as they help to instil values in the country. Earlier in her speech, the president of AAAN, Mrs. Bunmi Oke, disclosed that the advertising body was planning to organise a summit of political stakeholders, including INEC and all the registered political parties in the country, ahead of the 2015 elections.

158.8

The number of newspaper journalists per 1m inhabitants of Japan in 2005. Source: Blatantworld.com

Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Force, Mr. Frank Mba (left), at a press briefing in Abuja …yesterday. With him is the Deputy Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abayomi Shogunle

NARD's three-day warning strike takes toll on UCH patients Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

HE three-day warning strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) took a toll on many patients yesterday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan as doctors withdrew their services in compliance with the national body's directive. The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the UCH, however softened the strike a bit as, according to its President, Franklin Anor, they decided to attend to emergencies. He disclosed that the

strike was declared to tell the government to sit up and do the right thing, failing which the association would begin the strike full-blast from July 1. Aligning with the communique issued by the association at the end of its Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) held at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin last month, Anor said there had been a fundamental error on the part of the government in its failure to fund residency programme in the teaching hospitals. According to him, "residency training is part of training process to become specialist, but, there

is a fundamental error in the sense that the residency training is not being funded as it is done in all other countries across the globe." The UCH ARD president recalled the previous agreements reached with the government and insisted that "the government must implement all Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and circulars regarding skipping of CONMESS 2 and rectification of the anomalies in the 2009 CONMESS circular reflected in the Circular of 3rd January, 2014." Also in contention was the alleged constant submission of the gov-

ernment to the blackmail by the other workers in the health sector under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) seeking pay parity with the doctors. He maintained that for over 20 years, the medical doctors had been underpaid, an observation the government acknowledged and pleaded with the parent body of the doctors, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at their last negotiation not to seek for arrears, but with a promise to correct the anomaly since last January. The promise had not been fulfilled till date however, Anor said.

ourteen suspects in last week's pipeline explosion in Arepo, a riverine community in Ogun State, have been arrested, and are currently in the custody of the Police. The disclosure was made in Abuja yesterday, during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters, by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police. Mba, who said investigations into the matter were still ongoing, revealed that three assorted rifles, were recovered from the suspected pipeline vandals. According to the FPRO, 52 police officers

were deployed to the area to check the vandals and restore order, even as he regretted that efforts by the police high command to deploy a rescue helicopter to the area, were hindered by the difficult terrain. This was even as a swift response was frustrated by the swampy nature of the community, which made the use of speed boats difficult. His words: "There is reasonable and steady progress in the Arepo pipeline explosion; investigations are ongoing. "Search and rescue efforts are hampered by the terrain, which frustrated planned deployment of rescue helicopter by the Inspector General of Police."

Uduaghan’s dinner party tears opposition parties apart Dominic Adewole ASABA

risis broke out yesterday within the Association of Registered Political Parties (ARPP) in Delta State over the Democracy Day dinner party organized for its leaders by Governor Emmanuel Udaughan. The accolades showered on the governor by the chairman of the association, David Ashikodi, who doubles as the state chairman of the Accord Party (AP), triggered the crisis. The state’s chapter of the Labour Party (LP), and four other parties, are unhappy with Ashikodi for declaring during his speech that they would not contest the senatorial seat of Delta South with Uduaghan. Ashikodi had declared: “Uduaghan embarrassed opposition parties in the state with

his strides, that opposition parties in the state are funding their National Secretariats with the stipends being given to them by the state, hence, members of the association have resolved not to field candidate against his senatorial ambition in Delta South axis of the state next year.” But the LP state chairman, Emeka Nkwoala, in Asaba, yesterday, faulted Ashiokodi, wondering why he spoke out of context: “For me, I don’t sponsor my national secretariat. My national chairman, Barr. Dan Nwuanyanwu, is a national figure of great repute. All the chapters of my party are well catered for by the national body. So, whatever logistics the governor (Uduaghan) gives is to boost the state chapter’s registered political parties.”

Elders declare support for Oshiomhole Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

lder statesmen under the umbrella of Ohens in Benin Kingdom, Edo State, led by Chief Igbinokhuae Ediagbonya, Ohen-Igie n’Ogbeson, yesterday urged Governor Adams Oshiomhole to ignore defectors from his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to other parties. They insisted that the defectors had no value to add to the development of the state. The elder statesmen, during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Gover nment House, said they were amused that the defectors left a

people-oriented government to join another party which could not make any impact for almost ten years in the saddle. The group assured the governor that it was solidly behind him as he had performed beyond the expectation of people in the state. The chairman, Igiohen Association of Benin Kingdom, Chief Ediagbonya said, “for some time now, we have been observing the defection of some APC members to the opposition party. Do not allow such melodrama to be a worry to you in any way, this is because our association is solidly behind you."

10 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Abaribe: Aba is best place in Nigeria

PDP rejects caretaker committee

Wale Elegbede

Joe Ezuma

l As Amaechi re-asserts control over Obi/Akpor

committees on ground after he was sworn in. Describing the new caretaker committees as unconstitutional, the party in a statement signed by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser, Media to the Chairman, Prince Felix Obuah, said the only rationale for Amaechi’s action over outright council election is the fear of losing to the PDP, knowing that Rivers State is basically a PDP state. The statement also queried the essence of setting up and stupendously sustaining the state electoral body, RSIEC, when it would not be allowed to perform its statutory functions. Accusing the out-going council chairmen of ‘financial waywardness and running their councils aground,’ the PDP said it was not enough to sack them, but that

enate spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has emphasised the strategic importance of Abia State, particularly Aba, in the industrial development of the country. He said the state is located at a vantage position that would attract investors. Abaribe also said that it requires a clear headed personality to sustain the various projects, which foundation has been laid by Governor T. A. Orji. The senator, who is aspiring to govern Abia State in 2015, made the declaration while continuing his state-wide consultation ahead of his formal declaration. Addressing a crowd of supporters and stakeholders in Abia South senatorial district at the weekend, Abaribe

said the entrepreneurial spirit and industry of the people of Abia, would complement the efforts of government, adding that what was needed was to create the enabling environment. Abaribe said: “Aba is the best place in Nigeria in terms of manufacturing and trading. The Made-in-Aba trade fair that was held in Abuja sometime last year, not only exposed the ingenuity of the people, but also attests to the fact that Abia State is a veritable platform to pilot Nigeria’s industrial revolution.” While lamenting the poor allocation to the state and its low position in the hierarchy of NDDC states, he described the situation as unfortunate, stressing that it has tied down the hands of government in developing the area.

Bayelsa Speaker eulogises Ijaw hero, Adaka Boro Chris Ejim YENAGOA

peaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson Friday, has eulogised one of Nigeria’s pioneer minority rights’ activist, late Major Isaac Adaka Boro, whose exhumed body was interred at the Ijaw Heroes Park, Yenagoa, on Sunday. The Speaker called on Ijaw youths to imbibe the ideals of selfless service, which defined Boro’s life and struggle. Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Piriye Kiyaramo, the Speaker described the 12-day revolution, which culminated in the declaration of the then ‘Niger Delta Republic’ on February 23, 1966, as an indelible statement on the economic emancipation of the Niger Delta region.

He asked Ijaw youths to emulate Boro’s passion for education, saying that the memories of Boro’s struggle would only make meaning, when the youths of the region give priority to intellectual capacity through education. Rt. Hon. Friday commended Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, for taking steps to immortalise Boro, reiterating that the elaborate reburial event of the late soldier and Ijaw icon, speaks volumes of the governor’s passion for the Ijaw nation, pointing out that late Boro stood for justice, equity and the liberation of the Ijaw nation from oppression. The number one lawmaker in the state, thanked the visiting son of America’s civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. III, among several rights’ activists and dignitaries from across the country and beyond.

Suleiman tasks workers on core values Umar Danladi Ado SOKOTO

ivil servants have been advised to adhere strictly to the core values of their profession even as they perform their duties diligently. Permanent Secretary, Federal Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Mustapha Suleiman, gave this advice yesterday at the technical session of the 42nd annual conference of civil service commissions in the federation. He said: “We must perform our duties diligently in line with the rules and regulations guiding the

operations of the service.” According to him, as civil servants, our primary duty is to assist government in the initiation, formulation, execution and implementation of policies for the well-being of our people. The permanent secretary also said it has become imperative for the officials of the federal and state civil service commissions to offer quality advice to their leaders. Suleiman said the meeting of the officials, usually tagged, ‘Technical meeting,’ is crucial to the outcome of the conference.

PORT HARCOURT

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State yesterday faulted Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s plan to set up caretaker committees to replace outgoing local government council chairmen. This was even as it called for the probe of the out-going chairmen. Amaechi had on Saturday dissolved 21 out of the 23 councils in the state, setting up caretaker committees for each as the tenure of the existing chairmen ended a day earlier. PDP’s rejection of the caretaker committees followed the inauguration of a new committee in Obi/Akpor council area yesterday as the state government reasserted control over the council area with a new chairman, who dissolved all existing

4.3%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Cameroon in 2010. Source: Itu.int

they should be made to give account of how they spent the huge resources allocated to them in the last three years. The party also recalled allegations of financial donations and illegal contributions by the council chairmen to Governor Amaechi’s wife, purportedly to aid her pet project, the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), which it said, neither Amaechi nor his wife, Judith, has denied till date. “To prove his persistent claim of running a transparent government, the PDP called on Amaechi to initiate a probe into these serious and other sundry allegations of misappropriation of council funds by these council chairmen,” the party said. At Rumuodomaya, headquarters of Obi/Akpor council area, the new-

1.3m

The number of internally displaced persons in Iraq at the beginning of 2013. Source: Unhcr.org.uk

ly appointed Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Dr. Lawrence Chijioke Chuku, ordered that the office of the embattled former Chairman, Prince Timothy Nsirim, should be broken. Shortly after swearing in other members of the committee and principal officers, Chuku, accompanied by his officers, supervised the breaking of the former chairman’s office. He had announced the immediate dissolution of all committees and task force in the council earlier in his remarks, saying; “By the powers vested on me as chairman of the caretaker committee, I dissolve all revenue bodies.” He was among the 21 caretaker committee chairmen sworn-in at the weekend, by Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

8.56m

The total population of Mexico City, Mexico in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

L-R: Commandant, FRSC Academy, Mr. Charles Aborchi; Head, Manpower Development, Mr. Samuel Obayemi; representative of Enugu State Government, Prof. Christopher Okoro and Deputy Corp Marshal (Admin and Human Resources), FRSC, Mr Adei Abu, during an inspection tour of Corps Academy in Udi, Enugu State …yesterday

2015: I attracted 52 projects to Ngor Okpala, says Ihedioha Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

eputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has told stakeholders in Ngor Okpala council area of Imo State, one of the council areas he represents at the National Assembly, that he had attracted no fewer than 52 development projects to the area. Ihedioha was in Ngor Okpala over the weekend in continuation of his state-wide governorship consultation tour of the 27 local government

areas of the state. While thanking the people for their support and solidarity, he said: “Ngor Okpala is home for me. A place where I have received overwhelming and consistent support to represent our federal constituency in the House for three terms and through that support our people are today reaping bountifully the dividends of democracy with over 52 verifiable Federal Government projects sited in Ngor Okpala alone. “By the grace of God and your support, we

have been able to add value to lives and with your support we will even do more when we occupy Douglas House, because I have the experience and the track record of achievements needed for such position.” He assured the people that he will continue to champion aggressive infrastructural development in the area, adding that the power sub-station at Umuekwune; jetty/mini wharf at Imo River, Okpala; Okpala-Igwurita road linking Imo State and Rivers State; several water projects;

school blocks; hospitals; appointments and economic empowerments programmes facilitated by his office will all add up to boost the economy of the area. Ihedioha advised the people to remain in the PDP, which he described as the only platform that can guarantee sustainable development in the area. Also speaking, the PDP leader in Ngor Okpala council area, Okenze Obinna, described Ihedioha as a man of integrity with a verifiable track record of achievements.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

‘Auxiliary’ arraigned, remains in custody Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

mbattled for mer Chair man of the Oyo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mukaila Lamidi (a.k.a Auxiliary), who was on May 9, 2014 arrested by Lagos State policemen at Olodo area of Ibadan, was yesterday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court, Ibadan, over murder. Auxiliary was allegedly found with arms and ammunition, which he allegedly ille gally purchased from a gun runner. He told journalists while being paraded at ikeja that he bought the guns to protect himself from some alleged assassins that he said were on his trail. Having been transferred to Oyo State for prosecution, Auxiliary was arraigned on a twocount charge of murder and felony. Inspector Banujoh Samson, the prosecutor, who preferred the charge against the accused person, informed the court that Auxiliary and others at large, on March 2, 2014 at about 10.00 pm at Mustard Filling Station, Iwo Road, Ibadan in the Ibadan Magisterial District “did conspire with others to commit felony and murder, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.”

Oshiomhole goes tough on illegal woods’ logging ENVIRONMENT Comrade governor wants trees to remain evergreen, while promising more buses in Edo Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

do State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday said that his government will step up action against il-

N650.6m

The IGR realized from road taxes of Oyo State in 2012. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

OSOGBO

sun State chapter of the National Conscience Party (NCP) yesterday nominated Comrade Afolayanka Olanrewaju, as its governorship candidate for the August 9, governorship election. The party, at its congress held at the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osogbo, vowed that it would oust the ruling government of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, during the contest. Speaking shortly after his emergence as the party’s candidate, Olanrewaju assured all party members and people of the state that he would not let them down if voted as the next governor of the state. The party flag-bearer maintained that; “I want

forest. “We need to protect our environment; if we don’t, we could become part of the savanna. The issue of climate change is real and the damage people who fell trees for their own selfish reasons do to the environment is something that we must confront head-on.” Oshiomhole urged members of the committee to “ensure that our forests are not devastated by illegal felling of trees. We need to revisit the books

72.2%

The estimated percentage prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) of Mauritania in 2007. Source: Blatantworld.com

and know what new laws we need in order to protect our environment.” Speaking on Edo City Transport Service, the governor said: “I trust that as men and women of responsibility, you would be able to add value to the management of the sector. We are working hard to raise funds to increase the fleet, so that we have more buses plying the roads. They currently have one hundred buses and we intend to increase the number.”

38.3%

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

L-R: Immediate Past President, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Eko chapter, Olajide Adeyemi; Ace Musician, Lanre Fasasi (Sound Sultan); Guest Trainer for the month of June/Founder, Bountiful Foundation, Busayomi Adelanwa and 2014 President, JCI Eko chapter, Adewale Edalere, during the Association’s June General Assembly in Lagos …at the weekend.

Osun governorship election: NCP vows to oust Aregbesola Adeolu Adeyemo

legal felling of trees as a step towards protecting the environment and battling climate change. The governor said this at the inauguration of Forestry Management Committee and the Edo City Transport Service at the Government House. He said: “The challenge before you is enormous. It is not only about collecting revenue from those involved in logging; I think the first task is to protect our

to assure you that If voted into power, our government will not deviate from its vision by the grace of God. We shall remain consciously dogged in the pursuit of the vision. “NCP as a progressive, responsible and responsive party has outlined a clear and pragmatic approach to solving the problems bedeviling the country and its parts. “In his speech, the South-West Vice-Chairman of the party, Alhaji Waheed Lawal, who handed over the party flag to Afolayanka said: “The party would not disappoint the people if given the mandate.” In his remarks, Chairman of the party, Mr. Gideon A. Fast said; “Political offices should be open to all responsible Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion, gender, economic and social status.”

Ondo by-election: Court joins PDP candidate as respondent Babatope Okeowo AKURE

Federal High Court sitting in Akure, yesterday granted the request of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the April 5 by-election in Ilaje/Eseodo federal constituency, Chief Adewale Kukute, to be joined as a party in the suit filed by the Labour Party (LP) challenging the trend of the election. The court, presided over by Justice Isiaka Sanni, had fixed hearing on the application by Kukute seeking to be joined as a party to the suit and the objection filed by LP to it for the day. Also, the court fixed June 16, for the hearing of the suit seeking the declaration of the LP

candidate, Mr. Kolade Akinjo, as the winner of the inconclusive election and the hearing of the preliminary objection seeking to oust the jurisdiction of the court filed by the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The LP had filed a suit before the court seeking a “declaration that a returning officer has no power under the law to declare a National Assembly election inconclusive after the conduct of election, counting of votes and collation of the results of the election.” The LP, through its counsel, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja, SAN, had sought the declaration that INEC and the Returning Officer, Prof. Babatunde Adeyemi, acted ultra vires

under the law in declaring as inconclusive the House of Representatives election for Ilaje/ Eseodo federal constituency instead of formally declaring the candidate with the number of highest votes as the winner of the said election. Apart from seeking the order to declare the LP candidate the winner of the election, having scored the highest number of votes, the party also sought the order preventing INEC and the Returning Officer from conducting supplementary election in respect of the vacant seat. At yesterday’s sitting, counsel to Kukute, Mr. Yinka Orokoto, who appeared with five other lawyers, asked the court to join his client as a party in the suit.

NEWS

INEC happy with Ekiti voters Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed delight at the improvement in the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in Ekiti State. This was just as the electoral umpire said there is no deadline to the collection of the cards at INEC local government offices across the state. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Halilu Pai, who spoke through the Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said there has been tremendous improvement in the collection of the PVCs in the last few weeks. He expressed optimism that the election would witness large turnout of voters contrary to widespread belief that apathy may set in. The REC, however, insisted that those without the PVCs would not be allowed to vote during the June 21 governorship poll, adding that INEC had given voters enough time to change their temporary voters’ cards for the PVCs. Pai said since voters were responding well to the collection of their PVCs, INEC’s belief that the poll would be successful was being strengthened. It will be recalled that the REC had said a couple of weeks ago that a total of 285,574 PVCs were yet to be collected by registered voters, expressing fear that such could create apathy and low turnout of voters during the election. To correct the lackadaisical attitude of the electorate towards the collection of the PVCs, Pai had urged political parties to embark on massive voters’ education, which he said had been yielding results. He said: “The collection of permanent voters’ cards has been encouraging. People are now trooping out on daily basis to have their cards. The collection has reached about 66.5 per cent and by the end of this week, it would have reached 70 per cent. “We are still not relenting on our sensitisation exercise and the collaboration with political parties for intensive voters’ education for this election to be a success. “What we have gathered from our findings is that some of those who have not collected their PVCs were those who registered in Ekiti in 2011 and had relocated out of the state.” Pai reassured the parties of the commission’s neutrality, saying INEC would make Ekiti election a reliable foundation for the 2015 general polls.

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TUESday, JUNE 3, 2014

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Robber rapes pregnant woman in husband’s presence WICKEDNESS

Police arrest suspect, who robs man of N66,000 and rapes his nine-month pregnant wife

Police arrest seven, recover arms, N15m cash Umar Ado

Uwakwe Abugu

Sokoto

Awka

olice in Anambra State yesterday paraded a suspected robber, Chukwudi Chinedu, who raped a ninemonth pregnant woman in the presence of her husband. Chinedu, was allegedly caught while raping the woman, after robbing her husband of N66,000. The police also paraded a suspected kidnapper based in South Africa, Okwuchukwu Nnaegbo, who hails from Agukwu Nri in Anambra State. Nnaegbo was arrested last week at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos about 10 minutes before he fled to South Africa. The Commissioner of Police, Usman Gwary, who spoke with journalists in his office after the parade of 14 suspects at the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) headquarters, explained that the police were working harder now than ever before to reduce crime which had been on the increase since Governor Willie Obiano assumed office. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Emeka Chukwuemeka, who paraded the suspected criminals, explained that Nnaegbo used to kidnapping in Nigeria, especially in Anambra State and then escape to South Africa to enjoy his loot. The police, according to Chukwuemeka, recovered two low assault rifles, six pump action guns, two locally-made pistols and ammunition from the suspects. The PPRO also explained that Chinedu was arrested in Okija while raping the pregnant woman in the presence of her husband. He said his arrest led to the apprehension of the other two members of the gang, namely, Onyeka Ozigbo and Harrison Amaukwu both from Uli.

Some of the suspects

Chinedu (left)

Other suspects include Uba Christian Chukwuemeka from Oji River in Enugu Sstate, who has been kidnapping students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Chiagolum Ihejigwa, accused of kidnapping and receiving of stolen goods, Chukwuebuka Anyamele, Chukwuemeka Maduabuchi who

are suspected kidnappers. Others include Osita Mba who belongs to a notorious Onyiuke gang of kidnappers who have killed some policemen and other citizens in their violent operations. Others are Cosmas Achum, Augustine Nwafor and Ndubuisi Agbom.

olice in Sokoto State have arrested s suspected armed robbers picked up different parts of the state. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, D las Agbouleni, disclosed this while para the suspects at command headquarters terday. Agbouleni said his men arrested thre the suspects at Rabah area and recovered N15 million cash from them while three ot were still at large. He explained that the money was suspe to belong to a businessman (name with who the suspects robbed at Illela marke cently. The deputy commissioner said that i recovered from the suspected armed rob included locally-made pistols and ammuni He also explained that two suspects specialised in punching car tyres of b customers and robbing them were arre on Gusau Road. Agbouleni said police also arrested two ers, who specialised in snatching cell ph at GSM market in the metropolis. He said six different handsets were r ered from them The deputy commissioner said the sus would soon be charged to court.

Ex-Delta HOS’ kidnappers demand N10m ransom Dominic Adewole Asaba

idnappers yesterday asked the family of former Delta Sstate Head of Service (HOS), Dr Sylvanus Mordi, to immediately pay N10 million to secure his release. “The abductors, however, prevented us from having a

word with him when they called,” a family source said yesterday in Asaba. The former HOS was accosted by the gang at Igbanke village in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, while on his way to Abuja from Agbor, last week. Prior to his kidnap, he was a grassroots politician in Ika

axis of Delta State where the race to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan next year has hot up. He represented the SouthSouth region in the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), became the commission’s Commissioner for Policy, and became the HOS former Governor James Onanefe Ibori’s

administration. The state Acting Police P Relations Officer (PPRO), Ch Muka, confirmed that the tim’s kinsmen have been in tact with his abductors. He, however, said the p had formed synergy with State counterparts to facil his safe release and nab the petrators.

LAGOS: STILL A BUMPY RIDE FOR PDP / PAGE 15 | CORRUPTION: IS JONATHAN FIGHTING A LOSING WAR? / PAGE 18

POLITICS

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TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014

Amosun, Osoba part ways

“I

will not forgive or reconcile with anybody. As I stand before you, I swear before God and Jesus Christ my Lord, I promise you all that the issue of forgiveness is no more.” The foregoing remarks from former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, at an All Progressives Congress (APC) consultative meeting in Abeokuta, last week, sounded the death knell for an inevitable implosion in the state chapter of the party. It was a declarative verdict made against the backdrop of the lingering crisis rocking the state APC which had been polarised into two contending camps. Governor Ibikunle Amosun controls a faction of the party headed by Alhaji Roqeeb Adeniji while Osoba is leading another faction headed by Chief Olu Agemo and supported by Senators and House of Representatives members representing the state in the National Assembly. With the 2015 general election approaching, the prospects of a divided ruling party contesting the poll continued to manifest by the day. This was confirmed last week when Osoba was addressing thousands of APC members that gathered at his Ibara GRA residence in Abeokuta. The grand meeting was the second to be held within the former governor’s premises within a month. Osoba declared that members of his faction had reached a consensus not to negotiate with anyone or group with regard to harmonising the state APC executive. He also directed the party faithful to commence compilation of a new members’ register in the 236 wards of the state. Waxing philosophical about the APC crisis, the former governor said he would lead his loyalists to the Promised Land, adding that they had already boarded the Noah’s Ark. He urged his loyalists to shun entreaties from Amosun, saying: “They may call you to come and pick up jobs now. Don’t answer them. After three years in office and few months to election, they want to deceive you again.” Osoba was accompanied by Senators Adegbenga Kaka, Gbenga Obadara and Akin Odunsi. Some notable members of the House of Representatives and House of Assembly were also present. The former governor also rejected the idea of setting up an elders’ committee to intervene in the party’s crisis. He wondered what such committee could achieve now that the

They pulled forces together to install their party in power. But three years into governance, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and former governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, are going their separate ways as the 2015 elections draw nearer, writes KUNLE OLAYENI.

Osoba and Amosun ...when the going was good.

schism had deepened irredeemably. “I don’t have confidence in those people up there again. They are interested in eating you up; don’t allow them to deceive you again. What is on ground is not the issue of party. When did we form APC? It’s not up to a year. You people are a moving vehicle and we have dropped the traitors and the betrayers,” he told his supporters. For political pundits, Osoba’s

comment was an ominous sign from the oracle. The ex-governor’s bombshell clearly suggested that the centre can no longer hold in the state APC. Though Amosun had yet to react, feelers from his camp revealed that he would go his own way too if resolution was not achieved. Amosun, Osoba’s political relationship The political relationship between Amosun and Osoba

was that of foe turned friend. In the build-up to the 2003 general election, Osoba, who was then the state governor elected on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD), wanted to seek re-election. However, his second term bid was truncated as Amosun teamed up with Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who ran on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to defeat the incumbent. Osoba subsequently went on ‘political exile’ during the PDP rule. But early in the administration, Amosun, who represented Ogun Central Senatorial District on PDP’s ticket, fell out

CROSSFIRE President Goodluck Jonathan has also declared amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect. Series of integration programmes have been lined up for the members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace -Boni Haruna

I will refer you to the speech by the President. If you read it line by line, you will see that it contains the very message that the President wants to put across. And in that speech, if you look at it, I don’t think the President used the word ‘amnesty’ -Reuben Abati

with Daniel. The bone of contention between the duo was Amosun’s decision to contest the governorship against Daniel’s wish to seek a second term in office. In the resultant feud, Amosun defected to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), where he contested but lost the 2007 governorship election. Although he challenged the election result, the election tribunal validated Daniel’s victory. Thereafter, Amosun returned to the trenches to plot a fresh strategy to power. By the time the 2011 poll was approaching, the ruling PDP had become factionalised. Daniel was leading one faction while former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his loyalists led another faction. The factional war reached the crescendo when Daniel’s men pulled out of PDP and defected to the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). While the PDP was disintegrating, the major opposition was consolidating. Amosun and Osoba had met behind the scene on the possibility of pulling their political resources together to oust the PDP. Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was said to have facilitated the truce although Osoba initially protested. Osoba was said to have eventually forgiven Amosun over the latter’s role in the gang-up that denied him a second term in 2003. The former governor and elders of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) agreed to give the governorship ticket to Amosun. They also decided who got the slots for the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly, among others. But Amosun was dissatisfied with the sharing formula. He felt his supporters who defected from ANPP were short-changed in the scheme of things. His efforts to get the ACN leadership to reverse the decision then were rebuffed. He, therefore, attempted to cross-carpet to the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) few months to the election. The defection move forced some concerned elders to wade into the matter and Amosun pulled back, blaming “fifth columnists” for reports about his CPC defection. Amosun ultimately won the gubernatorial election, with his party clinching three senatorial seats and eight of the state’s federal constituencies. The PPN won only one House of RepreCONTINUED ON PAGE 16

14 POLITICS What were issues you considered before deciding to vie for the position of governorship of Benue State and what makes you feel you are the candidate to beat? I have been in the civil service for over 22 years, and after my service, I felt that I should further render my service to the people. I have been the Press Secretary to the Government House for six years and also served as Permanent Secretary, Government House of Benue State for seven years. I‘ve worked closely with the government, so I know the problems of the state. Benue is predominantly agricultural based and the people need someone who will come and develop agriculture to an enviable business. Also education is one of the sectors I wish to focus on. I wish to revive technical and vocational education where people can learn some skills that will make them self-reliant. By the time we do this for four or eight years, many people will be engaged and Benue will become the ‘Nnewi’ of the North Central. These things can be done with money and Nigeria is suffering from economic meltdown, but with commitment, these things can be done. One other area Benue State needs to be rescued is in the area of unemployment, which has forced many able young men to wake in the morning and start begging on streets. I believe that with vocational training and small capital to start off, they will be able to acquire entrepreneurial skills that will make them to be self-employed. If you do that you can take them out of the streets. If elected governor, how do you intend to tackle the issue of Fulani herdsmen/ farmers clashes which has become a recurring decimal in your state? The issue of Fulani herdsmen/ farmers crisis is a serious issue of which I am personally affected. As a young boy growing up in the village, they (the Fulanis) used to be very close to us peacefully. If a cow went into a farm and destroyed the crops, the owner of the farm will settle it amicably with the Fulani person. But what’s happening now is not the normal Fulani people that we knew. They seem to have overrun the farmers for no reason. I don’t know whether it is political. I am one of the victims of the crisis. The whole of my family had been sacked by the crisis. Although right now normalcy is gradually returning to the affected areas and the people are coming back to their original settlements even as there are no houses for them to settle. Thanks to the peace committee set up by Governor Suswam and his counterpart in Nasarawa State, who has been working round the clock to ensure peace in the areas through their peace committees. We are monitoring our borders because it is from the borders that the insurgents usually come to attack people. So, if I become the governor, the method I will embrace to this problem will be dialogue with the neighbouring state. For now, we don’t know where Benue ends and where Nasarawa starts and this is one area where I will work to establish the boundary by liaising with the National Boundary Commission. We, as a people, are not comfortable with the grazing arrangement and so if you say you are going to create grazing areas, where are you going to get the land? Are you going to take away the people’s farming land by force? So, this is a contentious issue and it needs to be handled with care so that it does not generate more tension. Do you think you have the financial muscles to prosecute this ambition? Politics in Benue State is a different ball game. You don’t need to be financially buoyant before you will win the race. Since the history of the state, nobody has emerged victorious

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

We’re ready for APC in Benue State –Nyitse

Dr. Tivlumun Nyitse, a journalist and former Permanent Secretary (Government House Administration), in Benue State, is one of those aspiring to succeed Governor Gabriel Suswam on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015. He tells LATEEF IBRAHIM and KENNETH TYOHEMBA why he is aspiring to become the next governor of the state and what he intends to do if given the opportunity by the people of the state. Based on the issue of zoning or rotation, the people of Idoma are clamouring that 2015 should be their turn to produce the governor. What do you have to say about this? It is for the state caucus to sit at the appropriate time and discuss. I am not the one to decide. Everything about power sharing is discussed at the party level. But does zoning formula favour you? Yes, because all the other zonal axis in the Tiv area have tasted the position of governor except the Minda axis where I come from. The Tiv has five geographical axis and four of them have produced a governor and we in the Minda axis feel that 2015 should be our turn. Minda is made up of four local governments, with more than seven gubernatorial aspirants contesting from the zone. So, anybody stands the chance to win and I believe that at the appropriate time, the party will hold its caucus and come up with the candidate of its choice. I believe that zoning favours me because the axis where I come from has never produced any governor in the history of the state and all we are saying is that 2015 should be our turn. How do you think that the issue of Boko Haram can be tackled? The issue of Boko Haram is a national issue and the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, together with other relevant agencies are working hard to make sure that the issue is resolved.

Nyitse

in the governorship race because of his wealth. Moses Adasu of blessed memory was a reverend father, George Akume was a retired civil servant, and Gabriel Suswam, who is the current governor, was a House of Representatives member for eight years; all of them were not made governors because of money. There were people who had been in this race with more money but could not win. So, the people vote individuals based on their track records, sincerity of purpose. And for you to win, you must be trusted by the people. If the people do not trust in you, your money will not make difference. So, if it is money, I should not be vying for the position. As a journalist to civil servant, I haven’t made much money that will be used as a yardstick. I live my life for the people and it is that desire that is pushing me forward, not because I have much money. Do you have the backing of the governor for the race? The governor has no particular candidate in mind and he has said this at different times. He said that let the aspirants go out and canvass

support from the people and that he will go with the desire of the people. So, when I retire as Permanent Secretary, I told the governor about my ambition to run for the governorship of the state and he asked me to go and talk to the people, that he cannot stand as an individual and make me governor. He made it clear that it is the people who will decide. So, it could be me and I believe so because the question of who becomes governor is a holistic issue that depends on the candidate’s qualities.

Going by what is on ground in the state, I can say that APC cannot win governorship election in the state... The indices are very clear. The number of PDP national and state legislators from the state far surpasses that of APC

Is your party, the PDP, threatened by the opposition APC in your state? Not at all. Although PDP cannot be complacent because it is a contest and everybody is going there with the hope to win. However, going by what is on ground in the state, I can say that APC cannot win governorship election in the state. I am very sure of that. The indices are very clear. The number of PDP national and state legislators from the state far surpasses that of APC. If you talk of party membership, PDP has overwhelming membership. Recently a strong member of the APC, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu dumped APC and pitched tent with PDP and we have so many of them like that. This notwithstanding, PDP is not complacent; we are not taking anything for granted. So, everybody is ready. Yes we are ready for APC in Benue State because we are out to win the 2015 elections. You don’t win election on the pages of newspapers; no. It is what you have on ground, your strategies that win for you. So, the governor is working on high pedestal to win the trust of the people for a PDP candidate that will emerge victorious. For APC to win, they must convince people that their administration will be better than the present PDP government in the state. So, you should not swallow hook and sinker what you read on pages of papers about certain characters that have been jumping from one party to another.

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Lagos: Still a bumpy ride for PDP

ore than before, the political terrain in Lagos is gradually heating up and the gladiators are already spurring for a contest. For the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the story is not different. Having played second fiddle to the metamorphosing progressive party since 1999, the party is rearing to give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a tough battle in the days to ahead. After engaging in what it called mobilisation and sensitisation in the wards and local governments across the state, the PDP has started creating awareness of its readiness to square it up with the APC. But a timeline of PDP’s performances in past gubernatorial elections in the state shows a declining status. In 1999, the Alliance for Democracy (AD) defeated the PDP at the start of the Fourth Republic. The party’s candidate, Chief Dapo Sarunmi was beaten by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, not even the hues and cries of rigging of the election could make any difference. The same fate befell the party in 2003 despite the internal scuffle in the AD, its candidate, Engr. Funsho Williams could not cease the opportunity as the AD soon metamorphose into Action Congress (AC). In 2007, it was similar bitter pills for the party despite having a popular Lagos boy, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as its candidate. The worst of all the outings so far was at the 2011 elections, when the party was roundly defeated by Governor Babatunde Fashola. Interestingly, at the end of every election, many of the leaders of the party always step out with alluring, fairy thoughts that the party would still rule the Centre of Excellence and they are always at each other’s tail. Given that the party does not have any known parallel executive with the Captain Tunji Shelle-led working committee, the fragmentation within the party, to say the least, is alarming. Groups within the party only mind the dictate of their own contact leaders. While many analysts believe that the PDP in the state ought to have leverage on the marginal success and maximum goodwill it received from the public after the local government election in 2011, pull the string of grievances amidst its members together and find means of taking a leap for the repositioning of the party for future elections. Although there is graveyard peace in the party, following the reconciliation of the Union and Establishment groups, analysts aver that the problem of personal ego and the winner-takes-all mentality of some of the PDP chieftains is still potent and that they were only waiting for election periods. Already, moves about who will become the party’s flag bearer have begun and the PDP seems to have learnt its lessons. First, during a compressed Democracy Day colloquium organised by the party, some of its gubernatorial aspirants were visible at the event, and in true show of aiming to outsmart each other, they decided to be conspicuous in the thick of activities at the event. Charging the party at the event, the duo of former Minister of Communications Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju and the National Publicity Secretary of pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, urged the party to present credible candidates for elective positions in 2015, adding that the election would not be a tea party. “I believe there are enough sins to show that the time is up for APC in Lagos, the PDP has to organise itself if it is really serious about winning any election in Lagos. The battle for the soul of the state in the forthcoming general election will not be a tea party. I believe there are pieces of evidence to show that the time for change in leadership has come. It is an opportunity the PDP must take up by organising the party better in order to win,” Odumakin said. As it stands, several permutations are flying around over who will be the party’s flag bearer in 2015. Though the leadership of the party said it has instituted guidelines for aspirants of the party ’s ticket, sources within the party disclosed that the disposition of the Presidency on who it might use has not been pleasant to the party. Lately, the name of the 2007 Democratic People’s Alliance (DPA) governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje has been resonating as the possible candidate of the party for the election, a development which some party members said they would fight to the last. A party member, who chose to remain anonymous, noted that the high powered network to use Agbaje in 2015 is real and working assiduously to ensure that he comes out as the blanket, acceptable candidate of the party, especially with his goodwill, charisma and intelligence. Though the pharmacist turned politician has not openly identified with the party, it remains to be seen whether the influence of the backers of Agbaje will prevail. Speaking on the development to New Telegraph, a gubernatorial aspirant of the party, Chief Owolabi salis, refuted claims that the party has adopted Agbaje as its

Since 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed to secure the votes that would guarantee the party the governorship of Lagos State. In this report, WALE ELEGBEDE looks at the challenges and prospects of the party as the 2015 elections draw closer.

Obanikoro

George

Agbaje

Salis

The battle for the soul of the state in the forthcoming general elections will not be a tea party. I believe there are pieces of evidence to show that the time for change in leadership has come. It is an opportunity the PDP must take up by organising the party better in order to win candidate, saying that it would be totally wrong for the PDP to ditch its members for a total stranger who knows next to nothing about the party and how it is being run. “It is not true that the party has chosen Agbaje. Inasmuch as he is welcome into the party, it is not only goodwill that wins election. Are you saying that those of us who have remained and kept faith with the party all along don’t have goodwill?” he asked. Another twist that party members are still wary about is the ambition of the Minister of State for De-

fence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. While some party members are of the view that he should be the candidate of the party, others want him to continue to lead the battle front against the APC as a minister. Obanikoro, who has never hidden his gubernatorial interest after failing in 2007, is expected to be one of the henchmen together with Chief Bode George for President Goodluck Jonathan if and when he decides to seek re-election in 2015. The posers for Obanikoro’s ambition are quite loud and visible. Will he resign as minister less than five months after taking up the job to pursue his ambition to govern Lagos? Would he stick with President Jonathan and pursue the South-West votes for him? What becomes of his relevance if he decides to leave his ministerial appointment? What impact would he make in the choice of the candidate if he chose to stay out of the race? As it is, some of the aspirants are already itching for a tango should the party decide to overlook them. From the records, the line-up of those contesting for the party’s gubernatorial ticket since 2003 seems to be those hoping to become the party’s flag bearer. With experience showing that the PDP headquarters has the final say on who the party would present for the election, it is also imperative not to overlook the influence and enormous control George would have in the choice of who squares up with the APC candidate. Clearly, with the 2015 general elections fast approaching, if the party aims to get anything meaningful during 2015 elections in the state, it needs to get its act together and take advantage of the anticipated cracks within the ruling APC.

16 POLITICS CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

sentatives seat. In the state House of Assembly, the ACN won 17 majority seats, PDP won six while PPN got three. Three PDP members later defected to the ruling party, thus increasing its legislators to 20 members. When Amosun took control of governance, he saw it as an expedient opportunity to accommodate his supporters. The governor determined the nomination and appointment of commissioners, special advisers, local government chairmen, councillors, council consultants, boards’ members and other appointees. Osoba and his loyalists felt sidelined and thus waited to have their pound of flesh. The retaliation appeared to be crystallising with Osoba’s bombshell last week. Controversial congresses The recent APC congresses formed another sore point among the gladiators. On April 26, two APC factions gathered at different venues for the party’s state congress. While party stalwarts loyal to Amosun converged on the June 12 Cultural Centre Ground, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Osoba faction held its state congress at a private hall in Quarry Road, Abeokuta. Adeniji was elected state chairman of the Amosun faction while the Osoba group, in a consensus arrangement, produced Agemo as chairman. Interestingly, both factional chairmen hail from Ogun West Senatorial District. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials monitored the congress by Amosun’s loyalists while the state congress of Osoba’s group was monitored by a National Ex-Officio of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi. Addressing party faithful that gathered at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Amosun said the congresses of the party had produced “no victors, no vanquished.” The governor, who enthused that the exercise had proved that free and fair elections are possible in Nigeria, urged APC members to unite in order to overcome the challenges ahead. He said those who won should be magnanimous in victory while the losers should take the outcome in their strides. “One thing we should all take away from the conduct of our congresses is that there was no overt or covert attempt to impose candidates or disenfranchise anyone. The exercises were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere and all electors exercised their right of franchise without let or hindrance,” he added. Amosun stressed that Osoba remained the leader of the party in the state, adding: “Though by my position as the governor, I’m regarded as the leader of the party but we all know that we have a leader, Akinrogun Olusegun Osoba. We have his blessings for what we are doing here now.” Party’s NEC intervention After the controversial congresses, the APC national leadership scheduled a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) for May 13 in Abuja. That meeting, which turned out to be a heated one, was aimed at appraising the ward, local and state congresses nationwide. The party’s Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, presided. It was learnt that when the issue of Ogun State was mentioned, an ex-officio member of the NEC, Chief Yemi Sanusi, described the congresses as “kangaroo.” His comment was said to have drawn the ire of Amosun, who allegedly shouted him down. After disagreeing with Sanusi on the conduct of the party’s congresses in the state, Amosun was reported to have stormed out of the meeting. The meeting, however, continued and resolved to constitute an elders’ committee to resolve disputes in states with unresolved issues flowing from the recently concluded congresses. The NEC, it was learnt, vowed to set up caretaker committees where the elders’ committee fails. But Amosun denied the allegation that he stormed out of the NEC meeting. Briefing APC leaders in the state on the outcome of the Abuja meeting, the gover-

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Amosun, Osoba part ways that of Olumide alone and leave other members who are my political loyalists to their fate?” But the governor justified his preference for primaries. He said recently in Abeokuta that primaries remained the only democratic means as against selection, which some elders in the party were rooting for.

Tinubu

Akande

Olumide is not a glutton, he’s not a bastard. Do you think I will accept that of Olumide alone and leave other members who are my political loyalists to their fate?

Kaka

nor described as “white lies” some media reports that claimed he stormed out of the venue of the meeting. Amosun said he had great respect not only for the party, but its state and national executive members. The governor explained that on arrival at the meeting, he had informed those present, including Akande, that he would leave early because of preparations for the second edition of Investors’ Forum holding in the state the following day. He said he left the venue with the permission of elders of the party. His words: “I did not storm out as widely reported, rather I left the venue of the meeting after proper permission from the chairman of the meeting and others because of the Investors’ Forum billed for the following day. “It will be wrong for anyone or group to say, write or insinuate that I stormed out of the meeting when I actually received the permission of our revered party chairman, Chief Bisi Akande.” Amosun further told the APC stakeholders that he informed the national leadership of the party that he had done everything to carry along an erstwhile governor and APC chieftain, Chief Olusegun Osoba. The governor added that he pleaded with those present to ask Osoba what exactly he wants from him because he “had done everything humanly possible to carry him along in whatever his administration was doing, but things seem not in order.” He, however, stated that Osoba could not respond to his suggestion before he left the meeting after proper permission from Akande. Findings revealed that going by the impending plot of APC governors to control the party structures, Amosun might have an upper hand in the supremacy battle in the Ogun State chapter.

Re-election battle For discerning observers, the political undercurrents in the state APC are not unconnected with the battle for 2015 and the political survival of some power brokers. At the centre of the unending crisis is who gets what in the emerging arrangement. Amosun wants the selection of candidates to be subjected to primaries but the Osoba group is opposed to such. Loyalists of the former governor claim that the governor’s stance was a clever way of denying some serving federal and state lawmakers the opportunity of getting re-elected. New Telegraph gathered that several supporters of Amosun have indicated interest to unseat the party’s Senators and House of Representatives’ members. Among them are the state Commissioner for Sports, Prince Lanre Tejuoso, Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Ayo Olubori; the governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shuaib Salisu, one-time Senator, Mrs. Iyabo Anisulowo, and a delegate to the National Conference, Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi. Also, a House of Representatives member from Lagos State, Solomon Adeola, media executive, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, and a medical doctor, Dr. Tunde Ipaye, among others, are interested in contesting elections. Virtually all of them are said to be Amosun’s men. Loyalists of Osoba believe the governor is allegedly propping up several aspirants in the calculation to oust the ex-governor’s men. Sources said Amosun’s camp was plotting to deny the federal lawmakers the opportunity of returning for second terms, except Osoba’s son, Olumide, who currently represents Abeokuta North/ Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency. Other lawmakers may not get tickets if their permutation works well. While reacting to the plot, Osoba said: “They told lies that they would not give all the state and National Assembly members second term ticket except Olumide. Olumide is not a glutton, he’s not a bastard. Do you think I will accept

Accord Party, UPN as joker While the battle for the control of Ogun APC rages between Amosun and Osoba’s loyalists, the two camps nevertheless are not putting their eggs in one basket. Findings by New Telegraph revealed that the two gladiators in the turf war have their respective “Plan B.” The secret plan is to activate another political party for the actualisation of their 2015 agenda. This is already being implemented. According to dependable sources, the Amosun’s camp has engaged Accord Party (AP) in talks on the possibility of having its candidates run on the platform of the party. Early in the year, Amosun denied nursing any plan to defect from the APC to Accord Party. He also debunked speculations that he had held a secret meeting in Ibadan with former Oyo State Governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, in a bid to secure the AP platform to contest and realise his second term ambition. The governor, while speaking at an interactive session with Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) members in the state, said he was surprised to read some media reports that he planned to defect to Accord Party if the rift between him and Osoba cost him a second term ticket in APC. The governor vowed not to defect to any political party despite the face-off between him and Osoba as well as the National Assembly members from the state over the control of APC structures. In spite of the denial, speculation about Amosun’s romance with Accord Party has not abated. In fact, in the current political build-up, the speculation is assuming a concrete form as AP officials continued to insist that they are constantly in touch with the governor’s men about his planned defection. To perfect the cross-carpeting, an AP chieftain who preferred anonymity told New Telegraph that his party had worked out certain terms for the governor. Amosun, according to the party chieftain, was pleased with the conditions and may instruct his loyalists at the appropriate time. On the other hand, Osoba’s group is reportedly planning to dump APC if the feud in the party was not favourably resolved. It was gathered that the former governor may defect to the newly registered Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). UPN was the second largest party in the Second Republic on which late Chief Obafemi Awolowo ran for the country’s presidency. But the new UPN was registered by the founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun. It was learnt that barring unforeseen circumstances, Osoba’s loyalists would field their candidates for 2015 through the UPN. Implications for 2015 With about eight months to the 2015 elections, the scheming in the major political parties in the state has continued to intensify. Though some APC stalwarts believe there is still ample time for reconciliation, political observers contend that failure to resolve the crisis might be disastrous for the ruling party just like the PDP in 2011. Osoba had ruled out PDP and Labour Party (LP) for his supporters. But the question on the lips of many political observers is: can Amosun and Osoba successfully prosecute the 2015 elections independently and record any meaningful impact?

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Controversies still trail the conduct of elections in Nigeria after 15 years of uninterrupted democracy. ONYEKACHI EZE examines the challenges of electoral process since the return of democratic rule in 1999

Fourth Republic: INEC still far from El Dorado

his is the first time since independence an electoral commission has been able to conduct elections for 15 unbroken years. Unfortunately, while many thought this would have benefited the nation and help in nurturing her electoral process, the reverse is however, the case. Without exception, all the elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since 1998 when it came into existence have been disputed. Also, not less than 10 governorship and quite a number of legislative elections have been annulled by the courts and new elections either ordered or another candidate directed to be sworn in some two years after the “disabled” candidate has assumed office by default. This has done no good to the image of electoral umpire and has cast doubt over the capability of INEC to conduct free, fair and transparent elections. Four eminent Nigerians have superintended over the affairs of the commission since its establishment 16 years ago. These include an erudite jurist, Justice Ephraim Akpata; an educator, Dr. Abel Guobadia and two professors of international repute, Maurice Iwu and Attahiru Jega. But the nation could not or is yet to harvest from their wealth of experience in the area of election management. Free and fair election has continued to elude the country since 1998. Former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who was elected in 2007, described the election that brought him into office as less than perfect and promised to “set up a panel to examine the entire electoral process with a view to ensuring that we raise the quality and standard of our general elections and thereby deepen our democracy.” The same way President Goodluck Jonathan had said that he was embarrassed over the same elections whenever he travelled abroad. “Although we took oath of office and the Supreme Court declared us winners, but each time one travelled abroad, people asked all kinds of questions that even got one angry. That was when I promised myself that if I have an opportunity to oversee elections in Nigeria, no other president or vice president should suffer that can kind of harassment and embarrassment by the international community,” Jonathan said. An opportunity presented itself to the President in 2011 to oversee the conduct of elections, but it does appear that not much has changed. The 2011 presidential election which he supervised, although was described by former US Secretary of State, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as “a dramatic shift from decades of failed elections and a substantial improvement over the 2007 presidential election.” “While this election was a success for the people of Nigeria, it was far from perfect. We urge INEC to transparently review and take appropriate and transparent action on all allegations of “under-age” voters, violence and intimidation, ballot stuffing, and inordinately high turnout in some areas of the country,” Clinton said. Despite this admonition, subsequent elections were still characterized by multiple electoral offences – late arrival of election materials, ballot stuffing, doctoring of election results, intimidation and low turnout of voters. The establishment of the state independent electoral commissions (SIECs) has further worsened the conduct of

Jega

Iwu

Akpata

Guobadia

elections in the country. SIEC is responsible for the conduct of elections into local councils. Elections conducted by the commission all over the country lacked transparency in all ramifications. SIEC is more or less like a parastatal of state government; members of the commission are in many instances card-carrying members of the party in power in the state. The quest for transparent elections has led to the constitution of a number of committees on election reforms at the national level. Former President Yar’Adua set up a 22-member Justice Mohammed Uwais Committee on Electoral Reform in 2007. President Jonathan also inaugurated National Stakeholders’ Forum on Electoral Reform, which was headed by former Senate President Ken Nnamani. These committees made elaborate recommendations on how to improve on the nation’s electoral process but government seemed to lack the political will and courage to implement them. The problem with Nigeria’s electoral system may either be that those entrusted with the task of overseeing elections are not sincere in their assignment or the political class is not prepared to play by the rule. It is most likely the latter is the reason. INEC has once again set the stage

The problem with Nigeria’s electoral system may either be that those entrusted with the task of overseeing elections are not sincere in their assignment or the political class is not prepared to play by the rule for yet controversial polls in 2015. The timetable released by the commission is generating reactions from election stakeholders. Be that as it may, INEC in recent time is adopting measures towards improving and delivering free and fair elections in the country. The first step is the adoption of biometric voters’ registration. The process, which started in 2011, is aimed at discouraging double or multiple registration, which is one of the ways of perpetrating election rigging in the country. The commission has begun the issuance of permanent voters’ cards

(PVCs) to electorate in 10 states in the first of the three-phase of the exercise. This will be followed by Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) for people whose names were missing in the register, those who missed the exercise in 2011 and Nigerians who have attained 18 years of age between the last registration exercise and now. The exercise is in furtherance to the ones in Ekiti and Osun states where the commission has distributed PVCs and conducted CVR in preparation for governorship elections that will take place in the two states in June and August this year respectively. The success of Ekiti and Osun states exercises is heart-warming. To a certain extent, the voters’ register in the two states have been ‘cleaned’ and double and multiple names found removed. It is hoped that INEC will go a step further during the conduct of the elections by removing every obstacle that may impede transparency and voter apathy. Again, INEC intend to use card reader in the 2015 general elections, an electronic device capable of reading plastic cards embedded with computer chip or any other electronic storage medium. This will help prevent multiple voting, manipulation of election results or voter impersonation.

18 POLITICS

ver the years, it has been generally agreed that corruption is the bane of Nigeria’s development, as successive administrations have failed to neither stop, nor reduce the menace. Corruption seems to have seeped into virtually every facet of the nation’s life and its people. It is also a well-known fact that infrastructural development as well as economic progress has been hampered by the high level of corruption in public and private sectors of the economy. Also, since the return of democratic rule in the country 15 years ago, public affairs analysts have been divided as to whether, corruption thrived more during the military administration, or if it was worse with the coming of civilian administration. The debate continued with the advent of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, as many Nigerians have contended that corruption has had more or less a free reign during the Jonathan years since 2010 when he assumed the reins of power, as acting president, and later substantive president, before winning the 2011 presidential election. This argument has however been countered by supporters of the administration, who argue that the issue of corruption in Nigeria, is not a creation of the present government in power, but a consequence of the actions and inactions of previous administrations that failed to fight corruption, or strengthen the institutions necessary to reduce corruption to the barest minimum. Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Prof. Tam David-West is of the former group. According to him, President Jonathan exhibited the reluctance of his government to tackle corruption when he stated recently that Nigerians equate stealing to corruption, and argued that both are different and unrelated concepts. The professor of Virology said his earlier posture that President Jonathan was incapable of fighting the scourge of corruption, which has been the bane of development of the country, has been vindicated. “I have said it over and over that Jonathan cannot fight corruption. Not that he is corrupt but he condones corruption. So far, every Nigerian knows that corruption is the greatest evil slowing down the growth of this country. Corruption is the greatest malaise that is reducing Nigeria’s image. That is why we need someone with the willpower and capacity to honestly fight corruption,” he said. While stating that many corrupt cases in the country and the inept manner they were handled showed that the present administration lacks the courage to fight corruption, David-West went further to cite examples of alleged cases of corruption involving highly placed members of the administration, which he said the government did nothing to reassure Nigerians about. He cited the Siemens bribery scandal, the missing N20 billion oil money and the N10 billion chartered jet scandal involving the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, saying the President had done nothing to convince Nigerians that he was committed to the fight against corruption. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal echoed a similar thought when he stated that President Jonathan is encouraging corruption in Nigeria by his handling of graft cases. “The President’s body language seems to be encouraging corrupt practices in the country,” the Speaker said. Tambuwal added: “Take the subsidy probe, the pension, the SEC probe and recently the bullet proof car cases... what the President should have done was to explicitly direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the matter.” Undoubtedly, the extent to which a government tolerates corruption, is a parameter to measure its level of gov-

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Corruption: Is Jonathan fighting a losing war? ETAGHENE EDIRIN takes a look at the war against corruption, arguing that graft thrives more under the Goodluck Jonathan administration

Oduah

The corruption under Jonathan administration surpasses that of Abacha and Obasanjo regimes ernance, and in a democracy, it will help determine the quality and quantity of dividends of democracy such government will deliver to the people. It is therefore expected that the best form of governance would abhor corruption, and work towards strengthening institutions which have closer ties with tackling corruption. A number of public commentators contend that this has not been the case in the country, as corruption has continued to remain a major challenge in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Only recently, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released by the United States government indicted the Federal Government under the leadership of President Jonathan of massive and widespread corruption. According to the report made available by that US Department of State, government officials and agencies in Nigeria frequently engage in corrupt practices with impunity, with the judiciary and security agencies, especially the police, said to be lacking in transparency. Part of the report reads: “The law provides criminal penalties for official corruption; however, the government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security forces.” The report also made mention of the N1.067 trillion fuel subsidy scam, among others, as examples of the level of graft in Nigeria under the present administration. The U.S document also faulted the refusal of public officials to declare their assets as stipulated by law, and described the anti-corruption efforts of the Independent Corrupt Practises and other related offences Commis-

Alison-Madueke

sion (ICPC) and EFCC as ‘largely ineffectual’, as a number of cases being handled by the EFCC have remained inconclusive. Former United States Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, recently said the Nigerian government under Jonathan, squandered its oil resources, and indirectly helps corruption to fester. She challenged the credibility and quality of the country’s leadership under Jonathan’s watch, adding that “they (Nigerians) have squandered their oil wealth; they have allowed corruption to fester, and now they are losing control of parts of their territory because they would not make hard choices.” In its defence, government described the U.S report as an incorrect assessment of the situation in the country. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, warned Nigerians to be wary of such assessments which he described as ‘parachute researches.’ He said contrary to the picture the report painted, the present administration has remained the most transparent government since the return of democracy to Nigeria, and that it was in the spirit of transparency that the present administration exposed the scam in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry and passed the Freedom of Information Bill. In 2013, the former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, was in the middle of a scam involving the purchase and importation of two bullet-proof BMW cars valued at $1.6 million (N225 million) by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) allegedly for the minister’s personal use. The case has not been brought to a logical conclusion, while she was sacked a few months later. In another instance, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke was also alleged to have squandered about N10 billion over a two-year period on the arbitrary charter and maintenance of a Challenger 850 aircraft for unofficial. While the House of Representatives has summoned the minister to appear before its committee to explain the circumstances surrounding the expenditure, the minister has gone to court

to stop the investigation. The drama continues to play out with the president making an attempt to defend her recently during one of his presidential media chats. Also within the lifespan of the current administration, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Lamido Sanusi, was suspended just a few months to the end of his tenure for alleged “financial recklessness and misconduct.” But many Nigerians are of the view that he was given the boot because government was uncomfortable and embarrassed by his actions and utterances in exposing instances of alleged corruption in the system. Before his suspension, the former CBN boss had written to the President alleging the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had retained almost $50 billion in revenue that was due to the government. He later told a Senate Committee that $20 billion was missing. Also speaking on the issue of corruption in Nigeria, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) lamented that under the present administration, corruption has thrived more. He said: “I can say without fear of contradiction that there is no regime that promoted corruption than the current regime in Nigeria. The corruption under Jonathan administration surpasses that of Abacha and Obasanjo regimes.” A number of analysts argue that this may just turn out to be true, and that the Jonathan administration which assumed office in 2011 still has a long way to go in its fight against corruption, as a recent investigation revealed that over N5 trillion in government funds have been stolen through fraud, embezzlement and theft since President Jonathan assumed office on May 6, 2010. This is apart from daily crude oil theft put at about 250,000 barrels per day at a cost of $6.3 billion (N1.2 trillion) a year, and another fraud scheme discovered in 2012 when the House of Representatives’ Committee on Environment discovered a tree seedling fraud worth N2 billion awarded by the Ecological Fund office. There have also been reports of fraudulent activities carried out on a large scale in some ministries, parastatals and government agencies, with the most popular being the pension fund scam involving a number of civil servants who embezzled billions of naira in pension funds while the pensioners lived in abject poverty and neglect. Reacting to what it termed ‘the massive frauds that have greeted Jonathan’s tenure, Transparency International said that meaningful development would continue to elude the country as long as it keeps paying lip service to the fight against corruption. “President Jonathan should insist that those accused of corruption are properly investigated and punished if found guilty, irrespective of their positions and connections. The judiciary must be seen as impartial and fair. “To signal a break with the past, the government should set up an independent investigatory panel to review charges of corruption within government and the private sector. President Jonathan should endorse the panel and commit to ensure it has both the scope and the power to investigate and prosecute.” According to the body, fighting corruption can affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of people, adding that the current culture of corruption hurts the majority of Nigerians while the inequality gap widens.

EDITORIAL

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

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

TUESday, JuNE 3, 2014

The dilemma of states creation

he clamour for more states is gaining greater momentum. Interestingly, arguments for and against the exercise in various quarters have also remained as vociferous and intriguing as they are cacophonous and cantankerous. At the National Assembly and the ongoing National Conference, as well as among scholars, the elite and the not-so-informed, the frenzy has been the same over time. While the National Assembly has so far remained coy, the exercise, though dicey, seems to enjoy reasonable support among the national conference delegates. However, such support also appears mostly tied to tribal, regional and geopolitical sentiments aimed at asserting or entrenching regional hegemony, and by extension, gaining firm control of the nation’s resources and assets. A few contributors to the debate also attach conditions to the lingering issue and appeal for the awakening of a New Nigerian in every one of us. Positions taken by contributors to the debate have equally received either virulent and vituperative attacks or deafening praises by commentators with diverse strings of attachment to the question of states creation that won’t go away. Unfortunately, the expected solution to the various reasons given by those in favour or against the idea of creating one or more

states in the country still remains farfetched from such rancorous, disdainful and counterproductive approaches. Sadly still, the scheming and sentiments are hardly in sync with the spirit and letter of the Constitution of the country which expressly permits creation of more states if and only if the laid down conditions as stipulated in the general provisions, part one of the 2011 constitution as amended are fulfilled. People of the South-east extraction have been most vocal in their arguments, citing equality and balance among the six geopolitical zones into which the country has been artificially structured. This is expected. Their argument has been built on the fact that while their own zone is made up of only five states, all others except the North-west with seven, have six states recognised by the Nigerian Constitution. On account of merit, fairness, sense of balance and equity, their demands so far may be genuine. This, however, does not in any way diminish the rights and reasons of the other zones and regions to demand that more states are created for them. Sadly, the maths and objectivity of these agitations have worsened and complicated the debate the more even among scholars and politicians. It is however vehemently argued by the protagonists that non creation of the state still leaves more than meets the

eye especially when the political configurations of the country are factored in. This implies that either way, there are critical issues to be addressed. Dealing with these also demands that sacrifices and concessions be made by all in the interest of the nation if sustainable progress must be made. We also need to be truly nationalistic, detribalized, altruistic and futuristic in the steps being taken to handle the issue that has been taken to the front burner. We hold the belief that the time is long overdue for proper evidence and need-based boundary delineations and adjustments to be made across the country in order to put people and national resources where they rightly belong. Beyond this, adequate compensation and recognition now more than ever, need to be unconditionally given to resource bearing states and communities. The reason for this is because they are exposed to environmental degradation and other hazards in the course of exploration and extraction of such resources. We do not in any way subscribe to the idea of name-calling and vilification by the various interest groups as this remains visceral and only polarises the country further rather than promote those ideals that bond us together as a united nation working with the eye on the ball to improve the wellbeing of the greater percentage of our people. We advise that the debate should rather have room for the merits

and demerits of merging the 36 states into fewer, leaner and more economically viable federated units with our sleeves rolled up to work with sincerity of purpose and intention to make things happen for our dear country beyond reciting the national pledge and singing the national anthem. Our competing nationalistic and tribal loyalties must also be fully respected at all points in bringing intellectualism and credibility into the matrix of solutions to the daunting challenges inherent in creating more states in the country. In addressing the issue the need to be holistic and meticulous in order not to create more questions that agitators would assault the conscience of the nation with afterward must not be overlooked. The ruling elite who to a significant extent derive their source of livelihood and sense of belonging from the dysfunction of the society either in civil or public service or the private sector need to have a change of heart and desist from perpetuating systemic mismanagement and corruption in the society for their own benefits and convenience. This requires among others that they reverse the tendency to succeed more than the institutions entrusted in their care. The negative developments that have etched the psyche of defeatism, cynicism and pessimism in citizens about our nationhood must be totally uprooted and destroyed. GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director/DEIC FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Managing Editor, South 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, June 3, 2014

OPINION

Manipulation of youths to promote regional politics(1)

Solomon Dalung

vents unfolding in Nigeria in recent times have generated public debates about the future of our country. Of utmost concern is the rising profile of violent crimes, religious and ethnic tension. Economic and social activities have been paralyzed in most commercial cities thereby leaning credence to the concern that the state of federation is in near jeopardy. The security challenges dominates every national discourse. The insurgency question has escalated high fear and mutual suspicion within the citizenry. Worst still is the fact that the capacity of the Nigerian state to contend with the situation has been below human expectations. It is argued by some Analysts and Public Commentators that the insurgency (Boko haram) originated from the North, their activities for the time been has been limited to mostly Northern states, therefore, it is a conspiracy of Northern political class to destabilize incumbent administration because they are out of power. On the other side, it is view by some as an agenda to Islamize Nigeria. The latter School of thought is popular among some Christians while the former is a political theory of some power theoreticians. Either way the situation is assessed, Nigeria as a nation is in a precarious dilemma. The summary of these ugly developments might informed the clamour for consensus as means of addressing the national question. The choice of this topic is timely as we approach another election year in 2015. Conceptualization: Macmillan Dictionary defines, “youth as time of life between childhood and adulthood otherwise referred to maturity”. (Macmillan Dictionary for Students, Macmillan, Pan Ltd. (1981) Page 115). Definition of the specific age

range that constitutes youth varies. An individual’s actual maturity may not correspond to his chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages. Around the world the term youth, adolescent, teenager, kid and young person are interchanged, often meaning the same thing and occasionally differentiated. According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, “Youth generally refers to a time of life that is neither childhood nor adulthood, but rather somewhere in-between, youth also identifies a particular mindset of attitude, as in he is youthful” The term youth is also related to being young. In his works on this topic, Robert Kennedy, (“Day of Affirmation”, University of Cape Town, South Africa, June 6, 1966”) stated thus, “this world demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the life of ease” Youth is an alternative word to the scientifically-oriented adolescent and the common terms of teen and teenager. Another common title for youth is young person or young people. The age in which a person is considered a youth and thus eligible for special treatment under the law and throughout society varies around the world. According to the United Nations General Assembly and the World Bank, “Youths are those persons between the ages of 15 and 24”. (Youth at the United Nations Website and Children and Youth World Bank website). The Commonwealth Youth Programme works with young people from ages of 15-29. The Alternative Homes for Youth Incorporated defined “Youth as an individual from 13 through 19 years of age”, while the World Health Organization conceived “Youth as any member of a society between the ages 15 and 34”. In Nigeria there is no generally accepted definition of youth. The concept is conveniently manipulated in favour of prevailing social dynamics. The age of 18 is recognized by

law for criminal liability and qualification for holding public responsibilities. The only attempt to define youth is contained in the National Youth Policy which defines youth as any person within the ages of 18 and 35. Even these provisions is observed more in breached, because majority of the officers in the National Youth Council of Nigeria are in their late 50’s and early 60’s. Little wonder, the National Youth Leader of the ruling party was said to be over 60 years of age, a scenario that defeats the hope for the upcoming generations. The graduation with the definition of the concept youth by the older generation to the graves without recourse to future in my opinion is the major factor responsible for distrust that contributed to current instability. And unless and until genuine efforts are geared towards rebuilding confidence in the youths, distrust will domesticate conflict as values in our society. The saying that “youths are leaders of tomorrow” must be practically guaranteed. There must be concrete policies to re-orientate the youths in preparation for higher responsibilities. Therefore, we need to develop a Youth Development Programme that must be sincerely implemented to regenerate hope in the youths as panacea to some of these challenges. Religious beliefs often seek to identify and address the basic problem of human life, including the conflicts between, among and within persons and societies. Christians believed Jesus of Nazareth to be the “Prince of peace, the Messiah Christ who established a Kingdom of Peace where persons, societies and all of creation are to be healed of evil. For persons to enter the Kingdom and experience peace, Christians believed that one must develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who stated “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for Iam meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest of your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”.

Amosun’s developmental democracy in three years (1) Ademola Orunbon

s Nigeria is basketing in an euphoria of 15 years of uninterrupted democracy, it is pertinent to mention an achievement being recorded by the Ogun State Government under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, it was last week that we had another milestone in our “nascent” democracy as governments at state and federal level will rolled out the drums to celebrate yet another year of democratic government. In Ogun State was 15 years of democratic rule under three administrations. One is the pioneer administration of the 15 years under Chief Olusegun Osoba. The newest “kid on the block”, Senator Ibikunle Amosun was on May 29, 2014 last week clock three years in office as governor and it would be time to keep scores by the incumbent, the opposition and yes the good people of Ogun State that are not into partisan politics. Let me say here that the intent of this piece is not to keep scores or undertake appraisal per se. On a normal day I see such an exercise as tainted with credibility lacuna as well as fraught with accusation of subjectivity. That can only be so, far as any

development expert would freely tell you, all government policies, no matter how good and well intentioned, have unintended, usually negative consequences particularly in the short run for some persons in the society. And it is a timid and impotent administration that will shy away from executing its policies due to its possible unintended consequences on some of its people. For any action oriented government, it rings true that eggs have to be broken to serve omelets now and in the future. So in this wise one will like to x-ray the philosophical underpinnings of Amosun’s administration in implementation of certain policies in the last three years. One such underpinning that is in the public domain is the concept of “rebuilding” of Ogun State. Being mostly in Abuja during the electioneering campaign that brought in Amosun, one is not sure whether this concept assumed the status of a mantra but suffice to say that it was writ large on some billboards as a “mission to Re-Build Ogun State”. And in the last three years, one has heard government functionaries mouth this slogan in the few public events of the State government that I have personally attended even to the extent of establishing an NGO with the slogan MITROS. It would not be out of place then to posit that Amosun got his mandate in whole or

in part on his agenda “rebuilding Ogun State” in the five cardinal areas of focus for his administration namely; Affordable Qualitative Education, Efficient Health care Delivery, Increased Agricultural Production/Industrialization, Affordable Housing/ Urban Renewal, Rural and Infrastructural Development/Employment Generation. Without doubt, Amosun administration can point to tangible results in some or all of these cardinal areas and one can at least swear by the road he constructed, a 6-lane road with fly over bridge and pedestrian foot bridge along Ita-Eko/Sokori/ Totoro area, with ongoing 6-lane road along Lanfenwa/Itoku/Sapon, likewise Omida/ Isale-Gbein/Imo to Grammar School, and the reconstruction of Sagamu-Benin Expressway Junction, Ilo-Awela Road in Ota, OGTV- Brewery Junction, Mudasiru Lawal Stadium-Abiola Way in Abeokuta, Ilishan-Ago Iwoye Road, Lafenwa-Ayetoro Road, Ejinrin Road-Oluwalogbon Junction in Ijebu-Ode with fly-over bridges, Magboro-Underpass, Moriamo-Olorombo Road and Ojere-Asero in Abeokuta also as well as the reticulation of pipe borne water across the state that has remained dry for so long. These roads will redefine the landscape of Ogun State, and the focal point of the urban renewal and rural infrastructural

development programme of Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration, with the temporary pains will soon yield to significant gains. But as aforesaid this piece is not about project execution or appraisal. It is all about policy analysis and future developmental scenarios in Ogun State. The same way Governor Amosun is looking forward to the commissioning of the new fly-over bridge in Ijebu-Ode, which named after the Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona and of that Lagos-Benin Expressway fly-over bridge, and 6-lane roads being constructed in Ijebu-Ode with walkway and streetlights, with promise to replicate them in other local government across the state. On agricultural and housing, works are in high gear. For example, there is ongoing construction on Owowo farm settlement and the reactivation of the existing ones in Ilaro, Sawonjo, Lomiro, Apoje, and Odeda. In the housing sector, construction is in progress on Workers Estate at Kemta while the construction of the City Centre in Abeokuta and the Industrial Park at Agbara are also in progress. • Ademola Orunbon (orunbonibrahimademola@gmail. com) , Federal Housing Estate, Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun State, 08034493944, 08029301122

OPINION 21

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Between LASTMA and Federal Task Force TayoOgunbiyi

ne beautiful aspect of the federal system of government is that it affords each tier of government to develop at its ownpacewhileatthesametimegivingroomforcollaborative efforts among them. In Nigeria, for instance, while it is true that the Federal, State and Local Governments fashion distinctdevelopmentalagenda,fortheirrespectivejurisdictions, it is , nevertheless, not unusual to see joint efforts by the three tiers to tackle issues of similar interests. However, for political expediency,itisnotstrange,attimes,toseeoneof thethreetiers of government deliberately working against the interest of the others.Often,asa result of the enormous resources, powerand structures atitsdisposal,theFederalGovernmentsporadically triestointimidatetheothertiersof government.Thistendency, because it is often clothed in rough-edged garment, sometimes result to avoidable disputes, and if not well managed, chaos. With the recent altercations between members of a federal government special task force and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, it appears we are returning to what obtained in the past when Federal Government’s (FG) - Lagos relations got to an all time low as agents of the Federal Road Management Agency, FERMA, were given a free rein to cause commotion on Lagos roads by attacking and brutalizingofficialsof LASTMAandLagosAmbulanceService, LASAMBUS, for allegedly operating on federal roads. Recently, traffic operatives under the auspices of Federal Roads Committee on Surveillance and Action against Roadside Trading and other Forms of Road Abuse (FERSCAR) collided with officials of the Lagos State Management Authority (LASTMA),resultingintoavoidablepandemonium.Dressedin grey and black uniforms, the federal operatives have, in recent time, been seen controlling traffic at certain locations in the state. According to eye witness accounts, the activities of these federal operatives on some of these locations led to prolonged trafficgridlocks.Themainreasonbeingtheir(thefederaloperatives) insistence that LASTMA officials vacate those locations for them. Naturally, some LASTMA officials challenged the federal operatives insistingthey have statutory responsibilities

over traffic management in the state . It eventually took the involvement of security operatives from the Lagos State Police Command to return sanity on the roads after hours of chaos. It will be recalled that the Lagos state governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, recently made a disclosure on the existence of the federal operatives on diverse places in the state. Speaking further on the issue, the Governor revealed that he had called the attention of the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen on the situation. Initially, when Lagosians began to raise alarm about the training and activities of these operatives along the Seven-Up end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the aggregate of opinion then was that they were agents of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA. This made Lagos residents to become apprehensive bearing in mind what transpired between members of FERMA task force and LASTMA officials while Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe was the Minister of Works. However, officials of FERMA have dissociated themselves from the said group. Just as Lagos residents were beginning to see the group as a facelessorganisation,ithasbeenestablishedthatthe5000operatives were members of the federal government Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme SURE-P deployed to Lagos roads for traffic control. The Coordinator of the Task Force, Mr. Abdurazak Rafiu, while defending the activities of his men claimed that the taskforce was not illegal and that its operatives are not thugs as being insinuated. Having unraveled the mystery surrounding the identity of thespecialtaskforceoperatives,certainissuesneedtobeputinto proper perspectives. First, the avoidable fracas between LASTMA officials and agents of the federal task force is a reflection of thethreadbarewaycrucialissuesarehandledinthecountry. Ordinarily,officialsof thefederaltaskforceoughttohavecarried officers of the Lagos State government along, before now, on their intention to work on Lagos roads. In this way, necessary modalities would have been painstakingly worked out. Second, the nation has been through so much, in terms of instability, in recent time, that it will be imprudent for us to tow paths that could lead to further confusion. One striking thing

about Lagos, for some time now, is its relative peace and calmness. Compared to other parts of the country where palpable fear reigns supreme, Lagos residents currently enjoy an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. This is quite crucial when views from the point of being a micro Nigeria where almost every tribe or ethnic group is represented. Third, consideringitsconfrontationalstanceagainstLASTMA, it is difficult to believe that the real intention of the FG in setting up the task force is to help manage traffic in the state. Its combative posture towards LASTMA, which has been managing traffic on Lagos roads for long, gives it away, as it is being alleged in some quarters, as a politically motivated body put in place to destabilize the state. Beingtheeconomicnervecentreof thecountry,thewindow through the world views Nigeria and a cultural melting point, tampering with the peace of Lagos could be liken to an ill wind that would do no one any good. Consequently, the Federal Government has to be committed to positive collaboration with Lagos,becauseapeacefulandprosperousLagoswouldcertainly enhance the prosperity and peace of Nigeria. Therefore, there should be no need for unhealthy rivalry between Lagos and the Federal Government. In spite of all that Lagos brings to the country’s economy, there is still a lot to be brought out in terms of the economic potential of the state. It is, therefore, not too late for the promoters of this current imbroglio in Lagos to tow the path of honour. Government’s main purpose is to protect and defend the interest of the people. What happened recently between LASTMA officials and operatives of the federal task force does not, in anyway, represents the interests of the people. According to Mao Tse-tung , the founder of the People’s Republic of China: “Our duty (as leaders of the people) is to hold ourselves responsible to the people. Every word, every act and every policy must conform to the people’s interests, and if mistakes occur, they must be corrected - that is what being responsible to the people means”. • Ogunbiyi (tayoogunbiyi@rocketmail.com) is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

Boko Haram, Jonathan and the blame game KayodeOjo

f there is one thing that terrorist organisations crave most, it is the publicity their violent actions generate. When the media, in analyzing their activities, unduly shift blame to their victims as is the case with Nigeria, it greatly furthers their cause. As with most terror groups, so with the Boko Haram sect whose activities in recent times have been for Nigerians, a nightmarish experience. The abduction of 276 school girls from Chibok may not be the most horrendous of their actions. In the timeline in which the sect has terrorized Nigerians, the Christmas bombing in Madala, the January 2012 coordinated assaults in Kano, the midnight roasting of students in Buni Yadi, the massacres in Konduga, Gwosa, Gamboru-Ngala and Baga and recently, the twin bomb explosions in Jos, have been the most dreadful. However, there is no doubt that Chibok was the turning point which aroused the international community by its sheer humanitarian dimension. Not only has the rash of public commentaries following Chibok been largely negative, it has portrayed Nigeria and Nigerians in the most despicable manner. Urged on by mostly opposition elements or those Nigerians who hug the public space, the international media painted our President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in the worst possible portrait so far: utterly incompetent or insensitive, or both. Political leaders in US and Europe took

President Jonathan to the cleaners over what they perceived, wrongly I dare say, as sluggishness in handling the crisis. While the rabblerousing US Senator John McCain and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made highly contentiousandundiplomaticstatementsabout the Nigerian leadership, several publications like New York Times, the Economist and The Guardian of UK wrote reports and editorials that were equally uncomplimentary. Cost of the insurgency is enormous; an ongoing disaster by Public Relations standards, butitranklesthatfewof theforeigncommentators seem not to appreciate the complexities of our version of the terror war and the factors thathavecometoplaysinceitbrokeoutin2009. Are they fair to simply brand the Jonathan administration –on the spur of the moment --as incompetent without properly analyzing the underlying issues? WhileitisunderstandablethatpoliticalleadersinUSandEuropeandtheirpublicationswho may be poorly informed of our circumstances, took the line they chose, it is arguable whether they would have done so without taking a cue fromthenegativecommentsbylocalopposition elements. The All Progressive Congress (APC) is certainly guilty of this. At a point in recent times,eventhePresident’sparty,thePDP,openly accusedthemof usingthecrisistoscorepolitical points,achargeitlamelydefendeditself against. The APC is not solely the problem, though. One of our illustrious citizens did not flinch any bit in making those sordid remarks about

our President and the First lady whom he routinelyreferredtoas“thatwoman.” Hersincere efforts to enquire into the circumstances of the girls’ abduction were ridiculed to no end in the social media; till today, so many sing-songs are still weaved around her speech at that meeting with the Chibok stakeholders. Thelevelof complicitybypeopleinpositions of authorityhasitself introducedanewdimension to the problem. From the way otherwise illiterateHaramistshaveaccessedgovernment’s securitydetailssuggeststhatthereexistsaround government, fifth columnists who are sympathetic to the sect and are willing to monitor and sabotagegovernment. Examplesaboundinthe policeheadquartersbombingwhichhasallthe elements of an insider job, down to its timing. Thecuriousescapeof KabiruSokoto,suspected mastermind of the Suleja Christmas bombing that killed at least 39, appears to be a clear act of insider complicity, down to his curious recapturein–of allplaces–theBornostategovernor’s lodge in Abuja. Yes, President Jonathan may not have kept hispromiseof bringingtheviolenceundercontrol, the truth is that he may never completely do so with the prevailing cynicism and lack of solidarity.Notevenwiththeinternationalassistance in intelligence sharing, more so since we havealsostartedtalkingdownourmilitaryand exposingtheirfailingstopublicridicule.Moreis needed if the fight will have any teeth, and this has little to do with Jonathan. Before those foreign commentators get

Jonathan drowned, they should appreciate the nature of Boko Haram’s activities which presentsamoreprofoundchallenge. Ithasreligious connotation which makes it complicated in a country where religion evokes extreme sentiments. All over the world, where terror is a major issue, suicide terrorism or martyrdom is more easily organized but are extremely difficult to counter. Boko Haram says it wants strict Sharia law implemented in the country,a tall order I dare say, but their fanatical rhetoric appears to have been inspired by, or attracted followers from, the political front. This is valid considering the political angle which many have failed to fully appreciate: their actions appeartoreflectconcernsbytheNorthernelite thatJonathan’spresidencyhasgreatlyharmed Northern political interests, hence prominent Northerners openly threatened, shortly after Jonathan emerged the presidential candidate of the PDP, to make the country ungovernable. As a global security problem which manifests in several forms, terrorism is relatively new in Nigeria as a means of pursuing extreme goals. We may not have mastered an appropriate response but surely our leadership is making progress, however slowly the Clintons, the McCains and their cohorts view it. And it is only when the peculiarities of the Nigerian scenario are profoundly considered that such blame game can make sense. • Kayode Ojo, a public affairs commentator, contributed this piece from Ketu, Lagos.

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

ARTS TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014

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TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com okuyemeogom@yahoo.com

THEATER GOING IS A COMMUNAL ACT, MOVIE GOING A SOLITARY ONE. ― ROBERT BRUSTEIN

CULTURE

Foucos College shines at 2nd Macmillan Youth Cultural Day

Some of the students in performance at the Youth Cultural Day

Tony Okuyeme

fter over an hour of breath-taking performances which saw six schools light up the stage with their various presentations, Foucos College, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, emerged winner at the 2nd Macmillan Youth Cultural Day held recently at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. Edidot College, Ajah and Methodist Boys High School, Victoria Island, won the second and third positions respectively. Organised by foremost publishing company in the country, Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Limited, the event had several dignitaries in attendance, including renowned Nigerian filmmaker Mr. Tunde Kelani who was the guest of honour, Managing Director of the company, Dr. AdesanyaIyiola Adelekan, dramatist, media consultant, culture activist and member of Macmillan Literary Committee, Mr. Ben Tomoloju. A lecturer in the creative art department, University of Lagos, Dr. Felix Emoruwa, President of Guild of Nigerian dancers (GOND) and a lecturer in the creative art department, University of Lagos, Mr. Steve James were the judges. Apart from the students and teachers from the six schools, namely, Foucous College, Ebute-Metta, Ifako International School, Iju Road, Ifako, Methodist Boys High School, Victoria Island, Yaba College of Technology Staff School, Yaba, Jubril Martins Memorial Grammar School, Abule Nla, Iponri, and Edidot College, Ajah, that competed for honours in the performances, there were also students from over 20 schools drawn from various parts of the state. The Chairman of Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Limited, Bode Emanuel Esq., in his welcome address read by Dr. Adelekan, stated that the theme for the 2nd Macmillan Youth Cultural Day which is “My Country, My Pride”, has been chosen “to portray to the youths that while we have been run down, hated, roughed up, discriminated against, over worked, neglected, and discouraged, we can still stand strong and tall

as a country. Our bond can be made stronger. We have to be patient and remain united”. According to him, the maiden edition of the programme with the theme: Break It! Removing Impediments to Youths Employment Through Promotion of Cultural Values held on Thursday 31st May 2012, as a result of the Company’s Management resolve to replace the Yoruba Literary Day with the Macmillan Youth Cultural Day. This is to ensure an effective coverage of Nigeria’s cultural diversity in the spirit of unity, equity and in conformity with our corporate social responsibility policy.

“In truth, Nigeria is still work in progress. Thus we are all challenged every day to keep building in spite of the various obstacles that we may face. However, our strength lies in our diversity. And if we look back over the years, we can say confidently that there is every reason to celebrate and be proud of Nigeria. Also, I want to assure the youths of this great country especially in this year of our centenary that despite all challenges, Nigeria has maintained a strong and expanding economy. Many global economists have predicted that as a result of our domestic market and enormous natural resources, Nigeria’s

Tony Okuyeme

For Coloured Girls goes on stage

he stage is set for the production of the Nigerian adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s play For Coloured Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Produced by Keke Hammond and directed by Wole Oguntokun, the performance holds on Sunday, June 15, at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotel &Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The play, for coloured girls, featuring a crop of stage and screen stars such as Carol King, Funke Akindele, Matilda Obaseki, Osas Ighodaro, among others, is a series of 20 poems, collectively called a "choreopoem." Shange's poetry expresses many struggles and obstacles that African-American women may face throughout their lives and is a representation of sisterhood and coming of age as an African-American woman. The poems are choreographed to music that weaves together interconnected stories. The choreopoem is performed by a cast of seven nameless women only identified by the colors they are assigned. They are the lady in red, lady in orange, lady in yellow, lady in green, lady in blue, lady in brown, and lady in purple. Subjects from rape, abandonment, abortion, HIV/AIDS and domestic violence are tackled. By the end of the play the women come together in a circle, symbolising the unity they have found sharing their stories.

economy is on track to becoming the largest in Africa. Thus the challenges facing the country are inevitable in the development process of any nation. “Nigeria is rich in touristic features like long blue beaches, rivers and lakes, forest, breath-taking views of waterfalls and soothing environment. In fact, this natural beauty is the main factor behind the uplift of Nigerian tourism. This is a major reason to exhibit a sense of pride over our country. Comprehensively, our culture adds a lot of value to different aspects of our artistic expressions, visual, literary and performing which invariCONTINUED ON PAGE24

Cast of For Coloured Girls

Shange originally wrote the monologues as separate poems in 1974. In December 1974, Shange performed the first incarnation of her choreopoem for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf with four other artists at a women’s bar outside Berkeley, California. After moving to New York City, she continued work on the piece, which opened on Broadway in

1976. Shange’s for colored girls was the second play by a black woman to reach Broadway, preceded by Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun in 1959. For coloured girls has been performed Off-Broadway and on Broadway, and adapted as a book, a television film, and a theatrical film. The 1976 Broadway production was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play.

24 ARTS

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Virtual Museum, helping to promote contemporary art in Nigeria Ebere Ameh

irtual Museum of Modern Nigerian Art by the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, the parent body of the Lagos Business School is a not for profit venture. The primary aim of the museum is to increase the level of awareness of Nigerian art locally and internationally, acting as a reference point for in-depth knowledge of the Nigerian art market. It is supposed to make educational resources in modern contemporary Nigerian art available for students, teachers, and art enthusiasts, unfortunately, but not many are aware of its existence. An initiative of a Spaniard, Jess Castellote, the museum was launched in 2011. Though, an architect by profession, Castellote worked for the University of Ibadan before relocating to Lagos to open a practice. He came to deeply appreciate the Nigerian Art and the need to preserve it for posterity. One of the results of this is the online museum which is sponsored by the Art Exchange. According to him, Nigeria is immensely blessed and richly endowed with deep historical tradition that surpasses that of any other country in West Africa but proper documentation is very important. “You have a great tradition: the Ife arts, Igbo Ukwu, Benin and Nok among other great artistic traditions. All that are needed is to structure and have proper documentation of these periods and well informed critics and scholars, who can study and develop the link between the past and the present and where they converge in the work of modern and contemporary

L-R: Abimbola Philips of the Art Exchange and Castellote

artists,” Castellote who is the Director the Museum said. Due to poor preservation culture of Nigerian arts and the need to showcase the great talents that abound in country to the international community, he became part of the initiative, selling the idea of a virtual museum to the Pan African University, Lagos, while an art brokerage company, Art Exchange Limited funds it. “More than two years ago I proposed to the Pan-African University to create a virtual museum that would show to the wider public some of the best modern and contemporary art from Nigeria. The idea was accepted and we started working on it. We called it the PanAfrican University’s “Virtual museum of Modern Nigerian Art,” Castellote stated on his blog page. The Virtual Museum of Modern Nigerian Art now boasts of myriads of artworks, more than 800, spread to accommodate all themes, styles and type of works (painting, sculpture, materialism, etc.) with major focus presently centred on painting and

The virtual museum, though still work in progress, is helping to disseminate and add to the body of existing knowledge on contemporary art in Nigeria sculpture, all from grand masters of Nigerian art and different schools around Nigeria. The museum has four virtual floors and over a dozen gallery rooms, each of which is dedicated to a specific period or to a given school or expression/ exhibition. A few of the rooms are dedicated to some grand masters of Nigerian art such as Ben Enwonwu and Bruce Enobrakpeya. With an interactive website featuring about 800 works from different artists, both pioneering and upcoming, some of the works are held in private collections and are on display for the first time.

Castellote, an art enthusiast and writer said the virtual museum “is a pioneering activity that has special relevance as most of these works of art are kept in private individual and corporate collections within and outside Nigeria and have never been seen by the general public, nor properly documented in general or specialised publications, and are not available to the general public and interested scholars.” He hopes that the virtual museum will help unknown Nigerian artists who have produced great works to become better known but describes the website as a work in progress that will constantly evolve and improve. “The virtual museum though still work in progress is helping to disseminate and add to the body of existing knowledge on contemporary art in Nigeria. The artworks online are spread to accommodate all themes, styles and type of works (Painting, Sculpture, Materialism, etc.) with major focus presently centred on Painting and Sculpture. The Virtual Museum is working with many Nigerian artists and collectors to pool these works.” According to the museums websitehttp://www.pau.edu.ng/ museum/#, the rights of the artists are protected even as they provide other information that will be of help to artists. “For protection of artists’ and collectors’ rights, all reproductions /representations of artworks identify the artist who created them and the collection the works belong to; moreover, these artworks are reproduced in low resolution (72 dpi) so as to render them of little commercial use. Adequate consent and permission is requested before works are displayed. The web-

Honour for veteran actress, Onayiga at Ikorodu Women award Tony Okuyeme

eteran actress, Mrs. Solamipe Onayiga, known for her role as Ireti, the nononsense woman with passion for ‘Kitchen Practical’ in the television drama series Fuji House of Commotion, literally took time off ‘kitchen issues’ to mount the podium for another award. She was among the women honoured at the first Ikorodu Women’s public lecture and award presentation held recently at Ikorodu Local Government hall. Organised by the Centre for Rural Development and Community Transformation (CERUDECT) to encourage women in the society, especially young women, the programme had several dignitaries in attendance, including the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire who was represented by Mrs. K.B. Sobajo, member, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa who was represented by Mrs. Folakemi Sanya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lagos state, Mrs. Folasade Erogbogbo who was the guest lecturer, was represented by a deputy director in the ministry, Mr Babatunde R.A., among others. Several schools were also repre-

Onayiga (left) and other guests at the event.

sented by students and teachers including Ipakodo Comprehensive Grammar school, Government Senior Model College and Oriwu Secondary School. The deputy governor in her opening remarks read by Mrs K.B Sobajo, advised the students to engage in reading of meaningful books as the leaders of tomorrow, adding that they should be determined, focused and always have the fear of God at heart.“We as women are the future of this nation and we are taking over leadership positions in the nation. I want to encourage us to be diligent in all that we do and all our contributions which have been yielding re-

sults must not stop.’’ Hon. Dabiri-Erewa said “women have demonstrated their effort to poverty reduction, adding that grassroots women are problems solvers and knowledge holders. “Women are the grassroots of Ikorodu development, Lagos and Nigeria as a whole, Ekoonibajeoo’’. Mrs. Erogbogbo in her speech to the students read by Mr. Babatunde urged the students to work hard to make it in life. “Without you striving hard you will achieve nothing and you become a liability. Without women there is no home, no nation and no organisation. Therefore, you students should work hard in or-

der for you to take the nation to greater heights,’’ she said. Council Manager for Ikorodu Local Government, Mrs M.T Senaike said Women are the pride of Africa, saying, “We function extra-ordinarily well anywhere we find ourselves, as for you students, I want you to start from the beginning always know how to use your God given talent anywhere you find yourselves.” Several dignitaries including Hon. Jumoke jumbo-Ademehin, Hon. AbikeDabiri, Hon. FolasadeOlabanjo-Oba, Mrs. FolasadeOmolaraErogbogbo, SolamipeOnayiga, Hon. ToyinQuadri and others got awards for their leading roles.

site also provides external links to articles, papers, journals, or other domains providing added information on a subject or artist; this helps users gain a rounded knowledge.” Despite the advantage of this great innovation, many Nigeria artists, it appears, are not aware of its existence and have neither showcased their work there nor consulted the sight for anything. “I’m not aware of it, and I haven’t been there but I’m not averse to it. It is just another angle. For me, whatever be your heritage from the core of your being, hold on to it while you explore other avenues,” an accomplished Lagos artist, Chike Onuorah said. Cleophas Eze, another artist based in Benin, praised the idea but said he is not aware of it.

Youth Cultural Day of creativity CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

ably provide education, entertainment and employment. “Everyday, across the globe, Nigerians are performing commendable feats. Nigerians are making amazing contribution to make the world a better place. The world abounds with good Nigerians. Unfortunately, it is only the scoundrels and the terrorists who make the headline news. That has to change. It is quite important therefore, that we should appreciate that there is no country like Nigeria. We should think Nigeria and be proud of Nigeria, and celebrate Nigeria. The unity of the country in spite of our enormous challenges calls for celebration.” After the address, the stage was then set for what could be described as creative and cultural explorations that spawned various emotions. The main theme is My Country, My Pride, but each school has a sub-theme – different aspects of the main theme – religion, culture, education, and so on. While Ifako International School, explored the theme through governance, stressing that the success and unity of the land lies in good governance, Foucos College in their presentation showed why they believe it is through culture. For Methodist Boys High School, it is through attitude change, while Yaba College of Technology Staff School, took it from the angle of security. The significance of education was the focus of the presentation by Jubril Martins Memorial Grammar School; and the presentation by Edidot College explored the sub=theme of Religion. The event was a platform for the children to present their views about what is happening in the country. In all the presentations, the importance of peace and unity was brought to the fore. The compere of the show, Mr. Tony Offiong who is a professional dancer showed that he also has what it takes to make a career in that area. Announcing the winners, Dr. Emoruwa commended Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Limited for the programme.

BUSINESS TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS N’Delta renews clamour for 50% derivation The Niger Delta people have renewed the clamour for a 50 per cent oil revenues as derivation.

}p-26

NNPC to resume fuel pumping from Atlas Cove June

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will resume pumping of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the 23,000 metric tons capacity Atlas Cove Jetty before the end of June, New Telegraph has learnt.

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$1bn FG, Shell’s Ogoni cleanup turns chaotic

The on-going clean up of Shell’s polluted Ogoni land, at the weekend, turned messier as workers of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) threatened to down-tool.

}p-27

Lagos Land Use Charge unconstitutional –Estate surveyors

Estate surveyors have again faulted the applications of the Lagos’ Land Use Charge, describing it as unconstitutional. The experts, who pride themselves as land managers, are not pleased about their exclusion from the whole exercise and the way Lagos State Government lumped many things together in arriving at the rate chargeable on properties.

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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 WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor

ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter JOHNSON ADEBAYO, Asst. Production Editor

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FLIERS GET STINGY AS MORE AIRLINES DITCH FIRST CLASS SEATS }p-37

AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

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

Stakeholders seek probe of FAAN’s N174bn debts ACCOUNTABILITY FAAN's huge debt profile raises fresh concerns on accountability

N11bn debt stalls airports repairs

Wole Shadare

ith a debt of over N174 billion, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) may be in a precarious situation to meet its obligation as it concerns aviation safety. Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma, who led his committee members on a fact-finding visit to see whether what is on ground at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) is commensurate with what was appropriated in the 2013 budget, had said that the Senate was not carried along in the process that made FAAN to incur the N174 billion debt. He denied reports that the Senate suspended the airport remodelling projects initiated across the country by the former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, insisting that the committee was unaware of such, and that contractors will soon be mobilised to complete ongoing projects. On the committee’s feeling about the new Lagos international airport terminal building, Uzodinma said that the committee was not bothered about the project itself but the location. “If Nigeria must build a new terminal,” he said, “it must not only be better than the old terminal built over 30 years ago, but must also be bigger so as to accommodate enough passengers. Meanwhile, the on-going remodelling works at most of the nation’s airports may have been stalled due to debts owed contractors handling the projects. Secretary General, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Abdulkareem

DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

L-R: Acting Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher; Etisalat customers, Mr. Soni Irabor, Mr. Obi Somto, Mr. Mai Atafo and Director, Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Oluwole Rawa, at the unveiling of Etisalat Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Testimonial campaign, held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. PHOTO:SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Motajo, said his discussions with most of the contractors indicated that the total debts owed them was in the region of over N11 billion, just as he questioned why the Ministry

of Aviation under Oduah owed so much when she purportedly got approval and subsequent release of funds for most of the projects. The only job that is on-going

now at most of the airports is the construction of terminal extension embarked upon by a Chinese firm, China Civil EnCONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Why FG can’t meet 4m bpd target –Shell LEAKAGES Shell says 150,000 barrels of crude are stolen daily Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government has not been able to meet its production target of 4 million barrels per day because of “chronic problems with it

and the rampant theft of crude from pipelines,” the biggest oil company in Nigeria, Shell, has said. Shell’s executive vice president, Ian Craig, who said this maintained that Nigeria could produce as much as 4 million barrels of oil a day, but production remain held back by chronic problems with the nation’s government. This statement by the Shell boss at an oil and gas conference in Abuja renews long-

running complaints by the multinational firm in Nigeria, where the oil firm remains the dominant. Craig also said that as much as 150,000 barrels of crude a day is being stolen by oil thieves in the Niger Delta despite an amnesty deal for militants there. “The militancy, which crippled onshore production from 2005 to 2009 has abated, but staggering levels of theft and CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE April 2014...............................7.9% March 2014............................7.8% Feburary 2014 ........................7.7%

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at May 30)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N167 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N284 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N232 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $37.147bn as at 27/5/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at May 30)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N260.72 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N212.01 Source: CBN

26 BUSINESS | NEWS REGRESSION Ijaw Youth Congress rejects 13 per cent oil derivation Adeola Yusuf

he Niger Delta people have renewed the clamour for a 50 per cent oil revenues as derivation. This outcry, which had in 2005 led to attacks on oil installations and productions, was

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

N’Delta renews clamour for 50% accruable oil revenues

brought back to the fore at the weekend by a group of youths in the region. Speaking under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), the group reaffirmed its rejection of the retention of the status quo of 13 per cent deriva-

tion for the oil producing states in the Niger Delta region. Lawyer to the IYC, Mr. Eric Omare, who said this in an interview in Port Harcourt, described the recommendation for the retention of the 13 per cent derivation as retrogression

for the Niger Delta people. “The Niger Delta people rejects in total, the call and/ or recommendation for the retention of 13 per cent derivation. We regard this call as retrogressive because it would be recalled that the Obasanjo’s Political Reform Conference of 2005 has recommended the increment of the derivation from 13 per cent to 18 per cent, which was rejected by our delegates on the basis that they wanted 25 per cent, which would increase to 50 per cent within a period of time,” Omare who doubles as the spokesperson for the group told Sweet Crude Reports. “Therefore, it amounts to drawing us back to now recommend retention of 13 per cent nine years after a similar conference of Nigerians have recommended increment,” he said. He described the call for the scrapping of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Niger Delta Ministry and the amnesty programmes for ex-militants as a ploy by northern politicians to achieve their aim of making

the country ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan by inciting the repentant militants against government. “IYC regards the call for the scrapping of NDDC, Niger Delta Ministry and the amnesty programme for ex-agitators in the Niger Delta as a deliberate ploy by some politicians in the North to achieve their aim of making Nigeria ungovernable for President Jonathan by inciting Niger-Deltans to take up arms against the Jonathan’s administration. “The call is inciting, provocative and unpatriotic. Those making the call do not wish Nigeria well. It would be recalled that during the period of militancy in the Niger Delta region, the revenue of Nigeria almost reduced by 90 per cent. However, as a result of the amnesty programme and the way it has so far been managed by Kingsley Kuku, oil production and revenue have increased geometrically. Therefore, it is unpatriotic for any sane Nigerian to call for the scrapping of the amnesty programme,” he said.

Why FG can’t meet 4m bpd target –Shell L-R: Managing Director, Pharma Plus Nigeria Limited, Ahmed Yakassi; Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. John Isemede; High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, Muhammad Saleem and Nigeria Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador Abiodun Oyede, during the Ambassador’s visit to NACCIMA in Lagos.

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

gineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) at the Lagos, Abuja and Kano airports. Works are still on-going on site because of the $500 million loan Nigeria secured from China last year but with a proviso that the money would not be handed to Nigeria directly but used for the erection of four new terminals in these three cities, including the Port-Harcourt Airport. A source told New Telegraph that the Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Sam Ortom, is overwhelmed by the enormous debts which virtually all the aviation agencies had been plunged into allegedly by the former minister and some managing directors of the aviation parastatals. Speaking on the alleged scandals and the seeming abandonment of airports projects across the country, President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Captain Dele Ore, said that it was shocking that contractors chose to leave work sites considering the enormous resources available to Mrs Oduah during her reign which she said was without limit even when the approvals did not go through due process. According to Ore, Oduah spent money as if the funds were limitless. “What it means is that the money was not judi-

Stakeholders seek probe of FAAN’s N174bn debts ciously spent. This is the beginning. We are going to have projects littering the whole place. I told them that these projects cannot last beyond this administration. It is less than five months and there is already problem with the projects.” He disclosed that the massive debt profile of FAAN and other aviation agencies was a confirmation that the chief executive officers of FAAN, NAMA and NCAA were just puppets, who had no control of their various agencies, stressing that they found themselves in positions they never dreamt of. Also, a former Commandant, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), said that the media needs to help government. According to him, “the media needs to help this government. Even the National Assembly needs to help. We need to look at the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of these agencies. There are no ways these agencies can make less than N200 billion annually and it is annoying the way they have been plundered.” He stated that “if passenger service charge (PSC) for each

domestic passenger is N1000 and $50 for international traveller, for instance, if that is multiplied by 11 million passengers, the amount accruing to FAAN alone is enormous. This amount, he said, is excluding freight charges, collection of charges on litres of fuel dispensed into aircraft, $3,000 on parking and landing of aircraft such as B737, B747, A340, A330, A320, including smaller airplanes at the airports. “We are not even talking about revenue from the toll gates, car parks, office rentals and other sources of revenue. If you come to NCAA, agency collects five per cent PSC on each ticket sold by airlines, including five per cent on every freight. “NAMA charges navigational fees of between $400 and $1000. There is no way NAMA can say it is not generating $500 million annually. Ojikutu chided airlines for not paying their debt, alleging that a particular airline owes aviation agencies over N200 billion. He described most of Nigerian carriers as government backed carriers.

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

criminality prevail,” Craig said in remarks provided to The Associated Press by Shell. Nigeria, an Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member, now pumps out about 2.4 million barrels of oil a day, making it Africa’s biggest producer. Production dropped drastically during the militant attacks that targeted pipelines and saw foreign workers kidnapped. A 2009 government-sponsored amnesty programme saw many fighters lay down their arms and the violence largely stopped. However, in place of attacks, thefts from pipelines grew drastically, Craig said. The thefts, known locally as bunkering, see thieves using hacksaws and drills to cut into pipelines, where they attach their own spigots to steal the crude. That crude later get sold into the black market or cooked into crude gasoline or diesel at makeshift refineries that dot the Niger Delta, a maze of creeks and swamps about the size of Portugal. On one pipeline recently depressurised, Shell found over “50 bunkering points ... and associated industrial scale illegal refining with major environmental impacts,” Craig said. “The greatest challenge ... is the massive organised oil theft business and the criminality and corruption which it fosters,” he said. The bunkering likely continues because those in power in Nigeria personally benefit from the theft. A US diplomatic cable leaked last year quoted a

Nigerian official as saying that politicians, retired admirals and generals and the country’s elite, all took part. Meanwhile, Craig said that production remains low as the government provides “chronic underfunding” of projects through the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). That company partners with foreign oil firms working in the nation and remains embroiled in corruption allegations as it has a largely opaque budget. It has delayed payments for projects in the past. Despite decades as an oilproducing country, Nigeria has a largely impoverished population - especially in the delta, where pollution remains a huge problem. Anger over that has fuelled the region’s militancy, which remains strong today. Many activists however blame Shell for indirectly fuelling government corruption while allowing the delta to remain polluted. Some environmentalists say that as much as 550 million gallons (2.1 billion litres) of oil poured into the delta during Shell’s roughly 50 years of production in Nigeria - a rate roughly comparable to one Exxon Valdez disaster per year. In recent years, Shell has blamed much of the pollution on those stealing crude from its pipelines and militant attacks. Craig’s speech did not mention the firm’s oil spill at its offshore Bonga facility last year, the worst in Nigeria in over a decade. That spill saw roughly 40,000 barrels of oil - or 1.68 million gallons (6.36 million litres) - pour into the Atlantic Ocean.

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

EXTINGUISHED The NNPC has begun repair works on the System 2B pipeline after the Arepo fire had been extinguished

NNPC to resume fuel pumping from Atlas Cove June

Stories by Adeola Yusuf

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will resume pumping of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the 23,000 metric tons capacity Atlas Cove Jetty before the end of June, New Telegraph has learnt. This came as the corporation also began repair works at the vandalised point on the System 2B pipeline at Arepo in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. A management staff of the NNPC who craved anonymity because he has “no official permit to make the plans public,” told this newspaper that the target is to guard against disruption in supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). “It is a decision taken as a result of the need to reopen the line and resume pumping of fuel to the four depots that are presently experiencing fuel supply cut,” he said. “The premium motor spirit Tank 12 was reconstructed in 2004 to increase its capacity from 1,800 cubic metres to 23,000 cubic metres, while Tanks 31 and 32 were rehabilitated in 2005/2006 and are all serviceable,” he said. The four depots in Mosinmi in Ogun State, Ibadan in Oyo State, Ore in Ondo State and Ilorin in Kwara State have experienced a four-day cut in supply. NNPC, which announced the shutdown of System 2B pipeline that transports product to these depots, said that the pipeline fire in Arepo raged for four days because some volumes of fuel were trapped in the facility. The corporation had earlier declared that it had shut down the System 2B pipeline, which transports petroleum products from Atlas Cove in Apapa to depots in Mosimi, Ibadan, Ore and Ilorin. Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, told our correspondent on telephone that the preliminary investigations showed that the incidence was caused by vandals. “As precautionary measure, we have shut down the System 2B pipeline. We have also spoken with the Police and what they told us is to keep off. They are on top of the situation because they have called for reinforcement. Alegbe had said: “I can confirm to you that there is a pipeline fire at Arepo, which was caused by vandals. It is true that the fire is still raging at the moment because some of the products are trapped in the incident. “A full-fledge investigation is on-going on the remote and immediate causes of the incident, but preliminary findings showed that there was an act of

Head of Rehab, Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Abdul Iliasu; Managing Director, Divcon Engineering Group, Andy Ikekhide, and Johan Vanderborght, during a visit to KRPC in Kaduna recently.

vandalism.” According to the NNPC’s spokesperson, the System 2B pipeline, which supplies product through Arepo to our depots in Mosimi, Ibadan, Ore and Ilorin, has been shut down as

a part of measures to stop the raging fire. “We are calling on all Nigerians to join hands in the collective efforts to stop pipeline vandalism in the country,” he said.

A pipeline explosion had, penultimate Sunday, rocked the System 2B pipeline at the notorious Arepo, near Lagos, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, leaving four police officers and

three vandals killed. Eyewitness account showed that the incident was caused by an exchange of gunshots between officers of the Nigerian Police on site and the highly armed vandals at the scene.

‘CNG to end FG’s $8bn yearly expenditure on fuel importation’ DUTY WAIVER NIPCO MD advocates duty waiver on natural gas vehicles’ importation

f 60 per cent of the vehicles in Nigeria run on natural gas, the Federal Government will save foreign exchange required in purchasing 4.7 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) yearly, the Managing Director, Nipco Plc, Mr Venkataraman Venkatapathy, has said. Nigeria spends an average of $8 billion annually on fuel importation. Venkatapathy, who said this in a presentation at a national conference on “Deepening domestic utilisation of natural gas” organised by the Senate Committee on Gas Resources in Abuja, also advocated for Customs duty waiver on natural gas vehicles (NGVs) importation and subsidy to vehicle owners to convert their vehicles. According to the NIPCO boss, a special high-level committee should be formed to formulate policies with clear

strategic plans. “These plans are to include small share of the domestic gas in the Nigerian fuel mix and included in the auto fuel policy for use of natural gas as a vehicular fuel,” he said. This, he said, will boost the efforts of NIPCO at promoting the usage of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). “In 2007, the Federal Government granted license to NIPCO Plc to implement a pilot project in Benin City, Edo State. NIPCO, in partnership with NGC, which led to the formation of a joint venture company, Green Gas Ltd, successfully implemented the pilot project in Benin City, with seven operational CNG stations catering for over 4,000 NGVs. Saying that the use of natural gas as a vehicular fuel dated back to mid-1920’s, Venkatapathy maintained that with 60 per cent vehicles on natural gas, the Federal Government “will save foreign exchange required in purchasing 4.7 billion litres of PMS annually, resulting in the saving of about 42 per cent of the foreign exchange.” To derive this benefit, he called on government to en-

sure that 50 per cent of vehicles imported are equipped with CNG. Venkatapathy also advocated “allocation of small fraction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) used for exports for transportation to the north and places remote from existing pipeline network for widespread opening of CNG stations.” Natural gas vehicles, he said, “provide lot of prospects and opportunities for countries that have realised the need, created awareness and made appropriate regulations for using natural gas as vehicular fuel. “Major potential for gas utilisation in Nigeria lies in the vehicular market. Fuel pricing and scarcity of petroleum products mainly drive economic situation, while fuel pricing issue is driven by the ‘excessive subsidy’ required by Federal Government to maintain availability of refined products.” Therefore, a “clear strategic plan to increase the share of natural gas in the Nigerian fuel mix should be put in place by government,” he said. He disclosed that countries

that have adapted NGVs have enacted extensive technical and safety standards for both NGVs and CNG dispensing stations. “ISO standards have already been established for the design of various components of the NGV fuel system, filling station equipment such as compressors and storage cylinders, among others. “These regulatory requirements can be adapted to the Nigerian situation. Most vehicles used for public transport are privately owned, with each person having one or more vehicles. Most of these vehicles are brought as used vehicles at prices ranging from $2000 to $8000. “Such owners cannot afford to invest another $1000 in conversion. One possible way is that the gas company provides an attractive conversion package to the vehicle owner and also allows the gas company to recover its contribution through gas sales. This will require ‘special gas pricing’ from government to keep the end price attractive to the customer. The Federal Government shall provide subsidy to vehicle owners for CNG conversion.”

28 BUSINESS | ENERGY RIFT Workers hired to cleanup Shell’s polluted Ogoni land are owed N2.5 billion Adeola Yusuf

he on-going clean up of Shell’s polluted Ogoni land at the weekend turned messier as workers of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) threatened to down-tool. The workers are angry over the federal government’s nonpayment of their 17 months salaries, which was said to have accumulated to about N2.5 billion. HYPREP a special project set up to implement the United Nations Environmental Programme, known as the UNEP report, on Ogoni land. It is also a special intervention project that was formed on the 21st of July 2012, by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The staff of the HYPREP was employed at different times, but a majority were employed in 2013, totalling 158 workers. Most of them were in paying jobs, before they resigned. Many of them had even left their jobs abroad to work for this project. Amnesty International and the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, CEHRD, have recommended that Shell must pay at least $1 billion to begin the clean-up of pollution caused by oil spills in the Niger Delta. But Shell in a quick response, said it would only “pay appropriate compensation, the level of which is currently the subject of UK legal proceedings.” A new report by the two groups: "The true tragedy: delays and failures in tackling oil spills in the Niger Delta," released Sunday, focussed on the ongoing devastation caused by two major oil spills at Bodo,

FEEDBACK Total hosts customers to get feedback

he Total Nigeria Plc (TNP) has raised its investment and revenue drive in Nigeria, its Managing Director, Mr. Alexis Vovks, has said. Speaking at the company’s “Top Service Customer Appreciation Week 2014” at the Ketu Alapere service station in Lagos, he said that the company hosted the customers’ feedback mechanisms to ensure that none of its customers is cheated. According to him, the company organised the customer’ appreciation week simultaneously in all its stations across the country to show that the customers occupy a cardinal part of its programme and success. “This Customer Appreciation Week is one of the series of programmes by Total Nigeria Plc to show appreciation to our customers throughout Nigeria and to show them that they occupy a very important part of our total success,” he said. The management of Total Nigeria had recently estimated

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

$1bn FG, Shell’s Ogoni cleanup turns chaotic

Congo unveils tender for exploitation of methane gas on Lake Kivu

Ogoniland, in 2008, and which have never been cleaned up. The UN Environment Programme, UNEP, in a report on the Ogoni oil spill released in August, found that oil pollution over many years had resulted in such devastation that it would take more than 25 years for Ogoniland to recover. The UN recommended setting up an Environmental Restoration Fund with an initial amount of US$1 billion, with further funding to follow. Meanwhile, in a public statement, the cleanup workers described the details of their plight, in addition to the non-payment for their services

running nearly a year and half. “Appointment letters were given in batches,” the workers said, and in “early 2013, only 32 members of the staff employed, had been given formal employment letters. The rest who were promised their letters were to be released in subsequent batches. “However, when the Ministry of Petroleum Identity Cards was issued, we all had full access to work.” Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Ohi Alegbe, could not be reached for comment, but a

source at the corporation told New Telegraph that the Group Managing Director of the NNPC had last January, approved N2.5 billion for their outstanding salaries of 2013, and a repayment plan was issued. “The N2.5billion represented a ‘draw down’ of part of the percentage of the NNPC contribution to the N1billion that had been set aside to carry out the first phase of the clean up, as recommended by the UNEP,” he said. This amount, the disgruntled workers suspect, would never have reached that amount for payment of outstanding salaries if one of the high-ranking company officials were sincere.

Managing Director Total Nigeria Plc, Mr. Alex Vovks (middle) with Manager, Retail Safety And Training, Mrs. Emilly ShakaMomodu, selling fuel to a customer at the Total Nig Plc Top Service Customer Appreciation Week 2014 at the KetuAlapere service station recently.

Total ups downstream investments that its downstream investment in Nigeria between 2010 and 2013 was over N150 billion. Vovks, who disclosed this at the Oil Trade and Logistic (OTL) Africa Downstream 2013 Expo in Lagos, said that over the last three years, TNP as one of the majors in the oil and gas industry in the country, made investment of over $100 million to sustain its core business of importation, storage and distribution of petroleum products; fuels or specialties products such as lubricants and LPG through retail, industrial and aviation channels of sales; in the downstream sector. Vovk said: “Total has a long term view of Nigeria and this is emphasised by the level of our recurring capital expenditure.” Also, the company said that although it is not yet officially announced, by 2017, additional 60 filling stations would be added to the present 600 owned by the company nationwide. It

added that the planned steps are close to roll out being part of the organisation’s new expansion focus. Making a case for the additional outlets, Vovk said: “There is no sustainable business in marketing without investments, claiming it is even truer in a market with the size and growth rate of Nigeria due to investment requirement, to meet customers demand today and anticipate tomorrow’s same as calling safety of the same customers, and neighbours, and the quality of the products deliverance.” Vovks said that currently, rebranding of the entire network is an on-going development and giving the company a new visual identity as a result from increase in sales the company is witnessing, signifying that customers are enjoying its service, is the forefront objective of its management. “We have gone a step further by transforming our network

of stations from the old typical fuel station to a multi-service offer stations. This has led to the introduction of shop services, modern lube bay and car wash centres,” he explained. Meanwhile, part of the plan, he said, is solar powered service stations, which is expected to commence operation before the end of the year. The Total MD further said that greener energies is one of the investment invention the company’s searchlight has focused and that diversification into areas such as logistics and production facilities to keep it in the downstream at the forefront of best industry practices and highest standards would also keep it in fold. “Diversification in terms of moving with trend has earned our company beyond expiations and our safety management system is doing nothing less than investing heavily in making transportation of liquid hydrocarbons safer.

emocratic Republic of Congo's oil ministry has called for bids to exploit reserves of methane gas at the bottom of Lake Kivu on its eastern border with Rwanda, the prime minister's office said at the weekend. The office announced the tender on its twitter account but did not give details. An oil ministry official said the tender process had not yet begun but added that Congo needed the gas to help meet its energy deficit. "It is very important that we exploit this gas, because otherwise it has the potential to explode and cause significant damage to the population," said the ministry official, who requested anonymity. Methane and carbon dioxide collect at the bottom of the lake's icy waters. Although there has been no major incident on Lake Kivu in recent times, in 1986 a gas leak on Lake Nyos in Cameroon, which has smaller concentrations, suffocated about 1,700 people. Congo's vast network of rivers has the potential to generate 100,000 megawatts of hydroelectric power, according to the government, enough to supply much of Africa. But that potential is largely unexploited, and currently only 9 percent of Congo's population has access to power.

Ghana oil output to hit up to 110,000 bpd in 2014

utput from Ghana's offshore Jubilee oilfield will hit between 105,000 and 110,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2014 versus a budgeted 110,000 bpd, the chief executive of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation has said. "It is expected that the field could produce an average of 100,000 barrels, which is budgeted for, but I am sure we will hit about 105,000 to 110,000 barrels in 2014," CEO Alex Mould told an investment conference in the Ghanaian capital. "The average oil production as of March 25 was about 104,000 barrels. We're currently (at) about 109,000 barrels," he said. Ghana discovered oil in 2007 and began producing in 2010, adding to confidence over its economy whose GDP growth rose to 11.8 percent the following year. Production has been hampered in recent months, in part because of delays in the construction of a pipeline to bring gas onshore, which has in turn raised the issue of whether the country should flare gas. Ghana has lifted approximately 20 percent of the crude produced from the time Jubilee started in Dec 2010 to this March, Mould said.

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Another look at energy in last three years ENERGY EDITOR, Adeola Yusuf looks at how the energy sector fared in the three years of President Goodluck Jonathanled government.

otwithstanding the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill and the fall in electricity supply in Nigeria, the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan recorded modest achievement in the energy sector. The areas where there has been transformation include the Nigerian Content Act, the implementation of the Gas Master Plan, improved relations with critical stakeholders, improved supply of petroleum products and the successful handover of power assets to new investors on Friday, November 1, 2013. Also noteworthy is the attention to issues of gas supply to power plants, attraction of new investors to generate employment opportunities for Nigerians, improvement in the domestic usage of LPG, renewal of oil exploration activities in the Chad Basin and commitment to transparency in the industry. The dark side The PIB is described as an Act to establish the legal and regulatory framework, institutions and regulatory authorities for the Nigerian petroleum industry, to establish guidelines for the operation of the upstream and downstream sectors, and for purposes connected with the same. It is worrisome, however, that well over 10 years after the moves commenced for PIB, a law governing the oil sector and almost half a decade after the late President Umar Yar’Adua forwarded the bill to the sixth National Assembly, it is yet to see the light of day. With the non-passage of the PIB, at the end of 2010, emphasis shifted to March 2011, But March came and had gone without the bill making any progress. It was envisaged that PIB would be one of the few pending bills that would be given accelerated passage before the elections, at least to boost President Goodluck Jonathan’s bid to return to power. The president and his supporters are pushing for the approval of the PIB as oil sector reforms have been a key element of his manifesto, but all attempts to trash out the various conflicting clauses had proved abortive as was demonstrated in the House of Representatives in March, 2011. Nigerian Content Act The face of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria was changed for good with the coming of the Nigerian Content Act, which was signed into law by President Jonathan. The law, among other objectives, seeks to ensure that Nigerians and Nigerian companies participate actively in the oil and gas industry with a view to boosting the local economy. Experts are of the opinion that the law has the potential to generate over 30,000 jobs in the next five years and has far reaching implications for the issues

of technological advancement, long term cost effectiveness, post amnesty programmes in the Niger Delta and the improved impact of the oil and gas industry on the national GDP. The Act, among other notable objectives, provides that Nigerian independent operators shall be given first consideration in the award of oil blocks, oil field licenses, oil lifting licenses and in all projects for which contract is to be awarded in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Power A major step was taken on Friday , November 1, 2013, in the efforts of the Federal Government to improve electricity supply to Nigerians as four power generation firms and 10 distribution companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) were handed over to investors who had in August paid about $3 billion (N480b) for them. Amidst tight security by soldiers across various formations of PHCN, the Federal Government completed the 14-year planned hand over of the power assets to the new owners. At the handover ceremony, which took place simultaneously across the country, government threatened to sanction any new owner who defaults on the delivery of performance agreement they signed with it. The new owners are Ikeja Distribution Company owned by NEDC/KEPCO Consortium, Jos Distribution Company bought by Aura Energy Limited, Kano Distribution Company by Sahelian Power SPV Ltd, Port Harcourt Distribution Company owned by 4Power Consortium, Yola Distribution Company by Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Ltd, Abuja Distribution Company bought by KANN Consortium Utility, Benin Distribution Company owned by Vigeo Power Consortium and Eko Distribution Company by West Power and Gas. Others are Enugu Distribution Company by Interstate Electrics Ltd and Ibadan Distribution Company bought by Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd Shiroro Generation Company by (North-South Power Company, Kainji bought by Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd, Geregu owned by Amperion Power Distribution and Ughelli bought by Transcorp Ughelli Power Plc. High price of privatisation The price of gas to power plants in Nigeria may be increased in the nearest future and this may lead to a total review of electricity tariffs across the country, the Federal Government has said. The Federal Government said that gas-to-power price may rise from its current $1.5 to $2 million mbtu and this may affect electricity tariffs. The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, disclosed this to chief executives of power firms in Abuja at the headquarters of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission during a facility tour. Nebo’s statement was prompted by complaints by the power firms who were faced with huge revenue losses since the sector was privatised. The minister said: “There are private people who want to do gas too, and they are saying that if they can be assured of even $2 as opposed to $1.5, they will be

Jonathan

able to develop their gas and make sure that it get to our Gencos. “We need to look into all these and when that is done I believe we will now need to review the entire tariff structure so that there will be the requisite amount of money coming in so as to compensate for that increase.” Electricity generation companies had raised the alarm that the huge revenue loses, which they often incur may mar the privatisation of Nigeria’s power sector. Using his firm as an example, the Managing Director/CEO, Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Mike Uzoigwe, who spoke on behalf of the Gencos, lamented the loses recorded by his company since it was physically handed over to its current management on November 1, 2013. He noted that although the management had invested about N7 billion in strengthening the plant to perform optimally, it had lost revenue to the tune of about N570 million till date. According to him, if the development persists, it may send negative signals to potential investors that may want to invest in the sector, as “no (electricity) business can continue the way it is running now.” Uzoigwe cited the existence of huge metering gap and the lingering inadequate supply of gas as some of the factors hampering the industry from mov-

The price of gas to power plants in Nigeria may be increased in the nearest future and this may lead to a total review of electricity tariffs across the country, the Federal Government has said

ing forward. He said: “Our experience after privatisation is undesirable. This is because as at end of last month, our books showed that we are losing revenue to tune of about N570 million. The revenue profile in the electricity industry is very poor. And if any future investor should look in, it will give results that may not be desirable for the country. “Whatever could be done to help grow the profile would be desirable and help us, going forward. Two factors are impinging on our moving forward, the fact that consumers are not metered. The second one is the issue of gas; we can never over emphasise the problem the lack of gas is causing in the industry.” Uzoigwe added: “At Egbin, we have invested N7 billion from November 1, 2013 to date, to bring that plant to a point where it could be reliable. One thing is to have this available capacity, another thing is the reliability of this capacity. We have brought it to the point where it is reliable to generate 1080 megawatts. “But in the last three months, we have been generating only about 600MW at most. And we cannot take advantage of the economy of scale in the business we are doing, therefore we are continuously losing revenue. NERC has tried to bring about whatever we need to be doing now to mitigate the difficulties in revenue loss by allowing us to take only 60 per cent of our capacity charge, which even the market operator is paying what it should be, so we are just accumulating debts continuously every month.” He noted that power distribution firms were also complaining that consumers hardly pay for electricity consumed. Uzoigwe said: “So whatever could be done in the direction to make it possible to generate power, sell it and make profit in the business is more paramount than any other thing. I do not think the business can continue the way it is running now. Otherwise the whole essence of privatisation will be defeated.”

BUSINESS | ENERGY

FUND Government has initiated an equity fund through private sector participation James Nwabueze ABUJA

s the call for more private investments in the power sector continues, the Senate has urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to always wield the big stick on operators in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) to ensure that rules are strictly followed. The Federal Government said that about 30 million Nigerians, particularly residents of rural communities, are yet to be connected to the national electricity grid. As a result, government called for more private sector financing to improve electricity supply, especially to the affected rural dwellers. Government recently organised a seminar aimed at mobilising stakeholders to initiate an equity fund through private sector participation to promote sustainable energy and deliver power to the millions of Nigerians without electricity. However, chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, Olugbenga Obadara, during a working visit to NERC, called on the regulatory agency to wield the big stick on investors who take advantage of the situation in the sector to rip off Nigerians. He also urged NERC

Power firms: Senate urges NERC to ensure strict regulation to always “think out of the box” for solutions to some of the problems facing the sector. According to a statement issued by the Head, Public Affairs Department of NERC, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi, Obadara said that the Senate was well aware of the enormity of the job before the Commission. Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, reassured members of the committee that NERC is doing everything within its power to find solutions to the problems confronting the power sector. He said that the commission holds open and transparent discussions monthly with the Chief Executive Officers of the generation and distribution companies in order to proactively deal with any issues that arise that could detrimentally affect the electricity sector reform. While addressing the business community under the aegis of the Nigerian-Danish Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture recently, Amadi had admitted that things were not going as envisaged but that radical steps were being taken to address the situation. Amadi clarified why industries and homes in the country are still having acute power shortage over six months after government handed over the power sector to new investors. “From November 1 last year

NAPE rallies stakeholders for oil, gas devt Adeola Yusuf

he highest body of geologists in Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) has put all the necessary machineries in place to rally stakeholders in oil and gas for the development of the industry. President of the association, Mrs. Adedoja Ojelabi, who disclosed this in a press statement, said that NAPE would continue to pursue programmes for the development of the oil industry. The 2014 mini-conference, which also incorporates the NAPE University Assistance Programme (UAP), is built around five sub-themes namely: enhancing local raw material input in oil and gas production; mineral exploration for economic development and petroleum geology of Nigeria’s Inland Basins. Others are shale, shale oil, shale gas and environmental challenges in exploration and production. She added that the two and a half day event would provide a platform for convergence for upcoming young and energetic geoscientists to share their knowledge from their current research work and opportunities to network with industry representatives. Mrs. Ojelabi also stated that NAPE is collaborating with the

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

University of Port Harcourt to hold the conference, adding that the confab intends to address the tertiary institutions’ problems such as lack of facilities, lack of basic research infrastructure as well as poor staff motivation to inability to recruit bright and promising students into post graduate programmes in the industry. She said that the association, in conjunction with the Department of Geology of the University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, would be holding the 7th edition of the mini-conference for tertiary institutions at the institution. The theme of the event is: “Enhancing geoscience education to meet future energy demands.” The NAPE mini-conference is a student-oriented programme, which is held biennially in the campus of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and conceived to provide an opportunity for students to showcase their geo-science knowledge by presenting papers on petroleum and related subjects. She noted: “Over the years, the performance of the students has continued to impress prospective employers such that the mini-conference has become an avenue for oil producing and service companies to ‘head hunt’ potential employees.

to April 30, it is just about six months and it is a very little time for an industry that is so finance-sapping and structurally-chained to have achieved much,” he said. He blamed the slow turnaround on vandalisation of power infrastructure across the country, specifically those targeted at disrupting gas flow to various power stations. The NERC boss, who was represented at the occasion by Special Assistant Research and Strategy, Dr. Uche Okoro, said that poor choice of location of some National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs), and the fact that the new in-

vestors were not able to do the required six months’ shadow trading prior to taking over from government, contributed to the problems. He added that the investors were not well acquainted with baseline losses, baseline demand and baseline gas supplies in their various jurisdictions due to labour stand-offs with government. “One thing that is sure is that Nigeria needs electricity to power its industrialisation and when we get it right, economies of scale tell us that all the smaller countries around us are going to source electricity from us because they cannot produce,” he said.

Nigerian and Danish investors at the event were of the notion that the recent reform in the power sector has not made any significant progress in rectifying the acute shortage of power to industries and service providers in Nigeria prior to the sector’s recent reform. President Nigerian-Danish Chamber of Commerce, Ben Koya Adako, noted that the theme of the meeting, ‘Power sector reform: Overcoming institutional and regulatory challenges in an era of liberalisation,” was apt, more so now that electricity was undergoing a major reform in the country.

L-R: Consultant, Chrome Group, Dr. Njideka Kelley; and Head Communications and Business Development, Chrome Group, Dr. Edwin Ndukwe, at Kaztec Engineering pavilion at the Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, Texas, USA, recently.

Phase two of Kaztec’s oil project begins in June THREE-IN-ONE Kaztec has said that three of its contracts are ongoing Adeola Yusuf

aztec Engineering, a subsidiary of Chrome Group, has said that it would begin the second phase of its multimillion-dollar project this month. Head of Communications and Business Development, Chrome, Dr. Edwin Ndukwe, who said this, maintained that the company had already completed phase one of its integrated oil and gas project on Snake Island in Lagos. The project will have fabrication yard, oil and gas training, pipe mill, pipe coating, and a dry-dock base, as well as a power plant, and will create a lot of jobs and expertise for Nigerians, Ndukwe said. Consultant to Chrome Group, Dr Njideka Kelley, cor-

roborated Ndukwe’s view. The two executives of Chrome Group spoke with newsmen at Kaztec Engineering pavilion at the recently concluded Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas. Speaking on the activities of the company, Ndukwe said: “We are a 100 per cent indigenous engineering, procurement, construction, installation, commission and management (EPCICM) company, servicing all onshore, offshore oil and gas services in the country and across subSahara Africa “We have three contracts on-going. The Snake Island project is being done with Addax Petroleum, we are doing another with Shell. We have extensive experience in the oil gas industry and with the Nigeria Content Law, which is critical to the development of indigenous capacity and capability; we are positioned to create value for Nigerians and the economy. “We have a lot of young people from Nigeria working in the field. Currently we have 75 engineers, 500 skilled la-

bours on Snake Island project in Lagos and we are looking at 20,000 jobs by 2016. The project is massive, located on 524 hectares of land and we have developed 68 hectares currently, laid foundation for training institute, fabrication yard, pipe mill, pipe coating and a dry-dock base. We are working towards equipping Nigerians, bringing people back into the workforce, developing and keeping the economy moving forward. We have just completed phase one of the entire process and about to begin phase two. Phase two will involve setting up the facility for pipe mill and pipe coating. “We are developing skill sets within the Nigerian content, which is tied to the programme of the Federal Government’s local content. We are equipping welders, riggers, scaffolders, painters and people who work in electrical and electronics segments. We bring this team of people especially those that don’t have the skill sets, equip and employ them, a development that is critical in the dynamics of Nigerian economy today.”

BUSINESS | ENERGY

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

FG hands over largest transmission plant to TCN DEMOLITION Properties have been marked for demolition on 132 kva lines expected to link Oke-Aro with Alausa Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government has fully handed over the newly-built largest power transmission plant in Nigeria to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Government handed over this facility through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the operator of the Nigeria Independent Power Project (NIPP). NPDCH had commissioned the plant located at Oke-Aro community, Ogun State, last year, but completely handed it to TCN at the weekend, having completed the provisions of the contract. The TCN is therefore expected to fully utilise the stateof-the-art facility to improve power supply. Deputy General Manager, Civil Field Operations, NDPHC/ NIPP, Claudius Ogunrinde, said: “The project has been completed and commissioned and the company has been running it under the provisions of the contractual terms. Today marks the proper and complete handover of the facility to TCN. Project Consultant and Site Manager, Philip Oglla, said: “We have identified a corridor for the lines, and the other 132 kva lines expected to link OkeAro with Alausa and we are working on that. You know it is passing through a heavily built-up area and that has been our headache, so, we tried to minimise damages to properties and cost of compensation, so, we have identified a route and we have started works,” he said. “We are here to examine the effectiveness of what we have done about a year ago and some of the factors listed to be improved upon, and we have seen that most of them have been done and the job is excellently executed to the RFP specified standard,” he said. Oglla explained that the TCN was allowed to take partial control of the facility since last year with a clause in other to acquaint them with the technology and ensure that the plant start serving it purpose. “The clause was that in case any of the equipment has problem, they have a warrantee for one year, the contractor that did the job (EPC) should also be around to help solve the problem and guide the staff on how to run the station without problems, so the warranty is over today and it becomes the baby of TCN completely,” he said. To aid electricity consumption by Nigerians, the transmission plant is meant to step down power from 330kva to 132kva and then to 33kva. The 33kva is where the Discos and consumers are getting supply from. The facility now has four feeders radiating on 33kva and two of them have been in ser-

vice for about six months while another two have been added, waiting to be commisioned in the next three weeks. TCN boss, Mr Adeoye, an engineer, assured that the station would boost power supply to Lagos and Ogun States significantly and ease off the load on Ikeja West transmission station at Ayobo, Lagos. He said: “The quality of the job done on the station is perfect. It’s one of the best stations we are inheriting, and I hope it will serve us properly in Lagos.

“The station is going to relieve Lagos region, because the bulk of power we consume in Lagos is around Ikeja Industrial Area, and we all share the power from Ikeja West. Now that we have this, Ikeja area is going to be satisfied abundantly, which means there will be a relieve in the other parts of Lagos. So, it will have effect on the whole of Lagos. On the maintenance structure, he said that the TCN has its qualified team, which are on standby to carry out the back-

up maintenance of the station frequently. “So, I can assure you that it is in good hands,” he said. The station is yet to operate at full capacity, but Adeoye said that plans are at an advanced stage to upgrade some facilities that would aid its service delivery. “There are attempts to load the station fully, the product is ready now and their district colleague would take supply on 33kva, and there is also an intention for us to have 33x2kv line radiating from here in Oke

Chief Finance Officer, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), Mr. Aigbe Olotu; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, IKEDC, Abiodun Ajifowobaje; President Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ademola Isaac Olorunfemi; and Vice President, Corporate Resources and Media NSE, Mrs Margaret Oguntala, during a courtesy visit to IKEDC by members of NSE, recently.

Aro, so, that is our next plan,” he said. Giving details of the plant, Adeoye said: “This station is 330/132/33kva. For the consumers that are close to the plant, they will get relief on the 33kv feeders, others at around Oworonshoki, Gbagada, Somolu and environs will get supply on 132kva from here. Prior to that, the consumers from Oworonshoki take supply from Ajah, which is now overloaded.” Oglla on his part said: “Our work is to check the quality of work on site to make sure that the execution of work is in line with the technical specification of Request for Proposal (RFP). The project has been conceived since 2010 and we can guarantee you that everything is perfect, the mechanical work, electrical and mechanical works are done in line with the standards of execution.” He disclosed that the company has completed the staff quarters for the workers on site and also assured that the facility was built in consideration for safety standards. According to him, the company has discovered some defects on site, which has been corrected by the EPC contractor, Energo Nigeria Limited. “It’s a minor defect, and everything has been taking care of ” and urged the TCN to maintain the standard of the station and ensure that every electrical aspect of transmission is done perfectly.

NEITI begins execution of new standards James Nwabueze ABUJA

ll is now set for full implementation of the new global standards set by Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has said. The Chairman, NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group, Mr. Ledum Mitee, who

said this in Abuja explained that the new global standards require public disclosures of owners of oil and mining licenses through NEITI Audit Reports. According to Mitee, the new standards also involve disclosures of oil production figures, revenue sharing arrangement between tiers of governments, process of awards of contract in the oil, gas and mining industry. “It also focuses on expenditure

on social services, public infrastructure and fuel subsidy payments. In addition, the revised standards encourage contract transparency in companies and government,” he said. Mitee called on the civil society to be ready to partner with NEITI “in this additional responsibility.” He said: “As the roles of civil society in the areas of dissemination of NEITI reports and using the reports to hold

Power: African countries to meet in Istanbul FORUM The 16th annual Africa Energy Forum has been slated for Istanbul on 18 – 20, June, 2014. Adeola Yusuf

s competition increases among government stakeholders vying for investment in power sector projects across Africa, the most competitive countries will converge on Istanbul to promote stability and bankability. The need for countries to compete was highlighted at the recently concluded World Economic Forum (WEF) in Nigeria, where questions were

asked about the ability of some countries to attract foreign private sector investment. In terms of investment generation for Africa, the power sector has traditionally been less attractive than elsewhere in the world. With large swathes of poor and crippling infrastructure, the market severely lacked bankability. However, government representatives from South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Cameroon, Namibia, Ghana and Zambia are confirmed to showcase the transformations in investment policies and regulation with specific focus on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) at the Africa Energy Forum. It is clear that for these nations, the credibility is there and that capturing investment is of paramount

importance. The 16th annual Africa Energy Forum will be hosted with the support of the Ministry for Energy, Turkey. The meeting will also host energy ministers from Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and Cameron, with a final confirmation pending from the Nigerian Minister of Finance and Cote d’Ivoire’s Minister of Mines and Energy. The forum remains a relevant and an important meeting for Africa, despite being held outside of the continent – it is where the industry gathers to promote investment. The event is organised by EnergyNet and is part of a global portfolio of investment meetings, conferences and infrastructure events focused specifically on power and industrial sectors across Africa.

government and companies to account are key to the success of EITI process, it follows that the impacts of NEITI in the industry depends, to a large extent, on the ability of the civil society organisations to use the contents of its reports to initiate debates, discussions, constructive engagements and advocacy for reforms and bring about the change we desire.” Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, at the forum, reaffirmed the commitment of NEITI to meet all its national and international obligations under its mandate within dateline. “The Fiscal Allocation and Statutory Disbursement Audit covering the period 2007- 2011 has been concluded and will soon be made public. This audit covered actual disbursement of funds accrued to the Federation Account from the oil and gas sector to the three tiers of governments and other agencies of government that directly receive allocations from the Federation Account. The audit also tracked actual application of these funds and examined the issues surrounding 13 per cent derivation to benefiting states.” Also, Mrs Ahmed disclosed that “the 2011 Audit of the Solid Minerals sector has been concluded. I am also to inform you that the procurement process for the 2012 Audit of the oil and gas sector has commenced while the procurement process for 2013 audit is in progress.

32 BUSINESS | ENERGY

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Divcon/Milora Group promote skill transfer

he creativity and ingenuity of some refinery experts has led to the emergence of a product of breakthrough in refining capacity and yields in the face of declining margins across the globe. This innovative propriety patents on refinery and petrochemical processes has the invaluable potentials of increasing the reliability of the operations by optimising the operational conditions to increase the yield and improve the product quality as well as reduce the energy consumption in the plants. Speaking on the technology driven propriety patents from America, which are products of research by members of the Milora Group, Johan Vanderborght, said that his group, which is currently in Nigeria through a strategic alliance with Divcon Engineering Group, is willing to transfer this technology to refinery and petrochemical plants in Africa interested in optimising their yields in a cost effective manner. Giving an example on refinery process in terms of the quality and colour of the HVGO (heavy vacuum gas oil) before and after optimization on the vacuum distillation column, Vanderborght explained that with this proprietary technology, “you will increase the throughput, improve the HVGO yield and improve the HVGO quality.” Co-founder of the Milora group, Mieke Dams, said: “We have set-up an integrated global network, with cross cooperation between Nigeria, Europe and the US. This team is composed of highly experienced global specialists, with a proven track record of several decennia in refinery and petrochemical industry.”

Oil barrels

IPMAN leadership tussle worsens STAY OF EXECUTION Court restrains Lawson from interfering in IPMAN’s affair Stories by Adeola Yusuf

he leadership crisis rocking the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has deteriorated. A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has given an order restraining one of the factional presidents of IPMAN, Chief Obasi Lawson, from activities of the association. The Justice Valentine Ashiled court, which also bared

Lawson from going near the national headquarters of the association, declared that the order stands pending the determination of another case before the Port Harcourt High Court. In a suit number: FCT/ HC/CV/1479/2014, the court ordered that the defendant, “whether by himself, his servants or agents, by whatever name called and however described, is hereby retrained from further interfering with or doing anything directly or indirectly, which is capable of impending the smooth administration, management and control of the affairs of IPMAN nation-wide, by the plaintiffs hereof, as its national executive officers, and the plaintiffs shall forthwith take possession of and have unimpeded access

Angola LNG to remain shut till 2015 –Chevron T

he Angola liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project is expected to resume production in mid-2015 following a rupture on a flare line which forced it to shut down, a spokesman for the Chevronled project said. “Following investigation into the incident that took place at the plant in Soyo on April 10, 2014, Angola LNG will push forward a planned shutdown to allow its contractor, Bechtel, to both correct items from the incident and also address plant capacity issues,” the spokesman said. It is expected that this work will continue into next year, with the plant anticipated restarting in mid-2015, he added. Shelf Drilling Ltd., a United Arab Emirates-based firm, announced that one of its subsidiaries had been awarded contracts for two new build jack ups

by Chevron Thailand, a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation. The two drilling contracts are for a five-year term each and the new build jack-ups are scheduled to commence operations offshore Thailand during the first and third quarters of 2017 respectively. The estimated revenues, which could be generated over the five-year contract term, are approximately $281 million for each jack-up, excluding revenues for mobilisation, demobilisation and miscellaneous adjustments. In connection with the contracts, Shelf Drilling will commission two fit-for-purpose new build jack ups based on the MLT Super 116 E design. A subsidiary of Shelf Drilling, Ltd. has entered into a shipyard contract with Lamprell Plc to construct both jack-ups at the Lamprell Hamriyah

shipyard in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. This contract will be executed for an estimated combined capital cost of $370 million, excluding capitalized interest. The two jack ups, designed through collaboration between Chevron Thailand, Lamprell Plc, and Shelf Drilling engineering and operations personnel, will be capable of operating in water depths of up to 350 feet and for use in constructing wells with maximum drilling depth of 30,000 feet. The jack-ups will feature specifically fit-for-purpose offshore drilling technology, and accommodation for 160 persons. Shelf Drilling is a private company owned by management and private equity funds managed by Castle Harlan, CHAMP Private Equity and Lime Rock Partners.

to the offices of the national secretariat of IPMAN, located at No 41, Eyadema Street, Asokoro, within jurisdiction.” In the case brought by Elder Cinedu Okoronkwo, Alhaji Abubakar Maigari Shettima and nine others, the court also restrained the defendant, “from taking any step or doing anything that is capable of prejudicing the hearing and determination of the pending case at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.” It would be recalled that IPMAN’s former national president, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadri, had earlier stepped down following the leadership crisis rocking the association. AbduIkadri agreed to step down due to the lingering crisis over tenure elongation. IPMAN vice president, Mr. Chinedu Okoronkwo, confirmed that Abdulkadri had left the office. Okoronkwo has taken over the affairs of IPMAN pending efforts by members to organise a congress to elect a new leader. Abdulkadri bowed out following recent stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Managing Director of Products Pipelines and Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr Haruna Momoh, in Abuja. They said that the meeting

was “an order from the above” as part of conscious efforts to end the leadership crisis. One of the sources said that despite Abdulkadri’s resignation after the seven-hour meeting, the fate of Nigeria Independent Petroleum Company’s (NIPCO) remain uncertain, as the depot remained incapacitated. The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Union (NUPENG) leadership had earlier demanded the resignation of Abdulkadri based on a court judgement. The source said that the situation at NIPCO depot was still tense as commercial activities at the terminal remained paralysed. “It is becoming clear to NIPCO top shots that Abdulkadri has not been able to handle the situation well and which may make the core investors and other keen shareholders explore other means,” he said. The source said that with “the revised IPMAN constitution, it is the board of trustees of the association that is expected to conduct the election. But unfortunately the new board of trustees has not been constituted before Abdulkadri stepped down and it is likely to create a lacuna.”

Oil back above $103 per barrel

he price of oil rose above $103 barrel at the weekend on a drop in supplies at the main US oil trading hub and signs of growing gasoline demand in the US. Benchmark crude for July delivery rose 86 cents to close at $103.58 a barrel in New York. On Wednesday, the Nymex contract dropped $1.39 to close at $102.72. Brent crude, a benchmark for international oil used by many US refineries, rose 16 cents to close at $109.97 a barrel in London. The Energy Department said on Thursday that supplies fell

by 1.5 million barrels last week in Cushing, Oklahoma, where US benchmark crude is priced, although overall US inventories rose by 1.7 million barrels. Gasoline supplies fell by 1.8 million barrels, suggesting demand for fuel is strong and refiners will need to buy more oil to keep up. Internationally, prices were still supported by the crisis in eastern Ukraine, where proRussia rebels shot down a government military helicopter, killing 14 soldiers. Ukraine is a main transit route for Russian energy shipments to Europe.

PROPERTY&ENVIRONMENT PAGE 33, Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Units of housing at Chios Estate, Agbowa-Ikosi, Lagos

How to deliver affordable housing on sustainable scale –Experts PANACEA Pundits are calling for the creation of Housing Intervention Fund to bridge deficit. Dayo Ayeyemi

t was a season of stocktaking last week when the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) celebrated its 50 years of existence, while reflecting on the nation’s housing deficit and the ingredients needed to accelerate mass and affordable accommodation for low income earners in Nigeria. The flagship of the celebration was the national workshop held in Abuja on “The Housing Sector in Nigeria in the last 50 years,” which gave many experts in the sector opportunity to assess the performance of housing corporations in the last five decades, their shortcomings and ways government can come to their aid so that they can deliver affordable houses in a sustainable manner. In his paper on: “50 years of ACHN: Challenges and prospects,” its president, Dr. Ifenna E. Chukwujekwu, said that it was obvious that housing corporations have not done enough to reduce the housing shortage, pointing out that one recurring issue about the housing shortage has been the affordability question. To accelerate mass and affordable housing provision on a sustainable scale for Nigerians in need of a roof over

Housing Minister, Akon Eyakenyi

their heads, Chukwujekwu canvassed the creation of Housing Intervention Fund following the new policy reforms, which has repositioned the Federal Housing Authority to spearhead the provision of social housing in the country. He added that sources of money to the Fund should be created through legislative powers that would make it mandatory for the Federal Government to have an annual grant to the fund at an interest rate that is not more than two (2) per cent. Besides, the legislature should make it mandatory for governments to contribute at least N100 million at source from their monthly allocation at an interest rate that is not more than (2) per cent. According to him, bank, insurance and pension administration companies should be compelled to contribute at least five per cent of their annual profit after tax as social contri-

Nubi

There is an urgent need to sanitise the primary mortgage market with enabling laws that would prevent Primary Mortgage Institutions bution to the fund. He said: “Such contribution should be treated as investment on behalf of the contributory organisations at an interest rate that should not be more than two or three per cent. Quoted and unquoted companies to contribute at least two per cent of their annual profits to the fund as their social responsibility and such contribution should be treated as investment at an

Chukwujekwu

interest rate that is not more than two or three per cent.” On how the fund should be utilised, the ACHN boss suggested that it should only be made available for low cost housing schemes to be developed by housing corporations while state governments should provide landed property and the infrastructural facilities for such construction as their social responsibility to the people. To enhance and promote probity and sanity which would discourage mismanagement and undue political interference in project execution, Chukwujekwu, explained that a central controlling body comprising representatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AHCN, FHA and other housing related professionals should be set up to assess, appraise and supervise project execution to be financed by the proposed fund. To enhance and assist the

housing corporations and property developers to dispose completed housing units developed from the fund, he said: “There is an urgent need to sanitise the primary mortgage market with enabling laws that would prevent Primary Mortgage Institutions from trading with the deposits of potential buyers. “Laws need to be enacted that will make it: An offence subject to prosecution for any PMI to collect deposit from prospective mortgage seeker for more than three months without prospect of getting a mortgage; Possible for depositor to sue any PMI that collect deposit from prospective mortgage seeker for more than four months without any prospect of getting loans and such deposit should be returned with prevailing interest rates on default; Mandatory for a PMI to be sanctioned by the apex body after six months of default to depositors,” he said. An optimistic Chukwujekwu stated that a new structure that would hasten and reduce to not more than two to three months the processing of NHF loans from application to release of funds to potential contributors seeking loans for purchase of completed housing units should be put in place by FMBN to assist disposal of completed housing units thereby providing for the recycling of funds used for the development. He said: “The proposed development in the Niger Delta areas should be handled by the housing corporations in each of the state who are familiar with the peculiarity of their area as such C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 4

property & ENVIRONMENT

FAULTY Experts seek review of the tax to reflect best practices. Dayo Ayeyemi

state surveyors have again faulted the applications of the Lagos’ Land Use Charge, describing it as unconstitutional. The experts, who pride themselves as land managers, are not pleased about their exclusion from the whole exercise and the way Lagos State Government lumped many things together in arriving at the rate chargeable on properties. They also frowned at the high tax on property owners in the state, saying that this would discourage further investment in the state if something urgent is not done to stem the trend. Some of them have expressed surprise on why the Land Use Charge is calculated as a percentage of assessed value of the property and not as a percentage of the rental returns from the house. Lagos State had promulgated the Land Use Charge Law in 2001 to increase internally generated revenue through property tax. The law provides formula for assessing the charge payable on properties in Lagos among other provisions Speaking with New Telegraph at the weekend during the Annual General Meeting of the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), its chairman, Pastor Stephen Jagun, said that the principle adopted in arriving at the rate payable by property owners was not known to the profession, describing the Lagos’

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Lagos Land Use Charge unconstitutional –Estate surveyors Land Use Charge “unconstitutional.” According to him, the institution is not satisfied with the operation of the Land Use Charge, pointing out that many things were lumped together in its implementation. He said the operation of the land use charge was not transparent and that the way government arrived at the rate payable by property owners was not known. According to him, professionals were not used to assess the land use charge. He said: “We are not satisfied with the operation. It should be transparent and professionals should be engaged to assess it. Government is seeing Land Use Charge purely on revenue charges. Surveyors need to be consulted being land managers so that we work it together. It is not about reduction, but is the principle right? “Land use charge is unconstitutional. Many things are been lumped together. The state government said it has agreement with the local governments. This is the breach of the constitution because local governments have the responsibility to collect the tenement rate,” he said. According to him, the institution had written to the governor about this several times but, nothing was done. He stated that of recent, government said that it is going to look for a way to reduce the rate. Jagun also enumerated his achievements in office after one year, saying: “We have been

committed to service to members. They have moved forward. Those in probation have moved up to full membership. In our continuing professional development programme, we have increased knowledge. In the area of welfare, we now have good insurance schemes for members. We now have a new bus for the institution. We have bridged the gap between our old and young members. We have created more awareness about the association.”

Commenting of the consolidated Primary Mortgage Banks, (PMBs), which names were yet to be released, Jagun said that government needs to be transparent about the system in the country. He said: “What is government doing to give these banks access to fund. They go to the market to get money and they get it as short fund. “There won’t be heavy direct investment until after 2015. Investors want to see who is go-

ing to win (general elections). There is the need for some stability in the country. Some complaint that the system is too tough for them, they now operate in Kenya and South Africa. Government must assist the institutions without any political affiliation.” Commenting on the performance of the housing sector under President Goodluck Jonathan, Jagun remarked that the current system has not done well.

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos Chapter, Pastor Stephen Jagun and his vice, Sir Roland Obonta, during the dedication of the 18-seater bus bought for the use of the association in Lagos at the weekend.

Affordable housing on sustainable scale C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

will be able to proffer viable solution for their people. “The controlling body of cooperative society in each of the state should work in partnership with the state housing corporations to develop affordable housing for viable cooperative societies in all states of the federation. The state controlling body should serve as the guarantor for the housing corporation to get an exit point while the FHA should serve as mortgage creator to mobilise funds for the housing corporations.” Chukwujekwu also suggested that arrangement should be made to provide tax incentive/ rebate for manufacturers of local building materials to encourage adequate production of such materials at affordable prices, while aggressive publicity and promotion in the use of locally sourced building materials should be embarked upon to encourage high patronage and acceptance in order to reduce costs. With the current population of 140 million and the increasing high cost of living,

the ACHN boss concluded that social housing is inevitable in Nigeria. Justifying greater involvement of housing corporations in order to achieve affordable housing delivery in the country, he said: “With the present situation in the housing sector, it is obvious that sole private participation in housing construction cannot solve the social housing problem.” He identified escalating high cost of building materials; inaccessibility to low and cheap housing finance for construction; lack of rebate for importers of building materials; poor remuneration and low minimum wage of workers resulting in low purchasing power that are unattractive to developers; ineffective mortgage system to support purchasing power of low-income earners and lack of political will and commitment by governments as constraints to low cost housing delivery. Others include total withdrawal of some tiers of government in direct construction of houses; high profit driven attitude of private developers arising from high cost of funds; lack

of government support in terms of provision of infrastructural facilities to bring down the cost of housing units; dependency on imported building materials which increases the overall cost of housing units; non acceptance of local building materials and inadequate funding of research efforts of local building materials and indiscipline, corruption and over-pricing of contractual sum of housing projects A lecturer in the Department of Housing, University of Lagos, Professor Gbenga Nubi, gave some figures on housing needs indicators in the country. According to him, over 200,000 teachers, 250,000 police personnel, 500,000 public servants at state and federal levels, 500,000 students, millions in the informal sector and over 200,000 military personnel are in need of housing. Director–General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), Professor Danladi Slim Matawal, in his presentation on “Facilitation of low cost housing using local building materials” bemoaned public apathy towards the use of

local building materials. He noted that previous governments had adopted several intervention strategies aimed at resolving the housing problems in Nigeria but have always been burdened by the high cost of conventional building materials leading to unsuccessful housing policies and schemes. According to him, despite the potential benefits associated with the use of local building materials, they are yet to be fully explored. To encourage optimal utilisation of local building materials, Matawal stated that standards and specifications should be established for local building materials for customers to have confidence in them. He said: “The use of local building materials should be encouraged and promoted by enhanced funding of the manufacture and also recommending and patronising local building materials in majority of the national housing programs and schemes. “Pricing and subsidy structures will have to be incorporated to give encouragement to the production of indigenous

materials. Improved technical education, artisan training and recruitment is essential in the handling and application of local building materials to satisfy customer tastes and needs.” According to him, initiatives should be taken by cooperatives, non-governmental organisations and government agencies to promote the awareness on local building materials in order to popularise their use. According to ACHN boss, the association’s roles in housing delivery would continue to be on the increase as long as the population continues to rise and the supply of housing is unable to match the demand. He said: “The success of the new housing reforms rest squarely with state housing corporations though the Federal Government initiative is tilted towards private participation. The already established structures of the state housing corporations are great assets that could be seriously utilised to play a leading role in housing delivery and this explains why commercialisation or outright privatisation of state housing corporations is inevitable.”

property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

‘Housing has done well in terms of policies’ SCORECARD Stakeholders rate government high on planning. Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

aking stock of major achievements in the housing sector in the last three years, some experts in the sector have scored the government high in their rating. Speaking with New Telegraph at the weekend, some of them were of the opinion that the sector would have performed better if various security challenges in the northern part of the country have been tackled. According to the immediate Past President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr. Chuck Omeife, in terms of policies and setting-up of institutional framework, the housing sector has done very well in the last three years. He added that in terms of physical development, the sector could have done better, blaming insurgency in the country

for low turnout. Omeife pointed out that challenge in actual implementation of policies and creation of necessary enabling environment for stakeholders to key in and start physical production of houses were some of the critical considerations underlying government pursuit and initiative in housing development for the people in recent times. He added: “The major challenge we have always faced is in actual implementation of policies and creation of necessary enabling environment for stakeholders to key in and start physical production of houses for the people. “This is not just houses, but affordable in the real sense of the word and of good quality.” Omeife explained that the strengthening of Federal Mortgage Bank, the institutionalisation of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company and the on-going reorganisation of the Federal Housing Authority are some of the institutional frameworks that government is putting in place for effective housing delivery. “The good thing is that once government is able, through the exercise of political will power,

create the necessary enabling environment, physical housing provision becomes easy to embark upon,” he said. Omeife expressed hope that in the next couple of years, the nation will witness a lot of real activities in the Nigerian housing sector especially in terms of availability, affordability and value, giving the government policies support. Promoter of Amorit Housing Estate, Osogbo, Osun State, Mr Kayode Oyewole, said many things are still begging for attention in the housing industry. Oyewole explained that a new housing policy has been put in place, while injection of funds into the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is on-going couple with mandatory policy of the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development that certain number of houses must be delivered across the states within the year, urging the minister of housing to settle down and study these programmes and act accordingly. But Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos branch, Pastor Stephen Jagun, said that there has not been any serious impact that has trans-

lated to 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. Jagun urged the Federal Government to be proactive toward putting in place site and services across the country for people to buy into and build their houses. He wants the minister of housing to strategise with state governments on a partnership basis so that land can be made available for site and services schemes. 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). Taking a look at major achievements in the housing sector since President Goodluck Jonathan took oath of office three years ago, there has not been major feat made expect the review and the introduction of a

L-R: Size Analyst, West African Ceramics Limited, Sachin Katare; Chairman, Lagos State chapter, Nigeria Institute of Architects, Mr. Ladipo Lewi; Head, Architects Works Committee, Lagos Architects Forum, Mr. Sola Olajuyigbe and Marketing Manager, West African Ceramics Limited, Surendra Kunche, during the Lagos Architects Forum held recently.

new housing policy which many Nigerians are still awaiting its implementation. Also, efforts were made to revamp the mortgage sector in order to make affordable homes available to Nigerians. Within the years, the housing sector has witnessed two housing ministers. A new Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, resumed office recently. In the last three years, the Federal Government, through the former Minister of Housing, Ms. Amal Pepple, embarked on the review of the housing policy, which gave room for the new National Housing Policy. Government also launched the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) 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. 14 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 affordable interest rates. Meanwhile, many Nigerians are still waiting for the take-off of the company six months after. Also, in order to promote the spread of mortgage firms across the six geopolitical zones to further embed the objective of financial inclusion the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the apex bank commenced the recapitalisation of the Primary Mortgage Banks in the country to the tuned of N5 billion. The recapitalisation of these banks was welcome by major stakeholders, seeing it as a crucial strategic force in driving the activities of the launched NMRC. However, five month after the December 31, 2013’s expiration date for the consolidated PMBs, many professionals including developers and financial operators are yet to know the licensed mortgage banks in the country.

WaterAid support UN’s call to end open defecation W

aterAid has pledged support for the new United Nation (UN)’s campaign championed by Deputy Secretary General, Jan Eliasson, to end the practice of open defecation. The new UN campaign to end open defecation is expected to last till the end of next year, as it develops a new set of development goals to replace the original Millennium Development Goals. Among the goals were pledges to cut by half, the proportions of people without safe water and sanitation, respectively. Though the overall universal target on water has been met, some individual countries, es-

pecially developing countries like Nigeria, are yet to meet those goals and those still without safe water are the hardest to reach. The target on sanitation remains the most off-track. It has been reported that over one billion people around the world relieve themselves in bushes, in fields or at the sides of roads or railway tracks for lack of even a basic, shared pit in the ground. This is 14 per cent of the world’s population, or one person in seven. Where there is open defecation, pathogens spread quickly, causing diarrhoea, cholera, bilharzia (a freshwater worm) and other diseases.

Recent WHO/UNICEF JMP figures for Nigeria show that the number of people with access to improved sanitation facilities has dropped even further from 31 per cent last year to just 28 per cent of the population now. This means about 122 million Nigerians do not have access to improved sanitation and a staggering 39 million (23 per cent of the population) practice open defecation. Based on these figures, indications are that at present rates of progress, sub-Saharan Africa overall will not become open defecation free until 2063. WaterAid is campaigning for everyone, everywhere to

have access to safe water and basic sanitation by 2030. Some 748 million people in the world are without safe water, while another 2.5 billion are without adequate sanitation. Lending support to the UN’s call, Country Representative of WaterAid Nigeria, Dr. Michael Ojo, said that time has come for a drastic change to the status quo. He said: “It is hard to believe that in this day and age, people must still risk their health and dignity for the lack of a basic toilet. It’s even more difficult for girls and women who risk danger and harassment every time they go in search of a private place to relieve themselves.

Safe water and basic sanitation has to be a top priority in effectively tackling extreme poverty. We call upon our leaders to take action.” Without basic toilets, girls are more likely to drop out of school, and adults are less able to care for their families or to work, exacting huge social and economic costs. Recently, in April this year, Nigeria joined 44 other developing countries at the Sanitation and Water for All High Level Meeting and committed once again to achieving universal access to water and sanitation and eliminating open defecation nationwide by 2025.

36 property & ENVIRONMENT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Improve your home security with storm doors Sometimes, new door installations can be a great way to improve the outward appearance of your home. However, in addition to beautifying your abode, new doors can go a long way to improving your home security. According to experts @ www.locksmithhouston.us.com, whatever your budgetary, aesthetic, or safety needs are, know that there is a security door just right for you.

ne of the most basic door installations you should consider to improve your home security is the addition of a storm door. A storm door is an exterior door that is usually installed to provide ventilation and shield the main door from storms and inclement weather. Storm doors often have interchangeable screens and glass panels that can be alternated seasonally. Although the simplest of storm doors may not secure you from much other than gnats and bees, there are wide array of features available that can allow you to enjoy the breezy comfort of a storm door while still meeting your important security needs. One safety feature to look for in storm doors is security glass, which is much more resistant to breakage than either screens or regular glass. Also, decide whether you want a rust-proof aluminium or a stronger steel security storm door. Some storm doors also offer features such as multipoint locking systems, dead bolts, and tamper-resistant lock guards to bolster security. Another option aside from a storm door is a metal grille door. Metal grilles can be installed on their own or as part of a storm door. Although a metal grille door may sound imposing, it doesn’t have to ugly. Grilles come in all designs and colours, including plain vertical steel bars, ornate Gothic grillwork, and modern-looking painted designs. While metal grilles are most common in urban areas, installing one can also be a wise decision if you live in a rural area where neighbours may be less likely to notice incursion attempts. If you need more protection than a storm door provides, you should consider upgrading to a higher security main door. Armoured doors offer the highest level of protection against violent incursions as many are able to withstand even the force of a gunshot. Even with a high-strength armoured door, though, you don’t need to mar the appearance of your home. For instance, if you want a door that

lets in light, there are security doors the feature beautiful bullet proof glass panelling. If you desire a more individualized door appearance, some companies will even produce doors tailored to your specific aesthetic preferences. Anytime you are dealing with a new door installation, it is important to ensure that the new door fits properly. It is important to take measure-

ments before purchasing a new door, as not every door is made to fit every door frame. If the opening for your door is too large for the door you desire, you may consider either purchasing a Z-bar extender or else looking into having custom door made to fit. No matter what your needs, there are security doors designed for every size frame, budget, and personal preference.

Ongoing construction works on Ijegun Road by Lagos State government

Local content: W' African Ceramics wins excellence award F or demonstrating unparalleled passion in the application of local content, West African Ceramics Limited, foremost manufacturers of tiles in Nigeria, has won the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA)’s Excellence Award in the category of companies with most local content products in the Nigerian building and construction industry. The award was presented to the company on the heels of a 3-day conference session of the 6th edition of the Lagos Architects Forum 2014 which took place in Victoria Island, Lagos. Receiving the award from the President of the Association of Consulting Architects Nigeria, Mr. Tayo Babalakin, on behalf of West African Ceramics Limited, was the company’s size analysts, Sachin Katare. He eulogised the body of architects for its unmatched professionalism exercised in organising the forum with the theme “Lagos 5.0- Architecture and Real Estate Development” and the impeccable standards which guide members of the institute in conducting themselves professionally. Speaking about the award, Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Mr. Ladipo Lewis, said that the NIA Excellence Award for Best Local Content was a special recognition of merit given to an indigenous company whose operation from sourcing raw materials to the processes of delivering the final product entails the utilization of local contents in terms of value creation in the Nigerian economy, systematic capacity development, and the thoughtful use of material and human resources locally sourced. He stated the firm is one of

such companies which have consistently stood out in local contents. He said: “The NIA as a professional body recognises companies in the built environment which makes immense contribution to the Nigerian economy through systematic development of capacity, value creation, and engagement of local materials and Nigerian human resources in their production process. Yearly, the Lagos State Chapter seeks to identify that company that fulfils the most use of local contents and recognize that company on a special occasion such as this forum with this award. This year 2014, West African Ceramics Ltd has again merited the award from the chapter.” Immediate Past Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter, NIA, Arc. Abimbola Ajayi, said the essence of the award goes deep to de-emphasise importation of raw materials and products. She lauded West African Ceramics for its consistency in meeting high standards that match the Asian and European counterparts with local contents. Expressing its appreciation for the award, Katare thanked the members of the NIA for recognizing his company’s efforts in satisfying architects and Nigerians at large. He explained that “working with architects, builders, and real estate developers is at the heart of the company’s strategic thrust and the engagement of local contents from sourcing raw materials to delivering final products remains our commitment to contributing our quota to the growth of the economy.”

N174 bn FAAN debt: Is FAAN in liquidation? p–38

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

BUSINESS 37

Fliers get stingy as more airlines ditch first class seats

Singapore Airline's A380 First class cabin

A small but growing list of airlines are eliminating or reducing rows in the most expensive part of their aircraft as customers increasingly look for cheaper seats, writes, Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE

or corporate road warriors and luxury-focused leisure travellers, it’s often comfort, not cost, that rules. The comfy seats, champagne and napkin rings of first class are being reduced or eliminated by airlines that find today’s cost-conscious business travellers are more apt to fly in the cheaper sections. Particularly on foreign airlines, first class seats are being removed to make room for more business class and coach seats. First class is still a mainstay in some markets like Nigeria where there are many deep pockets. Corporate travel budgets have been cut and fewer executives are allowed to book pricier first class seats. For decades, international first class was a symbol of selfindulgence in the sky, several rungs above its domestic cousin, which tends to be closer to

economy class, but with free alcohol and bigger, cushier seats. Today, with corporate travel budgets tight, the economy fragile and the price of firstclass tickets sometimes topping $15,000 for a round trip, the typical first-class passenger got there with frequentflier miles. The top-drawer service, however, has been disappearing from US airlines for decades. Of the more than 500 aircraft US airlines regularly fly to Europe, Asia and South America, less than 25 per cent offer first class. In the United States, many of the carriers are downsizing their most lavish cabins. But in Nigeria, the situation is different. There are many rich people in Nigeria. Foreign airlines are taking advantage of that to redefine their first class to conform to the taste of Nigeria’s super rich who will spare no amount to get seats on first class cabin. The British Airways’ First Class cabin is so popular that on a good day, the airline finds it very difficult to cope with request for that very expensive, comfortable cabin despite the fact that the airline has continued to operate state-of-the-art jumbo B747 on the LondonLagos route. The aircraft is a popular demand by wealthy Nigerians and it is said to be the biggest airplane yet to operate to Nigeria. There are other jumbo,

double aisle airplanes like the A340s, A330s, B787, but they are not as big as the B747 reputed to be the biggest passenger aircraft after the super jumbo A380 that has capacity for 500 passengers, depending on the configuration. A first class seat on BA from Lagos to London costs between N900,000 and N1.1 million depending on the time of purchase. An airline can make all its revenue on a single trip if has its business and first class cabins full without passengers on the economy class seats. Such huge amount charged can conveniently make up for the empty seats in economy which tickets range between N120,000 and N180,000 depending on the time of purchase. Aside that, Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, and Lufthansa Airlines are some other foreign carriers that have developed their first class for Nigerian travellers who love to travel

Today, with corporate travel budgets tight, the economy fragile and the price of first-class tickets sometimes topping $15,000 for a round trip

in class. On overseas flights, first and business-class cabins give airlines a way to attract bigspending elite fliers, who are their leading money-makers; America says that 25 per cent of its fliers account for 70 per cent of its revenue. In 2012, American Airlines, a unit of AMR Corp., reduced its cache of intercontinental first-class seats by nearly 90 per cent to 80 from 750. The airlines are essentially rebranding their premium service by replacing first class with a redesigned business class that rivals most of today’s first-class cabins and surpasses the best airline seats of the 1990s. Meanwhile, carriers are also cramming extra seats into coach and introducing a new premium economy class: coach seats with extra leg room. In response to demand, airlines have slowly transformed the industry’s long time threeclass model-first, business, economy - to a more costconscious version: business, premium economy, economy. A top official of an airline told New Telegraph that carriers tend to keep things that make money and dispose of things that don’t, adding that she has heard airline executives tell her over and over again that no one pays to sit up there. Just a quarter of first-class fliers on overseas flights pay full fare for their seats, accord-

ing to a survey by market-research firm, Atmosphere Research Group; the rate is closer to 15 per cent on flights within the US Most first-class overseas passengers use their frequent-flier status to upgrade after buying a business-class or special economy fare. The economics have prompted carriers to consolidate their premium cabins into one and call it business class, which attracts a much higher percentage of full-price passengers, airline executives and consultants said. The goal is to attract more business travellers, since the business-class label is more palatable to corporate travel managers than first class. According to Advito, a consulting firm that helps companies manage air travel, less than 20 per cent of its clients allow employees to fly first class on long-haul flights, while about 75 per cent authorise business-class travel. Major US airlines still offer a service on shorter routes that is billed as first class, but they mostly use it as a perk for frequent fliers. American is duplicating the strategy on its 47 largest planes, folding first class into a better business class and adding a premium-economy cabin. The airline isn’t abandoning first class altogether, but rather “rationalising the size,” said Jim Butler, American’s managing director of commercial planning, last year.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

AIR RAGE

WITH

Wole Shadare

N174bn FAAN debt: Is FAAN in liquidation?

T Runway

How safe is commercial flight? Wole Shadare

afety is a concern of everyone who flies or contemplates it. No other form of transportation is as scrutinised, investigated and monitored as commercial aviation. Statistics and figures that prove airline transportation to be the safest way to travel relate to our logical reasoning, rational mind. Worry about safety is an intrusion that seems to bypass those faculties of logic and go directly to our emotions. You must have read about “near miss” or “the crowded skies” that will reinforce your belief. Most passengers who have knowledge of the commercial airline industry believe that flying is safe. But when something occurs that we don’t understand, any of us can become quickly frightened. Since 2005, Nigeria has had over 11 plane crashes, a statistics that is very frightening for travellers on the domestic routes. Travellers who spoke to New Telegraph said that they are more comfortable when travelling abroad in foreign airlines on a journey of over six hours than take a ‘risk’ on domestic carriers for an hour trip. They alleged that Nigeria airline operators do not maintain their airplanes coupled with poor service delivery. But this is not true as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is reported to be professionally run and have statutes that comply with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Most of the crashes were attributed to human error, in some cases, errors that cannot be explained and due to momentary loss of concentration. If, perhaps, you have occasionally taken the train for your travels, believing that it would be safer. Think again. Based on train accidents over the past twenty years, your chances of dying on a transcontinental train journey are one in a million. Those are great odds, mind you. But flying coast-to-coast is ten times safer than making the trip by train. How about driving, our typi-

cal form of transportation? There are approximately 50 thousand people killed daily in auto accidents. That’s every day, yesterday, today and tomorrow. And that’s forty-seven thousand killed per year. In 1990, five hundred million airline passengers were transported on an average distance of eight hundred miles, through over seven million take-offs and landings, in all kinds of weather conditions, with a loss of only thirty-nine lives. If you are going to worry about dying, there are many more probable ways to die than on a commercial jet. Notice that you are more likely to die from a bee sting than from a commercial flight. The number one killer in the United States is cardiovascular disease, with about eight hundred and eighty-five thousand deaths per year. Each of them has about a fifty per cent (50 per cent) chance of dying of cardiovascular disease. Whenever we fly, we have a one one-hundred-thousandth of one per cent (.000014 per cent) chance of dying! Is air travel too safe? The search for answers around the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 continues to generate an outsize amount of attention for an airplane tragedy - a subject that already commands a disproportionate level of public concern. This has been true for decades: A mid-1990s analysis of New York Times front-page stories found that there were 1,382 stories per 10,000 US deaths involving commercial jets. (For car accidents, it was less than one story per 10,000 deaths.) The incredibly impressive safety record of air travel worldwide is a testament to the success of aviation regulations governing aircraft and airport safety. To land in the US, a plane and the airport where the flight originated have to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) just like in Nigeria where flights within Nigeria meets NCAA specification standards. This means conforming to guidelines about the weight of cockpit doors, the quality of the exit lighting, and the num-

ber of defibrillators on board, among other things. Ditto for the European Union, and both the EU and the US regularly ban airlines from flying into their jurisdictions if their home authorities don’t meet the standards. There are clear benefits to this process, safer air travel, chief among them. But the unintended consequences also suggest that exporting American regulations around the world could cost more lives than it saves. The macabre but exhaustive website planecrashinfo.com put the odds of being killed on a single airline flight at about one in 4.7 million across 78 major world airlines; among the airlines with the worst safety records, the odds rise to one in two million. In the middle of the last decade, the fatal crash rate for Kenya Airways was about three in one million. For Ethiopian Airlines, it was four in one million. That’s higher than that of U.S. carriers such as American Airlines (0.6 fatal crashes per one million flights) or United (0.5 per million) - but it still suggests flying is safe, and that the gap between poor and rich countries is small. While it’s widely known that flying is statistically safer than driving, just how much safer varies from country to country. Data from the World Health Organisation and the World Bank suggest that, in the US, there are 1.4 fatalities per year for every 10,000 cars on the road. In Malaysia, there are seven; in Kenya, 87- more than 60 times the rate in the US, compared with about a fivefold gap in air safety. Given how often people drive, and how indispensable car travel is in most countries, the gap in developing countries’ road safety records is far more troubling than their air safety records are impressive. Sadly, this is not new news. Twenty years ago, a team of US public health officials put together a collection of 500 life-saving interventions and their estimated cost per year of life saved. They estimated smoke detectors in airplane lavatories cost $30,000 per lifeyear saved and emergency signs $54,400 per life-year.

he allegation that the Federal Airports of Nigeria (FAAN) is indebted to the tune of N174billion is not only surprising but startling. Nobody, not even the Senate Committee on Aviation, led by Senator Hope Uzodinma, could fathom why an organisation described as the cash-cow of the aviation sector in Nigeria, fell into such humungous debt. Could the debts have resulted because of the airports remodelling projects at some of the airports which many had described as not commensurate with the enormous funds sunk into them? How come FAAN is so massively indebted when there was enormous money made available to the Ministry of Aviation under the sacked Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah. It was a period where nobody, not even the media, could actually put a figure as to how much that had accrued to the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) fund. While many quoted $85 million, others said the fund was $75 million. This is not to mention other heavy approvals running into several billions of naira? The $500 million loan from China could positively have disappeared into thin air had the Chinese government not put a condition that the funds would be administered by them to build four new terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Kano. The only contractor on site now is a Chinese firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, (CCECC). Other indigenous contractors have left site over an N11 billion debt that many said would be needed to complete the jobs that Oduah embarked on. Whether the job met the standards comparable to other airports across the globe is another topic for another day. But, how did FAAN incur so much debt when in actual facts it has several ways of generating revenue without ever going broke? Who are the people who plunged the agency into such a situation that was needless? Was the brokage masterminded to leave the agency in a state of ineffectiveness? At the height of BMW bullet proof cars scandal, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) equally found itself in a serious and similar situation; money were allegedly being siphoned by the powers that be. Critical NCAA staff could not go for training; the Director General of the authority then had no control of the account of the agency he presided over. Workers went for courses with their own money with the promise to refund them latter. The sector was at a breaking

point. The numerous scandals exposed the rot that had gone on for years but one that got to a head in the past three years. It was walk without motion. The sector was put in the hands of the media, especially aviation reporters, who helped them to spread lies and helped the propaganda machinery of a politician who was overnight-turned into an aviation expert. The propaganda did not last for too long before they began to fall like a pack of cards as even the Senate Committee on Aviation has also seen through the lies that there was more to it than meet the ordinary eye. The good news is that despite the shoddy job done in the name of remodelling, Uzodinmma assured that government and the ministry would not suspend the on-going airport remodelling projects. He said that the Senate had identified funding gaps which will be taken care of by the 2014 budget. “The essence of government is for the overall wellbeing of our people, we have gone round, recorded some challenges, seen all the efforts in the on-going projects which some are at 90 per cent completion, Senate has also passed the 2014 appropriation which the president has also assented, the contractors will soon be mobilised to site,” Uzodimma said. On the cooling system at the airport, he stressed the need to talk to the manufacturers like LG Electronics and others, adding that the managing director of FAAN, Seleh Dunoma, has told them that he would be travelling to Dubai to meet with the manufacturers of chillers and other cooling equipment at the airports to ensure the cooling system were in perfect condition. “We must give our airports facelift because they are the first point of contact for any visitor coming into the country,” he said. Speaking on the alleged scandals and the seeming abandonment of airports projects across the country, President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Captain Dele Ore, said that it was shocking that contractors chose to leave the site of work considering the enormous fund available to Oduah during her reign which she said was without limit even when the approvals did not go through the due process. According to Ore, Oduah spent money as if the funds were limitless, “What it means is that the money was not judiciously spent. This is the beginning. We are going to have projects littering the whole place. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 0

BUSINESS | AVIATION

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

NEW DEAL The firm is expected to perform full handling services for the two arlines. Wole Shadare

ne of the two famous aviation ground handling firms, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, (SAHCOL) has bagged a deal as it signed full handling contracts with Ethiopian Airlines and AZMAN Air, to offer ground handling services to them. The firm is expected to now perform full handling services (Ramp, Passenger and Cargo/ Warehousing) to Ethiopian Airlines’ four (4) times a week passenger flights, and three times weekly cargo flights, to/from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano. Meanwhile, SAHCOL has also been picked by AZMAN Air, the latest airline on the Nigerian domestic scene, to manage its ground handling operations. The contract includes all AZMAN Air passenger baggage and ramp handling services. SAHCOL, an ISAGO certified Ground Handling Company, and a 100 per cent subsidiary of the Sifax Group continues to expand and gain credibility of airlines operating within/into Nigeria since the company became privatised in December, 2009. It would be recalled that the company has successfully established a strong market

NEW ROUTE The carrier launches A380 network to 28 destinations.

mirates, a global connector of people and places, say it will expand its A380 network to 28 destinations, when it launches a daily A380 service to Mumbai International Airport on July 21, 2014. EK 500 and EK 501 between Dubai and Mumbai will be up-scaled to a three-class A380 aircraft, representing with a capacity increase of 2,127 seats per week in each direction. This offers passengers flying to India from key destinations

SAHCOL wins ground services deal for Ethiopian, Azman airlines presence in the domestic and international airline industry, with unmatched expertise in Passenger, Ramp and Cargo/ Warehousing services. With its now private sector management orientation, SAHCOL has kicked off the implementation of business models geared towards ensuring efficient and speedy delivery of Aviation Ground Handling Services to all its customers, as a result, making it the reference point where efficiency of a successful flight is born.

The new face of SAHCOL is witnessing massive deployment of modern state-of-theart ground support equipment (GSE), training/retraining of all categories of staff, infrastructural development, management repositioning, re-fleeting of vehicles, boosting of clients’ confidence/ patronage, and massive infrastructural development, which includes an almost completed first-of-its-kind (West African sub-region) Custom Bonded Cargo Warehouse, among

others, all geared towards its goal of exceeding customers’ expectations. SAHCOL offers services in cargo handling/warehousing, passenger handling, ramp handling, aviation security, baggage reconciliation, executive lounge services, and other related ground handling services; while ensuring that ground handling assignment is carried out in an efficient, speedy and safe manner, by deploying the right tools. Owing to the current boost

in confidence, SAHCOL’s list of growing clientele include the world best airlines, amongst which are Arik Air, The United Airlines, Air France, Egypt Air, Middle East Airlines (MEA), Allied Air, Aero Contractors Airline, Dana Air, Sudan Air, African Open Sky Airlines, Med-view Airlines, Camair-Co, South African Airways, Etihad Airways, Atlas Jet Airlines, Max Air, Kabo Air, African Word Airways (AWA), Gambia Bird Airlines, and other ad-hoc operators.

A ground handling service in operation

Emirates expands services to India in North America and Europe the chance to experience Emirates’ hugely popular flagship aircraft on this route. In addition, Emirates will deploy larger Boeing 777 aircraft to Delhi and Hyderabad to serve growing demand. Delhi will have 980 additional one-way weekly seats while Hyderabad will increase its capacity to add 672 one-way weekly seats. A combined total of 3,779 one-way weekly seats will be deployed on Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad through these aircraft upgrades. This follows the recent bilateral discussions between the governments of

Dubai and India, which provided a phased increase of 11,000 seats for Dubai carriers. “Air transport is an important economic driver. It facilitates trade and tourism, and has a multiplier effect through direct and indirect job creation. Emirates has been serving India since our founding year in 1985, and it is our largest market today which we serve with 185 flights each week. We look forward to working with the new Government in India to grow India’s economy through enhanced aviation connectivity and to realize India’s ambition to grow its in-

Emirates' business class

ternational aviation market to 85 million passengers by 2020,” said Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations- West Asia & Indian Ocean. India’s National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) recently modelled the impact of Emirates up-gauging daily services to Mumbai from Boeing 777s to an Airbus A380. The annual incremental economic benefit from up-gauging one service is US$8.3 million in additional GDP per return flight and the creation and support of over 1,000 jobs. The Emirates A380 operating on the Mumbai route will feature 14 private First Class suites, 76 Business Class lie-flat seats and a spacious cabin for 399 Economy Class passengers. On board, passengers can experience a range of unique facilities in all cabins - from the famous Shower Spas in First Class, to the A380 Onboard Lounge where passengers in the premium cabins can relax in a social environment during the flight; as well as 11.4” touch screen LED personal TVs. Passengers across all cabins can enjoy up to 1,800 channels of the latest movies, TV shows and music from around the world alongside a range of games on the award-winning ice inflight

entertainment system. The latest technology allows passengers to stay connected throughout the flight with high-speed Wi-Fi access and mobile phone and data services. “Many customers specifically book their flights to our destinations knowing that they will have the chance to fly on the A380. Now that Mumbai is being added to our global network of A380 destinations, I’m sure this will come as welcome news to many of our passengers across Europe and North America who can now fly all the way from their origin point of departure to Mumbai exclusively on the A380,” said Ahmed Khoory. Emirates currently has 48 A380s in service, more than any other airline globally. Emirates received 12 of the giant double decker aircraft over the last year. More than 25 million passengers have travelled on the Emirates A380 since it was first launched in 2008. Emirates operates 185 flights per week to 10 gateways in India. This offers travelers on Emirates global network, which includes 85 cities in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Middle East, a range of convenient flight options to one of Asia’s most exciting leisure and business destinations.

BUSINESS | AVIATION

INNOVATION The launch is part of BA's £5 billion investment in new aircraft, cabins and elegant lounges.

ritish Airways has seen an increase in the number of people booking via mobile devices by 290 per cent in just two years, and today it launches its most advanced smart phone app yet. The intuitive app delivers personalised, relevant and time sensitive travel information at the touch of a button. The free app, available from ba.com/apps has been created following extensive research in the UK, Europe, the US and Asia, is compatible with both iPhone and Android smartphones and will streamline the

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

British Airways launches most advanced mobile app travel process for customers. The home screen anticipates a customer’s likely need, placing the most relevant information at the top of the timeline. The tailored screen will also show customers a background image based on their next flight and flight information adjusted to reflect their journey stage; ranging from the ability to select their seat in advance, to day-of-travel essentials such as what gate they are departing from and the weather at their destination. The new app also makes it

even easier for British Airways customers to manage every aspect of their booking, whether on the road, in the air or in the comfort of their homes. They can select seats, change their booking, manage their Executive Club accounts and check in online. British Airways’ Mobile Boarding Pass usage has grown by more than 650 per cent in the last three years and the new app makes it even easier for customers to use their mobile phone as their boarding pass. Kevin McQuillan, head of ba.com, said: “At British Air-

ways, we have a long history of innovating and introducing the latest technology to help our customers. “This latest app is another way we are making travel easier by delivering the latest and most relevant information to our customers at the tap of a finger.” The launch of the new ba.com app is only part of British Airways’ wider commitment to invest more than £5bn in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges, and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air

and on the ground. Key features of the app include: Personalised home-screen, which will automatically update for the customers’ next flight including flight status, local time and weather at their destination, gate information, check-in options and seat information. New side navigation bar, making it faster and easier to find your way around. Customers can easily view and manage all of their bookings. Easy access to all of their flight searches from any device.

Is FAAN in liquidation? C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 8

Abuja airport

Ethiopian Airlines-sponsored African Nations Cup UK kicks off S

ome 640 African-originating participants, all living in the UK, last week wore the colours of 20 African countries and provided a colourful warm up to the forthcoming event when the Ethiopian Airlines-sponsored African Nations Cup UK (ANCUK) kicks off at the West Ham Memorial Grounds. The event is the sixth annual edition, one of the biggest community football tournaments in the UK, supported by the Football Association (FA) and the first year in which Ethiopian Airlines has taken sponsorship. The official ceremony started at 0930 am with a formal opening by The High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to the UK, His Excellency, Williams Nkurunziza. At 10:05 there was a minute’s silence to honour those who lost their lives during the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda 20 years ago. The

national anthems and a photo shoot of the teams followed. The matches, including Ethiopia’s first - against Morocco - on Pitch 5, commence at 11 am. All the teams consisted of 11 players aged 18 years and up who originate from the respective countries, although most

Barajas airport, Madrid, Spain

of the players now live in the UK. All referees were from the FA. For the first time this year too the Tournament included a Youth Side. Countries represented in the under 15 years of age category include Zanzibar, Nigeria, Somalia and Morocco. The tournament, being held in association with The Metro-

politan Police, Newham London, Essex County Football Association, Let’s Kick Racism out of Football and the Terence Higgins Trust, was supported by entertainment activities and included food stalls, drinks, crafts and music from renowned local African DJ’s and artists.

I told them that these projects cannot last beyond this administration. It is less than five months and there is already problem with the projects.” He disclosed that the massive debt profile of FAAN and other aviation agencies was a confirmation that the chief executive officers of FAAN, NAMA and NCAA were just puppets, who had no control of their various agencies, stressing that they found themselves in positions they never dreamt of. Speaking in the same vein, a former Commandant, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), said that the media needs to help government. According to him, “the media needs to help this government. Even the National Assembly needs to help. We need to look at the internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of these agencies. There are no ways these agencies can make less than N200 billion annually and it is annoying the way they have been plundered.” He stated that “if passenger service charge (PSC) for each domestic passenger is N1000 and $50 for international traveller, if that is multiplied by eleven million passengers, the amount accruing to FAAN alone is enormous. This amount, he said, is excluding freight charges, collection of charges collected on litres of fuel dispensed into aircraft, $3,000 on parking and landing of aircraft such B737,B747, A340, A330, A320, including smaller airplanes at the airports. “We are not even talking about revenue from the toll gates, car parks, office rentals, and other sources of revenue. If you come to NCAA, agency collects five per cent PSC on each ticket sold by airlines including five per cent on every freight. NAMA charges navigational fees of between $400 and $1000. There is no way NAMA can say it’s not generating $500 million annually.”

MOM&PARENTING

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014

Choosing the parenting style that fits your child Parenting styles come in different types and shapes. But at the end, just like the Holy Books say, your child will grow up in the way you have trained him/her. It is for the parent to make the most of the different styles to bring up the child in a way that is mutually-beneficial to the parent and the child as OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI writes.

t the Federal Neuro Psychiatric hospital, Oshodi annex, last week, in the early hours of the day, more than 20 children were sitting down with their parents waiting for their turn to be called in to see the doctor(Psychologists). These children, judging from their look and dressing, with the class of parents around them, they looked rich and classy. At one corner of the building, some nurses were busy massaging children with some form of deformities; at another corner, some group of families were going through counseling with group of psychologists and psychiatrists. There was this interesting corner. A little boy of about eight years old was shouting on top of his voice, saying to one of the doctors counseling him, “my mummy is too strict. She would not buy pets for me. She complains that they will make the house dirty. She will not let me play very well with my friends.” She is just too harsh.” Of course, the tiny voice drew attention and curious stirs. Upon inquiry, it was discovered that the boy is the only child of his parents who showered all the love and probably undue love. Because of the nasty experience they had with their two previous children, they over protected this little kid, Samuel Aloba. According to the mother, the children died mysteriously when she used to keep them with neighbours. As a result of that bitter experience, the parents, in their 50s,over protected Samuel, which had a psychological effect on the boy. Samuel lost interest in things that he loves to do. He stopped playing with his friends, lost appetite. He also stopped solving puzzle and mathematics that he loved. In school,

The impact of child rearing styles on African children PHOTO: GLOBALPOST.COM

Harsh discipline good for children if offset with love and affection PHOTO: ATLANTA BLACKSTAR.COM

his academic performance dropped by 75 per cent and his sleeping pattern changed. He began having nightmares and some times, he hallucinates about strange things or figures. Too terrible for a child of his age. However, Samuel was diagnosed of having severe depression. He was, therefore, recommended for exercise and placed on anti-depressant medication. The question is, could it be the parent-

ing style that affected this child? Yes! For psychologists pointed out to the parents that their method of parenting was too harsh, tight and cautious, which naturally affects a sensitive child. When Dr. Yemisi Ogun of the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, summed up that there are three main types of parenting, permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative Parenting Styles, many were aghast. Depending on the type a parent used on the child, it has

a telling effect, either positively or negatively. She explained that, both authoritative and authoritarian parenting are highly demanding, as “authoritarian kids tend to behave out of fear of parental reprisals, whereas, authoritarian children behave out of the understanding derived from parental explanations of the importance of behaving in becoming a future adult and the self-control needed in achieving this goal. Permissive adolescents and kids have lower depression rates, higher self-esteem and social skills, but lower school performance and more problematic behaviour. According to a research done by Psychologists E. E. Maccoby andJ. A. Martin, uninvolved, permissive, authoritative and authoritarian parenting are four examples of parenting style that can affect child development either positively or negatively. That is depending on how demanding parents are towards their children, or how responsive they are to supporting the psychological needs of their children. “Parents generally fall into one of the following groups: permissive, uninvolved, authoritative or authoritarian parenting styles”, said the study. Maccoby and Martin explained the C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 2

MOM&PARENTING

Sanctity of Truth

Teaching kids their heritage

Isaiah Akinwumi at the Tampa Bay Black Heritage beating the drums

Oluwatosin Omoniyi

t is probably becoming worrisome for parents that kids of nowadays are fast losing it morally and culturally. Hence, it has become imperative to teach your child about his culture, where he’s coming from and what is acceptable from him. For parents, who have their children born, trained in cities, like Lagos or America, your kid is probably a mix of many cultures, and it’s important for them to know what those cultures mean. While talking to them at night is a great way to achieve that, some kids may need more exciting methods to get in touch with their roots. At a gathering of pregnant women at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ifako Ijaiye, recently, during their counseling time, the nurse and chief matron in attendance talked to mothers about teaching their children about their culture. They reasoned that the high rate of youth’ waywardness is because of the type of exposure parents give their wards. They have become lost to modern lifestyles and someone else’s way of living. The chief matron narrated the story of a girl, who has never been to her home town and is strange to the culture. As a Yoruba girl, she does not kneel down to greet elders; she stretches her hands to greet. She also does not know how to cook ewedu, the common and simple Yoruba soup. She also lacks manners of approach and talk carelessly. At 22, she also does not understand eye contacts. To worsen it for her, she pierced her tongue and created holes all over her ears with earrings. She said her mother always argue for her that her daughter is a born citizen of America and as such,

has no business with Yoruba or African culture and it’s standard. “Sheer stupidity,” she said. The other nurse mentioned the trendy ways of boys wearing trouser and shirts. “They no longer have buttocks to carry trousers properly on their body in the name of sagging. They pierce their ears; some even weave their hair, looking like girls”, adding that, “if they want to turn to girl, let them go for a change of sexual organs”. The two health practitioners emphasised that it was not African to dress that way or become mannerless and cultureless, but since both mothers and children have been lost to the wrong side of western world, hence the ne-

PHOTO: TBO.COM

glect of their origin and heritage. The circles of mom, an internet based organisation, recently highlighted ways of teaching and reminding children about their heritage. Attend a festival Oftentimes, parents are just as clueless about their culture as the kids. Search the Internet for nearby culture centers, parades, or festivals that will educate (and entertain) everyone in the family. Travel to the homeland What better way to connect kids to their ancestors than with a trip to the place they came from. The direct exposure will in-

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

troduce your child to cultural aspects that can’t be explained in a book. While traveling with a kid can be difficult, the memories they make and lessons they learn will be worth it. Pick up a second language In addition to improving their brain development, learning to speak in their family’s native tongue will help kids feel more connected to their heritage. Sign up your kid for a class, or download an app they can use anytime, anywhere. Read all about it Trade in your traditional bedtime book for one that highlights your kid’s heritage. By explaining culture through a medium they love, they are more likely to understand and appreciate it. Make sure, however, to keep the content light, opting for books with beautiful photos as opposed to lots of words. Taste the history This may be tough if you have a picky eater in the house, but an authentic meal acts as a great teaching tool. As you are dining, explain what the meal consists of and how it connects to your heritage. For an additional teaching moment, get your kids to help prepare the food. Create a family tree If you come from a large family, your child may have trouble remembering all their relatives, especially when it comes to second cousins, twice removed. Create a family tree to help them keep everyone straight. Not only is this a great way to learn, but it’s also a great way to decorate. Enlist help from the elders You may know a lot about your family’s roots, but not as much as those who came before you. Take the kids to their grandparents’ house or, if they are lucky enough, their great-grandparents’ house for an afternoon spent looking at old photos and talking about the family’s history.

Choosing the parenting style that fits your child C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 1

four parenting styles described as follows: Indulgent, nondirective or permissive parenting styles are more responsive than they are demanding. They avoid confronting their children and tend to be lenientnot demanding mature behavior of their children. These parents allow children to control their own behavior. Two subtypes within this group are democratic and nondirective. Democratic permissive parents exercise more parental control than nondirective. Uninvolved parents are neither demanding nor responsive. They tend to be uninvolved and this parenting style can border on neglectful. Authoritarian parenting styles are highly demanding and direction oriented but relatively non-responsive. They expect their children to obey them without question. Explanations for their demands upon their children are unnecessary and can be seen as a challenge to their authority. Such parents are often status conscious. That is to say, what people think of their

children matter a lot to them, so the kids better behave to make them look good or pay the price? They are punitive. Rules are clear and home life is structured and well ordered. Authoritative parents are both demanding and responsive. Although they demand appropriate behavior from their children, they, also, are highly responsive in supporting their children. In a sense, these parents are present to pick them up when they fall down. While being demanding or assertive, they are not intrusive, punitive or restrictive. Their goal is to parent children who are independent, take responsibility for their actions and are socially cooperative. Each of these examples of parenting styles affects the development of the child in either positive or negative ways depending upon the degree and type of parental demand and responsiveness involved. Other ways these examples of parenting styles influence child development are the following: Children whose parents proved uninvolved performed the worst in all areas.

Authoritative kids and adolescents prove more socially competent than non-authoritative kids. Permissive adolescents and kids have lower depression rates, higher self-esteem and social skills, but lower school performance and more problematic behavior. Authoritarian parenting leads to adequate performance in school, fewer behavioral problems, but higher rates of depression, lower self-esteem and social skills. Maccoby and Martin concluded that, of the four examples of parenting styles, children of authoritative parents benefited the most, due to the balancing of high parental demands with the responsiveness to the needs of the child developing his or her own independence and selfcontrol in order to become a responsible mature adult. “In many cases, it appears that authoritative parents can demand more of their children because they are always present to catch them when they fall. Their children feel safe because they’ve learned they can count on their parents.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014

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Nasarawa: Giving hope to displaced Tiv Nasarawa State Government has provided succour to the almost hopeless victims of herdsmen’s bloody attacks in parts of the state, writes CHEKE EMMANUEL

aturday May 17 will remain memorable in the minds of the indigenous Tiv people of Nasarawa State. It was the day Governor Tanko Al-Makura, in midst of top government functionaries and security chiefs led the Tiv, hitherto displaced by the Fulani herdsmen attacks, to return to their places of abode. Thousands of Tiv had fled their homes in the wake of herdsmen’s attacks in both Nasarawa and Benue states where lives and property were destroyed. During the period, the people suffered untold hardship, death and starvation. The worse hit were Tiv settlements in Gidan Rai, Ajimaka, Ankoma, Agwan Yara, all in Doma Local Government Area. Others were Gidan Gar, Gidan Orvanya, Gidan Tsekar, Chekuma, Tse Adi, Gidan Ayegh, Tachia, Kuduku, Ajo in Keana and Awe local government areas among other host communities in the state. Worried by the ugly development, Al-Makura and his Benue State counterpart, Gabriel Suswam, convened a series of meeting with traditional rulers in both states to find lasting peace. After normalcy was restored, Al-Makura initiated a process to resettle the indigenous Tiv in Nasarawa State. The governor summoned Tiv leaders and opinion leaders to find ways to return the displaced people to their original places of abode. During the exercise which was coordinated by leaders of Tiv community in the state in the five local government areas of Doma, Obi, Keana, Awe and Lafia East, AlMakura’s message which centred on peace and peaceful co-existence, assured the returnees of adequate protection of their lives and property. The journey started in Doma

Relief materials for the displaced

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura presenting cash donation to Chairman of Awe LGA on behalf of displaced Tiv farmers in Awe LGA

where relief materials meant for the Tiv in Doma and Eke Local Council Development Area who suffered more in the attacks by herdsmen. The governor handed over the relief materials to the Acting President of Tiv Development Association (TIDA), Mr Bernard Ashiekaa, flanked by other stakeholders and opinion leaders for distribution to the affected persons. Al-Makura also gave N2 million to the Tiv leader to convey back home those who did not have money to transport themselves back from where they were tak-

ing refuge. Idadu was the first point of call where Al-Makura addressed the returnees and assured them that security bases would be set up, while regular patrol would be increased in the Tiv settlements to protect them. Abaagu, one of the densely populated Tiv settlements in Obi was the second point of visit by the governor with his entourage who presented relief materials such as grains, cooking oil, soap, mattresses, mats, plastic buckets and a cash of N2 million for logistics to the leader of Tiv community in

the area. Al-Makura also assured the returnees of his administration’s determination to protect them. The governor urged the people to put behind the hardship they experienced during the skirmishes and live peacefully with one another. He warned that government would deal ruthlessly with any person or group of persons caught breaking the law in the state. At Tachia in Keana Local Government Area, Al-Makura presented relief materials such as assorted foodstuffs and other consumables as well as N2 million cash to the people.

44 FEATURES

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Arousing students’ interest in Maths Nigeria will continue to depend on foreign nations for software, telephone, power supply, among others, unless it encourages students to learn Mathematics and other science-based subjects, writes FOLASADE FOLARIN

athematics is described as the “King” of all sciences. Experts also agree that “Science and Mathematics are the key engines of growth in any nation”. Unfortunately, many Nigerian students have phobia for this subject which is compulsory and applied in everyday life. Many of the students believe that competence in the subject is reserved for a selected few, while others are of the opinion that it is a nightmare that should be avoided. Temitope Ologun, a student, said she switched to Arts subjects because of her fear of Mathematics and Sciences generally. “I don’t want to have anything to do

Students at an examination centre

with Mathematics and the Sciences, that is why I will be a diplomat in future,’’ she said. However, Mrs Augusta Olanipekun, a Chemistry teacher, said she switched to Sciences from Arts because she wanted to know more about Mathematics. “In my senior secondary school, I did not show much interest in Mathematics, not because I was not good in the

subject, but because I was lazy. “I realised I was not doing myself any good, and decided to work harder, and today I am better for it,” she said. According to her, Mathematics is not a subject to be toyed with, because “there is always a bit of Mathematics in every subject, so it should not be toyed with or feared.’’ Mr Samuel Abiwonnu, a Mathemat-

ics teacher at Noble Hall Leadership Academy for Girls, Jabi, Abuja, blamed students’ dislike for Mathematics on mind set. He said: “There is this general belief that Mathematics is a difficult subject to understand, or that it cannot be understood by the average pupil or student.’’ Abiwonnu also blamed Mathematics teachers for exhibiting “masterslave” and “unfriendly relationship” with students, which make it difficult for students to understand the subject. “Mathematics is a jealous subject which demands the minds of the learners. “Unfortunately, most students devote their minds to certain things which distract their attention, such as playing football and watching movies, among others,” he added. Mr Wilfred Obilikwu, a Physics teacher at Cherryfield College, Jikwoyi, Abuja, advised parents not to force their children to study a particular subject. “Many parents think money can do everything. It is important to know that Mathematics requires the interest and ability of the student,’’ Obilikwu said. • Folarin writes for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Oba Akiolu: Sacrificing merit for indigeneship

t is often said that there can be unity in diversity. This is based on the time tested belief that through communal efforts, with unity of purpose, society is bound to develop. But because Africans, particularly the Yoruba of the South-West of Nigeria, are gregarious in nature, the preservation of cultural values and norms which usually strengthen unity needed to move society forward is bestowed on the traditional institution. In this regard traditional rulers, who represent the traditional institution, are the custodians of these values. Therefore, an Oba (a monarch), especially in Yorubaland, is the father of all, as every resident of a kingdom or communities within the jurisdiction of traditional ruler is his subject. It was in this light that members of a culture and values renaissance group, the Committee for Culture and Values’ Emancipation in Lagos (CCVEL), have decided to take on the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu. Their grouse with Oba Akiolu was his recent public endorsement of a certain governorship aspirant among several others jostling to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2015. The CCVEL Secretary-General, Wakil Adedayo, said that such action was unbecoming of a traditional ruler regarded as the father of all. At a recent book presentation in Lagos, Oba Akiolu had told the audience that a former Accountant-General in the state, Mr. Akin Ambode, would be the next governor of Lagos.

Engaging in partisan politics by traditional rulers may erode the value of the traditional institution, writes TAIWO JIMOH

Akiolu

Fashola

But while noting that everyone, including royal fathers, had the liberty to have their own preferred candidate in any election, Adebayo said that the office of governor in any state was bigger than a chieftaincy position that any monarch could singlehandedly confer on any of his subjects. He said: The position of the governor of Lagos State transcends his domain. The population of Lagos is over 21 million with many paramount rulers, and for the Oba to believe that he has such capacity over the populace is beyond comprehension. “In a fairly conducted election in Lagos Island, where Oba Akiolu’s palace is located, he cannot win.” CCVEL wondered why the traditional ruler could even denigrate other aspirants who had indicated interest in succeeding Fashola.

It also wondered how having one’s roots in other parts of Yorubaland could have become an albatross for anyone desirous of occupying the Lagos governor’s office. “Can Oba Akiolu prove to Lagos residents that his preferred candidate doesn’t have a root somewhere else, just like any Yoruba person, before his claim to Lagos?” he said. The monarch’s endorsement is also against the grain of thought of many observers and political leaders seeking to entrench unity among Nigerians, particularly now that the country seems to be on the precipices. On May 21, the National Conference adopted the report of its Committee on Citizenship, Immigration and Related Matters. One of the recommendations of the committee is that a person who marries an indigene of a state and born in a particular state

acquires automatic indigeneship of the state. This probably shows that the monarch might have goofed in his veil reference to some aspirants as non-indigenes on Lagos State. Adebayo also said that the Oba should realise that in a proper election where the wish of the people is respected and honoured, not only the monarch and his preferred candidates and their supporters would vote. “The other candidates have their own supporters that may even outnumber Oba Akiolu’s candidate and his supporters. “Only God is the ultimate kingmaker and the one that has the final say on any decision,” Adebayo said. He added that history had shown that it was impossible for any Oba to influence public policy or government decisions that are not within their jurisdiction or political capacities unless such monarchs were so empowered. Adebayo also advised Oba Akiolu to emulate other traditional rulers in the South-West such as the Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiri Adetona; the Alake of Egba, Oba Aremu Gbadebo; Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, etc in treating all political aspirants as their children. He said: “A bit of advice to the Oba: can he just see every aspirant as his subject, just like the way other Obas are treating their aspirants. “Because by endorsing somebody now, under what political arrangement would one say he emerged? Is it political consensus or political primary?”

METRO

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

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Truck kills woman Camillus Nnaji

trailer loaded with cement yesterday crushed a woman to death on the LagosIbadan Expressway. The incident took place about 7am at the ever-busy Berger bus stop. A witness said that the trailer, with registration number LSD 95 XF had a brake failure. To avoid running over vehicles, the driver swerved and hit the woman on the road divider while waiting to cross the expressway. According to the witness, the victim’s body part scattered on the spot. Another witness, who gave his name as Ayo, said “the trailer not only killed the woman but damaged about four vehicles in the process. One was a fully loaded bus

heading to Ibadan. Another was a sport utility vehicle (SUV)”. Ayo said the victim was wearing an identity card which showed that she was an employee a transport firm at Wawa in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. After the incident, the driver attempted to run away with the trailer. But men of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS)

chased the trailer. However, when the driver realised that he was about to be caught, he allegedly jumped out of the vehicle at OPIC Junction and fled inside the bush. When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Isheri Divisional Police Headquarters said only the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, was the only one authorised to speak with journalists.

FRSC men evacuating the body.

Photo: Taiwo Jimoh

We take solace in God, says slain student’s parents TaiwoJimoh

he parents of the 19-year-old Godwin Ayogu who was murdered in Ghana said they had taken consolation in the word of God. The parents spoke during a Wake Keep as part of rites of passage for Godwin. Members of the Lord Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry otherwise called ‘Chosen,’ acquaintances and the Ayogu family members defiled the downpour on Sunday to bid Godwin farewell at his father’s residence in Ketu area of Lagos State. The father of the deceased, Mr Fred Ayogu, told our correspondent that he had tried in vain to forget his son’s death. He said: “I have tried all I could to forget, but it has not been easy for me and my wife. But our

The late Ayogu

consolation is in the word of God. “As Christians, we believe it is only God alone that can kill and revive, that was why my wife and I took consolation in God. “The only thing that is keeping us as mortals is the Holy Ghost, because by now I don’t know what would have happen to my wife and I. In everything you have to thank God. We give thanks to God.

“It is not easy to lose someone you have hope on that one day you can fall back on him and he would be your life support. Where is the person today? The person is not sick yet we are here mourning him.” Ayogu added members of his church organised the Wake Keep for the family and other people to hear the word of God. According to him, the final rite will take place on Friday at Nnsuka, Enugu State. The mother of the deceased, Mrs Cecilia Ayogu, could not hold back her tears when she spoke with our correspondent. She said: “Godwin was everything to me. He was my companion; he made a lot of promises for me that he would take good care of me and his Dad. He said that the money we spent on him would not be in vain.”

Reduce tobacco harm, BAT urges WHO

ritish American Tobacco has called on the World Health Organisation (WHO) and governments around the world to adopt a policy of tobacco harm reduction. BAT made the call to commemorate this year’s World No Tobacco Day (WNTD). British American Tobacco’s Director of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Kingsley Wheaton, governments seeking to reduce tobacco use must consider more progressive approaches.

He said: “One such solution is to offer adult smokers a choice of substantially less risky products such as e-cigarettes. This approach is what many refer to as ‘Tobacco Harm Reduction’. “However, for this to work, governments and the public health community need to embrace this concept and the products that support it.” Recent media reports suggest that less risky nicotine products such as e-cigarettes could be classified as tobacco

products by the WHO. This could see governments eventually subjecting e-cigarettes to hefty excise duty, public smoking bans and severe marketing restrictions, all of which would hamper their growth and development. “If e-cigarettes are classified as tobacco products, then the associated regulatory hurdles will mean smokers will find it harder to access less risky alternatives - this can only be a bad thing for public health.

Housewife arraigned for maltreating maids Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

29-year-old woman, Mrs Omowunmi Okanlawon, has been arraigned for maltreating two young girls (names withheld) identified as her house helps. Detectives attached to Ibafo Divisional Headquarters arrested the accused at Arepo in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, following report by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Women Arise for Change Initiative. The organisation is led by a human rights activist, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement that Okanlawon, mother of one, was “fond of beating, chaining and subjecting all her house helps to hard labour and psychological trauma”. Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the accused was arraigned at Owode Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of child labour and child abuse with Charge No MOO/207C/2014. The PPRO said the case

The maids

was adjourned till July 21, after the accused was granted bail in the sum of N50,000 and surety with tax payment plus property in the state. He said: “The neighbours of the suspect, who is fond of maltreating her house helps, intimated the Women Arise of her wicked attitudes towards her house helps for several years and they could not bear such again. “Women Arise then informed the police detectives attached to Ibafo Divisional Headquarters and arrested Okanlawon, while they rescued the two young girls. “The Commissioner of

Police, Ogun State, Ikemefuna Okoye, appreciated those who informed the NGO and the police of the antecedents of Okanlawon in order to liberate the victims who had been chained for days. “And he has promised to work hard with all relevant groups, individuals and governmental agencies to stop child abuse, child labour, domestic (or gender) violence and human trafficking in the state.” According to the statement, Okoye appreciated Okei-Odumakin for her efforts towards putting a stop to all these criminal acts and supports for the command so far.

Save us from hoodlums, community begs Fashola

he residents of OdiOlowo community and its environs in Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State have sent a save-our-soul message the state government over the incessant attacks by a notorious group. In their petition to Governor Babatunde Fashola, the people said that attacks from the gang led by one Toba Joel Ajiboye had, in the past, led to loss of lives, money and property. According to them, they now live in fear while many others have relocated to other neighbouring communities for security reasons. The petition, written on their behalf by Kola

Adebayo & Company, Legal Practitioners reads in part: “Your Excellency, it is on record that Toba Ajiboye and his gang had killed countless number of innocent citizens in the recent past. “In addition, they have destroyed properties, most especially automobiles and household equipment of their victims as well as innocent people within and around the community.” As three members of the gang, namely Toba Ajiboye, Adigun Oriyomi and Yusuf Akinwale, are reported to have been arrested, the community appealed that investigation into their matter should be thorough in order to capture other members

still at large. This, according to them, will save the community from reprisal attack from other members of the group. “It is, therefore, our humble petition that our clients’ community is not yet out of grip of these gangsters, hence we implore Your Excellency to prevail on the police authorities to do a thorough job. “In addition, Your Excellency should investigate various allegations by our clients that the notorious gangsters were being used by some powerful individuals, most especially politicians within and around Mushin and Odi-Olowo community,” the petition added.

Daily Summary as of 02/06/2014

Printed 02/06/2014 16:16:27.027

46 BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET

Daily Summary as of 02/06/2014 Printed 02/06/2014 16:16:27.027

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at June 2, 2014

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

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

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 34 24 58

Current Price 33.10 37.00

Quantity Traded 257,947 277,700 535,647

Value Traded 8,605,955.45 10,294,568.30 18,900,523.75

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 41 41

Current Price 3.28

Quantity Traded 1,980,942 1,980,942

Value Traded 6,201,078.96 6,201,078.96

2,516,589

25,101,602.71

Quantity Traded 29,580 360 20,417,027 303,071 20,750,038

Value Traded 41,304.04 396.00 79,005,533.92 18,989,062.09 98,036,296.05

20,750,038

98,036,296.05

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Daily Summary as of 02/06/2014 Diversified Industries Printed 02/06/2014 A.G.16:16:27.027 LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

99 Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT TRANSCORP UACN

Daily Summary

No. of Deals 7 1 225 47 (Equities) 280

CONGLOMERATES Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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

Current Price 1.41 1.15 3.89 65.00

280

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. IT Services Totals Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Daily Summary as of 02/06/2014 Processing Systems Totals Printed 02/06/2014 16:16:27.027 ICT Totals

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 1.30

Quantity TradedPage 191,000 191,000

Value Traded 1 of 12 238,530.00 238,530.00

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 66.76

Quantity Traded 199,174 199,174

Value Traded 13,296,866.84 13,296,866.84

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 26 26

Current Price 17.96

Quantity Traded 430,600 430,600

Value Traded 7,734,864.45 7,734,864.45

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

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 10.47

Quantity Traded 10,000 10,000

Value Traded 99,500.00 99,500.00

830,774

21,369,761.29

CONSUMER GOODS Daily Summary as of 02/06/2014 Automobiles/Auto Parts Printed 02/06/2014 16:16:27.027 DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTYPLC. INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Beverages--Brewers/Distillers JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

52 Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,000 3,000

Value Traded 1,500.00 1,500.00

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW

No. of Deals 2 104 19

Current Price 13.79 175.00 26.01

Quantity Traded 200 646,395 120,753

Value Traded 2,622.00 115,395,233.15 3,147,079.87

Page Quantity Traded 200 815,740 1,583,288

2 of 12 Value Traded 586.00 144,852,187.38 263,397,708.40

Daily Summary (Equities)

No. of Deals 1 133 259

Current Price 3.08 181.00

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 85.80

Quantity Traded 95,291 95,291

Value Traded 8,516,159.26 8,516,159.26

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON NNFM UTC

No. of Deals 40 58 74 28 1 48 1 9 259

Current Price 7.99 9.75 77.50 3.99 0.50 12.98 22.01 0.54

Quantity Traded 359,474 1,984,980 1,071,666 563,622 10,000,000 842,343 50 232,807 15,054,942

Value Traded 2,853,432.78 19,372,707.06 83,046,039.37 2,218,412.54 5,000,000.00 10,935,026.95 1,045.50 125,723.37 123,552,387.57

Symbol CADBURY

No. of Deals 69 42 111

Current Price 75.02 1,089.99

Quantity Traded 524,132 5,298,698 5,822,830

Value Traded 39,551,884.76 5,771,930,307.46 5,811,482,192.22

Symbol ENAMELWA VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 1 29 30

Current Price 32.27 4.42

Page Quantity Traded 50 1,664,223 1,664,273

3Value Traded of 12 1,533.00 7,142,316.31 7,143,849.31

No. of Deals 37 46 83

Current Price 36.00 50.00

Quantity Traded 215,242 1,118,146 1,333,388

Value Traded 7,776,450.63 55,978,488.36 63,754,938.99

25,557,012

6,277,848,735.75

Current Price 10.00 6.77 17.99 2.07 29.30 3.54 2.38 7.65

Quantity Traded 65,123,564 6,671,121 35,791,821 6,160,080 32,376,072 9,129,832 6,708,878 19,294,752

Value Traded 651,558,986.64 44,785,689.50 646,191,079.27 12,987,554.24 947,638,882.75 31,912,821.16 16,045,681.80 145,849,654.80

No. of Deals 71 2 26 403 2,275

Current Price 10.50 0.50 0.97 25.01

Quantity Traded 919,309 580,000 Page 1,083,253 25,792,848 209,631,530

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol No. of Deals AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AFRINSURE 1 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO 23 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE 14 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST 4 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. EQUITYASUR 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS 1 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LAWUNION 1 MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD 11 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT 1 Daily Summary as of 02/06/2014 N.E.M 16:16:27.027 INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM 95 Printed 02/06/2014 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. NIGERINS 1 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE 7 STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STACO 1 Daily Summary (Equities) UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNITYKAP 1 WAPIC INSURANCE PLC WAPIC 44 Insurance Carriers, and Services Totals 206 Activity Summary on Brokers Board EQTY

Current Price 0.50 0.83 1.05 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.48 0.50 0.82 0.50 0.53 0.50 0.50 0.76

Quantity Traded 50 1,639,117 4,122,090 137,000 50 60,000 50 819,800 200 13,109,787 30,000 264,560 200 20,000 4,897,179 25,100,083

Value Traded 25.00 1,372,272.24 4,319,340.50 68,660.00 25.00 30,000.00 25.00 2,032,279.00 100.00 11,161,610.70 15,000.00 140,766.80 100.00 10,000.00 3,759,993.28 22,910,197.52

Traded12 5Value of 20,595.36 20,595.36

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 N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Daily Summary 02/06/2014 U Tas C of NIG. PLC. Printed 02/06/2014 16:16:27.027 Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) NESTLE

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

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. Daily Summary as of 02/06/2014 DIAMOND BANK PLC Printed 02/06/2014 16:16:27.027 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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

FINANCIAL SERVICES Micro-Finance Banks Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

764 Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 314 DIAMONDBNK 80 ETI 317 FIDELITYBK 98 GUARANTY 509 SKYEBANK Daily Summary (Equities) 131 STERLNBANK 56 UBA 268

Symbol UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.12

Quantity Traded Page 19,248 19,248

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol INFINITY

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.61

Quantity Traded 20,000 20,000

Value Traded 30,600.00 30,600.00

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

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 61 68 807 102 9 48 125 1,220

Current Price 3.20 3.26 15.98 4.14 0.51 24.80 2.54

Quantity Traded 1,291,487 7,629,689 62,297,824 3,166,312 194,087 958,755 14,684,801 90,222,955

Value Traded 4,225,722.27 24,661,266.11 994,160,324.30 13,205,299.30 101,082.55 23,740,818.21 36,870,323.90 1,096,964,836.64

324,993,816

4,279,957,949.57

Quantity Traded 140,800 16,144,991 144,579 447,320

Value Traded 345,000.00 46,235,464.34 9,827,273.94 795,457.20

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

3,705 Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER

No. of Deals 7 27 10 19

Current Price 2.45 2.90 68.00 1.78

Page

Quantity Traded 209,252 2,000 17,088,942

Value Traded 228,576.88 3,140.00 57,434,912.36

17,088,942

57,434,912.36

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 0.60

Quantity Traded 270,331 270,331

Value Traded 162,236.60 162,236.60

Symbol CWG NCR

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 5.48 15.99

Quantity Traded 100 100 200

Value Traded 521.00 1,520.00 2,041.00

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,100 1,100

Value Traded 550.00 550.00

271,631

164,827.60

Quantity Traded 909,553 89,686

Value Traded 21,440,465.27 813,760.14

13 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities) 23.59 9.30

Symbol CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER IPWA PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 18 23 32 2 1 7 49 215

Current Price 37.51 10.35 229.50 1.06 0.52 5.00 112.50

Quantity Traded 105,558 114,505 399,442 1,966 6,250 240,050 948,992 2,816,002

Value Traded 4,079,888.22 1,166,587.25 91,719,555.63 2,102.26 3,125.00 1,211,137.50 106,733,183.71 227,169,804.98

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 1.85

Quantity Traded 377,666 377,666

Value Traded 681,460.50 681,460.50

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

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 16.22

Quantity Traded 6,510 6,510

Value Traded 105,462.00 105,462.00

3,200,178

227,956,727.48

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 3,030.00 3,030.00

500

3,030.00

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. IPWA PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals

Chemicals B.O.C. GASES PLC. Chemicals Totals

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

ASHAKACEM BERGER

Page

228 Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 1 1

Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 6.37

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Page

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 619,178 619,178

Value Traded 309,589.00 309,589.00

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

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 362 362

Current Price 19.95

Quantity Traded 10,423,973 10,423,973

Value Traded 204,279,132.67 204,279,132.67

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

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 2 62 28 103 19 7 38 259

Current Price 0.50 48.41 3.51 235.79 129.98 48.92 168.01

Quantity Traded 1,050 423,197 460,205 487,898 32,511 63,200 463,443 1,931,504

Value Traded 525.00 20,268,519.56 1,599,203.37 114,679,501.00 4,064,188.98 3,091,744.00 79,584,382.79 223,288,064.70

Exploration and Production

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 28 28

Current Price 671.00

Quantity Traded 124,771 124,771

Value Traded 83,637,491.40 83,637,491.40

13,099,426

511,514,277.77

Daily Summary as of 02/06/2014 SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Printed 02/06/2014 16:16:27.027

Exploration and Production Totals

OIL AND GAS Totals

656

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Value Traded 9,663,790.19 290,000.00 4 of 12 1,049,945.36 652,057,634.34 3,160,031,720.05

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

Current Price 1.11 1.57

67 16

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Household Durables NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Daily Summary as of 02/06/2014 Printed NATURAL 02/06/2014RESOURCES 16:16:27.027

Symbol JOSBREW NB

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

No. of Deals 18 1 82

HEALTHCARE Totals

Symbol COSTAIN

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

Symbol NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

Page

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 27 27

Current Price 1.09

Quantity Traded 824,688 824,688

Value Traded 886,596.90 886,596.90

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 7 4 11

Current Price 4.50 2.20

Quantity Traded 360,200 106,300 466,500

Value Traded 1,620,900.00 222,167.00 1,843,067.00

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 54,035 54,035

Value Traded 27,017.50 27,017.50

Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Hospitality Totals

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 50 50

Value Traded 25.00 25.00

Hotels/Lodging

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.90

Quantity Traded 487,252 487,252

Value Traded 437,276.80 437,276.80

No. of Deals 4 3 (Equities) 4 14

Current Price 1.71 1.75 2.40 4.04

Quantity Traded 30,200 2,800 6,620 174,111

Value Traded 49,226.00 4,820.00 15,093.60 712,603.28

Symbol

No. of Deals Current Price 25

Quantity Traded 213,731

Value Traded 781,742.88

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals Current Price 6 0.85 6

Quantity Traded 214,078 214,078

Value Traded 180,511.96 180,511.96

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals Current Price 2 2.16 65 4.90 67

Quantity Traded 70,000 6,437,870 6,507,870

Value Traded 151,200.00 31,452,757.09 31,603,957.09

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

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals Current Price 33 5.14 33

Quantity Traded 1,413,336 1,413,336

Value Traded 7,272,929.03 7,272,929.03

183

10,181,540

43,033,124.16

6,063

418,490,446

11,542,421,244.74

6,063

418,490,446

11,542,421,244.74

Daily Summary as of 02/06/2014 IKEJA HOTEL PLC Printed 02/06/2014 16:16:27.027 Hotels/Lodging Totals Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC.

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA Daily Summary STUDPRESS UPL

Page

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

SERVICES Printing/Publishing Printing/Publishing Totals

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary as of 02/06/2014 Printed 02/06/2014 16:16:27.027 Equity Activity Totals

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Published by The Nigerian © Exchange TradedStock Fund Exchange Totals

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 1,959.00 19.20

Quantity Traded 11 5,710 Page 5,721

Value Traded 21,549.00 108,492.00 11 130,041.00 of 12

ETF Board Totals

5,721

130,041.00

ETP Activity Totals

5,721

130,041.00

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 47

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

2-Jun-14

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

Bonds

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

Description 9.20 29-JUN-2014 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

29-Jun-07 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

9.20 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

45.00 100.00 535.00 470.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 110.00 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

29-Jun-14 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

0.07 0.32 0.89 2.21 2.90 3.15 3.25 3.99 5.07 5.39 7.66 9.78 14.49 14.97 15.47 16.14

10.28 10.70 11.20 11.71 11.79 11.77 11.78 11.88 12.10 12.08 12.55 12.60 12.83 12.86 12.89 12.98

8.32 10.23 10.57 11.63 11.73 11.65 11.66 11.78 12.02 12.00 12.49 12.55 12.79 12.81 12.83 12.93

99.89 99.49 94.05 102.50 107.90 95.04 93.57 96.33 114.45 80.26 118.50 108.80 114.10 97.55 70.87 80.00

100.04 99.64 94.55 102.65 108.05 95.34 93.87 96.63 114.75 80.56 118.80 109.10 114.40 97.85 71.17 80.30

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

4,334.84 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

0.41 0.98 1.46 2.52 2.88 3.09

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

11.83 13.88 13.67 13.66 14.92 12.76

95.37 87.73 104.86 97.08 90.40 92.96

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

0.18 0.37 1.25 0.85 1.14 1.15 2.88 1.71 3.58 2.55 4.34 2.56 2.55 3.13 3.20 5.47 3.17 3.88 6.49 6.58 3.89 3.92

1.56 1.34 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 1.00 1.94 2.74 2.74 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

12.00 12.10 15.78 14.40 15.77 14.79 17.31 12.48 13.61 13.47 12.93 12.67 12.88 12.76 12.77 14.04 14.51 14.60 13.28 14.24 13.30 13.82

100.25 100.59 96.36 99.39 98.21 101.05 83.91 102.18 101.04 101.29 103.44 104.04 116.88 104.33 106.99 101.71 100.61 100.42 100.93 103.15 113.64 113.29

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

0.35 0.55 0.58 0.73 0.81 0.89 2.33 2.40 3.33 2.14 2.10 2.27 2.27 4.31 2.38 2.46 3.58 6.45

1.00 5.21 8.71 4.88 1.00 2.63 1.00 1.34 4.52 1.88 3.48 5.20 5.06 1.00 2.29 6.11 2.16 2.76

11.72 16.20 19.72 15.98 12.15 13.83 12.63 12.98 16.31 13.47 15.07 16.82 16.68 12.92 13.92 17.76 13.98 15.03

99.86 98.62 98.53 96.01 99.93 100.49 100.69 102.51 91.69 108.82 101.88 102.49 101.97 103.43 103.73 98.84 105.53 100.84

11-Feb-18

3.70

1.00

12.84

92.39

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

4.78

4.63

111.09

112.01

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.12

3.91

103.75

104.57

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.19

5.07

108.50

109.40

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

3.97

3.32

111.94

113.06

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.21

4.38

104.20

105.78

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.29

5.99

98.90

100.02

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.09

6.67

100.44

101.61

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.61

8.18

94.32

95.68

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.19

4.60

113.43

114.56

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.39

6.20

99.41

100.22

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

6.83

6.43

105.06

106.54

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.02

5.71

102.36

103.59

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 17 24 31 38 45 52 59

FIXINGS Maturity 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14 24-Jul-14 31-Jul-14

Bid Discount (%) 9.55 9.90 10.00 8.00 10.00 9.70 10.00

Offer Discount (%) 9.30 9.65 9.75 7.75 9.75 9.45 9.75

Bid Yield (%) 9.59 9.96 10.09 8.07 10.12 9.84 10.16

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.7500 12.4937 13.5002 14.3776

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.38

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

10.63

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

162.30 162.44 162.68 163.32 164.38

162.40 162.89 163.18 164.06 164.84

O/N Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 10.50

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

14.49 14.97 15.47 16.14

12.83 12.86 12.89 12.98

12.79 12.81 12.83 12.93

114.10 97.55 70.87 80.00

114.40 97.85 71.17 80.30

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

4,334.84 Description

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

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

***LCRM

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

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

0.41 0.98 1.46 2.52 2.88 3.09

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

11.83 13.88 13.67 Tuesday, 13.66 14.92 12.76

0.18 0.37 1.25 0.85 1.14 1.15 2.88 1.71 3.58 2.55 4.34 2.56 2.55 3.13 3.20 5.47 3.17 3.88 6.49 6.58 3.89 3.92

1.56 1.34 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 1.00 1.94 2.74 2.74 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

12.00 12.10 15.78 14.40 15.77 14.79 17.31 12.48 13.61 13.47 12.93 12.67 12.88 12.76 12.77 14.04 14.51 14.60 13.28 14.24 13.30 13.82

48 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS NA

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

Nigerian stocks sustain bullish rally TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

95.37 87.73 104.86 June 3, 97.08 90.40 92.96

Sanctity of Truth

2014

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

UPBEAT

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

Oil and gas stocks drive the NSE activities

Stories by Chris Ugwu

he bullish tendencies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) were sustained yesterday as bargain hunters taking positions on equities dominated the trading activities. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Corporate Bonds

The NSE ASI and market capitalisation increased by 0.06 per cent as market sentiments remained on the green zone. Transactions in the share prices of Forte Oil Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc led other gainers to lift market indicators. The key benchmark indices maintained positive trajectory to close in the green, taking supports majorly from large capitalised stock, which was particularly driven by the two companies, while medium capitalised stocks also contributed to the outlook recorded.

NSE index rises 19%, says index provider 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

igeria’s equity index provider MSCI yesterday, said the weight in index has been increased 19 per cent. With this development, the Nigerian stock market has now hit a four (4) month high. Reuters news reported that rose from 12 per cent to 19 per cent in the review period; making it the TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE biggest after Kuwait. Supranational It said theBond MSCI index addAAA/S&P IFC ed oil marketing firm Forte TOTAL VALUE bank Oil PlcOUTSTANDING and pan-African Ecobank Transnational IncorRating/Agency Issuer porated (ETI). “Forte surged the maximum allowed 10 per FGN Eurobonds cent. Ecobank added 6.85 per BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P cent,’’ Reuters said. BB-/Fitch; The report quoted AkinFGN BB-/S&P bamidele Akintola, vice presiBB-/Fitch; dent; BB-/S&PAfrica equity sales at Renaissance Capital as saying TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE that we are seeing increased Corporate Eurobonds from foreign buying activities B-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLC I investors. “The market reacted GTBANK I positively on the back ofPLCthe B+/S&P; B+/Fitch GTBANK PLC index news," Akintola said. B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC Nigerian stocks rallied 3 B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY BANK PLC per cent last Friday ahead B/Fitch AFREN PLC

of the rejig and rose again on Monday to hit four-month highs. The index of Nigeria's top five oil and gas firms climbed 7.15 per cent, helping the index rise above 40,000 points, a level last seen in January. ‘’Average traded volumes hit $72 million last Friday, compared with an overall average of between $20 million to $30 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 million this year, Renaissance Capital's Akintola said. According to the report, Description a youthful population, high economic growth rate and an expanding middle class have 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 drawn investors to frontier market in recent years, 5.13 JUL 12, 2018leading them to significantly outper6.38 JUL 12, 2023 form emerging and developed markets in terms of returns. As earlier reported, foreign portfolio inflows into the Ni11.50 FEB 01, 2016 gerian capital market rose 19, 2016 65.1 per cent7.50 toMAY N356.50 billion NOV 08, 2018 in the first 6.00 quarter (Q1) 2014 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 as domestic 6.88 investors reduced MAY 09, 2018 their exposure. 10.25 APR 08, 2019

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

Consequently, at the close of transactions, market capitalisation increased by 0.06 per cent or N9 billion from N13.694 trillion traded last Friday to N13.703 trillion on Monday. Also, the NSE All Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 27 basis points or 0.06 per cent to 41, 501.40 index points from 41,474.40 points recorded in the previous day. Further review of yesterday’s trading showed that investors bought 418.4 million shares worth N11.5 billion in 6,063.

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

On the sub-sectorial level, banking sub-sector of the financial service sector strengthened by the activities on the shares of Access Bank and ETI led in volume terms with 209.6 million shares worth N3.2 billion in 2275 deals while other financial services sub sector, also of the financial service sector, boosted by the shares of FBNH, had 90.2 million ordinary shares worth N1.09 billion done in 1,220 deals. At the close of trading, petroleum-marketing company, Forte Oil Plc, led the gainers, rising 572.90

100.25 100.59 96.36 99.39 98.21 101.05 83.91 102.18 101.04 101.29 103.44 104.04 116.88 104.33 106.99 101.71 100.61 100.42 100.93 103.15 113.64 113.29

by N21.91 to close at N235.79 per share even as beverage giant, Nestle Nigeria Plc, gained N16.99 to close at N1, 089.99. Similarly, Seplat Nigeria Plc appreciated by N12.05 to close at N671.00 among other gainers. On the flip side, Dangote Cement Plc led other losers with of N5.50 to close at N229.50. Maker of alcoholic beverages, Guinness Nigerian Plc, lost N4.99 to close at a N175.00 per share. Similarly, construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria, shed N1.87 to close at N66.76 per share among other losers.

Tight credit inhibiting investors –Expert

n07-Oct-11 investment expert has 11.80 11.50 07-Oct-14 0.35 identified tight credit situ- 13.17 18-Dec-09 13.50 18-Dec-14 0.55 01-Apr-10 31-Dec-14 0.58 ation in Nigeria 17.00 as a major 2.00 17-Aug-10 10.00 in the 15.00 17-Aug-15 0.73 problem for investors 09-Dec-10 12.00 37.50 09-Dec-15 0.81 economy . 06-Jan-11 14.00 1.50 06-Jan-16 0.89 President Lagos Chamber 29-Sep-11 13.00 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.33 of Commerce and14.25 Industry 5.53 25-Oct-13 25-Oct-16 2.40 30-Sep-10 30-Sep-17 (LCCI), Alhaji Remi13.00 Bello, said 20.00 worry that the economy is3.33 still 30-Nov-12 18.00 many small and medium scale 0.94 structurally30-Nov-17 defective as it 2.14 is too 09-Apr-11 16.00 09-Apr-18 enterprises still have serious 8.01 dependent on the oil and2.10 gas 09-Sep-11 18.00 3.63 09-Sep-18 2.27 challenge in accessing credit sector for revenue, 09-Sep-11 16.00 1.00 09-Sep-18 creating 2.27 seeven22-Sep-11 at this high rate. rious vulnerability risks.4.31 The 14.00 35.00 22-Sep-18 18-Oct-13 18-Oct-18 2.38 Bello noted that15.75 the tight 3.00 lack of political will to reform 17-Feb-12 17-Feb-19 2.46 credit situation was 17.00 a major in- 0.54 the oil and gas sector remains 01-Apr-14 16.00 4.50 01-Apr-19 3.58 hibiting factor to the capacity a major shortcoming of demo14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.45 of domestic enterprises to take 180.17 cratic governance over the past advantage of the robust Nige- 15 years,” he said. rian market. He noted however, that the 10.20 for bet12.00 11-Feb-18 3.70 He11-Feb-13 said a framework transformation in the telecomter synergy between the finan- 12.00 munications sector is a notable cial sectors, the real sector and success story in economic reIssue (%) Issue Value ($'mm) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) SMEs isDate desirableCoupon to facilitate form over the period. the realisation of the develop“We note the progress being ments objectives of inclusive- made in the agricultural sector 6.75 500.00 4.78 to ness 07-Oct-11 and job creation. reform; but28-Jan-21 it is important Bello said economic growth observe that the sector cannot 18-Dec-09 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.12 trend, measured by the perfor- be transformed in isolation of 01-Apr-10 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.19 mance of the Gross Domestic infrastructure development Product (GDP), has been gen- 1,500.00 and industrialisation. erally positive over the last 15 He said there are concerns years, averaging about 6 per about the weak impact of the 11.50 450.00 01-Feb-16 3.97 cent.01-Feb-11 growth performance on private 19-May-11 7.50 19-May-16 5.21 “This is good compared to 500.00 sector productivity and the wel08-Nov-13 08-Nov-18 6.29 growth conditions6.00in most 400.00 fare of the Nigerian people. 25-Jul-12 7.25 25-Jul-17 economies around the world. 350.00 According to him, the 7.09 qual09-May-13 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 8.61 However, it remains a major 300.00 ity of the business environ08-Apr-12 10.25 08-Apr-19 5.19

1.00 5.21 8.71 4.88 1.00 2.63 1.00 1.34 4.52 1.88 3.48 5.20 5.06 1.00 2.29 6.11 2.16 2.76

11.72 16.20 19.72 15.98 12.15 13.83 12.63 12.98 16.31 13.47 15.07 16.82 16.68 12.92 13.92 17.76 13.98 15.03

99.86 98.62 98.53 96.01 99.93 100.49 100.69 102.51 91.69 108.82 101.88 102.49 101.97 103.43 103.73 98.84 105.53 100.84

ment continues to be a source of concern to investors, especially in the real sector as weak infrastructures and institutions have adverse effects on efficiency, productivity and competiveness of enterprises in the economy. “These conditions pose a major risk to inclusiveness and job creation. Nigeria, with the re1.00 GDP is12.84 92.39 based now ranked number 26 with regard to the size its economy in 2013; but ranked 147 Offer (%) Bid Priceof Doing Offer Price inYield its latest Ease Business report of the World Bank Prices & Yields out of the 189 countries pro4.63 The country’s 111.09 112.01 filed. ranking in the UNDP Human Development 3.91 103.75 104.57 Index is 153, out of 210 countries. 108.50 5.07 109.40 “This is a graphic illustration of the disconnect between the growth and development; and between growth and quali111.94 climate. 113.06 ty3.32 of investment These 4.38critical 104.20 105.78 are gaps that we need 98.90 for economic 100.02 to5.99 fix urgently 6.67 growth to be100.44 inclusive 101.61 and im8.18 94.32 95.68 pactful,” he said. 4.60 113.43 114.56

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.39

6.20

99.41

100.22

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

6.83

6.43

105.06

106.54

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.02

5.71

102.36

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

09-Dec-13 6.63 FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

2-Jun-14103.59

The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products,FIXINGS fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject **Treasury Bills 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 (%)

17 19-Jun-14 9.55 24 26-Jun-14 9.90 3-Jul-14 10.00 FGN Bonds31 38 10-Jul-14 8.00 45 17-Jul-14 10.00 Issuer Description 52 24-Jul-14 9.70 Rating/Agency 59 31-Jul-14 10.00 66 7-Aug-14 10.00 9.20 29-JUN-2014 73 14-Aug-14 10.30 9.25 28-SEP-2014 80 21-Aug-14 10.30 4.00 23-APR-2015 87 28-Aug-14 10.40 13.05 16-AUG-2016 94 4-Sep-14 10.20 15.10 27-APR-2017 101 11-Sep-14 10.80 108 18-Sep-14 10.90 9.85 27-JUL-2017 115 25-Sep-14 10.80 9.35 31-AUG-2017 129 9-Oct-14 10.50 10.70 30-MAY-2018 NA NA 171 20-Nov-14 10.35 16.00 29-JUN-2019 185 4-Dec-14 10.40 7.00 23-OCT-2019 220 8-Jan-15 10.50 16.39 27-JAN-2022 234 22-Jan-15 10.70 248 5-Feb-15 10.85 14.20 14-MAR-2024 262 19-Feb-15 10.60 15.00 28-NOV-2028 276 5-Mar-15 10.65 12.49 22-MAY-2029 311 9-Apr-15 10.20 8.50 20-NOV-2029 325 23-Apr-15 10.60 10.00 23-JUL-2030 339 7-May-15 10.40 *from theOUTSTANDING Amortising TOTAL VALUE # bonds, the average is Risk Premium is a life combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Rating/Agency

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

Description

Issuer

Agency Bonds

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

9.30 9.65 9.75 7.75 9.75 9.45 Issue Date 9.75 9.75 29-Jun-07 10.05 28-Sep-07 10.05 23-Apr-10 10.15 16-Aug-13 9.95 27-Apr-12 10.55 10.65 27-Jul-07 10.55 31-Aug-07 10.25 30-May-08 10.10 29-Jun-12 10.15 23-Oct-09 10.25 27-Jan-12 10.45 10.60 14-Mar-14 10.35 28-Nov-08 10.40 22-May-09 9.95 20-Nov-09 10.35 23-Jul-10 10.15

970.60 1,113.06 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 592.93 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 2,676.60 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

Volume(Bn)

923.07 951.30 701.57 2,575.94

NIBOR

Bonds

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

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

Rate (%) 10.7500 12.4937 13.5002 14.3776 Maturity Date

(N'bn)

45.00 NITTY 100.00 535.00 Tenor 470.27 1M 452.80 2M 3M 20.00 6M 100.00 9M 300.00 12M 351.30 233.90 600.00 NIFEX 110.00 Current75.00 Price ($/N) BID($/N)150.00 OFFER ($/N) 200.00 591.57

29-Jun-14 28-Sep-14 23-Apr-15 Rate (%) 16-Aug-16 10.0720 27-Apr-17 10.1276 10.6384 27-Jul-17 10.9853 31-Aug-17 11.5470 30-May-18 11.7303 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 161.9550 22-May-29 162.0550 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30

OBB O/N

10.38

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

10.63

Spot 7D Offer14D Yield 1M (%) 2M 3M 8.32 6M 10.23 1Y

162.30 162.44 162.68 163.32 Bid Price 164.38 165.48 99.89 169.44 99.49 177.00

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

10.50

1M 12.55 0.07 10.28 3M 13.26 0.32 10.70 6M 13.97 0.89 11.20 10.57 2.21 11.71 11.63 NOTE: 2.90 11.79 11.73 :Benchmarks 3.15 11.77 11.65 * :Amortising 3.25 Bond 11.78 11.66 µ :Convertible Bond 3.99 11.88 11.78 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 5.07 12.10 12.02 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 5.39 Mortgage Bank 12.08 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 12.00 7.66 12.55 12.49 IFC: International Finance Corporation LCRM: Local Management 9.78 Contractors Receivables 12.60 12.55 NAHCO:14.49 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 12.83 12.79 O/N: Overnight 14.97 12.86 12.81 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 15.47 12.89 12.83 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 16.14 12.98 12.93

Offer ($/N)

Price

162.40 162.89 163.18 Offer Price 164.06 164.84 167.16 100.04 170.92 99.64 182.53

94.05 94.55 102.50 102.65 107.90 108.05 NA :Not Applicable 95.04 95.34 # :Floating 93.57 Rate Bond 93.87 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 96.33 96.63 114.45 114.75 †: Bond rating expired 80.26 80.56 118.50 118.80 108.80 109.10 NGC:114.10 Nigeria-German 114.40 Company UBA: 97.55 United Bank for Africa 97.85 70.87 71.17 80.00 80.30

4,334.84

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 Value(Bn)

9.59 9.96 10.09 8.07 10.12 9.84 (%) Coupon 10.16 10.18 9.20 10.52 9.25 10.54 4.00 10.66 13.05 10.48 15.10 11.13 11.26 9.85 11.18 9.35 10.90 10.70 10.88 16.00 10.98 7.00 11.21 16.39 11.49 11.71 14.20 11.47 15.00 11.58 12.49 11.17 8.50 11.70 10.00 11.51

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

0.41 0.98 1.46 2.52 2.88 Implied 3.09Yield

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 Implied 1.00Price Portfolio

11.83 13.88 13.67 13.66 14.92 INDEX 12.76

95.37 87.73 104.86 97.08 90.40 YTD Return 92.96 (%)

0.00 BOND INDEX 24.56 FMDQ FGN

35.83 36.93 05-Aug-09 27.24 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

Coupon (%)

36.26 41.59 14.00 22.15 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

1,304.32 0.36 0.37 17.00 0.27 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

18.63 37.30 05-Aug-14 44.07 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

11.76 12.41 0.18 12.92 0.37 12.51 1.25 0.85 1.14 1.15 2.88 1.71 3.58 2.55 4.34 2.56 2.55

114.9541 128.4289 1.56 92.3618 1.34 113.7773 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21

1,091.83 1,087.49 12.00 1,077.48 12.10 1,080.76 15.78 14.40 15.77 14.79 17.31 12.48 13.61 13.47 12.93 12.67 12.88

9.1830 8.7487 100.25 7.7475 100.59 8.0763 96.36 99.39 98.21 101.05 83.91 102.18 101.04 101.29 103.44 104.04 116.88

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE 49

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Public enterprises costs N1.6trn, says FG Justifies sale

WASTE Public enterprises are drain pipes

Similarly, Dikki said that a substantial part of the then non-performing debts owed to the London and Paris Clubs were mostly loans to these enterprises, which also owed salaries and left huge pension liabilities amounting to over N2 trillion to the be borne by Federal Government. He added that :Public enterprises consumed over $3billion (about N480billion) annually in subventions and subsidies, tax deductions at source were not remitted to the tax authorities and no dividends were received or reasonable service provided by them despite their monopoly status”. The BPE boss noted that the twin policies of government direct investment in the Nigerian economy and an attempt to indigenise the economy did not produce the desired economic results as these enterprises could hardly break-even and became a huge burden on the government budget. “Nigeria’s economy experienced declining growth, increasing unemployment, galloping inflation, high incidence of poverty, worsening balance of payments, debilitating debt burden and increasing unsustainable fiscal deficits”, he stressed. Disenchanted with the poor performance of the PEs, Dikki said that the Federal Government, from 1969 to 1984, commis-

Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

he federal government has justified reasons for embarking on the sale of public assets, citing huge waste of resources these institutions gulped without returns. It said that, where as over N1.6 trillion had been invested to create over 600 public enterprises in all sectors of the economy before their privatization, there was no corresponding returns on investment to the Nigerian economy. Director-General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Benjamin Dikki said these in a presentation" the Nigerian Reforms & Privatization Policy, Processes, Gains, Challenges and Prospects” presented to members of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) International Golf and Country Club,in Abuja . He said that the huge resources invested on setting up the enterprises only generated 500,000 jobs and created over 5,000 board seats. A statement issued by BPE yesterday quoted DG of BPE describing the enterprises as drain pipes..

sioned several studies whose findings revealed that the PEs were inefficient, corrupt, misuse monopoly powers, depend heavily on treasury, have defective capital structure and suffer incessant political interference. He said the setting up of the Technical Committee on Commercialisation and Privatization (TCPC) in 1988, which later metamorphosed into the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), was to free government from businesses and to bring in private hands. The DG listed the gains of privatisation as the utilisation of proceeds for other socioeconomic objectives, non-allocation from the treasury to privatised enterprises, payment of corporate tax and heavy investments by the new owners that grew the Companies and the economy. On the power sector reform, the DG said that an estimated 90 million Nigerians were living without access to electric power and government did not have the resources to reach them, thus the need to privatize the Power Sector to increase the reach. Dikki added that the reforms carried out in telecoms, pensions, debt management and other sectors were impacting positively on the Nigerian economy. Meanwhile, the privatisation agency has announced a line up

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

Western Union partners three banks, remits $20bn BOOM Electronic banking to flourish in Nigeria Bayo Akomolafe

orld’s leading money transfer, The Western Union Company has launched its first online service in Nigeria by partnering with three banks. It was learnt that Nigerians would now be able to move their funds using the online platform with Guaranty of Trust Bank, Skye Bank and Stanbic IBTC Bank. The Western Union is also currently investing in high growth electronic channels as one of its strategies to build world-class customer experiences. It was revealed that the services will go a long way in enabling the enterprises regulate their budgets while also having a broader transaction choice with up to 130 currencies on offer. The service in Nigeria is the first inward remittance website across the globe launched

F 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

Bill and National Roads Fund Bill. Others are Ports and Harbour Reform Bill, National Transport Commission Bill, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill and Nigerian Postal Commission Bill.

in partnership with Interswitch Limited. Western Union has a number of interests in Nigeria with the notable one being the mobile money remittance service carried in partnership with eTranzact. Nigeria continues to offer some of the attractive market opportunities in the region due to its large population. Last year alone, the World Bank reported remittances of up to $21 billion with further growth expected in the coming years. Its efforts have already propelled rapid growth in digital count money transfer and mobile banking. Also, the company is expanding further in Asia having launched Western Union Business solution a payment system in Malaysia. The opening of the unit is a reflection of how the company is focused on supporting, small medium, and enterprises. The company plans to address all the hindrances and challenges that SME face in Malaysia, related to forex transaction. SME’s in Malaysia will now enjoy faster transaction processing on a transparent basis, as well as real-time pricing.

‘Fidelity Bank adjudged best in family friendly policies’

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

of reforms to be carried out in specific sectors at a time yet to be announced. These reforms include the Nigerian Railway Reform Bill, Inland Waterways Authority Bill, Federal Roads Authority

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

idelity Bank has been adjudged the bank with the most outstanding family friendly policies in Nigeria. In a survey conducted amongst corporate organizations in Nigeria by the Institute for Work and Family Integration (IWFI) in collaboration with the Lagos Business School and the Great Place to Work Institute, the institute said that Fidelity Bank emerged tops in all the measuring indices. Specifically, according to a statement, the IWFI, which has consistently promoted work family balance and good work ethics, through policy research, seminars, conferences, and training; working with major organizations and institutions in the last eight years with its principal objective of building better family, better business said that they were impressed with Fidelity Bank’s efforts at improving the welfare of its staff members. Receiving the award at the Work and Family Conference 2014, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc. Nnamdi Okonkwo, thanked the organizers of the award for recognizing the efforts of the bank towards improving the

wellbeing of its staff. He noted that the award is an affirmation of the various staff-friendly policies initiated by the bank. Okonkwo, who was represented by the Chief Human Resources Officer of the bank, Napoleon Esemudje, said that the bank is proud to be honoured especially because of its strong initiative and focus not only on staff welfare but also on the wellbeing of their families. He pledged the support of board and management of the bank towards the improvement of the welfare of the staff members emphasizing that Management would continuously support all staff and their families. Esemudje ,who spoke on the topic:”Which Family Responsible Policies work in Nigeria -The Fidelity Bank Experience?” alluded to the great work the bank had done in making itself a great workplace. Citing the GPTW studies conducted in more than 44 countries and 4,500 organisations, which had seen corporations like Google, Goldman Sachs and Microsoft emerge as winners, Esemudje said he is proud that Fidelity Bank belongs to this league having won the award on two occasions.

50 WORLD | NEWS

resident Mahmoud Abbas swore in a Palestinian unity government yesterday in a reconciliation deal with Hamas Islamists that led Israel to freeze U.S.brokered peace talks. Abbas, whose Palestinian Authority in the Israeli-occupied West Bank is dependent on foreign aid, appeared to be banking on Western acceptance - over Israeli objections - of a 16-member cabinet of what he described as politically-unaffiliated technocrats. Setting a policy in line with U.S. and European Union demands, the Western-backed leader said his administration would continue to honour agreements and principles at the foundation of a peace process with Israel. Hamas, which advocates Is-

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Abbas swears in Palestinian unity government shunned by Israel rael’s destruction, has run the Gaza Strip since seizing the territory from Abbas’s Fatah forces in a brief civil war in 2007. Numerous reconciliation efforts, largely brokered by Egypt, have failed over power-sharing. “Today, and after announcing the government of national unity, we declare the end of division that caused catastrophic harm to our cause,” Abbas said, voicing sentiments widely shared by Palestinians, as ministers took the oath of office in a ceremony in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his government would shun a Palestin-

ian administration supported by Hamas, and he urged world leaders not to rush into recognizing it. Israel barred three Gaza-based ministers from traveling to the West Bank to be sworn in. Ismail Haniyeh, the outgoing Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza, said in a speech in the enclave that it was “a historical day” that closed a “chapter of seven years of division”. Hamas television referred to Haniyeh as a “former Prime Minister”, in deference to the current West Bank-based holder of the post, Rami Al-Hamdallah. But in his address, Haniyeh spoke of pursuing “resistance by all

Palestinian Prime Minister Hamdallah and Palestinian President Abbas pose for a group photo with Palestinian ministers during a swearing-in ceremony of the unity government, in the West Bank city of Ramallah

African Union peacekeepers accused of abuses in Central African Republic

frican Union peacekeepers from the Republic of Congo operating in the Central African Republic have been accused of abuses, including torture, killings and detentions, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday. The allegations - from witnesses, residents and local officials interviewed by HRW during an investigation by its staff - are likely to embarrass the AU peacekeeping mission, which suffered a blow to its legitimacy in April when Chadian forces were accused of killing 30 civilians. Chad denied the allegation, saying its forces opened fire after being ambushed by Christian “anti-balaka” militia. About 6,000 AU peacekeepers, known as MISCA, are

working alongside French and European Union troops to try to restore order in the nation, where months of ethnic and religious violence have killed thousands and made nearly a million homeless. HRW said that on March 24 a group of Congolese troops surrounded a house belonging to an antibalaka general and captured at least 11 people, including four women. The incident, which took place about 80 km (50 miles) north of Bangui in the town of Boali, followed an attack on a Congolese vehicle by anti-balaka troops. “The African Union needs to say what happened to the group that was detained and taken by the Congolese peacekeepers,” said HRW emergencies direc-

tor, Peter Bouckaert said in a statement. HRW said that MISCA had agreed to an investigation of the incident which it said could be a violation of international law. The rights group also said it had received reports that Congolese troops had tortured to death two anti-balaka leaders following the lynching of a Congolese soldier in the northern town of Bossangoa in December. Central African Republic has been gripped by ethnic and religious violence since northern Seleka rebels, who are mostly Muslim, seized power in the mainly Christian nation in 2013. Seleka left power in January under intense pressure after 10 months of looting and violence that prompted the creation of the anti-balaka militia.

forms”, an apparent reference to actions that include armed conflict with Israel, and he said the unity deal meant that Hamas’s militia, the Qassam Brigades, “became an army today”. In the absence of Fatah forces in Gaza, Hamas will effectively retain its security grip in the territory,

where in addition to the 25,000-member Qassam Brigades, the Islamist group also controls 20,000 other armed personnel. Netanyahu called his security cabinet into special session to consider imposing economic sanctions against the new Palestinian administration. Netanyahu’s finance minister, Yair Lapid of the centrist Yesh Atid party, cautioned against any rash Israeli moves.

Clashes, bombings kill 18 people in eastern Libya

elicopters attacked camps and strongholds of Islamist militias yesterday in eastern Libya as part of a nearly three-week offensive by a renegade general, violence that killed at least 18 people and sent civilians fleeing in panic, authorities said. Militiamen responded by firing rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft guns at the attacking troops allied with Gen. Khalifa Hifter. A former Gadhafi-era army chief, Hifter has rallied support from the country’s weakened military, its anti-Islamist politicians, tribes and diplomats, vowing to crush the Islamist militias he blames for Libya’s instability. The clashes started late Sunday and continued overnight, forcing the Education Ministry to cancel high school exams. Witnesses said the clashes were near Benghazi University and that gunfire and grenades damaged homes, witnesses said. In Benghazi’s southern dis-

tricts, citizens set up checkpoints to prevent rival forces from taking shelter as shops closed, witnesses said. Residents have also been unable to leave as the airport has been closed since Hifter’s offensive began three weeks ago. Traveling by road has become risky because of the violence. Mohammed al-Hegazi, a spokesman for Hifter, called on residents to stay away from the fighting. He accused Islamist militias of firing at houses and civilians. “This is not a football match. This is a war. People must stay away so they won’t be used as human shields,” he said. The clashes have killed at least 18 people and wounded at least 81, said Abdullah al-Fitori, a Health Ministry official. Hospitals called for blood donations. Military officials said helicopter gunships flown by pilots loyal to Hifter have been attacking the base of the February 17 militia and camps belonging to the militant group, Ansar alShariah.

Ex-sex slaves demand Japan PM acknowledge past

ive former victims of Japan’s wartime sex slavery and their supporters submitted hundreds of official documents to the government yesterday, demanding Prime Minister Shinzo Abe face Japan’s past atrocity and formally apologize. Several support groups backing the women, who are from Indonesia, the Philippines and South Korea, said the documents collected from around the world include clear evidence of coercion. Japan apologized in 1993 over the “comfort women” system of forced prostitution before and during World War II, but it insists there is no proof the women were systematically coerced by the government, citing the lack of official Japanese documents stating so.

The Cabinet in an Abeled government in 2007 underscored the lack of proof. Abe recently promised Japan won’t change its 1993 apology, but it is re-examining the study that was the basis of the apology. Neighboring countries have criticized Japan over its review, particularly a re-examination of interviews with former Korean victims as an attempt to discredit the women. “That’s a lie. We have evidence. I’m a living proof,” said Estelita Dy, an 84-year-old victim from the Philippines who was kidnapped by Japanese soldiers in 1943 when she was 12. “I feel outraged every time I hear people say we were not forced into this. That’s why I have to keep telling my story.”

Osaze, Mikel will propel Eagles – Sodje Ajibade Olusesan

F Osaze

ormer Super Eagles defender, Efe Sodje, has tipped Osaze Odemwingie and Obi Mikel to propel Nigeria beyond the first round of the World Cup. The player who attended the

Korea/Japan 2002 edition of the tournament in said that Nigeria has quality youngsters with potentials but the established stars are the ones expected to stand out for the country at the mudial. “I think Peter Odemwingie from Stoke and Obi Mikel from Chelsea will stand out for Ni-

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

geria. Victor Moses has a lot to show, and although he has not played a lot this year, he could be the one to watch. Nigeria has a lot of up and coming players, and a prospect to watch could be Sunday Mba.” The bandana-wearing former defender added that Nigeria had

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

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

TUESday, june 3, 2014

Keshi

the potential to beat Argentina despite the Albeslistes being the favopurites in Group F. “We’ve got Argentina, Iran and Bosnia in the group stages and there is a real opportunity for Nigeria to come out of the group and make it to the second round at least.

Arsenal in shock move for Cech }p-53

Keshi charges Eagles to play safe S Adekunle Salami

Moses ( right)

uper Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has ordered his boys to ‘play safe’ as they confront Greece in another interna-

Egwuekwe being helped to stand up after a foul

tional friendly encounter in preparation for the World Cup which starts next week in Brazil. The final 23-man list for the event was sent to FIFA only yesterday and any serious injury by any player could be a disaster to the team hoping to do well at the Mundial. Media Officer of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya, told our correspondent that Keshi has advised the players to be wise in their approach to the two remaining friendly games in the USA. Alaiya said; “We need the friendly games to put the players in tip-top shape for the World Cup. Match fitness is crucial but we cannot afford injury this time too. “The Head Coach (Keshi) took time on Saturday to speak with the players on the need to play safe and avoid injury against

Greece on June 3 and against USA on June 7. The players are in the right rhythm now and we are not praying for anything to truncate that.” At the weekend, three World Cup bound players lost their respective places due to injury sustained during friendly games. Ghana’s Jerry Akaminko was taken out of the match during the 1-0 defeat suffered against Holland and that was the end of his World Cup ambition. Italy’s Ricardo Mintolivo and Mexico’s Luis Montes were also injured and had to be removed from the World Cup list of their respective countries. Nigeria played 2-2 draw in her first warm up game against Scotland in London.

Oshonaike tips Team Nigeria for glory in Glasgow Adekunle Salami

espite poor preparation of most teams representing Nigeria at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, national table tennis star, Funke Oshonaike, is optimistic that the country will do well at the games. Oshonaike told our correspondent othe telephone from

her Hamburg base in Germany that there was something special about the Nigerian spirit when athletes are in international meets. She said, “I agree this is not the best of preparation but Nigerians are always determined people when it gets to the crunch stage. Nobody can write us off because of poor preparation.

“Individually, athletes are working hard to be fit for the games and the little time we have to be together we are going to be focused to enable us to get results at the event.” On Table Tennis, Oshonaike is banking on the recently held world championship in China to boost Nigeria’s chances. “We were in China for about

two weeks or more and the standard Nigeria exhibited was great. We also had the chance to train together and talk to ourselves on the Glasgow games. “The blend of experience and youth will further help us in table tennis.” The Commonwealth Games hold between July 23 and August 3 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Oshonaike

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Countdown to Fifa World Cup 9

Hulk expects Uruguay, Belgium to spring surprises

Days To Go

Brazilian striker Hulk in this interview with FIFA.com believes Uruguay and Belgium are both capable of springing surprises at the World Cup in Brazil. Have you noticed how perceptions of you back in Brazil have changed? You had your doubters but you’re now an undisputed starter for a Seleção side expected to do big things at this World Cup. Yes, but it’s only normal as not many people [in Brazil] knew about me. Most fans there began to get to know me through seeing me for A Seleção: at the Olympic Games in 2012 and then the Confederations Cup [in 2013]. So, I can see how there’s now a greater level of recognition for my game, which is something that makes me very happy. All of which has coincided with you appearing more and more at home in Russian club football, isn’t that right? No doubt about it. That’s something else I’m pleased about: having had a good season with Zenit. The only thing missing was taking the league title, because we dropped some silly points which ended up costing us (Zenit finished second, a point behind CSKA Moscow), but for me on an individual level, things went excellently. I scored plenty of goals (17 in 24 league matches) and there’s no question I’m adapting to the Russian game. You mention your goal-scoring, but a major factor in your favour with A Verde e Amarelo is your ability to quickly get back and help the team recover its defensive shape. That’s right. Felipão spent a lot of time in European football (as coach of Portugal and briefly Chelsea) and places a lot of emphasis on forwards getting back and defending too, an idea which is much more common in Europe than in Brazil, for example. With the national side, even Fred, who’s our central striker, gets back to defend. I’m totally used to that since my time at FC Porto and I think it’s worked well: whenever we don’t have the ball, we all defend. That means you and the right-back - in this case Daniel Alves must play closer together and be more dependent on each other, right? For someone like me, who tends to p l ay wide, it can be e v e n better p l ay i n g

alongside an attacking full-back like Daniel – like both Brazil’s full-backs, in fact. That’s because it gives opposing defenders more to worry about and, as a result, ends up creating more space. That said, of course, when the opposition have the ball we have to make sure we coordinate well so that our flank is always well covered. It’s a genuine partnership. Everyone involved in the squad that won Brazil 2013 talks very fondly of the atmosphere in the camp. How did that come about? T h i s g roup of lads is brilliant. The Seleção squad have always been a g re at bunch, e v e r

Hulk

since I was first called up, but we needed to go through a decisive period, really show our strength and, by doing that, form a closed, tight-knit group – which was what happened at the Confederations Cup. And Felipão has been able to keep things that way. There haven’t been many changes made since then and we all still get on really well: there’s never any trouble. How does Scolari go about maintaining that spirit of togetherness? It’s not so much about what he says, I thinks it’s more down to the

way he is. He welcomes the players in such a way that it makes everybody feel right at home and know what’s expected of them, be they experienced players or new arrivals. For example, he asks us all to come down for lunch and dinner at the same time, and that we all stay until everyone’s finished. That ends up becoming a habit and it does a lot of good. They’re just day-to-day things, but they’re vital in helping everyone bond within the squad. Felipão, better than anyone else, knows how to strengthen that sense of unity. You’ve played against many of the players that will be lining up for Brazil’s Group A rivals Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon. What kind of encounters are you expecting? First and foremost, they’re all very difficult games. Not just because they’re great teams with very good players, but also because as they’ll be facing Brazil at home, they’re likely to play quite defensively. So, when gaps do open up, we’re going to have to take full advantage. That was the case at the Confederations Cup, when we were almost always able to grab an early goal – which proved incredibly important. It helped us forge our identity even further: that of us pressing opponents high up the pitch right from the start of games. Finally, which are, in your view, the strongest teams at this World Cup? At a World Cup it’s hard to look much further than the traditional big-name teams: history backs that up. Therefore, of course, you have Brazil, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Argentina… all of whom are great teams and usually do well. But, aside from the usual suspects, I think that Uruguay and Belgium are both capable of springing a surprise.

SPORT 53

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Transfer Updates

Roma eye Seydou Keita swoop

S Roma are being linked with a move for Valencia midfielder Seydou Keita. With veteran midfielder Taddei widely tipped to leave when his contract expires later this month, the Giallorossi need to sign another player who can operate in the centre of the park. And the latest reports are suggesting Roma could make a shock move for Valencia star Seydou Keita.

INSIDE ENEMIES CAMP

Walcott tips Argentina to win World Cup

Inter fight Valencia for Chicharito

nter are pursuing Manchester United outcast, Javier Hernandez, but they may be forced to fight Valencia. Things haven’t quite worked out for Hernandez at Manchester United but he seems to be in high demand. Inter’s main transfer priority ahead of next season is finding a reliable goal getter and Hernandez could be their man.

Moreno on verge of Liverpool move

lberto Moreno’s switch to Liverpool is virtually a done deal. As MARCA.com previously revealed; the Reds have upped their offer to around 22 million since a loan move for Suso will no longer be part of the package, and several juicy add-ons have also been included depending on the fullback’s achievements at Anfield. The deal could well be confirmed over the next few hours, as all that remains is for the i’s to be dotted and the t’s crossed. The young defender has already agreed terms with the Merseysiders.

Napoli offer Pandev, cash for Vertonghen

apoli are chasing the signature of Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen and will attempt to conclude a deal after the World Cup, according to reports in Italy The Belgian international endured a frustrating, injuryhit season at White Hart Lane and could be tempted by a switch to Rafael Benitez’s side. Sources close to the Italian side claim the club will offer Macedonia striker Goran.

ngland star Theo Walcott is gutted that his injury has prevented him from being on the plane to Brazil, but he took some time out to give his World Cup predictions. Arsenal forward Walcott believes Lionel Messi’s Argentina have

osnia-Herzegovina contest their final friendly ahead of the World Cup against Mexico in Chicago on Tuesday. Coach Safet Susic has seen his preparations for the competition in Brazil hampered by off-field issues, including sagas involving Boris Pandza and Ervin Zukanovic during recent weeks. While Edin Dzeko gave Susic reason to be posi-

French Open

Toulouse agree to sign Romanian defender

et French Football News understands that Toulouse have agreed to sign Dragos Grigore, the Romanian central defender from Dynamo Bucharest. The 27 year old international has agreed a-three-year contract with Téfécé and the fee is understood to be just below €1m.

enough talent to lift the trophy on July 13th. When asked who he’s tipping to win the World Cup, Walcott replied: “Apart from England?! To win it I’d probably go with Argentina. I think they’ve got a lot of players on form, Di Maria especially, and I think they

Nadal

tive, scoring a brace in Friday’s 2-1 win over fellow World Cup qualifiers Cote d’Ivoire, disputes between the country’s football authority, the N/FSBiH, and certain players have served as unwanted distractions. Pandza faces punishment for apparently suggesting his omission from the squad was due to nonsporting issues, while

Zukanovic will miss the tournament after visa problems. After failing to secure a visa ahead of his country’s training camp in America, the Gent defender was quoted as blaming the situation on the N/FSBiH, who responded with a statement that confirmed the player would no longer be needed Dzeko in Brazil.

Nadal advances to quarterfinals or the first time in his career, Rafael Nadal will make a fifth straight appearance in the French Open quarterfinals. Nadal won a record 32nd straight match at Roland Garros on Monday, beating Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-1,

Sharapova wary of Serena conqueror

ran’s national soccer coach, Carlos Queiroz, announced on Sunday the final squad for World Cup 2014 Brazil, local media reported. The Portuguese coach selected 23 players, consisting of three goal keepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and six strikers. Iran has been drawn in Group F along with Nigeria, Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina and will play Nigeria in Curitiba in their opening match on June 16. Iran will face Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 21 and June 25, respectively.

Embattled Bosnia face Mexico

Arsenal in shock move for Cech

rsenal are surprisingly being linked with a move to sign experienced Chelsea keeper Petr Cech says Italian source, TuttoMercato. There have been countless reports of Arsene Wenger targeting a back-up option who can ably challenge first choice starter Wojciech Szczesny, but Cech would not only do just thatbut would arguably oust the Pole from the Gunners’ starting eleven.

Messi (left)

have enough to win it.” “Although, I’m quite intrigued by Belgium, the young talent and the individual stars they have make them very dangerous. On paper their team should go very far - they are the ones to watch out for.” Walcott also believes Arsenal can challenge for the Premier League title next season: “Yes (Arsenal can win the league), but it’s crucial for myself, Aaron (Ramsey) and Jack (Wilshere) to stay fit next year. You take starting players out of any team and they will always struggle. “Hopefully, for myself, I’ll come back faster and fitter than ever and I’m sure we’ll be right up there next year.”

Iran announces final Wold Cup squad

aria Sharapova says she’s wary of the threat posed by Tuesday’s French Open quarter-final opponent Garbine Muguruza, but is firmly focused on keeping her bid alive for a fifth Grand Slam title. The Spanish world number 35 has been one of the sensations in the women’s draw, having knocked out world number one and defending champion Serena Williams in round two. But Russian seventh seed Sharapova,who has won each Grand Slam once in her career, will have experience on her side against a player

who captured her first WTA title in Hobart this year. “Our job is to play the opponent that we’re facing on that particular day.That’s how I look at things, I don’t get too far ahead of myself,” said Sharapova, who lifted the trophy in Paris in 2012. “My opponent is Muguruza, and she’s playing a great tournament. That’s what I’m looking at, I’m not looking at anything else, even though I’m very well aware of other matches.”

Sharapova

6-2, 6-1 to improve on his own record by one. Nadal is an eight-time French Open champion with a 63-1 record on the red clay in Paris. His only loss came in the fourth round in 2009, when he was a four-time defending champion for the first time. Another upset never seemed possible this time, despite complaints of pain in his back that slowed his serves in the previous round. Playing on Court Philippe Chatrier, Nadal’s favorite court in the world, the top-seeded Spaniard controlled the match from the start. He then won 17 straight points to open the second set, taking a 4-0 lead before finally sending a backhand wide to make it 15-15 in the fifth game. Later in that set, Lajovic held three break points at 0-40, but Nadal saved them all and held. It wasn’t until late in the third, with the match far out of reach, that Lajovic did manage a break — the only game he won in the final set.

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Mourinho tips Eagles for quarter-final

Drogba, Toure warn Eagles over Bosnia

vorian internationals, Kolo Toure and Didier Drogba, have sounded a note of warning to African champion, Nigeria ahead of the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil. “Bosnia have top players. Emir Spahic will be one of the better defenders at the World Cup,” Toure said during the post-match conference after the Ivorians lost 1-2 to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a friendly international decided at Edward Jones Dome on May 30. Toure’s international teammate, Drogba, went a step further to describe the Dragons as “very dangerous team with star players.” “(Bosnia-Herzegovina) have yet to show their best at the World Cup. It’s a very dangerous team with star players,” he said. Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina will go head to head in a Group F game at the 2014 World Cup on June 21 at Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá.

Charles Ogundiya

helsea FC of England manager, Jose Mourinho, has tipped the Super Eagles of Nigeria to get to the quarter-final of the World Cup in Brazil. Mourinho who has been appointed as Yahoo’s global football ambassador, predicted that Nigeria alongside Argentina will qualify from Group F. “Argentina has to be the group winner and what makes me decide for Nigeria is the fact that I have one player there,” referring to John Obi Mikel. He further stated that Nigeria or France will be playing against Germany or Belgium in the quarter-final of the tournament. Predicting other quarter-finalists, the former Real Madrid coach said Brazil or Holland will play Ivory Coast or England in the quarter-final, while predicting Spain or Mexico to play Italy or Greece, with Argentina or Switzerland squaring An Ethiopian player chasing Mikel during the 2013 AFCON match up against Russia or Portugal in the last eight.

Match fixing: Laloko alleges conspiracy against Nigeria Chimaobi Uchendu

ormer Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Association, Kashimawo Laloko, has alleged international conspiracy to distract the Super Eagles from their target at the World Cup. Laloko dismissed foreign media reports, which suggest that Nigeria is neck deep into match fixing, saying that it was contrived to dampen the morale of the Eagles. “I want to urge Nigerians to be vigilant because the foreign press is out to do the bidding of their governments, to distract Nigeria from concentrating at the World Cup. They know that the Eagles are the team to beat,” he said. “To buttress my point, Nigerians should ask the merchants of falsehood why they are yet to release evidence to prove that they are genuine people, instead they have gone a step further by tarnishing the image of Nigeria.” Laloko added; “Yes Nigerian officials love to get results, but their quest has not pushed them to this dangerous dimension. I speak as an insider and I stand to be proved wrong.”

NFF set to ban match agents Adekunle Salami

ollowing the spate of matchfixing allegations against Nigeria in recent time, the Nigeria Football Federation is set to ban all its current match agents. Authoritative sources in the football body revealed that the NFF was already probing its agents to enable it determine what was happening. New Telegraph can reveal that the NFF has also began plans to axe all its agents to cleanse itself off all allegations and curb suspicion or a reoccurrence.

The body also insisted on Monday that it had no hand in any match-fixing involving any of its national teams. Head of the body’s Public Relations, Ademola Olajire, told our correspondent that the body was focused on the forthcoming World Cup and considered the allegations as a distraction. He did not however confirm the steps being taken by the federation against its match agents following recent developments. Olajire said; “The NFF has decided to be quiet on this issue because there is no truth in it. We are not involved in any way. If you read all the allegations

there is no where an official of the NFF was mentioned and that is enough to show our innocence “World Cup is a big deal and that is why we are trying to be focused on our team representing Africa. We want to do very well at the Mundial and that is our target now but people are trying to distract us.” Nigeria has been linked with match fixing twice within the last two weeks. First, the Nigeria, Scotland Friendly was investigated by the police and only on Sunday, New York Times reported that the pre 2010 World Cup friendly between Nigeria and Korea was rigged.

Badminton Classics: Enejoh, Bulus ready for for the last one tition and for us as players foreign invaders ment month in Abuja and I am this is a good development.”

Ifeanyi Ibeh

igerian players scheduled to take part in the Lagos International Badminton Classics, which gets underway on Wednesday, believe they will not be overrun by their more illustrious counterparts from countries more established in the racket and shuttle sport. Sixteen countries, including badminton powerhouses such as India, United States of America, France, Canada and New Zealand, have already confirmed their participation at the four-day event holding at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba. Abah Enejoh, who is Nigeria’s highest ranked player and number 168 in the world, said he was confident that his compatriots would give their best against their foreign counterparts. “I have been training for this tourna-

hopeful that we will not disappoint our people especially now that we are hosting,” he said His colleague, Jimkan Bulus, added that; “I want to really appreciate the organisers for staging the compe-

Abuja based Ola Fagbemi is also confident of a good outing for Team Nigeria. He said, “The Indian experience was a good one and I am sure we will build on that and shock everyone in Lagos.”

We can’t beat Falcons, Rwanda coach confesses Emmanuel Tobi

wanda female national team coach, Grace Nyinawumuntu, has confessed that her team will not be able to stop the Super Falcons quest for qualification to the Africa Women Championship as they battle Nigeria in the second leg billed for June 8 in Kaduna. The She Amavubi as the Rwanda female team is fondly called, lost 4-1 at home in the first leg, but Nyinawumuntu maintained that Super Falcons of Nigeria overpowered her team because of their experience and exposure as African women champions. “The Nigerians are far ahead in terms of tactics, passing and control of the ball. They defeated us because of experience, which is why they scored four goals. They have good players in all sections, and it will be hard to beat them when we play the return leg in Nigeria,” she said. She added that; “It was heartbreaking but they deserved the win because they are the best on the continent. Our chance of qualifying looks to be thin having lost with a big goal difference.” Seven teams will emerge to join hosts Namibia for the final tournament from October 11-25. The last edition was won by Equatorial Guinea.

Sport is a unifying tool -Honeywell Charles Ogundiya

oneywell Flour Mills Plc has revealed that the company’s goals of sponsoring sporting events in the country was aimed at unifying the country, as sports is the only thing that unites the nation. According to the Managing

Director of the company, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, sport has proved overtime to be a major unifier, loved by everyone irrespective of race, creed and religious background. “Sports serve as a unifying national factor and a major developmental tool,” he said. adding that the company will con-

tinue to support good causes in Nigeria through sponsorship of sporting events and other laudable programs. The presence of the company was visibly felt recently, during the grand finale of the maiden Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Games, held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

NEWS 55

Sanctity of Truth

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Nweke tasks INEC on effective voter registration strategy Leo Sobechi irector of Nigeria Economic Summit Group, (NESG) and senatorial aspirant for Enugu East Senatorial district, Mr. Frank Nweke jnr; says the present mad rush by the electorate to beat deadline for voters registration in the 10 pilot states would have been eliminated had INEC opened windows for continuous voters registration in designated centres. Nweke made the call yesterday shortly after undergoing fresh registration as a voter at Nkwo Ishi-Ozalla in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. He tasked INEC to evolve a process of continuous voters’ registration that could enable prospective voters to register without necessarily waiting for a particular period close to an election to register

as voters in the electoral exercise. The former Minister of Information argued that such a process would ensure that prospective voters are not shut out from registration and stimulate the electorate’s confidence in INEC. While asking his constituents that are yet to collect their permanent voters card to go to INEC offices in their local government headquarters to collect them, Nweke said it was only by doing so that they would be qualified to vote during the 2015 general elections. He said it was very disturbing that the entire INEC registration documentation could be erased in 621 polling units of Enugu State adding that it was an embarrassing incident after 15 years of Nigeria’s return to democracy.

Governor Yero denies abandoning Yakowa’s projects Ibraheem Musa

Kaduna

overnor Mukhtar GKaduna Ramalan Yero of State has denied

abandoning any project that he inherited from his predecessor, the late Sir Patrick Yakowa. He also promised to complete all ongoing projects. The governor, who spoke yesterday at Kafanchan when Senator Esther Nenadi Usman distributed relief materials to her constituents, also said that it will amount to waste for government to abandon projects initiated by past administrations. Governor Yero said that the state government has made budgetary provision of N8.2 billion this year to be expended on funding

ongoing roads projects in Southern Kaduna Zone. It will be recalled that the governor has been accused several times by people of Southern Kaduna of abandoning the projects that were initiated by Yakowa, in spite of his promise not to do so. "In Zone Three (3) alone, there are fifteen (15) ongoing roads projects that have been earmarked for funding in the 2014 budget. While most are at various stages of completion, our administration has successfully completed the Zonkwa-Yarbam road, Tum-Madakiya road and the College of Education Gidan Waya road. "Several other roads projects have reached advance stages of completion." Yero said.

Onitsha building collapse: Four feared dead, 1000 pupils escape TRAGEDY Another building comes down along a street named after a resting place for the departed Uwakwe Abugu

Awka

ra g edy str uck ye s t e r d ay in Onitsha, Anambra State when a four-storey building under construction in the premises of St. Christopher Anglican Church on the Old

Cemetery Road in the commercial city collapsed, killing no fewer than four persons. However, the over 1000 pupils in a mission school within the premises of the church escaped death when the building came down about 1pm . One of those killed was the project engineer, whose name was not immediately available as at press time. As at 5.55 pm yesterday, an eye witness who spoke to our reporter from the scene of the incident confirmed that the body of one of the dead workers trapped

200,000

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

had just been brought out from the huge debris by rescue workers after they worked for over two hours. “The rescue workers are still working to recover the bodies of the other three workers trapped and it is believed that there are no more casualties other than those four”, said the source, a journalist who lives in the city. It was gathered that the building construction was nearing completion as those who died were said to be plastering the walls before they met their untimely death.

34%

The percentage of countries with advanced stage of implementation of the integrated water resources management. Source: Unesco.org

Eye witnesses said some four hours after the collapse of the building, no rescue team was on hand, a situation that led to death of the victims. Reacting to the incident, Chairman of Onitsha South council area, , Hon Ann Chukwuneke, said the collapse could be attributed to poor materials and inadequate supervision. Nigeria Red Cross, Police, SSS, Civil Defence Corps and local government officials were part of the rescue team that battled in vain to save the trapped workers.

57.8%

The percentage of female internet users of Cyprus in 2012. Source: Itu.int

L-R: Prof. Ike Obiora; Prof. Haruna Andrew; Dr. Obaje Jonathan; Charles Uwensuji Edosomwan; former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili and Chief Okwuonu Jerome at the presentation of a report on Public Finance in Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Jime calls for credible poll in Ekiti, Osun

Tough times as resident doctors strike enters second day

Philip Nyam

Ibadan

Abuja

hairman of the House of Representatives committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Emmanuel Jime (APC-Benue) has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to seek back up data on eligible voters from mobile telecommunication agencies and employ optimal use of cardreading machines for future elections. Jime, who spoke in Abuja, yesterday, said "The electoral umpire should source data on all Nigerians

of voting age from mobile telecommunication outfits in Nigeria and as a back up to make sure all Nigerians of voting age are captured to vote in future elections, should the present direct registration system fail". The lawmaker who represents Guma/Makurdi Federal Constituency of Benue also tasked INEC on the use of card reading machines for the Ekiti and Osun elections. He submitted that "For the Osun and Ekiti elections and subsequent ones, INEC should explore the possibility of using card-reading machines to avoid multiple voting and ballot-snatching."

Appolonia Adeyemi and Sola Adeyemo

atients faced a hard time at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idiaraba, Lagos and other hospitals in other parts of the federation yesterday following the indefinite strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). Also, a peaceful protest earlier called by health workers in LUTH under the auspices of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) turned sour about noon, when the protesting workers became aggrieved as security officials deployed by LUTH

management refused to allow them gain access into their offices. The resident doctors at both LUTH and UCH withdrew their services yesterday in compliance with NARD’s directive. On the first day of the NARD strike in LUTH, skeletal services only were offered. Attempts by health workers under JAC to meet and address issues of welfare and other issues between JAC and the management of LUTH turned violent. Security men which LUTH management deployed to prevent the meeting, also prevented many health workers from gaining access into the hospital

premises. A reliable source told the New Telegraph that the aggrieved health workers promptly held an emergency meeting, declaring a three-day strike. "Our members decided to embark on the strike to register a protest to the management for deploying security agencies. The meeting we planned to hold was a meeting to discuss a lot of issues which the LUTH management has been delaying taking actions on. What this means is that by today, Tuesday, health workers in LUTH will join their colleagues in NARD. "This may bring untold hardship to patients who need care.

Aligning with the communiqué issued by the association at the end of its Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) held at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin last month, Anor said there had been fundamental errors on the part of the government in nonfunding of residency programme in the Teaching Hospitals. According to him, "residency training is part of training process to become specialist, but, there is a fundamental error in the sense that the residency training is not being funded as it is done in all other countries across the globe".

On Marble

World Record

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.

– John F. Kennedy

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, JUNE 3, 2014

France’s Teddy Tamgho is the current men’s indoor triple jump world record holder with a 17.90 metres leap in 2010.

N150

Fly like an Eagle: World Cup spotlights a united Nigeria through sport

ith great anticipation, sports fans and geopoliticians alike from around the globe await the 2014 World Cup, to shortly be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Beyond the pomp and circumstance, the sheer pageantry of the festivities themselves, much will indeed be on display during the international tournament; uniquely controversial sport and the business of it-topics to be discussed and no doubt debated. One can and will reflect on the latest scandal to hit the upcoming Qatar World Cup and put forward questions as to the selection and truly the readiness of Brazil in hosting the Games in the coming weeks. However, an underlying yet nonetheless important topic for consideration is indeed found in contemporary Nigeria. The West African nation is no doubt today challenged by the threat of continued fragmentation and misguided insurgency, yet shortly it’s citizens will unite to support their ‘Super Eagles’ in their representation of a cohesive country on the world stage... if not, but for a short while. This act, this ‘lightning in a bottle’ found squarely on the pitch, if truly harnessed and reflected upon accordingly, could bring about the lasting change in the belief of unity to a country long held back by a lack of it. The Super Eagles have undoubtedly served as a symbol, a beacon of hope for a jewel of the ECOWAS often divided on how best to attain the very prosperity we today witness in Nigeria’s economy. Through their roster, the team inspires, ‘cuts through and clarifies’ the priorities of a dynamically engaged and outspoken citizenry, allowing for (often) rancor to take a backseat to united ambition. Sport hosts and indeed has wielded the power to stop outright wars around the world, if not to pause them and allow for a period of heightened, lighthearted reflection. Nations under (at a given time) siege and civil unrest such as Egypt and Zimbabwe have put grievances large or small aside for the sake of emphasizing the spirit of their respective countries and moreover,

World View SAM AMSTERDAM

The Super Eagles have undoubtedly served as a symbol, a beacon of hope for a jewel of the ECOWAS

Super Eagles

on their nation’s best, I for one, look forward to the Eagles’ flight and this uniquely candid story’s unfolding as the curtain is lifted in Rio de Janeiro.

OmoBaba

CAMEROUN’S TROOPS KILL 40 BOKO HARAM INSURGENTS -News

Jonathan

Keshi

embracing the binding effect of patriotism through competition sought and seen between enemies and friends alike. Serving under Mr. Keshi, accomplished players from around the country will each put their best foot forward in Brazil, perhaps unaware of how great a role they individually play in the nation’s socioeconomic fabric. While acknowledging all of the

challenges hindering the continued forward-trajectory of Nigeria, those which are often sensationalized in the world press and those that occur quietly each day, let us revel in the fleeting moments where the culture of sport is concurrently celebrated by the cultures of many. And in conjunction with Nigerians at home and while an often disconnected Diaspora will so too tune in from around the world to cheer

- Hmmn... No nonsense Camerounians !

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