Binder1 aug 13, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Wednesday, August 13, 2014 VOL. 1 NO. 176

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Osun politician offered N14m bribe to operatives –DSS lAregbesola charges security agents to disobey wrong orders Emmanuel Onani and Adeolu Adeyemo Department of State TheService (DSS) has al-

leged that an unnamed politician offered its operatives N14 million to compromise security during the August 9 gubernatorial

election in Osun State. The incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rauf Aregbesola,

was returned elected by the Returning Officer, Prof. Bamitale Omole, having scored 394, 684, to defeat his closest rival and

candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore, who polled 292, 747. In spite of the APC’s

victory, the party and its candidates had accused the DSS and the military of arresting and harassing its chieftains. But, reacting to the CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Ebola: FG postpones resumption of schools lWHO approves use of experimental drugs lNCH bans inter-state transportation of corpses Anule Emmanuel, Yekeen Nurudeen and Obinna Odoh

o prevent an outbreak of the Ebola Viral Disease (EVD), the Federal Government yesterday approved the extension of the current holiday of primary and secondary schools across the country until further notice.

The development, government stated, is part of measures to curb the spread of Ebola. Also, the National Council on Health (NCH) has banned the inter-state transportation of corpses with immediate effect. To address the global emergency, the World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday approved CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

CHIBOK GIRLS

Presidency, Afenifere to Northern elders: You’re mischief makers Anule Emmanuel and Wale Elegbede

he Presidency yesterday hit back at the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) accusing the group of mischief in its allegation that the Goodluck Jonathan administration is sponsoring insurgency

to decimate the Muslimdominated North. The pan Yoruba sociocultural organisation, Afenifere, also decried the Forum over its ultimatum asking President Jonathan to bring back the abducted Chibok girls and end insurgency in Nigeria by OctoCONTINUED ON PAGE 1

L-R: Former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu; former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu and former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, during the presentation of Iwu’s book, Jinx Breaker, in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

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L-R: Editor, New Telegraph, Mr. Yemi Ajayi; Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Felix Abugu; mother of late Suleiman Bisalla, the former Managing Editor (North), Hajia Abu Maina Bisalla; wife, Sa’adatu Maina; mother-in-law, Hajia Maimuna Ibrahim; younger brother to the deceased, Mohammed; Managing Editor, Suleiman Uba Gaya and Deputy Editor, Mr. Louis Achi, during the condolence visit to Bisalla family by management of the newspaper in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO ELIJAH OLALUYI

WHO approves use of experimental drugs for Ebola CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the use of untested experimental drugs to treat the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students Matters, Comrade Jude Imagwe, who disclosed the postponement of school resumption in Abuja yesterday did not state how long the students would be on

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holiday. He said that President Goodluck Jonathan was wary of the danger of the disease to the nation’s future generation and as a result ordered that the schools remained on holiday till the country find a way out of the outbreak. “He advised that as a President, he did not desire that our secondary and primary schools should be opened at this time because we have high population of young brothers and sisters who want to see themselves grow from primary and graduate tomorrow. “We cannot have what it takes to have eye on each of these brothers and sisters: the future of this country in their classes,” he said. He spoke at a one-day forum on Tertiary Institutions Students Health Insurance Programme organised by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and NHIS.

Imagwe, who charged Nigerians to be conscious of their environment as well as maintain healthy lifestyle in the face of Ebola outbreak, also cautioned against the use of untested and unscientific drugs as a prevention or cure to the virus. While advising Nigerians to value their life and those of others around them, Imagwe also berated those suspected to have the virus and had been put under surveillance but escaped. This, he noted, constitutes great health risk to many unsuspecting Nigerians. The WHO said at a news conference in Geneva yesterday that the use of untested drugs was ethical, provided certain conditions were met. The drug, ZMapp, has only been tested on monkeys and has not yet been evaluated for safety in humans. The organisation had

on August 11 convened a consultation of experts to consider and assess the ethical implications for clinical decision-making of the potential use of unregistered interventions. The panel said any provision of experimental Ebola medicines would require “informed consent, freedom of choice, confidentiality, respect for the person, preservation of dignity and involvement of the community.” The WHO statement said: “In the particular circumstances of this outbreak, and provided certain conditions are met, the panel reached consensus that it is ethical to offer unproven interventions with as yet unknown efficacy and adverse effects, as potential treatment or prevention.” The ethics meeting was called after experimental Ebola drug ZMapp, made by U.S. biotech company Mapp Biopharmaceutical, was given to two American

health workers infected with Ebola in Liberia. Two batches of experimental treatments were reported to be heading to Liberia yesterday, the first delivery of untested Ebola drugs in Africa. The UN health agency said more than 1000 people had died so far from the illness in West Africa, with authorities recording 1,848 suspected or confirmed cases. The virus, spread by direct contact with bodily fluids, was detected in Guinea in March and has since spread to Sierra Leone, Liberia and possibly Nigeria. Two Americans and a Spanish priest, who contracted Ebola in Liberia, had received a dose of the treatment never tested in humans. The Americans have showed signs of improvement but the priest died yesterday. Meanwhile, the National Council on Health CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Chibok girls: Okupe attacks Northern elders CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ber or forget 2015 elections. The northern elders had on Monday gave President Jonathan the ultimatum. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, in a statement said such allegation was “preposterous, contrary to common sense, divisive and essentially a deliberate attempt to disseminate ‘hate mentality’ and cause mischief.” Okupe said President Jonathan has been doing enough to rescue the schoolgirls and end Boko Haram’s campaign of terror, pointing out that he does not need an ultimatum to do his work as President. “We read with deep

concern the statement published in the media today (Tuesday) by the Northern Elders Forum giving President Goodluck Jonathan a two-month ultimatum on the Boko Haram insurgency and the Chibok girls abduction saga. “We wish to state categorically that President Jonathan does not require any threat or ultimatum from any group of persons to be alive to his responsibilities to the Nigerian People. “The issue of insurgency especially those ideologically based on Islamic extremism is a global phenomenon and requires tact, military capability, serious de-radicalisation techniques and

community based counter insurgency programmes to ensure success. “In these areas, the Federal Government is making progress. We are improving on our operational capabilities and efficiencies by acquiring more advanced weapons and technologies for our military and security agencies. “We are deploying more resources to maximise operational efficiency, acquire more advanced and relevant weaponry and boost the general morale of our combatants. This is why the Government recently requested for an additional funding of $1billion. “And the last piece in the puzzle is targeting the do-

mestic and international funding, and stopping the money flows into the coffers of the terrorists.” The presidential aide said with all these efforts and the support of allies, these steps will help fight the threat of the Boko Haram and move the nation closer to bringing the girls back safely. Okupe berated NEF over suggestion that the government is carrying out any scheme to annihilate any section of the country for political gain. He said: “President Jonathan was voted for by an overwhelming majority of Nigerians across the board, and he will never promote any policy that is CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

AEROCONTRACTORS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30 MEDVIEW AIRLINES LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30 OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00 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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INEC fixes October 11 for Adamawa guber poll lEx-deputy governor’s suit stalled Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday fixed October 11 for the con-

duct of the Adamawa State governorship election. Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, confirmed this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the suit instituted by the former deputy governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngillari, was yesterday stalled before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The court however fixed September 10 for mention of the case. Ngillari, whose office was declared vacant on July 15 by the state lawmakers after he purportedly resigned, is challenging the legality of his resignation.

Aregbesola charges security agents to disobey wrong orders CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

allegations by the APC yesterday, the Deputy Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mrs Marilyn Ogar, insisted that the secret service’s refusal to accept a bribe offer of N14 million, is what has triggered the seeming “misunderstanding” between it and some politicians. Specifically, Ogar, who enjoined politicians to thank their stars that the country has a tolerant and gentlemanly President, said the service’s Director that supervised operations before and during the election, was offered N4 million for himself, and N10 million to settle his operatives. She noted that DSS operatives would not have compromised against the backdrop of the fact that they are professionals from a service that is “wellfunded.” Ogar wondered why personnel would have fallen for the said amount, when N200 million was spent to ensure that the welfare of operatives was adequately catered for. This is even as the Federal Government, yesterday, maintained that the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Idrisa Timta, “is alive and not missing”, contrary to reports in some quarters. Responding to reporters’ questions on the Osun imbroglio, spokesperson of the DSS said: “Glory be to God APC won election in Osun State; there was no bomb scare. “The rejection of money (by the DSS) is bringing up a lot of misunderstanding between the DSS and politicians; we hold our heads high.” When asked to be specific on whether politicians from the APC were the ones that attempted to bribe operatives, Ogar stated: “I’m saying to you that the Director that was in charge of election duty (in Osun) was offered N4 million for self, and N10 million for hooded men. “Because, the money was rejected, that is the offence the DSS has committed. “Fourteen million as against the N200 million that was spent, which one was more?” she asked rather rhetorically. But, Governor Aregbe-

sola has charged security agents to disobey orders that are inimical to democracy. He spoke in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, shortly after the presentation of the certificate of return to him by the supervising National Commissioner, Ambassador Mohammad Wali. Aregbesola averred that no democratic mandate is inferior to the other, noting that for democracy to be meaningful, whatever honour given to the president must be extended to anyone that is democratically elected. On the conduct of the troops drafted to the state, Aregbesola lamented that some of them acted in manner completely contrary to the nation’s constitution by turning themselves into a terror gang shortly before and during the conduct of the election. Aregbesola said: “One must not fail to mention the overzealousness of few of the security agencies, who in the name of obeying orders, ran riot and clamped down on innocent chieftains, members and supporter of our party. “As security personnel, your constitutional role is to maintain law and order as well as protect the people of Nigerian. “It is therefore criminal of any law enforcement agent to molest, harass or intimidate innocent people let alone killing a Nigerian. “You must from now on develop the attitude of resisting wrong orders, which is antithetical to what constitution permits. Any order that is giving and which is not supported by the constitution is inimical to good governance and the rule of law. “Therefore, whatever order that violates the constitution of Nigeria is criminal.” The Resident Electoral Commissioner of Osun, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, charged the governor to be magnanimous in victory for the benefit of the state and its people. Agbaje described the August 9 election as one in which INEC was determined more than before to conduct a free, fair and credible election, saying INEC stands tall with the way the election had gone

in Osun. The United States (US) has commended the Nigeria Police Force, on the conduct of personnel during the Osun election. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba, said the commendation was made when the Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy in Abuja, Mr. Francis John Bray, and the United Arab Emirate’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Mahmud Mohammad, paid a courtesy call on the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Suleiman Abba,

in Abuja. Bray expressed hope that the partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and the US Embassy on matters of law enforcement will continue to blossom under the leadership of the new IGP. While congratulating the Force on its excellent outing at the just concluded Osun gubernatorial election, Bray specifically promised that the US government will support the Nigeria Police in improving its capacity ahead of the 2015 general election in the country.

The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, adjourned the matter after counsel to the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly and the Acting Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Chief Duro Adeyele (SAN) drew the court’s attention to Section 99 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act which stipulates that “if a plaintiff is serving a hearing notice out of the court’s jurisdiction, it will take 30 days for the defendants to file their response.” All the parties in the matter were present in court yesterday except the 6th defendant (the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC). Counsel to the 1st and 2nd defendants, Mr. Leonard Nzardon, acknowledged the receipt of hearing notice, but prayed the court for time to enable him respond to the originating summons. The plaintiff is seek-

ing an order of court to restrain INEC from conducting by-election to fill the vacant governorship seat following the impeachment of Murtala Nyako. It will be recalled that Justice Ademola had last Friday ordered that INEC be put on notice and fixed yesterday for hearing of the motion on notice containing similar prayer of injunction. The court had granted Ngillari’s application to serve the defendants by substituted means. The judge also granted leave to the plaintiff to serve court processes on the defendants outside Abuja. Ngillari, who denied resigning his position within the contemplation of the provision of Section 306(1), (2) & (5) of the constitution, said the purported resignation letter he sent to the Speaker was not meant to be acted on by the House.

L-R: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed; President Goodluck Jonathan and new Ambassador of Guinea to Nigeria, Gaoussou Toure, during the presentation of credence letter to Toure in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Chibok: Afenifere chides Northern elders CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

either divisive or inimical to the well-being of any section of the polity. “What the country needs today is total co-operation of all its citizens and stakeholders, with the government and our military and the security agencies. “We wish to assure Nigerians that in spite of this and many more distractions, the President is focused on continued successful executions of his transformation agenda; and the guarantee of the security of lives and properties of the Nigerian people.” Afenifere stated that the ultimatum, which it described as wicked and insensitive, is a ploy to turn the misfortune of the Chibok girls and their

parents to an electoral weapon. The Sule Maitama-led NEF had on Monday said: “In the event that President Jonathan fails to do this, Nigerians will be left with the only conclusion that he has forfeited his right to ask for our mandate beyond 2015.” Afenifere in a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Yinka Odumakin, averred that while it is expected of the elders to appeal to Boko Haram to release the innocent young girls held in custody of the sect, the forum is rather using the situation for electoral benefits with its “we want our power back” mantra. “By linking the electoral fortune of President Jonathan in 2015 to “Bring Back

Our Girls” latest by October as well as ending Boko Haram at the time, the elders have just confirmed the suspicions in the land that the activities of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, are either enjoying the sponsorship of some elite of the North or at the least having their sympathy. “In all the sound and fury of the Forum, we searched in vain any outright condemnation of Boko Haram. This has been the pattern of most reactions from the majority of the elite of the region who always appear politically correct to the insurgents while using their activities to rattle the government.” While urging elite in the region not to play the ostrich with developments

in their area, Afenifere said it frowned at the disingenuous attempt by the elite who are now dishing out two-month ultimatum to end an insurgency that they prepared the atmosphere for in decades of exploitation and iniquitous dealings with their own people. “Can they name one country that has defeated terror in 60 days? How many rulers have we had in Nigeria since 1960 and how many come from the North? Why did it not occur to any of them that the Almajiris should go to school? The country has suffered enough of the errors of these leaders which have now produced terror in the land; they should stopping pouring salt on the injury.”

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Imoke, Kalu challenge youths on creativity Clement James CALABAR

he weeklong activities marking the 2014 International Youth Day celebration came to a climax yesterday in Calabar as Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzoh Kalu, called on youths to be creative in order to be relevant in the society. The event was organised by the state Ministry of Youths and Sports Development in collaboration with the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN). Imoke said a new generation of educated youths can change the society than those who simply want to go into politics without having any form of qualification that can sustain them during tough times. “For us to have youths

that are relevant in the society and who can change the society, we must have well-educated youths. Politics is the only ‘profession’ that does not have any academic qualification; only those who aspire are required to possess some qualification,” the governor said. He challenged youths to be transformed before they think of transforming anything, noting that youths must be able to do things and think differently. Also, Kalu called on youths in the country to generate ideas that will contribute to the development of the country instead of taking to crime and other social vices. Speaking on the topic, “Youths as indispensable agents of change and national transformation,” Kalu, who was represented by the State Correspondent of New Telegraph, Mr. Clement James, said

youths have enormous responsibility in making a new Nigeria, using their God-given talents. “The wheel of development of any country lies on the shoulders of a productive, creative and youthful population. These youths are the engine of growth and development. They provide the labour force for production of goods and services to take effect,” he emphasised. According to him, “Youths have enormous responsibility in the making of a new Nigeria. Today, there seems to be a growing and continual push for a national youth-initiated agenda and a youth-led coalition that would push for the renaissance that we all aspire to see in our country.” While acknowledging the challenges faced by youths in the country, which he said include rising unemployment,

the former governor cautioned that neither the option of migrating from the country nor the agitation for secession will solve the problem. “Let me re-emphasize a singular fact that migrating from this country, or even from the continent, cannot, in anyway, address challenges of our youths. We must realise that plants do not leave their habitats; they remain there and solve their problems. “Our problems in Nigeria will not be solved by secession; our problems in Nigeria will not be solved by waving spears and arrows, using youths as political thugs or throwing bombs,” he argued. Quoting the National Bureau of Statistics, the former governor said: “Nigeria’s unemployment rate is at 23.9 per cent with youth unemployment rate standing at over 50 per cent. The statistics im-

NCH bans inter-state transportation of corpses CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

(NCH) has banned the transportation of corpses from one state to another with immediate effect. This decision was reached yesterday during an emergency meeting of NCH held in Abuja which lasted for about 10 hours. The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who is the chairman of the council, said the ban is to curtail further spread of the virus. The minister said that any person wishing to transport the remains of the family member must get approval from the Federal Ministry of Health and all the necessary test must be done on the corpse to make sure that the dead is free of Ebola. The resolution of the NCH, read by the minister, states: “Council directed the transportation of corpses into Nigeria as well as inter-state transportation be banned until further notice except with the approved waivers that may be issued by the Federal Ministry of Health. “Council directed federal, state ministries of health as well as health and human service secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to provide adequate incentives to health workers who participate in the management of EVD patients to encourage them to be active in the containment of the EVD. “The Council further directed that they should be provided with life insurance coverage. Council di-

rected that the Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) should re-circulate protocols and SOPs for management of EVD victims while Federal Government should provide specifications and support states with special Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). “Council directed Navy, Customs and Immigration services to collaborate with the Port Health Services to strengthen boarder monitoring and patrol for EVD. “Council directed the Federal Government to make whole body scanners available at all the designated Port of Entry; it also directed that the Federal Government should assist states to establish isolation tents that should cater for at least 20 people. “Council urges the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to suspend its strike forthwith and contribute its quota in the ongoing response to this national health emergency.” Director, Port Health Service at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Sani Gwarzo, disclosed that they have strengthened all the border areas with adequate equipment and also health workers for screening. “The Port Health Service is providing equal level of surveillance services in all the entering points; land, air and sea. We have a thermometer which we use in screening. This thermometer can detect people with high temperature which when we probe further we can know if it is probable case of Ebola vi-

rus or any other sickness,” he explained. Gwarzo lamented the shortage of health workers in the Port and said that the agency is in deficit of above 1000 workers. President Jonathan has called on West African leaders to evolve collaborative strategies that would help control and contain Ebola within the sub-region. He said through such deliberate effort can help in checking its spread and further threat to human lives. The President stated this yesterday while receiving the new Ambassador of Guinea to Nigeria, Mr. Gaoussou Toure, who presented his letters of credence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He commended the containment measures so far taken by West African countries that have been affected by the disease, stressing that more concerted intra-regional cooperation and action needs to be developed. “A problem that affects one of us affects all. We may need to come together as a region to strengthen our containment measures. I am however pleased that serious measures are being taken to control the spread of the disease,” Jonathan said. Also speaking at separate audience after receiving letters of credence from the new Ambassador of Germany, Michael Peter Zenner, and Torben Antonio Gettermann, the new Ambassador of Denmark, President Jonathan stated

that the days of electoral violence in Nigeria are over and that the 2015 general election will be free and fair.

plies that about 44 million Nigerian youths are unemployed.” He expressed regret that this scourge of unemployment has deprived many youths access to contributing their quota to national development, but nevertheless challenged them to rise up to fight “a unique battle where everyone will emerge as a winner.” “The lines for battle have been drawn and this battle will be fought on individual, social and environment fronts. This will indeed be a unique battle where everyone will emerge as a winner. And what are the weapons to be used in this war? Right conduct, love, co-operation, justice, equality, patriotism, non-violence, peace, excellence and, last but not the least, the all powerful weapon of truth,” he posited. On what can make youths indispensable agents of change and national transformation, he contended that every stakeholder, including government officials and those in the private sector, “must ensure meaningful engagements of our youths through what is

now known as Technical Vocational Education (TVE). This form of education can assist our youths to adequately get themselves engaged.” To achieve the muchdesired results therefore, Kalu advocated that leaders must allow the assemblage of youths in a meaningful and peaceful manner, and ensure that they take on one task or the other, to show their innate talents and exhibit their leadership charisma. He was, however, confident that the political class has no choice than to get the youths meaningfully engaged “so that they can see the good side of life and be inspired to live it, rather than getting themselves bombed by hunger, insecurity, joblessness and idleness.” On his part, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, said the Ministry organised the event in order to mark the global day of youths. He said the theme of this year’s celebration was carefully chosen to challenge youths on issues that bother on change and national transformation.

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Iwuanyanwu, Kalu blame crises on elections Johnchuks Onuanyim and Onyekachi Eze Abuja

he Nigerian political class yesterday agreed that the problems of the country emanate from the conduct of elections. Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who was the chairman of the book launch: Jinx Breaker, the installation of a new political order in Nigeria, a book written in appreciation of the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu, set the tone of discuss

in Abuja. Although Iwuanyanwu did not state who should be blamed for election problems, a former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu in his remarks, stated that, Iwu as INEC chairman was protested against, Prof. Jega was protested against in 2011 and if the Pope conducts election in Nigeria he will be protested against Kalu, who said he wrote the forward of the book, stated that one thing was common with election umpires; they always get criticism from the people after

elections. The Book Reviewer, Ambassador Brownson Dede stated that Nigerians are not particularly fond of history. According to him, from 1959 till date, Nigeria has been the same way when it comes to election, "except that Prof. Iwu brought in new political order", he said He posited, like others, the need for Nigerians and politicians to take cognizance of the atmosphere each electoral umpire operated in. Commenting on the huge sum being spent on

elections today, he stated that a time will come when the country would be spending half of its budget for elections. He also stated that what formed most of the outcome of elections would be as a result of international interest. Said he; "There is a new international interest on the continent elections". The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, who unveiled the book, agreed with the book reviewer on the international interest in Nigeria elections.

L-R: Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Emeka Ananaba; Abia State Governor, Dr. Theodore Orji; Director, MTN Foundation, Mr. Dennis Okoro; Project Manager, Software as a Service, MTN, Mr. Steve Nwaubani and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Abia State, Mr. Sopuruchi Beke, at the presentation of security vehicles by MTN Foundation to the state government at the Government House, Umuahia, Abia State…on Monday

Ebola: Fashola goes tough on suspects

Muritala Ayinla and Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

ndications emerged yesterday that Lagos State Government may begin to apprehend any suspect of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), who refuses to surrender to the Rapid Response Team, tracking the possible contact with EVD victims. The government is set to invoke the 2003 Public Health Law to apprehend any suspect of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as part of the moves to further check the spread the scourge. That is even as the Edo State Government denied the rumour making the round that a man who died last Sunday in Udo community of Ovia South West Local Government Council of the state, was a victim of the dreaded Ebola. New Telegraph also gathered that no fewer than 200 persons are currently under watch as the number people who had primary and secondary contact with the index case are multiplying

due to ignorance and fear of stigmatisation. Governor Babatunde Fashola had on Monday, while informing the council chairmen, health workers on the need to curtail the spread of the endemic at the Adeyemi Bero, Auditorium, secretariat Alausa, said the state government has every right under the law to order arrest and restrict the movement of any suspect of EVD in the interest of the public. The Governor said anyone with symptoms of EVD or who had contact with a victim ceases to enjoy freedom of movement, saying that government would compulsorily apprehend such person so as not to constitute danger to the society. His words:“ I have directed the health commissioner to do so if necessary, to compulsorily apprehend person suspected to constitute danger to the society because he or she can lead to the spread of epidemic in the state. It is a 2003 law and if there is need, we will exercise the power in the public health law.”

2015: Jonathan set to declare for presidency Onyekachi Eze

ABUJA

he presidency appears to be putting finishing touches for the declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for the 2015 presidential election. Going by the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), party primaries to choose candidates for the election by the 25 registered political parties, will begin early October. Yesterday, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Professor Ahmed Rufa'i Alkali inaugurated a Special committee to re-organise the Goodluck Support Group (GSG), an umbrella body campaigning for the re-election of President Jonathan for second time in office. Alkali, who denied that the re-organisation of the GSG was preparatory to Jonathan's declaration for second time in office, said

"the exercise will enable us to properly understand these organizations, and their objectives, so that we can prepare to partner, coordinate and work with them to achieve victory in 2015". He disclosed that he inherited more than 3000 of these groups, who actively supported the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Jonathan to victory in 2011 general elections. "At that time, all these organization worked and were coordinated by an umbrella organization called the “GOODLUCK SUPPORT” (GSG). It is their work, their sacrifice, their passion, their commitment and sweat that they helped the party and Mr. President to achieve victory in 2011. I want to use this opportunity to salute the courage and vision of the leaders, members and staff of this organization for helping us; for helping Nigerians to elect President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2011."

New Telegraph management visits late Bisalla’s family Amadi Nnamdi

Abuja

he Management of Tpaper New Telegraph newsyesterday in Abu-

ja, paid another official visit to the family of its Late Managing Editor (North) Mallam Suleiman Bisalla. Bisalla was one of the scores of people that died at the June 25 Emab bomb blast in Abuja this year. The New Telegraph delegation on this second visit to the bereaved family, was led by the Deputy Management Director/ Deputy Editor in chief, Mr. Felix Abugu, who condoled with the Bisallas on behalf of the management and staff of the newspaper. He described the late Bisalla as a very hardworking, brilliant, gentle, friend and colleague, adding that “ he speaks little but each time he spoke, he spoke words of wisdom and made sense in everything that he says; we liked him for that and so we miss him till now. “We bless the name of God because Him alone knows everything that happens. The scripture says even before we were born, God knew us, so we also believe that even before late Suleiman Bisalla was born, God knew that on a day like that he was going to call him back to his bosom. So, there is nothing anyone can do about it. So we must accept it as the will of Allah,” While urging the

deceased family to be strong, he admonished that “Allah knows the best; we came into this world without knowing how we came and we will never know how we go". The New Telegraph DMD specially urged late Bisalla’s Widow Sa’adatu to continue to be strong and courageous: “We came to express our sympathy and give you courage. We thank God you are a very strong woman. You have carried on very well. Accept our condolences. Please be strong for this children and God will continue to bless and strengthen you” Abugu also commended the brother of the deceased, Alhaji Mohammed Maina Bisalla, for the love and care he has been showering upon the late Editor's immediate family. In response, Alhaji Mohammed Bisalla on behalf of the Bisalla family, appreciated the management of New Telegraph for all their support since the death and burial of their late brother, adding that the demise of their brother created a great vacuum difficult for anyone to fill in their family. He urged the management and staff of the paper to imbibe the good qualities of their late Editor. Other members of the New Telegraph team include: Messrs. Suleiman Uba Gaya, Yemi Ajayi and Louis Achi, the Managing Editor, Daily Editor and Deputy Editors respectively.

Obasanjo, Tambuwal in secret meeting Kunle Olayeni

Abeokuta

peaker of the House of STambuwal, Representatives, Aminu yesterday met

with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Tambuwal met the former president behind closed doors at the latter's hilltop residence in Abeokuta. The meeting was said to have lasted about 20 minutes. Though details of the secret meeting could not be ascertained, New Telegraph gathered that the two leaders discussed national and political issues. A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Speaker arrived the ex-president's house in a convoy of six vehicles and left about 6:18 pm. When contacted on phone yesterday, Tambuwal's media assistant,

Imam Imam, confirmed that his principal actually consulted with the former president. "You know Baba (Obasanjo) is a father to all in the country. The visit was a consultation; it is about rubbing minds on how to move the country forward and make Nigeria better," he stated. Asked whether the visit was in connection with Tambuwal's rumoured presidential ambition in 2015, Imam said he could not comment on that because the meeting was held behind closed doors. "I cannot answer that because I was not inside when they met," he remarked. It will be recalled that Tambuwal made a similar trip to Obasanjo in Abeokuta on February 23. At that meeting, the Speaker had explained that there was nothing unusual with his visit to the former president.

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

I won’t divert LGs’ allocations to LCDAs, says Fayose Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

kiti State GovernorElect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has said that he will not divert statutory allocations meant for local governments to the newly created Local Council Development Areas (LCDA). A press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, quoted Fayose as saying this while featuring on a phone-in programme on NTA Ado-Ekiti. Fayose was answering questions on the creation of 19 LCDAs by the outgoing governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. According to the governor-elect, what Fayemi created were LCDAs and not local government areas. “I want the people of Ekiti State to understand that what Governor Fayemi has created are Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and not local governments. Nobody can create local government areas in Nigeria without complying with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. “And I don't think he has done anything bad. But as for me, in order not to breach the constitution, I will not allow the diversion of allocations meant for the 16 local government areas in Ekiti to the LCDAs. Allowing that is diversion and it is a breach of the constitution, which I will swear to obey and uphold. “There are 774 local government areas in Nigeria and their names are in the constitution, including the 16 in Ekiti State. I am very certain that Ekiti people, who elected me will not encourage me to breach the constitution,” he said. On the comparison between his victory in the June 21 governorship poll in Ekiti and last Saturday's victory by Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osun State, Fayose said his victory was more comprehensive. “For people to liken the victory of Aregbesola in Osun State to mine, the difference is very clear. Whereas Aregbesola, as an incumbent governor, defeated a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, I, Ayodele Fayose, a PDP candidate, defeated an All Progressives Congress (APC) incumbent governor, not slightly, but overwhelmingly and in all the 16 local governments of the state. Which is superior, which should be celebrated? he asked.

Otti rejects zoning, says it’s undemocratic POLITICS

Alex Otti may do more than Boardroom politics to stay afloat Igbeaku Orji and Steve Uzoechi

contender in the 2015 governorship race on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has rejected the party’s zoning arrangement, describing it as undemocratic. Otti’s comments came as a socio-political group known as the South East Progressives Assembly (SEPA) yesterday threw its weight behind the arrangement. SEPA said it was supporting the decision of

l As group backs governor, PDP the PDP and Governor Theodore Orji, to zone the 2015 governorship seat to Abia South. Otti, who spoke to our correspondent after one of his consultation meetings in Umuahia said; “I am very much in the race, but by the campaigns are yet to start. I am not running on the basis of zoning, I am running on the basis that I am an Abia indigene.” He said while he was waiting for the lifting of the ban on campaigns, he was busy consulting over the issue. Otti, the Managing Director (MD) of Diamond Bank, is by the zoning arrangement of the party, out of the race. He is from Isiala Ngwa South, which falls in the Abia Central

140,000

The total number of internet users in Burkina Faso in 2008. Source: Blatantworld.com

senatorial district, where the incumbent governor comes from. According to him, “I am in the race to win, zoning is undemocratic, and remember that PDP zoned its presidential slot to the North in 2007, but said anyone was free to run.” But in a statement signed by the President of SEPA yesterday, Hon. Ebere Uzoukwa, and made available to newsmen, the group commended the sense of equity, justice and fairness on the part of Governor Orji and the PDP leadership, which according to the statement ensures that Abia South would produce the next governor of the state in 2015. The statement reads

44%

The percentage of all flood disaster that affected Asia between 1987 and 1997. Source: Unesco.org

in part: “Having closely monitored political developments in Abia, particularly in the area of power sharing and rotation, we applaud the PDP and Governor Theodore Orji for zoning the governorship seat to Abia South. Recall that in 1999, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, from Bende council area had an uninterrupted eight years for Abia North. “Thereafter, power was moved to Abia Central with the incumbent governor, Chief Theodore Orji, from Umuahia, elected into office as governor since 2007. In 2015, when Orji would have completed his eight years for Abia Central; equity and fairness demand that the next governor should emerge from Abia South.”

312,000

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

NEWS

Nwaoboshi backs Jonathan Gabriel Choba UGHELLI

he Chairman of the TParty Peoples Democratic (PDP) in Delta

State, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, has said that Nigerians should stop attacking President Goodluck Jonathan for things he knows nothing about, saying that he is the most criticised president in the history of the country. Nwaoboshi made the remark in a chat with journalists while assessing the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. According to the PDP boss; “The President has done well, there is no President in this country that has been so antagonised, that has been so fought, and that has been so attacked in the history of this country; that has been so disrespected as President Jonathan. He has been fought all round.” He added: “The question you should ask is, why all this? Why all these fights? Why all these insults? Why all this backbiting? Is it because he is from the South-South, from the minority? Who is the President that has been so fought politically, economically, security wise, and health wise, what is his offence? They don’t want him to serve.” Nwaoboshi further noted that despite the challenges, President Jonathan has been committed to his transformation agenda, an achievement Nigerians have been commending.

23%

L-R: Cross River State Security Adviser, Rekpene Bassey; Deputy Governor, Cross River State, Efiok Cobham; Legal Adviser to the Cross River State Governor, Mark Bukie Obi; Director, MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro and Steve Nwaubani, at the presentation of security vehicles to the Cross River State government in Calabar …yesterday

The percentage of population of women above 60 years old in Belarus in 2012. Source: Un.org

Ebola: Suswam, Aliyu take proactive measures Cephas Iorhemen, Dan Atori and Andrew Iro Okungbowa

s part of measures aimed at forestalling the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Benue and Niger States, Governors Gabriel Suswam and his counterpart in Niger, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday took proactive measures to keep the virus in check in their various states. While Governor Suswam is considering a work plan that will enable government constitute a committee to carry out sensitisation

l UNWTO says no adverse impact on Africa tourism yet campaigns at the grassroots level on the dangers of the disease, Governor Aliyu has set up a committee to checkmate the spread of the virus in his state. The Benue work plan would be released to the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for onward implementation of the campaigns in all the 23 local government areas of the state. Governor Suswam’s Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince

Solomon Wombo, who conveyed the governor's message to newsmen yesterday at an interactive session, said the present administration has taken the issue of the disease serious, commending the collaborative efforts of the Federal Government with states to fight the outbreak in the country. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday commended the Niger State governor, Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, for taking proactive measures in ensuring that the dread-

ed virus does not take the state by surprise. The party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jonathan Vatsa, lauded the effort of the state government and called on the people to maintain a high level of personal hygiene and clean environment. According to Vatsa; “The government has taken the needed proactive measure to ensure that the virus does not take the state by surprise by constituting a committee, and we say this

step is commendable. In a related development, the United Nations World Tourism Organisations (UNWTO), yesterday said it was still early to assess the impact of the EVD on international tourists’ arrivals to the West Africa region, being the region mostly affected by the disease. The body, however, advised travellers to adhere to the risk management directives issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) while expressing optimism on the resistant nature of tourism to overcome the implosion of the virus.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Benue Assembly to invite all guber aspirants Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

Benue State SMr.peaker House of Assembly Terhile Ayua has

said that House has concluded plans to invite all governorship aspirants contesting various elections on both PDP and APC platforms for talks

particularly on the need to carry out violent-free campaigns. Ayua said this in ZakiBiam at the reception in honour of Mr. John Hingah Biem, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP organized by Sankera movement for Hingah Biem 2015.

FG, UNDP train 30 women on skills Dan Atori MINNA

n a bid to alleviate Itry, poverty in the counthe Small and Me-

L-R: President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Okey Wali; benefactor, Dr. Wale Babalakin; President-elect, Mr. Augustine Alegeh; former General Secretary, Mr. Obi Okwusogu and General Secretary-elect, Mazi Afam Osigwe, during the inauguration of a six-storey multipurpose building donated by Dr. Babalakin at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos…yesterday

Amaechi flays FG’s slow response to NYSC matters

ivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has slammed the Federal Government’s indifference towards the plight of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Rivers state. Amaechi particularly addressed the Federal Government’s reluctance to solve the issue of accommodation and other challenges faced by Corps members in the state. The governor spoke yesterday during a courtesy call on him by members of the Governing Board of the NYSC led by Tijani Adekanbi, at the Government House, Port Harcourt. Among other issues, Amaechi said the government at the centre has consistently failed to address most NYSC challenges, leaving them all to the State to handle, in spite of the fact that the

Scheme is the responsibility of the Federal Government. “I don’t know if you realise that NYSC is a Federal scheme. If you know it’s a federal scheme, why are you transferring responsibility to the State government? Even the allowances we are paying, we are not supposed to pay. I served in Abuja, nobody paid me one dime outside what the Federal Government paid us as allowance. The vehicles the youth service was using in Abuja were bought by the Federal Government, why then do we transfer Federal Government responsibility to the States?” Amaechi asked. He said: “We are virtually funding all Federal agencies in the state. If we don’t want NYSC, then we should say we don’t want NYSC, but it solves a lot of problems

for us and when I say us, I mean the nation, including the fact that it creates temporary employment for corps members for one year. “But the most important thing is that the Federal Government should stand and take over their responsibilities, because at the end of the day, we would all go to the Federation Account meeting and everybody will take their own share; and then they transfer their responsibility to us. The reason for which they get their own share is because the constitution recognizes their responsibilities and gives

Tony Anichebe

Key leaders of ACA in the area, who spoke with journalists, accused Nkangude, who doubles as ACA coordinator in the local government, of diverting N2million which was given to him to mobilize members ahead of Udom’s visit to the area a month ago. But Nkangude in his response denied all the allegations, saying there was no time he received any money from the SSG to mobilize and organize any ACA meeting in Ikot Abasi.

holders to initiate various programmes aimed at empowering youths in the country. He made the appeal shortly after a health walk in Abeokuta to mark the 2014 International Youth Day celebration.

Obasanjo makes case for youth empowerment Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

ormer President OluseF Obasanjo yesterA'Ibom SSG's largesse: Kinsmen at war daygunurged political office UYO

here is crisis in the Ikot Tment Abasi Local Governchapter of the Akwa

Ibom Consultation Alliance (ACA), a group working for the emergence of Akwa Ibom SSG as the next Governor of the state as members have accused the commissioner for commerce and industry, Elder Ufot Tobby Nkangude of embezzling N2million mobilization money of Udom Emmanuel, the secretary to the state government.

Aliyu endorses Ohakim’s second term ambition Johnchuks Onuanyim ABUJA

he Governor of Niger Tman State and the Chairof the Northern

Governors Forum, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, yesterday endorsed the ambition of former Imo State governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim to return to Imo State Gov-

ernment House next year. Ohakim, who is seeking re-election after leaving office in 2011 when he was voted out. But in solidarity yesterday, the Niger State governor stated that Ohakim deserve a 2nd term in office, therefore should be allowed to complete his terms.

them their percentage of the money. So, you can take the money, not transfer part of that money to us, and then you transfer your responsibility? “I am not saying we would not assist NYSC, we have always done that but what I am saying is that most of these responsibilities are Federal Government responsibilities. So when you finish addressing me, please go and address the Director General of the NYSC board to simply ask the Federal Government to make funds available to you or to the NYSC”.

The programme, with the theme: "Youth and Mental Health," was organised by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Youth Centre (OOPLYC). According to the former president, any nation which failed to take the training and empowerment of its youth seriously was playing a dangerous game with its future.

NBA building: Babalakin receives accolades

he outgoing President TAssociation of the Nigerian Bar (NBA), Mr.

Okey Wali SAN has described the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Group, Dr. Wale Babalakin SAN as a pride to the legal profession in the country. Wali, while inaugurating a six-storey, fully-serviced, new NBA House, on Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday said that the structure was realised through partnership between one of Babalakin’s companies, Stabilini Visinoni Limited and the NBA. The partnership,

which was based on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement, was conceived to help NBA develop the prime land that had laid bare for a long time and to also enhance the revenue base of the association. Wali said: “I must thank our colleague, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), for what he has done in putting this up in collaboration with the NBA. The terms are clear. It is Build, Operate and Transfer. I thank Wale for the industry he has put into this.”

dium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) yesterday said it is collaborating with the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) to train 30 women on business development skills. Director General, SMEDAN Alhaji Bature Masari said this during a five day workshop in Minna organized by the

agency for five women Cooperative groups drawn from Niger, Katsina and Gombe States. He said Niger and Katsina States have two women cooperative groups with six representatives each while Gombe state has one cooperative group with six representatives. Masari said the training is aimed at empowering the women owned cooperative societies in the six geo-political zones of the country to enable them handle their businesses properly toward alleviating poverty.

NURTW pleads for parks in Uyo Tony Anichebe UYO

in Akwa Ttoransporters Ibom yesterday appealed the state government to

allow them operate private motor parks at the outskirt of Uyo metropolis to sustain their business. The stakeholders made the appeal under the aegis of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Akwa Ibom chapter. The ministry of Transport had banned all motor parks from operating in the streets of Uyo metropolis and relocated them to the government approved

parks in Itam community outskirt of Uyo. However, some transport stakeholders who decried the ban of private motor parks, accused the state government of frustrating the establishment of private parks outside the areas prohibited by government. Speaking to newsmen, one of the transporters, Mr. Emmanuel Owen, said: “Akwa Ibom is a largely civil service State, government should allow the private sector to thrive in order to complement the State government’s drive to transform the state.”

Gridlock at airport road over return of fuel tankers Wole Shadare ess than a year after Lfrom they were removed the ever busy Mur-

tala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos road, tankers are now back, causing gridlock. This is coming as the tanker drivers defied an agreement reached three weeks ago by the Federal Government and the Lagos State Transportation Management Authority, LASTMA, which spelt out punishment for violation. They have remained adamant. It was observed that the tanker drivers now park indiscriminately on the airport road thereby creating heavy traffic within the airport. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, had last August 2013 relocated the tanker drivers to a permanent site within the environ-

ment after years of causing havoc on the highways at the airport. But, despite the relocation to a permanent site, the tanker drivers who hide under the guise of uplifting aviation fuel, otherwise known as JET A1 to airlines in the airport, park their tankers indiscriminately on the road and threatened to down tools whenever their action was challenged by the airport authorities.

101

The number of men per 100 women above 60 years old in Andorra in 2012. Source: Un.org

3.7m

The total population of Yokohama, Japan in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Minister designates General Hospital, Kuje as Ebola centre

OSUN 2014

L-R: National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ambassador Muhammed Wali; Secretary, Mr. Oladapo Oladipo; Acting Director, Legal, Mr. Ibrahim Bawa; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, at the presentation of Certificate of Returns to Governor Aregbesola, at INEC office, Osogbo…yesterday

‘Aregbesola’s victory has retired Omisore from politics’ Wale Elegbede

he lawmaker representing Ife Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, yesterday said the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in last Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State has signalled the retirement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, from politics in the state. Makinde said this yesterday while reliving the harrowing experience he went through in the hands of the agents of the PDP in the just concluded election in Osun State. “This election has relegated Omisore to the back seat of political history and the same history

will not forgive him. God delivered him as a chicken into our hands and we are grateful. Omisore has been retired from politics, but we must seek to develop Ile-Ife with his unheralded retirement,” he said. He said the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, has opened a new chapter in the political history of the state. Addressing a press conference in Lagos, Makinde, who is the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Human Rights, said he was prevented from exercising his civic right on the day of the election, because some unknown attackers working for the PDP and its candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, laid siege to his house and were shooting directly

into the house, saying but for divine intervention, he would have been killed. Makinde noted that Omisore was embittered because he felt an Ife indigene like himself was not supporting his kinsman to become governor, but was on the side of Aregbesola, who hails from Ilesa. “They came after my life last week, which means they never regretted the 2011 onslaught against my life, where five innocent souls were brutally terminated on an altar in a church after looking for me and not seeing me. “In the wee hours of last week Saturday, at about 1.15am, my house was bombarded with four vehicles fully loaded with armed military men."

ederal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, has designated the General Hospital, Kuje, in Kuje Area Council, as isolation centre in case of any Ebola-infected person. The minister also inaugurated a 25-man committee to work out modalities for responding to the threat of the virus and create awareness on its nature and symptoms. Mohammed made this known during a high powered stakeholders’ interactive forum in Abuja, on Monday. He said the hospital was chosen because it would be easy for residents of the FCT to access it. He also said a ward would be designated in the hospital, where infected people could be quarantined and put on surveillance, among others.

Dominic Adewole ASABA

he Nigeria Labour ConTlamented gress (NLC) yesterday the unpaid ben-

efits of retirees in Delta State. The congress expressed displeasure that the oil rich state reneged in its promise of releasing N1.5 billion monthly from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to offset the

AWKA

he lawmaker repreTEast senting Rivers Southin the National As-

Tony Okafor

governor of Ftheormer Anambra State and senator representing Anambra Central senatorial district, Dr. Chris Ngige, yesterday renewed the hope that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would win the presidential election in the country next year. He said the governorship election in Osun State last Saturday, had broken what he called the rigging formula of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Osun LG boss, arraigned for electoral fraud

Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

n Osogbo Magistrate’s Court yesterday arraigned the Executive Secretary of Atakumosa West Local Government area, Mr. Segun Samson, and one Sunday Adebayo, for attempting to bribe a police officer who was on election duty on August 9, with N180, 000. The duo, who were ar-

rested at about 11.00am at Iwara Junction in Atakumosa West Local Government while preparation for the gubernatorial election was on-going, were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy, bribery and official corruption. Though, the two accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge, the police prosecutor, Mireti Wilson, told the

court that the alleged offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 467, 516, and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 34, vol.11, Laws of Osun, 2003. He said: “The two accused persons committed the offence of official corruption, bribery and conspiracy on August 9, 2014, at about 11.00am at Iwara Junction in Atakumosa West Local Government.”

doctors will be given adequate training and the best way to curtail the disease from spreading,” he said. Mohammed, therefore, advised the six area councils’ chairmen to sensitise their people on routine cleaning even while disinfecting their hands at all times. The Secretary of the FCT Health Secretariat, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, said the transmission of the disease in human was through direct contact with blood or body secretion, among others. Onakomaiya denied the recent rumours of Ebola in the territory, adding that the three suspected cases being raised by FCT residents were mere rumours. According to him, the people at risk of the disease are the healthcare givers and family members of infected persons.

backlog. The state wing of the congress said the huge accumulated unpaid benefits have now become worrisome, hence something must be done before the tenure of the incumbent Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, expires. The congress therefore resolved that henceforth, the state government should continue to pay their monthly salaries

until their gratuities were paid. Chairman of the congress in Delta, Comrade Williams Akporeha, in a singed protest statement wondered why the governor reneged after keeping to his promises once. He said for the governor to be releasing a paltry N500 million that is not even regular, speaks volume about his avowed workers’ friendly mantra.

Abe: I don’t need praises for empowering people Emmanuel Masha

the APC to help to form its tripod legs of Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo. He emphasised that it would amount to political naivety and shortsightedness for Ndigbo to put all their eggs in one basket. Ngige called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to overhaul the commission so as to flush out corrupt members and staff of the commission, who he said had constituted a cog in the wheel of the conduct of free and fair election in the country.

Mohammed added that adequate infrastructure and equipment would be put in place to manage affected persons and guard against the spread of the virus. “All precautionary measures have been put in place to ensure that the designation of the ward will not endanger the health workers and residents of Kuje,” he said. The minister instructed the chairman of the council to sensitise the populace, rather than preventing FCT Administration from using the hospital. “The hospital is the only option for us to isolate as a centre for Ebola patients; Gwagwalada hospital that is for FCT has being taken from us, we have no other option than to use it. “We will put all infrastructure needed in place to avoid its spread;

NLC laments unpaid retirement benefits in Delta

2015: APC will use Osun formula against PDP, says Ngige The senator said after the Ekiti poll, which the APC lost, his party went home to redesign strategies against the ruling party, which invariably yielded a positive result in Osun State. He said his party had decided to use the Osun formula against the PDP in next year’s polls, expressing optimism that the APC would win the presidential election next year. He called on Ndigbo to rally support for the APC, stating that the party held the best future for the Igbo, explaining that he joined

PORT HARCOURT

sembly, Senator Magnus Abe, yesterday said he does not need praises from any quarters for touching the lives of people, saying that whatever he does in form of assistance, is between him and God. Abe, who spoke while presenting bank drafts

to 300 beneficiaries of his annual school fee support scheme at his constituency office, Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government, said the initiatives would empower the students and build capacity in the senatorial district. He said: “What I do is between me and God. I don’t effect actions to expect praise, whatever I do is based on my conviction; it is about my relationship with my peo-

ple and not about what people will say or not.” The senate committee chairman on petroleum (downstream) said. He added that the scholarship scheme, among others, were initiated in line with his commitment to invest in the people, encourage educational excellence and competition, adding that a society without competition produces people who know everybody, but know nothing.

Politicians cautioned against change of delegates’ list Babatope Okeowo AKURE

eaders of the All ProL(APC) gressives Congress in the four Akoko

local government areas of Ondo State have raised fears on the plan of some people to change the delegates elected in the last congress of the party. The leaders led by Peter Orojo and Adebayo Olatubosun, said any attempt to change the delegates’ list at the party's congress would spell doom for the party in the

state. In an appeal letter signed by the duo and addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the leaders warned that any attempt by the party or anybody to tamper with the structure or delegates of the party in the wards might cause disaffection. A faction led by Lekan Obolo, at a press conference held in Akure recently, announced the dissolution of the Duerimini Kekemeke-led ex-

ecutive council, claiming that the congress through which they emerged was manipulated. However, the purported dissolution did not hold water as the national leadership of the party continued to accord the Kekemeke-led executive, due recognition. The ward chairmen alleged that some forces within the party are making desperate moves to replace the delegates from their wards three months after the party’s congresses were conducted.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

Two infants die as fire guts Oshodi building Muritala Ayinla wo-year-old infants were yesterday burnt beyond Tluku recognition when fire gutted a house at Mafoarea of Oshodi in Lagos.

This came three days after a seven-year-old child was burnt to death when fire gutted a building at the Ijaiye Low Cost Housing Estate, Ogba, Lagos. It was learnt that the tragedy, which occurred at No. 43 Salami Street, Mafolokwu, around 20:43pm, was caused by a candle light which engulfed the entire two-bedroom flat. It was gathered that when the Ikeja Disco cut off power supply to the area, the mother of one the burnt child, Mrs Ada Patrick, decided to provide light in the room with candlelight while the children were asleep. She was said to have eventually slept off. It was also learnt that the candle burnt until the wax melted which later ignited fire and spread to the mattress and set the room and the storey-building ablaze. The children, Joel Chukwu and Monardi Samuel, got burnt beyond recognition before the arrival of the fire service men from the Lagos State Fire Service. The second boy is the son of Ada Patrick’s her sister. The Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Razak Fadipe, who bemoaned the recurrent fire outbreaks, blamed the incident on poor safety culture. Fadipe said that if the agency had been called on time to put out the fire, perhaps the two infants would not have died in the disaster. He said: “Lagosians must learn to be safety conscious. We responded to several fire calls last night but we got a distress call for Mofoluku incident around 20:43pm and when we got there, we discovered that it was a storeybuilding that was on fire. The top floor has two-bedroom apartment and four single rooms, while the ground floor has two-bedroom and six single rooms. They did not call us on time when the fire occurred.”

ALLEGED WITCHCRAFT A man tags his mother a witch, blames her for his woes, kills her and burns her body to ashes Tony Okafor AWKA

29-year-old man, Ekene Ucheagwu, has reportedly murdered his mother, Agnes, at Ogbunka community in Orumba South local Gover nment Area of Anambra State. Ucheagwu allegedly strangled his mother yesterday, set her body ablaze before burying the ashes in an evil forest known as Ogba Ukwu forest. It was gathered that when Ucheagwu was apprehended, he admitted committing the act. He reportedly described the deceased as an evil woman and an agent of “the Queen of the Coast”. The suspect said his mother was using her mystical powers to kill and maim innocent people.

0802 393 8212

Man kills, burns, buries mum in evil forest A source said Ucheagwu took the mother to the forest before murdering her. The police yesterday exhumed the remains of the late Agnes at the evil forest. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emeka Chukwuemeka, also paraded Ucheagwu before journalists at the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) headquarters at Awkuzu. Ucheagwu, it was learnt, was an Aba-based businessman, but for some time, his business nose-dived and upon consultation with some seers he was told that his mother was the cause of his woes. The source said Ucheagwu had on several occasions confronted his mother on the issues, adding that the late Agnes had vehemently denied the allegation. But yesterday Ekene apparently became tired of such denials and murdered his mother.

Street sweepers: PhD, Master’s degree holders among 49,000 applicants

Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun gov.

Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

O Fadipe

Ucheagwu

gun State Government has suspended its plan to recruit 3,000 environmental marshals across the state following excessive applications received for the exercise. At least, 49,000 people have so far applied for the job. Of the applicants, there are some PhD holders and over 600 Master’s degree holders. Governor Ibikunle Amosun had in June announced plan by his administration to recruit 3,000 environmental mar-

shals and 2,000 street sweepers to ensure a clean, safe, healthy and sustainable environment. But speaking in Abeokuta yesterday, Amosun said he ordered the suspension of the recruitment due to overwhelming applications. The governor, who said that his administration only needed 3,000 environmental marshals, bemoaned the high rate of unemployment in the country. The governor, therefore, said there was urgent need for concerned authorities to develop strategic plan towards addressing the acute problem of unemployment. He said: “If we have about 600 of those with Master’s qualification and above running around for a job that they would be paid N20,000, then you know that there is a problem.” The governor also disclosed that no fewer than 14,000 applicants recently applied for employment in the state civil service. He said: “The other time when I met with civil and public servants, I did mention that if any of them has children that are looking for work and have put in more than 10 years; that they should please apply. I can conveniently tell you that today more than 14,000 have applied.

“When I was making that statement, in my mind I thought I will probably employ about 500 people or so. But lo and behold, we have over 14,000 that have applied. What does that tell us? The problem has been there since. “We said we are employing environmental marshals. They gave me the breakdown - 49,000. I had to ask them to stop when everybody was coming everyday. And we needed maximum of 3,000. “Head or tail, even by the time we employ those 3,000, the remaining 46,000 that will not be taken, people will say they have taken forms, Amosun did not employ them, he just asked them to come and take forms. Look at that huge deficit that we have. “So, it is not a thing that was created today and unless we are focused and rededicate ourselves on a well thought plan, we will continue to be like this in a vicious circle.” Amosun noted that the issue of unemployment would be drastically reduced when the real sector, agriculture and cottage industries were optimally developed. “There is no way we can create the number of white-collar jobs that everybody is looking for. We need to go back to the basics,” he added.

Robbers attack Suntai’s Media aide Gunmen kill school proprietor in Benue rmed men on Mon- were unable to gain ac- the rooms where my Ahouse day night invaded the cess into rooms in the family members were Cephas Iorhemen The incident occurred in the attack. of Mr Hassan Mi- building. sleeping. Katsina Ala Local GovernAccording to the witness, jinyawa, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the ailing Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai, in Jalingo. Mijinyawa said the robbers stormed his house in the state capital about midnight but

The CPS, however, said the attack was not politically-motivated. He said: “I was attacked on Monday night by some bandits, armed with locally-made guns and machetes, but they could not gain entry into

“However, they injured one of my guests, sleeping in the visitor’s room. His room’s window was smashed with cutlass, he sustained injury and he is presently being treated at the Government House clinic.”

MAKURDI

espite efforts of the police to rid Benue State of criminals, criminal activities are still on the upsurge as gunmen on Monday shot dead the proprietor of Kpav Comprehensive College, Mr Kenneth Mbayev Kpav.

ment Area of the state. The proprietor was killed at his house about 10:30pm. A witness said that the gunmen, numbering about five, came with sophisticated guns, adding that no other member of the family sustained injuries during

Kpav later died at a private hospital in Katsina-Ala. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Deputy Superintendent Daniel Ezeala, who confirmed the incident, said the proprietor was killed by unknown gunmen.

METRO

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Businessman held for allegedly killing sales girl Uwakwe Abugu and ONAH ONAH

businessman, who deals on electrical parts on Owerri Road in Onitsha, Anambra State, is being detained by the police for allegedly killing his sales girl identified simply as Chinazo for ritual purposes. The suspect (name withheld), said to be a native of Abba in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, was said to have committed the crime penultimate Friday after luring her to an hotel. The girl hailed from Okpuje in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. When contacted on phone the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emeka Chukwuemeka, refused to confirm allegation that the police were planning to release the suspect. The PPRO promised to call our correspondent later. Unfortunately, he did not call at press time. A police source said that the businessman had taken the sales girl to a popular hotel in Obosi, near the commercial town of Onitsha penultimate Friday and allegedly drugged her before killing her. The suspect also allegedly removed the girl’s body parts for ritual purposes. Sources said that when he was detained at the Obosi Police Station, the suspect confessed to committing the crime. He also did the same thing when he was transferred to the police headquarters in Awka, the state capital. A group operating in the South-East and Lagos, Youth Organisation for Empowerment and Exemplary Leadership, yesterday described the incident as a dastardly act against one of the leaders of tomorrow. The leader of the group, Mr Ike Onu, also called on the police “not to allow this heinous crime against an innocent sales girl go unpunished. We call on all well-meaning members of the Nigerian society to urge the police to do the right thing and not allow corruption blight their sense of judgement in this pathetic case”.

Mimiko pledges assistance to flood victims Olusegun Mimiko has promised Gtimsovernor that his administration would assist vicof flood disaster in Ondo State.

Mimiko made the promise on Monday during inspection tour of Ile-Oluji and Ondo towns where some houses and property were destroyed by flood. The governor, who noted that inventory of the affected persons would be taken for necessary action, also directed that the broken bridge between Ile-Oluji and Kajola, as a result of the flood, be repaired urgently in order to reduce the hardship of the people. Mimiko, who commiserated with the victims, however, charged the people to avoid dumping refuse in water channels, stressing that such negative attitude would no doubt result in erosion blockage and destruction of property. The governor added that people should also desist from erecting structures along water channels with a view to avoiding loss of lives and property. He said: “Some of the issues we are trying to bring across to our people is that they should desist from building on river courses. Anyone who builds on river course stands the risk of his house being demolished either by flood or by town planning authority. “Also, our people should desist from pouring their waste in river courses. You will see that anytime it threatens to rain, people bring out their waste and dump in river courses. “Our people should desist from making the river courses their waste disposal abode. We are still taking the inventory of the victims and government, within the limit of its resources, will come to the assistance of the people.”

Wole Shadare

suspected drug peddler, Eze Cosmos Agbala, was arrested yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for concealing N322 million worth of methamphetamine inside oil filters. According to the as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the illicit consignment containing substances that tested positive for methamphetamine were meant for export to Mozambique. The NDLEA Commander at the Lagos, Hamza Umar, said that the drugs were cleverly hidden inside oil filters. He said: “Officers at the Export Section of the airport have made a seizure of methamphetamine hidden inside oil filters. The drug was cleverly concealed in a manner that makes it difficult to detect. We had to cut the filters open in order to recover the drug. In all, a total quantity of 35.8kg of methamphetamine was found inside the oil filters.” Hamza added that Agbala, an auto parts dealer in Lagos, was arrested and was currently assisting in further inves-

Peddler conceals N322m drugs in oil filters

Ahmad Glade

tigation. The 38-year-old suspect said that

it was greed that made him to get involved in drug trafficking. He said: “I blame myself because I was greedy. They asked me to facilitate the exportation of the drug to Mozambique for a fee of N1 million. “I was happy to do it because I needed money. It did not occur to me that there is so much risk involved because of the manner the drug was packed. I never knew the drug cost so much. I am married and have three children and I sell auto parts.” The NDLEA Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, has vowed to arrest all persons involved in the case. He said: “The agency will work very hard to arrest everyone that is involved in this case. We are prepared to go the full length in our investigation. The suspect has given us useful information that we are currently processing it.”

Igbere Day is to honour elders, say organisers Camillus Nnaji

ne of the benefits of Igbere Day celebration in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State is reward for old age in a special way. According to the Lagos branch of Igbere Welfare Union Lagos, the ceremony is performed every three years where tributes, gifts, prayers are offered for those who have attained 65 years, while those of 25 years are admitted into the age grade system. The Chairman of Igbere Welfare Union, Comrade Godswill Okorie, said all sons and daughters of the 13 autonomous communities making up the town, home and abroad, were preparing towards the celebration. The celebration, according to him, is a renaissance of Igbere cultural values of respect and honour to the elderly. On his part, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Igbere Day Celebration 2014, Chief Chinasa Uche, said the day was to showcase respect and honour to the elderly people at the same time admitting new people into the age grade system. Uche believed the event, scheduled to hold on September 13, at the Main Bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, would offer all Igbere indigenes in Lagos and other parts of the world an opportunity to fraternise and showcase the values of their culture. He said: “We want to use the celebration to show our friends and neighbours the rich cultural heritage and values of

Uche

our people. We want our children born in Lagos, especially those who have not witnessed the celebration at home, to know Igbere very well. We want to educate them on our culture, beliefs and way of life.” Uche added that the age grade system referred to as ‘Ezumezu’ would retire the old people at the age of 65-70 years. According to him, from then on, they will be excluded from community work, they will not pay levies and their families and friends will reward them with gifts of cars, houses, plots of land and cloths. “We believe what we do for them when

Prospective land buyers lose N100m to fraudster in Onitsha Onah Onah ONITSHA

ome people, who have lost over Spromising N100 million to a fraudster to sell land to them,

have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the police. It was learnt that the fraudster, now on the run, deceived the people that he had over 1,000 plots of land for sale and collected money ranging from N750,000 to N1.5 million, depending on the size and location of the land. But when the frustrated prospective land buyers met with the original owners at NkwelleEzunaka community in Onitsha,

Anambra State, they were told that the man had no land to sell to them. The villagers also said that the man had also defrauded them which prompted the community to setup a search party that is currently looking for the fraudster. Following the development, the victims petitioned the EFCC and sent copies to the police, Governor Willie Obiano, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Usman Gwari, Director of the State Security Service (SSS) and the President-General of NkwelleEzunaka, Elder Chris Eluemuno, among others.

they are alive is better than giving them posthumous awards and honours,” he added. The Secretary, LOC, Hon Emenike Victor Anyaogu, said in a statement that the celebration started with football competition on August 2, involving all youths of the community divided into four groups. The competition, according to him, will be concluded on September 7, with the final match at Abalti Barracks, Surulere. On September 6, the community will hold a lecture at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba.

Abductors demand N150m ransom from Rivers commissioner Emmanuel Masha PORT HARCOURT

idnappers of the KState mother of the Rivers Commissioner for

Transport, Mr George Tolofari, have demanded N150 million ransom in order to free her. Madam Tolofari was abducted from her Victoria Street residence in Town area of Port Harcourt about three weeks ago by gunmen,

who put a call to one of her relatives to demand the ransom. A source said that family members were working round the clock to ewnsure her release, saying that the kidnappers called yesterday to make the demand. The source, however, did not say whether the ransom would be paid to secure the release of the old woman.

12 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

PDI warns against election propaganda Johnchuks Onuanyim ABUJA

he Peoples DemocratTwarned ic Institute, PDI has politicians and

political parties against the use of propaganda before and after elections. The Institute’s Director General, Dr. Lanre Adebayo, who spoke to New Telegraph in a telephone conversation, stated that election propaganda was capable of undermining the process and actual result of an election. He posited that the political parties and politicians should be circumspect before taken action or making statement as regards the conduct of an election. According to him, election violence had come as a result of propaganda before and after elections and not actually because they were not free, fair and credibility. He commended the

security agencies for the conduct of last Saturday’s governorship election in Osun state, stating that with the heavy presence of security agencies, the voters turn-out was better than the previous election in the state and other states. Adebayo also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for a good outing by making electoral materials available to all the local government areas in good time. He called on Nigerians to believe in democracy and the present administration as that would be the only way to achieve the expected electoral results. Also, the Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party Institute stated that if not for God, the tension created by political propaganda was capable of marring last Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

2015: Perish 2nd term thought, South-South group tells Jonathan Gabriel Choba UGHELLI

head of the 2015 elecASouth tions in Nigeria, a Southgroup has insisted

that President Goodluck Jonathan should not contest in the 2015 general election. Known as Forum of Past Youth Leaders in the South-South zone of Nigeria comprising Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Edo, Delta and Rivers state, the group in a communiqué signed by Chairman Alhaji Mumakai Unagha and Secretary, Ekpo Ukong advised the president to perish the thought of running for a second term. Their decision came after a crucial meeting held in Calabar to take a stand on whether or not to support Jonathan’s 2015 presidential race. The communiqué reads: “We are most worried about the high level of hunger in the Niger Delta for which the people cannot afford two square meals a day and the increasing unemployment of graduates, skill and unskilled youths in the area.

And having carefully examined all these and many others, we therefore insist that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan should not contest the 2015 general election and that if he is so desires to contest, he will not receive our blessings and support except there is great commitment to the people especially our youths. We will mobilize all stakeholders in the region against him (Jonathan) come 2015.” The forum also rejected outrightly the 18% derivation recommended by the National Conference, stating that nothing short of 50% will be accepted. “On the 18 States recommended for creation by the Conference, we wish to vehemently object to it. States should be created on the principle of derivation as most of the States so recommended will not be able to sustain itself economically. On the security challenges facing the nation especially that of the kidnapped Chibok school girls, government should intensify more effort so as to bring back the girls”, they declared.

L-R: Emir of Gombe/Chancellor, Gombe State University, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar; Chairman, Board of Trustees' Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund), Dr. Musa Babayo and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Mahadi, during the institution’s convocation ceremony in Gombe State. PHOTO:ELIJAH OLALUYI

884m

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

N1.16bn

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

Impeachment: Government activities in Nasarawa still grounded MUTE

There is no sound in Lafia, no activity in Keffi. Government has gone to bed Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA

fficial activities in Nasarawa State remained paralysed since the State House of Assembly began moves to impeach Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura on July 14,

2014. The last official function held in the State was the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan when he came to inaugurate 105 thousand metric tons of rice facility at Rukubi in Doma local government in July. It was on that same day, the House of Assembly resolved to serve notice of impeachment on governor Al-makura. Since then, no official activity has taken place in the state. Since July 14th, 2014, the only activity that was held in the state was seri-

OWERRI

overnor Rochas OkoroGcalled cha of Imo State has on Imo women to

embark on aggressive palm cultivation in line with the on-going Palm-toPalm programme intended to revamp and sustain the State’s economy. Governor Okorocha said this during a one-day

Sensitization Workshop with the theme: Kuo nu nkwu, Umu nwanyi (Women, plant palm trees) organized by the Imo Women Development Centre for the Community Government Council (CGC) involving women leaders in the 637 communities of the State. Okorocha who identified the Palm-to-Palm programme and the CGC fourth tier government, as

al protests and solidarity rallies against and for the impeachment of the governor during and after the seven man panel a fortnight ago in Lafia. The protests led to the death of one person and scores of others injured during a clash between Eggon and Gwandara youths at Tundun Gwandara in Lafia, the state capital at the heat of the impeachment saga. The police had arrested and paraded 22 persons in connection with the clash. As the impeachment saga lasts, members of

the Assembly deserted the Assembly complex and operated from Abuja and Karu for fear of victimisation, just as the Executive arm of government remains mute. Efforts to obtain comment on why activities of government came to a halt since the impeachment saga began from Hamza Elayo Mohammed, the state's Commissioner for Information and Ethical Re-Orientation was unsuccessful as he could not pick up several calls put through to his mobile phone.

Health insurance: FG boosts tertiary institutions Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

s the nation continues to find ways to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the federal government yesterday announced the introduction of health insurance scheme for students in tertiary institutions across the country. According to the Executive Secretary of National

 Each student to pay N1800 per year Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Femi Thomas, each student under the scheme is expected to pay a minimum of N1,800 per year to enjoy health care services when the need arises. Dr. Thomas who spoke at a one day forum on Tertiary Institutions Students Health Insurance Program organised by the National Universities

Imo women urged to embrace Palm-to-Palm programme Steve Uzoechi

30%

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

among the major legacies of his administration said the Palm-to-Palm initiative came as a wake-up call for rural communities to revive and redirect their attention to aggressive palm plantation as a viable economic project which when fully realized would transform the economy of the communities, State and nation. The governor lament-

ed the sudden neglect of palm cultivation and over dependence on crude oil, which he identified as the bane of Nigeria’s economy. He revealed that palm fruit is a gift from God to the Igbo which must not be abandoned, recalling that the economy of the old Eastern Nigeria was sustained by oil palm even before the discovery of the crude oil.

Commission (NUC) and NHIS, explained that the measure was geared towards developing a culture of health insurance scheme among students. He added that the scheme would also cover female students who give birth while in school, noting also that the students would enjoy the scheme during holidays. His words: "Presently, it is a minimum of N1,600 per student a year, we are repackaging it and we are saying with N1,800, Nigerian students can have health insurance coverage when they are in school. “It is unique in the sense that even female students who have babies while in school would be covered to a point of two live births and students would be covered during holiday. We believe that it is a nice package that everybody should embrace". The NHIS boss also said

that talks are on with the management of National Youth Service Scheme to also introduce health insurance scheme to the NYSC programme so that students after graduation can continue with the scheme while observing the mandatory one year national service. "We are also discussing with NYSC now. We are saying NSYC should also take care of our children when they go for national service. And beyond that we expect that when they start working they will contribute part of their salaries and so the programme continues", he said. While speaking at the forum, Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Julius Okojie said the introduction of the scheme became imperative especially in the face of the current health challenge brought about by the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease.

George, Ogunlewe: Foes reunite for PDP / PAGE 14 | Impeachment: No respite for Al-makura / PAGE 43

POLITICS

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Fintiri, Marwa, Tukur battle for Nyako’s seat

p-40, 41

WEDNESday, August 13, 2014

Endless controversy over Abia zoning

Orji

The zoning of the Abia governorship in 2015 to Abia South is heating up the polity in the state and tearing the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apart. IGBEAKU ORJI reports

ince the tendentious declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State that its governorship slot for 2015 will be zoned to the South senatorial zone of the state, the political atmosphere has been overcharged. The declaration which was corroborated, nay championed, by Governor Theodore Orji has generated controversy and tension in the politics of the state. Though the governor reiterated a few days ago that he has not endorsed any candidate for 2015, he has not hidden his preference for a candidate from the Abia South senatorial zone either. He has repeatedly reassured groups and traditional rulers from the zone that he will not flinch or renege on it. His logic is that he is a product of zoning, a position some stakeholders have fiercely contested. Opponents of the view contend that since the time of former Governor Ogbonnaya Onu, who won the election from the North of the old Abia State, part of which is now in Ebonyi, to the time of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, also from the North of the new Abia State and the incumbent gover-

Abaribe

Otti

nor from the Central zone, there has never been a time when politicians from other zones did not contest the election nor did any party restrict the contest to any particular area. The reason for the tension is not farfetched: PDP is the ruling party in the state and apparently the only party with the capacity to win the election. The tension can also be traced to the fact that there is no standing opposition party in the state. All aspirants want to vie on the platform of the PDP. Even if there will be defections, it may be too late to make any meaningful impact or change the status quo before the elections proper. In spite of the resolution of the party leadership in the state, however, many political gladiators from other senatorial zones are jostling for the coveted office. Those who are cut off by the party’s position have defied the directive. They have faulted the stand of the party and the governor, insisting that there has never been a time in the state when the position was zoned

to any section of the state though previous occupiers of the office have been inexplicably drawn in the order of the zones. To demonstrate the intensity of the situation, even traditional rulers in the state have joined the fray. Some of the traditional rulers, especially from Ngwaland have contested the decision. They met at the palace of the traditional head of Ngwa, Eze Bernard Enweremadu, in Ayaba Okpuala, Isiala Ngwa North, where they resolved to reject the zoning. Abians, they contended, should be allowed to choose their governor in a free and fair contest. They insist that all candidates should be given equal opportunity and a level playing field, that way, the best candidate will emerge. It is obvious that the traditional rulers of the three local governments of Ngwaland, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma and their people are not comfortable with the zoning because by the delineation of the state into three senatorial zones they fall

CROSSFIRE The APC will no longer accept any stolen mandate. We shall not recognize any government that emerges through rigging in February 2015. -John Odigie-Oyegun

Shadow or parallel governments have no place in a Presidential system. The threat to institute such is nothing short of the agenda to destabilise and collapse the democratic system -Olisa Metuh

into the Abia Central senatorial zone. The implication is that only Obingwa, Ugwunabgo, Aba South, Aba North, Ukwa West and Ukwa East, as the local governments that make up the Abia South zone, will produce the next governor of the state. The resolution of the traditional rulers did not come as a surprise to many. They merely served as the voice of the generality of their people in what is already a pervasive but oblique opinion held among the people. Ngwa is unarguably the largest subethnic nationality in the South-East if not in the entire country. It occupies seven local government areas, but its population, which should have been to its political advantage, has become its undoing. If they are united as a people, they are a force to beat in any political contest, but the reverse is the case. While the three local government areas of Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma regard themselves as the head of the Ngwa clan in both spiritual and political/ administrative matters, they will not concede the leadership to another. And if for any reason the governorship eludes them, their support for the governor’s senatorial ambition for Abia Central zone, may not be guaranteed. At the banquet hall of the government house where Governor Orji was received last week, after his vacation abroad, he commended the courage of the chairman of the traditional rulers’ council, Eze Eberechi Dick, who, as the aftermath of the Eze Enweremadu-led meeting, warned traditional rulers to CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

14 POLITICS The familiar beats of reconciliation within the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filled the air again last week when a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, and former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, buried their hatchets to move the party forward ahead of the 2015 elections. In this report, WALE ELEGBEDE examines the political hostilities between the duo and the likely effect of the professed reconciliation

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

George, Ogunlewe: Foes reunite for PDP

t wasn’t politics that brought them together. They were both ‘Lagos boys’; they grew up together and attended same higher institution – University of Lagos; they were even course mates in the Engineering department of the institution. Typically, they were never strangers to each other. At the initial stage, their coupling blended very well such that the duo became a reference and integral part at some point in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. But things fell apart at some point and the centre could not hold again between the duo. The war of words was fiery, accusations and counter-accusations became the mode of exchange, and newsmen were having a field day of stories while they transverse from the Ogudu, Lagos residence of Ogunlewe to Lugard, Ikoyi office of George. Several attempts made by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to resolve the squabble hit the wall, the bickering festered and tore the Lagos State chapter of the PDP into factions and groups. Rather than uniting to fight a common enemy and take over the reins of leadership in the Centre of Excellence, the mantra of the groups, namely, Establishment under George and Union under Ogunlewe, was to outshine each other. Expectedly, the battle of wits between the two leaders dwindled the electoral fortune of the party in the state especially in the last general election where the forebears of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had a sweeping victory at all levels. The crux of conflict At the heat of the variance, both gladiators were spurring for attention, aiming to heap the refuse of the clash on the other. Different reasons were adduced for the conflict by the gladiators but the underlining fact was that it was a contest wrapped around political ego. Prior to the 2011 elections, Ogunlewe accused George of forcing Dr. Ade Dosunmu on the party as the Lagos governorship candidate of the party, saying his choice was a unilateral decision of the former chairman of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA). With such mindset, the Ogunlewe faction approached the election with cold feet and the party lost woefully. Not long after, Ogunlewe alleged that George was instrumental to the grand failure of the party during the election. He accused him of hijacking campaign funds meant for the party from Abuja and gave a token to some of his foot soldiers. In October 2011, the party participated

George (left) and Ogunlewe after a reconciliation meeting in Lagos.

in the local government election and reasonably got some slots at the councillorship level. Ogunlewe came out again to accuse George of pocketing N50 million sent from Abuja to the state chapter of the party for disbursement to the council chairmanship and councillorship candidates before the election, saying that George only handpicked five chairmanship candidates out of the 57 that contested, and gave them peanuts, leaving the rest to fund their campaigns and paid their agents themselves. He had said: “He (George) kept the money without the knowledge of the state exco, party chairmen in all the local government councils and even the candidates the money was meant for and that undermined the party’s performance during the election as the candidates did not have money to prosecute their campaign. “How can we win an election when there was no money to pay for campaign materials and even pay our agents? The same thing happened during the April general election when George turned his home into the party secretariat where he shared money to only his cronies. This must stop. He must account for that money if not the state exco will invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service to probe him.” Reacting to the allegation, George described Ogunlewe as inconsequential and a traitor who fraternises with the opposition to scuttle the chances of the PDP. George said: “Where was he (Ogunlewe) when we were founding this party? He was nowhere to be found. But now, he wants to reap were he did not sow. I am not the manager of this party; he should go to them because the party knows better and they know the truth. Ogunlewe is inconsequential as far as I am concerned. He is inconsequential as far as this party is concerned. So, he can go to the pages of newspapers and say whatever he has to say, I don’t care and I know he is working for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He is a trai-

tor and a traitor he would remain.” Also, while George camp usually termed Ogunlewe as a chameleon that flows with the PDP during the day but dine with the opposition at night, the former Minister of Works spared no thought to accuse George of engaging in politics of divide-and-rule as well as excluding those who he feels have superior sense of argument against his opinion. However, analysts believe that the relationship between the duo would have turned out better if George had allowed Ogunlewe to take over the control of the party’s structure while he was serving out his now upturned jail term in Kirikiri prison. With the mantle falling on Demola Seriki, the one-time Minister of State for Defence, who later jumped ship to the now defunct ACN, Ogunlewe who considered himself next in hierarchy of the party in the state, couldn’t swallow the bitter pills, hence the banters. In fact, after George finished his jail sentence, he got a rosy welcome from his party members. However, at the President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rally for 2011 election in Lagos, Ogunlewe deliberately ignored George, showing openly that he still has an axe to grind with the former Military Administrator of Ondo State. The animosity came to the fore when the former minister mounted

The union is a cure to the political ‘Ebola’ (APC) in Lagos State. There is no more division and there is therefore nothing that can stop the PDP. There is no dispute again in Lagos State PDP and everybody is under the same umbrella

the stage to greet dignitaries that were on the front-row at the rally. Sitting on a row were Governor Ikedi Ohakim on the left, next to him was George, then Chief Tony Anenih, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, then Vice President Namadi Sambo and then President Jonathan and others. After shaking Ohakim, Ogunlewe openly ignored George, moving on to shake Anenih, Obasanjo, the Vice President, the President and others. The fluctuating reconciliation Prior to last week, several attempts to reconcile both gladiators through peace parleys and committees collapsed. In no small measure was the effort of the former national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to ensure that they sheathe their swords and move the party ahead. On one of the impromptu reconciliation moves facilitated by Tukur and held at Dominion Lounge within the Murtala Mohammed Airport, the two gladiators were told to bury their factional interests and maintain the unity in the party and to ensure that aggrieved members that may have left the party in the past were brought back to its fold. Like a vapour, nothing came out of the parley, according to Tukur, despite the pledge of the two gladiators to reconcile. The usual bickering continued. Not long after, some party chieftains thought it wise that the best place to unite them was the wake-keep ceremony of a mutual friend to both leaders, late Tunde Savage and at the ceremony that had Mrs Aduke Maina (PDP BoT member), Dr. Remi Akitoye, Dr. Segun Ogundimu among others in attendance. The duo embraced each other, promising to work together henceforth, but that also was only a ceremonial resolution without commitment. Several committees including the Senator Musiliu Obanikoro-led Transitional Reconciliation Congress Committee, Chief Lekan Balogun Reconciliation Committee among others, tried to break CONTINUED ON PAGE 43

POLITICS 15

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Osun governorship poll

Senator Iyiola Omisore, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the August 9 election in Osun State believes in a statement titled “We Lost A Battle... But The War For The Soul Of Osun is Still On”, that the poll was just an event in the process of leadership change in the state Need for leadership change This is the post-election press statement after the Saturday governorship elections in our beloved state in which I stood as the governorship candidate of our beloved party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This is one election that has been hardly fought in every nook and cranny of our state in the last few months. We traversed the length and breadth of Osun with our eight-point agenda to give a new paradigm for governance and lift our people out of the abyss of want and decadence. In the course of our campaigns, I saw a people traumatised and fervently hopeful of beneficial change. It did not escape my notice that many of the everyday people in our towns and villages who trooped to campaign grounds bore scars of neglect, extreme poverty and excruciating suffering. It was clear they were desirous of good governance with a touch of humanity. They longed for a leadership that is full of empathy and could lift them out of despair and despondency. A partisan REC We came into this race to make that difference in their lives and offer hope in the land. It was not a race we came into unmindful of some of the odds stacked against us. For instance, we had a situation where a clearly partisan Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) had opened the entire electoral system to our opponent from registration stage through data storage to personnel loading. Though the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) eventually took him out of the state weeks to the election, he already did a lot of harm in the system that would take years to rectify. My supporters fought gallantly

Omisore: My supporters fought gallantly

Omisore

In spite of this and the fact that all democratic structures in the state are in the hands of our opponent, our supporters despite harassment from my oppo-

I am a democrat to the core and the whole essence of our involvement in politics is out of the love for our people and a personal commitment to the peace, progress and development of our fatherland

nent still fought gallantly in every poling unit in the state to achieve the result we posted in this election. I salute them and all the good people of Osun who gave us that massive support as reflected in the official results. I stand tall to assure them that their efforts will not be in vain as I have resolved to continue to provide leadership until Osun State of our dream is realised. Let it be known that our people would no longer be taken for granted as we have opened the floodgate of democratic challenge which no force on earth can stop. I will provide leadership I shall be at the forefront as our people keep to press for the real dividends of democracy and the expansion of the democratic space in our dear state. In the meantime, the party situation office is presently analysing the results of the elections against field reports and we shall be making public our findings and the appropriate steps accordingly.

Aregbesola’s victory larger than us –Adeleke Former governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describes the re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola as victory for the people

hen the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. I am particularly grateful to God Almighty, the good people in Edeland and indeed Osun State, for the spontaneous show of love, affection and solidarity in the just-concluded governorship election in Osun State.

What could be more! The good people of Edeland have shown by their massive votes, that they still reside unflinching confidence and undiluted trust in my leadership politically and as Asiwaju of Edeland. I am humbled by your spirit of sportsmanship, even in the face of extreme odds and tribulation. You all stood your ground that your darling party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) should coast home to victory and the Almighty God answered your prayers, for the voices of the people is the voice of God. I want to stress, that your efforts shall not go in vain. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s government will be all-inclusive and it will evolve programmes that are enormously beneficial to the generality of Osun people. You all worked hard and you will reap bountifully through massoriented projects, like good roads, functional education, health facilities that are second to none, electricity and water supply to rural areas amongst others.

I implore you, our good people of Osun State, not to allow yourselves to be swayed by the antics of the opposition, who may not stop at anything to preach politics of bitterness. To us in APC, it is no victor, no vanquished. In fact, this victory is larger than us politicians. It belongs to you our dear people at the grassroots. The proverbial common people, who stood with us through the thick and thin. This is a small step for man, but a giant leap for

To us in APC, it is no victor, no vanquished. In fact, this victory is larger than us politicians. It belongs to you our dear people at the grassroots

I, however, appeal to all our supporters to remain calm, law abiding and peace loving. I am a democrat to the core and the whole essence of our involvement in politics is out of the love for our people and a personal commitment to the peace, progress and development of our fatherland. Our guiding principle is that Osun must not be governed in the old ways anymore and August 9 has given the demography of the change seeking people. The governorship election is just an event in that process of the quest for a new Osun State where our people would live a happy life of fulfilment where the goods of the land are served to all and not only those who are privileged to be in power. I, therefore, appeal to them to keep hope alive as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder to continue what we have started in the overall objective of raising the bar of leadership in our state. As we trudge on in the task ahead of building our state, I take solace in the words of Theodore Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” My appreciation I must not end this without appreciating our teeming supporters in Osun State who stood by us as we transverse the length and breadth canvassing for votes and the entire leadership of the party for the unalloyed support given to us in the course of this elections. Our participation and the outcome of the elections have shown the huge potential of our party in Osun State in the days ahead. an enduring democracy, which we must all strengthen and nurture to outlive us. I extend olive branch to our people, who are still left in PDP, particularly in Ede, to embrace the party of our people, APC, as there are still rooms to accommodate all and sundry for the benefit of our people. We still see our friends remaining in PDP as part of us, and the earlier they come into our fold, the better for them. There is life more abundant for everybody in APC. Osun State is our joint heritage. Let us all strive to make it grow in leaps and bounds, to enable generations coming behind, say of us living, that we mastered our moment. We should join hands with Ogbeni Aregbesola and offer constructive ideas, as well as healthy criticism, to make his second term in office, a lot easier, than what it was in his first outing. I want to assure you all that I will continue to offer myself for selfless service to our people. It is the people first, myself last. God Almighty, we glorify you for this well-deserved sweet victory. Almighty God, we adore, adulate and praise you for this goal, scored in a grand style by the good people of Osun State.

16 POLITICS CHEKE EMMANUEL reports on the insistence of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to have Governor Tanko Al-makura impeached by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Impeachment: No respite for Al-makura

espite the clean bill given to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura by the seven-man investigative panel set up by the Nasarawa State Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Uamru Dikko, to unravel allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office levelled against him by the state House of Assembly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still insisting that Al-makura must be impeached. Last week, the leadership of the PDP led hundreds of its supporters in a rally where they threw their weight behind the impeachment plan by its 20-member dominated House of Assembly. The rally started from the party’s secretariat along Jos road and terminated at the state House of Assembly Complex along Shendam, Lafia, the state capital. Addressing supporters during the rally, Nasarawa State PDP chairman, Chief Yunana Iliya, informed that they were at the Assembly to support the lawmakers to go ahead and do everything that is constitutional to impeach Governor Al-makura. His words: “We are here to give you our support to go ahead and do that is constitutionally necessary to impeach Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura. “As founding fathers of the PDP, we are giving our support and encouragement to go ahead and do everything that is constitutional to impeach Alamkura, because you have the constitutional powers to do so. Don’t be intimidated.” Iliya said that the impeachment process was a constitutional issue and urged the lawmakers not to succumb to threat and intimidation by the APCled administration in the state to drop the matter. He appealed to supporters of the party not to be provoked but to conduct themselves peacefully to ensuring that the lawmakers achieve their aim. Also speaking, Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, urged the PDP lawmakers to exhausts all constitutional means to impeach Al-makura. He said that the impeachment process embarked upon by the House was entirely a local issue, adding that the Federal Government has no hand in it. The minister warned that the party would no longer tolerate acts of terror and violence unleash on its members in the state as the party would resist such acts. Maku said: “Let me warn that we PDP will no longer tolerate any acts of terror and violence unleashed on our members. They went to Tundun Gwandara to burn down a house because they saw PDP posters on the house. They set ablaze a car belonging to our member at the House of Assembly. If they don’t stop these acts of violence, it will come to their heads.’’ “Let me make it very clear, if we blow the whistle today nobody will work in Lafia. If we decide to do what they are doing, if we blow the whistle and our boys enter Lafia, nobody will be able to work because the majority of the people in Lafia belong to PDP.” Maku noted that Nasarawa state is a PDP controlled state and would do everything democratically necessary to wrestle power from APC for the good of all. Receiving the mammoth crowd, the Clerk of the House, Ego Maikeffi said that the Assembly has not received any

Al-makura addressing his supporters during a solidarity rally at Government House, Lafia

report from the seven-man investigative panel set up by the state Chief Judge, Justice Dikko. Urging the leadership of PDP and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully, Maikeffi informed that the House would resume normal sitting soon to perform its constitutional duties for the benefit of the people of the state. The 20-member PDP controlled Assembly resolved and served Governor Al-makura notice of impeachment on July 14, 2014 on 16-count allegations of misconduct and abuse of office. The governor was served notice of impeachment through the media for reasons that the clerk of the House was unable to access the governor personally. In the notice of impeachment served on Al-makura, signed by the Speaker, Musa Ahmed Mohammed (Nasarawa Central) and 19 other PDP lawmakers,, the House levelled a 16-count allegations against the governor over missing Local Government Joint Account Fund (June 2011 to April 2012) N2,355,193,660.38 and Local Government Joint Account (January to July 2013) to the tune of N402,635,520 and gross violation of section 162 (7 and 8) of the 1999 Constitution and misappropriation /misapplication of fund in Local Government Joint Account to the tune of N4,054,121,967.76. Others allegations were that the state government expended the sum of N768,682,226.94 local government Sure-P Fund without any authority from the local government council’s chairmen to that effect, and transfer of Local Government Sure-P Fund of N1,789,796,000 to a fixed deposit account at a bank while the sum of N33,972,972.59 could not be traced in the state government record book. The House alleged that the state Sure-P fund was used for Nasarawa

State Youth Empowerment Programme, a violation of section 120 of the constitution; that the sum of N41,664,500 was withdrawn from Sure-P account and expended on youth empowerment training without budgetary provisions and diversion of unappropriated state Sure-P fund to the payment of various expenditure including the payment of D.T.A to Governor and the First Lady’s trip to Abuja to the tune of N13,205,000, and falsification of Nasarawa State Financial Report for the year 2011 and diversion and misapplication of flood fund. Also in the notice of impeachment, the lawmakers alleged that the governor bluntly refused to sign a resolution of the Assembly signed by more than two-thirds demanding for the removal of NASIEC/Commissioners for their misconduct and violation of Public Procurement Act and Payment Procedure in the Public Service to the tune of N1,099,894,000. The legislators also accused the governor of gross misconduct in arbitrary termination of appointment of local government and state workers. For over one week after serving notice of impeachment on Al-makura through the media, the Emir of Lafia, Dr. Mustapha Agwai I, Chairman, Traditional Council of Chiefs, had intervened and also organised prayer

We are giving our support and encouragement to go ahead and do everything that is constitutional to impeach Al-amkura

session attended by traditional rulers in the state. Agwai pleaded with the lawmakers to reverse their decision to impeach Al-makura for the interest of peace. The lawmakers sat again on July 23 and directed the state Justice Dikko to set up a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross conduct and abuse of office levelled against Al-makura. Trouble stated when Justice Dikko inaugurated a seven-man panel headed by Yusuf Shehu Usman with other members to include: Rev. Joel Galadima, Rev. Samuel, Mohammed Sabo Keana, Alhaji Abdu Usman, Samual Chaku, Mohammed Sani Usman and Pastor David Chaga. Dissatisfied with list of the sevenman panel, the House sat again on August 3 and directed Justice Dikko to dissolve the panel on grounds that some members of the panel were partisan and some civil servants. The lawmakers urged the Chief Judge to set up a fresh one. This development raised dust as both the state government and the House engaged in verbal exchange accusing each others of constitutional breach. The impeachment saga was greeted with protest by both parties some against and other for Al-makura. The current impeachment saga was the ninth attempts to serve Al-makura notice of impeachment by the lawmakers since assumption of office in 2011. The House had series of conflict with the executive arm on grounds that resolutions and bills passed by the legislative body were never honoured or implemented by Governor Al-makura. Al-makura had appeared before the seven-man panel in company of nine lawyers led by Chief Udechukwu Udechukwu (SAN) where he insisted that he was never served notice of impeachment personally and that he read it on pages of newspapers but he decided to appear before the panel to clear his name in spite of the illegality of the impeachment process. CONTINUED ON PAGE 48

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Matawalle: Zamfara needs urgent revival It is being speculated that you are contesting for Zamfara governorship. Have you actually joined the guber race? It is true that I want to vie for the post of governorship on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come 2015. Is there anything wrong with that? Let me tell you that I cannot continue watching the good people of Zamfara State dying of insecurity, cholera outbreak, unemployment and in abject poverty caused by the recent unnecessary dismissal of 14,000 thousands of civil servants in the state. What informed your decision to join the race? There is no sector which is not dilapidated under the present administration; no sector that is not in urgent need of revival. This is why Zamfara fell asleep since May 2011, and nothing is functioning. You see the spirit of civil servants is no longer alive, because over 14,000 of them were unnecessarily sacked, while the dormant ones that remained are suffering. Commercial activities have been sent to graveyards; educational sector as well as health care are not functioning. Right now, the state government could not pay for the release of WACE results; the only state in the country with such a shame. We have as an evidence numerous reports that were never being denied by the state government indicating total collapse of educational sector in the state. Let me give you an example. We read in the national dailies that the state House of Assembly had investigated the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) some months ago and discovered that the sum of N1.6 billion was diverted to personal bank account. In the recommendation, the Assembly has suggested that the embattled Chairman of the Board, Murtala Adamu Jangebe, should be arrested and subsequently prosecuted by the state attorney general. The recommendation further suggested that the Board chairman, following the discovery of the looted N1.6 billion should be banned from occupying any political office in the state henceforth. You see, the attorney general did not implement the recommendations made by the House. So also the governor himself remained mute on the money which up till now could not be accounted for. Does that mean you can’t see any good thing in the present administration? Like I told you in the first instance, the government of Abdulaziz Yari is full of blunders; they were only opportune to have taken power without any blueprint. We recently read in the papers that the Zamfara State Government had spent N8.6 billion just for the removal, repainting and reinstallation of the Gusau streetlights units after they probed the immediate past administration of Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi for using N2.6 billion for the initiation of the same project. How would you assess the state government’s efforts in the area of making the state peaceful? To my knowledge, the state government is not making any commitments for the restoration of peace in the state. The governor and his aides were only busy trying to put the blame on the Federal Government and the Police, yet they are failing in their responsibilities. After series of meetings between my committee and the security chiefs, men were deployed to arrest the situation. But we received complaints that the

Hon. Muhammadu Bello Matawalle is a member of the House of Representatives representing Bakura and Maradun Federal constituency of Zamfara State. The Chairman, House Committee on Security, Intelligence and Public Safety is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with WALE ABIODUN in Lagos, he speaks on various national issues including his agenda for Zamfara. Excerpts: illegal use of farm land reserved for cattle rearing. You see, the state government was absolutely mute on the two burning issues. They were supposed to have a revisit on the forest demarcation mapped out by the law to ensure an amicable separation of farm lands and the cattle rearing reserves. Number two, the state government should not have relaxed on the incidence which allegedly seem to spark off the harsh decision taken by some members of the vigilant groups. The vigilant groups should have been directed to always wait for instructions from the security chiefs in the state. What is the state of things in terms of security in the state now? People are now sleeping in their respective villages. Look, I am from Zamfara and I am Chairman, House Committee on Security and Intelligence, so also the former InspectorGeneral of Police, Muhammad Dahiru Abubakar. Though, I cannot reveal security measures being put in place, believe me, all people in the affected villages are now relaxed as law and order have since been restored, everybody is now back to his legitimate business. When we received reports on incessant attacks on our people, we were having sleepless nights holding meetings with the security agencies in the state. And it yielded positive outcome as we recorded great achievements. I am assuring you that with the introduction of new strategies projected by the security agents, Zamfara is peaceful again; it even has the lowest record of armed robbery in the country as there is no hiding place for criminals. Matawalle

state government was not willing to encourage the security personnel on the field. To cap it all, the recorded contribution given by the state government as engagement for the maintenance of the operations carried by the security agencies across the dangerous forest was not even commendable. The worst part of it all is that the governor hardly spends a week in the country ever since he assumed office in 2011. Therefore, he has no knowledge of happenings in the state. As the Chairman, House Committee on Security, Intelligence and Public Safety, what exactly have you done to maintain peace in the state? Well, Zamfara State was a land of peace before 2011 when the present administration of Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar took over power. Then the state was blessed with a number of economic potentials capable of playing the role of food basket to the nation. It is also blessed with high deposits of mineral resources in commercial quantity strongly believed to serve as substitute to crude oil. But you see, all these cannot be

The governor hardly spends a week in the country ever since he assumed office in 2011. Therefore, he has no knowledge of happenings in the state explored without peace. The state government also contributed to the security challenge in the state. There were two minor issues which the negligence of the state government had promoted to become major. On one hand, some members of the vigilante groups that were not well trained embarked on operations to flush out suspected criminals in some villages. Yes, it was a welcome idea; but it was alleged that they served contrary to the provisions of the law by taking illegal judgement on the suspects instead of collaborating with the security agencies to allow judiciary to decide their fate. On the other hand, the state government was reluctant after having received a report on a dispute between the farmers and Fulani herdsmen over alleged

What do you intend to do if elected as governor? I will focus on youth and women empowerment. This is because it is the only way of improving security among the populace. If youths are employed, surely the rate of crime and other social vices will be lower. So, also empowerment of women in which even now, I had recorded achievements, better than the state government in my constituency and some other parts of the state. The growing rate of poverty in Zamfara no doubt needs urgent attention, which is what has really attracted me and people alike to come to contest for the governorship position. Are you now saying that you are not satisfied with the current administration’s programmes on youth and women empowerment? What programme? Just few months ago, youths staged a protest over refusal of the state government to pay their two-year allowances under skill acquisition programme, and women from across the 14 local government areas of the state were also lamenting Yari’s failure to fulfil the promises made to empower them immediately after assumption of office. Who is being empowered then? His family and relatives or his political godfathers?

More stories on Pages 40-43, 48

ARTS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

LITERATURE

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

TONY OKUYEME

“LITERATURE IS A TEXTUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE, NORMALLY CONTRACTED IN CHILDHOOD.” ― JANE YOLEN

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

Desert of Gardens ... of Nigeriancracy, The way of Man Book title: Desert of Gardens Author: Emereonye Livy-Elcon Publisher: Alphabet Nigerian Publishers Number of pages: 159 pages Reviewer: Agozino Agozino

hat good books are not necessarily written by globally renowned authors is a fact of life. Emereonye Livy Elcon, a Lagos-based pharmacist and writer has demonstrated this by showing that he is a master of his craft in this short poetry book, Desert of Gardens. The 159 –page book was first published by Alphabet Nigerian Publishers Limited. Desert of Gardens is a creative insight that shows the budding poet’s passion for social justice. It also attempts to be a voice to show the bitter pills which the Nigerian masses have been forced to swallow for years by their leaders. In Desert of Gardens, Livy-Elcon’s concern for moral order is also overwhelming. He is disgusted by the insincerity of men in politics, masquerading themselves as messiahs. He denounces the excesses of the military in politics and the corruption of ‘civilian’ politicians. In Tigon, a picture of the painful past, the poet saliently delineates the characteristics of politicians in power who mount up deceptive campaigns to blindfold the masses in the name of changing things in the system. He spares no effort at lambasting the ineptitude and gross misconduct of politicians in power; and he seems to allude to Lord Denning’s adage: “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. The masses are allowed to die while those in power embark on endless oversea trips. He calls this a democratic rape that turns a man into an ape. The change of baton from military to civilian is an exercise in futility and our nascent democracy through “tactical negotiation or election” are a rape of democratic ethos. Even the programmes established by the government, like anticorruption agencies, are businesses more than usual. Thus the poet laments that in the African Independent nation, despotic and undemocratic policies of the rulers have quarantined the masses and forced them to become cynical of the system. He calls on the masses to stand boldly for morality and come together to stamp out the malaise inherent in society. The same tone of futility and hopelessness permeates the poem Fallacy. Millions are trapped by what the poet describes as National Charade. Everywhere you turn and whatever people do are informed by insincerity, cosmetic promises and betrayal. The society is out of joint. Cultism reigns supreme and those who fought for

our sovereignty are not remembered. But the poet hopes that “one day the hunter will be hunted/ and the killer will be mercilessly killed/No matter how the fallacy’s been buttered and balled”. The poet acknowledges the Almighty God as the source of life, providence and protection in the poem titled “If not God”. Dominated by rhetorical questions, he asks if not God where would he have been, what would he be eating … if not for God’s mercies? His story definitely would have been different; therefore he praises God and pledges to worship Him. The poet considers the necessities and other desires of life in the poem as Dorminant Desires. He delineates them, food, shelter, love, sex, money, and clothing as wanton desires of man, the invaluable essentials of life. Though they have associated pleasures and values, the poet cautions that their morbid pursuits make us idolaters, leading us into more temptation than anticipated. In the poem Uniting for Disunity, he questions the rationale behind the forced amalgamation of the different regions of the country into one indivisible entity. A land with no love for one another, but “tribalistic bigotry”, cities without light and virtually without peace.

He decries the social misery in the land. Like Blake’s “London”, he paints a society blackened by chimneys of injustice, hunger, disease and hatred. There is so much pain in the land. He believes that the only antidote to the social problems inherent in his land is a “truth session”, perhaps a sovereign national conference which will define the true parameters of our mutual existence and unity. “Frivolous Holiness” is a wholesale castigation of religion and ineptitude of holy men of God. The poet blames the masses who follow these religious leaders sheepishly, thereby promoting “foolishness amid hopeless crusade”. He thinks that many of these prophets are gold diggers who compound their disciples with calculated lies to swindle them of their hard earned money. In Power, the poet questions man’s insatiable desires for this vane, frivolous pursuit in life, as John Keats remarks: “But men, proud men ,Drest in a little brief authority, Plays such fantastic tricks before high heavens, As makes the Angels weep” Power then is only a complex that most desire, because it is just a euphoric fantasy. The many that have sought power and at-

tained it, never go beyond with it. The same tone of irony embedded in “Power” is present in the poem The way of Man. It was Shakespeare that said, through his creation Macbeth, that life is a stage, a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing. Irony operates at the level of illusion, and in dramatic irony, the character does not know his fate, but others do. So when we boast like the person in “The way of Man” we are only being mortal, proving our mortal short-sightedness. The poet advises that “the earlier we accept facts, the better for us. Mortal man has little or nothing to contribute towards the running and affairs of life”. We can only accept the fate, which God has signed for us. One of his poems “Nigeriancracy” is the poet’s definition of Nigeria’s nascent democracy. The poem presents the anathema of social actions that defy the true definition of the term democracy. The majority rule of a democracy is subverted by minority rule and things become askew, resulting in what he describes as “the suffocating turn of bold militarism”. The subject matter of love and death also run through the tapestry of this poet’s imagination. He celebrates romantic love in such poems as Missing You, From my Love, The Elconic Love, Uduak – My Ud The first poem in the collection This Life of Death, like other death poems – “Transiting Transit”, Dignity of Death, Night Before Death etc, the poet paints the paradox of the meaninglessness of life, which ends eventually in death. He says human beings should make use of the best of their abilities to create relationship of love and tolerance, because after death nothing of course matters; life is nothing and nothing counts. Emereonye has a tendency to work in blank (unrhymed) or free (irregular) verses. This adds even more richness and variety to his work. His poems are captivating, precise and they interlace with one another like the tendrils of yam. In the language of everyday parlance the poet, even when he is not necessarily trying to, chooses precisely the right word. Clarity of expression, therefore, is definitely one of his hallmarks. Desert of Gardens is a collection which offers its readers a coherent vision of life. The central concern with sweet sounds is a steady preoccupation of this poet. These poems contain the sweetness and freshness of the rose, the languor of nightingale’s song and the softness of spring. The poet’s ability to open up a seam of beauty or profundity is remarkable. With this volume, Emereonye has helped to increase the small number of the growing list of Nigerian writers, with passion for intellectual records.

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EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

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

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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

Welcome to new long-term planning

o build momentum and rapidly turbo-charge the country’s stock of decrepit infrastructure, President Goodluck Jonathan recently mobilised the members of the National Economic Council (NEC) to unfold the National Infrastructure Master Plan (NIMP) with a 30-year implementation life span, subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). This signals a clear departure from the past era of short and medium-term planning and implementation strategy defined by quick-fixes that have long rendered major economic and other policy outcomes turgid since the third National Development Plan was dumped. The Minister of State for Works and former Coordinating Minister of National Planning, Bashir Yuguda, described the programme as a blue-print for accelerated development over a timespan of 30 years, based on the need to raise infrastructure stock as a percentage of GDP from its current level of 35 per cent to a minimum of 70 per cent. According to the minister, “it is also provided for short-term and medium term priorities to guide project selection with the first-term covering five years”. The plan includes the continued privatization and upgrading of power assets and implementation of key gas pipeline infrastructure projects, as well as development of stable crop processing zone; expansion of broadband connectivity; development of public health facilities and diagnostic centres; development

of priority minerals, including iron ore and coal; upgrading of primary, secondary and tertiary education facilities; rehabilitation of security facilities and infrastructure; and the ongoing development of mortgage markets in the country. To demonstrate seriousness in developing such long-term policy framework, NEC members have urged state governments to set up committees in order to make vital inputs necessary to improve the document for final approval. In addition, NEC factored in the value of the rebased economy and directed the National Planning Commission and the states’ planning and finance ministries to review the document in line with comments and observations from the governors as well as reflect the actual funding required for optimal impact of the plan on the country. This, we totally endorse for its knock-on and multiplier impact on transmitting development and growth from inclusive perspectives if adeptly, discreetly and vigorously implemented. It also feels good that such projects as the rehabilitation of major cross national transport links, especially in road and rail, improvement of cross modal connectivity links, upgrading of major airports and improvement of urban transportation parts of which are already being witnessed have been captured in the plan. We believe that Nigeria’s core infrastructure level remains regrettably below the target benchmark level and urgently requires mammoth

investments to improve if the country’s growth aspirations must be achieved. For this reason, we wholly support all sincere initiatives, including policy and strategy tweaking, that would blend with willingness and capacity aimed to enhance the country’s infrastructure stock, considering the acceleration this would give to growth, development and general wellbeing of the citizenry. There is also an overarching need for a clear perspective in order to raise the profile of the document the preparation of which was initiated by government since September, last year, and ensure it is sufficiently inclusive, and above all, workable and achievable. The process of development is continuous, and the priorities and objectives for each period linked with a larger perspective. Latest report on poverty level in the country at 33.1 per of the country’s population indicates that there is a big problem that must be urgently and assertively solved considering the nation’s massive wealth, economic potential and huge population to support commerce. Such repugnant issues as low levels of consumption, saving, productivity and employment, income inequality, ethnic conflict and civil unrest, rampant corruption, and political instability have been with us for too long and must now be totally addressed within the purview of the evolving 30-year planning horizon. The foremost task in the exercise should be targeted at harnessing and developing the country’s natural and human resources through the widest

possible use of knowledge and technology, and improved organisation within the framework of a well-conceived long-term plan. We need to lucidly understand and build in the real significance of the longterm perspective that lies in its value for current decisions which might be wrong and costly, requiring extensive corrections subsequently in the absence of such. Long-term plans, especially when worked out in sufficient detail, must seek to underscore the interdependence between the various sectors of the economy and assist in vivid understanding of possible impediments to economic growth. When the problems of analysing demand and supply engendered by national output growth and the realisation of stated social objectives, it helps in taking unswerving and well-timed decisions to simulate optimum resource use, the economies of scale, scope and location, as well as wider and more balanced distribution of economic activities. In large and diverse countries like Nigeria, certain problems involving conflicts of a regional nature can best be resolved in using long-term plans that fit different regions into a larger design of national development. It is, therefore, crucial that all the possibilities of economic growth are fully and effectively mobilised and broad strategies of economic development that will deliver rapid economic expansion, self-reliance and regeneration within the shortest possible time-span dexterously crafted and implemented. GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Deputy Managing Director/DEIC SULEIMAN UBA GAYA Managing Editor YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday EMEKA OBASI Deputy Editor, Daily LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor TAIWO AHMED Advert Manager UCHEY OKEZIE Ag. Sales/Marketing Manager TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

Sanctity of Truth

OPINION Patrick Sawyer, Rest In Peace Prince M. Arayuwa Wilkie

atrick Sawyer, a naturalized American citizen of a Liberian descent was based in Minneapolis in the United States of America. He was aged 40 years. While in Liberia, he was a consultant to the country’s Ministry of Finance and a senior diplomat with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Patrick Sawyer contracted the dreaded Ebola virus disease (EVD) while in Liberia. He arrived Lagos by Air on July 22, 2014 to attend the ECOWAS convention in Calabar, Nigeria. Sawyer slumped on the said flight, preparatory to arrival time and from the airport, he was promptly rushed to the First Consultant Medical Centre in Obalende, Lagos, where he died of the Ebola virus disease three days later on July 25, 2014. May his soul rest in peace, Amen. The aftermath of Sawyer’s death has left an unresolved health issue in Nigeria. For instance, of the eight medical personnel who attended to Sawyer in the clinic, a female Medical Doctor and five others already tested positive of the Ebola virus. One of them, a nurse, was confirmed dead on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, while the others are seriously being monitored with clinical touch. Uncontrollable panic and restlessness has permeated the psychological physique of Nigerians. Consequent upon this pronounced scenario, the Federal and State governments have immediately established some designated centers for those who may have contacted the disease. This action is intended to reduce the spread of the disease. As another infection control measures, Nigerians are advised to ensure that they distance themselves from handshakes; wash hands with water and soap regularly; avoid touching Ebola patient at the nose, mouth, eyes; desist from eating bush meat such as bats, antelopes, chimpanzees; iso-

lation from dead victims of the disease; avoid direct contact with Ebola patients, bodily fluid like urine, saliva, sweat and blood. It is also important that health workers are trained on how the victims should be handled. Handlers of those killed by the disease for burials must be properly kitted to avoid being contacted. According to medical experts, indices of the Central African disease include: fatigue, fever, sore throat, joint and muscles pains, vomiting, severe headache, diarrhea, loss of appetite, internal and external bleeding, rash, blisters of the skin and outright unsolicited abortion amongst pregnant women and general weakness of the body. Others include, attack on kidney and liver functions, chest pain and strange boils. The disease has been defined by the World Health Organization and the United States centres for disease control and prevention as a severe, often fatal illness in mankind or humans. Ebola as a terminal disease first appeared in 1976 in Nzara, Sudan and Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The disease was discovered simultaneously in the three areas. It was most sever in a village close to the Ebola River from which the disease took its name. The disease is so deadly to the extent that it has consumed about 90% of its victims. At the moment, Medical gurus have confirmed and attested to the fact that the Ebola virus disease (EVD) has no cure whatsoever and even the vaccine to prevent it is yet to be found. It is therefore a health disaster to mankind. Whoever is unfortunate to be contacted with the virus must, as immediate compulsion, write the required WILL for those to be left behind. Statistical table of the World Health Organization (WHO) has shown that with effect from 1976 to the year 2012, about 1,546 persons died of Ebola. The statistics of the year 2013-2014 are yet to be released until the late Patrick Sawyer external-

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

ized the killer disease to Nigeria which has so far killed a Nurse in Lagos. The figures of death of Guinea, Liberia and Sere Leone are also pending. However, of the Ebola victims as quoted above, the distributed figures which reflected some African countries within the period in question were as follows: The Democratic Republic of Congo recorded a total of 765, Sudan 180, Gabon 150, South Africa 1 only, Uganda 283 and Congo 167 victims. At a glance, it is obvious that the virus may extend to the rest of the continents and constitute a serious disaster to the existence of human beings on earth. Now that Ebola has come, it is a sharp contradiction for some persons in the Medical profession to educate the rest of us that the disease is incurable. Whereas, it is evidently clear that two American workers in the Health and Charity Organizations contacted the virus in Liberia. Kent Brantly, a 33 year old Medical Doctor and Nancy Writebol, 59 years old, were the victims of Ebola virus. They were quickly flown to the United States differently for medical treatment. According to reports, they are said to be responding to medical attention. With the sound American standing in the Medical Sciences, I am of the strong impression that sooner or later, the Ebola mysterious disease would have a vaccine for prevention and final cure for the victims. There is no doubt that Nigeria has some teething problems yet to be resolved. For instance, we have been battling with the notorious Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) which has killed some persons. Good enough, HIV has some effective drugs which can control it while the full blown AIDS would definitely kill its victims. The entire globe is still researching into what may finally be a solution to the deadly disease. • Prince Wilkie (pmikky1950@yahoo.com), 08023097251

Between Boko Haram and Ebola virus Tayo Ogunbiyi

hese, indeed, are unusual times for mankind. Like never before, natural disasters, poverty, hunger, international conflicts and many other strange occurrences are starring man in the face. There is, perhaps, no other time in history when the ability of man to dominate his environment has been so fiercely challenged than now. Today, the major news items that dominate the airwaves and other communication channels leave much to be desired. Unfortunately, as solutions are being proffered to current challenges, new ones, without warnings, are emanating from the blues. The Middle East, with Syria, Israel, and Palestine as the most boiling points, remain as volatile as ever. Before now, in Nigeria, terrorism was alien to our culture. But events in recent years have since altered the situation. No thanks to the dastardly acts of the Boko Haram sect, Nigeria is, today, a focal point of global terrorism activities across the world. Through a series of bloodletting operations, unrivalled in the annals of the country, the sect has, in the past 12 years, held the nation by the jugular. To underline its wide acclaim as a globally recognised terrorist body, the sect was designated by the U.S. Department of State as a terrorist organisation in 2013. In the first half of 2014, Boko Haram killed more than 2000 innocent and hapless civilians, in about

95 attacks. In the last three years, more than 3000 people have lost their lives as a result of Boko Haram operations. A recent research claimed that Boko Haram attacks have left at least 12,000 people dead and 8,000 crippled in the last three years while Hundreds of thousands have fled their homes for the fear of the insurgents. Presently, over 260 secondary school girls, kidnapped in a most notorious manner, from their school, Government College Chibok, Borno State, have been in the den of the Boko Haram sect for well 100 days. In the past two weeks, the nation has witnessed series of callous bomb explosions, particularly in Kano and Kaduna, resulting, as usual, in the death of scores of people. A former military Head of State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), and a prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, narrowly escaped death in the twin blasts, which occurred same day at Alkali Road and Kawo area in Kaduna. As the nation continues to grapple with the arduous task of containing the activities of the Boko Haram sect in the country, out of the blue came yet another danger of a different kind, but with an equally potent capability to waste human lives. Take the back seat Boko Haram, enter Ebola virus, the potential mass killer! The recent death of a Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) consultant at the Ministry of Finance, has heightened fears among Nigerians

about the deadly and ‘mysterious’ nature of the dreadful Ebola virus. With several reports of Ebola infection in the West Coast of Africa, countries such as Mali, Gambia, Ghana and Sierra Leone, are currently experiencing the most demanding outbreak since the disease was first discovered 38 years ago. According to the World Health Organisations, WHO, the deadly virus’ spread might continue for several more months in West Africa. Ebola kills up to 90% of infected people. Death can occur in as little as a week while prior to death, patients may bleed profusely. Presently, there is no inoculation and, therefore, no cure. Neighbouring West Africa countries of Liberia and Sierra-Leone are the worst hit in this renewed Ebola outbreak. Sierra Leone has announced a state of emergency to deal with the threat. A total of 729 people have died since the beginning of the year, and 1,200 all in all were infected in the country, the World Health Organization says. The President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma said in a recent televised address to the nation that the virus is a high-hazard issue for the country. In Liberia, the government has announced the closure of all schools across the country to stop the spread of the deadly Ebola virus. Additionally,accordingto the country’s President Ellen Johnson, communities would be placed under quarantine as well. Similarly, non-essential government workers will be sent home for 30 days and the army deployed to enforce the measures. The number of people killed

by the virus in West Africa has now reached 672, according to new UN figures. The way things are, there seems to be a thin line between Boko Haram and Ebola virus. Both are agents of death. Boko Haram has spread its tentacle across African nations such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Sudan, Niger and Chad. In like manner, the deadly Ebola virus does not respect international borders. Also, like Boko Haram, Ebola virus has little or no respect for social classification as they both kill the rich and the poor, the learned and unlearned, the beautiful and the ugly, the innocent and the guilty.Equally, they both regale in inflicting pains and sorrows on their victims. Think about many orphans and widows that the duo have unleashed on the society. Perhaps more fearful is the fact that, till date, they both seem to defy solutions and as such could not be effectively appeased. To successfully confront this evil duo, our nation and, indeed, the whole world need to unite and shun every divisive tendency. We need to put up a common front against the evil intentions of the twosome. Human life is precious and sacred. Nothing must be spared to preserve it. Therefore, we must collectively unite to protect ourselves from these carriers of death. Now is the time to rise up in support of life. This is the time to frontally deal with every condition that poses serious threat to the peaceful co-existence of our world. This is the time to pursue peace and reject evil. • Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

CAMPUS

OPEN VARSITY TO }p-24 SOLVE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, SAYS NOUN VC

EDUCATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

IJAW YOUTHS KICK AGAINST POSTING OF CORPS MEMBERS TO NORTH }p-29 NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/education

KAYODE OLANREWAJU, EDITOR, EDUCATION

kayode.olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com kayolanre@gmail.com 08037127417

R-L: Pro Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council, Mr. Olabode Augosto; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Chancellor, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Obafunwa during the 19th convocation ceremony of the university.

SEARCHLIGHT

How the future of Nigerian universities will be guaranteed and made more relevant to the needs of the society was put at the front burner, last week, at LASU's 19th convocation lecture

hat will the future of traditional or contemporary, and emerging universities of the next Century look like? How will Ivory Towers, as the beacons of development be more relevant and functional in the scheme of national development, in view of the palpable underfunding and myriad of crises rocking the system? These and many other salient issues were at the forefront at a discourse, where some university eggheads and other members of the academia gathered last week to beam a searchlight on the university system. It was at the 19th convocation lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos, which was delivered by Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), and currently the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Udufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State. With the theme: “The Future of Traditional/Contemporary Universities and the Emerging Universities of the Future: The

Ibidapo-Obe’s way out for varsity system Implications for the Nigerian University System (NUS),” the lecturer dwelt extensively on university as knowledge generating and knowledge transfer institutions; challenges/new issues for the current universities in terms of quality, access and funding. Besides, the discourse focused on effects of new technologies, new attitudes and market dynamics and realignment; major drivers of change; the Nigerian university systems with regard to what the future looks like; as well as the university of the future vis-à-vis the challenges of establishing world-class universities. With this, Ibidapo-Obe said the future of universities had been on the global agenda for some two years – 2012 and 2013 -, while the broad challenges and opportunities were identified to leapfrog the system. These, he noted include the roles of technology and on-line education; the evolving roles of research and knowledge creation; as well as the challenge of the values of the university and social contract. Setting agenda for a functional university system in which its relevance will shape the developmental expectation of the society, the lecturer said

the searchlight would be on how universities will have to fundamentally change their morphology in order to survive the impending storm/tsunami of digitalization, funding crisis and public cynicism on universities. To attain such laudable position, he noted that universities are community of scholars and students within a society with the primary focus to generate knowledge and transfer useable information to the society. According to the don, universities were designed to provide succour to the society in times of challenges such as drought, war, insurgency, terrorism, famine and flooding, and they are expected to envisage these challenges and address them. But, he explained that the

...Without quality, all efforts at improving higher education and the synergy with national aspirations and development is worthless

inability of the system to anticipate these needed changes fast enough and adjust expeditiously, the ‘respects-and-awe’ that the universities were appropriated in the past is fast dwindling. Enumerating the three major concerns of the university system of teaching, research and community engagement in this modern era, IbidapoObe, however stressed the need for the universities to produce graduates that will fit perfectly into the workplace and add value to the growth of the economy. It is on this note that he urged the government at all levels to concentrate and provide support to the universities through scholarships, bursaries, loans and grants on individual basis, saying that the issue of quality and maintenance of quality had already been entrusted with the National Universities Commission (NUC). “Suffice it to say that without quality, all efforts at improving higher education and the synergy with national aspirations and development is worthless,” the lecturer argued, adding that the Minimum Academic Standard (MAS) for universities courses is all that is needed to achieve full accreditation so

that the notion of universities being a ‘going, but not a valueadded institution’, is erroneous and unprogressive. On funding of universities, which has since remained an albatross to the system, which though the don hinted that is no peculiar to the country alone, he said there is no doubt university education is a huge investment. However, he insisted that a situation that the government wants the university to be run as a private concern, a scenario which occurred in different context in the nation’s university some 25 to 30 years ago, could only work in the first and second generation universities. Towards this end, he said university Vice-Chancellors should earn and sustain their stay in office by ensuring large that funds are brought into the system through donations, investments and endowments. His words: “Therefore, funding must be near-zero interest and long-term and must be shared by all who truly believe in quality higher education. The proprietors should provide the infrastructure; the society should mobilize the endowment for specific advancement; while the students should pay sufficient fees to cover staff emoluments and overheads. “Governments must therefore have the political will and be courageous and firm on the issues of fees payment in the universities; otherwise the quality will simply diminish.” On the place of the Nigerian universities system in the future, Ibidapo-Obe said that with 128 universities (40 federal, 38 state and 51 private), the quality-assured by NUC through peer review and periodic consultancy services is required. To him, with a population of 174,507,539 (July 2013 est.) and a sizeable literacy rate of 61.3 per cent (2010 est.), and with the overarching desire to acquire degrees and certificates by Nigerians, the country is a ripe market for the open and distance learning education, otherwise referred to as Massive On-line Courses (MOOC). Worried by the funding issue that has always been contentious in public universities, the Vice-Chancellor, listed some of the challenges of Nigerian University System to include poor funding, deteriorating infrastructure and equipment for teaching, dearth of funds for research, outdated curriculum, poor synergy between gown and town, issue of university autonomy, brain drain, students’ unrest and incessant industrial action. To him, it is therefore obCO NTINUED O N PAGE 23

22 EDUCATION

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Rivers education varsity students protest fees hike Emmanuel Masha PORT HARCOURT

ome final year students of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumulumeni, Rivers State, trooped to the streets in a peaceful protest last week over the hike in their school fees. Apart from the increment, the students were protesting the refusal of university management to allow them to write their final examinations following their inability to pay the new N100, 000 school fees. The students described the management as being harsh and insensitive to their plight by insisting that they must pay the fee before writing the examination, in view of the fact that many of them are still struggling to fund their education. They, however, argued that the hike of the fee from N35, 000 to N100,000 was a deliberate attempt by the management to frustrate their efforts to graduate and acquire university education. The students’ spokesman, Mr. Tobin Thank-God, told New Telegraph after they were prevented from writing their final examinations that despite their appeals to management to allow them write

the examination and pay before collecting their certificates, the management went ahead to treat them as if they were not students. Thank-God, who was surrounded by over 100 students affected by the university’s action, recalled that the new fee regime was only announced in April, and for them to such huge amount of money was difficult and for them to complete their programme. He said: “We are appealing to the management to allow us complete our programme. In other universities, you hardly find a situation where students are barred from writing their examinations, especially when they have been paying their fees and have not defaulted. “We did not owe before now; it was because of the sudden hike of the fee to N100, 000 that has brought about the delay. We are also appealing to the State House of Assembly to come to our aid so that our efforts will not end in vain.” But the university Registrar, Mr. Iken Adiele, absolved the management of any blame, saying that the students were initially under the University of Ibadan affiliation system, which had since cancelled some years ago. While insisting that under

Lawmaker lauds FG for establishing institute at Uromi Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

he Federal Government Tlishing has been lauded for estabthe Federal Institute

Amaechi

the new arrangement, the students no longer had academic relevance at the university, he recalled how he had to go to University of Ibadan five times to ensure that the students completed their programme, in which the university paid huge amount to ensure that the examinations were held. He said: “When the decision for the hike of the school fees to N100, 000 was taken by the management, the students were well informed and communicated. This is not the right time for them (students) to come up with the excuse that they cannot pay. They are no longer students of the university, but we are trying to help them. They made several appeals and wrote petitions, and we decided to go to the University of Ibadan in order to meet the management and address their problems. They are not being fair to the management, because on our part the university has done everything possible to help them.”

of Building Construction Technology at Uromi, Edo State. The kudos was given by the suspended Deputy Speaker of Edo Assembly, Mr. Festus Ebea, who said the gesture would further encourage entrepreneurial potential of Nigerian youths and position them as job creators rather than job seekers. He hinted that the institute, which will soon begin academic activities, will go a long way to boost the nation's technological revolution. To ensure the smooth take-off of the institute, the Federal Government had recently appointed a Provost

Shekarau

OAU leads Nigerian varsities in Webometric ranking

Omole

he management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife is still savouring the ranking of the institution as the first and best university in Nigeria by the Spain-based Webometric Ranking of Universities. According to the university’s spokesman, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, this would be the fourth consecutive time the internationally recognised cybermetrics Lab-CSIC would rank the university. He said: “In the latest ranking released in July, 2014 on Webometric Ranking website, Obafemi Awolowo University was been adjudged to have continuously recorded excellence in areas of research, academic, university governance and extensive deployment of ICT for its operations. This is the first

time that any Nigerian university would be so ranked and rated the first and the best for four times running, laying to rest any contention from any quarter that OAU is the first and a university of first choice.” In the latest ranking, Obafemi Awolowo University, led the pack, while Covenant University, a private university in Ota, Ogun State came second, with University of Ibadan (UI), University of Lagos (UNILAG) and University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) emerging in third, fourth and fifth position respectively. In a statement by Olarewaju

and which was made available to New Telegraph, the ViceChancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole expressed joy over the ranking, even as he pledged that his administration would not rest on its oars until OAU is positioned as the first choice university not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa. While explaining the rationale behind the excellent performance of the university in this latest ranking, the ViceChancellor traced it to what he described as extensive use of ICT in all facets of the university’s life and operation, which to him played a major role.

He, therefore, called on other universities and corporate organisations to avail themselves of the presence and use of Cloud Computing, consisting of 7.7 Terabyte (TB) Cloud Server for application; Telepresence facilities for Communication and Distance Learning, as well as the Twin-1,500-seater e-testing facilities in the Ivory Tower for the development of their activities. Omole, however, pledged to further dedicate more of his administration’s time, energy and resources to ensure that the university becomes a big player in the global intellectual market of the 21st Century.

RKG WORLD UNIVERSITY PRESENCE IMPACT OPENNESS EXCELLENCE RANK RANK* RANK* RANK* RANK* 1 1655 OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY 1392 1644 3988 2340 2 2075 COVENANT UNIVERSITY OTA 3631 3096 955 2993 3 2355 UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN 7946 3698 3731 1491 4 2367 UNIVERSITY OF LAGO 3489 4102 2962 2259 5 2723 UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN 3463 6939 923 2594 6 3359 AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY 3837 8121 2769 2466 7 3368 UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE ABK 4803 8493 992 2993 8 3685 LANDMARK UNIVERSITY 5685 1645 6454 5442 9 3920 FED. UNIVERSITY OF TECH., AKURE 4549 10026 1593 2900 10 3976 UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA 7794 6220 5978 2520 11 4209 UNIVERSITY OF BENIN 6949 6270 5219 3144 12 4460 MADONNA UNIVERSITY NIGERIA 5094 2013 9621 5442 13 4795 FED. UNIVERSITY OF TECH., MINNA 7291 11098 741 3711 14 6219 UNIVERSITY OF JOS 8668 9690 5403 3515 15 6361 UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT 12457 9462 5425 3144 16 7356 AUCHI POLYTECHNIC 16835 2684 12373 5442 17 7775 FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OYE EKITI 4444 9384 6588 5442 18 8272 UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR 10949 12565 7095 3095 19 8448 YABA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY 10681 7643 7359 5442 20 8612 NAT. OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA 15714 8173 4573 5442

for the new institution. Ebea added: "What we have at Uromi is going to be the first of its kind in Africa. The fact IS that it is a novel institution which will impact positively on technical knowledge and professional skills of the young ones as well as help to revolutionalise the construction industry in the country. "From the information available, this institute will train the needed manpower for the construction sector in the areas of housing, roads, bridges, erosion and flood control. And, in all it will be training the manpower required locally". Ebea described the choice of Uromi for the location of the institute as a welcome development, pointing out that the community had produced two Ministers for Works namely Chief Tony Anenih and Mr. Mike Onolememen, an architect. He commended the Federal Government for granting provisional approval for the establishment of the institute in 2013, and the release of N1billion take-off funds last month.

UNIZIK postpones second semester exams Victoria Ewoh he authorities of the NnamT(UNIZIK), di Azikiwe University Awka, Enugu State

have postponed the 2013/2014 second semester examinations of regular students. The university, however, cited the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (post-UTME) screening exercise scheduled for the first week of examinations as reason for the postponement. The examinations have been moved forward by a week, the New Telegraph has learnt. UNIZIK’s Director of Information, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, said that the examination, which was earlier scheduled to commence on August 11, would now hold on August 18, while the courses and venues remained unchanged. The shift in the date of the examination, Ojukwu hinted was to enable the university to conduct a hitch-free PostUTME for 2014/2015 academic session, scheduled to hold between August 12 and August 16. Investigations by the New Telegraph, however, revealed that a huge number of candidates subscribed for the 2014/2015 Post-UTME screening exercise into the university. Ojukwu, on behalf of the management, however, apologised for the inconveniences the postponement might have caused, even as he urged the students to watch out for the new date and time of the examination.

EDUCATION

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

ibrarians from different parts of the country, last week, converged on the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) for training on the application of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). The training, organised under the auspices of the Library Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN), in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), was to boost library operations in the country. The training took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Library of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. While welcoming guests to the event, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Library Registration Council of Nigeria, Dr. Victoria Okojie, said the objective of the training was to update library and information managers with the latest ICT skills being used by their counterparts in the developed countries. According to her, part of the aims of the workshop is to acquaint librarians and information managers with the possibilities FOSS offers for modernising libraries and to facilitate information sharing. However, Dr Okojie explained that it had become necessary for librarians in the country to learn how to access and use the Free and Open Source Software in order to make up for the inability of many libraries to purchase proprietary software because of paucity of funds confronting the sector. She said: “Free and open source software is free, accessible and easy to maintain. But most librarians are either uninformed about their availability or lack the requisite skills to deploy the facilities. This skillsgap is what the workshop seeks to fill.” The Registrar further explained that the workshop,

LRCN, NITDA train librarians on free, open software

L-R: Participants at the workshop with UNN Librarian, Dr. Chinwe Ezeani; Dr. Okojie; Prof. Ugwu; Igbokwe and former UNN Librarian, Prof Omekwu at a workshop.

which was the third in its series since it was initiated in 2012, had trained more than 200 certified librarians in the use of the software. The trainees, according to her, had continued to train their colleagues in their various institutions about how to deploy the technology in improving the quality of library in the country. In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, expressed delight over the decision of the Library Registration Council to host the workshop at the university for the second consecutive time (2013 and 2014). Ozumba, who spoke through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Edwin Igbokwe, noted that the theme of the workshop: “Application

of Free and Open Source Software in Library Operations”, was apt, considering the fact that several libraries in Africa are making frantic efforts to upgrade their facilities to digital libraries. “The administration is very pleased that the workshop is holding here when the university’s digital library projects are in progress”, he said. He said his vision is to make the Nnamdi Azikiwe Library a world class library, which would drive the e-learning programmes of the institution, maintaining that the library already had “over 500 work stations complete with V-Sat connections, standby generator and cosy furnishing”. The Enugu State Education Commissioner, Prof. Charles Okoro said the training was

paramount for the development of education in the country, in view of the important place library occupies in teaching and learning process. He lamented the dearth of librarians in the country, stressing that every institution in the country should have at least a librarian. To Mr Idris Yelwa, who represented the Director-General of NITDA, the agency’s partnership with the Library Registration Council of Nigeria was part of its effort at building ICT infrastructure in Nigerian libraries. He said the agency is offering scholarship to Postgraduate students in Information Technology and Library Studies, noting that about four librarians have so far benefited from the scholarship scheme.

1,977 corps members for Batch ‘B’ scheme in Lagos Ewoh Victoria and Shadrack Yusuf

ome 1,977 corps members, comprising of 837 males and 1140 females, deployed to Lagos State for the 2014 Batch ‘B’ National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme were last week sworn in at the Iyana Ipaja NYSC Orientation Camp. Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed during the opening ceremony of the three-week orientation programme, urged the corps members to take every segment of the orientation course serious, and by ensuring that they serve their fatherland with integrity, devotion, loyalty and patriotism. The governor, who assured them of the state government’s support and assured them of peaceful and eventful service year, said: “I wish to assure you that the Government of Lagos State will do its best to ensure you have a memorable stay in the state. “Therefore, you should ensure you put in fresh ideas and new drive to support the government in its quest to build a better city, free from crimes,

Cross section of corps members

through your dedication to service as this will go a long way in fast tracking the development of the state.” While admonishing the corps members, Fashola stressed: “My dear corps members, a lot is expected of you, from your parents and the nation. You are therefore advised to eschew all forms of negative acts such as cultism and drunkenness while on camp. Instead, be part of every effort towards ensuring your proper induction. Thus, be loyal to camp authorities and

show love to one another.” On the current state of insecurity confronting the country, the governor noted that measures had been put in place to effectively check any break down of law and order in camp during and after orientation programme. Ahmed in the address, however, charged all corps members to be vigilant at all times and report any unusual object or movement around the camp to the authority or law enforcement agent.

He said that in case of any security challenges, they should feel free to call either 767 or 112, pointing out that they are toll free emergency help lines. The governor commended the Lagos State NYSC Governing Board, the NYSC management of and other collaborating stakeholders for their determination and commitment towards guiding the youths to take their rightful place as leaders of the nation. Meanwhile, the Lagos State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi congratulated the corps members on the orientation programme, saying: “You can become anything you want to become, as leaders know what they want and then set about making it happen.” According to her, they cannot rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right attitude and habits. She further admonished the corps members to avail themselves of the opportunities offered by the training and orientation to get better, as they will be undergoing various trainings which are designed to inculcate discipline in them and provide them the platform to exhibit leadership qualities such

Ibidapo-Obe’s way out for varsity system CO NTINUED O N PAGE21

vious that unless urgent revamping of the system is undertaking, the survival of the universities in Nigeria the way we know it is at great risk. Thus, he argued that one of the gaping flaws in the system is that there is too much of government involvement in the set-up and operation of the institutions, saying such bureaucracy kills innovation, creativity and inventiveness. To move the system forward and position it for the future challenges, the don suggested that “while the governments are making remarkable efforts at infrastructure upgrade, staff welfare, provision of research training funds, there is the urgent need to ‘walk-the-talk’ and ensure full autonomy including freedom to charge competitive fees for tuition and other services for the institutions if the future is to be guaranteed.” While noting that the universities of the future will still occupy the driver’s seat in knowledge generation and transfer, he spoke of dominant issue of globalization that would force universities to be accessible, flexible, innovative and jobfocused. However, since universities are ivory towers that serve as beacons to the society; and that for the universities to survive and thrive, he recommended that they must be relevant and appreciated in truth and indeed by the society. He the public universities model will be unviable in the nearest future largely because of the people’s changed attitude to higher education and the disruptive influence of technology. Besides, the lecturer sought more openness in the operation of the university affairs, while the private sector models of acceptable return on investment be applied in the institutions. According to him, the future of universities constrained by new technologies, cost crisis/ funding and changing labour market will lead to the universities of the future where the key determining elements will be research and development, access, flexibility, innovation and job-focused. The University of the Future, Ibadapo-Obe added will be a world-class university that monitors the environment constantly and seeks improved ranking in a competitive market; it will be student-focused with a huge concentration of innovative talents, abundant resources and favourable governance. “Universities will need to attract new talents to support research within a competitive market that can support new business models, deliver increased productivity and accommodate non-traditional models,” he added. However, he said there is the need to prepare for the university of the future where the nation’s overarching mission is to satisfy the society, stressing that those universities that vigorously prepare and ask hard questions will survive, while those that do not will phase-out.

24 EDUCATION

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Open varsity to solve unemployment rate, says NOUN VC Professor Vincent Ado Tenebi is the second substantive ViceChancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He speaks with members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna chapel, during break-fast session on enrolment trend into the distance learning institution and activities of the university. IBRAHIM MUSA was there. registered. Like I mentioned earlier, the number of students will definitely increase since Nigerians are in

What is the enrolment figure of students into the university, and is it highly subscribed or not? When I took over as ViceChancellor of the university in 2010, the student population of the National Open University of Nigeria had dropped from 32,000 to 16,000 students. With such fall in enrolment when I took over, we immediately went back into drawing board with the management team and without wasting time, the student population rose from 16,000 to 53,000 students in just one semester. As I speak to you now, I can tell you that the total number of students enrolment, since we admit virtually every day. It is the only university in the country that matriculates students twice a year. In deed the university conducts matriculation for new students every semester. Every semester students register for our programmes. So, the best time to ask me about students’ registration is before the semester examination. That is when I will be able to tell you the actual total number of students on admission into the university. It is then I can tell you this is the number that was registered since we operate a flexible academic schedule. We are the only university that democratises its education system because if we allow a student to register this semester, he or she may disappear in the next semester only to reappear in another semester. But we have to question such students because we have given them that liberty. My assessment about two days ago of total students admitted in the university presently stands at 308,000. We have just started the semester registration, and already 65,000 students had

the habit of waiting until when it is almost late for them to register. When they know that the examination is approaching that is the time they will be looking for whom to beg to allow them register, when they have all the liberty to do so without begging anyone to do so. And, you still allow this and is there no rules and regulations guiding students’ registration? Well, we do, but because of our flexibility the students will wait till when it is very difficult and that is when they will bring letters from Senators and Ministers to help, when they had all the time in the world to do it without anybody to claim the credit of assisting them. Without being immodest, we can proudly say that we have moved NOUN from 16,000 students we inherited to 308,000 students. I want to also mention here that the number of active students changes from semester to semester. We are still not happy because I set a target for myself that before I leave office, which will be in 2015, God willing, I want to see the population of the university hit 500,000. But the target set by the university is to ensure that we have at least 1.5 million students in our enrolment, the number we can manage. That is the only way we can reach out or create more access for Nigerians to have university education in a nation with about 170 million population. Activities of the university are mostly online, what efforts is the university putting in paklce to checkmate cyber fraud? Yes. It is true that most of our activities are carried out online; such as admission process, registration and even class activities including sourcing of

materials. But because we know the kind of environment where we operate, that is, where we have technological challenges, we also utilize other technologies, include the print media or even sometimes using of radio and television and recorded programme to reach out to the students. Sometimes, we do have challenges of network. When you look at organisations that base their operations on online, such as banks, security outfits, and even the mass media, sometimes they have network failure to carry out their operations. That is one the challenges of technology we have to cope with. Of course, I want you to realise that network failure or problem is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. It also happens in advanced countries of the world. We do experience that sometime and we have to cope with it. As regards cyber fraud, we have not experienced that yet because we have strategies to deal with it and those strategies I will not want to disclose because that is in our interest to safe guard the strategies of the university. The same also applies to cyber crash. What is the status of the acceptability and credibility of graduates of NOUN for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)? Like I said at the beginning of this interview; we are not only a degree awarding university, even though we have some aspects of our programmes that are degree based. Talking about degree, NOUN is a federal institution accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) like other federal, state and private universities in the country. We have programmes approved for first degree, Masters Degree and even Ph.D in several courses. The university has the Schools of Social Sciences, Education, School of Law, Science and Technology and School of Postgraduate Studies, making a total of six schools. So far, we have added two additional schools. We now have the School of Agriculture and School of Health Sciences. These are two schools that had already been added. When you visit the university website, you will find courses ranging from Mass Communication, Economics, Social Sciences,

We are the only university that democratises its education system

The primary aim of education and going to school is not for you to get a job. Being educated is to develop your mind English and Economics, among others. In the School of Law, the university runs courses in Legislative Drafting, while in the School of Business Administration, Accounting and others. There are various courses that a student could study at the National Open University of Nigeria. Of course, since open and distance learning system is new in the country, people assume that this is another part-time programme. It is not a parttime programme, but a fulltime course. One of the things we are trying to push forward is to make Nigerians realise what we are talking about. So, graduates of NOUN who are within the NYSC age, have no reason to be excluded from NYSC scheme, having gone through similar curriculum with their university counterparts. They have no reason to exclude them. The only reason why this is happening is that when the NYSC was established in 1973, the National Open University system was not in existence, rather what we had was the conventional universities. It is now left for you, the media and I to tell the NYSC not to deprive the youth who are of service age to participate in the NYSC, while those who are above the service age should be given exemption letter. As for our degrees or certificates, there is an English adage that says that the taste of the pudding is in the eating. Our certificates will not only compete with others. You can look at our graduates and see what they can deliver; go and compare our graduates with their counterparts and give them job to accomplish and you know who to go for. We are not just marketing our graduates, but for you to see. Very soon in the next few years you will have reports that Open University is the best place to hire employees. So, the question of acceptability or credibility should not arise at all. How will you access the education policy of the Federal Government? As far as I am concerned and as key player or participant in the nation’s education sector, I can tell you that the country is doing its best to ensure that it keeps pace with other parts of the world. I can tell you that I

am not part of that group that keeps telling people all over the world that the country’s education standard has fallen. No, educational standard has fallen all over the world, and not only in Nigeria. Before you can convince me that the education standard has fallen, you can bring Nigerian student or graduate with his or her counterparts all over the world and give them a test and see whether he will perform below average. I always ask, how many Nigerians who graduated from Nigerian universities have you seen and who have gone abroad for Postgraduate Studies and have been withdrawn because of poor performance. The story we always hear is that our students outshine their counterparts abroad because here we learn through the hard way and when they go there where technology is the in things, they find it so simple. So, as the mouth piece of the people, do not report negative stories that will portray the country in bad light. There are more good things happening in the country than the bad ones. Our education system is not that bad as it is being portrayed. I strongly believe we are not doing well. What in your view is the way out? Somebody once asked me why are we still producing graduates when there are no jobs? The primary aim of education and going to school is not for you to get a job. Being educated is to develop your mind. It is to expose you, so that you can become an individual that can find your way out in life. You are to be equipped and once you are equipped well as a graduate, you should be able to fend for yourself. All over the world, there is no country that does not have unemployment crisis. Unemployment will always be there. My advice is for the government to encourage open and distance learning. The reason is that through the open and distance learning we will produce individuals that are creative, who can study on their own; an individual that is self-made, an individual with minimal supervision. Once that person graduates, he is not going into the streets looking for employment. He is going to become an employer himself. That is why in the Open University one of our strategies is to establish an Advancement Office, through which we are going to encourage entrepreneurship. The university has been able to set up a Micro Finance Bank, to empower the students who are not working through the micro finance banking and our entrepreneur centre to create jobs for themselves. Once a student secured admission and he or she is empowered to carry out their businesses either in hair dressing, photography or any other business, he will be self-reliant. Once that individual does that business for the period of five years, and able to pay back the loan by the time he or she graduates, he will not be looking for a job of N50,000 a month, because he would have become an employer. Our plan is to use the Open University to actualise job creation for the Nigerians and this one of the way out of the current unemployment rate ravaging the country.

EDUCATION

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

LASU fee: Obanikoro demands apology from Fashola Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

ollowing the last Thursday reversal of the contentious school fee at the Lagos State University (LASU), which had in the last three years pitted the students and workers of the institution against the state government and university management, the Minister of State for Defence, who said Governor Babatunde Fashola should apologise to the students and other stakeholders. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who flayed the governor for reverting the controversial and imposed high tuition fees at the university to its original N25,000 after the mixed-feelings generated by the fees regime, and the series of protests and closure of the institution. The state government had astronomically increased the tuition of the state-owned university in 2011, from N25,000 to between N150,000 and N350,000 depending on students’ course of study, claiming that quality education must be paid for as it obtains in other countries of the world. The state government action was visited by protracted protests by the students and strikes by the workers, resulting to the closure of the university sev-

eral times. “The increment had been visited with harassment and intimidation of students by security agents, leading to closure of the institution,” he said. The Minister, who spoke in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, while chatting with journalists on some national issues, among which is the education sector, expressed worries that despite his stand against the astronomical increment in the tuition

fees, he was insulted and called several unprintable names by Fashola’s administration. “But, now my wise counsel and those of other people has prevailed,” Obanikoro said, insisting that Fashola should apologise to the parents, and the affected students who had been made to go through unimaginable trauma as a result of the school closures and uprising the anti-people and education policy triggered in the state.

His words: "When Fashola increased school fees from N25,000 to almost N350,000 in Lagos, we shouted and he started abusing us, calling us names. Almost three years after, he has himself returned it to the original tuition fees. I don't know what has changed. My question now is why you should make people suffer unnecessarily. Many children are out of school. The trauma is unquantifiable. Is the governor

Panel of Post Graduate Examiners at Mass Comm Dept. of ESUT Post Graduate Thesis defence in Enugu. (L-R) Prof. Fred Eze, Prof Victor Kogha, Prof Ike Ndolo and Ass. Prof. Sunny Udeze.

Sterling Bank’s fair to empower students Kayode Olanrewaju

ver 80,000 students from 25 higher institutions of learning will this week relocate to the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos for a sixday Student Fair. Tagged: ''BonMarcheFairstival", the fair is instituted and organised Sterling Bank Plc, under its “One Education” initiative, which is aimed at increasing its dominant role in the development of the education sector in the country. Participants at the Yaba College of Technology student forum will be exposed to first-hand information on how the bank could be of support to their various educational needs. The trade fair (BonMarcheFairstival), which is described as the biggest and most vibrant student shopping experience in the

country, will attracts exhibitors and visitors across the country, while the fair will be organised in all the geo-political zones of the country with an estimated of over 3,000 visitors daily. The bank in a statement by its Head of Communications, Mr. Ayo Ashaolu said that the fair would provide the right platform for the bank to directly engage students considered as valuable and influential segment of the market. He said of the forum: “BonMarche Fairstival is an event that is targeted at the vibrant youth market. The Sterling Bank’s involvement in the fair was based on the fact that it provides direct contact with our niche audience to communicate the Sterling brand and build positive brand association, while offering unique experiences to students and management of

various education institutions in the country that will attend the fair”. Ashaolu explained that the involvement of Sterling Bank in the development of the education sector was borne out of the need for the private sector to support the government by investing substantially in the education sector to ensure that children of school age acquire quality education without having to pay so much for it. He pointed out that government must increase funding to the education sector and ensure that public schools are better equipped to compete favourably with their private sector counterparts. The intervention of Sterling Bank in the sector, according to him, will go a long way in helping to ameliorate some of the challenges facing the sector.

Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko presenting trophy to the winning team of the university's beach soccer competition held recently on the campus

Ashaolu said: “Over the years, youth unemployment has remained one of the daunting challenges in the country, as recent statistics show that over 25 million youths are unemployed. This abysmal statistic is linked to, among others, the issue of employability because even where jobs are available, the lack of competence then arises. This problem can be attributed to the declining quality of education in the country. Our intervention in this sector will hopefully contribute to resolving the problem of unemployment in the country.” He noted that Sterling Bank was the first bank in the country to partner the Lagos EKO Project, in the use of its members of staff as volunteer teachers to teach the various subjects in Lagos school. According to him, all of these are part of the bank’s corporate social responsibilities, aimed at supporting education, create employment and bridge the estimated $1 billion gap that exists in terms of funding education in the country. Apart from this, Ashaolu, who noted that the bank had also helped in improving some schools, added that the bank is also supporting the sector through donation of books and writing materials, as well as textbooks. On it efforts at promoting financial literacy in the country, he said: “Our books ‘My Little Money Book’ and 'Funds', is our way of providing a learning and teaching guide on savings, loans and other financial concepts just as the bank has instituted scholarship opportunities for brilliant children that excel in competitions organised by the bank”.

Don advocates religious studies, civics in schools Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

University of Ibadan (UI) AMojoyinola, lecturer, Dr. Jacob Kehinde has advocated

the re-introduction of the teaching of Religious Studies and Civics Education in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools across the country. He said this had become necessary in order to reduce, if not totally eliminate the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents, as well as other social malaise in the land. This was part of the views of the don at the 14th edition of the Faculty of Education lecture series, which he delivered at the Faculty lecture theatre. If the subjects are re-introduced, Mojoyinola said it would instill the fear of God in the young ones and encourage spirit of patriotism in them. According to him, it will also assist the young ones to toe the path of God and shun vices such as religious bigotry and insurgency that have continued to stagnate the development and growth of the country. The former Acting Head of Social Work Department between 2008 and 2010, declared in his lecture, entitled: "Spirituality: The What, Why and How in social work", that moving closer to God is a major solution to security challenges facing the nation and its people. He restated that if Nigerian youths are encouraged to have the fear of God and imbibe the spirit of putting the country first in their activities and thinking, Nigeria will no longer be held by the jugular by the problem of insurgency. According to him, an emerging trend in social work for solving problems that are beyond human and medical comprehension is "spirituality approach", which includes encouraging spiritual beliefs and spiritual practices of individuals such as prayers, reading of religious or spiritual books, such as the Bible and Quoran, as well as listening to religious or spiritual music, among others. Mojoyinola said: "In every human being, there seems to be a spiritual dimension, a quality that goes beyond religious affiliation, a strive for inspiration, reverence, awe, meaning and purpose, even in those who do not believe in God. For many people, having a relationship with a higher power is the foundation of their psychological well-being. Hence, the holistic approach to health care which focuses on the relationship between a patient's mind, body and spirit, are therefore necessary components of well-being. "Health care-givers including social workers, nurses, doctors and other health educators, among other, should help physically or mentally-ill patients find meaning in their sufferings. They should allow the patients to exercise their religious and spiritual beliefs or faith, meditate and pray according to their religions, or be prayed for by their religious leaders.

26 EDUCATION

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Masterpiece School proprietor Alumni name sub-committees gives kudos to PTA, teachers Interim Working ComTthehe mittee of Akure chapter of Adekunle Ajasin Univer-

sity Alumni Association has named three sub-committees that would work with the interim committee for the development of the chapter. The committees, a statement by the university’s spokesman, was received were inaugurated at the second meeting of the association held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Akure. The new committees are Mobilization and Publicity Committee, which has as

members Olumide Osagbemi, Akintan Akinyemi, Bolu Odofin; while the Fundraising Committee has Samson Iwatimi, Bimbo Oladunmiye, Damilola Arikolasi, Pelemo Lanre, Sowore Allen as members; as well as the Charter Drafting Committee has a members Samuel Obademi, Adeniyi Alex, and Ayo Bohan. The Interim Chairman of the association, Mr. Wunmi Ajayi urged members of the newly inaugurated committees to live up to expectations, saying: “There is still a lot to be done in putting the association on a solid footing.”

Great Solid Rock bids pupils farewell Victoria Ewoh Alambala (2nd left back) and some of the pupils and their teachers at the event

Kayode Olanrewaju

he Proprietor Head-teacher of Masterpiece Schools, Akera, Alagbodo, a suburb of Ogun State, Mr. Babatunde Atambala, has expressed gratitude to the members of the newly constituted Parents Teachers Association (PTA) for their efforts and commitment towards the success of the school. The Head-teacher gave the commendation at the second graduation/prize-giving day of the three-year-old school, which took place at the school compound. Atambala, who announced to the delight of parents and guardians that a section of school would relocate to the permanent site of the school at the beginning of the new school year, in September, also lauded the members of staff (teaching and non-teaching) for their determination to lift and position the school to its loftier heights. While assuring parents and pupils that the relocation would not in any way affect the activities of the school, he said the relocation, which had become necessary, would enhance the efficient and effective teaching and learning delivery. Besides, he reiterated the management’s decision to change the school uniform next session, a decision he said had already been communicated and discussed with the parents. “The parents, who attended the last PTA meeting, had seen the specimen and what the new school uniform will look like. We have decided to allow the use of the old school uniform by our existing pupils for some time before it will be finally faced off,” the Head-teacher noted. He congratulated the graduating pupils, saying they should see their success and achievements as the beginning of many good things to happen to them in their journey in life. The Head-teacher, who expressed joy over the outstanding performance of the school in external examinations in the

few years of its existence, recalled that many of the pupils are doing well in the various secondary schools, while the outgoing pupils did the school proud in their common entrance examinations. He offered prayers for the continued success of the pupils, stressing: “I pray that the good Lord will grant you excellent spirit for you to succeed in life. Do not be carried away by this achievement of the completion of you primary education, as it signals the beginning of you journey to secondary school and the university. You should be good ambassadors of the school and project its name in good light. He counseled the pupils to shun bad companies and be focus in the academic pursuit in order for them to be useful citizens in future, even as he advised them to strive to be the best in everything they do in life. In his words of exhortation, the General Overseer of the Christ Bible Family Church, Akera, Pastor Moses Akanmu, admonished the pupils to shun bad companies, and imbibe the virtues of honesty, integrity and diligence as there is no short cut to success. In the valedictory speech, delivered by Olanrewaju Oluwafimihan, on behalf of the graduating pupils, she thanked the Head-teacher, the teachers for the quality of education imparted on them, as well as their parents for bequeathing a good legacy for us. “It is with heart loaded with joy that I thank our parents, our amiable teaching and nonteaching staff of Masterpiece Schools and the impeccable management team for imparted greatly on us and providing us with qualitative education that will forever equip us to be champions in life. Recounting their school days in the school, Olanrewaju said: “It is just like yesterday when we started this memorable journey and here we are today to say thank you and farewell from the bottom of our hearts

to all who have directly or indirectly contributed to making us the jewels of our time. “The school has truly lived up to its name, as nothing was spared in its bid to rebrand and make us worthy ambassadors of our families, the school and the country, as well as the world at large.” Describing their teachers as resilient, indefatigable and passionate, the pupil, who hinted that they had been discovered and empowered as icons of success, however said that the citadel of academic excellence had imparted greatly on them, that their world would no longer be a mere dream, but the achievement of the champions that they are. She added: “In a society and world that are filled with apathy and all manners of immorality and moral impairments, Masterpiece Schools spring up as a Biblical candle light on the top of a hill that cannot be hidden. And, to our juniors, we hereby handover the baton and urge you to sustain the tempo and academic excellence of our great school.”

mid fanfare, the graduatARock ing pupils of Great Solid School, Alagbado, La-

gos, last week bid farewell to their school, teachers and friends during the 2014 graduation and prize-giving day of the school. It was the eighth graduation and prize-giving ceremony of the school, which took place at the school compound. While admonishing the pupils to be good ambassadors of the school and project its image in good light, the Proprietor, Mr. Oladipo Simeon advised them to shun bad groups and peer influence that could truncate their dreams and aspirations in life. "Show me your friend and I will tell you the type of person you are," he said, even as he urged the graduating students to strive towards academic excellence, as they can be the best they dream to be through the dint of hard work. Oladipo, who offered prayers to God to make the pupils the best in their future endeavours, however commended their parents for

Cross section of the pupils of the school with the graduation cake

the support they had shown towards the development of their children and wards, as well as the school in general. He expressed gratitude to them, saying: "My appreciation goes to our parents for their support throughout the year. This year has been full of remarkable events. We had excursion which took us to Abeokuta, where the pupils visited the Olumo Rock. The children also visited the tie and dye centre where they were exposed to firsthand training in tie and dye. Presently, with the training acquired during the excursion, the pupils could make their own tie and dye. This is made possible through your support and efforts." On the success achieved by the school in the last academic session, the Proprietor noted that the school excelled at the Mitv Mathematics competition. He added: "We also participated in LTV competition in which the school emerged third position. Our performance in all the competitions the school participated during the outgoing school year had been excellent and remarkable."

EDUCATION 27

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

UNN student wins Etisalat car prize Chibundu Abugu

 VC slashes internet fee by 50%

While the jubilation that greeted the student’s winning of the promo was yet to die down, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, announced to the joy of the students his administration’s decision to slash the internet fee charged per student and member of staff of the university by 50 per cent. With the reduction, it is suggested that each student would now pay N6,000 per year, instead of the N12,000 they are

UNN

he University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) community was agog last week, when one of the nation’s telecommunication provider, Etisalat, presented a Hyundai car to a student of the university, winner of its EasyCliq Promo. The student, a first year medical student, Mr. Chigaekwu Ugwuanyi, the recipient of the star prize of the promotion, became the proud winner of the Hyundai car.

paying presently. On the planned reduction, Ozumba said: “I understand that you are paying for internet services, but give me the next three months for the fee to be reduced by 50 per cent.” Reacting to his victory as the lucky winner of the grand prize of the Etisalat EasyCliq promo, Ugwuanyi, who was short of words and could not respond to some questions asked him by members of campus Journalists during the presentation

ceremony. Apart from Ugwuanyi, who won the star prize, other students went home with various consolation prizes including Etisalat phones, T-shirts and laptop computers. The grand finale of the promo, which attracted a large number of students and members of staff of the university, took palce at the UNN’s Akanu Ibiam Stadium, where top Nigerian artistes including Terry G; Nigga Raw; Slow Dogg; 2CanTalk, and the winner of the latest Nigeria Idol, entertained the gathering.

Emeritus Prof. Oladipo Akinkungbe (3rd left) and members of the University of Ilorin Medical College's pioneer set of graduates during their reunion

At coconut breaking festival, LASU VC seeks peace, stability Victoria Ewoh

agos State University (LASU) The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Obafunwa Oladapo has appealed to members of the university community, especially the members of staff and students to allow peace to reign in the institution. He said it was through an atmosphere of peace, stability and cordiality that the university could attain its loftier heights in academics that it was once noted for, and as well rebrand the institution from its present image crisis. Obafunwa made the appeal during the 2014 Coconut Breaking Festival, which was part of activities lined up to commemorate the 19th convocation ceremony and 30th anniversary of the state university, held at the Ojo, main campus of the institution, and which was organise in conjunction with the institution’s alumni association. While performing the coconut breaking ritual, which he described as an avenue to offer prayers for peace, unity and progress in the institution, the Vice-Chancellor said: “Now that peace has been restored to LASU, we must all join hands to move the university forward. No progress could be achieved in the institution in an atmosphere of rancour and strife.” The Deputy Vice-Chancel-

lor (Academic), Prof. Senapon Bakre, who also participated in the ritual, prayed that the 30-year-old institution would not collapse, but rather wax stronger in strength and love. She advised students and their parents, as well as other stakeholders to contribute meaningful towards the growth and development of the institution at this period of infrastructural needs and stability.

Her counterpart in charge of Administration, Prof. Fidelis Njokanma sought an enduring peace in the university for it to regain its lost glory. Meanwhile, the institution’s Students’ Union President, Nurudeen Yusuf, said students were more concerned about the progress and development of the institution. “We also pray for peace and progress of the university and

we believe that LASU will certainly move forward like other universities in the country,” Yusuf said. While addressing the students and other members of the university community, the representative of the Lagos State University Alumni Association, Mr. Wale Salu, encouraged the students to be of good behaviour and return the university to the path of honour.

Cross section of LASU graduating strudents at the 19th graduation ceremony of the university.

No one recruited me to rig Osun election — UI VC

he Vice-Chancellor of UniverTIsaac sity of Ibadan (UI), Professor Folorunso Adewole, has

flayed insinuation in the cyberspace that he was involved in recruiting pliable machineries to rig last Saturday's gubernatorial election in Osun State in favour of the PDP governorship candidate, describing it as not only misleading, but also untrue and laughable. According to the university’s spokesman, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, the Vice-Chancellor said that his personality was not in any way connected with such practice. Adewole, who recalled that he got wind of the rumour on Thursday night, in a post by a blogger insinuating that he had been recruited "to perfect the rigging deal, said: "I am not attached to this occasion. It is jaundiced journalism. I got it last Thursday night as was published by a blogger. The post suggested that I was in Abuja for over a week, but, surprisingly, I never left Ibadan. Immediately, I got the information, I burst into an uncontrollable laughter, and thought it was really harmful to my personality in a very larger way." The post read in part: "To perfect the rigging deal, iReports-ng.com gathered that the university don has been in Abuja for the past week to get ‘proper briefing.’ Part of the briefing already given Prof Adewole in Abuja was to recruit about 300 pliable staff of UI as collation officers. Already, 11 Local Government Areas of Osun State have been listed in a rigging plan document prepared by the PDP strategy team where voting figures will be inflated in favour of the party’s governorship candidate." The Vice-Chancellor explained that it was the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Atahiru Jega, who requested for senior staff (professors and others) at the university to assist in monitoring and collation of election results of the gubernatorial election in Osun state. His words: "Because of the closeness of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the institution, a request was made to recruit some senior staff of the University of Ibadan, in which some of them are key members of ASUU, to help monitor and collate the results of the election in Osun state. So, I don't know why this is going beyond a matter of understanding. I had even never showed my face."

Adewole, VC

EDUCATION | CAMPUS

Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO), has rated the Ekiti State University (EKSU), AdoEkiti, as the most ethically responsible university in the South-West geo-political zone of the country. The ranking, according to the university was based on the outcome of an independent assessment and research work carried out by an internationally reputed non-governmental organisation. According to the President of the organisation, Prince Saliu Musa Yakubu, the activities of the organisation, include beaming the searchlight on public institutions and individuals with the aim of exposing corruption, maladministration, inefficiency, graft and fraudulent conduct of public officers and institutions. He said the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation began its independent assessment of Ekiti State University and other universities in the country about three months ago, in which it conducted the non-bias investigation using questionnaires, opinion poll rating and stakeholder interviews to assess the quality of the universities and management performance. “At the end of the assessment, Ekiti State University

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

NGO ranks EKSU most ethically responsible varsity

Prof. Aina (left) being decorated by Yakubu.

was adjudged to be among the top six universities in Nigeria representing ethically responsible universities,” Yakubu declared, saying the assessment covered performance of the institutions in

the areas of education policy, quality of academic programmes, ethical conduct, budget performance, internal control against corruption and national visibility. While congratulating the

UI students’ union unveils late student leader’s statue Hammed Hamzat UI

s part of activities marking the end of tenure of the students’ union leaders of the University of Ibadan (UI) for the 2012/2013 academic session, a statue of the late union leader, Adekunle Ademuyiwa Adepeju, allegedly killed by the police during a protest in the ‘70s, erected in front of the students’ union building of the institution, has been unveiled. According to the outgoing President of the union, Babatunde Badmus, the late Adepeju, a 200-Level student of the Department of Agricultural Economics died in February 1971, while leading a protest in agitation for better welfare of his colleagues on campus. The event, which was graced by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, also attracted other principal officers of the university management, who took turn to commend the students for their innovation. Adewole, who described the day as a day of joy for students to remember what late Adepeju stood for while alive, however said the statue was the legacy project that would stand a test of time. “It is a project that every Nigerian student would be proud of,” the Vice-Chancellor noted. Meanwhile, members of the newly constituted students’ union executive for the 2013/2014 academic session had been sworn-in, at a swearing-in ceremony held at the Trenchard Hall of the institution, a ceremony which was presided over by the ViceChancellor.

In his speech, Badmus on behalf of other members of the executive commended the entire students for the opportunity afforded them and the trust they reposed in them to lead the union for the next academic year. He expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for what he described as his support and understanding at all times, even as he advised executive members to be sober, vigilant and straightforward in their dealing while in office. The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Akinola Alada congratulated the new student leaders, while also commending the union’s electoral body for their tenacity in conducting free, fair and credible poll. The oath taking was administered on the new executive members and members of

the Students Representative Council (SRC) by the university Registrar, Mr. Olujinmi Olukoya, who urged new leaders to promote the university’s good name. The new president, Comrade Oluwafemi Odesola in his speech noted that there is need to revitalize, resuscitate and redeem the true spirit and image of unionism not only on the campus but across the nation’s tertiary institutions. Odesola pledged that the leadership of the union would focus on how to improve internet facility on campus, improve service delivery in the university’s health centre, reduction in exorbitant registration fee to edit course forms, improve library facility and improve welfare of the young farmers engaging in the Practical Year Training Programme (PYTP),

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Patrick Oladipo Aina for operating an inclusive, transparent and accountable leadership, Yakubu said this has endeared him to stakeholders in the education

sector and the Nigerian society at large. The organization, however, presented a certificate of credence to the university as the Most Ethically Responsible University in South-West Nigeria, while the Vice-Chancellor was decorated as an Ambassador of Ethics and Conscience. The Vice-Chancellor, according to the CESVO, scored over 70 per cent in the private assessment of his official conduct including office attendance and accessibility, due diligence, quality control, students and staff welfare and management, as well as ethical conduct. During the presentation conducted at the Iworoko Road main campus of the state university, Prof. Aina was presented with a gold medal in Public Administration. In his response, the ViceChancellor commended the efforts of the group and its contribution to societal growth, even as he expressed optimism that the country would be a better place if everyone joins hands in the fight to stamp out corruption in all facets of national development. At the event, which took place at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office were principal officers of the university and the Students’ Union leader, Babatope Ibitola.

IMT: Poly students chide institute over illegal levies leadership of the NationTnicheal Students Association of Polytech(NAP) has con-

demned the management of the Institute of Management Technology, IMT, Enugu State for imposing what the union termed arbitrary levies on the students, and the recent police harassment of the union leaders on the campus. In a release issued by the Senate President of the association, Salawudeen Lukman, the union accused the college management, led by its Rector, Prof. M.U Iloeje of charging the students about N40,000 for hostel accommodation, where it claimed the roofs are not only leaking but that other necessary facilities are unavailable.

Adewole (middle) with other management staff and students of the insitution, standing with the statue

Lukman also accused the authorities of forcing the students to eat at the hostel cafeteria, saying the decision is making life difficult for students from average homes who could not afford the cost, while insisting that such laws cannot be justified and so should be repealed. He wrote: “It is sad that while other countries yearning for development are making education not only accessible to their youths, but also affordable, Nigerian institutions are daily shutting the doors of education to its teeming young population. This is unarguably parts of the reasons for the increasing spate of violence and general insecurity in the state. “It is unfortunate that the management of the Institute of Management Technology is making life unbearable for students of poor background and that the recent harassment and detention of the students’ union leaders on campus officers of Nigeria Police, who were drafted into the institution on the order of the management to stop the students’ legitimate protest is also condemnable.” The union therefore demanded for an unreserved apology from the college authorities to the students’ union, immediate reversal of all illegal charges imposed on students including the N3,000 Biometry and N5,000 Technological fee, immediate commencement of renovation of all dilapidated structures especially the roof of the lecture theaters and hostels, among others.

CAMPUS | EDUCATION 29 Group commends minister over ASUP strike

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Shadrack Yusuf

orried by the wave of violence and rising cases of insurgence in some northern part of the country, the Ijaw youth, under the umbrella of Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide (IYCM), has kicked against the posting of corps members of Ijaw origin to the area for the 2014/2015 one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. In a statement by the group and signed by its President, Udengs Eradiri, it was reckless and unpatriotic for the National Youth Service Corps to post corps members from the southern part of the country to the north, going by the increasing spate of attacks on the innocent people in the region. Eradiri said: “The IYC maintains its earlier position that Ijaw graduates and anybody from southern part of the country should not be posted to the north. The idea of national integration which necessitated the posting of youths to different parts of the country cannot be used as a justification to deploy Ijaw youths to the north in the present security situation.” Similarly, other organisations and individuals from the southern part of the country, including a group of Bayelsa parents and guardians have made several calls to the appropriate authorities to stop posting their children to the volatile areas. The Bayelsa women, led by their National Women Leader, United for Goodluck Success Campaign, Mrs. Favour Alafuro, embarked on a street protest, demanding the reversal of NYSC’s action of posting their children and wards to the north, describing it as a suicide mission. Meanwhile, as part of ef-

Mojeed Alabi non-governmental organApromoting isation, which focused on youth from the

Chairman, Supreme Basic Schools, Magada, Ibafo, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Mr Olufemi Julius (1st right) and the school's Proprietress, Mrs Kehinde Julius, with graduating pupils of the school during its prize-giving day ceremony.

Ijaw youths kick against posting of corps members to north forts to serve the corps members and help them to communicate effectively and access online content of the scheme, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, recently unveiled the scheme’s mobile application in Abuja. According to him, “the innovation will serve as a tool for information dissemination that will fast track easy

Mojeed Alabi

he Executive Director of Ghana-based Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, has said for Nigeria, and indeed Africa, to fill the production gap, it needs to expand agricultural land area, irrigation water supply, aquaculture production and imbibe new farming systems that will improve land and water use, crop and livestock production. The director, who stated this while delivering the 2014 annual lecture of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, SAAT, of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, also called on government and key operators in agribusiness to increase attractiveness of agriculture by making it profitable, reliable and modern. Akinbamijo, who spoke on the theme, “Systematic Analysis of the African Agricultural Transformation: Lifting Productivity Barriers in Agri-Food Systems,” however warned that time has come for Africa to do away with what he described as ‘hoe and cutlass’ agriculture, which he insisted is no longer relevant to a continent in search of food security. He said governments and other stakeholders should embrace mechanized agriculture and also encourage youths to take the lead in agricultural activities, even as the director noted that the future of agriculture and its growth is in doubt, if the youth continue to shun the sector and farmers continue to use elementary tools.

link between the scheme and the public. It will enable corps members to communicate among themselves and the officers of the scheme using their mobile phones. Corps members would be able to access their posting online. “It contains information such as the service guide, bye laws, security tips, health tips, distress issues, chatting plat-

form, language lessons and service news, among others. It will offer the staff of the scheme the platform for adequate monitoring and feedback on any issue raised by corps members.” The application, it was learnt, will be made available in the online stores of Google and Blackberry for corps members to download into their phones and tablets.

Researcher urges Nigeria to imbibe new farming systems He also sought avoidance of land and water degradation, minimizing climate change through mitigation and adapting to unavoidable climate change, saying without food security and sustained improvements, human development would remain an unattainable goal. Alluding to Africa Human Development Report, he said, though progress has been made over the years, yet Africa still lags behind the rest of the world in food security indicators because a quarter of her population is still undernourished with per capital food production stagnated. According to him, between 1961 and 2000 Africa population rose to 98 per cent with food production rising to 146 per cent and per capital food production rose to 24 per cent, but today, this has drastically declined. To raise the bar, he called for improvement in scientific and technological innovation, government policy and institutional intervention and business investment, innovation and delivery. Akinbamijo further said that the “challenges will always abound; while overcoming them is the real challenge”. He, therefore, called for comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) for Africa’s Agriculture Transformation Agenda to be

Daramola, VC

achieved. He said: “The pathway to transformation is wealth creation, economic opportunities and prosperity through job creation and poverty reduction, improved food and nutrition security, resilience and environmental sustainability, increased agriculture production and productivity, expanded local

southern states of the federation, Southern Youths Development Forum (SYDF), has commended the Education Minister, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau for resolving the lingering crisis between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), which it said had led to the end of the union’s industrial action, spanning about 11 months. The group, in a statement signed by its founder, Pastor James Bassey, and made available to journalists said, the group was worried over the prolonged strike, which the minister few days after he assumed office was able to broker peace and return normalcy to the system. The statement read in part: “This is a good omen and we are indeed proud of this stride. This goes a long way to show that this seasoned administrator is a round peg in a round hole. We are not surprised, but we are stunned because he was able to broker peace within the short time and now the students are back in school. This is a great development in our educational system which for a very long time will continue to be a good reference point. We thank President Jonathan for identifying such a seasoned administrator and an educationist to be at the helm of affairs in the ministry.” It, however, called on the minister to do all within his power to reposition the nation’s education sector for the challenges of the 21st Century.

agro-industry and value addition and improved management and governance of natural resources for sustainable agricultural production.” On the implication of this to FUTA, Akinbamijo stressed that the university should align its agenda in research and training to CAADP initiative, science agenda and global priorities. “FUTA as a continental centre of excellence in food security should always maintain and sustain the lead to revolutionize agricultural sector,” he added, even as he called on the university authority to sufficiently integrate the so-called golden triangle (knowledgegovernment-business) by taking the lead to strengthen the triangle. Akinbamijo, however, urged the university to broaden its research and development efforts through Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) in order to address the low adoption of agricultural research output in the country and Africa as a continent. In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola said that for the agricultural transformation agenda to succeed in Nigeria and Africa, there was the need to commit ourselves to regular and proactive systematic analysis of the agricultural sector. “I am happy that today’s lecture has broadened our horizon on how to systematically analyse agricultural transformation in Africa so as to further open our eyes to our roles as a university and a stakeholder in the nation’s agricultural sector,” he added.

EDUCATION

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Media boss lauds Elizade varsity on development

igher institutions of learning in the country have been challenged on the need to provide modern facilities and standard infrastructure that would enhance education development of the nation. This, it was gathered would go a long way in helping to produce quality graduates that would bring the desired breakthrough in the areas of innovation and academics to the country. The General Manager, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Positive FM, Akure, Mr. Akinyinka Akintola, gave the advice at the Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, when he led the management team of the radio station on a courtesy visit to the private university. Akintola, who insisted that the country needs to be more dynamic and aggressive in its pursuit of education development, urged managers of higher institutions of learning to

consider other approaches that have worked in the developed nations of the world in order to move the Nigerian university system forward. He lauded the advent of private universities in the country, pointing out that the establishment of private universities in Nigeria education firmament has brought another dimension to the effective and efficient running of university education in the country. Hence, the General Manager commended Elizade University for providing modern facilities and standard infrastructure that will facilitate the all-round development of the students. Akinola noted that it was the availability of wonderful facilities and the conducive university environment that propelled the corporation to approach university management for approval to use the campus for its 2014 news summit.

According to him, participants at the summit have continued to treasure their experience during the exercise at the university. While appealing to make the university a permanent venue for the corporation’s future summits, Akinola promised to partner the university in the area of publicity, even as he said that there is the need for Nigerians to know about the wonderful work the founder of the university, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, is doing in the university in his community. While responding, the ViceChancellor, Prof. Valentine Aletor, expressed gratitude to the management of the Positive FM radio station for its interest in the university, pledging that the university would not relent in its efforts at ensuring that problem-solvers and change agents are produced as graduates.

Members of the management team of the university with Akinola and his team during the visit to the university.

Ajasin varsity VC lauds senior workers

 As society inaugurates building complex

or its quality leadership, the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko ViceChancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko has lauded the leadership of the institution’s chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) Cooperative Multipurpose Society (CMS) for providing quality governance to the society. The Vice-Chancellor, who turned the sod of the building on March 3, this year, gave the commendation at the inauguration ceremony of the newlybuilt SSANU-CMS building complex. He said: “I really appreciate you for the great effort you have put into building this beautiful structure. The leadership of the society promised to deliver it in the next six months, but here we are today inaugurating the building in less than five months. I will like to salute the leadership of the society and vision that went into this building. This is simply beautiful and I am proud of you.” The Vice-Chancellor, while stressing that leaders of the union should always be proac-

tive in the activities by adding values to the lives of their members, added: “When we have opportunity to lead our unions, the focus should not be how to wrestle down management or authority. It should be how to add value to what we are doing. Unionism is something that should be proactive, not something that must be reactive at all times. We can chart a new course. We can think out new ideas. We can dream dreams. Unionism that is still operating at the level of mere agitation is living behind time. Unionism must be able to come out with creative things such as this that SSANU is doing with the CMS building that we are inaugurating.” Mimiko congratulated the members of the society for the success of the project and urged the incoming leadership of the society to sustain the standard set by the incumbent executive. Besides, the Vice-Chancellor advised the society to ensure high level of maintenance culture in maintaining the facilities.

“I am sure the minds that conceptualised and built this complex would also put in place a framework to continue to manage this place well,” he noted, urging members of the university community to join hands in the quest to deliver a 21st Century university. While responding to the request by the SSANU President, Mr. Akin Adelola for additional piece of land for other projects, the Vice-Chancellor pledged his administration’s readiness to look into it whenever their proposal to that effect is received. Welcoming guests to the event Adelola, said that the building, which has two offices, a glass compartment reception, a conference room, three lockup shops, a big warehouse, toilet facilities and parking lot, was built at a cost of N12.885 million. He noted that the building was a response to the determination of the executive of the society to fulfill the yearnings of members for the cooperative society to own a befitting building in one of the society’s annual general meetings.

EDUPEACE

with Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (08066372516, sms only)  Dr Adedimeji is a Senior Lecturer and Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin

Too bad, too good

hen the first Principal of the University College of Ilorin and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Tekena T. Tamuno, was to leave office in 1979 under circumstances that were less than salutary in Ibadan, he said something striking. According to the wellrespected academic giant, “all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, Nigeria kills them all.” Prof. Tamuno’s words came to mind when my attention was drawn to the July 20, 2014 story of an Ibadan-based newspaper, headlined, “Religious fundamentalists invade Unilorin” (p.7). I knew within me that hack writers were at work because it could not be true. By the time I read the story, I was convinced that it was a report without a scintilla of substance. Well, the fact that the University of Ilorin has managed to carve a niche for itself as the bastion of peace and stability in the Nigerian university system would naturally ruffle some feathers. It is therefore not expected that once in a while, misguided reports aimed aim rubbishing the gains of the University over more than a decade now would appear in the press. What was strange about the story under reference is that it was anchored on the complaint of a parent that her son was “forbidden to take pictures or watch television on the basis that it is evil” by some students and she took her case to the newspaper. The reporter ultimately traced the activities of the “exuberant Muslim youths” to the university staff quarters (not even the student hostels!) In a socio-political environment that is religiously hyped, writing of a fundamentalist group “invading” a campus without proof is mischievous, to put it mildly. Besides, everyone that has done a basic research knows that the issue of taking photographs is a controversial topic in Islam and it has been like that for several centuries generally and for decades in Nigeria, including higher institutions. The way wearing ear-rings is not acceptable to some Christians, taking photographs is also to some Muslims unacceptable. It is a matter of choice just as some people choose not to eat meat. If there was any investigation at all, it would be found that the University has an impressive security apparatus that does not condone any form of extremism or indecency in whatever guise. As if the story was not in bad faith enough, the rejoinder written by the University spokesperson, Mr Kunle Akogun, who was quoted in the report was not published the following week despite the assurance given to him by the editor, I was told. The principle of “the right of reply” was thrown overboard and that was too bad on the part of the newspaper. For our collective peace, Nigerians should be wary of me-

For our collective peace, Nigerians should be wary of media organisations and groups... dia organisations and groups that exploit religious and ethnic sentiments to drive home their parochial objectives. That was why it is heart-warming that despite the unfortunate pseudoreligious propaganda of “Boko Haramising” a political party as evident in the same edition of the newspaper in question by some desperadoes, the victim of religious stereotyping in Osun State still won because truth is unimpeachable and our people are wiser. Meanwhile, barely a week after the said publication, precisely July 29, 2014, as if to ridicule the report and its sponsors, an international organisation revealed that the University of Ilorin is the best in Nigeria. The truth then dawned on doubting Thomases that religious fundamentalism and high ranking do not go together, no way. Apart from being the most preferred university in Nigeria by admission applicants (with over 105,000 candidates) as the statistics from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) this year shows, the University is now ranked by For international Colleges and Universities (www.4icu.org) as the 1st University in Nigeria, the 20th in Africa and the 1,842nd in the world. It is the first time that a Nigerian university would be ranked among the best 2,000 in the world! The last time the University enjoyed a similar impressive ranking was in January 2011 when the Ranking Web of Universities (www.webometrics. info) placed the University the 1st in Nigeria, 20th in Africa and 2,668th in the world. This development is so good for the University that has become the beautiful bride and it deserves to be congratulated. Those who assume it is a fluke, and not a product of hard work, as the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdul Ganiyu Ambali, said it is, should also aspire and find how easy it is to be Number One. The smear campaign against the University eventually thawed into insignificance as no other newspaper would desecrate itself with such a hatchet job. The University now dominates the news on account of achieving the leading feat. For the University of Ilorin, it was too bad a mendacious report was published on it and it was too good that it emerged first at the same time in web ranking.

FEEDBACK

Re: Nonsense teachers, hatred preachers

Your piece was thought-provoking. I believe it must stir the hearts of Nigerians who profess these callings. The moral debasement in these realms (teaching and preaching) over time has plunged the society into social anomie. Comrade Ogbu Ameh Alex

BUSINESS Wednesday, August 13, 2014

What's news Microsoft introduces N4,000 phone for Nigeria, others Microsoft has introduced a lowcost mobile phone meant to allow it compete further in the low-end segment of communications devices that is rated to be worth over $10.5 billion.

}p-32

July inflation may hit 8.3%, says Rewane Ahead of next week’s release of July numbers by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), headline inflation may rise marginally to 8.3 per cent, Mr Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director and Chief executive of Financial Derivative Company (FDC) has forecast.

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Naira: Time for CBN to act

Developments in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market indicate that the naira exchange rate will remain in the front burner. This stemmed from the fact that the probability of naira devaluation is still strong as the Godwin Emefiele leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) gathers momentum.

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Cosolidated Breweries, Tradall launch Bacardi Breezers Nigeria’s fast-paced ready-todrink (RTD) market, especially in the alcoholic category, is witnessing a new twist with the launch of Bacardi Breezers, an alcoholic cocktail, which exists in over 100 countries.

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BUSINESS CREW AYODELE AMINU, Deputy Editor (Business)

PREcaution Crew advised to adhere to International Port and Ship Security Facility Code Bayo Akomolafe

hipping lines calling at Nigerian and other seaports in West African have suspended shore leave to crew, to avoid Ebola disease. The affected ports are in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria. The liners have also issued advisory document to crews and land-based personnel, outlining health measures as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Ebola virus disease (EVD) is one of world’s most virulent diseases, with a case fatality rate as high as 90 per cent. The infection is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people. The EVD is often characterised by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting diarrhea, rashes, impaired kidney and liver function. In some cases, there is both internal and external bleeding. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC), and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have also issued joint advice to members on Ebola, which is currently

DISJOINTED The capital market is highly fragmented with most operators lacking both human and capital capacity

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

Chris Ugwu

he Institute of Capital Market Registrars (ICMR) has advised market operators to explore the option of mergers and acquisition, to enable them meet the new capital requirements.

31 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

Corporate governance: will ETI learn from past mistakes? }p-36

ayodele aminu, Deputy Editor, business

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

Ebola: Shipping lines stop shore leave to crew Issue advisory documents

ravaging the West African countries. The groups issued strong recommendations to all vessels calling at countries affected by the outbreak of the disease. Some of the advice issued include ensuring that crew are aware of the risk of Ebola and the ways it can be transferred,

adhering to International Ports and Ship Security facility Code (ISPS) requirements to safeguard against unauthorised personnel boarding the vessel and giving careful consideration before granting shore leave in affected countries. They were also advised to avoid making crew transfers in affected countries and

monitoring crew for symptoms after departing affected areas. Last Friday, the WHO declared the outbreak a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’ (PHEIC), with implications for trade and travel, after the largest CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

L-R: Past President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr Mike Itegboje; newly inducted President, Mr Albert Okumagba and immediate past President, Mr Muritala Olushekun, during the investiture of Okumagba as the president of CIS in Lagos

Recapitalisation: Capital Market Registrars advocate mergers, acquisition President/Chairman of the Council, Mr Bayo Olugbemi, made this call in an exclusive interview with New Telegraph. He noted that the industry is highly fragmented with most operators lacking both human and capital capacity. The ICMR boss said: “I always advise that there is room for mergers and acquisition. What the regulators are doing is to strengthen the liquidity base of the operators. I believe that I’ll rather be a one per cent owner of a

living company than to be a 60 per cent shareholder of a dying rated company. There is nothing wrong in mergers and acquisition. Though partnership in Nigeria is tough, we always want to do it alone, but if you want to go faster, go alone, if you want to go far, go with other people. “If you look at your company in the last five years, 10 years and you are not satisfied, take the option of synergy, merge or acquire. If you can’t do it alone, call others to come

and join you because together the better, the more the merrier. We encourage people to go into mergers and acquisition if they cannot do it alone since the Securities and Exchange Commission has said there is no going back in recapitalisation.” In line with the on-going transformation in the capital market with increased volume of transactions, the board of SEC had in pursuant to SecCONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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

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

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at Aug 08)

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

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at Aug 08)

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

32 business | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Microsoft introduces N4,000 phone for Nigeria, others COMPETITION Leading phone manufacturer targets new markets in third world countries Jonah Iboma

icrosoft has introduced a low-cost mobile phone meant to allow it compete further in the low-end segment of communications devices that is rated to be worth over $10.5 billion. Called Nokia 130, the phone is priced at $25 about (N4, 000) and is billed to be focused on emerging markets such as Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines,

China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya and Vietnam. However, the 1.8in (4.6cm)screened phone will be one of the cheapest handheld devices capable of playing back video - thanks to its ability to read files saved to a Micro SD card, although it lacks data connection. The launch comes a month after a leaked memo revealed that Microsoft planned to kill off several of its low-cost phone families to "focus on" its more expensive Windows Phone range. But the firm said that it was still committed to its most basic range. Jo Harlow, Head of Microsoft's Phones Business, said: "This is a massive market segment, and there are not a lot of players in this segment for

the reason that scale is really important. We have the distribution and supply chain scale to compete effectively in this market. This is a space where smartphones today don't reach, so there is still very strong benefits to our business." Harlow added that Microsoft was targeting the device at low wage earners in emerging markets, but added that despite its low price, the firm should profit on the handset after deducting manufacturing and marketing costs.

The Nokia 130 will be sold with other budget handsets running the Series 30+ operating system, which Microsoft acquired as part of its takeover of Nokia's handset division in April. Harlow confirmed, however, that the firm had called a halt to a further release of Asha and Android-powered Nokia X handsets - platforms that have the added ability of allowing users to install applications from Microsoft and third-party developers.

There has been an increasing focus by many mobile devices manufacturers to enter the sub-$35 mobile phone segment, which has often been dominated by low-quality phones. Samsung, India's Micromax and the Chinese firm TCL are some firms that offer ultra-affordable phones of their own. A new study cited by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), revealed that over 300 million units of phones that are less than $35 (£21) are sold in the open market.

Registrars advocate mergers, acquisition C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

tion 313(6) of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2007, approved the new minimum capital requirements for all categories of capital market operators. Following the amendments, the capital requirement for broker/dealer was increased from N70 million to N300million. For broker only, the capital requirement was jacked up from N40 million to N200 million; while for dealer, it was raised from N30 million to N100 million. The minimum capital requirement for Issuing House was also been raised from N150 million to N200 million; while that of underwriter went up from N100 million to N200 million. For a registrar in the Nigerian capital market, the minimum capital requirement rose to N150 million from N50 million; while for those in trustees business, the capital requirement was moved up to N300million, from N40 million. Furthermore, the minimum capital requirement for rating agency was increased from N20 million to N150 million;

while the capital requirement for corporate investment adviser remained at N5 million. From an initial capital requirement of N500,000 every individual investment adviser is expected to have at least N2 million as capital; while fund/ portfolio manager’s minimum capital requirement has been raised from N20 million to N150 million. These developments received a public outcry as most stockbrokers faulted the move, suggesting that the stockbroking firms’ minimum capital should be determined by the level of business they want to do. The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and Association of Stock broking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) criticised the newly increased capital base for capital market operators by SEC, saying “it was ill timed and uncalled for at this moment in time that the market is experiencing recovery from the global meltdown.” The two groups said that they would engage the SEC to address the grey portion of the new capital structure, even as they recommended a riskbased regulatory framework.

Shipping lines stop shore leave to crew C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

outbreak ever recorded of the disease caused the death of over 961 people, infected hundreds of others and continues to spread. Under the conditions of the PHEIC, temporary recommendations to reduce the international spread of Ebola require that, with immediate effect, states affected should conduct exit screening of all persons at international airports, seaports and major land crossings, for unexplained febrile illness consistent with potential Ebola infection. Already, there is the fear that West African economy may be weakened if the major shipping lines suspend their services into the sub-region.

Miffed by this development, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi, said that the authority had taken steps towards ensuring that the infected persons do not come into the country through the seaports. He said that guidelines had been issued to the organisation’s employees and port users on the risks posed by Ebola. Abdullahi added that the measures were in line with the information from WHO. He sympatised with those who had contacted the virus in the course of duty but noted that the NPA would leave no stone unturned to make sure that port facilities are Ebola-free.

L-R: Head, South East Bank, Gabriel Anajekwu; Executive Director, Corporate Bank, John Obi; Awardee, Senior Lecturer, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Dr. Ejike Okonkwo and ESUT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Cyprian Onyeji, at this year’s ESUT Best Lecturer award in Enugu…recently

July inflation may hit 8.3%, says Rewane RED ALERT The marginal rise would raise eyebrows in the investor community and put the CBN on red alert Godson Ikoro

head of next week’s release of July numbers by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), headline inflation may rise marginally to 8.3 per cent, Mr Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director and Chief executive of Financial Derivative Company (FDC) has forecast. In its July edition, the researchers and analyst at FDC said: “If this forecast increase in inflation takes place, it will be the 5th monthly consecutive increase in the price level this year.” FDC said that marginal increase would raise eyebrows in the investor community and put the CBN on red alert. They insisted that whilst the incremental rise is marginal, the cumulative increase could become a cause for monetary policy concern. Noting that the February 2014 year on year retail price inflation was 7.7 per cent, and that of July will now peak at 8.3 per cent up 0.6per cent, they insisted that though it is within the 6-9 per cent target range, but it will only be 0.7

per cent lower than the ceiling. This developing trend will give the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, a reason to look at the close relationship between M2 growth and the Consumer Price Index (CPI), they concluded. The researchers at FDC noted that, the CBN has recently been aggressively mopping up excess liquidity in the system to preserve the value of the naira, by keeping dollar demand moderate. Although the MPC meeting is still weeks away, and they said they do not expect any market gyrations and monetary instability in August irrespective of the CPI numbers, they however stressed that the key variable to watch in the short run is the growth in money supply. FDC also tried to decompose money supply into the high powered component and other aggregates, stressing that the rate of inflation is already becoming part of the political agenda in what is likely to be a keenly contested election. Noting that the banking watchdog has been watching the inflation rate closely because of the fact that rising inflation will seriously undermine the key objective of maintaining the value of the naira at current levels, FDC averred that the CBN governor has staked his reputation on his mission to bring down interest rates and thereby impact employment indirectly. It however concluded that an

increase in the inflation rate is likely to make the reduction of interest rates less imperative. Also in South Africa, the SARB, on July 17, pushed up the benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 5.75 per cent per annum. For four consecutive months, headline inflation had risen marginally by 8.2 per cent last June, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The 8.2 per cent (year-onyear) in June, NBS said, was an increase of 0.2 per cent point from the 8 per cent recorded in May. The increase in June was attributed to higher prices in bread, cereals, meats, fish and dairy groups, a repeat of May price trend. NBS said that the prices in the food sub-inflation were weighed down by relatively slower increases in the oils and fats, fruits and vegetable groups. From January to June, 2014, year on year rates averaged 9.4 per cent, which was 0.5 percentage points lower than what was recorded in the previous half year. Inflation had crept up from a five-year low of 7.8 per cent in October due to rising food prices. The apex bank has said that it wants to keep inflation between six and nine per cent this year and has a longer-term goal of reducing it to around 5 per cent by the end of 2015.

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

LOAN SMEDAN and NAC to provide enabling milieu for trainees to access loans at 10 per cent interest Amadi Nnamdi

inister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, has commended Sandex Car Care’s Lady Mechanic Initiative, describing it as a laudable idea. Aganga spoke when he

Lady Mechanic Initiative laudable, says Aganga hosted the company’s Group Managing Director, Mrs Sandra Aguebor-Ekperouh at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. He pointed out that the female gender is known for paying attention to details and they are always thorough in their work, which always makes them outstanding in

their professions. The minister also urged the Lady Mechanic Initiatives to key into the Spare Part Manufacturing Policy of the Federal Government, Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP). He said: “You can diversify into spare part manufacturing based on the fact that the skills you acquire in the auto indus-

try can be used in many areas, that is why auto industry is known to be the beginning of industrialisation.” The minister also said that his ministry would provide necessary support to the initiatives through its agencies to train more lady mechanics through the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), National Au-

L-R: Director, (HMITI), Mr. Jonathan A. Juma, Bright Timothy (Trainee); DG, National Automotive Council, Engr. Aminu Jala; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga; Founder, Lady Mechanic Initiative, Sandra Aguebor Ekperuoh and other Trainees during the visit of Sandex Car Care, Lady Mechanic Initiative to the Ministry’s Headquarters, Abuja

tomotive Council (NAC) and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria. (SMEDAN) Aganga added that SMEDAN and NAC would be on hand to provide enabling environment for trainees to have access to loans under 10 per cent and bankable plan that would enable them create more employment and wealth in the country. “What you are doing is very important and commendable. You are doing a terrific job and something that is unique in the world, which had made you a big ambassador of Nigeria. We admire you and your ladies.” Earlier, the founder of the initiative had disclosed that she had been in the field for 29 years, which enabled her to train many ladies to earn a suitable livelihood in the auto mechanic profession. She said that their target was to increase the number of ladies training, open modern auto workshop in the FCT and strategic states of the federation and also partner with government in some areas of need to achieve their aims. “We need the assistance of government to acquire equipment, space to build our workshop and access to the grant/ loan of Bank of Industry through NAC.

Ebola: Bush meat sales drops, bitter kola demand rises Nnamdi Amadi and Kenneth Tyohemba Abuja

ellers of bush meat in Abuja and its suburbs are not having the best of time as consumers have completely shunned patronage of their once favourite delicacy, causing a drastic drop in sales. It is believed that the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) can be contracted through bush animals, aside contact with the blood or fluids of an infected person. Meanwhile, the price of bitter kola continues its sky ward drive following rumours that it is an antidote to the deadly EVD. To this end, consumers of bush meat have refrained from it as a preventive measure. Most bush meat joints in Abuja were deserted when New Telegraph reporter visited. While bush meat sellers are counting their losses, bitter kola hawkers are smiling at their new found fortune as

most residents shun experts’ theory that bitter kola does not prevent the deadly disease that has claimed over 1000 lives in West Africa. At the popular Monkey Joint Restaurant and Bar, the frills and thrills usually experienced at the rendezvous had waned. The owner of the business, who gave her name as Dooshima, attributed the meltdown of her business to the outbreak of Ebola virus in Nigeria, which lists contact with wild animals as a mode of contacting the disease. Dooshima who is famous with her Monkey joint business also said that she used to earn handsomely from sales of assorted bush meat pepper soup including monkey, bush pig, grass cutter and antelope, among others. An ardent patron of the joint who was seen seated at the restaurant, but did not want his name mentioned, said that he no longer buy bush meat. “I fancy this Monkey Joint because of its natural environment, but I can’t risk contact-

ing the virus by consuming bush meat, I prefer to take just a bottle of beer, without the meat,” he said. Also at Maraba Market, a raw bush meat vendor, Abubakar Sani, complained that customers have stopped coming.

Sani further stated that traders of bush meat at the market have drastically cut down the price of the commodity so as to entice buyers, but to no avail. “A piece of the meat which used to sell for about N5000 has been reduced

to about N3000, but despite that, patronage continues to drop.” A housewife, Mrs Nkechi Nwafor, whose favourite is bush meat, however, said that she has supplemented it with alternatives.

Sandralia Hotel plans big for FCT Simeon Ogoegbulem Abuja

Abuja hospitality landTwithhe scape is set for transformation Sandralia Hotel commenc-

ing operations in a fortnight. Sales and Marketing director of Sandralia, Nwankwo Christopher, said that the new hotel was set to take over the Abuja hospitality industry. Nwankwo stated that the hotel is the first of its kind in the country, adding that the design is a replica of hotels in the Middle East countries and “nobody has done this in Abuja or even in Nigeria. “We only have 105 rooms but we have enough space, so that

in a situation where events take place here, people will see where to park their cars inside the hotel, this is an added security advantage. “When you go to other hotels, space is a major problem, even with little events, there will not be space for guests to park. With the security situation in the country, nobody will want to be engaged in such risk, so with that I know many people will rather patronise us.” Nwankwo further said that the hotel will be managed by an indigenous management team with a sprinkling of a few expatriates who have been in the business of hotel management for long and have the experience and professional carriage to take the hotel to great heights.

The facility is 20 minutes’ drive from the airport and 10 minutes from the Abuja city centre.

FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed

FCT | BUSINESS WATCH

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Diaspora Mortgage Scheme'll deepen housing, says FMBN MD Against the backdrop of criticisms trailing the implementation of National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme by Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), its Managing Director/CEO, Gimba Yaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;u Kumo, in this interview with ABDULWAHAB ISA, says the bank is transparent and open in its administration Some Nigerians claim they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t subscribe to NHF due to problems encountered at maturity stage. How can these measures be corrected to restore confidence? The process involved in NHF loan is very transparent and that is why we decided to be publishing the names of beneficiaries of all disbursements and refunds when we came on board. We published the names of those that have left service and the amount disbursed. It is because of our desire to address these discrepancies that we came up with the e-collection platform so that each individual contributing to the scheme will, on monthly basis, know whether his or her account is credited or not. The essence of this is to make them inquire from their organisations why it is not done. There are issues certainly, but we will be able to address them as we move on. We have several strategies we are adopting to provide houses to Nigerians. If you look at the minimum wage of N18,000, the deduction is 2.5 per cent. If you run your numbers, it is about N450. We have 3,777,000 contributors. We have delivered only 56,000 houses. It takes 250 contributors to contribute N500 monthly for 10 years for one person to be able to access N15 million. There are hurdles faced by NHF contributors in recent time. What is responsible for the development? Contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) have, in the last six months, been paid over N9 billion either as refunds or as funds to assist them own their homes. The information is in the public domain for anyone that wants to verify. We have been paying contributors and in the last six months we have disbursed over nine billion naira to contributors. Publication of the list may not have been regular as before, but that does not mean that disbursement has not been going on. We have disbursed through over 57 Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs). We are doing all we can within the bank to ensure that our facilities are up to date so as to reduce the waiting time in the disbursement of loans to recipients to the shortest possible time. How can Nigerians access NHF loans? Those who want to access the loans need to have equity contribution of some percentage of what they are asking for as loan. If, for instance, they require N5 to N10 million from the bank, the equity contribution is 20 per cent, for N10 to N15 million, the equity is 30 per cent while for N5 million and below, the equity contribution is 10 per cent. The bank does not deal with individuals in its transactions, as individuals wishing to buy a house or access the loans have to go through Primary Mortgage Institutions. How would you describe the mortgage industry in Nigeria at the moment? The mortgage industry in Nigeria is still evolv-

We have delivered only 56,000 houses. It takes 250 contributors to contribute N500 monthly for 10 years for one person to be able to access N15 million

ing. If you look at the size of our contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it is less than one per cent, but my target before I leave here is that we should be able to contribute at least 15 per cent. That is why we are putting a lot of issues on ground to be able to drive this process. And how do you do that? If you look at the National Housing Fund (NHF) out of the 170 million population, less than one per cent are the ones contributing and this is not a good development. Do you think a single digit mortgage rate is feasible in view of economic indices? Yes, our rate has always been single digit, our estate development loan or construction loan is 10 per cent; our mortgage is just six per cent and we also intend to extend that same rate to the informal sector so that we can make the houses affordable to them. Nigerians cannot afford anything above single digit because average income of individual is very low and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we are providing a buffer whereby they are able to pay. We took the minimum wage of N18,000 as a basis with which one can be able to do a mortgage of N450 monthly. So, this is the minimum the informal sector beneficiaries are expected to pay, but this will be difficult for some of them, so we are looking at a subsidy. What stringent measures have been put in place by the bank to ensure that property developers pay back their loans? Up till now we do not have any problem with the loans we have given to developers. However, a major issue we are trying to resolve has to do with titling. Mortgage business thrives on title. For you to get title in Nigeria is difficult. For instance, you are given a land in Abuja under the development lease agreement to build 500 houses, for you to be able to create mortgages for these houses, you need an individual certificate for each of the houses. If you apply to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to get these titles, it takes you not less than two years, and Lagos State is even worse. But on our own, what we have done is to create a buffer zone, which we call the internal record office whereby you will sign our legal

mortgage documents and we give you your mortgage, leave us with the responsibility to get the title; by this we are trying to reduce the burden to beneficiaries. You recently talked about the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme, what is it about? FMBN is working out modalities to roll out a Diaspora product to assist Nigerians living abroad to own homes in Nigeria. The product has become necessary given the large number of Nigerians in the Diaspora who wish to own homes in Nigeria and also as a means of reducing the housing deficit in the country. We realised that about 17 million Nigerians are living outside the country and most of them have plans to have houses and they have not been able to do so. We understand that over the years, people have been remitting money for the building or buying of a house, but they have not been getting good results. Stories have followed this money. What we are trying to do is that by the time we develop the Diaspora mortgage model, it will be a model whereby Nigerians living abroad who want to buy houses can resort to FMBN and at the end of the day if they do not take the mortgage, they can get refund of their money with interest. The reason why the bank has chosen the United States of America (USA) is because out of the 17 million Nigerians all over the world, America has about 58 per cent. We are going to do our case study here and in the United Kingdom (UK). If it works well, we will try to replicate it in Asia and other parts of the world. The move would also lead to the inflow of finance from the Diaspora to Nigeria, which would further assist to reduce the housing needs in the country. The target of the Diaspora, the inflow of Diaspora money to Nigeria is about $10 billion. If the housing sector takes about 25 per cent of that inflow, we are expecting that about $2.5 billion dollars is coming to us in the form of inflow from Diaspora people that would need houses and investments in the housing sector. That would translate to about N412 billion and with that we can fund mortgages and build about 30,000 units and that would be an opportunity for those who would want to have houses in Nigeria. That is within the envelope that we are allowed to operate which is N15 million or $90,000.

Kumo

BUSINESS | MONEY 35

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Weak Naira The official peg of the naira is unsustainable, and it is overvalued by 14 – 19 per cent Godson Ikoro

evelopments in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market indicate that the naira exchange rate will remain in the front burner. This stemmed from the fact that the probability of naira devaluation is still strong as the Godwin Emefiele leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) gathers momentum. Overvalued naira The Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) last week showed three different scenarios that portrayed the naira as overvalued. In their July bulletin made available to New Telegraph, the company presented Goldman Sachs, the big Mac, and the PPP – Fair Value surveys, all showing that the naira is overestimated in varying degrees. Specifically, the Big Mac index, suggests that naira is overvalued by 48.75 per cent. The Big Mac index considers the extreme but remote scenarios and believes that in the long run, the basket of goods and services cost the same across countries. The EIU scenario also predicted that the exchange rate band of the naira may be adjusted due to speculative pressures in the run up to the 2015 elections. In the same vein, the PPP index, which measures fair value of currencies, showed that naira was also overvalued by 8.7 per cent, while the Goldman Sachs predicts that the naira will remain under pressure. According to Goldman Sachs, the official peg of the naira is unsustainable, and it is overvalued by 14 – 19 per cent. Goldman Sachs also forecasts a depreciation of the naira to N170 in three months, N175 in six months and N195 IN 12 months. The fore going scenarios suggest that the Naira is overrated. This perhaps is what is fuelling calls for the devaluation of the naira. The campaign to devalue the naira has been shouldering. RenCap’s perspective In their analysis of sub-Sahara Africa external debt positions, the renaissance Capital (RENCAP) said that although Nigeria naira is not vulnerable to a default, "but we maintain our projection of a devaluation of the naira in the short-term, premised on our view of downside risk to foreign reserves in the run up to February 2015 polls." At the final day of the World Economic Forum hosted by Nigeria, the group Managing Director of UBA, Phillips Oduoza, was of the opinion that the naira be revalued. As an emerging market forex currency, determining the true value of the naira will help both foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investors to

Jonathan

Emefiele

UBA MD Phillips Oduoza

Naira: Time for CBN to act understand the flow from their perspectives. The naira as other emerging markets currency are sought by investors for the prospect of high returns, as they often experience faster economic growth as measured by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This, however, is at the risk of political instability, domestic infrastructure problems, currency volatility and hunted equity opportunities. While financial analysts have continue to prod the Emefiele administration to help determine the true value of the naira, predicting the route the economy will take is a tough journey to map out. Emefiele’s stand But Emefiele made it known in his maiden press conference, that his focus would be on maintaining exchange rate stability and preserve the value of the domestic currency. He said: "Our key goal here would be to maintain exchange rate stability. In view of the high import-dependent nature of the economy and significant exchange rate pass-through, a systematic depreciation of the naira would literarily translate to considerable inflationary pressure with attendant effect on macroeconomic stability. Therefore, under my leadership, the Bank will continue to focus on maintaining exchange rate stability and preserve the value of the domestic currency. “We will sustain the managed float regime in the management of the exchange rate, as this will allow the Bank to intervene when necessary to offset pressures on the exchange rate. To support this strategy, we will strive to build-up and maintain a healthy external reserves position and ensure external balance. “There is no doubt that reducing the interest rate and maintaining the exchange rate are very daunting twin goals. However, the CBN would work assiduously with all stakeholders to device countervailing

measures that would ensure that these goals are mutually achieved" Exchange rate Indeed, the management of the naira is the primary function of the CBN. The foreign exchange and exchange rate management has been transformed over years, from the officially pegged exchange rate system between 1970 and 1985, to a market determined system since 1986. The Naira exchange rate is now determined through the foreign exchange market basis of demand and supply. The dollar is the intervention currency in the market; while the exchange rates of other currencies are based on cross-reference to the Naira – dollar rate. The trade-weighted nominal effective exchange rate (NEER) index for Nigeria represents of the value the naira, in terms of weighted basket of currencies. According to the currency management unit of the CBN, the weights represent the relative importance of each currency to the Nigeria economy. In other words, it represents the share of each of the selected countries in Nigeria’s total trade. Therefore, the NEER index measures the average change of the naira’s exchange rate against other currencies. Furthermore, the geometric approach was adopted, while ab-initio, 10 major trading partners, which control about 76.0 per cent of Nigeria’s trade

But we maintain our projection of a devaluation of the naira in the short-term, premised on our view of downside risk to foreign reserves in the run up to February 2015 polls

with the row was selected. The currency basket includes those of Belgium, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom and the United States of America. Time for Emefiele to act Given the modifications in the group of selected partners, Emefiele is expected to take a second look at the value of the Naira. Currently, Nigeria’s major trading partners are Brazil, China, Mainland, France, Germany, India, Belgium, Italy, Ghana, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom and USA. The CBN Governor had maintained that the exchange rate policy was correct and that a devaluation of the naira would be devastating for the import dependent economy. And 74 days after he assumed office, he had maintained this stance, having presided of the 239th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. Analysts are calling for a revaluation of the Naira. The reason is not farfetched. Naira’s valus has direct impact on the aspects of the economy especially its merchandise trade – import and export trade as well as the increase of surplus overtime. Higher value of exports has an inverse correlation with the strength of domestic currency. Furthermore, capital tend to follow countries that have strong government, the foreign direct investment and foreign direct portfolio investment are maximised where the currency’s true or fair value is in force. Also to be considered, are interest rates and influence of other currencies in the global forex market. The exchange rate of the naira versus the others is influenced by numerous fundamental and technical factors. These include relative supply and demand of the two currencies, economic performance, outlook for inflation, interest rate differentials, capital flows, technical support and resistance levels,

and so on. As these factors are generally in a state of perpetual flux, naira values fluctuate from one moment to the next. But although its level is largely supposed to be determined by the underlying economy, the tables are often turned, as huge movements in the naira can dictate the economy’s fortunes. Effects of overvalued or weak currency While the impact of a currency’s gyrations on an economy is far-reaching, most Nigerians do not pay particularly close attention to exchange rates because most of their business and transactions are conducted in their domestic currency. For the typical consumer, exchange rates only come into focus for occasional activities or transactions such as foreign travel, import payments or overseas remittances. Economists argue that a common fallacy that most people harbor is that a strong naira is a good thing, because it makes it cheaper to travel to Europe, for example, or to pay for an imported product. In reality, though, an unduly strong currency can exert a significant drag on the underlying economy over the long term, as entire industries would be rendered uncompetitive and thousands of jobs are lost. And while consumers may disdain a weaker domestic naira because it makes crossborder shopping and overseas travel more expensive, a weak currency can actually result in more economic benefits. The value of the naira in the foreign exchange market is an important instrument in a central bank’s toolkit, as well as a key consideration when it sets monetary policy. Directly or indirectly, therefore, currency levels affect a number of key economic variables. They may play a role in the interest rate Nigerians pay on mortgage, the returns on their investment portfolio, the price of milk in local supermarket, and even job prospects.

BUSINESS | THE INVESTOR

Chris Ugwu

he issue of corporate governance has become a matter of great concern worldwide. This was why bodies such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) developed core principles of corporate governance, which are viewed as representing the moral consensus of the international community. Essence of corporate governance According to reports, the OECD principles particularly define corporate governance as involving a set of relationships between a company’s management, its board, its shareholders, and other stakeholders. Corporate governance also provides the structure through which the objectives of the company are set, and the means of attaining those objectives and monitoring performance are determined. When firms stick to sound corporate governance practices, they are able to balance multiple stakeholders’ interests, meet both legal obligations and general societal expectations. Since good governance practices enhances transparency and accountability in companies, investors are better placed to make informed investment decisions and firms are also likely to get external finance due to assurances provided by the corporate governance system. It is worthy to note that the issue of how corporate governance impacts Nigeria’s capital market development and other markets world over, is a two-way traffic. As much as good governance practices would promote the development of the capital market, weak corporate governance practices would also inhibit its development as it would erode confidence in the capital market with potential wider implications for the Nigerian financial markets and the general economy as seen in the 2008 ugly experience in the capital market. This is why governments and regulators always charge both the public and private sector of the economy to continue to demonstrate their compliance on sound corporate governance, which would enable the overall growth of the economy. Laxity in Nigeria However, in Nigeria, lapses in adherence to these principles have contributed majorly to crisis in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) even as most countries have recovered from the global financial meltdown. Over the years, many quoted companies have been violating this important obligation, thereby keeping investors in the dark about their financial health among others. ETI as an example A clear case in point was a whistle blowing by the Executive Director, Risk and Finance at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Laurence do Rego, who had written a letter to the regulator alleging insider dealings and alterations in the compensation element of the CEO’s contract, which by-passed governance structures, and a planned sale of the group’s non-core assets. She wrote to express reservation and concern for a number of actions that the MD and Board Chairman had taken. These actions promoted personal interests of the people involved and their conduct ran counter to laid-down operational structures and procedures. Specifically, in the letter written in August 2013 to the SEC Nigeria and ETI’s board of directors, Laurence do Rego, alleged that the Chairman, Kolapo Lawson, and Group CEO, Thierry Tanoh, were attempting to sell non-core assets at values below prevailing market rates; that the duo attempted to manipulate the

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Corporate governance: Will ETI learn from past mistakes?

SEC DG, Arunma Oteh

ETI’s new Group CEO, Mr. Albert Essien

Ecobank Nigeria CEO, Jubril Aku

2012 results to enable the group show much better 2013 performance results; while raising questions around the propriety of an approval process through, which a substantial increase in Tanoh’s 2012 bonus (which he subsequently opted not to receive) was arrived at. She also alleged that she was asked to write off debts owed by a real estate company in which Lawson was Board Chairman. In its commitment to ensuring sound corporate governance in the nation’s capital market, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) waded into issues relating to corporate governance breaches in ETI. The SEC had said in its findings that there was an absence of clear vision and strategy at the bank, inadequate transparency in recruitment procedures and conflicts of interest. Market watchers hailed both the intervention and its outcomes. It constituted a pathfinder on regulatory imperatives for multimarket jurisdiction players in the evolving African business landscape.

continued success in the future. Reviewing Ecobank’s 2013 financial results, Group Chief Executive, Mr. Albert Essien, noted that the fundamentals of the bank’s business are strong and he was excited by the huge potential of its unique platform. “However, I will not shy away from key areas that need to be addressed, including improving our profitability by driving efficiency across our entire network. Our performance in the first quarter of 2014 has been significantly ahead of the equivalent period last year, which gives the Board confidence regarding Ecobank’s prospects for the year as a whole.” At the AGM, all the ordinary resolutions were passed, which include the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh as the Group’s new Chairman. An accountant by training, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh has over 35 years’ experience of international business management and corporate advisory roles in both the private and public sectors, having spent much of his career with Deloitte in West and Central Africa.

The new Board comprises three executive directors (Group CEO, Mr. Albert Essien, Deputy Group CEO and Group COO, Mrs. Evelyne Tall-Daouda, and Mrs. Laurence do Rego, Executive Director, Finance) and nine Non-Executive Directors among others.

ETI’s response In its response, Ecobank said it was taking very seriously the findings by SEC, adding that changes had already been made on how to strengthen its corporate governance. “In order to further improve its governance practices, ETI has indeed engaged the Global Board Center of the renowned Swiss business school, the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), to undertake a review of its corporate governance, including the size and constitution of ETI’s Board, its procedures for managing related party transactions as well as its committee structures and incentive policies,” the bank noted. Addressing shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the group headquarters in Lomé recently, the outgoing Interim Chairman of the bank, Mr. André Siaka, said the board is committed to establishing the highest standards of corporate governance. Siaka said the bank will learn from the recent past, address all of the issues and lay firm foundations for Ecobank’s

Board changes In accordance with the Governance Action Plan approved at Ecobank’s Extraordinary General Meeting in March of this year, there has been a significant reorganisation of the Group’s Board of Directors. Messrs. Sena Agbayissah, Kwasi A. Boatin, Assad Jabre and Sipho Mseleku have retired as Directors.

In the light of the relevance of good corporate governance practices in the development of any capital market, there is need for conscientious efforts to be made to entrench these practices

Tanoh’s exit The board of ETI had on March removed its chief executive, Thierry Tanoh. The crisis over corporate governance and leadership that led to Tanoh's departure was seen as a test case for regulators and has put a spotlight on the integrity of financial institutions on a continent where economies are expanding rapidly. The bank had also named Deputy CEO Albert Essien as its new chief executive. It also announced the reinstatement of finance director Laurence do Rego, as directed by SEC, which investigated alleged breaches of corporate governance. Partners’ assessment However, going by the bank’s commitment to change for better, the chief executive of its alliance partner Nedbank Group Mr. Mike Brown last week noted that the bank has made progress in resolving governance problems. "ETI went through some governance challenges, but in the last few months we think they've made enormous progress in resolving those issues," Brown said. South Africa's Nedbank has a strategic alliance with Ecobank and under a deal with the lender has until November to decide if it will take a 20 per cent stake in the bank. Conclusion In the light of the relevance of good corporate governance practices in the development of any capital market, there is need for conscientious efforts to be made to entrench these practices. All stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market must see it as obligatory and beneficial to abide by sound corporate governance practices in their operations without necessarily being chastised to do so. A developed capital market would be value enhancing and benefit all stakeholders in the long run.

BUSINESS | BRANDS & MARKETING 37

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

COMPETITION World famous Bacardi Breezers sets to dominate Nigeria’s readyto-drink market Stories by Dele Alao

igeria’s fast-paced readyto-drink (RTD) market, especially in the alcoholic category, is witnessing a new twist with the launch of Bacardi Breezers, an alcoholic cocktail, which exists in over 100 countries. RTDs are beverages sold in prepared form, ready for consumption and Bacardi Breezers will now join Smirnoff in that category. Taking advantage of the country’s huge market potentials, the Consolidated Breweries, in partnership with Tradall S.A., member of the Bacardi Martini Group, introduced the Bacardi Breezer into the Nigerian market at an elaborate ceremony at Oriental Hotels, Lagos. Speaking on the product,

Cosolidated Breweries, Tradall launch Bacardi Breezers Tradall’s Country Manager, Mr Femi Olajimbiti, said that the brand’s entry into the Nigerian market is coming at the right time, especially now that the country has established itself as the largest economy on the African continent. Describing the new entrant as the world’s most colourful alcoholic drink, Olajimbiti said that Breezer which was introduced to the global market over 50 years ago, is designed for free spirited Nigerians who enjoy the colourful side of life, adding that the RTD is already enjoyed in over 150 countries across the world. Three brand ambassadors were also unveiled for Breezer at the event. They include Sean Tizzle, Yemi Alade and Seyi Shay. The country manager said that the brand ambassadors

will help to drive excitement and talkability for Breezer among target audience of youth aged between 18 and 24. Brand Manager for Bacardi Breezer, Olugbenga Lawrence, said: “We are thrilled that we can now announce that Breezer has officially landed in Nigeria. Breezer is the perfect drink for all free spirited Nigerians who want to enjoy the colourful side of life.” Lawrence added that

“Breezer lives life in colour - and we’re asking Nigerians to show us your passion for life, show us your true colours.” The latest alcoholic beverage to hit Nigeria was also revealed to hundreds of fun loving Nigerians who won tickets to the unveiling party at the Oriental Hotel on Victoria Island where a whole host of famous faces, including Sean Tizzle, Yemi Alade and Seyi Shay were on the colourful

carpet to celebrate its arrival. Tizzle, said: “The launch party last night was epic! So much colour, so much passion and so much love for Breezer. I’m a fan already and can’t wait to see it all over Nigeria.” Also, Shay said: “Breezer is just great. Not only is it a great tasting, refreshing drink, but it showed us how to throw the best party. I love the watermelon flavour and can’t wait to introduce all my friends to it too.”

Airtel partners Mictoensure, Cornerstone on new value plan

n line with its vision to be the Ilives most loved brand in the daily of Nigerians, Airtel Ni-

geria has collaborated with MicroEnsure and Cornerstone Insurance plc, to launch a free insurance product. The new initiative offers Airtel customers life and hospitalisation insurance with increasing benefits based on monthly airtime recharge. The product, which is tagged Airtel Insurance, is packaged to deliver affordable insurance services and encourage insurance culture among Nigerians. It is first of its kind in Nigeria and has been endorsed by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). All hospitalisations are covered, both for natural and accidental causes, with no medical exclusions, making it the most widely accessible and generous free insurance cover in the country. Airtel Insurance rewards loyal Airtel customers with a renewable monthly life and hospitalisation cover based on the amount of monthly airtime recharged. Custom-

ers can qualify for this insurance by recharging as little as N1,000 with Airtel each month, and as they increase their monthly recharge, they earn more insurance cover – with up to N500,000 and N50,000 of life insurance and hospitalisation cover per month. Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Maurice Newa, explained that majority of Nigerians especially the middle and low income earners in Nigeria cannot afford most available insurance policies due to income levels and complicated insurance processes. “In line with our vision to enrich the lives of Nigerians and offer them quality services, Airtel Nigeria collaborated with two reputable insurance organisations to package this innovative product which guarantees our customers quality, affordable and accessible insurance services. This further corroborates Airtel’s commitment towards creating a robust platform that helps customers accomplish their professional and personal success and goals in life,” Newa said.

L-R: Regional Expansion Manager, Africa, MicroEnsure, Kierieni Kirika and Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Maurice Newa, discussing at the media launch of Airtel Insurance in Lagos

Beauty brands set to flaunt USPs in Paris

eauty brands in at least 90 countries are set to show their Unique Selling Propositions (USPs) at a Beauty brands Exhibition tagged “Cosmeeting Paris, in Paris, France.” This year’s edition of world beauty brands and new concepts in the areas of skin care, hair, hygiene, makeup, perfume and accessories is a tradeshow that registers one of the highest numbers of international visitors. Cosmeeting Paris has positioned itself as a renowned international event visited by 90 different countries. Every September for the

Why Chivita Active wears new look –MD anaging Director of Chi Limited, Mr Deepanjan M Roy, has explained that the

Chivita Active new pack is a fresh and entirely new design aimed at effectively communicating the core value of Chivita Active as an “active healthy lifestyle” brand to consumers. The fruit juice from the stable of Chi Limited, was recently rebranded with a new look following a strategic makeover to reposition and convey tangible and intangible attributes of the brand to the consumer. Roy added that the new pack parades a bold new logo that is refreshingly modern while

exuding the core essence of active health. “With rounded contemporary edges and the forward pointing red triangle, the logo emphasizes on advancement, achievement and success,” he said, adding that “the design is cutting edge. The rich fruit and juice visuals combine perfectly with the simplistic design and colour pallet to reveal a truly sophisticated pack. It is a pack that exudes confidence and fitness and will resonate with those who lead an active lifestyle and are primed to achieve more.” The pack also features a nutritional information panel on

the six citrus fruits mixed together to form the juice while “Fortified with Vitamin C” is strategically positioned on the pack to further identify with the health-conscious consumer. Further examination of the pack reveals active images on the side panels that urge consumers to embrace the active lifestyle and an inviting motif of fruits and juice splash. “Chivita Active fruit juice contains six citric fruit juices and added vitamin C. The citric fruit juices are orange, grapefruit, lime, tangerine, lemon and mandarine,” the managing director said.

past 11 years, international buyers, distributors and importers of beauty products all over the world flock to the Cosmeeting Paris in search of new brands. For its 12th edition, the organisers are creating quite a stir from September 9 to 11, 2014, at Porte de Versailles, with two professional beauty exhibitions; Cosmeeting Paris and Creative Beauty Paris. Beauty brands, buyers, distributors and retailers across the globe will get an exclusive preview of the latest trends in beauty products, natural cosmetics, make-up, hair care and accessories. For beauty enthusiasts and professionals, this is a unique opportunity to meet in one place the most innovative and comprehensive range of finished products for all distribution networks. They will get to meet and explore business opportunities with over 230 companies including major players in the medical and beauty industry. Of particular interest to visitors from Africa is the spotlight on ethnic oriented brands through the CosmeetingColor section. The Director of CosmeetingColor, Marina Marville, said: “This will be a chance for African brands and consumers to meet face-to-face with the

industry’s leading suppliers and manufacturers of innovative beauty products designed specifically for women of colour. “The CosmeetingColor section was created to connect consumers and buyers of diverse multicultural beauty products and services within and outside the European market. Although, Europe is home to different races, the current beauty market barely caters for individuals particularly of African, Caribbean, Latin, South Asian, and Asian descent,” she added. CosmeetingColor, according to her, looks forward to providing conducive marketing and networking platforms to connect multicultural hair and beauty professionals, to manufacturers and distributors that supply this largely insufficient market. Marville noted that CosmeetingColor would be introducing its own award during the Beauty Challenger Awards, which also is taking place at the Cosmeeting Paris. Marville said: “The competition is known and recognised by the key beauty buyers, journalists and creators worldwide. Many important buyers will be part of the jury. The competition will recognise new talents and concepts as adjudged by a jury of experts made up of international purchasing advisors.

38 BUSINESS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

FG, UNEP to tackle marine pollution The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has declared that the new legislation to protect the marine environment may cost over $500 billion between 2015 and 2025. Ahead of the implementation, the Federal Government and the United Nations Environment Programme Regional Coordinator on Abidjan Convention have resolved to tackle marine pollution, BAYO AKOMOLAFE reports

he Regional Coordinating Centre to Combat Marine Pollution in West, Central and South Africa is to be established in Nigeria by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This was disclosed by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) while handing over the letter from UNEP Regional Coordinator on Abidjan Convention, Mr Abou Bamba, to the Minister of Environment, Laurretta Mallam. Pollution control The minister who was excited explained that hosting of the centre is an advantage to Nigeria, saying that it would build more capacity and technical competence to tackle marine pollution in Nigeria and beyond. She said: “The regional headquarter is an advantage to us and this shows that if we did not have the technology and the capability to handle it, they wouldn’t have come to us.” The minister assured the UNEP coordinator that government would provide an office space for the centre to commence its operation in six months’ time. Solution to pollution In his remark, Bamba, who is also the Executive Secretary of the Abidjan Convention, said that the hosting of the headquarters in Nigeria was another step ahead in tackling marine pollutions in the region. According to Bamba, this would also speed up the cleanup of Ogoni land. Bamba said that the Abidjan Convention would provide adequate logistics to make the centre succeed. He also said that the UNEP and the Federal Government would meet to discuss the memorandum of understanding that would be signed between government and the Abidjan Convention for the

Umar

establishment of the centre. Bamba added that the Abidjan Convention would provide adequate office space, staffing, materials and equipment, and the convention would cover the initial and recurring operational costs needed for the centre. He said: “In the meantime, I will be pleased to visit the installations which will host the centre and report back to the UNEP on the major findings and observations. We estimate that in six months from now, the centre should be operational and start its first assessment activities. “Nigeria is not alone in this as the Abidjan Convention and UNEP will support as much as they can to make this unique experience a success.” Bamba stressed that Nigeria would be in charge of the coordination of combating transboundary marine pollution from Mauritania to South Africa. The Atlantic ocean The Director-General, NOSDRA, Mr Peter Idabor, said the hosting of the centre would enhance the country’s capability to tackle marine pollution. He explained that the Atlantic Ocean is a common factor in marine pollution to all member countries. The director general said that the convention, which had 22-member countries, is one of the African regional Sea Conventions administered by UNEP. Before now, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had said that the Sea Protection Levy would be introduced and must be paid by oil companies with loading receiving bouys, oil rigs and pipelines. The declaration was made at a meeting between agency and oil companies operating in the country’s waters. Its Director General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, said that the objective of the regulation was to improve and sustain the marine environment by developing a maritime environmental management system through self-funding.

Akpobolokemi

The agency put the rate payable per annum for offshore oil installations by oil at N15 million, saying that oil wells for exploration would attract N10 million per annum from first day of April every year. It added that pipelines would attract N1,500 per cubic metre of pipeline volume from high water mark to termination point offshore. IMO's position The agency noted that the move was in line with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Marine Environment Management Regulations 52 and 53 on sea Protection Levy and Offshore Waste Reception Facilities. Akpobolokemi noted that the Federal Government in its commitments to ensure the protection of the marine environment and its resources had ratified the Marine Pollution (MARPOL) convention which was the major instrument of IMO on the prevention of pollution of the marine environment. The director general said that the convention was domesticated in 2012 to prevent degradation of land and destruction of the ecosystem with attendant economic implications which oil pollution has caused the nation. The Head, Maritime Environment Management, Mrs Abiodun Gunwa, explained that the agency introduced it in August 2012, adding that the levy must be paid by all commercial operating vessels of 100 gross tonnage and above operating on Nigerian waters. He further said

There is a danger of creating real barriers to investment in our industry as we hopefully move closer to recovery

that the same was applicable to potential oil polluters, installations and pipelines. Gunwa stressed that Nigerian flagged vessels between 100 and 1,000 gross tonnage would pay N500 per tonnage, vessels between 1,001 and 10,000 gross tonnage, (N350 per gross tonnage), vessels between 10,001and 100,000 gross tonnage (N300 per gross tonnage) and vessels from 100,000 and above N250 per gross tonnage. Also, foreign flagged vessels between 100 and 1,000 gross tonnage are to pay $0.1 per tonnage, vessels between 1,001 and 10,000 gross tonnage, ($0.15per gross tonnage), vessels between 10,001and 100,000 gross tonnage ($0.3 per gross tonnage) and vessels from 100,000 and above $0.3 per gross tonnage The agency’s Executive Director, Captain Bala Agaba, also described oil pollution as a major problem, saying that various countries had introduced national regulations to control oil discharge within their territorial waters. Ship wastes He said: “The indiscriminate discharge of ship-generated waste into the marine environment has been identified as a factor in the degradation of the marine environment.” It will be recalled that the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has said that the impending new legislation to protect the marine environment may cost over $500 billion between 2015 and 2025. Chairman of the chamber, Masamichi Morooka, said this was around 50 billion dollars of additional capital and operating cost every year for a 10-year period and beyond. Morooka said: “As many companies struggle to survive during the difficult years ahead, we must persuade governments to avoid placing yet more straws that risk breaking the ship owner’s back – and the straws to which I refer are the impending costs of environmental legislation.”

Much of these costs will result from the switch to low sulphur distillate fuel, assuming that a 0.5 per cent global sulphur cap comes into effect in 2020, in addition to the 0.1 per cent sulphur requirements that are expected to be enforced in Emission Control Areas in North West Europe and North America from 2015. However, the costs of installing new ballast water treatment equipment will also be significant, as will the potential contribution that shipping might have to make to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Green Climate Fund. “The imminent switch to vastly more expensive, low sulphur distillate fuel is a very serious concern which is compounded by worries about the adequacy of supply and the dangers of modal shift,” Morooka said. He explained that the key message that ICS was communicating to regulators was the need for greater focus to be given to the economic sustainability of shipping, backed up by evidence of years of continuous improvement of shipping’s environmental performance. “Many of the expensive environmental regulations that are about to enter into force were conceived in a different world, at a time when shipping markets were booming and finance for retrofitting had not dried up,” he added. Ship owners' position ICS stresses that the protection of the environment must always remain a priority for the industry, but the prevailing economic situation requires that a degree of pragmatism is applied to enforcement as a plethora of new environmental regulations is implemented. “Unless this is understood, there is a danger of creating real barriers to investment in our industry as we hopefully move closer to recovery,” said Mr Morooka. Morooka further said he remained positive and optimistic: “We are ship-owners after all.” But he predicted it was probably unlikely that, for most sectors and trades, much will have fundamentally changed before 2015 or 2016. “However, the decisions taken now, both by ship-owners and regulators, will determine whether we are at the end of the beginning of our difficulties, or whether, as I hope, we are at the beginning of the end.” Unless something unexpected happens, the ICS chairman felt it was unlikely that a lasting recovery in freight rates would begin in earnest in the immediate future. However, he believed that market forces would find a solution, which would almost certainly involve large numbers of ships going to the recycling yards much earlier than their owners had originally planned.

BUSINESS | MARITIME

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

INEFFICIENCY Trade facilitation is being slowed down at the port due to incessant server failures

ustoms agents under the aegis of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) have petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, over the poor performance of Webb Fontaine at the nation’s seaports. National President of the association, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, noted that the firm contracted by the Nigeria Customs Service to provide internet fa-

Server failure: Customs agents petition Presidency cilities for trade facilitation at the ports is incapacitated by server failures in the last one year of its operation. He explained that the service at the Port and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML), Customs Area Command, was worst. He lamented that the Customs server at the command had broken down for almost a week without solution. The server was built and is being operated on behalf of the NCS by Webb Fontaine.

Shittu noted that his association planned to meet with the service provider to discuss ways of resolving critical operational matters at the port. Also, ANLCA PTML Chapter Chairman, Bola Adesokan, said that the server breakdown had impeded clearing operations with his members accumulating huge demurrage on their consignments. He stressed that the server problem had persisted since last week “with no sign of it

getting better.” Adesokan added: “The server has broken down since last week and since it was not a Customs problem, we decided to report to the President so that he can take it up with the Federal Government. The Federal Ministry of Finance gave the contract to Webb Fontaine

L-R: Head Maritime Safety, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Engr. Vincent Udoye; Secretary General, Abuja MoU, Mrs Mfon Usoro and NIMASA's Executive Director, Maritime Safety, Capt. Ezekiel Bala Agaba, at a National Workshop on Flag State Implementation and Port State Control organized by the agency in collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), in Lagos recently

Customs introduces camouflage to tackle smugglers T

that the uniform would make them look smarter and also gear them up for greater performance. The Customs Area Controller in Apapa Command, Comptroller Charles Edike, said that the uniform would reenergize officers and would also send a message to smugglers that the Customs was ready to fight smuggling. He said: “With this new uniform, our officers’ morale is being boosted. Smugglers and those who are anti-government policies that has to do with customs will now begin to take note that we are not playing but damn serious because we have been reinvigorated and ready to make Nigeria proud.” Also, the Area Controller, Seme Command, Willy Egbudin, said that “the uniform has given us a combatant appearance because when you are in this, you will give that kind of fright to smugglers to let them know that you are already in a combatant form to stop them from their nefarious activities.”

Stakeholders urge FG to regulate transport takeholders in the logisShave tics and transport sector urged the Federal Gov-

ernment to provide effective regulatory framework for the national economic development. At the 2014 national conference and Annual General Meeting of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Nigeria (CILT) held in Lagos, they explained that effective regulation of the sea ports, airports, inland waterways and land transport would enhance growth of the transport sector. They also noted that technology, infrastructure, management processes, skill and capacity development were essential for effective regulation. Guest speaker at the event and executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello, noted that regulatory control was a means of influencing the shape of the transport industry. Bello who was represented by the Director, Shipping Commercial Services of the council, Mrs Dabney Shallhoma, said that economic regulation promotes efficiency and quality of service.

and if they are not doing well, they know what to do. “As a person, if I give a job to someone and he didn’t do it very well, I will withdraw it and give it to someone that is competent to do it. I don’t know what the Federal Government is still doing with Web Fontaine after many failures.”

... accuse quarantine officials of extortion at Lilypond ustoms agents operating CTerminal at the Lilypond Container at Ijora, Lagos, have

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has introduced new camouflage uniform to fight smuggling at the country’s borders. Its Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General, Victor Gbemudu, said that the launch of the camouflage uniform at the zone which covers states in the South West region was to create public awareness and to differentiate genuine officers from impostors. He said: “Any developments we come up with are geared towards combating smuggling and also to facilitate trade. This uniform will up our ante in combating smuggling and we want the general populace and the media to be aware that we have another shade of uniform so that when they see people in this kind of uniform you don’t say they are fake officers.” Gbemudu added that the camouflage uniform would boost the morale of officers and make them combat-ready to face smugglers. Echoing him, all the area controllers in the zone said

expressed displeasure over alleged acts of extortion by officials of Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS). The agents said that quarantine officers were not supposed to be in the terminal except when needed. According to the Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Lilypond chapter, Anslem Njameze, since the service was incorporated into the Customs Single Window (SW) platform, operatives of the service have no business roaming inside the terminal. Njameze urged the Director General, Dr. Kola Faseyitan to clarify the role of NAQS in cargo clearance in the port industry. He said: “Quarantine Service are also incorporated in the single window so when Customs issues release alert, they should look at containers that need their attention and order Customs not to release until the needed documents are obtained. “The agent is supposed to go to their office to call them

to join in the examination because if they don’t do necessary checks, the container will be delayed and it will accrue demurrages for the agents. “Rather than let agents call them, they roam about in the terminal, threaten to seize containers even when the consignment is not in the purview of their responsibility.” Njemaze said that other government agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) who were keyed into the Customs single window only come to the terminal when alerts were sent to them on containers concerning their operations. He counselled that NAQS operatives’ involvement should be limited to cargo clearance related to animals, pests or plants. But the Public Relation Officer of NAQS, simply identified as Mr Onnkiruba, said that poor funding of the service by government had led to its inability to erect offices for its officers leading to their roaming about in the port.

Brokers’ institute tasks freight forwarders on skills

egistered freight forwardRNigerian ers have been urged by the Institute of Freight

Forwarding and Customs Brokers in Nigeria (NIFFCB) to update their skills in the freight forwarding practice. President of the Institute, Dr. Zebulon Ikokide, gave the advice when he led other executive members of the institute on a courtesy visit to the secretariat of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agent (NCMDLCA) in Apapa, Lagos. Ikokide said that freight forwarding practice was beyond clearing containers at the port. He said that the institute was keen in ensuring that the practice of freight forwarding in Nigeria was professionalised, adding that there is the need for the association to collaborate with it for training of its members. The president said: “We are giving you these trainings so that you will know that freight forwarding is not all about clearing containers at

Tin Can Island. It means that you as a practitioner should be able to stand to discuss the subject. We also want to engage government in talking about freight forwarding in Nigeria because we feel our own profession should aspire to be like that of lawyers, doctors and others. That is what the institute wants to bring you into.” While soliciting the support of NCMDLCA, Ikokide assured that the institute would not only train but also cater for the interest of all freight forwarders irrespective of their association, by ensuring that they gain global recognition. He said that freight forwarders registered with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) have automatic membership of the institute. Factional president of the association, Festus Ejiofor, while pledging the support of the association to avail its members of the NIFFCB training programme, calls for a reduction in the training fee.

40 POLITICS With the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako, the stage is set in Adamawa State for another round of election as members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) battle for the Dougirei Government House, writes IBRAHIM ABDUL

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Fintiri, Marwa, Tukur

he impeachment of Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, and the controversial resignation of his deputy, Mr. Bala James Ngillari, has gradually altered the political permutations of the state over the next occupier of the Dougirei Government House. The state is agog with preparations for another round of election as various contenders have started flexing muscles for the political conquest to fill the vacuum created by Nyako’s ouster. Already, more than 20 governorship aspirants are eyeing Nyako’s seat from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and a host of other political parties, who may be forced to align with the candidates of the two leading parties after the primaries. The dark horses It is on record that in Adamawa politics most often than not, unlikely persons whom have been on the sidelines were drafted by some powerful forces or even the Presidency to succeed incumbents, and already many believe that a dark horse may eventually succeed Nyako. The speculation was recently heightened by the fact that the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was in talks with the Presidency over his likely defection to the PDP in a move to foist him as the successor to Nyako. Also on this list is the Personal Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, Hassan Liman Tukur (elder brother to the recently appointed Secretary to the State Government, Prof.Liman Tukur) and the incumbent Chief of Defense Staff, Air Vice Marshall Alex Badeh, who is billed for retirement soon, for onward draft into the gubernatorial race. Pundits are now arguing that going by the influence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the 2007 gubernatorial election which brought Nyako as the executive governor of the state, the Presidency will surely influence who succeeds Nyako. Obasanjo imposed Nyako as the governor despite protest from many stakeholders of the party. Fintiri: The Acting Governor There is also the argument that another factor that may influence who succeeds Nyako is the acting Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on whose shoulder the success of the transition process rests. It is believed that the support of Fintiri to any of the contenders will go a long way in boosting his chances in the gubernatorial race. However, many people in the state are of the opinion that if the body language of the acting governor is anything to go by, then he is also an interested party in the race. Those who nurture this line of thought point to the populist policies of the acting governor since his assumption into office including payment of outstanding salaries which Nyako’s regime owed civil servants, the sharp increment in the allocation of resources to local governments and purchase of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) to local government chairmen, which has made him popular among them; the release of running cost to the various minis-

Nyako

Fintiri

Ngillari

Marwa

tries and agencies in the state, the involvement of Emirs and Chiefs as first line advisors to the state government and the assurances he gave to PDP stakeholders that his doors are open at all times to the effect of promising to enlist their support in the formulation of major policies in the state. The PDP Contenders The PDP which may become the major beneficiary of Nyako’s impeachment has a lot of aspirants contending for the plum job. Nyako’s Deputy: Bala James Ngillari Though Ngillari has since filed a case asking the court to reinstate him, the immediate past deputy governor of Adamawa who served with Nyako for over seven years before the impeachment pushed him to tender an impromptu resignation minutes before the Adamawa State House of Assembly moved for his head is among the contenders. The resignation of Ngillari was said to be a shrewd political calculation as that has saved him the ignominy of being impeached by the House of Assembly, a development which would have barred him from contesting the

governorship. His resignation was said to have been motivated by the fact that the decision will clear the road for him to contest the governorship contest with ease especially if the touted support he enjoys from the Presidency is anything to go by. Though many believe that he was forced to resign under duress. Ngillari was a simple politician from Madagali Local Government, the hometown of the state Acting Governor, Fintiri. He is a lawyer and an astute politician that represented his constituency on two previous occasions at the House of Representatives. Ngillari was also a member of Justice Oputa Panel. His major strength was his closeness to President Jonathan and Gen. T.Y Danjuma. His vast experience over the years coupled with his simplicity are glaring assets as he has warmed his way to the hearts of many. However, his major weakness rest in his being too economic with finances as majority of politicians said his “hands are tight”. Umar Ardo To him, many in Adamawa are per-

plexed by his large heartedness and doggedness in pursuing his rights no matter the odds. He has an intimidating profile of achievements and eloquence. Dr. Ardo was a former history lecturer at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna. He holds a PhD in Political History from the University of Maiduguri. As a politician of several years, he has has been a dogged fighter in the PDP, though he lacks elite support even as his one-man approach to issues would be a serious blow to his governorship ambition. Ardo challenged an iniquitous establishment in the state and today, he remains a popular politician in Adamawa. He is seen majorly as the emancipator of the masses as he has over the years established a reputation of being anti-establishment through his staunch criticism of unpopular government policies and leftist tendencies. Ardo has remained the most popular choice of the ordinary members of the party in the constituencies. His candidacy, which is fully supported by teeming masses, had long acquired a momentum of its own. ‘Adamawa sai Doctor’ is today the political phrase in communities all across the state, while

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

battle for Nyako’s seat

Gunduri

Girei

Ardo

Tukur (Awwal)

the elite on the other hand maintain their stand of “No To Doctor”. Hassan Tukur He is being touted as the dark horse that may be supported by the Presidency. Tukur is the current Principal Personal Assistant to President Jonathan. If he eventually emerges as the candidate of PDP, then his coming will be a re-enactment of Nyako’s sojourn who was at the 11th hour drafted into the race by former President Obasanjo in 2007. Although he is relatively unknown, his closeness to the president is the major asset he has especially if the lot to contest the gubernatorial contest fell on his shoulders. “The fact that he is relatively unknown to the people of the state is a serious minus for him as he has to do serious home work to sell his candidature especially if he emerges as his party’s (PDP) candidate,’’ observed Garba Musa, a PDP chieftain in the state. Buba Marwa Brig.-Gen. Marwa (Rtd) is popular among the downtrodden because wherever he goes, he promotes people-oriented programmes. Marwa’s political stints cut across every facet of human endeavour. The former military governor of Borno and Lagos States has never hidden his interest in the Adamawa governorship. He contested against Nyako in the 2011 election on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive

Change (CPC). He defected to the PDP early this year when Nyako, who was elected on PDP platform, defected to the APC in the heat of the leadership crisis in the ruling party. Marwa’s vast knowledge of many spheres of life and wide connection of friends across the state is his biggest strength. Despite this, his major weakness may rest in his inability to secure waiver as he recently defected to the PDP following intractable differences with Nyako. He is unlikely to get the support of party leaders in the state. Markus Natina Gunduri Engr. Gundiri was Director General and Commissioner in charge of agriculture, water resources and rural development between 1978 and 1991 in the defunct Gongola State. During that period he designed, constructed and commissioned over 500 isolated rural water supply projects. Also to his credit are four regional water supply projects meant to provide potable water for 20 communities with an estimated population of 200,000 in addition to over 250 kilometers of rural feeder roads. The former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate was appointed Deputy Director and Director in charge of all Federal Government dams and reservoirs under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources between 1999 and 2009. During this period, he was in charge of monitoring of all on-going projects in the ministry until his retirement in

The state is agog with preparations for another round of election as various contenders have started flexing muscles for the political conquest to fill the vacuum created by Nyako’s ouster line with the recent Federal Government policy. Though in the last governorship election, Gunduri tried his best but still has some hurdles ahead of him. He is seen as Boni Haruna’s stooge and a Christian candidate. It is said that if he becomes governor, Haruna, his godfather, who is a former governor of the state and current Minister of Youth Development, will take over the running of the government. About 98 per cent of the members of Gunduri campaign team are of one tribe and religion. Majority of them cannot deliver their polling units He was said to have defected with a large number of APC followership to PDP when he defected to the party. This is a plus to him in the event of facing party primaries as such supporters will

POLITICS 41 surely rally round him. Like Marwa, his major weakness lies in the fact that he may not secure the waiver of the party being a new entrant. Abubakar Girei Senator Girei has cut his teeth in many spheres of human endeavours. He was elected into the Senate to represent Adamawa Central Senatorial District between 1999 and 2003 where he chaired the Senate Committee on Services. He has over the years advocated for the entrenchment of developmental projects across Adamawa which he said led to his aspiration to contest the governorship. Being a grassroots mobilizer, he has ample understanding of the problems bedevilling the masses, coupled with that is his vast network of friends and political associates that cut across ethnic and religious lines which he will always deploy to his advantage. Girei is not a politician that is highly endowed with cash. In today’s contemporary politics, that is a great disadvantage as moneybags have infiltrated the game with all forms of sleaze. Awwal Tukur He is the son of former national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. He could be aptly described as a man with political blood running in his veins being the first son of the former Governor of defunct Gongola State. Like his father, he is also vast in the murky waters of politics. His love for politics apparently made him dump his law profession and embraced politics on which crest he rode to the House of Representatives representing Yola North, Yola South and Girei Constituency under the platform of the PDP from 1999 to 2003 during which he became the Chairman, House Committee on Aviation. Not satisfied with being a parliamentarian, he contested for the governorship election of the state on two previous elections but could not succeed in becoming the governor of Adamawa. He is believed to be a strong contender due to the grassroots structures he has established over the years. His strong asset is his father who wields serious influence both in Adamawa and at the centre. His father has never minced words in expressing his support for the attainment of Awwal’s political ambition. “As a son of Adamawa, Awwal is entitled to any political ambition and I will gladly support it,” Tukur once said. But in a twist, his strength seems to be also his weakness as being the son of Tukur has exposed him to sharing the animosity from his father’s political rivals which he has in multitudes as they see his ambition as an extension of his father’s hegemony. Ahmed Modibbo Modibbo was a consummate educationist, a former boss of National Teachers Institute and Universal Basic Education (UBE) respectively. One of his spouses, Binani, is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing Girei, Yola North and Yola South Federal Constituency and is currently nurturing the ambition of contesting Adamawa Central Senatorial seat come 2015. His major strength is his wife, Binani, who is well loved by her constituency following her exceptional performance. With her by his side, it is believed that winning Adamawa Central which is the most integral constituency that consists of the most populated local governments of the state will surely give him an edge over other contenders. His reserved nature coupled with his elitist life style is a major stumbling block to his aspiration as many say someone who upholds his lifestyle should have no business in politics as it is a game for extroverts.

42 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Endless controversy over Abia zoning CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

desist from political meetings or face the sanction of the council. In apparent allusion to the group led by Eze Bernard Enweremadu, the governor urged Eze Dick, not to be intimidated by anyone, especially those he described as no “longer relevant in today’s Abia.” By now it is obvious that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and his kinsman and former deputy governor, Acho Nwakanma, are in the race. Also, the president of Masters Energy, Dr. Uche Ogah and the Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Dr Alex Otti, have consistently carried on their consultations and underground campaigns. Senator Nkechi Nwogu, like Ogah and Otti, cut off by the PDP zoning catchment, has rejected the zoning as a sham even as Otti dismissed it as a farce. Chief Friday Nwosu and the Deputy General Manager of Abia State Environmental Sanitation Agency (ASEPA) Aba Zone, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu are so far the personalities who have not hidden their desire for the coveted office. All the aspirants not favoured by the zoning arrangement have rejected it. Recently, Otti described it as a farce. Speaking through the director general of the Alex Otti Governorship Grand Alliance (ALOGGA), Chief Uchechukwu Ijioma, he said the state leadership of the party lacked the constitutional power to make such declaration and therefore it is not binding on anyone. Ijioma argued that only the national executive committee of the party has such prerogative. He expressed confidence that Otti will emerge as the candidate of the party though from Isiala Ngwa South which incidentally falls in the Abia central senatorial zone where the incumbent governor hails from. In spite of the position of the party, Uche Ogah, from Isuikwuato Local Government Area, has set up his campaign office in Umuahia with a busy itinerary which takes his long campaign train to all corners of the state. Ogah and his supporters believe that it is the turn of Isuikwuato to produce the governor. They contend that the ‘I’ in ABIA represents Isuikwuato, while the next ‘A’ is Aba. According to them, if equity, justice and fairness, must be followed, then Isuikwuato should produce the next governor if the chatter of equity is to be strictly followed. And they are so convinced about the propriety of the pursuit that they have left nothing to chance. But by the principle of zoning, Isuikwuato is in Abia North. Curiously, Ogah’s campaign machinery is led by PDP stalwarts including Ambassador Empire Kanu. Senator Nwogu from Osisioma Local Government Area likewise has rejected the zoning. A situation in which she will vacate her position in the Senate and not get the governorship slot will not be a good bargain. If she does not get the governorship, as the zoning has schemed her out, she may cling to the Senate position which the governor is working hard to obtain. It has turned out that envisaged trade off will not be in her favour since the governor appears ready to fight anyone who will undermine the arrangement. On June 27, 2014, Abaribe, one of the top contenders, a former deputy governor and senator representing Abia South visited the PDP state secretariat to inform the party hierarchy of his intention to vie for the position. He said he has suggested to the governor to allow a level playing field for all the aspirants to test their acceptability and whoever picks the ticket will run. Abairibe is most favoured by the zoning being from Obingwa in

Nwogu

Nwakanma

Ogah

Okezie Ikpeazu

Will the party deny those from outside the Abia South senatorial zone the expression of interest form? Will the party screen them out and on what ground? Abia South senatorial zone. He is so confident of picking the ticket. Interestingly, Ukwa, the Ngwa neighbours are reticent over the debate. The Ukwa is made up of two local government areas. They have neither shown interest in the governorship, at least as option B, so that if an Ngwa man does not pick it the Ukwa man will, nor have they done anything to show that they are part of the South and capable of ruling the state. At the last count no Ukwa person has been identified as having shown interest

in the governorship ticket. There are indications that the endless bickering might deny the South the slot altogether. The battle is predictably going to be tough. All the aspirants have what it takes to be in the contest. Political pundits have described the decision as the undoing of PDP. Even the chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka, in a media parley recently pre-empted the defection of some of the aspirants. He offered to personally lead the reconciliation team for estranged members. The question is how will the party manage the unfolding scenario and come forth unscathed. Will the party deny those from outside the Abia South senatorial zone the expression of interest form? Will the party screen them out and on what ground? What happens if they are denied? Is the party ready for the legal crossfire that will ensue? Or what happens if at the end someone from outside the favoured zone picks the ticket? Has the party envisaged the protest votes as a result of the zoning. It might serve a good purpose to remember that majority of the residents of Aba North and South are non-Ngwa.

Also parts of Osisioma, Obingwa and Ugwunagbo have a significant chunk of the population as non indigenes. The PDP resolution might throw up unprecedented political challenges which it might not tactfully handle. Analysts believe that with the declaration the party has boxed itself into a corner. It should have worked through its structures and apparatchik to install its preferred candidate rather than the overt declaration that has drawn the ire of members who feel short-changed. “It was too early in the day to make such declaration,” said one of the members who preferred anonymity. “Now the party is in disarray and no one can predict the outcome.” Apparently, this view does not flow with that of the governor and leader of the party. The governor believes that it is the right thing to do. He insists it will hurt his conscience and integrity if he does not stick to it being a beneficiary of zoning. “That is what you see in all the neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu and Ebonyi. That was what played out in Anambra State recently. It is for equity, justice and fairness,” he said.

POLITICS 43

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Whose constitution for referendum? A North West delegate at the National Conference and Professor of Law, AUWALU YADUDU, kicks against the drafting of a new constitution by the confab secretariat

if Conference considers the proposals to amount to a new constitution, the draft posits that there is a necessity for a referendum to adopt it

have had the privilege of reading the electronic version of the draft report to be circulated to members of the confab on Monday. I have found it necessary to set forth, for the records, the following intervention on a very crucial matter contained in the report. I am compelled to use the medium of an open letter to members and the secretariat in view of the fact that due to time constraints and having regard to the Rule of Procedure of the Confab, there may not be an opportunity to subject the matter to intense debate or interrogation at this stage. The draft report in chapter 7 recognises and acknowledges that Conference has not come to a decision on what modalities to adopt for the implementation of its various resolutions. Hence it proposes to members either to consider the various resolutions as amendments to the 1999 Constitution or treat it as a “new Constitution”. If Conference agrees with the former case, the draft concedes to follow the amendment process via the National Assembly. However, if Conference considers the proposals to amount to a new constitution, the draft posits that there is a necessity for a referendum to adopt it. In an attempt to force that idea down members’ throat, the draft report canvasses that we should follow the examples of countries such as Egypt, South Africa etc while it brazenly ignores the legal and constitutional impediments. I am opposed to treating the resolutions of the confab as “a new Constitution” for the following reasons: It is incontrovertible that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 contains, very clear provisions, under section 9, and has spelt out explicit rules to govern specific steps to follow to alter its provisions, including the adoption of an entirely new Constitution if deemed desirable, I am satisfied that the procedure for any alteration does not envisage or recognise “referendum” as a mechanism for bringing about any change to the existing constitution or the adoption of a new one. Moreover, for any alteration to the constitution to be legitimate or credible, it must be validated by the concurrent adoption of the National Assembly and the resolution in support of 2/3 (24) of the Houses of Assembly of the states where this is assented to by the President. One needs not be reminded that the National Conference comprises unelected members – however dignified or experienced they may be in their individual capacities - and, consequently, it lacks the powers of a constituent assembly, in the exercise of which it may propose or adopt a new constitution. In other words, the confab, being unelected, does not derive its mandate from the sovereign will of the people and cannot claim to be speaking for them. For such a defective confab to assume such a role or purport to adopt a new constitution, as representatives of

Yadudu

the people or under any guise, would amount to the usurpation of powers it does not possess. It cannot discharge or exercise a mandate not conferred on it by law. If the confab, whose members lack popular mandate and whose composition is undemocratic having been assembled in a very skewed manner by the use of a template of dubious legal or constitutional basis, purports to

promulgate “a new constitution” the constitutional document thereby produced would tell even a bigger lie than is being levelled against the 1999 Constitution which is being disparaged as the handiwork of the military. It should also be pointed out that there does not exist any Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure in Nigeria that would enable any organ or under which to conduct a referendum and no

George, Ogunlewe reconcile

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

down the wall of partition between the two, but nothing came out of it. The new found romance Probably to keep Ogunlewe busy and get the party up and running, the Federal Government appointed him the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB). Since then, relative peace pervades the corridor of the party. For some analysts, the depletion in strength of the party by the day and the weaning influence of the duo may have necessitated the two leaders to opt for a belated reconciliation. It is believed that they (George and Ogunlewe) are running out of steam and relevance as the younger folks are already building structures and networks independent of them. A case in point was the nomination of Obanikoro as a minister without the knowledge of George who was rooting for some other candidates before the door closed against him. In an unexpected gathering, Ogunlewe last week led a retinue of his supporters across the state to the residence of George to pay homage to him and collapse his political structure into George’s for the party to have a good outing in 2015. “We have agreed that there is nothing we can do behind Chief Bode George. He has continued to empower a num-

ber of people and we are ready to work with him. Today is a day of friendship. The day of amicable movement of the PDP forward, some want us to continue to fight but I said I will go to meet my friend, so that we can work for the victory of our party come 2015,” Ogunlewe said. In his response, the visibly elated George who traced his friendship with Ogunlewe to their youthful days on Reclamation Street, Lagos Island, said some external forces were behind the rift within the party, stating that the reunion is a unifying factor that would strengthen the PDP to win next year’s governorship election. “The union is a cure to the political ‘Ebola’ (APC) in Lagos State. There is no more division and there is therefore nothing that can stop the PDP. There is no dispute again in Lagos State PDP and everybody is under the same umbrella.” Reconciling under Agbaje’s governorship umbrella? With signals getting clearer that the candidate of the defunct Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) in 2007, Jimi Agbaje, has thrown his hat into the PDP’s ring for the party’s gubernatorial ticket, analysts are not left in doubt over where the support for the pharmacist turned politician is coming from. A frontline party member conferred with New Telegraph that the common

agency of government is empowered by law to carry out same. For the avoidance of any doubt, the confab, whether at plenary or committee stages of its work, never tasked any members to propose a “draft constitution” which may be considered for adoption by “referendum” or in total disregard of the existing constitutional or legal order. As the Deputy Chairman of the Conference Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Law Reform, I can, with humility, claim to know that we were not mandated to and none of our recommendations has been couched or reduced into a new constitution. On the contrary, our clear and unambiguous recommendations on the matter, which Conference has adopted, is for any resolutions requiring constitutional changes to be channelled through the National Assembly. In anticipation of that we even urged the President to “initiate an interface” with members of the National Assembly to facilitate that. How the Secretariat has come up with the scenario of “a new constitution” must raise some questions. For instance, who are the authors of such a document, if it exists and by whose mandate have they worked on it in secrecy and not in the normal open and transparent discussions and debate by members of the Confab.

bond that is bringing George and Ogunlewe together is the Agbaje project, which would also fence-off Obanikoro from the stream of politics in the state especially with the gist that he wants to contest for governorship few months after his appointment a minister. “The network of support for Agbaje is quite strong. Some elders of the party including George, Ogunlewe, Bode Oyedele and others are already queuing behind him. I can tell you that aside BG (Bode George), Ogunlewe and others, a serving governor in the South West, has also sold the idea of fielding Agbaje in 2015 to the President,” a source said As it stands, would the once known arch-rivals still trust themselves after years of intense bickering? What would happen if their preferred candidate for the Lagos job didn’t get the ticket? Would the influence of Ekiti State governorelect, Ayo Fayose and the Chairman, South-West Mobilisation and Contact, Prince Buruji Kashamu counts for Obanikoro especially with his contribution to the former’s victory? Would the PDP headquarters undermine its own rules and give a waiver to Agbaje? Is the Lagos PDP heading for another round of crisis or hitting up for a new altitude? All these posers are in the belly of time. For now, peace is reigning in George and Ogunlewe camps. This development has capacity to reposition the party in Lagos.

business | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

N160bn saved through new payroll system, says FG Nigeria to get $2.1bn from US Power Africa

BOOST Nigeria to get 30% of $7billion from the US Power Africa

in personnel costs, Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Jonah Otunla, has said. This came on a day it emerged that Nigeria will get 30 per cent of the $7billion that the United States in 2013 earmarked to boost energy in Africa. The IPPIS scheme is one of the Federal Government’s reform initiatives that facilitate planning, aid budgeting and monitor monthly payment of

Godson Ikoro

he introduction of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) in the public sector has saved the Federal Government the sum of N160billion

staff emoluments against what was provided for in the budget. It also updates and retrieves personnel records for administrative and pension processes. Otunla spoke at the opening session of the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) in Abuja yesterday. He said the figure was the total amount saved as at the end

Nigeria’s cocoa prices fall as mold reduces quality

ocoa prices received by farmers in Africa’s largest economy declined as mold induced by heavy rains reduced the quality of the chocolate ingredient, said Socodevi, an organisation working on improving crops in Nigeria. Farmgate prices in the Cross River belt according to Reuters, dropped 8 per cent to N440,000 ($2,714) a metric ton, compared with N480,000 at the end of July, Neji Abang, country coordinator for Socodevi, a Quebec City, Canada-based organization, said in a telephone interview yesterday from Ikom in Cross River state. “High mold caused by heavy rains affected crop quality, leading to lower pricing of beans by exporters,” said Neji, who is

training farmers in the country how to raise output and bean quality. “The mold level is as high as 21 per cent compared with 3 per cent that is internationally acceptable.” The Cross River region produces about 75,000 tons of cocoa annually, out of a national output of 300,000 tons. Cocoa exports from Nigeria rose 41 per cent to 8,990 tons in July compared with a month earlier, the nation’s Federal Produce Inspection Service, which certifies exports, said on Monday. Socodevi is training farmers “on best pruning practices,” to reduce the effect of mold, Neji said. “We are asking farmers to reduce unwanted branches to enable sunlight to penetrate their farms for the main crop harvest.”

The main crop harvest in the southern Edo state, accounting for 15 per cent of the nation’s output, has been slowed by mold of up to 30 per cent owing to the rains, Aminu Yakubu, spokesman for the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, said in a separate interview in Benin. The rainy season, which runs from May to October in the area, has brought heavy precipitation this month, he said. In the southwest Ondo state, the highest producing state, which is responsible for as much as 40 per cent of the nation’s output, mold levels are up to 20 per cent, making it difficult for farmers to dry beans, Adeola Adegoke, chairman for the farmers’ association, said in a separate interview from Akure.

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

of December 2013. The event, which is a bimonthly training programme designed for ANAN members' continued professional relevance in skills acquisition, had as its theme "Trends in professional practice and regulation." Speaking at the event, Otunla said the N160billion in personnel costs was saved through the elimination of ghost workers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government. This, he said, was made possible due to some of the reforms, which the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation had embarked upon in recent times. He listed some of these initiatives to include the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, which had helped to link all government accounts, thus ensuring better management of government budget, and the introduction of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards, which had helped to ensure uniformity in government accounting records. Represented by the Director, Finance and Account, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Fatima Mede, he said, "We have been embarking on series of reforms and as you are aware, we have the IPSAS, which makes sure there is uniformity in all records and the way we keep our records so that we can have transparency. "We also have IPPIS, which has helped save personnel cost. In fact, as at December 2013, we had saved about N160bn." Also speaking at the event, the President of ANAN, Alh Sakirudeen Labode, urged members of the association to abide by the ethics of the profession by familiarising themselves with the new code of ethics for professional accountants. Meanwhile, Nigeria will get 30 per cent of the $7billion that the United States in 2013 earmarked to boost energy in Africa. This, according to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Amb. Godknows Igali, means Nigeria will get $2.1billion from the Power Africa initiative once the US commences its implementation. US President, Barack Obama, had last June pledged $7billion to help combat frequent power blackouts in sub-Saharan Africa. Funds from the initiative will be distributed over the next five years. Obama made the announcement during his trip to South Africa. Speaking at the ongoing National Council on Power conference in Abuja yesterday, Igali said from the recent participation in the US-African leaders summit, it was apparent that Nigeria would attract about 30 per cent of the funding earmarked for the initiative. He said, "During our discussions in the US, it was very clear that Nigeria is the destination of choice for investors

because they are aware that about 4,000megawatts of power is grossly inadequate for a country of about 170million people. “So, the interest is huge and they are willing to come but we must also show that we are ready to receive them by providing the needed environment for investors to put their money down." Before disclosing the percentage, Igali expressed dissatisfaction with the conducts of states in terms of providing land for power projects. He noted that most states were very hostile to investors because of community related issues. According to him, state governments must do more to address cases of community interference on the work of contractors in order to attract more power projects to their states. He explained that the Federal Government's efforts towards attracting foreign direct investments into the sector were yielding huge results. He warned that only states that address issues of ease of access to land and youth restiveness would be better positioned. In another development, the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Mohammed Wakil, warned agencies within the ministry against infighting and confrontations. He said only collaboration and positive interface would speed up attainments of the goals of the power sector reforms. Wakil disclosed this while inaugurating the Technical Committee on the establishment of the Electricity Management Services Limited, according to a statement from the ministry. He said, “Inter agency dispute has negative impact on the implementation and achievement of government goals. We must never engage in disputes to the extent of engaging in press war." The EMSL and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission have been at loggerheads as to who is statutorily authorised to regulate some aspects of the power sector. Wakil told the committee, “You are to ensure that all areas of disputations between the EMSL and the NERC are resolved with respect to the bill before the National Assembly. Your committee is to provide options and recommendations on how to ensure synergy between the two agencies." Igali told the committee that the same instrument that set up other agencies during the power sector reform exercise set up the EMSL. He said the agency was not a creation of the present leadership of the ministry but was created by the National Council on Privatisation. Igali said, "The only thing was that it was registered as a limited liability company with the Corporate Affairs Commission before the National Assembly in its wisdom recommended a legal backing for the body. So, it is not a new creation."

Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014

Printed 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014 Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014 Printed 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014

Daily Summary (Bonds)

business | CAPITAL MARKET 45

No Debt Trading Activity

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at August 12, 2014 Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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 51 11 62

Current Price 36.47 37.00

Quantity Traded 429,580 18,132 447,712

Value Traded 15,174,327.01 655,761.50 15,830,088.51

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 29 29

Current Price 3.07

Quantity Traded 832,057 832,057

Value Traded 2,682,892.91 2,682,892.91

1,279,769

18,512,981.42

Quantity Traded 13,400 20,962 2,600 26,092,693 428,016 26,557,671

Value Traded 17,822.00 22,638.96 12,142.00 146,276,231.30 26,053,440.63 172,382,274.89

26,557,671

172,382,274.89

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Printed 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014 JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

91 Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 9 3 2 311 37 Daily Summary (Equities) 362

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONGLOMERATES Totals

Current Price 1.40 1.13 4.91 5.63 61.00

362

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

Page Quantity Traded 559,830 100 559,930

No. of Deals 22 1 23

Current Price 1.15 14.46

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 65.00

Quantity Traded 44,024 44,024

Value Traded 2,882,240.00 2,882,240.00

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 31 31

Current Price 16.85

Quantity Traded 361,026 361,026

Value Traded 6,086,830.32 6,086,830.32

No. of Deals 1 1 11 13

Current Price 95.00 47.59 8.99

Quantity Traded 100 100 118,543 118,743

Value Traded 9,025.00 4,522.00 1,065,795.57 1,079,342.57

1,083,723

10,679,764.08

Current Price 8.31 193.00 27.50

Quantity Traded 245,200 50,225 144,316

Value Traded 1,937,244.00 9,714,683.11 3,955,182.64

CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY PLC. INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES

JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. UNION SALT PLC. Daily Summary as ofDICON 12/08/2014 U T C 14:45:14.014 NIG. PLC. Printed 12/08/2014 Food Products Totals

CONSUMER GOODS

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

Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock UNITY BANK PLC Exchange ©

WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014 LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. Printed 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. Activity Summary on BoardCO. EQTY

Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014 Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Printed 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014 INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC

RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Other Financial Institutions

Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014 AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC Printed 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014

Activity Summary on Board EQTY FBN HOLDINGS PLC

FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Other Financial Institutions FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC

FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Current Price 2.46 179.50 0.92

Page Quantity Traded 2,000 1,607,504 51,500 2,100,745

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 115.00

Quantity Traded 95,333 95,333

Value Traded 12,086,287.59 12,086,287.59

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM UNIONDICON UTC

No. of Deals 39 72 83 65 76 4 2 2 343

Current Price 7.40 8.95 80.90 4.18 9.91 22.50 14.11 0.50

Quantity Traded 167,449 2,930,693 780,975 1,646,854 3,488,351 52,100 300 6,100 9,072,822

Value Traded 1,247,379.15 26,346,054.82 60,804,782.25 6,738,425.90 34,843,364.47 1,160,233.66 4,023.00 3,050.00 131,147,313.25

Symbol

No. of Deals 138 38 176

Current Price 67.02 1,110.00

Quantity Traded 672,513 52,469 724,982

Value Traded 43,283,758.44 57,859,496.34 101,143,254.78

Symbol ENAMELWA VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 1 18 1 20

Current Price 32.27 4.25 1.37

Quantity Traded Page 100 292,784 100 292,984

3Value Traded of 16

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 75 56 131

Current Price 37.30 49.00

Quantity Traded 2,040,949 305,897 2,346,846

Value Traded 77,205,420.10 14,962,665.02 92,168,085.12

14,633,712

642,560,607.06

Quantity Traded 74,595,875 7,417,308 5,442,015

Value Traded 727,380,461.62 46,691,919.48 98,011,581.65

NESTLE

924 Symbol

No. of Deals 205 56 110

Daily Summary (Equities) ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI

Symbol FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

Current Price 9.90 6.30 17.90

2Value Traded of 16 4,800.00 289,120,430.77 47,380.00 304,779,720.52

Current Price 2.05 29.50 3.10 2.16 7.60 8.72 0.50 0.97 24.59

Quantity Traded 9,930,348 11,171,914 4,122,747 5,344,967 39,529,313 832,969 Page 349,629

Computers and Peripherals OMATEK VENTURES PLC Computers and Peripherals Totals

Symbol OMATEK

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 20,000 20,000

Value Traded 10,000.00 10,000.00

IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

Symbol TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.88

Quantity Traded 15,220 15,220

Value Traded 27,243.80 27,243.80

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 2 2 4

Current Price 0.50 2.21

Quantity Traded 100,100 2,000 102,100

Value Traded 50,050.00 4,332.00 54,382.00

Telecommunications Services

Symbol MTI

No. of Deals 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,000,000

Value Traded 2,500,000.00

5,000,000

2,500,000.00

5,786,800

2,940,350.20 Value Traded 92,850,025.08

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials Activity Summary Board EQTY ASHAKA CEMon PLC

3,984,652 7,896,528 170,618,265

3,897,887.96 194,757,259.87 1,762,663,355.66

Symbol No. of Deals AFRINSURE 1 AIICO 32 CONTINSURE 16 CORNERST 14 INTENEGINS 9 LAWUNION 2 LINKASSURE 1 MANSARD 7 MBENEFIT 10 Daily NEMSummary (Equities) 20 NIGERINS 2 PRESTIGE 11

Current Price 0.50 0.80 0.98 0.52 0.52 0.50 0.50 2.50 0.54 0.80 0.50 0.54

Quantity Traded 2,500 1,347,321 1,003,980 752,009 246,742 12,000 500 51,400 1,857,500 5,377,570 233,981 244,054

Value Traded 1,250.00 1,088,181.09 989,730.00 386,694.59 124,731.00 6,000.00 250.00 130,820.00 989,580.00 4,310,558.00 116,990.50 131,772.02

Page Quantity Traded 100 100 1,100 20,100 8,500 1,002,100 100 2,544,724 14,706,381

No. of Deals 1 1 2 7 2 3 1 60 202

Current Price 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.82

Symbol FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 6.00 1.00

Quantity Traded 1,000 44,960 45,960

Value Traded 6,000.00 44,960.00 50,960.00

Symbol INFINITY RESORTSAL UNHOMES

No. of Deals 2 1 1 4

Current Price 1.52 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,010 100 100 3,210

Value Traded 4,575.20 50.00 50.00 4,675.20

Current Price 3.28 3.92 15.49

Quantity Traded 896,276 1,964,332 14,665,170

Value Traded 2,929,770.17 7,698,021.44 225,356,424.46

Current Price 4.25 0.61 30.00

Quantity Traded 2,169,295 360,298 838,057

Value Traded 9,219,200.17 216,881.84 25,141,830.00

Current Price 2.16

Quantity Traded 3,429,458 24,322,886

Value Traded 7,447,037.45 278,009,165.53

209,696,702

2,051,612,750.18

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH

54 26 450

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities) FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC Symbol UBCAP

61 21 40

No. of Deals 104 756 2,533

Page

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 50.00 50.00

Medical Supplies MORISON INDUSTRIES PLC. Medical Supplies Totals

Symbol MORISON

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 1.91

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 3,640.00 3,640.00

Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

No. of Deals 9 24 9 13 23 1 79

Current Price 2.26 3.15 65.01 1.62 1.00 2.07

Quantity Traded 125,863 2,034,914 14,281 62,410 444,758 73,480 2,755,706

Value Traded 274,280.81 6,401,538.60 893,364.53 101,976.20 453,815.06 152,103.60 8,277,078.80

2,757,806

8,280,768.80

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ASHAKACEM

No. of Deals 93

Current Price 34.00

Quantity Traded 2,730,827

Symbol BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER FIRSTALUM PAINTCOM PORTPAINT PREMPAINTS WAPCO

No. of Deals 11 20 98 37 8 1 2 9 1 28 308

Current Price 8.40 39.00 14.20 228.00 1.15 0.50 1.54 5.63 10.93 119.80

Page Quantity Traded 19,110 60,157 2,596,733 345,462 88,332 100 200,100 263,100 100 139,288 6,443,309

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 9 9

Current Price 1.95

Quantity Traded 190,618 190,618

Value Traded 376,856.03 376,856.03

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 2 2 4

Current Price 1.69 17.11

Quantity Traded 3,520 3,100 6,620

Value Traded 6,140.80 54,776.00 60,916.80

6,640,547

230,794,679.28

Daily Summary (Equities)

INDUSTRIAL GOODSon Totals Activity Summary Board EQTY NATURAL RESOURCES Paper/Forest Products THOMAS WYATT NIG. PLC. Products Totals Published byPaper/Forest The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

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

Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO14:45:14.014 PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC Printed 12/08/2014

321 Symbol THOMASWY

No. of Deals 1 1

CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL PLC. Daily Summary as of NIGERIA 12/08/2014 Summary on Board Products EQTY Distributors Totals Petroleum and Petroleum PrintedActivity 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014

No. of Deals 62 62

Current Price 0.54

Quantity Traded 3,426,448 3,426,448

Value Traded 1,855,877.24 1,855,877.24

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 430 430

Current Price 26.90

Quantity Traded 7,134,179 7,134,179

Value Traded 193,428,467.37 193,428,467.37

No. of Deals 1 160 32 80 50 (Equities) 46 19 388

Current Price 0.50 73.50 3.80 234.00 175.00 59.50 180.00

Quantity Traded 45,000 1,178,834 689,170 150,127 1,347,828 196,562 13,154 3,620,675

Value Traded 22,500.00 85,161,456.10 2,621,063.70 34,754,227.63 235,851,509.54 11,679,232.10 2,338,804.85 372,428,793.92

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL Daily Summary MRS TOTAL

Quantity Traded 922,784 922,784

Value Traded 847,873.41 847,873.41

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

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 13 2 15

Current Price 4.40 1.87

Quantity Traded 61,472 200 61,672

Value Traded 273,581.20 370.00 273,951.20

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

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL TOURIST

No. of Deals 29 2 31

Current Price 0.78 3.88

Quantity Traded 1,762,986 130 1,763,116

Value Traded 1,346,654.91 479.70 1,347,134.61

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 0.50

Symbol

No. of Deals 6 9 3

Current Price 1.71 1.58 4.50

Quantity Traded 13,000 13,000 Page Quantity Traded 101,900 160,275 11,250

Value Traded 6,500.00 6,500.00 12 of 16 Value Traded 174,160.00 247,578.00 49,514.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 18

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 273,425

13 of 16 Value Traded

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 0.71

Quantity Traded 714,178 714,178

Value Traded 505,694.88 505,694.88

Specialty SECURE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PLC Specialty Totals

Symbol NSLTECH

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,200 2,200

Value Traded 1,100.00 1,100.00

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

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 3 47 50

Current Price 2.22 5.00

Quantity Traded 100,000 1,363,124 1,463,124

Value Traded 222,000.00 6,816,011.44 7,038,011.44

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 5.80

Quantity Traded 220,300 220,300

Value Traded 1,279,131.60 1,279,131.60

Printing/Publishing Totals

CONSUMER GOODS Personal/Household Products ROKANA INDUSTRIES PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Personal/Household Products © Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol ROKANA

187

5,939,299

12,023,399.14

5,488

288,558,070

3,717,946,435.38

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.60

Quantity Traded 100 Page 100

1 Symbol CAPOIL

471,252.00

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Value Traded 57.00 of57.00 16

100

57.00

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 50.00 50.00

OIL AND GAS Totals

100

50.00

ASeM Board Totals

200

107.00

Equity Activity Totals

5,490

288,558,270

3,717,946,542.38

Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014 Exchange Traded Fund Printed 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014

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

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

Daily Summary (ETP)

No. of Deals 1 2 3

ETF Board Totals

ETP Activity Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

568,158,784.33

Current Price 0.97

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CAPITAL OIL PLC Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

445,645.80

14,181,941

No. of Deals 35 35

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Value Traded

11 445,645.80 of 16

Symbol RTBRISCOE

SERVICES Totals

Quantity Traded 639Page 639

886

EQTY Board Totals Activity Summary on Board ASeM

Current Price 695.00

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Support and Logistics Totals

76.00

Value Traded 252,750.00 252,750.00

Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014 Support and Logistics Printed 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014 CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC

Page

100

Quantity Traded 505,500 505,500

SERVICES

Page

Value Traded 76.00 of 76.0016

Current Price 0.50

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printing/Publishing

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No. of Deals 2 2

Media/Entertainment Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC Activity Summary PRESS on Board EQTY UNIVERSITY PLC.

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Quantity Traded 100 100 Page

Symbol AFROMEDIA

Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014 Media/Entertainment Printed 12/08/2014 DAAR14:45:14.014 COMMUNICATIONS PLC

9 of 16 Value Traded 163,741.50 2,383,575.37 37,633,011.46 78,770,106.47 99,560.65 50.00 308,154.00 1,454,991.00 1,039.00 16,692,651.92 230,356,906.45

Symbol JAPAULOIL

Activity on Board EQTY OIL ANDSummary GAS Totals SERVICES Advertising AFROMEDIA PLC Advertising Totals

Current Price 0.79

OIL AND GAS Exploration and Production Symbol No. of Deals PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Daily SEPLAT 6 Published by SEPLAT The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Summary (Equities) Exploration and Production Totals 6

5 of 16 Value Traded 50.00 50.00 550.00 10,050.00 4,250.00 501,050.00 50.00 2,091,986.59 10,884,593.79

Symbol REGALINS SOVRENINS STACO STDINSURE UNIC UNITYKAP UNIVINSURE WAPIC

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

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

Value Traded 19,914,145.61 332,242,594.57 12,829,067.61 11,673,521.90 307,830,612.94 7,259,487.95 4 of 16 174,814.50

Symbol UNIONDAC

HEALTHCARE Totals

Value Traded 348,724.40 348,724.40

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

3,066.00 1,232,742.80 137.00 1,235,945.80

No. of Deals 100 315 94 101 160 60 6 56 305 1,568

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals

Quantity Traded 649,480 649,480

CUTIX PLC. Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014 Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Printed 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014

No. of Deals 2 165 2 235

Printed 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014 CONSUMER GOODS Totals

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

Current Price 0.57

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Building Materials BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC PREMIER PAINTS PLC. LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Symbol JOSBREW NB PREMBREW

CADBURY Daily Summary (Equities)

Household Durables Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by Insurance The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Services Carriers, Brokers and REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. UNIC INSURANCE PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

No. of Deals 10 10

Electronic and Electrical Products

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities) CHAMPION 8 GUINNESS 43 INTBREW 15

CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Beverages--Brewers/Distillers

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. FoodSummary Products--Diversified Totals Activity on Board EQTY

Symbol COURTVILLE

MASS INNOVATIONS NIGERIA Daily Summary as ofTELECOMMUNICATION 12/08/2014 PLC 14:45:14.014 Printed 12/08/2014 Telecommunications Services Totals

1 of 16 Value Traded 629,977.19 1,374.00 631,351.19

Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Symbol SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC SKYESHELT UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UHOMREIT UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST UPDCREIT Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals Daily Summary as of 12/08/2014 Printed 12/08/2014 14:45:14.014 CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

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

Current Price 2,058.00 19.19

Quantity Traded 9 110 119

119

Page

119

Value Traded 18,522.00 2,114.90 20,636.90

20,636.90 of

20,636.90

46 business | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

12-Aug-14

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

Bonds

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

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

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

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

0.13 0.70 2.01 2.71 2.96 3.05 3.80 4.88 5.20 7.46 9.59 14.30 14.78 15.27 15.95 19.93

10.76 10.96 11.25 11.18 11.15 11.16 11.25 11.42 11.50 12.09 12.23 12.35 12.33 12.32 12.19 12.18

9.61 10.17 11.17 11.12 11.09 11.04 11.15 11.34 11.41 12.04 12.18 12.31 12.29 12.26 12.14 12.14

99.76 95.44 103.15 108.90 96.79 95.42 98.30 116.75 82.74 120.70 110.90 117.54 101.01 73.97 84.75 99.77

99.91 95.94 103.30 109.05 96.94 95.72 98.60 117.05 83.04 121.00 111.20 117.84 101.31 74.27 85.05 100.07

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,479.99

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,553.39

Rating/Agency

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.22 0.78 1.39 2.33 2.69 2.90

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

12.05 13.62 13.37 13.15 12.14 12.15

97.45 90.20 105.01 100.62 99.15 96.70

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 1.05 0.65 1.18 1.18 2.69 1.73 3.39 2.36 4.15 2.56 2.56 2.94 3.01 5.28 3.07 3.69 6.29 6.39 3.87 3.90

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

14.20 15.49 14.18 15.53 14.55 16.73 12.14 12.99 12.95 12.29 12.14 15.92 12.15 12.15 12.53 13.90 12.24 12.90 13.87 12.70 13.21

99.86 97.17 99.68 98.71 101.37 85.85 102.65 102.66 102.28 105.37 105.20 96.35 105.54 108.38 107.40 102.08 107.10 102.49 104.63 105.29 105.22

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,271.93

Sub-National Bonds 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

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

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 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

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

6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 17.28 80.00 28.37 11.40 87.00 5.00 4.78 4.79

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Corporate Bonds

484.10 492.12

A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014

Aa/Agusto

GTB µ NGC

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

Nil

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

*FLOURMILLS

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto

NAHCO

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

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

FSDH

A/GCR

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

*TOWER *TOWER

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

*DANA NAHCO

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

07-Oct-11

11.50

11.80

07-Oct-14

0.15

1.00

11.84

99.88

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.35

5.21

16.26

98.98

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.39

8.71

19.73

98.89

17-Aug-10

10.00

5.29

17-Aug-15

0.53

4.88

15.80

96.09

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.84

1.00

12.00

100.50

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.92

2.63

13.65

100.69

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

2.13

1.00

12.17

101.48

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.20

1.34

12.50

103.23

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.13

1.00

12.17

102.08

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.95

1.88

13.05

109.48

09-Apr-11

16.00

7.20

09-Apr-18

1.91

3.48

14.65

102.56

09-Sep-11

18.00

3.27

09-Sep-18

2.08

5.20

16.37

103.07

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.90

09-Sep-18

2.08

5.06

16.23

101.79

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

4.11

1.35

12.64

104.22

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.70

18-Oct-18

2.18

2.29

13.45

104.59

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.45

17-Feb-19

2.26

6.11

17.27

99.53

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.39

2.16

13.36

106.98

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.26

2.76

14.64

102.36

11-Feb-18

3.50

1.00

12.21

94.41

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

143.81

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

146.65

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

12.00 11.33 Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.89

4.73

110.17

111.15

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.14

3.92

103.52

104.34

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.22

5.10

108.17

109.03

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,609.28

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.71

2.96

111.45

112.64

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.88

3.86

104.35

106.13

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.16

5.85

99.42

100.56

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.03

6.41

100.59

102.30

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.67

8.10

94.37

96.11

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

7.63

6.76

108.18

109.94

6.25 APR 22, 2019

100.66

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

B/S&P; B/Fitch

FIDELITY BANK PLC

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

AFREN PLC

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.39

6.09

99.41

B/Fitch; B/S&P

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

9.02

8.77

98.94

99.92

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

DIAMOND BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.26

6.56

103.42

105.92

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.00

5.10

104.41

105.89

ZENITH BANK PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,660.00 3,761.73

**Treasury Bills DTM 9 16 23 30 37 44 51 58 65

FIXINGS Maturity 21-Aug-14 28-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 11-Sep-14 18-Sep-14 25-Sep-14 2-Oct-14 9-Oct-14 16-Oct-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.55 10.55 10.45 10.30 10.55 10.55 10.65 10.50 10.70

Offer Discount (%) 10.30 10.30 10.20 10.05 10.30 10.30 10.40 10.25 10.45

Bid Yield (%) 10.58 10.60 10.52 10.39 10.66 10.69 10.81 10.68 10.91

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 11.8333 12.7801 13.6406 14.4785

NITTY

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

11.54

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

O/N

11.83

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M 6M

162.05 162.58 162.83 163.43 164.60 165.87 169.52

162.15 162.84 163.17 163.81 165.78 167.50 173.12

Tenor Call 1M 3M

REPO

Rate (%) 11.75 12.63 13.10

(%)

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

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

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

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

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

Investors gain N26 billion as market showed signs of recovery

Stories by Chris Ugwu

rading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday closed on the upward trend TOTAL OUTSTANDING as the bulls staged VALUE a comeback TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION to shore up investors’ interest Corporate Bonds took center stage after the bears A+/Agusto; AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO at the opening of transactions Aa/Agusto GTB on yesterday. NGC Nil The return of bullish sentiBbb-/Agusto *UPDC ments was on the backdrop A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS of µ

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

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

6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 17.28 80.00 28.37 11.40 87.00 5.00 4.78 4.79

0.18 1.05 0.65 1.18 1.18 2.69 1.73 3.39 2.36 4.15 2.56 2.56 2.94 3.01 5.28 3.07 3.69 6.29 6.39 3.87 3.90

A-/Agusto

price appreciation by major blue chip companies - Nigeria Breweries Plc, Flour Mills Plc and Dangote Cement Plc. Specifically, at the close of transactions, the banking subsector of the financial sector remained the most active stock in volume terms with 170.6 million shares valued at N1.7 billion in 1,568 deals. The shares of Access Bank Plc and UBA Plc activated the subsector. Other financial in11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCTsub-sector 2014 stitution services 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 enhanced by the shares of UBA 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 Capital 10.00 UPDCfollowed 17-AUG-2015 with a turnover of 24.30 million 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 units val14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

NAHCO

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

FSDH

A/GCR

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

UBA

BBB-/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

ontinental Reinsurance Plc A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR is planning to build *TOWER finanAAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWERcapaccial and technical A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA in order ity in local markets Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA to build on its pan-African BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS commitment as the company BBB/GCR *DANA A+/Agusto; A-/GCR expands in Africa.NAHCO TOTAL VALUE TheOUTSTANDING firm, which made the TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION announcement in a statement, said the evolution of the compaSupranational Bond ny’s brand was to fuel its plans AAA/S&P IFC for rapid growth inVALUE Africa. TOTAL OUTSTANDING “WeMARKET remainCAPITALISATION true to our misTOTAL sion of being the premier panAfrican reinsurer, committed to Rating/Agency Issuer the long-term prospects of the FGN Eurobonds continent. We are now stepping up how we translate this comBB-/Fitch; B+/S&P mitment to build local capacBB-/Fitch; FGN ity and provide local solutions, BB-/S&P which BB-/Fitch; combined will result in BB-/S&P industry-wide development," TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE said Dr. Femi Oyetunji, Group TOTALExecutive MARKET CAPITALISATION Chief Officer of Continental Reinsurance Plc. Corporate Eurobonds He said the company aims B-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLC I to localise market development GTBANK PLC I B+/S&P; B+/Fitch it is central to bringand believes GTBANK PLC ing its pan-African strengths B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC responsibly to new locations, B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY BANKas PLC B/Fitchof the company’s part strategy AFREN PLC B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P expansion. ZENITH BANK PLC of continued BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

# #

B/Fitch; B/S&P

97.45 90.20 105.01 100.62 99.15 96.70

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

14.20 15.49 14.18 15.53 14.55 16.73 12.14 12.99 12.95 12.29 12.14 15.92 12.15 12.15 12.53 13.90 12.24 12.90 13.87 12.70 13.21

99.86 97.17 99.68 98.71 101.37 85.85 102.65 102.66 102.28 105.37 105.20 96.35 105.54 108.38 107.40 102.08 107.10 102.49 104.63 105.29 105.22

Bullish sentiments return to local bourse ued at N278 million in 756 deals. On the whole, investors exchanged a total of 288.5 million shares valued at N3.7 billion in 5,490 transactions. Further analysis showed that at the close of trading session, the NSE All-Share Index rose by 80 basis points or 0.19 per cent to close at 42,092.73 as against 42,012.73 recorded the previous day, while the market capitalisation appreciated by N26 billion or 0.19 per cent to close at 07-Oct-11 11.50 N13.898 trillion in contrast to 18-Dec-09 13.50 N13.872 trillion recorded a day 01-Apr-10 17.00 before. 17-Aug-10 10.00 The number of gainers at the 09-Dec-10 12.00

close of trading session closed at 27 while decliners closed higher at 31. Nigeria Breweries Plc led on the gainers’ table with N4.49 to close at N179.50 per share, while Flour Mills Nigeria Plc followed with a gain of N3.40 to close at N80.90 per share. Dangote Cement Plc gained N1.99 to close

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

The Continental MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 Reinsurance MPR+7.00 TOWER boss noted that9-SEP-2018 a sustainable presMPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 ence bodes well for acceptance in 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 these new markets and the organ15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 isation believes that its dedication MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 to16.00 pan-African growth will be faDANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO 14-NOV-2020 cilitated inII return. Oyetunji added that with business activities in more than 46 countries across the continent, the company intends 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 to use its subsidiaries as hubs and also aims to build local markets by employing highly skilled local professionals with strong Description local market knowledge and experience. “We see localisation 6.75 JAN 28, 2021as a way to grow the market, yes but also 5.13 JUL 12, 2018that are to develop solutions more apt for6.38 the local market, JUL 12, 2023 and to ensure sustainability and responsible local corporate citizenship in the markets we operate in. It is also about making sure our staff understand the 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 needs of their clients in their 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 local markets 6.00the NOV best, 08, 2018 and are able to serve7.25 them well, JUL 25, 2017 both in 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 terms of customer-centricity 10.25 08, 2019 and proximity ,”APR Oyetunji said. 6.25 APR 22, reported 2019 The company had an 8.75 May 21, 2019

at N228.00 per share. On the flip side, Forte Oil Nigeria Plc led on the price losers’ table, dropping by N4.20 to close at N234.00 per share while Cadbury Nigeria Plc followed with a loss of N3.52 to close at N67.02 per share. Conoil Nigeria Plc N2.04 to close at N73.50 per share.

484.10 492.12

PZ Cussons Nigeria’s full-year profit dips 9.2%

11.80

07-Oct-14

0.15

13.17

18-Dec-14 0.35 Z Cussons Nigeria Plc has 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.39 reported 9.15 per cent de5.29 17-Aug-15 0.53 pre-tax profit 13.62 cline in09-Dec-15 0.84for 06-Jan-11 14.00 0.60 06-Jan-16 the financial year ended0.92 May 29-Sep-11 13.00 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.13 31, 2014. 25-Oct-13 14.25 5.53 25-Oct-16 2.20 In a filing30-Sep-17 with the Nigerian 30-Sep-10 13.00 20.00 3.13 Stock Exchange (NSE), the com30-Nov-12 18.00 0.73 30-Nov-17 1.95 pany’s pre-tax profit fell to N6.94 increase of 28 per cent in Gross 09-Apr-11 16.00 7.20 09-Apr-18 1.91 bil09-Sep-11 Income 18.00 09-Sep-18 2.08 Premium to N15.86 3.27 lion during the year under review , 09-Sep-11 16.00 09-Sep-18 2.08 as against N7.65 billion recorded billion in 2013 compared with 0.90 22-Sep-11 14.00 35.00 22-Sep-18 4.11 N12.40 billion recorded in 2012. the previous year . This represented 18-Oct-13 15.75 2.70 18-Oct-18 2.18 The non-Life and Life busia decline of 9.15 per cent. 17-Feb-12 17.00 0.45 17-Feb-19 2.26 The revenue rose to N72.90 nesses grew by 32 per cent and 01-Apr-14 16.00 4.50 01-Apr-19 3.39 14-Nov-13 15.25 . Total 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.26bilbillion in 2014 from N71.34 11 per cent respectively comprehensive income grew by 143.81 lion a year earlier. 19 per cent from N1.75 billion in 146.65PZ Cussons said it will pay a dividend of 61 kobo per share 2012 to N2.09 billion in 2013. to shareholders on its book by Profit before tax stood at 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.50 N2.23 billion higher than pre- Sept. 26, compared with 56 kobo 12.00 in the previous year. vious year’s N2.13 billion by 5 11.33 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, soap per cent. Outstanding Value manufacturing company quotThe company posted profit Issue Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) ed on the floor of the Nigeria after tax of N1.75 billion dur- (N'bn) ing year under review, which stock had recorded a growth of is marginally higher 32 per cent in its third quarter 07-Oct-11 6.75than the 500.00 28-Jan-21 4.89 previous year’s N1.73 billion by report for the period ended Feb5.13 500.00 4.14 ruary, 2014. 12-Jul-18 1 per12-Jul-13 cent. In a Q3 financial statement Total comprehensive income 12-Jul-13 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.22 grew by 19 per cent from N 1.75 of the company released to the 1,500.00 Nigerian stock exchange (NSE), billion to N2.09 billion. PBT rose to N5.174 billion from Total assets increased by 9 1,609.28 per cent, from N24.05 billion N3.909 billion in the previous year, representing an increase to N26.13 billion, while share- 450.00 01-Feb-11 11.50 01-Feb-16 3.71 of 32 per cent. holders’ funds increased by 8 500.00 19-May-11 7.50 19-May-16 4.88 , profit after tax per cent from N13.246.00billion to 400.00Similarly 08-Nov-13 08-Nov-18 6.16 N14.29 billion. Return7.25 on Equity 350.00 (PAT) grew25-Jul-17 33 per cent as 25-Jul-12 7.03the at 1309-May-13 per cent was marginally company reported N3.866 6.88 300.00 02-May-18 8.67bil08-Apr-12 10.25 cent in 300.00 08-Apr-19 under review 7.63 lion for the period lower than the 14 per 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 6.39 compared with N2.901 billion 2012.22-Apr-14

Continental Re to build capacity in local markets A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

12.05 13.62 13.37 13.15 12.14 12.15

business | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

1,271.93

Sub-National Bonds Wednesday, August 13, 2014 A-/GCR NIGER

UPBEAT

0.22 0.78 1.39 2.33 2.69 2.90

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

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

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

1.00

11.84

99.88

5.21 16.26 98.98 recorded during a comparable 8.71 19.73 98.89 period. 4.88 15.80 96.09 Revenue increased slightly 1.00 12.00 100.50 13.65 to N52.594 100.69 bilby2.63 2.04 per cent 1.00compared 12.17 101.48 billion with N51.543 1.34 12.50 103.23 lion in the previous year. 1.00 12.17 102.08 Analysts at FBN Capital be1.88 13.05 109.48 lieved Q3 earnings growth is 3.48 14.65 102.56 5.20 reflective 16.37 of the103.07 more compa5.06 true underlying 16.23 101.79 ny’s position. 1.35 12.64 104.22 “Typically , H2 is a much 2.29 13.45 104.59 stronger period compared 6.11 17.27 99.53with H12.16and these numbers repre13.36 106.98 2.76 a good start 14.64 sent to the102.36 second half of the year. Although the top-line was down slightly y/y, a gross margin expansion of 218bps y/y to12.21 27.2 per cent sup1.00 94.41 ported the y/y improvement in PZ’s Q3 PBT. Similar to Q2 2013, flattish opex proved to be supportive, butBidtoPrice a lesserOffer extent.” Offer Yield (%) Price They noted that PZ’s cost Prices & Yieldsfocus had proved management vital to the110.17 firm’s earnings 4.73 111.15 improvement during the year, 3.92 103.52 104.34 rewhich according to them, sulting in the growth of PAT to 108.17 5.10 109.03 N1.4billion, indicating a 15 per cent y/y growth compared with N1.2billion in Q3 2013. “Although there were no major negatives in the P&L num2.96 111.45 112.64 bers on a y/y basis, the sales 3.86 104.35 106.13 decline of 2 per cent y/y limit5.85 99.42 100.56 ed6.41 earnings100.59 growth somewhat. 102.30 Sequentially , sales were96.11 up 15.8 8.10 94.37 6.76cent q/q 108.18 109.94cent per (up 15.4 per 6.09in Q2 2013),” 99.41 they noted. 100.66 q/q

DIAMOND BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

9.02

8.77

98.94

99.92

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.26

6.56

103.42

105.92

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.00

5.10

104.41

105.89

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

3,660.00 3,761.73

12-Aug-14

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

**Treasury Bills

DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) 9 21-Aug-14 10.55 16 28-Aug-14 10.55 23 4-Sep-14 10.45 FGN Bonds 30 11-Sep-14 10.30 37 18-Sep-14 10.55 Issuer Description Rating/Agency 44 25-Sep-14 10.55 51 2-Oct-14 10.65 58 9-Oct-14 10.50 9.25 28-SEP-2014 65 16-Oct-14 10.70 4.00 23-APR-2015 72 23-Oct-14 10.65 13.05 16-AUG-2016 79 30-Oct-14 10.40 15.10 27-APR-2017 86 6-Nov-14 10.20 9.85 27-JUL-2017 93 13-Nov-14 10.70 9.35 31-AUG-2017 100 20-Nov-14 10.20 107 27-Nov-14 10.75 10.70 30-MAY-2018 114 4-Dec-14 10.00 16.00 29-JUN-2019 NA NA 121 11-Dec-14 10.75 7.00 23-OCT-2019 135 25-Dec-14 10.80 16.39 27-JAN-2022 149 8-Jan-15 10.40 14.20 14-MAR-2024 163 22-Jan-15 10.50 15.00 28-NOV-2028 177 5-Feb-15 10.35 191 19-Feb-15 10.45 12.49 22-MAY-2029 205 5-Mar-15 10.35 8.50 20-NOV-2029 240 9-Apr-15 10.35 10.00 23-JUL-2030 254 23-Apr-15 10.25 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 268 7-May-15 10.15 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 359 6-Aug-15 10.20 *from the Amortising bonds, TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION # the average life is calculated Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums

Offer Discount (%) 10.30 10.30 10.20 10.05 10.30 Issue 10.30Date 10.40 10.25 28-Sep-07 10.45 23-Apr-10 10.40 16-Aug-13 10.15 27-Apr-12 9.95 27-Jul-07 10.45 31-Aug-07 9.95 10.50 30-May-08 9.75 29-Jun-12 10.50 23-Oct-09 10.55 27-Jan-12 10.15 14-Mar-14 10.25 28-Nov-08 10.10 10.20 22-May-09 10.10 20-Nov-09 10.10 23-Jul-10 10.00 18-Jul-14 9.90 9.95

Bid Yield (%) 10.58 10.60 10.52 10.39 10.66 Coupon 10.69 (%) 10.81 10.68 9.25 10.91 4.00 10.88 13.05 10.64 15.10 10.45 9.85 11.00 9.35 10.49 11.10 10.70 10.32 16.00 11.15 7.00 11.25 16.39 10.86 14.20 11.02 15.00 10.90 11.05 12.49 10.99 8.50 11.11 10.00 11.04 12.1493 10.97 11.34

NIBOR

BondsTenor

O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M

(N'bn)

Value

Rate (%) 11.8333 12.7801 13.6406 Maturity 14.4785 Date

100.00 28-Sep-14 535.00 NITTY 23-Apr-15 515.27 16-Aug-16 Tenor Rate (%) 452.80 27-Apr-17 1M 10.3456 20.00 27-Jul-17 2M 10.6982 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 10.7760 6M 10.8376 300.00 30-May-18 9M 10.8790 351.30 29-Jun-19 12M 11.2979 233.90 23-Oct-19 600.00 27-Jan-22 220.15 14-Mar-24 NIFEX 75.00 28-Nov-28 Current Price ($/N)22-May-29 150.00 BID($/N) 200.00 162.0000 20-Nov-29 OFFER ($/N) 162.1000 591.57 23-Jul-30 35.00 18-Jul-34

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

11.54

O/N

11.83

REPO TTM Bid Yield Tenor(Yrs) Rate (%) (%) Call 1M 0.13 3M 0.70 6M

11.75 12.63 10.76 13.10 10.96 13.93

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON NA

FMBN

Modified Duration Buckets

***LCRM <3

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 3<5

2.01 11.25 11.17 2.71 11.18 11.12 2.96 11.15 11.09 :Benchmarks 3.05 11.16 11.04 * :Amortising Bond 3.80 11.25 11.15 µ :Convertible 4.88Bond 11.42 11.34 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 5.20Management Corporation 11.50 11.41 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 7.46 12.09 12.04 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 9.59 Finance Corporation 12.23 12.18 IFC: International 14.30 12.35 Management 12.31 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables NAHCO: Nigerian 14.78 Aviation Handling 12.33 Company 12.29 O/N: Overnight 15.27 12.32 12.26 UPDC: UAC15.95 Property Development 12.19Company 12.14 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 19.93 12.18 12.14

Bid ($/N) 162.05 162.58 162.83 Bid Price 163.43 164.60 165.87 99.76 169.52 95.44 177.32

Offer ($/N)

Price 162.15 162.84 163.17

Offer 163.81Price 165.78 167.50 99.91 173.12 95.94 184.30

103.15 103.30 108.90 109.05 96.79 96.94 95.42 95.72 NA :Not Applicable # :Floating Rate Bond 98.30 98.60 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 116.75 117.05 82.74 83.04 †: Bond rating expired 120.70 121.00 110.90 111.20 117.54 117.84 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 101.01 101.31 UBA: United 73.97Bank for Africa 74.27 84.75 85.05 99.77 100.07

4,479.99 4,553.39

Description

Issue Date

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB IIMarket 03-APR-2017 Porfolio Total Outstanding Value(Bn) 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 1,024.60 968.07

1,134.34 745.50

951.30 811.72

Market

2,904.44

2,731.09

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Spot 7D 14D Yield Offer 1M (%) 2M 3M 9.61 6M 10.17 1Y

NOTE:

**Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Rating/Agency

Tenor

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

28-Dec-11 24-May-10 Weighting by 03-Apr-12 Outstanding Vol 09-Dec-11 20-Apr-12 35.45 06-Jul-12

34.83 29.72

100.00

0.00 0.00

Weighting by Mkt 17.25 Value 0.00/16.00

0.00/16.50 35.28 0.00/16.50

39.06 25.67

100.00

978.35 24.56 3.30 Bucket Weighting 112.22 116.70 66.490.35

0.35 1,301.62

0.30

1,271.93 1.00

Maturity Date

31-Oct-14 24-May-15

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

20-Apr-17 16.47 06-Jul-17

0.22 0.78 1.39 Implied Yield 2.33 2.69 11.21 2.90

11.89 12.20

1.00 118.5151 1.00 133.9571 101.2792

100.00

11.93

118.7711

% Exposure_ 03-Apr-17 Mod_Duration 09-Dec-16

35.62 47.91

1.00 2.63

Implied 2.27 Portfolio Price 2.00

Valuation Yield (%) 12.05 13.62 13.37 INDEX 13.15 12.14 1,125.65 12.15 1,134.30

Indicative Price 97.45 90.20

YTD Return 105.01 (%) 100.62

1,181.50

99.15 12.5652 96.70 13.4297 18.1503

1,128.20

12.8199

14.20 15.49 14.18 15.53 14.55 16.73 12.14 12.99 12.95

99.86 97.17 99.68 98.71 101.37 85.85 102.65 102.66 102.28

Sub-National Bonds A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA

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

14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00

6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25

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

0.18 1.05 0.65 1.18 1.18 2.69 1.73 3.39 2.36

3.29 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80

48 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Osun as triumph of Jonathan’s electoral reform Johnson Momodu

he governorship contest for Osun State has come and gone but the import of its outcome will linger for a long time to come. The election was won by Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who prevailed against the strong challenge of Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It was an election defined largely by the policies and programmes of the contending parties as well as the personalities of the candidates. Beyond these, it was one election on which the President of the Federal Republic, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his party placed a large premium: it was to lead them deeper into South West, the bastion of Nigerian opposition. Following his party’s triumph weeks earlier in the governorship contest in the neighbouring Ekiti State, victory in Osun would have been a sweet price for Jonathan. However, his march against opposition strongholds is delayed, even if temporarily. For Jonathan, the loss of Osun ought to be a setback of sort. But it has turned out, interestingly, to a victory of sort: though the PDP lost Osun, the President has won plaudits for what has become an incremental march towards credibility of elections in Nigeria. At a time expectations are high on the 2015 polls, the outcome from Osun could not have been more heart-warming. Free and fair election – one in which both the loser and the victor shake hands and acknowledge each other after the result is declared – has gone beyond being a myth in Nigeria. Under Jonathan, it has become a reality. Hours after the result was declared, he had issued a message through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, to congratulate Governor Aregbesola of the APC on his victory. This was followed by his party who wished the APC governor a successful second term. It was an uncommon show of magnanimity, a sharp contrast to the rival party’s show of shame in Ekiti some weeks earlier when Governor Kayode Fayemi conceded victory to the PDP only for his party to take off on different tangent. The President’s gesture was not only symbolic; it was also a strong expression of faith in the electoral process, which, under his watch, has increasingly become credible. The President has delivered on his administration’s determination to positively reform Nigeria’s electoral processes. The depar-

CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 6

Urging the seven-man panel to dismiss all the 16 allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office during the panel’s public hearing held at the conference hall of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Al-makura’s lead counsel, Udechukwu (SAN), submitted that the panel should dismiss all the 16 allegations levelled against the governor and enter verdict of no proof against the House. Ucha Ulegede, who led six lawyers to represent the House, informed the panel that it had appeared before the panel in protest. He also presented a letter of protest to the panel, insisting that they would not partake in illegality as according to him, some members of the panel were partisan while others are civil servants citing Rev. Joel Galadima as a member of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board. Ulegede later told newsmen that they had walked out on the panel because they did not want to partake in illegality. One had thought that the heat generated by the impeachment was over

Jonathan

ture from flawed elections and manipulations by governments at the centre had appeared and observers as well as rights groups in Nigeria and beyond have commended this shift. Like was the case in Ekiti, the people of Osun State had come out en-masse to peacefully and freely exercise their democratic right, trusting in the President’s assurance that all necessary measures had been taken to ensure their safety and the sanctity of their votes. In Osun, like in Ekiti, the atmosphere for election was free of intimidation and each person’s vote counted. The earlier success recorded in Ekiti, however, did not stop the usual scare-mongering by the APC leadership which cried from roof-tops that the national security agencies were deployed, first in Ekiti and then to Osun, primarily to facilitate victory for the PDP. In usual manner, its National Publicity

Secretary, Lai Mohammed, had doubted the President’s sincerity in deploying security men to ensure the election was peaceful. To him, the security operatives were to intimidate and harass opposition party members and supporters as well as deliberately disenfranchise voters to achieve a favourable outcome for the PDP. The free atmosphere under which the election was conducted has not only vindicated the President, it has given the lie to those unfair and uncharitable allegations. Mohammed and his ilk of scare-mongers were, once again, put to shame. Since the flawed 2007 elections that brought the late Umaru Yar’Adua and himself in as President and Vice-president, President Jonathan has irrevocably committed himself to credible elections. He has taken the nation on a tortuous but steady journey towards the conduct of credible elections and

raised optimism that the 2015 elections, especially, will even be more credible than those of 2007 and 2011. To achieve this, he has taken steps that reassure the populace. Not only has the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) witnessed a vastly improved funding, government has fully supported its constitutional and electoral reform proposals. It has gone further to insist on respect for the rule of law by political parties, compliance with internal democracy and has committed to reduce impunity by sending a bill to the National Assembly for the establishment of the electoral offences commission. In preparing for the 2015 elections, INEC, on its part, has greatly enhanced the integrity of the register of voters and put in place plans to get more citizens onto the electronic register as witnessed in Ekiti and Osun. It has also started issuing in phases all duly registered voters with chip-based Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), which will be swiped with card readers in the 2015 elections to ensure 100 per cent verification and authentication of voters. Those who oppose the tight security measures put in place by the Federal Government in Ekiti and Osun are either being mischievous or out to promote chaos. In those recent exercises, it was obvious that the security agents gave the people the peaceful ambience to come out and cast their votes. The soldiers, who stayed at the borders of the states, effectively checked the usual smuggling of electoral materials in and out of states where polls were being conducted. While the mobile policemen stood at junctions at the polling stations, unarmed policemen stayed within some distance from election units. Contrary to the wolf-cries by the APC, none of the security men was allowed into any polling station. Yes, Jonathan and the PDP may not have won the last Osun poll but the outcome is no less profound for the government. Coming on the march towards 2015 polls, its conduct signposts a positive performance index for the President and his promise of credible elections in Nigeria. It is a victory for the ongoing electoral reform and it is worth much more to Nigeria as a nation. More importantly, the credibility of the election clearly vindicates President Jonathan and speaks so eloquently of his commitment to free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. •Momodu sent this piece from Benin City.

No respite for Al-makura following the panel’s clearance of Almakura, but for the leaders of the PDP including Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, former governor of the state, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma and hundreds of supporters stormed the House and demanded the removal of Al-makura in office. Day after the leadership of the PDP stormed the Assembly complex to support their members to use constitutional means to impeach the governor, the women wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also stormed the House along youths and forced their way into the Assembly Complex demanding for the rule of law be respected by the lawmakers. Tanko Tunga, APC member representing Awe North and Bala Adams Usman who were visibly angry, scolded their colleagues for what they described as legislative rascality, stressing that the act must stop. They appealed to the lawmakers to have a re-think and reverse their

decision in the interest of peace and development of the state. A Lafia-based legal practitioner, Ayiwulu Baba Ayiwulu, in an interview with New Telegraph, said the House of Assembly has the option to receive the panel’s report which cleared Al-makura of all the 16 allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office or approach a court of law to seek an order to squash the panel’s report and set up a new one. He argued that should the House reject the report of the panel, it should approach the court to quash the panel’s report and order for reconstitution of a fresh panel. In his view, the legal adviser to Ombatse cultural group, Zachariah Alumaga, said that the panel did a kangaroo job in clearing Al-makura of allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him by the House. Alumga, who is also a former Magistrate, said that the Assembly has no option than to impeach Al-makura, as according to him, “the presumption

Al-makura

is that the panel succeeded in doing a hatchet job for their master.” The pertinent question is that: will Al-makura survive the impeachment? Only time will tell.

NEWS 49

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Catholic Bishop denounce homosexuals Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

atholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have advised President Goodluck Jonathan not to compromise the cultural and moral standards of Nigerians in the bid to seek assistance from Western countries to tackle security challenges confronting the nation. Rising from their meeting in Ado-Ekiti yesterday the bishops, in a communiqué, said immoral and ethical standards must not be set aside as a people stripped of its moral values could be likened to people on a death row. The bishops were referring to insinuations that Western nations were not keen on helping Nigeria fight terrorism because the nation has a law punishing

10.29

homosexual acts. The communiqué was signed by Most Rev. Gabriel Leke Abegunrin (President) and Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye (Secretary). The bishops also used the occasion to announce the excommunication of Rev. Fr. Raphael Fagbohun over alleged irregular conduct. On those clamouring for the division of the country, the bishops urged the people to count the cost of such a development, saying if they do, they would see that the country would be better off staying as one united entity. On the Ebola Virus Disease scourge ravaging some parts of the African continent, the bishops commended the Federal Government for taking some proactive steps to curb the spread of the disease. "The Ebola scourge is

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Thailand in 2010. Source: Itu.int

a source of worry to all peoples all over the world. We highly commend the government and all others who are doing everything possible to bring it under control. May God rest those who have died in perfect peace and may He heal all who have been infected by the virus," they said. On the recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, the Catholic bishops expressed happiness that all the elections went without violence. "We are particularly grateful that the election was devoid of rampant bloodshed and criminality for which such an exercise had been notorious in the past. We highly commend those who made personal and corporate commitment and sacrifice to secure peace and tranquility during these elections, especially the politicians

and their supporters," they noted. On the misdeeds of Rev. Fr. Fagbohun, the bishops said he was seconded to the Nigeria Police as a chaplain in Abuja and that he got there and deviated from the doctrines of the church. "We regret the unfortunate incident of Rev. Fr. Fagbohun, a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Ekiti, who claims to have been ordained the first consecrated bishop of a socalled Old Catholic Church (ROCC- Scotland) in Africa. He made his declaration publicly on the social media, after having been reprimanded for gross misconduct and abuse of office in his exalted position as the first Catholic Chaplain of the Nigeria Police, a position to which he was appointed by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria," they stated.

610,000

The life expectancy (in years) at age 60 years The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in Thailand in 2007. of women in Mozambique in 2010-2015. Source: Blatantworld.com Source: Un.org

Government alone cannot fund education, says Wike Yekeen Nurudeen ABUJA

inister of State for EdM ucation, Mr. Nyesom Wike has reiterated that

the funding of education, particularly at the basic level is an enormous task that should not be left in the hands of government alone. The minister, who made the observation yesterday in Abuja at the public presentation of Education For All (EFA) 2015 Review Report and opening ceremony of a 2-day National Dialogue on EFA said as 2015, the target year for achieving EFA goals approaches, stakeholders across the

country should be mobilized to support government efforts at all levels towards the achievement of the goals. Wike said that being a signatory to the Dakar Framework for Action on EFA in 2000, the federal government has initiated actions aimed at delivery of quality basic education to all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, location and circumstances. “Nigeria has made enormous strides in basic education delivery as well as improving the quality of education through the provision of infrastructural needs in our institutions," he added.

Mark, Daniel mourn Ofodile, Ade-Ajayi Chukwu David, ABUJA and Temitope Ogunbanke resident of the Senate, Pcondoled Senator David Mark has with the Obi of

Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi) and the People of Anambra State over the demise of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chike Ofodile SAN. Mark, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, recalled the positive landmarks of late Ofodile as the then Minister of Justice and submitted that an 'Iroko tree' has fallen. The President of the Senate noted that late Ofodile was not just a lawyer of very high repute but a true African man who was very vast in the cul-

ture and tradition, saying it was that prominence that earned him the Prime Minister (Onowu) of the respected Onitsha kingdom. He told the People of Anambra State, especially the Onitsha kingdom to take solace in the fact that late Ofodile lived an eventful and accomplished life worthy of emulation. Similarly, Senator Mark lamented the demise of Professor Emeritus, Professor Ade Ajayi, whom he described as a builder and moulder of many generations of Nigerians. “Professor Ajayi was professors' Professor. Nigerians and indeed all lovers of knowledge owe him a great deal of gratitude. We cannot pay him enough."

Amosun slashes tuition fees in Ogun tertiary schools Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (middle), during a health walk in Abeokuta, organised by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Youth Centre to mark this year's International Youth Day celebration...yesterday. PHOTO: KUNLE OLAYENI

‘Northern Elders Forum know something about Chibok girls' CULPABLE

Larry Ogiera ropes in Northern elders as the search continues Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

iffed by the undue attacks on the person and administration of President Goodluck Jonathan by some northern elements, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo state, Mr. Larry Ogieva, yesterday blasted members of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) for their hard position and conditions over the abducted Chibok girls and the 2015 presidential

elections. Ogieva told newsmen in Benin that it was possible for the same northern elders who are pointing accusing fingers at President Jonathan to be the real culprits in the abduction saga that has since the past three months traumatized parents and citizens of Borno State, an ugly scenario that led to the sudden death of eleven parents. The 2015 House of Representatives aspirant for Uhunmwonde/ Orhionmwon federal constituency and former state chairman of the Edo state Oil and Gas Communities Development Commission (EDOSOPADEC) urged Nigerians to remain alert in the unfold-

ing drama and controversies over the fate of the Chibok girls as ‘one never finds his lost property or cloth when the person who stole it is helping to find such items’. He challenged the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), the elites and politicians in the troubled geo political zone to rise up in task towards unmasking the mystery surrounding the whereabouts of the girls rather than crying wolf when there is none. “Let these northern leaders tell Nigerians where they kept these girls because if we really want to be fair to Nigeria and Nigerians, they know where they are kept. If you tell me in

my village that ten girls were taken away and they say that they are kept in Egbokpo forest, as a man from Egbokpo I will know the road to the area and how to circumvent this area. Are you telling me that the people living in the communities close to Sambisa Forest do not know the routes, have they not been smuggling goods from Nigeria to neighbouring Chad and Cameroun?” “So, the President in Abuja and from Bayelsa should come and tell them where the girls are? Let’s face the reality, they know where they kept the girls. They should go and bring the girls back and not blame the President”, he stated.

gun State government Oa reduction yesterday announced in the school

fees of all state-owned tertiary institutions. The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Odubela, who made this known at a press conference in Abeokuta, said the new fees regime will take effect from the 2014/2015 academic session. The development came barely a week after Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State reduced the controversial tuition fees at the Lagos State University (LASU). Odubela, who was flanked by his counterpart in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, also stated that the government had abolished the dichotomy of indigene/ non-indigene in tuition payment as all students offering the same course and at the same level will

pay the same fees. Also, yesterday the governor honoured six teachers from the State who received national prizes and President Goodluck Jonathan’s excellency awards in Abuja. Amosun rewarded the teachers with cash prizes ranging from N300,000 to N400,000 during a grand reception held in their honour at the Oba's Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The teachers include Mrs. Sosanwo Folashade of Ijebu Igbo Girls Grammar School, Mr. Oduselu Olugbenga of Adeola Odutola College, IjebuOde and Mr. Sule Kazeem of Local Government Nursery and Primary School, Lukogbe, Ogun Waterside. Others are Mr. Obalenge Joseph of Iganmode Grammar School, Ota, Mrs. Akintade Esther Iyabode of Yewa College Junior School, Ilaro and Mr. Olayemi Abiodun of Christ Church Porogun School, Ijebu-Ode.

WORLD | NEWS

NEWS

U.S. ready to help new Iraq leader, Iran welcomes choice

raq’s new prime minister-designate won swift endorsements from uneasy mutual allies the United States and Iran yesterday as he called on political leaders to end crippling feuds that have let jihadists seize a third of the country. Haider al-Abadi still faces opposition closer to home, where his Shi’ite party colleague Nuri alMaliki has refused to step aside after eight years as premier that have alienated Iraq’s once dominant Sunni minority and irked Washington and Tehran.

However, Shi’ite militia and army commanders long loyal to Maliki signaled their backing for the change, as did many people on the streets of Baghdad, eager for an end to fears of a further descent into sectarian and ethnic bloodletting. As Western powers and international aid agencies considered further help for tens of thousands of people driven from their homes and under threat from the Sunni militants of the Islamic State near the Syrian border, Secretary of State John Kerry

said the United States would consider requests for military and other assistance once Abadi forms a government to unite the country. Underscoring the convergence of interest in Iraq that marks the normally hostile relationship between Washington and Iran, senior Iranian officials congratulated Abadi on his nomination, three months after a parliamentary election left Maliki’s bloc as the biggest in the legislature. Like Western powers.

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Gwoza: DHQ warns soldiers’ wives against obstruction Emmanuel Onani

he Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has warned wives of officers and soldiers protesting against planned deployment of their husbands to Gwoza, Borno State, to steer clear of military deployment of troops, which it said, has always been “well-intentioned”. The warning was contained in a statement posted on the official website of the DHQ, captioned: “Don’t meddle in military deployment of

troops, women advised”. Unlike Damboa and other communities earlier reclaimed, military operations to repossess Gwoza from Boko Haram fighters, are said to be ongoing. While assuring that the agitation has since been put to rest, the military, however, vowed to mete out sanctions to persons found to be instigating officers against lawful orders. The statement reads in full: “The tension raised following the activities of a group of women who tried to dis-

rupt activities in Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri earlier today has been addressed. “The situation had attracted media attention and elicited a lot of concern from well meaning Nigerians.” “Although the situation was quickly brought under control, the issues being raised by the women were clarified to them by the authorities of the 7 Division. “It was pointed out that contrary to their belief, there has never been any attempt to relocate them as alleged. ”

Saraki: I did not sign report on NNPC $49b deal Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga forces guard the frontline during clashes with Islamic state.

member of the Senate Committee on Finance, Dr Bukola Saraki, yesterday denied ever being a party to the final report of the committee on the investigation of the alleged unremitted $49.8 billion oil revenue by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). According to Saraki, in a statement he sent to media establishments

through his Special Assistant on Media And Advocacy, Bamikole Omishore, his public denial of the report became necessary following the publication of his name along with the final report in a national newspaper. Part of Saraki’s statement reads: “While we are not denying the fact that Senator Saraki is a member of the Senate committee on Finance, and whereas we also acknowledge that Senator Saraki participated ac-

tively in almost all of the committee’s assignment as it affects the investigation of the unremitted US$48.9 Billion oil revenue by NNPC, the office of Senator Saraki wishes to state categorically and further deny that Senator Bukola Saraki, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District of Kwara State did not sign any committee report as it affects the said investigation contrary to the impression given in the said publication . This is totally not correct.”

Saudi jolts wife by taking 10 and 11-year-old boys to fight in Syria

Ekiti NULGE boss denies denigrating new LCDAs

Saudi father gave his ex-wife the shock of her life when he informed her he was taking their 10 and 11 year-oldsons to join Islamist militants in Syria, telling her to count them as “birds in heaven”, Saudi-owned media reported. The pan-Arab al-Hayat newspaper said yesterday that the unsuspecting mother had been told that her sons, Abdullah and Ahmed, were going on holiday with their father,

he President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ekiti State chapter, Mr Bunmi Ajimoko, yesterday denied the allegation that the union insulted the integrity of the State Assembly over creation of new local council development areas.

identified as Nasser alShayeq, in a neighboring Gulf Arab country when she saw an Instagram photo of them in Turkey. Al-Hayat said she telephoned her son to ask about the photo, only to receive a message from her ex-husband, a former Saudi civil servant, to say that he was taking the boys to Syria to join Islamic State, one of the most militant groups fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad. “Count

your children as birds in heaven,” Shayeq said in his message, according to al-Hayat, suggesting that they may be killed and become young “martyrs”. Fellow Islamic State militants later posted a photo of the father and his two sons crouching in front of Islamic State’s black flag, with each boy brandishing an AK-47 rifle in one hand. The father was smiling as one of the boys also held a grenade in his other hand.

Libyan parliament agrees direct presidential election

ibya’s new parliament agreed yesterday that the next president would be elected by a popular vote as lawmakers sought to overcome a confrontation between two armed factions. Western partners hope the new par-

liament will open space for negotiations between rival militias and their political backers and return Libya to stability after a month of clashes that turned Tripoli and Benghazi into battlefields. The House of Represen-

tatives voted overwhelmingly for the new president to be directly elected by the Libyan people as it seeks to put the country back on track towards democracy, three years after Muammar Gaddafi’s fall in an uprising.

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

Ajimoko made the declaration at a plenary sitting of the Assembly in Ado-Ekiti following the resolution by the House to summon him to make clarification on the issue. The Assembly had summoned the labour leader following a statement that was credited to him that the legislative arm of government

rushed the processes for the creation of the 19 new LCDAs.  The NULGE president said the union’s decision to stop their members from reporting at their duty posts at the newlycreated LCDAs, which he said was part of the decisions in their communique, was to only ensure the safety of members.

Herdsmen allege attack in southern Kaduna Ibraheem Musa KADUNA

he Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the umbrella organisation of Fulani herdsmen, has alleged that their kith and kin are being attacked in Southern Kaduna, while their houses are being burnt.

The association, which made this allegation in a statement yesterday, further said their people suffer the most in Kachia and Sanga local governments of Kaduna State. The statement, which was signed by its National Secretary, Alhaji Baba Usman Ngelzarma, pointed out that dialogue was the only solution to the crisis in Southern Kaduna. The

association also warned on the danger of unprovoked attack on its members by individuals and groups. According to the association; ‘’Any group that has an issue with their member or members should approach the relevant constituted authority as acting arbitrarily will only lead to continue attacks and counter attacks which will not do anybody any good.’’

Marrakech 2014: Abugan, Okoro boost Team Nigeria’s gold haul Charles Ogundiya

olashade Abugan, on Tuesday increased Team Nigeria medals’ haul at the ongoing 19th African Senior Athletics Championships in Marrakech, Morocco, with a gold medal in the women’s 400m race.

After failing to win a medal in the 400m event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Abugan raced to the tape in 51.21secs ahead of Kabange Mupopo of Zambia, while compatriot, Patience George, won the bronze with 51.68secs. Ada Benjamin came fourth in 52.59secs.

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

Speaking after her victory, Abugan said; “I am so happy to win because four years ago I won a bronze medal but this time around, I am the African champion. “This season has been a great one for me as I became national champion, won a bronze at the IAAF World Re-

lays and silver at the Commonwealth Games. I am going to train harder ahead of the Continental Cup.” Also on Tuesday, Chinwe Okoro and Nwanneka Okwelogu won the gold and silver medals in the women’s discuss final throwing 54.78m and 51.07m respectively.

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

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Mario Götze is the first substitute to score a winning goal in the World Cup final and also the youngest scorer of a goal in a World Cup final since Wolfgang Weber in 1966 (22 years, 33 days).

Quit Chelsea now!

lBabangida tells Mikel, Moses Ajibade Olusesan

ormer Super Eagles player, Tijani Babangida, has urged Mikel Obi and Victor Moses to leave Chelsea for other clubs where they can find regular playing time. The two players are set for prolonged period of bench-warming if they remain at Chelsea as Coach Jose Mourinho has further reinforced his star-studded midfield. Babangida said the players should walk away now instead of staying put at a club where they can only warm the bench. The former Ajax Amsterdam winger said the players’ inactivity reflected in their performance for the national team at the last World Cup, saying that is not good for their careers. “My advice for them is to leave the club since they know that they can’t play regularly there. You can see that their performances for the national team are not as good as they used to be, we saw that in Brazil. So, when good offers come and they are certain that they can play regularly again, I will advise them to go,” he said. Mikel played 24 league games last season but more than half of them from the bench and the player might play far less than that this term with the arrival of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona this summer. The former Lyn Oslo of Norway player has been tipped to leave the club after he was linked with Inter Milan and Monaco among others. But his agent, John Ola Shittu, has debunked insinuations that his client would quit, insisting that the 27-yearold was ready to fight for his place in the Blues squad. Similarly, Moses who had a terrible loan stint at Liverpool last season has made a return to his parent club but might also find life difficult at the Stamford Bridge. West Brom, Aston Villa and Everton are some of the clubs who have shown interest in a loan deal for the winger, but Chelsea have claimed they have not received any concrete offer for the player. The former international however urged Nigerians to keep supporting the players, who have offered their best for the national team, in their time of trials. “I can’t understand why we easily come hard on our players anytime they are having poor spell. What they need from us at that time is support and in my own estimation Mikel is doing his best for the Super Eagles,” Babangida said.

Mikel Obi

Victor Moses

FIFA U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

England must fall, says Dike

TOP SCORERS 12 Goals Osaguona Ighodaro (Rangers) 10 Goals Peter Ebimobowei (Bayelsa Utd) Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves) 8 Goals Adamu Mohammed (Gombe Utd)

Emmanuel Tobi

alconet striker, Courtney Dike, has warned teammates not to be distracted by their victory over South Korea, while predicting England’s fall when they play Nigeria in the last group game on Wednesday. Nigeria are the only team in the group to have won a match so far, seeing off Korea Republic in their last match thanks to a blistering start and the fastest goal in the history of the competition. That win has left the Falconets in a strong position as they prepare to face England, with a single point sufficient to take them through even a defeat providing Mexico fail to overcome Korea Republic. “After the first game, we were all neck and neck. We will have to put in another hardwill enough for the Falconets to progress performance against England. If we play at the same level we managed against Korea, we’ll definitely take the three points at the end,” Dike said. England requires victory unless both matches end in draws with the same scoreline. In that case, Nigeria would advance and England would face a drawing of lots with Mexico for the right to join them in the quarter-finals.

Mfon Udoh (Enyimba) Bright Ejike (Heartland) Peter Onyekachi (Abia Warriors) Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars) Adamu Hassan (Kano Pillars) 7 Goals Babalo Haruna (Gombe Utd) Christian Pyagbara (Sharks) Isah Aminu (Kaduna Utd) Emem Eduok (Dolphins) Ifeanyi Egwim (Dolphins) MATCH DAY 23 (13TH AUG 14) Kano Pillars vs Rangers Gombe Utd vs Lobi Dolphins vs Crown El-Kanemi vs FC Taraba Sharks vs Heartland Nasarawa vs Bayelsa Giwa vs Sunshine Nembe vs Abia Warriors Kaduna Utd vs Akwa Utd Enyimba vs Warri Wolves

League Facts

Nigerian League Rendezvous

charlesog2001@yahoo.com,

f not for the quick intervention of the security men at the Akure Township Stadium, it would have been a free -for-all when a fan of Sunshine Stars resorted to name calling in a week 22 match involving the Akure Gunners and Kano Pillars. Assistant coach of the league defending champion, Ibrahim Musa, was furious when a supporter of the home team addressed him as ‘Boko Haram,’ leading to a fist cuff before some of the policemen

Paraguay skipper eyes France upset

espite the excitement and the emotion that comes with the team’s first win in the tournament against Costa Rica, Paraguay skipper, Jennifer Mora, is already thinking about the next challenge: a match against Group D leaders France. France team has most caught the eye in Canada after scoring nine goals in two games. To add to the pressure, Paraguay will take the

field knowing that a place in the quarter-finals remains a possibility for the tournament newcomers. “We know it will be a tough game, but we’re really fired up for it. We’re determined to give it our best shot,” said the captain. WED-THURS MATCHES Paraguay v France 10:00pm C/Rica v N/Zealand 10:00pm Korea Rep v Mexico 02:00am Nigeria v England 02:00am

around separated both men. While expressing his displeasure to me in their hotel later in the day, Musa said he was trying to mediate between the fan and the club cameraman before the guy resorted to name calling. “I don’t know why some people call those from the North ‘Boko Haram’ I was trying to mediate between the fans and my cameraman only for him to start calling me ‘Boko Haram.’ I don’t take lightly to such an insult,” he said.

Ezeji proud of Sunshine Stars camp

eague veteran, Victor Ezeji, has described the camp ground of Sunshine Stars, Akure, as the best he has lived in since he started his career in the Nigeria league. While preparing for his club’s home game against Kano Pillars on Sunday, League Rendezvous spoke with him and he was full of praises for the management of the club for providing such a conducive environment as camp. “I was shocked when I ar-

Port Harcourt bubbles with double dose

08098042287

Row over name calling in Akure

•Match day 12 of the Nigeria Professional Football League recorded the most goals scored this season. 33 goals were scored on the day. •The least number of goals was recorded on match day 5, with nine goals recorded. •Seven own goals recorded so far in the league this season. •The league has recorded an average of 2.1 goals per match so far this season. •Abia Warriors and Lobi Stars have won the most match. They have won 11 in 22 matches played so far. •Sunshine Stars and Heartland are the draw specialists in the league, having drawn nine matches already.

Dike

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

with charles Ogundiya

ort-Harcourt will on Wednesday play host to another double header in the Nigeria Professional Football league. Earlier in the season, the state hosted a double header involving Sharks versus Crown and Dolphins against Sunshine Stars inside the Sharks Stadium, Port-Harcourt. According to a letter sent to the two clubs, signed by Sunday Obaseki of the League Management Company, the matches will be played inside the Liberation Stadium, Port-Harcourt, with Dolphins hosting Crown at 2pm while Sharks trade tackles with Heartland at 4pm. Speaking on the game, the coach of Sharks, Gbenga Ogunbote, said it was important they record a victory in the game to keep pace with the league leaders, Kano Pillars. “The loss against Lobi Stars over the weekend is a temporary setback, not a disaster, we are going to bounce back immediately. “We should not forget that we still have about 16 games to go and our target remains intact, which is to win a continental ticket,” the former Sunshine Stars coach said.

rived here. It is actually the best I have lived in since I started my career in the Nigerian league,” he said. The environment is serene, away from the town giving the players total concentration and the rooms have effective air conditioners. According to Ezeji, the only ‘but’ is the bad state of the training pitch inside the camp, something he explained will give the camp a world-class standard if fixed.

Ifeanyi Inyiam of Sharks in aerial challenge with Uche Oguchi of Rangers during their 2013 Nigeria Professional Football League Match.

TEAM

SF SA Pts GD

1 Kano Pillars

10 7

2 Abia Warriors

11 3

3 Nasarawa Utd 22

10 5

4 Dolphins FC

5 Warri Wolves

10 4

6 Lobi Stars

11 1

10 25

-1

7 Enyimba

8 Sharks FC

9 Sunshine

10 Akwa Utd

-1

11 Taraba

10 1

11 16

-6

12 Heartland

13 El-Kanemi

14 Giwa FC

-1

15 Rangers

10 28

16 Bayelsa Utd

11 25

-8

17 Gombe Utd

10 24

18 Kaduna Utd

12 19

-9

19 Crown FC

12 16

-10

20 Nembe

10 11

-22

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

NFF: Uncertainty reigns over Maigari’s return Ajibade Olusesan and Comfort Chukwu

he sacked President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari on Tuesday, could not realise his ambition to get reinstated because of a twist in power play, New Telegraph has reliably learnt. The administrator who was expelled from the board by the Executive Committee of the NFF last month had made a frantic effort to reclaim his seat and reports emerged that the Presidency had given a directive that favours Maigari’s return. In fact, an emergency meeting of the board was convened on Tuesday and the issue of Maigari’s reinstatement was expected to top the agenda, but he was not even mentioned in the communiqué issued at the end of the parley. “It also true that the Secretary to the Federal Government met with the sports minister, acting President of NFF and Secretary General of the federation to convey President Goodluck Jonathan’s directives that the crisis in the football house be resolved. Alhough there was no express statement on whether Maigari be re-

instated, the general feeling was that he will be recalled to just see out his tenure. However, I can tell you that fresh high-power politics was played by the anti-Maigari’s group to truncate his ambition.” Meanwhile, the committee has lifted the ban placed on former chairman of the Nigeria Premier League, Victor Baribote, board member, Leye Adepoju. The committee said in the communiqué that others unbanned were Jarrett Tenebe and Olajide Fashikun. The committee said that former board member, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, will have his suspension lifted as soon as he withdraws his case from the Court of Arbitration for Sport. But the committee insisted that board members, Chris Green and Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ stay banned. The committee also said in the communiqué that,” Having finalised the fresh contract with Mr. Stephen Keshi, for him to continue as Head Coach of Super Eagles, and having forwarded same to Keshi, the Executive Committee expects the new contract to be signed by the NFF and Keshi in a matter of days.”

Micheal Babatunde in action against Argentina’s Angel Di Maria at the World Cup

Transfer: Babatunde insists on regular action

uper Eagles Brazil 2014 World Cup revelation, Micheal Babatunde, has revealed that playing regularly will determine his transfer from his Ukrainian club Volyn FC. Babatunde who sparked off interests from several top European clubs including a Qatari club, said he will not trade regular football action for money. “My desire is very much intact and it will not change, I will only move to a team that

will guarantee me a regular first-team shirt,” Babatunde told AfricanFootball.com “Wherever I have found myself was not because of money. This is just the beginning of my career and I want to be playing regularly so that I could work on my potentials. “The World Cup has come and gone and many people will still like to follow my career. “Right now, I am focused only on attaining 100 percent fitness and that will help me a lot

when a deal is finally sealed.” The winger further said FC Volyn will play a big part in where he will finally move to. “I’m still under contract with Volyn and they have much say on any transfer. So, I am back to the club to respect my contract,” he said “It is true a team in Qatar approached me, but all that will depend on my club and my agent, but I believe by the end of this month, things will be sorted out.”

Ebola: Nestlé postpones Wenger lists Nigerian youngsters for Champions League MILO Basketball Moyosore Makinde Championship Ajibade Olusesan

he sponsor of 16th MILO Secondary School Basketball Championship, Nestle Nigeria PLC, has announced the postponement of the tournament due to recent threat of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria. The tournament was scheduled to hold at the National Stadium, Lagos from 12th to 16th August, 2014, but Dr. Samuel Adenekan , the company’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager said in a press release that the championship will now hold at a date which would be determined later. “Due to operational challenges and in the interest of public health and safety, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, has announced the postponement of the 16th MILO Secondary School Basketball Championship. A new date for the basketball championship will be communicated after a national reassessment of the level of the Ebola threat is conducted by the federal government,” he said. He said that Nestlé regrets any inconvenience caused by the postponement. 12 Secondary Schools were expected to take part in the final of the tournament.

rsenal coach, Arsene Wenger has listed Nigerian duo of Chuba Akpom and Alex Iwobi for the club’s two-legged Champions League PlayOff Round tie against Besiktas. 19-year-old Akpom who is still eligible for Nigeria will don Jersey number 38 if he gets to play against Besiktas, but a loan spell according to reports is in the offing for the England youth international. Iwobi was included for the first time, and has been given squad number 45 for the Besiktas game, even though he only turned professional on the 9th of May 2014.

Iwobi who is a nephew to former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha turned down an invitation to be part of Nigeria last Under-17 team after he was asked to fund his trip to camp. The 18-year-old represented England at Under-16 level same year he snubbed Nigeria. The two players are part of 15 youngsters named by manager Arsene Wenger for the two-legged Champions League Play-Off Round tie against Besiktas. However the other Nigerian on the cusp of the Arsenal first team Semi Ajayi was left out, as he isn’t eligible to be included until the end of this season.

Alex Iwobi

Umeh charges Falconets to ground England

cting President of Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Mike Okeke Umeh on Tuesday, challenged the U-20 Women National Team, Falconets, to go all out in Edmonton, Canada on Wednesday and earn a first –ever win over England in the history of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

“I am happy with the performance of our girls in their matches against Mexico and Korea Republic, even though there are areas in which they need to improve. They must improve on those areas to be able to beat a crack side like England. “The NFF believes the girls are well –motivated and I have the assurance

of the technical crew that they will go all out for a win,” Umeh said in Abuja. On Monday, Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, arrived in Edmonton, and his arrival hugely boosted the morale of players and officials as they look forward to the encounter with England.

SPORT | EURO FOOTBALL

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

I am not Man Utd referee -Howard Webb

ormer referee Howard Webb has finally hit back at claims which dogged his career that he was biased towards Manchester United. Rival fans constantly called into question Webb’s professionalism and Liverpool’s Ryan Babel was even fined £10,000 for linking to a picture of him mocked up in a United shirt on Twitter following their FA Cup defeat in 2011. But Webb, who retired from officiating last week to take up the role of technical director for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, stren-

uously denies he ever gave United any favour. ‘There’s no element of truth in it,’ Webb said. ‘It’s not something that affected me or played on my mind at all. It wasn’t hurtful. Much of it is tongue-in-cheek, of course. ‘What does play on my mind is when I’ve made a mistake, particularly an influential one that has affected the outcome of a game. I’d be dishonest if I said it didn’t bother me. ‘One newspaper listed the five games I’d want to forget over the course of my career. Well, there’s more than five.

But against the backdrop of more than 500 professional games – I can think of many top professional footballers who have made plenty of mistakes but are still top professional footballers.’ Webb was considered by FIFA and the Barclays Premier League as one of the top referees in the world during his career. He officiated in two World Cups and was handed the finals of the 2010 World Cup and Champions League. But that did not stop English fans questioning his integrity throughout his career.

Howard Webb

Man United target Rojo requests move PSG boss rues Thiago Silva’s injury

Rojo

porting Lisbon defender Marcos Rojo has handed in a transfer request and told his club he wants to be allowed to join Manchester United. United have submitted a £15.9m (20m Euro) offer for Rojo, 24, who played for Argentina in the World Cup final. Sporting, runners-up in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, are considering the bid. United manager Lou-

is van Gaal has been looking for a central defender following the summer departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Van Gaal missed out on Thomas Vermaelen last week after the Belgian opted to join Barcelona from Arsenal. Rojo has informed the Portuguese side he will no longer train with them until the situation is resolved to his satisfaction.

Silva

Ronaldo tells Di María to stay at Real

Silva signs new five-year Man City deal

ortugal national football squad captain and FC Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has asked Argentine international and Real attacker Ángel Di María not to leave the Spanish club, El Confidencial reported. The 29-year-old player is confident that the midfielder is very important for Real, and he does not want

anchester City playmaker David Silva has signed a fresh fiveyear contract with the Premier League champions. The Spain international has committed himself to the club until the age of 33, having already spent four successful seasons at the Etihad following his move from Valencia after the 2010 World Cup.

for the club to weaken. Di María, 26, on the other hand, wants to part ways with the Spanish giants because he has strained relations with the club management. In the previous season of the Spanish La Liga, Ángel Di María scored four goals and provided seventeen assists in 34 appearances for Real Madrid.

Silva told City’s official website: “From the moment I joined the club four years ago it has felt like a second home to me. “On and off the pitch, I feel incredibly content and fulfilled professionally and personally, so why wouldn’t I want to stay and keep winning trophies with this fantastic team?”

Casillas: I have learned from mistakes

Casillas

ker Casillas is keen to put his high-profile errors behind him as Real Madrid prepare for another season of challenging for titles. After being a mainstay in the Real goal for the best part of 15 years, Casillas was used solely in the cup competitions by Carlo Ancelotti last season, with Diego Lopez taking his place for La Liga fixtures.

Casillas appeared rusty as a result, making a mistake that led to Atletico Madrid’s goal in the Champions League final, as well as committing costly errors as Spain’s World Cup defence ended in a dismal exit at the group stage. “I haven’t been at my best in the last few games for Real Madrid and Spain, but I have analysed and learned from

hiago Silva’s injury cast a large shadow over Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-1 win over Napoli on Monday, according to Coach Laurent Blanc. Although the Ligue 1 season began on Friday for les Parisiens with a 2-2 draw at Stade de Reims, the reigning French champions visited the San Paolo on Monday for a friendly with Rafa Benitez’s men, who do not start their Serie A campaign until August 31. Goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Javier Pastore ensured a slender victory for PSG but the withdrawal of captain Thiago Silva through a hamstring injury on 14 minutes - which reports have speculated could see the defender sidelined for six weeks - put a dampener on the evening. “We will relish the victory because, even though it was a friendly game, we wanted to win. The shadow over the evening, though, is, of course, the injury to Thiago Silva. “For now, we just know that he has a muscular problem - that much is obvious. The severity of the injury will be established after examinations.

them,” he said. “I have been through worse moments in my career. You go through good moments and bad moments. Everything is temporary. I have not been at the level I was when maybe people became spoiled. “You have to grin and bear it and face up to situations like this. I have always done so and I am not going to hide now.

Vieira slams new Italian football boss

atrick Vieira has hit out at Italian football’s decision to elect Carlo Tavecchio as its president. The FIGC confirmed on Monday that Tavecchio had won the right to replace Giancarlo Abete at the head of the nation’s football federation despite having made inflammatory comments recently which called his views on race into question. And former Juventus and Inter star Vieira has reacted angrily to the appointment with a strongly-worded statement on Twitter. “I’m finding it really hard to believe that Carlo Tavecchio has been elected as president of the Italian FA after the

Viera

comments that he made. “For me, that shows how far away the Italian football authorities are from dealing with discrimination. 63.63% of those that voted are admitting that they aren’t fighting against racism, or that they don’t want to fight these problems. I played in Italy for years so I know the issues, I saw the issues.

SPORT 55

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Inter Milan list Joel Obi for Europa League Emmanuel Tobi

oel Obi’s future at Serie A side Inter Milan received a big boost after the 23-year-old Nigerian made the club’s 28-man list for their Europa League qualifier against Icelandic side Stjarnan. Joel Obi returned to the Inter Milan pre-season team at the weekend in their 3-1 loss to Frankfurt after missing their previous three games with reports claiming he picked up a knock against Real Madrid in one of their games. While Obi made the team, Hugo Campagnaro and Zdravko Kuzmanovic, who are both expected to leave the club soon, were not listed fuelling

speculations that Obi might be a key player in the new season. However, the man viewed as a threat to the Nigerian’s aspirations of being a regular is Gary Medel of Chile who is set to join from Cardiff City. Walter Mazzarri’s team head to Reykjavik for the first leg of their Europa tie next Wednesday against Stjarnan, with the return match at San Joel Siro the following week.

Injury nearly ruined my career at Bremen -Akpala lSeals Karabukspor permanent switch

Akpala

igeria striker Joseph Akpala has revealed that injuries nearly ruined his career at German Bundesliga side Werder Bremen which informed his decision to joinTurkish

side Karabukspor on a permanent deal after spending last season on loan at the club. Akpala, who played for Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, signed a four-year contract with Bremen in 2012 after moving from Belgium’s Club Brugge. But he made just 21 appearances, mostly as a substitute, and scored only once in his only season at the German side. Akpala told BBC Sport: “Sadly, things didn’t work out with Werder but these things happen in football.

“My injury problems are over now and I am in a great shape for the coming season, which is a positive sign. “I can only stay positive. The club will be competing domestically here in Turkey and in the Europa League, a very big motivation to fight hard and make a significant impact as well.” The 27-year-old, who played a key role in the club’s European football qualification last season, joined the Black Sea outfit from Bremen for an undisclosed fee and signed a three-year deal.

Olympics: Dosu tips Nigeria to repeat Atlanta ‘96 feat Charles Ogundiya

ormer Super Eagles goalkeeper, Joseph Dosu, has tipped Nigeria to win the football gold at the next Olympic Games taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. By 2016, it would have been 20 years since Nigeria became the first non-European side to win the Olympic Games football event at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, the USA. A n d Dosu, who was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at that tournament, believes Nigeria has the talents to repeat the feat in Brazil. The former Julius Berger FC goaltender said; “If we can harness the talents that abound in the country, it

is possible to win the gold again. “In 1996, nobody gave us a chance to get to the final, but through dedication and doggedness, we wrote our names in gold. This is still possible and what the country needs is to harness the plethora of talented players that abound in the country.” Dosu, advised that the current crop of players in the country’s U-20 team, some of who were part of the victorious Nigerian team to the last FIFA U-17 World Cup, should be monitored. “Those boys that won the last U-17 World Cup can do the magic for Nigeria,” continued Dosu. I am happy they have been promoted to the U-20. With proper monitoring and proper training, those boys will shock the world. “I would love the NFF to monitor the progress of these boys. They should make sure they don’t make any wrong decision regarding their career by signing for clubs where they won’t be given playing time.”

Sir Emeka Offor - Founder SECF (standing) Emmanuel Godwin -Gold Medalist, Weightlifting Category and officials of the Nigerian Paralympic Committee at the just concluded International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports (IWAS) Junior Games in State Mandeville, UK.

Italian FA Job: Oliseh berates 25 years after, Nwosu eulogises Okwaraji Tavecchio’s appointment Charles Ogundiya

arlo Tavecchio’s appointment as Italian Football Federation president represents a “dark day for football”, says ex-Nigeria player ,Sunday Oliseh. Tavecchio caused controversy during his election campaign by making a racist comment about some players being “banana eaters”. The 71-year-old has since apologised for his remark. “To have someone elected who would make such a comment sends a message: ‘We don’t

care’,” Oliseh told BBC Sport. “The African players in Italy will still have to do their work and give their best. Some players may want to leave but might not get the opportunity to do so. “For years black payers have had to fight against racism just to ply their trade and it is a situation that is out of hand.” Jeffrey Webb, the head of FIFA’s anti-racism taskforce said “the football community is appalled” by Tavecchio’s comment.

ormer Nigeria international, Henry Nwosu, has extolled the qualities of late Nigerian football icon, Samuel Okwaraji, who died 25 years ago while playing for the Super Eagles in a World Cup qualifier against Angola at the National Stadium, Lagos. Speaking with New Telegraph, the Gateway FC coach said he would forever remember the late midfielder who, , was one of the best players Nigeria ever produced, and who served

his country diligently till his death on August 12, 1989. “He was friendly with everybody not minding where you came from,” said Nwosu, recalling the former Antwerp of Belgium player. “He was a wonderful player who served his fatherland with everything he had. “I used to tell him ‘Sam, no matter how many people you dribble, if you don’t score goals, nobody will remember you’. “And we both celebrated his wonder strike against Cameroon at the group stage of the 1988

Africa Cup of Nations, in Morocco,” recalled Nwosu, referring to Okwaraji’s second minute strike in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against the Indomitable Lions. Speaking further, Nwosu urged upcoming players to learn from Okwaraji’s patriotic zeal, even as he advised those in positions of authority to emulate his altributes. “It is very unfortunate that nothing has been done to immortalise this hero,” continued the former Super Eagles skipper. “The Nigeria Football Federa-

tion and the National Sports Commission should do something for him for the whole world to see.” Speaking also, Okwaraji’s brother, Patrick Okwaraji, said his family was disappointed the football star was yet to be immortalised by that the country he died for. “The Okwarajis will want the National Stadium, Lagos, where Sam took his last breath, to be renamed after him. This is not too much to do for a man who gave all to his country and died doing so,” he said.

World Record

On Marble

Money won’t buy happiness, but it will pay the salaries of a large research staff to study the problem.

– Bill Vaughan

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 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

The longest toes ever measured were the ‘big’ toes belonging to Matthew McGrory (USA, 1973-2005) at 12.7 cm (5 in) long. His little toes measured 3.81 cm (1.5 in).

N150

Africa needs minimum growth rate of 7% yearly

frica still has a long way to go to achieve its transformation, create the jobs that our young people need and increase its participation in the global trade value chain. That is why we must make a clear distinction between the necessary economic growth and economic transformation which is the strategic objective. Côte d’Ivoire is one of three major economies and growth centres of the West African region. Today, this region of West Africa along with East Africa is ahead in terms of growth and reforms. With a largely stabilised macroeconomics, today, attention is turned to second generation reforms which are very important for businesses. The AfDB is already helping with the financing of the Ivorian economy. We are doing this through our public and private sector windows. We are interested primarily in the infrastructure sector. That is why we are involved in key projects such as the Azito and CIPREL power plants, the Henri Konan Bédié Bridge and road projects. As we are already doing with some companies in this room, we are ready to consider how to support all project leaders who so request, help them draw on our experience and make available AfDB financing tools if the conditions are met. In 2014, Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth rate will accelerate and reach 6.1% per year. A dozen countries will exceed this rate. However, what Africa needs is a minimum growth rate of 7% per year over several years, a better shared, more inclusive, and not too volatile growth. Today, what prevents us from reaching that goal is a combination of several factors. However, I would like to focus on three. First: poor infrastructure, especially in the energy sector. Due to this strong growth and low investment in the past, almost every African country is experiencing problems in the energy sector. I could say the same for road, rail and sea transport. However, it is clear that where the business climate is good, the private sector can find opportunities. Private investments in Nigeria’s energy production serve as evidence. This was brought about following bold reforms in the country’s energy sector, as well as in Ghana and long before in Côte d’Ivoire – reforms which make the sector attractive

Guest Columnist Donald Kaberuka

Private investments in Nigeria’s energy production serve as evidence. This was brought about following bold reforms in the country’s energy sector, as well as in Ghana and long before in Côte d’Ivoire – reforms which make the sector attractive through financially strong public services, fair pricing policies and independent regulators through financially strong public services, fair pricing policies and independent regulators. Do you remember in the 90s when many African countries liberalized their telecommunications sectors? There was a real revolution in this sector. I do not doubt for a moment that the same thing will happen again in the energy sector, if the reforms are thorough and remain stable over time, and if they take a regional character. If I take the example of the energy sector, very few African countries will find solutions at the national level. We need regional solutions through effective “power pools”. If we look at the hydraulic map of Africa, the continent has 11 “water towers.” Here in West Africa, if my information is correct, there are two: the Fouta Region in Guinea and the Jos Plateau in Nigeria. Therefore, close cooperation at this level, with formulas that are both national and regional in the energy and water sectors, would be beneficial to the entire region. I can say the same for natural gas-based electricity. And that brings me to the second constraint on African growth which is known to all: regional integration

Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank

in Africa is advancing, but at different paces. Some regions, including ECOWAS, are on the right track, but we must go faster by removing physical and institutional barriers that persist despite the texts, which are often up-to-date, but not applied. Once more, I would still like to express my appreciation for actions by ECOWAS leaders for progress made in this direction. Let me come to the third major constraint, namely growth that does not adequately address issues of inclusion, shared growth and equal opportunities for all. I would like to underscore this point. Without inclusive growth, the sustainability of this growth is mortgaged in advance by the social and political tensions it generates. In addition, insufficient inclusion in itself is an obstacle to growth. Indeed, a lost opportunity! I found out that often this is not due to a lack of will on the leaders’ part, but due to the economic structure and sources of this growth. Many African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Guinea, Sahel region countries, to mention only those of West Africa, are experiencing a real resource boom - gas, oil and mining products. This is an opportunity. This will generate strong growth. However, the whole issue of

inclusion arises in a more acute manner. Dutch disease is not a fatality. Management models that allow countries to avoid it are well known. These management models allow us to better develop these natural resources, which are finite, for them to create real wealth for the entire population through infrastructure development and youth training. In a forum like this, I cannot help recalling the difficulties that investors and the countries themselves often face when it comes to contracts, be it at the taxation or profit-sharing levels. You will recall that this is an issue which was raised by the recent G8 Summit under the UK Presidency. The only solution remains fair, transparent and equitable contracts. This is what creates confidence in both parties, strengthens the required sustainability and avoids legal battles mid-way with regard to concession contracts, etc. The AfDB has a legal facility, created to help countries negotiate such balanced contracts for all parties. For a long time, Africa has suffered from this significant difference between actual risk and perceived risk. We must appreciate the fact that risk in Africa is not different from risk in Asia, Latin America and other emerging regions. Each year, AfDB private sector window provides loans, guarantees and other products to the private sector, estimated at $2 billion. We are ready to further commit alongside an Africa that wins.

OMOBABA

WE WON’T STOP USING TROOPS FOR POLLS, SAYS JONATHAN

– Yes, provided there won’t be MAGO-MAGO and WURU-WURU!

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