Binder1 friday 01 august, 2014

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Friday, August 1, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 164

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

NCAA screens air passengers to curb Ebola spread lFG tracks 30,000 at risk lWHO puts death toll at 730

Appolonia Adeyemi, Muritala Ayinla and Cajetan Mmuta Civil Aviation Nigerian authority (NCAA) has

begun screening of passengers arriving from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, where there is outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in a bid to curtail further

spread of the disease to Nigeria “Screening and monitoring is being done at all major international airports. It entails checking

passengers’ temperatures with a hand-held machine,” NCAA spokesman Sam Adurogboye said in a report yesterday by Reuters.

He added the screening targets passengers whose journey passed through Liberia, Guinea or Sierra Leone.

A compulsory blood test

would follow if the passenger’s temperature gave cause for concern, he said.

International airlines association IATA said the WHO was not recommending any travel restrictions CONTINUED ON PAGE 1

Council of State seeks end to insurgency by December

lMoves to abolish indigeneship lAtiku: Nigeria’s security situation appalling Anule Emmanuel

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he Council of State yesterday rose from a meeting yesterday in Abuja with a resolve to support President Goodluck Jonathan to end insurgency before December.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, who was joined by his Akwa Ibom

Chairman, Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. (left) and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, during a courtesy visit by Adenuga to the governor in Abuja.

counterpart, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, said against predictions that something bad would happen in the country after 2015, council members resolved to strengthen the unity of the country.

He said: “Each of us made it a deliberate resolution to support the president to make sure that we get rid of this insurgency CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Blessing Okagbare celebrating her 200m gold medal in Glasgow... yesterday

Jonathan names Abba IG as Mohammed retires Lateef Ibrahim and Emmanuel Onani Abuja

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he Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 7, Mr. Su-

leiman Abba, has been named a replacement for the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed D. Abubakar, who retired yesterday, having spent 35 years in service.

Abubakar, whose tenure expired yesterday, was appointed the 16th indigenous IG in January 2012.

A statement yesterday by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati,

said President Goodluck Jonathan had approved the new appointment.

Abba, in company with Abubakar held a crucial meeting with the president at the State House, Abuja,

behind closed doors. It lasted for about 30 minutes.

At the end of the meeting, Abba did not speak with State House correspondents.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Al-Makura: Probe panel begins sitting despite reconstitution order

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Abba

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Friday, August 1, 2014

Jonathan names Abba IG as Mohammed retires CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

It was reliably gathered that the choice of Abba was arrived at after a marathon meeting between Jonathan and the Police Council made up of the 36 state governors and the Okiro.

Until his appointment, Abba, was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7.

Before his promotion to the rank of AIG, Abba had served variously as Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the Rivers State Police Command, Deputy Force Secretary as well as Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command.

He was also reported to have served as Aide-deCamp to former First Lady, Mrs. Maryam Abacha, when her late husband, Gen. Sani Abacha, was Head of State.

Abba is from Jigawa State, same as one of his predecessors, Mr. Hafiz Ringim.

Based on precedence, his elevation may necessitate the compulsory retirement of all the Deputy In-

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spectors General of Police (DIGs) who are his senior and by tradition cannot take orders from him.

He takes charge as the 17th indigenous IG and is expected to unfold his agenda, chief of which, will be a new counter-terrorism initiative as soon as he settles down in office.

It is expected that the new IG, will act for a period of three months, before Jonathan sends his name to the Senate, for confirmation.

While congratulating him on his appointment, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Sir Mike Okiro, in a

statement yesterday, urged Abba to use his command experience to advance the course of policing.

A statement by the Assistant Director of Press of PSC, Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe, said: “Okiro, while congratulating the new Inspector General of Police, advised him to rise

up to the challenges of his new appointment. He noted that as a tested officer who had held various command positions in the Nigeria Police Force, that he has no doubt he would bring new perspectives in the search for solutions to the security threats confronting the nation.”

FLIGHT SCHEDULE FIRST NATION AIRWAYS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06.50; 09:30; 11:45; 16:00 (SAT) 06:50; 11:45 (SUN) 11:45; 16:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 11:30; 13:40;18:30 (SAT) 09:00; 13:40 (SUN) 13:40; 18:30 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 14:45 (SAT) 16:15 (SUN) 14:45 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:50 (SAT) 18:20 (SUN) 16:50 AEROCONTRACTORS LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30

L-R: Former Heads of State, Generals Abdulsalami Abubakar; Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida and former President Shehu Shagari during the Council of States meeting in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

NCAA screens air passengers to curb Ebola spread CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

or border closures due to the outbreak and there would be a low risk to other passengers if an Ebola patient flew.

A consultant for Liberia’s Finance Ministry, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, collapsed on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on July 20 aboard an Asky flight and died on July 25 after he was put in isolation at the First Consultants Hospital in Lagos.

“We have suspended Asky until they are able to show us what measures they have put in place for passengers to ensure they do not bring Ebola,” Adurogboye said.

According to him, Arik Air has been told to maintain its self-imposed suspension of all flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone for now.

Authorities were monitoring 59 people who were in contact with Sawyer, including airport contacts, and are seeking to make contact with all passengers that were on his flight.

Health authorities said they were tracing over 30,000 people who could be at risk of contracting Ebola, after the virus surfaced in Lagos.

Professor Sunday Omilabu, from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), told Reuters that the health authorities were

now tracing everyone who might have had contact with the victim.

“We’ve been making contacts. We now have information about the manifest. We have information about who and who were around. So, as I’m talking, our teams are in the facility, where they’ve trained the staff, and then they [are] now asking questions about those that were closely in contact with the patient,” he added.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina, also said they had got the manifest of Asky flight that brought the late Sawyer to Nigeria and were tracing nearly everybody they might suspect of being at risk of EVD. “We’re actually looking at contacting over 30,000 people in this very scenario. Because any and everybody that has contacted this person is going to be treated as a suspect,” she said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 57 more deaths from the Ebola epidemic spreading alarm in West Africa have pushed the overall fatality toll from the outbreak to 729.

The 57 deaths were recorded between Thursday and Sunday last week in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, the UN health agency said in a

statement yesterday.

It added that 122 new cases were detected over the four days, taking the total number of confirmed and likely infected cases to 1,323, a report by the Agence France Presse (AFP) said.

The Federal Government has, however, implemented a state of “red alert” at all border crossings and initiated a media campaign to alert the public as part of a campaign to create public awareness about EVD and to stop panic.

Also, Decontee Sawyer, the American widow of the Ebola victim who died in Lagos, told the Associated Press that her husband had planned to come home for two of his three daughters’ birthdays next month.

She had learned that her husband caught the disease from his sister, who fell ill and died of Ebola. He did not know at the time that she had Ebola, Sawyer told the AP, as the virus shares symptoms with other diseases, including malaria.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government yesterday cleared air on the controversial discovery of a fresh EVD victim in the state, saying none of the persons said to have had contact Sawyer has manifested symptoms of EVD. The clarification followed a report an airport

official who assisted the late Liberian had developed symptoms of EVD. But Adeshina told New Telegraph yesterday that the man actually developed temperature but his condition had been stable.

She said:”We want to debunk the rumour that is going around that there is a Nigeria infected with Ebola Virus. There is no Nigerian infected with EVD as far as we know.

None of the contacts that we are tracing has a fever, none of them is sick,” she stated.

The Edo State Government also allayed fears of the spread of EVD to the state.

It, however, advised the people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious case to the nearest health facility.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Aihanuwa Eregie, said at a press briefing in Benin that the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO and other health partners had carried out disease surveillance activities in all parts of the state to ensure early detection of any outbreak and the timely containment and control of same.

She added that since a case of the EVD had been confirmed in Nigeria, there was need for everyone to be extra vigilant to prevent the virus.

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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Impeachment: Enugu deputy gov denies lawmakers’ allegations

lAssembly directs CJ to constitute probe panel Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

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nugu State Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, has denied allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him by the state House of Assembly, which has initiated impeachment proceedings against him.

Notwithstanding his denial, the House has ordered the state Chief Justice, Justice Innocent Umezulike, to raise a seven-man panel to probe the allegations contained in the impeachment notice served on the Onyebuchi.

Responding to the allegations in a seven-page document obtained by New Tele-

graph yesterday, Onyebuchi who has not been sighted in the state since Tuesday last week when the state Assembly raised a notice of impeachment against him, said he was never served with the notice of the resolution of the assembly on production of commercial livestock as alleged in the notice of impeachment.

He said he was never served with any such resolution of the Assembly nor was such a resolution ever brought to his notice by any government official.

“On assumption of office in May 2007, there was an existing official residence for the Deputy Governor of Enugu State. On inspection of the premises I observed

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, during the 2014 lesser hajj (Umrah) in Mecca.

Council of State moves to abolish indigeneship CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

and indeed before December.”

Aliyu explained that the threat to the unity of the country was rather coming from politicians who continue to make inflammatory and unguarded statements.

“We must understand the boundaries of leadership and also the responsibilities that are involved.

Leadership is not about beauty contest. In leadership, you must take difficult decisions and really go about implementing them,” he added.

Akpabio had earlier said considering the dangers of the registration of non-indigenes by states, the council constituted a special committee to identify discriminatory practices in all states in order to end the practice.

The committee, which is expected to submit its report within two months, comprises governors from the six geo-political zones.

To serve on the committee are governors of Niger, Sokoto, Enugu, Gombe, Akwa Ibom and Ondo states.

“These governors are selected from each zone of the country to sit together,

invite people to make contributions and then of course look at all practices in this country that we may term discriminatory.

“One of the most important thing we took up at the meeting was the issue of how Nigerians can actually be Nigerians in their country and feel free to live and do their business without molestation.”

“One of such was the idea of some people in some states complaining that they are unable to get certificates of occupancy to build mosques or churches and we said that would be looked into.

Another thing that looks very mundane is that because of the religion you belong, on your death you are expected to be taken somewhere else to be buried because they don’t have cemetery provided for people of certain religion. Those kinds of things do not augur well for the country,” he stated.

Also in his remarks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), absolved the Federal Government of complicity in the recent bomb attack on former Head of State, Maj. General Muham-

madu Buhari and Sheik Dahiru Bauchi.

He said: “We said something about the attack on Buhari and Sheik Dahiru Bauchi . There was a threat as far back as February this year issued by Shekau calling them infidel by name and position, saying that they were in trouble and they were going to see.

“Well, the government was not responsible, and if you say that the government was responsible in the case of General Buhari, why don’t you say the same in the case Sheik Dahiru Bauchi?”

Asked on the new spate of bomb attacks by Boko Haram using young females, Dasuki explained that it was unfortunate that government was not in control of the abducted girls and cannot determine their being misuse by the sect.

Meanwhile, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described the current security situation in the country as “appalling.”

He also accused the Federal Government of lacking the political will to address the violence carried out by Boko Haram.

A report from Voice of America(VOA) website yesterday quoted Atiku as saying that there is need to restore law and order and protect unarmed civilians who are often been victims of terror attacks.

He said the growing insecurity had undermined the country’s economy and negatively impacted Nigeria’s reputation in the international community.

“The security situation in the country, I must admit is appalling. I have never seen it this bad - not even during the civil war did we have this sense of insecurity all over the country,” he added.

He outlined steps that he said could be implemented immediately to resolve the security threats the country faces.

“What we need to have in place is a political leadership that has the will, the courage and the determination to restore law and order. Restoring law and order is a multifaceted approach; both social, economic as well as security. You must have a political leadership that has vision, the will and the courage to pursue those multifaceted approaches,” Atiku added.

that it had on its grounds an area designated and fenced as an Agricultural Unit, with facilities for amongst other things, a poultry farm.

“I commenced operation of poultry on the premises in 2008 with technical support from ENADEP and the Commercial Agricultural Programme of the State Ministry of Agriculture.

The said poultry farm was declared in my asset declaration and inspected by the Code of Conduct Bureau.

“It is important to state that the structure for the said poultry farm was built

by Dizengorf WA Limited during the regime of the late Chief M. I. Okpara. The first occupant of the premises was the late Chief Nwodo and he operated a poultry farm there.

“Subsequent occupants of the premises, up to my immediate predecessor in office, operated poultry farms in the premises. Similar structures were built

by Chief Okpara in most of what was then known as “Ministers’ Quarters”.

“Indeed, till date, the Government House, Enugu, also has an Agricultural Unit, larger than the one in my official quarters, where a large poultry farm continues to be maintained. The policy under the Okpara regime was to encourage public office holders to engage in farming especially poultry.

“No complaint of any environmental or health hazard from the said poultry was made to me or brought to my attention between 2008 and November 2013,” he stated.

He, however, explained that there was a time the government decided to force him to relocate the farm.

He said: “On 27 December 2013, two letters were delivered to my office. The first letter dated 24th December 2013 with reference No. GHE/CAO/31/239 from the Chief of Staff to the Governor, was headed “Operation of a Commercial Poultry Farm in the Residence of His Excellency, the Deputy Governor.”.

He said the letter alleged that he was running the farm “contrary to the Statutory Certificate of Occupancy purpose clause” which according to the letter required that the land be used for residential purposes only, directing him to stop running the poultry farm there.

He said another letter, dated December 27, 2013, from the Chief of Staff gave him 14 days within which to comply with the directive.

“I did not refuse to carry out the directives of the

relevant officials of the government. The main reason stated in the letters issued to me for requiring the relocation of the poultry farm was the fact that I was in breach of the purpose clause of the certificate of occupancy covering my official residence. I still say that there is no such certificate of occupancy in existence in respect of the deputy governor’s official residence,” he said.

The deputy governor also denied another allegation of disobeying the lawful directive of the state Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, saying: “Since I was elected the deputy governor of Enugu State in 2007 and following my re-election in 2011, I have represented His Excellency, the Governor at numerous events.”

“The practice has always been that I am informed that I am to represent the governor at an event in any of three ways: a manifest is circulated showing my activities and the events I am to attend to represent the governor; I receive direct instructions from the governor to represent him at events personally and the directives include, what I am to say and do,” he added.

He disputed the claims of the lawmakers, as contained in the impeachment notice, that he refused Chime’s directive to represent him at a ceremony to herald the construction of the Second Niger Bridge in Onitsha by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 11.

“The directive was duly conveyed to me and I complied with it. I was present throughout the ceremony,” he added.

On the allegation that he refused to represent the governor during the last South-East governors’ meeting, he said he had no specific instruction from the governor, who was on leave, to stand in for him at the occasion.

“Chime did not tell me to take any action on his behalf pending his return, and I am not aware that he sent a formal letter to the Enugu State House of Assembly informing the House that he was proceeding on vacation.

“The governor did not tell me to take any action on his behalf pending his return, neither did he tell me that he would pass instructions to me through a third party. I did not receive instructions from him personally, by phone or in writing asking me to represent him at the meeting of the South-East Governors’ Forum that took place in Enugu on July 6, 2014,” Onyebuchi said.

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Shell gets 33% profit rise from operations in Nigeria, others lQ2 income rises to $5.3bn Adeola Yusuf

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oyal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSP), Nigeria’s biggest oil producing company, yesterday second-quarter earnings rose 33 per after an income surge to $5.3 billion from

$1.7 billion a year earlier.

Shell Nigeria is the common name for Royal Dutch Shell’s Nigerian operations carried out through subsidiaries— primarily Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC)

and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).

“Profit excluding onetime items and inventory changes gained to $6.1 billion from $4.6 billion a year earlier,” the Hague-based Shell said in a statement

yesterday.

The company stated that the profit rise was also based on higher US energy prices and increased production.

Net income rose to $5.3 billion from $1.7 billion a year earlier, according to Shell.

The company pumped 3.077 million barrels of

L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Oando Energy Resources (OER), Adeola Ogunsemi; Chief Executive Officer, Pade Durotoye; Chief Technical Officer, Seyi Adeleye; and Head, Investor Relations, Tokunbo Akindele, at the handover of ConocoPhillips’ (COP) Nigeria headquarters to OER in Abuja…yesterday

oil equivalent a day in the quarter, compared with 3.062 million barrels a year earlier. That beat the $5.6 billion average estimate of 18 analysts surveyed

by Bloomberg.

The company’s joint ventures account for more than 21 per cent of Nigeria’s total petroleum production (629,000 barrels per day (100,000 m3/d) (bpd) in 2009) from more than 80 fields.

“Our assumption is that improved pricing and reduced Americas losses will see a marked uptick in year-on-year profits,” Lucas Herrmann, a Londonbased analyst at Deutsche Bank AG, said before the earnings release.

Chief Executive Officer Ben van Beurden, who took over from Peter Voser at the start of the year, is accelerating asset sales and reviewing spending plans to win investor support.

He needs a return to profit in the Americas’ operation, where the company is deploying about $80 billion.

US natural gas prices rose 14 per cent and oil

climbed 9.4 per cent in the second quarter from last year on higher demand for fuels.

BP Plc this week said second-quarter adjusted profit rose 34 per cent after the London-based company started new projects in the Gulf of Mexico and Angola.

France’s Total SA yesterday also said earnings fell 12 per cent amid record low production and a slump in refining margins.

“The new CEO set a multi-year journey at Shell to improve returns,” Bertrand Hodee, an analyst at Raymond James Financials Inc. in Paris, said before the earnings release.

“Within the ‘Fix or Divest’ approach, we expect more write-offs” and “tough portfolio choices on development options.”

Van Beurden has already agreed to sell more than $10 billion in assets, including the latest plan to trim its holding in Australia’s Woodside Petroleum Ltd. Shell has set a disposal programme of about $15 billion through 2015.

Al-Makura’s impeachment: Probe panel begins sitting despite reconstitution order lAssembly’s call for dissolution unconstitutional, says governor, APC lLawmakers may reject committee’s report Lateef Ibrahim, Wale Elegbede and Cheke Emmanuel

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he seven-man panel set up by the Nasarawa State Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko, to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the Governor, Alhaji Umaru Al-Makura, yesterday began sitting despite a directive by the state House of Assembly for its reconstitution.

The panel held its inaugural sitting behind closed doors at the conference hall of the state’s Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lafia.

Heavily armed security men manning the venue turned back reporters who came to cover the proceedings.

The House had on Wednesday ordered Justice Dikko to disband the probe panel and reconstitute, alleging that the membership comprises some card-carrying members of political parties in violation of the provision

of the 1999 Constitution.

However, the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state government, have faulted the directive, which they described as unconstitutional.

There were however indications yesterday that the lawmakers, dissatisfied with the disobedience to their directive for the reconstitution of the probe panel, might reject its report.

The state government also described Wednesday’s sitting by the House outside the Assembly complex as illegal, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect whatsoever and urged people to disregard it.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Alhaji Abdulhammid Kwarra, at a press briefing yesterday in Lafia, said rather than ordering the state chief judge to dissolve the probe panel, the lawmakers should have gone to court to challenge the composition of the

committee.

He said: “Since members of the House of Assembly are aggrieved with the compliance of the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State with the provision of section 188 sub-section five, the right thing to do is for them to go to the court to challenge the composition of the investigative panel.’’

He also said it was reprehensible for the House to say that the government sponsored thugs to prevent the lawmakers from sitting in Lafia, making them to hold Wednesday’s plenary session in Karu.

According to him, as far as the government is concerned, the sitting of the lawmakers at Karu falls short of democratic requirement.

He said the government was dismayed that the lawmakers could be singing different tunes on a matter before Justice Dikko.

He challenged the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Security, Mohammed Baba Ibaku, to a public debate

on the impeachment saga, adding that the lawmakers have started becoming desperate in their desire to remove the governor.

But Ibaku defended the House order to Justice Dikko to reconstitute the probe panel, saying the legislature acted in line with constitutional provisions.

According to him, members of the panel are not people of proven integrity as specified by the constitution, which prescribes that they must not belong to any political party or be civil servants. ‘’Two of them are members of the Christians’ Pilgrims Welfare Board; two of them are members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). We have their card numbers with us. One of them lost his job; so the evidence are there with us,’’ he added.

When asked whether the House was aware that the panel had begun sitting, Ibaku said: ‘’So long as we (House) are concerned,\ there is no panel and they are wasting their time.

Who are they submitting their report?’’

However, the APC berated the House for demanding the reconstitution of the seven-man panel, saying the call is unreasonable, unconstitutional and coming too late.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the demand by the lawmakers showed they either had a poor understanding of the constitution or they were blinded by their desperation to impeach AlMakura. ‘’Either way, they have boxed themselves into a tight corner. Holding an illegal sitting in Abuja with a fake mace is as ridiculous as the demand by the lawmakers for the dissolution of the panel set up by the chief judge. ‘’Section 188 (5) of the constitution is clear: ‘Within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief Judge of the state shall, at

the request of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, appoint a panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation as provided in this section’. ‘’It is important to point out to the desperate lawmakers that the key words in that section is that the chief judge must appoint persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity. At this juncture, it is neither the opinion of the speaker nor that of the legislators that counts; it is the opinion of the chief judge. ‘’Therefore, neither the speaker, the lawmakers nor the chief judge can dissolve the panel at this stage, and none of them can stop the impeachment process.

Once the chief judge has appointed the panel under section 188 (5), he becomes ‘functus officio’, that is he has no further powers on the matter. This is the situation of things at present and the lawmakers can only await the report of the panel,’’ it said.

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Okorocha tells Deputy, COS to declare for governorship Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

over nor Rochas GState Okorocha of Imo has told his Deputy,

L-R: Managing Director/CEO FBN Bank UK, Michael Barrett; Executive Director, Public Sector South First Bank/Director FBN Bank UK, U.K Eke; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele and Chairman, FBN Bank UK, Oye Hassan-Odukale, during a courtesy visit

by FBN Bank UK Board and management to the CBN Governor in Abuja… recently

380,000

The total men population of Guyana in 2012.

Source: Un.org

445

The number of refugees and people in refugee-like situation of El Salvador assisted by UNHCR at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

220,000

The total number of internet users in Reunion in 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Report: Nigerians spend N1.8bn on sports betting daily A bout 60 million Nigerians between 18 and 40 years of age may be spending up to N1.8 billion on sports betting daily, according to investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The investigation showed that they commit on the average N3,000 on sports betting daily.

Dotun Ajekigbe, a sport betting analyst, said sport betting though risky was also rewarding.

Ajekigbe said about 60 million Nigerians placed bets on different matches daily.

According to him, most unemployed youths have taken to online and other forms of sports betting to make a living, adding that from findings this group of people stake an average of N3,000 daily.

“Sport betting is gambling, not investing in bank shares. But almost everything in life is a gamble, more so with money matters. With gambling comes risks because it not 100 per cent guaranteed.

“However, you can dramatically reduce your risks by taking calculated risks only. When you take

calculated risks, you base your decisions on sound research and evidence, not intuition.

“Sport betting is by chance. The better informed the player is, the better the chance he/she has of making money,” he said.

Also speaking on the issue, Mr. Ambrose Obialor, who runs Yobo Viewing Centre, Lagos, said some people bet between N2, 000, N10, 000 and above, depending on the individual.

He added that some people denied themselves

Kalabari push for Rivers governorship seat Emmanuel Masha PORT HARCOURT

T

he Kalabari, an Ijaw speaking group in Rivers State, is pushing to ensure that one of theirs succeeds Governor Chibuike Amaechi in 2015.

The group said their position is based on an unwritten agreement among the ethnic groups in the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

The group said it was based on the agreement that Amaechi became Governor in 2007, stressing that they would oppose the alleged governorship ambition of the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, an Ikwerre, whom they see as wanting to force himself on the people.

Two groups that are leading the Kalabari governorship charge Kengema Unity Forum (KUF) and the Kalabari Democratic Forum

(KDF), stressed the need for other ethnic groups to support the Kalabari achieve their ambition in 2015, pointing out that in the past, they had enjoyed Kalabari support.

The leader of the KUF and former militant leader, Amb. Soboma Jackrich (Egberipapa), who spoke in Buguma in Asari Toru Local Government Area, said the Riverine Ijaw were united and working round the clock for success in 2015.

“Kalabari are more united, focused and overtly determined to explore all peaceful entreaties to actualize the Kalabari project,’ he said, noting that the Kalabaris have learnt from past mistakes, when candidates from the area fought against themselves through outside influences.

“Gone are the days the Kalabari sold their

rights for a plate of porridge, because we are more focused, highly motivated and ever resolved through the instrumentality of the Kengema Unity Forum to unite the Kalabari and take our pride of place”, Jackrich, whose group also campaigns for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan said.

Also, the national coordinator of KDF, Dr. Kio Amabibi, said the Kalabaris have made huge sacrifice for the survival of Rivers, and deserve the support of others.

He said: “A cursory look at the political history of the state reveals that different ethnic groups at different times had been supported to produce the governor in a turn by turn arrangement that oscillates in what is widely known and accepted as upland and Riverine dichotomy of Rivers politics."

of food after spending all they had on a bet.

Mr. Afeez Adigun, an agent for 1960 Bet Company, Lagos, said between 200 and 300 people visit his office to place bets on match days during football seasons while about 150 people bet at off-seasons.

According to him, a betting company can generate up to N20 million monthly and use between N5 million and N7 million to pay winners.

He also described sports’ betting as a very risky but highly rewarding business.

Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

Abia State chapter Tofhe of the Nigeria Union Local Government

Employees (NULGE) has threatened to embark on a warning strike if nothing was done urgently to clear arrears of salaries of its members.

The three day warning strike, according to NULGE, will commence on Monday, August 11, 2014. NULGE is also protesting what it called “uncalled for suspension” of the implementation of already concluded 2012 promotion exercise by the Local Government Service Commission and four month salary arrears owed workers of Bende Local Government council, put at N248million.

The Union noted in a communiqué issued at the end of its executive council meeting, Wednesday, at its secretariat in Umuahia, that the state government has done well

Prince Eze Madumere; Chief of Staff, Sir. Jude Ejiogu, and other senior political appointees in his government willing to contest the 2015 governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to declare immediately, and should not be cowed by him.

A government house statement yesterday, said Okorocha, who spoke while addressing leaders and officials of the party and aspirants, stated that nobody should withhold his or her ambition because of him, and that every member of the APC willing to run for the governorship of the

state should throw his or her hat into the ring. He also assured that there would be level playing ground for all aspirants in the choice or selection of candidates of the party.

The governor told the party stakeholders that the party would have mock primaries on September 1, 2014 which would precede the main primaries; adding that the mock primaries would be community based. According to him, that was because the candidates the party would back in the primaries proper, would be the persons who got more popular support from the people in the communities that make up their respective LGAs, state,federal constituencies or the senatorial zones.

Community kicks over identity of new council Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

24 hours after Bnor,arely the Ekiti State GoverDr Kayode Fayemi,

signed into law, the bill creating 19 new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), the people of Ikole-Ekiti have vowed to frustrate the move if the name of Ikole is not reflected in the new council created from the current Ikole Local Government Area.

Speaking in a telephone chat on Thursday, the Elekole of IkoleEkiti, who is also the paramount ruler of Egbe Oba land, Oba Ajibade

Adewumi Fasiku, said majority of the towns and villages making up the new Kajola-Oreniwa LCDA created from Ikole Local Government Area, were within Ikole metropolis.

The monarch regretted that neither him nor his people were consulted or taken along when the idea of the new council was mooted.

Oba Fasiku said the name Kajola-Oreniwa LCDA would bring a lot of confusion, since most of the schools, churches and other traditional institutions belonging to his town were now in the new council.

Strike looms in Abia councils over unpaid salaries, promotions for the “commencement of the payment of minimum wage arrears and conhess/comess to local government health workers, though belated, since it reached agreement with the state government on its payment since 2012.”

“The Council, however, decries the excruciating trauma and untold hardship being meted out to local government workers as a result of undue and rampant lateness in the payment of salaries.

“For the avoidance of doubt, as at 1st July 2014, May and June salaries were yet to be paid to workers and as 30th July 2014, there is no tangible sign that June and July salaries would be paid as and when due.

“The members of SEC observed that this ugly trend has negatively affected the productivity of our workers as majority

of them now can hardly afford to feed and transport themselves to work, while some of them have been drawn into temporary insanity due to hunger and the psychological trauma of having to frequently resort to borrowing with high interest to feed and transport themselves to work.”

Also, “The SEC in session bemoaned the debilitating and demoralizing effect of the uncalled for suspension by the Local Government Service Commission of the already concluded and implemented 2012 promotion exercise and placing on hold the 2013 promotion exercise earlier advertised for,” in spite of the fact that the Governor had granted waiver for the exercise and it being provided for in the budget “of all local government councils in the state.”

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7

PAN assembles Peugeot 508, 308 in Nigeria Victoria Ewoh

eugeot Citroën and Phave PAN Nigeria Limited signed an assembly

and sale of cars agreement in Nigeria.

According to a press statement obtained by New Telegraph, Peugeot Citroën Operations Director, Africa and Middle East, JeanChristophe Quémard; “the assembly agreement perfectly illustrates what the group aims to achieve with its new region-based organisation.”

He added that; “As announced in the ‘Back in the Race’ strategic plan, we are going to focus more on growth markets. The assembling of Peugeot 301 in Nigeria, a growth pillar in Africa, will enable the group take advantage of growth opportunities in the market.”

The agreement between the two organisations is in with the new automotive industry

development policy put in place by the Nigerian government. Under the terms of the agreement, PAN Nigeria Limited will also be able to assemble Peugeot 508 and 308 in the country.

Quémard said the first priority under the agreement will be the assembling of Peugeot 301, which will commence in the second half of 2014 at the Kaduna plant. He added that Peugeot will leverage a network of roughly a dozen dealers that will be able to rapidly implement the quality standards required by the brand while supporting its business growth in the country.

“Nigeria is emerging as a key growth driver at the continental level, its largest economy with GDP of 372 billion in 2013 and has a growth rate of 7.4 per cent forecast for 2014, and is Africa’s most populous nation with about 170 million people.

Nigerian youths urged to support Jonathan Clement James CALABAR

igerian youths have Nbehind been advised to queue the administra-

tion of President Goodluck Jonathan and support his transformation agenda in spite of the current security challenges confronting the country.

National President of Nigeria Mandate Group (NMG), Dr. Ojong Okongor, who gave this advice, said criticising Jonathan’s administration was not in the best interest of the country even as he said that such would hamper effective execution of his transformation programmes.

Okongor spoke yesterday in Calabar at a forum the organisers claimed was the “National Presidential Convention” with the theme; “Transformation Agenda: A panacea for a sustainable democracy in Nigeria,” organised by a non-governmental organization, Nigeria Transformation Initiative.

According to him, the

democratisation process is a slow one and requires support from all and sundry to make success out of it, noting that youths should rather be in the vanguard of protecting what he called the good deeds of the President, instead of criticising him.

The PDP stalwart said; “Mr. President’s administration has done a lot to deserve encouragement. Look at how he has revamped rail transportation, has reconstructed the BeninOre expressway and the East-West road, when completed will boost the Cross River State government’s tourism initiative.”

He said support for the President would show a high level of understanding by Nigerians in difficult times such as this, but “criticizing him for streamlining the economy shows a high level of ingratitude, which youths must fight against,” insisting that President Jonathan has been able to hold the country together despite the security challenges.

Film Producer/Actor, Mr. Kunle Afolayan; Editor, ‘AUTEURING NOLLYWOOD/Critical Perspectives On THE FIGURINE’, Dr. Adeshina Afolayan; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Special Guest of Honour, Chief Samuel Adedoyin and Chairman of the occasion, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, during the launch of the book in Lagos…yesterday. INSET: MD/EIC, New Telegraph, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo and Daily Editor, The Nation, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE.

109,306

The number of air travel passengers of Maiduguri airport in 2012.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

42.1%

The percentage of households with internet access at home in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) of 2012.

Source: Itu.int

102

The ratio of women to 100 men in Angola in 2010.

Source: Un.org

2015: Oyo PDP zonal leaders back Ibadan IBADAN FOREVER

Politicians from the Alaafin's domain vow to keep an Ibadan man at Agodi Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

P

eoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in the Oyo zone, yesterday supported the call by seven governorship aspirants of Ibadan extraction that one of them be chosen as the party’s flag bearer in the 2015 election in Oyo State.

Though many chieftains of the party from other zones had kicked against the call, describ-

ing it as undemocratic, the leaders from Oyo zone, in a communique issued yesterday and made available to journalists, agreed that fielding a candidate of Ibadan extraction was the only panacea to unseating the present government of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who is also an Ibadan indigene.

The elders from Oyo zone, comprising 45 PDP chieftains drawn from four local governments included a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Maroof Atilola, Chief Sunday Ogunlade, opinion moulders and leaders of thoughts and four serving party chairmen in Oyo West, Atiba, Oyo East and Afijio Local Governments.

In their six- point communique, the elders unanimously said having reflected on the widelypublicised outcome of the meeting of the party’s gubernatorial aspirants of Ibadan extraction, “we agreed that in order for our party to defeat the incumbent and come out victorious at the 2015 gubernatorial election, the party's candidate must come from Ibadan zone.

“That we unanimously agreed to support and deliver our delegate votes in block only to a candidate of Ibadan extraction in the forthcoming primaries of our party, the PDP, later this year.”

The leaders, however, added that “we unanimously agreed to power

rotation among the five geo-political zones in Oyo State i.e. Ibadan, Oyo, Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa and Ogbomoso, with effect from 2015. This is in line with PDP practices at the national level.

“That Oyo zone remains a major stakeholder and indeed crucial block of votes in deciding the next governor of the state. We would accordingly expect such recognition in the formation of a PDP-led government at the state and national levels from 2015.

“We thank our teeming supporters and ask them to remain steadfast and support the leadership of our party Chairman, Hon. Yinka Taiwo, and our party leader, Chief Yekini Adeojo.”

Oti kicks against Abia South declaration Igbeaku Orji and Peter Osondu political group in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has kicked against the decision of the leadership of the party to zone the governorship seat to the southern part of the state, describing it as a charade.

The group, Alex Otti Governorship Grand Alliance (ALOGA) said yesterday that the resolution

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cannot stand.

Speaking through its Director General, Chief Uchechukwu Ijiomah, in Aba, the group said the leadership of the party lacked the power to take such decision, adding that it was not binding on the members.

According to him, only the national executive committee of the party has the authority do that.

“The party is bigger than

anybody; the highest organ of our party is the national executive committee, when they decide that, it is final.”

Curiously, the recent declaration of the PDP’s caucus and stakeholders that the governorship position would go south, tactfully scheming out many of the spirants, including Dr. Alex Otti, from Isiala Ngwa South. The resolution of the party

has also been repeatedly reaffirmed by Governor Theodore Orji.

But Ijiomah, who dismissed the possibility of defection to another party, advised the party to rather provide a levelplaying field for all the aspirants, so that the best can emerge. He insisted that of all the aspirants, only Alex Otti possess the requisite credential to be the next governor of the state.

Group asks FG, security agencies to stop teenage bombing Musa Pam JOS

A

group under the auspices of the Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights (CAJR) has tasked the Federal Government and security agencies in the country to

checkmate the new wave of suicide bombing carried out by teenage girls.

The group expressed fears that it might be the 200 Chiboks girls that were abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents that were being used for such nefarious activities.

In a statement signed by the Programme Officer, Pwakim Jacob Choji, and made available to journalists in Jos, the group called on the public to cooperate with the security operatives in curbing the new wave of bombing.

Part of the statement reads: “As criminality heightens, it makes it complicated that bombing is on the spotlight at the moment due to its occurrence and casualty rate is seemingly taking a new dimension as young girls are now the

suspected bombers.

“Our greatest fear is that we hope it is not the Chibok girls that are being brainwashed by their captors to commit such acts and if our fears are true, then it is already a national tragedy as many of these girls are yet to be

accounted for.

“We want to call on the government and its security agencies to look into the wave of such criminality with a view to nip it in the bud as the citizens cannot continue to live in fear,” the statement concluded.

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Friday, August 1, 2014

19-year-old boy rapes nursing mother after Cesarean section Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

t was a shocker among resIcapital idents of Benin Edo state as police arrested a

19-year-old boy, Peter Momoh, for raping a nursing mother. The woman (name withheld), had given birth through Caesarian section about three months ago.

She was said to be with her mother when the ugly incident occurred at Agenebode, Estako East Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered the suspect who was living in the same neighborhood had gained entrance into

L-R: Director of Programmes, PSA, Alejandro E. Gonzalez; Managing Director PAN Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi; AP France Vice-President, Mr. Yves Moulin and Zonal Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Andre Lorgere, shortly after signing commercial and technical agreement in Paris, France…recently

Zaria killings: Shiites refute DHQ’s claims Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Sheikh Ibraheem TMovement El Zakzaky-led Islamic popularly

known as ‘Shiites’ has debunked the claim of the Defence Headquarters which portrayed them as the aggressors in last week’s clash between them and soldiers in Zaria.

In a statement issued yesterday which was signed by the Movement’s

Director of Resource Forum, Dr Abdullahi Danladi, the Shiites said although the military has guns and ammunitions, they have Allah to protect them.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade had absolved the military of attacking the Shiites on Wednesday, in a press conference after the Speech and Prize Giving Day of the Nigerian Military School, Zaria.

Describing Olukolade’s

response as belated propaganda, the statement said the Defence Spokesman’s position will not absolve the military of killing defenceless Muslims who were on a peaceful procession last Friday in Zaria.

“After about five days, eventually the Defence Headquarters spokesperson Major General Chris Olukolade issued a statement to the press on the Zaria attack. First, one wonders why it took them this long to issue the statement,’’ they noted.

According to them, history is replete with persecution of prophets of Allah and other great men. The killings “should therefore serve as inspirational pointers and strengthen our minds on this noble course,’’ the statement noted.

“The Nigerian Army has weapons and ammunitions to attack and kill us. We do not have such, but we have Allah and on Him we depend and He is Able and Capable”, it added.

Anambra shines at 7th African LASU VC reiterates commitment to institution’s mandate Arts and Crafts Expo Tony Okuyeme nambra State has won Aconcluded three awards at the just 7th African

Arts and Crafts Expo 2014, held at the Eagle Square, Abuja. The State won the Best Product and Brand designs in brass and metal works, Most Enterprising Exhibitor and a third position as the Best in Pavilion Preparation.

The week-long Arts and Crafts exhibition organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture Abuja and which had as its theme, “African Arts and Crafts: tools for economic empowerment”,

featured exhibitors from all the states in the federation as well as other African and Asian countries.

The fair was organised primarily to showcase some aspects of Nigeria's rich culture, promote export and import business of arts and crafts to buyers worldwide, impact requisite knowledge of import and export guidelines to arts and crafts producers and marketers as well as sensitize investors on the need to invest in arts and crafts sector as a way of encouraging enterprise development and export oriented production.

Ekweremadu bags PhD in law Chukwu David

Abuja

T

he Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu yesterday defended his doctoral thesis at the University of Abuja.

The thesis, entitled “A Critical Appraisal of the Legal Framework, Theory and Practice of Fiscal Federalism in Nigeria” was submitted to the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja towards the award

of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in Law of the University.

According the statement by the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, the 265-page research work analysed the legal framework for the revenue allocation in Nigeria and the various formula for distribution of revenue amongst the various tiers of government in the country.

Kayode Olanrewaju

agos State University (LASU) Vice-Chancellor has reiterated that one of the core mandate of the university is to produce all round students that are worthy in both learning and character, saying his administration despite all odds would not deviate from that mandate.

Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa made this known on Wednesday, while announcing vari-

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ous activities lined up to commemorate the 19th convocation and 30th anniversary of the university.

Addressing journalists in his office, the ViceChancellor said the event which would have been held in February in line with the tradition of the institution had to be delayed due to the disruption of the university activities as a result of strikes by the students and workers.

NLC accuses SON of manipulating cement business Mojeed Alabi

he Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has alleged that the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON is intentionally creating crisis in the cement manufacturing business in Nigeria.

It also urged the Federal Government to stop what it described as the manipulative strategies by the regulatory agency.

The President of the Labour Union, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, in a press statement issued yesterday, insisted that the claim by the organisation that the

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incident of building collapse in the country could be linked to the 32.5 type of cement being manufactured in the country, was misleading and unguarded.

Omar, who urged the government to resist any adjustment in the policy on manufacturing of cement, said the policy as being suggested by SON, imposes severe burden on the firms and the citizenry, warning SON to desist from statements inimical to the growth of the nation’s economy and to act on all issues in the interest of the public.

the victim's room through the window.

"I was sleeping when I heard a noise. The boy shone light on my face, took my baby and turned him upside down. I begged him but he insisted I should allow him and to save my baby I agreed", the woman narrated.

Sources close to the police command said as soon as the suspect entered the room where the nursing woman was, he seized the three-month old baby and threatened to kill the baby should the mother fail to succumb to his sexual advance.

UNILORIN displaces OAU as Nigeria’s best university Mojeed Alabi

he latest university ranking by the global ranking organisation, Webometrics, has returned the University of Ilorin as Nigeria’s leading ivory tower displacing the three-time winner, Obafemi Awolowo University.

In the new ranking by the organisation, OAU has moved to third position while the University of Lagos is ranked

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as second, with two universities owned by the Founder and General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Dr. David Oyedepo, the Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State and Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, taking the fifth and sixth positions respectively.

The best state university ranked in Nigeria is the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State which takes the 13th position.

Star Times rewards customers, agents n Ibadan based Star card which automatically Ascriber, Times digital TV sub- qualifies subscribers for Mr. Oladele Aji- the draw. bola has emerged lucky winner of Toyota Yaris 2014 car star prize at the on-going Extra Times promo for the month of July.

Ajibola who was absent at the Abuja venue of the raffle draw yesterday was informed of his emergence as the lucky winner of the star prize on phone.

The promo which is to run till the end of August this year was drawn based on raffle from purchase of Star Times recharge

The draw runs in two categories, with phase one featuring 32 inches digital TV sets and a grand prize of brand new Toyota Yaris 2014 model car for the lucky winners, while category two featured scratch and win promo, where subscribers stand the chance of winning instant prizes based on whatever they scratch the recharge card and see on it.

INEC begins distribution of PVC in C’River August 15 Clement James

Calabar

he Independent NaTmission tional Electoral Com(INEC) will com-

mence the distribution of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in Cross River State from August 15 to 17.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Cross River State, Mr. Mike Igini, made this known in Calabar on Thursday during a stakeholders meeting held to sensitise political leaders in the

state on the preparation of the electoral body towards next year’s election.

Igini said the Permanent Voters Card has given back powers to the electorate to decide who their leaders would be in future elections.

According to him, apart from eliminating numerous cases of multiple registrations as experienced in the past, the new PVC has ensured that only the owners of the card could put them to use on election days.

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Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Abia House dismisses impeachment rumours against Orji SAFE

Ochendo's blood pressure must be normal now as threat of sack dies down Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

T

he Abia State House of Assembly has dismissed as baseless and unfounded the rumour making the rounds that it has plans to impeach Governor Theodore Orji.

Reacting to the rumour at the monthly press briefing at the Assem-

60.77%

bly complex yesterday, the Deputy Speaker and chairman of the committee on Information, Hon Alwell Asiforo Okere, said the rumour did not emanate from the House.

“The rumour of Governor’s impeachment is baseless, unfounded, not from here. The House maintains the best of relationships with the Governor”, he said.

Okere said within the period under review, the House passed some bills into law including the Abia State Physical Planning and Infrastructural amendment law, the Abia State Local Government Transition Law and the Local Gov-

The percentage drop of air travel passengers in Minna airport (2012-2013).

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

ernment Council Appropriation Law. He added that the House amended the Abia State Multi-Door court law 2014.

In addition, the House passed six resolutions including the confirmation of the appointment of the deputy transition chairmen, the Amofufe Igbere in Bende LGA erosion site and the collapsed Igwu river bridge at Ndiebe Abam in Arochukwu LGA. Others are confirmation of the chairman of Abia State Road Maintenance Agency (ABROMA) Engr. Damian Agubata.

According to the Deputy Speaker, the slow

N88.6m

The IGR realized from road taxes revenue sources of Plateau State in 2011.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

pace of work on the Enugu –Port Harcourt expressway also drew the attention of the House. In its resolution on the road, the House called on the contractor to give urgent attention to the bad spots on the road to ameliorate the suffering of motorists.

He explained that in the Local Government appropriation Law, the sum of N27.26billion was appropriated for the 27 local government areas in the State.

Okere explained that the amendment to the Abia State Transition Law was a minor one in which only a word ‘native’ was amended.

53.32%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Kazakhstan in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

9

Kano professionals endorse Ganduje to succeed Kwankwaso Muhammad Kabir KANO

group under the aegis AForum of Kano Professional (KPF) resident in

Lagos has thrown their weight behind the deputy governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to succeed his boss, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in 2015, saying Ganduje is more magnanimous than even the governor.

In a Press release signed by one Alhaji Mansoor Galadima, Chairman and Hajia Kuburat Salele as Secretary, the group said the Deputy Governor’s recent gesture to party members is a welcomed development and an effort that even the State Government was not able to do.

They said Ganduje has all it takes to be the next Governor of Kano State, looking at his proven track records and as a

loyal deputy who has unshaken dedication and commitment to his boss, adding that he has even gone a little bit ahead of his boss in terms of generosity.

However, the Director of Press, Deputy Governor’s office, Bala Dawaki insisted that the group who issued the release are fake and does not exist, adding that all the supporters of the deputy governor are residents in Kano.

Dawaki demanded that the phone numbers of the people who issued the released be given to him.

But the group in its release said: “It is highly speculated that Ganduje will declare his intention to contest for the number one seat in the State, immediately after finishing his widespread consultations with the party heavyweights in the State and other stakeholders.”

Nyako's ouster flayed Peter Osondu ABA

n Abia state governorAProgressives ship aspirant of the All Congress

(APC), Mr.. Nath Ikeocha has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its alleged involvement in the impeachment of the governor of Adamawa state, Admiral Murtala Nyako by the state legislature.

Ikeocha who stated this during a chat with newsmen in Aba, also flayed the allegation of heavy financial inducement by the party hierL-R: Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, University of Lagos, Prof. Duro Oni; Managing Director, Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc , Mrs. Omolara Elemide, General Manager, International Business Development, AkzoNobel, United Kingdom, Mr. Wim Bramer and Dean of Student Affairs, UNILAG, Prof. Olukayode Amund, during a courtesy visit to the management of the institution by CAP Plc in Lagos…yesterday

$1billion Security loan: Lawmaker urges Jonathan to withdraw from Excess Crude Account Philip Nyam ABUJA

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member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Haske Hannaniya (PDP, Adamawa) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to withdraw $1 billion from the excess crude account to fight Boko Haram instead of waiting for the National Assembly’s approval of his request to take a loan.

Hannaniya, who represents Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency of Adamawa state made the call yesterday in Abuja while reacting to the renewed killings by Boko Haram in parts of Adamawa, Yobe, Borno and Kano states.

The lawmaker said the request for $1 billion by the president was justified since the military needs to be adequately equipped to tackle Boko Haram head on.

He said: “The request is justified because the military needs arms to fight these insurgents. I call on Mr. President to take money from the excess crude account or reserves and procure equipment for the army.

“I urge Mr. President to go ahead because with what is going on; Nigeria cannot afford to wait for another one month. The National Assembly is resuming sometime in September and unless an emergency session is called, the president will

continue to wait. The president has to act now” President Jonathan had written the National Assembly seeking approval to obtain a $1 billion loan to help the federal government in its war against terrorism and other security challenges in the country.

The president stressed that there is an urgent need to upgrade the equipment, training and logistic of the country’s Armed Forces and Security services to enable them confront the serious threat posed by Boko Haram sect more forcefully.

On last Sunday’s attack on villages and communities in Adamawa state, the lawmaker appealed to the federal government

to direct the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately assist victims of Madagali, Hong and Gombi local government areas.

According to him, over 2,000 people have so far been displaced adding that though he made individual efforts to assist them with relief materials, they were not adequate.

“I can tell you that as at Tuesday, over 2,000 people had been displaced in Gombi alone. We have tried to send them relief materials but it is not enough. My plea now is for the federal government to assist displaced people living in Hong and Gombi”, he appealed.

archy which lured members of the state assembly into what he described as 'unpatriotic decision and gross abuse of democratic culture' by members of the state legislature.

"I am shocked over the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa by the state lawmakers especially when it becomes obvious that such was orchestrated by the PDP. It is unfortunate that democracy which we fought to restore is brazenly threatened by a few desperate power mongers for selfish reasons”, he said.

Abubakar warns police personnel against corruption Musa Pam

JOS

he Inspector General TAbubakar of Police, Mohammed has warned

police personnel against indulging in any act detrimental to the corporate image of the force.

Abubakar gave the warning yesterday in Jos at the graduation ceremony of the Tactical Leadership and Command Course IV held at Police Staff College Jos. Represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, in charge of Information and Communication Technology, Force headquarters Abuja, Jonathan Johnson, Abubakar said corruption would not be tolerated at all.

He said his administration would continue to maintain zero tolerance for corruption and abhor indiscipline in the force.

Abubakar stressed that the police force was being repositioned to earn the confidence of the public and vowed to punish any staff that would undermine the efforts.

The IG reiterated that the mandate of the police which was protection of fundamental human rights of the citizens was made possible through partnership with relevant security agencies and a highly motivated workforce.

The police chief noted that with the spate of security challenges currently bedeviling the nation, the update of tactical and managerial skills has become imperative to enable them perform their duties efficiently.

He congratulated the 90 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) for performing excellently in the various programmes of the training.

10

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ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

Islamic cleric steals neighbour’s baby placenta Biodun Oyeleye

FRIday, AUGUST 1, 2014

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FRSC promotes eight officers Ugo Willies Gombe

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he Gombe Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Galadima Kuteb, yesterday, charged all newly promoted officers of the Command to be hard working and honest in discharging their duties.

Kuteb made the call while decorating the officers who were recently promoted from the rank of Assistant Route Commanders to Deputy Route Commanders in the Command.

Kuteb who attributed their new promotions to hard work, commitment and dedication to duty, added that gone were the days when one would progress along with his mates without much effort, hence the need for all to be hardworking.

He told the men that their promotions ought to ginger them to impact positively in the Corps and be an example to junior officers. Kuteb said: “Officers expecting their own promotions, should be patient, work hard and trust in God. They should further their education as a means of accelerating their promotion.” Responding on behalf of those promoted, Deputy Route Commander Rimaskwe Gideon Kitan, said that nothing good comes easy.

He urged those waiting for their promotions, to pray and eschew anger as, “promotion is about hard work, commitment and dedication.”

In another development, Kuteb commended the proper conduct of road users during the just concluded Eid-el-Fitr festival, as there was no road crash during the period.

His words: “It was a crash-free celebration. We have never had it so good. Accident rates have drastically reduced. We however urge members of the public to be careful and considerate. They should have regard for other road users, while ensuring their vehicles’ wipers, lighting systems and tyres are in good condition during rainy season.”

0802 393 8212

Ebola Virus: IG orders Police Medical Corps to protect personnel

Ilorin

arely days after the Kwara State Police Command paraded three men for dealings in human parts, the police yesterday said it had again nabbed another man for being in possession of human parts, suspected to be baby placenta.

The suspect, Alfa Gani, 25, an Islamic cleric, alleged to be a notorious ritual killer, was found in possession of the placenta of a two-day old baby in his house located at Ajibesin community, Ogidi area of Ilorin South area of the state.

The suspect allegedly removed the baby’s placenta on Monday where it was buried in the neighbourhood.

He was arrested around 7am on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the baby’s parents’, identified as Mr. and Mrs. Sadudeen, not only live in the same neighbourhood, but also share the same fence with the suspect.

Residents of the area, who made the discovery, were said to have sent a distress call to ‘E’ Division.’

Sources said that residents in the area sighted the man while he was digging out the placenta, from where the father of the baby had earlier buried it. Gani did not know that he was being watched.

Angry youths in the area rose against the man and swooped on his house. They set it ablaze.

The noise of the youths compelled the mother of the baby to dash out from their apartment, to know what was happening. When she heard the allegation, she ran to the spot where the baby’s placenta was buried and discovered that it was no longer there.

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

PROACTIVENESS The IGP takes steps to ensure protection of his men in Lagos State against the Ebola virus Juliana Francis

F

ollowing the outbreakof the Ebola virus in Lagos State, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered the Police Medical Corps to do everything within its power to protect personnel and their families in the state.

According to a source, Abubakar does not want police officers to become victims of the Ebola virus, so that the security of the nation would not become weakened.

The IGP’s order came after speculation from some experts, that members of the police force might be highly infected if the breakout was not checked, because, “policemen and women are the first contact

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

A

man of God, who was arrested along with four robbers, has declared that he was not a robber, adding that he used to collect vehicles from the men at giveaway prices, unaware they were bandits who specialize in car snatching.

The pastor, Taiwo Afolabi and his four partners in crime, allegedly snatched and sold vehicles to already waiting buyers.

Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, said Afolabi and his gang members were arrested along Igbaraodo-Ogotun Road after they could not give satisfactory accounts of themselves.

Babayemi said: “Upon investigation by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS), it was discovered that the gang ran a carsnatching syndicate. The police recovered a green Toyota Camry car marked ET 241 AAA, brown Toyota Camry car marked, KSF 634 AX, Nissan Cabstar, marked EKY 973 XH and another Nissan Cabstar marked FST 621 XM. “The leaders of the group, Wasiu Sola and Abdukareem Ganiyu, are

everywhere in the country,” said a security expert, who wishes to remain anonymous.

He continued: “If you go to the airports, seaports, borders, you’ll find policemen and women at those places. They’re the first contact at everywhere and should be protected against the virus. I’m happy to hear that Abubakar is being proactive concerning it. When people die in strange circumstances, it’s the police that are called. How will the policeman knows a corpse that died from the virus?

They’re also the people who go to different places, no matter the distance or how populated the place, to make arrest. In fact, any suspect can be a carrier and it’s the policeman that gets to slam handcuffs on the suspect, take him to the station, interrogate him and take him to court. He does all these by making body contact!”

A police source said that even as the fear about the Ebola Virus envelopes Lagos, Abubakar had already taken steps to protect his men. The source said that

IG, Mohammed

the Police Medical Corps Services, on the orders of the IGP, has initiated a programme aimed at enlightening police personnel across the nation of the hazards of the virus.

“One major target is to deal with ignorance and myth surrounding Ebola,” said the source. “The Police Medical Corps believes that the first step is to understand the nature of the disease, how it spreads and

how one can avoid contracting it. Without studying it, you can’t avoid it even with gloves.”

Another police source revealed that as of Wednesday, the Police Medical Corps had started producing different pamphlets to educate police personnel. Some of the pamphlets would be pasted in all police formations and barracks, while the second would be given to personnel to take home and educate themselves and their family members.

The Force Spokesman, ACP. Frank Mba, who confirmed these when called on phone, said that the Police Medical Corps plans to roll out programmes, designed to educate members of the Force about Ebola virus. His words: “The plan is to educate the personnel against the dreaded scourge, taking into cognizance the nature of police work, whose personnel come into contact with many people. The IGP is reassuring members of the police force, that their wellbeing is paramount to him.”

I didn’t know the cars were stolen, says Pastor based in Ibadan and specialise in robbery and car snatching.”

Stating his own side of the story, Afolabi said: “I got to know Wasiu and Abdukareem in Ibadan and had since been receiving cars from them. I give such vehicles to Ajilumo Emmanuel, a car dealer, to sell. I have never asked them where or how they used to get the vehicles. I could not sell the last car they brought. I couldn’t sell it because the engine was

The suspects

faulty and we could not dispose it quickly.”

The youngest suspect, paraded by the police is Raji Babatunde. He is just 17 and was arrested during a robbery operation at Okesa Area of Ado-Ekiti by men of the Swift Response Squad.

The suspect was arrested after the police responded to a distresse call from some victims.

Babatunde and his gang stormed a house at Okesa Area of Ado-Ekiti and

gained access into it by breaking down the door with a big stone. They descended on the occupants and inflicted severe machete cuts on them.

Babayemi, who stated that the timely intervention of SARS men prevented the victims from being killed by the gang, added that SARS operatives halted the flight of Babatunde by shooting his leg after he and his gang attempted to escape at the sight of the pursuing police.

Okoye, CP Ogun.

METRO

Friday, August 1, 2014

11

Lagos to crown male, female LASU students protest breastfeeding champions delay in call up letters Muritala Ayinla

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arely three weeks after it introduced paternity leave for male civil servants in the state, the Lagos State Government, yesterday, said it would crown male and female as breastfeeding champions next month, as part of efforts to encourage breastfeeding Fashola culture among nursing mothers and fathers.

It decried poor attitude of most nursing mothers in Nigeria towards exclusive breastfeeding, lamenting that such action portends danger for the children and their mothers.

Briefing journalists on the activities lined up for the 2014 World Breastfeeding Week Celebration at the state secretariat, Alausa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, who made the disclosure, said that although, the National Exclusive Rate improved from 13% in 2008 to 15% in 201, the National Health Survey showed that breastfeeding rate is still very low.

According to her, the current trend in under five nutritional status in Nigeria, with particular reference to the south west region of Nigeria where Lagos belongs, is of stunting rate of 41 percent in 2008 and 37 percent in 2013.

She added: “Wasting rate at 14 percent in 2008 and 18 percent in 2013 and underweight statistic at 24 percent in 2008 and 29 percent in 2013 (NDHA), is an indication of

increased malnutrition among under 5. This is largely caused by inadequate complementary feeding from baby’s 6 months of age.”

She reiterated that breastfeeding, particularly with early initiation; within 30 minutes of delivery and exclusive breastfeeding without water or any other drink, is the most ideal infant feeding option for every new born as colostrum; the first milk from the mother is the baby’s first immunization.

Adeshina noted that World Alliance for Breastfeeding Actions (WABA), has considered that everyone in the world should identify one way or the other, to protect and encourage every breastfeeding mother for an effective and pleasant breastfeeding experience, stressing that everybody should all be committed to promoting exclusive breastfeeding, during which, nothing except the mother’s breast milk is introduced to the mouth of the baby as a child survival intervention that is unequalled.

On crowning of the breastfeeding champions, the Special Adviser added that the activities of the Community Health & Nutrition (CH&N) Link, which is also known as ‘Malnutrition trackers’ would be assessed for the selection of outstanding CH&N Link while awards for both categories will be presented at the grand finale of the week-long celebration.

She added: “Our traditional grand finale is tentatively scheduled for September, 11, 2014, during which State Breastfeeding Champions; Male & Female, selected from among the 57 LGAs and LCDAs champions will be crowned.”

I want to be compensated, says air crash victim Wole Shadare ne of the survivors of OAirlines the ill-fated Associated that crashed, car-

rying the remains of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Olusegun Agagu, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Samson, recounted her ordeal in the hands of the management of the airline, alleging that the carrier abandoned her.

The accident which occurred less than a minute after take-off, inside the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on October 3, 2013, killed many on board, but four people miraculously survived.

Samson was one of the people at the second Engr.

Zakariya Haruna memorial lecture held in Lagos.

Haruna was the pioneers Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) when the agency was created in 1999.

He died in 2003.

Samson, who joined the company in 2000, dressed in a red gown and walked with a limp, occasioned by the injury she sustained from the crash, said the carrier omitted her name, and then started paying the 30 per cent insurance to the families of the deceased.

She stated that she called the spokesman to the airline, Mr. Alex Emode about her settlement, adding that

Samson

he suggested she should get a lawyer, noting that the complaint they had against her was that she granted an interview to Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) after she came back from South Africa.

She said: “I told AIB nothing but the truth about the crash. In fairness to the crew and passengers that died, I don’t need to hide anything from AIB. My personal effect, recovered from the wreckage, has not been given back to me and it has been returned to Associated Airline by AIB.” Emode told NT that the airline would hold a press briefing today to address the matter, to let the public

know the true position of the matter.

Samson disclosed that her lawyer wrote a letter to the company and copied the NCAA, adding that no reply was gotten from the airline with NCAA saying they were working assiduously with the airline in ensuring that all the families of the victims, both deceased and survivors were fully compensated without further delay.

Samson said: “To my surprise, Mr. Alex Emode told my lawyer on phone that I’m not a staff of Associated Aviation. I now asked him to tell me what I was doing onboard if I was not a staff of the airline. Is it a crime to survive an air crash? If I had died in the crash, would they have told my family that I am not their staff ?”

She said that Mr. Emode told a journalist that she went on shopping spree in South Africa.

“I was furious and asked him if he gave me any money for the shopping in South Africa. All the money that was given to me by my family members and good Nigerians while I was on my hospital bed, were given to Mr. Alex in South Africa when he said that we have to cater for the accommodation and feeding of any family member accompanying us to South Africa.”

Ayorinde Durojaiye of the Lagos Swhotudents State University, Ojo, were supposed to

embark on their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Wednesday, carried out a peaceful protest, over delay of their call up letters.

The call up letter is the list of postings for the outgoing students to different states to serve their fathers’ land.

The students, who had anxiously waited and prayed for the school to call off its strike, embarked upon over increase in school fees, were apparently worried that they might fail to meet up with other schools in the next batch of the NYSC programme.

The students complained that other higher institutions had started collecting their call up letters.

The protesters, from different faculties, gathered at the front of the Admin block, while the Vice Chancellor was upstairs, having meeting with students’ representative council.

NT gathered that the meeting was about seeking solution to the present situation.

One of the students, who identified himself as Doyin Dosunmu, said: “LASU is the only school which has not given its outgoing students their call up letters. This is what they do to every set that is supposed to go for NYSC. We’ll not sit back and watch them destroy our future. The only way we can ensure they listen to us and do something about our situation is to protest.”

Another student, who was shouting at the top of his voice, said: “I’ve graduated since 2011, I don’t have carry-over and yet LASU refused to give me my call up letter!”

President of the Stu-

Some of the protesting students.

Mother to sues Company for risking kids’ lives Camillus Nnaji n angry passenger of ATransport E. Ekeson and Bros Company

Limited has kicked against the habit of most drivers abandoning their clients along the road, unmindful of the danger.

The woman, Mrs. Amaka Onyekwere, noted that the drivers or the companies they represent, usually did not bother to refund fares already paid at the parks.

Mr. Emma, driver with E. Ekeson, is the driver who attracted Mrs. Onyekwere’s ire, after he al-

dent Union, Mr. Nurudeen Yusuf, speaking with NT on phone yesterday, said: “The protest was carried out by students who have graduated. They’re protesting against the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities(SSANU).

Members of SSANU in the school are on strike and they’re the people who are supposed to give out the call up letters. SSANU said they would not call off their strike just because the students were protesting. But the students later wrote a letter of apology to SSANU and today, the students have started collecting their letters.”

legedly abandoned her, her kids and other passengers at Owerri.

Mrs. Onyekwere boarded the Lagos-Aba bound bus at the Ikotun, Lagos State, She said: “On July, 29, I and my kids boarded the bus.

We were going to Aba, in Abia State. I paid N10,000 for three seats.

When we reached Owerri, the driver said we should get down for no reason. He bundled us into another Ekeson Bus, said to be heading to Aba. He did after a lot of protestation from me.

He did not consider our safety or the fact that it was night.”

A seasoned interstate traveller, Ojukwu Nnabife, said most drivers do such for mercenary reasons. “The money they make whenever they drop passengers picked from park, for new ones along the roads, go into their private pockets.

Many passengers had been robbed, killed and others sleep on the road because of what such drivers did and are still doing,” Nnabife.

Mrs. Onyekwere revealed that her husband was already planning to take legal action to underscore how serious they were taking the matter.

The transport company’s spokesperson, Mr. Farouk Biniki, said that it was against company’s policy for any driver to abandon his passengers along the way.

While assuring that the matter would be investigated, Biniki said that if what Mrs. Onyekwere alleged was the truth, the driver would be prosecuted personally by the company.

He added: “ Drivers who do that for selfish interests, are not with registered transport companies. We’ll take action on this matter!”

12 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Commonwealth cautions INEC against postponement of 2015 polls Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

T

he Commonwealth yesterday cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against postponement of the 2015 elections without credible reasons or for political convenience.

Its Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, during a visit to the commission Chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, also urged the electoral umpire to provide a level playing field for all political parties contesting in the general election.

He said in Abuja that the purpose of the visit was to “set the ball rolling in respect of the next elections” just as he commended INEC for the last

election in Ekiti State, adding that its success could serve as a model for other election commissions.

“Elections should not be postponed without just and credible reasons which are transparent and it should not be postponed due to political convenience”, he added.

According to him, the last election saw some positive features with regards to public participation such “that the ownership of the election was seen as not just as an institutional function but also a function of the people themselves.”

He pledged the support of the Commonwealth to ensure credible elections in Nigeria.

Although, Sharma said the Commonwealth

would send observers for the 2015 elections, he added that “what we don’t want is that every time election is held, you observe the election and come out with basically the same recommendations or similar recommendations.”

“Every time you do elections and recommendations are made, these recommendations must be followed up very actively to improve the situation for the next elec-

97.5%

tion,” he stated.

He advocated the creation of peer groups by the national election commissions within the Commonwealth member countries to help on a continuous basis to improve electoral process.

He stated that observers would be deployed all over the country for the 2015 polls, adding that “how many people we will deploy will depend on the advance team which is sent to each member

The percentage of urban population of Belgium in 2012.

Source: Un.org

state to see the situation on the ground and make a report.”

“Obviously for Nigeria, the number will be large because of the size of the country. So we don’t begin with a number, we arrive at a number based on the report,” he stated.

Acting INEC Chairman, Dr. Ishmael Igbani, who received the delegation on behalf of Jega, assured Commonwealth of the commission’s desire and efforts to ensure

178,369

The number of air travel passengers of the domestic wing of Calabar airport in 2013.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

free, fair and credible elections.

According to him, the commission has since the present dispensation, tried its best to improve the electoral process by providing level playing field for all political parties; ensuring the impartiality and non-partisanship of INEC staff as well as safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process by being open in terms of communication.

13,443

The number of pending asylum seekers of Egypt at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

NUJ, CLO urge Dickson to face agriculture ayelsa State chapter of Bganization the Civil Liberties Or(CLO) and the

state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) yesterday called on Governor Seriake Dickson, to give priority attention to the development of agriculture and its rural communities.

The two bodies also agreed to come together to sensitise the rural populace against the use of hard drugs that could be linked to increased wave of sea piracy and kidnapping in the state recently.

The call was made yesterday in Yenagoa, when members of the CLO paid a courtesy call on the NUJ, even as the two organisations agreed that Bayelsa has potential for sea foods and timber, but that there was the need to redirect the minds of the youth

on self-employment.

They commended Governor Dickson for the ongoing infrastructural development in the state, especially the central and west senatorial roads as well as the monthly transparency briefing.

Chairman of the NUJ, Tarinyo Akono, said there was the need to educate the people on the dangers of hard drugs, the consumption of which he noted has become high in some rural communities.

Akono also tasked the Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to check the activities of peddlers, who distribute fake, expired and adulterated drugs in rural communities.

Atiku, Oshiomhole condole with El-Rufa'i over son's death Onyekachi Eze and Cajetan Mmuta Vice-President, Fkar,ormer Alhaji Atiku Abubayesterday condoled

with the family of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i over the death of his son, Hamza.

Atiku, in a press statement by his media office in Abuja, described the late Hamza as “a charming and affectionate young man, who cultivated memorable relationships among his friends, including some of my children.”

He prayed that God should give the El-Rufa’i family the fortitude to bear the loss and asked almighty Allah for a cessation of such tragic incidence in the family, as

Hamza’s demise came not too long after the family lost its eldest daughter.

Also, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday commiserated with the former FCT minister and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Nasir ElRufai over the death of Hamza.

Oshiomhole in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, described the death of Hamza as a rude shock and a sad incident.

He said: “We learnt with rude shock, the death of your beloved son, Hamza, in a car accident. I wish to offer my profound condolence and the commiseration of the people and Government of Edo State on this sad incident."

L-R: General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho; Adepoju Oluwaseyi and Public Relations Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Caroline Oghuma, during the presentation of Explora Decoder to one of the winners of Open House promo in Lagos…yesterday

Capacity building strongest problems in Nollywood, says Alibaba Tony Okuyeme and John Enubiak

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eteran artiste and comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere, popularly known as Ali Baba has said that capacity building remains one of the major problems of Nollywood.

The celebrated comedian, regarded as the father of stand-up comedy in Nigeria, added that the industry is bereft of ideas and that there is need to wake it up.

Ali Baba said this at the presentation of the book, Auteuring Nollywood: Critical perspectives on the Figurine, edited by Dr. Adeshina Afolayan, at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson

Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

For him, many Nigerian comedians today are not creative and merely rehash old stories especially by him, rather than create new ones.

According to him; “Nollywood is not a joke. The Figurine is just a platform to anchor the issues in Nollywood. Comedy is a serious business; Nollywood is a more serious business. Numbers don’t make it; quality does,” he said.

Lending his voice to this, another notable comedian, Kofi, said there was need for Nigerian film makers to take a cue from Kunle Afolayan and others, noting that there is a lot of celebration of

mediocrity.

The book presentation had in attendance dignitaries such as the Chairman, Doyin Group of Companies, Chief Samuel Adedoyin, Director of Nollywood Study centre, Pan-African University, and the reviewer of the book, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, veteran film maker, Mr. Tunde Kelani, MD/ Editor-in-Chief of Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo, among others.

In an interview shortly after the event, Speaker of the Lagos State of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, who was the special guest of honour, stressed the need to promote reading culture in Nigeria.

His words: “I think that we all know that there is hardly any nation that you talk about as becoming great without highly enlightened minds; and you don’t grow when you don’t read. No matter what you call yourself, you must read. It is through reading that the mind gets developed. It is now revealed here that we have long lost the reading culture.

Over time, Nigeria has thrown away that culture of reading, our children don’t read; the young ones don’t read; so where are we heading to. You watch Nollywood movies, what are your thoughts? I feel very happy. To be honest, I am just a critic of Nollywood."

INEC to conclude distribution of PVCs before fresh registration Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

do State Resident ElecE(REC), toral Commissioner Mr. Baritur Gbigi, yesterday said the ongoing distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to all registered voters in the country would be concluded before the conduct of fresh registration of

voters.

Gbigi told newsmen in Benin, the state capital, that the measure was to ensure that all voters are issued with the PVC. According to him, only those who are eligible and have not registered before would be captured in the fresh registration exercise.

He added that: “Such fresh registration will be

for those who were not eligible in 2011 and 2012, because they were not yet 18 years old. On the issue of multiple registrations, INEC has programmed software, which easily detects multiple registrations and deletes the voter from the register.”

He, however, cautioned voters against any attempt to indulge in multiple reg-

istrations; stressing that voters who have changed location and so desires, can now apply with a photocopy of their temporary voters’ cards to be relocated instead of going for fresh registration.

The REC was, however, silent on the actual date for the commencement of PVCs’ distribution in Edo State.

Musa: 2015 elections may not hold / PAGE 15 | Osun: Election debate as challenge of democracy / PAGE 18

POLITICS

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ayodele Ojo

Deputy Editor, politics

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Friday, August 1, 2014

13

OlufemiKayode: Jonathan’s empathy for Chibok girls low

p-17

Suswam, Gemade draw battle line The battle for the Benue North East Senatorial District in the 2015 general election promises to be an interesting one, as the incubent governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam is set to confront a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barnabas Gemade, who presently occupies the seat.

CEPHAS IORHEMEN reports

T

he eventual end of the legal battle between Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and his rival at the governorship primaries in 2011, Mr. Terver Kakih may have cleared the coast for Suswam to transmute to the Senate in 2015.

Governor Suswam and the incumbent senator for the Benue North East Senatorial district, Engr. Barnabas Gemade have been at each other’s jugular over who occupies the seat ahead next year’s general election. While the tussle for the position has reached the peak, the governor is said to be prepared to leave no stone unturned to grasp the position from Gemade.

Already, in his bid to actualize his dreams for Benue North East zone on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Suswam has since built his structures through the setting up of his senatorial coordinators in the senatorial district as part of strategies to actualize his dreams.

But since the call for Suswam to contest the position, Gemade has been having sleepless nights. He has shut himself from the press on issues bothering on his senatorial ambition, though the volumes of his achievements on his constituents are telling on the people.

With the silence Senator Gemade has maintained over sometime especially now that Governor Suswam is putting structures in place, the coast appears to be clear for Suswam to set Gemade’s camp on edge.

However, Gemade, not seeking to lay low without a fight, noted in a recent chat with New Telegraph that his preparation for the Senate contest of 2015 is well advanced. “You would not expect to see too much jumping and gallivanting on the issue because an incumbent occupant of an office does not have to be jumping about like those who are intending to be contestants for that post.

Normally, it should be assumed that as an incumbent senator and the fact that the general practice in Nigerian politics, and the specific arrangement of our own party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), it is expected that he must contest a second term, except if he chooses not to do so. And if somebody who is in his first term in any of-

Suswam

Gemade

fice has not said he is not contesting, it is normal that everyone should assume that he is contesting”.

He stated that he already had operational structures for this office. “In the Senatorial District, I have offices in every single local government and satellite offices in many towns and villages in the area. I already have a functioning senatorial office at Katsina-Ala which was opened by the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2011.

“So, I can simply say that all we are doing now is waiting for the whistle to be blown by the party to commence electioneering for primaries which normally should not be earlier than 90 days to when the primaries should take place. So, you will see us all over the place when the time comes.”

On whether he was worried over Suswam’s ambition to overtake his position at the Senate, Gemade retorted

“How can a son overwhelm his father?

There is no such thing as being overwhelmed. Besides, I was not unopposed in 2011 when I contested this post. It was a keen contest in Katsina-Ala at the primaries when I contested for this seat that I’m occupying at the moment.

And even at that time, the hand of the aspirant you are referring to was all over the place in that election. So, if I was not overwhelmed at that time, why should I be overwhelmed now?”

Political pundits say Gemade may dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) if the governor insists on contesting the same ticket with him; and is also not ready to leave anything to chance as he has insisted on taking a second shot. He believes, he is not the first Benue person to go for a second term, because Senator George Akume

CROSSFIRE

We shall set up a judicial panel of inquiry to probe Nyako’s administration and we shall cooperate with all anti-graft agencies to recover stolen state funds... and justify the change of government in Adamawa state

–Ahmadu Fintri

Like coupist, the perpetrators of the act have adopted the same modalities of reeling out false and bogus figures, forceful removal of bonafide office holders and intimidating those who refuse to succumb to their strong arm tactics -Murtala Nyako

and Senate President, David Mark are either currently enjoying their second term mandates or aspiring for the third time.

Suswam, sources say, is poised to deploy all machinery at his disposal to win the election at all cost.

All things being equal, with the coming into the race by Governor Suswam, it is clear that the 2015 Benue North East Senatorial race will certainly experience hot contest which may shake the political arena of the state, unless adequate political calculations are adopted and political adjustment made to accommodate the various interest groups in the PDP and even other political parties.

His supporters contend that Suswam’s giant track record of achievements while at the House of Representatives are still printed on the sands of time, and that the massive transformation of the state both in the rural and urban settlements across the state in all sectors are living testimonies on why he should transmute to the Senate.

Countering such claims, Gemade’s advocates equally argue that he is giving service to the senatorial zone in a manner nobody has ever done before.

“That is true. The workings of the Federal Government are such that there has got to be a lot of political influence over the people that run government from the executive point. Because you are in the legislature, you don’t have the authority to site projects or to CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

14 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

OPEN FORUM

...ATTACK ON GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI

Okechukwu: PDP benefiting from insurgency Osita Okechukwu is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

The PDP seems to be benefiting from the insurgency. If you look at the areas where the bombings are increasing, they are APC controlled states and General Buhari’s stronghold

T

hough I cannot say that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the one sponsoring the Boko Haram, but the corruption tendency of the ruling party is one of the factors fuelling the insurgency. Over N1 trillion has gone down the drain in the last three years in the fight against Boko Haram, and It is unfortunate that the Nigerian military, which has done so well in local and international engagements, is today being accused of being weak.

If not for corruption, what is Boko Haram to the Nigeria Army, which has been in existence for over 100 years? What makes it impossible for the army to completely rout a rag tag extremist group that has no support among Nigerians, if not for corruption? A lot of people have said that there are two options in the war against terror; military engagement, which corruption has wrecked and negotiation.

It was a frank talk by the President that Nigeria would have been thrown into crisis if General Buhari had not

Okechukwu

escaped that attack because the incident would have been misconstrued.

Because we are close to the 2015 general election, anything untoward that happens to the defacto presidential candidate of the main opposition party might be construed. So, I am saying that I hold the PDP culpable for the raging insurgency because of its promotion of corruption which makes

our security forces and its inability to negotiate.

On Muhahid Asari-Dokubo’s claim that General Buhari stage-managed the attack to attract public sympathy and paint President Goodluck Jonathan as a bad leader, I can only say that it was sheer recklessness and irresponsibility, because I don’t see how someone will try himself with a bomb that killed over 30 people.

Even General Buhari’s opponents cannot fault his sincerity of purpose on national issues, so Asari-Dokubo’s claim has no substance. He (AsariDokubo) is not looking at national security but thinking of his personal gains because he has made so much

money under this administration. He is talking for himself because of the slush funds going into his pocket, but I will advice the Federal Government that it is not too late for multiple approaches to address the insurgency.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), you will recall, has persistently said that is ready to cooperate with the Jonathan administration to put an end to the insurgency, even before the attack on General Buhari, but the PDP seems to be benefiting from the insurgency. If you look at the areas where the bombings are increasing, they are APC controlled states and General Buhari’s stronghold.

In the 2011 presidential election, General Buhari made over 900, 000 votes in Borno; 1.1 million in Kaduna; 1.4 million in Kano and almost the same in Katsina. So, it is possible that the PDP is fuelling the crisis in these areas to deplete APCs support base ahead of 2015. We have seen how rogue regimes across the world sometimes resort to crisis in their countries, the late General Sani Abacha regime inclusive. A government that is serious would have accepted the Boko Haram offer for swap and freed the Chibok school girls.

Interview by FELIX NWANERI

Odumakin: Act an attempt to split Nigeria Yinka Odumakin is the spokesman of Save Nigeria Group (SNG) and National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere

T

he attack on General Muhammadu Buhari, as has been interpreted by right thinking people was an attempt meant to split Nigeria because if they have succeeded in taking Buhari out, there would have been no Sallah in Nigeria like President Jonathan said, and maybe refugee camps would be springing up by now because for a man of such passionate following in the North, any attempt to take him and an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, the same time, would have put Nigeria literally on fire.

And I think there is a need to interrogate who tried to kill Buhari. Could it be those who want to set Nigeria on fire? There has also been the theory of the nomination by elimination; that are there people who are seeking nomination within his party and I think that as long as Buhari is breathing, they cannot get the nomination and they have to eliminate him.

There are people who see Buhari as a threat, maybe in terms of those who want office in 2015 and see Buhari as a stumbling block to extent to which if they don’t get rid of him, nothing else can fly in the North as a candidate of any opposition party.

My suspicion about the attack is that it may have been carried out by those who want nomination by elimination or those who want to set Nigeria on fire and destroy it. So, it is only a thorough investigation that could unravel what was behind the attack.

But we should thank God that they didn’t succeed in taking him because only God knows what Nigeria would

have turn to by now.

It is unfortunate that the kind of security that is available to a top personality like Buhari is not different from other Nigerians. Considering what terror is doing in our country today and giving the fact that we don’t want this country to go up in smoke, I think whatever can be done to prevent anybody taking the life of such personalities should be done. But it should also be extended to all Nigerians because we are all equal before God and the law.

Until investigation is concluded, the attempt on Buhari’s life should not be seen as a political assassination. We should not forget that it was in this same North that late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero was attacked; General Shuwa and emirs have been killed by Boko Haram. So we should look at it within a general contest of attacks and siege of terror on Nigeria.

People are being killed every day but it is only when he concerns big names that we all begin to scream but these killings are going on a daily basis and

Willy Ezugwu is the Secretary General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) t was unfortunate that General BuIwhen hari happened to be around that area the bomb exploded. It could have been anybody like the case of EMAB Plaza, where different categories of people go for shopping. Many died in the Abuja blast irrespective of ranking or position. So, General Buhari, to me was unlucky to be in that location when the bomb exploded, but we thank God that he escaped unhurt.

But, that General Buhari was nearly a victim of the incident doesn’t mean the attack was plotted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led

Odumakin

these merchants of the terror are not relenting.

Terror is a difficult crime to fight.

When Osama Bin Laden attacked America, it took them 10 years to get him. Al-Qaeda network is still there.

What is happening now is global insurgency by the Islamic fundamentalist across the world. And we should know that this is one of the most difficult things to fight and that is why all Nigerians need to unite because if care is not taking, all those who think this is about politics will discover that there is no country for them to contest in if we don’t unite and fight this terror.

Though Nigerians politicians are optimists, it is not yet clear in my mind how a country that is going through what they are going through now wants to hold a general election in the next seven months. Though Nigeria at times defiles logical analysis; so we may be able to put it through but I am not yet sure that we would be able to hold election the way we are going.

Interview by Temitope Ogunbanke

Ezugwu: FG must stop insurgency, Federal Government. I think that it was the normal attack by the Boko Haram sect, but like the President said, Nigeria would have been thrown into crisis if he had lost his life.

The atrocities being committed by the Boko Haram sect should however be blamed on politicians, who used them as thugs in previous elections, and only to dump them after grabbing power. Now the crisis has completely gotten out of hand.

We must find a ways of bringing the insurgency to a stop, the 2015 general election or not because it is spreading like wild fire. The Federal Government should equip the various security agencies with modern crime fighting gadgets.

I cannot say that Buhari master-

minded the attack as being claimed by some people, although anything can happen in Nigeria. Let’s just have the belief that we were lucky that he escaped unhurt. What happened to former Head State shows that the issue of insurgency has gone beyond beefing security around certain individuals, because anyone can run into the bombings.

What this means is that all Nigerians must work with security agencies to fish out those behind these heinous acts because the security personnel cannot perform magic in identifying the perpetrators of the act. We all have to be part of intelligence gathering in order to bring the insurgency to an end.

Interview by FELIX NWANERI

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

OPEN FORUM Ola Apena is the Deputy Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

O

rdinarily, one couldn’t have imagined that General Buhari would be a target for attack by the Boko Haram sect, especially when one goes with a particular school of thought that opines that Buhari is sympathetic to the sect’s course.

Though it is not said that he is the sponsor of the Boko Haram sect but he has been accused not to be showing much concern on the effort of the Federal Government containing the insurgents but he has always been on the side attacking the President as if he hasn’t done anything. So, it is an awkward thought that the sect will be after him.

On a second thought, I said within me that was it a case of mistaken identity because from reports made available the cleric that was also attacked has been critically of the activities of the Boko Haram sect. I eventually came to a conclusion that the attack on the General might not be from the Boko Haram per se, but from those behind power-play intrigues for 2015 in the APC.

Balarabe Musa is the former governor of old Kaduna State

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he attack on General Buhari is an indication that nobody is safe in Nigeria. Whether somebody is the height of leadership or at the bottom of it. The state of the nation is so negative; insecurity is increasing daily, making it so possible for anybody to be a victim, particularly with the new instrument of insurgency, which is bomb.

So, the attack is unfortunate but I am not surprised, because with the level of insecurity in the country, nobody is safe in Nigeria. Nobody knows the next target. And it seems nothing is being done about it. I cannot out rightly blame the Presidency or the Federal Government, but the President seems to be the only one in a better position to do something about insecurity in the country. He has all the power to do something about it, and it appears he has not been doing much to that effect.

We have an elected President who is

2015 or not

Ezugwu

15

...ATTACK ON GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI

Apena: Attack more from APC The attack on the General might not be from the Boko Haram per se, but from those behind powerplay intrigues for 2015 in the APC The APC is a house divided against itself and a conglomerate of power hungry people that has a common objective of wrestling power from the PDP, though that is legal anyway. But there is a school of thought within the APC that Buhari should take the back seat and allow some young Turks come on board, and you still have some supporters who are fanatical about him.

The latter are those who believe that the bulk of support from the North for the APC will be predicated on Buhari’s candidacy. You never can tell what could happen with these powers jostle.

The attack is more within the APC and they would want to do it and hang the whole scenario on the President and the PDP, so that nobody will suspect them.

It is more of an attack within the

Apena

APC and not even the Boko Haram because it is not only sect that has access to bombs and explosives but if any bomb goes up anywhere now, the next thing that comes to mind is the Boko Haram. The security agencies should explore all angles because smart criminals studied the situation and try to swim against the tide.

They look at the scenario and try to hang it on somebody else but smarter law enforcement agencies would also

not narrow its investigation net. They should probe more into the APC and not the PDP because Buhari is not a threat to us in PDP. He has contested three times against PDP candidates; he has not been successful and he will never be successful against the PDP. Buhari’s candidature will be an easy meal for the PDP, so why would we contemplate killing somebody who will make it easier for us to go back to the Villa?

It is all about the 2015 game within the APC. Of course, the scenario that led to the attack gives credence to that because he was reported to have complained to Mr. President before the attack that he needs to beef up security around him, a request Mr. President obliged. If not for that armoured car, we would have been singing a different song by now.

I agree with the President that Nigeria would have been in turmoil if General Buhari had been killed but that was a figurative expression. It is not as if Nigeria would go under but there would have been crisis and violence. Politicians will capitalise on it and the ethnic, religious card will be played for it to nail the President and the PDP.

Interview by WALE ELEGBEDE

Musa: 2015 elections may not hold the commander in chief of the armed forces; who is the chief security officer of the country; who controls the resources of the country; who spends one quarter of the annual budget on security. So, if the situation continues as it is today, as negative as it is today, who else we can blame?

I am not saying that he is the only one to be blamed. No. He is not the only one that should be blamed; the whole government is to be blamed. But of course, he is the head of the government, so he bears the burden more than any other.

With this development coming a few months to the 2015 general elections, it shows that we are not going to have elections at all so far as it is convenient for the government in power, and if we CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

award contracts or to site institutions in the state. So, you must be in a position to speak to those who are in the executive branch to whom the constitution gives the authority to do these things, to be able to convince them to do things in your own area”, one stated.

On his part, Gemade noted that “All I am trying to do is to lay the foundation where we would be able to get some of these things actualized. I am almost concluding arrangement with government in establishing a federal polytechnic. Even contracts like highways, dams, electricity and so on, major ones, nothing like that has ever been done in my Senatorial District until I was able to influence the construction of the BranchAcher-Vandeikya-Tsav-Obudu road which was awarded in 2012 at the total cost of

Coming a few months to the 2015 general elections, it shows that we are not going to have elections at all have election at all, it will be rigged so much more than what we have experienced before. And we may not be able to constitute a legitimate government again.

Interview by CHINEDU EKEJA

Musa

Suswam, Gemade draw battle line N3.7 billion. I don’t think the Federal Government has ever done anything in that zone even up to N500 million. This is the first time”.

Some also recall that when he was national chairman, Gemade was the one that influenced the rehabilitation of Katsina-Ala-Amafu-Zaki-Biam-Ugba road right up to Buruku on the bank of the river, and the road from Yandev to Buruku was also constructed by him when he was minister in 1992.

Collaborating this, Gemade had a piece of advice for the people of Benue north Senatorial District, “if they have the chance of producing a senator like me, who can reach out and get things done for them, they should not be in a hurry to put someone else who may not be able to do so. Interests

differ; someone may be very powerful but may be thinking about himself mainly.

These are two things you cannot do together.

“You cannot be in office, worry about making yourself big, and again, helping your people, you can only do one of these things, you can’t do all. I’m sure that you yourself, when you analyse all the people who are in offices, you will be able to see who is working to satisfy his people and who is working to make himself bigger”.

Meanwhile, while the two political heavyweights in the state prepare to outwit each other by employing the necessary intrigues at their disposal, political watchers are of the view that the pendulum may swing more to the side of the governor, given his good antecedents.

Another point Suswam has scored against Gemade is his recent endorsement by the Kwande/Ushongo group to concede their Senate slot which Gemade is banking on to Governor Suswam. The governor had on July 17 led a delegation which included traditional rulers from his home town in Sankera to Adikpo, the traditional headquarters of Kwande local government area where he appealed to the people to “loan” the position to him.

New Telegraph has observed that the wide acceptance by the Kwande/Ushongo traditional rulers, PDP chieftains and other stakeholders to loan out their birthright to Sankera people may have finally laid to rest the issue of who would occupy the Benue North East senatorial seat in 2015.

16 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

‘Youths should shun politics of inducement’ National Leader of Youths of All Nations Empowerment Association (YOANEA), Jeff Joshua, in this interview with IBUKUN KAYODE endorses Federal Government’s efforts to rescue the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, and why the group is supporting Adedeji Doherty’s governorship ambition in Lagos State How have you been promoting activities of the youths especially with the 2015 elections around the corner?

We have been sensitising the various political parties to see the need to ensure that youths are among their candidates, so that they can be carried along in the scheme of things. Recently, we visited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Unity Party of Nigeria in Lagos State. If you go to most offices in the country, especially in the civil service, you will hardly find youths.

So, there is no succession plan as the leaders of tomorrow are not gradually positioned and trained to prepare to succeed the old ones who are currently populating the offices. We want this to be reversed so that the future will be guaranteed. We are advising the parties to pay attention to youths in nominating candidates for the elections.

What is your view on the abducted Chibok girls, who have been held for over 100 days now?

Our organisation feels very disturbed by this development, especially, when you wonder what could be happening to them by now. We want to urge Bamidele Babalola

W

ho occupies the Government House in Damaturu, Yobe State when the tenure of the incumbent governor, Ibrahim Gaidam elapses next year? This is the question that has been generating lots of controversy in the state over the last few months. The constitution allows for single tenure of four years which is renewable by the end of the first tenure, depending on the electorate, if they opt to vote for the candidate to do another tenure of four years or they want him to step aside for another individual.

For Gaidam, he will be spending a total of 11 years if he eventually gets the ticket to run for a second term from whichever party, and the people’s mandate. He took over from the late Mamman Ali who died in 2009 and since then has has been ruling the state.

Geographically, the governor comes from Zone A, which comprises of Gaidam, Bursari, Gulani, Gujba, Tarmua, and Yunusari local government areas.

The zone has produced two governors since the state was created in 1991.

They include Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who was the first executive governor of the state and the incumbent governor, Gaidam.

The zone is the most populated and the largest in size. Zone B comprises of Potiskum, Fune, Nangere and Fika local government areas. Though the zone has several political heavyweights, it has not been able to produce a governor due to what some people consider political and cultural rivalry between the ethnic nationalities there.

Politics of inducement should not be the determinant of leaders who care, rather, a consistent lifestyle of commitment to nation building

Joshua

the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure their release. I also believe the issue should not be left to the security agencies alone. We should provide them with relevant intelligence and information. That is why we support the request of the Federal Government on the $1billion loan for the procurement of military weapons to fight insurgency.

How do you see the level of infrastructural development in many states of the federation and its impact on youth development?

This is very vital because the people want to ensure that infrastructure is in place for the overall development of the country. It will also show that our funds are effectively being utilised. Our roads, schools and hospitals should be put in place and equipped.

We want policies and programmes that are youths friendly. School fess should be affordable to prevent youths from becoming dropouts, and who prone to

taking to crime. All the challenges facing the youths have to be addressed, the challenge of youth unemployment, drugs abuse and involvement in electoral violence. Also, we need power supply to ensure emergence of cottage industries and even artisans who want to carry out their various little businesses. This is very vital for our economic development.

We are aware of the fact that some state governments have their scholarship arrangement for students, but you will be shocked that international scholarships are kind of kept away from indigent students. For instance, we visited the office of the Scholarship Board in Abuja the other time only to discover that the Commonwealth Scholarship for indigent students was kept away from those who actually need it. We had to publish on our website and called on youths to apply.

Your organisation has been interacting with aspirants for elective offices. What is your assessment of the aspirants for the governorship position in Lagos State?

We are currently embarking on interaction with the aspirants in Lagos State to know their agenda and contributions, and to see if any of them deserves the support of the youths. We want to avoid a situation where they are swayed by emergency stomach infrastructure. The politics of inducement should not be the determinant

of leaders who care, rather, a consistent lifestyle of commitment to nation building. Youths in Nigeria and Africa should no longer allow themselves to be cajoled by selfish politicians; rather they should make decision based on manifesto and previous contributions of office seekers. Youths are the major stakeholders in the affairs of the state.

The future is about the youth. The youth will only support visionary leaders who have genuine love for the youths and have proven themselves as deserving of their trust. The youths will no longer keep silent or allow themselves to be enslaved when they have the right to make choice, and we will choose rightly.

YOANEA is a vibrant youth body that promotes and empowers youths, hence we have called on youths and PDP stakeholders to support Engr. Adedeji Doherty’s quest to govern Lagos State.

Doherty’s record as successful businessman, philanthropist and great supporter of youth empowerment is much to be desired and deserves commendation.

Several grassroots programmes such as free healthcare, free legal aids, free skill acquisition, scholarship, and climate change awareness in the rural communities amongst others undertaken by our organisation over the years were largely sponsored and supported

by Doherty.

His act of generosity and large heartedness is extended to the disadvantaged and less privileged which is an important quality that is lacking in many office holders and those seeking offices today. No wonder, Doherty has received awards from the Spinal Cords Injuries Association and INRI Widows Foundation among numerous awards he has bagged for his immense support of the needy. Some of his awards are as far back as 1980s, 1990s and yet he is still being honoured in this 21st century. This is a testimony that he has invested his youth age in the welfare of the people and has continued to do so with his private earnings. He is worthy of emulation and deserves to be encouraged to do more.

2015: Battle for Yobe gathers momentum Gaidam is sure to clinch the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as it would be difficult for the party to present another candidate to replace him For example, the people of Fika and Potiskum see nothing good in each other economically or politically. This has robbed them of the coveted seat in the state. The other one is Zone C comprising of Barde, Jakusko, Nguru, Karasuwa, Yusufari and Machina local governments. This zone like B has not produced any state executive, but has been blessed with the Secretaries to the State Government (SSGs) including the current one, Baba Gana Machina.

As it stands, Gaidam is sure to clinch the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as it would be difficult for the party to present another candidate to replace him. The reason is that most politicians in the state are not home based. Majority of them live in Abuja and are disconnected from the people at the grassroots. They only come home when invited to occasions by the state government

Gaidam

But there are a number of contenders vying for Gaidam’s seat. They include Senator Ahmed Lawan who has spent eight years in the Senate, and is rumored to be a major contender for the governorship position. His posters have already flooded Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

The senator, who Yobe South Senatorial District, however may not find easy as he has not empowered the people of his constituency, nor attracted any federal project to his district. Even in his home town Gaishua, the headquarters of Barde local government, Lawan is said to be a stranger, though he represents them in the Senate.

Another intending contender for Gaidam’s seat is the former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Waziri. Though

he is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); his political influence cuts across all parties in the state.

He contested the gubernatorial primary of the party in 2011, but lost controversially to late Usman Albishir, and since then the PDP has not been the same in Yobe State. His coming back to contest might be a plus for the party and a threat to the APC. Waziri comes from zone B of the state, and holds enormous power as far a Yobe politics is concerned. As a former minister, he has used his influence to facilitate employment opportunities for Yobe State indigenes in a number of federal establishments in the country.

Another likely aspirant is the former Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Lawan Ngama. His emergence as a minister could be said to be the last straw that broke the PDP’s back in the state. As a minister he was accused of not attracting anything to the people of the state nor empowering any indigene of the state.

And as the leader of the party in the state then, he made sure he polarized the party, he did not fund the party, like when Waziri was the leader of the party in the state as a minister. He comes from Zone C like Senator Ahmed Lawan.

The political terrain in the state cannot be said to be saturated with prominent gubernatorial aspirants. This is either because some of them have lost touch with the grassroots or because of their lack of relevance in their various political parties.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Leading

Woman Princess Olufemi-Kayode, a human rights activist is the founder and Executive Director of Media Concern Initiative. In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, she says that President Goodluck Jonathan is surrounded by sycophants who are making mockery of his government. She also speaks on the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls, among other issues.

Why did you opt for activism despite the hazard associated with fighting for people’s right in Nigeria?

It wasn’t something I just decided to do. It is much more of looking at a need; there is that need and there are issues. And by calling, I found out that for things to move smoothly for the betterment of vulnerable people, particularly women and children, somebody has to be a mouth-piece for those who cannot speak out.

What are the challenges of defending the rights of the vulnerable in the society?

Of course, there have been attacks on self, family, colleagues in the office and office as well. We have had breakings and armed attacks, but we are still standing.

Why do you think we can do better as a nation?

Yes, we can do better. We have the resources, natural, human and financial resources. We have enough to make our country better. Recently, I learnt that the money been siphoned out of this country is much more than the foreign aids to the entire Africa, which means Nigeria alone can fund development issues in Africa.

Despite huge natural and human resources in the country, why do you think many Nigerians are still living in abject poverty?

It is corruption; it started gradually but it is sinking so badly. Corruption doesn’t end with government alone because it is people that occupy public offices. It starts with even little children.

My daughter told me that while in school there was a little argument between 200 Level and 400 Level students, and someone said even children in nursery school would want to buy biscuit for the captain to avoid their name been written on the noisemakers’ list. That is a seed of corruption. So, corruption is not only perpetuated by those working in public offices or politicians; it is as if it is part of our daily bread. It is like if you don’t eat, you can survive for the day and it is in every sector. It is also in the civil society; everywhere you turn, corruption is hitting at you. If you take a case to court, corruption would not allow it to move forward.

During the days of the likes of late Gani Fawehinmi and Beko Ransome-Kuti, people had regard for civil society groups, but today, most human rights activists don’t command respect from the people. What is responsible for that?

It is still the same issue of corruption; people are being bought off. Somebody has been saying I am fighting for people, but suddenly he turns around because he has been given a kick-back to stop talking on that issue. He will just keep

Olufemi-Kayode: Jonathan’s empathy for Chibok girls low not helping him.

Olufemi-Kayode

quiet on the issue because he has been bought. One thing that has brought a lot of people together regardless of tribe, state and religion is the Chibok girls’ issue.

Talking about the Chibok girls, it is over 100 days now that they were kidnapped and there no sign that they would rescued.

Yes. I think the most interesting thing about activism is looking for dynamism.

We started off with the rallies but there are supposed to have been lots of followup actions. Protesting on the streets of Abuja, Lagos and other places and getting social media attention is very good, but Nigeria being a peculiar country, those of us who are trying to put government on its toes needed a lot of different strategies. We are in a very peculiar country considering the fact that we now have Department of State Security alleging that the BringBackOurGirls campaign has now become a franchise.

Truly, there are some among them, who are doing franchise, but there are genuine people who are in the majority, and who are there for the purpose as well as ready to commit their lives for the release of the girls. But there are still a lot of different things to be done to seek for the release of the girls. We have done so much international advocacy and what we need now is local advocacy. Everybody must be ready to be fully involved in pressing for the release of the Chibok girls.

After the kidnapping, many people advised President Goodluck Jonathan to meet the girls’ parents but he did not act until after a meeting with a 17-year old Pakistani activist, Malala Yousafzai.

I think it is about foreign diplomacy, trying to get foreign attention so that they can say he is a good man and he has listened to someone. But I think that does not put him in good light. It is very annoying that what many people have been crying to him locally, even people of influence, prominent Nigerians and elder statesmen beckoned on Mr. President to give audience to the Chibok girls’ parents, he blatantly refused and a 17year old girl showed up in the country and everybody dressed up to meet her.

We make rubbish of ourselves and even an institution like the presidency.

There are young children of Malala’s age who are also among the activists and who are also crying for the Chibok girls and the President did nothing until he was persuaded by Malala to meet with the girls’ parents. It is very sad. It doesn’t

put our President in good light in terms of empathy. If this kind of thing happens in the United States, the U.S President will landed in that dangerous zone and they will show pictures of him meeting with the parents; sitting down with them in a meeting to discuss issues and empathise with them.

For me, the empathy level of our President is zero. It goes beyond calling people behind for closed-door meetings; we need to see that our President cares.

As the father of the nation, he ought to have shot down some activities just because these girls have not been found. We are talking about human lives. Some of the parents of the Chibok girls have died because of the trauma of losing their children.

How did you feel when the issue was initially politicised?

That is what we always come to when anything happens in the country. When something happens, they say it is the opposition; APC says it is PDP and PDP says it is APC and our President sits down and says it is the opposition. So everything has been politicised. That is not what is expected of the office of Mr. President. It is true that he got to the office through a political platform but he was sworn into office to protect the interest of the people and not his party.

With what is happening now, people are playing hanky-panky with the office of the President and it is as if we don’t even have the office.

Why did you say so?

It is because he is not playing his role. There is too much funfair; we see our President in funfair. While we were talking about people been kidnapped, we see our President in Ankara going to occasions. It doesn’t speak well of him. I don’t know who his advisers are; they are not advising him appropriately. He has a lot of people around him who are

There is too much funfair... I don’t know who his advisers are; they are not advising him appropriately. He has a lot of people around him who are not helping him

Is it right then to say that President Jonathan is surrounded by sycophants?

Exactly, they are making a mess and mockery of his tenure. Of course every President would still talk to people and they will get advice; he can’t make all decisions by himself alone, so he needs series of thinking on what to do from those who are advising him on different issues and that is why he has different advisers, who are supposed to be specialist in different issues. But it seems they are not advising him very well because the behaviour of our President doesn’t seem he has people who know what they are telling him. In a democratic government, it is wrong for any government to be fighting civil society groups and the media as if we are in a military rule.

There has not been much difference in this particular tenure between civilian rule and military era. People are been hijacked, people are shutting down stations and using military for different things. There is much waste and so much corruption in the country. It is painful that some people are stealing from the country’s treasury to the detriment of Nigerians who need little help to survive.

What do you think is Nigeria’s major problem?

We have a system that is not very okay.

It is not just the federal, state or local government. We keep saying that our democracy is in transition. We started this democracy about 15 years ago and if a baby who was born at that time is not walking or doing certain things that is expected of his age, then it means that the baby is sick or has a disability. We don’t like telling ourselves the truth and that is why we have problems with those saying the truth. Nigeria is sick. Nigeria is a 60 year-old child with disability and we really need to sit down and be truthful to ourselves for posterity.

Why are we not giving the youths chance to contribute their quota to Nigeria’s growth and development? A party in Nigeria has a 60-year old man as Youth Leader; they don’t want to let go. Their generation have to go and sleep and shut up. The same people are being recycled as leaders; they don’t want to go. Nelson Mandela came in as South African president, did one term and stepped down.

The people wanted him to do a second term but he didn’t do it and because of that people respected him.

In Nigeria today, we have elder statesmen who are still seeking to be President in 2015. The agenda of politicians has not changed. They don’t deal on issues they are still dealing with the same good road and they do it as if they want to do us a favour. To give me good road to walk on is my right.

Quality healthcare is the right of every Nigerian; it is not a privilege.

To give us good education is not a privilege; to make sure that we have constant electricity supply is our right.

So, should someone campaign to me that he has another 7-Point Agenda, which is still the same old thing?

Would you advice more women to venture into politics?

I think more women are actually trying but it has been difficult. More women have actually tried and we are having more of them who are actually trying and who want to genuinely contest to make change. But in fairness, it is difficult; even at the party level; it is difficult for the women. The leaders of the various parties should give more tickets to the women and support them as well.

18 POLITICS Like all young democracies, Nigerians are learning the ropes of concepts, ideals and intricacies that constitute popular governance, and how to tap into them. In this report, ETAGHENE EDIRIN examines the Ekiti and Osun pre election debates as a measure of how politicians and citizens use it

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Osun: Election debate as challenge of democracy

I

n the run up to elections into various political offices in the country, a good number of Nigerians have continued to advocate that channels be created for candidates seeking elections to make intellectual presentations on how they intend to run the affairs of state if voted into power. Such debates, they argue will enable Nigerians understand the candidates better, and gauge their capabilities, in terms of policy development and implementation, for the benefit of the people and society at large.

At such debates, issues can be addressed, and important questions answered, which may not be given a place during the normal campaign trains, which are usually rowdy, uncoordinated and more or less a monologue by candidates seeking elective position and their acquaintances. Here, the population, and most importantly, the voters can hear directly from the horse’s mouth as it were, without the well crafted arguments, or sugar coated words of campaign strategists, advertising experts or public relations managers.

Over the years, a number of groups and organisations have organized such debates for candidates to present themselves to the electorate to convince them on why they should be voted for.

It has also presented opportunities for them to educate and enlighten the voters on certain issues, or misconceptions.

To give candidates in the recently concluded Ekiti State governorship election a chance to present their plan of action, the states’ branches of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) came together to organise debates for the governorship candidates contesting that position. The running mates of the candidates were also to be featured in the debate.

The NUJ chairman, Ekiti State Council, Mr. Laolu Omosilade and chairman, NBA, Ado Ekiti branch, Mr. Joseph Adewumi, said the debates would afford all contestants the opportunity to tell Ekiti people their manifestos, and was to be based on issues rather than using abusive and provocative words.

Another coalition of youth organisations, Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE) a coalition of young Nigerians promoting good governance and citizen engagement, also organised a live television debate for the top three candidate in that election, in which the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ayodele Fayose declined participation.

Fayose who is a former governor of the state, explained that he turned down an invitation to attend the debate organised by EiE because it was sponsored by a particular governorship candidate, and as such might be biased.

An aide of the ex-governor, Lere Olayinka, said his principal would not participate in a “sponsored election debate. That group EiE got money for the event; Fayemi paid them millions”, he alleged.

According to him, “EiE was founded

by Chude Jideonwo, the organiser of Future Awards and owner of Ynaija.

Every Tom and Dick and Harry cannot

Aregbesola

organize debates, same way any serious candidate should not attend just any debate. Fayose will only attend debates organised by Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, BON, or any other credible organisation. You may recall BON organised one during Ondo elections”.

Also in Osun State, which governorship contest comes up shortly on August 9, a debate was organized for the leading candidates by the International Republican Institute (IRI).

But it was only attended by the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola who is the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He therefore had all the time allotted for the programme tagged ‘Manifesto Hour’ to himself. The Labour Party candidate, Mr. Fatai Akinbade, sent his running mate to stand in for him, but was disallowed by organizers, who explained that candidates would not be represented by proxies.

This drew the ire of Akinbade, who viewed it as disrespect of his running mate, and by extension, his party. “My deputy, who was accompanied to the programme by the state chairman of our party, Barrister Tunde Olatunji, and others, was shabbily treated. He was not allowed to feature,” Mr. Akinbade said through his Director of Media, Kayode Oladeji.

“Despite the fact that the information supplied by the organizers was not full, I still made sure I was represented not just by anybody but by my running mate in person of M.I.T Adenipekun.

So for anybody to say I shunned the event is nothing but mischief,” he added.

Mr. Akinbade insisted that the organizer’s notice of invitation did not specify that a running mate cannot represent a gubernatorial candidate.

“How then do they want me to know that I could not be represented? Besides, the office of the governor is one which explains why the country’s constitution created the position of deputy or vice as the case may be. With that, if (I’m) not available, my deputy automatically fills the gap,” Mr. Akinbade added.

The PDP candidate, Iyiola Omisore on his part reportedly claimed that he was supposedly superior to the APC

Omisore

Worldwide, election debates are organized by professionally impartial bodies demonstrating the highest level of professional competence candidate and incumbent, Governor Aregbesola, which made it a match “between two unequal parties”. He also inferred that the “weaker of the two parties may resort to physical assault and harassment”.

However, the state chapter of APC faulted the reasons adduced by Senator Omisore, for not showing up at the pre-governorship election debate in Osogbo, the state capital, describing his arguments as “the wisdom of a fool”.

The party in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Barr. Kunle Oyatomi, noted that it was disheartening that Omisore’s remark came after the event, adding that “Aregbesola was majestic and at home with facts and figures on how his administration had prudently managed the state’s economy”.

Omisore, the APC said, has missed his chance to convince the world that he was mentally and intellectually mature enough to handle difficult situations under pressure in a robust and critical debate.

“The truth of the matter is that, like all inadequate personalities, Omisore was and continues to be afraid of confronting Aregbesola who can expose his lies with incontrovertible facts.

That was why he ran away from the debate – simplicita” the statement added.

When contacted by an online media on the issue, Omisore said that he was not properly invited to the debate. He added that he only received a text message on the morning of the day of the event. Speaking through his Director of Media and Publicity, Diran Odeyemi, Omisore said he did not receive any formal letter inviting him, a claim the organizers rejected.

“It was only this morning that our

Jega

candidate (Mr. Omisore) received a text message reminding him of the debate and that he was being expected at the OSBC studios. We did not receive any letter from them. We have a rally today in Ikirun and as I speak to you, we are on our way there”, Odeyemi said.

However, in a press statement released shortly afterwards, Mr. Omisore accused the APC of financing the debate.

“Senator Omisore is ever ready to debate with other aspirants to present his vision and mission,” said a statement issued by Odeyemi.

“As a widely known public figure, the PDP candidate has embarked on an unprecedented campaign model, reaching directly voters in all the political wards and at times in voting units across the state. Any opportunity to share vision of how to rescue Osun State from the mess by the APC government is welcome,” Mr. Odeyemi said.

“The sordid organization on the part of the organizers also raised questions about their credibility and financiers.

Our checks confirmed that the organizers operate from Government House in Oshogbo while they work for an organization financed by the APC political family,” Mr. Odeyemi said.

Omisore’s aide agreed that worldwide, election debates are organized by professionally impartial bodies demonstrating the highest level of professional competence. And that no responsible political organization would submit to a biased and badly organized election debate especially by a group whose political profile is shady and whose motive is suspect.

Many analysts are of the view that the efforts to organise such debates is a commendable, but contend that they still largely remain irrelevant and have no impact on the outcome of elections in Nigeria because of the level of political development in the country. This is even as they said there is the need to encourage such debates until we ‘get there’.

They admonish that a number of politicians shy away from the debates because, though they may exhibit eloquence in the field, in front of a ‘rented’ crowd, they lack the intellectual depth needed to participate in a political debate which is an intellectual contest.

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19

EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 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

FRIday, AUGUST 1, 2014

A promising cure for HIV?

cientists claim to have taken an “exciting” step towards curing HIV by forcing the virus out of hiding. HIV can become part of someone’s DNA and lie dormant for decades, making a cure impossible. Early stage research in six people, reported at the Aids 2014 Conference, shows that lowdose chemotherapy can awaken the virus. Experts said it was a promising start, but it was unlikely the drug would work on its own to cure HIV. Anti-viral drugs can drive HIV down to undetectable levels in the bloodstream, meaning people who are HIV-positive can have a near-normal life expectancy.

But there is a problem. HIV can incorporate its DNA into our own, where it lies beyond the reach of drugs and the immune system - it is known as the HIV reservoir.

When drug treatment stops, the virus can leap out of the reservoir and renew its assault. International research is aimed at flushing the virus out of its reservoirs. A team at Aarhaus University in Demark tried using a chemotherapy drug, romidepsin, which is used in lymphoma. Six HIV patients with undetectable levels of the virus were enrolled into trial. They each received a reduced dose of romidepsin once a week for three weeks. There was a noticeable jump in viral levels in the blood in

five of the patients.

It is significant to observe that one of the scientists involved, Dr. Ole Sogaard said: “Every step forward is always exciting, and I think this is quite important.” He said there had been a lot of skepticism about the drug being potent enough. “We’ve shown it is possible to kick the virus out of the cells; the next step is to actually kill the cells. The trial now moves into a new phase, which combines the romidepsin with something to enhance the immune system and in our case this is an HIV vaccine.

Side-effects were those normally associated with chemotherapy, including fatigue.”

“There are still many challenges ahead,” Sogaard stressed. The team cannot say what proportion of cells hiding HIV is being activated by Romidepsin. Another looming question is which reservoirs are being successfully targeted.

HIV can hide in immune cells in the blood, but there are bigger reservoirs in the gut and central nervous systems and it is not clear whether they are activated by the blood-based chemotherapy. We know it’s a step forward, but we don’t know how big; it might just be a single step or it could be a great leap forward,” Dr. Sogaard added. Romidepsin works by “relaxing” tight coiled up bundles of DNA. This exposes the hidden HIV

genetic code and leads to the production of new viruses. Dr. Andrew Freedman, a reader in infectious diseases at Cardiff University, said: “As a proof of concept it does look promising. The search for a cure is very much on, it’s not going to be easy and it’s unlikely a single drug like this would be sufficient. There’s a lot of doubt it would be enough to deplete the reservoir completely.

Most people think a single approach will not be enough, a drug like this perhaps needs to be combined with vaccines or even gene-therapy.”

Nigeria recorded 300,000 new cases in 2012, even as the country was ranked as number eight among 12 countries in the world that have recorded a decline in the new Human Immuno-deficiency Virus, HIV, infection rate. However, Benue State still leads other states in the federation in HIV prevalence with a prevalence rate of 10.7 percent, while Kebbi state with 1.0 per cent recorded the least prevalence rate in the country. Benue State is closely followed by Akwa Ibom with 10 percent, Bayelsa State, 9.1 percent and Anambra, 8.1 percent. Statistics released by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Nigeria and 11 other countries recorded 20 percent reduction in new infection rate between 2001 and 2011.

The UN report titled “2013 Progress Report on The Global Plan: Towards the elimination of new HIV

infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive” is the most recent on the global plan, which seeks an elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015, as well as keep their mothers alive.

Despite the efforts of the federal and state governments to check the spread of HIV, the report shows that the prevalence rate of HIV among Nigerian children has remained relatively stagnant with no significant improvement, while that of several other countries was improving with fewer prevalence rates than before.

“In several countries, the pace of decline in the numbers of children newly infected has been slow and the numbers have actually risen in Angola. Nigeria has the largest number of children acquiring HIV infection - nearly 60,000 in 2012, a number that has remained largely unchanged since 2009,” the report stated. The UN said it was worried about the prevalence rate of HIV among Nigerian children and warned that if Nigeria was not serious in curbing HIV in children, part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) would not be realised by 2015.

The Nigerian government and well-meaning Nigerians must as a matter of priority fund research as part of the global effort to find a permanent solution to the HIV/ AIDS pandemic.

GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Deputy Managing Director/DEIC YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

20

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

OPINION Sardauna’s successors, sustaining suckers T

he good that men do lives after them. Little wonder we continue to talk about Sir Ahmadu Bello, Premier of the mammoth Northern region and the greatest Sardauna of Sokoto.

He was not a man that would hide his first love-the people he led. Let us even call him the Chief Servant because he served the North. Sarduana was a Prince of the Sokoto Caliphate but nobody saw him as a Lord.

All that you find in the North, all the good things about that part of the country came when he was in charge. Ahmadu Bello was a godfather who gave politicians breathing space. He also gave them lebensraum [living space]. Unlike today’s overlords who choke live out of their stooges.

A man like that could refuse the plum position of Prime Minister to concentrate on the development of his region.

Instead, he sent Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to Lagos to go blow grammar in his golden voice.

After Sardauna’s assassination in 1966, the North became even more powerful. General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi who became the first military ruler of the country, was so busy pacifying the North that he did not know when they took his live.

Then came Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon who broke the North into six new states. From then on, it was a bazaar, like Nigeria belonged to one half. Since 1957,they have ruled this country for 38 years. They have held prime positions and seen so much money.

But you see the difference. Poverty is the name of the North. For so many young ones, tomorrow means nothing. Begging is like a career. Father, mother, sister, brother everyone will end up asking for coins.

This is the lot of the North, which under Sarduana could feed itself. A region so endowed with natural resources, full of agricutural wealth, abandoned everything seeking for power in Lagos.

While Ahamdu Bello stayed back in Kaduna to develop his people, his successors chose to live in Lagos and Abuja forgetting their roots. Food was power and they held on to it.

With all their power and money, not even crumbs got to the masses. The Talakawa remained downtrodden. Sarduana was a man of the people. Those he raised through scholarship and favours ran away from the people.

You cannot find any mansion belonging to the great Northerner anywhere. He built people. Those after him bought cars and built mansions.

That is where we are today. The masses have become the terrorists of today. Insurgency has occupied the North. No one is safe. Those who squandered all their wealth are not spared. Muslims, christians, young and old. The butchery is frightening.

Now, those who looted the country dry cannot even enjoy

their loot. It is so bad that they are relocating to Lagos and Abuja, from where they stole. Their North has become so hot for everyone.

And this nation is forced to suffer. Let no one be deceived.

Insurgency is not all about President Goodluck Jonathan.

Even if you hand over power to The Emir of Jibiya, the war will continue.

Thank God Gen. Muhammadu Buhari did not die. The war that would have ensued was definitely going to consume Nigeria. Buhari is one of the few who did not steal.

And that is the best man from the North for now.

Ahmadu Bello did not plan for this. He did not pray for a North that would remain backward forever. The man put the North on auto pilot. Now the region does not seem to remember that the Sardauna had vision.

This is also reminding fellow Nigerians that our future is doomed if we do not learn from this insurgency. Nobody knows the man in control. At least, during the Niger Delta militancy, Dr. Jonathan, as Vice President could go talk to the Boys in the creeks. Today sending Vice President Namadi Sambo to Sambisa is ruled out.

In the Niger Delta, an Edwin Clark or Ankio Briggs could negotiate for government. In Sambisa, all we hear are stories of snakes and wild animals. Nobody is Clark enough, nobody is Ankio enough to talk to those who make Nigerians cry every day.

All those who were in positions to help the North, to continue from where Ahmadu Bello stopped and failed to do so, have every reason to bury their heads in shame.

Rebuilding political town of Kokori Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe

T

he political town of Kokori is an integral part of the various communities in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State in South-South Nigeria. The medium size town of approximately 10,000 population played host to leaders, elders and thousands of Peoples Democratic Party faithful during monthly and strategic political gatherings from 1999 till later part of 2011 before Chief Bernard Edewor took over the mantle of political leadership as the LGA PDP general leader.

Chief Edewor hails from Eku, a sister Agbon community and as such PDP political consultation and monthly general meetings shifted base from Kokori on a rotational arrangement.

Before Edewor was unanimously chosen to politically lead the people of Ethiope East, the current Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on International Treaties and Agreement, Olorogun (Honourable) Sunny Akpodiogaga Emeyese (a Lawyer and a Rotarian), controlled the political machinery of the party in the LGA from 1999 till when he was elected member of the National Assembly in 2011. He served as the House of Assembly Representative for twelve years and left as the House Leader, making him the number three officer at the Delta State House of Assembly.

During his tenure at the Delta State House of Assembly (1999 to 2001), Kokori town bubbled socially even though the communities lacked visible development

occasioned by poor political representation which was characterized by nearly 67 abandoned constituency projects, over-inflated contracts and massive well-concealed corruption. His current four years in the National Assembly will bring his years in political representation to 16 (1999 till date) which is why our people are bent on electing another political actor to go garner the dividend of democracy for our people and communities.

The Youths who were already grumbling and yearning for empowerment and socio-economic integration prior to the federal elections in 2011, got excited and full of hope when the man they looked up for the attainment of their dreams won the elections. The youths, women and children jubilated and felt that if nothing was achieved between 1999 and 2011, it was obvious now that the federal representation will attract substantial federal constituency projects to the political town of Kokori in particular and Ethiope federal constituency in general. Hon Emeyese is an indigene of Kokori town. But alas, things got worse as the people’s representative distanced himself from Kokori community when it was faced with youth restiveness and subsequent military occupation. Frustration and anger started building up. Hunger and depression enveloped the youths and the people until the outburst of violence in June last year which ravaged the political town of Kokori.

The frustration and anger of the youths was primarily anchored on the fact that

they have been used cheaply at the risk of their lives to consistently prosecute election for their representatives only to be abandoned after victories. They complained of not having job slots at both state and federal civil service. The political town of Kokori presently has over 600 university graduates who are patrolling the streets in search of jobs. Majority of them are engaged in menial jobs, petty trading, bus conductors, gate-men, political bouncers and casual workers in local factories in Ughelli, Warri, Asaba, Bayelsa and neighbouring communities. Job recruitment in State owned agencies and corporations eluded them as there is no political figure to endorse or facilitate their employment.

Majority of them parade second class upper division in several disciplines of academic excellence.

The spill-over of the anger and frustration accounted for the agitation for the Oil-money reparation for which the youths gave the federal government ultimate to “settle Kokori Community” for the quantum quantity of crude oil that has been drilled from the community since 1958.

The youths vexed their anger on government when political representation had failed them completely. This event led to the massive bombardment of Kokori town by the military as a result of heavy clashes between the youths on the one part and the federal forces on the other part. Houses were razed down, vehicles burnt, innocent people were killed and the bubbling political town of Kokori became a ghost town

for nearly twelve months.

At the moment, peace has returned substantially to Kokori town, political and economic activities are picking up gradually but not without fear of reprisal by the youths who have vowed to keep agitating until their living condition improves. They are bitter over the socio- economic injustice that has been inflicted on them by self-centered and unscrupulous political actors and successive governments. Delta State Governor had fruitful consultations with the youths and community leaders on the way forward. We urge the governor to take a step further by initiating strategies that will stabilize peace and security.

This clarion call is for our caring Governor, Dr. Emmanual Uduaghan and peace loving President Goodluck Jonathan. The duo should help us to rebuild the destroyed political town of Kokori so that our people will feel the impact of the dividend of democracy and gains of Mr. President’s transformation agenda. Kokori community should also be included in the disbursement of funds for affected communities from the Boko Haram fund, which the government is currently galvanizing, considering the fact that federal government military force, as a result of vexed retaliation on their troops by some of our youths, wreaked havoc on the political town of Kokori.

• Dr Latimore Oghenesivbe, a Kokori indigene in Ethiope Federal Constituency in Delta State wrote from Lagos.

ARTS FRIDAY, August 1, 2014

CULTURE

21 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

TONY oKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

okuyemeogom@yahoo.com

The literary artist lends verbal depth to the visual.

The visual artist provides visible articulation for the literary." ― Aberjhani

Indigenous languages imperative for technological development, says Babawale Tony Okuyeme

“O

ur dream for technological development will remain a mirage if we do not develop our indigenous languages. There is no country that has developed technologically and industrially without using its own language. The history of the South East Asian nations like Korea and others shows clearly that we have to do that, we have to imbibe that,” says the Director General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) Prof. Tunde Babawale.

The erudite scholar and Professor of political economy and international relations, University of Lagos, said this in an interview in his office in Lagos. No doubt, his tenure as DG of CBAAC has been marked by some measure of success as he has been able to transform the Centre into the most vibrant parastatal in the Ministry.

“Our programmes in the promotion of the indigenous languages have led to the production of autographs which we have handed over the project to the Federal Ministry of Education. But we are not stopping there; and but for the fact that we have the challenge of funding, we had intended that we are going to work on other minority languages over a period of time. I am sure that as soon as funds begin to role in, even if we are not here to do it, I am sure the Centre is committed to the issue of promoting indigenous languages. All I can say is that with the advocacy that we have engaged in in promoting indigenous Languages, it has become fashionable for people and government to be joining in that advocacy. At every forum, even in churches and mosques, and in radio and television programmes people now talk about trying to train our children in indigenous languages. This is partly due to some of the things some of us have done in that area. And I can only say that even if we are unable to quantify the impact right now, the fact that people are talking about it and discussing it is an important part of the solution,” he said, adding that one of the problems that they have had in the past is that people have behaved as if the problem didn’t exist.

“That has compounded the problem because nobody was worried about it; nobody saw it as a problem. But we have now seen it, that even UNESCO statistic show that we have 7000 languages in the world, every two weeks one of them dies. And why do they die? They die because people don’t speak them; they die because they are not developed and when you develop it the vocabulary is reduced and the competency is reduced; the speaker is reduced. That is what we have experienced. We spoke Yoruba because our parents spoke Yoruba to us. Our children don’t speak it because we have not been speaking Yoruba to our children. And their competence in it is reducing. You could imagine what will happen to their children if nothing is done to correct the situation that we

Minister of Tourism, culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke and Prof Babawale, flanked by winners at the annual Children Cultural Festival 2011

are in now. So, thankfully people are talking about it, and they now see the danger of behaving as if that problem does not exist. And I have always said it, that the simplest solution to this problem as part of this advocacy is to speak indigenous language. Let’s speak it in the house; let’s speak it in the school, let’s use it in the church; let’s use it in the mosque. And over time people will begin to imbibe them; and that is one thing that I think we have succeeded in doing.

“We are not there yet; don’t get me wrong; but we are on the right track.

What we need now is not just government but every one of us. It is a task that must be done by all Nigerian. It is not just government alone. If government even introduces the policy and engages in the advocacy and parents don’t do anything about it, it will be like water off the back of a duck. It won’t have any effect. But I think that there is a lot government can do.

Support to this kind of advocacy first and foremost; secondly, fund heavily in indigenous language schools; fund agencies like CBAAC to be able to continue with its crusade so that we can continue with those minority languages, develop the competencies of their languages. Even in the future, try to make them languages of technology.

“Our dream for technological development will remain a mirage if we do not develop our indigenous languages because I have not seen a country that has advanced industrially and technologically that has not done so carrying its language along, using its language as an instrument of development. This is why when you see a product from any part of the country, any parts of the world; it comes with imprint of the language of that country. When the Germans make their car the manual of the car will be written in German; if the Jap-

Our dream for technological development will remain a mirage if we do not develop our indigenous languages because I have not seen a country that has advanced industrially and technologically that has not done so carrying its language along anese make theirs it will be written in Japanese; if the English make theirs it will be written in English. That is why you know an American car from a European car. Everything is done in the languages of the people. There is no country that has developed technologically and industrially without using its own language. The history of the South East Asian nations like Korea and others shows clearly that we have to do that, we have to imbibe that. And that the centre of gravity of technology and industrial development in the world is even moving gradually from the West to the East.

“But having said that, we have started on a journey and we need to encourage government to do it. For example, I have been advocating that, in addition to English language and Mathematics, a credit pass in an indigenous Nigerian language must be made compulsory for anybody that wants to go into a higher institution in Nigeria. In doing that government would have done its own part in making it compulsory. Right now in some private schools where they started teaching Yoruba and Igbo languages

they have stopped them because government didn’t make it compulsory.

Without our language there is no way we will get anywhere. That is what it has shown.

“Let me also make the point that in terms of opening up the eyes of our people towards the importance of our culture I think we have done a lot in that direction. We have through our series of lectures and seminars shown that even corrupt practices can be linked to the fact we have neglected our culture.”

He recalled that when he took up this appointment his main objective was to take CBAAC to the man on the street, and secondly, he had a plan to take culture beyond the realm of antiquity and make culture something that will be reckoned with in the fiscal policy of the nation; and something that every person in the country will be willing to talk about.

“Thankfully, in the last five years or so, it has become what you can call a household subject, such that every school, every institution has now incorporated culture into their programme. I remember that when we came on board about eight years ago you rarely have schools or universities having days set aside for culture, but today you rarely have any school that does not have that as part of its annual programme. It has become as popular as prize giving day. That may not be necessarily due to CBAAC’s effort alone but at least I know that we have contributed a little into making that a reality.

“The second point to make is that, apart from changing the psyche and the psychology of our staff and their orientation, we have also been able to make some contributions to the development of this sector as it were.

Within the period that we have been CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

22 ART Tony Okuyeme

T

he Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ben Nwankwo has said as the leader of Black countries in the world, Nigeria was supposed to have a unique cultural identity, worthy of emulation and that it is imperative for the country to mainstream its culture and tourism sector in the national economic activities and business to achieve this.

This was contained in a goodwill message he delivered at the opening ceremony of the 7th edition of the African Arts and Crafts Expo (AFAC 2014), with the theme, “African Arts and Crafts: Tool for Economic Empowerment,” on Tuesday, July 22, at the Eagle Square, Abuja-FCT. According to him, it was the responsibility of everybody in the culture and tourism sector to play their role in interpreting and promoting the sector to those in the corridors of power to enable them understand the inherent potentials in the sector that are yet to be tapped.

“The task before all of us in the sector is to get the operators and planners of the economy to understand the input and potentials of culture and tourism sector in national productivity and to understand the need to mainstream the sector in our overall economic planning,” he said.

Expressing regrets that the nation was yet to realize that there were huge potentials locked somewhere and someone was holding the key, Nwankwo maintained that, “AFAC is one of the veritable platforms through which the potentials inherent in the sector could be unlocked so that wealth can be gen-

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Nwankwo advocates mainstreaming of culture sector The task before all of us in the sector is to get the operators and planners of the economy to understand the input and potentials of culture and tourism sector in national productivity

Atilogu cultural dance

erated, jobs could be created and of course, I see in all ramifications that culture is an instrument of international diplomacy which is what we call cultural diplomacy and by telling people about who you are, you are telling people to get to know you more.”

While describing this year’s AFAC as different in multiple dimensions, especially in terms of packaging, content development and variety of items, with

the participation of very many countries, Nwankwo also pledged the support of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism to continue to do its best by deploying legislative instrumentation and budgetary allocation that will step up the sector to the next level.

He particularly commended the Honourable Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, for his vigorous efforts in trying

to interpret the culture sector to the rest of his colleagues and to the entire Nigerians and also commended the organizers of AFAC, led by the Executive Director, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mr. M.M. Maidugu, for putting together such a unique event this year, expressing hope that the 8th edition next year will be more promoted, such that states or local governments that have rich cultural heritages would have no excuse not to attend.

So far, 16 countries, Cameroon, Chad, China, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Iran, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Philippines, Senegal, South Korea, Sudan, Taiwan, and Trinidad & Tobago, and 10 States of the Federation, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Lagos and Taraba States, are already on ground participating in the event.

Indigenous language imperative for technological development CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

in the office, CBAAC was moved from the National Theatre, Iganmu, where it was more or less located to a strategic part of Lagos, on Broad Street.

And now has a roof over its own head; and can claim to be an organization that is independent,” he said.

Continuing, he said, “We have been able to institutionalize an annual international conferenced series which we have held consistently for eight years outside the country, and it has become the hallmark or the flagship of our programmes in CBAAC. And that has also opened us to partnership and collaborations with agencies in Cameroun, Mozambique, Mali; with the African Union, UNESCO, and the Centre for the Advanced Studies of African Societies in cape Town, South Africa, African Institute of South Africa in Pretoria, and SEPIR in Brazil; also, recently, the Marcus Garvey Institute in Jamaica, and a number of other organisations all over the world. That has been due to our exposure through this our international conference. The other point to make is that as fallout of activities in many of these diaspora countries, we have not only been able to facilitate the signing of an MoU in the area of culture, and the area of research between the government of Nigeria and the government of Brazil, we have indeed been able to open Nigeria to some of these countries with which we have had a relationship. I would like to mention Brazil for a start; I can follow it up by mentioning a country like Trinidad which we started to make relationship with as far back as 2006, and which today has become Nigeria’s closest partner in the area of culture. Our relationship with Jamaica has been taken a step further by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that we now have a joint Nigeria-Jamaica Commission.

“And in Brazil, we have deepened that connection, that partnership with that country to the point that

I hope that with better funding, those who are going to take over from us are going to do more much than we have done, and expand the frontiers of the achievements that we think we have recorded the federal government has set up what we call a Mechanism for Strategic Partnership. And the inaugural meeting of that mechanism was held in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, last year November. The Nigerian delegation was led by the Vice President of Nigeria, Architect Namadi Sambo.

And the follow up meeting of that mechanism is going to take place in Abuja in October this year. That I believe is also part of the indirect consequences of our activities in Brazil.

And as I mentioned earlier, directly as a consequence of our influence and our effort in Brazil, Brazil proposed a signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigeria in 2010. It was signed between Nigeria’s Minister of Culture and the then Minister of Serpil, Mr. Santos on March 15, 2010.

“In addition to that, we have been able to establish two modern galleries in CBAAC today. We have our own gallery that is called the pan-African Heritage Centre which compares favourably with any gallery anywhere in world, in terms of the content, in terms of the form, and in terms of its appearance. And of course, on October 2013, we were able to inaugurate the Ambassador Segun Olusola Resource Centre here

in CBAAC. These are the two main galleries. In our office in Abuja, we have also been able to construct what we have described as a Black and African Hall of Fame; even if it is not as equipped as we want it to be on account of poor funding from government, but we have gone a long way.

And I wish that we go there before I leave office so that we can officially commission it. But we already have a hall of fame, which is in existence in Buari in Abuja today.”

Speaking further, he said that apart from their numerous programmes of trying to catch the youths young and introducing them to “our values and our norms, and making them true Africans which we do through programmes such as our International Children’s Day, our Day of the African Child, our annual Children Cultural Festival which we hold every December, where we encourage our children to engage in cultural quiz competition, debate in the area of culture and also performances in the area of African culture; that has become institutionalized now, we have moved beyond that now, to also make foray into the development of our indigenous languages.

“You recall that in partnership with the Centre for the Advanced Study of African Societies, we have tried to improve on the competence of our indigenous languages; and we have started with four main languages in Nigeria, namely Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and Ijaw languages. And we have successfully harmonized the autographies of the Yoruba language, of Igbo language, of Hausa language and of Ijaw language.

It is interesting to know note that before this time, there has been no acceptable, uniform, harmonised autography for the Igbo language; and to the best of my knowledge, there has been none for the Ijaw language. We’ve had for the Hausa which was done by the Academy of African Languages with which we also have a partnership, that is an arm of the AU. But that for the

Babawale

Ijaw language and that for the Igbo language had not been achieved before the effort that we made recently.

Thankfully we have also succeeded in producing four monographs out of that and we have handed over these project to the Federal Ministry of Education so that they can work with and use it to influence the curriculum of our schools.

“So these are some of the achievements that we have recorded within the period God has given us to lead this crusade. And I think that even though we may not be fulfilled in terms of what we intend to achieve, but at least we know that a difference has been made from what we met on the ground and what we are leaving behind now. I hope that with better funding, those who are going to take over from us are going to do more much than we have done, and expand the frontiers of the achievements that we think we have recorded. But I must give our appreciation to the national assembly, the Ministry of Culture, especially the Honourable Minister who have cooperated with us and have assisted greatly in making it possible for us to achieve the little that we have achieved during the period in question,” Prof. Babawale said.

MEDIA 23

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Sony Neme

T

he 35th Durban International Film Festival, DIFF, organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (a special project of the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the College of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter) has been as expected. At the heart of it is a subtropical forest of the film from the new industry hub at the Elangeni Hotel.

There you will find a menagerie of movie species - some rare and endangered, some easy to spot, some dangerous, some playful. That is what the DIFF, which ran for 10 days from 17 - 27 July, Durban represented as it was transformed into a celluloid jungle, teeming with film screenings at nine wild venues around the city.

The festival is held annually every July from inception and it is reputed as the biggest and most attended film festival in Africa after FESPACO with an estimated annual attendance of more than 5000 filmmakers and moviegoers.

It comes with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development & Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, City of Durban, German Embassy, Goethe Institute, Industrial Development Corporation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and range of other valued partners.

The festival, which includes more than 200 theatrical screenings and a full seminar and workshop programme, however, had a sprinkle of Nollywood in it. The festival had as well the Wavescape Film Festival, the Wild Talk Africa Film Festival, and various industry initiatives, including the 7th Talents Durban (in cooperation with Talents Berlinale) and the 5th Durban FilmMart co-production market (in partnership with the Durban Film Office); all roled into an interesting package.

Interst6ingly, two Nigerian films that stood out on the festival feature film showcase, we reliably scooped, were Chika Anadu’s B for Boy and Biyi Bandele’s much publicised Half Of A Yello Sun. though they were not in competition. Meaning they are only featuring on the showcase and are not in contention for the viewer’s choice award or the jury award.

VEVE a Kenyan/ Germany co-production is in competition at the 2014 edition of the Durban International film festival.

“You will recall that B for Boy was named best film in African language named after Osmanne Sembene and it also got the Joyce Banda award for film that best treated a female issue. Also, a Nigerian short film Living Funeral by Udoka Oyeka is also on the short film showcase,” explained our very reliable source from Durban, South Africa.

He further said, “Udoka himself is in Durban as part of the Durban talent campus, a training programme for emerging film talents held as part of the festival.” Living funeral was nominated in the short film category of the last AMAA and has received several nominations including several nominations at AMVCA. It also screened at the short film corner of the just held Cannes international film festival Another interesting spectacle at the festival was the 5th Durban FilmMart that held from 18 - 21 July Now in its 5th year, the Durban Film Mart, a partnership project with Durban Film office and supported by the City of Durban, is a film finance and co-production market presented in three strands - Finance Forum, Master Classes and the Africa in Focus seminars. 20 selected African projects (10 fiction features and 10 documentaries) had an opportunity to hold one-on-one meetings with potential financiers,

Jenna Bass left receives her award for SA Film at the 35th Durban International Film Festival. From left Peter Machen (DIFF Manager), and jury members Neil Coppen, Katrina Hedren, Darryl Els.

Nigerian movies shine at Durban International FilmFest co-producers and distributors in the Finance Forum.

The projects also had an opportunity to pitch their projects to a panel of international commissioning editors in the DFM Pitching Forum, a structured pitching forum for both fiction and documentary films. The DFM masterclass programme is open to registered delegates only.

See www.durbanfilmmart.com for further details.

It’s a co-production between the film industry development arm of the city of Durban, the Durban Film Office and the DIFF, South Africa’s largest and longest-running film festival and a flagship project of the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZuluNatal).

Khalo Matabane, acclaimed South African filmmaker presented “The Films That Made Me” at the DIFF. Returning to the film festival for the second time. Matabane came in a section that presents a programme of five films selected by a prominent South African director, in a testament to the films that have shaped his or her directorial voice.

Matabane also explained that, “I would argue, is the director’s finest film; Hitchcock is one of the greatest filmmakers in the world - period.

I love many of his films, like Psycho, but Rear Window (Alfred Hitchcock, 1954) is, for lack of better phrase, really a mind ****!, while the title of the Decline of the American Empire (Denys Arcand 1986) I love because it captures the state of the world in which we live.

Denys Arcand is truly an under-appreciated filmmaker.”

Khalo Matabane was born June 18, 1974 in Ga Mphahlele, a village in Limpopo, South Africa. He has directed numerous documentaries, drama series, campaigns, commercials, taught about cinema and politics at schools. Along with his work as a filmmaker, Matabane also occasionally writes about cinema and politics. His first feature film State of Violence (2010) screened to critical acclaim at Toronto and the Berlinale. Set in Johannesburg, it is the story of a man who wife gets killed in what seems like a random act of violence. He goes on a journey searching for the killers only to find out that he is

You will recall that B for Boy was named best film in African language named after Osmanne Sembene and it also got the Joyce Banda award for film that best treated a female issue the son of a man he killed in the 1980’s during the struggle in the township.

His newest film, Nelson Mandela: The Myth and Me opened the documentary section of DIFF on Friday, 18 July at 19:00 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. The film seeks to find out if Mandela’s philosophies of forgiveness, reconciliation and freedom resonate currently in a world that is plagued with injustice and social inequalities.

Durban International Film Festival Award Winners The Durban International Film Festival, DIFF, announced its awardwinners at the closing ceremony of the festival’s 35th edition at the Suncoast CineCentre Supernova, prior to the screening of its closing film, Million Dollar Arm. The announcement came as the festival rounds off a very successful year, with significant increase in attendance with many films screening to sold-out audiences.

In a statement made available to New Telegraph from Durban, Festival Manager Peter Machen says of this year’s event: “I was extremely happy with the success of DIFF 2014, and it was very gratifying to witness both the large amount of sold-out screenings and also the huge enthusiasm for the festival, both from local audiences and from the hundreds of guests attending a the festival from around the world.” om Un International Jury consisted of: The Rémi Bonhomme, who heads Critics Week at Cannes Film Festival; Diarah N’Daw-Spech, the co-founder and codirector of the African Diaspora Film Festival in New York; Andrew Worsdale, writer, director and previous win-

ner of Best South African Feature film at DIFF; and actress and activist Paulina Malefane, known for her role of Carmen in both the stage and film productions of U-Carmen eKhayelitsha, and co-founder of the Isango Ensemble At the awards ceremony, the festival’s highest accolade of Best Feature Film award that carries a cash prize of R50 000.went to Malian auteur Abderrahmane Sissako’s masterful Timbuktu, from a selection of competition films that the international jury described as having dealt with “individuals coping with ideological, social and political pressures whilst trying to find their own identity and humanity in a world increasingly under distress.”

The jury commended Sissako’s film for being “an impressively well-made film that makes us aware, in an extraordinarily human and gentle way, of the fight for dignity and freedom of individuals against oppression and violence. Beautifully crafted and showing mature accomplishment on all levels the film illustrates the absurdity of war and ideological dogmatism and offers humour, gentility and humaneness as a possible solution to the madness that seems to engulf so many regions in the world and on our continent. It embraces cinema as a weapon of love against violence and intolerance.”

The award for Best South African Feature Film, which carries a prize of R25 000 went to Jenna Bass’ exciting first feature Love the One You Love.

The local jury stated that they chose the film “for its stylistic and narrative freshness”, calling it “a playful, quirky and idiosyncratic debut made with curiosity, warmth, heart and sensitivity.”

Best South African Documentary was awarded to Rehad Desai’s Miners Shot Down. The film was also awarded the Amnesty International (Durban) Human Rights Award, which carries an award of R10 000 sponsored by the Artists for Human Rights Trust. The film was chosen “for its profoundly moving portrayal of the Marikana miners’ massacre. The human rights abuses so vividly portrayed include the right to life, the right to justice, the right to protection by the police, the right to know, the right to peaceful protest and the right to human dignity.”

24 TOURISM

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Managing Director of Ethiopian Airways International Services, Esayas Woldermariam Hailu recently met with aviation and tourism journalists and spoke extensively on the operations and success factors of the airline as well as air link within Africa destinations among others. OLUSHOLA RICKETTS was there and reports.

Ethiopian Airline: Our success story, by Hailu

E

thiopian Airlines remains a leading airline in Africa with its operations, which first birthed in the 1960s, cutting across Africa and the globe. Over the years it has remained a strong force, posting impressive results, earning global accolades and contributing to the development of African destination and the globe with its extensive air connections.

Coming this far and primed for future strides still, is according to the Managing Director of the airline, Mr. Esayas Woldermariam Hailu, something to celebrate and crow about. The fact that is a government owned airline, he says makes it even an interesting development but the huge strides of the airline, says the managing director has not come on a platter of gold but rather through hard work and focus on its mission.

Hailu noted that one of the success factors of the wave making airline, which was one of the first airlines in the world to acquire and fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is the non-interference of the government in the operations of the airline, which is known as ‘the new spirit of Africa. According to him, this has greatly helped to focus, stablise and standardised the operations of the group, a factor, which he says led to the development of good management structure for the airline.

“The secret is not in the ownership; it could be private or government. If the airline is squandered or mismanaged, it will be no more. So, it is a matter of diligent management. Our government do not interfere in the company’s business; the only time is their request at the end of the year to know our performance,” discloses Hailu.

Also, he outlines hard-working work-

Ehtiopian Airline and staff celebrating. Inset:MD, Esayas Woldermariam Hailu

force, diligent management, good customer service, welfare package and good incentives for the market as some of the factors that have aided the success of the airline. “We are dedicated and committed to our employees. We have wise leadership; flexible capacity and demand management. Other factors that have made us grow over the years are prudent cost management, charter business, right long term strategy, growth of African and Ethiopian economy as well as customer confidence,” he says. ‘‘Financing the airlines’ fleet expansion comes easy than expected, reveals Hailu even as he explains that the Ethiopian government being the airline’s shareholder gives them guarantee in addition to the ones offered by the aircraft manufacturing countries. “For example, when we import from the US, Boeing, the American NXIM Bank participate in the financing because they want to encourage the export of their national products. They know our performance, they follow our track records and they know we are credit worthy. ‘‘Since we are 100 per cent government owned company, we don’t sell

shares. But we completely finance our operations from year to year from the profit we make. We pay our principals and interests on time. So we are a selffinanced airline. We finance our fleet from our annual operational profit, from our revenue and our own cash flow,” he says.

If there is one difficult aspect of aviation that the airline has made inroad, it is on the development of the Africa continent through interconnectivity, a development, which has greatly hampered the development of movement, trade, tourism and others within the continent. But the airline has continued to break new grounds in this area by extending its services to most parts of Africa thereby bridging the gap.

While lamenting the lack of political will by the leaders of the continent to improve on interconnectivity within the continent, Hailu also condemns the high tax and heavy regulation of the aviation industry in Africa, a situation, which he says has greatly affected aviation, tourism and business among others.

“It is highly regulated, highly taxed and highly restricted, but it is the most

essential service that everybody wants to have. African governments have to liberalise the African skies, in accordance to Yamoussoukro Decision. Right now many African countries have given flight rights to the Gulf carriers than their own African airlines. It needs to be corrected for Africa to thrive,” he advises.

Overall, Hailu concludes that the airline has done well and would continue to strive to meets its aspirations and goals for the industry, the government and people of Ethiopia. The global acclaim of the airline, he says has put it in good position to compete with other global airlines. Just last year alone, the airline got about nine awards for its excellent performances and ahead of 2025 vision, the managing director, reveals that the airlines targets 10 billion dollar revenue against current 2 billion dollar; 1 billion dollars profit; 100 international and 26 domestic destinations as against 82 international currently; 140 aircraft to cancel out the present 66 aircraft; increase in passengers from six million to18 million; and increase in 200, 000 tons of cargo to 820, 000 and rise in employees to 17,000.

Gambian Tourism Board DG leads Gambia to Akwaaba 2014 A s preparations for this year’s edition of Akwaaba hot up, countries across Africa and different exhibitors have began to indicate their interest and level of preparedness for the yearly travel and tourism trade exhibition, which has over the years grown to be a veritable ground for Africa travel destinations to expose their products and services to the world.

The latest country to do so is the Gambia the country’s tourism board is putting up a strong team from both the public and private sector to be led by the director general of the tourism board, Mr. Benjamin Roberts. This indication was given by the board’s marketing director, Adam Njie According to Njie, this move reinforces the efforts of mainland Africa’s smallest country known as the smiling coast of Africa in increasing its market share of the huge Nigerian travelling Public. With Road shows

and intensive PR campaigns, The Gambia is reaching out to more Nigerians, as it has consistently promoted itself as the resting place for West Africans. It has been a frequent visitor to Akwaaba African Travel Market.

For the Organisers of Akwaaba, the 2014 edition will be geared towards getting more footfalls from the larger travelling audience with top rated events slated for the three days expo billed to hold between October 26 – 28 at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotels and Suites, with wine tasting as one of the debutants events Nigeria is accepted globally as one of the biggest wine markets in the world consuming more than many African countries put together. The emerging lifestyle merges with the growing middle class and its taste for global products. Travel and tourism is one of the biggest beneficiaries of this new class of Nigerians. It is

this class of Nigerians that are travelling that also consume these large quantities of wine and champagne.

To further organize the products and align it with its patrons the organizers of Akwaaba, is dedicating its hospitality day scheduled for October 28 to wine tasting. The wine tasting day is a new addition and will offer both sellers and buyers the opportunity to engage with the travelling public.

The Akwaaba: African Travel Market is the only annual international Travel Fair in West Africa, drawing attendance from over 15,000 delegates from over 20 countries worldwide and the largest platform to meet with Travelling Public, Airlines, Hotels, Restaurants, Tour Operators, Travel Agents, State Tourism Boards, Foreign Trade and Tourism sectors and similar industry suppliers across Africa.

DG, Gambian Tourism Board, Benjamin Roberts

ENTERTAINMENT

NEW TELEGRAPH

25

www.newtelegraphonline.com/entertainment

SONY NEME ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com 0811 181 3096

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2014

AFRIMA excited about encouraging entries STORIES BY SONY NEME “Following an overwhelming flood of entries in the past two months, the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has finally closed submission of entry for its maiden edition”, that was the parting shot from AFRIMA secretariat. So far an impressive participation a total of two thousand and twenty five entries (2,025) were received at the close of the submission as at July 21.

The call for entry was declared open on May 15, and billed to close on July 5. But AFRIMA’s International Committee extended the closing date to accommodate more entries from interested participants across the continent.

The extension also gave an equal chance to many who felt disenfranchised due to lack of Internet access. The entry was again moved from July 19 to finally end at 24.00 hrs CAT on July 21,2014.

According to a statement from AFRIMA secretariat said the reasons were obvious. It stated that, “For the first time, AFRIMA insisted on submission of entries online in order to achieve transparency and get the artistes to adapt to modern terms of communication.

As at close of work, a total of 2,025 entries were received on the AFRIMA website and Facebook page from artistes, record companies, music enthusiasts and music/entertainment journalists across the continent and in the diaspora. It includes those whose works were produced in the year under review,

 2,025 recorded to be screened by a 13-man jury

Director, Brand Communication and Sponsorships, Matlou Tsotetsi

May 31, 2013- July 20, 2014.”

It further stated that, “Of the entries received, thirty eight (38) were from music and entertainment journalists, others were from artistes, songwriters, video directors, music producers and record companies.”

Being a continental award, the organisers explained that, “Music enthusiasts from across the continent submitted their works, but more exciting are the entries from non-African countries by Africans. This shows the global recognition of AFRIMA, which is in partnership with the African Union Commission and Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as well as the

The call for entry was declared open on May 15, and billed to close on July 5. But AFRIMA’s International Committee extended the closing date to accommodate more entries from interested participants Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation.”

The Director, Brand Communication and Sponsorships,

Matlou Tsotetsi expressed excitement over the high record of entries, it further stated.

Her words: “The International Committee is excited about the entries received. This is apparently a reflection of the understanding and acceptability of the vision and ideals of the first ever AFRIMA, whose intent is to pursue and communicate genuine recognition to the rest of the world.”

The submitted works will be further screened by a 13-person jury panel that are part of the AFRIMA Academy of Voters comprising of 527 members that are grouped into two layers of adjudicators spread across the five regions of Africa.

A brand new me is born, says Doris

P

Simeon

retty actress and mother of one, Doris Simeon has declared that, "A brand new me has been born with the celebration of my birthday on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 Like it is written in the holy book, old things have passed away as new things are just by the corner.” Aside the TV programme, Faaji Xtra, which sheI anchor, Doris enjoins fans and industry peeps to simply watch out for something unusual unlike her on the screen.

The Nollywood actress and producer, who recently returned to set after few months of break, made this announcement as she celebrated her birthday with family, lose friends and colleagues.

The event afforded her an opportu-

nity to access her life and journey so far, On that score, the actress said, "It's been a long journey yet I'm thankful and grateful to God for keeping me till now. It has been a wonderful experience, and feeling adding a year in good health and a mind free and devoid of hate or pain, I can't but thank God. Yes, we have some sad times, bad moments in life, which most times want to slow us down but like I always say, ‘these moments and times help us and make us better people’. I don't have any regrets, because I've moved on to greater things and living brand new."

On expectations from the thespian on the make believe world with her return, she simply said, "Don't expect

Romeo drops Booty Near You ooty Near You is the first single from Bmeo.

Now Muzik artiste, Ugwudike RoWith relatable lyrics, metaphors

Romeo

and brilliant word play, the song is in appreciation of the unique figure of the African woman. The single is a production of Now Muzik’s in house producer Spyke.

For Now Muzik, “The beat is set to take Hip Hop music back to the club scene, which has been dominated by

pop music in recent times. As a singer and a rapper, Romeo‘s unique vocal texture in Booty Near You is sure to keep good music lovers on their feet.”

Onitsha, Anambra State born Romeo was raised in Lagos and having participated in several talent shows got his big break when, along with Crystal Band, won the Nigerian Breweries Limited organised event, Star Quest. The band recorded an album, Elevated, in 2012

The jury members who have been carefully selected to represent the five regions of Africa and Diaspora are from the following countries- Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, UK and USA as well as a representative from the African Union are expected to arrive in Lagos on July 31, 2014 for the weeklong adjudication process in the presence of an international auditing firm.

Prominent among them are seasoned music professionals like Oscar Kidjo, Rita Ray,Kiki Toure, Kawesa Richard, Delani Makhalima, Christian Syren, Rab Bakari are part of the jury.

A nomination list will be released to the public on a later date to vote for a winner in each of the 31 categories of the award.

According to the statement, “A former manager with Universal Music Group, United States of America and a member of the jury representing the Diaspora, Mr. Rab Bakari, could not hide his delight to be part of the epoch-making event.” Mr Bakari was quoted thus: “I’m glad to be part of this history making and African renaissance in the African music industry where African talents will be duly recognised, rewarded and exposed to the international scene for global competitiveness. I am committed to bring my over three decades of professional experience in the global music industry to bear on this laudable initiative.”

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 8

me to make a movie anytime soon but I would keep working on productions as a featured actress. Aside the TV programme, Faaji Xtra, which I anchor, fans and industry peeps should simply watch out for something unusual and unlike me on the screen. I've shot some exciting movies and TV soaps and I'm still on some sets, so you would be seeing so much from me."

"Like I tweeted at exactly 12midnight on my birthday, I want everyone to join me as I specially say a prayer for the missing Chibok girls. It's sad but we would continue to lend our voice and as I celebrate, I remember the girls again and indulge everyone to do same," she rounded off.

Meanwhile, Doris released over eight sultry pictures on her Instagram page as she turned a year older. under the aegis of Now Muzik.

However, the young and energetic artiste decided to pursue a solo career, which has produced this single. Romeo is also a member of theLoos Kollectiv, a hip hop ensemble with an affiliation to Now Muzik, their first single Take Over was released last week to great reception.

Now Muzik is home to other great and talented artistes like 2face, Tony Oneweek, Naeto C, Rocksteady, Righteousman, Efa, K Slim, and Loos Kollectiv.

26 ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, August 1, 2014

Orezi to drop Shoki as Rihanna video makes YouTube’s top 8

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fro hip hop sensation, Orezi, is back in the news.

Not allowing the success of his hit single Rihanna and its wave-making video that has reportedly chalked up world top ten spot, he is set to drop yet another chart busting song, Shoki in a couple of days It is surely the best of time for the young man as feelers have it that the Delta State born artiste is in advanced talk with a telecommunications giant on an endorsement deal to add to his already busy scheduled.

An apparently happy Orezi enthused thus: “My busy scheduled had delayed the talks but my management team had resumed talks with the company”.

With the video of Shoki ready, his management source explained that, “Fans should watch out as Orezi is set repeat what Rihanna’s video did last year as it created the kind of buzz in the industry that a young artiste had not achieved in a long while.”

It would be recalled that when all efforts late last year to get the American super diva, Rihanna, to feature in the

Eight finalists have emerged at the end of an exciting audition of the on-going Maltina Dance All (MDA) season eight regional audition held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The atmosphere at the Atrium Event Centre, venue of the two-day auditions was indeed electrifying as the dancers - both young and old - trooped in to showcase their skills.

They are Vincent Osanebi 21, Ebi Williams 22, Sunny Onyeka 23, Richard Emmauel 18, Wilfred Utere 20, Ukeme Akpan 23, Uzodinma Calistus 19 and Kelsi Dide 18. The next step is for the eight contestants to participate with their families at their homes and if they are selected and pass the medical tests they will finally qualify to enter the popular MDA Academy.

Considering that five out of the last seven overall winning families in the MDA Family Dance Show emerged from Port-Harcourt, the auditions, as expected were highly competitive and intense. After a gruelling auditioning process, the eight dancers now stand a chance to compete for the grand prize of 10 million naira and the title of Nigeria’s number one dancing family. The first and second runners up will also get N3 million and N1 mil-

All my videos have been on top 10 charts. We used about six different locations; different characters and you know how much that would have cost multi million naira video did not work out, Orezi and his management team as well as his label, Sprisal Records, went online and decided to shop for a Rihanna look alike. The search finally paid off when a ‘Rihanna’ sent in her entry from Mauritius.

This young, beautiful ‘Rihanna’ named Kim was chosen from over 200 pictures entry. Orezi's management till date did not reveal the cost of bringing this stunning beauty down to the shoot location in South Africa.

However, an inside source disclosed that Orezi’s label paid an initial deposit of 10, 000 dollars to ‘Rihanna’s (Kim) master card account while her traveling arrangement to Johannesburg, South Africa revealed a Business class from Mauritius, - Israel - Hong Kong South Africa.

She was also holed up in one of the biggest hotels in Johannesburg.

“That effort is beginning to yield some fruits with a global recognition of the Rihanna video by the world’s number one online TV channel YouTube,” explained the source, who added that, “YouTube Nation announced Orezi's Rihanna video as the no 7 out of 8 Most Incredible Videos Around The World.”

He said, “The presenters singled Orezi out for commendation for what they described as the great video con-

cept especially for him going extra length to get a Rihanna look alike to feature in the video. The concept, quality and directing was singled out as great. And with such a huge success in his first effort, one would think Orezi would pause and bask in the euphoria of his success like a typical Nigerian artiste, but no, he has been working and even travelled to South Africa to shoot his U Garrit.”

He said the artiste was accompanied on the trip by the producer of the song, Del B, who incidentally produced Kcee’s hit Limpopo, Harrysong among many other notable and celebrated artistes in Nigeria.

For Orezi, “God has been good to me, as you can see things have really changed for me in both my music career and life. As you all know, I have a single out there that has reshaped the music industry, it puts smile into everyone's face anytime you listen and it’s titled Shoki.” he further said, “Shoki is actually a dance that has been in existence but not popular until I saw a boy in my hood, dancing and I asked him what kind of dance is this, he said it’s called shoki.

At that moment the inspiration came and played it along a beat that has been on my phone since and behold it went well I called the owner of the beat "Popito" and the rest is history.

“Under five days, the song was done, mixed and mastered and released. I saw the response was. I called my longtime friend, a rapper and director, Tosin Igho and we did an instructional dance video.

We dropped it online but to our surprise it went viral. That same week my manager almost couldn't believe the amount of calls he received. We planned shooting the video a month after but I have been busy these days going to satisfy my fans all over the country. I have to rehearse my performance well to give them value for their money.”

On the video shoot of Shoki, the singer said: “Well, as you guys know, all my videos have been on top 10 charts.

We used about six different locations; different characters and you know how much that would have cost. The world should expect the best dance video of 2014. This one is going to make doubting Thomas to believe the gospel according to Alhaji Orezi.”

MDA 8 winners from PH audition

8 finalists emerge from MDA 8 PH exciting auditions lion respectively.

A statement from the organisers reveal that the first day - which was the general session - was set aside for dancers from age categories; 5 - 12, 13 – 19, 20 - 29 and 30 and above, to compete for prizes ranging from Home Theatres, 22-inch Flat screen television sets and 5.5KVA Generating sets.

It stated that, “In the 5-12 age category; 6-year old Precious Binyebo emerged winner and carted home the grand-prize of a brand-new generating set while Dike James 11 and Stanley Eze 12 who were first and second-runners up respectively got a home-theatre and LCD TV Set in that order.

The 13-19 age category saw Daniel Uche 18, emerge overall winner while Amarachi Clement 19 and Kelsi Dide 18 emerged first

and second-runners up respectively.”

For the 20 - 29 age category, Wilfred Utere 20, came out tops while Sunny Onyeka 23 and Jones Samson, were first and second-runners up respectively. While in the 30 and above age category, which was extremely exciting, Mr. Perry Dan, a 53 year old photographer, emerged winner while Ndubuisi Agu 32 and Mrs. Numa Becky, emerged first and second-runners up respectively.

Day two was not too different either.

And at the end of a very difficult selection process, eight dancers were selected by the judges to proceed to the next stage of the highly competitive activation platform that is reputed for producing some of Nigeria’s best dancers.

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, August 1, 2014

Something Borrowed, Something New airs on TLC Entertainment from Sunday 3 August at 19:05 CAT

H

osted by designer Kelly Nishimoto and stylist Sam Saboura, this is the hit show where the bride-to-be works with the experts to help her choose between two contrasting dress options. Will she pick a special, previously worn gown to be reworked by Kelly? Or will the bride be wooed by a brand new stylish dress as she joins Sam on a shopping trip to a bridal salon? First up is Bridget, whose prison guard mother has firm views on modesty and insists that she wear the family dress. Vivacious Terron knows what she wants: a royal wedding and a body-hugging gown to match. Her mother’s dress, handmade by her aunt, doesn’t fit the bill and makes her feel 'like a sausage'. Follow all this and more in this tense bridal show.

All You Can Meat premieres on Food Network from Monday 4 August at 10:20 CAT Host Chuey Martinez travels across America to find the most authentic preparations of the classic

cuts: steak, ribs, pulled pork, brisket, etc. From the Texas pit master to the woodsman in Appalachia curing jerkey in his shack, Chuey quickly learns that great American characters make great meat. He also discovers that roasted meat taps into deep emotions and has the ability to bring people together. All You Can Eat Meat will take viewers to some amazing corners of the country, often obscure places they can go themselves to discover these mouth-watering meat recipes.

My Tiny Terror premieres airs on Discovery HD Showcase from Saturday 2 August at 18:15 CAT Small dogs can be adorable and cuddly. But they can also be yappy, furniturewrecking, pooping, peeing, growling, pint-sized terrors. From the producers of ‘My Cat From Hell’, where troubled felines seemingly beyond help are somehow civilised again, comes ‘My Tiny Terror’. Diminutive doggies from the Greater

Los Angeles area are visited by behavioural therapist Jacqueline Wilson in a bid to correct their bad habits. A no-nonsense, pink-sunglasses-wearing, 56-Chevy-BelAir-driving doggy specialist with more than 40 years of training little dogs under her collar, Jacqueline will help frustrated families gain back control of their pups - and their lives.

Kim of Queens airs on Lifetime on Mondays at 20:00 CAT &nbs p; Kim of Queens tells the story of Kim Gravel; Georgia's most outspoken and outrageous beauty pageant coach. She is a sharp-tongued perfectionist with the ability to spot and train the future stars of the pageant world. Kim was the youngest Miss Georgia in the pageant's history and, alongside her mother and sister, has been training pageant winners at "The Pageant Place" since 2006. While she charges high prices for her services, Kim prefers to take chances on the less polished girls and will turn away

pushy, wealthier mums who think "money buys crowns", hence no shortage of drama.

Almost Human airs on M-Net on Fridays at 20:30 CAT The series takes place approximately 30 years in the future following an unprecedented increase in the crime rate, every police officer must partner with a highly evolved humanlike android.

It follows the week-to-week missions of Detective John Kennex, the sole survivor of a devastating police ambush, and his synthetic partner, Dorian, as they solve cases and fight to keep the lid on dangerously evolved criminals.

Dance Moms airs on Lifetime weekdays at 19:10 CAT This is one of the key factual entertainment shows available on Lifetime Africa.

It follows talented children’s early steps on the road to stardom, along with the determined mothers who will stop at nothing to help them reach the very top. Centred on the devoted and outspoken Abby Lee Miller, who instructs her young, talented students while also dealing with dedicated mothers who go to great lengths to help their children’s dreams come true, Dance Moms will continue to pose the tough questions many people have been asking since the show’s launch about the fast-growing and controversial sport of competitive dance.

GOtv commended on awareness on digital switch-over ross River State CommisCChief sioner for Information, Akin Rickett has com-

MultiChoice boss Nicol Meyer with the GM Corporate Affairs Caroline Creasy during the interactive session at Maurituis recently

Channel ED and the 35th Durban International Film Fest

C

ourtesy of The AfriDocs Film Week , it was a world first class show piece last month as a full week of African documentary films were broadcast across sub-Saharan Africa on DStv channel ED (channel 190) and GOtv (channel 65), from the Durban International Film Festival, DIFF, the largest film festival in South Africa from 17 to 27July.

The unique film event brought a diverse and exciting range of films screened across 49 countries of sub-Saharan Africa. The AfriDocs Film Week succeeded in connecting the largest film festival in Africa through a ‘film festival on your screen’. It featured documentary films from thirteen countries in Africa such as Nigeria, The D.R.C., Kenya, Liberia, Mali,

Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

According to details from AfriDocs Executive Producer, Don Edkins from Steps in Cape Town, “So many documentary films have been shot in Africa, but very few have been seen by African audiences, so this heralds a new era of distribution for the continent.”

He further stated that, “Films by African filmmakers such as Sani Elhadj Magori, Licinio Azevedo, Rehad Desai, Judy Kibinge, Andrey Samoute Diarra, Annalet Steenkamp and Mandy Jacobson together with Mika Karismäki, Thierry Michel, Roger Ross Williams, Abby Ginzberg and Göran Olsson amongst others, were seen for the first time by a wide

audience as a result of this collaboration”.

Seven of the films screened at the DIFF were part of the programme, such as the award-winning Miners Shot Down, Concerning Violence, I Afrikaner, The Irresistible Rise of Moïse Katumbi and Soft Vengeance.

His words: “These African documentaries tell a wide range of stories; from films about great African artists, such as singer and activist Miriam Makeba (Mama Africa) and the Malian photographer Malik Sibidé (Dolce Vita Africana), to political and historical films about leaders Patrice Lumumba and Liberian President Sirleaf Johnson, as well as films dealing with revolutionaries, farmers, gangsters, musicians and evangelists.”

mended GOtv for increasing consumer awareness on the imminent switch-over from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria.

Speaking at the fourth GOcustomer Forum held at the Transcorp Hotels in Calabar, Mr Freedom Ejom, representative of honourable commissioner for Information said “Awareness of the ongoing digitization of Nigeria’s broadcast industry is very low. I thank GOtv for creating a forum subscribers can learn about its services and a topical issue as the digital switch-over”.

Also pouring encomiums on GOtv, Chief Patrick Effah said he is experiencing the crisp digital quality pictures which GOtv promised at launch. “The picture quality is incomparable; I urge GOtv to sustain the quality of the service,” he said.

Another subscriber, Eyo Bassey said he appreciates GOtv for its pocket-friendliness. For Godswill Samson, GOtv stands out in three areas - economy, quality pictures and uninterrupted signals during rainy or cloudy weather. Roseline Bebia summed up her experience with GOtv as delightful, also commending GOtv for being able to withstand rainy or cloudy weather.

LYRICS for the week

CINEMAWATCH (Radio/TV/Events Guide) AUGUST 1 — 8 HIGHLIGHTS

27

All systems are a go All systems are a go All systems are a go Won da mo Won da mo All systems are a go Dee dee dee deevee lee ] Chorus – Burna Boy Won da mo A’n jaye ori wa Won da mo….won da mo Mo n wo versace Won da mo….won da mo Awon temi cover mi Won da mo….won da mo Record’s on repeat Won da mo Everywhere I go Dem a ye dem a yem ego Kingston, New York city Dem a yem ego Dehli Lasgidi Dem a yem ego Everywhere I land Them go shout Dem a spray ego Verse 1 – Burna Boy Mo’n so fun e tele Ogboran jo Awon ti Adenuga ti de Ya go lona….jo Mo’n foju mi ri contract lojojumo….jo Abi oju e fo ni, o riran…. jo Shey you see mi ri Lori DVD Abi TV ni Place wey I dey Everyone can see No be underg Proud of my team Get money easily Omo no look first Go back and see Awon temi yapa nbi Chorus Won da mo A’n jaye ori wa Won da mo….won da mo Mo n wo versace Won da mo….won da mo Awon temi cover mi Won da mo….won da mo Record’s on repeat Won da mo Everywhere I go Dem a ye, dem a yem ego Kingston, New York city Dem a yem ego Dehli, Lasgidi Dem a yem ego Everywhere I land Them go shout Dem a spray ego Verse 2 – D’banj Ten years ago won sope a ti de….jo Mo ti p’owo gan….jo Won mo pe no be today….no be today Even in the rain I still dey reign….jo Mama tell me say no pain no gain….jo Omo je ki n jaiye now Won ro pe mo ma sare lo…fi le Ye baba God lo cover mi E lo bere lowo Adenuga Ke shi forum lori twitter Asking me to retweet Aint nobody got time for that Aint nobody got time for that See they all know me Overseas Who I be Trigger lee A.k.a sugar lee A.k.a sting like a bee Muhammad Ali Chilling with Burna lee

In a private jet Lee Evidently Oliver twist Ah banger banger banger banger banger lee A’n jaiye ori wa Won da mo Mo wo versace Won da mo What you talking about girl O da mo Ori yato sori o Sho da mo Oya put your hands in the air If you like ego Push up your back like this If you like ego Take two steps in the zeus If you like ego Now show me your red bottom as you please If you like ego Verse 3 – Burna Boy No doubt, me get confidence So much money in the bank Dem a think say dem a people them drug trafficking Una know say I dey talk many things for my song That the people can’t forget Lyrically murder *** murder the beat and leave the producer mark for it And the values are winning..no forget That’s the reason am overconfident Flows ah burn out Ma clip fi run out mi reload and put more cartridges Or I think say you’re back to the bone But I know say me back to the cartilage And if una no understand me Boy now push the rewind button and start again More verses than the bible passages Shey you see mi ri Lori DVD Abi TV ni Place wey I dey Everyone can See No be underg Proud of my team Get money easily Omo no look first Go back and see Awon temi yapa nb Chorus Won da mo A’n jaye ori wa Won da mo….won da mo Mo n wo versace Won da mo….won da mo Awon temi cover mi Won da mo….won da mo Record’s on repeat Won da mo Everywhere I go Dem a ye, dem a yem ego Kingston, New York city Dem a yem ego Dehli, Lasgidi Dem a yem ego Everywhere I land Them go shout Dem a spray ego

28

I

n a chance meeting with one of Nigeria's fast-rising actresses, Miram Ifunanya Orjiekwe, better known as Mimi, she said winning in Tanzania with the movie, Mission to Grave was a joy she will ever cherish. In that movie, Mimi was outstanding with her horse ride as she displayed an exemplary character that stood her out as very good in her role.

The pretty thespian who was at the Calabar Hall, Surulere, Lagos audition of a Bond Emurua’s movie on Monday said the award for the best new face in Nollywood at the annual African Film Development awards held recently at the 17th edition of Zanzibar International Film festival in Tanzania, was a major boost to her fledging career.

On her new award, Mimi, a business administration graduate of Carista University, said, "I am excited about it. I have won couple of awards but this feels special. I am challenged to do better and want to say a big thank you to my fans for their support."

Africa Films Development awards is a project of Africa Film Development Foundation, which is aimed at celebrating and recognising outstanding individuals and bodies who have contributed towards the development of African moviesOrganiser of the awards/festival, Mykel Parish, had in his remark during the colourful ceremony, said Mimi was bestowed with the award based on her extraordinary display of talent in the movie: Mission to Grave. At the event it was Nigeria all the way as Peace Anyiam, the organiser of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), was honoured with a special recognition awards for her contribution to the growth of African Cinema while Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD) got a lifetime achievement awards,

Friday, August 1, 2014

‘Winning away from home makes me happier’ tablished celebrities like Mercy Johnson, Majid Michael and Jim Iyke in a star0studded flick.

She said she had to continue with her studies due to some misunderstandings with the director before continuing when she met Charles Okafor on a flight to Lagos two years ago.

In that short period she had done over 50 movies.

Mimi

just as veteran movie producer, Andy Boyo, also won the award for best Africa movie producer with his latest flick, Cobra..

For starters, the model, scriptwriter, actress, TV presenter and, had hit the limelight in 2008, featuring prominently in Nollywood movies.

The down-to-earth also spoke on her career and what sex means to her.

The lady in her mid 20s

said she had started out after her masters. Her words: “I’m from a family of four and the only daughter. My dad’s an Enugu based medical doctor and mum’s a business woman.

I started acting in 2008 after I emerged Miss African Queen.

One of the judges, Nonso Ekene Okonkwo discovered my acting talent and gave me my first break when I featured in Royal Madness” She had starred alongside es-

So how has she been able to handle court controversy that has become tha hallmark of Nollywood? On nudity, she emphatically declared that, “No I won’t and I don’t need to do nude scenes. Semi Nude is okay.

After all when I go to the beach I wear my bikini; I’ve even done that in various movies.

So how does she handle rumours, a major past time in the industry: “I’ve had so many controversies. The most ridiculous one was that of a girl who claimed I owed her some money. She was a no body who just wanted to use controversy to get up there. She is an up-andcoming actress and all she said were lies. Of course I have been rumored to have dated somebody that I never dated before.

I don’t want to mention names because it’s all in the past now.

I don’t feel I owe anybody any explanation.”

For her, love is a sensation, “A feeling or emotions that you have for someone; something that tickles or excites you about that particular person. Sex is something you want to experience with someone special. Sex is sweet and exciting if you are in love with that person. If you are making love to someone you love it’s a great feeling,

Columbia Records releases ‘Wish I Was Here’ Soundtrack

F

rom New York, we have just received the news that Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, has announced the release of Wish I Was Here—music from the motion picture. It is the official soundtrack to the first movie directed by Zach Braff since his indie breakout hit Garden State.

According to the statement, “The original screenplay for Wish I Was Here is by the director and his brother Adam. A success at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the new movie tells a funny, touching, universal story of what it means to be at a major crossroads as a parent, spouse, and child – all at once.”

The Wish I Was Here soundtrack showcases music hand-picked by Zach Braff, including exclusive new songs from The Shins, Bon Iver, and Cat Power as well Coldplay.

Wish I Was Here —Music From The Motion Picture is available digitally. iTunes link: https:// itunes.apple.com/za/album/ wish-i-was-here-music-from/ id889189368 In a related development, Legacy Recordings celebrates the 10th anniversary of Zach Braff's Garden State, the Grammy Award-winning and era-

I Wish I was There

defining soundtrack album.

The soundtrack features songs from The Shins, Coldplay, Simon & Garfunkel, Iron & Wine and Zero 7.

It has, reportedly, sold nearly 1.5 million copies in the U.S. and is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The Shin’s single, ‘New Slang’, off the Garden State Soundtrack, brought the band mainstream attention and now they have returned the favour as their 2012 tune, “Simple

Song,” appears on the Wish I was Here soundtrack.

The movie opens in South African Theatres today, August 1.

You can watch the movie trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=kw8VCDx399I ‘Wish I Was Here’ track listing: 1. The Shins: "So Now What" 2. Gary Jules: "Broke Window" 3. Radical Face: "The Mute" 4. Hozier: "Cherry Wine (Live)" 5. Bon Iver: "Holocene" 6. Badly Drawn Boy: "The Shining"

7. Jump Little Children: "Mexico" 8. Cat Power & Coldplay: "Wish I Was Here" 9. Allie Moss: "Wait It Out" 10. Paul Simon: "The Obvious Child" 11. Japanese Wallpaper: "Breathe In [ft. Wafia]" 12. Bon Iver: "Heavenly Father" 13. Aaron Embry: "Raven's Song" 14. The Weepies: "Mend" 15. The Head & the Heart: "No One to Let You Down"

it’s something you never get tired of. I can’t have sex with someone I don’t like. I’m a very emotional person. Love is something that excites you and you want to be with that person all the time; love is a continuous attraction.”

Mimi who describes her mother is her role model, said like her mother, “She’s very hard working and a strong woman; I’m like my mother” Asked if she will play a role for sex, she said, “It has never happened to me; nobody has ever demanded sex from me for a role. I’ve heard that some actresses have been victims but no, not me. I’ve met a lot of producers and some of them have told me how much they like me. But it’s all about how you handle it. If you don’t act like they owe you, they back off.

You either take their jobs or you decline. But when you act like you are desperate, that’s when you fall victim.”

On love advances, Mimi said, “It’s not a bad thing you know. It feels good when you see different men telling you how much they like you and stuffs like that. Sometimes it could be very embarrassing but I just smile and decline in a in a very polite way. You can’t be rude to such people, especially on facebook, because it’s what you signed up for the day you chose to become an actress and so you have to deal with it.

“A lot of people that I don’t know write on my wall and some even have my number and I keep wondering, ‘how do they get it?’ They call you up and talk to you as if you are friends. However I know that beauty and fame are blessings from God.”

AFRIMA excited about encouraging entries CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

Information from organisers revealed that, “The award ceremony to be helid in Lagos, Nigeria, which promises to be a premium and star-studded event, will take place on November 9. It will be broadcast in 84 countries on 109 television stations across the world”.

This will be preceded by the AFRIMA Village, a fourday event of music festivities featuring national pavilions, cultural/entertainment exhibitions and music concerts between November 4 and 7.

There will also be an Africa Music Summit (November 6-7) themed "Reviving the Business of Music in Africa".

The two-day conference will be a platform for the music industry stakeholders to engage and deliberate on how the industry can be nurtured and be a major contributor to national and continental economies.

AFRIMA is a combined effort by music professionals across the continent aimed at celebrating the rich musical heritage of the African continent and encouraging the growth of talented artistes in the Diaspora. Nigeria won the right to host it for three years.

BUSINESS Friday, August 1, 2014

What's news New banker rules 'could hurt London as a financial centre' Bank of England's plan to force badly performing bankers to pay back bonuses could hurt London as a financial centre, the banking industry has said.

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NAQS as appendage of Agric Ministry may be lame duck –Stakeholders Stakeholders in the nation’s agricultural sector have decried the recommendation by the Steve Orosanye-led committee that Nigeria’s Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) be subsumed under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

}p-30

Asia chocolate consumption may affect Nigerian farmers Surging consumption of chocolate in Asia is pushing cocoa-bean prices to the highest level in three years as buyers, including Barry Callebaut AG, expand their search for more supply and this is likely to affect farmgate prices in Nigeria and other cocoa producing countries.

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Ugandan to adopt Nigerian e-wallet system Nigerian e-wallet system which helped to sanitise Nigeria’s corruption-ridden fertiliser supply chain has found an admirer in Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries which has plan to adopt it.

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

29 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

New Pension: Delayed execution better than error –PenCom }p-31

ayodele aminu, Deputy Editor, business

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

N750bn rice produced in three years, says Adesina FOOD SECURITY Twenty-two states are now big rice producers Siaka Momoh

fusion had trailed the Federal Government’s policy on rice importation as two ministers expressed divergent views on the current policy.

About 48 hours after the Finance Minister, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, announced the federal

government’s decision to reduce import tariff on rice, and thus encourage legal importation, the Agriculture Minister had said that the Federal Government is still determined to reduce importation of the product.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala had said in Abuja that government was contemplating reducing the tariff on rice importation to help reduce smuggling of the commodity into the country.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

N

igeria has produced rice valued at N750 billion in the last three years, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, has said.

He also said that there is no more need for importation of rice as 22 states in the country now have the capacity to produce sufficient rice for the populace.

The minister, who spoke in Abuja, said: “When we started, only 10 states grew rice, but now 22 states are growing rice.”

The Federal Government has increased the area of rice cultivation by 1.9 million hectares and farmers in Nigeria are getting five to six tonnes per hectare yield with the new variety of rice introduced recently in the country. Statistics also show that farmers and smallscale processors currently have net income worth N407 billion.

“We are creating value for the domestic economy because we are engaging people to work, we are also increasing the GDP of those states,” the minister said.

Adesina said that some of the ‘imported rice’ we see in the market are re-bagged Nigerian rice, re-bagged with imported rice bags. He said that the policy of increased tariff in rice importation was done to give Nigerian farmers an opportunity to increase their production and compete favourably with foreign brands.

On mechanisation, Adesina said that initially, government used to import tractors, but now the private sector has established 200 agricultural equipment hiring centres across the federation at a cost of N20 billion.

It would be recalled that con-

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Mr Yinka Sanni; President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, Mrs ‘Debola Osibogun; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holding Plc, Mrs Sola David-Borha and Acting Registrar/CEO, CIBN, Mr Seye Awojobi, during the Stakeholders Forum with the bank in Lagos.

BOGUS CALLS One out of every 2900 calls was fraudulent Sunday Ojeme

R

esearchers at Pindrop Security in Atlanta have restated their belief that Nigeria remains the highest risk of all countries as far as fraudulent telephone calls are concerned.

This is coming despite their confirmation that more than half of all the fraudulent calls were initiated from other countries far away from Nigeria.

In its latest report, the Chief Executive Officer of Pindrop, Vijay Balasubramaniyan, pointed out that more than half of all the fraudulent calls were international, stressing that Nigeria was "far and away" the highest

Phone fraud: US restate Nigeria’s risk identity risk of all countries.

He said other hot spots were in Eastern Europe, particularly in Romania and Russia; Latin America, primarily in Mexico and Columbia; and Southeast Asia, where Filipinos are wellversed in the art of call-center manipulation.

The researchers have discovered resurgence in bogus calls to large US banks, telecommunications companies and state benefits providers seeking to steal money and information.

The company, which makes anti-fraud software for call centers, examined the metadata and recordings of 105 million calls. Pindrop, which shared its

findings with Bloomberg.com, said one out of every 2900 calls was fraudulent.

The amount of fraud committed over the phone is skyrocketing in some countries.

At one financial institution in Latin America, just two per cent of fraud attempts were by phone last year. So far this year, it's close to 70 per cent, according to Balasubramaniyan.

Within the calls logs were some fascinating trends, which Pindrop plans to present its findings on Aug. 7 at the Black Hat hacking conference.

Like anything, stealing money CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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

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

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at July 25)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N169 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N288.50 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N228 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $38.942bn as at 24/07/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at July 25)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N156.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N265.95 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N210.87 Source: CBN

30 BUSINESS | NEWS EFFECTIVE 2015 The new rules on bonus payments will come in on January 1, 2015 Godson Ikoro

with agency reports

B

ank of England's plan to force badly performing bankers to pay back bonuses could hurt London as a financial centre, the banking industry has said.

The new rules according to British Broadcasting Corpora-

New banker rules ‘could hurt London as a financial centre' tion (BBC), could put UK banks at a disadvantage compared with banks elsewhere, an industry body said.

Bankers may have to give back bonuses up to seven years after being awarded them.

Even if share awards have been cashed and spent, bankers could be asked to pay the money back.

US restate Nigeria’s risk identity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

by phone takes practice and determination. Some of their tactics would be laughable if they weren't so effective. Here are five techniques commonly employed by criminals who are gaming the system.

The CEO said easy-to-use voice-distortion programmes are a favourite of advanced phone fraudsters. Even when they make the caller sound ridiculous, they are highly effective. That's because call-center operators are trained to focus more on whether callers answer security-challenge questions correctly, rather than how they sound. A little audible deception is often enough, but some criminals take the technology too far. Men sometimes make themselves sound like Alvin the Chipmunk when trying to break into women's accounts, and some women use Darth Vader filters for male subjects, Balasubramaniyan said. One fraudster even pretended to be two people: a medical aide and a person suffering from throat

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

cancer, who used a voice box.

He added that persistence is the hallmark of advanced phone fraudster-ism, adding that hackers would ring call centers multiple times seeking to extract a small piece of information each time about target accounts.

He said, “One was so brazen that when the operator asked for his mother's maiden name, the caller said his dad had married twice, so he needed three guesses. He then went through the list of popular maiden names, and Smith was the one that unlocked the account. That opened the door for a $97,000 wire transfer into the criminal's bank account.

“Phone criminals are also increasingly bypassing humans altogether. Their software dials into companies' automated customer-support lines and tries to figure out PIN codes and Social Security numbers by entering different combinations over and over. They sometimes have multiple computers doing the same thing at once against the same account.

Many bankers receive a substantial chunk of their pay in the form of an annual bonus, which can be up to double their basic salary.

Under current rules, that bonus is usually deferred for a period of three to five years, during which time it can be clawed back if appropriate.

But misconduct such as rigging interest rates or reckless risk-taking can take longer to emerge, so under the new policy, bonuses may be clawed back up to seven years later.

The bank also published new rules for senior managers in the industry.

But the British Bankers' Association (BBA) said the pay rules would put the UK at a competitive disadvantage.

"We now have the toughest regime in banking pay of any global financial centre," said Anthony Browne from the BBA. "Bankers are paid less here (in London) than in New York, Singapore or Hong Kong, and

ultimately this could have an impact on the competitiveness of London as a financial centre and the jobs and tax paid here.

"We have the world's largest international banking sector and we do have to make sure that we can continue to employ banking talent from around the world."

Bankers who are found guilty of "causing a bank to fail" by taking a "reckless decision" can already be sent to jail, or given unlimited fines.

To be found guilty, senior managers have to be aware at the time that their actions might cause the bank or building society to collapse.

If convicted, they can face up to seven years in jail.

"Holding individuals to account is a key component of our job as regulators of banks," said Andrew Bailey, the Bank's deputy governor for prudential regulation.

"The combination of clearer individual responsibilities and

enhanced risk management incentives will encourage individuals in banks to take greater responsibility for their actions," he said.

The move comes days after Lloyds Banking Group was fined £218 million.

The company was condemned for "serious misconduct" over certain key interest rates set in London.

Antony Jenkins, chief executive of Barclays, was supportive of the Bank of England plans.

"I believe that banks have to regulate themselves and that's why culture is so important, so that banks do the right business in the right way," he said.

"I would say that in principle, I support the idea that where there is wrongdoing, there should be appropriate punishment.

"If that's criminal wrongdoing, it should be criminal, if it's recklessness, that should be punished also, so I'm not against the concept of clawback," he continued.

N750bn rice produced in three years CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

The minister was fielding questions during the maiden edition of ‘Budget 2014 Jam’, a youth online programme initiated by the Finance Ministry to enable the minister answer questions from a cross section of Nigerians youth on the budget.

The minister said that the existing 110 per cent duty on rice importation, recently put in place by the Federal Government, would have to be reviewed downwards as government has found that it was encouraging smuggling of the commodity into the country.

She said: “We increased the tariff to 110 per cent and it encouraged some people to go and grow rice, and we grew 1.1 million metric tonnes of the product.

But, it also encouraged smuggling from neighboring countries, because they immediately dropped their own tariffs to 10 per cent.”

The finance minister explained that government had decided to review the import tariff downwards because increased tariff was not working.

“For rice, we decided to bring it (import tariff) down because we see that it (the current 110 per cent import tariff) is not working,” she said.

But, the agriculture minister had insisted, on Friday, that the Federal Government was still determined to discourage and stop rice importation.

“We want to discourage those that bring rice as traders,” he said. “We want those that are going to go in and have commercial farms, produce rice, buy domestic paddy rice and mill it for us.”

He said that government was looking at the rice tariff policy to discourage importers of rice, while encouraging those going into local production, processing and milling of rice.

“That policy will be released very soon; you will see that we have chosen the path of supporting those that are investing in Nigeria, not those that are going to be bringing rice from outside,” he said. The minister said that government would not allow any rice importer to create poverty in the country, saying that poverty is not an industry that should be developed.

L-R: Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Okey Itanyi; Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Eugene Juwah and Director-General/ CEO, National Lottery Registration Commission, Adolphus Ekpe, at the 75th edition of Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP) in Lagos.

PHOTO:GODWIN IREKHE

NAQS as appendage of Agric Ministry may be lame duck –Stakeholders Siaka Momoh

S

takeholders in the nation’s agricultural sector have decried the recommendation by the Steve Orosanye-led committee that Nigeria’s Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) be subsumed under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

They argued that such step would render NAQS a lame duck.

Nigeria’s Agricultural Quarantine Service, a merger of plant quarantine and animal quarantine services, evolved into NAQS some years ago.

But in the Orosanye report, the counsel is to bring NAQS under the umbrella of the agric ministry in a way that derobes it and

makes it less autonomous.

This is expected to reduce its performance and may negatively affect Nigeria’s competitiveness in import-export of agricultural products as international credibility may suffer a setback.

Also, under such arrangement, exported commodities may not get the approval of importing countries in most cases.

The stakeholders insisted that the bill that sought to strengthen the agency legally would amount to nullity if the agency becomes subsumed under the ministry as a department.

According to them, if the recommendations of Orosanye report are applied to the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), the Sanitary

and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) would become questionable, asking how Nigeria will cope in matters of international trade in food (import and export).

They warned that just as Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) responded to Nigeria’s handling of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recently, similar response might occur as NAQS is supposed to be a rapid response, autonomous unit, handling issues on safety of food commodities in import-export trade. They added that “mindful of the size of the Nigerian population, there ought to be a proactive measure, not reactive,” they argued.

Pension

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Friday, August 1, 2014

31

New Pension: Delayed execution better than error –PenCom

Dave Uduanu

Chinelo Ahonu-Amazu

NEW LAW The new Pension Reform Act may take a little time to come on-board as spotted inaccuracy needs to be corrected

Nigerian workers marking May Day event

Sunday Ojeme

F

ollowing the errors spotted in the newly-signed Pension Reform Act 2014, the National Pension Commission has noted that it will be better for the errors to be corrected and its implementation delayed than to manage it in its current state.

A source at the commission, who disclose this to New Telegraph in Abuja, said that the commission was being careful not to allow loopholes in the Act that would give dubious employers an escape room.

The initial euphoria that greeted the signing of the Pension Reform Act 2014 was punctured a few weeks after the assent when errors were spotted on the legal document and subsequently sent back to the Office of Attorney-General of Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.

The AGF and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN), is said to be going through the law with a view to correcting figures and spelling mistakes that were detected after the president had gave his assent to it on July 1.

A major flaw was detected in one of the sections, according to the commission source, who said: “whereas the new 2014 Act makes Contributory Pension Scheme compulsory for any private sector employer that employs maximum of three workers to enrol his workers for Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA), we

Yola

Wilson Ideva

discovered that the maximum figure for private workers was typed as 15 instead of three.”

New Telegraph also learnt that the implementation of the new pension scheme may take time because the AGF office would have to gazette the Act and send same to the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to issue implementation and enforcement guidelines.

The president had given assent to the law, which was enacted to correct some lapses that characterised the 2004 Pension Act. Some provisions contained in the 2014 Pension Act lauded by both Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Custodians were that operators who mismanage pension funds, on conviction, are liable to not less than 10 years imprisonment or fine of an amount equal to three times the amount so misappropriated or both.

The new law has increased RSA contribution both by employer and employees from 15 per cent to 18 per cent,

representing eight per cent contribution by an employee and 10 per cent by his employer and also reduced the number of employees an employer must have on his payroll to qualify for participation in the contributory pension scheme from five to three.

According to the source, “there might be a little delay because the new law will be gazetted after the spotted error has been corrected. It will be sent back to the commission and the commission will

Obviously the implementation will encounter a little delay, but I believe those in charge will hurry over it for the good of Nigerian workers

in turn issue the necessary guidelines for its implementation. Obviously the implementation will encounter a little delay, but I believe those in charge will hurry over it for the good of Nigerian workers.”

Shortly after the Presidential assent, Nigerians and stakeholders in the pension sector had reacted differently to the new law with a section proclaiming it as excellent while some others said it would go the same way of other laws that had been poorly executed in the past.

Pension Fund Administrators described the new law as one of the best things to have happened with pension administration in the country as it has not only set out to enhance their business but also to build a better and comfortable retirement future for current workers who are registered under the CPS. The Managing Director, Premium Pension Limited, Mr Wilson Ideva, said that the new pension law would concretize the statutory foundation of the pension industry and position it for the attainment of even greater heights.

He said that the industry which has enabled over six million workers rake in over N4 trillion in assets, was now set to witness unimaginable growth, such that has never been seen in any sector of the Nigerian economy.

Ideva pointed out that the growth in the industry would have even been more expansive if the previous law allowed the application of very stringent measures on non-compliant institutions and individuals, adding that moral suasion yielded little result.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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business | PENSION

CPS Pension fund contribution under the Contributory Pension Scheme has emerged one of the best saving mechanisms to ensure post-retirement comfort

Sunday Ojeme

T

he Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mr Rotimi Hussain, has said that the recent increase in the pension contribution of employers under the Contributory Pension Scheme will not deter the state government

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

We won’t toy with Lagos retirees’ welfare, says LASPEC DG from emerging the best in planning the best retirement future for its workers.

Hussain, who made the declaration after President Jonathan signed the Pension Reform Act 2014 into law, said that employers who failed to make contributions while it was 15 per cent, were the ones who had to worry about the increase.

He said that even though some employers still found it difficult to comply when the rate was 15 per cent, the increment was a welcome develop-

ment.

Hussain said: “I think we should still see how it works, because an increase from 15 to 18 per cent will not kill anyone, those that have not complied at 15 even if you lower it, they still may not comply.”

The LASPEC boss particularly advocated that every employee in Nigeria should be made to join the contributory pension scheme, saying that it was necessary to expand the coverage of the scheme in order to ensure that more Nigerians have something to live on

after retirement.

According to him, “in an ideal setting, we should have a situation where an employer will issue conditions of employment and state therein that your employment is pensionable or not pensionable.

“Anybody who works in any capacity whatsoever ordinarily ought to be covered under the pension scheme and that should include public office holders because when they are holding public offices, they still earn salary.

“As long as you earn salary,

whether you are in the public service or private sector, the issue is that you earn salary, a percentage of that salary should go towards ensuring that you have something kept for you towards your retirement because whether you are in private or public sector at one point you must retire. As long as the scheme is designed to take care of old age, to take care of you, post retirement, to take care of you when you can no longer earn a living, then every person should be brought under that scheme.”

African pension fund giant relists on JSE

A

frica’s biggest retirement fund administrator, Alexander Forbes, on Thursday, became the 11th company to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) this year.

The company’s return to the bourse’s main board followed its delisting in 2007, when it was bought by a private equity consortium for R8.2 billion.

It listed with a market capitalisation of around R10.9 billion, putting it into the top 25 per cent of companies listed on the JSE and saw its stock jump by 14 per cent to R8.55 a share by 9.15am.

The listing was preceded by a R3.7 billion public offering - South Africa’s largest flotation in four years, according to Reuters.

“Investors were drawn by the regular income from its pension management and insurance businesses, and the potential for growth in sub-Saharan Africa, where financial services are still developing.”

The company is a leading employee benefits consulting, actuarial, investment and administration services provider and retirement fund administrator, with R275-billion in assets under administration as at the end of March this year.

Alexander Forbes brings the number of financial services companies listed on the JSE to 28. “We are delighted to welcome Alexander Forbes back to the JSE, where it lists in the financial services sector, one of the most vibrant on the JSE,” JSE CEO, Nicky Newton-King, said in a statement.

Statistics South Africa (SSA) estimates that the country’s financial services sector created 13 000 new jobs in the 2013/14 financial year and currently employs over 1.8 million people.

JSE is Africa’s biggest bourse and one of the top 20 exchanges in the world in terms of market capitalisation.

Delayed implementation without error better CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

He said: “It is expected that when the new pension law is fully applied, majority of the country’s working population, be they in the public or private sector, or even artisans, would be covered by the scheme.”

Managing Director of Legacy Pension, Misbahu Umar Yola, lauded the upward review introduced to the new law, which increased the minimum pension contribution from 15 per cent to 18 per cent.

Yola described the aspect that repealed the 2004 lighter sanction for operators who mismanage pension fund to be liable on conviction to not less than 10 years imprisonment or fine of an amount equal to three-times the amount so misappropriated or diverted or both imprisonment and fine as a welcome de-

velopment which he said would instil sanity into pension administration.

He expressed optimism that the 2014 Pension Act which repeals the 2004 Act would correct many lapses of the past, including deduction and nonremittance of pension as prevalent with some private sector employers.

On the other hand, the General Secretary, NUP (NRC chapter), Alhaji Rauf Balogun, said that although he was yet to get hold of a copy of the new law, the section that recommends 10year jail term for pension thieves would remain a joke except those who had stolen in the past are appropriately dealt with. According to him, the failure of government to prosecute pension thieves in the past is enough reason to doubt the sincerity of the new law.

L-R: Head, Operations, FUG Pensions, Wale Oton; Company Secretary, Habib Darannijo; and Managing Director, Usman Suleiman, at a meeting in Lagos.

Why more companies ‘derisk’ pension liabilities

M

ajor companies have all moved part of their pension obligations off their books and into annuities run by insurance companies.

The move, termed ‘derisking’, requires companies to pay a lump sum to purchase a group annuity from an insurance company. The insurer then takes over the retirement payments, wiping erratic pension obligations off the books of the purchaser.

Washington Post reports that for retirees, the move should make no difference: Their checks come as always, assuming the insurance company that sells the annuity remains in fine financial shape.

But for the companies buying the annuities, the change offers an opportunity to shed risk. That prospect has grown more appealing to companies as low interest rates and a volatile stock market have caused companies to pour billions into their pension funds to keep pace with accounting rules.

Now that the stock market is roaring and interest rates are expected to increase, buying annuities to get rid of pension obligations is becoming less expensive and derisking is rising.

A recent survey of 182 companies by Prudential found that 53 per cent have either transferred defined benefit pension liabilities to a third-party insurer or “are likely to” in the next two years. That is a sharp increase from a 2010 survey.

“From a company’s point of view, there is longevity risk,” as people live longer, said Scott Gaul, a senior vice president for Prudential, which has done tens of billions dollars in pensionrisk transfers. Also, “pensions are a very volatile liability on their balance sheet,” he said. “It has been a distraction for corporations, but from Prudential’s point of view, it is really our core business.”

With many traditional company pension plans frozen meaning employees are accruing no new benefits and plans are accepting no new members - some advocacy groups worry that derisking will end up being yet another blow to retirement security.

The Pension Rights Centre, which pushes for better retirement security, worries that converting pensions to insurance annuities could open retirees up to new problems. Often, when a company transfers a

pension to an annuity, it also offers retirees the option of a lump-sum buyout, a move that is cheaper for companies than buying an annuity.

Those buyouts are often attractive to retirees who can get their hands on as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars at once, but a few are prepared to invest the money in a way that will make it last a lifetime. Advocates also worry that annuities are not backed by a federal agency such as the Pension Benefits Guaranty Corp., which insures private pensions. In comparison, annuities are backed by state associations.

But the outgoing head of the PBGC sees no problems with derisking into an annuity. He said that because companies have chosen to shed their pensions, the choice retirees face is not between a regular pension and an annuity, but an annuity and a lump sum of cash that has to last them through retirement.

“From our perspective, the bigger worry is how derisking is done,” said Joshua Gotbaum, director of the PBGC. “Derisking by transferring obligations to a reputable insurance company is infinitely better than offering employees a pot of money.”

Agric

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Friday, August 1, 2014

BUSINESS 33

Asia chocolate consumption may affect Nigeria cocoa farmers’ earnings Nigeria is fourth largest producer of cocoa in the world coming after Ivory Coast, Indonesia and Ghana, accounting for 8.7 per cent of total world output Stories by Siaka Momoh

S

urging consumption of chocolate in Asia is pushing cocoa-bean prices to the highest level in three years as buyers, including Barry Callebaut AG, expand their search for more supply and this is likely to affect farmgate prices in Nigeria and other cocoa producing countries.

This is good news for Nigerian farmers who account for over 350,000 metric tonnes of global annual cocoa output. Nigeria is fourth largest producer of cocoa in the world coming after Ivory Coast, Indonesia and Ghana, accounting for 8.7 per cent of total world output.

Chocolate industries outside Nigerian and other cocoa producing countries’ shores depend on supplies from these countries.

While demand in the Asian region ranked as world’s lowest per capita in 2013, the market will grow at almost twice the global rate over the next four years. According to researcher, Euromonitor International Ltd., Barry Callebaut, based in Zurich, the world’s largest producer of bulk chocolate has doubled capacity in Asia since 2009 as Cargill Inc. and ArcherDaniels-Midland Co. added bean-processing plants.

Growth in Asian demand has contributed to a rally in cocoa, the key ingredient for chocolate, which climbed to the highest level since August 2011 in New York on July 3. Rising con-

REFORMS Food import bill is plunging thanks to agric transformation project

T

he Nigerian high annual food import bill, which has been a worrisome problem to the Federal Government has dropped from $7 billion to $4.3 billion.

The drop, according to President Goodluck Jonathan, who spoke at the commissioning of the Olam Rice Mills located in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State recently, was a spin-of from his government’s Agricultural Transformation

sumption in emerging markets including China and India may spur shortages that extend into the next decade, with the global bean deficit seen reaching one million metric tons by 2020, according to Hardman & Co., a London-based research firm.

“In the longer term, the scarcity of quality cocoa is a serious concern for our entire industry,” Barry Callebaut Chief Executive Officer, Juergen Steinemann, said by e-mail in reply to Bloomberg questions.

Asia, home to about 3.7 billion people, or over half of the world’s population, will be the consumption “powerhouse” for cocoa and chocolate, said Gerard Manley, a managing director at Singapore-based Olam International Ltd. (OLAM), which supplies about 10 per cent of world beans. The shortage will push up prices at least 10 per cent through the end of 2014, he said on June 10. Olam is a front line buyer of Nigerian cocoa.

Futures climbed 14 per cent this year to $3,097 a ton on ICE Futures US in New York and reached $3,149 on July 3, the highest since August 2011.

Consumption of chocolate confectionery in the Asia-Pacific region averaged 200 grams (7 ounces) per person last year, less than the Middle East and Africa, according to Euromonitor.

Demand expanded 4.5 per cent, the fastest rate in the world and almost six times the global increase of 0.8 per cent. Australia and New Zealand munched the most chocolate with 4.8 kilograms (10.6 pounds) per person, followed by Western Europe at 4.6 kilograms.

Barry Callebaut (BARN) doubled chocolate output capacity in Asia to 90,000 tons in 2014 from five years ago and a further increase is possible, Mikael Neglen, the Asia-Pacific chocolate president, said in a June 6 interview. The Swede moved to Singapore last year before his

company spent $950 million for the cocoa-ingredients unit of Petra Foods Ltd. in the country.

Shares climb Bean processors are adding facilities in growing areas to ensure supply, according to Yeong Chye, ADM’s Asia cocoa managing director in Singapore, where capacity has quadrupled since 1984, when the plant opened.

Cargill, based in Minneapolis, will start a 70,000-ton plant in Indonesia in the second half, its first in Asia.

Olam is starting a new facility in Ivory Coast this year and another in Indonesia in 2016, according to the company. Ivory Coast, Ghana and Indonesia are the top cocoa growers.

Shares of chocolate makers are advancing. Barry Callebaut climbed 34 per cent in the past 12 months, while Mondelez (MDLZ) International Inc., based in Deerfield, Illinois, surged 28 per cent.

Mondelez owns Cadbury India

Cocoa beans

Ltd., which holds a 65 per cent market share in a nation with 1.2 billion people.

The race to process more beans may be premature as demand expands more slowly than expected, said London-based analyst Caroline Bain of Capital Economics. Increasing prices may also deter purchases in emerging markets that are sensitive to higher costs, she said.

Godiva challenge “While we see cocoa consumption growing steadily in Asia, we’re more cautious than a lot of forecasters who assume that European-style consumption levels will be reached relatively soon,” Bain said in an e-mailed reply to questions on June 17.

Demand in China, ranked 11th in the world in terms of market value, may take more than 10 years to overtake the US, according to Mohamed Elsarky, chief executive officer of Godiva, the luxury chocolate maker controlled by Turkish billionaire Murat Ulker. The 88-year-old Belgian firm has opened over 50 shops in China since 2009 and seeks to double that in five years, Elsarky said.

The chocolate confectionery market in the Asia-Pacific region will expand to $16.3 billion in 2018, a 23 per cent climb from last year, according to Euromonitor. The world market, dominated by Western Europe and North America, will increase 13 percent to about $124 billion, it says.

“The Asia market is growing very fast as people are very fond of chocolate,” said Philippe Daue, a fourth-generation Belgian chef who has spent 18 years in Asia and is Godiva’s Beijing-based Pacific Rim chef chocolatier. “The availability of cocoa beans to meet the growing demand for chocolate will become all chocolatiers’ biggest challenge worldwide.”

Nigeria’s food import bill falls to $4.3bn Agenda (ATA).

The president congratulated Olam Farm Rice for its investment in the Nigerian agriculture sector and said that the mills “are producing high quality local rice that meets international standards, and competes well with imported rice. And don’t forget, Nigerian rice is tastier and healthier than imported rice, because our local rice is fresh from the farm. Let me add that I am also speaking as a proud consumer of Nigerian rice.”

As part of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s effort to revamp the agriculture sector,

ensure food security, diversify the economy and enhance foreign exchange earnings, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) embarked on a transformation agenda with a focus on the development of agricultural value chains.

The transformation action plan is focused on key aspects of value chains, including the provision and availability of improved inputs (seed and fertilizer), increased productivity and production, as well as the establishment of staple crop processing zones. It also addresses reduction in post-harvest losses,

improving linkages with industry with respect to backward integration, as well as access to financial services and markets.

The Transformation Agenda targets rural communities particularly women, youth and farmers associations, as well as improving rural institutions and infrastructure.

The transformation agenda sets out to create over 3.5 million jobs from the rice, cassava, sorghum, cocoa and cotton value chains, with many more jobs to come from other value chains under implementation. The programme aims to provide over 300 Billion Naira

(US$ 2 billion) of additional income in the hands of Nigerian farmers. Over 60 Billion Naira (US$ 380 million) is to be injected into the economy from the substitution of 20 per cent of bread wheat flour with cassava flour.

The transformation agenda calls for targeted interventions to increase efficiency and profitability along the value-added chains of these crops. The transformation agenda took off in grand style early August 2011 following the appointment of the Honourable minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina.

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BUSINESS | AGRIC

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Friday, August 1, 2014

Cocoa market review June 2014 Monthly cocoa review

by International Cocoa organisation (ICCO) Price movements In June, the ICCO daily price averaged $3,174 per tonne, up by $144 compared to the average price recorded in the previous month ($3,030), and ranged between $3,131 and $3,215 per tonne.

Cocoa futures prices continued their upward movement in June and surpassed the highs initiated during the middle of the previous month. Indeed, several fundamental factors led to the increase. The sharp rise in cocoa futures during the first week of June was underpinned by supply concerns amid reports that the occurrence of El Nino weather conditions could affect the 2014/2015 main crops in West Africa. Thereafter, with several analysts revising their forecasts for the current cocoa year from a deficit to a surplus or a near balance situation due to strong arrivals and purchases from major producing countries, cocoa futures prices shed off their earlier gains and drifted downwards.

During this period, cocoa prices fell to their lowest level for the month at £1,896 per tonne in London and at $3,048 per tonne in New York. However, this fall in cocoa prices was short-lived and, towards the end of the month, cocoa futures in New York witnessed a near threeyear high, at $3,133 per tonne while in London, the figure rose to £1,940 per tonne. This price rally was supported by reports of an increase in chocolate consumption combined with strong industry needs for cocoa butter, which had consequently fueled buying interest from traders.

From the start of the month through to the third week of June, the cocoa market outper-

Musical chair for prices as quality of mid-crop declines formed most other commodities. From then onwards, as the cocoa market experienced a decline, the prices of most other commodities rose. Nevertheless, by the end of the month, the weakening of the dollar supported cocoa prices.

Supply and demand situation On the supply side, news agency data showed that, as at July 6, 2014, cumulative cocoa beans arrivals at ports in Côte d’Ivoire reached 1,616,000 tonnes, compared with 1,342,000 tonnes

recorded for the same period of the previous season. In Ghana, cocoa purchases recorded by the Ghana Cocoa Board totalled 866,742 tonnes for the main crop as at 12 June 2014, up by almost 12.5 per cent from the previous season. A good mid-crop production has been reported from the West African region, as favourable weather conditions had prevailed for crop development.

However, in Côte d’Ivoire, heavy rains hindered the drying of cocoa beans and the quality of the mid-crop harvest has

started to decline, in particular in the eastern part of the country, where the bean size was significantly reduced.

In Indonesia, exports of cocoa beans from Sulawesi, the largest cocoa producing region in the country, have been significantly lower than average. According to the Indonesian Cocoa Association, output from the region fell by 40 per cent to 4,656 tonnes in June 2014, compared with 7,773 tonnes for the previous year. In addition, the Indonesian government is reported to be consider-

ing a higher cocoa export tax to secure supplies for its soaring domestic grinding capacity.

On the demand side, while cocoa butter prices remained high at levels above $8,000 per tonne during the month under review, on the other hand, ample stocks of cocoa powder have reduced the price of the product. Indeed, it has been reported that some grinders are reducing their operational capacity to ease powder stocks.

• Source: ICCO

Cocoa beans

Sources of rural poverty: A broken agricultural model Only 25 per cent of Nigerian farmers use formal banking, compared with 82 per cent of salaried workers. Only 2.8 million out of 14 million farmers took out loans in 2012 to buy fertiliser, livestock, or seeds.

P

overty persists in both rural and urban areas, but mostly for a different set of reasons. We find three main drivers of rural poverty in Nigeria.

Low productivity Agricultural production has grown by 2.4 per cent a year since 2000, barely keeping up with population growth. The value of agricultural production has improved in part due to a shift to more valuable crops, such as

cassava and yams (and away from less valuable crops such as beans, millet, and sorghum).

Crop yields have also risen, but much of the improvement merely has made up for declining yields during the 1990s. As a result, yields remain well below benchmarks, for example, cereal yields are less than a third of those in China, Indonesia and Brazil.

These low yields reflect the low level of sophistication and poor farming practices of Nigeria’s smallholder farmers, who have limited education about farming practices and have been unable to invest in seeds.

Nigerian farms use an average of six kilograms (kg) of fertiliser per hectare of arable land, compared with 550 kg in Indonesia, 180 kg in China and India, and 18 kg per hectare in Ghana. The limited investment in critical farming inputs reflects a lack of access to affordable capital. Only 25 per cent of farmers use formal banking, compared with 82 per cent of salaried workers in Nigeria.

Only 2.8 million out of 14 million farmers took out loans in 2012 to buy fertiliser, livestock, or seeds. The Agricultural Transformation Agenda, the most comprehensive reform of the agricultural sector that Nigeria has undertaken, includes a series of initiatives aimed at increasing competitiveness in agriculture and reducing reliance on imports. These reforms are too recent to be reflected in GDP numbers, but there are indications of early success. For example, food imports by Nigeria decreased from $13 billion in 2012 to $11 billion in 2013.

Poor market access The way that fresh food and agricultural commodities are distributed in Nigeria limits the share of value that farmers receive when goods are sold. The first cut occurs on the way to market, during which 20 to 50 per cent of produce is lost to spoilage, higher than the average rate for either Latin America (three to 14 per cent) or the rest of sub-

Saharan Africa (eight to 18 per cent).

Nigeria lacks the proper infrastructure to keep produce fresh (in chilled trucks or rail cars) and get it to market quickly (via good roads and reliable train service). Currently smallholder farms (plots of less than two hectares), which make up more than 85 per cent of Nigerian cultivated land, also lack access to processing, storage, and marketing facilities. At the end of harvest season, farmers often sell produce to traders, who have the capacity to store the food until prices are higher.

Such middlemen capture 40 per cent of the margin from rice production compared with only 32 per cent captured by the farmer.

In beef production, farmers capture only 24 per cent of the margin. Nigerian farmers also fail to capture additional value from processing raw crops into higher-value products. For example, in Nigeria, only 10 per cent of cassava is processed into flour,

sweeteners, and industrial products (the rest is used for direct human consumption), compared with 85 per cent in Brazil and 95 per cent in Thailand.18 Farmers could potentially do some of this processing themselves, and they are also likely to capture greater value if demand increases due to downstream processing.

Population growth Unlike other fast-growing economies, in Nigeria, the rural population has continued to grow - by about 2.7 per cent annually since 2000. However, the amount of land under cultivation has not expanded as quickly, so that cropland per worker has actually been falling by 1.7 per cent per year, restricting potential productivity increases linked to scale benefits. Another effect of the rising rural population is to reduce the positive effects that urbanisation can have on farm incomes.

•

Source: McKenzie Global Institute

BUSINESS | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

35

The cassava bread question (1) Baking Nigerian bread now is not feasible, writes SIAKA MOMOH

G

overnment wants ‘cassava bread’ for Nigeria – loaf made of 80 per cent wheat flour and 20 per cent cassava flour. It is a beautiful idea from government, a welcome one since it is coming with job creation, foreign exchange savings, blossoming GDP, more money for farmers and related value chain stakeholders, among others.

A recap to get the picture clearer If Nigeria can take a bold step and move swiftly into production of 50 per cent cassava flour bread, the country will save over N315 billion annually, said Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina. At the moment, Nigeria imports wheat worth N635 billion (about $4.2 billion) annually, hurting its foreign exchange earnings and worsening the rate of unemployment.

The inclusion of 50 per cent cassava flour in bread production will change this as it will cut imports of wheat by half.

Presenting loaves baked by researchers from IITA to the Federal Executive Council, Adesina urged Nigerians to embrace the consumption of bread with cassava flour content.

According to him, “apart from Nigeria saving N315 billion, it will also create jobs and encourage farmers to produce more.”

In 2002, Nigeria adopted a policy compelling flour millers to incorporate 10 per cent cassava flour into wheat flour.

Under the new transformation agenda, Nigeria plans to double its current cassava pro-

E-WALLET This niche system, which helped rid Nigeria of fertiliser scam now attracts patrons in Africa

N

igerian e-wallet system which helped to sanitise Nigeria’s corruption-ridden fertiliser supply chain has found an admirer in Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries which has plan to adopt it.

New Telegraph gathered that plans have been concluded between the Ugandan ministry and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development for the adoption.

In a recent visit by a study team from Uganda to Nigeria, a member of the Ugandan team, Mrs Ahmed Asebe, stated that the partnership will help raise her country’s agricultural programme and development.

Mrs Ahmed acknowledged that the e-wallet system, an offshoot of Nigeria’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES)

duction from 37 million tons.

The critical areas the government is focusing on are value addition to make production demand driven and the improvement of yield among others.

With over 37 million tons of harvested fresh cassava roots per year, Nigeria is by far the largest cassava-producing country in the world. Estimates are that between seven and eight million Nigerian farming families grow the tuber...

Along the line, the Federal Government fixed 20 per cent cassava flour inclusion in bread production (and other confectioneries) for flour millers. That is the background story in brief.

Government has since made good efforts to make the policy workable. Trainings of bakers have been done and some are still going on, going by reports on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development activities in the media.

Some equipment for the production High Quality Cassava Flour(HQCF) have been made available for use, corporate bakers like UTC, Food Concepts and Leventis were co-opted into flagging off the production of cassava bread (and they produced and supplied to big retailer); Shoprite outlets confirmed selling cassava bread.

Sad story But our investigation has proved that achieving 20 per cent cassava flour inclusion in Nigerian bread is going to be a tall order. It is achievable but it is not going to be as quickly as we think. Right now, Food Concepts is not producing the bread.

The company’s distributors spoken to said the company stopped producing it long ago. Contacts at the company’s plant in Oregun are evasive. The Minister of Agriculture once said it is not

Nigerian bread

easy changing taste overnight.

He cited our children’s passionate love for pasta range of foods.

But he is not giving up.

The success of the project, going by information available is hinged largely on the adequate availability of HQCF. Government made good plans for this.

The plan is not one that can quickly be executed. This is perhaps why the general complaint now is that the high quality cassava flour needed for a composite of wheat flour and cassava flour in not available in required quantity. We will want to believe a lot still need to be done in respect of the provision of HQCF machines that are meant to be in the states. Take a look at the government plan as announced

by Akinwunmi Adesina at a parley with bakers and make your judgment: First, we will work with the bakeries and HQCF industry to develop a commerciallyviable process for producing Nigerian bread. Steps have

Ugandan to adopt Nigerian e-wallet system Scheme, was a unique strategy.

She said that the e-wallet system would play a role in solving the Ugandan challenge with agriculture implementation such as procurement of farm inputs. “There is no doubt that the team’s visit to Nigeria will impact on Uganda’s agriculture sector,” she said.

Operating E-walet

The e-wallet system ensures that farmers get regular updates on their mobile phones as to when and where to pick up subsidised fertilizer and other inputs. The system has brought about greater transparency to the system which was hitherto fraught with irregularities.

already been taken and, with our partners from Thai farms who have already developed a process with leading food science companies to attain a 30 per cent blend, which is a critical first step to attaining a 40 per cent blend.

Second, we will work with the bakery industry to provide appropriate incentives for them to make the necessary investment to modify their process and supply chains. An initial incentive announced by Mr President is a 12 per cent point reduction in the corporate tax rate of bakeries that are producing Nigerian Bread within the next 18 months. In addition, we are actively consulting with the industry to identify further incentives that will ensure a rapid adoption of Nigerian bread.

Third, we will work to ensure adequate supply of HQCF to the industry. This will be done in a three step process.

1) The establishment of 12 HQCF processing plants with an installed capacity of 120ton/ day, made up of two 60ton/day production lines, via a Private Public Partnership (PPP). Key activities will involve: a. A feasibility study that makes the business case for the viability of HQCF plants established in specific locations of Nigeria spread over the SW, SS, SE, NC, NW and NE regions of the country is currently being conducted by Accenture and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and will be completed January 8 (he meant January 2013)...

The feasibility study will be submitted by January 10 to two potential financiers: the China and Thailand EXIM banks, for a loan to fund the manufacture, shipment, and installation of the plants within 8-10 months... b. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) will be the guarantor for loans to build the HQCF plants and also pay any required deposit. Successful applicants will sign an agreement with FMARD that includes a scheme of out grower farmers 2) Establishment of supply chains of fresh cassava roots for the 12 HQCF processing plants

through establishment of out grower farmers and access to inputs, finance, and tractors, and rural road infrastructure upgrade... a. The out grower farmers’ institutions will be organized into out grower associations, by ADP extension agents and FMARD consultants, for the bulk purchase of agro-inputs, access to finance under NIRSAL, and to tractors, via loans from the farm mechanization intervention of FMARD. In addition, out grower associations will be the focal point for development of farmer capacity for improved production, scheduling of harvesting, and transport arrangements for delivery to the HQCF factory. b. Establishment of fair pricing mechanisms with assistance from FMARD consultants to set prices for fresh roots between out grower associations and HQCF plants for sustainable production of fresh roots and HQCF. c. Rehabilitation of feeder rural roads by State government.

A condition for establishment of an HQCF plant in a State is the signing of an MOU by State government to rehabilitate feeder roads leading from out grower farms to HQCF factories, etc. etc.

A herculean task, isn’t it? The question is: How much of this plan has been executed given the bureaucracy in government business?

This is perhaps why only a few bakers are currently involved in the production of ‘Cassava Bread’. Alhaji Lateef Oguntoyinbo former National Vice- Chairman and Lagos State Chairman of the Association of Masters Bakers and Caterers Association of Nigeria said a few who were trained are baking it. Tope Ige, Chairman/CEO of Ibukun Foods Limited, who runs a bakery in Satellite Town, Lagos said bakers once held a meeting with flour millers who said “we cannot even meet 5 per cent cassava flour inclusion”.

He said there is currently no adequate supply of flour-toflour millers and added “out of 10 trailers of cassava flour supplied to a flour miller only one will be found suitable”.

36

BUSINESS | AGRIC

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Investment opportunities

How to establish an integrated farm Demonstration farm settlement schemes with full complement of capital utilities and a hybrid of cultivated crops and animal breed would be an ideal practice, under a publicprivate partnership arrangement Chukwudi Odili

O

ur people need adequate food so that poverty can be drastically reduced in the first place; and our local industries need sustainable import-substituted raw materials to get back on stream. And if we are serious to join the top 20 economies by 2020, we must reawaken to the reality that now is the time to radically reorganise the Nigerian agricultural sector.

Before the advent of petroleum, agriculture was Nigeria’s leading sector: providing adequate food for the citizenry, raw materials to local and offshore colonial industries and by extension the needed foreign exchange for external payments.

Apart from seeking to diversify the export base away from petroleum, returning agriculture to its celebrated status as a leading sector under some form of true federal structure that will enable the federating states to compete in revenue generation will do some of the magic.

Any effort by the Federal Government to compel crude oil producers to invest in agriculture, solid minerals, infrastructure or related projects may be one way by which considerable investment in agriculture could be realised. The various states of the federation should independently strive to provide complementary investor-friendly environment and necessary infrastructures that could attract investments.

Demonstration farm settlement schemes with full complement of capital utilities and a hybrid of cultivated crops and animal breed would be an ideal practice, under a public-private partnership arrangement. However, since agriculture is a rural project, private investors should take up the initiative in order to make the expected huge profits resulting from investments in agricultural projects no matter how long-term the venture may seem to be. Oil companies should also reconsider reviving their age-long agricultural pet projects or set up new demonstration for other corporate organisations and individual entrepreneurs to emulate.

Crop farming and animal husbandry are the two recommendable agricultural sectors that a private investor should consider engaging in.

Songhai integrated farm

Crop farming The major steps to be taken towards establishing a crop project include, but not limited to the following: Land preparation and layout Land preparation entails clearing, burning, packing of garbage (stumping), tilling, digging, ploughing, harrowing, marking, hoeing, irrigation and planting.

Modern farming practices demand that soil tests should be carried out to ensure that the types of soil in place would be suitable for the crops intended for cultivation. Hoeing and other related activities are critical to the breakup of the lumps of the various soil sub-strata.

Cultivation Cultivation, which basically entails land preparation, holing and planting follows the procurement of seeds and seedlings. Subsequent processes involve general field maintenance and harvesting. Many sets of equipment exist which can simultaneously perform the land preparation, planting, harvesting, and field maintenance functions. Field maintenance involves such activities as cutting, weeding, pruning, fertilizer application and mulching.

The foregoing processes take crop characteristics and seasonal variations into consideration.

In particular, it is important to understand the tolerance capacity of the crops to other crops and to ecology as this will advise appropriately on inter-cropping, shifting cultivation and soil requirements, cultivation techniques and even more so on spacing, planting and harvesting periods, among others.

Disease and Pest Control is an essential farming practice.

Pesticides, Fungicides, Herbicides should be applied from time to time.

Crops are usually organised under the following categories: • Staple or food crops include cassava, yam, potatoes, maize, rice, beans, plantain, etc.

• Economic or cash crops in-

clude palm tree, cocoa, cashew, gum-arabic, groundnuts, cotton, sesame-seed, rubber, timber, ginger.

• Fruits include pineapple, pawpaw, mangoes, guava, pears, apple, bananas, and the citrus group, e.g., oranges, tangerine, grape, lime, etc.

• Ornamental crops such as garden eggs, pepper, tomatoes, carrots, okra, green vegetables (e.g. pumpkin leaves, green, melon, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, okasi, • Forestry is a lucrative area of potential profit. Timber, processed from felled trees is an essential material used for the construction of buildings, boats, furniture, electricity and telephone poles, etc., and for the production of pulp for papermaking.

The investment profile for the cultivation of selected staple crops on one hectare of land and the corresponding benefits is as in table below: Details about land preparation, best variety of seeds and sources, pesticides, fungicides and fertilizer sources and application, cost of seeds/seedling and materials, general field maintenance tips, storage, processing, packaging, management and organization, marketing and export processes, as the case may be, will be embodied in a detailed feasibility report for

interested prospective investors.

The author is willing to assist anyone interested in establishing an integrated farm project.

Animal Husbandry A combination of the following animal husbandry practices could be adopted commercially: • Cattle rearing • Sheep and goat rearing • Poultry • Piggery • Rabbittery • Fishery Cattle rearing is the most versatile as cattle may be generally bred for the purpose of producing milk, hides and skin, hoof, horn, bones and dairy products like butter and cheese. The local Fulani Bunaji or Rahaji species may be crossbred with the Sokoto Gudali, the Shuwa Arab, the Azaouk or the Bargawa. If for the purpose of beef production, then the local Ndama, Kuri, or Dali species must be stocked. As the business grows, the imported Hoistel Freisian cows and bulls could be introduced to facilitate cross breeding through artificial insemination. Procreation techniques involving artificial insemination would indeed be a key factor in the rapid animal population growth, survival and disease resistance.

Large commercial ranch have impressively sprung up in various southern states of the

Yield Income Expenditure Profit CROP (specific units) N N N N MAIZE 32,934 2,886,100 1,044,400 1,841,700 YAM 40,000 5,600,000 1,022,840 4,577,160 CASSAVA 20,000 1,232,000 549,640 682,360 PLANTAIN 1,500 2,730,000 453,640 2,276,360 *Note: The yield rate varies with crop type.

Revenue

Cost

Profit

N

N

N

Rearing Of 1000 Layers From Day Old To Culling

1,731,618

1,342,072

389,546

Broiler Production (1000 Birds)

296,408

207,592

88,816

Establishment Of One Hectare Fish-Pond In An Upland Area

11,620,000 9,636,200 1,983,800

country as in the north. Badagry and Agege areas of Lagos state, Sagamu in Ogun State, Ibadan in Oyo State, Obudu in Cross River State, Umuahia in Abia State and Abakiliki area of Ebonyi State are gradually developing commercial patches of ranch. Grazing crops rich in protein and starch-rich crops like maize should be grown in the pasture. Fodder should be procured to augment the animal feed assortment.

It is lucrative business to rear sheep and goats. Nigerian goats are similar to the sheep in their classification and use. Two distinct species are prominent: the West African long-legged sheep and the West African Dwarf sheep.

The local chicken, duck, geese, turkey, pigeons, guinea fowl, could all be reared from the perspective of poultry production diversification. Poultry business attained a boom in the seventies and early eighties but owing to escalating cost of feeds production, there occurred a decline. Interestingly, the time is here again ripe for a renewed poultry business initiative, as the feeds production situation has relatively improved.

For pigs, exotic breeds are more productive than indigenous species, which are smaller and shallower in shapes and sizes. Exotic breeds can be acclimatized. The African Swine Fever (ASF) which has caused a lot of havoc in this country could very easily be brought under effective control if the recommendations of any thorough research study on it are taken seriously; likewise the poultry virus.

A large integrated animal husbandry set-up oftentimes engages in such downstream farm activities like dairy, yoghurt, and egg production; and at times, meat/ fish processing, packaging or canning. A businessman may decide to engage only in transporting either the raw produce or the processed products to distant markets in order to take advantage of price differentials, or he may decide to engage in storage in order to take advantage of seasonal fluctuations.

A feed mill also usually forms part of an extended farm venture, reducing the cost of commercial feeds and making the farm project a really integrated venture. Organized veterinary services may be procured at subsidized rates from government agencies or from independent veterinary doctors to take care of the health of the animals on a sustainable basis.

The profitability profiles of setting up a poultry and fishery project (as typical examples of animal farming) in a given season may be summarised as in table 2.

•

Odili, an experienced Project Research & Development Consultant and can be reached through: ticodilis@ yahoo.com.

autoBEATS

37

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2014

New Ranger Derivative tougher than ever Paul Ogbuokiri

F

ord Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has introduced a rugged new version of its popular Ranger to the Sub Saharan Africa region. The new variant - the Ranger XLPlus - will go on general sale early next year. It brings a new dimension of toughness to the line-up, making it of particular interest to mining companies, farmers and other business owners with very specific requirements.

According to the Vice President, Marketing and Sales Ford Sub-Saharan Africa, Mark Kaufman; The Ranger XL-Plus was born out of particular requirements from the mining industry, as well as other business owners whose main concerns were rugged capability and impeccable safety standards.

He said: “The vehicle is already extremely capable, and big mining companies have committed to using only vehicles that have five-star ENCAP and ANCAP ratings, which Ranger XL-Plus derivative boasts.”

He said Ranger XL-Plus will be sold in South Africa as well as being exported to Nigeria and other markets with similar requirements. It is available in both Left Hand Drive and Right Hand Drive, he adds.

Kaufman further said that with airbags for both the driver and passenger, as well as side impact, curtain, and a driverside knee airbag, Ranger XL-Plus complies with the safety requirements determined by international mine operators.

In addition to that, it has a steel bullbar as standard that is designed to work in conjunction with the vehicle’s existing safety systems, thus not compromising airbag deployment, he said.

New Telegraph learnt that an extensive list of modifications have also been tested to ensure the Ranger XL-Plus will stand up to t h e

harsh environments seen in mining operations such as those in Australia, New Zealand and here in Africa.

External modifications and enhancements include a frame tested for an increased towing load of 3 500kg, extruded aluminium side steps, front mud flaps, and a lockable fuel filler cap.

Inside and under the skin, the Ranger XL-Plus gains a Crew Chief mounting bracket paired to an expanded wiring harness for accommodating more switches and circuits, a heavy duty second battery, vinyl floor covering, and heavy duty seat covers.

According to Kaufman; “modifications developed for the Ranger XL-Plus came from extensive testing in real-world scenarios. We took feedback from our customers on what more they need from the Ranger in applications such as mining, and built a version of Ranger that will take a lot more punishment, as well as offer integration with technical equip-

ment used on sites.”

He said that by January next year, Ranger XL-Plus will be available to customers in Sub Saharan Africa in three body styles with two chassis cab models in single and double-cab variations, and a double cab model with a loadbox.

Drive comes from the Duratorq 2.2-litre TDCi engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. All models have four-wheel drive and are fitted with an Electronic Locking Rear Differential.

“We’re buidling the Ranger XL-Plus in South Africa, meaning we can give our customers on the continent a factory-ready version of a vehicle that meets their demands. Modifications for this version of the Ranger can be rolled out during production, so customers don’t have to wait for aftermarket customisations,” ends Kaufman.

The Ranger XL-Plus comes with a comprehensive 3-year/60 000km warranty with service intervals of 10 000kms.

CFAO Motors becomes sole distributor of Mitsubishi Fuso in Nigeria

C

FAO MOTORS is now the sole distributor of Mitsubishi Fuso Commercial vehicles in Nigeria.

This was disclosed by Mr Thomas Pelletier (Managing Director – CFAO Automotive Equipment & Services) in Lagos at their Ijora head office.

He said: “I am proud and happy about this development. This gives us the opportunity to take the brand to new heights in Nigeria. At present the most well known product from the Mitsubishi Fuso line up is the Canter truck

which is the market leader in segment due to its reliability, ruggedness and low maintenance cost. We plan to introduce the complete range of Mitsubishi Fuso trucks and buses to the Nigerian market. Our customers can expect the same quality and reliability in our new range of bigger trucks.”

Operational in Nigeria since 1902, CFAO is committed to providing customers with a sales and service experience of international standard. With branches nationwide CFAO Motors is

fully equipped to support the FUSO brand’s long term vision. All FUSO vehicles sold by CFAO Motors come with manufacturer’s warranty and are supported by comprehensive after sales backup with genuine spare parts in its branches and dealer outlets.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2013, the company sold a total of about 172,400 vehicles including light- medium and heavy-duty trucks

and buses.

With a history dating to 1932, Mitsubishi Fuso today is a leader with a strong footprint in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East with its business covering more than150 markets around the world.

Daimler AG owns 89.29 per cent of MFTBC shares. The remaining 10.71 per cent of shares are held by various Mitsubishi group companies. MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG.

38 FEMINIque After her return from Austria for the GEED conference, Dr Stella Okene, CEO of Stelog Limited shared her journey into oil and gas and her desire to see more women in the sector with EBERE AMEH. Excerpts What was the GEED Conference about?

GEED stands for Gender Emergence and Economic Development. It organized an international conference which was facilitated by the Winihin Jemide Series in Austria and I was privileged to be a panelist.

The conference availed attendees the opportunity to appraise the impact and benefits of the Nigerian Local Content Policy of President Goodluck Jonathan; the execution of the Beijing 30% quota wherein women have been appointed into strategic Federal Government levels based on his unprecedented transformation agenda. In attendance was the Honorable Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke who is the first ever Nigerian female Minister of Petroleum Resources and one who indefatigably championed a bill to enhance indigenous participation within the oil and gas sector. Also, among the distinguished panelists was the CEO of Brittania-U Group of Companies, Mrs. Catherine Uju Ifejika, among other distinguished personalities. The forum was riveting, as it provided female stakeholders a veritable platform to explore women’s emergence in strategic segments of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas sector; it also enhanced and availed attendees the opportunity for further participation of women in the economic development of Nigeria.

Talking about women’s emergence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, can you tell us briefly about your own journey?

I am a petroleum engineer graduate of University of Port Harcourt. I did my Youth Service with Chevron at Lekki in Lagos and delved into private business in 1992. While operating as a contractor to some Oil Exploration companies in Port Harcourt, I was able to secure a Franchise for Lanier Office products in Nigeria. Lanier was eventually bought over by the biggest fish in the Document Management Solutions/office equipment industry which is Ricoh; and today, my company (Trinicle Limited) exclusively represents Ricoh in Nigeria. The business is currently growing in leaps and bounds.

Howbeit, being a petroleum engineer, I passionately desired to play an active role in the oil and gas sector. That was my dream and although it seemed unachievable at the time, I kept dreaming and pushing harder. And thanks to the Local Content policy of the current administration which paved the way for indigenous companies like mine to play active role in oil exploration services.

Stelog Limited is into mud logging, wireline, directional drilling and reservoir evaluation services. We presently have brand new state-of-the-art equipment and most importantly, a team of high skilled and experienced industry professionals. We are privileged to partner with conglomerates like Weatherford International as technical partners for capacity building as a result of the Local Content law.

Since then, the journey to greatness has been boisterous and with unrelenting determination and God’s grace, we have made some appreciable impact in our sphere of influence.

As a woman working in a sector that has been the preserve of powerful men, what challenges do you face?

Dreams and goals are no respecter of gender. Super achievers globally did

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Okene: Local Content Policy Paved the Way for Companies like Mine not achieve laudable heights based on their gender. Opral Winfrey is not one of the wealthiest and popular women on earth today because of her gender. She pursued her goals with great passion. I may be a woman physically but my determination has no gender ascribed to it. I am passionate about dreaming big and aiming very high.

Why have you made it a point to encourage women to go into oil and gas?

Indeed, I’d like to encourage women to invest in the Oil and Gas sector because it is not the exclusive rights of the male gender. Besides, the oil and gas sector is very viable, albeit, capital intensive.

What a man can do, a woman can also do, and sometimes even better.

What does it take to start an oil and gas business?

It takes the courage to dream big, or better put to fantasize or “build castles in the air” as the saying goes. All great inventions began with the ingenuity of fantasizing. It takes resilience for one not to be discouraged or to give up. It takes the ability to keep pushing, to keep planning and strategizing and to keep hope alive. It also takes diligence, the ability to work smart and uprightness.

What successes have you recorded so far?

I have a couple of awards. I have turned down several politely because I did not want to be distracted at certain times. My few awards are the distinguished Nigerian Women of Merit Award (TDNWMA 2005) in recognition of my contribution to the development of Nigeria by complete success magazine; the Great African Merit Award (GAMA 2008) and the African Women Nation Builders Gold Award 2006 in recognition of my humanitarian activities and immeasurable contributions towards the building of the economic and social development of Nigeria and African countries.

What is your take on the local content bill?

This positive move of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Minister of Petroleum Dieziani Allison-Madueke must be commended for this policy has empowered many indigenous entrepreneurs like Stelog Limited. Now, lots of Nigerian businesses swim in the same pool with multinationals like the Halliburton and Schlumberger groups.

Thanks to local content policy and kudos to this administration!

wireline, directional drilling and reservoir Evaluations services company not just within Nigeria but beyond the shores of Nigeria. I desire for Stelog to be the reference point for Mud logging services especially, with the latest technology we are introducing into the market with our technical partners, Weatherford. And then, within the next 10 years, my dream is to have delved into oil exploration and production. My ultimate goal is to own oil blocks and wells, and it shall come to pass.

Do you have plans to go into politics or sponsor women who aspire for political offices?

Hmmm.., Edmund Burke said so aptly that all that is required for evil to prevail is for good people like me to do nothing. I believe that when the time is ripe, I may delve into politics. Good people cannot continue to shy away from leadership positions in Nigeria because perfidious characters have polluted the system. At the right time, when the opportunity presents itself, I’ll give it a shot. You never can tell, I may be the first female president of Nigeria. When Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was going to school shoeless, who would have believed that someday, he will be the President of Nigeria?

What’s your take on the 35% slot for women in Jonathan’s cabinet?

I applaud President Goodluck Jonathan for fulfilling his promise to appoint women in his cabinet to take up 35% slot. I look forward to a rise to increase this percentage to 50%. That 18th century outlandish ideology that the woman’s place is in the kitchen and the bedroom is now being jettisoned by such laudable appointments by the president.

Today, women are presidents of nations; women are corporate leaders. The President should please improve on this laudable feat by upgrading the slot for women in his cabinet to 50% or more. That would be fairer.

Many have insisted that the problem with Nigeria is poor leader-

In five to ten years, where would Stelog be?

Good question: within the next five years, I desire for my company, Stelog limited to be the foremost mud logging,

You never can tell, I may be the first female president of Nigeria.

When Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was going to school shoeless, who would have believed that someday, he will be the President of Nigeria?

Okene

ship. Do you subscribe to that?

The renowned novelist, Prof. Chinua Achebe of blessed memory, also averred that the problem with Nigeria is leadership. I agree with him partially. Corrupt and inept leadership has led to underdevelopment and under performance of our great country; the failure of leadership has created weak institutions and poor governance; it has fuelled the vehicle of insecurity and corruption. Also, the cost of governance is astronomical; Nigerian Government officials are some of the highest paid on earth. Unemployment in Nigeria is a time bomb waiting to explode but something drastic and urgent must be done by our leaders to nip this grave anomaly in the bud. I would have recommended that we declare a state of emergency on unemployment but what good will that do since every sector of our corporate existence requires emergency attention, e.g., education, power, transportation, roads, housing, security, etc. Every sector is in dire straits. Leadership skills are not necessarily about one’s degrees, qualifications or titles; it is about the will and courage to serve the people with competence and credibility. Most Nigerian political leaders have not been sincere about their goals to develop their sphere of influence within Nigeria; they allow politics to negatively becloud their sense of judgment. Nigerian political leaders should muster the political will to combat indiscipline, injustice and corruption.

Bad leadership truncates the will of Nigerians for democratic governance.

sport fanzone

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

39

World Cup lessons for Nigeria

The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil has come and gone, but Nigerians believe the Super Eagles must have learnt some lessons from the tournament. New Telegraph’s Moyosore Makinde speaks with a cross section of football fans on the issue

Team selection must improve

Team cohesion very vital

lthough we do not have players like Lionel A Messi or Karim Benzema we still did not play as a team at

oach Stephen Keshi did a lot and tried his C best, but his first team selection was not good enough. Most of the players in

Lucky Jonathan, Petrol station attendant

Okudero Oluwatosin, Computer consultant

the World Cup. It’s not about having star players in a team, but what matters is having players who play together and strive towards the same goal. I think we have to be more coordinated in our play.

the first team were too young and inexperienced. Keshi should know that the World Cup shouldn’t be a place to start grooming young players. If he remains as coach of Nigeria, he should select mature and experienced players instead of the young, upcoming ones.

We need to play Spain, Germany Quality preparations lacking think Nigeria should play friendly matchIScotland, es, but not with countries like Kenya and but with teams like Germany

and Spain. These friendly matches will help us to identify areas of the team that we need to fix before a major tournament.

Aina Ileri, Student

Poor crisis management affected Eagles think our players need to be more foIincident cused and committed. Besides, the that happened at the World

sides. However, we cannot fully blame them because the NFF does not prioritise their welfare.

Top grade friendlies needed

lesson we should learn is Aahead to prepare adequately well of competitions. A

good way of preparing these players is to arrange friendly matches with world class teams and not with the underdogs.

Gbenga JOSHUA, Quantity surveyor.

I

believe our players wanted to win. Of course every team strives and hopes to win, but it becomes impossible when the coaches are not up to the task. Our coaches need to be technically sound, they aren’t really experienced. I think if our coaches are good enough, then our players will do better in various competitions.

Makinde Temitope, Student.

We over-relied on Mikel

W

e should learn not to put our hopes on a particular player. We all saw the performance of an important player like Mikel Obi at the World Cup, it wasn’t a pleasant one. I believe when new, young and vibrant players are brought into the system, we would have a better squad to win competitions.

Kenneth Sunday, Businessman

Early preparations crucial

W

e should start preparations early enough so as to know the areas of the team we have to improve upon. Also, our coaches should pick only quality players so as to improve on the team’s performance.

David Werhi, Model

We lacked good bench

W

e shouldn’t rely on just one player without having a good replacement. For example when (Ogenyi) Onazi got injured there was no capable player to fill in the space which he occupied, not only that, this also brought out the weakness of Mikel Obi. I think for every position we should have equally good players in case of unforeseen occurrences.

Akerele Femi, Businessman.

No team should be underrated

think we should learn not to unItheir derrate any country no matter ranking. We saw what hap-

pened in the match against Iran, we all thought Nigeria would win that match, but Iran surprised us with a goalless draw.

Ajayi Friday, Student

Pastor Korede, Civil servant

ur players need to be more comO mitted to the national team like the way they are in their club

Temitope Abayomi, Student

Eagles need sound technical bench

would surely achieve so much.

We have good talents, but we don’t have good organisation.

Again, our coaches are not very technically good. I hope we can send them abroad for refresher courses.

Eagles need to be committed

Cup when players revolted because NFF could not pay up their allowances shouldn’t recur because it affected the players mentally and physically.

Philip Lahm

f the Nigerian team can have Iahead early and quality preparations of major tournaments, we

Ogunde Oluwafemi, Health practitioner

Balanced team very important

our coaches should be more careful Ithethink in the selection of the squad. We went to World Cup with too many defenders, who just went to Brazil to make up the numbers. When the squad is carefully selected, success is sure to follow.

Ochowechi Vincent, Accountant.

Players should be selected on merit

there shouldn’t be politics in the selecIbyfeel tion of players. The coaches should start taking these players through screening and choose the best ones after a thorough assessment of their capabilities and their weaknesses.

Ikpeazu Munachi, Student

Poor substitution

ur midfield and defence were not good O enough at the tournament. For example, when Godfrey Oboabona had an injury

he was replaced by old Joseph Yobo, who proved not to be a good replacement. We should learn not just to use big names when there are younger players who are hungry to do Nigeria proud.

Fred Aiwansedo, Police Officer

Players’ welfare essential e should know that these players are human beings, W the NFF refused to pay the bonuses allocated to them, which made these players suffer some psychological trau-

ma, which prevented them from training well ahead of their match against France. Their welfare should be our concern.

Adegoke Ademola, Student.

E X H O RTAT I O N

40

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/islam

adeolaomoyusuf@yahoo.com 0803 438 0340 FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2014 l 03 Shawwal 1435 AH

UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

““O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know and honor each other (not that you should despise one another). Indeed the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most righteous.”

Qur’an 49: 13

Preparation for 2014 Hajj operations begins

Life after Ramadan QUESTION

How can I deal with post Ramadan blues?

ANSWER Ramadan rolls around and we make big changes to our day-today lives.

We detach from our normal routine and reattach our hearts, bodies, and minds to our one real purpose—to worship our creator.

We stumble at first, trying to find our footing while fasting and praying late at night. It’s sometimes an uncomfortable transition. But then we remember that it’s not so hard, and we get into the swing of things.

We break old habits, making new, better ones. We may get involved in the community, breaking bread at iftar with people we love for the sake of Allah. We begin to feel lighter and our level of faith starts to climb. We remember why we need to seek a more meaningful understanding of the Quran. We come to know how utterly satisfying pursuing the pleasure of Allah can feel.

Life after Ramadan We become attached to all that Ramadan brings into our lives. And then it is all over.

It only makes sense then when we find ourselves feeling the postRamadan blues. But Ramadan is not an annual fire sale, where you get more good deeds for less effort and get out. Ramadan is a reset button that can be the beginning of a new you.

When we have a strategy to keep our Ramadan going throughout the year, learn to recognize the blessings that are in the details, and forgive failures; we will feel less sad when the Eid party has packed up and left town.

Keep up Some of Your Extra Deeds Part of the feeling of loss when Ramadan ends can be due to the fact that our lives will go back to the same old routines. And we know all too well that getting bogged down in the day to day tends to bring our level of faith down. In Ramadan we pray more, fast a whole lot more, read more Quran, give more in charity, smile more and so on. Our iman (faith) skyrockets and that feeling can be hard to say goodbye to.

However, we have to understand that all our day to day actions, if they are done to seek the pleasure of Allah, can be iman lifters. Going to the grocery store to feed the family because Allah has entrusted us with their care is a good deed and an act of worship.

Going to work to pay the family bills is the first and best act of charity and an act of worship. We can’t forget that taking care of our responsibilities are better deeds than the extra stuff we do.

This continuity after Ramadan made me feel like I was taking a part of Ramadan with me.

TO BE CONTINUED

Nigeria 2013 pilgrims in a group photograph in front of Masjid Nabawy in Medina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

EXPLANATION Nigerian Hajj Commission has explained disparity in pilgrims’ fare Stories by Adeola Yusuf

T

he federal government has said that it had begun a full scale preparation for 2014 Hajj operations.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, which said this maintained that President Goodluck Jonathan has already approved an exchange rate of N150 to $1 for 2014 Hajj transactions.

This came as the Saudi Authorities said that its domestic pilgrim service companies are telling citizens and expatriates wishing to perform HajJ this year that they are full up.

Most of these companies closed their offices on the first day of the registration period set by the Ministry of Haj. Al-Madinah newspaper, which reported this quoted Saudi Arabia Citizens to have

M

uslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has thrown its weight behind the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, over the controversy surrounding announcement of end of fasting last Saturday in Nigeria.

An online media outfit published a story on Tuesday 29th July, 2014 in which it claimed that the Sultan’s Palace admitted that the moon was not sighted before the Sultan made the announcement.

National Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who refuted this report said in a statement that the publication claimed that the Sultan admitted that he made a mistake and that the MoonSighting Committee was right.

“After painstaking investigation, the Muslim Rights

lFG slashes forex to N150 per dollar for pilgrims said that only a few authorized companies were still accepting applicants.

Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NHCN) said in a statement by its Head of Media, Mr Uba Mana that preparations are on-going for a successful Hajj operation.

The commission had earlier announced a minimum of N693, 636.77 as the 2014 Hajj fare for intending pilgrims in the country, Mana however maintained that there is a slight difference in the fare for pilgrims from the North and the South.

“President Goodluck Jonathan has approved an exchange rate of N150 to $1 for 2014 Hajj transactions,” he said.

The spokesperson for NHCN said: “The minimum fare for Southern Departure zones with $750 BTA is N693, 636.77 while that of Northern zones is N686, 061.77. The medium fare for Southern Departure zones with $1,000 BTA is N731, 136.77 while that of the Northern zones is

N723, 561.77.

“The maximum fare for Southern Departure zones with $1,500 BTA is N809, 136.77 while that of the Northern zones is N801, 561.77,” it said.

The statement added that the minimum fare for northern zone with $750 BTA is N636, 496.52, and N643, 869.52 for the southern zone.

“Medium fare with $1000 BTA is N672, 996.52 for northern zone and N680, 369.52 for southern zone.

“Maximum fare, with $1500 BTA is N750, 996.52 for the north and N758, 36,” it said.

It would be recalled that the 2013 Hajj fare without BTA for Northern Departure zones was N526, 996.52, while the fare for the Southern zone without BTA was N534, 369.52.

Meanwhile, Saudi authority said that Hajj Prices differ from one office to another and determined according to the five categories set by the ministry based on how far they have to

travel and the level of accommodation, starting with category A (around SR10,000 per person) to category D (SR5,500).

Ahmed Al-Bishri, an employee at a domestic pilgrimage office, said a number of offices have closed their registration process early because they are full up.

He said most pilgrims registered early to avoid disappointment.

Al-Bishri pointed out that their offices in Madinah, Yanbu and Rabigh filled up all their places a few days ago, explaining the majority of people prefer to look for affordable prices and stay close to the holy sites and transport networks.

Al-Bishri said their prices would begin at SR8,000 and include three meals daily, accommodation and transportation either by bus or train in addition to air-conditioned facilities.

However, a number of applicants for Haj places complained about the high prices these offices were charging, saying they heard about cheaper packages but found there were no more places left even on the starting date for registration.

They said they were puzzled how this could happen before the registration period specified by the Ministry of Haj. Abdullah Al-Rabghi was astonished at not being able to find a suitable Haj package after visiting a number of offices on the first day of registration.

He said the available places were too expensive because they were at least SR8,000 per person and he needed to find places for 11 people.

Another applicant, Fahd AlGhamdi, said registration for Haj places was not as easy as it had been in the past, particularly because of the price increase for certain packages.

Al-Ghamdi said he had at least five pilgrims traveling with him.

Eid controversy: MURIC backs Sultan Concern (MURIC) can confirm that the story is false, baseless and without any iota of truth. We spoke with the Sultan to ascertain the truth.

His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) reaffirmed his earlier announcement and denied granting such an interview,” Akintola said.

According to him, MURIC could also reveal that the normal procedure was followed in arriving at the decision to make the announcement. On the 29th of every month of Sha’ban (i.e. the month preceding Ramadan), the Sultanate issues a circular and

press statement to all Emirs, Muslim chiefs and Obas in Nigeria, the 85 District Heads in Sokoto as well as leaders of prominent Islamic organizations in Nigeria and the media that Muslims should look for the new Moon.

He continued: “Many states have their own Moon-Sighting committees and the report of sighting or otherwise in any state is scrutinized before sending it to the Sultanate where a committee of scholars and council members will further screen the report according to the Islamic Shari’a.

If found to be credible, the report will be presented to the Sultan who will further cross-check before making the announcement.

“The above procedure was also followed this year. We assert that the Sultan took a wise step by making the announcement after seeing the credible testimonies of many Moon-Sighting committees including those of Emirs from several states. The findings of the Moon-Sighting Committee of the NSCIA could have been complementary to those of the state committees without leading to any controversy or public denials.

“MURIC also discovered that the Sultan’s announcement was religiously obeyed by approximately 99% of Muslims in the North, 98% of Muslims in the South East and 48% of Muslims in the South West.

CRIME

41

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

JULIANA FRANCIS juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2014

Lover murders MD of Edmark international Juliana Francis

T

he Lagos State Police Command has declared a 33-year-old man wanted for allegedly strangling his lover, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Edmark International to death.

The suspect, identified as Mr. Kelechi(Kenechi) Williams was said to have strangled Njideka Lizzy Nzewi, 39, a mother of four, to death in her private home, at Green Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Festac, Lagos State and made away with her 50,000 dollars, phones, over N8 million meant for running of the business and her Range Rover SUV Jeep.

Williams, whom the police said had since discovered have several other names, is believed to have fled to Ghana with the loot after strangling his lover to death.

The woman, whom many described as a multi-million, was found on the floor of her apartment. The twine which was used to strangle her was left hanging on her neck. It was also discovered that in the course of struggling with her assailant, to remove the rope strangulating her, she urinated and defecated on her body. There were white forms on her mouth. The police believed that her killer attacked her from behind.

Our correspondent gathered that homicide detectives from the Area E, Festac Police Command, under the Area Commander, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr. Dan Okoro, are already closing in on the suspect.

The police have narrowed down on the suspect’s hideout. A police source it was made possible by the police embarking on what they called, ‘forensic auditing investigation of his social media networks and assistance of Interpol.”

Preliminary investigations revealed that Williams and Lizzy had been having affairs for years, to the extent that the suspect who also works with Edmark, although younger than her, proposed marriage. Lizzy turned down the marriage proposal. She insisted he was too young for her.

Police investigations also showed that Williams allegedly committed crimes at South Africa, Angola and another African country, where he is presently wanted.

A police source said: “I heard that ACP Dan Okoro and his men believed that the suspect is a serial killer, especially in view of the fact that he could just cold heartedly killed his lover. He had known this woman and her family for years. Members of her family and household know him and we also heard that he was quite close to her kids.”

Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide,

Manko

Nzewi

who confirmed the incident, said that the deceased was a single mother, who had separated from her husband.

Lizzy was supposed to travel to USA on July, 24, 2014, on vacation with her kids, but she also planned to move into her just completed building at Satellite Town before embarking on the journey.

She told one of her brothers to meet very early on July, 19, 2014, to assist her move into the new apartment.

“She had already made these plans, when Williams came in from Ghana to visit her. Nobody thought his visit was unusual. He used to come and go in her home the way he likes. Everyone knows them as a couple,” said a source.

The source added: “The truth of the matter was that her business has grown and she employed the guy to manage the Ghana and west coast branch of her company. Each time he comes around to Nigeria, he moves goods to Ghana and circulate same to west coast. Whenever he comes to Nigeria, he stays with Lizzy at her private apartment, thus it was quite easy for him to snuff out her life.”

It was gathered that Williams was known by Lizzy’s guard to be in the habit

of leaving home at night, to cash money from ATM. On the day he killed Lizzy, he had simply cruised to the gate and told the unsuspicious security guard that he was going to cash money from ATM. He drove out with the woman’s Range Rover Jeep and never came back.

According to Braide, the strangulation of Lizzy occurred at about 2:30am.

She said: “He strangled the woman with a rope inside her apartment. He locked up the place, took her money, phones, international passports and about N8 million she meant to leave for him for the running of the business while she was in USA and ran away. We believe he ran to Ghana.”

Braide explained that in the morning of the same day, Lizzy’s brother, who was supposed to meet her, so that they could move her things to her new home, came over after repeatedly calling her lines and she was not picking.

The man became worried when he noticed that everywhere was locked. He feared something was wrong and dashed to Festac Police Station to alert the police.

The security guard told the police that the last person he saw was Williams. He

recalled that the time was about 2am.

“When police got there, they forced the door open and saw her lifeless body on the floor,” noted Braide.

The news of the murder of Lizzy travelled like wildfire, leading to many people who knew Lizzy and Williams as a couple, sending curses and insulting text messages to Williams.

Investigators believed this was what made Williams to know that the police were onto him. He was said to have parked his belonging in Ghana and disappeared.

“We’ll get him,” bragged Braide. “It’s only a matter of time, but we’ll get him!”

A police detective said: “We believe he’s a serial killer. Most of them who kill without qualms are usually within that age bracket of Williams. This is why the police have always advocated for youths to be involved in community policing.

We should educate the youths in a way that they would be able to report their friends without fear or favour in case of commission of crimes.”

Lizzy’s Facebook friends were shocked by her death, especially since she changed her profile picture on July, 13, 2014, only to be murdered on July, 19. More than 22 persons liked her new picture.

By July, 20, her Facebook friends knew she was gone. Shock, outrage, unbelief filled the messages. Below are some of the reactions: it was Kathie Omokide who first asked the dreaded question of Lizzy’s demise Kathie Omokide: Is the story true?

Jesus!

Ismail Abdulmodiu: It is true oooo.....hmm Kathie Omokide: A beautiful damsel like Lizzy could just be taken away from this world? Ha’ba! O death!

Orafu Nnaemeka: What!

CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

42

CRIME

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

We ’re closing in on killer – Police

The 3rd Eye Now that Boko Haram has infiltrated Lagos (3) Juliana Francis Continued from last Friday

T Nzewi house CONTINUED FROM PAG E 4 1

Ismail Abdulmodiu: Hmm..... Yesterday… I heard news on Radio Continental, that a sugar mummy in Festac area was killed by her lover. And the lover fled with her Range Rover” ... When I heard the news, my mind went straight to Lizzy.... But immediately I discarded the thought....

But, Alas!!! .... It’s was her.... What a pity!

Patrick Olabode Omisade: Hey! Hey! Hey! Is it true? na wa o! I can’t believe this!

You mean someone can be killed just for the love of a car that could be involved in an accident any time and become a write off ? Ha!

Nzewi

Lord have mercy! What is this world turning into? Well, we just have to live right, so we could be remembered for something good.

Whoever the sugar mum was, hope she’s born again or else no heaven ooo. Hell is real everyone. Make peace with your creator, no matter who you are.

What a wicked world!

Anozie Canice Chinedu May her soul rest in peace.

Toyin Johnmabun: Hmm, what’s happening! We need to pray for our country. May the lord console the family.

Zner Reivaj: Justice for madam Lizzy... speechless... tsk tsk.... rest in peace ma! You

will surely be missed.

Patrick Olabode Omisade: Wao! What a great and colossal loss of an ICON in Edmark International & of course her family.

She will be greatly missed. Edmark mourned her death with close of business.

Pauline Ngozi Mgbemena: It is sad.

What a way to die. Please God grant her soul a perfect rest.

Thomas Asare: What a shock! Is this a joke or what? Very sad to die through a lover, may she RIP. Marshall Edem De-Bryan: I have lost a great friend, who never gave up in life, until she was forced to give up!

This Alex, heartless, serial rapist and robber Juliana Francis

A

33-year-old security guard, from Benin Republic has denied being a serial rapist and a robber.

The suspect, Okilose Alex, a father of three, however would have a tough battle convincing a law court of his innocence, for many circumstances seemed to be conspiring against him.

Alex is not only being question and by detectives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos Police Command, Ikeja, on how he came to be in possession of a gun, he is also being accused by two ladies of attempting to rape them at machete point until they had agreed to allegedly pay him N5000 each to stop him from raping them. As if those situations were not trying enough for the security guard, there is a pending case of rape levelled against him.

Alex had piteously denied all allegations, including the old rape case, saying he is innocent.

SARS detectives are however not buying his story of innocence, especially since Alex claimed that the controversial gun was given to him by the community where he worked, he then turned around to spin another yarn that he recovered it from an armed robber.

Police believe, he uses the gun to rob and that the machete found on him at his duty post, was his only tool for guarding and protecting the community.

Alex

A police source said: “He is a security guard, but he used to steal things from people returning from night vigil. He also used to rape ladies. A gun was recovered from him.

He stopped two ladies going to club and said he must rape them. He collected their phones.

He said that if they didn’t want to be raped by him, they should give him N5000. He wanted to rape them, but the girls refused. They however accepted they’ll bail themselves. He collected N5000 each from them.

“When the girls reached the club, they told the people at the club, who now went and got OPC people. OPC got him and took him to his house. He said it was machete he used for his work, but OPC found gun in his apartment.

When OPC asked him how he got the gun, he said he recovered it from armed robbers.”

According to the police, after Alex was

transferred to SARS, he changed his story, contradicting even his statement in his case file.

“Suddenly, for reasons we could not fathom, he got to SARS and changed his story, claiming that it was the community where he used to work as a security guard that bought the gun for him. He mentioned a particular old man in the community, and two others as those that gave him the gun. SARS went to the old man. He was a sick, over 70 years. When Baba saw SARS men and this guy pointing at him that it was him who gave him gun, he panicked. His blood pressure rose, he was rushed to General hospital Ikeja, but died the following day. He mentioned an innocent man and indirectly killed him.”

Stating his own side of the story, Alex insisted that the community, where he works at Iju-Ishagar, Foursquare Street, contributed money to buy the gun for him to make his job easier.

Further insisting that he never attempted to rape the girls, but only collected N500 from each of them, Alex said: “I didn’t know where the girls were coming from, but I saw them running. The time was about 1: am. They said they saw their brother in the club and ran out because they didn’t want him to sight them. One of them said she told her brother that she was going to school at Ajah. Maybe the brother came to investigate.”

hen he remembered that he had a radio station phonein programme number on his phone. He called and asked for police number, after explaining about the suspicious movement of the men. The radio people promised to send him the police number.

They did; but it was two or three days after the bombing of the plaza. Imagine the number of lives he would have saved if he had just one single police emergency number.

I know what you’re going to say. That the police numbers don’t work. That the police don’t pick. Believe me; this is a different ball game. We know it. The police know it. Why not get these numbers and call first before you draw conclusions? There’s no harm in trying, but a lot to be gained.

Dr. Abubakar Tsav, a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, said: “By this latest video, Boko Haram is telling us that we must be vigilant and security conscious. They’re telling us that they can infiltrate anywhere. If they can infiltrate Lagos, it means they can infiltrate anywhere! It’s a very serious issue. But it’s sad that the government of Goodluck Jonathan is not taking the issue very serious or it would have done and finished with Boko Haram! Look at the case of the Chibok girls. For the first 18 days after they were kidnapped, nothing was done until more girls were kidnapped.

“Everybody should now become security conscious. Let’s adopt operation know your neighbours. If strangers come into the community, we should alert security agencies. Let’s not leave it in the hands of the security agencies. They can’t do it alone. We should all be involved.”

Emergency/Distress calls: toll free lines-767, 112. Others: 08060357795, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870.

It would be fitting to save these numbers on your phones.

You never can tell. Its times like these that I wish we had numbers like the 911. We’ll get there.

Concluded

SMS: 08189679439

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE 43

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

FG launches 10,000 units of affordable houses

HOUSING DEFICIT Every Nigerian who wants to buy houses of N20million or below is eligible Abdulwahab Isa

for the Economy and Minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo –Iweala, who launched the housing scheme, said it is private sector driven but a federal government initiative with strong support from the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company and Primary Mortgage Lenders (PMLs).

Abuja

T

he Federal Government yesterday in Abuja took a step further in her quest to bridge the 17 million housing deficit by flagging off the first 10,000-mortgage scheme.

The Coordinating Minister

It is being implemented in partnership with 15 pilot states and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and backed by development partners including the World Bank, the African Development Bank (ADB), and DFID. Addressing housing sector stakeholders, including estate

Nigeria, others to generate $75b in e-commerce Godson Ikoro

the FGN’s national broadband policy 2013-2018. Eighty per cent of Nigeria’s population is projected to gain mobile broadband access and 20 per cent fixed line access.

“This bodes well for fiscal revenue collection (through an expansion of the tax net), effectiveness of monetary policy (through the shrinkage of the cash economy) and the development of technology in the productive economy,” the agency said.

Citing the US online payment service, PayPal, which began its foray into the Nigerian market by announcing its partnership with two Nigerian banks, First bank and United Bank for Africa and activities of the local player sub-sector, Jumia, FBN Capital arguesd that e-commerce continues to enjoy rapid expansion.

According to the Analysts at FBN Capital, Jumia is already

N

igeria and other African countries have the potential to generate $75 billion through e-commerce sales by 2025, going by the projections of McKinsey.

Research findings on the evolution and growth of e-commerce by FBN Capital, noted that the growth of e-business has been projected to be steady growth and might become exponential in the years ahead following the emerging middle class and rising consumption.

Although, e- commerce is considered to be work in progress, FBN insisted that given the favorable consumption trends and demographics, the growth in e-commerce is expected to be robust.

FBN said the growth of ecommerce is in line with both CBN’s cash-lite agenda and

operating in five African countries and plans to expand into three additional sub-Saharan jurisdictions, Ghana, Uganda and Cameroon.

Furthermore, the analysts noted that as at April 2014, Nigeria’s Internet penetration was 39 per cent according CBN, stressing that e-business is set for steady growth, which might become exponential.

It would be recalled that the CBN’s cashless policy began nationwide on 01 July, and CBN data showed a total of N93billion in mobile money transactions from January to October 2013.

In furtherance of that, a different source showed that point of sale (PoS) deployment in the country increased from about 5,000 locations in 2012 to 153,167 in April 2014, and reports transactions through this medium at N24bn in the same month.

As at 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

Abdulwahab Isa

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

Abuja

he Federal Mortgage Bank Tcommence of Nigeria (FMBN) is set to the Diaspora mort-

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

FX

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

scheme sustainable so that more Nigerians can benefit.”

“Applicants, which meet the eligibility requirements will be handed over to the Primary Mortgage Lenders (PML) for final processing, the PML will originate the mortgages to be backed or refinanced by the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company.”

The minister said that every Nigerian is eligible, adding that those who want to buy houses of N20million or below was welcome to register, adding that husband and wife can also apply jointly.

However, she said each applicant must show evidence of regular income from his or her current employment, tax compliance and other requirements.

"People who are self employed may also qualify provided they show evidence of regular income and a bank account. For self-employed persons, drawings from their businesses will be used as evidence of income,” she explained.

In her remarks, Minister for Lands, housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, described the launching as a milestone in Nigeria housing sector She said her ministry was prepared to provide all the necessary inputs that will make the programme to succeed.

FMBN to launch Diaspora mortgage

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

developers and Primary Mortgage sector players, the minister said the federal government's 10000-mortgage scheme was inspired by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's pledge on January 16, 2014 when he launched the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC). She explained that the Refinancing Company was established to make mortgage accessible to Nigerians to enable them purchase and own their own homes.

Unlike the existing mortgage scheme, which tenure is not more than 36 months, the Coordinating Minister said with the establishment of NMRC, mortgage subscribers can pay back between 15 and 20 years.

To be eligible, the Minister said applicants must show proof of a regular income, tax compliance; expected combined household income and others.

She said: "This is a serious scheme for serious people who want to own their own houses seriously. The government is determined to deliver on President Jonathan's pledge to enable Nigerians to own their own homes through mortgage.

But we must make it clear that applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify.

That is the best way to create a level playing field and make the

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

gage model.

The scheme is designed for Nigerians residing abroad interested in owning a home in Nigeria.

A statement by FMBN quoted the Managing Director of the Bank, Gimba Ya’u Kumo as saying that the Nigeria Diaspora Loan Scheme was developed to broaden the delivery channels for mass housing through the National Housing Fund Scheme (NHF) as provided by its core mandate.

He said that FMBN has concluded arrangements to secure an international payment gateway through, which the funds will be channeled.

“We want to carry everybody along once it become operational and that is why we are seeking to secure an international gateway payment means through Visa and MasterCard.

“Already, we have had two meetings with them and also liaising with the Central Bank of Nigeria for necessary assistance and approvals,” explained.

The MD said that the money from the product will be domiciled in the CBN because it is foreign currency and also to give the FMBN the opportu-

nity to use it as security to borrow internationally to fund the project.

Part of the guidelines for accessing the product Kumo disclosed, is that the Nigerian in Diaspora would be required to make monthly contributions of the equivalent sum of US $100 over a minimum period of three years.

He said that the cumulative contributions by contributor are refundable with interest upon exit from the NHF Scheme in accordance with the NHF Act. The product is available to Nigerians in the Diaspora who are above 18 years, earn regular income and have evidence of the right to reside in their country of residence.

Giving further insight on the product, he said it became necessary given the large number of Nigerians in diaspora who wish to own homes in Nigeria and also as a means of reducing the housing deficit in the country.

He said: “We realised that about 17million 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 the buying of a house and have not been getting good results. Stories have followed this money.”

44 business | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

31-Jul-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

NA

NA

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

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

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,479.99

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,563.70

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

***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

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

0.16 0.73 2.04 2.74 2.99 3.09 3.83 4.91 5.23 7.49 9.62 14.33 14.81 15.31 15.98 19.97

10.71 10.70 11.22 11.17 11.13 11.14 11.20 11.35 11.37 12.03 12.18 12.16 12.16 12.16 12.21 12.18

9.78 9.94 11.14 11.11 11.07 11.02 11.11 11.28 11.28 11.97 12.14 12.12 12.12 12.11 12.16 12.14

99.72 95.40 103.25 109.00 96.81 95.41 98.43 117.10 83.11 121.15 111.20 119.03 102.21 74.81 84.60 99.74

99.87 95.90 103.40 109.15 96.96 95.71 98.73 117.40 83.41 121.45 111.50 119.33 102.51 75.11 84.90 100.04

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.25 0.81 1.42 2.36 2.72 2.93

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

12.04 13.32 13.13 13.12 12.13 12.13

97.08 90.02 105.36 100.26 98.80 96.37

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

0.01 0.21 1.08 0.69 1.21 1.21 2.72 1.76 3.42 2.39 4.18 2.59 2.59 2.97 3.04 5.31 3.10 3.72 6.33 6.42 3.90 3.93

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

11.72 14.17 15.15 13.93 15.22 14.24 16.72 12.01 12.96 12.92 12.23 12.13 15.91 12.13 12.14 12.39 13.88 12.19 12.66 13.62 12.65 13.16

100.02 99.85 97.41 99.91 98.94 101.64 85.74 102.84 102.77 102.37 105.60 105.24 96.32 105.65 108.48 108.00 102.14 107.28 103.54 105.74 105.44 105.36

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,267.25

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

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

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

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

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

17.00 6.00 8.50 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

501.10 510.80

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+/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

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

UBA

BBB-/GCR

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

FSDH

A/GCR

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

*TOWER *TOWER 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

0.19

1.00

11.80

99.87

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.38

5.21

16.08

98.98

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.42

8.71

19.54

98.92

17-Aug-10

10.00

5.29

17-Aug-15

0.56

4.88

15.59

96.31

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.88

1.00

11.68

100.71

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.95

2.63

13.30

100.89

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

2.17

1.00

12.12

101.59

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.24

1.34

12.46

103.35

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.17

1.00

12.15

102.14

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

1.98

1.88

12.99

109.65

09-Apr-11

16.00

7.20

09-Apr-18

1.94

3.48

14.57

102.73

09-Sep-11

18.00

3.27

09-Sep-18

2.11

5.20

16.32

103.24

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.90

09-Sep-18

2.11

5.06

16.18

101.84

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

4.15

1.35

12.58

104.43

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.70

18-Oct-18

2.22

2.29

13.41

104.71

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.45

17-Feb-19

2.30

6.11

17.23

99.67

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.42

2.16

13.33

107.13

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.29

2.76

14.41

103.34

11-Feb-18

3.54

1.00

12.18

94.45

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

143.81

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

146.85

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

4.79

4.65

110.82

111.65

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.01

3.82

104.02

104.74

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.15

5.04

108.67

109.49

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

1,617.51

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

4.73

4.07

104.70

105.86

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.11

5.81

99.59

100.70

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

8.63

8.10

94.44

96.07

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

7.52

5.95

108.60

111.39

6.25 APR 22, 2019

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

100.66

B/Fitch; B/S&P

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

8.69

8.46

100.19

101.09

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 3,768.12

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

FIXINGS Maturity 7-Aug-14 14-Aug-14 21-Aug-14 28-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 11-Sep-14 18-Sep-14 25-Sep-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.00 10.15 10.30 10.10 10.45 10.70 10.65 10.50

Offer Discount (%) 9.75 9.90 10.05 9.85 10.20 10.45 10.40 10.25

Bid Yield (%) 10.02 10.19 10.36 10.18 10.56 10.83 10.80 10.67

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 11.6250 12.9118 13.9198 14.6804

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.92

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

11.25

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

161.85 162.10 162.36 162.97 164.10 165.38

161.95 162.36 162.70 163.63 165.27 167.00

O/N Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 10.83 12.49

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

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

0.25 0.81 1.42 2.36 2.72 2.93

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

12.04 13.32 13.13 13.12 12.13 12.13

97.08 90.02 105.36 100.26 98.80 96.37

1,301.62

business | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS 45

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sanctity of Truth

1,267.25

Friday, August 1, 2014

CBN's Sarah Alade emerges FMDQ chair Sub-National Bonds

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

NEW ERA

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

Change of baton at FMDQ Stories by Chris Ugwu

S

hareholders of FMDQ OTC Plc at their second TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Annual General Meeting TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION (AGM) in Lagos yesterCorporate Bonds day, elected Dr. Sarah Alade, A+/Agusto; AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO Deputy Governor, Economic Aa/Agusto GTB Policy, Central Bank of NigeNGC Nil ria (CBN) as chairman Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC board *FLOURMILLS ofA-/Agusto directors of the institution.

BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS Alade takes over from Mr. A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, forA-/Agusto FSDH A/GCR UBA mer Managing Director of AcBBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING cess Bank Plc. BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *DANA She was appointed Acting A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR *TOWER AAA/DataPro†;of A+/GCR Governor the CBN on Febru*TOWER A/Agusto; A/GCR and served UBA in that ary 20, 2014 Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA capacity till June 3, 2014.

She has BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS served EcoBBB/GCRas Deputy Governor, *DANA A+/Agusto; A-/GCR since 26th nomic Policy NAHCOMarch TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 2007, where she superintends TOTAL CAPITALISATION over theMARKET economic policy directorate, comprising Supranational Bond the Research, Monetary Policy, Trade AAA/S&P IFC and Exchange, Statistics and Financial TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Markets Departments.

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Other members elected into Rating/Agency the board include Mr. Issuer Bisi Onasanya Group Managing FGN Eurobonds Director/Chief Executive OfBB-/Fitch; B+/S&P Bank of Nigeria ficer - First BB-/Fitch; Plc as Chairman, Board FGN GovBB-/S&P ernance and HR Committee, BB-/Fitch; FMDQ; Mr. Phillip Oduoza, BB-/S&P TOTAL OUTSTANDING Group Managing VALUE Director/ TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Chief Executive Officer United Bank for Africa PLC; Corporate Eurobonds Chair, Board Listings and B-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLC I Quotations Committee, FMDQ GTBANK PLC I B+/S&P; and Mr.B+/Fitch Peter Amangbo Group GTBANK PLC Managing Director/Chief ExB+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC ecutive Officer – Zenith B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITYBank BANK PLC B/FitchMember, Board AFREN PLC PLC; Finance B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC and General Purpose ComB/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC mittee.

Others are Mr. Sadiq B/S&P; B-/Fitch FIRST BANK PLC µ

#

# #

#

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

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

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

Description

Issue Date

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

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

Mohammed, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer – ARM Pension Managers (PFA) Limited; Member, Board Regulation and Supervision Committee and Mr. Bayo Adeyemo, Country Treasurer & Markets Head, Citibank Nigeria Limited; Member, Board Markets and Technology Committee.

Addressing shareholders at11.50 theLAFARGE AGMWAPCO Aig-Imoukhuede 7-OCT 2014 said he has observed the spirit 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 of 17.00 harmony since the past four NGC 31-DEC-2014 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015as Chairman. years he served 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 He called on the sharehold14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 ers toNAHCO extend the same coopera13.00 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 tion extended to him to the new 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 chairman, adding that FMDQ 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 is MPR+7.00 well positioned to empower DANA 9-APR-2018 banks, pension managers and MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 other operators to play major 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 roles in the economic develop15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 ment programmes of the FedMPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 eral 16.00Government.

DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 II 14-NOV-2020 Mr.NAHCO Onadele Koko, Managing Director, FMDQ, said the orgainsation continues to implement its 5-year strategic plan, consolidating on each 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 goal as it progresses.

He said that the securities exchange will continue to fo-

Investors lose N90b

17.00 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

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

0.01 0.21 1.08 0.69 1.21 1.21 2.72 1.76 3.42 2.39 4.18 2.59 2.59 2.97 3.04 5.31 3.10 3.72 6.33 6.42 3.90 3.93

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

T

cus on boosting price discovery, transparency and further develop the cash markets.

Koko noted that to complement the advancement made on market transparency, focus will also be directed at ensuring market efficiency and liquidity by driving product innovation and institutionalising robust market architecture such as trade execution, trade 07-Oct-11 11.50 repository, risk management, 18-Dec-09 13.50 among others.

01-Apr-10 17.00 10.00 He17-Aug-10 noted that the network 09-Dec-10 12.00 effects of the markets will con06-Jan-11 14.00 tinue29-Sep-11 to be improved 13.00upon as the OTC market activates its 25-Oct-13 14.25 30-Sep-10 membership classes13.00 in pursuit 18.00 of its30-Nov-12 mission to integrate the 09-Apr-11 16.00 capital market.

09-Sep-11 18.00 16.00 He09-Sep-11 noted that despite the 22-Sep-11 14.00 challenges of the start-up year, 18-Oct-13 15.75 FMDQ was able to record reve17-Feb-12 17.00 nue of N155.65 million 01-Apr-14 16.00 in 2013.

14-Nov-13 15.25 transKoko explained that action fee income of N76.47 million charged only in December 2013 accounted for 49 per cent of the total revenue 11-Feb-13 10.20 interest income, while sponsorship and income accounted for the balance.

he Nigerian stock market degenerated from sell offs yesterday as the bears overshadowed the bulls - leading to share decline in most blue chip companies.

The key market performance measures, the NSE All Share Index and market capitalisation, dropped by 0.64 per cent as market sentiments turned red on the back of losses recorded by blue chip stocks such as Dangote Cement Plc 501.10 and Guinness Nigerian Plc. 510.80 The bulls had regained market dominance the previous day 11.80 07-Oct-14 0.19 following investment positions 13.17 18-Dec-14 0.38 taken by bargain hunters.

2.00 31-Dec-14 0.42 5.29 Specifically, 17-Aug-15 the NSE0.56All13.62 09-Dec-15 0.88 Share Index depreciated by 0.60 06-Jan-16 0.95 271.51 basis points or 0.64 per 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.17 cent to close at 42,097.48 5.53 25-Oct-16 2.24 as 20.00 30-Sep-17recorded 3.17the against 42,368.99 0.73 30-Nov-17 1.98 previous day .

7.20 09-Apr-18 1.94 The market capitalisation 3.27 09-Sep-18 2.11 0.90 equities09-Sep-18 2.11 of equally declined 35.00 22-Sep-18

by N90 billion or 0.64 per4.15 cent 2.70 18-Oct-18 to close at N13.900 trillion2.22 from 0.45 17-Feb-19 2.30 N13.990 trillion 4.50 01-Apr-19recorded 3.42the 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.29 previous day .

143.81 At the close of trading, 24 146.85 stocks appreciated in price as against 34 others that depreciated in value.

12.00 11-Feb-18 3.54 12.00Forte Oil Nigeria Plc advanced by N7.00 to close at 11.33 N218.00 per share, thus leading

Skye Bank's profit drops on loan provisioning

S

kye Bank Plc reported that 5.13has JUL 12, 2018 its profit before tax dropped to 12, 2023 N7.266 billion6.38 asJUL against N10.545 billion during the corresponding period in 2013.

Profit after tax also decreased to N5.786 billion compared with 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 N8.428 billion7.50 the previous year.

MAY 19, 2016 The lender however, an6.00 NOV 08, 2018 nounced a growth in2017 total asset 7.25 JUL 25, 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 ended for the second quarter APR 08,asset 2019 stood June 30, 2014.10.25Total 6.25 APR 22, 2019 at N1.131 trillion during the peri8.75 May 21, 2019 od as against8.25 theAUG N1.116 trillion, 07, 2020 6.63 DEC 09, 2020

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

representing a marginal 12-Jul-13 5.13 growth of 1.3 per cent.

12-Jul-13 6.38 Similarly , the bank’s total liabilities including deposits grew to N1.016 trillion from N996.221 billion the previous year, an increase of 1.9 per cent.

01-Feb-11 11.50 In19-May-11 the International Finan7.50 cial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 08-Nov-13 6.00 compliant at 25-Jul-12 result submitted 7.25 09-May-13 the Nigeria Stock 6.88 Exchange 08-Apr-12 10.25 (NSE) yesterday, the bank at22-Apr-14 tributed the growth 6.25 in its total 21-May-14 8.75 assets to its various business de07-Aug-13 8.25 09-Dec-13

6.63

4.79

velopment activities in diverse 12-Jul-18 4.01 sectors of the economy.

500.00 12-Jul-23 5.15 Explaining the reasons for 1,500.00 the decline in its profit, the bank attributed the development to 1,617.51 its aggressive approach to loan provisioning01-Feb-16 in the earlier part 450.00 3.71 of the year (an increase of 100 500.00 19-May-16 4.73 per cent to N5.010 billion from 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.11 N2.511 billion25-Jul-17 in June 2013),7.03 with 350.00 300.00 02-May-18 a view to streamlining provi8.63 300.00 7.52 sioning on a08-Apr-19 quarter by quarter 500.00 22-Apr-19 6.39 basis for easier comparison, as 200.00 21-May-19 8.69 well as marginal increase in 300.00 07-Aug-20 7.26 09-Dec-20

11.72 14.17 15.15 13.93 15.22 14.24 16.72 12.01 12.96 12.92 12.23 12.13 15.91 12.13 12.14 12.39 13.88 12.19 12.66 13.62 12.65 13.16

100.02 99.85 97.41 99.91 98.94 101.64 85.74 102.84 102.77 102.37 105.60 105.24 96.32 105.65 108.48 108.00 102.14 107.28 103.54 105.74 105.44 105.36

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

the gainers’ table. Similarly, Seven Up followed with a gain of N6.97 to close at N107.00, while Nigerian Breweries Plc trailed with a gain of N1.05 to close at N180.10 per share.

Reversing the previous day’s gains, shares of Dangote Cement Plc depreciated

by N3.94 to close at N230.00 per share, Guinness Nigeria Plc followed with N2.30 to close at N195.00 per share. UACN Plc depreciated by N1.40 to close at N61.00 per share.

Meanwhile, a turnover of 354.7 million shares worth 1.00 11.80 99.87 N6.9 billion 16.08 in 6,248 deals was 5.21 98.98 recorded in the day’s trading.

8.71 19.54 98.92 4.88 96.31 day, Just as in15.59 the previous 1.00 100.71 the banking11.68 sub-sector of the 2.63 13.30 100.89 financial services sector 1.00 12.12 101.59 was the 1.34most active 12.46 (measured 103.35 by 1.00 12.15 102.14 turnover volume); with 173.4 1.88 12.99 109.65 million shares worth N1.8 bil3.48 14.57 102.73 lion exchanged by investors in 5.20 16.32 103.24 5.06 deals. 16.18 101.84 1,656 1.35 104.43subVolume in12.58 the banking 2.29 13.41 104.71 sector was largely driven by 6.11 17.23 99.67 activity in the of Ac2.16 13.33 shares 107.13 2.76 Bank and 14.41UBA Plc. 103.34 cess Also, financial services sub sector of the financial services sector boosted by activities in1.00 the shares 12.18 of FBNH 94.45 Plc, followed with a turnover of 42.7 million shares valued at N370.5 billion in 2,860 deals.

Prices & Yields

500.00

360.00

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

6.00

4.65

110.82

5.10

104.41

3,660.00 3,768.12

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

111.65

operating expense of 104.74 N30.882 3.82 104.02 billion compared with N30.877 108.67 5.04 109.49 billion in 2013.

The lender explained: “Our half year 2014 results showed moderate improvement in the various performance indices.

2.96 111.45 112.64 The cautious growth105.86 of our 4.07 104.70 business lines coupled with a 5.81 99.59 100.70 continuous improvement in 6.41 100.59 102.30 our 8.10operational 94.44 processes 96.07 and 5.95 108.60 111.39signenhanced efficiency are 6.09 99.41 100.66 posts to a promising end to the 8.46 100.19 101.09 financial year.

6.56 103.42 105.92 105.89

31-Jul-14

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

Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) 7 7-Aug-14 10.00 14 14-Aug-14 10.15 21 21-Aug-14 10.30 FGN Bonds28 28-Aug-14 10.10 35 4-Sep-14 10.45 42 11-Sep-14 10.70 Issuer Description Rating/Agency 49 18-Sep-14 10.65 56 25-Sep-14 10.50 9.25 28-SEP-2014 63 2-Oct-14 10.50 4.00 23-APR-2015 70 9-Oct-14 10.30 77 16-Oct-14 10.60 13.05 16-AUG-2016 84 23-Oct-14 10.60 15.10 27-APR-2017 91 30-Oct-14 10.60 9.85 27-JUL-2017 98 6-Nov-14 10.30 9.35 31-AUG-2017 105 13-Nov-14 10.75 10.70 30-MAY-2018 112 20-Nov-14 10.30 16.00 29-JUN-2019 119 27-Nov-14 10.75 NA NA 126 4-Dec-14 10.20 7.00 23-OCT-2019 133 11-Dec-14 10.80 16.39 27-JAN-2022 161 8-Jan-15 10.05 14.20 14-MAR-2024 175 22-Jan-15 10.10 15.00 28-NOV-2028 189 5-Feb-15 10.15 12.49 22-MAY-2029 203 19-Feb-15 10.15 217 5-Mar-15 10.15 8.50 20-NOV-2029 252 9-Apr-15 9.90 10.00 23-JUL-2030 266 23-Apr-15 10.15 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 280 7-May-15 9.90 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE *from the Amortising bonds, # the average life is is acalculated Risk Premium combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums

9.75 9.90 10.05 9.85 10.20 10.45 Issue Date 10.40 10.25 28-Sep-07 10.25 23-Apr-10 10.05 10.35 16-Aug-13 10.35 27-Apr-12 10.35 27-Jul-07 10.05 31-Aug-07 10.50 30-May-08 10.05 29-Jun-12 10.50 9.95 23-Oct-09 10.55 27-Jan-12 9.80 14-Mar-14 9.85 28-Nov-08 9.90 22-May-09 9.90 9.90 20-Nov-09 9.65 23-Jul-10 9.90 18-Jul-14 9.65

10.02 10.19 10.36 10.18 10.56 10.83 Coupon (%) 10.80 10.67 9.25 10.69 4.00 10.51 10.84 13.05 10.87 15.10 10.89 9.85 10.59 9.35 11.09 10.70 10.64 16.00 11.14 10.57 7.00 11.24 16.39 10.52 14.20 10.61 15.00 10.71 12.49 10.76 10.80 8.50 10.63 10.00 10.96 12.1493 10.71

O/N 1M 3M Outstanding 6M

(N'bn)

***LCRM <3 3<5 VALUE >5 Market

0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 Porfolio Market Total Outstanding Value(Bn) Volume(Bn) 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 1,025.57 968.07 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 1,138.27 951.30 745.27 811.72 2,909.12 2,731.09

KWARA NIGER KADUNA *EBONYI *BENUE *IMO LAGOS

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

AMCON

TOTAL OUTSTANDING

10.92

O/N

11.25

REPO

Tenor TTM (Yrs) Call 1M 0.16 3M 0.73 6M

Rate (%) Bid Yield (%) 10.83 12.49 10.71 13.18 10.70 13.89

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Maturity Date

Modified Duration FMBN Buckets

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Tenor Spot 7D 14D Offer 1M Yield 2M(%) 3M 6M9.78 1Y9.94

2.04 11.22 11.14 2.74 11.17 11.11 2.99 11.13 11.07 :Benchmarks 3.09 11.14 11.02 * :Amortising Bond 3.83Bond 11.20 11.11 µ :Convertible 4.91Management Corporation 11.35 11.28 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 5.23 11.37 11.28 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 7.49Mortgage Bank 12.03 11.97 IFC: International Finance Corporation 9.62 12.18 12.14 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 14.33 Aviation Handling 12.16Company 12.12 NAHCO: Nigerian 14.81 12.16 12.12 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development 15.31 12.16Company 12.11 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 15.98 12.21 12.16 19.97 12.18 12.14

NOTE:

Offer ($/N)

Bid ($/N) 161.85 162.10 162.36 162.97 Bid Price 164.10 165.38 99.72 169.06 95.40 176.80

Price 161.95

162.36 162.70 163.63 Offer Price 165.27 167.00 99.87 172.68 95.90 183.77

103.25 103.40 109.00 109.15 96.81 96.96 NA :Not Applicable 95.41 95.71 # :Floating Rate Bond 98.43 ***: Deferred coupon bonds98.73 117.10 117.40 †: Bond rating 83.11expired 83.41 121.15 121.45 111.20 111.50 119.03 119.33 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 102.21 102.51 UBA: United Bank for Africa 74.81 75.11 84.60 84.90 99.74 100.04

4,563.70 Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

Agency Bonds NA

Description

OBB

4,479.99

**Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Issuer

Value

Rate (%) 11.6250 12.9118 13.9198 14.6804

100.00 28-Sep-14 NITTY 535.00 23-Apr-15 Tenor Rate (%) 515.27 16-Aug-16 1M 10.3373 452.80 27-Apr-17 2M 10.6512 20.00 27-Jul-17 3M 10.7171 100.00 31-Aug-17 6M 10.7938 300.00 30-May-18 9M 10.8831 351.30 29-Jun-19 12M 10.8896 233.90 23-Oct-19 600.00 27-Jan-22 220.15 NIFEX 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 Current Price ($/N) 22-May-29 BID($/N) 150.00 161.6925 OFFER ($/N) 161.7925 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 35.00 18-Jul-34

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

NIBOR

Bonds Tenor

28-Dec-11

24-May-10 Weighting by Outstanding Vol 03-Apr-12

09-Dec-11 35.45 20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12 34.83 29.72 100.00

0.00

0.00 Weighting

by Mkt Value 17.25

0.00/16.00 35.25 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50 39.13 25.62 100.00

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.700.35 66.49 0.35 0.30 1,301.62 1.00

Bucket Weighting

1,267.25

31-Oct-14

09-Dec-16 16.62 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17 35.65 47.73 100.00

0.25 0.81 1.42 2.36 11.19 2.72 2.93 11.82 12.21 11.90

05-Aug-14 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17

0.01 0.21 1.08 0.69 1.21 1.21 2.72

24-May-15 % Exposure_ Mod_Duration 03-Apr-17

Implied Yield

#

Risk Premium (%) 1.00

Valuation Yield (%)

2.00 118.1350 1.00 1.00 133.8049

12.04 13.32 13.13 13.12 1,122.04 12.13 12.13 1,133.01

100.8691 118.4615

1,176.72 1,125.26

2.63 Implied Portfolio2.27 Price

INDEX

Indicative Price 97.08

90.02 YTD Return (%) 105.36

100.26 12.2042 98.80 96.37 13.3009 17.6719 12.5258

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

05-Aug-09 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10

14.00 14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00

17.00 6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00

1.56 3.29 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59

11.72 14.17 15.15 13.93 15.22 14.24 16.72

100.02 99.85 97.41 99.91 98.94 101.64 85.74

46 business | CAPITAL MARKET

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014 Daily Summary as of 31/07/2014 Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at July 31, 2014

Daily Summary as of 31/07/2014

Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Bonds)

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

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 13.05% FGN AUG 2016 Federal Totals

Symbol FG102016S1

DEBT Board Totals

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 104.30

2

Bond Activity Totals

2

Quantity Traded 2,100 2100

Value Traded 2,318,090.47 2,318,090.47

2,100

2,318,090.47

2100

2,318,090.47

Daily Summary (Equities)

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

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 43 38 81

Current Price 32.80 38.01

Quantity Traded 892,466 1,449,033 2,341,499

Value Traded 29,434,634.09 55,076,213.60 84,510,847.69

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 36 36

Current Price 3.18

Quantity Traded 823,096 823,096

Value Traded 2,594,367.68 2,594,367.68

3,164,595

87,105,215.37

Daily Summary (Equities)

AGRICULTURE Totals

117

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries CONGLOMERATES A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Diversified Industries

JOHN HOLT PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol AGLEVENT Symbol JOHNHOLT TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals Current Price 6 Current Price 1.47 No. of Deals 2 1.13 382 5.50 54 61.00 444

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. Building Construction Totals Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. G CAPPA PLC Daily Summary as of 31/07/2014 Building15:42:57.057 Structure/Completion/Other Totals Printed 31/07/2014 Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development

Activity Summary on Board EQTY UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED

Real Estate Development Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UPDC REAL Stock ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Published by The Nigerian Exchange © Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

444

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC Daily Summary as of 31/07/2014 INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057 NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC CONSUMER GOODS DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC Food Products

FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Daily SummaryHousehold as of 31/07/2014 Durables Totals Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057

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

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

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. Published by The NigerianALLIANCE Stock Exchange © REGENCY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. UNIC INSURANCE PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

263,381,131.21

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 5.30

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 1,112.00 1,112.00

Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA

No. of Deals 25 1 26

Current Price 1.18 14.46

Quantity Traded 1,088,005 1,010 1,089,015

Value Traded 1,268,383.60 13,877.40 1,282,261.00

No. of Deals 18 18 Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 63.00

Quantity Traded 91,676 91,676

Value Traded 5,872,331.50 5,872,331.50

Symbol JBERGER

Value Traded 4,300,313.45 4,300,313.45

Symbol SKYESHELT UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 2 3

Current Price 95.00 9.95

Quantity Traded 100 Page 300

Value Traded 9,025.00 2 of 13 2,838.00

Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200,000 200,000

Value Traded 100,000.00 100,000.00

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

No. of Deals 2 45 18 95 160

Current Price 8.74 195.00 26.65 180.10

Quantity Traded 101,000 86,594 221,575 4,237,460 4,646,629

Value Traded 882,740.00 16,793,912.56 5,916,637.25 762,980,510.69 786,573,800.50

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 107.00

Quantity Traded 311,228 311,228

Value Traded 33,310,446.72 33,310,446.72

No. of Deals 53 65 No. of Deals

Current Price 7.55 9.20 Current Price

Quantity Traded 353,124 Quantity910,727 Traded

Value Traded 2,658,705.18 8,265,106.17 Value Traded

Symbol

Daily 7UPSummary (Equities) Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR Symbol

FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM UTC

57 49 73 6 1 304

73.98 4.18 10.65 19.75 0.50

244,352 1,908,074 Page 7,036,375 59,047 3,435 10,515,134

No. of Deals 7 107 114

Current Price 74.25 1,120.00

Quantity Traded 13,500 1,845,443 1,858,943

Value Traded 952,290.00 2,061,902,847.33 2,062,855,137.33

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 24 1 25

Current Price 4.30 1.37

Quantity Traded 662,733 200 662,933

Value Traded 2,810,621.84 274.00 2,810,895.84

No. of Deals 37 85 Daily Summary (Equities) 122

Current Price 39.00 49.25

Quantity Traded 240,787 1,465,284 1,706,071

Value Traded 9,074,571.02 72,013,734.02 81,088,305.04

19,900,938

3,077,927,784.07

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

742

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 183 DIAMONDBNK 69 Daily Summary (Equities) ETI 97 FIDELITYBK 119 GUARANTY 319 SKYEBANK 158 STERLNBANK 49 Symbol No. of Deals UBA 258 UBN 44 UNITYBNK 21 WEMABANK 30 ZENITHBANK 309 1,656 Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE EQUITYASUR GUINEAINS INTENEGINS LASACO MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE REGALINS SOVRENINS STACO STDINSURE UNIC

No. of Deals 58 32 1 1 11 1 10 4 54 14 11 2 1 2 1 1

Current Price 10.00 6.37 16.50 2.00 29.90 3.05 2.32 Current Price 7.70 8.61 0.50 1.06 25.08

Current Price 0.82 1.11 0.50 0.50 0.52 0.50 2.55 0.54 0.79 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 48,888,281 Page 5,674,905 4,211,819 15,261,819 7,687,699 7,081,319 5,434,311 Quantity Traded 46,258,445 318,406 7,909,359 2,538,126 22,117,212 173,381,701

Quantity Traded 986,666 3,836,874 20,000 100 510,000 20,000 1,351,250 94,500 8,295,845 3,702,861 860,048 Page 900 31 900 100 45,000 Page

Value Traded 3,000.00 738,382.50 741,382.50

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

Symbol ASOSAVINGS INFINITY

No. of Deals 1 3 4

Current Price 0.50 1.60

Quantity Traded 100 520 620

Value Traded 50.00 790.40 840.40

Symbol No. of Deals AFRIPRUD 85 CUSTODYINS 38 FBNH 492 FCMB 92 ROYALEX 4 STANBIC 84 UBCAP 109 Daily Summary (Equities) 904

Current Price 3.30 3.96 14.48 4.26 0.50 31.24 2.12

Quantity Traded 932,851 1,909,068 15,068,220 21,214,033 138,250 1,470,951 2,026,539 42,759,912

Value Traded 2,999,885.79 7,593,138.02 219,146,929.54 90,377,199.45 69,245.00 46,035,721.19 4,304,741.24 370,526,860.23

243,146,577

2,199,252,674.16

HEALTHCARE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. Daily Summary as&ofBAKER 31/07/2014 MAY NIGERIA PLC. Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems Activity Summary on Board EQTY COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals ICT

2,860 Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 11 23 23 15 13 85

Daily Summary (Equities)

Packaging/Containers INDUSTRIAL GOODS AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. GREIF NIGERIA PLC Packaging/Containers Totals © Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange

OIL AND GAS Energy and Services Daily Summary as Equipment of 31/07/2014 JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057 Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Activity Summary on Board Products EQTY Distributors

CONOIL PLC OIL AND GAS PLC. ETERNA Petroleum andPLC. Petroleum Products Distributors FORTE OIL MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. Published by The Stock Exchange © MRSNigerian OIL NIGERIA PLC.

TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

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

Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057 Courier/Freight/Delivery

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

4,573,372

204,038,426.16

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,266,465 3,266,465

Value Traded 1,639,661.80 1,639,661.80

Symbol Symbol CHAMS

No. of of Deals Deals No. 1

Current Price Price Current 0.50

Quantity Traded Traded Quantity 900

Value Traded Traded Value 450.00

3,267,365

1,640,111.80

1

900

6

450.00

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 121 13 34 161 45 10 8 69 461

Current Price 31.08 8.60 39.00 14.18 230.00 1.15 5.48 120.00

Quantity Traded 2,020,932 114,444 255,788 4,606,795 252,983 Page 420,010 430,000 352,379 8,453,331

Symbol CUTIX NIWICABLE

No. of Deals 11 1 12

Current Price 1.90 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,171,680 3,000 1,174,680

Value Traded 2,225,249.11 1,500.00 2,226,749.11

Symbol AVONCROWN Symbol BETAGLAS VANLEER

No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 1 2 4

Current Price 1.69 Current 16.30 Price 12.08

Quantity Traded 4,637 Quantity Traded 3,000 1,271 8,908 Page

Value Traded 7,836.53 Value Traded 51,330.00 14,598.50 73,765.03 9 of 13

Daily Summary (Equities)

477 Symbol ALEX ALUMACO

No. of Deals 2 1 3

Current Price 10.43 7.75

Value Traded 62,523,667.40 959,153.15 10,216,558.98 65,207,293.84 58,166,792.90 8 of 13 488,121.53 2,269,600.00 42,329,680.64 242,160,868.44

9,636,919

244,461,382.58

Quantity Traded 13,875 199 14,074

Value Traded 137,501.25 1,466.63 138,967.88

14,074

138,967.88

3 Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 75 75

Current Price 0.52

Quantity Traded 4,715,147 4,715,147

Value Traded 2,409,672.82 2,409,672.82

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 878 878

Current Price 27.98

Quantity Traded 23,147,073 23,147,073

Value Traded 654,480,748.13 654,480,748.13

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA Symbol FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 46 43 No. of Deals 104 67 2 15

Current Price 62.32 4.00 Current218.00 Price 161.10 61.99 171.55

Quantity Traded 125,275 577,444 Quantity276,134 Traded 211,766 Page 470

42,187 1,233,276

Value Traded 7,657,331.78 2,274,122.14 Value Traded 59,375,724.09 34,050,454.83 10 27,683.00 of 13

7,245,510.85 110,630,826.69

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 670.00

Quantity Traded 60,739 60,739

Value Traded 40,206,039.72 40,206,039.72

29,156,235

807,727,287.36

Daily Summary (Equities)

277

1,253 Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 1.00

Quantity Traded 279,865 279,865

Value Traded 279,808.52 279,808.52

No. of Deals 21 1 22 Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 4.40 1.96

Quantity Traded 705,120 200 705,320

Value Traded 3,072,988.60 374.00 3,073,362.60 Value Traded 3,300,040.00 3,300,040.00

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 45 45

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 6,592,680 6,592,680

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.76

Quantity Traded 51,000 51,000 Page

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 1 3 12 16

Current Price 1.71 1.63 4.40

Quantity Traded 282 18,500 223,736 242,518

Value Traded 482.22 28,675.00 944,001.20 973,158.42

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 0.87

Quantity Traded 485,361 485,361

Value Traded 413,517.35 413,517.35

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 13 41 54

Current Price 2.11 4.99

Quantity Traded 332,784 1,223,639 1,556,423

Value Traded 703,183.24 6,079,806.94 6,782,990.18

Current Price 6.51

Quantity Traded 135,379 135,379

Value Traded 881,317.29 881,317.29

10,048,546

15,742,954.36

Current Price 1.41

Quantity Traded Value Traded 800 1,120.00 354,759,458 6,912,883,815.90 800 1,120.00 Page 12 of 13 800 1,120.00

Activity Summary Board EQTY C& I LEASINGon PLC.

Employment Solutions Totals SERVICES Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Daily Summary as of 31/07/2014 Transport-Related Services Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057 AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals Activity Summary on Board ASeM SERVICES Totals CONSUMER GOODS

Food Products

Value Traded 809,922.12 4,241,466.57 10,000.00 50.00 258,381.54 10,000.00 3,443,778.67 50,330.00 6,600,307.10 1,851,430.50 446,383.90 5 of 13 450.00 15.50 450.00 50.00 22,500.00

85

7 of 13 Value Traded 619,391.42 2,720,854.87 200,253,602.53 255,976.44 188,600.90 204,038,426.16

No. of Deals 5 5

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Daily Summary as of 31/07/2014

Current Price 2.26 3.01 65.01 1.58 1.21

Page Quantity Traded 274,067 904,364 3,078,415 161,270 155,256 4,573,372

Symbol COURTVILLE

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

356,269,413.91 2,609,057.41 3,954,679.50 2,691,538.56 553,883,648.08 1,804,573,072.65

of

Quantity Traded 500 739,000 739,500

NATURAL RESOURCES Metals ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. ALUMINIUM MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Metals Totals

Value Traded 482,462,346.66 4 of 13 36,783,127.04 70,440,378.51 30,749,927.09 230,769,803.95 21,757,686.05 12,201,465.89 Value Traded

6

Current Price 5.96 1.00

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

17,961,311.69 3 7,740,799.77 of 13 73,397,660.77 1,163,897.56 1,717.50 111,189,198.64

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 3 13 16

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

11,863.00

11,467,880.95

Symbol FORTISMFB NPFMCRFBK

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

Quantity Traded 245,809 245,809

400

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

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Published by The NigerianPLC. Stock Exchange © DN MEYER PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC Daily Summary as of 31/07/2014 LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057 Building Materials Totals

Current Price 17.45

1,427,100

Value Traded 930.50 5,664,071.98 23,410,518.38

ICT Totals

No. of Deals 23 23

71

Quantity Traded 1,861 6,537,908 26,264,844

Processing Systems Systems Processing CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Daily Summary as of 31/07/2014 Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057 FINANCIAL SERVICES

30,423,737

Current Price 0.50 0.87

Activity Summary on Board FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals EQTY

Value Traded 147,647.19 Value Traded 48,600.00 156,660,445.42 1 of 13 106,524,438.60 263,381,131.21

Symbol ARBICO

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Quantity Traded Quantity101,127 Traded 45,000 28,530,362 Page 1,747,248 30,423,737

No. of Deals 2 74 280

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC Daily Summary as of 31/07/2014 FBN HOLDINGS PLC Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057 FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Daily Summary as of 31/07/2014 Crop Production Totals Printed 31/07/2014 15:42:57.057

Symbol UNIVINSURE WAPIC

PLC EQTYMCNICHOLS Board Totals

Food Products Totals

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals CAVERTON

14 14

189

Symbol MCNICHOLS

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS Totals

No. of Deals 1 6,247 1 1

Value Traded 38,760.00 38,760.00 of 13

11

ASeM Board Totals

1

800

1,120.00

Equity Activity Totals

6,248

354,760,258

6,912,884,935.90

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 4 5

Current Price 2,018.00 19.19

Quantity Traded 15 27,030 27,045

Value Traded 30,270.00 521,676.60 551,946.60

ETF Board Totals

5

27,045

551,946.60

ETP Activity Totals

5

27,045

551,946.60

13

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Page

13

of

13

47

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Budget performance: Ogun records 67% in second quarter Kunle Olayeni

Abeokuta

Ogun State governThashe ment yesterday said it recorded 67.17 per-

L-R: Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Akon Eyakenyi; Special Adviser to the President on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Sylvester Monye; Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Minister of State for Finance, Bash Yuguda, during the launching of the Federal Government First 10,000 Mortgages for Affordable Homes Scheme in Abuja …yesterday.

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

101.2

The number of mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Europe in 2006.

Source: Itu.int

50%

The percentage of flood disaster of world’s water-related natural disaster between 1990 and 2001.

Source: Unesco.org

78

The sex ratio of men above 60 years per 100 women in Botswana in 2012.

Source: Un.org

PDP accuses Fayemi of using new LGs to move N10bn

lWe are not doing anything illegal - Governor Adesina Wahab

Ado-Ekiti

T

he Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi of using the creation of 19 new local council development areas as a cover up to siphon huge sums of money out of the state.

In a statement in AdoEkiti yesterday by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Oluwawole, the party alleged that the administration planned to siphon about N10 billion from the state's treasury.

The money, the PDP alleged, would be taken out of the treasury before the expiration of the tenure of the administration on October 15, this year.

The fund according to the PDP, was part of the accumulated slashed allocations due to the 16 local government areas in the state since the coming of

the outgoing All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in October 2010 and other foreign and local aids collected by the government of the state since then.

However, Governor Kayode Fayemi, while signing the bill, creating the new councils to law, said his government never did anything untoward in the creation of the new councils.

According to the governor, his administration complied and would always comply with rules, whether administrative or financial in its conduct.

The governor also denied laying any booby trap for the incoming administration by the creation of the councils.

The governor's explanation came as Oluwawole stated further that a special account was being operated in one of the first generation banks since 2010, where the money had been kept with stern instructions that under no circumstances should

the money be withdrawn for any purpose until now that the issue of the local council development areas came on board.

He said that the money was being moved with the sole aim of being siphoned from Ekiti with a paltry sum left for the take-off of the newly-created LCDAs. "The money has been moved from the bank as at Wednesday after an all night meeting where the governor informed his aides that the leadership of the APC has asked him to go ahead and sign the LCDAs bill the following morning, while caretaker committees will be inaugurated to manage the affairs and sign for the money as their take-off grants."

According to the PDP publicity secretary, federal allocations to the constitutionally-recognised 16 local government councils for the months of August, September and October this year, had also been arranged for sharing with the council caretaker chair-

CAN honours Atilade

men billed to be coerced into the arrangements for cover-up.

He also alleged that the shares of the state from the crude oil surplus which were not spent because of the N25 billion bond obtained by the state government were being tampered with, just as donations and reserved counterpart funds meant for the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Funds, were no spared.

In his reaction, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, said there was no iota of truth in the claim that the government intends to siphon such money, since "such money is not available in the first place."

Ekundayo added: "If what they are saying is true, which I know is not true, they should wait till October 16 when this government will leave and have access to the financial records of the state.

‘PDP will continue to govern Abia'

A

bians have been urged to intensify their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)- led government and discountenance the claim by the All Progressives Grand Alliance( APGA) that it will clinch the state in 2015.

Chief Press Secretary to Abia State Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, who made the call while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, described as laughable the claim by the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, during his recent trip to

Abia that his party will take over the state in 2015.

He said that Abia is 100 per cent PDP and that there was nothing like APGA in the state and warned Umeh to mind his business.

According to him, the Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, will deliver the state

cent budget performance in the implementation of the N210.29billion budget for the 2014 fiscal year.

The government also reiterated its commitment towards the completion of all ongoing projects to enhance rapid socio-economic development of the state.

Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mrs. Oluwande Muoyo, who spoke at a press conference in Abeokuta, stated that the budget performance was for the second quarter of the year.

Muoyo, was accompanied by her counterpart in Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu.

She said the state was determined to reduce dependency on federal allocation as it has increased its monthly internally-generated revenue to N5billion.

She attributed the improved revenue to the increase in number of tax payers and enforcement of residency rule as well as remittance of ground rent by various companies, among others.

The commissioner explained that the mid-year performance was in line with the ongoing reforms in the state's financial management system aimed at ensuring greater efficiency in the management of public funds and also enhancing service delivery.

"We continue to make concerted efforts to ensure the successful implementation of the budget.

I wish to report that the overall budget performance stood at 67.17 percent as at 30th June, 2014 as against 61.26 percent achievement recorded in the corresponding period of 2013 and 61.87 percent as at 31st March 2014”, she said.

Muoyo noted that the true performance of any government budget should be measured in terms of the impact it has on the citizenry.

She said: "Our performance has a direct impact on the daily lives of the good people of Ogun State through the many road projects, new schools, renovated schools, free education, health facilities, low-interest loans to farmers, mass transit buses and taxis, markets, etc."

to the PDP as usual and assured that there is no space for any other party in the state.

Ajunwa pointed out that Orji has made a lot of impact in all sectors of the economy of the state and shown commitment to the Abia project.

he Christian AssociaTSouthwest tion of Nigeria (CAN), Regional Chap-

ter and the Christian Welfare lnitiative (CWI), in collaboration with the Atilade family will on Saturday August 2, 2014, hold an interfaith symposium in honour of Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade in Lagos.

The theme of the symposium is: “Towards a New Nigeria - A Paradigm Shift”, while a publication Biography “Breakthrough News”, will be presented at the ceremony to be attend-

ed by a cream of eminent personalities, captains of industry and religious leaders across the world.

A statement by the Programme Organizing Committee secretary, Professor Gbolahan Alao, the ceremony, organized as part of Archbishop Atilade’s 70th birthday will hold at the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos. The governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola and other South West State Governors, are expected to grace the occasion.

Commissioner seeks grassroots development Ugo Willies

Gombe

rassroot politicians Gbeen in Gombe State have advised to utilize the various investment opportunities offered by the Gombe State Government to uplift the living standard of their people and communities.

The State Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Alhaji Bakura Mohammed Bajoga who made the charge tasked them on the need to form small scale industries. He stressed that their immediate communities would feel more of their impact if they create opportu-

nities that would uplift the living standard of the common man.

Bagoja gave the advice when Personal and Special Assistants to the State Governor from Funakaye Local Government Area paid a courtesy call on him yesterday.

According to him, the State Government in partnership with the Bank of Industry has projects and programmes geared towards creating small scale industries through the issuance of soft loans so as to improve the living standard of the people, create job opportunities and make the people self-reliant.

Osun 2014

48 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Osun’s total debt is N39bn, says commissioner Adeolu Adeyemo

OSOGBO

sun State Commissioner Ovelopment for Finance, Budget Deand Economic

L-R: Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke; General Overseer, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi; Mrs. Obioma Imoke; Pastor Esther Kumuyi and Deputy Governor of cross River, Mr. Efiok Cobham, when the cleric led other pastors on a courtesy visit to Government House in Calabar…yesterday

Jonathan, Sambo, others storm Osogbo for PDP mega rally Adeolu Adeyemo

OSOGBO

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan will tomorrow lead the Vice President, Nmadi Sambo, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, including its Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, and other chieftains of the party to the mega-rally organised for its candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, in the August 9 governorship election.

PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Prince Bola Ajao, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday, listed other stalwarts of the party to be at the event as the National Party Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, PDP BoT members like Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, and a host of others.

Ajao said the coming of the president and others was to boost the candidature of his party in the governorship race and to also campaign for him

before the election.

While answering questions on the deployment of security men in the state, Ajao described the development as a welcome one meant to protect the lives of the citizens and ensure peace before, during and after the election.

The PDP spokesman, who revealed that the venue of the event is the Osogbo Township Stadium, explained that the deployment of security operatives would help in

the maintenance of law and order.

While speaking on election, Ajao expressed optimism that PDP would win in the election, adding that it has its unbeatable political structure in the state.

He, however, appealed to the electorate not to allow themselves to be bought over by desperate politicians, but conduct themselves in a manner that would ensure peace during and after the exercise.

We don't need soldiers here, APC tells FG Adeolu Adeyemo

OSOGBO

O

sun State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday warned the Federal Government against deploying soldiers to the state in the conduct of the election in the guise of providing security for INEC during the election.

APC spokesman, Kunle Oyatomi, who dropped the warning in a statement made available to newsmen, argued that the

Federal Government must drop the idea, because it is inimical to the sustenance of democracy.

“The military is not saddled with internal security duties and it is against the constitution of the land. The Nigeria Police is best suited for such duties constitutionally and the Federal Government should obey the law of the land on electoral matters.

The party emphasised that a siege of the military for an election is a subversion of

democracy and must not be encouraged.

Oyatomi said; “Since Wednesday, immediately after the Ramadan fast, Osun State woke up to sporadic gunshots fired by security men practically announcing their presence that had been anticipated from widespread reports in the media, which indicated that the PDP intended to jolt the citizens with fierce-looking armed and uniformed men to pacify citizens in order to rig the August 9 governorship election.

“However, citizens of the state capital and elsewhere, were unimpressed by the show of force by these armed gunmen, who had earlier been sighted amassing at the DSS office along Gbongan-Ibadan road.

Yesterday, however, the DSS security operatives got a shocker around 5.00pm along Okefia, when in company of some masked men; the security operatives rent the air with a burst of sporadic gunfire to simply intimidate the people.”

NUJ organises debate for candidates People will reward my efforts, Adeolu Adeyemo

OSOGBO

O

sun State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with all the broadcasting stations in the state yesterday, announced Monday, August 4, as the debate day for the six governorship candidates in the August 9 election in the state.

Chairman of the NUJ in Osun, Mr. Abiodun Olalere and the Secretary, Prince Bamigbola Gbolagunte,

who made this known in Osogbo, said the union took the step to allow the voters know the worth of the candidates they would want to vote for during the exercise.

Olalere added that knowing these candidates would help the electorate make their choice among the contenders. The chairman said this would also enable the voters discover the political antecedents and pedigrees of the candidates.

says governor

Temitope Ogunbanke

head of the August 9 governorship election in Osun State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed confidence that the people of Osun State will reward his service to them in the last three and a half years by voting for his re-election.

Speaking yesterday in Lagos at the presentation

A

and launching of a book titled; “The Oranmiyan Phenomenon: The trinity of progressivism,” written in his honour

by Mmuen Kpagane, Aregbesola said his administration has raised the bar in governance in Osun State, adding that the welfare of the people has been at the centre of the policies of his administration.

Planning, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, yesterday said that the outstanding debt of the state government now stands at N39 billion.

He said the huge pension inherited by the administration of Governor Aregbesola from past administrations runs into N4 billion and that his government has paid N1.2 billion.

The commissioner, who made these known in a press conference in Osogbo, said the debt was not as alarming as was claimed by the opposition parties.

He said: “The huge 142 percent pension liabilities the current administration inherited from the last

administration is another critical issue that needed to be clarified for the benefit of the citizens.”

Bolorunduro added that; “The total debt of the state is N39 billion, including the bond that has been defrayed in the last two years and the money owed contractors handling various projects in the state.

“The recent payment of salaries, pension and gratuities to people was not a panic measure and was not because of the coming election, but mainly on prudent management of the lean resources of the state.

“The opposition, mainly the PDP, has nothing to say than to lie about the finance of the state. The party is known for causing confusion, so the motive of its crying wolf.

Survey rates Aregbesola ahead of Omisore, others Wale Elegbede days to the August Ftionew 9 governorship elecin Osun State, a

survey conducted by a private firm, TNS-RMS (a member of Gallup International), has placed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Rauf Aregbesola, above candidates of other political parties in the election.

Using all critical indicators to arrive at the report, the research firm said the two-phased survey was conducted over a period that stretched from June 2014 into the third week of July 2014.

According to the study, Aregbesola leads with 73 per cent while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore, polled 19 per cent, representing a two per cent decline from the earlier

survey while the Labour Party maintains third position with a negligible one per cent poll.

“The incumbent governor remains the main voting choice. Voting choice for Senator Omisore declined by two per cent and seem not to pose a threat to the incumbent’s chances of re-election as he remains firmly ahead of the race,” TSN-RMS said in its report.

The survey also revealed the strength of the candidates and their parties in the local government areas across the state, saying that; “Repeat of APC high chance to win in all the council areas seem to play out again in the next election, APC is poised to repeat this feat except in Ife Central and Ife East; the PDP seemed well positioned to win these two council areas."

Police commissioner warns criminals to stay away Adeolu Adeyemo

OSOGBO

sun State Police OIbrahim Commissioner, Mr. Maishanu, yes-

terday warned criminals to stay away from perpetrating electoral fraud in the August 9 governorship election saying, the state police command would not hesitate to deal with whosoever is found or caught in the act.

The commissioner, who dropped the warning at a press briefing yesterday, said the police would do all it could to see

that anti-democratic acts are discouraged on the day of the election.

The police boss added that adequate security would be provided b e f o r e, during and after the election, charging the electorate not to allow themselves to be used nor be hoodwinked to go against the electoral process in the conduct of the exercise.

He added that its command and other security agencies have beefed up security at hotspots to see that law and order are maintained.

NEWS 49

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Enugu group condemns terrorism he Regeneration Group, Tadvancing a socio-political group good gover-

L-R: Brand Building Director, Foods, Unilever Nigeria, Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe; guest speaker from the Faculty of Dentistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Prof. Adeyemi Olusile; Category Manager, Unilever Nigeria, Oral Care, Oiza Gyang and Brand Building Director, Home and Personal Care, Unilever Nigeria, David Okeme, during the unveiling of New Pepsodent in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

No going back on salaries deduction, says Suswam Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

G

overnor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has urged the striking workers of Benue State to have a rethink and suspend their on-going strike as government will not renege on its earlier resolve to deduct their salaries to pay primary school teachers.

The governor, who stated this while fielding questions from journalists in Makurdi, explained that he was determined to carry out the downward review of workers' salaries to ensure that anyone that

 APC condemns move succeeds him as governor in 2015 does not run into problems.

"If we don't do it now, anyone taking over from me will run into problems. I am determined to do it and I am ready to carry the bad name.

There wouldn't have been issues if we were having augmentation and excess crude resources. It's a national thing and the sooner we realized that as a nation, the better for us."

The governor, who appealed to them to face the reality of the situation and come back to work, stressed that the prevail-

ing economic downturn in the economy has permitted the situation to be so and will not go back on the issue of deduction.

Suswam noted that the two options available to the state government while primary school teachers went on strike for eight months in the state to press home their demands for payment of minimum wage to them like other civil servants in the state was to either reduce workers' salary or retrench some workers.

But the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state, condemned the deduction and described

it as criminal.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi yesterday, the state spokesman of the party Mr. Ayem Atsem, asked the Benue State government to reverse the action and refund the already deducted funds to the prospective workers.

Atsem said it was inhuman to deduct salary of workers particularly in the 21st century, "where progressive states are increasing the salary of their staff" and call on the people of the state to reject the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming elections.

Drivers bicker with police over death of colleague Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

D

rivers in Imo State have threatened a showdown with men of the Nigerian Police, Imo State command over the gruesome killing of one of their colleagues by policemen.

The drivers, who operate under the umbrella of the Imo State University, (IMSU) Star Shuttle is demanding justice over the killing of one of their members, Mr Basil Iwuajoku by the police in Imo.

Addressing newsmen in Owerri yesterday, coordinator of the shuttle bus drivers, Mr Matthew Njoku, told newsmen in Owerri that trouble started when some group of persons came to claim a burnt Hyundai bus packed in front of the university.

According to him, the deceased Iwuajoku, 36, with other members of the union had insisted that the people visit the school security officials before taking the bus away and their insistence

caused fracas between the claimants and the drivers.

He said that five police men on arrival at the scene demanded to know the persons behind the refusal to carry the bus and immediately descended on the deceased, who was among the drivers who demanded to know the identity of those intending to evacuate the torched vehicle.

Iwuajoku, he said, was brutally beaten to stupor by five police officers with every weapon

available to them.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the incident.

He said the police was investigating the matter, noting that if found guilty, the affected police officers would face the full wrath of the law.

He said that the case has been transferred to the Area Command Office in the state, while the five officers involved in the act have since been detained by the police.

Military pensioners demand payment of pension

PDP to Abdullahi: Good riddance to bad rubbish

Gabriel Choba

Biodun Oyeleye

UGHELLI

he National Association Tyesterday of Military Pensioners demanded that

the Chairman of Military Pension Board, Rear Admiral Simon Audu pay their four year pension arrears.

The military pensioners, through a press release, signed by National President of the association, Comrade Benson Eromafuru and made

available to journalists, also threatened to stage a show down with him and his clique for making life difficult for them.

According to the statement, the money was not given to the Chairman for his personal use but to offset pension arrears of Military Retirees, alleging that President Goodluck Jonathan had warned Audu to ensure prompt payment to all beneficiaries of which the Minister of Finance.

ILORIN

he Peoples Democratic TState, Party (PDP) in Kwara said yesterday it

was not moved by the public declaration of former Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abdullahi had on Monday told newsmen that as a member of the APC, he believes that only the party holds the

key to a credible political future for Nigeria and asked Nigerians to carefully weigh the options before them in deciding which political party to support in 2015. He had also urged Nigerian professionals eager for a change in the affairs of the nation to become active in the political sphere as most decisions that affect the destiny of the people are taken at the political level.

nance and democracy has called political office holders in Nigeria to put the people first in their dealings. It said this can only be achieved when the expectations of the people are met.

The Group, rising from a meeting in Lagos, commended the exceptional performance of Governor Sullivan I. Chime of Enugu State, as he continues a very impressive run “of an administration characterized by a genuine desire to entrench equity and good governance.”

The Group also lent their voice on other national issues and condemned the spate of bombings in Nigeria, describing the situation as quite worrisome. They pledged solidarity to the government of President Goodluck Jonathan in his fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

According to the Na-

tional Coordinator of the Group, Mr. Hillary Ogili, ‘The Regeneration Group as a mass movement of patriots is determined to lend support to both the State and Federal Government in order to create the necessary impact desired in a democratic society’.

The group cited impressive infrastructural development, maintenance of security in Enugu State and enthronement of the culture of inclusive governance as achievements that set the governor apart.

In a bid to ensure continuity of good governance, Regeneration Group identified the process of electing a successor in Enugu State as very important activity that should interest all well-meaning people of the state. The group called on the political players in the polity to articulate and sell a people-oriented agenda that stems from a desire to serve rather than the penchant for power.

Gunmen kill mobile policeman in Benue Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

nidentified gunmen in Uterday the early hours of yesshot dead a mobile

police officer, Sergeant Bawa Ekoja attached to the 'Operation Zenda' in Makurdi.

New Telegraph gathered that the assailants accosted the police officer at about 6:30 am in an ash coloured Toyota Camry and shot him at the back on his way home after he closed from night duty at the Bem Hotel, located in Ankpa Quarters,

Alleged threat to life unsettles Oyo NURTW Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

officers of the Tthewo Oyo state chapter of National Union of

Road Transport Workers (NURTW) yesterday alleged that their Chairman, Taofeek Oyerinde (a.k.a. Fele), was after their lives, and have called for his removal from office.

Following the spread of the allegation by the Deputy-Chairman, Alhaji Abideen Olajide and the State Auditor, Alhaji Kasali Lawal, which ruffled the peace of many of the motor parks in Ibadan, the State capital, indications emerged yesterday that the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi will today (Friday) meet with all the stakeholders in the union.

in Makurdi.

The deceased policeman, who was on his motorcycle, died on the spot, while his corpse had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Makurdi.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ezeala, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, on the telephone, said the police are on the trail of the criminals to ensure that they are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

CHANGE OF NAMES

AFOLABI

Former Lasisi Sulaimon Olakunle now Afolabi Olakunle Sulaimon.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

BEWAJI

Former Miss Erayetan Omolara Esther now Mrs Bewaji Omolara Esther.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

MARTINS

Former Samson Magdalene Akanewho now Olamigoke Martins Magdalene. Former documents remain valid.

Nigerian Navy and general public note.

JUDE

Former Eke Joan Konye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Joan Konye Jude. Former documents remain valid.

General public note

50 WORLD | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Israel vows to destroy Hamas’ tunnels

P

rime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that Israel will destroy the Hamas tunnel network in the Gaza Strip “with or without a ceasefire,” as the military called up another 16,000 reservists to pursue its campaign in the densely-populated territory.

Netanyahu’s vow came as international efforts to end the 23-day-old conflict seemed to

sputter despite concern over the mounting death toll, with more than 1,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and more than 50 Israelis, almost all of them soldiers, killed since July 8. “We have neutralized dozens of terror tunnels and we are committed to complete this mission, with or without a cease-fire,” Netanyahu said.

“Therefore I will not agree to any offer that does not al-

low the military to complete this important mission for the security of the people of Israel.” An initial Israeli aerial campaign against Hamas was widened into a ground offensive on July 17. Since then the campaign has concentrated on destroying more than 30 crossborder tunnels that militants have constructed to carry out attacks on Israeli territory.

Israel says that most of the

32 tunnels it has uncovered have now been demolished and that getting rid of the remainder will take no more than a few days. The new reserve call-up follows another day of heavy fighting, in which tank shells struck a U.N. school where Palestinians were sheltering and an airstrike tore through a crowded Gaza shopping area. At least 116 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers were

killed two days ago.

Speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to discuss the matter with the press, an Israeli defense official said the purpose of the latest call-up was to provide relief for troops currently on the Gaza firing line.

However, Israeli officials have also said they do not rule out broadening operations in the coming days.

Sudan woman who faced death over faith heads to US

A

A Palestinian smuggler climbs down into a tunnel, temporarily closed by Hamas forces, beneath the Egyptian-Gaza border in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip April 14, 2010.

Turks abroad begin voting in landmark presidential election

T

urks in Germany streamed into Berlin’s Olympic stadium yesterday, seizing the chance to vote from abroad for the first time in an election Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan hopes will make him Turkey’s first directly-elected president.

Turkey itself goes to the polls on Aug. 10 to choose between Erdogan and two opposition candidates. But expatriates - in the past allowed to vote only at Turkey’s borders - are casting their ballots over the next four days.

Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for more than a decade but is barred by party rules from standing for a fourth term as prime minister, has said the direct nature of the vote will imbue the presidency with far greater clout.

Polls suggest he will win the simple majority needed in the first round. Two surveys last month put him on 55-56 percent, a 20-point lead over his nearest rival, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

The diaspora vote will count as never before. Some 2.8 million Turks abroad are eligible to vote,

around 1.4 million of them in Germany, a number equivalent to the electorate of Turkey’s fifth largest city, Adana. One million voters are based elsewhere in Europe, with smaller numbers in the United States, Asia, Africa and Oceania.

“It is hugely important for me to be able to vote in this election, and I want to see Erdogan, who has done so much for our country, continue,” said Necrettin Koc, 40, who moved to Germany as a child and works as a builder in Berlin. “I live in Germany, but I’m a Turkish citizen and care deeply about what happens there.

I’m convinced that Erdogan will win in the first round,” he said, speaking outside the imposing Berlin stadium built for the 1936 Olympics.

Turks comprise Germany’s biggest minority as a result of decades of labor migration that began in 1961, which saw many young workers coming from some of Turkey’s poorest and most remote areas - conservative heartlands where Erdogan’s Islamist-rooted politics draws its

strongest support. Today the German diaspora reflects Turkey’s diverse political landscape, with conservative Muslim groups, left-wing trade unionists, Kurds and secularists all represented.

Erdogan visited the western German city of Cologne in May, courting the diaspora vote at a rally of 16,000 supporters, although an estimated 45,000 protested against him.

The pro-Kurdish party candidate Selahattin Demirtas also visited Cologne this month, and said he felt strong support.

“Turks are interested in politics here but also in Turkey, because they see their future in both countries,” said Ahmet Basar Sen, Turkish Consul General for Berlin. Erdogan enjoys huge popularity among a pious, conservative swathe of the Turkish population. But he has alienated others with what critics see as inflammatory language and authoritarian instincts, exemplified by a heavy crackdown on anti-government protests last year and subsequent bans on Twitter and Facebook.

Sudanese woman who refused to recant her Christian faith in the face of a death sentence, which was later overturned, left Europe yesterday for the United States, where she will make her new home.

The woman, Meriam Ibrahim, was due to arrive with her husband and their children in Philadelphia yesterday on a flight from Rome, where last week they met privately with Pope Francis. Rev. William Devlin, a New York City pastor who has helped the family, said they would be flying onto Manchester, New Hampshire, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Boston. Meriam’s husband, Daniel Wani, had previously lived in New Hampshire, where hundreds of southern Sudanese refugees have settled over the years. He had been granted U.S. citizenship when he fled to the United States as a child to escape civil war, but

he later returned and was a citizen of South Sudan. Sudan initially blocked Ibrahim from leaving the country even after its highest court overturned her death sentence in June. At one point, the family took refuge at the U.S. embassy in Khartoum.

Devlin said Ibrahim expressed some sadness when he talked to her two days. “She is leaving everything she knows behind,” he said. Ibrahim had been sentenced to death over charges of apostasy. Her father was Muslim, and her mother was an Orthodox Christian.

She married Wani, a Christian from southern Sudan, in 2011.

Muslim women in Sudan are prohibited from marrying nonMuslims.

By law, children must follow their father’s religion. Manchester, with 110,000 people, is northern New England’s largest city and has been a magnet for immigrants and refugees for decades.

Heavy shelling resumes in Tripoli

H

eavy shelling resumed yesterday in southern Tripoli where rival militia brigades were battling for control of the capital’s main airport in some of the worst clashes since the 2011 revolt which ousted Muammar Gaddafi.

Around 200 people have been killed since the clashes erupted two weeks ago in the capital and also in the eastern city of Benghazi, where a coalition of Islamist militants and former rebels have overrun a major army base in the city. Thuds of artillery and anti-aircraft cannons echoed across Tripoli from early yesterday morning.

Three years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya’s fragile government and nascent army has been unable to impose authority on heavily armed brigades of former

rebels who have become the North African country’s powerbrokers.

Most of the fighting is limited to southern Tripoli where warring factions have exchanged Grad rockets, artillery shells and cannon fire between the airport controlled by Zintan brigade fighters and enclaves of their Misrata brigade rivals.

In the eastern city of Benghazi, an alliance of Islamist militants and former rebels has also overrun a Special Forces base in the city, forcing the army into a retreat, local residents and army officials said. Residents said there was little sign of the army or police on the ground in Benghazi yesterday, two days after Islamist fighters from Ansar al-Sharia and the coalition of former rebels of the Benghazi Shura Council overtook a main Special Forces base.

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH

51

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS

adekunles@yahoo.com kunle.salami@newtelegraphonline.com

friday, August 1, 2014

Nigeria need Keshi for continuity -NFF Emenike in action against Iran

to pay based on what we can afford to avoid problem in future. A committee is looking at all of that “We also have to look back at our perforhe Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has revealed why the body decided to mance in Brazil 2014 and see how we can retain Stephen Keshi as the Super Eagles coach. do better. Most of us believe we could have A member of the committee, Paul Bassey, told done better. If not for time, we would have our correspondent that the need for continuity informed looked at the quality of players we have the decision of the body to open talks with the former and see if we can get new ones,” Bassey added.

Eagles skipper.

After five hours of meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, it was agreed that Keshi should be given the job except perhaps he rejects it.

Bassey argued that Nigeria needed Keshi for continuity especially because of the huge challenges ahead of the senior team in the coming months.

Nigeria has South Africa, and Sudan to contend with in the Nations Cup qualifiers for next year. It starts in the first week of September. Rwanda and Congo are competing for the last slot in the group.

“We have a very limited time. August, September and October are very busy times for Nigerian football.

Looking at the U-17, women’s football, and Super Eagles’ rundown to the Nations Cup, we needed to look at those activities and how to go about them. We expect the coaches to start planning for these competitions and that is why we are handling the Keshi issue with urgency,” Bassey said.

He maintained that it was safer to renew Keshi’s contract than to start looking for another coach which could scuttle the entire process of building a strong team for the country.

Oshodi “It is also important to agree with the coach on what Comfort Chukwu Abuja

T

Our correspondent learnt reliably that the NFF may appoint an interim coach for the team depending on how fast the negotiation with Keshi turns out in the days ahead.

The meeting held on Wednesday was the first for the technical committee after the Brazil 2014 World Cup and Bassey noted that the body was yet to present its report to the NFF board.

Keshi

Table Tennis on way back to the top –Oshodi A

fter successfully masterminding the return of top level table tennis to Nigeria, Enitan Oshodi has said that it is not yet uhuru for the sports that took Africa by storm in the past.

At the ongoing 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Nigerian players have stroked themselves into reckoning with ageless Segun Toriola, Bode Abiodun, Jide Ogidiolu, Ojo Onalapo and Quadri Aruna winning bronze in the Team event leaving many with mouths open following a series of sterling performances that stunned many unbelievers. ‘’We’re on our way back!’’, ex-

claimed the President who is also a serving Sports Commissioner in Lagos State. ‘’The future is bright and we believe that hard work remains the only way to the top. There still remains a lot of hard work to be done.

We need to improve on playing abroad and invest on coaching as well as invest on young players. The future of the game lies with the youths and we need to develop it to replace the likes of Toriola who have done absolutely well for Nigeria’’, Oshodi said.

At the Games, table tennis still has chances of adding to Team Nigeria’s medals with the men’s and women’s singles events still on the cards.

Use drug and face sanctions, Danagogo warns athletes

}p.53

52 SPORT

O

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Chika Amalaha: IWF out to tackle doping problems lReveals it is investigating Nigerian lifters

fficials from the International Weightlifting Federation have outlined the varied work being done to tackle lingering doping problems in the sport, which they claim are proving successful despite the failed test registered by Nigerian teenager Chika Amalaha here this week.

The 16-year-old won a Commonwealth Games gold medal last Friday (July 25) in the under 53kg category before testing positive for diuretics and masking agents amilioride and hydrochlorothiazide, which can unfairly aid weight loss, as well as cause health problems.

Pending the outcome of her B-sample, tested at the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in London, she will be stripped of her gold medal, which will be awarded instead to Dika Toua of Papua New Guinea.

The IWF have announced that a full investigation will take place into the entourage of the athlete and “certainly the athlete’s age will be taken into consideration among all the relevant circumstances”.

In a statement posted on their website, they added that Nigeria was one of the countries “under the scope of the IWF for this competition”, after the West African country had replaced a number of team members at a very late stage.

There was and is an excellent cooperation and coordination between the CGF Medical Commission and the IWF, they claimed, and relevant testing infor mation has been pooled between the two in order to make the target testing even more effective.

The IWF’s le gal consul Mag-

J

amaica’s historic 1-2-3 in the women’s Commonwealth Games 400m final at Hampden Park on Tuesday seemed as easy as A-B-C for the medal winners themselves.

A sweep at this level is rare, but the Jamaican trio of Stephenie McPherson (gold), Novlene Williams-Mills (silver) and Christine Day (bronze) seemed unfazed by it.

At post-race interview, they were cool, calm and collected.

Their posture suggested they expected it to go exactly as it turned out. Perhaps not in the order it did, but certainly they had dreamt gold, silver, and bronze for Jamaica.

Day confirmed it: “Before we came out here, we planned for the

L-R: Jamaica’s Novlene WilliamsMills, Stephenie McPherson and Christine Day

Amalaha

dolna Trombitas has claimed that huge improvement is being made and that, to her, it is partly a good thing that a case has been found because it shows the success of the work they are doing to catch people.

She revealed that in 2012 and 2013 the IWF conducted over 2,000 tests each year and that in 2014, they have already conducted 1,240, of which 682 have taken place during competitions and 558 have occurred outside competition.

“We are trying our best to increase awareness in the African continent,” Trombitas told insidethegames.

“That is why the IWF appointed a very well-known lady Zakia Bartagi into the IWF Anti-Doping Commission who conducted an Anti-Doping seminar during the African Youth Olympic Games qualifica-

tion event in Tunisia.”

In January, a first official meeting of the Independent IWF An-

We planned for the one, two, three – Day one-two-three.”

The veteran of the trio and whose life story is a triumph of the human spirit, Williams-Mills hungered for the gold, but she graciously applauded the younger runners for their success, and revelled in hers.

“Yes, I am a little bit disappointed, but I am very happy for Chris-

tine and I am happy for Stephenie and we came out here and put on a good show,” said the 31-year-old, stooping while she spoke with Jamaican journalists.

The silver for Williams-Mills, a cancer survivor, was an upgrade from the bronze she won in Melbourne, Australia, in 2006.

Gold medal winner, McPherson,

L-R: Jamaica’s Novlene Williams-Mills, Stephenie McPherson and Christine Day

ti-Doping Commission was held in Budapest, chaired by another experienced official Patrick Schamasch, the former medical director of the International Olympic Committee, during which an action plan was prepared for 2014.

Targeting youth age groups, working with other organisations such as WADA and making sure the work they are doing is better communicated, is all part of the strategy of the Commission.

“We produce very good statistics and have always been in the top five international federations in terms of testing,” Trombitas said.

“If I wanted to interpret the statistics to show how successful we are being, I could do that, but that is not my role.

“My role is to protect the sport and clean athletes and no matter how many bad articles there are with people questioning weightlifting, we won’t stop because this is how you protect the sport.”

25, said she simply carried out her coach’s instructions, and the victory was the end result.

“I came here with my coach’s instructions and went through the rounds as best I could. It’s a good place to win my first (senior gold medal) as the Great Britain girl, Christine Ohuruogu, won her first medal here, so hopefully I can follow in her footsteps,” said the 2014 World Indoor Championships silver medallist.

But as her teammates swept ahead of her and defending Commonwealth champion Amantle Montsho was moving up on her outside, Day needed something extra.

And she found it.

“I realised I wasn’t in the medal position, so I just kept swinging and I just have to thank God that I pulled through,” said the London 2012 4x400m bronze medallist.

Day, 27, has a message for young athletes. “Don’t matter the obstacles in the way, you shouldn’t give up, just keep fighting and work towards your dream.” She should know the value of that message.

Now the historic trio looks to the 4x400m, and the prospect for gold is very good. So, maybe after all, Williams-Mills will get her elusive Commonwealth Games gold medal.

In sweeping the race on Tuesday night, McPherson clocked 50.67secs, Williams-Mills 50.86secs, and Day 51.09secs.

SPORT 53

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Okagbare wins 200m gold

lAs Brume wins women’s long jump

B

Aussie weightlifter, coach thrown out thletics head coach Eric HolAallist lingsworth and bronze medFrancois Etoundi have

both had their accreditations revoked, with Hollingsworth being sent home and Etoundi due in court in Glasgow to face charges over an alleged assault.

Australia’s team chief Steve Moneghetti banished Hollingsworth from the team after Athletics Australia suspended him over his extraordinary comments attacking Olympic

champion Sally Pearson on the eve of her event.

But Moneghetti waited before sending Hollingsworth packing, allowing the Englishman to remain in the team long enough to support heptathlete Sophie Stanwell as she completed her competition at Hampden Park on Wednesday night.

Hollingsworth was the team coach for heptathlon, and his accreditation was revoked when Stanwell’s event had finished.

Medals Table Country England Australia Canada Scotland India New Zealand South Africa Nigeria Kenya Jamaica Wales Malaysia Singapore Cyprus Cameroon Papua Grenada Kiribati Pakistan Samoa T&T N/Ireland Bahamas Bangladesh Isle of Man Mozambique Bahamas Namibia Barbados Zambia Uganda Mauritius Fiji Ghana

G 42 35 26 14 13 13 10 8 5 5 4 4 4 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0

S 38 34 12 12 20 11 10 6 5 3 10 5 1 4 3 1 0 0 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 37 41 22 16 14 15 13 11 2 5 14 5 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0

Total 117 110 60 42 47 39 33 25 12 13 28 14 6 8 7 2 2 1 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1

lessing Okagbare, on Thursday, at the ongoing Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow, won the women’s 200 metres title to add to the 100 metres title she won on Monday.

Okagbare’s gold arrived only minutes after Ese Brume had leapt to glory in the women’s Long Jump to claim Nigeria’s first gold medal of the day with a jump of 6.56m Running surprisingly on lane six, Okagbare finished the race in 22.25secs, just short of the 22.20secs Games record, and her personal best of 22.23secs, ahead of England’s trio of Jodie Williams (22.50secs), Bianca Williams (22.58secs) and Anyika Onuora (22.64secs), who finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Earlier in the day, Okagbare set the tone for her finals conquest with an impressive showing in the first semifinal heat, finishing in first place in a time of 22.43secs ahead of England’s Jodie Williams and Jamaica’s Anneisha McLaughlin.

In fact the African champion finished with the fastest time from all three semifinal heats, and proved that her performance in the penultimate round was no

fluke with a domineering performance in the final to add to her earlier gold in the 100 metres.

It will be recalled that 25-yearold Okagbare won the first of three possible titles in Glasgow as she powered to glory in the 100m in a new Games record of 10.85secs.

She finished ahead of Jamaicans Veronica Campbell-Brown and Kerron Stewart, who finished second and third in 11.03secs and 11.07secs.

Kiribati claims historic first gold medal

H

istory was made on Wednesday night at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, as the remote Pacific island of Kiribati won its first ever medal and it came in the form of gold from weightlifter David Katoatau, who sealed his win in truly dramatic fashion in front of a packed arena.

The 30-year-old sat and watched as the rest of the competitors in the men’s 105 kilogram category completed their three lifts in the clean and jerk discipline, which had New Zealand’s Stanislav Chalaev in the gold medal position and seemingly on course for the title with a total of 341kg.

Katoatau’s first lift was at 194kg which if he pulled it off would guarantee him the gold at the first time of asking.

He duly delivered, and with ease, before smashing the bar into the stage and bounding off to celebrate with his coaching team.

At first the crowd did not seem to be aware of the historic achievement they had just witnessed and it was not until he came out and incredibly nailed 200kg with his second lift before failing at 204kg with his third that it was announced that that was Kiribati’s first ever medal at a Commonwealth Games.

Katoatau, who carried his country’s flag at the Opening Ceremony in Celtic Park last Wednesday (July 23), certainly realised what he had achieved but there were no tears of overwhelming joy but a smile as wide as the Pacific and a victory dance that the crowd lapped up.

With Katoatau’s medal, Kiribati becomes the 57th Commonwealth Games Association to claim a medal at the Games and the 46th to win gold.

The last CGA to make its debut on the all-time Commonwealth Games medal table was Grenada in 2006 when Alleyne Francique won silver in the men’s 400m.

Kiribati also became the 22nd CGA to win a weightlifting gold medal.

Okagbare

Nigerian ladies out of table tennis events igeria’s women’s team have Nevent crashed out of the table tennis of the on-going 2014 Common-

wealth Games, in Glasgow.

The team’s last game was in the women’s doubles where the pair of Funke Oshonaike and Cecilia OtuAkpan were beaten 3-0 by Malaysia’s duo of Lee Beh and Sock Ng. In the singles, Edem Offiong, who had boasted that she would win gold, was bundled out by Joanna Drinkhall of England in the round of 64, with the African champion losing 4-0.

Use drug and face sanctions, Danagogo warns athletes

...as FG introduces MRI scanners for athletes

T

he Minister of Sport Dr. Tanmmy Danagogo has vowed to deal with any coach or official who encourages athletes to use drugs Security guards sacked for Bolt selfie or any banned substance.

Dr. Danagogo in his first wo security guards at the Commonwealth official reaction to the drug Games have reportedly lost their jobs after failure of Miss Chika Amalataking ‘selfies’ with six-time Olympic cham- ha, in Glasgow, Scotland, said pion Usain Bolt. he would introduce the use of According to the London Evening Standard, MRI as condition for double the duo were sacked after posing for photos checking the status of athwith the Jamaica legend and volunteers have letes before any major competition. now been warned against such activity.

The incident is believed to have happened “I will ensure the use near Hampden Park earlier this week while the of MRI scanning devices 27-year-old was training for Friday’s 4x100m amongst others, as routine relay. on our age-grade players, and It is understood that Bolt played no part in pre-competition drug-test regime on athletes generally,” the dismissal.

T

Otu-Akpan also suffered a similar fate in the round of 64, this time in hands of Singapore’s Taiwei Feng.

However, Ganiat Ogundele, who also made it to the main draw after winning all her preliminary round games, fought hard against India’s Shamini Kumaresan before succumbing 4-3 to the Asian. What would have been a consolation for the women’s team vaporised into thin air, as the partnership between Oshonaike and Aruna Quadri in the mixed doubles were booted out of the competition by Singapore.

Danagodo said.

He warned of severe consequences for “officials and coaches who are found to encourage or condone cheating of any kind.

The minister said; “The reported first sample drugtest failure of our female weightlifter is very embarrassing and I feel so saddened although I am still convinced that 16-year-old Amalaha is innocent and hopes that she doesn’t fail the ‘confirmation test.

“I will use my office as Sports Minister to enshrine tenets of integrity and fair play in our sports, especially as it concerns the youths.”

Transfer Updates

54 SPORT

Eagles’ transfer update

Skoda Xanthi signs Obodo

G

reece Super League side Skoda Xanthi have announced the acquisition of Christian Obodo, without disclosing the financial terms and duration of the contract.

The former Super Eagles midfielder arrives the Skoda Xanthi Arena as a free agent after his contract with Portuguese S.C. Olhanense was not extended at the end of last season.

The central midfielder started his career in his homeland with Plateau United before his switch to Italy where he first teamed up with Perugia before a celebrated move to Fiorentina.

Sodje attracts Qatar interest igerian attacker Akpo Sodje could play

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

Cavani: I’m staying at PSG

Cavani has reassured Paris SaintEthedinson Germain fans that he has no plans to leave French champions after just one season.

N in the Middle East next season, as he is attracting concrete interest from an un-

The Uruguayan striker only joined the capital club from Napoli last summer but found himself playing in an unfamiliar wide role during his first season in Ligue 1. named club in Qatar.

A host of clubs, including Manchester United, The 34 - year - old is now a free agent afhave been linked with his signature but Cavani ter failing to renew his contract with English club feels absolutely no desire to move on.

Tranmere Rovers.

“I’m certain that I’ll stay - why wouldn’t I?” the attacker told The former Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Hibernian L’Equipe. man is not a stranger to Asia, having had a short stint with Chinese “I feel very good in Paris, I have a contract to respect at PSG. I’d prefer to be here. I feel good here. club Tianjin Teda two years ago.

On the other hand, Akpo’s elder brother - the more famous Sam Sodje - hopes to resume his football career in the January transfer window. Cote D’Ivoire appoint Renard he former Zambia boss returns to Africa to guide the team he defeated at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final in Gabon The Cote D’Ivoire football federation has announced the appointment of Herve Renard as new head coach of the national team.

Renard was chosen ahead of former Sporting and Benfica coach Jose Manuel De Jesus and Frenchman Frederic Antonetti, all of whom made the final three-man shortlist drawn out of the 37 candidates who applied for the post.

According to the vetting committee, Renard’s national team experience - twice with Zambia (2008-2010 and 2011-2013) and Angola (2010) - gave him an edge over his two competitors, who are yet to coach a national side.

West Ham open Eto’o talks W

est Ham have opened talks over signing former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o.

The 33-year-old, who featured for Cameroon at the World Cup is without a club following his release from Stamford Bridge at the end of last season but could prolong his Premier League stay with the Hammers.

Eto’o’s agent Claudio Vigarelli met with Sam Allardyce in London on Wednesday in an attempt to negotiate a contract for the ex-Barcelona forward, who has had offers from the Middle East, the USA and Turkey.

The Cameroonian’s high wage demands as well as the length of the contract on offer could prove a sticking point, although Goal understands talks are ongoing with the hope that a deal can be reached.

Eto’o is keen to stay in England after an up-and-down campaign with Jose Mourinho’s side following his move from Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala back in August 2013.

Benzema agrees new K Madrid deal

arim Benzema is set to sign a new contract with Real Madrid.

El Confidencial says Benzema has agreed a new €7 million-a-year deal with Real management.

The agreement runs to 2018 and will see his salary begin at €6.5 million and rise to €7.5 million in the final year.

Real’s senior players Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos had urged president Florentino Perez to deal in their younger teammate, as had coach Carlo Ancelotti.

While he has support from teammates and coaching staff, there remains doubts over the Frenchman’s quality from inside the boardroom.

T

Pardew confirms Newcastle interest in Remy

lan Pardew has confirmed NewA castle United are monitoring Loic Remy’s situation once again.

With Arsenal and Tottenham cooling their previous interest and parent club QPR not looking to use him, a move back to Tyneside - where he scored 14 goals last season - could be his only viable option.

Newcastle are looking to sign one more striker and Olympique Lyonnais’ Alexandre Lacazette was their top target - but the player’s demands, coupled with Lyon’s asking price, makes a deal highly unlikely at this stage.

“I am surprised about what’s happened with Loic because I thought he was signing for Liverpool and that door was slammed shut,” said Pardew.

Inter interest delights Chicharito Hernandez has admitted he is aware of Jonavier interest from Inter but refused to speculate his future at Manchester United.

Hernandez, who has also been linked with Atletico Madrid, scored 20 goals in all competitions in his first season at Old Trafford but has since struggled to hold down a place in the starting XI, developing a reputation as a ‘super-sub’.

“I know of Inter’s interest, I’m happy for this reason,” Hernandez told reporters on the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of the USA, according to Corriere dello Sport.

Barca target Reus

arcelona are paying attention to the B contractual situation of Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus, reports in Spain

and Germany claim.

Mundo Deportivo cites a story from Bild that Reus this week turned down a new contract with

s a y s Dortmund.

Dortmund offered Reus a €2m-a-year pay increase and wanted to raise Reus’ buyout clause, which currently stands at €35m and can be activated next year.

Andoni Zubizarreta, currently in England on Barca’s pre-season training camp, is said to have followed the news closely as Reus is on Barca’s shortlist.

Juventus join race to sign Lavezzi

uventus have reportedly joined the Jwinger race to sign Paris Saint-Germain Ezequiel Lavezzi.

AC Milan and Liverpool are also reportedly interested in the former Napoli forward, who left the Stadio San Paolo in July 2012 for €29 million.

According to Tuttosport, Les Parisiens’ interest in Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria means that Lavezzi’s departure is inevitable, and Juve are reportedly willing to sign the player.

The report also states that the only obstacle facing the Bianconeri is that Lavezzi is currently on a basic salary of €5 million a year.

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Friday, August 1, 2014

NFF releases guidelines for elections

T

he NFF Electoral Committee has unveiled the dates for all processes leading to elections into the Executive Committee of the body on Tuesday, 26th August, 2014.

Chairman of the NFF Electoral Committee, Mr. Amoni Biambo, said in Abuja on Thursday that there was a need for adjustments in the programme.

He said; “We have taken into careful consideration, the yearnings of everyone in the Nigeria football family for a level–playing field for all, and have decided to slightly extend the deadline for the endorsement and collections of forms, which has also affected slightly other deadlines.

“However, we are committed to hold-

ing the elections as scheduled on Tuesday, 26th August, 2014. Our responsibility is to play the role of an impartial, unbiased umpire in the entire process to ensure fairness for all.”

Endorsement and submission of forms will now take place between Thursday, 31st July, and 6pm on Monday, 4th August, while screening of candidature, endorsement and release of names of eligible candidates will take place between Tuesday, 5th August and Wednesday, 6th August, 2014.

Protests/Appeals against candidates will be entertained latest on Monday, August 11th while the election proper holds on Tuesday, 26th August.

Fed Cup: It’s Enyimba, Dolphins for final

Charles Ogundiya Abeokuta

efending champions of the Federation Dtunity Cup, Enyimba, will have another opporto record back-to-back victories in the

oldest football competition in the country after securing a 1-0 victory over hard-fighting Giwa FC in a semi-final match played at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta on Thursday.

The second semi-final played in Abuja between Nigeria National League side, Prime FC, and Premier League campaigners, Dolphins, also ended 1-0 in favour of Dolphins, to make the final an all Premier League affair.

Giwa showed why they deserved to get this far in the competition with a rugged performance, thwarting all of Enyimba’s

forays into their final third, while taking the battle to their more illustrious opponents.

Cameroonian Raphael Boumsong’s 51st minute goal separated both sides after the first half ended goalless.

The defence of the Jos-based outfit failed to clear their line during a goal mouth scramble allowing Boumsong to bundle the ball home.

Speaking with our correspondent after the game, Giwa coach, Duke Udi, said they were not disappointed losing to Enyimba in the game.

“We are not disappointed. It was a balanced game and losing to Enyimba was not a disgrace at all. Enyimba is not a small team and in football, you win some and lose some,” said the former Nigeria international.

55

Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa scoring against Argentina at the 2014 World Cup

Nigerian football crisis deepens

...As factional Congress rejects Maigari’s sacking lIt’s illegal-Umeh

AjibadeOlusesanandComfortChukwu

T

he crisis in Nigerian football, on Thursday, took another dimension as a factional Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation overturned the impeachment of embattled President of the federation, Aminu Maigari.

Maigari was dismissed from the Executive Committee of the NFF last week after board members found him guilty of financial misappropriation and other sundry offences.

Although NFF Executive Committee, On Tuesday, announced the postponement of the Congress earlier scheduled for Thursday our correspondent learnt that some state FA chairmen still went ahead to hold the ‘meeting’ and resolved that Maigari be returned to office.

The spokesman of the group and the chairman of the Abia State FA, Sir Ephraim Chukwuemeka, said that 26 out of 44 members of the General Assembly endorsed the resolution to reinstate Maigari.

“The resolution to recall the impeached Maigari was after a proper examination of all the charges levelled against him which were found to be frivolous because according

to Article 28(j) of the NFF Statutes, approval of the yearly audited account of the federation was ratified by the congress in our meetings in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri and no member of the executive committee raised any issue about the finance of the football house.

“Therefore, we reject in its entirety the alleged dismissal of the president of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and the appointment of an acting president of the NFF in the person of Mr. Mike Umeh, the current vice president of the NFF or any other person.”

Meanwhile, NFF Acting President, Umeh has declared the congress illegal.

“The NFF has alerted Nigerians to a document being circulated by a group of persons who claimed that an emergency Congress of the NFF held in Abuja on Thursday. The NFF Executive Committee rose from its meeting of Wednesday, 30th July to say that the emergency Congress had been postponed, and duly apologized to members of the Congress, while stating that the Congress would hold at a later date.

“There was no Congress at all, and we urge Nigerianstoignoretheso–calleddecisionscontainedinthedocument.Aproperly–constituted NFFCongresswouldbeconvokedatadatetobe made known to the public soon,” Umeh said.

He added: “Whoever is instigating these persons does not love Nigeria and should be advised to stop.”

Falconets celebrating a goal

Falconets win tune-up game Ifeanyi Ibeh

N

igeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, continued their build-up to the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with an impressive 4-3 come-from-behind win over a Canadian U-16 team, Codiac AAA of Moncton in a tune-up game played at Ricky Stone.

The match is the first the Falconets have played since their arrival in Canada last Sunday.

Two goals from Heritier Massimengo and Jonathan Kalulumia and an own goal from defender Ibrahim Mariam saw the Canadian side take a 3-0 lead into the break.

Two minutes after the resumption of play though, the

Serena bounces back with victory erena Williams returned to Classic on Wednesday.

Spulling action for the first time since “I’m still taking it a match at a out of Wimbledon with time,” said the American. a straight-sets win over Karolina Pliskova in Stanford, USA. The world number one had to retire from a doubles match with her sister, Venus, at Wimbledon on 1 July with what proved to be a virus.

Williams, 32, saw off Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 7-5 6-2 at the Bank Of The West

“I’m just worried about doing what I want to do and what I’ve been practising on the court. But I wasn’t feeling any nerves today.

I felt good. And I felt fine physically.”

Williams had taken some time off after Wimbledon, recuperating with a holiday in Croatia before returning to practice.

Falconets got a penalty that was converted by Oshoala Asisat. The second and third goals also came via penalties that were converted by Halima Ayinde and U.S-based Courtney Dike.

Dike, the sister of Super Eagles striker, Bright Dike, then grabbed the decisive goal to hand a 4-3 win to the side tutored by Peter Dedevbo who, in the aftermath of the game, revealed that his girls were complacent in the first half.

“It is a good match for the girls, it shows a sign of players that are ready for the world. The player from USA performed beyond my expectations,” said Dedevbo, referring to his side’s two-goal hero, Dike.

He added: “I liked the game as the young boys put the girls on their toes.”

Oke

World Record

On Marble

It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.

– Abraham Lincoln

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 FRIday, AUGUST 1, 2014

The world’s longest war, spanned 335 years without a single shot fired. It was between the United Provinces of Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly from 1651-1986.

N150

The stakes: Impeachment as preface to 2015

T

hese are indeed perilous times for Nigeria. One does not need to possess an extraordinary gift of prescience to see that given the way the nation is headed, the state’sunderbelly may beexposed toacataract of catastrophe. It is crucial that we expose the political brick bats currently manifesting as a clear indication of the salience of power and politics in what has become a naked scramble for the different states in Nigeria. It is all too evident, going from the tension in the polity that Nigeria is a deeply troubled nation enmeshed in four interlocking crises. First is the obvious security crisis. Never before since the end of the civil war in 1970 has the nation been so dangerously tottering on the brink of collapse owing to insurgency, terrorism and massive internal conflicts spearheaded by Boko Haram leading to carnage, murder, sacking and displacement of communities. Second is the corruption crisis, very ubiquitous, too visible in the different tiers of governance, at all levels, and Institutions, Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Third, is the economic crisis, a present and potent danger whose existential reality manifesting in increasing inequality, poverty, unemployment, hunger, famine and overall debilitating conditions of citizens that debunk the illusive claims of the rebasing economists. Fourth, is the raging political inferno now threatening to engulf the states where impeachments and threats of impeachment dominate political actions and discourse. Clearly, the four crises are mutually reinforcing and so closely intertwined, bottling up the nation into a cycle of disaster.

All of these revolve around the centrality of the state in the allocation of cherished scarce resources and values.

Without meaning to diminish the importance and gravity of the other forms of crises, I hope to today unravel the high wire stakes in Nigeria that have made impeachment of state Governors a necessary and urgent step to take in the build up to 2015 elections. Since 1999, executive Governors of states have made themselves emperors, or imperial lords deciding very crudely who gets what, when and how. Most elected representatives in the National and State Assemblies got in there on their Governors’ coattails. Governors have become so powerful that collectively, as a group they determine who should be President, and who should not. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President would remember how the Governors in 2002 tried to cut short his ambition to have a second term, allegedly with the tacit support initially of then Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who however later prevailed on the Governors led by James Ibori et al to sheathe their swords and allow Obj, as he is fondly referred to by his associates, to go for a second term. Atiku must be licking his

IvoryGlory Nkemdili Nnonyelu

aunnonyelu@yahoo.co.uk - 08122801926 (sms only)

wounds, with eternal regrets, for not continuing the ‘democratic’ push to terminate Obasanjo’s inglorious reign. Obasanjo later took his pound of flesh when he instigated Atiku’s ouster from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007, where Atiku as Vice President, contested for Presidential election on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Some of the Governors had a bitter pill of Obasanjo’s fascist tendencies when he moved against them. The list of those impeached under very questionable processes and circumstances include Diepreye Alamieseya of Bayelsa, Peter Obi of Anambra, Festus Dariye of Plateau, Rasheed Ladoja of Oyo state, Peter Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.

In these states, less than a third of the state legislators gathered to sack the majority of their colleagues, and proceeded to impeach the Governors. The courts later overturned most of these illegal impeachments.

With the build up to the 2015 elections, the stakes are getting higher. The zero-sum nature of Nigerian politics, where the winner takes all, aggravates political hostility, violence and win at all cost syndrome. It breeds political mistrust and hatred. The goal of governance primarily is to capture the state and privatise it. The name of politics in Nigeria is accumulation of wealth exclusively for very selfish reasons. Little wonder Nigeria has been turned into a large gangland of inequality. The gaps between the rich, mainly those who have something to do with the state, or even the so called multi billionaire private business men, are nothing but fronts that live off the state. Beneath the facade of entrepreneurship lies the discrete affinity with state power. The Power Elite, a coalition of the different sectors of Nigerian society are therefore involved in subterranean conspiracy to sustain the exploitation of the Nigerian state in furtherance of its mercantile interest. The intra class struggle that manifests in what is now known as impeachment saga cannot be divorced from the form and content of the Nigerian political economy and social order.

The terrain of struggle as exemplified in the gale of impeachments must be put in context and in perspective to situate critically the dynamics of the neo-patrimonial systems of governance, the impact and attraction of oil as the only God worshipped by successive

power elite, the construction and manipulation of ethno-religious identities to further divide the nation. The current impeachment craze must be understood from the viewpoint of the new threat posed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party. Before now, at least in the Obasanjo era, impeachment was used to intimidate some ambitious Governors who did not want to line behind the totalitarian President, particularly in his bid to elongate his rule by the infamous Third Term Agenda. All of these Governors except Peter Obi belonged to the PDP. Peter Obi’s case was to pave way, though unsuccessfully, for Obasanjo’s acolyte and man Friday, Andy Uba to take over. All the others were more or less a family affair, as the PDP is wont to refer to important issues of (mis) governance.

The manner of APC’s emergence, the political brinkmanship that saw the merger of major opposition political parties into one solid political block that would threaten the emerging dominant party system in Nigeria, the expected 100 year rule of PDP where one political party rules for several years, the fear of losing political power is at the heat of the current impeachment moves. For the first time perhaps, in Nigerian political history have we witnessed different political parties coming together in this way. Hitherto, it has been mere alliances which were ad hoc. The struggle to take over the House of Representatives by the APC, the attempted conversion of a minority party to a majority owing to the recent defections and horse trading jolted the PDP and woke the party from its slumber. If it is accused by the opposition of cluelessness in governance, weak and incompetent, will it also be sleeping and allow a nascent party overrun it, in broad day light? The PDP’s response to this struggle for state power is now what is being witnessed in some states of the federation, namely the sacking of Adamawa state Governor – Murtala Nyako who has since fled the country as reported. Murtala Nyako, a lone ranger defected to the APC without any member of his party (PDP) accompanying him. Even the four members of the House of Assembly that belonged to the APC were so irked by Nyako’s membership of the party that they quickly jumped ship and moved over to PDP. Nyako’s outbursts

and vile language against the Presidency without watching his back made him an easy prey for the rampaging PDP. Nyako to put it mildly was simply naive, and reckless.

Now to Nasarawa state, where the populist Al Makura won the gubernatorial election in 2011 on the platform of Muhammadu Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change.

Al Makura has been swimming against the stormy tide populated by legislators from the People’s Democratic Party, who must now remove Al Makura to open up the space for the Labaran Makus. In Edo state, the former Labour Leader Adams Oshomole’s territory, the House of Assembly is now balkanised into two main groups – the Pro and Anti Oshiomole. Same in Oyo, Rivers, Ogun, Yobe, Borno all APC states. The constitutional provision stipulating clearly that gross misconduct shall be the main reason to warrant the impeachment of Chief Executives of states is violated to satisfy the political calculations for 2015. In the states where the APC are in control, they need to be beheaded, or decapitated to blunt their vibrancy and preparations for 2015. However, in most of the states, the APC has given itself out as unprepared to take power. The fact that their much touted states and national convention successes left in its trail bitterness and acrimony amongst its members so much that some of them have gone back to PDP from “whence they came”.

The internal contradictions besetting APC are too clear to be ignored by any opponent.

The way the party is going; APC may not present any formidable opposition, talk less alternative to PDP in 2015. Goodluck Jonathan’s re-emergence, or is it continuation may after all be a fait accompli.

OmoBaba

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