Binder1 friday, february 20, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

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

Vol. 2 No. 366

Friday, February 20, 2015

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

October 1 bombing : I'm ready for trial, Okah tells court }8

States push for refund of $1.48bn by NNPC lReps demand forensic audit report Abdulwahab Isa and Philip Nyam Abuja

he 36 state governments are demanding a quick refund of the $1.48 billion, which the report of a forensic audit ordered into

the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said the oil corporation owes the Federation Account, New Telegraph

has learnt. A source confided in New Telegraph yesterday that the states, through their commissioners of finance, also want the

money to be treated as fresh funds to the Federation Account instead of being considered as augmentation to buoy up the

36 days to go... Nigeria Nigeria s votes vote

2015

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

2015

}14 & 15

Battle rages in Sambisa forest

lTroops kill 'large number' of insurgents lTheir days are numbered, says Jonathan }5 Quick Read Editorial

Politics bane of Nigerian }19 sports Defection: Court hears suit against Tambuwal }7 March 3

Nigerians must prepare to vote on March 28 – Abdulsalami}15 Travel Advisory

Minister of Youth, Mr. Boni Haruna (second right), overcome by emotions after assessing the level of destruction at the house of Hajia Zainab Abdullahi (left) in Mararaba Mubi, Adamawa State…yesterday. With them is Leader, Assessment Team, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr. Musa Zakari (right).

Your guide to local and international flights }4

APC alleges fresh plot to use religion for campaign

lPDP: We don't need religious or ethnic cleavages to win elections }6

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Travel Advisory

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule Air France

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

Flight No. AF 513 AF 3822 AF514 AF513 AF514 AF3849

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

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

Amsterdam-Lagos Lagos-Amsterdam

KL587 KL588

13:15hrs 23:05hrs

20:00hrs 05:50hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

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

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

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

BRITISH AIRWAYS

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

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

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS

16:00hrs

Lagos-Kigali

11:15hrs

16:45hrs

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

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

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

14:00hrs

17:30hrs

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

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

hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs

01:00hrs

hrs

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Doha Flight Doha-Lagos Flight

QR 1414 (daily) QR 1415

14:55hrs 07:20hrs

23:45hrs 13:35hrs

Lagos-Atlanta Atlanta-Lagos

DL053 DL 054

22:15hrs 5:15hrs

05:32hrs 16:15hrs

Lagos-Houston Houston-Lagos

UA 143 UA 142

10:10hrs 19:10hrs

6:05hrs 15.15hrs

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

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

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

Lagos-Madrid Madrid-Lagos

IB 3337 IB 3336

22:55hrs 16:00hrs

5:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

air maroc

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

12:30hrs

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

IBERIA

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

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

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

MEA 571 MEA 572

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

to Lagos)

UNITED AIRLINES

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

KQ 533 KQ 534

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

DELTA AIRLINES

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

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

QATAR AIRWAYS

VS 652 VS 651

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

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

EMIRATES AIRLINES

Lagos-London London-Lagos

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

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

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

VIRGIN ATLANTIC

RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

Air Côte d'Ivoire Lagos to Abidjan Abidjan to Lagos

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

ASKY AIRLINES

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

10:10hrs

10:50hrs

19:20hrs

21.50hrs

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

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

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

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

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

Local FLIGHT SCHEDULE ARIK AIR

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

AZMAN FLIGHT SCHEDULE

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

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

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

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

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

AEROCONTRACTORS

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 06:50; 13:30; 16:30; 19:45 (SAT/SUN) 12:30; 16:45 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 13:00; 19:00 (SAT) 12:30 (SUN) 15:30

MEDVIEW AIRLINES

LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:50; 12:00; 15:30 (SAT) 10:00; 15:00 (SUN) 17:30; 18:30 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 09:00; 14:00, 15:00; 18:30

OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00

News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Battle rages in Sambisa forest Emmanuel Onani, Anule Emmanuel and Flora Onwudiwe

arplanes yesterday rained bombs on Boko Haram's training camps and equipment in their Sambisa Forest fortress in Borno State, killing "a large number' of its fighters and forcing

many others to flee the sect's hitherto impregnable hideout. A statement yesterday by the Defence Headquarters said the Nigerian military was assisted by Chad, Cameroon and Niger in the exercise during which Gwoza, another Boko Haram stronghold in the state was attacked. The attacks came just

as President Goodluck Jonathan vowed elections must hold in the NorthEast as Nigeria is better placed now than before to defeat Boko Haram. Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, said in the statement that the concerted air campaign was part of the overall mission by the military

to flush out the fighters from their hideouts. He added that the air strikes, which targeted the insurgents' training camps and logistics dumps, "achieved the aims with required precision." The announcement of the setback for Boko Haram came a day after the DHQ said troops had killed over 300 suspected

insurgents and liberated eleven communities in Borno State. "A concerted air campaign by the Nigerian Air Force is ongoing in furtherance of the mission to clear terrorists from all their enclaves. The air strikes which today targeted the training camps and logistics dumps of the terrorists in Sambisa forests

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Chris Anyanwu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Usman Jibrin; President Goodluck Jonathan; National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu and Minister of Defence, Lt. General Aliyu Gusau at the inauguration of four Nigeria Navy ships in Lagos…yesterday.

Reps demand forensic audit report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

account. Besides, the House of Representatives has also demanded that President Goodluck Jonathan should lay before it the forensic audit report for its consideration. The development came as the monthly meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), which was billed to hold yesterday in Abuja, was hurriedly put off without any reason after state commissioners of finance had assembled for the talks. A top member of FAAC said the state commissioners of finance had adopted a common position that the $1.48 billion, which the report by PriceWaterHouseCooper (PwC) said NNPC withheld from the Federation Account, should be refunded immediately and treated as a fresh return for the month and not as augmentation. The source who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media on the matter, told New Telegraph that the states are

under serious financial obligation, which stemmed from unpaid workers’ salaries and obligations to contractors as a result of dwindling revenue from the Federation Account. He said the commissioners would resist any attempt to treat the $1.48 billion, when paid, as augmentation. “We thank our President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who graciously directed that the recovered NNPC fund be remitted immediately to the Federation Account and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has also given similar directive. So, it must be treated separately and must be brought up as a fresh return for the month,” said the source. According to him, NNPC should refund the money to the Federation Account immediately to ease the financial burden of the states. He said: “The contractors are not comfortable because of apparent change in government expected in many states after

the forthcoming elections. They fear that the incoming administration may refuse to honour debt obligations; so, they have become impatient with states for not paying for contracts executed. "The youths too have become restive and you know that election period comes with fear. Besides, there are matters of security that must be taken care of as elections approach and respective governments are bracing to meet up with their responsibilities.” On the postponement of the FAAC meeting, Chairman, Commissioners of Finance Forum and Ebonyi State Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Timothy Odah, told New Telegraph in a telephone conversation that his colleagues had already assembled in Abuja for the meeting when words came that the meeting would no longer hold. “It was a great disappointment for my members who gathered since yesterday in Abuja. We got alert from a junior officer in the Federal Ministry of

Finance that it had been postponed till next week without any reason. “My members left grudgingly. We are treated with disdain. We are officers of FAAC and our coming to Abuja was under instruction. Well, I have advised my colleagues to exercise patient since it has been shifted to Monday and Tuesday.” Contacted yesterday on why FAAC did not hold, the Chief Press Secretary to the Accountant General of Federation, Mrs. Kene Offie, said the media would be notified of the new date. Meanwhile, the House has asked the president to lay before it the full forensic report on the probe of NNPC's accounts. Lawmakers unanimously took the decision after considering a motion titled ‘Forensic audit report on the NNPC missing fund,’ which was sponsored by the Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, (APC, Lagos). In his lead debate, Gbajabiamila noted with concern the allegations by the former Governor of Cen-

tral Bank of Nigeria (CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, in 2013 that $20 billion was missing from NNPC's accounts. He expressed concern that after the submission of the audit report conducted by PwC to the president on February 2, the report is yet to be presented to the National Assembly and the general public. In adopting the motion, the House resolved that “for the purposes of accountability and in compliance with the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency and in the interest of the general public make the full report available to the House Committee on Public Accounts." Also yesterday, the lawmakers during the debate on the ‘recent attack on a political rally in River State,’ sponsored by Hon. Robinson Uwak (APC, Akwa Ibom), called on the police to investigate, arrest and prosecute all those involved in the bombing of an All Progressive Congress (APC) rally in Okrika.

and parts of Gwoza have been highly successful as it achieved the aims with required precision. The death of a large number of terrorists has been recorded while many others are also scampering all over the forest and out of the struck bases. Details of casualty will be determined in subsequent phases of the operation. "Meanwhile, the strikes continue in other locations of the theatre heralding the advance of troops and other elements of the mission," the statement said. The success of the attack, like others in the past, yesterday gave the president the confidence to assure the nation that elections will hold in the North-East as the days of Boko Haram are numbered. Jonathan, at the inauguration of four ships for the Nigerian Navy in Lagos, anchored his optimism on the retooling of the military that has given it access to high grade equipment to face the insurgents and the regional alliance among Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon that has degraded Boko Haram's fighting capacity. The North-East has been ravaged by Boko Haram, which in the last six years has killed about 15, 000 people, and the need to rout the terror group was cited as the reason for delaying the general elections, earlier scheduled for February 14 by six weeks. Jonathan said the security forces were well equipped more than ever before to tackle the insurgency in the area. He also said the March 28 and April 11 rescheduled elections would go ahead as promised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He commended officers and men of the Nigerian Army who are fighting the terrorists, saying he is impressed with the reports of successes coming out of the zone. He said: "Let me also use this platform to promise my good country men and women that we will rout Boko Haram. Our capacity to achieve results in the North-East has increased sufficiency. Our men and officers are doing well in the North-East and we must conduct the elections as scheduled by INEC. We will return the north to safety." Besides, the president said the investment of his administration in providing crucial equipment and facilities for maritime operations was responsible CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

News

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

CAN collected N7bn to campaign for Jonathan –Pastor

lIt’s not true, says Okupe Ibraheem Musa and Emmanuel Anule

resident Goodluck Jonathan gave the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) N7 billion to be distributed amongst church leaders, in order to campaign for his reelection, Pastor Kallamu Musa-Dikwa, a Borno State-based clergyman has alleged yesterday. Pastor Musa-Dikwa stated this in Kaduna yesterday. Governor Rotimi Amechi of Rivers State first made the accusation that President Jonathan gave out N6 billion to church leaders to mobilise their members to vote against General Muhammdu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate. Amechi’s allegation was vigorously challenged by Christian leaders, with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Northern States Christian Elders’ Forum (NOSCEF) asking him to mention specific names of the Christian leaders that collected the alleged N6 billion. Apparently picking the

church leaders’ gauntlet, Pastor Musa-Dikwa who is the Executive Director of Voice of Northern Christians Movement, told journalists that the said money was channelled through the Pastor Ayo Oritsejaforled Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Musa-Dikwa, who also clarified that the money that was distributed was N7 billion and not N6 billion as Amechi had alleged, said that CAN got the money on January 26. He said that N3 million

was disbursed to state chairmen of CAN across the country. “Actually, President Jonathan is using CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and it was the CAN President that collected the monies and shared N3 million to the CAN executives in each state,” he said. According to MusaDikwa, “one of the CAN officials from Abuja told me that they have collected the money. The corruption in CAN is terrible. They are corrupting the body of

Christ because of money.” Musa-Dikwa, who is an Associate Pastor with the Ecklesiyan Ýan Uwan A Nijeria (EYN Church) Farm Centre, Maiduguri, said that the leadership of CAN had started threatening Christians in Borno State to vote for Jonathan. “They are now threatening Christians in Borno State that they will deal with anybody who refuses to vote for Jonathan. And the CAN officials are now campaigning that if Buhari emerges president,

he will Islamise Nigeria,” he said. The CAN officials also alleged that Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, the running mate of Buhari, had collected money from Islamic countries. They further alleged that ‘’Osibanjo will resign soon after Buhari wins, to give way for Bola Tinubu to emerge as Vice President,” he added. Bu the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, denied the accusation.

“It is untrue. President Jonathan has not given money to any religious organisations to campaign for him and he really does not have to. President Jonathan is relying on the strength of his outstanding performance to win the 2015 elections. “This falsehood was initiated by the Director General of the Buhari campaign organisation and is being orchestrated by those who aim at using religion to divide Nigeria,” he said.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

32o C 25oC Thunder Storms

ABUJA

37 C

24 C

Partially Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

26oC

18oC

Storms

KANO

36oC

18oC

Partially Cloudy

ENUGU

34o C 25oC Very Cloudy

IBADAN

23oC

16oC

Heavy Showers

CALABAR

30oC

23oC

Storms

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

37oC 17oC Mostly Sunny

32o C 24oC Thunder Storms

L-R: Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Davies Ikanya; Deputy Chairman, Mr. Peter Odike and Treasurer, Mr. Abinye Alex, at a press conference on the attack of the party's members, in Port Harcourt…yesterday.

Boko Haram days are numbered, says Jonathan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

for the significant reduction in cases of oil theft and other maritime crimes. The four ships which he inaugurated yesterday were according to him part of the transformation agenda of his administration in the security sector, adding that it will further boost the capacity of the Navy to fight maritime crimes. He added that the ships are part of six which will be inaugurated for the Navy this year, adding that one of the ships which came from the United States was the sixth from that country since 2002. Jonathan acknowledged the fact that this was the first time any Nigerian government would inaugurate four Naval ships at the same time, since the last time under former President Shehu Shagari who inaugurated three ships. Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, had commended the president for committing huge resourc-

es to the advancement of naval operations, adding that yesterday's ceremony was a milestone in the history of the navy. Meanwhile, Niger, Chad and Cameroon are seeking to pin down Boko Haram within Nigeria's borders ahead of a ground-andair offensive by a regional taskforce due to start from the end of next month, a senior Niger military official told Reuters. Boko Haram, which has killed thousands of people in a six-year insurgency in Nigeria, has fought fierce battles with the three countries' armies in southern Niger and northern Cameroon, near Nigeria's borders, in recent weeks. Chadian forces have made incursions into Nigeria to push back the jihadist fighters, hundreds of whom have been killed. Military chiefs will meet in the Chadian capital N'Djamena next week to finalise strategy for the 8,700-strong taskforce of troops from Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin and Niger, said Colonel Maha-

mane Laminou Sani, director of documentation and military intelligence of Niger's armed forces. "All we are doing right now is stopping Boko Haram from entering Niger: if they attack our positions we push them back a certain distance and Nigeria pushes from the other side to contain the situation," he said, on the sidelines of the annual U.S.-sponsored 'Flintlock' counter-terrorism exercises in Chad. "There are initiatives by our countries to make sure Boko Haram doesn't get out of control but we have a deadline of end-March to put the joint force into practice," he said yesterday. He spoke just as France complained yesterday that its European allies were not doing enough to help fight terrorism and instability in Africa and demanded a fairer sharing of the burden. In the last few years France has intervened militarily against al Qaeda-linked Islamists in Mali and to restore order in

Central African Republic, but has struggled to rally support for EU missions from partners wary of military involvement. With Islamic State now present in Libya and Boko Haram posing a threat to French-speaking countries in West Africa, Paris sees the militant threat in Africa growing. French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian shook up an EU defence ministers' meeting in the Latvian capital with a public appeal for other European countries to make a greater commitment to security in Africa. Following attacks in Paris, Brussels and Copenhagen there was no longer any real separation between internal and external security, Le Drian argued. "We must act both in our territories and in crisis theatres. Consequently ... the burden of European security must be fairly shared out. I called for solidarity," he said. Le Drian said, for example, that the EU was

having difficulty putting together 60 experts needed for a military training mission in Central African Republic and he complained that the EU has a 2,000-strong rapid reaction force, known as a battle group, on standby at all times, but has never used it. Le Drian said the EU was putting its faith in U.N.-led efforts to end Libya's conflict and there had been no talk at the meeting of military intervention. A French diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Paris had been asking the EU diplomatic service for six months to prepare for a positive or negative outcome to the U.N. peace effort in Libya "and we have nothing on the table so far". Saying Boko Haram was becoming "perhaps the main threat for security in Africa", he said France was asking Britain to be "more pro-active on the issue" and to work with neighbouring countries to contain the threat.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

APC alleges fresh plot to use religion for campaign Onyekachi Eze and Temitope Ogunbanke

head of the general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday traded accusations over an alleged plot to use religion for election purposes. APC, which levelled the accusation, said the fresh plot would involve the circulation of leaflets

in mosques and churches, asking Muslims to only vote for Muslims in the forthcoming elections. Its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, cited the statement credited to Vice-President Namadi Sambo in which he was quoted as saying that PDP has more Muslims than the APC and that the APC vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is a pastor who runs 5,000 churches.

“They are hoping that by further inflaming passion with the highly emotive issue of religion, they can revive their shrivelling political fortunes. That is why they have devised the latest strategy of pitting Christians against Muslims through the circulation of satanic leaflets. Nigerians should not be taken in by this cheap plot. “It must baffle every right thinking Nigerian what the Vice-President of the Federal Repub-

lic of Nigeria stands to gain by his resort to base instincts. It is more baffling against the background of the fact that it was his party, the PDP, that first labelled our party, the APC, as a Muslim party. “Not even when the APC elected a Christian as its national chairman, supported by many party officials who are also Christians, did they back off from their incautious claim. It did not occur to them that our party is

more religiously diverse than they have sought to portray it to Nigerians. “We ask Nigerians to disregard anyone peddling religion as a tool for securing votes in any part of the country. Faith is a personal thing to individuals and no responsible government will seek to use religion to divide the people.” But the PDP denied the APC's accusation, saying it does not need to promote base sentiment to win the elections.

Catholic Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Bishop Anthony Obinna (left), leading Catholic faithful in prayer for successful elections, in Owerri…yesterday.

The party in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the APC and its presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, stand to benefit from such unpatriotic conduct and have consistently been aligned to such insensibilities. PDP accused APC of being scared of the possible backlash and was desperately looking for a scapegoat. The party said: "Such a barefaced, thoughtless statement from a political party notorious for false alarms, deceit and pernicious propaganda is another auspicious window into the warped mindset of the party that flaunts messianic wherewithal." Metuh called on Nigerians to judge which party would gain from such an irresponsible political conduct. "The truth is that it is the APC whose actions, utterances and body language have been anything but unifying. "We therefore remain the best and do not need recourse to narrow politicking, especially when our presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, epitomises the unity, progress and prosperity of the nation," PDP added.

Why APC wants exclusion of military from polls, by PDP Defection: Court Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to unleash violence and intimidate voters if the outcome of next month's general elections was not in its favour. Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, at a news conference yesterday, explained that that was the reason APC was sponsoring court cases against the deployment of soldiers to monitor the elections. A five-man Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja headed by Justice Abdul Aboki had admitted that the military was used to harass and intimidate APC supporters and leaders during the Ekiti governorship election. In a unanimous judgement, the appellate court held that the Justice Siraju-Mohammed-led tribunal in its verdict delivered on December 19, 2014,

"hurriedly" dismissed the appellant's allegations of harassment by the military on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction to hear such. The appellate court held that though the tribunal had rightly struck out the names of the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police as respondents in the petition in accordance with provisions of the Electoral Act, it ought to have determined the appellant's complaints and considered the two parties as agents of INEC or individuals working on behalf of the commission. Fani-Kayode observed that the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, has been evading direct response when asked if he would accept the outcome of the presidential election no matter how unfavourable. "In an AFP news report of Friday, February 6, 2015, he was asked if he would accept the outcome of the presidential election no matter how unfavourable. Listen to his answer: “I am not going to lose; so

I won’t answer that question.” Again, only yesterday, Wednesday, February 18, 2015, in an interview on ARISE Television, General Buhari was asked what his reaction would be if he loses the election. His answer was: 'We shall see'", Fani-Kayode stated. He added that Buhari has said that the patience of the APC and its leaders were on test and wonders what the APC's presidential candidate and his supporters intend to do once that patience runs out. Fani-Kayode described Buhari's statements as "ominous and subtle threats to unleash violence on the Nigerian people and all those that he perceives are his enemies in the event of his losing the election." He said: "We witnessed the orgy of violence that they unleashed shortly after the announcement of the results of the 2011 presidential election, which the Sheik Lemu Committee, in its report to the Federal Government, said was caused by Buhari’s inflammatory statements. "We recall with sadness the massacre of some of

our vibrant youth corpers who participated in the 2011 election as INEC’s adhoc staff in Bauchi State. We are concerned that the same thing may happen again given General Buhari’s divisive and inciting comments coupled with the APC’s violent disposition. "What happened in Maiduguri last Monday when General Buhari went there gives cause for concern. His irate supporters burnt down the campaign offices of our party and torched our vehicles. We also saw pictures of some underage boys carrying lethal weapons such as AK 47 and Dane guns. This is irresponsible and dangerous. The question must be asked: are we running elections or going for war?" Fani-Kayode described the audio footage of the alleged rigging during the Ekiti governorship election as childish and absurd. He noted that the Federal Government deployed soldiers in the Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections "and all those elections were devoid of violence."

hears suit against Tambuwal March 3 Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday fixed March 3 for hearing in the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, over his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP, through its counsel, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) is seeking a court order to declare the Kebbe/Tambuwal federal constituency seat vacant, following Tambuwal’s defection. Tambuwal had, however, filed an application asking the court to dismiss the suit against him for being incompetent. At the resumed hearing yesterday, a different party brought an application to be joined in the suit and served the application on the original parties in the suit in court. The trial judge, Jus-

tice A.R Mohammed, adjourned further hearing to enable parties respond to Tambuwal’s application as well as the joinder application. The plaintiff in its argument contended that Tambuwal had lost his seat by reason of his defection, according to the provisions of Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution. Joined as defendants alongside Tambuwal is the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha. The plaintiff urged the court to order Tambuwal to give effect to the provisions of Section 68(1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), to declare his seat in the House of Representatives vacant. PDP also prayed the court for an alternative order directing the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare the Kebbe/Tambuwal seat vacant by an order of mandamus.

News

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he alleged mastermind of the October 1, 2010 Inde pendence Day bombing, Charles Okah, yesterday told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that he was ready to stand for trial. Okah, however, told the court that his challenges had improved. Before now, Okah's trial has been stalled due to his health challenge. At the resumed hearing yesterday, Okah said that, "Our condition at Kuje Prisons has

national

Friday, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oct 1 bombing: I'm ready for trial, Okah tells court improved through the intervention of the International Red Cross Society. "I am now medically, psychologically and physically ready for the trial." Okah also informed the court that he had suffered gross violation of his fundamental human rights since four years ago that the case

was instituted, expressing confidence in the trial judge's ability to dispense justice in the suit. Prosecution counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, had told the court that the matter was adjourned in order to enable the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria to put up a legal representation for Okah, following the withdrawal of Festus

Keyamo, who had represented Okah in the suit. Counsel from the Legal Aid Council, S. A. Ahulah, informed the court that the council needed to procure the record of proceedings and other necessary court processes to enable them prepare for the trial. Ahulah also told the court that he was only standing for the

council as the case file was yet to be assigned to a lawyer, and therefore, sought for a short date to enable them go through the file. Izinyon did not oppose the defendant's application for a short adjournment. The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, later adjourned to April 23 and 27 for trial.

Corps DG warns volunteers Philip Nyam Abuja

irector General of the Technical Aid Corps, (TAC), Dr. Pius Osunyikanmi, has urged Nigerian Volunteers to the University of Zanzibar not to join citizens of their host nation to denigrate that country. He gave the advice yesterday, while briefing the 32 volunteers before their departure to the East African nation where they will be for the next two years. According to him: "Now that you are about to leave, spend time to reflect on what is expected of you. You are among many Nigerians that were lucky to have been chosen. I, therefore, charge you to go, ready to give your best. "Do not use your confidence to look down on citizens of your host country. Also, since you will be at the grassroots, majority of the people you will meet will see Nigeria through you. So, don't join in denigrating your hosts. Don't compare their country to Nigeria. This forms part of the orientation programme you went through in Akure.” The Director General, who was represented by the Director of Programmes of the agency, Dr. Oladele Abiodun, admonished them to also learn from the citizens of their host nation while impacting knowledge on them. He said: "So that after your two years programme, you can come back and use that experience here in Nigeria." Osunyikanmi warned the volunteers not to take their problems to their hosts, but to always channel their complaints to TAC desk officers who have been designated to look after their affairs.

L-R: Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri; Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochepke and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Istifanus Musa, during the investiture of NoaWagePeace in Abuja …yesterday

INEC faces fresh suit over PVC, card reader he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was yesterday dragged before a Federal High Court sitting Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, over the use of Permanent Voters' Card, PVC and card reader for the forthcoming general elections. This is the second suit challenging the usage of the PVC, as a similar suit is pending before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. The plaintiffs, in the fresh suit-former National

Vice President, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade George Turnah and five others, had approached the court, seeking to stop the conduct of the general elections using the PVC and the card reading machine. Other plaintiffs are, Barrister George Turner, Ebis Orubebe, Dan Etai, Barrister Agorodi Awudumapu and Barrister Nelson Abali. Joined as respondent with INEC is the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke. The plaintiffs are seeking an order of in-

Emmanuel Onani

IGP warns personnel against unruly behaviour

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Suleiman Abba, has warned officers and men of the force against breaching extant rules and regulations guiding its operations. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, an Acting Commissioner

of Police, said the IGP's warning followed a "media publication" (not New Telegraph), that some policemen were threatening to embark on strike over unpaid salaries. The statement reads: "The attention of Police High Command has been drawn to a media publication captioned, “Po-

terlocutory injunction, restraining the respondents from conducting the forthcoming general election scheduled for March 28 and April 11 with the use of the permanent voters card and the card reading machine, as the only medium for voting pending the determination of the substantive suit. The plaintiffs contended that in the two most recent elections conducted by INEC in Osun and Ekiti states, the PVC and card reading machine were not used, but the Temporary Voters Card. They also argued that the distribution of the

licemen Threaten Strike over unpaid salaries”. "At the outset, it is pertinent to state that, the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force is mindful of its responsibility towards the welfare of the workforce; part of which is promotion and recognition of hard work. "As is expected, every promotion attracts

PVCs has been very slow, adding that with the slowness of the process, they doubt whether INEC would achieve substantial distribution of the PVC nationwide before the election. They further submitted that the use of the card reader was alien to the 1999 constitution as amended and the 2010 Electoral Act. The plaintiffs also submitted that they are worried that unless a card reader confirms voter’s card, the holder cannot use same to vote and to them, that might be a tactical way to disenfranchise many voters.

some financial benefits, and which have been deeply considered in the course of processing and approving the promotions. For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigeria Police Force is working assiduously with relevant government departments and agencies to effect the payment of the promotion arrears.

Appeal court reserves judgement in Jonathan's eligibility suit Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, yesterday reserved its decision on whether or not President Goodluck Jonathan is eligible to contest as President in the March 28 Presidential polls. One Cyriacus Njoku had filed an appeal before the court, having lost his case at the lower court where Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, then of the Abuja High Court dismissed his suit challenging Jonathan's eligibility. The full panel of the court headed by Justice Datijo Yahaya, said that the judgement date will be communicated to the parties after listening to arguments canvassed by all the parties. Arguing his appeal through his counsel, Chief Okon Obono Obla, Njoku urged the court to hold that he has locus to file the case. He further urged the court not to follow the old interpretation of locus standi but to follow the modern trend laid down by the Court of Appeal in the case where the late Gani Fawehinmi went to court to say that the payment of salaries to the Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo Iweala in US Dollars was wrong. He noted that Gani lost the matter at the High Court but got judgment at the Court of Appeal, where the court agreed that he has locus standi because he is a taxpayer. The appellant also urged the court to hold that President Jonathan’s declaration and adoption as the Presidential candidate of the PDP while the appeal was pending was wrong. On their part, the President and the PDP, through the party's National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon, urged the court to dismiss the appeal.

Meanwhile, all promoted officers have since January 2015 been enjoying the salaries attendant on their new ranks. "It needs be stated for the umpteenth time that the Nigeria Police Force is founded on the bedrock of discipline and loyalty. The Police Regulation has provided enough windows for aggrieved officers to ventilate their grievances.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Court denies pro-Biafra members bail Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

he detained leader and members of Biafran Zionist Federation, BZF, were yesterday denied bail by the Federal High Court in Enugu. The court yesterday ruled on their bail application which was argued last week by counsel to both defendants and the prosecution. The detained leader, Barr. Ben Onwuka and 10 others had been in prison custody following their bloody but botched attempt to gain access into the studios of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service for alleged purpose of declaration of the state of Biafra. They have been standing trial since September, 2014. The ruling yesterday was delivered amid tight security in the court premises as Justice Dorcas Agishi, the trial judge failed to grant the bail application moved by the defence counsel , Olu Omotayo, who is also the South East Zonal Director of the Civil Liberties Organization. While delivering the ruling, Justice Agishi declined to grant the bail, citing the prevailing political climate in the country, just as she explained that there was no guarantee that when granted bail, the accused would not resume their manner of agitation for the declaration of state of Biafra.

Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

he Federal Government has disclosed plans to make University First Degree, the minimum teaching qualification in the country. Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, who gave this hint yesterday when he received Finish Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, on a courtesy call, said the government would explore all measures to restore the respect, dignity and status of the teacher in the country.

he Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has again been accused of unholy alliance with the leading opposition party, All Progressives Congress, towards ensuring the victory of the latter in the March 28 presidential election. This allegation was reiterated yesterday by a group, Move on Nigeria, after Jega insisted that Nigeria Military should be blamed for the postponement of the election dates, while appearing before the Senate on Wednesday. According to the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Clem Aguiyi, Jega’s explanations surreptitiously draws the Nigerian Military into the fray “and for a country that has had its full dose of military disruptions, it is ominous at the least to suggest that the military

FG to make first degree minimum teaching qualification The Finish Ambassador had told the Minister that all teachers in Finland have minimum of masters degree and that teaching is a highly competitive profession in that country because of huge interest by too many qualified people. The Minister, who said the target of the Federal Government was to make First Degree the minimum teaching qualification, noted that from 1980, the

minimum teaching qualification to teach in school was National Certificate in Education (NCE). He said this could be upped to First Degree in time to come, adding that currently, there were a number of graduates teaching in primary schools in the country. Shekarau recalled that the country was able to get over the practice in the past where primary school

graduates were engaged to teach, saying “the level was raised to Teacher Grade 3 in the 60s and later on in early 70s, it was minimum of Grade 2, and this was later phased out in early 80s to minimum of NCE”. “Gradually, we will get there. We hope that a day will come when all our schools including pre-primary will be handled by university graduates. The rate at which our universi-

ties are increasing, shows that in time to come, that will be our target. We have a lot to learn from each other regardless of the factor of the size. The challenges are the same, “ he said. He said apart from the general agenda of government for improving access and quality of education, his particular concern as Minister of Education was to improve the quality of teachers as a key factor.

L-R: Director, Corporate Affairs and Public Relations, Mallam Umar Bukar; Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Prof. Suleiman Bogoro; Director, Corporate Planning and Development, Mallam Aliyu Na’Iya and Kano State Governor, Alhaji Musa Kwankwaso, during the governor’s visit to the institution’s corporate headquarters in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Jega, APC planned to rig 2015 elections –Group Mojeed Alabi

News

NATIONAL

are beginning to fiddle with our democracy.” The group insisted that if INEC had gone ahead to conduct the presidential election on the 14th of February, over 26 Million Nigerians would have been disenfranchised, “since they have not been issued with their PVC cards. The need to avoid the preclusion of these 26 million Nigerians ought to have been the overriding perspective for the postponement of the elections.” Aguiyi stated; “Days after the rescheduled election, the efficacy of the card readers that were to be deployed for the elections have not been field tested and contingencies and protocols for mitigating real time challenges has also not been mapped out, as such to predicate the future of Nigeria on an untested solution is at once reckless and totally irresponsible.”

FAAN set to recover N5bn debts Wole Shadare

he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has threatened to publish the names of all debtors, including airlines, concessionaires and other service providers as a prelude to other measures designed to help the authority recover all its outstanding debts. Spokesman for FAAN, Yakubu Dati in a statement, said all affected customers of the authority are advised to approach the authority’s Debt Re-

covery Department (DPR) at its headquarters or airport managers across the country with relevant documents for reconciliation of accounts with the Authority. Dati stated that the authority was constrained to taking the measure because the level of indebtedness to the Authority may soon begin to take a toll on its services, which should not be allowed to happen, in the overall interest of safety and security at airports. The Authority has

also observed, rather sadly, that most of its customers deliberately refuse to pay their charges/fees long after FAAN has rendered them statutory services. Dati, was, however, silent on the total debts owed FAAN by concessionaires, airlines and others, but sources said the debts could be as high as N5 billion. Airlines, Oil Marketers, ground handling companies and government agencies are indebted to aviation ser-

vice providers and the regulator, a jumbo sum of N32.4 billion as at April 30 this year. At the time of filing this report, sources close to all the service providers and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA) indicated that the total indebtedness, if not redeem within the shortest possible time, could cripple their ability for provision of services and its attendant negative impact on the safety of the country’s air space.

Senators demand guarantee on new poll dates from service chiefs Chukwu David Abuja

oncerned about the authenticity of the March 28 and April 11 dates for the general election, some Senators are insisting that the Service Chiefs should be summoned by the Senate to clarify their readiness to provide adequate security for the conduct

of the polls. Briefing jour nalists in Abuja yesterday, Senator Bukola Saraki, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, insisted that the leadership of the security agencies should appear before the Senate and tell the legislators the true position of things in respect of the rescheduled elections.

He argued that the issue of security was beyond the jurisdiction of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and therefore, should not be directed to the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega to address. Reacting to the presentation of the INEC chairman to the Senate on Wednesday, Saraki

commended the Commission for its effort to conduct a free and fair election with the aid of permanent voter’s card and the card reader. “I must commend INEC for the efforts particularly in ensuring that the kind of election we will have is of high standard by ensuring the use of PVC and card readers.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro Soldiers kill 11 gunmen, arrest four in Niger

Dan Atori MINNA

oldiers have killed 11 gunmen at two communities in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State and arrested four. The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Israel Ebije, disclosed this in a statement yesterday. Ebije said the soldiers deployed to contain the attacks were on top of the situation. He said: “Eleven out of the 45 bandits terrorising Aza and Kintako communities in Lapai Local Government Area of the state have been killed. Four of them have been captured and are presently with security operatives. “Members of the bandits in the custody of security operatives will give information about the armed group.” The CPS, however, said the government could not confirm if they were affiliated to Boko Haram. He said: “Men of Nigerian Army are doing a very good job in flushing the bandits who invaded Aza and Kintako communities in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State. “We do not know their motive and we also do not know if they are affiliated to Boko Haram. We are, however, optimistic that those arrested so far will give useful information.” Ebije called on the people of the area to go about their normal business. He added: “Security operatives are on the trail of the fleeing bandits. They have been pushed very far away from the state. Soldiers are already making arrests and will not relent until every single member of the group is killed or arrested.” The CPS said the government of Governor Mu’azu Babnagida Aliyu would remain committed to securing lives and property of people living in the state.

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

I made bulletproof charms from my grandfather’s book –Suspect AMULET A young man says he was emboldened to embrace crime because of traditional bulletproof he made after reading his grandfather’s book

Shola Adefuwa

suspect, in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State, said he decided to join robbery after reading his grandfather’s book on how to prepare bulletproof charms. The suspect, Sodiq Dosumu, 21, an apprentice, said he started secretly reading the book on charms while he was 18 and still in secondary school. According to the police, Dosumu belonged to a six-mangang, which had been terrorising Magodo area of Lagos. Dosumu and his accomplices, Ibikule Samson, 23, and Adeboye Moses, 20, were arrested on December 16, 2014. A locally-made pistol and charms were recovered from them. A police source said: “The gang was arrested after a complaint reported that her bag and phones were snatched by robbers on motorcycle. We started tracking her phone. “Investigation revealed that the suspects used to snatch phones and handbags. They would later sell the phones. “A policeman had to go undercover to become friendly with one of them, Samson. The policeman told Samson that he

L-R: Moses, Dosumu and Samson

had a lot of phones he wanted to sell. This caught his interest. When he came to meet the policeman, he was arrested. The phone of the complainant was recovered from Samson. It was through Samson’s confessions that we were able to catch two others. We are still hunting three other members of the gang, including the leader.” Detectives are theorising that Dosumu started nursing the ambition to become a robber while he was still in secondary school. But the suspect denied this, insisting that he made up his up his mind when he became

an apprentice. This, according to him, was after he realised that there would be no money for his graduation. According to Dosumu, the book on charms belonged to his late grandfather who was a native doctor. He said: “My grandfather did not know that I used to read the book whenever I visited him. The book is full of how to make charms for protection from any weapon. I decided to follow the instructions and made one for myself. I used to tie the charm round my waist whenever I was going for robbery operation.”

Dosumu said that his close buddy, Abeh initiated him into robbery. They started their friendship right from secondary school. He added: “I started robbing in 2014 because of what I learned from the book. The book encouraged and emboldened me to join robbery. But I also needed money for graduation ceremony.” The suspect, who said his parents were separated, said: “I was the one that brought Samson and Moses into the gang. I have gone on four robbery operations. We usually target phones, handbags and other valuables.”

Cult groups’ clash claims one in Ibadan Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

ne person died while another was critically wounded when two cult groups clashed at Agbowo, opposite the University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Oyo State. The clash between ‘Eye Confraternity’ and the ‘Black Axe’ occurred on Wednesday night. Several other people, including passers-bye, were also injured while the sporadic shooting lasted. Following a ban on cult activities on the University of Ibadan campus a few years

ago, cult groups moved out of the institution but periodically operate around Agbowo and its environs. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the incident, saying that one person was killed but could not give the number of those injured. He, however, said that a leader of the Black Axe, identified as Sunday John, was arrested at a private hospital at Agbowo where he was being treated for the injuries he sustained during the clash. Ajisebutu added that full scale investigation had com-

menced into the matter and that the arrested suspect had been transferred to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan for treatment under security surveillance. The PPRO said that immediately investigation was concluded, the matter would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation. It was gathered that the clash, which started at Agbowo, later spread to adjourning communities, including Ajibode. Motorists, motorcyclists and

IG, Sulieman Abba

commuters plying Mokola-Ojo Road were not left out of the disturbance as some of them were beaten and deprived of their valuables while the sporadic shooting was going on.

News 11

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Taiwo Jimoh

enewed clash between two thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) snowballed yesterday as hoodlums invaded homes on the Lagos Island to attack suspected sleeping opponents. A resident of the area where the latest clash occurred said that three people were attacked inside their homes while sleeping. “The victims were sleeping in their house at No 4, Agbo Olokun Street, Isale-Eko, when the thugs struck and brutalised them. “It was around 5am that we heard gunshots. People who were going to the mosque for morning prayers had to return home for fear of being hit by stray bullets. It was after the gunshot stopped that some people came out. We saw that three people had been attacked by the assailants who invaded the community,” the resident, craved anonymity, said.

Thugs invade homes, injure three in Lagos According to him, the victims were rushed to Lagos Island General Hospital for medical attention. He added: “We’re tired of the senseless killings on the Lagos Island.” One of the victims, Kazeem Ayinde, said: “My friends and I were sleeping when these assailants, armed with cutlasses and guns, woke us up. Before we could stand up from the bed, they had pounced on us. They used their machetes on. They threatened to shoot us if we dared to make a noise.” Ayinde said that the hoodlums took off, leaving them in a pool of blood, with the belief that they were dead. He said: “It was only God that saved us. I was able to get up and walk out of the room to call for help. “When I got outside, some

residents had gathered, thinking we had been killed. They rushed us to the hospital. As I speak with you now, I cannot raise my two hands. They inflicted machete cuts on my head.” Another victim, Bayo Ayinde, was sleeping when our correspondent visited the hospital. But mother of one of the victims, Mrs Aishat Dosumu, said the attacks were becoming unbearable. She said: “It was these same people that killed my second child, Damola Akintunde, last November. I was inside my room when I heard gunshots. “Kazeem was attacked by those who killed his younger brother. Kazeem is the only person taking care of me. His two hands had been severely damaged. How do they want him to work again? My family and I had suffered a lot for the APC on La-

Ayinde on his hospital bed

gos Island. My son is dying and nobody has come to visit us.” When contacted on the telephone, the state Police Public

Why I imported N126m cocaine –Suspect Juliana Francis

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a suspected drug trafficker, Ilo Chidera Alex, for being in possession of 15.850kg of cocaine. The drug, hidden inside make-up brushes, is valued at N126 million. Alex, 27, said he decided to traffic the substance because he was sick and tired of living in Brazil. The suspect was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja. The Head, Media and Publicity, NDLEA, Mitchel Ofoyeju, said Alex was apprehended following

the interception of the drugs inside his luggage at the Abuja Airport while returning from Brazil. “The estimated value of the drug is N126 million,” he added. The NDLEA Commander at the Abuja Airport, Hamisu Lawan, said Alex was found with drugs during routine check of passengers on an Emirate flight. He said: “Alex was arrested with 15.850kg of cocaine concealed inside make-up brushes. The suspect took off from Sao Paulo en route Dubai to Abuja. The drug was detected during routine check of passengers. Investigation has since commenced and the suspect will be charged to court soon.”

Alex

The suspect said: “I went to Brazil in search of job opportunities. In the process, I was stranded because I had no job

and money to sustain myself. That was how I met a man who promised to buy my flight ticket back to Nigeria. “He gave me the bag of make-up brushes to take to Nigeria and also promised to give me some money to start my own business. At the Abuja airport, the drug was discovered in my luggage.” According to Ofoyeju, NDLEA recently prevented six drug suspects from going to Hong Kong where drug trafficking is punishable by death. According to him, they were found with 7.145kg of cocaine which they ingested in a bid to evade arrest.

Man seeks N12m for kidney transplant

Emmanuel

35-year-old fashion designer in Lagos State, Damilola Emmanuel, is in urgent need of N12 million for renal transplant. According to the hospital handling his case, Life Support Medical Centre, located at 1, Oba Docemo Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos State, though Emmanuel is on weekly dialysis now, the solution to his medical condition is renal transplant. A letter signed by the Chief Medical Director of the centre, Dr U. B. C. Onuzo, said the pa-

tient was diagnosed with “acute renal failure” at and referred from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital “for urgent dialysis in our centre”. Emmanuel was said to have had “five sessions of haemodialysis and several blood transfusion but cannot keep up with the treatment cost”. A session of the dialysis costs about N70,000. It is done weekly. As a result of this, Onuzo said he had not been compliant with his treatment.

He said: “This letter is written on his behalf, for whoever is willing to assist him. Renal transplant is the definitive treatment.” The transplant is expected to take place in India at a cost of N12 million. Emmanuel gave his account details as: Name of Bank: Skye Bank Account Name: Damilola Shedrack Akinuyi. Account Number: 1019053381.

Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Kenneth Nwosu, promised to get back to our correspondent, but at press time, he had not.

Two die in police, rustlers’ shootout Ahmed Sani Katsina

t least two rustlers died during a gun battle with policemen in Katsina State while 533 cattle have been recovered from January till date. The state Police Commissioner, Mohammed Hurdi, who disclosed this yesterday, said 15 rustlers were arrested, while 141 sheep and two brand new motorcycles were recovered from them during the period. He said the rustlers carried out their operation at Makera in Funtua Local Government Area of the state and had moved to Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State before the police caught up with them. Hurdi, who spoke through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bala Zama Samchi, said the rustlers, on sighting the police, began shooting at them. According to him, during the exchange of gunfire, two of the rustlers lost their lives while others were arrested. He added that the police recovered all the stolen cattle.

Iwaya fire victims get relief materials Muritala Ayinla

agos State Government yesterday presented building materials worth millions of naira to the Yaba Local Council Development Area for onward delivery to the victims of Abete/Iwaya fire disaster. The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, who made the presentation, also assured the Internally Displaced People (IDPs)

living in Agbowa Resettlement Camp, Agbowa, that arrangements had been made to organise coaching centres for their children. Oke-Osanyintolu said that relevant ministries had been charged to take up the education and vocational skill training of the children and their parents while in the relief camp. He presented the building materials to the Executive Secretary of the council, Mrs Bola Lawal. The LASEMA GM said the items were donated to

the state government as part of the relief materials to the victims by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Oke-Osanyintolu, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Operations, Mr Olusegun Magnus-Davis, said the gesture was in addition to government’s efforts, who, according to him, has been responsible for the feeding of the over 500 victims living in the camp. He said: “There are 200 bundles of roofing sheets, 200 bags of cement and 30

bags of nails. More materials are still coming. We have done part of the presentation at Agbowa Relief Camp. We have to bring these set of materials here for the council to help distribute them to the victims because the council is closer to the victims.” Receiving the items, Lawal commended the state government and NEMA for the gesture, saying that the building materials would help to alleviate the pains of the residents who lost almost all their belongings to the fire.

Magnus-Davis presenting the materials to Mrs Lawal

News

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-WEST

Yoruba leaders task politicians on constitution amendment Babatope Okeowo Akure

oruba leaders yesterday called on politicians in the Southwest geo-political zone to champion the cause of amendment in the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as a campaign issue, rather than the change in personality at the helm of affairs of the country. The leaders including Chief Ayo Adebanjo,

Senator Femi Okunronmu, Dr Fredrick Faseun, Otunba Gani Adams, Dr Kunle Olajide and Yinka Odumakin among others, said Nigeria needs structural and institutional changes that would take care of every segment of the country, rather than removing the man at the helm of affairs in the country. Speaking at post National Conference summit held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Adebanjo, who is the Chairman of the post conference sum-

mit, said the template for all the changes that Nigeria desires were embedded in the report of the conference submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan last year. Adebanjo, an Awoist, said the agitations of Yoruba nation since independence was to have a sovereign national conference where issues affecting the zone, ethnic nationalities and country would be addressed. The 87-year old politician said the 633 decisions reached at the con-

ference have taken side with the people as the issue of state police, devolution of power, resource control, creation of state and local governments and rotational presidency have been included in the over 400-page report. He said Yoruba should support the President Jonathan who convened the national conference as he would be the person to implement the recommendations of the national conference and not those who opposed its conveyance at initial stage.

Faseun in his remark said his political party, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) adopted Jonathan as its candidate because it was sure it would implement the report of the constitutional conference. The report, if implemented, would liberate the Yoruba race from the slavery some people are trying to drag them to. The founder of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) said the candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) , Gen. Muham-

madu Buhari, was not a match to the candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), President Jonathan in terms of democratic credentials. On his part, the Coordinator of OPC, Gani Adams, said that the only candidate the Yoruba must support is the person that would implement the conference report, saying if the race does not vote President Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election, it would regret its decision in the long run.

Many feared dead as ‘Area Boys’ clash in Oshodi here was pandemonium at Oshodi yesterday as rival gangs clashed, killing yet to be ascertained number of commuters. New Telegraph gathered that for nearly five hours, the hoodlums engaged in sporadic shootings, while several vehicles were set ablaze by the factions of the hoodlums. As at the time of filing this report, nobody could tell the number of people killed in the crisis but several vehicles were said to have been set ablaze by the hoodlums . Amidst confusion, pedestrians, commuters, traders and motorists ran helter-skelter, scampering for safety as

the rival gangs engaged each other in killing and maiming themselves. Many passengers, traders and passersby were caught in the bloody fracas which New Telegraph, learnt, ensued over collection of tolls by the touts in Oshodi. Some of the eyewitnesses who spoke with our correspondents also confirmed that the cause of the fight was over fees collected at the parks from commercial drivers. It was said that arguments over the fees had led to the riot among the hoodlums. An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, told New Telegraph that the mayhem began around 5:30pm.

Adesina Wahab

EKSU protest: Fayose stops payment of N10, 000 fine

Muritala Ayinla

Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, yesterday averted the disruption of academic activities at the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, over the introduction of N10,000 increase on late registration by the

school management on the students. The students, who had embarked on a 10 kilometer trek from their campus in Iworoko, to the Government House, accused the management of shutting down the school’s portal for late comers to register,

Don’t exchange your PVCs for money, group tells electorate Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

support group for the re-election of the governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, ‘Re-elect Ajimobi 2015 Movement’, has urged eligible voters in the state to resist all entreaties including financial inducement in exchange of their permanent voter cards ( PVC). In a statement signed by the group’s Coordinator, Lekan Alli, and made available to New Telegraph in Ibadan, It warned that the PVC was not about 2015 general elections alone, but a multi-purpose

identification card that is renewable and useful for important business and related transactions beyond the elections. While stressing that thousands of PVCs were awaiting collection at the various Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), offices across the state, the group enjoined the residents to create time to obtain their cards. “Rather than complain all day, we appeal to all those who are yet to collect their PVCs to take the right steps by creating time to visit the local government INEC offices that control their registration centers.

L-R: Founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Faseun; Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Co-ordinator of OPC, Otunba Gani Adams and Senator Femi Okunrounmu, at the post-National Conference summit in Akure, …yesterday

while their examination was approaching. According to them, the management had shut down the portal and that those paying their fees late no longer have the opportunity of registration for the academic year. Fayose, while address-

ing the students, said they would be allowed to register and sit for their examinations. The governor equally announced the immediate reversal of the late registration fee and other levies that had prompted the students’ protest.

He said, “We must have a start date and a closing date for registration. The university must be run outside politics. If you remove the vice-chancellor, you are sending the university backward. “The government must not interfere in the

running of the school. The vice-chancellor is tenure bound and we must allow the system to run its course, I will address the issue.” On the issue of power outage, the governor said the government was not in charge of electricity, adding that it was being run by companies.

Polls: Amosun tasks security agencies on partisanship

Ajimobi sacks LG caretaker chairmen

Sola Adeyemo

gun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has called on men of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the country to eschew all forms of partisanship and carry out their duties professionally during the forthcoming elections. Amosun, while receiving the newly redeployed Commissioner of Police, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, in his office yesterday, charged members of the Force to hold high the tenets of the law and operate within its ambit, insisting that this would ensure peaceful, free and fair elec-

tions in the country. The governor said, “no one should be above the law”, adding, “the slogan, Police is your friend, should not be a mere statement, but must be reflected in all their dealings with the public. “For me, yes, police is our friend, but this must reflect in their relationship with people. My advice is that once you are professional in your dealing with the people and all the parties, there would be no problems, especially when people see that no one is above the law. We would not tolerate it in Ogun,” he added.

Ibadan

he Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday announced the sacking of the Caretaker Chairmen of the 33 Local Government (LGA) areas of the state. Speaker of the House, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, representing Oyo East / West State constituency, made the pronouncement during the plenary session, putting an end to the administration of the sole administrators, instituted by the Senator Abiola Ajimobi government in the last four years.

“The Caretaker Chairmen of all LGAs in the state should step down immediately and the Head of Local Government Administration (HLA) should take over,” she said. The Speaker said that the Auditor General of the Local Governments, in the state should appear before the Parliamentary Caucus next Monday with audited reports of the LGAs. Meanwhile, Hon. Azeez Adesope (APC) representing Oorelope Constituency at the plenary called on Governor Abiola Ajimobi to end the strike embarked upon by the judiciary Staff Union in state.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Obasanjo

Sponsorship

General elections

Poll shift

Lamido: PDP, Obasanjo made mistakes

NIMASA behind hate campaigns against Buhari – APC

Nigerians must prepare to vote on March 28 – Abdulsalami

PDP has only postponed its funeral – Mohammed

Politics The running battle between Governor Rochas Okorocha and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri came to a head recently when protesting widows were beaten by political thugs. STEVE UZOECHI writes on the Okorocha-Onwuliri row

The Okorocha, Onwuliri macabre dance

n recent times, Owerri, the Imo State capital, has become a city of protests and demonstrations – some peaceful, some rancous. There is at least one protest march by one group or community every week in the state capital. On February 10, however, a protest by the most unlikely people elicited a very bizarre reaction from the state government. Attack on widows Following a running battle between the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, the government interpreted the peaceful protest of some harmless widows as an ‘enemy action’ by Onwuliri and responded in the most primitive manner by unleashing thugs on the helpless mothers. The widows, operating under the aegis of the Imo Widows Association (IWA) and drawn from the 27 council areas of the state, had condemned the alleged incessant harassment of Onwuliri who they described as their patron and also a widow. One of the leaders of the women, Edith Anyiwo, a widow of 17 years said: “Why would the state government continue to sponsor people to make such wicked assertions that she (Onwuliri) killed her husband, except to break her, intimidate and hound her out of doing her job? The harassment and intimidation was becoming outrageous that is why we came to tell Rochas Okorocha to let her

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

Okorocha

be, and to affirm that we stand wherever Onwuliri stands which is why our placards also carried such inscriptions as, ‘On Goodluck Jonathan we stand’. “It is however a tragedy that the response of the so-called ‘people’s government’ to a peaceful protest by widows is to unleash thugs on them directly supervised by Okorocha’s commissioners and aides.” According to Anyiwo, some of the women sustained fractured legs, deep cuts and bruises. It is also unclear the state of some of the women that fell into the gutter in their bid to run to safety. Eyewitness account, however, indicates that the protest had barely started when the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Kenneth Emelu, arrived the scene with scores of youths who immediately attacked the widows, pelting them with water sachets. Seeing that the women were undeterred, the thugs brandished canes and whips flogging the widows with brutality to the point that the women were forced to run for their lives. Etuk Eric, a cameraman with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), was not so lucky. He was covering the attack on the hapless women with his camera until he was spotted by the thugs. His camera was snatched, and nearly

Onwuliri

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

I also learnt that most of these protesters are not women, most of them were men who are dressed in women’s clothes

a dozen of the thugs pounced on him, kicking and hitting him with anything they could lay their hands on. Eric was beaten to stupor with his clothes turn to shreds. It took the intervention of security agents and some colleagues to rush him to the hospital. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Chidi Ibe, who was also on ground and witnessed the assault insisted that the journalist got what he deserved as no credible journalist should have covered such an event. He accused Eric of being hired by the alleged sponsor of the protest. Okorocha’s justifies action With the city of Owerri palpably outraged over the brutality visited on the widows, Governor Okorocha moved in to douse the tension but ended up insulting the sensibility of Imo people. Okorocha blamed the minister for the incident, claiming that some of the widows were men dressed in women attire. He said: “Some of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, led by Viola Onwuliri, who has become the liar of the century, were behind all these. The woman who claim that 305 schools built by the state government are Federal Government projects and some other

PDP leaders brought some men and thugs who were dressed in women clothes for a protest. I also learnt that most of these protesters are not women, most of them were men who are dressed in women’s clothes to come here and destroy the Government House.” While people were wondering how the feeble women could destroy Government House, the governor, in the same breath averred that the women protesters are not from Imo but from Abia State. He warned them to steer clear of the state. “I am sure those women are from Abia State. And I want to warn them and the Abia State Government not to allow their women again to be recruited into Imo State to cause crises and those young men who are wearing black women attires and head scarves, if we see you again, we are going to deal with you ruthlessly according to law,” the governor threatened. The summation of Okorocha’s statement was the fact that government had no tenable defence for the dastardly attack on the widows. It is widely believed that except for the intervention of soldiers who swiftly brought the situation under control, some of the widows may have lost their lives. The questions reverberating across the state are: What would a woman do to deserve such state brutality from her home state? Do the women deserve such unbridled violence against them, even if their protest had been politically-motivated? Emma Emeruem, the media aide to Onwuliri in a statement, accused the state government of side-stepping the facts of the incident and deliberately accusing soldiers of invading the Government House in a bid to bury the truth of the matter. He said: “Instead of addressing the core issues of barbarism and wicked assault on harmless mothers, the government’s statement was merely rabble rousing to bury the truth. And one would wonder how innocent widows could have been on a mission to burn down the Government House. Fortunately, there is hardly anybody in Imo State of today who is not CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

no fewer the party m the parnti-party at several party’s

Politics

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lamido: PDP, Obasanjo made mistakes Geoffrey Ekenna

overnor of Jigawa State, Dr. Sule Lamido, has lamented the exit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Lamido, who spoke with New Telegraph in a telephone interview from Duste, the Jigawa State capital, regretted that both Obasanjo and the

PDP made mistakes that led to the former president’s exit. Lamido, an avowed Obasanjo supporter and founding member of the PDP, however, said that both sides could have managed the errors on either side, since neither Obasanjo nor the PDP could openly denounce each other. Lamido, who described the exit of Obasanjo, whom he referred to as

PDP expels Ochei, Omo-Agege, 10 others Dominic Adewole, Asaba

he Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday wielded its big stick on the immediate past Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei and the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege. Also affected was a former member of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Doris Uboh, who defected to the Accord Party, alongside Ochei, to contest House of Representatives seat again for Ika federal constituency. The former DirectorGeneral of the state’s Direct Labour Agency (DLA), Hon. Ngozi Okolie, who dumped the ruling party for the Accord Party to contest Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency, was not left out. They were expelled for leaving PDP, thereby pos-

ing serious threat to the party’s flag bearers, including the former state chairman of the party, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, who is Delta North Senatorial candidate and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s Senior Special Political Adviser, Chief Ighoyota Amori, who Omo-Agege is giving a hot chase via Labour Party in Delta Central. Announcing their expulsion in Asaba yesterday, the state chairman of the party, Chief Edwin Uzor, shortly after the state executive meeting, said their expulsion has been approved. He said: “Any member of the PDP who left the party to contest against the party’s candidate from another party has been expelled. We rose from a meeting this morning and their expulsion was approved. I am telling you this as the chairman of the party.” He explained that those affected failed to abide by the 48 hours ultimatum given to them to retrace their steps.

Gunmen break into INEC office, steal 6,000 PVCs Dominic Adewole Asaba

he office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State has been vandalised. But no fewer than 6,000 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) which were stolen have been recovered by the police. The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Celestina Kalu, said one Ajiah Shakira Adewale tipped the police at Oghara that unknown gunmen have broken into INEC office and carted away 6,000 cards.

Kalu said: “Based on the report, detectives swung into action and arrested the said security guards, one Aherebe Godday, Omajemite Justice and Oyubu Ejiro, for interrogation. “Similarly, detectives in a follow-up investigation arrested one Lucky Aputu, a 46-year-old man, in Oji Aputu compound, Onyobulu Inland Market Road, Oghara and recovered one of the stolen INEC registers found in his possession.” While she said investigation is in progress to ensure that all those involved in the crime are rounded up, she said a total of 7,365 cards have been recovered and handed over to INEC.

“our father” as sad, stated that President Goodluck Jonathan had the Obasanjo blood running in his system. His words: “No matter how bad a son is or has become, his father cannot denounce him because his (father’s) blood runs in the son. Likewise, no matter how old or bad the father becomes, the son cannot denounce him. If you run a DNA test on the son, you will find the blood of the father running in him. President Jonathan is Obasanjo’s political son. As such, if you run a DNA on the president, you will see Obasanjo’s blood running in him. “There has been mistakes on both sides. Our father made mistakes and we also made too. But whatever happened, we must not lose our sense of humanity. We are human beings with our differences but we must understand

that we are different. All these languages that are coming out from supposed elders and statesmen, what impression does it leave on the psyche of our children? What are our children learning from their leaders?” The governor was emphatic that Obasanjo was mistaken in supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari. He also believed that the former president acted in anger, a charge he believed some people in the PDP are also guilty of. He said: “Who is he supporting? Is it the Buhari, who fought him in 2003, 2007 and even fought Jonathan in 2011? What is the difference between Buhari then and now? Whatever we do in our pain, anger and disappointment, it is important that we put national interest above

everything. “The collective interest of Nigeria is far more important than any presidential election. We hope and pray that Nigeria will not perish in 2015. Nigeria will stay beyond those who are angry with it. We cannot denounce Nigeria because one or two things are not right with the country. It is our country and as such, it is our duty to put right, whatever we feel is not right.” Asked if the PDP was still on course to winning the election, Lamido said that nothing has changed. He also said that what was at stake now was the collective interest of the country. The governor said that what was happening now had happened in 2003, when “the whole north ganged up against Obasanjo” and he made it. “In 2003, the Atikus (Abubakar), Abubakar Rimis and oth-

ers from the North ganged up against Obasanjo. At the end of the day, it was the national interest that prevailed. When the issue is Nigeria, the most important thing is the National interest. We ask: what do we do to salvage the country? At this point, winning the election is not just the only issue. It is about rescuing the country now,” the governor stated. On the implication of Obasanjo’s exit on the party, the governor said that nobody could rejoice over it, as he pointed out that the PDP’s failure was the failure of the country. Taking a swipe at the APC, Lamido noted that most of the people who make the APC tick today, were members of the PDP. “If PDP has sinned against Nigeria, then some of them have the share too. PDP’s failure is Nigeria’s failure,” he concluded.

A cross-section of the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association at an event in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, in Abuja…yesterday

NIMASA behind hate campaigns against Buhari – APC lAgency denies involvement Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has accused top management staff of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) of being behind the hate campaigns against the party’s presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari. The campaign organisation stated that it has evidence that NIMASA sponsored the recent documentary aired by AIT and NTA against Buhari and his family. The APCPCO’s Director of Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu,

said that the activities of NIMASA in the electioneering contravene the NIMASA Act, the Public Service Regulations, and the INEC Act 2010 as amended, among others. Shehu decried the situation where a government agency uses public funds to sponsor a campaign of calumny against its candidate, which it said is not only illegal, but should also be condemned and investigated by the Joint Committees of the National Assembly on Marine Transportation. “It is a well-known fact that the Director General of the Agency, Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, is an ally President Goodluck Jonathan. He was appointed there for the sole aim of satisfying an

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

ex-militant’s camp, an assignment he has carried out well to the satisfaction of those who put him there through the award of a concessionaire phantom PPP project. According to the statement, President Jonathan should prove to Nigerians that he is sincerely committed to the rule of law by taking immediate action against the NIMASA boss. But the agency denied any involvement in the

sponsorship of the commercial. “NIMASA, as an Agency, and its Director General, Dr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, have never been involved in any form of campaign against any politician, nor sponsor same. “It is unfortunate that the authors of that statement and their agents are only attempting yet again without success to discredit the agency, having failed in doing so through the malicious lies on the purchase of the operational vessels, and attempt to discredit NIMASA success story which is currently training over 2,500 young Nigerians as seafarers,” Isichei Osamgbi, NIMASA’s Deputy Director/ Head Public Relations stated.

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

I’m committed to peaceful polls – Fayose Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

kiti State governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has said that he is committed to the peaceful conduct of the general elections, saying the government is ready for the polls even if they would hold now. The governor, who spoke on a live radio and television programme in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would win the elections. He, however, slammed the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) for crying wolves where there was none. “As far as we are concerned in the state and even my party, the PDP, is concerned, we are ready for the general elections if they are to hold today. I am assuring all that we will

ensure peaceful conduct of the polls and I am appealing to the opposition to allow peace to reign too. “The APC should also do away with undue propaganda. For instance, what they did not plead in their petition to the tribunal, they wanted to smuggle in. I have challenged them to go to court and prove their allegation of audio clip of where the military was used to rig the election of June last year. “When the military is used in elections and APC wins, it is good. In their so-called audio clip, I was the one accusing the military that the APC was terrorising the people. They want to import they did not plead. The Appeal Court only played to the gallery. The President reserves the right to deploy the military anywhere in the country,” he said.

Agbaje tasks Fashola on doctors’ strike Wale Elegbede

overnorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has asked Governor Babatunde Fashola to pay striking medical doctors in the state without delay. Agbaje spoke against the backdrop of the warning strike embarked upon by doctors in the employment of the state on Wednesday. Agbaje described the strike as one too many, saying it signified not only a failure of leadership but underscored the impunity with which the government dealt with its employees. “My heart bleeds over this avoidable strike because I find it unbelievable

that Governor Fashola is making the poor masses suffer unduly due to a minor issue like salaries, which is the right of every worker,” he said. “If truly the leaders in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos are progressives, they would not be behaving in this inhuman fashion.” He hinged his assessment on the fact that Lagosians had gone through untold hardships, having suffered the effects of incessant strikes in the health sector in the last six months. Lamenting that the unhealthy trend had inflicted avoidable suffering and death to patients, he said doctors and their families had also undergone needless pain.

Nigerians must prepare to vote on March 28 – Abdulsalami lSays interim government unconstitutional Onwuka Nzeshi Abuja

ormer Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee on the 2015 Elections, General Abdulsalami Abubakar yesterday urged Nigerians to prepare their minds to exercise their franchise on March 28 and April 11 rather than dwelling on rumours that the elections would not hold on the new dates. This came as the committee dismissed rumours that the polls would be postponed and an interim government installed in the country. It also condemned the violence unleashed on the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Okrika, Rivers State. Abubakar said the committee had received assurances from the principal actors in the forthcoming

elections particularly the two main political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the elections would hold as scheduled. The former military ruler spoke after the committee met with representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) where, it was learnt, both parties traded accusations on the postponement of the election and recent acts of violence at campaign grounds across the country. The meeting had in attendance, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Relations, Senator Ben Obi; Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; the National Chairman, InterParty Advisory Council,

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Dr. Yunusa Tanko and Barrister Bashir Maidugu, Deputy National Legal Adviser of the PDP. Abubakar disclosed that the meeting discussed a wide range of issues on how to ensure that elections held as scheduled but needed to also meet with INEC and the service chiefs to ascertain their level of preparedness before the new dates. He pleaded with the political parties to sensitise their members and supporters on the need for everyone to eschew violence before, during and after the elections. “We all have roles to

play. Each Nigerian has a role to play. We want democracy, we want election. What role are you playing as a Nigerian to ensure that come March 28, you go and cast your vote? So far, both the authorities, the government and INEC have said there is going to be election on March 28. For God’s sake, let us believe these people. Let us play our own part,” he said. On the violence that has accompanied the campaigns after the presidential candidates of 14 political parties had signed the Abuja Accord for non-violent elections, Abubakar urged parents and guardians to call their children to order and inculcate in them the virtues of peace. In a chat with newsmen, the APC National Chairman expressed disappointment at the violence visited on his party in Okrika, adding that until such incidents were investigated and those behind them punished such violence would continue.

Collect your PVCs to counter rigging – Group Thugs attack Alao-Akala’s campaign office

Oyo State governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) and former governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao- Akala, during his meeting with people living with disabilities in Ibadan …yesterday

Muritala Ayinla

group, Take A Stand Nigeria Initiative, has urged Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to counter rigging in the forthcoming general elections. Briefing journalists on the rate of PVC collection and attitude of Nigerians towards elections, the group’s coordinator, Mr. Adebola OduOnikosi, said Nigerians must stop sitting on the fence during electioneering, adding that Nigerians complain a lot about bad leadership but do

little or nothing to elect their leaders. He said: “Nigerians of all walks of life and social strata need to realise that each and every citizen matters, and can, and should have a say on who leads us as a country. “Nigerians are fond of complaining without taking actions. We should stop complaining and take a stand because our destiny is in our hands. If a government is not doing well, get your PVCs and vote the government out. We cannot continue to sit on the fence and expect things to change for the better.”

Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

ome political thugs on Wednesday night attacked the campaign office of former Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala, who is the governorship flag bearer of Labour Party (LP), Oyo State. The Director-General of the organisation, Dr. Kola Balogun, said some hoodlums on a motorcycle pelted the glass windows of the “Destiny House” party office of Alao-Akala at Premier Hotel area,

Oremeji, Ibadan shattering some windows in the process. Balogun said that the act was that of political intolerance of some opponents, describing it as highly provocative. “It is highly provocative. This is the third time in the last few weeks that opposition stalwarts will attack Labour Party’s materials or persons. We have reported all these incidents to the police and they have said they are investigating,” he said. A security man in the area, who identified himself as Clement, gave

account of the incident, saying that it happened about 11p.m. on Wednesday night, when some hoodlums on a motorcycle stormed the area with basket full of stones to destroy the campaign office. “The attackers came on a bike with a basket full of stones pelting windows on the ground floor of the building popularly known as Destiny House, but the alarm I raised prevented further damage as the attackers escaped,” he recounted. When New Telegraph visited the scene yesterday, it was observed that

three windows were shattered while some of the stones used still lay on the floor of the building. The secretary of the office, Alhaji Kunle Labiran, confirmed that the incident had been reported at Mokola Police Station while the policemen had in turn visited the scene to substantiate the report. “Politics is not a do-ordie. My principal, AlaoAkala, abhors violence. It is a surprise that the opposition will send hoodlums to attack our campaign office,” Abraham Ojo, media aide to Alao-Akala said.

Politics

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Okorocha, Onwuliri battle Imo

Soldiers blocking the Imo Government House

The widows protesting

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

face of an outstanding guilt.

aware of the character of the Okorocha administration which strictly tends towards deceit and mischief. “For those who are yet to understand what happened, the truth of the matter is that some widows under the auspices of Imo Widows Association, Jesus Triumphant Widows Association and Amuzi Women Association in the exercise of their right of association and peaceful assembly engaged in a peaceful protest in Owerri to protest the unwarranted attack on the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, by the Imo State Government led by Governor Rochas Okorocha following her revelation that some projects been harped as state projects had all along been Federal Government projects in the state.” But in a further bid to push its position, the Imo State Government issued another statement stating that it has petitioned the Federal Government and the military high command over the alleged ‘invasion’ of the Government House. Accusing Onwuliri, the Imo state government said: “We are calling for investigation because the government had been told that some people from a neighbouring state were hired by the Junior Minister to come and set the Government House ablaze and the soldiers were brought to give protection to the hired elements; and to say the least, with the soldiers being ignorant of what they were told to come and do.” But Onwuliri dismissed the reference to her and the military as mere shadow-chasing by the government having failed to justify the outrageous attack on defenceless women. Dissociating herself from the mayhem, Onwuliri demanded an unreserved apology from the state government for the unwarranted assault and humiliation which the hapless widows suffered in the hands of the sponsored hoodlums. Noting that the hapless widows obtained police permit before embarking on the protest, Onwuliri wondered why any man born of a woman could be so callous and wicked as to detail miscreants to attack widows only to look for ways to exonerate himself in the

Cleansing of Govt House Apparently troubled by the incident, Okorocha has in a space of three days invited traditional rulers from the his council area in Ideato South and Owerri Zonal council of traditional rulers to do a cleansing of the Government House for fear that the beating of the widows may attract grievous spiritual consequences. Performing the rituals, the monarchs lampooned Onwuliri for allegedly mobilising the widows who were brutalised in the course of their protest march against the governor. Speaking at the Government House, the Chairman of Ideato Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Ethelbert I. Ajaraogu of Ogwume Community, said he and the entire Council of Ndi Eze in the LGA had earlier visited the Traditional Ruler of Amuzi in Ahiazu Mbaise, Eze Innocent Ugochukwu to warn their daughter, Onwuliri, and her group against contending with a siting governor. Freely pouring the libation, they prayed for divine guidance and protection of Governor Rochas Okorocha saying, “Our son, Owelle Okorocha, you did not cheat anyone to come to Government House but were duly elected by the entire Imo people, so no one will hurt you. Fear not, your people are with you and you shall come again,” they chanted. While Onwuliri’s kinsmen from Mbaise have warned Mbaise monarchs to steer clear of the rituals, the traditional ruler of Owerri Municipal, the seat of government, Eze Emmanuel Njemanze, has also kept clear of the ritual ceremonies.

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Instead of addressing the core issues of barbarism and wicked assault on harmless mothers, the government’s statement was merely rabble rousing to bury the truth

History of the feud The feud between Okorocha and Onwuliri is believed to be dated back to 2011 when Okorocha sacked former Governor Ikedi Ohakim from the Imo Government House. At the time, Onwuliri was Ohakim’s running mate. While some believe the minister had moved on with her career, others believe she may have found a platform as a cabinet member to get even with the governor. It is instructive though, to note that Onwuliri is presently under the employ of the Federal Government and to a large extent the

eye of the presidency in her own home state. It would be recalled that the rivalry between the minister and Okorocha began to make headlines when the minister engaged Okorocha for being in the habit of insulting President Goodluck Jonathan at every public function. The minister had described the action as “irresponsible and a sign of idleness.” Naturally, Okorocha responded to the minister, with his media team unleashing some invectives on Onwuliri. Sometime in late 2013, the minister stormed Owerri and alerted Imo people of the unbridled borrowing and debt burden being incurred by the Okorocha administration. She raised questions over the misappropriation of local government fund by Okorocha, challenging the governor to point to commensurate infrastructural development on ground in Imo State to justify the inflow from the federation account and alleged misused council funds. Again Okorocha responded and over time the exchanges persisted and the minister seemed to always be a step ahead of the governor with the state machinery always reacting. Only recently, Onwuliri embarked on a tour of Federal Government educational projects in the state and federal universities in Imo State. In one of those outings, she declared that the one-storey classroom block under construction in each of the 305 wards in Imo which the state government promoted as state projects are actually Federal Government projects. This particular swipe seemed to have ruffled Governor Okorocha more than anything else in the past. Not too long after, a women group believed to have been widely sponsored by the government embarked on a protest lampooning the minister; calling her all sorts of names and accusing her of killing her husband. Some other statements credited to the government and directed at the minister had read: ‘Okorocha did not kill your husband’. Viewed as extreme assault on their benefactor, about three associations of widows who view the minister, whose husband died in an air crash, as one of their own, staged the protest march to convey their displeasure at the at-

tacks, they said were designed to harass and intimidate the minister out of doing her job. Mixed reactions Brigadier General Lanre Bello, Commander 34 Brigade Obinze, who was apparently taken aback by the statement from the Government House explained to newsmen that he led the operation and that nobody was beaten or abused until calm was restored. He stressed that there was no invasion of the Government House. While Governor Okorocha had accused Onwuliri and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of masterminding the protest that led to the crisis, the PDP has quickly responded through its spokesman, Enyinnaya Onuegbu saying there is no longer a guarantee of security of lives in the state under Okorocha with such brazen attack on women. He said: “We condemn this unleashing of violence on Imo people opposed to the APC administration. Most regrettable is the fact that these thugs are kept and trained with taxpayers’ money at ICAPS in Egbu Road. Public peaceful demonstration is a democratic right of Nigerians and to use thugs to attack peaceful protesters - women and mothers at that, is to say the least, barbaric.” A chieftain and member of the executive council of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Ambrose Nkwopara dismissed the confrontations between Onwuliri and Okorocha, saying the minister is incapable of challenging the governor on any ground. “Unfortunately, she is naively playing out somebody’s script. And like Shakespeare would say, the truth would always come round and we would know whose script she is acting out. The good thing is that despite her wild allusions, she cannot say the governor has not performed. In any case, what has Onwuliri been able to attract, not even for Imo State, but for Mbaise where she comes from?” Nkwopara queried. It is however evident that the battle between Okorocha and Onwuliri may have gone beyond political differences. The gloves are off now and if no intervention comes soon, a lot of untoward scenes may play out in the not-toodistant future, especially with the elections approaching.

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Alhaji Lai Mohammed is the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview, he spoke about the rescheduled polls, allegations that his party has a pact with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, among other salient issues. WALE ELEGBEDE reports Do you have assurances that the March 28th and April 11th election dates stand and what happens if the dates are reversed again? We have heard that also, we would resist it. Because they must tell us why? What would be the logistic reasons putting one first before the other? We did not dictate which one should come first. As a matter of fact, we wanted it from the bottom up. Now if anybody had planned to have National Assembly and presidential polls first, if they tell us they wanted to change, it means they are trying to rig for President Goodluck Jonathan and that election would lack credibility. We are not going to accept any change. Some Nigerians are asking me what would they do in case INEC shift the elections again, and I said they should resist it. The presidency, the government, the political parties are products of this country. How has the postponement affected you plans? Clearly, the intention of the Jonathan administration in postponing the election is to create chaos and create an atmosphere where elections would not hold at all, but we thank God that they are disappointed. I think the reaction of our party and our presidential candidate appealing for calm above all must have shocked them immensely. Run up to the postponement, deliberately, they were showing videos of post-2011 elections where people say Buhari asked people to be burning cars and killing people. So, this is what they are expecting, but thank God, wiser counsel prevailed and today we have frustrated their first initial plan. We thank God that postponement has annoyed more people and they have lost more supporters than they thought they would gain. Thirdly, I wouldn’t pretend, it would affect us because one, we now have to look for more money; two, it would now give them the opportunity to continue with their smear campaign. It would also allow them to perfect their rigging plans, that is why you see the deployment of soldiers to some duties, but I can assure you, if anybody takes the opinion poll between last Saturday and today, I can assure you that APC has gone higher in the rating and PDP has gone down. Yes, the intentions were to derail us and ensure they arrest our

PDP has only postponed its funeral – Mohammed

dence in Jega. So purely you can see that these people don’t want elections. So if you look at those people who are fighting hardest for PDP, they are fighting for their lives not for the country: Ahmadu Ali’s son is involved in oil subsidy, also Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s son and also we know that Fani-Kayode has case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). So, all these people are only protecting themselves and they would do anything to ensure that President Jonathan wins this election. That is what they prefer. There is no way these people will want a change of government, because they know what is in store for them. It was not we that took them to court, it was Jonathan administration’s EFCC that took them to court.

Mohammed

momentum, but unfortunately, what they have done was to postpone their funeral; you can’t wake up a dead man. What we would do is to make the best of a bad situation within the six weeks to gain more ground and acceptance everywhere. Femi Fani-Kayode accused APC leaders of holding meetings with INEC chairman, Attahiru Jega in Dubai and other places. The Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly (SNPA) also accused him of holding meetings with Northern leaders. Did your party leadership meet him in Dubai or any other place? To answer your question, nothing like that happened. People like Fani-Kayode; they make statement and nobody care to see whether it is true or not. I believe we should be able to ask him: where in Dubai did the meeting take place? Which leadership of the party met in Dubai? But he said he was not going to release more information on the allegation. Because he doesn’t have any. If he has that information, knowing him very well, he would have wanted it published. It is like the PDP is trying to do a damage-control, as the National Chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu came out last week to pass a vote of confidence in Jega. Yes, let me tell you; it is clear about what is going on that the PDP does not want Jega, the PDP does not want this election to go on at all and if they want it to go on, they don’t want Jega to conduct it. They don’t want the use

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

What they have done was to postpone their funeral; you can’t wake up a dead man. What we would do is to make the best of a bad situation within the six weeks

of card readers, they don’t want free and fair elections and I am going to support everything that I have said. One, if there is no pressure from Nigerians and the international community, there will be no elections because if the military has given us at least six weeks, that is elastic; perhaps six weeks is not enough. Two, the postponement was done by President Jonathan using the military to blackmail INEC so that they can have more time for their smear campaign, have time to militarise the election, more time to perfect their rigging machinery, hoping that within that time, the court will be used to disqualify Buhari, steal more money and buy PVCs; those are the reasons they postponed the elections. Three, you can see that the moment the postponement was made, the only party on record, when we met Jega that supported the postponement was PDP and 16 other portfolio political parties. I am serious. When, the position was made, PDP justified it; they were happy about it. Last Saturday, I was on a TV programme, Okupe said there was no way election can hold because X number of people have not gotten their PVCs but surprisingly they did not use the argument of PVCs but that of security. Is it not surprising that the same day that the Council of State was meeting, the PDP co-travellers met and made allegations against the INEC chairman, Jega, asking for his arrest. They were preparing the ground for postponement. The PDP came, I mean Ahmadu Ali that they had no confi-

Given your position and in view of what the president said a few days ago with regard to election, haven’t that changed your perception about elections holding? There is no way I would believe anything Jonathan says. Absolutely not possible. You all watched the tape on Ekiti rigging. These are the same people that came out to say that the Ekiti election was free and fair and trying to justify that it is only when APC loses elections that they complain. After what I saw in Ekiti, in that tape, I don’t believe Mr. President one bit. There are two conditions we want to put on ground. One, elections must hold as scheduled. Two, the elections must be free, fair and card readers must be used. Thirdly, there must not be militarisation. The military must not play any role in these elections. If these conditions are met, we are going to accept the outcome of the elections. You heard what Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, then serving as Minister of State for Defence, said in the audio. He said we are not here for a tea party, I have been sent by Mr. President. And Fayose said in this election, I am Jonathan. So, Mr. President assures who? No way. Obanikoro is contesting the matter in court. Obanikoro can sue anybody he wants to sue. Look, we are not idiots. If you wake me up in the middle of the night, I know Obanikoro’s voice. They can’t deny it unless there is an inquiry with that tape. Some people felt if Ekiti election had been rigged, there would have been violence. Look, that election was rigged so clinically that there could not be any protest. You heard and you saw that each tactical commander was given explicit instruction to go to each local government and work for the PDP. They did three things: one mass arrest of our leaders before and during election. Do you know what it means when you arrest leaders of the party? It CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Daring Diezani dazes traducers

Emissary EMEKA OBASI

emobas2003@yahoo.com 08094457557 (sms only)

ou really never know with women. Our mothers at home will always offer something refreshingly different when they want anything done. Our sisters just watch over us, convinced we know so little about our wives, their sisters inlaw. Our wives, oh my God, we are all babies, before them all. Mrs. Diezani Alison- Madueke exhibited that stuff Tuesday in Abuja when she took pains to tell her own story. For a woman who has been so pilloried, not just by the opposition but by a section of the media, one would think that comeliness does not absorb twist and turns. Far from it. This is one woman who knows where she is going and is ready to forge ahead even if it means having egg smashed across her face, in the bid to make Nigeria get her due from foreign investors, who are using our countrymen to shortchange us in our own oil business. Crude oil also attracts crude business. And because the Petroleum minister is coming from the Private sector, she understands the terrain so well. She knows how to handle situations even when propaganda takes precedence over fact. In the oil industry, money is the attraction and money too, is the root of all evil. Yes, there are evil men and women in the oil and gas sector. That is one area where money spews out of the pipelines, personalities who know not the creeks of Oloibiri or the forest paths of Gbaramatu, walk tall in Lagos, Kaduna and Abuja spending petro dollar on ladies of the night, while the fisherman dies of hunger in the midst of oil spill. Propagandists have made many believe that Mrs. Alison-Madueke got the juicy job because of her Ijaw background, since President Goodluck Jonathan is also a

descendant of Perekule. The social media rolls out tons of terminological inexactitude, to paint her job dirtier than the backstreets of Ajegunle and Ijora Badiya. However, it is more like an irony that the Petroleum minister never lobbied for a government position before she found herself in Abuja. When Alhaji Umaru Musa Yaradua assumed office as president in 2007, he asked state governors to send nominees for ministerial positions. Each governor had the liberty to send three names to Abuja. Bayelsa governor, Timipre Sylva submitted three names. Those were personalities who were also into politics. President Yaradua looked at the lists and realised that the Number Two citizen at the time, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had no input, no candidates. Yaradua asked Jonathan to also submit three names. The Vice President did, and one of the names sent was one Diezani Alison-Madueke, an Executive Director with the Shell Petroleum Developing Company [SPDC]. It came to the Shell official as a shock. She was not interested in any ministerial position. Dr. Jonathan had to convince her to even accept the nomination. The minister tells her story. “ I was not into politics, I was enjoying my job as a director in Shell when the nomination came. You see ,while other states had three nominees, Bayelsa had six because of the Vice President. I just did not see myself going through , I was not a politician. And I liked that”, she said. Well, she made it, at last. And Shell did not like the idea at all. They felt she was too important to be lost to politics. At that time, Mrs Alison-Madueke knew there was no saying no to her country anymore. She chose Nigeria over Shell. But there was one more burden. The nominee prayed not to be posted to the Petroleum ministry. “That is right. I did not want to be Petroleum minister because having known so much about the NNPC, I did not want to have anything to do with oil. As a Shell official ,I was turned off by what was going on”, she explained. And Yaradua answered her prayers. The Ijaw woman was sent to the ministry of Works and Housing. Perhaps, most Nigerians have not forgotten her first unusual outing. Wearing orange drillers gear, she wept, on seeing the

madness that Nigerians went through travelling from Lagos to the South-East and South –South. Later, she was moved to the ministry of Mines. Somehow, the woman was destined to be Oil minister and that was what Jonathan did following the death of President Yaradua in 2010.That also was going to bring her face to face with people milking Nigeria dry. Those who thought this peach was going to do business as usual, got a clutch of heart attack when they discovered that, beyond the cute looks ,lay a heart of steel ,determined to sanitise the industry. The new minister thought Nigeria first, in the oil business. Nigerians should benefit from our natural wealth, that is her goal. With her as Petroleum minister,the ministry has “ created over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs through the Nigerian content policy, reduced average gas flare to 12 per cent through key gas monetization projects and championed the Petroleum Industry Bill[PIB] which when passed into law by the National Assembly, will provide a transparent regulatory framework and commercially viable NOC in line with this administrations’ transformation initiative. Specifically, in terms of the local content act, multinationals and original equipment manufacturers have invested over five billion dollars in Nigeria to establish facilities and infrastructure, to domicile construction, manufacturing and services in Nigeria.” Of course,” the Aba Product Depot is back to life after seven years of docility. So products run from Port Harcourt refinery to Aba depot and are distributed to other parts of the South-East”. This is the woman they are fighting. She was accused of spending billions on charter flights yet you can see her on regular British Airways flights. She only hires flights when necessary, in the course of the job ,instead of going to, say Exxon Mobil ,to hitch hike a flight, when NNPC is supposed to regulate the multi national company. They say she forced INEC to post pone elections. All bull shit. One person cannot cook for the public. Diezani Alison –Madueke is one of the Amazons in the Jonathan administration and she is not afraid of fight. Do not forget she is a Princess of Yenegoa.And she wants to do it right, for the common good.

CAF and the shame of AFCON 2015 Tayo Ogunbiyi

nknown to many enthusiastic football fans across the African continent, the much anticipated African Cup of Nation (AFCON) semi final match, in the recently concluded AFCON 2015 at Equatorial Guinea, between Ghana and the host country, would be an anti climax. In a repulsive show of shame, a global television audience, in excess of half a billion, agonizingly watched as the globally acclaimed beautiful game was turned into a nauseating ugly spectacle. In a manner that sadly evoked the primeval Dark Continent tagging of Africa, football fans miserably watched as Equatorial Guinea fans put up an indecent show that lasted for over twenty five minutes. With the unbearable reality of an imminent ousting from the competition cruelly starring them in the face, having been subdued by a more experienced and enterprising Ghanaian side which was leading three nil up to the 82nd minute of the ill-fated match, Equatorial Guinean fans suddenly threw caution into the wind and brazenly displayed the animalistic impulse in them to a bewildering global television viewing audience. The scene that followed is better seen than imagined. With the aggressive precision and stride of a wounded

lion, Equatorial Guinean fans swiftly moved into the section of the stadium occupied by Ghanaian fans with unmistaken evil intent. Sensing danger in a strange land, Ghanaian fans quickly dashed into a section of the field of play for safety. With the furious Equatorial Guinean fans hotly pursuing them with the instinct of one seeking for blood, security officials quickly formed a protective circle round the Ghanaian fans. Seeing that they have been hindered from getting at their targets, the now obviously exasperated Equatorial Guinean fans resorted to throwing all manners of dangerous objects at both Ghanaian players and fans that were now holed up on the playing turf. Match officials were also not spared in the ensuing melee. The height of this licentious and contemptible conduct was when the maddened Equatorial Guinean fans started throwing all manners of objects at a security surveillance helicopter that was apparently on a mission to rescue the situation. It was such a gory sight. The repulsiveness of the horrific incidence was further exacerbated by what one considers as the amateurish and awkward manner it was handled by CAF and its officials. For one, it still beats one’s imagination as to why the disgraceful occurrence was allowed to last for the longer moment it did. One is equally perplexed that the weird event was allowed to go on air for the

moment it lasted. With such unfolding disorderly and unmanageable panorama, especially with its harsh security implication on all concerned, one expected CAF officials to have outrightly called off the match. Rather, needless efforts were made to ensure that the match was completed, petulantly at the expense of the safety of human lives. And eventually, when the over twenty -five minute’s drama of the absurd was finally brought under a precarious control, CAF went on to further add another bizarre comedy to the plot. Before the match was interrupted, 82 minutes of football action had already been witnessed, meaning that the match was only eight minutes away from regulation time. Sadly, when the center referee signaled for play to start again, against all expectations, the game was called off after just three minutes of action. The implication is that the match , which ought to have lasted for ninety minutes excluding extra time, was five minutes short of the standard duration. The question now is: what did CAF hope to achieve by putting the lives of players, fans and officials at risk for over twenty five minutes just to resume play and stopped it again after three minutes? How logical is this? Is it not in the statue of CAF that the center referee, after consultation with the match commissioner, could call off a disrupted match over security concerns?

On a general scale, aside the ugly incidence referred to above, the AFCON 2015 did not in any way project the image of the game in Africa in good stead. The competition was marred by poor officiating, technical deficiency and maladministration. The quarter final match between the host, Equatorial Guinea, and Tunisia was ruined by poor officiating and unruly behaviour by both Tunisians players and their officials. It was so bad that CAF hammer had to fall on Tunisia and the center referee who handled the match in such a questionable and unprofessional manner. The quality of performance by players and the technical depth of coaches at the biennial African soccer fiesta equally leave much to be desired. Also, issues bothering on poor hotel accommodation, pitiable playing turfs, and poor crowd control and terrible traveling arrangement, among others, made the soccer fiesta a dreary show. The disgusting spectacle at the just concluded AFCON 2015 only goes to strengthen the position of many soccer pundits that the continental soccer body, CAF, needs to go through fundamental restructuring. The general organisation of the game in the continent remains appalling. CAF’s penchant for dictatorial tendency is not also helping maters. • Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

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Politics bane of Nigerian sports

ompetence is one virtue many people strive to attain in Nigeria. This is simply because many get involved in jobs or projects they know next to nothing about. It is always good to put round pegs in round holes but the reverse is the case in the country as people struggle to grab positions in various areas of endevours. It is even worse when such a situation affects those at the top. A case where the head of a unit is not as knowledgeable as people working under him or her is not good. Such happens due to political appointments in which a governor or the president will have to use party affiliation and other sentiments as basis for appointments. However, there are specialised areas that require technocrats to handle if meaningful progress is to be made. Sport is one of such specialised areas but over the years, politicians have taken over the administration of sports. Starting from the top, it is ridiculous that the presidency appoints sports ministers based on quota system. Even more ridiculous is the fact that the ruling party, PDP, came out with the plan that sports ministers have to be from the North. Southerners are more involved in sports yet the number one person in sports must come from another part of the coun-

try. Edo and Delta have produced great athletes and even administrators yet that zone has never been considered as the area where ministers should emerge. Zoning cannot work in sports but it is prevalent. Since Independence in 1960, the current sports minister, Tammy Danagogo, is the 30th to occupy that position. There is no continuity even as most of those who have occupied the office spend more time to learn the ropes. During the qualifying matches of the just concluded African Nations Cup, President Goodluck Jonathan stopped the Nigeria Football Federation from sacking Coach Stephen Keshi. With ‘order from above,’ the coach was reinstated few days after his sack. For now, there are no concrete plans to rebuild the Eagles. The NFF is reluctant to engage Keshi but because the ‘Big Boss’ has political godfathers, he might sign a new contract soon. In the past four months, the national team has had no substantive coach. The NFF is tired of Keshi but the body lacks the courage to ask him to go because there are fears the presidency may kick against the move. And because the NFF is yet to be financially independent, the chieftains still take directives from the government.

Almost all the teams in the elite division of the Nigerian league are owned by state governments. Of the 20 teams, only Giwa FC and Gabros International are privately owned. This is so precarious because government can easily decide the fate of millions of football followers with decisions taken at the level of club owners. Only last week, the League Management Company sent a passionate appeal to state governors who are now deeply involved with elections not to completely ignore sponsorship of clubs. The clubs are expected to resume for the new league season on March 7. LMC Chairman, Nduka Irabor, said, “We know the peculiar environment we operate in, we do not have the best infrastructure and we do not have the best funding system for our clubs but we do hope those who own these clubs live up to their responsibility and make funds available to the clubs.” Irabor’s comment is laden with meaning. The country can only boast of government infrastructure and little or nothing from the private sector. There are various multinational companies in the country that can float a team in the elite class, have a functional gymnasium and also own sports halls in at least five states.

Mobil, Shell, Chevron, Total and ELF have the resources to do this. The same goes for telecommunications outfits like MTN, GLO, Airtel and Etisalat. The apathy of top companies with regard to sport sponsorship is the major reason government is still controlling sport at all levels in Nigeria. In other sports, national competitions are no longer available to prepare athletes for further challenges and to identify up-coming ones. There are no private initiatives to expose athletes, and many junior and senior competitions in wrestling, table tennis, tennis, handball, cycling, swimming, boxing and basketball have gone under. People who are knowledgeable about sports should drive the sector and not politicians. The anomaly in so many facets of sport is sadly degenerating by the day. There is need to imbibe what obtains in other parts of the world in the administration of sports. In North Africa, all the clubs are truly professional outfits in the truest sense. We make bold to say administrators or athletes can come from any part of the country to hold positions based strictly on competence. Sports federations should work hard to bring investors who will gradually boost sport to attain the independence the sector deserves.

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Politics

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘APC didn’t hold private meeting with Jega’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

means the man who has the resources to even pay agents and also mobilise is out, other person is just shoot-at-sight. Thirdly, which they did, which affected us, they were given specified instruction to work for the PDP. Let me be honest with you, we suspected it. In Ekiti, in the build-up to the election, we were afraid about the movement. Why did they change the Brigade Commander? What are these nocturnal meetings about? Here in Nigeria, a

serving governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was physically prevented from entering another state. So, what are we talking about and how could we have protested about those things? You think if we had known about this audio/film, we would not have presented it in court.

Are you going to do that? You see it might be late for the Tribunal thing, but from now we will still go to court to say that this election was not conducted properly and that will be bottom line, but surely

the military connived. What is going to happen is that this will help us in 2015 elections that we would not allow this kind of thing to happen. Those military officers who compromised in the film have done great disservice to the military. Do you have any problem about Jega’s credibility concerning allegations levelled against him, including the understanding he was said to have had with some northern leaders to have a northern agenda? How can we ever ex-

press confidence in INEC or Jega as a political party? Now we are being vindicated. Everybody was saying Ekiti election was transparent, we said no. We complained about Anambra election, they said it was because we lost. We complained about the way Jega handled the Delta senatorial election, because of militarisation, they said it was because we are bad losers. When Ekiti came, we said it was not free and fair. So, the credibility of Jega is neither here or there. Jega has answered some

of the allegations that he didn’t meet with anybody whether North or Southern leader.

What of if those after Buhari get a pliable judge to get him disqualified? Nobody should toy with the fate of this country because the consequences would be too dire. Not all the people that are chanting change, change belong to APC? Because it is clear, if one is qualified as a General and he retired as a General in the Army, it is clear that Jonathan’s aim

only is that Buhari does not run. It is clear that it is between him and Alex Barde, the Chief of Defence Staff, that the certificate of Buhari was removed from his record and it is on record. General Alani Akinrinade’s interview is so illuminating. Akinrinade said it is not true, he joined the Army before Buhari; they requested for their certificates and their certificates were still with the Army till today. You mean the removal of Buhari’s certificate is between Jonathan and the Chief of Army Staff, Barde. Yes. Buhari told me that he knew his certificates were in his file when he was Army Secretary. They removed it. The Army has become completely politicised. Quote me. The leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces have been completely politicised and the major casualty in this current political saga is the military; it is not Buhari, it is not APC. I am happy that some courageous generals are speaking up. It is insulting. A man goes to Aldershot in Britain, he go to India, Wellington, he goes to War College in US and you still say the man is an illiterate. They have condemned your entire military institution. So, everybody that goes to those military institutions, they are illiterates! So, this man is set to bring down the entire house in desperation, destroy the institutions. I know how long it took us to build the institutions that were destroyed during the Abacha days. We are now on the same path. One thing is that this government has succeeded in dividing Nigeria along ethnic and religious lines and it is very sad and it will take a long time to close these lines. When a president goes to the pulpit to say Boko Haram actually wanted to bomb the whole Nigeria or a president on record goes to say it is because I am a Christian, that is why they are fighting me, or because I am a minority that is why they are fighting me. No president has ever said that, not even in the heat of Nigerian civil war. This man should understand that his tenure whether it is four or eight years would come and pass, but he has a date with history and he should be careful not to be the last president of a united Nigeria. He should be careful not to be the last president of a peaceful Nigeria. He met us united and he has divided Nigeria completely.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Poetry

Tourism

Poems of peace in spirit of Valentine

Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo gets June date

Arts I want to be celebrated CULTURE

alive, says Ugboma Ahead of his 50th anniversary in entertainment, veteran filmmaker, Chief Eddie Ugbomah, in this interview explains why his much anticipated and publicised 74th birthday celebration could not hold as expected; his encounters with Governors of Lagos and Delta States, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; developments in Nollywood, among other issues. Tony Okuyeme spoke with him. Your 50 years in the entertainment industry celebration was planned to coincide with your 74th birthday last year. It was also widely reported that the event has the support of Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. But against expectations, it was not celebrated as planned. What happened? What hurts me so much about this celebration was that I met Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola during a visit of the Nollywood people to his office two years ago. So, I hinted him that I was planning a big programme. He asked me which programme? And I told him that I am celebrating my 74th birthday and 50 years in entertainment industry in Nigeria. I wrote letters to the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) – four letters, all couriered by and delivered by hand. None of them acknowledged these letters. I found out that if you don’t know their aides you can never reach them. Those aides are the biggest stumbling block for our governors, our senators and our president; they choose who they take to the president or who they take to the governor or to the senator. Secondly, I am ready to shout this loud and clear, if you are not going to share your largess with them, you don’t see the governor or the senator. So what happened was that when I was angry and cried to the press how my governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, is ignoring me, and how the Lagos State Governor was also ignoring me,

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

Dr. Uduaghan invited me. So I went there with a team of journalists and friends; and to my happiness, which came as a surprise, the Governor closed down Delta State government – all the commissioners, all the chairmen, staff, directors were all invited – and he did one of the biggest reception for me. And he said that he would prove that nowadays prophets are known and honoured in their place. And he asked me ‘what do I want?’ I said one, I have ‘Filmmakers and Musicians Hall of Fame’ that cost me N10 million since I started producing the portraits in 2000, and that I want to transfer it to Abuja. He said no, that I should transfer it to Asaba, that he will give me a house and a car to run it and also launch it in Asaba for me. He also said for my 50 years in entertainment in Nigeria, they will back up my concert and celebrate it and my book launch. It was a very big show, the media has agog for two weeks – that was 21st of august 2014. As we are sitting down till today I have been shifting date, I have never heard from them. And what also annoyed me was that this thing started even before the cacophony of politics of election. What is annoying is that we had three serious official meetings with the commissioner for land, commissioner for justice, commissioner for culture and tourism, and their permanent secretaries about land for this film village. I brought some Americans who built part of Hollywood, we were not asking for money, all they were asking for is to give us a land, we will raise the money to build the place, run it, get our money back. And the governor said please don’t take it anywhere; you must not take such a thing to another state ‘when our own son is the one who brought them’. After those three meetings, they said they were going to give us land at Oguashiuku, at Warri,

Ugboma

Kwale road. Even, Peter Igho promised a place in his own village, Kokori, that there is a big land there. As I am telling you today, it is so sad that my birthday has come and gone, I celebrated it in a low key, without any support from them. But said I will still celebrate this 50years in entertainment because it is rare. Some people don’t even reach 50years in their years of life, how much more to have served the industry for the past 50years and still going strong. I have sent him even text saying please whatever you can, try to keep your promise. I have sent him more than 76 text messages from August last year till now, no response, the only person who replies me is Richard Mofe Damijo, appealing to me to bear with them. But it is so very sad, very unfortunate. I have been in this industry for 50years out of my 74years years on earth, and I want to be celebrate alive, I don’t want when I die you start carrying drink and praising me, saying ‘he was a great actor ‘ my dead body will get up and slap your face. I want to be celebrated alive; I want to teach Nigerians that it is good to appreciate ourselves, and celebrate ourselves alive. So how prepared are you

now for your 50th anniversary in the entertainment industry celebration this year? I have spoken to many musicians, so many comedians who had volunteered to appear in it free of charge. Even Ali Baba and Gordon told me that it is now over due for them to join in celebrating me. But you know that December period, all the artiste are usually busy , so he said the birthday we have celebrated it, then let us go for the 50years anniversary celebration which is a massive one – anytime around Easter because election will come and go. How many people can celebrate 50years in an industry in this Nigeria? Maximum they give people is 34years in government. All I am doing is to transfer this hall of fame to where people can see it. I wanted to put it at freedom park, Lagos, but imagine how much I have sunk into it, I am not a philanthropist, I am expecting somebody to acquire it from me and mount it there for the industry. I already have 174 portraits of the film makers. So it is all these things Dr. Emmenual Uduaghan was going to launch in Asaba, so that will be the centre of entertainment in Nigeria, both for musicians and film makers. It looks as if I am begging

these people. It is my right; it is appreciation of someone who has contributed to the industry. I am a pioneer of the movie industry in this country, and pioneer of big musical production, in this country. I have a question for you, who among Nigeria film makers have shot a film about Nigeria. Look at my films from the beginning, ‘Oyenusi’ is about crime does not pay; then ‘The Mask’, when the British Government stole our mask and they refused to return it. I went abroad and shot a film where Nigerian detectives blew up the British Museum and brought it back. Then the British government called Nigerians and said please come and collect your artifacts, don’t come and break our museum. Then inside the film I showed when South Africa was trying to bomb Nigeria from Equatorial Guinea. The Nigerian Government went there and stopped them. Also, in my film ‘’Oil Doom’’, I forecast what is happening today; oil doom. Everybody was shouting ‘boom; where are they today? We are in oil doom .The owners are suffering; those enjoying it are enjoying it. At the moment it is now doom all over CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Arts

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Poems of peace in spirit of Valentine Ebere Ameh

igeria is at the verge of a new awakening – the awakening of hope after a hundred years of being a giant in slumber. Interestingly, all hands are on deck to promote changes that will make the county the pride of the black race and the haven of all that is good and decent. Poets are not left out in the quest for a more peaceful and better Nigeria. That was why, The Poetry Court, a formidable body of poets, who have demonstrated their passion for love and peace in diverse ways called for poems that speak love, peace and harmony in this dire times. This they have done in the spirit of keeping the Valentine week a worthy one and at the same time, being

mindful of the volatile situation our dear nation is experiencing at the moment. Such poems, which must not exceed two per participant, must be on the theme “Sharing Love in Dire Times.” Speaking on the theme, accomplished writer, blogger and promoter of Nigerian Languages, Eriata Oribhabor said; “The political situation in our country has been turbulent. Notwithstanding, love and peace are great pillars upon which we build our hopes for enhanced socio-cultural and political tomorrow. If St. Valentine stood and died for love, it was a lesson for humanity.” “The main aim of The Poetry Court is to promote poets and their work, which is the art, and it has been a good one, that more Nigeria is producing more Poetry Promoters nearly everyday, and

CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 21

the world. I forecast it in 1978. Then, I did a film on Muritala Mohammed called Death of a black President. And I forecast 419 in 1977 on the film The Boy is Good so tell me , all those people who are collecting money from President Jonathan, what have they done? There are so many Nigerian topics, stories you can shoot, but because 80% of them are not trained filmmakers. Filmmakers are small gods. It is a special gift and special study to say you are a film maker. Look at my film ‘The Mask’. It was that my film I showed where Nigerian detectives went to a British Museum, blew it up and carried artifacts .They said no, please let us discuss it. So the British Government and Nigeria sat down and discussed it. Did they pay me anything? Is it not until recently that the Obasanjo’s administration gave me OON (Office of the order of the Niger), what about the (Number of the order of the Nigeria), what about the EY? You take away the EY and gave me MON, so I didn’t take it. But when Obasanjo, who is my old time friend of mine, offered me OON, I said o.k. I am waiting for C.O.N. (Commander of the Order of the Niger). So it is a shame on the country that they wait till somebody dies before they celebrate the person. Somebody like Duro Ladipo, when he died, the whole of Nigerian art was shaking .They were going to set up a foundation, they are going to do this and that, but as soon as they put the man under the ground, they forgot him. Look at the millions I have invested in these portraits for the Nigeria filmmakers and musicians hall of fame -78 portraits , I paid for them, to have a gallery so ones of today that the young will have history where they can study and learn. It is so sad that a serious thing like that we don’t take it seriously in Nigeria. Coming back to where I am today, I was cornered; I thought everything was going to be right, so I started arranging the concert, the film premiere; I started arranging the galleries, and those things cost me millions. On Nollywood You are talking about film; it is a very powerful medium. We have not made films again yet; we are still doing soap. There are one billion Blacks in this African continent, if you do a good film, the whole world will search for it. You don’t take N20,000 to do a film, when others are using 200 million dollars to do it. I am getting ready for three movies, but I can’t find sponsors; I can’t shoot those films with N10 million. I want to shoot a film on Adaka Boro and Aba

outside of promoters, more people are getting to like poetry, and have seen it beauty,” Benjamin Osigwe, one of the organizers explained. Despite the short notice for submission, 25 poems have been submitted by a number of poets, including a Brazillian Poet. Those were the ones that met the criteria and have been published on the blog www.thepoetrycourt. blogspot.com Speaking on how spoken word can be better encouraged in Nigeria, Osigwe noted that “Spoken Word Poems can continuously be encouraged in Nigeria if poets continue to identify themselves as poets, and if more poetry promoters will continue the good work of promoting the art.” Some of the poems which have been published include: Love in the cemetery by Oko Owi Ocho.

Love in the cemetery By Oko Owi Ocho

For its not cooked to grace their pleas

Embracing nights in cold Cloaking arms with trial of covering ears Preventing our whisper like mourning gong Announcing the final gaze of the king Here where a wink sounds like earthquake With our souls pacing around dwellings Hugging disgrace for loud sound of heart beat That echoes aloud With sound echoes that shakes the sky

At the peak of graces When lovers last songs were meant to be sang Graves start to spin in uniform Leaving us alone in grave island Where lovers cannot recognize their own gaze. The whirlwind uprooting bones To add spice to our silence Skeletons move in troop with joy That their sight would curse our happiness

Homing peace to be calm in our lot As fright engulfs us with flames Sadness holding in hands sword With the moon dripping blood To pace angers of lovers taste The sun yawn widely with vivid shows Corpses from nearby graves lay out bony hands Allying with loneliness to ambush thought Restricting our thought of hugging joy The bitter night turns our enemy The visit of the young morning Becomes the dreaded invader of joy Homeless souls seat on edge of grave Feeding on our stories told only by gaze Ghost offering us their torn dresses To cloth our skin from the angered sun Banished spirits frown at our story

When travelled to middle of day Hunger chewing up intestine seems a friend When ghost were parading With body and eyes dripping blood Reasons cloud in cool air Choice take front in line Gonging the ashamed heart to pile woods In hope of two strike of stones Will lit unending flame That will in will of grace Melt the ice and free the blocked lips To let out songs in glory of acceptance. Oko Owi Ocho is a poet, playwright and a novelist who believes strongly in the course of African emancipation from modern imperialism. He is the author of two unpublished collections ‘Broken Rhythms and Archer of Words’.

Filmmakers are small gods

Ugboma displaying some of the portraits

Women Riot. I also want to shoot a film on Niger Delta. On his new television programme Talk Music I have short some episodes. I have been talking to some artistes to tell us their story, how they got into music and everything, so that these young ones, when they are watching, they can learn from it. And universities or schools can come or art writers can get facts about musicians. About eight of the people I want to interview are all dead. So I am going to do posthumous interviews which is not as good as when they are there –Oliver De Coque, E.C. Arinze, Osita Osadebe, Alli Chukwuma, Fatai Rolling Dolars, Orlando Owoh, Comfort Omoge, and many others. On the leadership in Nollywood I want to sound it loud and clear, that I am very angry with all their presidents. I can give the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberisima 60 percent pass mark. I give Andy Amanechi zero percent. What has he done as president of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), both first and second tenure now?

They have no office; he has never called a meeting; he has never had any workshop or seminar. And the most annoying one is my own president of Association of Movie Producers (AMP, Zik Zulu Okafor. He has been the luckiest president so far. It is his time that Governor Godswill Akpabio gave N50 million to AMP for them to do things for the industry on his behalf. It is his time that Governor Fashola gave N20 million to AMP to celebrate AMP at 20. For the past 11 months, Zik Zulu Okafor and his executives have been planning celebrating me the chairman of the board of trustees of AMP. It took them nine months just to design letterheads. I am not waiting for them to celebrate me. Right now I am organising a concert. The interim president of PMAN Pretty Okafor, Bovi, Julius Agwu, and many others are involved. They will celebrate me alive by the Grace of God. On DSTv African Magic in Nigeria Where were they - these film makers - when Multichoice came through Emeka Mba to Nigeria? And now we have DSTV decoder for N19000, and Nigerians are rush-

ing it. They came with African Magic. Now they are more cable stations; they are full station. Look at BBC, look at CNN or Aljazeera, they are not like what DSTv African Magic is doing to us. They have dominated the whole of our media; they do interviews, musicals, festivals, they do everything. So all our TV stations are nothing; African magic and DSTV have ruined our television stations. If they have to stay here let them invest in our industry. Let them invest N500 million every year for the benefit of the growth of the film industry in Nigeria. They should stop bickering and try to get the Motion Pictures Practitioners Council (MOPICON), whereby you know who is a filmmaker - are you a script writer, a director, a cameraman, producer and so on – so that the people can respect you. It is not for just anybody to wake up and say I am a film maker. Secondly, let them fight for a film fund, the type President Jonathan has given them. So that fund will be with the practitioners; they are the ones to handle it. Not for the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and her staff. Even when I applied for 1.5 million dollars, the time we had 200 million dollars, the first they did was to expunge my name, saying, ‘he is a trouble maker; anything he does, you can’t control him. Three of them have told me that they raised up my name that ‘if Eddie Ugbomah is not qualified for this money, who is qualified in Africa? But they refused, condemning me, running me down. They are afraid of my achievements; they are afraid that my films have substances. They are Nigerian films, and they have all been distributed round the world. I don’t just shoot any films. I shoot my film to educate people in that country and outside. I shot a film called “Oil Doom”, where are we today? I shot a film, “The Boy Is Good”, about 419, where are we today? On the coming elections Nigerians should not come out and vote until both President Jonathan and General Muhammad Buhari guarantees safety of lives and properties. They have been heating the polity. Look at me, I have five daughters whose husbands are from Kano, Katsina, Ogun, Lagos and Imo States, respectively. What do they want me to do? I am worried for the lives of my children and grand-children.

Arts

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

International Mother Language Day: Stemming the tide of linguicide

A Junior Achievement Students, after a seminar on READY-SET-GO (RSG) financial literacy program sponsored by JP Morgan, in Lagos.

Ebere Ameh

aturday, the 21st of February is the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), International Mother Language Day, (IMLD) 2015. An observance held annually since February 2000, it seeks to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It is also done in remembrance of four students killed on the 21st of February, for daring to campaign to officially use their mother language, Bengali, in Bangladesh. UNESCO, UN agencies and others use the opportunity of the day to participate in events that promote linguistic and cultural diversity. They also encourage people to maintain their knowledge of their mother language while learning and using more than one language. For Nigeria, with her over 500 indigenous languages, and many at the verge of extinction due to lack of use, there is no better time to harp more on the use, promotion and preservation of mother tongues than now. During the commemoration of 2014 IMLD, the former Supervising Minister of Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike added his voice and raised the alarm at the remarkable decline in the use of Nigerian languages, especially among those living in urban areas, whom he said hardly communicate in their mother tongues. Expatiating, Wike said; “You will all agree with me that our indigenous languages are facing the threat of becoming extinct due to remarkable decline in usage. Our youths, especially those living in the urban centres hardly communicate in their mother tongues. Worse still is the sharp drop in the number of those that could read or write in those languages as a result of over dependence in the use of social media against the traditional letter writing.

“I believe if we want to give our children the best possible chance to know our history, values and tradition as parents, we must ensure that every Nigerian child can read and write in his or her own language. “This is not just another educational debate where answer lies somewhere. It is a responsibility that begins at home. It is one that we need to take on before our kids step their feet into the classrooms and then carry through their teenage years,” Wike said. The issue of dwindling native language speakers is actually a global phenomenon, and a big reality in Nigeria. With the theme for IMLD 2015 as Inclusive Education through and with Language, this year’s celebration focuses on one of the main challenges that cut across many of the goals, i.e. Inclusion (equity/quality). In the paper titled Linguistic Hegemony and the Plight of Minority Languages in Nigeria, Segun Awonusi said that “the linguistic situation in Nigeria is that of dominant and dominated languages of different degrees of domination. Thanks to the years of the implantation of English in Nigeria and the impact of globalization, English has assumed a hegemonic status because through its official, instrumental and integrative functions it dominates the three major Nigerian languages (decamillionaires), which in turn dominate the layers of minority languages in the country.” According to him, minority languages suffer from both exoglossic English and decamillionaire indigenous languages, arguing that unless there is a major policy and attitudinal shift linguicide may indeed be a harsh reality that some minority languages will face this century. Despite the threat of linguicide, stakeholders - the family and the government, which should be at the forefront of promoting and pre-

serving the indigenous languages are not doing much? While a good number of parents, especially in the urban areas resort to the use of English and at times, pidgin English, in communicating with their children instead of their native languages; the government, has stopped the inclusion of an indigenous language as a compulsory subject to be offered in the West African School Certificate Examinations. All these are counterproductive if the challenge of linguicide is to be addressed. Speaking with Mrs Agnes Eze, a shop owner living in Lagos, her children speak English because she is an indigene of Edo State, married to an Igbo and now resides in Lagos. “They speak English fluently but greets in their native languages. My husband feels bad when I speak Esan to them and he is not always around to teach them Igbo. Unfortunately, they attend a private school and cannot even acquire the Yoruba Language. I know they will

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

somehow pick an indigenous language as they grow,” Eze explained. Whereas some families in the city have various reasons that their children lose out on bilingualism, others have no reason at all. But while the family is blamed, the government that has made indigenous language an elective in schools is not helping matters. However, some churches like the Catholic Church is poised to bridge the gap in the ways they can to help in resuscitating indigenous languages and culture of the people. Mother tongue education is not only compulsory subjects in Catholic Mission Schools, they are ranked with English and Mathematics in importance. Speaking with Mrs Stella Asogwa, an Igbo language teacher at the Queen of the Rosary College, Nsuuka, she underscores the importance of indigenous language, decrying the fact that many children are losing it if nothing is done fast to arrest the situation. “The issue of declining use of native languages and the fear of extinction is real. Unfortunately, government is not doing enough to arrest the situation. While I thank God for the mission schools like mine, that knows the importance of native language and is encouraging the learning of it, it would have been better if all schools would follow suit. Parents should also do their best to ensure that their children understand their native language when they are young, without fear that they will not be able to speak English. They have an innate capacity to acquire as many languages as they are exposed to,” Asogwa explained. It is the decline of the Igbo language that also prompted the Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri in September 1996 to introduce the Odenigbo lecture series. Seeing that reading and writing Igbo was becoming a challenge to the owners of the language, he initiated the lecture to address the trend. This year’s IMLD offers another opportunity for groups and organizations to continue in their effort to resuscitate and promote their mother tongues among the youth. As for UNESCO, it strongly believes that “appropriate language education is fundamental to enable learners to benefit from quality education, learn throughout life, and have access to information. This is possible if there is an approach to language education that promotes the use of at least three languages: one of which should be a mother tongue or first language. “Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue,” the UN IMLD microsite noted.

Tourism

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Stories: Andrew Iro Okungbowa

N continuation of its rebranding campaign, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), organisers of the yearly Sanganai/ Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, has announced a new date for hosting the event this year. Instead of its usual October date, it is now schedule for June 18 – 20 at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Harare. According to ZTA, which commenced a rebranding of the expo last year by repositioning it as Africa forum to reach to the world and a Business to Business (B2B) platform strictly for buyer, suppliers and other stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry, said the new date was part of the recommendation distilled from the inputs of the buyers who have over the years attended the exhibition. According to the Acting Chief Executive of ZTA, Mr. Givemore Chidzidzi, the rebranding is geared at organising a better and mutually benefiting event, “the repositioning done last year also sought to address a lot of things which had to do with our way of organising and hosting of Sanganai/Hlanganani. These included, buyer-exhibitor selection criteria, downsizing of space occupied by exhibitors focusing on

Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo gets June date

ZTA stand during last year’s expo

quality of exhibitors and buyers. Feedback received in 2014 was very positive, with both buyers and exhibitors expressing satisfaction with the quality of meetings they held.” On the new date, the acting

CE of ZTA, said ‘‘the tourism industry through the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism and the buyers highlighted that the time in which we held our Sanganai was not in sync with their planning cycle. They suggested an earlier

timing which is more suitable for their planning which will allow them to package Zimbabwe the following year hence the decision to move this year’s edition to the first half of the year,’’ adding that “as ZTA, we were left with no op-

tion but to move Sanganai to the first half of the year as we are convinced that this is in the interest of the industry in our endeavour to attract quality buyers who will seriously do business with us.”, he said. Chidzidzi is encouraging operators in the tourism industry to play an active role in bringing buyers as the success of Sanganai and Zimbabwe’s tourism is dependent upon joint efforts between the ZTA and players in the tourism sector. Recruitment of buyers and exhibitors for this year’s fair is in progress and currently being done at the Authority’s headquarters, regional and international offices. The revamped Sanganai |Hlanganani World Tourism Expo website is now up and running. While the online booking system will be open to buyers and exhibitors alike by the middle of March 2015.

Tourism and culture: Building a new partnership The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), early this month in Siem Reap, Cambodia, held its first ever joint conference on Tourism and Culture: Building a New Partnership. Here is an excerpt of the opening remarks of UNWTO Secretary General, Dr. Talebi Rifai in which he calls for global attention on tourism and cultural matters:

ambodia is indeed the sheer example of how the links between tourism and culture can create new opportunities for sustainable development. Alongside its economic and social impact, tourism spurred Cambodia´s cultural identity – helping the image of the country to rise from the shadows of war to radiate a global light of archaeological wonder, natural beauty and a historical legacy. Today´s Conference opens at a time when international tourism continues to grow despite a still uneven economic growth and growing geopolitical concerns. Just last week, UNWTO released the latest results for 2014, which shows that international tourist arrivals grew by 4.7% to reach a new record of 1,138 million tourists – that is over 1.1 billion tourists travelling the world every year. 2014 was also a milestone year for UNESCO and for Culture as the World Heritage List reached 1,000 sites for the very first time. Linking both facts is the

unprecedented development of cultural tourism over recent years. Such development represents an immense opportunity for destinations to foster economic growth, inclusive social development and environmental preservation. From an economic perspective, cultural tourism allows destinations to become more competitive, attract investment, create new employment opportunities, promote multiple linkages to other industries, and even revive lost traditional activities and customs. Most importantly, alongside the economic dimension, cultural tourism nurtures a sense of pride among communities, advances public education and promotes heritage preservation by providing financial resources for the conservation of valuable heritage sites. Indeed, partnership is the fundamental message at the heart of this Conference. We need to bridge the gap that, despite encouraging efforts, still exists

A cultural display by Nigerians. Inset: Rifai

between tourism and culture. We need to explore new governance models and innovative initiatives where the best of the two worlds come together to the benefit of all. 2015 is an historic moment for the UN and for countries around the world as we work to set a new sustainable development agenda. A shared and inclusive agenda that places people at the centre of development.

The links between tourism and culture offer an immense opportunity to contribute to inclusive economic growth, social development and stability and heritage preservation but only if we work together. As we set the scene for this Conference, allow me close by highlighting three ways in which tourism and culture can work together to build a better future: 1. Tourism and culture

can work together for economic growth The responsible use of cultural assets for tourism creates new employment opportunities and generates income for local communities. By the same token, cultural tourism can provide a vital tool for poverty alleviation, as many poor and remote communities are often situated near famous heritage sites. 2. Tourism and culture can work together for social

development and stability We live in The Age of Travel. Never before in our history have we been more exposed to such a melting pot of ethnicities, religions and lifestyles. Finally, 3. Tourism and culture can work for heritage protection and preservation Being acclaimed as a World Heritage Site calls forth a greater responsibility of finding the equilibrium between rising tourism demand while protecting the inherent values for which these sites were inscribed on the World Heritage List. Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends, By 2030, 1.8 billion tourists will be traveling the world. This represents an extraordinary opportunity to pursue our shared goals of inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability into a reality. Tourism intensifies our role as global citizens, stewards of world heritage and ambassadors of peace -– calling us to preserve our past, so we can protect our future. I trust this Conference will allow us to strengthen our partnerships and work closer together as architects of such sustainable future.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Music

I’m honoured with Africa’s recognition, Angelique Kidjo

Event

AVRS hosts stakeholders in Lagos

Entertainment Piracy: 30 Days In Atlanta producer petitions Inspector General of Police

riminal activities of pirates have forced popular comedian and producer of 30 Days In Atlanta, AY to petition the Inspector General of Police, IGP. In the letter, the ace comedian expressed his concern about the brazen efforts of the intellectual thieves that are denying him of his income from the much celebrated comedy movie. He also urged the IGP to use his good office in arresting the illegal spread of 30 Days In Atlanta as a standard for changing the status quo and letting the miscreants know that no one is above the laws of Nigeria. The movie holds the record of grossing over N100,000,000 over and above Hollywood films in Nigeria. In the said letter titled’ “An Open Letter to The Inspector General of Police on 30 Days In Atlanta”, and made available to New Telegraph, the producer prayed the IGP to help save the industry from known and unknown pirates. The letter reads in parts: “I have never understood the true meaning of the saying ‘only the one wearing the shoes feels the pain’, till recent times…as piracy has become the bane of the industry because as the saying goes ‘monkey de work, baboon de chop’. It further stated that, “The excitement that greeted the movie industry through the Box-Office success of 30 Days In Atlanta has turned to sorrow as I heard the result of my sweat and sleepless nights has been sold by a traitorous miscreant, yet unknown, to a dubious marketer in Alaba.

sony neme

Editor, entertainment sony.neme@newtelegraphonline.com

The news that would have encouraged more Nigerians and foreigners investors in Nollywood, has been dampened by the nefarious activities of intellectual pirates who hide in Alaba. AY lamented further thus: “I have contacted Silverbird Film Distribution (whom I submitted the master of my movie to), the Director General, National Copyright Commission, Mr Afam Ezekude and Mr Ahbu Ventures who heads a session of Alaba where the Criminals are operating, Yet nothing visible has been done to take my movie off the street. “I have always heard of the risk faced by honest producers of loss of revenue due to the activities of the piracy cabal operating freely in Nigeria. Within the past few weeks,

The excitement that greeted the movie industry through the Box-Office success of 30 Days In Atlanta has turned to sorrow

this has been my experience with the leak of my movie to various nefarious elements. I plead that enough is enough to the economic hardship that is created for hardworking movie producers by some of these Alaba pirates who would do anything to reap from where they did not sow. “Sir, my investigation reveals that the impressive figures posted as revenue accrued to Nollywood is a mere drop in the ocean if the malaise of piracy is properly nipped with effective implementation of the anti-piracy laws by the relevant governmental agencies. Alaba is part of Nigeria and as such the activities therein ought to be governed by the laws of Nigeria.” For AY, “Even the laudable financial facilities made available by Mr. President to be accessed by producers towards the development of the industry both as an employer of labour and a growing contributor to the annual revenue of Nigeria will be for naught if the piracy vampires continue to have a field day. The continued dominance of piracy will either lead to producers refusing to make more movies for fear of loss or that producers who go ahead to make movies using such funds will be unable to pay back the loans accessed due to these vandals. “Sir, Nollywood is a multibillion-naira industry and the opening of new cinema houses across the country is indeed a cause for the celebration for both producers and lovers of Nigerian movies, but the major challenge of the Nollywood industry from inception has been that of transparent distribution channels and the malaise of piracy. His further plea is that, “No more should a miscreant be celebrated or allowed to rape intellectual properties of honest and hardworking citizens with impunity, while owners look on helplessly. Movie producers and other intellectual property owners should not scrabble to make the little they can, before the untouchable ‘Alaba boys’ get their hands on the content and turn a goldmine into a dunghill.”

Update on Bobbi Kristina Brown’s

fter about four weeks in a medically induced coma, in which doctors essentially stabilize the brain so that it doesn’t require as much oxygen, Bobbi Kristina Brown’s body will start to suffer. A lack of movement for weeks can cause blood infections like sepsis or bacteremia in Brown, who was found face-down in her bathtub Jan. 31, according to Lenox Hill Hospital neurosurgery professor Dr. John Boockvar. According to agency report, Brown’s immobile state could also lead to pneumonia, blood clots in the limbs and also bladder infections, since she isn’t urinating on her own. “When these things start happening, the body starts going into multiorgan system failure, and that’s a real problem,” Boockvar said. The prognosis remains grim. “By this time, we should be seeing improvement,” he told the Daily News. “There should be some glimmer of hope and we haven’t gotten it. The missing piece of the puzzle just how long the only child of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown was underwater, Boockvar said. It couldn’t have been too long, because she was found alive, but “after five minutes, the brain can’t go without oxygen before neurons - the thinking cells in the brain - (are affected),” he said. But all hope is not lost. Boockvar said that Brown’s youth is a great advantage to her. It could be the difference in why she survives this hypoxic event - when the brain is deprived of oxygen - and someone like Joan Rivers doesn’t. “Kids are surprising and she’s still a kid,” Boockvar said. “(We) hope that her brain is more resilient because of her age, and hopefully things move in the right direction.”

Bobbi Kristina Brown

Entertainment

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

I’m honoured with Africa’s recognition, Angelique Kidjo Stories by Sony Neme

avoy Records star artiste multi award winning singer and songwriter, Angelique Kidjo, has expressed delight that she is especially honoured on the continent. She made the remarks penultimate week, after receiving her awards for Best Female Artiste West Africa and Best African Contemporary awarded at the 2014 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA. The Beninese was reportedly excited during a ceremony in Cotonou, Republic Du Benin where she was presented with the two trophies, which held n December. According to statement from AFRIMA, “The AFRIMA trophies were presented to the legendary African singer by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Republic du Benin, Monsieur Jean-Michel Abimbola, while AFRIMA Country Director, Republic du Benin, Monsieur Richmir Totah represented the International Committee of AFRIMA at the event witnessed by Angelique Kidjo’s family members at the Ministry of Culture, Republic du Benin.” It further stated that, Ms. Kidjo, whose ever evolving legacy as a music force on Africa has also earned her

two Grammy Awards, the latest won at the 2015 Grammy, reportedly said: “I have received a lot of awards and trophies in my career, but I am honoured and proud when it comes from my fellow Africans who recognise my merits and award me this prestigious trophies.” Music pundits have hailed Angelique Kidjo’s 2014 release,‘Eve’, the 13-track album which earned her the AFRIMA trophies and 2015 Grammy Award as a career defining work for its rich melody and rhythmically powerful expressions of female empowerment.. “The choice of ‘Eve’ and ‘Shango Wa’, a track off the album, by the AFRIMA jury and Academy of Voters for nominations in their respective categories and eventual winners as decided by the voting public and the AF-

I have received a lot of awards and trophies in my career, but I am honoured and proud when it comes from my fellow Africans who recognise my merits

RIMA Academy of Voters attests to the excellent and transparent artistic criteria and standards for assessing musical works that are part of the AFRIMA adjudication process., “ it further stated. In a recorded speech relayed at the AFRIMA main awards ceremony in Lagos during the awards, Angelique Kidjo expressed regret for missing the event due to her then on-going tour. Meanwhile, Jean-Michel Abimbola has pledged his government’s support for AFRIMA at subsequent editions of the awards project organised in partnership with the African Union Commission. Over 30 award trophies were presented during the 2014 All Africa Music Awards ceremony with Davido (Nigeria) carting home four, being the highest number of trophies. Other winners were Ahmed Soultan (Morocco), Cindy Munyavi (Zimbabwe), Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), Wiyaala (Ghana) and Diamond. Platinumz (Tanzania) among others. The event was hosted by Nigeria’s international music star, 2Face Idibia and Maryse Acotie, a bilingual radio and TV personality from Togo. It was sponsored by Diamond Bank PLC, Peugeot and P& G among others.

Angelique Kidjo

Tosin Martins out with ‘I’m a M.E.S’

Tosin Martins

fter a ten-year sabbatical and a renewed positive view on life and love, Tosin Martins blesses his fans and followers with a brand new album called ‘I’m a M.E.S (Minister, Entertainer, Statesman)’. It features viz. Waje, Tiwa Savage, Vector, Cobhams Asuquo, Ebenezer Obey and Brandon Camphor of Fourways – The Grammy Award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, and comes with a no-holdsbarred approach; as the album

Tosin Dokpesi inspired me –Mursty Adinoyi Tony Okuyeme

ursty Adinoyi, one of the successful TV producers in Nigeria, has revealed the inspiration behind his success. According to him, Chief Tosin Dokpesi, wife of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder of the renowned Africa Independent Television (AIT), is the person who inspired him to come up with the concept of his extremely successful TV programme, Hitlist N Cruzin. Speaking with New Telegraph, he said, “I really want to thank Chief Mrs. Tosin Dok-

pesi for inspiring me to think out of the box to generate the idea for Hitlist N Cruzing. What really happened was that back then, like seven, eight years ago, I was a staff of AIT Lagos and then I was transferred to Abuja. “When I got to Abuja, we in the production department had a meeting with Chief Tosin and she told us to go and start thinking out of the box to come up with ideas for unique TV programmes as her husband, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, was ready to help young people like us by giving us air time for unique TV programmes.” Describing the fateful meet-

straddles the spectrum of both contemporary and legendary. Acclaimed inspirational singer, Tosin Martins came into the music scene in 2004 with the venerable debut, ‘Happy Day,’ which spawned such nostalgia-inducing hits as Olo Mi, Happy Day, and Made in Nigeria. On a streak from his successful debut, he followed up with a double sophomore entitled ‘Higher: The Expression and the Confession.’ ing as the turning point in his life, he added that, “Right from that meeting, I began to think, and I came up with a programme, Get Cooking, which she loved. But I didn’t stop my thinking with Get Cooking’s success. I kept thinking, and when I came up with Hitlist N Cruzing, I realised it was so unique that I had to reserve it for myself and that I had to bring it to Lagos because it’s an entertainment programme, so I came back to Lagos.” Right now, Hitlist N Cruzin is one of the most popular entertainment programmes on air, but Adinoyi said he’s not satisfied with its current success level and that he’s working on further plans to take it higher still and that he’ll reveal those plans soon.

Emmy Gee set to release ‘Champagne Showers’

fter a successful 2014, which saw Emmanuel Nwankwo, popularly known as Emmy Gee do a crossover remix for his successful continental single ‘Rands and Naira’, the Nigerian/South-African based music star is set to hit the African music scene with another hip-hop banger titled ‘Champagne Showers’. Produced by iLlkillz, the single features King Jay, this song intensifies Emmy Gee’s resolution to make you look at the good things of life and reasons to celebrate them. The video was shot on locations in Cape Town, South Africa. The music video is currently on Trace TV, MTV Base and Channel O and has been received very well by the masses in South Africa as well as in Nigeria. The video was shot by Molotov Cocktail late December 2013 and it was shot over two days. Emmy Gee began rapping in the streets of Nigeria as a teen. He has previously featured on songs like ‘Can’t Stop My Shine’ by Young Slugz and he also appeared on ‘Another

Planet’ by Gambit. He had also won MTV Iggy Artist of Week Emmy Gee who has been living in Johannesburg since 2002, got into music at the age of 16 and the ring is still on his finger. He has also opened for international acts like Big Sean and Kendrick Lamar. His debut single, Rands and Naira was produced by Christian Arceo. It is a perfect blend of vocals with the artiste delivering a powerful invitation to pamper his female fans while showering them with opulence in his home country’s city called Lagos. The track features Ab Crazy on the hook as well as a verse and Dj Dimplez does an incredible intro and outro. This hit track has a balanced blend of Nigerian flavor spiced with an Mzansi feel. Emmy Gee is signed and Co-CEO of TeamTalkLess Entertainment TTL, label also owned alongside Nosa Ogbemudia and Nigerian hit maker Shizzi (Seyi Akerele) credited for making music for Wizkid, Davido, Maye Hunter, and Wande Coal.

Entertainment 27

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

CinemaWatch (Radio/TV/Events Guide)

FEB. 6 — FEB. 13 Highlights

Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz Tour for MARCH 23 Stories by Sony Neme

lobal superstar, Miley Cyrus has announced she will release Bangerz Tour, a DVD featuring performances off her Grammy nominated Bangerz album on March 23rd through RCA Records. Last year, Miley Cyrus, who Time Magazine described as one of the ‘most dynamic performers of her generation’, took the world by storm as she brought her Bangerz Tour to fans across the world. The highly anticipated DVD features show stopping performances from tour stops in Barcelona and Lisbon, along with behind-the-scenes content focusing on the tour and her personal life. Idolator praised the tour as “weird and wonderful” and USA Today raved that “Cyrus has the charisma and maybe the smarts to be the post-Madonna Madonna”. Miley gives larger than life performances of SMS (Bangerz), 4x4, Love Money Party, FU and Get It Right. Bangerz Tour also includes countrified covers of Hey Ya! by Outkast and Jolene by Dolly Parton, as well as, party anthems We Can’t Stop and Party in the USA. Bangerz debuted at number one on both the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and the Digital Album Charts with over 270,000 albums sold. Additionally, during release

week, Bangerz hit number one on iTunes in over 70 countries. Both singles, ‘Wrecking Ball’ and ‘We Can’t Stop’, off Bangerz have already sold seven million copies in the U.S. alone. ‘Wrecking Ball’ hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for two weeks. It became Miley’s first Billboard Hot 100 #1 and her fastest-flying top 10 on Radio Songs. ‘Wrecking Ball’ also hit number one on Spotify and during its debut week broke the record for most streams

in a week for any track ever on Spotify in the US. The music video for ‘Wrecking Ball’ quickly reached certified status, Vevo’s milestone for videos delivering 100 million views in less than a week. Bangerz received rave reviews including Entertainment Weekly calling it ‘…utterly fresh, a pop blitz from a hip-hop blueprint, and proof that Miley won’t settle for just shocking us.’ US Weekly declared it “the year’s most titillating pop explosion’ awarding the album ‘4 stars (out of 4).’

Miley Cyrus

Sony Music week seven radio sampler

ony Music weekly radio delivery has continued with its delivery as the week seven reveals another set of published works. The artistes and their music that made it this week are Johnny Apple;s Not Over You, Mr. Probz’s Nothing Really Matters, and Magic!’s No Way No, as well as Mikky Ekko, Love You Crazy. 17-year old SA’s Got Talent winner Johnny Apple releases a brand new single from his self-titled debut album. ‘Not Over You’ was a fan favourite following his album release and response towards the track at the various gigs and festivals he has been playing in recent months has been overly positive. The album was composed by the trio of Kreesan Pillay, Juan Appelgrein and Marius Brouwer; and published by Jakksong Publishing, Copyright Control, SAMRO and Capasso After ‘Waves’ was undoubtedly one of the biggest hits of the last year, Mr. Probz is back with a bang with the Afrojack produced anthem ‘Nothing

Really Matters’. The single is 3x platinum in the Netherlands already and is growing daily in the Nordics (currently Top 10 on Shazam in Sweden and approaching Top 50 on Spotify). Early radio feedback has been positive and the track is excepted to keep building into the South African market as we head closer to the middle of 2015. Canadian band Magic! also made it as part of the delivery this week as it releases the follow-up to 2014’s international smash hit ‘Rude’ to radio this week. Meanwhile, ‘No Way No’ has already racked up nearly two million streams on Spotify in the US and the track has over 1.5 million views on YouTube and with early CHR and campus support in South Africa it is set to be another smash hit for the guys. The band is currently on a massive arena tour with Maroon 5, spanning the next four months across the US and Europe. Its music video is coming soon, according to Sony Music sources Magic!’s ‘No Way No’ is composed by a foursome

that includes Alex Tanas, Ben Spivak , Mark Pellizzer, and Nasri Atweh; and published by Sony, ATV Music Publishing, and Peace Baby Music. Mark Pelli Music, Inc., Alex Tanas Music and Ben Spivak Music were also part of the publishing. Mikky Ekko whose Love You Crazy was composed by Mikky Ekko, Noel Zancanella and Ryan Tedder, was published by Good Kings Music, Write Me a Song Publishing (GMR), Blastronaut and Patriot Games. Mikky Ekko known for the smash single ‘Stay with Rihanna’ recently released his debut album Time to favourable critical reaction from Rolling Stone and Boston Globe all the way through to Billboard and SPIN magazine. Mikky has been sharing various ‘TIMElapse videos’ in support of tracks from the album but fans have been hungry for a new radio single from him. ‘Love You Crazy’ is the official new single from the album and the track, which is one to watch, will be impacting international radio this month.

E! Entertainment

Alison Pargeter

ZEE World (New channel on GOtv Plus, channel 24) Married Again Married Again takes a glimpse at contemporary and modern India, where a second marriage for a woman is still not easily accepted. Watch how Yash & Aarti steer through the complications of a second marriage. Also on Zee World, take a journey with Saloni as she inspires woman to find their inner beauty and strength. The brave Laali will radiate her inner light into your lives. And watch how three sisters who have lost everything find the strength to start all over in The Promise. Monday – Friday from 18 :00 – 21 :00 CAT on Zee World channel 24 SONY ENTERTAINMENT Jim Jam Heroes of the City follows a cute and colourful town’s heroic rescue vehicles as they work together to solve problems and have fun! Meet Paulie Police Car, Fiona Fire Engine, Alice Alarm and Digsy Digger as they embark upon exciting adventures on their rescue missions. Heroes of the City introduces a variety of themes including friendship, selfless acts, courage, problem solving and working together through a range of positive messages delivered via fascinating stories and simple but warm dialogue. Every day at 08:09, 12:16, 16:35, 18:37 Princess Castle: Claire is a seven-year-old girl who dreams of being a princess in a magical land. One day, Claire and her sister find a tiny secret door hidden underneath the stairs, and inside they find an enchanted trunk, a magical locket and an invitation that transports them to an enchanting world! In this illustrated classic, Claire is pronounced Princess of the wondrous, mysterious land after saving her captured sister and the queen. Story Time: Princess Castle 15 and 21 February at 10:00 and 17:00 CAT. AFRICA MAGIC FAMILY Mary Slessor Mary Slessor is the story of an eighteenth century Scottish woman who gave her life to

the development of the people of Calabar in Nigeria. She stopped the killing of twins which at that time the people regarded as evil. It stars UK’s East ender’s star, Alison Pargeter as well as several A-List Nigerian actors. Mondays -Thursdays at 20:00 & 03:00 CAT The AY Show The AY Show is a variety show, created, designed and presented by National Comedy Award winner AY. Laugh a little as he tackles interesting issues. Saturdays at 22:00 & 06:00 CAT BET Its valentine weekend on BET! Keyshia & Daniel: Family (First Season) Join Keyshia Cole on an emotional journey as she steps into a new chapter of her life. The docu-series takes a candid look at the R&B songstress at her most vulnerable, adjusting to being a wife to NBA star Daniel Gibson, mother to her two-year-old son D.J. as well as a daughter, sister, & musician, no two days are ever alike. She also has to keep an eye on business, and that includes recording her fifth studio album. On BET, channel 22 Saturday 14 February at 12:00 CAT Let’s Stay Together Have an afternoon filled with laughs and love with BET’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’ Season 3 & 4 Marathon! Re-live the exciting adventures in love and marriage of favourite BET International couples as they redefine what modern love looks like. Family, career, friends and relationships; even when things don’t always go their way, the gang still finds that love is all they need to stay together. On BET, channel 22 Saturday 14 February at 16:00 CAT The BET Honors (Premiere) This powerful and inspirational event is a perfect start to the year placing a spotlight on the achievements of renowned leaders in the fields of music, literature, entertainment, media, service and education with performances from a host of music artists.

Entertainment

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

The Impostor’s deception and secrets on DSTV 118 Stories by Sony Neme

his February, Telemundo (DStv channel 118) will launch The Impostor, the first title from the channel’s exciting 2015 programming slate that has already proven to be a notable hit with audiences in the US. Premiering on 23rd February at 6pm, this telenovela will bring a tale of eternal love challenged by family secrets, betrayal and deception. The Impostor stars Lisette Morelos (Aurora) as Blanca Guerrero, an attractive waitress in a Mexican resort town who has an extraordinary talent to mimic other people. A rich businessman Adriano Ferrer (Manuel Landeta – Fearless Heart) spots her talent and hires her to impersonate a millionaire investor from New York to avenge the death of someone close to him. Blanca accepts the challenge, not knowing that a lie will lead her to true love. Shot on location in Mexico, including the spectacular beaches of Acapulco, the tele-

novela also stars a Telemundo newcomer Sebastian Zurita as the male lead with his real-life mother Christian Bach playing the main antagonist. The story begins when Blanca’s father Memo Guerrero is unjustly fired from the Altamira family company. He is privy to a secret of the Altamira family that they are determined to hide at all costs while Adriano Ferrer embarks on a mission to uncover it with the help of Blanca as the impostor. With Blanca’s real identity hidden and a romantic relationship emerging between her and Eduardo Altamira, will this dramatic story of deception, love and revenge come to a happy ending? Universal Networks International, the international channels division of NBCUniversal, is one of the world’s premier entertainment portfolios, delivering quality content and compelling brands to over 176 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific. The brands in the portfolio include Universal Channel, Syfy, 13th Street, Studio Universal, E!

Entertainment Television, The Style Network, DIVA Universal, Telemundo and Golf Channel. These unique brands deliver a full range of entertainment experiences to local audiences across the globe. Universal Networks International also operates Movies 24. Further, NBCUniversal News Group, one of the most influential and respected portfolios of on-air and digital news properties in the world, operate CNBC and NBC News internationally. Universal Networks International is a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast Corporation.

AVRS hosts stakeholders in Lagos A

udio Visual Rights Society Of Nigeria Ltd/GTE (AVRS), the newly approved collective management organization (CMO) for cinematograph films in Nigeria has announced its plan to host the maiden edition of its stakeholders’ forum in the nation’s entertainment hub, LAGOS. The General Manager, of AVRS, Eme Akiba-Eyo, in a statement made available to New Telegrapg, stated that, “The forum which will provide insights into the operations of the society is open to movie producers, directors, screen writers, actors and actresses. This event is scheduled to take place on the 19th of February 2015 at Planet One Entertainment Centre, Maryland, Lagos. Speaking on the event, AVRS Chairman and veteran director MR MAHMOOD ALI- BALOGUN said ‘it is with great pleasure that AVRS is set to host key stakeholders in the movie industry in Nigeria. This is a platform for all with genuine interests in the movie business in Nigeria to sit

down and rub minds on ways to move our industry forward. For too long we have watched our resources go down the drain because of the constant abuse of the copyright of creative people in our industry. AVRS has been approved by the federal government of Nigeria to set up the basic modalities to achieve this. So it is my belief that after this event we would have set sail for the next level in the Nigerian movie business. I look forward to personally welcome all Stakeholders in this great industry to this epoch making event that will set the pace for a more vibrant and financially rewarding NOLLYWOOD. It will be recalled that AVRS was approved on the 22nd October, 2014 by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to operate as the sole collective management organisation for cinematograph films in Nigeria and is leaving no stone unturned in redefining the Nigerian movie industry and the entire audio visual sector of the Nigerian economy.

Showbits

Hereunder are issues that are currently trending in the industry

inding love is one thing, while keeping the spark alive is another. With this in mind, Metro 97.7 FM supported by Diamond Woman put together a Pre Valentine soiree titled ‘Eve; A Night Of Love’ with the theme February 15th; The day after. The evening of cocktails and networking was fun, inspiring and engaging. There were sessions with guest speakers taking turns to speak on different ways to keep the celebrated love glowing after the frenzy of falling in love. There were breath taking music performances by soul diva Evaezi, Geoffery; the winner of Project Fame 7.0, Neo Classical singer Ranti and Lara George who kept the audience entertained and dancing. EVE Night of Love, supported by Diamond Woman (A Diamond Bank Proposition), Elle’s Ice box, Paul Odijie Photography, Ara Cakes and The Home Shop, tackles issues from the woman’s point of view aiming to empower and inspire women to do, act and think better. Weeks earlier, some ladies and a couple of guys had gathered at the PGD’s Place (Diamond Bank HQ) Victoria Island for an eye opening

Metro 97.7FM, Diamond Women celebrate love sessions, networking and cocktails. An evening that was hosted by the General Manager, Metro FM Cordelia Okpei and the EVE anchors that included Nwadiuto, Ife, Feyi and Tsetsei. The essence of the night was to assuage regular complaints that crops up at some point with complaint about his woman going out of shape and responses like, ‘Oh well, child bearing is not an easy task.’ However, Mrs. Iwo Akinyoyenu, a US certified fitness consultant and nutritionist spoke on the importance of eating right, exercising and tips on staying fit, fab and alive for you and that special one. She also taught the audience how to do the Kegel exercise – very useful exercise designed to keep the bedroom spark alive. Next up was Lara George, an award winning singer and songwriter who shared her story of God’s help in her celebrated ten

years of marital bliss. She revealed that theirs was far from being love at first sight. They had previously worked in the same office and she had actually hated his gut! To most couples at the event, external beauty is key and so getting it right is very important. Zaron Cosmetics’ Lillian, gave some simple but superb tips on makeup and looking good. Adaeze Ume, Head, Diamond Woman, gave revealing insights into savings and fantastic propositions women could tap into at Diamond Bank. The last speaker for the night was Mrs. Vera Ngozi Osokoya, Director Marketing, FRCN Lagos Operations. She engaged the audience in a no holds barred conversation on “Keeping the sex alive”. Mrs. Osokoya, also a counselor, was as blunt and expressive as possible. And the men actually did the ‘shuffle’ on their seats with their souls blushing.

• Davido: My French teacher in high school told me I was the most unlikely to succeed. • American gossip site claims Dencia spent 100,000 dollar on weaves, implants and bleaching products ust to look like Nicki Minaj • M.I announces his first ever concert in Lagos • Beyonce Knowles is reportedly annoyed that Kanye West has made her a topic of discussion after his Beck comments • Actress Uche Iwuanyawu and hubby welcome son • Charlamagne blasts Kanye West’s Grammy comments • Nick Gordon has released a statement saying he is in constant prayer for Bobbi Kristina Brown • Drake stuns with surprise album release • Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill touring together as hottest rap couple, details relationshp • Drake disses Tyga in new track, Tyga comes

Davido

for him on twitter • Amber Rose Says, Wiz Khalifa was the love of my life • Let others do Shoki music and make their money, i will also make mine in style, says Mode 9 • Davido clears the air on long-term beef with Wizkid • Custody battle, Wiz Khalifa ready to drag Amber Rose, says she slacks as a mum • Vivica Fox says 50 Cent was the love of my life • 50 Cent mocks Kanye west?s wild Grammys rant.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Agric

Labour

NUPENG distances self from botched NLC election

Stakeholders lament non-passage of bio-safety bill

Business What's news

Telecoms: Spectrum auction proceeds to hit N350bn Proceeds from the licensing of spectrum bands by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to players in the nation’s telecoms sector is expected to hit N350 billion this year, New Telegraph has learnt.

p.30

Nigeria top countries with poorest population, says report A new report by the Institute for Security Studies has ranked Nigeria first among 10 countries in Africa with the largest extremely poor population.

p.30

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Tony Chukwunyem

Asst. Editor (Money Market)

Dele Alao

Industry & Agric Editor

Dayo Ayeyemi Property Editor

Adeola Yusuf Energy Editor

Wole Shadare Aviation Editor

Chris Ugwu

Capital Market Editor

Abdulwahab Isa

PARTLY PRIVATISED Government won’t sell its entire stake

By Abdulwahab Isa and Clem Khena OGBENA Abuja

neasy calm has pervaded the Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) over plans by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to sell the firm, New Telegraph has learnt. The staff are particularly worried that they might be thrown into the labour market when the new owner takes over. A cross section of the 460 workers of NIGCOMSAT that spoke with our correspondents faulted the move to sell the company, saying it contradicts the laid down principle of the Federal Government’s privatisation exercise. Speaking under agreement that their names be protected for fear of sanctions by management, they insisted that NIGCOMSAT was already a commercial organisation in nature, hence there was no need for the institution to be enlisted for privatisation. They also alleged that the Minister of Communication and Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, was behind the push for NIGCOMSAT sale for her pecuniary gains. According to a top senior management staff, “NIGCOMSAT as it were today is already a commercialised venture. Those appointed to manage it are expected to take a cue from the United States and United Kingdom model where similar satellite firms operate as a viable business. “For instance, all MDAs are expected to buy their bandwidth from NIGCOMSAT but what do we find? They rather chose to buy from firms and allow a homegrown satellite to be incapacitated. So, there is a deliberate effort by those at the

Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Staff fret over sale of NIGCOMSAT

Allege minister has pecuniary interest helms of affairs to present it as unviable business - that is just guzzling government’s fund, but this is a pure lie in actual sense.” They argued that a firm that raked in over N700,000,000 into coffers last year can’t be ad-

judged unviable business and pleaded with BPE to delist it from its privatisation schedule. But Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigerian Communication Satellite (NigComSat) Limited, Professor, Turner Isoun, clarified that government was

not going to sell its entire stake in NigComSat. He cited the company’s low revenue profile as a major reason that informed the proposed privatisation of the firm. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

L-R: Manager, Corporate Banking, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Kennedy Ichibor; Regional Manager, Ikeja, Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Benson Oraelosi and Business Manager, Mr. Amaechi Madu, at the launch of LAGBUS Asset Management Limited 100 Air-conditioned buses by Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Wole Shadare

f information filtering in from the aviation sector is anything to go by, Ethiopian Airways may emerge Nigeria’s strategic investor in her proposed national carrier deal. Lufthansa German Airline, which was also touted to be eyeing the contract, has, however, distanced itself.

Ethiopian Airways may win national carrier deal Lufthansa, SAA back out

A top official of Ethiopian Airways, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said that the Nigerian government had, indeed, sought

for proposal from the airline with a view to assisting it float an airline. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE January 2015...........................8.2% December 2014.........................8% November 2014........................7.9%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (Parallel as at Feb. 18)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N213 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N315 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N337

l Foreign Reserves – $32.66bn as at 16/02/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Interbank as at Feb. 18)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N197 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N300 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N322

Business | News

BROADBAND GROWTH

Availability of the spectrum bands to telecom players would fasttrack broadband penetration target Kunle Azeez

roceeds from the licensing of spectrum bands by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to players in the nation’s telecoms sector is expected to hit N350 billion this year, New Telegraph has learnt. The telecoms regulator had, by 2013, contributed N300 billion into government coffers from licensing of various frequency bands since 2001, when the industry was deregulated. But New Telegraph exclusively gathered that the figure might grow to N350 billion this year after the Commission must have concluded the licensing of a number of spectrum bands currently planned for auction. Spectrum is a frequency band that is licensed to telecoms operators, which they, in turn, use to deploy wireless services to telecoms consumers. In February 2014, the regulator increased the

Telecoms: Spectrum auction proceeds to hit N350bn spectrum auctions’ proceeds to over N302 billion, with the licensing of the 2.3 gigahertz spectrum band to Bitflux, a broadband company, at a total cost of $23.2 billion (about N2.4 billion). Meanwhile, industry analysts say this year would witness the auction of 2.6 gigahertz spectrum; the 5.4 gigahertz spectrum band and the 70/80 gigahertz bands, which would also bloat the proceeds. The 2.6 Ghz spectrum auction had earlier been slated for December last year in Abuja but was indefinitely postponed by the Commission based on what the regulator called “administrative constraints.” Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah, however, disclosed in Lagos a fortnight ago, that a new timetable for the 2.6Ghz band auction would be out this first quarter. Consequently, investigation by our correspondent revealed that government would realise an estimated $224 mil-

Ethiopian Airways may win national carrier deal CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

The invitation of the technical partner (name withheld), New Telegraph learnt, was done through an auditing firm, Price Water House, which mapped out the modalities to be adopted in setting up the carrier that would be accepted by Nigerians. The source said that his airline was willing to assist Nigeria to set up an airline that would not only be a pride to Nigerians but also help to retain huge funds that leaves the country through foreign airlines. But Lufthansa German Airline told New Telegraph that it is not one of the partners said to have been consulted by government to help it establish a national airline. There were indications that Ethiopian Airways, South African Airways and Lufthansa had been approached as possible strategic partners to the yet to be formed carrier. While Lufthansa has ruled itself out of the deal, South Africa Airways is currently in a bad shape to be considered for a national airline project.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

The South African carrier has been recording losses and management instability that has made a once prosperous airline to be threatened financially. General Manager (Nigeria) Lufthansa, Mr. Henry Mujota, told our correspondent that it was not true that his airline had been approached. He said: “I am not sure it is true. We have not been approached.” It would be recalled that a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, had, three years ago, approached Air France, Lufthansa and British Airways to assist Nigeria in floating a national carrier. One after the other, the three reputable airlines pulled out of the deal owing to alleged lack of trust on the part of government to establish a world-class airline for the country. The project was, however, enmeshed in serious controversy when government, through Oduah, decided to transmute Aero Contractor Airlines, a local Nigerian airline, to a national carrier, to be renamed Nigerian Eagle Airline.

lion (about N23.7 billion) from the licensing of spectrum lots in the spectrum band by the NCC. The 2.6 GHz spectrum is one of such spectra to be auctioned by the NCC to drive the provision of

broadband services in the country. According to the Information Memorandum (IM) for 2.6 Ghz spectrum licensing, the spectrum offers 14 Lots of 2 X 5 MHz FDD paired Spectrum in the 2.6 GHz

band ranging from 2500 – 2570MHz and 2620 to 2690MHz (totalling 2 X 70 MHz) for auction. A generic reserve price (GRP) of $16 million has been tagged on each of the 14 lots and this amounts to

$224 million, which would help to increase the spectrum auctions’ proceeds to around N330 billion. The second spectrum, which is also being planned for auction, is the 5.4 Ghz frequency band.

L-R: Public Relations Manager, StarTimes, Mr. Israel Bolaji; Content Manager, Mr. Ayokunle Idowu; Marketing Manager, Mr. Somoye Habeeb and representative of the Director, National Broadcasting Commission, Lagos, Mr. Salisu Habu, during a press conference to announce the launch of ‘Nova’, a new bouquet from StarTimes in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Nigeria top countries with poorest population, says report HUMAN CAPITAL

Government should invest more in education and infrastructural development Sunday Ojeme

new report by the Institute for Security Studies has ranked Nigeria first among 10 countries in Africa with the largest extremely poor population. Nigeria is followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Kenya. The situation in the country has been attributed to high levels of inequality in

terms of development, which is concentrated in urban areas rather than the rural areas. The ISS is an African organisation that aims to enhance human security on the continent. It does independent and authoritative research, provides expert policy analysis and advice, and delivers practical training and technical assistance. Corruption poses a major threat to good governance in Africa. The capacity of governments to monitor, assess and respond to the problem is limited and the political sensitivities make dealing with corruption especially challenging. Through policy research and technical assistance, the ISS contributes to the development of more appropriate and effective

policies and regulatory frameworks to combat corruption and promote democratic governance. Launching the report on Tuesday, the Institute’s Executive Director, Jakkie Cillers, said with pro-poor policies that try to provide social assistance and other support to rural areas and poor people, the country can fairly enjoy massive reduction of poverty. “Social insurance can be used to help those who are vulnerable to adapt to shocks without suffering the kinds of losses that drive people to or keep them in poverty,” he stated. “Many countries already have programmes like these, but they are often fragmented and do not typically form part of a broader package of social protection schemes.”

Staff fret over sale of NIGCOMSAT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

Effort to speak with NigComSat’s Acting Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Abimbola Alale, was unsuccessful as she refused to respond to several calls put across to her. However, a top official of BPE who spoke with our cor-

respondent anonymously dispelled the allegation that the minister of communication and technology was the brain behind push for the company’s sale. He, nonetheless, said that the minister was giving the BPE her ministry’s full cooperation.

New Telegraph’s attempt to get the minister’s comments on the allegation also proved abortive as her media aide, Mrs Efem Ekanga, pleaded for time to respond to our enquiries when she was contacted by phone. She, however, did not respond again when she was contacted.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, february 20, 2015

APBN decries dismal engagement of local professionals p.32

remorse Union leaders meet for better arrangement Sunday Ojeme

ollowing the condemnation that trailed the bungled Nigeria Labour Congress election last week, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has distanced itself from the crisis, saying it was not in any way involved in the manipulation of ballot papers while the process lasted. The denial came just as the National Executive Council of the NLC met in Abuja two days ago to decide the next line of action. NUPENG, in a statement of denial, had accused the President of Health Workers’ Union, Dr. Ayuba Wabba, of desperation in an attempt to emerge president of the NLC. Wabba had alleged after the crisis that two unidentified members of the Credentials Committee of NUPENG and National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) were involved in the manipulation of ballot papers. The General Secretary, NUPENG, Mr. Isaac Aberare, said the allegation made against NUPENG and NUEE was a ploy to score a cheap political point and distract attention from his desperation to become the president of NLC at all costs. He said: “The credentials committee was constituted to receive complaints or petition from affiliate unions regarding allocation of delegates to the 11th Delegates Conference of the congress. The committee met in Lagos and Abuja and addressed all the complaints brought before it. The committee also agreed on the design of the ballot papers.” According to him, the duplication of names of some contestants in the ballot papers booklet could not have been carried out by its members because they were not involved in the processes that led to the printing of the election materials. In his words: “The selection of the printer, award of contract and the payment for the job were done by the secretariat of the congress, while the printing and collation of the ballot papers and stapling them in a booklet form were handled by the printer and his staff. Members of the credentials committee were not involved in any way. “We hereby reject and vehemently deny the allegation in its entirety. NUPENG representative in the committee was not involved in the selection of printer, award of contract to print the ballot papers and payment for the job.” He insisted that Wabba stood

Labour

Ex-CBN boss appointed professor at Tufts University p.32

NUPENG distances self from botched NLC election l Congress holds NEC session on way forward

L-R: Beneficiary of BoI SME Fund, Mr. Ugbede Ojo; Secretary to Kogi State governor, Prof. Olubamiro Jegede; Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada and Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprieses, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Waheed Olagunju, during the presentation of cheque/distribution of Kogi State/BoI SME Fund to beneficiaries in Lokoja.

to gain more from the duplication of names, adding that he signed the cheque for the printing of the ballot papers. Aberare emphasised that members of the committee were not allowed to officiate during the voting by the chairman of the committee, Dr. Issa Faggae, as he was of the opinion that they were delegates and could be partisan. Meanwhile, the National Administrative Council (NAC) NLC, resolved to convene a meeting of its National NEC two days ago to decide on a new date for the election. The NAC swiftly met a few hours after the disruption of the 11th National Delegates Conference voting process by some aggrieved members. NLC’s General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said: “As painful as this unfortunate disruption is, we are determined to work with all those concerned and the organs and friends of the congress to find a way to resolve the impasse. “This is without the current leadership exceeding the constitutionally mandated time limit of four years.’’ Ozo-Eson blamed the crisis on a printing error that was spotted in a few ballot papers by way of duplication of names, stressing

...The allegation made against NUPENG and NUEE was a ploy to score a cheap political point and distract attention from his desperation to become the president of NLC at all costs

that the error affected four candidates out of whom two were from the opposing camps. “As regrettable as this error by the credential committee was, its degree was insignificant and could have been resolved amicably by way of vote invalidation. “This was not to be so, as some delegates who held the view that the entire process might have been corrupted, reacted sharply which led to the suspension of the voting process.’’ According to the statement, 3, 119 delegates from 43 affiliate unions attended the congress which is the biggest in the history of the gathering. The conference also received solidarity messages from the representative of the Federal Government, politicians and fraternal organisations. It said that members of the diplomatic corps and other international guests also gave their goodwill messages. The statement commended the delegates for attending the congress and appealed to members to be calm, and wait for the announcement of a new date for the election. Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP), among other concerned bodies, has offered to wade into the crisis rocking the body’s

electoral process. National Secretary of the party, Kayode Ajulo, said it was a great disservice to Nigerian workers and the nation at large that the NLC could not hold successful election, saying it was dangerous to leave the union to address the present challenge alone. He said that the LP was greatly worried over the failure and alleged attempt by the former leadership of the NLC to abuse the electoral process, adding that the NLC, as the hope of the common man, should not be allowed to fail. He said, “We in the Labour Party are saddened that the NLC could not hold a peaceful and successful transition of leadership. “The failure of the NLC to transit on the eve of Nigeria’s most important election in the past 15 years should alarm every patriot in this country. “It is in this regard that we are offering to intervene and help the Congress conduct a transparent and credible rescheduled election because the leadership has demonstrated that it needs all the help it could get as, if left alone, the NLC may be unable to realise the objective of transparent and credible process.”

Business | Labour

ABANDONED Foreigners favoured more than home bred experts Sunday Ojeme

he Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has condemned the attitude of government towards its members and failure to engage them in the management of issues to advance the nation’s economy. President of the association, Foluso Fasoto, said that Nigerian professionals had been sidelined in favour of their foreign counterparts on issues affecting the growth and development of the nation. He said: “Over the years, the APBN , the umbrella body of all recognised professional institute and association have been side-lined on issues affecting the growth and development of the nation, so much that Ni-

FRIDAY, february 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

APBN decries dismal engagement of local professionals gerians are not allowed to prove their competence in their area of calling. Government would rather import professionals to come and do what millions of Nigerian professionals are trained to do. “We have met with the relevant government agencies on this issue amongst others that are crucial to the survival of our growing economy, which is inversely related to our political development.” He faulted the posture of government, saying that professionals in other emerging economies chart way forward for various countries’ economic growth. He restated the need for government to recognise members

of the body in the country and make them relevant, stressing that the 2015 election was yet another opportunity for Nigeria to get it right. He said: “Awareness is very high with national, local, business and social groups agitating for relevance and protection of their interest in the coming dispensation. “ The APBN leader also emphasised the need for elected parties to entrench good governance and rule of law in their various administrations, noting that the national judicial council needed to be rejigged to ensure that judges remain people of impeccable character that could guarantee speedy and equitable resolutions.

Other sectors that needed government urgent intervention, he said, include education, energy, refinery and health, among others, adding that there was need for professionals to be consulted before policies are formulated in the country. Fasoto said: “It is time for this country to be known for its own manufactured product(s). The elected government should put in place conducive environment for investors to establish industries and at the same time encourage all the big industries that left Nigeria for other West African countries to come back. “Government had sidelined professional bodies on issues

affecting the growth and development of the nation, so much that Nigerians are not allowed to prove their competence in their area of calling. Government would rather import professionals to come and do what millions of Nigerian professionals are trained to do. “All over the globe, professionals pave way for economic growth of the nation. Nigeria cannot be an exception. “The 2015 election is yet another opportunity for Nigeria to get it right. Awareness is very high with national, local, business and social groups agitating for relevance and protection of their interest in the coming dispensation.”

Oil workers threaten to expand strike to Long Beach port nited Steelworkers mem- three months. The union has U bers who help run crude walked out of nine refineries terminals at a California in the U.S. that account for

Members of Nigerians United for Democracy, led by Lagos lawyer/human rights activist, Femi Falana, at the maiden edition of their Pro-Democracy Valentine ‘Sit Out’ in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Ex-CBN boss appointed professor at Tufts University Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

ormer Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sogato Strategies LLC, Dr. Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, has been appointed a professor at Tuft University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston, Massachusetts. A statement made available to New Telegraph said that Moghalu’s appointment as Professor of Practice in International Business and Public Policy takes effects from July 1, 2015. He will be teaching a course on Emerging Africa in the World Economy in The Fletcher School’s Master of International Business (MIB) graduate degree programme and the Institute for Business in the Global Context, focusing on the interplay between

globalisation, business and government. “I am honored by this appointment by The Fletcher School, one of the world’s leading schools of international affairs, of which I also happen to be a proud alumnus,” Moghalu said. “It demonstrates recognition of the growing importance of Africa’s emerging markets in the global economy, and will perfectly compliment my work at Sogato Strategies, a global strategy and risk advisory firm with a focus on emerging markets.” Sogato Strategies has offices in the United States, Switzerland and Nigeria and provides bespoke advisory services to business corporations and government entities on investment climate, risk and strategy, corporate governance, institutional strategy and transformation, global partnerships and strategic communications. Moghalu served as Deputy Governor of Nigeria’s Central

Bank for a five-year term that he completed in November 2014. He led the implementation of far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s banking sector as Deputy Governor for Financial Stability and is the author of four books including the acclaimed Emerging Africa: How the Global Economy’s ‘Last Frontier’ Can Prosper and Matter (Penguin Books, 2014) and a forthcoming book on global banking reform. He obtained his Ph.D. at the London School of Economics, an M.A. from The Fletcher School at Tufts University, the LL.B. degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the International Certificate in Risk Management at the UK Institute of Risk Management in London. Prior to his service at the Central Bank of Nigeria, he worked for the United Nations for 17 years and subsequently founded Sogato Strategies S.A. in Geneva, Switzerland in 2009.

port are threatening to join a national oil workers’ strike at US refineries. Bloomberg reports that Union members at the Port of Long Beach are negotiating their own contract with Tesoro Logistics LP, said Dave Campbell, Secretary-Treasurer of the local representing the laborers. The group will meet with members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union on Wednesday to discuss whether they would honor a walkout, he said. “We’re all dealing with employers that seem to think they can push unions off the cliff, and we’re fighting back,” Campbell said by phone last Tuesday. “We might have a big labor confrontation at the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbor.” The USW members at Tesoro’s Long Beach terminals would join the biggest oil workers’ strike since 1980, when a work stoppage lasted

13 per cent of the country’s fuel capacity since Feb. 1. A combined oil and port workers’ strike at Long Beach would threaten to exacerbate slowdowns that have already stranded cargo ships off of West Coast ports and forced manufacturers to fly products to retailers. “We’d encourage both labour and management to come to an agreement on that contract for the oil terminal workers,” Lee Peterson, a spokesman for the harbor in Long Beach, the busiest U.S. container port except for Los Angeles, said by phone on Tuesday. “It’s obviously very important for the region’s economy and several refiners in the area.” Thirty-two vessels were waiting to dock at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach at 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday, according to Peterson. “Things are pretty slowed down as it is at this point,” he said.

‘Youth empowerment vital to nation building’ T

he Chairman, Steps to Greatness Foundation, Mr. Ayodele Ifaturoti, has said that empowering the nation’s youths positively will go a long way to contributing to the development of the country. He said it was necessary to build youths with positive mindsets and empower them towards the development of the country. Ifaturoti, who disclosed this during the inauguration of the foundation in Lagos, said: “We seek to establish in Nigeria and beyond a foundation pas-

sionately seeking the successful transformation of youths into intellectual leaders of integrity and discipline by reorienting, mentoring, role modelling, empowering and inculcating in them right attitudes.” He pointed out that the foundation planned to provide a platform for reorienting the youth in Nigeria and beyond through programmes targeted at renewing their minds with the aim of nurturing a disciplined and corruptionfree society.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, february 20, 2015

Agric

Fertiliser use to surpass 200m tonnes by 2018 p.35

Stakeholders lament non-passage of bio-safety bill DELAY Nigerian farmers remain poor as bill seeking an improvement in agric is stalled at the NASS

eactions have continued to trail the delay in the passage of biosafety bill. The bill seeks to regulate safe application of biotechnology in Nigeria to harness the benefits in the fields of agriculture, medicine, environ-

Farmers get N15m to cultivate cassava farm

ment and industry, and also to protect humans, biological diversity and the environment from risks associated with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), among others. Concerned stakeholders argue that just as the country lost out in the Green Revolution tide that swept across the world in the past, fears are widespread that the country will lose out again in the agricultural biotechnology breakthroughs being deployed in several parts of the globe to tackle farmers’ challenges if the bio-safety bill is not passed. According to the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB), biotechnology application in agriculture is important in Ni-

geria as it produces genetically modified foods which have a desirably better quality and involves better production in lesser time, thereby providing food for more people. “They are foods with better texture, flavour and nutritional value. They have longer shelf life for easier shipping,” OFAN stated. The non-passage of the bill, to many stakeholders, has rendered many farmers poorer. Lawmakers have refused to pass the bill, which was returned to the National Assembly in 2011 due to the failure of the president to sign it into law before the end of the previous legislative session. On the bill, the Country Coordinator of OFAB, Mrs. Rose Gidado, noted that all efforts

in the past years to get the bill passed into law have proved abortive. Gidado, also an official of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), at a media training held at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) in Zaria, Kaduna State, said: “We mobilised and sensitised all stakeholders on the bill; did a lot of advocacy and talked to the lawmakers concerned with the bill and others to assist in passing the bill, but till now it’s lying at the National Assembly unattended to. “We are not resting on our oars; we are still working hard to get it passed. Without the bill, all our agricultural biotechnology work will be in vain. We call on the National

Assembly to pass the bill before they leave office in the next few months,” she added. A researcher with the IAR Zaria, Muhammad Lawan Umar, said that the fears concerning safety of genetically modified foods are based on misinformation. On the breakthrough recorded so far on biotechnology, Gidado said that the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) researchers have developed genetically modified beans, cassava and sorghum, which are currently undergoing confined field trial, to help the farmers overcome various challenges. “But the crops cannot be commercialised due to the non-passage of the bill and signing it into law,” she said.

o fewer than 100 cassava farmers in Osun State have been granted N150,000 each to cultivate at least two hectares of cassava farm. The South West Chairman of the Cassava Growers Association, Mr. David Ogunsade, said this while launching the distribution of 9,000 bags of fertilisers to cassava farmers in Ifon-Osun, Orolu Local Government Area of the state. The fertilisers were part of the Federal Government’s intervention through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to boost the production of High Quality Cassava Flour (HQSF). “Prior to the present programme, over 100 farmers have received grants, each beneficiary received N150,000 to cultivate at least two hectares of cassava farm. “Over 2,000 cassava farmers in the state are to benefit from another round of grants under the High Quality Cassava Flour (HQSF) programme,” Ogunsade said. He said it was high time Nigerian youths joined the cassava growing business to overcome poverty induced by joblessness. “The Federal Government has put in place an arrangement to mop up cassava tubers being cultivated by farmers, to prevent glut in the cassava market. “The World Bank is also working toward building more cassava processing industries, one of such industry will be located at Imesi-Ile in Osun State,” Ogunsade said. He, however, noted that farmers in the state have cultivated 3,500 hectares of cassava in three months. Ogunsade said the farmers’ need had been verified and met through tracking and physical inspection by officials of the ministry.

L-R: Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, engaging with dry season farmers during the tour of Magaga irrigation scheme, renamed after the minister at Gwarzo local government.

Agriculture can boost Nigerian economy — Irish envoy ADVICE Diversification is better for teeming unemployed youths

he Irish High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Hoy, has called on the Nigerian government to use agriculture to boost the country’s economy. The High Commissioner made the call when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State in Government House, Lokoja. He said that Nigeria should look inwards, to diversify her economy by investing more in agriculture whose income is more enduring. The envoy added that Nigerians should not be carried away by the

country’s oil wealth which value is fast depreciating at the international market. The envoy, who noted that in his home country, the economic mainstay was agriculture that produces food ten times more than it can consume, said that back in Ireland, he used to be a good farmer and advised the governor to use agriculture to fix Kogi State’s economy. He also advised that Nigeria should concentrate her energy in sustained agricultural programme to turn around her fortunes. Furthermore, he said agriculture should be taken more seriously beyond the usual subsistence approach but as very serious business in view of the falling oil price, which had been the bedrock of Nigerian economy. The Irish envoy said the earlier Ni-

geria diversified to agriculture, the better for her teeming unemployed youths. He expressed satisfaction with the security situation in Kogi State that has remained peaceful for monitoring the forthcoming election. In his response, Wada said he has already focused his policies on agriculture in the state as the only sustainable venture for the future, stressing that it has been a business for young schoolleavers who have developed interest in it as a business venture. The governor explained that Kogi is peaceful relatively because of government’s collaboration with political and religious leaders as well as the youth in the State. He expressed the hope of sustained robust relationship with Ireland for socio-economic reasons.

Business | Agric

FRIDAY, february 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Bird Flu: FG compensates Kano farmers with N100m SUCCOUR Government alleviates farmers’ loss to scourge

Female farmers on rice field

NAPI targets 500,000 farmers in Zamfara

he National Agricultural Payment Initiative (NAPI), Zamfara State office, has said its target is to reach between 400,000 and 500,000 farmers in the state. Representative of NAPI in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Nakwada, who also said that no fewer than 15,000 farmers have so far registered under the initiative in the state, presented awards to best stakeholders of the programme. Nakwada said that under the initiative, farmers enjoyed services in the areas of agricultural input, tractor hiring and insurance, among others. “15,000 registered farmers have procured their e-wallet cards which they will use in buying agricultural inputs and

to patronise some other services, including agricultural cashless transactions,” Nakwada said. It would be recalled that the Federal Government said that it was spending N144 million for the establishment of Agriculture Equipment Hiring Centres (AEHC) in the state, to strengthen and guarantee farmers access to mechanised equipment. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, while commissioning the Equipment Hiring Enterprise in Zamfara State, said that farmers in the state would start getting access to mechanised farm equipment through their mobile phones. “The total cost for agricultur-

al hiring equipment for Zamfara State is N144 million. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will support farmers in Zamfara to have access to grants for the equipment,” the minister said. He explained that as the farmers get fertilisers and seeds through the e-wallet system under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES), Scheme, they would also get mechanised equipment through the same process. The minister added that a registered farmer would get an alert on his phone with a unique number that would enable him to go to the designated equipment hiring centre and hire any equipment that suits his purpose.

Futures prices as of February 18th, 2015 - 09:55 CST Contract Grains Wheat Corn Soybeans Soybean Meal Soybean Oil Oats Rough Rice Hard Red Wheat Spring Wheat Softs Cotton #2 Orange Juice Coffee Sugar #11 Cocoa Sugar #16 CME Coffee CME Sugar #11 CME Cocoa CME Cotton #2 Lumber Meats Live Cattle Feeder Cattle Lean Hogs Class III Milk

Month

Open

High

Low

Last

Change

Time

Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15

537-0 389-0 1007-0 342.6 32.23 278-4 10.695 564-0 588-6

543-4 390-4 1012-2 344.6 32.46 279-0 10.890 570-0 595-0

526-6 385-4 996-2 338.3 31.98 275-4 10.635 553-2 582-2

527-0 386-0 996-4 338.5 32.09 276-2 10.800 553-2 582-2

-7-6 -3-4 -11-2 -3.8 -0.23 -1-6 +0.120 -9-0 -6-4

09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:40 09:45 09:44

Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 May 15 May 15 Mar 15 May 15 Mar 15 Mar 15

63.76 137.45 156.15 15.12 2990 24.50 1.6010 0.1491 2939.00 0.6266 305.10

64.68 137.45 157.85 15.19 3014 24.76 1.6010 0.1514 2942.00 0.6380 306.00

63.65 135.15 153.40 15.02 2975 24.50 1.5735 0.1491 2939.00 0.6264 301.50

64.19 135.75 153.40 15.06 3014 24.76s 1.5885s 0.1514s 2942.00s 0.6380s 301.90

+0.39 -1.95 -2.25 -0.08 +24 unch unch unch unch unch -4.40

09:45 09:37 09:44 09:45 09:06 02/18/15 02/18/15 02/18/15 02/18/15 02/18/15 09:43

Apr 15 Mar 15 Apr 15 Mar 15

150.900 201.300 63.800 16.05

152.150 203.500 65.875 16.28

150.450 201.075 63.225 15.90

151.400 202.175 64.150 16.23

+0.675 +0.725 +0.150 +0.10

09:45 09:44 09:45 09:43

he Federal Government has offered poultry farmers in Kano State the sum of N100 milllion as compensation for the outbreak of avian influenza (Bird Flu) in which thousands of birds were lost either due to deaths or depopulation exercise carried out to stop further spread of the disease. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said that every farmer affected in the state has been compensated. The minister, assuring that Nigerians need not panic as the situation is being brought under control, said that except only three farmers who don’t have bank accounts, all others have had their compensation paid into their bank accounts as at Friday last week. Since the beginning of reported cases of the outbreak of avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, a couple of weeks ago, Kano State has had a fair share

of infections involving 15 local government areas, the highest in any state. He assured that there was no cause for alarm, as “eating poultry is safe.” Since the beginning of recent cases of outbreak of bird flu, Kano State had taken the greatest hit, with infections suspected or reported in 15 local government areas and depopulation involving 69,303 birds, the highest in any state. The minister who stressed the importance of the poultry industry said: “Nigeria is the number one producer of egg in Africa.” He expressed concern that Kano had the largest number of mortality rates in the bird flu outbreak, but said that money has already been paid into the beneficiaries’ accounts. Representing the beneficiaries of the compensation, Kano State chairman of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Aminu Adamu, described the compensation of affected farmers as “a good move by the Federal Government,” saying that “we appreciate it as farmers. “Compensation always remedies and comforts and gives a chance to start again.”

Kaduna govt, BoA disburses N1bn loan T he Kaduna State government and the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) have concluded arrangements to uplift farmers in Kaduna with the sum of N1 billion loan. This, government noted, was part of efforts to diversify the economy and drive food security in the state. Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, speaking at the flag-off of the distribution of cheques to beneficiary farmer cooperative groups and individuals, stated that the scheme was aimed at financing farmers to increase agricultural yields and performance in the sector. The governor said: “The loan scheme is a convenient means of raising funds to finance agriculture and agro-allied businesses in view of the attractive interest rate of only five per cent with a very short period of loan processing and disbursement.” Yero said that six cooperative associations

and nine individual farmers who had been selected to benefit from the first phase of the scheme had been screened by the technical committee established by the state Ministry of Agriculture. He noted that the beneficiaries had been drawn on equal basis from the three senatorial zones of the state, with each cooperative association having an average of 10 farmers and will receive agricultural loan ranging from N2.5 million and above, while individual beneficiaries will receive N250,000 each. Managing Director of BoA, Mr. Babatunde Sadiku, at the event, acknowledged all stakeholders in the arrangement for embracing agriculture, which, he said is an enduring renewable resource with positive impact on employment generation, food security and poverty reduction as well as with potential to drive inclusive growth in the country.

Business | Agric

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, february 20, 2015

Fertiliser use to surpass 200m tonnes by 2018 GROWTH Potential to produce will outpace use

report by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has showned that global fertiliser use is likely to rise above 200.5 million tonnes in 2018, 25 percent higher than recorded in 2008. The new report: ‘World fertiliser trends and outlook to 2018,’ also stated

that world fertiliser consumption would grow by 1.8 per cent a year through 2018. At the same time “the global capacity of fertiliser products, intermediates and raw materials will increase further,” the report said. The FAO outlook report stated: “As the potential to produce fertilisers will outpace their use, the global potential balance - a technical term measuring the amount available over actual demand - will grow for nitrogen, phosphate and

potash, the main three soil fertilisers. Global use of nitrogen, by far the largest fertiliser base, is projected to rise 1.4 per cent each year through 2018, while phosphate use will increase 2.2 per cent and potash 2.6 per cent. In comparison, the supply of those three critical components is expected to grow by 3.7 per cent, 2.7 per cent and 4.2 per cent per annum, respectively.” The report, however, did not forecast future prices, but notes that fertiliser prices, after a

surge in 2011, were broadly lower in mid-2014 than in 2010. The report said that demand for nitrogen fertilisers was expected to grow fastest in sub-saharan Africa at 4.6 per cent a year. “However, as current usage there is low, the region will, in 2018, use only 340,000 additional tonnes of nitrogen than in 2014, accounting for less than five per cent of the projected global increase. “In East and South Asia, which combined account for 60 per cent of

all nitrogen fertiliser use, growth over the next four years will be moderate, but account for 3.3 million additional tonnes in volume terms,” the report said. It added: “North American farmers are expected to use an additional 300,000 tonnes of nitrogen fertiliser in 2018, reflecting an annual growth rate of 0.5 per cent, while Western European farmers are set to reduce their use by 50,000 tonnes, according to FAO’s projections. Applying fertiliser is one way of replacing

nitrogen that is removed from soils when crops are harvested. While extensive nitrogen use can entail waste and damage water resources, the huge increase in fertiliser use helps drive a rapid expansion in agricultural productivity in the postwar era.” FAO has also developed methods to monitor crop conditions in real time, allowing for tailored decisions on how much fertiliser is needed. 2015 has been designated as the International Year of Soils, during which FAO is working with its partners to engage the public around the need to sustainably manage this critical resource for food production. “Fertiliser use will vary widely by geography in coming years, with sub-Saharan Africa posting robust demand for nitrogen and potash, albeit from low current usage levels,” the report said.

Scientist links low yield to diseases

n Agricultural Scientist, Dr. Femi Aderinsoye, has attributed low yield in the production of Nigerian farmers to diseases plaguing their crops. Aderinsoye said that the farmers could not afford basic disease control mechanisms that could save their produce from being destroyed by diseases. He said: “Crop and livestock protection measures that are cheap, simple, cost-effective and sustainable are not within the reach of smallscale farmers. “This is a huge setback for the agricultural sector because 80 per cent of farmers in this country operate on small and medium scale farming.” He added that crop and livestock farming would not be profitable and sustainable without a well structured disease control system, from which farmers at all levels could benefit. Aderinsoye appealed to government to provide aids to farmers, in order to assist them in the control of diseases that prevent high yields. “Disease control strategies, including the use of resistant chemicals, biological, botanicals, cultural and physical controls, will go a long way in yielding profitable returns for farmers,” he said.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Auto Beat

Why Hyundai Elantra leads the market

Paul Ogbuokiri

he image maker of Stallion Group, Sauthosh Nair, is confident that premium brand in the Hyundai family, Hyundai Elantra could continue to attract discerning car buyers, predominantly those looking for a refreshingly functional sedan with unbeatable combination of power, fuel economy, interior room features and affordability. He told New Telegraph that the car is marked out by its styling in a luxury garb with the ambience of a premium sedan, adding that new Hyundai Elantra continues to evolve Hyundai’s design theme: ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ which is meant to evoke “fluid in motion.” Earlier, Media advisor, Stallion Motors, Manny Philipson, said that Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited, local custodian of Hyundai vehicles and a subsidiary of the Stallion Group said the Elantra has demonstrated unassailable qualities which have made the car the toast of trendy customers. He said that the Elantra is available in two trims of 1.6litre A/T (automatic transmission) Executive sedan with fabric seat; 1.8litre A/T Elegance with fabric seat and 1.8litre A/T Elite with leather seat - all fitted with 16 inch alloy rims as standard. According to him, the vehicle has also succeeded in minimising road and engine noise that previously made its way into the cabin with the aid of apposite sound insulation to deliver a quieter ride. This salient feature could cause competitions such as Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Ford Focus to lose sleep. Test drive of vehicle, reveals that the new Elantra’s cabin has improved tremendously with an attractive design built with a blend of soft-

The interior of the Hyundai Elantra

touch surfaces and hard plastics. A six-speed manual transmission is however standard but the six-speed automatic transmission earns praise for its responsive shifts, making good use of the engine’s power and delivering an EPAestimated 28/38 mpg city/highway, which is good for the class. The Elantra is nevertheless quiet and comfortable enough for commuting coupled with well-bolstered front seats and ample rear legroom and generous trunk space thus allowing the folding rear seats in the sedan quite convenient when hauling bigger items. These distinctive features could as it were, outclass

arch rivals with other qualities like Hyundai’s latest infotainment features inside the cabin, including new display screen, generous equipment list, a comfortable ride, an accommodating trunk, and sharp styling - all at a reasonable price. Other standard features are new headlamps, fog lights, and LED taillights that lend a generally richer impression to the swoopy exterior. And inside, the featureladen theme carries forward with poweradjustable front seats, leather or fabric trims, a tilting-and-telescoping steering column and a dashboard screen which presents a warning about distraction every time you start the car, thereafter it offers one of the easiest phone-linking systems in the biz. What’s more, a technology package adds unfathomable Hyundai security, keyless entry with immobilizer, larger display screen, a premium audio system and push-button start with easy-to-locate dashboard controls which cut down on driver distraction. This trim level also add foglights, LED accent and taillights with integrated turn signal repeaters on the mirrors; an automatic transmission, leather upholstery (Elite

model only) and a six-way power driver seat (with power lumbar). The Elantra’s interior is roomy enough to be classified as a midsize sedan while the cabin is comfortable with some softtouch materials and some rather hard plastics on the doors and switches. Coupled with this is a six-speaker audio system, a USB port and satellite radio with audio system and a 4.3-inch display and Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity with voice controls. You will be amazed the headroom up front is plentiful for six-footers and the steering wheel is a bit smaller in diameter than usual, which enhances the sense of space in the first row while the backseat is fine for kids and even tall adults. The new Elantra is powered by either a 1.6litre or 1.8litre 4-cylinder engine that makes 145 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque. This engine gives it average acceleration and decent passing power. Transmission choices are a good-feeling six-speed manual or a very smooth sixspeed automatic that is eager to shift and feels well-matched to the engine. The Automatic-transmission come with Hyundai’s manual-shifting mode, called Shiftronic, which lets drivers toggle through the gears if desired.

Ford hires John Casesa to lead global strategy

ord Motor Company on Wednesday announced the appointment of long-time auto analyst and investment banker John Casesa as group vice president, Global Strategy as part of the company’s commitment to accelerate its One Ford plan, deliver product excellence and drive innovation in every part of the business. Media Advisor of the company, Alisea Chetty, in an email message to New Telegraph, said the new VP who will be reporting to Ford President and CEO Mark Fields, will be the most senior leader and corporate officer overseeing global strategy and business development. The appointment is effective March 1, 2015.

Casesa will work with the company’s business unit and skill team leaders to enhance existing business strategies and to identify and evaluate new opportunities leading to profitable growth, she said. According to her, his work will be integrated into Ford’s current process for driving results, which includes constantly understanding the changing environment and continuously improving its plans. “Ford is a growth company in a dramatically growing global industry. It is more important than ever that we operate with a focus on delivering today’s business and an equal focus on anticipating and meeting the needs of customers five, 10 and 15 years down the road,” said Fields. “John

knows business and the auto industry inside and out. His deep experience and relationships will help guide and shape our global strategies - particularly as we challenge today’s business model and push to innovate to make us even stronger tomorrow,” she said. According to her, Casesa will lead the company’s strategic planning globally. This includes helping to steer the company’s investments in new products, technologies and business models supporting a focus on innovation and Ford Smart Mobility. She further disclosed that before joining Ford, Casesa was senior managing director of Guggenheim Partners, where

he led the firm’s automotive investment banking activities. In this role since 2010, he advised many of the auto industry’s leading companies and investors on strategic transactions. She said prior to Guggenheim, Casesa spent nearly 20 years as a leading automotive analyst at Merrill Lynch & Co. and Schroders PLC. He also served as a product planning analyst at General Motors and was a co-owner of domestic and import auto dealerships in the U.S. northeast region. Chetty noted that Casesa thought-leading research during two decades changed the way investors understood many aspects of the auto industry.

Photo | News

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, february 20, 2015

L-R: Corp Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi; Pro- Chancellor, Adamawa State University, Major General Haldu Hananiya (rtd) and Comptroller General Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. David Paradang, during the Corp’s 27th Anniversary in Abuja. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) and Chairman, Delta State Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, Delta State, Dr. Gloria Ferife, during a visit by Dr. Ferife and her executives to the governor in commemoration of the World Glaucoma Week in Asaba

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega (left), exchanging pleasantries with the Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Uba, shortly after the INEC Chairman’s interactive session with Senators at the Senate Chamber at National Assembly in Abuja.

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Sam Pharmaceutical Limited, Mr. Ashwin Dayalani; Superintendent Pharmacist, Mrs. Funke Ogunmike and Marketing Manager, Mr. Suuresh Nair, during the Lagos State Council on Health Seminar in Lagos . PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI.

L-R: National Coordinator, Children of Africa, Kunle Alaba; Brand Manager, Omo, Sarah Adoki; a pupil, Temitope Owolabi and Assistant Category Manager, Unilever Nigeria, Adetayo Adesokan, at the Omo Imagine and Achieve competition media briefing in Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

L-R: Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson; General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Nigeria, Pastor William F. Kumuyi and the governor’s wife, Dr. Rachael, during a courtesy call on the governor in Yenagoa.

L-R: Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Amb. Rufus Akeju; Aseyin of Iseyin Land, Oba Abdul Ganiy Ologunebi and Head of Oyo INEC ICT, Mrs Wunmi Balogun, during the Rec’s visit to Iseyin, Oyo State

L-R: An Internally Displaced Person, Mrs. Lydia Daniel; District Head of Malabo, Mr. Eugene Eze and representative of the Coordinator, Presidential Initiative for North East, Alhaji Muhammadu Danjuma, during the distribution of presidential initiative relief materials in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State in Yola. photo: nan

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Islam UNDERSTAND YOUR FAITH

One Satan whispering to millions QUESTION

There is only one Iblis or alShaytan. Then how can only one Satan whisper to millions of people all around the world at the same time? ANSWER

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. Dear questioner, thank you very much for having confidence in us, and we hope our efforts, which are purely for Allah’s Sake, meet your expectations. We implore Allah to protect all of us from Satan and his helpers. `Ali bin Al-Husayn reported: Safiya, the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told me that she went to Allah’s Messenger to visit him in the Mosque while he was in i`tikaf or seclusion in the last ten days of Ramadan. She had a talk with him for a while, then she got up in order to return home. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accompanied her. When they reached the gate of the Mosque opposite the door of Um-Salama, two Ansari men were passing by and they greeted Allah’s Messenger. He told them not to run away, and he said, “She is (my wife) Safiya bint Huyai.” Both of them said, “Subhan Allah, (How dare we think of any evil) O Allah’s Messenger!” And they felt it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said (to them), “Satan reaches everywhere in the human body as blood reaches in it, (everywhere in one’s body). I was afraid lest Satan might insert an evil thought in your minds.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari) It is not only Iblis who whispers to those huge numbers you mentioned. CONTINUE Next WEEK

E X H O R T A TI O N

1 Jumadal Awwal, 1436 AH

“Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your full compensation on the day of resurrection.” (Qur’an 3: 185)

L-R: Wife of Osun state governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola; State’s Ameerah, Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria FOMWAN, Alhaja Lateefat Giwa (3rd left); Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola (sitting) and others, during a special prayer in honour of Aregbesola for his victory at the election petition tribunal in Osogbo recently.

Violence: Call politicians to order, MURIC tasks statesmen, religious leaders ATTACK Group condemns attack on PDP campaign Stories by Adeola Yusuf

he Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has tasked statesmen and religious leaders in Nigeria to call politicians in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to order. National coordinator of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who said this, maintained that the move became necessary following the spate of political violence across the country. “Several campaign offices and posters of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) were allegedly vandalized and torched in Maiduguri, Borno

State during the presidential campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress, APC. “The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) takes strong exception to this act of recklessness and unprovoked aggression,” he said. MURIC, Akintola said in a statement, is “optimistic that the trend can still be reversed if the police, elder statesmen, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders call leaders of the PDP and APC to order now.” The statement read: “We commend the security agencies for exercising restraint in the face of such lawless behaviour. “It is unfortunate that, 55 years after independence, Nigeria still wallows in a barbaric political culture. “The current trend of political violence is repulsive, despicable and alarming. This trend is characterized by physical at-

tacks on members of other political parties, vandalisation, arson and even murder. “The spectacle is disturbing because of its capability to discourage the injection of new blood into the political system.” According to the group, elites and youths who have good ideas about moving Nigeria forward are most likely to be pissed off politics by the ugly phenomenon. “The end result is the endless recycling of Stone Age politicians who are only marketable for their nuisance value. The fact that the orgy of violence involves mainly the two main contending parties, the ruling party, PDP and the main opposition party, APC is quite instructive. “It gives stakeholders an area of concentration. “We are aware that the Nigerian Police has organized

peace meetings among political parties in most states of the federation. We commend the police for initiating this move. “But just as the police alone cannot maintain security without the active support of the citizens, the police alone cannot successfully perform the task of peace-making in a political process.” The statement added: “There is urgent need to involve people who can influence the citizenry. We therefore charge elder statesmen, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to take up the challenge immediately by calling leaders of the PDP and APC to roundtables. “This must be done urgently before the elections. Nigerians are on edge. Many people are afraid of travelling or even moving around the city for fear of being caught between two hostile political groups.

Debate over hijab in varsities surfaces in France

he debate over wearing a veil at public universities has resurfaced in France following several recent incidents in the country, France 24 reported. Last week, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s political party Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) called for a ban on veils in public universities, according to the website. Commenting on the suggestion, John Bowen, a professor of anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis,

who specializes in the study of Islam said that it was “insulting.” “This is another in a series of moves drawing symbolic boundaries, saying, ‘You may be perfect citizens, but we’ll never stop reminding you that you’re not totally integrated’,” Bowen said. However, Lydia Guirous, the responsible for secular affairs at the UMP, said in a press release that, “Secularism doesn’t have to stop at the university doors.” “Like public schools, public

universities need to be sanctified and need to be neutral,” Guirous said. So far, France passed a law banning the hijab in state primary and secondary schools. It also bans the full Muslim veil or niqab. It is not the first time that the UMP has called for stricter measures regarding the Muslim headscarf. Home to about five million Muslims, the largest community in continental Europe, France has a contentious history with the hijab, the head

covering worn by some Muslim women. In 2004, the country passed a law banning the hijab in state schools and in 2005 it passed a law banning the full Muslim veil. Sarkozy has made clear in the past his support for more restrictive measures concerning hijabs. In 2009, he stated that the full Muslim face covering, or niqab, is “not welcome” in the country. More recently, he declared that the UMP would have a meeting to discuss Islam. — Al-Arabiya.

Feminique NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Oreoluwa Somolu–Lesi:

Yes, women can take control Oreoluwa Somolu–Lesi is the founder and Executive Director of Women Technology Empowerment Centre, (WTEC, a social enterprise that was set up in 2008, its aim is empowering women and girls through Information Technology. In this chat with EBERE AMEH, Lesi discloses her ultimate motive, which, among other things, is bridging the gender gap that exists in the technology industry. Excerpts

or Oreoluwa Somolu-Lesi, one of the few renowned female technologists in Nigeria, technology was not her first love. She stumbled into the profession after attending a computer school while waiting for admission into a university. Wowed by what could be done with technology, she decided to give it a shot after her degree in Economics. Now she is not only a guru in technology, she is out to teach women about the opportunities that exist in technology and how they can use it to enhance their lives. “I studied economics. But before I got admission into a university, I attended a computer school, just trying to kill time. And I learnt so much. I didn’t realise that computers were that useful. That’s where it started off for me. Of course, you keep learning along the way. While in the university, I kept up my knowledge by typing essays for other students. By the time I graduated, I decided that I will want to focus on technology. So my Masters was on Information Systems and after that, I did another certificate in Applied Sciences, basically learning about programming - how to build sites, how to develop multimedia and all that. It was a one year certificate and from then on, my career has just been moving in the technology line,” Lesi said. Her post graduate experience all added up and helped to equip her for W.TEC. She worked as a web developer, as a volunteer to NGOs, helping them set up their websites, their newsletters, as a volunteer teacher and working in an oil servicing company where she headed their CSR initiative that sought to encourage students to take up careers in oil and gas. She realised along the line how backward women are when it comes to technology and resolved not only to continue in technology but also help other women so the gender gap could be breached. “I served in an oil servicing company

EBERE AMEH ebere.ameh@newtelegraphonline.com

but we had a CSR initiative - a career awareness programme, reaching out to secondary school children, students in polytechnics, universities, talking to them about careers in oil and gas. It eventually became an NGO and we started a workshop for young people and I was the one in charge - basically doing all the organizing. We had one in Lagos, one in Oreoluwa Port Harcourt and another in Abuja and I found that I really enjoyed organizing and interacting with people. So after that I decided to do my own mini project just for girls and it was good.” Lesi’s mini project was teaching girls in secondary schools how to blog. She would use her Community Development (CD) days to go to schools to teach the girls. A project that lasted for three months, with a number of challenges, but one that made her decide that that is what she wanted to do. Her final confirmation to concentrate on women happened when she was doing her Masters programme in UK. Seeing the terrible gap in the course of her project on IT Policy for Development, she said, why can’t I fill it? “I know how helpful technology is. I just thought that this is something women need to know about. Women, especially in Africa lead very busy lives – they are everything in their families. So if they can do a job that can enable them create their own schedule, it will make things a lot easier for them. That was where my passion came from.” So, establishing W.TEC in 2008, Lesi has moved from glory to glory and looking back is what she is not contemplating. “Our first programme was targeted at women but we realised that if we want to bridge the gender gap in technology, we should start from the small age and catch them young. So, W.TEC now runs technology training for and girls too. We do some research as well as career counselling for girls. We also have a technology camp that we run every August and technology clubs in schools as well. We concentrate on public schools because most private schools already have their computer labs and I think the public schools need it more. We are pretty much also targeting the less privileged.” Lesi explained. Outside the programmes for the girls, W.TEC also runs technology

training for business women. We teach them to set up blogs, design and manage websites, start a mailing list, start a newsletter promoting their businesses etc. So far, we have reached out and impacted about 7000 women. Though W.TEC has not organized any programmes outside of Lagos, it has had women and girls come from other states to attend its programmes. A case of good product that sells itself one may say. Despite the good job Lesi is doing, she has had a number of challenges that almost crippled the enterprise. Getting the right people, who are as motivated as she is and getting people to know about the existence of W.TEC were big challenges. However, they were not as big a challenge as funding was and still is. “Funding is a big challenge. The year we started, there was a recession and most companies were not ready to spend. Besides, NGOs in Nigeria have such a bad reputation. I used my own money, that I saved when I was working, I went to friends and family and I knew I won’t do that for long. That’s why I set up the business centre to generate some income to support the projects. I had to figure out how to survive.” Though Lesi is set to help women, she has discovered in the course of her dealings with them that women have some fundamental problems, which they have to overcome to excel in life. “There is this saying that you can take a horse to the stream but you can’t force it to drink. We thought we have this wonderful programme and all women would come. Yes, they came, but so many excuses and not so much enthusiasm in a programme that men were begging to attend. “I think it’s because of the way we are raised - that boys have to be ambitious or else their families would starve, and the women are raised to just relax

because somebody will take care of them. As a result, they see opportunities and allow it to pass. “As women, we also downplay ourselves and our achievements a lot. You are asked to give a talk, for instance and the question is why me, I’m not an expert, an opportunity that guys will fall over themselves to have.” The technology expert advised that “as women, we need to promote ourselves and be more confident. We shouldn’t wait for people to push us first. We need to raise our daughters to be confident and ambitious, giving them the same opportunity as we give the boys,” Lesi said, adding that it is better for us to be in control of our circumstances, and technology can help. An alumna of Queens College Yaba, Lesi attended ICL Computer School before proceeding to Essex University, England, where she bagged a degree in Economics. She later did a Masters in Information Systems at the London School of Economics, before going further to obtain a certificate at the Extension School at Harvard University, United States and crowned it all with a certificate programme at the Pan African University, Lagos. With her robust knowledge and experience in technology, Lesi’s W.TEC will be organizing two events during the Social Media Week coming up this February. One is Smart Mobile Divas, where she will be basically talking about how women can better use their mobile devices for business promotion etcetera; and the second is Where are the Women?, which will look at the lack of women developers, programmers, etc, in Nigeria’s technology industry. A very busy person, Lesi relaxes by reading, going for walks and swimming. She maintains her fabulous shape by eating small portions during the day and avoiding eating late at night.

Feminique

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

For career woman and the home 7 TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP BOTH HAPPY

o you know that a lot of homes have been destroyed because the career woman has allowed her career to get into her head? Maybe in the future, but as at today, I am positive that very few men will allow a situation where they will play 2nd fiddle to their wives career wise. Especially Nigerian men. How many men will allow their wives to become the president of Nigeria and happily play the role of First Man as in Brazil, Germany and our next door neighbour here, Liberia. Just for love. Not for the trappings of power or the money. If you want to keep your career and your home, you must work very, very, very x100 hard to succeed in both. Make no mistake about it. All men are jealous and possessive. Of course we are always proud that our wives have successful careers. But only under certain conditions. Here are just a few of them. Love your husband. You must not only love him, but you must go the extra mile to show that you love him.

Ebere Ameh

fter the grand Christmas experience we had, I thought my valentine with Danny this year would be out of this world. Waking up lonely, on a very lovely valentine morning, I held tight to my pillow, meditating, after rolling from one end of my bed to the other, not sure whether to be sad or not. Considering all that I have gone through in life, especially, these past weeks, I have learnt lessons that many may never learn in their lifetime. I have grown, not out of choice but of necessity. I have chosen to live deliberately and happily too; and today should not be an exception. Men are not the determinants of women’s happiness, no, they shouldn’t. Happiness is a decision people make and I make mine today. I have lived, just like many, under the erroneous impression that every woman need to find and live with her better-half. But I have grown to know, albeit late, though not too late, that we are made whole by our creator. The principle of better-halves has made many to live under the illusion that without a husband, they are incomplete. I am complete, I am whole, I can be happy without a man…I continued until my muse was interrupted by Tosin who bumped into my room. “Mom, happy Valentine!” she beamed, embracing me and looking searchingly into my eyes as if in need of commendation or something. “Ekaete said it’s Valentine’s Day. Are we going to bake cakes?” she queried. Now I know the reason for the sparkle in her eyes. She loves baking and is always ready to assist in the mixing. Though more often than not, she messes up herself, I try not to kill her culinary enthusiasm. “Of course we shall bake. I will also take you guys out to see your favourite movie,” I answered. “Awwwww! She exclaimed sagging her shoulders and suddenly covering her mouth with her hands in surprise. “You are the best mom

Don’t assume. I have settled a lot of matrimonial fights where the wife would say. ‘But Dr. I love him and he knows.’ The husband then replies thus. ‘How? Is it the food that is always prepared by the househelp? Or the once a year birthday presents that you send your staff to buy for me? That brings us to the next point. Don’t over delegate or forget your duties as a wife. Yes I know your career is demanding, but you must never forget your home. Even non career women are guilty of these. The househelp is allowed to become the madam of the house by force. She does all the cooking, washing, sweeping etc. Eventually, she will be doing some extracurricular activities with your husband without your knowledge. How will you know when you leave home before the cock crows at dawn and come back at night when even the dogs are asleep? Always carry him along. Be transparent. Discuss with him. Tell him about your challenges. Don’t keep him guessing about your work. We are not asking you to divulge company secrets to him. Let him know your movements. Are you planning to travel out of town? Even if it is a day trip, let him know beforehand. That way he can vouch for you. The world is a global village.

Imagine the shock to your husband if a friend tells him casually that he saw you far off at a luncheon in Ijebu Ode. And you didn’t tell him. Also as the saying goes, Ko si kekere irin ajo. That is no journey is too minor for accidents not to occur. Don’t bring your work home. We are all guilty of this, but it is a bad habit. Bringing your work home will estrange your husband and your children. You will not be able to spend quality time with your family. Don’t ever put your work before your family. Don’t ever try to become the boss at home. It is quite possible that your career might make you richer than your husband. Never flaunt your wealth at him. Let me tell you a story. A friend of mine is happily married to a career woman. Some time ago his business hit the rocks. For about 2 years very few friends knew the wife was carrying the financial load. She even had a way of slipping money to him to entertain his friends. Sorry, time up. To be concluded next week. Dr. Taiwo Fadeyi is a Western trained medical practitioner and one of the very few certified Sexologists in Nigeria. He is also a marriage counsellor and would be

Fadeyi

bringing his immense knowledge and experience to bear in writing this column. Make it a date with him every Friday for that expert advice on sex and relationship. He can be reached on drtaiwofadeyi@gmail. com or 08033148899 (sms only)

Ego: Diary of a single mom

Men are like babies in the whole world! We shall see Frozen again. Come, mom come,” she drew closer, trying to whisper to me. “Bring your ears closer. Tobi and I are making two Valentine cards for you. He said I should not tell you until we are done. Mine is finer than his. Come and see.” Her brother has nicknamed her Broadcaster because she can’t hide anything or keep secrets for long. Not from me. “It’s good to know you guys are making Valentine cards for me my baby girl. Go, continue with the cards. You will be done before I’m out. I need to freshen up.” As she jumped out, still excited, I fell back on to the bed thanking God for little mercies. How would my life have been without these children? As if she knew what was on my mind, they are making me the most beautiful cards any mother would yearn to possess. My children are my own valentine, my precious jewels! Just as I was still contemplating, my phone rang. It was Danny, he called to wish me a happy valentine he said. Though I wasn’t expecting his call, I was happy anyway. He asked if we could sneak out for a drink or two but I turned it down. “I’m so busy here. I’m having a wonderful valentine with my children and we plan to go out later,” I told him unknown to me that I hit a sore spot by my answer. “Must you rub it in? I know I have not seen my children in ages and their mother is busy

flirting around rather than caring for them. It is not your fault anyway, all these will soon be over,” he said and dropped the phone. My plea that he should not take it personal when I called him back fell on deaf ears. I had to placate him by offering to see him the next day. That is Sunday,

I will see him at the New Beginnings. We shall go out from there. Men are indeed like babies and Danny is not an exemption. Despite my resolutions this morning, I find it difficult to execute them when it comes to him. I must surely discuss his case with Gracious Grace for advice and help. I don’t think I can do without him.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Crime

How Police bullet shattered my life and that of my baby, by widow Taiwo Jimoh

wenty-four-year-old Mrs. Idiyat Adeniyi was eight months pregnant when her husband was sent to his early grave by a trigger-happy policeman. Today, she has given birth to a lovely baby girl. But rather than beam with smiles as most proud, new mothers are wont to do; Idiyat constantly stares into space and breaks into silent weeping. According to her, when her husband, an Information Technology expert, Asubiaro Adeniyi was alive, they had dreamt and planned how they would celebrate the birth of their baby. She noted that now that the baby has arrived, Asubiaro was no more and thus, things would never be the same. Try to hold back tears, she mumbled: “I just wish my darling husband was alive to see this bundle of joy. It’s sad that a single bullet from a policeman could shatter my life and that of my baby. My husband and I had plans. We had beautiful plans. Our marriage was not even up to a year before he was killed. Now, where do I start? What should I do?” The 32-year-old Asubiaro was sitting in front of his house on Oshodi Street on November 26, 2014 when a bullet from the gun of a policeman killed him. It was later discovered that the policeman was chasing some youths at a birthday party and opened fire to scare the youths. Unfortunately, one of the bullets killed the awaiting father. Mrs. Iyabode Ganzalo, Asubiaro’s mother, recalled how her son was killed. The woman, is a teacher, said: “Before I left my son’s house on that day, I saw some youths gathered at a garden close to his house on Oshodi Street, celebrating a birthday. As I was about to settle down to attend to some students,

Idiyat

someone shouted ‘Mummy, meet us at the General Hospital, it’s your son, Adeniyi’. When I got to the Island General Hospital, I met his friends and some other family members crying and rolling on the ground. Yet, I didn’t know what had happened. “But when I was allowed to see my son at the Emergency Ward, he was already dead. I started crying and was asking his friends

who could have done this to me. I was told that it was one ‘Inspector Akeem Skoda’ from the Lion Building Police Station. The policeman fired a shot while he was chasing some youths at a birthday party. It was the shot that hit my son where he was sitting in front of his house.” The woman alleged that after the policeman killed her son, he ransacked his pocket, taking his

CRIME QUOTE

JULIANA FRANCIS CRIME Editor

juliana.francis@newtelegraphonline.com

“Nigerians should be prepared to deal with any new betrayal by any ruler with the same passion and commitment…. as they did with the late Sani Abacha because we cannot continue this cycle of repetitious evil and irresponsibility.” Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka

phone, money, wristwatch and office key. Idiyat, who spoke with our correspondent in their home at the Lagos Island, said she was heavily pregnant when Asubiaro was slain. Recalling that fateful day, Idiyat said: “There was no power supply on that day. I and my husband decided to sit outside and take fresh air. Suddenly we saw people running. My husband and I also ran. But we took different directions. Later I started calling and looking for him. I was told someone had been shot. I tried to know who was shot, but I was told it was not my husband. Later it turned out to be my husband. I have nobody to ensure justice is done.” Idiyat who said her husband was an easy going person, added: “If I had known he would be killed on that day, I wouldn’t have allowed him to step outside.” The widow also alleged that the police officer who shot her late C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 4 2

Crime

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

‘Police demanded N20,000 to investigate my husband’s death’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 1

husband was part of a patrol team that raided the street after the birthday party went violent. She further noted: “A family member told me that the Police authority in Lagos State had refuted the allegation, claiming the name ‘Akeem Skoda’ is not in their database.” Visibly vexed that the police are allegedly shielding Skoda, Idiyat cursed: “Whosoever among the police that is shielding the man that killed my husband and made me widow at my young age, will also experience this pains that I’m going through; not just him, but his unborn generation too!” She continued: “The policeman who shot and killed my husband made me a widow. He also made my baby fatherless. It’s not easy being a single mother. It’s not easy bringing up a child, knowing that child will never know her father. Where do I start from now? Who will marry me with my little daughter?” Idiyat said she was pained because she never enjoyed marriage and her husband. “I never thought our marriage would be this short. His death thwarted all our plans while I was pregnant. We just rented an apartment and planned to move in as soon as I put to bed. It’s unfortunate he did not live to see his daughter.” The widow implored the Lagos State Government to ensure that the cop who killed her husband was arrested and prosecuted. “Skoda must not be allowed to go scot free,” she said. “He had made me a widow when I’m supposed to be enjoying my marriage!” She explained that her mother-inlaw had petitioned the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Lagos State Ministry of Justice over the incident. The petition, dated December 11, 2014 reads in part, “On November 20, 2014, in front of Ganzallo Compound on Oshodi Street, Lagos Island, my son, Adeniyi Asubiaro, 32, was shot dead by one policeman popularly called Akeem Skoda, attached to AntiRobbery Squad, Area A Police Command, Lion Building. Immediately after the incident, the policeman fled the scene. “The incident was brought to the

Ethelbert Oney

here are five threats conditions with which our security and intelligence agencies ought to classify the Boko Haram threat levels in the New Year. Severe condition + Red This condition applies when there is a severe risk of terrorist attacks, an attack has occurred in the immediate area or when an attack is initiated by the sect. In the normal circumstances, each level of threat level will determine the appropriate level of security measures required by the Federal Government.

High condition + Orange

This condition applies when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks, or information is received indicating that some form of terrorist action by Boko Haram is imminent. Elevated condition + Yellow This condition exists when there is an elevated risk of terrorist activity against us. All measures under ‘Yellow’ should be maintained as long as the ‘Yellow threat’ exists.

The late Asubiaro Adeniyi

CP Lagos, Aderanti

attention of the police authorities and we are yet to hear anything from them. At ‘Area A Police Command,’

they are claiming that the name of the policeman is not in their database, whereas he goes by that name on the Lagos Island. There is no way we can allow this injustice to go unpunished. It’s unacceptable and inexcusable for the police to claim and regard the policeman who shot and killed Asubiaro as an unknown officer.” Idiyat said that they had also been directed to the State Criminal Investigation Department(SCID), Panti, Yaba to report the incident, adding: “We were discouraged by the behaviour of the Investigating Police Officer(IPO) who demanded N20,000 from my mother-in-law to investigate the case.” When the Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr. Kenneth Nwosu was contacted whether Akeem Skoda existed in the command’s database, he replied that the person who was supposed to verify that was not around. Nwosu however promised to get back to our correspondent as soon as the person returns back.

FBI gets new addition on most wanted terrorist list Juliana Francis

Mohammed

The 3rd Eye Our threat level with Boko Haram review (2)

s most countries across the globe continued to be gripped under the onslaught of Islamic terrorists, the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) has announced a new addition to its Most Wanted Terrorist list. The latest addition is Liban Haji Mohamed, 29, a naturalised U.S. citizen born in Somalia. The FBI is also offering a reward of up to $50,000, equivalent of N9million for information leading to his arrest and conviction. Traveling with his U.S. passport, Mohamed is thought to have left the United States on or about July 5, 2012. Before

his departure, Mohammed lived in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., where he worked as a cab driver. According to the FBI, Mohamed is charged with providing material support and resources to al Qaeda and al Shabaab, a Somali-based terrorist organisation. FBI Special Agent Carl Ghattas of the Counterterrorism Division, Washington Field Office said: “Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for many bombings in Somalia and Uganda and the 2013 attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya. Liban Mohamed is believed to have left the U.S. with the intent to join

al Shabaab in East Africa. We believe he is currently there operating on behalf of that terrorist organization.” Ghattas further stated: “While living in Northern Virginia, Mohamed was a recruiter and radicaliser for al Shabaab, which historically has targeted Westerners to go to Somalia and fight for them. Not only did Mohamed choose to go to Somalia and fight with al Shabaab, he took a prominent role in trying to recruit people and have them train with weapons.” A federal warrant for Mohamed’s arrest was unsealed on January 29, 2015 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Guarded condition + Blue This condition exists when there is an increased general threat of possible terrorist activity by Boko Haram, the nature and extent of which are unpredictable. Low condition + Green This condition exists when there is a low risk of possible terrorist activity. ‘Green’ condition is for normal operating conditions where security is very tight or the adversaries are not interested in carrying out attacks. All measures under ‘Green’ should be maintained indefinitely. Raising the alert level to severe or high is designed to increase vigilance and raise awareness within the communities. While it is important the public is aware of the increased threat, Nigerians should continue to go about their normal business. Before the 2nd quarter of 2015, a strong proposal on strategies to detect, prevent and respond to terrorism without undermining the rule of law will be put forward. Owners and operators of critical infrastructures and places of mass gathering are encouraged to review their security plans and those going into such businesses must have security plans inculcated from the onset. The Federal Governments has repeatedly promised to equip our security agencies and border protection agencies with the resources and powers they need to detect terrorist activities at home and prevent radicalized foreign fighters from freely entering into our country. The public can provide valuable information to assist security and law enforcement agencies identify potential threats and prevent them from developing. Members of the public should be given phone numbers to report suspicious activities at any point in time without being treated like suspects. How long the threat level remains where it is, is a matter for our intelligence and security agencies. Concluded • Ethelbert Oney is an Intelligence & Security Expert ethelbertoney@zissltd.com (08067764342 SMS only)

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, february 20, 2015

MORE WEAKENING Doyens still predict that the naira will weaken to N220-230 by end of the year Tony Chukwunyem

s reactions continued to trail the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) indirect devaluation in the official exchange rate versus the dollar, experts have insisted that pressures against the naira will continue to mount in 2015. The apex bank last Wednesday scrapped its bi-weekly auction of foreign exchange and in effect dropped its official exchange rate band of 5 per cent around the NGN168 per dollar fixing. At the close of business, a dollar exchanged at N197. But yesterday, the market closed at N198 per dollar. Yvonne Mhango of Renaissance Capital, said the devalu-

Devaluation won’t stop naira squeeze, say experts ation did not mean the end of Nigeria’s currency weakness. He said: “We think the deterioration in Nigeria’s external balances, on the back of lower oil prices, implies that the naira will continue to weaken in the short term. “We forecast a current account (C/A) deficit of 3.9% of GDP, assuming a $60/bl oil price in 2015E. This following 12 years of C/A surpluses. We acknowledge that there is upside risk to our C/A deficit projection, particularly given the significant devaluation of the naira over the past six months, which should translate into a pronounced import adjustment. “We still see the naira weakening to c. NGN220/$1, in the short term.” Stuart Culverhouse, chief

IMF study highlights obstacles to Islamic Bank’s growth

slamic banks have yet to devise strategies for attracting large swathes of the global Muslim population, limiting the industry’s prospects, according to researchers at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Growth of Shariah-compliant finance has done little to boost inclusion for individuals and businesses without bank accounts, a working paper from staff at the IMF said this month. Banks need to focus on Small- and Medium- sized Enterprises (SMEs) and pursue private equity and venture capital initiatives, according to the paper. The research underscores some of the challenges facing an industry that Ernst & Young LLP says may more than double to US$3.4 trillion between 2014 and 2018. While lenders including Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC, Standard Chartered Plc and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC are targeting Muslim-majority nations such as Kenya and Iraq, where formal bank accounts are scarce, the IMF study said Shariah-compliant lenders need to improve their operating model to attract depositors. “If there is an economic added value, then the industry would prosper, develop and increase its assets,” Mohamed Damak, global head of Islamic finance at Standard & Poor’s, said by phone from Paris on Feb 17. “If there is no economic value, then they will most probably stagnate.” The IMF study surveyed the 57-member states of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, where it said the share of individuals citing religious reasons for not using bank accounts is “noticeably higher

than in other countries.” It found the use of financial services has grown more slowly than physical access to the services. “Islamic finance, in its current form, has not significantly contributed to improving inclusion,” Sami Ben Naceur, lead author of the study, said in the report. It proposed private and public sector initiatives such as developing Islamic microfinance and reform of financial regulation, as well as changes to the operating model of Islamic banks to boost inclusion. Dubai Islamic Bank, the largest Shariah-compliant lender in the United Arab Emirates, plans to open a unit in Kenya this year as it seeks to expand outside its home market, where credit growth is forecast to slow in 2015. Standard Chartered started offering Islamic services in the African country in March 2014. The bank plans to expand to Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda, it said in a press release on its website in March. In Kenya, about 42 per cent of the adult population had accounts at formal financial institutions as of 2011, compared to about 60 per cent in the UAE, according to World Bank data. In Iraq, where Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank opened a unit in 2012, the penetration was about 11 per cent. “Islamic banking is growing at between 15 per cent to 20 per cent, so it must be reaching somebody,” Afaq Khan, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Saadiq, the bank’s Shariah-compliant unit, said by phone from Ras Al-Khaimah on Feb 17. “It wasn’t reaching them before and it’s reaching them now. It must be financially inclusive.”

economist at Exotix, also agrees. He still predicts that the naira will weaken to N220-230 by the end of the year, despite the authorities’ reluctance to countenance an exchange rate starting with “2”. Bloomberg however, believes: “The changes may help to stabilise the naira in the near-term and should ease pressure on reserves. A smooth election would also help reduce some of the FX premium. “However, we expect that the balance of payments will continue to remain under pressure and without a timelier, coordinated and credible policy response, further adjustments in the exchange rate look likely. “NDF rates have widened slightly this morning, reversing Wednesday’s narrowing. Three month NDF rates are NGN/US$226 and twelve month rates at NGN/US$275.” Other experts have however, hailed the move, declaring that it would eventually result in exchange rate stability. According to the experts, the new measure eliminates the abuses that were prevalent under the former multi exchange rate regime. Commenting on the closure of the RDAS window, the Fi-

nancial Derivatives Company Ltd (FDC) Managing Director, Bismarck Rewane, stated that it was a prelude to full convertibility of the naira, and would be big boost to non-oil exports. According to the firm, some of the positive results of the measure include, “Market structure has changed from a price discriminating monopoly towards pure competition; moving currency towards fair value and convergence in market rates between the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market ( IFEM) and Bureau De Change ( BDCs).” The FDC further stated that apart from creating an environment for pure competition, the new measure would also reduce arbitrage opportunity. Another positive impact of the new measure cited by the firm is that it will result in higher revenue for States and the Federal Government. The FDC, however, pointed out that the measure will also lead to the removal of exchange rate subsidy for individuals and corporates, thereby making dollars more expensive and lowering demand for some goods and services. It noted that in the long run, the bureau De Change (BDCs) may be shut out of business. Also, as a result of the clo-

sure of the RDAS, the FDC said cost of imported raw materials will increase and part of the higher costs will passed on consumers. It predicted that the measure will also impact the profit margins of companies. It said: “Expect approximately 15% decline in corporate earnings . Exchange rate will depreciate and converge to approximately N215/$, may begin to appreciate marginally; market liquidity will improve.” The FDC contended that the CBN had no choice but to introduce the new measure at this time. As it put it: “There is never a good time to adjust a currency to its fair value; it is always better late than never; inflation in naira zone is 8.3% , external reserves are down to $33billion- which is 25% below the safe adequacy level .” Similarly, commenting on the closure of the RDAS forex window, FBN Capital described it as a “bold but necessary move.” According to the firm, “The move is a necessary one towards ensuring that the naira stabilises and reflects demand and supply dynamics, and should assist in improving market depth and efficiency. It effectively closes the arbitrage opportunity for “round-tripping, speculative demand, rent-seeking and spurious demand.” The CBN was forced to scrap the RDAS because the naira’s continuing slide had depleted the apex bank’s gross reserves to a three and a half year low of just $32.4billion.

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

Business | Financial Market News

FRIDAY, february 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

19-Feb-15

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

Bonds FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description 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 15.54 13-FEB-2020 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 15.54 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

535.00 581.39 476.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 34.00 600.00 459.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 223.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,932.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,368.47

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 31-Aug-17 30-May-18 29-Jun-19 23-Oct-19 13-Feb-20 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

0.17 1.49 2.18 2.43 2.53 3.27 4.36 4.67 4.98 6.94 9.06 13.77 14.25 14.75 15.42 19.41

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

14.44 16.45 16.64 16.65 16.64 16.52 16.37 16.32 16.30 16.23 16.58 15.25 15.07 14.90 15.75 16.02

13.55 16.33 16.56 16.56 16.56 16.38 16.28 16.20 16.20 16.16 16.51 15.19 15.02 14.82 15.68 15.96

98.20 95.65 97.20 86.80 85.44 85.66 98.80 70.30 97.48 100.60 89.00 98.53 84.96 62.18 67.00 77.00

98.35 95.80 97.35 86.95 85.59 85.96 99.10 70.60 97.78 100.90 89.30 98.83 85.26 62.48 67.30 77.30

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.26 1.12 1.80 2.16 2.38

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

17.44 19.03 18.59 17.65 17.65

95.64 98.33 96.10 95.48 92.05

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

306.62

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.53

4.44

18.76

96.97

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.37

3.23

17.75

98.37

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.88

4.46

20.67

94.86

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.89

3.48

19.71

96.70

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.16

1.00

17.65

86.68

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.43

1.00

17.55

95.44

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.86

1.79

18.38

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.03

1.80

18.45

93.02

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

2.05

1.00

17.65

94.19

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.23

1.00

17.65

94.54 87.84

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

90.52

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.24

4.78

21.43

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.43

1.00

17.65

96.04

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.67 4.76 2.73

1.00 1.00 2.74

17.62 17.31 19.35

95.82 91.06 90.93

‡ /Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.28

1.00

17.52

93.54

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.77

1.00

17.24

86.61

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.86

1.94

18.17

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.52

1.44

17.92

91.74

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.55

1.95

18.42

91.75

95.91

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

88.79

460.61 418.75

Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

2.50

17-Aug-15

0.49

4.88

19.04

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.55

1.00

15.42

98.21

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.63

2.63

17.49

98.01

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.61

1.00

17.54

93.84

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.68

1.34

17.90

94.84

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.61

1.00

17.63

90.59

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.63

1.88

18.42

100.13

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.63

3.48

20.02

94.85

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

1.80

5.20

21.79

94.96

1.80

5.06

21.65

92.46

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.59

1.00

17.47

91.00

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

1.91

2.29

18.91

95.32

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.36

17-Feb-19

2.24

6.11

22.76

92.45

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.86

2.16

18.75

94.16

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.73

2.76

19.00

87.15

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.61

1.00

17.65

73.91

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.61

1.00

17.65

79.93

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

132.70

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

121.68

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

2.98

1.00

17.57

83.45

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.75

1.00

17.31

81.27

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 20.54

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

7.33

7.09

97.26

98.35

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.50

6.14

95.86

96.94

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.51

7.33

93.02

94.10

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

1,430.73

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

130.51

45.00

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.95

100.63

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

11.36

91.50

B/Fitch; B/S&P

FIDELITY BANK PLC

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

13.97

13.30

82.13

83.63

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

11.47

10.49

83.84

86.48

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

41.52

40.50

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

10.81

85.00

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

16.21

14.89

77.68

81.13

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

14.09

77.75

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

AFREN PLC III ACCESS BANK PLC II FIRST BANK LTD

6.63 DEC 09, 2020 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021

09-Dec-13 24-Jun-14 23-Jul-14

6.63 9.25 8.00

360.00 400.00 450.00

09-Dec-20 24-Jun-21 23-Jul-21

28.06 14.59 13.86

28.06 13.88 13.86

40.25 78.50 75.00

40.25 81.00 75.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

11.01

10.23

89.00

92.38

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,561.60

**Treasury Bills DTM 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56

Money Market

FIXINGS Maturity 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 16-Apr-15

Bid Discount (%) 13.80 12.55 13.70 13.38 13.00 15.11 16.00 15.15

Offer Discount (%) 13.55 12.30 13.45 13.13 12.75 14.86 15.75 14.90

Bid Yield (%) 13.84 12.61 13.81 13.52 13.16 15.38 16.35 15.51

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 14.8667 15.1897 15.9815 17.0481

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

14.83

O/N Tenor Call 1M

15.08

REPO

Rate (%) 14.50 15.00

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

199.00 200.01 200.32 201.06 202.41 203.77

199.10 200.12 200.47 201.55 203.48 205.36

12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

22-May-09 20-Nov-09 23-Jul-10 18-Jul-14

12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

150.00 200.00 591.57 223.50

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,932.13

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,368.47

Rating/Agency

Description

Issuer

22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

14.25 14.75 15.42 19.41

15.07 14.90 15.75 16.02

15.02 14.82 15.68 15.96

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

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

0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.70 112.22 116.70 66.49

Agency Bonds

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, february 20, 2015 FMBN ***LCRM

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

84.96 62.18 67.00 77.00

85.26 62.48 67.30 77.30

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Business | Financial Market News

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

0.26 1.12 1.80 2.16 2.38

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

17.44 19.03 18.59 17.65 17.65

95.64 98.33 96.10 95.48 92.05

Stock market extends gaining bands TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.68

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

306.62

Sub-National Bonds

A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.53

4.44

18.76

96.97

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.37

3.23

17.75

98.37

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

POSITVE

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

‡ /Agusto

EDO

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

Market capitalisation rises by N35 billion

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

BBB+/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

*GOMBE

LAGOS Stories by Chris Ugwu BBB-/Agusto; A-/GCR *OSUN

T ‡ /Agusto

*OSUN

he bulls maintained LAGOS their grip onKOGI the mar‡ /Agusto *EKITI ket activities as barA-/GCR *NASARAWA gain hunters TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUEjostled for shares onCAPITALISATION the back of blue TOTAL MARKET chip companies after the jinx Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

of market depression 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 was bro15.50week. IMO 30-JUN-2016 ken last 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 The13.75key market BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 perforEDO 31-DEC-2017 mance14.00 measures, the NSE All DELTA 30-SEP-2018 Share14.00 Index and market capi14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 talisation, rose by 0.36 per cent 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 extendas market sentiments 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 ed gaining streaks following 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 investors’ awaken optimism. 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 Consequently, the All14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 Share13.50 Index gained 104.46 LAGOS 27-NOV-2020 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 basis 15.00 points or 0.36 per cent 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 to close at 29.282.04 as against 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 29,177.58 recorded the previous day, while the market capitalisation of equities ap-

preciated by N35 billion or 30-Jun-11 14.00 0.36 per 30-Jun-09 cent to close at15.50 N9.770 19-Apr-10 10.00 trillion from as 30-Jun-10N9.735 trillion 13.75 14.00 market 30-Dec-10 sentiment remained 30-Sep-11 14.00 on green zone. 04-Oct-11 14.00 Meanwhile, a turnover of 09-Dec-11 14.50 12-Dec-13 564.2 million shares14.00 worth 14-Feb-12 15.50 N6.08 billion in 4,385 deals 02-Oct-12 15.50 22-Nov-12 14.50 was recorded in the day’s 14.75 trading.12-Dec-12 10-Oct-13 14.75 The banking sub-sector of 27-Nov-13 13.50 31-Dec-13 services 15.00 the financial sector was the31-Dec-13 most active14.50 (mea06-Jan-14 15.00 sured by turnover volume) with 302.3 million shares worth N3.3 billion exchanged by investors 17-Aug-10in 1,923 deals. 10.00

Volume in30-Jun-16 the sub-sector 0.88 5.73 30-Jun-16 0.89 was largely driven by activi57.00 19-Apr-17 2.16 ties in the shares of GTB Plc 25.73 30-Jun-17 1.43 25.00 31-Dec-17 2.86 and Access Bank Plc. 34.14 30-Sep-18 2.03 Other financial Institution 9.00 04-Oct-18 2.05 sub-sector also of the finan13.73 09-Dec-18 2.23 10.20services12-Dec-18 2.24 cial sector, boosted 27.00 14-Feb-19 2.43 by16.23 activities02-Oct-19 in the shares 2.67 4.76 of80.00 FBNH Plc22-Nov-19 followed with 12-Dec-19 2.73 a 26.62 turnover of 51.3 million 11.10 10-Oct-20 3.28 shares valued at N287.3 mil87.50 27-Nov-20 5.77 5.00in 778 deals. 31-Dec-20 5.86 lion 4.55 31-Dec-20 3.52 The number of gainers at 4.56 06-Jan-21 3.55 the close of trading session 460.61 was 25, while decliners closed 418.75 at 13. Okomu Oil17-Aug-15 Plc led the gain2.50 0.49 4.86

ers’4.46 table with a gain of 10.21 20.67 94.86 19.71 96.70 per3.48 cent to close at N33.89 per 1.00 17.65 86.68 share, while May & Baker 1.00 17.55 95.44 Plc 1.79 18.38a gain of 90.52 9.30 followed with 1.80 18.45 93.02 per1.00 cent to close at N1.41 per 17.65 94.19 share. Presco Oil Plc added 1.00 17.65 94.54 five4.78 per cent 21.43 to close at87.84 N29.40 1.00 17.65 96.04 per1.00 share. 17.62 95.82 1.00 the other 17.31 hand, 91.06 On Julius 2.74 19.35 90.93 Berger Plc led17.52 the price93.54 losers’ 1.00 table, cent to 1.00 dropping 17.245.06 per 86.61 1.94at N38.08 18.17 88.79 close per share. BOC 1.44 17.92 91.74 Gases followed with 4.93 per 1.95 18.42 91.75 cent to close at N5.21 per share, while Premier Breweries Plc trailed with a loss of 4.75 per cent4.88to close at N3.61 per95.91 share. 19.04

‡ /Agusto BBB-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

18.75

09-Dec-15

0.55

1.00

15.42

98.21

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.63

2.63

17.49

98.01

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.61

1.00

17.54

93.84

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.68

1.34

17.90

94.84

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.61

1.00

17.63

90.59

BBB-/GCR

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.63

1.88

18.42

100.13

Nil

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.63

3.48

20.02

94.85

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

250.00

14-Aug-21

11.01

10.23

89.00

92.38

African bond index: AfDB partners Bloomberg T

SEC explains unclaimed dividend directive

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 UBA he African Development year remaining to maturity 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA Bank (AfDB) through and withstand priceIIstability MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS 17-FEB-2019 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 Nil *DANA Marthe African Financial tests. Further liquid markets 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO kets Initiative (AFMI) has are expected to be added to 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC launched its AFMISM Bloomthe index this year. 13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR STANBIC IBTC berg Bond Index. “There is a clear need for TOTALAfrican OUTSTANDING VALUE Calculated by Bloomberg a transparent and objective TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Indexes, the composite direc- benchmark for sovereign Supranational Bond debt in Well-crafted tory comprised of the 10.20Africa. IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC Bloom11.25are AFDB essential 1-FEB-2021 Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&PAfrica, AfDBEgypt, indices in the berg South TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Nigeria and Kenya local sov- assessment of value in marTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION ereign indices. kets while contributing to “The launch of the indices liquidity by giving investors Description Rating/Agency Issuer comes as a welcome develop- a benchmark to evaluate ment at a time when African their performance,” Head of FGN Eurobonds countries are increasingly Emerging Markets 6.75 JANProduct, 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P looking to domestic capiBloomberg L.P, David TambuBB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 BB-/S&P tal markets to source much relli said. BB-/Fitch; needed financing for ecoThe AFMI works to12,deepen 6.38 JUL 2023 BB-/S&P nomic development,” the continent’s local currency TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUEthe Director of the CAPITALISATION Financial Sector bond markets and also strives TOTAL MARKET Development Department of to create an environment Corporate Eurobonds the AfDB, Stefan Nalletamby where African countries can 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P said in a statement.AFREN PLC I access financing at variable 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I The current index includes terms. By providing trans7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC an African sovereign bond bench6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC parent and credible 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P PLC index comprised ofGTBANK the four mark indices, the AFMISM 10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II most liquid bonds in Africa Bloomberg African Bond In6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC and three sub-indexes for difdex provides investors with 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC ferent maturity ranges. To be a tool with which 8.25to AUGmeasure 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 of B-/Fitch; B/S&Pin the index, AFREN PLC III included a secuand track the performance 9.25/6M USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC II rity must have at least one Africa’s bond markets. 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD A/Agusto; A/GCR

#{r}

B-/S&P

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

he Securities and Ex-2.90 into the09-Sep-18 bank accounts turns on their investment 18.00 1.80 of 5.20 21.79 94.96 09-Sep-11 change 16.00 09-Sep-18 1.80 he 5.06the capital 21.65 market. 92.46 Commission0.80 investors. In this regard, in 22-Sep-11 14.00 22-Sep-18 3.59 1.00 17.47 91.00 (SEC) Nigeria has35.00 encouraged shareholders to The public enlighten18-Oct-13 15.75 2.40 18-Oct-18 1.91 2.29 18.91 95.32 said that its directive that have their bank accounts ment, according to him, 17-Feb-12 18.00 0.36 17-Feb-19 2.24 6.11 22.76 92.45 01-Apr-14 16.00 01-Apr-19 2.16 94.16 unclaimed dividend be re-4.50 ready and make them2.86 avail- will not be18.75 limited to divi14-Nov-20 2.76 19.00 87.15 14-Nov-13 15.25 turned to the companies2.05 able to the registrars5.73 to fa- dend payment alone but 30-Sep-14 11.93 0.10 30-Sep-24 9.61 1.00 17.65 73.91 after 15 months payment also on other issues 30-Sep-14 13.25 of decla15.44 cilitate e-dividend 30-Sep-24 9.61 1.00 17.65 recent79.93 ration was in compliance in the market such as de132.70to reduce the mounting unwith the existing law on materialisation, straight 121.68claimed dividend. dividend declaration. On the legacy issue, through processing and Complaints said a committee Besides, the 11-Feb-13 10.20 regulator 12.00 Gwarzo11-Feb-18 2.98 1.00 17.57 Management 83.45 10-Jul-14 11.25 01-Feb-21 been set 4.75 up 1.00 17.31 81.27 said the instruction was12.95 had already Framework. 24.95 between the SEC, the Nigeaimed at protecting the inHe therefore, called for 20.54 rian Stock Exchange (NSE) vesting public. collaboration with the variActing Director General and the Central Securities ous associations of shareOutstanding Value Issue Date Coupon (%) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price ($mm) Clearing System (CSCS) Plc of SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo holders. made these clarifications in to find solution to it. The& Yields leadership of Prices He said the Commission Abuja when the leadership shareholders associations 07-Oct-11 6.75 500.00 28-Jan-21 7.33 7.09 97.26 98.35 of the major shareholders’ had finalised the Investor that came to SEC includ12-Jul-13 500.00 12-Jul-18 6.14 95.86 96.94 Protection Fund to 6.50 boost ed associations in5.13 Nigeria paid Sir Sunny Nwosu, Elconfidence 7.51 while der him courtesy visit. Akpore, 12-Jul-13 6.38 500.00 investor12-Jul-23 7.33 Goodluck 93.02 94.10 Dr. According to Gwarzo, the there is collaboration with Faruk Umar, Eng. Fran1,500.00 Companies and Allied Matthe Central Bank of Nigeria cis Orji, Barr. Boniface 1,430.73 ter Act (CAMA) states that (CBN) for direct payment of Okezie, Chief Timothy unclaimed dividend should dividends to bank accounts Adesiyan and Chief Sola 01-Feb-11 450.00 01-Feb-16 130.51 130.51 45.00 45.00 revert to the11.50companies of shareholders. Abodunrin. 19-May-11 7.50 500.00 19-May-16 6.95 6.95 100.63 100.63 after 15 months and that The SEC boss also in- 11.36They all commended 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 11.36 91.50 91.50 the companies the shareholders the of the 09-May-13 6.88should not 300.00 formed 02-May-18 13.97 13.30 new leadership 82.13 83.63 08-Nov-13 6.00 400.00 that the 08-Nov-18 10.49 83.84 86.48it is invest the monies in their Commission11.47 would Commission, saying 08-Apr-12 300.00 08-Apr-19 41.52 41.52 40.50 40.50 now under a person who operations. 10.25 soon embark on massive 22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 10.81 10.81 85.00 85.00 understands the market He also disclosed that public enlightenment pro21-May-14 8.75 200.00 21-May-19 16.21 14.89 77.68 81.13 Gwarzo has been the Commission has dito educate the pub- because 07-Aug-13 8.25 300.00 gramme 07-Aug-20 14.09 14.09 77.75 77.75 09-Dec-13 6.63 to make e360.00 lic at the 09-Dec-20 28.06 40.25 for more 40.25 rected Registrars grass root28.06 level in the market than 24-Jun-14 9.25 400.00 14.59 13.88 81.00 dividend payment directly towards24-Jun-21 reaping better re- 20 years. 78.50 23-Jul-14 8.00 450.00 23-Jul-21 13.86 13.86 75.00 75.00 09-Sep-11

14-Aug-14

8.75

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,760.00

19-Feb-15

3,561.60

The DQL contains data relating to, amongst other things, market and model prices, rates of foreign exchange products, fixed income securities and instruments in the financial market (the “Information”). The Information does not constitute Money Market **Treasury Bills Foreign (Spot Forwards) professional, financial or investment advice. We attempt to ensure the Information is accurate; however, the Information is provided “AS FIXINGS IS” and on an “AS AVAILABLE” basis and may not be accurate or up Exchange to date. We do&not guarantee DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) NIBOR the accuracy, 7timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for13.80 a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information. 26-Feb-15 13.55 13.84 FGN

14 21 28 Bonds 35 42 49 Rating/Agency 56 63 70 77 84 91 105 112 126 133 147 154 NA 161 168 175 196 287 301 322 336 350

5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15 19-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 2-Apr-15 9-Apr-15 Issuer 16-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 30-Apr-15 7-May-15 14-May-15 21-May-15 4-Jun-15 11-Jun-15 25-Jun-15 2-Jul-15 16-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 NA 30-Jul-15 6-Aug-15 13-Aug-15 3-Sep-15 3-Dec-15 17-Dec-15 7-Jan-16 21-Jan-16 4-Feb-16

12.55 13.70 13.38 13.00 15.11 16.00 Description 15.15 15.15 4.00 23-APR-2015 14.60 12.67 13.05 16-AUG-2016 12.69 15.10 27-APR-2017 14.10 9.85 27-JUL-2017 15.10 9.35 31-AUG-2017 15.10 10.70 30-MAY-2018 15.50 14.10 16.00 29-JUN-2019 13.49 7.00 23-OCT-2019 15.10 15.54 13-FEB-2020 14.30 16.39 27-JAN-2022 12.28 13.14 14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.50 15.00 28-NOV-2028 15.00 12.49 22-MAY-2029 14.00 8.50 20-NOV-2029 15.00 10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.90 15.00 12.1493 18-JUL-2034

12.30 13.45 13.13 12.75 14.86 15.75 Issue Date 14.90 14.90 23-Apr-10 14.35 12.42 16-Aug-13 12.44 27-Apr-12 13.85 27-Jul-07 14.85 31-Aug-07 14.85 30-May-08 15.25 13.85 29-Jun-12 13.24 23-Oct-09 14.85 13-Feb-15 14.05 27-Jan-12 12.03 12.89 14-Mar-14 15.25 28-Nov-08 14.75 22-May-09 13.75 20-Nov-09 14.75 23-Jul-10 13.65 14.75 18-Jul-14

12.61 13.81 13.52 13.16 15.38 16.35 Coupon (%) 15.51 15.56 4.00 15.02 13.02 13.05 13.07 15.10 14.61 9.85 15.79 9.35 15.83 10.70 16.38 14.86 16.00 14.27 7.00 16.13 15.54 15.26 16.39 13.02 14.02 14.20 16.91 15.00 17.01 12.49 15.83 8.50 17.29 10.00 15.94 17.52 12.1493

Bonds

TOTAL OUTSTANDING *for the Amortising bonds, theVALUE average life is calculated and not the duration

Issuer

Rate (%) 14.8667 15.1897 15.9815 17.0481

Outstanding Value (N'bn) 535.00

14.83

O/N

15.08

REPO

Tenor Call TTM (Yrs) 1M 3M 0.17 6M

Maturity Date

NITTY

Tenor 581.39 1M 476.80 2M 20.00 3M 100.00 6M 300.00 9M 12M 351.30

OBB

23-Apr-15

Rate (%) 16-Aug-16 13.2372 27-Apr-17 13.3796 27-Jul-17 13.8592 31-Aug-17 14.5074 30-May-18 15.1534 17.9012 29-Jun-19

233.90 23-Oct-19 34.00 13-Feb-20 600.00 NIFEX 27-Jan-22 Current Price ($/N) 459.68 14-Mar-24 BID($/N) 75.00 197.3250 28-Nov-28 OFFER ($/N) 197.4250 150.00 22-May-29 200.00 20-Nov-29 591.57 23-Jul-30 223.50 18-Jul-34

1.49 16.45 16.33 2.18 16.64 16.56 2.43 16.65 16.56 :Benchmarks 2.53Bond 16.64 16.56 * :Amortising 3.27Bond 16.52 16.38 µ :Convertible AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 4.36 Management Corporation 16.37 16.28 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 4.67 16.32 16.20 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 4.98 Finance Corporation 16.30 16.20 IFC: International 6.94 16.23 Management 16.16 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables NAHCO: Nigerian 9.06 Aviation Handling 16.58 Company 16.51 O/N: Overnight 13.77 15.25 15.19 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company 14.25 15.07 15.02 WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company 14.75 14.90 14.82 15.42 15.75 15.68 19.41 16.02 15.96 NOTE:

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

***LCRM 3<5

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

>5 Market

16.00 14.44 16.50

Spot 7D 14D 1M Offer 2M Yield 3M(%) 6M 13.55 1Y

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

199.00 199.10 200.01 200.12 Price 200.47 200.32 201.06 201.55 202.41 203.48 Bid Price Offer Price 203.77 205.36 208.41 211.57 98.20 98.35 218.32 224.25

95.65 95.80 97.20 97.35 86.80 86.95 NA :Not Applicable 85.44 85.59 # :Floating Rate Bond 85.66coupon bonds85.96 ***: Deferred 98.80 99.10 ‡ : Bond rating under review 70.30 70.60 †: Bond rating expired 97.78 N/A :Not 97.48 Available 100.60 {r} :Issuer in receivership 100.90 89.00 89.30 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 98.53 98.83 UBA: United Bank for Africa 84.96 85.26 62.18 62.48 67.00 67.30 77.00 77.30

4,368.47

Agency Bonds Modified Duration FMBN Buckets

Rate (%) 14.50

Bid Yield (%) 15.00

Tenor

4,932.13

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

Rating/Agency

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 Total Outstanding Volume(Bn) 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 08-DEC-2016 1,366.63 1,409.48 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 19-APR-2017 990.47 1,034.68 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

Porfolio Market Value(Bn)

554.97

797.57

2,912.06

3,241.73

Weighting by 24-May-12 Outstanding Vol 03-Apr-12

09-Dec-11 43.48 20-Apr-12 31.92 06-Jul-12

24.60

100.00

Weighting by Mkt 0.00 Value 17.25

0.00/16.00 46.93 0.00/16.50 34.01 0.00/16.50

24.56 2.70 112.22 0.43 116.70 0.32 66.49

100.00

322.681.00

19.06

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

Bucket Weighting

0.25

% Exposure_ 24-May-15 Mod_Duration 03-Apr-17

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

08-Dec-16 22.20 19-Apr-17 36.67 06-Jul-17

0.26 1.12 1.80 16.48 2.16 16.38 2.38

Implied 2.63 Portfolio Price 2.27

15.83

83.8383

100.00

16.17

109.0564

41.14

Implied Yield

2.00 1.00 1.00

117.3307 117.2238

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

YTD Return 17.44 95.64 (%) 19.03 98.33 18.59 96.10 1,114.40 0.5915 17.65 95.48 992.61 1.9717 17.65 92.05

INDEX

980.22 -

2.6612

1,041.39 -

1.3069

306.62

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.53

4.44

18.76

96.97

A-/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.37

3.23

17.75

98.37

BBB+/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.88

4.46

20.67

94.86

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.89

3.48

19.71

96.70

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.16

1.00

17.65

86.68

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.43

1.00

17.55

95.44

Business | Capital Market

FRIDAY, february 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH Daily Summary as of 19/02/2015 Printed 19/02/2015 14:47:32.032

Daily Summary as of 19/02/2015

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at February 19, 2015

Printed 19/02/2015 14:47:32.032

Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Bonds) Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 13.05% FGN AUG 2016 16.00% FGN JUN 2019 Federal Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Symbol FG102016S1 FG9B2019S3

No. of Deals 1 1 2

DEBT Board Totals

Current Price 100.00 100.00

Bond Activity Totals

Value Traded 202,509.74 286,892.59 489,402.33

489,402.33

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

482

489,402.33

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

482

FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UBA CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Quantity Traded 202 280 482

Daily Summary (Equities)

Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 19/02/2015 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Printed 19/02/2015 14:47:32.032 Pharmaceuticals Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Totals Daily Summary Production as of 19/02/2015

Printed 19/02/2015 14:47:32.032 Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 37 11 48

Current Price 33.89 29.40

Quantity Traded 3,351,292 669,590 4,020,882

Value Traded 112,375,490.13 19,645,843.20 132,021,333.33

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 2.05

Quantity Traded 39,717 39,717

Value Traded 81,608.65 81,608.65

4,060,599

132,102,941.98

Daily Summary (Equities)

ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Computer Based Systems Totals ICT IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC Published by The Stock Exchange © NCRNigerian (NIGERIA) PLC.

A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

IT Services Totals

Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 2 1 1 115 30 149

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Daily Summary as of 19/02/2015 JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Printed 19/02/2015 14:47:32.032 Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

149

Page Quantity Traded 15,000 200 20 14,876,149 2,776,020 17,667,389

1 ValueofTraded13

17,667,389

134,282,636.58

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.76

Quantity Traded 300 300

Value Traded 219.00 219.00

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 29 29

Current Price 38.08

Quantity Traded 126,725 126,725

Value Traded 4,913,630.75 4,913,630.75

No. of Deals 18 (Equities) 18

Current Price 9.85

Quantity Traded 113,970 113,970

Value Traded 1,123,521.00 1,123,521.00

240,995

6,037,370.75

Symbol UAC-PROP

Daily Summary

Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 30,485 Page 30,485

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB PREMBREW

No. of Deals 42 38 41 203 4 328

Current Price 5.35 123.28 18.00 133.85 3.61

Quantity Traded 3,807,863 140,290 1,482,783 7,167,596 100,000 12,698,532

Value Traded 19,449,029.87 17,295,250.40 27,116,399.86 952,314,399.42 361,000.00 1,016,536,079.55

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

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 156.98

Quantity Traded 9,260 9,260

Value Traded 1,396,899.50 1,396,899.50

Symbol No. of Deals DANGFLOUR 15 DANGSUGAR 45 FLOURMILL 95 HONYFLOUR 15 Daily Summary (Equities) NASCON 28 NNFM 2 UTC 1 201

Current Price 3.16 6.20 30.00 2.96 6.85 18.05 0.50

Quantity Traded 145,922 1,517,435 1,056,896 118,660 257,986 21,000 100 3,117,999

Value Traded 481,408.34 9,371,626.65 31,620,628.10 341,070.75 1,762,530.30 360,150.00 50.00 43,937,464.14

DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Activity on Board EQTY U TSummary C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 28 53 81

Current Price 42.98 819.99

Quantity Traded 86,095 Page 97,454 183,549

3 3,400,432.90 of 13 79,984,366.33 83,384,799.23

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 3.42

Quantity Traded 44,118 44,118

Value Traded 150,184.98 150,184.98

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

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 28 36 64

Current Price 27.30 34.00

Quantity Traded 260,859 448,032 708,891

Value Traded 7,105,908.90 15,128,573.55 22,234,482.45

16,792,834

1,167,655,152.35

Quantity Traded 82,369,347 25,267,664 3,806,962 15,128,797 101,588,191 21,691,301 1,548,589 23,774,674

Value Traded 470,993,840.73 93,266,618.27 60,666,632.20 18,153,358.23 2,166,984,092.54 43,413,994.79 3,478,102.54 75,168,456.38

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Daily Summary as of 19/02/2015 FINANCIAL 14:47:32.032 SERVICES Printed 19/02/2015

Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Daily Summary as of 19/02/2015 FIDELITY BANK PLC Printed 19/02/2015 14:47:32.032 GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking UNION BANK NIG.PLC. WEMASERVICES BANK PLC. FINANCIAL

700 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price ACCESS 220 5.60 DIAMONDBNK 96 3.71 ETI 39 15.99 Daily Summary (Equities) FIDELITYBK 74 1.20 GUARANTY 706 21.00 SKYEBANK 150 2.00 STERLNBANK 18 2.25 UBA 3.15 Daily Summary (Equities) 255

Symbol UBN WEMABANK

No. of Deals 27 10

Current Price Quantity Traded Page 4 of 13 8.50 553,127 0.98 139,958

Symbol ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 328 1,923

Current Price 17.20

Quantity Traded 26,468,346 302,336,956

Value Traded 454,852,870.32 3,391,813,301.51

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE MANSARD NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE STACO STDINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 13 6 3 44 1 2 2 3 7 81

Current Price 0.71 0.86 2.96 0.58 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,024,822 179,487 950 7,310,497 2,800 200 200 6,200 454,155 8,979,311

Value Traded 735,282.46 153,924.82 2,770.00 4,235,371.60 1,400.00 100.00 100.00 3,100.00 227,077.50 5,359,126.38

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

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.85

Quantity Traded 275,911 275,911

Value Traded 221,092.51 221,092.51

Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FBN HOLDINGS PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC.

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX

No. of Deals 74 7 525 83 5

Current Price 2.66 3.90 7.10 2.02 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,607,953 120,700 33,947,928 6,636,496 20,000

Value Traded 15,241,903.38 470,081.00 243,515,595.56 13,239,424.89 10,000.00

Page

DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Electronic and Electrical Products

CUTIX PLC. on Board EQTY Activity Summary

Electronic and Electrical Products Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Packaging/Containers Totals

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

of Page 13

Value Traded 8,643,663.17 6,197,163.83 287,317,831.83

362,920,630

3,684,711,352.23

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 9,000,000 9,000,000

Value Traded 4,500,000.00 4,500,000.00

Symbol FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 14 5 26 1 46

Current Price 2.90 42.00 1.41 0.74

Quantity Traded 508,916 2,318 496,033 10,000 1,017,267

Value Traded 1,477,465.76 92,614.91 698,513.53 7,100.00 2,275,694.20

10,017,267

6,775,694.20 Value Traded 27,821.50 27,821.50

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 55,643 55,643

Symbol CWG NCR

No. of Deals 46 1 47

Current Price 4.13 12.83

Quantity Traded 147,408,451 Page 10

Symbol ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 3.39

Quantity Traded 700 700

Value Traded 2,325.00 2,325.00

147,464,804

608,723,878.63

147,408,461

52 Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM WAPCO

Value Traded 608,693,610.23 7 of 13 121.90 608,693,732.13

No. of Deals 4 3 30 11 79 40 167

Current Price 17.22 9.00 36.10 10.71 153.20 84.00

Quantity Traded 5,234 27,336 246,924 76,697 879,887 249,862 1,485,940

Value Traded 94,630.72 233,722.80 9,313,503.15 796,391.30 135,582,857.53 20,836,902.67 166,858,008.17

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 1.50

Quantity Traded 74,330 74,330

Value Traded 112,263.89 112,263.89

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 1.59 28.50

Quantity Traded 49,485 1,900 Page 51,385

Daily Summary (Equities)

174 Symbol BOCGAS

No. of Deals 1 1

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Daily Summary asEquipment of 19/02/2015 Energy and Services Totals Printed 19/02/2015 14:47:32.032 Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Quantity Traded 353,766 4,641,609 51,328,452

Symbol UNIONDAC

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Current Price 5.21

Value Traded 75,217.20 56,848.00 of 13 132,065.20

1,611,655

167,102,337.26

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Value Traded 260,500.00 260,500.00

50,000

260,500.00

1 Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 18,037 18,037

Value Traded 9,018.50 9,018.50

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 147 147

Current Price 14.00

Quantity Traded 1,779,731 1,779,731

Value Traded 25,092,060.64 25,092,060.64

Symbol BECOPETRO

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 5,000

Value Traded 2,500.00

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 18 7 64 18 3 15 126

Current Price 32.60 2.64 222.00 150.00 50.54 144.46

Quantity Traded Page 28,744 47,665 169,437 13,536 34 16,530 280,946

Value Traded 9 of 13 869,120.53 114,399.35 37,309,811.36 2,187,419.64 1,632.68 2,373,316.79 42,858,200.35

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 436.80

Quantity Traded 249,430 249,430

Value Traded 108,842,224.00 108,842,224.00

2,328,144

176,801,503.49

Symbol LENNARDS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 3.15

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 600.00 600.00

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 0.79

Quantity Traded 222,694 222,694

Value Traded 169,595.85 169,595.85

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 7

Current Price 3.90

Quantity Traded 67,010

Value Traded 254,708.00

Symbol TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 1 8

Current Price 0.89

Quantity Traded 8,700 75,710

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 3.32

Quantity Traded 5,200 5,200

Value Traded 18,096.00 18,096.00

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Value Traded 1,000.00 1,000.00

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 2 1 7 10

Current Price 1.16 1.21 4.00

Quantity Traded 3,100 5,000 101,200 109,300

Value Traded 3,451.00 6,000.00 404,572.00 414,023.00

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.53

Quantity Traded 216 216

Value Traded 110.16 110.16

Symbol INTERLINK

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 4.66

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 4,430.00 4,430.00

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 9 24 33

Current Price 2.00 4.75

Quantity Traded 311,434 Page 366,718 678,152

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 2.95

Quantity Traded 26,941 26,941

Value Traded 75,884.21 75,884.21

1,121,413

3,345,196.98

EQTY Board Totals

4,385

564,275,730

6,087,798,564.45

Equity Activity Totals

4,385

564,275,730

6,087,798,564.45

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

OIL AND GAS Totals

Value Traded

Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC Daily Summary asPLC of 19/02/2015 CAP Printed 19/02/2015 14:47:32.032 CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC

Current Price 24.40 1.33

2,785

ICT Totals

Value Traded 2 15,242.50 of 13 15,242.50

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Daily Summary of 19/02/2015 Food as Products Printed 19/02/2015 14:47:32.032 DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC

Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

17,850.00 194.00 84.40 39,914,917.14 94,349,591.04 134,282,636.58

Symbol COSTAIN

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Current Price 1.14 0.96 4.44 2.66 33.99

No. of Deals 24 60 778

HEALTHCARE Totals

Symbol STANBIC UBCAP

SERVICES Apparel Retailers LENNARDS (NIG) PLC. Daily Summary as Retailers of 19/02/2015 Apparel Totals Printed 19/02/2015 14:47:32.032 Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Courier/Freight/Delivery TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Daily Summary as of 19/02/2015 Printing/Publishing Totals Printed 19/02/2015 14:47:32.032

Road Transportation Value Traded ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC 4,702,220.67 Road Transportation Totals 133,114.84 Specialty

INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES Activity Summary on Board EQTY PLC

Specialty Totals SERVICES Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

296

Daily Summary (Equities)

SERVICES Totals

Page

Value Traded 7,743.00 262,451.00

Value Traded 620,036.00 11 of 13 1,778,970.76 2,399,006.76

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Fund Daily Summary as of Traded 19/02/2015 Name 14:47:32.032 Printed 19/02/2015 LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

ETP Activity Totals

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

Daily Summary (ETP)

No. of Deals 2 1 2 5

5 5

Current Price 9.65 2,343.00 13.20

Quantity Traded 10 22 1,001 1,033

Value Traded 96.05 51,546.00 13,173.20 64,815.25

1,033 Page

1,033

64,815.25 12

64,815.25

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

IGBEAKU ORJI UMUAHIA

n anticipation of the eventual withdrawal of international partners and donor agencies from the national programme on HIV/AIDS, the federal and state governments have commenced plans on the takeover and management and sponsorship of the programme across the country. Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ meeting on NACA/SURE-P and HIV/AIDS project implementation in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, yesterday, the Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Prof. John Idoko, said the

News 47

SOUTH-EAST

FG, states to take over HIV/AIDS programme as donors withdraw agency was excited by the performance index on the implementation and response level of the HIV/AIDS programme. Idoko, who was represented by the Deputy Director General, Dr. Priscilla Ibekwe, said a recent meeting of stakeholders was held in Abuja recently to adopt an effective approach that would further help to reduce the prevalence rate, strengthen treatment of

people living with HIV/ AIDS and address the issue of mother-to-child transmission. He said the federal and state agencies should properly appraise and evaluate their capabilities to take over the management of the programme, so that it does not collapse even as international partners and donor agencies make their exit. He added that it was necessitated by the dwindling funding

from the partners. The Country Representative, Family Health International, Philip Jones Changa, represented by the Director, Programme Management, Oluyinka Ajayi, commended the Federal Government’s commitment to the implementation of the HIV programme through NACA, saying that the essence of the stakeholders meeting was to ensure that the

transition from the international donor agencies to the federal and state government agencies, continued unhindered. According to him, the gradual winding down of the international agencies would give Nigeria 50 per cent HIV/ AIDS management from 2015; he said the meeting was to build the capacity of the states to take over after the withdrawal of the USAID group.

change of nameS

NWAOZUZU

I formerly known and addressed as Umelo Jennifer Onyinyechi now wish to be known and addressed as Nwaozuzu J. Jennifer Onyinyechi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ASADU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Eze Ugochukwu Martha now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Asadu Ugochukwu Martha. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

DAUDA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Milkatu Malus Gadaka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Milkatu Dauda Gadaka. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADENIYI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Bose Rebecca now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeniyi Odunola Rebecca. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLADOKUN

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Awoniyi Muibat Folasade now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oladokun Muibat Folasade. All former documents remain valid. . Primary Health Care Department, Ifedayo Local Govt. Oke Ila -Orangun General public take note.

HART

I formerly known and addressed as Amarachukwu Adrielle Etuokwu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amarachukwu Adrielle Hart. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKEREDOLU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Aminu Omowumi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akeredolu Esther Omowumi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SERIKI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Yewande Arike Daniel or Yewande Arike Banjoko now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Yewande Arike Seriki. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Bitrus

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Rahab Ishaya now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Rahab Julius Bitrus. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

L-R: Head of Voter Education, INEC, Enugu State, Dr. Chiebonam Ekwo, Head of Operations, Dr. Nwele Uguru and Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Chukwuemeka Eze, at a news conference on this year’s elections in Enugu …yesterday

Ohanaeze to Jonathan: Don’t be distracted by Obasanjo’s comments Igbeaku Orji UMUAHIA

political group, the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has assured President Goodluck Jonathan of their support in his re-election bid, advising him not to be distracted by the recent comments of former President Olusegun Obasanjo

against his person and government. Speaking with journalists in Umuahia, OYC National President, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, warned Obasanjo to stop inciting Nigerians against President Jonathan, whose achievements have dwarfed the achievements of all former Nigerian leaders put together. Isiguzoro warned Obasanjo to immediately

halt what it described as inciting and hate speeches against the President or “he will be inviting the wrath of Igbo youths,” saying that he was putting undue pressure on the President. The Ohanaeze youth leader described Obasanjo’s comments as disappointing and unbecoming of one who once occupied the office, saying he should respect the exalted office.

Monarch cautions Nigerians on poll shift Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

he traditional ruler of Atani, Ogbaru Local government area of Anambra State, Igwe Augustine Azuka Ngoddy, has warned Nigerian politicians to desist from any act capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in the country. The monarch, who

stated this at a press briefing in his palace, said the recent poll shift by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was in the best interest of the nation and was not targeted to favour or derail the country’s democratic process. He said: “I don’t see any major problem, because even the two ma-

jor political parties, the APC and the PDP have accepted that INEC has achieved 75 per cent PVC distribution. If the election is conducted on 28 March, I don’t foresee any calamity or problem, simply because INEC was not ready. This does not call for bloodshed or any form of crisis that might lead to a breakdown of law and order.

Umeh charges Ndigbo to embrace APGA Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

chieftain of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Anambra State, Chief Maja Umeh, yesterday charged Ndigbo to embrace the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) while also urging Nigerians to continue to pray for the nation ahead of the elections. Umeh, who spoke with journalists at Awka, the Anambra State capital, while reacting to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent dumping of the (Peoples Democratic Party) PDP said: “As an optimist, I believe that the state of things in Nigeria will get better than it is today. This is because as we speak, there is cause for concern in the political arena. What is obtainable today is very disturbing and calls for serious patriotism and prayers of everybody.” The exit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the PDP and the public show of tearing his membership card is highly deplorable. The former commissioner contended that one would have expected that Obasanjo should have been worried that the party he had nurtured for more than eight years is wobbling and should have made concerted effort to put it back on track rather than making a public show of it all.

Six die, eight hospitalised as cholera ravages Ebonyi Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

t least six people were confir med dead yesterday and eight others hospitalised following a suspected cholera outbreak in three communities of Ebonyi State. The areas affected include Edomia, Amachi and Ikelegu. Confirming the outbreak yesterday, the Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Christian Achi, said while four people died in Amachi, Abakaliki Local Government, two died in Edomia and Ikelegu in Ebonyi Local Government area of the state. He said eight people have also been hospitalised and are currently receiving treatment in nearby health centres, describing the situation as unfortunate. Achi said government health officials have moved into the affected

communities and have stabilised some of the victims, who were in critical condition. He attributed the outbreak to lack of personal hygiene, potable water and toilet facilities. “We are advising people to maintain personal and environmental hygiene. When the first case was recorded, we instructed that the person should be buried immediately without burial ceremonies, but the people did not obey the directive and it affected other victims. The people exposed whatever they eat to flies and these flies will perch on them and transmit diseases such as this to them,” he stated. Achi said most of the people don’t have toilet facilities as they defecate around, which make it easier for diseases to be transmitted and announced that the state government has sealed over 30 houses for lack of toilet facilities.

ns e tnt o es u o rt es eit n t, e m o d of he

News

PVC PALAVAR INEC's preference for Permanent Voters' Cards irks communities Chris Ejim Yenagoa

outh leaders from nine ethnic nationalities in the South-south region said yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, that they would mobilise people of the region against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),Professor Attahiru Jega, because the commission would not give any consideration to the use of the temporary voters' cards (TVC) in place of the of the permanent voter card (PVC), in the forthcoming the general election. According to the youth leaders drawn from the Urhobo, Isoko, Ogoni, Ndukwa, Eleme, Ikwerre, Edo and Ijaw nationalities, the preference of INEC for the PVC, against the

FRIday, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

south — south

South-South leaders move against Jega over non-use of TVC clamour for the use TVC, was against the constitutional rights of qualified Nigerians to vote in the general election. While calling the INEC to ensure that the TVC was allowed for voting during the polls, the body said failure to disregard the use of the TVC, would see mean that the electoral body was out to skew the elections towards disenfranchisement of people from cer-

tain region. They noted that the law stipulates the right of every citizen of the country, who have attained the voting age, to vote without any specific mode either electronic or otherwise. Rising from a closed door meeting with the President of the umbrella body of Ijaw Youths worldwide and the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), leader of the youths, Comrade Udenz Eradiri, declared

that for the elections to be seen to be credible, INEC, must accord all people of voting age, who have not been able to obtain their PVCs, the right to vote during the elections. The group said if this was done, the election management body would be seen to have lived above board in the discharge of its duties. "The constitution stipulates that the people of voting age have the right

to vote," but didn’t specify if the voting should be done electronically, it only guarantees all individuals to vote, we call on INEC to allow people to use it in areas where they have not gotten their PVCs, the two cards should be valid for the elections, the shift of date was timely, we would have seen a lot of Nigerians being disenfranchised and urgent steps should be taken to ensure the people vote," said Eradiri.

Oshiomhole empowers 846 widows Cajetan Mmuta Benin

overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday brought smiles to the faces of 1,000 widows in the state with an empowerment programme worth millions of naira. He said poverty is no excuse for anyone to sell Permanent Voters’ cards. Oshiomhole, who spoke at the ceremony in Government House, Benin, said his administration believed strongly that empowerment remains the best way to support the widows. He said, “Edo State Government believes that the best way to support widows is to empower them. First is to get yourselves busy and possibly to even employ one or other persons to help you to run a micro business courtesy of this programme.” The governor tasked the beneficiaries to ensure that the machines were put into productive uses. “I have no doubt that the beneficiaries will put these machines to good use because the Edo woman is known in history to be resourceful, hardworking, creative and absolutely trustworthy. These facilities are grants to the beneficiary."

L-R: Executive Director, Office of the Edo State Governor's wife, Hajia Maimuna Momodu; Governor Adams Oshiomhole and a widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Jimoh, at the empowerment of 846 widows by the state government…yesterday

Delta Assembly decries abandonment of Ughelli-Asaba Road Dominic Adewole Asaba

he Delta State House of Assembly, yesterday took a swipe at the contractor handling the reconstruction of the Ughelli- Asaba dualised road project, following the contractor’s decision to abandon a portion of the rehabilitation project. The 149 kilometers-

road was segmented into three different areas and being handled by different contracting firms. The contentious segment of the project covers the Ossissa axis of Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state to Asaba, in Oshimili South, which was awarded to ULO Consult. Reacting to the nonchalant approach in the handling of the Ossissa

Monarch chides Obasanjo over Jonathan Dominic Adewole Asaba

he Obi of Owa Kingdom in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Emmanuel Efeizomor II has decried the outburst of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on President Goodluck Jonathan, describing the ex-President's approach as un-stateman-like.

The monarch, who justified his expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he publicly tore the party’s membership card, described his recent outburst as “an attempt to destroy democracy.” Obi Efeizomor, who is the Vice Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council, in his palace in Owa Kingdom, said the former President’s action could be interpreted in different ways.

axis, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Daniel Mayuku, put the blame on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. David Enuku, while defending the 2015 fiscal budget, in Asaba yesterday, for the choice of contractor on the project. Mayuku querried the whereabouts of the bil-

lions of naira appropriated for the failed sector of the project, pointing out that works on sectors ‘A’and ’B’ have since reached 85 per cent completion. Mayuku maintained that despite the state’s commitment and matching orders on contractors to deliver on schedule, the failed portion of the road had remained abandoned.

Bayelsa govt to bury PDP crash victims February 21 Chris Ejim Yenagoa

he Government of Bayelsa State has fixed Saturday, February 21 for the burial of the Peoples Democratic Party Women leaders who died along with other faithful of the party in an auto crash along Ahoada Road, in Rivers State. The burial arrangement released by the Bayelsa government on

Wednesday following the meeting with families of the victims, shows that the ceremony would commence with a service of songs at the Bayelsa Cultural Centre situated at Hospital road in Yenagoa. Speaking on the event, a family member of one of the victims, Cherish Itesi, said that Governor Dickson has directed his deputy, John Jonah, to meet with the families for the arrangement of the funeral.

UPU crisis: Urhobo leaders pay solidarity visit to factional president Joe Obende Warri

s the rumpus within the apex union of the Urhobo nationality, the Urhobo Proress Union (UPU) rages, some elders, leaders and stakeholders in Delta Central, are said to have pitched their support with one the factional leaders of the union, Chief Tuesday Onoge. Speaking on behalf of the Delta Central Elders/ Leaders and stakeholders, the Chairman, Chief Patrick Ide, said they paid him the solidarity visit because of the strong belief and trust they have in Onoge. He added that they were in the know that Onoge was fighting a genuine cause for the Urhobo nation. Ide noted that Onoge was widely accepted by a majority of Urhobo as the rightful man to lead the UPU because of his uprightness and firm belief in truth. He stated that since the ruling PDP had disappointed the Urhobo several times in the state, and they had since decided not to work for the party, he said the Urhobo people would stand by the Uwiamuge declaration, which does not support the PDP because the party did not fulfill its own side of the bargain with the Urhobo nationality. He said, "We stand for the progress of Urhobo and we detest anything that will stand against the progress of the Urhobo. We stand on the Uwiamuge Declaration and we are behind Chief Tuesday Onoge. All those who want to sell Urhobo are our enemies. "My advice to Urhobo sons and daughters, both home and abroad, is to stand behind Chief Onoge. We have not made any mistake in choosing him as our next President General of UPU". In his response, Onoge assured the people that he would not disappoint them on the confidence they reposed in him, declaring that he stands on the Uwiamuge declaration with them. He advised the Delta Central leaders to work together as one and fight the Urhobo cause, stressing that though UPU was not in support of any political candidate.

NEW TELEGRAPH Friday, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

PROBE Commission pledges to probe violation to rights to life of 34 people killed in group's procession Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Media Officer of Malam Ibrahim Usman Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky-led Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Malam Ibrahim Usman,

News 49

north

Zakzaky: Rights’ commission promised to investigate killings yesterday said the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will set up a committee to investigate the killing of 34 people, which occurred during the sect’s procession in Zaria last year. In a statement issued yesterday by the sect, Usman said the NHRC executive secretary gave the assurance when

representatives of the Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (AFIMN) presented pictures and video clips of the killings last Monday. According to the statement, Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan, who received the materials on behalf of the Executive Secretary, promised that “the commission will make an in-

dependent investigation to ascertain if what happened violated the victims’ right to life as guaranteed under section 33 of the 1999 Constitution.’’ It will be recalled that soldiers had killed 34 people, most of them shite sect members, who were on the yearly International Quds Day procession in Zaria on July 25 last year,

which sparked off an exchange of accusations over what led to the shootings. Three of Zakzaky’s undergraduate children were amongst the dead. The statement said a rally was earlier held last month at the headquarters of the NHRC by Nigerian students of tertiary institutions under the aegis of AFIMN, call-

ing on the commission to investigate the killings. The shite group also recalled that NHRC Chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, had earlier paid a condolence visit to Zakzaky, promising that the commission “will seek all legal avenues and employ all legal mechanisms to ensure that the law takes its rightful course.”

Group accuses Ngilari of showing traits of dictatorship Ibrahim Abdul Yola

Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Bala Hassan (second left), with leaders of political parties after a meeting in Sokoto …yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Plateau PDP chieftain killed Musa Pam Jos

he Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sop Ward, Riyom Local Government area, Solomon Mwadvwang, was yesterday killed by gunmen who also inflicted injuries on his daughter, Emmanuella. New Telegraph gathered that the incident occurred at about 10.00pm on Tuesday in his residence in Sop village of Riyom Council Area. Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the assailants, who stormed the residence amidst sporadic shootings kept the family hostage for about two hours, demanding for the whereabout of their father. It was learnt that their father, who was away, was shot dead on arrival, oblivious of what was awaiting him

at home. Further investigation showed that his daughter, Emmanuella, also sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical attention at Vom Christian Hospital. However, Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel Dem, condemned the act and called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators. Confirming the story, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emmanuel Abuh, confirmed that the PDP chieftain was killed, but that he was yet to be furnished with the details. It will be recalled that on Tuesday, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who also doubled as the Chairman of the party in Barkin Ladi Local Government of the Plateau State, Mr. Samuel Doro, was killed by gunmen in the locality.

our months into his tenure as the Adamawa State governor, Bala James Ngilari, has been accused of exhibiting the characters of a dictator. A political group, Adamawa Periscope, in a statement, said the governor, who was expected to be humble, based on the way he emerged as the substantive governor through a court ruling in line with democratic process, has now allegedly continued to exhibit dictatorial tendencies. The group, in a state-

ment by its spokesman, Yakubu Damargi, cited the removal of Gombi Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Rufai Umar, who defected to the APC as undemocratic. “When former Governor Murtala Nyako defected to the APC, Ngilari, who was then his deputy did not follow him, a development Nyako described as normal in democracy. “We now wonder why the same Ngilari will go ahead and dissolve an entire elected local government council and appoint a caretaker over it simply because the council chairman and his councillors defected to the APC."

Aliyu: Why I made House speaker acting governor Dan Atori Minna

he Niger State governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday said his decision to make the Speaker of the House of Assembly acting governor was on account of his deputy’s absence. However, when our correspondent spoke with the Deputy Governor, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, he re-

futed his principal's claim, saying, “I am in town.” The governor's clarification as contained in a signed statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Israel Ebije, said Ibeto had earlier travelled for the lesser Hajj since Monday. According to the governor, “My deputy governor travelled before his letter of intention to leave the country reached me, and it left me with no choice but to handover the

ASUU threatens to sue IG Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to sue the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Suleiman Abba, over the killing of the Director of Ahmadu Bello University’s Institute for Agricultural Research, Prof. Ahmad Mustapha Falaki. In a statement issued by the university’s chapter of ASUU yesterday, the union alleged that Falaki, the former Country Di-

rector of SASAKAWA Project, was killed by the police. According to the statement, which was signed by Dr. Muhammad Kabir Aliyu and Dr. Liman AlMustapha, the chairman and secretary of ABU’s chapter of ASUU respectively, the police allegedly killed Falaki even after he showed them his staff identity card. The statement said Falaki was on an official assignment when his car was snatched by gunmen at Fala village in Kano State.

reigns of governance to the Speaker, Hon. Adamu Usman. “The deputy governor was not, in any way, snubbed by the governor on the decision to make the speaker acting governor. Ibeto left the state for Umra without exhausting the necessary procedure of approval from the governor before travelling.” However, Ibeto, who expressed surprise over his principal’s action,

told our correspondent on telephone that; “I have been in town. I did not go anywhere.” Furthermore, the statement said: “The deputy governor is aware his boss was also preparing to embark on a journey too, but left. It is therefore instructive to intimate that his hasty decision to leave left the Niger State governor with no choice than to make the speaker the acting governor.”

Northern youths appeal to Jonathan over HYPADEC Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

group of northern youths yesterday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to expedite action on the take-off of the Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC). The group, under the umbrella of Northern Ethnic Youth Groups Assembly (NEYGA) said in a statement made avail-

able to newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara State, that the state of affairs of the commission was a great source of worry to the entire people in the north, most especially, youths who are prospective beneficiaries of the employment opportunities inherent in its operations. The statement signed by Usman Austin and Rahab Benjamin, lamented that despite its huge potential, the commission has not been given adequate attention by the Federal Government.

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WORLD | News

Buhari off to UK on a working visit Mojeed Alabi

s part of his campaign activities, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the March 28 general election, General Muhammadu Buhari(rtd)

yesterday flew to the United Kingdom to hold strategic meetings with relevant partners and authorities. According to the party’s Campaign Media Director, Garba Shehu, Buhari was embarking on a working visit to the UK, and that in the course of the trip, he is expected to

hold meetings with key members of the British political establishment and interact with some global institutions over the rescheduled poll. He is also expected to speak at the prestigious foreign policy hub, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatam House in London.

APC vows to hold another rally in Okrika Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

he All Progressives Congress, APC, Rivers State chapter, has said that the party will still return to Okrika and hold a rally for its governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside. It said that was because the people needed to hear the message of the governorship candidate. The chairman of the party, Dr. Davis Ikanya, who spoke to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said that the APC had the right to campaign in

Okrika just like the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. While condemning the attack on its supporters at the campaign rally of Peterside, he described the PDP as lawless. He said: “Yes, the APC will still organise its campaign at Okrika. We cannot be intimidated because Okrika is part of Rivers State. If the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, can campaign in Okrika, why can’t the APC campaign in Okrika? “Yes, we have signed two different peace accords with the PDP. Sadly, the PDP has violated all known agreements.

The PDP is not fit to ask for anybody to vote for them. PDP attacked our members a day after we signed the first peace accord.” He said it was regrettable that despite the assurances given by the police to provide adequate security for the APC at rallies, PDP thugs continue to attack the party’s supporters and destroy their property. He noted that the police was under pressure from the centre, because according to him, the police has not been able to arrest one single culprit for the attacks on the APC supporters.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Britain, Spain oppose military aid for Ukraine

ritain and Spain said yesterday the solution to the Ukrainian conflict had to come through dialogue and should not involve military aid to Ukrainian forces. “We do not believe that at the moment it would be helpful to provide lethal support to the Ukrainian armed forces,” British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told a news conference with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo in Madrid. “But we reserve the right to keep that position under review. We are clear that we cannot afford to allow the Ukrainian armed forces to collapse, though I think they are long way from that position at the moment,” he added. “So

the UK will not change its position right now on suppling lethal aid as a consequence of what is going on the ground at the moment.” Ukraine’s Western backed government has been appealing for its allies to send weapons to help it fight a 10month uprising by pro-Russian rebels in the east. Hammond said the question of supplying aid to the Ukrainian armed forces was “one for individual national governments,” saying: “It’s not an EU issue or a NATO issue”. Margallo added however that he “would like the European Union to have a common position” on the question of arms. Under the terms of a tattered truce that came into force at the weekend, the rival sides were supposed to pull back their weapons from the front line to create

a wide buffer zone. But sporadic fighting was reported yesterday a day after Ukrainian forces retreated from a flashpoint town that was stormed by the insurgents. Western powers accuse Russia of supplying pro-Moscow separatists with manpower and weapons, but Moscow denies this. Margallo called for a “frank and open dialogue” and urged Russia to respect international law and “Ukraine’s territorial integrity”. Hammond added however: “(Russian President Vladimir) Putin agreeing to do something will not be the trigger for removing or relaxing sanctions”. “Putin actually doing something on the ground, withdrawing troops and delivering on the ground. It’s actual delivery that will trigger a relaxation of sanctions, in my view.”

Italian court upholds $28m fine against Saipem

n Italian appeals court yesterday upheld a fine and seizure order totalling 25.1 million euros ($28 million) against oil services company, Saipem, in a case relating to alleged corruption in Nigeria. According to Reuters, the sentence, read out during a public hearing, confirmed a lower court ruling in July 2013 that fined Saipem 600,000 euros and seized 24.5 million euros already

provisioned for by a subsidiary of the group. Saipem, which is 43 per cent owned by oil major Eni, said in a statement it would appeal the decision, saying there were no grounds under Italian law for holding it liable. The Nigerian case related to Snamprogetti which was accused of paying bribes through a consortium called TSKJ to Nigerian officials to win contracts between 1994 and 2004.

Snamprogetti was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eni until February 2006 when a deal was reached to sell it to Saipem. Snamprogetti was merged into Saipem in 2008. “The decision has no financial impact on Saipem as, at the time of the sale of Snamprogetti to Saipem, Eni undertook to indemnify Saipem for losses incurred in connection with the TSKJ matter,” Saipem said.

Group drums support for Udensi l PPA chairman raises alarm over diversion of PVCs Norman Obinna

group, Abia Traders for Good Governance, has asked all Abians, who desire positive change to put on traditional attires today in solidarity with the candidacy of the Progressive Peoples Alliance gubernatorial candidate, Sir Chikwe Udensi. The chairman of the traders union, Mr. Agujiegbe, said this has become necessary after it appears that Udensi was the only candidate with independent mind and sincere desire to move the state forward, adding that his manifesto and blue print for all sectors in Abia State are the attestations to the fact that Abia State will be governed by a man with vision.

He said the call for all Abians who desire positive change to put on traditional attire was a form of sensitizing the people on the need to cast their votes to the right party and man adding that Udensi’s track record, which includes the reconstruction of some deplorable roads in Aba and benevolence towards the less-privileged are unprecedented. He also urged all Abians to ignore some candidates, who are parading themselves as agents of change, saying they were part of conspiracy of silence that hindered development in Abia State. According to him: “Though politicians have a way of playing to the gallery during election period by making promises

which may or may not be fulfilled after they are voted, Udensi has shown that the wellbeing of the people he is aspiring to govern are paramount to him than the office he is aspiring to occupy.” He also urged all Abians to put aside the attitude of collecting money from candidates, who are seeking public offices, saying it will make them not responsive to their needs of the people when elected. He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate how the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC’s) are distributed, alleging that there is a grand conspiracy between to deny the people their fundamental right to vote for the candidates of their choices.

Ukrainian soldiers riding an armoured personnel carrier (APC) as they leave the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltseve in the Donetsk Region.

Somalis panic as cash flow dries up

omali families are panicking and businesses are running short of funds two weeks after the last major US bank stopped transferring money to the fragile Horn of Africa country, development groups said. Somalia has no formal banking system due to decades of war, so Somalis living abroad use money transfer companies to send some $1.3 billion home each year far more than the country receives in aid, Oxfam and Adeso

said in a report yesterday. Merchants Bank of California closed its accounts with SomaliAmerican transfer companies on Feb. 6, cutting off a lifeline to millions in a country plagued by widespread hunger, recurrent drought and an Islamist insurgency. Virtually all major US banks have ended remittance services to Somalia over the last few years because of regulations that hold banks responsible if they transfer funds to “terrorist” groups like So-

malia’s al Shabaab. Merchants Bank handled 60 to 80 percent of the money sent to Somalia from the United States, which is the country’s biggest source of remittances, Adeso and Oxfam said. “There has been quite a lot of panic from the diaspora with some (money transfer) branches actually being closed,” said Degan Ali, the Somali American executive director of the charity Adeso. “There is a bit of scrambling trying to find alternative (money transfer operators) to work with.”

French government survives no-confidence vote

rance’s Socialist government survived yesterday a parliament no-confidence vote called by opposition conservatives after it this week resorted to a decree to bypass opposition to a

flagship economic reform bill. Some 234 lawmakers voted in favor of the motion, according to the official vote tally, short of the 289 votes needed to secure an absolute majority in the lower house of

parliament. A no-confidence vote has only succeeded once in France’s 57-year-old Fifth Republic: in 1962, when it was used to oust the government of Georges Pompidou.

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Sport News

International Sport

Niger 2015

Akpom ready to dump Nigeria for England

Ronaldo is back, says Ancelotti

No hiding place for Nigeria, Zambia coach boasts

Sport

Keshi

he Nigeria Football Federation is praying nervously for former Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, to be named the national coach of Burkina Faso. The Burkinabe Football Association on Wednesday named

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sport

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sport Correspondent

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Did you know? That 2003-2004 was the Season Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea

NFF prays Keshi gets B’Faso job

Vincent Enyeama (left), saves a goal and Joseph Yobo at the Brazil 2014 World Cup

Keshi along with ex- Gabon coach, Gernot Roh and exGhana coach, Milovan Rajevac in the final shortlist for the national coach job. In a statement, the FBF also added that the successful candidate would be named within the next three weeks. However, investigation by our correspondent revealed that chieftains of the football ruling body believe it would b e good news for the federation if Keshi gets the nod of the Bukinabe football body.

Adekunle Salami

This is because even though the NFF has offered Keshi the job to continue as Eagles coach, the body was practically coerced into making such a move. Keshi is said to be enjoying the backing of top politicians and public office holders in the country including President Goodluck Jonathan. During the week, the technical committee headed by Felix Anyasi-Agwu offered Keshi the Eagles job with conditions of service. It was learnt that the con-

ditions including the salaries offered the Big Boss were too tough for him to endorse easily. “That Keshi is shortlisted for Burkina Faso job is a relief and we hope he gets the job to enable us to move on with our plans for the Eagles. For now, the marriage with the NFF is like a forced union and things cannot work that way. We pray for him to get a job and move on while we also start the rebuilding process of the senior national team,” a source in the NFF told our correspondent on

Thursday. Ordinarily, Keshi is expected to be given a time frame to respond to the job offer given him by the technical committee of the NFF, but it is open ended because of the powerful forces backing the coach who was unable to qualify the Eagles for the 2015 Nations Cup finals. The NFF has been foot dragging on the issue of naming a coach for the Super Eagles and the national team has been without a coach in the past four months.

Cricket World Cup: Zimbabwe escape UAE defeat

imbabwe recorded their highest World Cup run chase to avoid an embarrassing defeat by United Arab Emirates. UAE’s Shaiman Anwar scored 67 as the qualifiers posted 285-7, their highest one-day international score, in their first World Cup match since 1996. Zimbabwe started slowly before the greater quality and experience of the Test nation began to shine through. Sean Williams’ well-constructed 76 led them to a four-

wicket victory with 12 balls to spare in Pool B. UAE, the last of the 14 competing nations to play their opening match of the tournament, almost caused a shock in the picturesque New Zealand city of Nelson as they chased a first One Day International win against a Test side. The Arab qualifiers showed few nerves in their first World Cup appearance in 19 years and passed their previous ODI best, 282-4 against Afghanistan set last November.

Anwar’s enterprising 50ball innings, which included nine fours and a six, set the platform before eighth-wicket pair Mohammad Naveed and Amjad Javed added 53 runs to complete the record tally. Zimbabwe were boosted by an encouraging display against South Africa in their opening match, producing devastating spells with bat and ball before eventually succumbing to a 62-run defeat. The lowest-ranked Test side showed enough in that perfor-

mance to suggest they would reach the target against a UAE side which had only recorded one previous World Cup win. But UAE skipper Mohammad Tauqir celebrated becoming the oldest captain in World Cup history - aged 43 years and 36 days - by taking the first two wickets as Zimbabwe floundered on 112-3. Brendan Taylor’s swashbuckling 47 steadied Zimbabwe’s chase before the sixthwicket partnership of Craig Ervine and Williams upped the run-rate in an even game.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria’s sports and administrative illegalities

he most overused cliché in Nigeria’s political lexicon is “rule of law.” There is no arm of government, whether the executive, legislature or judiciary, that does not parrot rule of law. Yet, what goes on within their confines is better imagined. The observance of rule of law ostensibly is more in the breach. It is on this highly regrettable premise that I seek to remind Nigerians that the almighty National Sports Commission or the Ministry of Sports even now has no enabling law backing its existence. The body has become hydra headed, with no clearly defined head or tail, as all their operations are steeped in illegalities. The proposed Bill aimed at giving the body a legal impetus has remained in the vaults of the National Assembly for the last eight years. It is equally unbelievable that the Bill is about to be the oldest bill in the annals of the National Assembly. Not only has it outlived the various legislative assemblies, it has become a puzzle of some sort, to the extent that none of the members of the various sports committees of the two chambers appears to be championing its passage into law. I am aware that the passage of this critical bill has to be done through collaborative partnership between the Assembly and other stakeholders. But, what has circumvented its pas-

sage even until now is too deep to narrate on this column. The bill when passed into law will define clearly the role of the ministry or commission in the management of the various sporting associations. The intractable crisis currently bedeviling our football in the last one year could have been addressed long ago, but for the lacuna created by the absence of the law that would have enabled them to intervene promptly, and save the nation from the perennial embarrassment it has been subjected to. There is need to clarify something for those who do not know and wonder what the difference(s) is (are) between the sports ministry and the sports commission. The bill in question was designed to unify the sports ministry and the sports commission with a board chaired by the minister, who also serves as a cabinet minister representing the body, while the director-general acts as the chief accounting officer of the ministry. This arrangement to some extent is what obtains at the moment, but under a recondite law, and therefore illegal. The Nigeria Football Federation, is a direct correlation. The Bill seeking to make it extant, and effectively abrogates the Nigerian Football Association Act 101 as amended is still adrift in the hallowed chambers of the same National Assembly, with little or no hope it will survive the current legislative tenure. Our

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There is no arm of government, whether the executive, legislature or judiciary, that does not parrot rule of law, yet, what goes on within their confines is better imagined

collective hope has continued to be dashed for reasons best known to the legislators. It will not be wrong to therefore conclude that the nation’s football administration will continue to be on auto-pilot, for as long as the current legislators are in the saddle, no wonder the incessant crisis that has been the hallmark of the football body. Laws, ordinarily, are meant to enthrone order, and to also mitigate crises when they rear their ugly heads. It therefore could be

Adamu, Mohammed for Egypt Taekwondo tourney

he duo of 2014 Commonwealth Taekwondo Gold medallists, Abubakar Adamu, and veteran fighter, Jamilu Mohammed are set to compete in the -58kg category, at the 1st AFTU International Opens, billed to hold at the Alexandria Olympic Centre, in Alexandria, Egypt on 21st and 22nd February, 2015. Adamu will be coached by threetime Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije, who successfully guided the rising star alongside Shola Olowookere to gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mohammed, who is also the current African champion, will be coached by IOCcertified coach, Ibrahim Yahuza of Kano state. Young Adamu will be eager to continue from where he stopped in 2014, where he won gold medals at the Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships, Lagos Open and Korean Ambassador’s

Adamu (left) and Olowookere

07039241156 (sms only)

Team Cup, in addition to representing Nigeria at the World Junior Championships and Youth Olympic Qualifiers. Adamu said: “I felt really light during training on Wednesday and my body is relaxed. I have been studying competition videos of my opponents and I look forward to what I expect to be an exciting experience in Alexandria, Egypt.”

rganisers of the annual Abesan Cup, the Abesan Football Development, have increased the tournament’s prize money ahead of the commencement of the 14th edition of the grassroots football championship. This year’s tournament gets underway on April 1 and, according to the event’s coordinator, Tayo Adeyemo, one hundred and twenty thousand naira will be won by the team that emerges in first-place at the end of the tournament on May 29. One hundred thousand naira was previously the star prize at the tournament whose inaugural edition took place in 1999.

deduced that in the absence of relevant laws, crises are inevitable. This explains the present state of chaos in the football administration. It is partly due to the failure of past and present legislators to enact a substantive law for the administration of our football and other sports. Our sports can no longer operate in isolation since our politicians have advertently or inadvertently ignored sports, an industry pivotal to ending the scourge of youth unemployment besetting the nation. It’s high time we shaved off all manner of illegalities in sports administration at all levels to make them effective and more competitive. When sports laws are up to date, there will be reduction in controversies that usually trail critical policy decisions towards advancing the course of sports. Does anyone wonder that the highest number of panels ever constituted to look into anomalies in the conduct of government establishments in the last fifteen years were done in the

Akpom ready to dump Nigeria for England A

Akpom

rsenal striker Chuba Akpom has strongly hinted that he will reject the chance to play for Nigeria’s national team, as he would love to commit his international future to England. Back in December, the Nigeria Football Federation had claimed that the Anglo - Nigerian had expressed interest to feature for the Super Eagles, and was set to debut against Ivory Coast, which did not happen. Amaju Pinnick recently met with the parents of Chuba Akpom towards persuading him to wear the Nigeria jersey, but it appears

Abesan Cup gets prize money increment

Ifeanyi Ibeh

JOE BOOSTER

nation’s sports ministry? Unfortunately, reports from these panels seldom get implemented for reasons best known to successive leaders in the ministry. A critical question some may ask is why set up a panel whose reports would never be implemented? Or, are probe panels mere conduits to siphon the ministry’s hard earned resources? Answers to these questions are not farfetched, considering that most technocrats in the Ministry have been relegated to the backseat in the scheme of things, while politicians hold sway. They in most cases lack the competence and technical knowhow to do the needful as these reports most times are highly technical in nature. The only thing they “sincerely” do is to abandon them out of frustration, having no requisite qualifications. Nigeria at the moment is at a crossroads. Every issue has got to be clearly defined to enhance proper understanding. The sporting sector is no longer for the never-do-wells in the society. It is a critical international relations tool. The strength of most nations is gauged by the level of their performance in major sporting events. Well-informed nations take investments in sports seriously just as they promote their sports men and women. Nigeria must genuinely take note of this and act appropriately.

The victorious side at the end of this year’s championship will, in addition to going home with medals, also go home with a brand new trophy donated by the tournament’s patron, Mrs Clementina Doregos. The losing finalists in the May 29 final will not go home empty-handed though as the sum of seventy-five thousand naira has been set aside for them, in addition to a trophy donated by the CEO of Arise & Shine Oil, Mr Ponle Ademola. The third and fourth-placed sides will also go home with the sum of fifty thousand naira and twenty-five thousand naira respectively, while complete sets of jerseys will be handed out to all four semi-finalists.

the NFF President’s trip to England was a wild goose chase. When asked where he sees himself in the next five years, Chuba Akpom told Arsenal’s official Twitter account, ‘’ Hopefully still playing for Arsenal and the England senior team too. I want to emulate the Arsenal legends.’’ On the other hand, teammate Alex Iwobi has decided not to follow the same path as his childhood friend, with the 18 year old in contention to make his debut for the Nigeria Under 23s this weekend, subject to Fifa’s approval.

GlochargesEagletstobeatZambia

igeria’s U-17 National team, Golden Eaglets, have been advised to go for total victory over Zambia on Saturday at the ongoing CAF U-17 Championship in Niamey, Niger Republic. National Telecommunication Company, Globacom in a statement in Lagos on Thursday said that outright victory over the Zambian U-17 national team in the last group match would place the Eaglets at a vantage position to qualify for the semifinals. The Eaglets, who held Guinea to a 1-1draw in their last group match,

need an outright win against Zambia to boost their chance of finishing top of Group A. “The draw with Guinea was not a bad outing, but the Zambia match is a must-win and we believe the Eaglets can make it,” Globacom added. Globacom, therefore advised the Eaglets to concentrate and go for early goals which according to the company “will boost the team’s confidence to win the match.” Globacom is the major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation and the official sponsor of all Nigerian national teams.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT 53

NEW TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Khan gives up on Mayweather

Sport Trending

mir Khan admits he wants Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao to fight each other even if it means he misses out on his dream fight. Khan had been hoping his superb performance against Devon Alexander was enough to earn a shot at unbeaten Mayweather - or alternatively, Pacquiao, if the fight could not be made. But the pair, arguably the two best fighters of their generation, appear to be on a collision course to meet in Las Vegas in May after avoiding each other for many years. The fight has not been confirmed, but Khan admits that he will have no complaints if it is, because he – as a fight fan himself – wants to see it happen. “I think they are hopefully fighting each other in May,” he said.

TWITTER |@NTelegraphSport Kanu Nwankwo FA Cup quarterfinals. Hope your team is among them because I can’t wait to watch Man U against Arsenal. Good game and you know who always come out on top. @papilokanu

Ronaldo is back, says Ancelotti

eal Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is relieved Cristiano Ronaldo returned to top form in Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League win at Schalke. The Portuguese forward had not scored in a month, a span of time in which he had to serve a two-match suspension for kicking out at Cordoba defender Edimar. Ronaldo not only scored but also set up Marcelo for Real’s second to put the defending European champions in a commanding

Kalusha Bwalya Fantastic position to be in. Can the boys make history? I believe. @KalushaPBwalya jonathan akpoborie The commentators should please be neutral at least. @akpoborie Peter Odemwingie Big thanks to @itvfootball for the opportunity and the experience. Really enjoyed it. Great team! I was well looked after. Best wishes. @OdemwingieP

position after the last-16 first-leg tie. “Cristiano has scored, has played well and has provided an assist,” Ancelotti told his club’s official website. “Cristiano is back. “In this team we have no problems if Cristiano does not score for one or two games. “Everyone knows that if he doesn’t score in two games he will do after. “We really needed a game like this one. “The team had the right attitude, we played good football and everything has gone well.”

teven Gerrard will not cap- having led the team since 2013. “He is arriving as an additain LA Galaxy when he completes his lucrative move tion, not as a replacement as from Liverpool in July, accord- captain,” Keane told reporters ing to current skipper Robbie in Dublin. Keane. “I have spoken to Steven Gerrard will link up with and he is excited about the Galaxy once his Liverpool con- challenge of coming to LA tract expires at the end of the Galaxy.” 2014-15 Premier League season after signing an 18-month deal with the MLS champions in January. The 34-year-old former England international is expected to play a key role for Bruce Arena’s men but that will not involve wearing the captain’s armband. Republic of Ireland international Keane has no intention Keane of relinquishing the captaincy,

arcelona star Lionel Messi has admitted problems “on and off the pitch” affected his performances in 2014. The 27-year-old still managed to score 41 goals in 46 games in all competitions last term, but failed his own incredibly high standards as Barca ended the season without a trophy. Messi has now acknowledged that injuries and his tax case hurt his form last campaign and he is desperate to show his true self again in 2015.

World Cup from its current 32team structure to a 40 or even 48team competition. “Both these options are feasible with an extra three to four days of tournament play. If this expansion were to take place, I believe that additional teams should come from non-European nations.” Figo will go up against Blatter, Michael van Praag and Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein in the May 29 poll, and the 42-year-old hopes to redistribute Fifa reserves to national associations if he lands the top job.

Venus Williams continues her boycott of Indian Wells!

Venus

erena Williams will partecipate at the Indian Wells tour nament after 14 years of boycott, her sister Venus hasn’t changed her decision and will remain absent in the tour nament as she’s continued to do all these years. The World no. 11, who was beaten on Wednes-

Chioma Ubogagu On bike ride to practise in 70 degree weather. Yass it’s tank top season, ladies!! #WishyWashy #Exposed #GetOffTwitter @ChiAlreadyKnow

“The truth is that this year I tried to get to my best form as quickly as possible. I knew I was coming off the back of a not very good year, during which I went through a lot of problems on and off the field,” the Argentina international told Mundo Leo. “It was a challenge to change the image that I had given out last season and to be the player I had been in previous seasons again. That was my objective and that’s how I came out at the start of this season, really up for it.”

Figo proposes 48-team World Cup

Kobe Bryant There is power in understanding the journey of others to help create your own. @kobebryant

Messi:Ihadalotofproblems in2014

KeanerulesoutLAGalaxycaptaincyforGerrard

uis Figo says the World Cup could be expanded to a 40 or 48-team event if he becomes Fifa president in May. The Portuguese playing legend is one of three men challenging incumbent Sepp Blatter in this year’s election, and insists he wants Fifa to be more inclusive of countries outside of Europe. Launching his manifesto at a press conference at Wembley Stadium on Thursday, Figo announced: “I believe we should consider proposals to expand the

Chiney Ogwumike Happy Birthday POP! Holding it down for 50 years! We love you mucho! @Chiney321

day by Lucia Safarova at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Open, expressed her thoughts on her sister’s choice to accept the Wild Card, saying, “It was a decision that she took alone, and we respect (it) fully. As for me, I have not enrolled in the indian Wells tournament!”

Messi

Klopp warns of Dortmund complacency

Figo

orussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp was worried by the relief shown by some of his players during the 4-2 win over Mainz and has warned against complacency this week. Klopp’s side fought back from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 but, after conceding an equaliser, needed two late goals to continue their recovery following a dismal first half to the season.

Klopp

However, Klopp was worried by the relief his players showed after taking the lead for the first time and warned against it ahead of Friday’s trip to Stuttgart. “It is okay to be happy. The problem is that everyone is so relieved. That is a huge difference because you stay relaxed,” explained the Dortmund boss. “You saw it after we scored the second against Mainz. I saw three players who looked up to the sky. That is not a joke. It looked like they thought ‘okay, we did it’. “But we have not accomplished anything until the game is over. Of course I understand the reaction because the pressure is immense but in this relaxed state we lost our compactness and allowed Mainz back into the match.”

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Theophilus Afelokhai Kano Pillars and Super Eagles keeper

Best Food: Moi-moi with egg and fish Best Drink: Andre Best Colour: White Best city visited or holiday spot: Benin Best club supported: Kano Pillars, Arsenal Best Car: Infinity Jeep Best Designer: Nigerian designers Best Perfume: Black Best Music: Benji Igbadume, Lucky Dube Best Actor: Sylvester Stallone Best Actress: Omotola Ekeinde Best Competition ever attended: CAF Champions League Best Boot: Nike Best Jersey no: 22 Home Town: Akoko Edo State: Edo State Best match: Kano Pillars 2-2 draw against Al-Alhy in Cairo Worst Match: Kano Pillars 4-0 loss to Heartland in Owerri

U-17 African championship No hiding place for Nigeria, Zambia coach boasts South Africa, Mali in pulsating 2-2 draw Ifeanyi Ibeh

oach of Zambia’s U-17 team, Christopher Kaunda, has declared that his team will end Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets chances of featuring at this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup when both sides clash on Saturday in their final Group A game of the ongoing CAF U-17 Championship in Niger. Kaunda, speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash in Niamey, reiterated his desire to qualify for

the U-17 World Cup, adding that his players will go all out against the Golden Eaglets. “It was important that we won our second game. This will give the boys a bit of confidence going into the game with Nigeria,” said Kaunda, whose team defeated Niger 2-1 on Wednesday, three days after losing their tournament opener to Guinea. “When we get into the third game against Nigeria, we are going to see a new Zambian team. “Nigeria have four points, we

have three. We are going to attack them in our last game because we need the win,” Kaunda stated, in an interview with Supersport. com. Vice captain of the Zambian side, Enoch Nwepu, reiterated his coach’s desire to defeat the Golden Eaglets in Saturday’s Group A decider. “We don’t have problems as regards who will play. It was a great win against Niger and we hope to end on a high against Nigeria,” he said.

outh Africa and Mali drew 2-2 in a pulsating CAF U-17 Championship Group B clash at the Stade Municipal as both sides kept alive their hopes of reaching the last four. Sidiki Maiga gave Mali the half-time advantage as his 18th minute goal separated the two sides at the break. Boubacar Traore grabbed his second tournament goal with a picturesque volley on the hour mark as Mali looked set to collect maximum points. But Amajim-

bos, who let go a two-goal lead in their opening match against defending champions Cote d’Ivoire, were architects of a come-back of their own this time. Substitute Luvuyo Mkatshana pulled one back inside the box with 16 minutes remaining on the clock and six minutes later Katlego Mohame thundered home the equaliser. The draw left Amajimbos on two points from two games while Mali moved to four from the same number of games.

Junior Chipolopolo pair to miss Eaglets clash Ifeanyi Ibeh

Eaglets celebrating

igeria’s Golden Eaglets chances of progressing to the semi-finals of the ongoing CAF U-17 Championship in Niger has recieved an unlikely boost ahead of Saturday’s game against Zambia after two Zambian players got themselves suspended after picking up their second yellow cards of the tournament in Wednesday’s win over Niger. Defenders Prosper Chilufya and Edward Chimfwembe both picked up their second bookings in the 2-1 win over the tournament hosts, three days after bagging yellow cards in their opening Group A match against Guinea; a game the Junior Chipolopolo lost 1-0. Goals from Patson Daka and Wayne Museba, the former in the 6th minute

and the latter in the 17th, handed the Zambians their first win of the tournament over the Nigeriens, who grabbed their only goal of the game in the 65th minute through Malick Saidou. But with three points from their opening two matches, the Zambians need an outright win over the Golden Eaglets, who are a point ahead of the East Africans, to ensure a place in the semi-finals, as well as October’s FIFA U-17 World Cup, taking place in Chile. Emmanuel Amuneke’s side however require just a draw to secure qualification for the semi-finals. A draw will however translate into a second-place finish for the Golden Eaglets if Guinea, who are tied on four points with the reigning world U-17 champions, expectedly defeat Niger on Saturday.

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Moroccan woman (Zahra Aboutalib, 75-year-old) gave birth to a ‘stone baby’, 46 years after it was conceived. The baby developed outside the womb.

A thought for Nigeria’s Armed Forces

ust like that and one week is already gone out of the six weeks requested by the Nigerian Armed Forces to enable it to clear Boko Haram from the North-East. As they say ‘like joke like joke,’ the days are already running. The presidential and National Assembly elections that ought to have held on February 14, 2015 were shifted by six weeks as the Nigerian military requested, according to Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega. In the last few days, Nigerians have been watching and waiting for the military to show real cause why it should be believed. And I can say that, going by reports in the media over the last one week, there is some measure of hope. It has been reported that new military hardware have been procured while there is a renewed push against the insurgents. Also, the Multinational Joint Task Force comprising Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad has reportedly swung into action against Boko Haram. Meanwhile, Boko Haram has not gone to sleep, as its devilish agents have been causing some damage in different places. In characteristic manner, the insurgents have bombed a few places, attacked some towns and made fresh threats through their presumed leader, Abubakar Shekau, that the elections will not hold. While lives have been lost in Boko Haram’s deadly attacks since the rescheduling of the elections, it has also recorded huge losses. Reports had it yesterday that the gallant Nigerian Armed Forces had begun a big push into the dreaded Sambisa forest and parts of Gwoza in Borno State. A statement released by PR Nigeria on behalf of the Defence Headquarters yesterday indicated that the armed forces had recorded some gains against the terrorists. The statement, signed by Director Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, reads: A concerted air campaign by the Nigerian Air Force is ongoing in furtherance of the mission to clear terrorists from all their enclaves. The air strikes which today targeted the training camps and logistics dumps of the terrorists in Sambisa forests and parts of Gwoza have been highly successful as it achieved the aims with required precision. The deaths of a large number of terrorists has been recorded while many others are also scampering all over the forest and out of the struck bases. Details of casualty will be determined in subsequent phases of the operation. Meanwhile, the strikes continue in other locations of the theatre heralding the advance of troops and other elements of the mission.” Such information has surely gladdened the hearts of Nigerians who have grown weary of the stories of our soldiers fleeing the advance of the insurgents on different occasions. The renewed push against the insurgents has also attracted the attention of the United States, which is assisting with training. However, it is salutary to know that as we count to the days chosen for the rescheduled elections, there is hope that the polls will hold afterall. Interestingly, the situation presents two scenarios.

Vantage

Point

EMEKA MADUNAGU emeka.madunagu@newtelegraphonline.com 08059757248 (sms only)

Badeh

The first is that the military is helping to clear the constituencies occupied by Boko Haram for the elections. This is commendable and should be supported by all. The other side is that the courts have declared that the military have no role in providing security for the elections. Some days ago, an appeal court frowned on the deployment of soldiers in Ekiti State during the June 21, 2015 governorship election. Therefore, it is hoped that after the military is done with clearing the occupied constituencies, it will give way for the police to provide security for the rescheduled elections. If the Presidency feels it has a compelling need to deploy soldiers in election zones, it should challenge the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja at the Supreme Court. It should not engage in any act of illegality by trying to force soldiers on voters. It is unfortunate that in our recent democratic experience, politicians have regularly debased the hallowed Nigerian Armed Forces by engaging soldiers in duties strictly meant for policemen. It is such a sad spectacle to see soldiers acting as guards to ordinary Nigerians, simply because they are connected to the Presi-

dency. If we want to be taken seriously, the Nigeria Police should be adequately equipped for the task of providing internal security. Recent reports about solders being sent to occupy the gates of Imo State Government House in Owerri and to mount surveillance on the Ikoyi, Lagos home of All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, leave a sour taste in the mouths of discerning observers. It was such a sad spectacle seeing security agents donning masks during the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections last year. What was that meant for? And it was also strange to see some childish politicians gloating over this glaring misuse of the armed forces. Of course, politics has thrown up all kinds of low-profile politicians, who have found themselves occupying top positions in the country. So, they don’t care if they bring disrespect to the military by dragging it into purely civilian matters. It is in the same light that I view the odious scandal involving some top politicians and a serving general in connection with the Ekiti governorship election. It is such a sordid affair when mere politicians can be heard on the tape threatening a whole general

of the Nigerian Army with reprisals if he failed to do their bidding. Though President Goodluck Jonathan has said he won’t order an investigation into the shameful matter, posterity will judge whether it was such an auspicious thing to do. I would like to call on the Nigerian Military High Command to urgently consider restoring the dignity and pride of the revered institution. While growing up, I recall that we regarded soldiers in awe, especially as we read of their exploits on peacekeeping missions. Also, the military’s leadership should go beyond all the trials of soldiers and officers to investigate why they allegedly failed to tackle Boko Haram on a number of occasions. Surely, it hurts the national pride to read negative stories about the military in a time of war. The immense sacrifices made by its gallant officers and soldiers should not be taken for granted. I also would like to go beyond President Goodluck Jonathan’s simplistic approach to the issue when he declared recently that he gets angry whenever he reads negative comments about the military. Mr. President, the matter goes beyond merely getting angry. Please, do everything to restore the pride of the military. As a matter of fact, withdraw all soldiers attached to politicians. These characters demean the military. As they say in Pidgin: “Na see finish dey cause am (Too much familiarity is the cause).” When you expose the military to all manner of assignments, then people won’t value the essence of our gallant soldiers. Imagine the shameful spectacle some years ago of retired soldiers camped under Abuja’s bridges because they had not been paid their pensions! What do you make of such an avoidable episode? Is it fair to these men who risked their lives in the service of Nigeria? Your guess is as good as mine. The families of departed soldiers should be provided with adequate relief to enable them to bear the loss of their breadwinners. If any soldiers are injured and in need of medical care, they should be given the best. I believe I speak the mind of millions of Nigerians. We want an armed forces we can be proud of anywhere. We also hope and pray that the military succeeds in its onerous task of ridding the nation, once and for all, of these evil elements. I end this piece with some quotable quotes to cheer our gallant troops: “... It is a proud privilege to be a soldier - a good soldier . (with) discipline, self-respect, pride in his unit and his country, a high sense of duty and obligation to comrades and to his superiors, and a self confidence born of demonstrated ability.” – George S. Patton Jr. “America’s finest - our men and women in uniform, are a force for good throughout the world, and that is nothing to apologise for.” – Sarah Palin “Have you ever stopped to ponder the amount of blood spilt, the volume of tears shed, the degree of pain and anguish endured, the number of noble men and women lost in battle so that we as individuals might have a say in governing our country? Honour the lives sacrificed for your freedoms.” – Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway: Quotes, Verse, & Grumblings for Every Day of the Year

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