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Tuesday, January 13, 2015

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Vol. 1 No. 328

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Ronaldo is world footballer of the year

Oil price crashes to $48 per barrel Adeola Yusuf

il price yesterday renewed its decline, falling to a new six-year low at $48 a barrel and worsening the

bickering among members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on how to stop the slide. The prices of Brent and U.S. crude are near their

lowest since April 2009, having fallen for seven straight weeks on a growing supply glut. The February Brent contract was down $1.33 at $48.78 a barrel while the

U.S. crude oil for the period was down $1.20 at $47.16 per barrel. Analysts at Goldman Sachs cut their threemonth forecasts for Brent to $42 a barrel from $80 and

for the U.S. West Texas Intermediate contract to $41 from $70 a barrel. The bank cut its 2015 Brent forecast to $50.40 a barrel from $83.75 and CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

N150

}53

33 days to go...

NIGERIA VOTES 2015

IA NIGER VOTES 2015 }8&9

Verbal war over polls

lNigeria'll worsen under Jonathan, says General Buhari }2 lPresident: NADECO members supporting APC are hypocrites

Traders watched as fire gutted Balogun Market in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śyesterday.

Travel Advisory Your guide to local and international flights 4

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

APC alleges attack on Odigie-Oyegun's residence

lWe're probing allegation, say police Johnchuks Onuanyim and Emmanuel Onani

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday alleged that gunmen suspected

to be assassins raided the Abuja home of its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the

gunmen who attacked the residence at 1:30a.m. headed straight to OdigieCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria'll worsen under Jonathan, says Buhari Johnchuks Onuanyim, Kunle Olayeni, Steve Uzoechi and Sola Adeyemo

resident Goodluck Jonathan and his main challenger in next month's presidential election, Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday traded barbs as they were back on the hustings. Buhari, at a campaign rally in Owerri, warned against re-electing the president, saying Nigeria will only get worse under him. But the president, who was in Ibadan and Abeokuta to solicit for votes, described as hypocrites members of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), an organisation that was in the forefront of the campaign against military rule in the late 90s, supporting Buhari. Addressing party supporters in Owerri, Buhari said it would be a mortal error for Nigeria to witness another Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government after May 29. He said after 16 years of being in power and leaving behind a legacy of failures in education, security, health, infrastructure and other critical areas, the PDP had run out of ideas on how to meet the needs of Nigerians. “After 16 years of being in power, they have tried everything they know and the country is not working. As a matter of fact, Nigeria can only get worse if the PDP returns to power. It is in your best interest to secure your Permanent Voters' Cards, ensure you vote and protect your vote. If you do not vote right, you put your future in jeopardy,” he said. Buhari restated his determination to fight terrorism and corruption, if elected. Lamenting that the present administration has paid lip service to power generation, Buhari said there was no way Nigeria could be industrialised without stable power supply. Buhari, at another occasion, also called on the Federal Government to reduce fuel price given the slide in crude oil price in the international market A statement from the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Nigerians should be allowed to enjoy the relief that has come to consum-

ers of petroleum products globally. He said: "It is disturbing that in spite of the fall in the global price of crude oil, Nigerians still buy petroleum products at pump prices as if the global price of crude oil had remained at $100 per barrel. “The current attempt by the government to deregulate the prices of some petroleum products has been completely compromised to satisfy a few money bags to the detriment of the Nigerian people and the economy. “The price of diesel which has been deregulated since 2009 still sells at the pump price of N150 and N170 per litre, the same pump price when the international benchmark per barrel of crude was over $100. Now that the international bench-

mark has dropped to $47.5 per barrel as at Monday, we ask: where is the deregulation and the relief which it ought to bring to local consumers of diesel? “For the Nigerian consumers, unfortunately the collapse of crude oil price since October 2014 has not translated into any change in diesel, kerosene and PMS prices across the country. “We challenge the Federal Government to reconcile the information on the website of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency, indicating the maximum open market price of diesel pay per litre in December 2014 as being at N111.6 and the fact that the price has come down to less than $50 as at Monday." The party also took stock of its campaign, saying this is the best time for it to win the presidential

election. It said at the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) that if the present opportunity were missed, it would be difficult to win the presidential election in near future. The Director General of the APC presidential campaign and the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, said there might not be another chance like this anymore if the party should lose the momentum. On his part, the Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu, who represented the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, described the party's situation as a turning point in the political history of Nigeria. "This is the first time a ruling party is jittery about the activities of

the opposition. Why they are jittery is no other reason than that we have made the right choice of candidate, one who has paid his dues; a Nigerian politician who enjoys infectious support from the people of this country. "The wind for change has come. Whether you like it or not you could see it that the people want change. The atmosphere is very stuffy, the fresh air never existed. What is expected of every one of us is to ensure that every possible step, every legal step that would be in line with due process, every step that would be seeing as peaceful means of effecting a change must be adopted," he added. Inaugurating the PCC, Buhari charged them to give a sense of participation and belonging to major stakeholders and engender widespread sup-

port for the project. However, Jonathan, during his campaign in Ibadan, paid tributes to Yoruba heroes such as the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Chief Samuel Akintola, the late Chief Lamidi Adedibu and the late Alhaji Lam Adesina, among others and lambasted people parading themselves as progressives for supporting Buhari who jailed some of the leaders when he was a military head of state. He said: "The NADECO members that are backing Buhari today are hypocrites. If not, they should be able to remember the atrocities of Buhari when he was the military head of state and consider the achievements of my administration in the last three-and-a-half years. "But I'm seizing this CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

L-R: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin; Senator Lekan Balogun; former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, at the party’s presidential campaign rally in Ibadan…yesterday

APC alleges attack on Odigie-Oyegun's residence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Oyegun's room. But the APC chair escaped death by a whisker as he was at a meeting when the gunmen struck. ''The facts of the raid as available so far point to a sinister motive. For example, only Chief Oyegun's room was ransacked in the whole house. Common sense dictates that if the invaders were robbers, they would have ransacked the whole house in search of money and other valuables, which they might have believed were in the residence ''The invaders, two burly men, removed the window burglar bars to gain access to the residence from the back, and

then made straight for the bedroom of our national chairman. Police security was in place at the residence when the incident happened,'' APC stated. Expressing concern over the safety of OdigieOyegun and his family, the party said while it did not know who was behind the raid, the personality attacks directed at the opposition by the top leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their spokesmen had heightened tension and endangered the lives of opposition politicians. Also, the Director General of APC presidential candidate and governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, decried the

attack, stating that the Federal Government has failed the people. Amaechi spoke at the inauguration of the APC presidential campaign in Abuja. He said: "I start my speech on a sad note. Our national chairman was attacked at his residence by armed robbers. We are supposedly to be protected by Federal Government and if people in Abuja are not safe, who is safe?" However, the police have said investigation into the raid on OdigieOyegun has commenced. The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Emmanuel Ojukwu, an Acting Commissioner of Police, responding to an

enquiry on the incident, told New Telegraph that the police had received reports of the attack and had launched a probe into the incident. "It's being investigated; there was a report made to the police that the national chairman of APC's house was invaded around 1:30a.m. We are looking into it; no arrest has been made," Ojukwu said in a telephone interview. In another development, there was a bomb scare at the campaign office of the APC governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Senator Julius Ucha. An improvised explosive device (IED) was recovered by the Ebonyi State police command at

the campaign office in Abakaliki, the state capital on Sunday night. An aide to Ucha, John Ekeh said that the IED was thrown into the campaign office along Kipirikpiri road on Sunday night. John Eke said they heard a loud sound at the back of the building at 10. 45pm on Sunday night when the suspected terrorists threw in the IED through the fence with intention to bomb the office and unfortunately the explosive could not catch up with the petrol that accompanied it. Police public Relations officer of Ebonyi command (PPRO), ASP Chris Anyanwu, confirmed the incident.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

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Travel Advisory

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

International Flight Schedule

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

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

Lagos-London London-Lagos Lagos-New York

W3 101 W3 102 W3 107 (Mon, Wed & Fri) W3 108 (Tues,Thurs & Fri) W3 103 W3 104 - (Tues, Wed &Thur) - (Tues, Wed &Thur) -

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

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

12:30hrs

16:00hrs

KLM

ARIK AIRLINES

New York-Lagos Lagos-Johannesburg Johannesburg-Lagos Lagos-Douala Douala-Lagos Lagos-Accra

10:45hrs 09:35hrs 11:10hrs 13:25hrs 07:20hrs 17:00hrs -(Tue,Thur,Sat,Sun) 08:05hrs -(Mon,Wed,Fri) 13:35hrs 18:00hrs -(Daily) 17:00hrs 06:00hrs - (Wed,Fri,Sun) 08:00hrs 17:00hrs -(Wed,Fri,Sun) 08:00hrs -(Wed,Fri,Sun) 15:20hrs -(Wed,Fri,Sun) 21:00hrs -(Mon,Tue,Thur, Fri,Sat) -(Tue,Wed, 01:00hrs Fri,Sat,Sun)

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

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

BA075 BA074 BA 082 BA 083

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

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

Lebanon-Lagos Lagos-Lebanon

MEA 571 MEA 572

3:00hrs 14:00hrs

8:00hrs 19:00hrs

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

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

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

BRITISH AIRWAYS

hrs

Middle East Airlines (Two flights weekly (Tues & Friday) to Lagos) EMIRATES AIRLINES

QATAR AIRWAYS DELTA AIRLINES

UNITED AIRLINES

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

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

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Departure 14:00hrs 16:30hrs 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

Arrival 15:55hrs 18:15hrs 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

Lagos to Addis Ababa Addis Ababa to Lagos Abuja to Addis Ababa Addis Ababa to Abuja Enugu to Addis Ababa Addis Ababa to Enugu Kano to Addis Ababa Addis Ababa to Kano

ET900 ET901 ET910 ET911 ET930 ET931 ET930 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

05:25+1hrs 20:20hrs

Lagos-Casablanca Casablanca-Lagos

AT738 AT 737

06:25hrs 02:15hrs

09:55hrs 6:00hrs

Lagos-London London-Lagos

VS 652 VS 651

11:00hrs 22:40hrs

17:00hrs 4:40hrs

Lagos- Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi-Lagos

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

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

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

Lagos-Cairo Cairo-Lagos

MS 876 MS 875

14:25hrs 08:30hrs

22:20hrs 13:30hrs

Lagos-Nairobi Nairobi-Lagos

KQ 533 KQ 534

12:30hrs 18:00hrs

19:35hrs 23:45hrs

Lagos-Kigali

AWB 201 11:15hrs (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) AWB 202 14:00hrs (Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun)

16:45hrs

Lagos-Istanbul Nairobi-Lagos

332 333

22:35hrs 15:10hrs

06:00hrs 21:20hrs

Lagos to Abidjan

HF 851 10:10hrs (Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sun) HF 852 19:20hrs (Mon,Wed, Thurs, Sat)

10:50hrs

IBERIA

air maroc

VIRGIN ATLANTIC ETIHAD AIRWAYS

EGYPT AIR

KENYA AIRWAYS RwandAir

Kigali-Lagos

Turkish Airlines Air Côte d'Ivoire

Abidjan to Lagos

17:30hrs

21.50hrs

ASKY Airlines international travel tips Earning Miles on ASKY Airlines ASKY is a Lome -Togo based airline that provides an extensive route network within West Africa. The airline provides excellent connections with Ethiopian Airlines flights serving cities in West Africa. Ethiopian Airlines and ASKY provide an end-toend service for frequent flyers enrolled in ShebaMiles. The airlines jointly provide full coverage of Africa providing full mile earning opportunity for a frequent flyer.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Jonathan moves to pacify aggrieved PDP govs, lawmakers lDangles ministerial, ambassadorial appointments

Donald Ojogo Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan has commenced moves to placate ‘critical stakeholders’ within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure that the party does not go into the general election badly divided. A party source who confided in New Telegraph specifically identified some governors elected on the platform of the party and a few influential senators who lost out in ‘mysterious circumstances at the primaries’ as targets of the fresh rapprochements

which include the promise of some juicy, ‘grade one’ appointments. Two of the aggrieved governors who lost out in the scheming that preceded the party primaries are said to be positioned for ministerial appointments while one is being considered for ambassadorial posting. One of the governors, it was gathered, would be saddled with the responsibility of supervising an interventionist ministry. Another senator who lost out amid intrigues is also being considered for an appointment as minister to man a grade one ministry. It was gathered that the need to interface with

the angry governors and federal lawmakers became necessary against the backdrop of reports that the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) was already making efforts to them to join the opposition ahead of the crucial elections. One of the governors is said to have initiated moves to undermine PDP in his state. Three governors-Emmanuel Uduaghan(Delta), Martin Elechi(Ebonyi) and Sullivan Chime(Enugu) are the worst hit in the battle for space and control of the party machinery in their respective states as PDP conducted the primaries into various elective posi-

tions. For Uduaghan, not only was he compelled to withdraw from the senatorial race, he was not allowed, as some of his colleagues did, to have decide on his successor. Most of his aides and associates vying for various elective positions also lost out as they were substituted by the party. Elechi’s ordeal is close to that of Uduaghan as, neither did he succeed in installing his preferred candidate and former Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, nor did he have a hand in the nomination of persons for elective positions. However, Chime had

to forego his senatorial ambition for the party to allow his anointed candidate, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to emerge as its gubernatorial candidate for Enugu State. The source said the need for re-assurance on the part of both the president and the governors as well as the senators became imperative ahead of the presidential election. “The need for them to meet to iron out some grey areas was too important for all to ignore. Even though it became clear at some point that the governors were not fairly-treated, there were credible reports that some of those aggrieved critical stakeholders were being

L-R: Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi and Executive Director, African Policy Research Institute, Ambassador Samuel Dongonyaro, at a forum on the 2015 elections in Abuja…yesterday.

Jonathan: NADECO members supporting APC are hypocrites CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

opportunity to advise you not to listen to them. Don't let them misdirect you; don't vote for them but vote for all the candidates of the PDP. We shall do you good. We have done a lot of things, and we shall do more if you vote for us come February this year. "My administration will give Ibadan an international airport as requested by the Olubadan and we shall look into ways of re-establishing Ibadan Dry Port, among others." In Abeokuta, Jonathan acknowledged the contributions of political giants from Ogun State, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo

and the late Chief Moshood Abiola, to national development. He added that his administration's industrial policies have benefitted Ogun State immensely, as 56 new industries have relocated to the state in the past three years. The president promised to continue the transformation agenda of his administration in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, education, power generation as well as youth and women empowerment. He said his government was private sectorfriendly, adding that he was set to engage the private sector actively to create two million jobs annually if re-elected.

APC targets eight Southern states to win presidential election Johnchuks Onuanyim

he All Progressives Congress (APC) is anchoring its victory in next month's presidential election on its ability to win at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in at least eight southern states to supplement its expected victory in the North, New Telegraph has learnt. A national official of the party said in a telephone interview yesterday that the permutation informed the party's decision to start its campaign in the southern part of the country and it would spend more time to campaign for votes in the geopolitical zone than in the North. The party's presidential

candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari last week launched his campaign in Port Harcourt, which is in the SouthSouth geopolitical zone, where President Goodluck Jonathan hails from. The party official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak on APC campaign strategy, said: "The only strategy for the party to win presidential election is for the party to win at least 25 per cent votes in eight states in the South. "The target of the party is to win four states from the South-West, two states each from the South-South and South-East. "As you know today, APC is only controlling

six states in the South and additional two more states with 25 per cent votes in the presidential election in the zone would give the expected victory for the party. "As you are aware, Buhari had a poor result in the South in 2011 presidential election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). We are guiding against that kind of result he had in 2011 in the South and would concentrate our campaign in the zone." The 2011 presidential election result showed that Buhari, who ran the election on the platform of the now defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) could not secure 25 per cent votes in any of the states in the south.

wooed by the APC; in fact, we got to know that they were already meeting at nights and planning how to stay to inflict havoc without leaving the party. “So the national chairman, Dr Adamu Mu’azu, as well as the Senate President, David Mark, initiated moves to ensure that the mutual suspicion was erased before the polls because some of those who feel aggrieved and shortchanged were of the view that even when they were not aggrieved and worked for the party, they got nothing to show for it. “The implication therefore, was that they had nothing more to lose in the eventual loss of the PDP in all elections, including the February 14 presidential poll. This informed the various meetings with the emotionally injured minds in the party, especially those who built the party that were shoved aside in mysterious circumstances in the party primaries for elections offices. “To say that the various treatments meted out to these leaders were saddening is an understatement; one of the governors has gone ahead to constitute campaign committees, yet he is perfecting plans against the party because he not only lost out, he was humiliated. “But we thank God that the meetings have been able to resolve some of the issues especially the growing distrust that was almost sinking the party. Promises have been made effectively and we do hope that they would be kept by those saddled with such powers,” he said. None of the governors could be reached for comments. But Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba confirmed that he had met with Jonathan. “Yes I met with the president after all these crises in company of the senate president and my governor; the truth is that no matter what happens, someone like me, I cannot leave PDP because I have worked for PDP; PDP has allowed me to work for my people. “Just as the president created audience and provided room for us to iron out issues, I believe he may have done same for others who feel the same way I felt,” he said. Responding to New Telegraph inquiry on the issue, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said concessions were part of politics and whatever the president and governors or any leaders agree to do to get the party on track was acceptable.

News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Gwarzo emerges interim director-general for SEC Chris Ugwu

ollowing the exit of Director-General (DG) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh, the erstwhile Executive Commissioner (Operations) in the commission, Mr. Mounir H. Gwarzo has been named as acting DG. This was announced by Oteh at a formal handover ceremony in the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. While handing over to Gwarzo, Oteh described her five-year tenure at the commission as outstanding, attributing it to the co-operation she received from every member of staff. She said: “When I joined SEC in January 2010, I was absolutely certain about why the SEC was important and what its role and what the agenda was. I was able to articulate it in one phrase – building a world class market. “To have a vision and have everyone being able to connect and align around it for me whether it is capital market operators, shareholders and other stakeholders for me was

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very rewarding. But I don’t think it would have been possible without each and every one of you accepting the challenge to try something in a different way or to do something in a way that you are not quite sure of.” She said that what the commission has been able to achieve is to lay a foundation for the nation to see a capital market that will help tackle its infrastruc-

ture challenges. “Our aim is to build a meritocracy so that it is the viable businesses that get funded, not necessarily the ones that have connections so that we can also tackle some of what we are seeing in our world today, whether it is security challenges we face or the security challenges that everybody faces. My view is that one of the things that will address it is if

people can feel that they are included, that they have economic access; that they can create wealth, that the income inequalities that we see around us can be addressed. “And I believe that the capital market is the answer and what we have done in the last five years is to lay a foundation; there is still a lot of work to be done,” Oteh said. She appealed to staff

to continue to work hard and support the leadership to ensure that the brand that has been built is not eroded. Gwarzo was born 50 years ago in Kano and attended Bayero University, Kano and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Economics in 1987. In 1991, he proceeded to the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom where he obtained a Post-Graduate

Degree in Development Finance. Gwarzo is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers. In 2005, he became a Fellow of the Institute. He has played roles in Nigerian Capital Market as an operator and as a regulator. This is evident from the calibre of institutions he has served during his working career that spans a period of 25 years.

L-R: Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha; All Progressives Congress (APC) vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo; the presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari; Senator Chris Ngige; National Deputy Chairman, South, Mr. Segun Oni and National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at the APC presidential campaign rally in Owerri...yesterday

Oil price crashes to new six-year low CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

U.S. crude to $47.15 a barrel from $73.75. Despite declining investments in U.S. shale oil, the main driver in the current supply glut, production will take longer to come down, Goldman said in a report. "To keep all capital sidelined and curtail investment in shale until the market has rebalanced, we believe prices need to stay lower for longer," the analysts said. Speaking to Reuters Global Oil Forum, Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch said he expected output cuts to start impacting prices in the second half of 2015. "At some point market participants will realise that a lot of oil will leave the market if prices stay low," Fritsch said. As OPEC's November decision not to curtail production in the face of falling prices piles pressure on some group members, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Salman in Riyadh on Sunday as part of a diplomatic tour in the Gulf to discuss

falling oil prices. However, Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, has said it will not support prices by cutting production and ignored calls from smaller OPEC members, including Venezuela, to react to falling oil prices at the cartel's November meeting. On Saturday, Iran vowed to help Venezuela stem the oil price fall. Meanwhile, a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanker has run aground off Nigeria after taking on a cargo at the country's Bonny Island export plant. The 165,000-cubicmetre-capacity Magellan Spirit tanker, owned by Teekay LNG Partners, ran aground trying to leave the port bound for South Korea, traders said. Teekay could not be reached for immediate comment. Reuters quoted a trader to have said that the tanker is not expected to disrupt inbound or outbound tanker traffic from Bonny Island as it is not blocking the shipping channel. Traders said that Vitol might have to seek a replacement cargo on the open market.

FG moves to end judicial workers’ strike Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Federal Government yesterday said that it is working with relevant stakeholders to end the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN). The position of the central government was contained in a statement issued by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN). In the statement signed by his Director of Information, Charles Nwodo, the AGF noted that the strike is unfortunate as it has paralysed the activities of the judiciary throughout the federation. The AGF also noted that that the Federal Government is not in breach or violation of the judgement of the Federal High Court as such has been publicly acknowledged by JUSUN in all their statements and

deliberations. He further stated that the strike is actually directed at state governments that are yet to comply with the judgement and that federal courts are only on sympathy strike with their state counterparts. "The foregoing notwithstanding, the Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity has been working assiduously with relevant stakeholders to resolve all the challenges that may have militated against the implementation of the judgement of the court. "The Federal Government acknowledges the imperative of an efficient and effective judiciary to our democratic consolidation and is doing all that is within its constitutional powers to ensure full implementation of the judgement. "We, therefore, call on all well-meaning Nigerians to appreciate the dynamics of the federal structure that Nigeria operates and the constitu-

tional limits of the Federal Government when dealing with the states especially with respect to matters within their constitutional mandates," the statement reads. JUSUN had embarked on the strike action to press for the implementation of the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja delivered on January 13, 2014 in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/667/13. The court among other things ordered that the amount standing to the credit of the states’ judiciary in the Federation/ Consolidated Revenue Fund be paid directly to the Heads of Courts in the various states’ judiciary in compliance with the provisions of sections 81(3), 121 (3) and 162 (9) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. But till the time strike started last week, most of the states are yet to comply with the judgement. JUSUN had, however, insisted that the strike will be not be called off until its demands are met.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

US advocates free, fair, credible elections CLARION CALL Americas advise to politicians: Stop intimidating opponents

Ibraheem Musa and Tony Okuyeme

igerian political leaders have been advised to refrain from intimidating opponents and making inflammatory remarks that can heat up the polity, in

the run up to the coming elections. The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, who made the call, was addressing a journalism training workshop which was organised by the US Embassy and the National secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ) in Kaduna yesterday. The Ambassador also called on the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC) and the political parties to ensure that all registered voters were allowed to vote for candidates of their choice to ensure that Nigeria holds a free, fair and credible elections next month. "Just 33 days from today, the 2015 general elections will begin. The United States strongly supports a free, transparent, credible, inclusive and nonviolent electoral process. We continue to call upon all Nigerians to refrain from advocat-

ing, fomenting or condoning violence before, during or after the elections. "We urge political parties and the government to ensure that all registered voters are able to participate freely in a peaceful and transparent process. In order to create an environment where that can happen, Nigeria's political leadership and all those who aspire to lead must refrain from engaging in inflammatory rhetoric or supporting acts of intimidation,’’

he added. Entwistle noted that the media play a vital role in creating that environment as well. In his address, the NUJ National President, Alhaji Mohammed Garba, had commended the US Embassy for sponsoring the training, saying it was part of the union's programme to develop the capacity of its members. He, however, called for the adoption of the draft Code of Ethics and Declaration of Right for Nigerian Journalists.

Emerhor laments low growth in Delta, calls for change Biyi Adegoroye

L-R: Chieftain, All Progressives Party (APC), Chief Bisi Akande Sokoto State Governorship candidate, Aminu Tambuwal and his runnig mate, Ahmed Aliyu, at the Party’s inauguration in Sokoto

Development, our objective — PDP Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has identified the development of Nigeria as the major issue in its electioneering for next month's general election. The party also said President Goodluck Jonathan has performed creditably to deserve another term in office. Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, in a television programme over the weekend said the election of President Jonathan for a second term would

mean the continuation of Nigeria as a secular modern state and not one that is set back many years in terms of religion, stability and peace, among others. "We do have challenges; we know those behind those challenges and we know what they are trying to do; but as long as President Jonathan remains focused, given a second mandate, I assure you that Nigeria will continue on the path of 21st century. “The second point is that the gains we have made in agriculture, the gains we have made in aviation, the gains we have made in every sector in this country will continue.

PUBLIC NOTICE TRINITY ACTS OF THE APOSTLES EVANGELICA MISSION INT’L The general public is hereby notified that the above mentioned MISSION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act LFN (cap 20).

The Trustees are: 1. Apostle Emmanuel Oladipupo - Chairman 2 Kasimeem Daniel Gholahan - Secretary 3 Olorunfemi Funmilayo - Treasurer 4. Awolowo Deborah 5 Pastor (Mrs.) Rachael Oladipupo 6. Surpise Oladipupo 7 Omojirhaye Emmanuel Ochuko 8. Aaron Aniefisk 9 Favour Oladipupo AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To worship God in spirit and (JOHN 4:24). Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: GENERAL OVERSEER APOSTLE EMMANUEL OLADIPUPO

Deadline for candidate withdrawal closes today Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

olitical parties can no longer withdraw or replace their governorship and state House of Assembly candidates for February 28 elections from today. Section 35 of the Electoral Act (2010) said the withdrawal of candidates should not be done later than 45 days before the election. For the presidential election and National Assembly candidates, that phase was crossed December 30, 2014. Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will formally present to political parties copies of the Voters’ Register to be used in conducting the 2015 gen-

eral election today. Section 20 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides that the Register of Voters for an election shall be published at least thirty (30) days before the elections. The timetable And Schedule of Activities for the 2015 general elections released to the public on January 24 2014 shows under item 10 that the Commission shall release/ publish the official Register of Voters for the election on January 13, 2015. The commission shall publish the list of nominated candidates contesting for the Presidency and National Assembly today as mandated by Section 34 of the Electoral Act which provides that it should be done 30 days before the election.

PDP brands Maku ingrate Dan Atori MINNA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has come down heavily on former Information Minister Mr Labaran Maku describing him as a destroyer and an ungrateful party man. The Vice Chairman of the PDP, North Cen-

tral Zone, Alhaji Yussuf Ayitogu, who gave the thumbs down in Minna yesterday also said that Maku was out to destroy the PDP in Nassarawa State by his defection to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, after he lost out in the party's gubernatorial primary election in the state.

ll Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in Delta State, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, has lamented the level of development in the state, stating that it was not commensurate with the volume of fund, which accrued to it in the past 16 years. Emehor called on the electorate in the state to vote out the Peoples Democratic Party for its inability to match the level of income which accrued to the state with development, and give the APC a chance to prove its worth.

NIGERIA VOTES 2015

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

IA NIGER S VOTE 2015

Obi: Why Jonathan will win

he Deputy-Director General of the National Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has expressed optimism that President Goodluck Jonathan would win the February 14 presidential election. Obi was speaking to newsmen during the Presidential campaign in Abeokuta, the Ogun State yesterday. Obi said the election would be won by Jonathan on the strength of his achievements in the last four years. His words: " There is no sector that the government of Jonathan has not touched. "The other day, the trains that stopped running in the country over 30 years ago came back on tracks. Under him, our airports are witnessing the type of infrastructural upgrade the sector had not witnessed in the past. In the area of agriculture, salient, verifiable reforms are the order of the day."

Makanjuola: We will repeat June 21 victory Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

he National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, has said the party will repeat its winning streak in the June 21 governorship election in the state come February 14 presidential election. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti

yesterday, he said President Goodluck Jonathan's campaign visit to the state on today would further consolidate the supremacy of the party in the political equation of the state. "We welcome leaders of our party to Ekiti State and we are sure going to continue our winning streak which saw us defeating the incumbent All Progressives Congress governor in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

PDP candidate warns against political violence Segun Edwards

House of Representative candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Hon. Dare Aliu, has warned politicians to refrain from any form of political violence, in the February general election, stating that such ungodly act would aggravate the already dehumanizing situation fostered on the country by the Boko Haram insurgency. Aliu, who is seeking to represent Akure South and North Federal Constituency, stated this at the weekend in Akure

during a fund raising ceremony organized by his political associates. “What I want to encourage is politics without bitterness, politics without violence. Not a winner takes all kind of politics. We should practice politics of substance, not politics of violence,” he said. Aliu, who was a member of the implementation and strategy committee group under the leadership of Chief Audu Ogbeh (former national chairman of the PDP), attributed his victory at the primaries to all his supporters.

News

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Buhari, honest man but.... says Lamido TESTIMONIAL

Even his opponents vouch for the APC presidential candidates impeccable character

Dahiru Suleiman DUTSE

t was a mild drama in Maigatari, the headquarters of Maigatari council in Jigawa State yes-

terday, when Governor Sule Lamido praised the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2014 presidential election, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari. Lamido said that Buhari was an honest man, who is in the midst of not very honest people. Lamido admitted that Buhari is an honest and transparent retired military Head of State. "Even though, we agree Buhari is honest and sincere, but what about his followers or

those behind him? Are they clean like him" Lamido queried. Speaking at Maigatari town in the on-going PDP state campaign for next month’s general election, Lamido emphasized that “we are not against Buhari's candidature for presidency under his party, but our concern is about the betrayers or the PDP defectors to APC.” According to Lamido, “ We will not relent in our efforts towards recapturing all our rebels who before their defec-

tion, were PDP products. "It really surprises me for people like Kwankwaso, Wammako, Baba Mai Mangoro, and whose profiles were natured and raised by the PDP to come over night and betray such a party. To me that's a great insult. That we must challenge and fight for redress.” He contended that “we don't have any grudges with APC as a political party, neither its members, but our former colleagues with whom we suffered for

the formation of the PDP and struggled for the restoration of social just in the party and good governance for stable democracy but because of corruption and selfish interest to revert back to a party of aggrieved and rebellion-the APC. " I therefore urge you, the Maigatari PDP family and beyond, never allow yourselves to be misled during elections, be cautious of your future and vote PDP for peace, progress, and stability of our great country"

Ebonyi PDP alleges plot by LP to disrupt Jonathan's rally We'll reject piecemeal release of Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

he Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Ebonyi State has allegedly uncovered plots by opposition Labour Party(LP),to disrupt President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential campaign rally, slated for January 16, 2015 in the state. They also said that the LP had concluded plans to mobilize their members to cause Mayhem at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, venue of the event, which PDP described as outright

invitation to anarchy and such would be unprecedented, if allowed to happen. This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abakaliki yesterday and signed by the Director Media and Publicity, "Divine Mandate Campaign Organization" Hon. Abia Onyike, a copy of which was obtained by New Telegraph. According to the statement, it would be recalled that a top government official recently, disclosed that the administration of Governor Martin Elechi, had set up a committee to

receive the president when he arrives for PDP presidential campaign rally. The statement further stated that was a well known fact that Elechi's appointees have been coerced in joining and supporting the LP against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)in the state. Continuing, the statement urged the National Secretariat of the PDP and the presidency to intervene in the matter and restore lasting understanding to avoid what could appear to be a fallout of the PDP's primaries in the state.

Voters' Register by INEC — APC

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has demanded a complete, rather than piecemeal, release of Voters' Register for all the states of the federation by INEC, as required by law, on Tuesday, Jan. 13th 2015. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it would not accept anything less than a complete release of the Voters' Register under any circumstance.

''If on Tuesday January 13th 2015, the date INEC plans to make public the Voters' Register, that of the South-west and other key states are held back, our party will reject whatever lists comes later,'' it warned. APC further said: ''Anything short of a complete release of the Voters' Register will raise the suspicion that some forces are working to manipulate the register of some states where the opposition has strong followership.''

NIGERIA VOTES 2015

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

IA NIGER S VOTE 2015

Gulak: Ngilari stole my mandate Ibrahim Abdul YOLA

t appears that the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Adamawa is yet to be over as the immediate past Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak maintained that he remains the substantive senatorial candidate of Adamawa North Senatorial zone under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said that he contested and won the party primaries, not the state Governor, Bala James Ngillari. Gulak, who made the declaration during a Press Conference in Yola, yesterday, said he partook in the party primaries that was conducted in Abuja and defeated six other aspirants to win the contest with 84 votes, noting that with that development, he remains the candidate of the party.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro 10

Muritala Ayinla, Camillus Nnaji and Taiwo Jimoh

t least five persons lost their lives while houses, shops and goods worth several millions of naira were destroyed in parts of Lagos metropolis yesterday. More than 20 houses were completely razed by inferno which claimed four lives at Ebute-Meta, Igando and Balogun Market on Lagos Island while a building collapsed on Muri Okunola Street on Victoria Island. An official of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), who craved anonymity, said the only casualty of the collapsed building was the engineer working on the site. It was learnt that three persons died in the Ebute-Metta fire while one died at Igando. Goods worth millions of naira were also destroyed at the popular Balogun Market on the Lagos Island while sawmillers, traders and residents of Tapa Street, Ebute-Metta also lamented their losses. It was gathered that the Balogun fire, which also destroyed about 150 shops, was said to have started about 4:30am when most of the traders were not around. Many traders rushed to the scene but could not move closer to the raging fire. They watched helplessly as the fire spread to other adjourning buildings. Some of them wept uncontrollably, lamenting their losses, while others were also sympathising with them. Men of the Lagos State Fire Service had a hectic time combating the fire. Those of LASEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Red Cross, Lagos State Traffic Management (LASTMA), National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Rapid Respond Squad (RRS) also battled to control crowd

Five die, buildings burnt in Lagos

Scenes of the fire incident at Balogun Market

of sympathisers and onlookers who had gathered at the scene of the fire. Speaking with our correspondent at Balogun Market yesterday, the General Manager, LASEMA, Dr Femi OkeOsanyintolu, said the fire was caused by a power surge. He added that the harmattan weather aided the fire to spread to other shops and stalls. Osanyintolu said that the inferno destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira. The Director of Lagos Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, said though the cause of the fire

could not be ascertained, people must be safety conscious at all times. Fadipe, who noted that the agency responded to 18 fire calls on Sunday alone, dispelled insinuation that harmattan season could be responsible for the recurrent fire disasters in the state. Concerning the Igando fire, the Managing Director of the Lagos State Waste Management (LASEMA), Mr Ola Oresanya, assured the residents of the state government’s support to the affected residents. He said: “Houses have been

affected and I have seen some of the owners of the affected houses. Definitely, we are not going to leave them alone. “Whether they are there legally or illegally that is a secondary issue. The primary issue here is life and we thank God that no life was lost. The secondary issue is there well-being which we will definitely take care of.” It was gathered that the inferno began from a refuse dump close to the Igando General Hospital. It destroyed at least 15 houses on Raimi Ajibowo Street. Five of the buildings were completely burnt while 10

were partly affected. Hoodlums were said to have stormed the area, carting away people’s property before the policemen from Igando Police Station arrived the scene. The billowing smoke from the fire was said to have disturbed patients at the General Hospital. Many of them were evacuated from a section of the hospital to other. A doctor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said no casualty was recorded in the inferno because nobody was brought to the hospital for treatment.

Ilorin auto crashes claim four Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

F ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

our persons lost their lives in two automobile crashes in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, over the weekend. Three of the victims are members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN). Incidentally the two accidents occurred along the same stretch of road. The three IPMAN members lost their lives when the driver

lost control of the vehicle, a Toyota Prado car, in which they were travelling at Oke-Oyi section of the old Ilorin-Jebba Road. The victims were returning from a meeting of the youth wing of their association at OkeOyo Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Depot. One of the deceased, Alhaji AbdulWaheeb Abese, who owned several filling stations in the state, was a chairmanship aspirant in the association’s election slated for next month. A source in the association

File picture of an accident scene

said the deceased were going to inspect a new filling station

under construction, owned by one of them.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 2015

Dominic Adewole ASABA

n undergraduate of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Belynda Chinwe Bosa, who arranged her own abduction and demanded a N10 million ransom from her parents, has been arrested. The suspect, a 25-year-old student of Mass Communication, it was gathered, arranged her own kidnap with her lover, George Itietie, also an undergraduate of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu. But when the parents pleaded for clemency, they reduced it to N5 million. Eventually, they paid N500,000 into the anchorman’s account number, domicile in ECO Bank branch

Girl plans own kidnap with boyfriend, demands N10m in Port-Harcourt before nemesis caught up with them. The suspects lodged in a hotel at Oyiobo axis of PortHarcourt, Rivers State, after the money was paid. Parading them at the command’s headquarters in Asaba yesterday, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Celetina Kalu, said the suspects were using one America Sunday Ogagawotu to establish contact with the girl’s mother who was apprehensive. She said: “Investigation into the incident revealed that the suspect (Bosa), on

leaving Lagos, went to her boyfriend, one George Itietie, in Port Harcourt where she, the said Itietie (boyfriend) and Ogagawotu (anchor-man) planned to inform her parents that she was kidnapped.” The plot, according to Kalu, was to extort money from her parents because “America got N100,000 as her own share from the ransom.” During the parade, Bosa said she regretted her involvement in the abduction. She said: “I am sorry for the stress I made my parents to go through.”

Adeboye prays for OAU

he General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Adejare Adeboye, will for two days, be at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. Adeboye will lead the university community in an interdenominational annual prayer and thanksgiving service for the new year. The institution’s Public Relations Officer (PO), Abiodun Olarewaju, said in a statement that Adeboye would be received by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole and other principal officers of the university on Thursday, for the two-day programme. He said the cleric would start his ministration about 4pm where he would commit the management, members of staff, students and the entire university community into the hands of God for divine guidance, wisdom and protection. The authorities of the university, Olarewaju added, had over the years committed all its affairs into the hands of God through such non-denominational programmes.

IG, Suleiman Abba

‘I embraced robbery after my business collapsed’ Shola Adefuwa

n oil dealer, Sunday Ajewole, has told police in Lagos that he partook in raiding a bank and a Bureau De Change at Ayobo because his business was floundering. The suspect was arrested by a team of policemen attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos, led by Mr Abba Kyari. Ajewole’s journey to police cell started when a robbery suspect fingered him. The suspect, who mentioned Ajewole’s name, was arrested along with two others at a hotel inside Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos based on a tip-off. A police source said that

Ajewole

three vehicles were recovered from the gang in its hideout. The three suspects claimed

that Ajewole had gone on two operations with them. They also alleged that he was their armorer. He was subsequently arrested at a hideout at Ishefun, Ayobo area. The police source said: “The gang has three locallymade guns, but one was recovered by the police. The gun was recovered with one live and one expended cartridge. “The gang robbed a bank and a Bureau de Change at Ayobo before they were arrested.” Ajewole, a father of three, said he had been supplying fuel and kerosene to buyers for 10 years, adding that it was through the business he built a house and bought a car. But, according to him,

his business suddenly nosedived. Ajewole, who also confessed to being a member of Eiye confraternity, said he was the third in the chain of command in the cult group. He said: “It was one of my friends, Omolaja, who brought the guns to me. I kept the guns in an uncompleted building beside my house. We are 15 in the cult group. I joined the group about four years ago. My wife does not know I am a cult member. “It was my friend, Tunde, who initiated me into the cult group. I had a Golf car; but I sold it two years ago. I used the money I realised from our operations to open a shop for my wife.”

Man held for assaulting journalist Gabriel Choba Ughelli

NDLEA arrests five for drug trafficking Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 45-year-old woman, Bose Jide Katsina, in Kogi State with a 29.7 kg of cannabis sativa. The agency also arrested four others suspected illicit drug dealers. The state NDLEA Commander, Alhaji Idris Bello, disclosed this while parading the suspect at the command headquarters in Lokoja yesterday. He said that the arrests were made at different locations by the men of the com-

mand. The 45-year-old woman, Bello explained, was arrested by the operatives of NDLEA at Jamata Bridge on LokojaAbuja highway along with the driver of a commercial bus who was scheduled to deliver large quantities of live cat fish in Abuja. The commander added that the suspect absolved the driver because he was not aware of what was concealed in the bags with bitter leaves. He said that when the bus was stopped and searched, the operatives discovered that 29.7kg of cannabis sativa was concealed in bigger bags

to be delivered in Abuja. The NDLEA boss also paraded two suspects caught on Okene-Auchi Road about 1am on January 7 with an articulated truck in which 246.5kg of cannabis sativa was concealed. The suspects are Friday Nwafor and Ernest Onotu who came from Onitsha. Bello therefore advised all commercial bus drivers to always check what is contained in the luggage they are carrying to avoid embarrassment. Another suspect, Shemilu Abubakar, 22, from Kano was apprehended with 18.8kg of Indian hemp.

Speaking with journalists, Katsina admitted that she was caught with four bags of cannabis concealed in vegetable bags. The driver said that he and the other drivers were eating at a restaurant in Owo, Ondo State, when Katsina approached them for help to Abuja. According to him, she promised to pay N2,000, saying that he did not know the content of the bags. Also, Nwaifor told journalists that he was in Onitsha when somebody called him to come to Auchi to drive a lorry to Abuja to move some property back home.

Identify children’s talents early, Fayose’s wife urges parents Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

ife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, has called on parents to identify their children’s talents early in life so as to channel them for profitable use. Speaking at the first anniversary of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Reigning King Parish, Ado-Ekiti, on Sunday, she noted that the society would be better if children were

given right direction in life. The governor’s wife said that she had seen the traits of greatness in the life of the Pastor of the Parish, Rotimi Feyisina, while he was with her as a young boy and had always known he would be a shining light. Fayose called on people to always contribute to development and propagation of the gospel, saying God is always delighted in people who dedicated their lives to His work. The Pastor in charge of RCCG, Ekiti Province 1, Pas-

tor Olu Oyesola, expressed gratitude to God for the growth of the new parish over the last one year and prayed for the enlargement of the church. On his part, Feyisina noted that it was the faithfulness of God that has kept the church over the year. He noted that if youths could be conquered for Christ, the society would be a better place. The pastor also expressed appreciation to Fayose and other dignitaries for gracing

the event. The Chairperson of the Anniversary Committee, Deaconess Bose Odelola, had earlier thanked God for making the day a reality as she called on all present to contribute to the development of the church.

olice in Delta State have arrested man identified as Mr Gregory Tuodonye, who was among a mob which attacked and dispossessed a journalist with the Sun newspaper, Mr. Kofa Kings, on December 6, 2014. The attack occurred at Kpakiama in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state. Tuodonye and others have been on the run after the incident before the long arm of law caught up with him at Ughelli. Narrating his ordeal, the journalist said it was God who delivered him from the hands of the hoodlums. He said: “I was out there at the gate of Kpakiama Secondary School trying to get into the venue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency. “But before I could explain myself, youths numbering 20 pounced on me. The most surprising aspect of the attack was that almost all the attackers were my kinsmen. Mr Tuodonye forcibly took my handset while others took my midget and money, before I was whisked by some Good Samaritans to safety.’’ A veteran journalist, Elder Ogbunisi, condemned the act and called on the government to enact laws that would protect journalists in the country. According to him, those caught subjecting a journalist to such inhuman treatment should not suffer the consequences alone but with their sponsors. Ogbunisi vowed that the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) would follow up on the case.

Police warn vehicle owners

he Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of abandoned vehicles parked at Okokomaiko Police Division to remove them in the next 21 days

or lose them to members of the public through auction. The vehicles are Nissan: BDG 549 AP and Nissan: KJ 283AAA.

News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH - WEST

Retrenchment: Ekiti dismisses Lagos APC's claim MISCHIEF Ekiti PDP and Lagos APC fire missiles over workers' sack

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has described the allegation by Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress

(APC), Joe Igbokwe that Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, sacked workers in the state civil service as mischievously coined to score cheap political point. The PDP also called on the people of Lagos to vote en mass for Jimi Agbaje and free themselves from alleged Senator Bola Tinubu’s prison. PDP Secretary in Ekiti State, Dr. Tope Aluko, in a statement in Ado Ekiti

yesterday said Lagos State APC should have done their homework thoroughly before coming out with an assertion like this for the whole world not to see the party as a pack of unintelligent officers. He said "the APC in Lagos has told the people not to vote for Jimi Agbaje of the PDP, so that he doesn't sack the workers just as Fayose did in Ekiti." However, Aluko add-

ed that the institutions mentioned by the APC are properly constituted and that the personnel were recruited into the civil service in line with laid down rules, adding that in some instances, some of them were even deployed from another ministry to the agencies in a normal civil service tradition. He added that the enabling law upon which those institutions in La-

gos operate are those that are not alien to the people of the state as most of them have been in operation even before the birth of the fourth republic. Aluko said for the Lagos APC to be comparing those of Lagos with that of Ekiti State, shows that it is a product of corrupted minds, adding that it may also be a deliberate intention to engaged in what they know how to do best, blackmail.

The number of pending asylum seekers of Belarus at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

The estimated number of tubewells installed in Bangladesh over the past 20 years. Source: Unesco.org

The sex ratio of women to 100 men (international migrants) in Algeria in 2010. Source: Un.org

168.6m

The total number of connected mobile (GSM) lines of Nigeria in March 2014. Source: Ncc.gov.ng

Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi (right), congratulating the new Chief Judge of the state, Justice Munta Abimbola Ladipo, shortly after his swearing in at the Executive Council Chamber in Ibadan …yesterday

FG responsible for states’ financial woes, says Ajimobi

yo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has blamed the inability of states to meet their financial obligations to workers and contractors on the Federal Government’s directive to financial institutions not to grant credit facilities to states, in spite of the dwindling allocation from the centre. The governor said this during the inauguration of the state Chief Judge, Justice Munta Oladipo Abimbola, at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Ibadan yesterday.

For instance, he said allocations to the state from the federation account had been reduced by more than 40 per cent in the last seven months, forcing the state to device ingenious ways of meeting its financial obligations. “This is indeed a hard time for all of us in this country. Like other states, allocation to this state has been reduced by more than 40 per cent in the last seven months. In spite of this, the Federal Government directed financial institutions not to grant credit facilities to states.

Ambode gets UK boost

he All Progressives Congress (APC) in the United Kingdom (UK) has donated a bus to the campaign efforts of the party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State; Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. The APC UK chapter, desirous of supporting the positive change in the City of Excellence, has also endorsed the candidature of Ambode for the governorship seat.

The chapter said the mantle of leadership can be very demanding, but that Ambode has shown what he is capable of doing through selfless service at different levels in Lagos State and that he is up to the task to take the state to the next level. APC UK Lagos State acknowledged the spirit of excellence in Ambode to steer the ship of the state to higher levels.

"For the information of the public, the last APC government in Ekiti State recruited young men and women into the state traffic management corps without any appointment letter or even a temporary correspondence with the Ministry of Works and Transport that was to be the supervising ministry. Aluko said: "these young men and women were only deceived that they will be engaged properly in an indefinite manner just for the purpose of the second term bid of the then APC governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and for almost three years, he didn't give them any employment letter. "The case of the recruits in Ekiti State peace corps was even pathetic as they were cajoled to believe that they were going to be in the state police that was never contemplated by the National Assembly, but to the unsuspecting youths, it was an opportunity to be engaged in the civil service, which never was as they were never given employment letters nor was there any state police created by law. "It was later that the secret was revealed that the then state government was misappropriating the money meant for the Federal Government SUREP project to recruit the people," Aluko explained.

Fadahunshi: Jonathan'll return 'Abiodun's N50m is Greek gift'

he senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun East senatorial district and immediate past Chairman of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan, Chief Francis Fadahunshi, yesterday said the return of President Goodluck Jonathan in the February presidential election is promising and realistic as the electorate still believes in him.

Fadahunsi, who made the assertion in Osogbo during a chat with newsmen, described the president’s achievements in the last six years as impeccable and outstanding and expressed optimism that his efforts toward making the country virile since he emerged as the president would further enhance his being reelected as the president of the country.

Ojo tasks security agents Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has charged security agencies to be neutral in the handling of the coming general election to prevent anarchy. The party also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use card readers for the conduct of the elections. The party said a card reading electronic device will help in ridding the electoral process of fraud

and manipulation that have been the hallmark of the country’s elections. Ekiti Central Senatorial Chairman, Chief George Ojo, said this yesterday in Aramoko-Ekiti during a meeting with aspirants from the zone; he also advised security agencies to act as real unbiased umpires for the elections to be credible and acceptable to all Nigerians. He appealed to the people of the state to vote for the candidates of the party at all levels and to reverse the downward trend of the economy of the state.

Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

House of Representatives member, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, yesterday described as ‘Greek gift’ the N50 million offer by the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Dapo Abiodun, to residents of Ogun Waterside Local Government of the state to restore electricity in the area. Abudu-Balogun, rep-

resenting Ogun Waterside/Ijebu North/Ijebu East federal constituency, said the offer was to hoodwink people in the local government and curry ‘undeserved votes’ in the February general election. The lawmaker, who dumped the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), wondered why the ruling APC administration in the state failed to address the lack of electricity in Ogun Waterside in the last three-and-halfyears.

Adeyeye: Buhari, Yoruba's arch-enemy Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

inister of State for Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, as the number one enemy of the Yoruba people of the South-West, saying; “Buhari must be rejected by all true sons and daughters of Oduduwa.” The minister, who

spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said Buhari did incalculable damage to Lagos State and the entire Yorubaland with the cancellation of the Lagos Metroline Project and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo's Free Education Programme, in which pupils only needed to buy school uniforms to go to school. He challenged Buhari to mention one single project that he did in the SouthWest when he was Head of State and Chairman of the Petroleum Trust (PTF).

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Power tussle Plateau: Battle of legislators

Guber election

February 14 poll

Certificate

Why I want to govern Lagos, by Ambode

Jonathan vs Buhari: The battering continues

Buhari and the burden of education

Politics Last Thursday, President Goodluck Jonathan kicked off his presidential campaign for the February 14 election in Lagos and the following day, Friday, the train moved to Enugu. In this report, WALE ELEGBEDE and UWAKWE ABUGU examine the subjects of the campaign in both states

he take-off point for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign was Lagos and the venue Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), a ceremonial ground where Nigeria’s independence speech and celebration took place on October 1, 1960. The heavy presence of armed and unarmed security men of all shades as early as 7a.m., clearly showed that the Centre of Excellence was expecting some ‘big guests’ from far and near. The cadence said it all; to bring the second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan to the doorsteps of Lagos residents who according to the register of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have about 5, 426,391 registered voters. With array of supporters from far and near donning one form of PDP souvenir or the other and the avalanche of posters and banners competing for attention around the complex, it was clear that the campaign will be a political carnival of sorts. The trio of fuji musician, Abass

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY Editor, POLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

On the march again

L-R: Director-General, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Ahmadu Ali; Senate President David Mark; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu during the PDP presidential campaign flag off in Lagos.

Obesere; hip-hop singer, Oritsefemi, and Sammy Okposo spiced up the arena with chains of PDP customized tunes and mesmerizing dance steps that kept the crowd gyrating and begging for more. The event eventually kicked off when the president, who had earlier visited the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu for a royal blessing, came in at about 1:30p.m. to a thunderous ovation from the crowd who were shoving to catch a glimpse of the man that has a date with history on February 14. With opening prayers from Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and Senator Waliu Jibril, speaker after speaker took turn to address the crowd, who seemingly looked unfazed standing under the scorching, hazy sun. Delivering his welcome address, the Zonal Coordinator of President Jonathan Campaign Organisation in the South-West, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, said the dynamism of Nigeria cannot allow the leadership of a candidate that has less than a university degree, urging Nigerians to settle for a presidential candidate who is “cool as a cucumber,” rather than one who is not “21st century educated.” In his remarks, the DirectorGeneral of the Jonathan-Sambo Campaign Organisation, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, who made an effort to communicate with the people in

Yoruba language, said that the PDP is the change, because it has no exclusive owner, but belongs to all Nigerians, unlike the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

I won’t run Nigeria based on my own heartbeat but based on global best practices of fighting corruption. We can’t run the country as if we are in the Stone Age

Akpabio’s warning Speaking on behalf of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State berated the APC for mooting the idea of a parallel government should they lose the presidential elections, stating that, “Let them go to hell with their parallel government.” He said: “These are the united governors of the PDP in Nigeria. Any person that was elected as a governor who is not here today must have been aggrieved because he wanted the seat of Goodluck Jonathan. “And because he could not get it, he decided to join what they call the Aggrieved Peoples Congress (APC).” Akpabio asked: “Are you ready to go to prison? Some of you, your fathers, your grandfathers were given 310 years for crimes they did not commit. Some of them were given 180 years. People like Jim Nwobodo, the governor of the old Anambra State. “A person who was in the habit of collecting democrats and locking them up cannot today come and pretend to be a democrat. Can a leopard change its skin?”

he asked rhetorically. Speakers canvass for Jonathan’s re-election Other speakers including Chief Olabode George, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ms Olajumoke Akinjide; former Super Eagles Captain, Yoseph Yobo, who spoke on behalf of the youth, members of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, among others, resonated the achievements of President Jonathan and also canvassed for votes for him during the election. Not left out of campaign party, the Senate President, Senator David Mark, said the decision to make by Nigerians in February is an easy choice because it’s like a decision to choose between day and night. “What we are asking you to do today is to go back and vote for Mr. President so he can consolidate all he had done in his transformation agenda,” he said. When he was heralded to the podium, the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, greeted the crowd with stuttering Yoruba amid cheers, adding that their administration is not discriminative against anyone or people but looks at Nigerians equally. After giving his speech, the parCONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

The governorship battle in Plateau State is mainly between two legislators. MUSA PAM takes a look at the chances of the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that of the All Progressive Congress (APC)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Plateau: Battle of legislators

n Plateau State, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) have emerged as the major contenders in the February 28 governorship election. In the poll, Senator Gyang Nyam Pwajok of the PDP will be squaring up against a former Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly during the administration of Joshua Dariye and the candidate of the APC, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong. The emergence of the two lawmakers in the contest for the New Government House, Rayfield, promises to present a battle never witnessed before in the history of the state. The governorship election is one of the single most important events in the state, because its outcome will determine the direction Plateau State would go. Idealy, Plateau is a PDP state and the party has a better chance to win the election. As a result, most big wigs struggled to fly the party’s flag in the electoral contest for one position or the other. For now, the state is being controlled by a PDP government. Former governor of the state and senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial Zone, Joshua Dariye is the only senator that has ever won a senatorial election on the opposition platform. He, however, defected from the Labour Party (LP) to PDP where he secured the ticket for the second term. Also recently, former national chairman of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), General Jeremiah Useni also moved to the PDP, and is currently the party’s senatorial candidate for the Plateau Southern zone. With this development, many are of the opinion that the opposition may not pose a serious challenge in the February elections, since most of the big shots in the political scene in the state have decamped to the PDP. However, the APC is also pulling its weight to give the PDP a fight in the elections. Just like the PDP, the APC has also fielded candidates for the various positions in the state. A visit to the APC secretariat along Yakubu Gowon way, shows that the party is working hard to ensure that it wins the state. Already, Lalong has picked his running mate in the person of the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Sonny Tyoden who defected to the party, after he lost out to Pwajok at the PDP governorship primaries. There are also strong indications that the APC national secre-

Pwajok

tariat and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who was a presidential aspirant of the party, are funding the party in the state to boost its chances against the PDP. Those contesting various positions in APC include Gen. John Shagaya (rtd) who has gotten the ticket for Senate to battle Useni and Hon. Suleiman Kwande who defeated the former Minister of State for Information, Hon. Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande. For now, both parties have been adopting tactics on how to win the February elections. On the part of Pwajok, who is currently representing Plateau North Senatorial District he has picked Hon. Yilji Gomwalk, son of the former Military Administrator of Benue/ Plateau State, late Commissioner of Police Joseph Dechi Gomwalk, who hails from the Central Zone as his running mate. He has also appointed the chairman of Mikang Local Government Area, Hon. Daniel Kumi from the Southern Zone as his campaign director general. Pwajok’s emergence as the PDP candidate was made possible by the inability of aspirants and major stakeholders from the Southern and Central zones of the state to present a consensus candidate. This gave Pwajok the edge over all other aspirants to win the PDP ticket. The senator won the governorship primaries with a total of 435 votes to defeat the state’s deputy governor, Ambassador Ignatius Longjan, who was the closest contender scoring163 votes, while Senator Victor Lar scored 109 votes amongst 14 other candidates. Pwajok is said to have contributed immensely to the strategy and programmes of the Jonah Jang administration, as he was at various times, the Director of Research and Documentation in the Government House, and Chief of Staff. And when Senator Gyang Dantong died, he was handy when Governor Jang was shopping for a replacement. He was elected into the Senate in October 2012. New Telegraph learnt that ag-

Lalong

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

It is bound to be a tough contest, both Pwajok and Lalong are youths. However, financial muscle, will play a major role in determining who grabs the coveted prize

grieved members of the PDP who contested against Pwajok, seem to be working seriously against his success in the election. It was gathered that some of them have vowed to support the candidate of the opposition party when it comes to the governorship contest in the state. But Pwajok enjoys support across the state. The PDP flag bearer will also enjoy the support of Governor Jang, Dariye, Hon. Sarah Ochekpe, as well as Hon. Beni Lar, Hon. Zainab Dogo and Hon. Johnbull Shekarau who all emerged as flag bearers of PDP for the House of Representatives and State Assembly seats, from the southern zone of the state. Pwajok has a better chance of winning the governorship seat as many political groups from all three zones of the state, made up mostly of youths have been canvassing support for him. Political pundits, however, noted that if Pwajok is to win the governorship seat in the state, then all aggrieved members of the PDP must be put into serious consideration as they are seriously working against his emergence being a Berom man to succeed another Berom. Another major factor working against Pwajok is the zoning debate that has been on before the conduct of the primaries. But with Pwajok scaling through the primaries, many believe that will no longer be a factor during the general election as youths cutting cross the three zones are in full support of his candidature. However, Lalong who hails from Shendam Local government area of the state will be a tough nut for Pwajok to crack. He is said to have paid the prize of loyalty when he refused to lead Dariye’s impeachment as instructed from Abuja during Olusegun Obasanjo administration, even when he had a chance to be governor of the state Lalong, who left office since 2007 is back on the political scene, as he got the APC ticket by defeating four other aspirants with a total of

2, 222 votes. Many believe that the APC candidate will now enjoy the support of the southern zone that had earlier put their hope in the state’s deputy governor who lost at the PDP primaries to Pwajok. Lalong is also said to enjoy the support of River State Governor Chibuike Amaechi. Both Amaechi and Lalong have been friends since their days as speakers. It is bound to be a tough contest, as both Pwajok and Lalong are youths. However, financial muscle, will play a major role in determining who grabs the coveted prize as the PDP in the state has vowed to spare no expenses to ensure that Pwajok emerges winner come February 28. But the zoning issue and tribal sentiments are likely to work against him. Meanwhile, there are strong indications that Lalong may not scale the hurdle with the APC ticket, as Plateau State has never embrace opposition party since 1999. Even Jang’s former deputy, Pauline Tallen tried to unseat the PDP through Labour Party (LP) during the 2011 elections but failed. Other political parties also battling for the governorship seat, even though with no visible structures in the state, include the LP, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amongst others. LP chairman in the state, Comrade Ibrahim Bulus, had disclosed that the former Minister for State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Bagudu Hirse had been adopted as the governorship candidate of the party in the state. APGA has not presented any candidate for the governorship election. Most of the minor opposition parties in the state always negotiate with the bigger parties to donate their votes for compensation. Interestingly, the ADC chairman in the state, Alhaji Sabiu Ibrahim Musa, also doubles as the governorship candidate of the party. As events unfold, Plateau people are watching how the epic battle between Pwajok of the PDP and Lalong of the APC will play out.

Politics 15

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akinwumi Ambode, says his core interest in governance is to serve humanity. TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE reports

Why I want to govern Lagos, by Ambode

he governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, has stated that the main reason he has put himself forward for the office of Lagos State governor is to serve humanity. Ambode is a former Accountant General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Lagos State. At every forum, he has echoed the message of service to the people of Lagos State. Throughout last week, the message – service to humanity – resonated across the state where he had canvassed for votes. He reassured supporters and stakeholders as well as undecided voters that he is in the race to serve and lead by example. Ambode said Lagos has witnessed a record of excellence service in the past 15 years and the more than 17 million people living and working in the state “deserves a tested hand who will continue in that tradition of excellence.” “The governor that Lagos State deserves at this period of our continued growth and development is a man with a track record of performance and excellence; a man who is tested, who understands governance and is an experienced administrator who will not experiment with the resources and growth template of this state. I, Akinwunmi, Ambode, is that man,” he said. His message of selfless service and leadership by example was the focal point of his campaign last week. According to Ambode, who is a Fulbright Scholar, selfless service and leadership by example should be the hallmark of an elected official who is desirous of making a meaningful change and lasting impression in the lives of the electorate. “Selfless service becomes non-negotiable if the process that brought elected leaders into office is free, fair and credible. But often, we see leaders who derail and abandon their promises to the electorate because the process that brought them to office is flawed. They feel they do not owe the voters. This is why we in APC have been very vocal about the need to have a credible election; to have a process that is fair and transparent and to have an election that does not seek to systematically disenfranchise the electorate.” This was the message he delivered last Friday at the MUSON Centre, Onikan where he was the Special Guest at the 3rd Annual Lecture of the January 9 Collective (J9C), where he spoke on the topic of the lecture, “2015 General Polls: Beyond the Rhetorics of Credible Elections,” which was delivered by Cambridge-based Professor of Political Anthropol-

Ambode with physically challenged Lagosians.

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Ambode on a campaign train inside BRT.

ogy, Prof. Anthony Kila. He added that APC would not relent in urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do everything in its power to ensure that all the eligible six million registered voters in Lagos State get their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in order to exercise their civic duties, failing which those with Temporary Voters’ Cards should be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights. “This is the only way to ensure that INEC’s preparedness is beyond rhetorics so that the February elections can produce leaders that the people want,” he said. The APC candidate also reiterated his plans for sports development when he spoke at a charity football match in Ikorodu on Sunday afternoon, organised to drum up support for his gubernatorial ambition. He used the occasion to explain his T.H.E.S.E plan which as part of his campaign manifesto emphasises the harnessing of Tourism, Hospitality, Entertain-

ment, Sports and Excellence to get the teeming youths of Lagos State engaged in those areas. “Our vision is clear about the direction that Lagos State should face after 15 years of solid foundation and progress. And this is what our campaign is all about. We must consolidate and build on the achievements of the past administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the incumbent actualiser, Babatunde Fashola (SAN). Lagos deserves excellence through a combination of requisite experience and selfless service. Lagos does not depend on sharing of oil revenue any longer. “Lagos is creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and for citizens and corporate sector to pay their taxes. Sports, entertainment and tourism are goldmines waiting to be tapped and taken to the next level in Lagos State. This is no time to experiment with the future of our state and we are convinced that the majority of Lagosians appreciate that fact,” Ambode stated.

This is no time to experiment with the future of our state and we are convinced that the majority of Lagosians appreciate that fact

On Saturday, the former Accountant General of Lagos State further reiterated his readiness to serve and continue with the record of excellence in the state when he met with the zonal chairman of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Lagos Zone, Comrade Tokunbo Korodo, the National Coordinator of the Civil Society Club of Nigeria (CISOCON), Comrade Babatunde Ashafa, the chairman of the Council of Arewa Chiefs, Alhaji Sani Kabiru and a group of senior citizens representing top retired civil servants in Lagos State who met with him at different times at his Gbagada campaign office. It was the same message of selfless service and equal opportunities for every resident of Lagos State that Ambode delivered at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere when he held a rally for thousands of people with physical disabilities on Saturday afternoon. “Our administration will not discriminate. We will look after your welfare. Irrespective of your tribe, creed, religion and physical disability, the APC government will look after you and recognize your rights,” he assured the people in company with his running mate, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule. Ambode also proved to be a people’s man when he rode in a BRT bus on Saturday evening from Ketu to Fadeyi, after a visit to the popular Mile 12 Market in mainland Lagos to preach the message of a government of inclusion. The informal sector as well as the transport sector, he emphasized, are an integral part of the development of Lagos State, “and they deserve the government’s attention and unflinching support at every given time.”

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

ty’s national chairman, Adamu Muazu, handed over the party’s presidential flag to President Jonathan in a show of public consent to his candidature, as the party’s flag bearer. Similar act was performed for the party’s gubernatorial candidates across the country. However, a major highlight of the flag presentation was when the erstwhile Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, came to hug the party’s candidate in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje, an action that earned the PDP governorship aspirant a pat on the back from President Jonathan. Mr. President speaks Expectedly, the last speaker was President Jonathan and he did not waste time in letting the crowd know what his priorities are. As an experienced politician, he first thanked the South-West people for their support for him at the last election and afterwards took up the gauntlet to address some of the issues at hand in the presence of the pensive crowd. The seemingly fired-up president said: “I am going to dwell on three things because those who say they want to take over power from PDP have been telling a lot of lies. They have hired people from all over the world and those of you in the social media carry all forms of lies, painting all kinds of colour and giving me all kinds of face that I cannot defend. “The first is the issue of insecurity. I am also going to address whether this administration is fighting or encouraging corruption. I am going to address the issue of weak government and unfocused government that has no plans.” On security, the president also said: “They talk about insecurity. That they will fight insecurity. And you will ask: are our armed forces weak? If we have problems what is the cause – equipment. And somebody who wakes up and tells young people of 23 years old that he wants to fight insecurity, ask him when he was the head of government did he buy one rifle for a Nigerian soldier. “These people did not buy anything for the Nigerian soldiers. They refused to equip them. Ask them what they did with the defence budget for the whole time they were in office. No country equips armed forces overnight. What they use is quite expensive and they are built over the years. Even if you spend $10 billion today, you cannot equip the army, navy and air force. “The capacity is built overtime. They refused to build the capacity. They instigated crisis and now they are telling us they will fight insurgency. Ask them and they will answer.” On corruption, he said, “If they had succeeded in fighting corruption, corruption would not have been with us here today. If they had set up structures and especially in today’s modern science using ICT to manage resources, we would not have been talking about corruption today. “If somebody tells you that the best way to fight corruption is to arrest your uncle or father and show him on television, well, you won’t stop corruption; you will even encourage corruption. So, arresting people and demonstrating on television will not fight corruption, we must set up institutions, strengthen them to prevent people from even touching the money, and that is what we are working on and we are succeeding.” The president urged the electorate to vote PDP into the National Assembly for the easy passage of the National Conference Report. He said: “I stand today in the city of Lagos, in the South-West on behalf of the leader of our party, Alhaji Muazu, the Vice President and all the leaders and promise that if you vote the PDP en masse to the National Assembly and to the Presidency, we will adopt that

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lagos, Enugu rallies boost Jonathan’s re-election bid

L-R: Sambo, Mu’azu, President Jonathan, the Secretary to the Federal Govenrment, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; First Lady, Patience Jonathan and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu at the Enugu rally.

document so that this country will move forward. “That document is to liberate you, we did not influence it, our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters that are credible came up with it.” Campaign train moves to Enugu Done with the Lagos rally, the campaign train moved to the Coal City, Enugu, capital of the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria. The Enugu rally was a most important event for the president and his party in gauging the pulse of the South-East where he had performed quite well during the presidential election of 2011. The political pulsation of the zone in the past week before the rally presented various scary scenario indicating that the area may not present itself during the coming elections as a traditional stronghold of President Jonathan. And the untoward developments have been the reason the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has not been able to adopt the president as the presidential candidate for Ndigbo. The current situation is such that some of the Igbo leaders who could make a repeat of that 2011 feat possible are at one another’s throat in clear disagreement. And it is becoming a nightmare for Mr. President who needed an Igbo bloc vote to effectively grapple with the formidable challenge of the APC. Two days to the Friday presidential campaign rally in Enugu, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State had vowed to mobilise the people of the state to deliver 100 per cent of their votes to Jonathan during the February 14 presidential election, saying that his state is the safest haven for the ruling party in the SouthEast. To a very large extent, judging from the huge turn-out at that rally, during which the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, venue of the rally was filled to capacity, Jonathan would win convincingly unless there is a grand design to sway the support of the crowd to the APC candidate before the election. For those who followed events that played out two days before the rally, the

success of it was no surprise. For instance, for several hours, local council chairmen in the state held a strategic meeting with the deputy coordinator of the Enugu chapter of the presidential campaign, Chief Charles Egumgbe, and the secretary, Rita Mba at the gubernatorial campaign office of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, candidate of the PDP for the February governorship election in the state. And they were reportedly mobilised to embark on massive mobilisation of the residents of their respective areas in the 17 local government areas of Enugu State. Besides, National Assembly candidates of the party as well as their state assembly counterparts joined in the massive mobilisations. One of them, according to our sources, hired no fewer than 12 buses from a mass transit outfit. Hence, the rally served as a confidence boost for Jonathan and it was very important for his success in the South East, especially as political observers from the zone look at Enugu State as the only state in the zone where Mr. President could look unto as a solely PDP state. In Imo, it looks like a fight to the finish in the offing as the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha would battle the incumbent governor and candidate of the APC, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. In Abia, aggrieved politicians are up in arms against Governor Theodore Orji which may cause stir in the presidential election as they would be operating from several planks occupied by the opposition parties. The fact that the Ebonyi State governor, Chief Martin Elechi, was conspicuously absent at the Enugu rally for Jonathan showed that the fate of the PDP presidential candidate could hang in the balance in that state come February 14. The governor, who lost all structures of the PDP in the intrigues that marred the primary elections of the party in the state, has reportedly told his loyalists to join Labour Party (LP). Away from the efforts to recover South-East from the current political intrigues, Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience, employed their different strategies to shore up support for the PDP

candidate who is seen to have lost much in his traditional support bases ahead of the election, a development his archrival, Buhari has been cashing in on as the electioneering ascends new crescendos on a daily basis. For instance, the president launched renewed attacks on the APC candidate during the Enugu rally, implying that the opposition party candidate was too old to handle the problems of Nigeria in this digital age. Attacking Buhari frontally at the rally, the president flashed back at the alleged quantum of criticism of his government by the APC and questioned the ability of its candidate to handle Nigeria at this moment, saying that even in the 1980s when he (Buhari) was Head of State at a youthful age he could not tackle the country ‘s problems firmly. Seizing the opportunity offered by the occasion attended mainly by Ndigbo, the wife of the president canvassed votes of Ndigbo through the medium of Igbo language which she spoke fluently, urging them to give the kind of support they offered her husband in 2011 and that they would not regret offering the support. Dwelling at length on corruption for which his administration had been berated in several quarters, the president repeated his latest stance on the matter that he would not go on to bundle people or perceived corrupt persons into Kirikiri Prisons or elsewhere but that like he has done in the agricultural sector where funds are no longer being siphoned, he would gradually take such measures to other sectors of the economy and segments of society to rid Nigeria of corruption. “I won’t run Nigeria based on my own heartbeat but based on global best practices of fighting corruption. We can’t run the country as if we are in the Stone Age,” he said. He equally asked the crowd whether former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme, who was present at the occasion was corrupt to have been jailed by the Buhari regime, and repeated the question in the case of Chief Jim Nwobodo. With the Enugu rally, the president could heave a sigh of relief.

Politics 17

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Jonathan vs Buhari: The battering continues As the election proper approaches, ETAGHENE EDIRIN takes a look at the politics of the two main runners in the presidential race, and how they seem to have adopted the exchange of harsh words as a form of campaign

n the run-up to the February general election the political atmosphere had been filled with all kinds of verbal exchanges between the parties, especially between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the two prominent parties in the forthcoming presidential contest. All along, most of the salvos had been fired by the opposition APC at the Federal Government, specifically at President Goodluck Jonathan. The name of the national publicity secretary of the APC, Lai Mohammed, had come to be associated with attacks at the ruling party and government at the centre. The barrage of attacks from the APC except for a few replies by the president’s media handlers, and few feeble attempts at defence from the Olisa Metuh-led PDP publicity team, had gone mostly unanswered. The president on his part, had maintained a somewhat dignified silence to the barrage of verbal salvos, preferring instead to keep the mantra of ‘silence being golden’. The exchanges had prompted calls from many quarters on the need for issue-based debates as a way of enriching intellectual political discussions and enlightening the electorate on what the parties and their candidates, especially at the national level, have to offer Nigerians. Rather than subside, the attacks on personalities, and criticisms without suggesting viable solutions continued, unabated. The quiet mien of the presidency to criticism from the APC, however, changed recently as President Jonathan seems to have decided enough was enough. The president abandoning his mantra of silence is golden came out firing from the hips, and is now taking on the APC and its presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari in their propaganda game. The propaganda machinery of the APC had always revelled in their game plan of painting the president, and by extension, the Federal Government as being weak and clueless in the process of handling the affairs of state, which they claim has placed the nation in the woods. But the president in what appeared like a frontal attack meant to puncture such accusations, levelled against his administration, threw caution to the winds, and took on the APC and Buhari head-on. Buhari while campaigning in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, identified insecurity, poor economy and

Jonathan

corruption as the three cardinal problems facing the country and promised to tackle them should he win the February 2015 election. Buhari, who spoke to a mammoth crowd at the inauguration of his presidential campaign in the Garden City, assured that the APC had gathered competent hands that would manage the economy should he emerge the president of Nigeria. “The problem we are facing today is the problem of security and economy. We have gathered competent hands to manage the economy and tackle insecurity,” Buhari stated. But President Jonathan at the commencement of his campaign in Lagos, challenged his principal opponent, Buhari, to explain to Nigerians how he spent his defence budget while he served as the nation’s Head of State. President Jonathan who was addressing a crowd of party supporters at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos noted that the fight against terrorism is dragging on because of lack of equipment owing to the fact that previous governments including that of Buhari failed to equip Nigerian soldiers. Chiding Buhari who said he will fight insecurity, Jonathan said: “Ask him, when he was the head of government, did he buy one rifle for the Nigerian military? They refused to equip the military. Ask them what they did with their defence budget that they did not equip the military. Not done yet, President Jonathan during a rally in Enugu State said that Buhari cannot remember his own mobile phone number. Jonathan, whose unscripted address was mostly a response to previous statements made by Buhari, accused the APC presidential candidate of deceiving Nigerians by promising to revive the economy without explaining how he would achieve the feat. The president wondered how Buhari would develop the country’s economy, a feat he could not achieve while he was in office as Head of State between 1983 and 1985. “Is it now that Buhari cannot even remember his own phone

Buhari

Is it now that Buhari cannot even remember his own phone number that he can change the economy of the country?

number that he can change the economy of the country?” Jonathan asked. He further accused the former Head of State of paying no attention to women while he was the Head of State. According to President Jonathan, Buhari did not appoint a “single woman” in his cabinet, adding that a vote for Buhari will send women back to the kitchen where they will stay and die. In obvious counter to some of the criticisms that have trailed his administration, President Jonathan said: “Some people have employed social media critics to lie that we are not doing anything. Ask them how many nursery schools they built when they were in power. They built prisons, I built schools.” When Buhari took his campaign to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, he assured Nigerians that all corrupt politicians will end up in jail once he is elected into power. He said he would close all loopholes through which money was being siphoned out of the country, and that: “When we come into power, anyone who steals Nigerian money will end up in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons. We are going to make sure that Nigeria’s wealth belongs only to Nigerians,” he said. This did not go down well with President Jonathan, who chided the opposition APC for trying to deceive Nigerians, by speaking from both sides of the mouth concerning issues. “Once, the party said that they will not jail corrupt politicians because they want to add more people to their party. Days later their candidate said he will throw corrupt politicians into Kirikiri. Can someone who speaks from both sides of the mouth be trusted? According to him, “I will not fight corruption by catching people and throwing them into jail, and saying that they should be locked up for 300 years in prison. I will not fight corruption like that. We must set up institutions, strengthen them to fight corruption and that’s what we are working on. “Arresting people and parading them on television, while claiming

to be fighting corruption, does not stop corruption. We are shooting armed robbers, but has that stopped armed robbery?” According to him, he did not like to “go personal during campaigns,” but “sometimes circumstances demand that certain things must be said.” Jonathan said that Buhari belonged to the medieval age, and intended to run the Federal Government as a medieval king. He said: “We cannot run the government as if we are in the medieval age; we cannot run a government where somebody said he would throw people into jail. You are not a medieval king – a medieval king can throw you into jail but we have to follow the rule of law because we cannot go back to the old days.” The president went on to fire more bullets when he condemned some politicians whom he said were parading themselves as statesmen and senior citizens whereas, they are by their utterances, “ordinary politicians and motor park touts.” Buhari in a comment on facebook said: “They are the same people who spent four years in power without improving our electricity by a single megawatt, the same people who spent four years downgrading high-level corruption to common stealing, the same people who spent four years watching over terrorists desecrating our territorial sovereignty, the same people who spent four years without laying the critical infrastructure for sustainable growth and job creation; those same people are now asking you for four more years. “No right thinking Nigerian would wish that our next four years look like the last four.” Buhari said the ruling PDP government headed by President Jonathan has ruined Nigeria. He said: “The PDP has ruined this country. I tried to find out in the last 16 years how much we have fared but discovered that we have lost.” Many Nigerians have cautioned that such attacks by the candidates seeking to lead the nation, targeted at each other, does not speak well, and that instead, candidates seeking the approval of the electorate, should expend more energy in outlining their plan of action if voted in, and how they intend to tackle issues that have been identified as major factors that have kept the country backwards. According to former governor of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, such exchanges are only to be expected during election periods, and are part of the democratic process. The elder statesman went on to however caution that such exchanges would have only gone beyond bounds if the comments of the candidates tend to overheat the polity. Also, human rights activist, and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, cautioned that the nation is likely to fail in the forthcoming elections, if things continue like this. “It does seem as if what we are seeing is a personal clash from the politicians rather than an issue clash,” he said.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Who is afraid of a presidential debate?

Adewale Kupoluyi

s the presidential contest becomes fiercer, the candidates are busy perfecting their winning strategies to enable one occupy Aso Rock Villa by next year. From all indications, the major contestants in the race are certainly those of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and the All Progressives Congress’ Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). It would be recalled that the Nigerian Senate had earlier in the year, voted against a bill seeking to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct presidential debates in the 2015 general elections. The clause was contained in a bill seeking to alter the Electoral Act that was proposed by INEC, as part of legislations required for the smooth conduct of elections. The bill requires the concurrence of the House of Representatives before it is eventually forwarded to the president for his assent. The overall interest of Nigerians should be paramount at all times, therefore, what should constitute a vital component of the electoral process is a virile presidential debate that would enable eligible voters have a clear picture of what the candidates and their parties have to offer them. This became imperative going by the past experiences and the seemingly crisis of leadership and trust between leaders and followers in the nation. Over the years, the country has suffered so much in the hands of their leaders that the commonly used phrase of dividends of democracy has always been a mirage. Due to bad governance, life has been very difficult for the people as basic social necessities are not being provided. It will be a great disservice if they are still made to suffer in the next dispensation when denied the type of leadership desired by them. This time, we should avoid voting for the wrong candidates just on sentimental, parochial or mundane basis. There should be a radical departure from the past as only credible, well-prepared and focused should get the people’s mandate. No doubt, we should ensure that we get certain things right before

heading for the polls come February. To begin with, the candidates should tell us how they will end the endemic security situation ravaging the land. For many months now, deadly attacks by the Boko Haram sect have continued to wreck monumental havoc by killing innocent people and destroying valuables without much resistance by government forces. It appears that more result-oriented approaches should really be deployed in ending the menace that has perpetually become a nightmare. Therefore, our law enforcement agencies need a total turn-around if we are to win the battle against terrorism. The epileptic power supply has been the lot of the nation over the years. Failed promises and deregulation policies have been recurrent decimal in this critical sector. The country has not witnessed much development due to the power crisis that has crippled many industries resulting in low capacity utilisation and capital flight. Many people, who cannot afford to buy generators, celebrated the Christmas and New Year festivities in total darkness across the nation. Nigerians would want an end to this miserable life. The unemployment situation has reached an alarming rate that should give any serious contestant headache. Most employment programmes put in place by the successive governments have had very little impact on the economy because those close to the corridors of power are oftentimes the only beneficiaries. Voters will be interested in how this monster will be tamed. Specific packages that should really reduce poverty, restore stability and inject life into our educational system, health and aviation sectors, should be unfolded. The people are yearning to see an end to perennial fuel scarcity and collapse of physical infrastructure such as the railways and roads. The turning around of the bad shape of our economy should also be uppermost to the presidential hopefuls. The declining accruals from the nation’s oil proceeds is a timely warning for the incoming government to decisively diversify the monolithic economy that has put so much dependence on oil at the neglect of other viable money-spinning options like agriculture, mining and tourism. The high prevalence of corruption is antithetical to the development of any nation. This does not only render public institutions ineffective, it breeds impunity and lawlessness. How the alarming rate of corruption can be drastically reduced will

surely be of interest to Nigerian voters this time around. It is not new to many that the image of the country outside is a source of utmost concern. Whenever the name, Nigeria, is mentioned on the international scene, the reaction that one gets in often negative and embarrassing. This is more prevalent at embassies, airports and other global gatherings. I’ve been a victim of this stigma on several occasions, in many countries and fora. Hence, the people are keen in knowing how their next president will revamp their country’s battered image abroad. Many senior citizens and pensioners die daily because of neglect by the government. Their entitlements are rarely paid as at when due. Is this what they deserve after toiling for the nation for several years? And when would they get the succour? Nigerians need answers. Getting justice has become a mirage in this country. Our entire legal system appears to offer no hope for the ordinary man. We are regularly confronted with the miscarriage of justice. The presidential aspirants will have to work hard to convince the electorate that they are capable of cleaning the Augean Stable. This fire gutting the judiciary and temple of justice may soon consume all if not urgently put out. Nigerians would seriously be interested in knowing these ‘fire-fighting’ techniques. There are certainly more burning issues requiring urgent attention but cannot be fully exhausted in this piece. In the past, the lukewarm attitude of some Nigerian politicians was encouraging. Such people should be voted out if they refuse to turn a new leaf. Therefore, the need for this debate can never be wished away. We recall too that during presidential elections in the United States of America - a country we have chosen to adopt its political system - it is customary for the main candidates to engage in a debate, which is usually held late in the election cycle when the political parties would have nominated their candidates. The candidates are allowed to interact before an audience by answering serious questions and unfolding their agenda for elections. Such debates are broadcast live on television, radio and the Internet. For instance, the US1960 election drew over 66 million viewers out of a population of 179 million. • Kupoluyi writes from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, vide, adewalekupoluyi@yahoo.co.uk, Twitter, @AdewaleKupoluyi

Why Jonathan is destined to win again Dan Amor "That which God writes on your forehead, thou wilt come to it" - Koran.

ndeed, the Holy Book cannot lie. That which God has written on your forehead is your destiny. According to Origen, things do not happen because God foresees them in the distant future; but because they will happen, God knows them before they happen. For Seneca, the greatest stoic philosopher and Nineth Century Roman essayist, nothing comes to pass but what God appoints- our fate is decreed, and things do not happen by chance, but everyman's portion of joy or sorrow is predetermined. Yet, for Von Goethe, the Eighteenth Century German historian, philosopher and great writer, man supposes that he directs his life and governs his actions, when his existence is irretrievably the control of destiny. The Bible also says that we are the clay while God is the potter who moulds us according to His purpose. The above epistles point to the fact that in this matter, all religions and philosophy agree to the centrality of fate in all human endeavors. Fate is not the ruler but the servant of providence. Again, Seneca agrees when he says that what must be shall be; and that which is a necessity to him that struggles, is little more than choice to him that is willing. Thus, Dryden the English classical poet asserts that all things are by fate, but poor blind man sees a part of the chain, the nearest link, his eyes not reaching to that equal beam that poises all above. So those who don't agree with the inimitable Shakespeare that Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate, would

continue to quarrel with why Nelson Mandela or Olusegun Obasanjo, for instance, emerged from the heat of the gulag to the splendour of the presidential villa. But while it is said that of these two ex-leaders hobbled by fate, the former understood the existential inevitability of fate, the latter was ignorant of this philosophic construct. This piece does not intend to sing praises of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, neither does it intend to broach on his achievements in power. Rather, this is just an attempt to reconstruct an elementary philosophical model for those who think that with sheer verbal attacks, white lies or virulent hate they can remove him from power when God does not say so. It is just an offering to a nation where politicians unfortunately learn their geology the day after the earthquake; where it is more profitable to pull down their opponents instead of playing the game according to the rules. In his epic novel, Shame (1983), Salman Rushdie, the Indian born controversial English writer, paints the picture of a disconcerting political hallucination in Pakistan which he calls "Peccavistan"- existing fictionally as a slight angle to reality. The major thrust of the novel is that the shame or shamelessness of its characters returns to haunt them. Yet the recurrent theme is that there are things that cannot be said, things that cannot be permitted to be true, in a tragic political situation. To this end, fiction and politics ultimately become identical or rather analogous. That so banal and damaging political atmosphere could be so manifestly created from within the Nigerian political environment by opposition politicians in the second decade of the twenty-first century, is a ringing surprise to us keen observers of this macabre drama.

Yet, despite the antics of his detractors, from all indications Jonathan is coasting to victory come 2015. The indices are there just for the asking. The first is that the emergence of General Muhamadu Buhari as the presidential candidate of the major opposition political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is favourable to Jonathan winning again. Jonathan is much younger than Buhari. All over the world, whether it is in the United States of America, Great Britain, France or even Ghana, governance is in the hands of members of Jonathan's generation- young, dynamic and adequately educated people. Nigeria cannot afford to be an exception. Yes, Buhari was said to be a powerful military ruler under whose watch, Nigerians were forced to be disciplined. Even though Buhari 's achievement in this regard is still being contested as most Nigerians ascribe it to his second in command, the Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters, the late General Tunde Idiagbon, this was an era of military dictatorship, the darkest chapter in the annals of this country. And they were able to do whatever they claimed to have done because both men were relatively young. Today, an aged Buhari with weak limbs and an equally aged Prof. Yemi Osinbajo constitute a spent force. Analysts are even saying that the Hawks in APC brought a much younger Osinbajo as Buhari's running mate in order to reenact the Umar Yar'Adua/Jonathan paradigm. This probability has already started working against the opposition party as northerners would rather prefer to have a younger Jonathan who has done well to complete his eighth years two term presidency to having another Yoruba as

President so soon after Chief Olusegun Obasanja has just ruled. Another index gravitates toward Jonathan's pragmatism and experience. Those who mouthed that the Nigerian leader was "clueless" forgot so soon how he started off as Nigeria's first democratically elected Acting President upon the untimely death of President Yar'Adua. In fact, some of his actions preceded the long overdue legislative impetus given him by the National Assembly which was pressured by overwhelming public opinion. These include the humility to always apologise to Nigerians when the need arose and his order to ministers with oil-related portfolios not to proceed on Christmas holiday until the strangulating and excruciating fuel scarcity was resolved. Others include the historic locking out of ministers from a meeting to which they arrived late, the vehement order to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free and fair election in Anambra state, and the abrupt but minor cabinet reshuffle which caught the erstwhile all powerful Attorney General and Minister of Justice Michael Aondoakaa napping, and so on. Above all, Jonathan's startling performance in his first tenure despite obvious security challenges, shows that he is destined to win in 2015. Except perhaps the rehabilitation era of General Yakubu Gowon after the Civil War and perhaps the Murtala/Obasanjo military era, no other administration in the history of Nigeria has done what Jonathan has done in the past three years. His administration's performance in agriculture is superlative just as his resuscitation of the railway sector has generated hope . • Amor is an Abuja-based journalist and public affairs analyst.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

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Cheery news from the United States

here is so much between the United States of America and Nigeria. Beyond police. sharing the same colonial experience, there seems to be a knot that may take long to be untied. It is instructive that the first president of Nigeria , Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first African to graduate from an American University. Recently, ties between these two giants turned cold following the war on insurgency. At a time terrorists were pounding the North –Eastern states of Nigeria, it sounded strange that the US denied Abuja the much needed military support to tackle the aggressors. The Americans did not sit on the fence, they accused the military of high handedness. Their argument was that any weapons sold to the Armed forces could be used to inflict pain on civilians. The American snub was like a slap on the face. Here was Nigeria that had joined most of the world to condemn the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. The same nation under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, was even willing to send troops to support American Gulf War efforts in 1991. Perhaps, it was the refusal of the United States to deal with the Armed forces that compelled the Federal Government to look

Coming from the US ambassador, these words are not only emphatic, they are reassuring, especially now that we are in the year 2015. It is significant because feelers from the same United States indicated that Nigeria could cease to exist as an entity this year elsewhere for supplies. And that move also led to a diplomatic row between Nigeria and South Africa following the seizure of a Nigerian aircraft fully loaded with hard currency by South African police. That incident put to the fore ,the need for closer understanding of the Nigerian situation. The country’s Ambassador to the US, Prof. Ade Adefuye did not mince words when he faulted America’s claim that denial of military trade was an indictment of Nigerian troops. Last Friday, the American Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle put up a strong case for his country. Speaking during a television interview, the envoy described as ‘nonsensse’ reports of American arms embargo. He said, ”Ideas that there are

arms embargo and that the US has cut Nigeria off is nonsense. No country is doing more to support Nigeria in its fight against terror right now. We can’t talk about the details in public but I can assure you that we are with you every step of the way. We have a number of discussions right now for various pieces of equipment in the air, on the ground and army personnel carriers.. We share information everyday with your army that they can use operationally. The notion that we have cut you off is nonsense.” Coming from the US ambassador, these words are not only emphatic, they are reassuring, especially now that we are in the year 2015. It is significant because feelers from the same United States indicated that Nigeria could cease to exist as an entity this year. Many Nigerians saw America’s refusal to sell military hardware to the Federal government as part of the plot to see through the prediction. It was obvious to many that while the insurgents spilled more innocent blood, the Americans turned the other way to condemn troops who were in the heat of battle. Entwistle’s new message regarding the American prediction is oxygising. “ It is a ridiculous assertion. Here we are, sitting in Nigeria in 2015, do any of you see

any signs of this country breaking up? I don’t. I see Nigeria in a challenging time, nonetheless, gradually moving forward to a very bright future and the US looks forward to working with you towards that bright future. When I spend time with young Nigerians, I can’t help but have a strong optimism about this country.” As the February Presidential elections approach, the American position will definitely help douse tension. At this time when the whole world should be concerned about events in the country, this move by the Americans is most encouraging. It is also a reminder to the fact that the historical cords and links may yet be severed. What with the US branding as ‘God’s own country’ which we find in ‘Abia as God’s own state’. The Americans fought a Civil War, Nigeria also did. President Barack Obama’s wife, Michel could take a walk in the Eastern part of Nigeria because there are ties. And to cap it all, Walter Carrington, a former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, found a wife in a Bini lady, Arese. Entwistle’s words go beyond rhetorics. We hope he was not just being diplomatic to his Nigerian viewers. That America understands the need to back government in the war against terror is opening a new road for a stronger Nigeria.

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Politics

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Buhari and the burden of education Femi Ayelabowo

here was once a popular Professor Peller in this country. Nobody cared about his academic profile, nor what he professed for a living, the reason being that he neither posed a challenge to anybody nor was he in competition with those in the academic world. What this means is that you are free to make any claims: call yourself Dr or Professor, if you wish, and you would go unchallenged until you take that claim to a job interview in

competition with others. That, precisely, is what seems to be happening to General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Buhari joined the Nigerian Army in 1962 as a combatant soldier and rose through the ranks to the position of Major-General before he shot his way through in 1983 to become Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The details of how Buhari got into the Army, in the first instance, were not clear, nor do we know the exact

qualifications with which he entered, all of which have been taken for granted until the General threw his hat into the ring in competition for the president of this country in the election scheduled for February 14. Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution stipulates that to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the candidate must be “educated up to at least the School Certificate Level or its equivalent”. The issue of Buhari’s qualifications came to the public glare because the General was widely re-

ported in the media to have declared, in an affidavit attached to his Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) form, that: “All my academic qualifications, documents as filled in my presidential form, President APC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary, Military Board as of the time of presenting this affidavit.” Short of denying Buhari’s claim, the military made the rather subtle clarification that General Buhari should be familiar with the process of retrieving any of his credentials

in his file. Up till this moment, no certificate, whether original or copy, has been brought out by the General, no West African School Certificate or GCE, not even the most basic primary school leaving certificate! Indeed, if it is true that Buhari does not possess any qualification, then, the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Wale Oladipo, was rather generous in describing Buhari as a semiliterate. Although Plato talked about the philosopher-king,

as the most suitable person to lead society, which essentially is an emphasis on education, we are realistic enough in this country not to be looking for such an ideal man or woman to be the president. Yet, the difference is clear between the two major candidates – General Buhari of the APC who is seeking to occupy the number one position and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP who is seeking to retain the position. From the campaigns so far, we have a Jonathan who has grown more and more in confidence and experience; who is able to articulate, sector by sector, the challenges facing the country; reel out his achievements in the past years and project ahead what he intends to do, if given the opportunity of a second tenure. On the other side, is a Buhari who, in appearance and thought, remains a man of yesterday; who is barely able to articulate the current situation in the country, understand the complexity of the challenges and tell Nigerians his plan of how to resolve them. All that Buhari is offering is some nebulous concept of “change” and a determination to cleanse the nation of corruption and resolve the challenges of insecurity in some parts of the country, but without telling the people how he will do all this. Buhari does not have the capacity to understand the complexity of global situations, the operations of the world economy, security management, including the nuances of insurgency and counter-insurgency. His understanding of the president’s role in a democracy is shaped by his career and experience as a military dictator; hence, his generosity in declaring his intention to probe and throw Nigerians into jail. Without mincing words, education is responsible mainly for the difference between Jonathan and Buhari. From ancient to modern times, Plato and other political thinkers as well as the framers of our Constitution, education has always been taken as critical to effective leadership, meaning that the aspiring leader must possess sound education. Not only is education important for a proper grasp of the challenges of democratic governance, it is a necessary instrument for tackling the intricacies of the relations between the executive on the one hand, and the legislature and judiciary on the other; for dealing with the freedom of the press, the rights of the workers, the rule of law and the sovereignty of the people. Buhari lacks the intellectual capacity in all this. •Ayelabowo writes from Ibadan

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Culture

Use culture to promote Nigeria –Adams

Arts Maybe Tomorrow apt for this CULTURE

period, says Fasunhan T Tony Okuyeme

he auditorium of Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island Lagos, comes alive this Sunday for the stage production of Maybe Tomorrow, a play written by Soji Cole and directed by Ibukun Fasunhan. Produced by Eclectique Theatre, the play will be staged January 18 and 25, 2015, at 3pm and 6pm respectively. It features two of the leading actors in Nigeria in the last decade, Kenneth Uphopho (Director of Saro the Musical 2) and Patrick Diabuah (Laitan in Saro the Musical 2). When two long lost friends who had fought side by side during the civil war suddenly reunite, a police interrogation room is surely not the best of venues for such an encounter, especially when one is the suspect and the other is the chief interrogating officer. But that is the case in Maybe Tomorrow, a suspenseful, thought-provoking, fast-paced drama that speaks about the past, present and arguably, the future. The play is centered on two characters: Kenule Ododo (Patrick Diabuah) and Adolphus Wariboko (Kenneth Uphopho). It also features Samuel Animashaun and Ossai Franklin as Policemen. Maybe Tomorrow highlights the issues currently facing the Nigerian society and how best to resolve it. It takes the audience through several satirical and comic moods. The play also discusses various issues facing the Niger Delta region of the country. Fasunhan, the producer of the play, is a stage manager, director, actor and a writer. He has stagemanaged over thirty productions such as Saro The Musical, Make We Waka (2014 British Council Lagos Theatre Festival), and Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman, amongst others. He

TONY OKUYEME tony.okuyeme@newtelegraphonline.com

A scene in the rehearsal of Maybe Tomorrow

has also directed plays such as Osofisan’s Many Colour Make the Thunder King, Women of Owu, No More the Wasted Breed, and Ade Adeniji’s Devil’s Song amongst others. He is the artistic director “Eclectique Theatre”, a theatre company aimed towards new and creative approach to theatrical performances. Explaining why he decided to produce Maybe Tomorrow at this time of the year, Fasunhan said: Being a ‘silent’ activist, “Maybe Tomorrow” is a play that I have always admired since the playwright gave it to me to read four years ago and since I have no power to fight, I draw my sword in the theatre with Maybe Tomorrow, hoping it is sharp enough to effect a change in the society. I was inspired to choose this play, based on the several unrests facing the country, and the fact that stage producers for the past years, have filled the stage with comic plays, instead of addressing some basic issues in the society. As such, being the first play I would be producing, I see it as a matter of necessity to contribute my own quota to addressing these issues by staging ‘Maybe Tomorrow’, which leaves the audience with their thinking caps on. “The play is apt for this period due to some issues of bad leader-

ship it highlights. If I was not producing this play or directing it, I would still see the play on stage because of the message it passes to the audience, and the fact that theatre is the greatest of all art forms, and the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being. Also, it features two of the best stage actors in Nigeria.” Being the first play he will be producing, one of the major challenges that he is facing is financing the production. This is also one of the major problems he faced during the decision process of choosing a play. “Due to the low financial base available, I had to choose a play with little cast, and still passes across the message I want to the audience, than choosing a play with large cast where I start struggling to pay cast after the show. In my opinion, I think this is one of the problems why epic plays with large cast, have been reduced to the educational theatres only, except in some rare cases where the producer is financially buoyant. With the small cast play that I have chosen, I can easily handle them in terms of finances, and also limit the crew members on the project. “Another challenge I faced is

the issue of sponsorship. In Nigeria, every company wants you to make the name first, and then come back to them for sponsorship, which is bad for the theatre industry,” he explained. According to him, to do to make the play easy for him, he decided to collaborate with theatre companies like the Pawstudios, led by Kenneth Uphopho, who helped him with rehearsal space, and sending emails to their database about the show; and Majmua Theatre who is also assisting him in terms of emails. “And also I am privileged to be directing two of the best stage actors in Nigeria; Kenneth Uphopho and Patrick Diabuah. These two people have been of great support to the play, especially Kenneth Uphopho who encouraged me to produce my first play without fear of financial implications, which is paying off for me. ”Terra Kulture; was also instrumental to the making the project an easy one, because of the concession they give to theatre producers to use their halls especially on Sundays. Without them, theatre will not have attained its present status, because producers that have happened to stage their plays in big halls in lagos, would have stage some of their plays in Terra Kulture,” said Fasunhan.

Maybe Tomorrow is a play that I have always admired since the playwright gave it to me to read four years ago and since I have no power to fight, I draw my sword in the theatre with Maybe Tomorrow

Arts

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Use culture to promote Nigeria –Adams

L-R: Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, Prof. Kolawole Raheem, chief promoter, Olokun Festival Foundatiion (OFF), Otunba Gani Adams, High Chief Ifaroti Faloba, representing the Ooni of Ife, and Director General, Nigeria-Uruguay Centre, Chief Fola Oludare Ayodele at the media briefing hosted by OFF on the activities for the Oodua Festival 2015, held in Lagos on Sunday

Etaghene Edirin

he federal and state gover nments have been called upon to create avenues by which the cultural heritage of the different ethnic groups in the country can be sold to the outside world, through tourism, especially, by investing in the development of tourist sites, and supporting organisers of festivals in the country. This would go a long way in restoring the lost hope in tourism in Nigeria, which

now, more than ever before needs to shift focus from crude oil to eco-tourism and agriculture. This was the submission of the chief promoter of the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), Otunba Gani Adams, who spoke at a media briefing in Lagos, on the activities lined up for the celebration of the Oodua Festival 2015, which began on Sunday January 11, at Ile-Ife, Osun State. Adams said that the different cultures of the country were being eroded stressing that government at all levels and traditional rulers have

a big role to play in the development of the nation’s cultural heritage which will create enormous gains in the tourism sector. The Oodua Festival, he explained, has in the last few years been the curtain raiser to all Olokun Festival Foundation activities within a year, and that the Foundation will continue to strive to develop the festival to international recognition. The festival will run through January 22, and will feature events such as festival float, Yoruba quiz festival, Ayo-Olopon game,

The Odua Festival is expected to form the platform through which the Yoruba cultural heritage will be developed and a forum for Odua descendants from all parts of the world, as well as tourists to learn the history of Oduduwa

lecture, beauty pageant, amongst others. Adams lamented that in the past, students learnt the history of the different stages in the development of the different races, but that has become a thing of the past. “This is a time, when our children are not only being denied the chance to learn the Yoruba language, but also being prevented from studying the history and development of what is today known as the Yoruba people. The Odua Festival is expected to form the platform through which the Yoruba cultural heritage will be developed and a forum for Odua descendants from all parts of the world, as well as tourists to learn the history of Oduduwa,” he said. He therefore called on government to encourage the teaching and learning of history. “If you don’t know where you are coming from, you won’t know where you are, and where you are going”, Adams stated. The Foundation’s boss who is also the national coordinator of Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), disclosed that the Odua Progressive Union (OPU) would be having its first convention in Lagos. Tagged Eko 2015, the event, Adams said, will attract OPU representatives from about 60 countries.

Mama Africa steps out Moses Kadiri

fter its premiere in cinemas recently, Mama Africa, a movie by Norbert Ajeagbu is now on DVD. Directed by Ubaka Joseph Ugochukwu, the movie which is filled with suspense, intrigue, morals, and adventure exposes the goings-on in the corridors of power; it reflects the reality that plagues the African continent where people in authority use power to intimidate the citizenry. Starring Nollywood star artistes such as Zack Orji, Tonto Dikeh, Frank Artus, Chigozie Atuanya, Jibola Dabo, Belinda Effah among others, Mama Africa tells a story about how the rich and wealthy embezzled the country’s collective resources while the poor and needy rot away in poverty due to lack of food, drugs, education, hope among others until Nathan, a courageous and selfless human right activist steps into the picture. Ajaegbu, who is also the chairperson and national spokesman of the Film and Video Produc-

ers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN), Lagos, said the movie was inspired by the feeling that the leaders of African nations need a re-think. “Their prerogative should be the people they rule, not selfsatiation. I feel like touching the conscience of the privileged. I yearn for the emancipation of the poor in the African society. I want to change culture, to dethrone corruption and enthrone a true nation,” he said, adding that he made his choice of cast in line with the character biography of his story. “I had an audition, followed by the casting. The choice of Tonto Dikeh was basically for her audience appeal and marketability as at the time the movie was shot. Also, her willingness to endure the controversy that may trail the movie was also a factor. “The production was arranged according to location. We were on location slightly above one month. Shooting with a crowd was the most challenging in course of production. We had made all props and special props

available before embarking on production proper. Our major challenge was the sourcing of fund for production and post-production. I do believe that with funds available, Oscars will be our limit. We were able to overcome this with the support of United African laboratories, makers of Krispine HB 12 blood syrup.” Mama Africa, Ajaegbu further said, calls for the respect of the social contract between the people and the government and between the rich and the poor. “Every plot and characterization in the drama depicts particular sections of the African society. The destitute in the film represent the deprived populace of the African society, while Martha’s role played by actress Tonto Dikeh represents certain civilians in the society, whose thoughts emerge from humble backgrounds, but mortgage their conscience to the overwhelming influence of the government,” Ajeagbu notes. The film maker view on Nollywood is to become the greatest entertainment

industry. “The future of Nollywood is great for us and for generations to come. We only need to fix things, then, the future generations will need to learn from our mistakes,

a little more selfless, and a lasting legacy of the blacks’ biggest entertainment industry.” He however urged viewers to figure out the satire in the movie and learn the

lessons inherent in Mama Africa, which calls for the respect of the social contract between the people and the government and between the rich and the poor.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Interview

Entrepreneurship

FCE too ambitious to take over our land — UNILAG VC

Stakeholders make case for entrepreneurship education

25&26

Education INITIATIVE

A new initiative, the Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB), has been introduced into the university system to replace the HSC scrapped by the 6-3-3-4 education policy in the late 80s

Return to the old way

Mojeed Alabi

en years after failed attempts by the Federal Government to return Higher School Certificate (HSC), otherwise referred to either as the Sixth Form or Advanced Level (A’Level) to the school system, there are fresh moves to reintroduce it. The new A-Level programme, which will be equivalent to the Cambridge Advanced Level General Certificate of Education, will be conducted by the Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB), an examination body charged to undertake the conduct of the examination. At the centre of the new initiative are some of the leading Ivory Towers in the country including the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), University of Benin (UNIBEN), University of Calabar (UNICAL) and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), among others. Faced with the rising cases of anti-social behaviour, such as cultism, indecent dressing, examination malpractice, violence and gansterism, especially among students of higher institutions of learning and the urgent need to curb the menace, ravaging the education system, the Federal Government had between 2004 expressed determination to reintroduce the Higher School Certificate into the school system, as

KAYODE OLANREWAJU EDITOR, EDUCATION

kayode olanrewaju@ newtelegraphonline.com

Cross-section of matriculating students

Okojie, NUC Scribe

part of measures to curb the crises. Apart from this, the government also tinkered on the policy to peg admission age into the university system to 18 years, apparently to curb indiscipline by increasing the maturity level of students before they enter into the university. Apparently, this new initiative, to stakeholders in the nation’s education sector, who had at several times in the past canvassed for the review of Nigeria’s education policy, is cheering news. The 18-month programme for fresh school leavers, will offer the opportunity to successful candidates to secure admission into 200-Level in any university within and outside the country. According to the Vice-Chan-

Ojerinde, JAMB Registrar

It is part of our efforts to ensure that sanity is returned to our academic system...

Omole, OAU VC

cellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahman Bello, the new programme, will not only enable the universities to fill the required 20 per cent admission quota for the Direct Entry, but will also ensure that mature students are offered admission into the university system. Bello, while addressing a media briefing penultimate week, further hinged the decision for establishing JUPEB on the fact that many candidates applying for Direct Entry admission into the Nigerian universities were applying through foreign A-Level Certificates, “which in many instances have been found to be fake.” He said: “It is part of our efforts to ensure that sanity is returned to our academic system

since we could no longer leave everything for the government to do. For instance, we began the campaign for the post-UTME examination when we found out that the candidates with the best JAMB results were usually those performing below average in the system, and today that initiative has continued to yield fruitful results.” The Vice-Chancellor recalled with nostalgia that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) was in charge of the conduct of the A-Levels before it was scrapped by the Federal Government with the introduction of the 6-3-3-4 policy of education in the late 80s. While lamenting the damage the scrapping has done to the psyche and quality of the nation’s education sector, especially the university system, noted: “You will remember that WAEC used to conduct A-Level examinations in the past before it suddenly went off the radar and we began to have very young students falsifying their age to come through the institutions and as a result are unable to cope with the challenges of university system. We hope to build the level of maturity of the students and the quality of education in our institutions.” On the modalities for admission into the programme, Bello CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Education

Kayode Olanrewaju

research collaboration between the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti and the Aberystwyth University, Wales, United Kingdom (AU) has continued to yield fruitful results. The partnership in which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was endorsed in August, last year, by the Rector, Dr. Theresa Taiwo Akande and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. April McMahon on behalf of the polytechnic and the universityrespectively was said to have formed the basis for the development of series of joint programmes between the Federal Polytechnic and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) of the university. The areas of research at IBERS, which are being considered include Food Security, led by Prof. Luis Mur of the university; Schistosomiasis, the parasitic disease which is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, which is being led by Prof. Karl Hoffman and Dr Iain Chalmers; Research into mapping Malaria, which is being led by Prof. Chris Thomas and Dr Donall Cross, as well as work on identifying medicinally relevant natural products that is going to be led by Dr. Ifat Parveen. McMahon said of the partnership: “As a leading UK research institution, Aberystwyth University has many long established and important research links with universities and research institutes around the world. It is a delight to be able to extend this network with the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Polytechnic of Ado-Ekiti. “IBERS is a world leading institute working on some of the key challenges facing the world today, especially in the areas of food, water and energy security,” the don said, adding that there is much the two institutions could gain from collaborating in these areas. According to him, “for many living with the daily reality of malaria and parasitic diseases such as Schistosomiasis, a condition that affects an estimated 120 million people worldwide and the premature deaths of as many as 200,000 people yearly, such collaboration is essential as it will offer scientists to seek how to develop vaccines and treatments that will, in time, transform lives.” Meanwhile, as part of moves to foster the partnership, Dr. Akande was said to have visited the university in company of the polytechnic Registrar, Mrs. Adeniran Stephania Odusade, and the Director of Research, Dr. Charles Ologunde. Besides, as a follow up to the MoU, the polytechnic management has raised several committees to work

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

ADOPOLY, UK varsity partner on research development

L-R: Dr. Akande, Prof. Mur and Ologunde at the centre during Mur’s visit to the polytechnic

out modalities of achieving the areas of the collaboration with the United Kingdom university. The committees, which have since swung to action, are on Malaria/Schistosomiasis, food security and medicinally relevant natural products, which is headed by Dr. A. Ologunde; Dr. T. Akinola and Dr. V. Ajibade respectively. To fulfill its part of the partnership, Prof Luis A.J. Mur from Aberystwyth University was also at the polytechnic on a working visit on assessment of the facilities at the polytechnic as well as to have first-hand information on its readiness to kick start the MoU. Prof. Mur, during the visit not only interfaced with members of the various committees, he also inspected their sites of operations, facilities at the polytechnic, as well as met with the management and delivered a public lecture in order to create awareness about the collaboration. During his visit, Mur was said to have visited FPA/AU-IBERS Sorghum field, managed by the Committee on Food Security, chaired by Dr. Akinola, where he expressed confidence with the progress on the farm. But, he suggested that different varieties of sorghum should be planted, saying this will further enhance the project since the percentage yield and other parameter will be elucidated. While conducting Mur on inspection of some of the polytechnic’s facilities during the visit, he visited the laboratories including those of Biochemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Microbiology and the Central research

KWASU students win alumni scholarships

ome undergraduates of Kwara State University (KWASU) have become recipients of the maiden edition of the University Alumni Undergraduate Scholarship Awards for the 2014/2015 session. Their emergence followed the interview and screening, as well as approval by the National Executive Council of the university’s alumni association as recommended by the Alumni Scholarships and Grants Committee. One of the students with the highest average score of 86.7 per cent and a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.82 out of 4.0. According to the President of the

university Alumni Association, Damilare Oyinloye, the 10 recipients stood out among over 100 candidates who applied for the scholarship programme. Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah has congratulated the association on the initiative and achievement, saying it would go a long way in impacting meaningfully on the education of the recipients. The annual scholarship programme is for students who must have obtained a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 out of 4.0 in the preceding academic session starting from second to fourth or fifth year.

laboratory (CRL). At the central research laboratory, he checked Sorghum Downy Mildew (SDM) infected leaves collected by the food security committee from major sorghum producing areas in the country such as Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi, even as he promised to take some of them to his laboratory for genomic analysis of causal organism of SDM which is Perenosclerospora sorghi. In the public lecture entitled: “Working Towards Increasing Food Security and Health in Africa,” Mur dwelt extensively on AU-Aber response to global challenges, teaching, postgraduate training, type of research they offer, AU-IBERS organization, cutting edge capabilities (like Profiling: GC-MS-TOF, LTQ-Ion Trap for metabolite Fragmentation, High resolution MS, NMR: for structural elicitation, genome sequencer and National Plant Phenomics Centre), while he expounded more about FPA-AU MoU. Besides, he shed more light on AU-IBERS excellence with impact, in which he hinted that the centre won several awards. On Bioenergy crop and oat breeding programmes in AU-IBERS where he mentioned how Biofuels could provide a renewable source of energy in securing our future, Mur explained how researches at AU-IBERS unlock potential for food where sheep were fed on improved

grass to enhance their well-being and productivity. While explaining the pioneering project with the Federal Polytechnic, which is the area of Sorghum development, with the field trial currently running at the FPA/AU-IBERS farm, the don expressed delight that a lot of promising results were already coming out of the field trial. He said more efforts needed to be intensified on the number of improved seed for testing in the country, saying his overall assessment and results from FPA field work showed that improved Sorghum genotypes are better than the local varieties got from Northern Nigeria in terms of yield and viability. The researcher gave detailed contact of lead researcher on Schistosomiasis in AU-IBERS and explained some current research on this area, even as he enjoined interested scientist at the polytechnic to join other researchers at AU-IBERS under the partnership for their research efforts. Towards this end, he was said to have provided the contacts of the research leader in Malaria group at AU-IBERS, while appealing to the polytechnic team not to hesitate in contacting the research leader at the institute. He, however, enjoined member of the polytechnic community to maximise the opportunity offered by the Memorandum of Understanding by involving in one group of research or the other. The polytechnic Rector in her closing remarks after the one-hour lecture, anchored the interactive session, where several questions, comments and grey areas were raised, and in which Mur clarified one after the other. To further enhance the collaboration, Mur pledged the readiness of his institute to assist the polytechnic in equipping and upgrading its resources, just as he solicited the support of the members of the polytechnic community to ensure the success of the partnership. At the polytechnic’s Entrepreneurship Centre, he inspected the various units including the cat and tilapia fish ponds, Quail farm, egg production, snairy farming, moringa plantation, plant production and plantain farm.

Alkali to deliver NOUN convocation lecture Mojeed Alabi

he Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, will on Friday January 16 deliver the fourth convocation lecture of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN. The lecture with the theme: “Open and Distance Learning and Democratic Transformation in Nigeria,” is billed to hold at the Main Exhibition Hall of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Godswill Obioma is expected to chair the lecture. In a statement by the institution’s

Head, Media and Information Department, Dr. Ronke Ogunmakin, said the lecture precedes the convocation ceremony, which will hold on Saturday, January 17, at the same venue. She said no fewer than 7,000 students, who have successfully completed their programmes and found worthy in learning and character will be conferred and awarded the university’s certificates, diplomas, Bachelor Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Ogunmakin, however, added that the university in the last three years has consistently maintained and institutionalised the second week of January for its convocation ceremony, and that the tradition will continue.

Education | Interview

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Rahman Bello at a media parley, marking the last year’s activities, listed some achievements of the ivory tower. He also spoke with MOJEED ALABI in this interview on various other thorny issues including the running battle between the university and its neighbour, the Federal College of Education Technical, Akoka, over a disputed parcel of land. How would you appraise year 2014 in the life of the university? As we all know, the University of Lagos is the first university to be established by an Act of Parliament in Nigeria. So, officially, it is the pioneer federal university in the country and without sounding immodest, since its establishment about 52 years ago, it has been fulfilling the aspirations of its founding fathers. It is a landmark achievement that the university has graduated more than 50,000 students, who are doing greatly well in their different fields of endeavour. In the year under review, it is no more news that we produced one of Africa’s youngest PhD holders, Dr. Olaoluwa Hallowed, who is now a member of our academic staff. He is currently on his way to Harvard University for a post-doctoral fellowship. In the year also, the Governing Council approved a new 25-year strategic plan for the university, and in conjunction with other universities we established the Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB), which is to offer admission opportunities for ALevel candidates on Direct Entry basis into the universities. Besides, the university also set up a research and innovation office to collate the research activities in the university for proper coordination, patenting, exhibition and marketing. As a university which is aspiring for the greater height and to be ranked among the Ivy League of universities, we also commenced the process of reintroducing a virile students’ union by setting up a committee that has now submitted a draft constitution for the union. We have also reviewed critically the welfare of our members of staff to ensure high productivity and quality service delivery. That brings us to the question of alleged scarce research activities on our campuses. Was the establishment of research and innovation office aimed at addressing that? That allegation of scarce research activities in universities cannot be said to be totally correct because without research activities running, there cannot

FCE too ambitious to take over our land — UNILAG VC

them, whether paper, plastic, nylon or glass. This will help our researchers to quickly have access to various kinds of wastes they may be working on. When this idea finally germinates, we will not only impact the country, but also the world at large.

UNILAG VC

be universities. Research is part of the core mandate of universities, which include teaching and community services. In fact, in 2014 alone, the contributions of UNILAG to research activities in the country could not be overemphasised and that include our roles in curbing the Ebola scourge. Immediately the first Ebola case was suspected, through the late Patrick Sawyer, the Provost of the university’s College of Medicine and Professor of Medical Microbiology, Folasade Ogunsola was the first to be contacted to confirm the status of the late Sawyer because she had been at the forefront of research into Ebola cases and had had cause to travel to Liberia and other places over the disease. She just returned from Harvard where she went to tutor the world on how to curb Ebola spread. Apart from her, other scientists at the university swung into action and they moved round the country including Rivers State to make sure that Nigeria was rid of the dreaded virus. Also, in 2014 alone, one of our students innovated a security monitoring devise and has since been absorbed by the state to help in curbing crime. To prove UNILAG’s impact on research, the Lagos State Gov-

We plan to build something like a technology village where we can have an incubation system to try out research ideas before they become big manufacturing concerns

ernment awarded 31 research grants to various campuses across the state and UNILAG alone received 14, among several other initiatives. So, what we have done by setting up the research and innovation office was to create opportunities for our researches to be adequately monitored, exhibited and marketed for the benefit of the larger society. Part of what we hope to achieve is the interdisciplinary research activities and with the donation of a giant research laboratory by one of our alumni and Founder of the Mountain of Fire Ministries, Dr. Kolawole Olukoya, we plan to build something like a technology village where we can have an incubation system to try out research ideas before they become big manufacturing concerns. It will be the hub of research activities in the country and the continent by extension, and a meeting point for both the manufacturers and researchers. One of such initiatives is the plan to create research plants for wastes and we have started this by sorting our wastes with the marking of different bins located within the nooks and crannies of the campus with different labels on the types of wastes meant to be disposed into

You just spoke about staff welfare but this seems to have contradicted the position of the academic staff members who recently staged a peaceful protest on the campus over what they termed poor working conditions in terms of selective promotion, working without leave, among other allegations. What is your take on this? I think I must correct that impression very quickly. What actually happened was as a result of communication gap between the management and the ASUU members. Most of the issues raised during their protest have almost been resolved including the promotion of some of the deserving academics. Those that require Council’s approval have also been tabled and in some cases approved. Let me tell you, this is one of the few universities in the country where workers-management relationship has been so cordial that we hardly experience protest. This is simply because everything about our administration is open to all to see. In this university unlike many others, we have done away with casual labour because we see it as dehumanising and those who were engaged at that level in the past, but who possess relevant requisite qualifications have been absorbed into the system, while others were absorbed by the outsourced sectors. Accommodation is a major challenge on Nigerian campuses, what is the situation at UNILAG? The situation in UNILAG is worse because out of a population of about 30,000 regular students, we only have accommodation space for about 8,000 and what makes the situation worse is that living outside the campus in Lagos is too costly for both members of staff and students. We have lost several good hands among the lecturers because they could not cope with the stress associated with living in Lagos except they are accommodated on campus. What complicates our matter is because 40 per cent of our land area is swamp and marshy, and that is why the cost of erecting infrastructure at UNILAG is in three fold of what obtains in other universities. How are you resolving this? We are leaving no stone unturned and that is why we have at different times come up with several initiatives including the PPP projects by bringing in private investors. But on a larger scale, that is part of what the university’s 25-year strategic CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Education

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

President’s aide hails commission for nomadic education Musa Pam JOS

he Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Dr. Sarah Jibril has stressed that the establishment of the National Commission for Nomadic Education in Nigeria is a bold step taken by the government towards educating children of the nomads prior to their integration into the main stream of school system. According to her, the major purpose of establishing the Nomadic Education Commission by the 1987 Act, No 41, was to establish, manage and maintain primary schools for nomadic children. Jibril said this at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) during the national conference on Nomadic Education, where she was the keynote speaker. The theme of the conference was: “Impact of Contemporary Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Crisis on the Current and Future Progress of Nomadic Education in Nigeria.” While describing the conference as timely as it provided experts the platform

Select pupils of nomadic schools performing at the conference

to adequately brainstorm on how to effectively attain nomadic education programme as well as the Vision 20-2020 in the face of current contemporary challenges and crises in the country. Her words: “Nomadic education viability and sustainability

are crucial elements to the attainment of a nomadic education programme that would stand the test of time and survive the various daunting challenges. “It is expected that modern and vibrant education system which provides education for

FCE land has no legal backing, says UNILAG VC CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 25

plan hopes to address. It has become a law on the campus now that whatever new buildings we are embarking upon must have a solid foundation that should be able to carry a minimum of 12 floors. That means that even if we cannot build the 12 floors at a go, we can add to it later. So, we are starting with about five projects including the new university library of about 10 floors; new buildings for the Distance Learning Centre, Education Faculty, Law Faculty and the Postgraduate School. The design for the new library is ready and we are now at the stage of sourcing funds from philanthropists and corporate organisations. But the university just received the NEEDS Assessment fund disbursed by the Federal Government? Again, we need to correct that impression. The NEEDS Assessment fund is strictly tied to upgrading the existing facilities and we just held a workshop on how to judiciously make use of the fund accruable to UNILAG. You will notice some of our classrooms are already receiving facelift, and what we want to do is to make all the classrooms smart through massive upgrading of the facilities and we are already doing that. You raised the issue of inadequate land for expansion, but the Federal Ministry of Education instructed the university to cede part of its land to the Federal College of Education (FCE) Technical, but that you have allegedly refused to comply. Why? The problem with the FCE, Akoka is that of greed. We have just listed our challenges in terms of infrastructure and I can confirm to you that the college is on that site out of the university’s magnanimity. In fact, when the management of the college first encroached on our land and it became an issue, the Federal Government intervened and we found out that the college did not even have approval for the space it is presently occupying. The Secretary to the Government of the

Federation instantly instructed them to go and get the appropriate approval because in the face of law, its occupation on that parcel of land is illegal. Like I said earlier, this is a university established by an Act of Parliament and it will take the Parliament to alter anything about it. In fact, when they further demanded for more land we agreed to cede other part towards Bariga to the college but they have their eyes on the land across the canal which has been earmarked as part of our 25-year plan for the construction of staff quarters. Now, we have realised that UNILAG doesn’t even have the power to cede any land to anyone because the power belongs to FG and not even the Ministry of Education. The college should realise that its location there is illegal as at today and can even be annexed to the university’s Faculty of Education. And if annexed to UNILAG it would have been doing better than it is currently doing because it would have been awarding degrees and as well attracting international attention. On a lighter note, we understand we belong to the same family, but due process must be followed. Access to higher institutions by prospective students has become a difficult thing, what is the way out? There is no other university that has such a challenge more than UNILAG and we must all work together as institutions to open up access. That informed our conscious efforts at strengthening of Distance Learning Programme, as well as the JUPEB initiative. Currently, we have 17,000 students on our enrolment as distance learners and our plan is to grow it to 50,000 as soon as possible by gradually phasing out the face-to-face learning method. The process is already on course as part of our strategic plan, and we shall do that by making it a complete online process. That will help in no small measure to tackle the challenge of inadequate access in our higher institutions of learning.

all is valued, well embraced and sustained effectively despite the numerous factors such as cultural, social, economic, political and insecurity which are causing serious challenges in the system.” However, the Executive Secretary of the National Commis-

sion for Nomadic Education (NCNE), Kaduna, Prof. Rashid Aderinoye said the conference was borne out of the desire of the commission to address the problems associated with the implementation of the nomadic education programme in the face of current socio-economic crisis ranging from insurgency, cattle rustling, piracy, kidnapping to constant clashes between nomads and their communities. According to him, the contribution of the nomadic groups to the nation’s economy and the individual’s well-being could not be over emphasised. In his remarks, the ViceChancellor of the university, Prof. Hayward Babale Mufuyai said nomadic education has it root from UNIJOS through the efforts of Prof. Mary Lar, wife of the late Chief Solomon Daushep Lar. “We are all glad after all because the Federal Government has today established the National Commission for Nomadic Education,” the don said, recalling that the conference was organised by the university’s Nomadic Education Centre in collaboration with the Commission.

Air Force to partner KWASU on aerospace engineering A

s part of efforts at enhancing the technical manpower development towards the needs of the aviation industry, the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are to partner in the area of Aerospace Engineering training. This was disclosed when the Director, Research and Development Headquarters of the Nigeria Air Force, Abuja, Air Commodore M. A. Sholadoye, led a delegation on a visit to the ViceChancellor, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah. While receiving the team, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the university was the first university in the country to introduce a degree programme in Aeronautic and Astronautic Engineering, even as he said the feat was borne out of the institution’s resolve to do things differently from other conventional universities. Na’Allah, who said the university was very proud of the Nigeria Air Force because of its commitment to the nation’s technological advancement through research and innovation, however noted that KWASU will produce its first set of students in Aeronautic and Astronautic Engineering this year. He explained that through the university’s collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology, U.S.A, which has the largest Aerospace programme in the United States, the students will have an opportunity to enroll for the Master’s programme immediately after their degree programme in the university. The Vice-Chancellor also recalled that the university recruited the best faculty members to train students in the College

Na’Allah

of Engineering and Technology, with a view to producing the best engineers in different fields. He expressed optimism that a research centre will be developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force on Air Safety to create a culture of research in space. Responding, Air Commodore Sholadoye said the visit was in pursuit of the NAF’s objective of advancing technology in the country through collaboration with higher institutions of learning, just as he added that KWASU’s Aeronautic and Astronautic Engineering is a unique programme worthy of collaboration. He said the two institutions would work out areas of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a view to consolidating the collaboration. “We have decided to honour the invitation of the university ViceChancellor, so as to see what is on ground in order to begin to work out the areas of understanding on the programme, so that in the very near future, we shall have a solid arrangement,” he stated.

Education | Campus

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Stakeholders make case for entrepreneurship education Abubakar Muhammad KANO

T The Vice-Chancellor unveiling the EKSU’s 5-year strategic plan to the university community at the New Year prayer meeting

EKSU unveils five-year plan l Sets deadline for payment of school fees

five-year Strategic Plan that will reposition the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, and take it to the next level for the challenges of the 21st Century has been unveiled by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Oladipo Aina for the university. The document was said to have been unveiled during prayer session to usher in the New Year by members of the university community. The Vice-Chancellor, while unveiling the 26-page publication, noted that the strategic plan would go a long way to serve as the university’s main roadmap at achieving its goal of becoming a world-class university. Aina, who presented the book to the members of the university community for blessing, however noted that the strategic plan would enhance the growth of the university in all spheres. The Pastor, Prof. J. O. Oloyede, who led the prayer session was said to have blessed the document and offered prayer for its success in repositioning the institution. Aina listed some of the proposed proj-

ects for execution to include a Senate Building, lauding the members of staff for their support and positive development in the university. In his words of exhortation with the theme: “God is our Hope and Righteousness,” delivered during the prayer session, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Development, Prof. Victor Adeoluwa advised members of staff and students to obey the words of God always and uphold the truth in whatever they do. In another development, the management has set January 16 and 23 as deadline for the returning and fresh students to pay their tuition fees and other charges. The deadline, according to the ViceChancellor, was approved by the university Senate. Under the arrangement, the ViceChancellor, who disclosed this, stressed that returning students must pay their fees and complete their registration on or before the January 16, while fresh students are expected to pay their fees and complete their registration on or before January 23.

he 16th National Conference of School of Education, Federal College of Education, Kano has come and gone, but members of the college community and participants are still savouring the relevance of the conference in the development of education. The theme of the conference, which drew participants from both federal and state colleges of education, as well as universities and polytechnics across the nation, was “Emerging issues in Entrepreneurial Education in Nigeria.” The Dean of School of Education, Dr. Abdullahi Isyaku Barde, while welcoming participants, expressed gratitude to the Provost of the college, Dr. Rabi Jibrila Muhammad and her management team, for their efforts and support towards ensuring that the conference was a huge success despite many other pressing issues in the college. On the theme of the conference, which he described as apt and timely, especially considering the current state of the nation’s education system, the Dean, however noted: “Quality education is the bedrock of economy and nation building, while the economy is the wheel upon which every developmental pursuit resolves. “There can never be any significant development where individual relies heavily on the government for employment, especially white-collar jobs,” Barde explained, stressing that the education system should therefore incorporate entrepreneurial skills, which is indeed the shortest and easiest way to development.”

In his keynote address, the College Librarian, Dr. Umar Gama pointed out that education is considered as the basic tool for facilitating societal change and development in virtually all spheres of life. Gama, who noted that entrepreneurial education is one of the mechanisms of achieving such objectives, said apparently realising the weaknesses of early educational policy in terms of the emphasis on the provision of entrepreneurial education, is what the new policy sought to address. Gama, however, listed some of the objectives of the entrepreneurial education to include reduction of high rate of poverty, creation of employment opportunities, reduction of rural-urban migration, inculcation of the spirit of perseverance in the youths and adults, which will enable them to persist in any business venture they found themselves. The Provost, who was represented by her Deputy, Dr. Inusa Kadiri described that conference as apt and timely, added that the college was making efforts on enhancing the capacity of the lecturers to make them more relevant to the society and the college. In his paper, Dr. Sualiman Muhammad Saye, who lamented that there are many factors militating against the development of entrepreneurship education, said these include lack of funding for the establishment of entrepreneurship centre in Nigerian universities, production of instruction manuals and teachers’ guide, institutionalisation of knowledge exchange mechanism among universities and stakeholders, readiness of universities to change its focus to entrepreneurial centre and be relevant in the knowledgebased economy.

AAUA ushers in new VC with prayers

t was with prayers and fanfare that members of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), led by principal officers of the institution ushered in the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, to the university last week. Ajibefun, who formally assumed office as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university, named after the Second Republic Governor of the old Ondo State, late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, succeeded Prof. Femi Mimiko, whose five-year single term expired last week. Ajibefun was until his appointment by the Ondo State Governor and Visitor to the university, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, was the Rector of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Administration, Prof. Francis Oyabade, led other principal officers and members of the university community at the reception for the new Vice-Chancellor,

who was received at the Eastern Campus gate to the Senate Chamber. The Vice-Chancellor, who was accompanied into the university by his wife, Mrs. Bose, as well as principal officers and students of the polytechnic, however, thanked God for giving him the grace to be appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the institution. Ajibefun also expressed gratitude to the Governor Mimikoled administration for giving him the opportunity to serve the state at another level after completing his tenure as Rector of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic. He pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him by not only sustaining the academic legacy bequeathed to the institution by his predecessor, but will also continue to drive the university in the direction of fulfilling the vision and mission of its founding fathers. The Vice-Chancellor thanked members of the university community for the warm reception accorded him

and his entourage, saying: “I want to thank you all for the warm reception. I am marveled by the way members of the university community received me right from the gate. This is a show of great love.” Ajibefun added: “We are going to consolidate on the achievements that have been recorded, particularly, in the past five years. Already, the university is known for excellence in terms of teaching, research, community service, academic discipline and ethics. And we are going to pursue all these objectives to the letter. Born on July 28, 1964, Ajibefun, a graduate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), where he obtained a First Class Honours, began his academic career in 1993 as an Assistant Lecturer at FUTA, from where he rose to become an Associate Professor in October 2006. He obtained his M.Sc and PhD at the University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Technology, Akure

Ajibefun, Aaua VC

respectively. A registered member of the European Society for Soil Conservation, Ajibefun is also a member of the International Association of Agricultural Economists, the African Economic Research Consortium the Asian Society of Agricultural Economists, the Nigeri-

an Economic Society and the Nigerian Participatory Rural Appraisal Network. An outstanding scholar with evidence of scholarly publications in both local and international journals, Ajibefun parades remarkable years of experience in tertiary institution management.

Education

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NUC accreditation team gives UNN pass mark Oladele Oge

Ondo students celebrate Kuku, others Sikiru Akinola

UNN

OAU

he National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation team, which was at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the Enugu campus of the nation’s first indigenous university, to inspect its facilities, academic programmes and the new undergraduate courses has given the university a pass mark. The five-day inspection, according Prof. Moses Ajewole, the leader of the team, was to ensure whether the new courses being run under the undergraduate programmes are accessible to the students. Ajewole added that such feelings emanated from the report reaching the Commission yearly about the standard of education particularly at the university level, saying it is the duty of NUC to position Nigerian universities education in the forefront as it is obtained in advanced countries. Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bejamin Ozumba on behalf of the Governing Council thanked the NUC team, for its meaningful contributions as part of efforts of achieving quality education in the universities system. Ozumba encouraged members of staff and students to do more in the aspect of quality research

Ozumba, VC (middle) with members of the accreditation team during the visit

that will promote the institution’s academic excellence attained since its inception, expressing the hope that government and non-governmental organisations would be ready to donate to the university whenever something important is emanating from them. In an exclusive chat with the team the leader, he noted that “if the physical environment were conducive for academic activities, most of the problems confronting the institution would almost have addressed.” Some of the faculties inspected by the NUC team are the Faculty of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Social Sciences, and Faculty of Education, among others, which were given a pass

mark. In her remarks after the inspection, a Professor of Geology and a lecture, Uju Umeje, lauded members of the NUC team for what she described as a job well-done, promising that the Faculties would ensure that they do not lagging behind anytime the accreditation team call back for reaccreditation of their programmes. According to the lecturer, despite the fact that the faculty was not aware of the NUC’s visit, the faculty was applauded by the team, while none of the courses was denied accreditation. The NUC accreditation team was said to have visited the institution last in 2009, during the administration of Prof. Batho Okolo, the former Vice-Chancellor.

igher school students, under their group, the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), University of Ibadan (UI) chapter have honoured the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Amnesty, Mr. Kingsley Kuku with a meritorious service award of the association. The award, according to the students, was in recognition of his sterling performance, which they noted has led to a drastic reduction in the activities of militants in oil-rich communities and other parts of the country. Represented by the former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and his friend, Comrade Oludare Ogunlana, he said the award will further motivate him to do more. Kuku, an indigene of Ondo State, expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing him as one of his aides, adding that the youth have never had it so good in the governance of the country until the present administration. He listed some of the achievement of the President Jonathan-led administration especially in the area of education to include the establishment of 12 federal universities, and disbursement of N200 billion grants to federal universities, while many youths have benefitted from the government’s gesture through grants from YOUWIN and other initiatives of the present administration. The awardee, who had last year donated a students’ union building to his alma mater, the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, said he was committed to supporting students’ course.

Ajasin varsity honours 32 lecturers for obtaining PhD

o fewer than 32 members of academic staff of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, who have completed and obtained their PhDs at home and abroad in 2014, were last week celebrated by the management at a reception which took place at the institution’s new Senate Building. Similarly, the university management had in April 2012 organised a reception in honour of the members of academic staff that obtained PhDs between 2010 and 2012 academic sessions. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko, while

congratulating them, however urged them to focus more on cuttingedge research that would make significant impact on the society. Mimiko said: “I want to plead with you to allow the people realise that this generation of PhD holders in the system will add value to the university and the society. As academics, our research has to be relevant. That is, research that is not relevant to the day-to-day lives of the people and society is not useful and should be discarded.” The Vice-Chancellor, who pledged the readiness of the university

to support those who were not able to travel abroad for their PhD programmes for their postdoctorate opportunities, also advised them on the need for them to be ready to give back to the university that has been so good to them. Presenting the fresh PhD holders to the management, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Administration, Prof. Francis Oyebade, pointed out that the university reverends knowledge and holds academic excellence in high esteem, hence the need to honour and celebrate them.

Governor Mimiko (middle) inaugurating the university Senate Building. With him are other top functionaries of the state, traditional rulers and principal officers of the university.

Akinola (fourth right) with others cutting the tape

Offa Poly students’ union names building after monarch Wale Bakare UNILORIN

he Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State Students’ Union has named the newly constructed Students’ Relaxation Centre after the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, Oloyede Esuwoye II, in recognition of his contributions to the peaceful co-existence between the students and the Offa host community. The centre named Esuwoye II Students’ Relaxation Centre; Telegraph Campus gathered was built by the 2013/2014 students’ union executive council. While inaugurating the centre, the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Mufutau Olatunde described the initiative as the consolidation of a new era of accountability and sense of responsibility on the part

of the students’ leadership. He said: “I must confess that the level of discipline and commitment to the welfare of members as displayed by the students’ union executive in recent times are a source of pride not only to the management, but also the entire members of staff and students of this polytechnic. I must commend the union for its laudable achievements.” The Olofa, who was represented by Ojomu of Offa, Chief Bayo Akinola, in his message of appreciation, thanked the students’ leaders for finding him worthy of the honour, even as he pledged on behalf of the community more cordial relationship with the students of the institution. The President of the students’ union, Adedeji Festus in his goodwill message thanked the school management and the monarch for supporting the project.

Education

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

explained that each university has introduced special preliminary programmes, where students could enroll and while upon completion will have the opportunity to apply to other institutions. Unlike the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) or the General Certificate Examination (GCE) being conducted by the West African Examination Council, where candidates are expected to approach any secondary school for registration, JUPEB restricts its centres to the various member universities to ensure quality. On whether JUPEB was a reaction to the perceived mistrust in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which is primarily saddled with the responsibility of conducting examinations for admission into the nation’s universities, colleges of education and polytechnics, through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Bello however disabused stakeholders mind from such position. “In fact, JAMB is a prominent member of the JUPEB board and it must be noted that we do not admit candidates directly, as they have to pass through JAMB by obtaining its Direct Entry forms with their results issued by JUPEB,” he explained. Meanwhile, the ViceChancellor further added that JUPEB was not sole introduced by the universities alone, but with other appropriate education agencies and government representatives, such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), who were all involved in the formation and subsequently approval of the programme. However, on the difference between the new preliminary programme and the pre-degree programmes being run by the various universities, the spokesman for the Obafemi Awolowo University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju explained that the candidates for the pre-degree programme could only be admitted into 100-Level by the individual universities running the programme. His words: “In the case of the new preliminary programme, opportunities are open to successful candidates for admission into other universities, while they will be admitted into 200-Level and not Part One as it is the case with the pre-degree candidates.” Olarewaju, who pointed out that each of the universities that is involved has its modalities for the admission into its institution, saying at OAU,

Fresh move to bring back A-Level candidates are admitted through its Distance Learning programmes, and that the first set of candidates wrote the examination in May 2014 and who are currently being considered for admission into various member universities. Speaking on the integrity of the board, Bello said the idea of the programme signaled the passion and quality brought into it, stressing that efforts were already in top gear to ensure that other global institutions accept the JUPEB

certificates for admission purposes, so that students could decide whether to stay in the country or travel abroad for their university education. Meanwhile, university lecturers under their umbrella group, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have declared support for the initiative, saying it will go a long way in bringing back the old glory associated with the maturity of students admitted into the universities in the past. The Chairman of the

Lagos Zone of the union comprising UNILAG, FUNAAB, LASU, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Dr. Sola Nasir, in an exclusive interview with , noted that there is existing wide gap between modern day secondary schools and universities. He, therefore, added that there was the need for a middle ground to further hone the school leavers before they are admitted to universities. He said: “The A-Level

system is not new, but we just found out that the programme suddenly vanished from the school system. It is good now that we have it back as it will also go a long way in assisting the lecturers in their teaching activities and handling of the young students on our campuses, who are mostly not mature for the system. He argued: “I know that universities in the northern part of the country have already introduced the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB), which

is accepted among the universities for admission purposes. So, this will also help the universities in the South to resolve the usual challenge associated with immature candidates.” The union leader, however, cautioned the universities against turning the initiative to an opportunity to extort unsuspecting candidates, saying if high fees are charged many prospective candidates would be discouraged and that it would defeat the purpose it was established for.

Education

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

My experiences in WAEC, JAMB shaped Jextoban School’s success —Proprietor

EDUPEACE

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

Be a being; not a beast

T Principal, Ibafo Campus, Mr. Aigbefo, Babatope, Ojo, and a parent, Mr.Taiwo Kupolati at the anniversary celebration

Mojeed Alabi and Zainab Balogun

s the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) pioneer Director of Computer Services, coupled with his experiences in the same department at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Pastor Emmanuel Adedayo Ojo, had firsthand knowledge of students’ poor performances in the two external examinations, and the subsequent agonies of parents. Thus as a man of God who is committed to making impact in the lives of men and women, especially the younger generation, towards building an enduring legacy for posterity, Ojo and his wife, Mrs. Adunola Ajibola Ojo, sought direction from God on the best way to intervene in the waning moral values in schools and the steep fall education in standard. Pastor Ojo recounted: “We had the vision of setting up a secondary school in 1988, where the total personality of the students could be developed maximally by reactivating qualitative education and the good moral training of yesteryears. But, that vision could not come to reality until January 9, 2005, when we started with nine pupils and nine teachers at 53, Demuren Street, Ketu, Lagos.” Today and exactly two decades after, the school, which name was coined from the phrase; “Jesus Our Banner,” that is JEXTOBAN, a co-educational secondary school with boarding facilities and with a total population of about 500, has become a fully grown tree with its fruits scattered all over the globe, feeding many homes. Marking the 20th anniversary of the school last Friday, the founder, staff, pupils and their parents were full of appreciation to God for making the dream a reality. The event, which was held at its Ibafo Campus on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, was characterised by pomp and fanfare. It featured a special anniversary Christian service led by Pastor Segun Babatope, and a mentorship session by the Director of Academic Planning, University of Lagos, Akoka, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe. According to Babatope, for an academic institution that has distinguished itself by recording several academic feats in local and national competitions and more importantly for guiding its pupils to the way of God, especially at a time when the society is in dire need of good men and women of honour, it was indeed important to give glory to God for this success story.

In his message to the pupils, titled; ‘Maximising Your potential,’ Ogundipe listed about five ways to achieve success in life, which he said if followed to the letter, would make them sing the song of victory by giving sweet testimonies in the future. He advised them to recognise their potential, have a vision and hand over the potential to God. He also enjoined them to find a good way to sow the seed of love and appreciation;and that they must have a special relationship with God. He said: “Today, it is difficult for the younger ones to identify good role models, because very few Nigerians; and particularly politicians, make good role models. But the pupils must know that once they are on top, they will become topics of good discussions. So you must aspire to be great.” In his appreciation to God, Pastor Ojo said though the journey had been challenging, but that it has equally been fulfilling, “because I can say it is a mission accomplished.” He said he was grateful to God for His wisdom and guidance, he also appreciated everyone that has in one way or the other contributed meaningfully to the success story, particularly some of the pioneer members of staff, including the school’s Environmental Officer, Mrs. Job Edith; Head of Staff of the Junior School, Mrs. F. Olanibaje and the Vice-Principal (Administration), Mrs. Akinyemi K. Sharing her testimony with New Telegraph, a parent, Mrs. Yemisi Afolabi, said since his son, Heritage Afolabi, joined Jextoban Secondary School about two years ago, his character had not only been remodeled but that his potential had been identified and reshaped. She commended the management of the school for their dedication to excellence and urged other parents to complement the school’s roles, especially whenever their wards are on holidays.

he anticipated 2015 is thankfully here and as the year continues its onward flight, the most important issue today is the need for Nigerians to remain human beings, not beasts, especially with reference to this year’s elections. The years of elections have historically been tension-soaked in Nigeria. The year 2015 is not a difference; in fact, it appears the tension is at fever-pitch, as desperation has taken a front seat. The political atmosphere is already charged. The other day, some beasts waylaid those who were going to attend a political rally in Port Harcourt because they did not like the candidate. Recently too, another group of beasts burnt a vehicle belonging to the campaign organisation of another candidate. These are happening even before elections are conducted and results are declared. One thing is certain: this year will pass but the choices we make therein will have long-lasting implications for life, living and Nigeria. It is in this respect that every stakeholder in the forthcoming elections must make conscious efforts towards being a being and not a beast. In classical philosophy, there are four transcendental attributes that are evoked while discussing the concept of being, meaning whatever can be conceived. It is even more crucial when we are discussing human beings, of all other beings, as we are the essential beings. The four properties of being are one/unity (unum), true (verum), good (bonum) and beautiful (pulchrum). Put differently, any being that is worth the name must be unified, in the sense of being separated from others, be true to itself, be good and be beautiful. With reference to Nigerians, what makes us human is the aggregate of the properties of beingness. We are expected to be unified (unity is strength) and not allow political opportunists and emergency contractors to divide or manipulate us along ethnic and religious lines just because of their electoral gain. What unites us is Nigeria and it is in the interest of that unity and togetherness that we should strive. Then, we are supposed to be true (truth is incontrovertible).

This year will pass but the choices we make therein will have longlasting implications for life, living and Nigeria

Politicians are liars but some lie more than the others. Are we true to our conscience in terms of the candidates we support? Besides, we need to be good (it is good to be good) and avoid doing what is bad. The Golden Rule requires that we do to others as we would like them do to us. This implies that we should be beautiful in character. True beauty is good character. Whoever falls short of being a being is just a thing, at worst a beast. There are beings that appear like beasts and there are beasts that only wear the skin of beings. Making the year 2015 election free, fair and peaceful requires the type of education that makes everyone a living manifestation of true beingness. Being a true being is being peaceful and peaceable. Lastly, there are lessons for us all in the letter Mother Teresa was said to have written in a letter dated September 3rd, 1959: “People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centred; forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous, be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.”

Lagos adopts computer-based test mode for model colleges Mojeed Alabi

s part of efforts to meet up with the global standard, the Lagos State Government has expressed its determination to adopt a computerbased test (CBT) mode for the conduct of admission and screening exercise for

Primary Six pupils into its model colleges and upgraded secondary schools. The move was announced by Ministry of Education in a press statement signed by the Public Relations Officer and made available to New Telegraph. The statement said the system would be piloted

with about 30 prospective students seeking admission into the colleges in the 2015/2016 academic session. This is even as the state has announced the commencement of the sales of application forms into the colleges and Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools. The Commissioner for

Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye in the statement, explained that the registration of candidates could be done, through a customized CD that will be issued to the candidates by the State Examination Board upon the payment of N10,000 per candidate payable into some designated bank accounts.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Property

Energy

Aviation

Shell, Chevron’s $7.5bn assets buyers face cash crunch

Stakeholders demand improved housing standards

Why Nigeria’s domestic air market is not well served

Business Nigeria, others mull single What's news

Nigerian ports receive 1,405 vessels in three months

A total of 1,405 ocean going vessels called at all Nigerian ports in the last quarter of 2014. The figure was 2.9 per cent higher than the 1,366 vessels that called at the same period in 2013.

p.32

airspace policy for Africa NEW IDEA The formulation of an aviation policy on single market for Africa would be like what the European community has today.

80% regional traffic carried by foreign airlines air services negotiation within member states of European Union and another country,

then the European Union will act as a single market. For instance today as it is, if one of

the European Union airline CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Wole Shadare

Who was in Addis Ababa

The Business Desk Ayodele Aminu

Deputy Editor (Business)

Bayo Akomolafe

Asst. Editor (Maritime)

Sunday Ojeme

Asst. Editor (Insurance)

Godson Ikoro

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

frican airlines, including Nigerian, through African Airlines Association (AFRAA), are pushing for the creation of an aviation policy on single airspace for the continent. Meanwhile, Nigeria has been tasked to drive this initiative because of the size of her aviation market and as the biggest economy in the continent. This idea is similar to what the European community has, which makes member states of European Union treat the market as a single airspace. Already, President of African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Iyabo Sosina, is working towards realising this objective where the continent would treat the entire African airspace as a single airspace. The Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airways, Tewolde GebreMariam, told New Telegraph in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the weekend that, the formulation of an aviation policy on single market for Africa would be like what the European community has today. Member states of European Union treat the market as a single airspace. So, they have full freedom of the air for their airlines. He said: “When it comes to

L-R: Ibadan Zonal Controller, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Banji Ojo; MTN Foundation beneficiary, Oludayo Oluwatosin; Director, MTN Foundation, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Executive Secretary, MTNF, Nonny Ugboma, during the presentation of MTNF science and technology scholarship to deserving students in the South-Western axis in Lagos.

Low exploration puts FG’s 40bn barrels reserves target in jeopardy Oil price rout worsens apathy for crude search Adeola Yusuf

he investments-human and material, for oil search in Nigeria has dipped to the level last seen in 2009, putting the 40 billion bar-

rels reserves target set by the Federal Governments in jeopardy, New Telegraph gathered at the weekend. Highest body of crude finders in the country, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), confirmed

the slow activities, stating that the association was witnessing the “most sweeping changes since the discovery of crude oil in the country over five decades ago.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Abdulwahab Isa Finance Editor

Kunle Azeez

Senior Correspondent

Chuks Onuanyin Energy

Nnamdi Amadi Reporter

Johnson Adebayo

Asst Production Editor

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE November 2014........................7.9% October 2014............................8.1% September 2014.....................8.3%

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

EXCHANGE RATE (Parallel As at Jan. 08)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N182 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N390 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N205.50

l Foreign Reserves – $46.5bn as at 8/01/2015

Source: CBN

EXCHANGE RATE (Official As at Jan. 08)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N168 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N253.09 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N197.70

Business | News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigerian ports receive 1,405 vessels in three months FLOW

Imports surge to 22.2 million tons of cargo throughput at ports Bayo Akomolafe

total of 1,405 ocean going vessels called at all Nigerian ports in the last quarter of 2014. The figure was 2.9 per cent higher than the 1,366 vessels that called at the same period in 2013. A record by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) revealed that a total Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of all ocean going vessels in the period amounted to 38,047,705 metric

tons, representing an increase of 9.8 per cent increase over the GRT of 34,640,530 metric tons in the same period of 2013. In a statement, the authority’s Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Musa IIiya, noted: “In the period under review, Lagos Port Complex (LPC) recorded a gross registered tonnage of 10,105,002 metric tons, showing an increase of 9.0 per cent over 9,263,180 gross tons achieved in 2013. A total of 397 vessels were handled in the period under review. “Tincan Island Port recorded a gross registered tonnage of 13,076,324 indicating an increase of 16.8 per cent over 11,197,355 gross tons recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. A total number of 475-ocean going vessels were handled

within the period. “Calabar Port complex recorded a total GRT of 1,053,435 showing a rise of 40 per cent over 751,553 gross tons of 2013, leaving the port with 72 ocean going vessels in the period under review. He stressed that the Rivers Port Complex recorded a total gross registered tonnage of 1,890,944, showing an increase of 37.8 per cent over 1,371,846 gross tons achieved in the corresponding period of 2013. A total of 126-ocean

going vessels were handled within the period under review at the port. Iliya added that Onne Port complex recorded a GRT of 10,396,120 reflecting an increase of 7.0 per cent over 9,709,984 gross tons recorded in the corresponding period of 2013 with 207 vessels handled within the period while Delta Port Complex handled 128 vessels. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has recorded cargo throughput of 22,324,223 million metric tons at the fourth quarter of 2014.

The figure showed an increase of 12.5 per cent over 19,849,258 metric tons achieved in 2013. Iliya explained that cargo throughput indicates showed that general cargo was 4,218,379, metric tons, an increase of 41.7per cent over 2,977,347 metric tons in 2013; dry bulk cargo stood at 2,600,222 metric tons, a marginal increase of 0.6per cent over 2,585,902 metric tons in 2013; Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) shipment stood at 5,140,321 metric tons, a growth of

5.8per cent over 4,859,453 metric tons in 2013; refined petroleum products stood at 5, 241,813 metric tons, indicating an increase of 9.1per cent over 4,804,184 metric tons in 2013; He added that laden container throughput was 277,694 TEUs, showing a growth of three per cent over 269,625 Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs) achieved in 2013 and empty container throughput was 217,080 TEUs, indicating an increase of 9.5 per cent over 198,167 TEUs in 2013.

FG’s 40bn barrels reserves target in jeopardy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

Immediate past President of NAPE, Adedoja Ojelabi, stated that the oil price rout, which since last quarter of 2014 began to rock the global crude market, was worsening exploration activities that have hitherto been slowed down by non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). An industry source added that the crude price rout was already heightening apathy for investments on exploration in Nigeria. Reuters reported at the weekend that about 29 cargoes, representing half of Nigeria’s January loading were still unsold. “When demand for what you sell is bearish, it doesn’t make any economic sense to spend more to acquire the product. Exploration this year will be the worst in Nigeria’s history if the price rout continues,” the source told New Telegraph maintaining that the slow exploration activities in the country has now touched its six-year low, especially with the oil price, which has now crashed below $50 a barrel. “Many of the Oil Prospecting Licenses (OPL) are, as I am talking to you now, will stay unexplored for more time than envisaged,” he said, adding that to “go ahead with activities at an oil price of below $50 is unprofitable,” Meanwhile, Ojelabi said in a statement on

the NAPE’s website that the country’s oil industry was presently being ravaged by myriad of challenges. She said: “The Nigerian oil and gas industry landscape has in the last five years or so witnessed some of the most sweeping changes since the discovery of crude oil in the country over five decades ago. “These changes in the exploration for oil and gas are even more profound. For the first time in several years, the nation’s reserve is showing a sign of decline as exploration drilling has hit the lowest level ever experienced in the nation’s history. “Expectedly, reports of new discoveries are few and far between and where reported, the reserves are getting smaller.” She added: “Ironically, the operating landscape is experiencing an unprecedented rate of pluralisation as the industry witnessed the largest number of divestment and acquisition (D&A) activities that bring new players as operators to the risky business of oil and gas exploration and production.” She, however, stated that NAPE as a body would continue to support government’s efforts aimed at salvaging the nation’s industry. “The nation’s 40 billion barrels reserves target is possible if explorationists drill deeper and deploy technology, she, added.

L-R: Managing Director, Mainstreet Bank Trustees and Asset Management Limited, Mrs. Oghogho Osula; Managing Director, UBA Trustees Limited, Ms. Tokunbo Ajayi; Managing Director, FBN Trustees Limited, Mr. Adekunle Awojobi; Group Chief Executive Officer, UBA Capital Plc, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni and President, Association of Corporate Trustees (ACT), Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo, during the sendforth ceremony organised for Sanni by the association, in Lagos

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

member countries want to fly to Africa, there will be a clause mandating the European airline to fly to that country through other European country.” He explained that for instance, British Airways could fly to Addis through Paris with Union’s community clause which is described as horizontal clause, but added that unfortunately, Ethiopian Airways, Kenya Airways or Arik Airlines won’t be able to fly to a European country through another African country which does not have an airline. The Single European Sky is a European Commission initiative by which the design, management and regulation of airspace will be coordinated throughout the European Union This is expected to benefit all airspace users by ensuring the safe and efficient utilisation of airspace and the air traffic management system within and beyond the EU. Airspace management is planned to move away from the previous domination by national boundaries to the use of ‘functional airspace blocks’ the boundaries of which will be designed to

Nigeria, others mull single airspace policy for Africa

maximise the efficiency of the airspace. The aim is to use air traffic management that is more closely based on desired flight patterns leading to greater safety, efficiency and capacity. The airline chief lamented the lack of liberalisation of air transport, otherwise known as the Yamoussoukro Declaration, and unfair competition in the continent which he regretted had resulted in over it 80 per cent of the intercontinental traffic between Africa and the rest of the world carried by none African airlines. He explained that only 20 per cent of intercontinental traffic and the rest of the world were carried by African airlines, describing it as lopsided and one to be corrected. GebreMariam further disclosed that in order to correct this imbalance and unfair competition, there was the need for African nations to enact the instrument of single African airspace and liberalisation of air transport. His words: “I sincerely wish that Nigeria would lead

the change because Nigeria is a big aviation market, a big country, the most populous country, the largest economy in the continent. Nigeria has a lot of ways to drive this initiative. Nigerian carriers can do more but in terms of coverage, Ethiopian Airways is doing fine. We are covering four points in Nigeria.” He took a swipe at insinuations in the Nigerian media that multiple designations granted Ethiopian Airways in Nigeria may affect domestic carriers, stressing that within the context of Yamoussoukro Declaration, “we should operate more to more points and facilitate the intercontinental and inter country travel hardships that we experience in Africa. “If you want to travel today from Nigeria to neighbouring country in Cameroon in the East; Ghana, Cote d Ivoire in the West, passengers don’t have so many choices in terms of the availability of air routes, so, it is an underserved market. We should push for more air routes among African countries,” he stated.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Oil, gas industry job loss imminent p.34

RISK

Apex bank charges banks on management of oil and gas risk mitigation

Adeola Yusuf

trong indications emerged at the weekend that cash flow for oil and gas investments in Nigeria will be altered this year following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s warning to lenders of the dire consequences of the falling oil price on loan advances to the oil and gas. One of the major investments which are expected to take shape this year is the $5 billion sale of assets by Shell, the planned sale of assets by Chevron is expected to gulp over $2 billion and balance on the ConocoPhillip assets sale. Although, Chevron’s sale is still slowed down by a court case, the winners/buyers of shell assets that emerged at the last quarter of 2014 have approached some commercial banks in Nigeria for funds to foot the bill. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has, however, warned these commercial banks of the dire consequences of the falling oil price on loan advances to the oil and gas as well as the public sector, pointing out that the oil prices could decline further. CBN in a letter dated January 7, 2015, charged the banks to put in place adequate risk mitigating techniques for the management of their oil and gas risk exposures, which it said was subject for review during its regular risk-based supervision activities. The apex bank said that considering the quantum of exposure to the oil and gas sector, combined with risk management deficiencies revealed by the recent Risk Based Supervision, there was a need to proactively guard against a crystallisation of these risks. The CBN, which also announced deferment of the application of its regulation on “Oil and Gas Industry Credit Risk Mitigation,” said that this was as a result of the ongoing implementation of the Basel II/III capital adequacy framework. A new date will, according to the letter, be communicated to all banks in due course. The apex bank had in another letter earlier issued to all banks entitled; “Oil and Gas Industry Credit Risk Mitigation,” pointed out that the oil prices could decline further, warning lenders of the dire consequences of the falling oil price on loan advances to the oil and gas as well as the public sector.

Energy

Media reportage of critical power issues insufficient –Report p.34

Shell, Chevron’s $7.5bn assets: Buyers face cash crunch  CBN warns lenders on oil price rout’s threat to loan advances

Oil rig

FOCUS

Power becomes one of the focus of campaigns by two presidential candidates Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government has reopened plans for the establishment of super-grid, a move to save the transmission network from imminent collapse. The nation’s transmission has, for decades, depended on a single national grid, which serves as the reservoir for all power generated across the country. The total collapse of this weak national electricity grid is imminent as the facility built some decades ago is in dire need of total overhaul. Although the Federal Government has privatised the generation and distribution strata of electricity as a result of the November 2013 hando-

FG moves against power transmission collapse ver of power assets to new owners, the grid is still under government’s control due to its ownership of all-important transmission system. But a source at the ministry of power told New Telegraph at the weekend that government was planning to revisit the idea of multiple grids, which was mooted by a former Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji. “This will firstly be pursued by legislation because the law guiding electricity in Nigeria has, for a long time, not been amended to suit supergrid. The transmission stratum of electricity market is still solely under the firm grip of government. It is like that because of the fear that some sections may be enjoying electricity than the others. “If this bridge is crossed, it will be followed

by call for investment in that special sub-sector. As I am talking to you now, the issue of super grid is being considered because of its advantages to help the on-going efforts. “The only hurdle to this, however, is the law and the process of amendment,” he said. Nnaji, who had christened the decentralisation of national grid as supergrids, had earlier declared plans to establish grids in all the geopolitical zones of the country. Meanwhile, the power issue in Nigeria has formed one of the campaign basis for presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his All Progressive Congress (APC) counterpart, General Muhammadu Buhari. While the president took to his twitter handle to celebrate his ‘achieve-

ment’ in the power sector, Buhari, on the same twitter platform, promised to decentralise power generation and transmission. Uptill now, the Federal Government is still engaged mainly in maintenance of the national grid, which is due for overhaul. A source at the Ministry of Power told this newspaper that the ministry was already aware of this development and is working hard to address it “before it gets out of hand.” Power investors and their lenders that have pledged $18 billion investments for the sector are also jittery over what the development portends for returns on their investments (RoI). The nation, it would be recalled, recorded systems collapse incidences on the 330-kV Nigerian National Grid in 2013.

Business | Energy

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Oil, gas industry job loss imminent SAVE OR BORROW MORE?

Drop in oil prices will force producers to cut dividends and investments or get more in debt

 Shell mulls 300 job cut

connecting the move to plunging oil prices. Spokesman, Cameron Yost, said the actual number of job reduc-

tions at the Canadian operation had not yet been finalised, adding that it would be “well below” 10 per cent.

The cuts were announced to Shell employees internally on Thursday. “It’s not layoffs in the

traditional sense of the word,” Yost said. “It’s adjustments to the organisational structure.” Albian Sands is the mining portion of Shell’s Athabasca Oil Sands

Adeola Yusuf

ob losses in the oil and gas industry is imminent with oil price over than 50 per cent, different reports by Reuters and Rigzone hinted at the weekend. “For years, big oil companies have been spending more money than they bring in. With oil prices down over 50 per cent since last June, that is becoming an ever trickier way to run their businesses,” Reuters revealed. The rigzone added that Royal Dutch Shell would cut from five to 10 per cent of the about 3,000 jobs at its Albian Sands mining project in northern Alberta, quoting a company spokesman who refrained from

HINDRANCE

The current trend of power issues’ under reportage cannot help the agitation for a boost in electricity Adeola Yusuf

he media in Nigeria do not give sufficient reportage to critical issues bothering on the power sector of the country, findings by the post-graduate mass communication class of the University of Lagos revealed. The research, which was conducted by members of Group Four as requirement for the Masters of Science (MSc.) course entitled: ‘Interpreting Urban Problems,’ was a content analysis of the Punch newspaper between November 1, 2013 and April 30, 2014. With samples of every fifth day edition of the paper during the time under review, the term paper presented by Mudasiru Yusuf and Balogun Mosunmola Aminat showed that the reportage given to electricity issues by the paper were less desirous compare to

Oil workers

project near Fort McMurray, Alberta, which also includes the 255,000 barrel-per day Scotford upgrader. Last February, Shell halted work on its proposed 200,000 bpd Pierre River oil sands mine in Alberta, saying it was re-evaluating the timing of various asset developments. Asked whether the reductions were related to the halving of global oil prices in the past six months, Yost said: “Even if oil price had remained stable we would still be looking at these areas of our business.” Global oil prices sank to their lowest level since April 2009 on Friday on persistent worry over a global supply glut. The cost of developing new fields, according to another report by Reuters, has ballooned over the past decade, “while investors have kept pressing for high dividends. The result: more debt, little spending.” It continued: “Drop in oil Prices will force producers to cut dividends and investments or get more in debt.”

Media reportage of critical power issues insufficient –Report

Pipeline vandalism remains oil, gas industry’s biggest threat –NNPC

that of other issues. The report read: “A total of one thousand three hundred and five news stories (1305) were published in the newspaper samples during the time under review while stories on electricity published within the period under review were just thirty three (33). “The frequency of reportage given to the developmental issue of electricity by the newspaper throughout the months under review was very low. It is also pertinent to note that the newspapers did not publish any editorial on electricity in the samples throughout the months under review. “Another observation is that in all the 33 stories published on power, only one was published on the front page of the paper, therefore, revealing that less or no prominence is given to developmental issue of electricity by the newspaper. “If the urban people of Nigeria were to depend on the media to bring issues regarding their developmental neglect, infrastructural decay, lack of economic

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), at the weekend, said that continuous vandalism of its pipeline network remained a big threat to the country’s socio-economy development and human lives. Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs of NNPC, Mr Ohi Alegbe, said this at the official flag off ceremony on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism and Oil Theft Awareness campaign in Lagos. Alegbe was represented by Mr Nasir Imodagbe, the Manager, Public Affairs and Media Relations of Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC). He said that pipeline vandalism and its twin menace of oil theft had grown over the years into a monster proportion that constituted a thereat not only to the national economy but also to the environment and the people’s existence as citizens of this country. Alegbe said that the essence of the sensitisation programme was to let Nigerians and people pipeline network communities to know the different ways that the activities of pipeline vandals and oil theft had affected lives negatively in order to have full understanding of the enormity of the problem so that everyone can join hands to tackle it at different levels. He said: “We are all living witness to explosion and fire incidence resulting from pipeline and the attendant loss of lives and properties across over 5,200 kilometer network of crude oil and products pipeline across the country.”

opportunity for socio economic development, disability and the impact of government policy on electricity to the fore, then they may have to wait endlessly. The reason for this is that the Nigeria media, has not lived up to that task of bringing their plight to government’s attention. “This research also showed that even when issues on electricity are reported, they are mostly reported from the view point of mainly government organised events or other government agencies and as such do not really focus on the incidences of crazy billing, inadequate metering, insufficient gas supply, incessant drops in power generation and supply, among other cardinal issues in the power sector. “Most of the reports in the Punch newspapers during the period under review were derived from press briefings, press statements and media coverage of events; with just a few special/investigative reports. “It was also observed that the stories derived from these channels are

used mostly as news, raising questions about the dearth of special and investigative reports that help track cardinal power issues and concerns and set agenda for policy reforms on electricity issues.” “It recommended that the print media in Nigeria, should focus more attention on the reportage of electricity. “Media should also go beyond reporting issues of electricity in the country from only the government view point and genuinely focus on balanced reportage of developmental issues of electricity from the consumers’ angles. “The current trend of under reportage of power issues cannot help the agitation for a boost in electricity generation, transmission and distribution in Nigeria. “The increase in reportage of electricity issue will bring to the attention of the government the pain that insufficient power supply is inflicting on the small and medium businesses, the big manufacturing companies and the economy of Nigeria.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Developer dangles N17m discount at home seekers p.36

Property&Environment

Expert educates populace on correct use of ‘storey’ in buildings p.36

A model of Chois Gardens Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

QUALITY Experts canvass better deployment of PPP to end impediments Yusuf Shuaib

Stakeholders demand improved housing standards

Abuja

orried by various impediments to affordable and standard housing delivery in the country, major stakeholders in the sector are requesting for deliberate policies to enhance the deployment of Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects to tackle such. In a communiqué issued at the weekend on the 4th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital recently, stakeholders opined that there were serious impediments militating against delivery of the required housing standard in Nigeria. Some of the impediments, they said, include high cost of land, transfer fees and registration processes. They want government to make policies that will solve these challenges as well as promote training of labour; provision of ancillary infrastructure and recapitalisation of mortgage institutions. Themed “Creating Enabling Environment for Private Sector Participation in Affordable Housing Delivery in Nigeria,” a total of 23 memoranda were considered by the council chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. George A. Ossi, Ossi, who represented the Housing Minister, Mrs. E Akon Eyakenyi, emphasised the need to scale up the level of national cadastral and township mapping in Nigeria. The council adopted the fol-

Eyakenyi

lowing resolutions: Effective/efficient land administration; housing finance; adequate/affordable housing delivery; urban development; and other issues. On effective/efficient land administration, the council emphasised the need to scale up the level of national cadastral and township mapping in Nigeria by facilitating the provision of Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS), adoption of singular mapping control network and by establishing an Enterprise Geographic Information System (GIS) for the entire country. Another issue raised by the council had to do with the housing finance. It pointed out that despite the significant progress made by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in its operations and management of mortgage industry in Nigeria, the bank was still con-

REDAN President, Afolayan

strained by way of failure of some states to embrace the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme and non-passage of critical mortgage related bills, including the delay in the recapitalisation of the bank. The participants also urged the six non- participating states: Lagos, Kano, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, and Oyo to return to the NHF scheme. They also implored the Federal Government to seriously consider the issue of recapitalisation of FMBN. The stakeholders also called for a paradigm shift in national housing delivery by providing ancillary infrastructure for affordable housing resolution of the ECOWAS member states to develop and adopt regional energy efficiency policy for buildings. In addition, they canvassed the approval of appropriate policy on

renewable and energy efficiency in buildings to give confidence to the private sector to engage in opportunities of new technology development, marketing and usage. The council’s communiqué equally urged government its agencies and other stakeholders to partner with the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) in deploying its proven technologies for rural and urban regeneration in other to resolve the issue of development of curriculum for the training of artisans by National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in conjunction with the relevant professional bodies. The communiqué also urged state governments and other key stakeholders to further support and collaborate with the ministry in its efforts to prepare and produce the first National Physical Development Plan (NPDP) as well as eradicating slums in Nigeria. The stakeholders advised the entire populace to desist from engaging the services of non-town planning professionals in carrying out town planning functions. The meeting that had 182 delegates, including 23 commissioners responsible for lands, housing and urban development matters at the state level, as well as 159 senior officials of relevant federal and state ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and representatives of professional/regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders in attendance, was declared opened by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by his deputy, Lady Valerie M. Ebe.

Business | Property & Environment

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Developer dangles N17m discount at home seekers FILLIP Quest to fill housing gap gathers momentum Stories by Dayo Ayeyemi

ne of the foremost developers in the country, Cornerstone Real Estate Limited, is not living any stone unturned to attract home seekers/buyers to its newly completed estate. This time, the developer has come up with a 20 per cent

discount off the regular house price for the first five buyers at the second phase of its 1.4 billion Cornerstone Estate in Ikeja. The estate is strategically located at the Ikeja end of Oregun Road, which is accessible to the Ikeja Central Business District (CBD), Lagos State Government Secretariat, and the commercial Allen Avenue. Sitting on five acres of land, the estate is a joint venture between the company and a “respectable family in Lagos.” Speaking on the new offer,

Lecture: Sustainable environment, agriculture top agenda

he leading environmental group, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), as part of its sustainable development agenda for the year, has concluded arrangements for a lecture on “Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment.” Already, Professor of Plant Breeding & Crop Production, and Head, Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan,Professor Victor Olawale Adetimirin, has been contacted to deliver the lecture at the 13th Chief Shafi Lawal Edu Memorial Lecture tomorrow in Lagos. Scheduled to hold at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, the Director General of NCF, Adeniyi Karunwi, in a statement, noted

that Nigeria, as a leading economy in Africa, would not only depend on foreign exchange earnings from oil and gas, but also rely on agricultural products for improved GDP. He stated: “Maintaining the environment and ecosystem integrity are major functional elements of sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture looks at the production, processing and marketing of agriculture that support a substantial yield today and all functions that sustain such yield in future.” He noted that all efforts aimed at developing agriculture in Nigeria would only bring a rewarding future when all issues regarding ecosystem functioning are given proper attention.

Global commercial real estate investment hits $218bn T he global direct commercial real estate investment transaction volumes hit a new record high in the final quarter of 2014, according to JLL. The volumes in the fourth quarter reached $218 billion, bringing the preliminary full year volumes for 2014 to $700 billion, an 18 per cent rise on 2013. Full year 2014 volumes reached $700 billion, up 18 per cent on 2013, while Asia Pacific and EMEA both up 40 per cent in Q4 compared to Q3 and the Americas up 15 per cent. According to report from Global Property Channel, JLL’s Lead Director of International Capital Group, Arthur de Haast, says: “The Americas and Europe have been the driving forces of global growth, with economic recovery in the US and UK a key component. Asia Pacific had been lagging for most of 2014, but a strong final quarter brought it in line with 2013 levels.” He continued: “Despite there being more uncertainty in the world than there was 12 months ago, we expect direct real estate to continue to appeal in a low interest rate environment, so we are forecasting transactional volumes of between $730 and $750 billion in 2015, which would be the sixth consecutive year of

volume growth.” Global Capital Markets Research Director, JLL, David Green-Morgan, added: “After such a strong run up in transactional activity over the last six years, growth in 2015 looks as though it may be slightly more subdued as investors weigh up their next moves. The global economy faces new challenges with changing monetary policy in the US, Euro Zone and Japan, pivotal elections in the UK, Spain, Canada and Greece and a Chinese economy coming to terms with lower GDP growth. However, the macro drivers of investment into real estate remain, fund raising was robust in 2014, institutions continue to allocate more money to direct real estate and emerging economies are relaxing the rules on the export of capital. The Americas continued to lead performance globally with volumes of $298 billion in 2014, which is 24 per cent higher than 2013. This number was boosted by another strong final quarter in the US where volumes reached almost $85 billion, six per cent higher than the final quarter of 2013. The US, Brazil and Mexico have maintained good transactional momentum throughout the year while Canada is slightly down on 2013’s performance.

Chairman of Cornerstone Real Estate Limited, Mr Lanre Okupe, emphasised that while installment payment would be allowed for house buyers, opportunity of 20 per cent discount off the regular price, which ranges between N85 million and N75million awaits the first five buyers during the promotional period. This implies that a duplex will sell at N68 million each and terrace house at N60 million each if the buyer is paying outright. By this, first five buyers will have the opportunity of saving N17 million and N15 million each off the house cost respectively. Already, twelve units delivered under the first phase have been sold except one. The first phase consists of 10 semi-detached and two fully detached duplexes. The Oregun Cornerstone Estate comprises 26 housing units in all while the 14 units of

houses in phase 11 are now being offered for sale. The estate features tarred road network, street light, perimeter fence, electric transformer, treated water and security service, all of which are being extended to the second phase According to Okupe, an allottee that would make outright payment on any of the units would enjoy discount while those who would pay 30 per cent deposit and the balance paid within six months (180 days) would qualify for N10 million savings. He disclosed that Texas Global LLC and Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc arranged the financing of the estate. Houses in phase II, are made up of two units of 3-bedroom detached with a room boys’ quarters; six units of 4-bedroom semi-detached houses with one room boys’ quarter; six units of 3-bedroom terrace house.

The duplex in the estate sits on land area measuring 350msq to 400msq each with four bedroom, all en-suite, while the ground floor space area includes lobby, foyer, main living room, dining, kitchen, visitors’ toilet, guest room en-suite. The structures also boast of first floor space area made up of family lounge with balcony, two bedrooms and master’s bedroom, spacious living and dining areas with wood work, wardrobes, kitchen cabinet, P.O.P ceiling and steel railings. He assured journalists that the terrace houses would be finished with glittering facilities too. Okupe decried various challenges such as the inability of banks to fund real estate projects, delayed approval of building lands, lack of mortgage, and downturn in the economy, saying they were affecting real estate development.

A unit of duplex in Connerstone Estate, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.

Expert educates populace on correct use of ‘storey’ in buildings

ot too comfortable with the way members of the public describe the collapsed guest house within Synagogue Church premises, President of Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Mr Kunle Awobodu, has taken time to correct the misrepresentation, saying the building that collapsed was seven-storey building and not six. He pointed out that the photograph of the building before its collapse on September 12, 2014, as revealed at the Coroner’s Inquest, showed a 7-storey building and not six, saying the misnomer has serious implications on the post mortem structural analysis of the loading exerted on the foundation of the building. Awobodun said: “Of course, there is a significant difference in the sizes of the isolated and combined pad foundations expected

to carry a 6-storey building and those of 7-storey building and with varying degree of soil bearing capacity. “Therefore, the need to correct the constant wrong use of ‘Storey’ in Nigeria becomes imperative. The meaning of storey is the same all over the world. Storey is defined as the floor or level in a building, including rooms on that floor. In that case, a storey extends from the floor to the ceiling or suspended slab. It is used for horizontal division of buildings. Hence, a bungalow, which is a house that has only ground floor is a storey building. An upstairs house that has a ground floor and one upper floor is a two-storey building.” He pointed out that the etymology of storey traced the early use of the word to the period from 1175 to 1225 in Europe when artistic display of events on stained

glass windows and walls of different floors were used to promote history. “Hence, storey originated from the Latin word, historia, which reflected in the Anglo-French word estorie,” he said Awobodun explained that there was no ambiguity in the global use of storey, adding that ambiguity only existed in the counting or numbering of floors in different parts of the world. He said: “There are two major floor numbering methods in the world: The English or European method that counts ground floor as zero and the American method that prefers to label the ground floor as the first level. In that case, first floor in European method means second floor (level) in American method. Most countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa adopt either of these two methods of floor numbering.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Nigeria deserves national carrier –Ethiopian Airways’ CEO p.38 DISAPOINTMENT Nigeria’s airlines are in serious financial situation that threatens their existence

Aviation Why Nigeria’s domestic air market is not well served

Wole Shadare Attractive population, discouraging traffic With over nine airlines (excluding charter operators) many are wondering why Nigeria’s domestic air market is not well served. With over 160 million people, not a few believe that the population is attractive for the airlines to flourish. The reverse is, however, the case. Many of them are in serious financial situation that threatens their existence. Experts are worried over the level of financial exposure, which government had committed itself to in respect of the aviation industry. Government had very thoughtfully introduced the intervention fund for the airline industry. Many want to travel from one part of the country to another but cannot do so because of lack of efficiency by the carriers to effectively cover many parts of the nation. With poor road network, coupled with poor water transportation, not a few expect the domestic air market to boom. But that is not the case as harsh economic condition has made it difficult for many to travel by air which is generally regarded as the safest means of transportation. Roads as death trap Major roads are in a dire state and pose a threat to travellers while air travel is increasingly becoming out of reach for the ordinary people. Many accidents have been recorded on most of the country’s roads while the high airfares as well as a general shortage of flights have left many Nigerians disillusioned. But while many have resorted to flying to avoid the treacherous roads, there is cover constraint for airlines serving the major cities of Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, with increasing number of airlines with fewer passengers to airlift. Operating airlines in Africa’s most populous country with a population of over 160 million have increased to more than nine. This, some said, might have led to discouragement by the operators to serve the domestic routes very well, stressing that apart from the triangle route of Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt, no airline wants to invest in domestic route expansion because of the depleting number of people flying to areas considered as remote areas. Financial constraints Managing Director of IRS Airline, Yemi Dada, told New Telegraph that lack of funds to develop these routes might have contributed to what he termed non serviceability or the develop-

ment of domestic air travel. He also stated that the harsh economic reality had made air travel not to be attractive any longer to the carriers, just as he faulted government’s policy for allowing multiple designation to some African, European and Asian carriers. Good policy direction He said all over the world, governments put deliberate policy in place to protect indigenous airlines from the rampaging foreign airlines. Dada stated that the Yamoussoukro Declaration only liberalised air transport in West Africa, but did not make other carriers outside the region to be beneficiaries. Speaking to New Telegraph in Addis Ababa on the alleged denial of huge market share to Nigerian airlines by foreign carriers including Ethiopian Airways, the Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Tewolde GebreMariam, described Nigeria as a huge country with huge land mass and the most populous country in Africa.

Africa accounts for less than two per cent of global airline passenger traffic and about one per cent of global airlines’ cargo

Developing domestic market He said: “Let me ask you this question, is the domestic market well serviced? The answer is no. Whether international airlines fly to Enugu, Abuja, Kano or Lagos, will it make a difference for a domestic market, which is under served? The other question is that at the end of the day, passengers’ convenience in terms of time saving and cost should be the concern. “We all serve the customers and if the customers’ preference is to fly directly from Kano to the rest of the world, why should they be forced to go through Abuja? The same with Enugu. Before we started Enugu, you can ask your passengers how difficult it was for the passengers to drive from Enugu to Lagos. This has helped tremendously and saved hardship for the passengers. “The question is, was there enough service between Lagos and Enugu? The answer is no. I think this question that has been raised would be more valid if the domestic market in Nigeria is well served in terms of con-

nectivity, pricing, in terms of good customer service, in terms of convenience of transfer. If it takes a passenger to connect through international airport in Abuja or Kano and it costs additional money, what it means is that there is an additional price of about $200. But today, the customer is flying from Enugu, Kano to Guangzhou like the same price from Abuja. Is it not an advantage for the customer? It is all working for the customer. I think customer convenience has to take priority.” However, Africa accounts for less than two per cent of global airline passenger traffic and about one per cent of global airlines’ cargo. The challenges facing the African aviation industry range from strong state protectionism, lack of an enabling environment for new investors, high taxes and charges (above comparative world averages), a poor safety record due to ageing fleet and insufficient regulatory supervision. Likewise, a lot of air transport infrastructure across the continent is in need of upgrade.

Business | Aviation

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Nigeria deserves national carrier –Ethiopian Airways’ CEO Tewolde Gebremariam is the Chief Executive Officer of Africa’s most profitable airline, Ethiopian Airways. In the past four years, he has successfully steered the operations of the airline towards an unprecedented and profitable growth. In this interview with Aviation Editor, WOLE SHADARE, in his office in Addis Ababa, the consummate airline chief spoke about his passion for aviation in Africa, his desire for Nigeria to have a national carrier and the airline’s expansionist programme in the continent, among other issues. Excerpts As the chief executive officer of a very successful airline in Africa, what do you think about Nigeria not having a national carrier? Does Nigeria need a national carrier? The answer is yes. Although Nigerian people are getting services from everywhere in Europe, from Africa, the Middle East but for strategic reasons, it needs a national carrier because a national carrier is a national carrier. A national carrier serves the people in good and bad times. What kind of national carrier could be subjected to debate because you have different model. In terms of cooperation and partnership, this is my personal belief. I would say it has to be with an African carrier or an African country because we have similarity of objectives, similarity of purpose and similarity of direction. Globalisation is coming to Africa in a big way. So, whether we like it or not, we have to join the forces. Globalisation is coming and will come in a big way and we will participate in that process. How way are Africans going to benefit from this globalisation you just mentioned? We always say that the 21st century is an African century, so Africa is going to grow, Africa is going to develop and Africa is going to attract huge Foreign Direct Investment, but the question remains that Africa should participate and get the benefits of the fruits of development and the only way to do that is to make sure that in all sectors we have our own home grown companies in all sectors of the economy. Likewise, in the aviation sector, we should have our own homegrown carriers who will employ Africans. When an international airline flies to Lagos or Abuja, how many Nigerians do they employ? Ten, 15, but a national carrier in Africa is going to employ thousands of Nigerians in maintenance, catering, in cargo, in airport, in academy and so on. We have to make sure that Africans gets the benefits of the fruits for Africa and make sure the job remains in Africa, whether it is in Ethiopia or in Nigeria, we can always find amicable solution. Coming to your second question of whether Ethiopian Airlines will be ready to partner with Nigeria on a national carrier. Of course yes. Let me take you a few years back. Before we started ASKY Airlines, our first choice was Nigeria. There was no question because Nigeria is a giant. It is a huge country in West Africa; we could not go anywhere else except Nigeria. The condition was not right and we could not

world, why should they be forced to go through Abuja? The same with Enugu. Before we started Enugu, you can ask your passengers how difficult it was for the passengers to drive from Enugu to Lagos. This

Gebremariam

succeed. We had to go to a relatively smaller country, Togo, and we have ASKY but it is not too late, we can do it and we are ready and we are interested. On denial of market access to Nigerian airlines by foreign airlines including Ethiopia Airways Nigeria is a huge country with huge land mass and the most populous country in Africa. Let me ask you this question, is the domestic market well serviced? The answer is no. Whether international airlines fly to Enugu, Abuja, Kano or Lagos, will it make a difference for a domestic market, which is under served? The other question is that at the end of the day, passengers’ convenience in terms of time saving and in terms of cost should be the concern. We all serve the customers and if the customers’ preference is to fly directly from Kano to the rest of the

has helped tremendously and saved hardship for the passengers. The question is, was there enough service between Lagos and Enugu? The answer is no. I think this question that has been raised would be more valid if the domestic market in Nigeria is well served in terms of connectivity, pricing, in terms of good customer service, in terms of convenience of transfer. If it takes a passenger to connect through international airport in Abuja or Kano and it costs so much money, what it means is that there is an additional price of about $200. But today, the customer is flying from Enugu, Kano to Guangzhou like the same price from Abuja. Is it not an advantage for the customer? It is all working for the customer. I think customer convenience has to take priority. What are your expansion plans in Nigeria?

There are two ways to do that in terms of expansion. As I said before, we are flying to four points in Nigeria and we want to increase those frequencies in those two points in Kano and Enugu. We are not daily as much as Lagos and Abuja. We want to increase the frequencies to daily so that we connect the Northern parts of Nigeria with the rest of world, particularly to Middle East and Asia every single day. We want to also connect the Enugu area with Asia, Middle East and Europe every single day. That is our immediate expansion plan. We are also starting Port Harcourt, although, it is very close to Enugu. If it is feasible, we will start it. But the second point is that we should not see Africans travel to Europe to visit their neighbour in the 21st century. The poor air connectivity is also driven by lack of investment among us. I think we need to change. I think Ethiopian Airways would want to play a catalyst role in doubling up this trade investment and air connectivity. As you know, back in the 1960s, Ethiopian was the only airline serving East-West; no other airline. So, we have done it for over 50 years, so we should be able to do it better in the 21st century. Is there any record of interference in the way Ethiopian is run? This is very important question. I think African countries can learn on the ways Ethiopian Airlines is managed and the corporate governance of Ethiopian Airlines. It is 100 per cent government owned but fortunately, successive governments in Ethiopia starting from the Emperor Haile Selassie with different ideology, political leadership allowed the airline to be managed by professionals and that is one of the main success factors of the airline. The airline business is very challenging business, highly capital intensive and labour intensive business. It can drive how much difficult it is in terms of assets management, labour management. The more capital intensive a business is, the capital requirement of that business is high, therefore, the assets utilisation is very important. The second challenge in the airline business is that there is excessive competition. There are so many airlines with so much capacity and the capacity is growing irrespective of demand or not. Too much capacity will drive yield down and therefore, the profit margin is very slim and that makes the cost of airline very high. You cannot make mistake, if you do it will be fatal.

Air Côte d’Ivoire begins flight operations into Lagos

ir Côte d’Ivoire, the national airline of Ivory Coast, has commenced four weekly flights from and to the francophone giant city of Abidjan and Nigeria’s commercial city of Lagos. Based in Abidjan, Air Côte d’Ivoire succeeded the former country’s flag carrier, Air Ivoire. It was set up on May 15, 2012, as a privatepublic entity, partially owned by Air France —which intended to

make Port Bouet Airport a regional hub— and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED). From its Hub in Abidjan it operates to over 14 destinations in West and Central Africa including: Accra, Bamako, Brazzaville, Conakry, Cotonou, Dakar, Doula, Freetown, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, Lome, Monrovia, N’Djamena, Niamey, Ougadougou, Pointe Noire and Younde. The carrier commenced flight

operations into Lagos arriving on January 3rd, 2015 with Airbus A319-TUSTSA with capacity for 12 Business and 96 Economy passengers while the inaugural flight departed Lagos on January 4, 2015. The Ivory Coast national carrier’s Abidjan-Lagos four weekly frequencies is scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 10:10 am from Lagos to Abidjan and returns on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

L-R: Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship flag bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife, Dame Edith Okowa, during a thanksgiving service to mark the successful collection of the party’s gubernatarial flag in Asaba.

Photo | News

L-R: Senator Ahmed Markari; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Yero and Kaduna State PDP Chairman, Mr Abubakar Haruna, at the inauguration of Goodluck and Sambo 2015 presidential campaign office in Kaduna. PHOTO-NAN

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Macjohn Nwaobiala; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri; Special Assistant to the Minister, Mrs. Felicia Nwangene and Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Prof. Godwin Onu, during the traditional marriage reception for the Permanent Secretary’s daughter, at Umuahia, Abia State.

L-R: PDP Women Leader in Ogbomoso, Mrs. Mulikat Oladimeji; House Leader, House of Representatives, Mulikat Akande and Special Adviser to the FCT Minister on Legal Matters, Bimbola Salu Hundeyin, during the take-off campaign of Hon. Mulikat Akande in Ogbomoso North-South Constituency of Oyo State.

L-R: Lagos State House of Assembly member and Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Bolaji Ayinla; Auditor-General, Mrs. Helen Deile and Accountant-General, Mr. David Sunmoni, at the opening ceremony of the 5th Annual Auditors’ Retreat in Lagos.

Member of the Victims Supports Fund, Dr. Bulama Mali-Gubio (left), presenting relief materials to a widow, during the inauguration of distribution of additional relief materials to insurgency victims in Maiduguri. PHOTO-NAN

L-R: Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Fr. Anselm Umoren; Grand Knight of Catholic Knight of Saint Mulumba, Gwagwalada Sub-Council, Mr. Patrick Ozegbe and Mr. Collins Anugom, at a lecture in Abuja.

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (right), exchanging pleasantries with the national and state assemblies aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after a stakeholders’ meeting of the party in Akure.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Leisure Arcade NUTS

By Kaycee

MAMA LASISI

By Aliu Eroje

MOYIN & FRIENDS

NTPuzzle

By Ayo Oyerinde

NTJokes GSM WAHALA!

SUDOKU - Answer to No 32

SUDOKU - No 33

2 1

How to play ALIU EROJE

CHIEF CARTOONIST aliu.eroje@newtelegraphonline.com

SUDOKU

The objective is to fill a 9x9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes (also called blocks or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9. A cell is the smallest block in the game. A row , column and region consists of 9 cells and the whole game consists of 81 cells. A region has thicker lines surrounding it. This simply makes it easier to play the game.

One day, a woman asked her son to call her husband to ask him what he wanted her to cook for dinner. After the sixth time the boy complained to his mother that a female voice was what he heard every time he called and the lady would not let him speak to his dad. By the time the man got home that evening, his wife was fuming seriously. She was so angry that she met him at his car and grabbed his shirt right there in the front yard. “How dare you cheat on me?” she shouted, attracting the neighbours instantly. “How could you? After all we have been through?” The confused man stared at her - he could not fathom why she was so mad at him. The neighbours tried to calm her down but she refused, and when someone asked for evidence, she recounted the phone call episode and called on Junior to repeat everything the lady on the phone said. “The number you are calling is not reachable at the moment. Please try again later,” Junior said.

Business | Money Line

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NAICOM expresses sympathy as traders lose millions to inferno

RISKS

Regulator restates need for insurance Sunday Ojeme

he Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, has expressed sympathy to victims of the fire outbreak that engulfed over 100 shops at the high brow Balogun market in Lagos on Monday. Speaking to New Telegraph through the Head, Media/Communications, National Insurance Commission, (NAICOM), Mr. Rasaq Salami, the commissioner expressed regrets that a number of Nigerians were yet to realise the importance of risk transfer by taking an insurance policy. He restated the fact that individuals and government should take insurance seriously in order to mitigate risks. “I have always maintained that goods, shops and other belongings be adequately insured so that victims of fire outbreak or any other disaster could be brought back to their positions or businesses in the event of any loss,” he said. Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed

during the early morning inferno, which engulfed about five buildings Several people who witnessed the incident attributed the cause of fire to power surge. In the same vein, the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) also commiserated with victims of the disaster both in Iron Rod Market, Agodi in Ibadan and Balogun markets in Lagos. The President of the Council, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu, lamented the continuous losses of merchandise and properties in many commodity markets in the country to fire disasters, noting that such loses could be better prevented and mitigated if the victims had embraced insurance. According to him, the market fires had deprived means of livelihood and survival to several market men and women who expectedly were breadwinners of their families. Shoderu opined that fire disasters further deplete the national wealth

as most of the victims constitute a significant chunk of entrepreneurial class who are supposedly great contributors

to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) He said, “The NCRIB is pained by the loss and we seize this opportunity

he naira closed almost one per cent higher against the dollar yesterday after three oil companies sold the greenback, increasing dollar liquidity on the interbank market, dealers said. The unit closed at N181.20 to the dollar, firmer than Friday’s close of 183. The naira had weakened to N183 during mid-day trades before the dollar sales. Reuters quoted dealers as saying that China’s Addax and Italy’s Eni sold a combined $19 million while LNG sold an undisclosed amount of dollars to commercial lenders. The central bank devalued the naira two months ago and in December tightened trading rules to try to curb speculation against the currency, slowing trading to a trickle. The naira had been hard hit by falling oil prices, cutting foreign income for Africa’s

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

omy is not growing. Insurance is the last hope of any human kind. If a loss occurs and insurance has been purchased, it puts the individual in better stead as if no loss was occurred. But where no insurance has been purchased, it causes a reduction in wealth by the amount of value of those insurable assets.”

Naira up as oil firms sell dollars

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

to underscore the need for adequate preventive measures against fire disasters. “This is why the econ-

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

largest crude producer. The devaluation of its target band by eight per cent to 160-176 against the dollar was meant to halt the slide in foreign reserves, but the naira has traded well outside that band - and reserves are still falling.

Nigeria faces a presidential election in less than six weeks, with frontrunners, President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from the south, and former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, a northern Muslim, facing off in a contest many think is too close to call.

FCMB set to sack workers Godson Ikoro

here are strong indications that the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc will shed some of its staff as part of its strategic overhaul even as it plans to pay off staff gratuities and ask them to reapply to begin afresh in a new scheme already implemented by a few banks. New Telegraph gathered that the Human Resources and Strategic Units of the bank started compiling names, screening the reputation and performance of various business lines or departments especially the marketing department. Already, the bank started the severance of some Direct Sales Executive (DSEs) recruited to boost its marketing, which did not meet the strategic intention of hiring them. Also to be severed are those not meeting targets as well as those with outstanding disciplinary cases. FCMB will shed a significant number before it will announce the banks new strategy this month. Further checks revealed that the bank has not paid its upfront payment for housing, transport and launch/wardrobe allowance, usually paid in the paid in the first week of January. According to sources, the gratuity payment will only apply to the core FCMB staff as opposed to staff acquired staff from Fin Bank two years ago. Following the payment of gratuities, the staff will be asked to reapply and if absorbed would start afresh and would not have further claims on retirement on exit having received the gratuity. The new salary of the absorbed workers will be calculated on prorate ba-

sis to include gratuities, housing, furniture, meal subsidies and wardrobe allowance, such that the staff will have no further retirement benefits. The bank is also planning a radical reshaping of its corporate investment banking and marketing departments and the restructure of legacy and subscale business areas even as it adapts to tighter regulation and stricter capital rules. At the last annual general meeting, the Managing Director and Chief executive of the bank, Mr Ladi Balogun, had elaborated the nature of FCMB’s investment banking under a holding company arrangement. He reiterated that investment banking at FCMB was about helping to develop the economy on one hand while increasingly helping to preserve the wealth of the society on the other. “It is a very client and community focused investment banking business as opposed to a market focused one. Hence we are closely aligned with the government objectives of indigenising the upstream oil industry, eliminating and processing flared gas to support our power generation needs, expanding and fixing our electricity generation and distribution capacity, producing things we currently import (from agricultural produce to refined petroleum and petrochemicals et cetera), and expanding our non-oil exports to help improve our balance of payment,” Balogun stated. First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited is a member of FCMB Group Plc, which is one of the leading financial services institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments.

Business | Financial Market News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

12-Jan-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 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 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 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00 12.1493

535.00 581.39 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 414.68 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 178.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,783.63

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,376.22

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 27-Jan-22 14-Mar-24 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

0.28 1.59 2.29 2.54 2.63 3.38 4.46 4.78 7.04 9.17 13.88 14.36 14.85 15.53 19.51

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

12.44 15.06 15.36 15.38 15.38 15.34 15.28 15.28 15.27 15.32 14.39 14.28 14.16 14.75 15.21

11.87 14.95 15.28 15.30 15.30 15.21 15.19 15.17 15.20 15.26 14.34 14.22 14.09 14.69 15.16

97.71 97.20 99.45 88.70 87.32 88.08 102.25 72.60 104.70 94.50 103.59 89.17 65.23 71.30 81.00

97.86 97.35 99.60 88.85 87.47 88.38 102.55 72.90 105.00 94.80 103.89 89.47 65.53 71.60 81.30

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 09-Dec-16 20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

0.36 1.23 1.91 2.27 2.48

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

15.92 17.50 17.23 16.32 16.38

94.51 99.78 98.12 96.14 92.86

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM

0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.67

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

309.96

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.63

4.44

19.24

96.11

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.47

3.23

17.56

98.73

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.99

4.46

19.77

95.20

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.99

3.48

18.80

97.31

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR‡

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.27

5.59

20.91

81.00

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.53

1.00

16.12

97.02

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.97

1.79

17.15

92.89

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.14

1.80

17.09

94.85

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.73

1.00

16.32

93.65

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.34

1.00

16.34

96.76 89.46

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.34

4.78

20.12

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.52

1.00

16.38

96.40

A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR‡

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

A/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

2.77 4.86 2.84

1.00 1.00 2.74

16.37 16.28 18.10

98.35 94.12 93.02

A/Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.39

1.00

16.34

96.14

Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR‡

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.87

1.00

16.27

89.70

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.97

1.94

17.21

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.63

1.44

16.76

94.34

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.66

1.95

17.27

94.33

96.85

A/Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

91.92

460.61 424.46

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Corporate Bonds *UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.35

4.88

18.04

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

9.34

09-Dec-15

0.66

1.00

15.84

98.08

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.74

2.63

17.59

97.72

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

A-/Agusto

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto BB/GCR

29-Sep-16

1.71

1.00

16.17

95.36

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.78

1.34

16.53

96.53

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

29-Sep-11

13.00

20.00

15.00

30-Sep-17

2.72

1.00

16.37

92.78

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

1.74

1.88

17.06

102.41

Nil

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.74

3.48

18.66

96.51

A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

18.00

2.90

09-Sep-18

1.90

5.20

20.42

96.58

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

1.90

5.06

20.28

101.79

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.69

1.35

16.67

92.79

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.40

18-Oct-18

2.01

2.29

17.55

97.38

BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

17-Feb-12

18.00

0.41

17-Feb-19

2.10

6.11

21.39

94.63

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.97

2.16

17.52

96.73

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.84

2.76

18.03

90.12

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.72

1.00

16.26

79.13

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.72

1.00

16.26

85.48

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

124.44

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

116.30

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

11-Feb-18

3.08

1.00

16.35

85.53

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

AfDB

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

10-Jul-14

11.25

12.95

01-Feb-21

4.30

1.00

16.29

85.16

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.29

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

7.48

7.16

96.50

98.01

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.46

6.03

95.90

97.18

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.67

7.46

92.04

93.28

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

1,422.22

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

42.56

34.23

75.75

81.30

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

6.99

100.63

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

11.20

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

12.19

11.17

85.83

88.35

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

8.83

8.59

91.00

91.71

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

26.46

22.82

60.06

66.94

B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

ZENITH BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

9.20

89.75

B/Fitch; B/S&P

DIAMOND BANK PLC

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

14.21

13.49

82.69

84.75

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

9.98

92.00

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

19.70 11.88 11.37

19.70 11.46 11.37

55.50 88.38 84.00

55.50 90.13 84.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.15

9.01

92.53

97.84

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,018.66

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

FIXINGS Maturity 22-Jan-15 29-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 12-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 26-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 12-Mar-15

Bid Discount (%) 10.67 10.65 10.45 10.25 10.30 10.50 12.20 11.90

Offer Discount (%) 10.42 10.40 10.20 10.00 10.05 10.25 11.95 11.65

Bid Yield (%) 10.70 10.70 10.52 10.34 10.41 10.64 12.42 12.13

Money Market Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 9.6667 13.5800 14.4366 15.6803

Rate (%)

OBB

8.50

O/N

9.42

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 8.83 13.85

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

182.00 183.33 183.62 184.29 185.54 186.78

182.10 183.44 183.76 184.75 186.51 188.24

0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

06-Jul-12

0.00/16.50

66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

322.67

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

309.96

06-Jul-17

2.48

1.00

16.38

92.86

Sub-National Bonds A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.63

4.44

19.24

96.11

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.47

3.23

17.56

98.73

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.99

4.46

19.77

95.20

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.99

3.48

18.80

97.31

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.27

5.59

20.91

81.00

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR‡ TUESDAY, LAGOS NEW TELEGRAPH JANUARY 13, 2015

Business | Financial Market News

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.53

1.00

16.12

97.02

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.97

1.79

17.15

92.89

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.14

1.80

17.09

94.85

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.73

1.00

16.32

93.65

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.34

1.00

16.34

96.76

A-/Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.34

4.78

20.12

89.46

A/Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.52

1.00

16.38

96.40

A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR‡

*GOMBE LAGOS

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

15.50 14.50 14.75

16.23 80.00 26.62

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

2.77 4.86 2.84

1.00 1.00 2.74

16.37 16.28 18.10

98.35 94.12 93.02

Helios closes $1.1 billion African private equity fund

BULLISH

Stock market rises first time in New Year

09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13

Investors gain N31 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 billion 22-Nov-12

12-Dec-12 *OSUN 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 ondon- based lead“Africa-specific fac10-Oct-13 14.75 11.10 10-Oct-20 3.39 1.00 16.34 96.14 *OSUN 14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020 ing pan-African tors, including economic 27-Nov-13 13.50 87.50 27-Nov-20 5.87 1.00 16.27 89.70 Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR‡ LAGOS 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 private investment liberalisation, increasing 31-Dec-13 15.00 5.00 31-Dec-20 5.97 1.94 17.21 91.92 A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro KOGI 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 Stories by Chris Ugwu 31-Dec-13 14.50 4.55 31-Dec-20 3.63 billion 1.44 Access 16.76 94.34 2015 general elections. preciated by N31 Bank Plc. firm, Helios Investment pro14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 A/Agusto *EKITI technology-driven 06-Jan-14 15.00 believe 4.56that 17.27Insurance 94.33 sub15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 A-/GCR *NASARAWA he Nigerian They or06-Jan-21 0.3 per cent 3.66 as market1.95 Also, Partners (Helios), said ductivity, demographic 460.61 OUTSTANDING Stock Exchange the tension between sentiment opened on the sector, boosted by acon TOTAL Monday it hadVALUE ex- dynamics and urbanisa424.46 TOTAL MARKET green territory. opened the trad- the Peoples Democratic tivities in the shares of ceeded the $1CAPITALISATION billion tion are driving growth target setBonds for its third and creating attractive ing week on a Party (PDP) and its maMeanwhile, a turn- Mutual Benefits Plc, folCorporate opportunijor opposition party over of 327.4 with a turnover Africa-focused fund and UPDC 17-AUG-2015 positive note, breaking 17-Aug-10 10.00 3.61, the 17-Aug-15 0.35 billion 4.88 lowed18.04 96.85 Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC investment 10.00 A-/Agusto 12.00 9.34 09-Dec-15worth N3.6 0.66 billion 1.00 of 80.6 15.84million 98.08 *FLOURMILLS the jinx of bearish09-Dec-10 run All Progressive shares Congress shares would shortly be closing ties across 12.00 theFLOURMILLS conti-9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 0.42 0.74 17.59 *CHELLARAMS the (APC),14.00 is expected to lead in06-Jan-16 4,530 deals was record-2.63 valued at N48.697.72 million theBB/GCR fund at its $1.1 billion nent,’’ the company said. that has pervaded06-Jan-11 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 13.00 15.00 1.71 1.00 16.17 95.36 NAHCO last to a lull in the equities ed29-Sep-16 in the day’s 1.78 trading. 1.34 in 99 deals. hard cap. “Much has14.25 been made equity market in the FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 14.25 5.53 25-Oct-16 16.53 96.53 FSDH of the rise of 13.00 theUBA African market The banking Further analysis Helios III, in June 30-SEP-2017 few weeks. A/GCR 30-Sep-10 13.00 as investors, 20.00 30-Sep-17 2.72sub sec1.00 16.37 92.78 UBA consumer, and that does,30-NOV-2017The local bourse trading 2014, made its first inhad mostly foreign, evaluate tor of the financial ser-1.88 of the 18.00 C&I LEASING BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 18.00 0.64 30-Nov-17 1.74 17.06 day’s 102.41 *C & I LEASING MPR+7.00 9-APR-2018 16.00 6.30 and 09-Apr-18 1.74the most 3.48 showed 18.66that Seplat 96.51 Nil *DANA from time to Peopened the trading09-Apr-11 year the electoral process vices sector was vestment through the time,DANA give MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 18.00 while fearing 2.90 09-Sep-18 during1.90the day 5.20 troleum 20.42 Plc topped 96.58 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER rise to potential invest- 2015 on a negative 09-Sep-11 route outcome active the acquisition of minority MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 16.00 0.80 09-Sep-18 20.28 101.79 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR *TOWER (measured by1.90 turnover5.06 to post-election violence. day’s gainers’ table with stake in ARM Pension ment opportunities. How- prompting investors 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 A/Agusto; A/GCR 22-Sep-11 14.00 35.00 22-Sep-18 3.69 1.35 16.67 92.79 UBA Consequently , the Alllose substantial amount volume); with 156.9 milfive per cent to close at Managers PFA Limited, ever, as discretionary 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR 18-Oct-13 15.75 2.40 18-Oct-18 2.01 2.29 17.55 97.38 *LA CASERA money. Share18.00 Index shed lion shares worth N1.96.11 N315.00 Plc Nigeria’s largest indeincomes remain low and IIof MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS 17-FEB-2019 17-Feb-12 0.41 91.7 17-Feb-19 2.10 21.39while UBN 94.63 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 4.50 per 01-Apr-19 exchanged 2.97 17.52 with 96.73 Nil *DANA the cost of basic points or 0.3 4.99 per Market analysts01-Apr-14 had basis 16.00 billion by in-2.16 followed pendent pension fund goods NAHCO IIHe14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 14-Nov-20 in 1,571 5.84 18.03 close at 90.12N8.42 NAHCO and services 15.25 vestors deals. 2.76 cent to predicted that investors’ cent to close at 30,234.72 manager with over $2.2 is high, 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 11.93 0.10 30-Sep-24 9.72 1.00 16.26 79.13 STANBIC IBTC sentiment during the basis points as against Volume in the sub-secper share and Nacho Plc billion of pension assets lios believes that address13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 13.25 15.44 30-Sep-24 9.72 1.00 16.26 85.48 STANBIC IBTC first quarter would be 30,143.02 recorded on Fritor was largely driven by with a gain of 4.92 per under management, and ing the supply side of the TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 124.44 has built a robust pipe- economy is generally weighed down by politi- day while the market cap- activities in the shares cent to close at N5.12 per TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 116.30 cal tensions leading to the italisation of equities de- of Zenith BankPlc and share. line of proprietary op- more attractive. Supranational Bond portunities. Helios’ strategy focus10.20 IFC AAA/S&P IFC 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.08 1.00 16.35 85.53 ‘’Continued strong es on investing in11-FEB-2018 busi11.25 AFDB Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&Pexisting AfDB 10-Jul-14 11.25 12.95 01-Feb-21 4.30 1.00 16.29 85.16 support from nesses that lead the1-FEB-2021 proTOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 24.95 investors, who reprevision of core economic TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION sent over 60 per cent of infrastructure: de-bottleterling Bank Plc has con- 21.29 September 2014. We started authorized to issue up to the capital committed necking the economy; included arrangements to last year with 300 ATMs, but 7,471,698,113 Ordinary shares Outstanding Value Rating/Agency Issuer Issue Date additional Coupon (%) 5,000 Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Price from Offer PriceComto Helios Investors III, creasing aimed to close the New Year efficiencies; andDescription deploy ofYield 50(%)koboBideach the ($mm) Point of Sales (POS) termiL.P.FGN (Helios III), coupled reducing living costs for with about 700. This will inpany’s share capital by way Eurobonds Prices & Yields with commitments from households and operatnals to boost transactions in volve additional deployment of Special/Private Placing to 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P global in07-Oct-11 . 6.75 500.00 7.48 7.16 96.50 98.01 the country Messrs. other leading ing costs for businesses,” of ATMs at28-Jan-21 existing locations stitutional investors, Tope Lawani, co-founder According to News Agency and partner locations.’’ Silverlake Investments BB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 12-Jul-13 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 6.46 6.03 95.90 97.18 BB-/S&P enabled Helios to raise and managing partner of He added that a robust in- Limited or such other idenof Nigeria (NAN), the bank’s BB-/Fitch; 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 12-Jul-13 12-Jul-23 7.67put 7.46 92.04 93.28 what is the largest fund Helios Investment PartHead of Strategy and6.38Commu- 500.00 frastructure was being tified strategic investor at a BB-/S&P in place to support the exdedicated to African priners affirmed. nications, Mr. Shina Atilola, price of N2.65 per share or TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 1,500.00 said the POS machines used 1,422.22 vate equity,” the compaThe company further pansion embarked on by the such other price as the DiTOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION ny said in a statement on affirmed that in line with by retail stores to accept ATM bank. rectors may determine in the its Corporate officialEurobonds website. the investment strategy cards for payment of goods and Shareholders of Sterling interest of the Company and 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC 01-Feb-11 01-Feb-16 42.56 34.23 81.30 Bank Plc had in November According to Helios, ofI Helios’ existing funds, services, would be11.50 deployed 450.00 subject to75.75 other terms and 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I 6.99 6.99 100.63 100.63 times investors in the fund inHelios III would acquire across19-May-11 the country to7.50 facilitate 500.00 last year at 19-May-16 an Extra-Ordinary conditions and at such 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P sovereign wealth ACCESS BANK 25-Jul-12 7.25 350.00 25-Jul-17 11.20 in 11.20the Directors 91.50 91.50 deem cashless transactions. cluded andPLCbuild market-leadGeneral Meeting (EGM) as may 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY ing, BANK PLC 09-May-13 Bank is one 6.88 of the 300.00 02-May-18 the proposal 12.19 11.17and in respect 85.83 88.35 Sterling funds, corporate and diversified platform Lagos endorsed fit, thereof, the 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 08-Nov-13 6.00 08-Nov-18 8.83 8.59 91.00 91.71 public pension funds, companies, operating in by the bank’s Board of DirecNigerian banks with fewer 400.00 Directors be and are hereby 10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II 08-Apr-12 10.25 300.00 08-Apr-19 26.46 22.82 60.06 66.94 endowments and fountors to raise fresh capital. cashless infrastructure like 500.00 the core economic secfurther authorized to89.75 appoint 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC 22-Apr-14 6.25 22-Apr-19 9.20 9.20 89.75 POS and Automated Teller dations, funds of funds, tors of the key African As part of special resolusuch advisers, professionals 8.75 May 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND BANK PLC 21-May-14 8.75 200.00 21-May-19 14.21 13.49 82.69 84.75 family and develcountries, with an emMachines tions at the07-Aug-20 (EGM), shareholdand 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch;offices B/S&P FIRST BANK PLC 07-Aug-13(ATM), but 8.25 Atilola 300.00 9.98 9.98 parties 92.00that they 92.00 deem said that was changing. necessary, upon such opment finance instituphasis on portfolio opers authorised “That subject 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFREN PLC III 09-Dec-13 6.63 360.00 09-Dec-20 19.70 19.70 55.50 55.50terms 9.25/6M USD B-/Fitch; B/S&P the US, EuACCESS BANK PLC II 9.25 almost 400.00 24-Jun-21 11.88the 11.46 conditions 88.38 that the 90.13 Directions across erations as a creator ofLIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 He24-Jun-14 said, “We have to regulatory approvals, and 8.00/2Y USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P LTD 23-Jul-14 8.00 23-Jul-21 11.37 11.37 84.00 84.00 rope, Asia and Africa.FIRST BANK value. doubled our ATM counts by 450.00 Directors be and are hereby tors may deem appropriate” A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto

#{r}

Sterling Bank to deploy more POS terminals

B-/S&P

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

14-Aug-21

10.15

9.01

92.53

4,760.00

97.84

12-Jan-15

4,018.66

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 **Treasury Bills FIXINGS Money Market Foreign & Forwards) 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 upExchange to date. (Spot We do not guarantee DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) Bid Yield (%) Tenor Rate (%) NIBORfor the results of any action taken on the basis of the Information. the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of the Information, neither do we accept liability 10 22-Jan-15 10.67 10.42 10.70 FGN

17 24 Bonds 31 38 45 Rating/Agency 52 59 66 73 80 87 94 101 108 115 NA 122 129 150 164 206 234 325 339 360

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

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

10.65 10.45 10.25 10.30 10.50 Description 12.20 11.90 4.00 23-APR-2015 10.97 12.20 13.05 16-AUG-2016 12.20 15.10 27-APR-2017 11.30 9.85 27-JUL-2017 11.70 9.35 31-AUG-2017 11.75 10.70 30-MAY-2018 12.70 16.00 29-JUN-2019 13.10 7.00 23-OCT-2019 11.32 16.39 27-JAN-2022 13.95 14.20 14-MAR-2024 13.16 15.00 28-NOV-2028 13.60 12.49 22-MAY-2029 13.00 13.10 8.50 20-NOV-2029 13.05 10.00 23-JUL-2030 13.25 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 13.75

10.40 10.20 10.00 10.05 10.25 Issue Date 11.95 11.65 23-Apr-10 10.72 11.95 16-Aug-13 11.95 27-Apr-12 11.05 27-Jul-07 11.45 31-Aug-07 11.50 30-May-08 12.45 29-Jun-12 12.85 23-Oct-09 11.07 27-Jan-12 13.70 14-Mar-14 12.91 28-Nov-08 13.35 22-May-09 12.75 12.85 20-Nov-09 12.80 23-Jul-10 13.00 18-Jul-14 13.50

Bonds

10.70 10.52 10.34 10.41 10.64 Coupon 12.42 (%) 12.13 4.00 11.19 12.51 13.05 12.54 15.10 11.61 9.85 12.06 9.35 12.14 10.70 13.20 16.00 13.66 7.00 11.77 16.39 14.67 14.20 13.91 15.00 14.49 12.49 14.03 14.30 8.50 14.77 10.00 15.11 12.1493 15.91

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

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION #

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Agency Bonds 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 Total Outstanding Modified Duration Buckets Porfolio Market Value(Bn) ***LCRM 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 Volume(Bn) 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 FMBN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

OBB

8.50

O/N

9.42

REPO

Tenor TTM Call (Yrs) 1M 3M0.28 6M1.59

Maturity Date

535.00 23-Apr-15 NITTY 581.39 16-Aug-16 Tenor Rate (%) 452.80 27-Apr-17 1M 10.4691 20.00 27-Jul-17 2M 11.1124 100.00 31-Aug-17 3M 12.0122 300.00 30-May-18 6M 13.3285 351.30 29-Jun-19 9M 14.6989 233.90 23-Oct-19 12M 15.7377 600.00 27-Jan-22 414.68 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 NIFEX 150.00 22-May-29 Current Price ($/N)20-Nov-29 200.00 BID($/N) 591.57 184.0000 23-Jul-30 OFFER ($/N) 184.1000 178.00 18-Jul-34

4,783.63

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

FMDQ FGN0.00 BOND INDEX 24.56

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

32.63

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

34.30

2.70 112.22 Bucket Weighting 116.70 66.49

1,015.41

1,034.18

3<5

1,379.28

1,365.98

43.09

46.59

565.97

769.57

24.28

19.12

309.960.24

2,960.66

3,169.73

100.00

1.00

Market

Sub-National Bonds

(N'bn)

Value

Rate (%) 9.6667 13.5800 14.4366 15.6803

Rate (%) Bid Yield 8.83 13.85 12.44 14.28 15.32 15.06

Tenor

(%)

Bid ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M Yield Offer 2M (%) 3M 6M11.87 1Y14.95

2.29 15.36 15.28 2.54 15.38 15.30 2.63 15.38 15.30 :Benchmarks 3.38 15.34 15.21 * :Amortising Bond 4.46 15.28 15.19 µ :Convertible Bond 4.78Management Corporation 15.28 15.17 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 7.04 15.27 15.20 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 9.17Mortgage Bank of 15.32 15.26 FMBN: Federal Nigeria 13.88 Finance Corporation 14.39 14.34 IFC: International 14.36 14.28 Management 14.22 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables NAHCO: Nigerian 14.85 Aviation Handling 14.16Company 14.09 O/N: Overnight 15.53 14.75 14.69 UPDC: UAC19.51 Property Development Company 15.21 15.16

NOTE:

WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Offer ($/N)

182.00 182.10 183.33 183.44 Price 183.62 183.76 184.29 184.75 Bid Price Offer Price 185.54 186.51 186.78 188.24 97.71 97.86 191.03 193.93 200.12 205.55 97.20 97.35

99.45 99.60 88.70 88.85 87.32 87.47 NA :Not Applicable 88.08 88.38 # :Floating Rate Bond 102.25 102.55 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 72.60 72.90 104.70under review105.00 ‡ : Bond rating 94.50expired 94.80 †: Bond rating 103.59 103.89 N/A :Not Available {r} :Issuer 89.17 in receivership 89.47 65.23 65.53 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 71.30 71.60 UBA: United Bank for Africa 81.30 81.00

4,376.22

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

Rating/Agency

Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M Outstanding

0.33

322.67

0.43

Maturity Date

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

13.76

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

0.36 1.23 1.91 Implied Yield 2.27 2.48

15.22

# Risk Premium (%)

2.63 2.27 Implied 2.00 Portfolio 1.00 Price 1.00

117.2543

Valuation Yield (%)

15.92 17.50 17.23 INDEX 16.32 16.38

1,113.68

Indicative Price

94.51 99.78 YTD Return 98.12 (%) 96.14 92.86

11.3677

46.19

15.29

119.9981

1,016.10

40.06

14.87

86.7174

1,013.88

1.6098 1.3879

100.00

15.11

111.0228

1,060.17

6.0170

A+/Agusto

KADUNA

12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015

31-Aug-10

12.50

8.50

31-Aug-15

0.63

4.44

19.24

96.11

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.47

3.23

17.56

98.73

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.99

4.46

19.77

95.20

A+/Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.99

3.48

18.80

97.31

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR‡

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.27

5.59

20.91

81.00

A-/Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.53

1.00

16.12

97.02

A/Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.97

1.79

17.15

92.89

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.14

1.80

17.09

94.85

A-/Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.73

1.00

16.32

93.65

A/Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.34

1.00

16.34

96.76

Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Micro-Finance Banks Micro-Finance Banks Totals

Business | Capital Market

Daily Summary as of 12/01/2015

Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037

Symbol

No. of Deals 11

Current Price

Quantity Traded 603,375

Value Traded 482,700.00

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

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

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals

Current Price

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

488 222 2 20 37 814

7.80 2.13 0.50 26.00 1.57

25,464,265 20,601,062 6,000 3,180,859 710,826 52,468,775

200,002,768.65 45,262,552.69 3,060.00 82,697,306.77 1,131,280.41 337,858,667.00

290,642,313

2,335,926,792.09

Quantity Traded 1,040 312,500 379,792 11,170 80,000

Value Traded 2,261.20 1,060,279.80 15,645,858.50 16,866.70 60,000.00

25 2.89 552,388 1,591,767.40 TUESDAY,20 JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH 3.70 1,953,375 7,169,931.08

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at January 12, 2014 Daily Summary (Bonds)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 13.05% FGN AUG 2016 Federal Totals

FINANCIAL Totals Daily Summary asSERVICES of 12/01/2015 Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037 Symbol FG102016S1

DEBT Board Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 99.50

Bond Activity Totals

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 104,854.76 104,854.76

100

104,854.76

100

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY

104,854.76

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals

Daily Summary as of 12/01/2015 Livestock/Animal Specialties Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037 LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC.

Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA Activity Summary on Board PLC. EQTY

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

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 22 16 38

Current Price 25.46 27.00

Quantity Traded 184,099 187,739 371,838

Value Traded 4,493,272.31 4,990,024.02 9,483,296.33

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 25 25

Current Price 2.25

Quantity Traded 495,282 495,282

Value Traded 1,141,172.01 1,141,172.01

867,120

10,624,468.34

Quantity Traded 71,700

Value Traded 96,962.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol AGLEVENT

No. of Deals 2

Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Daily Summary as of 12/01/2015 Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037

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

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Activity Summary on Board EQTY Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

No. of Deals 2 266 80 350

Current Price 4.67 3.16 27.60

350 Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA

No. of Deals 9 1 10

Current Price 0.70 14.46

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 70 70

Symbol UAC-PROP Symbol UPDCREIT

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

Quantity Traded 1,040 19,008,347 899,788 19,980,875

Value Traded 4,617.60 57,757,416.82 24,568,697.41 82,427,693.83

19,980,875

82,427,693.83 Value Traded 106,376.40 274.80 106,651.20

Current Price 46.95

Quantity Traded 1,406,684 1,406,684

Value Traded 67,300,195.67 67,300,195.67

No. of Deals 22 22

Current Price 9.00

Quantity Traded 111,112 111,112

Value Traded 993,708.02 993,708.02

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 200 200

Value Traded 2,000.00 2,000.00

103

1,670,016

Page

Processing Systems Totals

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals 13

Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 6,994 6,994

Value Traded 3,497.00 3,497.00

Symbol CHAMPION GOLDBREW GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB

No. of Deals 17 1 73 25 1 170 287

Current Price 6.87 0.92 130.00 21.39 2.12 144.40

Quantity Traded 536,180 3,955 827,863 342,150 40 1,880,140 3,590,328

Value Traded 3,566,938.80 3,796.80 107,758,956.32 7,043,570.59 80.80 271,738,693.65 390,112,036.96

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 39 39

Current Price 161.00

Quantity Traded 63,312 63,312

Value Traded 10,180,344.00 10,180,344.00

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON

No. of Deals 9 56 69 17 37

Current Price 4.32 5.72 35.38 3.15 6.08

Quantity Traded 124,130 532,580 156,642 312,608 772,913

Value Traded 536,241.60 2,986,030.67 5,415,026.72 971,828.06 4,783,769.90

Symbol

No. of Deals 188

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 1,898,873

3 of 13 Value Traded 14,692,896.95

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 17 52 69

Current Price 42.00 812.25

Quantity Traded 43,343 270,254 313,597

Value Traded 1,646,820.56 219,612,492.25 221,259,312.81

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

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 8 1 9

Current Price 3.83 1.17

Quantity Traded 17,600 1,000 18,600

Value Traded 68,232.00 1,120.00 69,352.00

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

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 40 34 74

Current Price 24.54 33.80

Quantity Traded 110,630 137,864 248,494

Value Traded 2,680,439.76 4,669,381.13 7,349,820.89

6,140,198

643,667,260.61

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Daily Summary as of 12/01/2015 Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037 Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Food Products Food Products Totals

Daily Summary as ofGOODS 12/01/2015 CONSUMER Totals Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037 FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK Activity Summary onPLC Board EQTY Daily Summary as of 12/01/2015 Printed 12/01/2015 FINANCIAL14:55:37.037 SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Banking GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC Activity Summary Board EQTY UNION BANK on NIG.PLC. FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. Daily Summary as of 12/01/2015 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC Published by The Nigerian TRUST Stock Exchange © STANDARD ASSURANCE PLC UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks Activity Summary on Board EQTY

NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

Daily Summary (Equities)

667 Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 205 Daily Summary (Equities) DIAMONDBNK 66 ETI 75 FIDELITYBK 45

Current Price 5.23 4.70 15.46 1.48

Quantity Traded 21,326,930 5,921,715 3,767,107 2,607,317

Value Traded 112,410,739.38 27,866,765.30 58,850,874.94 3,872,912.31

Symbol No. of Deals GUARANTY 354 SKYEBANK 80 Daily Summary (Equities) STERLNBANK 29 UBA 186 UBN 44

Current Price 19.99 2.20 2.49 3.79 8.42

Page Quantity Traded 7,502,163 3,537,303 6,076,011 8,991,298 721,014

4 of 13 Value Traded 149,867,038.50 7,905,309.62 14,922,732.47 33,944,436.27 6,068,981.90

Symbol WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 10 477 1,571

Current Price 0.94 16.00

Quantity Traded 173,295 96,287,189 156,911,342

No. of Deals 18 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 5 5 19 1 1 1 1 38 Daily Summary (Equities) 99

Current Price 0.76 0.97 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 3.05 0.50 0.57 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.60

Quantity Traded 7,105,150 61,010 2,000 17,000 40 40 1,000 1,000 2,250,616 64,030,142 684,050 1,000 1,000 Page 1,000

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE CORNERST EQUITYASUR GNI HMARKINS LAWUNION LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM PRESTIGE SOVRENINS STACO UNITYKAP WAPIC Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 11

Current Price 0.80

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

Current Price 2.89 3.70 7.80 2.13 0.50 26.00 1.57

Quantity Traded 552,388 1,953,375 25,464,265 20,601,062 6,000 3,180,859 710,826 52,468,775

Value Traded 1,591,767.40 7,169,931.08 200,002,768.65 45,262,552.69 3,060.00 82,697,306.77 1,131,280.41 337,858,667.00

290,642,313

2,335,926,792.09

Quantity Traded 1,040 312,500 379,792 11,170 80,000

Value Traded 2,261.20 1,060,279.80 15,645,858.50 16,866.70 60,000.00

Symbol UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1 1

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 25 20 488 222 2 20 37 814

Value Traded 482,700.00

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

2,496 No. of Deals 2 8 33 6 2

Quantity Traded 603,375

Current Price 0.50

Current Price

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

500.00 3,901,154.05 48,649,893.05

6 of 13 Value Traded 482,700.00

No. of Deals 11

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

Value Traded 5,405,521.00 59,179.70 1,000.00 8,500.00 20.00 20.00 500.00 500.00 6,863,128.80 32,015,071.00 393,298.50 500.00 500.00 5 of 13 500.00

Page Quantity Traded 603,375

Symbol

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Value Traded 162,927.30 1,533,062,314.05 1,948,935,032.04

1,000 6,501,773 80,657,821

Current Price 2.28 3.39 40.66 1.58 0.75

Page

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals Processing Systems Daily Summary as ofPLC 12/01/2015 CHAMS Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037 E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC

68,402,554.89

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON Daily Summary GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 2 8 (Equities) 33 6 2

Symbol NIG-GERMAN PHARMDEKO

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

Mining Services MULTIVERSE PLC Mining Services Totals

Page

Quantity Traded 1,000 65,120 850,622

Value Traded 6,010.00 143,888.80 16,935,165.00

850,622

16,935,165.00

Symbol COURTVILLE

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,040 1,040

Value Traded 520.00 520.00

Symbol CWG NCR TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 1 4 1 6

Current Price 4.13 12.83 1.86

Quantity Traded 1,000 14,255 1,000 16,255

Value Traded 3,930.00 178,200.30 1,770.00 183,900.30

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 0.50 3.39

Quantity Traded 700 1,000 1,700

Value Traded 350.00 3,230.00 3,580.00

18,995

188,000.30

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol

No. of Deals

Current Price

Quantity Traded Page

Value Traded 8

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 52 1 18 4 227 1 2 39 344

Current Price 22.33 9.00 36.00 9.39 166.40 0.87 3.89 80.08

Quantity Traded 509,132 40 270,667 14,377 2,097,903 40 1,900 183,332 3,077,391

Value Traded 11,241,225.08 342.00 9,658,058.41 129,026.61 324,130,783.45 33.20 7,553.00 14,684,274.65 359,851,296.40

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.36

Quantity Traded 11,500 11,500

Value Traded 15,732.00 15,732.00

3,088,891

359,867,028.40

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

1,000

500.00

347 Symbol MULTIVERSE

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Daily Summary (Equities)

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price Quantity Traded Page 9 of 13 0.50 100 100

Value Traded 50.00 50.00

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

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 214 214

Current Price 15.54

Quantity Traded 2,461,298 2,461,298

Value Traded 37,655,323.99 37,655,323.99

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

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 10 27 65 17 1 13 133

Current Price 38.11 2.72 230.00 157.06 53.20 144.75

Quantity Traded 24,200 464,400 122,658 11,581 200 3,039 626,078

Value Traded 876,282.00 1,261,784.00 27,987,376.51 1,737,270.61 10,108.00 437,257.00 32,310,078.12

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 315.00

Quantity Traded 73,624 73,624

Value Traded 22,401,139.31 22,401,139.31

3,161,100

92,366,591.42

Quantity Traded 2,500

Value Traded 2,100.00

Daily Summary as of 12/01/2015 Exploration and Production Totals Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037

OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC.EQTY Activity Summary on Board SERVICES

371

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 2

Current Price 0.88

Symbol

No. of Deals 2

Current Price

Quantity Traded 2,500

Page Value Traded 2,100.00

Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Symbol REDSTAREX

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 4.20

Quantity Traded 11,000 11,000

Value Traded 43,900.00 43,900.00

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 50,040 50,040

Value Traded 25,020.00 25,020.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 15 15

Current Price 3.19

Quantity Traded 196,910 196,910

Value Traded 599,931.00 599,931.00

Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 21,500 21,500

Value Traded 10,750.00 10,750.00

Symbol LEARNAFRCA STUDPRESS UPL

No. of Deals 1 1 17 19

Current Price 1.34 2.30 4.22

Quantity Traded 1,000 40 176,000 177,040

Value Traded 1,340.00 87.60 672,915.60 674,343.20

Symbol AIRSERVICE

No. of Deals 2

Current Price 1.70

Quantity Traded 1,040

Value Traded 1,690.00

Symbol NAHCO

No. of Deals 18 20

Current Price 5.12

Quantity Traded 571,377 572,417

Value Traded 2,882,074.59 2,883,764.59

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 3.32

Quantity Traded 1,140 1,140

Value Traded 3,602.40 3,602.40

Daily Summary as of 12/01/2015 Printing/Publishing Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037 LEARN AFRICA PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services

AIRLINE SERVICES ANDEQTY LOGISTICS PLC Activity Summary on Board Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © SERVICES Transport-Related Services NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

SERVICES Totals

1,032,547

4,243,411.19

EQTY Board Totals

4,530

327,453,677

3,614,649,466.07

Equity Activity Totals

4,530

327,453,677

3,614,649,466.07

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals Daily Summary as of 12/01/2015

Symbol LOTUSHAL15 NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 1 3 5

Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037

ETF Board Totals

ETP Activity Totals

Current Price 6.32 2.24

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Daily Summary as of 12/01/2015 Printed 12/01/2015 14:55:37.037 NATURAL RESOURCES

Current Price 2.28 3.39 40.66 1.58 0.75

No. of Deals 1 3 55

HEALTHCARE Totals

Quantity Traded 152,000 20 152,020

Daily Summary (Equities)

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals

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

Current Price 1.36

Page

Symbol SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

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

Pharmaceuticals NIGERIA-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC. PHARMA-DEKO PLC. Pharmaceuticals Totals

2,496

Daily Summary (ETP)

Current Price 9.12 2,163.00 13.29

Quantity Traded 5 6 2,625 2,636

Value Traded 45.60 12,978.00 35,436.45 48,460.05

2,636

48,460.05

Page

2,636

48,460.05

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Features Nyanya waits for FG’s facelift The residents of Nyanya anxiously await Federal Government’s intervention to make the slum habitable, writes ANULE EMMANUEL

he dream of repositioning the nation’s capital, Abuja as a tourist destination in Africa will require addressing the slums and squatter settlements springing up in the city. Despite concerted efforts by past and present administrations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to develop Abuja as Nigeria’s model city, there are pockets of settlements within and around the city. But government insists these slums must give way, if the desired standard infrastructure required for a world class capital city is to be provided. Abuja has a few slums which, perhaps, sprang up as a result of the growing population of the workforce, rural urban migration and the thriving socioeconomic activities in the metropolis, including its satellite towns such as Nyanya, Gwagwalada, Karu, Kuje, Kubwa, Bwari, among others. A slum is regarded as a heavily populated urban informal settlement characterised by substandard housing and squalor. Such areas lack the basic social amenities including potable water, power supply and good healthcare facilities. On the north of Abuja lies the Nyanya Labour Camp, one of such settlements declared by the United Nations’ Habitat as unfit for human habitation. Nyanya is a suburb of Nigeria’s capital city located on the border between Nasarawa State and the FCT on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway with an adjourning town, known as Mararaba. Those entering the city from this axis should ordinarily get the feeling of getting into a model city. Unfortunately, however, what greets visitors in this section of the suburb is the constant overflow of faeces from self-dug sewage tanks, otherwise called soak-away. No one prays for the rains in this part of the city. The odour of urine and huge garbage that litter the unpaved streets during rains make the area inhabitable for most occupants. Worried by the damning verdict of the United Nations Habitat and the plight of the residents of the slum, the Federal Capital Territory Administra-

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun. bello@newtelegraphonline.com

A section of Nyanya

Akinjide

tion (FCTA) has already begun arrangements for the relocation of occupants in most of the dilapidated houses in the area to a proposed new site expected to have befitting infrastructure and accommodation. The intention of government is to embark on total urban renewal of the slum currently housing about 7,000 families in line with the Land Use Act. The Nyanya Labour Camp was built over 30 years ago to provide accommodation for early artisans who were involved in the construction of initial infrastructure around the Federal Capital City (FCC). Interestingly, the residents of the labour camp, which extends from the popular ‘Mopol Junction’ to Phase IV and back to the Nyanya Market, where suspected members of the Boko Haram in May last year detonated two bombs killing hundreds of innocent citizens, have at different times expressed concern over the near collapse of existing basic infrastructure in the area. A resident of the slum who gave his name simply as Mr Lambert said the people of Nyanya also desired good life. He said: “We cannot wait to be moved out of this filthy environment. Most of us live here because there is no alternative but I can assure you that living here has many health implications particu-

larly for our children.” In what appears to be succour coming the way of the residents of Nyanya, at one of its weekly meetings chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan recently, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N14.7 billion for the provision of engineering infrastructure on a land spanning about 152 hectares, located at Gidan Daya in Kurudu District of Abuja. According to the Minister of State for the FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide, upon effective utilisation of the approved funds and completion of the provision of engineering infrastructure at Gidan Daya, 8,054 units of houses will be built and handed over to the present occupants of the Nyanya Labour Camp. What is certain at the moment is that beneficiaries of new houses to be built at the new site would only be those who bought the current dilapidated structures through a sale exercise that was conducted by the FCTA in 2006. In an open bid process conducted under the sale of Federal Government houses in 2006, the Federal Government had sold all the houses at the Nyanya Labour Camp to civil servants. The buyers were those in the junior cadre, security personnel and some artisans who showed interest in the exercise. The houses were sold at a cost ranging between N250,000 (single room) and N460,000 for a double room apartment. “So, this is the first of the two-staged process. We first need to put in comprehensive infrastructure on the chosen site at Gidan Daya. We are going to develop the infrastructure in accordance with the standard of the FCTA for the satellite towns. After that, we will then build houses amounting to 8,054 units of flats,” Akinjide said. In order to assuage the fears of the residents of the Nyanya slum, the minister also explained that government would not relocate anybody until the new houses at Gidan Daya had been built and fully completed for occupation. She added: “Those who fully paid for the houses at the Nyanya Labour Camp will be allocated these new houses. “For people who are yet to complete payment on their present houses, they will be given the opportunity to complete

payment before having the new ones, even those who did not pay anything will be given the rights of first refusal to buy the new houses at Gidan Daya.” While briefing journalists at the Presidential Villa, the minister also said that the administration had secured some funding facility from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and was in the process of getting FEC’s approval to ensure the comprehensive financing of the two-phased project. Aside the relocation plan for the residents of the labour camp, the FCTA has at various times embarked on cleaning exercises in Nyanya and other satellite towns in the territory where it said some persons had continued to convert their premises to unapproved uses. As it stands presently, one thing which is clear is that houses at the Nyanya slum would have to give way for well-designed and modern structures. Considering that the idea to relocate the labour camp was first muted in 2006, it appears that the project was abandoned at first but revamped now as a result of the rising security challenges with other satellite areas identified as possible targets. Investigation showed that slums such as the Nyanya Labour Camp could be possible hideouts for persons with criminal tendencies. The expectation is that with the revival of the Nyanya Labour Camp relocation project, other similar initiatives by the administration in satellite towns would also be revisited to help tackle the huge housing problem in the territory which stakeholders believe may only add up to the current insecurity crisis. Therefore, the Satellite Towns Development Agency (STDA) needs to be really energised with appropriate funding in order to achieve its mandates of providing an enabling environment for the development of the satellite towns via the provision of basic amenities. This is to further reduce the pressure on the city-centre. For the occupants of the Nyanya Labour Camp, it will be a long dream realised if government pursues the Gidan Daya relocation site project to a logical conclusion. Accommodation, no doubt, remains one major hurdle for the residents of the territory, especially those in the middle class.

FEATURES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Empowering residents to boost food production Despite burgeoning population, Lagos State Government is taking practical steps to ensure food security, writes MURITALA AYINLA

aced with challenges of limited arable farm land and the challenges of feeding its over 20 million residents, the Lagos State Government is taking steps to ensure food security. Prior to the problem of insecurity in the North-East, which many people believe contributed to the upsurge in the population of Lagos residents, thousands of Nigerians were said to be entering Lagos daily in search of greener pasture without plan to return to their states of origin. As the population increases, the infrastructure is becoming increasingly inadequate while feeding the population become a herculean task for the government except certain proactive measures are taken to boost food production. Already, over 90 per cent of the food demand in the state comes from other states and this explains why the government targets 25 per cent food production by 2018 as against the 10 per cent it currently produces. Apart from ensuring that food items consumed in the state are of high quality and hygienic, the state embarked on the provision of food storage facilities to reduce the rate at which food perishes owing to lack of proper food storage mechanism. Knowing the challenges of being the third largest mega city in the world after Tokyo and Bombay, with very minimal arable farm land for farming to feed the increasing population, the Lagos State Government, in line with the global practices of advanced countries, acquired 84 hectares of land in Okinni, Osogbo in Osun State where it started palm processing for the production of high valued vegetable crops for Lagos market. In addition, 1,000 hectares of land was acquired at Ago Owu also in Osun State, for agricultural purposes and 500 hectares of land at Eggua in Ogun State, for rice production. The land acquisition outside Lagos State by the Governor Babatunde Fashola administration is purposely for agricultural produce dedicated for Lagos markets. The need to further boost the food production made the government during the 2014 World Food Day to empower 3,149 farmers with farming inputs in order to enhance their capacity to produce food for the populace. The idea behind the gesture, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, said, was to assist the farmers in enhancing their capacity for food production in various ways. Lawal said that empowering farmers in Africa to boost food production was part of the Maputo Declaration, where it was agreed that African governments should

Lawal in the midst of the beneficiaries.

Some of the cattle given to farmers

target six per cent annual increase in food production in their territories on the premise that each country could earmark 10 per cent of its annual budget for agriculture. The commissioner, who said that strategies were in place to move Lagos from “a food-consuming state to a food-producing state,” added that the 25 per cent food production by 2018 was achievable. He said: “Lagos is a consuming state. We started by producing five per cent of food production and we are now producing 10 per cent. We are now targeting 25 per cent food production by 2018. The target may be difficult but we are working on it. “We are working on a value chain, such as fish production, livestock production and others. We have demonstrated that we can achieve the target. We have been developing our fish estates, vegetable estates and poultry farming. There is a lot of commercial farming coming on board and I see us getting to meet the target in the next four years.” To provide adequate food at affordable prices, the government had also embarked on a number of programmes and interventions to address these issues. Such interventions, according to Lawal, include Agric Youth Empowerment Scheme, FADAMA II Development Project, development of modern abattoirs, piggery development programme and pro-

We are working on a value chain, such as fish production, livestock production and others

vision of effective extension service through Agricultural Development Authority, among other initiatives. The commissioner described the theme of 2014 World Food Day; “Family Farming: Feeding the World, Caring for Earth,” as apt in order for everyone to embrace farming to boost food production. The government empowered the residents in about 19 Agric Value Chains areas during the World Food Day celebration. These include egg production, poultry farming, feedmilling, aquaculture, fish production, pepper soup selling, fishing, pig farming, sheep and goat farming, meat production marketing, vegetable production, horticulture, cassava, rice production and coconut processing. Those in the agric value chains of egg production were giving battery cages, 120 point of lay birds, 20 bags of growers’ mash and 28 bags of layers, while those in the artisanal fishing were giving outboard engines, bundle nets, among others. About 37,700 crates of eggs were given to 754 beneficiaries who are into egg marketing while each of the 117 residents got 20 bags of fish feeds, 295 beneficiaries of pig farming collected ‘weaners,’ with 353 butchers also benefitting, among others. Apart from crates of eggs, other items distributed included cattle, coconut seedlings, fingerlings, smoking materials for fish processing, rice seeds, fertilisers, among others. Addressing the beneficiaries,

Fashola said his administration realised that it was better to teach people how to fish than to give them fish. The governor said that many of the beneficiaries, before the event, had nothing doing but had now been empowered to eke out a living for themselves. He charged the beneficiaries to use the inputs, processing machines and agricultural produce well. Fashola also urged them to pay tax when they start making profit as the empowerment items were purchased from the tax paid by the residents. The governor, who also presented the deeds of sub-lease to 217 allottees of Agric Farmland, said several farmers with success stories could not make headways in terms of financial supports from banks because most of the farmlands had no titles. He said it had become a thing of the past for allottees of farmland in the state not having access to loans since the sub-lease titles could serve as collateral for them. The governor said his administration was poised to eradicate poverty by making people self-reliant. Meanwhile, the commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives added that the aim of the empowerment was for the beneficiaries to utilise what they had been empowered with to boost food production, which in the long run would have multiplier effects, by meeting the target of 25 per cent local food production by 2018. Lawal added that prior to the distribution of the agricultural input to the beneficiaries, they were trained for three days by experts on how to make use of the input to eke out a living and shore up food production. He said: “Having empowered you with land and modern technology, we believe that inputs, necessary for your work, should be given to you at subsidised rate. We will give you inputs you need to be modern farmers. You are here to be trained for capacity building. You cannot empower people without the necessary skills attached with it. “After empowering the farmers, a monitoring team would be set up to ensure that those empowered use the equipment to eke out a living rather than selling them.”

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY JANUARY 13, 2015

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SOUTH-EAST

PPA accuses Abia over explosion at secretariat Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

hairman of the Pro g ressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Abia State, Prince Emeka Okafor, has accused the Abia State government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of masterminding the explosion that rocked the party secretariat on Warri Street Umuahia, on Sunday. Speaking to journalists on the development in his office, yesterday, Okafor, said the incident was not the first time PPA office and personnel have been attacked but thanked God that no life was lost. “We suspect our landlord, the Abia State government and PDP, they destroyed our party office in Umuokpara, we reported the matter to the police and nothing happened. They went about the city of Umuahia saying that PPA was dead; they even placed a coffin at the secretariat. They have destroyed our posters and billboards in Aba. “We don’t know what we have done to Abia State government, yet it was our party that produced the incumbent governor; they are death threats but I am happy they are not gods. The fact that we are peaceful does not mean we are cowards. “They should remember that there is freedom of association, worship and expression, they are

trying to show that they are lawless and tyrants while claiming to be democrats,” he said. He said the government was scared because of non performance. The chairman called on the electorate to vote according to their conscience and not be swayed by monetary inducements, which he said was the reason “they packed the money instead

£55,747

of working with it.” According to the chairman, he was informed of the explosion at about 7pm on Sunday while he was in Ukwa with the secretary and deputy governorship candidate of the party, Chief Uche Enyioko for the final of a football match he organised. He said he put calls across to supporters to go there

The daily salary of Wayne Rooney of Manchester United. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

36,700

and see what could be done but by the time they got to the scene the traders around the complex and bystanders had helped to put out the fire. Okafor further narrated that it was discovered that the explosion was caused by a locally made improvised explosive device contained in two paint tins connected with a motorcycle battery,

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

saying that though no life was lost, the explosion blew open the pipe that bore water to the overhead tank which also helped to put out the raging fire. Prince Okafor said upon the discovery he invited a police patrol team which confirmed the items as explosive and took the tins away. He said the anti bomb unit had come to the

27%

The percentage of the population under 15 years in Cook Islands in 2012. Source: Un.org

scene and investigation was still ongoing. When the PPRO, ASP Geoffrey Ogbonna, was contacted he said he was yet to get the signal since yesterday was Sunday. When the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr ACB Agbazuere was contacted he was not forthcoming with reaction saying he was far away.

45.93

The teledensity of Nigeria in 2008. Source: Ncc.gov.ng

L-R: Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu State, Mr. Victor Atuonwu; Secretary to the State government (SSG), Mr. Amaechi Okolo; Governor Sullivan Chime; his Deputy, Rev. Ifeanyi Nwoye and Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, at a prayer session to mark the beginning of the New Year in Enugu...yesterday

Ojukwu’s wish fulfilled by Ndigbo, says Umeh

Udensi to launch campaign Jan 22

he National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Victor Umeh, yesterday said Ndigbo had fulfilled the wish of the late Igbo leader , Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, through the symbolic mass burial to victims of the Nigerian civil war of 1967-1970. He stated that throughout his tutelage under Ojukwu, that had always been the late sage’s greatest wish and concern, adding “ today Ojukwu wiil be the happiest man in his gave”. Umeh, who is also the senatorial candidate of APGA for Anambra Central district in next month’s general election, said with the honour done to those fallen Igbo in the war, most Igbo leaders would now be more motivated to champion the people’s cause , with the hope

that in the event of any misfortune in their bid , they would be remembered by their people. The APGA candidate, expressed gratitude to the Anambra state governor , Chief Willie Obiano and Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka for facilitating the funeral. Speaking on the occasion, Obiano, said the victims paid the supreme sacrifice for national unity of the country. He described the Igbo as the most successful black people in the world who have set high standards in nearly every field of human endeavour. The governor likened the event to the Jewish efforts to honour the memory of the Holocaust as well as the recent efforts to commemorate the Rwandan Genocide in Kigali. He said“today, we honour them in words and deeds”.

Norman Obinna he Progressive Peoples Alliance, (PPA), gubernatorial candidate, Sir Chikwe Udensi, has declared that he would kick start his political campaign for the February 28, governorship election, promising to return traders who were displaced by the Abia State Government from their Isi gate location, to their former place if elected. Udensi, who made this promise at Rock View Hotels, Owerri,

Imo State at the weekend during a meeting with some South-east political stalwart noted that the forceful eviction of the traders from Isi gate Umuahia was ill-conceived and has therefore added to the sufferings of the entire Abia citizens. While questioning Abia State government rationale behind its decision to forcefully eject the traders without any alternative location, the governorship candidate said that Umuahia, de-

serves to rank among other states capitals in the area of expansion of major roads especially the access roads to enable it attract multinational industries and other investors. “Go to Ikeja which is the capital of Lagos State and you will see that the popular computer village and Ipodo market are situated at the heart of the town and fortunately at the Obafemi Awolowo Street that leads to Government Secretariat, Alausa.

“The presence of these markets did not in anyway deface the city or disrupt activities around Ikeja, rather, in its wisdom, the Lagos State government reconstructed the roads, put proper plan on ground and today, the markets especially the computer village have become a great revenue generating source for the State government. “Abians are resourceful traders that need to be supported by government rather than being maltreated,” he added.

‘Abia govt, PDP, jittery over Buhari’s popularity’ IGBEAKU ORJI UMUAHIA

he Abia State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Nyerere Ayim, has described as disappointing the reaction of the Abia state traditional rulers council and the state gov-

ernment over the conferment of a chieftain title of Ogbuagu of Aba on the APC presidential candidate and former Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari , by the traditional ruler of Eziama Aba, Eze Isaac Ikonne, saying this was a sign of jitters by the government and the PDP

over the support the APC candidate has garnered in the state. The gover norship candidate lamented that when the country was in need of peace and unity some people are opposed to the conferment of a chieftaincy title on a prominent citizen from another part of the

country. Nyerere, who reacted through a phone call said it was obvious that the Abia State government and the PDP were not comfortable with the reception the APC presidential candidate got in Aba, which he said was an indication of his acceptability to the people.

News

SOUTH-SOUTH

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Rivers APC demands probe into secretariat bombing

ollowing the alleged bombing of its local government secretariat, members of the All Progressives Congress APC in Rivers State, from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt. The protesters, comprising youths, and women, urged the police to do more to protect the people of the state, especially those contesting for political offices in the party. The protesters, who were in their hundreds,

68.71%

and led by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Tony Okocha, sang, danced moved to the headquarters of the State Police Command, along Moscow Road. It will be recalled that three supporters of Tony Okocha, a House of Representative candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency were allegedly inflicted with matchet cuts by suspected political thugs as they were preparing to attend a rally in Rumueme community. Similarly, the APC secretariat in Okrika, Okrika

Local Government Area was bombed on Sunday by suspected political thugs. Some of the protesters carried placards, which reads: “Are APC members in Obio/Akpor not Nigerians?”, “Police aiding PDP thugs in Obio/Akpor”, “We want Police Protection in Obio/Akpo”, “This one is not democracy, it is dictatorship”, “Police supervised manhandling of APC members in Rumuolumeni, Okocha, who spoke in presence of the State Police Commissioner, Dan Bature,

The percentage of individuals using The life expectancy of women at the internet in Germany in 2005. birth in Mozambique in 2010-2015. Source: National Bureau of Statistics Source: Un.org

lamented the violence allegedly being carried out against the APC in Obio/ Akpor by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that it was the reason behind the protest. He said that APC supporters will not resort to violence no matter the provocation. Okocha said: “We (APC) in Obio/Akpo assure you that we will not be violent. The whole idea of a political party is for you to sell your ideas and philosophies to the public in a peaceful way

The annual population growth rate of South America in 2010-2015. Source: Un.org

to win elections and a form a government. “We are not in the business of destroying billboards and campaign materials. So, let them (PDP) desist from destroying ours and attacking our members. That is why we came to formally complain to you.” Bature, who also addressed the protesters, said the police remain a responsible institution that will continue to protect all the political parties during the general elections, and lauded them for being peaceful in their protest.

879,723

The total population of Republic of Cyprus (rep. 0.013% of world’s population) in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

L-R: Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) Vice-Chairman, Chief Ejiroghene Bodjor; APC governorship candidate, Olorogun Otega Emerhor and APC Chairman, Prophet Jones Ode Erue, at a media interactive session in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Delta: At last, Nwaoboshi gets PDP senatorial ticket Dominic Adewole ASABA

ndications emerged yesterday that the former Delta State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, has emerged as the senatorial candidate of the party, laying to rest the claim that that the wife of the former national chairman of the party, Mrs. Maria Ali, was being considered as the party flag bearer. It was reliably gathered in Asaba yesterday that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the party’s gubernatorial candidate would kick-off campaigns with the presentation of flags to the party’s flag bearers at the Oghara Township Stadium, in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state. “During the event, the three senatorial candidates, 10 House of Representatives candidates and 29 state House of Assembly flag bearers, would receive the party flags”, said Dr. Festus Okubor, Chairman, Media and Publicity subcommittee. Those to be handed on flag, the New Telegraph gathered include the incumbent Senator James Manager, representing Delta South, the former Senior Special Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Ighoyota Amori and Nwaoboshi.

PDP secures Boki support for C’River LP dismisses no senatorial candidates rumour But Ibok, who insisted lius Okpotu for Northern a purported position that Ayade, other PDP candidates Clement James the party would not field that Otu would contest, districts. These are credClement James CALABAR

he Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in Cross River State, has secured the support of the people of Boki Local Government, under the aegis of Boki Solidarity Front (BSF) who said they have backed all PDP candidates in the February election in the state over the party’s credible performance. The Director-General of the group, Mr. Alvis Ochang, who spoke against the backdrop of some members of the party crossing to other parties, stated yesterday in Ntamante, Boki Local Government Area, that Boki people were solidly behind PDP candidates and will vote overwhelmingly for their success in the coming elections. According to him, all candidates of the party at both national and state

levels have performed well by providing social infrastructure and other amenities which have enhanced the lives of the people. “And this is why we have decided to pledge our support for all the party’s candidates, beginning from President Goodluck Jonathan, Sen. Ben Ayade (Governorship), National Assembly candidates for the three senatorial districts, as well as the State Assembly candidates, ‘’ Ochang said. The Boki leader, revealed that the group was mobilizing both financial and moral support for all the party’s candidates to ensure that they emerged victorious. He, however, said that as a political support group, it would consult with the party’s candidates on discussions that would enhance the development of Boki nation after the general election.

Calabar

he Cross River State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has debunked the claim that the party would not present candidates for Senatorial election in the three senatorial districts of the state. The State Chairman of the party, Mr. Austin Ibok, made this clarification on Monday while reacting to

Dominic Adewole ASABA

he 25 council Chairmen, under the auspices of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) yesterday declared support for the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State. The association categorically urged the party’s flag-bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, to ignore threat by the Urhobo Po-

candidates for the senatorial election. Recently, there have been rumours that those who defected to the LP, after the State PDP primaries have been dropped, following the omission of Sen. Bassey Otu, from the list of senatorial candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

also listed Dr. Sandy Onor and Dr. Julius Okpotu, all of them former PDP members vying for the senate seats in the Southern, Central and Northern senatorial districts respectively on the platform of the party. “As I speak to you now, we have Sen. Bassey Otu for for South, Dr Sandy Onor for Central and Ju-

ible candidates that will shake the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State. Probably, that is why they are flying false rumours,” he said. The LP chairman added that the party in the state was a credible and viable alternative to the PDP and urged its supporters to remain steadfast.

ALGON promises massive votes for Okowa litical Union (UPU) that it would muster support for either the Labour Party’s candidate, Chief Great Ogboru or the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor. The Urhobo, in the Delta Central district of the state are said to be aggrieved over the inability the PDP’s candidate of Urhobo extraction Chief

David Edevbie, to win the party’s ticket during last year’s primaries of the party in the state. Besides, the association is querrying the whereabouts of the opposition parties when the ruling party swept the council polls in the state on October 25, last year. Speaking during the solidarity visit of the group to Okowa Cam-

paign Headquarters in Asaba, its Acting Chairman, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, vowed to mobilize effectively for PDP victory, come February 28. Ikpokpo, also chairman of Isoko South Local Government, flanked by his colleagues, said the association would make sure that virtually all the votes go to Senator Okowa.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

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NORTH

Yero promises ‘fire for fire’ in Kaduna Ibraheem Musa KADUNA

aduna State governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in next month’s election, has said that he will not be intimidated by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, saying that he will match the party ‘fire for fire.’

The governor, who stated this yesterday while flagging off his 2015 governorship campaign, said recent indices have shown that the opposition APC has been behaving as if it has a monopoly of violence. Governor Yero, who was visibly angry, said it is time to call the opposition to order, warning that they would be ‘given a taste of their own medi-

cine if they continue the way they are doing.’ He said: “Reports reaching us show that when PDP members went to places like Zaria and Angwan-Kanawa to campaign, they were being attacked by thugs sponsored by APC, but it is time that they should know that we are ready for them. Our silence is never a sign of weakness. “Let me challenge you,

if you are true biological sons of your fathers, come out and attack us when we are going out on our campaign and see if we will not retaliate,” the governor challenged the opposition, adding that; “If you want to destroy or burn any of our party member's property, your own will be the first to be destroyed. So the choice is yours.” Yero also took a swipe

at Malam Nasiru elRufai, the governorship candidate of the APC and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saying that he is not an indigene of Kaduna State. “So, he should go back to his home state and contest,” Yero declared. He continued: “Then, he was a minister of the FCT, which is higher than a governor, what did he do for the state? It was

We’ll deliver Plateau to PDP, says Dati Musa Pam JOS

member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Committee on Planning, Research and Strategy, Hon. Yakubu Dati, has said that the people of Plateau State will vote massively for the party at all levels in the 2015 general election. Dati said Plateau State has been a traditional home of the PDP and would not afford to fail the party this time around. Speaking in Tunkus, headquarters of Mikang Local Government during the reception he organised for the Director General of GNS Pwajok Campaign Organisation, Dati said members of the party will work very hard to deliver their candidates from the House of Assembly, to the Presidency. According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan, has delivered on his promises, adding that what remains now is for the administration to consolidate on the gains of the last four years. Dati, who was a former chairman of the council and one time commissioner for information in the state, urged the people to come out in large numbers and vote PDP, starting with the February14 presidential election. He said: “Plateau State has been a traditional home of the PDP. We did in 2011; we are going to do the same in 2015,” adding that appointing Kungmi, who is the chairman of the local government as the director general of the campaign, was an eloquent testimony to the confidence Governor Jonah Jang and the PDP have in Mikang people to deliver. Kungmi, also speaking, said he will work hard to deliver not only GNS Pwajok as the governor, but the entire candidates of the party in all the elections.

the same office he headed that the present occupant from Bauchi State is heading and he came and built a multi-million naira mosque for learned Islamic cleric, Sheik Dairu Bauchi. “I am throwing an open challenge to him, (because I am from Zaria and he also claimed to be from Zaria), to come out and show his contribution to the development of the town. It is high time that the opposition think wisely and call their supporters to order,” he said. The governor, however, lambasted PDP candidates who retreated in the face of the opposition’s intimidation, especially when their supporters were attacked. He charged them to fill the streets with their campaign posters without habouring fear about anybody.

Kwara speaker laments deduction from state funds Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

T Outgoing Adamawa State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Kasim Gaidam (right), handing over to his successor, Alhaji Baba Yusuf, in Yola …yesterday. PHOTO-NAN

Kebbi to boost tourism, others with new airport ECONOMIC BOOST

State mulls export of agric products through new airport

Wole Shadare

he Director-General of Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birin Kebbi, Abubakar Mohammed, has said that the state government intends to boost tourism in the country with the construction of an airport in the state. He said the airport was also meant to boost

the exportation of farm produce, enhance socioeconomic development and prepare the state for foreign investment. Mohammed said the state currently exports farm produce like onions, maize and rice to North African countries, Asia and also to local markets in Lagos, Kano, the South East and South-South as the largest onion and rice producer in the country. He said: “Because the state lacks its own airport before now, its farmers, assisted by the state government, faced rigorous and unprofitable process of first transporting the farm produce over 150 ki-

UNILORIN VC calls for electronic-voting Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

he Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has advocated the adoption of the electronic voting system for national elections in the country. Ambali, who made the

call during the swearing in of new Unilorin Postgraduate Students Association (POGSASS) executive committee members elected last December through electronic voting system, said the call became necessary following the success recorded by the institutions in two separate elections within seven months.

lometres to the airport in Sokoto, before exporting them. In the same vein, he said the farmers used trucks to move 1, 500 tonnes of onions daily out of Kebbi to the markets in the southern states of the country through largely bad roads. Mohammed told New Telegraph yesterday that to empower the farmers economically, the state government realised that exporting the produce from airport in the state would be cost-saving, more profitable and less rigorous for the farmers, hence the construction of the airport.

He said the facility would attract international cargo and passenger airlines in the near future, considering the huge agriculture and investment potential of the state. “Airports create spontaneous reactions in the movement of persons and goods wherever they are cited. Hitherto our people used the Kano Airport to export and bring in goods here, some even used Sokoto and the Lagos Airports, but with the capability of this airport to handle bigger aircraft, you can make arrangement to deliver any size of cargo at the door step of the people here,” he said.

Dodo: I will unseat PDP govt in Taraba Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

he Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) gubernatorial candidate in Taraba State, Kabiru Dodo, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of 16 years of misrule in the state. He said the party has

mismanaged the state’s funds, saying that he has decided to answer the call of Taraba people to come and salvage the state. Dodo made the assertion at the weekend while speaking with journalists in Jalingo, the state capital. He said PDP as the party that is ruling the state since the return of democracy in 1999, lacks accountability.

he Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Razak Atunwa, has expressed displeasure over the indiscriminate deduction of the states’ funds from the Federation Account by the Federal Government, saying it has crippled most states of the federation and has stopped them from performing their statutory responsibilities. Atunwa, who made the remark in Iloirn, while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the inability of most state governments to embark on more capital projects is linked to the dwindling revenue and the indiscriminate deduction of funds from the Federation Account by the Federal Government. The speaker, who is also the Director-General of the APC Campaign Committee in the state, said it has become imperative for Nigerians to vote for APC candidates in the coming general election to effect the needed change in the country and to further make democracy meaningful to the people. According to the Director of Publicity for the campaign, Alhaji Kayode Omotoshe, the speaker expressed confidence in the ability of General Muhammadu Buhari, in tackling corruption and insecurity, which according to him, had retarded the progress of the country.

50 News

WORLD | News

Senate resumes plenary

Foreign ministers gather in Berlin to seek Ukraine progress

Chukwu David Abuja

he senate will resume in plenary today after a three-week Christmas and New Year recess, to continue with some of the pending legislative matters before the seventh assembly winds up in June. The first item to be considered by the chamber immediately on resumption is the 2015-2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and

Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP). The senate will also commence consideration of the N4.357 trillion 2015 Appropriation Bill, which was presented to the National Assembly in December 2014 by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. This information was contained in the Senate Notice Paper, which was made available to New Telegraph yesterday by the office of the Chairman, Senate Committee

on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang. Expectedly, Senate may also conclude the amendments of the 1999 Constitution, which includes the issue of financial autonomy for state legislatures as already approved by the National Assembly and state assemblies. Confirming this, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said the 2015 Budget and the Constitution Amendment Bill, would receive the utmost attention of the senate on the resumption of plenary.

‘Edo governor’s aides didn’t beat Catholic priest’ Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

do State government yesterday denied media report that aides to the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, beat up a Catholic priest at Ujogba, in Esan South-East Council area of the state. It described as ‘mere fabrication’ the report at the weekend by a private television station, the Independent Television (ITV) owned by a popular

business magnate and politician, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in which it said the governor’s aides allegedly beat up the cleric, whose name was given as Rev. Fr. Peter Udo. The state government in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Peter Okhiria and made available to newsmen in Benin City, said the report was “callous, malicious and wicked,” stressing that it portrayed

falsehood in order to ‘denigrate the Oshiomhole’s administration.’ “While we state that the governor was never at Ujogba as reported by the TV station, the governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is known to be proudly Catholic and has boasted about his faith at many fora. The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Pius Odubu, is also a practicing Catholic as well as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe.”

ermany's foreign minister is hosting his counterparts from Russia, Ukraine and France to try to calm the Ukrainian crisis and clear the way for a summit of the countries' leaders. The Berlin meeting yesterday evening follows a flurry of diplomacy, including a brief weekend encounter in Paris between the German, French and Ukrainian leaders. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also has spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and met the president of Kazakhstan, the possible host of a fourway summit on Ukraine.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Merkel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier are pushing for progress on implementing a much-violated Ukraine peace deal drawn up in September. But Berlin says a substantial narrowing of differences between Ukraine and Russia is needed for a summit to take place. The Kremlin also said yesterday that prospects for the summit depend on the Berlin talks. The two sides have remained wide apart. Ukraine and the proRussian rebels have failed to agree on a front line and fighting in eastern Ukraine has escalated in recent days. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

sternly warned Ukraine yesterday against trying to crush the pro-Russian rebellion by force. He said Russia expects the West to use its influence with Kiev to discourage it from launching another offensive, adding that it "will be a catastrophe." The separatist leader in the city of Donetsk, Alexander Zakharchenko, told local television yesteday that Ukraine has been violating a truce agreement. Since last week, heavy artillery has been booming around Donetsk. Zakharchenko said artillery attacks by Ukrainian forces indicated Kiev is unilaterally backing away from the peace process.

Oshiomhole congratulates Emir of Zaria, Tambuwal Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

do State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday congratulated the Emir of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris, on his 40th coronation anniversary. The governor also felicitated with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, on his 49th birthday. Oshiomhole in two separate letters to both eminent citizens lauded them for their outstanding contributions to national growth and development.

In his letter to the monarch on behalf of the Government and people of Edo State, the governor paid glowing tribute to the emir and to “celebrate with him on this momentous occasion of his landmark 40th coronation anniversary, as Emir of Zazzau.” He said: “Under your royal highness’s glorious reign, Zazzau Emirate witnessed phenomenal socio-economic, political, educational and cultural advancement and, more than at any time in its history affirmed its status as a world-renowned Emirate, centre of learning and

scholarship, and a home for all Nigerians. Governor Oshiomhole also said Tambuwal’s contribution and personality remain ‘significant,’ that at such a young age, he has “chosen the path less travelled and accordingly re-defined the Nigerian political landscape by your uncommon courage, discipline, selflessness and patriotism.” He said: “This is evident in your unequivocal identification with the hopes and aspiration of Nigerian people, in our quest to build a more just, fair and democratic nation.”

EFCC arrests businessman over N3.8bn loan Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said it has arrested the Managing Director (MD) of Vegefresh company limited, Mr. Samuel Joseph. A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Joseph, who is also the MD of Rhema Doormart West

Africa Limited, and Plywood and Chemicals Accessories, was picked up for allegedly diverting a loan facility of N3, 828,756,877.61, which he was said to have obtained from an old generation bank. The statement reads in part: "A Lagos businessman, who allegedly diverted N3.8billion loan secured from an old generation bank has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Samuel Joseph Manag-

ing Director of Vegefresh Company Limited, Rhema Doormart West Africa Limited, and Plywood and Chemicals Accessories was picked up this morning by operatives of the Commission in Lagos. "The suspect is alleged to have collected N3, 828,756,877.61 (Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Seventy Seven Naira, Sixty One Kobo) from the bank in tranches."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu addressing the media at the Chancellery in Berlin,yesterday.

Burundi boycotts UN election mission launch

urundi's government yesterday boycotted the launch of the UN observer mission for elections in May and June, as concern mounts over the risk of violence in the key polls. Foreign affairs spokesman Daniel Kabuto said there were "technical problems" concerning the exact role of the mission, saying it lacks the authority to verify the final results, something he says can be done only by the electoral commission, known as Ceni. "We asked for

an election observation mission, not for a validation of the elections," Kabuto told AFP. "For the government, the validation of elections is the prerogative of Ceni, it's very clear; there cannot be any debate about that." While the government was absent, opposition leaders, civil society activists and foreign diplomats attended the ceremony launching the mission, known by its acronym in French, MENUB. Burundi, a small nation in central Africa's Great Lakes region, emerged in

2006 from a brutal 13-year civil war and its political climate remains fractious ahead of the polls. President Pierre Nkurunziza, in power since 2005, is expected to run for a third term in office despite opponents' claims that a new mandate would violate Burundi's constitution. "Elections are being held at a crucial time in the history of Burundi," said UN election observer chief Cassam Uteem, a former president of the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius.

Pope: Fundamentalist terrorism, result of ‘deviant religion'

ope Francis yesterday denounced the religious fundamentalism that inspired the Paris massacres and ongoing Mideast conflicts, saying the attackers were enslaved by "deviant forms of religion" that used God as a mere ideological pretext to perpetuate

mass killings. In his annual foreign policy address to Vatican-based ambassadors, Francis called for a unanimous response from the international community to end "fundamentalist terrorism" in the Mideast. And he called for Muslim leaders in particular to

condemn "extremist interpretations" of their faith that seek to justify such violence. The leader of the 1.2-billion strong Catholic Church has stepped up his call for Muslim political, religious and intellectual leaders to vocally insist that Islam doesn't condone such violence.

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

International Sport

Sports News

AFCON 2015

Yaya hails home-based Eagles

Ronaldo wins 2014 fifa Ballon d’or

Cameroon coach tips Bafana to surprise teams

Sport

Did you know? That the first African player in the English Premier League was Peter Ndlovu for Coventry City in Aug 1992

AFCON: Nigeria’s absence a big miss –Kalusha

l Says Nigeria must resolve crisis Ajibade Olusesan

frica football legend, Kalusha Bwalya, has said that he is pained Nigeria will not participate at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. The former Africa Footballer of the Year said in an exclusive interview with our correspondent that Nigeria was a big country and the whole of Africa would miss the defending champions at the continental showpiece. “It is unfortunate that Nigeria will not be at the tournament. Nigeria will be greatly missed because they have been the powerhouse, they have the best players, the best of everything and it is a pity we will not see them there,” he said. When asked to comment on how embarrassing the crisis that engulfed Nigeria in recent times was to the Confederation of Africa Football and the rest of the continent, the CAF execu-

tive member said that he hoped stakeholders in Nigerian football would sort out the issues. “We are busy in our respective countries and it is not up to me to tell Nigeria what to do but I am appealing to them to sort out whatever the problems are so that Nigeria can return to its rightful position in football,” he said. The ex-footballer however hailed goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama for making the top three in the 2014 Africa Player of the Year Awards, saying the goalie has what it takes to win the award in the future. “Yaya Toure deserves the award but I will also congratulate Enyeama. He had a wonderful year and he will get the award in the future,” Bwalya said. The former PSV of Holland player also said that it was difficult to predict the winner of 2015 AFCON saying that Algeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Zambia could be considered as

frontrunners. “It is difficult to talk about who will win AFCON because Ghana, Algeria and some other big teams are ctaking part in the tournament, and I am also hoping that Zambia can win it once again. However, maybe after the first five matches we may have an idea of who will win the title,” he said.

Kalusha

Lack of facilities bane of sports development, says Udo -Obong The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sports Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sports

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sports Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sports Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sports Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya

ormer international, Enefiok Udo-Obong, has said that the major problem affecting sports development in Nigeria is lack of major sporting facilities. Reacting to the inability of Nigerian athletes to compete favourably with sportsmen from other parts of the world, UdoObong said the country lacked standard facilities to prepare the athletes in various sports. “Some of the facilities are not up to international standard, even at that the facilities are not accessible

Udo-Obong

to athletes for preparation. “For example having access to the main bowl of the National Stadium in Lagos with some athletes to train is a big issue, we

are given only two hours a day only on Mondays and Fridays to train. “I can’t even train an athlete for two hours, the minimum daily should be three and half hours, but when you have just two hours in only two days out of a week, it can’t adequate. “Even the facilities are not available, we are just trying to make do with what we can get. Coaches and athletes keep complaining about the facilities available,” the Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist in 4x400 metres relay (the silver the Nigerian relay quartet won initially

was upgraded to gold after the United States team tested positive for drugs) said. He however added that facilities didn’t refer to training equipment alone but other materials to prepare athletes. He said: “When we are talking about facilities, we are not talking about those for training alone; there should also be medical facilities, recovery facilities, as well as the welfare of the athlete in the mix. Basically once you have where to train and the resources that encourage you to train, then sports will improve.”

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Yaya hails home-based Eagles lAdmits Elephants were lucky Ifeanyi Ibeh

eigning African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure, has showered encomiums on the Super Eagles for their display in last Sunday’s friendly match in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, admitting that he and his fellow Elephants still cannot believe the team they came up against consisted mostly of players plying their trade in Nigeria. The Super Eagles, com-

prising of players from the domestic league, with the exception of Steve Ukoh, who plays his football in Switzerland and came into the fray as a second half substitute, lost by a lone goal to the Ivoirians in a game the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations champions used as a preparatory tie ahead of the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea. The only goal of the encounter between the West African rivals arrived in the 83rd minute through Salomon Kalou, and Toure

Moses’ return excites Stoke boss Olaide Olayinka

ark Hughes is delighted to have Victor Moses Ivory Coast’s Gervinho (left)moving back in his squad but with the ball against Nigeria’s Egwuekwe Azubuike (right) during an says Stoke will have to be careful with the Chelsea winger. international friendly on Sunday Moses joined the Potters on a season-long loan deal from the Blues in the summer and was impressive dent, secretary and the LOC chairman in the first-team until he was hit by reported to me. The council saw what a nasty thigh injury that ruled him we have on ground with a promise that out for seven weeks. The Nigerian international was work would soon commence on the other on the bench against Arsenal on facilities. We applied to host and we’re not Sunday but Hughes says he will not joking about it. That’s why as soon as we rush him back into the first-team got it, we started preparing for it,” said just yet. Kucha. “Victor is back in the group and He added: “As a government estabhe looks okay, he looks sharp, but lishment, there are processes that must whether or not he is ready to start be followed. As we speak, processes for that’s something I need to mull some of the facilities to come on board over,” Hughes was quoted as saying are already on and I can assure you that in English newspaper, the Sunday our October target for all the facilities to Express. being on ground and ready for use will “But credit to Chelsea, he’s come be achieved.” back well in terms of the rehab Kucha concluded by stating that the they gave him. He’s bang on track. university is working towards adding We’ll be careful because prior to his more football pitches, and indoor halls injury he was arguably our best perfor table tennis, badminton, volleyball, former .” basketball and other indoor sports.

NUGA 2015: Host VC upbeat on facilities Ifeanyi Ibeh

he Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Professor Emmanuel Kucha , is confident his institution will have all its facilities ready, and in time, for the November takeoff date of the 25th edition of the Nigerian University Games, NUGA 2015. Kucha, while fielding questions on the host institution’s readiness for the Games, noted that there was absolutely no reason for the NUGA Council to have doubts over their readiness, as work was already in progress to ensure that construction of the facilities commenced by March. “We’ll do the Games and very well too. NUGA Council had their meeting here in Makurdi and I must say that the outcome was not bad from what the NUGA presi-

was quoted by the Nigerian team’s media officer as saying that, at some point during the game, he felt he and his teammates were playing against a team consisting of overseasbased players rather than players from the Nigerian domestic league. “At a point I had to tell my teammates to slow down the pace of the game and when we scored we could not wait for the final whistle, because the boys were all over us,” said the Manchester City midfielder.

Ibile Games 2015: Organiser set deadline for registration Charles Ogundiya

he Main Organising Committee of the Lagos State Secondary Schools Sports Festival, tagged Ibile Games 2015, has said that the ongoing registration for the competition will close on Friday, January 16. With 13 days to the January 26 commencement date of the competition, 174 schools have so far registered for the 12-day event which ends on February 6. The MOC, in a statement, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Sports, Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, Sewedo Whenu, said that entry forms for participation in the Games could still be collected at various centres across the state. Whenu, who said that Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, has made available all resources and logistical support for a successful organisation of the Games, also stated that forms were available in Junior Secondary School category, Senior Secondary School category and open category. Events to be competed for at the Games are athletics, chess, gymnastics, scrabble, swimming, weightlifting, boxing, judo, karate, taekwondo, wrestling, badminton, table tennis, tennis and squash. There will also be athletics and table tennis events for deaf athletes.

Ahlysplash$210,000onBayelsa’sEbimobowei Emmanuel Tobi

gyptian Champions Al-Ahly have signed Bayelsa United striker, Peter Ebimobowei, in a deal worth $210,000. The 22-year-old right-footed forward who was nominated for the Player of the Season in the 2014 League Bloggers Awards, finished last season as third leading scorer in the Nigeria Professional League with 18 goals. Ahly are set to unleash their new striker when they face arch-rivals Zamalek in the Cairo derby on January 29 as they are bidding for their 38th Egyptian Premier League title, the ninth in a row. The Red Devils are now in fourth

place in the Egyptian Premier League table in the current campaign with 28 points, 12 points behind leaders Zamalek but they have three games in hand. Ahly also hold a record of seven African Champions league trophies, and last year won Egypt’s first CAF Confederation Cup.

Glo/CAF Awards Predict & Win Big Promo winner Princewill Nwosu receiving the key of a brand new 2015 Mercedez Benz G-Wagon from Globacom’s Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Ashok Israni alongside Glo Ambassadors, Helen Paul (exteme left) and Naeto C (extreme right) at the Mike Adenuga Towers on Monday. Photo: Suleiman Husaini

Ebimobowei

ITF Junior Circuit: Four Nigerian in S/final Glo gives out N35m Benz G-Wagon to promo winner our Nigerian players yesterday The winning streak of Nigerian

booked their places in the semifinal of the on-going 2015 African Junior Tennis Circuit in Lome Togo. The four players are Martins Abamu, Godsgift Timibra, Adetayo Adetunji and Angel McCleod. In the Boys 16 and Under, Abamu defeated Mannou Sylvester of Benin Republic 6-2, 6-1 while Timibra defied the crowd to beat Togo’s Sewabu Jacques 6-4, 6-2.

players was extended by Adetayo and McCleod who defeated opponents from Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire respectively. National junior tennis coach, Mohammed Ubale, expressed confidence in the players declaring they are unstoppable in their quest to clinch the top prize. “Our preparation for the championship has really helped the players.”

rincewill Nwosu, 39-year old, Lagos-based transport manager, on Monday received the grand prize in the Glo-CAF Awards Predict and Win Big promo, a brand new 2015 Mercedes Benz GWagon from telecoms company, Globacom. The company’s Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Mr.

Ashok Israni, formally presented the car to Mr. Nwosu at an event at Globacom’s Head Office, Lagos with Globacom brand ambassadors, Naeto C and Helen Paul, in attendance. Nwosu won the high-end SUV, valued at N35 million at a draw conducted during the Glo-CAF awards ceremony

which was held at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos last Thursday. The promo required subscribers to correctly predict any of the winners in three Glo-CAF Awards categories: African Footballer of the year, African Female Player of the year and African Coach of the Year.

International Sport 53

NEW TELEGRAPH TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Ronaldo wins 2014 fifa Ballon d’or

ristiano Ronaldo is officially the world’s best player for the second straight year as he received the 2014 Ballon d’Or on Monday night. The Real Madrid and Portugal forward was awarded FIFA’s top individual honour over Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Ronaldo, 29, took home the award for the third time in his career, after also winning it in 2008. Ronaldo and Messi have been the only players to receive the award since then, with the

Argentine earning the honour for four straight years from 2009-2012. Ronaldo set a record by scoring 17 goals in last season’s Champions League, guiding Madrid to their 10th title, the long-awaited La Decima. He scored twice in the semi-finals against Bayern Munich and the crowning goal in the final against Atletico Madrid. This season, he has scored a remarkable 26 goals in 16 games in La Liga, and an additional five goals in six Champions League games. Nadine Kessler of Germany won the Woman Footballer of

the Year award. Japanese journalist, Hiroshi Kagawa, receives the FIFA Presidential award. The veteran journalist covered his tenth World Cup at Brazil 2014, and he is honoured for his outstanding service to the sport. The journalist who also covered the 1979 FIFA U-20 World Cup joins footballing royalty Pele, Sir Alex Ferguson and Franz Beckenbauer on the honour roll of the prestigious award.

How they fared

Ronaldo – Messi – Neuer –

37.66% 15.76% 15.72%

Van Gaal killing Man Utd, Koeman blasts

outhampton manager Ronald Koeman has claimed that Louis van Gaal’s tactics are holding Manchester United back, reports Goal.com. The Dutchman believes that the Red Devils find it difficult to build up attacks when they are Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo smiles after receiving playing in what appears to be his the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or award compatriot’s preferred system of three at the back. The Mancunian club did not have a single shot on target during their 1-0 defeat to the Saints. “You know that they have diffiFIFA WORLD COACH OF THE YEAR culties to build up with three cenFOR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL: tre-backs,” the Southampton boss Ralf Kellermann

2015 FIFA GALA HIGHLIGHTS MEN’S WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Cristiano Ronaldo WOMEN’S WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nadine Kessler FIFA PUSKAS AWARD: James Rodriguez FIFA WORLD COACH OF THE YEAR FOR MEN’S FOOTBALL: Joachim Low

FIFPro XI: Neuer; Lahm, Ramos, David Luiz, Thiago Silva; Di Maria, Iniesta, Kroos; Messi, Ronaldo, Robben FIFA PRESIDENTIAL AWARD: Hiroshi Kagawa FIFA FAIR PLAY AWARD: FIFA Volunteers

Koeman

Champions League show gives Cameroon coach tips Bafana to surprise teams ameroon head coach Volker on Saturday, with Sibusiso Vilakazi me AFCON call-up - Gcaba Finke believes South Africa bagging the equaliser after Vincent

Aboubakar had opened the scoring early on. The South Africans contest Group C with Algeria, Ghana and Senegal, but Finke has warned those teams not to take Shakes Mashaba’s men too lightly. “Yes they (South Africa) are in a tough group but they are doing well,” he told reporters. “While preparing for our match against them, I watched tapes of their last two games - the 2-1 win over Sudan and the 2-2 draw against Nigeria - I can tell you now, many teams are in for a surprise from South Africa.”

Leekens backs Algeria for success T

you need really good players to stop that,” he said. The win meant that the 51-year-old’s team leapfrogged van Gaal’s side to go third in the Premier League.

Transfer News Higuain link to Liverpool

ver the past few weeks, Liverpool have O been linked with a £30m move for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain. Mark

Burton of the Independent wrote in the weekend that Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is looking to bring the Argentine to Anfield which would well pave for Mario Balotelli’s exit from the club. The report states that the Merseyside giants to desperate to bolster their attacking options with Daniel Sturridge suffering along term injury and with Balotelli drawing balnks, the void left by Luis Suarez’s departure is yet to be filled.

Allegri denies Balotelli interest

COUNTDOWN TO 2015 AFCON

rlando Pirates’ Ayanda Gcaba, has atcould be a surprise package tributed his call-up to Bafana Bafana’s at the upcoming 2015 Africa Africa Cup of Nations squad to the Cup of Nations. Bucs’ run in the CAF Champions League The Indomitable Lions were in 2013. held to a 1-1 draw by Bafana Bafana Gcaba who will be jetting out of the country this week ahead of the 2015 AFCON tournament in Equatorial Guinea with Bafana was called up to replace his Orlando Pirates teammate Patrick Phungwayo in the squad. The Buccaneers reached the final of Africa’s premier club competition, the Champions League, in 2013 as they lost to Egypt’s Al Ahly on aggregate. However, the former Free State Stars defender said it’s an honour for him and his family that he received the call to represent Volker his country at such a tournament. “I would like to thank coach Shakes (Mashaba) and his technical team for thinking that I could do the job,” said Gcaba. unisia coach Georges LeekThe 28-year-old rock solid defender played ens thinks that Algeria have the capacity to live up to expectations and win the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Algeria are currently Africa’s top ranked team and the only African side within the top 20 of the FIFA Men’s Rankings. The Desert Warriors also advanced to the round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where they forced eventual champions Ayanda (left) Germany into extra time, before

told reporters of his old adversary’s line-up. “(In) the second half we pressed them better than the first. They have a lot of qualities from the midfield to the attack, fantastic players, so

eventually losing the game 2-1. However, Leekens believes that this generation of Algerian footballers have the capacity to emerge from that group unscathed, which will be all the preparation they need as they bid for a second continental title. “Algeria are in the hardest group in this competition but they’re able to qualify and to win the title in the end,” Leekens told journalists on Monday.

uventus coach Massimiliano Allegri JLiverpool’s has denied media reports linking misfiring striker Mario

Balotelli with a move to the Turin giants in the winter transfer market. The Italy international has scored just two goals since joining Liverpool from AC Milan in a £16million transfer in August and has yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League this season. Allegri, who coached Balotelli at Milan before taking the helm of Juve in July, told Italian TV station RAI: “I think this is a made up story. “Balotelli has done very well with me but he belongs to Liverpool and he is not a player that can arrive at Juventus.”

Jovetic to join Juve

anchester City striker Stevan JoM vetic is the subject of interest from Juventus, and could be sold in

order to balance the books after the signing of Wilfred Bony from Swansea. A deal to take Bony to the Etihad from the Liberty stadium looks close to being agreed, giving City proven Premier League fire power in times when they cannot rely on superstar striker Sergio Aguero due to injury.

Valencia extend Nuno’s contract

have extended the deal of Vingalencia manager Nuno Espirito Santo, keepthe Portuguese under contract until

June 2018. The former Rio Ave boss was appointed as Juan Antonio Pizzi’s successor at the Mestalla in July, with his initial agreement set to expire at the end of the current campaign. However, with Valencia performing well in La Liga - sitting fifth after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo - the club has agreed a three-year extension.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fraser-Pryce is my greatest rival –Okagbare 2014 Commonwealth Games and African Championships 100m winner, Blessing Okagbare, in this interview with IAAF, offers an insight into all the best aspects of her life as an elite athlete. My best achievement I would say winning the 100m title at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last summer. It was huge for me. I pick that one because the level of my performance was quite different to any other major 100m final in my career. It is so much about that moment. It felt so easy and it was a great feeling. (Blessing won in a season’s best 10.85 and finished the year joint second on the 2014 100m world list). My best piece of coaching advice It is from my first coach, Calvin Robinson, at UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso). He said that I am blessed with so much talent but that I don’t even know it yet. He said, “keep pushing and no matter what happens you have to believe you are always going to be a champion and a great athlete. If you keep pushing, your time will come.” He was right. Greatest rival Because I triple (compete in the 100m, 200m and long jump) this is a tough answer. At this point, I’m more of a sprinter than a jumper, but if we are talking long jump I would say Brittney

Reese. During the years when long jump was my main focus, Brittney was the one athlete consistently able to beat me. I cannot really say I have gone head-tohead with any one sprinter, but if I had to pick out one I would say Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Best friend in athletics I don’t have any great friends in track and field. Best venue Monaco and Crystal Palace in London. I just love the Palace so much. The crowd is amazing and it is so much fun. I also love the crowd environment in Monaco. I relax, compete and have fun every time I go to Monaco. Best haircut The blonde look in 2014. I just wanted to do something a little different, something that would stand out and people would ask, “Who is that with the blonde hair?” Well, it helped stand me out from the crowd and I got a great response from the public. Biggest indulgence It is music. I don’t sing as a

Okagbare (right) Fraser-Pryce

professional but I enjoy listening to music so much. In fact, 80 per cent of music inspires me in every area of my life, especially when it comes to track. Biggest disappointment The 2012 Olympics and the 100m final (she was eighth). My goals and what I wanted to achieve didn’t meet my expectations. A lot of people were really disappointed. I thought I was going to do

really well, but it didn’t turn out the way I expected. Best achievement outside of athletics My husband (former Nigerian international footballer Igho Otegheri, who Blessing married in 2014). He is the main person in my life and he is special to me. He loves me and understands me, and he is everything I would want in a man. He is my greatest achievement.

I’m afraid to cut my hair – Faried Where does your jumping ability come from? Well, I don’t really know how I am able to jump like this! My mom did run track and my dad did play basketball, football and baseball, so I guess I got it genetically. When I was younger I used to jump around a lot, kinda like my daughter does now. It just came natural though and I harnessed it by jumping and having fun.

American basketball superstar, Kenneth Faried, is one of the most recognisable faces in the NBA, where he plays for the Denver Nuggets. In this interview with Chinese social network site, Weibo, the 25-year-old power forward.

Curry (of the Golden State Warriors) this year. Maybe James Harden (of the Houston Rockets), too. They’ve been going tooth and nail, but seems like the Warriors are just on a roll.

When was the first time you dunked? I was 12 years old. I went to the basket and I was trying to lay it up, and somebody came from behind me, so I jumped real high. I actually hit my head on the backboard. I don’t really remember a lot, but my teammates were like oohhhh you hit your head on the backboard!

Currently, who do you think is the toughest power forward to defend? Right now hands down LaMarcus Aldridge. He’s a prolific shooter, and he’s also like seven feet tall, and when he does that fade away jumper, it’s like nobody can touch it. It seems like it’s (going to) go in every time. He knows his strength. He stays on that left block and goes to work.

If you cut your hair, do you think you could jump even higher? Haha! I don’t know, you know. The hair’s kind of my thing, so if I cut it I might not be able to jump as high. Who knows! I may be wrong. It’s like Samson in the movies. He cut his hair and he didn’t have his powers anymore. I wouldn’t be the ‘Manimal’ (anymore). Have you thought that your team can make the finals in the Western Conference? Yeah, I believe in our team and our teammates. We believe in each other. We’re (going to) fight for each other. First (we have to) get it together. It may not be this year, maybe two years down the road. But Rome wasn’t built in a day. Who do you think will be the MVP this year? That’s tough, I don’t know! Anthony Davis (of the New Orleans Hornets) has been leading in the polls, but they might be iffy with the playoffs. It might be Stephen

Faried

What do you have to say to your fans? Thank you! I love all my fans. I respect you for it, and I’m glad you’re a fan - thanks so much. And remember to vote for me. You’re so good at rebounding. Is it because of your instincts or your athleticism? Well, for me rebounding is a little bit of everything. You have got to have will.

You need to want to do it. Have the instincts for the ball. The nose for the ball. Some of them, not (going to) lie, the ball finds you. Sometimes you get lucky when you work hard and respect the game. When you’re pure, just having fun, the ball seems to find good energy. Do you have any interest in participating in the slam-dunk contest this year? Everybody wants me to do it. I’m interested. I’d do it if I’m invited to the AllStar Game to play. I’d love to do the Dunk Contest if I’m there. Who was your basketball idol growing up? What do you do to keep yourself positive and overcome obstacles? My idol had to be Dennis Rodman because he played with such heart and determination. He didn’t quit on anything. He believed in himself no matter how big or stronger, the opponent . He just found a way. That made me want to find a way to make it to the level, not just make it but make a name for myself. When I’m down I like to just refocus and humble myself, in order to make it and get into my groove. This game can be very stressful. I was stressing in the beginning of the season. If I was playing back then the way I am now, I would be an All-Star. I talked to my family, coach and got back to the game I love.

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Most bridesmaids at a wedding: A total of 95 bridesmaids attended the wedding of businesswoman Keyoon Chokelamlert and Kriangkrai Kittithanesuan at a hotel in Bangkok.

Complacency will kill Jonathan’s ambition “No northern Muslim presidential candidate of any major political party can ever again count on the 19 northern states as an automatic electoral route to power. Those days are gone. It is now clear, thanks in equal measure to a massive shift in generational consciousness and the Boko Haram insurgency, that peripheral northern states such as Plateau, Taraba and Benue would almost always consider their positions very carefully. In between these three, Kogi and Kwara states present a required further study and the next presidential election cycle will furnish additional information to reach a more considered conclusion. (But it is instructive to note that in Kogi and Kwara states – 2 of the only 4 states under northern Muslim governors won by Jonathan in 2011 - Jonathan beat Buhari by 72% and 66% of the votes, respectively).” – Emmanuel Onwe, African Herald Express, June 8, 2012.

Broadside EMMANUEL ONWE agubata@aol.com

“If we should tell ourselves the truth, all things being equal, President Jonathan will be re-elected with minimal stress, because of his sterling performance in the last six years.” – Orji Uzor Kalu, Saturday Sun, January 10, 2015.

authored the first quote, culled from a thesis I published in 2012. Whilst the broad thrust of the assessment remains correct, however, Kwara State does not require any further study to be called for the APC in 2015. Benue and Kogi will prove harder for the President than ever before. Taraba was called for the APC by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on a dinner table in the summer last year. It sounded like hubris then. It emits the echoes of a chilling prophetic insight now. The point here is that raw realism must be the rigid standard that guides the PDP presidential election efforts. All that is being done now must be stepped up. Things that are not being done must be commenced immediately and with a sense of urgency. In respect of the second quote, I respectfully disagree, to a profound extent, with the complacent assertion that the President will be “re-elected with minimal stress.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. Those who are stomping for the President in villages, towns and in marketplaces up and down the country, fully appreciate the maximum stress in trying to win a second-term for President Jonathan. Complacency is precisely the arrow that will puncture the President’s ambition. There is massive amount of work to be done. Of course, I note the clever caveat inserted in that sentence: “all things being equal.” But this is one presidential election where it is definitively obvious that all things are not equal. And to make a general philosophical statement, all things are never equal in the affairs of men. It is possible that the President could be re-elected. It is also possible that the President might fall on Buhari’s political sword – this is to emphasise the raw realism of the political environment in today’s Nigeria. The political events of today stand in contradiction of everything that went before: a successful merger of disparate opposition political parties; gut-wrenching

Jonathan

security crises; challenging, if not harsh, economic conditions; religious bigotry triggered by unprecedented Islamic nihilistic revolution; corruption stampeding with iron hooves. These, in singular or collective form, could buffet an incumbent President seeking re-election to the very edge of defeat or a run-off. These are the realistic possibilities that face President Jonathan on February 14, 2015. The suggestion of re-election with minimal stress is either a signal of over-confidence or a misreading of the mood of the Nigerian people by staunch and inflexible supporters of Jonathan, such as Dr Orji Uzor Kalu. Kalu is my friend and I can vouch for his dedication to the course of the PDP and to the success of President Jonathan. Admittedly, there are controversies here and there, but the man’s intentions, actions, and impulses are generally misunderstood by those who observe from a distance. In April last year, I joined Kalu on a personal verification tour of the SouthWest – the real battleground of the 2015 presidential election - designed to feel the pulse of the PDP behind the dust of thronging rallies or set-piece mass political gatherings. It was also designed to assess the strength of the opposition. It was an incredibly successful exercise in political intelligence-gathering. We met with a handful of opposition Governors, members of the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers, clergymen, settler communities, traders and professionals. At the conclusion of that tour, we wrote a joint memo to the President on April 10, 2014 (I doubt if it ever got to his desk) excerpts of which I must reproduce here: There is no question that the leader of

the People’s Democratic Party is the hand that rocks the cradle. The buck, Mr President, stops at your desk. But it is equally undeniable that you alone cannot be held accountable for the challenges of the party nationally and, particularly, in the SouthWest of Nigeria. Those who seek to define you as the peg on which every difficulty must be hanged are doing so in furtherance of selfish political ambitions, or motivated by personal vendetta, or are classical victims of ignorance. We are confident that you are aware of this fact and we are witnesses to the evidence that proves it. The enduring challenges faced by the PDP in the South-West are defined more by aversion (almost verging on hatred) of the PDP rather than by resistance to you either as an individual or as a President. Over the last 15 years, the PDP has acquired a certain character which is now found repulsive in most parts of the South-West. After all, it was only 3 years ago, Mr President that you, on the singular strength of your personality, built an impressive coalition in the South-West that saw you romp home with a victory of landslide proportions – with only the State of Osun bucking the bandwagon trend. The PDP is alive and well in some parts and the APC is not necessarily the imperial and indomitable force that it claims on the plane of propaganda. The events that transpired in the recently conducted byelection in Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal constituency in Ondo State is a clear demonstration of the comparative standings of the parties in circumstances where the party loyalists are adequately motivated, credible candidates fielded and the machinery intelligently galvanised. The factionalisation that has taken place in the PDP family, resulting in multiple claims to the leadership of the party from Ward to national levels in the entire South-West is nothing short of political suicide. The necessary remedial measures are difficult to identify and apply in the immediate term, but creative thinking and unorthodox strategic measures such as the consultations we have just embarked upon, will yield positive results. The electoral power and influence of traditional rulers cannot be underestimated. Some indispensable party stalwarts feel a sense of humiliation and this has inevitably created feelings of despondence and rejection. We have to find ways to woo them back and restore them to positions of dignity within the party. If the PDP fails to sustain that remarkable coalition that you magically constructed in 2011, then the path to a presidential election victory will not only be circumscribed but practically impossible – regardless of whether or not you exercise your legitimate right to contest the 2015

presidential election. Some of us are willing to tell the blatant truth even if doing so might result in detrimental consequences to our personal interests. We are fully prepared to sublimate those personal interests for the greater interest of the party. The sustenance of PDP as the national governing party with you, Mr President, at the helm, is a primary objective to which we are committed without reservations. We do not pretend to have the answers, but in the exercise of the courage of our convictions, we humbly recommend that you, Mr President, set up a truly unconventional panel consisting of no more than 10 individuals made up of one party member from each of the 6 South-West States and 4 drawn from elsewhere. These must be individuals gifted with brilliant strategic minds and command the respect of the traditional rulers and elders in the zone. This group should be complementary to the party’s official and public efforts and should operate without fanfare or publicity. Evidence of our public and unrelenting personal support for your administration and your unyielding efforts to transform our complex nation is to be found in our respective columns in the Sun (Orji Uzor Kalu’s Leadership Series) and in the New Telegraph (Emmanuel Onwe’s Broadside) and in our consistent political actions over the last four years. With that firsthand experience and the subsequent development in that region, I am rather surprised that Kalu came to the conclusion that he did. The visceral, personal and vindictive stance of President Olusegun Obasanjo, the aftermath of acrimonious PDP primaries, the emergence of Prof Yemi Osinbajo as the APC Vice Presidential candidate, the successful propaganda that has cast the South-West as a marginalised region by the Jonathan administration, and a host of other regional issues have all combined to turn a region that the President won comfortably in 2011 to not only a battleground region but a hostile one to both PDP and to the President. If PDP loses the South-West, it loses the presidency. There is no electoral route to the presidency without at least 5 western states on the column of the PDP. In the course of the last couple of months, I have traversed the length and breadth of this nation, sounding out citizens’ views, instincts and preferences regarding the imminent presidential election. Opinions are sharply divided. Religion, ethnicity and fair-minded assessment of the current state of affairs in Nigeria contributed, to a lesser or larger extent, to the settled positions of a crosssection of Nigerians as to their choice of a president in February, 2015. I came to the conclusion that the election is poised on a knife edge. Gut instinct must yield to studied examination of what is about to happen and the implications for the future of Nigeria. This is not shaping up to become, but has already become, the most uncertain, unpredictable, open and opposition-leaning presidential election this nation has witnessed in its entire history of experimentation with the presidential system of government. Not even the presidential election of 1979, with the wave-making Chief Obafemi Awolowo, comes close.

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