Binder1 january 15, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

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Vol. 1 No. 330

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N150

I'm not in abia senatorial race... I stand by Mr. President, says Kalu }45

Reps probe N3.4bn Ajaokuta Steel pay fraud Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives yesterday mandated

its Committee on Steel to investigate an alleged increase of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company workers’ monthly salaries from N228 million to N3.4 billion.

The committee is to report back in two weeks. This decision was taken following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Abbas Tajudeen (PDP, Kaduna) entitled:

“Need to investigate the expenditure of a huge sum of N3.4 billion monthly on payment of salaries to staff of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company.” In his lead debate, Taju-

deen expressed concern over a report in a national newspaper of September 1, 2014 which quoted the chairman of Assets Management Corporation of CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

30 days to go... Nigeria votes

2015

ria Nige

s vote

2015

}14 & 15

We won't spill blood

lJonathan, Buhari sign pact on non-violent poll }5 Quick Read

Editorial

Boko Haram and the Northern economy }19 Why I choose a journalist as running mate, Emerhor }48

Why there is upsurge in Boko Haram, by US }5 Travel Advisory President Goodluck Jonathan (right) with All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, at a workshop on non-violent poll in Abuja...yesterday. photo: timothy ikuomenisan.

Your guide to local and international flights 4

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Travel Advisory

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 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 THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Jonathan, Buhari, sign pact on non-violent poll Onyekachi Eze, Johnchuks Onuanyim and Yekini Nurudeen ABUJA

fter a two-week campaign characterises by exchanged of brickbats, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday set aside their bitter struggle for power in the February

14 presidential election and embraced each other. The hug between the two leading presidential contenders at a workshop in Abuja, organised by the Offices of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-party Affairs, was a demonstration of their commitment and signal to their supporters that the crucial elections should witness no bloodshed. In furtherance of their commitment to a violencefree poll, Jonathan, Buhari

and their counterparts from nine other parties signed an agreement to ensure peace during the elections. Former United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan and erstwhile Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, were among dignitaries that witnessed the signing of the accord by the 11 presidential candidates, their political parties and other stakeholders for the elections. Others included the presidential candidate and

National Chairman; Hope Democratic Party, Ambrose Albert Owuru; the presidential candidate and National Chairman, Kowa Party (KP), Prof. Comfort Oluremi Sonaiya and Alhaji Umar Mustapha as well as presidential candidate and National Chairman, National Conscience Party (NCP), Martin Onovo and Dr. Yunusa Tanko. Other signatories to the accord were chairman, Inter-party Advisory Council, Dr. Yunusa Tanko; Special Adviser to the President on Inter-party

Affairs, Senator Ben Obi; NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd); Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega and Anyaoku, who chaired the occasion. Jonathan, Buhari, other presidential candidates and their parties committed themselves to run issue-based campaigns and to refrain from campaigns laced with religious incitements, ethnic or tribal profiling by both themselves and their agents. They expressed their

L-R: Managing Director, Vodacom Nigeria, Mr. Guy Clarke; Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza and Deputy Managing Director and CEO, UBA Africa, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, during the presentation of the certificate of recognition to UBA as Nigeria’s first Vodafone Global Enterprise customer, in Lagos…yesterday.

Why there is upsurge in Boko Haram, by US

lTroops capture five terror suspects, seize anti-aircraft guns Emmanuel Onani Abuja

he United States has attributed the increased wave of attacks by Boko Haram to next month's elections in Nigeria. A report by Reuters quoted the State Department spokeswoman, Marie Harf, as saying on Tuesday in Washington that Boko Haram is trying to use escalated terror attacks to stir tensions in Nigeria as part of its plot to plunge the country into chaos. The insurgents have launched multiple attacks on targets in Borno, Yobe, Gombe and Adamawa, few weeks to the February elections. On Tuesday, a suicide bomber, riding on an explosive-laden motorcycle, attempted to kill worshippers at a mosque in Gombe.

The police confirmed the death of only the suicide bomber in the incident. The insurgents also renewed their attempts to overrun Biu, in Borno State yesterday but were rebuffed by the military which arrested five suspects and seized two antiaircraft guns Harf, however, said that the February 14 presidential election should go forward despite the violence, which the United Nations and human rights groups say has forced about 20,000 Nigerians to flee to neighbouring countries in recent weeks. "There has been a sharp escalation in the number of reported casualties. We do believe the election is a factor, Harf told reporters. Harf added that Boko Haram had previously used events such as elections to stir up tensions. "Boko Haram has tend-

ed to, particularly around something like an election, use political issues or sensitivities to try to enflame tensions. We have seen that as one of their tactics and that is why it is so important to move forward with the election because we believe it’s important," Harf stated. Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said it has captured five suspected Boko Haram fighters and two antiaircraft guns after troops successfully repelled their attack on Biu yesterday. Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, in a tweet, said troops were in pursuit of fleeing "terrorists", even as mop up operation is said to be ongoing. "Terrorist attack repelled by the military in Biu, Borno State. Two anti-aircraft guns have

been captured from the terrorists. Troops in pursuit of fleeing terrorists, as mopping up operation is ongoing. Five terrorists have so far been captured," he stated. The suspected insurgents were said to have arrived in Biu from the Southern axis yesterday and purportedly made an attempt to seize the military barracks in the town; a move that was foiled by troops. The attempted attack on Biu came barely a week after a similar one to overrun Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, was repelled. The announcement of the foiled attack on Biu came as Boko Haram expressed support for the attackers who killed 12 people at the Paris office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. “We are very happy with what happened at

the heart of France,” Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau said in an eightminute video posted on YouTube that couldn’t immediately be verified. “Oh you French people, oh you who follow the religion of democracy, between you and us is enmity to eternity,” said the man, speaking in Arabic and holding an AK-47 assault rifle. The brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi stormed the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris on January 7, killing 12 people. Amedy Coulibaly killed a policewoman a day after, taking hostages in a kosher grocery and killed four of the hostages before he was shot dead. Millions of people in France and across the world marched in rallies in the past week to show solidarity with the victims and defend freedom of expression.

readiness to refrain from public statements, either by themselves or their agents, capable of inciting violence before, during and after the elections. Besides, they undertook to publicly condemn provocative utterances and oppose all electoral violence. They also committed themselves and their political parties to monitoring adherence to the accord by a National Peace Committee, comprising statesmen and women, traditional and religious leaders. The agreement urged all agencies and institutions involved in the conduct of the elections to be neutral and impartial in discharging their responsibilities. Earlier, the president had said all political parties and their candidates were to be blamed for election violence. He called on politicians and religious leaders to avoid provocative statements that lead to electoral violence. He attributed the growing tendency among politicians to promote violence to the passing of a law that stripped security agencies of powers to screen candidates. He said: "One thing we need to rethink, particularly in the lower elections, is the issue of clearing candidates by intelligence agencies. When we came in 1999, candidates were cleared by security agents and if you are linked with some kind of violence, or cultism, you will be barred from contesting. Later, the National, Assembly thought that whoever becomes the president will use it to victimise political opponents and now said that parties should screen their candidates. "Even in PDP, we don't have that capacity to screen candidates at the level of criminality. The only group of people who can do that is the security services. Since then, all manner of characters want to contest elections. For example, if a cultist takes a party ticket to become the chairman of a local government, who can stop him? There is no structure on group that can stop him, but before this time, they were stopped. "The other factor is that of the religious leaders who preach the hate message, instigating their followers to be confrontational and sometimes, label some candidates as the enemies of their faith. If our religious leaders do that kind of preaching, what do you expect? We always follow what our reCONTINUED ON PAGE 8

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Senate, Reps pass budget for second reading Chukwu David and Philip Nyam Abuja

he Senate and the House of Representatives yesterday passed the 2015 budget for second reading. However, while the House members gave the fiscal bill an easy passage, senators nearly rejected it. While debating the bill, senators described the budget estimates as unrealistic, calling on the executive to thoroughly study the document and come up with workable projections in line with the realities of the current economic trend in the country. The senators, who analytically examined the parameters upon which the N4.357 trillion 2015 budget estimates were hinged by the Federal Government, described the projections as unrealistic and called for a review of the document before its passage into law. They faulted parameters such as the $65 oil benchmark, projected oil production of 2.2782 million barrel per day and an average exchange rate of N165 to a US dollar proposed in the budget. Their grouse with the

projections arose from the fact that the price of crude that had crashed to about $46 per barrel while the exchange rate is now about N182 to a dollar. Senate Leader Victor Ndoma Egba (PDP Cross River Central), had in his lead debate on the budget, said of the N4.357 trillion budget, N2.616trillion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, N627billion for capital expenditure, N943billion for debt servicing and N411.8million for statutory transfer. According to him, the 2015 budget as designed by the executive is to build on the success of the 2014 budget with emphasis on fiscal consolidation, inclusive growth and job creation. In his contribution to the debate on the budget, Senate Committee Chairman on Finance, Senator Ahmed Makarfi (PDP-Kaduna), said the 2015 budget was not feasible going by the consistent global drop

in oil prices. He therefore, advised that monies generated from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government must now be considered. Makarfi also said the cost of governance must be cut down but not by laying off staff but rather in reducing wastes. Also, the Deputy Leader of the Senate and Chairman, Senate Committee on SURE-P, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi), expressed concerns that the budget where capital expenditure was less than 10 per cent needed serious rethink and caution on the part of government. Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi (APC-Ekiti) said the budget might have to be prepared afresh in view of the current oil price of less than $46 per barrel and a benchmark deficit of about $28 dollar per barrel. He said that passing a budget based on the exag-

gerated benchmark price would amount to shooting oneself in the leg. But despite the criticisms, the Senate, in keeping with the earlier promise by Senate President David Mark that the budget would be given accelerated passage, passed the Appropriation Bill for second reading. The Senate also referred the bill to its Committees on Finance and Appropriations to thoroughly scrutinise the document and report back to the chamber within four weeks. The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, charged the Committee to ensure that it captured all other sources of revenue in the face of the dwindling oil prices, which had gone below the $65 dollar benchmark currently proposed by the Federal Government. He supported other law-

makers, who expressed misgivings on the difficulty the government might experience in implementing the budget since it could not be funded by revenue from oil, adding that other sources of revenue must be duly harnessed and utilised to rescue the country from the impending economic doom. The Senate also referred the revised 2015-2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to its Committee on Finance for legislative input. The committee is to lay its report on the floor in two weeks. The budget also generated a heated debate in the House, which later passed it for second reading. Leading debate on the general principles of the proposed budget, House leader, Hon. Mulikat Adeola-Akande, said N411,840 billion is for statutory transfers as against N399.69 provided for last year, N943 billion for debt

servicing and N2,616, trillion for recurrent expenditure. She further said the budget was designed to curb costs and "is expected to continue on the path of inclusive growth" by keeping deficit at a comfortable level. In his submission, the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. John Enoh (PDP, Cross River), said the price of oil was going down and the benchmark higher than the current price of oil, thus necessitating lots of changes in the projections in the budget estimates. He stated that this required review is in the face of the problems of unpaid salaries which pose a challenge of increasing expenditure. Hon. Abimbola Daramola (APC, Ekiti) said he expected that the managers of the economy should have anticipated a volatile oil pricing mechanism.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST LAGOS

22oC

13oC

Mostly Sunny

ABUJA

37oC

21oC

Sunny

PORT HARCOURT

27o C 18oC Thunder Storms

KANO

23oC

16oC

Sunny

ENUGU

36oC

20oC

Sunny

IBADAN

20oC

11oC

Rain Showers

CALABAR

26oC

18oC

Sunny

MAIDUGURI

ONITSHA

24oC 17oC Sunny

36oC

22oC

Mostly Sunny

L-R: Vice-President, China National Electric Engineering Co. Ltd, Weng Zhiming; Managing Director Cartlark International Ltd, Princess Maryam Sola Akanmode and Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on transmission line projects in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Reps probe N3.4bn Ajaokuta Steel pay fraud CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Nigeria (AMCON), Aliyu Kola Belgore, that N3.4 billion is being spent monthly on salaries to the moribund company's workers. He said in another report of September 5, 2014 the Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Association of Nigeria (ISSAN) in conjunction with the Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria (TEWUN), said the

monthly wage bill for 2,900 staff of the company was N288 million and not N3.4 billion as alleged. The lawmaker stressed that "the provisions of Section 88 (2) (b) of the constitution which empowers the National Assembly to direct or cause to be directed an investigation aimed at exposing corruption, inefficiency or waste in the administration of funds appropri-

ated by it." "Despite the fact that the company was conceived and built with the aim of its facilitating the industrialisation and economic transportation of the country, it has failed to fulfill that expectation hence the engagement of US consultants and India technical contracts for 10 years," he added. The motion was unanimously adopted.

Reps probe Cameroon’s alleged annexation of 350 oil wells Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the alleged illegal annexation of Mbo Mangrove Island in Akwa Ibom State hosting about 350 oil wells by the Republic of Cameroon. This was sequel to a motion brought by Hon. Robinson Uwak under Matter of Urgent Public Importance.

While presenting the motion, Uwak pointed out that there are approximately 350 oil wells and copious fishing routes on the island, which he lamented that the Cameroonians are now enjoying at the expense of Nigeria. He said: "As a result of the illegal occupation of the Island by the Republic of Cameroon, oil and gas revenues which should accrue to the Nigerian Government are lost to the Republic of Cameroon.”

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

More Reps defect to APC, APGA, SDP lHouse adjourns till February 17

Philip Nyam Abuja

he gale of defections in the House of Representatives continued yesterday as eight members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the other parties. The House has ad-

journed plenary until February 17 to enable its members prepare and participate in the general election. The eight lawmakers that defected from the PDP include Hon. Abdulmalik Cheche (Niger), who joined the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Hon. Wilson Nathaniel (Adamawa) left

PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Hon. Anthony Madawatte (Adamawa) dumped PDP for the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), and Hon. Benjamin Aboho (Benue) left PDP for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Hon. Zakari Haliru abandoned PDP for APC while Hon. Chukwuemeka

Nwogbo left PDP to APGA, Hon. Garba Umar (Kebbi) crossed from PDP to APC while Hon. Ibrahim Kamba (Kebbi) defected from PDP to APC. Also yesterday, House Deputy Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Victor Ogene (Anambra) and Hon. Forte Dike (Anambra) also left the All Progressives Grand Alli-

ance (APGA) to APC. Ogene told journalists that defection figures are not available to his office. "My office doesn’t keep record of defections. The Clerk's office is responsible. It has up to date record of where the parties stand,” he said. Also at yesterday’s plenary, the House observed a minute silence over the

L-R: Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Oscar Onyema and Executive Director, PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI Market Operations and Technology, Mr. Ade Bajomo, during a press conference in Lagos…yesterday.

Jonathan, Buhari, sign pact on non-violent poll CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

ligious leaders say and if our religious leaders keep preaching such hate messages? "There is also the pronouncement of our traditional rulers who make provocative statements as if they want to divide the country. This has never helped because as leaders, you have your subjects and followers. When you make these provocative statements, you are indirectly instigating them to become extremely violent." On his part, Buhari identified injustice as the cause for election violence, saying as candidates do not even get justice from the court. He said: "Some of the speeches so far are based on hope. Some of these hopes are in the files because of our nasty experiences. What happened in 2003, 2007, and 2011 when we contested the general election and ended up in the Supreme Court? These three Supreme Court judgements are available with the government printers for all those who

are really serious to know what is happening in our political development. "I will give a few examples which I am sure most of you will recall. In 2003 when we disagreed with the elections, we spent 30 months in court. Out of those 30 months in court, I only missed four settings. The first time was when we went to bury my vice-presidential candidate, Chuba Okadigbo while I was out of the country on the other three occasions. "In 2007, we spent 18 months in court and when we eventually reached the Supreme Court, the seven Justices of the Supreme Court were divided on it. Three of them said they have annulled the election because it was not conducted according to law; three others said yes, there were flaws, but all the same, the ruling party won the election. The Chief Justice of the Federation then looked at them and cast his vote for the second group and so, we lost 4-3. "In 2011, I said that I, as presidential candidate, will not go to court, but I

made sure that my party went to court and we spent about nine months again and it was the same story. There was no way the ruling party will lose a judgement. That was painful especially when you considered what actually happened on the field." Other political parties' presidential candidates were given two minutes individually to speaking on how to have violencefree elections. Most of them that spoke canvassed for neutrality by the security agencies and other stakeholders in the conduct of the elections. Jega, in his speech, condemned statements by political parties and their candidates that if elections were credible they would win. He said with those statements, once they lose, it means that the elections were not credible and their statements could ignite violence. "I have identified what I called 10 tenets of non-violence elections specifically on what we will expect. "The first one obviously

is internal party democracy, effective intra-party conflict resolution, accountability, supremacy of rules, uncertainty of electoral outcomes, willingness to accept outcomes, moderation in electioneering, trust in institutional redress, promotion of inclusiveness and welltrained staff," he added. Anyaoku told the gathering that the objective of the workshop was to get all the contestants in the general election to agree on how to ensure violencefree elections. Annan, in his address, urged the candidates to avoid inflammatory statement as the elections present an opportunity for the country to prove itself before the international community. He called for peaceful elections, stating that with the strategic position of Nigeria on the African continent, it cannot afford to get it wrong come February. He urged all political parties to take the agreement seriously and called for tolerance in the election process.

series of mass killings and attacks committed in Baga, Borno State, between January 3 and 7 by the Boko Haram insurgents. It subsequently urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide "immediate relief" for victims of the Baga attack. These were fallouts of a motion sponsored by Hon. Yakubu Dogara (Bauchi/ APC) to that effect. Dogara hailed the efforts of Nigeria's military in its fight against the insurgents. The lawmaker, however, decried Nigeria's handling of the Baga killings while global leaders joined an estimated 3.7 million people in France to mourn terror attacks in Paris that left 17 dead. Initial media reports cited "over 2000" deaths according to witnesses, but Nigeria's military later reported that the death toll from the Baga attacks was just 150. Boko Haram overran a military base that was the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force, which consisted of troops from Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, after which the militants forced thousands of locals from the region, before carrying out widespread mass killings that culminated on January 7.

Massive redeployment in SEC Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he new management at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under acting Director-General, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, has begun massive staff redeployment, New Telegraph has learnt. The reorganisation exercise, which cuts across all cadres of staff in Lagos and Abuja offices, affected no fewer than 50 staff. It was reliably gathered yesterday that employees were moved from their former positions to new ones, including some who were believed to be close to the former Director-General, Ms. Arunmah Oteh. An insider, who craved for anonymity, said yesterday: "I can confirm to you that changes are being effected in the various departments. We heard that at least 50 people were moved today (yesterday). "As it is, it is most certain that some other top management staff will still be moved within the next few days." The outgone SEC DG, Oteh, left office last Mon-

day following the end of her tenure on January 6 this year. Gwarzo, a former Executive Commissioner, Operations, took over from her in acting capacity. Oteh, who noted that her five-year tenure at the Commission was outstanding, attributed her achievements to the cooperation and understanding she enjoyed 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 and building a world-class market. “To have a vision and have everyone being able to connect and align around it - whether it is capital market operators, shareholders and other stakeholders for me were very rewarding. But I don’t think it would have been possible without each and everyone 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.”

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

OUR ISSUE WITH MAJ. GEN. MOHAMMADU BUHARIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S QUALIFICATION 1. Qualification to contest election is a constitutional and a threshold matter by virtue of S.131 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) that cannot be waived for anybody except as provided by the constitution 2. It is also a statutory requirement for political parties and candidates. see S. 31 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended). 3. It is immaterial whether a person has the qualifications he/she listed on the INEC Form. What is required of all candidates is to present photocopies of the relevant certificates for the scrutiny of constituents and that is why INEC is mandated to display all the particulars and sworn affidavits. See S.31 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended). 4. Rather than do that, Gen. Buhari is asking INEC or whoever cares to go and see the Secretary of the Military board. 5. Why this defiance and arrogance to the laws of the land and national institutions like INEC. Why should someone seeking the highest office of the land treat the public with this level of disdain? 6. As it is today, Gen. Buhari has no document submitted to INEC for verification other than the INEC form CF001 he filled and a sworn court affidavit all of which are documents of INEC and the court respectively. He has not attached any qualification document to his nomination form with respect to the February 14th presidential election, contrary to the prescription of s. 31 of the Electoral Act 2010 (AS Amended). 7. Is it right and expected that someone who is seeking employment directs those who are about to employ him to go looking for his credentials? 8. What documents Gen. Buhari been presenting to INEC in his 3 previous participations? Is he suggesting that after each of the elections, he returned his documents to the Secretary of the Military Board? - Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t he have copies of his credentials? 9. Given that the time under the law for substitution of candidates ended on the 30th of December, 2014 should we suspend or amend the provision of section 131 of the Constitution because a big man, a special and very privileged candidate wants to contest the election. The world is watching and would like to see how this matter would be resolved.

Signed

Chukwuemeka Okafor Coalition for Compliance with Election Laws 5D Quality Homes Estate Kuje, Abuja

THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Metro Love scam: Nigerian dupes American lady N367,000

Juliana Francis

n American lady, who went searching for love online, got more than she bargained for when she met and fell in love with a Nigerian. Before the victim, Margaret Sanders, residing in Sherman Texas, realised she was dating a fraudster, the suspect, Benjamin Akugbe, had already milked her $2,000 (about N367,000). Akugbe was arrested after the desperate lady petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to the Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Sanders, through a petition dated July 9, 2013, alleged that she entered into the relationship on facebook, with someone who claimed to be Benny Brown from Warri, Delta State, with both agreeing to get married. According to her, the suspect, in the course of the affair, requested for $2,000 to enable him to join her in the United States. The money was wired to him through Western Union, into an account with the name Gladdys Ikpoba domiciled with a new generation bank. After an endless wait for her supposed fiancé, Sanders came to the sad realisation that she had been duped. But her efforts to recover the money were futile until she petitioned the EFCC. The commission, through discrete investigation, recovered and returned the money to the victim.

Akugbe

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

abiodun.bello@newtelegraphonline.com

My baby mustn’t die, widow begs Nigerians

Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

hy has life been so unfair to me? In whatever manner, I don’t deserve this kind of fate. “My husband died when my pregnancy was five months. He complained of malaria and before I knew what was happening, he died. “See what has happened to this baby that could have at least lessened my sorrow. She has a hole in her heart and has been growing lean by the day. I sell raw foods, but I have not been able to go to shop for five months now. I have been battling with the health of this baby, surviving only at the mercy of Good Samaritans. “I was told she can only be cured in India. I plead with Nigerians with milk of human kindness to please help me so that my baby would not die.” These are the pathetic words of the distraught 36-year-old Mrs Ajoke Mukaila, widow and mother of little Aishat, who was delivered on June 28, 2014. The girl was diagnosed with a heart problem. The grief of losing her hus-

band a few months back waned as the joy of having a bouncing baby girl took over the widow’s heart. However, that excitement disappeared when the baby fell ill and was eventually diagnosed with a hole in the heart. After delivery, she started breast feeding her baby, expecting to see her baby grow. But, the more she breast fed, the more emaciated her baby grew. Though a bit active, her eye balls appeared small in their sockets, while her breathing was. Initially, the nursing mother, who lost her husband, Rasak Mukaila, when the pregnancy was five months’ old, thought it was fever or jaundice as she tried all she could to get rid of the illness. According to the mother of four, she took the girl to the University College Hospital (UCH) on September 30, October 28, November 11 and December 9, 2014. After about a month of treatment at UCH, the hapless baby was discharged owing to her mother’s inability to settle the accumulated bills and the subsequent unfortunate medical workers’ strike. She said: “I was told in the hospital that it can be cured

Ajoke and the baby

through surgery in India. There is no way I can get there without the help of Nigerians. Please, help me. I don’t like putting my burden on others

Cholera kills 20 in Rivers communities Emmanuel Msha Port Harcourt

27 die in Kogi auto crashes, says FRSC Muhammad Bashir

bout 20 people have reportedly lost their lives owing to the outbreak of cholera in communities in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The communities are Ngo Nkwa, Agama, Ebukuma, Okololie, among others. Sources said that cholera broke out in one of the communities in the first few days of the New Year and claimed about five persons who drank contaminated water. But, according to them, the number rose to about 20 a few days later because of the slow response by the authorities. Cholera outbreak is not new in the area; two persons died from the disease last year. Most of those affected in the current outbreak were women and children, the sources said, adding that the situation became worse because primary health workers in the state were on an indefinite strike. The victims were stooling and vomiting, but were not properly attended to owing to the strike, a resident of the area said. The source said that be-

but this is beyond me, considering the cost implication.” The widow can be reached on her mobile phone number: 08177064945.

Lokoja

Gov. Rotimi Ameachi

cause of the awareness in the affected communities of the danger associated with drinking water from questionable sources, many who resorted to drinking sachet water were also affected. However, according to him, such water was not properly treated and had no National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) reg-

istration number. The source added that workers at the general hospital in the area were nowhere to be found to treat victims, just as he said that the people had no potable water. However, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker, has directed that potable water be supplied to the people of the affected communities.

t least, 27 people died while 105 others sustained injuries in various auto crashes on highways across Kogi State during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The state Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Godwin Omiko, said this yesterday in his office in Lokoja while reviewing the command’s operation and road crashes recorded during the Christmas and New Year festive period. He said: “Thirty road crashes were recorded in the state between December 19, 2014 and January 12, 2015. Two hundred and thirty people were involved, 27 died, 105 injured while 98 were rescued without injuries. “The 2014 statistics showed that there was reduction in road crashes across the state because 49 people died within the said period in 2013 as against 27 recorded in 2014.” The sector commander also disclosed that 333 motorists were arrested for violating traffic rules, adding that 79 were arraigned in Mobile Courts, 71 were convicted while eight were discharged and acquitted. Omiko said the focus of the command in 2015 would be public enlightenment and training, enforcement and synergy with other stakeholders in road safety in its bid to achieve the goal of the commission.

Metro 11

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

Akure

Casualty rises to 18 in Ikare bank robbery

anks and business outfits did not open yesterday in IkareAkoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State as a result of the deadly robbery attacks on Wednesday. Also, the causality figure rose to 18 from the 15 reported on Tuesday, with policemen accounting for eight of the victims. A visit to Ikare yesterday depicted a ghost town as all the banks in the town did not open to customers. Similarly, all business outfits on Jubilee Road, where the robbery operation took place, did not open. Although schools and the market on the street opened, the residents were jittery as heavily armed policemen were patrolling the major streets to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

Several people, including three policemen, were seriously injured in the coordinated attacks unleash on the town by the robbers. It was learnt that three different banks were raided by the robbers. An undisclosed amount of money was carted away during the operation. Aside cash, the robbers also stole valuables, including cars. Giving details of the attack, a witness said four riot policemen were killed on the premises of one the banks, three policemen at a police station at Igbede on Owo Road while one was killed by stray bullet when the robbers were leaving the town. The witness, whose office is opposite the one of the banks, said two people were killed while withdrawing money from the ATM machines. He said after about one hour

Babatope Okeowo

of operation within the town, bodies littered the street. According to him, former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr Ezekiel Ileola-Gold, a pastor and two members of his congregation being prayed for on Ugbe-Iboropa Road were killed by stray bullets. He said the robbers stationed themselves at every junction of the town. According to him, they attacked any security officer who tried to mobilise to the scene of crime or anybody who tried to raise the alarm to draw attention to the scene. Meanwhile, Gover nor Olusegun Mimiko, the stat Commissioner of Police, Mr. Isaac Eke and state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Wole Ogodo, have visited the scenes of the attacks.

I robbed to show off at Christmas, says suspect Juliana Francis

robbery suspect, Chukwuemeka Obikachi, has told the police that he joined a gang of car snatchers because he wanted to raise enough money for a bumper Christmas celebration. He was already planning how to spend the money he had not yet seen before policemen arrested on December 6, 2014. The suspect said he belonged to a four-man gang of robbers. A police source alleged that the gang, with its hideout at Kuramo, Lekki, Lagos State, had three locally-made guns. Obikachi was arrested by a team of policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos. The police are already on the trail of the fleeing gang members. “God wanted police to arrest me so that I would become a changed person. The man who took me out for robbery told me to go with him so that I could raise enough money for Christmas celebration,” Obikachi said. The police recovered a snatched Toyota Highlander car from the gang belonging to one Ismaila. The police source said: “The owner of the jeep, Mr Ismaila, was attacked when he went to visit someone at Lekki. He was waiting for the gate to be opened, when the gang attacked him. He was even stripped of his clothes. “The robbers decided to take him to an unknown destination. As they approached Chevron Gate, Mr Ismaila struggled and pushed the car gear to a stop. He started shouting. Apparently scared, other members quickly fled, but Obikachi was not lucky. Police at Chevron Gate arrested him. Police searched him and recovered a Barretta pistol with

three live cartridges.” The suspect, who said he used to ‘hustle’ to sell jeans at Yaba Market, explained that one of his customers, Henry, lured him to the gang. He added that Henry and his colleagues misled him. Obikachi said that Henry told him that Mr Ismaila owed him some money and that he wanted to collect his money. He said: “Henry is my customer. After buying cloths from me that day, he took me to a place and bought me drinks. He took me to Small Kuramo at Jakande area of Lekki. “We were still at the ‘beer parlour’ when two other men came to join us. They are Tunde and Chinedu. Henry said they were his colleagues. We were there till about 8pm. It

Obikachi

was Tunde who said we should go and meet Ismaila that he owed him some money.” According to him, when they got to Ismaila’s house, he was standing by the gate. The gang stealthily approached and attacked him. Obikachi added that Tunde grabbed him by the trousers and collected his car key. He handed the key to Chinedu. He said: “I sat in the front seat of the car. On our way, we got to a certain place where the victim was well known; he suddenly held the steering, put the gear to a stop and started shouting. He held me as he was shouting. Henry and others started running. People living around the area rushed out. They started beating me and took me to Chevron Police Post.”

One of the affected banks

229 Nigerians deported for drug-related offences Juliana Francis

bout 229 Nigerians were last year deported from various countries for drug trafficking and drug-related offences. The Head, Media and Publicity, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mitchel Ofoyeju, said this yesterday. Ofoyeju also said that arrests by the agency at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in the past two years rose by 16.22 per cent while drug seizures decreased by 33.68 per cent. While the increase in arrest is an indicator that operatives of NDLEA are becoming more vigilant in arresting drug traffickers, it also highlights the fact that drug traffickers are not learning lessons from the arrest of others. The increase in the arrest in 2014, after 2013, is also a pointer that there is a steady increase in drug traffickers passing through MMIA. According to Ofoyeju, the Airport Command of the NDLEA in 2014 apprehended 129 suspected drug traffickers, comprising 118 males and 11 females with 436.065kg of drug seizures. In 2013, the agency apprehended 93 drug suspects with 878.81kg of narcotics. The breakdown of the 2014 scorecard indicates that cocaine has the largest quantity with 120.44kg. Methamphetamine is next with 108.645kg, cannabis sativa (107.855kg), heroin (51.01kg), psychotropic substances (37.285kg) and ephedrine (10.83kg). The estimated street value of the seized drugs in 2014 is N2.9 billion.

NDLEA Commander at the MMIA, Mr Hamza Umar, said that 117 drug suspects were apprehended on 18 airlines. He said: “More arrests of drug suspects were made on Ethiopian airlines, Emirates, Etihad, South African and Qatar Airways. “A total of 44 suspects were apprehended trying to import narcotics into the country. South Africa, China and United Arab Emirates top the list of preferred destinations by suspects. “The command received 229 persons who were deported on drug related charges.” Umar said that out of the 229 drug deportees, 39 came from Italy, 37 from the United States, 36 from Spain, 31 from Norway and 22 from Thailand. Others are Saudi Arabia (14), Switzerland (13), France (seven), United Arab Emirates (five), Greece (four), while Brazil and Sweden deported three persons each. Australia, India and South Africa deported two persons each while Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Indonesia, Ireland, Portugal, Turkey Uganda and United Kingdom deported one person each. Twenty-one arrests were made on Ethiopian Airlines, 17 on Emirates, 12 on Etihad Airways, 11 on South African Airways, 10 on Qatar Airways and seven on Turkish Air. Air France and Arik Air had two arrests each; Kenyan Airways and Royal Air Maroc recorded five each, while Alitalia and Rwand Air had four arrests each. Egypt Airline had three arrests, Cargolux two, while Africa World Airline, Iberia, KLM and Lufthansa recorded one arrest each.

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NATIONAL

Oshiomhole: NLC must query FG on oil theft ADVICE

Labour must be interested in national discourse, says gov. Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday tasked the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress to rise to the occasion and ask the Federal Government questions on how hundreds of barrels of crude oil are stolen, without check, on a daily basis. Oshiomhole, who spoke at the ground breaking of the Labour House in Benin City, said Nigeria was being run in a directionless manner and therefore labour movement must show more interest in the national discourse, so that the ship of state can be steered in the right direction. He stated that: “Issues of the management of the treasury, issues of oil theft are not the preserve of the political class. Oil is being stolen.” According to the governor: “Nigeria has a capacity for 2.5 million barrels a day. We have oil performing on an

average of $108 a barrel over the past few years. It has hovered on that average. Sometimes, it went to $111. At a time, it dropped to $106 per barrel.” He noted that: “Oil performance has been stable and we budget at $98. With the difference over a period of three years, we ought to have huge reserves now, so that when occasion like this comes, we will live as if there is no fluctuation. But while this was

ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan was yesterday asked to reverse his decision to pay N8 billion judgement debt to Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam. New Telegraph recalled that 13 Tiv indigenes had successfully sued the Federal Government for the massacre of Tiv people in Zaki Biam and environs in October 2001. Addressing journalists in Abuja, counsel to the litigants, Sebastine Hon, SAN, said the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Adoke, SAN, informed him that the President had directed that the money be paid to Suswam. The case was filed by one Dr Alexander Gaadi and 13 others. Gaadi died while negotiation was on, leaving the remaining 13 people as plaintiffs. Hon added that the President's directive was

in bad times, we are told to fasten our belt. I feel strongly about those things. We have always been hearing about illegal bunkering, but we have never heard of this level of massive oil theft.” “Someone has a duty to explain that and NLC has a duty to ask. In Edo, we are clear, we are deepening our taxes and we need the NLC to support us. The state had been held hostage by few unaccountable godfathers

in the name of politics, which people can see. Government property was sold for as low as one million naira in GRA land with house on it”. The governor explained “I need you to understand that the struggle we have been waging, we need to sustain it, not for my good but for the good of the state. We cannot have a country where people just feast on others and they think it is their birth right to continue to feast.”

L-R: General Manager, Marketing, MTN Nigreia, Richard Iweanoge; one of the winners of N10 million Cash Quest Promo Prize, Okoh Chigozie; Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Bayo Adekanmbi and Nollywood Actor, Fred Amata, at the first prize presentation to winners in the on-going MTN Cash Quest promo in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULWEIMAN HUSAINI

‘Don’t pay N8bn Zaki Biam judgement sum to Suswam’ Tunde Oyesina

going on, we suddenly heard of crude oil theft; sometimes about 700 barrels per day is allegedly stolen. Seven hundred barrels per day, these are big vessels”, he said. The governor declared: “NLC needs to show more interest in this politics of oil theft. Who are the people stealing this oil? Since when? What has changed about the territorial boundaries of Nigeria? In good times, we were told this thing is being stolen and

wrong morally and in law because the Benue State Government was not a party to the case that resulted in the award of N41.8 Billion to the plaintiffs. A Federal High Court, which sat in Enugu had awarded N41.8 Billion as compensation for the massacre of people in Zaki Biam and environs, resulting from military invasion of the communities. Following series of negotiations between the litigants and the Federal Government, the N41.8 billion was negotiated downward to N8 billion which the government agreed to pay to the people. Hon, however, described the directive by the president as shocking and embarrassing and said that the Attorney General of the Federation as the nation's number one chief law officer should have advised the president that a person who was not a party in a suit could not be given the proceeds of a judgment.

Wike once budgeted N3bn for trips, N800m for teachers’ training , says Reps committee chair Mojeed Alabi

he House of Representatives Committee on Education has accused the immediate past Minister of State for Education and Rivers State governorship flag bearer of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Nyesom Wike of once misplacing priorities in the budget of the education sector by proposing more than N3 billion for official trips but a meagre sum of about N800 million for the training of teachers across

the federation. The Chairman of the committee, Honourable Aminu Suleiman, who made the allegation yesterday afternoon at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, said this while emphasising the importance of oversight function of the National Assembly members. He said through such visits, NASS members have at different times in the past, observed fraud in budget implementations by either the ministries or the concerned government

agencies, saying most of the discoveries were usually in the areas of poor budget performance, nonrelease of approved funds by the ministries or poor implementations of approved projects. Aminu said the House was shocked to discover that a country facing series of challenges in its education sector could afford to make such a proposal for travelling for ministry officials while leaving the real responsibilities unattended to.

Ilorin Emir wants Nigerian Project intact Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

mir of llorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Council, Alhaji lbrahim SuluGambari yesterday urged stakeholders in the Nigerian Project to ensure the nation remains an indivisible entity. The traditional ruler, who made the plea while playing host to the executive members of Gambji Club led by its President

General, Dr Yusuf Laro in his palace, said Nigerians must do whatever they could to enable the country maintain its enviable leadership position in the Africa continent. He charged Nigerians, irrespective of political party affiliations, tribes or background to ensure that the country remains an indivisible entity and advised politicians to play the game according to its rules. The traditional ruler, noted that no meaningful development could

be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony. He recalled political activities during the first and second republics and expressed optimism that the forthcoming general elections will be violent-free. Earlier, the President General of Gamji Club in Kwara, Dr Yusuf Laro, said they were at the palace to intimate the Emir on the Gamji day celebration slated for Saturday in Ilorin. He solicited the coop-

Jonathan winning war against corruption, insurgency, says NDNF Tony Okuyeme

he Niger Delta Nationalities Forum (NDNF), Lagos State chapter, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan is winning the war against corruption, and that the fight against insurgency is a collective responsibility. The Forum noted that the President has used the bottom-top approach to plug loop-holes, stressing that it was completely wrong to claim that Jonathan has failed to fight corruption. Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Forum, Seigha Manager, stated this yesterday at a media briefing in Lagos. Manager said that if corruption must be fought comprehensively, it would require the collaborative efforts of the three arms of government. The political opponents of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, he said, seem to have decided to place the effects of corruption and insurgency at the doorsteps of the President. “They claim that he has not done enough to fight corruption; they claim that he does not have the capacity to fight it; and they claim that he encourages corruption and insurgency. “But we know these allegations are false, misleading and merely aimed at tarnishing the good image of the President. We believe that the executive, headed by President Goodluck Jonathan has fought corruption more successfully than the other two arms of government." He has used the bottom-top approach, thereby plugging loopholes, rather than go after culprits in the eye of our ambiguous laws with our weak legal processes. Examples of these include: the fertilizer scam, Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Bureau de Change restructuring, the fuel subsidy scam, etc. “On the other hand, the legislature whose primary responsibility is to make appropriate laws for good governance, in our reckoning, has not lived up to its expectations. For example, its inability to enact appropriate laws to fight current trend of corruption and insurgency; its inability to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that was intended to fight corruption in the oils sector; and its inability to enact specific laws against insurgency and review ineffective laws to meet contemporary demands."

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Lagos

Presidency

Adamawa

Elections 20

Tinubu: Why Lagosians won’t vote Jonathan, Agbaje

Mark: North-Central states for PDP, Jonathan

Why I opted out of guber race – Hong

PDP’s campaign train unstoppable, says Mu’azu

Politics

Sambo ignorant about Lagos economy, says Fashola Governor Babatunde Fashola tackles VicePresident Namadi Sambo over allegation of excessive taxation in Lagos State. In this interview, he also speaks on the debt profile of the state, the need to borrow, why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot win Lagos in the governorship poll, his plan after leaving office. MURITALA AYINLA reports In 2012, you signed the Lagos Road Traffic Law as part of your commitment to sanitise Lagos roads. But one aspect of the law is the restriction of commercial motorcycles also known as Okada on Lagos roads. How come the motorcyclists are coming back on the roads? Part of the problems is enforcement. More than half of the problems are enforcement. We deliberately kept LASTMA away from enforcing it because they would have said the law was political and some of you in the media would have lent your voices to it. That is why we said let the police, a federal agency enforce our traffic law. Some people are even saying that we backed down in the hope to win election. If this is the kind of politics we want to play, I have said that for us the purpose behind the traffic law was law and order. That

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, PoLITICS ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

is what we have done; safety of lives and property, reduction in road accidents and death. That is our first job. If our opponent wants to use that as election debate, I will welcome that so that Lagosians will really decide whether they want a government that is planning to transport them by rail, ferry or by buses or a government that is planning to transport them by motorcycles. I will welcome such debate. Let them come out and say that their policy for Lagos is mass transit by motorcycles. Even the National Council of Transportation said it is going to eliminate the system of transportation by motorcycle. It is not healthy and safe. That however doesn’t mean that people shouldn’t ride motorcycles and that is why we restricted their movement to barely five per cent of the 10,000 roads in Lagos. Other states have done it even without a law just by executive fiat. What is your take on the economy rebasing? In terms of the impact of the economy rebasing, the question I always ask is: Okay we are the biggest, but how come smaller economies have electricity and we don’t? How come smaller economies have successfully provided fuel to their citizens on a regular basis and here in Nigeria we have to queue? Why do we have to buy arms from smaller economies in order to secure ourselves? So, it is simply not about just rebasing the economy but how impactful is that size of the economy to Nigerians. We are the biggest yet we are importing food. I think that as a citizen, I will be more interested in the quality of my life rather than the size of the economy. Your administration and that of your predecessor, Bola Tinubu, have been accused of mortgaging the future of Lagos despite your commitment to debt reduction. What is your take on the debt profile of the state? One of the unique things you have mentioned is the commitment to the deficit reduction. From the beginning, we had a debt issuance programme that we announced publicly, N275

Fashola billion, which we are going to raise in tranches. So, it is going to be difficult to assume that any government will not borrow. It is possible but that means that if we do not want to borrow, one of the things we must do is to reduce our demand for services. Our IGR has dropped now to about N18 billion a month. So, if you calculate N18 billion for 12 months, it will come to around N210 billion. If that is all we get from IGR plus may be N144 billion and N10 billion from FAAC that will be about N330 billion. If that is all we get then we reduce our budget to that amount and we will be fine. But we have a budget of N489 billion; of course we also project that we will earn more. So, if we want a smaller budget, we must agree that we will reduce services because government responds to the totality of the demands that it receives. Are you not going to leave much

If he misunderstands what is happening in the commercial and economic nerve capital of the country, it may be a very revealing index to their understanding of the country’s economy

burden for your successor, given the current debt profile? The point, however, is that as we leave, there must be a winding down and a handing over process. But even until the last day, we will be working. Up till yesterday, people were still asking for services; but there is a sense in which you know that you are transiting and don’t create too much of a burden for your successor. I met debt too; don’t forget that they said then that Asiwaju has mortgaged our state for the next 50 years. Don’t forget that we took a N15 billion bond out of a N25 billion debt plan but I have paid it. I paid it within a year because the financing of the state is steady, reliable and robust. We are the only state that has an international Fitch rating of AA+ with the stable outlook for the future. Now, out of the N275 billion CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Politics

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Tinubu: Why Lagosians won’t vote Jonathan, Agbaje Temitope Ogunbanke and Muritala Ayinla

ational Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday urged voters to reject President Goodluck Jonathan on February 14 because he has failed Nigerians. Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, spoke at the flag off of the APC governorship campaign in Lagos. He said almost all sectors of the economy have been worsened by the ‘clueless’ policies of the current administration. He therefore, urged Nigerians to vote for the APC presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, whom he described as a man of integrity and a straightforward and honest Nigerian. The former governor also urged Lagosians to vote for the APC governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. “Based on what Jonathan has turned our economy to, we need an

Northern Elders kick against Interim Government Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

lAmbode kicks off campaign T experienced person and good financial manager to manage Lagos State. We need somebody with financial and managerial experience to move Lagos State forward. The person that can move Lagos forward is Akinwunmi Ambode. Lagos State is not for experiment, so we cannot experiment in Lagos State,” he said. Speaking on why Lagosians should vote for Ambode, Tinubu said the APC governorship candidate is more experienced and credible than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje. “The PDP governorship candidate was with us during the Alliance for Democracy (AD) days and he failed. He went to Afenifere and before Afenifere could cough, he failed. He came back to Action Congress (AC) and we accepted him. He wanted to contest against Babatunde Fashola but we told him to be patient because

Fashola is brilliant, more educated and know the job than him. “He contested against Fashola during governorship primaries and failed. We told him to be deputy governor to Fashola so that we can train him to knows the job better but he refused and joined the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), where he was later turned to a chameleon. He contested against Fashola again and we defeated him during the 2007 governorship election. “After we defeated him in 2007, he came back to us but before we know what was happening again, he jumped to the PDP. He went to join PDP, which is Ebola. God forbid; we don’t want that; we don’t want Ebola in Lagos. “We all know where we are coming from and we know where we are going. Nigeria’s economy is in bad shape and therefore we need an experienced financial manager as governor in Lagos State. The PDP candidate said he

is the owner of JayKay Pharmacy, how many drug is in JayKay Pharmacy store? Someone who cannot monitor his business cannot be trusted with Lagos. We cannot afford to experiment with Lagos State.” In his address, Governor Babatunde Fashola said PDP is more dangerous than Ebola and therefore they should be swept away with broom during the February general election. “We need a financial manager to survive what we have done in Lagos and we need a man like Ambode to continue where we stopped. So, we need a young man like Ambode to do the job,” he said.

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he Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has warned that Nigerians will strongly resist any attempt to impose an unconstitutional Interim National Government (ING) or any illegal arrangement that will stop the forthcoming elections. In a press statement issued yesterday by NEF’s spokesman, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, the group said that “the February elections must hold under the most secure and peaceful conditions possible. And we have no doubt that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is in a position to guarantee this, if it wishes.” The forum, which said that it was reacting to certain sentiments that are being canvassed by anti-democratic forces, advised President Jonathan to prove to the world that “he can provide the necessary and enabling environment to conduct credible elections.” NEF expressed concern over violence that is becoming one of the defining characteristics of the campaigns and the

preparations towards the February elections. “We are concerned that the insurgency which terrorises some parts of the North-East may escalate its attacks as we move nearer to the elections,” it noted. The forum equally showed concern that candidates’ campaigns at all levels are being attacked, and utterances of many leaders appear to encourage such attacks. “We are concerned that some parties are being prevented from campaigning openly and freely in some parts of the country. We are alarmed at the disposition of many young Nigerians towards the use of violence in support of candidates or parties,” Abdullahi lamented. The Forum also called on President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari to publicly and jointly initiate activities that will send strong signals that they abhor electoral violence. “We urge them as well as other presidential, gubernatorial and national and state assembly candidates to sign statements urging disciplined, responsible and peaceful campaign,” the statement stated.

Agbaje promises to cancel Lekki-Epe toll gate Etaghene Edirin

L-R: Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Governor Babatunde Fashola; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; National Leader, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Lagos APC Chairman, Otunba Henry Ajomale, during the flag off of APC gubernatorial campaign in Lagos…yesterday.

Lagos receives election materials Wale Elegbede

he new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State, Akin Orebiyi, said the electoral body in the state has taken possession of some non-sensitive election materials for the polls. He added, that INEC has also started recruiting personnel for the

election. Orebiyi spoke yesterday during his maiden press briefing at the Commission’s office in Lagos. He said the most central issue to INEC’s activities and preparation for the elections was the issuing of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs). He said: “Last week, the first batch of the 5,000 ballot boxes were delivered to our office; and in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday) we took receipt of 5,995

smartcard readers. “PVC is the most sought-after item. We are rectifying the situation now. As our chairman has already assured the nation, every registrant will have his or her PVC ready for collection before the presidential election on February 14.” For easy collection of PVCs, he said it would now be extended from the present 20 local government offices to the 245 Collation Centres across the state, adding, “from

January 16 collection will be possible seven days a week.” Orebiyi, who took over from Kunle Ogunmola a month ago, also stated that more than 95 per cent personnel to be used for the elections were nonINEC staff. He, however, preached tolerance and peace among political parties. He urged them to focus on issue-based campaigns, avoidance of personal attacjs , abuses, accusations and violence.

he governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has promised to cancel the controversial Lekki-Epe toll gate, if elected into office. He hinged this on the fact that the toll gate is untenable as it is standing on an existing road. Agbaje, however, disclosed that the Lekki Phase I inner bridge would remain. The PDP candidate, who was accompanied by his running mate, Alhaja Safurat Abdulkareem, spoke during an interactive session with the Muslim Community in Lagos yesterday. Agbaje, who commended Governor Babatunde Fashola for some of the successes recorded so far in the state, however, said Lagos was in urgent need of change and not continuity. He said that most of the problems afflicting the state are products of what he referred to as “vested interest.”

The PDP governorship hopeful noted that these successes were however not being felt by ordinary Lagosians, whom he said were totally alienated from governance. He said the citizens are therefore not positively lifted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the areas of health, education and more. Specifically, Agbaje said despite the promises of the state government on free health services, Lagosians paid heavily at government hospitals, promising to address this problem through a free health insurance scheme that would be paid for by government. Agbaje assured his Muslim hosts, who included the National Missioner of the Ansarud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdurahman Ahmad, that the problem of allowing Muslim children to wear the hijab veil to school would be solved through a synergy between the state and the mosque.

Politics

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Mark: North-Central states for PDP, Jonathan Musa Pam Jos

resident of the Senate, Senator David Mark has declared that the North-Central states will vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan in the February 14 presidential election. According to him, the North-Central states of

Plateau, Benue, Niger, Kogi, Nassawa and Kwara will continue to be in the grip of the People Democratic Party (PDP). Mark spoke yesterday at the flag off of the governorship campaign of Senator Gyang Nyam Pwajok held yesterday at Mangu Mini Stadium, Mangu Local Government of Plateau State. “We have Gyang Pwa-

jok, a youth in Plateau, Terhemba Terzoor, another youth in Benue, and Malam Nasko, a 38-year old man in Niger.” He added that the move would bring leadership closer to the youth. Mark told the youth to conduct themselves peacefully during and after the elections, pointing out that they would have the best of their world by

so doing. He cautioned the zone against risking their future with people they did not know, declaring that voters in North-Central would fully support President Jonathan in the February polls. Mark said PDP was keen on building bridges between the old and young leaders so as to boost good governance and democra-

cy in Nigeria. Also speaking, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State urged PDP supporters not to be intimidated with the propaganda of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, described APC as a group of desperate and hungry politicians making noise without structures on ground. Governor Jonah Jang pledged that the state

would produce two million votes for the PDP in all the elections. Earlier, Pwajok noted the determination of elders to teach the younger ones to ensure continuity crucial to attaining a better Nigeria. Governor Jonah Jang called on the people to vote for Pwajok and give total support to Jonathan, adding that the president had good intentions for the country.

Osoba, SDP chieftains tackle Amosun Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

T L-R: Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; his Benue State counterpart, Gabriel Suswam; Senate President David Mark and Plateau State PDP gubernatorial candidate, Senator Gyang Pwajok, during the party’s governorship campaign in Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

INEC: 50 per cent of Imo voters yet to get PVC Steve Uzoechi Owerri

head of the February polls, less than 50 per cent of the 1.8 million eligible voters in Imo State are yet to secure their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs). This was disclosed yesterday by the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, Dr. Gabriel Ada. He spoke in Owerri, the Imo State capital, while addressing newsmen in his office yesterday. He said in a bid to rem-

edy the non-availability of PVCs across the state and dispel the fears of disenfranchisement of voters across Imo, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would on Thursday commence a 10-day PVC distribution exercise across the state. Ada noted that the first part of the distribution was for eligible voters who already have their temporary voters’ cards to collect their voters’ cards, adding that the commission was still expecting the PVCs for eligible voters who participated in the recent

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Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise. He said voters in 11 local government areas in Imo State have also been excluded from the fresh distribution until their PVCs are ready.

The affected council areas include Oru East, Okigwe, Ohaji/Egbema, Ezinihitte, Isu, Obowo, Nkwerre, Njaba, Ngor Okpala, Ideato South and Orsu Council Areas. Ada warned that while distribution of the cards would be at the ward level, cards will not be collected by proxy, but will be issued to the rightful owners at the points of collection. The REC expressed regrets over the haphazard distribution of the PVCs, saying it runs contrary to the resolve of INEC to hold free, fair and credible elections in February.

Buhari pledges to create jobs Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

he All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), yesterday pledged to protect life and property of Nigerians if voted on February 14. Speaking at a rally in Osogbo, Buhari promised to create job opportunities through agriculture and mining. He described the Peo-

ples Democratic Party (PDP) as a bundle of disappointment, charging the people of the state not to vote for the ruling party. “The APC-led administration will break the vicious circle of insecurity, unemployment and corruption that the nation is currently battling with. “Nigerians do not deserve the spate of insecurity, unemployment and corruption and vicious circle that the nation has found itself must

be broken if elected the president of the country in the next election,” Buhari said. He, however, called on Nigerians and party faithful to collect their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) and ensure that their votes count during the polls. Buhari said the electorate owed Nigeria a duty to vote and make the required change to happen. National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-

Oyegun, while presenting Buhari to the people, said he would remove bad governance, corruption and insecurity in the country. Earlier, Governor Rauf Aregesola called on the people to exercise their franchise because the forthcoming elections would be different. Aregbesola said the PDP had been ruling the nation for 16 years and that next elections were for “the liberation of the nation.”

he Social Democratic Party (SDP) yesterday berated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State for allegedly neglecting the rural areas in its three and half years administration. The party, at its mega rally held at Ake Palace Ground in Abeokuta, said the Ibikunle Amosun-led government had paralysed governance at the grassroots level. Former governor of the state and SDP National Leader, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Amosun’s deputy, Prince Segun Adesegun, and eight serving members of the National Assembly were in attendance. Also present were notable chieftains of Afenifere, including Sir Olaniwun Ajayi and Chief Ayo Adebanjo. Highpoint of the rally was the formal unveiling of the SDP governorship candidate, Senator Akin Odunsi, and his running mate, Prince Segun Adesegun. New Telegraph gath-

ered that the selection of Odunsi, who currently represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has finally dashed the hope of former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, to contest the governorship seat on SDP platform. Addressing the mammoth crowd, Osoba said the SDP was determined to win the general election. The former governor, who stated that the SDP had over 50,000 members on its membership register, revealed that the party was targeting 500,000 votes to win the governorship election. Speaking shortly after the SDP flag was handed over to him, Odunsi promised to run an inclusive and participatory government and provide equal opportunities for all. The governorship candidate chided Amosun administration, saying there was no evidence of governance in all the rural areas of the state. He promised to revamp the state economy and educational institutions as well as provide disciplined leadership.

Maku promises better days ahead for Nasarawa Cheke Emmnajuel Lafia

he immediate past Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, has promised to develop Nasarawa State in all facets of life, assuring of better days ahead in the state. Maku, governorship standard bearer of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), yesterday promised to improve on the quality of education, job creation and economic well-being of the people of the state, if elected. He made the promise at a meeting with various youth groups in Keffi. Maku, also pledged to

ensure quality representation regardless of ethnic, religious and political affiliation of the people, urging the people of the state to vote him. His words: “Look at what is going on in the state, poverty, unemployment and insecurity is everywhere and a lot of people have been displaced. I will restore permanent peace and unity if elected. “I will also transform the educational sector to an international standard in order to enhance teaching and learning. This is because I am very passionate with the quality of education of our children,” he said.

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

that we borrowed we have paid the first tranche of N50 billion the next tranche will fall in 2017. By the time we pay this tranche of N50 billion, we had more than N80 billion in the consolidated debt service account, just to pay N50 billion. You will wonder how that happened. When we took that bond during Asiwaju’s time, there was a lot of opposition to it but one of the onerous conditions imposed at that time was that the state should pledge by law that it would commit 15 per cent of its monthly IGR to the account of the trustees who lent us the money. At that time, the IGR was N2.2 billion, so nobody saw an IGR of N20 billion at that time. So we are still paying 15 per cent of N18, N19, N20 billion every month into the account and management of the trustees. Those who made those erroneous statements should know that the financing of the state is stable. The incoming governor only has to maintain the revenue level to pay off the debts and even borrow more if he wishes. So, that is the plan. Your administration has been accused of imposing multiple taxes on citizens and companies in the state. The recent allegation came from Vice-President Namadi Sambo. How will you react to that? Allegation is really the word that describes his comment. It is an allegation. Where is the proof ? Our constitution creates three levels of government: local, state and the federal government. This same constitution gives each of them responsibility and so we expect them to deliver certain services. So, in that event, how do they raise money? They must tax. Local government, for example, has responsibility over markets, advertisement and all of those kinds of things, motor parks. State government has personal income tax by federal law. Federal Government on its part collects taxes at ports, airports and all of those things. That is how it works everywhere in the world. The only way you can have multiple taxation is if you have different levels of government taxing you for the same items. I think we must also distinguish from a tax and administrative charge. If you want to buy land for example and we say that you should go and pay for an application form of N50 or N10 or whatever amount. That is not a tax because that doesn’t have general application across the state. You are demanding for a particular service, you must be able to pay for that service. So, there are some things that are not taxes but people assume that they are taxes. They are administrative charges peculiar to certain services. That is the only way government can break even. I sincerely want to believe that he (Sambo) was misquoted because the statement is a very serious display of ignorance. If it was true that the Vice President said so, how do you then justify the perception that people are leaving Lagos? Is the VAT being collected from Lagos reducing compared to other states? Is the air traffic into Lagos reducing? Or do you have a significant reduction in traffic in Lagos? More

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Fashola: PDP can’t win Lagos

Fashola hotels are being built in Lagos; companies are licensing and operating in Lagos. Displaced people from other parts of Nigeria are moving into Lagos, has the water demand in Lagos reduced? Has the demand for hospital services reduced? So it is a very grave statement to make. That is why I say may be he was misquoted because that is the Chairman of the Nigeria National Economic Council. So, if he misunderstands what is happening in the commercial and economic nerve capital of the country it may be a very revealing index to their understanding of the country’s economy. It may also confirm to you that some of the things you heard from the president that he receives all sorts of contradictory advices and may be this is part of it. It is a very dangerous statement to make. It is either ignorance or diabolical and either ways it is not good because it tells you then why the economy is not functioning if the chairman of the economic council does not know anything about people and number. The economy is always about people. Less than five months to the end of your administration, the light rail is yet to be functional and you promised that a section of the project would have been completed and functional. Why? I never promised that I will

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Agbaje or what? Threat to who? He is not a threat to us. Let’s go and check the result of the 2007 election. He got three per cent of the votes cast

finish the light rail project before the end of my tenure. I said we will try. I use to be very careful about what I say because I’m holding somebody to his promises. But the important thing is that rail projects are built in sections. We have finished one section as I told you, Mile 2 to Constain. We have completed four stations now. We are going through the next station which is to Marina. That will give us 13 kilometres. I think that if you google Mumbai and Dubai, you will see that we have done better by many miles in term of planning and delivery than they did in the number of years that it took to conceptualise and deliver. If we also look at it on the basis that in those two cities, it was the Federal Government that funded those projects, you will also see that we have done better by many miles. This is a totally state funded project and with our penny and your taxes that is how far we have gone. There are insinuations in some quarters that the emergence of Mr. Jimi Agbaje as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate poses a threat to the APC in Lagos State. What is your take on this? Agbaje or what? Threat to who? He is not a threat to us. Let’s go and check the result of the 2007 election. He got three per cent of the votes cast. Even his

party, PDP, we have defeated them back to back since 1999, they don’t threaten anybody. Akin Ambode is going to defeat them with your support. This is not a place to come and experiment; we need an experienced candidate to do what we are doing here. So, when you look at what they have done in their party, do you want it in Lagos? Do you want them to inject Lagos with that virus of failure and they can’t find money, they can run rail, they can’t give power. Do you want them to inject that virus into Lagos? Considering the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the issuance of permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) in the state, will you say the electoral umpire deserves commendation? We should first ask ourselves how many of us have collected the PVCs. How many have tried to and how many have succeeded? Is that something that inspires us? So, everybody should run into one place and collect cards in three days. What could have been done for over four years? I have shared my Indian experience with Nigerians. What they do every year, we left it till the last minutes. When we are going for an election and you didn’t plan for a rerun, are you predicting the result? Because every electoral commission that I know always plan for a re-run and they take it immediately it happens. That is the answer to the question. We don’t just take ourselves serious. This is a once in a four year undertaking in a country of 170 million people with roughly about 70 million voters. Let’s flip the picture. Is there any country in the world where you can’t find Coca Cola to buy? They sell about 1.7 billion bottles daily. Then we can’t give 70 million voters’ cards in four years. I will do a better job than this. We are taking ourselves through needless nightmares. Just imagine entrusting INEC to manage Emirate Airlines. INEC job is a logistic operation and this fixation of taking a retired judge, other professionals to manage INEC is not the best. The real Head of INEC should be a logistician by training; maybe somebody, who has run a network of banks successfully. We go to bank everyday and we collect cash without problem. That’s logistic work in operation; people like airline traffic controllers. These are people who can do this job successfully. It is not about theory; it is about things getting to where they should be. People who have run maybe courier services successfully. These are the people needed to do this job. It is not about prophesying; it is not judicial work either. It is logistic. May be we should begin to reconsider the model that we have stereotyped ourselves about. What is your plan after leaving office on May 29 this year? Life after, honestly, I want to rest first and then I will think of other things after that. But I will remain in politics. Right now it is the campaigns. But I just want to rest after my tenure expires. It’s been 12 years, 17 hours a day. I just need to stand back a little, catch my breath. But it’s been wonderful it is now four months and some days for me to leave office.

Politics | Interview 17

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Why I opted out of guber race – Hong Former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Idi Hong, is the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State. In this interview with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, he speaks on the fallout of the PDP primaries and why he dropped his governorship ambition for a senatorial seat. Excerpts: With the fallout of the primaries and the disquiet in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), how focused is Adamawa’s PDP going into the general election? The beauty of democracy is that today, you are not with me and by tomorrow the permutation will change, you will now find out that you become my best friend that will be supporting me. I will advise them to remain calm and follow the PDP. It is the government that will salvage Adamawa and Nigeria that is important. It is not about an individual; it is about the state and our people who are far left behind in terms of development. So, we want to redeem and reclaim the state, so that at least we should all join hands as citizens of Adamawa to build a better state for all, ourselves and our children. Secondly, there will be opportunities where the means of permutation will change. If you are aggrieved today, you might become the beneficiaries tomorrow. It is not that some of us are happy all the time too, you know our history, you know what transpired in the recent past where some of us were excluded from exercises like this, some of us were chased out of the party, but we remained firm. With the help of God and His support we are where we are today. I will say this fallout of the primaries is not only in Adamawa but nationwide. It is not only in PDP, but in almost all political parties, because people came with their ambitions thinking that it is do-or-die and if they do not realise their ambitions they will like to go elsewhere to realise their dreams. It is now left to the electorate to determine really what their viability is and that will soon be shown. This will make the party stronger at the end of the day, as those moving out will realise that the best platform to realise their dreams is PDP. You have seen people moving out of the party and after doing that they realise that they need the PDP to realise their dreams and they will always come back. So, we will advise the aggrieved members to remain steadfast in the party because it is the party of the Nigerian people; it is part

Hong of the people of Adamawa and there is no party that can dislodge PDP in the state for a long time to come. How do you reconcile the aggrieved members? You know that the PDP is a very big family. And after every contest, reconciliation usually follows. I have the belief that all the aggrieved members will be reconciled. It is not unexpected that people came with a mindset, they came in with aspirations and visions, what they hoped to do and achieved if given the opportunity, but the electorate have decided otherwise. So, they should know that this is not from us who have been given the tickets to fly the party’s flag; we are just like them. We are just privilege this time around to be the party’s flag bearers, it could have been some other people and we will still feel bad, but at the end of the day, you know that God gives power to who He wishes. Secondly, we are lucky that the delegates from Adamawa have chosen us among all the people, but most importantly they should know that the PDP is a family and they should not feel bad as there will be more opportunities. We all know that whoever has participated in this process is a big asset to the party, so the party respects them.

We need to discuss with everybody as we want to win elections in the state, we want to form the government, we want to develop Adamawa State, so we need to reconcile with everyone.

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The strength I was mustering; both human and material to emerge as a governor in a big party like PDP was not sufficient

What informed your sudden change in plan for your governorship aspiration for a senatorial seat? I had aspired to be the governor and thought that if the factors are in place and I emerged as the governor there are lots of things to contribute to the state, but as events unfolded I saw realistically that the strength I was mustering; both human and material to emerge as a governor in a big party like PDP was not sufficient enough. But I didn’t want to be governor for the sake of it, but I didn’t see the possibilities happening then as my preparation was not adequate enough. So, I decided to cut my coat according to my size and then opted for a senatorial seat and here is where we are today on the campaign trail. What should your people expect from you as a senator if you wins? The most important thing is service to the community, the nation and humanity. It is about contributing to nation building. So, if I am able to realise this aspiration as a senator there are many ways I will help in developing Adamawa State.

There are millions ways I will contribute to having a united and stable Nigeria and a prosperous nation. As far as I am concerned, the Senate is a good platform to contribute not only to the state’s development but the country. It will give me the opportunity to contribute to laws and carry out oversight function as well as engage in national discourse that will strengthen the unity of the nation. As far as I am concerned, it is about national service. Don’t forget there was a former American president who went back to serve his people at the local level. What are the chances of PDP in the forthcoming elections? First and foremost, the chances of the PDP are very good all the time because it is the party of the Nigerian people. It is a platform where no one person will tell you categorically he has monopoly of ownership. It is a party where everybody in every corner of this country has been given opportunity of aspiring to any position; it is a party where all groups, tribes and religions are represented. It is a party that is tested and trusted, there is no doubt in my mind that Adamawa State will still remain PDP in 2015 and in Nigeria even though the opposition are building their strategies. I have no doubt also that we are going to win.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Opinion

Why I support Jonathan’s re-election

Chimazuru Oblong Nnadi

side from the compelling consideration that he is the presidential candidate of my political party, the PDP, my reasons for supporting President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015 are in many ways, instructive. First, allow me speak within the context of reality and experience as a Nigerian youth. More than any President in the experienced, real, imagined or documented history of Nigeria, this is the first President who has articulated and is executing a transformational blueprint for youth development, youth employment and youth empowerment. Take a critical look at the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWIN) initiative. Before President Jonathan, who cared about young Nigerian entrepreneurs? Before President Jonathan who thought about giving grants to young Nigerian business owners? Before President Goodluck Jonathan, no President took the youth sector seriously. No President opened the door of engagement to the youths, let alone empowerment! None. Before President Goodluck Jonathan, no President considered our young brothers and sisters, the Almajiris in Northern Nigeria as deserving of any care and attention. Nobody thought about taking them off the streets and building schools for them. Realizing that a northern Nigerian problem is a Nigerian problem, President Jonathan is taking steps to build a future northern Nigeria where development is futuristic, real and sustainable through educational advancement. That is significant. It is to President Jonathan’s credit that an enabling environment has been created for the economic explosion of our creative industry from Nollywood to

the music industry to fashion and style! Through the SURE-P project, thousands of Nigerian youths have glowing testimonials on how their lives are being turned around with the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) and the Community Service, Women, Youths and Empowerment, (CSWYE). These are facts, not fiction? I will support a President who has shown in many ways that he is a man who is committed to touching the lives of the common man. I grew up in a Nigeria where we watched the railway industry disappear before our very eyes. But today, it is to President Jonathan’s credit that not only are our trains back, our roads that were neglected and deformed for decades by previous administrations, military and democratic are now being fixed. So tell me, why won’t I vote for Jonathan? Is it in the area of Agriculture that President Jonathan has not performed? This is the President that cleaned up the rot in the fertilizer procurement and distribution process. This is the President that is empowering local farmers using ICT. This is the President under which our cassava production is on a consistent increase. This is the President under whose leadership our rice self-sufficiency as a nation has grown from 50% to over 80%. It is no fluke that under President Jonathan, Nigeria overtook Egypt and South Africa and became the largest economy in Africa! One can go on and on. To wish away these achievements is to stand in murderous contempt of one’s conscience and character. Now let’s talk about the 72-year old man who was kicked out of power as a Military dictator in 1985. If there is any reason that makes a Jonathan re-election even more imperative, it is the fact that Nigeria’s opposition party, the APC looked at Nigeria and went into the graves of our nation’s painful past to exhume their

candidate. There is nothing new that Buhari is bringing to the table in 2015 that Jonathan did not accomplish four years ago. Beyond party affiliation, as a Nigerian youth, there is something awfully backward about the idea of a Buhari presidency. There are some brands that packaging cannot sell, no matter the competence, creativity or innovation of the packager. This is the dilemma of the Buhari campaign. The law of diminishing returns is a reality promoters of Buhari must come to terms with. More than the problem of Buhari’s old age is the bigger problem of the age of his ideas. What ideas will Buhari run our new Nigeria with? We are being told to make a 72-year-old man President over a future Nigeria he will not be part of. How does that even sound? Promoters of Buhari are telling us to drop a President Jonathan who has a clear record of performance for a Buhari who Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka described as a man in whom we have been offered “no evidence of the sheerest prospect of change.” We have had our share of challenges. To state otherwise would mean being dishonest. Insecurity, predominantly in Northern Nigeria is on the front burner. Still, our war against terrorism is best appreciated when seen within the context of a marathon and not a 100m dash. Sadly, the thing with terrorism globally is that there are no quick fixes. But In 2015, Nigerians are faced with two clear choices; advancement or retrogression. In Jonathan, we have been presented a President who is not perfect but a man who is committed to taking Nigeria to the next level. In Buhari, we have been offered a Nigeria on the threshold of oblivion wrapped inside the toga of a vague mantra colorfully illustrated as ‘change’. We must chose wisely • Nnadi sent in this piece from Enugu.

Terror attack on Charlie Hebdo’s Magazine Mike Arayuwa Wilkie

he Charlie Hebdo Magazine, a tabloid and paparazzi paper is based in the North Eastern part of Paris, France. The Editor was Stephanie Charbonnie. Hebdo magazine is known, notorious and pronounced for its satire of all religions, including Islam. It poked religions on a routine basis. France is home to about 6 million Muslims when compared with the rest of Western European countries. Great Britain is next with also a large population of Muslims. In the immediate past, one of the magazine’s editions put the image of Prophet Mohammed on its front cover page. The Muslims regarded such an image as forbidden and an arrogant insult on their Prophet. Tension of the publication was yet to calm down, when it published another edition which carried the cartoon of the ISIS leader who is fighting in Iraq and other Arab countries for the purpose of self determination and the creation of a caliphate or sovereign Islamic State. This edition was published just before the terror attack. On Wednesday, January 7 2015, three unknown gunmen attacked the newsroom office of the magazine with automatic weapons and killed 12 of its staff including 2 police officers. 11 other persons were fatally injured. Amongst the dead, were the Editor, Stephanie Charbonnie and 5 renowned cartoonists. It was not surprising that the Editor was killed by the gunmen in view of the fact

that his name was already on the hit-list of the notorious and barbaric Al-Qaeda terrorist group, since the year, 2013. Two of the gunmen escaped in a black car after committing the heinous crime and they were heard shouting: “we have avenged Mohammed.” The suspects were said to have spoken flawless French language without any particular assent. However, the youngest, a teenager, amongst the three gunmen, was left behind and who had already surrendered himself to the police. The identity of the other two, Cherif and Said Kouachi who are brothers, were later killed byFrench police. However, the car used by the terrorists had been impounded. Said Kouachi was a well known person with a criminal record. He had been in and out of the prison for serial criminal offences in the past. President Francois Hollande had said in a State Broadcast, that the people of France must be united to fight terrorism. He further declared a one minute mourning silence in France in honour of those who were killed during the terror attack. There had been global condemnation of the gruesome attack, even amongst the Moslem leaderships. Consequent upon this dastardly act, the French Government declared a full red alert on terrorism. The three suspects were French citizens and not illegal aliens. It has been confirmed that they carried out the killings in a standard professional manner which suggest that they were probably trained by a terror

group. What should agitate the rightthinking minds of people are: why is it that some youthful Europeans would contemplate and volunteer to be recruited by Al-Qaeda and other militant groups to fight fruitless and senseless wars? Are they being enticed with monetary rewards or as a result of their religious belief ? Can it be simply based on their ideological construct? These are critical issues which beg for answers and further answers. It is however surprising that a few European Youths can endeavour to cause such a high tension situation by engaging themselves in fundamentalism under the umbrella of Islam, a religion which has been canvassed to be peaceful. I foresee an ugly situation whereby this criminal tendency may provoke anti-Islamism in France and perhaps, the rest of Western Europe. There is no doubt that terrorism is now a global phenomenon when viewed from their deadly modus operandi. In Nigeria, Boko Haram is busy killing people, Al-Qaeda has its tentacles planted all over the world, ISIS is also operating in some countries, all in the name of Islam and self determination. Nigeria obviously has its own share of terrorism. In the past, the Boko Haram group had bombed and devastated a National Newspaper’s office in Abuja but they did not carry automatic weapons to kill its workers. Those who blame President Jonathan of his inability to solve the Boko Haram question can now appreciate that a peaceful country such as France has also experienced a harsh terror

attack. Terrorism has happened in America in 2011 for which Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility and gradually, it is evident that terror attacks are being expanded to include the murder of Newspaper’s operators. It is surprising that mere cartoons and image of Prophet Mohammed can trigger-off such a nauseating and timid action by Islamic radicals and fundamentalism in religion. Within the context of the presidential election in Nigeria slated for February 14, 2015, it will be an absurdity for any presidential candidate to promise to wipe-out Boko Haram. For such a presidential candidate to succeed as being campaigned, he must take into consideration the historical perspective of terror groups in the world. Alternatively, he must be one of its members. Such presidential candidate should be a centurion joker because terrorists are not easy to vanquish within a brief period. Terror groups are trained in suicide attack, in character and in content and therefore, difficult to defeat. Also, members of terror groups do not summit themselves to peaceful negotiations and they hate to accept general Amnesty. The President, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, tried in the past to extend general amnesty to Boko Haram militants as a way of ending this insurgency but the sect refused and burgled the good will of government. Till date, the so-called Boko Haram has intensified its wicked deeds and murderous activities. • Wilkie can be reached at pmikky1950@yahoo.com (08023097251)

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

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Boko Haram and the Northern economy

he Bauchi State governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda is the latest political leader from the northern part of the country to reaffirm the transmogrification of a discomfiting reality that the northern zone of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, warned about several years ago. According to the governor, the protracted insurrection in the north eastern flank of the country has not only ruined the economy of the north but also carries the risk of adversely affecting the country’s economy in the long run. Declaring open a training forum for volunteer facilitators organized by the Arewa Youth Forum Project Management Team for Conflict Resolution and Management at Destination Hotel, Bauchi, the governor, who is a former banker, lamented that it is a universal truism that no economy could grow or make progress where there is no peace as has been the case in the region for some time now. ‘We have no more economy in the north following the insecurity in the region because no economy can grow without peace and security. Without peace, there can not be enough capital and you can not grow economy without capital’, he said. ‘The money we have in our nation is not enough to boost

There is no controversy in the position that the economy of the north became the first casualty of the prolonged but illadvised insurgency by Boko Haram, especially in the north eastern part of the country our economy, so the bunch of the money to grow our economy must come from outside and with insecurity, no investor will come and invest in our country,’ the Bauchi State governor said, adding that “it is in view of this that I urge other Nigerians to do everything possible to ensure peace by tolerating one another, irrespective of religious and cultural differences for the development of the country.” We can say emphatically that there is nothing new that Governor Yuguda has said that other well-meaning people have not said regarding the self-destructive propensity of the ill-advised insurgency option as a form of political agitation. Early in 2013, the northern

zone of MAN issued a distress call, warning that the economy of the region was on the brink of collapse as a direct consequence of the protracted activities of the fundamentalist Boko Haram sect which have pushed up the notoriety of religious extremism, in addition to countless lives wasted and property destroyed since the mindless insurgency began. There is no controversy in the position that the economy of the north became the first casualty of the prolonged but ill-advised insurgency by Boko Haram, especially in the north eastern part of the country. Apart from thousands of citizens displaced all over the country who have been rendered refugees in their own country by the insurgents, an inestimable value of property –public and private- have also been destroyed, while investor confidence in the economy of the region has been shattered. Without prejudice to the fact that there is nothing new in the admission that insurgency has ruined the economy of the north, pushing what was originally uncompetitive even further backwards, the novelty in Yuguda’s jeremiad is his allegation that the future of the youth in the region is threatened by abductions and kidnappings by the insurgents who invariably radicalize abducted or kidnapped minors, subsequently converting

them to the barbarism of fundamentalism. ‘The future of our youth in the North is threatened so I urge you to work for peace and unity in order to dismantle all negative effects on your future’, Yuguda further said. The appeal by Gov Yuguda is timely because the youth of the region have a crucial role to play in the Federal Government’s determination to extinguish the uncontrollable fire of insurgency. Because they provide the reservoir from which recruiters forcibly draw agents, the youth have a vital role to play, even if initially by sensitizing the society on the collateral deficits and dangers of insurgency, including economic destitution from which the region might not be able to wean itself for the next 50 years. Because it is a serious issue, it is imperative for political leaders from the region to hearken to voices of reason as that of Governor Yuguda because even before the self-inflicted madness of insurgency, the economy of the region battled futily to compete with the rest of the country. The implication of this precarious situation is that what is required is for youth in the region to rise in uncommon determination to close up the original gap that existed between the economy of the southern part of the country and that of the north whose destitution has become aggravated by mindless blood-letting.

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20 Politics

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

PDP’s campaign train unstoppable, says Mu’azu National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Adamu Mu’azu justifies why President Goodluck Jonathan should be re-elected on February 14

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign for the 2015 elections is coming on stronger and stronger and the fight back to claim the soul of Nigeria is rapidly growing with the unstoppable PDP campaign train moving around the country until victory on February 14 is achieved. After just six major stops that have taken in Lagos, Enugu, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Osogbo and Ado-Ekiti in the heart

of the South-West, the party is reclaiming lost territory from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). We have sent a strong message that continuity is the best option for Nigeria so that the great works of the PDP-led federal and state administrations will lead us to the Promised Land. Our message to the youth of this country is that the PDP is the only party in this election which can make their future greater than what it is

INDEP ELECT ENDENT NAT ORAL C IO OMMIS NAL SION

Mu’azu

– creating and securing jobs for them, giving

them sound training as we have done in the past

four years and empowering them through the YouWin programme and other job creating strategies we have set out. We are also making the people to be aware of the lies making the rounds at APC rallies across the country. They say they will fix the roads of the SouthEast and reopen the Coal Corporation mines and energize coal power for electricity. Have they told Nigerians how much it will cost? How will the money be sourced? You can only make a promise you can fulfil for the days of empty promises are well and truly over. The PDP will not sit idly by while the APC is getting away with murder, telling cheap lies to gullible people who have no way of knowing that they are merely making empty promises. We tell it as it is, what we have done and what we intend to do when we get a second term for the president. We have hit the campaign road running and will tell the people the truth on the ground. By next week after rounding up the South-East cities of Abakaliki, Umuahia, Owerri and Awka, the people of Nigeria will know that the devil you know is far better than the angel you don’t know. For 15 years, the PDP has worked the Nigerian political terrain perfectly well, deepened democracy to the point that freedom is embedded in all of us and we are not going to return to another bout of dictatorship of the 70s and 80s where progress is stunted with visionless leadership forced on us. Nigerians enjoy real freedom under President Jonathan, a situation the APC cannot maintain if they win. That is why people abuse President Jonathan on Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere without the secret police looking for them. The PDP will continue to show the light for the people to find their way under the leadership of President Jonathan who have done enough to deserve the continuation of the transformation of Nigeria until 2019. The PDP has come to the point in this democracy where it will allow the minority to have their say while the majority has their way. Only the PDP can ensure and guarantee this status as enshrined in our constitution.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Interview

File

Okorodas: APC and PDP, not Jega, will determine next month’s elections

Catalyst for stable, united Nigeria

22&25

Law

Counting the cost of JUSUN strike

Akintola

Ubani

ALTHOUGH they vowed to sustain their indefinite strike and put the nation’s courts under perpetual lock, lawyers and the judiciary have begun to feel the heat of the ongoing strike embarked upon by the judiciary workers as it entered Day 12 today. TUNDE OYESINA, AKEEM NAFIU and EFE AGHALOKPE write

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY EDITOR

foluso.ogunmodede@ newtelegraphonline.com

Mouka

or 12 days today, the nation’s courts have been under lock, no thanks to an indefinite strike embarked upon by the judiciary workers under the aegis of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN). JUSUN had on January 2 called out its members to protest what it referred to as government’s refusal to comply with the verdict of an Abuja High Court which granted financial autonomy to the state judiciaries. However, the 12 day-old strike, has paralysed judicial activities nationwide as loss so far recorded in the judiciary, runs into several millions of money. In Lagos alone, according to a judicial officer who pleaded not to be named said the state judiciary loses an average of N20m monthly in form of internally generated revenue. This, according to the source would have monumental effect on justice delivery system should the strike be allowed to linger on. Already, JUSUN has said that it would not call off its indefinite strike until both the Federal and the state governments abide by the decision of the Federal High Court which granted financial autonomy to

We are totally in support of financial autonomy for the judiciary. it is also important to know that there is a subsisting court judgement on the issue that was given in favour of JUSUN which stated that the judiciary heads should be in control of their finances

the judiciary. The strike, no doubt has begun to have a negative implication on the nation’s judiciary. For instance, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and other Supreme Court Justices were locked out of the court premises on January 5. Moreso, the strike action has halted several pending cases challenging the results of various primary elections conducted by political parties ahead of next month’s general election. This is coming even at a time when the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta has ordered all the judges to conclude all the political cases before the elections. With the situation of things, it is very obvious that such cases will not be concluded as it will definitely bring about a setback in the forthcoming general election. Such cases that needed speedy dispensation so as to determine the general election among others are the eligibility suit challenging the constitutionality of President Goodluck Jonathan to re-contest. Other cases pending before the court had emanated from the primary elections conduct-

ed by parties to select their candidates in the election. JUSUN had dragged the National Judicial Council, the Federal Government and the 36 states with their Accountant Generals before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. The plaintiff contended that it was dissatisfied with the way and manner the federation account/consolidated revenue fund of the federal and states were being handled and said that their members’ welfare had suffered as a result of the present practice. In his judgement delivered on January 14, 2014, the trial judge, Justice Ademola Adeniyi, restrained the Federal Government and the 36 states from meddling with or holding onto funds budgeted for the judiciary. The court further asked both the Federal Government and the states to comply with the provisions of the constitution as they affected the funding of the judiciary and ordered that funds meant for the judiciary be released directly to the heads of court and not the executive arm of government. The court observed that the practice of the executive disCONTINUED ON PAGE 23

22 Law | Interview

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Okorodas: APC, PDP not Jega will determine next month’s elections hari, fine. The authorities must act decisively to protect Nigeria and Nigerians from evil forces bent to destroy Nigeria.

He holds a Ph.D in Law. Anthony Ezonfade Okorodas is the chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State branch. Okorodas speaks on February general election, the unending insurgency and the Federal Government’s planned extension of emergency rule in the troubled Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States and sundry issues. APPOLOS CHRISTIAN met him. The much touted 2015 general election is here, what are your fears in view of the rumours of war or breakup of the nation called Nigeria as predicted by the Americans? To predict the future, you must analyse the past. Since the arrival of Professor Jega as the INEC chairman, Nigeria has seen steady improvements of our electoral process. If the trend continues, 2015 is likely to be better than 2011. There is a big room for more improvements, no doubt. But we must note that while INEC is saddled with the responsibility of conducting credible elections, the success of the process depends to a large extent on the conduct of politicians and their political parties. It is a pity that an average Nigerian politician thrives on illegalities. There are campaign budgets for bribery, vote-buying and all sorts of illegal activities aimed at gaining undue advantage over political opponents. All these must stop if we hope to achieve free and fair elections in this country. With the senseless killings of innocent Nigerians in the northeast by the Islamic fundamentalists, what option would you push before the Federal Government in order to bring an end to the insurgency? Some people say there should be no negotiations with Boko Haram because of the senseless killings they have been carrying out. I would agree with that stand if we have the capacity to crush them and be done with the insurgency. But I cannot stand at a safe distance; hundreds of kilometres away from the killing fields and insist that the Federal Government should not negotiate when people are being killed on a daily basis. While I support negotiations, I do not think the government is taking the right approach to it. The success of any potential negotiation with Boko Haram will be relative to the ability of the Federal Government to weaken Boko Haram’s capacity to continue to operate effectively. If we cannot totally wipe out Boko Haram, let us at least be able to weaken the organisation substantially. A weakened Boko Haram will be a catalyst for a negotiated settlement of the insurgency. The question is: how do we proceed to achieve that? The

Boko Haram insurgency has exposed the weakness of our armed forces. Our men and women in uniform have been known over the years for their bravery and efficiency in international operations – in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, etc. During those operations, we never had any reported cases of Nigerian soldiers running away from the enemy. To tell you the truth, the problem at hand is one of lack of investment in the armed forces. Logistical support is crucial to the men fighting at the front. If you want me to do the job, give me the equipment I need, set out clear objectives for me and allow me do the job. This appears not to be the case. If there has been a systematic investment in the armed forces, we wouldn’t need to carry cash in search of arms and ammunition in the heat of battle. You prepare for war in times of peace. Would you share the view that only a total emergency by the Federal Government on the troubled northeast can end insurgency? I do not know what you mean by “total emergency.” If by that you mean that civil government in those States should be suspended, I would disagree without hesitation. There is no evidence that the government of those states are obstructive in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. In fact, those governments appear to be spending millions of state funds in support of the fight against Boko Haram. In fact, maintaining some level of normalcy in terms of governance is essential to the fight against Boko Haram. A proclamation of a state of emergency is not a magical instrument that would automatically solve the problem. We must have soldiers who are highly motivated; we must have the necessary equipment; we must have the political will to counter the insurgents; we do not appear to act like we are in such a state. Right now, we are at war, albeit internally. I do not care if the entire armed forces of Nigeria is totally mobilised to the north-east to do the job as quickly as possible and get done with it. It’s an emergency and the situation requires extraordinary measures. I fear for the day Boko Haram would attract fighters from all over

Okorodas

the world as it appears to be happening with ISIS in Iraq and Syria. When that happens, even those of us in the South would not be safe!

Nigerian politicians thrive on illegalities. There are campaign budgets for bribery, vote-buying and all sorts of illegal activities aimed at gaining undue advantage over political opponents

President Jonathan and General Buhari are in the race to Aso Rock come February, do you foresee any post-election war should either of them emerge as president especially as an Islamic cleric has counselled them to drop their ambition? He is entitled to his opinion. However, there is no basis for that statement. These are two great Nigerians who both have the interests of Nigeria at heart. The political space is large enough to accommodate every Nigerian irrespective of ethnicity, religion or class. It should be a matter of concern to Nigerians that prominent persons would be making such unguarded statements. It is capable of laying the foundation for some sort of absurd justification for troublemakers to let loose their hunger for blood. Politics is, and should remain a game of numbers. If the majority of Nigerians re-elect President Jonathan, so be it and if they decide to elect General Bu-

Some states governors have faulted the autonomy granted to the nation’s 774 councils by the National Assembly, describing it as bizarre. Where do you think the lawmakers went wrong? Well, I support some degree of autonomy for local governments. Total autonomy would be an anomaly. We cannot confer on local governments the same degree of autonomy that States have in relation to the Federal Government. That would be chaotic. Local Government Administration should remain with the States. However, the present system where the Local Government Laws of the various states empower the State Houses of Assembly and the Governors to remove elected Chairmen of Local Government Areas is bad and should be prevented by constitution amendment. Why should that be when there is an elected Legislative Council at the Local Government level? Why should a legislator has a say in the removal of the Chairman of a Local Government Area he does not come from and has no relationship with? Secondly, if autonomy means that local governments should have their full revenue allocation from the Federation Account without interference from the States, I would support that. The Local Government Joint Account should be abolished. Allocations should go directly to the Local Government Councils, with all lawful deductions made at source and paid to the relevant agencies. That way, the reported abuse of the Joint Account system by some State Governments would be eliminated. What do you want the 15th Chief Justice to add to the reforms embarked upon by his predecessor? Her tenure was relatively short. Obviously, her most visible performance was in the area of discipline of judges and her insistence on high productivity in the dispensation of justice in our courts. The process of appointment of judges was also quite commendable during her tenure. As far as I am aware, it was substantially merit-based. I praise her for her exemplary leadership. Her tenure was scandal-free and that is highly commendable in the kind of society we live in. However, I think she should have reviewed the criteria for the performance evaluation of judges. The present system lays too much emphasis on the need for judges to deliver loads of final judgments. It appears that rulings even on very important CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Law

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

‘Akintola, Mouka, Ubani, others seek stakeholders’ intervention’ CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 21

bursing funds to the judiciary was unconstitutional as the practice threatens the independence and self-regulatory mechanism of the judiciary. Relying on the provisions of Sections 83(1), 212(3) and 162(9) of the Nigerian Constitution, Justice Ademola maintained that the provisions were clear and straightforward and should therefore be complied with. Besides, the court frowned at the practice where the judiciary often goes cap in hand to beg the executive for funds for its operations, noting that the practice can no longer be condoned. He further held that piecemeal allocation of funds through the states’ ministry of finance to the states’ judiciary at the Federal Government and states’ pleasure, was unconstitutional, un-procedural, cumbersome, null, void, and should be abated forthwith. The judge agreed with them and declared that the defendants’ failure to pay the funds/ amount standing to the credit of the states’ judiciary in the federation/consolidated revenue funds directly to the heads of courts in the various states’ judiciary was a constitutional breach and must stop. The court issued an order compelling the defendants to comply with the provisions of Sections 81(3), 212(3) and 162(9) of the nation’s Constitution in the disbursement of funds to the heads of courts forthwith having observed that both the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, enjoy independent funding and that the same should apply to the judiciary in accordance with the Constitution. ‎After the said judgement, it was expected that State government will comply and implement it but such is yet to be implemented. However, the Union had after some months when the judgement was delivered embarked on strike action to press its demands. It however called off the strike having concluded with the Accountants-General of various states that the funds will be remitted to the judiciary directly. However, 11 months after the judgement, it is yet to be implemented. Speaking on the strike action, JUSUN President, Mustapha Adamu said the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation should be blamed for the failure of the Federal Government to implement the judgment of the Federal High Court which stopped the Executive from holding on to fund meant for the judiciary. Notwithstanding the loss the judiciary is being recorded, lawyers yesterday raised the alarm on the consequences arising from the JUSUN strike on the administration of justice, urging ma-

Former NBA President, Mr. OCK Okocha SAN and Mr. Augustine Alegeh SAN

jor stakeholders to wade into the matter with a view to prevailing on the workers to sheath their swords. First to fire the shot is a titled chief and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeniyi Akintola, who feared that the JUSUN strike would have a debilitating effect on the administration of justice in the country if was left unattended to especially as its adverse effects on litigants could not be quantified. He however tasked major stakeholders in the nation’s justice system to wade into the matter with a view to saving the judiciary from imminent collapse. Akintola was echoed by the scion of the Gani Fawehinmi dynasty, Mohammed who blamed the government for the woes bedeviling judiciary. He said: “You really cannot blame this people. You see this government that we are dealing with; the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan government is very fond of not honouring agreement, yet a lot of ministers just steal the money. If you check a number of the ministers, there is none of them, particularly, the Petroleum Minister, that has anything less than N20 billion in their account. “But, this man who just came, telling us he has no shoe. He will do this, he will do that. The whole country went on strike when he increased fuel price. I think this is probably the second or third time, the judiciary workers will go on strike. Why can’t he give them what they are entitled to? Yet, he is spending billions of naira on the so-called investors who he said are bringing light and despite that we are still using generator everyday. “So, I think they should stop cheating these people because without them, no lawyers can

The strike is not in the best interest of the country, if you take into cognisance, cases that have been filed in courts after the primaries of various political parties across the country

practice and no judge can write any judgement. I think they should honour them and give them their entitlements. They work, they compile all the records. Why is it now? Is the President planning to spend all the money on his re-election bid? We need to find out from the President, what exactly is preventing him from paying them?’’ To another lawyer, Mr. Olu Awolowo, JUSUN strike was nothing but an ill-wind that would blow no good to no-one. He said: “When there is a strike, it will naturally affect every area of human endeavour and ultimately, every part of the nation’s economy. The strike in the judiciary will definitely compound the existing problem of justice delivery in the sector and this is not good for the nation’s development’’. Wale Ogunade, in his own submissions, noted that the justice system in the country had come to a stand-still as a result of the strike. He said: “We all know that justice delayed is justice denied and everyone, both the low and the mighty desires justice. That is why we say we should give unto Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar and to God what belongs to God. These people have a genuine cry. There is a court judgement. Let the government implement the judgement. There is enough money to go round, give them what they want and let us move on’’. A former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Monday Ubani, simply said “the strike is not in the best interest of the country, if you take into cognisance, cases that have been filed in courts after the primaries of various politi-

cal parties across the country. We also have so many criminal and civil cases across all the courts which are now been stalled by the strike action’’. “We are totally in support of financial autonomy for the judiciary. it is also important to know that there is a subsisting court judgement on the issue that was given in favour of JUSUN which stated that the judiciary heads should be in control of their finances. So, I see no difficulty for the states and the federal governments to implement the judgement as long as it has not been reversed by the Court of Appeal’’. “JUSUN also pointed out that it has entered into no fewer than seven memorandum of understandings with the government which up till now, has not been implemented. So, in all these, I think JUSUN is left with no other option than to embark on the strike action which is a legitimate tool to get what rightly belongs to them’’. The Chairman of the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Alex Muoka, described the development as painful, adding the strike action had affected activities of lawyers in the country. Muoka said: “We support the demands that JUSUN is making, so, it is now for the government to abide by the decision of the court on financial autonomy for the judiciary. “Basically, it is important for the government to implement a full fledge autonomy for the judiciary as ordered by the court. “We sympathise with JUSUN in this regard, and appeal to the authorities to fulfill the union’s demand. It is particularly painful because the strike has affected our clients and our livelihood.

Law | File

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Catalyst for stable, united Nigeria CO NTINUED FROM LAST WE E K

By Akin Oyebode

o, it is quite understandable that the British can very well boast of having the world’s oldest parliament, even if the right to vote had not been readily available and had to be fought for over several centuries. However, it needs be stated that while the right to vote is a necessary concomitant of democracy, the trajectory of that right has not always followed that of democracy. From Athenian democracy right up to democratic praxis in the 20th century, there had not always been universal suffrage as the right to vote was made subject to certain qualifications, most notably, age and property. It is instructive that Ephorus, commenting on the Constitution of Crete had observed that, “The law-giver takes it for granted that liberty is a state’s highest good and For this reason alone makes property belong specifically to those who acquire It, whereas in condition of slavery everything belongs to the rulers and not to The ruled…” In some places, there were additional criteria for the voting right, such as gender, race and state of mind. Indeed, qualifications attached to the right to run for office were even more stringent as recruitment into the governing class was a matter closely guarded by ruling circles everywhere. Dominated classes like slaves, serfs, indentured servants and oppressed groups such as women, colonized peoples, aliens and prisoners were denied the franchise. Accordingly, voting rights were deemed as being of international dimensions; yet, they could actually be culture-specific and geography-bound. While democratic pre-requisites such as a free press, rule of law, independent judiciary and freedom of religion and conscience as well as right to privacy ensure the exercise of the right to vote, of even greater import are basic, socio-economic rights like the right not to go to bed hungry, right to employment, right to housing, right to health and right to education. In fact, they are critical determinants of the right to the ballot-box. Lacking these latter rights, the right to vote becomes an empty, shambolic and cosmetic ritual, incapable of making any lasting effect on the existential conditions of the poor, under-privileged and marginalized members of the society. Their role and disposition are very crucial to the democratic process in that this group of people constitute the majority especially, in a society such as ours which relegates them to an inferior and irrelevant position despite the fact, as Chief Awolowo once observed, that God so loved them that He had made more in number than the rich! So, this must always be at the back of our mind whenever we are contemplating the voting

Professor Oyebode

power of the population. Democracy, Nigeria style It is a notorious fact that in the recent past, or at least, under the present dispensation, Nigeria has been trying to practice democracy with hardly any significant collection of convinced democrats. The consequence of this has been the potter’s wheel— all motion, no movement. While the founding fathers can generally be considered as having imbibed the democratic ethos, today’s practitioners of the art of the possible continue to advertise their discomfort with the tenets of ballot-box democracy and, more often than not, evince characteristics of desperados— intolerance of dissent, blackmail and abuse of opponents, naked and crude diktat, a winner-takesall mentality, obdurate lust for power, jumping the gun, faceless media campaigns, etc. so much so that our political lexicon has since encompassed concepts like “do or die,” “no vacancy,” and “carry go!” While the conflicting factions and fractions of the governing class are eternally courting and seeking the approval of so-called development partners and welcome foreign election monitors and observers in a bid to secure the nod of western nations in the conduct of elections in the country, the truth is that the learning curve of our political actors is so steep that it almost amounts to hoping against hope itself that they can ever get it right, be it in relation to formation of political parties, political campaigns and pre-election activities and conduct of the actual elections. The immorality of the governing class, evidenced by switching political allegiance at the drop of a hat as well as all manner of chicanery and shenanigans have left the electorate with little more than a choice between Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Not only have we witnessed undue militarization of the electoral process and arbitrary actions of hooded goons in the form of harassment, arrest and detention of politicians and their supporters before, during

Nigeria has been trying to practice democracy with hardly any significant collection of convinced democrats

and after elections, INEC, the election czar would seem itself overwhelmed, incapacitated and helpless in the face of partisan actions by security agents and official radio and electronic media under the guise of ensuring “free, fair and credible” elections. Besides, delay in declaring the results of elections has given cause to worry and speculate on possible underhand efforts by sinister forces to steal the vote and manipulate the results. Unlike in other climes where all the parties are sworn to accept and play by the rules, the Nigerian political terrain is suffused with all manner of imponderables, giving rise to innumerable doubting Thomases, conspiracy theories and peremptory rejection of declared results of elections conducted manually instead of digitally in accordance with international best practices. We are yet to arrive at the situation where exit polls would give a hint on the outcome of the poll such that the loser is quick to hearken to the voice of the electorate, throw in the towel and congratulate his victorious opponent. In sum, our archaic antediluvian electoral practices give little to cheer or encourage the electorate that their votes would really count. Making the power of the vote meaningful and relevant The slogan, “One man, one vote” bandied around by many of our false democrats would remain empty and hollow except and unless it is firmly grounded on a positive legal framework which can guarantee our elections free, fair, transparent and credible. Celebrating the power of the vote without recognizing the imperative of a level playing ground for the contestants amount to no more than attempting to stage Hamlet without the Prince. The Electoral Act with its various amendments has been unable hitherto to win requisite confidence and assurance from stakeholders, including even INEC whose Chairman just a couple

of weeks ago brought a bag full of recommendations for amendments to the Act to the House of Representatives. Whereas Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act frowns against campaigning in public 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day, it is a notorious fact the provision has been flagrantly violated by some political parties and INEC been unable to rein in these violators, perhaps on account of lack of an Electoral Offences Commission. Similarly, there are ample provisions in the Act aimed at ensuring fair and equitable media coverage for all political parties but it is an open secret that the contrary seem to be the order of the day. Indeed there is no gainsaying the fact that the Electoral Act has been honoured more in its breach than its observance. The disaster that heralded distribution of the Permanent Voters Card as well as the questionable effort by INEC to increase and re-distribute polling units across the country has left a sour taste in the mouth. That both the political actors and the umpire himself betray little confidence in the ground rules of the contestation should convince all and sundry that we are indeed in dire straits. The poor voters who are compelled to stand for long hours in the line under the sun or rain in order to register, be accredited and, finally, cast their ballot are, more often than not, little more than raw material or cannon fodder in the realization of the ambitions of the various political office-seekers who, generally, only promise to build bridges where there are no rivers, to recall the cynical observation of Nikita Khrushev, and usually forget the electorate no sooner than elections are over and seldom, if ever, visit them again until the next election. In such circumstances, can it truly be said that sovereignty belongs to the people or that the electorate are the ultimate repository of power in the polity? Indeed, how correct is the hypothesis that the people exercise the power to stabilize and guarantee the unity of the country through their voting power? As Roberto Unger, my old jurisprudence teacher at the Harvard Law School opined nearly forty years ago, law is the glue that holds society together. Thus, Nigeria’s survival, stability and progress hinge on the role ascribed to law in the scheme of things. Accordingly, it is crucial to bear in mind the prerequisites for the proper functioning of law in society. Without a proper grasp of the tenets of the rule of law, we would only be chorusing shibboleths on transformation with little or nothing to show for it. The allegory of King Rex enunciated by another teacher of mine, the great Lon Fuller, that is to say, generality of law, certainty, promulgation, noncontradiction, non-impossibility, non-retroactivity, application to both lawmaker and addressees and constancy through time constitute the desiderata of a wellordered society.

Law | Interview

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

‘Why JUSUN’s strike is valid, proper’

‘Only politicians can determine next month’s elections’ CO N TI N U ED F RO M PAGE 2 2

Adegboruwa

Ebun Olu Adegboruwa

n January 2, 2015, judicial workers, under the aegis of JUSUN, commenced a nationwide strike action, to campaign for judicial autonomy and independence and funding of the judiciary. This came after several warning strikes that have not been headed by various governments concerned. It has been very disturbing for me, listening to and reading comments by legal practitioners, denouncing the strike action, whilst our umbrella body, the Nigerian Bar Association, has called on JUSUN to suspend the strike and explore other options. I beg to differ, with all due respect. First, section 39 of the 1999 Constitution grants the freedom of expression, to every citizen and that freedom can be exercised through protests, strike actions, or other legitimate methods of civil protests. To that extent, the JUSUN strike is valid in law and supported by the Constitution.Second, sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Constitution create the three arms of government to be the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary, and no one arm is to interfere with the duties and functions of the other arm. Since independence, the Judiciary has become the whipping organ of the other arms of government, totally starved of funds, controlled at will by the Executive and reduced to mere rubber stamps, by the Legislature, through ouster clauses and obnoxious laws. Thus, any action, taken to wean the Judiciary from oppression and bondage, whether by way of strike, court action or otherwise, should be supported by all democrats and indeed all lawyers. This should have been a cause championed by the NBA and indeed all lawyers and now that JUSUN has risen to the occasion, what they deserve is our collective solidarity, not condemnation, which may

tend to discourage or distract their struggle. In the normal democratic culture, there should have been no need for JUSUN or anybody to embark upon any action to compel government to abide by a valid judgment of court. This is because under and by virtue of section 287 (3) of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the decisions of a Federal High Court “... shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons ...”. And it becomes more shocking and worrisome, that state governors are the ones at the fore front of the hindrance to the enforcement of the judgment of court granting financial autonomy to the judiciary. It is indeed hypocritical, especially for those described as ‘progressives’, to be clamouring for change, when we are not ready to apply the basic democratic principle of separation of powers. For any change to be meaningful, it must be holistic. I believe that the Accountant General of Federation does not require the consent of state governments to comply with the order of the court. It is in the light of all the above that I urge all members of JUSUN to become steadfast, vigilant, unmovable and unshaken, in their resolve to prosecute this current strike to its logical conclusion, once and for all. They have my loyalty and support and indeed the support of Nigerians, lawyers and true democrats. I hereby pledge my legal services, free of any charges, to the association, in any area that such may be needed, to aid the effectiveness and success of this current strike. There cannot be a better time to prosecute it, than now. I call on the President of the Nigerian Bar Association and indeed all Branch chairmen nationwide, to offer support and assistance to the association, for this strike that should ordinarily have been the struggle of all lawyers and lovers of democracy.

interlocutory applications do not count in performance evaluations. The judge’s efforts at encouraging successful disposal of cases through Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms also appear not to count. This can be counter-productive as judges may not be disposed to encourage amicable settlement of cases. One area in which I wished she did more was modernisation of the court system. The use of ICT in our court system is still abysmally low. At this time of our development, there is no reason why Supreme Court Justices still record submissions in long hand! There is no reason why I should travel all the way to Abuja to file an application in the Registry of the Supreme Court when I could easily do that online if the facilities were available. Justice Mukhtar did her best in the short period she was in office. I wish her a happy retirement. What are your expectations for the new CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed? Simple, I expect that he would continue the good work of his predecessor and surpass her achievements. Importantly, he should consider the issues I have just raised. Can we have an insight into your background? I was born at the General Hospital, Makurdi, northern Nigeria, on Wednesday 25th November 1970. My father was in the Marine Division of the Nigeria Police. My mother was a trader. I grew up in a very large family. My father had several wives and children. We all lived happily together. Due to the nature of the job of my father, the family moved from city to city on regular transfers. As a result, I attended four primary schools – in Lagos, Brass in the present Bayelsa State, Port Harcourt and Degema in Rivers State. I also attended three secondary schools – in Degema, Rivers State, and in Sagbama and Yenagoa, now in Bayelsa State, but then in Rivers State. I was the only child of my mother for the first eight years of my life. Expectedly, I was pampered. However, one thing my mother would not compromise was my education. She ensured that I went to school every day. You know, I never liked school in my early years. I always wanted to be with my mother. I got admission to study Law at Obafemi Awolowo University in 1988. That was the first time I had to leave home. It was quite an experience. I was never a Boarder in my secondary school days. I recall this event, which was at the time shocking to me. A student I didn’t know at all rushed into my room with a plate in his hand. He asked if I had garri. I remained speechless for a second as I couldn’t imagine a complete stranger doing this. One second was too long for the guy to wait. So, he rushed out and into the next room in search of garri. My sojourn in Ife taught me many lessons. You think you have not been blessed enough and then discover millions would give anything to be in your position. Be happy with what you’ve got while you strive for greener pastures. I had my LL.B Degree from Ife in 1992. I attended the 1992/1993 Session of the Nigerian Law School for my professional qualification. For some reasons, I wasn’t called to Bar with my mates in December 1993. I didn’t fail o! I have never failed. I had a 2/1 at the Law School. I was eventually called in June 1994. I went back to Ife for my LL.M., and later to the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, United Kingdom for my PhD in Constitutional Law. I was a fairly good footballer in my younger days. I still play football for leisure.

Okorodas

I am a member of All Star International Football Club of Yenagoa. We are a group of “retired” (but not tired) footballers. We travel all over Nigeria to play matches against our counterparts in other states. We’ve also been to Ghana to play with the retired stars of Ghanaian Football. We are due to travel to Tanzania later this month to play a match. Our football activities keep us healthy physically and emotionally. Any challenges as chairman of the Yenagoa NBA? The Yenagoa branch of the NBA is doing very well. As you know, we are a professional association. Our primary focus is two-fold. First, we pursue the welfare of our members, particularly the young lawyers amongst us. Secondly, we have a duty to lend a voice to the public and the Judiciary, particularly in the Justice Delivery Sector. We have fared well in both. One very positive thing under my leadership of the Bar in Yenagoa is the high visibility of the NBA. People listen when the NBA speaks. Our major challenge at the moment is lack of funds to undertake the main capital project that has been on the drawing board for years. That is, the construction of a modern Bar Centre complete with an events hall, offices, a library, restaurant and a couple of guestrooms. Our local Bar does not have multi-millionaire members who could donate substantial amounts of money towards the project. We appeal to the Governor of Bayelsa State, who is our past branch officer, to assist us in this regard. We believe that a modern Bar Centre would benefit not just lawyers, but the overall justice delivery system in the state. The NBA President has made a few changes like sacking some committees like SBL while some lawyers have gone to court over it, do you think his actions is for the common good? The SBL is the Section on Business Law. I am not aware of any problem in the SBL or in any of the other Sections, or any Forum within the NBA. All Sections of the NBA are part of the NBA. No Section is independent of the NBA. The President is generally responsible for the NBA as a whole, including all of its component parts. His job is to ensure that Sections and every Forum within the NBA are run properly and in accordance with existing rules. That includes the conduct of periodic elections if required by rules. The current NBA President is a stickler for rules. Rules engender order. If people are complaining because of his insistence on rules, that’s unfortunate. In any case, as I have said, there is no crisis that I am aware of.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

Healthy News

Regular naps are ‘key to learning’

27 Health Living

Nature Power

Obesity in children: A family affair

Wonders of pawpaw

Health

2015: Hope of ending health sector crises dims

Medical doctors protesting Federal Government’s sack of resident doctors

Appolonia Adeyemi

ope of ending major challenges that has afflicted the health sector for years especially the rivalry between medical and dental practitioners also known as medical doctors and health workers has dimmed. This came to the fore recently as leaders of the health work-

Appolonia Adeyemi appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com

ers under the umbrella of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Healthcare Professional Association (AHPA) have rejected the report of the Yayale Ahmed Presidential Committee of Experts on Professional Relationships in the Public Health Sector (YAPCEPRPH). This report which was submitted to the federal government on December 19, 2014 is widely expected to provide the template that will resolve the age-long problems that have pitted medical doctors against other health workers. With the exception of medical doctors, health workers constitute about 90 percent of the entire health workforce. JOHESU comprises five professional bodies namely Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Senior Staff Association of Uni-

Stakeholders in JOHESU and AHPA have raised an alarm, crying wolf. For them, if the Yayale Ahmed Committee report is implemented in its present form, it will not resolve problems in the health sector

Obenbe

Akintayo

versities Teaching Hospitals Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutes (NASU). Although, the submission of the report was commended given the delay the committee experienced due mainly to

lack of sufficient funding of its operations, stakeholders in JOHESU and AHPA have raised an alarm, crying wolf. For them, if the report is implemented in its present form, it will not resolve problems in the health sector. Both JOHESU and AHPA rejected the Committee’s creation of the office of Chief of CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Health News

THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Regular naps are ‘key to learning’ Esther Albert

esearchers have taken another look at naps, saying the lengths of naps and the type of sleep one gets help determine the brainboosting benefits. This is the conclusion of Sara C. Mednick, sleep expert and author of Take a Nap! Change Your Life. According to the research, 20-minute power nap -- sometimes called the stage 2 nap -- is good for alertness and motor learning skills like typing and playing the piano”. What happens if you nap for more than 20 minutes? Research shows that longer naps help boost memory and enhances creativity. Similarly, slow-wave sleep -- napping for approximately 30 to 60 minutes -- is good for decisionmaking skills, such as memorising vocabulary or recalling directions. Furthermore, getting rapid eye movement or REM sleep, usually 60 to 90 minutes of napping, plays a key role in making new

connections in the brain and solving creative problems. Sleep has proven to be one of the most important elements in having a good memory. Since sleep is when most of our memory consolidation process occurs, it makes sense that without enough sleep we are going to struggle to remember the things we have learned. Even a short nap can improve your memory recall. The trials with 216 babies up to 12 months old indicated they were unable to remember new tasks if they did not have a lengthy sleep soon after war. It is well known that sleep plays an important role in memory and learning. But what actually happens inside the brain has been a source of considerable debate. “So it is probably better to study and have good sleep rather than keep studying.” The difference was still stark, with the sleepers performing better and the brain forming more new connections. Some people need eight hours. Others can exist on

four. But the bottom line is that everybody needs sleep - it is as essential as breathing and eating. Yet, despite decades of study, scientists still do not know why we do it. But saying that we sleep because we are tired is rather like saying we eat because we are hungry – it is why we sleep, but not necessarily why we need it. One theory that has emerged in recent years is that sleep helps us to process and consolidate new memories. Our memory system is a psychological wonder, and several studies have suggested that sleep provides some behind-the-scenes maintenance. A rest might help ease bad experience. Daytime naps can be one way to treat sleep deprivation, said Mednick. Change Your Life. “You can get incredible benefits from 15 to 20 minutes of napping,” she said. “You reset the system and get a burst of alertness and increased motor performance. That is what most people really need to stave off sleepiness and get an energy boost.”

A man taking a nap

NMWAN to check quacks in Ebonyi Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

he chairman of Nurses and Midwives Association of Nigeria,(NMWAN), Ebonyi state chapter, Mr Nnachi Micheal has expressed his preparedness to wipe out quacks and fight other related problems facing the health sector in the state. Nnachi who made this known in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State while briefing Journalists at his office also lamented that the activities of quacks especially in Ebonyi State has increased the health related problems the people of the state are facing. “What we are doing concerning those who are quacks is that we have just started checkmating their activities especially in the rural areas whereby any

person who is on white are automatically mistaken to be a nurse or a midwife.” In a related development, Mr. Nnachi lamented about the lack of seriousness of the federal government to respond to the demands of the association and called on government at all levels to provide standard equipment in hospitals to enable health personnel deliver effective healthcare to the peoples especially in the rural areas. Similarly, he stated that it might be true that the health institutions may have been partially paralysed resulting from the delay of the governments to respond to the demand of the health workers just as he called on the Presidency and state governors to prioritise the health needs of the people that voted them into power.

“The lack of necessary equipment in hospitals has affected the level of healthcare delivery but when these hospitals are equipped then it will help to boast and ensure effective healthcare delivery services to the people. Another issue is the remuneration of health workers. In the health sector everybody is important and the patient is the focal point. The chairman noted that if the government refuses to respond to the request of the union it might result to the lingering of the strike. He however urged the federal government to see reasons in responding to the demand of the association and stressed that health workers including members of NMWAN constitute 90 percent of the workforce in the health sector.

Healthy Living Dr. Ihuoma Uko-Ndukwe ada.ndukwe@yahoo.com

Obesity in children: A family affair

besity in children between ages two to 19 years has tripled in the last 15 years and will continue if major changes are not made to the way they eat. Obesity is a long time condition characterised by an excess body fat. It is properly defined by weight as it compares to height and varies by a child’s age and sex. Normally, weight is assessed in comparison to height. It rises in the first months after birth, falls in first year and rises again. Obesity is the result of a long term energy imbalance in which daily energy intake exceeds energy expenditure and the balance is affected by the rate at which the body burns down food, a person’s appetite, diet and physical activity. In most cases, obesity in children is caused by genetic and secondary issues mostly related to whether children already have some disease or on some medication that will contribute to weight gain but obesity has been more recently attributed to environmental changes that promote excessive food intake and discourage physical activity. Some secondary cause of obesity can be from hormonal imbalances like problems with the thyroid and some forms of mental retardation. Childhood obesity is considered a family problem, so is lack of exercise and self-control. However, weight gain in children is the result of lax public policy and a food industry that capitalises on our biologically programmed desire for sugar, salt and fat. RISK FACTORS The risk of childhood obesity is related to childhood diet and activity. Obesity risk in children increases with television (TV) viewing time, watching more than four hours of TV a day, obesity in parents, low parental education, social deprivation, infant feeding patterns, early or more rapid puberty (both a risk factor and effect of obesity) extreme (both high and low) birth weights and diabe-

An obese child

PHOTO: www.theguardian.com

tes in pregnancy. Obesity may be induced by medications (high dose glucocorticoids) or inherited disorders like Down syndrome. Most obese children in adolescents become obese adults about 86 percent of the time as they grow. Overweight adolescents have increased the risk of developing heart disease and arthritis, impaired glucose tolerance, increased blood pressure, sleep disturbance and is associated with adverse social and economic consequences in adulthood.

Weight gain in children is the result of lax public policy and a food industry that capitalises on our biologically programmed desire for sugar, salt and fat

PREVENTION: Interventions to prevent overweight in children are mostly family based but should also include population-based programmes such as schools and community programs and attempt to change government policies and individual behavior. BALANCED DIET: Provision of balanced diet maximises a child’s diet. Factors that help include eating food high in fiber and eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day ELIMINATE EXCESSIVE FAT AND SUGARS: Limit fat contents in food, replace whole (fat filled) milk with low fat milk. Avoid fast food and junk food including hamburgers, potato- chips, fries, chocolates candies and sweets. Also, avoid sweetened drinks including soda, fruit drinks, soft drinks and limit the consumption of high calorie food at home.

Health Features 29

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

‘Dialogue on pending issues, key to resolve health sector problems’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

Medical Adviser to the President whom the Committee said would be “exercising essential responsibilities including issuing reports on such issues as “smoking and health” as well as issuing warning to the public on health hazards, advising the President in coordinating National Health emergency preparedness and advising the President on emergent public health issues”. Describing the appointment as unnecessary, they said it was a ploy to reintroduce the earlier rejected office of a Surgeon-General in Nigeria, to be occupied by medical doctors only. They said apart from being a duplication of function, creating the office of a Medical Adviser to the President would amount to a waste of public resources “since it adds no value.” Among those who signed the submission on behalf of JOHESU are Dr. Ayuba P. Wabba, president of MWHUW, Abdulrafiu Adeniji, president of NANNM, Felix Faniran, president of NUAHP, Dr. B Benjamin Akintola, president of SSAUTHRIAI and Mrs Ladi Iliya, president of NASU. Others who signed on behalf of AHPA are OlumideAkintayo, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), RaheemToyosi, president of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMSLN), Dr. Mark Okeji, president of Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN), Mr. Wole Ajayi, president of Health Information Managers Association of Nigeria, and Mr. Taiwo Oyewumi, president of Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP). Although, the report of YAPCEPRPH is expected to create harmony between medical doctors and health workers, JOHESU and AHPA lamented that the Committee’s proposal for the creation of a National Healthcare Commission to take over the functions of 15 different professional regulatory councils as well as regulate the activities of 55 federal health institutions as presently constituted, will create chaos. While describing the idea as capable of introducing confusion, they noted that a similar clause was in the proposed National Health Bill, but noted that health workers ensured that it was struck out before it was passed into law. “Why would this Yayale Committee reintroduce such a clause,” they asked. On the headship of teaching hospitals, one of the areas of contention in the health sector, JOHESU and AHPA similarly rejected the proposal of the Committee that only medical and dental practitioners should head these institutions on the basis that they only are medically qualified. Although, JOHESU noted that it is presently in court to determine the meaning of ‘medically qualified’, in the interim, both groups suggested that the responsibility of

heading public hospitals should be handled by administrators. Furthermore, the Yayale Committee opposed the appointment of other professionals as directors in federal health institutions on the ground that they run different progression paths with different salary structure and nomenclature. “This is not only unjustifiable but discriminatory against citizens of the country,” stated JOHESU and AHPA. In addition, both groups stated that going by the above recommendations of the Yayale Committee, it has failed to enlist their confidence in major areas of its report including: *urging governments not to recognise the Pharm D programme of Pharmacists and O.D Programme of Optometrists because the National Universities Commission (NUC) has not approved them. They added, “For the records the PSN/Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) are still engaging the NUC to regularise grey areas identified as drawbacks in Pharm. D. So, nobody has a right to shut the door prematurely. This is same for stakeholders in optometry.” *The recommendation that the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) immediately withdraws its circular authorising MLSCN to approve licenses for the importation of In-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) in deference to Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) demands is lamentable. “This matter will be subject to further interventions in the weeks ahead as the Yayale’s report makes the situation more inflammable.” Gasau’s report Sadly, the Yayale Committee is not the first time the federal government would set up a team to resolve problems of disharmony between the two major professional groups in the health sector. It would be recalled that the report of Retired Justice Abdullahi Bello Gusau Committee on Harmonius Relationship Among Health Professionals/Workers in the Health Sector which was submitted to former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu in November 2011 and later to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in April 2013, was rejected because Chukwu then raised objections against it. Based on that the FEC rejected that report which is now referred to as Gusau’s Report but JOHESU vehemently disagreed hence the federal government’s decision to raise the Yayale Ahmed committee with a decision that the Gusau’s report must form part of d terms of reference for the Yayale team. What are the problems? The issue of remuneration and welfare is one of the factors at the root of the crises. How much medical doctors earn in relation to how much health workers earn remain a contentious issue. There is disagreement on format of increasing salary in terms of promotion

Faniran

Akinwotu

Health care provision in public hospitals have been distrupted since November 2014 occasioned by JOHESU strike PHOTO: kairosphotos.photoshelter.com

Although, medical doctors are not involved in the ongoing strike, normal health care service provision has since been disrupted, ditching the hope of many less privileged citizens to access care in public hospitals

and cadre. Other issues at the centre of disputes and rivalry between two major professional groups in the sector are professional status, career progression, job descriptions, roles and responsibilities within health facilities and major health institutions including ministries and parastatals. The alleged dominance of medical doctors which has resulted to health workers being allegedly shortchanged is presently being challenged by the affected group. This has resulted in various protests and persistent industrial strikes by both medical doctors and health workers, which they use as a strategy to press for each other’s demands. In 2014 alone, strikes by both medical doctors and health workers over welfare, appointment of Surgeon General, expanding headship of teaching hospitals to include health workers, among others lasted for about four months. This had serious consequences for patients many of whom lost their lives during the unnecessary strikes. Sadly, as at the time of filing this report, there is no reprieve yet for numerous patients waiting for the strike of JOHESU which started since November 12, 2014 to end. Although, medical doctors are not involved in this ongoing strike, normal health care service provisions have since been disrupted, ditching the hope of many less privileged citizens to access care in public hospitals.

Chairman of NMA in Lagos, Dr. Tope Ojo

Reactions Telephone calls put through to the National President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Kayode Obembe was not responded to. A text message seeking reaction of the NMA to the issue, sent to his telephone was not responded to. However, reacting to the development, Second Vice Chairman, NMA, Lagos State Branch, Dr. Olusegun Akinwotu said the recommendations of the Yayale Committee are appropriate. Justifying his position, he noted, “The agitation of the other allied health workers is for them to be at par or higher than doctors. I don’t think that obtains anywhere in the world.” Implementing their recommendations is how hospitals in the health sector can forge ahead, he added. So, Akinwotu reasoned that if public hospitals should forge ahead, certain statutory matters regarding who heads the hospitals should not be debatable. “The same way the judge heads the court and the vice chancellor of a university is a professor, the person with the highest qualification in a hospital setting who is a doctor should head the hospital. As far as the hospital environment is concerned, doctors are more qualified to head the hospitals.” Other recommendations in the Yayale’s report are what should obtain, Akinwotu added. However, he noted that agitations of health workers including appropriating consultancy status for academic qualifications obtained after four academic years, is very absurd. “What the Yayale Committee recommended is what should obtain,” he said. Also reacting, Secretary of the NMA in Lagos State Branch, Dr. Babatunde Saheed said the recommendations of the Yayale Committee is okay and fair but needs some little bit of finetuning. “Some aspects of it have to be corrected or adjusted,” before the federal government should issue a White Paper on it, he noted. Although, Saheed did not highlight areas of the report that require the adjustments, he stressed that no further panel would be required to put the report right. “From the perspective of doctors, it is going to resolve the problems of the crises in the health sector. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Health News

THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Abuja National Hospital radiotherapy machine, others obsolete – Staff

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

Obinna Odoh Abuja

radiotherapist at the National Hospital Abuja has disclosed that one and the only radiotherapy machine in the hospital is obsolete and needs to be changed. According to him government should borrow a leave from other serious countries and provide the hospital with modern radiotherapy machine and indeed other modern equipment to enhance work and assist many cancer patients being frustrated in the hospital as a result of bad state of the machine. The staff who spoke on the condition of anonymity revealed that the now obsolete machine was bought since 1999 has been over used as it is working beyond its capacity. “This machine is the only machine in North Central providing services for cancer/tumour patients and it is long overdue for change. Our patients suffer a lot as a result of the faulty machine which will work for one hour and stop for another one. As a result this is hampering the efficiency of work in this department. “The Linear Accelerator is radiation therapy equipment used in the management of cancer and other tumour in human body. The machine was brought into the hospital since 1999 and has been working day and night. “Almost all the whole cancer/ tumour patients in the North cental and other states patronise the Abuja Hospital. In fact the machine is being overworked. That is why it works for few hours and is off. It switches off on its own ac-

cord as a result of work load. Whenever the machine goes off we are obliged to wait for the machine to pick and start working again and this is indeed frustrating and humiliating for a hospital like this” stated the staff. He called on federal government through the Federal Ministry of Health to rise up to the challenge and buy modern equipment and install in various departments of the hospital to enable the hospital cope with the recent challenges of myriad health problems. In related development he complained that the long wait and seeming cues usually experienced in the hospital is as a result insufficient workers (staff). He pleaded with the government to employ more hands to enhance effective and efficient services provided in the hospital. Reacting to the effect of JOHESU strike on patients, Mrs Rose John a cancer patient condemned strike action as a means of get-

A patient undergoing radiation under a modern radiotherapy machine PHOTO: www.canceractive.com

ting the demands by health workers. According to her, the difficulties experienced by patients over the strike are enormous and pleaded for immediate action by both parties. According to her, “it is time for government and health workers to learn how to respect human life and cease from putting the health of the poor Nigerians to jeopardy with the incessant industrial actions in the country.

Wonders of pawpaw CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

The following are some of the other uses of pawpaw: 1. Malaria Squeeze some yellow pawpaw leaves in water. Take a glassful three times daily for seven days. The preparation is also good for jaundice. The dosage is the same. 2. Diabetes The green leaves of pawpaw

Medicinal plant pawpaw

‘Adjusting Yayale’s report grey areas, panacea to health sector challenges’

Fr. Anselm Adodo, OSB

naturepower@paxherbals.net; twitter: @anselmadodo

PHOTO: www.phytomania.com

Chukwu

While describing the initial JOHESU/AHPA response as premature, Faniran said, “There would be a detailed response from both JOHESU and AHPA after a meeting of their presidents/secretaries of professional associations with NUAHP to be held in Abuja from today, January 15 to 16. He however, noted, “There are several good recommendations made by both Gusau’s report and the Yayale Committee which we agree with” but there are a few which we do not accept. We shall continue to encourage dialogue on such issues until they are finally resolved. The solution is to provide a common forum for all stakeholders to discuss the issues and resolve them. We shall get there soon.”

for constipation.

Nature Power are good for diabetes and for diabetes-induced hypertension. Squeeze the green leaves in water and take a glass three times daily. This preparation is also good

“The report placed people (various professionals) where they should be placed. In terms of practices all over the world, the Committee really tried to get to that level of normal practice all over the world. With this report, each professional group should know its limitation, where its members are supposed to work and where they should not work.” Furthermore, Saheed said the report highlights that every professional group in the health sector is important. “The relevance of each group is however relative. It specifies specific work for specific professional group. Although, the various groups should work together, the team should have a leader because without a leader in an organisation, it could lead to anarchy.” According to the secretary of the NMA in Lagos, the Yayale Committee has tried to resolve some issues that presently generate a lot of problems in the health sector. On his part, Felix Faniran, president of NUAHP, noted that JOHESU and AHPA have not out rightly rejected the report of the Yayale Committee as published in some media recently.

The root of the pawpaw plant is a good remedy for respiratory problems, especially bronchitis

3. Stomach Ulcer: Cut a big unripe pawpaw fruit into pieces. Do not remove the peel or seeds. Simply cut the whole fruit into cubes. Then soak in five bottles of water for four days. Sieve and take half a glass three times daily for two weeks. This is a very good remedy for any type of intestinal ulcer. 4. External Ulcer: The white milky sap of the unripe pawpaw contains a high percentage of papain, which is used for chronic wounds or ulcers. This can be obtained by making a slight cut on the unripe pawpaw fruit to allow the juice to drop. Papain is also present in the ripe pawpaw fruit. 5. Convulsion: The dry, brown pawpaw leaf is a good remedy for convulsion. Pick up the dry, fallen pawpaw leaves and grind into powder. Add two tablespoonfuls of the powder to half a glass of palm kernel oil. Stir well and rub all over the body. This preparation is of great help during an attack of convulsion. It quickly arrests the abnormal condition. It is also helpful in cases of high fever to bring down the body temperature. 6.Asthma: Burn dried paw-

Pawpaw PHOTO: www.buyfruit.com.au

paw leaves and inhale the smoke during an attack of asthma. It brings quick relief. To prevent an attack, inhale the smoke every night. 7. Bronchitis: The root of the pawpaw plant is a good remedy for respiratory problems, especially bronchitis. Bring some pawpaw roots to boil. Take half a glass thrice daily. For cough, simply chew a tender pawpaw root and swallow the juice. 8. Piles: Pawpaw root is effective for the cure of piles. Prepare as for bronchitis. Dosage is half a glass twice daily. 9. Impotence: Cut two unripe pawpaw fruits into pieces (seeds and peel inclusive). Bring to boil in eight bottles of water. Take half a glass thrice daily.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Industry

ICT

Palm oil: Dufil, PZ Wilmer drive local content

Telecoms: Checking early Internet bundle depletion

Business What's news

Lagos slashes land charges to 2%

DISBURSEMENT

Thirty-eight textile firms fully repositioned Dele Alao

From 30 per cent in pre-1999 down to 13 per cent around 2005, the cost of land transactions have been slashed to cumulative total of three per cent in Lagos State, no thanks to Executive Bill finally signed into law by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

p.32

Firm introduces crew transfer solution to Nigeria’s oil sector A global leader in providing safer crew transfer solutions to the offshore oil, gas and renewable industries, Reflex Marine, has introduced new crane transfer device called the Frog-XT to the Nigerian petroleum sector.

p.32

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

armers in the cotton value chain under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as at December 2014, have accessed about N75 billion of the N100 billion Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) Funds, according to a document obtained from the ministry. Also, no fewer than 152,000 cotton farmers were said to have registered across the country last year. “The Bank of Industry (BoI) has supported cotton farmers, ginners and textile mills to fund their activities. About 38 textile companies are fully repositioned. BoI has made available for lending N100 billion to businesses under the Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) Funds. To date, about N75 billion have been approved and committed to CTG business,” the ministry said in the document. Further information showed that as at last year, six varieties of cotton seeds were developed by the Institute for Agricultural Research, ABU, Zaria, while a grant of N4.5 million was given to the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) by the ministry to upgrade their facilities for the confined field trial of Biotechnology Cotton. “About 340,000 units of cotton harvest sacks were distributed free to 28,264 cotton farmers, 2,385.38 metric tonnes of certified seeds were distributed to 110,370 farmers in North East, North West, and North Central under the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS). “The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) distributed between 3,950kg of breeder seeds and 4,334kg of foundation seeds for multiplication in collaboration with National Agricultural Seeds Council(NASC). Renovation and remodeling of

Farmers access N75bn CTG funds

the building for the establishment of the textile skill school,” the ministry said. Checks showed that in 1975/1976 cotton seed was 313,000 tons. This declined in

1985/86 season to 114,000 tons. It increased from 251,000 tons in 1995/96 to 350,000 tons in 2007/2008 and continued to fluctuate from 2008/2009 season to 2010/2011.

However, in 2011/2012 season, its production rose to 240,000 tons. Also, area planted in 1975/76 was 391,000 hectCONTINUED ON PAGE 32

L-R; Directorate Head, Information Technology and Service Delivery Channels, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs Markie Idowu; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo; and the President, Mastercard International (sub-Sahara Africa), Mr. Daniel Monehin, during the Mastercard team’s visit to Skye Bank.

$23.2m broadband licence holder begins operation Kunle Azeez

arring last minute change of plans, the $23.2 million 2.3 gigahertz spectrum licence issued to Bitflux Consortium by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to drive broadband penetration in the country, will transform

telecoms landscape in Nigeria as it goes live this January. Chief Executive Officer, VDT Communications, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi, confirmed this in an interview with New Telegraph in Lagos. VDT is the promoter of the 2.3 gigahertz licence won by Bitflux Consortium in an auction conducted by the regula-

tor in February, 2014, and also a member of the consortium. Other members of the consortium are BitCom and Superflex. Already, it was learnt that Nigerians have been waiting to leverage the economic values inherent in the spectrum 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 December 2014.........................8% November 2014........................7.9% October 2014............................8.1%

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

Intervention

Reduction of land fee will attract businesses to the state Dayo Ayeyemi

rom 30 per cent in pre-1999 down to 13 per cent around 2005, the cost of land transactions have been slashed to cumulative total of three per cent in Lagos State, no thanks to Executive Bill finally signed into law by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Lagos slashes land charges to 2% The Executive Order, which has taken immediate effect, reduces Consent Fees from six per cent to 1.5 per cent, while Capital Gains tax, which was previously two per cent, is reduced to 0.5 per cent. Also, cost of Stamp Duty has been reduced from two per cent to 0.5 per cent and Registration fee reduced from three per cent to 0.5 per cent. Justifying the action, Fashola stated that reducing the cost of land transactions in the state, “is to ensure that land transactions are carried

out with minimal difficulty, especially relating to payment of taxes, rates and legitimate levies charged under the enabling law.” The Executive Order, (No. EO/BRF/001 of 2015), provides, among others, that: “Unless otherwise indicated, the valuation of landed property for the determination of tax and other charges payable shall be by reference to the statement of fair market value produced by relevant professionals, adopted by

the state government and published from time to time in the Official Government Gazette.” Fashola said the Order was intended to improve the internal management of the state and not to create any rights or benefits by a party against Lagos State, its departments, agencies or entities, its officials, employees or experts or any other person. The governor explained that at the time the state’s economy was challenged, there was

need to continue to grow the information on capital, business concerns and industrialisation. He added that some of the expectations in expanding business in the state’s enterprise zones and the Free Trade Zones could only be achieved through the reduction of cost of land acquisition. He said that by reducing a cost of setting up business, his administration had made a huge impact, enabling private enterprise to thrive, adding that the slash in land

costs would provide employment opportunities to businesses that will be formed as the results of this policy intervention. The governor said the signing of the Executive Order was consistent with the promise he made to Lagosians when he presented the 2015 budget. He added that the Order, which takes immediate effect, would send the strongest possible signals to any of the investors about where to put money.

$23.2m broadband licence holder begins operation CONTINUED FROM PAG E 3 1

auctioned 11 months ago. According to Omoniyi, the wholesale wireless access services (WWAS) that would be provided through the licence, will help in deepening pervasive broadband services in the country in line with the country’s plan to achieve 30 per cent penetration in 2018. Omoniyi, who is also a director at the consortium, disclosed that VDT-Bitflux planned to fully begin operations this January. “We are deploying 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) Advanced technology, taking off this January. Bitflux will be rolling out in three major states in the first instance and these include Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt in January, 2015. “Already, our vendors are deploying equipment for us and necessary installation is also on-going. We know that people are looking at us with excitement to champion broadband services provisioning. We are fully aware of this and our plans are moving as planned,” he said. He also stated that Bit-

flux was building basic redundancy into the network, as well as providing seamless experience for businesses, governments and individuals across the country. Bitflux sprung a surprise by outbidding Globacom, the second national operator (SNO) with its $23.2 million offer to emerge winner of a single 2.3 gigahertz frequency spectrum slot auctioned by the NCC. “The various Nigeria 4G networks are still scrambling to expand their 4G LTE coverage but already there is talk of 4G LTE-A or LTE-Advanced, which is essentially a far faster version of 4G. So, if you think you are getting speeds now on your fancy new 4G devices, you ain’t seen anything yet,” Bitflux announced in a note to herald is imminent service. 4G LTE Advanced, is “the latest standard in the development of 4G mobile networks and has been designed to offer users of 4G mobile devices such as dongles, mobile hotspot (MiFi), tables and smartphone far faster data speeds than those on offer from existing 4G LTE networks.”

Farmers access N75bn CTG funds CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 3 1

ares while in 2011/2012 area planted declined to 200,000 hectares. On cotton seed multiplication, the ministry entered into agreement with West African Cotton Company Ltd (WACOT) on development of expensive, production, processing and marketing in the country. WACOT was given the mandate to establish

the seed multiplication scheme covering 15,625 hectares in 2012 and expendable to 25,000 hectares this year. “So far, about 13,000 hectares was maintained across seven targeted states dominated by Katsina, Zamfara and Gombe. WACOT has mobilised cooperatives/outgrower and linked them with input and training support,” the ministry said.

L-R: Head, Direct Banking, Diamond Bank, Mr. Jude Anele; winner, Salary for Life of the DiamondXtra Season 7, Mr. Francis Duru; Head, Retail Banking Directorate, Diamond Bank, Ms. Aisha Ahmed and Head, Mass Market Segment, Mr. Osita Ede, during the bank’s prize presentation in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Firm introduces crew transfer solution to Nigeria’s oil sector DEVICE

New back-up device launched to combat adverse weather conditions Bayo Akomolafe

global leader in providing safer crew transfer solutions to the offshore oil, gas and renewable industries, Reflex Marine, has introduced new crane transfer device called the Frog-XT to the Nigerian petroleum sector. The first Frog-XT was sold to Total E&P in Nigeria and is expected to be used on the newly developed Odudu Field. The Frog-XT was designed to offer operators maximum performance and safety. Total purchased the crew transfer device primarily for carrying out inter-field

transfers. The device is found to be a crucial back-up method for when adverse weather conditions result in helicopters being unable to fly. Since the official launch of the Frog-XT range in 2014, over 40 units have been sold all around the world including major operators in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe. The capacity of the devices has been increased to include four, six and 10 person versions. The average passenger weight capability has also been increased. The design improvements include more advanced levels of passenger protection as well as the ability to operate within wider operating parameters. The seating positions have been modified to allow a more upright ‘semi seated’ positioning which personnel in some regions are more comfortable with. All devices can be quickly and easily converted to

MedEvac mode to allow the safe transfer of sick or injured personnel. The feedback from Total highlighted the devices improvements in comparison to Reflex Marine’s original Frog-3, previously supplied by the crew transfer company. Frog-XT4 was developed in line with the industry’s continued drive to improve the safety of its operations - a vision which Reflex Marine shares. The deck foreman at Total E&P Nigeria said: “The FrogXT4 is very portable and easy to transfer from starboard to port, and vice versa. In case of impact, it has better personnel protection with improved shielding compared to that of the Frog-3, previously used by Total. Another improvement would be the Frog-XT4’s shock absorbers. “The Frog-XT4 has a very small footprint and can fit on tight deck space compared to the previous model.”

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Government should set up bank to assist MSMEs – NASME President p.34

Industry

Palm oil: Dufil, PZ Wilmer drive local content BOOST Nigeria’s production is estimated at 55 per cent of African output Stories by Dele Alao

istorically, Nigeria was the world’s leading producer and exporter of palm oil in the 60’s. However, Nigeria lost its dominant position in the international trade after 1980s and is currently the fifth largest producer, far behind Indonesia and Malaysia. According to a 2014 report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Nigeria, indeed, represented only 1.57 per cent of the world production in 2013/14. As regards palm oil in Africa, however, Nigeria’s production is estimated at 55 per cent of the continent’s output

making it the largest producer of palm oil in Africa. While Malaysia and Indonesia’s productions have drastically increased over the 19902010 period, it has barely been the case for Nigeria, mainly because of its reliance on traditional production methods coupled with major infrastructural challenges being faced in the country, out-dated technology and production knowledge. The food grade industrial output of palm oil does not match local consumption. Indeed, the national demand for palm oil has grown faster than the domestic supply. Production deficit as at 2014 was well over 900,000 tonnes per annum. Consequently, Nigeria imports palm oil to satisfy local demand. However, industry analysts are of the view that the country has a potential to increase its production through the application of improved processing methods, creation of incentives

for manufacturers in the food industry sector to embark on backward integration by investing in palm plantation and thereby producing their demand of palm oil locally, while also exporting to other countries. Meanwhile, due to the constant shortage of palm oil for both domestic consumption and industrial usage, major companies like Dufil Prima Foods and PZ Wilmar, are investing heavily in the cultivation of palm tree that will revolutionise the palm oil industry in Nigeria. A combination of these and the efforts being made by Dufil will help Federal Government’s transformation agenda to achieve its

300,000 hectares for agribusiness in palm oil sector. In its effort to boost the local production of palm oil, Dufil, for instance, has acquired and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Edo State government for 60,000 hectares of land for cultivation of palm trees, which will help in the boosting the local production of palm oil, thereby increasing supply in the country. The company said that it was entering into the vegetable oil market to reduce the supply shortage in the country with world-class quality at affordable prices for millions of Nigerians to benefit.

It added that it has invested billions of Naira with a worldclass facility and committed itself to the development of the palm oil industry and lifts the base of the pyramid by directly aiding the improvement of Nigerians’ lifestyle. Its initiative has provided thousands of Nigerians employment, moving the vegetable oil towards forces determining free markets, which is a symbol of globalisation, revolutionise the Nigerian economy, rationalise food markets and strengthen the naira against foreign exchanges, thereby providing enormous economic benefits to millions of Nigerians.

UNIDO urges Nigeria to prioritise industrial development

he United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)’s Country Representative, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise industrial development, to achieve the MDGs Goal One. The goal is on eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. Kormawa said in Abuja that this was the only way the country and people could be moved out of poverty. He said that poverty would only be reduced in any nation if the industrial sector was developed to provide employment. “You can only reduce poverty when you create employment

and it has been the missing link in our development efforts. “If you want people to have high income, increase their productivity; you will have growth. For a country to have growth, you have to develop the productive base, which is the industrial sector,” he said. The country representative said that UNIDO was helping Nigeria and other member countries to achieve MDGs by reducing poverty and hunger. “The MDGs, goal one is to reduce hunger and poverty and this is an area where UNIDO is making one of the greatest contributions both in Nigeria and other countries,” he said.

‘How to increase regional trade’

member of the Global Advisory Board of Africapitalism Institute in Abuja, Dr. Jim O’Neill, has said that African countries would have to intensify efforts towards refining and adding value to the natural resources in their regions for there to be a meaningful increase in regional trade within the continent. He urged African countries to “stop fighting each other and start trading with one another,” stressing that with a population of 1.1 billion people, there was great opportunity for trade in the continent. O’Neill admonished African political and business leaders to “do the simple things because Africa has not behaved as a continent and should try to do things seriously with one another.”

In his remark at the event, founder of the Africapitalism Institute’s inaugural Global Advisory Board meeting, Mr. Tony Elumelu, lamented that inadequate finished or manufactured products were the major reasons for the low level of trade among African nations. He noted that African countries neither have nor produce enough goods and services to drive inter-Africa trade. “Africa cannot move forward by leaving 50 per cent of its population behind. It is not enough for African countries to produce only raw materials that are shipped off to Europe and America to be converted to finished consumer goods that are eventually exported to Africa. We can only trade with what we have,” Elumelu said.

L-R: Plant Manager, Matt Pcion, Plant Manager, Kofo Akinkugbe, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga and Chairman, Secure ID, Adedotun Sulaiman, inspecting Smartcards production line at the Secure ID, Lagos.

FG reiterates commitment to growing ‘made-in-Nigeria’ market

he Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to growing the Made-in-Nigeria market in line with the determination to create more jobs and generate wealth for Nigerians. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said that government’s policy on made-in-Nigeria products, which gave priority to the patronage of locally-made products, will, among many other benefits, help curb the waste of foreign reserve on what could be manufactured in the country. Aganga spoke during the inspection of the Secure ID production plant for smart cards in Lagos. He said that already, the launch of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) by President Goodluck Jonathan had kick-started the diversification of the economy and revenue source of the country since 2012.

According to the minister, for the first time in the history of the nation, Nigeria has a robust and comprehensive plan, which the current administration started implementing in 2012. This, he noted, was to diversify the economy in the areas where Nigeria had competitive and comparative advantage. Aganga said: “The Federal Government is ahead of the present fall of oil price today by focusing on agro industrial processing such as sugarcane to sugar under the Sugar Master Plan policy that has attracted $3 billion investment commitment; the development of local content and job creation under the Auto policy; and backward integration in cement and rice production, among others. Our approach has always been value addition, using local content, which had resulted to $14 billion investment into the oil and petrochemical indus-

try. We have created a gas industrial park in Delta State, mainly to provide a source of raw materials in the petrochemical sector.” He added: “The beauty of NIRP is that it looks into the areas of competitive and comparative advantage and focuses on how to reduce the cost of production and make products produced in the country more competitive and easier for Nigerians to afford.” The minister also said that, to boost industrial development, tariff adjustments were only being done on sectorial basis, stressing that tariffs to individual companies had been stopped since 2011. “Our job as government is to provide the enabling environment for you. We are not doing you a favour, it is our job. That is our responsibility and I am delighted that my team is working with your team at Secure ID to address issues raised,” he said.

Business | Industry

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Government should set up bank to assist MSMEs – NASME President Following the fall in global oil prices and the need for diversification of the economy to non-oil sector, the National President, National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Alhaji Garba Ibrahim Gusau, has called for the establishment of a special bank to cater for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and to explore the challenges and prospects of the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector in the country, among other issues, in this interview with AMADI NNAMDI What can you tell us about NASME? NASME is the acronym for Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises. It is the apex business membership organisation, set up by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in collaboration with the organised private sector, which also includes Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), among others. We have two categories of membership namely: Institutional members, which involve organisations like Central Bank of Nigeria, Ministry of Agriculture, Bank of Industry (BoI), development banks, research institutes, Ministry of Science and Technology and all the parastatals under it and many others. We have these organisations as members because we have a lot of collaborative arrangements with them and on the other hand, we have the individual members who are involved in different sectors of the economy, be it bakery, fishery, pottery, oil and gas and other things. As an association, we have made a lot of progress. We have embarked on so many sensitisation programmes, seminars and conferences. I am also happy to tell you that NASME has been appointed a member of the National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which is the highest body established by government to give a special attention to the MSME sector in the country. For the first time in this country, such a body is established to give priority attention to the sector. Therefore, we commend the Federal government for that initiative. We believe that the Council will go a long way in assisting the SME sector. The Council’s membership is also made up of the organized private sector, governors from the six geo-political zones and it is chaired by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo. For us in NASME, we are happy we are part of it. Also, we are part of Federal Government’s National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) which is a special programme geared towards job and wealth creation. NEDEP involves three arms namely: Industrial Training Fund for the training aspect, Bank of Industry to provide finance and, of course, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to provide the entrepreneur development. What are the major challenges faced by an average SME in Nigeria? Inadequate electricity power supply has been a challenge to the sector as well as the nature of some of our roads. Finance is also a major problem, but thank God, the Federal Government is addressing the matter. I know you are aware of the N220 billion SME fund set aside by the CBN. It is also important to state that 60 per cent of that fund will go to women and I think it is quite a laudable initiative to encourage women entrepreneurs. From my ex-

Gusau

perience, when I worked with the CBN’s Agric and Development Finance, we discovered that under the agriculture credit guarantee scheme, which the CBN managed through the Ministry of Finance, most of the loans given to women were usually paid back. Women are best managers and they always fulfil their promises to pay back.

strength is spread across the federation. We have an elaborate structure comprising of Board of Trustees, the Council, state chapters and their executives. We have several financial and non-financial institutions with us, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and co-operative societies. What are the benefits of being a member of NASME? There is a lot to gain from being a member of NASME. First, NASME is a collection of experts. We are all practitioners in the sector. During our seminars and conferences, members interact, share challenges, exchange ideas and contacts with each other. We also help our members with links on how and where to sell their products. There is a lot to gain by being a member of NASME. Importantly, we facilitate delivery of credit facilities to members using various universal and development banks, which are also our members.

How do you generate fund to run NASME? 2014 was very challenging for us. We are still going to face some challenges this year, especially on the issue of revenue generation. NASME is an independent body. We generate our revenue from organising seminars and conferences and also through membership fees from SMEs and institutional members. For this year, we need to come out of the box because SMEs are facing challenges and if they are facing challenges they may not be able to pay their dues. So, the secretariat will have to prepare series of programmes to generate revenue and stay on top to service our members better. How accessible is CBN’s N220 billion MSME fund to your members? Accessibility of the N220 billion fund is fairly rigid, but also fairly soft. I use this language because I am very sure that government, at the last National Council on SME, agreed to set up a committee to see how we can address some of these grey areas of the fund to make it accessible. So, I think we are getting there. What will be the impact of NASME’s participation at the National Council on SMEs? NASME will have a lot of impact in the council because of its large membership spread and experience. Also, the Council will find NASME very resourcefully because we provide a reliable platform for the commercialisation of research findings. NASME bridges the interaction gap between research/academic institutes and SME practitioners with a view to encouraging frequent share of practical experience. So, the Council will, indeed, find NASME’s presence very useful. We shall make a very enormous positive impact there for the overall benefit of the MSME sector in Nigeria. Does NASME have input in government policy formation? We had our annual MSME conference and exhibition in Lagos, the15th edition precisely. Every year we bring our members together to brainstorm on challenges and prospects of the sector. We bring in experts and resource persons to talk to us. We also invited BoI and Bank of Agriculture. It was a success. We had discussions and recommendations were made. We intend to send our communiqué to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. What is NASME’s membership strength? We are about 15,000. Our membership

Inadequate electricity power supply has been a challenge to the sector as well as the nature of some of our roads. Finance is also a major problem, but the Federal Government is addressing the matter

In the wake of fall in oil price, experts have called for diversification to non-oil sector. What is your take on this? Somebody asked me this same question the other day about this decline in oil price and I remembered those days as an Assistant Director in CBN, we saw cocoa and rubber generate revenue as a foreign exchange, but unfortunately, now we are not serious about it. During the 80s, government took a bold step by encouraging people to process cocoa and rubber to the next value chain. If you do that, not only that you get more premiums for the product, the rejection of your commodities will also reduce and you create jobs, but if you send it out raw, you are creating jobs for other people out there. You can call it commodity flight. We need to be very honest about our budget planning. We don’t have control over oil prices, it goes up and down. So, I think it is better we adopt benchmark that is comfortable and then adjust the economy. In addition, government should look at things that will generate more internal revenue. I heard that there will be a lot of taxation. Basically, taxation is one of the major ways of raising revenue as rich people will be taxed as well as luxury goods. So, for the austerity measures announced by government it is okay. We don’t have a choice. There is an urgent need for the diversification of the economy and the only way to diversify now is to concentrate more on agriculture development and export. Processing of agricultural products for exports can really generate foreign exchange. We shouldn’t be too dependent on oil. Also, it is important to encourage small and medium enterprises to grow, because they can also be able to add value. They can also be able to export in their own ways and improve the economy.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

ICT

FG pledges deeper ICT integration p.36

‘ICT critical to national devt’ p.36

Telecoms: Checking early Internet bundle depletion Though complaints continue to trail cases of early depletion of data bundles being experienced by subscribers, experts have advocated increased consumer education to tackle the trend, writes KUNLE AZEEZ

s telecoms subscribers continue to grapple with the challenge of intermittent poor quality of services (QoS) coupled with the annoying incidence of unsolicited Short Messaging Service (SMS), Internet users in the country seem to be facing another ‘headache’ in the area of general Internet service delivery. Specifically, the problem is around what many subscribers described as early data bundle depletion on their smart devices from the major telecoms companies and other Internet Service Providers (ISPs). With increased Internet penetration in the country, more Nigerians are getting connected either through their mobile devices or desktops. New Telegraph learnt that with access to telephone (voice) service gaining appreciable traction, investment in 2G and 3G-enbaled infrastructures is also increasing uptake of Internet service gradually. Between 2013 and December, 2014, telecoms networks boosted investment in internet-enabled infrastructures 2G-enabled sites have increased from 22, 578 to 28,289 while 3G-enabled sites have increased from less than 10,000 to 15,048 during the same period. This has thus resulted in more people using Internet, as over 78 million Nigerians are currently connected to the Internet, with all engaging different kinds of datadriven activities at any point in time. As such, each of the 26.7 million smartphone users in the country is said to be spending an average of 200 minutes making calls and browsing daily. Over the years, telecom companies have designed various internet/data bundles or packages with various tariff plans for their over 134.5 million subscribers. Complaints Meanwhile, most telecoms consumers, who spoke with New Telegraph on the data depletion challenge, said that they currently face a situation whereby an internet/ data package subscribed to with a monthly validity, only last them for a few days before the data is ‘mysterious’ depleted. A 27-year-old student of the Uni-

Mobile apps data on OS platforms as at September 2014.

versity of Lagos, Mr Sola Badmus, decried what he described as “unusually accelerated data bundle depletion” on his Android phone. Badmus subscribed to a monthly data package, which cost him N1,400, on one of the networks, but to his chagrin, the data got exhausted within a week instead of taking him for a month. Expressing his frustration, Badmus said: “I have noticed, with dismay, in the past months, that when I load my monthly data bundle that used to take me for almost a month before, it now gets depleted within a week or, at most, two weeks, forcing me to load twice or three times within a month because I just have to be connected.” Another victim of early data depletion and businesswoman, Uche Nwator, said that the Internet service providers were not being fair in their charges. Nwator said: “I suspect that there is a hidden charge in the data packages we buy. If not, how come a data bundle with a month validity period now gets exhausted in a matter of days?” Badmus and Nwator’s experiences were not different from that of Chief Executive Officer, XBT Business Ventures, located in Ogun State, Mr Charles Emeka. According to Emeka, “it is double wahala (problem) for data consumers. The data gets depleted easily and the service is also poor, yet nobody is fighting for you. I wonder what the regulator is doing to checkmate this.” He stressed that “something urgent needed to be done to protect subscribers from being ripped off.” President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, Mr Deolu Ogunbanjo, who also confirmed the development, has condemned the early depletion being experienced by telecoms consumers on their service providers’ networks. While insisting on the need for quality data service delivery and

Source: Pure Oxygen Labs

consumers to get value for their money, Ogunbanjo stressed that service providers should make Internet packages more attractive to subscribers in order to ensure that more Nigerians come online to achieve deeper internet penetration in the country. “Telecoms networks and ISPs must reduce the cost of Internet, which we still consider comparatively prohibitive, to lure average Nigerians who want to be online to come on board. Government should give incentives to the operators to be able to reduce cost of Internet, which some countries have declared as fundamental human right of their citizens,” he said.

If, for instance, you subscribe to data service and you had not been able to utilise the service, your service provider should be able to give it back to you or allow you to roll over

Experts’ reasons for depletion Though telecoms consumers may have grudges against the service providers, investigations by New Telegraph suggest that beyond alleged arbitrary depletion of data credit by the networks, many activities engaged in by smartphone users across various Operating System (OS) platforms such as Android, iOS, Windows and Blackberry, often result in early data depletion, unknown to subscribers. With over 1.3 million apps each on Android and iOS platforms, over 300,000 on Windows and 150,000 on Blackberry OS platforms in 2014, smartphone users often download many applications daily, which consumes their data. The number of apps on Android, iOS, Windows and Blackberry platforms stood at 775,000; 800,000; 125,000 and 70,000 in 2013. This suggests that Internet users are being presented with an option to download apps relevant to them pro bono or with a premium from the ever-expanding growing stores. Also, Portio Research estimates that in 2013, about 1.2 billion people worldwide were using mobile apps at the end of 2012. This is forecast to grow at a 29.8 per cent each year,

to reach 4.4 billion users by the end of 2017. Studies have also shown that smartphone users engage in download of different apps that meet their lifestyles. According to Distimo research, the most downloaded apps are games (33 per cent); widgets (eight per cent); entertainment (seven per cent); social (five per cent); lifestyle; music; photography; productivity (all four per cent); tools; communication; utilities (all three per cent). Games also dominate app revenues. “Many smartphone users face data bundle depletion if they download apps, leave them open to auto-updates, which take place often on their devices, unknown to the device user,” an Internet expert, Mr Destiny Amana, said. “It has also been found that most of those apps downloaded are hardly put into use by the smartphone user.” Chief Executive Officer, TechTrendsng, Mr Keneth Omeruo, noted that it has also been found that many people also watch videos on YouTube, for instance, which considerably consumes data bundle than just browsing text materials, stressing that there is the need for increased consumer education. Way forward MTN Nigeria’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Ms Funmi Onajide, has said that mobile phones users needed to be educated and advised adequately on some things contributing to their data losses. “Apps on smartphones that are not useful should be deleted, most have little or zero knowledge of the various apps that come with the phone or downloaded works with respect to their data bundle. “It once happened to me. I discovered that my data account was running out very fast. Until I called on a colleague, who discovered that most of the applications that come with the phone run on their own and, by so doing, consuming data credit arbitrarily,” she said. From regulatory perspective, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in December 2014, has mandated telecoms firms to come up with a compensation plan for their subscribers. “If for any reason they deplete your credit balance, they should be able to replace it and even with something extra because they must have disrupted your business. If you show them how negatively they have affected your business, they should be able to provide compensation for that. “If, for instance, you subscribe to data service and you had not been able to utilise the service, your service provider should be able to give it back to you or allow you to roll over. Now they auto-renew their subscribers and roll over their data plans,” NCC’s Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau, Maryam Bayi, said.

Business | ICT

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

FG pledges deeper ICT integration GDP Nigeria’s GDP will benefit more from increased ICT penetration Kunle Azeez

he Federal Government has said it will work closely with stakeholders in all sectors of the economy to increase Information and Communication Technology integration this year to further increase ICT contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, who stated this in a presentation, said this was the only way to make Nigeria the ICT hub in Africa. Johnson said that to make Nigeria an ICT hub, the country would need “to harness and consolidate the growth of the ICT sector as well as increase the integration of ICTs across all sectors in a manner that supports the diversification of the economy while achieving job and wealth creation.” She said ICT had become a necessary tool in national and economic development, saying this realisation had informed

the creation of the Ministry of Communications Technology in 2011 by the government. She said the ministry, since inception, had taken practical measures towards creating a focus for the ICT industry, away from the hitherto disparate regulations in the industry. “Today, we have been able to harmonise all the various and disparate regulations in the country by creating a single Harmonised ICT Policy to guide the industry,” she said. Explaining further on what has been the effect of ICT on the economy; Johnson said the sector currently contributes about 10 per cent to the nation’s GDP. She explained that ICT industry was one of the fastest growing in the economy, saying ICT infrastructure is the foundation on which many economic services were delivered. She said: “A frequently-cited World Bank study found that low-income and middle-income countries experienced “about a 1.38 percentage point increase in GDP for each 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration,” saying various social services are more efficiently and effectively delivered over ICTs.” Also, Johnson said there is significant impact of ICT in the delivery of education, health, welfare services, public services.

“As a nation, we are determined to leverage ICT promote transparency and accountability; increase the efficiency and effectiveness Government’s interface with citizens; streamline the provision of government services and significantly reduces the associated costs and create a new economy characterized by information and knowledge. “ICTs are also employed by other industries to increase

Adopting new technology would drive innovation and costeffectiveness to SMEs Kunle Azeez

he Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group Plc, Mr. Austin Okere, has charged Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) owners to ensure they adopt latest technology that can make them innovative and develop faster. Okere made the call in a panel discussion with the theme “Leveraging Technology for SME Growth”, at the maiden edition of the Annual Fidelity SMEs conference that was held in Lagos. The panel featured outstanding entrepreneurs in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector of the country, including the Founder of Zinox Technologies, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh; Chief Executive Officer and Co- Founder of Jumia, Mr. Nicolas Martin; Chief Executive Officer, SWIFT Networks, Mr. Charles Anudu; Found-

er, Easy Taxi, Mr. Bankole Cardoso; Co-Founder, Jobberman, Mr. Opeyemi Awoyemi and Chief Executive Officer of Main One, Mrs. Funke Opeke. Speaking on how SMEs can leverage on technology to maximise results, Okere encouraged merchants to explore the opportunities that the CWG 2.0 platform affords. According to him, “SMERP and Openshopen platforms are designed to meet the peculiar needs of SMEs in Nigeria. Openshopen will give you the visibility your business requires to thrive in this age where businesses are going online, while SMERP will take care of your accounting and generate the records banks like Fidelity will require from you to access loans. Beyond that, they are reliable and affordable, and are available on a subscription basis.” He said, the essence of developing the CWG2.0 platform was to democratise the technology that companies such as Jumia and Konga have erstwhile used exclusively to great advantage, and make them available to the over 17.7m MSMEs in Nigeria. “Seeing the value that this platform shall bring to the SME’s in the country, Small

cy of medical care, accelerates the process of knowledge acquisition; as well as stimulating the creation and sharing of content and knowledge within and outside national boundaries. Johnson added that ICT priorities for Nigeria also included using it to deliver on the promises of the transformation agenda by addressing the challenges in the ICT industry and leveraging the opportunities in ICT for socio-economic development.

Founder of Zinox Technologies, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh (left), with the Founder and Chief Executive officer, Computer Warehouse Group Plc, Mr. Austin Okere, during a panel discussion at the maiden Annual Fidelity SMEs Conference held in Lagos.

Firm advises SMEs on new technology adoption INNOVATION

productivity, expand into new markets, creating more jobs and employment opportunities; good ICT infrastructure engenders reliable connectivity and contributes to increasing the competitiveness of the Nation in attracting investment. It also helps in creating a modern ICTdriven security and work environment,” she added. The minister also stressed that ICT helped in facilitating research, improves the efficien-

and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) recently signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CWG Plc culminating in a partnership that will address the technology needs of the sector,” Okeke said. Beside adopting newest technological platform to drive the business growth, Okere said that SMEs’ business would be driven by the “Three Powers of Success” which, he said, includes the way power, the will power and the wait power. Explaining further, he said: “The three powers are secrets that will keep every entrepreneur going. Will power is the competence you possess to run your business. The knowledge of how to run the enterprise you want to venture into. “Many people will start a business, create solutions then go about looking for the problems. And when people don’t buy it, they become disappointed. You first ought to be finding out peoples’ problems and pain points then create solutions that ameliorate the pain. This is the best way to ensure patronage.” The will power, according to Okere, is the resolve to keep going when everyone say give up.

‘ICT critical to national devt’ Clem Khena-Ogbena Abuja

nformation and Communications Technology (ICT) is a veritable tool for accelerating the development of a nation’s economy. Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Dr Bayero Agabi, stated this during an interview with New Telegraph in Abuja. Agabi, who spoke on the sideline of his induction into the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), with the institute’s Fellowship Award, noted that ICT was not only a ‘game changer’ but also a catalyst for development in every

aspect of the nation’s life. According to him, many people today use one IT tool or the other to carry out their day-to-day activities. ICT is now central to a nation’s economic advancement and for personal activities as individuals. “Consequently, for a nation to remain competitive today, it must have leveraged the power of ICT tools and internet. So, one uses IT as an audio recorder, you can also use it as a video recorder and it can also converge our professional skills. As a journalist, for instance, you can also work as a video person and you can work on the Internet anywhere in the world. This is efficiency,” he said.

Firm to manage GE training centre Kunle Azeez

business process re-engineering and outsourcing company, BanyanTree, as part of a consortium with Nexus Alliance Limited, has been awarded the contract by GE to develop and manage the GE Training Center. The training centre is located on the site of the $250 million GE Regional Manufacturing Center being constructed in the Calabar Free Trade Zone. According to a statement, the scope of the GE Training Center project includes curriculum development and trainee certifications across Mechanical, Elec-

trical, Power, Water, Subsea, Oil and Gas and Turbo Machinery disciplines. It also includes management, student-life administration and day-to-day running of the GE Emerald Training Centre. The consortium was also awarded the contract to provide supplementary skills training and administrative process upgrades for relevant staff of the Government Technical College (GTC), Ikot Affang, Cross River State. Speaking on the deal, Managing Director of BanyanTree, Mr Onye Mba Uzoukwu, said the consortium would work together to assist GE achieve its goals.

DAILY TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

Mom&Parenting

Woman gives birth an hour after learning she’s pregnant Rebecca Gruber

ncredible and unbelievable, it sounds! A Massachusetts (America) woman went to the hospital last Tuesday morning complaining of bad stomach and back pains. Less than an hour later, she was holding a 10-pound, 2-ounce baby (Elle) in her arms. Katherine (Katie) Kropas, 23, had no idea she was pregnant. According to Kropas, she thought her recent weight gain was due to extra holiday eating and her slightly swollen ankles were the result of the 50-hour weeks she spent on her feet as a caterer. But when lower-back pain became too much to handle this week, she checked into South Shore Hospital in South Weymouth, MA, and awaited test results. After a sonogram, she received the surprise of a lifetime. “They told me that I had a fullterm baby, ready to come now,” Kropas told WBZ TV. “So I found out at 10:15, and I had her at 11:06.” Kropas says she didn’t have morning sickness, was on birth control, and was having pretty regular monthly cycles. Even Kropas’s mom, whom she lives with, was shocked. “I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t get my head around it, and I live with her. As a female, there were no signs,” Karen Kropas said. Now Kropas and her boyfriend of two years are simply taking it all in and preparing for a few hectic weeks. “It’s going to be a hard couple of first weeks, especially since I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare, but I love her,” she said. The question is how possible is it for a woman to be pregnant for nine month without knowing it? Some parents including doctors believe it is possible especially if it is psychologically connected. Nora Ibekwe, an NGO employee said she believes it is possible for a woman to be unknowingly pregnant! “I didn’t find out I was pregnant with my fifth kid until the eight month. I know it sound crazy but it’s true

Mom&Parenting Team

Oluwatosin Omoniyi Coordinator

Kropas carrying her bundle of joy

because I had been on contraceptive pills since I had the last baby ( number 4) as such, I didn’t get a period. Ibekwe continued that she had no morning sickness and no swelling and not even very much weight gain. When I found out I was pregnant I weighed 122 (height 5’4). Everyone around me was just as shocked. My kid weighed 5 1/2 lbs at birth. She’s fine. I found out when she started moving. I went to the doctor thinking I had Crohns or some other stomach ailment. Instead, it was a surprise for me! I guess I’m just lucky that all my pregnancies and births have been super easy for me,” she said. For Ibidun Adeyemi, a private school teacher, the story sounds unbelievable! She argued that “your 5.5 pound baby would be more likely to miss detection than a 10 pound baby. But even then, you would notice by the time I would expect a person to. Babies gain a lot of weight in those

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last 4 to 8 weeks. How a person misses a ten pound baby begins to resemble denial,” she said. Michael Ahotwin, a civil servant and father of three, said it’s impossible for a woman not to know that she is pregnant. “This mom’s story doesn’t sound real to me. Is she a small woman or a young mother? She ought to have noticed movement of the baby starting from the fifth month at least,” he said. Susan Abayomi, mother of two, said it is very possible due to a life story that happened in her presence in Lagos,Nigeria. She narrated that her pastor’s wife who ministered during a Sunday service, complained of serious stomach ache after the service. Upon advice, she was taken to the hospital and “lo and behold, there was a bundle of joy in her hand- a baby girl!” she said. Abayomi described the woman’s stomach to be very flat and that the woman claimed

ignorance of the pregnancy “but it is true. She had a baby girl,” she said. However, Doctor Kolawole Omoyele,a consultant gynecologist with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, said it is very possible! He attributed it more to a psychiatric or social problem. He gave an instance of a pastor’s wife who got pregnant the same month she gave birth. She didn’t know she was pregnant until the eight month when she started noticing swollen boobs and stomach. “She thought it was worms or fibroid disturbing her and she came to the hospital for examination and discovered that she was six months pregnant,” he explained. What it makes it possible, Omoyele further explained could be if there is bleeding disorder, Plancental Preavia, or rape from a family member and when the woman in question refused to go for medical checkup and or ante-natal care.

Additional report by Oluwatosin Omoniyi

38 Mom&Parenting

THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015 DAILY TELEGRAPH

Bad behaviours parents should correct

MOM’S ALERT

Katherine Lee

with

ee, school-age children expert analysed how important it is to nip some of these bad behaviors in the bud while kids are still young. If you allow a child to get used to acting surly, disrespectful, or defiant and then try to correct these behaviors before their adolescent age because, it might be a lot tougher to turn that ship around by then. 1. Being disrespectful There’s a reason this bad behavior is number one on this list. When kids are routinely not respectful to you or another adult, they are basically sending a loud and clear message that they don’t think they need to consider how others may feel or think. Not treating you with respect and being rude to other adults is a bad habit that kids can quickly grow into unless you let them know straight away that it will not be tolerated. If your child speaks to your or another adult rudely or uses backtalk, then take him aside as soon as possible after the incident and let him know in private that he will not be allowed to participate in fun things or will lose access to things he likes, such as video games or TV time, unless he learns how to treat others the way he wants to be treated. And be sure to always show good manners when you interact with your child so that he can learn by example. Thank him when he does something for you, say “please,” and treat him respectfully. 2. Defiance, not listening Often, kids who don’t respect authority don’t listen. While your child may truly be distracted or dawdling when you have to repeat yourself several times, it can also be the case that she’s not listening because she doesn’t think there will be any consequences for not listening. If she’s willfully ignoring you and doing something you ask her not to do (or vice versa), discipline her right away. Take her away from the action, whether it’s a family dinner or a play date, and ask her to reset herself while she thinks about why her choice to ignore you is not acceptable. Allow her to come back and show you how she can “do over” that last few moments and be a better listener. If she refuses, give her consequences (such as not getting something she wants to losing privileges like time with friends or TV or computer time). 3. Being ungrateful and greedy There are few things more unattractive than kids who are spoiled, greedy, and full of self-entitlement and affluenza. While it’s natural for parents to want to give their kids the things they want and need, giving kids nearly everything they want and need is definitely the opposite of good. To avoid spoiling kids and prevent them from focusing on getting the things they want, let them earn or save allowance money to buy some of the things they want. Teach them how to experience and express gratitude and volunteer with them to help others. Teaching kids how to be charitable and think about those who don’t have the things they do is a great way to tone down greed and encourage them to appreciate what they have. 4. Tantruming, pouting While it can be understandable for

Grace Essen

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Moms, the Internet, and Social Media

W A mother rebuking her child

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a toddler or preschooler to be cranky and have meltdowns, seeing a fullblown screaming and crying fit (and its equally bad behavior cousins pouting and whining) in a school-age child is less acceptable. A 5- or 6-year-old may have an occasional meltdown, but they should be on their way to learning how to express their frustrations in a more controlled, calm, and respectful way. The next time your child throws a fit, ask him to go into a room or a corner and sit down until he feels calmer. Once he has reset his emotions and can listen, talk about why tantrums will make it less likely that he’ll get what he wants. Talk about how he could have handled the situation better and ask him to stop, take a deep breath, and think about those better choices the next time he feels frustrated. 5. Bullying Parents often worry that their child may be bullied, and talk to their kids about what to do if that happens. But what if your child is the bully? Talk with your child immediately if you suspect or find out that she’s been mean and aggressive toward someone and has engaged in gossiping, teasing, or insulting behavior. Find out why she did these things and talk to her about why bullying is absolutely unacceptable and harmful for the victim as well as for her. 6. Lying All kids engage in lying at some point, and very young children are often unable to distinguish between lying and imaginative play. But as kids get older, they may deliberately tell lies for specific reasons (to avoid getting into trouble, for instance). If your child is making a habit of telling fibs, take steps immediately to find out what’s behind the behavior, make it clear that you want them to stop, and show them why lying can be harmful to relationships. 7. Cheating Whether it’s a board game or other playful competition, some younger kids may cheat simply because they want to win. But older kids, who develop a sense of right and wrong, may cheat deliberately (say, on a test at school). Talk to your child about how cheating lessens their achievements and emphasize the importance of fair play. Handling these bad behaviors now will leave you feeling grateful later if/when you see other kids doing the wrong thing and behaving horribly. After all, who wants to hang out with a rude or tantruming teenager?

hen I think of the internet and social media, I tend to believe that mothers are the biggest beneficiaries. Why do I say so? A mom having a hard time connecting with old friends and family members because she hasn’t got the time to go out visiting as much, and cannot keep up with phone calls, can now more than before while staying home with her kids connect with other people in her life. Women now have a choice to start and run successful businesses from home more easily while taking care of their homes and the children, all thanks to the internet and social media! Social networking sites like Facebook, and instant messaging apps like Whatsapp allow us find and connect with just about anyone - from a colleague in your former place of work, an old classmate in our secondary school days twenty-something years ago, a cousin living abroad with whom we had lost touch, and moms friends we may never get meet in person. As technology becomes more deeply integrated into our lives today, moms are feeling both the positive and negative effects in their relationships, work, business and what have you. It has becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish between meaningful relationships we foster in the real world, and the numerous casual relationships formed through social media. It is so easy to focus so much of our time and energy on relationships online that our most important connections begin to weaken and break down without us realizing it - think of “so-often-neglected” children, spouses, and even the pot of stew burning on the stove while our smart phones stay glued to our faces. There are numerous groups online where moms can share and exchange ideas, experiences, food recipes and the likes, but there is also the tendency to either exaggerate or overdo the sharing, we take what is posted hook, line and sinker, forgetting that what worked for Mrs Peter may not work for Mrs Paul since circumstances and situations may not be exactly the same, applying such solutions might worsen our cases, and the results can be terrible. With the internet and social media, we no longer just ‘tell,’ we can ‘show’ as well. We go crazy with showing off our lives, our latest acquisitions and all (of course with no harm meant), others who are not that ‘lucky’ feel somewhat ‘left behind’ or their spouses are not ‘performing,’ fights ensue in homes hundreds of miles away from where the innocent photo

was shared. I remember seeing someone’s DP (display picture on social media) where she posed in front of a brand new Range, only to find that she didn’t even know the owner! Technologies makes itself felt in our marriages everyday - how we communicate with our spouses, plan together, grow closer, fight and make up, or even send divorce notices. A survey carried out on married couples had this report: 27 per cent of online couples say that the internet has had an impact on their relationship, and most of them say the impact is positive. Still, one in four cell owners say the phone distracts their spouse or partner when they are together. That is to say we have more couples today sitting together on the couch, yet very far from each other, thanks again to internet and social media! A stay-at-home mom who had done nothing other than keep the home and care for her kids suddenly finds that with her smart phone she can make friends online without stepping out of her home. An ‘innocent’ friendship with the opposite sex becomes a threat to her marriage of over a decade. We have also seen couples divorcing on the social media; others wash their dirty linings on the internet, the damages caused are so bad it becomes difficult to repair such relationships. A good image built and protected over years is tarnished just by a single post on the social media. Can you then blame those who at this time and age, say they never want anything to do with social media? But like all things in life, there will always be the good and the bad side, just like the internet or social media has caused havoc to many lives and homes, so has it done much good also. Women have met and married the men of their dreams via the internet, moms have started and grown small businesses from home, meaningful relationships and mom-focused support groups have emerged from the internet and social media, not to talk of the endless access to information, and opportunities to improve our lives and that of our families. Cutting off internet and social media can be likened to throwing away the baby with the bath water, going all the way without caution is even worse, but we can find a midway whereby we can use the internet and the social media in ways that benefit us, our careers or businesses and our families without us loosing ourselves and what we have built over the years. Goodluck!

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

L-R: All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House of Representatives candidate for Idemili North and South, Mr. Ifeanyi Ibezi; senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, Chief Victor Umeh; Governor Willie Obiano and Commissioner for works, Mr. Callistus Ilozumba, at the inauguration of Oyelisa-Ogidi Ani-Umuoji road at Ogidi, Anambra State.

L-R: Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State, Comrade Kayode Opeifa; Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede; All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Governor Babatunde Fashola, at a Town Hall meeting with operators in the transport sector in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

L-R: General Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services, Joseph Umunnakwe; Radio personality, Anita Isede (Omalicha); a winner in Microsoft #MakeItHappen Christmas Promo, Tommy Sunday and Senior Marketing Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services, Olumide Balogun, at the official presentation of a car prize to the winner in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: National Coordinator, Campaign Against Impunity, Mr. Shina Loremikan; Convener, Nehemiah Project, Mr. Richard Akinnola and Founder, Arise & Shine Campaign, Mr. Funmi Olunuga, at the media presentation of a book on The Lies Against Buhari on Religion, in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Photo | News

L-R: Chief Lateef Oyelade; Chief Theophilus Akinyele; Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Abimbola; Engr. Oluseyi Makinde; Oyo State gubernatorial candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Oloye Lekan Alabi and President General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Bayo Oyero, at the public presentation of a book, entitled Election Law Practice in Nigeria in Ibadan.

L-R: Former Central Bank governor, Prof. Charles Soludo; Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu and Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, at the inaugural board meeting of the Global Advisory Board of the Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Africapitalism Institute in Abuja.

L-R: Groom/son of the Nigerian Ambassador to the UK, Usman Tafida; wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Amina Sambo; bride/daughter of the PDP National Treasurer, Yasmin Bala and former First Lady, Hajia Turai Yaradua, at the pre-wedding dinner for the couple in Abuja. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Chairman, Kuje Area Council, Mr Shaban Tete (left), presenting signed MoU documents for modernisation of Kuje Main Market to the Chairman, Green House International Ventures, Mr. Ose Ogunkorode, in Abuja.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Leisure Arcade NUTS

By Kaycee

MAMA LASISI

By Aliu Eroje

MOYIN & FRIENDS

NTPuzzle

By Ayo Oyerinde

NTJokes DINNER WITH THE NEIGHBORS

SUDOKU - Answer to No 34

SUDOKU - No 35

Peter’s dad invited their neighbour for dinner. At the dinner, Peter was ordered to lead in prayer... Peter: But I don’t know how to pray ... DAD- Just pray for your family members, friends and neighbours, the poor, etc. Peter: “Dear Lord” (he started) “Thank you for our visitors and their children, who finished all my cookies and ice cream. Bless them so they wont come again. Forgive our neighbour’s son, who removed my sister’s clothes and wrestled with her on her bed. This coming Christmas, please ask Santa to send clothes to all those poor naked ladies on my daddy’s blackberry and provide shelter for the homeless men who use mom’s room when daddy is at work. Amen. Dinner was closed

MARITAL WOES

How to play

Sudoku

ALIU EROJE

CHIEF CARTOONIST aliu.eroje@newtelegraphonline.com

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.

A sick woman was lying on her sick bed with her husband by her side; she turns to the husband and said WIFE: Honey, I have a confession to make. HUSBAND: Save your strength my dear! WIFE: (Cuts in) Nooo, I want to say it so that when I die my spirit will be at rest. I have been stealing your money and giving it to my boyfriend, You’re not the father of our son Junior, I was the one who stole your gold wrist watch and hide it in your sister’s bag so that you’ll drive her away. Please forgive me HUSBAND: I know all this, that’s why I poisoned you. Keep calm let the poison work.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Business | Money Line

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

$68.1bn FDI from eight free zones coming, says FG

PARTNERSHIP

Govt partners Cross Rivers to float Automotive Industrial Cluster

Stories by Godson Ikoro

resh Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth over $68.1billion is being targeted from eight newly licensed free zones, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Gbenga Kuye has said. The NEPZA boss, who spoke to journalists yesterday, said the enhanced efficiency of the agency, in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, had helped to fast-track approvals for zones, based on the new checklist and methodology put in place for assessing requests. He said the investments attracted already, and the incoming ones that had been sealed, provided a solid foundation for a stronger economy and greatly improved standard of living for Nigerians, adding that the current administration should be commended

for that. He said, “Based on the new checklist and methodology put in place for assessing Free Zone requests, the president approved the following: Centenary City Free Zone (Business and Tourism Destination), with expected investment of about $18billion; Ogogoro Industrial Park, Lagos (oil and gas activities) $160million; and the Nigeria International Commerce City, Lagos, (formerly Eko Atlantic City) $38billion. “Others are: Badagry Creek Industrial Park, Lagos, $1.3billion; Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Free Zone, $25.5million; Dangote Refinery/ Petrochemical Park, $9billion; Lekki Deep Sea Port (under Lagos Free Trade Zone) $1.4billion; and Samsung Heavy Industries and Mega Construction Integrated FZE (under LADOL Free Zone), $300million.” The managing director added, “The Authority is currently at advanced stages for the approval of the proposed

Kogi Industrial Park. We are also presently consulting with the Cross Rivers State Government on the establishment of an Automotive Industrial Cluster in the state. “This is sequel to a bilateral relation agreement between Nigeria and Japan, where Japan has proposed to help develop an auto industrial cluster in Calabar. This is being done in conjunction with the National Automotive Council. Consultations are also ongoing for the revamping of the Idu Industrial Area located in Abuja.” Kuye noted that since his assumption of office in 2013, the Authority had undergone a mas-

sive transformation characterised by the restructuring of its organogram to reflect the new NEPZA, “which is to be driven largely by in-depth research and excellent investor relations.” He said, “In order to complement the directives of the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment in putting in place a robust methodology for assessing investors’ applications for Free Zone status and a rigorous method of process engineering to enhance efficiency and productivity, we have been able to reduce the delays, which usually characterised

he Federal Government of Nigeria’s efforts at reviving the power sector is one of the successful reforms, which should not be overlooked amid the distractions of the global market turmoil and the elections in Nigeria next month, FBN Capital has said. In a statement on power on, power off yesterday, the company observed that on

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Price 90.35 99.40 104.40 109.65 114.45 76.90

Tenor (Months) 1 2 3 6 9 12

Rate (%) 12.1827 12.2737 12.3744 12.8521 12.8535 13.8443

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

the operations of the Authority. “A major characteristic of the old NEPZA was the frosty relationship the Authority had with other regulatory agencies. The feud, which had hitherto engulfed the management of NEPZA and some other agencies has been laid to rest while NEPZA staff are more equipped for their jobs than ever before with competitive staff welfare packages.” He noted that the need to review the NEPZA Act CAP N107 LFN 2004 also became imperative as the Act hampered the full realisation of the Authority’s mandate and also hampered the

Authority from taking its place as an industrialisation agency in line with the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan. “In view of this, the Agency has embarked on the review of the Act, which is currently at the National Assembly with a view to amending it and getting it passed as soon as possible. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment also acknowledged the achievements of the agency under this administration, saying the enhanced efficiency of the agency should be commended. The Director, Investment in the ministry, Mr. Olayinka Olanipekun, representing the ministry on the board of NEPZA, said the Authority was contributing significantly to the growth of the Nigerian economy currently, and should be supported.

FBN Capital highlights gains of power reform the official side the most promising recent development was the signing of a memorandum of understanding ( MoU) on December 22, 2014 by the CBN and the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), which should lead to the rapid disbursement of the central bank’s N213billion ($1.18billion) facility. The credit is designed to improve liquidity in the electricity industry and clear legacy debts owed to gas suppliers over the years. It carries an annual interest rate of 10 per cent. It pointed out that in the private sector, the most encouraging news was the signing in early December of the $890million debt and equity financing of the Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant (IPP). Besides, it stressed two aspects of the project - the short transmission line from the plant in Benin City to a local substation and the short underground pipeline to a major gas supply. These two project features, it argued, helped to insulate the plant from the failings of the transmission network, and the regular interruptions to gas supplies from sabotage and the breakdown of ageing equipment. FBN Capital noted that the promoters of the Ughelli plant say that 40 per cent of power generated is lost to outdated transmission systems and that they envisage producing their own gas if it is to attain its long-term generation target of 3,000 megawatts (MW). The authorities are fond of citing financing estimates and output targets. Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu

Nebo, told a conference in Lagos in mid-November that investment of $10billion over 10 years in distribution and generation would add 5,000MW to the national grid. However, the experts said that the actual output was subject to market swings. While the presidential task force on power shows peak generation at 3,721MW on January 11, and forecast peak demand at 12,800MW, FBN capital said the record generation since the task force’s inception in 2010 stands at 4,518MW on 23 December 2012. Turning away from gas– fired power plants, an American consortium signed a Merorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the FGN in midNovember for the delivery of 1,200MW in solar power generation within two years. Nebo said at the signing that the group had the capacity to expand the project to 10,000MW within five years. It would be recalled that at the last Bankers’ Committee retreat last month, the consensus on power was that availability of efficient power supply is critical for sustainable growth and development and the potential multiplier effect on the nation’s GDP. Improvements in the power sector were seen as a catalyst in creating the enabling environment for other sectors to thrive. Accordingly, the Bankers’ Committee committed to the ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Power, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the drive to resolve legacy debts in the power value chain.

Business | Financial Market News

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

14-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

4,371.02

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

0.27 1.59 2.28 2.53 2.63 3.37 4.46 4.77 7.04 9.16 13.87 14.35 14.85 15.52 19.51

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

11.67 15.11 15.47 15.53 15.53 15.50 15.43 15.47 15.48 15.11 14.33 14.27 14.20 14.74 15.21

11.10 15.00 15.38 15.45 15.45 15.37 15.34 15.36 15.41 15.05 14.28 14.21 14.13 14.68 15.16

97.95 97.15 99.25 88.44 87.05 87.70 101.75 72.09 103.80 95.50 103.94 89.23 65.08 71.35 81.00

98.10 97.30 99.40 88.59 87.20 88.00 102.05 72.39 104.10 95.80 104.24 89.53 65.38 71.65 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 1.22 1.90 2.26 2.47

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

15.17 17.27 17.33 16.46 16.53

94.83 100.04 97.97 95.97 92.65

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

309.54

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

18.64

96.48

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.47

3.23

16.84

99.10

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.98

4.46

19.33

95.60

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.99

3.48

18.36

97.71

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.26

1.00

16.46

88.15

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.53

1.00

16.13

97.03

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.96

1.79

17.31

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.14

1.80

17.22

94.63

92.56

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.72

1.00

16.49

93.21

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.33

1.00

16.48

96.51

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.34

4.78

20.26

89.26

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.52

1.00

16.53

96.12

A/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /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 4.85 2.83

1.00 1.00 2.74

16.52 16.48 18.26

98.03 93.51 92.72

‡ /Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.38

1.00

16.50

95.75

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.87

1.00

16.50

88.95

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020

31-Dec-13

15.00

5.00

31-Dec-20

5.96

1.94

17.44

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

31-Dec-13

14.50

4.55

31-Dec-20

3.62

1.44

16.93

93.94

06-Jan-14

15.00

4.56

06-Jan-21

3.65

1.95

17.44

93.93

97.18

‡ /Agusto A-/GCR

*EKITI *NASARAWA

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

91.16

460.61 426.90

Corporate Bonds ‡ /Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

17-Aug-10

10.00

3.61

17-Aug-15

0.35

4.88

17.30

*FLOURMILLS

12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015

09-Dec-10

12.00

9.34

09-Dec-15

0.66

1.00

15.25

98.48

BB/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.42

06-Jan-16

0.74

2.63

17.03

98.13

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

1.71

1.00

16.23

95.30

A-/Agusto

FSDH

14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

1.78

1.34

16.60

96.43

A/GCR

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

2.71

1.00

16.53

92.48

BBB-/GCR

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.64

30-Nov-17

1.73

1.88

17.12

102.33

Nil

*C & I LEASING *DANA#{r}

MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

09-Apr-11

16.00

6.30

09-Apr-18

1.73

3.48

18.72

96.42

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

20.53

96.43

1.90

5.06

20.39

101.78

AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR

*TOWER

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.80

09-Sep-18

A/Agusto; A/GCR

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

3.69

1.35

16.84

92.36

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

17.67

97.18

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

2.09

6.11

21.52

94.42

Nil

*DANA#{r}

16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

2.96

2.16

17.68

96.40

A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

NAHCO

15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

5.83

2.76

18.26

89.41

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

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

30-Sep-14

11.93

0.10

30-Sep-24

9.71

1.00

15.80

81.03

A/GCR

STANBIC IBTC

13.25 STANBIC IB 30-SEP-2024

30-Sep-14

13.25

15.44

30-Sep-24

9.71

1.00

15.80

87.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

124.44

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

116.39

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

16.51

85.21

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

16.47

84.68

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

24.95 21.19

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

7.41

7.13

96.84

98.18

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

6.34

5.94

96.25

97.46

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

7.59

7.38

92.49

93.73

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

1,427.94

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

49.96

38.03

71.60

78.94

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

11.21

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

11.93

11.22

86.50

88.25

B+/Fitch; B+/S&P

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

9.50

8.89

88.99

90.83

B/Fitch

AFREN PLC II

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

27.02

23.40

59.18

65.83

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

14.64

13.49

81.49

84.76

B-/Fitch; B/S&P

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

9.97

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

19.73 12.58 11.36

19.73 12.14 11.36

55.50 85.50 84.00

55.50 87.25 84.00

B-/S&P

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

14-Aug-14

8.75

250.00

14-Aug-21

10.70

9.61

90.05

94.93

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,760.00

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,971.24

**Treasury Bills DTM 8 15 22 29 36 43 50 57

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 (%) 9.00 10.57 10.19 9.50 9.20 9.50 11.10 11.05

Offer Discount (%) 8.75 10.32 9.94 9.25 8.95 9.25 10.85 10.80

Bid Yield (%) 9.02 10.62 10.25 9.57 9.28 9.61 11.27 11.24

Money Market Tenor

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 9.4750 13.3739 14.2558 15.7259

Rate (%)

OBB

8.33

O/N

9.00

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 8.50 13.72

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

183.20 183.59 183.87 184.55 185.79 187.03

183.30 183.69 184.01 185.00 186.77 188.50

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

18.64

96.48

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.47

3.23

16.84

99.10

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.98

4.46

19.33

95.60

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.99

3.48

18.36

97.71

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.26

1.00

16.46

88.15

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.53

1.00

16.13

97.03

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.96

1.79

17.31

92.56

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

Business | Financial Market News

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

2.14 1.80 94.63 THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 201517.22 NEW TELEGRAPH

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.72

1.00

16.49

93.21

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.33

1.00

16.48

96.51

‡ /Agusto

*NIGER

14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018

12-Dec-13

14.00

10.20

12-Dec-18

2.34

4.78

20.26

89.26

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

*ONDO

15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019

14-Feb-12

15.50

27.00

14-Feb-19

2.52

1.00

16.53

96.12

A/Agusto; A-/GCR ‡ /Agusto; ‡ /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 4.85 2.83

1.00 1.00 2.74

16.52 16.48 18.26

98.03 93.51 92.72

‡ /Agusto

*OSUN

14.75 OSUN II 10-OCT-2020

10-Oct-13

14.75

11.10

10-Oct-20

3.38

1.00

16.50

95.75

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020

27-Nov-13

13.50

87.50

27-Nov-20

5.87

1.00

16.50

88.95

A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro

KOGI

$1trn market cap target in 2016 impossible –NSE Onyema has15.00 said. 31-Dec-13 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 Recent economic expan31-Dec-13 ‡ GOVERNMENT /Agusto *EKITI 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 sion in the country The Nigerian bourse’s is 06-Jan-14 A-/GCR *NASARAWAboss said this 15.00at NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 expected to continue in the NSE BOND TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Yearly Review: 2014 Mar- the foreseeable future TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Government bond ket Recap & Outlook for despite the challenges.” 2015 in Lagos yesterday. He said the global Corporate Bonds remain yields would He said target, which crude oil markets in the 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 17-Aug-10 ‡ /Agusto *UPDC an attraction for *FLOURMILLS was set along asset second quarter of09-Dec-10 2014 12.00 five FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 A-/Agusto 14.00longer CHELLARAMS BB/GCR were impacted by06-Jan-11 the classes are no be-06-JAN-2016 investors seeking *CHELLARAMS NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 slowed economic growth A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 29-Sep-11 NAHCO lieved to be13.00 achievable high risk-adjustedFSDH going by the 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 A-/Agusto 25-Oct-13 dwindling of China and weaker de13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 A/GCR 30-Sep-10 UBA returns fortunes of the stock mand for refined prod18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 BBB-/GCR 30-Nov-12 *C & I LEASING market occasioned by ucts from the US and EuMPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 09-Apr-11 Nil *DANA#{r} # rope, which according to current situation. MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 A-/DataPro†; B+/GCR *TOWER The NSEMPR+5.25 bossTOWER said: him, combined with onChris Ugwu 9-SEP-2018 09-Sep-11 AAA/DataPro†; A/GCR *TOWER# 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 going challenges in A/Agusto; A/GCR 22-Sep-11 UBA “Our market developthe 15.75 up LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR 18-Oct-13 *LA CASERAment strategy he projection to 2019 Nigerian oil and gas secCHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 17-Feb-12 BBB-/DataPro†; BB/GCR *CHELLARAMS# of the Nigerian will help usMPR+5.00 achieve rea- tor, which saw Nigeria’s 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 01-Apr-14 Nil *DANA#{r} Stock Exchange sonable market growth. crude oil production on 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR 14-Nov-13 NAHCO (NSE) to grow Despite the downturn in drop below 2.3mbd. 182D T.bills+1.20 STANBIC IA 30-SEP-2024 A/GCR 30-Sep-14 STANBIC IBTC market capitalisation in IBTC 2015, we expect thatIB 30-SEP-2024 as “The impact of30-Sep-14 this 13.25 STANBIC A/GCR STANBIC 2016 $1trillionVALUE (N150 the year progresses, with drop in production was TOTALto OUTSTANDING trillion) would not be a successful election, bet- exacerbated in the third TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION achievable, the Chief ter outlook for oil and the quarter by crude oil SupranationalOfficer Bond Executive of the naira, the stock market prices plummeting, forc10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P IFC 11-Feb-13 outlook will improve. Exchange, Mr. Oscar ing the Central Bank of

Aaa/Moody's; AAA/S&P

11.25 AFDB 1-FEB-2021

AfDB

10-Jul-14

11.25

Investment value dips further by N381bn Description

Issuer

Issue Date

500.00

B-/S&P

8.75 AUG 14, 2021

ECOBANK NIG. LTD

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

14-Aug-14

500.00 500.00

1,500.00 1,427.94

450.00 500.00 350.00 300.00 400.00 300.00 500.00 200.00 300.00 360.00 400.00 450.00

8.75

6.11

21.52

94.42

2.96

2.16

17.68

96.40

14-Nov-20

5.83

2.76

18.26

89.41

30-Sep-24

9.71

1.00

15.80

81.03

30-Sep-24

9.71

1.00

15.80

87.49

250.00

10.70

9.61

90.05

94.93

14-Aug-21

4,760.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

2.09

01-Apr-19

Outstanding Value ($mm)

Coupon (%)

market capitalisation fell by Plc followed with a turnover Chris Ugwu FGN Eurobonds N381 billion or four per cent, of 118.7 million shares valued from N9.895 trillion to N9.514 at N60.7 million 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P 07-Oct-11 in 73 deals. 6.75 trillion. he massive sell offs Further analysis of the BB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 12-Jul-13 5.13 Meanwhile, a turnover of day’s trading showed that PZ BB-/S&P that have pervaded the BB-/Fitch;equities market yesterCussons Plc topped the day’s 488.6 billion shares worth 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 12-Jul-13 6.38 BB-/S&P day, continued with the twin N3.8 billion in 5,151 deals was gainers’ table with 10.21 per TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE market performance mea- recorded in the day’s trading. cent to close at N27.21, while TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION sures - the All Share Index The banking sub-sector of Presco Plc followed with 10 and market capitalisation, the financial services sector per cent to close at N29.70 per Corporate Eurobonds further plummeting by four was the most active (mea- share. Union Dicon Plc added 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B/Fitch; B-/S&P AFREN PLC I 01-Feb-11 11.50 per cent. sured by turnover volume); 4.98 per cent to close at N13.92 7.50 MAY 19, 2016 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC I 7.50 At the close of trading, 9 with 181.3 million shares per share.19-May-11 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC 25-Jul-12 7.25 stocks appreciated, while 36 worth N1.7 billion exchanged On the flip side, Dangote 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/Fitch; B/S&P FIDELITY BANK PLC 09-May-13 6.88 Cement Plc led the losers’ others constituted the losers’ by investors in 1,888 deals. 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 B+/Fitch; B+/S&P GTBANK PLC 08-Nov-13 6.00 table. Volume in the10.25 sub-sector with a drop of 9.19 per10.25 cent APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLC II 08-Apr-12 The twin market indicawas largely driven by activito close at N151.10, while 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK PLC 22-Apr-14 6.25 tors and the All-Share Dangote Sugar 9.09 8.75of MayZenith 21, 2019 B/Fitch; B/S&P DIAMOND InBANK PLCties in the shares 21-May-14 Plc shed8.75 dex dropped by 1149.25 Bank Plc. per cent to close at N5.108.25per AUG 07, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST basis BANK PLC Bank and Access8.25 07-Aug-13 points or four per cent, Also, Insurance sub-sector share. Ashaka Cement trailed 6.63 DEC 09, 2020 B-/Fitch; B/S&P AFRENfrom PLC III 09-Dec-13 6.63 USD LIBOR+7.677 JUN 24, 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&Pthe previous ACCESS II 9.25 at 29,889.86 dayBANK to PLC boosted by9.25/6M activities in the with 8.42 24-Jun-14 per cent to close USD SWAP+6.488 JUL 23 2021 B-/Fitch; B/S&P FIRST BANK LTD 8.00 Mutual Benefits N20.45 per23-Jul-14 share. close at 28,740.61, while the shares of 8.00/2Y

17-Feb-19

turned to its traditional Kenneth Tyohemba core values experienced Abuja a decade ago. Amidst jubilation 11-Feb-18 3.08 after 1.00by staff, 16.51Gwarzo 85.21said arely 48 hours 01-Feb-21 84.68 the exit of4.30former 1.00the SEC16.47 would undergo embattled Director- corporate rebranding General of the Securities to alter battered image and Exchange Commis- suffered due to abuse of Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%) Bid Offer Price rights of Price the officials. sion (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh, the new manageHe stated that the fun& Yields human rights ment and staff have re- Prices damental solved to bury their hosof staff of the commis28-Jan-21 7.41 7.13 96.84 98.18 tilities for the prosperity sion had been violated 97.46 of 12-Jul-18 the economy6.34and the 5.94for the 96.25 past 15 years recapital market. sulting to inhouse bick12-Jul-23 7.59 7.38 92.49 93.73 At a get-together par- ering. He promised that the ty held at SEC headquarters in Abuja, the staff commission under his and SEC management watch would return the led by the Acting Direc- lost traditional core val01-Feb-16 49.96 38.03 71.60 78.94 tor-General, Mr. Mounir ues the commission was 6.99 6.99 100.63 noted for 15 years100.63 back, H. 19-May-16 Gwarzo, reaffirmed 25-Jul-17 11.21 91.50 91.50 that there was no longer 11.21pointing out that the 02-May-18 11.93 11.22 86.50 88.25 issue of human rights in-fighting at the com08-Nov-18 9.50 8.89 88.99 90.83 mission as they wined, 23.40would be paramount. 08-Apr-19 27.02 59.18 65.83 dined and danced with The SEC boss, while 22-Apr-19 9.20 9.20 89.75 89.75 the21-May-19 new D-G. 14.64 cautioning unions not to 13.49 81.49 84.76 Gwarzo assured 07-Aug-20 9.97 staff 9.97abuse the 92.00rights accord92.00 of 09-Dec-20 return of fresh expressed 19.73 air to 19.73ed to them, 55.50 55.50 12.58 85.50that the87.25 the24-Jun-21 commission, promis- 12.14optimism era of 11.36 84.00 had passed. ing23-Jul-21 that SEC would be re- 11.36fighting84.00

24.95 21.19

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

changes17.44introduced 91.16 at 1.44various16.93 93.94 points through1.95out the 17.44 93.93 year; Nigeria’s declining foreign reserves; festering insurgency in the nation; around 4.88uncertainty 17.30 97.18 the 1.00upcoming 15.252015 elections; 98.48 2.63and 17.03 98.13 weak corporate 1.00earnings. 16.23 95.30 1.34 16.60 96.43 The air of uncertain1.00 16.53 92.48 ty that hovered over the 1.88 17.12 102.33 Nigerian capital market 3.48 18.72 96.42 5.20throughout 20.53 2014 caused 96.43 to increasingly 5.06investors 20.39 101.78 1.35adopt a 16.84 92.36 ‘flight to quality’ 2.29strategy 17.67 ,” he said.97.18 1.94

Oteh’s exit excites SEC workers

12.95

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Rating/Agency

currency risk 5.96 and the 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 3.62 recovery of developed 06-Jan-21 3.65the efeconomies, and fects of the US Federal Reserve tapering of its quantitative easing (QE) policy . 17-Aug-15 0.35 Several macroeco09-Dec-15 0.66 06-Jan-16 developments 0.74 nomic 29-Sep-16 1.71 to the also contributed 25-Oct-16 1.78 decline in market per30-Sep-17 2.71 formance. 30-Nov-17 1.73 These were1.73fall in 09-Apr-18 crude oil prices and re09-Sep-18 1.90 lated pressure1.90on the 09-Sep-18 22-Sep-18the impact 3.69 naira; of 18-Oct-18 2.01 policy CBN’s monetary

Nigeria (CBN) to devalue 15.00 5.00 14.50 by 8 per 4.55 the naira cent, 15.00 the benchmark 4.56 and push interest rate (the460.61 MPR) 426.90in to a record 13 per cent, an effort to preserve the nation’s 10.00foreign reserves, 3.61 which12.00 stood at $34.50 9.34billion on14.00 December 30,0.42 2014, 13.00 from $43.61 billion 15.00 at the start of14.25 the year,” he5.53 said. 13.00 20.00 Onyema noted that 18.00 0.64 coming to the end of the 16.00 6.30 year, inflation remained 18.00 2.90 relatively 16.00 stable due 0.80 to 14.00 pace in the 35.00 ina slower 2.40 recrease15.75 of food prices 0.41 corded18.00 by the Consumer 16.00 4.50 Price Index (CPI). 2.05 15.25 In the capital market, 11.93 0.10 he said that the bearish 13.25 15.44 sentiments prevailed for 124.44 most of the year 116.39 as foreign investors steadily withdrew from the Ni12.00 to gerian10.20market, due

14-Jan-15

3,971.24

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 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 andMarket may not be accurateForeign or up toExchange date. We(Spot do not guarantee & Forwards) DTMtimeliness, completeness, Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount Bid Yieldneither (%) Tenor the accuracy, performance or fitness for a particular purpose of any of(%)the Information, do we accept liability for the results of any action taken on the Rate basis(%)of the Information. NIBOR 8 15 22 Bonds29 36 43 Rating/Agency 50 57 64 71 78 85 92 99 106 NA 113

22-Jan-15 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 NA 7-May-15

9.00 10.57 10.19 FGN 9.50 9.20 9.50 Description 11.10 11.05 4.00 23-APR-2015 10.80 13.05 16-AUG-2016 11.05 15.10 27-APR-2017 12.35 9.85 27-JUL-2017 11.35 9.35 31-AUG-2017 11.00 10.70 30-MAY-2018 11.54 16.00 29-JUN-2019 12.65 7.00 23-OCT-2019 12.55 16.39 27-JAN-2022 120 14-May-15 12.48 14.20 14-MAR-2024 127 21-May-15 13.00 15.00 28-NOV-2028 141 4-Jun-15 13.75 12.49 22-MAY-2029 148 11-Jun-15 12.50 8.50 20-NOV-2029 162 25-Jun-15 13.00 10.00 23-JUL-2030 204 6-Aug-15 13.00 232 3-Sep-15 12.80 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 323 3-Dec-15 13.15 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 337 17-Dec-15 12.70 358 13.40 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 7-Jan-16 *for the Amortising bonds, the average life is calculated and not the duration

8.75 10.32 9.94 9.25 8.95 9.25Date Issue 10.85 10.80 23-Apr-10 10.55 16-Aug-13 10.80 27-Apr-12 12.10 27-Jul-07 11.10 31-Aug-07 10.75 30-May-08 11.29 29-Jun-12 12.40 23-Oct-09 12.30 27-Jan-12 12.23 14-Mar-14 12.75 28-Nov-08 13.50 22-May-09 12.25 20-Nov-09 12.75 23-Jul-10 12.75 12.55 18-Jul-14 12.90 12.45 13.15

9.02 10.62 10.25 9.57 9.28 9.61 (%) Coupon 11.27 11.24 4.00 11.01 13.05 11.29 15.10 12.68 9.85 11.66 9.35 11.31 10.70 11.91 16.00 13.13 7.00 13.06 16.39 13.01 14.20 13.62 15.00 14.52 12.49 13.17 8.50 13.80 10.00 14.02 13.93 12.1493 14.88 14.39 15.43

Bonds

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

(N'bn)

535.00 23-Apr-15 581.39 NITTY 16-Aug-16 452.80 27-Apr-17 Tenor Rate (%) 20.00 27-Jul-17 1M 9.6433 100.00 31-Aug-17 2M 11.3125 300.00 30-May-18 3M 11.5999 351.30 29-Jun-19 6M 13.7436 233.90 23-Oct-19 9M 14.1655 600.00 27-Jan-22 12M 15.5938 414.68 14-Mar-24 75.00 28-Nov-28 150.00 22-May-29 NIFEX 200.00 20-Nov-29 Current Price ($/N) 591.57 23-Jul-30 BID($/N) 178.00 183.2625 18-Jul-34 OFFER ($/N) 183.3625

4,783.63

Description

Issue Date

OBB

8.33

Tenor

Spot O/N 9.00 7D 14D REPO Offer Tenor Rate (%) (%) 1MYield TTM (Yrs) Bid Yield (%) Call 8.50 2M 1M 13.72 3M 0.27 11.67 11.10 3M 14.23 6M 1.59 15.11 15.00 6M 15.66 1Y 2.28 15.47 15.38 2.53 15.53 15.45 NOTE: 2.63 15.53 15.45 3.37 15.50 15.37 :Benchmarks 4.46 Bond 15.43 15.34 * :Amortising 4.77 Bond 15.47 15.36 µ :Convertible 7.04 Management Corporation 15.48 15.41 AMCON: Asset of Nigeria 9.16Government of 15.11 15.05 FGN: Federal Nigeria 13.87 Mortgage Bank 14.33 14.28 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 14.35 Finance Corporation 14.27 14.21 IFC: International 14.85 14.20 14.13 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 15.52 Aviation Handling 14.74 Company14.68 NAHCO: Nigerian O/N: Overnight 19.51 15.21 15.16 UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

183.20 183.30 183.59 Price 183.69 183.87 184.01 184.55 185.00 Bid Price Offer Price 185.79 186.77 187.03 188.50 97.95 98.10 191.30 194.19 97.15 97.30 200.39 205.83 99.25 99.40 88.44 88.59 87.05 87.20 87.70 88.00 NA :Not Applicable 101.75Rate Bond 102.05 # :Floating 72.09 coupon bonds 72.39 ***: Deferred 103.80 104.10 95.50 95.80 ‡ : Bond rating under review 103.94 †: Bond rating expired 104.24 89.23 89.53 N/A :Not Available 65.08 {r} :Issuer in receivership65.38 71.35 71.65 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 81.00 81.30 UBA: United Bank for Africa

4,371.02

Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **ExclusiveRating/Agency of non-trading t.bills Issuer

Rate (%) 9.4750 13.3739 14.2558 15.7259Date Maturity

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

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

0.36 1.22 1.90 2.26 2.47 Implied Yield

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

Agency Bonds FMBN ***LCRM Modified Duration Buckets

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Sub-National Bonds

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 Total Outstanding 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017 Porfolio Market Value(Bn) Volume(Bn)

24-May-12 0.00 03-Apr-12FMDQ FGN 17.25 BOND 09-Dec-11 0.00/16.00 20-Apr-12 0.00/16.50 Weighting by Weighting by Mkt 06-Jul-12 0.00/16.50 Outstanding Vol Value

1,014.22

1,034.18

32.63

34.30

3<5

1,376.27

1,365.98

43.09

46.55

566.26

769.57

24.28

3,169.73

24.56

INDEX 2.70

112.22 116.70 Bucket 66.49 Weighting

322.67

2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 Implied 1.00 Portfolio Price

15.17 17.27 17.33 16.46 16.53 INDEX

94.83 100.04 97.97 95.97 YTD Return 92.65 (%)

0.33

13.72

15.30

117.2222

1,113.37

11.3372

0.43

46.20

15.34

119.8705

1,015.02

1.5017

19.15

0.24

40.08

14.86

86.8170

1,015.04

1.5044

100.00 31-Aug-10

12.50100.00

8.50 1.00

100.00 31-Aug-15

15.14 0.63

110.9815 4.44

1,059.78 18.64

5.9776 96.48

309.54

A+/Agusto

KADUNA Market

12.50 KADUNA2,956.75 31-AUG-2015

A/Agusto

*EBONYI

13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015

30-Sep-10

13.00

4.18

30-Sep-15

0.47

3.23

16.84

99.10

A-/Agusto

*BENUE

14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-11

14.00

4.86

30-Jun-16

0.98

4.46

19.33

95.60

‡ /Agusto

*IMO

15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016

30-Jun-09

15.50

5.73

30-Jun-16

0.99

3.48

18.36

97.71

‡ /Agusto; ‡ /GCR

LAGOS

10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017

19-Apr-10

10.00

57.00

19-Apr-17

2.26

1.00

16.46

88.15

‡ /Agusto

*BAYELSA

13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017

30-Jun-10

13.75

25.73

30-Jun-17

1.53

1.00

16.13

97.03

‡ /Agusto

EDO

14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017

30-Dec-10

14.00

25.00

31-Dec-17

2.96

1.79

17.31

92.56

‡ /Agusto; A+/GCR

*DELTA

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018

30-Sep-11

14.00

34.14

30-Sep-18

2.14

1.80

17.22

94.63

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR

NIGER

14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018

04-Oct-11

14.00

9.00

04-Oct-18

3.72

1.00

16.49

93.21

‡ /Agusto; A-/GCR†

*EKITI

14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018

09-Dec-11

14.50

13.73

09-Dec-18

2.33

1.00

16.48

96.51

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

News 45

NATIONAL

Kalu to INEC: I am not PPA’s senatorial candidate Mojeed Alabi

or mer Abia State Governor and a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has dissociated himself from the list of the candidates partaking in the 2014 general election as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The list presented Kalu as the Abia North Senatorial district’s candidate

on the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA. Kalu, who was responding to the news published yesterday by some media platforms which had relied on INEC information, said since his meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the PDP in December 2014, he has resolved to remain within the PDP, a party, he was a foundation member and a financier. The former governor

traced the error to one of his aides, who he said, had filed his papers with the PPA without his consent, following the injustice meted out to him by the Abia State chapter of the PDP during the primary elections into the various offices. He said: “Nigerians would recall that sometime in December 2014, I had a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, and PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, at

the Presidential Villa. At the parley, the President appealed to me not to leave the party again, despite the injustices meted to me by the Abia State chapter of the party. No primaries held in Abia, delegates were just handpicked, thereby excluding anybody who was not in the camp of the governor, Chief T. A. Orji, from any political aspiration. “After the meeting with the President, I told the media that I was satisfied with the

outcome. What I meant was that since I had given my word to the President, to the PDP National Chairman, and to other key stakeholders, that I would then stay in the party.” Kalu explained that the aide took the decision while he was away out of the country based on his eagerness to see his boss serve the people to address some of the leadership challenges facing the state since he left the government house in 2007.

“I hereby reiterate the promise I had made to President Goodluck Jonathan that I would remain in PDP, and work for his re-election. I will not go back on my words. Therefore, I won’t be part of the race into the Senate on the platform of PPA. I am not afraid of running, and either win or lose, but I am fully in PDP, and will remain there. I will not disobey the President, who had asked me to stay in the party,” Kalu stated.

Armed Forces Day: APC hails military’s sacrifice SACRIFICE APC remembers the sacrifices of our past military heroes Johnchuks Onuanyim ABUJA

T L-R: President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Jacobs; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga; Country Director, German Cooperation (GIZ), Dr. Thomas Kirsch and Programme Management and Energy Advisor, GIZ, Anke Maria Muller, during the presentation of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) and National Energy Audit for the Industrial Sector, in Abuja ... yesterday.

Ndiwe asks youths to vote Jonathan Okogie to chair Gani Fawehinmi’s he president of the health, among others. annual lecture

Global Youths Initiatives, Princess Njideka Ndiwe, has urged Nigerian youths to vote President Goodluck Jonathan in the forthcoming general elections. Ndiwe desribed Jonathan as the best among all the candidates because of his remarkable achievements in most crucial sectors in the nation's economy. Speaking in Onitsha, the Anambra State capital, Ndiwe commended Jonathan for his landmark achievements in the power sector, railway, agriculture, sports,

She said: “Jonathan should be commended for making the youth a veritable instrument for national development through his numerous poverty alleviation programs.” According to her, Jonathan has provided many platforms where youths have participated actively in policy making and national development. She equally commended him for evolving a community driven development initiative and his new and more effective ways of combating corruption in Nigeria.

Akeem Nafiu

ormer Lagos Catholic Arch-Bishop, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie will today chair the 11th edition of the annual lecture series organized by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, in honour of the late legal icon and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN). Besides, eminent Nigerians including the running mate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential can-

didate, Major Mohammadu Buhari, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, will throng the Ikeja Airport Hotel, venue of the event. Dr. Alex Otti, a gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) in the next month’s general election and Dr. Zaid Timehin are to speak on a topic entitled “Ethnicity, Religion, Illiteracy: Promises and Illusions of Democracy in the struggle to uplift the masses from impoverishment”.

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the invaluable sacrifice of the Nigerian military in keeping the country safe and united in the face of unprecedented forces tugging at the very core of its existence. The party's National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement in Abuja yesterday said Nigerians owe the gallant men and women of the Nigerian military a debt of gratitude for their courage, perseverance and sacrifice in defence of all that Nigerians hold dear. The party called on all Nigerians to show their unalloyed gratitude to the men and women in uniform by supporting them unconditionally in their ongoing fight against terror, and also by remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their fatherland. Mohammed said: "It

was American politician Virgil Goode, who said “We need to thank all of our troops, and particularly those for whom we can never express enough gratitude for they have given their lives so that all of us may be free and that our democracy can be a shining light for the rest of the world'. ''It is in this light that we urge all our compatriots to remember, especially in their prayers, the gallant troops who are currently battling the virulent insurgency in some parts of our country, against all odds. There is no better time than the occasion of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day to do this for the troops, as well as to spare a thought for those, who gave their lives in defence of our cherished values", The party charged the military not to be partisan and be above board in view of its all-important role in ensuring the security and unity of the nation. ''Never must this critical national institution allow itself to be compromised on the altar of politics. Never must it be dragged into the mud of unbridled partisanship, and never must it be used against the corporate interest of the nation."

2015 election to witness mass disenfranchisement — NHRC Amadi Nnamdi ABUJA

he National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised the alarm over massive disenfranchisement of eligible voters in the forthcoming general election. The National Chairman of NHRC, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, made this disclosure yesterday in Abu-

ja during a Roundtable Meeting of Young political leaders, organized by the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF). According to Odinkalu, going by the recent statistics released by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the elections next month could face a crisis of mass disenfranchisement, which could call into question the legitimacy of any

outcome declared. He stated that it would be difficult for INEC to issue the Permanent Voters Cards to all registered voters in Nigeria, therefore, denying millions of Nigerians their rights to vote in the elections. "INEC disclosed that there are 68.33 million voters registered for the elections. Of this number, only about 38 million have so far received the PVCs;

the possession of which is a pre-condition for participation in next month's ballot. "This electoral roll represents about 40.17% of Nigeria's reputed population of over 170 million. The current PVC uptake represents 55.6 per cent of the registered voters. With 30 days to the vote, INEC must find a way to ensure distribution of over 30 million PVCs. That's

hard," he said. The NHRC Chairman hinted "that the segments of people to be affected by such disenfranchisement include Internally Displaced Persons, the Poor, women and Youths. “Yet, these are the segment of the population for whom democracy and the associated rights of democratic participation must mean something.” Odinkalu, while pre-

senting his keynote address at the event, which had "Safeguarding Our Democracy ahead of the General Election," as its theme, noted that "the project of building an open and democratic society is not an event; it is a process. Nigeria's journey towards democratic governance founded on popular legitimacy has not been easy or straightforward."

News

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH - WEST

Osun PDP, APC trade words over billboards' destruction ANGER

Osun politicians bicker over defacing of posters Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

he Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have accused each other of being guilty of destructions of bill boards of their candidates vying for different positions in the 2015 election. While supporters of

both parties are at each other's throats over the incidents condemning the destruction of their candidates bill boards the affected candidates have however, called for caution on the part of the perpetrators, warning those behind the undemocratic act on both sides to desist from doing so . Two affected candi-

dates from the same constituency of Osun Central senatorial district, Professor Sola Adeyeye of the APC and Dr. Daisi Aina, got their campaign posters and billboards defaced and mutilated. Speaking on the development, Adeyeye, accused the opposition's candidate in the state of being responsible for

the defacing of his campaign posters, describing it as wicked and undemocratic and warned those engaging in it to desist from doing such. "The development is "reprehensible and irrational as politicking should be approached with decorum".

ASUSS faults NUT over call for non-recognition Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

kiti State chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), has faulted call by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) that the Ekiti State government should stop recognising it. ASUSS said its pulling out of NUT is irrevocable and that it will not go back to the union now or in the future. Briefing journalists in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the State ASUSS Chairman, Mr Sola Adigun, described the position of the NUT Chair-

Public offices, not for mediocre politicians, says Ndukwe

L-R: Women Leader, Niger Delta Nationalities Forum, Lagos, Mrs. Joyce Isichie; Chairman, Mr. Seigha Manager; Secretary General, Mr. Goodluck Eminah and Princess Osas Abraham, at a Press Conference on the state of the Nation and their support for President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO:GODWINIREKHE

Agbaje: I will abolish Lekki toll gate Etaghene Edirin

he governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has promised to abolish the controversial LekkiEpe toll gate, if elected into office in the February 28 gubernatorial polls. Agbaje, hinged his reason on the fact that tolling such an important road in the state was gravely untenable as the road was an existing road constructed with huge tax payers’ money. However, he stated that the Lekki Phase 1 inner bridge would remain, in view of it having been started from scratch by the concessionaire company. Accompanied by his running mate, Alhaja Safurat Abdulkareem, the PDP gubernatorial candidate spoke during an interactive session with the Muslim Community in Lagos, yesterday. Agbaje, who commended Governor Babatunde Fashola for some of the successes recorded by his administration in the state, however, said

Lagos was in urgent need of change and not continuity, stating that most of the problems afflicting the state were products of what he referred to as “vested interest.” The PDP governorship hopeful, noted that these successes were however not being felt by ordinary Lagosians, whom he said were totally alienated from governance. He said the citizens are therefore not positively lifted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the areas of health, education and more. Specifically, Agbaje, said despite the promises of the state government on free health services, Lagosians paid heavily at government hospitals, promising to address this problem through a free health insurance scheme that would be financed by government. Agbaje, assured his Muslim hosts that the problem of allowing Muslim children to wear the hijab veil to school would be solved through a synergy between the state and the mosque.

'Nigeria lacks data base on weaponry' Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

member of the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapon, Chief Layiwola Laseino, yesterday said that the country lacks the data base on numbers of weapons in the country’s armouries. Lasino revealed this at a one day stakeholders sensitisation workshop on proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria organized by the Committee in Ede, Osun State. He stated that the country does not have statistics nor records of numbers of weapons it is having from both the military and para-military circles and described the development as de-grading and an eyesore to the country usually reagarded as giant of Africa. The ambassador said it was unfortunate that weapons being used in civil defence, police, army and that of other para-military organisation do not have proper record. Laseino, however maintained that all efforts would be made to see that there are proper documentation of country's weap-

ons adding that the data base to be done will be a computerised one while people that will be in custody of the data would be identified and held responsible in case anything happens. He stressed that the data will reflect the type of weapons each armoury of military and para-military organisations is having, while the date of documentation of the weapons would also be reflected on the record. The presidential committee member, pointed out further that the concerned authorities would do its best to see that all wrongs are righted concerning the matter as works were already on to put things in adequate order. "We must have a data base as we are looking at it so as to have the records of all weapons we have in the country. Speaking at the event, Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, expressed appreciation for the sensitisation programme held in the state and charged concerned authorities to seriously control the use of arms in the country to avoid untoward acts in the society.

Daisi, described APC as crude and undemocratic in act and deeds and advised it to handle things democratically. He alleged that APC rears thugs but maintained that thuggery and undemocratic act of the party could not deter PDP from winning the state.

man, Comrade Samuel Akosile, for the nonrecognition of ASUSS on the basis that the union was not properly registered, as ignorance on the part of the NUT members. Speaking on the claim by Akosile, that ASUSS was a group of renegades working desperately to cause confusion for Governor Fayose, Adigun said, “As at July, 2008, the members of the body was more than 4,000, which was well supported by Section 3 subsection 1 of the Trade Union Act that recommended only 50 members can register a union.”

Fayose to Fayemi: Stop deluding yourself on N22bn refund Adesina Wahab ADO-EKITI

kiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has told his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to stop deluding himself in the issue relating to the purported reimbursement payment of the N22 billion expended the reconstruction of federal roads by the Fayemi’s administration. Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayin-

ka, Fayose advised supporters of the immediate past governor of the state, to stop peddling chear publicity for thev principal as doing so amounts to nothing but self delusion. He said this in AdoEkiti yesterday while reacting to claims in social media by some loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that President Goodluck Jonathan said in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday that the Presidency had repaid N22 billion to Governor Ayo Fayose for some federal projects in the state.

Provost tasks parents on children productivity Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

rovost of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-oke, Dr. Augustine Oluyemi Oke, yesterday appealed to parents and teachers to always keep watch on their children to make them a productive members of the society at the end of their educational careers. The provost who made the call at a press conference on activities lined up for the 4th combined convocation ceremony

of the institution, argued that if parental attention is adequately given to children, their challenges in life would be minimal while their hurdles would be reduced. Oke, argued that the dream of students could easily be achieved in life through the positive role of parents in their lives saying, charity should begin at home. He said, "Lack of commitment on the part of stakeholders is one of the major factors responsible for the fallen standard of education in Nigeria.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

LIARS

Buhari's great grandmother hailed from Oweri, the General's name is Okechukwu. There is no FG presence in Imo. Onwuliri disagrees

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

igeria’s Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, yesterday took a swipe at Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over their assertion that there is no federal project in Imo State. Amaechi had told the people of Imo State who gathered at the APC rally in Owerri on Monday

Onwuliri faults APC, Amaechi on Jonathan's stewardship that President Goodluck Jonathan got over one million votes from the state in 2011, but had refused to do any project in the state. He added that the projects such as the Owerri-Port Harcourt Road and other federal roads, including the Imo Airport awarded before 2011, were abandoned by the President because he was not being sincere. But, speaking with journalists during an inspection tour of a multi-billion naira silo in Okigwe area of the state, the minister described the Rivers State governor and his party, the APC, as being economical with the truth

$14.5m

The total amount of salary/winnings of Rafael Nadal (Tennis) for 2014. Source: Forbes.com

News 47

SOUTH - EAST

and too desperate for power. She described Amaechi a true representative of the APC, which she added ‘is a party of liars.’ Onwuliri said the Federal Government under President Jonathan had pumped several billions of naira into Imo State through such projects as the silo, Inyishi Dam, several NDDC road projects and in the education sector. According to her, the 100, 000 metric tonnes capacity silo in Ezinnachi is worth over N5 billion, while over 80 per cent of the new projects in both the state-owned university and polytech-

3.3bn

The estimated number of people affected by malaria worldwide in 2012. Source: Nigeria.usembassy.gov

nic were worth billions of naira and were built by the Federal Government. “This is not to mention the hundreds of kilometres of rural roads started and completed by the NDDC in every local government area of this state. Also, no community will say it has not benefited from either MDGs or UBEC projects.” On Governor Amaechi’s claims that the Owerri-Port Harcourt Highway and other federal road projects were abandoned by President Jonathan, Onwuliri dismissed it, saying work had since commenced on the road after the rains had subsided.

1.9%

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

Abia monarchs in war of words Peter Osondu ABA

n what could be called a royal rumble, the traditional ruler of Eziama, Aba and former Chairman of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Isaac Ikonne, has cautioned the current Chairman of the council, Eze Eberechi Dick, over what he said was the latter’s insulting comments on him. This was even as Eze Ikonne, who is also the chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo council of Ndi Eze has cautioned Dick to stop harassing and embarrassing traditional rulers who come to his palace on visitation. Ikonne gave the warning at the weekend after receiving the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, who visited him during his campaign tour of Aba. The monarch said apart from making inflammatory statements

about his person, Dick had gone further to harass traditional rulers who joined him in receiving Buhari in his palace. To buttress his point, the monarch alleged that Dick sent an SMS to a traditional ruler from Ugwunagbo Local Government, warning him that he would be deposed if he joined him in receiving General Buhari. Ikonne sought to know what was wrong in his inviting fellow traditional rulers who were friendly with him to receive his August visitors. “Eze Eberechi Dick should know I had become a traditional ruler for over 20 years before he was made one. I deserve some respect from him if not for any other thing, I had been Chairman of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Chairman Ohanaeze Ndigbo Council of Ndi Eze and I was the Chairman of Brotherhood and Star Traditional Rulers’ Council worldwide."

Ihedioha blasts Okorocha over comments on Buhari Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha (left), presenting School materials to a pupil, during the distribution of the 2nd batch of school desks, chairs and sundry materials to Imo Public Primary and Secondary Schools in Owerri…yesterday. With him is the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere.

eputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has described as deceitful and embarrassing, Governor Rochas Okorocha’s claim that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari’s great grandmother hailed from Imo State. Governor Okorocha, who declared his intention to run for a second

term at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Monday, also told the Imo public that the middle name of the visiting APC presidential candidate was Okechukwu, based on his Imo lineage, promising that Buhari would address the crowd in Igbo to further confirm his claim. Speaking through Chief Chris Okewulonu, the Director-General of Emeka Ihedioha Campaign Organisation, Ihedioha in a statement noted that Okorocha did not only assault the psyche of Imo people, but also took ‘his characteristic deception too far.’

Police defuse bomb at Imo INEC office Cabinet shake-up imminent in Enugu Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

major disaster was averted yesterday as the Imo State police command discovered and defused an Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) planted in the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in the state. The command also defused another IED at the Head Office of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), opposite the INEC headquarters in the state capital, Owerri. Though, OCDA General Manager, Chief Emma

Ugorji, denied that there was any bomb found in the premises of OCDA, but police spokesman, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, who spoke with New Telegraph said an IED was defused at INEC office and that another one was recovered within the offices of OCDA located opposite the INEC office. He said the command had been alerted by a distress call from a good Nigerian working at one of the offices, which led to the recovery of an IED planted close to the system housing the INEC database. The Imo police spokesman added that no arrest has been made so far,

but that the police have already commenced full investigation into the incident to uncover the criminal elements behind the explosive devices. This is barely one month after two IEDs were recovered from a popular eatery, Kilimanjaro, located at Ikenegbu Layout, in Owerri metropolis. Also, in June 2014, the police command recovered two IEDs at the Winners' Church in Owerri and evacuated members of the church to a makeshift location until the church was swept for bombs and deemed safe for worship.

Uwakwe Abugu ENUGU

here are indications that Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, is set to effect a cabinet shake-up less than five months to the end of his administration and he has already submitted a list of commissionernominees to the state House of Assembly for its consideration. The state assembly has been billed to sit today to consider the list and perhaps, commence debate on the 2015 budget estimate presented to the legislature last December. Sources at the House

of Assembly yesterday, hinted that the list of the commissioner-nominees was submitted to the Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Eugene Odo, on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Amechi Okolo, on behalf of the governor. Asked for insight into the personalities that made the list, a source told our reporter that; “for now, it remains a secret, and I think that on the House here, only the speaker knows those in the list and they will be unveiled when the legislators consider the list today.” In the same manner,

our efforts to get the actual number of the would-be commissioners nominated by the governor proved abortive as our inquiries were to no avail. However, one of the sources said among the names that would be called on the floor of the assembly today would be a nominee, who would replace the former Commissioner for Land and a close ally of the governor, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ujam, who had resigned to contest the primary election into the National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

News

Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

group known as the Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates (KSWA) yesterday dismissed the endorsement of General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February elections. It said Buhari’s promise during his recent campaign in Ogoniland to “solve all the problems associated with oil exploration in the Niger Delta, including the remediation and restoration of the Ogoni environ-

102

The sex ratio of women to 100 men in Haiti in 2012. Source: Un.org

THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

SOUTH-SOUTH

Saro-Wiwa’s associates dismiss Ogoni endorsement of Buhari ment,” should not be taken seriously, arguing that as a Federal Commissioner of Petroleum and Head of State, Buhari did nothing to solve the problem of Ogoni people then. The group, which stated this in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chief Gani Topba, said there was no need for the APC to politicise the United Nations

Environmental Program (UNEP) report, because the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has already started the process of implementing the report. KSWA said President Jonathan has also set up a ministerial/multistakeholder committee to review the report and execute its recommendations; and has also set up

10,400

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Vanuatu in 2008. Source: Itu.int

the HYPREP committee as a palliative measure. The group also faulted a situation whereby traditional rulers are being dragged into partisan politics, especially in Ogoniland, noting that such practice “demystifies the institution in Ogoniland and other parts of the country.” KSWA said: “Muhammadu Buhari was at dif-

62%

The percentage of the world’s burden of dengue accounted for by South-East Asia. Source: Unesco.org

ferent times Federal Commissioner of Petroleum Resources and Head of State of Nigeria under whose watch the harmful environmental degrading industry practices were in place, and yet he did nothing at the time to align industry standards with best practices in the world in spite of the clamour by Niger Delta activists like Harold Dappa Biriye.”

807,131

The total population of Bahrain (rep. 0.012% of world’s population) in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

L-R: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Samson Osagie and Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Anselm Ojezua, at a mega rally of the APC in Edo South, Benin City…yesterday

Akwa Ibom monarchs endorse Udom

he gover norship aspiration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State yesterday received a boost as royal fathers in the state rose from a meeting in Uyo to give him their support as the next governor of the state. The royal fathers made up of clan and village heads from all the villages in the state said they were satisfied with the development in the state, but urged Emmanuel to surpass the achievements of Governor Godswill Akpabio, if elected in the February elections. Speaking yesterday through the Chairman, Conference of Village Heads, Eteidung Solomon Umanah, the monarchs assured that it was always traditional for all the village heads to endorse their next governor. Umanah said the monarchs will mobilise their subjects to get their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) so as to be equipped for the election of the PDP governorship candidate in the election. Obong Johnson Obosi, who spoke on behalf of the clan heads, led the royal fathers in a prayer session in which they called on God to endorse their resolution and deliver Emmanuel as their next governor.

Why I chose a journalist School proprietors protest govt intimidation claimed that they have been N100, 000 for nursery and peals were made for neas running mate –Emerhor Clement James asked to pay education levy primary schools and N200, gotiation in this regard; Biyi Adegoroye

he All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Delta State, Olorogu Ortega Emerhor has predicated the selection a refined journalist and an Executive Director of the African Independent Television (AIT), Mr. Felix Akugha, as his running mate to further reawaken the importance of the media as fourth estate in the realm. Speaking in Lagos, he expressed optimism that the APC will win both the presidential and gubernatorial elections across the states of the federation because of the desire of Nigerians, who are frustrated over the 16 years of the PDP rule. He said that APC has been accepted by majority of Nigerians as the alternative national party that will salvage and rescue the country from the massive corruption regime of the PDP. Emerhor promised to tackle unemployment

and poverty head-long by injecting an initial N10 billion within his first 100 days in office to assist petty traders, market women, cassava farmers, fishermen and women as well as small scale entrepreneurs’ who have business ideas that requires financial assistance to actualize them. The disclosure came just as Urhobo Media Group, an association of media men of Urhrobo ethnic nationality, has decried the recent attempted endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan and the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Chief Great Ogboru by the leadership of the Uhrobo Progressives Union (UPU), declaring that it was a reversal of the union’s earlier stance. At a media briefing last week, President of the UPU, Chief Joe Omene, after a meeting with President Jonathan, rejected the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Calabar

roprietors of private schools under the auspices of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in Cross River State yesterday shut down the streets of Calabar as they protested alleged intimidation by the state Ministry of Education. The proprietors also

on every pupil/student in their schools and were also directed to demand tax clearance from parents before their wards could be enrolled in schools. The President of the association in Cross River State, Mrs. Offiong Nyong Bassey, said the Ministry of Education in 2010 increased the annual renewal fee in private schools from N10, 000 to

000 for secondary schools. She said: “This hostilities started in 2010, when the Ministry of Education increased the annual renewal fee in private schools from N10, 000 to N100, 000 for primary schools and N10, 000 to N200, 000 for secondary schools; an increase of 1000 per cent and 2000 per cent respectively. “Several fruitless ap-

but the proprietors on our own took a step to pay N20, 000 as against the N10, 000 we were paying,” she claimed. According to Bassey, proprietors kicked against the alarming increment and sought audience with both the governor and the speaker of the House of Assembly, which she said were turned down.

Aguariavwodo backs Okowa’s governorship ambition Gabriel Choba Ughelli

head of the February general election, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, has urged the Urhobo nation to turn out en mass and vote for President Goodluck Jonathan and the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Aguariavwodo, who spoke during his yearly

briefing of constituents at his Okrare-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government, described Okowa as a brilliant and exceptionally gifted individual, who has a vast knowledge of politics, business of government and what it takes to manage the affairs of the institutions of the state at all levels. The senator advised the PDP governorship candidate to negotiate with the leadership of

the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) so as to confirm and conclude on what the stake of the Urhobo people would be in his government before the general election. “I also know the candidates of the other political parties vying for the office of the governor, since they are my brothers. They are also very experienced in many areas of life, but not in the business of government,” the senator

argued, saying; “I will never betray the Urhobo nation for a pot of porridge. I will always look out for the interest of the Urhobo people, who are my people; I will always fight for them wherever the tide of time and life takes me.” Urhobos must be in the scheme of things both at the state and national levels as the injustice against us are being addressed,” Senator said.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

News 49

NORTH

Ahmed challenges PDP, others to public debate Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin.

wara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the February 28 guber-

2.36m

The total population of Namibia in 2012. Source: Un.org

natorial election, yesterday challenged candidates of other political parties in the state to a public debate. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had organised such debates in the last three general elections.

Speaking on the development, through his Special Adviser on Communication Strategy, Alhaji Abdulraheem Adedoyin, at the luncheon and presentation of a compendium tagged “Prosperity Assurance” in honour of the governor by the State

N36.09m

The total capital importation value of the Servicing sector in 2009. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ahmed said such platform would enable each flag-bearer present their manifestos to the electorate ahead of the polls. The debate, is expected to put Senator Simon Ajibola and Mr. Mike Omotosho,

£952,941

The weekly salary of Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) candidates on the podium. He said he was ready for any public debate to assess candidates rediness to govern the state, stating that campaigns for the coming election

5.12%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in India in 2009. Source: Itu.int

National President, Naval Officers’ Wives’ Association (NOWA), Mrs. Lami Jibrin (right), presenting a souvenir to the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, at the association’s fund raising dinner in Abuja…on Tuesday.

Akume: Ortom will defeat over PDP in Benue Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

enate Minority Leader, Dr. George Akume, yesterday declared that the Benue State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Samuel Ortom is the best candidate the party would use to wrest power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in next month’s governor-

ship election in the state. He made the declaration while presenting Ortom and his running mate, Mr. Benson Abounu, to the supporters at the official flag off of the party’s gubernatorial campaign at the Ibrahim Babangida Square in Makurdi, the state capital. Akume, who also doubles as leader of the party in the state, expressed worry over the inability of the

present administration in the state under Governor Gabriel Suswam, to pay the salaries of teachers, civil servants and pensioners, saying it was high time the ills of the PDP-led government be corrected for the overall benefit of the people of the state. In his remarks, Ortom, promised to give citizens of the state the desired service that would transform the state, pointing

out that he was conversant with the challenges confronting the state and expressed the hope that if elected he would surmount those problems. He reiterated, his determination to build industries to soak up the teeming unemployed youths in the state, introduce commercial and trading activities as well as woo investors to boost to help develop the state.

Benue varsity holds convocation for 9, 340 graduates Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

enue State University is to graduate a total of 9,340 students during its 14th-15th combined convocation ceremonies slated for this Saturday at the new Convocation Square in the institution.

Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Charity Ashimen Angya, stated this yesterday while briefing journalists at the Senate Chambers of the institution. A breakdown of the graduating students according to the Vice Chancellor shows that 7,832 stu-

dents would be awarded the Bachelor Degrees, 1, 104 students with Postgraduate Diplomas, 346 with the Masters Degrees while 58 candidates would be awarded Ph.Ds. She said that two dignitaries of the state, Justice James Ogenyi Ogebe (rtd) and late Senator (Dr.)

Joshua Atume Adagba, would be conferred with honorary degrees, adding that during the event, the Emir of Gummi, His Royal Highness (Dr.) Lawal Gummi, Sarkin Mafara Gummi, would be installed as new the Chancellor of the University during the event.

Bauchi APC in one million march for Buhari, Osinbajo he All Progressives Buhari and his running at sensitising the people on He explained that the T Congress in Bauchi mate Prof. Yemi Osin- the need to change govern- APC has filled in credible ment at all level for a bet- candidates for the elecState, yesterday staged a bajo. one million-man march in support of the party’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu

The march, which the Bauchi State Coordinator of the candidates Dr. Danjuma Dabo, said was aimed

ter Nigeria, advised the electorate to ensure that they should collect their voters card and use wisely.

tion, urging all Nigerians to vote Buhari in the February election. A national officer of

should be issue-based. The governor also tasked newsmen to conduct themselves within the confines of professional ethics while writing on election issues saying such disposition would help significantly avert likely tension that usually accompanies such contests. He praised the state council of NUJ for benchmarking his administration through the compendium and pledged to deliver more on electioneering promises. Also speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Prince Tunji Moronfoye, urged journalists in the state to be critically objective in their reportage of issues in the state. Moronfoye called for unity of purpose in the activities of the NUJ and commended Abiodun Abdulkareem-led the union for engendering professionalism through his leadership of the important body of the nation. The State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Abiodun Abdulkareem, tasked the security agencies in the state to provide adequate security for members of the NUJ during the elections just as he urged members of the union to always abide by the code of conduct of the union.

Boko Haram attacks claim 500 northern students’ lives Muhammad Kabir KANO

he Northern Nigeria Students Association, has said that no fewer than 500 students have been killed in the last three years of the Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of the northern region. Speaking, at an award ceremony for Col. Yakubu Bako, a former Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom State, who was honoured with the ‘Grand Commander of Northern Nigeria Students’, and a Patron of the Association in Kano, yesterday, the students said they were seriously disturbed by the spate of the insurgents attacks in the region, with their members althe Buhari campaign Organisation Alhaji Aliyu Sa’idu Abubakar, said Nigeria today were faced with so many challenges which only credible leaders like Buhari/Osinbajo, can solve, while also being able to restore hope and confidence on

ways falling victims of such attacks. They said several hundreds have also been seriously injured and are currently being hospitalized in various hospitals, stating that it has become imperative for them to initiate moves that will help overcome the traumatic situations. Leader of the Association, Comrade Musa Usman Terrang, stated that they were able to compile the number of the students who lost their lives, through the body’s committees attached to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Red Crescent, adding that most of them who still living are without parents or anybody to take of them. the minds of Nigerians. Saidu said: ‘’Enough is enough it is now time to vote for APC in order to address the problem of insecurity, corruption, unemployment, indiscipline and moral decadence for the development of the country.’’

50 News

WORLD | News

APC calls for NOA DG’s resignation

Yemen’s al-Qaeda claims responsibility for Paris attack

Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation yesterday said the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Chief Mike Omeri, should resign his appointment. According to a statement from the Director, Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Garba Shehu, Omeri’s appointment into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

presidential campaign organisation violates Part 2 Section 6 (2) of the National Orientation Agency Act, which expressly prescribes that the director general of NOA should be ‘non-partisan.’ The APC presidential campaign council therefore said: “Omeri should take the part of honour and resign or be sacked.” The campaign organisation described his inclusion in the PDP presidential campaign as unbecoming and designed to compromise the rules and principles on which the nation’s public service was founded. The council said this ac-

tion jeopardises the neutrality, reputation and position of the service as an institution of governance. In a statement signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, Director of Media and Publicity of the organisation, the APC campaign council condemned the inclusion of Omeri, the NOA directorgeneral, a Federal Government agency as a member of the media and publicity sub-committee of the PDP presidential campaign organisation. According to the APC, the action is in bad taste and contravenes the public service rules to which all public servants, including the DG of the NOA are bound.

NILS, Johns Hopkins University sign education pact Chukwu David Abuja

he National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) and the Johns Hopkins University, United States, have reach a pact that would usher the Washington DC-based institution into Nigeria’s educational system beginning with executive education programmes. Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Governing Council of NILS, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, disclosed this at the signing of the communiqué encapsulating decisions reached at the three-

day meeting between the NILS and a delegation of the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University in Abuja, on Tuesday. Giving insights into the major decisions reached at the meeting, Ekweremadu said: “We just witnessed the culmination of your visit to Nigeria by signing the first document between the NILS on behalf of the National Assembly and Nigeria and the Johns Hopkins University that will lead to many success stories in the collaboration between your institution and our people. Ekweremadu, who described the NILS/Johns

Hopkins pact as “a very big milestone in our education and capacity building in Nigeria and the sub-region,” expressed confidence that “many good things will evolve from this relationship, and importantly, we are going to see the Johns Hopkins traditions have a foothold in Nigeria.” In her remarks, the Associate Dean for Executive Education and Strategic Initiatives at SAIS, Dr. Melisa Trotta, said the Abuja meeting was able to “structurally lay the groundwork for the future of our educational programming with NILS.”

Reps okay FCT Internal Revenue Board Philip Nyam Abuja

he House of Representatives yesterday adopted a clean copy of a bill for the establishment of the Federal Capital Territory Board of Internal Revenue. A bill for the establishment of the board was passed by the House on September 18, 2014. The Senate and the House met on Thursday, No-

vember 20, last year and adopted a harmonised version of the bill. While presenting the conference report to the House, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Hon. Emmanuel Jime (APC-Benue), urged the House to approve with dispatch, the establishment of the board for the FCT Administration. He said: “In view of the importance of this bill to the enhancement

of the Internal Revenue Service of the Federal Capital Territory, I urge the House to receive and adopt the conference report on a Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service, charged with powers of assessment, collection of and accounting for revenues accruable to the Federal Capital Territory and for other related matters.”

PAC mobilises for election monitoring Chris Ugwu

olice Assistance Committee (PAC) has resolved to be on ground nationwide to assist the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through secret monitoring of the election processes during the February general election. PAC said it has mandated all its executive

members across the states to embark on serious mobilisation of their members for proper enlightenment programme on how they will carry out monitoring exercises and device ways of passing out secret information that can prevent manipulation of the elections by unscrupulous elements, who might want to cause chaos or perpetrate rigging during the elections. The committee urged

all tradesmen/artisans and PAC members to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to enable them vote for candidates of their choice. In a communiqué after its National Executive Council meeting, the PAC called on INEC, the police and other security agencies working on the elections to work closely with their members in ensuring that necessary information are made available.

emen’s al-Qaida branch yesterday claimed responsibility for last week’s massacre at a Paris satirical newspaper, with one of its top commanders saying the assault was in revenge for the weekly’s publications of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, considered an insult in Islam. The claim came in a video posting by Nasr alAnsi, a top commander of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which appeared on the group’s Twitter account. The video was the group’s official claim of the assault on the Charlie

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Hebdo offices, although a member of AQAP, as the branch is known, last Friday first confirmed to The Associated Press that the branch had carried out the attack. In the 11-minute video, al-Ansi says the Charlie Hebdo attack, which killed 12 people including editors, cartoonists and journalists, as well as two police officers, were in “revenge for the prophet.” He said AQAP, as the branch is known, “chose the target, laid out the plan and financed the operation” against the weekly, though he produced no evidence to support the claim. Orders he said, came from alQaida’s top leader Ayman

al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden’s successor. The attack on the weekly was the beginning of three days of terror in France that saw 17 people killed before the three Islamic extremist attackers were gunned down by security forces. Brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi who carried out the attack on the paper were “heroes,” alAnsi said. “Congratulations to you, the Nation of Islam, for this revenge that has soothed our pain,” said al-Ansi. “Congratulations to you for these brave men have blown off the dust of disgrace and lit the torch of glory in the darkness of defeat and agony.”

Nasser bin Ali al-Ansi, a leader of the Yemeni branch of al Qaeda claiming responsibility for the attack on the French satirical newspaper yesterday.

UN envoy calls for unity govt in Libya

he U.N envoy to Libya is calling for a unity government as he opens meetings in Geneva with the country’s warring political factions, warning they shouldn’t miss the opportunity for peace. Bernardino Leon said yesterday the talks are the start of a long

process. One of Libya’s two rival parliaments won’t even decide until Sunday whether to participate. Libya has been mired in its worst fighting since Moammar Gadhafi’s regime was overthrown in 2011. Two rival governments are each backed by

an array of militias. Leon said: “The general impression is that the country is very close to total chaos and that, if they miss this opportunity, it’s very difficult to imagine that there will be a situation in the country that will allow easily to start a new process.”

Surrogate moms sue Thai ministry for custody of 13 children

he surrogate mothers of 13 babies fathered by a Japanese businessman are suing Thai authorities and seeking to regain custody of the children, officials said yesterday. The Social Development and Human Security Ministry took 13 babies into custody last year after an investigation involving a Japanese man who had at least 16 babies via surrogates. In August, police raided a Bangkok condominium and found nine babies and nine nannies living in a few

unfurnished rooms filled with baby bottles, bouncy chairs, play pens and diapers. They have since identified Mitsutoki Shigeta as the father of those babies and seven others. The women filed a lawsuit against the ministry in December after making requests to get back the children, said Suwanna Pinkaew, the director of Women and Children Welfare Protection Bureau, which takes care of the babies. “After the requests were received, we initiated and are in the process of evaluating the circumstances and the women’s

readiness before making a decision,” Suwanna said. “It took us some time because they live in different provinces and we have just finished visiting all of them.” Suwanna said the mothers might regain custody if social services found their conditions acceptable. Shigeta, through his lawyer, also has sought custody of the children, but he has not returned to Thailand to give his account of the matter to police. In the lawsuit filed to the Central Juvenile and Family Court, the mothers also accused the ministry of failing to provide adequate care of the children.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Sports News

International Sport

Bony seals £25m Man City deal

Equatorial Guinea’s President offers 40,000 match tickets

Udoh targets first Eagles goal against Yemen

Sport Ajibade Olusesan

ormer Golden Eaglets coach, Fanny Amun, has said he is the person who turned Nwankwo Kanu into a super star and not Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger. Amun labeled his former player, Kanu, an ingrate, saying the Nigerian legend has failed to credit him for his illustrious career. Amun took Kanu and several other talented players to FIFA U-17 World Cup in Japan in 1993 where the lanky striker thrilled the world with his immense talent. In a no-holds-barred interview with New Telegraph, Amun said that it was unfortunate for Kanu to have credited his manager at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, for his breakthrough in football, saying that he gave the former Inter Milan star the chance to be noticed. He said that he was holding

AFCON 2015

Did you know? That Alan Shearer scored 11 English Premier League hat tricks

ImadeKanuastar, notWenger–Amun

it against the former West Brom striker for not giving him the credit he deserved. “It is a shame that I heard Kanu giving Wenger the credit as the man who made him. Is he grateful to me? No he is not, tell him I said he is an ingrate. For him I suffered what I never expected, it was a trauma. I decided who made the team to Japan 1993 World Cup and if I didn’t give him that opportunity how would Ajax have seen him? We played a lot of friendly matches on our way to the

tournament, he was the lazy type, we never knew he had health problems, but he was an exceptional talent,” Amun said. The former Super Eagles assistant coach also added that goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama extinguished the little chance he had to win the 2014 Africa Footballer of the Year when he failed to live up expectations in an Africa Nations Cup qualifying match against South Africa. He said although it was difficult for him to win the award as a goalkeeper

his chances would have been brightened if he had been exceptional against South Africa. “His attitude in the last AFCON qualifier was not good enough and that limited his chances of winning the award. If he had been e x -

Amun

ceptional like we always know him for it would have given him about 40 percent chance because he is a goalkeeper, and the era of Emmanuel Okala and Thomas Nkono had gone. He should have done better than he did against South Africa,” he said.

I’m not in hurry to leave Nigeria, says Oshoala lWary of agents, fake deals

Emmanuel Tobi

ewly crowned African Women Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, has revealed that she is not desperate to play professionally overseas despite the avalanche of offers that have been coming her way. Oshoala, who also won the GLO-CAF Youth Player of the Year award, added that playing

Oshoala with World best female player, Kessler

The Sport Team Adekunle Salami Group Sport Editor

Emmanuel Tobi Assistant Editor, Sports

Ifeanyi Ibeh Sports Correspondent

Ajibade Olusesan Sports Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya Sports Correspondent

in the Nigeria Women Professional League would prepare her for the huge task of doing well outside Nigerian shores when she finally decides to move overseas. “It’s every player’s dream to play abroad but I want to stay and nurture my skills here in Nigeria so I can blossom when I get out there. I’m proud to be a great ambassador of the Nigerian League because I won all the awards in 2014 as a locally based player,” she stressed. 2014 was arguably Oshoala’s most successful

year after winning the Most Valuable Player (Golden Ball) and the highest goal scorer (Golden Boot) awards at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, as well as the Most Valuable Player award at the 2014 African Women’s Championship in Namibia. She also won the 2014 Nigeria Sports Award’s Women Player of the year and Ben TV’s Female Personality of the Year award, but the Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt striker is wary of the many dubious agents lurking around. “No doubt, I have had several offers but I’m very careful because there are several greedy and dubious people out t h e re, ” continued Oshoala. “My manager, as well as my family, are working hard for my success and very soon, there will be a breakthrough,” she said.

Kanu

SPORT

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Sparing a thought for Patience, Omosun, Pamela, Eke!

ardon me for being the real me. I remember those days in the Punch newsroom where the ”big Boys” were Eric Teniola (Erico Yayi), Toye Akiode (Agosco) and Demola Osinubi (Ademola) . Teniola covered the National Assembly in the days of Senator Joseph Wayas as President of the Nigerian Senate at Race Course, Lagos. Akiode was at the State House with President Shehu Shagari while Osinubi was the supremo at Lagos State government house as Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande a.k.a (LKJ or “Baba Kekere”) held sway and put together policies that proved without doubt that Journalists can run government. The newsroom had it ALL for them. In between, my Sports Editor, Owolabi Ilori (OWOBLOW), gave a run for their faces on the front page. So was Alhaji Segun Obilana – the burly and beefy Labour Editorand Entertainment Editor, Fola Arogundade (Folydisc) – later to be succeeded by Ladi Ayodeji. Teniola later went to be with Chief Ufot Ekaete who became Secretary to President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Administration. Akiode edited the Vanguard of Uncle Sam Amuka while Osinubi remains the last man standing as Managing Director of the Punch Group. Down there, our affable, clean and crisp Advert Manager – Prince Isidore Oduah (Super P) took interest in those ever bubbling youth – Gbenga Oseni and

Muyiwa Daniel on Thursday

md_muyiwa@yahoo.com 08023525087 (sms only) me. Gbenga reported the aviation sector and after we had turned in our reports for the day, I spent time with him at the Ikeja GRA Secretariat of the Airlines Pilots and Flight Engineers club. There, the pilots and engineers revealed the state of the airlines industry in Nigeria. Gbenga made the front pages with these revealing information, many thanks to Captain Ashafa and his colleagues who believed in him. Our prize? The stories and maybe! Tots of beer and pepper soup . Then I took a lead. Give my bosses and colleagues - Isaac Ibhafidon, Tony Eke (Punch), Yomi Fetuga (Tribune), Biodun Onadipe (Sketch), Riiwan Omosun (Observer) and later Chris Okojie, Gboyega Okegbenro –Paul Okolo (NAN) and Paul Bassey It was Ashafa who flew the Lagos –New York flight that took me on the first leg of my first International coverage –the World U-20 Championship in Mexico where my mentor – “Anene” or “Baba Ijo” Segun Adenuga made me acquire my first international passport in forty-eight hours,

Udoh targets first Eagles goal against Yemen

got a Multiple US visa and change N460 for $600 at Savannah Bank where Tope Tokoya was at the foreign exchange desk and did it with HUGE favour as his team had beaten Stationery Stores in an Oba Cup quarterfinal tie and it was duly reported. We – myself, Adenuga, Joe Audu of Evening Times – flew with supporters club quartet of Deacon George Osho, Alhaji Ogunsiji, Idris and Olukokun-an employee of the Nigeria Airways - who made us buy the connecting ticket to Mexico City from New York right in Lagos. The Nigerian team was picked at Audu’s main joint –Elders Club – close to Stadium Hotel, in Surulere, Lagos when Chris Udemezue and Isiaka Yakubu sought the best advice and we made Alli Jeje lead the team dropping Samson Siasia as the youngest in the squad. But we still went to Royal Carpet in Ibadan and convinced John Masterou-

lAs Amunikes boys wallop academy side 8-1

aturday’s international friendly between South Africa’s U-17 national team and the Golden Eaglets has been called off at the behest of the South Africa Football Association. The match, which was expected to serve as a preparatory game for both sides ahead of February’s CAF U-17 African Youth Championships, holding in Niger, was initially billed to come up in Kaduna but had to be moved to Abuja after SAFA raised

concerns over their team’s safety in the northern Nigerian city which has in recent times been attacked by Boko Haram insurgents. SAFA, in a statement released on Wednesday, however stated: “Amajimbos’ friendly international against Nigeria, which was scheduled to take place in the West African country on Saturday, has been postponed due to circumstances beyond our control and will be rescheduled. The statement added: “SAFA, in consultation with the Under-17 coach Molefi Ntseki, will arrange

other friendly matches, which will be communicated in due course. The team will remain in camp preparing for the CAF African Youth Championships, scheduled for Niger in February.” The Golden Eaglets have also been playing a lot of friendly matches and on Wednesday, defeated Giodano Academy of Kano 8-1 at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja with Ebere Osinachi grabbing a hat trick. Ndu Iheakam grabbed a brace, while there were also goals for Kelechi Nwakali, Suleiman Abdullahi and Lukman Halilu.

Togo ITF Circuit: Nigerian team wins 4 gold, 1 silver

Udoh

and his letter are as good as a meal ticket. Five years on. It is that bad. And to think of it, haven’t got my Permanent Voters Card despite five weeks of sweat. However, I spare a thought. A pretty girl who was with us at Punch, Patience Akpan, survived our youthful exuberance and brilliance, moved to the US, became a Professor in Canada, got married and became a grandmother. She wrote medals then and later in the last eight years had done same in the same newspaper. Now she is taking a “leave”. She recently lost her grand-daughter. Poor Girl! Your resolve is God Given! But what can I say about Rilwan Omosun? That vibrant reporter. Now counting each day as lucky on that death bed in New York. Or Pamela Mojekwu-who taught us aerobics at the SKYLARK RECORDS/DANCERS which produced Christy Essien-Igbokwe (Akpena of New Masquerade). May God continue to rest her soul – and is now battling what is left of life. Or Tony Eke. Can’t wait to read you again, PAT. Rilwan, Pamela, you remain in my prayers. Thanks Azuka JeboseMolokwu for these insights. So too, spare a thought and help for Tony Eke!

South Africa call off Eaglets friendly

Ifeanyi Ibeh

nyimba striker, Mfon Udoh, has expressed determination to score his first goal for Nigeria when the Super Eagles play Yemen in an international l friendly billed for Dubai on Saturday. Sudan were initially billed to face the Super Eagles but pulled out and the Nigeria Football Federation contacted the Yemen; Football Association. “It’s a good opportunity for the team and me to play against Yemen. Hopefully we will win this and I am also looking to score in this game too. The game against Ivory Coast has come and gone and we have to concentrate on

does to sponsor him to the tournament – just to watch. And he did. On the caveat: Siasia will join Leventis United on return. Siasia ran into trouble waters at Houston Airport losing all including his African winners watch presented by Chief MKO Abiola for the 1983 Champions. He arrived Mexico and got all entitlements as we took him to Sports Minister-Buba Ahmed and NFA Chairman- Commodore Edwin Kentebbe. But do they, including those who have made it from poverty line remember Audu, 29 years after his passage? Or any of them spare a thought for Tony Eke who threw journalism aside to build them as youth prodigies through the DANA and GOTHIA cups. Eke is somewhere in Ijegun, close to Ikotun in Lagos battling stroke. Pity! But when I remember that there in exists so much money in few hands in this country, I wonder what the future holds. N29bn for a Presidential fund raiser and I have a brilliant daughter at home two years after youth service and my “influence “and “daddy’s name” can’t get her a job? Her case is better as I often hide from those in the neighborhood and church who feel “MD”

the next match,” Udoh told supersport.com from the team’s hotel camp in Dubai. On his future at club level, Udoh stated that he was focused on his international adventure with the Super Eagles. “For now I am concentrating with the national team but my future (at club level) will be resolved and I will let you know. But I have never said I am in no hurry to leave for a club abroad,” he remarked. Udoh has played in two international matches for Nigeria against Ghana and Ivory Coast, and is now in line to feature in a third match against Yemen.

igeria has emerged the overall winners of the first phase of the 2015 ITF West and Central Africa Junior Circuit holding in Togo with 4 gold and 1 silver medals. At the Stade Ominsport, Lome on Wednesday, Nigeria started on a poornote as Martins Abamu fell to Togo’s Antione Gbadoe 6-2, 6-3 in the Boy’s 16&U category but Michael Oshewa restored the nation’s pride when he triumphed with a 6-3, 7-5 over Ehaya Isaac of Cote d’Ivoire. Oshewa’s feat sparked the winning spirit of the Nigerian players as Mathew Abamu, a junior

sibling to Martin, bagged a resounding 6-1, 6-1 win over Sodik Nougbessi of Benin Republic while in the girls’ 16&U Adetayo Adetunji defeated No 1 seed, Joanne Celestine Abommo of Gabon 6-3,6-2. Moments later, Barakat Quadri beat Becoude Karmine of Benin 7-5, 6-4 in the girls’ 14&U final to highlight Nigeria’s dominance at the doublephase tournament which is featuring nine countries. The final phase is scheduled to start on Thursday with no fewer than eight Nigerian players listed for action. National junior tennis coach, Mohammed Ubale,

Ubale

said the team was poised for a better haul of medals. He assured Nigerians that some of the lapses noted in the players will be better worked on for effective performance.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT 53

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Bony seals £25m Man City deal M

anchester City have completed the signing of Swansea striker Wilfried Bony until the summer of 2019 for a fee of £25m that could rise to £28m. Bony will wear the number 14 shirt at the Etihad. “It’s a great feeling for me, it’s a big honour to be here and it’s a great challenge,” Bony told the Manchester City website. “As a player it’s always good to be part of one of the biggest clubs in the world and it’s a good opportu-

nity for me to be in that situation now – I’m really proud. “I felt excited to wait for this moment and now it’s come, it’s fantastic. “I think it’s a great decision for me - Manchester City is in the Champions League. You remember at the end of last season I said that if I want to move it will be to a team in the competition because it’s a great tournament that I really want to play in and one that I want to win. “It’s a motivation for me to give my maxi-

mum to be in that place. City is a big club with great players with a lot of experience; I believe we can do it.” City boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted he was delighted to have signed Bony to boost his attacking options. “He is very difficult to mark because he is so strong. He is an intelligent footballer who has skill and power,” he said. “His goals record has been excellent since he came to England. He adapted very quickly to the game here and I think he will settle in at City quickly.

Huth charged by FA over tweets

toke defender Robert Huth has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association over comments he posted on social media. The 30-year-old has fallen

foul of FA rules relating to use of social media by players after he participated with a Twitter account which invited users of the site to guess people’s gender after seeing cropped photographs of them. Huth subsequently deleted the tweets

Youth Alive Junior League starts Friday

anny Pacquiao’s proposed mega fight against Floyd Mayweather is a step closer after he agreed terms with his promoter. The 36-year-old Filipino agreed terms with Top Rank promoters, and now awaits Mayweather doing the same. The date of May 2 has been put forward for a showdown in Las Vegas between the rivals that has been years in the making. Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com: “Top Rank and Manny have agreed to the terms on our side. I don’t know about the other side.” Pacquiao last week told the Manilla Standard: “We will make an announcement before

the end of the month. I think it will happen.” Mayweather wants to fight on May 2, the Saturday closest to the Cinco de Mayo holiday, as has been his tradition in recent years. The fight is likely to take place at the MGM Grand’s Garden Arena, the venue for Mayweather’s last 10 fights and five of Pacquiao’s previous seven contests.

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather

I still love Man United – Pogba

Bony

and posted a message saying: “Clearly no offence was meant or directed to anyone, but apologies if I’ve offended anyone” but the FA has decided to take the matter further. “It is alleged the comments were indecent and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute, contrary to FA Rule E3(1),” read a statement on the governing body’s official wesbite.

aul Pogba has left the door open for a dramatic return to Manchester United, revealing he still loves the club he left for Juventus in 2012. With Europe’s top teams planning a raid on Serie A leaders Juventus for the France midfielder, Pogba hinted he has unfinished business at Old Trafford and holds no bad

Pogba

feelings after leaving on a free transfer due to a lack of opportunities. “I’m impatient,” Pogba said in the latest FourFourTwo magazine about his exit. “It was the feeling I had. The coach (Sir Alex Ferguson) had faith in me but didn’t put me on. He said that I was too young. “He said ‘your time will come’ but it never did. It didn’t come. But it does not mean I will speak ill of Manchester United. I love the club.” In October, the 21-year-old penned a new contract with the Italian champions until June 2019 but the deal, worth a reported £70,000-a-week, has not been enough to stifle speculation of an impending move away from Italy.

Arsenal’s Iwobi commits future to Nigeria

l Visits U-23 Eagles camp with dad Emmanuel Tobi

Ifeanyi Ibeh

he 2015 season of the Youth Alive Junior Basketball League gets underway on Friday, January 16 across four centres in Lagos. This season’s league will have a separate category for secondary schools and academies. And according to the Technical Director of the Lagos State Basketball Association, Gbade Latona, who is also the coordinator of the league, this innovation is to avail all interested schools and basketball academies an opportunity to participate in the championship. Matches will take place at Rowe Park, Yaba; Police College, Ikeja; Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island and the Ilupeju Basketball Court for the six month duration of the season. Meanwhile, the LSBA has called on all basketball coaches, referees and table officials to attend a two-day refresher clinic and regularisation exercise which get underway on Thursday, January 15, at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park.

Pacquiao agrees terms for May 2 fight against Mayweather

Iwobi (right) and Father

rsenal of England striker, Alex Iwobi, on Wednesday visited the U-23 Eagles camp in Abuja, pledging his international future to Nigeria. Iwobi who arrived the team’s training ground in Abuja in company of his dad and manager Emeka Obasi, is expected to train with the team for four days before returning to England. The 18-year who was born in La-

Pinnick off to Malabo, mandates Akinwunmi to act resident of Nigeria Football Akinwunmi, will act in his stead. P Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinn“I will be away to the Africa ick, flew into Malabo, capital of Cup of Nations in Equatorial Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday as the African football fraternity got into the mood for the 30th Africa Cup of Nations kicking off on Saturday. The NFF boss will commission two matches in the group phase at the championship with opportunities for more in the knock –out rounds. Before jetting out of the country, Pinnick transmitted a letter to members of the NFF Executive Committee notifying them that the 1st Vice President, Seyi

Guinea from January 16 – February 9, 2015 on the invitation of CAF and in official capacity. “The First Vice President, Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi should thus oversee the workings of the Office of the President for the period I will be away. All official correspondence should be channeled to him.” The finals, scheduled for January 17 – February 8, will be played across four cities: Malabo, Ebebiyin, Mongomo and Bata.

gos, has already signed professional terms with Arsenal, is a nephew to former Nigeria captain, Austin Okocha. Iwobi who is also being courted by the English national team handlers, is close to making his first-team

breakthrough at the Emirates Stadium. He featured on the bench for Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Galatasaray in December. The youngster, who can play on either wing, scored eight times in 35 appearances for Arsenal’s various youth sides last season.

Ballon d’Or: Keshi,Enyeama voted for Ronaldo

ccording to world football body, FIFA, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi and captain Vincent Enyeama voted for Cristiano Ronaldo as their best player to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or. The Real Madrid star on Monday won the award, beating Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer to the top prize. In a list released by world football governing body, FIFA, which showed how people voted, it emerged that both Keshi and Enyeama voted for the Portuguese. National team captains and coaches alongside media representatives from each country

voted, picking their first three best players. Enyeama went for Ronaldo as his best player, choosing Zlatan Ibrahimovic as his second and Yaya Toure as his third best player. While Keshi went for Ronaldo as his number one, Toure as his number two and Phillip Lahm as his third best player.

Ronaldo

SPORT

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 NEW TELEGRAPH

Transfer News

COUNTDOWN TO 2015 AFCON

Shaqiri snubs English offers for Inter deal

Zambia gets delay arrival

ambia’s departure for the 2015 Africa Cup in Equatorial Guinea has been delayed by 24

hours. The team was scheduled to arrive in Malabo at midday on Wednesday, January 15 en route to their 2015 Africa Cup Group B base at Ebebiyin located on the border with Gabon.

Zambia are now scheduled to fly out on Thursday (today) from Johannesburg where they are wrapping up a three-week pre-2015 Africa Cup training camp and arrive on the eve of the tournament kick-off on Friday. “There is only one direct flight per week from Addis Ababa and because we did not

herdan Shaqiri is confident he has X made the right decision to join Inter Milan after turning down offers to join

the Premier League in the January transfer window. The Switzerland international joined Inter from Bayern Munich last week and has signed a contract that will keep him at San Siro until June 2019. The 23-year-old midfielder had been strongly linked with a move to England, where Everton, Liverpool and Stoke were reportedly keen to acquire his services.

want the team to go in batches, everyone is going on Thursday and arrives on Friday,” Football Association of Zambia general secretary George Kasengele said. The development means Zambia will arrive in Ebebiyin less than 48 hours before their opening Group B match against DR Congo on January 18.

Milan deny Destro talks

ilan’s in-house television channel M has reported that the club are not in talks over Mattia Destro, and that

Allplayersto undergoEbolatest

Giampaolo Pazzini will stay with them. The Rossoneri had been increasingly linked with interest in Roma’s wantaway striker, and it was suggested that their best chances of completing a deal rested on Pazzini depart-

ll players entering Equatorial Guinea for the Africa Cup of Nations will be tested for Ebola. Julia Abeso-Avomo, the administrative attache at the country’s embassy in London, said everyone entering Equatorial Guinea will go through a short medical check upon arrival as a precautionary measure. Cape Verde was the first team to arrive on Tuesday and was checked, according to the Confederation of African Football. Congo, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Republic of Congo and Ghana were to arrive on Wednesday. “All the delegations are landing in Malabo for health checks,” CAF said in a statement. “It was the case for Cape Verde yesterday (Tuesday) and DR Congo today (Wednesday). And it will be the case for all the teams.” Equatorial Guinea has no reported cases of Ebola. The small oil-rich nation in Central Africa took over as host of the tournament at short notice from Morocco, which didn’t want to stage the championship because of fears over the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and fans travelling from that region. The 16-team tournament opens on Saturday, and will be played in four cities, including in the capital Malabo and the largest city, Bata with the final scheduled for February 8.

ing. However, and in spite of his contract expiring in the summer, the club’s in-house television service Milan Channel has reiterated that Pazzini will stay. Juventus had also been linked with interest in the 30-yearold, should Sebastian Giovinco transfer to Fiorentina.

Onana joins Ajax from Barcelona

jax have confirmed the capture of CamerA oonian goalkeeper Andre Onana from Barcelona with immediate effect.

Zambia new captain, Rainford Kalaba

Equatorial Guinea’s President offers 40,000 match tickets

quatorial Guinea`s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema has vowed to personally pay for 40,000 tickets for the Africa Cup of Nations so that the poor can attend matches, and called on the wealthy to do likewise. “We must give solemnity to this CAN event, we have to buy tickets to fill stadiums,” the head of state said. “Let those who have the means help the poor! Myself, I bought 40,000 tickets at a rate of 10,000

per region (four sites are hosting the event). These tickets cost 500 FCFA (75 cents) which amounts to 20 million CFA francs (30,000 euros),” president Nguema told national television during a meeting with village leaders and military and civilian authorities. To encourage people to attend matches the working day for civil servants has been cut by two hours on match days. Meanwhile, neighbouring Gabon, who co-

hosted the continental tournament with Equatorial Guinea in 2012, on Monday delivered 20 buses which will be used by the teams during the event which gets underway on Saturday. “This is our contribution to support Equatorial Guinea. We have a saying that when your neighbours are having a party the entire village is celebrating,” said Gabonese sports minister Blaise Louembe of the free loan of buses.

Mashaba wary of injuries ahead of tourney S

outh African national team coach Shakes Mashaba admits he is protecting his players ahead of the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. After the inclusion of Ayanda Gcaba in the squad following the injury to Patrick Phungwayo, Mashaba admits he has to watch his players carefully ahead of the start of the Afcon tournament. “It was a little bit scary, we are at a time when we shouldn’t be getting such injuries,

even if it is a slight knock because it disturbs and distracts the plan as it would mean some players would have to sit without training,” said Mashaba. “But what we did was to sit with the medical team who guided us as to what to expect as we continue – in terms of how much work we need to give to the players ahead of the tournament and we have come up with a new programme. “Resting is also an important part of

preparation. We are not carrying dead bodies to the tournament.” South Africa are in Group C for the continental tournament alongside Algeria, Ghana and Senegal. Bafana will get their 2015 Afcon tournament underway against Algeria on January 19 and will play Senegal four days later. They will conclude their group stage with a match against Ghana on January 27.

The 18-year-old had already agreed to join the Eredivisie side at the end of the season, but a deal has now been struck to allow the youngster to immediately make the switch from Camp Nou to the Amsterdam Arena. Barca had previously hit out at Ajax for their handling of the initial deal for Onana, with since deposed director of football Andoni Zubizarreta slamming the Dutch club for “disrespectful” behaviour.

Sunderland hold talks with Toronto over Defoe

Sunderland have had discussions with Toronto FC over a possible deal for Jermain Defoe, according to Sky sources. As many as 10 Premier League clubs are interested in signing Defoe during January’s transfer window, and the England striker has been training with old club Tottenham. Spurs are not among his suitors, but Sunderland are as they aim to improve a record of just 18 goals in 21 league games this season.

West Brom enquire about Fletcher

est Brom have contacted Manchester W Unitedaboutthepossibilityofsigning Darren Fletcher, according to Sky sources.

The Scotland captain has had limited first-team opportunities under Louis van Gaal this season, starting just four times in the Premier League, and Albion have enquired about his availability. FletcherisUnited’slongest-servingplayer having made his debut almost 12 years ago,and he counts five league titles and a Champions League winner’s medal among his honours. The 30-year-old midfielder has revived his career after a series of successful operations helped him overcome ulcerative colitis, an illness which kept him out for almost the whole of 2013.

Genoa to make move for Castaignos

Castaignos could be set for a return Lsignucto Italy with Genoa reportedly keen to the Twente striker this month.

Mashaba

The 22-year-old had a failed one-year spell with Inter Milan during the 201112 season, but has since resurrected his career back in Netherlands, scoring 36 goals in 79 league matches for FC Twente. Tuttomercatoweb are now reporting that Genoa have set their sights on the Netherlands U21 international after failing to sign Pablo Osvaldo, who is currently on loan with Inter Milan. Castaignos was heavily linked with English side Swansea City during the summer, but since that move fell through the striker has scored nine goals in fourteen games this season.

NEW TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Ekwueme’s lamentation and matters arising

n the second republic, the defunct National Party of Nigeria(NPN) lined up top Igbo politicians for the then Presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Shehu Shagari to chose from as running mate.

On paper, the odds favored frontline politicians like Dr. K.O.Mbadiwe and Chief C. C. Onoh among others. To the surprise of many however, Shagari went for a political fresher, though a man who had at that time made a name in his first choice profession, architecture where his numerous, invaluable unique works stood him out. That is the story of the entry of the former Vice President of Nigeria, former President of Nigeria Institute of Architects, Dr. Alexander Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme into politics. Young, very wealthy but academically minded with string of degrees in varying disciplines from different institutions in his kitty. Among old and more experienced politicians in the NPN, the choice of Dr. Ekwueme was criticized, with some accusing Shagari of going for a pliable neophyte, while others thought he needed Ekwueme’s wealth to bankroll the Presidential campaign. But it did not take long before it became glaring that Alhaji Shagari made a good choice as he found in Dr Ekwueme an impeccable character and incurable workaholic who was to indeed drive his administration. By Shagari’s second term in office, it was evident that a heir apparent had emerged in Dr. Ekwueme, his Vice President. In fact, it was widely believed that the General Muhammedu Buhari coup of December 31, 1983 which truncated the second republic was partly to forestall the emergence of Ekwume, an Igbo, to the nation’s number one position. Buhari and his fellow coup plotters , it is alleged, did not want power to move beyond the north. Dr. Ekwueme and some of his colleagues, public officers were locked up, tried by kangaroo tribunals set up by the usurping military junta and sentenced for ridiculously long number of years. In the case of Ekwueme, the tribunal noted that he came out of second republic poorer than he was at the outset. Notwithstanding, he was detained for months. But you need to know that the head of the junta who locked him up, Buhari has since become a democracy convert and is for the fourth time seeking for electoral mandate to rule Nigeria. Today’s discourse is however not on the abuse of human rights by politicians, but on the consequences of actions and inactions of politicians. If the intention of the military in harassing Ekwueme and his colleagues was to cow them, they did not succeed, as he continued his anti military struggle applying his deep intellect. In 1994, he was on hand to pilot the constitutional conference convened by the Abacha junta and when the forum of political parties was organized in 1998, Ekwueme was also there to lead the struggle. In all, his determination was glaring and his commitment outstanding. The climax of his struggle was the formation of G34 that metamorphosed into the now so called largest political party in the continent, the Peoples Democratic Party. PDP. While Nigerians appreciated Ekwueme and wanted him to be the President as a pay back for his struggle against the military and for democracy, the military who held sway in 1999 thought otherwise and went for one of their own, General Olusegun Obasanjo, then languishing in prison over allegation of coup plotting. The military manipulated the first national convention of the party in Jos, Plateau state for Obasanjo. Since then, Ekwueme literarily chickened out as he reduced his contributions to national discourse. He watched from the sideline as the party he midwifed to fruition began a progressive decline in every department. Dr Ekwueme watched as the former President Obasanjo decimated PDPy leading to the historic turnover of the National Chairmanship of the party, from Audu Ogbe, to Bernabas Gemade, to Ahmadu Ali to Vincent Ogbulafor, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo etc. He watched as state governors turned themselves into a monster gang,

Political Musings IKE ABONYI igwebuike2001@yahoo.com 08024024029 (sms only)

Ekwueme

Shagari

Buhari

Obasanjo

hijacking the structures of the party and running amock with them. Chief Ogbe was disgraced out, ditto Gemade and Ogbulafor. Even Okwy Nwodo who came with his experience as the pioneer national secretary to revolutionize the party and detach it from governors through his innovative e- registration of members was pressurized out. In all, Ekwueme was nowhere near the political radar. Even in his own state of Anambra, he looked away as PDP was destroyed and an opposition political party took over reins of power since 2005. It is therefore against this backdrop that the recent outburst of Dr. Ekwueme during an interview with a sister daily is curious and deserving of attention. Even as it’s difficult if not impossible to diminish most of the points raised by the former Vice President in the interview, Dr Ekwueme deliberately down played his culpability in the situation. When someone who can halt the reign of evil fails to do so, he cannot turn back to claim a victim or an innocent.

According to Ekwueme’s lamentation in the interview despite being a founding member, he has been subjected to “humiliation and neglect” by current leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, asking President Goodluck Jonathan to accord him his due recognition as a founding member of the PDP and a former Vice President of Nigeria. He further decried the refusal of President Jonathan to attend his 80th birthday celebration despite being invited; though he also said their relationship was cordial. “It (his relationship with Mr. Jonathan) is cordial, but maybe he doesn’t appreciate that without my risking my life there would have been no PDP and the popularity that made it possible for him to become the President of Nigeria,” the octogenarian said. Ekwueme further lamentated, “The truth is that the PDP as it is today was not the PDP we founded in 1998; that is the truth, I won’t hide it from anybody. It is not the PDP I risked my life to found in 1998. Now, PDP has been hijacked by peo

ple who have no philosophical or spiritual attachment to the precepts that informed formation of the party in 1998,” he said. He didn’t stop there, “people who founded and worked for the party are alienated by poor management of success, and those who do not have the patience, some of us have decided to find new channels to fulfil their political ambitions. I, for instance, the chairman of the party, first chairman of Board of Trustees, first chairman from the civil society to G34 and so on, if I was not myself, I’m not bragging, I am being modest, I have no reason to be in PDP today. All I have received throughout the years is humiliation and neglect.” He then bemoaned the reward system in the party, “I told you that I have no business being in PDP today because I am not a noisemaker. I am not created to be a noisemaker or to create trouble, they are using it to deny me whatever is due to me,” he said. “Because you are a gentleman, you won’t disturb, rather the people who shout and make noise, they try and accommodate themselves so that they don’t create problems, I think it is an unfortunate approach to life. But those who don’t make noise and don’t create troubles also have feelings as human beings and they should not have been denied what is due to them.” Agreed but couldn’t Ekwueme have done something to save the party from getting to this deplorable state ? Can Ekwueme proudly beat his chest and say I did my best to prevent the party from this ugly path? It is a bit strange to find Ekwueme now talking about South East when all along he has been an “Ogenigbo” solving Nigeria and other peoples problem while his zone and indeed his state remain in disarray. In fact, in Ekwueme’s state of Anambra, PDP has been exactly what a party should not be, where political lunatics took asylum. For the February elections, Anambra state is the only state that produced three sets of candidates for the PDP, just as it happened four years ago. Where was Ekwueme in all these. Granted that different leadership of the party since the Obasanjo days appeared to have a pre-determined end for the party in the state, with some claiming it was a deliberate policy of destabisation of a frontline Igbo state, while others insist successive leadership of the party felt comfortable with the tumultuous state chapter to maximize financial gains that such confusion creates in Anambra with high percent of money bags, one expected to hear Ekwueme’s protest just like late Chinua Achebe did in 2005. The effort of this respected elderstatesman could have made the difference but am not aware that Ekwueme walked up to either Obssanjo, Yar Adua or Jonathan to register his protest. And that is where i disagree with his not being a “ noise maker.” You need to make noise when your house is on fire. Hear Dr. Ekwueme on the state of his PDP in the South East; “many will not vote at all. Not casting their votes at all is a minus for the President, so he shouldn’t take the South-East for granted that it will be the same 99 per cent votes that will come from the South- East in 2015. It might not be...Well, because the leadership of the PDP in every state in the South-East does not have coherency, well organised PDP structure today. Ebonyi is in disarray, Enugu is abdicated, Abia, Anambra have about six different factions, Imo is not serious at that, so it requires hard work for PDP to bring together the South-East to how it was eight years ago. My worry is that many of them in the leadership of PDP don’t even realise that there is this danger, they think it is business as usual, so they take South-East for granted that they will vote that same way they voted, 90 per cent of vote to President Jonathan, it may not happen.” Good talk from our esteemed elderstatesman but the question still revolves around the roles he could have played to forestall the parlous state of the party in his zone and strengthen it from being shortchanged politically. He should therefore go beyond the lamentations and use his credibility to pave a way and give direction to his people. Better late than never.

On Marble

If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavour. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Leisure & Puzzle }40

Sanctity of Truth

Ike Abonyi Ekwueme’s lamentation and matters arising

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

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Nigeria: Corruption steeply down, not up – the facts Nathaniel Abara

njustifiably, the image of Nigeria is being battered and rubbished in the name of the war against graft. Most uncharitable claims are made that have nothing whatsoever to do with the facts. One needs to read the latest report released on December 15, 2014 by the think tank, research and advisory organization, Global Financial Integrity (GFI), based in Washington DC. Also, we have the earlier December 2014 survey report on corruption perception by Transparency International (TI) in Geneva. These reports show substantial improvements in Nigeria’s corruption situation. In fact, if the responsibility for the heightened corruption in Nigeria since 2005 needs to be attributed, it lies more with external actors. We will substantiate this assertion shortly. Corruption is a ravaging global phenomenon nations struggle to contain. It has never been eradicated anywhere. But we tend to trivialize the anti-graft efforts in Nigeria. Even the European Union, with its very strong institutions, appears overwhelmed. In a March, 2014 report, it raised alarm that a breathtaking €120 billion are lost annually to corrupt practices and shady deals. China, in spite of its imposition of the death penalty for graft still leads the world in illicit flight of capital derived from corruption, tax evasion, drugs and other crimes. For evidence based perspective of the Nigerian situation, we need to consider a source of current information about corruption perception. The latest 2014 TI ranking places Nigeria 39 steps ahead of others. This compares with Nigeria’s status as the most corrupt nation on earth in 1996, the second worst at the inception of the present democratic dispensation in 1999 and again in 2002. So, since 1999, we have progressed up the corruption perception ladder skipping on average close to three countries each passing year till date. Though this may appear slow and steady, but it wins the race. Also in the 2014 TI report, Nigeria had the highest perception record it has ever had since 1999. Nigeria’s best corruption perception scores so far were achieved first in 2008 under the presidency of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and repeated in 2012 and 2014 under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. So, based on perception information from TI, the corruption situation in Nigeria is certainly not getting worse. Of course, there is room for improvement. Moving closer to reality as opposed to the perception, we refer to the most current hard data in the latest GFI report for the ten year period, 2003 to 2012. The figures show a positive trend for Nigeria. While the illicit capital outflows from corruption, tax evasion, drugs and other crimes for “all developing countries” rose steadily from US$297 billion in 2003 to the highest so far of US$991 billion in 2012, with a slight drop in 2009 due to the global financial crisis, those for Nigeria also rose from close to US$2 billion in 2003 to about US$26 billion in 2009. Since then however, illicit flows from Nigeria have been on steady decline from US$26 billion in 2009 to less than US$8 billion in 2012 – a fall of close to 70 percent in three straight years

under the oversight of the present federal leadership. While Nigeria’s illicit outflows thus fell, those from “all developing countries” still rose from US$748.3 billion in 2009 to US$991.2 billion in 2012, up 33 percent. Nigeria in-country comparison also reveals that its 2012 outflow fell for the first time and by 65 percent below the figure for 2005 when the outflows began to skyrocket. The fall in illicit outflows for Nigeria in 2012, is even more significant from another perspective. We recorded a steep decline in illicit capital outflows from US$20.144 billion in 2011 to US$7.922 billion in 2012, a dramatic drop by over 60 percent in just one year. As a result in 2012, the latest year for which GFI data is available, Nigeria improved its ranking of leading sources of illicit corruption, tax evasion and drugs outflows to the 17th position from 9th in 2011. Also, on a continental basis, South Africa for the first time overtook Nigeria as the largest source of illicit flows from Africa standing at the 9th position of “all developing countries”, with a figure of over US$29 billion outflow in 2012. This is well over three times Nigeria’s figure of US$7.9 billion. On a per capita and GDP bases, South Africa performed even much worse. Who then says that graft perception and crimes of illicit financial outflows relating to corruption, tax evasion and drugs are getting worse in Nigeria when credible data state otherwise? Such contrary claims indeed make no sense. One then wonders what the entire corruption hullabaloo is about. They appear to be clear attempts to give a dog a bad name and hang it. We would therefore urge the international and local audience to be wary of unfounded and generalized claims of worsening corruption against Nigeria flying around. There is no substance to them. The improvements recorded in Nigeria are the culmination of various much less costly, silently executed, preventive anticorruption initiatives of the federal government over this period, led by an unsung transformation team of Nigeria’s best and brightest. They focus more on preventive strategies and building preventive and defensive institutions. The existing curative, legal and offensive approach, given the systemic nature of the scourge, has overwhelmed our investigative, prosecuting and judicial institutions leaving clogged pipelines of pending cases. It would be totally unproductive to continue the single

Okonjo-Iweala

minded frenzy of raising more cases and injecting them into pipelines that barely trickle. The preventive interventions are varied, many and include: the assent to the Freedom of Information Bill in 2011 for greater transparency in governance; the Petroleum Industry Bill for a more beneficial and transparent distribution of our oil and gas wealth between the citizens, the nation and the international oil companies; the power sector privatization to shift the financing burden to the private sector and reduce drastically the corruption that goes with huge government expenditure; the subsidy reduction and the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme where opportunities for corruption have been severely curtailed and the federal subsidy savings reinvested, transparently and accountably, under the eagle eyes of selected citizens of integrity; and the nationwide dismantling of police check points in order to arrest the daily collection of illegal tolls from the citizens. Of particular interest, the federal government has adopted information and communication technology in preventive interventions. These include, among others the adoption of electronic payments in the financial system; the new fertilizer subsidy regime which has eliminated all the middle men making Nigeria the first country in the world to use mobile telephony to distribute fertilizer and seedlings to its farmers; the national identity management project to eliminate ghost citizens; the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System(IPPIS) to deal with ghost workers; the pension transition arrangement to dislodge ghost pensioners and arrest the plunder of pension assets, and the Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System(GIFMIS) and the Single Treasury Account (STA) to track federal government finances on 24/7 basis. While adopting the more popular, offensive approach of chasing, arresting, investigating, prosecuting and jailing graft culprits may be media attractive, exciting and entertaining for the general public and preferred among our lawyers for whom there would be more jobs for the boys and

girls, prevention is always better than cure. This same strategy saved Nigeria from the Ebola attack. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, a surveillance and defensive health institution put in place in advance by the present federal administration provided a preventive platform to ward off the Ebola invasion spearheaded by Mr Patrick Sawyer. As in military warfare, it is absurd to leave your flanks and defenses weak and unguarded, only to engage in offensive forays and adventures into enemy domain. This is exactly what Nigeria was doing in the past. But the main cause of this marked deterioration in Nigeria’s anti-corruption war and the fight against all illicit financial outflows up to the year 2009 could be traceable to actions taken in the United States of America. This has to do with the prediction in 2005 by pundits that Nigeria would break up by 2015. The prediction, the effect of which may be unintended, has been most destabilizing and hemorrhaging for Nigeria. It compelled many to move their financial assets to safer havens offshore in anticipation of the predicted demise. Also, elements within government and their private sector collaborators hastened the siphoning of our national wealth to beat the 2015 D-day. We conclude so for two reasons. First, soon after the 2005 prediction of the break up by 2015 was released, information was available that friends and well wishers exchanged phone calls or met to ascertain that they were aware of the dire prediction. The prevailing view was that people of means should consider seriously moving their valuable assets out of the country. Secondly, facts began to filter out subsequently from the global financial systems that Nigerians were indeed frantically moving their financial assets and the national wealth offshore to hedge against the uncertain future. Empirical data from GFI shows that, in 2004, a year before the prediction of break up was made, illicit financial flows out of Nigeria stood at US$1.7 billion. However, the very next year when the prediction was released, illicit financial outflows from Nigeria skyrocketed to US$17.9 billion - more than a ten-fold. In comparison, the increase in illicit financial outflows for “all developing countries” within the same period 2004 and 2005 was less than 30 percent. In other words, the prediction of Nigeria’s doom and gloom come 2015 may have played a central role and set the stage that encouraged the flight of our commonwealth. Also, it may still be fueling the tempo of corruption in Nigeria and the momentum of capital outflows as people hedge for the future. So, this uncertainty needs to be moderated. In view of the external dimension of the Nigerian corruption and illicit capital outflows highlighted above, the global community should assist in tangible ways. Especially, the G20 needs to support fully the federal government efforts in order to sustain the steady and significant decline since 2009 of illicit financial outflows to advanced economies from Nigeria. This is the real challenge of our anti-corruption war. • Abara is a public interest advocate, a former investment banker and economic advisor to government. E: etdcls@gmail.com.

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