Binder1 july 23, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Wednesday, July 23, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 155

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Subsidy: FG, fuel marketers spat over interest, forex differentials lMarketers insist govt owes N190bn Adeola Yusuf

he Federal Government and fuel marketers are on a collision course over the

government’s plan to stop payment of Foreign Exchange Differential (FED) and interest on fuel subsidy, which has now accumulated to N190

billion. Marketers have been collecting a lump sum of money running into billions of naira as FED and interest, which is dif-

ferent from the subsidy claims proper, a payment perceived to be fraudulent by the Federal Ministry of Finance. The ministry had declared that it would henceforth not pay the FED and

interest again. In a statement entitled ‘Final Payment of Interest and Foreign Exchange Differential Cost’, the ministry told oil marketers cleared by the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (EFCC) and Special Fraud Unit (SFU) that it would not pay interest and FED on fuel subsidy again. The ministry had paid N44.1 billion to oil marketCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Jonathan: I’ll visit Chibok after schoolgirls’ release lAssures escaped pupils, parents of safety, education l100 days after, women pray, urge Boko Haram to release abductees Lateef Ibrahim, Anule Emmanuel and Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday finally met with 51 of the escaped schoolgirls abducted on April 14, by Boko Haram

at the State House, Abuja, with a promise to visit Chibok, Borno State, after the release of the over 200 pupils still in captivity. At the over two-hour meeting behind closed doors with the girls who were accompanied by their parents, the president told them that his

decision to visit the community at that time would be to enable the people receive him with joy instead of their present state of grief. About 200 people from Chibok were conveyed in large capacity buses by security operatives to the banquet hall, venue of the

meeting. The president has been severely criticised for his failure to visit the community since the abduction, which attracted international attention to Nigeria. Yesterday’s meeting, the first since the abduction, came after that of last week which was

aborted following intrigues that were blamed on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign group. Jonathan, who was initially reluctant to meet the abductees and the Chibok community, was persuaded to change his mind last week following his encounter with Pakistani

teenage girls’ education activist, Malala Yousafzai, who was on an advocacy visit to Nigeria. Malala had extracted a promise from the president to meet and support the escaped girls and intensify efforts at rescuing those in captivity. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

APC on mission to truncate democracy, says PDP lKwankwaso urges FG to stop promoting disunity Onyekachi Eze and Muhammad Kabir

R-L: Head, Business Support Group, Globacom, Mr. Yomi Ogunbamowo; Head of Data, Mr. Segun Adeyemo and Adebanke Kuyinu at the launch of Glo Ringa which enables all Glo prepaid customers to make calls at 11k per second in Lagos...yesterday.

Four killed in Kogi, Anambra oil well dispute

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attacking established institutions, including the military because of its desire to truncate democracy. It also accused APCcontrolled state governments of undermining democracy with their sack of local government chairmen and nullification of local government elections won by opposition parties in their domains. But in what could be regarded as a counter-

attack, Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is an APC member, warned the Federal Government against doing things that will further divide Nigerians along ethno-religious line. At a press conference in Abuja yesterday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Jonathan: I’ll visit Chibok after schoolgirls’ release CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

As Jonathan was meeting with the escapees and their parents, women from different parts of the country converged on Abuja, as part of activities to mark the 100 days in captivity of the Chibok girls, to pray for the speedy release of the over 200 schoolgirls still in Boko Haram custody. Although journalists were barred from interacting with both the girls and the parents, New Telegraph learnt that most of them told the president the bitter experience they had in the hands of the terrorists.

But presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a statement, quoted Jonathan as saying that although he was yet to visit Chibok since the abduction, his heart was constantly with its traumatised parents and people, and his desire was to visit them when their daughters would have been freed and they could receive him with joy, rather than with tears of anguish. He also reassured the Chibok community that his administration was doing everything humanly possible to rescue the over 200 girls still in custody.

“Anyone who gives you the impression that we are aloof and that we are not doing what we are supposed to do to get the girls out is not being truthful. “Our commitment is not just to get the girls out; it is also to rout Boko Haram completely from Nigeria. But we are very, very mindful of the safety of the girls. We want to return them all alive to their parents. If they are killed in any rescue effort, then we have achieved nothing. “Our duty now is to take all relevant steps to recover our girls alive and our primary interest is getting them out as safely

as possible. I will not want to say much, but we are doing everything humanly possible to get the girls out. This not the time for talking much. This is the time for action. We will get to the time that we will tell stories. We will get to the time that we will celebrate and I assure you that, by God’s grace, that time will come soon,” Jonathan said. Responding to appeals from the community leaders for more help in overcoming some of the challenges imposed on Chibok and neighbouring communities by the Boko Haram insurgency,

the president assured them that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and federal medical agencies would intensify efforts to provide them with additional relief aid and assistance. In addition, he said Chibok and other communities in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states most affected by the Boko Haram insurgency would be the first beneficiaries of the Victims’ Support Fund, the Presidential Initiative for the North-East, the Safe Schools Initiative and other developmental CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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President Goodluck Jonathan and the Senate President David Mark with a cross-section of the escaped Chibok schoolgirls after a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

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Marketers insist govt owes N190bn

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ers at its last payment. But the Major Oil Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) has kicked against the decision, saying its members will continue to collect interest and FED on subsidy claims until the Federal Government adheres strictly to the Petroleum Support Funds (PSF) stipulation on 45 days window for payment. “Who bears the interest charged by banks? In rudimentary finance, interest on loan shall always arise when the principal sum remains unpaid. Therefore, as long as banks charge marketers interest for loans, so long shall we make claims for restitution when the Federal Ministry of Finance still owes the principal sum,” Executive Secretary, MOMAN, Mr. Thomas Olawore, said yesterday at a press conference in Lagos. Olawore, while acknowledging that the

ministry paid N44.1 billion to oil marketers as interest and FED, said: “It is very strange to read in the advertorials that interest and foreign exchange cost claims shall not be honoured again when the Federal Ministry of Finance has just paid for part of November 2013 imports. In other words, part of November, all of December 2013 and January to June 2014 is still outstanding. “We acknowledge the fact that the government through the Federal Ministry of Finance has brought transparency and sanity into the payment of subsidy claims. “However, it is to be noted that interest claims do not just happen. They are as a result of interest charges on borrowed funds from the banks. This means no importer makes any gain on interest claims.” Olawore explained that claims made by importers are actual debit notes

from banks, which have always been verified by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the Federal Ministry of Finance before payment is made through importers to the banks. “The general public needs to be told on how and why importers make claims on interest and foreign differential cost. Under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) approved guidelines as amended, the PPPRA is obligated to reimburse oil marketing companies within 45 days the loss incurred by them arising from the differential between the landed cost of the product and government approved pump price. “Subsidy according to the guideline will apply when the landing cost of product based on import parity is in excess of the approved PPPRA ex-depot price for the product. The 45 day payment cycle was arrived at by the following

stakeholders: Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) and commercial banks. “Claims for interest and foreign exchange differential arise from failure to adhere strictly to the dictates of the PSF approved guidelines of 45 days. No marketer or importer will allow themselves to be embarrassed by banks threatening to sue or report defaulting marketers to government financial agencies. Any payment made after 45 days affects our liquidity position and our ability to pay our suppliers which ultimately affects the supply situation,” he added.

OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN –ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30 ILORIN –LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00 ARIK AIR LAGOS-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 07:00; 08:00; 09:00; 11:00 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 ABUJA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00; 20:00 (SAT) 07:00; 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 (SUN) 09:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00 LAGOS-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 07:00; 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 (SAT) 07:00; 11:00; 15:00 (SUN) 09:30; 11:00; 13:30; 15:00; 17:30 PORT-HARCOURT-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 07:30; 09:00; 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 (SAT) 07:30; 11:30; 09:00; 13:00; 17:00 (SUN) 11:30; 13:00; 15:30; 17:00 ABUJA-PORT-HARCOURT (MON-FRI) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30; 16:50 (SAT/SUN) 06:45; 10:10; 13:30 PORT-HARCOURT-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10; 18:30 (SAT/SUN) 08:30; 11:50; 15:10

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APC to FG: Stop throwing money at security challenges lClaims govt spends $14bn on security in four years Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday put the amount the Federal Government has spent in the last four years on security at $14 billion. The party in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, cautioned the government against throwing money at the security challenges facing the country. The party spoke against the backdrop of the request by President Goodluck Jonathan to the National Assembly to approve his quest to borrow $1 billion to combat Boko Haram insurgency and to retool the military. But APC said all the country needed at this point in time was great thinking and not another monetary expenditure to curb insecurity and called for new thinking and not new budgetary allocation to tackle insurgency. APC said while it was not averse to good equip-

ment for security, a stock of the previous expenditure on security should be taken before any further step should be taken. “The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said what is needed to effectively tackle the Boko Haram menace is new and imaginative thinking, instead of sticking to the same old way of doing things - which is what the Federal Government’s $1 billion loan request represents. “While no reasonable person will argue against procuring modern weapons and other needs for the military, it is absolutely important to complement the military campaign against Boko Haram with political, social and economic measures, especially because a sustained military campaign dating back to 2009 has failed to end the crisis. ‘’Between 2010 and 2014, a total of $14 billion has been allocated for defence, security and the police. This year alone, the total sum is $4 billion. Now, if $14 billion has not clipped the wings of Boko

Haram in five years, what difference can $1 billion make if thrown into the crisis in the same old way? ‘’If the Federal Government has not accounted for how it spent $14 billion allocated to the security, defence and police in the past five years, why

should it be given the green light to borrow another $1 billion? If the said $14 billion has not done much in upgrading military and security facilities in five years, what impact can $1 billion suddenly make? These are some of the questions we want the

National Assembly to ask before giving the Federal Government the go ahead to plunge Nigeria into another round of external debts,” APC added. The party also warned that by continuing to put undue emphasis on military campaign alone, the Federal Government is signalling a hardening

of position, indicating that the crisis can only be resolved by a military campaign and foreclosing negotiation. According to it, nowhere in the world has insurgency been defeated purely by military campaign, not even by the world’s most powerful militaries.

L-R: Head, Business Development, Sub-Sahara Africa, PayPal, Ms Melvina Goldfield; Group Managing Director/CEO, First Bank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Bisi Onasanya; Retail Director, Sub-Sahara Africa and Israel, PayPal, Mr. Efi Dahal and Group Executive, Retail Banking, North, First Bank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, during the launch of the bank’s PayPal partnership in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Jonathan: I’ll visit Chibok after schoolgirls’ release CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

programmes which the Federal Government had launched in response to providing succour for Boko Haram victims. In his remarks at the meeting, Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, called for more sobriety, reflection and unity of purpose in the fight against terrorism. He pledged that his state will give Jonathan the full support in his efforts to address the problems caused by terrorism and the Boko Haram insurgency. Dr. Pogu Bitrus presented the Chibok community’s address to the president. Other speakers included a district head, Mr. Zannamadu Usman; a member of the Borno State House of Assembly, Aminu Foni Chibok; parents of the abducted girls and three of the girls who escaped from their captors, Godia Simon, Dorcas Musa and Joy Bishara. Earlier, Abati while addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, had said both parents of the girls who escaped and those whose children were still in captivity attended the meet-

ing. According to him, it was an interactive session that provided the president an opportunity to have first hand information on the true situation of things. Abati said: “It was an interactive session during which the president had the opportunity to listen first hand to the various categories of persons. It was a very successful event and a good development because Mr. President had always been looking forward to this opportunity. Before now he had met with various stakeholders on the matter but today (yesterday) he heard directly from the persons involved. “Statements were made by all the representatives of people. They spoke their minds and conveyed their feelings to the president. The girls who escaped also gave an account of what they went through.” Abati explained that Jonathan assured the girls and their parents that the Federal Government would do everything possible to ensure the pupils further their education. Part of the plans is to relocate the girls to other states where they will

get quality education, he added. “Mr. President further assured them that after the battle has been won and the girls are brought back home, he, together with the parents and the state government will focus on development, on building Chibok, on building all that the terrorists had destroyed and on ensuring that every child, either in Chibok or in any other part of the country, has his/her dream realised. “Mr. President reassured them of the Federal Government’s determination and his own personal determination to ensure that the girls that are still in captivity are brought out alive. That is the main objective of the government. “Mr. President also used the opportunity to empathise with the parents and the girls and to reassure them that everything will be done to make things easier for them, especially those who have escaped and the ones that will also be rescued, that their education will not in any way suffer and he is convinced that evil will never prevail over good. “The government is

making efforts to place these young girls in other schools and that they should not be afraid about their future because everything will be done to protect their right to education,” Abati stated. Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, who was among dignitaries that attended the meeting, also recounted the effects of the insurgency on his state. According to him, one of the challenges facing the state is the issue of refugees. “It’s been a major challenge, you know Bauchi is surrounded by all the states having security challenges and many refugees have been fleeing there. Presently we have over two million refugees in Bauchi but the good news is that we have been able to settle them down,” he said. He however explained that some assistance have started coming from government agencies in terms of relief materials. Also yesterday, women from different parts of the country gathered in Abuja to pray for the release of the over 200 schoolgirls still in captivity. The women who cut across faith, ethnicity

and geography, cried unto God to melt the hardened hearts of Boko Haram leaders and their sponsors to release the girls. The prayers were said in accordance with Islamic and Christian faith. The women also prayed for God’s guidance and protection for Jonathan to make him victorious over the insurgents. Among those who spoke at the event were the National President of Kasuwa da Kasuwa, Hajiya Halimatu B. Jumare; Mrs. Tonia Abara of National Council of Women Societies; the President of Gender Support for Women Emancipation Development, Mrs. Ann Frances Nosike and the founder, Lady Chy New World Order Foundation, Archbishop Chy Oriaka. The women were also addressed by some Chibok indigenes and urged them not to lose hope that the schoolgirls would be rescued. However, the #BringBackOurGirls group yesterday frowned on what it called the continued intolerance to its activities by the Federal Government and its agents. The group said such intolerance was at variance

with its effort to promote healthy civic engagement by citizens to strengthen the resolve of government to rescue the girls. The group, in a statement yesterday signed by its zonal coordinatorsHadiza Bala Usman and Oby Ezekwesili (Abuja); Aisha Oyebode, Lagos; Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, Lagos; Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ibadan; Amina Hanga, Kano and Eleanor Ann Nwadinobi, Enugu, has also lined up activities to mark the 100 days of the abduction of the Chibok girls. The group said: “As days become weeks and months and our girls are separated from their parents and their community, our singular focus remains on their safe return in the shortest possible time. “Wednesday, July 23rd, will mark 100 days since 276 girls were savagely abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State. Fifty seven escaped and 219 remain in captivity. “The families and community have suffered deep anguish seeking effective rescue to end the peril that befell their daughters who had gone to school in search of knowledge.”

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Enugu Assembly moves to impeach deputy gov

lOnyebuchi in trouble for not backing Chime’s senatorial ambition Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

he Enugu State House of Assembly yesterday commenced impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, citing alleged acts of gross misconduct on his part in the performance of his duties. The legislature, at a sitting presided over by the Speaker, Eugene Odoh, and which lasted less than an hour, deliberated on the notice of impeachment , signed by 22 out of the 24 lawmakers. However, Odoh and Mathias Ekweremadu, younger brother to Dep-

uty Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who represents Aninri Constituency in the state legislature, did not sign the impeachment notice. In the notice of impeachment, Onyebuchi was accused of wrongfully deploying the resources of his office and exercising the powers thereof to resist and ridicule the implementation of a public health policy of the Government of Enugu State between February 2013 and February 2014. The deputy governor was last January embroiled in a controversy over his running of a poultry farm in his official quarters. Security

operatives were deployed to evacuate the birds from the farm. They also accused him of refusing to discharge the functions of his office as directed by the Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, in pursuant to section 193(1) of the constitution, without any excuse. “The deputy governor persists in his defiance of lawful directives issued to him by the governor, which defiance has adversely affected and will continue to affect the smooth running of the government; and he will continue to do so if not removed from office.” According to the impeachment notice, Chime on March 11 mandated his

deputy to represent him at the ceremony to herald the construction of the Second Niger Bridge in Onitsha, performed by President Goodluck Jonathan, but Onyebuchi was said to have refused to attend the ceremony. The motion for the impeachment of Onyebuchi was moved by the House leader, Udeh Okoye, and adopted by his colleagues. The Assembly therefore directed the Clerk, Christopher Chukwurah, to serve Onyebuchi with the notice. New Telegraph, however, gathered that Chime was behind the attempt to oust his deputy for not being loyal to him in the race

towards the 2015 general election. Sources said Onyebuchi fell apart with the governor because he did not support his ambition to wrest the senatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu West from Ekweremadu. It was learnt that despite his readiness to accommodate Onyebuchi despite their political differences, Chime finally decided to drop him when he failed to host a meeting of the South-East Governors’ Forum while he was on leave abroad. A source said: “I can tell you that the governor had decided to move along and serve out his tenure with

L-R: Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke; President, ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Kadre Desire Ouedraogo; Malian Ambassador to Nigeria/Dean, ECOWAS Ambassadors, Mr. Mahamane Maiga and Vice-President of the commission, Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntosh, at a retreat in Tinapa Resort, Calabar.

the deputy in spite of the perceived feeling that the deputy seemed to be in the camp of those opposing the governor over 2015, but that sheer insubordination during the last meeting of the South-East governors when the deputy would have hosted the meeting on behalf of the governor was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. “On that day, even when the deputy’s protocol officer went to call him to inform him that it was time for the meeting, he told the officer that he did not want to attend the meeting. So, it was seen as a total disregard for the authority of the governor.” It was not possible to get the embattled deputy governor to react to the allegations against him yesterday. However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned the impeachment bid. The party, in a statement by its zonal spokesman, Chief Osita Okechukwu, described the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against Onyebuchi as flimsy excuses. It appealed to the lawmakers to drop the ouster bid, saying: “We are making this appeal not only for the sustenance of our fledgling democracy, but in the collective interest of the good people of Enugu State, a peaceful citizenry that may not wish to return to the dark insecure days of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in the state.”

Kwankwaso urges FG to stop promoting disunity CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

in the past one year, APC had sustained attacks on critical institutions of government and had committed enormous efforts in fanning the embers of violence and division among Nigerians with the aim of destabilising the PDP-led Federal Government. The party attacked the opposition party a day after one of APC’s national leaders, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, launched a broadside against President Goodluck Jonathan, whom he accused of deploying state resources to fight the opposition. But Metuh said the statements of some APC leaders had in no small measure been promoting hatred, violence and division in the polity, adding that these have

emboldened insurgency and overheat the polity. “Sustained vitriolic attacks and campaign of calumny against the legislature, the very citadel of the democracy and the will of the people at the national and state levels are at the top of this APC destabilisation programme. On many occasions, the APC has labelled the federal legislature as corrupt accusing them of receiving millions of dollars to do PDP’s bidding. They have also cast aspersions on the state legislature, calling them “pliant assemblies”, with the sole aim of projecting them as compromised and unreliable. “Nigerians have also witnessed the onslaughts and spirited attempts to destroy the judiciary by the APC. When they se-

cured a favourable judgment that gave them three states, there was nothing wrong. They hailed the judiciary. However, once a ruling goes against the APC, they turn the heat on them. “In the same vein, Nigerians are witnesses to the constant attacks by the APC on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which it has continued to project as partisan, compromised and incapable of delivering a free and fair election. However, the same APC described the INEC in superlatives when they won the Edo State governorship election. “The security agencies, especially the military, are not left out in this APC’s agenda of destruction. The aim again is to project them

as weak, compromised and incapable of giving protection to Nigerians, all in their determination to undermine the PDP-led Federal Government,” he added. He accused APC leaders of spending huge sums of money in sponsoring publications, using foreign consultants and organising pockets of orchestrated protests within and outside the country to destroy the nation’s image internationally. He also said neither the PDP nor the presidency had anything to do with the removal from office of former Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Murtala Nyako and the impeachment notice served on Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura. He restated PDP re-

spect for the principle of separation of powers but however, urged party members in all the state houses of assembly to thread with caution and be guided by due process, rule of law in the execution of their legislative duties. However, amid tension in the country over threats to deport non-indigenes in the North and South, Kwankwaso has urged the Federal Government to henceforth desist from doing things that will further divide Nigeria along ethnic and religious line. Kwankwaso who was reacting to a two-week ultimatum given to non-indigenes to vacate Kano by a group, Northern Youth Development Forum, told delegations of the non-indigenes who visited him that

“nobody has the power or anything to sack you from Kano; Kano is your home and you are here for live.” He denied that Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, was planning to register Northerners as being rumoured. He said: :I have personally spoken to Rochas and he openly and candidly told me that even the news was the handiwork of his enemies who never wish him well because there was nothing like that.” Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Jampart Aiyelambe, had told the governor that they were concern about the threat as they could not sleep since they were issued with the ultimatum because they knew what Kano could do.

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Crisis rocks Adamawa PDP as Marwa, Ardo trade words battle

Governorship contest in Adamawa pitches erstwhile party chiefs against each other Ibrahim Abdul Yola

s the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC prepares to conduct a fresh election in Adamawa State, the number of governorship aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the

state are increasing. That is following the impeachment of former Governor Murtala Nyako and sudden resignation of his deputy, Bala James Ngillari. A former Lagos State military administrator and Nigeria High Commissioner to South Africa Brigadier-General Buba Marwa(rtd) formally declared his intention to became the next Governor of the state, promising free education and end of poverty. However, minutes after his declaration, another chieftain of the party, Dr Umar Ardo declared

that Marwa was merely chasing shadows, insisting that, “No ticket, nor waiver for PDP deserters in Adamawa,’’ a situation now sparking fresh crisis in the party. Speaking at a ceremony on Tuesday in Yola, Marwa, said the driving force for his aspiration was the burning desire to provide for the well being of the people. “All school fees will be abolished. P.T.A fees will no longer be necessary,” he said. According to him, his declaration was in response to the numerous calls by people in the state

for him to run, so as to effect a salutary service he rendered as a military governor in other states. “With my background as a soldier, diplomat and public administrator, I promise to offer true dedicated service, based on a tested and trusted leadership, honesty, hard work, sincerity and commitment. “My track record of public service in present Borno and Yobe and Lagos states will be my guarantor,” he stated. He further pledged to provide free health care services, free education in public schools, inter-

nally generated electricity and boost agriculture with appropriate technologies. “I closely monitored events in Adamawa State .I was kept fully informed of goings on, including the levels of expectations, yearnings and frustrations of people and in due course, you reached out to me for leadership at the state level. You good people of Adamawa State asked me to come and run for governorship. I will not disappoint you,” he said. But in a swift reaction, Ardo averred that Gen. Marwa was merely chas-

ing shadows. In his words, “Adamawa PDP has not forgotten how he deserted us on the war front. At the heat of the fight, he ran away from the battle field to a safe haven, abandoning gallant troops to fight the war to victory, only for him now to come back expecting to be given the command of the fighting unit. As a soldier, Marwa should know better than that. “He knows the consequences of desertion at the war front. If he isn't court-marshalled, he certainly won't be given the formation command.

CBN meets with banks, discount houses’ CEOs today lInterest rate remains unchanged at 12% Ayodele Aminu and Abdulwahab Isa he Central Bank of NiTmoned geria (CBN) has sumchief executives

of banks and discount houses to a meeting today in Lagos. This came on a day foreign investors doubted the ability of the banking watchdog to retain or slash interest rates, which it left unchanged at 12 per cent yesterday, in the face of the liquidity that would be injected into the economy by September when the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria’s (AMCON’s) N1 trillion bonds matures and the billions of naira expected to be used for the 2015 elections. The CBN has kept its benchmark rate unchanged since November 2011, while tightening monetary policy by raising the cash reserve requirement on private sector funds this year to 15 percent and 75 percent

on public funds. Briefing newsmen in Abuja yesterday on the outcome of the MPC meeting, which is his first, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said 10 members of the MPC voted unanimously to retain Monetary policy Rates (MPR) at 12 per cent across symmetric corridor of +-200 basis point. The committee also voted to retain liquidity ratio at 30 per cent, while public sector cash deposit was retained unchanged at 75 per cent and private sector cash deposit at 15 per cent for a consecutive 18 times. He added that he favoured reduction of interest rates over the next five years. But Head, Africa Macro Global Research, Standard Chartered Bank, Rhazia Khan, said the decision of the CBN’s MPC to lower interest rate in the long run when inflation is expected to have increased raised key questions to the international markets.

No performance, no fixed charge NERC insists James Nwabueze, Abuja he Nigerian Electricity T(NERC) Regulatory Commission yesterday told

electricity distribution companies (Discos) that recouping their investment was dependent upon performance. Dr. Sam Amadi, the Chairman of NERC, who stated this at a public hearing organised on the order revising the payment of the Fixed Charge component of the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) being enforced, warned that anything short of considerable performance in electricity supply will amount to cheating on electricity consumers. He said the order to revise the conditions for the Fixed Charge was made following complaints by customers on irregular

electricity supply with agitations on the cost of providing such service, arising from the MYTO 2. Amadi said: “NERC issued an order with ‘Order No: NERC/FC 133’ dated 1st May, 2014 directing that a customer who has not received continuous or cumulative electricity supply for a period of 15 days in a month shall not be required to pay the Fixed Charge, provide that the disruption is not due to non-payment of electricity bills or customers action.” But the Enugu Disco represented by its AGM, Regulatory Affairs, Reuben Okoye, submitted that the order was made without due consultations with the operators, and that outages are not caused by Discos’ fault alone as some may arise from transmission or generation failures.

Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osita Chidoka (middle), flanked by Parade Commander, Luka Friday (left), during the farewell parade in honour of Chidoka in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Lagos budget records 106% performance Muritala Ayinla

he Lagos State Government yesterday said it had achieved 106 per cent performance in the second quarter implementation of its 2014 budget pegged at N489, 690 billion. Briefing journalists shortly after the budget review meeting held at the Lagos State House, Ikeja, the state Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who gave the figure, described the performance as unprecedented. According to him, the second quarter result was added to the performances of the preceding 86 per

cent performance of the first quarters to give the state an aggregate of 106 budget implementation for 2014. He added that 70 per cent of what his administration has spent on governing the state came from a common contribution from the residents. Fashola said: “We just conducted the review of the second quarter budget performance and the result is that between April and June, the state budget performed at 106 per cent. And what that gives one if added to the 86 percent performance in the first quarter, the result will be a cumulative

half year performance of 86 per cent. “In pre-election year, I think these are unprecedented results. They are consistent with the commitment that I made to the citizens of Lagos that until the last day, this government will be working to deliver service.” Basking in the euphoria of the budget performance, the governor emphasized that the impact of that performance can be seen in some of the housing projects that were completed within the period and the roads that were completed within the period. “Some of the roads

were Yaya Abatan and others. That is the physical connection to the number that one is seeing. There is still work to do. There are still places waiting for the state government’s attention. There are many projects coming into completion. Many have been completed and many will be completed in the third quarter. “In terms of revenue to the state, it has diminished over the last 14 months. What we use to have before now was N9 billion or N10 billion that is given to Lagos. But this has reduced to between N7 billion and N8 billion."

FG insists on Dec deadline for centralised data capturing storage Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Independent NaTmission, tional Electoral ComINEC and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government would by December relinquish their functions of data collection and storage to the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC.

The Federal Government reemphasized this yesterday at the stakeholders' workshop on the Implementation of the Presidential Veriication in the Alignment of Data Capture, Identity Verification and Authentication Activities in MDAs under the Harmonization and Integration Implementation Committee of NIMS. Dr. Ferdinand Agu,

who represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, yesterday, told the Committee members that the workshop was not meant to give excuses why the harmonization cannot work. A source from NIMC told our reporter that the Independent National Electoral Commission was still lobbying the

Presidency to guarantee it independence in data capturing and storage. INEC and the National Population Commission have a huge budgetary allocation for Data Capturing and Storage. The Director General of NIMC, Mr. Chris Onyemanam, speaking at the workshop, stated that the harmonization would enhance reduction in cost of governance.

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Lukman was a doyen in oil sector, says ACF Ibraheem Musa

Kaduna

he Arewa Consultative Tnumerous Forum (ACF) has joined Nigerians, em-

inent personalities and groups to mourn the death of Dr. Rilwan Lukman, former Minister of Petroleum Resources who died in Austria two days ago. In a statement issued by Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, ACF described the deceased as a doyen in the global oil industry whose wealth of experience was a stabilizing factor in the oil industry. ACF noted that Lukman who was one time president and Secretary General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), was a trained Mining Engineer, oil economist of repute, a nationalist and an elder statesman.

“Dr. Lukman made an indelible foot print in the petroleum sector and promoted the Nigerian oil industry to global recognition through hard-work, oil diplomacy, accountability and transparency at all levels. Nigeria and indeed the world have lost one of the most respected technocrats in the global oil industry”, the forum stated. According to the pan northern organisation, the North and indeed Nigeria have lost an illustrious citizen who dedicated his life to the service of Nigeria and the world. While praying to Almighty Allah to grant his soul eternal peace, ACF equally extended “its condolence to the family of late Dr. Lukman, the Government and people of Kaduna State and Nigerians on this irreparable loss.’

Ebonyi APGA chairman faults Nwazunku’s impeachment Charles Onyekwere

ABAKALIKI

he All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi state yesterday described as unconstitutional the impeachment of former speaker of the Assembly Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku. The state chairman of

the party, comrade Jerry Obasi while speaking exclusively to New Telegraph in Abakaliki said the Assembly members acted wrongly and did not follow due process before impeaching him. Obasi said instead of the assemblymen to face other important issues that would better the lot of the people, they

embarked on illegal impeachment. “The impeachment lacks due process. It is a coup d’état Before you impeach a person, you must serve him or her with notice”, he said. He accused the executive arm of government of being part of the problem, adding that the action was an affront to

democracy. He further stated that as long as the House is on recess, the members had no powers to impeach Nwazunku without him convening them for sitting. He called on members of the house and other relevant authorities to reverse the impeachment for the interest of democracy and the state at large.

Bribery scandal rocks Onitsha traders’ election Onah.O.Onah commissioner in Anambra state and the president of the Anambra Market Amalgamated Traders Association (AMATA) have been accused of collecting a N9 million bribe to rig the trader’s election. Crying foul play, one of the chairmanship contestants, Mr. Emmanuel Ibe said the election was not free and fair. He insisted that the so called chairman is not qualified to contest the election because he is a stranger in the electronic market. The embattled chairmanship candidate stated that the controversial election was massively rigged and accused AMATA of using the machinery of government to distabilse the peace in the market But in a swift reaction, the chairman of the market described the allegation as frivolous and misleading saying that his opponent failed woefully because he had no supporters. I did not give anybody

bribe. All I know is that the election was the freest and fairest election ever had in the electronic market. But Ibe is never convinced that the election was fair. “The Accreditation started at about 9.05 am and lasted till 6.55pm. I did not know that it was a ploy to rig the election and impose somebody on the traders. How can you say you want to conduct an election and you conducted the election when the market has closed? I have not seen anywhere an election was conducted in the night and you call it election. “Even when I demanded for the list of the eligible candidates, the AMATA president refused. The most painful aspect of the election was that the AMATA president flooded the market with over 180 strangers who masqueraded as vigilante group. They and AMATA boys were all allowed to vote even when they are not in this market, instead they used their names to fill the vacant positions in our union register.

Bayelsa rakes in N2bn in three months State GovernBN2ayelsa ment yesterday declared billion as the total

amount available in its coffers after deduction of recurrent and capital expenditures spanning three months. Making this known during the monthly transparency initiative briefing for the months of April, May and June, 2014, the State governor through his Deputy, Retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah said the declaration of the state’s monthly income and expenditure was in line with the administration’s policy of transparency and accountability. In his breakdown, Governor Dickson disclosed

that, as at the end of April 2014, the state posted a balance of N14.87bn including balance brought forward from the month of March, 2014, which stood at N7.263bn. At the end of May, the state had a balance of N14.621bn including N8.938bn brought forward from the month April, 2014. Reiterating his administration’s commitment to probity and accountability, the Governor in his further breakdown said that at the end of June, the State posted N2bn after necessary deductions, which include bank loan re-payment and services, recurrent and capital expenditure.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (right), presenting a souvenir to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Kenneth Minimah, during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Lagos House, Marina…yesterday

Suspected thugs attack lawmaker in Abakaliki Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

member of Ebonyi state house of Assembly, representing Ohaozara East Constituency, Hon. Nnenna Nwene was allegedly attacked yesterday by thugs suspected to be loyal to the impeached speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku. She was attacked as she was driving to the residence of Hon. Ikechukwu Ogbu, who is one of the members in the camp of the new speaker. Ogbu's abode has been serving as a convergence venue for the 18 members loyal to the new speaker, Rt. Hon. Helen Nwaobashi. Nwaobashi who is representing Abakaliki South, was elected yesterday by majority of the members. Narrating her ordeal,

Nwene said she was accosted as she was nearing the Lawrence Onor Street residence of Ogbu for a meeting with her colleagues. She said: "They poured dirty water on me and threatened to deal with me for joining in the impeachment of the former speaker". She, however, said the incident rather than weaken her has further strengthened her resolve to stand firm behind the new speaker and other decision's they took. Meanwhile, controversy has continued to trail the impeachment of Nwazunku and his subsequent replacement with Nwaobashi. T he impeached speaker, while speaking to journalists yesterday said the members have resolved their differences and have agreed that he is still the speaker.

Akwa Ibom: group pledges to initiate Truth, Reconciliation Commission Tony Anichebe

Uyo

n line with global standards of uncovering injustices and causing reconciliation that leads to eventual healing of victims or their relatives, if they are deceased: the centre for Policy and Human rights issues in Uyo has pledged to partner the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to initiate and pass a bill for the Akwa Ibom State Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the Nigerian civil war of 1967- 1970. In a statement in Uyo signed by its Director General, Mbet Okpongette, the centre while commending Governor Godswill Akpabio for the initiative to hold the memorial service in honour of Akwa Ibom citizens gruesomely murdered during the civil war said this was a first step in the reconciliation process. Stating that the South

African truth and reconciliation commission and the Nigerian version set up by chief Olusegun Obasanjo during his tenure as president brought about peaceful resolution of disagreements and healing. The centre noted that although the memorial service in Akwa Ibom lifted spiritual burden, the principle of the need to know compels that questions surrounding the gruesome murder be asked and answers provided. According to the group, when that is done, history would be fair in its assessment of those events. The centre also resolved to embark on advocacy to establish the Akwa Ibom Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and will critically engage Akwa Ibom people in aggressive sensitization towards resorting to dialogue as a means of conflict resolutions mechanism.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

osun 2014

‘Sharing kerosene, rice to voters against democratic ethos’ hunger

While some voters go for rice and beans, SDP blames donort

T L-R: National Coordinator, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey; representative of the University of Manchester, UK, Prof. Sarah Bracking and Chairman, Governing Board, National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, during the international conference on Beyond Transparency, Oil and the Crisis of Democratic Governance in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Tony Anichebe uyo

he Akwa Ibom Head of Service, Mrs. Cecilia Udoessien says the state government will spare no effort in ensuring a hitch free implementation of the new International Accounting Standard (INAS) in its financial estimate. Mrs. Udoessien stated this at

A’Ibom Hoc declares state readiness to implement Nias per-budget briefing held at the governor’s Office Annex, Uyo. She described as satisfactory, efforts by the state budget office in breaking the initial hurdles associated with NIAS’ implementation in the state.

The head of service also called for the adoption of NAIS software code, the “Master Budget” which she noted, will quicken the budget process as well as complete monitoring and evaluation of budget performance.

Daniel vows to unseat Amosun Felix Nwaneri ormer governor of FDaniel, Ogun State, Gbenga yesterday said he

would work with other stakeholders to ensure that the incumbent governor, Ibikunle Amosun, is not re-elected in the 2015 general elections. Daniel, who disclosed this in Lagos, at

an interactive session with journalists, also revealed plans to work for President Goodluck Jonathan’s victory in the forthcoming general election. He assured that his party, the Labour Party, will partner with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West to achieve that objective.

The former governor, who decried that every step by Governor Amosun since he assumed office in 2011 was aimed at his person, said: “I have no choice than to contribute to give our people a better governor in 2015. It doesn’t matter if I do that through the Labour Party or work with President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Abia PDP says no going back on zoning Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

bia State Chairman Aocratic of the Peoples DemParty (PDP),

Senator Emma Nwaka, has urged governorship aspirants in the state to accept the party’s decision on zoning.

By that decision, the governorship position is zoned to the south since the north and central zones have taken their slots. The party had last Saturday, at its caucus meeting held in the Government House, Umuahia, reaffirmed the resolve to

zone the position in the 2015 general elections. Addressing newsmen on the issue yesterday at the party secretariat, Finbars Road Umuahia, Nwaka said the decision was meant to enthrone peace, fairness and equity in the electoral process.

Boko Haram: Gombe worried by influx of IDPs Ugo Willies Gombe

Gombe State governTwashement yesterday said it worried by the influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) into the state. Executive Secretary

of the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Dr. Danlami Arabs Rukujei, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday, said the state is getting overwhelmed with the number of IDPs, especially from Damboa in Borno State, where ac-

tivities of the insurgents have been heightened recently. Rukujei said within the last two days, over a thousand IDPs comprising of women, children and men have found their way into Gombe State and the number is still going up.

Amosun’s aide wades into institute’s crisis Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

he Special Assistant TOgun on Student Affairs to State Governor,

Comrade Olusegun Clement, has intervened in the crisis rocking

the Gateway Institute of Technology, Igbesa, over the removal of the school Rector, Mr. Sola Adetutu. Tension had gripped the institution last week, following attempts by students of the institu-

tion to embark on a protest against the removal of the rector by the state government. The students, it was learnt, alleged that Adetutu’s removal was as a result of political witchhunting.

he governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Osun State, Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi, yesterday hit hard on some political parties that have resorted to distributing foodstuffs, kerosene and clothes to the electorate to woo them to their sides. Akinwusi, who described the act as undemocratic in a state-

ment made available to newsmen in Osogbo, charged INEC to disqualify them from participating in the election; saying they are not true democrats. He regretted that some wealthy politicians both within and outside the state were only capitalising on the high poverty level in the land to woo unsuspecting citizens by sharing kerosene and foodstuffs. “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should check the excesses of both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples

Democratic Par ty (PDP), which are deeply involved in such acts. “I have told people who do not have conscience to collect these things from them, but those who have conscience should reject them. “It is disgraceful that the two parties are holding sway at both the national and state levels and have all failed in eradicating poverty. Now, election is at hand and they are spending little of their stolen wealth to turn the lives of people around as baits to catch them into their nets, ” Akinwunsi said.

Ajimobi canvasses votes for Aregbesola Stories By Adeolu Adeyemo, Osogbo yo State Governor, Oterday Abiola Ajimobi, yescanvassed votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the August 9 election in Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, appealing to the people to ensure that the

governor returns to office to complete the laudable programmes he has started. Ajimobi, who made the appeal at the mega rally of the APC in Ejigbo, described Aregbesola as a rare administrator with practical ability. The governor charged the electorate to re-elect Governor Aregbesola

into office, saying since he assumed office about fours ago, the security of the state has been assured. He added that the rapid transformation the state has witnessed under Aregbesola is inexplicable, calling on the people not to let the APC down in the coming election.

Omisore promises to make workers smile he Peoples Democratic ing party supporters at He further disclosed Tnorship Party (PDP) gover- Okinni in Egbedore Lo- that the PDP government candidate in cal Government, assured would operate an open Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, yesterday promised to offset all unpaid arrears and allowances of civil servants and pensioners if voted in as the next governor of the state. Omisore, who made the pledge while address-

that his administration would do all it could to see that their welfare is taken care of. Omisore said salaries of civil servants would be paid as at when due while other sectors in the state would not be left unattended to.

door policy to be able to attend to all and sundry in the scheme of things. The governorship candidate, however, charged the people to work hand in hand with the PDP to oust the present administration that has wrecked a lot of havoc in the state.

LP warns electorate on Greek gifts abour Party (LP) govLAlhaji ernorship candidate, Fatai Akinbade,

yesterday charged voters in the state not to be enticed by food items being distributed by some desperate politicians to get them bought over at all cost. Akinbade, who made the charge in a statement

made available to newsmen, warned them to be wary of the rice-distributing politicians, who are now on the prowl. “The trend is a cheap way of manipulating the people’s mind, a situation that will further putting them in another agonising period.” Akinbade, in the state-

ment signed by his Media Aide, Mr Kayode Oladeji, said the development was an insult to the psyche of the well-meaning people of the state. “Were they distributing these rice and kerosene before? It is nothing but a tactical ploy to mortgage the future of the people, ” he said.

Mimiko’s aide rejoices with Osun diocese Rasidi Oyeweso hief of Staff to the CState, Governor of Ondo Dr. Kola Ademu-

jimi, has felicitated with Rev. Olumokaye and other leaders of Osun North Anglican Diocese, Otan-Ayegbaju, in Boluwaduro Local Government area of Osun State on the fifth anniversary

of the diocese. According to Ademujimi, the achievements of the leadership of the church within this five year period are so enormous and impressive, stressing that God will continue to strengthen the leadership and the diocese as they continue to propagate the word of God across the length

and breadth of OtanAyegbaju and the nation as a whole. The chief of staff also used the medium to call on Christian brothers and sisters across the nation to pray fervently for Nigeria as the 2015 general elections draws nearer, so as to have hitch-free, credible and peaceful elections.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Crisis in Ilorin NBA over impeachment notice probe

Lawyers in Ilorin are divded over professional issues Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

ome members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Ilorin, Kwara state are fighting to unseat their chairman, Mr. Moboljai Ojibara from office. But Ojibara has dismissed the move saying it was an attempt to avoid the probe of the previous executive council of the

11,900

NBA, Ilorin chapter led by Mr. Rafiu Balogun. According to the Notice of Impeachment endorsed by the aggrieved lawyers, the move is sponsored by 16 members of the association among them Abdullahi Ishola, Hassan Kazeem and Adedayo Mustapha. It was seconded by 18 other members including Ahmed Tafa, Taiye Oniyide and Leke Aina. They are seeking to remove the chairman from office within two weeks on two grounds - professional misconduct contrary to Article 14(a) of the NBa Bye-law 2013, Section 9(a) (iv) of the NBA Constitution 2009, Article 22 NBA

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

Bye-Law 2013 and NBA Guidelines and Time Table for 2014 NBA and abuse of office contrary to Section 14(c) of NBA Ilorin Bye-Law, 2013. They alleged that Ojibara issued a dud cheque of N300, 000 to Dr. J.O. Olatoke (SAN) and also replaced the name of Balogun who is allegedly a statutory delegate to the 2014 NBA national elections with that of Mr. Salman Jawondo who has allegedly spent his term at the NEC of the association . Other allegations include that Ojibara used funds meant for the association to buy bags of

N10.1bn

The IGR realized from PAYE (taxes) of Akwa Ibom State in 2011. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

reports submitted by the Ojibara on his (Balogun’s) activities within the Ilorin branch. The former chairman had dragged the Ilorin branch to court over moves to audit the accounts of his tenure as well as plans to probe the role of his executive council in the last dinner organised by the branch. Ojibara, who spoke with our reporter on the development yesterday said: “The problem is they have refused to be accountable to the association. When they left office we decided to look into the account and that is the normal practice but they refused."

rice for his friends and also sponsored the funeral ceremony of the association’s Vice Chairman without due clearance from the association. They further alleged that Ojibara redeemed the sum of N3 million from pledges made at a recent NBA function without disclosing same to the executive council or congress of the association. But Ojibara, who dared those seeking his impeachment to try it if they can succeed, blamed the development on the immediate past leadership of the branch headed by Balogun whom he claimed had allegedly

refused to submit to the rule of accountability enshrined within the books of the association. He claimed not to have been served the notice as at the time of filing this report. A source close to the chairman argued in a text message that only two third of financial members can impeach the executive and that those behind the move really do not have what to use in proving their claims. Balogun had sought to contest as National Legal Adviser of the Association in the just concluded NBA election but was disqualified by the screening committee on account of

46.5%

Insecurity: Emir harps on prayers

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Jamaica in 2012. Source: Itu.int

Hassan Jirgi, Damaturu hairman Yobe state CEmir Council of Chiefs, the of Fika, Alhaji

Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, has called on the Muslims to use the last ten day of the month of Ramadan to pray fervently for peace and tranquility in the state and nation in general. He also enjoined Muslims in all parts of the country to embrace peace for security to reign in the country, noting that only a peaceful atmosphere could engender development. The Emir said this during a Ramadan Kareem speech in his pal-

ace. He tasked Federal Government and state governments to find a lasting solution to the lingering security problem bedeviling the north-east region and the country in general. "We want peace, we want security, we want prosperity and I know that all my subjects in the emirate have always been steadfast in prayers and during Ramadan but it will not be different", said Emir. "However, we are in the last ten days of Ramadan. This is the time of prayers. Everybody should pray to Almighty Allah and this time I am sure God will answer our prayers collectively."

Nyako's commissioners beg Fintiri for allowance L-R: Senator Gbenga Kaka; Senator Chris Ngige; Managing Director\CEO, Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa; Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Senator Nenadi Usman; Deputy Committee Chairman, Senator Ibrahim Musa and Senator Ahmad Zannah, during a courtesy visit by the Committee in Lagos…yesterday

Jonathan to Buhari: Focus on your party's crisis Anule Emmanuel

resident Goodluck Jonathan has faulted former Head of State General Muhammed Buhari over allegations that he (president) may have been behind the impeachment of the Adamawa State governor Murtala Nyako and other lingering impeachment threats against opposition governors. A statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said President Jonathan was shocked by Buhari's deviation from Dahiru Suleiman Dutse

xperts at the end of a EDesertification, three day workshop on Desert Encroachment and Control held in Dutse, Jigawa State, have advocated for the establishment of

a nationalist to a biased politician. "We have noted with much surprise and regret, the statement issued by General Muhammadu Buhari today in which he made some wild and totally unsustainable allegations against President Goodluck Jonathan. "Although he tries very hard to deny it in the statement titled “Pull Nigeria Back From the Brink”, there can be no doubt that General Buhari has sadly moved away from the patriotic and statesmanlike posi-

tion he recently adopted on national security, which President Jonathan publicly commended, and has now reverted to unbridled political partisanship." Abati in the statement explained that “there can be no other explanation or justification for the completely unwarranted and very uncharitable assault on the conduct and integrity of President Jonathan which the statement he issued today represents." He said: "General Buhari’s main grouse which clearly motivated his ill-

considered statement appears to be what he called “the gale of impeachments or the utilisation of desperate tactics to suffocate the opposition and turn Nigeria into a one-party state”. "It is most unfortunate that instead of working to put their house in order and resolve the leadership crises and internal contradictions that have plunged their party into a downward spiral, General Buhari and his opposition allies have resorted to blaming a blameless President for their woes."

Ibrahim Abdul Yola

that CGovommissioners served under former Murtala Nyako of

Adamawa have denied speculation that they have abandoned him and APC and pitched their tent in PDP. The speculations are coming at the heels of closed door meeting held between members of the dissolved cabinet and the acting governor, Ahmadu Fintiri. New Telegraph gathered that the closed door meeting was held at the behest of the commissioners. Chairman of the Commissioners Forum, Alhaji Aminu Iyawa said the meeting has nothing to do with abandoning Nyako or defect-

Experts call for national forest policy National Forest Policy aimed at arresting the scourge of drought and desertification bedeviling Northern parts of the country. Other recommenda-

tions include intense public advocacy on danger and prevention of desertification, encourage community participation in a fight against desertification, drought,

and control. Participants in the workshop consisted of directors of forestry, forest guide and forestry professionals drawn from the 27 councils in

jigawa state. They examined the effect of drought and desertification such as severe impact on food, scarcity in the affected community and Econom-

ing to PDP. "We only used the opportunity to request the acting governor to settle our entitlement such as the severance allowance. Nothing was discussed on Nyako and there was no request for us to move to PDP. "As a forum, we still have faith in Nyako and have not lost hope of his possible return in view of the pending court cases challenging his removal", Iyawa said. Iyawa described as unfortunate the allegations in some quarters that the commissioners did nothing to stop the impeachment of Nyako, adding that they were actively engaged in making contacts with relevant stakeholders to stop the impeachment while it lasted. ic depression, among other consequences. Other impacts include migration of people from affected areas to more fertile areas and separation of families in search of employment opportunities in urban cities.

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

WEDNESday, JULY 23, 2014

Chibok girls’ abduction is political, says Banjo

in Chibok, Borno State over three months ago as political. He, however, said that with prayers, the girls would soon be re-united alive with their parents. Addressing journalists on UAC’s eighth anniversary in Lagos, Banjo said the church would not be dragged into politics. He said: “What we can do is to pray for the safe return of the kidnapped girls and that such should not happen again. And that is what the church has been doing.” The cleric averred that if not for the prayers of the faithful, peace and prosperity would have completely eluded Nigeria. The church, according to him, is led by the Spirit of God which nobody can control. He added that with prayers, God can change His mind on negative prophesies as well as change the minds of men to do His will. Banjo said UAC was not happy at the state of affairs of the country, but it could only pray for the nation’s leaders and for a better country. “God loves Nigeria that is why we are still one big united great country. That is why He blesses Nigeria with clement weather, good soil, water and mineral resources. That is why some of us would say; God is a Nigerian,” he added. On the reason why most Christians are not in politics, the UAC president argued that it could be that because politics, as it was being practiced in Nigeria, could not co-exist with the Spirit of God. Quoting Psalm 24, he said a heaven-bound Christian would not be able to be part of Nigeria’s politics.

0802 393 8212

Four killed in Kogi, Anambra oil well dispute COMMUNAL CLASH

he President of United Aladura Churches, Tscribed Superior Evangelist Olatunde Banjo, has dethe abduction of over 200 schoolgirls

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

At least four persons were killed in an early morning attack on an Anambra community over ownership of oil well Tony Okafor Awka

our persons from Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State were killed in the early hours of yesterday in a renewed clash between the people of Aguleri and Echeno/Odeke in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State. At least, seven others sustained various degrees of injury. The two border communities have been laying claims to the oil wells on the Omambala River basin. The clashes became more pronounced shortly after the inauguration of the Orient Petroleum Refinery in Aguleri Otu in Anambra State by President Goodluck Jonathan last year. Casualty figures on the Kogi side could not be ascertained at press time, although it was gathered that the people of Aguleri were taken unawares by their Kogi counterparts. It was learnt that the latest clash, which occurred about 3am, involved the use of sophisticated weapons, even in the presence of security operatives guarding the buffer zone created by the National Boundary Commission (NBC) in the area to forestall clashes between the warring communities. It was also gathered that one of the mobile policemen guarding the buf-

fer zone had allegedly informed Kogi people that Aguleri people were at the disputed area, adding that shortly after, Kogi people came in large numbers, armed with dangerous weapons, including automatic rifles, usually handled by security operatives. The attack came on the heels of a peace committee meeting held between the communities last week at Idah in Kogi State. The people of Aguleri expressed surprise yesterday that some people in Odeke were not prepared for peace in the area. The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident, but declined to give the casualty figure. He said the matter was being investigated, adding that it would be premature for him to make statement on the clash. Following the frequent clashes in the area, NBC had met with the deputy governors of the two states on several occasions with a view to finding a lasting solution to the border problem. At one of the recent meetings chaired by the NBC Director-General, Dr M. B. Ahmad, with the deputy governors of the two states with the representative of the Surveyor-General of the Federation in attendance, it was noted that the Anambra/Kogi interstate boundary was the boundary of the former Northern and Eastern regions described in the legal notice No 126 of 1954. However, a source told our correspondent the people of Kogi were said to be insisting that despite the demarcated boundary between the old Kabba and old Onitsha provinces, the oil deposits in the Omambala River belonged to them.

Driver escapes robbers’ bullets Ayorinde Durojaiye

taxi driver narrowly escaped death when three suspected robbers snatched his cab and tried to kill him. In the incident, which occurred on Victoria Island in Lagos recently, the driver, Mr Matthew Michael, would have been killed but the robbers’ guns jammed. Michael said that he would have been dead and his car gone for good but for providence which ensured that policemen got there on the nick of time. The police arrested one of the three-man gang, identified as Rasheed Yusuf. The gang was said to be residing in Mushin area of the metropolis.

Michael said the three young men flagged him down on his way to Escape Lounge. The driver added that they told him that they were going to Mushin and after billing them, two of them drew their guns, while Yusuf whipped out a dagger. He said: “They ordered me to get down and go to the back seat, while one of them took over the wheel, one sat in the front seat and the third at the back with me.” Michael said that on sighting the police at Adeola Odeku Street, he pulled the handbrake and started hitting the windscreen of the car to attract the attention of the police but to no avail. The driver recalled that after the aborted plan to attract the police attention, the men suddenly

stopped the car and pushed him out. He said: “They shot at me, but the gun refused to fire. “They tried several times but the guns did not work. There after they tried to run but I threw myself on one of them and held on to him. I started shouting. This attracted the attention of security guards and policemen eating at a nearby canteen.” A police officer, who identified himself as Austin Ejiro, said that he was on duty at the Adeola Odeku Street when he heard a noise coming from a car before it stopped. He said: “I thought the car was faulty and did not pay it any further attention. It was later after we heard shouting that we realised what was happening.”

Yusuf being taken away by a policeman

Willie Obiano, Anambra gov.

Idris Wada, Kogi gov.

METRO

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Ramadan: Church donates Lagos offers rainstorm victims financial assistance foodstuffs to Muslims Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

o boost inter-religious harmony, the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) in Tudun Nupawa, Kaduna, yesterday donated food items to Muslims within its domain as a way of associating with them in the spirit of Ramadan. Food items donated to 150 beneficiaries include rice, beans, maize, noodles and eggs among others. The senior pastor of the church, Rev Yunusa Nmadu, said the gesture was “to demonstrate the Biblical injunction that we should love our neighbours as ourselves”. According to him, it is important for the church to impact positively on the lives of the people of the community otherwise it has no business being there. He said: “We know that there are people in the community that require help in this month of Ramadan, which is why we have brought out 150 of such families to be given the food items. “Apart from that, we have also embarked on this to show the world that peace is possible and that we are all peace makers by demonstrating it in practical terms.” Nmadu also commended the positive change of attitude in the community, saying that Tudun-Wada/Tudun-Nupawa used to be in the news for the wrong reasons. He said: “Even though this community used to be a crisis-prone community, there has been a tremendous improvement over the years due to concerted efforts, guidance, counselling and proper leadership provided by the leaders and village heads.” The senior pastor recalled that when violence erupted on June 17, 2012, the church was spared. He said: “For the first time ever in the history of conflicts in Kaduna, this church was not touched, not because we brought soldiers to protect it, but because our Muslim brothers on their own slept in the

Osanyintolu (middle) at the presentation. Yero

church to protect people from burning it.” Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Sarkin Dutse, Alhaji Shaibu Balarabe, commended the magnanimity of the ECWA church for constantly assisting his people during the Ramadan in the last two years. Shuaibu also disclosed that he followed in his father’s footsteps when he led people to protect the church during the last crisis. He promised not to relent in protecting all within his domain. Shuaibu who noted that sin was responsible for the insecurity in the country, urged Nigerians to turn to God in true repentance. The Commissioner of Special Duties, Dr Yari Everton, who represented Governor Mukhtar Yero, harped on peaceful coexistence among the people. He called on the good people of Kaduna State to live in peace and be their brother’s keepers. Everton urged the people to shun all forms of social vices and pray for the peace and stability of the country.

‘Seven years’ joblessness forced me into drug trafficking’ Juliana Francis administration graduate Asaidbusiness he took to drug

trafficking because he could not secure a job for seven years. The suspect, Somadina Victor Ifeanacho, was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in possession of 2.185kg of substances that tested positive for methamphetamine. The seizure was made at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. He was to board an Ethiopian Airline flight to Malaysia when the drug was detected in his bag. The suspect said that he smuggled drugs out of frustration. He said: “I am a

Ifeanacho

graduate but have been jobless since I graduated in 2008. After several years of joblessness, I became a commercial bus driver in Lagos. I am single and live in Badagry. “A man I met at a hotel promised to assist me in getting

a job in Malaysia. I was happy to travel out of the country even with drugs out of frustration but I was arrested in the process. They promised to pay me $3,500 but I regret everything now because I feel empty inside.” The NDLEA

commander at the airport, Mr Hamza Umar, said the suspect had parcels of substances that tested positive for methamphetamine. “The case is under investigation,” he added. The NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, described Ifeanacho’s arrest as disappointing. He said: “It’s very disappointing for a university graduate who knows the implication of his action to get involved in drug trafficking. “Besides, he was taking the drug to Malaysia where he would have been executed if caught with narcotics. I am happy with the arrest and call on members of the public to support the agency in the eradication of illicit drugs.”

Muritala Ayinla

agos State Government yesterday offered financial assistance to the victims of April 13 violent rainstorm in Surulere. The roofs of the victims’ houses were either damaged or completely blown up by the storm. The donation came as the government halted the offer of financial assistance to the residents of distressed buildings in Jakande Estate, Oke Afa in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, following a court case instituted by some aggrieved residents. Speaking after presenting cheques to the Surulere rainstorm victims at the state Secretariat, Alausa, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the presentation of the monetary assistance followed the enumeration of the affected victims, who had been rendered homeless after the disaster. He said the agency classified the victims into primary victims and secondary beneficiaries. Osanyintolu explained that the secondary victims were the land-

80% of rape victims are minors, says group Appolonia Adeyemi Non-Governmental Organisation Adisclosed (NGO), Partnership for Justice, has that over 80 per cent of rape victims are female minors. The organisation’s Managing Partner, Itoro Eze-Anaba, who said this in Lagos, listed three local government areas, Alimosho, Ikeja and Agege, as high risk areas where most rape cases and sexual assault are perpetrated. The organisation is providing funding for the operation of the Mirabel Centre domiciled at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Speaking at a one-day partners’ meeting on the Mirabel Centre and Sexual Violence in Lagos State, EzeAnaba said majority of rape victims coming to the centre to seek help were below the age of 18 years. She said: “Majority of them are between the ages of 11 and 15.” Eze-Anaba said the centre had been

lords of the affected buildings while the primary victims were the tenants. The GM pointed out that the government had expended about N50 million on the renovation of the houses destroyed by the storm through the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), which is handling the renovation project. He added that the tenants of the affected houses were given N50,000 each to cushion the effect of the storm. “Emergencies and disasters by nature are unforeseen and sudden. And this explains why blows inflicted by them are usually deadly and devastating. It is in line with this philosophy that Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration has graciously approved payment of this financial assistance,” he added. On the residents of distressed buildings in Oke-Afa, Osanyintolu said 70 per cent of the occupants had received N37 million, saying each occupant of the 65 flats in the estate were paid N200,000 in the three batches of financial disbursement to enable them to secure accommodation, pending the completion of their reconstructed buildings. able to prove that rape was not carried out by strangers because over eighty per cent of the 301 people were raped by people they knew. According to her, this debunks the myth that rape is happening because of the type of clothes the victims wear and because of where the victims go to. She said work at the centre has shown that men and boys were also being raped. “Hence, rape is not limited to girls or women. “We have also been able to prove that anybody of any age can be raped. Going by record at the Mirabel Centre, age of the youngest rape victim is two years and the oldest is 70 years.”

File picture of a rape victim

12 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

APC: SSS harassment of Ezekwesili sign of dictatorship TWO SIDE Benin lawyer Harold Ihensekhien and APC sing different tunes Emmanuel Masha and Cajetan Mmuta he Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday described the harassment of the former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, at the airport by men of the State Security Service (SSS) as the return of dictatorship in the country. Ezekwesili was questioned and delayed by operatives of the SSS at the

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as she was about to travel out of the country. The party in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday by the Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said the action of the SSS was not only shameful but unwarranted. The condemnation came yesterday even as a legal practitioner, Harold Ihensekhien, faulted the campaign by various groups for the release of the abducted schoolgirls, saying that it was a scam meant to discredit the administration of President Gooluck Jonathan. Ihensekhien, who spoke in Benin, the Edo State capital, told New Tele-

graph in an interview that the Boko Haram sect was a creation of the Nigerian system, which was borne out of the spate of injustices meted out to the poor and the insincerity among the leadership. Speaking further on Ezekwesili’s ordeal yesterday, the Rivers APC said: “For SSS operatives to attempt to confiscate the travel documents of Mrs. Ezekwesili and seek to prevent her from boarding her flight just because she is leading the campaign to get the Goodluck Jonathan administration to do something meaningful to free the abducted Chibok schoolgirls speaks eloquently about government’s lack of seriousness in looking for these girls,

who were in the first place abducted because government abdicated its responsibility of providing their school with the needed security. “This means that Nigeria has returned to the dark days of military dictatorship, when the rights of the citizens were trampled upon with impunity,” Ikanya said. The party also described the action as “barbaric, wicked, unjust and a slap on the faces of the abducted schoolgirls, who have inexplicably spent over three months in Boko Haram’s custody while the Jonathan administration carries on as if nothing has gone wrong.” But Ihensekhien noted with deep concern that the

L-R: Acting Managing Director, Tafawa Balewa Square, Alhaji Bayero Usman Jaafaru; Acting Executive Director, Lagos International Trade Fair, Mr. Dominique Bassey; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Alhaji Umar Bature, during a town hall meeting with traders in the South West Zone at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

APGA too big to be hijacked by me, says Ihenacho Steve Uzoechi

OWERRI

Interior Minister Fcho,ormer Capt. Emmanuel Ihenahas debunked insinu-

ations in some quarters that the newly re-constituted Imo State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is tilted largely in his favour and peopled by his loyalists. The ex-minister made the rebuttal through his Media Aide, Emperor Iwuala, yesterday. Briefing journalists in Owerri on the newly inaugurated executive of APGA, Iwuala, among other things, said APGA is a national party that cannot be hijacked by an individual. “We have read from some print media that the Imo APGA State Working Committee is largely made

up of nominees by Emmanuel Ihenacho. For the avoidance of doubt, APGA is too big to be hijacked by one man and Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho would not subscribe to that kind of politics. “Members of the current State Working Committee are all men and women of integrity. They were carefully selected by the national leadership of the party on merit. They are well qualified to lead the party without pandering to any undue influence and nobody is complaining about them.” Iwuala maintained that Ihenacho is only a member of APGA, who is interested in repositioning the party for better performance in future elections. "What is more important to him is how to fully reconcile the Maxi Okwu faction and carry them along in the scheme of things."

way and manner members of the Boko Haram sect carry out their deadly activities in recent times contradict the spirit and letter of the original leaders of the sect, an indication that the perpetrators are foreigners that have the backing of some northern elements. He warned that despite the threats and discreet plots by some die-hard Islamic fundamentalists, nothing under the sun would stop President

Lawyer gives Ondo govt 15 days to reverse tax policy Babatope Okeowo

Akure

human rights activist, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, yesterday gave the Ondo State government a 15-day ultimatum within which to reverse its tax policy or be ready to face litigation and civil unrest. Ogele in a statement made available to reporters said the tax regime of the government has sent many businesses packing and has crippled the economy for many residents. The human rights lawyer said he and other wellmeaning residents could no longer fold their arms and allow government to make life unbearable for the citizens. According to him, economic activities are comatose while employment generation is unequivocally alien in the reference book of the administration.

OKO POLY: Why we sacked ASUP chairman A

Ughelli

Awka

he newly elected execTStaff utive of the Academic Union of Polytech-

nics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic, Oko chapter, yesterday gave reasons for sacking its former chapter Chairman, Dr. Onyeka Uwakwe. The union accused him, among others, of sit-tight mentality. Addressing the press yesterday, the new chapter Chairman, Patrick Ezeigwe, said his predecessor’s constitutional two-term tenure expired since October 2013. Besides, Ezeigwe alleged that for four years, his predecessor (Dr. Uwakwe) ran the union without a treasurer and vice-chairman.

The press statement reads in part: “In addition, that Executive Committee had never given any financial report from inception as enshrined in Article 11 sub-section 11.05 (d) neither has it complied with Article 14 sub-section 14.08, which states that; The chapter’s account shall be audited yearly by a committee of internal auditors to be appointed by the congress.” Sequel also to Article 14 sub-section 14.05, which states that; “A chapter shall hold at least four general meetings every year.” Since the inception of Dr. Uwakwe’s committee, ASUP Oko has never held more than one congress meeting a year and once-in-a-year emergency congress meeting,” the statement said.

This, he said was as a result of the need to ‘forcefully’ increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at the detriment of the people. Titled; “The pitiable and deplorable state of the nation in Ondo State” Ogele said “the tax policy at the moment is very hostile to the people and economic activities. The tax force had wantonly and recklessly sent many people to their early graves.” According to him; “They beat, maim and intimidate people on daily basis, not only do they beat shop and business owners, they seal up shops and replace their locks after carting away their goods in some cases.” On the row between the lawyers and the judiciary in Ondo State, Ogele said the judiciary has become an instrument for fighting and killing the innocent in the state.

Resource control: ‘North must grant Niger Delta fair deal’ Gabriel Choba

Tony Okafor

Jonathan from realising his second term ambition come 2015. According to him; “I don’t believe that the abduction exists. I believe it is a scam, otherwise where are the parents of these children? It is a scam to discredit President Jonathan’s government and there is nothing under the sun that can stop Jonathan from getting his second tenure.”

political group, the Foundation for Human Rights/Anti-corruption Crusade (FHRAC) has faulted the attempt by northern delegates at the National Conference to use resource control to divide the country. In a statement signed by its National President, Alaowei Cleric, the group said it was better to break up than to stay under the yoke of northern hegemony. The statement reads in part: “The threat by some northern delegates at the national conference to use the resource control imbroglio to divide the country is callous and mischievous. “It has further shown that the north, particularly the antagonists of resource control, did not believe in the principle of true federalism, where the federating units will be allowed to explore their economic

potential for the overall growth of the country. “Denying Niger Delta people from receiving a fraction from the vast resources the region is generating to the national purse is even more destructive to our corporate existence. According to Alaowei, “there is no justice if the owners of the resources that have being sustaining the nation all these years cannot be allowed to benefit from such God-given wealth. If giving 18 per cent derivation to the economically devastated oil producing communities is what northern delegates at the conference referred to as injustice, then it is better we break up than stay under the yoke of such northern hegemony.” “When the groundnut pyramid was the mainstay of the north, they didn’t share the proceeds with other regions. The Mid-West and the Eastern regions were the poorest regions then, but the people did not complain,” he added.

NWAJI: THOSE TALKING OF ZONING IN ABIA ARE JOKERS / PAGE 17 | CHIBOK: HOW FAR HAS GOVT GONE 100 DAYS AFTER? / PAGE 40

POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/politics

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, POLITICS

URANTA: CONFAB SHOULD’VE DISCUSSED FEDERALISM NOT DERIVATION

ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

ayodeleojo@yahoo.com

p-14

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

2015: Campaigners give sycophancy another name President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to declare intention to seek re-election in 2015, but several groups are jostling to outdo one another by urging him to run for a second term in what appears a reminiscent of the General Sani Abacha era, ONYEKACHI EZE reports

ext Nigeria is fast returning to the late Generel Sani Abacha era when the country lost every sense of decency and looked unto only one man as custodian of her destiny. The situation was almost the same in the run to the 2011 general election but emerging scenario seemed to have surpassed the past experiences. Nobody could give accurate number of the groups jostling to attract President Goodluck Jonathan’s attention to contest the 2015 presidency. The plethora of the groups could be attributed to one thing – the reward system. Some of those who championed the 2011 sycophantic campaign were appointed into government thereafter. The two most visible campaigners – Prince Stella Odua and Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, were made members of Jonathan’s cabinet as minister and political adviser, respectively. This is a motivation for the new campaigners. Some are however using it to obtain money from highly placed individuals who would like to be seen associating with the President’s ambition. Unlike the 2011 campaigners, the new groups come with heavy financial war chest, and with the aid of technology, they have adopted scientific methods in their campaigns. Even though some of the sponsors are faceless, one cannot afford to ignore the sophistication, their in-depth research and convincing words as well as captivating visuals that accompany their media campaigns. Those involved in the campaign cut across age, political class and tribe. Or how else could one explain the position of the group; Northern Alternative Forum in the campaign at a time the agitation by the North is for the presidency to return to the region. The group headed by Mallam Gidado Idris said it is made up of northern professionals agitating for a second term in office for President Jonathan. Just like the Northern Alternative Forum, others are ready to give reasons why the President should seek re-election. Prince Chidi Ibe, initiator of House

Jonathan

Gana

2 House Campaign, said he is attracted by “the simplicity of the man and the transformation agenda”. Ibe, who is the Chairman/Global Coordinator of Initiative for Diaspora Knowledge Transfer (IDKT), said since 1999, Nigeria “has progressed along a divinely defined path to greatness”. To the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, he credited political stability (the first government to achieve civilian to civilian handover of power) and the revolution in the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) while the administration of late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua consolidated the nation’s fledgling democracy by addressing regional and sectional

grievances. He added that the stability in the power sector, which the administration of President Jonathan is committed to, will put Nigeria on the path of industrialisation and growth, while electoral reform, also being pursued by the administration, will provide a level playing field and healthy set of rules for the next generation of politicians. Another group, the Goodluck Jonathan For Transformation (GIFT) is taking a cue from Daniel Kanu’s Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha (YEAA) of the Abacha era. The group on April 30 this year held streets rally, which ended at Eagle Square in Abuja, where it urged

CROSSFIRE President Jonathan’s desperation knows no bounds, and he is willing to set a record of presiding over the greatest number of impeachments under his tenure -Odigie-Oyegun

We wish to alert Nigerians that this is part of the orchestrated plot by the APC to discredit and blackmail institutions of government -Olisa Metuh

President Jonathan to declare to contest the forthcoming presidential election. National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Chinedu Okpalanma who addressed the rally, said they had considered many factors and, therefore, resolved that “the only way Nigeria can truly get to the Promised Land is by ensuring that President Jonathan continues in office come 2015.” According to him, the voice of over 10 million Nigerians cannot be wrong, adding that “the future of our great nation may rest on this decision (of Jonathan to seek re-election). We appreciate your uncommon sacrifice at this time in our history, to carry the burden of transforming Nigeria, and we implore you sir, to please answer our call today.” He further said: “As you listen to our various speeches today, we pray that you will feel our passion. We also pray that you will heed our call. We believe you mean well for us, and we know you will not let us down today.” GIFT appears to be contesting for space with Coalition of Nigeria Youths for Goodluck Jonathan, whose membership, according to its president, Collins Clarke said, is over 20 million. “Since the formation of this group, the response from youths all over Nigeria and DiasCONTINUED ON PAGE 43

14 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Uranta: Confab should’ve discussed federalism not derivation Mr.Tony Uranta is a human rights activist and a member, Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference. In this interview with WALE ELEGBEDE, he expresses dissatisfaction over how the confab had turned out. He warns that the Niger Delta may shut down oil production in the next few weeks not because of the lingering derivation formula, but for the environmental degradation and exploitation of the people. The National Conference has come to an end. Do you think it overcame the initial skepticism and uncertainty that greeted its convocation? First of all, the conference has not ended. The conference will reconvene on August 4, to look at the reports and ascertain that the resolutions are reflected in the reports as they were arrived at, without any smuggled items, or items taken out. I can say hopeful that when the delegates reconvene, it shall not be only the reports they will look into. There will be issues concerning how to get the National Assembly to do the needful, by amending the constitution speedily, so as to allow for a referendum to be held as soon as possible, and thus empower Nigerians to ratify or dismiss the resolutions of the conference. I also anticipate that the conference delegates will be interested in looking at whatever fallout there might be between now and August 4. And I think fallouts have already began to manifest. Some Northern youths have come together as Arewa youths and have gone to the new Emir of Kano, His Royal Majesty, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to demand that there must be a Northern Republic and that they want to secede from Nigeria. In like manner, we are also aware that the three Southern zones plus the Middle Belt zone gave their irreducible minimum position, right from the beginning, as being that federalism be enshrined properly in the constitution and the zones be the federating units. Since, apparently, the regions did not at the end become the federating units; we are still going to be faced with the problem of the fact that these desires of over 50 per cent of Nigerians were opposed vehemently by less than 40 per cent. This latter group, as the whole world saw, introduced a threat-and-nuisance element into proceedings, right from jump. This abrasive stance inadvertently encouraged by the conference leadership was not firm on equitable discipline. If, for example, Justice Kutigi had called the Lamido of Adamawa to order, when the esteemed royal father threatened secession, that would have set a tone in line with Mr. President’s caveat as to the unity of Nigeria being sacrosanct, and all delegates would have been more circumspect in allowing others’ positions to be better accommodated.

Uranta

Now that issues like federalism, regionalism and confederalism seem to have been temporarily placed on ice, it may force otherwise nationalistic people, who went in there with these as their minimum irreducible positions to seek alternative routes to attaining those positions. Those alternative routes, I believe, will be a dangerous trend because they may lead to mass and diverse separatist calls, such as that by the Northern youths evolving in Nigeria with many groups crying out that they want to be free of the putative encumbrance of this contraption called Nigeria. I personally prefer today’s big and growing Nigeria to any smaller units; but I am a pragmatist. It’s not about what I prefer, or what I would like; what I am scared of is what may really happen. And what may happen, going by what we are seeing, is that the nation may be plunged into a crisis of disunity and more insecurity. What do you think was responsible for the stalemate on the discourse over derivation? Partly, one of the problems about the whole process was the fact that derivation was even brought up. Derivation presupposes that the Federal Government still controls resources and shares out what it wants to share to different sectors, zones and states including the sector from which the revenue is derived. That is not federalism. Federalism is not about a central government sharing out resources to units. Federalism means each unit, zone and state owning its resource, and paying an agreed-upon tax to the centre; and we have said repeatedly that the first Nigerian Republic was the last one where everybody felt at ease with one another. Regrettably, that was truncated by the January 1966 coup. It was a Nigeria where every region owned its resources.

The focus should have been one word; federalism. Discussing derivation per se was a departure from the Return-to-Federalism concept we had in mind By the way, we have heard so much revisionism in the recent past from people that we would have considered very enlightened, especially from the Northern part of Nigeria, claiming that one region sustained the whole of Nigeria. That is an outright lie and a revision of truth because every region used its own resources to develop itself, and paid 50 per cent of the value of those resources to the Federal Government. It was autonomy that may have influenced the late Saudana of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello to decide that he would remain as the head of his region and not be bothered about the centre, and decided to send Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa to the centre to represent the North as the leader of Nigeria. This is because there wasn’t too much attraction at the centre, and this was based on the reality of what federalism should be, ownership of resources. Since the confab was aimed at resolving knotty national issues, was there anything wrong with discussions on derivation? We are of the opinion that the delegates should not have even accepted to deliberate on derivation. The focus should have been one word; federalism. Discussing derivation per se was a de-

parture from the Return-to-Federalism concept we had in mind when we, at the Nigerian National Summit Group (NNSG), started canvassing for this conference. NNSG’s desire for federalism is important, because, as records show, NNSG was the prime canvasser for this 2014 conference. We brought people together, on different dates and at different fora, and it was agreed that the issue of derivation and resource control were not the nation’s problem, and that the issue is federalism. What is federalism? We have heard many word definitions that are invariably similar, and have had the slight differences in how, for example, the United States and Switzerland practice federalism. The point remains that with federalism, the federating units are the real control centres, and not so much the central government. With federalism we would be able to devolve powers to the extent that we would, for example, now have part-time legislators at the National Assembly, and we won’t be wasting up to 75 per cent of our revenue on recurrent expenditure, much of which are going to the legislators and executive members who really can’t operate without all the trappings of power and authority that they have around them, that have been hangovers of the military era. You have a man that has a large perk list and a retinue of aides that consumes tens of millions of naira in a month. If we could have gone properly into the issue of federalism, we would have found out that we had no need to discuss derivation. By the way, if we had to discuss derivation at all, we should not have separated derivation into oil-revenues derivation and nonoil-revenues derivation. It just shows that we have totally misunderstood our challenges. Every resource should have had the same derivation principle, because derivation is derivation. Then it would be the more attractive to those people who were opposed to the idea of an increase in derivation, if they saw it as not being solely for the benefit of one region. All would have recognized that it is in the interest of every zone and sector to have the derivation principle raised, or better still, erased, which means let us go to true federalism and decide how much tax we want to pay to the centre. I know that the southern zones are ready to pay up to even 60 per cent as tax to the centre. But because people have got a misconception of what the issue of federalism, derivation and resource control is all about, they were opposed to it because they, ignorantly, saw it as a solely Niger Delta-driven issue, and that was based on selective ignorance or intentional mischief. Don’t you think the intention of the National Conference has been defeated? It depends on the perspective you are looking at it from. From the perspective of separatists, they have a reason to urge harder for separation. From the perspective of true nationalists, we were able to bring to the front burner certain truths that were swept under the carpet. We had a Lamido of Adamawa revealing at the start of the conference that he and his people would move over to Cameroun, that is secession. They are not going to move by walking away to Cameroun, they are going to say this landmass of ours has to go to Cameroun, which means they secede from Nigeria and get anCONTINUED ON PAGE 43

POLITICS 15

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Elumelu

The no love lost between the House of Representatives and the executive is hampering the early resolution of the ongoing strike by medical doctors. PHILIP NYAM reports

hen two elephants fight, they say it is the grass that suffers. This is exactly the plight of patients in Nigeria’s public hospitals today. Perhaps, the ongoing doctor’s strike would have been resolved by now but for the ego war between the House and government appointees. The House has accused some of the ministers of frustrating the process it has put in place to resolve the work to rule action. The threat Last Thursday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal threatened to invoke relevant constitutional provisions to compel the minister of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu and his finance counterpart, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to appear before the House Committee on Health with other stakeholders to resolve the lingering strike action by medical doctors. Tambuwal made the threat at the plenary following reports by chairman of the committee, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu (PDP, Delta), about the inability of the committee to bring all parties involved in the dispute to the table with a view to resolving the matter. Before issuing the threat, the speaker had sought the opinion of the chairman on measures to be taken in the interim. Hon. Elumelu suggested a last opportunity by extending a final invitation to them for the purpose of saving helpless Nigerians, who were suffering and dying as a result of the strike embarked upon by the medical doctors. Elumelu had said attempts at getting all stakeholders in the matter to meet, and reach a quick resolution has been frustrated by the attitude of government officials who are critical to its resolution. He said “Mr. Speaker, the task given to my committee was a straight forward one - which entails getting all relevant parties involved in the crisis and interface with them with a view to resolving it within the quickest possible time due to the sensitive nature of the health sector. “Last week Monday, we met with the minister of labour, the minister of health, people from the Salaries and Wages Commission. But since the minister of finance and the DG, Budget Office as well as the Head of Service who are central to the issues of relativity (salary scale) and skipping (career progression/ promotion) were not present, we adjourned the hearing to Thursday when we can all to seat to resolve the matter

Okonjo-Iweala

Chukwu

How Reps, minister’s row extended doctors’ strike and for medical services to be restored in our hospitals. “But unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the NMA, Salaries and Wages Commission and the minister of labour turned up as promised, whereas the minister of health and his finance counterpart failed to appear for us to talk. While the health minister claimed he was going to represent Mr. President at an event, there was no single representation from the ministry, neither was there any from the finance minister which suggest that they are not serious about resolving this crisis to save lives of Nigerians who are dying every minute as a result of the strike”, he said. The intervention The House had on July 3, 2014, following the passage of a motion of urgent national importance brought by the minority whip, Hon. Samson Osagie (APC, Edo) mandated its committee on Health to engage the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the federal ministry of health to help resolve the ongoing national strike by resident doctors. In addition, the committee, chaired by Hon. Elumelu (PDP, Delta) was given the directive to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the health sector. The committee was to report back to the House within one week. Consequently, a stakeholders’ meeting was scheduled. Present at the meeting were the representatives of the NMA and the ministers of health and labour and productivity. A lengthy discussion was held but at the end of the day, all pleas by the House committee and the two ministers to the NMA to suspend the strike action fell on deaf ears. At the meeting, the issue of “relativity and skipping” cropped up and following the exchanges that transpired between the government representatives and the NMA, the house committee discovered that it was impossible to resolve the crisis without the input of the coordinating minister for the economy and minister of finance. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and perhaps, director general of the Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogu. The committee also noted that the presence of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim was equally important in re-

Health minister claimed he was going to represent Mr. President at an event, there was no single representation from the ministry, neither was there any from the Finance minister solving the perennial crisis in the health sector. “We met before and there was a template reached on how to implement it, and much has to do with the release of funds to pay the salaries and other benefits of the doctors”. According to Hon. Elumelu, records before the committee, indicate that government is expected to pay an estimated N6.7billion in accumulated entitlements to the striking doctors in the interim. He however disclosed that the NMA had made it clear to the committee that the real bone of contention was not money but the decision of government to throw open the headship of hospitals to those it described as non-medical doctors. Speaking on behalf of the association at the meeting, the president, Dr. Kayode Obembe, told the committee that until the issue of relativity and skipping was addressed, the doctors would not call off the strike. “Relativity and skipping is not negotiable; it must be resolved or doctors will not return to work. The tradition of medicine is being challenged dangerously in this country. That is the major issue and not money”, he insisted. According to him, there is a push to a new era where doctors will no longer take the final decision in the “clinical management of a patient.” “The tradition everywhere in the world is that the doctor is in charge. Today, the challenge is that the doctor can no longer lead the clinical management of the patient,” Obembe stated. The summons With the failed negotiation of day one,

the house committee decided to extend invitation to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, and the minister of finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Also invited was the Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni, and Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Bright Okogu. With this invitation, the committee expected that the minister of health and that of labour who both attended the first meeting would also be at the next meeting. Giving reasons why the committee had to expand its invitation, Elemelu had said that “It will be absolutely impossible for us to resolve this matter without the SGF, the Minister of Finance, Head of Service and the DG, Budget Office”. But last Thursday, only the minister of labour, Chief Emeka Wogu was present at the meeting. Pius Anyim, OkonjoIweala and Onyebuchi Chukwu were all missing at the venue where the committee and NMA representatives were waiting. This forced the committee chairman to call off the negotiation and reported to the plenary the frustration of the lawmakers. It was at this point that the speaker, Aminu Tambuwal declared that the House will not hesitate to invoke the necessary constitutional provisions to get the government officials to a round table to resolve the crisis. The way forward Unfortunately, the strike is ongoing as these arms of government bicker. Patients are dying and people with health challenges are faced with serious difficulties. Although the House has suspended plenary and would be proceeding on its annual recess as from Thursday, July 24, it is still giving an opportunity to the government representatives to honour their invitation on or before then. But from the not so palatable relationship between the House and the executive, it is possible that the ministers will be scared of the threat of arrest. After all, since 1999, no minister has been arrested on the orders of the National Assembly and the case of these ones cannot be an exception. Therefore, it is time for both the House and the executive to explore a less combative approach and resolve the lingering doctor’s strike once and for all. Both parties must realize that this strike is a matter of life and death. Nigerians are dying for avoidable deaths since the commencement of this strike and government must put an end to this. The earlier this is resolved the better.

16 POLITICS Kunle Olayeni

he recent defection of a House of Representatives member from Ogun State, Abiodun Akinlade, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has opened a new vista in the permutations and intrigues bestriding the race to 2015 in the state. Akinlade, representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his resolve to pursue his governorship ambition and unseat incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun. His defection was made official at a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, on July 3. In a letter addressed to the Speaker, the lawmaker cited the provisions of Section 68 (g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended to justify his decision to defect to the PDP. Akinlade said, “This decision is premised on the fact that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), on which platform I won election into the House in 2011, has merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Certificate of Registration of the ACN had since been returned to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “In line with Section 68 (g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, many of my constituents and I resolved not to be part of the subsequent merger that was negotiated between the leadership of the defunct ACN and some other political parties which led to the eventual registration of the APC.” Akinlade won election into the lower legislative chamber of the National Assembly in 2003 and 2007 on the platform of PDP but in 2011, he was reelected on the platform of the defunct ACN for a third term. Currently, he is the chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology. In recognition of his worth, the Ogun PDP organised a reception for Akinlade in Abeokuta. The reception coincided with the “thank-you visit” of the governor-elect of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, who defeated Governor Kayode Fayemi of APC in the June 21 governorship election in the state. Before his return to PDP, Akinlade has had his eyes fixed on the exalted position of governor. His resolve was further driven by the fact that the Ogun West Senatorial District where he hails from had yet to produce the governor since creation of the state in 1976. He narrowly missed the chance in 2011 when leaders of the defunct ACN adopted Amosun as the party’s gubernatorial candidate. Then, Akinlade had been penciled in as replacement for Amosun when the latter reportedly moved to dump the ACN for the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the build-up to the gubernatorial election. But Amosun tactically retraced his steps and was eventually fielded for the poll. Akinlade did not relinquish his governorship interest since then. In the process of prosecuting that ambition, however,

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Ogun PDP: Akinlade’s return raises the stakes

L-R: Ayodele Fayose, Governor Elect of Ekiti State receiving a souvenir from Hon. Abiodun Akinlade at his decamping ceremony in Ogun State.

he again crossed Amosun’s path leading to unpalatable consequences for him in the ACN. In July 2013, loyalists of the governor apparently moved against Akinlade and got him suspended right from his ward in Yewa South Local Government. Subsequently, the local government chapter of the party suspended him, thus putting his ambition in jeopardy. The federal lawmaker reacted to his suspension, saying it was a ploy to frustrate his yetto-be declared governorship ambition. He, however, vowed to contest against Amosun irrespective of the circumstances of his suspension. Akinlade said, “If by my considered acknowledgement to heed the call of my people to serve them in any other capacity, including the office of the governor, seems to roughen certain feathers, then God willing, I shall contest the office of the governor of Ogun State against Senator Ibikunle Amosun in 2015. “As long as this remains part of my constitutional right as a free citizen of Nigeria from Ogun State and does not infringe on others’ fundamental human rights and franchise, I shall participate in the poll.” He eventually realized that his gubernatorial ambition would not materialise in a party where Amosun is firmly in-charge. In search of a political sanctuary, the lawmaker explored other political options and began to romance the Labour Party (LP). In fact, his membership of the LP was almost a foregone conclusion until he dramatically pulled out and headed for the PDP. Akinlade’s parting of ways with LP might not be unconnected with the power play and struggle for the control of the party structure between some aggrieved party officers and loyalists of former Governor Gbenga Daniel. Daniel, who ruled the state between 2003 and 2011 on the platform

I am back at home... to contribute my quota to free Ogun State from the strangulating policies of the current government in the state of PDP, defected to the LP and was handed the leadership of the party by LP national secretariat. The aggrieved party officers, led by a factional chairman of Ogun LP, Comrade Olabode Simeon, were hitherto backing Akinlade’s governorship bid against other contenders who practically were Daniel’s loyalists. They even announced him as the LP consensus gubernatorial candidate for 2015 but the joker failed to fly as other governorship aspirants in the party kicked. Unfazed by the setback in LP, Akinlade returned to his roots. He consulted with the chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of South West PDP, Prince Buruji Kashamu, and some party elders led by Ogun PDP chairman, Chief Adebayo Dayo, and all arrangements to ensure a smooth defection were put in place. At the PDP state secretariat in Abeokuta where he was received alongside his supporters, Akinlade described his defection to the party as a “homecoming and reunion.” “I feel quite elated to be back today with my numerous supporters and leaders in the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party where I cut my political teeth. I am back at home with my people to be part of the transformation agenda of Mr. President and to contribute my

quota to free Ogun State from the strangulating policies of the current government in the state,” he said. Akinlade further added: “The event of the immediate past as it affects the PDP in Ogun State and indeed the entire country is well known to all of us and one needs not dwell much on it. Quite a number of us political players were forced out of the party by circumstances beyond our control and have had to pitch our tent outside the PDP for political survival. “We thank God that the PDP has been able to weather the storm and is now bouncing back as the preferred party of majority of Yorubas and indeed Nigerians under the able leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan and the skillful management of the national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu with his lieutenants at various levels of the party.” The lawmaker expressed satisfaction with the reconciliatory efforts being made by PDP leaders and elders in the state, saying “In Ogun State, we are beginning to see a new atmosphere of accommodation, internal democracy and respect for rule of law which we hope will be strengthened to fully bring back the party to its past glory.” Akinlade stressed the need for PDP members to unite and intensify efforts at winning back aggrieved members and those who had left the party. He noted that the PDP requires unity to oust APC in the state. He, therefore, pleaded with the party elders to convince ex-governor Daniel and former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, among others, to return to the party. His words: “We must not deceive ourselves that it’s Uhuru. A lot still needs to be done and it’s our hope that the efforts at bringing back all the former members of the party

including our former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel are intensified. With the likes of Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, Senator Ayo Otegbola, Alhaji Sule Onabiyi, Prince Buruji Kashamu and many others too numerous to mention working together, I believe the PDP will be the party to beat in Ogun State. “The party should also intensify efforts at reaching out to other credible leaders who may not have the tradition of being in PDP but are sympathetic to the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.” Akinlade berated the policies and programmes of the ruling APC in the state. According to him, the state needs alternative government that is people-friendly in the forthcoming general elections. He said, “The current approach of indiscriminate road expansion, bridge construction and white elephant model schools project at very outrageous cost using short term bank loans and to the exclusion of other critical sectors is not only inimical to the welfare of our people but also detrimental to the future progress of Ogun State. “We have a responsibility to rescue our dear state from the current government of Ogun State otherwise even generations yet unborn will never forgive us. Let us reunite to reenact the PDP magic in Ogun State and give our people the government they truly deserve.” On the occasion, Fayose spoke about his personal efforts to reinvigorate and reposition the PDP, especially in the South West zone. The Ekiti governor-elect revealed that he had held talks with Daniel in the bid to prevail on him to come back to PDP. He, however, warned the party against imposition of candidates in the 2015 poll. He pointed out that imposition caused the misfortune of PDP in 2011. “I want to beg all our party leaders and elders in Ogun State and other states to guard against the imposition of candidates in the coming general elections. We must give all candidates equal opportunity, a level playing field. We must allow them to go through the primaries. That is the only way we can have credible candidates that can win elections,” Fayose added. For Akinlade, however, the homecoming to PDP is sure the beginning of another tricky but promising journey. The lawmaker still has other aspirants to contend with for the party’s gubernatorial ticket. His formidable opponents include former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, former deputy governor, Rafiu Ogunleye, former federal legislator, Kayode Amusan, former Ifo Local Government chairman, Sikirulai Ogundele, and even, Kashamu himself.

POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Chief Sylvanus Uzoma Nwaji is the former chairman, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State. Recently, the chieftain of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) held a unity rally in the area where over 1000 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members defected to APGA. He spoke with TEMITOPEOGUNBANKE on issues ranging from zoning of political offices in the state to why his people are leaving PDP en mass to APGA. Excerpt You’ve been quiet for some time now, are you still into politics? Yes, still very much in politics. My quietness for some time now is because I went back to the trenches to plan and forge a way forward, which I have seen and that’s why I have with my teeming supporters joined APGA. I joined APGA because of the desired need to have a change and reposition Abia State which presently needs a party like APGA. All of us were in PPA (Progressive Peoples’ Alliance) before our leader Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu re-joined PDP. I don’t want to follow him to PDP based on principle, but the man is still my mentor, he is somebody I respect. Other people because of one thing or the other say one or two things against him, but I will never abuse him because God has passed through him to put food on my table, he is still my boss. There is no way we will be in PDP and get the desired change for Abia. PDP at the national level may be okay, but in Abia, it is nothing to write home about. Your people appear to be decamping from PDP to APGA in their droves, what’s the reason? The other day we held unity rally at Obehie where we received defectors from other political parties, it was reported in some national dailies that about 1,000 people decamped to APGA. That figure was too small. Even as I speak with you, because I have joined APGA, people are decamping on daily basis and the number increasing by the day. This is because Asa (Ukwa West) as the only oil producing area in Abia State, there is no meaningful life going on in the area, and by the time I came out and declared for APGA, I told my people I have found a new route and people followed me. Its exodus movement, people are leaving PDP on daily bases and as I speak with you, over 2, 000 PDP members have registered with APGA in my area and by the time we would hold another rally, the number will be doubled. There was this allegation that while you were the chairman of Ukwa West that you sacked over 2, 000 workers, is it true? In the first place, what’s the strength of the workforce in Ukwa West to sack 2, 000? This is one of the propagandas of idle politicians from Asa who are working for Nwaji their stomach

Those talking of zoning in Abia are jokers –Nwaji, APGA chieftain and not the people. This propaganda is being carried about by a serving commissioner in the state who each time he was in a public gathering; will tell the people that he was in government because of his stomach, not because he has much regard for the governor he is serving under, and also not because he has the interest of his people at heart. So I don’t belong to that category of politicians. I am a retiree; therefore I am not a novice in labour matters. The labour law says if you are employing from levels one to six, up to 70 per cent must be from the catchment area. But unfortunate, due to perhaps a certain Transition Chairman (TC) of the Local Government who was not versed in labour matters, he decided to recruit 498 persons and Asa people who are owners of the Local Government were not up to 98 in that exercise, over 400 were non natives. When I assumed office, I swore an oath to defend my people and their land and I saw it as a cheat that if I go to Umuahia to bring allocation, I would use it to pay salary of people from other areas instead of developing the area and I said no. Even the then head of service, Chief Nwokoacha from Osisioma, faulted that recruitment and said it was done in error because it never followed due process. It may interest you to note that one of those accusing me, a former TC chairman employed his 11 year old daughter during the exercise and placed her on level six, I have the records. The girl took her First School Leaving Certificate Exam in a private school at Obehie and the result was not yet released when she was employed and placed on level six. This is an aberration for a Primary school pupil to be employed and placed on level six which the minimum is at least OND. And the minimum working age is 18. And the worst was that some of them, their wives too never attended primary school; yet they were placed on level six. So where did they get the certificate that placed them on level six. Even the same TC chairman who is among those making noise over the wise decision we took, employed his elder brother and claimed he was 45 years, but after six months, the man died and his real age came out that

There is no zoning policy for the governorship of Abia state. Those who are talking about their turn now are joking with history he was 65 years. What was the basis of such employment? So I saw all those irregularities and as somebody who is disciplined, I saw that evil and I said no, I would not be part of it. So when some of them protested, three panels were set up and after defending our action, the panels gave me a clean slate. In fact I make bold to tell you that the state government sanctioned our action. So, the figure was 498 and not 2, 000 and it was done with the consent of the state government and I am happy that history has exonerated me that I was not part of that evil against my own people. So like I said earlier, the commissioner who is bandying the propaganda is playing politics of stomach and deceit. And this goes to tell the people that all those things he had been claiming the state government did in Ukwa West, the only oil producing Local Government in the state is false. No single project has been cited by the present Abia State Government in the area. In fact, as I speak now, the only borehole from where the said commissioner fetches water to drink in his village was sunk by me when I was chairman of the local government, I stand to be challenged. The man in question has been in politics before me, but he has attracted no single project to his community not to talk of the local government, he is an irrelevant politician and we are treating him so. What’s your reaction over the recent Appeal Court judgement which re-affirmed Chief Victor Umeh as APGA national chairman? It is victory for all, victory for APGA and victory from God. Umeh as I know has been known with vict o r y. W e

members of APGA in the state are happy with the victory because that would translate into the party wining the governorship election in Abia State next year. That victory is also victory for Mr. President because that will make APGA people to vote for him in 2015. People tend to have misunderstood what happened in APGA before this time. If you don’t disagree, there is no way you will agree. APGA is a family, there is no faction in APGA. It is one under the chairmanship of Sir Victor Umeh. What happened was that some people wanted to enforce their rights which is normal and that is why we have the law courts. The court has spoken on the matter and I believe is the final. What’s your plan for in 2015? For now, we are still building a synergy, solidifying to make APGA a force to reckon with in the state and Nigeria at large. If one begins to aspire for now, it may bring problem. Whatever ambition anybody has for now is put by the side, we are rebuilding the party first. With time, people will know what my ambition will be because there is no zoning in the state, even the governorship. The only zoning we have is that of the Senate seat for Abia South which is zoned to Ukwa West. What do you make of the much talked about zoning of the governorship seat in Abia? No, no, no, no, there is no zoning policy for the governorship of Abia state. Those who are talking about their turn now are joking with history because from 1999, even from Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, people from my area contested; somebody like late Chief Lambert Mmecha contested against Dr. Onu and other people from Ngwa land contested, so it has been free for all. I have heard it from some people that the governorship position in 2015 has been zoned to Ukwa/Ngwa and that as our senior brothers, that the Ngwa people will take the slot first. Let me put the records straight. In the first place, Ngwa people are not brothers to Asa (Ukwa) people. Ukwa people are ethnic nationality of their own; they are only our boundary brothers so you cannot talk about senior brothers in this context. Ngwa is related to Mbaise people of Imo state who are their seniors while they are the younger. So Ukwa has no relationship with Ngwa and let me tell you again that this Aba is owned by Asa people and the first man that lived in Aba had his house at the old Post Office, but my people later moved towards the sea because of trade. Ngwa and Ukwa are not related in any way, so there is nothing like them taking the first slot as our senior bothers. The truth remains as I said earlier that the governorship of the state has not been zoned to any particular group as it had not been done before in the history of the state. It had remained under contest by all the groups and things will not change now. Political activities like governorship has been under contest in Abia state, let me go further to give you example. In 1999, Ngwa people contested against Chief Orji CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

MORE STORIES ON PAGES 40-43

ARTS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

LITERATURE

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

TONY OKUYEME

“While thought exists, words are alive and literature becomes an escape, not from, but into living.” ― Cyril Connolly

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

Ethical behaviour, imperative for development Book Title: Passport to Success Author: Adjekpagbon Blessed Mudiaga Publisher: Bulkybon Publications Company, Lagos. Year: 2014 Pages: 53

Perhaps as people read and watch the play, Passport to Success, it may be time to think about this adherence to a school system that is enshrouded in Nigeria’s past

Reviewer: Marianne Van der Wel

n “Passport to Success”, Adjekpagbon Blessed Mudiaga, as a social commentator, explores the age old question of ‘what is ethical behaviour and how do we guide our young to behave in a positive manner?’ Set in a Nigerian university campus, some students are faced with the dilemma of passing their written exams either through hard work or taking short cuts, otherwise known as cheating. You will see our “soon to be adults” bring peer pressure on each other with those who choose to cheat doing most of the bullying. It is heartbreaking to see how one young woman abuses her mother’s grand efforts to give her daughter a future while the daughter, in turn, is being hoodwinked by charlatans in having her believe there are short cuts to the road to success thus wasting precious resources and making matters much worse for herself and her mother. The theme of the book has been around probably since the beginning of time. However, the foundation of today’s educational and social system here in the “West” and throughout “the colonies” started around 300-400 years ago, with the advent of colonisation that spread out from Western Europe. What I found most striking is how much the Nigerian school system is, currently, still entrenched in the British system of education. It is as if, I am being transported back in time to my own school days in the 1950’s. Where I live, in Canada, our school system (and society)

Caucasians? Every day, I see Africa slipping away and I find that troubling. This does not mean that everything in the various African cultures was all good but not everything was all bad, either. Isn’t time to discover the best in Yoruba culture, the best in Igbo culture, the best in Hausa culture and find a process to blend the best in each, discarding the rest, to form a culture that is better than the three apart and is uniquely African? Nigeria could be the African country setting the example instead of imploding on itself!”

Poetrip

The Road to Abuja Oladipo Kehinde

has considerably changed, away from our colonial past into our future, not an easy journey with bumps and grinds, while our world marches into a new global society. Perhaps as people read and watch the play, Passport to Success, it may be time

to think about this adherence to a school system that is enshrouded in Nigeria’s past. Could this be one reason the country is in such turmoil, today? Are Nigerian citizens living life, authentically, as their original selves or as carbon copy Western

The Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2014 announces longlist

xpectations are high as the longlist for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2014 will be announced today Wednesday July 23, 2014. The Prize promotes the finest in fiction by rewarding the very best book of the year. 2014 is the first year of the new rules, which will see the prize opened up to writers of any nationality, writing originally in English, for novels published in the UK by an established imprint between 1 October 2013 and 30 September 2014. The expanded prize will recognise, celebrate and embrace authors of literary fiction writing in English, whether from Chicago, Sheffield or Shanghai. In what will be an exciting new era for the prize, the panel consists of three new judges and three who have previously judged the prize - Alastair Niven in 1994,

Erica Wagner in 2002 and AC Grayling in 2003. For this inaugural year, the number of judges increases from five to six, bringing with them a wide reading experience and knowledge of international literature. Chaired by the philosopher and writer, AC Grayling, the other 2014 judges are: Jonathan Bate, Oxford Professor of English Literature and biographer; Sarah Churchwell, UEA’s Professor of American Literature; Dr Daniel Glaser, neuroscientist and cultural commentator; Dr Alastair Niven, former Director of Literature at the British Council and at the Arts Council, and Erica Wagner, journalist and writer. The judges’ mission remains the same as in previous years: to select the finest fiction of the year. Following her win in October 2013, Eleanor Catton said of

the expansion of the prize: ‘I think it’s a really great thing that finally we’ve got a prize that is an English-language prize that doesn’t make a distinction towards writers who are writing from a particular country. If you’re writing in the English language, you’re considered alongside everybody else.’ AC Grayling comments on behalf of the panel: ‘The Man Booker prize has become an even bigger entity this year, with all fiction in English published worldwide between October 2013 and October 2014 now joining the competition. The challenge for my fellow judges and me is an exciting one, and I’m delighted to have such an outstanding group of people to work with in this highly significant year for the prize. We welcome that challenge, and are now launching ourselves into it with relish.’

The dawn taps me on the shoulder to wake up I set forth at dawn Abuja on my mind The clouds arise to greet the upland sun It smiles and rays my day The roads speak to drivers to drive As their families are in the next bus Passengers don’t incite drivers to speed Nobody hurries the sun to rise The journey is as important as the destination Where are the clouds running to? Mercy speaks for us on the road The rivers greet us with smiles The clouds cast a shadow on the apogees of the mountains Abuja on my mind The Zuma rock welcomes me with open arms of love Abuja is beautiful She likes my wallet As she shows hospitality and takes me around I eat words with my literati friends in the house of muse Journalism in motion Paying attention to words Current issues of national life 5000 naira note in quote I set forth again at dawn on my way to Lagos.

Our VISION To build a newspaper organisation anchored on the sanctity of truth.

Our MISSION To publish a newspaper of superior value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, fairness, accuracy and objectivity.

EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

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

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

WEDNESday, JULY 23, 2014

Chibok, 100 disconcerting days after

t is highly disconcerting that a hundred days after the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, their rescue has remained an illusion. Within this period, New Telegraph has thrice editorialized on the issue. Unfortunately, nothing has changed beyond glib pronouncements by government about how it would leave no stone unturned in its effort to bring the girls. What seems more important for the Jonathan administration is re-election in February 2015, and it is an agenda it is pursuing with utmost overt and covert zeal. Thus, everything is seen only through this perspective while the fate of the 219 abducted girls has obviously become more of an irritant than a cause for genuine humanitarian and paternal concern. Two recent events point to the apparent lack of compassion on the part of the country’s leadership. First, when Malala Yousafzai visited in solidarity with the Chibok girls and the Bring Back Our Girls advocates, it was almost hijacked by the administration’s officials and turned into a photo opportunity for themselves and, especially the President. Related to that was the near coercive manner in which some of the escapees and victims parents were to meet the President who, for 90 days had ignored every advice to

The country should feel diminished that these girls, for whatever reasons, are still in captivity100 days after they were abducted and disconnected from the rest of the world visit the Chibok community. Yet capitalising on that visit to Abuja on the platform of the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners, the same group that has been consistently harassed for demanding that the administration should do everything possible to rescue the girls, the President had no qualms asking for a meeting with the visitors from Chibok. The attitude of the Presidency after the botched meeting showed that the concern was more for political mileage than empathy. And yet it is not part of the African culture that those who are traumatized in one way or another, are the ones to visit those who would want to commiserate with them. Sadly, the administration failed to grasp the underlying message of Malala’s visit to the country of the victims on her birthday, which was that the freedom of the girls meant so much to her that she was trading the gaiety of her birthday celebrations for a somber

campaign for the rescue of those long-suffering schoolgirls. The country should feel diminished that these girls, for whatever reasons, are still in captivity100 days after they were abducted and disconnected from the rest of the world. Government has failed these young girls and seems to be neglecting its responsibility to the people as insecurity steadily heightens. The glib reassurances that the girls would be rescued and released are meaningless against the background of intangible operational information, which should be a source of hope in the operation and confidence in the administration. The situation increasingly points to the failure of upholding a basic requisite of the constitution, and it is necessary for wellmeaning Nigerians to critically take note of this breach. The time has come for us to start placing premium value on human life and sacrifice personal, political and regional sentiments and understand that among these abducted girls could be the best medical doctors, engineers, architects, economists, accountants, professors, managers, leaders, senators, judges, pastors, entrepreneurs, mothers and career women of tomorrow. The seeming politicization of their plight should stop forth-

with. For, it amounts only to an unrewarding gyration that leads nowhere. We acknowledge that by its nature, the situation has assumed high-level security and intelligence dimension. But only results, not inexplicit reassurances are celebrated and rewarded. Whatever anybody is doing or saying will only make meaning when the girls come home and there is closure for everyone. This needs to be achieved when there is still some human value to salvage. We must not forget that there is much sense in that maxim, which states that injury to one is injury to all. Part of the essence of our religious faiths is the belief in being our brother’s keeper. As noted in our editorial to mark day 50 of the abduction that has become an open sore for the country: “Government must decide to be more coherent and focused in the rescue of the girls. The recent decision by the Obama administration to negotiate with the Talibans for the release of an American soldier shows that every government reacts to a situation with the pragmatism that it deserves, even if it runs counter to an established position.” We resolutely stand with all people of goodwill, within and outside Nigeria, and demand that our girls be brought back home, to breathe the air of freedom again and join in nation-building. GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Deputy Managing Director/DEIC YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

Sanctity of Truth

OPINION PDP and APC: Any difference (s)? Mike Arayuwa Wilkie

political party is an organization or group of persons of like minds with intent to contest and win elections in order to rule or govern a sovereign state. A political party is expected to have an ideological bent, either towards capitalism, socialism or communism, as the case may be. As political parties, the question is, what is the difference between the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives’ Party (APC)? In the First Republic, The Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), Action Group (AG) and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) were the dominant parties. Of these political parties, I have a strong impression that only the AG had a welfarist programme of action or manifesto. The NPC was interested in the philosophy of “One North, One People” while the NCNC had an agenda which was obviously silent. In the Second Republic, political parties such as the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Peoples’ Redemption Party (PRP), the Great Nigeria Peoples’ Party (GNPP) and Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NPP) dominated the scene. The manifesto of the UPN was a direct off-shoot of that of the AG. It again promoted free education at all levels, free health care, rural integrated development and to mention a few, as its cardinal programmes. However, the lifespan of these parties was cut short in the wake of the military coup d’état of 1983. In 985, another military coup d’état led by Ibrahim Babangida sacked the coup plotters of 1983 and thereafter, he foisted a two-party system on the nation, namely, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC). The two parties had a bourgeois capitalist manifesto. Chief M.K.O. Abiola was generally believed to have won the contest, which was

presumed to free and fair. On June 23, 1993, Babangida annulled the election and its result. The military administered the affairs of state until the emergence of another civilian dispensation in 1999. At the moment, democracy has only survived for about 15 years without any civil interregnum. So far, democracy has been practiced with all the attendant problems especially the menace of Boko Haram, a murderous militia outfit whose major concern is to send innocent Nigerians to their untimely graves. Haramism claims to be a Muslim sect which also kills fellow Muslims. The leading political parties currently are the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives’ Congress (APC). Other lesser ones are the Labour Party and the APGA, which the voters have confined and restricted to Ondo and Anambra States respectively. For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP and APC lack manifestos, expected to their blueprints for governance. At the national level, the PDP only operates some points of agenda, which Mr. President is implementing while the governors of the PDP states execute programmes in accordance with the dictates of the various units in their different states. It is the same with the APCcontrolled states. Apart from Lagos, which boasts the highest cost of educationin the Southwest, others in the geo-political South West appear to implement free education up to a reasonable level. In Edo State, an APC enclave, education is not free. The structural organogram of both the APC and PDP remains similar. They have National Chairmen, Deputy National Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen in the various geo-political zones, National Secretary, National Publicity Secretary and other members of the executive. The duo has a Board of Trustees each. Their compositions at the state level are certainly not different from that of the national. In terms of

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

administration of the political parties, there is no slight difference. I have tried to fish-out the ideology of the parties. Certainly, there is none between them. One would have expected them to lean to socialism or capitalism or even welfarism. Both are seriously deficient in ideology. The only political status derivable from their modus operandi is that both are being powered by the aristocrats and the comprador bourgeoisie including those who derive joy in oppressing the less privileged. The PDP and APC are no doubt professional riggers during elections and voting period. In this aspect, the most skilled in rigging would win the election. There is no serious-minded observer of the Nigerian election who would probably conclude that such voting and election was free and fair to the core. The political parties usually rig elections in their areas of influence, often enticing INEC officials with plenty of money. As such, the result cannot be regarded as totally flawless. Lastly, the APC is a grand specialist in winning gubernatorial elections through the courts. Examples are Ekiti, Osun and Edo States. The same party led the green light of decampment from one party to another. In fact, within one day, 37 members of the PDP in the House of Representatives decamped to the APC. The PDP also copied from the APC to the extent that the former still controls majority in that House. The PDP has only added impeachment to its mode of operational tactics to ensure that they recover their states from the opposition APC. A glaring example is the Adamawa State recent episode where the governor was impeached last week. In the light of the above, I wish to sincerely conclude that the two political parties are practically the same.

• Prince Wilkie (pmikky1950@yahoo.com), 08023097251

Who shot down Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 17? (2) Femi Fani-Kayode Continued from yesterday

t is at that time that the world will see for themselves who the real deceivers, butchers and monsters are in this and so many other matters. It is the same people that tried to convince us that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, who told us that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against its own people and who created Osama Bin Ladin and who used and funded him to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan for many years. It is the same people who shot down an Iranian passenger plane ‘’by mistake’’ in the 1980’s killing hundreds of innocent civilians, who killed over 200,000 people in Baghdad in three days of bombing, who fought an illegal war against Iraq, who destroyed Egypt, Libya and Syria, who dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who fought an unnecessary and illegitimate war in Vietnam, who assisted in the undermining and removal of a democratically-elected

President in the Ukraine, who set up a puppet regime in Georgia and who looked the other way as 800,000 Tutsis were slaughtered in three months in Rwanda. It is the same people who installed and supported many brutal military dictatorships in South America and Africa for many years, who orchestrated a terrible war between Iran and Iraq, who prop up undemocratic feudal systems and governments in the Arab Gulf states, who tolerated apartheid in South Africa for many decades. It is the same people that were secretly behind 9/11 and that used that horrific event to justify their intention to institute regime change Afghanistan, to invade and corner the oil fields of Iraq and to threaten the borders of Iran. It is the same people that secretly orchestrated and covertly organised the cold-blooded murder, in the most brutal circumstances, of Muammar Ghadaffi, Patrice Lumumba, Sylvanus Olympio, Thomas Sankara, Murtala Mohammed, Salvador Allende, Robin Cooke, Princess Diana, Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin, John F, Kennedy, Anwar Sadat, Martin Luther King, MKO Abiola, Sani Abacha and many other

leaders and notable individuals that in one way or the other offended their sensibilities. It is the same people that refused to designate and label Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation up until late last year even though that evil organisation had butchered over 15,000 innocent Nigerians as at that time. It is the same people that have manipulated the ugly events in Pakistan and Afghanistan and that have killed more innocent civilians in secret drone attacks than they care to admit. It is the same people who, through their ally and puppet Saudi Arabia and their salifist friends, covertly supported islamist terror and barbaric islamist militias like the Al Nosra Front and ISIS more than anyone else and who have brought sheer chaos and destabilised and removed more governments in north Africa, eastern Europe and the Middle East than any other in world history. It is the same people that have consistently undermined the security of the State of Israel in the most subtle and deceitful manner whilst pretending to be a friend and ally of the Jews. It is the same people that believe in

and support homosexual marriage and same-sex unions and that have sought to impose their patently anti-Christ and humanist values and philosophies on the rest of the world in the name of ‘’yes we can’’ and liberalism. It is the same people that believe that the world does not need God, that have banned prayer in their public schools and that believe that they are now the new gods of this strange and unfolding new world. It is the same people that believe that the end justifies the means and that they can do anything to further their evil agenda no matter how horrendous and no matter what the cost is in human lives. It is the same people that tell you that they don’t believe in barbaric behavior, butchery, human sacrifice and the systematic and well-orchestrated massacre of innocent civilians but that actually indulge and encourage it in various parts of the world on a regular basis. Need I say any more? May God save the world and humanity from these demons that are working for the dark forces. Concluded

CAMPUS

Delta raises hope of fresh graduates }p-24

EDUCATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2014

Corps member }p-28 donates bus-stop stand to council NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/education

KAYODE OLANREWAJU, Editor, EDUCATION

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

INNOVATION

Rather than engaging in unprofitable ventures that have continued to put Nigerian students on the negative side, they are now channeling the energies to creative initiatives that will change the society for better Mojeed Alabi

or five days last week, thousands of students from 35 universities and polytechnics in the country assembled at the Eko Hotel and Suites on the Lagos Island, not for the usual protest or rally characterising the nation’s campuses, but to shape a new direction for their socio-economic well-being and those in their communities. It was at an innovation challenge where they showcased their business talents, entrepreneurial skills and developmentengendered innovations. Tagged: Enactus 2014 Challenge, the innovation initiative was instituted some 12 years ago, by Enactus Group, a global non-governmental organisation currently operating in about 38 countries of the world, primarily to develop and harness the research and innovative potentials in Nigerian students. The yearly innovation challenge is aimed at encouraging students to identify possibilities and creatively work together as groups to design a plan of action that will unleash such possibilities with a view to transforming the socio-economic well-being of people in their communities. The focal point of this year’s edition adequately revealed the innate talents in young Nigerians through the showcasing of various empowerment and development-driven business ideas, which apart from impacting individuals have also helped communities to survive. Setting the tone of this year’s contest, the Nigerian Office Director of the Group, Mrs. Adesuwa Ifedi, said the Enactus Challenge is geared at developing students’ creativity towards empowering themselves and their communities. She said the programme over the past 12 years of its existence has greatly challenged the students to be more productive and relevant to the society. She said: “Since we strongly believe that business has the power to sustain human progress and provide people unfettered access to the skills acquisition, knowledge tools and information that they require to create a better life for them-

EKSU team with their trophy

Enactus 2014 challenge: Ekiti varsity leads the pack  How students’ innovations lift communities selves, and because students are great change agents, this project has become more imperative.” After the preliminary stages of the innovation contest, which took place between Tuesday July 15 and Thursday July 17, six of the 35 institutions including the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO); Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti; Niger-Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State; Kaduna Polytechnic, and Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, qualified for the final round held on Friday July 18. In one of the innovations, the Niger-Delta University team, apart from other projects presented, also presented two great initiatives which were products of researches conducted in Bayelsa State and other neighbouring communities. The first, tagged: Project LIFE - Living an Impact For Eternity – was based on a study they carried out which revealed that of every 500 pregnant women in some select hospitals within a period between two and three months, more than 300 were teenagers. The team, therefore, em-

barked on skill acquisition training for the teenage expectant mothers under which they identified and chose skills they preferred and were trained on them. Under the training scheme carried out in partnerships with some banks, the trainees were offered soft loans while cooperative networks were established for them as a platform to interrelate, while their products are pushed to the markets. Apart from this initiative, the group worked on water hyacinth that has remained a great challenge to fish farmers in the rural communities, for which many farmers had almost abandoned their fishing farming due to this menace. To tackle the problem, the team came out with a research in which the water hyacinth (sea

The yearly innovation challenge is aimed at encouraging students to identify possibilities and creatively work together...

plants) could be turned to fish feeds. This, according to the team, was a product of intensive research involving the university’s Agricultural Department and those in the Sciences, a project which today has empowered no fewer than 12 as producers of fish feeds which has helped in the growth of fishes in the communities, and generated substantial income from the sales of the feeds. Also, the ABU team’s initiative showcased Moringa plants and their efforts in tackling the menace of Vesicovaginal Fistula, otherwise known as VVF, which is said to be excessively common in the North. In another development, FUTO team focused its innovation on oral hygiene, which its impacts dazed some of the judges. The defending champion, The Kaduna Polytechnic, which apart from its innovation exploit in country, represented Nigerian institutions in Mexico, where the team trounce other countries including U.S.A to clinch the third position globally. The team at this year’s edition of the contest showcased

the power in my palm project, which focused primarily on persons living with HIV/AIDS. It embarked on series of projects not only to empower those living with the dreaded disease, but also lift their spirit and resolve the stigma facing them. Ekiti State University (EKSU) team, which is making its seventh debut in the challenge, was the cynosure of all eyes at this year’s competition. It was with loud ovation that the team mounted the rostrum to showcase three of its projects, which held the audience spell bound. The first of the project, a Matweaving business, tagged: ‘EniIran’, according to the team, is an initiative that took members to Ogotun-Ekiti, a rural community in the university’s host state where the people’s traditional business from time immemorial was mat-weaving, but had to be abandoned long time ago due to poor patronage. The team leader, a 300 Level undergraduate at the Department of Banking and Finance, Odupele Dolapo, said the team in the course of its fact findings came out with other usefulness of mat materials including making of hand bags and mobile phone pouch, among others. CONTI NUED ON PAGE 22

22 EDUCATION

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Redeemer varsity: I'll not harbour drug addicts, vices – VC

Dominic Adewole ASABA

his will be cheering news to graduates, especially in Delta State, as Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan administration has unfolded a hi-tech recipe that will tackle the hydra-headed problem of unemployment confronting Nigerian graduates. The governor, who stressed the need for the nation’s higher institutions’ curricula to be tailored towards producing graduates that would be self-employed, said it was high time respective governments fashioned out programmes and policies that key into selfreliant job opportunities for the people. Uduaghan, who spoke at the maiden convocation of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, commended the Rector of the institution, Dr. Jacob Oboreh for judiciously deploying the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the institution towards the execution of about 30 infrastructural projects within his two years administration. He howver, advocated the introduction of Business Studies into the course content of every institutions of higher learning in the country. He lamented the problem of graduate unemployment where about 30 million youths will be in the labour market, saying it is a big challenge that government at the various levels alone could not solve. His words: "So, whatever we are doing as a state, our ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ is geared towards how we can engage some of these youths as they come out of their institutions. In this development programme, we believe in self-employment, but the challenge is how do we get the graduates to become self-employed. There is the challenge of educating you not only in your areas of specialties, but also how to

Camillus Nnaji edeemer’s University ViceRAdeyewa Chancellor, Professor Debo has faulted in strong

Uduaghan (left) and Obboreh (right) during the convocation ceremony.

Delta raises hope of fresh graduates

 Uduaghan proffers way out of unemployment manage the business and in fact how to get the funding if you have to be self-employed. “The Delta State Government in its Delta Beyond Oil strategy, has tried and we are getting involved in both areas such as in your education and funding for self-employment." But the governor, who insisted that self-employment programme and initiatives were incomplete without sound knowledge of business management skills, therefore urged institutions of higher learning in the country to incorporate business studies into their curriculum in order that graduates would have the acumen to successfully manage their enterprises. Uduaghan praised one of the graduating students, Paul Odaji, who in his valedictory

address on behalf of his colleagues, told the governor that he had already started a fisheries on his own, even as the governor assured him of the state government's assistance in fast tracking the business. On the judicious use of the polytechnic’s IGR by the Rector, the governor explained that such has reaffirmed his administration’s belief that management of higher institutions should be allowed to manage their IGR without remittance to the state government. The Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha called on institutions of higher learning in the state to key into the ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ programme of the state government with a view to producing graduates that

would be self-reliant, while commending members of academic staff of the polytechnic for not joining the strike embarked upon by their colleagues across the country. The Rector, who reeled out the developmental strides of his administration, lauded the governor for the unflinching support and free hands that he gave the management to run the polytechnic. Dignitaries at the ceremony include Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, representing Delta Central in the Senate; a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Leo Ogor; Chief Nelson Utieyione, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, and Chief Solomon Ogba, who were recipients of the honorary Fellowship of the institution.

22 Air Force School pupils record success in UTME Musa Pam

Jos

he management of Jos Airforce Military School is still savouring the outstanding performance of the school in the 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in which more than 90 per cent of students scored above 200 marks. The Commandant of the school, Wing Commander Samson Adelakun disclosed this at the school’s speech and prizegiving day in Jos, the Plateau State capital. He expressed optimism that results of the 2014 West Africa Examination Council and National Examinations Council (NECO) Examinations, which are still being awaited, would be excellent. The Commandant said that the school, along with the Air Force Girls’ Comprehensive College, Jos, recently made history by emerging the champion of the 2014 edition of Ninth All Air Force Secondary School Games

Gov. Jang

held in Enugu. "It was the first time both boys and girls of Air Force Schools in one town recorded such feat," he said, noting that the school had maintained high standards, both in academics and other fields. The Commandant pointed out that high academic standard of the school was responsible for its ability to win laurels in all areas. "The school also came second at the Radio Nigeria Highland Inter-School Debate competition in held in Jos, after it emerged fifth at the junior category

of the National Mathematics Olympiad in Plateau State,” he said. Also speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Athanasius Dashe, commended the school for its outstanding performance in academics and other competitions. He congratulated the graduating students over their remarkable standards in academic and character traits, and declared that such attitude must be emulated by all to address the rising cases of delinquents in the society. He commended the Air Force for maintaining high standards in their schools, and urged other schools in state to emulate the school’s excellent record, while pointing out that education was the bedrock of every society owing to its significant role in moulding the future generations. The Commissioner, however, said that the state government, under Governor Jonah Jang was ready to support education growth of the people to the highest standard.

In a paper he presented at the ceremony, Prof. Cletus Gotan, Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Jos, advised the young ones to shun negative tendencies from peer groups, calling He called for strong family support and effective counselling by teachers to help adolescents in their choice of peers. Meanwhile Commandant of the Air force Girls’ Comprehensive School, Sgn. Leader Hafsat Baban Mallam said the school has installed software for UTME past questions to serve as pre-test to its students, adding that the school was committed towards improving the results of its students in UTME, and Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO). She said that Miss Favour Oluchukwu, a student of the school, was recognised as the best female athlete with three gold medals and one silver medal at the Air Force School Games.

terms the views being expressed in some quarters that many students of the university are indulged in drug addiction and other related anti-social vices. Adeyewa, who in an exclusive interview with the New Telegraph said the institution would not and has never harboured students involved in drugs, and would not condone anti-social vices, however noted: “Redeemer’s University has zero tolerance for drugs, stealing and other forms of immoral behaviour, and indeed it will be very unfortunate to associate us with any of these vices.” The university, it was gathered has come under criticism after 21-year-old Tolani Ajayi, a student expelled for drug-related offences by the university, allegedly killed his father, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Charles Ajayi, a fortnight ago. Investigations by New Telegraph had revealed that the student, currently in police custody was not the only one indulged in drug crime in the university. Some of the residents and students of the university who live at the RCCG camp where the university is located had confided in New Telegraph. A student, who craved anonymity said: “He (Ajayi) is not the only student involved in the drug issue, as he has a group. When he was expelled, his six other members of the group who went to popular musical shrine were involved.” Reacting on the heels of the involvement of Ajayi in the crime, Adeyewa said: “I have stated it categorically that Tolani Ajayi had been expelled from the university for misconduct, he killed his father not as our student but as an ex-student, that impression has to be corrected and noted. Here, at the university we bring our students up morally and spiritually, as the General Overseer, Pastor E.A Adeboye counsels and prays for them, we are very passionate about our students and teach them how to live a life of integrity, humility and morality in a society such as ours.” Adeyewa insisted that “it should be reported that Redeemer’s University is ahead of most of its contemporaries since what others tolerate we could not; discipline is seriously upheld, if as a student you cannot conform, we expel you.”

Adeyewa, VC

EDUCATION

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Bauchi education commissioner makes case for private schools Yuzarsif Alhassan Bauchi

UNN VC, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba exchanging document with coordinator NANS Zone B, Okorie Ikechukwu during the visit of the union to te VC in his office

Poly students laud Shekarau for wading into ASUP strike Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

olytechnic students have expressed gratitude to the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau for his quick intervention in the almost 12-month-old strike strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) nationwide. The President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Ogbonaya Sunday gave the commendation in Benin City, Edo State capital, while addressing newsmen, saying it was Mallam Shekarau that called the ASUP leadership to a roundtable barely 24 hours after he assumed office, as the Education Minister. Ogbonnaya, a student of The Polytechnic, Oghara, Delta State, described Shekarau “as a man after the heart of Nigerian youths” particularly the polytechnic students, just as he condemned the long period the strike lasted.

He said jokingly: “Many students have almost forgotten their matriculation numbers during the period, while others lost track of the courses they were enrolled. We have to blame the protracted strike on the Federal Government and ASUP leadership for their failure to resolve the contending issues amicably.” According to him, the strike has done more harm than good to the polytechnic system, and essentially the students which it had inflicted injuries on their psyche. “The strike has damaged the technical and vocational education sector and shows that as a country, we are not interested in moving forward technologically," the union leader said. The NAPS President wondered: “The government at all level does not need to wait for workers in the education sector or any other sector to go on strike before doing what is right to enhance the welfare of workers. I have seen the President's

Shekarau

transformation agenda in other sectors, but not in the technical and vocational education sector". He urged members of ASUP to devise other means of agitating for their demands apart from resorting to strike actions, saying they should explore and exhaust every avenue of resolving their grievances rather than resorting to strikes."

Women’s society donates books to LUTH library Shola Adefuwa

Non-Government Organisation, the International Women’s Society (IWS), has donated some learning materials to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) library, Idi-Araba, Lagos. The book donation was part of the activities marking LUTH Library Day, with the theme: “Heart of Truth”. Presenting the materials, the President of the society, Mrs. Folasade Oyeniyi, said that LUTH library service is one of the society’s core projects, adding that the items presented include copies of the Holy Bible, Quran, novel, magazines and other relevant books. She said: “For over 50 years we have being providing library services on every Wednesdays by putting books on trolley which our members push to the patients to offer them reading materials of their choice.” While recalling that the partnership between the society and

LUTH began in 1968, when the library service project took off, Mrs. Oyeniyi described International Women’s Society as an association made up of Nigerian and expatriate women in Lagos, who have passion for social services. The focus of the society, she added was based essentially on the needs of women and girls, saying the society as a matter of fact did not close its eyes to male children with acute needs. She said: “The month of July every year is the time we dedicated ourselves to our library project. This is when we pay visit to LUTH. The society started in Lagos in 1957 and since then we have being proving services in areas of health, education, skill acquisition, poverty alleviation, women awareness and empowerment. We run other projects which include day nursery, skill acquisition, LUTH library, social service, widows’ trust and scholarship which is done through committees.” According to a Director in LUTH, Mr. Adebolawale Ad-

ewunmi, when patients come to the hospital on admission he or she should have access to books which they can read, since illness needs to be treated with various approaches. Patients are always depressed and all what goes in their mind is anxiety and they need people to come close to them and show them some love such as the International Women’s Society is doing through its social services with donation of relevant books which they could read as they lay on their sick bed. On the activities of the society, he said: “I have known this society for over 20 to 25 years, and I have seen them moving from one patient to another. It has been wonderful.” Adebolawale, who hinted that most often patients on admission would never have read any book or books, but the society through its library project offers them the opportunity to read books which not only add to their knowledge and expose them better, but also aid their recovery.

auchi State Education Commissioner, Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim has pleaded with well-meaning and spirited individuals in the state in particular and its environs to establish institutions of learning in their domains, saying it is key to overall education development. He said this had become necessary as it would go a long way to promote quality child education and enhance the entire education sector in the state. The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad, made the clarion call during the speech/prize-giving day of Giwo Science Academy, and the launching of appeal fund for the building of a modern laboratory for the school along Ningi Road, Bauchi. Aminu, who stressed that it only when boarding private schools were established in every nooks and crannies of the state, that the children would have unfettered access to education, urged well-to-do members of the society to engage actively in education development of the state. While saying that the government alone cannot provide every need of the society including education, he recalled that the Governor Issa Yugudaled administration had done a lot in the area of education development with a view to proving succour and create more access to for students and children to acquire quality education in the state. “Since the inception this administration a lot has been done in the building and es-

tablishment of several schools across the state, while existing schools were renovated as part of the government’s policy to provide qualitative education for the citizenry of the state,” he said. According to the commissioner, the establishment of private schools at all levels of education is germane in order for the country to attain the Education For All (EFA) goals and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in which every child of school age would have unfettered access to quality basic education. His words: “I wish to thank the proprietor and management of this school for this ceremony and to unequivocally state that they have really done well. I want to also use this medium to call on other patriotic indigenes of the state to take a cue from the good work of the proprietor of the school by establishing private schools in order to complement the effort of the government in providing qualitative education”. Aminu, while expressing gratitude to the owners and management of the private boarding school, he announced that the Governor had approved the sponsorship of 40 students, who are indigenes of the state to study in the Academy, as the government did last year. Over N17 million was said to have been raised at the launching of the appeal fund for the building of the modern science laboratory in the school. The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of prizes to 34 students who distinguished themselves in their academic work, as well as six members of staff for their outstanding performance in their duties.

EKSU don bemoans poor funding of education Professor of Educational AUniversity Management at Ekiti State (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti,

Abiodun Ajayi has traced the rising level of poverty in the country despite its vast resources and growing economy, to the poor investment in education. Ajayi, who painted a gloomy picture of the country’s level of poverty, disclosed this at the university’s 38th inaugural lecture, where he said it was pathetic to note that despite the growing economy of Nigeria, the proportion of the people living in abject poverty was increasing every year. He said: “The World Bank rated Nigeria as one of the fastest growing emerging economies in the world, yet the country’s level of poverty is increasing. The poor economy of the country has resulted in gross inadequate financial, human and materials resources in the education sector.” Ajayi in his 71-page lecture, entitled: “Managing the Education System in a Poverty-Ridden Economy: The Unhealthy Rivalry between Efficiency and Effectiveness,” however noted that the situation has led to in-

adequate funding of the education sector and dilapidated infrastructure in the institutions, as well as poor training of teachers. The lecturer, who held his audience comprising the ViceChancellor, traditional rulers and top government officials and other principal officers of the university spell bound for almost two hours, recommended the need to adequate fund the nation’s education system, provision of adequate facilities and training and re-training of teachers. As part of the way forward, he also suggested strict compliance with prescribed students-teacher ratio, effective supervision and monitoring of schools, among others, even as he further recommended the establishment of the contributory education fund to address the rot in the sector. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina, who chaired the lecture, stressed that the federal and state government should take the issue of funding of education as a priority by investing heavily in the sector as being done in developed countries.

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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Nigerians win Virgin Atlantic N2.5m, overseas training F Mojeed Alabi

or emerging winners of the Enterprise Challenge organised by the British Council and Virgin Atlantic in partnership with Zenith Bank Plc, two of Nigeria’s young entrepreneurs are to receive N2.5 million. Besides, they are to receive a business training being financed by founder of Virgin Atlantic, Sir Richard Branson in the United Kingdom. The duo is Eseoghene Ise Odiete and Nasir Abdulqadir Yammama. They won the prize in the Enterprise Challenge, an online competition for Nigerians entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years old living in Nigeria or studying in the UK. The apprentice-style competition was segmented into three rounds, during which candidates wrote an essay on their entrepreneurial journeys, created a video pitch for their businesses or business plans, the ideas which was scrutinised by a panel of experts from Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The mentoring session for the two winners in the challenge with Branson, which took place in London, gave the beneficiaries the rare opportunity of having one-on-one interaction with the business mogul. Branson said of the training: "Virgin Atlantic is delighted to have supported the Enterprise Challenge programme dedicated to supporting young Nigerian entrepreneurs and fostering new ideas. Innovation has been an important part of Virgin's heritage and I was pleased to see so many young Nigerians keen

to embrace new ideas through the competition. Many congratulations to Ese and Nasir, who had fantastic business plans and I am sure they will have very bright futures." Eseoghene Ise Odiete runs Hesey Designs, an online store selling African-inspired accessories, which also helps to empower and mentor other young African women. She said: “It was an awesome experience meeting and learning from Richard Branson; one that will change my life and business and take it to a whole new level. I am super grateful for the opportunity.” Meanwhile, Nasir Abdulqadir Yammama, a Postgraduate student at Middlesex University, London, who won the challenge based on his business plan for

a mobile phone application he tagged: ‘Verdant,’ which he hoped would help crop farmers in Africa. He said: “The Enterprise Challenge has been a remarkable competition which I thoroughly enjoyed. I believe it has not only developed my skills, but also exposed me to a new way of looking into things from writing to pitching and presentation. Also, the calibre of people I have been able to interact and network with is the absolute thing every aspiring entrepreneur and innovator wishes to associate with. And meeting Sir Richard Branson was a priceless opportunity that I will continue to value immensely. I have been able to acquire so much wisdom and inspiration that I feel ready

and bound to exceed all expectations.” According to the Communications Manager of the British Council in Nigeria, Desmond Omovie, over 1,000 young Nigerian entrepreneurs submitted enteries for the competition, which was financed by Zenith Bank and the aim is to help talented young Nigerians to develop their entrepreneurial skills. He said: "In addition to their meeting with Richard Branson, the winners each received a £5,000 grant, courtesy of Zenith Bank, to help them develop their businesses, a fully-funded scholarship to attend a five-day entrepreneurship foundation course at the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa, and two return tickets to the United Kingdom."

L-R: Odiete, Branson and Yammama during the training session

Ensure close monitoring of faith-based varsities, don tells NUC

Okojie

Appolos Christian

call has gone to the National Universities Commission (NUC) to closely supervise and monitor universities, particularly faithbased universities, to ensure that they inculcate in their students the right political attitude required for effective citizenship. This was part of the views of the Acting Head of Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin, Dr. Fatai Ayinde Aremu, while deliver-

ing a paper at the Special Departmental Seminar Series, organised by the department. The theme of the seminar was: “Political Consequences of Non-State Provision of University Education: A Focus on Faith-Based Universities.” In his lecture, Aremu pointed out that “such close monitoring would enable such institutions to deliver on the objective of using tertiary education as a tool for nationbuilding and political development.” The don insisted that the curriculum content of citizenship education should be strengthened to emphasise the values that would enhance nation-building and tolerance across ethnic and religious lines especially in faith-based universities. However, he described the NUC's ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach in running the nation’s university system as ‘inappropriate’, saying that the Commission should evolve mechanisms that would take into consideration the peculiar character of non-state providers as distinct from state or public universities. He further noted that faith-

based institutions are in a very good position to help the country because they are very efficient in training the students along religious line in order to be morally upright. Aremu, however, pointed out that it is unfortunate that the universities are not doing enough in terms of political consciousness in their training, saying: “I think they are in a very good position to help the country develop politically because they are well organised, and they have very strong control of their studentship. The guest lecturer, who stressed that the ministry of education or the NUC have not done enough in supervising, monitoring or requesting the faith-based universities to help in inculcating in their students the right political attitude that will be helpful for violent-free elections, and for political education. The faith-based universities are very efficient in training their students religiously to be morally upright, but in terms of political consciousness or political attitude, they are doing nothing and it is because the min-

istry of education and the NUC are not demanding of them to do these things,” he said. While praising the guest lecturer on the lecture he described as stimulating, the Director of the university’s Institute of Education, Prof. A. Abdulkareem, thanked Aremu for belling the cat in reviving the lecture series that had been in the limbo over the years, despite his busy schedule. Abdulkareem said: “We in the Faculty of Education especially Educational Management must be partners in progress. If this kind of lecture is happening and if we come together we will be able to cross-fertilise ideas and compare notes.” While noting that the seminar has provoked critical comments that have contributed to the body of knowledge, Prof. Noah Yusuf, who chaired the seminar, lauded the Head of the Department of Political Science for his efforts. According to him, the lecture, which is the in the first in the series after it was revived, will be sustained as a monthly academic exercise.

Kwara varsity lecturer gets ‘best paper award’

Na’Allah, VC

at the Kwara State UniAof don versity (KWASU) College Education, Dr. Stephen

Olufemi Afolabi has become a recipient of the “Best Paper Awards Based on Peer Review Reports” at Chicago-Illinois, USA. Afolabi received the award during the 2014 Chicago International Conference on Education, which took place between May 21 and 23, following his presentation entitled: “School-Based Management Committee: An Essential Ingredient for Community Participation in Nigerian Schools.” The conference, which attracted over 300 participants from 35 countries, had 80 paper presentations from scholars in diverse fields of learning in tertiary institutions. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, while congratulating the scholar on his exemplary performance, urged other members of staff of the university to take a cue from Afolabi’s achievement, adding that there was a need for more of such outstanding international achievements and recognitions in the university. According to him, the international recognition was neither for the scholar nor his college alone, but for the university as a whole. He, therefore, noted that the university could not be a worldclass university if it could not make world-class achievements, adding that “we cannot say we are a world-class if we do things like local champions.”

Lagos holds enterprise day is set for the second Lagos AforllState Enterprise Day, billed today July 23, at the NECA

House, CBD, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. The annual event, which was instituted by Governor Babatunde Fashola administration, according to the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Mr. Anthony Olawumi Gasper, is to foster enterprise education in technical college students, and facilitate the creation of youth-led businesses. Part of the aims of the event, he added is to enhance the quality and development of technical and vocational education, which is the fulcrum of middle level manpower development, in the state.

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

GSS old students plan big for alma mater Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

head of the Centenary celebration of Government Secondary School, Ilorin, Kwara State, the old students, under the aegis of Government Secondary School Old Students Association (GSSIOSA) are poised to make the celebration a grandeur event. To improve their school, the old students association has concluded plans to launch N1 billion endowment funds for the school during the event. Basking in the euphoria of the attainment of the 100-yearold school, which has produced shakers and movers of the so-

ciety, the old students are set to celebrate the greatness and achievements of their alma mater, which according to them, has towered among its contemporaries. The National President of the association, Alhaji Nurudeen Alabi during a chat with newsmen in Ilorin, the state capital, on the proposed celebration, said it had become imperative to celebrate the school along with Nigeria’s global centenary activities as a way of completing the efforts of government in the educational sector, but more importantly as it relates to their alma mater. Alabi, who lamented that most of the old schools were no longer what they used to be,

called on old students of such schools to rise to the occasion to fill the existing infrastructural gap in their alma mater. “As a stakeholder, particularly the old boys, we have to begin to complement the government’s efforts”, he said, adding that the situation of things in most schools some years back are no longer what they used to be, and now it is up to every responsible old boy to rise to the occasion to fix their schools and rescue it from its current rot. He described GSSIOSA as a vibrant association that has been actively involved in meeting some of the needs of the school, saying there is need to point the attention of stakehold-

The Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos Mr Bashorun Olalekan Wasiu receiving the Award for the Best Nurtured Trees in the Institutional Category in Lagos State from His Excellency, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN while the Honorable Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello applauds.

Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

scholarship scheme dubbed: “Tunde Yusuf Foundation Scholarship,” has been launched at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Kwara State. The scheme was instituted by Dr. Tunde Yusuf for indigent but brilliant students of Ilorin Emirate origin studying Engineering and Science related courses at the university. No fewer than 20 students were beneficiaries of the scheme for the 2013/2014 academic session at the launching ceremony held last week at the university Council Chambers. Welcoming guests to the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah described the initiative as unprecedented in the history of the university, as it marked the first time an individual would CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

The led to the introduction of the new initiative and training of the people in the community, which has greatly open a new window of socio-economic empowerment of the people by enhanced production and sales of the materials. She said of the project: “We also worked on ‘Tech-Rice’ initiative which provided alternative to imported fertilizer for rice farmers in the state through the use of Moringa plants and folio spray. The success of this

ers to the challenges confronting the educational sector. “It is a national phenomenon and the way out is for the products of the school to rise to the occasion and assist the government in fixing the school,” Alabi said, insisting that the government could not shoulder the responsibility alone. The old boys should be prime movers in addressing the decay, after which they can mobilize other stakeholders to complement the efforts of the old students and government. His words: “As a vibrant association, we try to identify areas that we actually want to intervene and assist our school so that we can restore the glory with which the school was known years back. That is the essence. Basically there will be a lot of interaction with the students. We have already identified areas of prime needs. We intend to mobilise our members and other well-wishers, and as well assist in filling the gap so that we can restore the glory of the school. “The areas of interventions are segmented according to their urgency; first in the area of the academic output of the students with well-equipped facilities and there well-competent and adequate teachers. We are addressing some academic facilities such as provision of ICT; well-equipped modern laboratories; provision of decent classrooms for effective learning and teaching. We are looking at the area of renovation of classrooms. Though we already put in place ICT centre, we want to upgrade it and do the perimeter fencing of the school.”

KWASU launches scholarship for indigent students single-handedly institute a major scholarship scheme for students. He recalled that the university had had a temporary scholarship scheme for students of Arabic and Islamic Studies, instituted by a group of people under the aegis of Fisabilillahi Group. The Vice-Chancellor said apart from the annual scholarship award, the founder of the Tunde Yusuf Foundation had also pledged to sponsor a PhD research in Ackee (Isin), as he express hope that the university would admit its first PhD student next month to carry out the research. According to him, the donor is also thinking of the possibility of instituting an endowment fund at the university to promote quality university education. He described Yusuf as an

exemplary personality, whose contribution is worthy of emulation by every Nigerian in view of his outstanding philanthropic gesture and human capital development initiative through educational support for indigent students at all levels of education. The Vice-Chancellor, who recalled that the university partners with well-meaning individuals, organisations and top-rated institutions around the world to achieve its set goals, however announced that the process for the award of the scholarship would begin in June every year through advertisement and submission of applications by qualified students for screening and subsequent recommendation by the University Scholarship Committee. Na’Allah said successful students would collect their letters

in August, which according to him, marks the beginning of every academic session at the university, adding that the current beneficiaries should count themselves lucky as the first set of students to enjoy the meritbased scholarship scheme. Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by improving on their academic performance in order to retain the scholarship throughout the duration of their academic programme. In his remarks, the donor (Yusuf) recalled that he was once a beneficiary of scholarship throughout his educational career, hence his resolve to give back to the society, while he commended the Vice-Chancellor for laying a solid foundation for KWASU through innovative programmes and projects.

EDUCATION

CIPM, Elizade varsity partner on professionalism s part of efforts to ensure the Aenhance delivery of quality tuition and professional qualifica-

tion of students, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State is set to partner the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). The move is in fulfillment of the university’s policy to ensure that all the students before the end of their programme should have become qualified members of the professional associations of their disciplines. While receiving the newly constituted Executive Council of the Ondo State branch of the Institute in his office, the ViceChancellor, Prof. Valentine Aletor acknowledged the roles of the professional body in human capital development and in achievement of organisational goals. He said that as an institution that runs a department of Human Resource Management, the university would ensure the registration of the students and members of staff with the institute, even as he said that Professor Funminiyi Adewumi, the Head of the Department of Human Resource Management would coordinate the partnership. On other partnership already fostered by the university to enhance the students’ professionalism, the Vice-Chancellor hinted that the university has entered into similar partnerships with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), among others. In his remarks, the Chairman of the state branch of CIPM, Mr. Kayode Ogundele, who led other members of the Council on the courtesy visit, said that the professional body realises the need to partner with viable organisations and institutions, noting that Elizade University was the first educational institution to have been visited by the Executive Council after its inauguration. He, therefore, expressed the readiness of the institute to enter into partnership that would not only benefit the parties involved, but also the nation at large. Ogundele spoke of the readiness of the institute to assist the university in ensuring that the students of Human Resource Management Department and those in other related disciplines are chartered personnel managers upon graduation.

How students’ innovations lift communities initiative has encouraged us to extend it to farmers in Wasinmi, Onigbedu and Babalawo villages in the community where we found out that rice farmers in the area are facing similar challenges of inability to afford fertilizer and the menace of pesticides.” The university’s third project, Dolapo added focused on turning ‘Trash to Cash’, which is tagged: ‘Easy Click.’ Easy Click initiative is all about saving the environment

and the greening initiative as the team embarked on by gathering used plastic and nylon materials to make shower caps and other items. At the end of a tensionsoaked challenge, Ekiti State University team led the pack for the first time in its seven years participation by clinching the coveted trophy as the winner of the Enactus 2014 Challenge. While announcing the results, the Kaduna Polytechnic team was declared as the first

runner-up, while ABU team came third respectively. For winning the coveted trophy in this year’s challenge, the EKSU team will in October join other higher institution from 37 countries of the world in China to compete for the world cup. Dolapo described the university’s feat as a dream come true, praising the university management and the Ekiti State Government which supported and funded their projects through the Fountain Holdings Limited.

Ade-Ojo

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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

We hate Command Secondary School, say pupils  Pupils, parents recount bitter experience Kayode Olanrewaju

or many parents and guardians, securing admission for their children and wards into the nation's Command Secondary Schools is their ultimate dream. But, piqued by their ordeal and sordid experience during the Common Entrance Examination into the schools, some parents have vowed that their children would never go to the schools. The pupils and their parents, who have one bitter experience or the other to tell about what they went through in the hands of the supervising military officers during the qualifying examinations, are blaming the soldiers of being too harsh on the pupils during the examinations. “If Command Secondary School is the only secondary school available in the country, and if we are offered admission at the end of the day, we will rather remain at home than go to the school,” Dolapo Oluwafimihan and one of her colleagues, Olaolu Akin had told their parents after the second stage examination (interview) into the schools. Narrating their ordeal in the hand of the military officers supervising the examination, Dolapo said: “Those of us who are children of civilian parents were treated as if we are not Nigerians or part of this society. Since they know it is their school and they do not want other children, why should they allow children of other parents who are not soldiers to buy the forms or make it public. I mean they should have allowed only their children to have access to the forms.” Dolapo, while recounting her ordeal, recalled: “The first thing they did to us during the first stage examination at Ikeja Military Cantonment, Maryland, venue of the examination, was to separate us from other candidates who are their children. Having done this, they bullied and shouted on us, and even used horsewhip on some of us as if we were not wanted to write the examination, despite the fact that we paid them for the examination forms.”

She went on: “This is not fair. They did not want to know that many of us are teenagers. We were been scared even before we got to the examination halls. They were also shouting on our parents, who were mostly women and beat them with koboko (horsewhip) and belt. I saw when one of them slapped a mother and I felt bad about it. “Some of us were beaten. They even threatened us that if we bloody civilians get to their school we will see pepper. They said we should not take any permission to go to the toilet or tell them we want to wee-wee, as we will not be allowed to go out. But, when I could no longer hold the wee-wee and because I could not wee-wee in the hall, I had to with fear go out and I was beaten in the process.” Dolapo added: “In fact, after the second stage examination (interview) at the Command Secondary School, Ipaja, when my mother was coming to pick me in the examination hall, like other parents, she was hit on the back by their horsewhip. It was a bad experience. Apart from the initial cost of forms, those of us who were invited for interview had to pay N1,000 before we were allowed to write the examination. They did not tell our parents about the second payment before, until that morning when we got to our centre.” Olaolu Akin, while corroborating Dolapo’s position, explained how his mother fell and bruised her leg when the soldiers were chasing them with horsewhip away from where they were standing. Speaking about her experience, his mother pointed out: “My child or children will never go to that school. If they could treat us and our children like that during the qualifying examination you can imagine what they will do to them in school. That is not how to instill discipline; what they were doing is to show us that they are soldiers and we are mere ‘civilians’ as they refer to us. We even learnt they have guardrooms for the students, where they keep the children for hours or days depending on the offence of such students. That treatment is too harsh for these children considering their age.”

L-R: Executive-Director, Doveland International School Mrs. Tina Chukwu; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Macjohn Nwaobiala; Director, Gender Development Department (SDS), FCTA, Hajiya Amina Abubakar and Representative of the Secretary of Education Secretariat, FCT, Prof. Asabe Kabir Usman, during the 5th Graduation Ceremony of the School in Abuja

NAPS urges Ede poly to reinstate students' union Mojeed Alabi

he leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students, NAPS, has urged the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State to as a matter of urgency reinstate the proscribed students' union activities on the campus. The student body also demanded for the reversal of the newly introduced N10,000 development levy, describing it as illegal and exploitative. This was contained in a statement issued by the Senate President of the student association, Lukman Salawudeen, who declared that the outcome of a meeting recently held with

the management of the polytechnic showed that the school was convinced of reversing the two decisions. The student leader, who explained that the union had earlier met with the presidents of the school's various departmental associations, said their deliberations informed their positions during the meeting with the management of the polytechnic as represented by the Dean of Students' Affairs, Mr. BMG Amusan. Lukman said: "The meeting was an interactive one and we believe it would yield the desired results as the Dean of Students’ Affairs promised that as early as August, the students' union will be reinstated.

We also suggested other ways the polytechnic could raise its internally generated revenue including consultancy services as being done in other higher institutions, while we also believe that financial institutions and philanthropic bodies could be partnered on infrastructural upgrade, especially in the area of hostels." According to him, other student leaders in attendance at the meeting included the Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Olaogun Victor and Coordinator of the departmental association presidents on the campus, AbdulAzeez Arise, among others.

L-R: Adeniran, Pastor Ayo Oluwagunna, Pastor Ojo, and Mrs. Ojo, the Proprietress of the school at the 16th valedictory service/ graduation of Class of 2014.

Jextoban board chair hails school curriculum Kayode Olanrewaju

ontrary to the aspersions being cast in some quarters on the viability of the school curriculum designed by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to take the nation’s education to the next level, a private school owner has described it as one of the best things to have happened to the sector in the recent times. The Chairman, Board of Governors, Jextoban Secondary School, Ketu, Lagos, Pastor Emmanuel Adedayo Ojo, gave the commendation during the 16th valedictory service/graduation ceremony of Class of 2014, which took place at Ibafo, Ogun State the permanent site of the school. Ojo, who hailed the introduction of the new curriculum into the school system, stressed that the new curriculum has made it mandatory for secondary school pupils to now take another compulsory subject; a vocational subject along with Mathematics, English Language, ICT and Civic Education. “With the new curriculum, a student can now become selfemployed after leaving school,” Ojo said, explaining that students who acquired training in tie and bleaching, fisheries, catering, craft, and welding, among others, if properly trained and grounded in the

vocations could easily stand on their own and become employers of labour early in life. However, in realisation of the school’s mission, which is “to develop the total personality of the child through Christian virtues and values to excel in the global society,” he hinted that no fewer than 11 former students of the school, comprising of four male, seven female ex-students, graduated with First Class Division from their various universities at home and abroad. Basking in the euphoria of the excellent performance of the products of the school, the Chairman said: “We have our products in all areas of human endeavour where they are doing very well including Medicine, Engineering, Law, Accountancy and Economics, among other. One of them is now a Pilot, and we have those who are already pursuing their PhD programmes.” Ojo, who reiterated that the school would not compromise its high level of discipline and merit, added that there could not be success without self-discipline, dedication, diligence, fear of God and the determination to succeed on the part of the students. Though, life is full of challenges, he however insisted that the past six years the students had spent pursuing their secondary school education in the college would have moulded

them to face the future that is ahead of them. He urged the graduating students to combine academic excellence with good character in order to make the society a great place to live, because according to him, “the society is full of temptations to join the race for wealth and fame.” He advised the students: “You must aspire to stand out by being upright and transparently honest. I have no doubt that as those who passed out before you have succeeded, you too will succeed.” The Chairman, while extolling the virtue of the graduating students, said as a school they are very proud of the Class of 2014 set. He praised the Proprietress of the school, Mrs. Adunola Ajibola Ojo, for her vision and dedication towards the successful completion of the school’s permanent site project, otherwise tagged the ‘Ibafo Project’. In his words of exhortation at the event, the Principal, Mr. E.A. Adegoke, urged the students to be visionary by imbibing good values and virtues that are required to take them to the top. He pointed out that “we all know that everybody desires growth and advancement in life, but only few make it to the top because there are omission of components and essentials that help people to get to the top.”

CAMPUS | EDUCATION 27

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Kansas varsity don seeks value reconsideration

Lawal Temitayo OAU

he leadership of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students' Union has given the Education Minister, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, a week ultimatum to intervene in the lingering crisis over new regime of fees introduced by the authorities of the university. According to the students, such urgent intervention had become imperative for him to avoid the students’ mass protest in his office. The students, who rose from a meeting said they appraised the present situation of things on the campus of the university, named after the late sage and former Premier of the old Western Region, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo especially the closure of the institution by the authority. At the meeting, the student leader said certain recommendations were made which they claimed were aimed at proffering quick resolution to the crisis rocking the institution. The meeting, convened by the Students’ Union's President, Ibikunle Isaac, condemned the university's decision to lock the Students' Union Building (SUB), the union secretariat, on a day it was marking the 15th anniversary of the gruesome murder of some of its members, including the then Secretary General to the union, George Yemi Iwilade, even as the union appealed to the students to be peaceful and law abiding in their protest. Some of the decisions reached at the meeting include the resolve to cancel the proposed protest rally in Ibadan, but to intensify their prepara-

Zynab Yusuff UNILORIN

lecturer at the Department AStudies, of Gender and Sexuality Kansas University in

OAU students during one of their protests

OAU students give Shekarau ultimatum over fees l Management: Our position is irreversible tion for Abuja rally in case the Minister fails to intervene; rejection of the July 16 date for the commencement of late registration; reopening of discussion with management on the issues with letters already written to appropriate bodies and individual stakeholders to ensure adequate information dissemination. However, the university authorities have maintained its stance on the issue, saying there is no going back on the decision to increase the fees.

According to the university’s spokesman, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, the management’s action was a well thought out decision that was informed by the present economic realities and the need of a leading academic institution such as OAU. In an exclusive interview with New Telegraph, he said the institution's Senate took the right decision to close down the university when it felt the students were becoming unruly in their conducts during the protests.

He said the university was shut when the students were no longer acting responsibly, and the authorities could not have folded its arms and watched the situation degenerated into chaos. Olarewaju added that the students also knew that a university that receives meagre allocation from the Federal Government, and spends more than N30 million monthly on power bill could not afford to run a cheap education without losing the quality of its tuition.

the United States of America, Prof Omofolabo Ajayi Soyinka has called on Nigerians to reconsider their gender values. According to him, although we may have been born male or female, it is the societal reconstruction that allocates roles to gender. Soyinka made this assertion while delivering the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) public lecture, entitled: “The Gender Space of Knowledge: Interrogating Nigerian Women in the Academia,’ which took place at the university's auditorium. She stated that women are not aliens, immigrant or strangers to the academic field, but that rather they have made distinct advancements academically, either as students, academic or administrative staff in academic institutions. She further said that women have progressed from being aliens to the status of immigrants and the strategy is to coopt men in the struggle so that both men and women would believe that this is a struggle for the human race and specifically for the survival and progress of this nation. The don also noted that not all women are marginalised and deprived of power in the society at all time, saying that women are making great strides in different fields of knowledge including sciences, technology, engineering and arts, among others.

Frills as UNILORIN swears in students' union leaders Wale Bakare UNILORIN

mid pomp and ceremony, the new executive members of the Students’ Union of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) for the 2014/2015 academic session were last week sworn in. The ceremony, which was held at the university's main auditorium was attended by the ViceChancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniy Ambali; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Nike Ijaya; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academics, Prof. Gabriel Olatunji; and Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Ayobami Omotesho, among others Omotesho, in his welcome address congratulated the new executive members and expressed gratitude to the immediate past leaders of the union for what he described as their excellent performance while in office. While urging the new leaders to build on the good legacies of their predecessors, the Dean said: “I strongly believe this new executive members are unique because they were elected through an e-voting

Some of the student leaders with the university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ambali

system which was first of its kind in the nation’s campuses, which has four female elected to the Central Executive Council. I pray you will be able to carry on the mantle properly.” In his remarks, the ViceChancellor said: “You will agree with me that today is a day to be remembered by both students and the

school management. The outgoing students' union leaders had been supportive and never disappointed us for once. If the students’ union constitution had provided for second term, I would have loved them to continue because they are hard-working while they handled issues of great importance with maturity."

He commended them for bringing new innovation to students' unionism on the campus, saying the student leaders did not only identify problems, they also always proffer solutions to problems. "When we say UNILORIN is better by far they have really put it into practice and that is what unionism is all

about," the Vice-Chancellor noted, adding: “I, therefore, congratulate the new set of leaders and urge them not to be intimidated by the record of their predecessors but should set a path for themselves to follow.” In his inaugural speech, the new President, Mr. Yakubu Ishowo, praised the university management and his predecessor for the successful completion of their tenure, while pledging that the responsibilities before the new leadership will be carried out to the letter with utmost sincerity and commitment. He said: "I want to appreciate the entire student body of the university for the trust you have reposed in me and my team for giving us your mandate and I also solicit your continued support in ensuring that we serve you better because it is our responsibility to keep the university moving." The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of award to some deserving students, which was organised by the union in conjunction with a student organisation, Hall of Fame; in which Award of Excellence was presented to the Vice-Chancellor and the Dean of Students' Affairs, among others.

EDUCATION | CAMPUS

Hammed Muritala UNILORIN

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Akande Soliu Oladipo, serving in Kwara State, has constructed and donated a bus stop stand to Ilorin West Local Government Secretariat. The Council took the delivery of project after it was commissioned by the Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Tajudeen Sulu-Oloje, who was represented by the Secretary of Local Government Council, Alhaja Sekinat Abubakar. In his remarks, the Local Government Council boss, who expressed delight over the project, commended the corps member for the initiative, while urging other corps members in the state to emulate Akande’s giant stride. As part of measures to appreciate the donor, Sulu-Oloje spoke of the decision of the council to recommend Akande for the state and national award as outstanding corps member. He said: "I want to urge corps members to start thinking of what they can do for the country and not what the country can do for them." Also speaking at the commissioning of the bus stop project, the Ilorin Zonal Inspector of the NYSC, Mr. Folayan Kayode, who lauded Akande over the initiative, however pointed out that “the project is not just a bus stop stand, but an ultra-modern one.’’ Folayan urged Local Government Councils to assist

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Corps member donates bus-stop stand to council

Yakubu (middle), with officials of NYSC and others at the event

corps members deployed to their councils in order to carry out projects that would impact on the members of the community. In a chat with campus journalists, the 29-year-old corps member, who hails from Saki in Oyo State, said the need to give to the society motivated him to embark on the project.

He said: “I constructed the stand to alleviate the hardship people go through at bus stops in the community. On my first day in Kwara State, I was stranded for about five hours at the General Hospital bus-stop under the scorching sun and later drizzling rain as there was no shed to hide. So, this motivated me to put up

this project.” Akande, a graduate of Educational Management from Ekiti State University, AdoEkiti, said he would have built the bus stop stand at General Hospital bus-stop where he had the ugly experience, but was advised otherwise because of its security implication.

ITF lauds varsity’s commitment to SIWES Industrial Training Fund Tthehe(ITF), the agency supervising Students Industrial Work

Experience Scheme (SIWES) in tertiary institutions in the country, has lauded the management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, for its outstanding commitment towards the students’ participation in the scheme. The Fund, which also hailed the management for providing a clean campus that is conducive for academic activities, spoke through the Akure Area Manager, Mr. Jacob Olaniyan, when he led the ITF officials on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi, in his office before the commencement of the 2013/2014 SIWES orientation programme for prospective students in the compulsory six-month exercise. Olaniyan , who expressed satisfaction over the development of the university, described the university environment as being conducive for academic activities, even as he added that “I want to commend the efforts of the management on that.” He said: “I have been to the SIWES Unit and I was encouraged by what I found on ground. Unlike other institutions, a whole building has dedicated to SIWES by the university. You have met virtually all the guidelines for operating an effective SIWES Unit. I saw a brand-new vehicle for Unit and other facilities. All of these indicate that your university is paying a lot of attention to the SIWES Unit.

OPINION

LASU: Another open letter to Fashola NurudeenYusuf Temilola

ir, education is the superstructure that all other infrastructure is built upon. When the roads are due for rehabilitation, do we turn to the white men again to do that for us? Prophet Muhammed never built any infrastructure, yet He lingers in the mind of the people today. He has been able to dig deep into the people’s consciousness till date because He had taken the time to educate the people. Ditto the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, an elder statesman and Premier of the old Western Region. Lagosians and Nigerians should not continue to be impoverished for no just reason, but for the poverty of the mind and access to significantly information that are the upper most. The LASU fee hike is a phenomenon that has dealt a heavy blow on the future of Lagosians and Nigerian youths. It negates the founding ideology of this great citadel of learning; which is anchored on ACCESSIBILITY. Your Excellency, you called for a proposal of how much we, students of LASU could afford to pay for our university education. The breakdown of the fees was examined and some unnecessary fees were expunged. When we discovered the government’s menda-

ciousness about the matter we decided to embark on peaceful rallies to sensitize the public and also demand sharp reduction of our school fees as proposed by the leadership of the institution’s Students' Union, a body of students coordinating the affairs of the entire students of LASU. On many occasions the officers of the Nigerian Police attacked, intimidated and harassed the students during their peaceful rallies. They shot teargas and bullets at us, in their bid to disperse us and restore order, in the process some students were arrested and arraigned before the Magistrate Court, sitting in Ikeja, while some who sustained various degrees of injuries were hospitalised. Despite all these, we defied all odds to exercise our inalienable rights as provided in Section 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, since we realised that we are fighting a just cause. The Lagos State Government relied on the report of the Ad-hoc Exco Committee on review of LASU fees to approve the reduction of LASU fees ranging from 34 to 60 per cent. We sincerely appreciate His Excellency's unrelenting commitment and development of Lagos State University. We key into His Excellency’s vi-

Nurudeen

sion of not making an average graduate from LASU clueless; the vision to sift Lagos State University from the chaffs; the passion to rescue LASU from its ‘glorified secondary school status’, and enable it interact with the town. However, on Paragraph 8 of the Resolution of the Government (Line II) some of the charges included can still be reduced on compassionate grounds, and so we are demanding that the government reduces the fees on compassionate ground considering the breakdown of the fees. Sir, with the reduction, the fee still ranges between N133, 250 and N175,750 for Medicine; N106,750 and N140, 750 for Law; N96, 750 and N135,

750 for Science; N86,750 and 130,750 for Social Sciences and N76, 750 and 115, 750 for Arts, to mention a few. This does not include accommodation fee and other expenses incumbent on the students to pay, and in Lagos State to be specific. The fee regime is contrary to the state’s ruling party - All Progressive Congress (APC) manifesto that promised free and qualitative education. In fact, on February 15, this year, at the Njala University in Sierra Leone, the National leader of the party and former Governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu upon receiving an award of Honorary Doctorate Degree in Civil Law (Honoris Causa) bestowed on him by the university had said: “We found the APC so that Nigerians from all walks of life and social statuses might gather under one tenet to develop the nation on the basis of equity and shared prosperity. What we seek is a fair social compact so that we may avoid social calamity. A core element of our mission is to make all levels of education, from primary to university level accessible to all people, regardless of economic circumstances.” To survive in the modern economy, education is a must. As such, responsible leadership must view education as

a social service by the government and public right of the people and no longer a luxury to be enjoyed only by rich who have the money to purchase it (education) for themselves. The government must help financially those who cannot help themselves in this essential regard. We urge the Lagos State Government, the primus inter pares in this issue to show leadership by example by upholding the core manifesto of the ruling party in Lagos. For the fact that, “he who does something through another person is deemed to have done himself ”, as the Visitor and proprietor of the university, you have been vested with the power to absolutely veto and ratify the Governing Council’s decision. Sir, we plead with Your Excellency to help us prevail over the Governing Council to consider the students on the grounds of what is reasonable and affordable by the students. We plead with you passionately for further reduction of the fee to be in line with the economic realities and the government’s promise to give us the best legacy that could be bequeathed to generations yet unborn - Education. • Nurudeen Yusuf Temilola is the President of LASU Students’ Union

CAMPUS | EDUCATION 29

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

UI set to host continental students' conference

Omojuwa

Oluwafemi Ogunjobi OAU

arring last minute change of mind, the University of Ibadan will hold the first African Students for Liberty Conference, which will take place between July 25 and 26. The programme, which is scheduled to take place at the university's Trenchard Hall, according to the group’s African Programmes Manager, Mr. Olumayowa Okediran, will discuss the myriad of problems confronting Africa as a continent and the students in particular. He said: "Africa has been a case of charity for too long, the narrative has been about a continent so poor that it cannot by itself break free from the shack-

les of poverty; it has been about a continent struck with the pestilence of corruption and horrendous economic situations but the earlier we decide to handle our problems by ourselves the better we will be for it." He said the organisation is an offshoot of Students for Liberty, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to provide a unified, student-driven forum of support for students and students' organisations dedicated to liberty. "The body also seeks to empower students to become leaders and agents of change in their communities, particularly within their universities," he noted. Okediran added that the event will also feature various speakers and panels on the ideas that lead to a free society and the actions necessary to implement them. Among the speakers are the co-founder of the organisation and currently the Executive Director, Alexander McCobin; the outgoing Director of Leadership Development and Entrepreneurship in Africa for the Global Peace Foundation, Ms. Ida Nganga; the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dominion Group of Companies, Calvin Burgess; Japheth Omojuwa, Dr. Wale Okediran, among others.

L-R: Olatunji, Doyin Abiola, Danjuma, Fayemi and Karikari at the event

Mojeed Alabi

t was one of those rare moments when dignity, integrity and indeed intellectualism are rewarded, as scholars assembled at the AGIP Recital Hall of the MUSON Centre, Lagos, to honour one of their own, - Dr. Olatunji Dare, whom they described as a journalism giant and teacher of teachers.

Meet Press Club

Taiwo Hammed, UNIMAID

Zainab Yusuff, UNILORIN

Boris Nwachukwu, uniport

Muritala Hammed, UNILORIN

Hammed Hamzat, UI

Wale Bakare, UNILORIN

Kemi Busari, OAU

Edith Madu, UNILORIN

Sikiru Akinola, OAU

Are you interested in becoming one of the New Telegraph Press Club members? You can send your photograph, institution, department, course, level and stories to kayolanre@gmail.com OR mojeedalabi21@yahoo.co.uk

photo: tony eguaye

Day scholars stood still for Olatunji Dare It was at the 70th birthday anniversary of the literary icon, an alumnus of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he studied Mass Communication and graduated with First Class Honour. Reading Olatunji's citation he was said to have proceeded to Columbia University in New York for his Master’s programme, and Doctorate degree in Communication Research at the Indiana University, Bloomington, with specializations in International Communication and Public Policy Analysis. A former Chairman and Editorial Page Editor of The Guardian Newspapers, Dare is currently a Professor of Communication at the Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, United States of America, and is regarded by many as Nigeria's most celebrated Satirist and one of the most respected newspaper columnists. To celebrate him, apart from a lecture delivered in his honour by one of his classmate and Professor of Communication at the University of Ghana, Legon, Kwame Karikari; a scholarly material contributed by journalism teachers, media practitioners, poets, literary icons and activists including the revered Professors Niyi Osundare, Adebayo Williams, and edited by Dr. Wale Adebanwi, was launched at the event. In his lecture, Karikari traced the journey to secure press freedom for African journalists to the contributions of several Nigerians including Olatunji Dare, Dan Agbese, among several others, while he noted that the desired atmosphere for media practice on the African continent has not yet been achieved. On the freedom of press, the don said efforts should be on how to ensure that appropriate laws and legislations were made by the governments of the different nations on the continent to protect the lives of journalists and guard against intrusion on the job. He, however, advised jour-

nalists to be cautious in the discharge of their responsibilities, saying extremism is different from professionalism. While presenting the book to the audience, the Chairman of the occasion and former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), said the heightened languages and vocabularies used in the festschrift posed a major challenge to him, saying he regretted that such quality of writers could today be hardly found in the country. Danjuma, who said the advent of television, has eroded the nation of sound reading culture especially among the youth, urged stakeholders to rise to the challenge and restore the old glories. The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who extolled the virtues of Olatunji Dare, lamented the dwindling fortune of education in the country. The event attracted several literary icons, top government functionaries and tradiational rulers including Professors Niyi Osundare, Ropo Sekoni, Adebayo Williams, Femi Osofisan, as well as Governors of Osun, Edo, Ogun and Lagos, Abike Dabiri Erewa, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Dr. Doyin Abiola and Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru of the Guardian Newspapers. In his encomium, Danjuma described Dare as a model and hero, saying in the many years of intimidation and assault; he excelled as a journalist and impacted positively several lives. He said: “I have the very highest respect for those who have had cause to flee their homelands and stay abroad and yet survive, and even prosper. Dr. Olatunji Dare has gone through all that in his life. He transformed from a reporter and a writer to a teacher of Journalism in America. I congratulate him because he has turned an intellectual and a success by impacting many lives.”

EDUCATION

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Ajasin varsity declares zero tolerance for indiscipline Kayode Olanrewaju

dekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko has declared that the university has zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour that could smear the reputation of the institution. Towards this end, he warned the students to desist from acts and vices that are capable of truncating their education and future, even as he noted that his administration would not hesitate to show any student or group of students involving in such acts the way out of the institution. According to Mimiko, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi, at the matriculation ceremony for the 2013/2014 academic session, the university frowns at every form of indiscipline and social vices capable of disrupting the stability and peace of the institution. He said: “Let me make it abundantly clear that Adekunle Ajasin University has zero tolerance for social vices and having taken the university’s oath of allegiance you should abide by the oath by eschewing all forms of social vices including cultism,

examination misconduct, truancy, drug addiction, indiscipline, rape, murder, prostitution, indecent dressing, kidnapping and all other forms of violence that could bring your education to abrupt end. “This university is governed by laws and the instrumentality of those laws shall be applied at any moment of infraction,” the Vice-Chancellor stressed, while advising the students to sincerely guard their admission jealously, by resisting anything that could rob them of the golden privilege to study at the great university. Mimiko congratulated the matriculating students on their admission into the university, saying however, that they should count themselves lucky to have been admitted out of the 18,019 candidates that applied for admission into the university. The Vice-Chancellor, who hinted that the 3,634 successful candidates were admitted purely on merit, added that the university’s merit-driven admission policy was a deliberate effort by his administration to make the Ivory Tower globally competitive in the 21st Century. He noted: “It is an initiative geared toward producing

confident, self-reliant and wellrounded graduates who could compete favourably with their contemporaries anywhere in the world and who would be a pride to the country.” While insisting that the students should surrender themselves to the discipline and training the university is instilling in them in the next four or five years for them to be relevant in the society, Mimiko reiterated that the institution had been noted for its stable academic calendar in the last five years. “The university has remained a beacon of hope as we vigorously strive to give the highest standard and quality education to the students and to graduate them at a record time,” he said. While administering the matriculation oath on the students, the university Registrar, Mr. Bamidele Olotu, warned them against such acts that could bring the name of the university into disrepute, even as he advised them not hesitate to report to the university Security Unit or the Students’ Affairs Division, their grievances or any suspicious and questionable movement on campus.

Some students of Good Sherpherd school displaying their musical talent

Don on why education system must be overhauled Muritala Ayinla

don at the Department of Educational Administration, Faculty of Education of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Ayotunde Adekunle has called for total overhauling of the nation’s education system as one of the ways to revamp the sector. The don, who made the call at the 16th valedictory service and prize-giving day of Good Shepherd Schools, Meiran, Lagos, said the falling standard of the nation's education sector calls for serious concern as average Nigerians no longer have confidence in the sector. Speaking on the theme: "Rethinking the Nigerian Educational Philosophy in a Post-Modern Culture: A Case for Values, Virtues and Vision," Adekunle decried undue premium on certificates rather than knowledge gained or skills acquired. According to him, if the system must move forward, the

preference for certificates or paper qualifications as it is the case in the country today should be de-emphasised, while emphasis should be on performance and skills. He, therefore, recommended that emphasis should be laid on the development of manipulative skills at every level of the nation’s education system, saying most Nigerian Electrical Engineers rely on books to proffer solutions to simple electrical fault, a problem which, he said could be solved by an apprentice or a road-side mechanic. The don said: “What is wrong with our educational system? There is parental influence on the choice of career of their wards with little or no considerations for the academic aptitudes of such children. There is a mismatch between education policy formulation and implementation as well as inadequate funding of education. “Another thing that is wrong

with the system is that there is irrelevance of school curriculum to the world of work and inadequate access to education. The problems of ill-motivated teachers, inadequate supervision of schools and corrupt society are also factors militating against the system.” To salvage the situation, Adekunle recommended that there must be adequate funding of the education system, such that 26 per cent of the nation’s annual budget is set aside for the education sector in line with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). He added: “There should be re-orientation of the people; non-interference of parents in the choice of career of their wards; provision of effective guidance and counselling services in schools, while school curriculum should be relevant to the demands of the industrial sector so as to make graduates fit into the world of works.”

EDUPEACE

with Mahfouz A. Adedimeji (08066372516, sms only)

Ramadan as a school

or almost a month now, Muslims, who are a quarter of the world population, have been in the fasting mode. It is the month of Ramadan and every conscious Muslim is keen to maximize the spiritual benefits of the season. As the month of fasting ends this weekend, it is pertinent to see it as a school where students are expected to learn their lessons. There are at least five lessons that Nigerians must imbibe during and beyond this school session, as I have had a reason to state elsewhere recently. First is forgiveness. This is a period during which people seek forgiveness of their sins and also forgive those who have wronged them as part of the renewal process that Ramadan engenders. There is a lot of bickering and bitterness among Nigerians and the right thing to do is to forgive one another. If we have the courage to forgive others the perceived or actual wrongs they have done to us, we would rid ourselves of the torment of hate that stinks like skunk all over the land and cyberspace. The fundamental principle of happiness in this life is to forgive others and forget their misdeeds; this is a precondition for gaining divine pardon and moving forward. The second lesson of the season is love. As “an emotion of a strong affection and personal attachment, a virtue representing all of all human kindness, compassion and benevolent concern for the good of another”, love is the heart of faith and a core lesson of Ramadan. As a matter of fact, one’s faith will be utterly deficient until one loves for the other what one loves for oneself, to paraphrase what the Prophet (SAW) said. The Ashanti people of Ghana have a saying, which is “No matter how badly people treat you, make an effort to always show love in return because there is no medicine to cure hatred.” Ramadan teaches love as the gap between the rich and the poor is breached as they undergo the same experience for the same purpose. It is through love that we can heal the world. Nigerians should therefore reflect and realize the need to love one another regardless of ethnic, religious and political affiliations. A life devoid of love for the other is a lost life. Another lesson of this period is discipline or self-control and one needs a lot of self-control to survive this world dominated by bigots. Some of our leaders have formed the habit of “reacting” to anything and everything because they lack discipline. It is discipline that makes one reciprocate good and refuse to retaliate evil. The saying which suggests that one should send snakes back to those who send rats to one is wrong and ill-advised. It is discipline that makes a fasting person avoid eating when food

As the month of fasting ends this weekend, it is pertinent to see it as a school where students are expected to learn their lessons is available and he is hungry. It is self-control that makes a person avoid all the attractive vices that render one’s fast meaningless. According to the tradition of the Prophet, “Fasting is a shield (or screen or shelter from committing sins). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, ‘I am fasting’….” Thus, Ramadan teaches the need to be disciplined; the Ramadhan teaches the need to avoid harming and hurting others. It teaches being at peace with oneself and others. The fourth lesson of Ramadan is honesty and sincerity. We are a nation of liars and many of us are dishonest, a trait that has given the country a bad international image. Our leaders are dishonest and the followers are largely insincere. However, dishonesty renders one’s fasting invalid and it is a vice that we must consciously guard against. Honesty is the best legacy and one thing that this period compels us to do is to be honest in our dealings. “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting)”, the Prophet (SAW) said. It is utterly dishonest to feign concern about the state of insecurity in the land and at the same time stoke violence by polarising people along ethnic and religious lines. The fifth lesson of this holy month, indeed the ultimate, is piety or God consciousness. This consciousness makes one to live the letters of Ramadan during and after the month of fasting. In other words, piety as the overarching lesson of the holy month entails that a fasting person should Read the Qur’an, Ask for forgiveness, Maximize good deeds, Attend sincerely to others, Do no wrong, Hasten towards virtues, Avoid sins and iniquities and Never be provoked. It is the combination of these lessons that makes fasting achieve its purpose of making us better human beings. It is therefore necessary to take advantage of the holy season, imbibe its lessons and reboot our faith by doing what is right and eschewing what is wrong now and always in order to attain peace. l Dr Adedimeji is a Senior Lecturer and Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Unilorin.

BUSINESS Wednesday, July 23, 2014

What's news Security challenges cutting companies earnings –Report Manufacturers of foods and beverages are still feeling the pang of insecurity in the North and this is telling on their operations and earnings, experts at Vetiva Research have said.

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Shale oil: Nigeria may lose crude export to US biggest airlines The largest United States carrier by market value, Delta Airlines, may have resolved to put an end to crude oil import from Nigeria, which it deployed in feeding its refinery near Philadelphia. The development stems from the recent boom experienced with the US shale oil magic.

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Banks may hold more capital from October Nigerian banks and discount houses may have to hold more capital ahead of October 1, 2014.

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Synthesis, Mediacraft, others battle for CocaCola account

Public Relations account of leading beverage giant, Coca-Cola in Nigeria, has been thrown open, New Telegraph has exclusively gathered. According to sources, PR agencies in the race for the account include Synthesis Communications, Mediacraft & Associates C& F, the incumbent on the account and two other PR agencies which identities could not be ascertained as at press time.

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BUSINESS CREW AYODELE AMINU, Deputy Editor (Business) Simeon Ogoegbulem, Dep. Business Editor BAYO AKOMOLAFE, Asst. Editor (Maritime) SUNDAY OJEME, Asst. Editor (Insurance) SIAKA MOMOH, Asst. Editor (Industry/Agric) Godson ikoro , Asst. Editor (Money Market) JONAH IBOMA, ICT Editor DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor

31 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

Multinationals’ listing: FG should act now }p-36

ayodele aminu, Deputy Editor, business

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

Recapitalisation: Brokers mull legal action FACE-OFF Dealing members to drag SEC to court by end of this month Chris Ugwu

here are strong indications that dealing members of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) might have concluded arrangement to go to court over the new capital requirements. A senior broker exclusively told New Telegraph on condition of anonymity that brokers are considering seeking redress from industrial court if by the end of this month, the apex market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not soft-pedal on the N300 billion capital requirements. He noted that following the decision by the regulators to increase capital base of categories of stock brokers, letters were written by dealing members to appeal for reduction, but nothing has been done as SEC remained adamant, which according to him, was not good for a nation like Nigeria that practices democracy.

DEFAULT NAICOM says there is no going back on penalty for firms who failed to put their accounts in order Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has restated its resolve to sanction insurance firms that failed to submit their 2013 accounts within the stipulated period. The Commission had set June 30 as statutory deadline

The broker said that since attempts have been made through various efforts but they have met brick wall, the brokers may not have any other option but to approach the court. Given the ongoing transformation in the capital market with increased volume of transactions, the board of SEC had, in pursuant to section 313(6) of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2007, approved the new minimum capital require-

ments for all categories of capital market operators. Following the amendments, the capital requirement for broker/dealer was increased from N70 million to N300 million. For broker only, the capital obligation was raised from N40 million to N200 million; while for dealer, it was elevated from N30 million to N100 million. The minimum capital requirement for Issuing House also been enlarged from N150

million to N200 million; while that of underwriter went up from N100 million to N200 million. For a registrar in the Nigerian capital market, the minimum capital obligation was raised to N150 million from N50 million; while for those in trustees business, the capital requirement was move up to CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, StarTimes Pan-Africa, Mr Xue Jin; Cultural Councillor, Chinese Embassy, Mr Yan Xiangdong and Commissioner for Beijing Municipal Bureau of Press Publication, Mr Li Chunliang, during a Star Times press briefing on the launching of a drama series between China and Africa in Abuja.

2013 accounts: NAICOM moves to penalise underwriters for insurance firms to submit their annual accounts, which must be prepared in accordance with the International Finance Reporting Standard (IFRS) format. New Telegraph gathered from a source at the commission on Monday that full sanction would be meted out to any firm that failed to comply with the statutory deadline by paying the mandatory N5,000 daily penalty. The Assistant Director (Cor-

porate Affairs), NAICOM, Mr Rasaq Salami, corroborated the impending sanction, saying that the deadline statutorily remain June 30 with the affixed penalty of N5,000 per day after the deadline. New Telegraph recalls that no fewer than 19 firms have had their 2013 account approved by the commission, bringing to 30 accounts so far forwarded. Among the firms whose 2013 accounts have been approved are Mansard Insurance, Cus-

todian General Insurance Plc, Custodian Life Assurance Ltd, Cornerstone Insurance, Zenith Life Insurance, NSIA Insurance Ltd and FBN Life Assurance Ltd. Others are Law Union and Rock, AIICO Insurance, Oasis Insurance, Leadway Assurance, Zenith Insurance and Niger Insurance. Meanwhile, the Commission has also released names of inCONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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

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

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at July 18)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N167.50 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N290 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N228 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $38.43bn as at 18/07/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at July 18)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N266.35 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N210.64 Source: CBN

32 business | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Security challenges cutting companies' earnings –Report VICTIMS Fast Moving Consumer Goods companies Siaka Momoh

anufacturers of foods and beverages are still feeling the pang of insecurity in the north and this is telling on their operations and earnings, experts at Vetiva Research have said. Vetiva, in its latest report noted: “Gross margin of the manufacturing companies contracted to 46.9 per cent from 48.8 per cent in 2013 as cost of sales accelerated faster than expected.” It noted that a combination of factors may have played a role in this. “The relatively weaker naira during the period and the security challenges in the Northern region of the country (domestic source for key raw material, sorghum), may have contributed to higher raw material prices during the period,” the report stated. According to Vetiva, the impact of the ongoing security crisis lingers in UACN’s elevated cost of sales and that it is slowing sales in subsidiaries with higher exposure to the North, citing Grand Cereals, MDs Logistics and UAC Food’s SWAN Water. Grand Cereals’ biggest market is in the North where its Feed brand is market leader. Similarly, the bulk of its key inputs of seeds and grains are derived from the North. Vetiva notes that this is the major reason for the elevated cost of sales in question. Management, according to Vetiva, “stated that it is restructuring its distribution channels and its input cost optimisation programme is yielding benefits, the impact of which we expect to see in subsequent quarters. “Whilst Q1’14 group revenue met our forecast, we have revised our growth estimates for the subsidiaries, though we still maintain our FY’14 group revenue forecasts at N91.4 billion,” Vetiva said. For PZ, Vetiva noted that

consumer demand remains relatively weak and thinks the recent escalation of the security situation in Northern Nigeria may also have played a part in this performance. Said Vetiva: “We have slightly reviewed downwards our FY’13/14 turnover forecast (for PZ) to N74.7 billion (previous: N76.3 billion) to reflect the mild underperformance in Q3.” Nestle Plc is not left out of the security challenge headache. According to Vetiva, “Nestle’s operating expenses accelerated 25 cent YoY driven mostly by a 31 per cent YoY increase in selling and distributions costs, though administrative expenses was contained well within inflation for the period at seven per cent YoY growth. We recall that lately, Nestle has been proactive in accessing new markets as the security challenges in the north of the country continue to present distribution challenges. As such, we had expected that selling and distribution costs would remain elevated.” The challenge in question is a trend that commenced a few years back. It would be recalled that the state of insecurity in the northern part of the country caused a marginal dip in UAC of Nigeria’s operating margin, which dropped from 14 per cent to 16 per cent in 2010, according to Vetiva report. It explained that the insecurity in the Northern part of the country contributed to the scarcity of input materials and increase in prices, particularly for operations in the food and beverage segment. Escalating costs of sales and operating costs eroded profit margins of consumer goods (foods) companies such as Flour Mills, Nestle, Cadbury and Dangote then. According to informed industry sources, input costs in Nestle rose by 30 per cent of sales year-on-year from N43.9 billion in 2010 to N57.2 billion. Marketing and distribution expenses increased by 10 per cent. Cost of sales rose in Flour Mills of Nigeria from N103.0 billion in third quarter of 2010 to N123.22 billion in the corresponding period of 2011. British soap maker, PZ Cussons, warned then that it was likely to report disappointing

full year profits, pointing to political upheaval in Nigeria, challenging trading conditions in Australia and high raw materials costs. Analysts said then that the consequence of the upheavals in Nigeria on PZ Cussons

surance companies that failed to submit their 2013 quarterly returns to the commission for review. The list include Capital Express Assurance Limited, Cornerstone Insurance, Goldlink Insurance Company Limited, Industrial and General Insurance Plc, International Energy Company Limited, Nicon Insurance and Unic Insurance Plc. The Commission also listed Adic Insurance Company Plc, FBN Life, Old Mutual General Insurance Company Limited, Standard Alliance Insurance Company Limited, Universal Insurance Company Limited, Union Assurance Company

Limited and Wapic Insurance Plc among those that submitted theirs in some quarters and failed in others. NAICOM had last week released a list of underwriting firms that were yet to submit their 2014 first quarter financial returns for scrutiny. The defaulting underwriting firms are Aiico Insurance Plc, Industrial & General Insurance (IGI), Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, Lasaco Life Assurance, Law Union & Rock Insurance, NICON Insurance, Unic Insurance, Investment & Allied Insurance, Spring Life Assurance Ltd and Alliance & General Life Insurance. Those who have forwarded theirs include Mutual Benefits Insurance Life and General In-

These have come to pass and the trend continues. Procter & Gamble (P&G) which has an expansive distribution network in the North, is affected by the shutting down of stores, stemming from the crisis.

L-R: Auditor, Akinsanmi Babafemi and Co, Femi Obanubi; 32 inch LED TV Winner, Adedeji Taiwo and Retail Executive, Lagos Business Unit, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Adebowale Adegun, at the Star Football Fan Park raffle draws, in Lagos

DECLINE Importers of crude oil from Nigeria may further decrease in number as US provides alternative to some major consumers Sunday Ojeme

with agency report

he largest United States carrier by market value, Delta Airlines, may have resolved to put an end to crude oil import from Nigeria, which it deployed in feeding its refinery near Philadelphia. The development stems from the recent boom experienced with the US shale oil magic. Prior to the latest decision, Delta in April this year, imported about 140,000 barrels of crude a day to feed the plant, mostly from Nigeria and Norway. Bloomberg report indicates that the airline is trying to cash

NAICOM moves to penalise underwriters C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

was an indication that other Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) might be in for bigger challenges, adding that their bottom lines would be adversely affected and by extension, that job losses were likely “if things do not change for the better”.

surance, Goldlink Insurance Plc, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Custodian General and Life Insurance, Mansard Insurance, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance, Sterling Assurance Plc, Lasaco General Insurance and Linkage Insurance. Others are FBN Life Assurance, Old Mutual Nigeria Insurance Company, Old Mutual Nigeria Life Assurance, Equity Assurance, Fin Insurance Company, Guinea Insurance, Leadway Assurance Company, NEM Insurance, International energy Insurance, KBL Insurance, Niger Insurance Plc, Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation and Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation.

Shale oil: Nigeria may lose crude export to US biggest airlines in on the biggest oil boom in the nation’s history by bringing more domestic crude to its refinery. The Atlanta-based airline signed a five-year agreement with Addison, Texas-based midstream company, Bridger LLC, to supply the Trainer, Pennsylvania, refinery with 65,000 barrels of crude a day, more than a third of the plant’s capacity. Delta is hoping that greater use of domestic crude will help it turn a profit at the refinery, which it bought from ConocoPhillips in 2012 in an attempt to control prices and supplies for its fleet. US crude production has risen 55 per cent since the start of 2010, making prices cheaper than in the rest of the world. “We definitely believe domestic crude will be competitive versus foreign alternatives,” Graeme Burnett, Delta’s

senior vice president for fuel optimisation, said by phone. “We want to push the levels of domestic crude as high as we can,” he said. Trainer is 100 miles (160 kilometers) from New York Harbor, the delivery point for gasoline and diesel futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Conoco shut the refinery in 2011, citing poor economics. Delta lost $41 million operating the refinery in the first quarter and booked $107 million in fuel hedging gains. Delta uses the refinery’s jet fuel and trades the gasoline and other products for more. The five-year length of the agreement shows Delta’s commitment to the plant despite the losses, said Robert Campbell, the New York-based head of oil products research at Energy Aspects Ltd., a London-based research firm.

Brokers mull legal action C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

N300million, from N40 million. Furthermore, the minimum capital requirement for rating agency was increased from N20 million to N150 million; while the capital requirement for corporate investment adviser remained unchanged at five million. From an initial capital requirement of N500,000 every individual investment adviser is expected to have at least two million as capital; while fund/ portfolio manager’s minimum capital requirement was jerked up from N20 million to N150 million. The development received a public outcry as most stock-

brokers faulted the move, suggesting that the stock broking firms’ minimum capital should be determined by the level of business they want to do. The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and Association of Stock broking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) faulted the newly increased capital base for capital market operators by SEC, saying it was ill timed and uncalled for at this moment, at a time that the market is experiencing recovery from the global meltdown. The two groups said that they would engage the SEC to address the grey portion of the new capital structure, even as they recommended a risk-based regulatory framework.

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

N100bn Textile Fund not working, says group

he Kaduna-based Coalition of Closed Unpaid Textiles Workers has alleged that the N100 billion Cotton Textile and Garment (CTG) bailout fund is yet to impact on the textile sector. The group, which met in Kaduna recently, declared that the fund set up by the Federal Government is not meeting the expectations of stakeholders in the industry five years after its launch. Chairman of the group,

Comrade Wordom Simdik, noted that since the establishment of the Fund five years ago, none of the shut factories has been fully resuscitated. Simdik regretted that several years after the fund was set up, no tangible result has been achieved. He insisted that companies, which desperately needed the money to inject life into their factories and commence operations never got it except for one or two that are still only

partly operating. His words: “In a situation where an intervention fund for the revival of the collapsed textile mills was instituted by government and the conditions for accessing the money is unfavourable to the same factories for which the money was provided is pure contradiction.” He bemoaned the neglect of the shut textile companies by owners, government and other stakeholders.

L-R: First runners-up in the 30 and above Category, Ndubuisi Agu; Assistant Brand Manager, Maltina, Diekoye Oyeyinka; Overall winner, Mr Perry Dan and second runners-up, Mrs Numa Becky, during prize presentation at the Maltina Dance All Season 8 auditions in Port-Harcourt

Uduaghan makes case for SMEs Amadi Nnamdi Abuja

elta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has called for the development of small-scale industries. Speaking at a Delta State youths products presentation to the Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Olusegun Awolowo, in Abuja, the governor said that he came to meet with Awolowo to seek the support of NEPC with a view to marketing those products abroad. He said: “We believe in micro-credit schemes that will industrialise the area. We are using these micro-credit industries to enable us grow small-scale industries in the area. Everything about our budget is founded on ‘Delta beyond oil.” The governor said that gov-

ernment was putting legal framework in place that will protect the investment and ensure that the strategy is sustained. “Another sustainable strategy is to educate the people on the need to embrace the Delta beyond oil. We shall soon launch books on them to be distributed to all tiers of our educational system,” he said. In his remarks, Awolowo recalled that Delta State is one of the major oil-producing states in the country, adding that the concept of Delta beyond oil is commendable. “You have made a very commendable move by conceptualising and articulating a holistic strategy for your vision of Delta beyond oil, educating Deltans that oil and gas are infinite assets and exhaustible resources which cannot be permanently relied on. In realising your vision, you have embarked on integrated projects ranging from

addressing infrastructure deficits to investments and projects in health, education, ICT and agriculture,” Awolowo noted. While appreciating Uduaghan’s visit, Awolowo said that the governor’s coming to NEPC coincided with the time the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the GDP for 1Q 2014, which stated that the country’s GDP grew by 6.21 per cent. “In that report, while the oil sector recorded a negative real growth rate of 6.60 per cent, indicating a better performance over the past two quarters, non-oil sector recorded a real growth rate of 8.21 per cent in the period, performing better than oil. This upward trend in the growth of the non-oil sector can only be attributed to intensified drive by government and partners to diversify the economy and think beyond monolithic economy, which is oil-based,” he said.

Power supply worsens as Afam plant is shut James Nwabueze Abuja

nation’s power supply caTbyhepacity will further nosedive 415 megawatts as Afam Pow-

er Plant in Rivers State shuts down for 10 days for routine maintenance on its feeder gas station, Okoloma Gas Plant. According to a statement issued by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), it will trigger a drop in the quantity of power available for transmission to distribution companies (Discos) which will result in nationwide load shedding for 10 days, from 6am Sunday July 20 to Wednesday July 30. The grid supply dropped significantly in June due to similar shutdown of Omotosho, Egbin and other plants for 21 days between June 2 and 21 due to routine maintenance operations on the Ughelli Gas Station that feeds gas to the affected plants. The statement reads in part: “It is however expected that the power plant will commence generation on Thursday July 31 when gas supply from Okoloma Gas Plant would have resumed.” The transmission company said that it regrets inconveniences to electricity consumers nationwide. New Telegraph recalls that an expert, a professor of Engineering at the Federal University, Utuoke, Bayelsa State, Prof. Phillip Dayo, said that Nigeria

should be able to generate about 160,000 megawatts of electricity to have steady power supply. He said that the country’s current generating capacity of between 3,500 to 4,000 megawatts was grossly inadequate to stimulate development and support the huge population. The expert said that for the country to attain its full development potential, it must take aggressive and result-oriented steps to significantly improve electricity generation. “Presently, there is inadequate electricity generation in Nigeria. With less than 4,000 megawatts power in a country of about 160 million people, we are grossly under-electrified. “If we really want to use the ideal requirement standard, then we should be talking of 1,000 megawatts per one million Nigerians. “This means we need 160,000 megawatts generating capacity. It means we are currently under-electrified and we need to improve the actual supply and remove barriers to improved generation,” he said. Dayo, however, said that attaining exponential increase in power generation in the country might seem daunting, but it was possible with the right interventions. According to him, one of the interventions will be for government to put in place measures to attract investments in building of more power plants.

Minister to Genco: Adopt embedded electricity generation James Nwabueze Abuja

inister of Power, Prof. M Chinedu Nebo, has urged Genesis Electricity Company,

an independent generation company (Genco), to utilise the vast energy need of industries, especially in the SouthEast, to embark on embedded power generation. Nebo who gave this advice in his office while being presented with the company’s Award of the Africa Utility Performance for 2013/2014 at the weekend, said that Genesis Electricity could pursue its area of strength, embedded power, to cover the South-East and South-South. According to a statement from the ministry’s spokesman, Timothy Oyedeji, the minister advised the company to carry out a survey of industrial clusters, assess their power needs as those efforts will assist in finding solution to their energy requirements, while extending its services to rural and urban areas without grid connection in the regions. Nebo disclosed that Nnewi, an industrial hub in the South-

east, had 40 of its 46 industries closed down due to the huge cost of running generators, adding that a company reportedly operating in that axis spends as much as 38 per cent of its production cost on diesel. He assured the company of government’s readiness to partner, describing Genesis Electricity as a specialist in “Embedded Power.” He said: “No community, no household will be left in darkness. We are prepared to partner with you in the realisation of this government’s directive in the whole gamut of providing electricity to our people.” Speaking after handing over the award to the minister, CEO of the firm, Akinwole Omoboriowo II, said that its success was made possible by favourable climate created by supportive government policy and regulatory framework. “Government policy made this to happen as it has given the sector a robust, proactive and strong power sector that has engendered competitiveness and confidence of players both domestic and international,” he said.

FCT | BUSINESS WATCH

Eyakenyi

he major problems confronting Nigeria’s housing sector centres around quantitative, qualitative and affordability factors, which make owning quality house a luxury rather than necessity. The cost of owning a decent house has forced many to resort to living in shanties. To make housing available and accessible to many Nigerians, the Federal Government, last year, inaugurated a housing committee to help intervene in the challenge of providing mass housing at an affordable rate. New housing policy Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, had during a stakeholders’ Housing Summit in Abuja, stated that under the new housing policy initiative, 10,000 Nigerians would own houses by 2014, courtesy of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company. She further stated that government had already received funds for the programme from the World Bank and an additional fund for micro financing and mass housing initiative. The housing sector, without much protocol, has already set the ball rolling. 324-unit housing estate Last week, a landmark achievement was recorded with the commissioning of a 324unit housing estate financed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). The commissioning re-echoed Federal Government’s determination to provide quality and affordable shelter for the fast growing population of the country. President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by his vice, Namadi Sambo, restated government’s commitment to the housing sector. According to Mr President, the commissioning of the project (Elim) is another visible and verifiable pointer to the success of housing delivery initiative embarked upon

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Chime

Okonjo-Iweala

Mass Housing initiative: The Elim Estate model Elim Estate, in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, constructed by NBP Projects Limited and financed by FMBN under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in the housing sector is a sampled case of the road map which had been earmarked by the new housing regime writes Kenneth Tyohemba by the present administration four years ago. What makes the Elim Estate a landmark achievement in the new housing policy is that it addresses the affordability question of individuals who are eager to acquire houses of their own, but are often weighed down by high cost of houses in the real estate market. The estate offers one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom apartments at affordable rate to both the low and medium income earners. Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, earlier stated explicitly during the inauguration of the new housing committee that “the new policy introduces a new element that has not been witnessed before. By social housing, every citizen counts, it is not just for the rich or low income earners, but also the poor.” This makes the new policy more encompassing, unlike previous efforts where the poor were denied access because of the cost of owning a house. The Enugu (Elim) Estate has thus set the pace of the new initiative by providing housing to both the rich and the poor. PPP Elim Estate is also a sampled case of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in the housing sector, a road map which had been earmarked by the new housing regime. Under the new policy,

private participation forms the nexus, while government provides regulation. While commending the developers of Elim Estate for a judicious use of funds, the president said that the commissioning signifies the usefulness of PPP. He recognised that capital is what will fuel the success story of mass housing initiative and pledged to strengthen the scheme through recapitalisation of FMBN. “Also, the Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC) which was launched last year will bridge the cost of residential mortgage,” he reaffirmed. The construction of the FMBN Elim Estate was financed from the limited resources of the National

Analysts observe that the construction of houses should not be an end in itself. It is worrisome that most estates are abandoned by developers immediately after inhabitants acquire them

Housing Fund Scheme which comprises mainly of 2.5 per cent of the monthly income of workers nationwide. The estate was financed through a construction loan to the developer, NBP Projects Limited, who has delivered a total of 324 units which are for sale to NHF contributors at affordable costs. The estate comprises of 128 one bedroom terrace units selling for N3.5 million each, 32 units of two bedroom terrace at the cost of N4.5 million each, 89 units of two bedroom blocks at the cost of N5.8 million each and 75 units of three bedroom bungalows attracting N10 million each. All housing units are delivered with high quality finishing in addition to accompanying infrastructures of a good road network, electricity, sewage system and other facilities to guarantee a comfortable and decent environment for the prospective estate residents. FMBN MD's remark In his remark, Managing Director of FMBN, Gimba Ya’u Kumo, said that in line with Mr President’s transformation agenda and the desire to provide affordable housing to Nigerians, FMBN has commenced the packaging of mortgage loans to NHF applicants in Enugu State to purchase these houses. He further explained that low and medium income earners who qualify to own the houses is based purely on being regular contributors

to the NHF scheme will enjoy mortgage loans that attract a single digit interest rate of just six per cent and are repayable for up to 30 years. The terms of the loans, he said, are in conformity with the directive given to the bank to provide Nigerians access to cheap funding to own their own houses. Chime's view Enugu State Governor, Suleivan Chime, while assuring of his readiness to continue partnering with the housing sector, disclosed that he had directed the relevant agencies of government to request for land to build a similar estate. His commitment to make land available for housing programs signifies the crucial role state governments have to play in the partnership since the Land Use Act has vested land under the purview of state governors. The state government’s participation, especially in the area of making land available to developers, points to the PPP arrangement advocated earlier by government. Conclusion The housing programme is, no doubt, a laudable initiative. However, analysts observe that the construction of houses should not be an end in itself. It is worrisome that most estates are abandoned by developers immediately after inhabitants acquire them. The state of infrastructure in some estates is, to say the least, appalling. It is expected that the new housing policy will reinforce regulation as part of its partnership deal. It is also the duty of government to make regulation that would boost investment in the business by making funds for the loans accessible, as well as make land use less cumbersome. Government, on the other side, should also impose sanctions on estate developers who cannot meet up with standards in terms of providing and maintaining infrastructure at their various estates.

BUSINESS | MONEY 35

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Godson Ikoro

igerian banks and discount houses may have to hold more capital ahead of October 1, 2014. This is because by the time the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) finishes tinkering with the issues it has with the full adoption of Basel II/III accord in the country, it may roll-out a strategy for capital charge for credit, operational risks and market risks, which will certainly inch up capital and leverage ratios of Banks. The apex bank had on July 2, 2014 directed banks to continue the parallel run pillar 1 of Basel II, for an additional period of three months while the full adoption will commence on October 1, 2014. The directive also required banks to use the period to re-assess their current capital levels with a view to complying at full adoption with the minimum capital requirements. New Telegraph has it on good authority that the apex bank may inch up both the capital adequacy and leverage ratios. This announcement prompted a review of the Basel II and Basel III accords, which are recommendation on banking laws and regulations issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. (BCBS) BASEL II Basel II dates back to June 2004, when it was initially intended to create an international standard for banking regulators to control how much capital banks need to put aside to guard against financial and operational risks. The final version of its objectives is aimed at ensuring that capital allocation is more risk sensitive; enhancing disclosure requirements, which would allow market participants to assess capital adequacy of an institution; ensuring that credit, operational and market risks are quantified based on data and formal techniques. It also attempts to align economic and regulatory capital more closely to reduce the scope for regulatory arbitrage. While the final accord has largely addressed the regulatory issue, there are still areas where regulatory capital requirements will diverge from the economic capital. In theory, therefore, Basel II attempted to accomplish this by setting up risk and capital management requirements designed to ensure that a bank has adequate capital for the risk the bank exposes itself to through lending investment practices. Basel II uses “three pillars concept”, first is the minimum capital requirements, addressing risk, second, is supervisory review and third is the market discipline. New Telegraph learnt that Basel I, dealt with only parts of each of these pillars. For example, with respect to Basel II pillar, only one risk - credit risk - was dealt with in a simple manner while market risk was an afterthought; operational risk was not dealt at all. Hence, Basel II, whose first pillar deals with maintenance of regulatory capital, calculated for three major components of risk that a bank faces, namely credit, operational and market risks. Other risks are not fully quantified. While the credit risk component can be calculated in three different ways of varying degree of sophistication such as standardised approach foundation, rating, Internal Rating Based ( IRB) approach, advanced IRB and general IB2 restriction. The operational risk also has three different approaches namely, basic indicator, approach (BIA) or standardised approach or (TSA) and the internal measurement approach, which is the advanced measurement approach (AMA). The market risk prefers the VAR (value at risk). This is the level, which the apex bank is at the moment. Second pillar has to do with regula-

Banks may hold more capital from October

Emefiele

Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

MD, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Bisi Onasanya

tory response to the first pillar, giving the apex bank better tools over those previously available. It also provides framework for dealing with systemic, pension, concentration, strategic, reputational, liquidity and legal risks, which the accord combines under the title of residual risks. This makes it possible for banks to review their risk management systems. It is in the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) that result of pillar II of Basel II accords manifests.

the global standards, in what is known as Basel III. In the main, the committee claimed that the new standards would lead to a better quality of capital, increased coverage of risk for capital market activities and better liquidity standards among other benefits. Basel III components include, better quality of regulators capital; better liquidity management and supervision; better risk management and supervision including enhanced pillar II guidelines; enhanced pillar III disclosures related to securitisation, off-balance sheet exposures and trading activities, which would promote transparency and cross-border supervisory cooperation. Given that one of the major factors, which drove the crisis was the evaporation of liquidity in financial markets, the Banking Committee on Bank Supervision has also published principles for better liquidity management and supervision.

capital equivalent to three per cent of its total assets, regardless of how risky they are. That is what the Emefiele’s administration should emulate or address. If need be, while he is tinkering with the Basel II, pillar one, he may well introduce a supplementary leverage ratio component to a subset of banks, especially those whose failure would be most destabilising for the financial system. This would cover the bulk of Nigeria’s banks including First Bank, UBA, GTBank, or those banks that control about 80 per cent of the sector’s market, or deemed too important to fail. These banks also require a ring-fence of extra capital to protect depositors and hold extra capital because of their size or both. This newspaper’s interaction with some bank executives, showed they are well above the industry minimum capital requirement. Time has come for Emefiele to hike up this requirement in order to forestall any devastating impact of financial crisis, which is usually a cyclical thing. This is a wakeup call for the watchdog, because the United States of America’s, Federal Reserve Bank has already initiated a leverage ratio of five per cent and above for US banks, and investors may want to see that all big banks globally are equally strong. Even the Euro zone, the discussions over the leverage ratio have become increasingly charged as many regulators no longer fully trust the way banks calculate their main core capital buffers. They are based on only risk-weighted assets, the value of which is open to debate The watchdog should make sure that it benchmarks US and UK and Euro zone, more bank may be required to hold more capital as from October 1. This should continue till 2018, when the Basel III is expected to implement a global universal leverage ratio/capital adequacy ratio. The efforts of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to revise the standards governing the capital adequacy of internationally active banks achieved a critical milestone, since June 2004.

BASEL III The pillar three aims at complementing the minimum capital requirements and supervisory review process by developing a set of disclosure requirements, which will allow the market participants to gauge the capital of an institution. Notwithstanding these provisions of Pillars of Basel II at which the CBN is still grandstanding to implement, it is pertinent to point out to the authorities that the pillars failed to prevent the global financial crisis and recent stress test, which many Nigerian banks failed. The watchdog may do well to focus on Basel III, which is the response of the Basel committee to the financial crisis. Indeed, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published has revised

This is a wakeup call for the watchdog, because the United States of America’s, Federal Reserve Bank has already initiated a leverage ratio of five per cent and above for US banks, and investors may want to see that all big banks globally are equally strong

CBN’s behind schedule The news that the apex bank is still having issues with pillar I of Basel II, is indicative that the banking watchdog is behind schedule compared with its peers. The Central Bank may do well to fast track the Basel II pillars to Basel III. It should in fact expedite the Basel III provisions. The apex bank should benchmark Bank of England (BOE), which has already proposed that Britain’s biggest banks should set aside from 2019 more capital than planned under global rules being drawn up to prevent a repeat of the financial crisis. The bank has also launched a public consultation on a new leverage ratio – the amount of capital a bank has to hold as a percentage of total assets – the Bank of England said many institutions may have to set aside more funds on top of a global minimum that is yet to be agreed. What apex bank should do According to a Reuters report, a leverage ratio of three per cent, the provisional global level, means a bank must hold

BUSINESS | THE INVESTOR

Chris Ugwu

ince the beginning of the economic meltdown in the mid 2008, the Nigerian capital market has continued to struggle to regain the confidence it lost during the collapse. Local investors, which sold their properties to invest in the market, lost billions of naira. Since then, the market regulators have tried to proffer a lasting solution to restore the market to its past glory.

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Multinationals’ listing: FG should act now

Isolation Investigations have showed that amongst the causes of the downward trend and eventual collapse of the market was the fact that the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) was and still is relatively small and unrepresentative of the size of the nation’s economy. The local bourse is underdeveloped, illiquid and operated in isolation from other markets. This is unsustainable and must change to engender development of the Nigerian economy. The question on the lips of investors has remained how to turn the market around? Compelling telecoms Several players in the market have stressed the need to compel multinationals especially telecoms companies to be quoted on the Exchange just like in some other emerging markets. However, following the weak condition of the local bourse, market operators believed the time is ripe for the Federal Government to heed the advice and toe the line of other countries who have enacted a compelling law for the listing of all multinational companies, especially the telecom sector, which are making huge profits. The experts believe that this is the only way to set in motion the necessary machinery required to turnaround the market. MTN for instance, got a licence in 2001 for the sum of $285 million mostly financed by Nigerian banks. Between January and June of the same year, MTN repatriated some $5 billion in profits from their Nigerian operations. It is not in doubt that the MTN Nigeria, which is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange under the Industrialnon-clinical services- Telecommunications sector, is the largest contributor to the bourse with MTN group as the largest player in the sector. To be modest, the Nigerian group currently accounts for more than 35 per cent of the headline revenue of the MTN group. The story is not much different with the other telecoms operators in the country such as Airtel, Glo and Etisalat. Other emerging markets According to reports, Kenya enacted the Foreign Investor Regulation in 2002, which compelled multinationals operating in the country to list in the capital market. Similarly, Tanzania parliament in February 2010 passed a Communication Bill, which made it mandatory for mobile telecommunications companies to be listed on the Dares Salaam Stock Exchange. In Kenya for instance, the legislation provided for a minimum of 25 per cent reserve of the issued share capital for local investors while the balance of 75 per cent was left for other categories of investors. The legislation made it possible for Kenyan citizens to invest in companies such as Nation Media, a regional media player; TPS East Africa, a tourism operator and Safaricom, a mobile telecommunication company amongst others. Authorities’ efforts It was on the light of the above and to save the equity market from eventual collapse that the former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, Herman Hembe, sponsored a bill to make it

NSE building

mandatory for the companies to be listed on the NSE. The chairman, in a statement in November 2011, said: “It is in the light of all these that this committee has set out to partner all stakeholders and market operators to engender growth and diversification of the market so that it can be more reflective of our nation’s economy. “This House needs to lead the fray, and we will, in ensuring that growth is engendered via the capital market. Thus, it is incumbent on us to pass legislative reforms that would encourage designated sectors to list on the bourse of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. This will be through formal and contractual requirements to do so, supported by incentives, unbundling of stringent eligibility requirements that create high barriers for potential entrants and hinder participation by willing businesses, and adoption of options that promote foreign investment in our economy under terms that support our national interests.” He noted that the committee would thus set out to get telecoms operators in Nigeria listed on the Exchange, which started with a market of less than a million in 2000 but now caters for over 90 million users. Director–general, SEC, Arunma Oteh, said that the NSE would target 500 companies for initial public offerings over the next five years to reach a $1trillion market capitalisation by 2016. She pointed out that the bourse needs oil and gas, power and telecommunications companies to list stocks to meet its market-value objective. “There are a number of large, significant companies that are preparing to come to the market,” Oteh said. She said that talks are being held with telecoms companies on encouraging them to trade their shares. In the same vein, the NSE said that to salvage investment in the stock market from further depreciation, it introduced new sets of requirements for companies seeking listing on the secondary segment of the market. The NSE’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Oscar Onyema, said that the new list-

ing requirements was part of its commitment towards championing Nigeria and Africa’s economic growth and development. He noted that the new listing requirements were also part of a number of initiatives to be introduced by the NSE designed to make the Nigerian market a gateway to the African market. He said the Exchange had been involved in efforts aimed at increasing the confidence of companies to source funds from the equities market to boost their activities. It said companies should be encouraged to carry out initial public offers and rights issues from the market, adding that this would boost activities in the market. Operators’ view In a bid to restore stability and liquidity in the nation’s equity market, analysts have called on the Exchange to lobby the Federal government to push for mandatory listing of major government owned enterprises in the electric power, energy, metallurgical and telecoms industries when privatised. The Chief Executive Officer, Lamberth Trust& Investment Limited, Mr David Adonri, who made the call, said that revival of the equities primary market is a necessity if new listings are to be attracted by the Exchange. Adonri noted that modification of the listing and post-listing requirements can

To get key enterprises quoted on the official list, the Exchange on its part need to speed up its evolution process and become more like its counterparts in other economies in the world

align the Exchange with international best practices thus encouraging more cross border listings. The analyst, who lamented that the country missed the opportunity of compelling telecoms companies to list on the NSE when NCC licensed them, said in attracting major private companies that occupy the commanding heights of the economy to list, the government must as a matter of necessity grant them fiscal incentives. Adonri, who said companies list their securities in stock markets for several reasons but basically to have access to long-term capital, explained that capital formation is the essence of an efficient stock market. “New issues that facilitate capital formation takes place in the primary market. Although new bond issues have in recent past inundated the primary market, new equity issues have virtually disappeared. New listings are essential in pursuit of equity capital as against debt finance, which companies can obtain easily from the money market. As a result, the incentive to list afresh is almost non-existent now. Revival of the equities primary market is a necessity if new listings are to be attracted by the NSE,” he said. Conclusion Insufficient liquidity, inadequate investor protection, lack of market depth, loss of investors’ confidence, attraction and sustenance of foreign direct investments in the capital market, are the major challenges impeding its growth. To get key enterprises quoted on the official list, the Exchange on its part needs to speed up its evolution process and become more like its counterparts in other economies in the world by adjusting its business and economic models from being only a source of raising capital for listed firms, to one that creates economic linkages in the resident country, thus becoming a vehicle for infrastructural development, job creation and economic benchmarking through its internationally benchmarked market segments.

BUSINESS | BRANDS & MARKETING 37

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Synthesis, Mediacraft, others battle for Coca-Cola account NEW DEAL

Notable Public Relations agencies compete for Coca-Cola PR account Stories by Dele Alao

ublic Relations account of leading beverage giant, Coca-Cola in Nigeria, has been thrown open, New Telegraph has exclusively gathered. According to sources, PR agencies in the race for the account include Synthesis Communications, Mediacraft & Associates C& F, the incumbent on the account and two other PR agencies which identities could not be ascertained as at press time. Industry sources told our correspondent last week that a credential accreditation exercise was carried out at the Corporate Head Office of the company in Ikoyi, Lagos. Barring any last minute change, some of the invited agencies will have their pitch exercises today. According to findings, the Coca-Cola PR account is traditionally reviewed every three years irrespective of the performance of the incumbent agency. Spokesperson for CocaCola, Clem Ugorji, did not respond to a text message on the matter. PR agencies that have worked on the account are JSP

Corporate Communications and CMC Connect. Of all the PR agencies involved in the race, Synthesis Communications is the youngest. Nevertheless, in less than four years of opening shop for business, the agency has carved a niche for itself in the industry. Led by the duo of Desmond Ekeh and Agbo Agbo, Synthesis Communications boast of various juicy accounts. The agency is on the Maltina account in addition to many others. Interestingly, Ekeh, whose experience in the PR industry spans almost two decades, has

on Gulder, Star lager and Legend Extra Stout, all from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc. While winning back the Coca-Cola account may be desirable for C & F, it is doubtful, account to sources, if the agency “really made much from it.” For according to sources, the retainership on the account is less than a million naira. “When you consider the harsh operating environment in the country, how much can you make from such retainership fees account,” a player in the industry who craved anonymity said.

L-R: Managing Director, PRRedline, Mr Lekan Ishola, sole distributor, Myer Industries Limited, Mrs Aisha Funsho, Field Marketing Manager, Myer Industries Limited, Miss Vera Ye and Mrs Sariat Mousunmola Bakare, distributor, Myer Industries Limited, during the launch of Myer fruit drinks in Lagos

Airtel boosts CSR profile with new initiative n a revolutionary move to re- and responsive CSR initiative aimed at empowering underIbecoming alise its corporate vision of the most loved brand privileged Nigerians and tackin the daily lives of Nigerians and connect emotionally with telecoms consumers across the country, Airtel Nigeria has begun a major Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) intervention, Airtel Touching Lives, to enrich Nigerians and provide succour to the under-privileged members of the society. According to the Telco, the initiative marks a significant milestone in the company’s history of CSR interventions in the country, noting that Airtel Touching Lives is a responsive CSR intervention targeted at providing timely aid to underprivileged Nigerians irrespective of their gender, background or geographical locations. The programme seeks to identify underprivileged persons with specific challenges, pains and struggles with the ultimate objective of providing the needed help to empower and enrich the lives of these individuals. Speaking on the new platform, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, described the programme as a timely, deliberate

worked on the Coca-Cola account, especially while at JSP Corporate Communications. His past experience on the account, some pundits noted, will be an added advantage. For Mediacraft & Associates led by John Ehiguese, adding the Coca-Cola account to its account portfolio will be dream come to reality. Ehiguese, who has passed through thick and thin in the industry, has been on the winning streaks in recent times. Mediacraft & Associates, not quite long, was mandated to handle the Diamond Bank account. The agency also works

ling the various challenges confronting millions of people. He underlined Airtel’s commitment to the programme, saying that the company was devoted to enriching the lives of Nigerians, especially the underprivileged. “At Airtel, we are passionate about the people we serve and the Nigerian society. Airtel Touching Livesprovides a platform for the underprivileged in our society to be identified heard and also cared for. It is our commitment to connect with millions of Nigerians, alleviate their suffering and bring smile to their faces,” he said. He added that the project is one of the vehicles by which the company complements the developmental efforts of various governments. Also speaking on the project, Airtel’s Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Mr Emeka Oparah, expressed the readiness of the telecommunications operator to contribute to efforts of government, nongovernmental organisations and individuals who are highly spirited like Airtel Nigeria in humanitarian courses.

Coldstone creamery in brand extensions oldstone added five variCtaste eties to cater for different buds. Operators of Domino’s Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery (CSC), has introduced five ice cream flavours to its unique menu. This new flavours will be available while stock lasts and for a limited period. The new flavours will extend the brand’s variety and engage customers to an ultimate tasting experience with amazing toppings and fresh mix-ins. CSC features an attractive line of ice creams, ice cream cakes, ice cream cupcakes with edible shells, frozen yoghurts, smoothies and shakes. The five are Toffee Bar Sweet Cream (sweet cream ice cream, chocolate fudge & toffee heat bar), Berry Berry Berry Good (sweet cream ice cream, strawberry fruit, raspberry fruit & blueberry), Peanut Butter Cup Affection (chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, reese’s peanut butter cup and fudge), Cake Batter Naughty (cake batter ice cream and Reese’s peanut buttercup)and Dark Mint Tom. All sold premixed, Dark Mint Tom is currently being sampled. Please visit the stores and sample. These treats feature smooth and creamy ice cream with refreshing ingredients that transforms traditional desserts into innovative ice cream flavors. With the infused smoothness of sweet cream ice cream to the melting taste of Reese’s peanut butter cup and fudge, these new flavours are bound to keep your taste buds dancing.

Design Essential debuts in Nigeria T he globally renowned manufacturer of leading hair care brand, Design Essentials, McBride Research Labs, Inc., will launch its range of products in Nigeria during a business activation event tagged “Design Essentials Launch & Consumer Awareness Day.” The event will hold tomorrow at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The brand is marking its entry into Nigeria’s hair care market by rolling out the ‘McBride Research Laboratories Global Educator Program’ as it prepares to identify its Master Trainers for Nigeria. As part of its success markers, MRL provides education to over 350 schools of cosmetology in the United States, displaying commitment to technical education for the professional industry, while also focusing on the foundations for building successful business men and women who are professionals too in their chosen areas. To accomplish its objective for the Nigerian hair care market, MRL, in conjunction with Compass Consulting, its Lagos-based country partner and

PTF Orchards Ltd, its product distribution company will embark on series of educational events and cutting edge industry training for hairdressers and hairstylists nationwide. Elaborating on this, the Chief Executive Officer, Compass Consulting, Mrs. Tokunbo Chiedu, said: “In recent times, our major concern as consults in the trade and investment promotion space has been to facilitate the entry of brands that add value and those that serve the interests of our market and our people’s aspirations to do better, be relevant and compete with counterparts on the global stage. “That MRL’s approach and philosophy of committing to equipping professional hairstylists with knowledge and cutting-edge skills in order to deliver quality solutions to their clients will stimulate professional growth in that sector of the economy. We look forward to working with schools, industries and, of course, governments, to build capacity within the sector.” She added: “In addition to this, MRL is proud to be supporting Lagos State Vocational Enterprise Board’s Hairdress-

ing Training Programme and have pledged to deliver courses to support LASTVEB’S Hairdressing Training Curriculum. MRL Founder and CEO, Mr Cornell McBride Snr, has been invited as special guest of Lagos State Governor at the State Enterprise Day taking place today in Lagos.” The theme of the Lagos State Enterprise Day is: “Technical and vocational skills as a gateway for enterprise development.” It is revealed that accompanied by Cornell McBride Jnr., his son and the President of MRL, Cornell McBride Snr. will deliver the keynote speech at this event weaving his address around his four-decade entrepreneurial journey. MRL has been able to grow a multimillion-dollar business across continents because of its ability to support and endorse the industry’s efforts to make a living as real professionals. This business model has proven successful across continents, in the US, North America, Caribbean, Europe and now the brand is launching in Africa in Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and later Ghana.

38 BUSINESS

Truck operators are groaning over the excesses of government security operatives and agents saddled with the responsibility of managing traffic on the port access roads

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Truck owners seek parking bay from Lagos •Extortion flourishes at port access roads

espite the intervention of Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, to decongest the two port access roads, extortion has become the order of the day The governor had directed officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Taskforce on Environment and Special Offences (Enforcement unit) to manage the traffic gridlock in Apapa, but security operatives from Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Ports Authority and the Port police are feeding fat on the gridlock. Extortion A truck driver who declined to mention his name said that they pay between N1,000 and N2,000 before they could enter the port after queuing for 24 hours on the road. But as part of efforts to tackle the problem on port access road, the Chairman, Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, has urged Lagos State Government to provide a parking bay for trucks. Ogungbemi who was reacting to the allegation that some security officials were extorting truck owners, said that the incessant problem would stop with the provision of a parking bay. He said: “The major problem we have is the absence of a packing bay for our trucks and that is why there are lots of trucks on the road. “The extortion of money from our members will continue until government takes the bull by the horn and addresses the issue squarely.” He added that if government could accede to the request of the association to approve a space to develop as a holding bay, trucks would not be parked indiscriminately on the road. According to him, the bay would serve as place where trucks could be parked until they are called up when needed. He said that it was regrettable that the issue of 5,000-truck holding bay located within the International Trade Fair Complex along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, was yet to be concluded. AMATO partnership In 2013, AMATO entered into a partnership with Multi-Trade Nigeria Limited to provide 2,000 new trucks. With the partnership, the truck drivers were expected to move into the new 5,000-truck holding bay at the trade fair complex. The partnership resulted

A portion of the port access roads

in the importation of the first batch of trucks for sale to members of the association on hire purchase. Also, as part of solutions to the gridlock, a new taskforce to monitor, control and enforce complaints on road users along routes connecting the two seaports in the state is in the offing. The committee comprises of truck owners association, the Lagos State government, the construction company handling the reconstruction work and trade unions from the oil and gas sector. Executive Secretary, Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Emmanuel Gowon, disclosed that the committee was set up to look at the immediate and remote causes of the lingering traffic gridlock in recent time. According to him, the committee has agreed on remedial measures to be taken to create orderliness by commuters and other road users along the Apapa Oshodi expressway, pending when a near permanent solu-

tion will be found. He further disclosed that the committee was expected to meet to draw a road map on how to address the traffic challenges faced by stakeholders. Gowon stated that the taskforce has monitored the situation from Marine Beach to Coconut Bus Stop. He noted: “Julius Berger is part of the committee because the construction work partially led to gridlock, but we cannot say that they are doing it deliberately because they are doing their legitimate work on the road, but it contributed substantially to the gridlock.” Governor's view A few days ago, Fashola said that the state would work with all stakeholders to ensure that normalcy return to the Apapa Central Business District. He added: “The state government will look into the matters concerning the 51 hectares of land raised by the transport unions. But in the meantime, we will keep our men here -

LASTMA, Taskforce and others - to manage the traffic, to ensure that business activities can thrive again.” The governor blamed the traffic gridlock on lack of proper management of oil distribution and ports activities. He noted: “I believe that everyone has a role to play. Even the transporters have their own role in addressing this issue. The state is an orphan under the country’s federal structure. Fashola, however, took a swipe at the Federal Government over what he described as “mismanagement” of the entire activities in Apapa CBD, saying: “I wonder why everything is falling into pieces under this Federal Government. Increase in cargo dwell time It would be recalled that terminal operators complained two weeks ago that the cargo dwell time at the ports has increased from three days to 10 days. The Chairman of the Seaport and Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN),

Princess Vicky Hashtrop, said that vessels are now queuing up at the ports to discharge cargoes because of lack of space while some could not berth since June. She blamed the current situation on the concentration of tank farms at the port even as she called on the Federal Government to regulate the time for receiving of empty containers as well as the movement of petroleum tankers. Haastrup recounted: “The traffic has paralysed all commercial activities in Apapa. It is now a nightmare accessing Apapa, the resultant effect is that ships can no longer discharge because there are no trucks coming inside the port terminals to load cargo. “The dwell time of ships has increased from three days to a minimum of ten days now and this is rather unfortunate. When the trucks cannot access the ports, how do you discharge ships, the ships are just lying at the anchorage there not being discharged.” Haashtrop noted that the financial implication of this would be huge on Nigerian economy because it would cost a lot of money to charter vessels, adding that the cost of insurance will also be increased. LCCI laments Also, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said that the perennial gridlock was destroying businesses and the economy of the country. Speaking at its 2014 quarterly press conference on the economy in Lagos, its president, Alhaji Remi Bello, lamented the total collapse of transportation logistics and access to the major ports in the country, saying that this had brought about an urgent need to relocate the tank farms to the outskirts of the city. Bello said that getting to the ports had become an unprecedented nightmare while moving out of the ports is even a greater nightmare, saying that the entire system had become totally dysfunctional and delivery of empty containers and the evacuation of cargo has become a terrifying experience. He said: “To fix these, there is an urgent need to relocate the tank farms to the outskirts of the city.

APM Terminals to commission $135m project

he concessionaire of Apapa Container terminal, APM Terminals Apapa Limited, is to commission a $135 million facility that would enhance superior service delivery within the next two months. Chief Commercial Officer of the company, Mr Neil Fletcher, said that 35,124 import containers were delivered out in May and June representing the largest volume delivered in two months in the history of the terminal. He added that the large delivery volume was as a result of huge investment in plants

•Delivers 35,124 import containers and modern container handling equipment. “At present, we operate with 22 (RTGs) Rubber Tyre Gantry cranes, 17 reach stackers and empty container handlers and 75 terminal trucks. This is unmatched in any other terminal and is sufficient for our level of operation,” he stated. Fletcher said that truck turnaround times at the terminal have reduced from 1hour 53 minutes in February 2014 to 1hour 40 minutes in June 2014. He noted: “Dwell times for

laden imports have reduced by three days from May to June 2014. Our current civil project, which has cost $135 million is within two months of completion and has resulted in a superior service to our landside customers. “We have been and are working closely with the Nigerian Ports Authority and other stakeholders to ease the problem of the congestion in Apapa.” Already, he said that the terminal operator had met with truck operators to address chal-

lenges they might encounter in plying the port as a result of the traffic gridlock in Apapa. The bad roads in and out of Apapa community cause the traffic gridlock. Neil Fletcher said that trucking operations have resumed at the port after the meeting with the operators who had suspended work because of the challenges on the road. Fletcher declared that APM Terminal Apapa had delivered large volumes of containers in the last two months.

BUSINESS | MARITIME

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

vindicated Freight forwarding council becomes public agency

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ruled that the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) is an agency of the Federal Government. In a case instituted by two freight forwarders, Ejike Nweke and Philip Nwankwo, against CRFFN, the presiding judge, Justice Saliu Saidu, said in a judgement: “The plaintiff/applicant must first know that the CRFFN is not a professional association and this can clearly be seen from the power conferred on the minister and the representation of some Federal Ministry of Transport and Federal Government agency on the council. “To the extent that it is easy to hold that the council is an extension of the government power to create agency and

Court declares freight forwarders’ council govt agency therefore an agency of Federal Government of Nigeria.” Nweke and Nwankwo had approached the court in December 2011 to seek a determination of the total number of persons required to constitute CRFFN governing council under section 2 (1) (a)-(g) of the CRFFN Act 2000 and to know if the provision of the third schedule to the CRFFN Act 2000 excludes the operation of section 2 (1) (g) in the composition of the maiden council of CRFFN and to determine if the defendant is a public parastatal or government agency in view of the provisions of paragraph 10 of the 1st schedule to the CRFFN Act, 2007. The plaintiffs also sought

to know who a freight forwarder is within the meaning of CRFFN Act 2006 and if a corporate person is entitled to be registered as a freight forwarder pursuant to section 18(i) in view of the mandatory registration requirements stipulated in section 13 (1) - (3). But while delivering his judgement on the plaintiffs’ application, the judge stressed: “Section 18(1) of the CRFFN is very clear. It states that the council shall register annually all organisations or firms performing freight forwarding services. This in section 30 of the Act provides that freight forwarder means any person or company who arranges the carriage or movement of

goods and associated formalities on behalf of an importer or exporter along the international boundaries of sea ports, cargo airports or land border stations. “The registration of company as registered freight forwarder is clearly confirmed by the above provision and nothing more is intended by the law makers and I hold that corporate body can be registered as freight forwarder within the CRFFN Act 2007. “The last issue I am to consider is the number of persons required to constitute the membership of the counsel. That is, interpretation of section 1(a)-(g) of CRFFN Act. “On the above, I adopt the

interpretation of the learned Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) as the said section 2 (1) – (g) as the correct interpretation of the same. “I completely concur with the interpretation contained in exhibit A attached to the application before the court and the same shall be my interpretation of the said section 2 (l) (a)-(g) of CRFFN Act 2007.” While dismissing the suit against CRFFN, Justice Saidu said: “I have not seen anything before the court to warrant the granting of any of the reliefs sought by the applicant. I hereby refuse the reliefs sought and dismiss the application accordingly.”

Container delivery fluctuates in global shipping containership delivDinespite eries falling over 50 per cent numerical terms since 2008

Containers awaiting clearance at Lagos port

Nigerians, others attend RMU safety course

o fewer than 26 mid-managers and maritime operators drawn from Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe and Togo have been trained at the Regional Maritime University (RMU) to address issues relating to maritime regulations, prosecution of illegal activities and fair governance of maritime domain. It was learnt that shipping was continually being exposed to threats such as collisions, pollution, human trafficking, smuggling, illegal fishing, piracy and armed robbery in the region. The maritime safety and security course was held in Accra, the capital of Ghana. The eight-week course dubbed: “Critical maritime routes in the Gulf of Guinea” (CRIMGO) was organised by the Regional Maritime University with support from the European Union. It was put in place to develop common skills among various agencies involved in maritime safety and security around the Gulf of Guinea. Training Director for the CRIMGO Course, Mr Eric Glo-

tin, said that regional cooperation was critical in improving safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea. He noted that the Gulf of Guinea in 2013, for instance, suffered 31 piracy attacks. The director said that the course was fashioned around four components namely regional cooperation, maritime law and enforcement, information sharing and regional training for the middle managers. He added that the training provided a platform for participants to share experiences and promote confidence for better efficiency between future stakeholders as well as cope with regular adjustment of criminality at the sea. Glotin said that future training would involve participation of private companies and focus on crisis response, dwelling on basic training on sea events and propose assistance in solution finding. Also, the Head of European Union Delegation in Ghana, Mr Claude Maeten, said that the overall security situation in the Gulf of Guinea had been deteriorating in the past years.

He said that the EU provided 4.5 million euros for the CRIMGO project, which started in 2013 and had been a front runner action to improve safety of the main shipping routes. Maeten said that during the Summit of Gulf of Guinea Heads of states in Yaounde on June 2013, member states of the Economic Community of West African States, the Economic Community of Central African States and the Gulf of Guinea Commission showed their determination to face challenges through a common regional approach. Rector of Regional Maritime University, Captain Aaron Turkson, said that negative security threats to the maritime industry had been devastating and called for concerted efforts to deal decisively with the menace. Also, Deputy Director, Legal and Consular Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr McAries Akanbong, said it was the desire that the training would equip participants with the requisite skills to address maritime security issues.

to 202 ships last year, deliveries have remained relatively consistent in TEU terms. With 2014 projected to be a buoyant year for container ship deliveries, especially in the Very Large Containership (8,000+ TEU) sector, this month’s shipbuilding focus takes a closer look at delivery trends in the containership sector. As the graph of the month shows, shipping analyst firm, Clarksons, said in its reports that the number of containerships delivered into the global fleet has fluctuated since 2005. Whilst just over 270 containerships were reported delivered in 2005, 436 ships were reported as entering the containership fleet in 2008. It said: “This subsequently fell to around 200 boxships between 2011 and 2013. However, whilst the number of ships delivered has fluctuated, the 201407-17 upload 4846967focus2107 volume of containership tonnage delivered has stayed more consistent at around 1.2 million to 1.4 million Twenty Equivalent Units (TEU). This is at least partly due to upsizing across the sector with the average size of a box ship delivery now almost 8,000 TEU, over double that of 2005. “Vessel upsizing has led to a significant change in the box ship product mix. VLCSs, which accounted for around 30 per cent of deliveries on average in TEU terms between 2005 and 2009, accounted for over 60 per cent of deliveries in the period 2010-13 and, in the ytd, 58 VLCSs have been reported delivered. This includes 22 ships above 12,000 TEU. Helped by firm deliveries in the ytd, particularly for the largest vessels, full year 2014 is currently projected to become a record year for VLCS deliveries with

1.15 million TEU forecast. Meanwhile, at the smaller end, there has been a notable drop off in delivery activity. Whilst the 3-8,000 TEU sector accounted for almost 50 per cent of TEU delivered between 2005 and 2010, the sector currently accounts for 16 per cent of deliveries. Similarly, ships 3,000 TEU accounted for five per cent of boxship deliveries in TEU terms last year, down from around 25 per cent in the period between 2005 and 2008. It noted that South Korean yards typically accounted for the majority of boxship deliveries and, last year, four Korean yards accounted for almost 60 per cent of global boxship deliveries in TEU terms. Korean yards are particularly active in the largest sectors, delivering 90 per cent of vessels 12,000+ TEU since 2005. However, the firm stressed that whilst yards in South Korea previously nigh on monopolised VLCS output, Chinese builders were increasingly active in the sector. “However, despite having some of the biggest vessels on order (17,500 TEU), at present, the majority of box ship deliveries reported from Chinese yards are sized 8,000-12,000 TEU. In the ytd, 45 boxships have been reported delivered from Chinese yards and of these, 16 have been 8,000+ TEU. This is the largest number of VLCSs delivered annually from Chinese yards on record. So, there has been upsizing across the boxship sector and VLCSs now account for the most significant share of containership deliveries. Whilst Korean yards still account for the majority of VLCSs output, Chinese shipyards are now starting to feature more heavily. This geographical expansion has helped drive 2014’s boxship delivery forecast to a record 1.46m TEU.

40 POLITICS LATEEF IBRAHIM writes on efforts by the Federal Government to rescue the Chibok schoolgirls, who were abducted by members of the Boko Haram sect in April

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Chibok: How far has govt gone 100 days after?

onday, April 14, 2014 is a day that Nigerians in particular and others in general will not forget in a hurry. It is a day that something unprecedented happened in the history of the country. That was the day members of the insurgent group, Boko Haram, invaded the hostels of a senior secondary school in the hitherto relatively peaceful Chibok community of Borno State and abducted about 276 school girls, who were writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations. The girls are yet to be brought back since then. It is now 100 days that the school girls were forcefully taken away, against their wish, by the insurgents. A lot of efforts have been made and are still being made by all concerned with a view to freeing the innocent schoolgirls from their captives. Several groups have sprang up, the most prominent of them being #BringBackOurGirls, which are clamouring for and sensitising the concerned authority on the need to bring back the girls safely and without further delay. Following the claims and counterclaims over the circumstances and the actual number of students who were abducted during the night raid by the insurgents, President Goodluck Jonathan on May 6, inaugurated the Presidential Fact-finding Committee on the Abduction of the Chibok Schoolgirls. On conclusion of its assignment, the fact-finding committee submitted its report on June 20. The findings showed that 119 female students escaped from the school during the attack, 276 female students were abducted, 57 female students escaped from the insurgents after the abduction while 219 female students still remain unaccounted for. The Federal Government, which has severally made it abundantly clear that it has no higher priority than defeating Boko Haram and rescuing the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls, has since resulted to its tools of national power – military, intelligence, police, economic and political – towards achieving this objective. President Jonathan has told everyone that cares to listen that Nigeria has the will, the resources and the strategies to win this fight, stressing however that it will take time, pointing out that the government is committed to this course. Already, the Federal Government has procured new equipment and technology towards strengthening the capability and support for the military and security forces, a recent delivery of such military equipment included highly sophisticated fighter helicopters with in-built night vision technology. The government, findings showed, is developing an advantage in weapons and reconnaissance capabilities. So far, two divisions of the Nigerian Army are focused on the fight with troops on the ground. The Government has captured some senior Boko Haram commanders who are used as spies and treasury officials. These arrests, it was gathered, have yielded valuable intelligence and have unearthed armouries which have been retrieved. It would be recalled that in mid-July alone, government forces apprehended three top-level Boko Haram targets. Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, one of the masterminds of the April 14 bombing of the Nyanya (Abuja) bus station that killed about 100 civilians, was arrested by Nigerian officials after securing his extradition from Sudan. Ogwuche is also accused of leading re-

The abducted Chibok schoolgirls

cruitment efforts for Boko Haram from his base in Sudan. Nigeria intelligence officials have long been monitoring extremists training with Islamist groups in both Somalia and Sudan, where alQaeda has a strong presence. Ogwuche is now in Nigeria’s custody and will face prosecution. Secondly, the Boko Haram chief of intelligence has been picked up and is now helping investigation. Similarly, one Mohammed Zakari, a Boko Haram leader popularly known as the “Chief Butcher” was captured during the Nigerian forces raid on Balmo Forest, during which they expelled insurgents from the area, effectively denying the terrorists a notorious haven and launch point for attacks. The Federal Government is equally cooperating with and empowering the local population in the battle against Boko Haram. Recent examples of the security forces’ successes resulting from this government-citizen collaboration include; a recent Boko Haram threat against the Abuja transportation system which was uncovered with the public alerted and casualties avoided. Following a tip-off, the police uncovered and prevented a bomb attack near a school in the North Eastern city of Gombe. The Federal Government also recognises that soft power is crucial in the battle against Boko Haram as force alone will not defeat the insurgency. As a result, the Jonathan administration is implementing a comprehensive programme of assistance to support, protect, and empower local communities, with a special focus on the most vulnerable areas of the country and such initiative includes; the Safe Schools Initiative which has been developed to safeguard our school children in states under emergency rule by strengthening the security of educational facilities. These measures also include providing perimeter fences, housing for teachers, community policing and school guards, alarm systems, and communication equipment. The Federal Government, findings showed, is working with state governors, community leaders, teachers and

parents to identify and remedy the vulnerabilities that put our children at risk. The Safe Schools Initiative is a collective effort. The Federal Government’s spending has been matched dollar for dollar by the private sector and now totals $20 million. The President recently said, “The Federal Government’s goal is to create a fund of $100 million to support this programme and we have already received pledges of support from the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and other donors”. The Jonathan-led Federal Government, in its determination to continue to expand its programmes aimed at improving access to education for underprivileged children, has instituted a data collection system to determine the number of children out of school in Nigeria. The Federal Government has undertaken important steps to address the socio-economic factors that feed the insurgency and is implementing a community services programme that has already recruited 11,500 young people to participate in public works projects. The YouWin programme supports hundreds of young entrepreneurs with grants so they can start a business or expand existing ones. The Federal Government recently launched a Presidential Committee on Victims Support tagged “Nigeria Terrorism Victims Support Foundation” which is essentially targeting to raise $1 billion from a Public-Private Partner-

We owe Nigerians nothing but victory over terror. The life of every Nigerian is precious and we will continue to work round the clock to put an end to this insurgency

ship in funding. This Presidential Initiative is intended to mobilise resources and administer appropriate support to victims of insurgency and Boko Haram terror activities across the country. The Committee is chaired by highly respected retired General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, an accomplished businessman, philanthropist and patriot, who had supported similar public causes with resounding transparency and enormous goodwill in the past. Similarly, the Federal Government, over the long term, is known to be developing a comprehensive economic empowerment plan for the region -- the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE), while the need to focus and support girl-child education and other educational initiatives has also received tremendous boost and global support. Not less than 125 Almajiri schools have been established under this initiative targeting millions of out-of-school children who are currently disadvantaged. Under the presidential initiative, nine new federal universities have been established in the country. The President also, not quite long, initiated a number of strategies which have generated international solidarity. For instance, at the instance of the President, a meeting of Presidents of Chad, Cameroun, Niger Republic and Benin Republic was held in Paris and this has successfully created strong regional cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime and terrorism. It also led to the establishment of Regional Intelligence Unit for the purpose of information sharing and joint security operations in the area. Similarly, a multi-national Joint Task Force was established as a fall-out of the Lake Chad Basin Commission Partnership. Closely related is that the ECOWAS took a principled position on terrorism and cross-border crime at its 45th Ordinary Session during which the authority of ECOWAS Heads of Government endorsed the efforts of Nigeria and committed to helping the country in its fight against terror. The African Union and CONTINUED ON PAGE 48

POLITICS 41

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Does Aregbesola deserve a second term? Adewole Adeoye

n 2013, Osun State embarked on the massive re-construction of a major road stretching from the centre of the state capital, Osogbo, about 44 kilometres to Ila Odo, a border town in Kwara. The innovation is to open up the state to its immediate neighbours as well as to facilitate socio-economic activities between it and the northern part of Nigeria. The single-lane road, constructed more than 50 years ago by the Federal Government, is a major artery between the South-West and the North. Only Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration has been able to work out the strategic importance of opening up the road for the benefits of the state and its people. But that is just a tip of the iceberg. Osogbo and other major cities are being provided with paved road network, just as the rural areas, including Ijabe, Ekosin, Isale Awein, Ifesowapo, Ijimo, Araromi and Fasina are witnessing face lifts in terms of better roads, electricity and potable water. Life in rural areas cannot be better as Aregbesola’s transformation includes the upgrade of primary health and recreation centres, construction of more schools, market stalls and small scale industries such as palm-oil producing centres, in addition to promoting food production and sustainable human development in a good environment. This is just a part of the holistic transformation which the state has witnessed in less than four years of Aregbesola’s assumption of office, owing to his leadership skills, ingenuity, empathy, foresightedness, teamwork and problem-solving. In schools, he has provided free uniforms, constructed many schools to world standards in the local government areas, while pupils are being fed with quality and nutritious food, prepared by nutritionists. He has upgraded health institutions, embarked on massive urban and rural development, thus opening up opportunities in a state hitherto regarded as a sleeping giant. The youth are disciplined and the elderly are being cared for because they are under Aregbesola’s protective umbrella. So, the people of Osun are eagerly waiting as the August 9 countdown to the gubernatorial election approaches. The incumbent Governor Aregbesola of All Progressives Congress (APC), is contesting with Senator Iyiola Omisore, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Alhaji Fatai Akinbade of Labour Party (LP) as the leading contenders. Every discernible judge will attest to Aregbesola’s transformation of the state; his opponents, albeit detractors, cannot even fault this because the blind can feel it. “His popularity is soaring because he has identified with the masses. He has performed beyond expectation, touching every aspect of the state irrespective of political affiliation and social re-construction,’’ Musiliu Bakare, a commercial bus driver, attests. “Call a rose by any name, it remains a rose. I never knew I could be treated as an indigene of the state, the people are just hospitable,’’ Okoli remarked. Apart from the road project, there are others including the construction of an airport, the train terminus on the outskirts of the state capital, cocoa industry, as well as beautification of cities, all of which can compare favourably with any of their kind worldwide, in quality and aesthetics. A medical doctor at Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo, who did not want his name mentioned, was full of praise for Aregbesola. He traced the history of the hospital, from

Aregbesola

inception when it was being administered as a joint programme of Oyo and Osun States, before it was divided. “It was a glorified institution, run down owing to maladministration, including poor funding, until Aregbesola took over. Many of the doctors, nurses and other paramedics quit out of frustration, but those of us who endured have no cause to regret that decision, big thanks to Aregbesola,’’ the doctor said. An Osogbo resident on Ikirun Road, whose building was partially pulled down as part of the urban renewal to pave way for the highway, said: ‘’You have to break the egg to enjoy the omelet,’’ adding that if he had more property to be pulled down by the exercise, he would willingly let them go as the goal is for development. He pointed out that compensation is being paid to genuine property owners. “Ogbeni Rauf (as he is fondly referred to) means well. No governor has ever developed the state as he is doing. The nearest we had to development was when Pa Bisi Akande was governor, but this time around, the man has surpassed our expectation. Whoever stands in his way is an enemy of progress. “If he has a fault, it is that he is a workaholic, too much in a hurry to turn the state to an El Dorado, as well as to carry every one along, with the little financial resources at his disposal. “He is opening up the three senatorial zones for rapid industrial development which the state has been deprived of in the past. Only an enemy of the state will not vote for him,’’ he remarked. A native of Ila Orangun in one of the senatorial zones, Mrs. Adeola Olawale, said she had just been allocated a stall in Osogbo, and that would give a boost to her business in Ila, her dwelling place. Aregbesola has genuinely demonstrated that he is the people’s servant, not governor. Physically, you can hardly distinguish him from the masses, but intellectually, he towers. His speeches, demeanor and actions all point to a plea for the masses who he never takes for granted and one can rightly conclude that Aregbesola lives in the masses’ hearts. While one of the contenders to the

Aregbesola has genuinely demonstrated that he is the people’s servant, not governor. Physically, you can hardly distinguish him from the masses, but intellectually, he towers governorship race goes about his campaigns with armed masked men, Aregbesola mixes with the masses at campaign rallies as he says he has nothing to fear. “If truly an incumbent or an aspirant is a man of the people, why should he surround himself with heavily armed guards? That action speaks volumes: probably the man is afraid of his past, but surely he has no trust in the people he wants to govern,’’ noted Dr. Olayinka Salako, a psychologist at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife. “People should be wary of such a leader because morning shows the day, as the action depicts that the man is only desperate for power to terrorize the masses. “Under democracy, power flows from the people and not from the barrels of gun. By implication, it reminds one of the dictatorial actions of the military, and brazen display of barbarism by our so-called democrats who do not understand the meaning of democracy in the first place,’’ Dr Salako explained. If Osun State remains the safest in Nigeria today, it is because Aregbesola planned for it and possesses the antidote. He has engaged at least 20,000 youths in the OYES project, or Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, to eliminate idleness among the youth, engaging them in community, social and public activities. Aregbesola has equally been able to reach the core masses whose voting capacity has been taken for granted by previous administrations. He not only relates with them but has visited and

engaged them one-on-one and cared for them, especially the vulnerable elderly, each of whom receives a monthly allowance to keep body and soul together. Desperate aspirants are now dangling ‘poisonous carrots’ to lure voters during the current campaign rallies. It is said that under the OYES Programme, an aspirant has promised to pay a monthly stipend of N70, 000 as against the current monthly payment of N10,000 if voted into power. What a manner of deceit! In a state which operates under a chokingly-tight budget and bears the pains of paucity of funds through delay or denial of federal allocation, it takes a dogged manager of human and financial resources such as Aregbesola to weather the storm. In spite of the lean resources, workers’ salaries are being paid, and if there is any delay, he is quick to explain. It is even difficult for some aspirants who had served in leadership position before to point at tangible development projects during their tenure. Another campaign promise of one of the governorship aspirants is to change the uniform policy in schools on assumption of office. His reason is that student criminals would easily be identified by their different categories of uniform instead of the current sameuniform exercise. Observers view such pronouncement as only representing the thought of an evil man, always occupied by negative machinations and perceptions, and instead of applauding the cost-saving and the strengthening of bond and level-headedness among students brought about by the current school uniform policy. The government has consistently denied any attempt to sack workers, introduce higher tax, reduce service years and review retirement age or cancel the operation of commercial motorcyclists, as being peddled by opponents. Opponents also accuse the governor of encouraging capital flight by awarding contracts to Lagos businessmen and women, but the so-called Lagos contractors are indigenes of the state, while home-based residents are used in executing such projects. Past deeds and misdeeds are rearing their heads once again. The unresolved issue of who was responsible for the death of Chief Bola Ige, the former Attorney-General and Justice Minister and indigene of the state, has popped up. So also is the recent ugly drama that led to the exit, from the PDP, of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who is now a prominent APC member and campaigner for Aregbesola’s re-election. A group has asked the Federal Government to revisit the cold-blooded murder of Chief Ige, as fingers still point to one of the governorship aspirants. A native of Esa Oke, Ige was assassinated on December 23, 2001 at his Ibadan residence. Senator Adeleke, the first civilian governor of the state, was until early this year, a prominent member of the PDP and its governorship aspirant. He quit the party when his life was allegedly threatened by one of the contestants. He described PDP in the state as a party of thugs. Although created in 1991, observers believe that human and infrastructural development has just begun in Osun with Aregbesola’s administration and could only be nurtured and sustained with his re-election. As the maxim goes: you do not change a winning team. The governor has justified people’s confidence; he has been tested and can be trusted in all ramifications. The journey he started in 2011 should not be truncated mid-way. He has worked assiduously; he is accountable and rightly deserves a second term. •Adeoye writes from Osogbo

42 POLITICS Johnson Momodu

lmost all the post-mortem analyses conducted after the defeat of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State at the governorship election of June 21, 2014, agreed in common that teachers in the state contributed majorly to the outcome. Fayemi had not been a friend of Ekiti teachers since he became governor. Not only did he fail to implement the payment of 27.5 percent of the Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS), introduced in 2009 by then acting governor, Rt. Hon. Olatunji Odeyemi, he also harassed the teachers with the threat of introducing a competency test. By the time Governor Fayemi reversed these unpopular policies for electoral gains, it was too late for him. Governor Aliyu Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State is not entitled to re-election when his current tenure expires in November 2016. But he has every reason to learn a lesson from Fayemi. Like Fayemi, he, too, has been unfriendly with teachers, understandably. Since becoming governor, he has had a history of antagonising teachers and working against their interests at the slightest opportunity. In August 2013, for instance, the governor paid what he called an unscheduled visit to Asologun Primary School, Ikpoba in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. He confronted one Mrs. Augusta Odenwinge, a teacher in the school, on live television, asking the panic-stricken woman to read aloud a sworn affidavit she had tendered as part of her credentials. Of course, the woman was so frightened that she stuttered in her reading of the document. Governor Oshiomole publicly scolded the woman who had been in the service of Edo State for over 20 years. “If you can’t read, what do you teach the pupils, what do you write on the board?” the governor was quoted to have asked the woman in anger. That public humiliation of Mrs. Odenwinge gained as much sensation, in both the print and electronic media, as Oshiomhole’s later encounter, on November 27, 2013, with a hapless roadside widow whom he told to “go and die”, after confiscating her wares at the Oba Ovonramwen Square in Benin City. That, as Edo people know very well, has been the pattern of the governor and he takes sadistic delight in displaying such public confrontations. Early this year, Governor Oshiomhole decided that all teachers in Edo State must undergo a verification exercise and take a competency test. He said that the exercise was part of his administration’s determination to sanitise the school system and reposition education in the state. According to the governor, “a lot of teachers in Edo State have forged certificates and falsified birth declarations; many are unqualified for CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

Uzor Kalu and in 2007, people from Ngwa land also contested against the incumbent governor and in 2011 the same thing happened, so where lay the zoning? It has been an open contest and I am going to be part of it. People from Abia North, Central and South should be encouraged to contest and it is then we will get the best for the state. For an Ngwa man to wake up and start telling you that it is their turn, it is not true because they could have stopped Chief Reagan Ufomba for instance from contesting against the present governor in 2011. That is where it would have worked better. If an Ngwa man did not contest that election, we would have said they are waiting for their turn, but where lies the logic since they have been contesting every election because it is said that he who must come to equity must come with clean hands. So everybody anywhere from Abia State is qualified to contest the governorship. But why that of Abia South Senatorial District is for Asa man is that in 1999,

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Too little too late, Oshiomhole

Oshiomhole

It is simply too little, too late. Governor Oshiomhole may not realize it now, but the truth is that he has committed political suicide, not by taking the initial action, but by reversing it their positions or simply incompetent.” Not only did the teachers object to Oshiomhole’s proposed competency test, they went to court to challenge his policy and obtained a ruling in their favour. Of course, the governor, in his usual characteristic manner, refused to obey the court order and insisted on going ahead with his verification exercise and competency test. Consequently, he deleted the names of 936 teachers from the teachers’ payroll for what he called “certificate discrepancies and age falsification.” The reason the Edo teachers objected

to Oshiomhole’s action was because they felt that the policy was not only punitive and draconian, but also intended mainly to embarrass their members rather than promote the cause of education in the state. They criticised the psychological torture inflicted on some teachers, including Mrs. Odenwinge, by Governor Oshiomhole and the humiliation of others who were being coerced to take the competency test. The teachers could not understand why a man like Oshiomhole, who picked his education by the wayside, should take pleasure in humiliating those from whom he did not have the privilege of learning. If the policy and actions of the Oshiomhole administration were genuine and sincere, they would be a step in the right direction. A good government must be committed to the development of a sound educational system; it must do everything possible to promote a conducive environment for teaching and learning, and it must ensure that all teachers in such a system are not only qualified but also competent and committed. To that extent, therefore, Governor Oshiomhole’s decision to conduct a screening exercise, aimed at purging the system of incompetent teachers, or those with forged certificate, was in order, if only his intentions were genuine.

Alas, the duplicity of Governor Oshiomhole came out, soon after the defeat of Governor Fayemi and the revelation that teachers in Ekiti State contributed robustly to his (Fayemi’s) massive defeat. It must have dawned on Oshiomhole that, even though he is not entitled to re-election in 2016, he may have to answer in other ways for his transgressions against the teachers. The Governor may even be thinking that Edo teachers are behind his own recent political misfortunes and deluge of defections from the APC in the state to the PDP, or that Edo teachers were the brains behind the recent speculated plans to impeach him. So, Oshiomhole decided to learn fast from the Fayemi experience. Soon after the announcement of the Ekiti governorship election results, the government reversed the suspension of the 936 teachers whom he had accused of forging certificates or falsifying age declarations. Now, he has asked all the teachers to return to their duty posts, with the promise that their full benefits would be paid to them. Just like that! Governor Oshiomhole’s reversal of the teachers’ suspension is the greatest embarrassment that a politician can ever inflict on himself. There is something like integrity, even in politics. Is Governor Oshiomhole now saying that teachers with forged certificates or falsified age declarations can continue to work in the public service of Edo State? Does the governor understand the gravity of what he has done to public morality and the future of the education system in Edo State? Having publicly announced to pupils and students in the state, that their teachers were fraudulent, unqualified and incompetent, what explanation would he give for their recall? Would that not be a message to the youths of Edo State that they could indulge in acts of forgery or falsification, and there would be an Oshiomhole to forgive them. The more important question to ask is: what was the reversal of the action against the teachers intended to achieve? Forgiveness from the Edo teachers? Governor Oshiomhole would be politically naive to think that such a thing would happen. The teachers know very well that the governor has not recalled their members out of love for them; they know that he has done so to escape the noose already hanging round his neck. It is simply too little, too late. Governor Oshiomhole may not realize it now, but the truth is that he has committed political suicide, not by taking the initial action, but by reversing it. What a tragedy! •Momodu writes from Benin City.

‘APGA will overtake Abia’ Senator Adolph Wagbara from Ukwa West (Ndoki) contested and won and was there for eight years (1999 - 2007), then Senator Enyinnya Abaribe took over and he is completing his eight years by 2015. And within this period, no Asa man of Ukwa West has contested, they were waiting for their turn and that time has come. That is why it pains me when I see our brothers from Ukwa East contesting this time around. We have been cheated all these years because they feel we don’t have the money, but we have the oil, why can’t they allow somebody from Ukwa West to go to the Senate. I firmly believe that it is the turn of Asa man to go to the Senate and on that I stand and will make sure that it is achieved with the last drop of my blood. The few people from Ukwa West who I told you earlier that play politics of the stomach were the same people who betrayed Asa people in 2011 when I con-

tested House of Representatives seat. I lost because they were all talking about political party instead of the person who was going to represent them and they are now regretting it. What we have in common is that the Ukwa East man would go for the House of Representatives for four years and then it would be the turn of Ukwa West. It is now the turn of Ukwa West to produce candidates for both the Senate and House of Representatives. Could you assess the present government in Abia state? The problem with this administration is that the man is surrounded by people who tell him lies, who cannot look him in the face and tell him the truth. Like I said earlier, the people in the government said they are playing politics of the stomach. So they will always say if you tell him the truth and he drives them, who would feed them? But the average

Uranta

man in Aba, who manages to put at least meals on his table by himself will tell you that we still have a long way to go, that we’ve not started, we’ve not started in Aba. Sometime in 2013 they said they have fixed Ugwu Mango, my brother, go there now, you will weep. Nothing has been done in Aba, it is only those that are playing politics of the stomach that will tell you Aba is okay.

POLITICS 43

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Campaigners give sycophancy another name CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

pora is very great,” he claimed. He regretted that “Nigerians are very good at letting go the good things around us” but assured that “this time, we will resist any attempt, the youths will fight for their rights in bringing good leadership to Nigeria. What Jonathan has done, no Nigerian president was able to do before now. The democratic tenants are waxing stronger. We are very proud of having just one Senate president for so long, compared to his predecessors, when we had more than five senate presidents in eight years.” Among other achievements of the President, Clarke said include “opening all sectors of the economy and encouraging Nigerian investors; shifting the dependence on oil to other sectors, thereby creating jobs for the youths.” Like cancer, many of the Jonathan groups are springing up almost on daily basis. Chief Emmanuel Nwosu, who recently launched his own Love to Love Foundation campaign group, said more than 800 campaign groups are currently routing for Jonathan’s presidency. He further disclosed that what motivated him to join in the campaign was that Jonathan has brought with him the power of intellect to bear on governance, as well as his “methodical in carrying out his transformation agenda”. The formation of these support groups was not left to the so called “political jobbers” and youths alone. Seasoned politicians, former military personnel and former ministers have also joined the fray. About three weeks ago, another group, Vibrant Group Transformation Awareness and Leadership Development Initiative (VITALDI) was formed. The group has former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana as grand patron; former National Secretary of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Senator Saidu Kumo as national coordinator and Mrs. Ifeyinwa Obegolu, also former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as secretary. The inauguration of the group in Abuja attracted prominent Nigerians, includ-

The plethora of the groups could be attributed to one thing – the reward system. Some of those who championed the 2011 sycophantic campaign were appointed into government thereafter ing former Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada; former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Ibrahim Alfa; former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mr. Mike Okiro; Senator Stella Omu, former Internal Affairs Minister, Dr. Mohammed Shata; former House of Representatives Leader, Tunde Akogun; Hon. Yakubu Barde ; Mr. Enonche Ugbabe; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) member, Dr. Christy Tafida Silas; AIG Felix Ogbuadu and former FCT Police Commissioner, Lawrence Alobi, among others. Kumo in his speech said the group is urging Jonathan to seek re-election to complete his Transformation Agenda. The Mandate Group is another group that has drawn prominent Nigerians and politicians into its fold. The group has Dr. Ojong Okon Eno as Chancellor; former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Engr Muhammed Abba-Gana; former Minister of Information, John Odey; Obadia Ando; Emmanuel Ogidi; Chief Chinedu Maduagwu; Mrs. Onyekaba Rosemary; Dr. Uche Okafor; Cijeyu Ojong and Dr. Iby Ofem among other members. Two of these groups; the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) and Protectors of Nigerian Posterity (PNP), are outstanding both in their sustained campaign and media awareness. Described as “nebulous, faceless and clandestine club of political jobbers” in the sense that nobody knows the characters behind the groups, TAN

Udenta

and PNP have taken Jonathan’s campaign to the next level. TAN promoters said they “are a team of patriotic Nigerian citizens comprising professional men and women, youths, businessmen and business women, artists, artisans, sportsmen and women, physically challenged persons, widows associations, Christian, Muslim and native religious groups, community, traditional and market leaders, opinion molders and analysts, farmers, school teachers, trade unions and all masses of Nigeria committed to the ideals of good and quality leadership, order, unity, peace and progress of our nation under the Constitution.” Dr. Udenta O. Udeta, author, commentator on national issues, university teacher and social critic, is TAN’s Director for Strategy and Public Communications. Uptil now, he is the only known figure behind the group. His association with the group has continued to baffle many people who know him as a leftist. He was National Secretary of Alliance for Democracy (AD), a position he earned probably because of his role as a member of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). Those behind TAN have heavy financial war chest. The group may turn out

to be the main campaign organisation for President Jonathan’s re-election. During the last FIFA World Cup, the group sent people to Brazil as part of its awareness creation. It has also sustained campaign in the media. It is believed that some people in government (if not the presidency itself) are behind TAN. The media campaign is centered on the projects executed by President Goodluck administration across the country. To further draw attention to the campaign, one of Nigeria’s foremost actor/comedian, Chief Chika Okpala (popularly known as Zebrudaya) has been conscripted to anchor the campaign. The message is in English and Hausa languages. The most vilified is the Protectors of Nigerian Posterity. Uptil now, those behind this group are yet to be unmasked. The most striking thing in the media campaign embarked upon by this group is its comparison of President Jonathan with renowned world leaders both living and dead. They include Martin Luther King (Jnr.) of the United States, Dr. Nelson Mandel of South Africa, Lee Kuan of Singapore, Mahatma Gandhi of India and Barack Obama of the United States of America. The group says “these were leaders who transformed their countries despite the odds, and President Jonathan is doing it.” But members of the opposition see the message as fraud, arguing that Jonathan can never be in the mold of any of these leaders. With the plethora of organisations and groups springing up almost on daily basis, and urging the President to seek re-election, analysts are looking for a meeting point. In 2010, various groups campaigning for Jonathan to contest the 2011 presidential elections were made to fuss into the Goodluck Support Group (GSG), which eventually contributed to his victory. The GSG was coordinated by Princess Stella Oduah and Ahmed Gulak. Will this play out again this time? Now that Oduah and Gulak are no longer in government, will they still play a role in the new campaign? These are questions that will be answered with the passage of time.

‘Nigeria may be plunged into crisis of disunity and more insecurity’ CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 4

nexed by Cameroun. All these things they can achieve through the United Nations self-determination principle. So also the people in Enugu who went and criminally shot people dead and attacked Government House; that is secession. COSEG, the militant arm of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) is strongly advocating Oduduwa self-determination and they have said in media statements that they won’t accept the resolutions if they do not give autonomy to regions and allow for holistic devolution of power. All these are issues we have known for 10 years at a minimum, but nobody wanted to address them. We all pretended that it’s not happening. Well, the National Conference has let Nigerians to watch it come to the fore, live on global television; that we are different peoples with different objectives and challenges, and we can only survive by addressing our different challenges in our unique ways. For example, there is a very strong likelihood that sometime within the next few weeks; Niger Deltans will shut down oil production. It is not so much because they are fighting for resource control or derivation, but because there have been over five earth tremors in Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta in the last one month. And seismologists have identified the cause as being the irresponsible exploration of oil with-

only Nigeria’s three Northern zones, if the Middle Belt is counted as a part of the North.

Uranta

out reinjection of gas into those places to which the oil is taken. So, there is an imbalance created in this extraction. If these imbalances continue, it could lead to major earthquakes. Who will suffer directly the earthquakes? Niger Deltans! Those same Niger Deltans we are saying to that ‘we are not going to give you more than 18 per cent; and if you want us to give you the 18 per cent, you must also give us a National Intervention Fund, a very strange, selfish and crazy notion because what they called national is not supposed to even be national. It is something that will ostensibly benefit

Are you saying that the North doesn’t need assistance from the Federal Government? It is not that the region is suffering from any natural disaster, rather its suffering from its own political rulers’ self-confessed ineptitude and the rest of Nigeria has to pay for the ineptitude of the ruling class in the North, to the exclusion of the South where there has been much ineptitude too. I think the ‘me, me, me posture’ of some Nigerians is unfair, selfish, and a threat to our national unity. Unless a better solution can be found, the people of Niger Delta have decided that within the next few weeks, they will come together to reach a consensus, and begin to work out an action plan to shut down oil production in the region. It’s a pity. It will affect all Nigerians, but it is better that it affects all of us, temporarily, than that Niger Deltans alone to die permanently. Would the Niger Delta region be pacified if the 18 per cent derivation is agreed upon? The Niger Delta region did not ask for 18 per cent. The region is asking a return to the basic tenets of the 1963 Republican Constitution, which empowered every region to own its resources and pay up to 50 per cent tax

to the centre. I do not think we will be happy with 18 per cent. We appreciate the fact there is an increase in derivation, but we wish to control our resources, through federalism. Then, we will go back to our region and tackle the issue of mass thievery by government officials. Whether we do that or not, there is a likelihood that we will shut down oil production for our existence and survival sake, and not for political or economic reasons. But, a more equitable, just and fair Nigeria would help us see our way to resolving the issues of Niger Deltans’ suffering, caused by massive irresponsible oil and gas exploitation, with its concomitant environmental despoliation etc, that is now threatening to sink our communities. We shall not die, for the rest of Nigeria to live. Won’t that be an affront to the Federal Government? Let it be an affront to whoever it would be an affront to. Is it not better for anybody to feel affronted than for us to be destroyed? The rate at which we are going, the Niger Delta is headed for destruction because nobody cares about what happens to the region; and, nobody wants to know that there are ways and reasons why we must begin to think as brothers and stop thinking as political parties, or religious bigots, or feudal irredentists.

business | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

World Bank rates Nigeria high in poverty reduction  tled “Nigeria Economic Report (NER),” launched yesterday in Abuja. The report noted that revenues to the Federation have increased, foreign reserves have stabilized, Excess Crude Account (ECA) has been augmented, and prospects for growth are stronger than last year.  Besides, it noted that the re-based estimate reveal a larger, more dynamic and complex economy than did previous statistics. It however, stressed that macro-economic risks remain due to uncertainty about future oil output, oil prices and short

UNCERTAINTY Macro-economic risks however, remain due to uncertainty about future oil   Kenneth Tyohemba  Abuja

he World Bank has said that Nigeria's short-term macro economic outlook recorded improvement in the first half of 2014. It disclosed this in a report ti-

term capital flows. The NER analysed new data from household surveys in 2010/2011 and 2012/2013 to reassess poverty and living standards in Nigeria and concludes that poverty rates in the country are likely significantly lower than previously believed. It also pointed out that progress towards poverty reduction could be stronger.  According to the report, poverty reduction in Nigeria appears to be primarily an urban phenomenon, with poverty rates in rural areas higher, just as poverty reduction is slower.   While recent panel surveys

Analysts see 12.5% yield as FG raises N100bn

Godson Ikoro

s the nation’s bond market gravitate towards the point at which multi-asset investors find greater value in local equities and the off-shore community turns to other frontier markets, analysts see yields within current range of 11-12.5 per cent even as federal government raises N100billion. At the seventh monthly auction of Debt Management Office (DMO) for Federal Government bonds of the year last week, the Government raised N100billion (US$620million) from the sale of three debt instruments. These were two reopened issues 13.05 per cent Aug ‘16s and 14.20 per cent Mar ‘24s as well as a new long bond, the Jul ‘34s, for which the coupon has been set at 12.15 per cent, in line with

the marginal rate effective cutoff point. Going by the records, the rates for the existing issues narrowed by 36 basis points and 6basis points from the previous month to 11.00points for the ‘16s and 12.19per cent for the ‘24s. The total bid of N264billion was the highest at auction for at least four years and FBN Capital has attributed the pent-up demand from the PFAs for the long bond, which was pulled from the DMO’s original calendar for Q2 2014. Similarly, there has been a high level of liquidity in the market in recent weeks. The last two auctions of NTBs by the CBN on 25 June and 09 July attracted total bids of N314bil-

lion and (when it did not offer the popular 364-day paper) N103billion respectively. Yields have dropped due to a slowdown in Open Markets Operations (OMO) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as well as expectations of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) inflows. The auction dominated the market last week as both domestic and offshore players adopted a wait-and-see approach before Wednesday. The most actively traded bonds last week were the Aug ‘16s and the Mar ‘24s. In spite of this, analysts at FBN Capital predicted that yields will remain within the current range of 11per cent to 12.50 per cent over the next

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

indicate that the per capita national poverty rate based on the official poverty line may now be as low as 33.1 per cent, a large share of the country's population is still not far above poverty line, indicating vulnerability.  "The combination of the new GDP and poverty estimates is valuable in giving us what we believe to be a clear picture of development and poverty reduction in Nigeria", said John Litwack, Lead Economist and Acting Country Manager, World Bank.  The NER also highlighted continuing differences between Nigeria's regions in poverty reduction.

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

few weeks. They believed that market is heading to the point at which multi-asset investors

The South and North Central regions show progress in poverty reduction between 2010 and 2013, while the North West witnessed little change, and the North East experienced an increase in the poverty rate along with a general decline in living standards.  "Improvements in public services, key infrastructure to better connect markets, and measures to increase productivity in agriculture could help put Northern regions on a strong path toward poverty reduction", said Mr. Litwack, Lead author of the report, while also noting the critical role of security. find greater value in local equities and the offshore community turns to other frontier markets, particularly if they have pre-election fears for the naira exchange rate.

First Bank Partners PayPal on e-commerce

Chris Ugwu

irst Bank of Nigeria Plc and global payments provider PayPal have formed synergy to enable the bank’s customers to register for a PayPal account from their FirstOnline, Internetbanking account. By linking FirstBank-issued debit, prepaid or credit cards to their new PayPal account, customers can shop and pay on millions of websites around the world from their PCs, tablets or smartphones, without having to share their financial information with the seller. Through this partnership FirstBank customers gain a unique advantage as their PayPal account will receive automatic verification and increased transaction limits, making it even easier to start making online or mobile payments. Speaking at the official launching of the partnership in Lagos yesterday, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Bank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya said the partnership was opportunity at this time of accelerating e-commerce evolution in Nigeria. He said:“It is equally noteworthy, as it syncs with FirstBank's enhanced service solutions for its SME, e-business, mobile banking and Online banking customers. “I am happy to also note that we are consummating this significant partnership in a historic year when FirstBank is celebrating 120 years of doing business in Nigeria. “Ours has been a continuously exciting journey highlighted by a remarkable and enduring legacy of unparalleled development and sustainability. We are indeed proud to have built a heritage brand easily recognisable for its dependability, dynamism, stability, longevity and innovation.” Onasanya noted that the bank was driven by the quest to provide the best financial services possible to its teeming customers, adding that consis-

tent with the mission, the lender was optimistic that the venture with Paypal would make far-reaching impact on the lives of its invaluable customers in particular and the entire people of Nigeria in general. “We are glad to provide ecommerce transaction options for our customers and the generality of Nigerians, as we are committed to seeking innovative ways of driving the cashless policy spearheaded by the Central Bank of Nigeria. “In expanding our scope in the e-commerce and money transfer subsector, we have carefully identified PayPal due to its pedigree and robust success, achieved since inception 12 years ago, as a major consumer-to-consumer remittance company worthy of our partnership,” he said. He noted that the acceptance of FirstBank Cards for making PayPal payments is a significant boost to the bank’s continuous initiative to drive innovation in banking services and its promise to always put customers at the heart of our business. The First Bank boss noted that the partnership would provide convenience for the customers planning their summer shopping, adding that the bank’s cards are accepted in over 200 countries and on millions of Point of Sales (PoS) terminals and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) around the world. Commenting on the partnership, PayPal’s Regional Director for Africa and Israel, Mr. Efi Dahan, said; “Millions of Nigerians already shop on websites in the US, UK or China, but many find their cards are rejected or have concerns about entering their credit card details on the website of a seller based overseas. PayPal is used by hundreds of millions of people around the world to make international payments because PayPal payments are trusted by international retailers and we don’t share your financial details with anyone”.

Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014

Sanctity of Truth Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014 Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047

Daily Summary (Bonds)

business | CAPITAL MARKET 45

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at July 22, 2014

No Debt Trading Activity

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 36 24 60

Current Price 33.01 38.00

Quantity Traded 166,429 359,564 525,993

Value Traded 5,503,982.54 13,662,031.00 19,166,013.54

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 66 66

Current Price 3.09

Quantity Traded 3,610,999 3,610,999

Value Traded 11,158,202.02 11,158,202.02

4,136,992

30,324,215.56

Quantity Traded 430,948 85,167,981 140,920 85,739,849

Value Traded 619,511.80 483,839,894.45 8,770,432.42 493,229,838.67

85,739,849

493,229,838.67

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES

Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014 Diversified Industries Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047

A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

126 Symbol No. of Deals AGLEVENT 21 TRANSCORP 664 UACN 58 Daily Summary (Equities) 743

CONGLOMERATES Activity Summary onTotals Board EQTY CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Structure/Completion/Other Totals PublishedBuilding by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price 1.45 5.47 62.00

743 Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 21 21

Current Price 1.22

Quantity Traded 544,032 544,032Page

Value Traded 674,547.80 1 674,547.80 of 12

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

Symbol JBERGER ROADS

No. of Deals 28 2 30

Current Price 63.00 8.46

Quantity Traded 137,546 4,133 141,679

Value Traded 8,771,886.09 36,589.32 8,808,475.41

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 17.56

Quantity Traded 174,650 174,650

Value Traded 3,071,688.88 3,071,688.88

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol SKYESHELT UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 100.00 9.95

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000 2,000

Value Traded 95,000.00 9,940.00 104,940.00

862,361

12,659,652.09

Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014ESTATE Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers PLC.EQTY ActivityCHAMPION SummaryBREW. on Board Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS

69 Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 50,000 50,000

Value Traded 25,000.00 25,000.00

Symbol CHAMPION

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 10.17

Quantity Traded 200

Value Traded 1,934.00

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

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

Symbol GUINNESS INTBREW NB

Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014 Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

No. of Deals 57 23 115 196

Current Price 197.50 28.05 178.00

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 15 15

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

Quantity Traded 49,841 49,841

Value Traded 5,234,800.23 5,234,800.23

No. of Deals 54 59 41 48 48 3 253

Current Price 8.13 9.20 77.87 4.30 10.70 20.50

Quantity Traded 981,422 2,571,397 113,975 920,138 4,155,104 40,522 8,782,558

Value Traded 8,034,733.60 23,581,759.89 8,517,200.65 3,937,558.79 44,720,953.56 789,838.36 89,582,044.85

No. of Deals 54 41 95

Current Price 74.25 1,125.00

Quantity Traded 163,178 35,248 198,426

Value Traded 11,672,807.18 39,362,514.74 51,035,321.92

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities) VITAFOAM 12

Current Price 4.35

Quantity Traded 139,047

Value Traded 586,784.93

Page

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014 Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047 Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals

No. of Deals 83 118 201

Current Price 39.00 49.00

Quantity Traded 1,013,161 883,535 1,896,696

Value Traded 39,499,354.77 43,126,948.72 82,626,303.49

12,173,402

387,456,141.32

Quantity Traded 32,094,667 11,461,952 1,357,057 13,475,636 6,163,540 4,240,517 2,559,454 15,028,851 449,303 316,850

Value Traded 315,937,736.18 75,433,652.28 23,025,039.20 26,638,327.81 185,228,294.64 13,820,824.30 6,095,010.02 120,182,623.40 4,141,827.58 158,425.00

Symbol WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 60 217 1,699

Current Price 1.15 25.00

Quantity Traded Page 6,037,854 4,830,115 98,015,796

Symbol AFRINSURE AIICO CONTINSURE HMARKINS INTENEGINS LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS PRESTIGE STDINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 1 31 25 1 14 6 23 11 45 9 10 1 100 277

Current Price 0.50 0.81 1.11 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.55 0.54 0.85 0.50 0.54 0.50 0.90

Quantity Traded 1,000 2,667,937 1,998,450 200,000 1,409,348 49,250 1,458,278 1,712,185 8,860,383 564,173 8,166 300 15,046,255 33,975,725

Value Traded 500.00 2,183,181.48 2,234,297.36 100,000.00 705,945.76 24,625.00 3,717,189.35 923,525.05 7,465,875.00 282,086.50 4,246.32 150.00 13,540,133.26 31,181,755.08

Symbol FORTISMFB

No. of Deals 1 9 10

Current Price 5.96 1.06

Quantity Traded 10,000 1,125,677 1,135,677

Value Traded 60,000.00 1,222,509.10 1,282,509.10

NPFMCRFBK Daily Summary (Equities)

Value Traded 4 of 6,945,354.24 120,711,721.27 898,318,835.92

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Page

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol ASOSAVINGS INFINITY UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1 2 1 4

Current Price 0.50 1.60 0.50

Quantity Traded 500 22,500 62,500 85,500

Value Traded 250.00 34,600.00 31,250.00 66,100.00

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

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 58 41 455 58 6 28 123 769

Current Price 3.26 3.92 15.70 4.20 0.53 27.13 2.15

Quantity Traded 566,238 1,768,373 42,336,758 2,997,841 841,118 143,342 7,398,636 56,052,306

Value Traded 1,847,349.55 7,041,541.74 664,812,216.81 12,605,555.31 445,002.77 3,916,434.40 16,091,239.23 706,759,339.81

189,265,004

1,637,608,539.91

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

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

2,759 Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 10 38 9 20 30

Current Price 2.22 3.06 68.99 1.74 1.23

Quantity Traded 120,479 915,905 14,036 653,707 1,232,975

Page

2,937,102

6,624,524.17

Current Price 0.56

Quantity Traded 14,000 14,000

Value Traded 7,660.00 7,660.00

Symbol CWG NCR

No. of Deals 1 5 6

Current Price 5.00 14.44

Quantity Traded 20 12,162 12,182

Value Traded 96.00 182,493.50 182,589.50

Symbol CHAMS ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 0.50 2.21

Quantity Traded 1,000 50 1,050

Value Traded 500.00 110.50 610.50

27,232

190,860.00 Value Traded 46,048,307.18 3,464,066.86 3,431,708.56

10 Symbol

No. of Deals 101 19 28

Current Price 31.46 8.57 40.10

Quantity Traded 1,421,304 403,545 87,764

Symbol CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER IPWA PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 79 30 3 1 1 12 90 364

Current Price 12.64 238.00 1.20 0.50 1.40 5.00 120.00

Quantity Traded 2,262,164 159,583 28,861 10,000 80,000 215,340 489,709 5,158,270

Value Traded 28,293,951.22 38,252,037.83 36,059.86 5,000.00 112,000.00 1,087,784.61 58,312,760.04 179,043,676.16

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 1.90

Quantity Traded 339,000 339,000

Value Traded 626,420.00 626,420.00

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 2 1 3

Current Price 1.69 16.30

Quantity Traded 5,078 400 5,478

Value Traded 8,581.82 6,844.00 15,425.82

5,502,748

179,685,521.98

Quantity Traded 1,719 1,719

Value Traded 9,798.30 9,798.30

Daily Summary (Equities) ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP

Page

378 Symbol

No. of Deals 1 1

Daily Summary (Equities) BOCGAS

Current Price 5.76

Page 1,719

of 12 9,798.30

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 79 79

Current Price 0.54

Quantity Traded 6,312,708 6,312,708

Value Traded 3,354,473.47 3,354,473.47

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

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 688 688

Current Price 26.00

Quantity Traded 15,666,969 15,666,969

Value Traded 411,162,202.74 411,162,202.74

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

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 62 57 169 49 4 30 371

Current Price 62.32 4.01 226.46 178.84 61.99 195.50

Quantity Traded 157,916 833,717 519,999 175,918 270 53,201 1,741,021

Value Traded 9,621,544.63 3,343,860.14 115,787,216.13 31,419,079.04 15,903.00 10,367,302.57 170,554,905.51

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 11 11 Daily Summary (Equities) 1,149

Current Price 675.05

Quantity Traded 20,173 20,173

Value Traded 13,622,799.96 13,622,799.96

23,740,871

598,694,381.68

OIL AND GAS Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 1.05

Page Quantity Traded 236,983 236,983

9Value Traded of 12

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

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 46 1 47

Current Price 4.94 1.96

Quantity Traded 1,546,282 2,250 1,548,532

Value Traded 7,862,745.06 4,275.00 7,867,020.06

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 198,000 198,000

Value Traded 99,000.00 99,000.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.79

Quantity Traded 110,000 110,000

Value Traded 84,500.00 84,500.00

Printing/Publishing

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 3 10 25 38

Current Price 1.71 1.51 4.29

Quantity Traded 14,000 118,810 1,305,545 1,438,355

Value Traded 23,934.00 182,909.10 5,363,109.99 5,569,953.09

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 0.89

Quantity Traded 572,001 572,001

Value Traded 508,970.87 508,970.87

Published byAutomobile/Auto The Nigerian Stock Exchange Part Retailers©

R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014 ACADEMY PRESS PLC. Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047 LEARN AFRICA PLC

UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

ABCTRANS

12 12

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © SERVICES

Page

246,577.56 246,577.56

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

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 9 49 58

Current Price 2.12 4.89

Quantity Traded 127,900 1,084,764 1,212,664

Value Traded 280,564.00 5,337,669.94 5,618,233.94

Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 28 28

Current Price 6.69

Quantity Traded 100,418,000 100,418,000

Value Traded 652,672,393.33 652,672,393.33

205

105,734,535

672,666,648.85

6,322

430,121,815

4,019,150,122.53

Quantity Traded 14,500 14,500

Value Traded 18,850.00 18,850.00

14,500

18,850.00

1 6,323

430,136,315

14,500

18,850.00 4,019,168,972.53

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014 Food Products Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047

No. of Deals 1 1

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

ASeM Board Totals

Equity Activity Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Exchange Traded Fund

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

Value Traded 268,561.32 2,831,969.25 922,452.18 1,137,889.72 1,463,651.70

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014 Totals

Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014 Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FINANCIAL SERVICES

Value Traded 6,624,524.17

No. of Deals 2 2

ICT Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC

Quantity Traded 2,937,102

Symbol COURTVILLE

Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

Daily Summary (Equities)

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014 Processing Systems Totals

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

Value Traded 45,210.00 631,994.93

Current Price 9.90 6.60 16.80 1.96 30.13 3.25 2.36 8.00 8.99 0.50

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. IT Services Totals

Current Price

107

NATURAL RESOURCES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Quantity Traded 33,000 172,047

No. of Deals 254 137 104 119 336 115 52 233 65 7

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Current Price 1.44

Symbol ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI FIDELITYBK GUARANTY SKYEBANK STERLNBANK UBA UBN UNITYBNK

HEALTHCARE Totals

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

No. of Deals 2 14

775

No. of Deals 107

Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047 INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Symbol VONO

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Daily Summary as of 22/07/2014 Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. Printed 22/07/2014 14:40:47.047 DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. BANK on PLC ActivityUNITY Summary Board EQTY

Symbol

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price 100.03

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

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

Value Traded 12,655,487.48 4,658,260.00 141,004,994.42 158,320,675.90

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS Household Durables VONO PRODUCTS PLC. Household Durables Totals

Quantity Traded 63,746 166,000 793,888 1,023,834

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals Totals

Current Price 1.35

Page

Daily Summary (ETP) Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 4 5

Current Price 2,050.00 19.32

Quantity Traded 13 252,125 252,138

Value Traded 26,650.00 4,903,565.65 4,930,215.65

ETF Board Totals

252,138

4,930,215.65

ETP Activity Totals

252,138

4,930,215.65

46 business | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

22-Jul-14

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

Bonds

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

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

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

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

0.19 0.75 2.07 2.77 3.01 3.11 3.86 4.94 5.26 7.52 9.64 14.35 14.83 15.33 16.00 19.99

10.57 10.72 11.04 11.00 10.95 10.96 10.99 11.11 11.12 11.79 12.15 12.17 12.18 12.19 12.25 12.26

9.76 9.99 10.96 10.94 10.83 10.84 10.90 11.03 11.03 11.74 12.10 12.13 12.13 12.13 12.20 12.22

99.71 95.24 103.60 109.50 97.23 95.84 99.07 118.20 83.91 122.50 111.45 118.94 102.08 74.66 84.40 99.18

99.86 95.74 103.75 109.65 97.53 96.14 99.37 118.50 84.21 122.80 111.75 119.24 102.38 74.96 84.70 99.48

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

4,479.99

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

4,581.79

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

Description

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

# Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.28 0.84 1.45 2.38 2.75 2.96

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.62 13.34 13.07 12.95 11.95 11.95

96.91 89.72 105.45 100.30 98.94 96.55

05-Aug-14 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

0.04 0.23 1.11 0.71 1.23 1.24 2.74 1.79 3.44 2.42 4.20 2.61 2.61 3.00 3.07 5.34 3.13 3.74 6.35 6.44 3.92 3.96

1.56 3.29 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.74 1.00 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

12.04 13.88 15.16 13.95 15.21 14.23 16.54 11.89 12.76 12.75 12.01 11.95 15.73 11.95 11.95 12.14 13.70 11.99 12.42 13.38 12.44 12.95

100.05 99.91 97.34 99.91 98.87 101.60 85.98 103.01 103.34 102.76 106.37 105.64 96.64 106.16 109.01 109.02 102.60 107.94 104.61 106.81 106.08 106.00

1,301.62

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

1,265.85

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR

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

05-Aug-09 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 30-Sep-13 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

14.00 14.00 12.50 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00

17.00 6.00 8.50 6.08 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 17.28 80.00 28.37 11.40 87.00 5.00 4.78 4.79

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Corporate Bonds

501.10 513.74

A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014

Aa/Agusto

GTB µ NGC

17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014

Nil

10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015

Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto

*UPDC

BB+/GCR

*CHELLARAMS

*FLOURMILLS

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

NAHCO

BBB-/GCR BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR A/Agusto; A/GCR Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR BBB/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR

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

FSDH

A/GCR

13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014

UBA

13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017

*C & I LEASING *DANA#

18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

*TOWER#

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

*DANA NAHCO

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

07-Oct-11

11.50

11.80

07-Oct-14

0.21

1.00

11.58

99.90

18-Dec-09

13.50

13.17

18-Dec-14

0.41

5.21

15.91

99.00

01-Apr-10

17.00

2.00

31-Dec-14

0.44

8.71

19.43

98.94

17-Aug-10

10.00

5.29

17-Aug-15

0.59

4.88

15.62

96.34

09-Dec-10

12.00

13.62

09-Dec-15

0.90

1.00

11.70

100.64

06-Jan-11

14.00

0.60

06-Jan-16

0.98

2.63

13.32

100.79

29-Sep-11

13.00

15.00

29-Sep-16

2.19

1.00

11.95

101.93

25-Oct-13

14.25

5.53

25-Oct-16

2.26

1.34

12.29

103.72

30-Sep-10

13.00

20.00

30-Sep-17

3.19

1.00

11.96

102.65

30-Nov-12

18.00

0.73

30-Nov-17

2.01

1.88

12.83

109.98

09-Apr-11

16.00

7.20

09-Apr-18

1.97

3.48

14.42

103.01

09-Sep-11

18.00

3.27

09-Sep-18

2.13

5.20

16.15

103.60

09-Sep-11

16.00

0.90

09-Sep-18

2.13

5.06

16.01

101.88

22-Sep-11

14.00

35.00

22-Sep-18

4.17

1.35

12.36

105.18

18-Oct-13

15.75

2.70

18-Oct-18

2.24

2.29

13.24

105.07

17-Feb-12

17.00

0.45

17-Feb-19

2.32

6.11

17.06

100.05

01-Apr-14

16.00

4.50

01-Apr-19

3.44

2.16

13.13

107.72

14-Nov-13

15.25

2.05

14-Nov-20

6.32

2.76

14.17

104.36

11-Feb-18

3.56

1.00

11.98

94.96

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

143.81

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

147.37

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Rating/Agency

Issuer

12.00 11.39 Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.81

4.66

110.76

111.61

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

12-Jul-13

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.09

3.87

103.75

104.56

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

12-Jul-13

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.17

5.06

108.55

109.41

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

1,615.26

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

AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.71

2.96

111.45

112.64

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

4.89

4.07

104.47

105.94

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.07

5.82

99.74

100.65

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.03

6.41

100.59

102.30

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.66

8.24

94.34

95.61

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

4.92

4.14

113.32

114.71

6.25 APR 22, 2019

100.66

B+/S&P

ACCESS BANK PLC

B/S&P; B/Fitch

FIDELITY BANK PLC

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

AFREN PLC

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.39

6.09

99.41

B/Fitch; B/S&P

8.75 May 21, 2019

21-May-14

8.75

200.00

21-May-19

8.97

8.75

99.14

99.97

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

DIAMOND BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.26

6.56

103.42

105.92

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

5.47

5.10

104.41

105.89

ZENITH BANK PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION

3,660.00 3,779.29

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

FIXINGS Maturity 31-Jul-14 7-Aug-14 14-Aug-14 21-Aug-14 28-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 11-Sep-14 18-Sep-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.15 10.15 10.20 10.20 10.20 10.15 10.40 10.40

Offer Discount (%) 9.90 9.90 9.95 9.95 9.95 9.90 10.15 10.15

Bid Yield (%) 10.18 10.20 10.27 10.29 10.31 10.28 10.55 10.57

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.5000 12.3646 13.3257 14.2762

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.25

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

O/N

10.50

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M 3M

162.20 162.50 162.76 163.35 164.52 165.79

162.30 162.76 163.10 164.01 165.71 167.42

Tenor Call 1M

REPO

Rate (%) 10.25 12.54

A+/Agusto; A+/GCR *DELTA A-/Agusto; A-/GCR NIGER A/Agusto; A-/GCR† *EKITI A-/Agusto *NIGER A/Agusto; A-/GCR *ONDO A/Agusto; A-/GCR *GOMBE Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR LAGOS A/Agusto; A-/GCR *OSUN A/Agusto *OSUN Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR LAGOS Wednesday, July 23, 2014KOGI A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto *EKITI A-/GCR *NASARAWA Sanctity of Truth

Bearish TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Negative sentiments rule Corporate the localBonds bourse A+/Agusto; AA/GCR

LAFARGE WAPCO

Aa/Agusto

GTB µ NGC

Nil

Stories by Chris Ugwu Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC

30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 30-Sep-13 27-Nov-13 31-Dec-13 31-Dec-13 06-Jan-14

14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

bargain hunters 11.50 LAFARGE WAPCOrescinded 7-OCT 2014 from position taking to18-DEC-2014 take profits 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST from the31-DEC-2014 gains recorded last 17.00 NGC week. 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 These developments 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 translated14.00 intoCHELLARAMS a loss, causing 06-JAN-2016investors to 13.00 loseNAHCO N4029-SEP-2016 billion. TheFSDHtwin market perfor14.25 25-OCT-2016 mance measures, 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 the All Share Index and market capitalisa18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 tion, dropped by 0.28 per cent MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018

A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR

*TOWER#

MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

UBA

14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018

*LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS#

MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019

AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR

MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018

*TOWER#

CAP reports 20% profit growth A/Agusto; A/GCR

Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR

BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR

BBB/GCR hemical

and Allied *DANA ProdA+/Agusto; uctsA-/GCR (CAP) Plc has recordNAHCO ed aOUTSTANDING growth of VALUE 20 per cent TOTAL in net earnings for the half TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION year ended June 30, 2014. The company Supranational Bondin a filing with the Nigerian StockIFC Exchange AAA/S&P (NSE) a profit after tax TOTALposted OUTSTANDING VALUE ofTOTAL N744.8 million for the second MARKET CAPITALISATION quarter as against N618.5 million in 2013. Rating/Agency Revenue grew by 16 perIssuer cent to N3.349 billion in 2014 from FGN Eurobonds N2.883 billion in 2013. CAP had recorded a 23.3 per BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P cent in net earnings during the BB-/Fitch; first quarter ended March FGN31, BB-/S&P 2014, while pre-tax profit stood BB-/Fitch; atBB-/S&P N402.53 million during the first quarter as against TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUEN308.7 million in 2013. TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION The company’s revenue grew by 16.6 per cent to N1.747 billion Corporate Eurobonds from N1.460 billion. B-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLC I at Addressing shareholders the company’s Annual General GTBANK PLC I B+/S&P; B+/Fitch Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, GTBANKChairPLC man of CAP Plc, Mr.ACCESS Larry EtB+/S&P BANK PLC tah, said that despite the BANK chal-PLC B/S&P; B/Fitch FIDELITY lenging B/Fitch operating environment AFREN PLC inB+/Fitch; 2013, BB-/S&P the companyZENITH ended the BANK PLC year with perforB/Fitch; B/S&Pan impressive DIAMOND BANK PLC mance. B/S&P; B-/Fitch FIRST BANK PLC B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-20 27-Nov-20 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-20 06-Jan-21

2.42 4.20 2.61 2.61 3.00 3.07 5.34 3.13 3.74 6.35 6.44 3.92 3.96

1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.74 1.00 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

12.75 12.01 11.95 15.73 11.95 11.95 12.14 13.70 11.99 12.42 13.38 12.44 12.95

102.76 106.37 105.64 96.64 106.16 109.01 109.02 102.60 107.94 104.61 106.81 106.08 106.00

business | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

501.10 513.74

*FLOURMILLS

yesterday contin*CHELLARAMS ued to overrun the equities A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO market following sell presA-/Agusto FSDH sure on blue chip compaA/GCR UBA nies. BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING # Market watchers believed BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *DANA

37.25 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 17.28 80.00 28.37 11.40 87.00 5.00 4.78 4.79

Investors lose N40bn at NSE

A-/Agusto

he bears BB+/GCR

14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50 15.00 14.50 15.00

15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018

16.00 II 1-APR-2019 HeDANA noted that the company 15.25 NAHCO 14-NOV-2020 of N6.2 bilrecorded aIIturnover lion, a growth of 18 per cent over the previous year and a Profit Before Tax of N2.1 billion, which represents an increase of 26 per cent the previous year. 10.20over IFC 11-FEB-2018 Ettah said: “In view of the good performance of the company, the Board has recommended a final dividend of N700 million, Description representing 100 kobo for every 50 kobo ordinary share to shareholders in the register of members at the close of 28,business on 6.75 JAN 2021 May 19, 2014 for your consideration and approval. 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 “This is in addition to the 6.38 JUL 12, interim dividend of2023 125 kobo per share paid on November 19, 2013. This brings the total dividend for 2013 financial year to N1.575 billion, representing 225 kobo per share.” 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 Reviewing the operations of MAY 19,the 2016 period, the company7.50 during Ettah said: “We expanded our 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 spread during the25, year with 7.25 JUL 2017 the opening 6.88 of MAY eight new Du09, 2018 lux colour shops 10.25 APRin 08,Umuahia, 2019 Dopemu, Akure, Jigawa, 6.25 APR 22, 2019 Abuja, Katsina, Aba8.75and Ughelli. We May 21, 2019 successfully 8.25 executed AUG 07, 2020the Du6.63 DEC 09, 2020

as the07-Oct-11 market tempo11.50 lowered. At18-Dec-09 the close of trading, 25 13.50 stocks appreciated, while 30 oth01-Apr-10 17.00 ers constituted the losers’ table. 17-Aug-10 10.00 The twin market 12.00 indicators, 09-Dec-10 the All-Share Index dropped by 06-Jan-11 14.00 119.3529-Sep-11 basis points or 13.000.28 per cent 25-Oct-13 from 42,784.3014.25 last Monday to close at 42,664.95, 30-Sep-10 13.00 while the market fell 30-Nov-12 capitalisation 18.00 by N40 billion or 0.28 per cent 09-Apr-11 16.00 09-Sep-11

18.00

09-Sep-11

16.00

from N14,127 trillion to N14,087 07-Oct-14 0.21 trillion. 18-Dec-14 0.41 Further analysis of the0.44 day’s 2.00 31-Dec-14 trading showed 5.29 17-Aug-15that Total 0.59Oil Nigeria Plc09-Dec-15 topped the 0.90 day’s 13.62 gainers table06-Jan-16 with N9.30 to0.98 close 0.60 at N195.50, while 15.00 29-Sep-16Mobil Oil 2.19Plc added N8.5125-Oct-16 to close at N178.84. 5.53 2.26 Ashaka Cement 20.00 30-Sep-17 Nigeria 3.19Plc followed with N1.54 to close 0.73 30-Nov-17 2.01 at N31.46 per share. 7.20 09-Apr-18 1.97 side, Dangote 3.27 On the flip 09-Sep-18 2.13Cement led losers with a drop 0.90 09-Sep-18 2.13 of N2.50 to close at N238.00, while 35.00 22-Sep-18 4.17 Unilever Oil Nigeria Plc2.24 shed 2.70 18-Oct-18 N1.14 to close at N49.002.32per 0.45 17-Feb-19 4.50 01-Apr-19 3.44 share 2.05 On the activity 14-Nov-20 6.32the chart,

Banking sub-sector dominated 1.00 11.58 99.90 in5.21 volume terms with 9899.00 million 15.91 shares worth N898.3 million in 8.71 19.43 98.94 1,699 4.88 deals. The 15.62 sub-sector 96.34 was enhanced by the activities in 1.00 11.70 100.64 the Access Bank 2.63shares of 13.32 100.79 Plc and 1.00 UBA Plc. 11.95 101.93 Other financial services 1.34 12.29 103.72 subsector financial 102.65 services 1.00 also of11.96 sector boosted 1.88 12.83by the activities 109.98 on3.48 the shares of FBNH103.01 Plc fol14.42 lowed with 16.15 56 million units, 5.20 103.60 worth N706.7 in 769 5.06 16.01 million101.88 deals. 1.35 12.36 105.18 In all, investors exchanged 2.29 13.24 105.07 a 6.11 total of 430.1 shares, 17.06 million100.05 2.16 13.13 worth N4.02 billion 107.72 in 6,323 2.76 14.17 104.36 deals.

11.80 13.17

lux Mobile an 22-Sep-11 Room Makeover, 14.00 innovative campaign 18-Oct-13 marketing 15.75 in the17-Feb-12 Nigerian clime, to the de17.00 16.00 light 01-Apr-14 of our teeming consumers. 14-Nov-13 15.25 jet cod“We commenced ink ing of our product packages, 143.81 making adulteration of the 147.37 product more difficult. We will ensure that our products continue qual- 12.00 11-Feb-13to meet global 10.20 11-Feb-18 3.56 ity standards; hence retained 12.00 iberia’s dollar, Africa’s secthe NIS ISO 9001: 2008 certification of the Standards Orga- 11.39ond-worst performing cur, will weaken a further nization of Nigeria (SON).”Outstandingrency Value Issuenoted Date Maturity Date Bid as Yieldthe (%) He thatCoupon CAP(%)PLC’s (N'bn) 7.5 per cent by year-end consistent drive to conduct its withdrawal of United Nations operations in a “healthy and troops and sliding exports cut safe manner, complying with 500.00 inflows, according 07-Oct-11 6.75 28-Jan-21 to Ecobank 4.81 all relevant laws and regula- Transnational PLC. tions12-Jul-13 and ensuring5.13 minimal 500.00 The Liberian 12-Jul-18 dollar4.09fell impact on the environment, 13.5 per cent this year to trade 12-Jul-13 5.17 was rewarded in the6.38 year with 500.00 at 92.50 per 12-Jul-23 US dollarthrough the award for the first time, of Monday in the capital, Mon1,500.00 ISO 14001:2004 Environmental rovia. That’s the biggest drop Management System (EMS) 1,615.26 among 24 African currencies certification.” tracked by Bloomberg after On the challenges of the Ghana’s cedi this year. The 01-Feb-11the Chairman 11.50 noted 450.00 3.71 by economy, dollar may01-Feb-16 weaken to 100 19-May-11 7.50 in the 500.00 19-May-16 the growing insecurity year-end, Ecobank, the4.89 conNorthern the coun- 400.00 tinent’s most geographically 08-Nov-13 part of 6.00 08-Nov-18 6.07 try with its attendant diverse lender, said. 25-Jul-12 7.25 conse- 350.00 25-Jul-17 7.03 quences in the loss 09-May-13 6.88of lives 300.00 “UN missions 02-May-18 in Liberia 8.66 and properties and10.25 the denial 300.00 are scaling 08-Apr-19 down their opera08-Apr-12 4.92 of the enabling environment tions and relocating to areas 22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 22-Apr-19 6.39 has hampered business busi- 200.00 where there are conflicts 21-May-14 8.75 21-May-19 8.97 benesses to thrive cause peace and stability 07-Aug-13 8.25 300.00 07-Aug-20 7.26 in

Ecobank sees no Liberia dollar respite as UN troops Exit

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

1.00

11.98

94.96

Liberia is gaining ground,” Nepce Nepe-Umehai, country treasurer of Ecobank Liberia, Offer Yieldby (%) phone Bid Price Offer Price said from Monrovia on July 18. “That's affecting Prices &because Yields inflows the missions are getting less and less sup4.66 110.76 111.61 port from abroad.” While companies including 3.87 103.75 104.56 ArcelorMittal SA (MT) and 108.55 have 109.41 5.06 Severstal OAO started operations since the civil war ended in 2003, the International Monetary Fund is predicting a drop in mining output this year. The UN’s plans to 2.96 than 111.45 more halve the 112.64 number of4.07personnel in the West 104.47 105.94 African and iron-ore 5.82 rubber 99.74 100.65 producer is increasing the 6.41 100.59 102.30pressure with fewer 8.24 on currency, 94.34 95.61 salaries adding 4.14 113.32 to projections 114.71 that current 6.09 the deficit 99.41 on the100.66 account is set to widen the 8.75 99.14 99.97 most in6.56 six years.103.42 105.92

5.47

5.10

104.41

Bid ($/N)

105.89

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 3,660.00 22-Jul-14 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 3,779.29 The FMDQ Daily Quotations List (DQL) comprises market and model prices/rates of foreign exchange ($/N) products, fixed income securities and instruments in the OTC market. The use of this report is subject to **Treasury Bills PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement. FIXINGS Money Market the FMDQ OTC Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) 9 31-Jul-14 10.15 9.90 7-Aug-14 10.15 9.90 FGN Bonds16 23 14-Aug-14 10.20 9.95 30 21-Aug-14 10.20 9.95Date Issuer Description Rating/Agency Issue 37 28-Aug-14 10.20 9.95 44 4-Sep-14 10.15 9.90 9.25 28-SEP-2014 28-Sep-07 51 11-Sep-14 10.40 10.15 4.00 23-APR-2015 23-Apr-10 58 18-Sep-14 10.40 10.15 13.05 16-AUG-2016 16-Aug-13 65 25-Sep-14 10.45 10.20 15.10 27-APR-2017 27-Apr-12 72 2-Oct-14 10.40 10.15 9.85 27-JUL-2017 27-Jul-07 79 9-Oct-14 10.25 10.00 9.35 31-AUG-2017 31-Aug-07 86 16-Oct-14 10.45 10.20 10.70 30-MAY-2018 30-May-08 93 23-Oct-14 10.20 9.95 16.00 29-JUN-2019 29-Jun-12 NA NA 100 30-Oct-14 10.40 10.15 7.00 23-OCT-2019 23-Oct-09 107 6-Nov-14 10.30 10.05 16.39 27-JAN-2022 27-Jan-12 114 13-Nov-14 10.40 10.15 14.20 14-MAR-2024 14-Mar-14 121 20-Nov-14 10.15 9.90 15.00 28-NOV-2028 28-Nov-08 135 4-Dec-14 10.10 9.85 12.49 22-MAY-2029 22-May-09 170 8-Jan-15 9.80 9.55 8.50 20-NOV-2029 20-Nov-09 184 22-Jan-15 10.20 9.95 10.00 23-JUL-2030 23-Jul-10 198 5-Feb-15 10.20 9.95 12.1493 18-JUL-2034 18-Jul-14 212 10.30 10.05 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE19-Feb-15 226 5-Mar-15 10.15 9.90 TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION 261 9-Apr-15 9.90 9.65 275 23-Apr-15 10.05 9.80 289 7-May-15 9.95 9.70 *from Rating/Agency the Amortising bonds, Description Issuer #the average life is calculated Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills Agency Bonds

AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Modified Duration

TOTAL MARKET CAPITALISATION Buckets Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR

KWARA 3<5 NIGER >5 KADUNA *EBONYIMarket *BENUE *IMO LAGOS *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS

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

Porfolio Market Value(Bn)

1,029.64

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 1,150.24 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 744.64 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 2,924.51 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019

Total Outstanding Volume(Bn)

968.07 951.30 811.72 2,731.09

Bid Yield (%) 10.18 10.20 10.27 10.29 (%) Coupon 10.31 10.28 9.25 10.55 4.00 10.57 13.05 10.65 15.10 10.62 9.85 10.48 9.35 10.71 10.70 10.47 16.00 10.71 7.00 10.62 16.39 10.75 14.20 10.50 15.00 10.49 12.49 10.27 8.50 10.75 10.00 10.80 12.1493 10.96 10.83 10.65 10.87 10.80

Bonds

NIBOR

Tenor O/N Outstanding Value 1M (N'bn) 3M 6M 100.00 535.00 515.27 452.80 20.00 Tenor 100.00 1M 300.00 2M 351.30 3M 233.90 6M 600.00 9M 220.15 12M 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57 35.00

Rate (%) 10.5000 12.3646 Date Maturity 13.3257 14.2762 28-Sep-14

NITTY

NIFEX

23-Apr-15 16-Aug-16 27-Apr-17 27-Jul-17 Rate (%) 31-Aug-17 10.2862 30-May-18 10.5809 29-Jun-19 10.6988 23-Oct-19 10.8010 27-Jan-22 10.8892 14-Mar-24 11.1906 28-Nov-28 22-May-29 20-Nov-29 23-Jul-30 18-Jul-34

Current Price ($/N) 4,479.99 BID($/N) 162.2250 OFFER ($/N) 162.3250 4,581.79

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.25

Tenor

10.50

Spot Offer 7D Yield 14D(%) 1M 9.76 2M 9.99 3M10.96 6M10.94 1Y10.83

O/N

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Tenor 0.19 Call0.75 1M2.07 3M2.77 6M3.01

Rate 10.57 (%) 10.25 10.72 12.54 11.04 13.10 11.00 13.87 10.95

REPO

3.11 10.96 10.84 3.86 10.99 10.90 4.94 11.11 11.03 :Benchmarks 5.26 11.12 11.03 * :Amortising Bond 7.52 11.79 11.74 µ :Convertible Bond 9.64 12.15 12.10 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 14.35 12.17 12.13 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 14.83 12.18 12.13 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 15.33 12.19 12.13 IFC: International Finance Corporation 16.00 12.25 12.20 LCRM: Local19.99 Contractors Receivables Management 12.26 12.22

NOTE:

NAHCO: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

Offer ($/N)

Price

162.20 162.50 Bid Price 162.76 163.35 99.71 164.52 95.24 165.79 103.60 169.44 109.50 177.23 97.23

162.30 162.76 Offer Price 163.10 164.01 99.86 165.71 95.74 167.42 103.75 173.04 109.65 184.22 97.53

95.84 99.07 118.20 NA :Not Applicable 83.91 # :Floating122.50 Rate Bond ***: Deferred coupon bonds 111.45 118.94 †: Bond rating expired 102.08 74.66 84.40 99.18

96.14 99.37 118.50 84.21 122.80 111.75 119.24 102.38 74.96 84.70 99.48

NGC: Nigeria-German Company UBA: United Bank for Africa

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 3.30 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.28 0.84 1.45 2.38 2.75 2.96

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.62 13.34 13.07 12.95 11.95 11.95

96.91 89.72 105.45 100.30 98.94 96.55

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

Weighting by Outstanding Vol

35.45

05-Aug-09 34.83 15-Oct-09 29.72 31-Aug-10 100.00 30-Sep-10 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12

Weighting by Mkt Value

35.21

14.00 39.33 14.00 25.46 12.50 100.00 13.00 14.00 15.50 10.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50

1,301.62 Bucket1,265.85 Weighting

0.35

17.00 0.35 6.00 8.500.30 6.081.00 6.27 7.37 57.00 29.92 25.00 37.25 9.00 14.96 11.13 27.00 17.28 80.00

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration

17.34

05-Aug-14 35.43 15-Oct-14 47.23 31-Aug-15 100.00 30-Sep-15 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19

Implied Yield

Implied Portfolio Price

INDEX

YTD Return (%)

11.02

118.1979

1,122.64

12.2639

11.58 0.23 12.22 1.11 11.78 0.71

134.6462 3.29 100.5071 4.44 118.6692 3.23

1,140.13 13.88 1,172.50 15.16 1,127.23 13.95

14.0133 99.91 17.2496 97.34 12.7231 99.91

4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00 1.00 1.00

15.21 14.23 16.54 11.89 12.76 12.75 12.01 11.95 15.73 11.95 11.95 12.14

98.87 101.60 85.98 103.01 103.34 102.76 106.37 105.64 96.64 106.16 109.01 109.02

0.04

1.23 1.24 2.74 1.79 3.44 2.42 4.20 2.61 2.61 3.00 3.07 5.34

1.56

12.04

100.05

48 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

APC and its culture of Jonathan bashing Abba Adakole

ll Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant and publisher of the Leadership newspaper, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, does not fail to impress the negative-minded persons when he chooses to deconstruct Nigeria and her present crop of leaders. He is scathing, and for those enamoured by his caustic and often times insulting and impolite comments, he comes off as a social critic. He is no different from the party on which platform he seeks to run for the presidency. Their attack lines are quite similar, even though leaders of the party consider him a joker thinking he can get anywhere with the party. As far as Sam is concerned, Nigeria is a banana republic where he wants to be president just like other organisations he is associated with. It is said that he brooks no challenge wherever he holds sway, and has been known to chase his staff members out of the office when he thinks they have run afoul of him. The organisations he has some measure of affiliation with are replete with former and serving staff members who cannot believe that such a man wants to run a country like Nigeria. And, why not? Everything and anything is possible in Nigeria, for who can prevent the snail from stepping forward when animals with horns are called upon. But is he as straightforward as the ramrod General he wants to replace in the APC? Many will swear that he is not and can never be. Sam Nda-Isaiah believes that Nigeria, the country he wants to preside over, has collapsed as a result of corruption and bad governance. In the CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 0

other African national interests have also demonstrated stronger commitment to supporting Nigeria in this endeavour. As a result of the President’s initiative, Nigeria has successfully placed the war on terrorism on regional and international focus, thereby making it possible for the build-up of a global alliance, resulting in the United Nations designating Boko Haram as a foreign terror group. The government has continuously restated its position and willingness to dialogue with the Boko Haram sect and to concretely demonstrate this fact, it set up the Barrister Tanimu Turaki Committee, which went round the country especially the North-East, with a view to eliciting a discussion with members of the sect. The government has however made it clear that it would not subject the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls to prisoner swap as being canvassed by the insurgents, insisting that it would only explore the best options possible and available to it with a view to achieving the release of the girls and stopping insurgency in its track. Towards this end, the Federal Government set up a Presidential Fact-Finding Committee that has submitted its report with recommendations that are already being implemented. Having known where the girls are, the efforts of government are to ensure that the abducted Chibok schoolgirls remain within the borders of Nigeria, and that they are eventually rescued alive. And this goes with a lot of planning, evaluation and assessment of prevailing situation within the general mission area. The President, during the recent inauguration of the Victims Support Fund Committee, aimed at kick-starting the process of providing succour to people who have been directly affected one way or the other by acts of terrorism in the country, had categorically said, “This is the unfortunate situation where we have found ourselves because of the lawless acts of a few misguided individuals

The APC, seeing that all its political gymnastics have failed... has resorted to extreme language and total disrespect for the person of President Goodluck Jonathan collapsed country where the publisher’s businesses thrive, he adds: “Our country needs to be rescued quickly, as a matter of fact, and that is the reason I decided to run for president on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). What is happening in Nigeria now is the consequence of corruption. This country has collapsed as a result of corruption and bad governance. We are at a point in this country where our dear country needs to be rescued.” Short of adjectives to describe the state of the country, Sam believes that Nigerians should be scared of what is happening to the country he wants to lead. It is a wonder whether those who ought to know better as journalists really know what a failed state is. What are the ingredients of a failed state when businessmen can continue to make money, have their newspapers on the streets daily, and yet declare magisterially that the country has failed? As far as this man is concerned, security is not the responsibility of everybody; it is the responsibility of the presi-

dent. Since the president has ubiquitous eyes, Sam says security is the whole duty of the president, adding that the job of citizens is to report strange happenings to the authorities. The implication of this statement is that this publisher who wants to run Nigeria is either confused or is simply being mischievous. Like its presidential aspirant, the APC, seeing that all its political gymnastics have failed to impress Nigerians, has resorted to extreme language and total disrespect for the person of President Goodluck Jonathan, describing him the nation’s number one enemy. Its reasons for the position are as befuddling as they are laughable. It claims, now that it is losing grip in its strongholds, that Nigeria, not the strongholds, has been thrown into unprecedented crisis that is manifesting in Rivers, Edo, Adamawa and Nasarawa States. APC, in its statement, accused the president of deploying the police and the army to intimidate and harass ordinary citizens in general and opposition supporters in particular, as he did recently in Ekiti; yet, apart from APC and elements within it, the ordinary folks in Ekiti who voted for the PDP don’t seem to be complaining. For fear of losing the elections in Osun, the party is alleging Jonathan wants to lock down the state as he did Ekiti; raising suspicions that the APC fears that such lock-downs may affect its prospects of winning. Is the party planning to rig the elections; or why is it so afraid of peace and tranquility to be enforced by the security forces on Election Day? The APC alleges that in Ekiti, several billions of Naira was allegedly scooped

from a massive political war chest to subvert democracy, even though it did not state where it was scooped from, but adds that it was used to induce voters and upturn all known political theories. No one knows which political theories APC is referring to, but it appears to the initiated that the party’s game plan collapsed in Ekiti, and appears collapsing in Osun, and it is providing excuses for its failure. APC adds: ‘’Under President Jonathan, there is no longer the need to make any electoral promises or carry out people-oriented and quality of life projects. Just distribute bags of rice, expired or not, to a people already famished by a clueless Federal Government, and tuck in a few naira notes into the pockets of electorate who have been deliberately impoverished. This is a clear subversion of democracy.” The nagging question from this summation then, is: with the APC holding the reins of power for four years, does it mean it did not improve quality of life in these states and adequately educate the people that they have become so cheapened that bags of rice and a few Naira notes can sway them? It means either the APC has failed woefully in these states, or the PDP is a better alternative. The sour grapes of the APC and its abusive language on the president may not be achieving any laudable purpose, as it shows that the shenanigans of the party are showing their soft underbelly; and this means it has to go back to the drawing table to re-strategise because the cluelessness of the Jonathan administration appears to be wiser than the best of the APC. •Adakole writes from Abuja

Chibok: How far has govt gone 100 days after? who are shedding the blood of innocent people in our Nation. “It is very necessary for us to refresh our memory before we proceed. Nigeria has not always been like this. In the past, it is true we had communal and sectarian clashes. There is no human society that has been insulated from conflicts. But as a people created by God, we have managed to live within the realities of our challenges and have worked hard to strengthen the bond of our togetherness. “Even when we quarrel, we very quickly made up and largely lived peacefully together. At no time did we employ terrorism to settle our differences. But our innocence was defiled on December 25, 2009, when a 23-year-old Nigerian attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his underwear on Northwest Airlines Flight 253, on his way from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, United States. “Although his plan failed and the lives of 289 passengers were saved, it was one incident that finally confirmed that a few Nigerians had finally embraced terrorism as a way of life. Now we could no longer deny that terror has arrived our country, with its ugly claws deployed. “The year 2009 appears to be a tragic turning point. Boko Haram, an assemblage of heartless individuals, took it upon itself to bring evil upon our country. They have in their mission, turned women to widows and reduced children to orphans. They have killed and maimed and struck fear into law-abiding citizens. “They have destroyed villages, attacked property and terminated people’s livelihoods without a care in the world. They have engaged our security agencies in a meaningless warfare that has wasted unimaginable human and material resources. “The reality today is that, we are confronted with individuals whose minds have been so twisted and tutored to believe they are doing God a service. “Let me reiterate clearly that evil will

Jonathan

never prevail over good. The blood that is being wasted everyday by those who take advantage of the vulnerability of our people to spread extremist doctrines and recruit them for murderous errands are enemies of humanity. “We will never waste any effort in bringing the individuals responsible for crimes against humanity to justice. For those who take pleasure in seeing innocent human beings in pains, to see limbs being shattered and blood flowing in all direction after terror attacks, we say, you shall have no hiding place. Nigerians will expose you. The people of conscience around the world have rejected you. “We appreciate the support we are getting from foreign countries and the cooperation we are getting from our neighbours. This has given us more fillip and we are confident that the days of Boko Haram are numbered. It is now just a matter of time. “Our war against terrorism is gathering momentum. When you read about bombing incidents in the mass media, they may come across to those not directly affected as mere statistics. As the old

proverb says, when you carry another man’s coffin, it looks like an ordinary log of wood. But to us, fathers and mothers, and the families of the victims, they are not just numbers. They are human beings – sons and daughters, uncles, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters and indeed, fathers and mothers! They are Nigerians!! They are individuals with dreams and aspirations, noble Nigerians who love their country. “I call on all Nigerians to stand together in support of our security agencies against terrorism. They are working night and day under difficult circumstances. It is unfortunate that when our security personnel prevent 1,000 attacks, it is the one attack that succeeds that makes headline news and tends to portray our security agencies as not doing enough. It is part of the realities we have to deal with. “We owe Nigerians nothing but victory over terror. The life of every Nigerian is precious and we will continue to work round the clock to put an end to this insurgency,” he averred. It is therefore pertinent for all citizens, particularly the parents, members of the Chibok community and Nigerians to be patient and supportive of the effort of the federal government in this regard. What is clear is the readiness and willingness of government to deploy assets and resources towards rescuing the children. The parents of the abducted girls as well as the Chibok community, it is advised, should have no reason to doubt that government and Nigerians are with them in this ordeal. It is imperative too that the government, as a matter of urgency, needs to fast track the process of rescuing the abducted school girls, with a view to avoiding the issues of mistrust and apathy on the part of the affected parents, the Chibok community and the country at large.

NEWS 49

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Fayose: Why Fayemi changed tune over my victory Adesina Wahab

Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Governor-Elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, yesterday gave reasons why his opponent in last month’s governorship election, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, changed

his earlier acceptance of defeat in the poll. Speaking on a local radio station in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Fayose said Governor Fayemi’s action was giving credence to the petition against his election filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Oshiomhole cautions against trivialising security matters Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

do State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday urged politicians to desist from playing politics with security matters in the interest of the nation. The governor said this at a security management workshop organised by the Department of State Security Services (DSS) held in Benin, the state capital. He said attempt at playing politics with sensitive security matters would only encourage the perpetrators to do more. According to him; “Nothing else matters when we are not safe. I also want to advise those of us holding political offices, who have cause sometimes to make public statements that we must resist the temptation of politicising security issues. “All politicians, whether of the ruling or opposition party, must not join in the

practice of politicising security issues.” He noted that; “If we do this, we will be encouraging kidnappers and other evil-minded people. We must resist the temptation and trust that the security agencies know what to do. Even where we have information, it is better we share it in private with the security agencies, so that all of us can be on the same page.” Oshiomhole said: “Each and every one of us, being senior officials of government, people look at us that we should be able to educate those we come across on basic security issues. These people, who are into violent crimes and terrorism, do not live in the moon; they live with us. Sometimes they interact with us without knowing what their intentions are. “As we all get more and more security conscious, we know what to watch out for whenever we find ourselves in public places,” he added.

Kano power firm injects N500m to improve supply Abdulwahab Isa

Abuja

he Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sahelian Power SPV Limited, owners of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC), Dr. Jamil I. Gwamna, yesterday said the company has injected not less than N500 million into its operation since taking control in November 2013. He disclosed this to the post-privatisation monitoring team of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) that was monitoring the activities of privatised PHCN successor companies that visited the organisation. Represented by the company’s General Manager, Human Resource and Services, Adamu Katanga Salihu, he said the organisation was collecting data for calculations in order to establish the baseline losses of the company, customer mapping for metering and cost of

service studies. He said a stakeholders’ sensitisation forum was organised in May, 2014 and that plans were in place to hold the second forum in August. Salihu also revealed that the company, which covers three North-West states - Katsina, Kano and Jigawa, carried out infrastructural development projects in the areas of upgrade of Shuwarin S/S from 300KVA to 500KVA, 11/.415KV in March 2014; Radio House 200KVA, 11/.415KV S/S in March 2014; Ashton Road 300KVA, 11/.415KV Relief S/S in April 2014; upgrade of Ashton Road S/S from 300KVA to 500KVA, 11/.415KV in April 2014; procurement of operational vehicles; investments in IT in accounts and customer billing and establishment of NERC Forum offices for customer complaints in all its business units and is undertaking network upgrade and total renovation and furnishing of its headquarters.

“APC and its leaders feel that by accepting defeat, Fayemi has shot their suit in the leg, but they are still wrong. Their case has nothing to stand on. They did the same thing in 2003, when I defeated Otunba Niyi Adebayo, and the result was that they came back empty-handed. “APC won in only 16 out of 177 wards during the election. Fayemi called me by himself for a meeting after the poll and congratulated me and promised that we will work together for a smooth transition. “We submitted names for the membership of the transition committee and we are yet to hear anything

from them. “If one is inconsistent, one will end up a jester,” he said. On the move by Fayemi to create new local governments, Fayose said the governor did not put him in the know. “I see such an action in the twilight of his administration as setting landmines for the incoming government. This is apart from the fact that the matter is in court and the order given by the court has not been vacated. “If the people wanted him to continue with his policies, they would have voted him. The funds coming to the state come in the

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

name of specific local governments,” he added. Fayose also raised the alarm that over 3,000 people have been illegally employed into the civil service and another 1,000 at the Ekiti State University after the election. He warned civil servants against being used for illegal acts, saying anybody found culpable would be dealt with severely. On the fear by some people that he would run a government of vendetta, Fayose dispelled the fear, saying he would run an inclusive government as the governor of Ekiti people, irrespective of political affiliations.

96.2%

The projected rise in the number of people living with diabetes in the Middle East & North Africa by 2035. Source: Idp.com

On the jostling by some people to contest the 2015 general elections, the governor-elect said the Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a committee to screen those contesting for seats in the House of Assembly. “The reason we set up the committee was that we need people that will help the administration, when we come into office, but nobody will be imposed on the people. “For those contesting National Assembly seats, they have to face the party members in primaries and there will be no imposition,” he said.

0.67

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

L-R: Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, during an Iftar (Breaking of fast), with traditional rulers at Government House, Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta...yesterday

Abia speaker hails members’ empowerment programmes

Anambra youths back Umeh’s senatorial bid

Igbeaku Orji

Yekeen Nurudeen

UMUAHIA

Speaker of the Abia TblyheState House of Assem, Hon. Ude Okochuk-

wu, has said that since the inception of the House of Assembly, the state has never had the kind of empowerment the present members have provided to their constituencies. Members of the House of Assembly have provided one empowerment programme or the other for their constituencies, which ranges from scholarships for bright but indigent students, medical intervention for the less privileged, provision of trade/skill equipment and vehicles. The Speaker, who made the observation at the empowerment programme of the member representing, Isiala Ngwa North constituency, Martins Azubuike, at

the Mbawsi said; “The stability in the Abia State House of Assembly is not the function of Mr. Speaker alone, but the combination of the members and Martins Azubuike is one person that has helped the House to stabilise as chairman of the Appropriation Committee.” He encouraged members to continue the good gesture as a way of reciprocating the support of their people as well as to ensure that the dividend of democracy got to their people. In his remark, Azubuike, said the empowerment programme was specifically designed to reward the people for their support during and after the election, saying that he had “done a lot of interventions in the past in education, health, small scale businesses, but today we decided that it is going to be different.”

Abuja

he senatorial ambition Tyesterday of Chief Victor Umeh, received a boost

as Anambra State youths on the platform of Youth for Greater Anambra State (YGAS) have decided to back Umeh for Anambra Central senatorial seat in 2015. The group in a statement issued in Abuja by its Director of Publicity, Kingsley Elvis, said the decision to back him was reached after due consideration and consultation with stakeholders. The group described Umeh as an embodiment of patriotism, whose visionary leadership and exceptional performance have made APGA a party to beat in the state. According to the statement, Umeh is a political juggernaut, who would provide effective rep-

resentation and attract federal and state projects to Anambra Central, which would uplift the living standards of the people. It also lamented what it called the poor representation of Anambra Central senatorial district in the National Assembly by Senator Chris Ngige, noting that he wasted his energy and resources running for the 2013 governorship election in the state. While reiterating that the office of a senator is very crucial and that it demands undivided attention so as to provide quality representation that will enhance our democratic encounter, the group added that his governorship ambition adversely affected his legislative responsibilities to Anambra Central senatorial district, Ndigbo and the nation.

WORLD | NEWS

Jakarta governor wins Indonesian presidency

akarta Gov. Joko Widodo, who captured the hearts of millions of Indonesians with his common man image, won the country’s presidential election with 53 percent of the vote, officials said yesterday. A former furniture exporter known to most as “Jokowi,” Widodo was the first candidate in a direct presidential election in Indonesia with no ties to the former dictator Suharto, who ruled for 30 years before being overthrown in 1998. The other contender in the July 9 election, former Gen. Prabowo Subianto, declared he was

withdrawing from the contest shortly before the final numbers were released by the Election Commission, saying there was massive fraud during the election, and that it was unfair and undemocratic. Indonesia is a sprawling archipelago of about 17,000 islands and 240 million people, and the commission needed two weeks to count all the votes. Widodo had maintained a slim lead of about 4 percentage points in unofficial “quick counts” by polling agencies released after the election. But Subianto, who has declared assets of $140 million and was on his third bid for the presiden-

cy, repeatedly claimed that polling firms with links to his campaign showed he was ahead. “We reject the 2014 presidential election, which is illegitimate, and therefore we withdraw from the ongoing process,” he said yesterday. Observers of the election said they were generally fair and free, with minimal abnormalities. Maswadi Rauf, a political professor at the University of Indonesia, said he saw no sign of significant fraud, as alleged by Subianto. Subianto’s rejection of the results “reflects the real attitudes of the elite, who are not yet ready to accept losing,” Rauf said.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Imo emerges winner of 2014 NNPC national quiz competition   James Nwabueze Abuja

mo State, yesterday scored 155 points to emerge winner at the just concluded 2014 Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) national competition for secondary school students held in Abuja.   The trio of Adolalom Obinna Tony, Okezie Emmanuel and Aputazie Ijeoma, who represented the South East zone, won the trophy when they beat the rest contestants from five geo-political zones of the country.  Ogun which represented the South

West zone, came second, beating Akwa-Ibom in an answer and win contest when both states tied up in 145 points scores.  The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Taraba and Kaduna came fourth, fifth and sixth respectively in the contest.  Students who were drawn from the six geo political zones were tested in English language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.  Speaking while presenting the trophy to the winners, the NNPC Group Managing Director (GMD) Engr. Andrew Yakubu, said the competition over the years has

helped in the development of science and technology education.  He said: “The finalist having gone through the various stages of this competition have lived up to expectation, the competition has also helped in developing the study of science and technology education which presents limitless opportunity.”  Yakubu further stated that the winners will be awarded with undergraduate scholarship and added that the initiative is a community based effort aimed at building human capacity.

Rivers APC inaugurates 13 committees for 2015 Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

he All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State chapter, has inaugurated 13 committees to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections. The state chairman of the APC, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, who inaugurated the committees, noted that the contributions of the committee

members would enable the State Working Committee (SWC) to retain power in the state and at the federal level in 2015. He said that the party stood for inclusiveness in the state’s politics unlike in the PDP, noting that the inauguration would usher in change in the state. The committees and chairmen include Research/Planning (Senator Magnus Abe), Contact (Dr. Dakuku Peterside of the House of Representa-

tives), Electoral Matters (Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi) and Monitoring (Dr. Dawari George also of the House of Reps). Others are Finance (Dame Aleruchi CookeyGam), Political/Voters’ Education (Chief Vikki Nyeche), Legal Matters (Worgu Boms), Publicity/ Media (Ibim Semenitari), Mobilisation (Chidiebere Okwuworlu)), Disciplinary (Senator Wilson Ake) and Security (Ade Adeogun).

NYSC warns against fake medical certificates Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

Indonesin Presidential Candidate Prabowo Subianto fills in his ballot paper to cast during the election

eace talks between Central Africa’s sectarian rivals were suspended yesterday after the ex-rebel Seleka group failed to show up less than a day before the deadline of a deal. The two main negotiating sessions of the talks being held in Brazzaville, one on securing an end to hostilities, the other on disarming fighters in CAR -- were subsequently suspended. A third workshop on the political transition went ahead at the request of the regional grouping ECCAS, according to a member of the Congolese organising committee. The Congolese source said delegates from the mainly Muslim Seleka had been provided with

C. Africa peace talks suspended after rebel no-show a copy of the draft accord for the talks, which had been due to end, Wednesday, and were apparently still studying the text. One of Africa’s poorest countries, CAR has been mired in chaos since the Seleka seized power in a March 2013 coup, with months of atrocities by rebels gone rogue sparking reprisal attacks by mostly Christian anti-balaka vigilantes. The three-day forum for reconciliation and political dialogue, chaired by Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso and backed by a contact group of some 30 countries, was aimed a resolving the

crisis that has left thousands of civilians dead and driven more than a million people from their homes. Around 170 Central African officials had taken part including members of transitional President Catherine Samba Panza’s government, lawmakers, envoys from armed groups, political parties and civil society. But even as talks opened on Monday in Brazzaville, fresh violence broke out back in Bangui with the killing of a former Seleka rebel that sparked reprisal attacks from the mainly Christian anti-balalka.

arely two weeks to the commencement of this year’s Batch B orientation of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, the management of the scheme has warned that the full weight of the law would henceforth be applied on corps members who procure fake medical papers for the purpose of effecting relocation from

their primary place of posting to another. The warning came on the heels of the disclosure that over 2.7 million graduates from different institutions within and outside the country have been mobilized for the NYSC scheme since its inception 41years ago. The NYSC was established by Decree 24 of 22nd May, 1973 which has been repealed and replaced with Decree No 51 of 16th June,

1993 now cited as NYSC Cap N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. The Director-General of the NYSC, BrigadierGeneral Johnson Olawumi, who made the disclosures yesterday during a media chat in Abuja, further said that necessary security arrangements have been put in place across the various orientation camps of the NYSC in the country for the corps members.

No relationship between PDP, LP in S’West, says Kashamu Wale Elegbede

he Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the SouthWest, Prince Buruji Kashamu, said that there is no working relationship between the PDP

and the Labour party in the South-West. Reacting yesterday to a statement credited to the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel that both parties have a pact for the 2015 elections, Kashamu said the speech was part of the grand plot

by Daniel to hoodwink and mislead the good people of Ogun State and South West. “Daniel has had his time when he ruled the state for eight years and simple discretion would require that he quit the stage, or at best, play the role of an elder statesman.

Commonwealth: Dance troupes to welcome Team Nigeria Ifeanyi Ibeh

N Dickson

ew Telegraph can report that , has concluded plans to welcome the country’s athletes to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which gets underway on Wednesday in Glasgow, in a big way. The Bayelsa State Governor

arrived in the Scottish city on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s opening ceremony, and according to one of his aides, who is also in Glasgow, Governor Dickson has made arrangements for a number of cultural troupes, mostly Ijaw, to entertain the country’s athletes upon arrival in Scotland.

SPORT

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

“You know His Excellency (Dickson) is very passionate about sports and he feels one of the best ways to ensure that our athletes perform creditably at the Commonwealth Games is to encourage them in any way that he can,” said the source, who preferred anonymity. “As an Ijaw man, he has gotten

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

some of us to get in touch with cultural groups of Nigerian origin that are based in the UK, including Ijaw groups, to keep vigil at the airport to welcome our representatives.” The source added: “It’s going to be like a carnival out here and we hope it will go a long way in motivating our athletes.”

Did you know?

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

That Tim Howard made 15 saves in the USA’s round of 16 defeats to Belgium in Brazil 2014 World Cup – no goalkeeper has ever made as many saves in a single World Cup game (1966-2014)

Club fortunes worry Moses Adekunle Salami

uper Eagles midfielder, Victor Moses, is worried about his club fortunes in recent time and is eager to do better in the forthcoming term. Moses told our correspondent exclusively that his immediate target was to earn a first team place in his club, Chelsea, or any other team he finds himself. Only last term, Moses was released to Liverpool on loan, but the move did not live up to expectations as the good form of Raheem Sterling denied him a regular shirt with the Reds. He said he was ready to fight

for a place in the first team of Jose Mourinho at the Stamford Bridge in the 2014/2015 season which kicks-off on August 16. Chelsea began their pre-season tour on Monday in Austria and Moses was not part of the 26-man squad. Moses said; “I am not pleased with how things went for me generally last season. I want to play more games. I want to make more impact and also score more goals. “For example, I am not sure if I will play in Chelsea this new season, but if I do, I will do my best to earn a first team place. “No player likes to be on the bench, I want to be more active and to help my team record victo-

ries week-in and week-out.” On the just concluded World Cup, Moses stressed that it was unfortunate the best of the Super Eagles was not enough to take Nigeria past the second round of the global competition. “We did our best in all the games, but somehow we were just unlucky against France especially as we failed to convert the chances we had. World Cup is a big stage and it is not a surprise when you encounter such tough oppositions. We gave our all,” he said. Moses could be moving to another EPL team before the new season depending on the disposition of Mourinho to his return to Chelsea.

Moses (right)

52 SPORT

Nigerian League Rendezvous

Sanctity of Truth

with charles Ogundiya

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Taraba can’t compete with the big Defaultonplayers’salariesstillbedevils NPFL clubs – Babangida charlesog2001@yahoo.com,

eneral Manager of FC Taraba, Tijani Babangida, has confessed to League Rendezvous that it was difficult for his club to compete with the big boys in the Nigeria Premier League, even though he was optimistic that they will not be relegated at the end of the season. FC Taraba are currently 14th on the 20-team Premier League table and will come up against Gombe United at home on Sunday in one of the day’s scheduled matches. “My boys are really trying, putting into consideration the long distance we have to travel every time we have a game away from home,”

said the former Nigeria international. “Sometimes we can be on the road for close to 24 hours, play a game, and then hit the road immediately for another away game. “Only the big teams can cope with such pressures because they have a large pool of players. We have been using the same set of players over and over again and I think fatigue is setting in,” stressed the former Ajax Amsterdam forward, who added: “Sometimes I pity them. “But we are going to fight till the end and make sure we are still in the top flight.”

he Nigeria Professional Football League is currently facing a crisis, with players complaining of clubs owing them salaries and other remunerations that include sign on fees and match bonuses. At the inception of the 2013/2014 league season, the League Management Company institued a minimum wage regime of N150 000, with all the clubs, except Giwa FC, agreeing to pay the amount. But clubs have not complied with players being owed backlog of salaries, while some clubs have failed to pay the agreed sum. Akwa United coach, Patrick Udoh, was the first to cry out, calling on the Akwa Ibom state govern-

08098042287

ment to pay the players salary as inability to do that could result in poor results. Another club that has also complained of non-payment of players’ remuneration is Oyo State-owned Crown FC, a situation which led to the players going on strike to

press home their demand. As a way of ensuring significant compliance with its financial requirements, LMC recently through a memo, signed by the Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, directed clubs to submit proof of compliance with

payment of players’ salaries. But investigations by League Rendezvous showed that some clubs submitted fake documents to deceive the LMC, leading to call on players to come out and speak for themselves.

Action between Crown and Pillars

Heartland boss sure of good outing

eneral Manager of Heartland FC of Owerri, Okechukwu Ibe, said the inclusion of eight new players at the midseason has given him hope that the ‘Naze Millionaires’ could achieve their target at the end of season. In a statement on Tuesday in Owerri, Ibe noted that both the management and technical crew have been working hard to patch-up the squad that featured in the first round of the

nnam

100 days football match for abducted Chibok girls

n commemoration of the 100 days since over 200 school girls were abducted in Chibok, Nigeria, some women football players in Abuja took to the playing field for “100 days football match for the missing Chibok Girls” on Tuesday, July 22. The match, which was played between two football teams in Abuja, Dream Girls Women and Airtel girls FC, ended 1-0 in favour of the Dream Girls. With the nonstop attack on Nigerians by the terrorism group in the North-East and the abduction of school girls, the match organiser, AderonkeOgunleye,thought it relevant to ask for their return using sports. Gloria Ewelike a central midfielder with Airtel girls FC urged the Federal Government to find a way to stop Boko Haram from killing Ni-

gerians,whileprayingtoGod for their return “I want to beg the government to try and stop Boko Haram from killing and bombing, We pray to God to help bring back the girls, God should soften their hearts to return the girls to their parents,” she said.

league and that there was hope that the effort would yield results. He also confirmed that Heartland had signed some experienced players to fortify the team, as well as brought back former left-back, Eddy Ongolo. Among the new signings are former Gombe Utd defender, McMarcel Obiora; Kaduna Utd striker, Isa Aminu; Dolphins FC attacker, Fre d Okwara and former Ocean Boys

Club Owners seeks Minister’s intervention in NFF fracas Comfort Chukwu Abuja

Danagogo

he Nigerian Premier League Club Owners Association on Tuesday pleaded with the Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, to intervene in the ongoing fracas in the Nigeria Football Federation. Chairman of the Association, Barrister Isaac Danladi, who is also the chairman of Nasarawa United, during a cour-

StarTimes unveils new sports channel Charles Ogundiya

forward, Collins Nwaneri. Others are Chinedu Ezimora from Majees Sports Club Oman; Mobi Okoli from Bryne FK of Norway; Clement Bobby from a Lagos state amateur side, Fame FC and midfielder, John Nnam from Sunshine Stars. Ibe further stated that; “The club was driven by the desire to achieve results and I am urging the supporters to back the team whole-heartedly in this second half of the season.”

tarTimes’ customers across the country will have the opportunity of watching watch their favourite sports on the paytv platform following the launch of a new channel. During the launch of the new channel on Tuesday in Lagos, it was revealed that the channel, Star Sport 2, was dedicated to airing a variety of sports programmes. Irete Anetor, Public Relations Manager of the NTA-Star Network, said that Star Sport 2 “Will

offer our sports inclined customers as well as prospects a diverse range of sports like soccer, tennis, golf, rugby, car-racing, cricket and extreme sports. The content of Star Sport 2 will include live broadcasts and highlights, sport news, sports programs, sports movies and exercise education.” The new channel will air the Guinness International Champions Cup and the European qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2016 and Ligue 1 matches amongst other exciting sports line-up. Star Sport 2 started airing on the

StarTimes platform on 19 July on Channel 252. The channel is available on the StarTimes Basic, Classic and Unique Bouquet. Other channels dedicated to sports on the pay-tv platform are Sports 24, Setanta Action, Setanta Africa, NBA TV, and MCS Sports. Anetor stated further that: “Twelve of Europe’s most prestigious football clubs would be involved in the Guinness International Champions Cup; the clubs include Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, AC Milan and Liverpool FC.”

tesy call on the Minister, said lack of respect for the statutes of the football federation due to political interest of members, made it difficult for Nigeria to move forward in football. “Those who are aggrieved due to one reason or the other should seek better ways to vent their grievances rather than causing problems that will affect the future of our youngsters,” Danladi said, while commending the sport minister for his intervention which led to the lifting of the FIFA ban on Nigeria. In his remarks, the Sports Minister exonerated himself from the issues ailing the football house, saying he will remain neutral in his efforts aimed at ensuring that “the right thing is done.” He said: “I will divorce personal interest from issues in sport; I will try to be neutral in this whole matter” Danagogo said his challenge was how to develop local talents to win laurels internationally. “It is as if Nigeria is jinxed; I expect everyone to work in unity to see that Nigeria goes beyond the round-of-sixteen in the World Cup,” he added.

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Nigeria Sports Award charges Nigerian athletes

Charles Ogundiya

nmissable Incentives Limited, the organisers of the Nigerian Sports Award, has charged the Nigerian Athletes to the 2014 Commonwealth Games starting tomorrow in Glasgow, Scotland, to give their all and bring home as many gold medals as possible. The General Manager of the organisation, Kayode Idowu, disclosed that Nigerians have great expectations from the athletes at the competition after the not too impressive performance of the Super Eagles at the just concluded World Cup. “After the lacklustre performance of our football team at the

World Cup, Nigerians have now turned their attention to the Commonwealth Games, with high hopes that our athletes will do us proud,” he said. Idowu stressed further that Nigeria has a good track record in athletics, boxing, table-tennis, weightlifting and paralympics having won several laurels at not only the African Games and the Commonwealth Games but also at the Olympics. Applauding the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, he said; “I must admit that the AFN has really raised the bar with good planning and preparation for this competition. At least for the first time in our history, we have a robust and well thought out programme and as such we expect the best” he added. Nigerian athletes will be competing for honours in different sports including athletics, boxing, table tennis, weightlifting, shooting, wrestling, power-lifting and paralympics.

Athletes arrive to a warm Scottish welcome T housands of athletes and officials have now arrived in Glasgow as excitement builds for today night’s official opening ceremony at Celtic Park (23 July). On Monday alone, more than 1000 athletes from 25 countries arrived for the Games at Glasgow Airport including teams from Bangladesh, New Zealand, India and Singapore. A piper has been greeting guests in true Scottish fashion, ensuring they receive a special, warm welcome before embarking on their drive to the village. A total of around 6,500 athletes and officials are now settling into their home from home at the Athletes’ Village in Glasgow’s East End ahead of the 11 days of sporting

action. Each team has a welcome ceremony at the Village to mark the end of their journey to the Games Athletes are enjoying a last few days of relaxation and last-minute preparations in the outstanding facilities the village has to offer. Today all the teams will join the 2,000 cast members in the Opening Ceremony representing the host city to 40,000 people at Celtic Park with a potential television audience of over 1.5 billion viewers who will tune in from all corners of the globe. According to the head of ceremonies and creative director David Zolkwer, the opening ceremony promisestobeaspectacularcelebration full of surprises.

Wrestling official urged to be good ambassador Yuzarsif Alhassan Bauchi

he Director of Sports Bauchi State Sports Council, Alhaji Haruna Bako, has charged a member of the Glasgow 2014 Wrestling Technical team to be a good ambassador of the state and Nigeria as a whole during the Games. Alhaji Bako gave this advice while addressing a wrestling coach from the council, Mr. Yu-

suf Usman alias Danbala, who is among wrestling technical officials that will officiate during the Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in Scotland from 23th July to 3rd August. He said the state sports council was proud to have produced the only technical official not only from Nigeria, but the entire African continent; saying this was a good sign of sports development in Bauchi State.

No cause for alarm over late departure – Igali

“There are a lot of things that we can improve on,” said the former Commonechnical Director of the Ni- wealth and Olympic Games gold medalgeria Olympic Committee and list in an interview with New Telegraph President of the Nigeria Wrestling on Tuesday shortly before heading out to Federation, Dr Daniel Igali, has Glasgow. “I won’t say we have done everystated that there was absolutely ‘no cause thing perfectly, but I’d also say that we have for alarm’ over the late departure date of athletes who have been groomed to go and some of the country’s representatives to compete at the Games. “During my active days, I never went to the Commonwealth Games, taking place any major Games and stayed in the games in Glasgow, Scotland. village for more than two days before I comSome of the country’s athletes to the peted. If I had my way, my wrestlers would Glasgow Games, which gets underway on not leave Romania till the 27th and be in Wednesday with the opening ceremony, the Games Village on the 28th because the only left for the venue as recently as Tuesgames village is one of the most distracting day; a situation many feel will not bring out places you can ever have. the best from them. “ Athletes, such as marathoners, who Igali, even though he feels the country’s get to finish their event before others, can preparations for the Games hasn’t been thereafter party all-night, and that can be a top-notch, nevertheless feels the athletes huge distraction to others. can still produce excellent results in “While not excusing the fact that the athGlasgow. letes left late, I want to believe that the various federations know why they left at the time they did,” stressed Igali. “I can tell you that it was the decision of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation to leave for the Games on Monday. “A lot of the wrestlers have never been to a competition as big as the Commonwealth Games and are keen to attend the Opening Ceremony and that was why we allowed them to leave for the Games on Monday.” He added: “So leaving on Tuesday for the Games is not even late; it all depends on when they are competing. Most of our athletes will start competing from the 25th and 26th so we shouldn’t panic as there Nigeria’s Talaram Mamman swings Australian Ivan Popov is still enough time for them to adapt to the situation in Glasgow.” at the last C’Wealth Games

Ifeanyi Ibeh

“The entire management of the sports council and Bauchi State government is proud to associate with you for emerging as the only wrestling official nominated from Nigeria as well as Africa in general, this is something worth celebrating and at the same time this is to task you not to let your supporters, including the state government, down while in Scotland for the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

Dwain Chambers pulls out of Games B

Chambers

ritish 100m champion Dwain Chambers has pulled out of the Commonwealth Games to focus on next month’s European Championships in Zurich. The 36-year-old, who won a fifth successive 100m title at the British Championships last month, was part of the England men’s 4x100m relay squad.

England Athletics have not named a replacement for the Londoner. However, Jess Tappin, 24, has been selected to take the place of injured heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson. Johnson-Thompson, 21, was one of the favourites for heptathlon gold but withdrew on Monday because of a foot injury.

Transfer Updates

54 SPORT Eagles’ transfer update

Sivasspor confirm Macauley deal

ormer Nigeria youth international, Chrisantus Macauley, has joined Turkey Super Lig club, Sivasspor. The 23-year-old joined from Spain’s Segunda (second division) club, Las Palmas where he scored 20 league goals in 67 league appearances between 2012 and 2014. The deal which is a three-year contract was announced on the Sivasspor official website on Monday night. Chrisantus came into prominence after he represented Nigeria at under-17 level at the 2007 Fifa World Cup where he scored seven goals and emerged as the competition’s top scorer.

Olarenwaju back on Chievo radar

Rodriguez completes Madrid switch

international James Cmillionolombian Rodríguez has completed a £63 move to Spanish giants, Real

Madrid. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder passed his medical Tuesday and was unveiled by the club at Santiago Bernabéu. Rodríguez has reportedly agreed a six-year deal with the ten-time champions of Europe worth £3.95 million ($6.7 million) per season. Rodríguez will be presented with the number 10 shirt last worn by Mesut Ozil.

Juventus make move for Shaqiri

uventus could be set to beat Liverpool in the race to sign Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri and are set to meet with the player’s representatives. The 22-year-old joined Bayern from Basel in 2012, but he is keen to move on this summer in search of regular football. The presence of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery means the talented 22-year-old only started 10 Bundesliga games last season, and he was substituted in all but two of those. Brendan Rodgers wants to bring the winger to Liverpool as part of his efforts to improve his squad, but Juventus are ready to offer £15 million to take him to Serie A.

Inter step up Medel chase

extending his contract Dcloseespite with Maccabi Netanya in the season, Nigeria youth international Olarenwaju Kayode is still being courted by teams in Europe. Reports emerged that Chievo Verona have intensified their push for Kayode, who had been linked with the team few months ago. It remains to be seen if Maccabi Netanya would agree to do business with their Italian club as the Nigerian is very vital to the plans of manager Yossi Mizrahi for the upcoming campaign. The former Dinamo Minsk and Charlton Athletic trialist had been courted by an unnamed club in Germany this summer.

English clubs chase Igiebor

atest reports emerged that a number of English clubs are tracking Nigerian midfielder Nosa Igiebor. Igiebor has been linked with a move to England in the past, with Fulham making an enquiry for the Real Betis man last summer. Betis are facing a fight to keep hold of the midfielder in the wake of their relegation from La Liga last season with a host of sides keen to lure him away. Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv are thought to be leading the chase for Igiebor and have tabled a bid for the powerful midfielder. However, several Premier League and Championship sides are thought to be keeping tabs on Igiebor with the midfielder’s attributes ideally suited to the style of play in England.

fficials from Inter Milan are reO portedly travelling to Cardiff to discuss a deal with the Welsh club for

midfielder Gary Medel. The Chilean only joined the club last summer after moving from Sevilla, but a deal away looks increasingly likely due to the Bluebirds’ relegation to the Championship. Cardiff were hopeful of holding on to one of their star assets, but after a hugely impressive display for Chile at the World Cup in Brazil interest in the midfielder has increased. Inter look to be leading the race for Medel and representatives from the Italian club are said to be heading to the Welsh side to discuss a potential deal.

eal Betis will persist in their attempts to sign Sunderland midfielder Alfred N’Diaye, the Spanish club’s president has pledged. Betis have been in talks with Sunderland over a £1.5million move for N’Diaye after the Senegal international spent the second half of last season on loan in Spain. But as the Echo reported last week, N’Diaye has reservations over returning to relegated Betis and ideally wants a second chance at Sunderland. “He does not want to play in the Spanish Second Division. He would prefer to play in the Premier League with Sunderland,” said his brother and agent, Bakary N’Diaye, who is due to hold discussions with the Black Cats hierarchy this week.

Mustafi eyes Bundesliga action

hkodran Mustafi has talked S up a potential move to the Bundesliga after contributing to

Germany’s World Cup triumph. Mustafi currently plays his club football with Sampdoria, having joined the Serie A club from Everton in 2012. “It would be nice to play in the Bundesliga, being a Germany international, and the offers are there,” he said. “But the outlook must be right. The next decision (in my career) is going to be an important one. “Moving to a big club would be the next step, but I don’t have to move. I’m just keen to see what they offer me.”

ut-of-contract midfielder Tiago has re-signed with Atletico Madrid after opting against leaving the Spanish champions. The Portuguese’s previous deal expired at the end of June and he had been strongly linked with a move back to Chelsea to work under former boss Jose Mourinho. But, having considered his options, he has decided not to join the exodus from the Vicente Calderon this summer and penned a two-year deal. The 33-year-old is now looking forward to repeating last season’s La Liga triumph, telling the club’s official website: “I felt proud because we’d had an incredible season, but I thought it was time to close a cycle.

anchester City reportedly have no interM est in signing former Chelsea star Didier Drogba.

The Barclays Premier League champions have been linked with a surprise move for the veteran Ivory Coast striker after losing Alvaro Negredo for the start of the season. Negredo is expected to be out for a few months with a broken metatarsal, leaving manager Manuel Pellegrini short of attacking options, but a move for Drogba is not being considered. Drogba, 36, is available after leaving Galatasaray at the end of last season.

Falcao: I want to stay at Monaco adamel Falcao has made R it clear that he is not thinking about leaving Mona-

co thissummer,amidinterestfromRealMadrid. The Colombia international was linked with the Santiago Bernabeu side during his time at Atletico Madrid, but he ultimately joined Monaco in the summer of 2013. “I believe in Monaco’s project. I want to stay here and play ChampionsLeaguefootballwithMonaco,”thestrikersaid at a press conference. Falcao also believes Monaco will further strengthen the squadthissummerinordertocompetewithEurope’selite once again.

Tottenham in talks with Roma over Benatia, Destro

ottenham Chief, Franco Baldini has flown into Italy to hold talks with Roma over a double deal for Mattia Destro and Chelsea and Manchester City target Meh d i Benatia. Chelsea were originally favourites to land the £30million rated Benatia who has also been on the Citizens’ radar. But reports in Italy suggest Baldini is in Italy and is holding a round of talks over a deal to bring Destro and Benatia to White Hart Lane. Baldini is believed to have close ties with the Giallorossi and is hopeful a deal can be struck. This is an interesting development especially with ex-Roma star Erik Lamela linked to Inter Milan and Juventus and Sandro linked to Napoli.

Campana joins Sampdoria

Betis determined to sign N’Diaye

Tiago signs new Atletico deal

Man City deny Drogba interest

ose Campana has completed his JSampdoria transfer from Crystal Palace to for an undisclosed fee.

Campana travelled to Italy at the weekend and signed for the Serie A side after passing a medical in Genoa. The former Spain U21 international joined Crystal Palace on a four-year contract from La Liga side Sevilla 12 months ago and made six appearances during his time at Selhurst Park. The midfielder’s last game for Palace was in October before he joined Bundesliga side Nuremberg on loan in January until the end of the season.

Klopp laughs off Hummels, Reus speculation

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has rubbished reports linking Mats Hummels and Marco Reus with moves away from the club. World Cup-winning defender Hummels has been linked with Manchester United in recent weeks after a series of impressive displays in Brazil. “I can assure everyone that there are no signs that those two players want to leave,”Klopp told Ruhr Nachrichten. “Marco and Mats will play for us [in] the next season. “What are we talking about? Mats to Manchester United? For how much? €20million?

Wenger targets Nastasic as Vermaelen’s replacement

rsene Wenger will reportedly turn to Manchester City centre-back Matija Nastasic if Thomas Vermaelen completes a move to Manchester United. The Serbia international was watched extensively by Arsenal scouts during his time at Fiorentina, but City moved quickly to snap up Nastasic in 2012 ,as he developed a reputation as one of the best emerging defenders in Europe. Vermaelen’s future remains doubtful, as noted by the player himself. “I really do not know where I will play, Arsenal or elsewhere next season,” said the Belgian. Wenger will undoubtedly need to replace his club captain if a deal goes ahead, with Nastasic rumoured to lead the list of candidates.

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Dunga named new Brazil coach

razil’s football federation (CBF) has conB firmed the appointment of Dunga as the new Brazil coach.

The 1994 World Cup-winning captain returns for what will be his second stint in charge of the Selecao, having spent four years at the helm between 2006-2010. He succeeds Luiz Felipe Scolari, who left the post after failing to claim Brazil’s first World Cup on home soil following a humbling 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals. In Dunga’s previous spell in charge of his country, he won 42 and lost just six of his 60 games, guiding them to the Copa America 2007 and Confederations Cup 2009 titles, but was criticised for his pragmatic approach.

Foster extends West Brom deal

ngland keeper, Ben Foster, has signed a four E year contract with his current club West Bromich Albion , with the option for a further

12-month in the club’s favour. West Brom secured their first choice keeper’s future to the Baggies until 2019, following Fosters return from his earning his 8th cap for England at the World Cup. Foster initially joined the Baggies on loan, before securing a three year contract in June 2012. “Ben is an extremely important player for us – both on and off the pitch,” said Baggies head coach Alan Irvine.

Wolfsburg line up second bid for Guarin

olfsburg are lining up their secW ond attempt to land Chelsea target Fredy Guarin.

The German club attempted to sign the Inter Milan winger before the World Cup, but were reportedly knocked back by the player. N o w, according to reports in Italy, Wolfsburg are ready to go back once again for the Colombia star. Inter are open to offers for the 28-year-old, even though he only signed a new contract last season, and they hope to raise around £12m from his sale. That won’t put Wolfsburg off and, with no other offers currently on the table, Guarin could decide to join up with the Bundesliga club.

Boye signs for Turkish side Kayseri Erciyesspor

hana defender John Boye is reported G to have signed a two-year deal with Turkish side Kayseri Erciyesspor after

passing a medical. The 27-year-old will move from French side Rennes on a free transfer. According to Ghanasoccernet.com, the centre-back had a successful medical with the club on Monday afternoon at the Bakirkoy Acibadem Hospital in Istanbul. He will wear the No.7 jersey for the upcoming season. Boye made 10 appearances for Rennes last season after an injury-hit campaign.

Inzaghi calm over Balotelli

ilippo Inzaghi has admitted that a reFMario placement would need to be signed if Balotelli leaves AC Milan, but he ex-

pects the striker to stay. Balotelli’s future has been the subject of intense speculation all summer, with reports suggesting that he could be set to return to the Premier League. However, Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has denied receiving any bid from Arsenal and head coach Inzaghi is staying relaxed about the situation. “I am calm, Mario is an important player and I will try to help him improve,” Inzaghi said at a press conference. “I will reset everything that has been said about him, I have no problem with him. I have to make the most of his ability.

Kroos extends Bremen contract

idfielder Felix Kroos has extended his contract with Werder Bremen M to 2017, the Bundesliga club said on

Tuesday. The 23-year-old moved from Hansa Rostock to Bremen in 2010, making 31 appearances for the northern team. “Felix is a really important player for us and has a strong development behind him,” Bremen sport director Thomas Eichin told the club homepage. “I’m pleased we can continue to count on him in the coming seasons.”

SPORT 55

Sanctity of Truth

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Steven Gerrard’s retirement Gerrard fancies future England role

Gerrard’s exit bad news for England – Eriksson

teven Gerrard will be a huge loss for England, according to former manager SvenGoran Eriksson. The Liverpool midfielder has brought down the curtain on his international career after winning 114 caps over a 14-year period. Gerrard’s decision comes on the back of a hugely disappointing World Cup personally and for England, but Eriksson feels he still had plenty to offer his country.

“I understand it, but I don’t like it for England,” Erikson, his Three Lions boss from 2001 to 2006, told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. “It is good for Liverpool but it is not good for England. I hoped he would go on for at least two more years, to the next European Championship.”

He’s still my hero – Wilshere

teven Gerrard wants to work with England again in the future and will do what he can to help Roy Hodgson’s current squad. The England captain announced his retirement from international football on Monday, but revealed exclusively to TheFA.com that he will be taking up an ambassadorial role with The FA. “I’m always here for Roy and I know he’s always there for me. He’s the man who fulfilled my childhood dream, made me England captain, and I’ll always thank him for that,” Gerrard told TheFA.com. “I’ve got a fantastic, strong rela-

tionship with Roy and that won’t change. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times this week and he was very understanding, very respectful and we both agreed that the relationship will stay the same. “He’s a fantastic manager and I’m glad The FA have stuck with him. I’m also proud to say I’ll continue in an FA ambassadorial role in the future. My relationship with England and The FA hasn’t ended.” Having represented his country 114 times over a 14-year period, Gerrard’s experience could be beneficial to Anfield men like Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge as they look to

carry the mantle with England. And Gerrard says he will always be there to give advice when needed. “I’m still an England fan and still have huge respect for everyone in the set-up and the supporters,” he said. “I suppose I still have a role with the England players here [at Liverpool], to try and help them, to give them advice when they are going away playing for England.”

England will miss him –Hodgson ngland manager Roy Hodgson has

paid tribute to Steven Gerrard, following the Liverpool skipper’s retirement from international football. Gerrard amassed 114 caps for his nation between 2000 and 2014 and scored 21 goals for England. The midfielder is the third-most capped player for England behind David Beckham and Peter Shilton, who represented their country 115 and 125 times respectively. Gerrard also skippered England on 38 occasions, winning 20 of those matches. And Hodgson, who insisted England would miss the leadership qualities of Gerrard, lauded the contributions of the Anfield legend.

Hodgson

“We shall miss his leadership qualities as we look ahead to qualification with a youthful group”, he was quoted as saying by the BBC. “He is an incredible man and fantastic footballer who we have all been blessed to see in an England shirt so often.

Finest of his generation – Redknapp

ormer Liverpool captain J a mie Redknapp has b r a n d - ed Steven Gerrard as the finest English player of his generation. The Reds skipper officially retired from England duty on Monday afternoon after a 14-year career that saw him win 114 caps. “For me, he’s been the best midfield player that England have produced in the last 20 years,” he told Sky Sports News.

“I think I would include Paul Scholes and David Beckham in that. I think he surpasses them. In terms of talent and having played with him, and I’ve watched him for many years now, he is one of the best players I’ve seen. “The difficulty now is how do you fill that void? Who will be the next England captain?”

ack Wilshere is among those leading the tributes to Steven Gerrard after he announcedhisinternational retirement on Monday. Wilshere paid tribute to Gerrard via his Twitter page, revealing he still looks up to Gerrard, as he did when growing up. He tweeted: “Amazing international career, inspirational captain, an

absolute honour to play with someone I looked up to growing up and still do!” While part of the same England squad this summer, Wilshere and Gerrard did not play a single minute at the World Cup together, the Arsenal man playing only in the final game against Costa Rica, with Gerrard coming on to replace him. Wilshere also missed out on playing alongside GerrardatEuro2012,when injury ruled him out of the tournament, but did play with the now retired midfielder in qualifying games for both tournaments.

He’ll be fresh for Champions League – Henderson

ordan Henderson feels Steven Gerrard’s international retirement is good news for Liverpool’s Champions League campaign. Liverpool returned to the Champions League after a gap of five years by virtue of finishing the 2013/14 Premier League campaign in second spot. And Henderson, who backed Gerrard to make a huge impact in the upcoming season, believes the ex-England skipper will be desperate to play in the continental competition. “He’s still got a huge part to play [at Liverpool]. That probably swayed his decision in

terms of being fresh for the Champions League”, the England international added. “He wants to make sure he’s 100 per cent in every game for the club. That is what will have been playing on his mind, and he’ll have a huge impact this season.”

World Record

On Marble

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

– Arthur Ashe

Sanctity of Truth w w w. new tel eg rap ho nl i ne. co m

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha WEDNESday, JULY 23, 2014

The fastest marathon run by a married couple on aggregate time is 5 hrs 28 min 23 sec, and was run by Kenta and Noriko Sato (both Japan) at the Tokyo Marathon, in Tokyo, Japan, on 23 February 2014.

N150

Nigerian politicians and the deceit of office holding

he apostle of democracy dividend is the ex-Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State. He invented the language in one of his numerous lectures while in office. But incidentally many of Chimaroke Nnamani’s colleagues in office became Pharaohs despite presenting themselves as Moses. They never delivered the dividend of democracy. That Nigerians have suffered tremendously in the hands of their political brothers and sisters since 1999 cannot be gainsaid. What they said at the going of Eke Market day was not what they said when Eke market was returning. As Owerri is thinking of Egbu, incidentally Egbu is not thinking of Owerri. They call themselves politicians making people believe that politics is all about deceit, killing, ritual murder, maiming, cheating, stealing, embezzlement and hijacking of other people’s political mandate. Why must a Nigerian politician take solace that he is referred to as being “deadly”, ruthless and ever ready “to do anything” to clear any obstacle on the way to his political victory? They make people believe that if you are not a rogue, a liar, a killer, if you are not mischievous, unnecessarily and foolishly smart and clever, you cannot participate in politics. This is very untrue. President Goodluck Jonathan once said, “I don’t tell lies and say I am playing politics. Lies are lies”. Politics has never, is never and will never be the game of a dishonest man and coward. Politics is also not for drop outs in their life pursuits, failed ambitions, school drop outs, certificate forgers etc. Some women who think that politics is where men are hunted, may be deceiving themselves. Nunquam Nunquam, (never never). The vulture has no business with the barber. In the white-man’s world where politics originated, only people of tabula raza, those who have no skeleton in their cupboard go into politics as only men with clean hands go to equity. Ehud Omad resigned as Prime Minister of Israel to enable him fight the corruption charge preferred against him. Thabo Mbeki of South Africa resigned as a President because of his indictment by a judge who tried Jacob Zuma for corruption. The judge reprimanded Thabo Mbeki for putting more pressure on the prosecutor to influence decision. Mindly put, he was accused of interrupting with the corruption case charge against Jacob Zuma. United States New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer, resigned after being linked to a prostitution ring. He was allegedly identified by Federal Agents arranging to meet a prostitute in a Washington hotel. Mr. Spitzer, a leading Democrat told a crowded news conference, “I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the public work. I have acted in a way

Guest Columnist

Sixtus Chibueze Ezennaya

that violates my obligations to my family and violates my or any sense of right or wrong”. What made Barack Obama President of USA was not his party, creed, colour, sentiments or education rather his life philosophy. What he does, synchronizes with his powerful speeches and actions besides his two powerful books;The Audacity of Hope and The Dream of my Father. Americans saw the infrastructures in him and believe that he would be a superstructure hence his election. The white-man politician is not dirty rather clean and selfless. He is a servant– leader, doing the will of those he represents. He does not apportion himself fattest salaries as a legislator neither does he live in the best of buildings. He does not ride the best of cars or move with convoy and siren. He is properly accountable to the people as a good turn secures another tenure for him. But here only five or six months after the swearing in ceremony, the politicians would start to campaign for another tenure. The governor constitutes a quasi-organization, buys a quasi–newspaper or students’ union award, mandates the Information Ministry to produce a promotional jingle to extol his self–acclaimed achievements and righteousness that takes about five minutes during the news time. At every yearly anniversary of his regime, pages of newspapers are filled with list of his unfinished projects, many of them complete falsehood. These are repeated yearly with the same pictures. The governor also arranges for political visits to traditional rulers where he donates vehicles, market women where he donates bags of rice and wrappers of clothes etc. For student union, he donates buses and to the unemployed he arms them with dangerous weapons. A governor from the South West was asked by reporters why he was never tired of appearing in the billboard even when he has won the election as a governor, he retorted, “Coca-cola still advertises”. The white-man does not do such things. That is black-man’s politics. Much as political jingles and all these Greek gifts like advertisement create awareness of somebody’s existence, intention or ambition, the political victory deserves to go to or belong to a political achiever. Politics is dirty and politicians corrupt, people often say. If this is true and if there are people who can “de-dirty” and “de-corrupt” the system, in Nigeria, it

Nnamani

is the type that play white-man’s politics and not those who play the politics of a blackman. I have often asked myself whether a black-man is also black in the heart. But Nelson Mandela is a black-man. If there is anytime that corruption would be tackled in Nigeria, it should start from the head down to the toe as a cock does not mate with the hen with its neck being unaware. The he–goat or billy-goat is usually used to cleanse all the abominations having impregnated its own mother. Every Nigerian politician should play politics without bitterness, with dignity, truth, zeal to work for the people and commitment. Nigerian politicians should be chastised and criticized for derailing, de-focusing and demeaning the political office holding. Hear Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State on his view over certain burning issues in Nigeria on Sunday Punch Newspaper of August 18, 2013. Question - Don’t you think Nigeria can break…? Reply – Who will break it? Is it ordinary person in Jigawa, or Sokoto or in Bayelsa? Is it the Igbo vulcaniser or the Yoruba woman who sells kerosene by the roadside or the okada man in Delta? They don’t have the capacity to unite, because they are burdened by poverty. We have taken their dignity, self esteem, pride and self worth away, so that they cannot even organize themselves. Question – Who did? We, the elites. Up there, we (elites) unite, we sing and so we will never allow Nigeria to break, because once it breaks, we will lose. But the common man loses nothing. What is he losing? He is already living in

hell. He cannot lose anything more than that hell. This is the type of governors that want to be President of Nigeria. Does he deserve to be Governor let alone President? The slogan of the newly revived and re-strategized “IKEMBA FRONT” is: No Compromise, No Impossibility. By 2015, perhaps God of no compromise, no impossibility and the ordinary common man will visit Nigeria and do the impossible break-through for the common man. Life after politics is more important than life in politics. In politics, public officers are protected by constitutional immunity and security men. But when out of office, their misdeed stare them in their faces with nobody and immunity to protect them. At most some may engage private security which can be denied them by higher authorities. Worse still, they can be overpowered by angry mob in circumstances beyond control. What then can these men do at that time as they have made more enemies than friends. Nigeria is growing to the level when sins of rulers find them out as soon as their immunity is emasculated. Perhaps that is why many of the ex-governors run away from their states to reside in Abuja as if Abuja is a hideout or haven for “National Vampires and Looters”. The force of gravity has made it mandatory that whatever goes up must definitely come down. The insatiability, the lures and gains of political power usually make these “run-away politicians” to come back home at a later stage in life. Once a cock crows, it will not be silent again unless it is killed. •Mr. Ezennaya is the Director: Media & Publicity APGA Abia State.

OmoBaba

WHY I RODE OKADA TO CAMPAIGN GROUND , BY OMISORE

... to use it as the official ride if elected, isn’t it?

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