Binder1 june 12, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Thursday, June 12, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 114

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‘World War’ kicks off in Brazil

lMilitary shuts viewing centres in Adamawa Ibrahim Abdul Yola

occer fans in Adamawa State may have a tough time following

the World Cup competition, which begins today in Brazil, as the military yesterday ordered the closure of viewing centres in the state.

According to the military, the step was necessary to protect fans from possible terrorist attacks. The decision was taken against the backdrop of

the bombing of a viewing centre in Mubi on June 1, which killed 18 people. Another suicide bomber who set out for an openCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Emirship: Jonathan should back off, says Kwankwaso

Muhammad Kabir Kano

ano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, yesterday decried the alleged interference of the Federal Government in the process for

choosing a successor to the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. He criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for allegedly fomenting trouble in the wake of Sunday’s announcement of the immediate past Central Bank of

Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the late Bayero’s successor. The governor, in an interview in Abuja, said neither the Federal Government nor the president had any business with who

becomes the Emir of Kano. “Mr. President doesn’t seem to know where his power starts and where it stops. The appointment of an emir is purely a state affair. “What business has the Federal Government with

the appointment of the Emir of Kano? If there is Emir of Nigeria, let him go and appoint him. My feeling is that they have more than enough security problems, especially finding the Chibok girls, to contend with than sending

the police to go and block the Emir of Kano’s palace just because of Sanusi,” Kwankwaso’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Alhaji Baba Dantiye, quoted the governor as saying in posts on his Facebook CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

L-R: National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.); Chief of Staff to the President, Brigadier-General Jones Arogbofa (rtd.); Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Vice-President Namadi Sambo and President Goodluck Jonathan, during a valedictory session in memory of Prof. Dora Akunyili at the State House, Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Why Igbo must support Jonathan, by Kalu, Ohakim, Chris Uba

he much-speculated re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 received a boost yesterday as prominent Igbo leaders threw their weight behind him. Former governors of

Abia and Imo states, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Ikedi Ohakim respectively, along with a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP), Chief Chris Uba, after a crucial meeting in Lagos yesterday, urged the Igbo race to support Jonathan’s second term bid if

and when it is declared. The trio of Kalu, Ohakim and Uba noted that the South-East needed to give unflinching support to

the Jonathan administration so as to ensure speedy completion of the Second Niger Bridge, implemenCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Oyegun, Sylva, Ikimi, Jaja battle for APC chairmanship }4

Confusion as Lagos slashes LASU fees

lagos

Storm

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‘World War’ kicks off in Brazil CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

air screening of a match in Jos, missed his target as his car blew up on the way, killing three people. Given the spate of attacks on viewing centres in some parts of Nigeria, there are fears that terrorists could target supporters gathering to cheer on the global football contest. The Brigade Commander of the 23rd Armoured Brigade,Yola, BrigadierGeneral Nicholas Rogers said the ban was to protect lives. “Our action is not to stop residents in the state from watching the World Cup. It is to protect their lives,” he added. The state governor, Alhaji Murtala Nyako, in a statement by his Director, Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Ahmad Sajoh, said the ban was based on an alert and therefore regretted any inconvenience that it might cause to football fans and the owners of the view centers. However, as the World Cup begins today, Brazil, the host country, is highly favoured to emerge tops at the global tournament. Matches will be played in 12 cities across the country with national teams from 32 countries vying for victory in the global soccer mundial, being hosted by

Brazil for the second time since the inception of the competition. The last time the country hosted the game was in 1950. The opening match will feature Brazil and Croatia. According to a report by Yahoo Sports, between Groups of Death, Groups of Life, intriguing matchups and even a head-tohead showdown between the 2010 finalists, the draw had pretty much everything. For some teams, the balls fell kindly and the dream of a deep World Cup is still very much in play.

For others, the reality of seeing their hopes already on life support is slowly kicking in. According to the report, in the preliminaries in Group A, Brazil will top the table followed by Croatia, Mexico and Cameroun. In GROUP B, described as the Group of Death, Spain is expected to lead the table followed by The Netherlands, Chile and Australia. For GROUP C, Colombia is said to look good at topping the table followed by Japan, Ivory Coast and

Greece. The predicted finishing order for GROUP D has Italy at the top of the table, trailed by Uruguay, England and Costa Rica. In GROUP E, France is predicted to lead the table followed by Ecuador, Switzerland and Honduras. GROUP F will also have Argentina topping the table, followed by Nigeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran. Germany is predicted to top GROUP G trailed by the United States, Portugal and Ghana.

In GROUP H, the predicted finishing order has Russia on top, followed by Belgium, South Korea and Algeria. According to the prediction, teams like that of Nigeria are not expected to go beyond the preliminary stage as the quarterfinals will feature Brazil, Germany, Spain and Argentina . Brazil and Argentina are also tipped for the semi-finals while the final will be between Brazil and Argentina, which the host nation is predicted to win.

‘Why Igbo must support Jonathan’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

tation of the gas master plan, and completion of the development of the nation’s railway, dry ports and other ongoing projects. Yesterday’s meeting provided an avenue for the trio to critically appraise the state of the nation, how Igboland is faring and how to enhance the fortunes of the South-East in the Nigerian project. Uba had earlier brokered peace between the two former governors.

In a communiqué made available to New Telegraph at the end of the meeting, the trio of Kalu, Ohakim and Uba called on stakeholders in the South-East to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation in order to move the region forward. They regretted that the bitterness among leaders in the South-East was the major cause of the setback for the region. “Today (yesterday) marks a new beginning in

Igbo land. Today’s (yesterday) meeting is a demonstration to the whole world that forgiveness is the key to progress, maintaining that the differences between two prominent sons of the region have been resolved in the interest of our people,” they said. The meeting also condemned in strong terms the disrespect to the SouthEast traditional institution by politicians for selfish reasons, adding that traditional rulers remain

fathers to all, irrespective of tribe or political affiliation. The group observed the increasing number of unemployed graduates in the region, stating that a technical committee would be set up to draw up an action plan for the engagement of the unemployed. The meeting unanimously urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and prayerful in order to overcome the security challenges facing the country.

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

32oC 23oC Thunder Storm

PORT HARCOURT

28oC 23oC Rain Storms

KANO

36oC 24oC Isolated Storm

ENUGU

31o C 23oC Thunder Storms

IBADAN

29oC 23oC Storm L-R: Uba, Kalu and Ohakim…yesterday

CALABAR

28oC 21oC Rain Storm

Terrorism: We must block sources of funding propaganda –CDS Emmanuel Onani

MAIDUGURI

38oC 26oC Partially Cloudy

ONITSHA

30o C 23oC Thunder Storms

he Chief of Defence TMarshall Staff (CDS), Air Chief Alex Badeh, has proposed a "multi-dimensional" approach to the fight against terrorism in the North East zone of the country. Badeh, who made

the suggestion in Abuja yesterday, at the 2014 National Security Seminar tagged, National Security Challenges and Contemporary Threats in Nigeria, said military force alone might not be sufficient to win the ongoing terror war. He argued that block-

ing of their sources of funding as well as dismantling their propaganda machinery, will facilitate the defeat of the insurgents. His words: "The range of internal threats confronting us are so multifaceted that the solution to them require a mul-

ti-dimensional approach by various stakeholders. "While the military approach to containing terrorism is critical, other instruments of national power must of necessity be brought to bear in a holistic manner to guarantee success.”

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

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APC zones chairmanship to South-South lOyegun, Sylva, Ikimi, Jaja battle for ticket lNorth set to produce presidential candidate

Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

ith the zoning of the national chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SouthSouth, the party now looks

set to field a northerner as its presidential candidate in the 2015 elections. The party, at an enlarged caucus meeting held in Abuja, which ended in the wee hours of yesterday, finally resolved the deadlock over the distribution of its

national offices among the six geopolitical zones. According to the zoning formula, besides the national chairmanship of the party which goes to the South-South, the NorthEast will produce the national secretary while the

North Central has the national publicity secretary post in its kitty. The meeting which had in attendance 37 party leaders, including former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Lagos State Governor, Sena-

L-R: Director General/CEO, Philip Asiodu Economic Initiative, John C. Nwabueze; Chairman Advisory Board; Dr. Hassan Adamu; Chairman, Board of Trustee, Chief Philip Asiodu; Board Adviser, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman and Board Member, Dr. Joe Keshi, at a seminar in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

Emirship: Jonathan should back off, says Kwankwaso CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

account. The governor, again, defended the choice of Sanusi as the new emir, saying there was no reason he should not have been picked as he was eligible to occupy the throne, just like other princes. He said: “I am happy to say that nobody has questioned the eligibility of the emir or the fact that he is also royally blooded. They did not even fault or question the process. We are happy because he is well educated and exposed both nationally and internationally,” he added. Kano has been thrown into a crisis following protests by supporters of the first son of the late emir, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Bayero, the Ciroman of Kano, who had earlier been rumoured to have been named to succeed his father. The protests, which have now subsided, coupled with the report of an alleged bid to arrest Sanusi to prevent him from being crowned and the reduction of security personnel deployed to the Government House, Kano and the war of attrition being waged against the state government and the emir since Sanusi’s emergence have fuelled speculations of Federal Government’s interference in the process in choosing Bayero’s successor. The military also banned the landing of pri-

vate planes at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, apparently to discourage high-profile visitors from coming to pay homage to Sanusi. The ban on private jets landing at the Kano airport, which the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, said was for “security reasons” was done after the Federal Government had grounded the chartered aircraft which brought Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi and other bigwigs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Kano. The relationship between Jonathan and Sanusi had gone sour in the twilight of the emir’s tenure at the CBN following his allegation that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had failed to remit between $20 billion to N$49.8 billion of oil sale proceeds to the Federation Account and a letter he wrote to the president on the issue, which former President Olusegun Obasanjo referred to in his letter to Jonathan on the state of the nation. Kwankwaso, while presenting the letter of appointment as emir to Sanusi on Monday, had condemned the politicisation of the selection process and the premature announcement of the late Bayero’s son as emir and subsequent congratulations to him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when the process had not

been concluded. The emir himself also blamed outsiders for the protests, saying there was no discord among the contestants to the throne as they belong to the same family. “No member of the late Emir Bayero is behind the rampaging violence that erupted after my appointment because I know my family; we are one united entity who believe in each other,” he said. However, for the third day running, Sanusi has continued to operate from the Government House, which has served as his official palace and office from where he has been receiving dignitaries. Among the dignitaries who paid homage to the emir yesterday was Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, who urged the emir to emulate his predecessor by working for the unity of the people of the state. “If you truly choose to survive the throne, you should be upright and dedicated to the services of your people and every other person that found himself in Kano because that was what Bayero did during his over 50 years as emir of one of the strongest emirate councils not only in Nigeria but in the whole of Africa,” the governor said. Earlier, Sanusi offered special prayers for the return of peace in the troubled states of Yobe, Adamawa and Borno, say-

ing every sensible person should be disturbed by what is happening in the three states wracked by terrorism. As Sanusi was busy holding court at the Government House, the state was abuzz with rumour that his appointment had been nullified. But the state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Danburam Abubakar Nuhu, dismissed the reports and urged the public to ignore it and go about their normal business. He urged the people to accept the emergence of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano in good faith, as it is the will of God. Also yesterday, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, expressed happiness over the emergence of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, saying that his reign would bring unprecedented development to the ancient city. The governor, in a statement in Ibadan by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, described the emir as a seasoned technocrat, accomplished administrator and an Islamic scholar who will bring his wealth of experience from the corporate world and sound Islamic knowledge to bear on the running of the emirate. He, however, condemned the violence that greeted the announcement of Sanusi as the emir, urging those behind the violence to sheathe their sword and give peace a chance.

tor Bola Tinubu and Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwakwanso was a followup to an earlier one held on Tuesday at Agura Hotel. When the meeting ended at 2a.m. yesterday, the party leaders agreed that the chairmanship of the party should go to the South-South. With the zoning, the South- South apart from producing the national chairman will have the deputy national secretary and deputy national legal adviser. The South-West will produce the national legal adviser, deputy national chairman and national financial secretary while the South-East is expected to produce the national organising secretary, national auditor, deputy finance secretary and deputy women leader. The North Central was allotted the positions of national publicity secretary, national women leader, deputy treasurer and deputy welfare secretary. The North East has national secretary, national youth leader and deputy national auditor while North West will produce welfare secretary, deputy national chairman, national treasurer and deputy national organising secretary. Each of the six geo-political zones will produce one zonal national vice chairman, one zonal women leader, one zonal youth leader and one ex-officio. Already, four candidates from the South-South political zones, namely former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi; outgoing Deputy National Chairman of APC, South-South, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva have indicated interest in the party’s national chairman position. While Odigie-Oyegun is said to be the choice candidate of Tinubu’s camp, Jaja is enjoying the support of Rivers state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi. Sylva it was gathered is being backed by the governors in the party. For the position of national secretary which has been zoned to the North East, Kashim Imam, a former Presidential Liaison Officer to the National Assembly and ex-PDP governorship candidate in Borno State is believed to be the unopposed candidate. With the zoning arrangement, the battle for the party’s presidential

ticket, according to sources, is now among Buhari; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, who though still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is suspected of being a closet APC member; former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nasir el-Rufai and former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Other party sources said the position might have been zoned to the North-West, thus leaving Kwankwaso, Buhari and el-Rufai to slug it out while the South-West is said to have been given the vicepresidency. It was gathered that the zoning was done in a way to make sure that the North produces the presidential candidate as a result of which the party’s national secretary position was zoned to the North-East. A source said that the North-West presidential ticket would pit Kwakwanso and Buhari against each other. According to the source, Kwakwanso who may run with Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has already commenced moves to woo Buhari to step down for him. “It is going to be another round of battle between the two of them. I can tell you Governor Kwakwanso has already started to lobby General Buhari to step down for him. “I doubt if General Buhari would step down for him because of his own ambition and followership. And with that, it reinforces the Buhari, Tinubu ticket that people have been speculating,” said the source. When contacted for his comments on the zoning arrangement especially as it affects the presidential ticket, Chairman, Convention Publicity and Media Committee, Rotimi Fashakin said there was no correlation between zoning the national chairman position of the party and presidential ticket to the North. He said: “What does that mean? There is no correlation between them. What is clear now is that the National Chairman position has been zoned to the SouthSouth. When we get to that bridge, we shall cross it. A new executive must come in to decide where the presidency goes to.”

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Confusion as Lagos slashes LASU fees lStudents reject 34-60 per cent cut

Muritala Ayinla and Mojeed Alabi

he Lagos Government yesterday bowed to the overwhelming pressures of the Lagos State University (LASU) students to reduce their tuition fees three years after it was jacked up. But there was confusion over the exact amount to be paid by different categories of students as the government only reduced the fee by 34-60 per cent, saying the institution’s Governing Council would do so. This was even as the students, in a swift reaction, kicked against the 34-60 per cent reduction, calling on the government to categorically state the amount to be paid by students of various faculties and disciplines. The students had in April 24, 2014 proposed N46,500 for returning students and N65,500 as tuition fee, saying it would not accept anything more. Briefing journalists on the resolution of the

state government executive council, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr. Fatai Olukoga, said the council had ordered the University Governing Council to immediately implement the 34- 60 per cent school fees reduction. Olukoga, who was flanked by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji and Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, said the government decided to reduce the fees after extensive deliberation on the report of the ad hoc committee. Olukoga said: “The ad hoc committee has recommended and government has accepted that the fees and charges payable by students for incidental services and materials are amendable to a downward review for two main reasons: One, some of the fees component have been applied to students across

all levels when in fact they can be justifiably limited to students at a particular level only; two, some of the charges included can still be reduced on compassionate grounds. “On the basis of these principles, government agrees that with the subsidised tuition fees and appropriate moderation of the incidental fees, a reduction ranging from 34 per cent to 60 per cent is possible across the different faculties and courses. “Government has therefore approved the reduction and, in accordance with the law setting up the university, forwarded

its approval to the Lagos State University Governing Council for consideration and implementation. “Pursuant to its mandate, the university Governing Council will issue details of what is now payable by students in each department and deal with all other management matters of the university. All individuals and groups within the community are advised to relate to the university council accordingly.” But the students have rejected the latest offer by the Visitor to the institution, Governor Babatunde Fashola. Speaking to New Telegraph yesterday, the uni-

versity’s Students’ Union President, Nurudeen Yusuff, said the union rejected the new offer, insisting that the governor should make himself clear by stating the exact fees for each of the categories of students. Yusuff, who said the governor was clear when increasing the fees, asked the government not to be ambiguous with its position but to be clear in terms of the payable fees. Yusuff said: “This is a confirmation of the fraud we had been talking about. How could a government that did not announce its increment in terms of percentage because it was in the range of over 700, now

turn round to announce its reduction in terms of percentage because it is insignificant. “No matter what people label us, we shall continue to oppose whatever offer that does not amount to our recommendation. So, we advise Governor Fashola to be magnanimous enough to tell us what exact amount each category of us would be paying.” It will be recalled that since 2011 when the fees ranging from N195,500 to N345,500 had been introduced, there had been mass protests not only from students but also from other individuals and various civil societies.

$620,000 bribe: FG re-arraigns Lawan, Emenalo Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he Federal Government yesterday re-arraigned the former Chairman, House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime and its exSecretary, Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo before an Abuja High Court. The duo was arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on receipt of bribe and abuse of office in relation to the allegation that they received $620, 000 as bribe from the Chairman, Zenon Oil and Gas, Femi Otedola, ostensibly to exclude the names of Otedola’s companies –Zenon Petroleum and Gas as well as Synopsis Enterprises Limited – from the list of companies found to have allegedly defrauded the Federal Government of billions of naira. They had been earlier arraigned on the same charge before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi (formerly of the Abuja High Court) before his elevation to the Court of Appeal some months ago. However, when Justice Oniyangi was elevated, the case was transferred to a new judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko. When the case was called, prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), informed the court that the business of the day was for the accused

persons to take their plea to the charge afresh. Upon listening to the charge, read to them by an official of the court, Lawan and Emenalo pleaded not guilty. O. Jolaawo from Ricky Tarfa (SAN) chambers later applied to the court to allow the accused persons continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted them by the former trial judge. The prosecution counsel did not object to the application that the accused persons be allowed to remain on the earlier bail. The judge however insisted on seeing the three men, who stood surety for the accused persons before the earlier bail was granted, to know if they were willing to remain sureties. On that note, the case was stood down to allow the sureties, who were not in court, to physically appear. About an hour later, the proceedings resumed following the arrival of the three sureties in court. Justice Banjoko asked them if they were willing to remain sureties for the accused, to which they answered in the affirmative. Delivering a short ruling, the judge ordered Lawan and Emenalo to remain on the earlier bail granted by Justice Oniyangi. She later adjourned to July 7 for further hearing.

L-R: Igwe Umunya, Chris Onyekwuluje; Igwe of Ogbaru, Igwe P. U. Afubero, and Ada Chukwu, Princess Stella Oduah, at the reception in honour of Oduah in Ogbaru, Anambra State,

Chibok girls: Police lack power to stop rallies, says court Tunde Oyesina Abuja

n Abuja High Court yesterday held that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) lacks the powers to prevent or stop rallies or processions being held in respect of the abducted 270 students of the Government Girls’ College, Chibok, Borno State. Justice Abubakar Talba, in a judgement yesterday, declared that the Public Order Act, Cap 382 Laws of Nigeria 1990, which the Police purportedly relied on, “does not authorise men of the NPF to disrupt rallies or processions on the issue of the abducted Chibok girls.” The judgement was on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a rights activist and former House of Representatives

member, Dino Melaye, challenging the May 9 disruption of the rally he led in Abuja to protest the abduction of the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram. The judge declared unconstitutional the arrest of and assault on Melaye by men of the NPF during the rally in Abuja. The suit marked, CV/1521/14 which has the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Commissioner of Police, FCT Command as respondents was not defended by the respondents. “The arrest of the applicant and the threat to further arrest him in respect of rallies or procession is unlawful. The disruption of peaceful rallies and procession by agents of the 1st and 2nd respondents is illegal and unconstitutional,” the judge held.

The judge held that since the respondents failed to file any counter process to the one filed by Melaye; it was an admission of the allegations made against them by the applicant. He consequently ordered the IGP and CP, FCT to “tender a written apology to the applicant as provided for under Section 35(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The judge also granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further “harassing, molesting, intimidating, abducting, arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant in respect of peaceful rallies or procession in Abuja or any part of Nigeria.” Justice Talba awarded,

N150,000 in damages and cost against the respondents and in favour of the applicant. Melaye had sued the respondents shortly after he was arrested and molested by policemen during the May 9 rally in Abuja which he led to protest the Federal Government’s seeming inaction over the April 14 abduction of the Chibok girls. In a supporting affidavit deposed to by his lawyer, Reuben Egwuaba, it was stated that “men of the NPF, under the instruction of the 1st and 2nd respondents came to the venue of the rallies to arrest the applicant and forcefully beat the applicant on ground that the rallies or procession should be suspended by the applicant and his group.

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Nigeria may lose tourist sites to Cameroun, says Ndoma-Egba Chukwu David

Abuja

enate Majority Leader, SEgba, Senator Victor Ndomahas warned that, if

nothing was done promptly, Nigeria would lose its tourist sites of Obudu Resort and Agbokim Waterfalls in Cross River State to Cameroun in the ongoing boundary adjustment between Nigeria and that country. Ndoma-Egba, who spoke with journalists in Abuja yesterday, said that boundary adjustment was being carried out by the United Nations as a result of the Inter national Court of Justice (ICJ) judgement, which ceded the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroun. He said there was ten-

sion in Cross River State last week over the presence of the United Nations Boundary Adjustment Team, led by Mr. Isaac Baya of Zimbabwe, in company of Nigerian soldiers at Danari, a boundary community between Nigeria and Cameroun in Boki Local Government area to implement the Green Tree Agreement emanating from the Bakassi judgement. Explaining the allegation that Nigeria would lose about eight local government areas, NdomaEgba said: “Well there is some boundary delineation exercise going on as a result of the Green Tree Agreement, which was the consequence of the judgement of the International Court of Justice on what we call Bakassi."

Terrorism: Okoye harps on rules of engagement Ibraheem Musa

Kaduna

he National Assembly Taspects has been urged to amend of the country’s

terrorism law, the Terrorism (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2013 that sanctions detention without trial as such is alien to our jurisprudence. A lawyer, Mr. Festus Okoye, who is a delegate to the national conference, gave this advice at a seminar organised by the Arewa Development Project (ADP) in Kaduna, yesterday. According to him, the security agencies and the Federal Ministry of Justice should try all suspects in detention while those that are released should be rehabilitated. He also said that it is in

the country’s national interest to observe the rules of engagement in internal security operations. He urged security agents to find the right balance between national security and respect for human rights in their ongoing war against terror. According to him, the current security challenges in northern Nigeria “are not enough justification for the wholesale violation of rights of innocent citizens. The humiliation of citizens at check points cannot by any stretch of the imagination be justified.” Okoye, whose paper was titled; “Security and Human Rights in Northern Nigeria,” further said that the “arrest and detention of suspects ad infinitum, cannot be justified under any guise.”

NDDC targets multinational oil companies Chukwu David

Abuja

hairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Ewa Henshaw, yesterday said that the commission had concluded plans to partner with multinational oil companies and other corporate organisations towards the execution of its developmental projects. Henshaw, who stated this while defending the commission's N322. 6 billion 2014 budget before the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, said the essence of the partnership was to eliminate incidences of abandoned projects from the records of the commission.

He noted that the commission was currently having numerous cases of abandoned projects, lamenting that over 4,000 uncompleted projects worth trillions of naira were at present scattered all over the nine oil producing states under the supervision of the commission. The former lawmaker explained that as a strategy towards forestalling this embarrassing experience, the board and management of the NDDC resolved to partner with some credible and trusted multinational firms and established organisations for infrastructural development, healthcare delivery and power generation, among other priority project areas.

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Bisi; Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu and Speaker, House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, at a holy communion and thanksgiving service to mark the 51st birthday of the governor's wife, at the Government House Chapel, Ado-Ekiti... yesterday

N1.7bn

The IGR realized from PAYE (taxes) of Gombe State in 2012. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

15%

The percentage share of hydroelectricity power generation of global electricity needs through 2035. Source: Unesco.org

61,500

The estimated number of new individual’s asylum claims by South Africa. Source: Unhcr.org.uk

Jonathan laments high level impunity in civil service ...swears in new political adviser CIVILITY Mr. President lectures his new adviser on politics and statesmanship Anule Emmanuel resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday decried the high level of impunity in the civil service, saying that discipline was taking the back seat in the service. Jonathan while swearing-in his new Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufa'i Alkali; a Commissioner with the Federal Civil Service Commission, Mr. Simon Etim and three permanent secretaries - Mr. Nanpon

Danjuma, Mr. Binta Bello and Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, also chided some politicians, who he said were busy making statements that do not portray the character of good politics. He said politicians must learn to make utterances that could give Nigerians hope. Yesterday's FEC meeting featured the swearing in ceremony, shortly before members dedicated the rest of the day to pay tribute to former Minister of Information, late Prof. Dora Alunyili. The President, who advised the new political adviser, said by virtue of his new position, Alkali was like his group managing director on political issues and should therefore take his assignment seriously.

“Your appointment is key, because you are the chief spokesperson of the President on political issues, and when one listens to some of the comments that we politicians make, sometimes they could be terrible and do not portray the character of good politics. “We are supposed to be nation builders. Even though it is extremely difficult to agree that a politician could be a statesman, because we tend to be partisan, but at least in our utterances, we should give Nigerians hope that this country will be together and that we must unite and we must collectively forge ahead to develop our country. “You are a matured person and I believe that

in your conduct, your utterances, your actions and inactions, you will portray a good character, a character that politicians and young people will use as models.” The President urged the new commissioner to join the FCSC in ensuring that the culture that people who are qualified for employment should get it irrespective of who they know is practised. “No matter how highly placed you are as the President, the Vice-President, members of the National Assembly, we were voted by all Nigerians. So we all owe Nigerians our service and of course, we must make sure that whatever is available in this country goes to everybody, irrespective of who he knows.”

Crisis: Edo lawmakers exchange blows

...Shaibu, Osayimen injured

he political brinkmanship between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the control of the House of Assembly entered the third day yesterday with lawmakers engaging in a brawl over which group takes charge of the chamber. Members of the PDP and those of the APC had exchanged blows as the former gained access with their own mace to preside over the affairs of the day after they had

forced open the chambers while the later resisted them. Yesterday’s crisis came even as a Benin high court restrained the four lawmakers suspended on Monday by the House from gaining access into the premises and the legislative quarters. The suspended lawmakers are Hon Festus Ebea, Hon Patrick Osayimwen, Hon Jude IseIdehen and Hon Friday Ogieriakhi. The Speaker of the nine PDP legislators, Hon. Festus Ebea, who

presided over the sitting, had declared null and void, the suspension order slammed on him and others, insisting that the status ante remained. But, no sooner had they adjourned that the Speaker of the APC controlled group, Hon. Uyi Igbe, stormed the complex for the normal proceeding and met the opposition group, a development that sparked serious row in the Chief Anthony Enahoro legislative chambers. The charged atmosphere was not without bodily injuries on the Ma-

jority Leader, Hon. Philip Shaibu (APC, Etsako West II) and Patrick Osayimen (PDP, Oredo East). Also the glass door leading to the main chambers was shattered during the scuffle. The tensed situation was saved by the timely intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, and his men, who quickly calmed all frayed nerves with an appeal that the lawmakers conduct themselves as responsible elected officers and representatives of the people.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

‘BringBackOurGirls’ group to engage IGP Ummal-fadal Babagirei Bring Back Our Girls Ttinghegroup during its 43rd sityesterday at the Unity

Fountain, Abuja since the abduction of over 200 girls in Chibok said it shall engage the office of the Inspector General of Police to seek protection and guidance. One of the coordinators Hadiza Bala Usman made

this known while speaking with journalists. "The IGP said when engaging in public protest, we need to seek protection and guidance. We have been seeking this guidance for a week and we have not gotten response, we shall engage the IGP within the shortest period regarding the provision of guidance as we continue with our daily advocacy" she said.

Ogun promises better days for students he Ogun State GovTstudents ernment has assured of state-owned

institutions of higher learning that it would continue to take steps to make education more affordable and convinient. The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, gave the assurance in Abeokuta while receiving members of the State axis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), in his office.

He however noted that government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of providing affordable and qualitative education, particularly at the tertiary level and called on all stakeholders to partner with the government to achieve an allround quality education for the citizens. The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa.

Niger spends N7bn on free education Daniel Atori MINNA

he Government of NiTnounced ger State yesterday anthat it had been

spending over N1billion annually on all categories of students in postprimary and tertiary institutions in and outside the state in the last seven years. The statistics were released to the state executive council at its regular meeting in Minna on Tuesday and made available to media yesterday by the Commissioner for

Agriculture, Professor Mohammed Kuta Yahaya, who is chairman of the cabinet committee set up to itemize the intangible achievements of the sevenyear-old administration. Yahaya said of the N1billion, over N600m was committed to the payment of WAEC and NECO senior school certificate Examination registration fees for all students in public schools while the balance also went to the payment of scholarship, allowances and bursaries to students of the state origin.

Bode George mourns Ado Bayero former Deputy NaAPeoples tional Chairman of the Democratic Party

(PDP), Chief Olabode Goerge has described the passage of Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero, the 13th Emir of Kano, as “a diminution of the collective treasure of our national icons, a shocking depletion of the pool of great men of vast historical proportion who gave guidance and selfless leadership at the infancy of our nation.” A statement signed by

the PDP chieftain, said the late Ado Bayero was a very unique personage of universal attributions who was ever restless in deepening his contributions to the enhancement and the growth of his people and the greater glory of the country. “He was an instinctively detribalized man whose wide accommodating friendliness traversed ethnic barriers, breaking down the boundaries of hate and bigotry."

Amaechi warns students against of Electioneering electoral violence cences in Nigeria, Victimization Joe Ezuma

PORT HARCOURT

the 2015 general elecAof stion approaches, wife the Rivers State Gover-

nor, Dame Judith Amaechi, has charged students in institution of higher learning to avoid being used as political thugs. Mrs Amaechi stated this on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address on “Regrets and Reminis-

of Youth” during the Student Union Government Symposium marking the students’ week at the Rivers State University of science and technology Port Harcourt. The governor's wife stated that such an unholy act would not only jeopardize the future of the students but will also make mockery of their parental background.

L-R: Member, Board of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Alhaji Bala Takaya; Project Coordinator, United Nations Office of Drug and Crimes, Glen Rrichard and Director-General, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Ajayi, at the Inter-ministerial Committee meeting on Nigeria's Drug Control Master plan 2014-2018 in Lagos…yesterday

Alison-Madueke faces opposition over nomination as OPEC Secretary General Adeola Yusuf

ngry protesters yesterday confronted Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, in Vienna, Austria, over allegations of corruption and incompetence following announcement of her nomination by the Federal Government to head the secretariat of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). New Telegraph gathered exclusively that the minister held several meetings with other OPEC ministers this week in her bid to replace

former Libyan oil minister Abdalla el-Badri, who has held the post since January 2006. Speaking with reporters, a protester from a group, Gatekeepers Foundation, accused the minister of complicity in the allegation of non-remittance of $20 billion oil funds to the Federation Account and called for her immediate suspension. "Nigeria's oil minister is thief," the group's director Blessing Agbomhere shouted before being removed by security from the conference room. Struggling to regain her composure, Ali-

TASUED students protest Kunle Olayeni ABEOKUTA

tudents of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, yesterday went on the rampage over the institution's management decision barring some students from sitting for ongoing examination. The aggrieved students also stormed the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, demanding the intervention of Governor

Ibikunle Amosun over their predicament. New Telegraph gathered that crisis erupted at the school on Tuesday evening when some students, who were prevented from writing examination over their inability to pay tuition fees, staged a protest. They allegedly barricaded the campus entrance and destroyed certain property belonging to the varsity in protest against their exclusion from the examination.

NDLEA nabs drug peddlers Bayo Akomolafe he marine unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has nabbed five drug syndicates in connection with the illegal importation of the drug from Ghana. It was learnt that the suspects had employed the services of fishermen in smuggling 1,020.5kilogrammes of compressed dried weeds suspected to be cannabis but the marine officers attached to the Apapa Port Command Lagos intercepted the drug on Nigerian waters during the patrol. It is the highest single seizure of cannabis made by the unit since its establishment.

The NDLEA Apapa Port Commander, Mr. Nse Jack, gave the names of the five suspects conveying the drugs in a motorized boat as two Nigerians Joseph Akpe, 36 and Gabriel Fokito, 32. Others are two Ghanaians, Zutah Edward, 42, Ameriato Tafe, 30 and Celestine Azarante, 27, a Beninoise. He said the compressed cannabis originated from Ghana. According to him: “Officers of the NDLEA, Marine Unit, Apapa Port Command intercepted a boat containing twenty-three consignment of compressed dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa.

son-Madueke denied Agbomhere's allegations. "There is not $20 billion missing and stop shouting, you can talk to us in a civilised manner," she said. President Goodluck Jonathan has been under growing pressure to sack Alison-Madueke. Since her appointment as Nigeria's first female oil minister in June 2011, the Nigerian oil industry has stumbled from one crisis to another with production and reserves taking a nose-dive and promised reform yet to be implemented while the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),

on whose board she presides, seeing more corruption cases. The minister admitted yesterday that there had been some "operational gaps" but denied the $20 billion loss. "It was found that some gaps but those gaps were mainly operational expense gaps and the gaps of $200 million here and there. We are looking at this very strongly now there are areas we are looking at now," she said. Agbomhere said Alison-Madueke should be removed "immediately as alternate president of OPEC before she causes Nigeria another monumental embarrassment."

N73m scam: EFCC arrests three suspects Emmanuel Onani

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has arrested three suspected fraudsters involved in forgery, impersonation and fraudulent sale of shares to the tune of Seventy Three Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Four Thousand, Four Hundred Twenty Eight Naira. The disclosure was contained in a statement signed by the commission's Head of Media and

Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren. Uwujaren gave the names of the suspects as, Muhammed Rabiu Lawan (a.k.a Alhaji Shande), Ako Dzungwe and Alhaji Isa Koto). According to him, the suspects, "Raphael Olorunfemi Okomoda, Adebgesan Theophilius and four others, who are still at large, were arrested by operatives of the Commission following a report of fraudulent sale of shares of two deceased shareholders by the suspects.

Survey rates Fayemi ahead of Fayose, Bamidele Wale Elegbede ith a few days to the W June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State,

a public assessment research conducted by a coalition of civil societies has placed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Kayode Fayemi above candidates of other political parties. The survey states that 83 per cent of registered voters’ in Ekiti preferred Fayemi. At a media presentation on the survey in Lagos, the Civil Society Coalition for

Mandate Protection (CSCMAP), a coalition of 35 non-governmental organizations, said the research, which was a 60-day survey conducted in 16 local governments across the state, is scientific and evidence based. According to the Project Director, Kehinde Adegbuyi, the disposition of residents interviewed via questionnaire using random sampling technique indicated that the preference for Fayemi emanate from his strength of character, public satisfaction on resource allocation, global reputation, among others.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Patients desert LUTH as doctors join strike Appolonia Adeyemi

he strikes declared separately by the Association of Resident Doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-ARD) and the Joint House Unions and Association comprising health workers in LUTH have paralysed healthcare services in the hospital. Yesterday, when the strike of the Joint House Unions and Association entered its 10th day, outpatient departments of LUTH were completely deserted with no patients in sight. Investigations revealed that there were no record staff, nurses, and laboratory technolo-

gists, among others. Even the emergency unit was similarly deserted. The strike by the Joint House Unions and Association coincided with the indefinite national strike declared by resident doctors over welfare; poor working conditions and structure of the residency training which the doctors are dissatisfied with. Investigations by the New Telegraph revealed that LUTH is providing skeletal services for only a few patients in critical conditions. The Chairman of NANNM, Olugbenga Ajala, told New Telegraph yesterday that the Ministry of Labour had opened

Court refuses Obiano’s bid for stay in electoral suit LITIGATION

Anambra governor seems to be spending as much time in court to battle opposition Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday refused an application brought by Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State and two others for an indefinite stay of proceedings in the suit challenging Obiano’s competence to participate in the last governorship election in the state. However, the trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed, granted a temporary stay, to await the decision of the Court of Appeal on an application of stay of proceedings pending the determina-

tion of an appeal filed by a commissioner in Obiano's cabinet, Tony Nnacheta. Obiano, his party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Nnacheta had prayed the court for an indefinite stay of proceedings to await the outcome of Nnacheta's appeal against an earlier ruling by the court. They had argued that in view of the pending appeal and an application for stay of proceedings, it was neater for the trial court not to take further steps in respect of the case, but to await the decision of the appellate court. Nnacheta's appeal is against the trial court's ruling of June 3 refusing his application to be made a co-plaintiff in the case. The court had hinged its decision on the ground that Nnacheta was not a necessary party in the case.

US agency backs Ogun

United States of America-based NonGovernmental Organization, International Training Centre for Applied Behaviour Analysis is to partner with the Ogun State Government on manpower training and development for teachers, instructors and social workers of juvenile institutions in the state. Programme Director of the Centre which has its headquarters in New Jersey, Mrs Abosede Asikhia, made this known in Abeokuta after holding a meeting with the management staff of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, led by the Commissioner, Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi. Mrs Asikhia said the partnership programme

would go a long way in improving the knowledge and technical knowhow of the beneficiaries and ultimately, enhance government’s effort on the care of the people, particularly children living with autism and other developmental disabilities. “Autism disorder is a serious childhood ailment, it impairs the ability of victims to develop appropriate speech communication, behaviour and other social interaction skills in life. It is fast becoming one of the most under-spread childhood epidemic recorded in history, however, therapeutic and educational intervention is now available and currently, it is the best hope of treatment for persons affected worldwide.”

correspondence with the executives of the Joint House Unions over the issues and there will be a meeting with them tomorrow, Friday. Although, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of LUTH, Dr. Akin Osibogun, confirmed that the hospital was providing skeletal services, investigations showed that many patients in the wards had discharged themselves. The Joint House Unions and Association comprises National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Senior Staff Association of Teaching Hospitals Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSATHRI-

AI), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWU). Chairman of SSATHRIAI, Kehinde Adegoke, said although, the Joint House Unions and Association declared the strike on Monday, June 2, it was not made public until June 9, to give the management of LUTH time to address the demands of the workers which include poor welfare of staff, poor patient care, and lack of facilities for communications to facilitate work, lack of stationeries/ consumables, including gloves, poor water supply, hygiene and sanitation, inadequate manpower, among others.

According to him, the union leaders announced the strike when it became clear that LUTH management would not address the issues as it had earlier promised. Highlighting some of the problems, Adegoke said whenever many health workers employed in LUTH have health challenges, “they pay expensively as other patients do to access healthcare in the same hospital where they are employed. As a worker in the hospital, there should be some waivers to boost staff morale. Most of the workers spend their money to purchase consumables like gloves, soap, water for handwashing and for

other things which the hospital should provide for hygiene purpose, etc. These basic necessities are required to promote hygiene and safety of both patients and health workers. Often, due to non-availability of water, staff purchase ‘pure’ water and/or bottled water to wash their hands during the provision of care services.” According to him, nurses on night duty work several hours running into three to four hours without power supply and during such period, they only make do with light from their telephones which they carry with one hand while they execute their duties.

L-R: Former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, at the presentation of the book "Maritime Seminar for Judges" in Abuja…yesterday

UNICEF lauds Osun's social protection policies

he United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) country representative in Nigeria, Ms Jean Goll, has observed that the social protection policy programmes of Governor Rauf Aregbesola should be emulated by other states of the federation. The UNICEF representative, who spoke yesterday during a courtesy call on Aregbesola, described the school feeding programme and Agba Osun welfare scheme as policies that, aside adding value

to the lives of pupils and elderly ones, as a lasting legacies the administration would bequeath to the state. According to the UNICEF country representative, the school feeding in addition to serving as encouragement and catalyst for pupils to stay in schools and learn are very rich in nutritional values. Goll said: "Having gone round the schools, UNICEF is encouraged by the tremendous progress the state has made since the administration came on

board. "The interview granted to us by some of the recipients of the Agba Osun welfare scheme has demonstrated goodwill as well as political will of the government to live lasting legacy in mind of the people. "UNICEF is ready to partner with government at different levels of interaction on what strategies to be employed to ensure that 2014 to 2017 UNICEF activities in the state are successful." Responding, Aregbe-

sola said if people are the principal factor in development, the six-point integral action of the government are therefore focused to impact on the life of the populace. The governor said the social protection policy of his administration are his reason for seeking the mandate of the people for the second. According to him, government remains popular, unpopular reasonable or unreasonable depending on how governance affects the people.

Alaafin, Arisekola not politicians, says Balogun Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

ENATOR Lekan Balogun, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, has said that Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao were not politicians and so their stand on who governs the state at any point in time could not be

predicted by anybody. The High Chief of Ibadanland and member of the Olubadan-in-Council made the assertion following insinuations that the current support of the duo would automatically frustrate the plan of the PDP to take over the government from Governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2015. His words: "Alaafin and Arisekola are not politicians, whose political leaning could easily be

predicted. Very often, it is difficult to know where they stand at a point in time. You can know where we as politicians stand always and determine our next line of action, but not with the two eminent persons. Alaafin is my very good father and Aare is my good brother. We know how we relate, and when time is ripe, we know where to go. Time is dynamic", the former ABU lecturer, said.

While disparaging many of the policies of the Ajimobi administration, especially awards of road construction and city beautification, as being elitist, aimed at feeding foreigners at the detriment of Oyo people, Balogun said PDP would send APC away by 2015, boasting that "I would send back the ruling All Progressives Congress to classes in the 2015 elections in the state".

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

Wednesday, JUNE 11, 2014

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

0802 393 8212

Six killed, churches, homes burnt in fresh Plateau violence Buhari Bello Jos

unmen yesterday attacked Gako and Tanjol communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing at least six people. The attack took place about 1a.m. The attackers also set two churches on fire. The residents of the area said that apart from the six civilians killed, five uniformed security officials, believed to be members of the Special Task Force (STF), were also killed. The police in the state, however, confirmed the death of only the six civilians; while saying five others were injured. “On June 11 about 1 a.m., unknown gunmen invaded two villages of Gako and Tanjol, shooting sporadically and in the process killing six persons, and injuring five others,” the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dominic Esin, said, according to PREMIUM TIMES report. “The injured persons were rushed to the Vom Christian Hospital,” he added. Esin, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, also said “two churches were burnt by the attackers”. The PPRO, however, said security officials had been deployed in the area and normalcy had been restored. He said: “Normalcy has been restored in the areas and members of the public are advised to go about their lawful business and

report any unscrupulous elements to the security agencies. “Investigation is on-going and manhunt for the felons has intensified.” Efforts to confirm the death of the five STF members from the force were unsuccessful. The STF spokesman, Ikedichi Iweha, promised in a telephone interview to call back for details; but could no longer be reached on his phone A resident said while six civilians and five soldiers on duty in the area were killed, the attackers also burnt several residential homes. The residents of the two villages have since moved out of the area for fear of further attacks. A youth leader of Shonong Village, also in Riyom, was, according to report, killed on Monday by gunmen. Thousands of people have been killed in Plateau State in recent years in ethno-religious violence. Also in the past month, the state has witnessed a series of bomb explosions that claimed the lives of about 200 people. Meanwhile, the STF Commander, Major General David Eniete, has visited the scene of the incident where about 60 heads of cattle were killed, to defuse tension and forestall a reprisal. The STF Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, said the task force was able to help them pull out the 60 dead cattle and the injured ones.

File picture of attack on Shonong Village

He said: “The commander also held a peace meeting and called on both sides to stop making inflammatory statements.” About 60 heads of cattle belonging to Fulani herdsmen were on Monday afternoon shot dead and 30 injured in Jol village, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. Muyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association

(MACBAN) in the state had earlier put the figure of the dead cattle at 67, but the STF said 60 were killed and 30 injured. The state MACBAN Chairman, Haruna Boro Hussaini, who spoke with journalists in Jos, described the incident as unfortunate. He said it happened at a time when the Fulani and Berom communities had met with Governor Jonah Jang and resolved to live in peace.

Three siblings, granny, nephew die, three

Mother and son on their hospital beds

MYSTERY

Five members of an extended family die after mysterious incidents while others are on danger list Babatope Okeowo Akure

hree children of the same parents, their grandmother and young relative were found dead in their apartment in Ijaro quarters in Aule in Akure South Local Government Area of

Ondo State yesterday. Also, three members of the family - the husband, Mr Kehinde Ajayi, his wife, Banke and son, Samuel - were in critical conditions at the Specialist Hospital, Akure and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo. Although the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Specialist Hospital, Akure, Dr Ayodele Adeniran Ikuomola, said they suspected food poisoning, the neighbours said their death was mysterious. They said it had a spiritual undertone. Those who died, according to the neighbours, are three children of the family, Banke’s mother and a boy who came to sit for an examination in the town. A neighbour, Mr Muyideen Raheem, gave

the names of the children as Dara, Michael, Mary and Abigael. Raheem said the husband, Ajayi, his wife and Samuel were found unconscious and were rushed to the hospital. According to him, Ajayi rushed to his house on Saturday June 7, urging him to assist him pray to revive his unconscious children. He said: “I and another neighbour rushed to his house and we found the children lying weak on the floor and we began to pray till the children woke up. “Ajayi also prayed into water and sprinkled it in the house and on the children and they got up. We thereby advised him to take the children to the hospital for medical at-

tention but he said it was not a matter of hospital, adding that ‘it is well’. “On Sunday, my wife told me Ajayi came to the house to show his appreciation, but in the middle of the night on Tuesday/Wednesday we began to hear shouts. “When we got to the house, we discovered that the wife’s mum, three of the children and the wife’s nephew who had come to sit for the on-going NECO were already dead while Ajayi, Banke and Samuel were still alive, but unconscious.” Raheem explained that the police came to take the victims to the State Specialist Hospital, while the three surviving ones were rushed to the hospital. But the CMD explained that five mem-

METRO

Thursday, June 12, 2014

APC chieftain, six others die in auto crash

Lawyers’ protest cripples courts

Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

even people were reported dead, Sa motor while five others were injured in accident yesterday morn-

ing on Damaturu-Potiskum Road in Yobe State. The state Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Alhaji Yusuf Garba, told journalists that he got to know about the incident through a Good Samaritan and immediately mobilised a rescue team to the scene of the accident. Garba said the accident occurred when a Volkswagen car and a Honda car collided which led to the death of seven persons, while five others sustained injuries. He said the accident, which occurred about 10:15am, claimed the life of a prominent member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Hajiya Saratu Ibrahim, and six others while on their way to attend the party’s convention in Abuja holding today. The sector commander added that over N90,000 was recovered from the scene of the accident as well as some of the victims’ belongings. He disclosed that the injured persons had been taken to the hospital in Damaturu. It was gathered that Saratu was until her death, the assistant public relations officer, Borno Social Media Forum (BSF), which is a campaign forum of Governor Kashim Shettima in Borno State.

A cross-section of protesting lawyers in Akure…yesterday

Babatope Okeowo Akure

awyers in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday abandoned courtrooms and their chambers to protest the bail conditions announced by the state judiciary. The lawyers led by the Chairman of the Akure branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Prince Lawrence Kayode Dare, Secretary, Mr Kayode Olorunfemi, and other senior members of the association, prevented all the courtrooms from attending to litigants. Aside from preventing the courts from sit-

battling for life

ting, the lawyers also marched into the courtrooms to ensure compliance with the directive of the NBA. The leadership of the association moved from one courtroom to other from where they marched to the nearby magistrate courts to ensure that none of the courts in the town attend to litigants. Armed with different placards such as: “The Chief Registrar cannot dictate to our courts,” “Judiciary is not a legislative body,” “Discretion is still part of our law, free our courts now,” “CJ protect the judiciary, not the executive,” and “Obnoxious tax clearance, Mimiko’s voice, CJ’s hand.” Addressing journalists, Dare said the state Chief Judge, Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi, had been given three days ultimatum within which to reverse the practice direction or face perma-

nent closure of all the courts in the state. He said that the directive that those standing sureties for an accused person should show three years’ tax clearance would deny many people access to justice. Dare said the directive, which the CJ had no power to issue, would turn the state to a police state, adding that “it is unconstitutional, null and void for a Chief Judge to impose conditions of bail on his learned brother judges”. A senior lawyer, Chief Dapo Agbede, said the magistrate courts were governed by Magistrate Courts Law of Ondo State, 2006 and not by a mere circular letter signed by the Chief Registrar. But the CJ said the directive was meant to ensure that those standing sureties for anybody were responsible. Kumuyi told the protesting lawyers that he had the power to issue directive and what he did was to ensure that those standing sureties for accused persons were ready to produce them when the trial commenced. He, however, said he was ready for constructive criticism and would be opened to suggestions from members of the Bar. Kumuyi told the senior lawyers present, including Baba Omojola, Tunde Olofinsawo and Adedefe Oni, that a committee should be constituted to meet with the judiciary to iron out the grey areas of the directive. But the lawyers insisted that they would not allow courts to sit unless the CJ was ready to withdraw the circular.

Man, 38, held with fresh human head Elijah Samuel olice in Lagos have arrested PBakare, a 38-year-old man, Mustapha for being in posses-

sion of a fresh human head. According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bakare was arrested on Tuesday afternoon during routine stop-and-search near

White Sand area of Orile by the special anti-robbery team from Orile Police Station. The special anti-robbery team, led by Inspector Bernard Oyinlade, was conducting the search when the suspect, who was carrying a polythene bag, was stopped by the police team. But instead of waiting,

Bakare, who resides at 63B, Church Street, Ijora-Badia took to his heels. However, policemen chased after the suspect, caught him and searched his bag. It was during the search that a fresh human skull was found in his bag. Police arrested the suspect for interrogation.

27-year-old man defiles 10-year-old girl for defiling a 10-year-old girl. The charge sheet with reference No MIK/FCI/ JUN/34/2014 reads: “That you

Mike Paul ‘m’ on the 10th day of June 2014 about 1500 hours, at No. 24 Sebiotimo Street, Dopemu in Ikeja magisterial district did unlawfully has carnal knowledge of one Faith Ndoko ‘f ’ aged 10 years and thereby committed an offence contrary to and pun-

Babatope Okeowo

Violent clash claims one

Bisola Tiamiyu 27-year-old man yesterday AMagistrates’ appeared before an Ikeja Court, Lagos

bers of the Ajayi family were brought in dead while three were brought into the hospital unconscious. Ikuomola said the husband and the son had been referred to the FMC, Owo while the wife who had regained consciousness and was receiving treatment at the emergency unit of the hospital. He also explained that the cause of death and ailment was yet to be ascertained but all the symptoms showed that it could be caused by food poisoning. Some of the neighbours said that the family had eaten rice before going to be on Tuesday. According to others, the family members, who worship at a Cherubim and

Seraphim Church, might have tried to go on a spiritual trance which is part of the church’s spiritual rites. Banke was said to be wearing a red garment, said to be meant for a special spiritual trance. A source said the woman just returned from a seven-day trance before she cooked rice for the family to eat. “It could have been that they had gone on a trance which went wrong,” the source claimed. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Wole Ogodo, said that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), was investigating the incident.

Akure

ne person was killed while several others were seriously injured during a bloody clash between factions of the Agbajowo Timbers Flitchers Association (ATFA) in Ondo town, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of the Ondo State. Although circumstances which led to the clash on Tuesday were not clear at press time, a source said that

trouble started at a popular loading park owned by a notable member of the association. The source said that members loyal to one a factional chairman of the association had assembled in the area to commence loading. He added that a few hours later, other members loyal to another factional leader, who emerged from a relaxation centre owned by a police offi-

ishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria 2011.” The magistrate handling the case, Mrs Sholebom granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000, two sureties, who are gainfully employed. She adjourned the case till July 21.

cer in the area, stopped them from loading. This led to confrontation between the factions in which dangerous weapons such as guns, axes, machetes, knives, etc, were freely used. The source said members of the factions shot sporadically into the air, before attacking one another. The clash, which caused pandemonium, lasted for several minutes.

12 NEWS

Media clampdown: Mu'azu denies report l It's a strategy to capture Ekiti, says APC

Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu has denied media report that he would not tolerate negative media report. An online media, Sahara Reporters had, on Monday, carried a news report that the National Chairman, at a media chat said “he will not tolerate any negative report from the media when he resumed office”. But in a statement by his Special Assistant, ICT, Akin Oyegoke, Mu'azu said his speech during an interaction with the PDP press corps centered on various issues affecting the party and the nation and a roadmap to reposition the party. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm on the desperation of the PDP-led Federal Government to capture Ekiti State at all costs. It said the ongoing clampdown on the national media is part of a grand strategy to silence Nigerians ahead of the satanic plan to thwart the will of the people of Ekiti and, indeed, that of all Nigerians. According Oyegoke, the National Chairman applauded the contributions of the Nigerian press in their reportage and added that at no time did he reprimand members of the media as was reported in the story. "The Chairman clearly understands the constitutional role of the media as it is well spelt out and will always work to protect it, especially knowing the contribution of the press to the emergence of the present democratic institution in Nigeria.

Mbanefo blows NTDC's trumpet Andrew Iro Okungbowa ABUJA

ne year after her asODirector-General sumption of office as the of the Ni-

gerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, has given a thumb up to her drive for domestic tourism even as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister for State, Olajumoke Akinjide, announced the setting up of a committee to review multiple taxation in tourism in the FCT. Both of them spoke at the Nigeria Tourism Investors’ Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) 2014, which ended yesterday in Abuja.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Alleged N130bn debt: Leave Okorocha alone, Imo govt tells Ihedioha Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

mo State government yesterday called on the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, and his handlers to stop distracting Governor Rochas Okorocha with ‘frivolous and fabricated allegations’ designed to impugn the integrity of the governor and his administration. In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, government noted that; “It has become obvious that Ihedioha did not join the governorship race to win, but to malign Governor Rochas Okorocha

768m

on daily basis.” Onwuemeodo said: “Since Hon. Ihedioha joined other aspirants in his party for the governorship race, he had never made any public speech without casting aspersion on the governor of his state as if the governor is his sole manifesto or in the alternative, that one of the conditions given to him by his party to guarantee him ticket is to attack Governor Okorocha on the pages of newspapers.” Citing instances, the senior special assistant said less than 24 hours after the state government dethroned Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, as the traditional ruler of Obinugwu Autonomous Communi-

The number of people who did not use an improved source of drinking-water in 2011. Source: Unwater.org

ty and Eze Cosmos Onyeneke as the traditional ruler of Lagwa, the first person in the state to attack the governor on that was Ihedioha. According to him, the deputy speaker was in a haste to disparage the governor that he did that without adequate information on the incident. “Again, on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, Hon. Ihedioha accused the governor in the media of having incurred N130 billion debts, which contradicted his party’s claim of N250 bilion debt. All these are lies, fabricated and aimed at undermining the overwhelming popularity of Governor Okorocha.” The governor’s spokesman, however, explained

33,368

The number of people in refugee-like situation in Chad at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

that the Imo State government is not indebted to anybody or agency to the tune of N130 billion, whether foreign or internal, and wants to be contradicted with verifiable facts, and not rumours. “By virtue of his position as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ihedioha has the capacity to access any document within or outside Nigeria. Let him bring the document to back his claim or stop disturbing the peace of Imo. “He should be reminded that he is not yet the PDP governorship candidate for Imo and not yet Okorocha’s opponent. Let him unfold his manifesto to Imo people and leave Governor Rochas Okorocha alone.”

82.8%

The percentage of male internet users in Belgium in 2012. Source: Itu.int

24-year-old is UNILAG’s best graduating PhD student Mojeed Alabi

t was yet another moment of excellence yesterday at the University of Lagos, Akoka, when a 24-year-old man, Hallowed Oluwadara Olaoluwa, won the award of the best graduating PhD student, ranking him one of the youngest Nigerians to attain such feat. Olaoluwa, from Ekiti State, whose father is a clergyman in the Central African Republic, had earlier completed two first degree programmes in Mathematics and Physics and two Masters degree programmes in the same fields, where he finished in 2008, before returning to Nigeria the following year. His PhD programme was in Mathematics. The graduand, who spent three years for the programme, instantly became the cynosure of all eyes. He thanked the General Overseer of the Deeper Life Ministry, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, saying he had benefited from scholarship by the church, and that the scholarship also facilitated his return to Nigeria, and the choice of UNILAG as a place to study. While also dedicating his achievement to God almighty, he thanked his parents and many other individuals and organisations, especially the church, which he said made his academic journey a smooth one particularly with the provision of fund.

Plateau House probes SURE-P fund Buhari Bello L-R: Head of Registration, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr Zainab Makarfi; Head, Zonal Offices Operations, Alhaji Idris Mohammed and Executive Secretary, Dr Femi Thomas, at Scheme’s Workshop for Zonal and State Coordinators in Enugu…yesterday

JOS

he Plateau State House T of Assembly has tasked Committee on Public Fasehun demands recognition of June 12 as Unity Day itsAccount to commence

HONOUR

UPN wants Federal Government to do more honour to late Moshood Abiola Wale Elegbede, Muritala Ayinla and Adeolu Adeyemo

hairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has asked the Federal Government and the National Assembly to immortalise the late winner of the June 12 Presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola and proclaim the day as Unity Day. In a statement yesterday to mark the 21st anniversary of the annulment of the election, the UPN

l As Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo declare holiday

Chairman chided President Goodluck Jonathan, for failing to name another edifice in memory of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, after students and alumni protested the naming of the University of Lagos after the late politician. The UPN chairman promised that his party would guarantee even, equitable and nationwide implementation of its four cardinal programme, vis-a-vis the availability of free and qualitative education at all levels, gainful employment for all capable citizens, free medical services for Nigerians and integrated rural development. UPN insisted that although the government

was free to celebrate May 29 as “Democracy Day,” it must accord recognition to June 12 as Unity Day. Meanwhile, Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and his Osun and Oyo State counterparts, Rauf Aregbesola and Abiola Ajimobi yesterday declared tomorrow, June 12, 2014, as a work free day in commemoration of the June 12, 1993 election. Making the declaration yesterday was the Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs. Oluseyi Williams and the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Sunday Akere. According to the circular from the Lagos State

government, the holiday is in commemoration of June 12, 1993 as a significant day in the actualisation of democracy in Nigeria. The circular further called on workers to attend events organised by the various government agencies and groups to commemorate the day. Work will however resume on Friday, June 13, 2014. Gover nor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State described the 1993 presidential election as a watershed in the annals of the country, saying that the election laid the foundation for the current democratic experiment in Nigeria.

investigation into the allegation of gross misconduct pending before it against Governor Jonah Jang. They agreed at the plenary, on Tuesday that the petition which was brought before it by the Plateau Patriotic Front (PPF), over the alleged embezzlement of N70 billion SURE-P funds that accrued to the state and its 17 council areas among other allegations of financial mismanagement must be looked into. While commenting on the issue, Speaker of the House, Hon. Titus Alams said: “No one in the House is saying that the matter will not be looked into, but what we are saying is that let the appropriate thing be done.

ONITIRI-ABIOLA: NIGERIA STILL IN WILDERNESS AFTER MY HUSBAND’S DEATH / PAGE 14 | ‘MONEY NOT ULTIMATE FACTOR IN ANAMBRA POLITICS’ / PAGE 17

POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/politics

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, POLITICS

ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

ayodeleojo@yahoo.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014

As the Ondo State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), why should people vote for your party in the fourthcoming elections? I think there is a number of reasons why people should vote for us. First is that our party has a manifesto. The manifesto is people-centred; the manifesto is about impacting on the lives of the ordinary Nigerian citizens. The manifesto is about social welfare, health, education, development of infrastructure, security and power so that individuals can thrive. In fact, it is about the fact that government exists only for the people. And that’s what APC governors do all over the country in building roads, providing security, providing quality education, providing health services, caring for the elderly, and providing jobs. This is all our party is about. The second reason is that I do not think that any non-partisan Nigerian will want our country to run the way it is running for another four years. You want to wake up and hear about kidnapping; you want to wake up and hear about one corruption or the other; you want to wake up and hear about an embarrassment from the First Lady; you want to wake up and then continue with sleeping on the highway from Lagos to Benin because there is a traffic congestion. It is discomforting. So, for anybody who is not a partisan person, for anybody who is not taking immediate benefit from this government, I think it is almost unreasonable to say we should have another four years of what is happening in our country today. That is a compelling reason I think people should vote for our party. At least, let’s have change; let’s move on. The PDP has done its best for almost 15 years. Let them get out. They have done their best; they have a NAFDAC number that is meant to expire in 2015. And I usually tell people that the PDP is best before 2015. Not even best but good before 2015. What do you think your party will do differently if it happens to be at the centre? I have told you everything it will do differently. The APC has suggested seven ways in which the Boko Haram insurgency can be dealt with. The APC has said that security is primary responsibility of government. And therefore, if voted into power, it will ensure the security of lives and property of the Nigerian people. The APC has also said that it is about social welfare for Nigerians. Therefore, programmes in agriculture, health sector, education and other sectors will be such that ordinary Nigerians will feel the impact of government. The APC will do something differently. The party will not tolerate corruption. Corruption has become a state art. When last did you hear about the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)? When last did you hear about a top government official being quizzed by the EFCC? The APC will ensure that that does not happen. You cannot have an APC governor who will want to allocate N100 million per annum for himself as a retired governor for health services. That can only happen in the PDP, N200 million for himself, N100 million for him to hire medics, another N5 million for him per month

BAKASSI: NIGERIA MAY CONSIDER A BUY-BACK OPTION –C’RIVER AG

p-16

Kekemeke: APC is the only vibrant party in Nigeria Barrister Isaac Kekemeke, a former Secretary to the Ondo State Government (SSG) and one-time chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is the Ondo State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, he speaks on his party’s chances in Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and other issues. Excerpts: Ondo State because of the kind of candidate it fielded. What are you going to do differently in 2016? That’s their view; that’s not necessary my view. I thought that among certain things, the ACN lost because it didn’t have structures here and that it started late, and maybe a number of other factors. Don’t forget the APC has new people from the PDP, new people from the Labour Party and new people from the legacy parties. It is now a mega party. What we will do differently is that we have started to build our structures; we will mobilise the people; we will run an organised campaign; we will be transparent. And of course, the process of picking our flagbearer will be decided according to the constitution and guideline of the party. We are going to do a number of things differently. We have more people now; we have much more commitment than before.

Kekemeke

to hire aides, that guy represents what the PDP represents for our nation. That you cannot have in an APC government. The leaders of the APC will be highly intolerance of corruption. They will not do that. The APC will bring respectability to our country. Our country has become a laughing stock in the comity of nations. Robert Mugabe was appealing to his countrymen and said “don’t be like Nigerians”. That is highly embarrassing, degrading and insulting to our psyche. The APC will reverse all of these. So, those and many more are the changes that the APC will bring. Of course, the APC will tackle our economy and change our economy from the prostrate which it is, so that when you are celebrating that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has improved, the people will not get more impoverished. That will not be the APC economy. The APC improved economy will be reflected in the lives of the masses of our country. The people themselves will know that our economy has improved. So, those are the things that the APC will do differently. The APC

president will never be as clueless as the president we have. A lot of people believe the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) performed woefully in the last governorship election in

The PDP has done its best for almost 15 years. Let them get out. They have done their best; they have a NAFDAC number that is meant to expire in 2015. And I usually tell people that the PDP is best before 2015. Not even best, but good before 2015

There are reports of APC toying with the idea of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2015, which a former member of your party, Femi Fani-Kayode kicked against? Is that not speculative? Is Fani-Kayode an APC member? He came from the PDP like I did. Just before the APC was formed, he went to visit the President and started talking differently. I don’t know whether he is a disciplined party member. It is very speculative. Let us wait. The APC people know what they are doing; the leadership knows what it is doing. The leadership is peopled by people who have the experience, who are politically suave. They are people who have been able to put together a mega party. For me, the APC is like the PDP in one regard. The PDP was put together to stabilise our democracy by sending away the military. The APC has been put together to further strengthen our democracy by driving away those that have been dragging us back. Do you think APC will win the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states? Ekiti people have a choice between putting Ekiti vehicle on reverse gear and taking it to what I call overdrive. They have a choice between putting the Ekiti vehicle in neutral or reverse gear and putting the vehicle in gear three or four. Ekiti people have a choice to make between the relative peace they have been enjoying and anarchy. Ekiti people have a choice to make between a sober governor and a street, boyish governor. Ekiti CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

14 POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW

OPEN FORUM Dupe Onitiri-Abiola is the wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election

…21 YEARS AFTER JUNE 12 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Onitiri-Abiola: Nigeria still in wilderness after my husband’s death

une 12, 1993 is still like yesterday and the journey is still on. Twentyone years after, we are still in the wilderness; we are still moving and we are yet to get to the Promised Land. Right now, we are still in the jungle. But I am praying hard that the people of this country will allow us to reach the Promised Land by 2015 by the special grace of God. June 12, 1993 election was the best and still the best because 21 years after it, we have not conducted such credible, free and fair election in Nigeria. Looking at the sacrifice made by my husband, MKO Abiola and other Nigerians, I am not really satisfied with the present state of things in Nigeria. June 12 is something my husband was assassinated for; he gave his life for Nigeria’s democracy and he decided not to go to war. He choose not to go to war because he didn’t want bloodshed but unfortunately we are having bloodshed now. What happened is that a lot of people in leadership position in Nigeria now were not there when we were

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

June 12 is something my husband was assassinated for; he gave his life for Nigeria’s democracy and he decided not to go to war

Onitiri-Abiola

struggling, so getting to leadership positions they don’t know what to do or do not appreciate how hard it was for us to fight for almost four years. Also when we got this democracy,

most of the people that were against it are now the active players in this current democracy. But the situation is just beyond comprehension. It is incredible; you cannot even understand or comprehend it why Nigeria moving back so fast. The resources of Nigeria as at today cannot be compared to what we have 21 years ago, yet Nigeria is so rich now but severely poor. It doesn’t make sense that Nigeria is making so much money and yet there is severe poverty in the country. June 12 is worth celebrating more than May 29 because May 29 was a date the military decided to hand over

but Nigerians who are the majority made a decision on June 12. So, you need to celebrate June 12 for many reasons. Number one, the people of this country came together as one and all the barriers; ethnicity, religioun, regional barriers before them were broken by that election by one man. Everybody came together to say that we trusted this man and we wanted the will of the people to prevail. They came together and they defended it also. So, this is why we need to celebrate June 12 because since then and even up till now, there has never been another election like that. Nigerians were part of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and they all contributed to the election. So, we need to keep reminding ourselves that we can do it as one. We can come together as one to move this country forward. We have to keep reminding ourselves about June 12, 1993. Some people are so funny about it thinking it is all about MKO Abiola. Yes, that is the symbol of democracy for this country but the fact is that so many people were in it and they are still in it. So you cannot disregard June 12.

Obioha: Abiola paid supreme price for democracy Chief Ralph Obioha is a National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain

Obioha

wenty-one years ago Nigerians did the right thing as regard June 12, 1993 presidential election. Somebody paid the supreme sacrifice with his life to eradicate military rule in Nigeria and the same country is finding it too difficult to pay proper tribute to the man who won that election. Bashorun MKO Abiola had not been adequately recognised for the sacrifice he made to enthrone democracy in the country. Twenty-one years after the election that is recognised all over the world, I believe that Nigerians should be matured enough to give proper honour to whom honour is

Fasehun: June 12 should be in our national conscience Dr. Frederick Fasehun is the founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC)

due. We should continue to recognise the contribution of Abiola to national development. June 12 was worth celebrating because it is a remembrance day. If not for anything at least for the memory of the man who made that great sacrifice. For some of us who took active part

Musa: June 12, a symbol of national unity Alhaji Balarabe Musa is the former governor of old Kaduna State 12 is a significant date and still relJria.une evant in the democratic process of NigeIt is a political benchmark devoid of

une 12 is probably the most significant Jdence. date in our history aside our IndepenIt should be in our national con-

science and Nigerians should hold the date as their Democracy Day. Unfortunately those who are religiously hostile to June 12 are downgrading that aspect of our national life. It is unfair and I think June 12 should be Democracy Day for Nigeria and Nigerians. There probably won’t have been Fourth Republic if there was no June 12 and unfortunately we have refused to accord the victim and precursor of June 12, late MKO Abiola, the necessary significance in our national polity. Some people at the vanguard of June

June 12 was worth celebrating because it is a remembrance day. If not for anything, at least for the memory of the man who made that great sacrifice

in the June 12 struggle, it was a sacrifice that I believe none of us regret till today because it actually heralded the democracy everybody is enjoying now. But I believe nobody is satisfied with what is happening in Nigeria now because the characters that actually aborted Abiola’s election are still very active in what is happening in the country. So, no right thinking Nigerian will be happy with what is happening in the country. I believe the way forward is first of all to hope that Nigerians would realise that we are not going to go forward if we do not start to do the right thing for this country. A nation that believes that short-cut, corruption, misrule, no respect for due process and any group of people who think that any nation who indulges in this type of actions will make any progress are just deceiving themselves.

Fasehun

12 struggles have abandoned its ideals. But we know that Nigerians will always be Nigerians and not all of us are consistently principled. Of course, money dictates our consistency in this country and the powers that be have enough money to throw around and convince people to abandon their principles. Nigerians should pray for the country, MKO Abiola’s family and for the true entrenchment of democracy.

religious, tribal and ethnic divides. The majority of Nigerians saw that June 12 is the only credible election that is proper than the so-called May 29 Democracy Day. It is a landmark that should without any controversy be labelled as the democracy day. June 12 will continue to be relevant in the annals of our democracy, because we took a leap from there to whatever we are calling democratic rule today. It is a symbol of national unity and patriotism, because it has inspired other issues in the democratic rule and it was a day Nigerians put aside religious and ethnic considerations in electing their

Musa

president. So, it is expected that the government would recognise the day and give it the regards it deserves.

POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW 15

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

OPEN FORUM Comrade Sunny Ofehe is a human rights activist and Founder of Hope for Niger Delta Campaign (HNDC)

t is indeed a big shame that Nigeria missed the chance to consolidate its nascent democracy. We lost a great opportunity as a nation and I don’t see the current political players working to write our democracy on the pillar of pride. June 12, 1993 presidential election was an election that our generation was so proud to have witnessed and participated but scuttled because of greed and selfishness. Unfortunately, the same people instrumental to our democratic collapse are still in the corridors of power. It is only in Nigeria that people who stood against the wishes of the majority can still enjoy patronage and sycophancy. I think looking back 21 years after, the people who were responsible for the burial of June 12 must bow their head in shame despite using their role in the annulment to catapult themselves to whatever political positions they are today in the country. I am happy that some hitherto respected politicians from the South-West destroyed their political future because they sold off and betrayed Abiola. They died without the deserved recognition and those still alive have been disconnected from modern society. History, I believe, will visit June 12 and judge those who would have made it stood but decided to work against it. However, we must use the celebration of June 12 to work together as a people to correct the ills caused by men of dishonour. June 12 must be our guiding principles whenever any election avails itself before us and chose the part of uprightness instead of greed.

…21 YEARS AFTER JUNE 12 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Ofehe: June 12 must be our guiding principles during election The people who were responsible for the burial of June 12 must bow their head in shame despite using their role in the annulment to catapult themselves to whatever political positions they are today June 12 is worth celebrating because it gives us an opportunity to reflect and appraise the circumstances that led to the annulment. Most especially taking a positive message from the fact that June 12 has proven that Nigerians can rise above all known sentiments to choose a common path in an election process. So, June 12 should be seen and celebrated as a beacon of hope and stability. The celebration of June 12 can afford the generations who did not witness it that today Nigeria can be like the Nigeria of 21 years ago. Nigerians must work on their characters and patriotism, so that when called upon to lead, they can be elected on the basis of their contribution to mankind and respect for the rule of law. We must not forget that Nigeria has lost credible statesmen. I grew up looking up to men like Chief Alfred Rewane, Balarabe Musa, Sam Mbakwe,

Opadokun: No improvement after June 12 Mr Ayo Opadokun, Secretary of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO)

C.C. Onoh, Chief Ajasin, Chief Bola Ige to mention a few. When I look at the political atmosphere today, I wonder who among our politicians have or can inspire their generations. Life is not all you can get for yourself but rather how you can use your position to influence life in a positive way that history will have a place for your legacy. Let those who have the opportunity to lead us now remember that brave men and women died to stabilise the Nigeria of today. They now have the duty to answer to God and these brave people on their stewardship to our great nation. Our wake-up call should be June 12 and we must celebrate it. When I look back at the fight we gave

Adeniran: Lessons not impacted on democratic process Comrade Debo Adeniran is the Executive Chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL)

we have not improved S12,ignificantly, 21 years after the annulment of June 1993 presidential election. Every effort that will make Nigeria turn a different page has been frustrated by political operators and their collaborators. You will remember that President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007 set up Justice Muhammed Uwais Electoral Reform Panel. That committee met for 18 months and it received substantial and financial support from both local and international community. The recommendations that were made were submitted to President Yar’Adua. In consequence of that, he sent six bills to the National Assembly. The government totally rejected the fundamental recommendations of that body. One of them is that the sitting executive should not appoint the electoral commission because he himself has been sponsored by a political party. It’s like in a football match that a team is the one appointing the referee. The recommendations said further that the electoral commission should be composed of people who have been decided upon through the process of the National Judicial Council (NJC) sorting out the names; sending three names to the Council of State and one to the Senate for confirmation. That recommendation has been rejected. The Independent National Electoral

Ofehe

for June 12 and the fact that it wasn’t enough to actualise it and seeing that it led to the death of Chief MKO Abiola, I can only regret and wish we had done more. Today, when I look at the politicians who now benefit from the June 12 struggle and the amount of corruption that the institution of democracy in this country has created, it only lives me to worry for the country and the future of our youths. The truth is that June 12 has now been politicised which is a shame. The democracy we enjoy today was as a result of the sacrifice made by Chief MKO Abiola. I remember following the steps and wisdom of Abiola during the whole brouhaha. It was his attempt to claim his mandate in a non-violent manner that prevented our country from plunging into a civil war. I respected him a lot for that because he learnt from the civil war of the past and knew the country will not gain anything from fighting among themselves. June 12 belongs to us all. It was a day we all united across the country to stand for one man and for democracy. It is our pride that on a day like that we could be united for a common cause. The unifying factor, the man that made it possible must be remembered and recognised. Every June 12, I bring my family together for a short prayer for our dear country. Though, little but it is my own way of contributing to the recognition of June 12 and leaving my children despite not born in Nigeria to remember the day Nigerians came together and spoke with one voice. It doesn’t matter how long the journey, we will get there soon.

T Opadokun

Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega was a member of that panel. If he were to be a gentleman and he signed the report that was submitted, that means he accepted the underhand appointment against all sense of ethics. Secondly, that committee also recommended that nobody should assume office until all judicial intervention over that election has been concluded. This is to prevent usage of government funds and structure to undermine petitions against them. That recommendation is to prevent further electoral fraud. In real memory, there has not been anyone that has been prosecuted. You can see how people are holding Nigeria to ransom, especially in the area of electoral offence. That is the stage we are now. We have not taken the right decisions after June 12.

he event leading to the June 12, 1993 election didn’t prepare the polity to be better than what we have today. The widespread agitation for the validation of that election is not because it was truly a fair election; it was free and peaceful but not fair. Because it was not based on a platform of fairness, it’s not likely to last. You remember that there was a widespread voters’ apathy then. Out of 130 million Nigerian people, only 14 million actually voted. This means that only 12 per cent of the populace voted, that was not good enough. Secondly, Abiola didn’t enjoy the democratic legitimacy then because several political parties and presidential candidates were prevented from contesting. It was as if Ibrahim Babangida just cleared the way for Abiola to win that election because he was paired with a relatively unknown Bashir Tofa. How can an average citizen defeat a popular philanthropist? You should also remember that it was the government that created the two parties then, a little to the right, a little to the left; that is the NRC and SDP. That was also not a legitimate democratic

Adeniran

practice. Anytime you have such an arrangement, it was meant to bamboozle people. Basically, it wasn’t planted on a solid ground of true democratic practice. What enhances the support that Abiola has was his change of orientation, because hitherto, he was perceived as an agent of imperialism. But the long and short run of it is that the lessons of June 12, if any at all, has not impacted on our democratic process.

Interviews by TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE and WALE ELEGBEDE

16 POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW The issue of boundary adjustment between Nigeria and Cameroun, especially from the Danare axis of Cross River State has generated a lot of tension and agitation in recent times. What is the true situation? The situation with that boundary is that there is a demarcation exercise going on now which I am aware of. This demarcation is being conducted in compliance with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgement. The judgement of the World Court demarcated the Nigerian boundary with Cameroun from Lake Chad to the Atlantic Ocean. Now, basically the World Court adopted the AngloGerman boundary line of 1913 largely as the boundary line between Nigeria and Cameroun. There are slight deviations in certain places especially in places where there are gaps in the description of that Anglo-German boundary lines. In Danare, the Anglo-German boundary line is very pronounced because the Danare communities are virtually on the boundary line. Now, the demarcation along that axis is now the issue because of the inability to find one pillar and that is pillar 113A. But first, let me correct one impression. That demarcation is being done by the Nigeria-Cameroun Mixed Commission which is a special organ of the United Nations. So, when you say the United Nations and Cameroun have gone to Danare to demarcate the boundary, it is wrong to the extent that it seems to exclude the participation of Nigeria. Nigeria is a participant. Cameroun has representatives as well as Nigeria. Indeed, Cross River State has observers in the committee having embedded some surveyors in it so that we know what is happening at every given time. So, it is not Cameroun and the UN. It is the UN and all the participating countries that are undertaking the demarcation exercise. With reference to this Danare sector of the boundary, the location of pillars 109,110, 111, 112 and 113 have been pinpointed clearly without controversy and the villagers who are very familiar with this terrain even assisted in locating these pillars. The boundaries linking these pillars that I have mentioned have been demarcated without controversy. Pillar 114 which is at Agbokim has also been found. The problem here is that between pillar 113 and 114, there is a gap which the UN says there is one pillar called pillar 113A. This pillar 113A has not been found physically unlike other pillars that have been seen physically and therefore, there’s no controversy. What is generating the controversy now is the effort of the technical team of the Nigeria-Cameroun Mixed Commission. Of course, if you are on a boundary line and you are looking for the next pillar that will determine how the boundary line should go, if you look into Cameroun, of course, the Cameroonians are bound to be agitated and if you look into Nigeria, Nigerians are bound to be agitated. But the controversy is not as deep as we are saying it is because between the communities, they are the same Boki people, and the international boundary line just demarcates the communities into two. So, the Nigerian communities are Boki people and the communities in Cameroun are also Boki people. They are one people, living cordially. So, what is really the controversy? The controversy is actually that the international boundary does not coincide with the traditional boundaries the communities recognise. The communities in Cameroun and in Nigeria, having lived together much longer than the international boundary lines, recognise where their traditional boundaries are. They know that the boundaries stop at a stream. They have no problems with that. But the international boundary does not coincide with their traditional boundaries. So, if you follow the international boundary strictly, you are likely going to have a situation where land, not the communities, not inhabitants, but farmlands of Biajua, which is a Nigerian Community, are now going to fall

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Bakassi: Nigeria may consider a buy-back option –C’River AG

Mr. Attah Ochinke is the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Cross River State. He is also a member of the NigeriaCameroun Mixed Commission, an organ of the United Nations. In this interview with CLEMENT JAMES in Calabar, Ochinke speaks on a number of issues bothering on the current controversy surrounding the Nigeria-Cameroun border in Cross River State. Excerpts:

justice and inequity in the whole process. So, the way out is first to maximise the effort to trace pillar 113A. That should be the starting point. Now, if we are unable to find pillar 113A, we shouldn’t rush to cover the gap. We should be able to sit down to negotiate what will be of mutual coexistence of the communities on ground. And indeed, even when we are able to find pillar 113A and it does not follow the traditional lines, in my opinion, the Mixed Commission and the UN should sit down, taking into consideration the fact these communities have lived peacefully ever since and see how to adjust the boundary to coincide with the traditional line. But it seems Cameroun is not willing to compromise. That’s not correct. What the two countries are doing is to ensure that the ICJ judgement is complied with. Of course, every country would want to maximise some advantages but with the balance of effort, I think the UN will harness a median that will be precise to resolve the issue and for the sake of peace, the two countries will show extreme maturity. It won’t be the first time countries would negotiate, given a give and take spirit, for issues to be resolved.

Ochinke

into Cameroun. That is what is causing the agitation. Why is this so? Because the villagers respect their traditional boundaries more than the international boundary and they cannot understand why an artificial boundary that was placed by people who did not consult them and who had no regard for their views and existence should be an issue now. In fact, when that boundary line was projected by the Germans and Britain, the communities were not even aware of what was going on. So, even though the pillars have been planted and the people know where they are, they have largely ignored those pillars and continued to live in peace, respecting their traditional African boundaries. But with the controversy generated by the Bakassi issue and the current effort to now clearly demarcate the boundary between Nigeria and Cameroun, it will appear that an insistence, a strict insistence to follow the Anglo-German borderline will cause some difficulties to some of the communities on the Nigerian side as they will end up forfeiting their farmlands. The question is; upon the demarcation of the boundary, assuming the boundary line cuts off the Nigerian farmlands into Cameroun, as it is currently being projected, will the Nigerian communities be allowed to exercise their proprietary interest over their farmlands? Can they basically have control over their farms? These are rural villagers who care less about the Anglo-German line. They say ‘we are one people, living together in peace’. So, will they be allowed to exercise their proprietary interest in order to do their vocation for their survival? It’s not even a matter of economic interest. There is no oil in the place so it’s not about big oil revenue. We are just talking about the survival of rural villagers. So, we hope that the UN and the

Bakassi should be revisited because it is about the people and not so much about oil. Unfortunately, it is oil that is much talked about Nigeria-Cameroun Mixed Commission will re-examine this matter and bring common sense to bear over strict legalese to ensure that there is some equity and natural justice; to ensure that these rural villages are not violated by artificial creations and unnatural boundaries. Will these farmlands you talked about still remain in Nigeria or will they be cut into Cameroun by this boundary adjustment? Now let me say this, no Nigerian community, not Danare not Biajua that stands the risk of being carved into Cameroun like we had whole communities in Bakassi being carved into Cameroun. That is not going to happen and there is no such danger. That’s what people are afraid of because that’s what the people there depend on for subsistence. The situation now is that we have to fill the gap between pillar 113 and 114 with some precision in a manner that will be correct scientifically, even if not practically convenient. Let me explain that. It is easier for somebody to accept his fate if he knows the true position of things. But when the person is satisfied that the boundary is not where it should be, it is very difficult to get him to accept it. He will still be feeling that there has been in-

Is there a timeline for this demarcation exercise, so that tension could be diffused and the people are allowed to concentrate on their businesses? Yes, there are timelines. In fact, the Nigeria-Cameroun Mixed Commission is at the winding down stage. That’s why the Joint Technical Team (JTT) that is demarcating the boundary is now filling the gap. What is happening now is that there are just gaps in a few places because the commission has almost covered the entire borders, from Lake Chad to the Atlantic Ocean. It is these gaps that the JTT is trying to fill which include Danare so that we can wind up. So, this is just an attempt to come back and conclude the exercise. On Bakassi, has the country completely exhausted every option, including that of seeking for compensation? You see, on the issue of Bakassi, it is not a question of the position of Cross River State government; it is an international issue and not a domestic matter. So, it’s an issue that is purely and effectively within the purview and jurisdiction of the Federal Government, if I may say so. It deals with the territorial integrity of Nigeria. While we can push and shout, the actual decision is to be taken by the Federal Government. On whether or not the Bakassi issue can be revisited, legally speaking, unless we are able to find some grounds, even the window that was left open for a review has been closed. What this exercise is trying to do is not to review the Bakassi border. In substance, it means we have accepted the judgement of the ICJ. We are now trying to put in the pillars to solve the boundary problem once and for all. However, it does not mean that Nigeria and Cameroun cannot sit down together and look at the Bakassi issue. They are two African neighbours and are presently cooperating in the fight against Boko Haram. To me, Bakassi should be revisited because it is about the people and not so much about oil. Unfortunately, it is oil that is much talked about. But the people are very important. Maybe at the end of this exercise, the two countries can sit down and look at the buy-back option. The current Attorney General of the Federation even suggested sometime last year the buy-back option. So, can we explore the option of buying back the area so that the people can effectively resettle in the homeland? I think this is possible.

POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW 17

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Anambra State Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Engr. Sam Osita Oraegbunam, says some state governors frustrate democracy in their states by interfering with the electoral processes, especially the local government polls. He speaks with LEO SOBECHI. Excerpts: Anambra State seems to be a no man’s land politically; what do you think would play out as 2015 draws near? Is it really a no man’s land? After all, Peter Obi has dominated the place for the past eight years and he successfully installed a successor on All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) platform. But, for me, I will not call it a no man’s land. The truth I know is that Anambrarians voted for who they want. They are the kind of people that you do not strait jacket. As far as 2015 is concerned, I want to believe that most Igbo and Anambrarians are looking up to President Goodluck Jonathan despite the challenges he seems to be facing. It has become the norm in the state for litigations to take over after every election. How do you see these litigations play out on who ultimately becomes the governor? Honestly, I have not been to the tribunal to have a first hand monitoring of the cases at the tribunal but after every election, once there is what you might call abnormalities or if due process is not completely followed, there are bound to be litigations. When I say abnormalities I want to start from the APGA case, there were clear abnormalities in the conduct of its primaries. That is one point. Secondly there was a faction in APGA and there were several court cases; so it is surprising that both factions are fighting and still laying legitimacy to what you might call who is the authentic candidate of the party. Then when you come to other political parties, you must give it to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Chris Ngige that they should challenge the wrong that was done to it. Whether that wrong is enough to nullify the election and give it to him as the winner is not for me to answer. It was obviously clear that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) connived with the then governor to do some underground things to make sure that he did not win the election. So, we give it to him that he has to challenge the election by going to the tribunal. But I want to believe that NdiAnambra are ready to support the outcome so far as it is fair and not done to victimise or witch hunt anybody. Governance has been a critical issue in the past eight years, how do you think what people call distractions from the tribunal would affect governance in Anambra State? There is nothing on the ground to disturb governance because Peter Obi like I said had his eight years in office and had a successor within the APGA ranks and somebody he chose himself. And if you look at what Willie Obiano has done so far within the first one month, you will agree with me that he had an easy succession. In fact, contrary to people’s expectations, he has learned so fast. Exactly one month after his inauguration, he got his cabinet in place and he has started taking steps. If you go to Upper iweka, you will see that he is trying to clear the mess there. So, people like us who initially thought that he was a stooge are beginning to think that actually he has his own say. I believe that irrespective of what is happening at the tribunal, he is already on the ground. There is this Igbo adage that if two people are struggling over the ownership of a piece of land, the man who is in possession keeps on planting his yam. I believe Obiano is busy planting his crops while

Oraegbunam: Money not ultimate factor in Anambra politics his colleague Obidigbo, Ngige and Nwoye are still asking the court to determine the true owner of the mandate. I believe he is already administering his government. People like you criticised Peter Obi for his governance style. Any change with the new government? Truly, I am one of those who never accepted Peter Obi’s style of governance and I was so critical of it that he saw me as an enemy of his administration. But the truth is that Peter Obi was an autocratic leader. Obi governed Anambra as if it was his private estate. So far, I would not like to ascribe the same pattern to Obiano; he is still trying to put up his government. But for me, the speed with which he constituted his cabinet and stuff like that clearly shows that probably and possibly, he wants to work as head of a team not just see himself as the only person who knows it all or just using Anambra money as if it was his personal wealth. That was exactly what Obi did when he was in office. I don’t challenge or question his achievements; they are there but I always questioned his style and modus operandi of leadership and if Obiano goes that way, obviously I am one of the people that will be in the forefront to criticise him. He is still trying to settle down but as I said, so far so good, he is trying to lay a good groundwork. There are insinuations that your former governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Ubah after being frustrated by the outcome of the local government poll, wants to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in order to amplify his ambition to be a senator, has he resigned from your party? Honestly, I am not aware. I have not been briefed by him or my national chairman. So, as far as I am concerned, he is still a member of the Labour Party. Clearly what Peter Obi did there, if you say it is frustrating you have to say the entire Nnewi North people are frustrated. Nnewi people wanted an election but the one was conducted was peaceful and practically won by the Labour Party. But Peter Obi, because he was playing God and believed that Anambra State belongs to him and because he thinks he is not in good terms with Ubah, refused to declare the people that contested on the platform of LP as the winners. It is not just Ifeanyi being frustrated, all the membership of LP in Anambra State, the entire people of Nnewi North and the entire people who decided and voted for Ofoneme to be the chairman of the local government, are frustrated. So, ordinarily, Ifeanyi should be frustrated, everybody is frustrated and that will show you the extent state governors can go to frustrate democracy in Nigeria.

What people do is that they give impression that Anambra people can vote for any idiot that brings money... it does not matter how much you share, it does not matter how much you have to give; at the end of the day Anambrarians can only vote for that person they think can give them democracy dividends

Oraegbunam

Now, the son of Ikemba Nnewi has been rewarded with the chairmanship of Nnewi North following the logjam; what do you make of the attempt to honor Ikemba with a token gift? In as much as I don’t know Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu on one on one basis, I thought and believed that if he had believed in the principles for which his father was known, he should have insisted that the local government election be conducted in Nnewi North council as was done in the other 20 local councils. So, making him a sole administrator or whatever name Obiano calls it, I will not speak for him or why he has accepted but the stand of the Labour Party in Anambra State is that we are calling on Obiano to, in as much as he was not the initial cause of the frustration there, we are appealing to him to as soon as possible to conduct a local government election in Nnewi North so that the people will freely decide on who should be the chairman and not a sole administrator. Money has been a central issue in Anambra politics; to what extent do you think sanity could be injected into political behaviour in the state, especially at the approach of elections? I hear a lot of people keep saying that money is the in-thing in the politics of Anambra State, but I keep asking myself, where has money not been a major factor in every electoral contest? Why single out Anambra State? What people do is that they give impression that Anambra people can vote for any idiot that brings money. But honestly if you have observed elections in the state, it does not matter how much you share, it does not matter how much you have to give; at the end of the day Anambrarians can only vote for that person they think can give them democracy dividends. No political party in the state could say they are winning. Even at the heat of PDP winning everywhere in the country, they don’t win

Anambra State. Look at APGA with Governor Peter Obi and everything, they could not win a single senatorial seat in the state. If you look at the distribution of the federal houses, if it is the issue of money APGA would have taken all. So, contrary to what a lot of people say, Anambra electorate are enlightened, if you think you have money, they would collect the money; if you think you are intelligent they would listen to you and your grammar but at the end of the day they vote for whoever they want. The last decision is always theirs to decide on whom to cast their votes for. Looking forward to 2015, what could be the direction, vision or aspiration of LP? As is always the case, LP remains the party of the masses, party of the downtrodden including the working class people. What you always see in LP is that the first sets of aspirants don’t naturally come to the party at the beginning because the contractors, the merchants and money bags go for the PDP or the main opposition party APC or as in Anambra State where you have APGA in control. But I believe and I can assure you that ultimately good candidates that want to run for the Senate, House of Representatives and the House of Assembly, still use Labour Party to achieve their aims. Then, as for the Presidency, I believe that our national leadership under the able leadership of Barrister Dan Nwanyanwu, will always guide the party aright when the time comes for the issue as to whether we would have a presidential candidate or whether we shall support President Jonathan as we did in 2011. You remember that in 2011, Labour Party adopted Jonathan as its presidential candidate. We leave that to the leadership at the national level, which I believe is competent and capable of taking that decision. But for the state elections, we are ready to assist those that may wish to achieve their ambition through the LP.

POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Aliyu is revolutionising Niger –Ndayebo Governor Babangida Aliyu has been in the saddle for seven years now; what would you say are the achievements of his government so far? When we were campaigning in 2007, we had a clear picture of the kind of reforms we wanted to pursue and the expected outcomes. Let me take you back to Governor Aliyu’s inaugural speech. That address captured the situation of things at the time he took over and gave insight into what we wanted to do as a government to reverse the prevalence of poverty and underdevelopment that was ravaging the state. Seven years down the line, we have left development imprints that are difficult to ignore. In the last seven years, Governor Aliyu has stamped his seal of excellence in all the critical sectors of the state’s economy. We have done wonderfully well in agriculture, education, infrastructure, health, security, you name it.... How would you assess the performance of your administration vis-a-vis the actualisation of your much talked about vision to make Niger State one of the top three most developed state economies in Nigeria? Well, so far so good. In the last seven years, we have been able to make Niger State better than we met it. At the beginning of the administration, we looked at our opportunities and potential as a state and consequently conceived a strategic development action plan, which envisions that Niger State should be among the top three most developed states economies by the year 2020. It is important to say that the Vision 3-2020 document has remained our guiding principle and a standard by which performance of the various ministries, departments and agencies is benchmarked. And I am happy to say that we have recorded successes in all our priority sectors of education, agriculture, health and infrastructural development. We have also done well in the areas of tourism and culture, urban and rural transformation, water supply, environmental sanitation and housing, among others. Regarding creation of jobs for the teeming unemployed graduates, what would you say is the achievement of the administration? This is one area that we took seriously right from the outset. Between 2007 when we came on board and now, we have recruited over 5,000 graduates under the Graduate Employment Scheme (GES). The state has also engaged and trained 500 youths as sanitation officers and another 500 as Green Guards to police our forests. A total of 500 youth traffic vanguards have also been engaged to assist in the management of vehicular movement in the state as well as 300 young people who have been trained in the area of poultry and fish farming. It is significant to state that our administration has been adjudged the best administration in the history of the state in terms of prompt payment of salaries and allowances of workers, their capacity building and implementation of minimum wage apart from the special wage structure for professionals in the

After seven years in office, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has been able to put in place several projects. This has not spared him of criticisms from the opposition. In this interview with DAN ATORI in Minna, the state’s Commissioner of Information, Communications and Strategy, Danladi Ndayebo, speaks on the policies and programmes of government and the state’s vision to become one of the top three most developed state economies in Nigeria by 2020. Excerpts: public at subsidised rates regularly has been sustained by our administration. Your government has received commendation for its achievements in the health sector. Of significance is the building of three new general hospitals and more than 200 primary health care clinics. How are you consolidating on these gains? Like you rightly said, we have made tremendous progress in the area of health care delivery. We have been proving free medical services for children under five, pregnant women (up to 40 days post-delivery) and the aged over 70 years of age. We have constructed and equipped three ultra modern, hi-tech General Hospitals in the three senatorial zones of the state (located at Gulu, Sabon Wuse and Nasko). Government has also embarked on the construction of 134-bed neo natal and maternity wings as part of the expansion of Minna General Hospital (with funding support from SURE-P special projects directorate). Do not also forget that between 2007 and now we have constructed over 200 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state in partnership with the MDGs office aside the renovation of all existing General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres in the State.

Ndayebo

health sector. The government has also introduced a civil servants car loan scheme through which workers are assisted to own their own cars at 10 per cent subsidized rates. Niger State is the largest in the country in terms of land mass. It has close to 10 per cent of the nation’s total land mass. One naturally thinks that agriculture should be your area of comparative advantage. Our landmark achievements in this area include the Established Niger Rice Investment Consortium (NSRIC) Project to boost rice production and position Niger State as the major producer of high quality rice in the country. To get the project off the ground, we established and equipped five number Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centres of the NSRIC project in the rice producing communities of Doko, Jima, Mambe, Ndaloke and Gaba. We have procured 400 units of tractors and distributed to the Tractor Hiring Units

‘APC is the only vibrant party in Nigeria’ CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

people have a choice between electing an Omoluabi (a well-behaved person) and agbero (area boy). It’s their choice. Our duty is to make these choices available so that Ekiti people, educated, intelligent, can see the difference and make their choices. Ekiti people have a choice to make between one governor who was impeached, and like Oni said, one governor who runs under the barbwire and a governor who is educated, who

is respected, who is an academic and who portrays them well as Omoluabi. All of that is their choice. The duty of our party is to make that difference available. Ekiti people have a choice to chose between development and the kind of cosmetic things that happen in Ondo State. While we are here wishing to have what is happening in Ekiti, it will be horrible if Ekiti people will wish that they had what we are already tired and complaining of. So, the choice is that of Ekiti people and I know they will chose wisely.

Aliyu’s seven-year administration is the closest to a revolution in Niger State. And our work speaks for us. We have achieved in concrete terms in seven years what other leaders can only dream of in a decade Implementation programme in the 25 local government areas to boost agricultural production and revitalised agricultural extension infrastructure by renovating nine centres across the state and distributed 100 motorcycles to facilitate the movement of the extension workers. Irrigation programme has also enjoyed a boost with the reactivation of 16 schemes across the state to boost all year farming. We have also registered over 270,000 farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES). It is because of our modest efforts that the state was selected as one of four additional phase II states for the implementation of the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP II) in collaboration with the World Bank and French Development Agency. The buffer stock programme in which thousand tons of grains are sold to the

But the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has consistently argued that your government has little or nothing to show in terms of infrastructural development. They contend that most of your legacy projects are substandard. What is your take on this? Such a verdict only goes to show that the opposition party clearly does not know what to make of the phenomenon called Babangida Aliyu. Aliyu’s sevenyear administration is the closest to a revolution in Niger State. And our work speaks for us. We have achieved in concrete terms in seven years what other leaders can only dream of in a decade. In Minna alone, we have reconstructed and dualised almost all the township roads. We dualised several roads throughout the state. So what is APC talking about? Outside the state capital, the administration also undertook the reconstruction of road projects and similar ongoing 10 kilometre road projects spread across the 25 council areas of the state as part of the administration’s road projects for community integration and socio economic development. Not to be missed is the Ward Development Project introduced by the current administration. It is a novel initiative which has since become iconic and a model to other states. Under the project, funds are allocated to the 274 wards in the state on a monthly basis and a committee of selected persons superintend over a forum where the entire community agree on a project of their choice. This has given a huge sense of belonging to the grassroots. We also have a lot to show in the areas of transportation, housing, energy and how we have been tackling the challenges of dwindling revenues through the prudent and judicious application of our financial resources to meet our development aspirations. We believe that lack of funds should not be an excuse for non-performance; what is important is commitment to service and fiscal discipline, which have remained our guiding principles since we took office.

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

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wenty-one years ago today, the military regime of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd) annulled the election that will forever be a watershed in Nigeria’s annals. Local and foreign observers emphatically thumbed it as the most transparent and generally-accepted election nationwide. The winner was subsequently silenced by “the powers that be”. The June 12, 1993 election symbolised so many things for Nigeria and Nigerians. For once, primordial cleavages and religious sentiments took a back seat. Nigerians across various divides spoke with one voice, and in unison entrusted their common destiny in the hands of one man, Bashorun MKO Abiola, despite running the Muslim-Muslim combination of the Social Democratic Party. It was also an election that showed that free and fair elections are not impossible in Nigeria. If we squarely address the organisational brass tacks, we can truly organise elections that will be genuinely acceptable to the generality of Nigerians and indeed all humanity. Lest we forget, it was also an election where merit triumphed over and above mediocrity. It is germane to observe that there can be no political legitimacy without transparent elections. It is when the process of an election is transparent and people that are elected into various political offices know that they are genuinely elected by the people that we can begin to talk of legitimacy. There-

EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

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

THURSday, JUNE 12, 2014

Lest we forget June 12

fore, not only must the people be able to vote freely without any let or hindrance for any candidate of their choice, but at the end of the day, their votes must also count. We must not forget that the Justice Uwais report on electoral reform has been implemented haphazardly by the Jonathan administration. Those critical ingredients that can fundamentally change the electoral fortune of Nigeria for the best and guarantee free and fair election, have been cleverly evaded with a

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

cosmetic makeover to give a false impression that some far-reaching changes were carried out. The wholesale implementation of the Justice Mohammed Uwais report on electoral reforms cannot be compromised for any reason. Anything short of this would be tantamount to short-changing and hoodwinking the Nigerian people. This is only when power can be restored back to the people and we can talk of political legitimacy. It would be recalled that the 2003 and 2007 elections were not prop-

erly conducted and they were nothing to write home about as they were replete with massive malpractices. The government should pragmatically do all that will ensure that Abiola did not die in vain. It should embark on extensive electoral reforms, eradicate insecurity, reduce poverty and ensure good governance in all its ramifications, which, in our view, is the best way to immortalise MKO Abiola. June 12 remains the real democracy day as opposed to May 29 which was just a handover day.

Another global soccer fiesta begins

he FIFA World Cup was first held in 1930, when FIFA president Jules Rimet decided to stage an international football tournament. The inaugural edition, held in Uruguay in 1930, was contested as a final tournament of only 13 teams invited by the organisation. Since then, the FIFA World Cup has experienced successive expansions and format remodeling to its current 32-team final tournament preceded by a two-year qualifying process, involving almost 200 teams from all over the world. The present trophy, the FIFA World Cup, weighing about 5 kilograms and 36 centimeters tall, was introduced during the 1974 edition. Cast in solid gold and malachite by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, he described his creation thus: “The lines spring out from the base, rising in spirals, stretching out to receive the world. From the remarkable dynamic

tensions of the compact body of the sculpture rise the figures of two athletes at the stirring moment of victory”. This trophy cannot be won outright as the regulations state that it shall remain FIFA’s own possession. The World Cup winners retain it until the next tournament and are awarded a replica, gold-plated rather than the original. Brazil is getting ready for a party. That’s not exactly news in itself, but this time, the entire world is invited. From June 12 to July 13, the country will stage one of sport’s most keenly watched contests. The Super Eagles, current Africa Cup of Nations champions, will be representing Nigeria. They have won the Africa Cup of Nations a total of three times, and have reached the FIFA World Cup round of 16 twice. They have qualified for five of the last six World Cups, with their first

appearance coming in the United States in 1994. Nigeria and the world as a whole will be expecting that the team should do well at the global fiesta and nothing short of quarter finals or the semifinals will be taken lightly. With the Brazil 2014 draws pitching Nigeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Argentina and Iran in Group F, soccer pundits are of the opinion that Argentina and Nigeria have the upper hand to advance to the next round. Soccer has been a remarkable unifying factor for Nigerians and this tournament will be no different each time the Super Eagles take to the pitch. The current team has no reason not to do well and move steps ahead of the team that made the country and indeed Africa proud at USA ’94. At a time like this, Nigerians need invigorating positives, even if it starts with global success in soccer. GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director/DEIC FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Managing Editor, South SULEIMAN BISALLA Managing Editor, North 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 PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

OPINION Better to jaw-jaw Chuks Iloegbunam

wo stories from the past immediately reentered my consciousness the moment I became aware that the Offices of the Special Advisers to the President on National Security and Inter-Party Affairs have organized an All Nigeria Political Parties’ and Political Stakeholders’ Summit to take place today, June 12, 2014 at the International Conference entre, Abuja. The first was a public lecture delivered by Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle at the University of Lagos in 1982. The lecture was organized by the late journalist Ely Obasi and his fellow students of Mass Communication at the institution. General Adekunle (the Black Scorpion) read a prepared speech of which I remember virtually nothing today. But during the question time that followed, he made a point that plays into my thinking every so often. He said that the civil war could have been averted if the political class had refrained from acerbic and volatile pronouncements. The second story had to do with the cartoonist Bisi (Cracks) Ogunbadejo. While we were at The Guardian – during the early 1980s, he had drawn a series of cartoons that exposed the duplicity and hypocrisy of the political class. In the opening scene, Cracks showed politicians at antipodal zones preparing to go to the public square, for a crucial meeting of opposing candidates. One candidate promised to decapitate his rival and brandish the severed head the moment they entered the square. The other swore to do many things to his opponent, including incinerating him. They expressed their animus in front of party stalwarts and foot soldiers who, as was the custom, had to be in the advance contingents to the meeting. What followed was predictable. The foot soldiers arrived at the square dangerously armed with offensive weapons. Shots rang out. A number of stalwarts instantly slumped to the ground. A few craniums were shattered. The wrappers

of female cheerleaders were torn and converted to bandages. Available stretchers were not enough to shift all those struck down to clinics and hospitals. But, what happened when the “opposing” politicians got to the scene of the carnage? Neatly skirting around pools of blood and the untidy debris of gore and splintered bones, the politicians wrapped each other in the warm embrace of voluminous robes, kissed each other on either cheek and asked after the 20th limousine Politician A had recently added to his fleet, and that other mansion Politician B ousted a number of American tycoons to purchase on the Potomac in Maryland? Further, they planned proper meeting to take place abroad, without political hangers on, where they would, like bandits, share the pots of gold they recently looted from the public till. The lesson in these two stories is that Nigerians have no option other than to begin to use their brains creatively, especially in political matters. Very few of the millions that perished during the Nigerian civil war came from wealthy homes. Scarcely any of those speared or beaten to death by political thugs come from rich homes. No, the billionaire’s daughter is shopping in Dubai or Brussels while the millionaire’s son is in some Swiss or American college where the school fees in one term would be enough to pay the annual salaries of 20 Nigerian professors over five years. President Mohamed Morsi’ wife and daughter were at Tahir Square, urging demonstrators to keep at opposing General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and all that he stood for. But they were already back to the security and comfort of their mansion by the time troops moved to mow down hapless Egyptians by the hundreds. About 30,000 of such hapless children of Egypt’s poor are still languishing in crowded jails and detention centres from Cairo through Alexandria to Luxor. Neither this writer nor this article is against the

right of protest and the freedom of speech. But a society like Nigeria, fledgling with democracy, has no business with incendiary speeches and the political manipulation of the downtrodden. As President Jonathan said to the point, political interests are less than enough for the life of even one Nigerian. Chief Ben Obi, the President’s Special Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs, elaborated on the theme when he briefed the media on May 26, 2014: “While Nigeria’s Fourth Democratic Republic has witnessed unbroken political transitions and power successions from 1999 to the present date, there are still very powerful anti-democratic forces operating in the political system that are ever ready to exploit lapses in the management of the political and electoral processes to wage a bitter struggle against the democratic state. The Boko Haram terrorist insurgency is one such detestable force. Political parties play a key role in the evolution and consolidation of Nigeria’s democratic enterprise. Their acts and conducts, can either advance the cause and course of the democratic system or endanger it. “At the heart of inter-party conversation is the building of inter-party consensus through institutional and informal collaboration. If the collaboration between existing political parties is sufficiently reinforced, the national political climate will wear a positive outlook, social stability will be guaranteed, national security will be deepened and democratic consolidation will be effectuated. Indeed, it is better to jaw-jaw than to warwar. Both Colonel Sambo Dasuki and Chief Ben Obi whose Offices have put this summit together, deserve to be praised. They have chosen the right path for Nigeria. Let the politicians go ahead and reach a consensus on proper political conduct in the run-up to next year’s general elections. In that way, those prophets of doom who already predicted the disintegration of Nigeria will be put to shame.

Pensions Bill Law: Watchdogs become hound dogs Joseph Thompson

he popular aphorism for the media is that “they are the watchdogs of the society.” The morale of this saying being that they “guarddogs” with strong territorial instincts to protect the society and ensure that societal values are kept. The Nigerian media flourished in this regard in its crusading agitation, which led to Nigeria’s independence. Commenting on this, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, founder of the West African Pilot Newspaper and first indigenous president of Nigeria, in his reaction to the coup by the five majors, which ended the First Republic said: “Violence has never been an instrument used by us, as founding fathers of the Nigerian Republic, to solve political problems. In the British tradition, we talked the Colonial Office into accepting our challenges for the demerits and merits of our case for self-government. After six constitutional conferences in 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960, Great Britain conceded to us the right to assert our political independence as from October 1, 1960. None of the Nigerian political parties ever adopted violent means to gain our political freedom and we are happy to claim that not a drop of British or Nigerian blood was shed in the course of our national struggle for our place in the sun.” The vehicle, which drove Nigeria’s aspiration for independence, was the media. All the nationalists and founding fathers of our nation were involved in a crusading media campaign for Nigeria’s independence. They were the true watchdogs of our society. Again, when Nigeria was plunged into the darkest period of its history (excluding the Civil War) under the late General Sani Abacha dictatorship, the press again rose up as a veritable watchdog of society and battled the Abacha dictatorship admirably until God, in His infinite mercies, “numbered Abacha’s days” and took the man many described as “a thoroughly nasty piece of work” away. Here again the press proved to be true watchdogs.

Unfortunately, after 15 years of democracy, the media appears to be in its worst state of moral depravity. Its practitioners lack the scholarship, ability for intelligent analysis and the commitment to the truth, which were the hallmarks of their glorious ancestors. The media still behave like dogs though, but now more like a pack of rampaging hyenas in the wild ready to crush and crack everything on their path. Nothing betrayed the sordid state of the media in this respect than the case of the Governors and Deputy Governors’ Pensions Law in Akwa Ibom State. The part of the law, which came under the severest attack, was the amendment in the 16-year-old law, which put a cap of N100 million on what the state could spend on the treatment of a former governor and his wife and a cap of N50 million on what the state should spend on a former deputy governor and his wife in a year. The law clearly states that this money was not a pay-out and should only be paid to health institutions which treated the senior citizens. It was not categorised like an allowance nor was there any part in the law which stated that a former governor or deputy governor was entitled to be paid this money in part or in whole, if he were not ill. A call to the Akwa Ibom State Attorney General, Ekpenyong Ntekim, would have cleared the matter and enlightened any journalist who is thorough and profound in his practice. In some editorials, it was claimed that the law meant that every former governor would walk away every year with N100 million and every former deputy governor would walk away with N50 million every year – whether they were sick or not. This was in spite of explanations given by the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Sam Ikon, that this was more like a health insurance scheme and would not be paid out to these persons - but to health institutions if they were sick. But such facts did not fit in with the preconceived conspiracy theory of the biased and compromised media, and they conveniently

and shamelessly ignored it. The real loser, as Governor Akpabio has asked for amendment to be expunged from the law, is the Akwa Ibom tax payer. It was courageous and bold for Akpabio to take such an action. But sane analysts would have noticed that for him to do such a quick turnaround is indicative that he acted in good conscience and nothing to hide or protect. When the law was proposed initially, labour first indicated its readiness to embark on an industrial action. But when they were made to understand that because the law on the free health treatment of former governors and deputy governors had no ceiling, the state government was spending over N300 million on health refunds yearly, they backed down and accepted the justification for the law. Take the case of the late Prime Minister of Israel, Ariel Sharon. He was on life support for eight years before his death. If he were a former governor of Akwa Ibom State (God forbid!), that would have cost the state billions of Naira because there is no limit to how much of the tax payers money can be spent on medical treatment for former governors. Records show that sometimes, because of this open-ended law, some former governors hired air ambulances for their comfort and passed the bill to the Akwa Ibom State Government. Perhaps the most serious omission in this “media banditry” was that they failed to remember that man thinks in comparative terms. They should have compared the Akwa Ibom former Governors and former Deputy Governors’ Pension Law to what is obtained in other states of the federation. The only newspaper, which did a feeble attempt at this, was The Punch but it failed to mention Lagos because of their fear of Chief You-know-who. Lagos has the most outrageous such Pensions law for former Governors and Deputy Governors in the country. Unlike Akwa Ibom, which has a provision for one house for a former Governor in Abuja or Uyo, in Lagos State, the law provides for two houses for each former governor in both

Lagos and Abuja. In Lagos State, the law provides for six brand new cars for the each former governor every three years. In Rivers State, the same law provides for three brand new cars every four years for each former governor. In Akwa Ibom, the law provides for only one brand new car every four years for a former governor. In Lagos and Rivers states, this law provides for free medical treatment for all former governors and deputy governors and members of their immediate families, whereas in Akwa Ibom, it only provides for the former governor and deputy governor and their spouses with a ceiling of N100 million and N50 million respectively. Additionally, in Lagos, the law provides for two SSS operatives, one female officer, eight policemen (four for house and four for personal security) for each former governor. In Akwa Ibom State, the law only provides for adequate security for the former governor. In Borno State, the same law provides for an annual vacation in any country of his choice for a former governor and his immediate family. Which simply means that if a governor is a polygamist with about 30 children, the State Government would pick up their bills, a provision that is absent in the amended Akwa Ibom Law. You cannot absolve the press of ignorance without convicting them of irresponsibility. That Governor Akpabio has decided to ask for these sections to be expunged from the amended law and revert to the open-ended nature because of the rascality and pressure of the press signals the death of commonsense – not the victory of the press. A press that would support that taxpayers pick up limitless health bills of former governors, who reigned for just eight years or less, shows that the watchdogs have become hound dogs. The losers here are the Akwa Ibom taxpayers and posterity. No thanks to the press. • Thompson is an Uyo-based commentator on public issues and an educationist with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education.

LAW THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014

pparently miffed by the release of guidelines and time-table by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Election Committee for the July 14 election lawyers under the aegis of the NBA, Lagos branch are angry. They feared that the election which may trigger up discord among members may not be transparent and credible if issues raised by them were not addressed by the Okey Wali led NBA. Lagos branch had in a unanimous decision, kicked against the guidelines as released by the Committee, describing it as laced with fraught with many irregularities that would imperil the wishes of the electorate especially the aspect which requires branches to submit bank tellers “as evidence of payment of annual practicing fee as at 1st April, 2014.” Instead, the branch which resolved at a meeting attended by about 300 members vowed that it would resist the unlawful guidelines, insisting that the guidelines was unnecessary as “full and detailed information of all lawyers and all branch members who have paid practicing fee as at 31st of March, 2014 is already in the custody of the NBA National Secretariat”. In a petition wired to the association’s President, Mr. Okey Wali, a Senior Advocate the branch accused the committee of a surreptitious move to truncate the election with the introduction of guidelines contrary to the 2009 Constitution of the NBA. It said: “The Lagos branch has articulated grave concerns about some stipulations in the guidelines which are unnecessarily burdensome and unconstitutional, and also about some aspects of the NBA election process which ought to be improved. “It is the expectation of the Lagos branch that the issues (outlined in the Branch Resolution) would be taken up and addressed at the NBA NEC meeting. As an important stakeholder, we urge you to objectively consider the concerns and press for their resolution. “On the 22nd of April, 2014, the “Guidelines and Time Table for 2014 NBA Elections” as issued by the Electoral Committee chaired by Mr. Okey Amaechi (SAN) and dated the 11th day of April, 2014 was published in the newspapers. A copy of the same Guidelines was also published on the NBA Website. “On Monday the 12th of May, 2014, our Monthly General Meeting held with over 300 members in attendance including Senior Advocates and at least six members of the NBA-NEC. The meeting, inter alia, considered and discussed the following stipulations in the ‘Guidelines’: “One additional delegate for every 100 members of a registered branch showing receipts or bank tellers as evidence of payment of annual practicing fees and other branch dues and levies as at 1st April, 2014 – which shall be forwarded to the Electoral Committee when branches are sending their Delegates’ lists. “All registered branches shall attach to their delegates’ lists receipts or Bank Tellers showing evidence of payment of annual practicing fees and other Branch dues and levies by their delegates as at 1st April, 2014, by the delegates as well as all such members of as qualified any branch for additional delegates under Article 7 (e) of the Constitution.” The stipulations mean that in order to be entitled to one additional delegate, a registered branch must submit bank tellers evidencing payment of annual practicing fees as at 1st April, 2014 and receipts evidencing payment of branch dues and levies as at 1st April, 2014 for 100

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2014 NBA election: Lawyers kick against guidelines

There appears a rift within the rank and file of lawyers ahead of the July 14 election of new officers to steer their affairs for another two years. Reason: Lawyers, under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch have picked holes in the Election Guidelines recently released by their umbrella body- the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Electoral Committee. Judiciary Editor, FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE reports

Nwadioke

The Lagos branch has articulated grave concerns about some stipulations in the guidelines which are unnecessarily burdensome and unconstitutional members. Thus, for the Lagos branch to be entitled to 40 additional delegates, the branch must submit bank tellers evidencing payment of annual practicing fees as at 1st April, 2014 and receipts evidencing payment of branch dues and levies as at 1st April, 2014 for 4000 members! “The meeting considered this requirement unnecessary and unconstitutional. “The current NBA Constitution (adopted at the Delegates Conference in Lagos on the 20th of August, 2009) makes it compulsory for every member of the NBA to belong to a branch. At the time of paying his/ her annual practicing fees, every lawyer must indicate on the bank teller the name of the branch of the NBA to which he or she belongs. “Under your leadership, an innovation was introduced with the allocation of branch Codes to all branches such that members would indicate their Branch Code on their practicing fee payment Bank Teller at the time of payment. With this innovation, the Banks and the NBA could immediately capture, track and apply all payments to relevant branches and thereby determine the number of paying members and total amount of annual practicing fees for each and every branch of the NBA. The requirement that branches submit photocopies of Bank Tellers evidencing payment of annual practising fees by their members as proof of their membership (and in order to support the branch’s claim to the 10% remittance) thus became obsolete and was discontinued. “In 2012, the Lagos branch had shipped

Walih (SAN), NBA President

Mouka, Lagos NBA Chairman

to the NBA Secretariat a box-load of photocopies of practising fee Bank Tellers (which was preceded by an Excel Spreadsheet/ Schedule giving details of names, year of call, amount of payment, date of payment and bank teller number – for all our members who paid practicing fees and submitted their tellers to the Branch Office). However, in 2013, the Lagos branch was not required to and did no such shipping of photocopies! “The radical effect of the innovation was demonstrated about two weeks ago when the NBA National Secretariat paid outstanding remittances for 2012 and 2013 by bank transfers to various branches. Lagos branch received the sum of N1,528,700 million as remittance for 2012 and a whopping N6,456,500 as remittance for 2013! “In reality, many members of the Lagos branch pay their annual practicing fees into one of the two designated banks and do not bother to submit photocopies of their bank tellers to the Branch Office. Thus, the branch has always been short-changed in its remittance because of the unnecessary requirement of having to send photocopies of tellers submitted by its members. This applies to virtually every branch of the NBA, and certainly to the large branches. “The prescribed period for payment of the 2014 annual practising fee (using the innovative Branch Code) ended on the 31st of March, 2014. Within a few days of close of payment, the NBA National Secretariat (and the NBA Treasurer) would have had the above information for the 2014 payment period. Thus, the NBA National Secretariat (and or National Treasurer) already have in their possession lists showing the actual number of members of each registered branch of the NBA who paid annual practising fee on or before the 31st of March, 2014. The branch, therefore, wonders why: a) The NBA National Secretariat cannot publish the list and number of lawyers who paid annual practising fees as at

31st March, 2014 in each of the registered branches of the NBA? b) The NBA National Secretariat cannot forward this list to the Electoral Committee – as the basis for determining the number of additional delegates which each registered branch is entitled to? “The NBA Election Committee for the 2014 election of National Officers of the Nigerian Bar Association hereby issues the following guidelines for aspiring candidates for the various offices based on the provisions Articles 7, 10, 11 and 12 of the Constitution of the Nigeria Bar Association 2009 (hereafter called “the Constitution”), and Articles 20, 21, 22, and 23 of the second schedule thereto.” Prominent among the attendees was an octogenarian member of the aggrieved branch, Pa Tunji Gomez, who moved a motion following a lengthy debate arising from the motion and resolved that the guidelines would not stand the test of time. Gomez’ motion was thumped-up by a former NBA General Secretary, Afro Fayokun as members unanimously rejected stipulations in the Election Guidelines, requiring branches to submit bank tellers “as evidence of payment of annual practicing fee as at 1st April, 2014.” The branch, in a resolution signed by its chairman, Alex Muoka and the Publicity Secretary, Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, described the contentious requirement as bizzare “as full and detailed information of all lawyers and all branch members who have paid practising fee as at 31st of March, 2014 is already in the custody of the NBA National Secretariat.” Accordingly, lawyers from the Lagos branch concluded that the guidelines which mandates every NBA registered branch to submit receipts as evidence of payment of branch dues and levies as at 1st April, 2014 was not only “unconstitutional” but a ploy to “disenfranchise branches and voters” even as it was not contained in the NBA Constitution 2009. Besides, the aggrieved lawyers took a CO NTINUED O N PAGE23

22 LAW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Supreme Court dismisses UNILORIN'S appeal over refusal to release student's result REPRIEVE

A ray of hope came the way of UNILORIN undergraduate as the apex court dismissed the institution's appeal, 16 years after she was rusticated

Joseph Onyekwere

Tunde Oyesina

he Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal brought by the University of Ilorin, challenging the lower court’s decision which faulted it for not releasing the result of one of its students, Rasheedat Adesina. Adesina was rusticated by the university and her result was withheld over her alleged involvement in a student protest which took place in June 1998. She, in the appeal was indicted by the institution for taking part in the student protest 16 years ago when there was a demonstration by the students which took place in the Senior Staff quarters located in the main campus of the university. Subsequent to the incident, the Senate of the university set up a committee to investigate the matter and submit a report and recommendations for consideration by it. However, in the report submitted by the committee, Adesina and other students were indicted and were immediately referred to the Students Disciplinary Committee (SDC). Although Adesina alongside other students were formally invited to appear before the Students Disciplinary Committee but she failed to do so and Tunde Oyesina

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay a roadside phone repairer, Simon Eke N5m for unlawful arrest and detention for four months without trial. The roadside phone repairer was apprehended by the police in October last year at Wuse, Abuja and was clamped into an illegal detention for upward of four months without trial. Delivering judgment in a case of breach of fundamental right instituted through his lawyer, Paul Chijioke Ashukeka, against the police, the

L-R: Dr. Benson Enikuomehin, Mrs. Bosede Enikuomehin and their son, Boluwatife Enikuomehin... at the innauguration of Dr. Benson Enikuomehin's Law firm in Akure, recently

instead instituted an action against the university claiming certain reliefs together with injunction restraining the university from commencing disciplinary proceedings against her. The court however granted an interim injunction. Dissatisfied, the defendants appealed against the order of injunction. During the pendency of the appeal, the President who doubled as the visitor to the university intervened which led to the setting up of the panel called "Resolution Committee on Politically Victimized and Rusticated Student ". Following the resolutions made by the committee, Adesina, who had been rusticated following her suspension from the university was recalled

after she had written to the university authorities and apologised over the role she played in the demonstration in addition to paying a fine of N1,000.00 for the damages caused during the demonstration. Despite her recall her results were never released, hence she had not been able to graduate since 2001. Following the development, Adesina again headed for court. The trial court in its consideration of the case on the merit, found in favour of Adesina. The defendant failed in its appeal to the Court of Appeal, Ilorin and sought leave to appeal to apex court in a motion dated 23rd day of April 2008. Three issues that were raised for consideration are; *Whether having re-

gard to the facts and circumstance of this case, the court below was wrong in holding that the trial court had jurisdiction to hear and determine the case. *Whether the appellant resiled from the agreement reached with its visitor when there was no evidence that the respondent was prevented from continuing her studentship. *Whether the court below was not wrong in holding that bias can be reasonably inferred from the intransigence of the appellant. Learned counsel for the respondent distilled two issues for determination from the two notices of appeal filed on 27/5/2008 and 5/6/2008. A five man panel of the court presided over by Justice Walter Onnoghen held that the issue was the

Court orders police to pay roadside phone repairer N5m for unlawful detention Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta described the police action as barbaric. Justice Auta was particularly pained that the police refused to defend the case against it in spite of being served with processes more than seven times. The Chief Judge held that all the letters by the police to the court, asking for frivolous adjournments without any excusable reason was an indication that the police had no defence to offer in

the suit. Justice Auta held that the plaintiff ’s fundamental right to freedom of movement was curtailed for as much as months contrary to the provisions of the law. The Judge held that while the law stipulates that a suspect must be informed of his offence, the police in the instant case did not only fail to inform the plaintiff his offence but also allowed him to languish in detention for four months. Justice Auta agreed

with the plaintiff ’s lawyer, Ashuikeka that police acted in bad faith with the arrest as his subsequent detention was in gross violation of his rights and the existing law. He therefore slammed an order of perpetual injunction against the Inspector General of Police, his agent or privies from further arresting or detaining the plaintiff. “I have taken a critical look into the proceedings in this case and discovered that this matter came up for hearing up to nine

Poly CSO to spend 33 years in jail for corruption Tunde Oyesina

Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has sentenced the Chief Security Officer of the

FRC appeals judgement challenging its power to regulate private firms

Delta state Polytechnic to 33 years imprisonment having been convicted of corrupt acts. The Independent Corrupt Practices and other

Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had prosecuted the convict. Delivering judgement, Justice Briki-Okolosi held that the prosecution

had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt on Counts 1,3,4,6 and 11 of the Charge while striking out counts 2 and 5 for duplicity. The court further held

release of the results and not the award of the degree adding that Adesina was entitled to know the outcome of her examinations. In the resolution of issue 1, it was held that the court below was not wrong in holding that the trial court had jurisdiction to hear and determine the case. On issues 2 and 3, it was held that there was no doubt that the respondent was allowed to return to the university as a student but the treatment meted out to the respondent after her return had left no one in doubt that the appellant was not happy that the respondent instituted an action in court and from the tone of 'Exhibit B', the fate that had befallen Adesina was a fall out from the action. times with police served with processes, yet, no appearance was made to defend the suit. “Rather than coming to court to defend the suit, the defendant resorted to writing the court asking for frivolous adjournments up to seven times. “I am of the view that there must be an end to every litigation and on this premise that I enter judgment in favour of the plaintiff since police have no defence to offer”. The plaintiff had dragged the inspector general of police before the court asking for the enforcements of his fundamental rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. that counts 8, 9 and 10 were not proven beyond reasonable doubt. However, the court sentenced the convict to 7 years imprisonment on each of counts 1, 3, 4 and 6 with an option of N20, 000 fine on each count.

he Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has appealed against the judgment of a Federal High Court which faulted its powers to regulate private Limited Companies in Nigeria at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division. A Federal High Court in Lagos had given judgement in favour of a private Limited Company- Eko Hotels Limited which sued the FRC over the powers of the Council to register it under the Act. The company also asked the court to rule on whether it was liable to pay statutory and renewable annual dues to the FRC for the years 2011 and 2012. Other issues which Eko Hotels asked the court to determine include: whether it was required to furnish the FRC with evidence of its statutory filing with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS);and whether the Council could punish it for failure to submit its annual returns and statements. It also asked the court to determine whether the Council's demand for its registration with it was lawful on the ground that the organization was not a public company or a public interest entity. It further asked the court to rule that FRC lacked the statutory powers to demand for annual returns and financial statements of a private limited company. In his ruling, Justice Okon Abang agreed with the plaintiff that the FRC did not have the powers to regulate private limited companies like Eko Hotel because it was not a Public Interest Entity. In a Notice of Appeal filed by the counsel to FRC, Bola Ajibola and Co. represented by Efemena Akpuduro, the Council faulted the judgment of the court saying that the Judge did not abreast himself with the provisions of the Financial Reporting Council Act in Section 77 which defines a public interest entity as any government organizations, quoted and unquoted companies and all other organiSations which are required by law to file returns with regulatory authorities and this excludes private companies that routinely file returns only with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

LAW 23

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

LPGARAN sues KAI, police, NUPENG for N5m over incessant raids HARRASSMENT Group seeks N5m damages over alleged infringement of fundamental rights against NUPENG, Police, others Joseph Onyekwere

he registered trustees of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Association (LPGARAN), its president Michael Umudu and three other members of the association, have slammed a N5 million fundamental rights enforcement suit against the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the parent body of Nigeria Domestic and Gas Retailers and Materials (NDGRAM), administrator of Kick against Indiscipline (KAI) and five others at the Federal High Court, Lagos. Other claimants are Emeka Okechukwu, Sunday Umeh and Abayomi Morooph while the rest of the respondents are Monday Nwatu, Chijioke Ogbuka, Attorney General of Lagos State, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Investigation in Alagbon and the investigating Police officer, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon. The claimants in the suit No FHC/L/CS/888/14 brought under order 2, rule 1 of the fundamental rights enforcement procedure rules, 2009 seek seven reliefs from the court. They want a declaration that the illegal seizure of Gas Cylinders of the mem-

bers of the first applicant by the first to fourth respondents in their illegal quest to force the members of the first applicant to join their own association against their wishes is unconstitutional, illegal, wrongful, null and void and constitutes gross and violent violation of their fundamental right to freedom of association as enshrined in section 40 of the 1999 constitution. “A declaration that the arrest and detention of the 2nd to 4th applicants by the 6th and 7th respondents (Deputy commissioner of Police and Investigating Police officers in Alagbon respectively) on the pretext of investigating spurious and trumped up allegation of threat to life of the 2nd respondent by the 2nd to 4th applicants is unconstitutional, illegal, wrongful and constitutes gross and violent violation of the applicants fundamental right to liberty enshrined in section 36 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, they prayed. In addition, the applicants are asking the court to order the 2nd to 4th respondents to return with immediate effect and unconditionally, the 37 cylinders belong to them and which were illegally confiscated by the 1st to 4th respondents as well as a TECHNO Phantom 3 and ordinary TECHNO phone belonging to the 2nd and 5th applicants which the 4th respondent seized. The applicants are praying for a N5 million compensation for such gross violation, a perpetual injunction restraining the respondent or

their agents from further infringing and violating their rights as well as a public apology to be published in two national dailies. The application is supported by 89 paragraph affidavit deposed to by the president of LPGARAN, Umudu. In it, Umudu averred that in 2011 NDGRM executives were harassing and beating up their members in their effort to force them into their own association but some of them were arrested by Area G Police command, Ogba upon which they wrote an undertaking not to repeat same anymore. He swore that unfortunately, the first respondent began to connive with KAI in 2013 to intimidate his members. “In 2013, they started conniving with some KAI officials to extort, intimidate and force our members and other gas retailers to join their group. That the first incident that attracted our attention happened in the mid-December 2013 when KAI embarked on a selective raiding of LPGARAN members in Amuwo Odofin in the name of enforcing environmental laws. “That the NDGRM members were at the same time boasting that any gas retailer who refuses to join their group (NDGRM) stands the risk of being raided by KAI. That the LPGARAN executive reported the strange raiding to the leadership of KAI which denied knowledge of any connivance. The seized cylinders were later released after the payment of fine”, he averred.

L-R: Mr. Alex Kalejaiye, Tayo Adejumo and Mr. Steven Omogbemi...at the innauguration of Dr. Benson Enikuomehin's Law firm in Akure, recently

Court orders parties to maintain status quo in N100bn Badagry demolition suit Joseph Onyekwere

Community against the police, over demolition of their premises. Twenty-two plaintiffs had commenced the suit under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules on behalf of other residents of the Community. They are: Charles Adu, Joshua Medepo, Godwin Ogungbe, Oluseyi Adeleye, Alao Alapanla, Johnson Adebiyi, Justice Ovemurai, Afolabi Olukoya, Ibrahim Adedeji, Kolawole Adewumi, Edun Talabi, Joseph Onwueka and Joseph Ibukun. Others are: Adebayo Oke, Olanipekun Ayan-

leye, Sylvester Enebeli, Shittu Abdullahi, Afolabi Kehinde, Ahmeed Alade, Iwueze Emmanuel, Oladimeji Oluwaseun, and Martha Adeogun. Sued are: Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Area Commander, Area K police command, Ministry of police affairs, and Lagos Task Force on Environment and Special Offences Unit. Other respondents are; Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State Lands Bureau, Attorney General of Lagos State and Attorney General of the Federation. The plaintiffs are claiming the sum of N100 billion against the respondents, for alleged wrongful demolition of their houses. Moving his application, lawyer representing the Fourth to Seventh respondents, Mr. Samuel Ajanaku, had informed the court of a motion for preliminary objection challenging the court's jurisdiction.

before the date of the election.” However, in a scarcely veiled vote-of-no-confidence on the Electoral Committee with a view to ensuring that the wishes of the electorate were not truncated, the branch insisted that “independent auditors be engaged to conduct the elections.” It also demanded the “immediate implementation” of the report of the Prince Lanke Odogiyan Election Review Committee which had been adopted by the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC). Odogiyan was the chairman of the Electoral Committee that conducted the highly controversial 2012 NBA elections. Already the 2014 Electoral Committee led by Mr. Okey Amaechi, SAN,

had directed that “all registered branches shall attach to their delegates’ lists, receipts or bank tellers showing evidence of payment of annual practicing fees and other branch dues and levies by their delegates as at 1st April, 2014, by the delegates as well as all such members of as qualified (sic) any branch for additional delegates under Article 7 (e) of the Constitution.” The guidelines also banned pasting of posters, billboards, hand bills “or any form of campaign materials whatsoever” as well as campaign tours and visits by candidates and their agents. This, scores of lawyers had faulted the guidelines, describing it as containing too many “decrees.”

High Court in Badagry has issued an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the police, its privies agents, and all defendants in a land suit, from engaging in further activities on the Atinporomeh Community land in Badagry Lagos. Justice Yetunde Adesanya issued the order following an application brought by Mr. Sunday Onuya, on behalf of the claimants, (members of the community), seeking an order for maintenance of status quo, until the substantive suit is determined. The judge ordered maintenance of status quo, and ordered accelerated hearing of the suit. She adjourned the case to July 10 for mention. The judge also reserved ruling in an objection filed by the police, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit. The preliminary objection was filed pursuant to a fundamental rights suit by the residents of the

Fashola

NAPTIP seeks conviction of middle-aged Lawyers kick against election guidelines man for impregnating own daughter CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

Joseph Onyekwere

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has said it would on September 25 an alleged case of incest filed by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) against a 50-year-old man, Yesiri Onajobi. Onajobi allegedly impregnated his 14-year-old daughter, said the agency. NAPTIP had on March 28, 2011, arraigned Onajobi over the alleged offence. The Prosecuting Counsel, Selbol Langyi said Onajobi seduced his daughter and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was thereafter remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons in Lagos. But the defence challenged the competence of NAPTIP in prosecuting Onajobi for allegedly impregnating his 14-year-old daughter. The Defence Counsel, Mr. Austine Akpormeta argued that the prosecutor, NAPTIP, did not obtain the fiat of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) before prosecuting the case. He also argued that the prosecutor had no authority to sign a charge on behalf of the AGF. The trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke had on March 13,

dismissed an application challenging the competence and jurisdiction of the court to determine the case. Aneke, had held that NAPTIP was an agency established by an Act of the National Assembly. He said that NAPTIP was therefore, directly under the office of the AGF and could prosecute using the name of the AGF without necessarily obtaining a fiat from the AGF. Aneke said the laws relied upon by NAPTIP on the charge of incest brought against the accused proved that an offence was actually committed which showed that NAPTIP had power to prosecute.

swipe at the emergence of some new branches during the election period, warning that “no branch inaugurated in 2014 shall be allowed to send delegates to vote at the 2014 NBA Elections.” Apparently worried that the opaque nature of the guidelines concerning the publication of the Delegates’ Register touches on the integrity of the electoral process and would jeopardize credible elections, the branch resolved that not only should evidence of payment of practicing fee be published and made available to branches and the Electoral Committee, “the entire list of qualified voters (should) be published by the Electoral Committee no later than one week

24 JURIST

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Why law practice is a race of life, by Akinlaja

He is the immediate past Justice Commissioner and AttorneyGeneral of Ekiti State. Dayo Akinlaja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, speaks on his foray into the noble profession, pupilage, experience, challenges and why his Law firm has remained unique in the Sunshine state. BABATOPE OKEOWO met him.

Akinlaja, SAN

“I

happened to have known right from a very tender age that I was created by God to be a lawyer. When I was younger, in my primary school days while staying with my maternal grandmother, I followed her to her church where I was first told I would be a lawyer and that they could see I was in the midst of judges”. With these words, Dayo Akinlaja told New Telegraph that he did find his way into the legal profession by happenstance as it was nothing but a ‘dream come true’. To him , his coming into the legal profession had been foretold long before he was born as while growing up, the aura of a legal practitioner became noticeable everywhere he went. This prophesy-like dictum, Akinlaja said propelled him to take the bull by the horn and pursued his ambition with the seal of a fighter until it became a reality. “By reason of that, I instantly picked interest in law. So, it was by divine revelation I got to know that I have come to the world to become a lawyer. Instantly it inspired the love of the profession in my mind at an innocent tender age”, he said. Akinlaja, who is now into private practice, was the Justice Commissioner and Attorney-General of Ekiti State between2010 and 2013. Besides, the former Ekiti AttorneyGeneral is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and fellow of the chartered Institute of Administrators of Nigeria. He said of how his journey into the profession began this way: “Well, mine is an interesting and peculiar situation. I happened to have known right from a very tender age that I was created by God to be a Lawyer. When I was young during my primary school days while staying with my maternal grandmother I followed her to her church where I was first told I would be a lawyer and that they could see I was in the midst of judges. By reason of that, I instantly picked interest in law. So, it was by divine revelation that I got to know that I have come to the world to become a lawyer, instantly it inspired the love of the profession in my mind at an innocent tender age. Beyond that, I also attended a primary school where a notable

lawyer put up a magnificent building by the standard of that time which further enhanced and elevated my interest in becoming a lawyer. So, the accumulation of all these are responsible for my choice of profession. Although he was to study political science when he could not secure an admission into the university following his abysmal performance to meet up with the cut-off mark for that year, Akinlaja opted to spend another year at home while ensuring that he must read law or nothing. This eventually paid-off as he recorded one of the best results which qualified him to read the law-the course of his choice. Akinlaja said: “I would say it is a matter of human effort, due to the fact that I have always been in love with education and cerebral issues. I have great affection and interest in academics. So, throughout my primary and secondary education, I was well focused on my academic pursuit and the little I could in terms of human effort, I put into it and immediately I completed my secondary education. I had the option of going to the university to study Political science because my mark was not up to the cut-off mark for law that year, but because of my singular interest to study law I had to let that go and waited for another year before I eventually gained admission to study law. He recalled his younger days at the Bar and concluded that nature had been fair to him as he could not point out any embarrassing moments ever experienced in the course of practicing the profession. Akinlaja said: “In all honesty, I am being plain and absolutely sincere about it, I have never had any embarrassing moment all through my years as a legal practitioner. One thing I have noticed about my life is that God has given me the grace to be loved, tremendous measure of goodwill in all situations that I have found myself in life and as a legal practitioner. Absolutely I am being honest, there is no time I can say it is my embarrassing moment from the very first day as a lawyer as God has made it so much that people have always loved me; they have showered love, encouragement, the affection that I see in

people is so much. When I was in Ilorin, Kwara state as a young practitioner I can simply say it was like they have never seen a young lawyer before because I enjoyed so much goodwill, affection and love in and out of court. On his pupilage, he said “I must thank God for giving me the grace to have started on a very sound footing in my professional career. That was through my being in the law firm of Wole Olanipekun and Co. Akinlaja went on: “I have no pretention about the fact that I have the privilege and well treasured honour of having started from the most fantastic footing and the truth of it is that I would not have wished to have started my law career better than the way I did. I was posted to Ilorin, Kwara state and I found myself in the chambers of Wole Olanipekun and Co. and for a very brief period, he was with us in the chambers, eventually he became the AttorneyGeneral of Ondo state. “I was there when he left the Chambers under the Superintendent of Ronald Otaru (SAN) and we had a fantastic set of lawyers in the chambers, I had the opportunity of learning from seniors and God gave me the grace too and the enablement to devote my entirety to the profession. I succeeded in promoting the practice of law to the status of a social pastime, so, it was something I have given heavy passion that my being can muster. “From the very first day because of sheer passion and uncommon love for the profession, I read as if reading was going out of fashion, I read massively because I saw it as a race of life. I really dedicated myself and out of sheer love, affection, passion and total commitment to the profession of my choice, I prepared myself and studied hard for the practice of law and again I was lucky enough to have senior lawyers in the chambers, who were always ready to help. His love for law also propelled him to put an edifice which housed his chambers in Ondo state. The edifice which standsout, was sited in Akure, the Ondo state capital. Although he explained how he became disillusioned when he got to a firm for his first primary assignment, no thanks to a dilapidated structured which housed the firm. Akinlaja said he became elated when he got to Wole Olanipekun Chambers as he saw different but ‘classical’ law firm.

It is unimaginable to me that a lawyer will practice law in an environment that is not homely

He said: “As at the time that I joined the chambers of Wole Olanipekun, I had another place of primary assignment for my NYSC programme. It was another Law firm but on getting to that particular Law firm, what I saw was totally devastating to my psyche as a young man who had dreamt so much about becoming a lawyer; who had really prepared himself emotionally, psychologically and in all respect to be a lawyer. “My first impression about the chambers that I was initially posted to was particularly devastating and so discouraging. With that, I was emotionally shattered, but so good enough, Chief Wole Olanipekun(SAN) who happened to be my kinsman from Ikere-Ekiti, through whom I was interested in going to Kwara state, I had seen his own chambers which was well kept, salubrious environment, inviting and captivating in all ramifications. When I now juxtapose this experience with what I saw right from that first time of my encounter with law practice I will want to say the last impression within me was that if I must practice as a lawyer I must make a totality of the career. “To me, it is unimaginable to me that a lawyer will practice law in an environment that is not homely, but should be an inviting and impressive environment. I thank God I started where anything to make law practice salutary were in place. I imbibed the culture of working towards achieving the very best in the profession and in the practice of the profession. That is what has propelled me and again I want to emphasize the fact that I have a huge measure of love and passion for the practice of the profession. “I think it is natural and I feel if you are really in love with a profession and a vocation then, naturally and logically you would want to harness everything that would make you enjoy the practice of that profession or vocation. So, it’s a dream come true. I had never really wished for anything better than this. In fact, even before I had the wherewithal to put up this law firm, my previous office in Ilorin was a cynosure of all eyes too even it was not my own building and of course I opened an office in Ado-Ekiti also it was a magnificent improvement on what I had in Ilorin and you can now understand why this building was put in place. On the rivalry between the official and unofficial Bar, Akinlaja said: “My belief about life is that whatever is worth doing at all is unquestionably worth doing well. In a situation one is not able to devote ones totality and entirety to an endeavour or enterprise, I honestly believe that it is not worth going into such endeavour or enterprise. So, if somebody happens to be of the official Bar and the person is genuinely convinced that he has the time, energy, resources and everything that it will take to make the very best of the office of the

JURIST 25

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

AKINLAJA AT A GLANCE • He is an alumnus of UNIBEN • Holds an LL.M from OAU, Ile-Ife • He is a fellow of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators • He is a product of Wole Olanipekun & Co. • He is the Principal Partner Dayo Akinlaja & Co. • He is a former NBA financial secretary, Ilorin Branch, 1997 – 1999 • Ex-member NBANEC, 2002 – 2010 • Ex-member, Justice Sector Reform/Judiciary Committee (NBA national) 2006 – 2008 • Ex-member, Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee, 2008 – 2009 • He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria • Ex-Ekiti Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, 2010 2013

I must thank God for giving me the grace to have started on a very sound footing in my professional career. That was through my being in the law firm of Wole Olanipekun and Co NBA well I would say all well and good. My own take would be that if you must go into an office either at the bar or anywhere the foremost consideration is that do you have what it takes to offer what that office demands? “Someone can be from the official Bar and still be able to manage in such a way that he/she would be able to devote time and the needed energy to the demand of the office. Incidentally when I was the AG in Ekiti state, there was this gentleman who was before then an executive member of the Ado Ekiti, I supported him when he wanted to vie for the executive office basically because I have seen his dexterity, commitment, dedication and the amount of energy which he has devoted which to me interestingly enough did not jeopardize his performance in the office. So, I had to support him because I could see that he had what the office demanded. Even in my position as the AG I could easily have said that he is a member of the official Bar he should not let that prejudice his performance but I did not do that. Aside that I encouraged him, I still went ahead to support him because I had the supreme conviction that he is really a round peg in a round hole for the particular office so be it. I want to say that our paramount consideration should be: is this person, going by the antecedent in a suitable position does he have the credential to perform well in the office? Once all those things are in place I will approve of it. “But I will like to make this recognition that there is no way that you can compare someone that is a private legal practitioner with someone who is in a governmental establishment. The independent of their minds, I do not think it is comparable, all things been equal someone who is a private legal practitioner would be independent than the person working with the public service. We cannot rule that out and if we are talking about issues relating to the Bar you will discover that Bar is basically put in place to fight the cause of the oppressed in the society; to ensure that those that are in government play by the rules of the governance; that they do all those things that are demanded of them in the course of governance. What I am trying to say in essence is that the Bar must be truly independent, fearless, genuinely committed to the cause of advancement of, especially the downtrodden in the society and everybody. So, in a situation where you have somebody who is working for government, there are chances that the needed pre-requisite independent, unbiased mind and the motivation to want to go the whole hog of fighting a cause may not be there which is natural. It is like the saying that, “he who pays the piper, dictates the tune”, so it is a question of pulling the cord and before you can say Jack Robinson the person maybe singing an entirely different tune. So, to allow for a situation where there would be no impediment and no string attached, I would want to subscribe to the view that it is only fair and proper that those who are really in the position to call a spade a spade for those who are in government to really go a lot of fighting the cause of the oppress, the down trodden of the society. Also, Akinlaja dismissed insinuations that those in the official Bar cannot become Senior Advocates. This he said was incorrect. He said: “That is not correct, they are

Akinlaja, SAN

eligible, it is not restricted to those who are in the private Bar and there are examples, I can recall the present Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of Lagos state. I am aware at the time I became a SAN there was a fellow from the North who was a Director of Public Prosecution. All that is required is for one to have distinguished oneself either in the public or private Bar. On the abolition of the coveted SANship title, Akinlaja said “well, it will be stating the very obvious to say I do not share that view that the rank should be scrapped and for obvious reasons. You will recall that I said from my very first encounter with the practice of the profession, I realized the need for professional distinction, a culture of professionalization of the profession. That, I mean the situation where I have seen somebody that has just come out of the law school and saw a law firm beautiful, pleasing, captivating by all standard. In terms of the arrangement of the office, huge stock of both law related and non-law related books, of course it was a situation whereby I was practically lifted off my feet all in the space of a very short time there after I saw something that was directly opposite of what I had seen earlier so I realized from the very beginning of my existence as a lawyer that there must be parameter; there must be a needed quality for someone that would really want to read law. It was a tail of two situations-one was extremely magnificent the other was absolutely to the contrary. “The most devastating experience for me psychologically. It never occurred to me that an office of a lawyer could be any-

The process of appointment of judges is very crucial and critical to the attainment of the judiciary of our desire

thing but fantastic and worthwhile. So, what I am laboring to say here is that, if there is nothing to be aspired to in the profession nothing would ginger, stimulate or galvanized them to want to distinguish themselves. Naturally for someone who is well focused about life, somebody who is really determined, in complete and total control of his mental element would want to say this is why I want to follow the path of this person who is an epitome of success and distinction in the profession, rather than somebody who is the complete opposite. “In a situation I had the privilege of seeing the very best and the very worst about law chambers; within me naturally I opted for the best and all this while I have been thriving by the grace of God to attain the very best in the profession. So, what it translate to in my mind is that if there is nothing really to stimulate and encourage people, it is like if there is no trophy to work for; chances are that so many people would be interested so I believe that it is totally important and absolutely imperative that there must be something at every point in time that one must be looking and aspiring to attain in one’s profession or vocation. This is what this issue of SANship is all about, those people who would have thought otherwise wanted to do well in the profession by the reason of the fact that this thing is there and what is good is good and what is beautiful is beautiful. He,however ruled described proponents of SANship abolition as not to do well lawyers. On corruption in the judiciary, Akinlaja said “I would say most sincerely that we have a judiciary that is very well and okay on a general global note. I will say that we have a judiciary that has really stood the test of time. We have a judiciary that should be commended for its exploits over the years. “Again, I think as I did mention, it will be somewhat illusionary and deluding to say there is no spec of corrupt judges. The mere fact that there have been some judges who have been disciplined on account of corruption is a sufficient indication that over the years we can never lay

claims on having had a judiciary that is absolutely free of corruption. But my take on it is that, all said and done we have a judiciary that is meaningfully commendable. On judges’ appointment, he said “what I would want to say in that regard is that the process of appointment of judges is very crucial and critical to the attainment of the judiciary of our desire. Without doubt, if the process is faulty it cannot produce anything that is otherwise. If the process of appointment is dripping with corruption or untoward influence, of course you cannot get the judiciary that we all want to applaud as a worthy judiciary. So, without doubt I am of the absolute conviction of the fact that we need to get it right and proper in the area of the appointment of judges. “I should be sincere enough to say that if I am not privy to the process of appointment it would be pretty difficult for me to say that it was something else that informed such appointment. The only thing I can say is that when I was the AG and Commissioner for Justice in Ekiti state, by the grace of God and the support of other members of the Judicial Service Commission, we were able to get people that would be able to stand the litmus test of competence and eligibility anywhere in the world. “So, I knew the importance of getting the very best for the office of a Judge because without getting the very best it is like asking for the impossible. If you don’t put somebody who is well suited in a particular office it is sheer delusion to expect that all the best will come out of it at the end of the day. So, by the reason of my personal conviction when I was in the office of the AG, I had to fence off a huge load of pressure from diverse quarters of people wanting their people appointed but by the grace of God we went for the very best among all of them. In terms of competence, integrity, strength of character so that was it. “For me, I believe that it is absolutely important that the process of appointment must be perfect within the spectrum of humanity. If it is otherwise, if there are instances of people getting appointed by virtue of political influence, of course we cannot get it right. In time past the appointment to the office of a judge was almost invariably by invitation. People especially from the rank of private practitioners, people who would have seen the needed quality and credentials in the particular lawyer, the lawyer would be approached by the Chief Judge on account of integrity, industry, intelligence and responsibility of the person in all ramifications, the person would be invited. Although in theory it is still supposed to be so because I am aware now that in theory if someone is appointed as a judge it takes some process, asking for recommendation from judges etc as far as it goes.

26 LAW | INTERVIEW How can Nigeria benefit from Arbitration as a Nation? Nigeria has made some progress in recent years in ADR, part of which is arbitration. However, with recent marked growth in foreign direct investment, I think that protection and sustenance of foreign investment is fundamental to Nigeria’s growth. Also, Nigeria’s quest for strategic partnership with other states is significantly dependent on her future stability, predictability, and protection of foreign investment. Arbitration is the preferred dispute adjudication method in protecting foreign investment and treaty obligations and, Nigeria stands to meaningfully benefit if the investment climate is conducive and receptive to investors. These investors are critically needed for their expertise, capital, and industrial revolution, which are all critical to Nigeria’s development. There is no doubt that arbitration is faster in dispute resolution, but how can the cost be kept under control? The issue of cost is a very important factor not only in arbitration but also litigation. Indeed, some people argue that arbitration is more expansive than litigation. My view is that such answer is not as simplistic as others may have you believe. The issue of cost is relative and an objective test would indicate that parties have different needs/ and/or desires when a dispute arises. For some, what is important cannot be quantifiable in pecuniary or monetary estimation. Confidentiality of the arbitral process is very important to many parties; which is often priceless. For others, time and speed is of the essence. Having said that, you see that cost is more than just costs in the arbitration itself, it goes beyond legal fees and expenses of the arbitral tribunal. Now turning to your question on costs, by which I suspect you mean costs in the arbitral reference, costs generally depend on type of arbitration; whether it is institutional or ad hoc arbitration. For example in ICC arbitrations, cost is based on percentage of, and amount in dispute; LCIA and LMAA are time based respectively. Cost can generally be controlled by having: Documents only arbitration - Counsel can be avoided or done in-house through use of solicitors; seeking cost limitation under section 65 of the English Arbitration Act 1996 as well as avoiding excessive and/or unnecessary witness evidence and unnecessary disclosure or fishing expedition. Last, but not least; parties can devise ways to take control to reduce cost under the English Arbitration Act, and tailor their arbitration to their circumstances. No tailor-jacketapproach. There are solutions to cost mitigation, as there are horses for causes. You talk about English arbitration Act, how popular is London Arbitration? The City of London is a legal centre, not just a financial and commercial one. Therefore, London is not only a global financial and commercial centre; it is a global legal centre too. Also, more than half of the world’s leading law firms have chosen London as their head-

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Kadiri: Arbitration will protect foreign investments Barrister Momoh Kadiri is a London-based internationally qualified arbitrator. He practices both in Nigeria and London. Kadiri, MCIArb; Arbitrator and an accredited mediator, is the Principal Solicitor, Mitchell Simmonds Solicitors, in London. In this encounter with JOSEPH ONYEKWERE, Kadiri compares arbitration in Nigeria and London; how to keep the cost under control, as well as the forth coming arbitration conference in Lagos and London.

Kadiri

quarters, which means the city has the highest concentration of judicial expertise anywhere in the world. Few of its cities in the context of arbitration, (seats) offer a combination of experienced lawyers, specialist business and financial professions and experts, within a short walk of one another. The co-existence of the legal and financial centres in the city of London is no coincidence. Therefore, London is a legal hub with a global appeal. Very recently, over 80 percent of parties to arbitration at the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) were of non-UK origin. London remains the preferred seat of arbitration, favoured by nearly a third of respondents in a recent International Arbitration survey in which 710 responses were received and 104 individuals interviewed. However, there is competition from New York, Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong, but London maintains its leading position. Why will parties choose to go to London Arbitration for issues arising from other jurisdictions? Arbitration is part of a whole

raft of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, parts of which is also mediation. There are many key reasons why London is a destination of choice for dispute resolution. Some which stand out to me are: First and foremost- the English legal system; built with rule of law at its foundation. The English common law attracts many parties to contracts because it is based on the principle of freedom of contract; it is there to give effect to intentions. The development and advancement in English commercial law make

Arbitration is the preferred dispute adjudication method in protecting foreign investment and treaty obligations and, Nigeria stands to meaningfully benefit if the investment climate is conducive and receptive to investors

it attractive for resolution of international commercial disputes. Second,the volume, variety, and quality of specialist expertise available in London. There is a tremendous pool of experienced arbitrators, consulting engineers, accountants, Quantity Surveyors, and others available in London. Third, the UK’s long standing experience in dealing with complex and multi jurisdictional disputed and international parties. Fourth, the English courts are very supportive of arbitration and do not seek to interfere, and will only intervene, when the need arises. Fifth, London offers speed and expediency; with a timely award produced, compared to other jurisdictions. Most foreign parties doing business in Nigeria would find London arbitration neutral and attractive in the light of the above stated benefits. Apart from all that you mentioned, what other thing in your views make London Arbitration interesting? Whereas the English Arbi-

tration Act 1996, allows appeals on points of law, it also allows parties to exclude appeals on points of law. English arbitral awards are readily enforceable by courts in the UK, so also, abroad, given their recognition under the New York Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards With the stiff competition coming from New York, Dubai and others, how do you see the future of London Arbitration? Clearly, it faces difficult competition. It is up to lawyers in London arbitration to adopt and ensure that we continue to offer competitiveness, cost effectiveness in comparison with others arbitration jurisdictions. For international parties desiring a system that offers credibility, varied and vast expertise, experience, speed, convenience of travel across varied time zones, London offers those, and more. In the light of the above, how can parties benefit from London arbitration? There are many benefits that parties in Nigeria can derive from arbitration in general, and London in particular based on the many advantages that English law affords to parties to contractual relationships as I highlighted earlier. Your firm is organizing some arbitration training conferences in Lagos and London. What are the details, speakers, and what are the benefits for participating? The arbitration conference in Lagos is on June 19, 2014 at 10 am to 2 pm at Four Points by Sheraton, Oniru, Victoria Island Extension. The theme is: A Practical Introduction to Oil & Gas, Construction, Trade and Maritime Disputes. Paul Bugden, author and co-author of leading ‘Goods in Transit’ by Sweet & Maxwell, and a longstanding fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and solicitor for over 30 years, with vast experience in international arbitration will be speaking. My humble self will also speaking. For the London conference, it holds on July 16 to 18, 2014 at the Hilton in Canary Wharf, London. It is our second conference titled: ‘International Arbitration Conference for West Africa’. The speakers expected include the Mr Mohammed Adoke, SAN, Honorable AttorneyGeneral. Confirmed speakers include Nicholas Chambers QC, Stephen Ruttle QC, Harry Matovu QC, all of Brick Court Chambers, London. Ms Mahnaz Malik, Arshard Ghaffar, both London- based commercial barristers. Mr Olumide Sofowora, SAN and Mr Wale Atake, from Nigeria, are also expected. The benefits for participants are enormous; we shall be taking a practical look at topical issues in international arbitration from a London, international and comparative basis respectively. A large contingent of the Nigerian judiciary is also expected at the event. Certificates of attendance and CLE points will be awarded at both events.

LAW | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Ajumogobia, Solanke, others seek speedy passage of PIB Joseph Onyekwere

he imperative of passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) re-echoed in Lagos last week as the former Petroleum Minister, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN) and the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs Folake Solanke insisted that it was time the bill sailed through. They spoke in Lagos at the presentation of

a book: Petroleum Law and Sustainable Development, written by Dr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) and Dr. Oscar Nliam. Both senior lawyers were unanimous in their call to the National Assembly to pass the bill. Ajumogobia, who wrote the book’s forward, said the bill, when passed into law, would help to achieve transparency and accountability in the petroleum sector. Solanke said the bill

Ajumogobia

Solanke

had been “everlastingly delayed,” and urged the National Assembly to quickly pass it into law. “We must all be challenged to continue to

agitate for the passage of that law. They (lawmakers) should not only focus on the 2015 election. We urge them to discharge their responsibility to

Nigerians and pass that law,” she said. Ajogwu said the Bill might have been delayed due to conflicting interests, which has led to the existence of different versions of it. According to him, the bill, when passed, should have a balance regarding the economy, enterprise and the environment to avoid civil strife, multiple law suits or other civil disturbances. “I want to advocate

Delta guber election: Court fines Ogboru's lawyer N8m over frivolous application Felix Ofou

he Supreme Court in Abuja has awarded N8m as costs against Dr. Dickson Osuala, lawyer to Chief Great Ogboru of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) on what it termed as an abuse of the process of the apex court, adding that there must be an end to litigation. To benefit from the N8m are Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) who are to get N2m each. The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision delivered by seven justices said the case instituted by Dr. Osuala on behalf of Ogboru amounted to an affront on the nation's judiciary as well as an abuse of the court process. The said N8m is awarded as cost against the person of Dr Dickson Osuala and is to be paid from his pocket to the respondents ", said the apex court in a landmark decision. Ogboru, through his lawyer, had unsuccessfully tried to get the Supreme Court to reopen his case challenging the election of Dr Uduaghan as Governor in the 2011 gubernatorial election in the state. It is the third time the DPP standard bearer will be making such a move. But the Supreme Court panel presided over by Justice Walter Onnoghen blamed Dr Osuala for his inability to advice his client rightly and embarking on a clear case of gross abuse of the court process. The N8m slammed on Dr. Osuala is for the said abuse and a deterrent to others who may attempt similar move in future. Justices of the apex court on the panel were Justice Walter Onnoghen, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Bode Rhodes Vivour, Sylvester Ngwuta, Mary Peter Odili, Olukayode Ariwoola and Clara Bata Ogunbiyi. Great Ogboru had dragged the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan before the Supreme Court, challenging the validity of the 2011 election victory. Sued also were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) . Osuala had informed the court that Section 285 (7) of the

1999 Constitution which was the basis upon which the appeal was earlier thrown out was "misapprehended" by the court when the appeal was dismissed last year, as there was no law like that when the appeal was dismissed. After the case was dismissed, Osuala surreptitiously brought an application to relist the matter, a matter which the apex court described as an affront. When the counsel's attention was drawn to the fact that the court had earlier dismissed the same appeal, he argued and insisted that the appeal must be heard. The presiding judge, Justice Walter Onnoghen, in his ruling held that the fact of the case revealed that this was the third time the lawyer was approaching the Supreme Court on the same case, adding that the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to hear the case again having earlier dismissed the same. "Applicant is advised to approach the high court since he raised the issue of the validity of Section 285 (7) of the 1999 Constitution. As far as the Supreme Court is concerned the subject has been laid to rest", he declared. A cost of N2million for each of the respondents was also awarded as cost payable by the lawyer. The justices further noted that Ogboru through his counsel wanted to resurrect a dead and buried horse, and warned that this would be the last time such a case should brought before the court. In a reaction at the end of the hearing, Dr Uduaghan through the Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay said the case and all such divisive battles were of God to deal with accordingly. He said Monday's ruling was a vindication that no man can fight God, hoping that Ogboru and his ilk would have learnt a lesson and allow the state to move forward. "Our case has always been in the hands of God. And like we say in Delta, God's Case has no appeal. That's what the Supreme Court has affirmed today and we hope Ogboru and his people would have learnt a lesson and realised that it is time to allow the state to move forward", he stated.

The said N8m is awarded as cost against the person of Dr Dickson Osuala and is to be paid from his pocket to the respondents The SSG added: "It is a clear signal that the justices of the Supreme Court has sent out. We want to reiterate our belief in the judiciary. We steadfastly followed this case from the beginning. It's about the fourth time we are coming here for this case. And the justices upheld the same decision. But today they went further and took the case as if it is theirs. Clearly it was an affront on the judiciary because it is the system that Ogboru and his team sought to attack. Not the Governor or the state government. And the verdict tells the whole story." But the Delta State Governor disclosed on Sunday June 1st 2014 that a total of 19 cases presided over by 77 judges/justices were instituted against him by his political opponents since May 29, 2007 when he assumed office. A battle that undoubtedly spanned seven good years. He made the disclosure at a special thanksgiving service to celebrate his recent victory at the Supreme Court in the suit instituted against him by Chief Great Ogboru. Though the event also marked the Governor 's third year in office for a second term, it was obvious that the Ogboru saga agitated his mind more. Dr. Uduaghan promised at the thanksgiving service, which held at the First Baptist Church, Warri to donate the N2 million costs awarded in his favour against counsel to Ogboru by the Supreme Court, to the church. He explained that the thanksgiving service was held to appreciate God who had given him victories in the several cases that were instituted against him by his political opponents since his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2007 governorship polls. "For us, this thanksgiving is

very important and critical. If you know our political history, since 2007 it has been a long struggle," the Governor said, adding, "we had 19 cases within the last seven years and a total of 77 judges were involved and I hear that is the highest recorded number of cases in Nigeria today against any politician." He noted: "In all of these, it is not by the power of our lawyers or the knowledge of anyone but by the grace of God," observing, "in this last case, the Supreme Court imposed a fine and warned the lawyer never to bring the case to the court again. "The case wasn't my case, it was God's case and I have told my lawyers to bring the two million naira fine in favour of me to this church because I dedicated the flag given to me as the PDP candidate for the election in this church". The Governor said that the next one year would be very critical "but, God has been faithful, God is our King, our Lord and whenever you believe in God, you will have the type of results that I got." The Governor's wife, Mrs. Roli Uduaghan at the occasion however called for prayers for him to finish strong and for a God-fearing person to succeed her husband who will consolidate and improve on the gains of the current administration. In a sermon, the Bishop of Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Most Revd. Justus Mogekwu had explained, "in giving praise and thanksgiving we recognize God's virtue and in recognising God's virtue, we encourage Him to do more for us." He noted that the victory against Chief Great Ogboru at the Supreme Court was a victory for Delta State as it could have meant starting afresh and rendering a lot of persons jobless, adding, it would have amounted to someone who works for the interest of the people giving way for someone who will put selfish interest first above other considerations. The Bishop called on Christians to always put their faith in God rather than man and also pray positively for their enemies since vengeance belongs to God. Prayers were later offered at the service for President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and family, Nigeria and Delta State in particular.

that even in the PIB, that balance must be maintained. The final document that comes out as an Act of National Assembly must have that balance and that is my position as a Nigerian, an interested party and a stakeholder. “The bill is not just a piece of publication but a thing that would regulate a problem living with us. The sooner it comes out, the better. The sooner it is done, the better,” Ajogwu said.

YOUNG LAWYER'S FORUM For young lawyers, especially ‘new wigs,’ appearing before a judge for the first time can be daunting. A shaky voice; clenched fists; pounding heart; dry mouth – these are some signs of the anxiety that can throw a new lawyer off-balance, and possibly lead to awkward or embarrassing moments in court.

My embarrassing moment - Miss Merriment Odion

y embarrassing moment was in 2011. I went to a Chief Magistrate’s Court for the adoption of our final written address. Meanwhile, a junior lawyer was sent the previous day to file the written address. She went to the court and paid the filing fee in the bank and attached the teller to the process without changing it to court receipt. When I got to court, I did not look at the teller because I assumed everything was in order. The court clerk later called the case and I announced my appearance and even told the court that I was ready to adopt the final written address subject to the convenience of the court. It was at that point that the prosecution counsel objected and drew the attention of the court to the fact that I have only paid but the process was not filed before the court as bank teller was attached and not the court stamp adding that no process was served on him. It was then that the court noticed that the process was not even in the court file. The Chief Magistrate then asked me what the matter was, I shamefully told him that it was an error caused by my junior. The Chief Magistrate sternly warned that he would not accept such negligence from me the next time, since I have been the one handling the matter from inception. I really felt embarrassed that even till date, I feel ashamed to appear before the court.

Odion

28 LAW | FILE

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

The Bar in defence of Nigeria’s democracy

Bar, Bench, associates, friends, bid ex-DG law school, Jegede final goodbye

Funke Adekoya

he Bar association is the sentinel of democracy especially in nascent democracies such as Nigeria’s. Lawyers and the Bar association must be at the forefront of efforts at democratic consolidation. As Okechukwu Oko observes, there is no greater challenge facing the legal profession leadership of democratic societies, adding that “His skill in solving disputes among people can be turned to the solution of disputes among groups.” It was Robert Dahl who said that achieving stable democracy isn't just fair-weather sailing; “it also means sailing sometimes in foul and dangerous weather." In Africa, democracy has proven to be a treacherous slope, a minefield of sorts, to be approached with the greatest caution. The reasons are rooted in the antecedents of democratic experiment. That it took the sweat, blood and tears of many patriots to reclaim the political space from military adventurists is a testament to our ungainly democratic experience. As we roll out the drums to celebrate “Democracy Day,” it is imperative that we pause to reflect on the quality of our democratic experiment and the role of lawyers and the Nigerian Bar in fostering democracy. A pointer to the fact that it is not yet uhuru was graphically depicted by renowned political commentator, Larry diamond when he argues that Nigeria occupies ‘an ambiguous or disputed space between democracy and overt authoritarianism. They have a multiparty electoral system, with significant opposition. They have some space for civil society and intellectual dissent. However, individual and associational freedoms are under such mounting pressure, or elections are so riddled with fraud, or the arenas of political opposition and competition are so constrained and intimidated by the domineering power of the incumbent, that it is difficult to call the systems democratic, even in the minimal sense.’ This sobering verdict is consistent with scenarios in fragile democracies and developing countries. Instructively, lawyers are compelled to practice within this milieu. As Okechukwu Oko succinctly puts it, while lawyers in advanced democracies generally practice within politically stable and economically viable societies with fairly well developed legal systems, their counterparts in developing countries “work in a difficult and increasingly unstable environment surfeited by political instability, depressed economies, ethnic and religious tensions, inefficient legal systems, corrupt judiciaries that have been unable to insulate themselves from partisan and ethnic pressures, and by a cynical, even distrustful civil society highly ambivalent about involving lawyers in its affairs.” It has also been said that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. This throws up the critical role of lawyers and the Bar association in consolidating democracy in a developing country like Nigeria. Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) underscored this primal role when he said: “In an oppressed society like Nigeria, it is the duty of lawyers to defend the defenceless, protect the rights of the people, guide against all forms of oppression and inhuman treatment. The lawyer as an individual or body of lawyers in any nation must live up to his or its responsibilities as a dogged fighter of the oppressed, as a beacon of light that will penetrate the darkness of the environ-

Adoke, SAN

Jegede's widow, Margret

Falae

Belgore, former CJN

Adekoya, SAN

It is in the enlightened self-interest of lawyers in particular to ensure that democracy thrives ment, as a courageous voice of the hopeless and heartless and, perhaps, the sane and lonely voice that will bring powers and principalities to the path of rectitude whenever they go wrong.” Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) validated this point when he said at his inauguration as NBA President that "our profession constitutes the most important vessel in the sustenance of our present democratic experiment, nay in the enthronement of democratic cultures in our land. If Nigeria is to stand tall in the comity of nations or if she is to express a respected opinion within the civilised countries of the world, our democracy must be anchored on the rule of law. In this wise, the legal profession must live by examples, purify itself, get rid of the bad eggs within it and use its vintage and vantage position to instill order and restore discipline in our national life.” It is in the enlightened self-interest of lawyers in particular to ensure that democracy thrives. It is only in such a stable environment underpinned by law and order that lawyers can practice their trade without let or hindrance. It has been said that lawyers reach their fullest potential when the society’s legal and institutional framework is allowed to blossom. As Okechukwu Oko has rightly observed, lawyers cannot thrive as effective agents for democratic reform when they live and practice in a cultural milieu dominated by violence and anomie. Accordingly, it is perhaps a natural expectation by other stakeholders that lawyers will be at the forefront of efforts to defend democracy and the rule of law. Indeed, it is this expectation that has earned the legal profession and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) several sobriquets, including the “bulwark of our nascent democracy,” “voice of the voiceless,” “defender of rights and protector of liberties,” and “conscience of the nation.” TO B E CO N T I N U E D

Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

n avalanche of encomium trailed a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Chief John Kayode Jegede, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria as the Bar, Bench, friends, associates and family members bid him a final goodbye at a valedictory session held in Abuja in his honour by the Council of Legal Education. Jegede passed away last month after a brief illness. Leading the pack were a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Modibbo Belgore, A former Secretary to the government of Nigeria, Chief Olu Falae, the Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohamme Bello Adoke (SAN), the Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Chief O.C.J Okocha (SAN), the Director – General of the Nigerian Law School, Olanrewaju Onadeko , a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Odili and a Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja. All paid glowing tributes to the deceased former Director-General. In his speech, the nation’s Justice Minister, Adoke tasked lawyers to emulate the late Jegede, whom he described as a rare breed. According to Adoke the Federal Government would forever remember the astuteness of Chief Jegede and his doggedness especially during the Law School’s transition from a one campus

in Lagos to a multi various campus, saying that the nation would for ever remain indebted to him. To the Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Chief O.C.J Okocha, the life of Jegede was worth celebrating considering his great achievement in the legal education and legal practice as he would forever be remembered in the history of Legal Education in Nigeria. He however consoled the family of the deceased and prayed God to grant him eternal rest. The Director-General of the Law School, Olanrewaju Onadeko in his own speech paid glowing tribute to the late Jegede, describing him as an administrator per excellence. Speaking on behalf of the students taught by late Jegede, a Judge of an Abuja High Court, Justice A. Adeniyi relished the knowledge being impacted on them by the late law teacher. He added that the late Jegede was a disciplinarian who will never spare even his own children when they erred. Adeniyi said: "I had the opportunity to stay with JK when I gained admission into the Nigerian Law School in 1987. Because of the accommodation problem, my mother being a school mate of Pa Jegede at Oyemekun Grammar School in Ondo state called him and he gave me a room in his official quarters then. "On one occasion, I came in to the Law dinner late, and J.K standing at the entrance sent

me back but graciously allowed me to join the second batch, the next day". In his own speech, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice S.M.A Belgore described the late Jegede as a hard working man who always did his work with finesse. Belgore who shared how Jegede supervised the movement of the law school from Lagos to Abuja, described him as dogged and prudent administrator who left no stone unturned in carrying out his work. A former Secretary to the government of Nigeria, Falae described Jegede as a simple man who was always committed to whatsoever he was set to do. Chief Falae added that he became Jegede’s acquaintance in 1944 and that their wives were friends since their primary school days, an instance which he said made their families to become so close till date. Speaking on behalf of all the past Directors-General of the School, Dr. Tahir Mamman described the late Jegede as a true father who had concern for all the students, teachers and parents of the Law School. He asked God to uphold the family of the late Jegede. Earlier, the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Kubwa, where Jegede was the Chancellor until his death, Rt. Rev Duke Akamisoko had extolled the virtues of the late Jegede as a devout christian whose advise were always precise and direct to points.

BUSINESS THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS Lagos, Dubai witness rise in house prices Costs of completed houses have continued to increase both in Lagos, Nigeria and Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, fuelling fears of inflation as a backlash.

}p-30

Tingo Mobile acquires N4bn stake in MTI Nigerian mobile-phone manufacturer, Tingo Mobile, has agreed to buy a majority stake in Mass Telecom Innovation Nigeria, (MTI), Plc for about N4 billion in a move to develop rural broadband services in the country.

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Global tech firms target Africa About 10 years ago, a night-time satellite image of the entire world showed Africa as the region that was darkest. Aside South Africa and few parts of the Niger-Delta, virtually the rest of the continent was captured as one dark land mass.

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African PC market set for growth International Data Corporation (IDC), says that the personal company market in the Middle East and Africa market (including Turkey) is expected to end a dismal run of seven consecutive quarters of year-on-year declines in the second quarter of 2014 by posting long-awaited growth of 3.2per cent.

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BUSINESS CREW AYODELE AMINU, Deputy Editor (Business) SIMEON OGOEGBULEM, Dep. Business Editor SUNDAY OJEME, Asst. Editor (Insurance) GODSON IKORO , Asst. Editor (Money Market) JONAH IBOMA, ICT Editor DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor

ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter JOHNSON ADEBAYO, Asst. Production Editor

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

HOW TO INVEST IN INFANT DIAPERS MANUFACTURING }p-34

AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

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

CRISES The atmosphere of insecurity and uncertainty in the country is slowing down investors’ interests Sunday Ojeme

ix countries including Nigeria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Syria have been listed as coming tops among countries with conflict severity index by renowned risk rating agency, Maplecroft. Maplecroft’s Conflict Severity Index reports that 11 per cent of countries have seen a significant decrease in conflict compared with the last update of the index in October 2013, while 24 per cent of countries experienced a measurable increase in the number of conflict related fatalities. The Conflict Severity Index assesses the level of conflict in a country. It includes manifest or non-violent conflict at the lowrisk end of the scale, to political violence, crisis and war at the extreme-risk end of the scale. To this end, the index considers data on conflict-related deaths and casualties (including civilian deaths), levels of societal violence and political differences. According to the rating agency, “Central African Republic is

FORWARD LOOKING Dangote Group selfgenerates 264 MW and consumes 9, 000, 000 cf of gas monthly Adeola Yusuf

xperts in Nigeria’s gas industry have called on the Federal Government to review the gas price template. The professionals made this call at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Business

DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

NEW TELEGRAPH

Doing business: Nigeria, Iraq, lead in lethal conflicts

BAYO AKOMOLAFE, Asst. Editor (Maritime) SIAKA MOMOH, Asst. Editor (Industry/Agric)

L-R: Secretary General, Association of Corporate and Marketing Communications Professionals in Financial Institutions (ACAMB), Mr. Ogechukwu Udeagha; Chairman, Pielle Consulting Group, United Kingdom, Mr. Peter Walker; President, ACAMB, Mrs. Lola Odedina and immediate past president, Mr. Tunde Shofowora, during the association’s inaugural summit in Lagos.

joined at the top of the rankings by Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Syria (all 1st), reflecting high levels of lethal conflict across these geographies.” The agency had also given Nigeria an ‘extreme’ risk rating about a months ago, saying the country received an ‘extreme risk’ in its conflict and political violence index (CPVI) for the fifth year running due to persistent insecurity, including increasing risks of kidnapping

and piracy. Maplecroft is the world’s leading global risk analytics, research and strategic forecasting company. It offers an unparalleled portfolio of risk indices, interactive maps, expert country risk analysis, risk calculators, scorecards and dashboards. These technological solutions identify emerging trends, business opportunities and risks to investments and supply chains worldwide. Nigeria has been in an almost permanent state of

crisis since independence in 1960, and doubts remain over the country’s ability to survive as a single, viable state. Maplecroft’s Country Risk Report for Nigeria offers investors the insight they need to navigate the country’s rapidly evolving business environment. It includes in-depth analysis of risks relating to governance, the economy, legal and regulatory CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Stakeholders to FG: Review gas price template Forum of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) in Lagos. The review they insisted is to serve as a bankable commercial framework and help boost the development of gas industry. President of the NGA, Saidu Mohammed, noted that the demand for gas has surged after the privatisation of the power sector.

“With at least 70 per cent of Nigeria’s power generation facilities built to be gas-fired, the demand for gas for this new market is set to put gas in its rightful place as the core driver in the efforts to bridge the power supply deficit in Nigeria,” he said. Deputy Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery

Plc, Abdullahi Sule, who corroborated Mohammed’s view, disclosed that Nigeria still lack sufficient gas supply for domestic use. “Nigeria, a country with huge gas reserves, despite the Power Sector Reforms, still lack sufficient gas supply for domesCONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE April 2014...............................7.9% March 2014............................7.8% Feburary 2014 ........................7.7%

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at June 6)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N166.50 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N285 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N229 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $36.755bn as at 06/06/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at June 6))

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N260.86 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N211.31 Source: CBN

30 BUSINESS | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Lagos, Dubai witness rise in house prices RENT Home seekers may find it difficult to access accommodation Dayo Ayeyemi

osts of completed houses have continued to increase both in Lagos, Nigeria and Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, fuelling fears of inflation as a backlash. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has, however, warned Dubai government on the need to stem the tide of soaring property prices. In Lagos, the prices of two and three bedroom flats in Ikoyi have doubled in recent time, while rental values for these units have continued to increase despite slow activities in the sector. High property prices in Dubai were sparked by the fact that its government and statelinked companies need to repay over $50 billion of debt by 2016. Based on market survey by New Telegraph, the price of detached house in Ajah area of Lekki-Lagos costs N65 million. The same house sold for N45 million in January. Also, the price of a three-bedroom

Tingo Mobile acquires N4bn stake in MTI Jonah Iboma

igerian mobile-phone manufacturer, Tingo Mobile, has agreed to buy a majority stake in Mass Telecom Innovation Nigeria, (MTI), Plc for about N4 billion in a move to develop rural broadband services in the country. MTI is a group of companies offering services in telecommunications infrastructure, electricity and oil and gas. With headquarters in Lagos, the firm’s operations currently cover Nigeria and Ghana. Chief Executive Officer, Tingo Mobile, Dr. Dozy Mmobuozi, said that the firm would acquire 51 per cent of MTI, as part of plans to quickly enter the mass market. “We’re using the acquisition to reach out to the mass market,” Bloombergquoted Mmobuozi to have said. “Assets from base stations to license and goodwill and other thing, will help penetrate rural Nigeria,” he added. Part of the plan by Tingo is to rebrand MTI, although it will remain listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Meanwhile, Tingo said last Monday that it will start selling three smartphones in Nigeria, the first time its devices will be made available to the public rather than to government or corporate customers. The three brands are Tingo T5, T500 and T561 models, which are all made locally, Mmobuozi said.

IMF warns against effects

apartment in Opebi, Ikeja area of Lagos, which costs N35 million in January, is now between N45 million and N50 million. Confirming this in its monthly report, the Financial Derivative Company (FDC), stated that rental price for a detached house in Ikoyi is twice the price in Lekki Phase I currently. According to survey, rental price for a detached house, which cost N5 million in Lekki Phase I is now N10.5 million in Ikoyi. The effect of this, according to FDC, has rubbed off on Lekki Phase I as the location has continued to witness demand for detached houses due to huge price differential with Ikoyi. FDC noted that vacancy factor in Lekki remained unchanged in May, pointing out that residential vacancy factor estimate was 23 per cent, while commercial vacancy factor remained 12 per cent. The report said that there was a decline in vacancy factor for both commercial and residential property in Victoria Island due to one-year rent in advance from two years and 15 per cent increase in commercial property. From the international scene, the United Arab Emirates Central Bank has warned against soaring property prices, saying that the residential rental yields in Dubai and Abu Dhabi could indicate growing imbalances and overheating the country’s real estate sector

“Current average rental yields in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are approximately 70 and 130 basis points below historical averages, which could indicate growing imbalances - overheating real estate market,” it said in an annual financial stability report.  “Monitoring development in the UAE real estate markets and the banks’ exposure to it remains a core financial stability priority,” it added. House prices in Dubai, which suffered a property market crash in 2008, topped the global

developments, security, human rights, labour standards and the environment. The report is especially relevant to new company entrants or existing businesses across all sectors. There is widespread insecurity across the north-east, where fundamentalist Islamist group, Boko Haram, is waging a deadly insurgency. The highprofile kidnapping of school girls in April 2014 has highlighted the ineptitude of the security forces as well as the regional implications of insecurity. The report also highlights ethnic clashes relating to land ownership disputes, which are prevalent in the ‘Middle Belt’ region where Muslim and Christian communities live in close proximity. Likewise, the Niger Delta continues to be beset by militant and criminal activities. There appears to be no immediate prospect of cutting the links between religion and politics, a recurring theme throughout Nigeria’s history. Last Wednesday, another terrorist group, Biafra Zionist Movement, attempted to seize the Enugu State Radio and Television stations, property of the Enugu State government. Three people including a police sergeant were said to have died

current property market recovery is not marked by rapid credit growth, the central bank also said, adding that banks’ exposure to the sector totalled $78.1 billion, or less than 23 per cent of overall loans. Real estate-related lending accelerated slightly in 2013, with the growth rate above 10 per cent or one percentage point higher than overall loan book growth, the report said. Bank finance for the purchase of residential property increased 12 per cent in 2013 or by Dh12.7 billion, the central bank said, adding that bank lending was not a significant driver of real estate prices.

L-R: Head of Operations, APEL Asset & Trust Limited, Mr. Ebhoimen Eromosele; Head, Marketing and Portfolio Management, APT Securities and Fund Limited, Mrs. Tina Frank; Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola; Equities Dealer, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Mr. Idris Toriola and Head, Corporate Finance Division, Capital Assets Limited, Mr. Kissinger Ndubuisi, during stockbrokers visit to Honeywell in Lagos.

Doing business: Nigeria, Iraq, lead in lethal conflicts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

rankings in January-March for the fourth consecutive quarter, soaring 27.7 per cent from a year ago, a report by Knight Frank property consultancy said. At the same time, rents surged 30 per cent on average but have doubled in some of the emirate’s popular residential areas, nearing record highs.  Last month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that Dubai, whose government and state-linked companies need to repay over $50 billion of debt by 2016, may need stronger tools to rein in speculation. In contrast to the months preceding the UAE’s 2008 property crisis, the

during a shootout between men of the Nigeria Police Force and the invaders. According to the Chief Executive Officer, Maplecroft, Mr. Alyson Warhurst, “Societal unrest and its repression by state security forces acting with impunity are early indicators of political risk – including societal-induced regime change and resource nationalism – and have the ability to destabilise the business environment readily. More frequent risk monitoring is therefore becoming a business imperative.” Meanwhile, another risk assessor, Coface, said it would give Nigeria a surprise rating upgrade soon, stressing that things were looking up for the country despite the atmosphere of crises. African Insurance Review quoted the Chief Economist, Group Economic Research Department at Coface, Yves Zlotowski, as saying that the country’s risk status would be upgraded from ‘D’ to ‘C’, despite persistent terror warnings and bomb threats. Zlotowski admitted that there had been “a lot of internal debate” surrounding the upgrade. “Governance is undoubtedly, bad, and the security situation is awful,” he said.

Stakeholders to FG: Review gas price template CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

tic use,” he said. Delivering a paper entitled: “The Gas Sector in Enabling Change in the Power Industry,” Sule said that his company, Dangote Group, generates about 262Mega Watt (MW). Dangote Sugar he explained, generates 16MW; Dangote Cement, Obajana – 135MW; and Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese – 111MW. At Dangote Sugar, he said, the monthly gas consumption is about 9,000,000 standard cubic feet of gas. He said: “The Nigerian Gas Reserve is put over 180 trillion scf. Nigeria, a country with huge gas reserves, despite the Power Sector Reforms still lack sufficient gas supply for domestic use. “This has led to: - Gas supply disruption to the few functional power generating companies. Futile efforts of some state governments who commissioned Oil majors to increase generation, and the approved construction of four thermal power plants (Geregu, Alaoji, Papalanto, and Omotosho) with a combined capacity of 1,234MW to meet its generating goal of 6,500MW in 2006; with 14 hydroelectric and Natural Gas plants all planned for completion in 2010 by the Federal Gov-

ernment. “Huge investments required for gas project off-take and credit risk management issues for potential investors in the sector. “To realize the Federal Government's goals to increase power generation through gas, they should continue to encourage use of gas due to its benefits (stop flaring, environmental friendly, and cost effective), which positions it to compete effectively with other refined petroleum products. “Encourage more IPPs to boost power, and provide the much needed support for economic growth, and guaranteed returns on investments. “The private sector therefore, has a critical role to play for the success of the Gas to Power projects. “They should explore and maximize the vast opportunities that abound in the Gas sector, as well as Gas to Power projects.” Publicity Secretary of NGA, Odion Aleobua, said on the sideline of the event that the NGA is committed to the Nigerian Gas Master Plan (NGMP). The NGMP, he said, was approved in 2008 to lay a solid framework for gas infrastructure expansion within the domestic market; guide the commercial exploitation and management of Nigeria’s gas sector.”

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Fact File

A modern cement factory

32.5 grade cement not liable for building collapse – RenCap Dangcem is best positioned to benefit from this change, having the lowest capacity utilisation and the newest manufacturing plants. WAPCO should benefit through its ready-mix business, which allows for greater control over the composition of concrete, although this would be margindilutive Siaka Momoh

enaissance Capital (RenCap) says it does not believe the 32.5 grade cement is the cause of building collapse. RenCap in its report on the ongoing debate on cement grading, usage and building collapse, made available to New Telegraph argues: “From a more fundamental perspective,... we still do not believe the availability of lowerstrength-rated cement is itself a cause of buildings collapsing; nor do we think its elimination will necessarily result in better-quality buildings.” For RenCap, “While Dangcem’s lower current capacity utilisation puts it ahead of the rest on this measure, we think WAPCO’s ready-mix business may help soften the negative impact on the company over the medium term.” Renaissance Capital holds that the Standard Organisation of Nigeria’s stance on cement grading and usage favours cement manufactur-

ers like Dangote Cement with greater excess capacity. “We believe the immediate impact of the proposed Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s (SON) recommendation on cement strength rating and usage will favour cement manufacturers with greater excess capacity, and better access to electricity (specifically Dangote Cement),” RenCap says. It argues: “The key impact (assuming SON is able to police the directive) we see is a potentially higher cost of cement production, which may ultimately be passed onto the end user either in the form of higher prices, or lower product availability.” Following a meeting with stakeholders in the Nigerian cement industry, SON issued a directive that restricts the use of 32.5 grade strength cement to plastering of structures, with 42.5 grade recommended for the construction of buildings, beams, load-bearing columns, pillars, block moulding and other structures, and 52.5 grade cement recommended for the construction of bigger projects such as bridges, flyovers and high-rise buildings. RenCap says the key implication for manufacturers is that they will need to increase the amount of clinker in their product, and blend in a lower proportion of extenders or additives. “In addition, this purer clinker will need to be milled even finer than before, implying higher electricity costs. This clearly puts manufacturers that are close to full capacity utilisation at greater risk, due to their inability to grow volumes. Higher electricity also tariffs become more relevant in this scenario.” “We believe Dangcem is best positioned to benefit from this change, having the lowest capacity utilisation

and the newest manufacturing plants. WAPCO should benefit through its ready-mix business, which allows for greater control over the composition of concrete, although this would be margin-dilutive, in our view. We would expect both Ashaka Cement and CCNN to be harder hit, considering the respective age of their plants and their high level of capacity utilisation,” RenCap argues. RenCap’s argument is corroborated by comments from Lafarge, Ashaka Cement, and Unicem. Joe Hudson, managing director/CEO, Lafarge Cement WAPCO, at a recent media interactive session in Lagos stressed that some of the causes of the building collapse, as identified at a public discourse recently organised by the company, were use of unqualified workmen in construction, non-adherence to building codes, engagement of non- professionals, sharp practices by some contractors, natural disasters, and sabotage. In his remarks, Olivier Lenoir, managing director, Unicem, Calabar, stated that 90 percent of cement produced by his company for many years was of 32.5 grade, stressing that there had never been a collapse

Regulators should not take arbitrary decisions based on inconclusive processes, but rather ensure that all stakeholders are properly engaged

incident associated with his firm’s products, revealing that Unicem had also recently announced an expansion of its capacity, while urging that “regulators should not take arbitrary decisions based on inconclusive processes, but rather ensure that all stakeholders are properly engaged, as it creates doubts about the investment climate in the country.” Leonard Palka, managing director, Ashaka Cement, said as manufacturers of cement brands that had served Nigeria for several years, “we had engaged the regulatory authorities severally since the misinformation on cement quality in Nigeria began to be peddled because of our desire to present the facts that would ensure that informed decisions are taken in the overall interest of Nigerians.” He warned that limiting the use of 32.5 would “eliminate consumers choices, limit producers’ capacities and ultimately lead to increase in cement prices across the country,” maintaining that there should be a level playing field for all players in the cement industry to operate without any fear, and wondered why the North-Eastern part of Nigeria, where AshakaCem operated and produced majorly 32.5 cement, should be made to suffer untold socio-economic hardships as a result of ill-thought decisions, even when cases of collapsed building had never been recorded. Lafarge, a leading manufacturer and marketer of cement, has 8.5 million metric tons production capacity in Nigeria, of which 4.5 million is in WAPCO’s three plants in Ogun State, 1 million in Ashaka – Gombe State; and 0.5 million in Atlas, Onne, Rivers State. It is also part owner of Unicem in Calabar.

Nigeria has taken a bold step on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) by refusing to sign the $8.94 billion (6.5bn Euros) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union. The share of Sub-Sahara in global manufacturing value added rose marginally from 0.6 per cent in 2005 to 0.7 per cent in 2009. In contrast, in East Asia and Pacific, it rose from 14.8 per cent to 20.0 per cent over the same period. The manufacturing sector’s share of global value added was estimated at about 0.1 per cent in the 2002-2003. According to UNIDO in 2011, at present 70 per cent of the population of West Africa is tied down to peasant agriculture, compared to three per cent in the industrialised economies. World manufacturing gained further strength in the fourth quarter of 2013 as a result of the continuing economic recovery of industrialized countries. For the first time since 2010, manufacturing output grew in all industrialized country groups, including Europe. At the same time, manufacturing growth further slowed in developing and emerging industrial economies. The manufacturing output of industrialized countries rose by 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of the previous year, and is up from 0.4 percent in the third quarter of 2013. The manufacturing output of developing and emerging industrial economies increased by 5.9 percent in the fourth quarter. However, it is down from 6.5 percent of the third quarter of 2013. The highest growth among industrialized countries in the fourth quarter of 2013 was observed in East Asia, which was mainly contributed by an impressive growth of Japan’s manufacturing.

BUSINESS | INDUSTRY

True, an ambitious, beautiful plan is on ground and the plan is being systematically executed. But there are gaps; there are challenges which our celebrated GENCOS and DISCOS - private sector power providers - are not in control of, SIAKA MOMOH reports.

f business persons and other consumers of electricity think they will soon put the past behind them regarding the issue of epileptic power supply in Nigeria, they are wrong, very wrong. This is the bitter truth, going by the revelations at a recent interface with the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power, Mr Beks Dagogo-Jacks, courtesy of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry (LCCI). Roadmap for Power Sector Reform There is a roadmap to Nigeria’s electricity sector transformation, part of the big transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. In 2010 on becoming President, Goodluck Jonathan made the Reform of the Nigerian Power Sector a cornerstone of his Administration and his Transformation Agenda. He set about creating an Action Plan to effect this reform. Subsequently, and later in 2010, The Roadmap for Power Sector Reform was officially launched. President Goodluck Jonathan clearly presented his administration’s agenda on power stating: “The full implementation of the Electric Power Sector Reform has been a key priority for this administration… In developing this Roadmap we have built on the solid foundation laid down in 2001/2002 by the adoption of the National Electric Power Policy, and in 2005 with the promulgation of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act. This Roadmap heralds our advance to the final and very important stage in the reform process. This is the stage where we ensure that the fundamental changes to the ownership, control and regulation of the sector envisaged by the legislation are achieved and the downstream benefits are realised” Tagging along with DagogoJack, one can say: The Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005 can therefore be seen as the strategy document defining the Reform Agenda. The Roadmap is the implementation document for the EPSRA – the Action Plan defining the Reform Process. With the operational handover on the November 1, 2013, the privatisation of the successor companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has essentially and successfully been concluded. This has been the largest power privatisation ever in Africa and represents most-likely the most complete single-stage sector privatisation. After a process praised for its transparency and showcasing the appetite of local and international financiers and

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

No cheers for power

investors, the much-promised, long-awaited, private-sector led Nigerian electricity market finally arrived. The first stage of the reform process as detailed in the Roadmap in 2010 has been delivered ushering in a sector with the bestever potential to provide sustainable growth and reliability of supply. The Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP) - a special project delivery vehicle of the Presidency - is proud of the roles played at the design and implementation phases of this significant milestone in the Power Sector Reform Agenda. We are told it is a roadmap ushering in a sector with the best-ever potential to provide sustainable growth and reliability of supply – a potential to provide. Yes, that is what it is. The waiting time remains. We are waiting. Achievement Dagogo-Jack listed the following achievements: Privatisation of all 11 PHCN Distribution and 7 PHCN Generation Companies with the following details: • Total Size of the PHCN Transaction: 2.60 Bn US$ = N416 billion • Payout to Labour: N360 billion (So far).This does not include retirees and disputed staff numbering 2,000. Financing, according to him, was carried out principally by local, onshore banks demonstrating their appetite for the new sector and their revitalized lending capacities after the sector restructuring following the Global Financial Crisis of 2007/2008. “Despite the fact that the majority of the transaction sums went to settling labour claims, with the transfer of historic liabilities to NELMCO (Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company), the market is now liability free and ready for the much needed investment to meet consumer demand. Privatisation of the 10 NDPHC Generation Companies is scheduled for 2014,” he said. Market status and outlook He explained that by December 2013 all the deliverable milestones contained in the very bold and ambitious Nigeria Power Sector Reform Roadmap launched by Mr. President in August 2010 had been achieved except two namely: • Declaration by the Hon Minister of Power of the Transitional Electricity Market Stage (TEM) to kick-start a fully contracted and rulesgoverned electricity market wherein the sanctity of contracts shall be full to protect market liquidity and incen-

Power station

tivize increased investment; • A well incentivized & liberalized domestic gas market expected to be delivered by the pending Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). He said with certain Country Partnership Strategies (CPs) outstanding, it was impossible for NERC to advise the Hon Minister of Power as required by the law to declare TEM. He explained: “Conscious of the risks associated with handing over the companies for privatized company operation without TEM – or a substitute – the Presidential Task Force on Power made repeated representations to the Ministry of Power, NERC and BPE leading eventually to an acceptance by NERC to develop and institute a set of Interim Rules to conduct the market in the pre-TEM phase until the declaration of TEM – the Interim Rules Period (IRP).

The market is now liability free and ready for the much needed investment to meet consumer demand

“The original IRO (Interim Rules Order) issued by NERC in December 2013 scheduled the end of the IRP/start of the TEM for March 1, 2014. This was not achieved, and due to this slippage and to certain significant sources of concern – which were capable of impacting very nega-

tively on the commercial sustainability of the market – the IRO was modified with the revision taking place with effect from May 1, 2014. At the moment the Nigerian Electricity Market (NEM) remains in its pre-Transitional stage progressing towards the

Gloria Elemo: Re-invigo Gloria Elemo, a distinguish scientist, academic, researcher, administrator and economist, CEO at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), is pumping life into this Nigeria’s top-rate but silent research institute that has fed the likes of Nestle and some other blue-chip manufacturing companies in Nigeria with research findings in the past.

lemo, with vast experience in research work became the helmsperson at FIIRO on May 2011 and was determined to turn things around at the institute. She has been doing just that since she assumed leadership of the institute. For her, the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) is determined to commercialise its research results. In

pursuit of this drive, FIIRO once organised a one-day conference with indigenous equipment fabricators to identify and accredit equipment fabricators who could partner with the institute in the production of equipment prototypes. For Elemo, “This is necessary to speed up the pace of commercializing our R&D results and facilitate the adoption of our

BUSINESS | INDUSTRY 33

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

providers yet

Enterprise with

• Poor design and location of transformation capacity in T&D networks leading to reduced network capability.” But as the market becomes fully-commercialised these issues can be expected to reduce, he said. He added that the following is a breakdown of value-chain capabilities now in 2014 and projected to 2020 based upon the following implementation plans detailed below: • Gas (2020): NNPC Strategic Gas Plan [Gas Supply projected at 3Bn SCF/D] • GX (2020): • New Projects – FG Hydro • Investment program given to BPE from PHCN privatisation • New IPPs with plans submitted by developers verified by PTFP • TX (2020): TCN Network Expansion Blueprint (NEB) • DX(2020): Investment program given to BPE from PHCN privatisation • IPP developers are projecting gas-fired capacities close to 18,000 MW; however, based on the current NNPC Strategic Gas Plan there is only enough gas for 10,500 MW. • The current TCN Network Expansion Blueprint projects National Power Wheeling Capacity of 20,000 MW. What this means, he said, is that “unless gaps can be closed and capacity increased at a faster rate in the Gas and Transmission value-chains, these will become the limiting factor in the quantity of power that can be supplied to end consumers.” start of the TEM. This is the critical next step in its evolution towards the fully-competitive market as defined in the EPSRA 2005.” Crust of the matter Dagogo-Jack explained: “Due to an absence of effective system planning, additional generation

capacity has not always translated into additional power to consumers, due to the following issues: • Non-establishment of fuel supply and transportation for gasfired generation plants; • Inadequate power evacuation corridors from newly-built generation plants;

NEXT WEEK: No doubt, this is a very critical issue. And we are not done with it yet. There are more related issues to discuss. Next week, and beyond, we will look at challenges, funding, regulatory, and policy issues of the power sector reform.

rating FIIRO technologies by small, medium and large scale entrepreneurs in Nigeria” FIIRO is currently partnering with Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria. The institute has signed MoU to see how it can have a programme in the area of commercialisation and capacity building, training and so on. It has signed MoU with some other organisations on entrepreneurship training, IT and industrial research. Says Elemo: “My target is the commercialisation of our research and development results. FIIRO being an old organisation that came into existence in 1956, we have done a lot and have achieved landmark results, with over 50 commercialisable research and development results, which are mostly lined on

Elemo

the shelf. My target is to push more of these results into the market.”

FIIRO’s drive is offer a solution C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 4

Strokes

Siaka Momoh

siakamomoh@yahoo.com 08061396410

SMEs and optimal production

his week’s piece is a reflection on an event that took place months back. It is so tangential to the SME sub-sector that it is worth bringing it back to the discussion table. Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industries plaza at Alausa, Central Business District, Ikeja, Lagos was the venue of a brainstorming session on the issue of supporting small enterprises for optimal production. The event was the initiative of Skyward Research & Consulting Limited, a company that has been conducting SME-accentuated seminars over the years, in various parts of the country. The Thursday seminar played host to representatives from the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Industrial Training Fund (ITF)’ National Board for Technology Incubation (NBCI), Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN). Several industries within the small and medium scale enterprises group were also in attendance, including, those in the pharmaceuticals and alternative medicines. Enyinda Okey, the Director of Engineering Services at Skyward Research reviewed the major problems facing SMES and proffered ways of surmounting these problems among which was the need to make available a strong enabling environment such that these SMES can survive and remain relevant in the creation of employment, goods and services in the country. The Director General of FIIRO, Gloria Elemo, gave a breakdown of the activities at FIIRO aimed at assisting the SMES. Dele Oyeku, a deputy director in her office, made a full presentation of the technologies the Institute had developed over the years - technologies suitable for investment by small enterprises. He said they have been working with SMES in recent years. Only recently, FIIRO organized a workshop primarily for fabricators. Late Ike Abugu, erstwhile president of the National Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (NASME) and boss of Skyward Research stirred the hornet’s nest when he raised the issue of machines that deal with food that are not made of stainless steel, referring in particular to Pepper Grinder. The pepper Grinders in use across Nigeria release lead and iron into ingredients and we end up consuming this poison. Abugu asked: “What is FIIRO doing about this? As an entrepreneur, why should I put my money into such product?” He thus raised the issue of non-

reliability of this machine and others in the same category. Gbenga Ogundeji, representing Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency revealed SMEDAN had packages in stock for SMES and that several SMES had been benefitting from the Agency. “Included in what SMEDAN now offers is a community potential SME training programme that is sponsored by politicians aimed at training youths in selected local governments and financially empowers them to set up their own businesses,” Ogundeji said. He said this worked in parts of Oyo and Osun states. Habibu Dambatta, director of training Industrial Training Fund (ITF),in his paper argued ITF has trainings for technicians and craftsmen – for those who have skill and not too much of literacy. He said “the agency has three training centre across the country” but would want this increased to 36 states of the federation saying “Brazil has 700 training centres”. “Of particular importance,” according to him, “is that ITF emphasises entrepreneurship training in its curriculum – teaches management skills.” He said the agency also “has tailor-made training programme for people with PhD in Mechanical Engineering who lack practical experience”. Rob Okiyi, a Deputy Director at the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) said SON was committed and positioned to make SMEs conform to international standards that would make them to be competitive internationally. He explained, under a partnership with the Commonwealth, SON would soon go into certification exercises and programmes aimed at making SMES that meet the required standards to be certified to ISO 9001. SON would bear almost all of the cost of this certification on behalf of the SMES, he said. One consensus at the seminar was that agencies must synergize to ensure the desired optimal performance of SMES. Ike Abugu reminded all in attendance that one of the primary purposes of any government agency is to assist the SME, for in so doing, jobs would be created, goods and services would be created, and values added. The beneficiaries, according to him, remained Nigerians. The bottom-line of the support, he said, would be a win-win situation for all. He said since all agencies are saying almost the same things about their responsibilities to SMES, structured synergy would be the best mode of offering the required support for the optimal performance of the SMES. SON was very vocal on synergizing with FIIRO as well as with NAFDAC.

34 BUSINESS | INDUSTRY

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

How to invest in infant diapers manufacturing It is estimated that a child wearing disposable diapers uses approximately 6,000 units during his first one year of age, before being toilet-trained.

clude closures to eliminate the need for pins, elastic legs and waists for better fit, several layers of cotton padding, and an absorbent vinyl layer. For extra absorbency some styles include an inner flap to hold a diaper liner. One-piece systems cost $5.00 to $10.00, and are available in several different sizes. Disposable products for babies in general include not only diapers but liners and training pants. Some design features are: • Re-fastenable waist tapes • Elastic waists • Double elastic legs • Leakage control inner shields • Gender-specific absorbent zones • Solid colors or prints • Small to extra-large sizes Most super-absorbent diapers contain a water-holding gelling material to maximize absorbency and keep wetness away from the skin. This gelling material comes in a granular form and turns to a gel when it comes in contact with urine.

Chukwudi Odili

isposable and non-disposable infant diapers have been widely adopted for babies. They sell like hot cake in the United Sales... Similar consumption pattern holds sway among the rich and middle class families in Nigeria today as demand for the product is based on cost, personal needs, lifestyle, values, convenience and health considerations. It is estimated that a child wearing disposable diapers uses approximately 6,000 units during his first one year of age, before being toilet-trained. Infants and small children with diarrhea may use nine to eleven diapers per day whereas a relatively grown child may use only one or two. Product Range There are more reusable and disposable diapers available today than ever before. Products vary in design and fabric, in absorbency and fecal containment, and in durability, comfort, convenience, cost, and drying speed. There are three types of diapers or diapering systems currently available: • Cloth diapers with or without a wrap or pants; • Double-sided diapers or "All-in-one" cloth diaper systems, which include both an inner cloth lining/padding and an outer waterproof covering; and C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 4

to the quest for local content in Nigeria’s business and industrial space. “This we are determined to do vigorously. We will promote linkages with Nigerian industries – large and small,” she explains. She says FIIRO had long looked forward to the conference in question to meet with local equipment fabricators and fashion out or kick-start a kind of collaboration with the aim of reinforcing the existing relationship between them and FIIRO. The forum was therefore meant to assist the institute in identifying those fabricators that could meet up with its standards and specifications in producing prototype equipment designed or developed by FIIRO’s engineers. Some of these equipment are in high demand by small and medium scale entrepreneurs and budding industrialists. FIIRO has been actively involved in R&D into food and agro-processing, pulp and pa-

Diapers

• Disposable diapers. Cloth diapers are almost always made of cotton. Fabric weaves to choose from include bird's-eye, flannelette, terry cloth, and gauze (the most common). Gauze diapers are available in daytime and nighttime weights; the usual size is 21 x 40 inches, which can be folded to fit a baby throughout the diaper-wearing period. Double-sided diapers made of cotton flannel and terry cloth are another alternative. Prefolded and pre-shaped cotton diapers also are available with features such as elastic legs, and a polyester fiber liner or a center panel made of several

additional fabric layers for extra absorbency. They are convenient but in some the size cannot be significantly adjusted. Breathable wraps or covers to put over the cloth diaper are available in nylon, polyester, cotton, or wool, including some with a wetness barrier. Many styles feature closures and elastic or fitted legs and come in various sizes. One-piece diaper systems, which include inner cloth padding and an outer waterproof covering, offer the advantage of being removed all in one step like disposable diapers. This makes diaper changing more convenient. Some design features in-

Profitability Scenario Consider a small plant located around a commercial center in Nigeria that is set up to manufacture: • Fifty thousand units of Disposable Diapers per annum; • Twelve thousand five hundred units per annum of Cloth diapers with or without a wrap or pants; • Twelve thousand five hundred units per annum of Double-sided diapers or "All-in-one" cloth diaper systems that include both an inner cloth lining/padding and an outer waterproof covering; Such a small plant, with a capacity utilization that spans about 200 effective production days would be able to supply only 75, 000 units of diapers

per annum. Given that each child utilizes about three nappies per day, this target supply could only meet the needs of just about two hundred and twenty five Nigerian infants. It is note-worthy that each standard packet, made up of twenty four (24) units of infant diaper, is sold at an ex-factory price of around a thousand to two thousand naira (N1, 500 N2, 500) per packet depending on product type. By the time the factory pushes all the products into the market, an annual turnover of over N150 million is realizable. The standards required of a manufacturer in Nigeria, by Nigerian health authorities and NAFDAC, are similar to those adopted by The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association for child day-care settings. Details of these and other essential information such as the integrated plant, machinery components, sources and prices, technology and production process flow, factory setup, product design and packaging, costing, distribution channels, market information, sales and revenue projections, will be incorporated in a standard Feasibility Study Report for interested prospective manufacturers. Cost Profile Cost Items Naira Prelim/ preoperational N350,000 Factory Building N4,800,000 Integrated Plant & Machinery N11,000,000 Other Fixed Cost items N5,500,000 Working Capital (6 months’ requirement) N13,900,000 Investment Outlay N35,550,000 Chukwudi Odili, an expert in Project Research and Development, can be reached through his email at: restrategizing@gmail.com

Gloria Elemo: Re-invigorating FIIRO per as well as prototype equipment design and fabrication for over 50 years now. But a lot of R&D outputs that have been developed are yet to impact on Nigerians due to a limited capacity to produce the equipment in large quantities and translate these technologies for the benefit of the general public. FIIRO is the pioneer of the cassava bread revolution that is currently in the news. It has worked extensively with cassava. The institute has been working in the area of cassava composite flour since 1969. And in continuation of its drive to commercialise its research findings, FIIRO, under Elemo is partnering the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMECHE) Lagos Chapter, to translate these findings into ready-to-use machines. Speaking during a courtesy call NIMECHE La-

gos Chapter executive made to FIIRO, Gloria Elemo, told the NIMECHE executives: “Your members in FIIRO have continued to distinguish themselves as worthy ambassadors of your institution in helping to translate our research findings into ready-to-invest prototype equipment and processing lines. Their contributions are even more urgently required now in my drive for the rapid commercialisation of our research results through pilot plant production and equipment fabrication. These, I believe, is the only way to fast-track SME development in our country and make research outputs become relevant to the needs of the society”. The collaboration took off with the need to put a stop to the killer sting that existing Pepper Grinder has been inflicting on unsuspecting Nigerians. Experts argue the

pepper grinder in use in the country mills particles of lead and iron into our food intake! Dr. Gloria Elemo’s career dates back to 1979 when she functioned as a Clinical Biochemist at the Bauchi State Hospital where she did her NYSC. Between 1982 and 1984, she was a graduate assistance at the Department of Human Nutrition at the University of Ibadan. Her romance with the academic world continued when she was employed into the services of the Lagos State University’s Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences as Lecturer and rose to become the head of the department. In 1993, Dr Elemo moved further in her career when she was employed as the Assistant Scientific officer at the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMDC) in Abuja. While at RMRDC, Dr Elemo rose through the ranks

to become a Deputy Director. Areas where she functioned as a Deputy Director include her roles as the Head of the Pilot Plant Projects Division, Head of the Investment Promotion Division, Head of the Research Evaluation and Monitoring Division, the Beverages Materials Division and the Plastic Rubber and Foam Division. All these leadership positions were held between 1995 and 2007. In 2007, Dr. Gloria Elemo’s consistent display of competence and professionalism in her over twenty seven years of post doctorate working experience, could not be ignored by “FIIRO”, hence her appointment as the Director, Food and Analytical Services Department of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research. It was from this position that she got appointed as the Director General/CEO of the institute in May 2011.

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countries of their interest. However, these firms are having a rethink and changing the way they engage the continent as they seemed have discovered that great potential exists in the continent. This seems to explain why Microsoft, for instance, has upgraded its Nigerian office to a full-fledged, independent country office alongside South Africa. The firm said it had discovered a lot of potential in government and the private sector and that it would achieve more to consolidate its position in the continent. Also, in May, world’s technology firm, IBM, opened two mainframe Innovation hubs to target African businesses. The two new client-facing centres, according to the firm, are meant for developing applications and systems for the technology in South Africa and Kenya. Located in Johannesburg and Nairobi, the Mainframe Linux and Cloud Innovation Hubs will serve as both demonstration facilities and support centres.The two new sites form part of a network of 40 similar centres globally. Commenting, General Manager, IBM South Africa, Abraham Thomas, said that the company viewed its African expansion in general as a priority, and is also investing in smaller research centres Nigeria and Morocco. "Africa is an important market for IBM," Thomas says. "We are making big investments in this marketplace. Over the last two years, all of our

The African continent is high on the radar of big international technology companies

senior leaders have visited the continent. "(These hubs are] for clients and partners to come in and experiment on Linux and System to develop new applications and to reach out to new partners too." The investment by the company is part of a $100m, 10-year pan-African investment plan by IBM known internally as Project Lucy. Thomas said that demand is huge for infrastructure that can support cloud services and mobile and that key IBM clients in the region Another area of interest by international investment is Africa is in startups. Global investors have suddenly realized that there is a wealth of innovative minds in the continent and they are targeting them with requisite investment. Some of the top five venture capitalists that have entered the continent include the Investment AB Kinnevik, Sawari Ventures, Adlevo Capital and Intel Capital Investment AB Kinnevik, is a Swedish based firm that was founded in 1936 and includes ICT as part of its portfolio. The company has a 7per cent total investment in Africa (which, according to the company’s website, is more than its North American and Asia investment combined). The company has holdings in Millicom – operating within 13 emerging markets including in Africa, and Tele2. In total it covers 78.1 million mobile subscribers across 24 countries. Among its African-based start up investments is Iroko Partners, a Nigerian digital media and entertainment company. Sawari Ventures is a global venture capital firm focused on the Middle-East & North Africa region. The firm invests within tech media, teleCONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Jonah Iboma 08050498516

Telecommunication and emergency in Nigeria

A few decades ago, Africa looked like an unattractive region in terms of technology investment. JONAH IBOMA reports that things are beginning to change as a number of global technology giants see the continent as a potential investment destination to help them achieve their desired goals. bout 10 years ago, a night-time satellite image of the entire world showed Africa as the region that was darkest. Aside South Africa and few parts of the Niger-Delta, virtually the rest of the continent was captured as one dark land mass. According to expert analysis of the image, the continent appeared as such on the satellite image due to the fact that Africa was the region with the least supply of electricity. For many technology experts, this conclusion strengthened the common saying among people in the western world that Africa is the Dark Continent. The Western world, probably said this because the lifestyle of the African people was way behind civilisation and development was behind the rest of the world. The continent was considered as just a land of abundant natural resources available to be exploited by people from the rest of the world. That probably explained why investment inflow into Africa, especially in technology, was very little for a long time compared to the rest of the world. However, in recent years things have begun to change and one area where this is happening is in telecommunications and information technology. Recent developments have indicated that global technology firms seeking to push their dominance to higher levels are now increasingly targeting Africa for investment. Microsoft, Intel, Google, IBM among others, have recently increased their presence in the continent. Over the years, investment African inflows had primarily been in extractive industry such as oil, gas, gold and diamond mining. However, figures from global research firm, Ernst and Young Africa Attractiveness Survey showed last month that technology, media and telecommunications projects received 20 per cent of all foreign direct investment (FDI) on the continent as investors shift from extractive to consumer facing sectors. In the past, a lot of western technology firms simply kept their head offices in South Africa and register very limited presence in any other

TECHTalk

W it h

Global tech firms target Africa for expansion

n many countries, the public telephone network has a single emergency telephone number (sometimes known as the universal emergency telephone number or occasionally the emergency services number) that allows a caller to contact local emergency services for assistance. The emergency number, which differs from country to country, is typically a threedigit number that can be easily remembered and dialed quickly. Some countries have a different emergency number for each of the different emergency services like fire, medical or accident. These often differ only by the last digit. In the European Union, Russia, Ukraine and Switzerland and others, "112" was introduced as a common emergency call number during the 1990s, and as the GSM standard, it is now a well known mobile telephone emergency number across the glob alongside the North American "911". In Nigeria, the emergency number is said to be 199. However, it appears that this is mere academic than reality. Phone calls to this number seem not to lead anywhere. I tried reaching the number over the weekend and did not get any of my calls through. It is rather unfortunate and I believe that this shows that there is work for the Nigerian Communications Commission, the regulator of Nigeria’s telecommunicatruions to do, especially at this period when the country is bdeviled with several security issues. We know that, as a developing country, there are many things that need to be done in Nigeria to make the country like the more developed world. NCC has done well in getting telecom operators to secure frequency to offer commercial services and also bring connectivity to the millions of Nigerians that had never had phones. However, the commission has to do more to ensure that the full benefits of the Nigerian telecoms revolution reaches everyone. Emergency numbers are very critical to the survival of any serious nation. In Nigeria today, the emergency number services is almost non-existent, although Lagos State seems to have done well with its 767 and 112. The absence of a true national emergency number is one reason why the fight against terror might not be won easily. Today, it is difficult to reach the Police easily. The website of the Nigerian Police Force contains several regular numbers that are given to the public to call the police for asistance. This is not good enough for a country with the sort of resources that are available to Nigeria. There are certains standards that are maintained globally and emergency numbers is one of them. Worse still is the fact that our children are not given the knowledge that the country is supposed to have emergency services numbers that they can call when there is danger. The emergency telephone number is a special case in the country's telephone number plan. In the past, calls to the emergency telephone number were often routed over special dedicated circuits. Though with the advent of electronic exchanges these calls are now often mixed with ordinary telephone traffic, they still may be able to access circuits that other traffic cannot. If NCC creates emergency numbers, I believe that this will create hundreds of jobs at least across the country for unemployed Nigerians and move development forward.

BUSINESS | ICT

DEVELOPMENT Technology agency moves to aid growth of local companies Jonah Iboma

he Director General of the National Information Technology development Agency, Mr. Peter Jack, has said that he will seek to establish an information technology hub from the National Information Technology De-

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

NITDA DG seeks creation of IT hub velopment Fund, (NITDEF). According to him, the technology hub will be located in Abuja and will house many information technology companies; government agencies as well as a massive NITDA headquarters building. Jack, who disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the leadership of Nigeria’s Internet community, promised to promote local content development as well as support plans

to drive the uptake of Nigeria’s country code top level domain (ccTLD), .ng, across the globe. NITDEF was established by the NITDA in 2007 with the aim of promoting information technology (IT) development in urban and semi-urban communities to reach the unserved and underserved people in the country. The fund has so far hit N10 billion. The fund is a one per cent

tax collected on behalf of the NITDA by the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS) from IT related corporate organisations and others in the country. Jack also revealed that NITDA has spent N1.2 billion in the last three years sponsoring over 240 young Nigerian graduates to study IT-related courses in foreign universities at both the masters and doctorate degree levels

This idea, according to the agency is aimed at boosting human capital and also transforming the country into a knowledge-based economy. In January last year, the NITDA released N6.25 million to the Abia State Polytechnic, Federal University of Technology, Minna, and Federal University of Technology, Akure, to boost the development of local software in the country.

Dolphin Telecom in pact to expand W'African service

L-R: Director, PMO and Operational Strategy, Etisalat Nigeria, Ms. Ndidi Okpaluba; Director, Administrative and Human Capital Development, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Samson Adegun; acting Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher; and Head of Department, Management System Certification, SON, Timothy Abner at the Etisalat ISO 9001:2008 Certification Ceremony in Lagos

Glo and Samsung partner on Galaxy S5

Leading Telecoms Nhostigeria’s brand, Globacom, played to the world's largest

maker of mobile handsets, Samsung Electronics, as they collaborate to offer in-store experiential activity on Galaxy S5 to customers in Glo’s flagship chain store. Globacom said in a statement that several of its Gloworld stores including the Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki and Ikeja Mall hosted Samsung this week. During this in-store activation, premium Samsung accessories were given to consumers that bought the Galaxy S5 from Gloworld. In addition, Samsung professional consultants were

present at the stores to educate customers on the phone's features and put them through the rudiments in the use of Galaxy S5. One of the highlights of the Galaxy S5 Smartphone is the unique ultra-power saving mode that shuts down all of the device's functions to allow users make the most of their battery power. According to Samsung, the Galaxy S5 can run for up to 24 hours on a 10 percent battery charge when this mode is activated. According to Head of Glo World, Brenda Akhigbe, “the one-day in-store activation was designed to avail Gloworld visitors with a first-hand experience of the Samsung device which is

bundled with High Speed Internet service from Globacom.” “Globacom has bundled a free 1GB data plan, valid for 6 months, with the Samsung Galaxy S5, giving customers a unique opportunity to enjoy instant Internet connection from their Samsung Smartphones,” Akhigbe said. Globacom said Samsung S5 users would also be able to enjoy its value-added services such as Glo Total Entertainment, which offers interesting videos, movies and TV Serials; and the Family and Friends Finder with which subscribers can accurately identify the location of friends or family members on a Google map.

olphin Telecom and TI Sparkle, the international services arm of Telecom Italia Group, have formed a new partnership for the provision and development of IP (internet protocol) connectivity services in West Africa through the newly established point of presence in Accra, Ghana. Under the partnership, TI Sparkle and Dolphin Telecom will provide cost effective, high quality and secure fully protected global IP connectivity solutions to operators, internet service providers and service providers that are connected to Accra through major international cable systems. The firms said in a joint statement that through this fully protected IP hubbing node in Accra, customers will be able to access the world’s most popular content hosted in Europe or in any of the multiple and dispersed point of presence of Sparkle Global IP transit backbone. In addition, customers will be able to exchange their intra-regional traffic locally, instantly improving performance by saving hundreds of milliseconds with respect to any other European IP hub. “Through the strategic relationship with a relevant player like Dolphin Telecom, we are able to establish the first Tier 1 IP Gateway in West Africa and bring the internet thousands of miles closer to customers in the region with impressive im-

provement in terms of quality of experience and latency ” said Elisabetta Ripa, Chief Exedcutive Officer of TI Sparkle. Abdel Mageid Elzain, Managing Director of Dolphin Telecom said: “Our partnership with TI Sparkle is a proof of our commitment to bridging the internet divide in West Africa and a response to the increasing local demand for high quality and protected IP connectivity solutions following the recent development of the IT segment in the region.” Seabone is TI Sparkle Tier1 fully IPv6 (internet protocol version 6) enabled global IP Transit backbone that ranks among top 5 in Europe and #1 in the Mediterranean. While consolidating its global role, Seabone is strengthening its regional positioning globally and especially in Africa and Asia where it has reached leading positions. Dolphin Teleco, which was established in 2013 in Dubai is a global communications carrier and a joint ventire between Expresso Telecom Group and HT UAE, a firm specialized in wholesale Internet Bandwidth for Carriers, ISPs and Enterprise customers. Dolphin is the second largest inventor in ACE Consortium, with mission to extend reliable global connectivity solutions to customers in Africa, offering full right of landing in Dakar, Accra and Lagos covering 80 per cent of West African market population.

Global tech firms target Africa for expansion Aurora VM in expansion CONTINUED from PAGE 35

coms, eCommerce and financial services and has a specific interest in Arabic Web content and applications, mobile content and applications. It has invested in Egypt. Adlevo Capital is A Mauritius-based private equity fund manager. Among its clients is Pagatech Ltd., an established provider of mobile money transfer services in Nigeria and InterSwitch Limited, a Nigeria-based provider of electronic transaction switching and payment processing service in West Africa. Another firm that has invested in Africa is electronic commerce firm, eBay, which

bought United Kingdom based Gumtree, in 2005 before expanding to South Africa in 2006. Speaking on his firm’s involvement in Africa, Johan Nel, newly appointed South Africa manager of Gumtree, noted that the continent offers opportunity for technology firm to deliver new services. “The African continent is high on the radar of big international technology companies. They’re saying we need to be there, and we need to be there very fast if we’re not already there,” Nel said recently. However, there has been no local administrative presence in the country until the beginning of May.

“We do see a huge amount of focus and investment on this continent. It is typical again in a case like this where here I am employee number one for eBay in Africa,” Nel said. He said company had plans for expansion, geographically and strategically. “When I took this role, one of the things I asked was “how important is the whole of Africa in our strategy?” And it’s very important. My experience would also help with that. There are no immediate plans of it, but in my opinion there needs to be.” He also said the company could possibly expand its current offering by including new products on its platform.

pact with Nomanini

Africa’s electronic prepaid service distribuStionouth platform, Nomanin,i has

partnered with Aurora VM to launch its services in Nigeria, aimed at building financial inclusion and alleviating poverty. Nomanini had in February secured series B funding from Seychelles-based investment company Rockbridge Investments, with the funding bringing Nomanini’s total raised capital to over $1.9 million. The amount is set to enable the company to expand its prepaid platform across Africa and other developing countries.

Nomanini is currently active in South Africa, Kenya and Mozambique with expansion plan set for Nigeria, Guinea and Somalia. The partnership, with Aurora partnership marks its entrance into Nigeria, the firm said. The Chief Executive Officer, Nomanini, Vahid Mondajem said: “Nigeria represents a key market in Africa. It is the continent’s biggest, and by some estimations, most dynamic market. We are delighted that, together with Aurora VM, our solutions are providing opportunities for women and youth.”

BUSINESS | ICT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

COMPUTERS Reduced socio-economic conflict enhances computer acquisition Stories by Jonah Iboma

nternational Data Corporation (IDC), says that the personal company market in the Middle East and Africa market (including Turkey) is expected to end a dismal run of seven consecutive quarters of year-on-year declines in the second quarter of 2014 by posting long-awaited growth of 3.2per cent. According to the latest forecasts from the research and advisory services firm recently compiled results for the first quarter of 2014 were not so positive, with overall PC shipments down 8.3 per cent year on year to

African PC market set for growth in seven quarters – IDC total 4.8 million units, although this decline was slower than previously expected. "Demand in the regional PC market continues to suffer as end users maintain their shift toward tablets and smartphones,” says Fouad Rafiq Charakla, a research manager for personal computing, systems, and infrastructure solutions at IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. "However, aggressive pricing strategies, an increasing focus from PC vendors on introducing innovative new form factors, and signs of recovery from the political instability that plagued

Digital forensic laboratory ready for commissioning – NSA is set to get a digital curity, build national consenNficeigeria forensic laboratory, the of- sus on national cybersecurity of the National Security roadmap and to facilitate uniAdviser (NSA) in Nigeria has said. According to the NSA, the process of setting up the Nigerian Computer Emergency Readiness Team, (ngCERT), is also at an advance stage. The ngCERT is expected to become operational by 3rd quarter of this year. The NSA office, which released these details while announcing the forthcoming Cybersecurity forum scheduled for June 18 & 19 in Lagos, stated that the national digital forensic laboratory is ready for commissioning adding the forum will be an avenue to discuss its importance with senior industry players and IT professionals. Organisers say the objective of the forum is to harness stakeholders input into the policy framework on cyberse-

fied e-security foundation for digital Nigeria. The Office of the NSA in Abuja is known to have drafted a National Cybersecurity Strategy and a National Cybersecurity Policy document for Nigeria. Cyber criminality has been growing steadily in West Africa in recent years and Nigeria is known as being in the forefront of the problem which drawn the ire of many nations globally. The problem of cyber crime has led to some international electronic payment platforms blacklisting Nigeria from their trading centres. Many citizens of countries in Europe, North America and Asia have lost millions of dollars to cyber crime that originate from West Africa.

New Horizons introduces information security training

nformation technology training firm, New Horizons, has signed a partnership agreement with Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB) to bring Information Security Management System (ISMS) certification and training courses to Nigeria. The partnership agreement will establish requirements for the periodic renewal of certification and determine compliance requirements. PECB is a certification body which offers personnel certifications globally through its network of partners for internal auditors, auditors wanting to perform and lead ISMS certification audits. Others that can benefit from the courses are project managers or consultants wanting to master the ISMS audit process, chief executives and senior managers responsible for the IT governance of an enterprise /risk management. Mr. Eric Lachapelle, CEO

of PECB, said “We are pleased and excited about this new partnership with New Horizons. Our objective in this collaboration with this outstanding team of professionals is to focus on quality education and invest joint efforts on offering valuable services to customers in Nigeria.” The Managing Director, New Horizons Nigeria, Mr. Tim Akano, said the company was proud of the partnership with PECB. “We are delighted to cooperate with such a leading organization in our field of operation, and we believe that this is going to be an important development for our company. We look forward to many other upcoming successes from this step undertaken.” He said the partnership would increase New Horizons range of certifications in the quest towards ensuring that Nigerians are better educated in technology.

certain parts of the region have all combined to soften the pace of decline in the PC market." IDC said that emerging products such as All-in-Ones in the desktop category and convertible notebooks and ultraslim notebooks in the portable PC space continued to gain momentum, although this is largely at the expense of demand for the traditional desktop and notebook form factors. It also noted that after being active in the computing industry for almost seven years, mini-notebooks have reached their end-of-life in the region, with no units shipped during first quarter of 2014. Charakla said further, "The on-going recovery from political tensions and other major issues in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa contributed significantly to the revival

of PC demand in those countries, causing PC shipments to either grow or decline at a much slower rate.” He added that the discontinuation of support from Microsoft for its Windows XP operating system (OS) forced some organizations in the region to upgrade the OS in their PCs, while others opted to replace their PCs altogether, which positively impacted commercial demand. Looking at the market in more detail, IDC said portable PC shipments declined 8.9 per cent year on year in first quarter 2014 to total 3 million units, while desktop shipments declined 7.2 per cent to 1.8 million. The top five vendors remained unchanged from the previous quarter. HP maintained its lead after posting year-on-year growth of 14.9 per

cent thanks to its stronghold in both the commercial and consumer segments and its significantly stronger share in the African PC market. Second-placed Lenovo achieved astounding growth of 55.4per cent year on year, courtesy of its strong performance in the consumer segment, while Dell, Toshiba, and Acer posted declines of 4.5 per cent, 11.6 per cent, and 10.5per cent respectively. Looking ahead, IDC's forecast for growth in the second quarter of 2014 will see PC shipments to the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey reach 4.5 million units, while 2014 overall is expected to see shipments increase 1.9percent year on year, with desktop PCs declining 3.7per cent and portable PCs growing 5.5per cent due to the on-going shift toward mobility.

Data centre

Nigeria, others to record faster mobile Internet use

ne of the world’s leading telecommunications firm, Ericsson, has revealed the scale of Sub-Saharan Africa’s on going data revolution with traffic growth doubling the past year. The June 2014 SubSaharan Africa Ericsson Mobility Report shows that in 2014, phone users accessed 76,000tb (terabytes) of data per month, double the 2013 figure of 37,500 TB per month. In 2015 the figures are expected to double again with mobile phone users accessing 147,000tb per month. The rise of social media, content-rich apps and video content accessed from a new range of cheaper smartphones has prompted the rise. According to the firm, consumers in Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria are also increasingly using videoTV and media services from their smartphones. Regional Head of Ericsson

Sub-Saharan Africa, Fredrik Jejdling, says: “Sub-Saharan Africa is currently undergoing a mobile digital revolution with consumers, networks and even media companies are wakening up the possibilities of 3G and 4G technology. We have seen the trend emerging over a few years but in the past twelve months the digital traffic has increased over 100per cent forcing us to revise our existing predictions.” The report’s findings showed that the voice call traffic in Sub-Saharan Africa in the next five years will double and there will be an explosion in mobile data which is expected to growing 20 times between 2013 and 2019, twice the anticipated global expansion. The report states that by 2019, 75 per cent of mobile subscriptions will be internet inclusive (3G or 4G).

This growth had been predicted following the launch in 2014 of a number of smartphones for under $50 by a number of major device manufacturers allowing the rapid expansion of 3G and 4G technologies across the region. The 2014 report predicts that in just three years’ time, 3G technology will become the dominant technology across the region. “The rise of cheap smartphones will allow vast portions of the population – from middle classes in cities to small businesses in rural areas – access to mobile broadband. M-commerce can offer endless opportunities for entrepreneurs and we’ve found that farmers are fans of mobile wallets – as well as teenagers wanting to watch music videos on their smartphone,” Jejdling noted

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

FEATURES

THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

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

When Biafrans remembered their fallen heroes 47 years after, the wounds of the Nigerian-Biafran Civil War are still fresh and festering, writes LEO SOBECHI

he 47th commemoration of Biafran Day, which held on May 30, provided opportunity for the remembrance of the events of 1967 when the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, declared the Republic of Biafra. The event, which held at Hill Top Ngwo in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State, also served as a launching pad for a renewed agitation for the actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra. Director of Radio Biafra and leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, declared his readiness to fight all the way, stressing that Nigeria would seize to exist by September 2015. At the event were members of defunct Biafra, especially aged war veterans. Kanu said he would not rest until the Republic of Biafra was realised. Many people spoke on the Nigerian project as well as the pitfalls of the former agitation for a separate state of Biafra. The war veterans were clad in the Biafra military attire. From the killings of Igbo people, who they called the indigenous people of Biafra, in the northern part of the country, the lopsided development and federal superstructure that tended to reward mediocrity to the conspiracy against Igbo, the common refrain was that injustice makes life unbearable to the people. A multi-million cenotaph built in commemoration of the fallen Biafrans was unveiled. The gigantic sculpture standing on a raised concrete slab depicts an eagle with wings spread while standing on a snake. Dedicating the monument, Kanu said: “…God in heaven will hear our prayers, because we have suffered enough; we have died enough and we cannot forget these people because of what they did for us. Because of them we are alive and we are eternally grateful. “Therefore we pray this day as it is happening everywhere around the world. This morning, starting from 2am all the way from Japan, New Zealand Australia we got information also from China, people are remembering the courageous men that fought under the tricolour of the rising sun. Some of them did not come back, today belongs to them. “This monument is an everlasting remembrance of their courage, fortitude and sacrifice for us all. Therefore we hail them and we say in summary that every honour, all adoration goes to Chukwuabiama and all these we ask in His holy name.” He regretted that despite the declaration of the “No Victor, no Vanquished,” outcome of the 30-month Nigeria versus Biafra Civil War in 1970, “successive governments, including the present Goodluck Jonathan’s led administration, had continued to deliberately marginalise and make life unbearable for the Igbo nation and its people”. While calling on all genuine Igbo people across the globe to rise up and join the crusade of ensuring the emergence of the Biafran Republic, Kanu maintained that it was time for the Igbo to pull out of Nigeria, which, according to him, is a failed nation where nothing works. Kanu regretted that 47 years after the

Civil war veterans in Biafran uniform

The cenotaph

war, the war veterans from the Biafran side had not been paid their allowances like their colleagues. He said: “These men you see here assembled today, fought under the coat of arms of Nigeria. The war broke out and they fought for their country Biafra and they have not been paid. It is a great injustice. It is a continuation of the same injustice that led us to try to extricate ourselves from this Lugard creation called zoological republic of Nigeria. “That is why it is very disheartening that you see old men in every blessed month crying and wishing that their money will come to them and nothing happens. “The Yoruba have been paid, the Hausa Fulani have been paid but those of them belonging to Biafra have not been paid. It is an injustice that must be addressed and it is part of the reasons why we are doing what we are doing because in the new Biafra we would not have this level of injustice.” Kanu added that despite all odds, “we remain eternally grateful to the Biafran leader, the late Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and others who laid down their lives for the struggle” even as he warned the Federal Government not to constitute a cog in the wheel of progress of the proposed republic. He regretted that 47 years after Ojukwu declared the Republic of Biafra the reasons

that led to his decision were still evident in Nigeria. “As long as the intention and purpose of the amalgamation of North and South were designed to cheat the South, the nation would never move forward, because any country that makes injustice its watchword can never prosper,” he said. According to him, no amount of National Conference can solve Nigeria’s problem because of deep-rooted hatred among the different nationalities in the country. The only panacea to Nigeria’s problems, he suggested, is to split it into different regions. Kanu called on Igbo to embrace and keep faith with Biafra, which he promised, would definitely come to reality. “There is no going back, by September 2015, Nigeria would have seized to exist; we shall fight until we get Biafra, if they don’t give us Biafra, no human being will remain alive in Nigeria by that time; we shall turn everybody into corpses; you better go and buy your coffins,” Kanu warned. He, however, wondered how any right thinking fellow would want to remain in a nation where he or she has no stake or recognition. The IPOB leader said that the Igbo would soon move from bondage to the Promised Land where God had already prepared for them, like the Israelis when they left Egypt.

Decrying the sufferings and agonies being faced by ordinary Nigerians as a result of corrupt and bad governance, Kanu said: “It is the watershed in the history of the geographical expression called Nigeria. It is the aftermath of the mistake of the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates by Lord Lugard. “Nigeria is doomed, especially since the country is driven by world-acclaimed selfish and corrupt leaders, who do not believe in the wellbeing of the poor masses.” The war veterans engaged in a parade bringing back the memories of the Civil War. They sang soul-stirring songs as they marched in their well-starched uniform. Some of the songs went like this: Ebee ka onu bi? Biafra, Ebee ka onu bi? Biafra, Agaghim arapu Biafra Gaa n’ebeozo ga biri; Agaghim arapu Biafra Gaa n’ebeozo ga biri Biafra ga adindu! Umu okoro ibem Jikerebenu na hemehe Umu agboghu ibem Jikerebenu na hemehe! (Save my bullet when I die, O Biafra Save my bullet when I die, alleluia if I happen to surrender I die for ever Biafra, save my bullet when I die; Save my bullet when I die, O Biafra Save my bullet when I die, alleluia, if I happen to surrender, I die for ever Biafra, save my bullet when I die!) There were other songs that sought to know from young men “why are you delaying, come and serve your nation”. They also rendered the Biafran national anthem followed by a trumpet reliving the call to arms and patriotism which was capped up by another song as the veterans marched to their seats: We are Biafrans fighting for our freedom In the name of Jesus, we shall conquer We are Biafrans fighting for our nation In the name of Jesus we shall conquer! Oh, Oh, o o, agha, Ogboo anyi ejeghi agha Onye ga eje agha agha? (“If our age grades do not go to war, who will go?”) Highlights of the colourful event were the formal unveiling of the cenotaph, as well as official handover of the leadership of Biafra to Kanu.

40 40 FEATURES

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Jang and the plight of Plateau workers Despite high expectation, workers in Plateau State have not been able to perform optimally because of poor condition of service, BUHARI BELLO writes

ince the creation of Plateau State in 1976, Civil Service system has remained a crucial instrument for the execution and implementation of different government policies. For long, the civil service has been regarded as the engine room of the government, where various programmes’ are carried out for the development of the state. Successive administrations including military regimes recognised the important function of the civil service hence the decision to rejuvenate and give it the needed impetus for effective service delivery. The founding fathers referred to the state as “Home of Civil Servants,” because of the resilient nature of the workers who had seen the service as more than other human activities before the creation of Benue and Nasarawa states out of Plateau State. Today, the role played by the service in the transformation of the state, it seems, has not led to the social, economic and political development of the state. The state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Jibril Kamga Bangir, said: “It is as if we are just going in circle, while others are moving on with their development. This, for us, is a worrisome scenario.” There is no doubt that the prolonged years of ethno-religious crises have steadily affected the deterioration of the civil service to the extent that civil servants in the state are “now living below the poverty line and also under siege”. “The political elite have dislocated the democratic structures, regrettably leaving us with a skeleton of sustained corruption and affluence by a few individuals in society and who do not have us in their hearts,” Bangir said. According to him, the situation workers now find themselves, coupled with the increasing unemployment, has gradually becomes national embarrassment, as graduates now roam the streets of Tin City without jobs or help. “Workers challenge the state government to wake up to the stark reality and save the unemployed youths from a bleak future full with uncertainties. “Workers said they have exploited all known diplomatic avenues to resolve the impending and contending issues but the Plateau State Government has remained adamant to date,” the NLC chairman said. One issue which has remained disturbing for the civil servants is the inability of the state government to effect the promotion of workers in the last eight years Governor Jonah David Jang has been in the saddle administration in the state. “We have lost our seniority and financial benefits when compared to our counterparts in other states. This has caused a lot of dissatisfaction and loss of morale within the service. Labour is therefore making a demand that our promotion be released immediately and financial benefits paid from effective date of promotion. Nothing less can be accepted by labour in the state. “In 2011 when the state government under the present regime signed an undertaking to pay the arrears of three years of minimum wage, many workers thought that will automatically end their suffering but nothing seems to be

Workers during the May Day celebration

Jang

in the pipeline,” Bangir said. According to him, the workers want government to revisit the situation urgently and pay workers what rightly belongs to them without embarking on strike, which has become a common feature of the state. He said: “The workers say they are deeply saddened that 2012 leave transport grant is yet to be settled with the balance of outstanding leave transport grant (LTG). It is important to note that labour has done its best to manage the situation, yet government does not seem to see it that way.” Late payment of salaries remained another painful problem faced by the workers despite the pledge by the government to pay workers before the 25th of every month. ‘Today, two months down the line, no salary has been paid and workers are daily slaving without stopping,” he said. Workers, according to him, believe that they have no option than to apply the ‘No pay No work,’ noting that ‘what is good for the goose is also good for the gender’. Local government workers and primary school teachers are today groaning because of lack of their entitlements which, they said, had not been at-

Bangir

tended to by the government. “Two years after labour and government had signed an agreement in the office of the minister of labour and productivity in Abuja on the payment of unpaid four months’ salaries and full implementation of minimum wage to local government workers and primary school teachers, government has remained adamant and is still pursuing it case of ‘no work no pay’ to the detriment of workers,” the NLC chairman said. Plateau State workers are quick to compare their condition of service to the military era where, according to them, there were more certainties in the system especially in relation to their pay. The workers also condemned the ongoing biometric exercise which they said had brought upon them to untold hardship. They asked the government to immediately complete the exercise to alleviate the suffering of the teeming workers, adding that lack of payment of retirement benefit to local government workers and primary school teachers remained another source of concern to them. But the state Head of Service (HOS), Mr Ezekiel Daliyop, expressed the readiness of the regime in making the work-

ers more result-orientated to actualise the laudable objectives of the present administration, especially in training and re training of workers. Speaking when he represented Jang at this year’s May Day celebration, Daliyop assured the workers that all their grievances would be tabled before the governor, who he described as the lover of the workers. As if this is not enough, the workers also want to participate fully in the 2015 election in order to decide who succeeds Jang. “All workers must be involved in the process of having the right leader put in place. Don’t just sit down on the fence and expect good the leaders with emerge from the blues. All of us must be involved,” the NLC chairman said. The poor condition of the workers is not limited to the public sector but also those in private sector where exploitation is common because of the similar treatment mated out to workers in the state. It is, however, remains to be seen whether the Jang administration will fulfilled its promises for rejuvenating the civil service for optimum performance to move the state forward from the present state of things before 2015 when a new administration would emerge.

HEALTH THURSday, JUNE 12, 2014

he Nigerian health care system is poorly developed. No adequate and functional surveillance systems are developed. To achieve success in health care in this modern era, a system well grounded in routine surveillance and medical investigation as the backbone of the health sector is necessary, besides adequate management coupled with strong leadership principles. The Nigerian health care has suffered several down-falls. Despite Nigerian's strategic position in Africa, the country is greatly undeserved in the health care sphere. Health facilities (health centers, personnel, and medical equipments) are inadequate in this country, especially in rural areas. While various reforms have been put forward by the Nigerian government to address the wide ranging issues in the health care system, they are yet to be implemented at the state and local government levels. According to the communiqué of the Nigerian National Health Conference, health care system remains weak as evidenced by lack of coordination, fragmentation of services, dearth of resources, including drug and supplies, inadequate and decaying infrastructure, inequity in resource distribution, access to care and very deplorable quality of care. The communiqué further outlined the lack of clarity of roles and responsibilities among the different levels of government to have compounded the situation. Provision of timely information aimed at combating possible health menace among many other things is an important function of public health. Hence, inadequate tracking techniques in the public health sector can lead to huge health insecurity, and hence endanger national security. For decades ago, the outbreak of communicable diseases was a threat not only to lives of individuals but also national security. Today it is possible to track outbreaks of diseases and step up medical treatment and preventive measures even before it spreads over a large populace. Medical and epidemiological surveillance, besides adequate health care delivery, are essential functions of public health agencies whose mandate is to protect the public from major health threats, including communicable diseases outbreak and disaster outbreak. To avoid the various threats and communication lapses, timely and accurate medical information from a wide range of sources are required. During a recent trip to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, one of the foremost Teaching Hospitals in the country, the experience was that of disbelief, shock and pity regarding the health care service delivery in place. Visit to the Accident and Emergency Unit (AEU) of the hospital presented a clear picture of pain, neglect, sufferings and death of victims which meant nothing to hospital attendants. In an open hall more than one thousand victims of emergency cases were stuffed and lackadaisically treated. Fresh air was a luxury, power outrage lasted for up to three days, water was not guaranteed as a result of no electricity, medical staff and ‘care giving’ nurses would stroll in and out without offering the emergency services required at the unit. When we spoke to one of them who pleaded anonymous , she said: “ my brother , how many can we do, a job meant for ten people is being heaped on one person.” meaning there is short supply of manpower in the hospital.

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Healthcare delivery below Nigeria's status Nigeria's healthcare system has been variously criticised for not meeting up with modern day healthcare provision as demanded by the nation’s teeming population, writes CAMILLUS NNAJI

Many hospitals lack basic equipment for the treatment of cancer

Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu

At the radiology department where cancer patients are meant to receive routine radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments, we again found a situation where teaming population of cancer patients had little or no opportunity of undergoing radio and chemo treatments. In the first place, electricity to power the equipment was hardly available, the number of patients waiting to use the facility kept increasing and the equipment were either obsolete or inadequate. A cancer patient who hails from Akwa Ibom State said he had to travel that far because (UCH) was one of the very few teaching hospitals where equipment for the treatment of cancer are in use , but he recounted this, “ we have been here for seven months , the doctor recommended radio and chemo treatment ten times each, for seven months, I have been able to undergo three.” This situation further afford the doctors themselves opportunities for brisk businesses. Some have built personal hostels and sublet them to these patients at a high cost of as much as seven thousand

Chief Medical Director, (CMD), LUTH, Prof. Akin Osibogun

naira a month per room. Again, the patients and relatives have no choice. Cost of feeding and daily needs goes so high and sometimes triples the normal price. At the pharmaceutical department. of the hospital, one can wait for one hour in a long queue, waiting to purchase drugs for a dying patient. You have to pay at

He said medical tourism, as the order of the day is mostly the creation of doctors, middle men and stakeholders who will magnify a patient’s ailment and act on his wisdom to prefer treatment abroad

the bank before going to the pharmacy to receive the drug. A relative said many patients have died while their people are at the queue waiting to buy drugs. Efforts made to reach the Chief Medical Director to react to these challenges proved futile as he was said to be busy with other matters. At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), the situation was even worse. A member of one of the Unions who spoke to a victims’ relative called Solomon said his father died at the hospital the previous day. For him, it is incomprehensible to believe a medical staff will expect to be given ‘something, before he releases the case file of a deceased person.”Here even the security man demands for money to let your patient in, claiming there are no bed spaces, but when you offer him money a bed space appears…when the patient died …you must pay your way to carry the corps” he said, sobbing. Reacting, the Board of Trustee (BOT) Chairman, Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN), Dr. Emmanuel Osagie Enabulele, a surgeon, said the current state of health care services is not the best. This he attributed to lack or inadequate human resource provision, capacity training and development for health workers, dilapidated infrastructure, power supply and funding. Dr. Enabulele reasoned that this situation as it goes from worse to worse has led to high patronage of medical tourism to India and other developed countries. He regretted that if our tertiary hospitals, General hospitals and state owned hospitals cannot meet the demand of healthcare delivery, something urgently has to be done. Responding to the question, what can be done, Enabulele proffered that improved funding, power generation, removal of obsolete equipment and provision of modern day standard facilities and manpower training are compelling. "These he said can be achieved with synergy between the government and the organised private sector. Funding has to improve, there must be collaboration between stakeholders because government cannot do it alone and they cannot pretend to be doing so. Healthcare services are not enough to march the huge Nigeria population, it has to be all inclusive effort to achieve this objective of sound health care supply. Besides, he said local and foreign entrepreneurs must be given an enabling environment to partner”. Enabulele advised his colleagues to project the core value of their calling instead of monetising every situation. On his first visit to Nigeria, Dr. God Bole Girish, an Indian cardiologist lapses and inadequacies on healthcare delivery in the country. C O N T I N U E D on PA G E 4 3

42 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Group commences campaign to reduce maternal deaths with Dr. Ihuoma Uko-Ndukwe

ada.ndukwe@yahoo.com

Experts link nicotine with difficulty in quitting smoking DANGER Tobacco smoking increases disease risk

A pregnant woman

moking which affects every part of the body and a person’s overall health, is the number one cause of preventable disease and death worldwide. It is directly responsible for 85 percent of lung cancer related deaths. Similarly, it is a major cause of heart disease and stroke. About 25 percent of the world‘s adult population smoke and among adults who smoke, 60 percent started smoking at age 18 or when they were younger. Smoking is mostly seen in men more than women, among lower socio-economic groups, people with lower education and adult smokers who began at a very young age. Smoking has been adversely linked to lung cancer, ovarian cancer, lung diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, heart diseases and it can cause cancer almost anywhere in the body Smoking can make it difficult for a woman to become pregnant; smoking during pregnancy may result to complication of low birth weight, preterm deliveries and infant deaths. Full term babies of smokers have been found to be born with narrowed airways and reduced lung function, defects in newborns, still birth (death of a baby before birth), ectopic pregnancy and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It also affects the quality of men’s sperm as well as reduces fertility. Quitting smoking cuts down risk of heart disease dramatically just after one year of stopping. Within two to five years of quitting, the risk of stroke is about the same for a nonsmoker. Ten years after quitting, the risk of lung cancer drops by 50 percent. Quitting smoking is very difficult because nicotine, the major ingredient in tobacco causes addiction. Smokers not only become addicted to nicotine, they link smoking to social activities making it extremely difficult to break the addition. An average smoker, before permanently quitting smoking must have made at least four to five failed attempts, in as much as quitting smoking has considerable health benefits, there are also some down sides that drive most smokers back to smoking after making attempts to quit like weight gain—which can be handled by adjusting to food intake/exercise balance after immediate tobacco cravings subside. Smokers with a history of depression are less likely to successfully quit because smoking cessation may trigger more depressive episode, but these can be managed under the supervision of a doctor.

NOT AGAIN

Withdrawal signs: common withdrawal symptoms may be irritability, anxiety, restlessness, especially within the first week of abstinence and lasts for about two to four weeks. Tobacco products are divided into two main types - smoked and smokeless. Smokeless tobacco is the fine grained “snuff” that can sometimes be placed between the lip and gum, or cheek and gum, allowing absorption of nicotine through the oral mucosa. Many smokers believe smokeless tobacco is less harmful but it actually increases the risk of oral, esophageal and pancreatic cancer and has as much risk of heart and lung diseases as smoking tobacco. There are different forms of tobacco including chewing tobacco, cigars and roll your own cigars, cigarettes, creamy snuff, dipping tobacco, dissolvable tobacco, tobacco water and tobacco paste. SECOND HAND SMOKING: (Environmental tobacco smoke). You don’t have to be a smoker for effects of smoking to harm you. There is no safe amount of second hand smoke. Second hand smoking is the combination of smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe and the smoke exhaled by the smoker. Second hand smoke contains more than 30 substances that cause cancer. Children, pregnant women, older people and people with heart or breathing problems should avoid exposure to second hand smoking and it has been known to cause wheezing or other breathing problems in newborn babies. Some of the health effects of exposure to second hand smoke include lung cancer and nasal sinus cancer (nose). Prevention of second hand smoking can be in form of limiting smoking in public areas like restaurants, parks, indoor work area, marking a designated area for smokers. SMOKING CESSATION: Strong motivation and determination is needed for a smoker to finally quit smoking and most smoking go through these five phases to reach a permanent quit stage. They can be in any order. 1. Precontemplation stage: the re-

PHOTO: Center for Disease Control

Many smokers believe smokeless tobacco is less harmful, but it actually increases the risk of oral, esophageal and pancreatic cancer, and has as much risk of heart and lung diseases as smoking tobacco luctance, rebellion, resignation and rationalisation stage, no intention to take genuine action anytime soon and keep postponing stage. 2. Contemplation: Uncertain about quitting, considering change 3. Preparation: Starts making plans toward change, may start taking small steps towards change, worry about failure. 4. Action: actively making changes, making efforts to prevent relapse, most critical stage and will need the most encouragement. 5. Maintenance: Have been able to maintain change and is beginning to see changes from quitting THERAPIES FOR SMOKING CESSATION IN ADULTS: The goal of nicotine replacement therapy is to relieve cravings for nicotine and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Heavy smokers should start with higher doses. 1. Nicotine gum has different strength depending on length of smoking time, and maximum benefit can be achieved by intermittently chewing, eating or drinking acidic food and beverages. Within 30 minutes of use decreases effectiveness. 2. Nicotine inhaler is also affected by acidic food or drink. 3. Nicotine lozenges: The strength of this method depends on length of smoking. One of its main advantages is that it might delay weight gain. However, one lozenges should be taken at a time and allowed to properly dissolve, not chewed. Also, it is affected by acidic food/drink.

Deploying strategic approach in urban centres and grassroots will cut mortality Shola Adefuwa

on Government Organisation Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has said maternal death among women in Nigeria would be reduced to the minimum. The executive director of WARDC, Dr.Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi said the campaign is to mobilise women and maternal health activists from both the civil society and government organisations to increase the campaign on the reduction and total elimination of maternal deaths among women. This is the outcome of the “launch of Not Again Advocacy Campaign for the Reduction of Maternal Mortality” in Lagos on Monday. Akiyode-Afolabi said, "women have typically featured in maternal health issues as victims and as objects rather than active subjects in the campaign against maternal de aths.” She said, more than 50

Nigerians who are able to secure maternal education will be useful in teaching others their knowledge, including family planning and birth-attendant training

million women of Nigeria are a potentially powerful force whose experiences can enrich perspectives on maternal health issues. The campaign thus proposes, as a strategic approach, to educate, organise and mobilise women across the country and from the small local community to the national level as an active force in this campaign, she stated. The campaign will be run at the national, state, and local levels to reach the maximum number of people shielded. According to the President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, the alarming rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria reflects a dire situation in urgent need of a collective effort aimed at salvaging the situation. Okei-Odumakin said, “We cannot actually separate the rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria from the country’s poor economic state. We are talking about a situation where 100 million people in our population still lives on less than $1 per day while the percentage of Nigerians living in absolute poverty, which is the deprivation of basic human needs has continued to be on the increase”, she said. “Our government at all levels has failed to implement effective plans to reduce maternal mortality to save the lives of thousands of women annually,” she said. Nigerians who are able to secure maternal education will be useful in teaching others their knowledge, including family planning and birth-attendant training, which can be sustained in the long term. When maternal death numbers are reduced and families are no longer affected by maternal mortality, the positive results will make the knowledge a priority among Nigerians to pass on to the next generations, she said.

HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Strides to make Nigeria polio free Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the three polio-endemic countries worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). In this report, OBINNA ODOH highlights success stories in polio eradication under the current Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Mohammed

TARGET Will Nigeria break the polio jinx by 2015?

olio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, and stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs. One in 200 infections led to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those paralysed, five percent to 10 percent die when their breathing muscles become immobilised. Poliomyelitis mainly affects children under five years of age. As long as a single child remains infected, children in all countries are at risk of contracting polio. Over the years, Nigeria as a nation has been bedeviled with this scourge and consequently been enlisted among the nations that are polio endemic. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) report in early 2014, only three countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan) remain polio-endemic, down from more than 125 in 1988. In most countries, global efforts have expanded the capacities to eradicate polio and improve universal health coverage to tackle other infections that contribute to child and maternal deaths. And as a nation faced with this herculean health challenge, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCA) under the leadership of Dr. Ado Mohammed has taken the giant stride by adopting multifarious approaches in reducing the menace to the barest minimum. In 2012, through strong commitment, Dr. Mohammed adopted stringent measures that were used in tackling polio and as a result made a landmark achievement by reducing polio in Nigeria by 60

Mohammed

percent and restricted the area of circulation of polio virus from 11 states to just three states - Borno, Yobe, and Kano. Dr. Mohammed, an expert and health

Healthcare delivery not reflective of Nigeria's status C O N T I N U E D f rom PA G E 4 1

Girish was shocked that the level of medical infrastructure and health facilities used in most hospitals in Nigeria are obscure, obsolete and not maintained. Why do medical reports sent from most Nigerian hospitals become entirely different diagnose when the patient visits India and are subjected to medical re diagnosis. It is either the healthcare practitioners are incompetent or equipment used are not to standard” he remarked. Emmanuel Ibekwe, Healthcare Stakeholder and National Coordinator Health and Longevity, sounded a different opinion. For him, the current Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu and the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) have done well, though what has confronted them is problems created by the past administration. According to him, the health sector under Chukwu has tried its best. What they are battling is what went wrong since previous regimes. The coordinator gave the example of the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta in Lagos State where he observed personally that "the response patients receive is wonderful and I think it is a function of placing the right people at the right position.”

Former President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele

On funding and infrastructure, Ibekwe regretted that Nigeria as a giant of Africa , where other African brothers look up to, has failed to take its rightful position even in healthcare funding. He said medical tourism, as the order of the day is mostly the creation of doctors, middle men and stakeholders who will magnify a patient’s ailment and act on his wisdom to prefer treatment abroad. This guarantees him some thousands of dollars and at the end what happens to the patient on that medical trip is not his concern.

professional with passion especially when it involves achieving healthy living for Nigerians immediately swung into action when he was appointed as the executive secretary of the NPHCDA by introducing the following: *Training of over 10,000 health workers to deliver health services. They are responsible for meeting the need of customers, in right and appropriate attitudes; and *Introduction of the Bundle Push System where vaccines are pushed to local government areas which are also provided with logistics to get the vaccines to the cold chain stores. This strategy contributes to the expansion of routine immunisation coverage, and improved routine immunisation approach that reduced the disease in 2013 from 51 percent to 83 percent. It has similarly contributed to saving 66,000 lives from polio deaths in six months. Furthermore, he included the recruitment, training and deployment of over 16,000 frontline health workers to over 2,000 health facilities nation-wide through the Midwives Service Scheme

Poliomyelitis mainly affects children under five years of age. As long as a single child remains infected, children in all countries are at risk of contracting polio

and the SURE P on maternal and child health in tandem with the ‘Saving One Million Lives project, decentralisation and integration of HIV/AIDS services into Primary Health Care (PHC) services at the PHC level to prevent mother to child transmission, Maternal and Newborn Health Week and conditional cash transfer under the SURE P on maternal and child health to encourage pregnant women to attend ante-natal services as well as encourage them to deliver at health facilities, etc. Dr. Ado Mohammed’s achievements have spurred both national and international agencies to give credence to his tireless effort in reducing infant and maternal deathsi in Nigeria. Among the international agencies that have commended Nigeria’s achievement in polio eradication is the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF). The organisation’s Executive Director, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin lauded Nigeria’s record achievement of over 83 percent coverage on routine immunisation during a courtesy call on Dr. Mohammed recently. In similar vein, the Country Representative of the WHO, Dr. Rui Gama Vaz during 27th Expert Review meeting commended the effort of NPHCDA on polio eradication and affirmed that 2015 free polio in Nigeria is achievable following the achievement of the agency so far. He advocated continuous efforts in areas of information to the people and called on various communities to co-operate with health workers on this issue. At the recently concluded 27th Expert Review Committee meeting on Polio and Routine Immunisation, a platform provided for stakeholders (foreign and local) to assess the performance in polio fight and proffer future strategies in handling the challenges, Dr. Mohammed disclosed that NPHDA has through the support of federal government and other development partners made unprecedented progress that has never been seen in the history of health in Nigeria. According to him Nigeria has made more progress in polio eradication globally more than any other country “we have been able to reduce polio cases in Nigeria by 60 percent; we have also been able to confine the generic cluster by almost 96 percent. We have been able to confine and restrict the virus: this year, only one case has been seen. It is in Dala Local Government of Kano State,” stated Mohammed. Following Dr. Mohammed’s antecedents, we are no more in doubt of his 2014 prospect which are under listed below: improving the quality of RI, making efforts to strengthen RI in Nigeria, and saving more lives due to the increase in RI coverage. Other area are giving between 85 percent to 90 percent access to the areas with security challenges due to the state of emergency declared in some northern states, working towards the universal health coverage; reorientation of health workers, ensuring attitude to work and management vision to make PHC available at every five kilometers radius. Furthermore, he improved the quality of campaigns zero tolerance for maternal mortality, which has reduced to 350 per 100,000 live births. Therefore we urge federal government and other development partners (local and international agencies) to continue to give more support to this agency that has made much progress in improving the health of the Nigerian people.

44 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Healthcare coverage less than 10%, says minister Obinna Odoh

those covered are mostly civil

nerable segments of the population who have higher disease burdens, lower incomes and are in most need of protection. Universal health care sometimes referred to as universal health coverage, universal coverage or universal care – usually referral to health care system which provides health care and financial protection to all its citizens. The goal of universal health coverage is to

Abuja servants and the formal private sector leaving out the most vul-

he Minister of Health, Prof.C.O. Onyebuchi Chukwu has lamented that despite the Federal government’s efforts in implementing a number of initiatives for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) the percentage of Nigerians covered by any form of pre-payment scheme has remained less than 10 percent of the population. Prof. Chukwu regretted that

ensure that all people obtain the health services they need without suffering. The Minister who made this known at the ministerial press briefing on the 2014 National Safe Motherhood Day Commemoration held in Abuja, stated that the Safe Motherhood Day Celebration is a global event that is celebrated yearly by countries of the world to focus national attention on emerging issues on Safe Motherhood and to bring to national discuss the respon-

sibility of different stakeholders in promoting the health of mothers and children. According to him, this year’s theme “Universal Health Coverage for improved Maternal and Newborn” is strategic as it brings to focus the importance of Universal Health Coverage unlocking the door for significant improvement in the health status of Nigerians. Chukwu recalled that the concept of Universal Health Coverage came to the fore in 2005 following the World

Health Organisation (WHO) committing into developing their health financing system so that all people have access to services and do not suffer financial hardship paying for them. In his address on state of mother and child health in the country, the minister said figures from office of the Bureau of Statistics showed that maternal mortality stood at 350 per 100,000 live births; while infant mortality was 59 per 1000, and that under-five mortality remained 94 per 1000.

Scientists develop technology to provide potable water from manure INNOVATION Enters a solution to water shortage problem

T R-L: Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Branch, Olugbenga Ajala; Charman, Senior Staff Association of Teaching Hospitals Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSATHRIAI), LUTH Branch, Mr. Kehinde Adegoke; Chairman, Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), LUTH Branch, Mr. Felix Akinruli; and the Vice Chairman of NANNM, Oluyemi Adelaja at the press conference on the indefinite strike declared by the Joint House Unions and Association LUTH, Idiaraba, Lagos

‘Handwashing cuts infection by 80%' lProcter & Gamble promotes fitness, healthy living Appolonia Adeyemi

he importance of handwashing as a strategy to promote hygiene and reduce disease has been reiterated in Lagos. Keeping hands clean is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness. Nkechi Olalere, a public health physician said this at a Family Funfair Day at the weekend when some children were exposed to hand washing practices and families hosted to a day of healthy games and outdoor activities aimed at fostering active lifestyle in Nigerian homes. The events were organised by Procter & Gamble makers of the Safeguard, antibacterial soap which championed the handwashing event. Olalere who also doubles as ‘doctor Safeguard’, representing the brand, Safeguard antibacterial Soap, said “in places where hand washing has been instituted, we have found that it can cut down the incidents of diseases by about 80 percent. This is what safeguard portrays and continues to inform people about hand washing”. He however noted that sometimes, people wash their hands without soap, adding, “it is important to use soap”. Hosted by ex-Super Eagles stars, Peter Rufai and Mutiu Adepoju, the event was spiced with World Cup trivia games, mini tournaments, health talks

and fitness drills administered by the World Cup veterans, who are also marking 20 years of their first appearance at the World Cup through the event. Speaking, Ayotomiwa Ajewole the Brand Communications Manager at P&G described the event as the company’s way of encouraging fitness in line with the oncoming world cup in all users of their products. “As suppliers of family consumer products, we always encourage a healthy lifestyle through both our products and our activities as an organisation. The family fun fair is our way of practicing what we preach” he said. The producers of Gillette, Safeguard, Vicks and Duracell focused on healthy and active living especially during this season of the world cup to further promote quality of life ensured by their products as well as generate more support for the super eagles. Project manager of the Fam-

Handwashing with soap is a simple excercise

ily Fun Fair, Dare Amokeodo expressed his pride at being involved in the project. “We are glad and excited about this project; it is a day for sports, health and general fitness”. He further encouraged Nigerians to take some time out in their neighborhood and engage in mini tournaments, 5-a-side football games, warm up exercises and the like before settling down to enjoy their favoruite sport and above all he called on Nigerians to support the Super Eagles. Peter Rufai former Goalkeeper for the Super Eagles team described the effort made by Procter & Gamble as admirable and a step in the right direction. “This Fun Fair brings to mind the fun times I had while I was on the National team and the joy every win brought us” He said, “ It also reminds me that keeping fit is the first step to winning and any organisation that promotes this way of life amongst Nigerians should be applauded.”

he anaerobic digester takes manure and passes out water which is clean enough for livestock to drink - by removing compounds such as ammonia. Nutrients are also pulled from the manure during the process which can be tur ned into fertiliser. Professor Steve Safferman, from the Michigan State University team, said: "If you have 1,000 cows on your operation, they produce about 10 million gallons of manure a year. "About 90 percent of the manure is water but it contains large amounts

of nutrients, carbon and pathogens that can have an environmental impact if not properly managed." The system produces 50 gallons (227L) of water for every 100 gallons (455L) of manure digested. The research team hopes to soon increase the water output to 65 gallons (295L). Given there are more than 87 million cows in the United States (U.S), the system could theoretically produce 870 million gallons of clean water every year. Prof Saffer man added: "Here in Michigan, we have a tendency to take water for granted. "But out west, for example, where drought remains an issue, the accessibility of clean water could make the difference between a farm remaining viable or going out of business."

Gascol sugar-free antacid debuts According to him, GasAppolonia Adeyemi col sugar-free is a uniquely different antacid and is the tomach acid health prob- first antacid in Nigeria to be lem is a common condi- specially formulated for pertion and almost everyone sons on sugar restricted diets. from kids, to youths, adults, Similarly, it is suitable for all pregnant women, persons suf- health conscious persons, he fering from various ailments added. experience acid-related pain. The product is presented in Being a frequent health con- four variants – Classic, Strawdition affecting many people berry, Banana and Sugar-free, at different times in their with each designed to meet lives, doctors often recom- the uniqueness of every pamend antacid, a medication tient. that neutralises stomach acid In addition, Enalolo noted as well as provides relief for that the ideal antacid is effective in low doses i.e. possessacid-related problems. As part of its contribution es a large 'Acid Neutralising to healthcare especially in Capacity' (ANC), produces the area of acid-related pain, sustained relief and does Fidson Healthcare Plc, has in- not cause bloating, does not troduced an antacid medica- cause diarrhea or constipation called Gascol sugar-free. tion, has a low sodium conLaunching the product in tent, and has no drug-drug Lagos last week, Maketing interactions. Gascol sugarManager, Fidson Healthcare free meets all these characPlc, Friday Enaholo said Gas- teristics, he said, adding that col sugar-free which is an ant- it is readily available and cost acid suspension will provide effective. relief for gastric pain assoOn the advantage of its flaciated with hyperacidity in vouring, Fidson’s marketing heartburn, gastric reflux and manager said several clinical indigestion, will give relief trials have confirmed that of hyperacidity-induced pain taste/flavour of a medication associated with gastric and influences drug compliance duodenal ulcers, gastritis and among patients, adding that peptic esophagitis, as well as a pleasantly flavoured mediprovide relief in pregnancy- cation improves compliance and clinical outcomes. related acid reflux.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Ekiti violence: Afuye slams N1bn suit against police lLagos APC condemns attack DETENTION Commissioner for Integration goes to court in exercise of his right Stories by Adesina Wahab

Ado-Ekiti

he Ekiti State Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye has filed a suit against the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Police Command, Mr. Felix Uyanna, and the Mobile Police Commander, Gabriel Selenkere at the Ekiti State High Court. Afuye is asking the

724m

court to grant him damages in the sum of N1 billion for physical assault on his person by Selenkere and his unlawful detention by the police. The suit was filed pursuant to Order 11 Rules 123 and 5 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement) Rules 2009 and sections 6, 34, 41 and 46 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. Afuye, a lawyer, was one of the persons arrested on June 8 by the police following a faceoff between some policemen and Governor Kayode Fayemi. Eight persons were arrested by the police in connection with the violence during which Taiwo Akinola was killed and many people injured.

The number of mobile-cellular subscriptions of Europe region in 2010. Source: Itu.int

As at press time on yesterday, the arrested persons were still being held in police custody. A number of motorcycles and vehicles were damaged. The Attorney-General of Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda, indicated that the Directorate of Citizens in the Ministry of Justice is interested in the suit, adding that all cases of alleged police brutality and extrajudicial actions would be investigated with a view to ensuring the prosecution and dismissal from the force of any errant police officer. Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the APC has condemned in the strongest terms the unleashing of provocative violence and mayhem on the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fay-

$US164.6bn

emi, Senator Babafemi Ojudu and members of the APC in Ekiti State by the police. The party equally lambasted the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh for attempting to justify this clear case of brigandage by the police on the members of the APC, warning that the party will resist every attempt by desperate politicians who have wasted the country's potentials to force themselves on Nigerians in 2015. In a release in Lagos, signed by the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Joe Igbokwe, the party sees the attack as the height of provocation by a failed party that sees the police as it's hatchet dogs in their desperate efforts to stay in power.

138m

The nominal GDP of Pakistan (IMF) in 2009. The number of people living with diabetes in Source: Blatantworld.com Western Pacific region in 2013. Source: Idp.com

Africa classified as high risk for aircraft insurance lFirms put continent’s airlines’ claim at $444, 649.110 Wole Shadare frica has been classified as high risk continent for aircraft insurance; the reason insurance firms are reluctant to insure the continents airlines. Equally worrisome is the default of many carriers to live up to the billing when it comes to paying their premium, coupled with the high rate of accident, said to be the highest in the world. Many Nigerian airlines are guilty of not paying insurance premium; a situation that that a former Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren tackled by insisting that listing of airline’s insurers would form part of the requirements for the issuance of Air Operators Certificate (AOC). The over eight air accidents recorded in Nigeria in the last ten years helped to add to the bad image when it comes to aircraft leases and insurance premium. Despite Nigeria being a signatory to the Cape Town Convention which is expected to make the issue of aircraft lease and repossession seamless, the country’s carriers’ groan under

the yoke of high insurance premium and the high cost of airplane acquisitions. Meanwhile, insurance claims figure for African carriers is put at $444, 649.110, making it the highest in the world, followed by South America which stood at $405, 462.112, while Europe is put at paltry $2 billion, an indication that the continent of Africa has the highest exposure. Experts at the African Aviation Summit 2014 Air Finance for Africa Conference and Exhibition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia said the image of the continent’s airlines is not too good with underwriters Speaking on aviation insurance for Africa, Executive Director, Willis Group, based in the United Kingdom lamented that there is huge cost of insurance for airlines in Africa. He asked the airlines to ensure that accident rates are reduced to the barest minimum which he said would encourage both aircraft leasors and insurers to bring down the high cost of insurance premium and the conditionality attached to financing aircraft purchase or acquisition for minimized.

Caverton Helicopters plans aircraft simulator centre Wole Shadare averton Helicopters Limited (a subsidiary of Caverton Offshore Support Group PLC) has announced plans to operate the first commercial aviation training centre in the sub-Saharan African region. The decision to have aircraft simulators in Nigeria would save Nigerian airlines a lot of money, as no company does the exercise presently in Nigeria. Not only that, it would help to reduce costs of travelling to Europe, United States, Asia for simulator trainings for pilots and engineers. The contract for this landmark flight simulator centre was signed yesterday in Montreal, Canada between Caverton Helicopters and CAE, a global leader in the

L-R: Deputy Managing Director, SWIPHA, Mr. Abass Sambo; Chairman, Mr. Colin Cummings; Chairman of the occasion, Chief Julius Adeluyi-Adeluyi, during the World Health Organization certificate media briefing/product launch in Lagos

Bamidele woos Labour Congress APC feels threatened by overnorship candidate gaveassurancesthatlabour Labour Party matters would form a priorSaturday's rally, says Ogundipe G(LP)of intheEkiti State, Hon. ity of his government. kiti State Chairman of tled the APC. They became Opeyemi Bamidele has Bamidele stressed the EParty the Peoples Democratic confused and out of sheer said the Nigerian Labour urgent need to reverse the (PDP), Mr Makan- desperation, resorted to Congress (NLC) will play dwindling fortunes of ordijuola Ogundipe has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) resorted to violence having seen the unprecedented reception given PDP leaders on Saturday during the party's mega rally. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, Ogundipe opined that the APC also became jittery after it thought that the PDP would collapse after the party's primary. "The people's warm reception for us, our party and our leaders really rat-

needless self-help. "Imagine that they turned themselves to market sweepers and if they stopped at that, it would have been better, but they went ahead to attack anybody wearing anything linked to PDP or our candidate, Dr Ayo Fayose. "The irony of the whole situation is that they were the ones who attacked us and other innocent people and the first to rush to the media to engage in their usual propaganda," Ogundipe stated.

a prominent role in his administration if elected into office. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti yesterday at a parley with labour leaders, he promised to integrate the NLC into his administration. Bamidele said the need to do this was to stop recurring disagreements between the NLC, other trade unions and governments at various levels. At the meeting, were the NLC and all its 26 affiliated unionsinEkitiState.Healso

nary workers in the state, with a promise that NLC would have better welfare package and unhindered access to his administration. He said: "I need more than just your votes, I also need your prayers since I'm one of you. I'm going to be governor of Nigerian workers having been a member of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA. This is because I will understand the attitude, psyche and language of Nigerian workers.

provision of flight simulators, which are devices that artificially recreate aircraft flight for training that pilots are required to undergo every six months. The purpose built facility to be located at the MurtalaMuhammed International Airport, Lagos will feature six (6) simulator bays equipped with a CAE 3000 Series AW 139 helicopter full-flightsimulator (FFS), a CAE 7000XR Series Boeing 737 NG full-flightsimulator (FFS)and two CAE Simfinity Integrated Procedures Trainers (IPTs). The collaborative effort will have CAE providing a turnkey solution that will include the start-up, maintenance and operation of the centre for a specified period pending the full transfer of knowledge and skill-sets.

Gov's wife lifts NUJ with N3m ife of the Ekiti State W Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, yesterday gave

the sum of N3 million to the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to complete its Press Centre in Ado-Ekiti. Mrs. Fayemi, who lauded the contributions of the media to the sustenance of democracy, said efforts must not be spared to assist media men to discharge

their duties to the nation. She described her husband, Dr Kayode Fayemi, as an ‘extraordinary leader’, who had done marvelously well to uplift Ekiti in all facets. Mrs. Fayemi also said that governance in Ekiti was no longer “a playing field for mediocres”, considering the current level of development in the state.

46 BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

CBN remains ‘very independent' –Emefiele

SUSTAINABILITY There are strong indications that the inflation rate may rise

Says 7.9% inflation’s goodNaira closes flat Emefiele also said on a conference call with analysts that the 7.9 per cent inflation rate recorded at the end of April was a "good level," although he added the CBN would work to bring down interest rates eventually. Investors and analysts, worried by the suspension of widely respected former governor Lamido Sanusi, according

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) remains "very independent," newly appointed governor Godwin Emefiele said yesterday, dismissing fears of government interference after the president ousted the previous governor in February.

to Reuters, have fretted that the government may attempt to influence monetary policy ahead of the 2015 elections. Sanusi, an outspoken critic of the government who regularly railed against its record on corruption, was a favourite of international investors. He was named the Emir of Kano last Sunday, making him one of

Nigeria to enjoy robust growth, says World Bank robust in Nigeria, the region’s largest economy.” Nigeria’s economy had grown 6.5 per cent and 7.0 per cent in 2012 and 2013 respectively and is projected to grow at 6.7 per cent, 5.5 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The report stated, “In SubSaharan Africa strong domestic demand underpinned GDP growth of 4.7 per cent in 2013, up from 3.7 per cent the previous year. The regional aggregate was depressed by weak 1.9 per cent growth in South Africa due to structural bottlenecks; tense labour relations and low consumer and investor confidence. “Excluding South Africa, average regional GDP growth was six per cent in 2013. Fiscal and current account deficits widened across the region, reflecting high government spending, falling commodity prices, and strong import growth. “Medium-term prospects for

Ayodele Aminu

he World Bank has singled out Nigeria as the only country where growth is expected to remain robust in the African sub-region. It however, noted that other developing countries were headed for a year of disappointing growth. After reviewing economic activities in the world in the first quarter of the year, the World Bank in a report entitled: ‘Global Economic Prospects’, which was released in Washington on Wednesday. “Growth is expected to be particularly strong in East Africa, increasingly supported by FDI flows into offshore natural gas resources in Tanzania, and the onset of oil production in Uganda and Kenya. Although growth will remain subdued in South Africa, it will pick up modestly in Angola and remain

the region remain favourable, with GDP growth projected to remain broadly stable at 4.7 per cent in 2014, before rising moderately to 5.1 per cent in each of 2015 and 2016, supported by firming external demand and investments in natural resources, infrastructure, and agricultural production. Developing countries are headed for a year of disappointing growth, as first quarter weakness in 2014 has delayed an expected pick-up in economic activity, the bank said. Bad weather in the United States, the crisis in Ukraine, rebalancing in China, political strife in several middle-income economies, slow progress on structural reforms, and capacity constraints are all contributing to a third straight year of sub five per cent growth for the developing countries as a whole, the bank added in a statement made available to our correspondent.

Economic Indicators 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

Customers of Sterling Bank can now obtain micro-credit loan via social media channels

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

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

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

Sterling Bank introduces Social Lending Scheme ANOTHER FIRST

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

the most influential leaders in the north. "The MPC is very independent and there would not be any changes (to policy)," Emefiele said, referring to the bank's monetary policy committee. "All decisions will be taken in line with economic fundamentals." Nigeria has sustained inflation at single-digits over the past 15 months, owing to tight monetary policy, Emefiele said, noting that the bank would work to maintain that. He said he wanted to reduce interest rates, stuck at 12 per cent since 2011, gradually over the medium term and would work with the government to rebuild the country's foreign reserves. He added that he saw no need to devalue the currency at the moment. Nigeria’s inflation rate, which was 7.8 per cent last March, averaged 10.31 per cent from 2006 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 15.60 per cent in February of 2010 and a record low of three per cent in July of 2006. The banking watchdog, which has a longer-term goal of reducing inflation to around five per cent by the end of 2015, targets a rate of between 6-9 per cent. But with Emefiele’s insistence on not allowing the naira

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

exchange rate to find its level (actual value), there are indications that the inflation rate might spike going forward. Asked about the risk of capital flight, which creates pressure for a devaluation, he said: "We have an idea of how much is involved in these flows and I can assure you that with the reserves we have, we are adequately prepared to meet those level of inflows and still maintain price stability." Nigeria’s reserves were about $37 billion as at June 9, which can cover up to eight months of imports, Emefiele said. He said the bank would ensure financial stability and not introduce regulations that would harm the profitability of lenders, referring to a hike in cash reserve ratio that crimped bank interest margins. Meanwhile, the naira closed broadly flat yesterday, recovering from early losses after news of dollar sales by Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to banks filtered into the market, dealers said. Consequently, the naira closed at N162.90 to the dollar, little changed from its close of N162.85 the previous day. It hit a day's low of N163.45 to the dollar yesterday before rebounding on the news that NNPC had sold around $200 million to lenders toward the close of trading at 1300 GMT.

terling Bank Plc yesterday, scored another first, by being the first lender in Nigeria to introduce the ‘Social Lender Scheme.’ The initiative is being executed in collaboration with BINCOM ICT. Speaking at the launch of the product in Lagos, Head, Social Media, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Kelvin Steve-Igbodo, said the platform, the first in Nigeria, is a modified peer-to-peer lending solution using social media to offer micro-credit. The scheme, according to him, provides a platform for online fans, followers who are customers of Sterling Bank to obtain micro-credit loan via social media channels starting with facebook and twitter. “This application will integrate with existing financial structures of the bank such that users of the online platform can access small loans by normal methods of withdrawing cash without collateral. These funds are easy to access and are delivered via a convenient platform,” he explained. Commenting on how the service works, he said Sterling

Bank customers who are friends of the bank on facebook or twitter can apply for micro-credit by visiting the social lender site. According to him, users who request for the loans on the social lender platform are rated by the algorithm that calculates their social reputation using various criteria. “Based on this, the loan is either granted or rejected by the back-end social credit officer. Most importantly, the applicant must have an account with the bank. “At Sterling Bank we realise that one of the basic functions of a bank is to provide loan access for its customers, but we have also observed that the inconvenience of the processes often dissuades potential customers from applying for loans. “With the emergence of social banking on our various online platforms, the need to issue loans online has become relevant and this is why Sterling Bank has taken the initiative to develop a service that would make it easy for those who are active online to access micro credit. “Sterling Bank as a responsible financial institution cannot overlook the importance of social media in today’s society as it continues to play a unique role in the lives of people on a daily basis. Social Lender can be accessed from Monday onwww.sterlingbankng.com/sociallender,” he added.

Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014

Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014 Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003

BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET

No Debt Trading Activity

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at June 11, 2014 Daily Summary (Equities)

Daily Summary (Equities)

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 44 20 64

Current Price 33.86 36.55

Quantity Traded 268,558 510,876 779,434

Value Traded 9,038,345.79 18,741,871.29 27,780,217.08

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 17 17

Current Price 3.10

Quantity Traded 555,080 555,080

Value Traded 1,730,633.00 1,730,633.00

1,334,514

29,510,850.08

Quantity Traded 15,705 300 35,157,531 370,984 35,544,520

Value Traded 21,672.90 1,443.00 150,971,124.05 21,893,982.05 172,888,222.00

35,544,520

172,888,222.00

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES

Diversified Industries Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003

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

81 Symbol AGLEVENT SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 3 1 490 49 Daily Summary (Equities) 543

Activity Summary on Board EQTY CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (WStock A) PLC. Published by The Nigerian Exchange © G CAPPA PLC Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

Current Price 1.38 5.06 4.28 59.01

543 Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA

No. of Deals 14 1 15

Current Price 1.17 14.46

Quantity Traded Page 402,338 500 402,838

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 70.87

Quantity Traded 24,773 24,773

Value Traded 1,715,835.00 1,715,835.00

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 34 34

Current Price 18.00

Quantity Traded 521,427 521,427

Value Traded 9,323,856.63 9,323,856.63

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 10.47

Quantity Traded 4,400 4,400

Value Traded 43,780.00 43,780.00

953,438

11,558,207.89

CONSTRUCTION/REAL Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014ESTATE Totals Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003 CONSUMER GOODS Automobiles/Auto Parts DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

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

Value Traded 1 467,866.26 of 13 6,870.00 474,736.26

Symbol GUINNESS INTBREW

No. of Deals 35 35

Current Price 179.00 25.93

Quantity Traded 99,845 303,785

Value Traded 17,890,718.20 7,901,018.55

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Symbol JOSBREW NB PREMBREW

No. of Deals 3 95 1 169

Current Price 2.93 179.00 0.77

Quantity Traded 13,500 1,594,478 20,000 2,031,608

Value Traded 37,665.00 285,207,332.79 16,000.00 311,052,734.54

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

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 90.00

Quantity Traded 8,201 8,201

Value Traded 744,812.50 744,812.50

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR MULTITREX NASCON NNFM UNIONDICON UTC

No. of Deals 36 73 51 54 2 71 3 1 4 295

Current Price 8.50 9.60 78.00 4.18 0.50 12.00 20.78 14.11 0.55

Quantity Traded 341,120 2,326,103 731,651 2,004,623 20,000 2,178,550 64,696 9,400 21,339 7,697,482

Value Traded 2,897,871.64 22,410,997.94 57,012,657.32 8,380,901.94 10,000.00 25,523,857.11 1,277,746.00 126,054.00 11,309.67 117,651,395.62

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities) CADBURY 57 NESTLE 56

Current Price 81.89 1,070.00

Quantity Traded 213,664 221,163

Value Traded 16,819,694.69 237,167,109.80 Value Traded 3 of 13 253,986,804.49

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014 UNION DICON SALT PLC. Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003 U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. EQTY Activity Summary on Board CONSUMER GOODS Food Products--Diversified Food Products--Diversified Totals

Page

Quantity Traded 13,765 13,765

Value Traded 60,795.80 60,795.80

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

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 30 42 72

Current Price 36.94 49.60

Quantity Traded 94,537 479,850 574,387

Value Traded 3,467,024.82 23,849,114.39 27,316,139.21

10,762,270

710,813,682.16

Current Price 9.91 6.70 16.60 2.07 30.91 3.42 2.33

Quantity Traded 2,157,689 24,766,443 656,808 4,463,309 7,386,009 11,487,516 8,258,153

Value Traded 21,507,725.22 166,073,855.30 10,852,859.48 9,082,224.51 227,961,002.99 39,616,444.26 19,442,804.60 Value Traded 281,974,386.18 9,367,501.17 4 of 13 399,108.00

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © UNITY BANK PLC

Symbol UBA UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 339 83 11 39 260 1,598

Current Price 8.03 10.06 0.50 1.00 25.30

Quantity Traded 35,144,175 926,623 Page 798,216 4,829,919 9,415,762 110,290,622

4,761,650.35 238,473,251.44 1,029,512,813.50

Symbol AIICO CONTINSURE GNI LAWUNION MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS OASISINS PRESTIGE SOVRENINS STACO WAPIC

No. of Deals 40 3 2 39 9 24 15 1 6 4 1 26 122 292

Current Price 0.83 1.05 0.50 0.50 2.50 0.54 0.83 0.50 0.53 0.54 0.50 0.50 0.80

Quantity Traded 2,764,813 125,622 10,000 707,600 353,181 7,971,698 1,119,336 16,200 78,500 26,008 200 5,200 20,580,264 33,758,622

Value Traded 2,297,383.67 132,143.10 5,000.00 353,800.00 883,045.00 4,115,043.07 926,356.51 8,100.00 41,605.00 13,564.34 100.00 2,600.00 16,439,333.79 25,218,074.48

Symbol FORTISMFB

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 5.96

Quantity Traded 2,585,000

Value Traded 15,406,600.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 1

Current Price

Quantity Traded 2,585,000

Value Traded 15,406,600.00

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Symbol ABBEYBDS ASOSAVINGS

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 1.35 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 200 1,200

Value Traded 1,290.00 100.00 1,390.00

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 64 38 476 54 5 25 72 734

Current Price 3.20 3.51 15.55 4.05 0.53 25.35 2.35

Quantity Traded 414,927 2,231,767 20,716,502 1,734,471 193,199 1,027,281 3,222,235 29,540,382

Value Traded 1,326,448.76 7,879,959.44 322,883,855.14 7,017,507.63 102,248.48 26,046,354.78 7,704,113.92 372,960,488.15

176,175,826

1,443,099,366.13

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 1,770.00 1,770.00

WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. OASIS INSURANCE PLC Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

FINANCIAL SERVICES Micro-Finance Banks Micro-Finance Banks Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Healthcare Providers EKOCORP PLC. Healthcare Providers Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

2,627 Symbol EKOCORP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 3.72

Page

Value Traded 19,000.00 19,000.00

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC Processing Systems Totals

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 2,200,000 2,200,000

Value Traded 1,100,000.00 1,100,000.00

Symbol MTI

No. of Deals 5

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 200,000,000

Value Traded 100,000,000.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 5

Current Price

Quantity Traded 200,000,000

Value Traded 100,000,000.00

202,642,250

101,373,635.00

Quantity Traded 500 3,910,233

Value Traded 1,295.00 101,844,679.92

Telecommunications Services MASS TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIONS NIGERIA PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY

ICT Telecommunications Services Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014Services Totals Telecommunications Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003 ICT Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC DN MEYER PLC. FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

18 Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities) AFRPAINTS ASHAKACEM

1 182

2.72 26.30

Symbol BERGER CAP CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER FIRSTALUM IPWA PAINTCOM WAPCO

No. of Deals 9 20 33 54 4 1 2 4 103 413

Current Price 9.00 40.00 10.27 230.00 1.11 0.50 0.50 1.40 109.70

Quantity Traded 200,076 53,798 356,633 3,049,891 29,144 4,100 8,500 100,000 1,712,355 9,425,230

Value Traded 1,802,912.50 2,143,826.15 3,697,870.85 701,459,999.84 33,807.04 2,050.00 4,250.00 140,000.00 190,944,382.86 1,002,075,074.16

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.92

Quantity Traded 66,729 66,729

Value Traded 128,119.68 128,119.68

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 2 15 17

Current Price 1.69 16.59

Page Quantity Traded 1,698 330,111 331,809

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities)

8Value Traded of 13 2,965.46 5,431,196.16 5,434,161.62

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value Traded 3,545.00 3,545.00

9,824,268

1,007,640,900.46

1 1

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded Page 900,242 900,242

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 352 352

Current Price 20.10

Quantity Traded 8,044,787 8,044,787

Value Traded 160,625,904.94 160,625,904.94

Symbol BECOPETRO CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 2 63 82 17 41 20 15 240

Current Price 0.50 59.85 3.84 250.01 131.05 48.00 170.00

Quantity Traded 5,000 750,735 5,815,344 51,044 361,139 13,485 31,471 7,028,218

Value Traded 2,500.00 44,347,497.40 21,907,959.58 12,123,460.44 47,207,343.45 630,279.32 5,330,714.78 131,549,754.97

Exploration and Production Symbol No. of Deals SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD SEPLAT 13 Daily Summary (Equities) Exploration and Production Totals 13

Current Price 650.00

Quantity Traded 26,850 26,850

Value Traded 17,469,760.05 17,469,760.05

16,000,097

310,095,540.96 Value Traded 585,407.76 585,407.76

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014 TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

434

Activity OIL ANDSummary GAS Totalson Board EQTY SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals

7.46

NIGROPES

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

Current Price 4.48

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 94 DIAMONDBNK 46 ETI 72 FIDELITYBK 74 Daily Summary (Equities) GUARANTY 339 SKYEBANK 180 STERLNBANK 61

Quantity Traded 1,250 1,250

Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OILStock & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Published by The Nigerian Exchange © Energy Equipment and Services Totals

No. of Deals 7 7

669

Current Price 15.99

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS

Symbol VITAFOAM

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014 ACCESS BANK PLC. Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003 DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. EQTY Activity Summary on Board

No. of Deals 2 2

Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC Tools and Machinery Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Symbol NCR

BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Quantity Traded Page 434,827

9,249,079.59

IT Services

Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014 AVON 15:08:03.003 CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS Printed 11/06/2014

Current Price

3,689,403

106

Value Traded 254,635.00 254,635.00

Published byPackaging/Containers The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

No. of Deals 113

Value Traded 533,244.50 2,259,329.60 2,145,668.89 3,500,493.59 808,573.01 9,247,309.59

Quantity Traded 441,000 441,000

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

Symbol

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Quantity Traded 201,850 790,034 31,655 2,008,775 656,589 3,688,903

Current Price 0.60

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Value Traded 1,000.00 1,000.00

Current Price 2.70 2.87 68.00 1.76 1.26

No. of Deals 10 10

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials AFRICAN PAINTS (NIGERIA) PLC. ASHAKA CEM PLC

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,000

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS

No. of Deals 8 32 14 37 14 105

Symbol COURTVILLE

NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014 IT Services Totals Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003

Current Price 0.50

Daily Summary (Equities)

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

HEALTHCARE Totals

No. of Deals 1 1

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES Activity Summary on Board EQTY PLC.

Symbol DUNLOP

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

625

Value Traded of 13 450,121.00 450,121.00

Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 16 16

Current Price 1.08

Quantity Traded 548,216 548,216

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

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 3 3 6

Current Price 4.60 2.25

Quantity Traded 16,000 60,945 76,945

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 11,000 11,000

Value Traded 5,500.00 5,500.00

Hotels/Lodging IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 10 10

Current Price 0.82

Quantity Traded 292,498 292,498

Value Traded 235,681.44 235,681.44

Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 3 7 11 21

Current Price 1.71 1.80 4.48

Quantity Traded 8,778 13,654 77,370 99,802

Value Traded 15,010.38 23,566.69 346,947.60 385,524.67

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals

Current Price 0.80

Quantity Traded 176,200 176,200

Value Traded 144,496.00 144,496.00

Printing/Publishing Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014 ACADEMY PRESS PLC. Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003 LEARN AFRICA PLC

UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC

RoadSummary Transportation TotalsEQTY Activity on Board

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

ABCTRANS

11 11

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 12 45 57

Current Price 2.45 4.75

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 54 54

Current Price 4.34

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals 13

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

Page Quantity Traded 153,300 4,726,178 4,879,478 Quantity Traded 5,901,940 5,901,940

Value Traded 72,680.00 136,975.05 209,655.05

11 of 13 Value Traded 363,255.00 22,719,595.72 23,082,850.72 Value Traded 25,018,851.75 25,018,851.75

177

11,986,079

49,667,967.39

5,344

468,912,665

3,845,897,451.66

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 1,280.00 1,280.00

Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 1.34

Daily Summary as of 11/06/2014 CONSUMER GOODS Totals Printed 11/06/2014 15:08:03.003

1,000

1,280.00

ASeM Board Totals

1,000

1,280.00

5,345

Page 3,845,898,731.66 12 of 13 468,913,665

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 1,976.00 19.27

Quantity Traded 50 1,600 1,650

Value Traded 98,800.00 30,832.00 129,632.00

ETF Board Totals

1,650

129,632.00

ETP Activity Totals

1,650

129,632.00

48 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

11-Jun-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 FGN Bonds

Price

Rating/Agency

Issuer

Description 9.20 29-JUN-2014 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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

29-Jun-07 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

9.20 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

45.00 100.00 535.00 470.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 110.00 75.00 150.00 200.00 591.57

29-Jun-14 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

0.05 0.30 0.87 2.18 2.88 3.13 3.22 3.97 5.05 5.37 7.63 9.76 14.47 14.95 15.44 16.12

7.67 11.09 11.03 11.41 11.57 11.52 11.52 11.54 11.65 11.64 12.14 12.28 12.75 12.80 12.86 12.99

4.75 10.57 10.38 11.33 11.51 11.40 11.40 11.44 11.58 11.56 12.09 12.23 12.71 12.76 12.80 12.93

100.06 99.41 94.33 103.05 108.40 95.70 94.27 97.37 116.25 81.82 120.70 110.70 114.68 97.92 71.04 80.00

100.21 99.56 94.83 103.20 108.55 96.00 94.57 97.67 116.55 82.12 121.00 111.00 114.98 98.22 71.34 80.30

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

4,334.84

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue 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 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.39 0.95 1.44 2.50 2.86 3.07

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.31 13.65 13.40 13.40 12.48 12.51

95.82 88.20 105.18 97.95 96.38 93.86

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

0.15 0.35 1.22 0.82 1.12 1.13 2.86 1.68 3.56 2.53 4.32 2.73 2.53 3.11 3.18 5.45 3.15 3.86 6.46 6.56 3.86 3.90

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

10.24 13.30 15.52 14.27 15.51 14.53 17.07 12.20 13.32 13.20 12.55 12.45 16.18 12.52 12.52 12.66 14.26 12.54 12.86 13.82 12.98 13.49

100.49 100.14 96.70 99.56 98.45 101.28 84.49 102.58 101.86 101.84 104.66 104.49 110.77 104.93 107.65 107.06 101.21 106.44 102.75 104.98 115.24 114.91

07-Oct-14 18-Dec-14 31-Dec-14 17-Aug-15 09-Dec-15 06-Jan-16 29-Sep-16 25-Oct-16 30-Sep-17 30-Nov-17 09-Apr-18 09-Sep-18 09-Sep-18 22-Sep-18 18-Oct-18 17-Feb-19 01-Apr-19 14-Nov-20

0.32 0.52 0.56 0.70 1.01 0.86 2.30 2.37 3.30 2.12 2.08 2.24 2.24 4.28 2.35 2.44 3.56 6.43

1.00 5.21 8.71 4.88 1.00 2.63 1.00 1.34 1.00 1.88 3.48 5.20 5.06 1.35 2.29 6.11 2.16 2.76

10.86 16.28 19.77 15.93 12.02 13.66 12.35 12.71 12.52 13.19 14.78 16.54 16.40 12.90 13.65 17.49 13.69 14.61

100.13 98.66 98.58 96.09 100.00 100.58 101.22 103.03 101.22 109.36 102.39 102.99 101.97 103.47 104.28 99.34 106.33 102.57

11-Feb-18

3.67

1.00

12.53

93.27

Bid Price

Offer Price

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,304.32

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 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 16.50 13.00 18.50 57.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00 20.00 80.00 30.00 11.40 87.00 5.00 5.00 5.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

572.90

Corporate Bonds A+/Agusto; AA/GCR Aa/Agusto Nil Bbb-/Agusto A-/Agusto BB+/GCR A+/Agusto; A-/GCR A-/Agusto A/GCR 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

LAFARGE WAPCO GTB µ NGC *UPDC *FLOURMILLS *CHELLARAMS NAHCO FSDH UBA *C & I LEASING *DANA# *TOWER # *TOWER # UBA *LA CASERA *CHELLARAMS# *DANA NAHCO

11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 17.00 NGC 31-DEC-2014 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 MPR+7.00 DANA 9-APR-2018 MPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

07-Oct-11 18-Dec-09 01-Apr-10 17-Aug-10 09-Dec-10 06-Jan-11 29-Sep-11 25-Oct-13 30-Sep-10 30-Nov-12 09-Apr-11 09-Sep-11 09-Sep-11 22-Sep-11 18-Oct-13 17-Feb-12 01-Apr-14 14-Nov-13

11.50 13.50 17.00 10.00 12.00 14.00 13.00 14.25 13.00 18.00 16.00 18.00 16.00 14.00 15.75 17.00 16.00 15.25

11.80 13.17 2.00 15.00 37.50 1.50 15.00 5.53 20.00 0.94 8.01 3.63 1.00 35.00 3.00 0.54 4.50 2.05

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

180.17

Supranational Bond AAA/S&P

IFC

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

12.00

Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value ($'mm)

Maturity Date

Bid Yield (%) Offer Yield (%)

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.89

4.73

110.43

111.35

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.15

3.92

103.62

104.48

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.29

5.17

107.72

108.63

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

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

3.75

3.08

112.09

113.23

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.15

4.35

104.25

105.75

GTBANK PLC ACCESS BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC AFREN PLC ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC AFREN PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 6.88 MAY 09, 2018 10.25 APR 08, 2019 6.25 APR 22, 2019 8.25 AUG 07, 2020 6.63 DEC 09, 2020

08-Nov-13 25-Jul-12 09-May-13 08-Apr-12 22-Apr-14 07-Aug-13 09-Dec-13

6.00 7.25 6.88 10.25 6.25 8.25 6.63

400.00 350.00 300.00 300.00 500.00 300.00 360.00

08-Nov-18 25-Jul-17 02-May-18 08-Apr-19 22-Apr-19 07-Aug-20 09-Dec-20

6.21 7.25 8.53 5.05 6.40 7.00 5.92

5.95 6.83 7.99 4.34 6.20 6.59 5.64

99.18 99.98 94.61 113.56 99.36 104.42 102.76

100.19 101.16 96.33 114.91 100.20 105.94 103.84

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE **Treasury Bills DTM 8 15 22 29 36 43 50

Maturity 19-Jun-14 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14 24-Jul-14 31-Jul-14

3,460.00 Bid Discount (%) 8.90 9.20 10.00 8.00 10.10 10.25 10.20

Offer Discount (%) 8.65 8.95 9.75 7.75 9.85 10.00 9.95

Bid Yield (%) 8.92 9.23 10.06 8.05 10.20 10.38 10.34

Money Market

FIXINGS NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 10.8750 11.8112 13.2787 14.1202

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.50

O/N Tenor Call

10.75

REPO

Rate (%) 10.33

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

162.89 163.23 163.49 164.07 165.24

162.99 163.49 163.83 164.72 166.42

NA ***LCRM

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

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

0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

112.22 116.70 66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

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

2.50 2.86 3.07

2.00 1.00 1.00

13.40 12.48 12.51

97.95 96.38 93.86

1,304.32

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/AgustoJune 12, 2014 Thursday, 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 Sanctity of Truth

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

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 dex gained 121.15 basis points or 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 0.29 per cent02-OCT-2019 to close at 41,642.55 15.50 GOMBE as14.50 against 41,521.40 recorded LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 last Tuesday , while the market 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 capitalisation of equities ap13.50 LAGOSby IV 27-NOV-2020 preciated N40 billion or 0.29 KOGI per15.00 cent as31-DEC-2020 market returned to 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 positive trajectory . 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

05-Aug-09 14.00 15-Oct-09 14.00 31-Aug-10 12.50 30-Sep-10 13.00 30-Jun-11 14.00 30-Jun-09 15.50 19-Apr-10 10.00 30-Jun-10 13.75 30-Dec-10 14.00 30-Sep-11 14.00 04-Oct-11 14.00 09-Dec-11 14.50 12-Dec-13 14.00 of the financial services sec14-Feb-12 15.50 tor, boosted 02-Oct-12 by activity 15.50 in the shares of Wapic Insurance Plc, 22-Nov-12 14.50 followed with a turnover 12-Dec-12 14.75 of 33.7 30-Sep-13 14.75 million shares valued at N25.2 27-Nov-13 billion in 292 deals. 13.50 31-Dec-13 15.00 at the The number of gainers 14.50 close31-Dec-13 of trading was 30, while 06-Jan-14 15.00

Stock market upbeat on confidence level

Chris Ugwu

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

he bulls regained market dominance Corporate Bonds yesterday following investment posiA+/Agusto; AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO tion taken byGTBbargain Aa/Agusto µ Nil NGC hunters on two blue chip Bbb-/Agusto *UPDC firms - Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS and Dangote Cement Plc. BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS The key market performance A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO measures, the NSE All Share InA-/Agusto FSDH dex and market capitalisation, A/GCR UBA rose 0.29 per cent as market BBB-/GCR *C & I LEASING sentiments turned green BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *DANA# after the previous day’s bearish A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR *TOWER #rally that saw the A+/GCR market parameters AAA/DataPro†; *TOWER # dropping 0.21 per cent. A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR Specifically , the All-Share *LA CASERAInBBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS# BBB/GCR *DANA A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO

Meanwhile, a turnover of 468.9 million shares worth N3.8 billion in 5,344 deals was recordLAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 ed11.50 in the day’s trading. 13.50 TRUST 18-DEC-2014day, JustGUARANTY as in the previous NGC 31-DEC-2014 the17.00 banking sub-sector of the 10.00 UPDC services 17-AUG-2015 sector was financial FLOURMILLS the12.00 most active9-DEC-2015 during the day 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 (measured by turnover vol13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 ume); with 110.2 million shares 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 worth N1.02 billion exchanged 13.00 UBA 30-SEP-2017 by18.00 investors in 30-NOV-2017 1,598 deals. C&I LEASING Volume in 9-APR-2018 the banking subMPR+7.00 DANA sector was largely driven by acMPR+7.00 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 tivity in the shares of UBA Plc MPR+5.25 TOWER 9-SEP-2018 and Diamond Bank Plc. 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 Also, insurance sub-sector MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

across the regions converging to 10.20 recognize the achievements AAA/S&P IFC IFC 11-FEB-2018 ABUJA of companies. TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Ozigbo said the hotel welranscorp Hilton Abuja has comes the opportunity to host Rating/Agency Description won the hosting rightIssuer for the prestigious event, as he the world travel awards promised to reinforce their serFGN Eurobonds slated for September this year. vices ready for the event. 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&PDirector and CEO Managing “Coming soon after we sucof BB-/Fitch; Transnational Hotels and cessfully hosted the 24th World FGN 5.13 JUL 12,Africa, 2018 Tourism Economic Forum on the BB-/S&P Services, owners of BB-/Fitch; Transcorp Hilton, Mr. Valen- Africa and Indian Ocean Gala 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P tine Ozigbo, stated this during Ceremony provides us another TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE a media briefing in Abuja. opportunity to showcase the best Transcorp Hilton will wel- of Nigerian hospitality and reinCorporate Eurobonds come hundreds of industry force the position of Transcorp 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B-/S&P; B/Fitch leaders to Abuja as itAFREN get PLC set I to as the choice destination for high 7.50Ozigbo MAY 19, 2016 GTBANK PLC I hosts the red carpet event. profile events,” said. B+/S&P; B+/Fitch 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 TourThe gala ceremony will Minister of Culture, GTBANK PLC 7.25 JULOrientation, 25, 2017 B+/S&Pexcellence in travel, ACCESS tourBANK PLC ism and National award 6.88 MAYsaid 09, 2018 B/S&P; B/Fitch ism and hospitalityFIDELITY in theBANK Af- PLC Chief Edem Duke the Fed10.25 APR 08, gone 2019 into B/Fitch AFREN PLC rica and Indian Ocean regions eral Government has 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P ZENITH BANK with industry leaders fromPLC partnership with Transcorp so

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

FIRST BANK PLC AFREN PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020 6.63 DEC 09, 2020

Chris Ugwu

decliners closed at 24. expressed dismay over what Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc led 572.90 they described as insensitivthe gainers’ table with a gain ity of GSK UK, the majority of N5.05 to close at N131.05 per shareholder, to the yearnings 07-Oct-11 11.50 11.80 07-Oct-14 0.32 13.50 13.17 interest 18-Dec-14 0.52 share18-Dec-09 while Dangote Cement and of its Nigeria 01-Apr-10 with N3.40 17.00close at 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.56 Plc followed shareholders. 17-Aug-10 10.00 N2.85 15.00 17-Aug-15 registered 0.70 N230.00. Conoil Plc added The shareholders 09-Dec-10 37.50 displeasure 09-Dec-15 1.01 to close at N59.85 per12.00 share. their at the compa14.00 1.50 0.86 On06-Jan-11 the other hand, Nestle ny’s Annual06-Jan-16 General Meeting 29-Sep-11 13.00 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.30 Nigeria Plc led the price losers’ (AGM) in Lagos. 25-Oct-13 14.25 5.53 25-Oct-16 2.37 table,30-Sep-10 dropping N10.01 to close They urged the technical 13.00 20.00 30-Sep-17 3.30 at N1,070.00 per share while partners to ensure that they de30-Nov-12 18.00 0.94 30-Nov-17 2.12 Lafarge Wapco followed with a clare bonus in the next financial 09-Apr-11 16.00 8.01 09-Apr-18 2.08 loss of N2.29 to close18.00 at N109.70 year. 09-Sep-11 3.63 09-Sep-18 2.24 per share. Nigeria 1.00 General Secretary , Indepen09-Sep-11 Unilever 16.00 09-Sep-18 2.24 Plc N1.05 to close at 14.00 N49.60 per dent 22-Sep-11 35.00 Shareholders 22-Sep-18 Association 4.28 15.75 3.00Nigeria (ISAN), 18-Oct-18 Mr. Adeleke 2.35 share.18-Oct-13 of 17-Feb-12 17.00 0.54 17-Feb-19 2.44 Adebayo, said that Nigerian 01-Apr-14 16.00 4.50 01-Apr-19 Shareholders are due for 3.56 a bo14-Nov-13 15.25 2.05 issue from 14-Nov-20 6.43 nus the company’s 180.17 accumulated reserve, adding as to host a successful event, that the company has not deadding that the hosting right clared a bonus issue to share11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.67 has launch Nigeria into the holders in the past nine years. prestigious club of prime global 12.00 “The way our technical hospitality destinations. partners are treating Nigerian Issue Date Coupon (%) Issue Value ($'mm) Maturity Bid Yield (%) “With its recent successful Shareholders is Date not encouraghosting of the World Econom- ing. We ask them to consider ic Forum on Africa, Abuja is our appeal and we will wait 07-Oct-11as a frontline 6.75 4.89 emerging con- 500.00 patiently till28-Jan-21 the next financial vention destination in Africa, year,” he said. 18-Dec-09 we feel truly proud to5.13 host this 500.00 Another 12-Jul-18 shareholder, 4.15 Wilimportant gathering which is liams Adebayo noted that5.29the 01-Apr-10 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 the first of its kind in Nigeria”, company is growing tremen1,500.00 Duke commented. dously, while Nigerian shareAhead of the event, the Gener- holders are getting poorer. al Manager of Transcorp Hilton, “The company should give 01-Feb-11 11.50 01-Feb-16 3.75 Etiene Gailliez assured the world 450.00 us bonus issue. The financial 7.50to host a 500.00 19-May-16 5.15 of the19-May-11 hotel’s readiness performance of this company 08-Nov-13 6.00“We are 400.00 6.21rebefitting event. He said: is showing a08-Nov-18 bogus general 25-Jul-12 7.25 recent 350.00 25-Jul-17 7.25 poised to replicate our serve and you have all it takes 09-May-13 02-May-18he said. 8.53 successful hosting of 6.88 the World 300.00 to give us bonus,” 08-Apr-12 08-Apr-19 5.05 Economic Forum on 10.25 Africa and 300.00The shareholders, however, 22-Apr-14 6.25 500.00 6.40 commended22-Apr-19 the company’s deliver a world class experience”. 07-Aug-13 09-Dec-13

8.25 6.63

300.00 360.00

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

GSK shareholders seek bonus issue

Transcorp to host world travel award Supranational Bond Kenneth Tyohemba

1.56 10.24 100.49 3.29 13.30 100.14 4.44 15.52 96.70 3.23 14.27 99.56 4.46 15.51 98.45 3.48 14.53 101.28 5.59 17.07 84.49 1.00 12.20 102.58 1.79 13.32 101.86 1.80 13.20 101.84 1.00 12.55 104.66 1.00 12.45 104.49 4.78 16.18 110.77 1.00 12.52 104.93 1.00 12.52 107.65 1.00 12.66 107.06 board the over2.74 for improving 14.26 101.21 12.54of the company 106.44 all1.00 performance 1.00increasing 12.86 shareholders’ 102.75 and 1.94 on investment 13.82 104.98 value through 1.44 12.98 115.24 dividend payout, even114.91 as they 1.95 13.49

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Bulls resurface at NSE GREEN

17.00 05-Aug-14 0.15 6.00 15-Oct-14 0.35 8.50 31-Aug-15 1.22 16.50 30-Sep-15 0.82 13.00 30-Jun-16 1.12 18.50 30-Jun-16 1.13 57.00 19-Apr-17 2.86 50.00 30-Jun-17 1.68 25.00 31-Dec-17 3.56 50.00 30-Sep-18 2.53 9.00 04-Oct-18 4.32 20.00 09-Dec-18 2.73 12.00 12-Dec-18 2.53 27.00 14-Feb-19 3.11 20.00 02-Oct-19 3.18 80.00 22-Nov-19 5.45 30.00 12-Dec-19 3.15 11.40 30-Sep-20 3.86 87.00ome shareholders 27-Nov-20 6.46 of Glax5.00 oSmith Kline 31-Dec-20 (GSK) 6.56 Con5.00 31-Dec-20 3.86 sumer Nigeria Plc 3.90 have 5.00 06-Jan-21

07-Aug-20 09-Dec-20

7.00 5.92

approved a total dividend of N1.2 billion, which translate to N1.30 kobo per share due to every investor of the company 1.00 10.86 100.13 for 5.21year’s operations. 16.28 98.66 last 8.71 19.77 Chairman 98.58 of The out-going the4.88 company,15.93 Olusegun96.09 Osunk1.00assured 12.02 100.00that eye shareholders 13.66 100.58 his2.63 exit from the company would 1.00 12.35 not create a vacuum nor101.22 hinder 1.34 12.71 103.03 the1.00 growth of12.52 the company . 101.22 Osunkeye, who is expected to 1.88 13.19 109.36 retire as the Chairman of the 3.48 14.78 102.39 company after yearly 5.20 16.54the 2013 102.99 meeting, assured 5.06 16.40 shareholders 101.97 that has103.47 put in 1.35 the company 12.90 2.29 a strong 13.65 104.28 place succession plan, 6.11 17.49 99.34 that expressing confidence 2.16growth currently 13.69 106.33 the seen in 102.57 the2.76company14.61 will be sustained and surpassed by the incoming Chairman. He assured12.53 shareholders that 1.00 93.27 the company would do everything within its powers to ensure that the new composition Offer Bid Price of Yield the(%)board reflectsOffer thePrice true shareholding structure of the Prices & Yields company . 4.73 “We would110.43 pursue all 111.35 plans set for the company’s growth. Our fo3.92 103.62 104.48 to cus at GSK will be to continue maximise existing business op5.17 107.72 108.63 portunities, with renewed commitment to talent development and product innovation. “Our firm belief is that 3.08 112.09 companies that offer 113.23 quality 4.35 104.25 105.75 products at competitive prices, 5.95 ensuring 99.18operational 100.19 effiwhile 6.83 101.16 ciencies will 99.98 always win. We are 7.99 94.61 96.33mardetermined to win in the 113.56 114.91 ket4.34place and deliver superior 6.20 99.36 100.20 returns to our shareholders.” 6.59 5.64

3,460.00

104.42 102.76

105.94 103.84

11-Jun-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 Money Market FIXINGS Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) is**Treasury subject toBills the FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement.

DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) 8 19-Jun-14 8.90 8.65 15 26-Jun-14 9.20 8.95 FGN Bonds22 3-Jul-14 10.00 9.75 29 10-Jul-14 8.00 7.75 Rating/Agency Issuer Description Issue Date 36 17-Jul-14 10.10 9.85 43 24-Jul-14 10.25 10.00 50 31-Jul-14 10.20 9.95 9.20 29-JUN-2014 29-Jun-07 57 7-Aug-14 10.20 9.95 9.25 28-SEP-2014 28-Sep-07 64 14-Aug-14 10.20 9.95 4.00 23-APR-2015 23-Apr-10 71 21-Aug-14 10.25 10.00 13.05 16-AUG-2016 16-Aug-13 78 28-Aug-14 10.25 10.00 15.10 27-APR-2017 27-Apr-12 85 4-Sep-14 10.55 10.30 9.85 27-JUL-2017 27-Jul-07 92 11-Sep-14 10.65 10.40 9.35 31-AUG-2017 31-Aug-07 99 18-Sep-14 10.65 10.40 10.70 30-MAY-2018 30-May-08 NA NA 106 25-Sep-14 10.80 10.55 16.00 29-JUN-2019 29-Jun-12 113 2-Oct-14 10.60 10.35 7.00 23-OCT-2019 23-Oct-09 120 9-Oct-14 10.80 10.55 16.39 27-JAN-2022 27-Jan-12 127 16-Oct-14 10.70 10.45 14.20 14-MAR-2024 14-Mar-14 162 20-Nov-14 10.50 10.25 15.00 28-NOV-2028 28-Nov-08 176 4-Dec-14 10.50 10.25 12.49 22-MAY-2029 22-May-09 211 8-Jan-15 10.65 10.40 8.50 20-NOV-2029 20-Nov-09 225 22-Jan-15 10.60 10.35 10.00 23-JUL-2030 23-Jul-10 239 5-Feb-15 10.60 10.35 253 19-Feb-15 10.55 10.30 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 267 5-Mar-15 10.50 10.25 302 9-Apr-15 10.45 10.20 316 23-Apr-15 10.45 Description 10.20 Rating/Agency Issuer 330 7-May-15 10.20 9.95 *from the Amortising Agency Bonds # Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums AMCON 0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 FMBN 17.25 FMB II 03-APR-2017 NA 0.00/16.00 LCRM 09-DEC-2016 ***LCRM 0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 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

Modified Duration

KWARA Buckets NIGER KADUNA <3 *EBONYI 3<5 *BENUE >5 *IMO LAGOS Market *BAYELSA EDO *DELTA NIGER *EKITI *NIGER *ONDO *GOMBE LAGOS *OSUN *OSUN LAGOS

Porfolio Market

Total Outstanding Volume(Bn)

Value(Bn) 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 975.45 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 1,132.59 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 595.02 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 2,703.06 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

923.07 951.30 701.57 2,575.94

Bid Yield (%) NIBOR 8.92 Bonds 9.23 Tenor Rate (%) 10.06 O/N 10.8750 8.05 1M Value 11.8112 Outstanding Coupon Maturity Date 10.20 (%) 3M 13.2787 (N'bn) 10.38 6M 14.1202 10.34 9.20 45.00 29-Jun-14 10.37 9.25 100.00 28-Sep-14 10.39 4.00 535.00 NITTY 23-Apr-15 10.46 13.05 470.27 16-Aug-16 10.48 Tenor Rate (%) 15.10 452.80 27-Apr-17 10.82 1M 8.3584 9.85 20.00 27-Jul-17 10.94 2M 10.2449 9.35 100.00 31-Aug-17 10.97 3M 10.8946 10.70 300.00 30-May-18 11.15 6M 11.0897 16.00 351.30 29-Jun-19 10.96 9M 11.4329 7.00 233.90 23-Oct-19 11.20 12M 11.4793 16.39 600.00 27-Jan-22 11.11 14.20 110.00 14-Mar-24 11.01 15.00 75.00 28-Nov-28 11.06 NIFEX 22-May-29 12.49 150.00 11.35 8.50 200.00 20-Nov-29 11.34 Current Price ($/N) 10.00 591.57 23-Jul-30 11.39 BID($/N) 163.1100 11.38 OFFER ($/N) 163.2100 4,334.84 11.37 11.44 Issue Value 11.49 Issue Date Coupon (%) (N'bn) 11.24

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 FMDQ0.00/16.50 FGN BOND

Weighting by Outstanding 05-Aug-09Vol 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 35.83 30-Sep-10 36.93 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-0927.24 100.00 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

Weighting by Mkt Value 14.00

14.00 12.50 36.09 13.00 41.90 14.00 15.50 22.01 10.00100.00 13.75 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.50 14.00 15.50 15.50 14.50 14.75 14.75 13.50

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49 INDEX

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.50

Tenor

Spot O/N 10.75 Offer7DYield TTM (Yrs)REPOBid Yield (%) 14D (%) Tenor Rate (%) 1M Call 10.33 2M 0.05 7.67 4.75 1M 11.67 3M 0.30 11.09 10.57 3M 13.06 6M 0.87 11.03 10.38 6M 13.50 1Y 2.18 11.41 11.33 2.88 11.57 11.51 11.52 11.40 NOTE: 3.13 3.22 11.52 11.40 :Benchmarks 3.97 11.54 11.44 * :Amortising 5.05 Bond 11.65 11.58 µ :Convertible Bond 5.37 11.64 11.56 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 7.63 12.14 12.09 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 9.76 12.28 12.23 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 14.47 12.75 12.71 IFC: International Finance Corporation 14.95 12.80 12.76 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 12.80 NAHCO:15.44 Nigerian Aviation 12.86 Handling Company 16.12 12.99 12.93 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company #

Bid ($/N)

Price

Offer ($/N)

162.89 162.99 163.23 163.49 Bid Price Offer Price 163.49 163.83 164.07 164.72 165.24 166.42 100.06 100.21 166.54 168.25 99.41 99.56 170.18 173.87 94.33 94.83 178.03 185.13 103.05 103.20 108.40 108.55 95.70 96.00 94.27 94.57 NA :Not Applicable 97.37 97.67 # :Floating 116.25Rate Bond116.55 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 81.82 82.12 120.70 121.00 †: Bond rating expired 110.70 111.00 114.68 114.98 97.92 98.22 71.04 71.34 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 80.00 Bank for Africa 80.30 UBA: United

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.39 0.95 1.44 2.50 2.86 3.07

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.31 13.65 13.40 13.40 12.48 12.51

95.82 88.20 105.18 97.95 96.38 93.86

1,304.32

Bucket Weighting 17.00 6.00 8.50 0.36 16.50 0.37 13.00 18.50 0.27 57.00 1.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 9.00 20.00 12.00 27.00 20.00 80.00 30.00 11.40 87.00

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration 05-Aug-14 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 18.50 30-Sep-15 37.46 30-Jun-16 44.04 30-Jun-16 100.00 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

Implied Implied Yield Portfolio 0.15 1.56Price 0.35 3.29 1.22 4.44 11.50 115.8419 0.82 3.23 11.99 130.8954 1.12 4.46 12.87 92.9329 1.13 3.48 12.29 115.1618 2.86 5.59 1.68 1.00 3.56 1.79 2.53 1.80 4.32 1.00 2.73 1.00 2.53 4.78 3.11 1.00 3.18 1.00 5.45 1.00 3.15 2.74 3.86 1.00 6.46 1.00

INDEX 10.24 13.30 15.52 1,100.26 14.27 1,108.37 15.51 1,084.14 14.53 1,093.91 17.07 12.20 13.32 13.20 12.55 12.45 16.18 12.52 12.52 12.66 14.26 12.54 12.86

YTD Return (%) 100.49

100.14 96.70 10.0262 99.56 10.8372 98.45 8.4137 101.28 9.3914 84.49 102.58 101.86 101.84 104.66 104.49 110.77 104.93 107.65 107.06 101.21 106.44 102.75

50 WORLD | NEWS

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Leading anti-Mubarak activist jailed 15 years

US reaffirms commitment to fighting Boko Haram

n Egyptian court sentenced leading activist Alaa Abdel Fattah to 15 years in jail yesterday for violating a protest law and on other charges, his lawyer said, a move likely to outrage human rights groups who have been calling for more freedoms. Abdel Fattah, 33, became a symbol of the 2011 uprising against President Hosni Mubarak, prominent for his leading role in the protests and his activity on social media. Twenty four other people were also sentenced to 15 years in jail on similar charges. The ruling came three days after former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was inaugurated as president, nearly a year after he toppled the coun-

Oluwatosin Omoniyi

try’s first freely-elected leader, Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood. Since Mursi’s fall, security forces have killed hundreds of Brotherhood supporters and arrested thousands of others. They have also rounded up secular activists like Abdel Fattah, raising concerns the authorities are turning the clock back to the Mubarak era, when any form of dissent was risky. The protest law passed last year heightened fears about the future of political freedoms in Egypt. It gives the Interior Ministry the right to ban any meeting of more than 10 people in a public place. Rights groups say it is deeply repressive. Western allies have

voiced concerns about human rights abuses in Egypt but have not taken strong measures in protest. Activist Asmaa Mahfouz expressed alarm over yesterday’s prison sentences. “Fifteen years for protesting? What about those who killed? Those who steal the money of the poor? Those who raped girls in the square?,” she said on Twitter. Adding that, “there will never be a state as long as this goes on.” Sisi ordered the interior minister to fight sexual harassment following the arrest of seven men for attacking women near Cairo’s Tahrir Square during his inauguration celebrations, his office said on Tuesday.

he United States of America has affirmed its commitment in the fight against terrorism and sexual violence in Nigeria. To that effect, the United States under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Sarah Sewall is in London to represent the United States at the London Ministerial Summit on Boko Haram as well as attend the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. According to a statement from the United States Diplomatic Mis-

ABUJA

he National Conference yesterday finally resolved the contentious issue surrounding the proposed scrapping of pilgrims welfare boards to reduce the participation of the federal and state governments in religious matters. The delegates at the plenary adopted a proposal seeking the gradual phase out of the boards, but in another breadth endorsed the establishment of the Religious Equity Commission (RECOM) with branches in every state of the federation.  Final decisions on both matters were suspended last week when the report of the Committee on Religion was considered fol-

Iraq faces ‘mortal threat,’ Foreign Minister alleges

he fall of the major northern Iraqi city of Mosul to insurgents must push the country’s leaders to work together and deal with the “mortal threat” facing Iraq, the country’s foreign minister said yesterday. Speaking on the sidelines of an Athens meeting of European Union and Arab League foreign ministers, Hoshyar Zebari said he had assured his colleagues there would be “closer cooperation” between Baghdad and the Kurdistan regional government to push the insurgents out of Mosul. Most of the city was seized Tuesday in a major assault by al-Qaida-inspired militants

known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, who took control of government buildings and pushed out security forces as thousands of residents fled. Zebari said it was “dramatic” for a large city like Mosul to fall and the security forces to be overrun, but added he was confident Iraqi security forces, along with Kurdish forces, would be able to push back the insurgents. Speaking to a small number of reporters, he said he had assured his colleagues that there “would be a closer cooperation between Baghdad and the Kurdistan regional government to work together and try to

flush out these foreign fighters.” Zebari, who is from Mosul himself, said there was no time to waste. “You cannot leave these people to stay there, to entrench themselves for a long time. So there has to be really a quick response to what has happened,” he said. The foreign minister said he hoped the incident would “lead all the Iraqi leaders to come together to face this serious, mortal threat to the country.” “It could be an inducement to all of them to think about the greater interest and to resolve the problems and to form a new government on the basis of a national unity government,” he said.

human rights, and efforts to address the underlying causes of the conflict,” it said.  At the Global Summit with theme, “End Sexual Violence in Conflict”, Under Secretary Sewall will speak at a session within the opening ministerial plenary, which will focus on the roles and responsibilities of states and political actors in addressing sexual violence in conflict and post conflict. “The United States has been a key supporter of this effort and believes that addressing sexual violence in conflict is a matter of national security,” according to the statement.

Confab resolves to phase out pilgrims welfare boards Onwuka Nzeshi

Prominent Egyptian blogger Alaa Abdel-Fattah stands in front of a criminal court in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday PHOTO: AP/Heba Elkholy, El Shorouk Newspaper

sion to Nigeria, Public Affairs Section, Assistant Secretary, Linda ThomasGreenfield from the Bureau of African Affairs will accompany Sewall. The statement explained that the London Ministerial Summit on Boko Haram is a continuation of the May 17, Nigeria Security Summit which held in Paris. “Peace and security in Nigeria is one of our highest foreign policy priorities in Africa, and this summit will underscore the need for a comprehensive, regional approach to countering terrorism, while emphasizing civilian security, respect for

lowing the sharp division among the delegates. However, it was learnt that over 350 delegates endorsed the new proposal after wide consultations.  Prior to the adoption of the new proposal, CoChairman of the Committee on Religion, Alhaji Nurudeen Lemu, made a brief presentation on it in which he explained the rationale for the proposal. Lemu explained that the recommendation of his committee was that government should no longer sponsor pilgrims but that there should be an organization to handle the welfare of the large number of pilgrims.  “We felt that this is the right time to begin the transition where government should no longer sponsor pilgrims. But we

strongly believe that there should be government body to handle the large number of pilgrims particularly Moslem pilgrims,” he said.   Lemu said that the proposal for the creation of RECOM should not be seen as establishment of more government agencies especially when the committee also recommended the stoppage of government sponsorship of pilgrims.  It was then resolved that in place of the pilgrim welfare boards, the Federal Government in exercise of its oversight responsibility to Nigerians should provide normal Consular services for the pilgrims through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the established Nigerian foreign missions in the relevant destinations.

2015: Mu’azu promises free, fair primaries Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

head of the forthcoming general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is taking steps to conduct a hitch-free primaries. This was one of the issues that dominated dis-

cussions at the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting of the party held yesterday at the PDP presidential campaign office in Abuja.    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed primaries for the political parties to hold before the middle of October ahead

the February 2015 general elections. Consequently, PDP National Chairman, Dr Adamu Mu’azu, told party members to unite for free and fair credible primaries.  “We should be united to conduct free, fair and credible primaries as that would enable the party win elections”.

Nebo denies admitting failure of power sector reform James Nwabueze Abuja

he Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has denied ever admitting that the ongoing power sector reform has failed. The minister said power reform process has not failed and will not fail stressing that “from

the result so far achieved things can only look up” Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Kande Daniel, in a statement said Nebo was quoted by a national newspaper yesterday, June 11, as having admitted that the current power sector reform of the Federal Government has failed.  According to Daniel, the said report emanated from

the Hon. Minister’s speech at the General Electric (GE) Distribution Power Launch which held on Tuesday, in Lagos.  The report according to statement stated: “Despite huge financial resources committed to the transformation of power sector, Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, has admitted failure of the reform.”

SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS

kunle.salami@newtelegraphonline.com adekunles@yahoo.com

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

thursday, june 12, 2014

Uzoenyi to resume with Eagles Thursday E jike Uzoenyi, picked to replaced injured Elderson Echiejile, is still keeping the technical crew of the Super Eagles waiting over one week after getting the nod to join the team. The Rangers International player billed to play in South Africa next season, was expected to join the team in the USA

but he has not done so. It was learnt that the midfielder was having talks with Rangers on his exit to Memelodi Sundowns. When the Nigerian team arrived Sao Paulo on Tuesday night, Uzoenyi was the only player missing in the final 23 -man list. Eagles Media Officer, Ben

Alaiya, confirmed that the player was yet to hit the Campinas camp base of the team in Brazil. “We expect him to join us shortly. He was in talks with the officials and we expect him to resume training latest on Thursday,” Alaiya said. On injured Ahmed Musa who is fast recovering, Alaiya

said the CSKA Moscow player was now 100 per cent ready for Nigeria’s first match against Iran on June 16. The Eagles are also to begin their training for their World Cup opener 4pm on Wednesday (8pm Nigerian time). “The training programme was not altered even though we came in late on Tuesday.”

Uzoenyi

Brazil:Eagles willfight likewounded lions -Keshi

lPlays down Messi threat lSays Nigeria ’ll surpass 2010 outing

Moses(right) in action against US’ defender Fabian Johnson

uper Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has warned Nigeria’s opponents at the World Cup to be ready for tough battle, stating that his players will fight like wounded lions when they battle Iran in their opening match on Monday June 16 at the Arena da Baixada, Curitiba. The Super Eagles arrived at the team’s base camp, Campinas, after the 4,000 - mile journey from Miami on Tuesday evening. Immediately after completing formalities, the Nigerian delegation headed

straight to the Vitoria Hotel Concept, where the team will stay and practice throughout the duration of the World Cup. Speaking with New Telegraph in Brazil, Keshi said, “We are here for Serious business and my boys are ready to fight like wounded lions when the competition begins proper, starting with our match with Iran on Monday.” The Eagles struggled in their preWorld Cup matches posting two draws against Scotland and Greece, and losing 2-1 to the United States, but Keshi

stressed that there is no cause for alarm. “Friendlies are meant to serve as rehearsals; they are different from competitive matches. “This is not an excuse for our performance in the matches, but seriously speaking, the results do not mean anything to me, evaluate us in the World Cup.” The former Eagles captain however, assured Nigerians that the lapses noticed during the friendly matches will be corrected before the match

against Iran, while maintaining that the matches were not a true reflection of the strength of the team. Meanwhile, Stepehn Keshi has expressed confidence that Nigeria will surpass their 2010 World Cup outing, while playing down the fear of Argentina superstar, Lionel Messi ‘’Against Messi? We have two games before thinking about Messi. We will try to do better than we did in 2010 in South Africa, but we’ll see what happens when the World Cup starts. Let’s play on Monday and we’ll see how things go.’’

World Cup won’t disturb Commonwealth Games -NSC Ajibade Olusesan

T Ojo-Oba

he National Sports Commission has debunked insinuations that attention on the World Cup has eroded preparation for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The Games will start just 10 days after the end of the World Cup and pundits have expressed concerns over the

slow pace of preparations. But in an exclusive interview with New Telegraph, the Director of Elite Athletes in the NSC, Bolaji OjoOba, said that preparations for the games have never been affected by Nigeria’s participation in the World Cup. “It is not true that preparations have not been going on because of the World

Cup. World Cup is football and it is not in the Commonwealth Games. All the sports that will be featured in the games have been identified and all of the athletes that are going to the games are taking part in one international competitions or the other; athletics will soon do their final qualifications. “However, this is the season of the World Cup and

no matter the noise that we make now, World Cup will swallow it, we are not sleeping, we are working,” he said. He also added that Team Nigeria will do well in the games. He said, “We are going to Glasgow to do Nigeria proud. We are optimistic that we are going to improve on our performance four years ago.”

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

FIFA WORLD CUP

he World Cup evokes massive excitement across the globe. However, this exhilaration reaches feverish levels whenever an underdog upsets an established team, especially during the tournament’s opening day match. This can set the tone for the remainder of the tournament, and it is for this sole reason that the opening day match of the World Cup has always been one of the most eagerly anticipated events in sports. Although hosts Italy were chosen to play in the opening day match of the 1934 tournament, this wasn’t always the case as teams that played in these matches were seemingly chosen at random dating back to the inaugural tournament four years earlier in Uruguay, right down to the 1954 tournament in Switzerland. It wasn’t until 1958 in Sweden that a model emerged where the host country always played in the opening day match, a trend which continued until 1974 when it was dropped in favour of having the champions from the previous tournament play in the opening day match in the subsequent World Cup. This continued until 2006 in Germany when the hosts were once again picked to play in the opening day match after FIFA ruled out automatic qualification for reigning champions. But not before two of the biggest opening day match upsets had occurred. And, ironically, both involved African teams. Eight years after losing to Belgium by a lone goal in the opening day match of the 1982 World Cup in Spain, Argentina were beaten for a second time in a World Cup opener, this time by Cameroon in a game the Italians still call “the Miracle of Milan.” In a game played at the San Siro Stadium (or Giuseppe Meazza, if you are an Inter Milan faithful), the Argentines were outright favourites to defeat a Cameroonian side consisting of aging stars like goalkeeper Thomas Nkono and defence ace Emmanuel Kunde, and a host of others playing their football in the French lower divisions. The Argentines had the world’s best player in Diego Maradona, who plied his trade in the Italian top flight with Napoli, and it was clear from the opening whistle what Cameroon’s game plan was, as it seemed every time Maradona received the ball, at least two Cameroonians were on hand to give the Argentine number 10 a dose of the physical nature of African football. The referee wasn’t down with the Cameroonian tactics though as he justifiably sent off two of them, including Andre Kana-Biyik. But barely six minutes after the France-based de-

Drama of World Cup opening matches

South Africa’s Siboniso Gaxa tackling Mexico’s Geovanni Dos Santos player at the 2010 World Cup opener

fender was red carded, his younger brother, Francois Omam-Biyik, from a seemingly innocuous ball floated into the Argentine’s penalty area, rose above everyone to head the ball down, and past a nervy Nery Pumpido in the Argentine goal to give the Indomitable Lions an unexpected lead. The result was at the time Africa’s greatest World Cup moment and served as a boost for the Cameroonians, who would go all the way to the 1990 World Cup quarterfinals before losing 3-2 in extra-time to England.

France captain, Marsel Desally battling Senegal’s El Hadji Diouf

hosted by Japan and South Korea, Africa’s representatives had risen to five, but none shone like Senegal. The 2002 World Cup was full of surprises, and it all started with the Senegalese Lions’ opening day match defeat of reigning champions France who, two years earlier, had added the European Championship crown to the World Cup title they won on home soil in 1998. There was no Zinedine Zidane in the line-up against the Senegalese, thanks to a muscle-related injury, but Les Bleus still had other talented players like Patrick Vieira, Sylvain Wiltord, David Trezeguet and the mercurial Thierry Henry to call upon, and were outright favourites to hand out a footballing lesson to their former colony. But the Senegalese, not overwhelmed by the fact that they were World Cup debutants, had other ideas. And with only a half-hour gone on the clock, El-Hadji Diouf raced down the left flank past a hapless and aging Lilian Thuram to deliver a low cross which bounced around the French six yard box before landing onto the foot of the imposing Papa Bouba Diop, who kept his cool to slot the ball past a hapless Fabien Barthez in the French goal. The French never recovered from that setback for the remainder of the match, and did not win a game (or score a goal) all through the tournament, becoming the first World Cup defending champions to exit the tournament at the group stage. Senegal, meanwhile, followed the same script as their The result, as well as Cameroons overall per- Cameroonian predecessors formance at Italia ‘90, saw FIFA increasing the as they went on to get to the number of World Cup representatives from Af- quarterfinals before losing out to yet another European rica to three. Twelve years later, at the 2002 World Cup co- side, this time around not the English, but the Turks. For Brazil 2014, hosts Brazil World Cup opening games results will play Croatia in the opening game at the Arena Sao Uruguay 1930: France 4- 1 Mexico Paolo, and the five-time winItaly 1934: Italy 7-1 USA ners, even though they will be heading into the encounter as France 1938: Germany 1-1 Switzerland favourites to come out with a victory, will be wary of the Brazil 1950: Brazil 4-0 Mexico threat likely to be posed by the Europeans who boast of Switzerland 1954: Yugoslavia 1-0 France a number of immensely gifted players, led by Real Madrid Sweden 1958: Sweden 3-0 Mexico star, Luka Modric. But the Brazilians can Chile 1962: Chile 3-1 Switzerland take solace in the fact that they have never lost in any of England 1966: England 0-0 Uruguay the three previous World Cup Mexico 1970: Mexico 0-0 USSR opening games they have been involved in. Germany 1974: Brazil 0-0 Yugoslavia In 1950, on home soil, they walloped Mexico 4-0, before Argentina 1978: West Germany 0-0 Poland going on to lose 2-1 in the final to Uruguay. And 24 years later, Spain 1982: Belgium 1-0 Argentina in West Germany, they were forced to a goalless draw by Mexico 1986: Italy 1-1 Bulgaria Yugoslavia, before going on to Italy 1990: Argentina 0-1 Cameroon finish a disappointing fourth. They however returned to USA 1994: Germany 1-0 defeated Bolivia 1-0. winning ways at France ‘98 with a 2-1 win over Scotland France 1998: Brazil 2-1 Scotland in the opening World Cup match but went on to lose 3-0 Korea/Japan 2002: France 0-1 Senegal to France in the final. Will Brazil make it all the Germany 2006: Germany 4-2 Costa Rica way to the final this time South Africa 2010: South Africa 1-1 Mexico around? Only time will tell.

SPORT 53

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

FIFA WORLD CUP Samba notes from Brazil Compiled by Adekunle Salami Ben Vindo and Obrigado I say Ben Vindo to readers as I start this gist column of the World Cup coverage. Ben Vindo in Brazil means Welcome. The big event is here and it is through this medium that you will get to know the behind the scene gists of the competition from the stadia, streets and all parts I can get to just for the pleasure of you, dear readers. Again, I say Obrigado as you read other gists. Obrigado means thank you.

World Cup will be tough, unpredictable -Wenger

rsenal of England Manager, Arsene Wenger, has predicted that the 2014 Word Cup will be tough and unpredictable Speaking exclusively to New Telegraph at the accreditation centre of the ongoing World Cup, Wenger said the event promises to be highly explosive in many ways.

Wenger said; “There are great teams here and we also have great players taking part. The last season was very interesting in many top leagues and that is because we are in a World Cup year. “The host team is a big footballing country and that is another point that will make the competition keen.

“I expect a great competition, but I must say it is also unpredictable. A team like Belgium and Uruguay cannot be underrated in any way. I’m here to enjoy the best of football.” Wenger also noted that he expects the Super Eagles to do well by getting to at least the second round of the World Cup.

It’s one dollar to two Reais The Brazillian currency is very strong. A dollar exchanges for 2 Reais of the local currency and so any visitor planning to come here and exchange huge money in e for dollars should think twice. The 300 dollars I changed at the airport on Tuesday night went for 572R after tax deduction. So its going to be a tough month for all participants here in Brazil Serious traffic and the taxis The traffic situation in the city of Sao Paulo is something else. from the airport to the city on Tuesday t took the cab close to two hours to get to my hotel which is about 30 minutes drive ordinarily. Just on Wednesday morning the taxi that took me to the stadium was using metre and the guy went round the whole city just to make more money. The traffic did not help matters as I paid 100R for the trip. Surely, One cannot continue this way, the train option is being considered. Where are the Samba girls? Without pretense, anyone coming to Brazil will also think about the Samba babes who sing and dance at festival, and match venues. So far I have been looking forward to seeing them but they are nowhere. At Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010, they were all over the place singing and drumming in skimpy outfits. Now that the country is hosting, I expect to see them from the airport ,but not yet. On my way to the Stadium on Wednesday I heard some people beating the drum but when I got there they were all guys. The search continues to see the samba babes in sambaland. Surprise weather The weather here in Brazil is a big surprise to many. I got information just about a day to my trip that was cold and so I prepared. From the airport on Tuesday temperature was as low as 2 degrees and the situation continued on Wednesday morning as the temperature was about six degrees in Sao Paulo.

Salami and Wenger in Sao Paulo

The Nigerian national football team arrives at Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Emenike wary of Iran S uper Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, has warned against writing off Iran ahead of both side’s opening Group F match on Monday. The Super Eagles and Team Melli will clash at the Arena de Baixada, in Curitiba, by 8 pm Nigerian time, with the Nigerians favourites to beat

Emenike

the Asians. But Emenike, who is expected to lead Nigeria’s forward line in that game, has warned against looking down on the Iranians. “I don’t want to be too boastful because it’s Iran. They are here at the World Cup because they are a good team. I won’t write them off,” the Fenerbahce star said. “We will be at our best to start on a winning note. Looking down on them won’t be good for us.” He added: “Iran have nothing to lose against us, we must be up and doing because there are great expectations. I am not promising anything for now, it’s too early but we need to fight.”

Aside defeating Iran, fans back home in Nigeria expect the Super Eagles to also defeat B o s n i a - H e r z e g ov i n a and secure a berth in the knockout rounds, even before the team’s final Group F game against Argentina. Emenike, however, feels it won’t be that easy. He said: “That’s patriotic talk and I like that, but our own is that we want to fight hard on the pitch and win. This is football, Bosnia can beat Argentina in their opening game too. What I know is that our first match against Iran is very crucial. Right now, I am thinking about Iran, not Bosnia or Argentina.”

FIFA red alert for England, Uruguay match

he England, Urug u ay g ro u p match scheduled to hold on Saturday in Sao Paulo has been declared a potential high risk game. New Telegraph can reveal that the football ruling body, FIFA is on the red alert over the match involving two teams with volatile fans. It was lear nt that plan clothes policemen are combing the camp base of the two teams

Blatter

and will provide more security for the big match on Saturday.

A member of the LOC here in Brazil revealed that the match tops the bill in the meeting with FIFA everyday. “The opening match is between Brazil and Croatia, but the Uruguay/Croatia match is the real attraction because of the behaviour of the fans of both sides. We are working hard and will be ready for them,” the LO C member s aid on Wednes day.

Eagles’ Enemies’ Camp I’m the boss, not Dzeko, says Bosnia coach

osnia-Herzegovina coach, Safet Susic, has declared that he, and not Edin Dzeko, is in charge of the national team, stressing that the Manchester City striker has no influence on his team selection. Dzeko, following Bosnia’s 2-0 loss to Egypt in March this year, criticised Susic for not honouring an agreement that he would not play the entire 90 minutes of the friendly. “There was no such agreement with Dzeko,” Susic said. “He wanted to come off in the second half but I left him on because, despite his claim that he was suffering from a niggling knee injury, the team doctor said he was

Dzeko

match-fit with a proper warm-up. “As long as I am in charge, Dzeko will play when (selected), while he won’t be allowed to suggest or influence team selection in any way and that also goes for (captain) Emir Spahic, who also seemed to have his own ideas.”

Iran’s Dejagah fit to face Eagles

igeria’s opening day foes in Brazil, Iran, were relieved after their top star, Ashkan Dejagah, came through an injury scare as he was certified fit to return to training on Wednesday following a collision with the Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper in last weekend’s friendly. The Fulham forward won a penalty for Iran in their 2-0 defeat of Trinidad and Tobago in Corinthians to round

off their build-up for Monday’s clash against African champions Nigeria. Dejagah was substituted by coach Carlos Queiroz after the collision and medical examination on him by team medicals and Corinthians doctors said the injury was not as serious as first feared. Iran won the World Cup warm-up with goals by Ehsan Hajsafy and Reza Ghoocannejad. They also missed a penalty.

Messi, Aguero to share room

ionel Messi and Sergio Aguero are bunking in together at the World Cup. The superstar duo will share a room in Belo Horizonte where Argentina are based during the tournament. In a room vs room battle the pair would almost certainly win the day, but there are a few other tasty matchups also. Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano is in with

Aguero (left) and Messi

Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta while Napoli star Gonzalo Higuain is rooming with Ezequiel Garay. And Real Madrid midfielder Angel Di Maria is bunking in with PSG’s Ezequiel Lave zzi, while Fernando Gago is alone. Alejandro Sabella’s men begin their campaign against Bosnia on Sunday before taking on Iran and Nigeria as they bid to top Group F.

54 SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

News Updates

Messi wants Neymar showdown in final A

rgentina superstar Lionel Messi has declared he wants a World Cup final meeting with Barcelona team-mate Neymar. The legendary footballer wants to right the wrongs of his previous international tournaments and take his country to a famous victory on Brazilian soil. Messi eulogised the buzz around the Argentina camp at present and spoke about

the lengths he is prepared to go to win this summer. “We’re really up for it. I think I’ve learned from what I did wrong at previous tournaments so I won’t make the same mistakes again. There’s no doubt people are buzzing: we have a very solid group of players and haven’t lost for a while. “On the pitch I’m a completely different person to who I am at home. I like win-

ning and if I have to fight or argue my way to victory, I’ll do it. About the final, he added: “Hopefully I can face Neymar in it, but if not him, I’d be happy to take on any other team.” Neymar is undoubtedly the face of the 2014 World Cup. Much pressure has been placed on his young shoulders for his first tournament in the spotlight.

Hitzfeld: European teams will struggle in Brazil

witzerland coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld, believes that it will be difficult for European teams to triumph at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Football’s marquee tournament has been hosted by a South American country on four previous occasions and each time a nation from that region has gone on to win the trophy.

Brazil star, Neymar(left), vies for the ball with Lionel Messi of Argentina

Brazil 2014 Group Stage Fixtures Date

Thursday June 12 A Friday June 13 A Friday June 13 B Friday June 13 B Saturday June 14 C Saturday June 14 C Saturday June 14 D Saturday June 15 D Sunday June 15 E Sunday June 15 E Sunday June 15 F Monday June 16 G Monday June 16 F Monday June 16 G Tuesday June 17 H Tuesday June 17 A Tuesday June 17 H Wed June 18 B Wed June 18 B Wed June 18 A Thursday June 19 C Thursday June 19 D Thursday June 19 C Friday June 20 D Friday June 20 E Friday June 20 E Saturday June 21 F Saturday June 21 G Saturday June 21 F Sunday June 22 H Sunday June 22 H Sunday June 22 G Monday June 23 B Monday June 23B Monday June 23A Monday June 23A Tuesday June 24 D Tuesday June 24 D Tuesday June 24 C Tuesday June 24 C Wed June 25 F Wed June 25 F Wed June 25 E Wed June 25 E Thursday June 26 G Thursday June 26 G Thursday June 26 H Thursday June 26 H

Group Teams

Brazil V Croatia Mexico V Cameroon Spain V Netherlands Chile V Australia Colombia V Greece Uruguay V Costa Rica England V Italy Côte d’Ivoire V Japan Switzerland V Ecuador France V Honduras Argentina V Bosnia & H Germany V Portugal IRAN V NIGERIA Ghana V USA Belgium V Algeria Brazil V Mexico Russia V Korea Republic Australia V Netherlands Spain V Chile Cameroon V Croatia Colombia V Côte d’Ivoire Uruguay V England Japan V Greece Italy V Costa Rica Switzerland V France Honduras V Ecuador Argentina B Iran Germany V Ghana NIGERIA V BOSNIA & H Belgium V Russia Korea Republic V Algeria USA V Portugal Netherlands V Chile Australia V Spain Cameroon V Brazil Croatia V Mexico Italy V Uruguay Costa Rica V England Japan V Colombia Greece V Côte d’Ivoire Nigeria V Argentina Bosnia & H V Iran Honduras V Switzerland Ecuador V France Portugal V Ghana USA V Germany Korea Rep V Belgium Algeria V Russia

Time

9pm 5pm 8pm 11pm 5pm 8pm 11pm 2am 5pm 8pm 11pm 5pm 8pm 11pm 5pm 8pm 10pm 5pm 8pm 11pm 5pm 8pm 11pm 5pm 8pm 11pm 5pm 8pm 11pm 5pm 8pm 11pm 5pm 5pm 9pm 9pm 5pm 5pm 9pm 9pm 5pm 5pm 11pm 11pm 5pm 5pm 9pm 9pm

Venue Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo Estadio das Dunas, Natal Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza Arena Amazonia, Manaus Arena Pernambuco, Recife Estadio Nacional, Brasilia Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre Maracanã, Rio De Janeiro Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador Arena da Baixada, Curitiba Estadio das Dunas, Natal Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre Maracanã, Rio De Janeiro Arena Amazonia, Manaus Estadio Nacional, Brasilia Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo Estadio das Dunas, Natal Arena Pernambuco, Recife Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador Arena da Baixada, Curitiba Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba Maracanã, Rio De Janeiro Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre Arena Amazonia, Manaus Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo Estadio Nacional, Brasilia Estadio Nacional, Brasilia Arena Pernambuco, Recife Estadio das Dunas, Natal Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador Arena Amazonia, Manaus Maracanã, Rio De Janeiro Estadio Nacional, Brasilia Arena Pernambuco, Recife Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo Arena da Baixada, Curitiba

Results

However, Hitzfeld stated it will be tricky for European nations to go all the way. Speaking to laureus.com , he said: “(It is) very, very difficult (for a European team to win). “It cannot be a coincidence that a European team couldn’t win a World Cup held in South America. “Not in Uruguay, not in Mexico, not in Argentina and for sure not in Brazil.” With Brazil hosting the World Cup for the first time since 1950, the pressure to deliver success on home soil has arguably never been higher. But Hitzfeld feels that

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men can cope with the expectation and pointed to Brazil’s triumph at last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup as an indicator of how well they can do. He added: “There is always pressure in football. “The expectations may be a bit more noticeable at a home World Cup. But Brazil have shown at the Confederations Cup a year ago how you deal well with these special conditions.” Switzerland are in Group E alongside Ecuador, France and Honduras, with Hitzfeld targeting a spot in the knockout stages.

Toure (left)

Ramadan could affect Muslim stars

number of players in this summer’s World Cup may have to juggle their playing commitments with their dedication to the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims are supposed to refrain from all food and drink from dawn until dusk during Ramadan, which will fall during the tournament for the first time since 1986. The religious commitment is due to begin on June 28, which is when the round-of-16 matches get underway, and end on July 27. Bosnia-Herzegovina star Edin Dzeko is a follower of Islam, as is Germany star Me-

sut Ozil and Belgium pair Marouane Fellaini and Moussa Dembele. Ivory Coast brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure are both practising Muslims, while national teammates Gervinho and Cheick Tiote both follow the faith. France’s Karim Benzema, Mamadou Sakho, Bacary Sagna and Moussa Sissoko are also expected to contend with their Ramadan commitments should their nation emerge from the group phase successfully. The World Cup begins with a Group A clash between Brazil and Croatia in Sao Paulo today.

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Ogwumike sisters raise funds Golden League: Warri ready for top athletes for Nigerian students

Ifeanyi Ibeh

asketball stars, Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike, on Wednesday raised a fundraising competition aimed at educating and empowering young girls back home in Nigeria. The competition, which is in collaboration with UNICEF, is open to middle and high school basketball teams across the United States of America and is aimed at raising money to support the UN agency’s programmes. The sisters, who both graduated from Stanford University, and play in the world’s foremost women’s professional basketball league, the WNBA, are hoping to give one million girls in Nigeria access to quality schooling by providing scholarships for female teachers and establishing safe places for girls to learn. “We want to be able to give back to Nigeria, and UNICEF is a great way,” Nneka Ogwumike said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “We were blessed with an incredible education that we want to make sure others have an opportunity to have.” The recent mass kidnappings of schoolgirls in Chibok by Boko Haram have

added a sense of urgency to the sisters’ desire to help. The pair, who were planning to get involved with UNICEF before the kidnappings, were distraught to hear about the girls who were taken in April. “Everyone knows we’re Nigerian and that’s a huge part of us and our culture,” Chiney Ogwumike said. “To be able to extend our basketball connections to help others is great. The most

important thing we can do is help educate people and we understand that’s a lot bigger than what we do on the court.” The competition rewards teams that sign up the most donors. The top prize, a private basketball clinic with the sisters. Other prizes include autographed jerseys, pictures and the chance to interact with them via Google Hangouts.

Chimaobi Uchendu

he ultra-modern Akwa Ibom State Olympic Stadium will be ready for commissioning within the next three months, so says Julius Berger, the construction company handling the project. It was learnt that the staduim will be completed and handed over the state government in the last week of September this year. The 16 billion naira stadium which sits on a massive 32 hect-

Nneka (Left) and Chiney Ogwumike

of its kind in Nigeria, we hope to see great skills on display at the competition.” “The winner of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Trophy will be presented with a Blue Label Trophy Cup and an all-expense paid trip to attend the Ryder’s Cup 2014 in Scotland. We look forward to having interesting moments in

Other consolation prizes include a weekend stay at the Wheatbaker hotel, dinner Vouchers at Rhapsody lounge and dinner for two at the Wheatbaker. Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the most famous super – premium blend, made up of the finest old-aged malt and grain whiskies, is part of the super deluxe range of Johnnie Walker whiskies.

he Paralympics powerlifters, yesterday, resumed camp in Ibadan, ahead of the Commonwealth Games slated for Glasgow in Scotland later this year.

ares of land, has a seating capacity of 30,000. The main turf is natural grass and boasts of an eight-lane 400metres standard tracks including complete athletics facilities. The main bowl consists of a 4-tier terrace seating arrangement, all covered, with provision for shops, restaurants and banquet-hall. Another major feature, the company says, is the capability of flood water to be completely drained in less than 20 minutes after a heavy downpour.

Keshi is one of the lowest paid coaches in Brazil Charles Ogundiya

t has been revealed that Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, is one of the managers with the lowest income at the World Cup in Brazil. Keshi, with annual income of £233,750, was ranked 28th among the 32 managers going to the Mundial just ahead of Safet Susic of Bosnia (£210,000), Niko Kovac of Croatia (£162,000), James Kwesi Appiah of Ghana (£150,000) and Miguel Herrera of Mexico (£125,000 per year). Africa’s highest earning

coach is Sabri Lamouchi of the Ivory Coast; a Frenchman with a Tunisian heritage, he is currently earning a salary that is most extreme compared to the average wage in his country of employment. His annual pay of £618,125 is 795 times as much as the average annual pay of £778 per year in the Ivory Coast - or £14.96 per week. Globally Russia’s Fabio Capello tops the coaches pay list on a salary of almost £7m a year ,while the combined annual salaries of the 32 bosses add up to £39.1m, making the average pay £1.2m.

Police revive swimming pool

lCommission badminton complex Ajibade Olusesan

T L-R: 2nd Runner Up, Mr. JW Yo; Procurement Director, Diageo Brands Nigeria, Mr. Arthur Mamvura and 3rd Runner Up, Ms. Maureen Reece during the prize the tournaments,” Nazzal presentation at the second round of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Trophy added.” Amateur Golf Tournament Series at Lakowe Lakes, Lagos on Saturday

C’wealth Games: Powerlifters resume camping in Ibadan Mercy Jacob

arri, Delta state will play host to top athletes from around the world as the final of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria Golden League and Grand Prix take centre stage this weekend. According to the AFN President, Chief Solomon Ogba, the meet will surpass all other one-day meets ever organised on the African continent putting into consideration the array of stars expected. “We have one hundred and one athletes coming from all over the world including

Nigerian-born Asian champion, Femi Ogunode who represents Qatar. We also have Amantle Montsho of Botswana, a former 400m World Champion, confirmed for this event.” Commonwealth gold medalist Tosin Oke is also expected in Warri. Other top stars going to Warri are, Amaechi Morton, and Kineke Alexander of St. Vincent. Performances by popular music acts, Tekno, Seyi Shey and SeleBobo will spice up the thrill for the spectators. The event holds on Friday 13th of June at the Warri Township Stadium.

Akwa Ibom Olympic Stadium ready in September

Johnnie Walker rewards Golf lovers ohnnie Walker Blue Label, dubbed “the pinnacle of blended scotch whisky” from the stables of Diageo, recently launched its amateur golf tournament - the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Trophy to excite and reward golf lovers in Nigeria. The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Trophy is Nigeria’s leading amateur golf tour nament aimed at celebrating the quality and heritage of the premium Scotch whisky. The four round tournament is scheduled to run between May and September 2014 at the prestigious Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate. Speaking on what to expect from the games, Mr. Joe Nazzal, Head, Reserve Brands, Diageo Brands Nigeria, said “we are indeed excited about these tournaments, associating Johnnie Walker with golf, a prestigious brand for legendry moments. First

Charles Ogundiya

According to the secretary of the Nigeria Paralympics Powerlifting Federation, Dapo Akinyele, Innocent Nnamdi and Adesokan Yakubu top the list of athletes in camp. Others include Nnaji Ifeanyi, Omolayo Bose,Ijeoma Iheriobiem,and Osewa Toyesi .

“We resumed camp yesterday, and we have 15 athletes on ground already from which 12 athletes will be selected for the games. We have eight male and seven female atheletes here in Ibadan preparing for the games,” he said.

he Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday, commissioned a swimming pool reconstructed after 35 years of abandonment at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos. The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mamman Tsafe, also commissioned an ultramodern badminton complex at the same venue. According to Abubakar, the provision of the infrastructure further strengthens the vision of his administration to develop sports in the force. He said the police force has produced several distinguished athletes and his ad-

ministration was poised to develope more talents. “We continue to make giants strides in sports development because we believe that policemen fit both physically and mentally, will perform well. We hosted a successful Bi-ennial Police Games in Port Harcourt which was adjudged the best in the history of Nigerian Police and we also organised Police Sports Award in Abuja as part of what we have done since we came on board,” he said. Bolaji Ojo-Oba, a director in the National Sports Commission, who also represented the Minister of Sports, Tamuno Danagogo, praised the force for the initiatives and challenged administrators and athletes to optimally use and maintain the facilities.

World Record

On Marble

The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they do not know the game.

– Bill Shankly

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 THURSday, JUNE 12, 2014

N150

Brazil 2014 as pleasant distraction

he 2014 edition of FIFA World Cup, the planet’s preeminent sports fiesta, perhaps second only to the Olympic Games, kicks off today. South America’s football power house Brazil has hosting rights – warts, protests, pimples and all. In Brazil, ready for the big contest are 32 national teams that qualified from a very rigorous qualifying round that took place across the globe. The countries are Brazil, Spain the defending champion, Colombia, Uruguay (hosted the maiden World Cup in 1930), Switzerland, Argentina, Germany, Belgium and Cameroun. Others are Australia, Coted’Ivoire, England, France, Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, Mexico, Chile, and Greece. Also in the contest are Italy, Honduras, Bosnia, Portugal, South Korea, Croatia, Netherlands, Japan, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Iran, USA and Russia. The Brazil samba is expected to dominate the side attraction at the football extravaganza. Nigeria is one of the privileged elite team in the mundial courtesy of its qualification from the African zone. This is fourth attempt the country would be making at the global event. What is of interest to ‘Political Musing’ in a football contest, curious readers may ask? The reason is obvious; it would be difficult to discuss politics in Nigeria and indeed the world without bringing in sports. Depending on which nation, sports have become an integral part of nation’s politics because of the peoples’ passion for it. Football in Nigeria means a lot;

Brazil’s record of five World Cup final victories is the most by any country. The South American nation won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

it is indeed a religion. For a nation in desperate need of peace and harmony among its citizens, football remains a huge instrument because of its uniting factor. Since the end of the civil war in 1970, this country has never been so divided. Not even in the days of late General Sani Abacha’s military dictatorship did this country witness this level of ill feeling among its people. Every variable of peace and unity in this country have been destroyed leaving only football. This

Weekend of death

or two successive days last week, editors’ could not resist using obituary news to lead their papers. Why not, if the personalities involved are such irresistible figures. Asked to discuss personalities, American actress Edith Johnson who appeared in 66 films in America between 1913 and 1924 observed, “An appealing personality is not something grafted on from without. It is expressed through the body, the mind, the heart and the spirit”. Last Friday, the amiable Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero passed on after 51 years on the exalted throne. No story was bigger than that, especially given the succession intrigues that followed immediately. Twenty four hours later, Prof. Dora Akunyili, the quintessential woman of this generation lost her battle with cancer though she won all her battles with fake drugs to save humanity. I am touched by the two deaths because I had contact with the duo. As a young reporter in Kano with Kanobased Triumph Newspaper in late 80s, a number of assignments took me to the palace where I met the late Emir. In one of the assignments, the reporters and other guests had assembled and a message came that the event was cancelled

because “Seriki” was indisposed. When reporters inquired if he was sick the palace officials said no, he was mourning some Igbos killed in the town few days back during a religious riot. That was when he struck me as a lovely, detribalized man. This underscored late Igbo leader Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s continuous identification with him as lover of Ndigbo. For Dora, I am one of the many journalists that had some rapport with her. As a reporter in Saturday THISDAY in 2004 I had written a story she did not like about NAFDAC. She was livid with anger and reported to my editor. That kept us apart until when she was appointed a Minister of Information and was under pressure on an issue reported about her in media and and somebody advised her to contact me and she called me up to get my view and after she heard me out, she wanted me to come and work for her as adviser. I was not too eager because of the unsteady nature of the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration but I remained a close adviser until she left the position. She was a great woman and had thin tolerance for mediocrity. May the Almighty grant the souls of these great Nigerians eternal rest.

has become the only factor that has severally resisted our divisive tendency. Even though there has been attempts to manipulate its goodwill for political purposes like when late military Head of State Abacha mobilized some football stars to attend and address his ill motivated five-million man match aimed at transforming him from military to civilian president before the ‘apple solution’ resolved everything in favour of the people. Today, Nigerians are battered and traumatized by insecurity scripted by bad tempered politicking. For the wrong reasons, Nigeria has remained in the global news. Hardly has Nigeria been mentioned internationally lately with any positive connotation. As you read this piece, young Nigerian girls stolen from their school at Chibok in Borno State on April 14 by the Boko Haram terrorist group are still hidden in Sambisa forest for the past 59 days. In fact, the daring terrorists returned to Chibok on Monday to kidnap 20 more women The huge security apparatus on ground in the area from countries like USA, UK, Australia, France, Israel, Canada plus some some neighbouring African countries already deployed were not enough to deter the militants. Politicians have turned the matter into a major campaign instrument even as the parents of the children groan. A nation in such mood, starting a World Cup where their own team is participating is coming as a huge relief, in fact a pleasant distraction. Once again our unity would be restored as we glue to our various television sets; an Ahmad Musa would be cheered by a fan in Nsukka, Enugu state, while Emmanuel Emenike’s fans in troubled Maiduguri, Borno state would put everything aside to cheer a team not looking for their religion, tribe or colour but at the green- white-green attire. The Eagles themselves would be matching out as a team purely from Nigeria. When they put their heads together to pray, they would not mind which Supreme Being’s name is beseeched whether Jesus or Allah but Amen would be chorused by all in one spirit. This present Super Eagle’s squad may not be the desired “untouchables” or the dream team as they say but they have one thing going for them - team spirit. Except for the number one goal-tender Vincent Enyeama, none of the 23 names shortlisted by Coach Stephen Keshi is in

top form in a Grade- A club in Europe. In fact the only Nigerian in good form in a Grade- A team in Europe - Ikechukwu Uche - is not listed because of the so-called “unforgiveable” behavior. Victor Moses, Mikel Obi and Shola Ameobi who are in Grade-A teams in England are bench-warmers who play only when injury visits first-choice players. Our top striker Emmanuel Emenike is in the Russia/Turkey axis where retiring or not too good legs are found. After Emenike’s performance in nation’s cup top teams would have come for him in Europe’s top league but no one looked his way. That is a statement on his real skill in the game but notwithstanding he could still be our joker at the mundial. Nigerians are as usual upbeat that a miracle could happen and their beloved team could be found among the best eight or best four in the world. If that happens, it would be a huge emotional balm for a country in such trauma. If that happens, President Goodluck Jonathan would harvest political mileage from it and nobody would fault him. Under five years, a man with Goodluck as a name, Nigeria’s male baby team won the World Cup and the senior team won the continent’s nation’s cup. But the real benefit for us would be that in the next one month Nigerians will have something to unite us emotionally and remind us that we are one country. It would achieve what violence could not achieve, American author Mary McCarthy was right when he observed that, “In violence we forgot who we are” and Martin Luther summed it up saying “Nothing good ever comes from violence.” Let this World Cup mark the end of violence and may the Boko Haramites find a place in their heart to stop killing innocent people and release our Chibok girls.

OmoBaba

I FEAR ETO’O... HE’S A KILLER

- Brazil Captain

– Fear of Eto’o, beginning of defeat!

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