Binder1 june 19, 2014

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Thursday, June 19, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 121

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

Emefiele shuffles CBN deputies, directors Ayodele Aminu

C

entral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has rearranged the portfolio of his deputies and redeployed all the

six directors in the bank in a major shake-up since he assumed duty on June 3.

New Telegraph learnt that Emefiele announced the reorganisation of his deputies at the end of the Bankers’ Committee meet-

ing in Abuja last Tuesday, while that of the Directors, which becomes effective from June 23, was announced yesterday.

Under the new dispensation, with the exception of Dr. Sarah Alade, who

would remain deputy governor (Economic Policy), all the other three deputy governors - Dr. Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, Alhaji Suleiman Barau and Adebayo Adelabu, have been redeployed. They are to

report to their new duty posts from next Monday.

Moghalu, the deputy Governor in charge of the Operations Directorate, has been moved to Financial System Stability (FSS) CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Oando gets consent to acquire $1.65bn ConocoPhillips’ assets }2

Presidency moves against Nyako, Amaechi lAssembly serves impeachment notice on Adamawa gov, deputy lMilitary shuts Yola airport lSix lawmakers plot to oust Rivers governor

Ayodele Ojo

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he presidency has been fingered in the moves by lawmakers in Adamawa and Rivers states to unseat their governors, Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers).

While the 25 lawmakers from Adamawa State yes-

terday served an impeachment notice on Nyako and his deputy, Bala Ngilari, who did not defect with his principal to the All Progressives Congress (APC), six of their counterparts in Rivers State were said to be plotting to unseat Amaechi.

Until their defection from the Peoples Demo-

cratic Party (PDP) to the APC late last year, the governors were locked in a fierce battle with President Goodluck Jonathan.

An aide of the president, however, denied any involvement of the presidency in the impeachment processes.

The frosty relationship between Jonathan

and Nyako got to a head recently when the Adamawa governor accused the president of embarking on genocide against the North. He even threatened to drag Jonathan to the World Court.

At yesterday’s sitting, the Adamawa State House of Assembly, which is wholly PDP, directed its

clerk to serve Nyako and Ngilari impeachment notices.

In the notice titled, “Notice of Allegation Of Gross Misconduct Against The Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Hammanyero Nyako, GCON,” and signed by all the 25 lawmakers, the legislators stated: “In exercise

of the powers vested in the Adamawa State House of Assembly by Section 188 (1) – (9) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and all other powers enabling the Adamawa State House of Assembly in that behalf, we the undersigned members of the Adamawa CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Arisekola-Alao dies in London at 69 lJonathan, Atiku, Ajimobi, Mimiko, Kalu, NACOMYO mourn Sola Adeyemo, Kunle Olayeni, Anule Emmanuel and Onyekachi Eze

O

ne of Nigeria’s foremost businessmen and religious leaders, Alhaji Azeez ArisekolaAlao, is dead.

Arisekola-Alao, Deputy President, Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, died yesterday in London. He was aged 69.

lagos

Thunder Storms

30OC |25OC L-R: National leaders, All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu; Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; Major General Muhammadu Buhari; and the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at the inauguration of the new executive of the party in Abuja...yesterday.

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The late Arisekola-Alao

The philanthropist, who would have turned 70 on February 9, 2015, left Nigeria on Saturday for London for a medical checkup and was said to have spoken with an associate around noon yesterday, giving some instructions regarding his intention to come back to Nigeria soon.

His eldest daughter, CONTINUED ON PAGE 1

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Thursday, June 19, 2014

Oando gets minister’s consent to acquire $1.65bn ConocoPhillips’ assets Adeola Yusuf

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ando Plc, an indigenous energy group listed on both the Nigerian and Johannesburg stock exchanges, yesterday secured the minister’s consent, which is the final stage for its acquisition of $1.65 billion assets of ConocoPhillips (COP) in Nigeria.

The company, which has been pursuing the acquisition process for over a year, confirmed yesterday that the Federal Government had ratified its $1.65 billion bid to take over assets of the COP in the country.

In December 2012, Oando Plc through its exploration and production subsidiary, Oando Energy Resources (OER), entered into an agreement with COP to acquire its Nigerian businesses.

Though Oando successfully acquired all funds required to actualise the bid, closing the deal had remained subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, including government and regulatory approval and getting the consent of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Head, Corporate Communication, Oando Plc, Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune, confirmed in a statement given to New Telegraph that all the conditions for the acquisition had been fulfilled.

Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu, while commenting on the deal said: “We are delighted to receive the approval of the honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources for the completion of our acquisition.

“It has been a long journey, wherein we kept faith with our strategy and ex-

ecuted every milestone diligently.

“This acquisition satisfies our criteria for assets in production, as well as excellent appraisal and exploration prospects. We will work hand-in-hand with the management team of ConocoPhillips to immediately complete the acquisition.”

Ministerial consent is the mandatory final approval all oil and gas acquisitions need in compliance with the Petroleum Act of 1969, which states, “Prior consent of the Minister of Petroleum

Resources is obtained before the assignment of any right, power or interest in an oil prospecting licence or oil mining lease.”

The Act stipulates that the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources must conduct due diligence to ensure ownership is being transferred to a company that is of good reputation, has sufficient knowledge, experience and financial resources to work the licence or lease and in all other respects is acceptable to the Federal Government.

Consent of the minister may only be granted where the minister is satisfied that the above conditions have been fully met.

With the due completion of the game-changing acquisition, Oando will be immediately positioned as the largest indigenous oil producer in Nigeria and will now produce about 50,000 barrels per day from six producing fields and will significantly impact its near immediate upstream strategy and operations and optimise its value across the energy chain.

32oC 23oC Very Cloudy

PORT HARCOURT

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KANO

39oC 26oC Sunny

ENUGU

31oC 23oC Storms

IBADAN

31o C 23oC Thunder Storms

CALABAR

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MAIDUGURI

40oC 27oC Sunny

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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

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ABUJA

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

L-R: Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, during a visit to Borno State ahead of the implementation of Safe Schools Initiative being supported by the Federal Government in Maiduguri...yesterday.

Emefiele moves CBN deputies, directors in major shake-up CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Directorate.

Prior to the assumption of the Operations Directorate portfolio on January 20, 2014, he was in charge of the FSS Directorate from November 9, 2009, where he led the implementation of farreaching reforms to enhance the quality and stability of banks and other financial institutions, the management of systemic risk to Nigeria’s banking system and supervised the following Departments of the CBN: Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Banking Supervision Department, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department, Development Finance Department, and the Consumer Protection Depart-

ment.

Barau, who was in charge of Corporate Services Directorate since 2007, will now supervise the Banking Operations Directorate. He would be supervising the following departments – Banking and Payments Systems, Currency Operations, Branch Operations, Reserve Management and Information Technology.

Adelabu who was in charge of the FSS Directorate will now take over from Barau.

Alade, who was appointed acting CBN governor on February 20, 2014, following the suspension of Emefiele’s predecessor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, before his subsequent retirement, retained her position as

deputy governor (Economic Policy) – a post she had held since March 26, 2007.

CBN spokeman, Isac Okoroafor, in a statement giving details of the reorganisation, said :” They (deputy governors) are expected to contribute to the bank’s vision of being the model central bank delivering price and financial system stability and promoting sustainable economic development.”

New Telegraph also learnt yesterday that as part of the reorgansation, Emefiele has directed the redeployment of CBN directors. In the reorganisation, Ahmad Abdullahi who had been director, Governor’s Office and recently moved to Corporate Communication Department, is now to oversee

Other Financial Institutions Department (OFISD) while Olufemi Fabanwo, Director, OFISD, will now take charge of the Currency Operations Department (COD).

Mahmoud Umar, Director, Director, Currency Operations Department (COD) has been moved to Branch Operations Department (BOD), while Mrs. Tope Omage Director, Branch Operations, will take charge of Finance Department.

Olakanmi Gbadamosi, Director, Procurement and Support Services Department (PSSD), has been moved to Trade and Exchange Department, while Mu’azu Ibrahim, Director, Finance, is now to head the Corporate Communications Department.

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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Appeal Court reverses Umeh’s sack as APGA chair

lSays High Court lacks power to entertain Okwu’s suit lAnambra agog over victory lObi lauds judgement, says he won’t quit party respect the court judge- Umeh’s as the will of God

Tunde Oyesina and Tony Okafor

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he Court of Appeal, Abuja Division yesterday set aside the judgement of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which had sacked Chief Victor Umeh and Alhaji Sani Abdulahi Shinkafi as the National Chairman and Secretary respectively of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The court also affirmed Umeh and Shinkafi alongside other members of their cabinet as the authentic executives of the party.

In its judgement, the court held that the 1st respondent, Maxi Okwu, had no locus standi to have instituted the suit that led to the Federal High Court judgement having been expelled from the party.

The Court of Appeal also berated Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court for assuming jurisdiction in the matter when he lacked the jurisdiction to have gone into the matter in the first place.

In allowing the 12 grounds of appeal raised

by Umeh and Shinkafi, the appellate court in a unanimous decision held that the respondent (Maxi Okwu) does not have the locus standi to institute the action having ceased to be a member of APGA

having been expelled by the party.

Delivering the lead judgement, Justice T.Y Hassan noted that the appeal was against a Federal High Court judgement delivered on January 15 which had dissolved the entire leadership of APGA elected in 2011.

On whether the appellants complied with the provisions of the APGA constitution, the court held that they substantially complied with the said constitution.

“I also uphold all the 12 grounds of appeal brought by the appellants. The trial judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati, should not have assumed jurisdiction to entertain the suit when there is a subsisting judgement of the Court of Appeal Enugu Division,”, Justice Hassan held.

The court also upheld the APGA convention conducted in February 10, 2011 as having complied with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

The court noted that Justice Kafarati had no jurisdiction on the matter as there was a subsisting judgement of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division which had nullified the decision of the Enugu State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezurike.

Reacting to the judge-

ment, Umeh said: “We are grateful to God for his infinite mercy, the judgement was very emphatic that the February 10, 2011 convention of the party was conducted in consonance with the APGA Constitution, so this has reinforced our belief in the judiciary.

“I will start by giving immense thanks to God Almighty, who despite the force of attacks on my leadership has continued to sustain us, God in his infinite mercy will always uphold the truth. It is regrettable that APGA has been subjected to a lot of senseless leadership cri-

ses over the years. But one thing that has remained constant over the years has been the triumph of my leadership of the party despite the different shades that these attacks take.”

After the ruling, there was spontaneous joy in major streets of Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The joyous crowd chanted solidarity songs for Umeh, saying “this judgement should end the crisis in APGA now.”

Speaking, Ebele Ejiofor, representing Anaocha 1 in Anambra State House of Assembly appealed to members of the party to

ment and reconcile their differences.

The state chairman of APGA, Mike Kwentoh in his reaction said: “People should learn their lessons from this judgement and avoid abusing court processes.”

Okoli Akilika, a lawyer and immediate past state secretary of APGA, called on Umeh to use the occasion of the momentous judgement to redress any iota of injustice, prejudice and other misunderstanding in the party.

The immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, described

and His design to bring lasting peace to APGA. Describing APGA as a party that has the capacity to give voice to the Igbos, Obi called on all factions to see the judgement as God’s design and an opportunity for all members of the APGA family to rally round Umeh and support him in re-building of APGA. Obi, who posited that APGA would win most votes in the South-East in the forthcoming elections, added that members of APGA must come together as brothers and sisters for the feat to be achieved.

L-R: Chief Imam of Ibadan, Alhaji Busari Haruna; Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; Alhaji Lateef Otelade and Alhaji Rasheed Adesiyan, during a condolence visit to the family of Aare of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao in Ibadan…yesterday.

Presidency moves against Nyako, Amaechi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

State House of Assembly append our names and signatures to this notice of allegation of gross misconduct against the Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Hammanyero Nyako (GCON), as provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

The 25 lawmakers listed 20 misconducts against the governor.

The offences include: fraudulent diversion of N2.3billion Adamawa State workers’ salary for September and October 2011; illegal deductions and diversion of N142 million emoluments of Adamawa State workers in May 2014; diversion of N120 million public funds to sponsor fictitious visit of General Muhammadu Buhari to Adamawa State to commiserate with victims of insurgency in Madagali and Michika Local Government Areas; extrabudgetary expenditure of N1,740,785,246 on fictitious special assistants and an-

other N166,230,536.88 on personal assistants in 2013; fraudulent award of contract of over N8 billion through SNECOU Group of Companies Ltd, a company linked to one of the governor’s wives, to siphon public funds without delivering any services to the people of Adamawa State and corrupt siphoning of N300 million public funds through a company, Hydrosource Resources Ltd in the name of construction of Mubi by-pass without mobilising to site or any construction carried out long after the collection of N300 million.

Other allegations in the impeachment notices, among others, are: gross violation of the oath of office by outrageous patronage and dominance of family and friends in the discharge of government business; gross violation of Section 120 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and gross misappropriation and diversion of internally

generated revenue for personal use to the detriment of the people of Adamawa State; squandering of N4,805,216,538.32 and N7,114,995,590.85 in 2012 and 2013 respectively, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government against budgetary approvals; spending N2.5 billion as “Other Miscellaneous Expenses” through the Internal Affairs and Special Services Department; extra-budgetary procurement of fertilizer and diversion of proceeds from the sales of fertilizer from 2007 to date; diversion of over N400 million out of the N50 million Federal Government intervention fund for flood victims in Adamawa State in 2011 and diversion of government funds through the illegal importation of hospital equipment to the tune of N156 million.

It was learnt that the military yesterday shut down the Yola International Airport in a bid to prevent Nyako from taking off to Abuja where he was

expected to attend a meeting with former British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown.

A source quoted a member of staff at the airport as saying the airport was shut against all commercial and private plane movements, based on orders from ‘above’.

He said Air Force personnel stormed the airport early in the morning and asked staff to leave the control tower. They also put the entrance to the airport terminal under lock.

Nyako was supposed to have attended the ‘Save School Initiative’ which is aimed at boosting school enrolment in the northeastern part of the country.

While the process for Nyako’s impeachment has begun, New Telegraph gathered yesterday that details of how to unseat Amaechi were being finetuned.

It was learnt that a top government official had been saddled with the task of ensuring that Amaechi

is removed.

A source familiar with the impeachment move told New Telegraph that six members of the Rivers House of Assembly who are PDP have been mobilised to carry out the move.

Various offences to be put together as gross misconduct are being compiled by the six Rivers lawmakers.

The six PDP lawmakers are anti-Amaechi and had tried last year to change the leadership of the state House of Assembly.

They have refused to be part the 25 members of the assembly who are now in APC. “The plan is for the six members to convene a sitting of the House of Assembly at a private residence or office, with Evans Bipi presiding as the speaker. At that sitting, a member will then move a motion for the suspension of the other 25 APC members. Once the purported suspension is adopted by the six members, they will now move for the im-

peachment of Governor Amaechi on very spurious grounds,” the source said.

It was learnt that those plotting the impeachment move have the support of a top judge in the state judiciary who is expected to set up a committee to investigate the offences preferred against Amaechi.

A government source in Port Harcourt confirmed the plot, saying: “President Jonathan is hell-bent on removing Governor Amaechi for reasons best known to him. This is not the first time or the second time they have plotted to remove our governor, albeit illegally.

“Their plot is illegal, unconstitutional. In a legislature of 31 members, six members cannot go and sit in someone’s private sitting room and claim to have impeached a governor. That is impunity. This is a democracy.

The presidency should be careful not to truncate our democracy with all these reckless acts of impunity all over the place.”

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Thursday, June 19, 2014

FG withdraws criminal charge against Abacha’s son lLiechtenstein to return €167m to Nigeria

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

T

he Federal Government yesterday withdrew the criminal charge it filed against Mohammed, son of former Head of State, the late General Sani Abacha .

It announced the decision to withdraw the charge during proceedings before Justice Mamman Kolo of the Abuja High Court.

The Federal Government had through a private counsel, Daniel Enwelum, slammed a nine-count criminal charge on Mohammed, accusing him of “dishonestly receiving stolen property” and “voluntarily assisted in concealing money,” estimated at N446.3billion, belonging to the state.

Efforts by the government to arraign Abacha on the charge were unsuccessful as he failed to attend court on two occasions when the case was mentioned.

However, when the matter came up yesterday, Abacha was in court.

When the case was called, he entered the dock, shortly after which

Enwelum informed the court about the directive from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to discontinue the case.

According to him, “I have been instructed by the AGF and Minister of Justice to withdraw the charges as presently filed before this court, because there are fresh facts and documents available to him.

“In this circumstance, he instructed me to file a notice of withdrawal without prejudice to future cause of action to be taken by his (AGF’s) office.

“In the light of that, I have filed a notice of withdrawal dated June 17, 2014. I humbly apply to withdraw the charges accordingly.”

Defence counsel, Abdullahi Haruna, did not object to the decision by the state to withdraw the charge.

Ruling on the application, Justice Kolo granted the application just as he struck out the charge and consequently discharged the accused person.

The Federal Government had in April filed a new charge against Mohammed, accusing him of unlawfully receiving about N446.3billion allegedly stolen from govern-

ment’s coffers between 1995 and 1998.

In the nine-count charge, the Federal Government accused Mohammed of “dishonestly receiving stolen property” and “voluntarily assisting in concealing money.”

The fresh charge replaced the earlier one of 121 counts in which Mohammed was charged with Atiku Bagudu.

The Federal Government had excluded Bagu-

du from the fresh charge, leaving only Mohammed.

Meanwhile, Liechtenstein said yesterday it would return 167 million euros ($227 million) to Nigeria, ending a drawn-out battle by the African country to recover cash looted by the late Abacha.

Abacha, who died in 1998, is suspected of having looted the Nigerian central bank to the tune of about $2.2 billion when he ruled Africa’s most popu-

lous nation from November 1993 to June 1998.

According to a report

by Agence France Presse (AFP), Nigeria first requested help from Liechtenstein in 2000 to recover the cash stashed there.

The tiny principality of some 37,000 people returned 7.5 million euros to Nigeria in late 2013, but the restitution of the bulk of the cash has long been blocked by lawsuits brought by companies linked to Abacha’s family.

Several of the compa-

L-R: Technical Director, Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, Mr. Henk Wyemenga; Managing Director, PSALTY International Company Limited, Mrs. Oluyemisi Iranloye; Dutch Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation, Ms. Lilianne Ploumen; Managing Director, NB Plc, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde and Division Director, International Fertilizer Development Centre, Andre De Jager, after the signing of Memonrandum of Understanding (MOU) on cassava starch partnership in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Arisekola-Alao dies in London at 69 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Khadija, confirmed his death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Although the cause of the death was not revealed, it was learnt that Arisekola-Alao, noted for his philanthropy towards Islamic causes, had cancer.

His death threw Ibadan, his hometown, which served as the headquarters of his business that spans banking, trading and real estate, into a shock.

Shortly after the news of his death filtered out, sympathisers thronged his residence, wailing.

His death also elicited tributes with President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and their Ondo State counterpart, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, mourning the deceased.

Ajimobi, his deputy, Chief Alake Adeyemo, the governor’s wife, Florence, and the entire cabinet of Oyo State were among the early callers to Arisekola-

Alao’s home to console the family.

The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, said he was shocked and saddened by the news of the death of Arisekola-Alao.

“On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends sincere condolences to the ArisekolaAlao family as well as the people of Ibadan and Oyo State on the passing away of the famed Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland,” the statement said.

Jonathan urged his family, relatives, friends, associates and dependants to be comforted by the fact that ArisekolaAlao lived a very fulfilled life and in left behind a legacy of significant and commendable achievements.

According to him, Arisekola-Alao will always be remembered and honoured, especially for the remarkable entrepreneurial skills with which he established many successful businesses and created jobs for numer-

nies were sentenced in 2008 to repay money proven to have been taken from Nigeria’s national budget, but four of the firms filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Following negotiations between the governments of Liechtenstein and Nigeria, the four ended up withdrawing their complaints in May, “clearing the path for repatriation of the assets once and for all,” Vaduz said in a statement yesterday.

ous Nigerians, as well as for his religious leadership and philanthropic gestures.

Amosun, in a condolence message, signed by his spokesperson, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Wakama, said the Islamic leader lived a fulfilled life, describing his passage as painful, as it is close to the Ramadan fast when his philanthropy would be most appreciated.

“It is most unfortunate that Alhaji Ariselola-Alao would die at a time when a lot of Muslims would have benefited from his generosity, but Almighty Allah knows best,” the governor said.

Former Minister of Transportation and Aviation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, also described Arisekola-Alao as someone who is deeply religious without being a religious fundamentalist and a religious fanatic.

Paying tributes to the deceased, Atiku described his death as a loss to Nigeria.

Atiku in a statement yesterday by his media office in Abuja said he was shocked and saddened by

the death of the colourful and astute businessman.

“Arisekola was a devout Muslim and community leader. He was generous and loved his people; the quality of his humanity and compassion was unprecedented. The country will surely miss him.

“I visited him recently after the death of his wife and he hosted me to lunch in his palatial Ibadan home. He related well with all Nigerians,” Atiku added.

Also, Ajimobi, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said Arisekola-Alao’s death was a big blow.

According to him, the death “is tragic, disheartening and a big blow, not only to Oyo State, but to the entire country.

“Aare cannot die as those who lived the kind of life he lived, with imprints in the lives of millions of people, never die.

He lived a life that was devoted to the lives of others. It is indeed the end of an era for us in Ibadan and Nigeria in general.”

Ajimobi described the late Arisekola-Alao as a

devout Muslim, shrewd businessman and a philanthropist whose commitment to the cause of the downtrodden in the society was unequalled.

“Uncle Arisekola-Alao was an upright, consistent and principled man. He called a spade by its name without minding whose ox was gored. Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland was also a pillar of support to our administration whose wise counsel had helped tremendously in the success story so far recorded by our government,.

“He was a fulfilled man, fulfilled in all his earthly assignments. I am sure he died very happy with himself. Besides, Arisekola-Alao also used his God-given endowment to touch the lives of several millions of people.

He was a source of joy to those who came across him,’’ he added.

Mimiko also described the passage of ArisekolaAlao as shocking and a great loss to the nation.

Lamenting the death of the deceased whom he described as a foremost industrialist and highly spiritual person, Mimiko,

in his condolence message to the family, signed by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said his death was most unfortunate and a loss irreparable .

“No doubt, Aare Arisekola is still needed around and would be sorely missed by all for his spiritual and fatherly role,” he said.

Praying that God should grant the deceased eternal rest, Mimiko said the Muslim leader “lived an exemplary life and was a blessing to his generation as he made his mark in the area of leadership, service to God and humanity.”

In his reaction, former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu described Arisekola-Alao as a detrabilised Nigerian, whose death is a big loss to the nation.

Kalu said: “Aare was a nation builder who built friendship across the length and breadth of the country.

A former governorship candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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Thursday, June 19, 2014

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Ekiti: APC accuses PDP of plot to write election results Adesina Wahab and Yekeen Nurudeen

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head of the Saturday governorship election in Ekiti State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to rig the election in favour of its candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose.

The party said the PDP was already writing the results of the governorship election, threatening to reject the results of the election if it did not flow from a transparent election.

The party said it had lost faith in the promises and commitment of the Goodluck Jonathan administration to a free and fair election in the state.

APC National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, stated this in Abuja yesterday during the inauguration of the party’s newly-elected national executives.

“The APC will not accept the outcome of the election in Ekiti unless the authorities provide convincing explanations to the series of questionable developments in recent

FG warns of Boko Haram plot to attack Abuja

lConfirms 10 dead from Yobe attack Emmanuel Onani

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he Federal Government yesterday alerted Nigerians to plans

by Boko Haram to unleash another round of terror on Abuja.

Briefing journalists at the National Information Centre in Abuja, the Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, said the terrorist group planned to seize petrol tankers, plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in them, and invade crowded places in the Abuja.

To prevent the attack, Omeri, who was flanked by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, spokesperson of the Department of State Service (DSS), Marilyn Ogar and other information managers of security agencies, said security operatives would meet with the leadership of tanker drivers to sensitise them on the need to be careful so that they would not allow anybody to hijack their vehicles to unleash terror on Nigerians.

He further advised Nigerians “to report any broken down tanker in any part of the territory to security agencies.”

Omeri, who is the coordinator of the National Information Centre, also said the Federal Government was “outraged by the acts committed by Boko Haram against families, particularly women and children killed at the World Cup viewing centre in Damaturu, Yobe State.”

The attack, according to him, left 10 persons dead, while 30 others, who suffered varying degrees of injuries, are receiving treatment at various hos-

pitals.

Also giving an update on the April 14 abduction of over 200 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok, Borno State, said: “Action is continuing, with a view to rescuing the girls. Operations toward the rescue of the girls are continuing in earnest, and progress is being made through intelligence sharing, and I’m sure it won’t be too far before we begin to reap the benefits.”

Meanwhile, the police yesterday advised football fans to stay away from public venues showing World Cup matches, following the attack on the viewing centre in Damaturu.

“As a first choice, we are advising Nigerians to actually avoid these viewing centres as much as possible,” Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), told AFP in Abuja.

Instead, Mba said the advice was to watch the tournament instead with family or friends.

Mba said individual states were within their rights to order closures but police were working with centre operators and local agencies to improve security, particularly in the restive north.

Advice includes better searches of customers, increased vigilance from locals as well as creating pedestrian-only zones between 50 and 100 metres (yards) from venues to prevent car bomb attacks, he said.

“We’re not calling for a total proscription. We would rather as a first choice sensitise and educate the public so they can take informed decisions,” Mba added.

times,” he said “My first message today is to President Goodluck Jonathan regarding a series of occurrences that point to the fact that the PDP is bent on rigging the elections and writing the results of the Saturday elections in Ekiti even before the polls open. If this dangerous trend is not arrested, the consequences will be dire for democracy and our country,” the APC Chairman said.

He raised the alarm that there were ominous signs that the PDP-led government was bent on influencing the outcome of the Saturday election.

His words: “On Tuesday, June 17 two loaded aircraft landed at the Akure airport with undisclosed content.

The presence of the Minister of State, Defence, Musliu Obanikoro who was on ground to ensure the safe delivery of the cargoes suggests official collusion and knowledge. The contents were immediately loaded into a bullion van under the watchful eyes of

Minister of State, Defence, Obanikoro.

“Again on Wednesday, June 18, a pro-Fayose and PDP gang was busted in a resort owned by Fayose’s campaign manager thumb-printing ballot papers ahead of the Saturday elections. The 22 young men who were arrested were also caught preparing INEC form EC8 “Pray, what business does the Minister of State Defence, Obanikoro have supervising the offloading of mysterious cargo in Akure while the North East is still being ravaged

by Boko Haram and over 200 girls remain missing and unaccounted for.”

Also, the APC and PDP yesterday engaged in war of words over allegations of thumb-printing of ballot papers and arrest of some persons over the issue.

The APC, through the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, in a statement by the Head of Media in Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Dimeji Daniels, said thumb-printed ballot papers were found

by agents of the Director of Security Service (DSS) at the hotel of the Director-General of Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, Chief Dipo Anisulowo.

The hotel is located at Are-Ekiti, Anisulowo’s hometown.

“Recent developments where thumb-printed ballot papers and form EC8A are being ferried into Ekiti State by serving ministers and found in the residences of PDP chieftains make nonsense of INEC’s assurances and shows that there are collaborators in INEC in this evil plot by the PDP to ensure that the votes of Ekiti people do not count.

“It also confirms our position that there is a strong presidency-hatched plot in concert with INEC to rig Saturday’s election. If otherwise, INEC should explain the source of ballot papers and forms EC8A in the possession of PDP. The electoral body should also explain its moral somersault on the release of the certified copy of the voter register to APC. We believe

this moral somersault on the part of INEC,” he said.

In a reaction, the PDP, through the State Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, said the APC was only concocting lies.

Oluwawole said: “The ineffective propaganda has further shown the desperation of Governor Kayode Fayemi in the game of politics and his lack of sincerity as well as the inability of the leadership of the APC to think right in a time of challenge,” he said.

However, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, who was asked to respond to the issue by the State Chairman of the APC, Chief Jide Awe, at a forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) debunked the rumour.

The IG said those arrested by operatives of the State Security Service had nothing to do with ballot papers.

He warned against the use of media to create confusion in the state.

L-R: Chairman, Promasidor Nigeria Limited. Mr. Keith Richards; Chairman, Policy & Strategy, Association of Outsourcing Practitioners of Nigeria (AOPN), Mr. Olusoji Oyawoye; Managing Director/CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya and President, AOPN, Dr. Austin Nweze, at an exhibition in Lagos…yesterday.

Arisekola-Alao dies in London at 69 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Change (CPC) in Oyo State, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, paid glowing tributes to the late ArisekolaAlao, describing him as a man loved by all.

“He opened his doors to everybody. He was a professor because there is nothing you ask from him that he would not have an answer to. He was a quintessential man. He built so many churches and mosques for people. I have never seen any wealthy man in Yorubaland who

is as generous as Alhaji Arisekola. During any Islamic celebration, he was always very generous to people. It will be very difficult to have a replacement for him”, he said.

One of Arisekola’s beneficiaries, Ademola Solalu, Special Adviser on Communication to Ajimobi, said, “When he was ill and we were apprehensive, nothing happened to him then. He was not ill before he travelled on Saturday. I even sent a text message to him yesterday.

About four to five hours ago, somebody spoke with him and he gave some instructions to be carried out. We never knew he could go like this. When he was travelling on Saturday, I never knew I was bidding him final bye.”.

In its reaction, the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) said the death of Arisekola-Alao would create a vacuum difficult to fill.

The National President of NACOMYO, Alhaji

Kamal’ddin Akintunde, in a statement in Abeokuta, said the group had lost another philanthropist.

“The Muslim ummah has lost a great financier and pillar of Islam whose act of benevolence and charity cuts across tribal and religious boundaries. A philanthropist par excellence and business guru, a man of wisdom, he will be remembered for his sense of humour and jocularity usually displayed at public functions,” he said.

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Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

UNESCO may register Soyinka’s literary project Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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fforts are underway to confer enduring recognition on literary icon and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, in the international days observed at the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The Chief Executive Officer of Zmirage Multimedia Company, Alhaji Teju Kareem, disclosed this yesterday at a press conference held in Abeokuta to herald the 2014 Open Door Series project in commemoration of the

80th birthday of Soyinka.

He spoke as Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State declared that the literary giant would forever be celebrated by the state government for his commitment to social justice.

Fielding questions from reporters, Kareem revealed some of the UNESCO conditions to register and designate the Open Door Series project in the international cultural dates.

According to him, the programme must run for five years before any application for listing could be made.

Confab seeks return of mission schools to owners Louis Achi and Onwuka Nzeshi , ABUJA

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he National Conference yesterday voted in favour of a recommendation asking the various state governments to return all schools which were taken over from religious bodies by the government forty two years ago.

The schools were taken over by the then military government of General Yakubu Gowon in 1972 shortly after the Nigeria Civil War. The decision came amidst a controversy over the circumstances that led to the takeover of these

Kano

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overnor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State yesterday cursed those he alleged were making a political capital of the choice of the new Emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Kwankwaso, who spoke in Hausa, during the weekly Executive Council meeting of the government, prayed that God would send to hell fire, anybody who tried to foment trouble and caused serious crises that will result in the killings of innocent lives in Kano .

He said those who were behind that crises were known persons from Abuja who used heavy amounts to sponsor thugs and bandits to unleash terror and kill people rampantly in Kano, ‘ but as usual, woefully, they failed’.

He said those people have been looking for ways to cause trouble in Kano because they are not happy with what “we are doing but they couldn’t find one, as such they used the death of the late Emir Bayero as well as the subsequent installations of Sunusi Lamido Sunusi as a chance to carry out their nefarious acts.

Focus on fundamentals, delegate tells Confab Louis Achi and Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

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n effort to refocus the footing of the National Conference was made Tuesday when a delegate, miffed at the amount of time spent of debating what he called “simplistic issues” instead of fundaments warned his fellow

IMPOUNDED

Importer of military cargo arrested during routine checks by customs Bayo Akomolafe

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he Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ) yesterday, intercepted a sizable number of imported military uniform, bullet proof jackets, boots and other dangerous items in a Lagos port.

The items were intercepted at the Port and Terminal Multipurpose Services Limited (PTML), Tin-can Island port, by its Area Comptroller, Mr Folorunsho Adegoke.

Adegoke, while parading a suspect, Mr. Emmanuel Eko, who was the importer of the cargo, revealed that the military wares were intercepted at the terminal on Monday.

According to the Controller, the suspect who claimed to be a member of the British Army and presented a Nigeria passport, had few years ago been arrested at the command for disguising as a Nigeria army officer.

The military wares included Camouflage uniforms, military jackets, military helmets, berets, boots, rain coats, armoured jackets, communication radio jackets, face masks, ear protectors among others.

Although, the area

comptroller did not give the number of uniforms seized, sources close to the Command alleged that about 500 numbers of Army camouflage uniforms, 60 pairs of bullet proof jackets, 30 boots and other classified items were brought to the port by the importer.

Adegoke, who displayed the intercepted items to reporters at the terminal, said the military uniforms and boots, which were mixed up with other items in a white bus shipped in from Britain, were discovered during routine examinations and checks by the eagle-eyed officers and men of the Command.

"It is the practice that when we have military

wares, they are normally imported by military officers and they will write a letter to our headquarters to that effect, and when the goods come, they are always on ground to receive them, "When you look at the list, one tends to suspect foul play; moreso, the person bringing it is just an individual as far as the country is concerned, hence the need to do a thorough check on the consignment.

Considering the security challenge in the country, the Customs chief pointed out that the military wares could be used to commit havoc in any part of the country, even as he noted that terrorists now dress like soldiers.

schools as some delegates, who played active roles in the takeover of the schools at that time gave conflicting accounts of the policy and its implementation.

A former Minister of Education, Prof. Jubril Aminu, who justified the policy, said the missionaries were paid compensation by the Gowon regime at that time and that there was no reason for their return.

According to him, since the schools were taken over about four decades ago, the institutions have stayed longer in the hands of government than it ever stayed in the hands of their original owners.

Kwankwaso curses those behind Emir’s choice crisis Muhammad Kabir

Customs seizes military uniform, bullet proof jackets, boots in Lagos port

conferees that the trend amounted to wasting useful time.

According to Prof.

Olusegun Mimiko, a delegate and Vice Chancellor of Ondo State University, who addressed the plenary and drew considerable applause, “I must confess that I am a bit troubled and bothered at the direction this conference is going.

L-R: Chairman, Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (Sure-P), Retired Gen. Martin Agwai; NUJ National President/ Member, Sure-P Board, Mallam Mohammed Garba and Managing Director, News Agency Of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ima Niboro, during their visit to NAN Headquarters in Abuja…yesterday

Censors Board writes exhibitor of Half of a Yellow Sun

Amadi Nnamdi Abuja

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ollowing the public condemnation of the silence of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) on the purported ban of the movie, titled : “Half of A Yellow Sun”, the Censors board yesterday wrote the exhibitor of the movie.

This revelation was contained in a press statement signed by the Acting Head, Corporate Affairs,

NFVCB, Mr. Caesar O. Kagho, yesterday in Abuja.

According to the release: “It has become necessary for the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to set the records straight on the status of the movie, Half of a Yellow Sun and the attendant interest in certain quarters on the matter, the NFVCB restates its position that the movie is not banned as speculated and that the Board has dutifully exercised due diligence,

consonant with section 36 (1) (b) of NFVCB Enabling Law ACT 1993, CAP N40 LFN 2004 which stipulates that ‘a decision on a film shall ensure that such a film is not likely to undermine national security”.

Kagho further stated that the Board has duly communicated the exhibitor of the movie in a letter dated May 27, 2014 explaining the status of the film and requiring the distributor to expunge/ edit some clearly stated

objectionable aspects of the movie.

“Once the areas highlighted are resolved, the NFVCB as a regulator shall communicate a rating of the film as may be deemed appropriate.

The actions of the Board are a routine procedure that is not specific to any production but primarily taken within the ambit of the law, underpinned by the superior logic of safeguarding overall public interest.

Nigeria to benefit from 700m-euro Dutch Growth Fund

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igeria is one of the countries to benefit from the Netherlands’ 700million euro Growth Fund to be launched in July 2014, the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Co-operation, Ms. Lilianne Ploumen, has said.

The decision to include Nigeria in the preferred list of countries came on the heels of the discussion between Nigeria’s Minis-

ter of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, and his Dutch counterpart, last year.

Aganga, confirmed this during the Nigeria-Netherlands Business Forum in Lagos, yesterday.

The Netherlands’ minister is currently in Nigeria with a delegation of over 20 Dutch businessmen to tie win-win trade and investment relationships.

The Dutch Growth

Fund will enable Nigerian entrepreneurs and SMEs to form Joint Ventures with their Dutch counterparts, expand their businesses and also invest in critical and thriving sectors.

Aganga said, “Netherlands is one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners.

Within the last five years, the value of trade between Nigeria and Netherlands has grown from about

$2.5bn to about $10bn.

“In addition to the fact that there are so many Dutch companies operating and doing well in Nigeria, there is also the E700m Dutch Growth Fund, which the Government of Netherlands is planning to establish which will be accessed by Nigerians in partnership with Dutch entrepreneurs who can bring in their know-how and innovation.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

TERROR

For Funminiyi Afuye the days may not be getting longer anymore Tunde Oyesina Abuja

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he arraignment of a serving commissioner in Ekiti State, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, and 11 others over terrorism-related charges slated to come up before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday, was stalled.

This was just as the police on the same day

Arraignment of Ekiti commissioner stalled as police withdraw charge withdrew the charge earlier slammed on the 12 accused.

The application for withdrawal was filed yesterday shortly after the trial judge, Justice Evoh Chukwu, adjourned the case till today, because the police failed to produce the accused in court.

The application, dated June 18, 2014, was signed by the Legal/Prosecution Section of the Force Headquarters in Abuja, through Mr. Oloye Torug-

bene, who also signed the charge against the accused persons.

The application reads in part: “With due respect, my Lord, I have found it convenient to inform this honourable court of our intention to discontinue the case.

“This discontinuance is also necessitated by the need for further investigation in the case.

“We are therefore looking forward to seeing you accept our request

Osun 2014: INEC okays 20 parties Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

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he Inde pendent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State yesterday said it has authenticated the participation of 20 political parties for the August 9, governorship election in the state.

It also said that Governor Rauf Aregbesola, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), tendered his secondary school certificate for the contest.

Osun INEC Administrative Officer, Mrs. Au-

gusta C. Ogakwu, who made this known in a document made available to newsmen in Osogbo, added that 12 other candidates from the other political parties also tendered the same certificate to contest for the race.

Ogakwu, who said with the certificates tendered, all the candidates are qualified to contest in the election as they have all furnished the electoral body with their credentials, hinting that the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PPD) and the major

challenger to the governorship position, Senator Iyiola Omisore, is the only candidate that submitted a PhD certificate.

The administrative officer, however, appealed to all contenders to keenly observe the rules and regulations of the game, saying INEC would not compromise its stand to make the election free and fair.

He also appealed to the candidates to shun violence and acrimony during the electioneering campaign and try to follow to the letter, guidelines of the election.

please.”

Those charged alongside Afuye are Idowu Aladejobi (68), Afunye Jide (30), Anisulowo Kayode (46), Azeez Suleiman (19), Ajayi Idowu (18), Babadi Ajayi (35) and Abiodun Omoniyi (68).

Others are Oyedapo Olaoluwa (29), Sunday Olalere (27), Dapo David (26), Akinyemi Tayo (25) and others said to be at large.

New Telegraph recalls that the police had on

Tuesday filed the charge and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court consequently assigned it to Justice Chukwu, who in turn instructed his court registrar to inform parties of yesterday’s proceedings.

At the resumed trial yesterday, after the matter was stood down for about one and a half hours, and repeated calls made to the prosecutor, Torugbene, the police did not show up in court and the ac-

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cused persons were also not produced.

In urging the court to adjourn the matter till today, counsel to the accused persons, Femi Falana, SAN, said if the matter was adjourned, the prosecution would have achieved their objective.

“Among the accused persons are the commissioner and local government chairmen; and the governorship election is coming up on Saturday.

There is nothing in the charge,” Falana said.

The judge, however, agreed to Falana’s request and adjourned till today, ordering hearing notice to be served on the police.

Court fixes Oct. 9 for Owena vs Ondo govt suit Joseph Onyekwere

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ustice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday said he would hear the motion for consolidation of a suit filed by Owena Oil and Gas Limited against the Ondo State government in October 9.

Owena filed the action against the government on issues that bordered on conversion of assets.

Those listed as first and second defendants in the suit are the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Ondo State Government.

The firm filed the suit through its counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinhero (SAN), seeking an order restraining the Ondo State government from continuously laying claim to 100 per cent shareholding of the company, in excess of 30 percent.

At the resumed hearing of the suit yesterday, Pinhero informed the court of a motion for consolidation of the instant suit, with a sister suit filed by the government on the same subject-matter.

Pinhero said there was need for a consolidation of the suits, adding that

a composite would afford the court the opportunity of reaching a single decision.

He then sought the leave of court to move his application.

But defence counsel, Dr. Oladapo Olanipekun, drew the court’s attention to a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the motion.

He argued that the application for consolidation could not be taken at this point in the suit, since there are jurisdictional issues and interim orders in both suits that also required consolidation.

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NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Some LG chairmen are dictators, says Aliyu Dan Atori

Minna

iger State governor, Nyesterday Babangida Aliyu, said that some

local government chairmen in the country have turned themselves into dictators in their areas of jurisdiction.

Aliyu even accused them

of abandoning their duty posts, opting to stay in the state headquarters only to return to their local government headquarters to share money.

The governor condemned local government chairmen in Minna, after the swearing-in of the acting Chairman for Edati

Local Government, Alhaji Isah Usman Kwale, at the Government House.

The swearing in of Alhaji Kwale has become necessary as a result of the appointment of the former Chairman, Alhaji Isah Kantigi, as commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs.

HURIWA to move against governors’ excessive travels Kenneth Tyohemba

Abuja L-R: Commissioner for Environment , Prince Clem Agba; Project Manager, Jean El Sabbagh, and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, during the inspection of the stormwater system at Ewah road and its environs in Benin City…on Tuesday

Ebonyi will not adopt zoning in 2015, says governorship aspirant Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

s aspiring political Aeagerly officeholders are waiting for

guidelines from their respective political parties for the conduct of party primaries, Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, has indicated his interest to run for the governorship election of Ebonyi State.

Nwagu, who is repre-

senting Ebonyi Central senatorial zone in the National Assembly, said he is hearkening to the clarion call of his people to contest.

“My position today is not an official declaration, but an acceptance of the call from my people in Ebonyi to make myself available for the position of governor.

“This is an indication and affirmation of

the intention to run for the office of Governor of Ebonyi State and is not a campaign for the contest for the Office of Governor of Ebonyi State until the release of election guidelines by my party, the PDP in consonance with the already released electoral guidelines by INEC", Senator Nwagu said at a press conference in Abuja yesterday.

FG to spend $100m on safe school projects Ahmed miringa

MAIDUGURI

Goodluck Ptheresident Jonathan yesterday said Federal Government

in c o l l ab o r at i o n with inter national organisations will spend about $100 million on the Safe School Initiative.

President Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Econo-

my, Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, while inspecting some schools in Maiduguri, said the fund will be spent on three major areas – rehabilitation, renovation and upgrading of schools - under the safe school projects in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

She said President Janathan lamented the plight of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls and assured their parents that

the Federal Government is doing everything possible to bring them back safely.

The minister also assured that the Federal Government was determined to bring an end to the insurgency in the north, adding that the government will partner Borno State and the communities to rehabilitate and upgrade schools in the affected states under the Safe School Initiative.

Group commends APC for rejecting youth leader Moses Kadiri

olitical advocacy group of young professionals affiliated to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rethink Nigeria, has released a statement commending youths in the All Progressives Congress (APC) for standing up to reject the 52-year-old National Youth Leader of the party.

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The statement, which was signed by the group’s Volunteer Publicity Secretary, Mr. Paschal Metuh, said the disapproval by APC and Nigerian youths over the emergence of 52-year-old Ibrahim Dasuki Jallo, as National Youth Leader of the APC, was a victory for democracy and Nigerian youths.

“We have noted with

concern, the increasing affinity of the APC with political backwardness and stone age politics. It is either they are fronting a tired and retired 70-yearold general as presidential candidate today or selecting a septuagenarian as their national chairman tomorrow and now, more ridiculously, foisting on their youths, a 52-year-old as national youth leader.”

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barked on a periodic jail delivery exercise since assumption of office in 2012, in a bid to decongest the largely overstretched prison facilities in the state.

Before the 14 inmates regained their freedom yesterday, the Ikoyi prison with a capacity of 800 inmates, had an open-out population of 1,908, of which 1,714 of these, representing 89.8 per cent, were

Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) in its efforts to fight corruption and excessive spending in government, has taken the war against state governors to another level as it plans to forward a bill to the

seas, vowed to forward a bill to the National Assembly for a law that would enforce governors stay at list 75 percent in their respective states.

The rights’ activist described the situation as anti-governance, adding that the trend where governors have become visitors to their states has eluded their proximity and trust with their people at home.

Alex Otti, Ayo Teriba, Hajara Adeola join CSR conference roup Managing Director GOfficer and Chief Executive of Diamond Bank Plc; Dr. Alex Otti, will join a number of Nigerian experts participating in the 2014 edition of the Africa CEO RoundTable and Conference on Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility (ARCSR™) scheduled to take place from June 19-20, 2014.

Other confirmed participants include CEO,

Lotus Capital, Hajara Adeola; Dr. Ayo Teriba, CEO, Economic Associates and Henrietta Onwuegbuzie, Academic Director, PanAtlantic University.

Donald Kaberuka, President, Africa Development Bank Group, will deliver the keynote address while Brian Kuwik, Senior Vice-President and Africa Regional Head, Accion, will serve as lead discussant.

These leading professionals will join an impressive list of carefully selected and invited speakers and experts at the fourth edition of this all-inclusive CSR & Sustainability Management event of the year and the first of its kind in Africa, with the theme: ‘The Intersection: Financial Inclusion, Economic Sustainability & Social Benefit’.

NEXIM gives out N92.5bn as loans to exporters Umar Danladi Ado

Sokoto

Export-Import Nhasigerian Bank (NEXIM) says it disbursed over N92.5 billion to exporters as loans since its inception in 1991.

Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Mr. Roberts Orya, revealed this yesterday at the opening of a two-day Exporter

Enlightenment Forum, holding in Sokoto with the theme; “Promoting Socio-Economic Stability through the Development of Non-Oil Export Sector.”

Represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mr. Bashir Wali, explained that in addition to many indirect jobs and over $1.3 billion generated in foreign exchange earnings for the country.

He lamented that overdependence on crude oil by Nigeria, besides exposing the country to the vagaries of the external markets, remains a limiting factor in achieving its development potentials.

“To this end, the Federal Government launched the Economic Transformation Agenda, which was aimed at diversifying the economy and promoting value-added exports.

50th anniversary: POWA reaches out to widows, orphans Ahmed Miringa

MAIDUGURI

parts of its 50th Athesanniversary celebration, Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) has donated relief materials to widows and orphans of slain officers and patients at the VVF wards in Borno

State. Speaking at the Police Headquarters, Maiduguri, venue of the event, Borno State Commissioner of Police, Lawal Tanko, assured widows and orphans of the slain officers of the continued support and encouragement of the command, adding that the command will continue to

stand by them.

He said POWA, which is not a profit-making organisation will always receive support from the command, adding that the gesture made by the organisation helps in a long way in assisting the families of the slain police officers.

Ondo arrests flinchers with wood billets

Amnesty: Lagos CJ frees 14 inmates Appollos Christian

o fewer than 14 awaiting trial inmates yesterday regained their freedom from the Ikoyi prisons as they were told by the Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Philips, to 'go and sin no more.'

This brings the number of freed inmates to 686 in her two years in office.

Justice Philips had em-

n o n - g ove r n m e n t a l Aauspices organisation under the of Human Right

National Assembly that will cut down the states executives’ frequent travels within and outside the country.

HURIWA Chief Operating Officer, Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated this yesterday during the association’s courtesy visit to New Telegraph House in Abuja.

Onwubiko, who decried state governors’ excessive travels to Abuja and over-

awaiting-trial inmates of which only 194 inmates had been convicted.

Philips, however, lamented that despite her spirited effort to decongest the prisons, scores of awaiting-trial inmates still languish in the prison, adding that she was optimistic that the new bail system would address it when perfected and improved upon.

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he Ondo State Joint Task Force on Encroachment and Illegal Activities has arrested some flinchers from Edo State illegally exporting trees from its forest reserve.

Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, at a joint media briefing with his natural resources counterpart, Mr. Tunde Atere, yesterday said the flinchers were dis-

covered during a raid by the task force.

He said the flinchers were nabbed with 1, 764 billets of a lucrative indigenous tree ‘Arera’ being exported illegally.

Giving details of the operation that led to the discovery, Atere said the flinchers were discovered during a surveillance exercises to Ose River Park at Ose and Owo local

government areas of the state.

He added that the billets would soon be sold on court orders and the proceeds turned to government coffers.

Atere expressed displeasures at the ugly development, saying the Arera tree was of high economic demand in the international market because it is referred to as Iron Tree .

news

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

9

Ikimi: Tinubu chased me off APC chairmanship Chairmanship candiAcluded date in the just conConvention of

the All Progressives Congress, Chief Tom Ikimi, has said that the leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, threatened fire and brimstone if the National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, did not emerge.

Ikimi, who claimed that Tinubu wields immense power in the party, said that “Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu operated as the core of one of these caucuses whose membership varied from time to time within the realms of his whims and caprice.

“We on our part have not yet gained national power. So, we cannot say for certain what we will do should we win the Presidency but in my projection, from current experiences, indicates a rather frightening prospect. May the good Lord spare us the regime of any tyrant.”

Ikimi, in a statement yesterday said Tinubu had turned the opposition party into a private property and that some stalwarts of the APC were willing to accede to his whims, which eventually turned the party’s convention last week to a

“charade”.

Ikimi said, “The Governors and the Tinubu groups decided on a zoning process that was limited only to party offices as well as the choice of individuals to fill them.

They proceeded in a manner that was neither open nor transparent.

Most undemocratic and bizarre procedures then prevailed.

“The governors initiated a zoning plan that allocated the national chairman to the SouthSouth. This proposal was reluctantly accepted by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, whose well-known preferred option had been to retain Chief Bisi Akande as Chairman forever.

Nevertheless, he in the circumstance proceeded to draw up a list of his cronies for the entire National Executive all by himself. Very strange as this may sound, it was the reality. Nothing was ever referred to the National Interim Executive Council for approval or even information.

“This rather illegal and most undemocratic process ended up ceding the position of National Chairman as well as a number of other key offices to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to nominate the beneficiaries.

Chime commences annual leave nugu State governor, Mr. Emenced Sullivan Chime, has comhis annual vacation with effect from yesterday, Wednesday, June 18, 2014.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, announced this yesterday in Enugu at the end of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by

the governor.

He said the governor announced this to the people of the state and members of the council during the council’s meeting.

Ugwoke said the vacation will take the governor and members of his family to Miami in the United States of America.

Delta governorship aspirant pledges council autonomy Wale Elegbede

governorship aspirant in the 2015 general elections in Delta State, Tony Prest, has promised to empower local government councils to perform better if elected.

He said his administration would ensure that the third tier of government is granted autonomy to bring more dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, Prest attributed the problems of local government administration in the country to lack of financial autonomy, corruption and undue interference in local government affairs with regards to the arrears of joint state local government account, which gives the state government undue benefit over the councils.

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Prest, who is the owner of Prest Group, told the mammoth crowd that turned out for his volunteer recruitment tour weekend that; “To this end, our government will work with the legislature and other relevant stakeholders like the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to make legislation that will foster council autonomy in Delta State.

“Our administration will commit one hundred million naira per council monthly from our security votes to life-changing projects in each of the councils.

Consequently, we will do everything possible to see that the councils get all constitutionally guaranteed funds to enhance their autonomy and smooth running,” he said.

Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji (right) and in a handshake with the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Michel Arrion, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Umuahia…yesterday

Ndigbo hold special summit to review National Conference AGENDA Igbo groups unite in Enugu to pursue a common goal Leo Sobechi

special summit involving Igbo elders and civil society leaders has been scheduled to hold at the Ofu Obi African Centre, Enugu State to “consider how the political developments presently unfolding at the national conference in Abuja will affect Nigeria and Ndigbo.”

The broad-based summit is being summoned jointly by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, various states elders’ councils; South-East chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (SE-CAN); Ndigbo Lagos, Igbos in Diaspora, Igbo

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Leaders of Thought; Professional Associations; Aka Ikenga; Igbo Delegates Assembly and the South East Development Association (SEDA).

According to invitations sent out to delegates to the summit, a copy of which was obtained by New Telegraph; the oneday summit is intended to serve as a platform “in which critical policy issues will be addressed and resolved.”

Perhaps to underscore the crucial nature of the summit, signatories to the summit are as follows: Gary Enwo-Igariwey, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; His Grace Most Revd. Dr. Emmanuel Olisaeloka Chukwuma, representing SE-CAN; Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), representing Abia State and Prof. Ben Obumselu, representing South-East states elders’ councils

and Anambra State.

Others include Ambassador Uma Aja-Nwachukwu, representing Ebonyi State; Prof. Barth Nnaji, representing Enugu State; Elder Uma Eleazu, representing Professional Associations; Chief I. D. Nwoga, representing Imo State; Dr. Chris Aniedobe, representing Igbos in Diaspora.

Though none of the organisers was forthcoming on what criteria was used in inviting the delegates and whether the state governors were part of the summit, sources confided in New Telegraph that the “compelling need for the summit, was to sieve what could be called the true Igbo position on the various issues being trashed at the conference.”

The source added that part of the problems militating against the

Violence: 40 fleeing Taraba villagers drown Mojeed Alabi

o fewer than 40 persons from the troubled Dampa Village in Taraba State including a family of six, yesterday drowned in Ibi Local Government Area of the state as a boat, which was conveying them, reportedly capsized.

The victims, who were said to be escaping from the violent attacks on their village by gunmen from the neighbouring Plateau State, were said to have been sporadically shot at by the attackers, which eyewitnesses claimed made the boat to capsize.

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The suspected gunmen, numbering over 100, were said to have invaded the village in the early morning, killing many of the villagers and injuring others. Majority of those who died in the river were said to be women and children as well as the elderly who could not swim” While confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ibi Local Government Area, Adamu Ishaka, , said the victims had attempted to escape the attack on the village while also revealing that marine police had been drafted to the area but still awaiting their report.

The latest incident came

on the heels of last Sunday ethno religious clashes in Wukari and Ibi local government areas, which led to the death of more than 15 people.

The Taraba State Police Public Relation Officer, Joseph Kwaji, who confirmed the incident, said the command had deployed armed policemen in the area, stressing that efforts would be put in place to track down the culprits “I am now aware of the background horse trading that occurred within the ranks of the governors that resulted in the national chairmanship being zoned to the South-South.”

presentation of Igbo interest by delegates to the national conference “is the influence of individual political interests of state governors against what could be called the mind of the masses of Ndigbo on some contentious issues” regarding the Nigeria project.

Part of the message on the invitation reads: “You are invited to attend, as a matter of special urgency, a meeting of Igbo elders and civil society leaders, which is scheduled to open at the Ofu Obi African Centre; Arochukwu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, on Friday, June 20, 2014 at 12.00 noon.

“Your personal contributions as a distinguished Igbo leader, in a meeting in which critical policy issues will be addressed and resolved, would be most valuable. We look forward to seeing you.”

Presidency appoints Ajayi PTDF secretary resident Goodluck Pappointed Ebele Jonathan has Mr. Olufemi

Ajayi as the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

The appointment was contained in a statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, and made available to New Telegraph.

It said the appointment is with immediate effect.

Until this new appointment, Ajayi was the Director-General of the NDLEA.

10 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

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

Thursday, June 19, 2014

VANDALISM Many poor villagers scooping fuel from a vandalised pipeline lose their lives to an explosion Juliana Francis

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t least 20 people were feared dead when a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) exploded yesterday at Lado community in Takwa Bay, Lagos Island, Lagos.

Villagers said those who died were among scores of people scooping fuel when the explosion occurred.

Witnesses said the bodies of the victims were blown apart by the impact of the explosion which occurred midnight of Tuesday/Wednesday.

Sources claimed that there was a spillage and people rushed there to scoop fuel before the explosion.

Nobody knew what caused the explosion, but it is believed to be the handiwork of pipeline vandals who drilled holes on exposed pipeline in order to steal fuel.

There was petrol in a pit allegedly dug by suspected vandals close to the sight of explosion.

Some of the villagers explained that it was from the pool that the scooping took place.

“The vandals came to our areas in canoes loaded with several hundreds of 50-litre jerry cans. They filled the jerry cans with fuel, tied them to several yards of ropes with which they dragged the jerry cans across the murky waters to a place considered

0802 393 8212

20 die as pipeline explodes in Lagos

File picture of those scooping fuel from a vandalised pipeline

safe before they would eventually load them on to their boats.

“They do these to avoid the prying eyes of security operatives from identifying what they are carrying.”

Rescue workers were yet to recover

any body at the scene of the explosion, but the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the South-West Zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, said relations of victims might have taken

bodies of the deceased for fear that government agencies might use that to track down the vandals.

Farinloye said suspected vandals punctured the pipelines at Takwa Bay area.

According to him, the pipeline takes petroleum products from Atlas Cove at Apapa to Ejigbo and Mosemi depots in Lagos and Ogun states.

He explained that the activities of the vandals around the area where the pipelines were perforated, led to an explosion midnight.

It was gathered that supply valves had since been shutdown to stop the fire, but efforts were still on-going to track down either victims or fleeing vandals by security agencies.

“Safety officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Atlas Cove base, worked from the time the incident was reported around midnight to put out the fire. It was not until around 10am that the fire was completely put out. Cooling process has commenced while pumping of product will start soon,” Farinloye added.

Govt appeals for more blood donors Apolonia Adeyemi and Muritala Ayinla

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agos State Government yesterday appealed to the residents to embrace the culture of voluntary blood donation.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, who made the appeal, said the objectives of reducing maternal and child mortality in the country could only be achieved if everyone derived pleasure from donating blood to save lives.

Idris said loss of blood (haemorrhage) had been identified as the major cause of maternal death among women during child delivery, adding that one of the ways to manage the situation was through voluntary blood donation.

Speaking at the 2014 Blood Donor Day held at the Blue Roof, LTV8, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the commissioner, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Modele Oshunkiyesi, also disclosed that the state had received 6,662 units of blood in the past 18 months.

Idris, who commended the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee for the in-

creasing rate of blood donation, however, said the rate was still a far cry compared with the globally accepted standard.

He said: “Despite the steady increase in the number of voluntary unpaid donors, the number is still a far cry (10 per cent) compared with the projected target of 40,000 using the annual utilisation rates.

“This year’s theme is in line with the objectives of the state Maternal and Child Mortality reduction programme. The voluntary blood donors, not only help in actualising the goals of reducing maternal mortality rate, but also by their sacrificial activities in helping to prevent avoidable deaths from other morbidities.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the state Blood Transfusion Committee, Dr Adetoun Agbe-Davies, stressed the need for voluntary blood donation.

According to her, research has shown that blood donors live longer and happier.

Agbe-Davies, who spoke on the theme of the event entitled: “Safe Blood for Saving Mothers,” said blood could not be manufactured in any company, urging residents

to approach the blood donation centres nearest to them to donate their blood in order to save lives.

She said: “Blood cannot be manufactured, so we have to come out to donate blood freely; doing this will make the donor happier.

All these have impacted positively on the donors resulting in an increase in repeat voluntary donation. From 474 units of blood from

voluntary donors in 2004, we have had 4,774 units in 2013 and from January to June 14, 2014 we had 1,888 units.

“There are eight screening centres where blood from both private and public facilities is certified with the state logo. These centres test every unit of blood with WHO approved 4th Generation ELISA technique for HIV 1&2 and also

the ELISA method for Hepatitis C and Syphilis as mandated by WHO. “The blood is also tested for compatibility with blood of those who require transfusion. Blood is also separated into various components in such a way that unit of blood can save up to three lives.

Lagos is the only state in the country that offers this service.”

‘Ikeja Club members have no crime record’ Taiwo Jimoh

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he newly elected President of Ikeja Club, Prince Ademola Adunola, has called for support of members in his determined effort to lift the club.

Adunola made the call during his inaugural speech at the Club House, Ikeja, recently.

He said: “I entered into the race to uplift and bring change to the club. I joined the club 10 years ago.

“What I saw on ground at the club was not something to write home about, so I decided to join the race and effect some changes and bring my wealth of experience to bear in the development of the club as the best club in Lagos and Nigeria.”

Adunola said the Ikeja Club

L-R: Babatunde Kokumo, Sunday Ajilore, Olafe and Adunola, the inauguration of the new executives.

was established in 1964 as a recreational and relaxation centre by the founding fathers where they relaxed and enjoyed themselves before heading home after the day’s work.

According to him, since its establishment, members have not got involved in crime.

“You cannot find our members arrested for any crime; we are a disciplined social club.

“Socially, the club has developed beyond the expectation of every member.

“I promise the members that within the first four years of my tenure, the club would have a befitting swimming pool and other social arenas in the Club House.”

His predecessor, Otunba Oluwanishola Olafe, thanked members for giving him the opportunity to serve as the president of the club.

Olafe urged the new executives to see their positions as an opportunity to serve the club and better the image of the association.

METRO 11

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Pregnant woman, man, commit suicide Cajetan Mmuta and Cephas Iorhemen

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t seems to be a season of suicides. Two people in different places have reportedly taken their own lives.

In Igarra town, headquarters of Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, a 300 level student of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Akpoma, identified as Miss Ometere Aduga, reportedly committed suicide on Monday.

Also yesterday, the residents of Kanshio village, a suburb of Makurdi town on Makurdi-Otukpo Road woke up to discover the dangling body of a 22-yearold man, Emmanuel Abah, on a tree.

The spot was behind the Holy Family Catholic Church in Kanshio near a Mobil Filling Station.

In the Monday incident,

Aduga was said to have hanged herself with rope tied to the ceiling fan in the family apartment.

A family source disclosed that she used a stool in the room where the incident occurred to tie herself and later kicked away the stool with her legs.

The reason for the ugly incident as at yesterday was not known as the mother of one did not leave a suicide note.

Her husband was said to be out of the area.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Igarra station, Mr Hilary Udoh, confirmed the incident.

He said: “It is true but the parents said it has happened and they have taken it in good faith. They are not suspecting any foul play.”

It was gathered that the deceased was two months’ old pregnant, for a yet-tobe-identified man, a de-

velopment some relations believed might have been responsible for the decision to end her life.

A relation, who craved anonymity, said the late Aduga had asked a neighbour to look after her son so that she could bathe but failed to return for her child.

But the anxious neighbour who had waited for several hours was said to have dashed into Aduga’s apartment only to discover her naked body dangling from the rope.

The relation described the deceased “as a very brilliant girl who was a 300 level medical student at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma but she was advised to withdraw due to health reasons.

“She had a mental disorder but later recovered and got to married. But her husband is not from here and she has been staying with her parents. One cannot re-

ally say what made her to commit suicide; it might be because of the pregnancy which was believed might not be her husband’s or a relapse of her mental illness.”

In the Benue incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel Ezeala, said policemen found Abah’s body about 8am.

Ezeala said the police had already deposited the body at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, for post-mortem.

He added that the police had begun full investigation into the matter.

When our correspondent visited the scene of the incident, many people gathered there to catch a glimpse of the body.

It was discovered that Abah used a woman’s wrapper to hang himself.

But the man did not leave a suicide note to ascertain the reasons for his action.

Italian group equips 10,000 youths MusaPam Jos

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n Italian Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Apurimac Onlus, has trained over 10,000 youths and women in various skills to make them self-employed as well as employers of labour.

At its training centres which cut across five local government areas of Mikang, Jos North, Jos South, Riyom and Barkin Ladi in Plateau State, the organisation offers training in knitting, hairdressing, catering, shoe-making and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

To ensure that funds are available for Apurimac Onlus to implement its projects, the European Union (EU) through its Instrument for Stability (IFS) in July, 2013 intervened to strengthen and consolidate on all peaceful

structures in the state, using peaceful dialogue processes, training on peace education and enhancement of journalists’ capacity on peaceful reporting.

The Project Manager, Leonello Fani, explained that IFS project had four components - education, reconciliation, economic and social integration as well as media capacity development.

Fani added that besides training the over 10,000 women and youths by Apurimac Onlus since 2008, IFS in its “education project has trained 190 school principals, 190 teachers, 130 parents, 240 students and 40 Students Union Government (SUG) officials in institutions in the state, among others”.

He stressed that the trainings were on “peace education, conflict management and inter-faith dialogue.

90-year-old woman leads protest 750 disaster managers undergo training over abandoned road project Muritala Ayinla Chris Ejim Yenagoa

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here was a mild drama in Okoroba community in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State as a 90-year-old woman, Madam Omiekuma Numo, led hundreds of indigenes in protest against the Federal Government over the abandoned Opume-Okoroba Road project.

The road and bridge project, which was awarded in 2011 to Mangrove Tech now Kakata Ce by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was abandoned under the excuse of dispute over compensation and non-availability of sand.

According to the indigenes of the community, though the good intention of the Federal Government and President Goodluck Jonathan for awarding the project to a local contracting firm, led by Mr Robert Azibola, was commendable, the contractor was incompetent.

The nonagenarian and other protesters, armed with placards

with inscriptions such “EFFC: Probe payment of Compensation,” “NDDC save Our Soul,” “We say no to delay,” “Enough is Enough: Give us back our road” and “Sand is not an excuse,” waded through the muddy terrain of the abandoned road project site.

“The people of my community are suffering and my children have abandoned me in the village due to the bad road. I am hungry and I woke up since 5am to join the three-hour protest march through the muddy water on the abandoned road to show you how serious and pained we are as a people,” Numo said.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Chief Morris Igaki noted that the lack of road had led to a series of armed attacks by sea pirates and deaths including the 2012 helicopter crash that killed the former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser, General Owei Azazi.

According to Igaki, nurses and doctors posted by the state government to the Community Cottage hospitals were attacked by armed pirates.

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overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday reiterated his administration’s commitment to rescuing and saving more lives during disasters.

Fashola said the government had realised the need to intensify and improve rescue and recovery efforts during inevitable emergency situations to improve on response time.

The governor spoke at the training of 750 Local Emergency Responders organised by the state government in conjunction with LADBROKE GROVE Limited and held at the Operational Relief Camp, Igando.

He explained that the government created local emergency committees across the local governments to reduce response time during unavoidable emergency situations.

The governor added that 750 responders drawn from the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the state and other emergency agencies would en-

A cross-section of the trainees

hance the efficiency of the state emergency agency.

Fashola, who spoke through the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed, said the local responders would take charge of disaster scenes before the arrival of the state emergency agency, adding that the training would assist the responders to know what to do at any point in time.

He said: “In disaster management, a second is very crucial.

Even if it is crowd control they can do effectively, it is crucial. It will go a long way in shortening the response time.

“The whole of this exercise

is targeted at achieving a golden hour. Sometimes just a minute earlier to the rescue time could save a life. In fact, if it is cordoning of the disaster scene, it is crucial.”

On his part, the Chairman of LADBROKE GROVE Limited, Mr Abdul Kekere Ekun, said the training was meant to enhance the efficiency of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) during disasters.

He said: “There is no doubt about the fact that LASEMA and other emergency agencies in the state are doing well during emergency situations. But they will do better if they have emergency responders across the state.

Fee hike: OAU shut over ‘violent protests’ Mojeed Alabi

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Some of the protesting OAU students

bafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, in Osun State, was yesterday shut indefinitely following the persistent students’ protest over hike in tuition fees.

The Registrar and Secretary of the Gover ning Council, Mr D. Awoyemi, said in a statement that the persistent disruption of academic activities and peace on the campus as a result of violent demonstrations informed the decision.

Awoyemi said that lives and property were no longer safe on the campus.

He said: “T he OAU wishes to announce that due to persistent disruption of nor mal activities and peace on campus as a result of violent demonstrations by students, led by the Student Union Executive, the university authorities have decided to close down the university indefinitely in order to safeguard life and property on campus.

“Consequently, all students are directed to va-

cate their halls of residence and the university premises immediately and not later than 12 noon on Thursday, 19th June, 2014.”

The students had on Monday paralysed activities on the campus, locked major buildings including the Senate Building, computer building and the main entrance gate that leads to the university campus.

Meanwhile, the students’ union President, Ibikunle Isaac, did not pick his calls to get his reaction.

12 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

I won’t share public funds with politicians, says Oshiomhole Cajetan Mmuta

BENIN

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overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said yesterday that he would not be distracted by the impunity and disregard for the rule of law being demonstrated by some lawmakers in the state House of Assembly.

He said his administration is presently faced with the onerous task of bringing development to every part of the state.

Oshiomhole, who spoke during the inspection of the storm water master plan project in the Benin city said all those attacking the state government with the intention of cornering its resources would be disappointed.

He declared, “Let me assure you, all those people who are fighting in the House of Assembly, trying to cause trouble, who want us to

bring government money for them to share, we will not give them.

“We will use Edo money for Edo people. And with your prayers, we are not afraid. We know that for as long as we work for Edo people, the devil is a liar,” he said.

He added, “Like they have told me, between now and December, we will lay asphalt on this upper Siluko Road; it will be six lanes and between then and the middle of next year we will put street lights on the road.

In separate responses, some of the residents of the Upper Siluko Road area hailed the governor for the massive drainage system and road network in the area.

They stated their firm support for the administration.

Mrs. Nonye Umezurike said “a saviour has come to us, we are very happy. For many years now, we who

are doing petty businesses here were finding it difficult to earn our daily bread, but God has come to our aid, he has answered our prayers.

“For years, there was no road for us to get to our homes, we were trekking and swimming inside flood, but today, even when it rains we move on solid ground. I know that after his tenure, his successor must also work for the people because Oshiomhole has set the precedent,” she stated.

Mr. Augustine AjayiObanor, said flood had ravaged the Upper Siluko Road area for over 40 years before the intervention of Oshiomhole’s government.

Ajayi-Obanor disclosed that “In 1974, when my father went to lay the foundation of that house, he told me that we should build that house far off the old road. He said anytime a good govern-

ment comes, there will likely be an expansion of roads. I’m happy today that my father who is now 116 years is inside and is witnessing the good government he predicted 40 years ago.

He added that, “My father reminded me a few days ago about what he said in 1974 and I said, ‘Daddy, your dream has come true.” It shows that you are a very good governor.”

The governor had earlier inspected the storm water project at Ewah Road and said the contractor will be asked to raise the height of the water barrier to prevent the spillage of floodwater on the roads. He said this was necessary after he was told by residents of the area of the high volume of water that passed through the channel.

Ex-militants' suit against Kuku, Amnesty Panel for hearing June 24

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Federal High Court sitting in Bayelsa State has fixed June 24,2014 to hear a suit filed by 18 ex-militant youths from Bayelsa and Delta states seeking an order compelling the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Amnesty Implementation Committee, Kingsley Kuku and the Amnesty Committee to honour an agreement reached with the Federal Government on their inclusion in the Amnesty programme.

The Suit, with number FHC/YNG/CS/102/2013, filed before Justice I.E. Ekwo, claimed that the aggrieved ex-militants were former militants who had accepted Amnesty under the Third Phase and surrendered their weapons to the Federal Government through the Amnesty Office in 2011 under the Peace Initiative of the Federal Government.

The suit, earlier slated for hearing on June 17 was yesterday adjourned at the instance of the court, due to its workload.

Justice Okon Abang, therefore, fixed September 22 for hearing.

The aggrieved ex-militants, including Aseneki-

ri Oyinle, Angiama-Owei, John Government, John Sawyer, Trydy Okpeke, Dollar Motor, Selebi Ayowei, Bombra Angese and Richman Oyindoubra claimed that the Amnesty Committee erred by refusing to include them in the ongoing Amnesty programme after series of resolutions from meetings with the past and present National Security Advisers to the President, the late General Owei Azazi and his successor, Col. Dasuki Sambo respectively.

The aggrieved militants claimed that instead of respecting the resolutions and directives from the National Security Adviser, the Amnesty Committee turned down the call to include the ex-militants and adopted divide- and-rule tactics with the inclusion of only three out of the 22 persons.

In statement of claim against the the Amnesty Committee and its chairman, Kuku, and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, the plaintiffs sought a court order compelling the Amnesty Committee to approve reasonable slots for them as agreed at one of the peace meetings on December 19, 2011.

‘Travel agencies generate $1.1bn in 15 months' Mojeed Alabi

he contribution of foreign travelling processes to the growth of Nigeria's GDP has beenemphasisedbystakeholders in the nation's aviation sector. According to them, within thelast15monthsalone,travelling agencies generated a total of $1.1 billion for the airlines, representing between 70 and 80 per cent of their total sales.

This revelation was made by the National President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Alhaji Aminu Agoha, who spoke at a one-day seminar on visa acquisition organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) , as part of the commission’s efforts to curb visa-associated scam in the country.

Agoha, who commended ICPC for bringing stakeholders together to address the scourge of criminal activities within the sector, urged appropriate agencies, individuals, embassies and ministries to collaborate with the commission to strengthen its war against criminal practices.

Agoha said: "When you consider the huge resources being made by the airlines in Nigeriawithinthatperiod,you would discover how much Nigeria would have made in termsof taxesontheseairlines and various other forms of revenue collection. This only

T L-R: FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed; Minister of Education, Nyelson Wike and Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, during the Federal Execitive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

UniCem takes safety education to schools Clement James

Calabar

United Cement ComTthehepany of Nigeria Limited, third largest producer of

cement in Nigeria under the Brand name ‘UniCem’, has said it is committed to promoting health and safety of its workers as well as that of its host communities.

This was the declaration of the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Olivier Lenoir, when the company took its safety education campaign to some schools in Akpabuyo, Cross River State yesterday.

Represented by the Director of Safety in the company, Mr. Paul Omotosho, the managing director said UniCem has been at the forefront of promoting occupational health and safety among its

stakeholders, particularly within its operational base through a variety of initiatives. He said, “In line with our commitment to do better, we are raising the bar in 2014 by dedicating the entire month of June to promoting health and safety values.

Within this period, we will be carrying out a lot of activities that impact health and safety like house-keeping (environment) and contract management, among others.”

Speaking while addressing some students and pupils of Government Secondary School and Government Primary School, Akwa Ikot Efanga, Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Mr. Lenoir said the company decided to focus on educating children in schools as a way of inculcating safety values in the youths.

NOA urges co-operation between public, security agencies Buhari Bello

Jos

lateau Director of the PAgency National Orientation (NOA , Mr Bulus

Dabit, has advised members of the public to pass vital information to security agencies so as to wipe out terrorist activities in the country.

Dabit stated this in Jos during a one-day sensitisation programme on security challenges in the country.

"The protection of lives and property is everybody’s business and should not be left in the hands of security agencies alone, `` he said.

Dabit urged the public to assist them in the discharge of their duties by giving them needed information "The terrorists are

human beings that live in the larger society and the members of the public who have information about them should expose them so that security agents will arrest them.

"Any member of the society that shields the terrorists and their activities may one day turn out to be their victim,`` he said.

The Director called on market women and commercial vehicle drivers operating around markets and motor parks to expose any suspicious movement to relevant security agencies.

Dabit commended the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for installing security gadgets at the various motor parks in Jos.

proves the importance of the sector to national economy and the need to ensure sanity in the system."

He, however, accused the embassies of not making adequate investigations on the integrity of individuals or third parties making visa applicationbeforeturningdown their applications, saying the about 1,000 members of his association will not engage in shady deals "because of internal mechanisms put in place by the association."

Meanwhile, the ICPC Chairman, Ekpo Ita, while welcoming participants to the seminar said need for the forum arose as a result of the study of the sector and the immediate need to stop touting among young Nigerians, whose activities he insisted were causing the country embarrassment on the global stage.

Ita, who said his commission was committed to prosecuting offenders in the visa issuance and acquisition business in the country, also solicited the support of the relevant agencies, especially the embassies, ministries of foreign affairs and interior, immigration services, among others to achieve the desired goal and objective of sanitising the sector to redeem Nigeria's image and increase revenue generation.

WILL MILITARY, POLICE DROWN THE DRUMS OF WAR? / PAGE 14 | GREEK GIFTS BEFORE POLL! / PAGE 16

POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/politics

AYODELE OJO

DEPUTY EDITOR, POLITICS

ayodele.ojo@newtelegraphonline.com

ayodeleojo@yahoo.com

13

ONE ELECTION, SEVERAL OPINION POLLS

p-15

THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014

EKITI GOVERNORSHIP POLL

Uneasy calm over threats of violence Historically, violence has always characterised elections in Ekiti State, and this weekend’s governorship poll is likely not to be an exception, FELIX NWANERI reports

T

ension mounts in Ekiti State as the clock ticks close to this weekend’s governorship election in the state, and which will serve as a litmus test for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2015 general election.

Already, uneasy calm pervades the state given the way and manner the three leading political parties in the contest; the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have gone about their respective campaigns.

The build-up to the poll has been characterised by pockets of violent attacks against members of the three parties, and expectedly, resulted to accusations and counter-accusations by their candidates – Kayode Fayemi (APC), Ayo Fayose (PDP) and Opeyemi Bamidele (LP).

Though unexpected, as the contest is about who pilots affairs of the state in the next four years, the violence continued unabated even to the eve of the election despite the fact that traditional rulers in the state compelled all 18 candidates for the poll to sign an undertaking that their electioneering would be violence-free.

The Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti, Oba Adamo Babalola, who is also the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, had at a parley between the monarchs and the candidates requested each of them to stand before him and other monarchs and pledge peaceful electioneering.

The monarch said that traditional rulers in the state were worried at the spate of violence which usually characterised political campaigns in the state.

Against this backdrop, Fayemi pledged not to allow violence take over the state in his capacity as Chief Security Officer of the state.

His promise was however not without a caveat. The governor called on the monarchs to compel the candidates to sign an undertaking to be of good behaviour, adding that any candidate who breaches the peace accord should be dealt with traditionally.

The PDP candidate, Fayose, on his part swore not to ignite violence and also rained curses upon himself, if found wanting.

Accusations and counter-accusations The ruling party has repeatedly accused the PDP of introducing violence into the contest by first attacking the convoy of Governor Fayemi.

And just last week, Governor Fayemi

A chaotic scene in Ado-Ekiti during the campaigns

and members of his party were attacked during a rally in Ado-Ekiti. The attack which claimed the life of one Taiwo Akinola was said to have been launched by anti-riot policemen who fired teargas canisters and live ammunition into the crowd of APC supporters at the rally, but Governor Fayemi, claimed that it was an attempt to assassinate him.

The PDP on its part maintained that the APC has a record of causing problems and accusing opponents at the same time. The centre’s ruling party is fighting to regain control of the state, which it lost through the court in 2010 to then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), now APC. In one of its several claims, the PDP alleged that it lost one of its members in Ilawe-Ekiti during an attack by APC members.

The LP is not left out of the blame game. Its candidate, Bamidele, at a time wrote an open letter to Governor Fayemi, accusing him of being a threat to peace in the state.

The letter was in reaction to the November killing of one Funsho Ogundare during a clash between LP supporters and some people believed to be APC members at Emure Ekiti.

It read in part: “If you really ask me, Your Excellency, I fear that you, probably without knowing it, constitute the greatest threat to the realisation of a free and fair election in Ekiti State in 2014 owing to your seeming allergy to any form of opposition as well as the intransigence of many of the political gladiators you surround yourself with in Ekiti and who seem to have finally boxed you into a corner.”

Rigging plot The blame game is not only on the violence that has trailed the poll, as the various parties have equally accused each other of rigging plots.

This is despite the assurance by the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega that the commission will ensure a free, fair and credible election.

But former Lagos State governor and chieftain of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who spoke on the allegation, warned that “it will be rig and roast.”

Tinubu, who apparently reacted to an earlier statement credited to Vice-President Namadi Sambo that governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states would be warfare, said: “We are prepared not to go to court but to drive you out. We will not take it anymore. If you mess up in Ekiti and Osun states, you will see our reactions. For every action, there must be a reaction.”

He urged electorate in the affected states to protect their votes, saying: “No government that wants people’s votes will be doing what they are doing. They are planning to rig the elections but be

Knowing what Ekiti used to be during elections, we have gone a step further to do all the things we are supposed to do... because we must look at history

ready to protect your votes. It is going to be rig and roast.”

Tinubu’s position was however faulted by the United States government, which described it as a message of violence.

U.S Consul General, Jeffery Hawkins, who warned against such messages, said comments of ‘rig and roast’ do not augur well for peaceful conduct of elections.

“Rig and roast is not the kind of message Nigerian youths should hear from their leaders,” he said.

The US envoy further contended that it was wrong for politicians to send messages of violence when elections are coming, saying in view of the recent carnage in the country; the message of peace was of utmost importance.

“The Nigerian electoral process is as good as Nigerians make it,” Hawkins said, admonishing politicians to learn to accept defeat.

APC blames Presidency Amidst the blame game, the national leadership of the APC accused the presidency of sponsoring violence in Ekiti State because of the desperation of President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP to win the governorship seat.

The party through its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, wondered why the police which is saddled with the responsibility of protecting the lives of the citizenry would do otherwise.

He said: “The party put the blame for the violence squarely on the shoulders of the presidency and the PDP, wondering why the police, who are paid by taxCONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14 POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

EKITI GOVERNORSHIP POLL

Emmanuel Onani

E

lections in Ekiti State, by benefit of hindsight, have often been characterised by violence, thuggery, ballot-box snatching and long-drawn, yet embarrassing, legal battles. It is against the backdrop of this historical antecedent, that the drums of war already echoing from the “Fountain of Knowledge”, do not come as a surprise to many discerning minds.

This is coming also on the heels of claims and counter-claims of alleged plans to manipulate the exercise and compromise its sanctity.

The Saturday “epic battle” is, strictly speaking, a three-horse race, among the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent Governor, Fayemi; the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) flag bearer and former governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, and that of the Labour Party (LP), Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele.

History of violence In 2007, when governorship election held between Chief Segun Oni and Fayemi, the state was literally turned into a theatre of war, with the violence and maiming that attended the bitter struggle for power, between the PDP and the defunct Action Congress (AC).

The April 25, 2009 rerun poll and the legal fireworks that followed suit, remain eloquent testimonies of the state as “Theatre of the Absurd”.

The 1983 conundrum What happened in 2007 and 2009, respectively, and the brewing signs of a possible re-enactment could, arguably, be said to have drawn their justification from the 1983 election, where a former Deputy Governor of old Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) purportedly defeated an incumbent.

Interestingly, Omoboriowo, who died on April 10, 2012, was deputy to Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, who won the 1979 governorship election, on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

The post-election violence of 1983, which heralded the announcement by then Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), of Omoboriowo, was without parallel in the history of Nigeria’s democracy.

Ekiti was carved out of Ondo on October 1, 1996.

Police acknowledge history By benefit of hindsight, the Inspec-

Will military, police drown the drums of war?

IGP Mohammed Abubakar (right), addressing policemen deployed for the Ekiti governorship election.

tor General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, on June 16, recalled the 1983 violence in Ondo, at a ceremony where personnel and equipment, were deployed to beat trouble-makers to their nefarious game.

According to Abubakar, “Ekiti election, more than anything, is important because we must look at history. Some of us who had the opportunity to be in Ondo in 1983, during the Omoboriowo regime, we know what happened, and we are doing everything to ensure that we maintain peace.”

While averting the minds of the more than 200 officers and men of the Force deployed on Monday, to the seriousness of Saturday’s poll, the IGP said: “We have a very important assignment in Ekiti on Saturday and I expect from all of you a high sense of responsibility, civility, honesty and sincerity in the discharge of your duties.”

“We expect them (police personnel) to give us high level of support and coop-

eration; we expect the people of Ekiti to be partners in progress and I do expect that the political parties and the candidates that want to partake in the election, should equally assist security agencies in solving the problems by talking to their followers to behave in an orderly manner and conduct themselves as good citizens of this country”, Abubakar cautioned.

In order not to leave anything to chance, the police boss deployed three helicopters, for aerial surveillance of the three senatorial districts.

He said: “Each of the senatorial districts, will have a helicopter each, for aerial patrol and surveillance.”

The helicopters will be complemented with six armoured personnel carriers (APCs), 25 trucks, six crowd control vehicles and six patrol vans.

Also, the Ekiti Police Command on Monday, warned those plotting to disrupt the election to steer clear of the state.

The command handed down the warning through its spokesman, Victor Babay-

Uneasy calm over threats of violence CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

payers to maintain law and order, would turn their weapons on the same defenceless citizens they are paid to protect.

“Our members were carrying brooms, not weapons, and were singing and dancing as they marched through the streets in the best tradition of political rallies.

Their procession was peaceful and carnival-like until the police unleashed teargas and live bullets on them without provocation, killing one person and injuring many. Even the governor of the state was not spared by these triggerhappy policemen. This is unacceptable in any civilized society and must be condemned by all Nigerians.”

The party admonished the Presidency and the PDP to know that Ekiti people will not allow forces outside the state to pick their governor for them, saying: “They will defend their votes to the hilt, whether or not the Federal Government floods the state with security personnel in an attempt to intimidate and harass the people.”

Heavy deployment To forestall violence during the election, the Inspector-General of Police,

Governor Fayemi addressing Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix Uyanna, at the scene of the attack on the Governor in Ejigbo, in Ado-Ekiti recently

Mohammed Abubakar, has deployed the highest number of support personnel and equipment from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to Ekiti State for the poll.

The police boss, who spoke in Abuja on Monday, said the massive deployment was to prevent a re-occurrence of the electoral violence that rocked the

old Ondo State in 1983. Ekiti was carved out of Ondo in 1996 by the regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Deployed are hi-tech security equipment, including three surveillance helicopters, armoured personnel carriers, patrol vans and other law enforcement gadgets.

emi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

As a safe-guard, therefore, security operatives deployed for the poll, will be issued special identification tags, election duty permits and their service identification cards.

This will help separate the wheat from the chaff.

As part of measures to provide roundthe-clock security for the election on Saturday, the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, is to carry out “stop and check” of vehicles and persons entering the state.

A highly-placed source at the Defence Headquarters, who craved anonymity, said: “Although soldiers will not necessarily be at polling centres, they will be at reasonable points to check and arrest materials and men, that may want to invade the state before and during the election.”

Saturday, June 21, will surely decide which way the pendulum swings, even as supporters of the three candidates await this epoch-making day with bated breath.

Abubakar said the measure was taken after security agencies in the last three months had carried out surveillance and gathered information towards ensuring a free and fair election in Ekiti.

He said: “Some of us who were opportune to be in Ondo State in 1983, during Omoboriowo election, we know what happened, and we are doing everything to ensure that it is prevented; that this election is free and fair, and without violence.

“Knowing what Ekiti used to be during elections, we have gone a step further to do all the things we are supposed to do in terms of materials and human resources. Do not ask the number of personnel I am going to use. In security business we want to keep that to our chest so that we can do our best. I tell you it is one of the highest numbers we can ever expect to deploy in more than any other state that we have been because we must look at history.”

While the heavy security deployment is welcomed given the tensed political atmosphere in the state that prides itself as “Fountain of Knowledge,” it is hoped that the various candidates, their respective parties and foot soldiers will allow the people of the state choose who governs them through the ballot and shun any act that will trigger crisis during of after the election.

POLITICS 15

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

EKITI GOVERNORSHIP POLL

One election, several opinion polls If the weight of votes from opinion polls is anything to go by, some candidates should just go to bed. In this report, WALE ELEGBEDE examines the reliability of these surveys in the Ekiti governorship election

T

he phenomenon of opinion poll is one of the guiding standards for candidates, their parties and the electorate all over the world to measure their chances before, during and after elections. Though the trend cannot be said to have been objectively internalised in Nigeria, some pundits see it as a developing tool to gauge voters’ behaviour in no distant future.

With the jostle for the June 21 Ekiti State governorship election becoming heighten, various opinion polls aimed at laundering the popularity of the candidates were being flaunted with some of them openly defying the norms of statistical process of research.

Clearly, the groundswell of surveys can’t be completely be detached from political moves from the candidates and their camps, hence, the stance of some analysts that the opinion polls are notoriously unreliable.

Interestingly, the beam of the polls revolve around the three leading candidates in the election, namely, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incumbent governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ayodele Fayose and Labour Party (LP), Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele.

NOI Polls According to a survey conducted

by Mr. Atedo Peterside’s NOI Polls Limited for ANAP Foundation on the June 21 governorship election, the poll reflects a fierce contest race between the two top contenders; the incumbent governor, Fayemi and former governor, Fayose.

The poll result showed a two per cent point gap between Fayemi and Fayose. The result shows that Fayose leads with 31 per cent, while Fayemi had 29 per cent, and Mr. Bamidele Opeyemi of the Labour Party came a distant third with three per cent The survey results also showed that youths between the ages of 1829 years are more inclined to vote for Fayose, while the working class between the age groups of 30-45 and 46-60 are more inclined to vote for Fayemi.

ANAP Foundation is a non-profit organisation committed to promoting good governance. It has been carrying out a series of elections polls since 2011 with the sole objective to provide information on opinion research during elections period.

Brand Surveys For Brand Surveys Ltd, Dr. Fayemi emerged as the preferred candidate by majority of registered voters in the state after its sampling. According to the organisation’s Managing Consultant, Olaniyi Ayeni, the study was conducted across the 16 local government areas in Ekiti State.

According to the documented result released in Lagos, 68 per cent

Fayemi

Fayose

NOI Polls Fayose = 31% Fayemi = 29 % Opeyemi = 3%

Ekiti Panupo Fayemi = 85.29 % Opeyemi = 11.76 % Fayose = 2.94 %

Brand Surveys Fayemi = 68 % Fayose = 28% Opeyemi = 4%

CSC-MAP Fayemi = 83 % Opeyemi = 6 % Fayose = 6 %

Reform for the World Bank and BPE, FGDs on Youth Life Style for Coca Cola Nigeria and the Community Policing Impact Survey for The British Council, Religion and Political Culture Survey for the DFID amongst other high profile research projects handled for reputable clients locally and internationally.”

Bamidele

of the people interviewed via questionnaire survey using multi-stage random sampling technique, prefer the incumbent governor, Fayemi to continue in office; 28 per cent preferred Fayose, while 4 per cent of respondents want Bamidele.

Brand Surveys Limited said it interviewed a total of 2,418 respondents, adding that 2,372 of respondents, representing 98 per cent of all those interviewed, are registered voters with voters’ cards, while only 46 of them, representing two per cent, do not have voters’ cards Labour Party’s (LP) candidate, Bamidele scored four per cent.

According to Ayeni, “The company has over the years handled a number of high profile Opinion Poll projects, such as the Benchmark Polls for the Hope ’93 Elections for the M.K.O Abiola Campaign Organisation, leading to the overall strategic thrust of the Hope 93 Campaign, the poll on the Nigerian Road Sector

EKITI PANUPO For the Ekiti Panupo, an indigenous network of Ekiti people at home and in the Diaspora, its poll result indicates that the incumbent governor scored 85.29 per cent to beat other aspirants in the race.

According to the co-ordinators of the poll and leader of the forum, Prof. Akin Oyebode of the University of Lagos, the poll was conducted by the secretariat of the forum and in which members participated by voting online. The scores obtained are as follow: Dr. Kayode Fayemi of APC 85.29 per cent; Mr. Ayodele Fayose of PDP 2.94 per cent: Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party 11.76 per cent and Mr. Kole Ajayi of Accord Party zero per cent.

Other notable members of the group include former Minister of Health and Human Resources, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke, Prof.

Bolaji Aluko; former Chairman, Odua Investment Company Limited and former Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, Sir Remi Omotoso; former Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank, Chief Bamidele Falegan, among others.

Civil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection (CSC-MAP) After a 60-day survey conducted in the 16 local governments across

the state, the Civil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection (CSC-MAP), a coalition of 35 non-governmental organisations, said its scientific and evidence based public assessment research has shown that that 83 per cent of registered voters in Ekiti preferred Fayemi.

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.

“There is the preponderance of public trust about Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s disposition to the management of public funds, his courage in the face of adversary and the fact that with him an average Ekiti person feels better protected,” Adegbuyi said.

The survey further indicates that PDP candidate, Fayose and his LP counterpart, Bamidele were preferred by six per cent respectively, while the Accord Party has one per cent of respondents preferring it.

Counter-Claims Reacting to the results of NOI polls for ANAP Foundation, the Fayemi campaign team promptly dismissed the assessment, describing it as a voodoo exercise masterminded by the PDP in order to rig the election.

“The result of the voodoo exercise does not reflect and cannot be reflective of the realities of an administration that has delivered on its promises through good and impactful governance during its first term in office,” campaign spokesman Dimeji Daniels said.

He added: “We hereby urge Ekiti people to be vigilant. We wish to state categorically that NOI Polls is nothing but an acronym for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Polls, the real owner of the company who is Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy.

“The president of the ANAP foundation, Peterside which sponsored the poll, is also a close associate of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

16 POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

EKITI GOVERNORSHIP POLL

Etaghene Edirin

A

s part of electioneering in the country, politicians have over the years adopted a strategy of doling out material and cash gifts, as a means of winning the support of voters. Such gifts come in different forms and sums, and are given out few days to elections, or even during elections, at the polling centres. They include foodstuffs like rice, salt, bread or cash.

In one of such moves, the incumbent governor, and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Saturday’s election, Dr. Kayode Fayemi disbursed N50 million as revolving loan to cooperative societies in the state in the first phase of the Cooperative Revitalisation Fund.

The governor also empowered the State Motorcyclists Association with 100 motorcycles and an 18-seater bus while the state chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Joint Artisans and Technicians also got a bus each.

The governor while presenting keys of the buses and motorcycles to the commercial motorcyclists and other beneficiaries stated that the gesture is a further assurance that he will not ban commercial motorcycle popularly called Okada from operating in the state.

Two of the main candidates in the Ekiti State elections in their bid to win, have continued to dole out different gift items to as a way of gaining favour with people of the state. Just like Fayemi, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ayo Fayose, has also been doling out gifts at the 11th hour of the election proper.

However, the rice gift of the candidates has thrown up controversies with many wondering the significance of it, especially at a time many Nigerians feel the electorate need to be sensitised and discouraged from selling their votes and conscience for such paltry items. The two contenders decided to demonstrate their love for Ekiti people by sharing cooked and uncooked rice.

Fayemi shared cooked jollof rice to Ekiti people, comprising mostly of the elderly, while Fayose shared out branded Etaghene Edirin

I

n the build up to the Ekiti State gubernatorial elections, all manner of drama, intrigues and strategies continue to play out, as the candidates and their supporters embark on various campaigns, both orthodox, as well as thinking outside the box to garner the needed support to win the election, and hence govern the state.

One of such moves has been to publicise the manner and number of support base available to the individual candidates vying for the coveted position, and in that way attract sympathy and more support, which ultimately is expected to lead to increased votes for the preferred candidate. The endorsements have come from within and outside the state, and have been from diverse individuals, groups, and even professional bodies.

One of such groups were some elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who publicly declared to work for the opposition candidate, Governor Kayode Fayemi, as against doing everything they can to ensure the success of Ayo Fayose, the PDP candidate in the election. They openly declared their intention at an adoption meeting by Ekiti Descendants Union in Akure, where some Ekiti indigenes living in Ondo State had adopted Fayemi as their choice for the poll. According to them, they did so “because the candidate of the PDP does not possess the qualities that dignify the personality of Ekiti State.”

On the heels of that, the Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) in Ekiti also adopted Fayemi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the June 21 election as the sole

Greek gifts before poll!

A cross section of residents receiving Fayose’s rice

bags of rice to people in the state, especially students. He distributed over 30, 000 bags of rice to students, market women and workers in the 16 council areas of the state, with students of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti (EKSU) scrambling to benefit from the free food items and N2, 000 cash, distributed to them..

The students had besieged the Spotless Hotel in GRA, Onigari as early as 6a.m. following a radio announcement by Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation that the PDP flag bearer will be supporting the students with a bag of rice and N2,000

each to be able to sustain them till June 21 governorship poll.

In a tweet, former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Nasir El-Rufai lamented the rice gift of Fayose, which he said, if accepted by people of the state, will lead to a looting of the state’s treasury for the next four years. He tweeted that “PDP bribes you in one day and then loots treasury for the next four years.”

Observers are of the view that it is high time Nigerian politicians move away from such kind of politics, of trying

Season of endorsements

L-R: Former NLC President, Hassan Sunmonu, Governor Kayode Fayemi and the NLC President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, at the endorsement of re-election of Fayemi by labour leaders in Ado-Ekiti, recently.

candidate of the automobile workers’ union. NATA said its action was in line with the recent adoption of the APC candidate by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) of which NATA is an affiliate member.

On its part, a socio-economic group made up of Ekiti indigenes, E-eleven, while also endorsing Fayemi, for re-election said he had governed the state with panache and good character befitting of the governor of the ‘Land of Honour’.

The over 3,000 beneficiaries of the Subsidy Re-Investment Programme (SURE-P) Community Services, Women and Youths Employment Scheme in Ekiti State declared their own support for the PDP candidate, Fayose. The beneficiaries who were at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti to welcome

President Goodluck Jonathan to the state during the campaigns, said their collective decision was in appreciation to the President.

According to the chairman and coordinator of the State Implementation Committee of the SURE-P in Ekiti, Hon. Femi Akinyemi, “They are collectively saying that whoever put food on someone’s table deserves support and that the good turn done to them by President Jonathan will be rewarded with their votes for Fayose on June 21.”

Another group outside the state, under the aegis of Ekiti State Development Union (EDSU) threw its weight behind Fayose as its preferred candidate for the plum job of governing the state, by describing him as the “architect of modern Ekiti, who knows what it takes to give

to influence voters’ choice by giving out gifts and cash, adding, that such an act amounts to votes buying, which should be discouraged as a result of its illegality.

Others contend that the distribution of gifts by politicians vying for elective positions, during campaigns only goes to show that there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of sensitising and enlightening Nigerians on the danger of such acts. They contend that the people could accept the gifts, but still ensure they vote wisely, as they will be the ultimate loser, if the wrong people are voted into power.

Ekiti State the development it desires.”

ESDU chairman, Pastor Yemi Olayinka, went further to mandate its members to move to their respective wards to mobilise support for the PDP candidate, adding, that “Ekiti will go bankrupt if it is ruled for another four years by the Fayemi-led APC government.”

The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Opeyemi Bamidele’s also got his fair share in the endorsement galore, when the Ekiti Bibire Coalition (EBC) and LP, North America chapter, in a statement signed by its coordinator, Mr. Daniel Adeleye, and the LP representative in North America, Korede Solagbade, said Bamidele’s ambition could not be reversed by intimidation and harassment.

The duo stated that Bamidele is the “one capable of bringing the state out of backwardness,” while describing the LP candidate as a touch bearer who will lead the state in the path of true democracy, good governance and development, and also bring the state to where no one will be killed, harassed or vilified for any political aspiration or bias.

The coalition members assured Bamidele of their unflinching support, and commended him for daring the consequences of insisting to contest the election as they alleged that the lawmaker had faced threats that would have stopped some others from pressing any further.

As the game and plots to occupy the Ekiti Government House continue, voters will be the ones to decide who takes the crown, as they go to the poll on Saturday. It is on that day Nigerians will gauge how much effect the endorsements strategy has had on the people of Ekiti State.

POLITICS 17

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

EKITI GOVERNORSHIP POLL

Adebayo

Ayo Akinyemi is a veteran journalist and Chief Press Secretary to the Sole Administrator of Ekiti State during the emergency rule, Brig.- Gen. Tunji Olurin Mo le, mo ba, mo tun gbaa pada (3ce) Gbogbo ire t’ota gba l‘owo mi.

T

he words above are the lyrics of one of the campaign songs of Mr. Ayo Fayose, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State. The lyrics, simply translates thus: I pursued it, I caught up with it, and I retrieved it; all the fortunes that the enemy snatched from me.

The question on the lips of many in and outside Ekiti State today is: Will or can Fayose win the election and return to the Oke-Bareke Government House?

Sometime ago, before he clinched the governorship ticket, Fayose told his audience that, his wife, Feyisetan, in her remarks at her 50th Birthday ceremony, said she had dreamt that he (Ayo Fayose) would return as Governor of Ekiti State. And with the knowledge of his wife’s height in the spiritual realm, he believed that the dream/prophecy, would materialise. With this frame of mind, one could situate the doggedness, ruthlessness and determination, do I hear you say desperation, propelling Fayose’s pursuit of the Governor’s seat, again.

Ayo Fayose’s sing-song on the rostrum has been: “I did it before, I will do it again.” In 2003, he defeated the incumbent governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD). He assumed office on May 29, 2003 and was impeached on October 16, 2006, in his 41st month in office. Months before his ignominious exit, the state was in turmoil. Uncertainty and insecurity pervaded the land. After his impeachment by the State House of Assembly, there was a state of anarchy, as about three people laid claim to the Office of Governor.

A six-month State of Emergency was declared by the Federal Government on

Oni

Olurin

Paradox of guber election October 19, 2006 to halt the drift. The House of Assembly was suspended and Brigadier-General Adetunji Olurin (rtd) appointed as Administrator for the state.

Olurin’s assignment was not an easy one. It took an exceptional effort to restore peace in the state and the confidence of the people in the government.

As it was nearing the time for preparation for electioneering, a level-playing ground and the right atmosphere for peaceful politicking (which were hitherto absent, as Ayo Fayose in power did not give the other political parties a breathing space) were desirable. The wealth of experience, exposure and maturity at the disposal of General Olurin helped in the restoration of peace and stability very early in the emergency period. Employing military strategy, administrative acumen and native intelligence, he moved around the state incognito, at holy hours of the day, to meet traditional rulers, community and opinion leaders as well as leaders of various groups, to clear the massive mess he met on ground.

On his emergence on the political landscape in Ekiti, during the regime of Otunba Adebayo, the smart Ayo Fayose exploited the precarious state of pipe-borne water supply, especially in the state capital. He wooed the people and won their heart with the provision of water for them with water tankers, for years, from his personal purse. Unfortunately, while in power, no significant statutory action was taken by his government on the water problem. It was one area that attracted the immediate attention of Administrator Olurin, who was not comfortable with what he saw at the Ero Dam and Ureje Water Works, Ado-Ekiti, when he visited the locations. He took some drastic steps to improve the situation. The administration of Engr. Segun Oni, took over the baton and invested substantially in the area of water supply to the entire state.

Another basic infrastructure in comatose was electricity supply to an appreciable part of the state, including the state capital, Ado-Ekiti. While in

power, Governor Fayose was not happy having the state capital enveloped in darkness at night. He installed street lights and procured power generating sets to ignite the fluorescent tubes thus ‘making Ado-Ekiti look like London’.

The footage of the street-light so powered at night forms part of the propaganda jingles for his current electioneering package.

Administrator Olurin was not excited by the cosmetic generator-powered-street lights. He discontinued it and took a pragmatic step of securing a dedicated line from the national grid from Osogbo Power Station through Ilesa to supply electricity to homes, towns and villages along the route to Ado-Ekiti. The Segun Oni government built on this and went further to dust up the file of the seemingly jinxed 132/33 KVA Power Project at Omisanjana, Ado-Ekiti, that had been in the works for almost 30 years. Oni saw to the completion of the project a couple of months before his ouster by Appeal Court in October 2010.

To the credit of Ayo Fayose is the taste for quality finishing and furnishing of structures. Testimony in this regard abound in the quality of job at the Fountain Hotel, Adetiloye Hall

Ekiti politics today is an acid test for the Nigerian brand of democracy, party politics and governance.

The alignment and realignment of forces offered a case study, so also is the relevance of integrity, decency, morality, civility and antecedence in politics

(both located in the Trade Fair Complex), the Presidential Lodge and Lady Jibowu Hall, within the Government House complex and the completion of Governor’s Office building, the magnificent structure originally intended for a five-star hotel by the Otunba Adebayo administration which started the project. Unfortunately, the same quality job credit cannot be tagged on the roads constructed by the Fayose government. By the time the Emergency Administration came on board, most of the newly constructed/rehabilitated roads were already in a terrible state of disrepair, including the Ado-Afao (Fayose’s home town) Road, the new two-lane Fajuyi-Ire Akari Road and the Ado-Ikere dual carriage way. General Olurin had to order the contractors back to site to repair portions of the two dual carriage ways.

There is no doubt that some people had reservations for the impeachment of Fayose and the resultant declaration of a state of emergency, the developments however, viewed with an untainted spectacle, could be described as a divine intervention for a turning point in the affairs of the state and the life of the people. I had the opportunity to serve as Chief Press Secretary to General Olurin during the period of Emergency Rule and privileged to know the amount of rot on ground and the wrong the administrator made efforts to put right.

The situation in Ekiti State is gradually becoming worrisome again. The on-going process of electioneering towards the Governorship Election of June 21 would culminate in the emergence of a new page of administration from October 16. One is inclined to warn the people of Ekiti to beware of the ides of October. The fears are predicated on the recurring report of violence and even, killing, lacing the campaigns, as witnessed in the state eight, nine, 10 years ago. The families of Ayo Daramola, Omojola, Fasuuba and others cannot forget those years CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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POLITICS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

EKITI GOVERNORSHIP POLL

JOE IGBOKWE is the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) “How on earth, in the year of our Lord 2014 can anybody compare Kayode Fayemi, our incumbent governor with Fayose, our former governor who we are trying hard to forget that he ever ruled our state.” – Prof. Jide Osuntokun.

I

have known Prof. Jide Osuntokun as an academic, scholar, writer, leader, teacher, historian, diplomat, elder statesman, and thinker for years now.

At 80 plus, Prof. Jide Osuntokun has paid his dues and done his best for Nigeria in various capacities. His numerous interventions in matters of leadership and politics in Nigeria will be too much for me to recount here. In fact, time and space will not permit to dig into this great man’s works in Nigeria but I know history will ever remain his witness.

His recent article on Ekiti State governorship elections coming up on June 21, 2014, moved me to write this piece. The title, EKITI MUST NOT DIE ON THE DAY OF DESTINY pricked my conscience and compelled me to contribute to the debate even though I am not from Ekiti State but I know Dr. Kayode Fayemi very well. Ekiti State is the land of knowledge, the home of professors, and the land of the gifted. The renowned Professor of history and international relations cried out as an elder because of the strange political developments in Ekiti State at the moment. He cried out because men without conscience, liars, motor park touts, scoundrels and common illiterates are planning to seize Ekiti State by telling lies a thousand times to make it sound real. He cried out because people who do not know are trying to sell fake drugs to the knowledgeable people of Ekiti State. The erudite professor is calling on Ekiti people to rise up to defend the integrity and honour of Ekiti State, the land of their birth, before they make the mistake of allowing Ayo Fayose to grab power again through whatever means.

Hear the professor: “If we are sensible people and I think we are, we should not be faced with this choice but the choice is clear. There is no meeting point between darkness and light, between peace and war, between serenity and confusion, between murder and life, between develop-

CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 7

in a hurry. So also are the Governors of the Defunct AD ‘imprisoned’ at IyinEkiti that fateful Saturday.

It is instructive to note that since the ouster of Fayose eight years ago, Ekiti State has had a record of seven administrations, so to say. - Late Rt. Hon. Friday Aderemi, who answered His Excellency for one day (before the state of emergency declaration), Administrator Olurin (six months), Rt. Hon. Tope Ademiluyi (40 days – to avoid a vacuum until May 29, following the non-extension of the State of Emergency), Engr. Segun Oni (May 2007-Feb 2009), Rt. Hon. Tunji Odeyemi (79 days – following the Court of Appeal order of a rerun in some local governments which compelled Oni to step aside), Engr. Segun Oni (May 2009-October 2010) and Kayode Fayemi, October 16, 2010 to date. This chapter of history will surely have a place in Guinness Book of Records.

Well-meaning sons and daughters of

Ekiti people must hear this! ment and underdevelopment, between progress and backwardness and between education and illiteracy.”

It is only in Nigeria that illiteracy, mediocrity and madness is celebrated.

But I can understand. Any celebrated idiot or vagabond in power is celebrated because there is a lot of money to spend and there will always be supporters to urge the person on. Yes since they are benefiting, then the man is always good, and God sent. But this stupidity must stop in Ekiti on June 21, 2014. Ekiti people known for possessing common sense, intelligence, knowledge, wisdom and understanding must set the pace for the other states to follow. Ayo Fayose must be stopped in Ekiti State. Ekiti people must end his political career for the good of the commonwealth. Comparing Ayo Fayose with Dr Fayemi is like Apple and Orange comparison. It is like comparing a primary school boy with a competent university graduate.

If experience is the yardstick to determine who the cap fits, Governor Fayemi is the one. If performance and service delivery are the criteria for consideration, Fayemi has performed and delivered services to Ekiti people in his last four years. If education is the parameter to judge, he is a Ph.D. in War Studies, Intelligence and Strategy. If power of elocution and engagement are the criteria, he has got it.

If flamboyance, glamour, carriage, charisma are the rules of the game, he has got them sufficiently. If character, integrity, honour is to be considered, he has them in abundance. If trust is the parameter he has been tested and therefore he can be trusted. If local, national and international connections are the rules of the game, he has got them plenty. If careful and prudent management of both human and material resources are the criteria for endorsement, he holds the ace. If capacity for leadership is the benchmark of consideration, please give it to him.

In the days of the locusts, I knew Kayode Fayemi but I knew not Ayo Fayose.

Fayemi anchored Radio Kudirat International, when the lives of his people were in danger but nobody knew about Fayose then. Fayemi was one of the real men, who stood up to be counted when it mattered most but cowards like Fayose hide in the corners. I blame former President Olusegun Obasanjo for rigging this man to an exalted position of a governor meant for serious-minded people. For almost three years he was in power, violence, murder, arson, thuggery, corruption, and political rascality took the centre stage.

Ayo Fayose was impeached and disgraced out of office by the Ekiti State

Fayemi

If experience is the yardstick to determine who the cap fits, Governor Fayemi is the one. If performance and service delivery are the criteria for consideration, Fayemi has performed and delivered services to Ekiti people in his last four years House of Assembly. As I write this, Ayo Fayose has a murder case in courts to be saddled with.

Paradox of governorship poll Ekiti, at home and in the diaspora, have a duty to prevent a re-occurrence of the cycle of instability.

The unfolding acts and scenes on the political stage in Ekiti are intriguing. Many are yet to come to terms with why the PDP strategists and leaders and strategists resolved to shuffle Fayose out of the cards to emerge as the party’s candidate among the array of aspirants with better, refined, more defined untainted credentials; the reasoning behind Segun Oni abandoning the PDP ship to ride with Kayode Fayemi on the APC train. Some had wished for an independent candidacy clause in the constitution to afford Segun Oni a neutral platform to test his popularity, which believably, for reasons, has soared in recent years.

Ekiti politics today is an acid test for the Nigerian brand of democ-

racy, party politics and governance.

The alignment and re-alignment of forces offered a case study, so also is the relevance of integrity, decency, morality, civility and antecedence in politics and governance with Fayose, Oni and Fayemi as variables.

Fayose was governor for three and half years, before he was impeached based on allegations of misconduct and corruption which are still hanging on him, unchallenged. The wheel of justice in the charges of corruption and financial impropriety brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been grinding slowly, precariously for eight years. He supported Fayemi against Oni during the rerun election in May 2009. Oni was also governor for about three and half years before he was ousted by the court, for Fayemi to take over. The vehemence with which

We have passed the age of political stupidity and rascality to the age of big ideas. We have moved away from brigandage and idiocy to the age of character and integrity. Dr Kayode Fayemi belongs to the Class of Nigeria’s upcoming leaders not more than 10 in number, who hold the keys to the future.

Ekiti people must speak up wherever they are now before June 21, 2014 or a mistake would be made which will cost 4 or 8 years of no progress in Ekiti State.

Evil triumph in any society when good men do nothing. Wise men suffer the rules of idiots if they do not struggle for power. Bonafide citizens become slaves, when idiots seize the centre stage.

Politics is too important to be left to politicians alone. Allowing Ayo Fayose to return to Ekiti State is to reverse Fayemi’s progress in the last four years. Allowing Fayose to return to power is like forcing Ekiti to drink poison. Let every Ekiti man go home to salvage their land from Ayo Fayose and his motley crowd.

Fayemi and his party, then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), pursued the judicial battle and the subsequent tarbrushing of Oni, were monumental.

Oni in APC with Fayemi in the present struggle is a choice of the better of two evils and in Oni’s words; “a sacrifice for the future of Ekiti State and that of our children.”

Eleven years ago, Fayose defeated an incumbent governor, Niyi Adebayo of the progressives extraction. Can he do it again with incumbent Fayemi, also of the progressives’ family? Fayose’s past remains an albatross but he is trudging on, back in the creeks and on the streets fraternizing with his paddies, the Okada Riders, the All-Right Sirs, dangling carrots at the teachers, throwing banters at AWON TEMI. The elites and the enlightened are agitated. Ironically, politics is a game of numbers and a vote has a universal value. A vote cast by a Professor counts, ONE same with a vote cast by a Pepper Seller. This is the paradox.

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

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

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19

EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

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

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

THURSday, JUNE 19, 2014

Celebrating NLNG’s contributions to the economy

he contributions of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) to stakeholders in its 14 years of harnessing liquefied natural gas and natural gas liquids are worth replicating. The value-generating capacity of the company lifts the spirit and can best be appreciated from its impact on environmental hazard reduction, monetization of gas resources, foreign direct investment, impact on gross domestic product, job creation, community development, domestic liquefied petroleum gas supply, increased shipping/maritime human resources and corporate social responsibility.

The company has contributed more than N8 trillion ($50 billion) to the Nigerian Economy. More than N2 trillion ($13 billion) in dividends payouts has also been made to the four shareholders: the Nigerian Government, Shell, Total and ENI. In addition, more than N2.9 trillion ($18 billion) has been paid on gas purchases from oil and gas producing companies in the country of which the Federal Government owns 55-60 per cent.

With its plant construction, NLNG has spawned huge foreign direct investment (FDI) for the country, created massive assets worth more than N2.1 trillion ($13 billion) owned 49 per cent by Nigeria through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). It is cheery news that the company has single-handedly

contributed 4 per cent to the nation’s GDP since it began operations in addition to contributing immensely to national wealth and to the wellbeing of states in which it operates, by paying all applicable taxes and tariffs. Beginning from this year, the company says corporate income tax will exceed N220 billion per annum, which is by far the highest in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Beyond the financial realm, however, the company’s contributions are also visible in the sphere of job creation. Its major contractors, for instance, employ more than 18,000 Nigerians aside its direct employees numbering over 1,000 quality staff, including members of the senior management team (SMT) and extended management team (EMT) with more than 2000 jobs created each construction year.

Besides this, the company has also indigenized the position of managing director/chief executive officer since May 2008.

Since the liquefied natural gas industry was given birth to with the incorporation of the company on May 17, 1989, it has successfully been harnessing associated gas volumes, which would otherwise have been flared and lost perpetually with debilitating environmental implications.

It is on record that NLNG has so far converted about 119 Bcm (billion standard cubic metres) or 4.2 Tcf (trillion cubic feet) of Associated Gas

(AG) to exports as LNG and Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs), a feat that has helped to reduce gas flaring by upstream companies from over 60 per cent to less than 25 per cent.

The contributions of the company now acknowledged as one of the most important economic projects in Nigeria stretch beyond Nigeria’s shores.

The plant’s performance is regularly benchmarked internationally with other LNG plants around the world and continues to rank among the biggest and topmost performers. NLNG has, within a short span of time, grown in status to become a very reliable supplier of LNG in the Atlantic Basin, serving the European, North American and Far East markets.

Over the years, the company has also been promoting the sciences and arts through its sponsorship of The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature, one of the most prestigious awards for excellence in science and literature in Africa, each worth N16.2 million ($100,000) in prize money.

The company’s special focus on education has led it under necessity to earmark N2 billion ($12 million) for the development of engineering education in six Nigerian universities to support the country’s educational sector. University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, University of Port Harcourt, University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University, and University of Nigeria Nsukka are beneficiaries of the company’s com-

mitment to spending N340 million ($2 million) each on the construction of modern engineering laboratories and supplying them with cutting-edge equipment.

We believe this profile and image of the company so far calls for celebration and should feature prominently among the positive examples of what an ideal Nigerian and indeed, African company should be. It may not be the best, but it also gladdens the heart that this much of success and contribution to national development came in 14 years. It is praiseworthy and worthy of emulation. This underpins our position that all stakeholders in the project need to avoid the danger of fatigue and complacency in their relationships with the company now and in the future However, we still encourage the company to do more for the host communities to promote inclusive growth and development beyond freebies and handouts. Evolution of alternate economies, downstream and ancillary economic activities need to be promoted and supported to bolster rural development in such communities to avoid twitchy and frosty relationships that tend to constrict growth prospects.

It should also always make certain that relationships with its business partners are friction-free. NLNG must always see itself as an arrowhead shot into the global market to excel. Nigeria and the African continent must not be let down as the company navigates its way to achieve more milestones.

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.

20

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

OPINION Ekiti guber: Fayose on the march again Kolawole Igandan

I

n Nigeria, the build up to general elections doesn’t start in the election year. It, in fact, begins the day the elected public office holder is sworn in. Yes, in the Nigerian context, the moment a president or the governor is sworn in for a mandatory four years in office, he is already scheming for a re-election, not minding that his campaign promises are yet to be fulfilled. What rings true to the average politician in our clime is that four years is just what it is, FOUR. To him or her, four years is just so short a time and the earlier the business of re-election starts, the better for his political future and that of his supporters.

Well, it doesn’t go for the winner alone, the loser would also immediately get cracking and start strategising on how to make real his ambition of occupying the position he just lost.

That is the scenario and Nigerians have come to accept that as part of what comes with our fledging democracy.

That leads me to the issue at hand - the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State. By all accounts, Ekiti is in the eye of the storm, and it is understandably so. The political gladiators are holding the state by the jugular and the very desperate ones are employing all sorts of tactics to ensure they remain in power, or perhaps get to power. The three main candidates in the race are, Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, Dr. John Oluwakayode Fayemi and Congressman, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.

While I don’t intend to launch any tirade against some candidates, I must also caution that they must keep their eyes on the ball and do less of smear campaign and sheer propaganda because the Ekiti terrain has become sophisticated in the last four years. The aftermath of the 2007 governorship election and the events that followed made the people of the state sagacious in their approach to political issues.

Today, a click on the social media button is all you need to confirm that even young school leavers are desirous of making inputs into politics and governance in the state.

That is why it is necessary to take on the hot button issues rather than the insignificant name calling and bullying by

the government of the day in Ekiti State.

These days, it is common to listen to political leaders say anything that annoys everybody. They also say things to the sheer content of their supporters.

The people of the state face a choice as they listen to these political leaders at their campaign rallies. Which matters more? Are they saying things they think need to be said or saying things that the people would rather not hear?

The story today is that the only candidate who seems to be trudging on, making impactful connection with the people and not embarking on a talk shop is Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose. This is the situation in Ekiti now, and the real significance of these new horizons will likely come in the next few days. Forget about what the next candidates are touting, the most important factor in the forth coming election is TRUST. Who is that candidate that can be trusted? What is he bringing to bear? A lot of modern day analysts have made some brilliant postulations on the shape the election would take but those on ground in the state would rather not join issues with commentators who has not taken the initiative to engage, not politicians with vested interest, but those under estimated artisans, market women, youths, aged and others who form the very nucleus of the population of the state.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) selling point seems to be what their candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has achieved in four years. Now, my point is that, none of the governors that have served the state since 1999 has fared badly. That is the truth. They all came with a giddy enthusiasm to leave a mark. That is true of them, and this is largely because their reputation and integrity is at stake. They realise that what counts is how they want to be perceived long after they have left office. What legacies and imprints they leave behind matters to them than all the gold and silver put together. For instance, in Ekiti today, Fayose’s addresses are not in Ibadan or Afao Ekiti where he hails, they are in public buildings like the new Governor‘s Office, Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Multipurpose Hall, Lady Jibowu Hall, the two Presidential lodges and the chalets, Professor Sam Aluko Building housing the

Ministry of Finance, The Trade Fair Complex, dualising of roads that leads to all entry points to Ekiti. During his first coming, the civil service was transformed, pensions were paid promptly, promotions in the civil service and teaching were never delayed and salaries of workers were paid at the 20th of every month. What about the roads that were constructed in his time?

The greatest of his achievement would be in the area of empowerment. It is a known fact that the people of the state were the better for it under Fayose. That is why those in the vanguard of his comeback bid are the majority whose lives were transformed positively while he was at the helms.

The truth is that his traducers and political opponents may not want to tell the media what everybody in Ekiti knows. All the candidates had at one time or the other benefitted from the magnanimity and sagacity of Fayose.

Fayemi himself was largely helped during the re-run election by Fayose to turn the tide against the ruling party then. I doubt if Fayemi can swear now that Fayose was not part of his success story. The Accord Party candidate, Mr. Kole Ajayi, was part of Fayose’s kitchen cabinet during his first outing and at a time, his loudest battle cry was that “Fayose must be re-elected”. Opeyemi Bamidele of the Labour Party is also reaping from the debris of what a party made popular by Fayose. Recall that Fayose used the Labour Party platform to contest the senatorial election in 2011. All his (Fayose) supporters are well spread in all the political parties and when push comes to shove, they will come back to where they belong. Did I hear you say they are already scheming to be part of the train? Yes, I heard it too. That leads me to that timeless Yoruba idiom that attaches familiarity to what belongs to others. For instance, they usually would refer to their friend’s or relative’s wife as their’s as well: “iyawo wa, iyawo wa” (our wife, our wife), but the idiom doesn’t end there, it has a caveat that says, ‘it is only at midnight that we will know who owns the iyawo (wife)’. The midnight is here and the choice is yours. Feel free!

• Igandan writes from Igbara-Odo Ekiti

The Church: Sanctuary to moral mortuary (2) Bobson Gbinije Continued from Tuesday

B

ut its aftermath was the dynamic liberalization of Christianity and formation of other sects, notably the Lutherans, Wesleyans, Methodists, Anglicans, the Baptist and the Adventists. In more recent times, the gains of reformation Protestantism has graduated into Pentecostalism, and through it, the great commission of taking the gospel through evangelism to the ends of the world is being fulfilled.

Today, the church has virtually won the battle against papal dominance and state persecution, but it has fallen into a selfinduced spiritual asphyxiation, doctrinal imbroglio, ecumenical stultification, sensationalism, ungodly proliferation and mammonism. The church is in its darkest hour of growth reminiscent of the Babylonish era and hypocritical wantonness of Sodom and Gomorra.

Without slips of prolixity, Jesus Christ spelt out archetypal formats which church men or clerics must keep to enable them be worthy of the “Divine Call” and to remain as vessels of light and honour unto salvation. He prophetically said “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon”. This didactic message amongst others has been consigned to the oubliette of immorality, greed, quest for material abundance by any means, covetousness, adultery, fornication and lack of fear of God amongst the royal priesthood.

The ecclesiastical paradigms of righteousness, Godliness, faith, humility, patience and meekness have been compro-

mised. Every clergyman now wants to live a life of sumptuousness, monetary wantoness, sensational debauchery and arrogance.

This has led to the wanton proliferation of churches for material gains. The bible warns in the first epistle of Saint Paul to Timothy, Chapter 6 verses 10-14 “But thou O men of God flee these things (mammonism) and follow after righteousness, fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life where thou art also called and has professed a good profession before many witnesses.

That thou keep this commandments without spot unrebukable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

If gold should rust what will iron do?

If green leaves should burn what will dry leaves do? asked the poet. Mammon and Beezeelbub have taken total control of the House of God from where the great judgment will start. The men of God are saying like the hedonistic and Sybaritic lotos-eaters

by Lord Tennyson “We will return no more; our Island home is far beyond the waves; we will no longer roam. Let us swear on oath and keep it with an equal mind. In the hallow lotus-land to live and be reclined on hills like gods together, careless of mankind”.

How can one explain the flamboyant revelry and salaciousness of our so-called men of God who live in state-of-the-art Houses, drive customized cars and wear Saint Michael’s gold rimmed shoes under the guise of “My God is not a poor God”, for goodness sake where lies the justification for these teratoid moral standards? We all know salvation is a personal thing, but those who claim to have had a divine call to lead us the flock into salvation should set better standards. They should preach the gospel with their life styles other than empty verbalizations and sanctimonious pontifications. We need more orphanages, gospel vans, hospitals and more aggressive evangelization

in the rural areas. Juju men, witches and wizards and the wicked should not be left out of the salvation bandwagon. If they, the clerics truly believe and are out to serve GOD in truth and in spirit they should not be psychologically paranoid with material things. Shakespeare said “What touches us ourselves, should be last served”. The Pentecostal Bishops, Archbishops and Pastors are the supreme culprits in this quest for material abundance and acquisition of empty titles.

Scriptural texts copiously abound in the bible to show that, these are the end times and the clerics have very onerous spiritual responsibility to lead the heathens back to GOD. Let them collectively shun mammonism and declare a war against sin to enable them maximize the numerical turn-out unto the train of salvation. They should stop the fanciful interpretation of the gospel to suit their selfish purpose, for the word is spirit and it is life.

Nobody is saying that the clergy or men of God have no right to material possessions. But that it should not be an end in itself. Their attitude towards material or worldly things should be Christ-like and submerged in humility. Jesus Christ the insignia and standard bearer of their calling was selected and delivered through a humble family, born in a stable, lived and shared the grief and agony of the poor, had no properties he could call his own and died with humble and total submission to the will of his Father – God Almighty.

The church must have a societal relevance. We cannot profess a mountainous faith and possess a molehill demonstration of our faith. Christians must begin to see the crucified Christ in their fellow men and act out of love for each other instead of the doctrine of “everybody to himself and GOD for us all”. All our actions must have a func-

tional salvational base vis-a-vis our society.

Society is bad because Christians are bad; if we practice one bit of our faith society will change for the better. Especially, those who claim to have been called by God. There will be Christianity in action a reflection of “pragmatic Christianism” – which is, by the Grace of God the only path to salvation.

The church must remain pure all embracingly, and shun meretricious earthly power struggles and strives through polities. People who suggest that the church should be in polities have no scriptural foundation to back up their claims. A sacerdotalism that borders on strictly the ceremonial could be accepted, but not what they are doing now. We must keep the Christian body “select” unto salvation.

Finally, it is said that the greatest form of prayers is to give the Almighty GOD His glory through praises and thanksgiving, that is why i have written this piece.

The Chinese sage said “Little things are but little things, when put in the right places they go along way”.I have strong hopes for mankind like E.G. WHITE and believe very optimistically that if Christians and the Clergy walk aright in Jesus Name – the great controversy will be ended. Sin and sinner will be no more. The entire universe will be clean- One pulse of harmony and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their sun shadowed beauty and perfect joy, will declare that GOD is “Love”. WHAT IS THE GENERIC FAITH OF THE CHURCH IN THE LIGHT OF THE HORRENDOUS BOKO-HARAM’S ESCHATOLOGICAL ATTACKS? •Chief Gbinije, MANDATE AGAINST POVERTY (MAP), Warri. 08023250378

HEALTH THURSday, JUNE 19, 2014

21

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/health

menstruation is a natural process, not a taboo appolonia adeyemi appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com appoloniaadeyemi@gmail.com

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National health bill, panacea to chaotic system lStakeholders task representatives on quick passage In the past 10 years, the journey to fashion a National Health Bill, the legal document that will sanitise the health system, has been tortuous, but the next few weeks, especially before the commencement of the forthcoming legislative recess, is critical to make or mar the Bill. If the House of Representative passes the Bill before or by July 18, it will set the journey on the right track, writes APPOLONIA ADEYEMI

ROADMAP Policy guidelines and regulation will yield better outcome

Highlighting the importance of instituting the Bill, Anyene said stakeholders are worried that Nigeria has one of the worst health indices in the world, contributing to endemic poverty in the land

R

eturning from a recent leisure trip to Lagos, Olu Adeniran arrived in Ikorodu Motor-park only to face one of the biggest health challenges of his life. He collapsed and became unconscious.

Some of the pedestrians who witnessed the incidents quickly rushed him to a private hospital nearby where he was refused treatment because of the inability of the sympathisers to deposit cash as advance payment for hospital bill. More than 10 hours after Adeniran was taken in into that facility, he was not cared for by the doctor on duty. Not too long afterwards, he died.

The case of former Kano State Governor, Abubakar Rimi who died on April 4, 2010 is still fresh in memory.

More than 15 minutes after Rimi was rushed to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, he was neither taken in nor provided emergency care.

His driver, Alhaji Haruna Adullahi, then said that Rimi would probably have survived if officials of the AKTH had not delayed in providing him with emergency care.

At the hospital, Abdullahi said Rimi, who was gasping for breath, was borne by hand into the emergency ward of the

Nigerians look up to President Goodluck Jonathan for quick assent to the NHB

NHB will ensure prompt response to medical emergency care

hospital after 15 minutes of waiting.

Some hospital staff had informed them that there was no stretcher to bring him into the facility The experience of Adeniran and Rimi is very common in the country and many of such have resulted in preventable deaths in both private and public hospitals. Many pregnant women in labour have been denied care in health facilities on the basis of not being booked previously with such fa-

cilities.

Slow response to medical emergencies, total abandonment of patients in critical condition due to strikes are not the only challenges of the health sector, many cases of sheer negligence of some medical practitioners and health workers have similarly passed without opposition..

However, determined to turn the table with a view to ensure better health outcomes for Nigerians, some

The NHB is currently before the House of Representative, lead by Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal

Anyene

stakeholders have commenced an advocacy that will ensure that the House of Representative speedily passes the National Health Bill (NHB). This pave the way for the Bill to get presidential assent before the next general elections.

Leading the campaign is the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC), a civil society platform for the purpose of providing voice and accountability to achieve better health for all Nigerians.

Dr. Ben Anyene, chairman of the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria, one of the organisations that constitute the HSRC, has appealed to the leadership and members of the House of Representative to adopt the detailed work done by the Senate on the Bill. There can be no better time to pass the Bill than now especially given the upcoming July 18th date for their recess, he reasoned.

“In line with the constitution, if a Bill is not passed within a legislative term of four years, the process will start all over again”.

Other members of the HSRC are: Partnership for Transforming Health Systems 2 (PATHS 2), Save the Children International, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Federation of Muslim Women of Nigeria (FOMWAN), among others.

Highlighting the importance of instituting the Bill, Anyene said stakeholders are worried that Nigeria has one of the worst health indices in the world, contributing to endemic poverty in the land.

For instance, he noted that Nigeria’s infant mortality is as high as 100/1000 life birth and U-5 mortality is 200/1000 lb. Worst still, under-five (U-5) deaths from malaria are about 258,000 annually while 65,758 women of child bearing age die from HIV/AIDS annually.

C O N T I N U E D on PA G E 2 2

22 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

National health bill: Key to prioritise citizens' well-being C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 2 1

with Dr. Ihuoma Uko-Ndukwe

ada.ndukwe@yahoo.com

Signs of urinary incontinence (Leaking urine) in women BURDEN L-R: Olayemi; Onyeaka; Country Director, Mamaye and Dr. Tunde Segun at the One Day Tetreat for Health Editors by National Health Reform Coalition held in Akodo, Lagos

Furthermore, the nation records 52,900 maternal deaths yearly amounting to about 1,000 deaths weekly, which is likened to the crashing weekly of about 10 medium sized planeloads of women of child-bearing age and the most critical asset for its development.

In addition, Nigeria records very high burden of disease among women and children at the primary care (PHC) level, rural and urban slums, and in hard to reach areas. The above highlights the product of inefficient health system which is absent in many developing countries in the sub-Saharan region including Ghana which has an uninterrupted health system with good outcomes, noted Anyene.

From the investigations by the stakeholders, it has been shown that the major reason why chaotic situations in health have persisted in Nigeria is because health is not given a priority attention in the 1999 Constitution.

“Health is not mentioned directly as an issue/service in the 1999 Constitution.

Health is mentioned in (Section 17 (3)c) in relation to industrial safety.

To this end, the stakeholders are therefore advocating for a constitutional provision for health, prompting the journey to make the National Health Bill a reality in the last nine years. After the Bill was passed by Senate and the House of Representative in 2009 and thereafter reviewed to reflect suggested amendments by the Legal Department in 2010, the harmonised version was passed on May 19, 2011. However, presidential assent was not given.

The Bill was later resurrected by the Senate Committee on Health in 2011, passed through First and Second Reading at the Plenary in 2012 which the Senate passed it again on February 19, 2014.

According to Anyene the NHB will ensure sanity in the health system as well as provide funding to close the gap created by out-of-pocket payment system as well as address the cost medical emergencies.

Reacting to some opposition voices calling for delay in passing the Bill, he said “said the controversial aspects have been reviewed and removed, adding that it was time constitutional provisions were introduced to care for dying people picked up from the streets and to cater for those who cannot pay for care for themselves.”

According to Anyene, the current health system is a disaster and should end.

On the advantages of the NHB, he said it will organise the health system and for the first time, the Bill defines what the national health system is, bringing in everybody including the traditional and alternative health practitioners, the private sector, etc.

Similarly, the NHB defines the rights and responsibilities of the various systems and also provides for how services will be provided because the burden of diseases in this country is such that 70 percent to 80 percent of disease burden is at the primary health care (PHC) level.”

In addition, Anyene said the Bill provides - an intervention fund that will pay for substantial part of PHC services. “The intervention fund is not paying for everything that has to do with PHC but it is a starting point.

The Bill also provides for rights and duties. Before, if one has an accident, he or she is not taken in to the hospital because nobody knows who will pay.

Now, the NHB provides fund - four percent of the one percent consolidated fund of the federation to pay for that kind of services.

The Bill details how to coordinate, harmonise and have joint planning, etc. and these things will make for transparency, robust system and measurable health outcomes.”

Dr. O. David Olayemi, senior advocacy manager, Save the Children, said the NHB is in the interest of Nigerians.

According to him without the Bill, the Nigerian health system which is the weakest in the world will continue to be weak.

Hence, Olayemi reasoned that unless “we have legal and policy provision to ensure that mothers really know what their rights are, we are not ready to move.

He noted that the world is now moving towards universal health coverage and asked, “How are we going to have universal health coverage when we do not have legal provisions? How we are going to have universal health coverage when our policies cannot courageously and poignantly point to it? We need to have the environment enabled to be able to provide for all these.”

Furthermore, Olayemi said all Nigerians should now rally round the House of Representative which is now considering the Bill for speedy passage.

When the Bill is signed into law and implemented, he said it will ensure that needless deaths of mothers and children in Nigeria are stemmed and it will ensure that needless and preventable causes of deaths in Nigeria are reduced to the barest minimum, if possible, totally obliterated.

Highlighting the example of health systems in other climes, Olayemi noted that a report two years ago showed that Norway is the best place to be a mother, attributing how that nation achieved that to simple interventions, adding, “we need those simple interventions in Nigeria.”

C O N T I N U E D on PA G E 2 4

Three to 55% older women suffer leaking urine

U

rinary incontinence increases with age and can be defined as involuntary leakage of urine. It is estimated to affect three percent to 55 percent women who are either older or as a result of multiple childbirth.

Some of the risk factors for developing urinary incontinence are abnormal structure of the bladder, weakness of the muscle that holds the neck of the bladder. Medications that weaken the flow of urine, normal ageing in women, multiple children and after the delivery of a baby.

Signs that one is developing urine leakage are when small amounts of urine are released with activity. The urine loss stops after the activity stops. For instance, urine starts leaking after coughing, sneezing, laughing and straining.

Some of the keys questions to assess for urinary incontinence are 1. Do you leak urine when you cough, laugh, lift something or sneeze and how often do you leak urine?

2. Do you leak urine when you have a strong urge on your way to the bathroom?

3. How frequently do you empty your bladder during the day?

4. How many times do you get up to urinate after going to sleep?

5. Is it the urge to urinate that wakes you?

6. Do you ever leak urine?

7. Do you wear pads that protect you from leaking urine?

8. How often do you have to change them?

9. Does it hurt when you urinate?

10. Do you feel that you are unable to completely empty your bladder?

Most cases of urinary incontinence fall under three major types.

STRESS INCONTINENCE: This is most common in young women, it is the involuntary loss of urine during an increase in stomach pressure or physical exertion such as laughing, coughing, and sneezing. The underlying problem being increased movement of the urethral part of the bladder caused by the failure of the bladder neck muscles to close up and support holding the urine in place. Loss of bladder neck support is often caused by problems with the muscles and nerves that control the bladder. Other causes might be advanced age, inadequate estrogen levels, previous vaginal surgery, and lesions with the bladder areas.

Treatment: Conservative management is normally done first and when that fails, surgery can be considered.

Weight loss, smoking cessation, constipation management are other method of treatment. Rebuilding or rehabilitating the pelvic muscles is the common goal of treatment.

(Also known as Kegal exercises), using weighted vaginal cones and pelvic floor stimulation can also be used. These treatments are believed to increase the resting tension, contracting force of the pelvic wall, vagina weights can be used as mechanical

biofeedback to augment pelvic muscle exercise. Occlusive devices such as pessaries when properly fitted prevents rune loss during vigorous coughing. Medications can be used sometimes. surgery can be used to correct stress incontinence and procedures such as suburethral slings or urethropexy and periurethral injections of bulking agents can be used.

OVERACTIVE BLADDER OR URGE INCONTINENCE: Involuntary loss of urine preceded by a strong urge to void, whether or not the bladder is full , an abrupt desire to void accompanied by an involuntary leakage of urine. This is more common in older women. Specific cause of the overactive bladder is constant infection of the bladder, bladder stones, bladder cancer and sometimes unknown reasons. There is also a strong association with stroke.

Treatment: Most treatment is conservative bladder training, medications like estrogen, botox can be used, and surgery can also be used--- by implanting a sacral nerve implanter.

MIXED INCONTINENCE: Some women can have a combination of stress and overactive incontinence.

OVERFLOW INCONTINENCE: Loss of urine associated with over-distension of the bladder. Most people present with frequent or constant dribbling associated with incomplete bladder emptying, mostly caused by under acting bladder muscles or outlet obstruction may be caused by anatomical or neurological problems, like complication of uncontrolled diabetic, outlet obstruction in women. it is always as a result of occlusion from pelvic organ prolapse or failed incontinence surgery.

Specific cause of the overactive bladder is constant infection of the bladder, bladder stones, bladder cancer and sometimes unknown reasons. There is also a strong association with stroke

HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

23

Stillbirth: An unacknowledged problem F ausat Adesogbon, a road side cleaner with the Lagos State Waste Management, (LAWMA), was crying and rolling on the floor of the General Hospital Ifako/Ijaye. She refused to be consoled. She kept crying and saying, “oh God, why me? I pray to you always.

Why will you consistently answer me with birth of dead children?” It was such pathetic a situation that even passers-by at the hospital stopped by to empathise with her but she refused to be consoled.

Adesogbon wept uncontrollably not because of her husband who had threatened her not to come home without a living child but more because that was her fifth pregnancy that has been stillbirth.

While sympathising with her, there was an elderly woman who shared her own story in order to calm Adesogbon. In her words, “you are crying because you had stillbirth five times. I had stillbirth nine times and it was the tenth pregnancy that the baby survived.” The elderly woman who seemed to be in her mid 60s said the tenth surviving pregnancy was the only child she was capable of nurturing to fruition. Luckily for her, the child turned out to be one of the gynecologists with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Others began out-pouring of their own experiences all to sympathise with her. It was like a gathering of mothers who had experienced stillbirth.

According to the women, the common saviour of fate for all of them was the use of herbal concoction. Could it be true or sheer ignorance mix with luck?

Doctor Kolawole Omoyele, consultant gynecologist with LASUTH, told the New Telegraph Health that the causes are not really known but it is a problem that is prevalent in Nigeria. “It is still very high in Nigeria. Even though, it is slightly reduced in Lagos. We still experience such cases on daily basis. At least, three in ten out of every delivery we assist on daily basis are stillborn,” he said. The few known cases, he highlighted are, post date, a situation where the expected date of delivery has passed. High blood pressure, diabetes and sick cell condition, he said are part of the causes. He also explained that if a patient is Rhesus negative by blood group of which most people are, and are married to positive partner, “then there will be clash of blood group mix which leads to stillbirth,” he said. Dr. Omoyele added that most people are very ignorant of their blood group which is one of the basic considerations for child bearing.

On the herbal side, Iyabode Bello, who has been into herbal business for the past 30 years said majority of her customers are women with stillborn and barren problem. With her vast experience in it, she concluded that ignorance is the major cause of stillborn in Nigeria. “The women would see the signs but turn blind eye until the condition gets out of hand,” she said. The major cause she pointed out was pile, which she said affects the foetus directly. She also stated that early contraction is another key problem.

However, she disclosed that for such patients she gives three types of strong and healthy concoction. Sheh starts administering it from two months of pregnancy but Dr. Omoyele countered it that he doesn’t believe in herbal strength. “It helps the destruction of the fetus,” he affirmed. The doctor rather advised women to seek good and proper antenatal care (ANC). They should also be available for the enlightment programme that LASUTH has established for them. “Above all, they should manage their sugar level and high blood pressure.”

Meanwhile, a new study released recently stated that stillbirths are a largely "invisible" but major cause of death worldwide. Study leader, Joy Lawn, a professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said that "in most countries, stillbirths do

A stillbirth is still regarded as some form of ‘Abiku’ in the Yoruba culture, ‘Ogbanje’ among the Igbo speaking race and Wabi in the Hausa language. Though, the world is enlightened about its possible causes, the much held belief about stillbirth is baffling in this time and age, reports OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI

A stillborn baby

Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr. Kolawole Omoyele

not get birth or death certificates, which contributes to their invisibility; hence, most of the world's newborn deaths and almost all stillbirths enter and leave the world without a piece of paper to record their existence." The researchers analysed data from 195 countries (Nigeria

was one of them) and found nearly 8,000 newborn deaths and about 7,000 stillbirths occur daily worldwide. That equates to 2.9 million newborn deaths and 2.6 million stillbirths a year.

The United Nations (UN) tracks newborn deaths, but not stillbirths, even though they share many of the same causes, the researchers said. Stillbirth, which is when a woman loses her baby during the last three months of pregnancy, happens after a full nine months of pregnancy in about half of all cases. The findings suggest that stillbirth is an important, but largely unacknowledged problem worldwide, said the authors of the study published recently, in The Lancet. "The fact that the vast majority of these deaths which have a huge effect on the women and families involved are never formally included in a country's health registration systems signifies acceptance that these deaths are inevitable and ultimately links to inaction," Lawn added in a journal news release.

Worldwide, rates of newborn deaths

declined by an average of two percent between 1990 and 2012, but declines in death rates were higher among children older than one year and among pregnant women.

Five countries account for half of the world's newborn deaths per year: India (779,000), Nigeria (276,000), Pakistan (202,400), China (157,000), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (118,000). In 2012, eight of nine countries with death rates higher than 40 per 1,000 live births were in sub-Saharan Africa. If current trends persist, it will be over a century before a baby born in Africa has the same likelihood of survival as a baby born in North America or Europe, according to the researchers.

They also found that 40 percent of newborn deaths and stillbirths occur on the day of birth, and nearly 46 percent of mothers' deaths occur in the same period.

Preterm birth is a major cause of newborn death, and a preterm baby born in Africa is 11 times more likely to die than one born in North America or Europe.

"Our findings show that there is an urgent unmet need to provide timely, high-quality care for both mother and baby around the time of birth," Lawn said. "Each year, one million babies die on their birth day their only day," she added.

"In the coming decades, improvements in child survival, development and human capital depend on ensuring a healthy start for every newborn baby, the citizens and workforce of the future," she concluded.

In most countries, stillbirths do not get birth or death certificates, which contributes to their invisibility; hence, most of the world's newborn deaths and almost all stillbirths enter and leave the world without a piece of paper to record their existence

Study links poor diet to preterm birth To be pregnant is not enough, but to ensure the pregnancy reaches fruition-nine months is the joy of every mother. Therefore, mothers who wish to nurture the fruit of their womb need go beyond taking the conventional ante-natal medication. They also need to go rich on their diet to avoid premature birth, writes OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI

A

new study from Australia confirms that women with poor diets before pregnancy are more likely to give birth prematurely than women who have healthy diets.

"Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant disease and death and occurs in approximately one in 10 pregnancies globally." said lead author Dr. Jessica Grieger, a postdoctoral research fellow with the University of Adelaide's Robinson Research Institute. "Anything we can do to better understand the conditions that lead to preterm birth will be important in helping to improve survival and long-term health outcomes for children."

The research doesn't prove that poor eating habits directly cause preterm births, but it adds to evidence linking

In our study, women who ate protein-rich foods including lean meats, fish and chicken, as well as fruit, whole grains and vegetables, had significantly lower risk of preterm birth

the two. The findings, to be published in the July print issue of the Journal of Nutrition, are based on an analysis of the diets of over 300 Australian women. Researchers focused on diets in the 12 months before conception. "In our study, women who ate protein-rich foods including lean meats, fish and chicken, as well as fruit, whole grains and vegetables, had significantly lower risk of preterm birth," Grieger said in a university news release. "On the other hand, women who consumed mainly discretionary foods such as potato chips, cakes, biscuits, and other foods high in saturated fat and sugar were more likely to have babies born preterm," she added.

24 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

WaterAid, others seek separate toilets for girls STIGMA Talking hygiene surrounding periods will check myths

W

aterAid, a British charity has taken the lead to break down the walls militating against the menstruation health of girls in Africa including Nigeria.

To this end, Clarisse Baghnyan, Coordinator of WaterAid’s Regional Learning Centre for Sanitation, has called on leaders in Nigeria's three tiers of government especially in the education sector to ensure the building of decent and separate toilet facilities for girls in schools to address their menstruation health.

Also, Baghnyan has called for a shift in the thinking and attitude towards menstruation so as to bring an end to

the stigma that still surrounds menstruation.

The campaign to fight stigma surrounding menstruation is championed by WaterAid in partnership with a coalition of organisations including WASH United, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Save the Children. The group declared the first-ever Menstrual Hygiene Day recently, which was marked on May 28.

On any given day, more than

800 million women between the ages of 15 and 49 are menstruating. Yet menstruation remains a taboo subject.

According to Baghnyan, the purpose of providing separate toilets for girls is to enable them have somewhere private to change when need be, "otherwise their health is put at risk and they are likely to miss or drop out of school rather than face the humiliation of finding somewhere private to change”.

UNESCO estimates that one in 10 African girls miss school during their periods, leading to a higher dropout rate.

According to the coordina-

tor of WaterAid’s Regional Learning Centre for Sanitation, for the sake of girls and women, it is time to start talking about menstruation. "By talking about menstrual periods, we can help normalise this natural process and help girls and women live healthier and more dignified lives.”

In many countries, menstruation is surrounded by a lot of myths including banishment from the family home to an outdoor shed during each cycle. These myths range from harmless to extreme and even though, in many cases, they date back to ancient times, they continue to persist even now.

Parents tasked on health risks from child labour Appolonia Adeyemi

xperts on child protection have highlighted the dangers that children practising child labour, are exposed to.

Charity Elochukwu, founder of Mother Charity Ndidiamaka Children Foundation, said most child labourers at a young age are malnourished.

Elochukwu made the call during a presentation at a seminar to mark the World Day Against Child Labour which was marked on June 12.

According to the founder of Mother Charity Ndidiamaka Children Foundation, not only do child labourers work in a hazadous environment, they work in conditons that jeopardise their health and even their lives.

She said, "The most obvious economic impact of child labour at the family level is an increase in house hold income.

The under accumulation of human capital caused by low school attendance and poor health is a serious negative consequence of child labour.”

Elochukwu said child labourers grow up to be low wage earning adults; as a result their offspring will also be compelled to work to supplement the fam-

E R-L: President, Improvement Union, Ezinifite Nnewi South, Chief Sylvester Nwanokwara; Founder, Mother Charity Ndidiamaka Children Foundation, Charity Elochukwu; Igwe Ezeoha 11 of Ezinifite Kingdom, Samuel A.C. Obika; and Bale Ilekmba Hausa Ajangbadi, Ojo Local Government, Alhaji Aliu Saliu at the seminar to mark this year's World Day Agaist Child Labour in Lagos

Study: Washing chicken spreads infection Oluwatosin Omoniyi

t sounds odd particularly to chicken lovers that washing the chicken they love to eat could be deadly.

In a latest research, consumers are warned to stop washing raw chicken as doing so increases the risk of food poisoning.

An online survey of 4,500 UK adults by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) found 44 per cent washed chicken before cooking.

The study stated that this spreads campylobacter bacteria onto hands, work surfaces, clothing and cooking equipment, through the splashing of water droplets. Campylobacter (a most common form of food poisoning in the UK) affects about 280,000 people in the UK each year but only 28 per cent in

I

the FSA survey had heard of it.

Only a third of them knew that poultry was the main source of the bacteria. However 90 per cent had heard of salmonella and E. coli. The most commonly cited reasons for washing chicken were to remove dirt or germs, or because they had always done it.

The majority of cases come from contaminated poultry.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach pains and cramps, fever, and generally feeling unwell.

Most people are only ill for a few days, but it can lead to long-term health problems, including irritable bowel syndrome and Guillain-Barre syndrome, a serious condition of the nervous system.

How best is it, to prepare chicken? One would ask. FSA chief executive, Catherine Brown advised

consumers on how to prepare it. It goes as thus; • Cover and chill raw chicken • Store it at the bottom of the fridge to prevent juices dripping onto other foods • Don't wash raw chicken • Thoroughly wash all utensils, chopping boards and surfaces used while preparing raw chicken •Cookchickenthoroughly-there should be no pink meat and juices should run clear According to her, apart from the fact it could also kill, those mostly at risk are children under five and older people. "Although people tend to followrecommendedpracticewhen handling poultry, such as washing hands after touching raw chicken and making sure it is thoroughly cooked, our research has found that washing raw chicken is also common practice.”

Liver diseases: Expert lauds Swipha on Stavlan Tony Okuyeme

P

roduct Manager Over-TheCounter (OTC), AiyegbayoOladapo has commended Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited (Swipha) for its new product Stavlan which is effective in the treatment of liver diseases.

Oladapo said this at the launch of new OTC products and celebration of WHO GMP Certification of Swipha, held recently at Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos.

In his presentation titled “Enjoy a Rejuvenated Liver with Stavlan”, he noted that the significance of Stavlan in treating patients with liver diseases.

The following are the variants of Stavlan: Supra-Kid, Supra-Fit, Stavlan, Supra-C and Quafensin.

“The liver is a very vital organ in the body, when it is diseased, it tends towards fatality. Everything we do to rejuvenate the liver in essence is extending a brand new life to our patients.

Studies have shown that Silymarin is effective as an adjuvant in the therapy of liver diseases; it leads to a significant reduction in liver related mortality and encephalopathy.

Stavlan contains Silymarin, Vitamin B1, B2, B6, and Vitamin B3, and calcium pantothenate,” he explained, adding that with

this combination, Swipha is offering the entire populace a unique combination that gives more benefits.

“Stavlan causes the liver to run optimally and when the liver is functioning at its best, it can effectively regulate the body’s hormones which helps when trying to conceive; in symptomatic relief of hangover effects of excessive alcohol intake.

He further explained that no drug- drug interaction has been reported with Stavlan capsules, but the influence that Silymarin has on liver function should be taken into account when pharmaceutical drugs are given concomitantly.

ily’s income. In this way, poverty and child labour is passed from generation to generation.

During the event which attracted dignitaries including the Igwe Ezeoha 11 of Ezinifite Kingdom, Samuel A.C. Obika, Bale Ilekmba Hausa Ajangbadi, Ojo Local Government, Alhaji Aliu Saliu, among others, Elochukwu called on political leaders to adopt effective legislation and policy reforms to ensure the prohibition and elimination of child labour in the society. “I am advocating that government should explore all avenues to eliminate child labour in Nigeria, owning to the fact that child labour is a grave offence against humanity.

He blamed poverty, domestic violence and ignorance by parents as the major cause of child labour, adding that children trapped in domestic work are often exposed to violence, including sexual abuse.

“There cannot be a world without child labour and violence against children but if we refuse to address this hidden and pernicious form of child labour, it will be certainly clear that there will be no future for our children”, adding that the government is handling the fight against child labour with kid’s glove.

National health bill will ensure wellbeing of Nigerians C O N T I N U E D from PA G E 2 2

On whether the Bill is complete, he admitted that there is no perfect document. “There is still a lot of work that we will do. A lot of issues raising dust including cloning have been struck off the Bill and it is good to go.”

Consequently, he urged every Nigerian to encourage members of the House of Representative to pass this Bill rapidly and also encourage the presidelnt to sign it into law.

Vera Onyeaka, Knowledge Management/Communication Specialist, Partnership for Transforming Health Systems Phase 11 (PATHS 2), urged the

media to make passage of the NHB by the House of Representative a priority. “If the common man on the street knows that if this Bill is passed into law, it will ensure that they get treatment whenever they go to hospitals for care, it will ensure that doctors are available to provide needed care, and it will ensure that drugs are available, citizens will support the passage of the Bill.

According to Onyeaka, with the NHB, emergency patients can be treated. “The NHB will ensure that during medical emergency, what medical doctors and other care givers are after is to save lives, not cost.”

LAW THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/law

FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY Editor

foluso.ogunmodede@newtelegraphonline.com bunfolchester@yahoo.comv

Why law practice is a race of life,

by Akinlaja

25

}p-28 & 29

Divergent views over Rivers Principal Law 2014

U

ndaunted by the National Judicial Council’s (NJC) directive on the choice of a substantive Chief Judge in Rivers State and the pendency of a suit, Governor Rotimi Amaechi last week invoked his powers and assented to the amendment of Section 40 of the Rivers State High Court Law 2001 otherwise known as the Principal Law. The section which was amended by adding a new subsection 2 to read: 40(2) ‘’where the office of the Chief Judge is vacant and it is impracticable to appoint an acting Chief Judge or a Chief Judge, the Chief Registrar shall assign cases to any judge and perform other administrative duties until an acting Chief Judge or a Chief Judge is appointed”.

The Governor’s assent however came shortly after it was passed into law by 17 lawmakers of the state assembly.

By the passage of the law, the Chief Registrar has been empowered to assign cases to judges and perform other administrative duties until an acting Chief Judge or a Chief Judge is appointed. The law came into force on June 11 when it Governor Amaechi gave his assent to the amended state High Court Law 2014.

By this law, the choice of Justice Daisy Okocha by the NJC as contained in its letter dated July 22, for appointment as the Chief Judge has been nullified.

Until June 11 when the law came into force Justice Okocha was the most senior High Court judge in the state.

Apparently miffed by Amaechi’s new ‘legal onslaught’, a foremost rights activist and Senior Advocate, Chief Mike Ozekhome described the governor’s action as scandalous.

According to him, the governor’s assent to the law was nothing but a dangerous trend to the nation’s justice system.

Particularly, Ozekhome said that signing of the law by the Rivers State Governor, empowering the Chief Registrar to assign cases to judges was a “very dangerous trend as Amaechi is testing his ephemeral power with the judiciary.

He insisted that since the NJC was a creation of the law, any other law made to whittle down its power ‘is null and void’.

Ozekhome said: "The Chief Registrar of a court is not a judicial officer. To make a Chief Registrar the highest authority is to ridicule the judiciary.

That means judges will be answerable to an administrative officer.

"Judges’ function is a solemn one and purely judicial, judges cannot take instruction from a Chief Registrar. Every judge in Rivers judiciary should reject the law outrightly.

"No governor can appoint a

Divergent views have continued to trail the assent by the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to the state High Court (Amendment) Law 2014. While others thumbs-up the governor, others berated him, describing his assent to the law as scandalous. TUNDE OYESINA and JOSEPH ONYEKWERE report

Falana

Ozekhome

Instead of exposing the judiciary to unwarranted ridicule the NJC is advised to pursue the appeal which it has filed Chief Judge without the NJC. That is the law and not the making of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The new law is null and void".

Although Chief Awa Kalu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria said he was yet to see the content of the new law, he however wondered how the Chief Registrar could assign cases to judges.

Kalu: "One of the functions of a Chief Judge is to assign and withdraw cases while the Chief Registrar is just an administrator.

"How can the Chief Registrar assign cases and withdraw it from judges? That one I don't know".

Another lawyer, Kelechi Ndukuba had a different view.

He said since Governor Amaechi remains the Chief Executive Officer of the State, he had the unfettered legal powers to initiate laws to govern the Rivers State Judiciary.

Ndukuba said: "However, it could be very amenable to abuses by the political powers that be in the operating State".

To Femi Falana, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria: “As the NJC is not an appointing authority, it lacks the power

Prof. Odinkalu

Every judge in Rivers judiciary should reject the law outright. No governor can appoint a Chief Judge without the NJC

to suspend the Chief Judge of Rivers State or any judge in Nigeria for that matter. Section 11 (1) of the Interpretation Act provides that where an enactment confers a power to appoint a person to an office or to exercise any functions, whether for a specified period or not, the power includes the power to remove or suspend him.

“In the case of Justice Salami, the NJC illegally suspended him from office, President Goodluck Jonathan approved the suspension and appointed an acting President for the Court. However, when the NJC decided to recommend his reinstatement, it was rejected by the appointing authority.

“In conclusion, since the suspension of the Rivers State Chief Judge is illegal and unconstitutional, the NJC should reverse it without any delay. It should also withdraw the query issued to the Chief Judge since his appointment was predicated on a judgment of the Federal High Court.

Instead of exposing the judiciary to unwarranted ridicule the NJC is advised to pursue the appeal which it has filed against the judgment of the

Clearly, the institution is now damaged by clear perception that it’s serving cause(s) entirely of its own making here

Federal High Court on the crisis.”

In his view, the Board Chairman of National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, said “here is the story: a Federal High Court rules NJC out of line. Rivers State governor proceeds to appoint a Chief Judge. NJC believes governor of Rivers State acted unlawfully in not returning to it for a recommendation, says the Chief Judge appointed by the Rivers Governor is suspended.

"The suspended Chief Judge headed to court against the NJC. While he is in court, NJC says someone should become administrative judge.

There’s one word for it: endrun. It’s not on.

“You see, when people are talking about Ag. Chief Judge; NJC speaks about Administrative Judge. When did NJC start designating Administrative Judge?

Clearly, they know it’s not their province to designate Ag. CJ, which is why their release avoided that nomenclature. So, from where did they derive the power to designate Administrative Judge – whatever that means for a State?

“The Constitution speaks

about Chief Judge; Ag. Chief Judge. But Administrative Judge? That’s entirely in the imagination of the alchemists of the NJC. Clearly, the institution is now damaged by clear perception that it’s serving cause(s) entirely of its own making here.

“If the Constitution says the most-senior judge should take over and if Justice Okocha is indeed the most senior judge, why does she need the NJC to demote her to administrative judge? And if the NJC’s decision over the suspension of the Governor’s appointed Chief Judge is in court, doesn’t the NJC come across as manufacturing subterfuge in order to invent its administrative judge gig?

“Quite apart from this, the NJC is an executive body, never mind that it’s headed by the CJN and dominated by judges.

As NJC, they’re exercising executive power. But they’re using superior judicial positions to intimidate lower courts and make it impossible for courts to do what they’re there for.

"We don’t have to agree with the courts. But if we don’t deCO NTINUED O N PAGE26

26 LAW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Edo lawyers hounour Alegeh with NBA Benin Merit Award HONOURS

Praise galore for Alegeh, the NBA Presidential hopeful for the July 14 election as he bagged the prestigious Benin Merit Award.

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

I

t was celebration galour, moment of sober reflection and stock taking for members of the Bar and the Bench under the umbrella of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Benin branch, Edo state, as they gathered yesterday to honour their own, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Besides, they strategize on how to ensure that Alegeh was sworn in as the next NBA President come July.

The event held in Benin City , the state capital witnessed the conferment of a prestigious NBA Benin Merit award on the legal icon and member of the International Bar Association, Alegeh, who they said deserved their support on July 14 when new president of the Bar would be elected.

Others who were conferred with the Life Time Achievers Award include eminent luminaries and personalities amongst who are Hon. Justice Odemwingie Uwaifo, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chief Judge of Edo state, Hon. Justice Cromwell Idahosa and the Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Professor Epiphany Azinge, Mr. Ko-

lawole C. Okeaya-Inneh (SAN), Sir (Dr.) Alfred O. Eghobamien (SAN), Mr. Omoruyi A. Omonuwa, SAN and the Oba of Benin kingdom, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

This came as members of the Bar and Bench in the state joined by the director General of NIALS, Prof. Epiphany Azinge bemoaned the dearth of adequate funding, basic infrastructure, professional compromise, shunning of customary court sitting by most lawyers and poor state of affairs at the country’s prison services as well as the attitude of law enforcement agencies including those of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as core challenges to effective administration of justice.

Also, the worrisome problem of corruption and lack of proper accountability echoed seriously on all corners of Uyi Grand International event center, venue of the six-day 2014 Annual Law Week.

Professor Azinge in his keynote address entitled “The Nigerian State in the Aftermath of the Centenary: The role of the Bar and Bench-Challenges to the administration of Justice in Nigeria”, noted that poor budgeting and funding for the judiciary and other knotty issues as setbacks to the administration of justice in the country.

He stated that “given the significant role played by the courts in the administration of justice, it is very important that they are properly funded.

The position, however, is that many courts face in-

frastructural challenges which hamper their activities. The inadequacy of the courts and judicial personnel derive from the low allocation to the judiciary and has been identified as partly responsible for delay in the administration of justice in the country."

He also called for a synergy between the legal institutions and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for guaranteed smooth dispensation of justice, provision of basic necessities and professionalism amongst the practitioners that would facilitate speedy process of justice dispensation as well as meeting standards as it obtains in developed countries.

“It is important that institution comprising the justice system of Nigeria always work together to-

wards achieving the ends of justice. At the moment, this is an ideal that is largely missing in the country.

What obtains is a situation where the various institutions in the justice system engage in unhealthy rivalry, viewing each other as opponents rather than partners in the discharge of responsibilities. In the atmosphere of such institutional rivalry, it is certain that no serious progress can be achieved in the administration of justice," he said.

He advocated for realistic reform in the country’s prison services with direct handling of the vital institution.

According to him, something must be done to ensure that those appointed to the bench are the best.

There should be synergy or wet working as a tool in the administration of jus-

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

tice system.

He stressed the need for states to run the prisons for purposes of organized system, pointing out further that, “The legal profession has a very critical role to play in the administration of justice. If we are not doing well the way we ought to do, do we not have to have a rethink?”

The NIALS boss also reminded members of the NBA of the essence of proper and continuous education for the practitioners and the imperative of expansion of scope of curriculum to give the legal institutions and its practice a global outlook so that they can compete effectively with others across the world.

While suing for confidence building among the top hierarchy of the nation’s judiciary, he condemned the situation where “lawyers hobnob with politicians to perpetrate corruption” and often “seek for adjournments to twist cases in their favour”.

He lauded the NJC and the Chief Justice of the Federation for enthroning integrity and restoration of confidence in the judiciary, particularly the customary courts.

Also Alegeh said inadequate fund was not solely responsible for the delay but application of funds by the judicial officers.

Alegeh who applauded the role played by the federal government in funding of the judiciary but urged the Nigeria Judicial Council (NUC) to live up to its expectation by applying the funds given to them judiciously so that “it will not be all motion without movement”.

Aturu, Shittu to Amaechi: You're setting dangerous precedent CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

fend what they do and protect them in doing so, even the powerful people on the NJC today will be endangered tomorrow when they’re no longer as powerful as they think they are today. A system like that brings the idea of rule of law to ruin.”

Bamidele Aturu said: “The NJC is an executive body and not a judicial institution as has been repeatedly pointed out. Its decisions even when in utmost fidelity with the law does not have the force of law. Now, when it takes decisions that not only violate the principles of the rule of law, but actually mock it, then we must do all in our power not only to ensure that it reverses the offensive decisions, one way or the other.

“But that it gets punished for egregious infraction of our laws. It appears this elementary point has been tragically missed by that body. We should be thinking in what ways we can punish the NJC legally and politically. But beyond this, it is time to put on the agenda, a reform of that body by legislative means.”

Ms Carol Ajie said: “The Constitution says if the office of the Chief Judge of a state is vacant or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, until a person has been appointed to assume the function, the most senior Judge of the High Court shall perform those functions as contained under Section 271(4) CFRN 1999.

Dr. Biodun Layonu SAN said: "My view is that the law passed to empower the Chief Registrar (CR) to assign cases and perform other administrative cases is constitutionally or legally suspect. It is an unnecessary further confrontation with the NJC. "The NJC, right or wrong, until otherwise determined, has directed the most senior judge, whoever it is, to perform those administrative functions, which are also in a way allied judicial or quasi judicial. The amendment portends to empower the CR to do this, a function totally outside his statutory purview.

"Is he a fortiori also empow-

Nothing should be done to undermine the authority and power of the judiciary and the NJC as sacred institutions. ered to retrieve a case file from a judge, even for good reasons, after assigning it?

"Further litigations will ensue as I expect that appropriate stakeholders will commence litigation that will lead to the Chief Registrar being restrained from performing that function. Will the CR refuse to assign a case challenging the legality of this amendment?

Will he refuse to comply with an injunction restraining him or her?

"Reason dictates that whilst the various actions in court are being tried, the directive of the NJC should have been complied with and let the most

senior judge assign cases. It does not make that judge the CJ or the Acting CJ. "In trying to outmanoeuvre the NJC, the government, in my view, is creating greater problems. Ultimately, it is the hapless litigating public that bears the brunt of the muscle flexing going on".

Another Senior Advocate and managing partner, Perchstone & Graeys, Mr. Osaro Eghobamien (SAN) describes the law as ill-motivated.

"The problem in Rivers State is that the promulgation of the law appears to be ill-motivated.

Any law that is passed with ulterior motives other than to attain Justice is bound to be controversial and unsustainable. On any view, such a law against the background of the controversy in Rivers State appears ill-advised".

He went on: "My comments are prefaced with the limitation that one has not seen the full text of the law. There is ordinarily nothing inherently controversial about a law that permits a Chief Registrar to as-

sign cases. It might even be argued that a law is not required for that purpose. Indeed, this is simply an administrative process that should typically be carried out by the Chief Registrar. This is the position in the United Kingdom and same was the position here in Nigeria.

"The Chief Judges took over that role when it was perceived to be subject to abuse by the Chief Registrar. However, it is not unheard off, for a Chief Judge to subject the process to abuse as well.

"Perhaps what is required is a system of checks and balances without necessarily creating a complex bureaucracy".

Mr Wahab Shittu said: "My reaction is that nothing should be done to undermine the authority and power of the judiciary and the NJC as sacred institutions. The new Rivers State law vested the chief registrar with such responsibilities.

"It may also be open to abuse since the chief registrar is not a judicial officer. The law is bad precedence borne out of political expediency".

LAW 27

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Joseph Otteh Introduction n March 18, 2014, the National Judicial Council (NJC) suspended Justice P.C. Agumagu from office as a judicial officer. This suspension came after Justice Agumagu accepted a “controversial” appointment as the Chief Judge (CJ) of Rivers State. He was sworn in at the behest of the Rivers State Government.

We think that “appointment” is very flawed, and that Hon. Justice Agumagu should not have let it happen.

O

The facts Prior to the retirement of the erstwhile Chief Judge of Rivers state on August 20, 2013, the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) initiated processes of appointing a successor by forwarding the names of two nominees to the National Judicial Council (NJC). These were Justices P.N. Agumagu and Daisy Okocha.

The NJC deliberated on these nominees and, by a letter dated July 22, 2013, communicated its rejection of Justice Agumagu’s nomination and recommended Justice D. Okocha for appointment as the CJ, saying that Justice Okocha was the most senior High Court judge of the state at the time.

Notwithstanding the NJC’s decision, the Governor of Rivers State on August 20, 2013, swore in Justice Agumagu as the acting CJ of Rivers State.

On the application of a group called Kengena Unity Forum, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on February 18, 2014, nullified Justice Agumagu’s appointment as the acting CJ and directed the State Governor to comply with the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution. However, Justice Agumagu had indeed served out the three month period allowed by the Constitution for an acting appointment, which expired on November 20, 2013.

The Governor wrote to NJC on September 23, 2013 appealing that the Council reviews its decision not to recommend Hon. Justice Agumagu for appointment as CJ, but the NJC stood its ground. This prompted the Rivers Attorney General (Wogu Boms) and the state JSC to file Suit No FHC/ PH/CS/421/2013- Governor of Rivers State & 2 Ors .v. The National Judicial Council & Hon Justice Daisy Okocha before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt asking for a judicial construction of Section 271 of the Constitution relating to the appointment of a CJ, and also to determine whether Justice Agumagu was the candidate to be recommended and forwarded by the NJC to the Governor for appointment as CJ of Rivers State.

On March 18, 2014, the Court delivered judgment in the case giving affirmative answers to the questions.

In almost a lockstep timing with the decision, the Governor, on the same day, and on the confirmation of the Rivers State House of Assembly swore in Justice P.C. Agumagu as the 7th CJ of Rivers State. There is an appeal pending on this matter.

One week later, on March 26, 2014, the NJC suspended Jus-

Agumagu’s appointment: NJC on the side of law

Justice Muktar, CJN

tice P. Agumagu from office as a judicial officer as well as issued him a query to answer why he should not be dismissed, justifying its action under Paragraph 21(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution.

The Council reached this decision at its 10th emergency meeting of March 26, 2014 where it observed that due process was not followed in the swearing in of Justice Agumagu to office.

The NJC noted that it did not, at any time, make any recommendation to the Governor of Rivers State that Agumagu J, be appointed the substantive CJ of Rivers State. Based on the above, the NJC resolved that it will neither recognise nor deal with Justice Agumagu as the CJ of Rivers State.

Appointment of CJs under the 1999 Constitution Under the Constitution, four institutions are involved in the appointment of the CJ of a state, namely; State JSC, the NJC, the State Governor and the State House of Assembly.

To limit absolutism in any one body, the Constitution creates a four-prong process beginning with the State JSC sending a list of shortlisted candidates for the position of CJ to the NJC (See Third Schedule, Part 1, paragraph 21(c)). Next, the NJC recommends a selected candidate to the Governor for appointment as CJ. Afterwards, the Governor appoints the CJ and sends such appointment to the State House of Assembly for confirmation and, lastly, the Governor, after confirmation of the candidate, swears in the candidate as contained under Section 271 (1).

The Constitution contemplates a progressive, consensusachieving process involving all the institutions involved in the appointment of a substantive CJ of a state. Section 271 (1) of the Constitution can be construed to expect all parties to confer with each other until they come to an agreement on a candidate.

Where this consensus is missing, negotiations must continue until an amicable agreement is reached. For example in Abia State, it took close to three years, (from 2011 to 2014)

A2Justice supports the position the NJC has taken on the “appointment” of Hon. Justice Agumagu and urges Hon. Justice P.N. Agumagu to relinquish that office now before a “consensus” substantive CJ was appointed for the state. In that time, the governor, with NJC’s approval, appointed three judges of the High Court to act as CJ in turns.

Legality of Justice Agumagu’s ‘appointment’ Justice Agumagu’s appointment as the substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State was based on the judgement delivered by Justice Akanbi of the Federal High Court. In the judgement, the court answered all the questions put forward to it by the plaintiffs in their favour. In particular, the court declared that the Governor had the right to reject the candidate recommended to him for appointment by the NJC. It also said that Justice P.C. Agumagu is a fit and proper nominee and remains the candidate to be recommended to the Governor for appointment irrespective of which court he came from.

The court further made an order restraining the NJC from carrying into effect the decision and recommendation in the said letter of July 22, 2013 or acting upon it in any way or manner detrimental to the interest of the plaintiffs or acting in a way and manner suggesting an insistence on the candidate it recommended by its letter of July 22, 2013. (The decision referred was NJC’s refusal to recommend Justice Agumagu on the basis that he was the president of Customary Court of Appeal and not the most senior judge of the High Court Bench of Rivers State.

The recommendation referred

to is that NJC recommended Justice Okocha instead of Justice Agumagu.)

Looking at the judgement, the question is: Did the “restraining order” take away the constitutional power the NJC had, to recommend a candidate to be appointed as Chief Judge to the Governor? Clearly no!

The court restrained the NJC from carrying into effect its decision that Justice Agumagu was ineligible to be considered for the position of Chief Judge and its recommendation of Justice Daisy Okocha for appointment into that position.

The judgment did not make any consequential orders.

So, was the Governor, by this judgement, entitled to appoint a Chief Judge without NJC’s recommendation? Again, clearly no! The most the judgment could have done is to trigger a fresh round of inter-agency communication on the subject, with the NJC obeying the court’s judgment not to insist on its interpretation of the Constitution, at least until the order is set aside or stayed. The Governor should have made representations to the NJC based on the judgment and given the NJC the opportunity to comply with the judgment before taking any further steps in the matter. Neither the Governor nor Hon. Justice Agumagu gave the NJC the opportunity to comply with the judgement.

In purporting to appoint Justice Agumagu as substantive Chief Judge, the Governor brushed aside mandatory constitutional stipulations governing the process, as well as undermined the role and powers of the NJC in that regard. For a valid appointment to the office of CJ, no party conferred with constitutional duties in the process can be side-lined, least of all, the NJC. The NJC is key to both the appointment and disciplinary process of judicial officers as judicial decisions have reaffirmed.

A2Justice believes that the NJC measured up to scratch this time! While the Council may have floundered time and time again in the past, it got it right this time around. In the past, the Council had acted as though it was a toothless bulldog, allowing State Executives ride rough-shod over its decisions, as it did in Enugu, Oyo, Kwara States. The Council’s efforts to defend its voice and mandate, and, ultimately, the independence and authority of the 3rd arm of government is a welcome new dawn, and, finally, the Council has summoned the courage to be what the Constitution says it should be. This will help it regain respect among other branches of government.

A2Justice supports the position the NJC has taken on the “appointment” of Hon. Justice Agumagu and urges Hon. Justice P.N. Agumagu to relinquish that office now! *Otteh is executive director, Access to Justice Nigeria and Mrs O. Nwabuzo, Programme Officer, Access to Justice Nigeria

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.

‘I had a terrified first day in court ‘

debowale Oladinni works in Apekun the chambers of Wole Olaniand Co. He told New Tele-

graph on his first day in court after call to Bar. He said: I work in the chambers of Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Co. My first day in court was terrifying. I finished serving in Access Bank in 2007 and I resumed in the Chambers of Rickey Tarfa, SAN in 2011 and my former boss informed me that I would be going for a judgment at the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos. I was like wao... to the Court of Appeal just like that? But she assured me that it was simply for judgement. So, I confided in my colleagues and I was told it was no big deal to it.

However, I got to the court and when it was time for the matter, I announced my appearance and the other party also announced his appearance. Fortunately, the judgment was in our favour, so I called my boss right from the court room that we had won the case. I couldn't make any comment after the judgment because I was terrified by their presence. I remember the theory of contempt, so I didn't want to say something that would land me in trouble, so I packed my bag. But I told the judge thank you and packed my bag and left the court room.

When I knew I was going to take the judgment the next day, I essentially practiced. I asked my colleagues what do I say and how do I announce my appearance? So in the night, I a practiced and rehearsed before the mirror, so that helped me a lot such that anybody watching in the court that day might not know I was a new wig. That was because my voice was bold and it wasn't shaky. But I knew that my inside was shaky and nervous, but I managed to hold my composure. I was fortunate there was no controversy. It was strictly to take a judgment.

I have the privilege of working with a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria. And to my mind, he is the best litigation lawyer around. I have the honor of being his personal assistant, so every day, he sings it into my head - 'young man, the only way to excel is to read. You can't cut corners'. He kept on emphasizing it.

A lawyer, he says must give his best at all times and put in 100 per cent. I believe that for any lawyer to succeed, he must read everything - newspapers and books. You must not focus

Oladinni

28 JURIST

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 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 29

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 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.

30 LAW | FILE

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

The Bar in defence of Nigeria’s democracy CON T INU ED F R O M LA S T W EEK

Foluso Ogunmodede

I

Funke Adekoya

W

hile the NBA has had a rich history of activism in defence of democracy, its role in this regard has been dotted by several pockets of potholes on the road to Nirvana.

Reflecting on the golden years of the Bar, Falana said: “Alao Aka-Bashorun, Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) and Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and a few other lawyers were in the forefront of the titanic battle against military dictatorship in Nigeria. I have mentioned these lawyers to demonstrate that the legal profession has contributed positively to the development of many societies.”

On his part, Agbakoba also identifies the Aka-Bashorun era and the battle by the Bar and the Bench some two decades ago to free the detained Fawehinmi and Falana among others as some of the finest moments for the Bar. But this rich legacy has come under severe attack lately, with many critics arguing that the Bar association has derailed from its divine mandate as the foremost defender of our democracy, civil rights and the rule of law. Indeed, there are strong indications that this dubious legacy of the Bar association is long standing. Agbakoba had observed two decades ago that “save for these momentary intervals and short-lived solidarity, the Bar association has consistently maintained a conspiratorial silence in matters affecting the welfare of the people,” perhaps only capped by the donation of N10million to the Bar by the then military junta in ‘appreciation’ of its “nonconfrontational tenure.”

Accordingly, the Bar association has been receiving flaks lately for what many perceive as a less than vibrant confrontation with undemocratic and reactionary forces. In a searing diatribe on the role of the Bar in our recent history, a leading newspaper asserted thus: “Unfortunately, the NBA that we have seen in recent years, especially under the current leadership, is a caricature of what the association used to represent. The NBA, which had hitherto played a critical role in the political development of our country, has become a shadow of itself, either because its leadership is getting involved in partisan politics or because it has no clue as to how best to leverage its influence on the national stage.

For example, on many occasions, when the public expected the NBA to intervene on burning national issues, especially with those dealing with law and or its perversion, the association has either been disappointingly quiet or has taken sides with the authorities.”

Some Bar leaders have also come down hard on the Bar association concerning its role in vindicating its motto of “promoting the rule of law” and advancing the frontiers of democracy.

Speaking the minds of many, Falana said: “Civil rule of barely two decades was characterized by gross abuse of office by the political class. The democratic rights of the people were violated with impunity. A key impediment to the consolidation of democracy has been the manipulation of the electoral process.

The rule of law has been treated with disdain by governments which engage in executive lawlessness and disobedience of court orders. Apart from activist lawyers who have consistently resisted authoritarian rule, the NBA has failed to put up a stiff resistance against the subversion of the rule of law in the country.”

While Olanipekun has rightly noted that the drafters of the NBA Constitution “wanted a total break from the past when, in some instances, the Bar lead-

NBA Presidency: Igbo lawyers, FIDA, jurists endorse Adekoya

Adekoya, SAN

Unless lawyers and the Bar association seize the gauntlet once more to restore the glory days of the Bar as the sentinel of democracy, both risk public opprobrium and irrelevance ership was subservient to the Executive Arm of Government, dancing to its tunes and prostrating to its whims and caprices,” Agbakoba is certain that an organised, articulate and more forceful Bar association can play a concrete role in upholding and protecting human rights and the welfare of citizens. “This is necessary,” he argues, “if institutional democracy must succeed in Nigeria.”

It was the Honourable Justice Augustine Nnamani, JSC (as he then was), who said that “a courageous, honest, industrious, vigilant, independent, knowledgeable Bar is a necessary instrument for the protection of the rights of the society.” It is conceded that the legacy of the Bar association as a foremost defender of civil liberties and the bulwark of our nascent democracy has been both glorious and dubious.

Unless lawyers and the Bar association seize the gauntlet once more to restore the glory days of the Bar as the sentinel of democracy, both risk public opprobrium and irrelevance. This is a fate we can ill afford.

I, however, believe that among Nigerian lawyers, there is no dearth of courage and initiative in dealing with the issue at hand. It was John T. Berry who eloquently captured the courage of the Nigerian lawyer when he said: “In Nigeria I saw some of the worst of human conditions, and some of the very best. The best was exemplified by lawyers, who under the toughest of circumstances are fighting to create a system of justice that decides disputes not by guns or planes crashed into buildings, but by the rule of law.

“These honest, bright, and courageous men and women are engaged in a daily and dangerous struggle to create what many of us too often take for granted.

As bright and well-educated people, they could go to other countries and make far more money, under much safer conditions, but they believe that fighting for the rule of law in their homeland is more important.”

t was a harvest of endorsements for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential aspirant, Mrs. Funke Adekoya (SAN) as jurists and associations, yesterday backed her ambition to lead the Bar as president come July.

Prominent among them was a Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Amina Augie who spoke at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Lagos.

Besides, others who also spoke at the occasion threw their weight behind Justice Augie, saying Adekoya had the qualities to lead the lawyers’ umbrella body to greater heights.

They are the DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Bola Akinterinwa; a former Country Vice President of FIDA Nigeria, Chief (Mrs.) Tessa Egbe Ikimi, and a renowned broadcaster-turned-publisher and women’s rights advocate, Mrs. Adesuwa Onyenokwe.

Meanwhile, the umbrella Igbo Lawyers’ union, Otu Oka-Iwu has vowed to back Adekoya in her presidential bid.

Speaking through its spokesman, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), the Otu Oka-Iwu said it would give Adekoya its “maximum possible support.”

However, Justice Augie said that ensuring the Adekoya was elected as

the next NBA President should be a major project of FIDA and its members in the coming days, adding that Adekoya had the character to make positive impact on the association.

Mrs. Ikimi urged FIDA to change its slogan for the anniversary celebrations to “FIDA AT 50: FUNKE FOR PRESIDENT.” The former FIDA said there was no better time than now to elect a female NBA President, noting that it would lead to gender equity.

On his part, Akiterinwa said he had always known Adekoya as an outstanding lawyer with unimpeachable integrity.

To him, there was no doubt that the renowned arbitrator would make a good NBA President, adding that her keynote address had intellectual depth.

The Director-General said the institute would publish Adekoya’s keynote address titled “50 Years of Promoting Child and Women’s Rights” as a “birthday gift” to FIDA, urging it to “keep up the good work of being a voice for the voiceless.”

In her view, Mrs. Onyenokwe wondered why it had taken FIDA Nigeria so long to spearhead the election of a female president.

This, she said had become imperative with a view to enabling the Nigerian Bar join the campaign against the subjugation of women.

On his part, Idigbe said that Adekoya was eminently qualified to be the next NBA President, adding that her three-point

Agenda has dealt with issues that were of concern to Nigerian lawyers.

Idigbe spoke at the monthly meeting of the lawyers’ body when Adekoya visited to solicit support for her NBA presidential ambition.

In her keynote address, Adekoya decried the abduction of the Chibok girls, adding that “there is no better metaphor for the dangers that women and children face than the Chibok abductions, a saga that threatens to revamp everything that we hold sacrosanct as a people.”

She said: “In all this however, a redeeming feature beckons on the horizon, namely our innate capacity to lend a helping hand to those in need. This passion to be our brother’s keeper was forcefully brought home to me in one of the marches for the Chibok girls of whichI participated. Participation in the event cut across age, gender, ethnic and social class divisions.”

It is recalled that five aspirants are vying for the NBA presidency.

Adekoya is believed to be popular with mainstream NBA members who desire real change in the lawyers’ body. She has promised to review the Annual General conference fees generally believed to be prohibitive and to re-admit observers to NBA NEC while ensuring universal suffrage in NBA Elections through electronic voting which she pioneered as Chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigerian Chapter.

EFCC arraigns eight for unlawful importation Joseph Onyekwere

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged eight men before a Federal High Court in Lagos over allegation of unlawful importation of petroleum products.

The accused are Ademola Ogungbayi, Olabode Olaniran, Suraju Gasali, Moses Emmanuel, Wilson Bonsi, Jacob

Padoun, Uche Okparaodi, and Happy Onyeogo.

They are charged alongside their vessel MT Good Sucess, and their Company, Hepa Global Energy Ltd, on a five-count charge bordering on unlawful importation of products.

They each pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the accused committed the offence

on February 19.

He said that they were apprehended by Naval officers within the Nigerian territorial waters in Lagos, for having imported and stored about 1.46 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The accused were alleged to have imported same into the country, without the requisite licence as provided by the Petroleum Act.

Five remanded in prison over illicit drug Joseph Onyekwere

A

Federal High Court, Lagos has remanded five persons charged with illicit drug deal in prisons.

The accused, Joseph Akpe, Gabriel Fokito, Edward Zuta, Ameri Atotafe, and Celestine Azanrete, all residents of Badagry in Lagos, who are standing trial on a three-count charge

of trafficking in illicit drug, are to remain in Ikoyi prisons pending when the court would determine their application for bail.

They were arraigned

by The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before Justice Mohammed Yunusa.

They however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following an applica-

tion for remand made by the prosecutor, Mr Linus Nor, Justice Yunusa ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody, pending ruling on their bail application and subsequenly adjourned the case to June 27 for ruling.

Earlier, the prosecutor, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 27, at Badagry in Lagos.

BUSINESS THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS 42% Nigerian firms prefer fixed telephony Nigerian businesses prefer fixed line telephony for outgoing calls than mobile and Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services, International Data Corporation (IDC) has said.

}p-32

ECOWAS seeks active execution of revenue plan In a bid to improve the revenue profile of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS), the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, has appealed to its members to rise up to the task of levying imported goods.

}p-32

‘50% broadband coverage by 2015 achievable' Information and communications technology experts have said that the planned move by the Nigerian broadband council to achieve 50 per cent 3G coverage of the country's population by 2015 is achievable.

}p-38

Phones have poor handsfree performance in cars The International Telecommunications Union, (ITU), has stated that tests it carried out have showed that there is the need for phone manufacturers to improve their products’ compatibility with cars handsfree systems.

}p-39

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

31 NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

}p-35 AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

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

Insurance default: NAICOM wants NCAA to decide penalty LOCAL CONTENT The provisions in the Local Content Law allows local companies to participate in big-ticket transactions Sunday Ojeme

F

ollowing the faulty insurance arrangement entered into by the management of crashed Associated Airlines plane, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has declared that it is the responsibility of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to determine the penalty for the airline's breach of the Local Content arrangement.

Speaking with New Telegraph on Tuesday, the Head, Corporate Communications, NAICOM, Mr. Rasaq Salami, said that since the NCAA regulates the airline industry, it was its responsibility to get a first hand knowledge on why the airline chose to insure the aircraft 100 per cent offshore without involving any of the local underwriters.

He said: "NAICOM has not given up on the matter but you know it is the NCAA that regulates the aviation sector. They check the insurance details of the aircraft to ensure they are not found wanting. In the case of the crashed Associated Airlines' aircraft, the NCAA is to determine the appropriate penalty for the airline on the insurance default."

New Telegraph recalls that the management of the airline, which crashed in October last year while conveying the body of the late former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, to Akure, had alleged that NAICOM was represented when the company paid out part of the insurance claims to the families of the victims.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, however, denied knowledge of payment of claims to families of victims of the crashed aircraft, saying that the Commission was not contacted for the presentation

L-R: Activation Lead, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited, Omotola Bamigboye-Elatuyi; Managing Director, Mr. Rahul Murgai ; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Commission, Dr. Hamid Balogun; Marketing Director, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited, Silivrili Oguzhan and Category Manager, West Africa, Dettol, Ahmed Wahab Shah, during a 'Dettol Save Ten Million Children Campaign' in Lagos.

of cheques to the families of the victim.

The Airline said that it had paid $480,000 (about N77 million) as compensation to the families of those who died on October 3, 2013, when its aircraft crashed, killing 13 out of

the 20 people on board instantly.

It claimed that each of the relations of the 16 victims was paid $30,000 as the first tranche of compensation in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation standards.

Spokesperson, Associated

DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter JOHNSON ADEBAYO, Asst. Production Editor

Airlines, Mr. Alex Emode, had said shortly after the crash that the aircraft had a foreign insurance cover.

He said: “The aircraft was CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

NCC's infrastructure licence plan to spur interest –Experts DEVELOPMENT Investors expected to swoop on industry regulator's new growth move Jonah Iboma

S

takeholders and watchers of the telecommunications industry have said that many firms will show interest in seeking licences from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to provide infrastructure for the

industry.

This stemmed from the recent advertorial published in the newspapers by the commission. According to them, given the current state of telecommunications development in Nigeria, there is still a lot of room for investment in the sector, with infrastructure provision being a major area to focus on.

Among the people who hold such views is President of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, (ATCON), Mr. Lanre Ajayi, who noted that firms would do so under several business structures.

According to him, while

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

A CLOSER LOOK AT CEMENT QUALITY DISPUTE

some new companies may apply, existing and consortium of firms may also seek to secure the licence.

"I am sure that companies will respond. However, the response could be from existing companies, or new ones or a consortium. This is because infrastructure provision is a very important area of telecommunication service," he said.

Similarly, Mr. Benjamin Aduli, Chief Executive Officer, O-Mobile Nigeria Limited, noted that there is currently a huge untapped potential in the Nigerian marketplace and this CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

Rates Dashboard INFLATION RATE May 2014 ...............................8% April 2014...............................7.9% March 2014............................7.8%

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at June 13)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N167 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N284 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N228.50 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $37.033bn as at 09/06/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at June 13)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N261.98 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N210.70 Source: CBN

32

BUSINESS | NEWS

PRICING MATTERS Nigeria is a very pricesensitive market Bayo Akomolafe

N

igerian businesses prefer fixed line telephony for outgoing calls than mobile and Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services, International Data Corporation (IDC), has said.

The latest research by the IDC revealed that 42 per cent of Nigerian enterprises’ outgoing voice traffic was made over fixed line connections, 33 per cent via mobile connections, with VoIP and private network solutions accounting for the remaining 25 per cent of outgoing voice traffic. It was also revealed that poor network quality of service (QoS) and slow

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

42% Nigerian firms prefer fixed telephony to mobile, VoIP data-transfer speeds are hampering the uptake of machine to machine (M2M) technologies in Nigeria.

IDC's study revealed that only 30 per cent of Nigerian businesses have implemented any form of M2M technology, with security monitoring, fleet management and point-of-sale machines comprising the bulk of M2M technologies in use.

It added that advanced M2M technologies were not used at all in Nigeria, with the research analysts saying that the low uptake of M2M in the country is attributable to unreliable con-

nectivity.

According to the researchers, price is the single biggest influencing factor in this preference.

Telecommunications and networking research analyst with IDC West Africa, Mr Oluwole Babatope, said: “Nigeria is a very price-sensitive market and IDC is of the opinion that the lower tariffs offered by fixedline operators are the primary motivator for enterprises choosing this particular medium.

“However, with unified communications gaining traction in Nigeria, VoIP adoption by businesses is expected to

grow because it offers an even cheaper platform for making voice calls.”

“IDC believes connectivity will be a major driver for the future adoption of M2M and the Internet of Things (IoT),” the research firm said.

“Connectivity in Nigeria is currently not very reliable, and even the country’s telecommunications regulatory body – the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) – has raised concerns about the quality of service levels among operators.

“However, with the regulator keen on implementing a

national broadband policy, IDC expects voice and data connectivity to improve considerably over the coming years and thereby facilitate greater uptake of more complex M2M/ IoT technologies.”

HumanIPO reported in May the IDC released research revealing Kenya leads Africa in M2M adoption, with Kenyan uptake expected to increase further over the next three years; although the researchers said limited IT personnel and the service offerings of providers hampers implementation of M2M technologies.

NAICOM wants NCAA to decide penalty CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

insured and all the documents are okay. We did not insure here, it was insured by Sema Insurance Company, a marine and aviation insurance firm based in Florida. They have local solicitors in the country and have come to meet the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. They have confirmed the policy.”

According to him, the decision to insure the aircraft abroad was not the choice of Associated Airlines because the firm was dealing with a broker and the broker was responsible

L-R: Principal, Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Lagos, Mrs Belinda Odeh; Chief Executive Officer, MTN, Michael Ikpoki and Corporate Services Executive, Wale Goodluck, during the on-going 21 days of Y'ello Care in Lagos.

FINANCE Regional body's financial challenge poses threat to its programme success Jonah Iboma

I

n a bid to improve the revenue profile of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS), President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, has appealed to its members to rise up to the task of levying imported goods.

According to him, member states must ensure the “consistent implementation of the Community Levy Protocol and Mechanisms” so as to provide the regional organisation with the requisite funds to meet its financial obligations.

In details made available to New Telegraph, Ouédraogo said at the ongoing the 15th meeting of the ECOWAS administration and finance committee in Accra, Ghana, that the institution had since this year, been confronted with six main challenges including the expansion of its operations against the background of “severe problems of funding from the community levy.”

Introduced in 1996 and operational four years later, the 0.5-per cent levy on goods imported into the region from

ECOWAS seeks active execution of revenue plan third countries is to enable the community fund its programmes as a replacement for the previous regime of assessed dues.

Ouédraogo, who was represented by ECOWAS Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Khadi Ramatu Saccoh, said that other challenges were the reorganisation of ECOWAS' programmes to accommodate six new commissioners and regional security.

There is also the coordination of negotiations of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, which is nearing conclusion and on-going institutional reform to enhance efficiency and ensure better use of the resources of the community.

The ECOWAS chief said this mid-year review by the committee is of special significance being the first since the recent change in the Chairmanship of the organisation; the expansion to a 15-member Commission; appointment of new judges to the Community

Court of Justice and changes in the leadership of the community's health organisation, WAHO and the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

He assured the committee, which has responsibility for financial matters in the community, of the management's determination to “improve efficiency, eliminate waste and ensure the efficient utilisations of community resources.”

He urged the members to display the usual wisdom and selfless interest that have characterised their deliberations during the two-day meeting, .

Welcoming members who are mainly from the ministries of finance and those responsible for ECOWAS affairs in member states, the Head of the ECOWAS Unit in Ghana, Dr. Kodzo Alabo, said that the meeting provides an opportunity to “examine the issues pertaining to administrative and personnel management in the institutions of the community.”

for determining where the aircraft was to be insured.

The local content law stipulates that any aircraft operating in the country must first be insured with a local insurance company until the local capacity is exhausted. After this, the firm must take permission from NAICOM before taking the remaining risks abroad.

Salami, however, said that the relationship between NAICOM and the NCAA was still very cordial as both bodies are always in touch to deliberate on issues as they affect both sectors.

NCC's infrastructure licence plan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

would encourage interested companies to bid for the infrastructure.

It will be recalled that the industry regulator recently kick-started the bid process for the licensing of infrastructure companies (Infracos) to deploy metropolitan optic fibre infrastructure and associated equipment in Lagos and the North Central Zone.

The commission, which has set August 4 for the close of submission of bids by interested firms, announced that the bidding process will be an open access, non-discriminatory and price regulated.

According to the commission, the open access model has been examined and considered as a strategic means for the deployment of optic backbone transmission infrastructure network in Nigeria.

The Executive ViceChairman, Eugene Juwah, explained that the ultimate goal of the commission was to bridge the current broadband gap, facilitate the deployment of local content and deliver cost effective services to households and businesses.

He said that the process was expected to address the challenge limited of optic fibre deployment in towns and cities, promote infrastructure sharing, reduce right of way issues and transform the beneficiary state to smart states among other privileges.

The NCC further said that competent companies, consortiums of which at least one of the consortium members must be Nigerian registered company or firms including those who had earlier expressed interest, were invited to submit tender for consideration.

The commission informed that the two companies would obtain licences once they have met requirements that will soon be made public by the commission, with other five licences expected to be issued

by December.

"When the seven infracos finally come on board, they are expected to take broadband infrastructure from the ocean and connect them to the cities and hinterland across the country. This would make Internet ubiquitous in Nigeria and this would in turn impact positively on the economy,' Juwah said.

When NCC initially announced the plan, some stakeholders had felt that many companies may not participate in the plan, especially as given the limited information about it.

However, President of the Nigeria Internet Group, Mr. Bayo Banjo, said that NCC must not limit the number of licences to seven only.

According to him, this could create monopolies as some companies may not want to show interest in areas where revenue generation might be low.

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Thursday, June 19, 2014

Fact File

Geregu power station

Power delivery may collapse TOTAL COLLAPSE It is feared power supply may nosedive as energy production wanes Siaka Momoh

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anufacturers and other business people who gathered recently in Lagos at the instance of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) got the shock of their lives when they were told by the boss of the Presidential Task Force on Power, Beks DagogoJack, that power delivery in the country may collapse if the market enters default.

According to him, currently, the level of energy produced is inadequate to generate adequate funds from customers to pay overheads and maintenance.

He explained: “Market participants fail to follow rules of the market and to meet the various obligations expected of them in market codes. There is drop in confidence of market and reforms. Level of money returned is inadequate to pay for cost of generating energy and the associated costs of transmission and gas and other market participants. Therefore, defaults occur and service delivery falls.

“MYTO II assumes a certain average level of power generated by the generation companies for wheeling to the distribution companies and onward sale to their customers. If the market cannot achieve these levels then the ability of the market to cover its costs adequately will be called into question.

“Currently daily average power generated should be 4,875 MWH/H. This has not been met. With the return of ELPSA, daily average power gener-

ated has been 3,800 MWH/H. Unless the market can generate and wheel this amount of power, the market will have immediate issues achieving liquidity in the short and solvency in the medium to long terms. There is adequate available capacity in the privatised sectors of generation and distribution to meet these power levels; the issue arises due to parts of the value chain owned and financed by the Federal Government.”

Averting it He said that the issues can be detailed as follows: Stranded generation - available turbines but inadequate gas supply to operate due to supply issues, transportation issues; trapped generation - available turbines but inability of transmission to evacuate due to network capacity issues, network reliability – operational and maintenance issues.”

Dagogo-Jack noted that current power assumptions in the tariff may not be achieved given the current project timelines in critical gas and transmission projects. “If this occurs, it will result in a market unable to adequately generate the funds to cover its fixed and variable costs. This inability will present itself by shortfalls in energy sold and subsequently in market payments.”

Remedies for these, according to him, include tariff recalculation (under new assumptions); acceleration of on-going projects; execution of new projects.

Currently the Interim Rules Order (IRO) prescribes minimum payments that each distribution company must produce and minimum payments that each generation company must receive. These amounts are meant to represent targets that are achievable and which when

performed should be able to keep the market in a well-defined shape on its progress to TEM. Market liabilities rising Dagogo-Jack said that these minimum payments are not being met and consequently during this post-handover period, market liabilities are building up and the resolution of these is not yet determined.

“A large part of this issue is a lack of visibility in what is happening at the retail end of the market where payments are being made. Within a regulated market, as soon as a market participant is unable to meet its obligations due to circumstances beyond their control, they are obliged to open their books to the regulator or its agent. This has yet to happen and as such there is increasing discomfort within the market as to who is and who is not justly-bearing the discomfort during the IRP,” he said.

High Manufacturing cost Only recently, manufacturers who gathered at Ikeja, Lagos, cried out against the burden of high cost of manufacturing, saying that 40 per cent of their production cost goes into the provision of electricity supply for manufacturing.

They argued: “When you now

There is adequate available capacity in the privatised sectors of generation and distribution to meet these power levels

integrate this into deficiencies in the other infrastructural components, cost of manufacturing in Nigeria gets out of control.”

According to the Chairman, Infrastructure Committee of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Chairman Electrical/Electronics Sectoral Group of MAN, Reginald Odiah, in a paper he presented at the 5th edition of MAN Consultative Forum in Ikeja, electricity power supply is key to the manufacturing sector.

Odiah explained: “Poor electricity power supply is the greatest constraint. In 2006, some 850 members of MAN randomly selected were asked to rank the severity of the four basic manufacturing components on their businesses on a scale of 1 to 3 viz No Obstacle, Moderate Obstacle and Major Obstacle. All of them ranked electricity power supply as their number one problem and a major constraint.”

He noted that generally, over 75 per cent of the electricity power needs of manufacturers are generated in-house. “Only perhaps 25 per cent or so can be said to come from the utility power supply”.

Suggested solution Odiah, however, proffered possible solution for the power supply problem that the new owners of electricity supply outfits can adopt. Said he: “The Multi Year Tariff (2) (MYTO 11) which is currently in use has been structured to take care of low tariff and encourage private investment in the sector. We look forward to investors taking advantage of same. At this stage, in my opinion, it will be inappropriate for the new owners to start with demands for increase in tariff or additional charges for power supply without anything to show for it.”

5000 MW, Nigeria’s installed generation capacity, is well below the country’s power demands. On par with a small European city and with less than the supply available to New York City, Nigeria’s limited power grid is the largest constraint to industrial growth in the view of most manufacturers.

Generating reliable power supply through diesel generators adds about 30 per cent to operating costs for local industry.

South Africa with a population of 51.19 million (2012 population) has 40,000 MW installed capacity and plans to double this by 2025.

Brazil with a population of 198.6 million (2012), has 121,000 MW installed capacity. Nigeria’s population (2012) is 168.8 million.

In fact, manufacturing companies currently prefer being on diesel generators to being connected to national power grid source because intermittent flow of power supply from the latter will amount to damage to products on production line.

A 2008 survey of 124 Nigerian manufacturers by UNIDO found that about 60 per cent of respondents cited physical infrastructure as the biggest challenge facing their business. The survey states that about 70 per cent of respondents cited power shortages as the primary cause of their idle capacity.

Access to credit is the second biggest challenge to local production, according to a 2008 UNIDO survey.

While blue-chip firms may be able to access slightly more competitive rates, commercial lending rates in Nigeria go as high as 23-24 per cent, stifling expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises, and forcing successful business to find alternative routes to capital.

Local raw materials have high production costs and legally imported raw materials face high tariffs.

Most imports are not available locally. PZ Cussons, for instance, imports about 80 per cent of inputs for its consumer and white goods. This has to be because Nigeria’s four refineries are down and industries option is to import petrochemicals.

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Thursday, June 19, 2014

I N N OVAT I O N

Osamusali: Nigeria can be nuclear power Sylvester Osamusali, is a Canada-based Nigerian nuclear engineer who has over 20 years experience in research, design and safety analysis of nuclear reactors.

His love for mathematics and the sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) was what spurred him to pursue science and engineering degrees Siaka Momoh Safety systems He is a manager in safety systems at AMEC NSS Ltd in Canada where he is responsible for providing management support and guidance, supervisory oversight and technical review for a team of engineers and scientists working on projects related to the safety systems area of the nuclear reactors operated by clients.

Osamusali has over 20 years experience in research, design and safety analysis of nuclear reactors.

He has played roles in several innovations with direct nuclear safety applications since his early years as a graduate student. Said he: “There

are several technical challenges that we deal with in supporting the safe operation of a nuclear reactor and the solutions to these latest nuclear engineering problems always call for innovative methods.”

Research work Early in his career, he conducted a research work in the area of two-phase flow thermal hydraulics towards obtaining his Ph.D. degree, and also during two years of post-doctoral research at the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. “I continued to perform methodology development during my working career upon joining an Ontario power generation, an electrical utility company that operated 20 nuclear reactors at the time in Ontario Province of Canada,” he said.

This cumulative research and development effort, he said, led to over 20 journal and conference publications of his work, some of which have now been referenced in recent work by researchers in the US, Japan and India. Some of his developmental work was implemented in the safety analysis computer codes used for safety analysis in support of the nuclear reactors. “I have also received awards and recognition for some of the work by my employers and by community organisations.”

Speaking on spin-off industries that are derivable from nuclear development, he said that there are several, but the best known to date is in the generation of electricity; and that another

key industry is in the area of radiation therapy such as cancer treatments.

His worth How much is he worth? For him, it is difficult to say what the measure of a person’s worth is in any unit, whether it be in dollars or health and wellness, but he feels very fortunate and thanks God that he pursued his chosen career path.

“There is a feeling of a sense of dignity of labour every day I am in my office. I am also satisfied with the remunerations for my ser• Osamusali vices from my various employers at different stages of my career,” he said.

Nuclear deadly?

Osamusali does not believe nuclear should be free for all. “With about 190 countries having signed the non-prolifer-

ation treaty, I believe the world is a safer place,” he said.

The horrible experience of the Japanese with their reactors after the last C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 6

Poor infrastructure obstructs business growth OBSTACLE Lack of access to constant electricity is the biggest infrastructural challenge in sub-Saharan Africa Siaka Momoh

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he poor state of infrastructure across subSaharan Africa is a significant obstacle to the growth of entrepreneurial ventures; it severely affects entrepreneurs’ costs, market access and efficiencies.

According to a report done

by Omidyar in collaboration with Monitor Survey, the lack of access to constant electrical power is the biggest infrastructural challenge in the region. Unreliable electricity supply, poor quality and limited breadth of road and rail networks, and poor communications infrastructure are all highlighted as having significant impact on the cost of doing business.

Influenced by additional costs such as purchasing generators or grading rural roads, 52 per cent of respondents in

Tanzania believe that new and growing firms cannot afford the costs of physical infrastructure.

For sub-Saharan African entrepreneurs, “infrastructure is inadequate and unreliable: Only 38 per cent of Afro-entrepreneurs agree that infrastructure provides sufficient support for new and growing firms; infrastructure is costly and inefficient: Only 23 per cent of Afroentrepreneurs believe that new and growing firms could afford the costs of using infrastructure; electricity supply is inadequate and unreliable - the issue is most prominent in Nigeria, where only 27 per cent of respondents believe that the physical infrastructure provides sufficient support for new and growing firms.”

The report noted that the cost of dealing with unreliable infrastructure is prohibitive. In the case of electricity, with the exception of South Africa, all countries surveyed face electricity shortages, and most entrepreneurs must purchase diesel generators to supplement grid electricity, according to the report. This, it noted, increases the costs of doing business.

While supply is less of an issue in South Africa, recent

announcements regarding electricity tariff increases over the next few years will see the cost of electricity becoming a more significant proportion of a small business’ costs, said the report.

It noted that there are however some perceived successes in Kenya, where the integration of mobile technology into everyday life has improved the

A delapidated road in Lagos

way business is conducted and payments are processed.

“Fifty-three percent of Kenyan respondents believe that physical infrastructure in the country provides sufficient support for new and growing firms,” it said.

The report recommended the deployment and upgrading of infrastructure first in selected productive areas where

there are substantial business activity and strategically important local industries - that infrastructure deployment requires significant capital investments that should be made where the prospects of good economic activity and returns exist; public-private partnerships should be favoured in the execution of infrastructure projects.

BUSINESS | INDUSTRY 35

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Enterprise with

Strokes

Siaka Momoh

siakamomoh@yahoo.com 08061396410

What does it take to succeed?

W A cement plant. INSET: Bags of cement

A closer look at cement quality dispute All have spoken – Dangote, Lafarge, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), experts and consumers. To cap it all, Lafarge & Co have sued SON for wrong pronouncement on cement quality and grade. Who is right? Can a regulator like SON be sued? SIAKA MOMOH went to town to find out.

H

itherto, to the ordinary man on the street, cement is cement; no one cared whether one was 32.5, 42.5 or 52.5. But suddenly, we are drawn to the battle ground by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dangote Cement, Lafarge &Co – UNICEM and Ashaka Cement - in which Lafarge has interests.

SON started it all. The story is that SON, in the wake of the building collapses across the country and the attendant controversies on the quality of cement being produced in the country, summoned a meeting of stakeholders in the building and construction industry. The meeting, we are told, undertook a review of standard of quality of cement and came out with a classification of cement types and their appropriate uses as a means of stemming the suspected misapplication of the product which has contributed to the building collapse menace.

Cement classification SON, in the new classification exercise, warned members of the public to adhere strictly to the stipulated application of cement types and save the nation the embarrassment of incessant structure failures. In the fresh review of standard, SON restricted the use of the 32.5 grade strength to plastering of structures only, while 42.5 grade is recommended for the construction of buildings, beams, load bearing columns, pillars, block moulding and other structures, and the 52.5 recommended for the construction of bigger projects like bridges, flyovers, and high-rise buildings.

Dangote’s commendation Group Managing Director of the Dangote Cement Plc, Devakumar Edwin, said that the decision to embark on the high quality grade was to help Nigeria stem the tide of collapse building and commended SON for the bold move, pointing out that Dangote was ready to support the regulatory body in the onerous task of ridding the nation of structure failures.

Lafarge reacts But the CEO of Lafarge Cement WAPCO, Mr. Joe Hudson, disagreed with Dangote’s stance. He said at a media interactive session in Lagos that “Lafarge products can meet all construction needs” and reiterated Lafarge’s commitment to the economic development of the country, stating that it would “continue to produce products that meet national and international standards.”

Hudson stated that “in alignment with all relevant professional bodies and agencies, including SON, there is no sub-standard cement in production in Nigeria.” He disclosed that cement is merely a component of concrete and therefore cannot be the root cause of building collapse, adding that some of the causes of the building collapse as identified at a public discourse recently organised by the company are use of un-qualified workmen in construction, non-adherence to building codes, engagement of non-professionals, sharp practices by some contractors, natural disasters and sabotage.

Hudson stressed that just like in other parts of the world where it operates, Lafarge has the widest range of cement

products in Nigeria, which have been developed to respond more specifically to various needs of different customers and applications and meet the needs of low buildings and more sophisticated structures.

RenCap Meanwhile, comments have been coming in on this worrisome issue. Renaissance Capital (RenCap) does not believe the 32.5 grade cement is the cause of building collapse. RenCap in his report on the on-going debate on cement grading, usage and building collapse, made available to New Telegraph argued: “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 betterquality 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 manufacturers 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 acC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 6

ho does not like success?

Everybody does. Everybody loves celebrating successful people. They are objects of hero-worshipping.

Success is value-loaded. It comes with earnings; it comes with financial muscle which enables the successful person solve a myriad of problems.

Successful people make a long list, an inexhaustible list – the sportsperson, successful entrepreneurs, consultants, politicians, farmers, technocrats, etc.

What does it take to succeed? What success principles are available? How do I become one? How can you become a successful person?

Enterprise Strokes dug into the archives and brings you this piece.

Jack Canfield is the author of The Success Principles, first published in 2005 but now in first Collins paperback edition, published 2007. He calls it a book of timeless principles used by successful men and women throughout history.

He says he has studied these success principles for over 30 years and has applied them to “my own life” For him, the phenomenal level of success he now enjoys, is the result of applying these principles day in and day out since he began to learn them in 1968.

Jack Canfield is success exemplified. His success includes being author and editor of over 60 best-selling books with over 80 million copies in print in 39 languages around the world, holding a Guinness Book world record for having seven books on May 24, 1998, New York best-seller list, earning a multimilliondollar net income every year for over 10 years, living in a beautiful California estate, appearing in every major talk show in America (from Oprah to Good Morning America), having a weekly newspaper column read by millions every week, commanding speaking fees of $25,000 a talk, speaking to Fortune 500 companies all over the world, being the recipient of numerous professional and civic awards, having an outrageous relationship with his amazing wife and wonderful children, and having achieved a state of wellness, balance, happiness, and inner peace.

Canfield gets to socialise with CEOs of Fortune 500 companies; movie, television, and recording stars; celebrated authors and the world’s finest spiritual teachers and leaders. He has spoken to members of Congress, professional athletes; corporate managers

and sales super stars, in all the best resort and retreat centres of the world.

And he had a humble beginning. He grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia where his father worked in a florist’s shop, where he made $8000 a year.

His mother was an alcoholic, his father a workaholic. Jack Canfield worked during the summers to make ends meet (as a lifeguard at a pool and at the same florist’s shop as his father). He went to college on a scholarship and held a job serving breakfast in one of the dorms to pay schools for books, clothes and dates. Nobody handed him anything on a platter of gold.

He started his career as a history teacher after graduate school in an all-black school in Chicago. Thereafter, he met his mentor, W. Clement Stone, a self-made multimillionaire who hired him to work in his foundation, where he trained him in the fundamental success principles that he still operates from today. He has now gone ahead to teach these same principles to others. He has read literally thousands of books (one every two days), attended hundreds of seminars, and listened to thousands of hours of audio programmes to uncover the universal principles for creating success and happiness. He then applied the principles to his own life. The ones that worked he taught in his speeches, seminars, and workshops to well over one million people in all 50 U.S. states and in 20 countries around the world.

Canfield holds these principles have not only worked for him but have also helped hundreds of thousands of his students achieve breakthrough success in their careers, greater wealth in their finances, greater aliveness and joy in their relationships, and greater happiness and fulfilment in their lives. His students have started successful businesses, become self-made millionaires, achieved athletic stardom, received lucrative recording contracts, starred in movie and television roles, won political offices, etc.

Let us look at the principles in brief: Principle 1 – Take 100 per cent responsibility for your life; Principle 2 – Be clear why you are here; Principle 3 – Decide what you want; Principle 4; Believe it’s possible; Principle 5 - Believe in yourself; Principle 6 – Become an inverse paranoid. There are 64 in all. Let us stop here for the time being. We will make an effort to list all of them and discuss some.

36 BUSINESS | INDUSTRY

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Nigeria can be a nuclear power C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 4

Japanese Tsunami would make many see nuclear related systems deadly, but not Sylvester Osamusali. Hear him: “Following the Fukushima nuclear accident, the level of reactor safety effort has quadrupled around the world.

Several nuclear utilities and research organisations have undertaken studies to fully understand what occurred during the accident in order to mitigate against it in the future. With nuclear energy being arguably the cheapest and cleanest source of electricity, I do support and encourage its development for electricity and national industrialisation.”

Osamusali is happy to see that nuclear energy is being considered as one of the options for the electrification of the country. For him, the success of the nuclear option would require full government support, full dedication by all the stakeholders and a lot of patience and co-operation from all sectors of the economy. “After all, what are the real alternatives, given that the present electricity capacity is just about 5,000MW for the whole country, compared to the province of Ontario in Canada that generates about 22,000MW to the grid with nuclear accounting for about 50 per cent.”

Science and technology development He believes that the development of Nigeria’s science and technology sector needs to begin from the universities. “It should be in inspiring environments where students and lecturers can feel the freedom to remain focussed to innovate through research, development C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 5

cess to electricity (specifically Dangote Cement [Dangcem]),” RenCap said.

It argued: “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 on to the end user either in the form of higher prices, or lower product availability.”

and exchange of technical ideas, need to be reborn in our universities. The incentives have to be there to retain and attract great minds to our universities as lecturers, and that starts from meaningful funds for research both from government and the private sector.”

Nuclear power status Osamusali believes that Nigeria can become a nuclear power and that nuclear energy should be a part of the electricity generation mix for the country.

“Electricity from nuclear energy could form the baseload generation as part of the total energy mix. The area of isotope production for radiation therapy treatments, such as cancer, could then become more readily available to support the medical industry.”

He believes that Nigeria is already on course. He argued: “The engine is already in motion with the current

The engine is already in motion with the current programme under the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), and the immediate partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in moving things forward

programme under the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), and the immediate partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in moving things forward. I recently participated in one of their training programmes and very much believe in the team headed by the NAEC CEO, Franklin Osaisai.

“I also believe the political will is there and the manpower training for hundreds of potential nuclear power workers needs to continue. The nuclear energy generation is one of the pieces in the Nation’s electricity plan where the government has to take full and complete ownership.

Such a programme should be protected from the politics of the day if it is to be successful. I do believe the programme can be successful.”

Advantages He said that there are several advantages to be derived, namely: large capacity electricity generation from a single power plant, higher level of industrialisation, increased research and development, cancer and other medical treatments, food preservation, higher employment for graduating engineers and technologists, environmental benefits, since there is no green house gas emission; the key factor in the recent nuclear energy renaissance around the world. “There is also a tremendous national pride, and even brain gain.”

Homecoming He does not rule this possibility out.

“The establishment of the nuclear energy industry could even speed this up, and I am confident that this will also be the case for many of my Nigerian

colleagues abroad.”

Prospects The prospects for nuclear engineers and scientists are wide and varied depending on the level of specialisation, he said. Areas, according to him, include, research and development, university professorship/lecturing, medical industry, government, nuclear technology consulting, and even the oil industry for people in my area of specialization (i.e., reactor thermal hydraulics).

Unwinding Sylvester Osamusali played a lot of soccer when he was younger. He has also taken up golfing as an enjoyable way to unwind during the summer.

He likes to read books as well, not so much novels but self help books. “My favourite book to date is the Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, and it is a book that was given to me by my father before I went off to university. I believe it paid great dividends.

The theme of the book is synonymous with my middle name “Ifanyi”. This is an Ukwuani name which means, “With God nothing is impossible.”

Family He is married with two daughters and a son who are all in school, attending secondary school and university.

He has been married to Lourine for 24 years and they are both career people so to speak. His daughters are already in university and not in Nuclear. “I am hoping that my son will, a few years from now. I absolutely recommend it for anyone with aptitude in Mathematics and Physics.”

...cement quality dispute

Unicem In his remarks, Olivier Lenoir, managing director, Unicem, Calabar, stated that 90 per cent of cement produced by his company for many years was of 32.5 grade, stressing that there had never been a collapse 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.”

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.

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. Dangote Cement conglomerate produces over 20 million metric tonnes of cement in Nigeria. It has plants in Obajana, Kogi State, Ibese, and Ogun State and has controlling interests in Benue Cement Company, Makurdi.

Ashaka Cement 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

Legal tango The issue has taken a new turn. Three cement manufacturing companies, Lafarge Cement WAPCO, Ashaka Cement and Unicem have, independently, sued the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) over its pronouncement and plan to implement a new Man-

datory Industrial Standard Order for cement manufacturing, distribution and usage.

They are seeking an order of the court restraining SON, their agents, privies and whosoever purporting to act through the respondents from enforcing and implementing the Mandatory Industrial Standard NIS 444-1 2014. The cement companies have informed the Director General of the SON of these suits, with copies forwarded to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Can a regulator be sued?

But can a regulator like SON be sued? Shuaibu Idris, a Lagos-based business consultant thinks there is nothing wrong in seeking redress in a court of competent jurisdiction against

Lafarge being a worldwide leader in cement production and given the longevity of its cement production has certain advantages and knowledge...

any regulator that tends to go beyond its mandate. He explained: “The judiciary still remains the last hope of the aggrieved! If not, one would ask ‘Who regulate the regulator?’

Lafarge being a worldwide leader in cement production and given the longevity of its cement production has certain advantages and knowledge that can't and must not be wished away.

They have provided evidences both locally and internationally on the use of various grades of cement which appear to be incontrovertible. SON should limit itsself to quality control of products and the clear specification of content of any product.

It appears to my mind that SON has gone beyond its mandate to specify the cement to be used for bridge building, plastering etc. To borrow a leaf from drug manufacturers, why is SON not specifying the type and quantity of drugs to be taken by patients for ailments?

“I think it is only fair when and where a regulator that is expected to be neutral appear to be partisan, aggrieved parties should head to court so as to redress the injustice. The court should regulate the regulator and put some sanity into the system of regulation.”

A commentator, who is a boss in a Federal Government agency, says: “Personally, I have always held the belief

that SON is a judge and jury in its own case. I think we need to separate the job of setting standards and regulating, enforcing standards as we find in the Nigerian situation. The custodian of Codex and the focal point agency in Nigeria is SON. It also relates with the ISO, however, certain overlaps are observed in the case of drugs and foods.

You may need to further expose this to deeper research.

For example what is the global best practice? I know some countries such as South Africa have two different agencies.”

Again, a lawyer and civil servant, who chose to remain anonymous says: “A regulator, being a creation of the law can be sued if it acts utra vires .i.e outside powers granted to it under its enabling law or acts in bad faith. The CBN, SEC are sued from time to time. If the law that sets up SON gives it the powers to prescribe standard, as I think it does, then such law suit will fail unless Lafarge can prove bad faith.

“The functions of SON are set out in the Standards Organisation Act to include organising tests and doing everything necessary to ensure compliance with standards set by its Council. The relevant question will be if the Council has prescribed the cement standard in question.”

BUSINESS 37

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

W it h

Driving technology growth TECHTalk through innovation centres Maximising benefits of electronic learning Many of the big technology firms in the world today started as simple ideas of some individuals, which later metamorphosed into the big corporate organisations including some of those leading the global economy today. To this end, JONAH IBOMA examines the growing practice of co-locating innovative ideas that could one day create globally competitive ICT firms

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ne of the major developments in the technology world in the past few years is the sudden emergence of technology hubs in various countries in Africa. In Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and other places, special centres are springing up where individuals with some innovative technology ideas are given a special platform to develop such ideas into something that could one-day become economically viable.

Technology hubs Generally, technology hubs or spaces, as they are called, are places where technology savvy young individuals are given opportunities to explain their ideas, what solutions they can offer and get the help from other experts including those who have experience in products development and marketing to turn such ideas into commercial success. Such hubs attempt to take away the initial start-up challenges that could otherwise prove insurmountable to the original idea owner by offering finance, professional counseling and consulting that can turn the idea to a successful business. This practice, which started in the United States, is now increasingly becoming common in Africa. In Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya Ghana, Botswana and many others, A major important point about these hubs is that finance for them is not coming from only government or private individuals but international donors agencies and even other interested corporate bodies including established technology firms. For instance, Microsoft provides finance for Gauteng Hub in South Africa.

Hubs in Africa Historically, Kenya’s iHub-Nairobi was the first hub created in Africa. It resulted out of the technology community needing space and resources. Previously, developers were forced to meet in coffee shops and restaurants that had limited WiFi connection. These meeting places had a couple of challenges in that they were expensive for developers to work from, as they had to buy something to either eat or drink.

Additionally, there were many distrac-

T

Activities at Technology Hub

tions that arose from the restaurants.

Since its inception, the iHub has expanded into new initiatives such as iHub-Consulting, Cluster and iHub Research, registered thousands of members, and become the meeting place in East Africa for the technology community, investors, business people and venture capitalists to meet and interact through opportunities and events.

In Nigeria, the first technology innovation is the Co-creation Hub (CcHub), which was started by two young Nigerians, Bosun Tijani and Femi Longe.

The CcHub is at the centre of technology innovation among young people in Nigeria. It is Nigeria’s first open living lab and pre-incubation space designed to be a multi-functional, multi-purpose space where work to catalyze creative social technology ventures takes place.

It is a place for technologists, social entrepreneurs, government, tech companies, impact investors and hackers in and around Lagos come together to co-create new solutions to the many social problems in Nigeria. CcHUB was largely funded by the Omidyar Network and the Indigo Trust among other organizations that have continuously supported their existence since 2010.

Within a period of four years other hubs have sprang up within and around the Yaba, Lagos axis, where CcHub is located.

Some of them include the IDEA Hub established by the Federal Gov-

There is the need to develop startups that create products for the large consumer market in Nigeria

ernment of Nigeria, the TVClabs driven by Tomi Davies, Wennovation Hub, Passion Incubator co-founded

by Olufunbi Falayi and the newly started Leadpath Accelerator.

Others are the L5lab, owned by serial entrepreneur, Chika Nwobi; Spark. ng co-founded by Jason Njoku; Lagos Angel Network; Mobile Monday and Venia Business Hub. There are others including, Paradigm Initiative of Nigeria(PIN) founded by Gbenga Sesan, Capital Square, Rocket Internet Incubator, the proposed Silicon Village, Techlaunchpad, and the Tinapa Knowledge City in Calabar, Cross River State. These are all efforts by several individuals and organisations focused at helping, supporting and growing the Nigerian Startup Ecosystem.

Economic promise Recent research has shown that a new African hub is springing up nearly every two weeks. Among questions that have been asked by industry watchers is why are hubs actually springing up so suddenly. According to Hilda Moraa Morara, a Kenya-based a technology researcher, one of the major reasons why technology hubs are springing up in Kenya and other parts of Africa is the thriving entrepreneurial environment and the need to create more employment opportunities for the youth.

Similarly, a technology consultant, Kenneth Omeruo, believes that technology start-ups hold a lot of promise for Nigeria.

“There is great potential in investing and supporting the startup ecosystem in Nigeria at this time.

We have seen several companies like Nokia, MTN, Tecno, Samsung, BlackBerry, Qualcomm, Google, Microsoft, etc. supporting the ecosystem. There are huge opportunities yet to be explored around education, commerce, CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

Jonah Iboma 08050498516

he Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, (JAMB), last week announced plans to phase out paper pencil tests (PPT) mode of examination from 2015 and replaced such with computer-based tests (CBT).

According to Registrar of JAMB, Prof.

Dibu Ojerinde, the decision was due partly to the challenges associated with conducting the PPT mode of examinations, particularly, the distribution of examination questions and answers sheets to various states of the federation.

Aside that, Ojerinde said that the phasing out of PPTs was also hinged on the spate of insecurity in the country and the high costs of settling officials deployed to various examination centres in the country.

For technology experts, the move by JAMB is a clear demonstration that technology rules today’s world and that Nigeria will do herself a world of good to ensure that its economy, education and social systems are all built on solid technological background.

But one clear issue that the move by JAMB has thrown up is that no country can run away from the fact that technology is the driver of the world today. That is why the various government agencies that have been slow in adopting technology might as well consider themselves as gradually becoming irrelevant to today’s world.

One thing that I am happy about is the fact that JAMB took the decision upon realization of the benefits that CBT offers the entire process of conducting examinations.

JAMB came to this realization without being unduly pressured by technology experts.

However, it must be added that the decision by JAMB is just one out many things that need to be done to towards ensuring that electronic education takes its proper place in Nigeria.

It is not enough for JAMB to simply say that it had ceased to conduct PPT examinations and the matter left just like that. Government must look at the implications of such a move and the possible impact it could have on the educational system in the country.

Given that JAMB has taken this step, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Educational Council (NECO) may follow suit soon. But what must be examined is the how this is done properly in the country.

Nigeria will do herself a lot of good to carry out necessary research on how technology can sit properly and effectively into the country’s educational system and how it can help improve the process of teaching and learning.

It must be noted that before the move by JAMB, Nigeria has been participating in many global computer based examinations conducted by top technology educational centres for global ICT educational certification programs offered by the like of Oracle and Microsoft. There have been very little complaints, if any, about the reliability of these CBTs. So while JAMB is hoping to change the face of examination in Nigeria, other agencies of government like the National IT Development Agency join hands to ensure the success of the plan. The success of CBTs obviously is hinged on the availability of infrastructure and equipment. Therefore state and local governments must find ways of delivering computers to their various schools. The era that we are now is not the era in which computers cost a fortune. So, there is no reason why all schools in Nigeria should hot have computer laboratories.

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BUSINESS | ICT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

‘50% broadband coverage by 2015 achievable' INTERNET ACCESS Experts expect faster Internet to reach majority of Nigerians soon Stories by Jonah Iboma

I

nformation and communications technology experts have said that the planned move by the Nigerian broadband council to achieve 50 per cent 3G coverage of the country's population by 2015 is achievable.

Speaking exclusively to New Telegraph, they opined that with right collaboration between government and the private sector, Nigeria could see majority of the population accessing Internet at very fast speeds comparable to other parts of the world within the next 12 months.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government, last year, unveiled a five-year broadband plan, 2013-2018, designed to ensure that the country has widespread fast speed Internet service. It also set up a broadband council, a special group of notable industry experts selected

to oversee the implementation of broadband plan.

However, a meeting by the council recently revealed that one year into the plan, Nigeria only recorded a marginal increase in broadband access from six to 6.8 per cent.

On the basis of this, the broadband council said that it would work towards fast-tracking broadband deployment in the country so that the plan does not suffer the same fate as other similar ones.

Industry stakeholders spoken to by New Telegraph, opined that despite the fact that there

L-R: Regional Operations Director, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja; Franchisee, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Olusegun Oderinde; his wife, Mrs. Oderinde; Head, Retail Showroom and Franchise, Airtel, Tolulope Tope-Awofeko and CEO, First CRT, Recruitment Ltd, Mrs. Folayemi Olaitan, at the commissioning of Airtel Express Shop at Eputu, Awoyaya, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

Omobola Johnson gets UN appointment he Minister of Commu- is for a period of one year and tions of science and technolTSupervising nication Technology and presents an opportunity for ogy to development, particuMinister of Nigeria to play a role in dis- larly in developing countries. the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, has been elected as the Chairperson of the United Nations’ Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD).

The election of Mrs Johnson took place at the end of the 17th Session of the Commission that was held from May 12-16, 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to a statement by the ministry on Sunday, the position of chairperson

cussions that will shape the role of science and technology in development. These discussions will also include deliberations on the manner in which the internet could be governed globally.

The CSTD is a subsidiary body of the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and plays an advisory role to the UN General Assembly and ECOSOC on a range of relevant issues. The issues pertain to the contribu-

Furthermore, since 2006, CSTD has also advised ECOSOC on the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). The CSTD is composed of forty-three Members States that are elected by ECOSOC for a term of four years, and who meet annually for a period of one week. Nigeria is one of the eleven African States that are Members of the Commission, and its tenure on the Commission ends in 2016.

Driving technology growth...

CONTINUED from PAGE 37

health, and also telecommunications.

There is the need to develop startups that create products for the large consumer market in Nigeria. As the use of mobile phone is growing, it also provides huge opportunities for Nigerian Startups Success stories Omeruo said that already, some technology start-ups are becoming business success stories. According to him, startups like Iroko Partners and Jobberman have received funding and

are expanding their operations and providing employment for Nigerian Youths.

He added that development going on under the spark.ng is very interesting in the ecosystem, while internet start-ups like Konga, Jumia, Kaymu, Olx are actually opening and pushing the frontiers of ecommerce in Nigeria.

Aside these firms, NairaBet, Paga, Tranzit, Kuluya Games, Maliyo Games, Prowork, Afritickets, Ticketmobile, Nearest Locator are among the top startups to watch.

He however suggested that Nigeria must address some crit-

ical problems if start-ups are to fully achieve their potential.

According to him, “infrastructural deficiency in Nigeria, high cost of Internet, computers, lack of funds, knowledge and skill gap, and disconnect between the government and the Startup industry” as some of the issues that need to be overcome.”

Indeed, it is clear that technology innovation centres could play a more important role in the African economy in the future and this has led to the planning of a special Africa-wide start-up event in September this year, demo Africa.

was limited success in the implementation of the plan so far, the goal of delivering broadband access to majority of Nigerians by 2015 is achievable.

According to the President, Association of Software Testers and Quality Management, Mr. Akinwale Akingbade, the plan can be achieved if the funds required to achieve tasks are available.

“I believe that the plan can be achieved if the funding required is in place,” he said.

Similarly, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, (NATCOMS), noted that the plan is achievable, although he advised that focus should rather be on affordability of the services.

“The plan by the broadband council to ensure 50 per cent broadband coverage by 2015 is achievable but it must be affordable. Operators must ensure that they bring down the cost of tariff on various phones such as Blackberry or any other device that subscribers will be using for connection,” he stated.

Ogunbajo noted, however, that much of the success of the service would depend on the mobile network operators including those who have fixed wireless services. He advised the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to design specific schemes that will encourage operators to quicken the pace of broadband development in the light of economic and operational challenges that operators have

faced over the years.

“The ministry should encourage broadband penetration through tax rebate or tax holiday in order to encourage operators to deliver solutions that can offer 3G services,” he said.

Abubakar Grema, Chief Executive Officer, Track ‘N’ Shield Nigeria said that given the caliber of people that put together the plan, and their track records, then it is very possible to achieve it.

He maintained, however, that a major success factor should be government offering operators some form of assistance to allow them deploy more contemporary base station sites that support broadband services.

“Nigeria is overdue for faster internet connection as businesses all over the world now depend on it. So, if government offers operators any assistance that will quicken the pace of deployment of faster Internet use in Nigeria, then it is not bad.”

Meanwhile government said it in order to support its push for full 3G rollout across the nation, an Access Gap Analysis of the coverage of the country has been completed by the USPF and would soon be published. The purpose of the Access Gap study by USPF is to ascertain/determine priority for unserved and underserved areas and direct appropriate investments to these areas. This will inform plans for addressing under-served and unserved areas across the country.

Eritrea is least developed African telecoms market

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study of telecommunication markets in Africa has showed that Eritrea is the least developed market in the continent.

According to the study by Market Research Reports, Inc., Eritrea currently has a mobile penetration rate of around six per cent as at the first quarter of 2014.

One of the key points of the report is that the country’s telecommunications services are still under a state-owned monopoly that offers both fixed and mobile services. The situation is a far cry from most of the other countries in the continent where mobile penetration rates have been exploding as a result of the majority of the markets being driven by private sector funding.

According to report on Africa’s mobile economy by GSM Association, huge growth potential remains in the continent’s telecommunication service sector as the average subscriber mobile penetration is 31 per cent across 40 countries in subSaharan Africa (SSA).

The report reads: “Eritrea is the least developed telecommunications market in Africa with a mobile penetration of only around six per cent in early 2014. Solely the internet service provider (ISP) sector is open to competition. Growth in the mo-

bile and internet sector is now accelerating as the national telecommunication company, the Eritrean Telecommunication Services Corporation (EriTel) is rolling out a third generation (3G) mobile network, but more investment into telecom infrastructure is needed.”

The country is however, attempting to change the situation, and as a first step, Eritreans were given the opportunity to buy shares in EriTel for the first time in 2013.

However, the investment need of Eritrea is consistent with the conclusion of the GSM Association, the global trade body of mobile phone companies, which said that over half of the continent’s population is still without phones, although penetration has been growing.

“Despite the astonishing progress of the mobile industry in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in recent years, the biggest impact of mobile in Africa is yet to come. Roughly two thirds of the population is still without a mobile subscription, leaving much room for growth; while the region is on the cusp of an explosion of mobile data as 3G and 4G deployments gain scale and advanced capabilities appear on increasingly affordable handsets.” GSMA said.

BUSINESS | ICT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

COMMUNICATION Additional research required to improve phone use while driving Stories by Jonah Iboma

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he International Telecommunications Union, (ITU), has stated that tests it carried out have showed that there is the need for phone manufacturers to improve their products’ compatibility with cars hands-free systems.

According to the body, it found out that an overwhelming majority of the phones tested would cause shortfalls in the audio quality of hands-freesupported conversations, adding that automobile manufacturers say such problems could be resolved through greater

Mobile phones have poor handsfree performance in cars – ITU cooperation from phone manufacturers.

In order to solve the problem, major car manufacturers, including Mercedes and Toyota, with hands-free terminal (HFT) supplier, Bosch, have issued a strong call to mobile phone manufacturers to perform standardised tests on the behaviour of their products within handsfree systems and to participate in the ITU standardisation work that develops interoperability tests.

ITU said tests carried out at its headquarters from May 12 to 16, analysed the behaviour

of a representative sample of mobile phones available today and capable of connecting to hands-free systems.

It said that of the phones tested, roughly 30 per cent passed the tests, with the remaining 70 per cent found to produce performance degradation that would be noticeable to drivers and conversational partners.

The telecom body said that serious faults were observed in the worst-performing phones; some causing as much as a three-fold

decline in voice quality, others completely failing to acknowledge that they had been connected to a vehicle’s hands-free system. Quality degradation of this extent has led to customer complaints to the car manufacturers, and experts say they could give rise to safety risks as it could encourage drivers to use their phone by hand while driving..

ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré said: “The results of this interoperabil-

China to overtake US in mobile phone sales trategy Analytics, an inde- the United States will grow zero Ssulting pendent research and con- percent annually, while trade firm company, says revenues will increase only four the United States will be overtaken by China to become the world’s largest mobile phone market by value this year. According to the report, mobile phone sales will reach 430 million units and generate revenues of $87 billion in China in 2014 as against 163 million units that will yield $60 billion in revenues in the United States this year. The major reason identified for China’s expected revenue rise is the fact that the market has room for additional subscription growth, as a large percentage of the country’s population is yet to own phones.

Linda Sui, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics says, “We forecast mobile phone sales to grow by 15 per cent annually to reach a record 430 million units in China during 2014. Mobile phone trade revenues will surge by 53 per cent annually to reach a record $87 billion this year. In contrast, mobile phone sales in

per cent to $60 billion in 2014.

China will finally overtake the United States for the first time this year to become the world’s largest mobile phone market by value.”

China’s impressive mobile growth, according to Woody Oh, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics, “is being driven by the country’s rapid shift to 3G and 4G smartphones.”

He explained that major brands, such as Samsung, Huawei and Lenovo, were aggressively expanding their distribution channels and product ranges across China to meet extremely strong demand from Chinese consumers for more advanced mobile phones.

The Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, Neil Mawston, said that although, the US will lose its first place to China in terms of market value of mobile phone subscriber, the country remained the most valuable country by profit.

Samsung offers trade-in and upgrade programme for Galaxy S5

S

amsung Electronics has unveiled a trade-in and upgrade programme for consumers who purchase the Galaxy S5 mobile phone guaranteeing the future value of the device by up to 25 per cent, to be used on the purchase of consumers’ next premium Samsung Galaxy device.

According to the firm, the trade-in offer will be available for a period of up to 12 months after the purchase of the device.

In addition to the above, the company also announced its new Smart Trade programme towards providing Nigerians with the opportunity of becoming proud owners of the new Galaxy S5. Under the programme, consumers can trade in a variety of smartphones for the Galaxy S5 at a discounted rate.

39

Devices to be exchanged for the Galaxy S5 will be graded based on their current condition and also evaluated and discounted based on three grading categories including “perfect, good and non-functional.” Once the device has been graded and its monetary value determined by Samsung, the customer will receive a coupon reflecting this value.

As a special offer, an additional amount of money will be inputted to the value on the coupon towards making the acquisition of the Galaxy S5 easier. The coupon can be redeemed immediately against the purchase of the Galaxy S5. According to the company, each grading category has clear definitions that allow for an accurate value to be attributed to the device that is being traded.

Telecom mast

ity test confirms the concerns of the automotive industry that hands-free use of mobiles highlights a need to improve customer satisfaction and road safety. ITU is well equipped to bring together the automotive and ICT sectors to foster cooperation between two converging, but quite different industries.”

HEAD acoustics, the firm that reviewed the tests’ parameters and findings said there was need for all those concerned to take part in future schemes aimed addressing the problem.

According to Frank Kettler, HEAD acoustics, “The current situation is unacceptable to the automotive industry. The ITU-T P.11x-series is our opportunity to put hands-free systems on the right track. It is essential that we increase the visibility of the Chapter 12 tests, that we revise them to meet industry needs and that they are applied across the mobile phone industry. If we do not make inroads into solving this problem using the P.11xseries, it is difficult to see how we will ever do it.”

Automakers assert that there is little complexity to their requirements, asking only that mobile phones disable certain signal-processing functionality as they enter a vehicle’s hands-free system. The great variance in the behaviour of phones when operating within hands-free systems has resulted in auto makers dedicating a significant volume of time and money to the testing of mobile phones, producing test results that remain valid only until the new software for mobile phones or the next generation of mobile devices come to market.

‘Faster Internet speeds’ll improve machine-to-machine technology use’

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he International Data Corporation (IDC) has said that slow speed of data transfer is holding back machine-tomachine (M2M) technologies adoption in Nigeria.

According to the latest insights gleaned from IDC’s Annual Enterprise Communication Survey, the global technology research firm noted that improving datatransfer speeds would play a key role in driving future adoption of the concept, M2M refers to technologies that can enable communication between machines.

The research shows that only 30 per cent of enterprises in Nigeria have implemented M2M technology in some form or other, with security monitoring, fleet management, and point-of-sale (PoS) machines currently accounting for the majority of M2M connections in Nigeria.

It said that advanced M2M

applications such as smart metering, pay-as-you-driveinsurance, and intelligence building are not currently widely used in Nigeria, with connectivity issues and the complexities involved in implementing and managing such technologies serving as the key inhibitors.

“IDC believes connectivity will be a major driver for the future adoption of M2M and the Internet of Things (IoT),” it said in a summary of the report.

The research and advisory firm's latest report, 'M2M, Internet of Things, and Voice Trends and Priorities in Nigeria, 2013: Survey Results', anticipates strong growth in the M2M/IoT market as datatransfer speeds improve in the country. Connectivity in Nigeria is currently not very reliable, and even the country's telecommunications regulatory body – the Nigeria

Communications Commission (NCC) – has raised concerns about the quality of service levels among operators. However, with the regulator keen on implementing a national broadband policy, IDC says that expects voice and data connectivity to improve considerably over the coming years and thereby facilitate greater uptake of more complex M2M/IoT technologies.

IDC's Enterprise Communication Survey also revealed that businesses in Nigeria preferred to use traditional fixed-line telephony for outbound calls over mobile and even VoIP. In fact, 42 per cent of Nigerian enterprises' outbound voice traffic is conducted via traditional fixed-line telephony, while mobile telephony accounts for 33 per cent of outbound voice traffic and VoIP/private voice networks account for the remaining 25 per cent.

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FEATURES

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/entrepreneur

ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014

After taking a tough decision to ban commercial motorcycles, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s recent inauguration of 300 cabs is set to change the lives of the former commercial motorcyclists, writes ERNEST OMOARELOJIE

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

Turning motorcyclists to cab owners: A promise kept

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n early 2013, crime such as kidnapping and armed robbery involving the use of motorcycles, popularly called Okada, had become unbearable in Benin City and other parts of Edo State.

So, on June 11, 2013, the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole announced the proscription of commercial motorcycles in parts of the state.

The government based its action on the need to check growing insecurity.

It also listed specific areas, mostly within Benin metropolis where the ban would be enforced.

Expectedly the ban enlisted mixed reactions. While a large number of the residents hailed the move as long overdue, others saw it as uncalled for.

Many of those who opposed the ban, particularly the Okada riders and or owners, felt betrayed because it came despite assurances by the governor that no such action was in the offing.

But the ban took off with a promise by Oshiomhole that the state would introduce palliative measures to cushion its effects.

On May 14, this year, the governor fulfilled the promise when he inaugurated 300 cabs and handed them over to members of the Okada Riders Association. That was the first phase of the programme.

The delivery of the cabs effectively brought to an end the politicisation of a strictly security issue.

The action, which is receiving plaudits from a very large segment of the public, is also drawing considerable ire from the opposition.

While the first group is commending the government for living up to its promise, the latter group is dismissing it on the grounds that it came a little too late even as they refused to consider the reasons for the delay.

However, while inaugurating the taxi cabs, Oshiomhole explained why it took so long to concretise the promise he made to the riders.

According to him, fulfilling the promise took so long following evolving intricacies that characterised the negotiation process.

As it turned out, the seriousness attached to the issue by the administration became a deciding factor which not only culminated in the fulfilment of the promise but also came handy in shelving off about 15 per cent of the total cost in favour of the beneficiaries with the balance to be paid by the government.

“Government gave 15 per cent subsidy on the price of each of the vehicle and the subsidy is a grant that we are giving to each of the ben-

Oshiomhole driving one of the cabs during the inauguration

I found myself taking a tough decision after repeatedly assuring the Okada riders that Okada would not be banned in the state eficiary. We are not expecting you to pay it back to the government of Edo State,” the governor had said.

Aside the subsidy, the beneficiaries will also have reasons to be grateful to the Oshiomhole administration.

In the first instance, it negotiated with the facilitating bank to reduce the interest rate charged on each of the vehicles. Thus, from the prevailing 21 per cent chargeable interest rate, the government persuaded the bank to accept 18 per cent interest on each vehicle.

On the other hand, the administration also provided comprehensive insurance cover for all the vehicles.

Members of the defunct Okada Riders’ Association have other reasons to remember the Oshiomhole administration for a long time.

For instance, each beneficiary is expected to pay only N48,000 as first instalment in order to be given one of the cars. Thereafter, each of them is expected to pay the same amount monthly to offset the cost.

What it translates to is that on the average, each beneficiary is expected to pay back N2,000 daily.

The cabs

In line with the terms of the agreement, each of the beneficiaries has three years to offset the entire debt.

What it translates to is that for a new car, which may last at least four years before developing any major fault, the lucky owners have enough time not only to repay the debt but also make enough investment for a better life.

If the word of Comrade Peter Adoroh, leader of Okada riders, is anything to go by, there is no doubt that majority of the beneficiaries are ready to take advantage of the opportunity to reach greater economic heights.

“We are with you, come rain or shine,” Adoroh said, while expressing gratitude to the governor over the gesture.

Oshiomhole also explained circum-

stances that made the ban inevitable even after repeatedly assuring the riders that there was no plan to ban commercial motorcycles.

According to him, the decision became imperative as the government could no longer ignore the evolving security concern.

He said: “I found myself taking a tough decision after repeatedly assuring the Okada riders that Okada would not be banned in the state.

“When I said that, I meant it. Indeed, after my second tenure election, I renewed that assurance and I know you were really shocked that after reassuring you repeatedly, you woke up one day to hear that the same governor had decided to prohibit Okada and to give you a very short notice that was less than one week. That was a tough decision for me.”

BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

CBN to NBS: Provide unemployment rates for MPC meetings

JOB CREATION There is a long lag between when NBS release its figures and when these figures get to CBN

incorporate unemployment a target variable in the monetary policy formulation, thus extending MPC variable beyond conventional price and financial stability to include, gauging misery indices of poverty and unemployment.

Speaking yesterday as follow up to the governor's commitment to creating jobs at the 19th seminar for Finance Correspondents and Business Editors in Kaduna, CBN Director of Research department Dr. Charles Mordi, observed the prolong lag between NBS release of figures and data and when same gets to CBN and said pressure would be brought to bear on the bureau for prompt supply of its data to the CBN before MPC meeting.

Going forward, CBN is go-

Godson Ikoro and Abdulwahab Isa

I

n line with his mission to adopt unemployment as target variable for monetary policy formulation, the new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, has mandated the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to provide the apex bank with the unemployment rate ahead of every Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.

The CBN governor during his maiden world press briefing in Abuja amongst other commitments, pledged to use monetary policy tool to reduce unemployment.

The former Zenith Bank Chief Executive said he would

ing to put pressure on the bureau to give us unemployment rate just before MPC meeting to help CBN use it for it policy meeting", said Mordi.

Earlier, the CBN governor in a keynote address reiterated his commitment to the pursuit of gradual reduction in interest rates and stance against any form of depreciation of naira and enduring exchange stability.

Charles Mordi represented Godwin Emefiele.

The theme of the seminar focused on "Re basing of Nigeria's economy and implications for Fss-2020".

Describing the choice of seminar theme as apt and appropriate especially the rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Nigeria's march towards vision 20-2020, the gover-

Fitch rates Access Bank's Tier 2 note issue 'B-'

F

itch Ratings has assigned Access Bank's (Access; B/ Stable) USD400million subordinated debt (Tier 2 notes) a final rating of 'B-' and Recovery Rating of 'RR6'.

The notes, issued directly through the bank, have a coupon set at 9.25 per cent and mature on June 24, 2021 with a five-year call option. The notes are part of the bank's USD1billion GMTN programme.

Highlighting the key driv-

ers, Fitch said: “The notes are subordinated, but there is no contractual non-viability loss absorption such as coupon flexibility, principal loss absorption or equity conversion features.

They qualify as Tier 2 regulatory capital under current Central Bank of Nigeria regulations.”

Fitch said it rated the notes one notch below Access's Viability Rating (VR) of 'b' to reflect below average loss severity for subordinated debt,

relative to senior debt, adding that no additional notches for non-performance risk have been applied. On rating sensitivities, Fitch said: “The notes' rating is sensitive to a change in Access's VR. In addition, the notching of the rating against the bank's VR could also potentially widen if Fitch believed that the recoveries available to the subordinated note holders would be lower than currently assumed.”

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

FX

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

rating by international rating agencies like the Standard and poor, the Fitch Rating Agency, IMF and the World Bank placement of countries in to groups".

The rebasing helped to place Nigeria in a more prestigious status among her peers in international political circle and has enhanced the country's position or seat to be occupied at some International agencies like World Bank, IMF and ECOWAS", he said.

Int’l Money Transfer: CBN bars banks Godson Ikoro

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued new guidelines for the regulation of international money transfer services in Nigeria, prohibiting Deposit Money Banks from operating as Money Transfer Service Operators (MTSO).

In the guidelines released yesterday, the apex bank stated that the objectives of the guidelines includes the provision of minimum standards and requirements for international money transfer services operations in Nigeria; specify delivery channels for offering international money transfer services (inbound/outbound), in a cost effective manner; and provision of an enabling environment for international money transfer services in the Nigerian economy.

The guideline is also aimed at specifying minimum technical and business requirements for various participants in the international money transfer services industry in Nigeria; and provision of broad guidelines for implementation of processes and flows of international money transfer services, from initiation to completion.

It would also address business rules governing the operation of international money transfer services in Nigeria.

In addition, it sets the basis for the regulation of the services offered at different levels and by diverse participants.

CBN averred that no person or institution shall provide international money transfer services unless such person/ institution has been duly licensed by itself.

T

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

nor said GDP remains a key indicator in determining the pace of growth of given economy.

"GDP rebasing becomes inevitable in order to ascertain more accurate estimate of the size and structure of the economy. It also means that the recent rebasing will help economic planners to gauge whether the government is indeed realising its goal of achieving vision 202020 or not".

“It would also afford Nigeria a more positive sovereign

Mainstreet Bank gets new chairman

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

41

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the appointment of Alhaji.

Gambo A. Ahmed as the Chairman of Board of Directors of Mainstreet Bank Limited.

The appointment, according to a statement from Mainstreet Bank, follows the recommendation of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) after the resignation of the bank’s former Chairman Mallam Falalu Bello from the position.

Alhaji Ahmed has varied experience spanning over three decades of contribution to the public and private sectors of Nigeria’s economy. He was once the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor of the old Kaduna state between 1980-83.

He also had extensive financial management experience in investment and Commercial banking and later rose to become the Executive Director, Corporate and Commercial Banking in the erstwhile NAL Merchant Bank. He was until his appointment a non-executive director in Mainstreet Bank.

Alhaji Ahmed holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and has a Masters in Banking and Finance (MBF) from Bayero University Kano in 1997.

He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (FCS).

Ahmed

He has attended various local and International courses, seminars and conferences such as the famous account management course at Grindlays International Training Centre, Bombay, India; Advanced Management Programme at New Orleans, USA. He has also undertaken attachment programme at American Express Bank, New York as well as participated in the IFC Programme on Environmental Competitive Advantage at Milan, Italy.

Alhaji Gambo Ahmed is widely believed to have the wealth of experience required to further consolidate on the bank’s drive for industry leadership especially given his role in the successful business turnaround recorded by Mainstreet Bank.

Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014

Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037

42 BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET

Sanctity of Truth

Daily Summary (Bonds)

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at June 18, 2014

No Debt Trading Activity

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 71 19 90

Current Price 33.00 36.00

Quantity Traded 1,406,984 283,453 1,690,437

Value Traded 45,593,438.31 10,347,304.22 55,940,742.53

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 46 46

Current Price 3.10

Quantity Traded 1,789,706 1,789,706

Value Traded 5,525,772.31 5,525,772.31

3,480,143

61,466,514.84

Quantity Traded 55,298 5,100 2,000 5,800 24,225,786 397,989 24,691,973

Value Traded 76,311.24 19,176.00 2,200.00 27,086.00 106,601,977.38 23,713,499.15 130,440,249.77

AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries

Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037

CHELLARAMS PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

136 Symbol No. of Deals AGLEVENT 3 CHELLARAM 3 JOHNHOLT 1 SCOA 5 344 DailyTRANSCORP Summary (Equities) UACN 46 402

CONGLOMERATES CONGLOMERATES Totals

Current Price 1.38 3.95 1.15 4.91 4.45 59.58

24,691,973

130,440,249.77

Symbol COSTAIN

No. of Deals 46 46

402 Current Price 1.54

Quantity Traded 2,142,294 2,142,294

Value Traded 3,242,389.64 3,242,389.64

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 70.87

Quantity Traded 7,999 7,999

Value Traded 557,836.30 557,836.30

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

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 17.50

Quantity Traded 105,936 105,936

Value Traded 1,882,596.40 1,882,596.40

2,256,229

5,682,822.34

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC. Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS

Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 Automobiles/Auto Parts Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037 DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

Automobiles/Auto Parts Totals

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CONSUMER GOODS

Page

72

1

of

Symbol DUNLOP

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 50.00 50.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 1 43 16 10

Current Price 11.85 180.00 26.00 2.82

Quantity Traded 65 374,200 70,900 185,523

Value Traded 732.55 67,351,703.22 1,847,596.00 517,503.77

CHAMPION Daily Summary (Equities) GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW

Page

2

of

Beverages--Brewers/Distillers NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals

Symbol NB

No. of Deals 145 215

Current Price 167.00

Quantity Traded 5,386,627 6,017,315

Value Traded 914,268,780.40 983,986,315.94

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

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 23 23

Current Price 91.00

Quantity Traded 104,766 104,766

Value Traded 9,676,788.02 9,676,788.02

Food Products DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Symbol DANGFLOUR DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON UTC

No. of Deals 35 69 47 42 77 8 278

Current Price 8.37 9.60 77.00 4.20 11.50 0.56

Quantity Traded 261,755 1,619,190 157,002 1,453,714 2,446,704 192,448 6,130,813

Value Traded 2,209,402.88 15,468,938.87 11,998,162.50 6,040,495.08 28,259,508.27 105,893.80 64,082,401.40

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC.

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 63 71 134

Current Price 81.89 1,070.00

Quantity Traded 209,412 1,103,518 1,312,930

Value Traded 16,548,249.45 1,176,278,939.10 1,192,827,188.55

Symbol No. of Deals ENAMELWA 1 Daily Summary (Equities) VITAFOAM 41 VONO 1

Current Price 32.27 4.40 1.44

Quantity Traded 50 1,926,978 1,000

Value Traded 1,533.00 8,555,776.83 1,370.00

Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037

Food Products--Diversified Totals

Household Durables NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC. VONO PRODUCTS PLC. EQTY Activity Summary on Board CONSUMER GOODS Household Durables Household Durables Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Published by The Nigerian Banking TotalsStock Exchange © Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. Printed 18/06/2014 OASIS15:20:37.037 INSURANCE PLC PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Published by The Stock Exchange © ASONigerian SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC.

Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

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

UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Healthcare Providers Totals

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

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

14

of

14

16,273,199

2,296,201,289.34

Quantity Traded 11,906,009 16,902,332 5,518,266 6,013,036 13,662,570 5,340,580 1,812,389 17,192,846

Value Traded 115,102,959.44 103,716,226.51 84,241,252.15 12,176,416.23 410,416,070.17 18,347,565.64 4,239,715.93 137,482,557.42

No. of Deals 93 8 56 267 1,837

Current Price 10.00 0.50 0.99 24.80

Quantity Traded 1,111,595 82,425 3,296,263 6,929,940 Page 89,768,251

No. of Deals 1 33 18 1 25 1 15 19 27 8 7 1 3 (Equities) 1 162 322

Current Price 0.50 0.84 1.12 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.68 0.54 0.85 0.52 0.52 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.72

Quantity Traded 5,000 2,403,412 2,862,300 5,000 667,471 40 278,410 3,005,390 3,558,513 636,225 143,576 40 6,500 1,000 28,064,114 41,636,991

Value Traded 2,500.00 2,005,403.32 3,108,147.00 2,500.00 333,735.50 20.00 744,787.28 1,567,982.80 3,044,650.14 326,394.75 75,578.36 20.00 3,250.00 500.00 19,815,992.51 31,031,461.66

Symbol ASOSAVINGS UNHOMES

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Page 1,000

Value Traded 5 of 14 500.00 100.00

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX SIMCAPVAL STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 57 28 419 72 17 2 44 137 776

Current Price 3.20 3.51 15.46 4.20 0.53 103.24 25.00 2.34

Quantity Traded 1,238,254 817,231 12,586,966 11,956,999 3,672,752 15,823 359,302 10,197,508 40,844,835

Value Traded 3,983,878.75 2,884,853.87 194,840,430.74 49,353,418.03 1,944,369.65 1,633,566.52 8,983,502.13 24,191,572.78 287,815,592.47

172,251,277

1,389,663,529.81 Value Traded 500.00 500.00

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals

Current Price 2.52 3.00

Quantity Traded 103,052 900,775

Value Traded 260,095.04 2,689,311.00

EVANSMED FIDSON

Symbol GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH PHARMDEKO

5 19

No. of Deals 6 29 25 3 87

Current Price 67.00 1.70 1.27 1.57

88

Page

Quantity Traded 10,619 640,540 1,216,824 20,200 2,892,010

6

of

Current Price 27.51 9.00 40.00 10.89 227.01 1.06 0.50 0.50 1.38 4.81 109.00

Quantity Traded 2,795,275 160,614 247,064 521,266 460,008 875 100 875 4,546,500 34,109 640,663 9,407,349

Value Traded 76,871,285.46 1,471,416.68 9,873,468.00 5,642,388.56 105,061,045.96 892.50 50.00 437.50 6,279,900.00 171,578.65 69,542,720.05 274,915,183.36

Quantity Traded 7,812 2,721 10,533

Value Traded 13,280.40 46,255.99 59,536.39

Tools and Machinery NIGERIAN ROPES PLC Tools and Machinery Totals

Symbol NIGROPES

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 7.46

Quantity Traded 1,100 1,100

Value Traded 7,799.00 7,799.00

9,493,315

275,126,957.14

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 998.00 998.00

100

998.00

298

NATURAL RESOURCES Metals Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037 Metals Totals

Symbol ALEX

No. of Deals 1 1

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals

Current Price 10.50

1

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 116

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 16,932,461

Value Traded 8,487,325.04

Symbol

No. of Deals 116

Current Price

Page Quantity Traded 16,932,461

9Value Traded of 14

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

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 962 962

Current Price 25.00

Quantity Traded 39,370,667 39,370,667

Value Traded 992,903,351.27 992,903,351.27

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

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 117 77 6 36 66 19 321

Current Price 59.27 4.00 250.01 129.00 56.61 170.51

Quantity Traded 971,007 2,505,515 4,393 97,833 464,712 17,285 4,060,745

Value Traded 58,517,892.63 9,600,421.60 1,043,381.43 12,626,742.35 26,228,327.41 2,991,493.29 111,008,258.71

Symbol SEPLAT

No. of Deals 25 25

Current Price 661.00

Quantity Traded 207,269 207,269

Value Traded 136,958,403.45 136,958,403.45

60,571,142

1,249,357,338.47

Quantity Traded 327,165 327,165

Value Traded 343,523.25 343,523.25

SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Activity Summary onPart Board EQTYTotals Automobile/Auto Retailers

1,424

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 4 4

Current Price 1.05

8,487,325.04

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 14 3 17

Current Price 4.75 2.35

Page Quantity Traded 467,922 54,000 521,922

10 of 14 Value Traded 2,199,736.24 121,800.00 2,321,536.24

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,800 1,800

Value Traded 900.00 900.00

Hospitality TANTALIZERS PLC Hospitality Totals

Symbol TANTALIZER

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 500.00 500.00

Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC. Hotels/Lodging Totals

Symbol CAPHOTEL IKEJAHOTEL TOURIST

No. of Deals 1 3 3 7

Current Price 4.50 0.76 3.88

Quantity Traded 100 37,000 400 37,500

Value Traded 450.00 28,870.00 1,476.00 30,796.00

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 10,000 10,000

Value Traded 5,000.00 5,000.00

Symbol LEARNAFRCA UPL

No. of Deals 17 8

Current Price 1.63 4.36

Quantity Traded 643,351 125,000

Value Traded 1,070,699.28 544,726.50

Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 Media/Entertainment Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037 DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC

Media/Entertainment Totals

Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC.

Specialty

SERVICES Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC Specialty Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Page

11

of

14

Symbol

No. of Deals 25

Current Price

Quantity Traded 768,351

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 8 8

Current Price 0.85

Quantity Traded 71,767 71,767

Value Traded 59,464.94 59,464.94

No. of Deals

Current Price

Quantity Traded

Value Traded

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol

Value Traded 1,615,425.78

Symbol INTERLINK

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 4.90

Quantity Traded 600 600

Value Traded 2,796.00 2,796.00

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

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 5 31 36

Current Price 2.54 4.85

Quantity Traded 101,635 515,815 617,450

Value Traded 257,358.90 2,521,892.91 2,779,251.81

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

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 76 76

Current Price 5.70

Quantity Traded 1,350,435 1,350,435

Value Traded 7,763,751.12 7,763,751.12

3,707,990

14,922,945.14

SERVICES Totals

EQTY Board Totals Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

182

Daily Summary (Equities)

295,932,710Page5,429,550,865.43 12 of 14

6,334

Activity Summary on Board ASeM OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors

Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 CAPITAL OIL PLC Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Symbol CAPOIL

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 208 208

Daily Summary (Equities)

Value Traded 104.00 104.00

Page

13

of

14

Activity Summary on Board ASeM 14

6,362,750.68

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.60

Quantity Traded 258,200 258,200

Value Traded 154,920.00 154,920.00

IT Services NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

Symbol NCR TRIPPLEG

No. of Deals 6 1 7

Current Price 15.20 1.97

Quantity Traded 9,093 2,562 11,655

Value Traded 141,784.84 4,816.56 146,601.40

Processing Systems CHAMS PLC

Symbol CHAMS

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 37,312

Value Traded 18,656.00

of

3,082.50 325,469.90

Current Price 1.77 16.59

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Value Traded 718,839.00 1,095,628.00 1,566,836.96 31,540.68 6,362,250.68

7

6,165 314,332

No. of Deals 2 3 5

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

2,893,010

Page

1 13

Symbol AVONCROWN BETAGLAS

PublishedSERVICES

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Printing/Publishing Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 Printing/Publishing Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037 Totals

Symbol COURTVILLE

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Value Traded 3,082.50

Packaging/Containers AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

600.00

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Quantity Traded 6,165

Value Traded 8 of 14 143,938.39 500.00 144,438.39

SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

Value Traded 11,150,672.37 41,212.50 3,224,622.62 170,676,604.70 4 of 14 1,070,815,875.68

Current Price 0.50

Current Price 0.50

OIL AND GAS Totals

Value Traded 8,558,679.83

No. of Deals 1 1

No. of Deals 1

Quantity Traded Page 73,333 1,000 74,333

Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 Exploration and Production Totals Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037

Current Price 9.79 6.11 15.29 2.03 30.00 3.40 2.33 8.00

Symbol UNIONDAC

Symbol MTI

Current Price 1.92 0.50

Energy Equipment and Services Totals

Value Traded 5,788,303.10 31,281,562.50 37,069,865.60

2,937

Value Traded 2,210.00 20,866.00

No. of Deals 7 1 8

OIL AND GAS

Quantity Traded 153,693 625,554 779,247

200 1,200

Quantity Traded 1,000 38,312

Symbol CUTIX NIWICABLE

Published by The Nigerian Stockand Exchange © Energy Equipment Services

Current Price 38.50 50.00

Symbol AFRINSURE AIICO CONTINSURE EQUITYASUR INTENEGINS LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM OASISINS PRESTIGE SOVRENINS STACO Daily Summary STDINSURE WAPIC

Current Price 2.21

Symbol No. of Deals ASHAKACEM 88 BERGER 9 CAP 22 CCNN 29 DANGCEM 52 DNMEYER 1 FIRSTALUM 1 IPWA 2 PAINTCOM 12 Daily Summary (Equities) PORTPAINT 8 WAPCO 59 283

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

No. of Deals 34 53 87

Symbol UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

No. of Deals 1 2

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

781

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037 DN MEYER PLC. FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC IPWA PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC. Building Materials Activity Summary on Totals Board EQTY INDUSTRIAL GOODS Electronic and Electrical Products Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CUTIX PLC. NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

Quantity Traded 1,928,028

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

14

Current Price

Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 127 DIAMONDBNK 280 ETI 123 FIDELITYBK 109 GUARANTY 318 SKYEBANK 121 Daily Summary (Equities) STERLNBANK 37 UBA 298

Symbol ETRANZACT

ICT Totals

No. of Deals 43

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 Healthcare Providers Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037

3

Telecommunications Services MASS TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIONS NIGERIA PLC Telecommunications Services Totals

Symbol

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. Daily Summary as of 18/06/2014 DIAMOND BANK PLC Printed 18/06/2014 15:20:37.037 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC

Page

ICT Processing Systems E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Processing Systems Totals

OIL AND GAS OIL AND GAS Totals

1

208

104.00

ASeM Board Totals

1

208

104.00

Equity Activity Totals

6,335

295,932,918

5,429,550,969.43

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

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

14

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 3 4

Current Price 2,002.00 18.92

Quantity Traded 25 200,540 200,565

Value Traded 50,050.00 3,804,201.20 3,854,251.20

ETF Board Totals

4

200,565

3,854,251.20

ETP Activity Totals

4

200,565

3,854,251.20

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Page

14

of

14

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET 43

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

18-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

Price

FGN Bonds Issuer

Rating/Agency

NA

NA

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

45.00 100.00 535.00 500.27 452.80 20.00 100.00 300.00 351.30 233.90 600.00 165.17 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

0.03 0.28 0.85 2.16 2.86 3.11 3.20 3.95 5.03 5.35 7.61 9.74 14.45 14.93 15.43 16.10

10.64 10.80 11.03 11.58 11.63 11.58 11.58 11.62 11.75 11.74 12.24 12.29 12.75 12.81 12.86 12.99

5.87 10.25 10.37 11.50 11.57 11.46 11.47 11.52 11.67 11.65 12.18 12.24 12.71 12.76 12.80 12.94

99.94 99.52 94.44 102.70 108.20 95.57 94.13 97.13 115.80 81.54 120.15 110.60 114.63 97.89 71.03 80.00

100.09 99.67 94.94 102.85 108.35 95.87 94.43 97.43 116.10 81.84 120.45 110.90 114.93 98.19 71.33 80.30

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

4,420.01 Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

NA

***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

0.37 0.93 1.42 2.48 2.84 3.05

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.93 13.66 13.47 13.50 12.55 12.58

95.81 88.41 105.05 97.98 96.43 93.92

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

0.13 0.33 1.20 0.81 1.10 1.11 2.84 1.67 3.54 2.51 4.30 2.71 2.71 3.09 3.16 5.43 3.22 3.84 6.44 6.54 3.84 3.88

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

12.27 14.18 15.55 14.27 15.53 14.55 17.14 12.30 13.39 13.31 12.64 12.53 16.31 12.58 12.58 12.76 14.33 12.62 12.95 13.91 13.06 13.57

100.14 99.84 96.71 99.60 98.39 101.19 84.42 102.37 101.66 101.63 104.36 104.31 95.30 104.74 107.46 106.66 101.05 106.18 102.32 104.56 115.49 115.16

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

0.30 0.50 0.54 0.68 0.99 0.84 2.28 2.35 3.29 2.10 2.06 2.23 2.23 4.26 2.33 2.42 3.54 6.41

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

11.87 16.26 19.76 15.92 12.03 13.67 12.47 12.82 12.59 13.33 14.92 16.67 16.53 12.99 13.77 17.60 13.76 14.71

99.81 98.72 98.64 96.13 100.07 100.51 100.97 102.77 101.03 109.09 102.15 102.75 101.96 103.18 104.05 99.12 106.11 102.17

11-Feb-18

3.65

1.00

12.61

93.10

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

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

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

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

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

11-Feb-13

10.20

12.00

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

12.00 Issuer

Description

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value ($'mm)

Maturity Date

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.97

4.82

109.89

110.79

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.25

4.04

103.23

104.04

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.35

5.23

107.31

108.19

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

1,500.00

Corporate Eurobonds AFREN PLC I

11.50 FEB 01, 2016

01-Feb-11

11.50

450.00

01-Feb-16

3.87

3.11

111.76

113.04

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.04

4.32

104.41

105.76

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.23

5.96

99.12

100.15

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.25

6.79

100.00

101.26

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.67

8.27

94.18

95.45

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.15

4.43

113.29

114.64

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.45

6.25

99.18

100.00

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.08

6.66

104.13

105.64

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.03

5.79

102.31

103.25

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

ACCESS BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

3,460.00

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

FIXINGS Maturity 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14 24-Jul-14 31-Jul-14 7-Aug-14

Bid Discount (%) 10.00 10.30 8.00 10.35 9.80 10.20 10.00

Offer Discount (%) 9.75 10.05 7.75 10.10 9.55 9.95 9.75

Bid Yield (%) 10.02 10.34 8.04 10.44 9.90 10.32 10.14

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 11.9250 12.8125 13.8472 14.6212

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

11.58

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

11.88

Spot 7D 14D 1M 2M

163.00 163.30 163.56 163.98 165.31

163.10 163.56 163.90 164.79 166.50

O/N Tenor Call

REPO

Rate (%) 11.50

0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

06-Jul-12

0.00/16.50

66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

06-Jul-17

3.05

1.00

12.58

93.92

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

44

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 15.50 ONDO The rise14-FEB-2019 in the index was 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 partly driven by gains on shares 14.50 LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 of 14.75 Nestle Nigeria Plc and MRS OSUN 12-DEC-2019 Oil14.75 Plc.OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 The market had the previous 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 day15.00 depreciated KOGI 31-DEC-2020on sustained bear following sell 14.50activities EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021 pressure on blue chip compa-

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 14-Feb-12 15.50 market capitalisation of equi02-Oct-12 15.50 ties dropped N12 billion or 0.08 22-Nov-12 14.50 per cent, from N13.582 12-Dec-12 14.75trillion to N13.594 trillion. 14.75 30-Sep-13 Further the day’s 27-Nov-13analysis of 13.50 trading showed that 15.00 Nestle Ni31-Dec-13 14.50 gaingeria 31-Dec-13 Plc topped the day’s 06-Jan-14 15.00 ers’ table with N10.00 to close

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

17.00 05-Aug-14 0.13 6.00 15-Oct-14 0.33 8.50 31-Aug-15 1.20 16.50 30-Sep-15 0.81 13.00 30-Jun-16 1.10 18.50 30-Jun-16 1.11 57.00 19-Apr-17 2.84 50.00 30-Jun-17 1.67 25.00 31-Dec-17 3.54 50.00 30-Sep-18 2.51 9.00 04-Oct-18 4.30 20.00 09-Dec-18 2.71 12.00 12-Dec-18 2.71 27.00 14-Feb-19 3.09 banking sub-sector dominated 20.00 02-Oct-19 3.16 in volume terms with 89.75.43 mil80.00 22-Nov-19 lion shares worth 30.00 12-Dec-19 N1.07 billion 3.22 in 1,837 deals.

The sub sector 11.40 30-Sep-20 3.84 was enhanced by the activities 87.00 27-Nov-20 6.44 in of UBA and6.54 Dia5.00the shares 31-Dec-20 5.00 3.84 mond Bank 31-Dec-20 Plc. 5.00Insurance06-Jan-21 3.88 sub-sector boosted

1.56 12.27 100.14 3.29 14.18 99.84 4.44 15.55 96.71 3.23 14.27 99.60 4.46 15.53 98.39 3.48 14.55 101.19 5.59 17.14 84.42 Thursday, June 19, 2014 1.00 12.30 102.37 1.79 13.39 101.66 1.80 13.31 101.63 1.00 12.64 104.36 1.00 12.53 104.31 4.78 16.31 95.30 12.58 104.74 by1.00 the activities on the shares of 1.00 12.58 107.46 Wapic Insurance followed with 1.00 12.76 106.66 41.6 N31.03 2.74million units, 14.33 worth 101.05 billion in 322 deals.

1.00 12.62 106.18 At the close 1.00 12.95of business, 102.32 investors staked 295.9 1.94 13.91a total of 104.56 1.44 13.06worth N5.4 115.49 bilmillion shares 1.95in 6,336 deals.

13.57 115.16 lion Sanctity of Truth

Nestle, MRS return NSE to green territory UPBEAT

Stock market showed signs of recovery as bargain hunters take positions

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Corporate Bonds

Stories by Chris Ugwu

A+/Agusto; AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO Aa/Agusto GTB µ Nil NGC he bulls eventually reBbb-/Agusto *UPDC tur ned to Nigerian A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS bourse yesterday, lifting BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS the overall indicaA+/Agusto; A-/GCR market NAHCO A-/Agusto tors - the NSE ASI and FSDHmarket A/GCR capitalisation, higher UBA by 0.08 BBB-/GCR per cent each. *C & I LEASING BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *DANA# A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR *TOWER# AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR *TOWER# A/Agusto; A/GCR UBA Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS# apaul Oil and Maritime SerBBB/GCR *DANA vices Plc has posted a profit A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO

T

nies on the back of Nestle Nigeria Plc and Nigeria Breweries Plc.11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 At closeTRUST of trading 13.50the GUARANTY 18-DEC-2014yesterday 32 stocks recorded price 17.00 ,NGC 31-DEC-2014 appreciation, while 32 others 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 were losers’9-DEC-2015 table.

12.00the FLOURMILLS The twin market indicators, 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 the13.00 All-Share Index rose by 35.76 14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 basis points or 0.08 per cent 13.0041,135.40 UBA 30-SEP-2017 from the previous day C&Iat LEASING 30-NOV-2017 to 18.00 close 41,171.16, while the

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 first quarter of 2014, which was 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 made public the same day as 15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020

at N1, 070, while MRS Plc followed with N5.25 to close at N56.61 per share. 11.50 07-Oct-11 On18-Dec-09 the flip side, Conoil Ni13.50 geria01-Apr-10 Plc led the losers’ with 17.00 a drop of N6.38 to10.00 close at 17-Aug-10 N59.27 per share. Mobil Oil 09-Dec-10 12.00 Nigeria Plc shed N3.00 06-Jan-11 14.00to close at N129.00, Ce29-Sep-11 while Dangote 13.00 14.25 ment 25-Oct-13 dipped by N1.99 to close 30-Sep-10 13.00 at N227.01.

18.00 On30-Nov-12 the activity chart, the

09-Apr-11 16.00 09-Sep-11 18.00 09-Sep-11 16.00 22-Sep-11 14.00 18-Oct-13 15.75 17-Feb-12 17.00 of new assets in terms16.00 of vessels, 01-Apr-14 oil and gas equipment, dredgers 14-Nov-13 15.25

Japaul Oil records N239m profit

J

after tax of N239.7million the full-year audited accounts, TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE for the financial year ended showed that the firm was also December 31, 2013. The com- profitable in the quarter.

Supranational Bond pany had recorded aIFC loss after The results showed that in 10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018 AAA/S&P taxTOTAL of N6.7billion the same the three-month period ended OUTSTANDINGin VALUE period of 2012.

March 31, 2014, the group reTheRating/Agency results, which were corded a turnover of N3.219 bilDescription Issuer posted on the website of the Ni- lion, a gross profit of N1.779 bilgerian Stock Exchange (NSE), lion, a profit before tax of N246.4 FGN Eurobonds showed that the company re- million and a profit after tax of 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P profit of N5.9 bilcorded a gross N223.4 million. lion for the year, from N4.99FGN bilThe Managing Director, JaBB-/Fitch; 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 BB-/S&P lion recorded in 2012, an increase paul, Mr. Jegede Paul, had said of BB-/Fitch; 20.4 per cent, hence a return to last year at the An6.38company’s JUL 12, 2023 BB-/S&P profitability in 2013. nual General Meeting (AGM) TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE The company’s turnover in- that the company’s investment creased to N13.02 billion in the in the acquisition of vessels, oil Corporate Eurobonds review period, up 6.03 per cent and gas equipment and other 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLC I from N12.28 billion recorded in machinery would help it return MAY 19, 2016 GTBANK PLC I 2012, while the group turnover to profitability7.50 during the year.

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 GTBANK PLC stood at N8.03 billion in 2013, Paul, who explained that the JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P ACCESS BANK PLC company had7.25 from N7.24 billion in 2012. tenders for busi6.88 MAY 09, 2018 B/S&P; FIDELITY BANK PLC ness in excess The B/Fitch company’s unaudited of N31.4 billion, 10.25 APR 08, 2019 B/Fitch AFREN PLCthe management accounts for said, “Our continued acquisition B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.25 APR 22, 2019

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

572.90

IOSCO publishes securities markets risk survey

11.80 07-Oct-14 0.30 13.17 18-Dec-14 0.50 2.00 31-Dec-14 0.54 15.00 17-Aug-15 0.68 37.50 09-Dec-15 0.99 Department 1.50he Research 06-Jan-16 0.84 of Organisa15.00the International 29-Sep-16 2.28 5.53tion of Securities 25-Oct-16 2.35 Commis20.00 30-Sep-17 3.29 sions (IOSCO) has published 30-Nov-17 2.10 a0.94 staff working paper entitled 8.01Survey of 09-Apr-18 2.06 ‘A Securities Mar3.63 Risk Trends 09-Sep-18 2014: Meth2.23 kets 1.00 2.23 odology and09-Sep-18 Detailed Results’, 35.00 22-Sep-18 4.26 which provides a detailed anal3.00 18-Oct-18 2.33 ysis of responses to its annual 0.54 17-Feb-19 2.42 survey on market trends3.54 and 4.50 01-Apr-19 emerging risks.

2.05 14-Nov-20 6.41

T

etc, were geared towards our 180.17 The survey is an annual company positioning for the exercise formulated to collect future and healthy competition the views of financial market in the11-Feb-13 oil and gas and10.20 maritime regulators and experts globally 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.65 industries.” on emerging trends that are or 12.00 In the same vein, the Chair- could be of concern. man Issue of Date the company , MajorThis edition of the survey was Coupon (%) Issue Value ($'mm) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) General Joseph Omosebi, said conducted in March 2014 and is having survived troubled times based on some 200 responses. The and harsh economic realities, main purpose of the survey is to 07-Oct-11 6.75 4.97 the company was positioned for 500.00 gather views 28-Jan-21 on emerging trends sustained growth. within securities markets and to 18-Dec-09 5.13 500.00 12-Jul-18 4.25 He said, “With the deploy- help identify or highlight pockets ment 01-Apr-10 of some of our vessels and 500.00 of risk that may not be captured 6.38 12-Jul-23 5.35 equipment to some oil and gas by normal statistical analysis or 1,500.00 major, the future is bright bar- desk research. ring challenges.

It is not an attempt to rank “The business activities in the risks through a survey. This 01-Feb-11 11.50 450.00 01-Feb-16 3.87 maritime industry as they relate is the third year that IOSCO 19-May-11 7.50 500.00 19-May-16 to oil and gas are improving and Research Department has5.04 con08-Nov-13 of the local 6.00 content 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.23 the efficacy ducted this particular exercise.

25-Jul-12 7.25 25-Jul-17 7.25 a law coupled with cabotage poli- 350.00 The working paper offers 09-May-13 6.88 8.67 cies have created room for Ja- 300.00 synthesis of02-May-18 expert opinions.

08-Apr-12 10.25 300.00 08-Apr-19 5.15acpaul to triumph wonderfully .”

The main areas identified

1.00 11.87 99.81 5.21 16.26 98.72 8.71 19.76 98.64 4.88 15.92 96.13 1.00 12.03 100.07 cording to a13.67 release from 2.63 100.51 research department are: 1.00 12.47 100.97 1.34 12.82 102.77 Issues considered “macro1.00 12.59 101.03 prudential” in nature are high 1.88 13.33 among the concerns of 109.09 respon3.48 especially 14.92 102.15 dents, in the areas 16.67 102.75 and of 5.20 banking vulnerabilities 5.06 101.96 capital flows.16.53 1.35 12.99 103.18 More micro-prudential 2.29 13.77 104.05 risks clustered around the ar6.11 17.60 99.12 eas2.16of corporate governance, 13.76 106.11 financial risk disclosure, 2.76 14.71 102.17

shadow-banking activities and, especially, regulatory uncertainty.

The report 1.00 12.61noted that 93.10 responses differ by the type of respondent as regulators see risk emanating from ilOffer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price legal conduct, corporate governance, Prices & Yields financial risk disclosure and benchmark4.82issues, while 109.89 110.79paring market ticipants are more concerned 4.04 103.23 104.04 with risk arising from the search for yield, resolution 107.31 5.23 108.19 and resolvability plans, central counterparties (CCPs) and market fragmentation.

Respondents saw very few 3.11 111.76 ‘risks’ sourced within113.04 securi4.32 104.41 105.76 ties markets. The role of secu5.96 markets 99.12with regard 100.15 to rities 6.79was more 100.00 101.26 risk likely to transmit 8.27 94.18 95.45 outand/or amplify shocks from 4.43than to originate 113.29 114.64 side risk.

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.45

6.25

99.18

100.00

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

7.08

6.66

104.13

105.64

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.03

5.79

102.31

09-Dec-13 6.63 FMDQ Daily Quotations List

3,460.00

103.25 18-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 Bills FIXINGS Money Market to**Treasury the FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement.

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

DTM 8 FGN Bonds 15 22 29 Rating/Agency 36 43 50 57 64 71 78 85 92 99 NA 106 113 120 155 169 204 218 232 246 TOTAL OUTSTANDING 260 295 309 323 Rating/Agency

VALUE

Maturity 26-Jun-14 3-Jul-14 10-Jul-14 17-Jul-14 Issuer 24-Jul-14 31-Jul-14 7-Aug-14 14-Aug-14 21-Aug-14 28-Aug-14 4-Sep-14 11-Sep-14 18-Sep-14 25-Sep-14 NA 2-Oct-14 9-Oct-14 16-Oct-14 20-Nov-14 4-Dec-14 8-Jan-15 22-Jan-15 5-Feb-15 19-Feb-15 5-Mar-15 9-Apr-15 23-Apr-15 7-May-15 Issuer

Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) 10.00 9.75 10.30 10.05 8.00 7.75 10.35 10.10 Description Issue Date 9.80 9.55 10.20 9.95 9.20 29-JUN-2014 29-Jun-07 10.00 9.75 9.25 28-SEP-2014 28-Sep-07 10.25 10.00 4.00 23-APR-2015 23-Apr-10 10.35 10.10 13.05 16-AUG-2016 16-Aug-13 10.30 10.05 15.10 27-APR-2017 27-Apr-12 10.35 10.10 9.85 27-JUL-2017 27-Jul-07 10.65 10.40 9.35 31-AUG-2017 31-Aug-07 10.35 10.10 10.70 30-MAY-2018 30-May-08 10.55 10.30 16.00 29-JUN-2019 29-Jun-12 10.55 10.30 10.65 10.40 7.00 23-OCT-2019 23-Oct-09 10.75 10.50 16.39 27-JAN-2022 27-Jan-12 10.50 10.25 14.20 14-MAR-2024 14-Mar-14 10.50 10.25 15.00 28-NOV-2028 28-Nov-08 10.50 10.25 12.49 22-MAY-2029 22-May-09 10.65 10.40 8.50 20-NOV-2029 20-Nov-09 10.60 10.35 10.00 23-JUL-2030 23-Jul-10 10.55 10.30 10.50 10.25 10.30 10.05 10.50 10.25 Description 10.20 9.95

Bid Yield (%) NIBOR Bonds 10.02 10.34 Tenor Rate (%) 8.04 O/N 11.9250 10.44 1M Value 12.8125 Outstanding Coupon (%) Maturity Date 9.90 3M 13.8472 (N'bn) 10.32 6M 14.6212 9.20 45.00 29-Jun-14 10.14 9.25 100.00 28-Sep-14 10.42 4.00 535.00 23-Apr-15 10.54 NITTY 16-Aug-16 13.05 500.27 10.51 15.10 452.80 27-Apr-17 10.58 Tenor Rate (%) 9.85 20.00 27-Jul-17 10.92 1M 10.3709 9.35 100.00 31-Aug-17 10.63 2M 10.4122 10.70 300.00 30-May-18 10.86 3M 10.7161 16.00 351.30 29-Jun-19 10.88 6M 11.0825 11.01 9M 11.3426 7.00 233.90 23-Oct-19 11.14 12M 12.3170 16.39 600.00 27-Jan-22 10.99 14.20 165.17 14-Mar-24 11.04 15.00 75.00 28-Nov-28 11.15 12.49 150.00 NIFEX 22-May-29 11.37 8.50 200.00 20-Nov-29 11.37 Current Price ($/N) 10.00 591.57 23-Jul-30 11.36 BID($/N) 163.2800 4,420.01 11.35 OFFER ($/N) 163.3800 11.24 11.52 11.21 Issue Date Coupon (%) Issue Value (N'bn)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

11.58

Spot O/N 11.88 Offer7DYield TTM (Yrs)REPO Bid Yield (%) 14D (%) Tenor Rate (%) 1M 0.03 10.64 5.87 Call 11.50 2M 0.28 10.80 10.25 1M 12.72 3M 0.85 11.03 10.37 3M 13.55 6M 2.16 11.58 11.50 6M 14.09 1Y 2.86 11.63 11.57 3.11 11.58 11.46 NOTE: 3.20 11.58 11.47 :Benchmarks 3.95 11.62 11.52 5.03 Bond 11.75 11.67 * :Amortising µ :Convertible 5.35 Bond 11.74 11.65 AMCON: 7.61 Asset Management12.24 Corporation of 12.18 Nigeria FGN: Federal Nigeria 9.74 Government of 12.29 12.24 FMBN: Federal of Nigeria 12.71 14.45 Mortgage Bank 12.75 IFC: International Finance Corporation 14.93 12.81 12.76 LCRM: Local Contractors Receivables Management 15.43 12.86 12.80 NAHCO:16.10 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 12.99 12.94 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company

the average is 0.00 AMCON 31-OCT-2014 (SR.5 TR.1) Risk Premium is a life combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums AMCON 0.00 FMB 24-MAY-2015 **Exclusive of non-trading t.bills 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

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

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

FMDQ FGN BOND INDEX

#

Bid ($/N)

Price

Offer ($/N)

163.00 163.10 163.30 163.56 Offer Price Bid Price 163.56 163.90 163.98 164.79 99.94 100.09 165.31 166.50 99.52 99.67 166.61 168.25 94.44 94.94 170.26 173.86 102.70 102.85 178.11 185.13 108.20 108.35 95.57 95.87 94.13 94.43 97.13 97.43 NA :Not Applicable 115.80Rate Bond 116.10 # :Floating ***: Deferred 81.54 coupon bonds 81.84 120.15 120.45 †: Bond rating expired 110.90 110.60 114.63 114.93 97.89 98.19 71.03 71.33 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 80.00 80.30 UBA: United Bank for Africa

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

0.37 0.93 1.42 2.48 2.84 3.05

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 1.00 1.00

11.93 13.66 13.47 13.50 12.55 12.58

95.81 88.41 105.05 97.98 96.43 93.92

Implied 0.13Yield 0.33 1.20 11.61 0.81 12.09 1.10 1.11 12.83 2.84 12.34 1.67 3.54 2.51 4.30 2.71 2.71 3.09 3.16 5.43 3.22 3.84

Implied 1.56 Portfolio Price 3.29 4.44 115.7822 3.23 130.7041 4.46 3.48 94.6730 5.59 115.1137 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 4.78 1.00 1.00 1.00 2.74 1.00

*from theBonds Amortising Agency #bonds,

Tenor

1,304.32

Porfolio Market Total Outstanding 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 Value(Bn) Volume(Bn) 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 1,003.71 953.07 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 1,127.71 951.30 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 655.93 756.74 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 2,787.35 2,661.11 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

Weighting by 05-Aug-09 Outstanding Vol 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 35.81 30-Sep-10 35.75 30-Jun-11 30-Jun-09 28.44 19-Apr-10 100.00 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

Weighting by Mkt 14.00 Value 14.00 12.50 13.00 36.01 14.00 40.46 15.50 23.53 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

Bucket17.00 Weighting 6.00 8.50 16.50 0.36 13.00 0.36 18.50 0.28 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

% Exposure_ 05-Aug-14 Mod_Duration 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 18.36 30-Sep-15 36.26 30-Jun-16 30-Jun-16 45.38 19-Apr-17 100.00 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

INDEX 12.27 14.18 15.55 1,099.69 14.27 1,106.75 15.53 14.55 1,104.44 17.14 1,093.46 12.30 13.39 13.31 12.64 12.53 16.31 12.58 12.58 12.76 14.33 12.62

YTD Return 100.14 (%) 99.84 96.71 9.9695 99.60 10.6752 98.39 101.19 10.4437 84.42 9.3457 102.37 101.66 101.63 104.36 104.31 95.30 104.74 107.46 106.66 101.05 106.18

NEWS 45

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Anambra evacuates rickety vehicles from highways SECURITY

As concern grows over infilteration of strange elements, Gov. Obioma thinks ahead

A

pparently due to the threats of insecurity and to check road accidents, Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ASTA), has evacuated no fewer than 150 vehicles classified as too rickety from

major highways in the state.

Governor Willie Obiano had recently directed the state Ministry of Transport to remove vehicles on the highways within 48 hours, prompting an immediate campaign to that effect, beginning on May 12.

The evacuation of security risk and seemingly abandoned vehicles was announced by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport, Mr Nwabuonu Ogbaji, during a chat with newsmen yesterday.

He explained that “the

governor is concerned about the safety of the lives of road users, the flow of traffic and making sure that avoidable accidents are avoided.

“We have succeeded in creating that awareness for over one month in Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia areas of the state,” Ogbaji said, adding that the exercise was also a way of giving the major towns an aesthetic look that the people would be proud of.

According to him, the special task force set up for the purpose, made up of

the police, military, Federal Road Safety Corps and ASTA has so far removed 65 vehicles in Awka, 45 in Onitsha, 25 in Nnewi and 15 in Ekwulobia.

He warned of the consequences of the exercise to the owners of the evacuated vehicles, stating that “when we decongest, it is at a cost of towing, demurrage and other penalties.”

“According to the law establishing Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency, after six months, we have the right to auction the vehicles where the owners refuse to claim

them.

On Chime’s annual leave, Ugwoke told reporters that the governor “announced it to the good people of Enugu State and members of the State Executive Council during the council’s meeting yesterday. “ The vacation will take the governor and members of his extended family to the United States of America” and that “during the period of the annual vacation, the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, will work as the

Acting Governor of the State.”.

On the laptops for the civil servants, Ugwoke said the Executive Council gave approval for the purchase of the laptops in batches of 1,000 pieces and that “the state government would pay 50 percent of the cost of the laptops while civil servants who are interested will pay the balance on a monthly payment of N3,160:67k (three thousand one hundred and sixty naira sixty seven kobo) spread over a period of one year.”

New VCs assume office in UNIZIK, UNN Uwakwe Abugu Awka

T

he atmosphere of tension which pervaded two federal universities in the South-East zone, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in Anambra State has finally given way to normalcy as new vice chancellors assumed office.

Checks yesterday in the university showed the new helmsman, Prof. Joe Ahaneku, was at peace now with the university community, meeting critical stakeholders and marshalling his agenda to reinvent a new UNIZIK. At the UNN, the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, on Tuesday met all the stake-

holders of the university during his inauguration to appeal to them to join hands with him in his vision to reposition the institution, in the areas of administration, academics and research.

Ozumba, now the 14th vice chancellor of the institution established in 1960 told the gathering at Margret Ekpo Refectory in the university, that he wanted to treat all persons in the university as members of one family.

“I solicit for the cooperation of all the stakeholders, staff, students of the university to enable my administration to move this university to an enviable position and restore the dignity of man. My administration will exhibit the fear of God in handling the affairs of the university,” he told them.

Delta earmarks $4m for 49,500 persons in FADAMA scheme Dominic Adewole ASABA

T

he State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR) has earmarked $4 milion to finance the implementation of FADAMA III project in Delta State.

No fewer than 49,500 beneficiaries are being targeted in five councilsof the state, including Udu, Bomadi, Burutu, Warri South and Warri SouthWest.

N6.2 million, said Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Misan Ukubeinje, said N6.2 million has been set aside by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan been set aside for God Bless FADAMA Community Associations (FCA) in Okpala with FADAMA Users’ Groups (FUGs).

According to him, N5.4 million will go to Izako FCA and Erhiephior with 10 FUGs; N3.1 million to Ugbe Progressive FCA and Okolor Inland with seven FUGs, all in Udu council area, while Okoloba FCA in Bomadi Council with

10 FUGs will benefit N6.7 million.

Disbursing a cheque of over N21 million to beneficiaries during the take-off of the project to 37 FADAMA Users’ Groups (FUGs) in four FADAMA Community Associations (FCAs) at Otor- Udu , headquarters of Udu Local Government Area of the state, the commissioner said the empowerment would not only enhance livelihood but would give youths and women oriented-results.

L-R: Chairman, Mojec International Limited, Mrs. Mojisola Abdul; Managing Director, Ms Chantelle Abdul; Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Power, Patrick Ikhariale and Deputy Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Power, Muhammed Ricco, during the official visit of the house committee on Power to the company in Lagos

Don’t quit APC, chieftain pleads with Ikimi Leo Sobechi

D

elegate to the recent national convention of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has added his voice to the growing pleas on former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, not to reconsider his membership of the party.

Ikimi had shortly after the APC convention which produced former Edo Governor, Chief John OdigieOyegun, as the party’s pioneer national chairman,

indicated his intention to make a public statement on the processes leading to the convention which some close associates interpreted as a first step to announcing his exit from the party.

But in statement made available to New Telegraph yesterday, Okechukwu, who was also part of the APC merger committee said “I am appealing to Chief Tom Ikimi and his supporters to remain in APC for our collective resolve to vote out the rudderless leadership of the

Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).”

Okechukwu noted that “If the APC convention election was dollar-denominated, probably he (Ikimi) would have won,” even as he expressed the hope that the fact that it was not so denominated is not the grouse of Ikimi and his supporters.

While appealing to Ikimi and his supporters to sheathe their swords, Okechukwu, who was Enugu State governorship candidate of Congress for Progressive

Change, (CPC) in 2011, reminded Ikimi that knowing the antecedents of money bags, APC did not want to expose delegates to temptation.

Okechukwu recalled “with nostalgia how on the second to the last day of our meeting in the Joint Merger Committee at Chief Ikimi's house, Senator Ahmed Yerima Bakura moved a motion to be inserted in our report to the effect that we recommend that Chief Ikimi become the Chairman Interim Executive”.

Imo needs special policy to tackle unemployment, says Ihenacho Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

F

ormer Minister of Interior, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, has called on the Imo state government to create value and initiate a workable industrialization policy, if it is desirous of mitigating the unemployment challenges in the state.

The former minister made the remark in Owerri, the Imo State capital while fielding questions from newsmen According to Ihena-

cho, since 1999, Imo State had had leaders who only go to Abuja, collect money from the Federation Account and come home to share.

Hear him: “Many people are vying to become governor of Imo State because there seems to be no task before a governor here. Assuming these aspirants are faced with the situation faced by leaders in some countries in South-East Asia where there is no federal money to share; where a leader will have

to task his brain and make sacrifices to make his people survive, will they still present themselves for leadership?

Collecting money from Abuja and sharing in the state is therefore, not a true test of governance.

We need to attract or set up industries which will manufacture goods that we can use --- and the labour for these industries will invariably provide employment for our unemployed youths.”

Ihenacho conceded that the present govern-

ment had done better than some of its predecessors, especially in the area of infrastructure and roads but that there was a missing link between what the government is doing and real development.

“The present government in Imo State is doing well but people do not understand many of its policies. Good and visionary governance should be a practical and workable programme that will be able to relate to development. For example, if a roundabout, free educa-

tion or building is provided by government, people should understand how and when those things can create jobs and add value to society.”

On 2015 general election, Ihenacho maintains that 2015 would be a different ball game wherein people would improve on what happened in 2011 by refining democracy further to produce honest, visionary and experienced leaders, whom he said, would have the solution to the problems confronting the state.

46 NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

APC inaugurates Ondo exco Babatope Okeowo Akure

T

L-R: Adaezechukwu of Ogbaru land, Princess Stella Oduah (left), Parish Priest, St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Akili-Ozizor, Ogbaru, Revd. Fr. Felix Ezeonu, and Secretary of the Parish, Comrade Cyprian Chuwkuma, during the thanksgiving service for Stella in Ogabru, Anambra State

303,000

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Angola in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

4,033

The total area (in sq. km) of Cape Verde.

Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

89.9

The number of newspaper journalists per 1m inhabitants of Oman in 2006.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Free Trade Zone: Lagos gives land to sacked communities Muritala Ayinla

S

even years after farmers and residents were sacked from their homes and farms by the Lagos State government for the development of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, affected communities yesterday got Certificates-of-Occupancy (Cof-O) for another 750 hectares of land.

Presenting the C-of-O to the communities’ leaders, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry,

Mrs. Olushola Oworu, said the government had in 2009, paid compensation to the affected residents and farmers, adding that the land would further enable them meet their needs.

Oworu explained that the land was given to the communities so as to enable them continue with their farming, since the land acquired by the government used to serve as their farms.

The commissioner said: “This is a milestone in the obligations of the

Lagos State government.

We have paid compensations as far back as 2009.

We have given 750 hectares of land to them.

With this, they can have the lands of their own.

“The problem we had before was that some of the land we acquired was the land they use for farming, fishing etc. Now that they have their own land, they can go and do whatever they want with it. So, they will not disturb the investors anymore and we are now ready to move at

a much faster pace with the development of the free zone.”

Explaining that the relocation of the residents was to bring development to the people, the commissioner said the Lekki Free Trade Zone area is one of the flagship programmes of the government in its bid to attract investors.

She added that by the time investors come to the zone, there will be jobs for the residents and people in the host communities.

Omisore escapes assassination bid DANGER It may no longer be about charms and crude language in Osun as politics goes red and crooked Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

O

sun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the August 9 election, Iyiola Omisore, yesterday escaped being assassinated by gunmen, who reportedly stormed his residence at 11, Ikoyi Avenue, Lagos.

However, the Lagos State Police Command yesterday said its men shot one of the assassins in the leg while trying to escape after the command received a distress call from one of the occupants

of the house, who managed to hide under the flower in the compound.

The gunmen, who allegedly stormed the residence of the PDP flagbearer around 2.00am, were said to have tied all the security guards in the compound, while heading straight to their target’s room, but were disappointed as he was nowhere to be found.

The assassins were equally reported to have cut off all communications and security network in the compound and later searched for the whereabouts of the flagbearer, who was busy with his campaign activities in Osun State.

Reports also said all his personal effects in his room like money, documents and other valuables, were intact while the burglary proof of the room was damaged.

Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo on the incident, Omisore’s Director of Publicity and Media Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi, confirmed the development, saying that it was a cook in the house that later telephoned Omisore to give him a comprehensive report on the incident.

Prince Odeyemi said indeed Omisore was to visit Lagos that day to meet with his business partner, but the more he agitated about the business to be done, the more they prevailed on him not to abandon his campaign.

“It was this that preserved his life from being snuffed out as the assassins indeed ransacked the whole house looking for him.”

Odeyemi said the gunmen arrived at Omisore’s house at about 2.00am, overpowered the five

guards on duty, tied them up and ransacked the whole house looking for their target.

“It was through divine intervention and those who prevailed on him not to abandon his campaign train in Ifedayo Local Government that prevented him from travelling to Lagos.”

he All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State yesterday vowed to displace the Labour Party (LP) as the ruling party in the state.

Chairman of the party, Mr. Duerinmi Kekemeke, who disclosed this during the inauguration of 15 out of the 18 local governments’ executive council, said the party would win the 2015 presidential election.

Also, he said it showed the deep interest and passion by party members in the affairs of the APC and evidence that a great number of party members are conscious and alert to their democratic rights.

While appealing to party members to be loyal and exercise restraint in the way they pursue their grievances, Kekemeke, who was a secretary to the state government, said the crisis rocking the party at local, state and federal levels was as a result of the prospect of the party winning the

next round of elections.

He, however, said people should de-emphasis party positions and opt for elective positions in the interest of the party.

Flanked by members of the state executive council, including the Deputy Chairman, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, Secretary, Rotimi Ramon and Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, the chairman said the local government executives should start membership mobilisation in their respective council areas.

He said: “Your assignment therefore is to plant the party, recruit more members and unite those already within.

Remember, divided we fall, united we stand. Our party is a fertile ground and we cannot afford a poor harvest.”

Kekemeke, who was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State said; “The APC, our party, will form the government of this country by May 29, 2015, is as sure as the fact of day and night to every discerning mind.

Ahmed charges political leaders on equity Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

K

wara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has charged political leaders in the country to ensure equity and justice as a solution to the problem of political instability and youth restiveness.

Ahmed, according to a Government House statement, gave the charge while receiving the Quranic Recitation and Memorisation Committee led by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdulsalam Ayilara, at the Government House, Ilorin.

He said equity and inclusiveness are the beacons of peace, unity and development in any society, adding that Muslims must project the inherent beauty of Islam.

“There is a wave of global misconception about Islam. The only way this can be corrected is when Muslims show

the beauty of Islam to others. We must let them understand that nobody is a Muslim except he loves his brother as himself,” Governor Ahmed said.

He added that governance has to be premised on the tenets of equity, justice as well as wealth distribution in order to reduce the level of poverty in the polity.

According to him, governance has to be done according to the rule God gave to mankind, adding that if the whole world understands the concept of wealth distribution, it would be a much better place for all.

Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Ayilara, in his remarks, said the eleven-member contingent participated in this year’s edition of the National Quranic Recitation and Memorisation Competition in Jigawa State with three of them emerging winners in various categories.

Group calls for repositioning of Kwara PDP Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

D

espite the efforts of the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reconcile aggrieved party members, a group Kwara Unity for Freedom, yesterday called on the national leadership of the PDP to reposition the party to enhance its success in future elections.

Prominent members

of the party left the PDP early this year for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

But the group said PDP is neglected and that there is a lot of apathy by stakeholders at the national level, calling for quick intervention by the national secretariat.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja yesterday, interim Chairman of the group, Comrade Ayo Olorunfemi, described

as worrisome, the lack of adequate institutional representations of Kwara State at the federal level by those he said are not genuine PDP members.

Olorunfemi urged the PDP-led Federal Government to accommodate what he described as loyal party members and not those parading themselves as party members in day time, whereas they have ideological differences from the PDP at night.

47

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

NURTW murder trial: Lack of legal advice stalls hearing STALLED Court awaits AG's advice to try 'Auxilliary' and others Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

F

urther hearing in the alleged murder case preferred against the former factional Chairman of the Oyo state branch of the National Union of Road Workers (NURTW), Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as Auxiliary, was yesterday stalled at the Chief Magistrate's Court, Ibadan.

This was due to the fact that the office of Attorney General of the state is yet to provide legal advice.

Auxiliary and two others, Saheed Kareem and Abu Kareem were recently

arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrate's Court, Ibadan on a twocount charge of murder and felony.

The accused persons, who are yet to take their pleas, were charged for the murder of Adekunle Oladipupo. He died of gunshot wounds. The incident allegedly happened at Iwo Road area of Ibadan.

The prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Falola had told the court that Auxiliary and others at large on the same date, time, place and at the aforementioned Magistrate District did commit the offence punishable under section 319 of criminal code cap 38, Vol. II Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.

At yesterday's sitting, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Solomon Aruwaji informed the court that he

had duplicated the case file and sent to the office of the Attorney-General while waiting for their response.

In response, Folorunso Ahmed, counsel to Auxiliary said: "You know magistrate court has no jurisdiction with respect to murder charges. We have taken proper steps to secure the liberty of our client. We have duplicated the file and sent it to the office of Attorney-General.

We are still waiting for their response. We don't know what will be their response.

The Senior Magistrate, Kehinde Omotosho, adjourned the case till July 17 while ordering Auxiliary to still be remanded in Agodi Prison.

Counsel to the second accused persons, Mr Adeleke Bakare, stated his support for the consolidation of

the charges. "It is a charge of murder, a murder that occurred around the same area, about the same time.

Everything has to do with murder in respect of Saheed Kareem (Saheed Ese), Abu Kareem and others.

For the fourth person is Mukaila Lamidi. We were expecting a consolidation today. You know the prosecution raised it that they are expecting a consolidation and that by next week they will bring it. We were expecting an advice from the DPP. The threechargeswillbebrought together to become one, that is the case of Saheed Kareem (Saheed Ese), Abu Kareem and three others and the last oneisMukailaLamidi.Three caseswillbebroughttogether to become one. It is a case of murder. They are sister cases that occurred around the same area, about the same time", he told the court.

Group tasks Plateau PDP on unity Musa Pam

Jos

A

Group under the umbrella of Christian Youth for True Democracy has called on the plateau state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to resolve their differences for the interest of the party before it becomes too late.

The Youths in a statement made available to New Telegraph in Jos yesterday and signed by its chairman, Pastor Andrew Dauda and Secretary Evang. Joshua John said Democracy should be played according to its rules.

On Monday the state working committee of PDP had after an extra ordinary meeting, suspended the chairman of the party Haruna Dabin for

Boko Haram: Don launches book on effective policing, canvasses state police Mojeed Alabi

imed at contributing to effective policing measures in Nigeria and Africa by extension, a Professor of Counseling and Criminal Justice of the Department of Guidance and Counseling, University of Ibadan, Oyesoji Aremu is set to launch his book.

The book, which is titled: Policing and Terrorism: Challenges and Issues in Intelligence, according to the writer is in fulfillment of the basic responsibilities of university lecturers which he said include teaching, research and community service.

He added that the book, scheduled for launch at the university’s Conference Centre in Ibadan on June 26, is in commemoration of his golden jubilee birthday anniversary.

The book launch, which will be chaired by the Chief Adebayo Akande will also feature the Dean of the University’s Faculty of Arts and University Orator, Prof. Remi Raji as the book reviewer while the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola is expected as the Special Guest of Honour.

Aremu, who described the continued abduction of the students of Government

A

L-R: Area Operations Manager, Renault, Mr. Joseph Toufik Lassoued; Vice President, Mrs. Christel Godbrun and Director, Dana Group of Companies Plc, Mr. Francis Ogboro, during the launching of Renault Sales and Services in Nigeria, held in Lagos

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

FG: Nigeria records N28trn investment inflow in 3 years lJonathan set to unveil centenary city Anule Emmanuel Abuja

T

he Federal Government yesterday said that it has recorded an upshot of over 100 per cent investment in the country in the last three years as a result of implementation of economic policies that have attracted global attention.

Investments worth N28 trillion were recorded within the period as against a projection of N13 trillion from 2010 to 2013.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly Fed-

eral Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

The information minister who briefed alongside the Minister of Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke, said Council meeting was devoted to the review of the first national implementation plan for the nation’s vision 2020.

FEC penultimate week had devoted the entire meeting to deliberate on the plan and later directed Ministry of National Planning to fine-tune the document.

According to Maku, against all projections, Nigeria recorded an in-

vestment inflow of over N28 trillion as against the projected inflow of N13 trillion.

The plan was initially scheduled to last between 2010 and 2013 and is aimed at facilitating the implementation of the transformation agenda of the present administration.

It is a mid-term plan that is expected to last until 2015.

The National Planning Commission in their presentation had earlier given a detailed report of how far the nation has gone in implementing the vision.

Maku noted that unlike the initial estimation, the report itself has been very rich as it shows that the

President has achieved significantly the goals set out under the first national implementation plan.

two weeks and mandated the deputy chairman Raymond Dabo to take over in acting capacity.

The group warned the PDP not to allow the state to witness another ugly face of factions again, adding that it would only cripple the political activities. It added that it would also give room to enemies of the state to gain advantage over its affairs.

Statement reads in part: "As Christian Youth, we believe that no one has the monopoly of listening to the voice of God with regards to the governor’s seat as God can chose to speak through a child, an old woman or any person".

The statement however urges the PDP members in the state to rise up to the challenge and resolve the matter amicably.

Girls Secondary Schools, Chibok, in Borno State, as a direct attack on the country, criticized Nigeria’s intelligence gathering capacity and counterterrorism strategies, while insisting that the 375,000 policemen population in the country was highly inadequate.

He said until Nigeria realises the relevance and importance of state policing, the country may continue to face the insurgency challenge and various other forms of criminal activities.

He said: “Except we face the reality of the importance of state police, there is no evidence that Nigeria is set to tackle insurgency. In most nations of the world, state police is in vogue because those to be recruited into the state police will not only understand the psychology and culture of the people, they will also understand the terrain.

“And if anyone is afraid of the governors using the policemen to fight their course, then we are making serious mistakes because even as the situation stands now, are governors not funding the police? Don’t they influence them? We must face these realities if truly we are to overcome our challenges and grant our people adequate protection.”

1,000 people to benefit from NMA free medical service Mohammed Nasir

GUSAU

bout 1000 people are to be ASchistosomiasis treated free for Urinary disorders

in Zamfara state at the medical outreach programme of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Zamfara state chapter.

Thechairman,DrSunday Onazimadethisknownatthe 3rd Annual General Meeting /ScientificConferenceof the NMA, Zamfara state chapter,

withthetheme:“Themenace of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Northern Nigeria” said the association is committed to ensuring quality medical services to the people of the state.

He described the Urinary Schistosomiasis as a disorder in men that makes them to have un-controllable release of watery substance from their private part, which is mostly regarded as men menstruation.

The chairman said

Urinary Schistosomiasis disorders are mostly prevalent in rural areas where there is no provision of pipe borne water which makes dwellers of the such areas to depend solely on rivers and stagnant waters and the disorders if not properly treated and managed can lead to serious medical condition, hence the resolve of NMA to give the free treatment to the 1000 people mostly children.

48 NEWS

ekiti election 2014

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

APC, PDP trade words over alleged thumb-printing CAT AND MOUSE

All Progressives Congress and the PDP tackle each other over suspected roggers Stories by Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday exchanged words over an alleged thumb-printing of ballot papers and arrest of some persons over the issue.

The APC, through the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, in a statement by the Head of

10%

Media, Mr Dimeji Daniels, said thumb-printed ballot papers were found by agents of the Director of Security Service (DSS) at the hotel of the Director-General of Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, Chief Dipo Anisulowo.

The hotel is located at Are-Ekiti, Anisulowo's hometown.

"Recent developments where thumb-printed ballot papers and form EC8A are being ferried into Ekiti State by serving ministers and found in the residences of PDP chieftains make nonsense of INEC's assurances and shows that there are collaborators in INEC in this evil plot by the PDP to ensure that the votes of Ekiti people do not count.

It also confirms our position that there is a strong presidency-hatched plot

The projected rate of Europe Union biofuels constituents of transport fuel in 2020.

Source: Unesco.org

in concert with INEC to rig Saturday's election. If otherwise, INEC should explain the source of ballot papers and forms EC8A in the possession of PDP. The electoral body should also explain its moral somersault on the release of the certified copy of the voter register to APC. We believe this moral somersault on the part of INEC," he said.

In a reaction, the PDP, through the State Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, said the APC was only concocting lies.

Oluwawole, who alleged that though telling lies and spreading of destructive propaganda was synonymous with the All Progressives Congress, said it was just reasonable for the PDP to bring the public back to the right

53.68%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Italy in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

track from the erroneous impression which the purported story would have created in the first place.

The statement further explained that the PDP candidate, Mr Ayo Fayose and some of the people that were being blackmailed in the propaganda were busy campaigning around Ekiti by the time they were said to be in Akure or elsewhere of the mastermind of the story said would make anybody to believe.

"The ineffective propaganda has further shown the desperation of Governor Kayode Fayemi in the game of politics and his lack of sincerity as well as the inability of the leadership of the APC to think right in a time of challenge," he said.

However, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mo-

35%

The percentage share of China’s arms purchase from Russia between 2005 and 2009.

Source: Blatantworld.com

hammed Abubakar, who was asked to respond to the issue by the State Chairman of the APC, Chief Jide Awe, at a forum organised by the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) debunked the rumour.

The IG said those arrested by operatives of the State Security Service had nothing to do with ballot papers.

Fayose scared of my profile - Bamidele

T

he Labour Party's governorship candidate in Ekiti, Hon. Michael Bamidele, has accused the candidate of the PDP and former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose of being behind the rumour that he has withdrawn from Saturday's election.

Bamidele spoke in a statement issued through Ahmed Salami, his Media aide. He said that he could not step down for a man of Fayose's character, boasting to beat him with a wide margin in the election.

He said if anyone has a reason to step down at at all, it should be Fayose stepping down for him because he (Bamidele) stands a better chance in the race.

He also claimed to

be relying on his better public image and leadership virtues than Fayose, who he alleged to have a baggage of negativity hanging around his neck, including court cases bordering on corruption and ineligibilty to contest in the race.

Bamidele, who said he had facts of how Fayose has been hiding under fictitious names to destroy his name in the media, also warned him and his party, PDP that 'enough is enough'.

He attributed his growing popularity as a source of concern for Fayose and his supporters, claiming that the ongoing rumour about his withdrawal from the race is Fayose's smokescreen which he said is dead on arrival.

NBA, NUJ charge INEC on credible poll

A

peace initiative set up by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to mediate among political parties participating in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stand by its words that the poll will be free, fair and credible in the overall interest of all.

At a press briefing jointly addressed by the leadership of the two unions in Ado-Ekiti on yesterday, they appealed to INEC, the police, political parties and the electorate to play by the rules for sustainable Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi (left), and his immediate predecessor in office, Chief Segun Oni, during a courtesy call on Fayemi, in Ado-Ekiti... peace during and after the yesterday. election.

While speaking, the he Inspector-General NBA Chairman, AdoEkiti Branch, Mr. Joseph of Police, Mr MohamAdewumi, said the two asmed Abubakar, has "I will not tolerate anysaid there will be a secu- a recurrence of such ugly before election day and rity lock-down of Ekiti incident. sleep over. We are also not one, no matter how highly State, 48 hours to the gov"As a young officer, I going to allow security de- placed to act in a manner ernorship poll to prevent was in the state during tails attached to public of- capable of throwing the any possible breakdown the 1983 election violence. ficers to be with them on state into chaos. of law and order. He also I was in Emure, Ise and election day," he said.

"You cannot take out said it is to disallow people Orun-Ekiti and I knew On the possibility of any government vehicle without any link with the what happened then and some public officers and and say you want to go ollowing the arraignwould not allow a repeat candidates acting as if ment of the Ekiti poll to come to the state. and supervise; you have Abubakar, who spoke of such. they are above the law, nothing to supervise and State Commissioner in Ado-Ekiti yesterday at "Anybody who has Abubakar warned such anyone that tries our will for Integration, Mr Funa stakeholders' meeting nothing to do with the person to have a rethink. in this regard will see po- miniyi Afuye and 13 othorganised by the Indepen- election and is not from He warned all public lice in action," he said. ers for acts of terrorism, dent National Electoral this state should please office holders, without exIn his remarks, the the state government Commission, said from leave now. By 6pm on ception, not to move about National Chairman of has warned the Federal 6pm on Thursday, nobody Thursday, such persons in government vehicles on INEC, Prof Attahiru Government against alwould be allowed to come would be fished out. Any that day in the name of Jega, promised that the lowing the police to abuse to the state from all its thug found will be severe- monitoring the election.

Ekiti election would be the Anti-Terrorism PreThe IGP said he had the best in the country's vention Act 2013. boundaries with other ly dealt with. states.

"For those saying we given express orders to his history, as each of the 16 The Attorney GenThe IGP, who said he should not shut down the men to apprehend any err- local government areas eral and Commissioner was a witness to what hap- state and allow people to ing person, including the would use different co- for Justice, Mr Wale pened in the state during just roam about, I say that candidates and govern- loured ballot papers and Faphunda, who briefed the 1983 general elections is not possible. If you are ment officials, regardless different ballot boxes newsmen in Ado-Ekiti in the Second Republic, to vote at a place far from of their status that contra- affixed with serial num- yesterday after the State said he would never allow your residence, go there vened the orders. bers.

Executive Council

T

Why we’re locking down Ekiti - IG

sociations’ mediating team was able to reach out to all critical stakeholders during the peace initiative and offered advice on the need to eschew electoral fraud that could mar the poll.

The NUJ Chairman, Mr Laolu Omosilade, said part of the targets of the initiative was to ensure that it organized a debate for the governorship candidates, adding that the non-actualisation of the plan had nothing to do with the integrity of the unions.

Adewumi, who described Ekiti governorship poll as a veritable opportunity for INEC and police to prove that they were reliable unbiased umpires in electioneering process, added that their conduct in the election would also serve as impetus to Nigerian citizens to cast their votes during the 2015 elections.

Ekiti warns police against abusing Terrorism Act

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meeting, said the arraignment of the APC members, who were arrested during a peaceful protest for terrorism, was regrettable and quite unfortunate.

Fapohunda added that the council after exhaustive deliberations mandated the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to call the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan on the way the Terrorism Prevention Act was being allegedly abused by the police.

SPORT

49

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ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS

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

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

thursday, june 19, 2014

Eagles must score goals, says Seedorf E Seedorf

x-AC Milan coach, Clarence Seedorf, has charged the Super Eagles to perfect the act of scoring goals in their next match against Bosnia-Herzegovina if they hope to progress to the latter stage of the competition.

Seedorf however, said Nigeria were the better of the two African sides in Monday’s World Cup action in Brazil.

The Super Eagles and Iran played out a scoreless draw in their Group F opener, while Gha-

na stumbled to a late 2-1 Group G loss to USA. “Nigeria started well, but they didn’t find the goal because I think it would have absolutely changed the game.

Unfortunately that was the

first draw of the competition but it is fine,” Seedorf said.

The Eagles must secure the three points against Bosnia on June 21, in Cuiaba ahead of their showdown against Argentina on June 25.

Keshi ponders changes in tactics, players S

uper Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, is considering many options as Nigeria face a tough hurdle in the second Group F match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.

Authoritative sources revealed that the coach was thinking of making some changes to boost the team in the encounter which could determine the fate of both teams in the competition.

At the Campinas camp of the team, it was learnt that Ramon Azeez and Ahmed Musa could lose their first team shirts.

The coach might also give Mikel Obi another role in the team. He is expected to surge forward and support the attackers while Ogenyi

Ramon Azeez of Nigeria controls the ball against Andranik Teymourian

Onazi stays in the defensive role.

“There were series of meetings in camp and many issues were ironed out regarding tactics and what is expected from the players.

The result against Iran was a disappointment and contrary to what people are expecting here in Brazil from the team.

“Going forward there are people who will lose their places, while the battle for shirts is becoming keener.

Nobody is sure of a place in the next match and the training sessions are expected to be rigorous and tough,” the source added.

The Nigeria, Bosnia match holds on Saturday in Cuiaba.

Zenith B’ball League: First Deep Water, First Bank renew rivalry Ifeanyi Ibeh

R

eigning Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League champions, First Deepwater, and former champions, First Bank, will on Thursday, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, renew their rivalry with a spot in the final of the foremost women’s basketball championship in the country up for grabs.

Riding on a 10 year unin-

terrupted reign, First Bank lost the title in 2010, finishing second behind First Deepwater for three consecutive seasons, before dropping to third spot last season, having been displaced by another Lagos side, Dolphins.

In fact, both sides have between themselves won more championships than any other side in the land, and have been impressive all through the season, beginning from the league’s first phase which took place in Abuja, to the second phase in

Ilorin, and right down to the ongoing Final-8 Playoffs in Lagos.

In addition, the two sides finished both the first and second phases of the league unbeaten, and looked set to be heading for yet another final matchup until First Deepwater succumbed to their first defeat of the season on Tuesday in a 64-60 loss to Dolphins; a defeat Deepwater’s coach, Lateef Erinfolami, a former star of the Nigerian men’s national team, described as unfortunate.

In Thursday’s second semi-fi-

nal matchup, Dolphins will take on FCT Angels, who have been impressive since the start of the Final-8. Coach Sunday Asisah’s young Angels may find the going tough against a ruthless Dolphins side, but going by their performance since the start of the playoffs, the Abuja-based side is capable of pulling off an upset and progressing to a historic final.

Thursday’s games will get underway at 3pm and 5pm respectively and will be transmitted live on Supersport.

50 SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

News Updates Gyan debunks Black Stars’ revolt rumours

Uruguay, England in crucial clash T hursday will see England face a crucial encounter in their bid to reach the second round of the World Cup, when they take on Uruguay in Group D. The Three Lions lost their opening game of the tournament 2-1 against Italy, and their upcoming meeting with the South Americans is seen as a must-win game for Roy Hodgson’s side.

However, Uruguay are also in need of a victory following their surprise opening defeat to Costa Rica.

Wayne Rooney, despite his poor display against Italy, is likely to keep his place in the starting XI. Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge are both suffering from minor knocks, but the Liverpool duo are expected to be available.

Another Liverpool player, Luis Suarez, had been a doubt for Uruguay after undergoing knee surgery before the start of the tournament, but the striker recently confirmed that he was “100percent fit” to take on England.

“I feel really great,” Suarez said. “I am really motivated to play again. I’m feeling better and stronger than before and ready to try to turn this situation around.”

Suarez’s participation at the World Cup was plunged into doubt by a knee operation, but his Liverpool teammate Jordan Henderson is hoping the La Celeste forward doesn’t get to play against the Three Lions.

G

England’s Ross Barkley tackling Italy player

“If Luis doesn’t play it is obviously a positive, because he is a fantastic player,” Henderson said. “But I’m sure he is chomping at the bit and he is doing everything he can to be fit for the game. Uruguay are a really good side as well, so we’ve just got to concentrate on the next game, recover well and prepare as best we can.”

Head-to-head

Uruguay

Matches

10

Wins

4

Losses

3

England

10 3

4

Drawn

3

3

Goals for

13

10

FIFA ranking

7

10

Drogba, Toure target victory over Colombia our immediate target.

Manchester City midfielder, Toure, also added that, “We need the three points but maybe they can afford to draw. This competition is big and it is about taking your chances. The best way is to be focused and get victory against Colombia.

“I am not underrating our opponents. I am only confident that we have a good team that can win and top the group at the end of the preliminaries.”

C

Asamoah Gyan attempting to go past USA goalkeeper Tim Howard

(coach Appiah) through the qualifiers and are now in Brazil, so people should not try to make issues which will destroy the players,” Gyan said.

“Some can deal with it, others cannot. We are players who want to die for the nation.”

Holland edge past resilient Aussies

T

he Netherlands on Wednesday secured a thrilling 3-2 win over Australia, thus making the Socceroos the first team to be eliminated at the on-going FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

After a quiet start, the game burst into life in the 20th minute when Arjen Robben picked up the ball near the halfway mark and set off through a gaping midfield hole, speeding past defender Alex Wilkinson before shooting powerfully past the outstretched left foot of Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

But Australia hit back immedi-

ately, when Ryan McGowan sent a long looping pass from the midfield to Tim Cahill, who volleyed over Jasper Cillessen onto the underside of the bar in one of the best goals of the tournament so far.

And after a Dutch defender handled the ball in the penalty area nine minutes into the second half, Australia shot into an unexpected courtesy of Mile Jedinak.

But Robin van Persie restored parity four minutes later with a thundering drive from inside the area, before Memphis Depay won it for th Dutch on 68 minutes with a long range effort.

Italy should fear Costa Rica –De Rossi

D

aniele De Rossi wants Italy to fear World Cup opponents, Costa Rica, when the sides meet on Friday in Recife.

In a surprise result, Costa Rica came from a goal down to beat Uruguay 3-1, and following that victory, De Rossi wants to ensure Italy treat Costa Rica with respect as they look to all but con- Daniele De Rossi (right) celebrating with firm their own last-16 spot.

“We should fear them a bit. You need Claudio Marchisio

Belgian dies after win over Algeria

Cote d’Ivoire coach Sabri Lamouchi addressing his players

ote d’Ivoire will be up against Colombia on Thursday in a crunch group C decider at the Estado National Brasilia and two key players in the African team-Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba- have called on teammates to be focused for the encounter.

Colombia, recorded a 3-0 victory against Greece in their opening group tie, while the Africans also recorded a 2-1 victory over Japan in their game, but the

hana captain, Asamoah Gyan, is shocked over reports that Black Stars players have revolted against Kwesi Appiah at the 2014 World Cup camp in Brazil, insisting they have full confidence in the coach.

The Black Stars captain added that there was no mutiny in the camp, saying that the report by a Ghanaian radio station that some players including Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari threatened to leave camp because of the tactics of the coach is wide off the mark.

“I am surprised at the reports because it is completely wrong.

If we won none of this will come up. We have lost so some people will make excuses and say a lot of things. It is part of the press,” he said. “We believe in the coach.”

Gyan added that the false media report by the Ghanaian radio station had got the potential of damaging the confidence of the younger players in the squad.

“We have worked with him

goals advantage of the South Americans could be very vital for qualification.

But Drogba believes with focus and determination, Cote d’Ivoire can win this match that can be described as the Group C decider.

He said: “We are very determined to play in the second round and the best way to achieve this is to win against Colombia. The alternative brings tension, permutations and all; we have everything in our hands now to achieve

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football fan died in Belgium following the country’s 2-1 World Cup win over Algeria on Tuesday.

According to widespread reports, the 41-year-old native of the Anderlecht district of the city climbed a statue outside the Stock Exchange building in Brussels with a Belgian flag, before falling heavily and sustaining severe injuries.

The man, of Moroccan nationality, was rushed to hospital by ambulance, but failed to recover and died shortly after midnight.

The popularity of the Belgian team, after qualifying for a World Cup for the first time since 2002, has seen large screens installed in public locations across the country in order for fans to enjoy the game together.

Elsewhere, in the norther n town of Stabroek, two overly excited fans had a narrow escape after climbing up the local church tower via some scaffolding. Their descent turned out to be more difficult, and the fire brigade was called in to get them out of their precarious situation with a long ladder.

a healthy fear against a team that surprised everyone with their victory over Uruguay,” he said. “Nobody thought they would get such a clear result against a very strong side.

“They’ll be fired up after that win. If they had lost 4-0 then we could’ve underestimated them, but in this case we cannot possibly do that. I hope, and am convinced, that we can virtually secure qualification by beating Costa Rica.

A victory would put a strong stamp on our ticket to the next round.”

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

51

Inside Eagles Camp Samba notes from Brazil Compiled by Adekunle Salami

Eagles’ Enemies’ Camp Maradona doubts Argentina chances

Trip to Curitiba

My trip to Curitiba for the Nigeria, Iran match was a stressful one. I left my hotel 4am local time and got to the match venue at 10am. Six hours by road and return was the same as I got to my base 2.30am. I was on the road for 12 hours in under 24hours. I cannot remember the last time I did that if at all it happened. The road was not as wide as the 13lane Sao Paulo-Campinas Road but the road was equally good.

There were beautiful sights on the way to show how rich in agriculture Brazil is. I was amazed to observe that farming is taken seriously here. There were amazing landscapes also on the way to Curitiba. The city itself is a small one, but the stadium is massive.

Two days after the trip, my body is yet to recover from the effects of the journey.

Supporters lament seizure of drums Nigeria Football Supporters Club has about 250 members here in Brazil, but the body is having issues with the local organising committee that has banned drums from the stadia. The supporters were unable to use drums at the stadium against Iran in Curitiba. Team leader, Dr Rafiu Ladipo, has cried foul, saying the law was a direct target at his group.

For now, meetings are been held with the organisers on the way out of this dilemma. One of the supporters said; “If we cannot drum and sing, I wonder what we are all doing here after spending so much money to come here and transport the instruments here.”

Eagles miss supporters

The Super Eagles were not aware of the presence of the supporters club at the stadium during the Nigeria, Iran match. The players were asking journalists and officials of the Eagles why the supporters were not present. But unknown to them, the supporters were at the stadium without drums, they were like the Eagles who featured in the match without wings. “Ordinarily, the players will go to the supporters to acknowledge cheers before and after the match but somehow it did not happen because the players did not hear the usual drumming and singing of the supporters,” a member of the NFF said.

Fluctuating weather here

The weather in Brazil is something else. It could go as low as below 10 degrees, but can also rise as high as over 25 degrees on same day. On Tuesday, the weather was very okay in the morning and most visitors went out in light cloths, but towards afternoon, the weather started dropping gradually and it became worse in the evening. It is now a style to go about with windcheater everywhere due to the fluctuating weather. I never expected Brazil to even be cold at all this time.

Andranik Timotian challenges John Obi Mikel of Nigeria.

Oboabona out of World Cup lKeshi still upbeat on recovery

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fender will be ready for the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.

“Yes, I have received the medical reports on Godfrey and we are still very hopeful that before the D-day he may still make it. Let’s just be hopeful because he is an important player in the team,” he said.

Nigeria will head for Cuiaba on Thursday morning for their second game against Bosnia-Herzegovina, after drawing goalless in the opener against Iran.

Nigeria need a win against Bosnia to stay on osnia manager, Safet course for a second round Sušic, says that berth in the ongoing World he is contemplatCup in Brazil. ing starting Vedad Ibiševic in Bosnia’s next match against Nigeria. The Stuttgart forward was a mainstay for the Balkan side’s attack - in a 4-4-2 alongside Edin rians do not have the sports spirit of you win some and you lose some. Nobody can satisfy Nigerians.

“This team is still developing and we have recordhe national coach of ed great results in the proIran, Carlos Queiroz, cess. We played a friendly has showered praises game and almost defeated on his boys for holdItaly. It ended 2-2. We were ing the Super Eagles to at the Nations Cup and won the trophy after about two a goalless draw, at the Arena De Baixada in Cudecades of nothing. We were given no chance afritiba. ter two games of the comQueiroz said his team was coming from a difpetition. ficult background in all “Now, after just one aspects, but worked so game at the World Cup, it hard to get a result at the is believed this team has failed. Keshi has failed biggest stage in football.

“My boys are mostly and Nigeria are out of the race when we still have two games to play.”

He said; “Football is not mathematics. All matches cannot be the same. It is the better team in 90 minutes that wins games not the big names.

I am not God and did not promise anything before coming to Brazil, but as a professional, I know my job and I want to succeed.

“It is my duty to fashion out how to get results in my own way and for this competition, we are still in the race. Our focus is Bosnia now. We want to work hard, Iran’s Alal Hosseini goes up win the game and we take for a header against Nigeria’s it from there.

Emmanuel Emenike

ith barely 48 hours to the crucial Group F match between Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina, all seems not to be well in the Super Eagles camp due to injury worries.

Eagles Head coach, Stephen Keshi, has been having sleepless nights in the past days over the injuries sustained by his central defenders.

Godfrey Oboabona who was injured in the disappointing goalless draw against Iran, is yet to be fit and could be out of the World Cup already.

Keneth Omeruo managed to feature against Iran, but it was authoritatively learnt that he is not even fully fit for now.

“Many things are happening in camp. Key players are injured including those the public are not aware of, and the technical team is battling with options especially in the defence,” a camp source told our correspondent on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Keshi says despite the two deep cuts that defence ace, Oboabona has, which has since been stitched, he still has hopes that the Turkey based de-

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Keshi lashes out

uper Eagles Head coach, Stephen Keshi, has come out hard against soccer loving Nigerians and all those criticising his style as the man in charge of the national team.

Keshi in an exclusive interview with our correspondent noted that everybody in Nigeria was a football coach and if possible the selection of players would be going through electoral process.

Keshi

He was apparently reacting to the outcry over the disappointing goalless draw recorded against Iran in the Group F match decided in Curitiba on Monday.

The former international said; “I am so used to Nigerians and that is why I keep quiet in most cases. I have a job and I have been doing this job to the best of my ability, but many people have different views and feel I am not doing well.

“You don’t win all the time no matter how weak an opposition is, but in Nigeria, it is expected you win all games even when you play the world champions in their home. Nige-

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the #WorldCup. Football should unite people, not divide them,” stated Blatter via his Twitter account on Wednesday.

OnTuesday,atleast14peoplewerebelievedtohavebeen killed in a blast in Tsamiya Lilo area in Damaturu, Yobe State.

Scores were left injured in the wake of the blast as they were watching a World Cup game between Brazil and Mexico at a football viewing centre at about 8pm.

Maradona

you they will win the trophy.

“They have potential.

But so do Brazil, Holland and Germany.

“In the national team there are smart people, others not so much.

They know mistakes were made and they have to correct them in time.”

Bosnia to ring changes

B

...says nobody can satisfy Nigerians

FIFA sad over attack on fans in Nigeria

orld soccer governing body FIFA has expressed dismay at the news of football fans killed in anexplosioninNigeriawhile watching the World Cup on Tuesday.

FIFAP residentSeppBlatter described the incident as “terrible” for the game.

He also preached that the sport should be seen as a tool to “unite people.”

“Terrible to read of fatalities and injuries in Nigeria, where fans were watching

D

ie go Maradona has said Argentina haven’t proven they can win the World Cup yet and criticised the tactics in the win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Argentina beat the tournament debutants 2-1, but it was hard-going at times for Alejandro Sabella’s team.

Maradona believes La Albiceleste are only one of a number of sides who could claim the trophy this year and said the Coach got it wrong against the Balkans.

“Argentina haven’t proved they can be world champion,” AS reports the 1986 World Cup winner as saying.

“I wish I could tell

Džeko - in qualifying.

Despite this he has not been in Bosnia’s first choice squad at the finals thus far, with Sušic preferring to play Džeko as a lone striker. Sušic’s quotes suggest that this may well be set to change in Saturday’s match.

Caging Emenike, Moses very easy, says Iran coach

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amateurs. Over 90 per cent of them are unlike other teams with big stars. For example Nigeria had big players like Emenike and Moses, but we were just there doing our job to stop them,” he said.

On the strategy adopted to record the draw against Nigeria, the former Manchester United coach said it was the tactical discipline that worked for Iran.

Queiroz said, “We were double marking the players and it worked well for us. Things were so bad for Iran that playing a friendly was difficult because of the war and all. I am happy that the people of Iran will be happy with this result.

“I am celebrating the result because of our labour. The match was tough, but the final result was fair. No team deserved to win the match.

“The two other games are not a problem to me.

We approach each game as it comes and see what best we can achieve.”

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

52

Wimbledon: Djokovic, Okagbare seeks record 100m title win Nadal are top seeds lOke, George want to extend dominance

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lessing Okagbare will be the cynosure of all eyes today on the new tartan tracks of the U.J Esuene stadium in Calabar, as she attempts to become the second woman in the recent history of the All Nigeria Athletics Championships to win the women’s 100m six times consecutively.

The 2013 Moscow IAAF World Championships silver and bronze medallist, will be aiming to equal the record former African sprints queen, Mary OnyaliOmagbemi set in the 1980s.

Okagbare’s journey to the championships’ Hall of Fame as it were, began in 2009 at the Abuja National Stadium tartan track where she ran 11.16 sec-

Djokovic

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ovak Djokovic was seeded ahead of World No.1 Rafael Nadal in the schedule for this year’s Wimbledon released yesterday by All England Club, organisers of the Grand Slam. Defending champion Andy Murray was seeded third, a rise of two places from his world ranking of fifth.

Murray, who ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a male singles champion last year, has benefited from Wimbledon’s unique seedings formula.

It means the Scot cannot meet Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer before the semifinals.

Wimbledon, which starts on 23 June, is the only one of the four Grand Slam tournaments not to stick to the world rankings when seeding the

men’s event, instead using a formula based on grass court form over the past two years.

Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka drops from third in the rankings to a seeding of fifth, having lost in the first round at Wimbledon for the last two years.

onds to dethrone then reigning queen, Oludamola Osayomi.

Since that maiden win, the 2008 Beijing Olympics long jump bronze medal winner has gone on to become the undisputed queen of the tracks in Nigeria.

She is favoured to equla Onyali-Omagbemi’s record win by claiming her sixth straight blue ribbon title win this evening in Calabar.

She holds the pre-championships fastest time (11.18) and looks set to join the elite cast of athletes who have gone under 11.10 seconds at the championships. Only two women, OnyaliOmagbemi (11.09) and Osayomi (11.08) have legally ducked under the 11.10 mark.

Like Okagbare, triple jumper, Tosin Oke will also be aiming for a record seventh straight win in the hop, step and jump event, while Regina George will be seeking a third straight 400m title in Calabar.

Like Oke, George has been the dominant figure in the women’s 400m and has even been touted as the next Falilat Ogunkoya, after becoming only the fifth Nigerian woman to break 51 seconds in the event two years ago.

George will however, find in the duo of home girl, Patience Okon George and Folasade Abugan the stiffest opposition she has ever encountered since she switched allegiance to Nigeria in 2012, from her country of birth and residence, USA.

Tony OneWeek excites Eagles with Gyration Reloaded

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taging a comeback to music after a foray into politics, Now Muzik artiste, Honourable Tony Muonagor AKA Tony Oneweek follows up his 2Face Idibia assisted single Ife Din Ma with Gyration Reloaded Super Eagles Version.

The song is a re-make of his classic single, Everybody Gyrate. It is co-produced by Tony Oneweek and Dekumzy. Since its release in 1999, the original version of ‘Everybody Gyrate’ has become a second anthem to the Super Eagles after the national

anthem with the supporters club singing it to cheer on the team in heat of battle on the soccer pitch The video is full of comic relief. Directed by Tony Oneweek and Emma Geko, It was shot in Enugu and Lagos. His experience as a talented movie director came to play in this video.

Tony Oneweek has decided to re-launch the song in support of the Super Eagles at the ongoing World Cup in Brazil as he believes the Stephen Keshiled African champions can go as far as bringing home the coveted trophy.

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

Results

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

3 - 1 1-0 1 - 5 3 - 1 3-0 1-3 1-2 2-1 2-1 3-0 2-1 4-0 0-0 1-2 2-1 0-0 1-1 2-3

Onazi (left) and Emenike during a training session

Udo-Obong invites Kipketer to train Nigerian athletes Chimaobi Uchendu

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ormer Nigeria quarter miler, Enefiok UdoObong is set to bring to the country former 800m World record holder, Wilson Kipketer in his efforts to develop talents in long distance races.

Udo-Obong said before the year runs out, the Kenyan born Danish middle distance runner be in Nigeria to conduct series of workshops and take young athletes on techniques to acquire before venturing into long and middle distance races.

“Yes, Kipketer will be in Nigeria before the end of the year to help our budding athletes discover the secret of being a successful athlete. Discussions about his coming had been concluded and we shall announce the date as soon as we conclude with our part-

ners in Nigeria”, he said.

Wilson Kosgei Kipketer was in bor n Kenya, but changed his nationality to Denmark. He dominated the 800 m distance for a decade, remaining undefeated for a three-year period and running eight of the 17 currently all-time fastest times.

He holds the current indoor world records at the 1000 and 800 metres distances.

Kipketer

SPECIAL PUBLICATION 53

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

More Grace Bible Institute set for ‘Enemies Submitted’ Crusade The two-day Holy-Ghost International Crusade of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries titled: …

AND THE ENEMIES SUBMITTED will hold on Saturday June 21 and Sunday June 22, 2014, by 8am daily at the church’s International Headquarters in Ijesha, Lagos State. Science Reporter, STANLEY CHIBUIHEM, writes on the significance of the event unarguably regarded as the ‘Mother of all Crusades.’

A

visit to the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries anywhere in the world, without attending this forthcoming ENEMIES SUBMITTED crusade taking place this weekend in Lagos, could be likened to that man that traveled to the city of New York without a glimpse of the famous Statue of Liberty; or someone who travels to Brazil without catching a glimpse of the on-going soccer fiesta regarded as the greatest show on earth. This

Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen

Students of Abuja campus of the institute with their lecturers

Some students of the institute with their lecturers

Dr. Chidozie Amadi (Dean)

is because all things are ready for every believer to receive.

Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of the Ministry in his characteristic nature and love to humanity to rescue the dying souls for Christ, emphatically stated: “The Enemies Submitted Crusade is the climax of all crusades as it is done once in two years. It’s theme is taken from the book of Psalms 66 verses 3. We are inviting people from all parts of the world.

This year’s crusade as usual, will

witness unprecedented power of God as of old because there will be freedom for the captives, salvation for sinners, deliverance for the oppressed, succour to the sick, joy to the broken hearted, and victory for all. A Christian is not a sinner and a sinner is not a Christian. As you come, give your life to Jesus and maintain a consistent Christian life, no matter what your problem is, your enemies must submit.”

STANLEY CHIBUIHEM 08035624538

Some students of the institute

Some lecturers of the institute with Pastor Godwin, Abuja cordinator (2nd left)

54 SPECIAL PUBLICATION

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

The Lord’s Chosen, Oshodi 1 set for ‘Enemies Submitted’ Crusade The two-day Holy-Ghost International Crusade of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries titled: …

AND THE ENEMIES SUBMITTED will hold on Saturday June 21 and Sunday June 22, 2014, by 8am daily at the church’s International Headquarters in Ijesha, Lagos State. Science Reporter, STANLEY CHIBUIHEM, writes on the significance of the event unarguably regarded as the ‘Mother of all Crusades.’

A Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General overseer of the Lord’s Chosen

Pastor Chidozie Amadi

Pastor Emeka, Lagos State cordinator

visit to the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries anywhere in the world, without attending this forthcoming ENEMIES SUBMITTED crusade taking place this weekend in Lagos, could be likened to that man that traveled to the city of New York without a glimpse of the famous Statue of Liberty; or someone who travels to Brazil without catching a glimpse of the on-going soccer fiesta regarded as the greatest show on earth. This

is because all things are ready for every believer to receive.

Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of the Ministry in his characteristic nature and love to humanity to rescue the dying souls for Christ, emphatically stated: “The Enemies Submitted Crusade is the climax of all crusades as it is done once in two years. It’s theme is taken from the book of Psalms 66 verses 3. We are inviting people from all parts of the world.

This year’s crusade as usual, will

A section of sisters of the church

witness unprecedented power of God as of old because there will be freedom for the captives, salvation for sinners, deliverance for the oppressed, succour to the sick, joy to the broken hearted, and victory for all. A Christian is not a sinner and a sinner is not a Christian. As you come, give your life to Jesus and maintain a consistent Christian life, no matter what your problem is, your enemies must submit.”

STANLEY CHIBUIHEM 08035624538

A section of brothers of the church

The Lord’s Chosen Cele Nica Set for ‘Enemies Submitted’ Crusade

Some members of the church with their pastor (middle) A sign post at the church

Some youths of the church

Other members of the church

SPECIAL PUBLICATION 55

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 19, 2014

The Lord’s Chosen, Rivers set for ‘Enemies Submitted’ Crusade

The two-day Holy-Ghost International Crusade of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries titled: …

AND THE ENEMIES SUBMITTED will hold on Saturday June 21 and Sunday June 22, 2014, by 8am daily at the church’s International Headquarters in Ijesha, Lagos State. Science Reporter, STANLEY CHIBUIHEM, writes on the significance of the event unarguably regarded as the ‘Mother of all Crusades.’

A

visit to the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries anywhere in the world, without attending this forth-coming ENEMIES SUBMITTED crusade taking place this weekend in Lagos, could be likened to that man that traveled to the city of New York without a glimpse of the famous statue of Liberty. This is because all things are ready for every believer to receive.

Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen

Pastor Chidi Louis, Head of Press

Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of the Ministry in his characteristic nature and love to humanity to rescue the dying souls for Christ, emphatically stated: “The Enemies submitted Crusade is the climax of all crusades as it is done once in two years. It’s theme is taken from the book of Psalms Chapter 66 verses 3. We are inviting people from all parts of the world.

This years crusade as usual, will witness unprecedented power of

Sis.EbereOnyekwere,healedof snakebite

God as of old because there will be freedom for the captives, salvation for sinners, deliverance for the oppressed, succour to the sick, joy to the broken hearted, and victory for all. A Christian is not a sinner and a sinner is not a Christian. As you come, give your life to Jesus and maintain a consistent Christian life, no matter what your problem is, your enemies must submit”.

STANLEY CHIBUIHEM 08035624538

Bro. Celestine Ojukwu, Financially favoured after 19 yrs stagnancy

Sis. Susan Okeke, healed of kidney problem

A section of sisters preparing for the crusade

A section of sisters of The Lord Chosen, Rivers State

Rivers State headquarters of The Lord's Chosen, Km4 East-West road Rumosi, Port Harcourt

A section of brothers preparing for the crusade

A section of the church building

World Record

On Marble

The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 haswasted 30 years of his life.

– Muhammad Ali

The world’s record for the longest marriage goes to Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher, who were married 86 years, 9 months, and 16 days as of February 27, 2011.

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 19, 2014

N150

K’olomo kilo f’omo re, Ekiti a ro

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(Parents warn your wards, Ekiti will be bloody)

he determination to occupy public office in Nigeria has never been a tea party among politicians. That is why the outcome of any exercise in which two or more people are seeking votes, since 1960, can be easily predicted.

Obviously, the greatest challenge Nigerians are facing in the march to democratic growth is that the political class easily forgets history. Pitiably, this history will repeat itself as a tragedy which is exactly what we are witnessing in Ekiti State.

Take it or leave it, the likelihood of chaos in some of the 16 local governments in this South-West state on Saturday has already been established. That people will die is another probability.

And that is why the type of politics we practise in this part of the world defies logic.

The first mantra while campaigning for any office is that ‘I am going to serve my people’. While that has continuously turned to the killing of the same people they are so determined to serve beats the imagination of sane people.

In 1858, there was a public debate in Illinois, the United States between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas to convince the electorate on the need to represent them in the Senate.

Lincoln, who was later to become the 16th President of the United States between 1861 and 1865, lost that senatorial election to Douglas and he was the first to congratulate the winner. Despite his loss, he did not relent in his quest to represent his people. He was later elected president.

Since then, the culture of convincing the electorate, through public debate, of your intention to provide good governance when you are elected, took off in the U.S. like a rocket.

But here, Nigerians kill themselves during elections. In the build-up to campaigns, millions or billions of naira (depending on the public office being contested for) would be budgetted to hire thugs, roughnecks and bodyguards who openly display charms, guns, machetes and knives.

Years ago, former External Affairs Minister who is the Deputy Chairman at the National Conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, told me that he would never join politics because he didn’t have money to hire thugs.

Our politics has been conditioned to promote violence to the extent that hospitals receive more people with gunshot wounds during campaigns. Your victory depends on the intensity of the violence you can unleash on voters perceived to be opponents.

The population of Ekiti State, according to the 2006 Census, is 2,384,212. For the sake of argument, let’s assume that the population is close to four million in 2014, what is so deep and intense in the population and politics of the Fountain of Knowledge that election cannot be conducted peacefully?

How big is this agrarian state that the regular policemen mandated to maintain law and order cannot ensure a peaceful exercise on Saturday? What exactly is at stake?

TALKING TOUGH GABRIEL AKINADEWO gabyfola@hotmail.com - 08023010222 (sms only)

Probably some readers have forgotten that aside God, who lives forever, nobody stays in office forever. Below is the list of some maximum rulers who ruled as if there was no tomorrow. Two of them are still in office: Fidel Castro (Cuba) 52 years, 62 days; Kim Il-sung (North Korea) 45 years, 302 days; Yumjaagiin Tsedenbal (Mongolia) 44 years, 137 days; Haile Selassie (Ethiopia) 44 years, 99 days; Omar Bongo (Gabon) 41 years, 155 days; Enver Hoxha (Albania) 40 years, 171 days; Francisco Franco (Spain) 39 years, 50 days; Paul Biya (Cameroun) 38 years; Gnassingbé Eyadéma (Togo) 37 years, 297 days; Mohamed Abdelaziz (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) 37 years; Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia) 36 years, 157 days.

In Nigeria, those killing others now in the name of politics have forgotten what happened to Haile Selassie in 1974 when he was ousted from power in a coup. He was kept under house arrest in his palace until his death in 1975. While it was generally believed that he died of natural causes, evidence later revealed that he was strangled to death. His remains were buried under a toilet in the Imperial Palace and it was only in November, 2000 that his body was laid to rest in Addis Ababa’s Trinity Cathedral. So, what exactly is at stake in

Ekiti State that people must be killed?

I saw the deployment of policemen, dogs, vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) and helicopters from Abuja on Monday by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed D. Abubakar, to Ekiti with all the trappings of battleready officers going to war and I wonder when we are going to join the rest of the world in the decency of conducting free and fair election.

Indeed, election is war in Nigeria and the one in Ekiti on Saturday does not promise to be better. I wonder when we are going to stop embarrassing ourselves in the comity of nations. At least, I have covered elections abroad many times and I will always cite the United States (U.S.) example.

Some will argue that the U.S. got its independence from Britain in 1776 (238 years ago) and that Nigeria is still learning. I strongly believe such an argument should be treated as it is: nonsense.

I am sure many readers will agree with me that the way we practise our democracy does not make sense and it will continue to be senseless as long as we behave outside the country and misbehave at home.

During the November 2012 election in the U.S., the electorate left their working places to vote and returned. In all

the polling centres, I didn’t see a single policeman. As a visitor, you will not even know an election was going on.

But here, because of a (according to one of my friends) ‘simple, ordinary, common’ council election, a whole state would be shut down. Restriction of movement from 7am to 6pm just because of an election that would usher in chairmen and councillors. It is even worse during governorship, National Assembly and presidential elections.

What type of democratic culture are we building? Which legacy are we leaving for younger ones?

If not because of the level to which our so-called democracy has sunk, what is so important about a state election to warrant the deployment of 24 units of Police Mobile Force (PMF), 200 counter terrorism policemen, 200 crime-prevention officers, 25 sniffer dogs and horses from Abuja with Deputy Inspector-General (DIG), Michael Zuokumor, in charge? In addition, hundreds of soldiers are strategically deployed in the state. Haba!

In the last few months, many have been killed in Ekiti and many family members may weep on Saturday over the killing of their loved ones. Just because of an election.

I remember in the late 70s as a student of Saint Ambrose Grammar School, Ondo, there was a popular song among us whenever our football team was playing: k’olomo kilo f’omo re, oni a ro (parents warn your wards, today will be tough).

Given the history of bloody elections in the country, especially in the SouthWest, parents who do not want to lose their children (thugs) in Ekiti on Saturday should warn them to conduct themselves properly because the popular song that day will be: k’olomo kilo f’omo re, Ekiti a ro (parents warn your wards, Ekiti will be bloody).

OmoBaba

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