Binder1 june 5, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Thursday, June 5, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 107

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Sterling, Fidelity, BOA, four others jockey for Enterprise Bank lPreferred, two reserve bidders to emerge Ayodele Aminu

he number of investors bidding for Enterprise Bank Limited has been pruned from 18 to seven,

New Telegraph learnt yesterday. Among those competing to buy the bank are four local banks, Sterling Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank

Plc, Skye Bank Plc and Heritage Bank as well as one international bank, Bank of Africa (BOA)and two others, which are a combination of both local

and foreign investors. BOA, also known as Bank of Africa Group, is a multinational pan-African banking conglomerate, with banking operations in 14 African countries, and a representative office

in Paris, France. Bank of Africa maintains its headquarters in Bamako, the capital city of Mali. It was gathered that six of the investors, who are currently conducting due diligence on Enterprise

Bank, which is expected to be completed within two weeks, executed their managements’ presentation last week. According to information, the financial advisers CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Constitution Amendment

Senate empowers INEC to delist parties lNational Conference adopts part-time legislature, lower pay

Louis Achi, Onwuka Nzeshi and Chukwu David Abuja

he Senate yesterday empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister

non-performing political parties by passing a bill amending Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution. In the extant constitu-

tion, there is no provision for the electoral umpire to deregister any political party, irrespective of whether or not such a

party complies with the INEC’s requirements for political party operations in the country. Already, the commis-

L-R: Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt, Rev. Justin Welby; President Goodluck Jonathan; Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Nicholas Okoh and Rev. Precious Omuku, during Welby’s visit to the State House, Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: Timothy Ikuomenisan

Jonathan seeks confirmation of Shekarau, three nominees as ministers

lAdeyeye’s nomination excites Ekiti PDP lAnambra, Kwara slots still vacant in cabinet Chukwu David and Adesina Wahab

ormer Kano State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, who

recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to join the cabinet of President Goodluck

Jonathan. Jonathan yesterday submitted the name of Shekarau and those of a former Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Primary

Education Board (SUBEB), Adedayo Adeyeye; Dr. Abdul Bulama from Yobe State and the PDP National Vice-Chairman (South-South), Dr. Stephen

Oruh, to the Senate for confirmation of their appointment as ministers. The list of the ministerial nominees was contained CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

sion is enmeshed in a legal battle with some parties which it had deregistered over their inability to win any seat in previous elections. INEC had last year deregistered 28 political parties, including Pastor Chris Okotie’s Fresh Democratic Party (FDP). But FDP challenged the decision and Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, voided the deregistration. He also voided the provision of Section 78(7)(ii) of the Electoral Act 2011, which empowers INEC to deregister parties that did not win either National Assembly or state assembly seat, for being inconsistent with the provision of the constitution. But if this amendment scales through the legislative process to become CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

FG approves N40bn W’Bank loan for Lagos

Lagos

Storms

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2 SPECIAL REPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Redefining governance, building trust – The JKF experience

n October 16, 2010, when Dr. John Kayode Fayemi mounted the podium to take the oath of office as governor of Ekiti State, his main concern was how to restore public trust in governance in the state. This is hinged on the fact that for a long time, there was distrust about government, its agencies, machinery and personnel in Ekiti. The widespread public cynicism was engendered by the bitter experiences of the people in the hands of politicians who failed to fulfil their electioneering promises. Convinced that trust is fundamental to effective, responsive and representative government, Fayemi’s greatest initial challenge was how to rebuild trust in government as a mechanism for delivering public good. Consequently, a detailed and clear-cut Ekiti State Development Strategy was designed with concrete inputs from all sectors of the economy. The well-articulated plan, known as the Eight-Point Agenda, was launched by the Fayemi administration. The agenda is also known as the Roadmap to Ekiti Recovery. It included Governance, Infrastructural Development, Modernising Agriculture, Education and Human Capital Development, Healthcare Service, Industrial Development, Tourism and Environmental Sustainability, Gender Equality and Empowerment. The primary thrust of the governance framework includes efficiency in service delivery, participatory governance, accountability and transparency at all levels of government. As laudable as Fayemi’s developmental strategy was, there were initial challenges strong enough to dampen the spirit of a well-intended government. The administration inherited a huge debt burden in billions of naira and several abandoned projects. The state was among those that received the least monthly allocation from the federation account. To make matter worse, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was poor. But Fayemi has been able to lay the template for long-term diversification of revenue base from wholesome Federal Allocation into agriculture, services and tourism which has led to an unprecedented growth of IGR of the state from N109 million to over N600 million monthly. Also, leakages in government’s finance have been plugged.

Participatory Governance

The administration has established an accountability framework and governance feedback mechanism through town hall and village square meetings; regular and direct interactive sessions with Ekiti indigenes upon which critical decisions are formulated.

JKF with public school children shortly after a live TV interview session with the children

The village square meeting was introduced for the sole purpose of getting the input of the communities into the budget. It affords the government the knowledge of what each community wants and what it does not want. The 2012, 2013 and 2014 budget documents are products of these interactions. Governor Fayemi started the initiative in November 2011 when he toured all the 16 local government areas to ask for at least three projects each community would want to be included in the 2012 budget. As at today, there is no community in Ekiti that has not benefited in terms of project execution.

Giant strides

Several roads of more than 400 kilometres have been constructed in Ekiti, including Federal Government roads. Many others are undergoing rehabilitation and complete reconstruction. The government has established contacts and relationship with key development partners, bilateral and multilateral institutions. Already, some of these partners (e.g. DFID) have established outposts in the state to support the government in its agenda of uplifting the state. The biometric documentation for Ekiti State civil service workforce and adoption of a human resource development framework has been operational in the state. Ekiti State government is the first in the South-West to implement the relativity pay for all categories of workers in the public ser-

General Hospital, Okemesi (maternity ward) (before)

vice. Presently, the Fayemi-led administration has commenced implementation of the N19,300 minimum wage for all its workers. Ekiti is also the first in the South-West to pay the CONMESS and CONHESS, which are consolidated salary structures for medical personnel. Before Fayemi came on board, civil servants’ promotion was suspended for three years, but this has been carried out by the present administration as well as the restoration of housing and car loans for the state workforce. The government has also been honouring its commitment to its pensioners through prompt payment of gratuities and pensions. The state government has been mopping the unemployment market with innovative programmes such as the Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency and Volunteer Corps. The administration created the Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency which has employed about 500 young men and women. Also, 7,500 non-skilled old and young volunteers have been employed as facility managers and street sweepers. The government pays a monthly stipend of N10,000 to volunteer corps. As at now, there are 5,000 volunteer corps members currently benefiting from the scheme. The Fayemi-led administration has embarked on continuous distribution of artisan tools such as hair driers, sewing machines and vulcanizing machines to artisans to reduce poverty. The provision of social welfare security through the payment of monthly stipend of

General Hospital, Okemesi (maternity) (NOW)

N5, 000 to elders in the state above 65 years of age has impacted on thousands of lives who have lost hope. Over 20,000 are currently benefiting from the welfare scheme. In the past three years, the Fayemi-led administration has demonstrated its commitment to the development of the state’s potential in agriculture. The government has been providing avenues for gainful employment. The Youth Commercial Agriculture Development (YCAD) has encouraged and enticed youths into agriculture, raising the performance of the state in the sector. The government has also established Agricultural/Community Skill Training Centres across the 16 local government areas of the state to train youths in various aspects of agriculture such as Sericulture, Poultry, Fishery and production of arable crops. Also, through the Commercial Agric Credit Scheme (CACS), loans are being disbursed to farmers through a commercial bank to boost food production. Quality healthcare service delivery is the fifth pillar in the eight-point agenda of the administration and is one of the important standpoints of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Some of the major accomplishments in the health sector include: Free distribution of drugs and consumables; Procurement and distribution of 34 Laptops, 16 units of 10KVA Elipaq Generators, 24 Haematocrit Centrifuges, 8 Scanning Machines, 34 Modern Delivery Beds, 150 hospital beds, 10 units of Solar Freezers and 3 units of Dental Chairs to state hospitals. All the 18 General Hospitals in the state are undergoing renovation and three Mother and Child Hospitals are being constructed. To prevent avoidable deaths, the Funmi Adunni Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre has been established for early detection of cancer related ailments. There are free medical services for children, pregnant women, senior citizens and the physically challenged. The Fayemi-led administration has made remarkable achievements in the education sector with procurement and distribution of over 30,000 laptops to students and 18,000 to teachers of senior secondary public schools in the state. There is compulsory free education at primary and secondary levels. The administration is boosting the morale of teachers with the payment of car and housing loans and regular payment of salaries and allowances. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

SPECIAL REPORT 3

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

he infrastructural development agenda of the Kayode Fayemi-led administration is encapsulated thus: “Establishing optimum communities that will improve citizens’ lives and attract investment; by 2014, all parts of Ekiti to be accessible by major roads; making water dams in Ekiti functional to increase water supply by 80%; public private partnership for independent power projects.” In his inaugural address on October 16, 2010, Dr. Fayemi described the state of infrastructure and public utilities as “public nightmare.” He spoke passionately about his developmental vision for Ekiti. The governor believed that the provision of necessary infrastructure such as roads, power, water, and security create a conducive environment for the growth of the economy, and most especially for small businesses to thrive. Hence, as soon as he settled down, the governor began processes of holistic transformation of the state along the line of his administration’s Eight-Point Agenda, which had infrastructural and industrial development as second and sixth items respectively on it. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Mr. Kayode Jegede, lamented the state of decay of infrastructure in the state before the inception of the present administration. “Water was not flowing at all anywhere in the state, many communities in the state were in darkness as they could not access electricity from the national grid, necessary physical infrastructure needed in the capital city were not in place. Worse still, the state did not have an e-mail, much more having anything to do with ICT,” he said.

Infrastructure: From public nightmare to an enduring legacy

Ewu Bridge commissioned

Roads

The road situation in the state before Fayemi came to office, according to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Roads, Hon. Sunday Adunmo, “was terrible and messy.” Adunmo added: “The roads in all parts of the state were in a total state of disrepair. What we had then was Road Revolution as signpost on vehicles without the translations on the roads.” In view of the importance of roads to the socio-economic development of the state, the governor committed a chunk of the bond he sourced from the Capital Market to the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads across the state. The result: Good roads today litter the state even in the rural areas and places erstwhile believed to be impossible with over 700 kilometres made up of intra-state and township roads completed by the present government, while many others are ongoing. To ameliorate the deplorable state of roads in the state, the Fayemi administration has constructed over 400 kilometers

Water treatment plant at Efon Alaaye

of asphalt paved intra city, intercity and interstate roads. Among road projects initiated and completed by the Fayemi administration are: Ijigbo-Isato-Ile Abiye Road (1.8km); Dualization of Old Garage-Ojumose Road (0.8km); Dualisation of Atikantan-NitelBaptist Road (0.9km); Rehabilitation of Ado Township roads (Group A) 6.87km; Fajuyi–University Teaching Hospital Road (1.65km); Ojumose-Basiri/Police Hqrs (Iyin Road) 4.9km; Ijigbo-Baptist College (Ilawe Road)3.62km; Aladesanmi Crescent Road, Ekute Qtrs, Ado-Ekiti (0.6km); Rehabilitation of Ado Township roads (Group C) 9.7km; Ado-Afao Road (10.745km); IkogosiIpole Iloro-Efon Road (24km); Ilawe-Igbara odo-Ibuji Road (17km); Ikole-Ijesa Isu-Iluomoba Road (23km); Ijero-Ipoti-Ayetoro Road (17km); Igede-Awo-Ido Road (24km); Odo Owa-Oke Ila Road (6km); Irele-Ponyan Road (11.64km); Erijiyan-Ilawe Road (14.3km); Ik-

Redefining governance in Ekiti CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

So far, 183 secondary schools and 836 primary schools across the 16 local government areas have been renovated under the Operation Renovate All Schools in Ekiti (ORASE). Sets of lockers and chairs have also been supplied to these schools. Education is free and compulsory up to senior secondary school. Government pays WAEC registration fees for candidates in public senior schools. Government also purchased computers for teachers and students in the senior secondary schools.

Industrialisation agenda

There have been efforts to ensure the industrial development of Ekiti. The former Odua Textiles has been transformed into the Odua Skill Acquisition Centre. Artisan’s Village, Modern Industrial Park, Computer Accessories and Electronic Market have been established. Also established are the Starch/Fruc-

tose Processing Factory, Arewa Cotton/ South West Cotton Farm and Ginnery, Alpha Rolling Mill, JKF Fabric Market, Palm Kernel Industry; Plywood, POP and Doors Industry, and Ceramic Tiles and Sanitary Ware Industry. While the Ire Burnt Bricks has undergone turn-around, mining activities have commenced by the Fountain Solid Minerals Company in Itawure, Orin, Isan and Ijero. Exploration of Kaolin in Isan Ekiti and Aluminum bauxite in Orin Ekiti has also commenced. In its efforts to make Ekiti State a most attractive destination for relaxation and holidays, the Ikogosi Warm Springs Tourist Centre has undergone a tremendous turn around and renewal. Heritage sites are being identified, acquired and developed. A Film Village and Ekiti State Council for Art and Culture have been established. The Ogun Onire grove covering 300msq has been surveyed.

Fire fighting trucks and equipment of Ekiti State Fire Service

ere-Emure Road (30km); and Ijesa Isu-Ode Road (10km). Adunmo said the less than N20 billion investment in roads was targeted at attracting investors to the state; ensuring comfort, safety and security of road users; aiding transportation of farm produce and as well boosting agriculture; among others. The new look roads in the state have, no doubt, engendered accelerated growth in socio-economic activities and strengthened the state’s competitiveness and attractiveness to both domestic and foreign investors and thus increased citizens’ propensity to access economic opportunities.

Potable water

The administration is also committed to the provision of potable water across the state. This is in a bid to improve the health conditions of the citizenry and stimulate rapid industrialisation. Some of the steps taken to improve on the water infrastructure include: Transfer of the management of dams and mini schemes to the management of the state water corporation; improving the output of existing water works; setting in motion the process for the complete rehabilitation of abandoned water works in the state; award of contracts for the supply and installation of High Lift Pumps for eight communities; procurement of 2500KVA power generating set for Ero Dam to ease water supply to people in 10 local government areas of the State; extension of water pipelines within Ado-Ekiti. There are also plans to increase distribution density through the reactivation of dormant pipelines, laying of new pipes, improving pumping capability and building of more water treatment plants in the state; construction of concrete reservoirs in two communities.

Other infrastructural development

As access to power supply remains

an incentive for establishment of businesses – small or large scale and a means of checking rural-urban drift, the Fayemi administration considered it a priority, hence the investment in the sector to benefit the populace. Already, over 150 transformers have been purchased and distributed to boost power supply in several communities across the state and intensify electrification of other numerous communities leading to a massive boost in economic activities and further unlocking citizens’ access to diverse opportunities. Moreover, the administration had in three years completed rural electrification of over 15 new towns. Other infrastructure in place by the administration include the Legacy Projects and other public buildings in the state capital, as part of the design to ensure the state capital has necessary infrastructure. They are the Civic Centre, New Government House, State Mega Pavilion and New Governor’s Office which are at different stages of completion, while the new State House of Assembly, Deputy Governor’s Office and Oluyemi Kayode Stadium rehabilitation among others have been completed. The administration has also inaugurated an urban renewal programme and a beautification project which have, in addition to the infrastructure development, transformed the physical outlook of the capital city where the pilot schemes have taken off. Today, Governor Fayemi can beat his chest to say: “Our administration has achieved very significant progress in the area of infrastructural development across the state. We have worked hard to create the optimal physical environment that would stimulate economic activities, as well as improved security of lives and property.”

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Senate empowers INEC to delist parties CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

a law, the INEC can now deregister any political party that falls short of its requirement. The Senate also amended the constitution to include serving and former heads of the two chambers of the National Assembly to be members of the National Council of State. The legislature is the only arm of government not represented in the council at the moment. The amendments to the constitution came just as the National Conference yesterday resolved that federal and state lawmakers should henceforth function on part-time basis while their allowances should be commensurate with what obtains in other arms of the public service. The Senate passed its amendments during its clause-by-clause voting on the amended Electoral Act 2010, which had to do with INEC’s management of political parties and elections. All the 89 senators who participated in the voting supported Clause 6 of the amended Act, empowering INEC to deregister political parties that fall short of the legal requirements to function as a party. The Senate also passed

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clauses six and seven which seek to alter sections 68 and 109 of the constitution to mandate the Clerk of the National Assembly and the clerks of state Houses of Assembly to notify INEC of any vacancy in the Senate, House of Representatives and state assemblies. With this provision, the clerks are required to write within seven days of the existence of a vacancy arising from death, resig-

nation or defection of a lawmaker to INEC. The senators also voted in support of clauses four and five, which equally seek to alter sections 134 and 179, which have to do with the extension of the time for conducting presidential and governorship re-run election. The clauses prescribed the extension from seven days provided for by the extant Act to 21 days after results have been an-

nounced. The senators also passed clause eight of the amendment, which seeks to alter the Third Schedule of the constitution to include a serving president of the Senate, his predecessors, a serving speaker and predecessors as members of the National Council of States. The Senate, however, deferred voting on the contentious amendments to Section 9 (3a) which confers on the president,

the power to initiate a new constitution. Meanwhile, the National Conference yesterday resolved that federal and state lawmakers should henceforth function on a part-time basis . The delegates also adopted the proposal that payment of pension, life insurance and severance packages for governors, deputy governors and legislators, where they exist, CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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

Former Head of State, Major-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (right) and Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, during Buhari’s visit to condole with the state government over the death of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, in Gombe…yesterday

Jonathan asks Senate to confirm Shekarau, three others as ministers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

in a letter by the president to the Senate, which was read out yesterday by Senate President David Mark during plenary. The president also attached the curricula vitae of the nominees to the letter for the Senate’s consideration to enable senators screen and confirm them. However, when Mark was reading out the list of the ministerial nominees, there was commotion at the mention of Shekarau as some senators murmured over his nomination. Apparently, their reservations about Shekarau’s nomination were triggered by his political antecedent as he was a leading member of APC until he defected following his quarrel with the party over the control of the APC machinery in the state. The APC, in line with the agreement it reached with five aggrieved governors of the PDP who defected to the opposition party in the wake of their

irreconcilable differences with the party on whose platform they were elected, had made them leaders of the party in their states. With the agreement, Governors Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Ahmed Abdulfatah (Kwara) and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), displaced former APC leaders in their respective states. This however caused rancour in the party as Shekarau, former Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and some APC chieftains in Adamawa State, including former Lagos State Military Administrator, Brigadier-Gen. Mohammed Marwa, having failed in attempts to regain the control of the party machinery in their states, defected to PDP. Jonathan formally welcomed Shekarau to PDP on April 15, a day after the Nyanya bomb blasts that killed about 100 persons and on the day the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls

from Chibok, Borno State occurred. It was gathered that three out of the four ministerial nominees will fill the gap created by the exit of the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godsday Orubebe (Delta), former Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olukolade (Ekiti) and former Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama (Yobe). On his part, Shekarau is replacing Hadjia Jamilia Salik from Kano State, who was dropped by the president after he had sent a list of 12 ministerial nominees to the Senate in January for confirmation. The Senate did not screen Salik and no explanation was given for the action. With the latest nomination, Kwara and Anambra states are yet to fill their slots in the cabinet following the removal of Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi from Kwara State as Sports Minister in March and that of former Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah,

who hails from Anambra State. However, the nomination of Adeyeye, a former PDP governorship aspirant in Ekiti State was applauded by party members in the state yesterday who saw it as a morale booster for the party ahead of the June 21 governorship election. A cross-section of party leaders and members in the state praised the president for the choice of Adeyeye. The state Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe, said he was happy that those peddling rumours that the PDP was in crisis over who to represent the state in the federal cabinet had been put to shame. Some PDP members thronged Adeyeye’s IseEkiti country home to congratulate him on the appointment, PDP Secretary in Ise/Orun Local Government, Toyin Okoro said: “This is the best news that I have heard this year. With Adeyeye as minister, Fayemi should begin to pack his belongings from the Government House.”

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

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Three Nigerians, others arrested in Cameroun over Chinese abduction

ix people, including three Nigerians resident in Cameroun, have been arrested over the kidnapping of 10 Chinese workers in the country by Boko Haram. The kidnapping, on May 17, took place in Waza, a town near the border with Nigeria, when the workers’ construction camp was raided in the middle of the night. A Camerounian soldier was also killed in the attack. “Six people have been taken in for questioning in Waza” as part of the investigation, a source close to the security services told the Agence France Presse (AFP). The three Nigerians who are living in Waza were among those taken in for questioning on Monday,

an AFP report yesterday quoted the source as saying. “A number of people have been arrested during the course of the investigation. It is a military operation,” the source said, without giving further details. The kidnapping is believed to be the latest raid by Boko Haram which has been known to take advantage of a porous border to slip from their stronghold in the North-East into Cameroun. The authorities in Yaounde have blamed Boko Haram, which has been waging a bloody insurgency in Nigeria since 2009, although the group has not claimed responsibility for the attack. Cameroun shares a border of more than 2,000

kilometres with Nigeria and President Paul Biya has committed to sending 3,000 troops and police to the troubled border northern region over the next few weeks. The first troops have already started to arrive. Meanwhile, a report by the BBC yesterday said Boko Haram had killed scores of villagers in fresh attacks in Borno State. In one attack, gunmen disguised as soldiers fired on a crowd in a church compound, Mr. Peter Biye, identified as a lawmaker, said. Among the villages attack was Attagara, which was first raided on Sunday when the terrorists shot into the congregation at a church, killing about 20 persons. Biye said the terrorists,

dressed as soldiers, pretended they had come to protect the village and they seemed to be on a revenge attack. “They came in mass in military uniform with about 200 motorcycles… they said they came to rescue them [and] they should not run away,” he told the BBC’s Newsday programme. Villagers were urged to come to the church, and people gathered believing it was the military, the MP said. “They surrounded them - they started shooting them,” Biye said, adding that the gunmen then burnt many buildings. Those who had fled into nearby hills reported seeing many dead bodies, he said.

Senate empowers INEC to delist parties CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

should be cancelled in line with global best practices. This followed the conclusion of debates and adoption of the recommendations of the Committee on Public Service. The conference also adopted a resolution seeking the incorporation of the provisions of the Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act into the Code of Conduct Act to promote transparency and accountability in the public service. The Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act, Cap BI Laws of the Federation 2004 provides for full declaration of assets by all employees within 14 days of assuming duty and seven days of the anniversary of the initial declaration every subsequent year. It was also resolved that people with disability in the public service should be given an allowance equivalent to grade level 6 to enable them hire some personal aides. The delegates also adopted the proposal for the creation of a separate Foreign Service Commission to cater for the peculiar

needs of all public servants serving in Nigerian missions abroad. This category of public servants would cease to be under the Federal Civil Service Commission, if the conference adoption is ratified. But a former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, faulted the adoption of the proposal that the legislature should be on a part-time basis, saying it was already functioning so. But his submission was greeted by uproar by his colleagues. While defending his constituency, Wabara said: “There is nothing new here. I was the president of the Senate of this great country and we functioned on part-time basis. “It is five days a week and eight hours a day that Nigerians work but in the legislature it is three days a week and four hours a day. So there is nothing new about this. “Unless there is any other theory of part-time function then I don’t really understand this. The legislature has always worked on a part-time basis.”

Terrorism: Court declines FG’s request in varsity lecturer’s trial Tunde Oyesina Abuja L-R: The late Kudirat Abiola’s son, Abdul Mumuni; President, Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; President, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello; Chairman, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd) and former Secretary General, National Conscience Party (NCP), Mr. Femi Aborishade, during the 18th memorial anniversary for Kudirat Abiola in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE.

Sterling, Fidelity, BOA, four others jockey for Enterprise Bank CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which owns 100 per cent stake in Enterprise Bank and two other bridged banks, Mainstreet Bank and Keystone Bank, are expected to narrow the list down to three investors – the preferred bidder and two reserve bidders. Citi and Nigeria’s investment firm, Vetiva Capital, are advising on the sale of Enterprise Bank. Names of the trio would thereafter be forwarded to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for approval. AMCON expects to complete the sale of both Enterprise Bank and Mainstreet Bank on or before September 15, while the sale of Keystone Bank would be next year. Commenting on the financial status of Enterprise Bank, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of one of the local bidders

said the attraction for the bank was because it is one of the best-run banks in the country. “Basically, we looked at two institutions – Enterprise Bank and Mainstreet Bank, which we believe are properly run and we eventually settled for Enterprise Bank because it is nimble and fits into our own agenda,” the source said. Enterprise Bank had made a profit before tax of N11.3 billion in its first year of operations in 2012 while Mainstreet Bank made a profit before tax of N24.1 billion within the same period. Enterprise Bank Limited, formerly Spring Bank Plc, Mainstreet Bank, Afribank Plc and Keystone Bank Limited, formerly Bank PHB Plc, are the three bridged banks acquired by AMCON from the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in August 2011, fol-

lowing the inability of the trio to recapitalise within a specified timeframe set by the CBN. AMCON had injected N679 billion into the bridged banks to meet the minimum capital base of N25 billion and the minimum capital adequacy ratio of 15 per cent. Mainstreet Bank, which assumed the assets of Afribank, got N285 billion, Keystone Bank, which assumed the assets of Bank PHB, received N283 billion, while Enterprise Bank, which took over the assets of Spring Bank, got N111 billion. A bridge bank refers to a temporary bank established and operated by the deposit insurer to acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of a failed bank until a final resolution can be accomplished. The bridge bank will retain the failed bank’s licence but operate under a different name preferably in the

same premises used by the failed bank. Twenty-five local and foreign investment groups had expressed interest in acquiring Mainstreet Bank. AMCON was set up in 2010 to help resolve a banking crisis in Nigeria, triggered by reckless lending and a stock market collapse in 2008, prompting the banking watchdog to spend over N650 billion rescuing nine lenders from near bankruptcy. The corporation issued N4 trillion worth of bonds in 2011 to recapitalise the banks and soak up their bad-debts. Managing Director of the corporation, Chike-Obi, said the “bad bank” retired N1.699 trillion worth of bonds in December 2013 with N3.8 trillion held by the CBN. He said AMCON would retire the remaining N800 billion worth of bonds in October from its own cash flows.

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday declined an application filed by the Federal Government, seeking a modification of the earlier partial secret trial the court had granted for the trial of Dr. Mohammed Yunus, a lecturer at the Kogi State University and two other accused persons standing trial over their alleged involvement in Boko Haram activities. The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, held that the court did not have powers to vacate its earlier ruling on partial secret trial of the accused persons. “The court can only vacate such an order when it does not have powers to have made such an order,” the judge held. Justice Kolawole further held that, “the court has no constitutional power to completely shield the witnesses from court staff. “Acceding to such an application would amount to having empty benches in the court to testify before as there will be no one in attendance.” The court later ad-

journed till June 9 for trial. The judge, however, ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Kuje Maximum Prison and reproduced in court at the next adjourned date. New Telegraph recalls that the court had on April 3 ordered for the partial protection of witnesses that are to be presented by the prosecution counsel. However, at the last adjourned date, the prosecution counsel, Mr. A. Ogunsina sought a change of the earlier order of the court for a partial protection of the witnesses to a complete protection of the identities of the witnesses. In a five-paragraph, in support of the application dated May 2, 2014, filed and served on the same day, pursuant to Section 6 Sub-section 6 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and Order 26 Rule 17 of the Federal High Court procedure Rule, 2009 as well as Section 34 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013 as amended, Ogunsina had prayed the court to vacate its earlier order of April 3, 2014, in which it granted partial secret trial for the accused persons.

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Insecurity: Jonathan meets Archbishop of Canterbury in Aso Rock

lNew CBN governor meets president Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with the head of the Anglican Church worldwide and Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt. Rev. Justin Welby at the presidential villa behind closed doors. The cleric was at the villa to condole with the President and Nigerians over continued terrorist attacks perpetrated by

members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Welby said: “The bombing in Jos was deeply disheartening because I know Jos very well. I came to pray with His Excellency and express our condolence for the losses.” The visit of the Anglican head is coming days after spiritualists from Senegal and officials of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) came to

PDP plotting to impeach me, says Oshiomhole

…raises alarm over planned destabilisation of Assembly

Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

do State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole yesterday raised the alarm over alleged plot to impeach him by destabilizing the state House of Assembly. He specifically accused the People Democratic Party (PDP) and some forces in Abuja of bankrolling the plot. The governor stated that those hatching the plot first want to induce the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in the House to defect to the PDP so as to ease the removal of principal officers of the state assembly, and ultimately himself. Oshiomole disclosed this when he addressed hundreds of youths from Edo Central Senatorial District on the umbrella of the Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration Immigration, Development and Reintegration led by Comrade Solomon Okoduwa, who paid him a solidarity visit at the Government House in Benin, the state capital. According to the governor, the opposition had paid huge sums of money received from Abuja to unspecified number of lawmakers in the state legislature with the mandate to commence impeachment process against the governor and the House leadership. Oshiomhole said: “I know you have read in the newspapers that some of them are planning through corrupt means to change a popular mandate that was conferred on me by the great people of the

state including your good self. History will have it whether they like it or not that for the first time Edo Central, North and South, everybody voted for me overwhelmingly in all the local governments.” He carpeted the PDP lawmakers whom he said rode on his back to find themselves into the hallowed chambers of the House. His words: “Now they have brought in a lot of money from Abuja paying assembly members who we campaigned for, marketing some of these people who are not known in their neighbourhood, they rode on my back to get to the house of assembly. Some of them cannot walk their streets. “They collected, as I read in the papers, huge sums of money to mortgage and put on hold the mandate you all in your respective areas gave them on the basis of the promise that they will work for me to deliver Edo State; they have become merchant of mandate.” The governor maintained that his government is determined to be on the side of the people. “I heard that they are going to pick up more money to buy the people, let them bring it but the day the devil rise to say that he will dare what God has willed, they will increase the fire power in hire. So, I need you to remain resolute and not to be disturbed. When I was not in government I laid down my life to fight for Nigeria; I confronted power and I spoke through power. We are determined to be on the side of the people,” he stated.

the State House to offer prayers for the country. According to the Anglican cleric, “God is faithful. In one of the letters that Paul wrote to the church, he talked about the sufferings they were going through being known throughout the world. The suffering in Nigeria is known throughout the world. “People throughout the world pray for the country. It is a country for which I have profound respect and deep love. And like many, I am deeply grieved by what is happening but God is faithful. “He is always faithful to us and as Christians, in Jesus Christ we believe in His faithfulness and we can trust Him for the future. “I don’t have words to describe the good potential this country has. There is great difficulty at the moment but it is a country with such enormous potential. I think Nigerians by nature are joyful, hopeful and vigorous, they work hard. “The country has so much going for it. In the meeting, the President talked about the need of a

solution that will reach all people, not just the security but economy, spiritual and every part of the human life.” Welby was accompanied to the villa by the secretary of the National Christian Pilgrims Commission, John Kennedy

Opera and the Chaplain of the Aso Rock chapel. Meanwhile, the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emifele yesterday met with the President. Emifele’s meeting with the President came a day after he resumed duty as

the chief executive of the country’s apex bank. Although, the CBN boss declined to speak to State House correspondents on his way out of the presidential villa, New Telegraph gathered that he had visited to discuss with the President on his new agenda for the economy and the banking sector which he is expected to unveil today. The meeting between the new CBN governor and the President lasted about an hour.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (left) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, during Emefiele’s visit to the minister in Abuja…yesterday

FG approves N40bn W’Bank loan for Lagos Anule Emmanuel

he Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday gave approval for the Lagos State Government to secure a loan of N40 billion from the World Bank in support of the Second Development Policy Operation, infrastructure development and education in the state. Minister of information, Labaran Maku, who disclosed this after the FEC meeting said Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala presented a memo in this regard to the council which was granted. The loan is an additional credit facility from the International Development Association (IDA) in support of the Second Lagos State Development Policy Operation. The minister explained that the objective of the project is to consolidate on the achievements recorded under the first phase of the project. The project covers the construction of a 27 kilo-

metre light rail, construction of schools and the construction of Adiyan Mini Waterworks to provide two million gallons of water per day. Briefing State House Correspondents at the presidential villa, Maku said Council approved that the Ministry of Finance obtain additional credit facility in the sum of $200 million from the IDA in support of the second Lagos State development operation. Council also approved an additional $42.3 million as additional financing for the Lagos-Epe secondary education project. FEC further approved that the Coordinating Minister for the Economy should execute the financing agreement on behalf of the Federal Government; and direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to issue the legal opinion required to render the credit effective. He said the loan has a 0.5 per cent commitment charge, 0.75 per cent service charge, interest rate

of 1.25 per cent per annum, 25 years repayment period and a moratorium period of five years. Maku, who briefed alongside the Ministers of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed and Transport, Idris Umar, said Council also approved the award of contract for operation, maintenance and training of staff for the Wupa Basin Sewage Treatment Plant in Abuja in favour of Messrs S.C.C (Nigeria Limited). The contract is in the sum of N2 billion with a completion period of 20 months. Explaining the scope of the contract, the FCT minister said the training component in the previous maintenance contracts had offered opportunity for 22 members of staff of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) including engineers, scientists, technologists, technicians and others to acquire skills and experience in the operation and maintenance of sewage treatment plant. There was a budgetary

provision in 2013 FCT Appropriation to fund the project. Council also approved the commission of consultancy services for the shore protection and rehabilitation of Escravos Breakwaters and Greenfield Port Development at Ogidingbe, Delta State, for the NPA/ Ministry of Transport in favour of Messrs Royal Haskoninb DHV in the sums of N722.29 million. According to Umar, there is a budgetary provision of N50 million in the 2014 budget and a proposal for the balance of N803.5million has been captured in the 2015 budget. “The project upon completion will generate a total of 1,700 jobs for professionals and non-professionals during the planning and construction of the Escravos Port and related industrial development, breakwater and dredging operations while 10,000 jobs will be created during the operations phase on an annual basis for professionals and non-professionals,” he said.

• Intro

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Anambra tribunal dismisses petitions against Obiano NOT GUILTY Election petition tribunal upholds governor's election Uwakwe Abugu

Awka

he Anambra Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka, capital of Anambra State, yesterday, dismissed all the four petitions filed against Governor Willie Obiano. The tribunal said that the cases were lacking in merit and, accordingly, affirmed the governor’s election during the November 16, 17 and 30, 2013 governorship election in the state.

411m

Delivering judgement on the four petitions yesterday, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ishaq Bello, painstakingly went through a legal winding path, examining details of each petition filed by the respective petitioners and resolved all the allegations brought against the governor, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the other respondents in favour of the respondents. The long judgement, which lasted for over seven hours, beginning from 9.17 am and ending at 4.09 pm during which period only a five-minutes break was observed, was a tortuous experience for the panelists, men of the bar and newsmen alike.

The number of mobile-cellular subscriptions of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) region in 2011. Source: Itu.int

The four petitions were filed against Obiano by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Mr. Tony Nwoye, who came second in the election, his party, the PDP; Senator Chris Ngige, who was the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Dr. Chike Obidigbo who is of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA). In the different judgements the tribunal held that “the petition failed in its entirety. The petition in its entirety is hereby dismissed as lacking in merit.” The allegation against Obiano as pleaded by all the petitioners included that he was not qualified to stand for the election; that

$US319.4bn The nominal GDP of Venezuela (IMF) in 2009. Source: Blatantworld.com

the conduct of the governorship election was marred by large scale irregularities including disenfranchisement of registered voters, non-display of voters register, voting by under-aged persons, skewed recruitment of INEC adhoc staff to favour the governor, collation of election results, not complying with the provisions of the electoral Act 2010 as amended among others. The petitioners had prayed the panel to nullify the election that brought the governor into office and a fresh election but in all these, the chairman of the tribunal, who read the four judgments, held that the petitioners failed woefully to establish their allegations, saying it was not enough to bring up the

3,000GW

The amount of added power that could be generated from geothermal energy in the United States. Source: Unesco.org

Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari (left), receiving an award of excellence on behalf of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, from Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, during the lecture organised by the state Correspondents' Chapel in Abeokuta... yesterday PHOTO: KUNLE OLAYENI

allegations but that the onus of proof which rests on the petitioners was not seen to have been proved. In its judgment in Obidigbo's petition in which he urged the tribunal to declare him as the rightful candidate of the APGA in the election on the ground that his nomination was endorsed by Chief Maxi Okwu, arguing that Obiano's nomination was endorsed by Chief Victor Umeh, whose position as

APGA national chairman is being challenged by Okwu. But the tribunal dismissed the application on the ground that the petitioner lacked the locus standi to challenge the result of the election having not been a candidate in the election in the first place and having admitted in the course of the trial of his petition that Obiano's name was published by INEC as the candidate of APGA before the election.

We must unite against terrorism, says Babangida • As Islamic group condemns killings Dominic Adewole

ASABA

ormer military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday said the security challenge facing the country demands collective action from all Nigerians. He spoke yesterday during a condolence visit to the government and people of Gombe State on the death of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that former military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, also visited the state to condole the people. Babangida, who addressed newsmen after the visit, said the security challenges in the northern part of the country demand that all Nigerians unite to address the problem. “This problem is our problem, every Nigerian irrespective of religion, tribe, age, has a role to play, and the sooner we begin to play those roles the better for Nigeria,” he said. The former president, who led special prayers during the visit, condoled with the government and people of Gombe over the loss of the emir.

Also yesterday, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusoanya, decried the abduction of young teenage girls in Chibok, Borno State. Onwusoanya, who said that the sect’s activities leave “a very sour taste in our mouths,” was particularly pained at the wanton loss of life of innocent Nigerians, sometimes in their prime. Speaking at the occasion marking the end of the third year of the fifth Assembly in Asaba, the Speaker described the attacks on innocent Nigerians as “heinous acts against humanity.” He said: “It is therefore our unequivocal position, that such acts of terror, primitive barbarism and all pursuits that tend to demean human life should be condemned and out rightly rejected, especially, as it is not borne out of any known, well informed and right intention.” Also, another Islamic group, the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, said that contrary to the practice of the Boko Haram insurgent group, islam is against the killing of innocent people, irrespective of their religious affiliation.

Jega decries voter apathy, CBN job: Put Nigeria first, calls for more education NGF tells Emefiele PDP holds NEC meeting today NEC Chairman, Prof. At- percentage of voided votes Onyekachi Eze hoped that his vision for the ...may hold mid-term convention, June 14 Iday tahiru Jega, said yester- traceable to limited knowlapex bank will be one that in Calabar that there edge and awareness. will encourage fiscal responwas still an intolerable “Few females are parhe Jonah Jang faction of sibility in both the public Onyekachi Eze graph that the only item on high degree of apathy and ticipating in elections as Tthe Nigeria Governors’ and private sectors while the agenda in today’s meetlow level of participation candidates and other dis- Forum (NGF) yesterday ad- ushering in an era that ing will be the ratification in the electoral process in advantaged groups still vised the new Central Bank will enhance the growth he Peoples Democratic of the date for the midfeel left out of the process,” of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin of small and medium scale TParty (PDP) has con- term convention, which is the country. He made the remark he said. Emefiele, to put the interest enterprise through policies cluded arrangements for June 14. ABUJA

ABUJA

at the opening of a two-day retreat of the National Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Voters’ Education and Publicity. Jega expressed concern that in spite of the enormous resources put into voters’ and civic education by the commission and other bodies, the level of apathy was still high. “In our elections, there is still a high degree of apathy, an intolerably high

Jega, represented by the National Commissioner in charge of Publicity, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, said the electoral process was still being hampered by corruption, vote buying, snatching of electoral materials, intimidation and threat, among others. He said what these irregularities indicated was that the current strategies for meeting the challenges ‘have not been altogether successful.’

of Nigeria first in the discharge of his duties. In a statement by the Administrator of the forum, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, the body also called on him to make the nation, the people of Nigeria and the government his top priorities, advising that he should be faithful to the roles and functions of his job. The statement further said that the governors of the forum were looking forward to working with the new CBN Governor and

that will encourage lending to this sector by commercial banks. The forum admonished him to beware of those who may want to use their relationship with him for personal gain, rather than for the collective good. NGF also asked Nigerians and those in the relevant sectors of the economy in particular, to support the CBN Governor in his new role with a view to ensuring monetary stability for the common good.

its 65th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting today. This will be the first NEC meeting to be presided over by Dr. Adamu Mu’azu since he became PDP National Chairman on January 18. The meeting will be coming after that of the Board of Trustees (BoT), headed by Chief Tony Anenih, which met at the Presidential Villa last night. A source told New Tele-

The composition of membership of the convention and strengthening party membership and cohesion as well as reports of the various zonal executive committees on the proposed return of highprofile politicians like former governors of Abia and Enugu States, Orji Uzor Kalu and Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, whose desire to come back to their original fold have polarised the party, would also be discussed at the meeting.

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NAF manufactures Helicopter Hydraulic Diaphragm - Amosunº Emmanuel Onani ABUJA

he Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, has said that the recent breakthrough in the manufacture of the Mi35p Helicopter Hydraulic Accumulator Diaphragm, was a product of the importance the Nigerian Air Force attaches to research development. Amosu made the dis-

closure in Abuja yesterday, when he declared open a three-day training on Intellectual Property Rights Management for Officers of the Nigerian Air Force. The CAS, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal James Gbum, identified Research Development as one of the fundamental elements for sustainability and selfreliance.

‘NDDC needs N150b to link three Delta communities’ Dominic Adewole ASABA

he three fastest growing TState communities in Delta - Omadino, Ogidigben and Okerenkoko in Warri South-West Local Government Area, need N150 billion to be knitted together, said Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. The Governor recently told President Goodluck Jonathan during the of-

ficial ground-breaking ceremony of the Eagle Heights University, at Omadino. Pastor Oritsejafor, founder - World of Life Bible Church and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), cited the University at Omadino to improve the quality of education in the country by equipping graduates to be independent.

Magistrate dies in detention Leo Sobechi

magistrate with the Enugu State Judiciary, Mrs. Ifeoma Nneji, has been reported dead in prison barely one day after she was remanded in prison custody for her involvement in a case of abduction, assault and attempted murder. Nneji, who was incarcerated alongside her husband last Monday was said to have given up the ghost the following day in what the prison authorities said must be related to complications arising from shock.

Prior to her ordeal in the hands of the law, the magistrate was serving in the Oji River Magisterial District of the state before she was recently suspended for her roles in the alleged abduction of a nine-year-old orphan, Miss Chinasa Amah; from Ebonyi State and assault on a female tenant of her husband’s building. Confirming the development to journalists yesterday, the State Controller of Enugu Prison, Mr. Alloy Uchenna, said there was not much he could volunteer since according to him, the

Deputy Controller in charge of the prison was yet to brief him on the incident. However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed that Nneji died after she was remanded in Enugu prison alongside her husband, pointing out that their charge originated from Abakpa Police Division but later transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department, from where they were arraigned in court remanded in prison. Amarizu added that

the magistrate and her husband were arrested on March 2, 2014, for allegedly abducting the nine-year-old child adding that the cause of her death was yet to be ascertained. When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Ebonyi State Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Eni, said he was not aware whether the state government played any role in the arrest and prosecution of the magistrate, pointing out that the National Human Rights Commission waded into the matter and ordered investigations.

UI VC commends NUC over clampdown on illegal cnetres Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

ice-Chancellor, UniVProfessor versity of Ibadan, Isaac Folorunso Adewole has commended the National Universities Commission (NUC) on its recent clamp down on fake Continuing Education Centres (CEC), which were offering part-time and week-end courses to unsuspecting students in the name of Open Distance Learning (ODL).

Describing the step as a welcome development, Adewole charged the regulatory body not to rest on its oars at seeing that Nigerians who are thirsty for and are in search of quality education are not denied access. The UI VC spoke yesterday at the opening session of the First Distinguished Lecture and Stakeholders' Forum organized by the Distance Learning Centre of the university held at its International Conference Centre.

Chibok: Oritsejafor, Abuja chief imam lead prayer session Mojeed Alabi part of the ongoAthesingrelease efforts to secure of the more

than 200 abducted students Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and the Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Alhaji Isah Mohammed, yesterday led thousands of Women, religious faithful

as well as secondary school students in an interdenominational prayer session. The prayer session, which was organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, was one of the series of its kind held in the recent time and aimed at restoring peace to the country, and to specifically secure freedom for the students who have remained in captivity of the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect for more than 50 days.

L-R: Chief Legal Counsel, Ecobank Nigeria, Mrs. Denike Laoye; Director, Head of Project, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBED), Mr. Lateef Oduntan; Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Jubril Aku and Head Teacher, Cherubim & Seraphim Primary School II, Miss Kudirat Olabode, during the hand-over of the renovated school building by the bank in Ikorodu, Lagos … yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Rivers PDP commends NJC on Chief Judge l As govt directs workers not to obey NJC Joe Ezuma

PORT HARCOURT

he Peoples Democratic Party, Rivers State Chapter on yesterday commended the National Judicial Council's pronouncement on the lingering crisis in the Rivers state judiciary when it directed the appointment of judges in the state judiciary and customary Court of appeal The party also stated that the statements credited to the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari accusing the NJC of continuing interference with the administration of Justice in Rivers State and Mr. Wogu Boms, At-

torney-General of Rivers State, were misdirected. ''The Peoples Democratic Party, Rivers State Chapter without equivocation therefore commends the National Judicial Council for coming to the rescue of the residents of Rivers State and those who do business in Rivers State by the appointment of Administrative Judges for the High Court of Rivers State and the Customary Court of Appeal of Rivers State'', the statement by Mr. Jerry Needam stated. But the Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Mr George Sokari yesterday said the union received

a circular from the state government directing judiciary workers in the employment of the state to ignore directives from Justice Daisy Okocha as Administrative Chief Judge of the state. This is even as the state Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association welcomed the National Judicial Council's decision on Justice Daisy Okocha. The NJC had after deliberating on the crisis in the Rivers State Judiciary, at its 67th Meeting which was held on May 27, noted with concern, the non-appointment of a Substantive Chief Judge or Acting Chief Judge for Rivers State and its attendant consequences

on the general administration of justice, particularly assignment of cases and other related administrative duties in both the High Court and Customary Court of Appeal of Rivers State. It consequently, in the exercise of its powers, directed that the most senior judge in the High Court of Justice of Rivers State Judiciary should perform the functions of assigning cases to all the judges of the court and carry out other related administrative duties. It further directed that the most senior judge in the Customary Court of Appeal of Rivers State Judiciary should perform the functions of assigning cases and also carry out other related administrative duties.

Okurounmu, Olunloyo, others to grace GCI Old Boys' luncheon EFCC sues oil services manager over N52.2m fraud

he 2014 Government ColTAssociation lege Ibadan Old Boys (GCIOBA)

annual week luncheon, lecture and merit award ceremony would berth this Sunday in Lagos at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island.

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference, Dr. Femi Okurounmu, is expected to deliver a keynote address lecture on the National Conference. According to a state-

ment from the office of Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN, who is the chairman of the association’s Lagos branch, the theme for this year's lecture is ‘After the National Conference, wither the Nation’.

Emmanuel Onani

he Economic and Financial Crimes C o m m i s s i o n (EFCC) yesterday, arraigned the Finance Manager of Cetco Oil-

fields Services Limited, one Akintunde Ajao, alongside his company, YPSL Nigeria Limited, before a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State

capital. Ajao and his company were arraigned on a 4-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money by false pretence.

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Voters' registration: INEC ad hoc staff accused of collecting N50 to issue cards CONTRIBUTION Call it support, assistance or what you will, money is changing hands in Benue Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

he on-going voter’s registration exercise in some parts of Benue State has

44%

assumed a negative dimension as INEC adhoc staff conducting the exercise have engaged in alleged extortion of N50 from prospective voters before issuing voters card to them. The exercise was extended by two days to enable eligible registrants actively participate so as to vote in next years’ general elections, but it has run into a hitch, following the alleged sharp prac-

The percentage of agricultural water withdrawal of total water withdrawal in OECD countries Source: Unesco.org

tices by the adhoc staff. New Telegraph gathered yesterday that some registrants at the Fiidi polling unit in Makurdi had alleged that they were asked to pay the fee, but they resisted it, adding that others, however, paid in order to get registered before the close of deadline. Some of them who spoke to our correspondent including Ngodoo Orban, one Umeyi as

N3.2bn

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

well as Rachael Orban said the Youth Corp members working as adhoc staff were collecting the said amount from them in order to buy fuel to charge the Direct Data Capturing Machines. But reacting to the allegation, an adhoc staff, who simply identified himself as Innocent, said the contribution was not meant for their personal use, but to power the INEC fa-

170,000

The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in Colombia in 2007. Source: Blatantworld.com

cilities in order to fast track the process of registration. According to Innocent, the decision to collect the money came following an agreement with members of the community to avoid the exercise being marred. Reacting, the INEC officer in Makurdi Local Government Area,

Mr. Abu Ofene condemned the anxiety on the part of the registrants, and cautioned Youths Corps members against collecting money from the people. Ofene urged the people not to panic as registration will continue at the local government headquarters before the exercise closes.

Imo Assembly reinstates sacked member

Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

mo State House of Assembly has recalled the member representing Oru East, Hon. Greg Okemili. Okemili’s recall on Tuesday followed an announcement by the Speaker of the House, Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu reversing the sack of the lawmaker on February 12. The Speaker informed the Assembly that he received a letter from Mr. Robert Okwuego who contested the 2011 election with Okemili, saying the case he filed against Okemili has been withdrawn from the Supreme Court.

Uwajumogu also informed the assembly that the Attorney General of the state, Justice Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume had also written to the House to confirm the reversal of the action declaring the seat vacant. The Speaker had, on February 12, 2014 declared the seat of Okemili vacant following a letter from Okwuego informing the Assembly of a court ruling declaring his (Okemili’s) seat vacant. As a result, Okemili appealed against the decision. It went through to the Supreme Court before the complainant settled out of court with the embattled lawmaker, necessitating his come-back.

Ebonyi Lassa fever victims treated, discharged, says Ezeonu Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

L-R: Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu; Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, Minister of Works, State, Bashir Yugud and Minister of Defence, Mohammadu Gusau, at the Federal Executive Council Meeting (FEC), in Abuja …yesterday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Insurgency: Niger sacks another sect Dan Atori MINNA

ollowing a report about the activities of an Islamic fundamentalist group identified as Madinatu Muheenu Hamdallah, the Niger State Government has dislodged its activities after receiving a security report about the sect. The proactive measure of the state government is coming barely four years after the dislodgement of another sect known as Darul Salam at Mokwa in Mokwa Local government of the State. The Tuesday operation was carried out at Cheche near Lapai by the Task force led by Col. A. Y. Yakubu of the 31 Artillery Brigade Minna. The group, however, did not resist evacuation as the operation was suc-

cessful. Speaking with newsmen during the evacuation of the sect members to their various local government areas, Mr. James Kolo, Permanent Secretary Security matters, office of the SSG, revealed that the sect illegally occupied a total of 208.88 hectares of land. “According to our findings, the sect has been operating since 2008, indoctrinating innocent followers who now believe in the Sheikh Mohammad Abubakar, the head of the group from a rich family in Lapai who believed in the preaching and teaching of Tijaniyya,” Kolo said. The sect, whose Headquarter is close to Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University ( IBBU), Lapai, has some of the students as its adherents who subsequently

established a chapel with a strong hold in the university. Before the state government's action, it was feared in view of the security challenges in the country that they will become more deadly if not checked on time because of the way the leader of the sect, Sheikh Muhammad Abubakar, was alleged to have been carrying out his activities in the locality. Denying all the allegations of extremism levied against the group by the people of the area and the security report which indicted them, the spokesman of the sect, Mallam Yusuf Uthman said: “It is not a new thing for a prophet or messenger of Allah and those spreading the good words to the people to be persecuted, but it’s very unfor-

tunate because we have explained intensively to the security agencies. We are Nigerians and Nigerlites, the Emir of Lapai and State government is aware of our existence here and we have C of O for this land we occupied here”.

Chief Medical DiTeralhe rector (CMD) of FedTeaching Hospital,

Abakaliki (FETHA) in Ebonyi state Dr. Paul Ezeonu yesterday revealed that 21 out of 22 Health Workers infected by the deadly Lassa fever which has been ravaging the state have been treated and discharged from Lassa fever centre in Irrua, Edo state. Ezeonu also stated that one person is still receiving treatment and will soon be discharged; maintaining that if the hospital management

and the state movement had not taken prompt and proactive action in rushing them to Edo where they were diagnosed of the virus, perhaps all of them might have died. He stated these in his office while briefing journalists on the condition of the health workers and the measures the Hospital Management has put in place to curtail future outbreak. He noted that the Hospital has called on the Federal Ministry of Health to build virology laboratory with Dialysis Lassa centre to tackle the scourge of Lassa fever.

NUJ warns against promotion of nudity, ritual killings in movies Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

he chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, Mrs. Veronica Osim has called on movie makers and actors in Nigeria to stop the promotion of nudity and ritual acts in their movies. Speaking yesterday when members of Ac-

tors' Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ebonyi chapter paid her a courtesy call at the NUJ secretariat, Abakaliki, she said that actors and movie makers engage in similar vocation as media practitioners, which, according to her, educate, entertain and inform the people. “But my observation of actors and film producers in Nigeria is that we as parents are

not happy about nudity in movies; that is not acting, it abuses our sensibilities and debases us as human beings. “You have to showcase our culture especially positive ones. But there is so much negativity about Nigeria in movies and this makes foreigners regard us as barbaric and dangerous people outside the shores of this country."

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Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Group wants disruption of Suntai’s treatment probed PUNISHMENT Those who disrupted governor's treatment abroad should not go unpunished, group insists Onyekachi Eze

ABUJA

ess than 24 hours after ailing Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, was flown to London for further treatment, a sociopolitical group, the Taraba Justice Forum (TJF) has

faulted the handling of the governor's ill-health saying it amounted to attempted murder. The group, in a statement by its General Secretary, John Ambulus, demanded immediate arrest and trial of those responsible for bringing Suntai into the country in the first place when he had not completed his treatment. Suntai was brought back to Nigeria in August last year from the United States of America following persistent calls for his impeachment by the state House of Assembly,

because of his prolonged absence from office. But the TJF said his treatment was interrupted, thereby further endangering his life. The group called for the institution of a commission of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the interruption of the governor's treatment, including the alleged seizure of his passport for ten months. "The cabal attempted to murder the ailing governor by abruptly stopping his treatment in the United States, seized his passport upon arrival in

Nigeria and held the governor hostage despite his worsening health. The judicial authorities should immediately arrest all dramatis personae in this criminal and inhuman act,” the group said. We urge all Tarabans to rise against this cabal. They attempted to kill Suntai due to their 2015 governorship ambition. They refused to listen to lawmakers and the Acting Governor who insisted that the governor should be taken back for urgent medical attention. The enemies of Suntai and

L-R: Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company PLC (UPDC), Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran; Chairman, Mr. Larry Ettah and Company Secretary, Mr. Godwin Samuel, during the company’s 2014 Annual General Meeting in Lagos…yesterday PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Rights ambassador wants Mbu sacked Biodun Oyeleye

Ilorin

igerian Ambassador to the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), Abdulrazaq Hamzat, yesterday asked the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, to sack the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Joseph Mbu for his alleged role in the controversial ban of #Bring Back Our Girls protests in the territory. A statement sent by mail to newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara State yesterday by the group said although the IGP had intervened by reversing the order, it was evident by Mbu’s initial orders that he was not worthy of his uniform again. Text of the statement reads: “ IHRC wishes to express its sadness over the ban on peaceful assembly in Nigeria capital city, Abuja by the Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner, Mr. Jo-

seph Mbu. “On 2nd of June, 2014, Federal Capital Territory police commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu who described the peaceful assembly by respected citizens of Nigeria as lawlessness issued a ban on protests over the 234 abducted Chibok school girls in FCT, Abuja. “It is worthy of note that, freedom of association and peaceful assembly is not just a right guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution, it is a right guaranteed by international law. “Furthermore, for a police commissioner who should champion the cause of enforcing law to boldly come out and issue a ban on citizens’ constitutional rights, this indicates the unwillingness of the Nigerian government to respect its own laws as well as international law or is an indication that some officers occupying strategic positions are unfit or unequipped with adequate knowledge regarding their duties.

Taraba are in the cabal," it added. The Forum threatened legal action if the Umar and the Speaker of House of Assembly fail to set up

a commission of inquiry to find out those responsible for smuggling the governor back into the country and the seizure of his passport.

Kwara professionals want easy access to fund Biodun Oyeleye

Ilorin

of businessAincoalition men and professionals Kwara State wants a

law to compel the state government to reserve at least one percent of its annual budget for the provision of loans to jump- start medium and large-scale enterprises in the state. The move, according to the coalition, is in line with the dictates of the National Micro-finance policy. The group, Kwara Coalition of Business and Professional Associations (KWACOPA), is made up of about 25 business groups and professional associations. The project, which aims ultimately to sponsor a private bill towards ensuring the continuity of the idea, is backed by a United States of America-based organisation, the Centre for International Private Enterprise. The envisaged law, according to the coalition, is the product of two different surveys undertaken by a Germany-based organisation and members of the coalition that sought to

know the level of ease of access to funding by businessmen in the state and identify the obstacles. Most of the respondents in the survey, the coalition said, demanded a legislation that will guarantee their access to funding without political hindrances. The law, if approved, will involve the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a commercial bank that will serve as intermediary between the state and the prospective beneficiaries. Chairman of the coalition, Chief Hezekiah Adediji, briefed newsmen in Ilorin, the state capital along with the chairman of the Ilorin branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Mobolaji Ojibara state, the current effort by the government to provide employment for the people will be very limited, hence the need to create a stable legal framework that will enhance access to financing by businesses. “Nigerian banks are charging as much as 29 percent but if you go to Cotonu the rate is about 12 percent”, he said.

APC, PDP trade words over mutilation of Omisore’s posters Adeolu Adeyemo

OSOGBo

risis is now brewing in Edunabon in Ife North Local Government of Osun State as supporters of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and those of the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Iyiola Omisore, are poised for war over the mutilation of banners that carry the portrait Of Omisore by thugs allegedly from Aregbesola's camp. The incident, which occurred yesterday in the market square of the town, has thrown the inhabitants

into panic. Investigations by New Telegraph yesterday revealed that trouble started around 7.30 p.m when scores of APC members reportedly mutilated some banners carrying Omisore's portraits with blades and other sharp objects. The development, which infuriated the PDP members nearly led to a repraisal before the leader of the party in the local government, Lekan Obisakin, appealed to his members to be calm and subsequently reported the case to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the town, Titus Owoeye, who

promised to look into the matter. Speaking to newsmen on the incident, Obisakin charged the police not to sweep the matter under the carpet, but try their best to right the wrongs on the matter. Also, the state PDP chapter, through its Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa, in a statement in Osogbo, warned the APC-led government to desist from acts that could cause trouble in other political camps. He also called on security agencies in the state to get to the root of the incident. In a swift reaction, the

APC Director of Publicity and Strategy in the state, Kunle Oyatomi queried "How did they know that those who did what they alleged are APC members?" "This is pedestrian. There are thousands of Aregbesola's posters that are being mutilated daily. The PDP should be told that they can't stop the moving train of the APC." When contacted, the police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Folasade Odoro, said, the matter would be investigated and that the police would do their best to see that peace reigned in the state.

Pitan urges Christians to live above board ll Progressive Congress Apirant (APC) Governorship asin Lagos State, Dr.

Leke Pitan, has called on Christians in politics to live above board, and convince others with their behaviour rather than resort to mere sentiments. This, according to him, is the only way Christians in politics can earn their respect among the political elite in

the country. He said this at the politicalsummitorganisedby theOrganizationof Christians in Democracy. Dr. Pitan, who delivered a paper tilted, 'Spiritual intelligence and 2015 General election in Nigeria,' also used the occasion to pray for Christians in politics. His words: "I pray that the names of children of God shall not be found lacking

when the list of those to be installed into positions of authority is being announced very soon." He charged them to show more interest in the political process that would lead to the enthronement of those who would rule them. According to him, this is the time the body of Christ should stand up. “They must not compromise. We must rise

up in unison and demand for and secure that which is right. This, to my mind, is the minimum we can do to be influential in the political landscape of this country. We can draw instances from the lives of Daniel and his three other friends that chose not to eat the king’s delicacies, rather, they requested to be fed with vegetables and water for three long years.

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

2015: Imo PDP appoints Ohakim Elders’ Council Chairman Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

mo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, wife of the immediate past governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, as the chairman of the PDP women elders’ council. The party said the appointment is to enhance women mobilisation and improve the chances of the party come 2015. Speaking to newsmen shortly after her inauguration, Mrs. Ohakim promised to leave no stone unturned in achieving victory for the party, assuring that the committee will reach out to every female stakeholder in the party. She said the committee will make concerted efforts to bring back every aggrieved member of the party saying; “We will look into all the complaints and try to foster peace, so that we will be able to forge a united force as we march towards the 2015 elections.” While assuring that Imo people will see a whole new breed of women in politics, Ohakim said since her husband left Government House in 2011, she has actively supported the party quietly. Commenting on the appointment, she said: “The new appointment is challenging, but with the level of confidence reposed in me, I will give my best to the task.” On the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, Ohakim said: “I feel pained; I feel the agonies of the fathers and mothers of these girls. I pray that these girls be released immediately. And on this, we are all united in prayer as mothers.”

No Nigerian varsity can be best in Africa soon, says UNILAG VC

ormer Military Administrator of Lagos State and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) leader, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), yesterday stressed the need for the country to return to true federalism, saying that the systemic crisis we have currently would be a child’s play if we refused to toe that line. Speaking yesterday at the late MKO Abiola’s house in Ikeja, during the 18th anniversary of the death of the late wife of the acclaimed win-

Ogun to upgrade motor parks

gun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has the institution’s convo- versity of Lagos, would Responsibility.” said that his governcation ceremony, said have been unrivalled by The congregation ment would upgrade all Poor funding, ASUU the parameters used by any higher institution for the award of first motor parks in the state. the ranking institutions on the continent. degrees, diplomas and Receiving the national strike, Insurgency all include internationMeanwhile, Univer- certificates and prizes executive of the National add up to deny varsities alisation of the institu- sity of Lagos will be for the Faculties of Union of Road Transport prime position, says tions, but that with the graduating 9,729 candi- Arts, Education, En- Workers (NURTW), led by UNILAG VC security challenges fac- dates in all its faculties vironmental Sciences, its National President, ing the country, poor and colleges including Science, Social Sciences Alhaji Najeem Yazin, in funding and incessant the Distance Learning and Distance Learning, Abeokuta, the governor Mojeed Alabi strikes on the campus- Institute, School of Post- will hold on Tuesday, said officials from the es, it would be difficult graduate Studies, Col- June 10, while those for ministry have assessed ice-Chancellor of for the universities to lege of Medicine, among higher degrees, diplo- the parks and that the dethe University of attract foreign students others. A total of 89 stu- mas and certificates and signs are ready. Lagos (UNILAG), and lecturers, ‘which are dents will, according to degrees in the College of “We want to make sure Akoka, Prof. Rah- all prerequisites for im- the vice-chancellor, be Medicine, Postgraduate that we continue to create man Bello, yesterday proved ranking.’ awarded First Class cer- School, among others, an enabling environment said that with the chalHe, therefore, urged tificates. will hold on Wednesday, for transport workers to lenges facing the Nige- everyone to be part of The convocation lec- June 11. operate. Officials have rian education sector, the efforts to restore ture, to be delivered by The university prom- been sent to assess the and the universities in peace and order in the a former Vice-Chancel- ised parents and grad- parks and we have been particular, it would be country and the univer- lor of the University of uands that adequate given the designs. difficult for any of the sity system in particular, Ibadan, Prof. Ayo Banjo, security measures have “Any moment from nation’s universities to saying if the criteria had and chaired by Prof. Lad- being put in place, while now, we should be startbe ranked best in Africa been based on quality ac- ipo Mabogunje, will hold also urging everyone to ing with about two parks soon. ademic performance and at the University Audito- abide by the directives in each of the senatorial The Vice-Chancellor, research works alone, rium on Monday, June 9. issued by the organis- districts,”Amosun said. He thanked the nawho spoke while address- many Nigerian universi- The theme is; “Learned ers to ensure a hitch-free tional executive of the ing the media ahead of ties and indeed, the Uni- Academies and Social ceremony. union for its decision to establish its driving school in the state, urging transport workers to The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions The total population of Madras, The annual estimated cost of intimate partner reject inducements from politicians who may want per 100 inhabitants of Denmark in 2011. India in 2010. violence in England and Wales in 2004. to drag them into politics Source: Itu.int Source: Blatantworld.com Source: Unwomen.org as the election year approaches, Amosun commended transporters for their peaceful conduct in the last three years. Yazin in his address appreciated Governor Amosun for his urban renewal programme and the allocation of buses to the union, saying that; “Come 2015, we have no doubt that with what we have seen on ground, you are coming back for another term."

RATING

45.11

4.62m

GBP22.9bn

Benue scholarship board denies embezzling students’ funds Cephas Iorhemen MAKURDI

Mai of Kaltungo, Alhaji Saleh Mohammed (left) and former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, during a condolence visit to Gombe State over the death of Gombe Emir …yesterday

Kanu calls for true federalism Temitope Ogunbanke

ner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, the NADECO leader also said that no ethnic group in Nigeria is happy with the way things are going on in the country. In the audience were President of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Women Arise Initiative, Dr. Joe OkeiOdumakin, Abiola’s children, Hafsat and Abdul; NADECO chieftain, Mr. Fred Agbeyegbe, former National Secretary of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Comrade Femi Aborisade, President/ Founder of Women and

Youths for MKO Abiola, Alhaja Aminat Irawo and many other speakers who charged public office holders to ensure a credible society, so that the death of Kudirat and other heroes of Nigeria’s democracy would not be in vain. Kanu said: “We must go back to the road we have abandoned; we started the journey and we are not there yet. It is not just a matter of getting away from military rule or having civil rule, this country must go back to the way it became a country. It is from there that we would be resolv-

ing issues. “The strength of Nigeria is in its diversity. If you ignore that diversity, you destroy its strength. We must return this country to that path, where it was a federation of different people with their strength from top to down; from East to West. “We all have our strengths and weaknesses; we have all our resources and there are no two ways about it. What we are seeing today and the rescue efforts we are asking for, they are things that ought not to be in a country like Nigeria.

“But they are things that if we don’t return where we should be, what we are seeing now would be a child’s play, may God forbid that.” Hafsat Abiola Costello, in her address charged Nigerians not to allow politicians with selfish agenda divide the country. She also advised Nigerians not to allow anybody distract or divide the people of the country through religion or ethnicity. Okei-Odumakin also used the occasion to demand for the release of the kidnapped Chibok girls, noting that the girls are the future, hence the need to rescue them now.

uthorities of the Benue State Scholarship Board have denied widespread allegation that they misappropriated the fund meant for the to over 36,000 indigenous students in tertiary institutions across the country, running into millions of naira. Executive Secretary, Benue State Scholarship Board, Mr. Solomon Torgba, who dismissed the allegation during an interaction with journalists in his office, said the allegation was not true but that it was a figment of the imagination of some people, who were bent on tarnishing his reputation. Torgba, however, blamed the managers of Keystone Bank in the state for frustrating the expeditious payment of scholarship funds to students.

12 NEW TELEGRAPH

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ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES Editor

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Thursday, June 5, 2014

CARNAGE About 1.3 million people daily lose their lives to road crashes across the globe Jude Opara Abuja

t least 40 people die on Nigerian roads daily out of the 1.3 million lost to crashes across the world. The President of the Inter national Road Federation (IRF), Patrick Sankey, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja. This was as the Federal Gover nment said it embarked on the massive construction and rehabilitation of roads to curb the deaths of Nigerians due to road crashes. The President Goodluck Jonathan, who spoke through his deputy, Namadi Sambo, at the opening of the first IRF African Regional Congress, said the importance of quality road network across the country was a catalyst for the nation’s real development. Jonathan added that apart from the economic benefits, the aim of his administration was to deliver a safer and better road network for the country. The President said the timing of the congress was apt, given the huge financial commitment which the Federal Gover nment and the organised private sector had invested in the sector in line with the transfor mation agenda of the present administration. He also disclosed that a lot of effort had been invested in the construction of sub-regional road networks that would link most of the countries of the West African states. The President also called for the involvement of all stakeholders both locally and inter nationally to the realisation of the goal of having safer and better roads in the region. In his welcome address, the Minis-

0802 393 8212

40 Nigerians die in road crashes daily, says IRF

Joe Obende Warri

auda Ko chanic i Though Ibadan, he in the oil ci Things going well wanted. Lik Kola too wa of life. The to be ignore into armed Armed and his acc launched an ists in War them of th Highlande number KJ and a Toyot FKJ 822 CL Owners reported t Station in U ment Area

Roman

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A File photograph of an accident

ter of Works, Mike Onolememen, said the achievements of his ministry in the past years were due to the unflinching support of the Federal Gover nment as well as the dedication of the management and staff of the ministry. Meanwhile, Sankey said the organisation, with over 118 members, was set up to ensure safer and better road usage around the

world. According to him, quality road links play vital role in economic prosperity. He said the IRF, in its resolve to get the best of the roads, had embarked on the education of future road workers, adding that scholarship facilities were equally extended to people who merit it from all the member nations of the or-

Protest: LASU students arraigned for hijacking LAGBUS Bisola Tiamiyu

ganisation. “Our goal is to help gover nments to meet up with the challenges militating against quality road networks, we will continue to do this to ensure that countries get right as well as also enforce the existing road laws,” Sankey added. Twenty-six countries from all parts of the globe are attending the three-day event.

Oshiomhole orders demolition of kidnappers’ building Cajetan Mmuta Benin

olice yesterday arraigned six students of the Lagos State University (LASU) before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for hijacking LAGBUS. The students were arrested on Tuesday during a protest to force Governor Babatunde Fashola to reverse astronomical increase in their school fees. According to the charge sheet, No: MIK/A/69/2014, the students were accused of taking property belonging to the state government. It reads: “That you, Bolarinwa Olamide ‘m’ (23), Oludare Samuel ‘m’ (18), Oni Victoria ‘f ’ (18), Fatukasi Timileyin ‘m’ (19), Babatunde Bolarinwa ‘m’ (24), Ajayi Taiwo ‘f ’ (20), Akani Segun ‘m’ (27) on the third day of June, 2014 about 1745hrs at

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Students, during the protest

Ladipo bus stop, Oshodi road, Ikeja, in the Ikeja Magisterial District did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by hijacking LAGBUS NO P004 with registration number SMK 719 XK property of Lagos State Government and thereby committed an offence punishable

under Section 166(D) of the Criminal Law, No 11, Vol. 44, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.” Presiding over the case, the magistrate, Mrs Eniola Fabamwo, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N10,000 each. She adjourned the case till August 6.

overnor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said yesterday that a storey building of four flats used by members of a kidnap gang in Benin, the state capital, would be demolished this week. Kidnappers reportedly used the two empty flats on the ground floor of the building at Osasogie Street, near former Agip filling station, for their nefarious activities while tenants occupied the upstairs. Oshiomhole spoke at the headquarters of the State Security Services (SSS) during the parade of four suspects arrested in connection with abduction cases in the state. The suspects are Sunday Ekparamwen, Joshua Igbinovia, Ikpedem Ibrahim and Christian David. Also, paraded is one Michael Onyekachi, a popular travel agent from Enugu State who was arrested for perpetrating fraud against some

people he had assisted to procure their travel visas abroad. Besides, the SSS also nabbed a final year Banking and Finance student of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State for internet scam. Oshiomhole said that he was bound by provisions of the law he swore to uphold to demolish the building. He urged residents of the state to always be vigilant about the movement and character of persons living around them and in the process report strange elements to appropriate security agencies for necessary action. This, according to him, is to guarantee their protection and security at all times. He said: “As for the house that was used for these operations, according to their narratives, I am obliged to do what the law says. The house will be demolished this week in obedience to the law we have sworn to uphold.

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NWAJIUBA: NIGERIA HAS MADE PROGRESS DEMOCRATICALLY / PAGE 17 | ODANYE: WHY OSUN REC SHOULDN’T CONDUCT GUBER POLL / PAGE 18

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CHIBOK: JONATHAN IS A PRODUCT OF PROTESTS, SAYS OJUDU

p-16

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014

Lamido

I didn’t betray G7 governors –Lamido Governor of Jigawa State, Dr. Sule Lamido is a man who has seen it all. From the days of the Northern Elements Peoples Union (NEPU) of Mallam Aminu Kano to the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe to the current dispensation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lamido has been a regular player on the political scene. A prince and rebellious in nature, Lamido comes across as a deep thinking political tactician. A day after the 2014 Democracy Day celebration, Lamido hosted a team of New Telegraph Editors, made up of the Managing Editor (South), FELIX ABUGU; Daily Editor, YEMI AJAYI; Sunday Editor, EMEKA MADUNAGU and News Editor, GEOFFREY EKENNA. Lamido did not shy away from any question, including his much vaunted presidential ambition, Boko Haram and the G7 spectacle in the PDP. Here is the Lamido perspective to Nigeria of today. As a governor, who has seen it all as it were, can you tell us some of those challenges that we have and what you expect of the system to do in order to begin to right them, so that we will have a smoother course of democracy? Democracy is an instrument or a process by which people produce their own leaders. Beyond that, the functions have to be that of the operators. Now, the main challenge in Nigeria, first and foremost is for people to believe in governance. People don’t believe in their government. They don’t trust their leaders. They don’t believe their president, parliamentarians or their governors. We don’t believe anything. And when there is no trust, you cannot move an inch. The first thing to do

is to believe that this is ours and believe in the system and you have to do the right thing and also, you are compelled to do the right thing by the institutions. So, the challenges are enormous. The most difficult thing in life is human development. How do you compel human beings to do the right thing? But then, you cannot do anything unless you have the right chemistry of individuals blended. You need to bring in the required stability, trust, faith and cooperation amongst the people. We must be united in order to tackle the human development or infrastructural development, security issues, education, health and all those issues. They are human challenges and we can-

not live without them. There is no way you can live a life of pure bliss, pure harmony, and pure comfort. It is not in the nature of nature. If you want to live a life of pure bliss, then prepare to die because it is only promised in paradise. But then, Nigerians are very, very industrious. We have the resources; we have the history and culture that support all these things anywhere in the world. We have the pride and honour, which we use to excel everywhere we go to and surmount the challenges. If not, why should I be here? I am here because there are challenges and I have come to face those challenges. Is it not possible that our leaders have not

earned our trust as well? You see, there is also what is known as a language culture. In Nigeria, when you talk of leadership, we are talking of political leadership – the presidency, governors, parliaments and all the rest of them. The reasoning is so short and the field is so tiny that it is all about your president, governors and parliamentarians- that is what we call leaders. In language culture, when we call leadership, it is a huge span, first from the family. When you talk of the family, it is about leadership – how to mould the children you want to give to the society. There is CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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the community, who also have to work very hard. There is religion and the institutions. They are all like factories, who work continuously to produce the required human beings with the mental disposition, pedigree, orientation that I am brought up as an honourable member of my family, and therefore, I must be honourable because I was brought up with honour. I must not do anything that will bring dishonour to my family. That is before you talk of your own leaders. That is why in America, when they want to make you a parliamentarian, they go through your own history – going back 20 years ago to know what you have been doing if you are a homosexual or a drunkard, and they will not put you there. They will not because here, when you talk of leadership, you narrow it down to only political heads. That’s not right. You think the leader is the one to show you the direction to go. But more than that, they are also Nigerians like you, drawn from the same Nigerian environment. I mean, before now, there was a governor here. After me, there will be another governor here. So, leadership is all encompassing. It’s about time we begin to agree what is the definition of leadership first. It is when we get the definition correct, that we should be asking people, who should be responsible for their own responsibilities as leaders in their various positions. We have to move away from looking at leadership from the prism of either military or civilian leadership.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Lamido: I suffered for though as a nation, we have different sub-divisions and differences; it should be a source of strength and our unity. We can do it; others did it. So, leadership is about everything we do as human beings, beginning from the home to the institutions. So, if the upbringing is very, very poor; if the institutions are very bad; if the preaching of the pastors or Imams are very jaundiced or along bias; there is hatred, by the time you get to the finished product, then, there is going to be a lot of crisis or riot. So, leadership should be seen in a larger radius in order to see our differences and then begin to think of how then we forge ahead. So, don’t rely on me to give you everything because you voted for me. I mean, because you are voted as president does not mean you have overcome your problems. In whichever office you occupy, it is not you alone. It has to be a partnership with the larger systems or organisation. So, how do you react to insinuation that the North is so desperate to get back to power. That is why we have so much tension all over the country? All Nigerians are desperate. The SouthSouth is desperate. That is why they are saying it is either their son or there will be war. That is desperation. We will not wait for election to come and choose our leaders. We are making inflammatory statements. So, all of us are desperate, including you. All tribes and groups in Nigeria are desperate, even you.

Why has Nigeria, over the past 15 years, relied more on strong men, rather than strong political parties or institutions? It takes time to develop a culture which underpins you as a nation. The Americans earlier were relying on people The North today is defined more by the securilike Eisenhower, Abraham Lincoln to be ty challenges it is facing than the development able to steer their own bearings as a na- strides people like you and your colleagues are tion. As the time progressed, they built making. How do we change this narrative? their own institutions. Today, the instituNow, one, the North is part of tions are functioning and there are laws Nigeria. Therefore, if that guide everything. In Nigeria, we had the North is sick, the Ziks, Aminu Kanos, Tafawa Bale- then Nigeria is was, Sarduanas, Awolowos etc, who we sick. That is looked up to as role models in the early the simple days. They were all there and we looked logic. Two, at them as our icons and we held unto there are those ideals. But the truncation of the problems process by the military between 1979 and e v e r y 1999 undermined our capability to pro- w h e r e duce people who should be able to mentor in this leadership. It created a lacuna because country. you cannot build mentorship through the T h e r e culture of military leadership. Alright? is Boko When people talk about leadership, I say Haram to them that you cannot give what you in the don’t have and you cannot produce what N o r t h ; you don’t have. The process, which goes that is into this, is defined. After independence, t r u e . we fought a civil war, which was for our T h e r e unity. Between 1979 and 1999, we were w a s supposed to consolidate. But because MEND in Nigerians are impatient, we want quick the Niger fix. We want to plant today and make a Delta, kidharvest tomorrow, without any effort to napping or water the plant. So, we failed to see the cults there. capability in us, we failed to see our abili- There are a ties and the inherent power in us because number of we feel we can’t do it. But we can do it things you with a price. We need the discipline to see are manido it, which we lack. festations of What I am saying is that it takes so a failing state, much in building a nation. Beyond us, we where we failed must have a feeling of pride and believe in to use our Godus and our country; believe in our capa- given resources bilities and have mutual respect and un- to the advantage derstanding. We have different religions, of our own people. different cultures. I am not asking you to Right now, there appreciate my religion but to understand is this mass my religion. That’s all I want. When I say migration you must appreciate my own religion, to Euthat’s not far enough. I know you are a rope by Christian. I need to understand that and respect you. I don’t need to know all the intricacies of your religion because that is your own business. You don’t need to approve my religion. I am a Muslim. That’s my own business. You understand that. But when you say that you must have an appreciation of what I am doing as a Muslim, then, there’s a problem. So, what I am saying is that even Lamido

people here. Why is that so? Because people are seeking better life... Good. If the Europeans say that Africa is very, very poor and they ignore them, Africa is part of the world. If Africa is sick, the world is sick. No matter the high walls and stringent measures you put in Europe, people will go there. So, if people are saying, what North? What Jigawa? What do they think is Jigawa’s ailment, which they can’t help it? There is a saying in Hausa that if fire catches the beards of your neighbour, don’t put water on your own. Take the water to where the water is because if fire has appetite for beards, if it consumes his own, it will come to yours, because it has appetite for eating beards. You see, we must begin to see ourselves as a single family within a committee of tribes and religions. We must begin to

After the election, my office in Kano and my factory were burnt. Hoodlums were marching to my house to go and roast my children in the house. I had to call in the army. That was because I was called a Christian. So, there is the manipulation of youths

wish well for each other and see where we can help to assist. The moment we begin to say, ah, North, ah Jigawa, Kano, the more you become isolated and crash completely. By the time we crash completely, we come to you and you become like us. If we don’t begin to stop this culture of kidnapping, this cultism or selling of human parts in Ibadan- now, tell me the difference between selling of human spare parts and Boko Haram. What’s difference? There is no difference. By the time I capture you and take out your intestines, your eyes and other parts, put on the table and put prices, then start saying who wants human eyes, who wants kidney and all that, what is the difference between you and Boko Haram? If you kidnap somebody and demand for money, what is the difference between you and Boko Haram? You see, we are going through a crisis, caused by poverty, induced by us. The suffering in Nigeria, the poverty, the hardship are selfinflicted, is self-induced because you are talking of somebody having N28 billion in his own office and there is somebody who has no money to buy water. All these are selfafflicted. We derive so much pleasure in inflicting pains and agony onto o u r selves.

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supporting Jonathan in 2011

But Nigeria is stinkingly rich. Nigeria has all the resources to solve all our problems alone. But it is the application. So, when you talk of Boko Haram, when a child grows up and there is no future, he looks around, there is no hope for the future, what do you expect? He is same with the child, who grows up in the West, cannot secure a job and is seeing people who flaunt wealth all over the place. Therefore, if they are selling human parts, you will sell because you want to make money. If you are in the East, you are poor and there is so much poverty. And therefore, if you kidnap somebody for ransom, the person pays, you will do it. In the South-South, you go and burn the pipelines and you will kill. Therefore, all these are Boko Haram by their general character. All these kidnappings, sales of human parts are manifestations of a failed state, where Nigerians and their people have lost that notion of self-worth because there is a life where there is no decency. They have nothing to look onto. It is a huge problem. The earlier we see as a country that we have a huge problem, which we have to help to solve, that’s the beginning. But right now, how many Nigerians feel that they are part of Nigeria? How many Nigerians apart from those who are benefiting because Nigeria can give them what they can milk or squeeze? Not because they want to give Nigeria anything in return. Coming to your question on the North, it is a manifestation of the failings of the nation, which we have to unite to solve. Today, even the Fulanis are being killed by the Hausas. Isn’t it? My own tribe is being killed all over. You see people in the East fighting and killing each other. It is the same thing with the Yorubas. So, when there is so much poverty, there is bound to be crisis. Today, if you shout bombs in Abuja, people will start running. In Lagos, it is the same story. So, you can really precipitate something which can give you an opportunity to steal. It is a small thing. So, even our sickness is an industry to others. Our own sickness is an industry. The philosophies of Christianity and Islam are almost the same thing. But at the lecture yesterday, people spoke of the manipulation of religion to suit personal interests. How do we get out of this because that is the basic problem? I should be asking you because when the NEPU was founded by MallamAminu Kano in 1948, the appeal was on humanity. It was about how do you impact or make an input on the welfare of the human beings, not religions, not tribes but humanity?

I was called a Christian for simply standing for national unity. They called me Pastor Sule Lamido. That was because by my understanding, you simply cannot pull out Goodluck Jonathan for something you call rotation, which is purely a political party arrangement and pull out a national symbol, just because you want to suit the party By their orientation, the Emirs were Islamic Emirs, who had the power to slaughter. That is because under Islamic injunctions, if you follow due process, when you commit a crime, you can face any punishment. They were doing that until when the Europeans came, it began to come under different manipulations. For the NEPU people then, for them to abandon their cause, they were intimidated, way back in the 50s, they were called Christians. Because the only thing you can do to get somebody excommunicated, is to call him a Christian. There was so much tyranny that for some Muslims then, when they were taken to the Emirs, they would say they are Christians. That was because the laws did not permit the trial of Christians under Islamic laws. That was how NEPU grew to a large extent. You can imagine when a Muslim goes to an institution that is supposed to save him and say he is a Christian for him to be saved. Now, it is the same thing in 1979, when we joined NPP. They were calling us Christians or Igbo. For us to call their bluff, we told them, yes, we are and we were wearing beads like Zik and they kept quiet. It was like what will you do if we are Igbo? In the year 2011, the same thing happened. I was called a Christian. You were all aware of that. I mean in the North, I was called a Christian for simply standing for national unity. They called me Pastor Sule Lamido. That was because by my understanding, you simply cannot pull out Goodluck Jonathan for something you call rotation, which is purely a political party arrangement and pull out a national symbol, just because you want to suit the party. In any case, if you pull him out, how are you sure you are going to win the election? And on what ground will you pull Jonathan out? When Yar’Adua was there, for the two years he stayed, he came under northern persecution and blackmail. Buhari and Atiku took him to the tribunal, to the Appeal and up to the Supreme Court. They are northerners like him. He was a northerner, a Nigerian president and they maligned him and abused him. Well, God said if you don’t want him, I will take him and put in a southerner. So, to them, this thing called northerner or Islam is based on interest. If my interest tallies with what is going on, I say yes, it is

we supported in their hour of need, are now looking down on Nigeria. I think as a people, we must all stand up and say no to insecurity. But the government has to play a major role. When you talk of elections, a lot of things come into play, including burying the security threats, burying the economic problems and succumbing to the emotions, beyond we have not reached a level where we look at politics as an issue based phenomenon. Make no mistake, by Nigeria’s chemistry, we will not unite around issue but on emotions. Therefore, if you are fielding somebody who is a former PDP vice president or minister, what makes him different? If you are fielding what they call a legacy party man like Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Buhari, haven’t they contested before?

a northern thing. I was called all sorts of names. After the election, my office in Kano and my factory were burnt. Hoodlums were marching to my house to go and roast my children in the house. I had to call in the army. That was because I was called a Christian. So, there is the manipulation of youths. Ordinarily, both Islam and Christianity are religions of peace. In the First Republic, the political parties used everything they could get to ensure that they maintain their enclave. They called other tribes all sorts of names. In Nigeria, we can do anything to manipulate because we are evil. The bottom line is that it is telling badly on your party, the PDP. I have not seen anybody who says confidently that he will vote the PDP in the 2015 election. That has to do with the insecurity and the general fear across the land... You see, you are consumed by the passion, the emotions and the heat of the moment. The Nigerian crisis of today is not a PDP crisis; it is a Nigerian crisis. People being killed are both PDP and non-PDP. People who die are both Muslims and Christians and others who have no religion, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and Fulani. The bomb in Jos, a PDP area, killed everybody. The same thing the Boko Haram thing. The same with Nyanya. The primary duty of the Nigerian government is first of all to preserve the lives of people before property. It must preserve lives of all Nigerians. That means that we as Nigerians must unite to save our country first. If you think it is a PDP problem, you are all mistaken. Those who are making noise are all PDP. They are all PDP inventions. They were in the PDP as either governors, vice presidents, or what have you. Because you are a former PDP minister, now in a different party does not make you a different person as you carry all the PDP signs in you. If your mother is leprous, you don’t deny her because you were nourished by her own milk. They are all nourished by PDP’s milk of filth. It is the gains of the PDP that they are now carrying to wherever they are. They were unknown and unheard of. So, don’t be consumed by the problems of the moment. There is a security problem and when there is bomb, those who die are not only PDP members or Muslims or Christians. Nigerian people must stand up to save Nigerians. I am a little worried because of the damning verdicts coming from the Europeans and Americans. McCain spoke, Clinton spoke but the more worrisome thing is that African leaders are now speaking and castigating Nigeria. Mugabe even criticised us. The Ugandan President also spoke on that. If African leaders are saying that, where do they put Nigeria in the African Union? Small, small countries, which

You were a member of the G7 governors. Five of you moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two of you stayed back. Who betrayed who there? I like Nigerians because they are so entertaining. I even now feel entertained by you people because the history of the G7 was very clear. We were fighting impunity in the party; that BamangaTurkur was doing the wrong thing. The PDP is unlike other parties. It is not owned by any other people; it is a collective thing. PDP came into being knowing Nigerians history, our pains and our injuries. It is a party that is supposed to heal the wound and confront the future problems of Nigeria. There was deep philosophical understanding of the formation of the PDP, which some years later, those who were not there when the party was formed were approached to be in some positions. So, we were fighting that we were behaving like other small political parties. Others are owned by entrepreneurs. PDP cannot be owned by entrepreneurs. You can’t compare PDP with APC, where today, if you kidnap Buhari or Tinubu, APC is dead. But in PDP, pick anybody you want, we will remain there. Pick anybody from PDP from 1999, we will be there. The philosophy of the party as founded not to be based on ephemeral leadership. There was a problem and we went around seeing our leaders; that you have made a lot of sacrifices for the country; that the role of the party is being distorted. At that time, there was no APC. There was the need to avert crisis. While we were doing that APC was formed. While we were here in this room fighting each other, there was the APC standing by the window, saying come, come, come. Some of them doing that we defeated in elections, from tribunal to Supreme Court. They called us thieves, riggers and all sorts of names. But now because we are fighting, you are telling us to come out. To whom? I said we are not going anywhere. We are fighting for all sorts of principles. We either die or succeed. Therefore, because of these principles, if they are saying we should come to APC, they are saying come here, we will give you our own party. A party that was formed with legacy parties, it means if we go, we are going to benefit from everything we are fighting for in PDP. We were talking about due process. If the PDP was doing the wrong thing and we are fighting and you say we should come we will still give you the wrong thing. That’s what they did. By my political upbringing, I don’t believe that someone else’s loss should be my own personal benefit. The issue of me betraying anybody does not arise. We have different philosophies in our different states. It was not a personal thing. We saw people carrying posters for your presidential ambition. Are you in the race? I have said it over and over that both PDP and other parties are not behaving responsibly because they are all talking of election and aspirations. Where is the environment?

16 POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW Senator Babafemi Ojudu represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was at the Unity Fountain, Abuja on Tuesday to protest the ban order by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu on the BringBackOurGirls group and also to show solidarity with the women. He spoke with JOHNCHUKS ONUANYIM Why are you protesting? I am here to support the women of Nigeria who are protesting the abduction of more than 200 girls in Chibok. Yesterday (Monday), I picked up the story that the Police Commissioner in Abuja has banned the protest and I said to myself, this must not be allowed to stand. I was originally scheduled to be in Sokoto this morning to address a conference of top civil servants. I had to call it off to engage in this symbolic action to show solidarity with the women. It is our right to protest, which is guaranteed by the constitution of this country and it is also affirmed by several rulings of the highest court in the land. Nobody, nobody, either a policeman or the president has the right to abridge the inalienable rights of Nigerians to protest. I want to say boldly that Jonathan today is a product of protest. I was here in 2010 three times with Prof. Wole Soyinka, Pastor Tunde Bakare and several other patriotic Nigerians to protest so that the rights of Jonathan as vice president of Nigeria to assume the position of Acting President could be affirmed. We protested. We ensured that the constitution of the country was enforced at that time. Why should he because he is president decide to abridge our rights to protest? Protest is a legitimate action all over the world. Anywhere in the world where there is democracy, protest is a legitimate action and that is exactly why I am protesting. The FCT Commissioner of Police on Monday said he has banned protests at this Unity Fountain, are your daring the police? I am daring the police. I am saying that I am a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I know the law and I know the implications of my actions. I am saying that the constitution of Nigeria which is the ultimate law of Nigeria affirms the right to protest. So, what the man has done is illegal. He has committed an illegality and his illegality must not be allowed to stand. We are not in a dictatorial regime. We are in a democratic regime and we must all behave as democrats. If we do allow this to stand, we are walking into a dictatorship. But it must not be allowed to stand. Nigerians have the right to protest. They have the right to protest things they do not agree with. And they have the right to let the world know that they are not happy with what has happened to those girls. Why should anybody in his right senses say that people should not complain that more than 200 girls have been taken away since all these weeks and somebody would say don’t go and protest? If it had been their own daughters or children, would they have said nobody should protest? Why did Jonathan as vice president in 2010 ask us not to come and protest in Abuja here? They actively encouraged people to come to

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Chibok: Jonathan is a product of protests, says Ojudu girls who are suffering every day? Don’t you think that some people may describe your action as playing to the gallery? I am not playing to the gallery. Was I playing to the gallery in 2010 when I came all the way from Lagos to protest that our constitution must be upheld? I did not know Goodluck Jonathan then. I have never met him but I knew that what was being done by depriving him the right under the law to act as vice president was wrong, and I came all the way from Lagos to protest without anybody sponsoring me. Was I playing to the gallery then? Was I playing to the gallery between 1992 and 1998 when I was arrested 15 times and locked up by the Babangida and Abacha regimes? I spent nine months in jail under Abacha. Was I playing to the gallery then? We are saying that the right thing must be done at all times. Some of us fought for this democracy. Some of us suffered for this democracy. We cannot then sit in our comfort zones and allow people who did nothing then to take us back to the dark ages. Will you join a bigger protest? Yes, I am ready. The Minister of Information Labaran Maku has accused the protesting women of being sponsored by the opposition. What is your take on it? Does anybody need to sponsor this protest? Any decent person would be outraged by the abduction of more than 200 girls. Is APC sponsoring Obama’s wife or all the groups across the world that are protesting today? Are they all members of APC? Any right thinking human being must be outraged and do something about this situation. We must not allow ourselves to be cowed. We must not allow ourselves to be blackmailed. Whether I am APC or no APC. I was not an APC between1992 and 1998 for God’s sake when constantly I was writing and protesting against military regime in Nigeria. Ojudu

Abuja here to protest and we protested. It is now the turn of somebody else, you are now saying they cannot protest. I am saying that I have the right under the law like every other Nigerian apart from my being a senator. Every single Nigerian has the right to protest whatever action that has been carried out by the government that they do not agree with. What do you want to say to the women who have been banned from coming to protest at this Unity Fountain? I am saying that they should come back and continue with their protest, that the constitution of Nigeria protects them. If people had chickened out of protests, the blacks in America would not find themselves where they are today. Martin Luther King, Rosa Park, and others were brutalised. They were banned in one way or the other, yet they insisted that they have that inalienable right and that is why they won. If you don’t struggle there will be no victory. And that is why as a Senator, I am leaving my comfort zone to identify with these women. I want to identify with them and want to show that what they are doing so far has been right and has been of pride to many of us Nigerians. For anybody to say they should not protest is very wrong under the law, it is wrong in

morality and it is unjust. If you think that they are endangered in any way, yours is to give them protection. If tomorrow you find out that the Senate is endangered, will you ban the Senate? If tomorrow you feel that the presidency is endangered, will you ban the presidency? So, to say you are banning protests because the women are endangered, for me it is wrong, it is illogical and it does not make sense. Only somebody who does not reason well will take such an action against innocent women who are concerned and who are caring and you just say they should leave. Are you saying then that all of us should forget about those

Nigerians have the right to protest. They have the right to protest things they do not agree with. And they have the right to let the world know that they are not happy with what has happened to those girls

Apart from this protest, are you going further to ensure that the ban order is vacated? Of course. I am going to the Senate and I will probably come up with a motion or point of order to call attention to this thing that has happened. It is not right. It is an affront on our constitution. We are a nation under law. We are a democracy for God’s sake. One person who does not know his law, who lacks a sense of outrage when something bad happens cannot take all of us for a ride. This man was in Rivers, he behaved in a way that made them take him out of the place. Now he is here. He is saying that people cannot protest. What are we then going to do? If people are not allowed to protest are they saying they should go and carry guns? What is your message for Mr. President? If it is Mr. President that gave this order, the man should just cast his mind back a few years ago when he was under threat, when his right was being taken away from him and Nigerians came from all over to this Abuja to protest to say that “look this man has the right under our constitution to assume the position of Acting President of Nigeria.” And that is how he got to where he is today. Why should you forget where you are coming from?

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What is your assessment of the ongoing National Conference of which you are a delegate representing the SouthEast geo-political zone? Is the confab really addressing the issues for which it was convoked? The President at the inauguration of the conference gave a profound address which central theme was the call for the articulation of the elements of a new, better and relaunched Nigeria. In my opinion, he did what is expected of a visionary leader at this difficult time in the history of our country. The question now is whether we delegates will muster the courage and vision to do our part, and articulate the pillars of a new and better Nigeria. The conference is coming in the 100th year of the existence of our country. We commonly ascribe our being together as Nigerians to the amalgamation, but conveniently overlook the fact that since then, we have had opportunities in the pre-independence and post independence era that suggests that our being Nigerians is by choice.

Nwajiuba: Nigeria has made progress democratically Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba is the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Imo State University, Owerri and a delegate to the ongoing National Conference. He tells FELIX NWANERI, in this interview, that the idea of geo-political zones should be taken to a higher level, as the federating units of Nigeria. He also insists that the nation has made progress since it returned to civil rule in 1999. rived their political presence and roots in the military era dominated the political scene. That has also receded significantly. Today we have a president who is thoroughly a civilian not just in his previous career, but in his character and temperament. Nigeria’s political class has become less militarised in character.

Do you see the delegates reaching consensus on the critical issues that the conference is supposed to address, given the North, South divide which is likely to determine voting pattern? Strange things do happen and have happened to our country, an idea which President Goodluck Jonathan alluded to on pages five and six of his address. I come from the South-East, which has consistently expressed her commitment to a better Nigeria. We have no other country. At the very foundation of this country is the commitment of our forebears. We have seen that even when we were forced by circumstances to choose to leave Nigeria, Nigerians loved us so much that they shed their blood to keep us in Nigeria. In the light of our recent history, it is clear that while it is good to have one country, it is not enough to just remain one country for one country’s sake. The country must be more of a paradise than a prison for all groups and all citizens. Our dream is for a better Nigeria. Wisdom and even common sense dictates that all hands must be on deck to make Nigeria better than it is today. A Nigeria that is inclusive of all, whether weak or strong, rich or poor, whether of noble birth or common born. A Nigeria that we can be proud of, that truly merits our preferred adulation of her as great, and a Nigeria that meets the expectations of the rest of the black world as her beacon. How do you react to the belief is some quarters that the conference is a waste of time, as the same set of leaders who are responsible for the country’s present predicament are the ones at the centre stage of the confrerence? History teaches that nation- building does not happen without efforts and sacrifices of patriotic men and women, especially elites. And in the conference are a section of the elites of our country. As we learn from other successful countries, it is the responsibility of the enlightened elite to articulate and drive society in the direction of choice. That, I believe is what the conference is about. Whether at the foundation of the United States, the rebuilding of Europe after the Second World War, or the rise of the Chinese, or even our favourite mention of the Asian Tigers as contemporaries of the sixties, it has been the responsibility of elites to rise above the background noise and point the nation towards the most optimal direction. The Nigerian elite is however a curious case for study in being able, despite nature’s kindness of huge resources, to have created a society in which she cannot truly enjoy her elite status, talk less of being able to deliberately point the nation in a direction of choice. Unlike other elites elsewhere, we do not and, possibly, cannot even train our children in our universities. We have lost faith in our secondary schools and in some cases; we prefer to send our children outside to have primary education. The Nigerian elite, including those who have taken more than they need from our society often through unacceptable methods, cannot enjoy their beautiful homes and exotic cars or some of the most enchanting landscapes of our land especially the plateaus in the north eastern axis of our country, unlike their peers elsewhere. They live in fear and have failed to learn from the new deal of Franklin Roosevelt in the United States and the welfare schemes of Northern America and Europe that the majority must have enough in order for the elites to enjoy their privileges. Some of the conference’s delegates, especially those from the South-West are insisting on regionalism, arguing that it is the best option in restructuring Nigeria. What is your take on that? To be able to re-launch Nigeria, achieve the improvement of her image, enhance the living conditions of the socially and economically excluded, and get to a state where Nigerians enjoy their country and no longer live in fear, we need a new Nigeria that is built on fairness and justice, with federating units that are competitive and serve the purpose of our people. In pursuit of such fairness, justice and healthy competition, the South-East, at a similar conference about 20 years ago, was instrumental to giving Nigeria the

Nwajiuba

concept of the six zones. Without doubt, Nigerians have found merit in that. The wisdom of that vision remains both evident and relevant. As we set to re-launch Nigeria as the President has requested, we have to be bold and raise our horizons by taking the idea of geo-political zones to a higher level, as the federating units of Nigeria. That, I hope will emerge from the conference as a major platform for the emergence of a new Nigeria. The country recently celebrated 15 years of return to democratic rule. Is Nigeria on target, and are we making progress? My response to both questions will be yes. We are on target along the democracy tangent and we are making progress along that path, and there is prospect of a better future for Nigerians. No point romanticising the situation however, as many persons will dispute my position. One key charge will be that we are not yet a democracy. Some will chose to say we merely exited military rule and have civilians ruling us. That will also be right. But the point is that our situation is not static, it is dynamic. We are today not where we were in 1999. Fifteen years is a very short period in the life of a country. In Nigeria’s case however, it is an improvement on what had been. To demonstrate this, refer to Nigeria’s three attempts at democratic rule: October 1960 to January 1966; October 1979 to December 1983; and May 1999 till date, and still counting. The first lasted five years and three months. The second lasted four years and three months. The present attempt is fifteen years and still on. The present era is about three times the most we had. On that score there is progress. The next parameter will be the hue of personnel that emerged from the electoral process. In 1999 we had a former military head of state emerge president. Many former military personnel as well as persons who de-

We are on target along the democracy tangent and we are making progress along that path, and there is prospect of a better future for Nigerians

How would you assess the country’s electoral process in the last 15 years? The electoral process is improving. The electoral commission has devised several measures to reduce abuse and ensure that what emerges reflects as much as possible the will of majority of Nigerians. The 1999 elections, especially at the presidential level was evidently arranged with ‘questions set after the answer was known.’ That of 2003 was a sham and an embarrassment to civilised persons. The 2007 elections was so bad that even the president elected instituted a probe. The 2011 elections produced a president that was not a surprise to Nigerians, and most importantly the head of the electoral body emerged with his image intact, and the INEC not evidently culpable in lapses that were observed. In a few cases, incumbents especially governors at the state level lost elections, and in 2011 we saw at least one case of a governor in the ruling party lose election. The Nigerian people, the very custodians of sovereignty in an ideal polity have also become gradually assertive of their interests, as democracy demands. This is not just observed in the electoral processes, but we are gradually seeing the strengthening of civil societies, culture of protests, use of social networking, campaigns, and demonstrations in demanding their rights, and actions from the rulers. We saw that in the protest on fuel price increase, and we are seeing that in the Chibok girls’ issue. What of the various arms of government and agencies? The judiciary has sprung a few rulings that have surprised Nigerians, despite becoming an unfamiliar focus of criticism and adverse commentary. This is especially when against the ruling political party. We have seen an improvement compared to previous years. In a few cases the ruling political party not just lost in elections but also lost positions already held in parliaments and gubernatorial seats in the courts, and those judgements have increasingly been respected. We have seen ministers removed in response to public complaints and questioning of their conducts. Conducts in this case has been both in terms of performance and service delivery, as well as ethical issues. In effect public opinion and protests are becoming marginally important. The weakest links remain the legislative arm of government, and the civil service. It is not very clear the trajectory of development of the democratic process in Nigeria with respect to the legislature, the interpretation of its role in a democracy, and the relevance to the Nigerian people. We will need education on that. The same applies to the civil service and its role in governance in Nigeria. Professionalism and commitment to the larger public good are some of what are required. We still seek clarifications in that sector. The military has conducted itself better. Nigerians have come to relax and accept that democracy will subsist, and the military in Nigeria seem to also accept that. The Police Force and related agencies are however among those whose roles and acts need urgent improvement. Moving forward, what do you proffer to deepen the nation’s democracy? Going forward there are few things that need to be reiterated. The Nigerian people must remain committed to democracy. It is not perfect but it is the least problematic of any alternatives. The Nigerian people must become even more assertive and protective of their rights and demand for performance and accountability from persons occupying public offices as well as institutions and agencies of state, for service delivery. The culture of protests and resistance to bad government is one that the Nigerian people must develop, conscious of the fact that no privileged group willingly gives up her advantages for the public good unless demanded by the people.

POLITICS | THURSDAY INTERVIEW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Odanye: Why Osun REC shouldn’t conduct guber poll The emergence of Senator Iyiola Omisore as PDP candidate for the August 9 governorship election in Osun State generated division within the party. Do you see the party putting its house in order before the governorship election? We hope so. Luckily, we still have some time on our side but how easy it is going to be is another issue. You know politicians, especially Yoruba ones are famous for not revealing what is actually going on in their minds. So when they tell you the storm or quarrel is over and all is well, you have to be a bit circumspect so as not to be shocked when they show you most poignantly by their actions that they never actually forgave you and it was never over.

Tunde Odanye, a legal practitioner and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, believes that the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states are crucial to the survival of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP in the South-West. In this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, the 2007 Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship candidate in Osun State also speaks on the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led government, among other issues.

How do you see the call for the removal of Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Rufus Akeju, ahead of the election? In law, one of the fundamental principles of fairness, equity and justice is not only that justice must be done, it must be seen manifestly to be done. Thus anything whatsoever, no matter how minute that could cast a shadow of doubt as to the neutrality of an umpire should be taken most seriously. My initial reaction was; what was Prof. Jega and INEC’s personal interest that they simply could not transfer Dr. Akeju. More so there was a court judgement in favour of them doing so. Furthermore, why appeal the judgement if you have no vested interest in his remaining in Osun? Then, on further reflection it struck me that they were trying to save Akeju from being permanently damaged as a REC. I think the way out for Jega and INEC is to temporarily post someone else to Osun State to conduct the August 9 election and transfer Akeju elsewhere or to the head office for the duration of the case. I don’t think it is wise to conduct an election that can subsequently be annulled for disobeying a court judgement, or to conduct an election that can be faulted for reasons of having an umpire whose neutrality was in doubt or questionable. Do you see INEC holding a credible election in Osun, putting into consideration the outcome of the last Anambra governorship election? I believe Prof. Jega and his crew would try their best, but the question however is would their best be good enough? One thing experience has taught us, the Anambra State election inclusive, is that politicians can be very imaginative and ingenious when it comes to rigging methods. Just as you are coming to terms with the system they employed in the last election they launch a new one. And with the level of poverty in the land today, they always find willing hands to carry out their evil machinations for a pittance. If INEC leaves Akeju to conduct the elections, rightly or wrongly the outcome would be tainted ab initio. Secondly, attempts at hijacking ballot boxes and intimidating voters should be expected. Then the bigger and higher-up riggings, which take place at the level of collation of results, should be anticipated. Also, I do not see how card readers would solve our problems even if deployed without electronic voting because our impatient voters ably egged on by politicians of course, would not patiently wait for or necessarily agree with the evidence of such exercise. Yet the stakes are exceedingly high for both parties, if the APC loses

Ijesha is presently occupying the governorship seat, do you see the Ijesha people denying their son and backing another candidate for the governorship seat? The truth be told, I think Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is at his most vulnerable at the moment. His promises to the electorate have fallen flat. Most businesses in Osun State have gone belly-up, and poverty like they have never experienced before is the order of the day in Osun State. However like you have rightly asked we cannot rule out regional sentiments, indeed a good example is the people of the South-South who cannot imagine how Governor Rotimi Amaechi would expect them to give up the presidency for a vice-presidency. Yes my people, the Ijesas have loads of issues to confront at the moment by way of perceived marginalisation by PDP in the state. The ministerial position they had and for which they were denied a lot of things by the PDP was taken from them considering the removal of Erelu Olusola Obada as minister, and the ministerial position was not returned to the Ijesha. The National Secretary position Chief Ebenezer Babatope vied for never saw the light of day and all key state and national positions, such as PDP national and state secretary, and gubernatorial candidate, among others were all given to Ife to the exclusion of Ijesaland. So the APC’s argument, which resonates with some of the electorate, is that whilst APC is Ijesa friendly the PDP has not been. I really do believe ultimately the deciding factor would be how much the Ijesa are eager for change and whether they believe a vote for the PDP candidate would be a change for the better, or a change for the worse for them.

Odanye

the first two elections in the SouthWest, their supposed stronghold, then their bid for the centre is dead on arrival whilst the PDP too have been out of government for too long in the South-West and really want the states back. Of course, the Presidency too has an eye on the elections for 2015. How would you assess the Rauf Aregbesola-led APC government in Osun? His government is not government unusual but government abnormal. I sincerely believe it is the most confused government in the country today. This is a government that has no plans, no direction. Thank God they seem to have taken a break from the procured irrelevant award craze they embarked on recently. To me frankly, there are no surprises in the abysmal level they have brought governance to. I never expected more from them, with little imagination and even smaller manage-

tions of N100 million from the N10 million you actually have in your kitty, and yet keep all the creditors happy and working. Governor Babatunde Fashola has earned respect in Lagos for his governing skills and yet he raises from time to time interesting posers and issues, but sadly the reverse is the case in Osun State. Aregbesola for a large part of his four years seemed not to realise that he was no longer a protester but the person to be protested to or against. If you want my sincere opinion; Aregbesola has been given a job beyond him and instead of improving, things have scattered, muddled-up and confused. I cannot begin to imagine how long it would take to undo the damage he has done to education, religious harmony, business and industry in the state.

One thing experience has taught us, the Anambra State election inclusive, is that politicians can be very imaginative and ingenious when it comes to rigging methods rial skills and highly inflated government contracts. You see it is one thing to be an activist and an agitator and another thing to be a governor and administrator. It is one thing to organise rallies and protests but a completely different thing to be able to fathom how to meet obliga-

How do you see the ongoing National Conference and do you think it will address some of the major problems in the country? Well, I must say we all had high hopes of the outcome but as things are at the moment, one is not expecting much from them. What they seem to be discussing and the resolutions they seem to be arriving at do not point to arriving at the honest, radical, hard and far-reaching resolutions the nation requires to move forward. It is as if many are afraid of challenging or altering the status quo, continuing with their prejudices and to some defending what they believe the government wants or would want. We started on a wrong footing with the composition of the confab. First, old men have never been known to be agents of radical change. Second, most of the delegates were agents or proponents of the current policies. So, why would they want to change them?

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EDITORIAL

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

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THURSday, JUNE 5, 2014

To get education sector out of the woods

he importance of education to the rapid growth and development a country cannot be overemphasized. Japan, for instance, does not have many mineral resources, but it has invested wisely in human capital development and the result is self-evident evident. On the other hand, consider Nigeria. According to statistics, about 10 million Nigerian children are currently out of school, most of them in the north of the country where the Boko Haram insurgency has made matters even worse. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be any concrete plan of action to address the unpleasant situation with a view to reversing it. And so, the downward slide in the quality of education in the country continues unabated. Of recent, Nigeria has witnessed a number of ruinous strikes that have further driven the education sector down the edge. The Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), for instance, was on strike for about a year, with students losing quality study time. This has made many Nigerian parents seek tertiary education opportunities for their children and wards outside the country, even in neighboring West African Countries. Though a tentative agreement was reached with ASUU, the agreement has not been properly implemented till date, giving room for future instability. As if this was not enough, both the

Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) have been on strike in the past eight months without any realistic solution in sight. It must, indeed, be of major concern to us that students of various higher institutions are idling away and the government appears unconcerned about it. As they say, an idle hand is the devil’s workshop. Education is a key component of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s). Nigeria, like most other developing countries, is expected to meet the set target in 2015 for achievement of these goals. From all indications, however, these goals have become unattainable because not much has been done to meet the targets. To arrest the decline in this important segment of the society, the government, through the Nigerian Educational Research Council (NERC) must reform the national educational policy and objectives with a view to designing new curricula for the various levels of the educational system. In ancient Greece, the cradle of Western scholarship, education was a highly functional search-light beamed on society and transcended reading and writing. Development through education is a progressive unfolding of the potentialities of a given reality. The essence of education, formal or informal, is to produce a person who will be a useful member of society. According to Jane F. Dogle, it must engender in the individual

a disposition of personal autonomy, responsibility and relevant forms of life thought and action. The word relevant as used by her is the matter of cultivating individual interest and potentialities while autonomy stands for a person who is able to judge, act and think accurately as well as rationally. The problem of educational development in Nigeria relates to issues of responsibility and control. The conflict between the federal, state and local governments over the management of education at various levels is one of the prominent problems of educational development in Nigeria. Primary education, for example, is neither fully in the hand of the federal, state nor local governments and this is a great barrier to effective educational development at a basic level. Then, there is the politicization of education. Educational institutions are opened and run in many states for flimsy reasons including political correctness. It is no secret that admission into universities, colleges, polytechnics, monotechnics, even secondary and primary schools, is sometimes guided by factors other than academic performance. Parents use their political offices or positions to influence the education of their children. This has also affected the recruitment of teachers, many of who are unqualified to be in the school system. Many people today are more concerned about securing jobs for their children rather

than giving them the quality education that will guarantee them apposite credentials and, ultimately, better jobs and happier life. To resolve the protracted rot in the sector, the authorities must ensure that there are round pegs in round holes: qualified teachers are recruited for the various categories of schools, which must be equipped the right mix of facilities and those who are entrusted with the management of the sector are people who have passion for education and have the initiatives necessary to move the sector forward. The truth is that the present crop of leaders in the sector is also part of the problem and can, therefore, not be trusted to provide a solution to the crisis bedeviling it. Even more importantly, the agencies responsible for educational evaluation such as West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Teachers Institute (NTI), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEM), Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Colleges of Education, Technical Colleges, Polytechnics and Universities, must be reinvigorated for optimum performance. Countries that are world leaders today, such as USA, UK, China, Japan, Germany, France and Russia have attained the foremost position because they consciously placed a premium on education as the genuine vehicle of development. It is high time education was given the same pride of place in Nigeria as was the case in the aforementioned countries. GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director/DEIC FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Managing Editor, South SULEIMAN BISALLA Managing Editor, North YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board GEOFFREY EKENNA News Editor PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

OPINION

Manipulation of youths to promote regional politics (3)

Solomon Dalung Continued from yesterday

eligion and ethnicity to my mind is a political strategy for keeping the people in perpetual division, while the crisis persist funds are looted from public treasuries in the name of security votes. The poor people I believed share a common destiny characterized by poverty, hunger, unemployment but they are often manipulated with religion as basis of intolerance. And as they continued with killings of one another, the ruling class with their families are either in Abuja, Egypt, Dubai, China or any part of Europe watching them on international channels with cups of coffee. What an irony? Of course, if the crisis is religious as presented, permit me to ask, why has the casualties or victims been limited to only the poor? Why has the crisis remained within the settlements of the commoners or masses and has not affected any of the Government Reserved Areas or choice settlement areas? In any case, what is the religion of poverty or what is the tribe of hunger? It is my opinion that the day the poor people provide answers to these mind bucking questions then there will be enduring peace in Nigeria. Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sarduana of Sokoto, the Premier of Northern Nigeria was a visionary leader who promoted ethnic and religious harmony amongst the people despite their diversities. He embraced all shed of opinions around him. Even as a Muslim, he took Audu Micheal Buba, a Christian to Saudi Arabia. To Sarduana, leadership is distinct from wealth accumulation, any person with crave for material accumulation has no business been in politics. This father figure with other contemporaries like Aminu Kano, J.S Tarka, Abubakar Tafawa Belewa, Kashim Ibrahim etc, though had their political and religious differences always considered the interest of the North and the unity of the country paramount which they defended to the latter. This explains the ideology of “one North, one people, one destiny”. Where are the Sarduanas, Tarkas, Aminu Kano and the Tafawa Balewas of the North today? Religious and Ethnic intolerance: In Nigeria today, Christians and Muslims locked horns in human carnages claiming to be serving the will of Almighty God who created life. The manner these differences had contributed to social instability is beyond conception. I have as a person always questioned the rationale behind

this line of human reasoning. The Holy Bible says “God created man in His own image and likeness” meaning that man is the image of God on earth. So if you kill another human being then you are destroying the image of God. More so that the Ten Commandments say “thou shall not kill”. Here the Scriptures does not provide justification for shedding innocent blood. So where do those who killed in the name of Christianity derive their authority? Historically, there has been no any known conflict between Christianity and Islam. The two religions complimented the efforts of each other in times of external threats. It is on record that early Muslims were provided refuge by Christians. To be precise, at the formative stage of Islam during the jahaliyah period in the Arabian Peninsula of Mecca, Muslims were persecuted because they were considered threat to Meccan establishment. In a reaction to persecution of his followers, Muhammad Bin Abdullah (Peace be upon Him) asked them to go to Abyssinia, which is today Ethiopia. He said there was a King, a Christian, but a man of justice. Of course, early Muslims were provided asylum for about ten years by King Negus of Abyssinia. He resisted diplomatic efforts to extradite them because according to King Negus, their religion and mine originated from the same source, because both believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of Mary. In a letter of appreciation written to King Negus by Messenger of God, Mohammed, (Pub), he stated in categorical terms that there is no jihad against the Christians because they are alhubkitaab. He further instructed Muslims not to raise their hands against the Christians or their worship places. Why have Christians and Muslims of Northern States abandoned these injunctions? Are we today more pious than Jesus Christ and Prohet Mohammed? Certainly the answer is No, except that we are more corrupt than them. Today religion has been politicized as an enterprise not for the service of Almighty God but for the projection of personal interest . Religion belongs to God, He alone chooses who to give, when to give and how to give, it is His exclusive prerogative. Social Injustice: The discrimination of certain ethnic nationalities as settlers in Nigeria has inflamed conflict dimensions. This phenomena entails denial of basic citizenship rights to populations considered non indigenous. The indigenesettler dichotomy even though unconstitutional is well entrenched in sub consciousness of leaders and the people. Even though some ethnic nationalities might have stayed for so many decades hence melted into the social

system of such communities, they are yet qualify to be citizens of those States. It has led to different clashes between different ethnic nationalities especially North Central Nigeria. The dangerous trend it has taken is the indoctrination of ethnic hatred as part of the social values in most of the affected areas. There is no doubt that the survival of our nation can be appreciated within the parameters of these negative tendencies. Poverty, hunger and unemployment: Socially, the essence of leadership is improving the welfare of members of the society. Significantly too, is protection of lives and properties of citizens, sustaining conducive environment which for stimulating wealth creation. Over time leadership role has been abandoned, consequently there has been increase in poverty, hunger and youth unemployment. These social vices has destroyed capacity building by impoverishing the citizens thereby exposing them to easy manipulation for violence. Where the society is properly organized with citizens dutifully engaged in economic activities, then violence will be minimized to zero level, because citizens will be stake holders with vested interest in national development. On the contrary, where the citizens are alienated, as it is the case now, then poverty, hunger and unemployment will inflict excruciating trauma on the people reducing them to mere tools for use by those who possesses economic power, thus jeopardizing national cohesion. Indeed, the current security challenges has linkage within the theory of political manipulation. People are so poor that what to eat as human beings are insurmountable hurdles. The situation is so terrible that some have resorted to the state of nature for survival. The consequences of this neglect has generated serious competition in human resource development, as a result all variants of violent behaviors have dominated social relationships. Minor gestures can provoke explosive reaction due to tension created by poverty, hunger or unemployment. Therefore, it is imperative that in seeking solutions to some of these national challenges, we must recognize we have a heterogeneous social system. Secondly, sincere commitments must be employed towards combating poverty, hunger and unemployment. As a people with common destiny the need for patriotism as corner stone for fostering integration must be given priority. Conscious policies of understanding of the Nigerian social system must be develop as curriculum for all processes of socialization. Concluded

Amosun’s developmental democracy in three years (2) Ademola Orunbon Continued from Tuesday

n transportation, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, on light rail mass transit that will link major cities in the state and help boost its economy. The signing of the contract would also fast-track economy of the state; there can be no development without putting necessary infrastructure in place. This infrastructural revolution, which is said to be first of its kind in the history of Ogun State government, has been consolidated by acquiring 77 buses for the newly introduced Bus Mass Transit (BMT) projects. The BMT, with a unique ticketing system, comprises of fleet of buses servicing commuters, within the state and beyond run by team of professional drivers and conductors. The scheme has not only helped in empowering some indigenes but has also provided a far better alternative to the old cab system for travelers. Ogun State government acquired and distributed about 150 fully-air conditioned saloon cars with another scheme called Ogun Metro Taxis Scheme otherwise known as “Irorun De”. The Bureau of Transportation has deployed over 150 traffic sign posts across

major roads to ensure safe motoring and installed traffic lights at major junctions with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV). The Bureau has also done lane marking on roads for smooth driving experiences of motorists, safety of pedestrians, its awareness and sensitization programmes on safe motoring and okada riding are vigorously being pursued via electronic, print and social media. With this, the population of the Gateway State would rise and its economy would blossom and provide job for the local people and help the unskilled ones to gain adequate knowledge through training and involvement in the whole process. The concept of re-building in policy terms assume that there are structures on ground to be rebuilt. That assumption is fundamental to the concept for without it the concept falls flat on its face. Without doubt Ogun State since its creation has structures and infrastructures that even date backs beyond its creation in 1976 courtesy of the Obafemi Awolowo government in then Western Region. Successive government in their own way had ensured that certain social amenities like road, water, health care, education, urban renewal, infrastructural facilities etc are in place in one form or another in most part of the state. So Amosun certainly have structures to “re-build” in virtually all sectors of the society. Another assumption for the “re-building” concept is that structures on the ground are in a state of despair, disuse,

disparate or outdated as not to serve present and modern realities or incapable of serving projected future needs. Certainly many existing structures in all sectors suffer from these shortcomings in areas like provisions of water, roads and educational facilities that this writer experienced firsthand. Apparently based on the above Amosun was on point in his “re-building” strategy and the mandate he got from the people. But apparently, the people were not prepared for the unintended consequences of the “rebuilding” agenda of Amosun. This understandably have fuelled emotional out-burst of even persons who are enlighten enough to appreciate that “birth pains” are not “death throes” in this rebuilding strategy. In construction terms to re-building, you have to destroy-read demolish-some or all of existing structure to give way for a larger or more befitting edifices. It is in this light that one can situate the road dualisation projects at Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ijebu-ode, and Ota, Igua, Ijoun, Ilaro, papalanto and many more roads in the State. There is no way rebuilding these roads will not involve destruction/ demolition of existing structure of private citizens in public interest. Apparently public interest has to override private interest in this matter of developing the society. But due process and adequate compensation must be applied in this “rebuilding” strategy. The same is applicable to urban renewal, which it must be noted is visible in Abeokuta, Ijebu-ode, Sagamu, Sango-Ota, Igua, Ilaro, Oja Odan/Idi-Iroko

and Papalanto and many more. Except the Rock City as Abeokuta is known want to maintain its old and rustic look with ancient family houses and compounds, then some structures have to give way for modern structures and facilities to spring up in the State. It must be pointed out however that in the provision of new infrastructure and amenities, the people has to be carried along to minimize the negative impact of unintended consequences. One is talking about sensitization and mobilization. A 6-lane road, flyover and foot bridges are certainly novel thing for many motorists and pedestrians alike. Enlightenment is needed for the people to appreciate that these facilities requires new attitudes and modification of behavior. But beyond re-building physical infrastructure in all sectors, there is a more urgent and pressing one of “re-building” political culture and tolerance that have gone awry in recent times. One is privilege to have been in government/observe governance under military and democratic administrations in Ogun State. Part of political culture prevalent in Ogun State as I known even during military era was political tolerance. Friends and business associates belong to different political parties and will stand their ground based on their political affiliations. This hitherto does not stop them attending social functions etc of their opponents. Concluded

• Ademola Orunbon (orunbonibrahimademola@gmail. com) , Federal Housing Estate, Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun State, 08034493944, 08029301122

LAW THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014

Should Nigeria grant the request by the Boko Haram to swap detained members for the release of more than 200 abducted schoolgirls? Lawyers say no, yes. Judiciary Editor, FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE reports

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FOLUSO OGUNMODEDE JUDICIARY EDITOR

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'WE DON’T NEED SPECIAL COURTS FOR CORRUPTION CASES'

}p-24&25

Discordant tunes over swap option for Chibok schoolgirls

lthough the Federal Government has insisted that it would never consider the condition pushed before it by the Boko Haram insurgents that it should let go some of their members in custody for the release of the abducted schoolgirls, lawyers, all Senior Advocates were yesterday divided on the swap option. While some believe that it is insane to negotiate with the insurgents to secure the safe release of the girls, others say Shekau’s similar swap option as recently done by the United States of America when its last prisoner of war was exchanged for five Taliban detainees in Afghanistan, would not only guarantee the safe release of the abducted schoolgirls but strengthen and retain the effort of the Western countries supporting Nigeria in the campaign against terrorism. About 237 students of the Federal Government, Chibok in Borno state were abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents last month. Their whereabouts are yet to be ascertained as the Federal Government has rallied the support of Western countries for the safe release of the abducted schoolgirls. Shekau had boasted: “We will never release them (the girls) until after you release our brethren”. But the Federal Government had vowed it would not accept the conditions set out by Shekau for the release of the schoolgirls held hostage by the sect. However,at the vanguard of the swap option for their safe release include the activist lawyer and Senior Advocate, Chief Mike Ozekhome, Augustine Alegeh, SAN, Abubakar Malami, SAN, a foremost constitutional lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi and Chief Chris Uche, SAN. All save Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN and Olasupo Ojo backed the swap option. While considering the negotiation option, Alegeh, Ozekhome and others believed that since dialogue was appropriate in dispute resolution, the swap option as pushed forward by the dreaded Boko Haram should be considered by the Federal Government especially if that would guarantee the safe release of the innocent schoolgirls. Alegeh, a strong contender for the presidency of the Nigeria Bar Association said since this option had helped in other climes, it must be explored by the government to ensure the release of the abducted girls. He said: "Negotiating swap with them is a deep security matter which security agencies know whether it is an offer made in good faith or not. I know that prisoner exchange is something that has happened in other jurisdictions successfully. So, government should explore every avenue possible to try and resolve and secure the release of the girls as soon as possible. "I want the girls released and in good time too and anything that would

Akintola, SAN

Government should not succumb to blackmail. It should not compromise anything. Those who had committed crimes against humanity cannot dictate terms of their release from detention secure their release, I will want. But whether this offer of safe release in exchange of prisoners is a true fact, I am not in position to know. Whether the persons they seek their release are alive or dead, I am not in position to know. I believe that there is no sacrifice that is too great to be made to secure the release of those girls. "If truly there is an offer, for the sake of the girls and their future, I beg the government to consider the matter very seriously". Alegeh was echoed by Ozekhome who insisted that there was nothing wrong in the proposition. Ozekhome specifically implored the government to enter into a negotiation with the insurgents if it would assuage their feelings for the safe release of the Chibok schoolgirls. He said: "It was former President of America, JF Kennedy, who said you should never negotiate out of fear. There are times that we have to stoop to conquer. We are talking of lives here; we are talking of little children, fairly between the ages of 10 and 16 years, taking into the wilderness by Boko Haram. "I do not rate the life of Boko Haram members than that of the girls, a person who can kill himself in order to kill people, to them life is nothing. But to the girls, who are going through horrific experience, their lives are in danger. The lives of the girls should mean something to the Federal Government. "The Federal Government should not fear to negotiate. They should negotiate out of decency, compassion, humanity

Oyetibo, SAN

Alegeh, SAN

If you succumb to the demand of the terrorists and release those who are detained, particularly those who have been found to have carried out terrorist activities, what type of state are we projecting to the rest of the world?

Negotiating swap with them is a deep security matter, which security agencies know whether it is an offer made in good faith or not. I know that prisoner exchange is something that has happened in other jurisdictions successfully

and godliness. Life is supreme. The Federal Government should push the agenda to negotiate with Boko Haram holistically. It will be bad for the government not negotiate, now that there is need to negotiate. "It is an opportunity for the government to now move forward to do same as it was done for the Niger Delta militants". Malami, a Senior Advocate said since the government had find it an herculean task to dislodge the insurgents and rescue the abducted schoolgirls, the only option it should toe was to negotiate with the insurgents. He said: "If the military and other security agencies have failed, then the government should not fail again to use other option which is negotiation. At any rate, war on insurgency is not won alone by the military but by negotiation. " So, government has no option than to negotiate, they have no might to fight terorrism. Negotiation is the option moreover when people's lives are at stake". Dr. Tunji Abayomi simply said: "It is a delicate issue and the question is whether we should place the life of the girls above national pride. Government exists to protect the lives of citizens. The girls’ emotion is bruised already, their parents own is injured, the psyche of the nation is affected. "There is no choice than to enter dia-

logue. This is the first time Boko Haram wants to discuss with the government. It could be a platform to extend the dialogue in order to establish a frame work for security of the nation. "Our situation is delicate now and it needs an urgent attention. I am of the view that it is reasonable to dialogue". To Chris Uche, SAN there was need for the government to leave every option open. He urged the Jonathan administration to explore all options and possibilities to get the girls back to their parents. But Oyetibo, Akintola, Oyesanya, Dr. Jerry Chukwuokolo and a former President Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Olasupo Ojo, differ. Oyetibo said: "Delicate in the sense that you have those young girls in the custody of the terrorists and a country that want to maintain law and order. The question is: should the state negotiate with the terrorists? Fall to the dictates of the terrorists with regards to those who have found themselves in the custody of the terrorists? It is very delicate. If you use violence or force, you put the lives of the young girls in danger or jeopardy. "At the same time, if you succumb to the demand of the terrorists and release those who are detained, particularly, those who have been found to have carried out terrorist activities, what CO NTINUED O N PAGE27

22 LAW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Boat mishap: Accountant, others sue firm, Lagos, seek N1.19bn damages ACCIDENT Victims' relations seek redress in court over death of loved ones Joseph Onyekwere

n accountant, Mr. Olubodun Akinyele has sued a company owned by a Lagos businessman and governorship aspirant in Delta State, Mr. Tony Prest, Prestcruise Marine Services Limited and the Lagos State Waterways Authority at the Lagos High Court over the boat accident which resulted in the death of two persons. He is asking for N1.9bn in damages over the boat mishap which claimed the lives of two persons in 2012. Also suing are Mrs. Ebun Fadeni and Mrs. Seyi Oguntimehin as second and third claimants respectively. However, in their claim before the court, Akinyele narrated how he contracted the services of the first defendant for a two hour afternoon boat cruise along the lagoon in Victoria Island, Lagos to celebrate his wife’s birthday in December 10, 2012 and invited his family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers. The claimants stated that they paid the sum of N300, 000 to the first defendant for the purpose of the cruise, adding that it took a while before the boat which showed initial signs of problem by refusing to start took off. “The claimants aver that even while at the lagoon, guests who came late for the event who had to be ferried by a smaller boat to the cruise vessel complained bitterly to the first claimant that the

small boat kept on breaking down on the way and on two occasions, it almost capsized. “However, the first claimant and his guests recovered their composure and carried on with their celebrations and took pictures during their supposed fun cruise”, they stated, adding that “about 2pm, the cruise boat started showing signs of having more problems when it stopped working altogether in the middle of lagoon with all the efforts to restart the boat by the crew proving abortive. They aver that they advised the captain to let down the boat’s anchor in order to stop the boat from drifting any further to the sea but were shocked when they were told that the anchor was no longer functioning.

They said: “The claimants aver that after drifting aimlessly for over 3 hours, the crew managed to get the boat close to its dock, thus placing it about 10 to 12 minutes from it. About 5.30 pm when the boat still wouldn’t come on, the crew decided to transport the first claimant and his guests to the dock in batches with the small boat that had earlier brought guests who came late.” The plaintiffs explained that despite the initial apprehension by the guests, who had ridden in the boat earlier, it was suggested by the crew that it carry 9 guests, and that two additional crew members joined them in the boat, making them eleven. They stated that the illfated boat capsized just about 15 yards from the

drifting cruise boat, emptying all the passengers into the lagoon, adding that the two crew members did nothing to rescue to passengers. But while some fishermen who assisted in the rescue mission rescued seven of the guests, two of them were unlucky as they got drowned. The hapless two are Mr. Steve Oguntimehin and Mr. Feyisara Aramide Fadeni. The claimants stated that the cruise firm had no functional life jacket or first aid measures in place, causing them to flee as soon as the accident occurred. According to the claims endorsed by the claimants counsel, Feyisola Ajayi, the cruise firm, not only neglected to commiserate with the dead, but has remained aloof to the plight of the claimants despite all the correspon-

Mr Dele Adesina SAN addressing newsmen in his Lagos office on Monday

dences intimating it of the accident. They therefore filed the action seeking a billion naira damages for the losses incurred. They also seek the order of court stopping the defendants from carrying on with business until necessary provisions are put in place for safety. In his statement of defence, the second defendant averred that Prestcruise is not registered with it to operate vessel in the internal waterways of Lagos. “Prestcruise Marine Services Limited has not registered with the Lagos State Waterways Authority to operate any vessel in the internal waterways of Lagos state. The second defendant shall rely on its list of already registered cruise companies as evidence at the trial of this suit. The first defendant does not have the operating license of the 2nd defendant to operate any vessel in the internal waterways of Lagos state”, it said, adding that it had written to the firm on April 16, 2009 regarding the unlawfulness of its operations without a prior registration with the authority, which it never responded to. The authority also swore that it had also given a ‘stop work’ order letter to the illegal firm to which it never heeded. Consequently, it seeks to have its name struck out of the suit and added that it is not liable to the accident, describing the suit as vexatious, frivolous and misconstrued. It counter claimed against the 1st defendant, a N100 million as well as N50, 000 for each and every day of its operational services on the Lagos waterways. However, the 1st defendant has only filed a memorandum of appearance and is yet to file a statement of defence.

Man jailed six months for drug possession Appolos Christian

bout two months after he was arrested by the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), a 22-year old man, Waliu Lawal, will spend six months imprisonment for an illegal possession and dealing in hard drugs. Lawal , who was arrested on March 22, 2014 at No. 1 Iwara Street, Ikorodu, Lagos with substances suspected to be heroine and cocaine and a sum of N21, 000, was tried and jailed by a Lagos Federal High Court. Specifically, Justice

C.J. Aneke, who presided over the matter found the convict guilty following his plea of guilty to the criminal offence. Lawal's admission to the crime during evidence -in-chief ended the days of anxiety on what would become of the convict as the prosecutor, Mr. Orji Kalu, through the prosecution witness, Mr. Odede Lawrence, had tendered before the court 4.43g and 0.07g of heroine and cocaine recovered from him. Lawrence, a staff of the agency told the court on how the accused was brought to his office on March 22 with sub-

stances suspected to be heroine and cocaine and consequently a series of tests were conducted on the substance which confirmed it as 4.43g and 0.07g of heroine and cocaine. Kalu urged the court to admit the exhibits as evidence to convict the accused for unlawful possession and dealing with narcotics. Before his conviction, Lawal’s lawyer, Mrs. L. Omotunde, made spirited efforts to get him out of the hook. But her efforts met a brick wall as the court which had admitted the substance as exhibits

P10A and P10B in evidence, found him guilty. However, Omotunde pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy considering that the accused was contrite, and in consideration of the quantity of the narcotics involved. She said: "The convict is very sorry, sober and repentant. We therefore plead on his behalf for leniency. He's a first offender, we urge your Lordship to consider the quantity involved and the fact that he confessed to this honourable court that he's a user. He has also seriously realized the fact that it is

injurious to his body and has therefore decided to turn a new leaf. He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity without wasting the judicial ink of this honourable court, we therefore urge your Lordship to show compassion." Justice Aneke said he was inclined to temper justice with mercy as the defence had pleaded, being the reason he sentenced Lawal to six months imprisonment for the illegal possession and dealing with narcotics as enshrined in Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Pastor recounts encounter with conmen Joseph Onyekwere

pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God who is also a veterinary doctor and social worker with the Shell Development Company in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Dr. Dennis Oyakhire, has narrated before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of an Ikeja High Court how he was allegedly duped by a property agent, Funmi Joseph, of the sum of N4.8millíon. Joseph was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly defrauding the pastor of the said sum in a property transaction through her company, Rockdays Synergy Limited. Oyakhire, a pastor with Rivers Province 3 of the church, told the court that sometimes in March 2011, he saw an advertisement in a magazine, Castle Week Magazine, where the accused advertised the sale of a property at Redemption camp, Lagos- Ibadan expressway. Under examination by the prosecution counsel, Ben Umbi, Oyakhire said: "I was interested in the property because I needed a place I would be staying whenever I go to camp. When I came for Special Holy Ghost programme in 2011, I contacted the phone number in the advert and I was led to the 1st defendant." He added, "The 1st defendant took I and my cousin who is also a pastor in the church, to see various property and we chose the one at the foundation level. It was a three bedroom flat which went for N4.8million. We agreed initial deposit of N2million which I later sent to the 1st defendant from Portharcourt through my cousin. After the payment, the 1st defendant began to tell us 'story' that the house was no longer available." The complainant further said that the accused person promised to provide and showed him another property and he also paid additional N1.8million to her and later paid the balance of N1million. Trouble began when in August 2012, after he had been giving keys to the new house and was about to take delivery, the accused allegedly again told him that the house was no longer available and collected the keys back. "It was then I knew I was in for a scam. I requested for a refund of my money and got my lawyer to write to the defendant," he said. The pastor further alleged that the accused issued him dud cheques in the sum N1million and N800,000 respectively.

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NBA needs selfless leadership - Adesina ELECTION An aspirant in the forthcoming NBA election offers self as agent of change Joseph Onyekwere

n aspirant for the presidency of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Dele Adesina,a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has said that the NBA requires a leadership that would act as the conscience of the nation, driven by vision and selflessness. Adesina made the statement at a conference with newsmen in Lagos, while unveiling his aspiration to context the associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s topmost post in July. In his speech entitled: Strategic plan for strategic Development of the Nigerian Bar Association, Adesina listed a 9-point agenda. According to the Senior Advocate, his mission lies in serving the best interest of the members of NBA and the legal profession, with passion, honesty and integrity of purpose. He however, highlighted the areas, which he said formed the fulcrum of his ambition. Adesina said: "As a deliberate policy of Corporate Governance, my administration shall be based on full democracy, consultation, openness, transparency and accountability. "The presidency will be primarily concerned with the formulation

and execution of policies and pursuit of duties that will enhance the relevance of NBA to its members, the legal profession, the supremacy of the rule of law and the nation. "I shall put in place an institutional framework for budgeting, accounting and hiring of staffs", he said. The SAN also underscored the importance of welfare for young lawyers, which he said would also be a major focal point in his administration alongside capacity building and economic empowerment. He said: "My leadership shall develop a strategic welfare plan that will provide a comprehensive group life insurance policy for Nigerian lawyers; old or young, junior or senior. "The NBA will also undertake several incentives to create more job opportunities for lawyers, such as restriction of range of documentation by non-lawyers, use of foreign lawyers in Nigeria, as well as legal practice in ECOWAS region". The lawyer also hinged on the need for Judiciary promotion and efficient justice delivery system, adding that his administration will also ensure that the judiciary occupy a strategic position in the life of the nation. He said that the anticorruption committee of the association shall be onerously strengthened to discharge its responsibility in this regard. He further stated that his administration will ensure an increase in

the number of supreme court justices, since a comparative analysis would show that the nation's supreme court is one of the busiest in the world, adding that he would ensure a judicial policy of terminating interlocutory appeals at the level of the court of appeal, and ensure that further divisions of the appellate court is created. According to the SAN, he would promote a maximum operation of the rule of law and cooperate social responsibility for the NBA, by ensuring professional discipline of the highest standard, foster continuing legal education and facilitate a globalisation of legal practice. Pointing out the ills of corruption in the system, Adesina submitted that his administration would strive to put up a campaign against corruption and all forms of impunity in the NBA. Harping on his experience as s former secretary of the Bar, Adesina declared that he is the best candidate for the job and dismiss allegations that the South West is maginalising the Mid-West neighbours in the slot allotted to them. According to him, the Mid-West has produced a number of past presidents. He added that there was an understanding between the West and Mid-West that the West should take the slot this time around, but regretted that the vaulting ambition of one man is working to scuttle the deal. The NBA presidential election is billed to hold in July.

Court jails deaf and dumb three years for illegal drug deal Joseph Onyekwere

ustice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has sentenced a 32-yearold man with hearing and speaking impairment to three years imprisonment over illicit drug deal. The convict, Aliu Sanni was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on May 19. He pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of dealing in about 17.8 kilogrammes of Cocaine. Justice Idris had ordered the remand of the accused at the Ikoyi prisons, and adjourned the case for a review of facts

and sentencing. Delivering his judgment on Monday, Idris sentenced the accused to three years imprisonment, adding that the sentence shall take effect from the date of his arrest. "Since the accused had pleaded guilty to the charge before this court, he is hereby convicted as charged. "The convict was completely aware of his commercial activities in the restricted drugs, and so, he must be punished. "He is accordingly sentenced to three years imprisonment beginning from the date of his arrest. "The sentence of the

convict shall serve as a warning signal to other drug traffickers" he said. Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Kalu Orji had told the court that the convict committed the offence on March 26. He said that the convict was arrested at the Young Shall Grow Motor Park at Iddo in Lagos. According to Orji, about 17.8 Kilogrammes of Cocaine was recovered from the accused, who intended to export the narcotic outside Lagos. The offence contravenes the provisions of sections 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

FACES AT THE INAUGURATION OF DR. BENSON ENIKUOMEHIN LAW FIRM, AT OBA-ILE, AKURE, ONDO STATE

L-R: Dr Benson Enikuomehin; HRM, The Jegun of Idepe, Oba Adetoye Adetuga and HRM, Oba Elias Ikuomola, The Alagho Of Odo- Nla

L-R: Chief Owolaye Omotehinse & Mrs. Oluremi Addo & Larry Ijaola Reg. Director for Africa, BenTV Africa

L-R: Ex Chairman Ilaje LGA, Dr. Banji Ajaka and Mrs. Adenike Ajaka

L-R: Chief Omolere Benson Akinfoyewa and ex-NDDC Commissioner, Imo State Mr Joseph Akeru

24 JURIST

yesanya is a lawyer who is always passionate about his job. His love for the profession is prodigious and glaring for whoever that comes close to him. Little wonder, he got the attention of one of the brightest lawyers ever produced in the country, the late Chief Tanimose Bankole-Oki, SAN, who admired his conduct and sought his partnership in practice. The Senior Advocate, who is always ready to make his own contribution to national discourse any time his thoughts are sought for, has a word for the proponents of special courts for corruption cases- don’t dare it. He said: "Members of the national conference are trying to troubleshoot the various malaise confronting the Nigerian system, particularly the issue of corruption. But I don't think it is necessary to proliferate our court system, I don't think so. As it is, the courts are well equipped to tackle cases of corruption. We have several cases that have been brought by the EFCC and the ICPC going on in the several courts, particularly the federal High Courts. We have the oil subsidy scam and other issues are all going on. What we need is to strengthen the current legal system and encourage the judges, appoint more judges, and build more courts, we will then be there. The structures we have on ground are not being strengthened. When we create more courts, we weaken those that are on the ground because the resources that should have gone to the old one are distributed among the new ones and the Nigerian tendency is that we just forget the old ones and continue on the new ones. And so, we have more problems on our hands. " Although he acknowledged that there are delays in the nation’s justice system, Oyesanya singled out the Lagos Judiciary on a number of reforms it has embarked upon over the years, describing it as trailblazer as the state had not only gone beyond where it was some years ago, but digital in its reforms. This, he said must be applauded and encouraged, notwithstanding its many challenges, adding that it's not good for judges to continue to write long hand. He said: "At the risk of sounding bias, I think of the three arms of government, the judiciary really is the one that has worked very hard to keep this country together despite its shortcomings and failings which are the products and the by- products of the system". Oyesanya is of the opinion that lawyers were in a position to assist the judges in dispensing justice but regretted that some lawyers were not helping matters by filing all manners of applications. He said: "It is not that the judges don't know what to do, but in most cases, judges are trained to do what they do. But they are also times when lawyers file all kinds of applications. For example if a lawyer loses a case instead of going on with the substantive case, what he does is to file in an appeal and bring application for stay of proceedings. When the lower court refuses to stay proceedings, they bring the same application to the court of appeal. Because of what is happening at the court of appeal, particularly in Lagos division where there is congestion, sometimes you don't even get a date for the hearing of that application in a long time. “So, technically, he has gotten the stay because while the application is there, even though there is no order for stay, there are authorities saying that the High Court cannot go on with the case. "Then the other party who has some kind of victory at the High Court cannot move, because if it is a monetary judgment for example, they would have served the deputy sheriff ’s office. And when they see the process, they will not act on the case anymore. Even though there is this saying that an appeal is not a stay,that is just a legalese. The actual thing is that the same appellate

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

We don’t need special courts for corruption cases, says Oyesanya He read Law as a second course of study shortly after he obtained his first degree in English some two decades ago. Theophilus Adekunle Abidemi Oyesanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Bar Association (IBA), as well as the International Dispute Resolution Institute, speaks on his foray into the legal profession, special courts for corruption cases, practice of law yesterday and today, Nigeria’s security challenge and varied issues. JOSEPH ONYEKWERE met him.

Oyesanya, SAN

court has said it is not desirable that a respondent who has got victory at the lower court to go ahead and do anything when there is an appeal still pending at the Court of Appeal. What does the judge do in such circumstance? He cannot do anything. The matter will stay at the High Court until 'thy kingdom come' when the matter comes back from the court of appeal. That could take three years even for interlocutory

appeals. Again that brings us back to the issue of improving infrastructure in our court system. The Court of Appeal, Lagos for example, has not been sitting regularly because they are refurbishing the court. The court was an eyesore. I agree with the judges. The condition under which these judges work is terrible. I think they should also have made an alternative arrangement to sit somewhere while the renovation

Members of the national conference are trying to troubleshoot the various malaise confronting the Nigerian system, particularly the issue of corruption. But I don't think it is necessary to proliferate our court system

lasts. They should have found a place to sit temporarily. It could have been better done during vacation. As it is now, they will be a longer list of backlog of cases waiting for them." He also expressed the view about the possibility of Senior Advocates being appointed into the appellate Bench. His words: “It is a welcome development that Senior Advocates who are interested in going to the Bench should be giving a chance to go there. I understand the argument that some of our judges who are at the High Courts are marking time waiting for elevation, they deserve it, but they see the Senior Advocates coming into the Bench as foreigners and coming to their detriment. There are some valid issues there, and in as much as there are, we cannot as well sacrifice quality for that kind of sentiment. There is a way we can balance it. Maybe, we give the Senior Advocates quota and those who are coming from the lower courts would have their own quota, possibly higher than that of the Senior Advocates. Definitely, I am in support of appointing very senior advocates who have been at it, tried and tested to go to the Bench. I think it would help the system a lot.” Oyesanya however canvassed integrity and sound knowledge of the law as a basic requirement for the appointment of judges. He said: “They must be people who are knowledgeable in law, but people we know in terms of integrity. I have a bias as a matter of fact that they must be people who have been in practice, either from the official Bar or the private Bar. The idea of going to appoint judges from the bank or from one ministry or the other should be discouraged. Going to the Bench is not a child’s play, particularly at the High Court level as that is where the practice operates at the very high level. A person who is going to sit in judgment over clients’ cases, listen to lawyers, adjudicate and come to conclusion, must be somebody who has seen it all; a judge who can think on his feet. I think we should give more emphasis to that. And like I said – integrity, because sometimes, no matter how brilliant a judge is, if he has the tendency for corruption or mischievousness, his major concern would not be to dispense justice but to serve the person who has given him bribe. He would be out to meet the demands of that person even when the person has a bad case. The kind of injury that you do to the system as a corrupt judge is not quantifiable and it could go on for years just as it could lead to loss of lives. He recalled his younger days in practice and concluded that it was the days when the judiciary was in its glory. He explained that when he began legal practice, the judges were calm and articulate as they did more of listening than talking. “In most cases, you will not know which side they are leaning on because they would not show it. They were dispassionate and gave everybody a chance just as I would support that judges must be carefully appointed into the system in order to avoid trouble”. On the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls, Oyesanya described it as despicable and impudent of the highest level. While expressing anger on the carnage

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and wanton destruction that the terrorist organisation had unleashed on Nigerians, the Senior Advocate said he was sad and sick to hear people propose that government should go into negotiation with the Boko Haram. He said: “What kind of country is this that encourages rebellion? Of course when you do such things, another group will come up and wreck all the havoc they can. It is because people are suggesting that since military action has not worked, let us go and discuss with them that is emboldening them. People who went to Motor Park and killed innocent people are those they are asking us to release to them because they have us at the jugular. Such a thing should not even be given a thought. Every day when I wake up in the morning, my mind goes to those girls and I begin to wonder; what is happening to them? Every morning, the prayer I pray and I hope God will listen to me is that those girls should not be tampered with. Who knows whether they will come back the way they went as the insurgence is part of the failing of Nigeria, while disagreeing with the negotiation idea. According to him, until Nigeria is structured on a regional basis with ethnic nationalities that have close affinities, there will be problem. He said that we will keep having religious problems, adding that we are behaving like the ostrich which buried its head in the sand while his body is outside and still say that nobody is seeing him. He recalled that the same problem has been rearing its ugly head right from the first republic, noting that had Nigeria continued with the regionalism which it started in those days, the country would have found its feet by now and blamed the distortion on military interregnum. He affirmed his support for state police, stating that serious checks against abuse should be added in the constitution in order to hinder the governors from using the police for selfish ends. Oyesanya however expressed support for the decentralization of the centre with a view to making it less attractive for politicians. On the uniqueness of his chambers, he said “one of the incidents I can never forget involved the late Chief FRA Williams: It was a matter involving an audit firm managed by one Otunba Ogunde. It was about the audit of the NNPC against one other audit firm. Somehow in the course of their quarrel over the audit work, Otunba Ogunde said that Prince Adejono libeled him. So, he sued for libel. Our chambers represented Otunba Ogunde. Chief Williams was representing Adejono and the matter was before one Justice Adeniji now retired of the Lagos High Court. I was still very young at the Bar. My late principal was the one handling the matter personally. I was not involved in the matter at all. So, they now agreed to settle the matter out of court. They had already had meetings for what I was told and had drawn terms of settlement but they had not signed the terms. So, the matter came up for trial. “The matter had been adjourned for trial and it was in that situation that the settlement issue came up. My late principal eventually travelled abroad and the matter came up. He just told me from the chambers to go and take an adjournment and tell the court we almost settle the matter. So, I carried my bags and went to court. Lo and behold, I saw Chief Williams there and he had a lot of books in front of him and about three junior lawyers. I told myself he couldn’t have come for this matter; maybe he had another matter in that court. So, they called the matter out of time because he was a Senior Advocate and he announced his appearance. I announced myself too. The judge said yes, I stood up and I said my lord the situation is that this matter was set for settlement. They had drawn the terms only that my principal trav-

OYESANYA AT A GLANCE

Oyesanya, SAN

elled out of town; when he returns they will just cross the t’s and dot the i’s, that I therefore needed an adjournment. “The judge said, yes Chief Williams! He just said my lord, I don’t know what he is talking about. I am here to take the trial. If they are not ready, I want your lordship to dismiss the case. In those days, we were using the old rules; 1972 rules order 32 or so if a matter was called for trial and the plaintiff was not ready to commence, the defendant can say the matter should be dismissed and the court could dismiss the matter. So, Chief Williams moved that rules and the judge did not even allow me to reply, he dismissed the matter. “I was sweating profusely. I couldn’t leave the court premises. I remember very well that Dr. Tunji Abayomi was sitting close to me that day. He told me I should not worry, I should go and read the rules very well; that I can relist the matter. I was really embarrassed and I didn’t know what to do. You know there were no GSM then. They were looking for me and I went into hiding, roaming the streets of Lagos. But before I could manage to get to the chambers around 4pm, the evening papers that were in court that day had carried it – ‘Court dismisses Ogunde’s suit…’ So the client had seen it. The client started calling our Head of Chambers and that one was asking me what I did to disgrace them. Our Head of chambers at that time, Chief Mary Bassey put me in her car and we went to Chief Ogunde’s of-

Every day when I wake up in the morning, my mind goes to those girls and I begin to wonder; what is happening to them?

• He obtained a B.A in English from UNILAG in 1981 • He obtained LL.B from the University of Ibadan in 1986 • He had a stint in Abayomi Sogbesan and Company as a counsel-in-chambers between 1987 and 1991 • He was with Edu & Muhammed, Solicitors and Barristers as Head of Chambers between 1991 and 1993 • He established Adekunle Oyesanya and Company in 1994 as Principal Partner • He formed a partnership with the late Chief Bankole oki in 1997 • He is the managing partner Bank Oki, Oyesanya and Company • He is a Notary Public and Arbitrator • He is the president Jaycees International, University of Ibadan Chapter • He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria fice and the man was crying. I felt so terrible that day. To me, it was a bad experience. Eventually, they told my principal and he called from abroad and told me not to worry; that that was Chief Williams. He told me that next time even if the matter is for settlement, I should be prepared for any eventuality. He said he was surprised that Chief Williams behaved that way because the matter was really for settlement. He said we will relist the matter and that was what we did. And the day we relisted the matter, surprisingly, Chief Williams did not come. Even though he was in town, he didn’t come”. Born on March 5, 1960 to late Pastor Caleb Oluwayinka Oyesanya of Christ Apostolic Church, the young Oyesanya started his educational pursuit at St.Patrick’s Catholic primary School, Yaba from 1965 to 1971. From there, he proceeded to Ibadan Christ Apostolic

Grammar School, Ibadan, Oyo State between 1972 and 1976. For his ‘A’ level programme, he enrolled at the Federal School of Arts and Science. He was there between 1976 and 1978. While in the school, he excelled in the Arts and eventually got admitted into the University of Lagos for a degree in English Language. He graduated in 1981 with a B.A (Hons). Oyesanya had wanted to study Mass Communication but when he could not meet up with the cut off mark, he settled for English Language. In fact, his first choice of career was Geology but when he realized that he needed physics and chemistry to accomplish that dream, he dropped the idea. He said: “We were the first set to take Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations in 1978. When I applied to read Mass Communication, unfortunately, I did not score enough point for Mass Communication. So, I was given English Language. In between I developed interest in law. My late father also called me to say I can read law so as to fulfill part of his dreams. Actually he was in England and had actually started reading law before given it up. My father that I knew, if he had been a lawyer, he would have been one of the best. He was fantastic when you see him argue or make a point. So, when he said that, he kindled my interest. So, I tried to change from English to law but it didn’t work out, so I finished my English and started law in the University of Ibadan”. He did his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in a secondary school in old Cross River State. He graduated from the University of Ibadan with an LL.B (Hons) in 1986. Because he had already done his NYSC when he finished his first degree, he went straight into the Nigerian Law School for the mandatory one year law programme. He obtained the Bachelor of Law (B.L) from the law school in 1987. As soon as he left the law school, he joined the Chambers of Abayomi Sogbesan & Company as counsel-in-chambers. He was in the firm between 1987 and 1991. In 1991 he joined the law firm of Edu & Mohammed, Solicitors and Barristers as the head of chambers. He was there between September 1991 and December 1993. Focused and courageous, Oyesanya decided to take the bull by the horn in 1994. He chose to open up his own firm – Adekunle Oyesanya and Company. He was the principal partner of that law firm until 1997 when something unprecedented happened. A very much older colleague, having observed his legal dexterity and commitment, decided to invite him over to form a partnership. “My late principal, Chief Bankole Oki who was over 40 years at the Bar then invited me over to come and form a partnership with him even when I was about ten years at the Bar”, he recalled. When that happened, the merged firms changed to Bank Oki, Oyesanya and Company. And since February 1997 till date, he has been the managing partner of that firm following the demise of his senior partner. He is a notable notary public and arbitrator. Oyesanya is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, member, International Bar Association as well as member, International Dispute Resolution Institute. Former president of the Jaycees International, University of Ibadan chapter, he enjoys choral music and singing. A practicing Christian, Oyesanya also enjoys composition of Christian music as well as traveling. For food, he loves anything that has vegetable in it but he is allergic to Pineapple. He does not have personal attachment to any particular colour but likes to wear whatever that suits him. He is joyfully married to Mrs. Mobolaji Adenike Oyesanya and they are blessed with three children – two girls and a boy.

26 LAW | INTERVIEW

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

‘I read Law to please my dad’ Bola Aidi plies his law trade in Abuja. A Notary Public and Ph.D student, Aidi speaks on his foray into the wig and gown profession, challenges, national conference, security challenge in the country and sundry issues. TUNDE OYESINA met him.

Aidi

e was the former Students Union Secretary of the defunct Ondo State College of Arts and Science, Ikare Akoko. Although he read law by happenstance, Bolarinwa Tajudeen Aidi read law at the University of Benin(UNIBEN) after a brief stint as a student of Theatre Arts. He told New Telegraph how the 23 year-old journey into the legal profession began. Aidi said: “I started school at St. Stephens Anglican Primary School, Ikare Akoko, Ondo state from where I moved to Comprehensive Secondary School also in Ikare. Thereafter, I proceeded to Ondo State College of Arts and Science for my ‘A’ Levels where I held sway as the Students Union Secretary. Shortly after my ‘A’ Levels, I gained admission into the University of Benin to study Theatre Arts but I had to swap from Theatre Arts to Law. I eventually obtained my LL.B in 1991.” Asked why he swapped from Theatre Arts to Law, Aidi said his decision was predicated on his father’s insistence that he would not waste his money on a futile ambition as there was no difference between the course and the ‘awadakerikeri’ being plied by the likes of veteran Jimoh Aliu and Lere Paimo. Specifically Aidi said he chose to pursue law since his father was clear about what he wanted him to become as he insisted that he would rather send him to Jimoh Aliu than to waste money on the course in a university while it would cost him nothing if he learn the trade from Jimoh Aliu or Lere Paimo.

He said: “Actually, my father was responsible for that. I am someone that had flair for the arts. My father, who then saw no difference between Theatre Arts and Jimoh Aliu insisted on any course aside Theatre Arts while had Jimoh Aliu as his reference point,saying he had no reason to waste his money for the purpose of studying theatre arts when he could send me to Jimoh Aliu to learn the ropes as Jimoh Aliu who was then in our town in Ikare, was ready to accept my father’s request. “So, my father was very serious about the fact that I have to change my course and when he gave the choice, I decided to go for law. At least law is also a field where you can practice on your own to bring your humanity out. That is the primary reason that occasioned my change from Theatre Arts to Law. I was going to 400 level when I swapped from theatre arts to law because the man will not have me graduated as a theatre arts. On his challenges as a lawyer, Aidi said “I will say that the most challenging case I have handled is Abalaka .V. Wada, the current governor of Kogi state. Why it is a challenging one was that it is a matter that is political. All of a sudden the plaintiff who engaged me, after he had been bought with money turned back to say that he never gave me the go ahead to do the matter on his behalf. The matter brought a petition against me before the Disciplinary Committee of the NBA. I had to answer to queries from the committee. But when it came to the nitty-gritty of legal profession or litigation, I want to believe that one of the most

The office of the AGF is not supposed to be a political office just like the office of the Auditor General challenging cases I have ever handled was Sgt Ashanu V Nigerian Army. It is a matter that involved some soldiers, dismissed from the Army on the allegation that they were there when a senior officer was killed. Asked about legal education in his time and now, he said it had nosedived completely. Aidi said: “It is a serious matter. Legal Education then, was a total package. It is an education which comprised of not only one’s knowledge of law but also your ethical and moral focus. A man graduating as a lawyer then, had a sense of duty and obligation to the society. So, coming out from school then, you will look at it that the course carried so much honor and dignity. “It is not a profession where one will start thinking of doing 419 or fraudulent as we have it today rather it is a profession of eminence that brings so much hope and aspiration. Looking at legal education, though there is an extension in the number of years spent in school, there is actually a

decline in the focus of legal education. Here in my chambers, you have people posted here for chamber attachment, we also have people coming for youth service and also people come in to work. When you look at the level of capacity of lawyers now, when you interact with them, when you give assignment to carry out, you will see a difference, not only in their language, capacity to understand issues. There is much decline, though we have so many lawyers now, but when it comes to productivity, they did not score a pass mark. Unlike before when you give a junior work today, you can go home and sleep, the opposite is the case today. On today’s technology and its impact on legal practice, he said “technology has both positive and negative effect on legal practice. Technology in terms of a tool of trade, of course it is actually assisting the legal profession. Law reports can now be gotten from the internet, it facilitates research incase you want to look up for any citation in any jurisdiction across the globe. Without much stress you can bring resources and work with them unlike those days when the likes of Rotimi Williams of this world, what they did was to make photocopies of material they wanted to use and bring it to court, but now you can assess my material as much as you want if you are not lazy. But the negative aspect of it on the legal profession, is the miss-use of the tool of technology especially phones and the social media. He , however canvassed for the separation of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation from Justice Minister. This, he said would speed up the nation’s justice system if the offices were being manned by two different individuals. Aidi said: “I think that will be the best thing that will happen to this country, if the two offices can be separated. The office of the AGF lumped up, the AGF sees himself as a political appointee and he dances the tune of who appoints him. The office of the AGF is not supposed to be a political office just like the office of the Auditor General. It is not supposed to be a political

My father did not see any difference between Theatre Art and Jimoh Aliu

office but because they have not been able to bring a line of demarcation in that office, you will discovere that the office is being used more as a political instrument than what it is supposed to be. “The AGF should be in a position to be bold enough to defend the rule of law against the President, if there is need for it or any member of the ruling party if there is need for it for offences and you can only do that if the two offices are separated. If the minister of justice can be appointed politically but the AGF should be a qualified professional who will not come to power by appointment but by rising to that office. At this stage of our development it is necessary. On national conference, he said: “This issue has been over flogged but the truth is that, you ask yourself a question, the national conference has been convoked and people are talking, bringing up recommendation. Now the problem of implementation, this is the point at which we now have to ask ourselves whether this recommendation will be able to achieve any purpose. This is because, if it were to be implemented, it is either a sovereign national conference, which will give them the power not to revert to the Constitution. Whatever it is decided by them becomes sovereign which will becomes a new package we are looking at for the benefit of the nation. But if this recommendation will still be passed to the National Assembly, the NASS cannot do it by itself. Constitutionally, it has to go through two thirds of the state, it must go to all the states and start coming down. By the time you look at it, it is not possible to give a situation where what is coming out of the national conference will meet the criteria of two third of the state in order to become law. Just as it is now, the conference is a jamboree except something happens to its status. On 2015 elections, Aidi foreclosed a free and fair election. He said: “Free and fair election is impossible but I don't think the ruling party will allow that to happen. Why? Whether we like it or not, the indices on ground now shows that there is a very serious breach of the law by not only the ruling party but by the President himself. As I am talking to you now, on a daily basis campaign is going on. INEC has not called for campaign. Different methods are being used to campaign even

LAW | NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

when the law has not permitted such. The President has been moving from one state to the other campaigning. INEC has not given the go ahead for campaign. Ordinarily, there is already a breach of the Electoral Act which should be sufficient to say that the election in 2015 cannot be free and fair. The indices, as we have them on ground now, does not show that. What we refer to as free and fair election is that a level playing ground and equal opportunities would be given to all the parties to present their programmes to the people. Not one having an edge over the other by whatever means over a period of time. There are series of campaign on the television. Campaign has not been legalized. The law has been breached so there can't be free and fair election. On whether the Federal Government should negotiate with the Boko Haram for the release of the abducted Chibok girls, Aidi said “very frankly, if I am in Jonathan's shoe, I will not think twice before I will do that negotiation. “It has been shown that the Nigerian military do not have the capacity to engage Boko Haram. But if we do not have the capacity to engage them and we have over 200 girls in their custody, now they are asking for trade by barter, they want to release the girls and want their own people to be released. We therefore ask the question, should we release their people so that the children can be released, I say Yes. If we don't go into negotiation, these people have the capacity to kill those children, because we have not shown any capacity to bring those children from where they are, we don't know for how long we will be in this debacle. We have been hearing so many rumors about the girls, so, it is better we take action now. Sentiments should not be put in here. Assuming any of the ministers’ children or President is in their custody,

Aidi

there will be no action that will be too big to take. Every day I go to bed thinking about the status of the parents of the girls, they don't know whether that night, the children are being raped, whether they have eaten or they have even been sold away. If we are sure of our capacity, let us get the girls first and then re-mobilize to fight the insurgence. But whatsoever is the matter, let us have the children back first. On the extension of emer-

We discover that the problem of the judiciary is often time created by the legal profession, especially by some of us who are a bit senior at the Bar gency rule in the troubled states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, he said “the question we should first ask is that

what has been achieved by the state of emergency over a period of one year. If no results have been achieved, then we need to re-examine the issues on ground without being sentimental. State of emergency is being used to fight emergency and at the same time, with a state of emergency, they are still attacking and killing people mercilessly with little or nothing being done by the military to counter it. Or even where they attempted to fight back, it has not being effective enough. Then we ask ourselves, why should we continue to put people under siege? For me as a person, the state of emergency is no longer achieving results. There is need to review it. On Judiciary and 2015 elections, he said “the capacity of the judiciary to handle cases that may emanate from 2015 elections is high because from time to time, the judges have been going for training and retraining in order to strengthen the capacity. “But there is what I call urgent need to look at and draw a blue print for action in order to be able to meet up with the challenges ahead. So, I don't know what is on ground now. For instance, how many judges have been appointed at the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal. Or is there room for more appointment or creation of more judicial division to achieve a stress free work. What we need more is at the level of sensitizing lawyers towards their own duty to the nation. We discover that the problem of the judiciary is often time created by the legal profession, especially by some of us who are a bit senior at the Bar, we want to do the things at all cost without considering the interest of the nation. So, if that is at the bottom of whatever we do, we won't encourage undue delay, we will not be using technicalities to delay the course of Justice.

Chibok: Alegeh, Ozekhome, Abayomi ask FG to explore negotiations CO N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 1

type of state are we projecting to the rest of the world?A nation that can’t maintain law and order?A country that would go cap in hand to beg ascertained terrorists? That could be the beginning of anarchy; and that is why it is a very delicate situation. "How do you handle this situation and get those girls out of the custody of those terrorists? Should the state compromise the security of the nation - because we are talking about those who have been arrested for committing heinous crimes, setting places ablaze, killing people, arrested and kept in custody? I think it is very delicate. I think the government along with those who have come to assist the country should put their heads together in order to find an answer to this delicate situation. In fact, it is not easy for the gov-

ernment; it is not easy for the nation". "You need intelligence! What intelligence does government have? What does it have by way of information? All those would be put together to access their response. You must be able to access your strength in terms of rescuing those girls. Those are security information. It is not very easy and it is not straight forward question. "It is a question that the government has to be very careful in dealing with in order not to weaken the very fabric of the nation. If you lay this precedent, criminals in future will hold people to ransom and give you conditions. That is why it is very dangerous. You cannot afford to set a very dangerous precedent. But at the same time, the lives of those girls are very precious. So, it needs balancing, you have to balance the facts".

Akintola described Shekau’s swap option as unreasonable, urging the government to ignore it. He said: “Boko Haram demand is unjustifiable, unreasonable and should be rejected by the Federal Government. “The Federal Government should not succumb to blackmail. It should not compromise anything. Those who had committed crimes against humanity cannot dictate terms of their release from detention. They should account for their crimes. “On what basis should the government negotiate with them. Their demand is totally unacceptable. The whole world is against them, everybody is angry with them. We should condemn Boko Haram’s act". Chukwuokolo said, “The whole idea is absurd. We were able to negotiate with the militants because we saw them, but these insurgents who are they?

“Secondly, what they have done to fellow Nigerians without justification is heinous; how can we be negotiating with such elements? In fact, I’m beginning to think that the whole thing is being orchestrated. These girls have been in the custody of the terrorists for less than three weeks, but they can now recite lengthy passages in the Quran; majority of these girls are Christians, I don’t think it is possible.” Ojo said: “A country like America’s standing policy is that you don’t negotiate with terrorists, no matter who the President is. Nigeria has no clear policy, so, it means it is at the discretion of who is the President, to decide what happens. This is the approach that President Jonathan will follow. He is not courageous, he is not bold, he is not a firebrand, and he does not have the gut. So, you can be assured he would prefer negotiation.”

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.

Harry Ogochukwu Ukaejiofor, an associate, Ajumogobia & Okeke and Co.

'I was thoroughly embarrassed'

was called to the Bar in 2007. My first day in court without my principal was when I was a Youth Corps member. I was working with Mr. Ugo Udoji in Kaduna then. He instructed me to go to the State High Court to move a motion which was contested. It happens that the practice of that particularly court is that by the time you are moving your motion if you have a reply on point of law, you would notify the court at the point of drawing the courts attention to your motion on notice. So, it happens that I drew the courts attention to that motion on notice and sought the courts leave to move the motion. After I moved the motion, I failed to draw the courts attention to my reply on points of law. So, my friend on the other side who was a senior counsel argued his response to the motion and adopted his address and counter affidavit. When I now stood up to inform the court that we had a reply on points of law, the man jumped up and began to oppose my application on the basis that we don't have the right any longer to rely on the reply on point of law. I was more embarrassed when I found out that my principal had come to court and was sitting at the gallery. It happened that the judge observed that I was a new wig and he smiled and now told the lawyer that he was not going to allow him make that submission. He allowed me to rely on the reply on point of law. So, he bent the rule in order to allow us rely on the reply on points of law, knowing I was a new wig. I was thoroughly embarrassed, tensed and jittery. But it was an experience. My principal gave me the file on the morning of that day. I didn't have a prior knowledge of the case or the opportunity of rehearsing what I was going to say in court. I didn't even have the opportunity of reading through the file. All I had was that motion. He explained to me that the matter was coming up for the hearing of that motion; that I should move the motion and come back to the office. And he didn't even tell me that he was going to come after me. It was when all the lawyers were laughing at me that I looked back and saw him shaking his head. I felt so bad. But after the court, he encouraged me and said I did very well, but I knew he was trying to encourage me because I was not impressed with my performance that day.

Ukaejiofor

28 LAW | FILE

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Politicising Boko Haram insurgency, inciting the military in Nigeria

‘My grudge against Supreme Court'

CON T INU ED F R O M LA S T W EEK

CO N T I N U E D FR O M L A S T WEEK

Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe

Dr. Umar Ardo

make bold to say that the subject matter of security is both the responsibility of the State and federal government which is why well over eighty million naira (N80 million) is set aside monthly for the Governors to map out effective security even though the federal government pays the salaries and allowances of security operatives in each state of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This accounted for the reason why the State Commissioner of Police, heads of Navy, Air Force and Army in each state are members of the state executive council and also work closely with governors and the various security committees in the legislative arms of governments. As we know it, security funds are not accounted for because of the secrecy and tactics required in curtailing insecurity and intelligence gathering. These financial provisions therefore prompt us to ask; should the state governments be completely exonerated from issues of security lapses in their respective domain? If no, why is it that the Governor of Borno State and the opposition party and their associates are throwing stones at the federal government without also looking inward to accept part of the blames over the shoddy security arrangement at the Chibok Girls College? It is on record that the WAEC officials advised the Borno State government and the school authority to either move the girls to a safer place or provide adequate security. Why the state government and the school authority ignored or rejected this reasonable advice? This development leading to the kidnapping of the girls is therefore key to apportioning blames. Playing politics is fantastic but not when security and insurgency is involved. Agreed that the federal government controls the security apparatus of the country, state governors as CSOs of their states have a crucial primary responsibility to ensure that there is security of lives and properties in their respective states, which is why they collect a whopping N80 million or more on a monthly basis from the state coffers as security vote. This so called security vote caused serious political divide between late Chief Adedibu of Ibadan and one of the governors in Oyo State. The political mogul of blessed memory wanted the mega sum of security vote shared equally between himself and the state governor. This brings us to another question: Does the state governors actually use the security vote for intelligence gathering and effective security of lives and properties in their respective states? Your answer is as good as mine. It is therefore suggested that we need to constructively criticize both the state and federal governments, particularly as it relates to the Chibok scenario and to work out modalities towards improving security in all state of the

It is glaring that the series of insecurity problems in the country has political colouration

Oghenesivbe

federation so as to drastically reduce the wave of insecurity, insurgency and political manipulations and unpatriotic propaganda in political scheming. It is glaring that the series of insecurity problems in the country has political colouration which is why President Jonathan has to be extremely careful in his approach in handling the problem. His political enemy’s secret agenda is to probably provoke him through all kinds of strategies, ranging from radically targeted whistle blowing accompanied by direct abusive, incisive and divisive political propaganda calculated to wooing the electorate in the forthcoming presidential elections. The rest is left for Nigerians to use their God given senses to separate light from darkness in the process of exercising their constitutional responsibilities of exercising their individual franchise. Insecurity and Politics Toying with insecurity is taking partisan politics too far, because security issues are so complicated that you never can tell what kind of kids it will give birth to in the process of time which is why we must not handle insurgency with disdain or political rascality. It should not be encouraged directly or indirectly or supported as we have seen in the past five years or so. Doing business or partnering with terrorists is the same as patronizing Satan himself. Satan may bless you as soon as you remain a loyal servant, but he is swift to turn around to wreck havoc on you the very moment you void or annulled the deal or relationship. Terrorists are criminals and they serve their master – the devil. In some and in most cases they turn around to consume their friends and sponsors which is why anybody trading with them should write his or her ‘will’ early enough because the game can change negatively without notice. This is the reason why no sane and God fearing individual or organization should fraternize with terrorists, criminals and satanic agents such as the trigger-happy Boko Haram which has sent thousands of our innocent citizens to their early graves, wrecking havoc on our nation. With the presence of the International community I am pretty sure that we shall soon overcome this unfortunate insecurity problems and forge ahead as a people and as a more united and patriotic citizens. *Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), a political and public affairs analyst of repute and National President of the Green White Green Vanguard, a socio-economic and political advocacy group based in Lagos, Nigeria.

t the end of the day, with this decision of the Supreme Court, the entire gamut of our courts refused to entertain my suit. For the trial court, its ground was that I did not participate in the primary election, an issue brought by the court sou motu. For the Court of Appeal, its ground was that I do not qualify as an aspirant as defined by the Supreme Court in determining other previous cases, and therefore by the doctrine of stare decisis I cannot be imbued with locus standi to be heard by the court. And for the Supreme Court, I did not ‘fully participate’ in the primaries and therefore lack the right to be heard. Also, the Supreme Court added that I did not pay for my Expression of Interest Form which further disqualifies me from being a bonafide aspirant. But where did the Supreme Court get the idea that I did not pay for my forms? The answer is from the 1st respondent’s statement of defense. Other than the fact that this was not an issue in the appeal for determination (because I paid all my fees and the receipts are attached in my petition before the court), how come the court would see this false claim in the Statement of Defense but failed to also see in the same Statement of Defense the averment that only I and the 1st Defendant contested the primaries in which it claimed I was defeated? Clearly, the court merely chose what it wanted to see and left what it did not want to see. In the end, I was not heard. The Supreme Court's Judgment in my case is fundamentally faulty. I think it was the late Justice Oputa who once commented that the Supreme Court is supreme not because it is infallible; it is supreme because its determination is final. The erudite jurist may well have had my case in mind for making the comment. Although we are all bound by this judgment of the Supreme Court, the judgment by itself is not beyond criticism. It fails to even address the issues put forth for determination. It is a very poor and confused judgment. It goes against the spirit of the law; it contradicts previous judgments of the court; it is bias and selective; it is low in logic and intellect, and is a huge miscarriage of justice not only against me but also against thousands of PDP members in Adamawa state who were denied the right to participate in the gubernatorial nomination process of their party in the October 2011 Primaries. The judgment unwittingly winds back the hand of the cloak in entrenching internal democracy in Nigeria's party politics. Its substance is of little value both to jurisprudence and to our polity. To all intents and purposes, the Supreme Court is a three-in-onecourt - first and foremost, a Court of Justice; then a Court of Law; and a Political Court. Ideally (at its best), its judgments should imbed the cause and course of these three elements. However, this judgment is empty in all - it has neither advanced the course of democracy, law nor justice. Instead, by the finality of its decision, it simply compromises

Justice Mukhtar, CJN

democratic nomination process, basically abrogates the provisions of the law and unkindly metes grave public injustice on the society. It is a simple fact that the central aim of any court judgment is to achieve justice to all parties concerned. Consequently, where a judgment fails to give justice then the law loses its essence, and the principle of fiat justitia ruat caelum, the Latin maxim meaning “let justice be done even if heavens will fall” becomes equally hollow. With respect to the learned Justices, delivering a judgment without justice is like waging a war on a people without cause. It is my considered view that the court closed its eyes on the matter before it and determined it like that all the same. The Court dismissed my case not based on superior argument on the provisions of the law, but it dismissed it because it simply has the powers to do so. No more, no less! In fact, it would have been more understandable if the court had, in its capacity also as a Political Court, for example said in view of the current security situation in Adamawa state, which is under State of emergency, and that of the country generally, the court denied my prayers. But for the court to employ arguments of no substance to dismiss my appeal ‘for lack of merit’, is the highest point of miscarriage of justice. To paraphrase Justice Oputa again, if the legislature metes injustice, we run to the judiciary. If the executive metes injustice, we run to the judiciary. But if the judiciary commits injustice, to whom do we run? The obvious answer to this rhetorical question is we run to God. While I run to God Almighty for redress, Nigeria's society in the meantime is the biggest loser.

For the court to employ arguments of no substance to dismiss my appeal ‘for lack of merit’, is the highest point of miscarriage of justice

BUSINESS THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014

WHAT'S NEWS Microsoft, AfDB to invest $20m on African ICT

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N174B FAAN debt: Outrage over new travel tax

Outraged has continued to trail the decision by the Ministry of Aviation to impose development charges in all the nation’s airports in a bid to offset the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria's (FAAN's) N174 billion debts.

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NGMP to position Nigeria as regional hub for fertiliser, others The Nigerian Gas Master Plan (NGMP) is set to position Nigeria as the regional hub for fertiliser, petrochemical, and refining capabilities, New Telegraph can confirm.

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Data centre business growing steadily in Africa

The building of data centres have been steadily growing in Africa over the past few years investigations by New Telegraph has revealed.

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BUSINESS CREW AYODELE AMINU, Deputy Editor (Business) SIMEON OGOEGBULEM, Dep. Business Editor BAYO AKOMOLAFE, Asst. Editor (Maritime) SIAKA MOMOH, Asst. Editor (Industry/Agric) JONAH IBOMA, ICT Editor DAYO ADEYEMI, Property Editor ADEOLA YUSUF, Energy Editor

NEW TELEGRAPH

www.newtelegraphonline.com/business

}p-33 AYODELE AMINU, DEPUTY EDITOR, BUSINESS

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

Slow speed characterise Nigeria's online connections despite available huge capacity Jonah Iboma

espite the recent arrival of three major undersea cables bringing in excess bandwidth into the country’s shores, Nigeria is still ranked very low in global Internet speeds. Latest details released by Ookla’s Net Index for May puts Nigeria in 141st position among 192 countries in the world captured in the monthly internet speeds measurement sent by the technology firm. The Net Index compares global average consumer download speeds over the last 30 days, ranking countries in order of speeds, with the global average in May coming to 18.52 Mbps. The report places The Seychelles as having the quickest internet speeds in Africa in May, followed by Namibia, as the two African countries in the top half of global speeds, according to Ookla’s Net Index. The Seychelles had an average internet speeds of 11.32 Mbps, ranking 72nd of 192 countries included in the index. Generally, the rating showed that African countries still lagged behind other more developed nations, especially in Europe and North America and this is shown by the poor ranking of the top countries in the continent in internet speeds. Despite Nigeria’s 141st position in the global index, the country is rated16th in Africa, a ranking showing that many Af-

THREAT Oil workers have insisted that the dearth of investments in oil and gas is caused by delay in the passage of PIB

Adeola Yusuf

igeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter and other oil producing nations need to invest $48 trillion to

L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Rotimi Omotoso; Golden Jubilee President, Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu; immediate past president, Kabir Muhammed and past president, Doyin Owolabi, at the investiture of the Golden Jubilee ICAN president in Lagos.

Nigeria rated 141 in global internet speeds

Country not among Africa’s top 10 rican countries have very slow speeds and that a lot of work to still has to be done in getting internet speeds up to globally acceptable levels. Namibia’s average speed was 10.32 Mbps, putting it in 2nd position in Africa and 81st globally, with no other African country making the top half of the list. Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana ranked third, fourth and fifth in

Africa – 104th, 106th and 108th respectively on a global scale – with speeds of 7.30 Mbps, 7.23 Mbps and 7.16 Mbps respectively. Zimbabwe made the list at 112th worldwide and 6th in Africa with an average speed of 6.72 Mbps, while Cape Verde was in 7th in Africa and at number 116 globally with average speeds of 6.43 Mbps. Libya, Lesotho and Tanzania completed the top 10 African countries,

DELE ALAO, Brands/Marketing Editor ABDULWAHAB ISA, Finance Editor CHUKS ONUANYIN, Energy NNAMDI AMADI, Reporter JOHNSON ADEBAYO, Asst. Production Editor

ranking 124th, 126th, and 128th respectively. South Africa was listed as 128th worldwide and Senegal at 130th with speeds of 5.34 Mbps and 5.31 Mbps, Ethiopia ranked 131st with an average speed of 5.23 Mbps, and Uganda crept in 135th with 5.04 Mbps The rest of African countries CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

IEA: Nigeria, others need $48trn investment to curb energy crisis curb energy crisis by 2035, the United States energy agency, International Energy Agency (IEA), has said. Nigeria, which depends largely on crude proceeds to service over 85 per cent of its budget, has been experiencing dearth of major investments in its oil sector. The investments’ dearth by international oil companies

(IOCs) is however, blamed on the foot-dragging and uncertainty over the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The IEA, however, said in a report that $40 trillion of the fund must be invested in energy supply while $8 trillion investment is needed on energy efficiency. Nigeria and other oil producing and consuming nations of

WOLE SHADARE, Aviation Editor CHRIS UGWU, Capital Market Editor

‘TOKUNBO’ DEALERS AND AUTOMOTIVE POLICY

CONNECTIVITY

SUNDAY OJEME, Asst. Editor (Insurance) GODSON IKORO , Asst. Editor (Money Market)

the world, the agency said, “will need to invest $40 trillion in energy supply and $8 trillion on energy efficiency by 2035 to meet growing demand and falling output from mature sources of energy.” Failure to do this, the IEA declared, would spark up oil prices and this may be accomCONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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

LENDING RATE

EXCHANGE RATE

(Parellel As at May 30)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N167 InterBank Rate . . . . . . . . . 10.50% Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N284 Prime Lending Rate. . . . . 16.93% Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N232 Maximum Lending Rate..25.83% • Foreign Reserves – $37.147bn as at 27/5/2014

EXCHANGE RATE

(Official As at May 30)

USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N155.73 Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N260.72 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N212.01 Source: CBN

30 BUSINESS | NEWS PARTNERSHIP Global technology forms pact to facilitate capacity building Jonah Iboma

icrosoft has formed a partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) in a move that will see the bank invest $20 million to develop technologies designed to boost information and communication technologies access in Africa. The partnership follows the holding of AfDB’s annual meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, last week and will see the two institutions develop several types of applications to support capacity building within institutions and the private sector. It will also focus on distance learning and improved access to ICT through the distribution of equipment. General Manager of Africa Initiatives at Microsoft, Fernando de Sousa, said that ICT could play a vital role in creating wealth and jobs for young people in particular in Africa,

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Microsoft, AfDB to invest $20m to boost African ICT access though political will was required in overcoming challenges such as the development of an inclusive market regulation policy and the improvement of existing legal frameworks. “The fact that Africa continues to face electricity shortages and the lack of suitable infrastructure in many countries across the continent also pose major challenges,” de Sousa said. “Under the current environment, young people have the opportunity to use these technologies to their benefit. This will help to reduce the unacceptable levels of inequality in many countries across Africa,” he added. The education arm of the partnership will cover Kenya, Namibia and Tanzania, involving the installation and operation of distance-learning systems which will help to support knowledge-exchange efforts between research institutions.

In health, one project has involved the deployment of a telemedicine system in Botswana, enabling doctors at a Gaborone hospital to collaborate with peers at the University of Pennsylvania on diagnosis and treatment. Already, Microsoft said it will focus on Africa over the coming years and has designed a number of initiatives towards achieving that including upgrading it Nigeria office to a full independent office. In February of 2013, Microsoft announced a new initiative called “4Afrika”. On the initiative, Fernando de Sousa, says: “The world has

recognised the promise of Africa, and Microsoft wants to invest in that promise. We want to empower African youth, entrepreneurs, developers, and business and civic leaders to turn great ideas into a reality that can help their community, their country, the continent and beyond.” Behind 4Afrika’s bold branding and sleek website lies a $75 million investment aimed at mobilising youth through technology and education. The firm said that by 2016, the initiative aims to place tens of millions of smart devices in the hands of African

youth; bring one million African small and medium-¬sized enterprises (SMEs) online, upskill 100,000 Members of Africa’s existing workforce; and help an additional 100,000 recent graduates develop employability skills (75 per cent of whom Microsoft will help place in jobs) “There is a massive unemployment problem in Africa, particularly amongst the youth, and we cannot let an entire generation become long-term unemployed. This is a key motivator for what we do under the 4Afrika banner,” de Sousa said.

IEA: Nigeria, others need $48trn investment to curb energy crisis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

panied by hardships. “If production does not increase as needed, it will raise oil prices,” the report said. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) had earlier said that the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) posed serious challenges to investments in the sector. Its National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sheyi Gambo, who said this in an interview in Lagos, maintained that the bill was yet to be passed 12 years after stakeholders’ arguments and counter-arguments over its importance. He expressed regret that this was in spite of promises by some members of the National Assembly that the bill would be passed before the end of 2013. According to him, non-passage of the bill is responsible for investors’ apathy in the oil and gas sector. “A development that has led to the holding back of several billions of dollars’ worth of investments expected in the economy through the oil industry. Gambo said that the delay in passage of the bill was among several other uncertainties holding back most international oil companies (IOCs’) planned investment of about 100 billion dollars in offshore deepwater projects. He said that some oil compa-

nies, which planned to invest in the oil and gas sector would rather wait for stable and right conditions before they could commit their finances to any project. Gambo lamented the continued loss of revenues and investments due to the delay in the passage of the PIB, crude oil theft, bunkering and insecurity, among others. He said that the oil and gas industry might be slipping into the situation where it took Mexico about 50 years to recover from such challenges in its oil industry. But the IEA said: “If investment fails to pick up in time, the resulting shortfall in supply would create tighter and more volatile oil markets, with prices that are $15 per barrel higher on average in 2025.” A large proportion of this will need to come from the Middle East, as a rise in nonOPEC production such as US’ shale oil starts to lose steam in the mid-2020s. But the IEA was wary on prospects for a large enough increase in investment from the region. “The prospects for a timely increase in oil investment in the Middle East are uncertain: there are competing government priorities for spending, as well as political, security and logistical hurdles that could constrain production,” the report said.

L-R: Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii; Former Leader, House of Representatives, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa; Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji and Victor Mbalewe, during the Agrikexpo and Foodbext West Africa 2014 edition in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

N174B FAAN debt: Outrage over government's new travel tax Stakeholders may sue govt Wole Shadare

utraged has continued to trail the decision by the Ministry of Aviation to impose development charges in all the nation’s airports in a bid to offset the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)'s N174 billion debts. Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom, had, last Monday, when the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation visited him in Abuja, said that the decision would be necessary to clear the huge debts of the agency, just as it had set up inter-ministerial committee on how to repay the

Nigeria rated 141 in global internet speeds CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

listed saw speeds of below five Mbps and made up much of the bottom 60 countries listed. Experts have blamed the relatively poor internet speeds in Nigeria on the fact that the country has not been able to

carry excess bandwidth from undersea cables loacted in the Southern part of the nation to the hinterland. The main undersea cables that are delivering bandwidth to Nigeria are Glo-1, MainOne, Sat-3 and the MTN West African Cable System (WACS).

Dolphin Telecoms, a global communications carrier and operator of the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable system in West Africa is also working to land a $700 million (N109.2 billion) submarine cable in Nigeria in the fourth quarter of this year.

debts. Secretary-General, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Abdulkareem Motajo, said that this development had put the agency in financial dire straits, adding that he held a meeting with the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Saley Dunoma, some days ago where it was disclosed that they intended to introduce development charges. Motajo told New Telegraph that the union intends to hold a rally on ways to save FAAN from its precarious financial situation, adding that the imposition of fresh charges on passengers would make air travel very unattractive. Speaking in the same vein, a former Managing Director of liquidated Nigeria Airways who pleaded anonymity, said that the new tax regime should be rejected, stressing that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should investigate how the agency was plunged into huge financial mess. “It is wicked for the new tax regime that government is trying to levy Nigerian travellers for a debt that nobody knows

how it happened. You can’t rob Peter to pay Paul. Nigerians should reject this new policy that would help to impoverish travellers.” Former Commandant, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), said that Nigerians should ask where the N175 billion went to, just as he called for investigation to unravel why FAAN was plunged into debt. He threatened that he and others would go to court to seek redress should government go ahead to levy passengers for the squandering of FAAN’s money. Ojikutu said that he suspected that the money was stolen but declined to mention who could have stolen the huge sums of money meant for the agency. To save the agency, he adviced that the airport authority should embark on debt recovery from airlines and service providers, which he said could run into over five billion naira. Another aviation expert, Olumide Ohunayo, said that the fund should tarry for now while a clinical probe of how "we got this debt should be the first critical step."

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Fact File

Imported used cars

With the introduction of 35 per cent duty, clearing fees have gone up, so has cost of vehicles, and the end result of these is lull in business in the entire value chain in this sub-sector. And by July 1, 35 per cent levy will be introduced bringing total tariff charged to 70 per cent! Siaka Momoh

he Berger Yard (full name Julius Berger Yard) axis of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway can best be described as Nigeria’s biggest motor mart. It stretches from the bridge network around the Julius Berger premises located right from Tin Can Island Port end to Otto Wolf Bus-Stop. The axis is renowned for brisk business, Monday through Saturday. The motor clearing (a Customs Service office is located at this axis) and selling at this auto mart has become a menace to road users who are daily victims of the traditional traffic gridlock along the motorway. Challenge The auto dealers and customs clearing agents who run the mart now have a challenge. New Telegraph was at the axis to find out first hand, what this challenge is. Our finding revealed that it is no one other than the impact of the new automotive policy recently introduced by government. The policy has come with increase in tariffs charged on imported used vehicles, popularly called tokunbo. Hitherto, duty on imported used vehicles was 20 per cent but with the new policy, total tariff will be 70 per cent – 35 per cent duty and 35 per cent levy. Half of this (35 per cent duty) has taken effect, according to agents who spoke to New Telegraph, the other half will be introduced by July 1, 2014, that is next month. With the introduction of the 35 per cent duty, clearing fees

‘Tokunbo’ dealers and automotive policy have gone up, so has cost of vehicles, and the end result of this is lull in business in the entire value chain in this sub-sector. By this we mean registered Customs clearing agents, security personnel, drivers, secretarial hands, food and electronic vendors, among others, will be literally idle. If this is happening with half implementation of the policy, agents and dealers spoken to wonder what the scenario will look like with full implementation next month. With the new automotive policy, prices of all categories of vehicles have gone up by between about 30 per cent and 50 per cent, investigation has confirmed. 2005 model Toyota Corolla that sold for N1.3 million before the introduction of the new tariff now sells for N1.7 million recording an increase of 30.7 per cent. The 1998/99 model which sold for N650,000 now sells for N850,000, an increase of 30.7 per cent too. Some other range of cars selling at 800,000 before the new tariff now sells at N1.2 million, an increase of 50 per cent. The new policy also puts the age ceiling for private vehicles at 10 and commercial ones at 15. The new tariff regime of 70 per cent, whose implementation was supposed to have commenced earlier in the year, was suspended till July 1, 2014, following a protest by registered clearing agents. The reversal came just a few days after the management of Nigeria Customs Service issued a circular dated February 28, with number 004/2014 titled: “Re- Fiscal Policy Measures for the Automotive Industry,” and directed to all deputy comptroller generals, assistant comptroller generals, zonal coordinator, area controllers and unit heads to start the implementation of the new policy with immediate effect. With the new policy, a 2000 model Toyota Camry which was previously cleared with about N100,000 using 20 per cent duty,

increased to N300,000 as import duty under the new automotive policy of 70 per cent. Lamentation Clearing agents and motor dealers New Telegraph spoke to said that 35per cent duty is currently being charges by Customs, lamenting the negative impact on their business and the entire value chain in the sub-sector. Jato Babatunde Ibrahim, a clearing agent, said that the policy will cause more hardship and create unemployment. He said that clearing agents’ national executives “are not doing enough, they are a sellout.” Chima Egwuabu said that “the policy was introduced to reward some people. We came in with borrowed funds to develop the industry. We sourced funds at very high rates and this is happening to us now. We are creating jobs. We have a robust value chain in this business – people involved in paper work, drivers, security personnel, food vendors, electronics vendors. With the lull in business that we are currently experiencing, they are all affected.” He argued that “most Nigerians, like us, are in the informal economy, we are self-employed. How many Nigerians are in formal employment? Clearing rates for some vehicles have increased from N200,000 to N350,000 Volkswagen Vanwagon (petrol engine) that sold

From all indications, government appears to be resolute in its decision to throw its weight behind local production of automobiles

for N750,000 now sells for over N1 million. The diesel model that was N500, 000 now sells for N750,000.” For Garrard Jerry, “there is nothing wrong with the policy, but the timing is wrong. Where are the alternatives? PAN is not working. Government will end up creating unemployment. Sale of ‘tokunbo’ vehicles is keeping a lot of families going. The policy is just outrageous, what with cars being cleared with N60,000 now being cleared with N210,000; some have risen from N80,000 to N120,000.” He, however, advised government to first put the necessary infrastructure in place before implementing the policy. Government’s decision From all indications, government appears to be resolute in its decision to throw its weight behind local production of automobiles. The Nigerian auto industry performed well with increasing local content up to 1985 but declined from 1986 upwards because of non-implementation of policy and policy inconsistency, lack of adequate engineering infrastructure, among a list of other challenges. According to Aminu Jalal, director-general, National Automotive Council, these challenges, among others, are responsible for the parlous state of the Nigeria’s automotive industry. Jalal, who spoke at the second annual seminar for trade and investment correspondents and business editors in Abuja late last year listed as challenges, very low tariffs on fully built units (FBU) and tariff differential between Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and FBU (5-15 per cent) also low; lack of patronage of local automotive products; uncontrolled importation of used vehicles; obsolete technology; difficult manufacC O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 2

There is abundant suitable land available in Africa for plantation development for palm oil, natural rubber, amongst others, compared to Asia. Plantation land acquisition cost is lower today than in Asia. Cost of plantation development in Africa is comparable to that in Asia. Plantation labour cost in Africa is cheaper than in emerging Asia. Natural rubber yields in Africa are much higher than in Asia while oil palm yields are lower. Natural rubber exports from Africa to Europe enjoy concessionary tariffs and import duties. Lower palm oil yields in Africa are compensated by high domestic palm oil prices due to the freight differential in importing palm oil from Asia and the high import tariffs and duties imposed on edible oil imports in most African countries in the region. In several African countries, corporate tax on plantation profits is significantly lower, including tax holidays, compared to Asia. SIFCA Rubber is the largest rubber plantation owner and producer in West Africa. It has sizeable presence in Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana. Operates through a 55.57% owned EuronextNYSE listed subsidiary SIPH with Michelin also owning 20%. Owns 50,000 ha. of plantations land with 76% planted. Produced and exported110, 000 MT of rubber in 2007 season. Turnover of EUR146m and a net income of EUR34m* in FY2006. Palm oil occupies the top slot in global production (25%), global trade (>50% share) and consumption (25%) share within the Vegetable oils complex. Growth in consumption of palm oil will continue to remain robust and will outpace the growth in other competing vegetable oils. The growth will be driven by: Rising disposable incomes and growing demand from China, the largest consumer and India.

BUSINESS | INDUSTRY

This case study illustrates how a successful entrepreneur deploys entrepreneurial skill and know-how. Above all, the entrepreneur is seen to have the capacity to innovate and exercise vision.

“B

owzo would not be where it is today had I not met Larry Treanor when I was in a playful mood,” comments Jim Oswald, joint inventor of a product which, it is anticipated, will dramatically change the way the violin is learnt. Jim is a career inventor and design engineer who, having left Rolls Royce after 25 years in the world of engine components specialising in heat exchangers, was ready for something new. It is fair to say that Jim found the first few months after his ‘release’ uncomfortable. He had spent years working on major projects involving teams, many of which he had

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Bowzo: A case study in engineering entrepreneurship led himself. He missed teams, and he missed the challenge of project management. Fortunately, Bowzo arrived out of nowhere and provided what he needed. Both Larry and Jim were attached to Coventry University’s Vision Works in order to get help in developing some new business ideas. The Vision Works provides accommodation, telecommunications and computer facilities, plus, perhaps most importantly, mentoring and coaching services for startup businesses. When Larry and Jim met, Larry was planning the launch of a multimedia design business but he had also been a professional musician and violin teacher. During a discussion about product ideas Larry revealed his thoughts about a device for helping novice violin players to learn faster and play more accurately by ‘bowing’ straight from the

moment of the first lesson. The device fixes to the neck of the violin and offers precise control to students developing their bowing technique. The idea Larry understood precisely the problems many students have in ‘bowing’ straight. The idea was to design and manufacture a simple device that controls the bowing technique by helping the student keep the bow straight at all times. Given Jim’s background in product development and Larry’s specialist knowledge both could see the potential of collaboration. It worked and one year later the first prototypes were finished and market testing was underway. The market To help explore the initial reactions of violin teaching professionals across the world,

to what appeared to be a brilliant solution to a longstanding problem; both Larry and Jim felt that independent marketing expertise was needed at an early stage. Some staggering facts emerged, not least that more than half a million new violins are bought throughout the world each year. This probably means that almost another half a million second hand violins are bought too, leading to lots of lessons for many students keen to learn fast. The most likely route to market was identified as via the traditional wholesaler/distributor to retailer network. Initial research indicated that there was a market for a low cost, easy to use device and thus the design engineering and manufacturing priorities were set. University support mechanisms The market research was

supplemented by further inputs from the University’s Design Institute which provided a specialist support programme for small to medium sized enterprises. This included a comprehensive range of services featuring marketing advice, product design and innovation processes as well as financial management and technology transfer. Jim was impressed. “The range of services available from the Design Institute is fantastic; We were able to put the engineering issues on the table and deal with them in a wider team context with inputs from experts as required.” Source: Engineering Subject Centre, Liz Read, Development Manager for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (students) at Coventry University. TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

‘Tokunbo’ dealers and automotive policy C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

turing environment exemplified lack of power supply and other essential infrastructure; lack of access to long term, low interest funds; inadequate trained manpower; and difficulty in obtaining relevant power. Nigeria has prospects In spite of these drawbacks, Nigeria has prospects that could make it a successful automobile manufacturer, Jalal said, arguing that Nigeria and Bangladesh are the only countries in the top 10 by population without an automotive industry. “With our current population, our potential vehicle market is about a million vehicles a year – this is more than sufficient to support an automobile industry.” He argued that Nigeria, the 7th most populous economy in the world, has a growing middle class of 38 million, experience in vehicle assembly, a GDP of $400 billion and is growing at about seven per cent. He added that Nigeria has 12 purposely built vehicle assembly plants, some of which will need retooling; a current annual demand of 300,000 vehicles - new and used - and are increasing; annual spending on vehicles at the World Trade Organisation; availability of some required raw materials, listing as examples petro-chemicals, iron ore; and export potentials. He said that the automotive industry should be developed for reasons of technological development, job and wealth creation and export potential, stating that the vision of the Nigerian automotive industry is that by 2022. “We will be producing auto components and vehicles of international standard and at competitive prices;

70 per cent of our vehicular needs will be met from the local assembly plants; we will be the automotive production hub for the ECOWAS region”. Power problem Coscharis CEO, Cosmas Maduka, once argued in an interview with this writer: “The solution to reviving the automotive industry is to fix power. If you fix power, there is going to be many cottage industries. If you fix power, our refineries will work, so many cottage industries will spring up. These are the things that will create the middle class that will drive the economy”. Policy inconsistencies The Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) in the past, cited low patronage and policy inconsistencies as bane of automotive manufacturing in the country, and challenged all tiers of government to put measures in place to ensure sustainable growth in the sector. NAMA advised that current industry revival initiatives could be compromised in the absence of policy support, planked on patriotic disposition of governments at all tiers, adding that a supportive regime of tariff differentials must be enthroned to give due advantage to locally assembled vehicles, against competition from imported brands. This is at crosspurpose with tokunbo dealers. Executive Secretary, NAMA, Arthur Madueke, argued that some African countries such as Kenya, Tunisia, Egypt, among others had to increase duty differentials between Fully Built Ups (FBUs) and Completely Knocked Downs (CKDs) as part of strategies to ensure viable

'Tokunbo' cars

local manufacturing and suggested a duty differential of between 30 to 50 per cent in Nigeria as possible start to enable local production of automobiles in the country. Does this favour ‘tokunbos’? No When asked how come Innoson was coping with manufacturing? Maduka said: “Forget about these stories. Anybody who tells you in this country that he is manufacturing vehicles is telling you a laughable story. Take my word for it, it is not a joke. You cannot manufacture a car when we do not have flat steel. We do not have a petrochemical industry. What are you manufacturing when you bring in parts and couple it? This is not manufacturing. Manufacturing of vehicles is assembling. And when you bring in 100 per cent of what you are assembling that business cannot be competitive. This is cosmetic.” This is in alignment with tokunbo auto dealers argument that the tim-

ing is wrong. Maduka said Nigeria was almost ready for manufacturing 10 years ago. He explained: “If you go to Nnewi, there are more than 20 factories making different components. Ibeto was making batteries, brake pads. We were making chains here. No automobile company built 100 percent of its components. They have chains of supplies. People build different things and supply them. They put it together and it becomes a product. Why is this now history? The answer is poor power supply; policy inconsistency. Rescue mission For Luqman Mamudu, Director Policy and Planning National Automotive Council, the new automotive policy is a deliberate government effort to rescue the strategic and critical automotive sector of the economy from the strangulating grip of dumping. “This is to give

Nigerians the opportunity for mass employment and innovation in automotive technology. If a country fails to produce the goods that rich countries produce, it may never be rich. Someone said it and evidence abound in support,” he said in a write-up. He explained, dumped products means products import that have lost integrity and can no longer pass standard appraisal tests elsewhere (if you like, “Tokunbo”) and new Fully Built Up vehicles (FBUs) aggressively subsidised by home governments to override Nigeria’s efforts at tariff protection (averaging 15 per cent). It means that deliberately or otherwise, Nigeria’s capacity and capability to meet a significant portion of its automotive needs has been undermined by massive whole sale, seemingly, juicy imports.” Again, this is bad news for tokunbo dealers.

BUSINESS | INDUSTRY 33

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Enterprise with

Strokes

Siaka Momoh

siakamomoh@yahoo.com 08061396410

Bad things SMEs do FRAUD SMEs are a fraudulent lot. To them, it is an acceptable way of doing business. They belief one must be ‘smart’ to succeed in business.

T A fertilizer enriched farm

NGMP to position Nigeria as regional hub for fertiliser, others EMPOWERMENT A policy aimed at lifting the nation up economically in its subregion is it, nothing else. Siaka Momoh

he Nigerian Gas Master Plan (NGMP) is set to position Nigeria as the regional hub for fertiliser, petrochemical, and refining capabilities, New Telegraph can confirm. According to a Nigerian Economic Summit Group document on the issue which was discussed by a robust collection of industry stakeholders, “the policy interventions of the NGMP will position Nigeria as a regional hub for production of fertiliser, petrochemical and refining capabilities”. The discussion involved the likes of Shell Nigeria, Mutiu Sunmonu, President, International Fertiliser Association Esin Mete, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals CEO Manish Mundra, Notore’s Jite Okoloko and the Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke. Alison-Madueke stated that NGMP “is a competitive gas pricing policy benchmarked against competing countries like Trinidad and Tobago and Egypt that is aimed at attracting investment to Nigeria amidst global competition.” She said that the domestic supply obligation will set aside about 500 to 750 mmcf/d (million cubic feet of gas per day) of gas by 2017/18 specifically for fertiliser, methanol and petrochemical industries. She added that the policy should see through the establishment of a gas Aggregator Company

of Nigeria for access to feedstock and conclusion of financial agreements. “It shall also deploy the concept of a gas industrial parks which leverage synergies in utilities, port facilities etc to support the establishment of fertilisers industries in Nigeria. The minister identified the expected outcomes of the policy interventions to include 8 million tons per annum fertiliser capacity, by investors to be operational by 2017-19; 10 per cent supply of world’s tradable fertiliser by 2017 making it the undisputable regional hub; a sizeable portion of this capacity will be deployed for domestic consumption; a 1.4 million tonnes per annum petrochemical plant to be built in Nigeria, and three planned industrial parks will be built in Delta, Bayelsa and Edo States – all Niger Delta States. It is envisaged that mobilisation will create about 2000 jobs that will grow to about 150,000 till 2015 – direct and indirect jobs. Alison-Madueke noted that enablers for the successful implementation of \NGMP are to encourage growth of small and medium scale secondary industries; anchor initiatives around private

Nigeria flares more gas than any other country in the world, both in absolute and proportionate terms and this is by no means an insignificant amount

sector investors whilst the Federal Government provides the enabling environment; reconsolidates efforts I then petrochemical and power sector; and supports world scale capabilities )(bigger and more efficient plants) to assure long term sustainability. The minister added that the master plan “is aimed at ensuring availability of gas for both domestic use and export” and that punitive measures would be put in place for gas flaring. Nigeria flares more gas than any other country in the world, both in absolute and proportionate terms and this is by no means an insignificant amount. It is estimated that the amount flared is about 2.5 bcf/d (billion cubic feet per day) which is about 75 per cent of its produced gas. This would provide about 40 per cent of Africa's Gas consumption and perhaps meet the needs of the West African sub-region. In financial terms, at the average well head price of US$ 2.5 / MCF (million cubic feet of gas) about US$6 million per day which amounts to about US$ 2 billion a year is being unnecessarily sent up in flames daily. Mutiu Sunmonu said the pricing must be right for the upstream gas developer.”By so doing” according to him, “availability of gas supply unlike oil can be sustained”. Esin Mete argued, “It takes about $80 on transportation to take fertilizers to the farmer. Having other means of transportation like rail lines can reduce transportation cost. Price reduction of fertilizers encourages farmers as they do not have the financial capacity. Waterways usage and right infrastructure should be put in place. Investments in farmers will also go a long way.”

he Nigerian economy is largely an informal economy made up of a preponderance of small enterprises. Businesses you find in places like the Alaba International Market, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Otigba Village (Computer Village), all in Lagos, are small businesses. Similar markets across the country in places like Kano, Port Harcourt, Warri, Bauchi, Sokoto, Minna, Onitsha, habour small businesses too. These businesses constitute the engine of growth of the economy. How? Most of the big businesses you see today started as small businesses. Big businesses – manufacturing concerns and service companies, are serviced by small businesses. Product distributors, raw material and other company needs suppliers are small enterprises. Big businesses outsource jobs to small businesses. There exists a symbiotic relationship between small and large scale enterprises. Good as small businesses are, they traditionally engage in unethical practices. They do this daily. Let us start from the very small businesses. Ask those who depend on ‘abokis’ for water they need in their homes for laundry, bathing and flushing of toilets, they will tell you how these domestic jobbers beat-in their water containers to reduce volume of water delivered to you. With this trick, you pay for more volume than you need and end up paying more money. In the markets too, the same goes with food stuff sellers – sellers of beans (cowpeas), millets, corn, garri, among others. Those who trade in fabrics play their own tricks too on unsuspecting customers. They either shift the tape dexterously without you knowing (they are very smart at that) or sell to you a fabric that is a look-alike, a fake version of the fabric you pay for. Commodity traders who sell cocoa for instance, to exporters of this produce, have sent many away from business. How? Product quality apart, one important factor that determines how much is paid for a particular consignment is the weight of the parcel. Cocoa, like several other

agricultural commodities, is paid for in tons. Cocoa suppliers bring in adulterated parcels – parcels stuffed with granites. This is done to add weight and by so doing, obtain more value than merited for produce delivered. Building contractors are a terrible lot. There was this case study this writer’s group discussed at a session at Lagos Business School’s Enterprise Development Centre few years back. The case study had to do with a company which got a contract to build branches for a bank. It was good business. He set out to work. He mobilised contractors – builders, suppliers of building materials, etc. The job required the use of large tonnes of iron rods. This was where the devils struck. Where he needed 20 tonnes of iron rod, 15 was supplied; where he needed 50 tonnes, 40 was supplied. He found out he was paying more for iron than he had planned. He decided to find out what the problem was. Guess what happened? His secretary, who had the mandate to ensure transparency, whose job was to ensure that the right quantity and quality of iron rods was supplied, was an accomplice. Some contractors play this trick with supplies of other building materials like sand, gravels, cement, and paints. You are doomed if the one you trust, whom you put in charge of monitoring behaves like the secretary cited above. Again, relating to building construction, you must watch out on the number of people they claim they hire especially when the job involves you paying for labour on a ‘daily pay’ basis. If they hire two, they will tell you it is five they have hired, when it is six, they tell you it is ten. And you are paying N1500 or N2500 per labour hand per day, for say one month! Do the arithmetic and find out how much you are losing. The story is the same everywhere, in businesses across the country. They do not see anything wrong with their actions. To them, it is the way to make it big. Some tell you, the rich men of today went through the same path. There is a popular saying in the part of the country where I come from. If those who engage in this culture of cheating find out you are a discipline enforcer on issues relating to business, they say it to all ears: ‘He does not want people to benefit from him’. It does not occur to them that all you are doing is stopping them from stealing from you. Aren’t we in trouble? Sure, we are.

34 BUSINESS | INDUSTRY Most of the infections have been because of poor infection-control practices in hospitals, the WHO said. Siaka Momoh

with agency report

he deadly respiratory virus that has spread from Saudi Arabia around the world was found in camels in Nigeria, Tunisia and Ethiopia, showing the pathogen is more widespread than previously known, according to Bloomberg report. This may have implication

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

MERS virus found in camels in Nigeria, other African countries for Hajj travels for Nigerians and other pilgrims billed for traditional the annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in October though WHO’s emergency committee recently decided against declaring MERS a global health emergency, citing the lack of evidence for sustained humanto-human transmission. Most of the infections have been because of poor infection-control practices in hos-

pitals, the WHO said. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, or MERS-CoV, was found in almost all blood samples taken from 358 dromedary camels in Nigeria and 188 camels in Ethiopia, according to a study published online by the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal. In Tunisia, MERS-CoV was found in 54 per cent of adult camels, and in all of the animals from

Camels

Based on our projections, a turnover of N121, 000, 000 would be made in the first year of operation as total income. The expected Gross Profit in the first year is about N39 million which will increase to N96 million within the first five years of operation. Godwin Uba

read is a stable food in the country today. It is consumed by all and sundrythe old, young poor and rich consume bread on daily basis. It one of the best investment one can think of. Nigeria investors are therefore advised to invest into bread production. Bread is regarded as a food for the masses. It is taken as breakfast in many houses. According to publication made by the Nigeria bakers association, prices of bread, a major stable food have risen in the last three years by an average of about 25 per cent from between N80 and N120 per family size loaf to between N200 and N250 amid increase in the prices of baking materials. In January, 2011, the prices of all sizes of bread were increased by 10 per cent. Although the rise in the prices of bread had

one southern province. The findings add to previous studies that have found the virus in camels in Spain’s Canary Islands and Egypt, as well as in several nations on the Arabian peninsula, and suggest that there may be undiagnosed human cases in Africa, researchers from the Netherlands wrote in the study. The blood samples were collected between 2009 and 2011, suggesting the virus was circulating well before 2012 when the first human case was identified, they said. “The possibility exists that MERS-CoV illness occurred before its discovery in 2012 and that such infection has been overlooked in the areas with evidence for virus circulation among animals during the past 10 years,” the authors wrote in the journal, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MERS has sickened at least 614 people, killing 184 of them since 2012, according to the World Health Organization. While most of the cases and deaths have been in Saudi Arabia, there have been infections in Europe, Africa, Asia and the U.S. All cases are linked to people who live in or have travelled

How to invest in bread baking been associated with sundry baking materials such as sugar, butter, flour and fat, consumers are willing to pay any amount to get the essential commodity for the family up keep. In 2012/2013, the prices rose again by about 10 per cent now bread sales for between N200 and N250. One good thing in this investment is that the prices increase in proportion to increase in raw materials input and cost of production in general. With the increase in prices of the bread the high demand for bread is consistent. The supply of bread is still very low in comparison to demand. There is therefore need for more investors to come into the industry to increase the production base of bread. Modern trend Bread making business is no longer an all corners affairs. The quality, size, packaging and operational/marketing strategies should be given a thorough consideration for one to remain in the business. There is need to address the level of technology application to ensure that standard is maintained. Professional hands both as consultants and operational staff is very essential for any investor to make profits in the industry. Advertisement has become very necessary to thrive in the industry. There is need to use professionals in the management and

marketing of the project.

be installed.

Marketing strategies Though bread can easily be sold in any part of the country, there is the need to be proactive. There is the need to have well-articulated structures and marketing strategies. Having mentioned some possible market in a broader prospective, it is appropriate to structure effective marketing management and financial control. The writer will give detailed marketing/ management to prospective investors in the business proposals/plans.

Raw materials and sources All the required raw materials for commercial bread production are locally available and include the following; flour, sugar, salt, yeast and edible or baking fat. There is need to get a professional food technologist that will mix the inputs properly to achieve a unique taste.

Plants & machinery The following plants, machinery and equipment are essential for setting up an ultramodern bakery; Electric oven (3 Deck/4Deck are available depending on the capacity), industrial burner, electric milling machines, mixer, bowl or dough mixer (of various capacities ranging from 3-10 bags of 50kg flour at a time), automatic slicing machine, paster roller, standard scale/measure. There is also the need to procure various sizes of baking pans. The machines can be sourced locally or imported. Details will be made available to prospective investors. The power generating is very important and ranges from 25KVA above depending also on the capacity of the plant to

Production processes The first step is to purchase the basic raw materials from dealers and maintain adequate stock. Other steps include measuring out the quantities required, mixing the raw materials using the mixing bowl; milling with the milling machine; putting the milled products into the baking pans and allowed for some hours to rise properly, transferring to the baking oven. The baking pans are then emptied and set to cool for slicing. The bread is then wrapped and packaged for sales. Packaging The packaging materials should be unique and attractive. This is very important in the modern bread industry. Labor requirement From our projection, about 16 people are needed for a start for production, marketing, management and auxiliary staff.

to the Middle East, or who were exposed to someone who did. MERS causes fever, cough and shortness of breath, leading in severe cases to respiratory failure, organ failure and death. People with weakened immune systems such as the elderly and those with diabetes, cancer or chronic lung disease are most at risk. There’s no vaccine and no specific treatment. The potential route of transmission from camels to humans isn’t well understood. Many cases of the illness have occurred among camel herders and people who visited camel farms or consumed unpasteurized camel milk. The virus belongs to the same family of pathogens as SARS, which killed about 800 people worldwide after first appearing in China more than a decade ago. Saudi Arabia expects millions of Muslims from around the world to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in early October. The WHO doesn’t recommend any travel restrictions related to MERS, though Saudi Arabia has suggested that pilgrims over 65 years or under 12, and pregnant women, refrain from the journey.

Financial implications The estimated cost of setting up an ultramodern bread baking business is N27, 891, 000. The breakdown of this cost is as follows: Accommodation N 2,500,000 Plants, machinery & equipment/ other assets N9,407,000 Working capital (3 months) N13,336,000 Other operating expenses N2,298,000 Preliminary expenses (including feasibility studies) N350,000 Total N27,891,000 Based on our projections, a turnover of N121, 000, 000 would be made in the first year of operation as total income. The expected Gross Profit in the first year is about N39 million which will increase to N96 million within the first five years of operation. The payback period is within one year of operation if the project is well managed. The rate of return on investment is about 76% within the first three years of operation. Implementation To handle the implementation of this project professionally, prospective investors should embark upon a detailed and bankable feasibility studies. The writer is readily available for the feasibility studies and packaging of a bankable feasibility studies reports/ business plans. •Uba Godwin’s contact: E-mail:ubagodwin@yahoo.com

BUSINESS 35

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Thursday, June 5, 2014

W it h

Telecoms regional leaders TECHTalk in new quest for dominance Transforming public Leading mobile telecommunications network operators in Middle East and Africa have formed alliances in recent times that aim to deliver more innovative solutions to subscribers. JONAH IBOMA examines how these new initiatives could meet customers’ needs and also further entrench these operators at the top of service delivery in the regions.

08050498516

libraries into ICT hubs

STC GROUP

ine major multinational mobile operators namely Bharti Airtel, Etisalat Group, Millicom, MTN Group, Ooredoo Group, Orange, STC Group, Vodafone Group and Zain Group recently unveiled plans to embark on two initiatives designed to deliver greater value to their customers. The first initiative is the Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI) programme that will offer subscribers easier and seamless financial transactions across these networks. The second is an agreement to reduce the cost of roaming across these networks in the Middle East and Africa regions and make cost of making international calls more affordable to users who roam their mobile. This MMI programme was designed in partnership with GSM Association, the global trade body of mobile phone firms, with the aim of developing standards and implementing convenient and affordable financial services across the regions, where many citizens have limited access to traditional banking services. The roaming cost reduction plan also has the input of GSMA and with both schemes designed to reduce cost of using mobile phones either for business or social purposes, industry experts believe that these moves will help these nine operators to maintain their leadership position in the African continent and the Middle East. One of the reasons why these new initiatives could help these companies gain further foothold in the telecoms industry is the fact that, collectively, they account for over 582 million mobile connections across 48 countries in Africa and the Middle East. In the area of mobile money, which has already been identified as a lucrative service that mobile networks should focus on in the immediate future, the MMI could tilt the competition for service in this area in favour of these operators' future, following the success stories in some African countries. Mobile money transactions in subSaharan Africa and the Middle East totaled $5.7 billion last year, and more than a quarter of Kenya’s economy

Jonah Iboma

now flows through the groundbreaking service M-Pesa – which has been adopted by 56 per cent of Kenyans since its introduction by Vodafone and Safaricom in 2007 – without touching a bank account. But while Kenya stands as an exemplar of mobile money, far ahead of even the US in usage of payments through a mobile phone, other countries have been much slower to adopt the model – thanks in part to regulatory challenges that hold back innovation. The expectation of many of these operators is that sooner than later, mobile money will catch up in some of the other countries including Nigeria, where adoption is still slow. And this is where competition is expected to be among operators. According to GSMA, the expectation is that MMI programme will accelerate growth through collaborative development of best practice guidelines, regulatory support, performance benchmarks, and interoperability between services. The association said that MMI could have widespread implications, as an estimated 1.7 billion people in lower to middle income countries who own a mobile phone (primarily with prepaid credit), yet currently lack access to the financial services. Therefore, with mobile money now available in most developing markets, there could be further push by the operators involved in MMI to promote greater

Mobile money is a young industry, with over 80 per cent of all deployments launched during or after 2010

adoption, although the 2013 GSMA Mobile Money for the unbanked state of the industry report indicates that services tend to be limited outside of East Africa. “The initiative is meant to connect mobile network operators with banks, governments, and other partners in a bid to allow access to more mobile financial services for a broader range of people. This would provide a means for them to take out insurance, invest in savings accounts, make and accept payments, and send money across borders,” GSMA said in a statement on the plan. Explosive growth in the field has seen mobile money accounts outnumber bank accounts in nine African markets, with 98 million registered and over 60 million active in sub-Saharan Africa as of June 2013. GSMA said that it believed that this could lead to accelerated innovation, but without interoperability it will devolve into a total mess. "Mobile money is a young industry, with over 80 per cent of all deployments launched during or after 2010," said GSMA Director General, Anne Bouverot. “It's a field under rapid, enthusiastic, unparalleled growth and it falls now on the signees of the Mobile Money Interoperability program to steer the ship to safe waters as mobile money races toward ubiquity across all of Africa and the Middle East.” On the roaming charges plan by the nine company-GSMA, which released the details last Monday, the firms will address international roaming pricing, improvement in regional connectivity and mobility by increasing roaming footprints by focusing on improving routes for pre-paid customers. A reduction in roaming charges will certainly encourage more users to use their phones across once they CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

ecently, the Federal Government said it had plans to turn public libraries into hub of information communication technologies (ICT) in Nigeria. According to the details of the plans unveiled by the Minister of State and Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, the Federal Government will transform the libraries into public access points, where Nigerians can access timely and reliable information, enlightenment and training at an affordable cost. State governments would be also be involved in the turnaround programme for the public libraries. “The Federal Government is planning many strategic interventions in the library and information science sector. Plans are underway to work with state governments to reposition public libraries in Nigeria as Public Access Venues. As public access venues, libraries will engage with communities to provide such services as e-Learning Services, Skills-for-Life Services, Community Enlightenment and Civic Education Services, Health and Gender Information Services, Career Counselling Services, Youth Collection and Gaming Stations and Small Business Counselling, among others,” the minister said. This is obviously a commendable plan by government if carried out. The only problem sometimes with government policies such as this one is that too much time is spent on attempts to identify what Nigerians problems are and the requisite solution to that can address the identified challenges. Often, in Nigeria government seems not to be in a hurry to quickly implement projects that will transform the lives of people. Thus, it is hoped that the new library plan will be quickly carried out so that Nigerians can feel government’s presence in their locality. But it does appear that government is serious with this vision as the Registrar, Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN), Dr Victoria Okojie, said the council had taken the plan to transform the libraries a little further by carrying out a survey of all public libraries in Nigeria to determine their needs. “A database of the over 300 public libraries in Nigeria has been created for the first time in the history of Nigeria. One of the main aims of the survey is to write a proposal to the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology justifying why public libraries should be used as public access venues which will provide e-governance services to the community,” she said. An important point that Okojie made was that Nigerian public libraries in the digital age should, among others: provide universal access to online resources for reading, information and education and the resources provided must be consistent and customer focused; help to build vibrant communities by encouraging community, based activities which target social capital creation and civic engagement; help to promote social, financial and digital inclusion as well as support learning in the information society. It is clear to any knowledgeable person that 21st century library services are characterised by advancement in the use of ICTs in accessing, retrieving and disseminating information to the public. Libraries are not just places where people borrow books to read, but points where knowledge and information is shared. So, given that the Communication Technology ministry would be involved in this, gives me one a lot of hope.

BUSINESS | ICT

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Thursday, June 5, 2014

MEA tablet market records 77.3% growth MOBILE DEVICES Users continue massive purchase of mobility devices in Africa. Stories by Jonah Iboma

ablet PC market in Middle East and Africa defied the global trend to record 77.3 per cent year-on-year growth in shipments during the first quarter of 2014, according to the latest results released on Tuesday by International Data Corporation (IDC). Shipments reached a total of four million units in the first quarter of 2014, with much of the growth driven by the strong performance of the consumer segment, which was spurred by the numerous IT festivals and vendor-led promotions that took place throughout the re-

gion during the quarter. "Most other regions around the world experienced a yearon-year slowdown in growth during the first quarter 2014, or even an overall decline," says Adriana Rangel, Research Director at IDC. "But the MEA tablet market continues to expand tremendously, a trend that can primarily be attributed to the additional focus that vendors have placed on this region due to numerous country markets not reaching their full potential, particularly in Africa." IDC identified Samsung as being particularly active on the marketing front, through the launch of numerous new models that helped it retain top spot in the market with a total volume of 974,600 units for the quarter. Apple held on to second position with 751,934 units, while General Mobile was a new entrant at position three, shipping 352,245 units for the

quarter thanks to a 350,000 unit order it secured as part of the Fatih education project in Turkey. Lenovo and Asus rounded out the top five vendors in quarter one 2014, shipping 266,049 units and 189,895 units, respectively. According to IDC, Turkey's Fatih project will continue to help shape the overall MEA tablet market, with another phase set to take hold in the second and third quarter of 2014. Similarly, a number of education deals are in the pipeline in Egypt for both public and private schools. As a result of all these initiatives and other smaller corporate deals involving small and medium-sized businesses, the commercial segment is expected to account for 14per cent of the overall market's volume in 2014 compared to just 9per cent in 2013. Another consequence of the commercial segment's improving performance will be an increase in uptake of larger

tablet devices. "In terms of screen sizes, 7–8 inch tablets will continue to dominate the market throughout 2014," says Victoria Mendes, a research analyst at IDC. "However, we

expect to see a good uptake of 10–11 inch tablets during the year as a number of the large education initiatives currently underway in the region require the use of these larger devices."

Health kit among latest features in Apple’s new OS

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Slot Nigeria Limited, Nnamdi Ezeigbo; Director, Products and Innovations, Airtel Nigeria, Nitin Anand; Vice President, Marketing Communication, Airtel Nigeria, Obinna Anichie and Country Manager, iStore Africa, Sachin Verma, at the launch of iphone 5s by Airtel Nigeria in Lagos on Tuesday.

Telecoms regional leaders CONTINUED from PAGE 33

travel outside the countries of residence and obviously, this should lead to increased income for operators involved. GSMA said that the nine operators were committed to a range of roaming initiatives that, in addition to addressing pricing and also focus on improving routes for pre-paid customers. These combined efforts, it noted, will enable consumers in Africa and the Middle East to use their mobile phones with greater confidence and predictability whilst travelling. Director General, GSMA, Anne Bouverot, said: “International and regional mobility is a critical factor in increasing trade and cross-border economic cooperation, which is a government priority across Africa and the Middle East” “The initiatives of these nine operators are intended to serve to increase connectivity and make mobile services

more affordable for subscribers throughout these regions, encouraging greater adoption and usage of mobile ç and enabling important socio-economic benefits.” As part of their work, the operators will look at a range of factors that affect roaming prices, with the aim of improving technical efficiencies and reducing costs. The senior leaders from the nine mobile

operator groups supporting these initiatives are: Christian de Faria, CEO Africa, Bharti Airtel; Ahmad Julfar, Group CEO, Etisalat Group; Arthur Bastings, EVP Africa, Millicom; and Sifiso Dabengwa, CEO and President, MTN Group. One thing that is clear is that these initiatives could prove to be the game changer in the telecommunications industry in the regions.

pple, on Monday, unveiled iOS 8, the latest version of its mobile operating system, at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco, United States. The new operating system has several new features, including health monitoring technology, voice and video messaging and a new Family Sharing function for iTunes. However, it is not the complete overhaul as was the case with iOS 7. Indeed, as CEO Tim Cook said during his keynote, it “builds on iOS 7.” Also, Apple had a big push for health monitoring at the WWDC, introducing a new app called Health, which is underpinned by a system called HealthKit. According to Craig Federighi, Senior Vice-President of software at Apple, Health breaks down the silos that currently exist in health monitoring, where information on blood pressure, exercise and nutrition, for example, are stored in different apps. Health will be able to pull together third party data from apps, with Federighi namedropping Nike, into a single

app, where users can view data all together. The company has also been working with the Mayo Clinic to allow users to log information like blood pressure within HealthKit. It would then alert the MayoClinic app as to whether or not the results are normal range. Federighi claimed that, if necessary, medical professionals could be contacted, although it’s not clear how or indeed if this would work for those living outside the US. Another important feature of the OS is family sharing, which links together the Apple identities of up to six people in the same family. They can then access and download from each other’s iTunes accounts, providing they are all using the same credit card. Federighi said this was great for kids, but added that, in order to prevent headline-grabbing levels of in-app purchasing, the credit card-holder will get a notification which will let them grant or deny the request. There have been some changes to the way notifications are displayed and how users can interact with them as well.

MallforAfrica is highest rated app in 2014

new mobile application, MallforAfrica.com, has been ranked number three in the lifestyle segment on the Apple App Store, on its debut. By this rating, MallforAfrica has emerged as the highest rated application ever targeted at an African audience. The appkicatiob is an online mall with over 80 of the top United States’ brands in the world, including Amazon, Carters,

Payless, Macy’s and Walmart. Major United Kingdom brands that are popular amongst Africans, such as Marks and Spencer, Next, Zara, Selfridges and T.M. Lewin are also available in the online mall. Chris Folayan, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, founded MallforAfrica along with his brother, Tope Folayan, to address the challenges that Africans face with buying products

from outside the continent. They said in a joint statement: “We strategically launched the App on the Android and Windows platforms first, because these platforms, particularly the Android platform have the higher number of users within the continent and especially in Nigeria, which is the first market we are targeting. “However, as Apple devices

become more popular, we have had to expedite the launch of the App on Apple App platform and are quite pleased with the reception from users.” Within a short period of its market entry, MallforAfrica continues to be one of the leading e-commerce sites on the African continent and is growing both in terms of its customer base and physical footprint in Nigeria.

BUSINESS | ICT

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Thursday, June 5, 2014

Data centre business growing steadily in Africa OUTSOURCING Technology firms investing more in managed services Stories by Jonah Iboma

he building of data centres have been steadily growing in Africa over the past few years investigations by New Telegraph has revealed. The latest was announced last week by Kenya’s Equity Bank, which said it would build a $34.1 million electronic data centre in

Nairobi, the country’s capital city. A data centre is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation also built a datacentre in 2012 in what it said would lead to savings of about $5 million annually, Liquid Telecom, a subsidiary of Econet Wireless, also opened one in Nairobi. Others are the prefabricated data and telecoms centre owned by Airtel in Sierra Leone and is currently being built by rapid system builder, Flexenclosure

Nokia XL dual SIM now on sale XL, the flagship large look to offer a variety of choices Nbyokia screen mobile phone offered to our consumers at different Microsoft Devices under the price points. After receiving a Nokia X family of affordable smartphones that run Android apps has hit the Nigerian market. The firm said in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday that Nokia XL comes with a 5" in-plane switching capacitive colour touch screen that brings the large screen experience at an affordable price point. The device further augments the imaging experience with a 2-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls on Skype and a 5-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and flash In addition, the firm said that the phones come with powerful 2000 mAh battery, rated for 16 hours of talk time and up to 41 days of standby. The new Nokia XL is armed with the Fastlane experience, which has been completely re-imagined for the Nokia X family. Fastlane is now more customizable and social. Users can select what appears on their Fastlane feed, read notifications from their social networks and update their status from within Fastlane, making the experience even more productive. "With the Nokia X family, we

great response with the Nokia X, which introduced the category to this market, we are now bringing the much awaited Nokia XL and offering consumers and opportunity to go large with amazing X family experience on more screen real estate. Nokia XL, our flagship offering within the Nokia X family, comes packed with a 5'’ IPS capacitive touch large screen experience, a superlative front camera and a wide array of apps, offering a great Smartphone experience at an affordable price point. The Nokia X family, flag shipped now by XL serves as the perfect introduction to the world of Android apps, coupled with signature Nokia experiences, and the most popular Microsoft services like Skype and One drive with 10GB of cloud storage’’ said Debbie Shepard - Head of Marketing, Nokia West and Central Africa, a subsidiary of Microsoft Mobile. Consumers can access and download a wide array of Android apps, which can be side loaded as well as downloaded through Nokia's own store and several popular third-party app stores.

Cyberoam rewards partners

has held its anCyearyberoam nual Partner Day for the 2013-14 at a special event, where it rewarded its partners in Nigeria for their contribution to the firm’s performance for the year. The event marked the conclusion of its Partner Advantage Program 2013-14. Cyberoam, a global provider of network security appliances, recently bagged the “security solution of the year award" at the Beacon of ICT Award 2014- Nigeria, held recently in Lagos. According to the firm, the partner community in the region has proven its commitment towards achieving higher growth in the network security market and in the process has bolstered the networks of many established and emerging enterprises in Nigeria. Country Manager- Nigeria, Cyberoam, Mr. Jimi Falaiye,

said: “Our partner community in the region has again exceeded our expectations, and from the enthusiasm they have exhibited in the past year. It is very likely that we would be doing even better this year. It is their efforts which have helped us to win the security solution of the year award.” Falaiye said that with statistics showing that Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and is also the fastest growing, Cyberoam is at the right place, at the right time, especially as it is reported that the financial and entertainment sectors were registering a double digit growth rate. He commended the company’s patner’s adding, “we are supported by a very committed and talented group of people – our partners – with whom we aim to set new benchmarks in network security and growth in the near future.”

and the $40 million Tier III data center owned by Nigerian wholesale operator, MainOne. Experts identify the reasons for the development is partly due to increased investment on technology solutions, especially by telecommunications companies and major oil firms, as well as the availability of improved power supply solutions by such in the continent. Dan Kwach, General Manager at East Africa Data Centre, said: “Quality data centres are an important element in the creation of an independent African telecoms infrastructure. Our significant investment in this data centre has been driven by demand from across Africa. By keeping African data in Africa we continue to help build Africa’s digital future.” Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, Funke Opeke, said that Africa has a bright economic future and investing in data centre will be a lucrative option for “Africa is recognised as home to seven of the ten fastest growing economies in the world,” Opeke said.

“The continent has emerged a dynamic business hub. We see increasing demand for data centre services with reliable connectivity.” Experts note that a lack of IT infrastructure on the continent has held back the developing economies of Africa and the solutions that managed services such as data centres deliver could galvanize the economy and bring more wealth to the region. “We believe that with more reliable data centres we can support that growth and cater for the world-class hosting needs of African businesses and service providers in Africa,” Opeke said. In May, MainOne launched its branch connectivity service for local businesses, which guarantees secure and reliable connections between sites within metro, national and international boundaries. In Sierra Leone, Flexenclosure will pre-build the 385 sq m eCentre module in its factory in Vara, Sweden and in six months install the completed system for

Airtel. A Nairobi data centre has emerged as the biggest in the African continent, outside South Africa, reporting exponential growth in challenging conditions. Kwach said that running a data centre in Kenya presents unique challenges because there is a single grid power supplier, Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), which makes failover more difficult. “We designed the data center to have two 5MW supply lines from different grids with a redundant distribution path,” Kwach said. The facility’s current load is 1.5MW but the second phase is calculated to push demand to 2.5MW, with the total supply eventually reaching 5MW. In response, power generation company KenGen (through which KPLC sources electricity) is using investigating sustainable sources, such as solar power. KenGen now gets 45 per cent of its power through hydro-electric dams.

A network operations centre

Airtel unveils iPhone 5s in Nigeria L eading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, has entered a strategic partnership with mobile phone maker, Apple, to officially unveil the iPhone 5s in Nigeria. With this pact, Airtel becomes the first mobile telecommunications service provider in Nigeria to officially seal a partnership deal with Apple. The partnership will offer telecoms consumers across the country an opportunity to purchase the iPhones in Airtel showrooms nationwide or from the outlets of its channel/retail partners including Slot. Speaking during an event to unveil the iPhone 5s in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, described the company’s partnership with Apple as the coming together of two great brands, saying that the partnership is a demonstration of Apple’s trust

in Airtel and, indeed, Nigeria. Ogunsanya who was represented by Nitin Anand, Vice President, Products and Innovation, added that the partnership underscores Airtel’s unwavering commitment to its vision of becoming Nigeria’s number one mobile Internet service provider. “At Airtel Nigeria, we believe that the future of mobile telephony is mobile Internet and so we are repositioning to revolutionize this landscape with innovative value offerings and strategic partnerships. “Our partnership with Apple is a glowing testimony to our desire to lead with Internet. Our enviable track record also provides us a leverage to empower more Nigerians to enjoy superfast Internet services on their devices and mobile phones on the Airtel network,” he said. Ogunsanya also noted that Airtel is currently embarking on a wide-scale expansion, mod-

ernization and transformation of its network. “Our goal is to ensure that telecoms consumers enjoy the best experience on VOICE, VISUAL and VIDEO as they engage and connect with friends and family members as well as transact their businesses on the Airtel network,” he said. The iPhone 5s is described by telecoms pundits as the most forward-thinking smartphone in the world. iPhone 5s sets a precedent, with an amazing amount of technology in a remarkably thin, light design. It builds on that achievement with Touch ID – a fingerprint identity sensor. An A7 chip with 64bit architecture. An even more impressive iSight camera. And ultrafast LTE wireless. Airtel said that customers who wish to purchase the iPhone 5s can also buy the device from the retail outlets of Apple’s official distributor in Nigeria, Core Group Africa (CGA).

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

FEATURES

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014

Mistrust growing in the military on a daily basis over suspicions raised by the recent ambush and killing of some of Nigeria’s finest officers during a bitter battle at Bita, Borno State, writes IBRAHIM ABDUL

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ABIODUN BELLO FEATURES EDITOR

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

Soldiers’ killing: More than skin deep mistrust

ast week, there was despair at the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Yola, Adamawa State following reports that Boko Haram members had ambushed and killed some of the Nigeria’s finest soldiers at Bita, near the now dreaded Sambisa forest. The reports indicated that on May 12, a group of soldiers selected from the Special Operations Battalion of the Nigerian Army headquarters were ordered to proceed on an operation at Bita, Borno State. The mission, according to military sources, was informed by intelligence report that the terrorists had been sighted in the area. Bita village had witnessed numerous attacks by Boko Haram members which had forced the residents to flee since February to other locations. “The selected soldiers had been taken from their operational base in Mubi, Adamawa State, and made to join some soldiers from the 213 Battalion from the newly created 7 Division of the Nigerian Army stationed inside Maimalari Barracks. “The soldiers deployed in the mission were only instructed to pick up their gear, without being told the location where they were headed. The secrecy surrounding their mission was due to suspicions within the military that some soldiers working in cahoots with the terrorists might tip them off about the impending attack,’’ said sources. When the soldiers arrived at Bita, near the now infamous Sambisa forest where Boko Haram might be keeping the abducted schoolgirls, the terrorists had fled. After combing the nook and cranny of the village without finding any Boko Haram member, the soldiers set the village on fire and made to leave. To their surprise, a lone terrorist, hiding in the bush at the back of one of the huts, fired at them. Thereafter, the soldiers stormed the bush, shot and wounded the gunman, and began to interrogate him. Before he died, the man told his interrogators that Boko Haram members had been informed of the military operation three days before it commenced. “The information had enabled them, the terrorist told the stunned soldiers, to evacuate the small town,” said another military source. The soldiers waited for a few hours but saw no signs of any Boko Haram retaliation. However, a few minutes after the soldiers boarded their buses to leave, the unexpected happened. “They came under heavy artillery fire that some of the soldiers said they had never seen since the insurgency began. They fired back, but they were soon overwhelmed by the terrorists who came out in large numbers and kept firing and advancing aggressively towards the soldiers. The battle lasted for at least two hours. By the time the smoke cleared on the battle scene, the Commanding Officer of the 213 Battalion, one Captain O. Akintola, and one Lieutenant Abdullahi as well as 30 soldiers had been killed. The Commanding Officer of the Special

The village set on fire by the soldiers

The late Lt. Kenneth Onubah

The late Col. Kabir Salisu

The late Lt. Shina Oluwafemi

The late Lt. Col. Nwaeze

Operations Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Bayedi Martins, managed to survive the battle. Several days after the battle, several soldiers were sent to the scene to retrieve the bodies of the dead soldiers, while about 10 bodies could still not be recovered because the Nigerian soldiers sent to retrieve the bodies were too scared to go near the Sambisa enclave of Boko Haram.

Despair pervades barracks The slain soldiers’ bodies were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yola. But despair and agony enveloped the affected families many of who wore black attires during the burial ceremony of the 10 soldiers held at the Army cemetery of the 23rd Armoured Brigade. The loss of the soldiers has further

The late Major O. Akintola

deepened suspicion within the ranks of the Army. Several soldiers, who spoke with our correspondent, wondered how the insurgents knew three days in advance about their impending arrival when they themselves did not know where they were headed. “The death of the soldiers on May 12 and the ambush as well as the killing the next day of 70 soldiers returning from Chibok so infuriated soldiers at the Maimalari Barracks that they staged a mutiny against their Commander, Major General Ahmadu Mohammed,’’ said a top military officer. For now, anxiety has enveloped the military circles as reports indicated that many senior military officers are being targeted and killed in the on-going war against the terrorists. “There is wide belief that the insurgency was a contraption sponsored to deplete population of the North and render it economically prostrate. “The recent killings of the soldiers have unfortunately added many dimensions to the raging suspicion of complexity against the North as many senior military officers from northern extraction are being targeted and killed,” argued Major Yahya Shinku (rtd).

40 40 FEATURES

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 6, 2014

Hope rises for rape, gender-based victims For many years, many women, including young girls, who have been sexually abused or beaten, have suffered in silence because of stigmatisation and the attitude of law enforcement agents who ought to offer them solace, writes JULIANA FRANCIS

eventeen-year-old Grace stunned policemen at the Sabo Police Station, Lagos State, when she walked in and told them that her father had raped her several times. She said: “He said I was dating my church member. He stripped me naked and beat me. He put pepper into my private part. The next day, he took me to a house with many rooms and beds. He asked me to undress, I refused but he slapped me. “I removed my clothes. He pushed me down on the bed. I tried to shout but he closed my mouth. He inserted a candlestick into my private part. Later, he removed it and laid on me. He started doing it,” she said. But rather than empathise with Grace over her trauma, shame and courage in attempting to seek justice, one of the policemen on duty asked her caustically, “when your papa dey do am, the thing dey sweet you? Shey you dey enjoy am.” (When your father was raping you, did you not enjoy it?) Other policemen laughed uproariously. This is not an isolated case. Many housewives who had been brutally beaten by their husbands and dashed to police stations to make complaints or seek safe haven, were shouted at or ridiculed by policemen, who would tell them to go home, be good wives and learn to respect their husbands. Some policemen even argued that it was right for a “husband to beat his wife because some women mouths are sharp like razor blade. If they are not beaten, they will never learn to respect and fear their husbands. They won’t know who is in charge in house.” It was due to this obvious gross lack of knowledge on the part of many policemen in handling raped victims and battered women that led Executive Director, Media Concern Initiative, Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode, to organise a series of workshops, where she attempted to train policemen, who are usually the first to come in contact with victims of violence, how to handle such victims. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Adeniji Adele Police Station, Mr Monday Agbonika, who had been particularly passionate, concerned and worried over the shabby treatment of victims of rape and battering, took a further step to ensure a special centre is built at the station. The centre is expected to handle and deliver quality service free to women and children who are victims of domestic or gender-based violence. The centre is “expected to be a place of adjustment after rape or battering.” Located inside the Adeniji Adele Police Station, the centre is called the ‘Nigeria Police Family Support Unit.’ The unit was inaugurated on May 17. In attendance were dignitaries and many members of the Adeniji Adele community as well as many white cap chiefs and market women. The happiest man at the event was

Some police officers during the inauguration of the centre

White cap chiefs at the event

probably Agbonika, who said he had been nursing and pursuing the idea of such a centre for long. He said: “This is the first policing plan for Central Police Station, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island. The plan was produced after wide consultation with community members and other key stakeholders. It is produced to explain to the community, who we are, what we do and the strategic priorities for the division for the next 12 months. “The police are now committed to working together with the community to tackle local problems of safety and security.” The vision, according to him, can be traced to the period when Phil Evison and his team from J4A started the Model Police Station (MPS) project, sometime in 2011. He said: “The idea was to have designated police stations nationwide as models, where initiatives would be taken, with room for regular adjustments, until best practices are identified, and such practices could then be replicated in other stations. “One of the initiatives was the Family Support Unit (FSU). The FSU was to be an upgrade of the traditional Nigeria Police Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC). “In addition to the normal JWC cases of juvenile offenders, missing/ found children, sexual offences against minors, the FSU will also handle all GBV (Gender-Based Violence) and DV (Domestic Violence) cases.

“After the sound training by the highly professional team of international consultants from the United Kingdom, some of whom were themselves police officers for many years before consulting for the British Government, it became clear that there was a high incidence of GBV/DV cases in our community and cases were not being reported because of stigmatisation and other similar considerations.” Agbonika said he had a vision to be able to focus on the victims, so that the vulnerable section of the society would have a voice. “We are relying greatly on partnerships with some women groups, the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Social Development, the judiciary, Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Public Defender (OPD), civil society organisations like Project Alert, Mediacon, and Women Arise for Change Initiative. “I am therefore very delighted to announce to you, today, that Ford Foundation bought into this vision and made the dream come true. I must also acknowledge the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, whose reformation agenda encouraged change. Also the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Umar Manko, who gave us the opportunity and all those who believed in us and supported us in one way or the other towards the attainment of this vision. “Today, we shall witness the opening of a new facility, the first of its kind in

Africa, which is equipped and staffed by best global standards, to deliver quality services free to women and children, survivors of domestic and gender-based violence,” he added. Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, who spoke through his Senior Special Adviser on Security, Major Babatunde Panox, commended the Ford Foundation and Justice For All (J4A) for partnering with the police to build the centre. The governor said that such gesture would help to improve the services of the police. The Regional Representative of Ford Foundation in West Africa, Mr Innocent Chukwuma, said that the organisation supported the project because of the need for a true police reform and to encourage best police officers to do more. National Programme Manager, J4A, Dr Bob Arnot, said that such unit would be built in Enugu and northern part of the country. The state Police Commissioner, Manko, represented by ACP Imohimi Edgal, said the police had for long desired such unit. He called on the officers and men of the force to avail themselves of the training by the unit. The fear, however, expressed by most of the guests at the event, is the lack of maintenance culture prevalent in the police. Arnot summed it up thus: “At the end of the day, the unit will be supported and staffed by Nigerians. It is not enough to wait for the Ford Foundation.” Despite the fear, the may also face some challenges in handling rape cases. For instance, marital rape, according to Amnesty International, is not illegal in Nigeria. So, it may still be difficult for the centre to resolve domestic violence emanating from marital rape. Rape is very prevalent in Nigeria but underreported. A study of students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan found that in their lifetimes 1.7 per cent (2.5 per cent of males and 1.1 per cent of females) had raped and 2.7 per cent (5.3 per cent of males and 0.9 per cent of females) had attempted rape. Out of a sample of 295 female students from Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, in South-East Nigeria, 36.7 per cent had experienced sexual harassment/victimisation at least once on campus. Of this, 32.4 per cent had been raped (10.8 per cent of the sample).

HEALTH THURSday, JUNE 5, 2014

kudos for using appropriate toilet facility

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appolonia adeyemi appolonia.adeyemi@newtelegraphonline.com appoloniaadeyemi@gmail.com

Experts: Malnutrition in 1,000 days of infants, major cause of old-age diseases DECISIVE Before and after pregnancy until a child’s second birthday sets the stage for intellectual development and lifelong health Sola Adeyemo

IBADAN

ealth experts from Nigeria and beyond last week converged at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo state, brainstormed identified major challenges associated with development of infants in their first 1,000 days in life, and prescribed antidotes to the ravaging menace. Most x-rayed cause of deaths in infants during the conference organised by Nestle Nutrition Institute Africa, CWAR Advanced Nutrition Programme for Anglophone Countries, was malnutrition, both ante and post natal in mothers and foetus. Everyone at the event agreed that the most potent weapon against malnutrition was feeding of babies with human breast milk instead of cow milk that many indulge in. Aside the series of disabilities that result from unwholesome and unhealthy nutrition in the mothers and the infants, the session discovered that many known diseases in adults were actually formed in their infancy, only to manifest at old age. Among the participants at the conference was Professor Chinyere Ezeaka, pediatric expert at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Adaora A. Okechukwu (Senior Lecturer/ Honorary Consultant, Childhood Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics, University of Abuja/ University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada), Dr. Tongo Oluwatoyin O. (nee Mabawonku) of the Clinical Sciences, Paediatrics Department, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, among others. Speaking on: 'Nutrition in Pregnancy and Impact of Early Nutrition on Long Term Health: The First 1,000 Days Window of Opportunity', Ezeaka said that

Dhanesh Gordon, Managing Director of Nestle Nigeria, the company that organised the nutrition conference

Chronic malnutrition results in stunting, or reduced growth in height as shown in the girl on the right, meaning that this child on the right has persistently not received adequate nutrition. Stunting affects onethird of all children in developing countries. Both girls shown are thesame age. PHOTOS: World Vision International

"maternal nutrition is essential for the health of the mother and the survival and development of her child. Undernourished women are more likely to die in pregnancy, to give birth prematurely, and to have babies who are born premature or too small for their gestational age. Over a quarter of all babies born in lowand middle-income countries are small for their gestational age-putting them at a significantly- increased risk of dying". She explained that the first 1,000 days which is the period from the start of pregnancy until the child’s second birthday, "is the critical window of time that sets the stage for the child’s intellectual development and lifelong health. It is a period of enormous potential but also of enormous vulnerability as damage caused by poor nutrition early in life is irreversible. "Optimal nutrition and health care of both the mother and infant during these first 1,000 days of an infant's life are closely linked to growth, immune system function, learning potential and neuro-development, in turn affecting long-term outcomes". The pediatrician also disclosed that epidemiological and epigenetic programming studies has revealed that the nutrition in the first 1,000 days has long term effect on adult health. "Onset of chronic adult diseases including ageing, heart diseases, diabetes, stroke,metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, obesity and lung problems date be-

Acute malnutrition results in wasting, or rapid weight loss, and means that a child has experienced a relatively sudden drop in food intake. This is usually due to a severe food shortage or period of illness. PHOTOS: World Vision International

yond adult lifestyle-but to the power of the first 1000days. "The “foetal origins” hypothesis proposes that alterations in fetal nutrition and endocrine status result in developmental adaptations that permanently change the structure, physiology and metabolism of the individual, thereby predisposing to cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine diseases in adult life", she added. In all, Ezeaka submitted that "translating this knowledge into action is pivotal. Good pregnancy health commences from the health of the mother before pregnancy. Focusing on nutrition entails bringing all stakeholders to invest in the future of mothers and children; and ensuring that for every child, the first 1,000 days mark the beginning of a life full of

Under-nourished women are more likely to die in pregnancy, to give birth prematurely, and to have babies who are born premature or too small for their gestational age

promise". Speaking on alarming newborn mortality rate linked with malnutrition, she also said that the trend continues to be a major public health problem, "as newborn deaths currently contribute approximately one-third of under-five mortality. "Globally, nearly four million newborns die each year in the first month of life, and another three million babies are stillbirths. Ninety percent of these deaths are due to preventable causes such as asphyxia (failure to breathe at birth), prematurity and infections. Ninety-eight percent of these deaths occur in the developing countries. "A baby’s first cry is one of the most anticipated and welcome sounds in the entire world. But in many part of the world, when there is no cry, all hopes are dashed. Too many times there is no one with the knowledge or the skills or the equipment to help: and a baby dies. Hence the Neonatal Resuscitation Program aims to teach all birth attendants to be competent in basic resuscitation skills. "Ventilation of the baby’s lungs is the most important and effective action in neonatal resuscitation Emphasis is on the need to urgently commence positive pressure ventilation (PPV) i.e bag and mask ventilation within the first one minute of delivery (The Golden Minute) if the baby has no spontaneous respiration". Speaking on the long term neurocognitive outcome of malnutrition, Tongo O. O also said that "Nutrition is essential for life especially in the first 1,000 days. It is required for growth, development, neurocognitive function, immune function, programming for various conditions in later life and even recovery from illness. Nutrients and growth factors regulate brain development during foetal and early neonatal life". According to him, "It is therefore natural to expect that malnutrition in early life would have serious implications in all these aspects in later life. It is hypothesised that malnutrition impairs neurocognitive functioning by reducing neurons, alternating neurotransmitter functioning, and increasing neurotoxicity". She further noted that "neurocognitive function is particularly affected by malnutrition in early childhood because the first few years, particularly the first few months of life, is the period of maximum brain growth and any adverse events at these times such as macro or micro nutrient deficiency have the potential of causing long term adverse outcomes. According to her, "Long term neurocognitive problems that have been associated with malnutrition include reduced IQ scores, externalising behavior, ADHD and schizophrenia. Others include Parkinsonism-Dementia complex, cretinism, mental retardation and dementia.

42 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Watch out for warning signs of hypertension, stroke, expert warns

with Dr. Ihuoma Uko-Ndukwe

ada.ndukwe@yahoo.com

Managing the prostate P rostate enlargement is a common condition in older men mostly experienced after 70 years of age. The prostate increases in size with age, between the ages of 20 and 55 years. It has a volume fluid of about 20-30 cc(normal for an average adult male, and after age 55 years, most increase to about 40 cc or more becoming a problem. Prostate enlargement affects more black men than any other race and it occurs in 20 percent of 40 years old men and in over 90 percent in men above 70 years old. Prostate enlargement or hyperplasia(growth) is not cancerous. This is to say that it is (benign) and is characterised by nodules or small growth (expansion) of the muscles around the urethra within the prostate and compresses the urethra leading to difficulty urinating, constantly urinating, not completely emptying the bladder, getting up at night to urinate, straining to urinate, urgency and hesitancy in starting urine flow, and weak urine flow with decreased strength. Other characteristics of prostate enlargement are dribbling urine after urination, having blood in the urine, and retaining urine leading to multiple bladder infections/ formation of bladder stones which can be very painful. If the inability to completely empty the bladder continues for a long time, it may weaken the bladder muscles due to carrying large amount of urine for a long time beyond at full capacity and causing unwanted growth of bacteria sometimes, and in some cases developing bladder infection or inflammation of the prostate Apart from ageing, some medications like antidepressants, strong pain medications like the opiates that send wrong message to the brain, some water pills used to treat blood pressure, cold and congestions medications can cause some of the bladder obstructions like decrease in flow of urine. Similarly, some medical diseases like cancer and heart failure can also affect flow of urine. Difference between cancer and prostate enlargement SIZE: In prostate enlargement or hyperplasia, the size of the prostate is the same all around it, while in prostate cancer, the size is irregular With hyperplasia (enlargement), the prostate is smooth, firm and elastic while in prostate cancer, it has lots of growths (nodules) that are very hard and very rough to touch and with dimples (induration). A visit to a doctor, doing some tests like check the contents of your urine, feeling of your pros-

PHOTO: American Society of Family Physicians website

tate for texture, shape and size , checking the volume of the prostate, will help determine if there is prostate enlargement/ cancer, how big and how severe, which will help guide the treatment. MANAGEMENT: FOR MILD SYMPTOMS, limit night-time water consumption, reduce caffeine intake (tea, coffee), avoid medications that trigger symptoms, and watchfully wait, which will require being monitored by a doctor yearly for change in symptoms. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: there is limited medical evidence that herbs such as SAW PALMETTO extract (which is becoming common) and whose mechanism of action is unknown and not widely recommended by doctors, RYE GRASS POLLEN EXTRACT, PYGEUM, AND SOY PRODUCTS, are of much help in treatment. Although, in other parts of the world, other herbal or complimentary medications are being used for treatment but these medicines are not standardised and have not been widely studied to prove their efficacy. MEDICAL TREATMENT: Some first generation blood pressure medication helps work on the muscles of the prostate, by reducing their tone and loosening their tightness allowing urine to flow by. Prostate growth is controlled by hormones. Hormones converts testosterone to another stronger type that directly works on the muscles of the prostate, and estrogen also stimulates the prostate. So, using medications that stop the conversion of testosterone to its stronger form helps control its growth and it is considered the main form of medi-

cal therapy. This medication has shown significant improvement. Sometimes when the urine flow is blocked, using a plastic tube (catheter) to drain the urine, it helps relieve the pain and heaviness that goes with urinary retention. Some can be left inside the bladder with bags attached to it to hold the urine for a period of time while some are done as needed basis. SURGICAL TREATMENT. There are several surgical options with each type having some types of complications. It is considered when medical therapy has failed and symptoms are getting worse, as a last option. OPEN PROSTATECTOMY: This is rarely being done. It is the oldest method where a certain portion of the prostate is removed through the upper part of the pubic area, ( the padded area that carries the penis) to help relief the obstruction caused by overgrowth and increased urine flow but it is more like an open surgery and reserved for very large overgrowth. This is considered the most effective treatment for the relief of symptoms but it is the most invasive. TURP: Transurethral Resection of the prostate is the most commonly done and it is considered the most studied of all of them. It has the longest duration of symptom relief and it is a surgical procedure that removes some portions of the prostate through the penis, by passing through a tube through the opening of the penis and gradually taking off the muscle tissue. Bleeding is the most fatal complication but also has complications like backward ejaculation, impotence, and incontinence (leaking urine involuntarily on oneself) which scares younger men off. There are other new procedures, mainly due to major complication of sexual dysfunction associated with TURP, which younger men find unacceptable. There are some minimally invasive procedures that have been designed to achieve the same results as TURP but they come at a lower cost with less complication. TUIP--- Transurethral incision of the prostate: one or two small incisions across the urethra (opening of the penis) are done to reduce the constriction. Without removing any piece of the prostate, using a flexible tube with camera, there will be less risk of backward ejaculation. TUMT- Transurethral microwave thermotherapy: Microwave energy is used through the opening of the penis causing some tissue removal through and heating/cooling method. TUNA- Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate: using a special needle with some radio frequency wave to take off some muscle tissue.

L-R: All Progressives Congress Chairman, Orile Agege Local Government, Prince Sunday Ajayi, Agege LGEA Education Secretary, Hon. Olalekan Majiyagbe; Mrs. Christine Shutti and Mr. Akin Akinlade of Radio Lagos at the event

GOOD HEALTH At a health awareness meeting held in Lagos recently, participants were enlightened on ways to healthy living Pade Olapoju

igerians have been warned to be wary of their consumption habits so as to avoid sicknesses like hypertension, stroke and diabetes. Speaking at a roundtable discussion on human health and medical screening organised by the Local Government Education Authority, Agege in collaboration with Christine Shutti of Alberta, Canada, the speaker, Mrs. Christine Shutti, a registered nurse based in Canada, said she was moved into action by the alarming death statistics on these ailments in Nigerian hospitals. According to Christine, statistics shows that 50 per cent of chronic hypertension patients die between four to five hours on admission to hospitals while three to four out of 10 patients die one hour on admission. Six million people die of stroke yearly, while 75 per cent of those who are lucky to survive the deadly ailment end up with disability. The same goes for diabetes patients some of whom, she said; don’t even know they have the killer disease until it is too late. To guard against most of these ailments, Mrs. Shutti advised Nigerians to embark on regular medical check ups, as well as a healthy diet, which will not clog the blood arteries, which eventually leads to some of these ail-

We should always make conscious efforts to eat fat-free oil and avoid too much salt intake so as to avoid cholesterol, that blocks blood arteries, which leads to high blood pressure hypertension, heart failure and stroke

ments. “People should check their blood cholesterol level always, avoid smoking totally, as well as limit their intake of alcohol. Exercise is very important. People should also eat enough fruits and vegetables. We should always make conscious efforts to eat fat-free oil and avoid too much salt intake so as to avoid cholesterol, that blocks blood arteries which leads to high blood pressure hypertension, heart failure and stroke,” she said. She warned that any little sharp left side chest pain could be a warning of an impending heart attack; adding that it could be a sign that the blood arteries are clogged. Shutti, however, advised anybody who has experienced such a sharp pain before to arm themselves with aspirin (81ml extended release), which will help in dilating the blood arteries for easy blood flow and reduce the death statistics. She told the over a thousand people gathered at the Mary OkeOsanyintolu Conference Hall of the LCAA Secretariat, Agege that as soon as they notice any sign of stroke on anybody, the person should be taken to a hospital fast, adding that if such a person could receive medical attention under three to four hours, he or she has a chance of surviving a brain damage. “When the heat or brain fail, there is no option of transplant (like the kidney), but death or permanent disability,” she warned. Earlier, chairman of the occasion and the All Progressives Congress Chairman, Orile Agege Local Government, Prince Sunday Ajayi urged participants at the roundtable discussion to always take care of their health as health is wealth. “Many people in hospital pray for good health, but most healthy people don’t appreciate their good health until it deteriorates,” Ajayi said. He advised participants to embark on regular medical check up and ensure they use their medication. “Do not economise on matters of your health,” he advised. While giving kudos to the initiative of the programme. Mrs. Christine Shutti, a Nigerian based in Canada, Ajayi called for the programme’s expansion so that more people can benefit from the health enlightenment programme.

HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

‘Babyhood media programmes designed to promote healthy living in children’

ou graduated with Surveying and Geo-Informatics from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna.. Why did you veer into the Babyhood initiative? Well, I had been running Babyhood by the side but not as Babyhood as a name. I had been doing things related to Babyhood while I was in school at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State. I worked with children and mothers. My mother was a nurse and so, I had the opportunity to work with health workers - doctors, nurses and others. I had that background and I knew what I wanted to do with regards to children. It was just easy for me to go into the Babyhood programme after I graduated. Similarly, after my graduation from the ABU, I took some courses in child psychology, public speaking and communication. What is Babyhood Programme? Babyhood is a multi-media platform where we teach mothers how to raise children. It focuses on pre-conception, birthing and raising children. Basically, it teaches awareness about mother and child. Under the programme, we run a radio and TV programme. We also have a free weekly print publication called Babyhood. We go to hospitals, schools, churches, mosques and other gathering where mothers are available to give out the publications that include leaflets and booklets. We educate people about the things they need to know when they are conceiving a child and how to raise that child. It presents consultants from various paediatric fields that help in dealing with concerns of parents for their children. On issues discussed, we are not committed to health only. We do health, education, creativity, depending on what needs to be discussed about the child. Babyhood is also presented during a weekly life show radio programme on Star FM during which the audience calls in and asks questions For Television, Babyhood is also on MITV which is on DSTV, GOTV, StarTimes and on local channels. So, everybody from anywhere in Nigeria can watch this 30-minute TV programme at 9.30a.m every Saturday. Furthermore, Babyhood is also presented on: www.babyhooddtv.tv website. If you are in doubt about anything concerning babies and you want to ask a consultant any question, you are free to go to our website. It is confidential. If you send the questions, the doctors will reply immediately. In addition, we have the social media. Babyhood is on: www.facebook.com. Similarly, we engage our followers on the blackberry: bbm 27AD9EAD; and on whatsupp: 08020379769. We send new messages on social media every one hour so that people can get messages on what is happening. What motivated you to start Babyhood programme? My passion for children was the motivation. When I started working with mothers and began to educate them, they changed and kids are better for it. Besides, people see me as a resource person who assist in solving problems of children. Going by your plan, what did you plan to achieve with Babyhood? The plan in rolling out Babyhood is to educate people based on scientific evidence. In changing the mindset of people, words go round quickly and that way, we reach out to society. We show people that things can be done

With the high incidence of infant and under-5 mortality in the country, the birth of Babyhood, a multimedia initiative, is geared to create awareness on babys’ conception, upkeep and welfare. In this interview with APPOLONIA ADEYEMI, the Executive Director of Babyhood Foundation and host of Babyhood programme on radio and television, Mrs Bola Dele-Olukoju, speaks on the essence of the programme, the strides recorded so far, challenges, among other issues. Excerpt: the Babyhood programmes to pass on messages to the populace. We urge governments to key into the Babyhood initiative by putting in some funds. Similarly, the multinational companies can also key into the programmes as a way to implement their corporate social responsibility. (CSR). Certainly, there are other existing programmes on baby on radio and television. What is unique about Babyhood programmes? Unlike Babyhood programmes, some of the other baby programmes run on radio alone and some run on TV alone. Whereas, our programmes run on both radio and TV as well as on print publications. Similarly, Babyhood programmes run on social media through websites, facebook, etc. Furthermore, there are dedicated telephone lines through which the audience and viewers are reached. So, we incorporate all, through a larger multi-media platform. Mrs. Dele-Olukoju

differently from old ways many of which were based on myths, social and cultural practices and that we can achieve results. We thank God for Lagos State that is implementing a lot of programmes that favour mother and child. With Babyhood Programmes, we aim to reduce infant and maternal mortality. Ignorance is one of the factors leading to maternal mortality. For instance, we educate mothers on the importance of presenting their kids for vaccinations to eradicate polio and other infectious diseases. What is your assessment of the programme in terms of what you have achieved since 2011 that it was established? Seeing smiles on the faces of parents and care givers when their problems are solved is a great achievement. Everything is not about financial achievement. What we are doing is giving back to the society. We have a programme called BPAP (Babyhood Poverty Alleviation Programme), an empowerment programme being implemented by the Babyhood Foundation. The BPAP is driven from the saying: ‘Educate a woman educate a nation’, ‘Feed a woman feed a nation’. We are trying to empower women with skills so that they can start off. How do babies gain from these? The gains are directly or indirectly impacting on the child. If you teach a woman who didn’t know how to fish fishing skills, if she starts selling the fish, she knows how to use proceeds from the fish trade to care of her family. The basis of Babyhood is about the children who should be loved, nurtured and taken care of. That way, you can bring out the best from the child. What is the estimated reach of Babyhood programmes and how do you bridge language barrier? A lot of people listen to radio and a lot watch television programmes. You can reach our programmes if you have a DSTV decoder. You can even go on line. We have people calling us over this programme from northern Nigeria, eastern

Nigeria and other parts of the country. Also, Babyhood programmes reach the people through the new social media. We have a large listenership base. Our messages are translated into local languages so as to meet the need of local people in the grassroots. Many of our leaflets are translated into major Nigerian languages for better comprehension of people in the rural areas. So, language is not a barrier to reach our target audience. It’s been almost three years since Babyhood birthed. What has been the major challenge of implementing the programmes? The major challenge of Babyhood is finance. We finance it from our pocket except in cases of radio programmes where some brands have assisted us with advertisements. The brands include Promasidor makers of Cowbell, Loya Milk and Onger and Procter & Gamble which makes pampers. These companies have supported us because they have seen the reach as well as the impact of the programmes. Getting sponsorship has been a major barrier to implementation. If we get more sponsors, it will not be a bad idea. We need funding to take care of these. How can governments assist? Governments too are trying to reduce maternal mortality. If they see that this is an avenue to achieve that, they can explore

We organise various health tests for mothers and also organise jogging for kids because in this new dispensation, we have a lot of children coming down with obesity

What are the issues on Babyhood programmes which can make your target audience prefer your programmes? We bring in seasoned consultants to discuss and address concerns of babies and these are consultants you go to see in hospitals. If you want to take your child to a good school, we look for the best educationist who will tell you things you need to do. If you want to see a paediatrician, we look for the best paediatrician in the state. We have guest doctors, psychologists and other professionals who also come from the states. We get children together for free eye tests. We meet your exact need of a baby at a particular time. For instance, for pregnant mothers, we give shopping list and what they should look out for. We educate them on the processes of child birth. We organise various health tests for mothers and also organise jogging for kids because in this new dispensation, we have a lot of children coming down with obesity. The usual trend for most kids is from school to the house; from the school to the church; and from the house to parties and back home; etc. It is known that because of parents’ busy schedules; there is hardly time for children to exercise. So, we organise jogging for children, making them walk around the neigbourhood but tailor everything according to their need. That is why Babyhood media programmes are unique. We bring in the best. Giving the numerous problems confronting children in this country, what role should governments play to further assist in achieving the dream of Babyhood programmes? If we can change the society, it is one bit at a time. We need the government to empower us financially to be able to pass our messages across various channels which are already in place. For instance, in the rural areas, we still buy mosquito nets and give them out to people in the rural areas. If we get needed support even in the form of providing us with mosquito nets, Babyhood Foundation will expand its reach through the distribution of such nets. We need support of many state governments including Lagos, Kwara, Kaduna, etc.

44 HEALTH

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

39m Nigerians practise open defecation Stories by Appolonia Adeyemi ecent data issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO)/ UNICEF has revealed that a staggering 39 million Nigerians, about (23 percent of the population) still practice open defecation even in the 21st Century. Also, based on scientific evidence that safe water and basic sanitation has to be a top priority in effectively tackling extreme poverty, Dr. Michael Ojo, Country Representative of WaterAid Nigeria, has called upon African leaders to take action” to end open defecation and improve sanitation in their nations. These developments came to light last week as WaterAid commended a new United Nation (UN) campaign championed by UN Deputy Secretary General, Jan Eliasson to end the practice of open defecation worldwide. Presently, more than one billion people around the world relieve themselves in bushes, in

fields or at the sides of roads or railway tracks for lack of even a basic, shared pit in the ground. What this translates to is that 14 percent of the world’s population, or one person in seven practice open defecation to date. Where there is open defecation, pathogens spread quickly, causing diarrhoea, cholera, bilharzia (a freshwater worm) and other diseases. According to WHO/UNICEF JMP figures for Nigeria, the number of people with access to improved sanitation facilities has dropped even further from 31 percent last year to just 28 percent of the population now. This means about 122 million Nigerians do not have access to improved sanitation. Based on these figures, indications are that at present rates of progress, Sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria overall will not become open defecation free until 2063. WaterAid is campaigning for

everyone, everywhere to have access to safe water and basic sanitation by 2030. Some 748 million people in the world are without safe water, while another 2.5 billion are without adequate sanitation. The Country Representative of WaterAid Nigeria, said:“It is time for a drastic change to the status quo. It is hard to believe that in this day and age, people must still risk their health and dignity for the lack of a basic toilet. It’s even more difficult for girls and women who risk danger and harassment every time they go in search of a private place to relieve themselves”. Without basic toilets, girls are more likely to drop out of school, and adults are less able to care for their families or to work, exacting huge social and economic Toilet facility with flush water tank costs. The new UN campaign to end open defecation is expected as the UN develops a new set of to last till the end of next year, development goals to replace the original Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Among the goals were pledges to cut in half the proportions of people without safe water and sanitation, respectively. Though the overall universal target on water has been met; some individual countries, especially developing countries like Nigeria, are yet to meet

those goals and those still without safe water are the hardest to reach. The target on sanitation remains the most off-track. Recently, in April this year, Nigeria joined 44 other developing countries at the Sanitation and Water for All High Level Meeting and committed once again to achieving universal access to water and sanitation and eliminating open defecation nationwide by 2025.

‘Learning second language slows brain ageing'

Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), Lagos, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan; Debbie Ariyo of AFRUCA--United Kingdom (UK); Uk-based child protection expert, Gani Martins; and a director at the National Agency for the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons and Related Offences (NAPTIP), Mr. Godwin Morka at the 'Safeguarding Nigerian Children's Conference’ held in Lagos

INTERVENTION Individuals, private and public organisations should do their bit to save minors

he National Agency for the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons and Related Offences (NAPTIP) has called for fundamental restructuring of the nation's child protection laws so as to make them effective in curtailing high incidence of child abuse in the country. Highlighting some of the lapses that hinder justice for the abused, a director of NAPTIP, Mr. Godwin Morka noted that there is no concentration of law that says this is what should be done when a child is abused. "If we have a law detailing what is child abuse, we will know who to call when a child is abused," said Morka during his presentation at a one-day conference on "Safeguarding Nigerian Children: Building a Child Protection System Fit for the 21st Century", which held in Ikeja, Lagos recently. While calling on the three tiers of government and civil so-

CEE-Hope partners AFRUCA-UK on child protection ciety organisations (CSOs) to help provide solution, he lamented that the nation has no national ethoes and lacks official ways of doing things. "We don't have values and these impact negatively onthe nation. Debbie Ariyo Obe, chief executive officer, AFRUKA-UK, called on Nigerian governments and relevant stakeholders to build sustainable structures to protect children. While lamenting that nothing has changed after numerous cases of child abuse in the country, he said 80 percent of Nigerian girls living in Burkina Faso are into prostitution. Although, child abuse issues are not sexy to attract urgent attention, Obe said, "We want to put children's issue on the front burner," adding that children from Nigeria's baby factory are ending up in Europe”. According to the executive director of AFRUKA-UK , daily activities on numerous abuse of children that continue unchecked in the country is a testimony that the Nigerian society does not care about children and their welfare.

“It is only when events such as the Chibok abductions take place that everybody will shed crocodile tears.” She pointed out that apart from the Chibok event, many abuses are going on unhindered. For instance, Obe said of the 100,000 Nigerian girls living in Burkina Faso, 80 percent are into prostitution. Gani Martins, a social worker and assistant director, Children’s Services, Stanford City Council, United Kingdom (UK) said Nigeria must begin to use its resources to protect its children. “It is disheartening that we are working but no change is taking place. Yet we must persevere because children are our future.” However, she urged individuals, groups and organisations to “think of how to help in your corner.” In her presentation, Betty Abah, executive director of CEEHOPE, said out of 178 countries rated in Save the Children’s 2014 Report (State of the World’s Mothers’), Nigeria is the eight worst places to be born a child.

Oluwatosin Omoniyi or those who believe that learning other languages aside their mother tongue and English language is a waste of time, it is high time they had a rethink it. A research has proven otherwise as well. It shows that learning second language is the best way to keep the brain afresh and motivating. The University of Edinburgh study suggests that learning a second language do have a positive effect on the brain, even if it is taken up in adulthood. The Researchers found that reading, verbal fluency and intelligence were improved in a study of 262 people tested either in aged 11 or in their seventies. A previous study suggested that being bilingual could delay the onset of dementia by several years. The study which was published in "Annals of Neurology" recently pose a platform for a question whether learning a new language improved cognitive functions or whether individuals with better cognitive abilities were more likely to become bilingual. Dr Thomas Bak, from the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, said he believed he had found the answer. Millions of people around the world acquire their second language later in life. “Our study shows that bilingualism, even when acquired in adulthood, may benefit the ageing brain,” said Dr Thomas Bak from University of Edinburgh. Using data from intelligence tests on 262 Edinburghborn individuals at the age of 11, the study looked at how their cognitive abilities had changed

when they were tested again in their seventies. The research was conducted between 2008 and 2010. All participants said they were able to communicate in at least one language other than English. Of that group, 195 learned the second language before the age of 18, and 65 learned it after that time. The findings indicate that those who spoke two or more languages had significantly better cognitive abilities compared to what would have been expected from their baseline test. The strongest effects were seen in general intelligence and reading. The effects were present in those who learned their second language early, as well as later in life. Dr. Bak said the pattern they found was "meaningful" and the improvements in attention, focus and fluency could not be explained by original intelligence. "These findings are of considerable practical relevance. Millions of people around the world acquire their second language later in life. Our study shows that bilingualism, even when acquired in adulthood, may benefit the aging brain." But he admitted that the study also raised many questions, such as whether learning more than one language could also have the same positive effect on cognitive ageing and whether actively speaking a second language is better than just knowing how to speak it. Dr. Alvaro Pascual-Leone, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, US, said: "The epidemiological study provides an important first step in understanding the impact of learning a second language and the ageing brain. "This research paves the way for future causal studies of bilingualism and cognitive decline prevention."

METRO 45

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

mbraced robbery because joblessness, says suspect A

‘I traffic drug to care of my pregnant wife’

Juliana Francis

ola was an auto mein Warri, Delta State. h his parents are from was born and raised ity. were, perhaps, not for him the way he ke youths around him, anted the good things allure was too strong ed. He was thus lured d robbery. to the teeth, Kola complices on May 28 n onslaught on motorrri and dispossessed The suspects heir cars - a Toyota er with registration tionwide manhunt was therefore JA 696 CD (LAGOS) launched for them. ta Camry car marked With their loot, Kola and his gang, headed North where they L (LAGOS). of the cars promptly had a ready market for their to the Ekpan Police goods. Uvwie Local GovernBut fate played a trick on close to Warri. A na- them. They were involved in a

road crash with the Highlander. Rather than abandon the vehicle, they tried to repair it. Therefore, they towed it to a workshop in Kaduna. The suspects were in the process of repairing the vehicle when the long arm of the law

nce scammer dupes Australian lady N14.58m

cis

ed romance scamOmokoh Orowo was arraigned before Justice R. a of the Oyo State rt, Ibadan, on a charge bordering acy and obtaining alse pretence. ording to the Head, Publicity, the EcoFinancial Crimes n (EFCC), Wilson allegedly fleeced an lady, Jette Jacobs, about N14.58 milomance scam that

edly met Jacobs on ating site and conationship with her. howed that Jacobs o Johannesburg, ca in November eft Nigeria to meet ruary 4, 2013. Five Jacobs was found apartment.

Jesse returned to Nigeria accused, Tunji Ogunude, intwo days after the discovery formed the court that he had of the body of his supposed filed an application for bail, lover in her South- African which he sought on liberal apartment. terms for his client. Jesse pleaded not guilty After listening to both counwhen all the nine charges were sel, Akintola adjourned the read to him. case till July 10 for hearing of Count one of the charge bail application and ordered reads: “Omokoh Orowo Jesse, that the defendant be remandIfeanyi Oro (still at large), ed in Agodi Prison. Emojewe (still at large) and David (still at large) sometime in 2012 at Ibadan within the Ibadan Judicial Division with intent to defraud conspired to obtain the sum of $70,000 from one Jette Jacobs, a 67-year-old Australian woman under the false pretence that the money represents payment for marriage engagement processes between you and her in Nigeria and which pretence you knew was false.” In view of Jesse’s plea, EFCC counsel, Zainab Ettu, prayed the court for a trial date and for the remand of the accused in prison custody. However, counsel to the Jesse

closes LASU-Iba road for 56 days

te Government anyesterday that the a Expressway would closed for 56 days to e construction of adr culverts. missioner for Transomrade Kayode Opede the disclosure, said ction work, which beerday, would be comonday July 29. ently, the perennial the axis has become motorists and como use the road are

fa assured motorists esidents that efforts tensified to ease the

gridlock during the period. He said the contractor, Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited, would continue the construction of additional four culverts in the area to improve the road infrastructure in the state. The commissioner explained that the contractor would commence work on the first two locations at Olorunfemi and EleroAkesan bus stops for the first 30 days, starting from yesterday to Thursday July 3. The other two locations are at NYSC and Ologbonla bus stops and construction activities which will last 26 days beginning from July 4 to 29. Opeifa said all vehicular movements in both directions would be restricted to one car-

riageway during the period, adding that traffic re-routing would be carried out around these corridors to facilitate seamless flow of traffic. He said: “As part of the traffic management strategies during the exercise, all vehicular movements in both directions would be restricted to one carriageway in alternate sessions at these locations on LASU-Iba Road. “As a result, traffic re-routing would be carried out around these corridors to facilitate seamless flow of traffic. “This notice serves as information on the partial road closure. Motorists and other road users are therefore advised to use alternative routes to avoid delays.”

caught up with them. Kola, who said he was robbing with an Awka-made cut-to-size weapon, claimed that the sanitation exercise in Warri consumed his workshop and rendered him jobless. The suspect confirmed that he had once been charged to court and remanded in Okere Prisons, Warri for possession of illegal arm. He claimed he was later discharged and acquitted. Kola, who was paraded along with his three accomplices, Tope Ajayi (21), Oke Ese (20) and Christopher Ode (23), by the police in Ekpan Division, appealed for clemency, saying he was pushed into robbery by joblessness and “the way things are”. The state acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Charles Muka, said one locallymade pistol, two live rounds of ammunition and two expended cartridges, two cars, among other items, were recovered from the suspects.

suspected drug peddler, Anabaronye Tochukwu Ken, has implored the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to release him from their custody. The suspect said he wanted to be with his wife on the day of the delivery of their first baby. Ken, 36, told narcotic agents that he embraced drug trafficking because of his wife’s condition. He said: “I got myself involved in drug trafficking to take care of my family. I ingested 52 wraps of cocaine for 4,000 Euros. I sincerely plead for mercy. My greatest desire is to be released from custody before my wife’s delivery date.” Since his arrest, the suspect has excreted 52 wraps of substances which tested positive to cocaine. According to NDLEA spokesman, Mr Ofoyeju Mitchell, the drug weighed 900 grams. Mitchell explained that Ken was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, when the suspect was attempting to board an Air France flight to Milan. The NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, Mr Hamza Umar, said Ken’s arrest was made possible by the scanning machine at the airport. Umar said: “Ken tested positive for drug ingestion during the outward screening of Air France passengers at the departure hall. While he was under observation, he excreted fifty two (52) wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine with a weight of 900 grammes. Anabaronye is helping us in our investigation activities”.

‘Schoolgirls’ abduction, Nigeria’s greatest tragedy’ John Edu

he Shepherd in charge of the Children’s Ministry of the Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church, Ayo Ni O, Rev T. Shebanjo, has described the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State as the country’s greatest tragedy. Shebanjo, according to a statement by the Coordinator, Veteran Welfare Groups, Primate Ayoola Omonigbehin, said this during the 42nd anniversary of the children’s ministry. The anniversary held

at the headquarters of the church, according to the statement, came after a seven-day prayer and fasting. During the programme, children also prayed for the safe return of the abducted girls. Shebanjo said the abduction of the Chibok girls could “be regarded as the greatest tragedy of a nation which requires God’s absolute intervention. Also speaking at the event, Special Apostle Kunle Agboola, urged children to run away from sins. Agboola also commended women across the globe for their concerns over the ab-

ducted girls. He specifically praised the United States First Lady, Mrs Michele Obama, for leading a sympathy protest on humanitarian ground. Meanwhile, Shebanjo warned mothers that this was the time to train their children in the way of God. The prayers offered at the programme centred on the breaking of ancestral curses and spells on the Nigerian nation. Shebanjo prayed God to show mercy on the country and lift all curses that had been placed “on our forefathers and mothers by reason of disobedience to God”.

FCTA votes N334bn for lake resort Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

ederal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the development of the Ultra-Modern Jabi Lake Resort in the Phase II of the Federal Capital City (FCC) to boost tourism in Abuja. The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, who disclosed this yesterday, said the project, which would gulp $2 billion (about N334 billion). Mohammed’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Muhammad Hazat Sule, said in a statement that the minister made the disclosure while receiving the executive members, Nigeria Young Professionals Forum, who paid him a courtesy visit in

his office. According to the statement, the minister said that when the resort was completed, it would promote tourism and by extension generate the required revenue to augment budgetary allocation from the Federal Government. Mohammed added that the Federal Government had made a lot of investment in the FCT by providing seed money and now the time had come for the FCTA to create institutions, structures in terms of legal framework to leverage on private funding to develop the FCC. “The minister assured that this crop of leadership in the FCTA is determined to set standards and benchmark on how things ought

to be done and driven for the betterment of all residents of the territory without recourse necessarily to government funding. “The FCTA has received marching order from President Goodluck Jonathan to build human capital and institutions as well as partnership in accordance with the global best practice,” the statement reads in part. Mohammed, however, urged the forum to use its contacts across the globe to woo investors to Abuja, saying that Abuja was haven for genuine investors. On his part, the Chairman of the Nigeria Young Professionals Forum, Moses Siloko Siasia, said the organisation was yearning for positive change and called for partnership with the FCTA.

46 BUSINESS | MONEY LINE

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

FG spends N370.8bn on settlement of PHCN workers –BPE

IRONY FG deployed all the funds realized from sale of power assets to payoff PHCN workers

News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN), in Abuja. She said that the total staff strength of the former PHCN workers was 47,913, adding that out of this, 46,308 had so far been validated. Ms. Omojola said that the number of validated workers included both regular and casual workers of the company. “Out of that, we have paid 45,519 workers till date. So, what is outstanding from the validat-

he Federal Government yesterday said it had spent N370.8 billion on the payment of severance allowances to workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Martina Omojola, the Deputy Director, Labour Matters, Electricity Power Department, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), disclosed this to the

ed is about 789 and we are still processing their benefits. “So, with that in mind, we have made payment of N370.8 billion till date in 18 batches through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation. “If you look at that, it’s about 99 per cent of the validated number that have been paid so far,” she said. Ms. Omojola attributed the non-verification of some work-

Mobile money firm takes service to Sokoto cer of mobile money operating company, Mr. Agbolade Odunyemi, said the service was consistent with Teasy’s desire to facilitate not just financial inclusion in the state, but also leverage on the huge mobile phone penetration to drive cashless commerce in the country. Odunyemi assured that Nigeria will benefit from the deployment of the “Tap n Pay”, by the people, especially bank customers, by giving their support to the cashless policy of the apex bank. He said: “The huge cost associated with the printing and moving of cash can be reduced significantly by leveraging on the adoption of Teasy Mobile Money services; while the government and the CBN can

Abdulwahab Isa ABUJA

easy International Company Limited, a mobile money operator, has launched mobile money service “Tap n Pay”, in Sokoto. Speaking at the event, which attracted bank customers and youths, Managing Director, Musa Ali Baba, expressed appreciation for support and enthusiasm of the people of the state for the product. A statement by the company quoted the MD saying: “With the positive response to ‘Tap n Pay’, more outlets in the state shall be rolled out in the weeks to come”. The Chief Commercial Offi-

invest the savings into alternative economic projects that will impact the average Nigerian. “Teasy’s“Tap n Pay” service allows fast payments from mobile wallets at points of sale (PoS) when an NFC compatible mobile device is brought within a few centimetres of another NFC PoS enabled device. Customers of Teasy Mobile Money can now pay for goods and service at any merchant point that accept Tap and Pay by just tapping their phone on the PoS or mobile PoS device”, Odunyemi added. Those at the event expressed their confidence in Teasy’s innovative services capacity and looked forward to using it at many other locations in the city while merchants endorsed the product’s services.

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

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

Description

TTM

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

1.21 2.53 3.22 5.39 7.98 16.47

Tenor (Days) Call 7 30 60 90 180 365

Rate (%) 11.9167 12.3333 12.6667 12.9167 13.2167 13.5000 13.7500

NIBOR

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

FGN Bonds Bid Price 90.20 99.25 104.10 109.35 114.15 76.60

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

Bid 12.10 12.10 12.05

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

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

NITTY

Yield 12.86 13.33 13.35 13.42 13.38 13.53

Money Market Offer 11.85 11.85 11.80 Offer 163.38

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

Rate (%) 11.33 11.63

NIFEX Spot ($/N)

had been paid. Ms. Omojola said that a total of N9. 2 billion had so far been used to settle the 1,586 retirees that were cleared. “We are presently working on about 1,647 of them. We have gone on verification, moving from one part of the federation to another. “Most of the retirees and their next of kin showed up, while others did not. “About 913 people have not showed up. So that’s the problem we have to complete the process. And until we get the last person, we cannot stop the work,” she said. Mr. Martina urged members of the public that still had entitlements with PHCN to register at the PHCN headquarters.

Islamic Bank to commit $7b to projects in Nigeria, others Bayo Akomolafe

he Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is set to invest $7 billion to projects in Nigeria and other African countries in the next five years. The bank said $180 million would be released for Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senega and Niger in financing projects such as mini-grids and rooftop solar systems before the end of the year. Already, it has committed around $5 billion in financing for sub-Saharan Africa between 2008-2012, or around 23 per cent of its budget. The new $180 million initiative, called Renewable Energy for Poverty Reduction, will target projects over the next three years to improve access to electricity in Africa’s rural areas where about 70 percent of

households lack power. It was learnt that the Saudi Arabia-based IDB promotes economic development in its 56 countries through Shariahcompliant loans and grants. Nearly half of the bank’s member countries are in Africa, which is home to hundreds of millions of Muslims. The Regional Director for IDB said: Sidi Mohamned Ould Taleb: “This is just seed money. The goal is to enlarge it and to build a pipeline of projects He explained that some $125 million had been committed by the bank, noting that the initial talks with potential partners such as the OPEC Fund for International Development have started to secure the rest. Also, the bank’s Vice President, Ahmet Tiktik, said other partners had expressed a readiness.

Tanzania starts Africa’s first interoperable mobile money transfer

Offer Yield 13.01 13.40 13.47 13.49 13.44 13.59

Treasury Bills

ers to insufficient information regarding their validity as staff of the defunct PHCN. “Only 1,605 out of the total staff strength of 47,913 are yet to be validated. However, we cannot say we have written them off. “There is a committee that still sits on this comprising BPE, NELMCO, PHCN headquarter, ministry of power, office of the accountant general of the federation and the unions,” she said. On the settlement of retirees, Ms. Omojola said that the bureau was also working on the payment of outstanding entitlement. She said that the initial list of retirees with outstanding gratuity and other money were 4,146, adding that so far, 1,586 of them

Bid 163.4000

Offer 163.5000 Source: FMDQ

Jonah Iboma

anzania is to begin the first interoperable mobile money service in Africa following an agreement signed by three telecoms companies operating in the country– Tigo, Airtel and Zantel- to adopt a common platform by the end of the month According to the agreement, the networks will allow each other’s customers to send money to its own clients, meaning Tanzanians are able to send money to a user regardless of whether they are registered on Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money or EzyPesa. The agreement appears to be the beginning of the plan announced by GSM Association last April that nine mobile network operators, including Bharti Airtel, Etisalat Group, Millicom, MTN Group, Ooredoo Group, Orange, STC Group, Vodafone Group and Zain Group, have

committed to work together to accelerate the implementation of interoperable mobile money services across Africa and the Middle East regions. A statement by Millicom, owner of Tigo Tanzania, reads: “With this groundbreaking agreement, the potential number of customers able to send money by mobile to each other in Tanzania, regardless of network, will increase to over sixteen million.” President and Chief Executive Officer of Millicom, Hans-Holger Albrecht, Millicom, said: “We are delighted to work with our counterparts to extend the mobile money universe in Tanzania. With this agreement we can help make Tanzania a global pioneer in digital financial inclusion. Interoperability will be a catalyst for growth in the mobile money sector and is long overdue. It’s an example to operators in other countries.”

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003

Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014

Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003

BUSINESS | CAPITAL MARKET

The Nigerian Stock Market Exchange as at June 4, 2014 Daily Summary (Bonds)

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board DEBT Federal

Bond Name 15.10% FGN APR 2017 16.00% FGN JUN 2019 Federal Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Symbol FG9B2017S2 FG9B2019S3

DEBT Board Totals

No. of Deals 1 1 2

Current Price 107.50 115.00

Bond Activity Totals

Quantity Traded 200 2,500 2700

2,700

3,268,025.62

2700

3,268,025.62

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

Value Traded 218,300.35 3,049,725.27 3,268,025.62

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

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 54 15 69

Current Price 33.00 37.00

Quantity Traded 573,305 217,530 790,835

Value Traded 19,162,922.68 8,043,814.90 27,206,737.58

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 28 (Equities) 28

Current Price 3.07

Quantity Traded 730,615 730,615

Value Traded 2,250,219.04 2,250,219.04

1,521,450

29,456,956.62

Daily Summary

AGRICULTURE Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. Published bySThe C ONigerian A NIG. Stock PLC. Exchange © TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals

Symbol AGLEVENT SCOA TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 9 2 367 68 446

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Building Construction ARBICO PLC. Building Construction Totals

Current Price 1.40 5.06 4.13 60.00

446

Quantity Traded 66,548 Page 30,000 30,132,605 7,251,458 37,480,611

559,345,194.89

Symbol ARBICO

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 5.30

Quantity Traded 2,790 2,790

Value Traded 14,535.90 14,535.90

Building Structure/Completion/Other COSTAIN (W A) PLC.

Symbol COSTAIN GCAPPA

No. of Deals 22 2 24

Current Price 1.29 14.46

Quantity Traded 273,274 86 273,360

Value Traded 343,965.02 1,181.64 345,146.66

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

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 20 20

Current Price 66.52

Quantity Traded 159,919 159,919

Value Traded 11,163,593.96 11,163,593.96

No. of Deals 29 29

Current Price 17.86

Quantity Traded 507,661 507,661

Value Traded 9,036,044.41 9,036,044.41

G CAPPA PLC Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 Building Structure/Completion/Other Totals Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED RealSummary Estate Development Activity on Board Totals EQTY

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

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol UAC-PROP

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. JOS INT. BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003 DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT CO. NIG. PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. Activity Summary on Board EQTY

CONSUMER GOODS Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Current Price 10.47

Page

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 995.00 995.00

943,830

20,560,315.93

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW JOSBREW NB

No. of Deals 1 90 20 6 120 237

Current Price 13.79 177.50 26.01 2.93 183.99

Quantity Traded 25 577,118 114,086 62,411 4,793,663 5,547,303

Value Traded 327.75 103,221,091.63 2,984,628.01 179,956.23 868,313,611.34 974,699,614.96

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 40 40

Current Price 90.00

Quantity Traded 184,248 184,248

Value Traded 16,783,749.99 16,783,749.99

Symbol No. of Deals DANGFLOUR 52 DANGSUGAR 69 FLOURMILL 93 HONYFLOUR 60 Daily Summary (Equities) NASCON 75 NNFM 1

Current Price 8.10 9.75 77.99 4.00 12.70 22.01

Quantity Traded 2,541,621 498,172 6,483,907 4,463,443 1,392,546 40

Value Traded 20,482,226.82 4,816,135.72 505,604,261.69 17,746,005.08 18,007,231.09 836.40

Page

Food Products UNION DICON SALT PLC. U T C NIG. PLC. Food Products Totals

Symbol UNIONDICON UTC

No. of Deals 1 3 354

Current Price 14.11 0.54

Quantity Traded 5,700 10,515 15,395,944

Value Traded 76,437.00 5,572.95 566,738,706.75

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

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 48 54 102

Current Price 77.00 1,083.00

Quantity Traded 294,951 46,008 340,959

Value Traded 22,703,637.91 49,740,893.86 72,444,531.77

Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals

Symbol VITAFOAM

No. of Deals 12 12

Current Price 4.30

Quantity Traded 285,641 285,641

Value Traded 1,224,652.92 1,224,652.92

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

Symbol PZ UNILEVER

No. of Deals 40 55 95

Current Price 36.00 48.42

Quantity Traded 131,003 2,031,896 2,162,899

Value Traded 4,725,696.82 100,594,184.50 105,319,881.32

23,916,994

1,737,211,137.71 Value Traded 1,259,295,136.60 12,323,837.70 55,086,159.35

Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 Printed CONSUMER 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003 GOODS Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003 FINANCIAL SERVICES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Banking FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. Activity Summary onFOR Board EQTY UNITED BANK AFRICA PLC

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals

840 Symbol

No. of Deals 148 50 122

Current Price 9.95 6.74 17.50

Quantity Traded 127,674,974 1,835,965 3,212,921

Symbol No. of Deals FIDELITYBK 72 GUARANTY 355 Daily Summary (Equities) SKYEBANK 135 STERLNBANK 51 UBA 261

Current Price 2.05 29.81 3.38 2.29 7.50

Page Quantity Traded 5,156,209 33,638,170 5,026,432 5,187,349 13,147,989

Daily Summary (Equities) ACCESS DIAMONDBNK ETI

Symbol UBN UNITYBNK WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Micro-Finance Banks Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Micro-Finance Banks Totals

No. of Deals 34 7 5 1 1 15 94 38 3 16 2 1 93 (Equities) 310

Current Price 0.82 1.05 0.52 0.50 0.50 2.44 0.50 0.82 0.50 0.52 0.53 0.50 0.74

Quantity Traded 2,992,817 1,146,050 150,000 1,250 11,125 2,050,090 53,161,585 5,614,835 109,000 5,020,000 74,500Page 1,120 8,715,676 79,048,048

Value Traded 2,455,228.45 1,185,013.50 77,700.00 625.00 5,562.50 4,891,600.00 26,581,272.50 4,644,258.26 54,500.00 2,545,700.00 5 39,485.00 of 15 560.00 6,460,752.62 48,942,257.83

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 3

Current Price 1.12

Quantity Traded 30,318

Value Traded 32,440.26

Symbol

No. of Deals 3

Current Price

Quantity Traded Page 30,318

6Value Traded of 15 32,440.26

Current Price 0.50 1.61

Quantity Traded 200,000 700 200,700

Value Traded 100,000.00 1,071.00 101,071.00

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

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS FBNH FCMB ROYALEX STANBIC UBCAP

No. of Deals 62 40 630 84 6 22 74 918

Current Price 3.20 3.48 15.03 4.01 0.51 24.70 2.49

Quantity Traded 1,225,615 5,765,129 23,520,425 8,444,901 107,080 54,397 1,013,091 40,130,638

Value Traded 3,931,768.86 19,969,015.71 353,258,178.58 33,775,200.36 55,606.80 1,339,579.26 2,480,504.49 414,809,854.06

341,236,553

3,559,213,441.05

Quantity Traded 152,202 253,650 40,783 600,530

Value Traded 369,374.88 733,721.66 2,725,599.80 1,061,162.69

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

2,841 Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER

No. of Deals 9 18 15 19

Current Price 2.44 2.84 68.00 1.77

Page

Current Price 5.48 1.97

Quantity Traded 1,000 2,626 3,626

Value Traded 5,210.00 4,936.88 10,146.88

Processing Systems

Symbol ETRANZACT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 2.21

Quantity Traded 50 50

Value Traded 110.00 110.00

Symbol MTI

No. of Deals 1

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 22,000

Value Traded 11,000.00

Daily Summary (Equities)

Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003

Activity Summary on Board EQTY ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS

Building Materials Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC Activity Summary on Board EQTY CAP PLC

Packaging/Containers Daily Summary as GLASS of 04/06/2014 BETA CO PLC. Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003 Totals Packaging/Containers

22,000

11,000.00

110,676

71,406.88

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

Page Quantity Traded 1,522,960 118,649 36,496

8Value Traded of 15

81 20 14

28.64 8.84 39.00

Symbol CCNN DANGCEM DNMEYER IPWA PAINTCOM PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 39 33 5 9 6 7 22 236

Current Price 10.50 229.10 1.06 0.50 1.40 4.75 124.02

Quantity Traded 1,507,569 110,641 33,388 601,610 374,000 198,500 217,844 4,721,657

Value Traded 15,589,014.42 25,398,764.71 37,060.68 303,078.38 525,080.00 959,000.00 27,005,212.88 115,893,587.18

Symbol CUTIX NIWICABLE

No. of Deals 8 1 9

Current Price 1.94 0.50

Quantity Traded 135,000 900 135,900

Value Traded 268,040.80 450.00 268,490.80

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 16.22

Quantity Traded 24,428 24,428

Value Traded 390,198.00 390,198.00

4,881,985

116,552,275.98

247

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ALEX

No. of Deals 2 2

NATURAL RESOURCES

Value Traded 6,073,265.33 50,000.00 1,341,594.37 619,136,471.62 3,095,327,817.90

No. of Deals 1 1 2

NATURAL RESOURCES Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © OIL AND GAS

Quantity Traded 598,481 100,000 1,408,036 24,840,323 221,826,849

Symbol ASOSAVINGS INFINITY

Symbol CWG TRIPPLEG

NATURAL RESOURCES Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Metals ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION IND. PLC. Activity Summary Metals Totals on Board EQTY

Current Price 10.10 0.50 0.96 25.00

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

IT Services COMPUTER WAREHOUSE GROUP PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals

INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals

10,664,449.17 1,003,882,430.77 17,357,481.05 11,899,391.96 98,217,599.98

5,292,769.03 Value Traded 50,150.00 50,150.00

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals

4Value Traded of 15

1,378,565 Quantity Traded 85,000 85,000

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

Value Traded 402,910.00 5,292,769.03

Current Price 0.59

Telecommunications Services MASS TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIONS NIGERIA PLC Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 Services Totals Telecommunications

No. of Deals 53 1 28 332 1,608

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Symbol AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AIICO CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONTINSURE CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. CORNERST INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTENEGINS LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LASACO MANSARD INSURANCE PLC MANSARD MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. MBENEFIT N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NEM Daily Summary as ofINSURANCE 04/06/2014 CO. PLC. NIGER NIGERINS Printed 04/06/2014 OASIS15:43:03.003 INSURANCE PLC OASISINS PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © UNIC INSURANCE PLC. UNIC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC WAPIC Daily Summary Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Quantity Traded 331,400 1,378,565

No. of Deals 4 4

Processing Systems Totals

Current Price 1.20

Symbol COURTVILLE

Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 E-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003

Value Traded 92,323.88 1 144,300.00 of 15 124,076,479.31 435,032,091.70 559,345,194.89

37,480,611

No. of Deals 13 74

HEALTHCARE Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 PRESCO PLC Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003 Crop Production Totals

Symbol NEIMETH

Page Quantity Traded 250 250

Current Price 10.50

250 Page

43,610,706.40 1,050,818.86 1,414,850.85

9Value Traded of 15 2,497.00 2,497.00

2,497.00 of 15

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

Symbol JAPAULOIL

No. of Deals 5 5

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 524,100 524,100

Value Traded 262,050.00 262,050.00

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

Symbol OANDO

No. of Deals 393 393

Current Price 20.34

Quantity Traded 7,939,422 7,939,422

Value Traded 164,420,022.03 164,420,022.03

Symbol CONOIL ETERNA FO MOBIL MRS TOTAL

No. of Deals 26 21 178 26 34 35 320

Current Price 48.41 3.51 257.01 126.00 46.35 170.00

Quantity Traded 104,411 1,194,031 510,050 87,609 95,356 796,509 2,787,966

Value Traded 5,123,457.92 4,180,860.75 128,889,733.79 10,984,006.77 4,330,123.66 135,478,416.28 288,986,599.17

Exploration and Production Symbol No. of Deals SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD SEPLAT 17 Daily Summary (Equities) Exploration and Production Totals 17

Current Price 676.95

Quantity Traded 10,326 10,326

Value Traded 6,961,202.89 6,961,202.89

11,261,814

460,629,874.09

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003

OIL AND GAS Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Published Automobile/Auto by The Nigerian Stock Part Exchange Retailers © Totals

735 Symbol RTBRISCOE

No. of Deals 25 25

Current Price 1.04

Quantity Traded 1,192,663 Page 1,192,663

Value Traded 1,260,877.52 11 of 1,260,877.52

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

Symbol REDSTAREX TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 5 2 7

Current Price 4.41 2.31

Quantity Traded 125,100 5,000 130,100

Value Traded 558,323.82 11,000.00 569,323.82

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Employment Solutions Totals

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 13,000 13,000

Value Traded 6,500.00 6,500.00

Symbol CAPHOTEL IKEJAHOTEL

No. of Deals 3 1 4

Current Price 4.55 0.90

Quantity Traded 1,500 1,200 2,700

Value Traded 6,495.00 1,056.00 7,551.00

Symbol DAARCOMM

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,950 3,950

Value Traded 1,975.00 1,975.00

Symbol No. of Deals Daily Summary (Equities)

Current Price 1.71 1.75 2.40

Quantity Traded 11,200 227,995 2,465

Value Traded 18,256.00 391,489.73 5,624.20

Hotels/Lodging CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003 Media/Entertainment

DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals Printing/Publishing ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LEARN AFRICA PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIG) PLC.

Activity Summary on Board EQTY SERVICES

Published byPrinting/Publishing The Nigerian Stock Exchange © UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC.

ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA STUDPRESS

1 6 6

Symbol UPL

No. of Deals 14 27

Current Price 4.08

Quantity Traded Page 84,607 326,267

Road Transportation ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Road Transportation Totals

Symbol ABCTRANS

No. of Deals 14 14

Current Price 0.81

Quantity Traded 466,400 466,400

Value Traded 379,527.00 379,527.00

Specialty INTERLINKED TECHNOLOGIES PLC SECURE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY PLC Specialty Totals

Symbol INTERLINK NSLTECH

No. of Deals 1 3 4

Current Price 4.90 0.50

Quantity Traded 100 70 170

Value Traded 466.00 35.00 501.00

Symbol AIRSERVICE NAHCO

No. of Deals 18 74 92

Current Price 2.45 4.96

Quantity Traded 707,550 3,962,932 4,670,482

Value Traded 1,724,730.64 19,099,598.06 20,824,328.70

Symbol CAVERTON

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 4.65

Quantity Traded 622,970 622,970

Value Traded 2,897,290.50 2,897,290.50

Printing/Publishing Totals

Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003 Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board ASeM EQTY Board Totals CONSUMER GOODS Food Products Published by MCNICHOLS The Nigerian Stock PLC Exchange © Food Products Totals

Symbol MCNICHOLS

OIL AND GAS Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CAPITAL OIL PLC Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals

196

7,428,702

26,709,889.67

430,161,430

6,515,045,758.85

Current Price 1.34

Quantity Traded Page 14,000 14,000

Value Traded 13 17,920.00 of 15 17,920.00

14,000

17,920.00

Quantity Traded 747,513 747,513

Value Traded 373,756.50 373,756.50

1 Symbol CAPOIL

762,015.13

5,567 No. of Deals 1 1

CONSUMER GOODS Totals

Traded 15 12Value of 346,645.20

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 0.50

OIL AND GAS Totals

747,513

373,756.50

ASeM Board Totals

761,513

391,676.50

5,569

430,922,943

6,515,437,435.35

Equity Activity Totals

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund

Daily Summary as of 04/06/2014 Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Printed 04/06/2014 15:43:03.003 VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Symbol NEWGOLD VETGRIF30

No. of Deals 1 4 5

Daily Summary (ETP)

Current Price 1,962.00 19.21

Quantity Traded 50 2,210 2,260

Page

Value Traded 98,100.00 42,149.10 140,249.10

ETF Board Totals

2,260

140,249.10

ETP Activity Totals

2,260

140,249.10

48 BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

4-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

Description 9.20 29-JUN-2014 9.25 28-SEP-2014 4.00 23-APR-2015 13.05 16-AUG-2016 15.10 27-APR-2017 9.85 27-JUL-2017 9.35 31-AUG-2017 10.70 30-MAY-2018 16.00 29-JUN-2019 7.00 23-OCT-2019 16.39 27-JAN-2022 14.20 14-MAR-2024 15.00 28-NOV-2028 12.49 22-MAY-2029 8.50 20-NOV-2029 10.00 23-JUL-2030

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Outstanding Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

TTM (Yrs)

Bid Yield (%)

Offer Yield (%)

Bid Price

Offer Price

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

9.20 9.25 4.00 13.05 15.10 9.85 9.35 10.70 16.00 7.00 16.39 14.20 15.00 12.49 8.50 10.00

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

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

0.07 0.32 0.88 2.20 2.90 3.15 3.24 3.99 5.07 5.39 7.65 9.78 14.49 14.97 15.46 16.13

10.28 10.70 11.29 11.86 11.93 11.89 11.90 11.96 12.13 12.12 12.57 12.67 12.85 12.87 12.90 12.98

8.16 10.22 10.65 11.78 11.87 11.77 11.78 11.86 12.06 12.03 12.52 12.62 12.81 12.83 12.84 12.93

99.90 99.50 94.01 102.20 107.55 94.75 93.28 96.08 114.30 80.15 118.35 108.40 113.97 97.47 70.83 80.00

100.05 99.65 94.51 102.35 107.70 95.05 93.58 96.38 114.60 80.45 118.65 108.70 114.27 97.77 71.13 80.30

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE Rating/Agency

4,334.84 Issuer

Agency Bonds AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

Description

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

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

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

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49

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

0.41 0.97 1.45 2.52 2.88 3.09

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

11.82 13.99 13.80 13.80 15.06 12.88

95.43 87.71 104.68 96.87 90.17 92.71

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

0.17 0.36 1.24 0.84 1.14 1.15 2.87 1.70 3.58 2.55 4.33 2.55 2.55 3.13 3.20 5.47 3.17 3.87 6.48 6.58 3.88 3.92

1.56 1.34 4.44 3.23 4.46 3.48 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 1.00 1.94 2.74 2.74 1.00 1.94 1.44 1.95

12.00 12.09 15.90 14.48 15.89 14.91 17.45 12.62 13.72 13.60 12.99 12.80 13.01 12.89 12.89 14.07 14.63 14.69 13.31 14.27 13.39 13.91

100.24 100.58 96.25 99.34 98.07 100.90 83.67 101.94 100.75 101.01 103.21 103.72 116.76 104.02 106.67 101.57 100.31 100.17 100.79 103.02 113.51 113.17

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

0.34 0.54 0.58 0.72 0.80 0.88 2.32 2.39 3.32 2.14 2.10 2.26 2.26 4.30 2.37 2.45 3.58 6.45

1.00 5.21 8.71 4.88 1.00 2.63 1.00 1.34 4.52 1.88 3.48 5.20 5.06 1.00 2.29 6.11 2.16 2.76

11.72 16.21 19.74 16.03 12.22 13.91 12.77 13.12 16.42 13.62 15.21 16.96 16.82 12.99 14.06 17.90 14.09 15.07

99.86 98.63 98.53 95.98 99.85 100.39 100.41 102.22 91.43 108.55 101.63 102.23 101.97 103.19 103.46 98.58 105.24 100.72

11-Feb-18

3.69

1.00

12.94

92.13

Maturity Date

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)

FGN Eurobonds

Prices & Yields

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

FGN

BB-/Fitch; BB-/S&P

6.75 JAN 28, 2021

07-Oct-11

6.75

500.00

28-Jan-21

4.83

4.68

110.81

111.71

5.13 JUL 12, 2018

18-Dec-09

5.13

500.00

12-Jul-18

4.24

4.03

103.28

104.09

6.38 JUL 12, 2023

01-Apr-10

6.38

500.00

12-Jul-23

5.28

5.16

107.86

108.75

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

4.05

3.26

111.72

113.09

GTBANK PLC I

7.50 MAY 19, 2016

19-May-11

7.50

500.00

19-May-16

5.24

4.44

104.13

105.63

GTBANK PLC

6.00 NOV 08, 2018

08-Nov-13

6.00

400.00

08-Nov-18

6.26

5.97

99.01

100.13

7.25 JUL 25, 2017

25-Jul-12

7.25

350.00

25-Jul-17

7.15

6.69

100.28

101.54

6.88 MAY 09, 2018

09-May-13

6.88

300.00

02-May-18

8.58

8.14

94.42

95.82

AFREN PLC

10.25 APR 08, 2019

08-Apr-12

10.25

300.00

08-Apr-19

5.19

4.55

113.37

114.61

ZENITH BANK PLC FIRST BANK PLC

6.25 APR 22, 2019

22-Apr-14

6.25

500.00

22-Apr-19

6.46

6.26

99.14

99.94

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

6.96

6.55

104.58

106.08

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.03

5.77

102.31

103.37

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 15 22 29 36 43 50

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

Bid Discount (%) 9.90 9.90 10.00 8.00 9.85 9.90

Offer Discount (%) 9.65 9.65 9.75 7.75 9.60 9.65

Bid Yield (%) 9.94 9.96 10.08 8.06 9.97 10.04

Money Market

NIBOR Tenor O/N 1M 3M 6M

Rate (%) 11.1333 12.6014 13.6103 14.4638

Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards)

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.92

Tenor

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

O/N

11.04

Spot 7D 14D 1M

162.60 162.72 162.98 163.56

162.70 163.00 163.36 164.28

Tenor

REPO

Rate (%)

***LCRM

0.00/16.50 LCRM II 20-APR-2017 0.00/16.50 LCRM III 06-JUL-2017

20-Apr-12 06-Jul-12

0.00/16.50 0.00/16.50

116.70 66.49

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

20-Apr-17 06-Jul-17

2.88 3.09

3.20 1.00

15.06 12.88

90.17 92.71

1,304.32

Sub-National Bonds A/Agusto A-/GCR A+/Agusto A/Agusto Nil A+/Agusto A+/Agusto;June A+/GCR Thursday, 5, 2014 A-/Agusto A/Agusto A+/Agusto; A+/GCR A-/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR† A-/Agusto A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A/Agusto; A-/GCR A/Agusto Aa-/Agusto; AA-/GCR A-/Agusto; BBB+/DataPro A/Agusto A-/GCR Sanctity of Truth

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

14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 10.00 LAGOS 19-APR-2017 13.75 BAYELSA 30-JUN-2017 14.00 EDO 31-DEC-2017 14.00 DELTA 30-SEP-2018 14.00 NIGER II 4-OCT-2018 14.50 EKITI 09-DEC-2018 14.00 NIGER III 12-DEC-2018 15.50 ONDO 14-FEB-2019 cement producing company, 15.50 GOMBE 02-OCT-2019 Lafarge Wapco and Ashaka Ce14.50Plc. LAGOS 22-NOV-2019 ment 14.75 OSUN 12-DEC-2019 At the close of business, the 14.75 OSUN II 30-SEP-2020 principal market indices, the 13.50 LAGOS IV 27-NOV-2020 NSE ASI and the market capitali15.00 KOGI 31-DEC-2020 sation, gained 0.55 per cent each. 14.50 EKITI II 31-DEC-2020 Consequently , the All-Share 15.00 NASARAWA 06-JAN-2021

05-Aug-09 14.00 15-Oct-09 14.00 31-Aug-10 12.50 30-Sep-10 13.00 30-Jun-11 14.00 30-Jun-09 15.50 19-Apr-10 10.00 30-Jun-10 13.75 30-Dec-10 14.00 30-Sep-11 14.00 04-Oct-11 14.00 09-Dec-11 14.50 12-Dec-13 14.00 14-Feb-12 activity in the shares15.50 of Access 15.50 Bank 02-Oct-12 Plc and GTB Bank Plc. 22-Nov-12 14.50 Also, insurance sub-sector 12-Dec-12 14.75 of the30-Sep-13 financial services sector, 14.75 boosted by activity in the shares 27-Nov-13 13.50 of Mutual Benefits Plc, followed 31-Dec-13 15.00 with a31-Dec-13 turnover of 79.04 14.50million shares06-Jan-14 valued at N48.915.00 billion in

Stock market key indicators return to green territory TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Stories by Chris Ugwu Corporate Bonds

A+/Agusto; AA/GCR LAFARGE WAPCO he Nigerian stock market Aa/Agusto recorded upwardGTB trends as µ Nil NGC the bulls staged a comeback Bbb-/Agusto after the market*UPDC closed on A-/Agusto *FLOURMILLS theBB+/GCR red zone the previous day. *CHELLARAMS The NSE ASI rose by 0.55 A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO per cent on the back of posiA-/Agusto FSDH tion taken by bargain A/GCR UBAhunters onBBB-/GCR the highly capitalised *C & I stocks. LEASING BBB+/DataPro†; BB+/GCRparameters, The key market *DANA# A-/DataPro†; BB-/GCR the NSE All Share Index *TOWER# and # AAA/DataPro†; A+/GCR market capitalisation had on *TOWER A/Agusto;, A/GCR UBA points Tuesday fell by 27 basis Bbb+/Agusto; BBB+/GCR *LA CASERA each as financial services stocks BBB-/DataPro†; BB+/GCR *CHELLARAMS# were worst hit. BBB/GCR *DANA The northwards movement A+/Agusto; A-/GCR NAHCO

was driven by the activities of TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

Index added 229.75 basis points to close at 41,627.43 as against 41,397.68 recorded on Tuesday, 11.50 LAFARGE WAPCO 7-OCT 2014 while the market capitalisation 13.50 GUARANTY TRUST 18-DEC-2014 of 17.00 equities appreciated by N76 NGC 31-DEC-2014 billion or 0.55 per cent as market 10.00 UPDC 17-AUG-2015 sentiments turned green. 12.00 FLOURMILLS 9-DEC-2015 Meanwhile, a turnover of 14.00 CHELLARAMS 06-JAN-2016 430.9 million shares worth N6.5 13.00 NAHCO 29-SEP-2016 billion in 5,569 deals was record14.25 FSDH 25-OCT-2016 ed 13.00 in the trading. UBAday’s 30-SEP-2017 18.00 C&I LEASING 30-NOV-2017 The banking sub-sector of DANA 9-APR-2018 theMPR+7.00 financial services sector MPR+7.00 TOWERactive 9-SEP-2018 was the most (measured TOWER 9-SEP-2018with 221.8 by MPR+5.25 turnover volume); 14.00 UBA II 22-SEP-2018 million shares worth N3.09 bil15.75 LA CASERA 18-OCT-2018 lion exchanged by investors in MPR+5.00 CHELLARAMS II 17-FEB-2019 1,608 deals. 16.00 DANA II 1-APR-2019 Volume in the banking sub15.25 NAHCO II 14-NOV-2020 sector was largely driven by

10.20 IFC 11-FEB-2018

IFC

anaging Director, Learn Longman UK took all their Africa Plc, Mr. Olusegun books and these books are key Oladipo, has identified to Learn Africa, as it constiDescription Rating/Agency Issuer the divestment of the comtutes 34 per cent to total turnpany’s majority shareholdover in open and bulk market. FGN Eurobonds ers and the insurgence in the 34 per cent of the sales were 6.75the JAN separation. 28, 2021 BB-/Fitch; B+/S&P northern region as key factors lost because of that impacted negatively in The insurgent in the North is BB-/Fitch; FGN 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 theBB-/S&P company’s bottom-line. another setback because 75 Addressing shareholders per cent of our are from BB-/Fitch; 6.38 sales JUL 12, 2023 at BB-/S&P the company’s pre-yearly the North, “he said. TOTAL OUTSTANDING general meeting, VALUE he noted Oladipo explained that the however, that the company’s company has restructured the Corporate Eurobonds restructuring and expansion entire business activities in 11.50 FEB 01, 2016 B-/S&P; B/Fitch AFREN PLC I exercise is already generating such a way that it would conMAY 19, to 2016shareGTBANK PLC I higher sistently add7.50 value B+/S&P;sales B+/Fitchand profit for the 6.00 NOV 08, 2018 company. holders’ investment and enGTBANK PLC 7.25 JUL 25, 2017 B+/S&P “Majority shareholders ACCESS BANK PLC hance its growth. 6.88is MAY 09, 2018at the B/S&P; B/Fitch divested its 51 per cent share“But there light FIDELITY BANK PLC 10.25 APRWe 08, 2019 B/Fitch holding in Longman Plc end of the tunnel. successAFREN PLC in 6.25 APR 22, 2019 B+/Fitch; BB-/S&P a mutually acceptable new titles as ZENITH task. BANK PLC fully introduced TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

B/S&P; B-/Fitch

FIRST BANK PLC

8.25 AUG 07, 2020

B+/S&P; B+/Fitch

AFREN PLC

6.63 DEC 09, 2020

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE

310 deals. The number of gainers at the close of trading session on 07-Oct-11 Monday was 28, while11.50 decliners closed18-Dec-09 higher at 27. 13.50 01-Apr-10 17.00 Lafarge Wapco Plc led on 17-Aug-10 10.00 the gainers’ table with a gain 09-Dec-10 12.00 of N11.52 to close at N124. 02 per 06-Jan-11 14.00 share,29-Sep-11 while Ashaka Cement 13.00 followed with N2.65 to 25-Oct-13 14.25close at N28.64 per share. MRS 30-Sep-10 13.00 added N2.19 30-Nov-12 to close at N46.3518.00 per share. On09-Apr-11 the other hand,16.00 Total Plc 09-Sep-11 18.00 table, led on the price losers’ 09-Sep-11 16.00 dropping at N3.00 to close at 22-Sep-11 14.00 UACN N170.00 per share while 18-Oct-13 with a loss 15.75 Plc followed of N1.83 17-Feb-12 17.00 to close at N60.00 per share. 01-Apr-14 Oando gained N1.64 16.00 to close at 14-Nov-13 15.25 N20.34 per share.

Consolidation to raise Lafarge’s market share to 29% –Analysts

into Lafarge 572.90

Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, would increase the company’s market share 11.80 07-Oct-14 0.34 to about 29 per cent of Nige13.17 18-Dec-14 ria’s domestic production,0.54an2.00 31-Dec-14 0.58 alysts at the17-Aug-15 FBN Capital0.72 has 15.00 predicted. 37.50 09-Dec-15 0.80 Lafarge is06-Jan-16 the second largest 1.50 0.88 cement company in the world, 15.00 29-Sep-16 2.32 while Dangote is rated 18th. 5.53 25-Oct-16 2.39 The analysts said the3.32 lat20.00 30-Sep-17 est 0.94 announcement 30-Nov-17 by Lafarge 2.14 8.01 aimed at 09-Apr-18 2.10its was responding to 3.63 09-Sep-18 2.26 more aggressive rival, Dangote 1.00 2.26 Cement, and09-Sep-18 to consolidate it’s 35.00 22-Sep-18 4.30 positioning as a leading cement 3.00 18-Oct-18 2.37 firm. 0.54 “With the17-Feb-19 combination,2.45 the 4.50 01-Apr-19 3.58 Lafarge businesses in Nigeria 2.05 14-Nov-20 6.45 will have a combined market 180.17 share of almost 28.7 per cent of the domestic production. As for Lafarge Africa, the combined 11-Feb-13 10.20 12.00 11-Feb-18 3.69 replacement of Pearson titles sales and EBITDA figures for 12.00 and we have carried out thor- the proposed entity represent ough revision of our titles to 58 per cent and 28 per cent of (%) Issue Value ($'mm) Maturity Date Bid Yield (%) alignIssue it toDate the new Coupon curriculum Dangote Cement’s correspondto enhance market acceptance. ing figures respectively, reinOur inventory has also im- forcing the fact that the latter is 07-Oct-11 6.75orders, 500.00 28-Jan-21 4.83 proved to service bulk significantly more profitable,” ” he said. the analysts noted. 12-Jul-18 4.24 He18-Dec-09 added that the 5.13 company 500.00 They noted that recently the has completely restructured management of Lafarge WAP01-Apr-10 6.38 500.00 12-Jul-23 5.28 the contents and aesthetics CO disclosed plans to develop of the books in order to make 1,500.00 two new plants – one brown them the preferred choice in field plant in Shagamu, souththe industry. west Nigeria, and one in an un450.00 01-Feb-16 in Nigeria, 4.05 He01-Feb-11 noted that the11.50 company disclosed location 19-May-11 500.00 with estimated 19-May-16 5.24 has also increased 7.50 its sales each capacities 6.00 before 400.00 08-Nov-18 6.26 team08-Nov-13 from 61 to 137 of around 2.5 million metric 25-Jul-12 7.25adding 350.00 25-Jul-17 7.15 Pearson divestment, tonnes. 09-May-13 that the marketing 6.88 team has 300.00 “Prior to 02-May-18 that, Lafarge8.58SA 10.25 300.00 Holcim08-Apr-19 5.19 been 08-Apr-12 restructured to achieve and unveiled plans 22-Apr-14 500.00 6.46 optimal performance.6.25 to merge to 22-Apr-19 create the world’s

Supranational Bond insurgency weaken Learn Africa’s bottom-line Divestment, AAA/S&P

1.56 12.00 100.24 1.34 12.09 100.58 4.44 15.90 96.25 3.23 14.48 99.34 4.46 15.89 98.07 3.48 14.91 100.90 5.59 17.45 83.67 1.00 12.62 101.94 1.79 13.72 100.75 1.80 13.60 101.01 1.00 12.99 103.21 1.00 12.80 103.72 1.21 13.01 116.76 1.00 12.89 104.02 1.00 12.89 106.67 1.94 14.07 101.57 2.74 14.63 100.31 largest cement manufacturer 2.74 14.69 100.17 in 1.00 a US$40billion merger 13.31 100.79deal subject to regulatory approval. 1.94 14.27 103.02 Given the different geograph1.44 13.39 113.51 ic locations of13.91 the different 1.95 113.17enti-

BUSINESS | FINANCIAL MARKET NEWS

Nigerian stocks gain N76bn RICOCHET

17.00 05-Aug-14 0.17 6.00 15-Oct-14 0.36 8.50 31-Aug-15 1.24 16.50 30-Sep-15 0.84 13.00 30-Jun-16 1.14 18.50 30-Jun-16 1.15 57.00 19-Apr-17 2.87 50.00 30-Jun-17 1.70 25.00 31-Dec-17 3.58 50.00 30-Sep-18 2.55 9.00 04-Oct-18 4.33 20.00 09-Dec-18 2.55 12.00 12-Dec-18 2.55 27.00 14-Feb-19 3.13 20.00 02-Oct-19 3.20 80.00 22-Nov-19 5.47 30.00 12-Dec-19 3.17 he recent announcement 11.40 30-Sep-20 3.87 of6.48La87.00by the management 27-Nov-20 it intends to 6.58 con5.00farge that 31-Dec-20 solidate its business interests 5.00 31-Dec-20 3.88 in South Africa 5.00Nigeria and 06-Jan-21 3.92

07-Aug-13

8.25

300.00

07-Aug-20

6.96

09-Dec-13

6.63

360.00

09-Dec-20

6.03

FMDQ Daily Quotations List

ties, we would expect synergies to be modest, although bigger scale in terms of production ca1.00 11.72 99.86 pacity; market share and reach 98.63 are5.21 positives. 16.21 We would expect a 8.71 19.74 98.53 neutral reaction from the mar4.88 16.03 95.98 ket1.00 given the12.22 uncertainty sur99.85 rounding the13.91 potential100.39 impact 2.63 of 1.00 the deal on the bottom 12.77 100.41line of 1.34 Lafarge WAPCO,” they said. 13.12 102.22 According16.42 to Lafarge, 4.52 91.43 the new to be renamed 1.88entity is 13.62 108.55 La3.48 Africa Plc, 15.21 and will 101.63 farge have 5.20 16.96 102.23 a combined production capacity5.06 of around16.82 12 million101.97 metric 1.00 (mmt), 12.99 103.19 tonnes consisting of La2.29 WAPCO14.06 farge (4.5mmt), 103.46 Lafarge 6.11 98.58 South Africa17.90 Holdings (4mmt), 2.16 14.09 105.24 United Cement Company of Ni2.76 15.07 100.72 geria (2.5mmt), Ashaka Cement (1mmt) and Atlas Cement Company - an import operation with bagging capacity 1.00 12.94 of 0.5mmt. 92.13 This compares with Dangote Cement’s 20mmt in Nigeria and around 23.3mmt if we include Offer Yield (%) Bid Price Offer Price its South Africa (Delmas) and Senegal operations. Prices & Yields Also, according to Lafarge, the4.68Nigeria 110.81 and South111.71 Africa businesses had combined sales 103.28 and EBITDA 104.09 of 4.03 US$1.25billion of 5.16 US$345million in 2013. 107.86 108.75 Analysts believe the Lafarge Africa, the combined entity, will become the sixth largest company on the NSE by market 3.26 111.72 113.09 capitalisation. 4.44 104.13 The transaction will105.63 be con5.97 through 99.01a cash consider100.13 cluded 6.69 of US$200million 100.28 101.54 ation and the 8.14 94.42 95.82 issuance of 1.4billion Lafarge 4.55 113.37 114.61 Africa shares to the Lafarge 6.26 99.14 99.94 Group. 6.55

104.58

106.08

5.77

102.31

103.37

3,460.00

4-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 **Treasury Bills FIXINGS Money Market Foreign Exchange (Spot & Forwards) to the FMDQ OTC PLC Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement.

DTM Maturity Bid Discount (%) Offer Discount (%) 15 19-Jun-14 9.90 9.65 22 26-Jun-14 9.90 9.65 FGN Bonds 29 3-Jul-14 10.00 9.75 36 10-Jul-14 8.00 7.75 43 17-Jul-14 9.85 9.60 Issuer Description Rating/Agency Issue Date 50 24-Jul-14 9.90 9.65 57 31-Jul-14 10.00 9.75 9.20 29-JUN-2014 29-Jun-07 64 7-Aug-14 9.90 9.65 9.25 28-SEP-2014 28-Sep-07 71 14-Aug-14 10.30 10.05 4.00 23-APR-2015 23-Apr-10 78 21-Aug-14 10.20 9.95 13.05 16-AUG-2016 16-Aug-13 85 28-Aug-14 10.35 10.10 15.10 27-APR-2017 27-Apr-12 92 4-Sep-14 10.20 9.95 9.85 27-JUL-2017 27-Jul-07 99 11-Sep-14 10.70 10.45 9.35 31-AUG-2017 31-Aug-07 106 18-Sep-14 10.75 10.50 10.70 30-MAY-2018 30-May-08 NA NA 113 25-Sep-14 10.80 10.55 16.00 29-JUN-2019 29-Jun-12 127 9-Oct-14 10.50 10.25 7.00 23-OCT-2019 23-Oct-09 169 20-Nov-14 10.35 10.10 16.39 27-JAN-2022 27-Jan-12 183 4-Dec-14 10.40 10.15 14.20 14-MAR-2024 14-Mar-14 218 8-Jan-15 10.55 10.30 15.00 28-NOV-2028 28-Nov-08 232 22-Jan-15 10.70 10.45 12.49 22-MAY-2029 22-May-09 246 5-Feb-15 10.80 10.55 8.50 20-NOV-2029 20-Nov-09 260 19-Feb-15 10.75 10.50 10.00 23-JUL-2030 23-Jul-10 274 5-Mar-15 10.50 10.25 309 9-Apr-15 10.40 10.15 TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 323 23-Apr-15 10.50 10.25 337 7-May-15 10.50 10.25 *from the Amortising Description Rating/Agency Issuer #bonds, the average life is Risk Premium is a combination of credit risk and liquidity risk premiums

Bid Yield (%) NIBOR 9.94 Bonds 9.96 Tenor Rate (%) 10.08 O/N 11.1333 8.06 1M 12.6014 Outstanding Value 9.97 3M 13.6103 Coupon (%) Maturity Date (N'bn) 10.04 6M 14.4638 10.16 9.20 45.00 29-Jun-14 10.07 9.25 100.00 28-Sep-14 10.51 4.00 535.00 NITTY 23-Apr-15 10.43 13.05 470.27 16-Aug-16 10.61 Tenor Rate (%) 15.10 452.80 27-Apr-17 10.47 1M 9.7920 9.85 20.00 27-Jul-17 11.02 2M 10.1400 9.35 100.00 31-Aug-17 11.10 3M 10.4931 10.70 300.00 30-May-18 11.17 6M 10.9544 16.00 351.30 29-Jun-19 10.90 9M 11.5156 7.00 233.90 23-Oct-19 10.87 12M 11.7822 16.39 600.00 27-Jan-22 10.97 14.20 110.00 14-Mar-24 11.26 15.00 75.00 28-Nov-28 11.48 NIFEX 22-May-29 12.49 150.00 11.65 8.50 200.00 20-Nov-29 11.64 Current Price ($/N) 10.00 23-Jul-30 11.40 BID($/N)591.57 162.5150 11.40 OFFER ($/N) 162.6150 4,334.84 11.58 11.63

Issue Date

Coupon (%)

Issue Value (N'bn)

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

0.00 0.00 17.25 0.00/16.00 0.00/16.50 FMDQ0.00/16.50 FGN BOND

Tenor

Rate (%)

OBB

10.92

O/N

11.04

TTM (Yrs)REPO Bid Yield (%) Tenor Call 0.07 1M 0.32 3M 0.88 6M 2.20

AMCON FMBN

***LCRM

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

TOTAL OUTSTANDING VALUE 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

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

Porfolio Market Total Outstanding Value(Bn) Volume(Bn) 14.00 KWARA 5-AUG-2014 14.00 NIGER 15-OCT-2014 12.50 KADUNA 31-AUG-2015 967.60 923.07 13.00 EBONYI 30-SEP-2015 1,111.64 951.30 14.00 BENUE 30-JUN-2016 592.49 701.57 15.50 IMO 30-JUN-2016 2,671.73 2,575.94 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

Weighting by Outstanding 05-Aug-09Vol 15-Oct-09 31-Aug-10 35.83 30-Sep-10 36.93 30-Jun-11 27.24 30-Jun-09 100.00 19-Apr-10 30-Jun-10 30-Dec-10 30-Sep-11 04-Oct-11 09-Dec-11 12-Dec-13 14-Feb-12 02-Oct-12 22-Nov-12 12-Dec-12 30-Sep-13

Weighting by Mkt Value 14.00 14.00 12.50 36.22 13.00 41.61 14.00 15.50 22.18 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

978.35 24.56 6.00 112.22 116.70 66.49 INDEX

Spot 7D

Offer Yield 14D (%) 1M

Rate (%) 10.75 2M 10.28 8.16 12.39 3M 10.70 10.22 13.17 6M 11.29 10.65 13.85 1Y 11.86 11.78 2.90 11.93 11.87 11.89 11.77 NOTE: 3.15 3.24 11.90 11.78 :Benchmarks 3.99 11.96 11.86 * :Amortising Bond 5.07 12.13 12.06 µ :Convertible Bond 5.39 12.12 12.03 AMCON: Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria 7.65 12.57 12.52 FGN: Federal Government of Nigeria 9.78 12.67 FMBN: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria 12.62 14.49 12.85 12.81 IFC: International Finance Corporation 14.97 Contractors Receivables 12.87 12.83 LCRM: Local Management 12.90 12.84 NAHCO:15.46 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company 16.13 12.98 12.93 O/N: Overnight UPDC: UAC Property Development Company WAPCO:West Africa Portland Cement Company #

Bid ($/N)

Offer ($/N)

Price 162.70

162.60 162.72 163.00 162.98 163.36 Offer Price Bid Price 163.56 164.28 164.73 166.07 99.90 100.05 166.02 168.01 99.50 99.65 169.66 173.88 94.01 94.51 176.67 186.78 102.20 102.35 107.55 107.70 94.75 95.05 93.28 93.58 NA :Not Applicable 96.08 96.38 # :Floating Rate Bond 114.30 114.60 ***: Deferred coupon bonds 80.15 80.45 118.35 118.65 †: Bond rating expired 108.40 108.70 113.97 114.27 97.47 97.77 70.83 71.13 NGC: Nigeria-German Company 80.00 Bank for Africa 80.30 UBA: United

Maturity Date

Avg. Life/TTM (Yrs)

Risk Premium (%)

Valuation Yield (%)

Indicative Price

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

0.41 0.97 1.45 2.52 2.88 3.09

1.00 2.63 2.27 2.00 3.20 1.00

11.82 13.99 13.80 13.80 15.06 12.88

95.43 87.71 104.68 96.87 90.17 92.71

Implied Yield 0.17 0.36 1.24 11.90 0.84 12.44 1.14 12.93 1.15 12.56 2.87 1.70 3.58 2.55 4.33 2.55 2.55 3.13 3.20 5.47 3.17 3.87

Implied Portfolio 1.56Price 1.34 4.44 114.7111 3.23 128.3717 4.46 92.3604 3.48 113.6687 5.59 1.00 1.79 1.80 1.00 1.00 1.21 1.00 1.00 1.94 2.74 2.74

**Exclusive of non-trading t.bills

Agency Bonds

Tenor

1,304.32

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

% Exposure_ Mod_Duration 05-Aug-14 15-Oct-14 31-Aug-15 18.60 30-Sep-15 37.30 30-Jun-16 44.10 30-Jun-16 100.00 19-Apr-17 30-Jun-17 31-Dec-17 30-Sep-18 04-Oct-18 09-Dec-18 12-Dec-18 14-Feb-19 02-Oct-19 22-Nov-19 12-Dec-19 30-Sep-20

INDEX 12.00 12.09 15.90 1,089.52 14.48 1,087.00 15.89 1,077.46 14.91 1,079.73 17.45 12.62 13.72 13.60 12.99 12.80 13.01 12.89 12.89 14.07 14.63 14.69

YTD Return (%) 100.24 100.58 96.25 8.9521 99.34 8.7003 98.07 7.7458 100.90 7.9731 83.67 101.94 100.75 101.01 103.21 103.72 116.76 104.02 106.67 101.57 100.31 100.17

50 WORLD | NEWS

NEWS

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Mourning, tight security at Confab: Nwosu asks FG to Tiananmen 25th anniversary down size workforce

in Min held the ashes of her son and wept, she said, as she marked 25 years since he was killed in the crackdown by Chinese tanks and troops on protests at Tiananmen Square. Outside, guards kept a close eye on her home while police blanketed central Beijing to block any public commemoration of one of the darkest chapters in recent Chinese history. “How has the world become like this? I don’t even have one bit of power. Why must we be controlled so strictly this year?” Yin said in a telephone interview. “I looked at his ashes, I looked at his old things, and I cried bitterly.” China allows no public discussion of the events of June 3-4, 1989, when soldiers backed by tanks and armored personnel

carriers fought their way into the heart of Beijing, killing hundreds, possibly thousands, of unarmed protesters and onlookers. Yesterday, scores of police and paramilitary troops patrolled the vast plaza and surrounding streets in Beijing’s heart, stopping vehicles and demanding identification from passers-by. Chinese censors scrubbed domestic blogs and social media websites of comments marking the crackdown. Some relatives of the crackdown’s victims were allowed to pay their respects at cemeteries but only with police escorts. Others did so at home under surveillance, expressing frustration at the restrictions placed on their remembrances. “I told my son this morning, ‘Your mother is pow-

erless and helpless, after more than 20 years I don’t even have the chance to appeal for support,’” said Yin, whose 19-year-old son, Ye Weihang, was killed in the crackdown. Police have kept a round-the-clock surveillance of her home since April, she said, and the relatives’ hopes of gathering and holding a public commemoration were dashed. The Chinese government has largely ignored the relatives’ demands for an admission of wrongdoing and for a complete, formal accounting of the crackdown and the number of casualties. Beijing’s verdict is that the student-led protests aimed to topple the ruling Communist Party and plunge China into chaos. Protest leaders said they were seeking broader democracy and freedom, along with an end to corruption and favoritism within the party.

Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

ormer Minister of Health, Prof. Alphonsus Nwosu, yesterday urged the Federal Government to consider reducing the size of its workforce in order to reduce its recurrent expenditure and raise the capital component of its annual budgets for the overall benefit of the economy. Nwosu, who made the proposal during the debate on cutting the cost of governance, drew a nexus between a bloated civil service, huge overheads and personnel cost and the lack of funds to execute capital projects. He recommended that a firm of chartered management accountants should be employed to look into the number and quality of the work-

Jonathan

force in the public service with a view to getting the appropriate size. The former minister argued that besides the proposed downsizing, there would also be the need to revisit the Steve Oronsaye report on ‘Rationalisation of the Public Service’ to determine the possibility of merging Ministries De-

partments and Agencies (MDAs) that have overlapping functions. “We have said here that we do not want recurrent expenditure to exceed 40 per cent. It therefore means we cannot carry the size and emoluments of the public service as it is today. “Therefore, I recommend a right sizing, correct sizing of our public service. We cannot have over 500 parastatals. I know one of them, NERFUND, that is a relic of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) era. “NERFUND was simply created to give SAP a human face but it is still there. They are still buying jeeps; they still have an office in Abuja. Such streamlining needs to be done if really we want to cut the cost of governance,” Nwosu said.

Chibok: ‘Okupe’s remarks meant to manipulate committee’s report’ Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

“Pillar of Shame” statue, commemorating 1989 military crackdown on a pro-democracy student movement, in the University of Hong Kong yesterday in Beijing. PHOTO: AP/Kin Cheung

Libya’s rogue general survives suicide bombing

Libyan general who has been leading an offensive against Islamists dominating the country’s political scene survived a suicide attack on his residence in the eastern city of Benghazi yesterday, military officials said. The bomber drove up to the residence of Gen. Khalifa Hifter in Benghazi and detonated his explosives-laden vehicle when guards stopped him at the compound’s gate, the officials said. The site is less than a mile away from Benghazi’s military command in the suburb of al-Abyar. Hifter was unhurt in the explosion, said the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not

authorized to speak to the media. He would likely hold a news conference later yesterday, they said. According to the officials, four people died in the attack, along with the bomber, and at least three were wounded. The Libyan air force’s chief of staff, Saqr al-Garoushi, was lightly wounded in the explosion and taken to the Benghazi hospital, the officials said. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, which bore all the hallmarks of Islamic militants whom Hifter has vowed to crush since launching his offensive last month. A former army chief under the late dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Hifter

and army units loyal to him have been battling Islamist militias, mainly in eastern Libya. He has rallied support from the country’s weakened military, anti-Islamist politicians, tribes and diplomats, vowing to crush the Islamist militias he blames for Libya’s instability. Since last weekend, helicopters flown by pilots loyal to Hifter have bombed Islamist militia camps in Benghazi, the birthplace of the uprising that led to the toppling and killing of Gadhafi in Libya’s 2011 civil war. The fighting has paralyzed the city, with schools postponing end-of-term exams and hospitals calling for blood donations.

orno State governor, Kashim Shettima, has said that the “newest conspiracy theory” propounded by Dr. Doyin Okupe, which came just when the Presidential Factfinding Committee on Abducted Schoolgirls in Chibok, was rounding up its assignment, was a clever design aimed at manipulating the committee’s report. This attempt at manipulating facts by the Presidency, Governor Shettima said, became imperative as there are feelers that facts on ground do not favour the Presidency’s desperate plot to pronounce a major victim, guilty as speculated.

He spoke in reaction to comments by the Presidency, which spoke through Dr. Okupe at a BBC discussion programme, ‘Hard-talk,’ aired on Tuesday. Okupe had alleged that only God, Governor Shettima, Borno’s Commissioner for Education and the school principal of the affected girls know the truth of what happened in Chibok. He said all of them gave different accounts of what happened on April 14,2014 when over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram. Meanwhile the Minister of Police Affairs, Abdul Jelili Adesiyan, yesterday accused the opposition of being ‘uncharitable’ in its criticism of the Federal

Government’s efforts at addressing the security challenges in the country. Adesiyan’s position was contained in a statement signed yesterday, by the Ministry’s Assistant Director of Press Public Relations, James Odaudu. According to the statement, the minister said it was “unfair for the opposition to dwell under the dynamism of the nation’s political system and the atmosphere of freedom of speech guaranteed by the Jonathan administration, to run down the government even when the truth of its efforts in fighting terrorism, is not only cogent and verifiable, but very well known to them.”

2015: Amaechi condemns NBC directive, urges Nigerians to resist tyranny Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

ivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday urged Nigerians to resist all forms of tyranny and dictatorship as the country prepares for the 2015 general elections. He also condemned the directive by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), saying that broadcast media organisations must obtain approval from the commission 48 hours

before the transmission of live programmes. He spoke as guest speaker at the third annual lecture series of the Ogun State Correspondents’ Chapel held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abeokuta. The governor, represented by his Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, delivered his lecture on the theme; “Nigeria: The Leadership Question.” Amaechi contended that the NBC directive amounted to a violation

of fundamental human rights of Nigerians. He also faulted the decision of the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, banning protests over the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State. Querying the present form of federalism, the governor said the situation whereby the Federal Government determines the allocation accruing to states must be reviewed.

SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH

newtelegraphonline.com/sports

ADEKUNLE SALAMI, DepUTY Editor, SPORTS

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

AUTHORITATIVE VOICE IN GLOBAL SPORT

thursday, june 5, 2014

Omeruo eyes good World Cup for Chelsea place

}p.53

Yobo, Ameobi upbeat despite draw

Emmanuel Tobi

uper Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, has maintained that the team will improve when they battle USA in another friendly on Saturday, after their goalless draw with Greece on Wednesday. He added that Super Eagles

were continuously improving with every build-up game for the World Cup in Brazil which kicks-off next week. “It’s going to be an exciting game and hopefully we can raise our game and give one of our best performances. “I know a couple of players in the US team,” Yobo said. “They’re a very good team. It’s

going to be a very good test for us. Similarly, Shola Ameobi, who started the game against Scotland, but was left out in the game against Greece, stressed that the Eagles were getting close to the team’s plans for the World Cup. “Obviously it’s a process and we are trying to get to the peak going into the World Cup. We are

all very excited, and I feel today we played pretty well; we kept the ball well and threatened now and again. “So I will say in terms of preparation, everything is going well. Thankfully we haven’t picked up injuries, but apart from that we’re happy,” he said in reference to Echiejile’s suspected hamstring injury.

Eagles must improve - Keshi lSays USA’ll fall

Ifeanyi Ibeh

uper Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has stated that his side will have to churn out a much better performance when they confront the USA than they did against Greece, if they were to make an impact at the World Cup in Brazil. The reigning African champions played out a goalless draw against the former European champions in Philadelphia, but the outcome could had been different had the Nigerians been more clinical in front of goal. “We will always have very difficult games, but the motivation will be to do a lot better than we managed in our last couple of games,” Keshi was quoted as saying by the BBC. “The truth is we didn’t play our game. The importance of a friendly game is to know your weakness and which areas need improvement. “What I found out is that we were not able to keep our ball possession like we did for the last 12 to 15 minutes. The whole idea was to control the game.” The Super Eagles had more possession than the Greeks but, having now played out two successive draws, following an earlier 2-2 draw against Scotland, Keshi is now hoping his players not only get to

dominate games, but are more clinical in front of goal. “All I need is the mentality and discipline to dominate games and take chances,” he added, according to a report on ESPN. “In friendlies you can correct your mistakes, but in a tournament it can cost you dearly. So we’ll see how it goes in the next game because that is another chance to improve on this performance.” Nigeria next takes on the United States of America on Saturday, in Jacksonville, in what will be the Super Eagles’ final tune-up game before heading out to Brazil for the World Cup, and Keshi expects a good game against Jurgen Klinsmann’s World Cup-bound side. “I expect a good game from the United States,” Keshi said. “Klinsmann is going to have the German mentality that they are going to go all the way. They are a very good team. I saw them play against the Turkish team, and they are good players in a good team. “I just want to see my players with better cohesion than what I saw (against Greece),” Keshi continued. “I know it has to go with playing these friendly games and correcting the mistakes I see, but we are going to come alive. I saw it in the final 12 to 15 minutes (against Greece).”

Moses tackling Greece player

Wrestlers jostle for Commonwealth slots In Warri Chimaobi Uchendu

restlers from the 36 states of the federation and various clubs are currently slugging it out at the E.K Clark National Wrestling Championship for slots in the male and female categories for the upcoming Commonwealth Games scheduled for Scotland. According to the spokesman of the federation, Ben

Memuletiwon, all the weight and style categories would be competed for to determine the best athletes that will represent Nigeria. “We are currently in Warri, Delta State for the 2nd edition of E.K Clark championship, which will also serve as qualifiers for all weight, and style categories for the Commonwealth Games. “All the states are represented in this trial, while

some wrestling clubs have been given opportunity to showcase their skills”, he said. The competition which is holding at the Brownhill Event Center Ogunu, Warri is expected to end on Friday. The Technical Director of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Sir Ohaike Damian, said that each of the events has 10 weight categories in three events namely:

the Female Wrestling, Greco-Roman Wrestling and Freestyle Wrestling competitions “We’re overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and the turnout of wrestlers across the country. This is an initiative of our President, Victor Igali, at making wrestling a sport that will bring medals to Nigeria at international meets and this will not be an exception,” he said

Victor Kodei in action

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Countdown to Fifa World Cup 7

Ronaldo injury haunts Portugal

ristiano Ronaldo is suffering from tendinosis in the region around his left kneecap, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said in a statement on Wednesday. The FPF said that Real Madrid forward Ronaldo had undergone “specially adapted, individual” training on Monday but did not give any further details. The World Player of the Year missed last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Greece with what the FPF

described as a left thigh injury. Portugal are training near New York and face Mexico in a friendly in Boston on Friday. Ronaldo struggled with minor injuries during the closing weeks of Real’s season before playing 120 minutes in last month’s Champions League final against Atletico Madrid and scoring the final goal in their 4-1 win with a penalty. Portugal’s opening World Cup match is against Germany in Salvador on June 16.

Days To Go

Gerrard warns against penalty fixation

ngland captain Steven Gerrard said on Wednesday that he was not worried about the prospect of a penalty shoot-out at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ despite his country’s terrible record at spot-kicks. England have been eliminated on penalties at the World Cup in 1990, 1998 and 2006 and also fell in shootouts at the UEFA European Championship in 1996, 2004 and 2012. Gerrard scored as England went out to Italy at EURO 2012, but saw a penalty saved in 2006 when his side was beaten by Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals in Germany. Penalty shootouts have become something of a national obsession in England, but Gerrard says that he and his team-mates cannot afford to become distracted by them. “It’s difficult to describe what it Ronaldo is like,” Gerrard told BBC Radio 5 Live from Miami, where he is taking part in a pre-tournament training camp. “Unfortunately for me, I failed in that situation when I took a penalty the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. in a World Cup environment and it Sabella named a strong 23-man was a difficult atmosphere to be in. squad including the fearsome strikeforce of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria. Sabella said he was tantalised by the players at his disposal in the front half of the park. “There are some great players in this team, most of all the forwards,” Sabella said on Tuesday. “Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria … with them you are enthusiastic, I can’t deny that even I am. “Every fan is excited by the prospect of watching these players when they are in form,” he added.

Messi ready for Nigeria, Others -Sabellla las Argentina attackers excite coach Emmanuel Tobi

Sabellla

rgentina coach, Alejandro Sabella, has declared that three-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi, was ready to wreck any defence when they battle Nigeria, Iran and Bosnia at the World Cup in Brazil. Messi’s season at Barcelona was uncharacteristically bothered by injury, but Sabella said the 26-year old striker was raring to go. “I can see that Lionel Messi is in good shape, happy and willing to work with all of us in order to have the best World Cup,” he said. He added that he was excited by the potential of his attacking players at

Spain players struggle for fitness S pain’s players said Tuesday they’ll be fit for the defence of their World Cup crown in Brazil, despite the rigours of a long club season. Right back Juanfran is just one of the players on Vicente del Bosque’s squad who have been nursing injuries, but he vowed he would be “100 percent” healthy and ready for Brazil. “I don’t have any problem, and I

am 100 percent with the team,” the Atletico Madrid defender told a press conference in Washington, where Spain will train prior to Saturday’s friendly against El Salvador. Juanfran suffered a sprained right ankle in the Champions League final that Atletico Madrid lost to Real Madrid on May 24. The 29-year-old said he was limping in the wake of the painful injury,

Materazzi: Italy can reach the semis

arco Materazzi has backed Italy ahead of the World Cup, and believes the Azzurri are amongst the four best sides that will compete in Brazil. “Italy are the vicechampions of Europe [having finished runners-up to Spain at Euro 2012], and for me that tournament is a World Cup without Brazil and Argentina,” Materazzi, told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Then there are so many variables and always some surprises... but Italy are very strong, trust me,” he added. The 40-year-old, a member of the Italy side

Materazzi

who won the 2006 World Cup, went on to say that his countrymen would have the best midfield at the tournament and that a focused Mario Balotelli could be the key to success.

but insisted he was now fully recovered and had told Del Bosque: “When you need me, I’ll be there and I’ll do my best.” “I’ve had difficult moments in my career and I’ve overcome them -- this is one more,” he said. Spain’s squad includes seven players who competed in the Champions League final -- the extra duty adding to physical wear and tear.

Bosnia coach targets knockout stages

osnia-Herzegovina head coach Safet Susic hopes to spring a surprise at the FIFA World Cup and reach the knockout stages in Brazil. A 1-0 win over Mexico on Tuesday ensures Bosnia go into their opening game of the tournament against Argentina a week on Sunday, off the back of successive friendly victories. Mexico coach Miguel Herrera accused Bosnia of being “dirty” during their friendly in Chicago, but Susic brushed those comments aside and is now focused on progressing out of Group F, which also contains Iran and Nigeria. “We have qualified for the World Cup for the first time, and definitely we want to show the world that we aren’t there by

accident,” said Susic. “We have very good players and as most of the teams that participate in the World Cup do, we have ambitions of getting past the first round, after that we’ll see.” After missing the previous friendly with Ivory Coast, midfielder Senad Lulic played just over an hour against Mexico, with Susic confident that the Lazio star will be ready on June 15. “I think that Senad Lulic is ready,” he added. “However, Lulic is not 100 per cent ready for a full 90 minutes, but there’s 11 days until the first game. “I believe that all of the players who are not ready now, will be ready.”

Gerrard

Iran land in Brazil for the FIFA World Cup Chimaobi Uchendu

igeria’s first opponent at the 2014 World Cup, Iran, arrived in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup on Tuesday. Iran arrived in Brazil shortly before the Croatians, landing at the Sao Paulo International Airport at 4:10pm (local time). The Iranians, who start the campaign in the FIFA World Cup against Nigeria on 16 June in Curitiba, also face Argentina (21 June) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (25 June), and will prepare for the group stage matches at the Corinthians Training Centre in Sao Paulo. Upon arrival in Sao Paulo, coach Carlos Queiroz said that Iran will do everything possible to have a successful campaign in the FIFA World Cup. “As we came from the other side of the world we arrived earlier to start our preparation. We have earned the right to play against the best and now it’s time to do it. We have 90 minutes in each game and we will use them the best possible way”, Queiroz said. Brazil’s rival in the opening match on 12 June at the Arena de Sao Paulo, the Croatian national team arrived at the Salvador International Airport at 4:15pm (local time). From there, the delegation went straight to the Team Base Camp in Praia do Forte, Mata de Sao Joao, in the metropolitan region of Salvador .

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Omeruo eyes good World Cup for Chelsea place Ajibade Olusesan

Omeruo

uper Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, has said that he will fight for his place in Chelsea star-studded team with a good performance at the World Cup. The defender’s place in the World Cup team was confirmed on Tuesday when Coach Stephen Keshi made public his 23-man list. And the player who impressed on loan at Middlesbrough last season recently extended his contract with Chelsea. The player has declared his readiness to step up to Jose Mourinho’s starting line-up and he’s ready

Ekiti Governor’s Tennis enters main draw Ifeanyi Ibeh

ormer junior tennis stars, Samuel Omoile and Sunday Emmanuel, top the list of players that will be battling for the top prize as the maiden edition of the Ekiti Governor All Nigeria Open Tennis enters its main draw on Thursday. Other players already confirmed for the men’s round of 32 are Etim Ekanem, Moses Michael, Joseph Imeh and Thomas Otu. Nigeria’s International Tennis Federation white badge referee, Arinola Isa, also confirmed that

2013 CBN Open women’s singles champion, Ronke Akingbade, and Africa’s No 2 ranked junior player, Sarah Adebisi, will lead the battle for the women’s title which will be competed for by 32 players. The final round of qualifiers was concluded on Wednesday with Michael Okechukwu joining the main draw following a 6-0, 6-0 win over Wale Obi, while Edward Christopher defeated Samson Adewale 6-2, 6-1. The trio of Emmanuel Idoko, Ilokuta Ikechukwu and Tswarko Abubakar also joined the main draw after victories over Ayobami Odeyemi, Kolade Sunday and Adeyi Oche, respectively.

Airtel launches Rising Stars Season 4

eading Telecommunications Services provider, Airtel Nigeria, on Wednesday announced the commencement of the 4th edition of Airtel Rising Stars U-17 male and female tour nament, a grassroot football talent search programme aimed at identifying and nurturing budding soccer talent from the grassroots onto a national stage. Speaking at an event to announce the commencement of ARS 4 in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, noted that the soccer initiative was the company’s contribution to spor ts development and

youth empower ment. Ogunsanya who was in the company of ex-Super Eagles and Falcons Stars including Peter Rufai, Ann Chiejine, Chioma Ajunwa, Garba Lawal and Mutiu Adepoju said football in Nigeria elicits passion, creates fun and engenders unity. “Airtel wants to be an integral part of local communities and our association with football has strong elements of creating positive change and engagement. ARS is our contribution to building and sustaining a rich pool of football talents for the Super Eagles and Falcons,” he said.

GOtv unveils programmes for World Cup

n time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, GOtv brings football lovers two exciting programmes through the Discovery World and Al Jazeera channels on its platfrom. Welcome to Rio explores the city through the eyes of the people that are on the frontline of its development. Humorous, deter mined and inspiring, this is a unique window on the people who are the heart and soul of the city. It airs of Discovery World from Wednesday June 4. Another pro g ramme,

Football Rebels hosted by Eric Cantona on Al Jazeera, shines a spotlight on some of the more unusual stories of football heroes. It profiles five sportsmen whose social conscience led them to use their influence to challenge unjust regimes. General Manager GOtv Nigeria, Mrs Elizabeth Amkpa, says that besides tuning into the SuperSport Select to see the World Cup games, these programmes have been specially packaged to allow GOtv viewers experience the World Cup beyond the action on the football pitch.

to prove that with outstanding performances in Brazil. He is one of the players expected to help Nigeria progress in the tournament and the player said that he will use that as spring board to get his Chelsea career on a good stead. “Going to the World Cup is an opportunity to show myself and prove that I am ready to play in Chelsea firstteam. I just need to take the opportunities when presented to me, stay focused, do my best and show what I’m capable of doing.” He is expected to be in Eagles starting lineup when Nigeria confronts Iran, Bosnia and Argetina in Group F.

Osaze vows to give all in Brazil

SPORT 53 Transfer Updates

Pogba valued at €66m

uventus’ Paul Pogba has been given a J transfer value of €66m by a team of expert football economists.

An investigation took place in the Swiss town of Neuchatel and rated the young French international as the sixth most valuable player in the World. The five above him are Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Barca’s Neymar.

Diego Costa snubs new Atlético offer

iego costa has rejected a desperD ate effort from Atlético Madrid to renew his contract, reports El Mundo

Deportivo. The new deal included a substantial increase in salary, and a bigger transfer fee connected to the termination clause in the contract. Reports in England claim that Costa is close to signing for Chelsea for around £35 million. The London club hopes to complete the deal before the World Cup.

Liverpool, Arsenal fight over Toulouse defender iverpool are rivaling Arsenal L for Toulouse fullback Serge Aurier.

Greece’s Goalkeeper Panagiotis Glykos in aerial battle with Nigeria’s Osaze Odemwingie

uper Eagles striker, Osaze Odemwingie, says he has missed the team for the last two years and is desperate to make contribution to the team before he calls it quits with football. Describing the team as having raised its standards, which other countries especially in Africa will struggle to catch up with. Speaking after the match against the Greek national side at the PPL Park In Philadelphia, USA, Odemwingie says without doubt the Keshi regime as coach has positively impacted on the team and he was desperate to be part of the success story. “Luckily, I have been picked to go and do battle for the nation in Brazil and I can assure you that I will give my all to the team. The talent is there, the stars are here and we work as a family. Yes I have been away but now that I’m back I want to give my all and ensure that we do well in Brazil”, Eagles Media Officer Ben Alaiya quotes Osaze as saying. The Stoke City striker took time off to thank fans in Nigeria and across the world who stood by him why he was away from national duties and promised that he will not fail them come Brazil 2014.

NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE

El-Kanemi 4-0 Kaduna Utd Sunshine 2-2 Heartland Enyimba 2-0 Gombe Utd Giwa FC 2-0 Crown FC Abia Warriors 4-1 Akwa Utd Rangers 3-1 Lobi Stars Kano Pillars 4-1 Sharks Dolphins 2-0 FC Taraba Nembe 0-0 Nasarawa Warri Wolves P- P Bayelsa

Aurier is leaving Toulouse this summer and is on YouTube actively talking up the prospect of joining Arsenal. However, the Daily Star says Liverpool have emerged as unlikely contenders to sign him.

Muller wants Bayern talks

homas Muller is eager to hold discusT sions with Bayern Munich bosses over his future at the Allianz Arena.

The Germany international added a host of honours to his personal collection last term as Pep Guardiola guided the German champions to another Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal last term. And with Muller set to play a key role for Germany at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the midfielder also wants to ensure his club future is settled. Muller, a product of Bayern’s youth system, wants to hold talks with the club to assess whether he is a key part of their future.

Everton linked with Ghana defender are being linked with a move ETheVERTON for Ghana defender Samuel Inkoom. 25-year-old is said to have been

watched by Goodison Park scouts playing for his national side against Holland at the weekend. He is also said to be wanted by Greek champions Olympiakos and German side Schalke. Everton boss Roberto Martinez is said to want to sign as many as six players to prepare his side for European football next season and the Dnipro right back is believed to be one of the names being considered.

Roma keen on Dembele S Roma are interested in TottenAThe ham midfielder Mousa Dembele. Belgium international en-

joyed an impressive season last term, playing 41 games with Spurs. Calciomercato.it says Roma are in contact with Tottenham about a price for the Belgium international. Unlike Spurs, Roma can offer Dembele Champions League football next season.

54 SPORT

Nwuche wants athletes to be selected on merit Jude Opara

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Match-fixing: Lulu tasks NFF on proper investigation

Abuja

Mercy Jacob

resident of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, has stated that unless federations used merit in selecting the athletes that represent the country at international competitions, the desire to win medals at such events will continue to be a mirage. Nwuche, who spoke in Abuja during a reception in honour of the country’s weightlifters to the just concluded Africa Youth Games (AYG) in Gaborone, Botswana, also reiterated his position that unless the sports sector was adequately funded, the federations will continue to struggle to raise quality athletes that can win medals. The for mer deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, whose federation picked six of the 19 gold medals won by Team Nigeria at the AYG, said such feat was achieved because the weightlifters were selected purely on merit by the officials of the NWF. He therefore advised all the federations and indeed the National Sports Commission to insist that only the best were selected to represent Nigeria at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games if the country aims to win any medals.

ormer Nigeria Football Federation P re s i d e n t , A l h a j i Sani Lulu, has again tasked the current leadership of NFF to conduct a proper investigation to unearth those behind the series of match fixing allegations that have been associated with the Super Eagles in recent weeks. Lulu denied knowledge of alleged match fixing in the game between North

the perpetrators of this blackmail and ensure they face the full weight of the law. The Kogi State born administrator, however, demanded proper evidence to prove that there was a match fixing incident. Nigeria was recently, embroiled in another match fixing scandal, involving the friendly match between the Super Eagles and North Korea before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Nigeria’s Mikel Obi (R), trying to gain control of the ball in front of Greece’s Andreas Samaris, during an international friendly match

Warri to host Golden League Final, Grand Prix Charles Ogundiya

Korea and the Super Eagles, insisting there must be a proper investigation. “I’m tired of all this half-baked infor mation without full details. I was at the helm of affairs at the NFF in 2010, when this alleged match fixing scandal took place. And as I am talking to you I don’t know anything about it. I don’t know the Singaporean match fixer; however I want to challenge NFF and FIFA to do a thorough investigation to fish out

he Athletic Federation of Nigeria has concluded plans to hold the finals of the Golden League and Warri Relay/CAA Super Grand same day in Warri, Delta state. The Golden League final was earlier scheduled for Benin this weekend but it has now been moved to June 13 in Warri to give the homebased athletes the opportunity to compete favourably with their foreign based counterpart. The Golden League meet director, Yusuf Alli, said; “June is a very busy month for track and field in Nigeria. Our home based athletes have been competing since February; it will be good for the home based athletes to be fresh for the Grand Prix and our trials. “Competing in Benin and moving straight within a week to Warri and Calabar a few days later may lead to some of them either sustaining injuries or bur ning out. After consultations with all the stakeholders and leaders of the athletes, clubs and states, we decided to do the final of the Golden League during the Grand Prix in Warri.” The athletes will move directly to Calabar for the AFN/CRS All Nigeria Athletics Championships, which serves as trial for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Federation Cup: Sharks, Kwara United clash in round of 64 Charles Ogundiya

he round of 64 of the oldest cup competition in Nigeria, the Federation Cup, has thrown up some interesting clashes that will likely leave fans asking for more, according to the fixtures released by the Nigeria Football Federation. Top of the bill will be the match between Kwara United and Sharks of Port-Harcourt. Sharks are currently top of the Nigeria Premier

League while Kwara United are seeking promotion to the Premier League. Former Federation Cup champions, Insurance of Benin, will have their hands full against Sunshine Stars, while ABS take on Giwa FC. Reigning champions, Enyimba of Aba, will start the defence of their title with a game against Sokoto North FC. All the round of 64 fixtures have been scheduled to take place between 2nd and 3rd of July, with the round of 32 games coming up a week later.

Lagos Int’l Badminton Classics: Orbih tips Nigerian players to shine Ifeanyi Ibeh

he chairman of the Lagos State Badminton Association, Francis Orbih, has thrown his weight behind the Nigerian players taking part in the Lagos International Badminton Classics, whose main draw gets underway on Thursday at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park. Preliminary matches for players aiming for places in Thursday’s main draw were played on Wednesday, and Orbih, who was present at the tournament venue, believes Nigerian players taking part in the championship, especially those in the country’s senior and junior national teams, are in shape for the Lagos Classics. “Our top players are just back from the

World Championships and also the junior national team players are coming back from winning the African junior championships. Maybe preparation is not up to what we hope it will be, but there is a level of preparation and since all of them are participating, basically they are just moving in a very prepared level,” Orbih said. The Lagos Classics is sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and with $15,000 up for grabs in prize money, captain of Team Nigeria, Ola Fagbemi, insists he and his teammates will be doing all they can to get a share of the prize money, and also grab some valuable world ranking points in the process. Some of the countries taking part in the Lagos Classics include USA, France, Canada, South Africa and Czech Republic.

Nigerians in USA honour Eagles with trophy …Yobo salutes NFF, fans

t was par ty time at the PPL stadium in Philadelphia, USA after the goalless draw against G re e c e i n a ‘ Ro a d To B r a z i l ’ f r i e n d ly a s N i g e r i a n s i n t h e United States under the ae gis of ‘Ikemba Organisation USA’ rolled out the drums for the national team, the Super Eagles. Nig erians in their hundreds tur ned out to party with the national team and wishing them the best of luck when they go to Brazil for the World Cup. The occasion was attended by the Deputy Consul General of the Nigerian Embassy in New York, UJ Inyang. He praised the Eagles for their swift qualification for the World Cup and said with the calibre of players he saw in the friendly against Greece, the team will excel in Brazil. The leader of the g roup, Okechukwu Onyeizu, said the organisation was motivated to organise the event because of the heroics of the national team in recent times. He said he was sure that the national team will make a statement in Brazil during the World Cup and called for support from all Nigerians all over the world. After receiving a trophy from the team, Super Ea gles coach Stephen Keshi called up skipper Joseph Yobo to address the gathering. Addressing the audience, Yobo, said he was delighted to be part of the cur rent all-conquering Super Eagles. He attributed the winning spirit to the support the team has received from the Alhaji Aminu Maigari led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). “The assurance I want to give is that me and my teammates will not disappoint come Brazil 2014”, he said amidst thunderous ovation. The event was packaged by Mr Innocent Onwubiko for Ikemba USA.

African Youth Games: Danagogo urges Elegbeleye to reward athletes Mercy Jacob

ports Minister, Tamuno Danagogo, has assured Nigeria’s contingent to the recently concluded African Youth Games in Gaborone, capital of Botswana, that they will be duly rewarded by the Federal Government for their efforts during the championship that saw Team Nigeria placing third on the final medals standing. Danagogo told New Telegraph in an interview that he has mandated the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, to fast-track modalities for the athletes to be rewarded. “President Goodluck Jonathan is a sports loving President who rewards excellence as a way of encouraging athletes to perform better in subsequent competitions,” he said. “I want to assure all the athletes that participated in the African Youth Games that the Federal Government is not relenting in its effort to reward them. I have charged the NSC DG to come up with possible rewards for these athletes. It doesn’t have to be cash, it can be any other thing, but they can be assured they would be rewarded,” he stressed.

news 55

Sanctity of Truth

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Don’t register aliens, Reps warn NIMC NATIONALITY Hon. Uzor Azubuike smells a rat in ongoing registration of citizens Philip Nyam

Abuja

he House of Representatives yesterday urged the National Identity Management Commission to exercise due diligence against registration of foreigners resident in Nigeria as Nigerians by putting in place security measures that can

confirm the nationality of every person seeking registration. This followed the adoption of a motion titled “urgent need for NIMC to exercise due diligence against registration of foreigners resident in Nigeria as Nigerians” brought by Hon. Uzor Azubuike (PDP, Abia). In his lead debate, Azubuike noted that NIMC is the body charged with the responsibility of keeping the National Identity Database, where records of Nigerian citizens and foreigners resident in Nigeria are kept. He said that the ongoing NIMC registration/ enrolment of Nigerian Citizens and foreign resi-

dence alike across the country would culminate in the issuance of new National Identification Number. The lawmaker alleged that in some centres in Abuja, some people with doubtful origins numbering more than 1000 claim the citizenship of one of the native Communities outside the FCT and are enrolled as such, without further identification or verification. “Given the current security situation in the country and the presence of illegal immigrants, assisted by our porous borders, the ongoing NIMC registration/enrolment is conducted in such a manner that there are no secu-

rity measures put in place to ensure that foreigners in Nigeria are not registered as Nigerians. “I’m worried that without due diligence and adequate security measures, the implication of registering immigrants as Nigerians is far reaching as illegal immigrants who may be terrorists would be enrolled as Nigerians”, he declared. While ruling on the motion, which was unanimously adopted, the speaker mandated the House Committee on Interior to monitor the ongoing NIMC registration and report progress as well as challenges to the House periodically.

Alaafin, Arisekola, not responsible for PDP's loss in 2011, says Alao-Akala Sola Adeyemo

Ibadan

the popular belief AOyo,gainst that the duo of Alaafin of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi

and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola-Alao were behind the defeat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)'s 2011 governorship election, former governor of OyoState,AdebayoAlao-Akala, has disagreed, saying that the duo were not politicians to have succeeded in doing so. Alao-Akala, while speaking with newsmen in Ogbomoso during the activities marking his 64th birthday on Tuesday, however said that he would not divulge what made his party to lose the election, lest some people cash in on it.

"Neither the Alaafin of Oyo nor the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Arisekola Alao was instrumental to the loss of the PDP in the 2011 governorship election as many people have been insinuating. The duo are not politicians and they have never been. So, they could not have been responsible. "We in the party know, but I will keep that to myself lest some people take advantage of it against us later", he said. He nevertheless spoke on the rumour making the rounds that he was angling to rule the state again in 2015. He said: "There has been intensive consultation as to my comingbackastheGovernor of Oyo State and if you look at it very well, you will agree with me that the time is not ripe."

Lagos to announce new LASU fees, June 9 ...as govt blames crisis on fifth columnists Muritala Ayinla ndications emerged yesterday that the Lagos State government may announce new tuition for the Lagos State University, LASU on June 9, 2014. This was revealed at an emergency press briefing organised by the state government in reaction to the mass protest staged by the students on the controversial tuition fees on Tuesday. Jolted by the continuing protests by students from the school and other civil society groups, the state government said it would make its final

L-R: Head, Mobile Money, Globacom, Mr. Esaie Diei; National Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Mr. Ismail Olufemi Adebayo; Commercial Director, Globacom, Mr. David Ehikhuemem and National Vice-Chairman, ACPN, Mr. Alkali Albert Kelong, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Globacom and ACPN in Ilorin, Kwara State

position on the controversial tuition fee known when the executive committee set up bythegovernortolookintoall arguments surrounding the fee hike, submits its findings to the state executive council for deliberation. The state commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba and his counterpart in the Ministry of Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, expressed disappointment over series of protests by the students in spite of serial meetings of the students' union with government and blamed it on activities of fifth columnists.

Ekiti 2014 Bamidele unveils manifesto, promises better days Stories by Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he governorship candidate of Labour Party in Ekiti State, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, on yesterday in Ado-Ekiti unveiled his manifesto, promising better days for the people of the state if elected governor. He promised to engender unprecedented economic growth and development in all facets, adding that the state needed someone with a tender heart and who would give priority to people's welfare, in the saddle. He spoke during the public presentation of the manifesto entitled: "Healing the broken heart". Bamidele, who said he acknowledged the fact that the incumbent governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, had done his best, boasted that he had the requisite experience to surpass the level of achievements

already recorded by the present administration if given the chance. He promised to improve the lives of the people through integrated and commercial agriculture, robust infrastructure that would provide jobs for over 400,000 unemployed youths, regular water supply, low cost housing units, human capital development and other pivotal areas of the economy. He said: “I concede to the fact that Governor Fayemi has done his best for Ekiti people. But the best one can do under any circumstance is his best. So, based on the extent of his understanding, experience and exposure, I want to say he has done his best. “But the reason why I am in this race to take over from Governor Fayemi in the June 21 election is simply because I know I can do much better."

Stop playing expert in matters you don't know, Fayemi tells LP candidate

ayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation has advised the governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele to stop spreading lies in a desperate attempt to win over the Ekiti electorate who are far more informed than he assumes they are. The LP candidate had during his campaign rally in Ifaki-Ekiti on Monday promised to reverse the

merger of the University of Science and Technology in the town with two other state-owned universities if elected governor. In a statement on Wednesday, by the Head of Media of KFCO, Dimeji Daniels, the group said it was laughable that both the candidate of the LP and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had now turned the university merger into an object of lies with which they were try-

ing to pull the wool over the eyes of the enlightened Ekiti electorate. According to Daniels, the decision to merge the university was not unilateral, but a product of painstaking deliberations at an education summit peopled by eggheads of the state origin such as the late Professor Sam Aluko, Professor Akin Oyebode and other eminent educationists who were very knowlegeable in the

management of university education. Headdedthatthemergerof the universities had brought a new lease of life to Ekiti State University(EKSU)whichnow ranks 17 in the webometic ranking of universities as againstitsearlierrankingof 79. According to Daniels, the confusion about which of the three universities to give the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND), was only laid to restafterthemerger.

PDP promises rousing welcome for Jonathan he Ekiti State chapter of June 21 election. President would be accom- Police Affairs, Alhaji Jeleel TParty the People’s Democratic According to a press panied by Vice-President, Adesiyan; Minister State (PDP) has said it would statement issued by the Namadi Sambo; PDP Na- for the Defence, Senator mobilise fully for Saturday's visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state. The President and other PDP leaders are expected in the state to formally present former Governor Ayo Fayose as its candidate in the

State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Pastor Kola Oluwawole yesterday, the ceremony which is expected to begin at 10am, would hold at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti. Oluwawole said the

tional Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu; Senate President, Senator David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih; Minister of

Musiliu Obanikoro, and other PDP big wigs. Oluwawole said that water-tight security measure had been put in place by the security agencies to make the ceremony hitch-free.

World Record

On Marble

A lot of times people look at the negative side of what they feel they can’t do. I always look on the positive side of what I can do.

– Chuck Norris

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 5, 2014

N150

In Nigeria, who cares? TALKING TOUGH GABRIEL AKINADEWO

n a desperate desire to let out anger due to frustration from ‘official and unofficial’ quarters, violence has taken over Nigeria. The milk and honey flowing in the land are already mixed with the blood of victims and the tears of traumatised family members. Nigerians are no longer sure of the efficacy and deliverables of justice. So, they have resorted to taking the law into their own hands – a strong pointer to loss of confidence in the body of rules and standards moderating the conduct of citizens. Because of the desire for justice and due to the fact that security agents have failed in their mandate, punishment is being inflicted ruthlessly on fellow Nigerians. To the perpetrators, the resort to self-help will continue to give them fulfilment, law or no law. And that is why the country is not working. People mandated to protect citizens are overwhelmed with unofficial matters to the extent that what they are paid not to do has become the number one reason to continue to keep their jobs. Individual security has taken over from collective security. With the way our politics, polity and security are structured, I doubt if change is imminent. During a recent visit to London, I read the story of an officer who retired from the Metropolitan Police after 35 years of service. He said when he joined the police in the late 70s, his job was to go through newspapers ‘first thing in the morning’ and monitor reports

The largest living cat is Hercules, an adult male liger currently housed at Myrtle Beach Safari, a wildlife reserve in South Carolina, USA. In total length, he measures 3.33m.

gabyfola@hotmail.com - 08023010222 (sms only)

bordering on crimes in boroughs. After compiling all the crime stories, he and others would storm the various areas for investigation and possible arrest. In essence, there was no need for anybody to report misdemeanours or felonies before security agents would move into action. Since that has been the tradition in many western countries, the citizenry has no choice than to believe in the security system. Last March, the efficiency and response of the American Police to the welfare of citizens were displayed with the arrest of a 35-year-old Arizona woman, Shanesha Taylor, for child abuse. Her offence: Leaving her two children in a hot car while she went to a job interview. Arraigned on two felony child abuse charges, she was arrested when police officers saw the two children - 6 months and 2 years - alone in the parked car. The temperature inside

Motailatu Church at 50

n June 14, 1964, a church was established in Ibadan, the capital of the then Western Region and since then, it has strictly followed the admonition of Isaiah 58:1 ‘Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet and shew my people their transgression...” My father, His Most Eminence, Archbishop I.M. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu), proprietor, publisher, administrator and opinion leader, did not allow his busy schedule then to prevent him from doing church work, evangelising and ministering unto the people, thus the establishment of the church known today as Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW). Since then, the church has grown, physically and spiritually. Under the guidance of his father, Saint B.A. Adekahunsi, whom he described as ‘the founder of modern faith in Jesus Christ’, my father’s work in the vineyard today is a testimony of God’s faithfulness. I remember when a new chapel for the church was opened on May 3, 1975 in Ibadan, Saint Adekahunsi led hundreds of men of God to the dedication. When the 25th anniversary of this church was celebrated in Ondo in 1989 (I still have the sticker), my paternal grandmother, Holy Mother E.O. Akinadewo, was also present. To the glory

Archbishop Akinadewo

of God, all my father’s children are involved in preaching the good tidings to the world today. That is why parishes of the church abound in the country and abroad. As the celebration of the 50th anniversary commences next week, I greet millions of members of the church with our popular hymn: ‘My endowed church is Motailatu, Holy Father has descended...’

exceeded 100 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). Police said the children were buckled in their seat belts in the backseat of the vehicle, sweating profusely and in apparent distress while the mother was interviewing for a job with an insurance company. The first thing the police did was to take the children away from her. Last Thursday, a judge ruled that she would only be allowed ‘supervised visits’ to her sons while she awaits trial. Her trial has been set for September 4. Compare these two scenarios to what I read in The Nation last Saturday and you will weep for Nigeria. You will shed tears, not because the story is strange but because you wonder how long Nigeria will continue this way. Anchored by Evelyn Osagie, the story is about inhumanity of the highest order, the state of anomie that is reigning in the land and a demonstration of the neglect of hapless citizens by security agents. Do security agents need to wait for somebody to report a matter before arrest is made when the fact is so glaring? Helen, a 19-year-old indigene of Benue State, is one of those unlucky Nigerians whose parents cannot afford to sponsor their education. Desperate to acquire quality education, she relocated to Lagos to live with her sister in Bariga and started working as a cleaner in one of the companies in Lekki, Lagos, hoping to save enough fund for her education. But today, she has tested positive to the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). No, she is not promiscuous. She was gang-raped by some rough-necks. Now, she carries a psychological burden, not just because she was raped and infected with HIV but those who perpetrated the act are still living on the same street with her. She sees them everyday and she is helpless. Around 5.05am while leaving her street gate to board a bus to Lagos Island, five young men seized her, dragged her to a corner and gangraped her. They also took her two phones and N5,000 cash from her purse. As they were raping Helen, they seized another lady and gave her the same treatment. “The two men raped the girl while the other three continued raping me. For my mind, e be like say make I get knife take kill them, because it was a very

painful thing to experience.” When she was released, she ran back home to her sister and both wept in silence. She said further: “I recognised them, two of them live opposite my house. I see them every day and cringe. I’m always in fear each time I see them.” Today, she is HIV-positive. Helen lamented: “What kind of life can one live now? I feel so bad, I feel so weak and I am asking myself: ‘what did I do wrong in this life to deserve this? What will happen to my dream of going to school?’ I have not been able to save for school, and I am now treating HIV. “I want justice. I need help. I want those men to go to jail for what they did to me and perhaps many other ladies in the area. These people cannot be allowed to go free. Everybody knows them as thieves in the area; they do not go to work or school but just hang around all day doing nothing. Still nobody has done anything about it. It is almost as if they are using charms. Their father is a very aggressive landlord. I see them always and I’m always in fear; that’s why we packed out of the house last weekend. You won’t believe that till we packed, my attackers were still using my phone,” she said. Which serious country on earth will allow this heinous crime go unpunished? While Helen is lamenting in Lagos, about 20 female students of Benue State University, Makurdi, were raped penultimate Sunday when hoodlums invaded their campus. Seven others were injured and their valuables carted away. It is pointless trying to highlight what Nigerians in the North-East are going through in the hands of rampaging fundamentalists. If security agents can no longer protect citizens, are we not slipping into anarchy?

OmoBaba

WE KNOW WHERE CHIBOK GIRLS ARE, OKUPE INSISTS - News

– Then, go... bring back the girls!

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